Chapter 19

…

L's eyes flickered across the digital numbers on the side of his computer screen. It was 1.30am in the morning. It was early, too early, yet he had no desire to sleep. He had been going through the hotels security data, watching the recording of the shooting over, and over, and over again. He looked repeatedly for any sign or clue of Kira. Even he had his doubts about Kira's involvement in Watari's death, but the killer's suicide made him suspicious enough to blame him. He replayed the footage once more. His brain had become familiar with the scene. It was like a dance in his head. From the stopping of the car to the flash of the gun. He would usually stop the tape just before the killer turned on himself and rewound it, but this time he didn't. This time, he noticed something in the corner he had not paid attention to before. Although her face was blurred as she exited the car, L knew who the person was. Mina.

He sighed.

The creek of a door snapped him from his thoughts. Mina stepped out of the darkness and into the living room. He remained at his desk, his eyes following her silently as she took the seat opposite him at the table. Her wavy dark hair was a mess around her shoulders and the sight of her in her nightgown would have been enticing for any other man. But L said nothing, and eventually turned his eyes back to his laptop. They sat there in silent for a minute.

"You look tired." She spoke softly. She had obviously just woken up. L looked up at her again for a moment, his eyes lingering back down the flimsy night gown she wore. It reminded him that he was just like any other man. He returned his attention to his laptop once more.

To Mina, it was almost like he was ignoring her. It was late, and she was tired of trying to get to sleep. She really wasn't in the mood.

What have I done this time? In her mind, Mina went thought all the possible reasons why he was ignoring her. To her dismay, there was a whole list of them. "Do you really think Light will fall for your plan?" Once again, he said nothing.

"Do you want to get rid of me?"

"What?" L looked up at this.

"Is that why you're sending me off to a mass murder?" she sounded hurt at the idea. "Because it feels like I've become some kind of burden for you."

"You were a burden right from the start." Mina turned her head away painfully. He sighed.

"Please don't have another break down. I won't be able to sleep for days." L immediately regretted his words for Mina had stood up and walked off. "Mina…" he said warningly, standing up too and following her into her bedroom quickly grabbing his kebab of lollies from the side. "I'm not trying to get rid of you." He said as she jumped into bed, pulling the duvet up over her head.

Man. This girl really was a handful.

He sat on the edge of the bed and slowly pulled the head of the duvet back. A pair of angry eyes greeted him.

"Go. Away."

"No." He returned her scorn, taking in a jelly bean from the top of his skewer at the same time.

"All you do is eat lollies! You're gonna die anyway, so why don't you throw yourself in the lions den instead." She grabbed the duvet from his fingers and pulled it back over her head. He sighed, looking at his kebab of treats. She did have a point about the lack of nutrition. He frowned, and placed the kebab on the bed side table.

He sat there awkwardly, waiting for Mina to say or do something. When she did, she didn't sound angry anymore.

"After this…what will happen?"

"What do you mean?"

"This mission of mine. What do you think will happen afterwards?"

"…." L said nothing. He hadn't really thought about it, well, not in Mina's case. And that wasn't like L at all.

"Watari is gone. Endo are finished. And as far as I'm concerned so are we. You have no reason to protect me anymore."

Ouch. That hurt.

So she still was angry at him after all.

"You are right," L hated to admit it "but what will you do? Where will you go?"

"I have an aunt in France. We haven't spoken in years but she's the only family I have next to my father." She said solemnly.

France.

"Hn."

They were silent for another minute. She finally popped her head out from under the duvet to look at him.

"You don't remember her do you?"

"Who?"

"Your mother. I assume that is the reason why you've decided to stay with your aunt." Mina nodded her head slightly.

"Since I found out Watari knew her I've wanted to know how. Now that he's dead...," she paused for a moment "I want to know more; even if it does seem impossible." There was a long silence between them.

"I never knew my mother and farther." L sighed, giving in to temptation and taking another lolly off his kebab.

…

The day had come and gone and everyone was preparing for the new plan in the investigation. Mina sat uncomfortably on the sofa as the men in suits rampaged across the room. She wondered where the hell they got their energy from. L must have noticed her uneasiness. He sat down next to her.

"Don't worry Mina," he patted her back reassuringly "All you have to do is be yourself."

Girly, whiny and insufferably annoying? Thanks L.

"What?" she realised he was looking at her strangely. Even more strangely, he stood and walked off without saying another word. I'll never get over how weird that kid is.

"I hope he knows what he's doing." She heard Mogi whisper to Matsuda from behind. "Because if anything happens to that poor girl…I swear to God…"

Geesh. They could have been stealthier for her sake. But no, they were detectives. They were made to gossip to one another.

"Mogi-san, This is L we're talking about. He knows what he's doing…I hope."

"You guys aren't making me feel any better." Mina turned around and spoke attracting their full attention.

"Oops." Mogi muttered while Matsuda apologised awkwardly. Mina sighed. Unlike Matsuda, Mogi didn't scuttle off in embarrassment; instead he sat down next to her reassuringly.

"You'll be fine!" he flicked his wrist nervously.

Just stop Mogi. Just stop. Mina sighed again. "I'm just worried it's not going to work." He muttered to himself, even though she could hear him. Talk about contradiction.

"Of course it will." L had returned, now sitting cross legged upon the coffee table.

"Oh?" her eyebrow was raised at this. "And how do you know." L muttered something inaudible as he munched on a choc chip brownie.

"Did you catch any of that?" Mogi whispered in her ear.

"Nope."

A high pitched beeping sounded screamed from L's laptop causing everyone in the room to jump. L was the only one unaffected by the ear pounding screeching. "Mina," he stood with a bit of chocolate smudged on his chin. "Let's go." She stood with him. But before she left she looked towards Mogi.

"Don't worry Mogi-san! If L say's it will work, it will work." She sounded optimistic, but on the inside she was still sceptical.

a short and boring chapter...again. But I'm determined to build it up.