(Author's note: as promised, here is the happier ending to What Matters Most.)

Matt looked at Mello. "Hey...Mihael..." he said his real name, they were going to die soon anyway. "You know what day it is?"

Mello smiled. "Of course. February first. Happy birthday Mail...

"Thanks" Matt smiled, 20 years old and about to die…he'd hoped to at least reach 21 so he could legally drink...oh well.

"You're welcome." with those words, and without even registering what he was doing, he tackled Matt hard, using his own body as a shield. He then pulled his gun from his pants.

Matt didn't have time to register what Mello was doing; he hit the ground but didn't move to get up. He trusted Mello knew what he was doing, if he didn't, didn't change their fate any.

Mello fired and Nobu was dead before he had time to react, but Tanto was quicker, he turned and fired. The shot took Mello on the right side of the chest, but he didn't care, all that mattered was protecting Matt. He fired twice more, one shot taking Tanto in the chest, the other in the stomach. Tanto fell to his knees in pain. But he wasn't planning on going out alone. He raised the gun, pointing it directly at Mello's face and pulled the trigger...'click...'

Matt's heart had jumped into his throat. The empty click of the gun brought a wave of relief. God he'd thought Mello was going to die.

Mello also sighed with relief. He then smiled and stood with some difficulty, helping Matt up as well. He looked at the kneeling figure of Tanto, then at Matt. He offered Matt his gun. Matt took the gun gladly and pointed it at his captor's head.

Fear sprung up in Tanto's eyes as Matt pointed the gun at his head. "Wait Matt! Please!" he could see the hatred and determination in the boy's eyes. "If you kill me, then your no better then I am!"

"...I don't emotionally toy with others..." he growled. "And I would never try to keep anyone as a pet." his finger tightened on the trigger.

"Please, show some mercy! You have your precious Mello back! Killing me won't put thing right!" he pleaded. God...he should have killed this brat when he had the chance...maybe he still did...

"It will stop my nightmares." he growled "knowing you can't ever do that to me again."

He reached for his pocket slowly. "I suppose that would be a comfort. If you want me out of your life...THEN SO BE IT!" as quick as lightning, Tanto drew the knife and threw it at Matt's chest.

Matt ducked out of the way, the knife hitting his arm he fired off the gun.

Tanto's eyes rolled back as the bullet made a home for itself deep in his brain. He crumpled to the ground like a puppet whose strings had been cut...

Matt dropped the gun and proceeded to pull the knife from his arm. "Shit..." he growled, it hurt. He looked down at Tanto's dead body; boy was he glad that fucker was dead...though if it would stop the nightmares...he wasn't sure...

Mello placed a hand on his Matt's shoulder and smiled lovingly.

Matt looked at him, he smiled, Mello had come for him. It had all been lies, how could he of ever thought otherwise. "What took you so long?" he asked jokingly.

Mello laughed. It was a painful laugh due to his wound, but it didn't matter. Matt was alive. And he still had that sense of humor that Mello loved so much.

Matt smiled; he walked over and kissed Mello.

Mello kissed him back and held him close. "I'm so sorry Matt..."

He shook his head, "don't be...I'm sure whatever the reason for your late arrival it was a good one...just hold me...I just want to forget about everything that happened these last few days."

And Mello held him, gently, lovingly. He realized in embarrassment that he was crying.

Matt looked at him, he leaned over and kissed the tears away. Even though he was crying now, "Damn it" he kissed Mello. He needed to be comforted, after all of that..."I'm sorry Mihael..." he didn't know why he was apologizing...for doubting him? For being raped? It was a mix of both.

Mello kissed him then held him very tightly. "Don't apologize Mail. It's not your fault my love." as the tears fall down his face, he kisses Matt again and again. "You never realize how precious someone is until you almost lose them..."

Matt cried, he cuddled against Mello. He'd missed him, he'd felt so alone without him. "I love you..." he said, it really was just as simple as that. He loved him.

He hugged him close. "I love you too." he smiled and swatted Matt on the back of the head good-naturedly. "That's for getting caught you dumb ass." but he laughed and cried as he said it. No one meant more in this world to him then the person he was holding. "Come on. Let's get out of this hell-hole."

"Now that's the best idea I've heard all day" he said, turning to get the hell out of there. "Hey wait" he ran up to the control room and picked up his goggles. "Now I feel better."

Mello smiled at him. Beating Near... catching Kira for the selfish purpose of being 1...it all seemed so stupid to him now. He had all he ever really wanted right beside him.

--

Sam: I just love a happy ending.

Tara: Now see Mello, wasn't that ending so much better?

Mello: Fine. Fine. You two can live...

Sam: To all our readers, you have been awesome. we couldnt have done this without you. But don't think it's over yet!

Tara: Nope because I'm an amv editor with too much free time and cause Sam's fairly good at photoshop. Expect an amv trailer for our fic coming soon. Also, we'll have the revised chapters up sooner or later.

Sam: So don't look away! The super-detailed final draft is on it's way. And keep an eye on Tara's Youtube account; MidnightSohma for the up-and-coming trailer! We love you all!

Tara: If any of our readers are good with art, some fanart for our fic would be greatly appreciated. If you draw something or make something, send it by Sam's Deviantart account, Lady-Abhorsen.

Mello: Why can't it just end…