Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Death note, or any aspects of existing plot.

A/N I am finally back with a second chapter! I hope you enjoy it, although I'm afraid it's more necessary plot building than excitement…Things should pick up next chapter, just bear with me.

Timekeeper101 – Thank you so much for your review, it means a lot coming from such a talented writer. I'm so glad you can envision Pepper so clearly! I will be trying to describe her further, but I am just a bit cautious of lumping it all in one go. Anyways, thanks again for the review! :)

Under A Killing Moon – Thank you so much for your review! I really appreciate it. LOL….and my penname? Well, actually it is from my favourite song 'Red right ankle' by the Decemberists. Ahh, I wish I had a more exciting explanation for you, but ohh well! At least it got you to take notice, right? Thanks again! :)

Italics – Thoughts

"Italics in inverted commas" – dialogue spoken in English

All other dialogue is to be assumed as Japanese

Chapter 2 – Advantageous

June 3rd, 2004

Dark eyes locked on the large flat-screen television, darting inquisitively between the four split-frames. Frame one displayed the distressed form of Misa Amane, blindfolded, and meticulously restrained. The extent of her confinement was easily the most severe, especially when compared to frame three-Pepper Collins and frame four- Soichirou Yagami. While Light's incarceration was not as harsh as Misa's, the handcuffs still remained, unlike the occupants of the other two frames.

Turning away from the screen, L pursed his lips and leaned forward in his seat, his bare toes gripping the cushions as one thin hand reached out for the cup of coffee that sat upon the table. He frowned as his fingers delicately enveloped the porcelain handle. Cold. It seems, once again he has allowed time to slip away from him. He stared impassively at the dark liquid inhabiting his favourite cup; disappointed with its temperature, he slid it back onto the table. Cold coffee was just one of the horrors which came with the monotony of twenty-four hour surveillance.

It had been Six days since the original detainments, and so far there had been no significant leads. It was clear from the beginning that the progression of the case would be very slow going, however, after Misa Amane's sudden change in attitude, and the voluntary incarceration of Light Yagami, the man whom L believed to be the original Kira, tensions among the task force had reached their peak. Undisputedly, the question weighing on everyone's mind was how to proceed.

L readjusted in the plush hotel chair, hands perched on knees as his critical gaze focused in on the young brunette inhabiting frame two. Light Yagami sat with his back pressed against the small cot, dead-bolted to the wall of the cell. His head was lowered as if staring mindlessly at the cement floor, but his eyes remained sharp, calculating. The young detective skimmed his thumb across his bottom lip. Just what are you planning, Kira?

While it was clear to him that Light's recent announcement was premeditated, L had yet to grasp the reasoning behind such a bold move. Logically, he intended to clear his name and alleviate the suspicion surrounding him, but for this to work the killings would have needed to continue, not cease completely. No, the whole scenario felt wrong. This could not have been Light-or Kira's only motive. But if not to clear his name, then what…? Unless…Could it be that this is just phase one? That Kira has planned as far ahead as his own release?

An exaggerated sigh broke L's train of thought as Matsuda collapsed on the lounge seat beside him. "How much longer can this go on?" the young officer complained loudly, his head lolling back to rest on the couch cushions. As usual, L chose to ignore him, instead turning to acknowledge Watari as he set a large tray of pastries on the table in front of him. Needless to say, the sight of the strawberry scrolls, vanilla slices and caramel tarts instantly sent the sweet-toothed detective's stomach into fits of hunger and without pause his long pale fingers were reaching for the platter. Sweets, after all, were terrific in aiding deductive thought processes.

With this notion in mind, L sunk his teeth into the jelly-like custard of his vanilla slice, and drew his eyes back to the frames on the television, once again settling on Light Yagami. With slight reluctance, L had to accept the likelihood of Light's release. It was clear that with his vast intelligence, it was not impossible for Light to have planned weeks, perhaps months, in advance. However, the probability of him being able to predict the actions of others so accurately, so precisely that he could ensure his own release…well, it was very low, perhaps a 6% chance. Nevertheless, it was still worth being considered. Light certainly was not one to be underestimated. Yes, it was becoming clear that a plan B was in order.

Drawing forward in his seat, now slightly more determined, L set his sights on a new target. Frame three- Pepper Collins (or more accurately Emery Collins) the young woman arrested after forensics identified her fingerprints on the video tapes sent to Sakura TV. In the days following her detainment L had performed various interrogations and it soon became clear that she was not involved in the Kira case beyond being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But that is not to say her arrest won't prove to be advantageous…

After retrieving his mobile phone from the pocket of his baggy jeans, L quickly punched in the necessary digits and pressed the device to his ear. "Watari, I am going to need you to organize a meeting for myself and Miss. Collins."

"A meeting? L, do you think that wise?"

L sighed softly to himself; he had expected such a response. While he was positive she was harmless, any form of synthetic identity fraud could not be ignored. "Mmm, yes. I am afraid that in this instance face to face interaction is necessary."

Watari paused briefly before responding, his voice taking on its usual professional tone. "Very well…Preparations will be made immediately. I shall have everything in order by this afternoon."

"That will suffice. Thank you Watari." With that said L stashed his phone back in his pocket and turned back to the screens.

One, two, three…four, five, six…wait, no that's the same one…five…Hmm, I'm sure there were more in this corner than five…

Pepper sighed loudly and drew her eyes away from the ceiling. God, she was bored. Reduced to counting the imperfections of the cement ceiling, what next? To be honest, she preferred hysteria, at least then she had the crying and the hyperventilating to keep her busy. But that could not last, of course. After days of confinement one becomes used to the still emptiness of a cell and the constant fear of the unknown. For Pepper, the acceptance of her circumstances came at 4:17am, the morning of the fourth day. Ever since then she has had to deal with her intense boredom, and more notably, her growing feeling of loneliness. Didn't her captives know she was not a solitary person? Did they not care that one of her greatest fears was being alone? Inconsiderate bastards.

Pepper let out a frustrated grunt and returned her grey eyes to the ceiling, once more in need of a distraction. She resumed counting the cracks and imperfections adorning the otherwise smooth cement, this time focusing on the corner closest to her feet. Seven…eight, nine… Her mind was already drifting; nothing could have prepared her for…

"Pepper Collins…"

The pitch of her scream shocked even herself, and the speed in which she tried to stand sent her body plummeting to the ground. Man, she hated when he did that. Seriously, a warning of some sort wouldn't go a stray! A beep, a ring, the grand symphony orchestra, hell, she would settle for a fog-horn! Anything would be better than having that garbled, alien-like voice shock her from her stupor!

"Are you okay, Miss. Collins? It seems once again I have managed to startle you."

Ya think? Pepper thought sulkily as she pushed herself from the ground and back up onto the cot. Surely she should be getting used to his voice by now…Perhaps it is something I'll never get used to.

Pepper shuddered at the notion. The last thing she wanted was to be haunted by that synthetic voice for the rest of her life. Hopefully it won't come to that. She sighed softly and tucked her oily dark hair behind her ears, her attentions reluctantly turning to the camera positioned in the far right corner of the room. "Yes, I'm ok…" She replied wryly, unable to keep the bitterness from her voice. For a moment she thought back to the first day of confinement and the fear she felt when hearing that voice- so distant and foreign. But like the hysteria, the fear did not last and she soon realized that the voice was just a voice. Without the solidity of a body, there was nothing for her to be afraid of. No, as long as she was in this room (as much as she wanted to leave it) she was safe.

"Mmm, good. It would be most inconvenient if you were otherwise."

Pepper's eyes widened and her back tensed. Never was she very superstitious but… Why do I get the feeling that I just jinxed myself?

…Oh sod it all…

A/N Done and Done. So that's chapter 2…I know, not overly exciting. I think that's why it took me so long to write it. It was sadly necessary though, and it has led me in nicely to the next chapter.

Once again, I ask you bear with me. The next chapter will be posted a lot sooner than this one was, and it shall be (hopefully) a bit more enjoyable. LOL. Anyways feedback is wonderful, so please review! And if any one is interested in being a BETA reader for me, please let me know! :)