A/N: I'm not sure where this idea came from. Especially since I've been on a huge kick of trying to keep anything I write now more realistic. Maybe it was because when I was looking for a muse on the beta-reader section, a lot of profiles said they didn't accept mpreg stories. Maybe it's because I came from the Yu Yu Hakusho section, but I've always really liked a well-written mpreg. Anyway, I started looking around and… well… this idea popped into my mind. I'm not sure if anyone has ever done it before, and if so, then I apologize for 'copying'. It is in no way my intent.

Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note or any of the characters used in this story.

Title: A Gift from God

Chapter 1

It was midday and the sun shone through Roger's office windows leaving the room filled with a sunshine that was rarely seen this time of year in England. Everything was quiet and still; the only thing breaking the silence between the four beings in the office was the meticulous ticking of an old clock hanging on a far wall.

"L… I don't think this is a good idea." Roger stated, his old and tired eyes sliding open from behind his interlocked fingers. His eyes were doubtful as they watched the detective from the other side of his desk. "If you wish to bring him in here that's fine but-,"

L cut the elder man off, his deep eyes not meeting Rogers, and instead looking down at the bundle in his arms. There was a soft look hidden in that black abyss, only made apparent by the small smile on his face. "I disagree. If things go as I am planning, then it will all be just fine. They might be a bit chaotic at first, given the situation, but… when are things not, around here?" He asked, finally looking up at Roger with a knowing look crossing his feature.

Watari, who was sitting beside L looking between the two men from behind his glasses; gave a small smile; his moustache twitching and being pulled up with the movement. "He needs a home, Roger." He stated. "And if things do turn too bad, then we take him and raise him in the same way we do any other child." He explained.

"He's young," He continued, "There's not that much harm that could be done that can't be easily reversed."

Roger watched his friend with hard eyes. Such a thing was easy for Wammy to say, as his heart had no end when it came to orphaned children. But Roger couldn't be like Wammy. He couldn't just take every potential candidate into Wammy's House. He had to think rationally about the situation. The more kids there were in the institution, the less space there was, the more that would need to be bought to accommodate each of them. He sighed, just thinking of how much work it already was and wondering why exactly he had taken this job with Wammy in the first place.

"My friend…" Watari started again, breaking the silence. The two pairs of eyes met, silently communicating things unable to be understood by anyone who hadn't been friends as long as the two of them had. "Please consider this me asking you for a personal favor. I believe Wammy's has room under its roof for one more little addition."

Roger sighed, without a word to his friend and instead turned back to L. "L, if this is what you feel is right… then that is what we shall do." He said, but quickly followed it, "are you sure this is the right course of action? It could potentially push them further away than anything. I understand your faith in them, but you do not live with them as I do and see the way they fight and play terrible mind games with each other."

He watched the elder detective with much doubt. Adjusting his glasses on his nose, he continued, "This could potentially drive them further away than they already were, setting us farther back from what we had hoped would be the end goal."

L's expression hardly changed. There was an air of confidence about him that he always seemed to hold. He understood people –especially them- and because of that, he knew exactly what he was doing. "This will force them to cooperate with each other. Roger, they are not terrible kids. They have hearts. I do not believe that they would let something so precious be destroyed for the sake of their own advancement.

"In the end," He added, "Nobody is going to lose, here. I assure you of that. Everybody will, in one way or another, get what they want." His dark eyes moved up to Roger, "Trust me."

Roger was quiet, silently questioning whether L really understood what he was getting into by even suggesting such a radical idea. But… he also had to admit that he couldn't remember the last time L asked something of him and ended up being wrong with the inevitable outcome.

In the end, he realized, what basis did he have to stand on to say no? None, when it was L asking…

He sighed, "Alright… fine. I will have the proper accommodations started. However, L, you should be the one to… inform them." He made sure to include. That was one fit of rage that he was not willing to deal with.

L nodded, standing up and making sure that he had the shifting bundle tight in his arms. "Gladly, Roger. I think that is appropriate. If anything, I know they would be highly disappointed if I did not at least tell them hello while I am here." He stated.

Roger exhaled heavily, watching L turn and leave the office with a final click of the door closing behind him, before then turning back to his lifelong friend, "Are you sure about this, Quillsh?" He asked, his expression one of wary as he moved back and rested in his high-back office chair.

Watari nodded, the small smile returning to his face, "Of course, Roger. We just have to trust that L knows what he's doing. And as I said before, if things turn bad… well… you know what to do." Silence then fell between them as they both wondered what exactly was going to happen in the future. This 'task' was too precarious to not wonder and hold just a bit of fear in one's heart.

They both had to try and rest the worry, though, with the simple thought, 'L knows what he's doing.'

Word that L was back at Wammy's spread through the orphanage quicker than wildfire. Everyone was eager to see him, and to talk to him, though many of the children were too nervous to approach him. It was an odd feeling, for many, to finally be able to put a face to the name so many of them were always told they were trying to succeed.

He was their celebrity. Their hero. Their future, if they worked hard enough. It was a surreal feeling for most and was also what kept many at a distance. Though for others, who were more willing to take the risk, followed him through the halls of the orphanage with a light of complete joy in their little eyes.

"L! L! Tell us about the cases you were on!" Some asked, as they trailed around him. "What countries did you get to go to?" "Did you bring us any presents?" They were all smiling, and all happy just to see him.

He couldn't help but smile at the children, trying to answer all their questions as he slowly made his way through the hallways. He chuckled, "You know I cannot speak of the cases I've been working on. I've been to many countries, but none are quite like England. Perhaps I have brought you all presents from my travels." There was something so fulfilling about being back.

This was his home. This was the only place he had ever known to be his home. All of the children around him, regardless of whether or not they were ever going to succeed him, were his family and he knew in his heart that he would die before he allowed anything to happen to any of them.

He looked down to the bundle in his arms, 'This will be your home now too.' He thought quietly amidst the thousands of other thoughts coming and going from his mind.

Passing an open area, he paused and looked in, finding one soul present there. His first successor, Near. Near was the true successor to him, L had always know this more based on his mannerisms rather than because of test scores. Tests meant nothing to justice, in the end. It was how well you could maneuver with criminals on the loose. How cunning and quick you could be to win before the other person. Justice was nothing more than a well-played game of chess, and luckily both he and Near played the game almost equally as well.

The thing that kept him from declaring Near his successor was the feeling he got in the back of his mind from him. There was something that was almost afraid of declaring it. Sure, Near was almost perfect for the position. But he lacked a certain something… a certain combination of social skills and initiative.

Near could manipulate as many people as he wanted to do whatever he wanted, and go out into the world and do anything he said. But if one is completely detached from the outside world, one does not fully understand humans. And understanding human nature was a critical part of bringing about justice.

He pushed all his analyzing down for a moment, "Near." He addressed to the pale boy sitting in the middle of the room looking down at his toy robots.

"Yes, L?" He responded casually without looking up.

"If you don't mind, would you follow me, please?" He requested, watching as the younger orphan stopped what he was doing. Abysmal eyes that mirrored his own moved over to finally watch him. His observant eyes moved from meeting L's eyes down to the bundle in his arms. There was a moment where L watched wonder flick past those dark orbs before it disappeared and he nodded, stood, and followed him out of the room.

L turned to the group of kids that had been following him, "I will be back to answer all of your questions," He assured them with a smile, "But for now, you must stay here and let me speak with my potential successors in privacy." There was a round of disappointed musings from the crowd, but they reluctantly stayed when L and Near continued on, now back towards the stairs.

"What's this about, L?" Near questioned once the other children were far enough away; his eyes still flicked back and forth from L to the bundle questioningly. It was impossible to read the expression on his face, however, to get an idea of what he was thinking.

"In due time, Near. You must have patience. I did say 'successors', which means we must find Mello before I can tell you what all of this is about." He explained, then stopped, looking around, "Speaking of Mello… where is he? I'm surprised he wasn't the first one to greet me when I walked through the front door. He always has been in the past…"

L felt Near's eyes watching him intently as he responded, "He's probably up in his room with Matt, L." He looked away almost instantly when L looked down at him in question, "I believe he's under the belief that, if you want his presence, then you will seek him out."

L was confused by the sudden change in Mello. He'd always been excited when L came back to Wammy's; always the one who asked the most questions and always the one who seemed the happiest. 'Perhaps he is under the belief that I've already chosen Near and thus has no more reason to be excited to see me…' L thought sadly, considering that was not the case at all.

Mello had almost as much potential as Near did. His flaws, though, were more exterior than Near's were, however. L didn't need to be around the blonde boy to know that much. He knew what Near was doing to achieve his stance as number one –the same thing he did to everyone else. By saying things to get under Mello's skin, it diverted his focus away from the main goal and thus he was more susceptible to making mistakes.

He exhaled as the two ascended the stairs, 'If he would simply ignore Near's jives, he would have such a higher chance at beating Near.' He chanced a glance over to Near, figuring the younger probably already knew this. 'Then again… if the two just stopped fighting with each other and aimed it towards all the injustice in the world… they would easily surpass me in their abilities.'

L smiled at the thought as they reached the top of the stairs, 'This should help, prove that, though.'

"If you could direct me to his room, Near." L requested, looking over once more.

He watched as Near robotically responded without an answer, or without any change in expression. 'Very cold…' L observed, wishing his hands were free so he could chew the pad of his thumb as he thought. 'I wonder how he is around Mello, though…' He'd read the reports, but reading reports was much different than seeing it in person.

Near stepped forward into the empty hallway and passed three closed bedroom doors before stopping at one. He knocked loud enough to make sure it would be heard then took a step back.

"Who is it?" Came the angry, muffled response from within.

"It's Near."

"What the fuck do you want? Go away!" L could almost hear the sigh that escaped Near at that, and could almost hear his thoughts, "why are you so immature, Mello?" He couldn't help the small grin. Yes, watching the two of them with each other was definitely better than reading any report from Roger.

"L wants to speak with us, Mello." Near responded simply.

There was silence on the other side of the door for a long minute before it finally swung open revealing Mello –taller than L last remembered him to be, but with just the same fiery personality he'd always had. The blonde glared at Near before he realized L was there. Blue eyes widened for a brief second before he caught himself, "L! When did you get here?"

"Earlier today. I'm surprised you weren't the first one to greet me, Mello, like you usually are. Are you sick?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.

"N-no! I didn't know! Nobody told me you were coming today!" Again he turned a glare to Near, "Why didn't you tell me or something?"

Near, unfazed by the glare, simply responded, "That is not my job, Mello. That seems something more fit to be Matt's job. Also," he added, "to be fair, I was unaware he was coming to visit today as well."

Before Mello could shoot back a retort, L broke in, "To be quite honest, I did not tell Roger I was visiting today, and I will not be able to stay long before I must return to a case I'm working on. But a situation came up in which I must ask a favor of the both of, and the most proper way for me to ask this was in person." He explained, "Now, if you don't mind… could we go somewhere a bit more private than the hallway?"

Both boys nodded, but it was Near who spoke up first, "There's no one in my room if you wish to speak there." L nodded, and the youngest led the way further down the hall to his room.

"What's this about, L?" Mello wondered, as they entered Near's room and closed the door behind them. "You have a favor to ask of us?"

The detective nodded, stepping further into the room. The room was of an average size for a room at Wammy's, with the usual furniture –a bed, dresser, desk, and the like. The walls were white and plain, just as L suspected they would be in Near's room. But a moderate chest against the wall neatly held all of the pale boy's toys.

"Yes, I do." He stated, getting back on topic. He went over to Near's neatly made bed and gently laid down the bundle that'd been in his arms. "This, is the favor." He said, tugging back a light blanket that'd been covering the bundle, revealing a small baby.

Mello instantly shot backwards while Near's only reaction was an instant look of surprise and question in his eyes as they shot from the child up to L. "What the hell is that?" Mello nearly shouted in surprise.

"Well, it's obviously a baby, Mello." Near retorted, his look moving back to the child.

"This is a baby boy that I found, Mello." L explained, "he's only a few months old." He smiled, letting the baby take hold of his finger and put it in his mouth. The baby was small-looking in both stature and weight, but he had a head covered in black hair and bright hazel eyes that shone with happiness in a way that only a child's could. He seemed like a happy baby, always smiling at whatever L did.

"You found him, L?" Near questioned, to which, the detective nodded.

"Yes. While working on my case we went to a victim's house to look for clues and this little boy was wailing his head off. His family was killed, but apparently his mother had enough sense to put him in the closet before the murderer found her." His eyes darkened as he spoke. "She let herself be killed so her son would be spared."

There was a brief moment of silence in the room, "Of course we couldn't just leave the child, so we took him. But Watari couldn't find any papers on him or his mother or father in any of the local hospitals; so either she had him in another part of the country, or she had a home-birth, which is entirely likely. The boy's a bit undernourished, but other than that he's completely healthy."

Mello took a step forward, looking back and forth from the happy baby on the bed to L, "Why didn't you just give him to an orphanage in that country?" Mello wondered, with malice in his every syllable. He knew L; he knew the kind of things he pulled. He knew where this was going to inevitably go, and he didn't like it.

It took the elder detective a moment to answer the question. "I don't know." He said honestly in an exhale. "Perhaps… because I felt he did not deserve such a fate. Perhaps I felt that so many of you here have been spared such a fate simply by being found by either Watari or myself, so perhaps this boy should not be any exception to that rule. Maybe I simply sympathized with him…" His voice trailed off.

"What are we supposed to do with him, L?" Near asked. He too already had an idea of where L was going to go with this 'favor', but he needed to hear it from their predecessor before responding with anything.

"I simply want the two of you to raise this boy." He explained.

That was all Mello needed to hear before he snapped. "What? L we can't raise some kid! Are you out of your fucking mind! We're not capable of doing that! The kid will just grow up fucked up! Give him to the people that work here to do that, lord knows they've done a fine job with raising the rest of us!"

Near looked over, watching Mello explode. He contemplated telling him to be quiet before it bothered the child, but he also knew that when Mello snapped like this, it was sometimes in the best interest of his physical health to just let him get it out. However, he couldn't say he didn't disagree with Mello, either.

L looked back to Mello, letting him say whatever it was he wanted before he tried to explain himself. "Letting this boy be raised by the staff will do him little good. Raising him is both a favor, and a test from me, personally." He added, knowing that, at least in Mello, it would hit a sensitive nerve.

"The two of you, when your abilities are combined, make the perfect team." To that, the two younger successors looked at one another. How many times had they heard that before? "However, you've clearly stated that you are unable to work together. I, however, do not believe this. I believe that, if you are put in a situation like this, where the life of another depends on you –just as it would in any crime case you may take on, and have to work together you will be able to do it.

"I believe that your hatred for one another is not enough that it would let an innocent soul be lost because of your petty competition." He paused, watching a terrible glare grow on Mello's face towards the younger boy.

"Also," L added, "It is my belief that if the two of you work together to raise this child and instill in it values and teachings from the both of you, when it is time for someone to succeed one of you after you are gone, this boy will be the perfect option –as he will, by that time, be the perfect combination of both of you. Even if you cannot work together in a team to succeed me, this boy will do it all in one body."

He paused to chew on his thumb a moment, observing the two boys. "Because of all this, I ask that you take this responsibility. If you shall fail in raising him the way I believe you will, then it will only prove what you have been saying for years, that you two are not able to work together, and that I was mistaken."

"Either way nobody loses." Near finally concluded, twirling a lock of his white hair, and to which L nodded, giving a curt, "Exactly."

"Yeah but we don't win either! Why do I want to be tied down to this responsibility for who knows how many goddamn years?" Mello retorted.

"I guess what it comes down to, in the end, Mello," L responded, "is the question of whether your desire to bring justice to the world enough to do this. The world would be in a great debt to you if you were to bestow upon them this great future detective."

Mello growled, his eyes narrowing at him. This was something he hated about L. No, this was something he hated about Near that the two just happened to share. The ability to back him into a corner, like he was now. L had him backed into a corner with this.

If he told L no, that he wouldn't do it, then he would be showing that he didn't care about justice enough –which would not look good in L's eyes and thus would inevitably put him farther from beating Near for the number one spot.

But if he agreed… he'd be stuck with Near and this child for years! That was not something he'd ever had in mind, and still didn't. It was not something he could see himself being able to do, either.

There was a lot at stake, here. But really, what other choice did he have?

Finally, he sighed, "Fine, whatever…" He said almost under his breath and looking away from L, defeated. In the end, how could he tell L no and still look the same in his eyes?

"Sounds good," Near agreed with a small nod as his fingers continued spinning the small tress of hair.

Mello glared at him once more, if only to give him an outlet for his frustration, "Shut up."

L smiled once. "Wonderful. I knew that you would see things my way. Now then, now that that's settled, I must be on my way. There's still cases out there that need my help to solve them. However, I will inform the staff about this new task. Roger already knows of this plan and will be providing everything you two should need. If not, ask him and I'm sure he will acquire it for you." With that, he stood up and walked past them to the exit.

"Wait, L! What are we supposed to-," Mello called after the detective, but his voice went unheard and before anything more could be said, L was out the door and once again it was closed –leaving Mello and Near alone in the room with this new baby boy.

Both pairs of eyes looked at each other for a moment before moving over to the baby on the bed, who was cooing to himself in the pile of blankets.

Mello huffed, "Let's get one thing straight, Near." He started, "No matter what happens… I am not going to be called 'Mom'."

"Really?" Near retorted instantly, his eyes observing the child, though albeit not quite sure what to do now, "Because I'm quite positive that, between the two of us, you look the most fitting for the part."

Despite their bickering, they both shared the same overwhelming thought, 'What are we supposed to do now?'

A/N: Ah! I am actually quite proud of myself for this one! I have a few ideas for what I want to do, but for now I'm mostly winging it. If things go the way I think they will, then this is going to be quite an interesting ride. Also, I must comment… is it just me, or is my Mello and Near interpretations a bit rusty around the edges? Oh that's not good… Oh well, guess this will be the perfect practice.

Anyway, let me know what you think, please!

Please review
-Forbiddensoul562