In the parlor Oliver sat, a cup of tea held in his hands. While he leaned back against the tufted velvet sofa he caught Martin's eye. The older man with peppered hair offered an apologetic smile.

Raising a brow, Oliver turned his head away. He wasn't really in the mood to deal with his father. Afterall, Martin had betrayed his trust. The older man was supposed to be the only other sane individual in his life, with the exception of Lin, however, it was clear to Oliver that Martin had been more than willing to go along with such a ridiculous scheme Luella had stomed up.

"Noll, I really am sorry about all this," Martin spoke carefully.

If Martin had truly been sorry, he wouldn't have allowed any of it to happen by surprise, at least, that was how Oliver felt. He could have easily discussed the matter with Oliver weeks before Mai's arrival, yet he choose to keep silent on Luella's behalf. Sure, Oliver understood that Luella was Martin's wife, but hiding something from Oliver when it very much concerned his personal life had Oliver seriously reconsidering his trust of Martin. Oliver hated surprised. Martin was well aware of that fact. He was also aware of the fact that Oliver had next to no respect for those that attempted to twist his arm in order to get their way.

Delaying the publication of his book if he refused to agree to such ridiculous terms was honestly not the correct way to win Oliver over. If anything, it further fueled his irritation with the entire situation.

"You know I'm only forcing the issue for Luella's sake. Besides, Noll, if you were to lose control of your abilities in the middle of the night, Mai can help you. For that reason alone, I think it's a good idea you two live with each other."

Oliver took a sip from his cup before finally acknowledging his father, "You could have told me when she was coming. I had a right to know, after all, she was my assistant."

Taking a seat in a chair opposite Oliver, Marin sighed, "I thought we should have told you from the beginning, as soon as I received her application, but Madoka and Luella begged me not to say a word...and you know I can't say 'no' to your mother. Luella is convinced that you are in love with the girl, and she didn't want you to know, for fear that you would do something to rash before Mai's arrival and scare her off."

Nearly choking on his tea, Oliver gave his father a narrowed look, "And why would Luella think I'm in love with Mai? That's far fetched." Even though it was true, Oliver wasn't able to comprehend how Luella came to that conclusion. It wasn't like he had done much of anything to show Mai affection on those old tapes from his investigations in Japan… Nothing he thought Luella would have picked up on, anyway. She didn't know him as well as Oliver figured she would have liked.

"She and Madoka watched your tapes from Japan, to better understand your research. Luella said that the way you treated Mai in comparison to the others was interesting. She then asked Lin about your daily relations with her."

Eyebrows knitting together, Oliver asked in a low tone, "And what exactly did Lin tell her?" Lin was observant. Naru was positive Lin had witnessed some of his more...lighthearted encounters with Mai, though he never thought Lin would have ever spoken of them to his parents, Luella particularly. Then again, Oliver was sure that Lin hadn't really cared about his personal interactions with Mai, as long as he kept his own secrets.

Martin threw his hands up, "I have no idea. Neither does Lin. He said that what he had told Luella didn't imply anything pertinent to what you may or may have not felt. He did, however, state that Mai's feelings for you were plainly obvious…"

Oliver frowned. He wouldn't have said that Mai's feelings were always obvious…she hadn't exactly been explicit about her feelings, though she and Masako had feuded fairly regularly, and it was clear to everyone at the time that Masako was quite interested in Oliver. Perhaps Lin made one assumption too many. Mai's feelings had never been clear to Oliver until she explained herself. And at the time Mai had chosen to share her feelings, Oliver completely dismissed them.

"I don't believe that Mai ever did anything to express any...affections."

"Not while she had you complete attention, perhaps," Martin shrugged. "Regardless, Luella believes you two to be a good match. She...would like for you to consider Mai as a partner, for your sake. Luella thinks she could make you ha-"

"Martin," Oliver cut the older man off, "I don't appreciate the fact that Luella would intervene in my personal life to this extent. I understand her intentions, however, she has only managed to put Mai and myself in a rather awkward predicament. We have gone six years without any contact. The two of us have changed. Our thoughts of one another have changed as well. It doesn't matter what Mai and I may or may not have felt six years ago. That doesn't define how we see one another now. I think it is a mistake on Luella's part to all but force a relationship."

Martin stared at his son for a long moment. Oliver's points were valid, and Luella's meddling could have been more damaging than helpful… "Noll, I do not agree with the way your mother has handled this situation, and I know your are correct in asserting the fact that things have changed, but I think you should consider making the best of things as they stand now. You will be spending a considerable amount of time with Mai. Let her in, even if only to be a friend, Noll. If anything beyond that develops naturally, so be it, and if not, that's perfectly alright. You need someone your own age that you can at least trust and in whom you can confide."

Sipping from his teacup, Oliver cast his gaze away from Martin, "I-"

"Now, down the stairs this way! And don't be shy, Mai! You look gorgeous!" Madoka's voice boomed enthusiastically.

"I… I look desperate or something!" It was Mai's voice.

Glancing to the top of the staircase, Oliver froze. Eyes slightly wider than normal, he stared like a dumbstruck fool. His teacup then slipped from his fingers and landed on the tiled floor with a crash. Never before had Mai's appearance totally shocked him. As Madoka urged his former assistant to descend the stairs Oliver could only gape at the glittering, golden fabric hugging Mai's body. He nearly missed the sight of black tulle poking out from the bottom of the short dress - much credit due to Mai's bust. The top of the dress might as well have ended at the waistline, leaving two lengths of fabric to cover most of Mai's breasts and serve as a collar. Oliver was unable to recall ever once seeing a keyhole neckline as severe as the one Mai wore.

Clapping her hands, Madoka squealed, "Oh! It looks like you've got someone's full attention!"

Oliver snapped his gaze away when Madoka's voice sounded again. He was not going gawk at Mai any longer. Oliver had never gawked at women. Mai shouldn't have been any different…

Martin, equally as surprised as his son, stood and quickly made his way to the kitchen while shouting over his shoulder, "I'll get a rag to clean up the broken china, Noll."

Almost able to hear the smirk in Madoka's voice, Oliver held a hand to his head, "Oh! That reminds me, Mai, I need to handle something for Lin before dinner! Why don't you just sit down right here, next to Noll."

He hadn't noticed how close Mai and Madoka had gotten until the pinkett forced a very uncomfortable Mai onto the sofa. Oliver glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Madoka then sprinted away, leaving the awkward couple alone in a tension filled silence.

Blushing madly, Mai carefully eyed Oliver. She folded her arms over her chest, trying to hide the majority of her exposed body as well as her cleavage. As the skin on Mai's arms began to prickle, she scooted closer to the arm of the couch. She felt...so naked in that moment. When Oliver barely looked at her, Mai's cheeks only continued to darken in color. She couldn't even begin to imagine what her former employer was thinking.

"I don't exactly bite, Mai," Noll stated, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"I'm not so sure I believe that…" Mai muttered unconsciously. Really, she was frightened he would comment on her attire, and how she appeared as if she was groveling for sexual attention. But, if Mai remembered correctly, Oliver wasn't exactly interested in sex. Well, she had actually assumed that fact. Mai didn't believe that someone who possessed the ability to see traumatic events through touch alone was interested in such physical intimacy. Plus, Mai wasn't exactly stupid about the side effects of Oliver's abilities. She was certain he had PTSD to some extent, despite his perfect composure. So...long story short, Mai didn't really have to guess that sex was something Oliver could easily live without. And yet, Madoka and Oliver's mother wanted Mai to dress up like some Penthouse model.

"Besides," Mai continued, clearing her throat, "I feel... very...uneasy. This isn't...exactly something I would normally wear, and I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea, or looking, or-"

"Mai, calm down. Everyone is aware that Luella and Madoka are to blame for this."

"That doesn't make me feel any better…" Mai moaned.

Once Mai had increased the distance between herself and Oliver, Martin came rushing back into the room with a kitchen rag.

Oliver didn't hesitate in taking the cloth from Martin's hand when it was offered. Her removed himself from the sofa and knelt down to collect the shards of his teacup along with the remainder of his tea that dirtied the floor.

"Your mother said dinner should be ready in another half hour," Martin said, noting the tension that had built during his short absents.

"Fine," Oliver deadpanned. He turned his head back, figuring he might as well give Mai a distraction. He didn't think it wise for her to continually fret over her appearance. "Mai, tea."

Face darkening further, Mai gaped. Her eyes narrowed as she stood from her seat on the sofa and balled her hands into fists. She didn't even know where the damn kitchen was!

"What the hell, Naru?! I thought I was supposed to be your roommate, not your slave! It's not like it's my job to actually make tea for you anymore!" Mai cried in Japanese.

"I recall that you had expressed an interest in an assistantship in parapsychology, and there is only one assistantship available. I'm sure you can figure out the rest, unless you somehow managed to fall further into the depths of dumb." The corner of his lip curling, Oliver rose to his full height. His plan had been a success.

Seething, Mai bore her gaze right into Oliver's eyes. She opened her mouth, trying to think of something to shout back. When it was clear Mai had nothing to say, Oliver turned and adjusted the shard riddled rag in his hands.

As Oliver began making his way to the hall he called back, "Are you simply going to stand there and let flies nest, or are you coming?"

Mai shook her head and then pouted. Before following Oliver she looked at Martin, who was still somewhat unsure of what had happened, and bowed, "I apologize for my outburst."

"Don't," Martin offered a small smile, "Noll shouldn't have been requesting anything from you. You are our guest this evening."

As Mai straightened her back, she huffed a slight laugh, "I'm not so sure Naru has ever been known for his usage of good manners."

"Mai!" Oliver barked.

Nearly stumbling over herself as she hastened after Oliver, Mai glanced back at Martin. He appeared amused by her previous comment, and was holding a hand over his mouth to conceal a chuckle. At least everyone could agree on Oliver's poor mannerisms.

Dinner hadn't been as eventful as Mai had anticipated. Oliver had kept a rather low profile for the duration of the meal - no surprises there - and Madoka had managed to tone down the overly high levels of energy. Really, all dinner had been was everyone asking Mai how the past few years had treated her in Japan. Even Lin asked a few questions pertaining to her university studies.

When dinner had concluded, Mai insisted on helping Luella clear the table and wash dishes. It was while she and Luella were engrossed in conversation over the kitchen sink that Oliver's request for tea rang in Mai's ears for the second time that evening.

"Oh, don't trouble yourself. I'll get that for him," Luella said, patting Mai's shoulder. Mai, drying the last of the dishes, gave Luella a nervous look.

"I don't mind...besides, I think he'll somehow know if I don't make it." The last thing Mai wanted before leaving for the flat was a grouchy Oliver. Especially when she would have been the one putting up with him after the long drive.

"But you are the guest here, Mai. I don't want Noll putting you to work."

A small bead of sweat rolled down Mai's temple as she gave an uneasy laugh, "Ah, well, I'm sure he'll put me to work as soon as we get back to the flat. No need in delaying the inevitable." She waved her hands as Luella gave her a stern look, "Really! It's not that big of a deal! I mean, I'm used to it! I might as well have been his tea slave in Japan, honestly! I didn't do much else except some pretty basic filing! He wouldn't even let me handle the mail! Oh, well...now that I think about it, he had a good reason for that, but the point is I spent most of my time making him tea! So, I truly don't mind!"

"Alright, if you insist," Luella sighed, slightly amused by Mai's ramble. "But if he starts getting on your nerves, let me know. I wouldn't mind talking to him about his manners."

Mai snorted, "What manners?"

Holding a hand to her lips, Luella chuckled, "I suppose you have a point."

"Mai!"

Luella's giggling grew louder, "Well… I don't think I ever recall him being quite this fussy. He's usually rather quiet and patient when waiting for tea."

Eyes widening, Mai shook her head, "No way! You have to be kidding! He was always like this in Japan! If I was too slow he would get irritated! Kinda like he is now!"

A large grin taking over her features, Luella nodded, "I see. You must really do something special when you make his tea."

"Um…" Mai took the kettle and began filling it with water from the tap, "I'm not too sure it's special. I don't really think it's all that different from anyone else's… But if I did ever have anyone else make it, he always seemed to be in a bad mood."

Luella chose not to comment further, but she knew Mai's tea had to mean something to Noll. And, if it wasn't the tea, per say, perhaps it was the fact Mai made it. Oh, the thought made Luella more than giddy!

"Anyway…" Mai cleared her throat, placing the kettle on the stove, "I wanted to thank you for dinner. It was really kind of you to invite me." Mai beamed, though, she had actually been dragged rather than invited.

"Of course! It was lovely having you here, and you're always welcome in this house! Just consider it your second home, dear."

Mai smiled awkwardly, holding her bare arm with her right hand. She felt that Luella was a little forward in making a statement that implied she was part of the family. Sure, Mai was more than happy to feel like she belonged somewhere, but the fact it was Naru's family had Mai slightly on edge. She knew that she couldn't ever be more to her former employer than a friend. And Mai thought she'd be damn lucky to make it there! It wasn't like she and Naru had all that much in common…

"Mai!"

Groaning, Mai turned back to the kettle before yelling, "Water only boils so fast, you damn narcissist!" She instantly met eyes with Luella again before covering her mouth and profusely apologizing, "Sorry! I didn't mean to be rude and-"

The older woman waved her hand, "Don't worry. I think he earned that, but like I mentioned earlier, he's not usually this fussy."

Preparing a teacup, Mai chewed on the inside of her cheek. She really couldn't imagine Naru being so...not fussy. Mai recalled how he always demanded tea like his life depended on it. It was weird that Luella said it was unusual for him to be like that. That's just how Mai always remembered Naru…

After preparing the tea in a strainer, Mai pulled the kettle off the heat and poured it into the teacup. She then glanced back at Luella, politely requesting the cream as well a the honey. Mai still knew how her former employer took his tea. Her lips turned upwards as she fondly recalled making his tea for the first time. Naru had been hovering over her shoulder in the old school house, watching. Mai had been about to add sugar when he exhaled loudly, likely disapproving. So, Mai had left his tea with only cream and honey. He never complained about it, so Mai had assumed he tolerated it. Especially when he used to constantly order her to make it.

"Mai-"

"For Kami's sake, Naru, I'm coming!" Mai shouted before grumbling. Despite the fact Naru was usually rather...vocal about his tea, Mai couldn't quite remember him being nearly as impatient. He rarely asked her more than twice for something.

With a cup of finished tea, Mai smiled back a Luella and nodded her head. She then rushed to the parlor in the hopes of fulfilling her former employer's need for tea. When Mai spotted Naru sitting on the sofa, reading a book, she rolled her eyes.

While standing an arm's length away from him, Mai observed him. Like usual, he was too absorbed in his reading to even look at her. Then again...Mai wasn't so sure she wanted him staring at her. Honestly, she still felt as if she was dressed like a woman looking for an intimate evening with another man… Damn Madoka…

Taking a small step closer, Mai peeped over the top of Naru's book. She couldn't read it all that well, given that the words were upsidedown and backwards from her perspective, but given that Naru was reading it she assumed it was about parapsychology.

As she watched Naru turn a page, Mai returned her gaze to his face. Crying out, slightly surprised, Mai jumped back. She honestly hadn't expected him to suddenly be staring at her through his crescent lenses.

"I know I'm quite handsome, Mai, but really, do you feel the need to gawk?"

Mai's cheeks flamed red. Her eyes narrowed as she turned her back to Naru, his tea still in hand.

"What are you talking about? I was interested in your book. You were the one gawking!"

When he heard Naru quietly snort she turned her head back. His lips were curved upwards, sporting a smile, and there was an amused twinkle in his eye. As Naru's stiff posture relaxed Mai shifted rather awkwardly on her feet. As she began to turn, she wobbled. Mai threw out an arm to catch her balance, though it didn't do her much good, seeing that she had kicked the corner of the area rug with the heel of her stiletto.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Mai prepared for impact with either the floor or the coffee table. She had also neglected to maintain her grasp on the porcelain tea cup she had intended on giving to Naru while falling through the air. The cup smashed into the floor, breaking into several jagged shard. It was after Mai realized the teacup had broken that she discovered she hadn't made contact with the table, or the ground. As she came to her senses she felt an arm wrapped around her waist paired with a foreign sensation on her shoulder. Her back was also arched in a rather uncomfortable position, pressing against something sturdy and warm.

Mai cracked an eye open to inspect her predicament. Her gaze slowly shifted from her stomach to the burgundy clad appendage locking her body in place. She then looked up and to her right and nearly died of embarrassment.

Naru actually had his chin pressed against shoulder, and his sight was practically trained on her chest. Sure...the angle in which Naru had managed to grab Mai was more than a little odd, but still! He was looking down her dress, and Mai wasn't even wearing a bra!

"Uh… Na-Naru?" Mai stuttered. She placed her hands over his arm and gently pushed as she attempted to regain her footing.

"Still clumsy as ever," Naru sighed. He stood up straight, pulling Mai back onto her feet as he moved. Mai snapped her head back as soon as she was steady, about to retort, but before she could even get one word out he was speaking again.

"You didn't hurt yourself, did you?"

Mai's dignity was certainly worse for wear, however, Mai knew Naru had been referring to her physical condition, "Fine. I'm fine." Again, she had pushed on his arm, desperate to put distance between Naru and herself. Mai was well aware that Naru disliked touch of any descripting, so she was positive he wasn't thrilled with her back flush against his chest. That, and Mai was well beyond flustered.

Once Naru finally released Mai, she took a few steps forward and crossed her arms over her chest. As her cheeks burned she glanced back to see Naru kneeling, gathering the larger pieces of broken china from the floor. Mai frowned. It was her fault there was a mess anyway.

"You don't have to do that, I'll get it! After all, it was my clumsiness that caused this," Mai said. She dropped to her knees, ready to aid in collecting the scattered shard.

Naru seized Mai's wrist as she reached out for a piece of the shattered teacup. He offered her a stern look while shaking his head.

"I'll handle it. I don't need you injuring yourself."

Mai yanked her hand back, startled. She hadn't expected Naru to grab her; slap her hand away, maybe.

"Ah… Okay…" Mai mumbled. She scooted back, watching as Naru picked up the remainder of the cup. When he stood Mai rose to stand as well.

"At least let me clean it up," she smiled bashfully before staring down at the puddle of tea at her feet. She planned to get a rag from the kitchen while Naru disposed of the shards. While stepping forward, towards the hall, Mai was stopped.

"No. Don't worry about it. I'll get it. Just sit down on the sofa."

Blanching at Naru's ridgid tone, Mai gave a curt nod. She hated to be a pain to him. If she had been allowed to clean up after herself, Mai wouldn't have felt like she was causing Naru near as much trouble.

With a defeated sigh, Mai dragged herself to the sofa, being careful to avoid the liquid on the floor. After sitting down she clasped her hands together and slouched over her knees.

"I swear...this is the most uncomfortable day of my life," uttered Mai to herself.