A/N: New story! I hope everyone enjoys! Please review and let me know!

Near's heart was pounding in his chest as he stared at the monitor. This…this was not what he had planned. He had not factored this into his calculations and now…now Mello was dead. Matt was dead. They had joined L.

Near was left alone.

He wanted to scream. To curse and beg someone to tell him that it wasn't real. That Mello had not done something so very stupid. That he had not risked his own life and the life of his best friend when he could have contacted Near and they could have found a solution together.

He did not want to believe that Mello would have rather died than work with Near.

"Near."

The fire was raging and Near couldn't turn his eyes away. Mello was in the building. Even if they were able to put the fire out, at this point there would not be much left.

Near didn't want to think about that.

"Near."

He did not want to contemplate just what would be left of the young man that he had –

"Near!"

Near's eyes snapped over toward Rester. The man was staring at him in concern but Near was quick to put his usual expressionless mask in place. "Yes? What is it?"

Rester frowned but gestured toward the computer monitor. "There is a message for you."

"It can wait," Near said, his voice sharp as he once again looked toward where Mello's body was located. How hot was the fire burning? What of his would be spared? He would need to make sure someone collected whatever was left.

"You need to see it."

Anger rose in Near's chest and he snapped his head toward the man. Could he not have one minute, just one, to grieve before the case was once again forced on him?! Near had known that Mello was going to do something dangerous, the blond was feeling backed into a corner, but he did not think he would actually be killed in his actions. Mello had always been careful and had an infinite about of luck. Not to mention, he would never do anything that would put Matt at risk. Yet, they were both gone. Near had not seen Matt since he left Wammy House all those years ago but he forever felt a fond spot for the redheaded boy that was always so quick to step between Near and an infuriated Mello.

However, it was Mello's death that hit Near the hardest.

"Near. It's a message from Mello."

Near was on his feet before he contemplated his actions. Rester blinked, probably because he was not used to Near moving from his usual position unless it was absolutely necessary, but stood from his chair at Near's motion to do so. "Please check on Gevonni," Near said, staring at the message on the screen. Rester hesitated for just one moment before he nodded his head and turned on his heel. Near waited until he was gone before he clicked on the message. He sighed but wasn't surprised when encrypted type appeared on the screen. Near narrowed his eyes and went to work. He might have not been as good with computers as Matt, but he knew both Mello and Matt would have been aware of his level and taken that into consideration. Soon enough, Near was reading the last letter he would ever receive from the blond.

Dear Near,

I think I understand now. That picture you had, you wrote those words on the back of it. "Dear Mello". You thought I was dead and you wanted to say your goodbye's, right? Today, Matt and I are going to put a plan in motion that will mostly likely end with my death. I know you are probably furious right now, even if no one but me would know it. Soon enough, you'll know it was necessary. I know what you're planning, Near. If the options are my death or yours, well, I guess my choice is obvious now.

Do you remember when you first came to Wammy House? You were three years old and so damn sick all the time. You had nightmares and were terrified of everything. The dark, storms, anyone bigger than you. For some reason, you weren't afraid of me. I can't tell you how many times I woke up with you in my bed. What happened to those days? As we got older, the more closed off you became. I always prided myself on the fact that I was the only one to draw those emotions out of you.

I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. I shouldn't have let the stupid competition change things between us. I should have agreed to work with you and not left Wammy's. I shouldn't have used the connections my family had to the mafia. There were things I regret doing while I was with them that I regret but I know were necessary to survive. I regret all of these things but they led to something that I would never change.

His name is Isaac. He was born on August 24, 2009. He's five months old. I know you'll have questions. All I can say is that his mother is someone that is no longer an issue and, trust me, she was an issue. I made Matt promise to take Isaac if something happens to me but I'm going to ask you the same. I planned everything so that Matt should be safe. Help Matt with Isaac. If something goes wrong and Matt doesn't make it out, I'm going to ask you. Take my son. Don't let him go to an orphanage. Don't place him in Wammy's. The competition destroyed me. Destroyed us. I don't want that for my son.

Near, there are many things between us that went unsaid. You know that as well as I do. So, I'm going to ask that if you ever felt something for me at all, please take care of Isaac. I have no doubt that you know where I was staying in Tokyo. There's a woman across the hall that is watching him. Please.

Take care of him. Take care of yourself. Don't forget about me.

Mello

Near was shaking as he finished the letter. He could feel his throat burning and he was biting his lip to keep himself calm. To keep himself together. He had never expected something like this. Have never thought it possible that Mello…

"Rester!" Near stood from the chair and quickly shuffled over to where the shoes he was forced to where on the rare occasion he left headquarters were located. The man appeared, startled, in the doorway. "We have somewhere we need to go."

"Sir-"

"We need to go now," Near cut the older man off, looking up and fixing the man with a stare that used to make Roger avert his eyes. Rester was no different and the man was quick to nod his head.

"Where is it we are going?"

"Mello's apartment."

Rester did not say another word as he led Near toward the waiting car.