Hello there all! So this is another attempt at a multi-chaptered fic. I hope that all goes well and that you enjoy the story. ^^ That's really all I have to say for now on the matter... Other than that this is set during the Kira Case, before the SPK moved to Japan and stuff, but probably after Mello blew up his hideout. So now that that's been put out there...

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Death Note, Near, Linda, Kira, or any other Death Note characters in this story. They belong to the creators of the manga/anime, and I only hope I can do them them justice. I do, however, claim some right to the specific plot elements I come up with, as well as the OCs that may be needed to make appearances. That is all, thank you!

Enjoy the fic ^^

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Linda had not been scared of Kira in the way many others had been. She was no criminal and u p until that point she had not done anything that could have been considered illegal or otherwise morally reprehensible. She had lived a good life, working on rising through the ranks of the artistic world to become a renowned artist. There was no reason for Linda to worry about Kira swooping down and delivering justice upon her. It most likely was not going to happen.

This was not to say that Kira did not strike fear deep into the young artist's heart. In fact, Linda was as terrified of Kira as any criminal waiting in prison could be. The fear, however, was not for her own sake, nor did she worry about losing her own life. It was those she cared about most that she worried about losing by Kira's judgment. While she was not one of those targeted by Kira, one person dear to her heart had become one of the involved. In fact, he was the main force that currently opposed the mass murder who people proclaimed a god. As much as Kira struck down criminals who stood in the way of his brand of justice, he also thought nothing of smiting those who decided to stand against him. It was in this ring that someone dear to her fell.

Near, the young boy she had known from Wammy's had no doubt grown up over the time since they had parted. Even in Wammy's their association with each other could hardly be called an intimate friendship or anything close. Despite this, and his seeming indifference to the people around him, she had admired him. The dedication to which he gave his various projects and creations had awed the art in her, as it was the same kind of dedication she hoped she instilled in her own artwork. The masterpieces he was able to create out of such simple items as matches, dice, or dominos could have turned some artists green with envy. Perhaps it was this artistic nature, even in his logical, analytical mind that had sparked her infatuation with him. It was what had caused her to race to whichever room he was working in and attempt to capture not only the work but all of the effort and patience that went into his works. Whether it was for him or simply for that which he created she was not sure, but she felt attracted.

Even if he had chanced, had become completely different and given up those works, she wanted to see him again. The attraction had not left when he had gone from Wammy's House to begin work with the SPK in America. Even though he had not seemed all that upset at the idea of leaving, he had at least saw fit to say good bye. It was with that, a simple good bye after their years together, that sealed her heart away, saving it for the white-haired boy who was now a young man. Most people who have told her she was foolish for doing so, that the successor to L would never care for her. Weren't matters of the heart largely up to things beyond the will power's control? It wasn't as if she was the only person waiting for someone to return or for the chance to go find them. Matt was doing the same, only for his best mate, Mello. Granted, people probably criticized him as well, but it was nice to know she wasn't alone. There were other people who had been left behind by those they cared about.

She also decided now was the time to go. She could not wait for the Kira case to be over. If Kira had already killed the great L, what was to say he would not conquer Near as well? Surely he would be just as merciless and ruthless in trying to get rid of an opposing force. It was highly unlikely Kira would not go after the person who had come onto the scene to replace the lost L…

The thought of never seeing him again threatened to make her heart break in two. It was not something she wanted to contemplate. It was this fear that prompted her to decide it was time to leave the nest. Wammy's had taken care of her when she had been abandoned by all else, nurtured her innate gifts until they had been truly unique, something she could live off of and create an identity around, and offered her a home even after a normal orphanage would have turned her out to chart her own course. They had made her into a renowned artist, and certainly she could go out and make her own way. Certainly her caretakers, teachers, and mentors would agree that they had equipped her with the skills necessary to go off on her own.

With this thought in mind, she began searching for her way out of Wammy's. She did not want to just leave. No, she needed a plan. She had to have some other motive, another reason to suddenly abandon her home. There was absolutely no way that she was going to let on her true reasons for leaving, even to her most intimate friends in the orphanage. It was far too embarrassing for her, an artist gaining her own fame and having a great deal of intelligence, to be running off to America in pursuit of some man who had left years earlier… Especially in pursuit of a man who had never even gave an inkling of indication he might feel any sense of friendship towards her. Going to the United States had to have some other value. Her search went on…

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"Ah, Ms. Davenport, the work you sent us as a sample was exquisite. We have heard a great deal about you as well and are quite honored that you have chosen our gallery for your debut in the States," Mr. LeCroix, the owner of an art gallery, gushed over the phone a few weeks later. His gallery was located in New York City, the place where Linda had decided to begin her search for the SPK. When she had discovered that he was looking for more pieces to add to his next exhibition and sale, she had quickly sent samples of her work his way. She was glad he seemed to like them so much.

"That is wonderful, Mr. LeCroix. I am in the process of moving to New York. When I have finished the move, we could meet to discuss the pieces that will be exhibited in your gallery?" she responded, falling once more into a professional tone and attitude. She had been through this before in scheduling herself for exhibitions throughout England and the surrounding area. Lydia Davenport, the name she used for artistic purposes, had not become well known over night, after all. Exhibitions were part of the process. It just happened to be helpful that she was her own manager, and thus took such things into her own hands… It would certainly pay off.

"Yes, yes, of course. Now when will you be in the States officially? I would love to meet with you as soon as possible." The man sounded eager, and she wondered briefly how many artists of her caliber he had been fortunate enough to meet and show off in his gallery. Well, at least her somewhat selfish and foolish motives for contacting him and moving outward to American would be benefitting someone. If word got around, she hoped she could at least help boost this man's art gallery in atonement for the pain she might cause elsewhere.

"I will be in American within the week. Would a meeting on Friday be acceptable?"

"Oh, yes, that would be wonderful. I will see you on Friday, then?" he answered without a moment's hesitance. She wondered if the day was actually open in his schedule, or if he would be rearranging it so that she fit into it. It stroked the ego to be thought of as that important. She could get used to this… Even if it wasn't her reason for coming.

"Sounds wonderful. We will speak again at a later time to discuss further details?"

"Yes, of course, Ms. Davenport. Au revoir for now," he said, sounding absolutely delighted.

"Good bye, Mr. LeCroix," she responded, and hung up the phone.

And with that, her journey to New York had begun.

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Hope you enjoyed! Please rate and review, it will inspire me greatly to continue!

--The Munch