A/N: Alright I'm so sorry about the delay but I had tech week for the play I was involved in but this weekend is the last show, so I finally finished this chapter. It took awhile but I finally finished it. I hope you can excuse the delay, but we all have those weeks when one things comes after another and we find that we have NO time AT ALL.

Disclaimer- I do not own Death Note, I just push the characters in a more yaoi friendly direction.

Chapter 7:

April 7th, 2004

"Good morning Ryuuzaki!" Matsuda said as he entered the hotel room followed by the rest of the task force.

L was sitting on his chair, waiting for the task force to sit down. After his and Light's findings yesterday, they had worked for another hour, researching about the hackers.

Too bad Light couldn't be here. I would have enjoyed his company.

As the task force filed in, L could see them glancing around the room, curious looks on their faces.

"Is something wrong?" asked L.

"Umm L," Matsuda started, clearly perplexed, "Did you clean?"

L looked at the task force, staring them down. Though L knew that he could just tell them the truth, he knew that it would be funnier to see their reactions when Light walked through the hotel door, after his classes were done.

"I had someone here earlier," L started, trying to sound vague, "He couldn't deal with the mess."

"You let someone in here?" Aizawa demanded.

"Do you not trust my judgment Aizawa-san?" L asked, looking at Aizawa with serious eyes. "I felt I could trust you, yet you refuse to do the same?"

Aizawa started to say something before letting it go and taking a step back, looking mutinous.

"Now back to business," L said, standing up and handing a few papers to each of the task force members, "While you were away, I have discovered a possible lead."

The task force looked hopeful, shuffling through the papers. L glanced at the clock, willing it to move faster. After 5 minutes of glaring at the clock he turned toward the others, his attention diverted by their voices.

"This is amazing L!" Matsuda said and L internally cringed at the pitch of his voice, "So Kira used this hacker?"

"Yes, but that is not what should concern you," L said, not surprised that they had missed the point, "Maeda Kooji committed suicide. Up until now, Kira only kills with heart attack and though it could blackmail or force, we should consider the possibility that Kira can kill using other means."

The others were stunned and for the umpteenth time, L wished Light was here.

"Is that even possible?" Aizawa asked

L looked at them shocked. Could they really be this dense? Of course it was possible!

"Yes," L said, trying to express patience, "there is no evidence that Kira can kill only with heart attacks."

L looked at Matsuda and sighed when he saw that Matsuda still didn't get it. L thought for a second, trying to come up with a way to explain his reasoning to a complete idiot like Matsuda.

"Let's imagine that this investigation is like a poker game," L began, "There are players and then there's the dealer."

"Are you the dealer?" Matsuda said, interrupting L.

L shook his head, "No it's not me. I am merely a player, as are all of you. No, the dealer is Kira. He holds all the cards and in turn, he decides which cards to play."

L looked at Matsuda and saw that he seemed to get it, so he continued, intent on proving his point of the killings, "So it would make sense that though Kira continues to deal cards, he still holds some for himself. Some call it "an ace up their sleeve."

L watched in exasperation as the others seemed to get it, the rustling papers and their voices once again filling the room

"What would you have us do now?" Soichiro asked, speaking for the first time since he entered the room.

"Well actually…"L started, glancing toward the clock again.

Damn, I still have 2 hours!

"I would like to make a list of all criminals that have died within the time that Kira has been killing. Of course be sure to exclude all heart attack victims." L finished, picking up a chocolate bar that he had left out earlier.

"The team jumped into action, some moving to the folders that L had left out, while the others moved toward the few computers. L himself moved to pick up his laptop, intent on researching other leads, confident that the task force would finish the list on their own.

An hour later, the team had lost their enthusiasm, working a little more slowly than they had before. L sat in his chair, staring at the right hand corner of his computer screen.

Finally he could take it anymore, "Alright everyone, please continue working, I have something that I must tend to. I will return in a few hours."

"Where you going Ryuuzaki?" Ever curious Matsuda asked.

"Out," L stated simply, hoping that Matsuda would take the hint.

The others bid him goodbye and L walked out of the room, lightly closing the door behind him, before taking out his phone.

"Watari I will need a ride."

Light sat in the back, staring at the teacher as he prattled on about some famous case. As if Light didn't already know all of this. Light sighed as he glanced at the clock, willing it to go faster.

"You look so bored Light," Came a voice from his right, "It must be tough to have to sit through these boring classes. You're so much better then the rest of the people here."

Light looked at Kiyoshi startled to see the gleaming eyes that stared at him. Ever since Light had started college, he was worried that the respect Kiyoshi seemed to hold for him had developed into something more toward worship. Some would even say that Kiyoshi was developing "stalker status."

"I wouldn't say that," Light said, trying to sound calm, "I've just had more experiences with cases."

"Speaking of cases," Kiyoshi said, eyes shifting around, "What do you think about the Kira case?"

Light thought furiously, trying to decide what to say. Him and L had already decided that Kira was a student and if their calculations were correct, Kira's patterns had been changing. The times seemed freer than they had been. Almost like a college student's schedule. Light had to be careful what he said around others.

Light opened his mouth, intending to reply in a neutral answer, but: "Kira is pathetic," was what came out instead.

Shit! Why the hell can't I keep my mouth shut!

Light was so busy with internally cursing himself that he didn't notice Kiyoshi's eyes flash dangerously.

Voices were screaming in Kiyoshi's head.

Kill him! Kill him for his insolence!

No! Light is just disappointed; we aren't doing enough to prove our worthiness as Kira.

Ha! You're still weak. Perhaps Light is right. Fine then, don't kill him. Just show him. Show him how powerful Kira is! Prove our power to all those who doubt us!

Yes! We'll show Light. He will look to us in worship! He will love us!

Kiyoshi smiled to himself, satisfied with his inner thoughts, plans already forming. He snuck a peak at Light, pleased when he saw that Light hadn't noticed his inner struggle. Light seemed preoccupied, looking out the window, he eyes showing shock. Kiyoshi tried to see what had drawn Light's attention, but he wasn't close enough to the window and he soon gave up, unwilling to draw attention to himself.

Light looked out the window, unable to draw his eyes away from the figure that stood below. The figure wore a white t-shirt, and had messy black hair, and looked a lot like L.

Light assumed that one good thing about being a recluse detective was that when you went out, you never had to wear a disguise.

But still! Light thought that L was being a little reckless in coming here…unless it was something serious.

Something could have happened in the Kira case!

Light's fingers began to fidget with his pen, unused to the stress of not knowing what was happening. He watched as the figure looked around, their hair shifting with each movement, until finally, he looked up and Light could tell for sure it was L. No one else had such dark lines under their eyes.

Light wondered if L could see him. As if hearing his thoughts, L's face turned to Light and he waved when he saw that Light was looking. Feeling a bit immature, Light turned away from L, not bothering to acknowledge him, but no matter what Light may have done, he was anxious, staring at the clock, counting down the minutes until he could get out of the boring classroom and go meet L.

Why do I feel like this?

L smiled when he saw Light turn away. L had made Watari drive him here and had made his way toward the building he knew Light was in. As the Greatest Detective, it wasn't very hard to get Light's schedule, but he would never tell Light; he didn't have a death wish.

L walked to sit on the bench under a tree, happy in just watching the sun filter through the tree branches. L sat and contemplated his relationship with Light. He would say that Light was his friend but one of the disadvantages of being L the detective was that L as the person didn't know the first thing about friends. Yet even if he didn't know what a friend was like, he did know that Light made him happy. Light was a challenge, a person who could talk with L and make him feel understood. Working with most people was something that L avoided, but with Light it was simple, like breathing.

"What are you doing here Ryuuzaki?" L looked up, startled to see Light standing in front of him.

"Why Light-kun, is that hostility I hear?" L couldn't help but tease Light, dying to see the emotions that Light kept hidden.

Light's eyes narrowed, but he seemed to relax which confused L.

"So I take it nothing went wrong?" Light asked another question, and though a lot of people would have wondered what Light was talking about, L knew that he meant to Kira case. It made sense to L. Why else would he show up at Light's College when they had already decided on a meeting time.

"No, nothing is wrong," L said, staring at Light, "I just couldn't take the annoying chatter any longer."

Light signed and nodded in understanding before he sat down next to L on the bench. L thought that he fit perfectly in the beautiful scenery.

"I can understand that, "Light said, tilting his head back to look at the tree above them, "It's hard to hide your frustration and annoyance when the people around you have no idea how your mind works."

L stared at Light, dieing to see into his mind. L knew it would be fascinating.

"Would Light-kun like to get a snack. I wish to eat some sweets," L said, breaking the silence.

Light looked at L, amusement showing in his eyes, "Of course you want to get something sweet. That's all you ever eat!"

"Light-kun should know that if I do not have sweets, my reasoning ability would drop 30 percent. Does Light-kun not want Kira to be caught. Maybe Light-kun is Kira after all." L said, not really meaning his final words and by the look on Light's face, he knew that as well.

"No we wouldn't want that," Light said smiling as he stood up, turning around to wait for L as he too got up.

"Where do you want to go?" Light asked.

"Why would Light-kun assume that I know anything about this area. I don't get out much," L said, looking at Light innocently, but from the look that Light gave him in return showed that Light didn't believe his act.

"I hear there is a lovely café just down the block, "L said, looking away, not wanting to meet Light's gaze.

"Lead the way," Light said, gesturing for L to go first.

Light couldn't understand how L could eat so much at one seating, and all of it was cake and various sweets. L just sat happily munching on them all. Light smiled when he remembered the look the waitress had given L when he had ordered. It looked like she was going to keel over by the time he was done. And the wary look she gave him made him feel sorry for her, so he merely smiled reassuringly and ordered a black coffee; it sat in front of him now, as Light waited for it to cool.

"Does Light-kun need any sugar for his coffee?" L asked, pausing in his eating, "It does look awfully bitter the way it is now."

Light only rolled his eyes, and said, "That's the way it's supposed to be."

L scrunched up his nose in distaste and shuddered, before quickly returning to his sweets. Light smiled again, before releasing that he had been doing it often. Really ever since he met L. L made the boredom go away, he dispelled the looming depression which light was sure had been there. Light was happy because he met "L the detective" but he was finding that he was even happier with "L the person." (A/N: Once again they think the same! *fan girl squeal*)

"Are you done staring at me, or do you want to leave?" L asked, looking a Light with owlish eyes.

Light looked down at he table and saw that L had finished all but one piece of cake.

"Sorry Ryuuzaki. I was just thinking," Light replied, "I still have to finish my coffee."

L seemed to dislike being reminded bout the coffee. but he nodded and began to slowly devour his last piece of cake.

Light looked out the window to his left, unwilling to be caught starring again, as he finished his coffee, savoring the bitter taste.

Finally, they both finished and L called for the check. As they were walking out of the cafe, Light turned to L, "So what now/"

"Well I've had enough of a break, and with Light-kun around, I'm sure I can bear the others." L said, looking at the road in front of him.

Light didn't now why but L's tone when he said it, made Light feel strange, he didn't know what to call the emotion.

L walked with Light, happiness filling his body, making him eager to get back to work. If L thought ahead to after the Kira case, he had to wonder how he could ever go back to working without Light. It made L ache inside.

Light is intelligent enough to be out of college. it's only the need for a degree that keeps him there. Perhaps I could...

L stopped his thoughts, not wanting to think to far ahead. He wasn't even sure he was even going to survive the Kira case; he had a high chance of Kira killing him before all this drama was over.

"Are we walking to the hotel?" Light asked, looking at L.

"It really isn't a long walk," L said, hands in his pockets, "Are you so unwilling to walk a few measly blocks."

Light smirked, well aware of the game L was playing.

"So what you're saying is that you walked those few blocks," Light replied, his tone skeptical.

L didn't say anything, refusing to look at Light and Light smiled smugly, knowing that he had won that round. The two fell into a silence, aware of the other's presence but preferring to mull over their own thoughts rather than talk.

True to his word, L's hotel appeared after about 10 blocks, and the two made their way into the lobby. And L, knowing that he controlled the security cameras, began to talk to Light once they were in the elevator.

"I'm sorry I retrieved you earlier than scheduled, it was necessary and why put off the inevitable?" He said, turning to look at Light.

Light blinked immediately picking up the implied meaning L had in his words, "You mean you haven't told them I'm coming? Not even my father?"

L smiled minutely, before answering Light's questions, "It didn't come up."

Light crossed his arms, giving L a look that said, "Forgot to tell them, my ass."

" 'It would be fun to see their reactions. Give me something to laugh at when I'm all by my lonesome.'" Light said, changing his voice, "That's what you were thinking right?"

L glared at Light, for once unhappy with Light's uncanny ability to see through him.

The two fell into another silence, L still upset about his loses, and Light smug over his wins. The elevator reached the top floor and L got over his negative emotions, once again excited about the others' reactions. Light on the other hand was indifferent. He couldn't care less what the others thought of him because when it came down to it, L had gone looking for him, not the other way around and that made all the difference. Light was the one that could relate to L and visa versa. If it came down to it, Light was pretty sure L would choose him.

Light glanced at l from the corner of his eye, looking for a change in demeanor, but all he saw was that L was once again in a good mood. He shook his head at L's childish amusements.

L saw Light shake his head, but didn't dwell too much on it. He tended to get lost in his thoughts and he assumed that Light did the same thing.

Matsuda was bored. He sat on a sofa and in his hands; he held a messy pile of papers. On these papers were names. Lots of names. He sighed when he examined that list again. When L had told them all about his findings, they had been excited, but later, when they all realized just how many names there were, they all lost their drive. Then L had just up and left.

Matsuda glanced to his left where the chief was sitting with his own papers, but he, unlike Matsuda, was actually working. Matsuda then looked around the room, seeing what the others were doing, but they were all working, and Matsuda wished he could take a break like L.

"L has returned," A voice spoke, loud in the silent room, and Matsuda jumped, startled.

"Watari, when did you get here!" Matsuda exclaimed, surprised at the sudden appearance of the old man.

Watari ignored him, instead moving toward the door and when Matsuda looked around he saw everyone had also stood, awaiting the appearance of their somewhat odd leader. When Watari opened the door, L walked in but he wasn't alone. Matsuda was shocked to see a young man following in after L. He was about L's height and he had auburn hair. His eyes, which glanced around the room, looking at each of the investigators were a golden color and Matsuda questioned if he was even Japanese. Something about him seemed familiar though and Matsuda wondered where he could have seen the attractive young man.

"Light?" the chief choked out, taking a small step forward and Matsuda took his gaze away from the new arrival to look at the chief.

Suddenly Matsuda remembered where he had seen the young man before. It had been when Matsuda was just starting out and he had seen a boy talking to the chief and he had wondered who he was and what he had to do with the chief. When Matsuda had asked the chief, he had said that it had been his son, Light Yagami.

So Light Yagami was now standing in their room, seeing as L had closed the door, but now Matsuda was curious as to why he was with L.

"Yes Father," Light said, giving the chief a soft smile.

L stepped forward, drawing the attention to himself, except for the chief who was still staring at his son.

"From now on, Light-kun will be working with us," L said, "He was the one who helped me gather the information that you are all now looking at."

Matsuda, contrary to popular belief, could be very observant when he wanted to be. So he heard that L used a more familiar suffix when he walked about Light, but Matsuda also heard the slight change in tone when L began speaking about Light. Matsuda couldn't tell what change it was but he did know it was there.

"Light, how long has this been going on?" The chief asked, still looking stunned.

Aizawa and Ukita also seemed to still be shocked, but Mogi didn't seem to care, he just went back to his papers.

"Ryuuzaki asked me to join him in the investigation a little after the time he determined that I was not Kira," Light replied and once again Matsuda heard a slight change in tone when Light spoke about L, "I've been helping him for just a few days."

"Light-kun is very intelligent," L butted in, "He is a wonderful addition to the task force. With him with us, Kira can be caught even more quickly."

By this point, L and Light were standing side by side and Matsuda didn't know if everyone could see it, but he could easily that they were kindred spirits. Matsuda had always thought that L worked best alone. He would frown if Matsuda said something irrelevant, or if Aizawa questioned his methods, or even when anyone of them asked him when he had arrived at a conclusion. Matsuda didn't know a lot about Light, but he knew that he was a genius, just like L, and that everyone spoke so high of him, just like L. Matsuda couldn't say for sure, but he could see something between the two genii.

"I can't wait to work together," Matsuda said, stepping forward when everyone else seemed to still be in shock.

A/N: so I was going to keep going, but I wanted to post something so here is the next chapter. I hoped you enjoyed it, even though I thought it was a bitch to write. This is about the point when everything begins to change and we get away from the main plot line. I'll still try to keep going with the more or less right dates, but from now on, things are not going to be like the original, so keep reading. Also don't forget to review, they keep me going, even when I'm swapped.