No Man Is an Island (Part 18)
Title: No Man Is an Island
Fandom: Death Note
Pairing: The Main series likely won't have a pairing, at least until the last chapter or so.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: L knows all about secrets, but what is he going to do when he doesn't have any of the answers.
Warnings/Notes: This is probably the last chapter of the main series.
L had rushed the trip and so once he got back to their current headquarters he was near exhaustion. He still wasn't completely sure anything would come of it, but he had to make a move. He felt time was getting shorter and shorter, and if this whole situation was to be dealt with before his time was up he couldn't let any chance slip by. He needed to be decisive.
"I will show you to your room if you like." The young girl was holding his hand tightly, clearly nervous, as she took in her new surroundings.
"I would like that." She answered him softly.
He nodded and once she was settled he went to find Near.
"I take it everything went smoothly while I was gone?" He asked as he took up his normal seat.
"It did." Near answered not looking up from the puzzle he was working on. "Some new evidence came in on the most reason case, but it was still being processed until an hour ago. The email is waiting for you."
"Thank you." L focused his attention on it until he was certain he had processed it completely. "Is there anything else I should know?"
Before Near had a chance to respond several alarms went off.
L turned his attention to the screens until he focused in on the intruder. "Well this is unexpected." He zoomed in on the area. "I will speak with him. You are not to leave this room, and it is to be kept on lock down. The same goes for Miracle's room. Actually, you will go there and remain with her. Let no one in, not even me."
"How will I know when it is safe?" Near asked.
"Are you so sure it ever will be?" L asked as he turned to the young boy. "I will come here and I will make sure you can hear our conversation. You may judge for yourself, though I would prefer that you not be seen if it is possible."
Near nodded heading out of the room as L sent the system into his second level. Once Near had arrived and Miracle seemed comfortable enough with him then L locked the place down as he sought out his visitor.
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"You have surprised me, Light-kun. I suppose I must give you a moment to relish your victory before we speak of business." He offered as he came close to the younger man.
"If this is a surprise then you have lost your touch." Light said softly. "You should have known it would come to this again, at least at some point."
"I did." L said with a nod. "But I didn't expect it so soon. No doubt you have a purpose being here now."
Light seemed uncomfortable for just a second. It was brief, but long enough for L to realize that perhaps he wasn't the only one surprised by his guest's arrival.
"You are still going to go against me, aren't you, L?" Light asked his tone clipped.
"Yes." L stated. "Why did you think I would not?"
"I had hoped you would see that I was right. That my way was the only way to make the world better." Light remained in the slight shadows that fading light of the evening offered.
"I will never agree with you, Light-kun." He shook his head as he spoke.
"And you have not used your Death Note, have you?" Light's eyes were directly locked onto his face forcing him to pay attention.
"No. I told you before I see no reason to extend my life, especially with the cost." L offered.
"Of course." Light nodded as he moved closer.
"Are you here alone, Light-kun?" L asked. It was too soon to do anything with what he had discovered, but perhaps he would find no better opportunity.
"Yes." Light answered. "Mello has left. He did not agree with me."
"I see." L said biting the edge of his thumb. "Was it easy to find me?"
"No, actually." Light smirked. "But you knew it wouldn't be. I've been searching for about two months actually. I got lucky, or I might not have found you tonight."
"I doubt luck has anything to do with it." L said as he returned the smirk. "So, we are here. What now?"
"I don't know honestly. I'm right. I know it, but I doubt I will ever convince you of that." Light said with a shrug. "And I can't get rid of you now. I suppose I could wait, figure out how long you have left, but I don't want to."
L took a breath as he stared at Light. "Do you love Mello?"
Light took several moments to answer. "He isn't you."
L bit his thumb again. "You don't know where he is, do you?"
"No, but between the two of us, well three of us counting Near, he won't be able to remain in hiding."
L sighed. "He wouldn't return anyway, not unless he wanted to." He knew the boy well, or at least had known him well at one point. "I might have something, well someone, that could convince him to return, but I doubt he will listen to anything either of us say at this point."
"Someone?" Light asked watching him intently.
"You will see, Light-kun." L smirked. "But for now I want a promise from you."
"What kind of promise?" Light definitely didn't sound pleased.
"A simple one." L stated. "If Kira suddenly stopped there would be chaos, and frankly I have other concerns that I would rather deal with first, but I do not wish you to use the Death Note anywhere near this building. You are to accept any conditions I demand for interacting with Near, and any of the people who are currently working with me."
"I suppose that is fair." Light said.
"We will continue this talk in the control room." He said turning and heading back towards the building without once glancing back to see if Light was following him. "We have much to do." And much to atone for, he couldn't help but think.