Ghost Hunters, Lies, & Money (Ghost Hunt Fanfiction)

In Which: Mai Spills The Tea

Day Seven

11:30pm

The Koku Inn

"What do you think?"

Mai wrung her hands. Her heart was in her throat. From the foot of Naru's bed, she stared over at the two men speaking at the door. Lin and the doctor.

"I can't exactly say, but I don't suspect anything serious. All vitals signs are good. From what you've shared with me, the patient has hardly slept in the last twenty-four hours— I would say it's a classic case of exhaustion. Perhaps mild food poisoning...? I suggest plenty of rest and fluids."

Mai released the breath she was holding.

"Thank you doctor, I will make sure he's looked after."

The old man turned and gave Naru's unconscious form an appraising look,

"I wouldn't worry. He's a young man, he ought to recover quickly. Just the same, I'll be back tomorrow morning to check in. If anything should change, Mrs. Koku knows where to find me."

Lin made a polite bow and showed the doctor out of the room. Still buzzing with nervous energy, Mai made herself sit, helping herself to the edge of Naru's bed. The events of last hour had been more than she had bargained for.

I just wanted to make him a cup of tea.

Mai rubbed at her eyes, willing her pulse to stop pounding through her head. It didn't help that in that moment Naru shifted with a low groan.

Mai was up and at his side. She gathered his blankets, pulled back from when the doctor had examined him, and covered him properly.

"What is it?"

Mai looked from Naru, to Lin. The tall Chinese man had returned. He came to stand at the other side of the bed, his expression now less troubled. He must have agreed with the doctor's diagnosis. His calm put Mai better at ease.

"He was stirring."

"It's exhaustion. He'll be fine after some sleep."

He needs to sleep...

Mai bit the inside of her cheek. Her fingers smoothed the corner of Naru's blanket, waiting for Lin to finish her thought.

I should be going...

"If you're up to it, I'll have you stay with him a little longer. I'm going to go talk with Mrs. Koku and order a tray. He'll need to eat and drink when he wakes."

"Of course," Mai answered immediately, relieved to be found useful.

Lin fixed her with a long look,

"Are you sure?"

Mai met his stare uncertainly. She couldn't be sure, but it seemed some of the troubled expression he wore earlier had crept back into his features,

"Of course," she insisted, "Why...?"

Lin broke his gaze. He crossed his arms and nodded towards Naru.

"He isn't the only one who hasn't slept much in the last twenty-four hours."

Oh.

Mai ducked her head, self-conscious. Lin knew exactly how little sleep she was living on. He had been the one who found her outside Naru's door that morning, hours before dawn. What was worse, he was right to question her. The adrenaline of the moment leaving her veins, Mai could feel every cell in her body crying for rest.

Not yet.

Mai summoned up her brightest and most reassuring smile, one normally used for persuading clients,