Chapter 3

Matt led the new kid through the halls and finally stopped at a set of double doors. As they had walked, Mihael passed several students as they went on their way. As each looked at him curiously he set his face in an expression that would ward off any questions and hopefully let them know early he was not to be messed with. This seemed like a nicer place, but he figured kids were kids and he wanted them to know from the start he was not afraid of any of them. Some of them looked away in concern, while others stared back at him in confusion. Mail turned to him just as he flashed his look at a passing boy and burst out laughing.

"You got gas or something?" he said laughing and Mihael turned his look on Mail.

"No, I'm letting them know I'm not afraid of anyone," he answered and then appraised Mail, "And who are you laughing at goggle face!" he said and for a moment he saw anger flash in the blue eyes that had been laughing at him a moment ago, but it was only a moment. Mail remembered his first day here and he wasn't exactly in the best of moods then either.

"You're not going to make friends being a jerk like that," he answered and Mihael sneered at him.

"I don't need any friends," he answered and Mail shrugged.

"Whatever," he said and reached for the doorknob, "This will be your temp room," Mail was saying as he opened the door and the blonde peeked behind the door. Inside he found a tastefully furnished room with a bed, dresser with a mirror, a desk with a computer and a closet. There was a large window overlooking the front yard.

"A room to myself?" he asked surprised and the red head nodded.

"Don't get too excited, it's only while you get used to being here. They figure you need some time to get used to being here, and it's easier without jerks asking you stupid questions and bugging you right away. Once you get used to being here and decide what you're into, they'll move you with other kids in the same classes." He explained and Mihael nodded.

"How many in a room?" he asked. There were at least five kids per room where he was before, there was never a moment to himself, always someone in his face.

"No more than three," Mail answered, "And there's not a computer in the rooms, we have a big computer room we can go to. There's one here kinda like a welcome mat." He finished then turned to look at his charge as he walked around the room, and then finally sat on the bed.

"I'll show you around after lunch which will be in about half an hour. Would you like to go to the main room and watch some TV?" he asked and the blonde shook his head.

"Ok, you can stay here and play with the computer or whatever till I get back," Mail said shrugging his shoulders, "Maybe you should look up how not to be a jerk." He said laughing again and left the room.

Mihael stared after him then flipped off the closed door. He looked around the room again then stood up and went to the window. He watched as kids ran past the window, not giving the blonde staring at them a second look. A smile graced his features for a moment, but just as quickly went away. He was sure he'd like it better here, but he'd make sure everyone knew he wasn't going to be treated here like he was at the other place.

L sighed again as he put down the last folder he had been reading. He stood from his desk and walked over to the dining table where a large bowl of jellybeans sat in the middle. He dug his hand into it and dropped what he had scooped up into his mouth, staring out of the huge window that overlooked the grounds.

He hated having to make this decision, who would be a likely candidate to replace him should he die. He was afraid it would all go disastrously wrong again; he didn't think he could live with that on his conscious. He had just recently stopped seeing BB behind every dark shadow; or A's lifeless eyes staring up at him, accusing him of causing his death. He could still hear BB screaming at him, threatening to kill him for what he'd done to A, that he'd take over and be L once he was dead and no one would know the difference; no one would care. Had Watari not chosen that moment to see if he wanted anything B's plan would have succeeded. Instead he was standing here, his chest heavy with guilt and regret and the fear of history repeating itself, and not really sure whether he wished B had succeeded or not.

He was so deep in his thoughts he didn't hear the door open to his apartment, nor hear Watari come in pushing his trolley. He continued to stare out of the window, absently chewing the jellybeans he had in his mouth. Watari looked at him as we walked in, could tell the boy was troubled and he knew exactly what was troubling him still. He walked over to him and gently touched his shoulder and was saddened by the haunted look in L's large eyes as they finally turned to look at him; seeing that the dark circles that had begun under his eyes seemed even darker.

"L, I've brought your lunch," he said quietly and L nodded.

"Thank you Watari," he said and then gave the older man a small smile, "I've made my decisions." He added and Watari smiled at him.

"That's excellent. I know how difficult it was for you under the circumstances," he answered and followed L as he made his way back to his desk.

"I have decided that the three you earmarked are the best choices. They are of the right age, their scores are all in line and psychologically they seem to have the ability to handle what's in store for them." He said and Watari nodded his agreement.

"I shall set up meetings with them within the next several weeks," he said, "Mihael just arrived today so I wish to give him time to get used to his new surroundings before I present this to him." He said and L nodded his agreement as he sat back down at his desk.

"Good. I wish to observe them before I meet them, see them in their day to day activities." L added and Watari agreed with him as he walked back to his trolley.

"I think that would be an excellent idea," he said, "now have your lunch and stop worrying so deeply. We've addressed all the problems from before, everything should go smoothly this time." Before L could answer his computer beeped at him, letting him know that one of his contacts was trying to reach him. Watari watched the change that came over him, as he became the detective, whatever he had been feeling was gone leaving only the brilliant, young detective that he had to be behind.

"This is L," he said into the computer and Watari began to place L's lunch on the table. It was times like this when he sometimes wondered if getting the young Lawliet involved in detective work had been a good idea at all. As a child his genius was obvious, and the only thing that held his attention were the unsolved mysteries he discovered online. Watari had nurtured his enthusiasm and before they knew it he had begun solving the most difficult cases the world's law enforcements could not handle. He had solved each case that had been brought before him without fail and had enjoyed every moment of it.

But sometimes Watari wondered if he had done a disservice to the young man who effectively had no life except behind that computer, although he never sought for any more. Since he was a child he seemed happiest at the computer, at the chessboard or behind large books. Even when he had the opportunity to be with others, he was happiest alone with his guardian. Watari loved the boy as his own son and was fiercely proud and protective of him, and would do whatever was necessary for him, including laying down his own life.

"Watari, I need to speak with the Prime Minister as soon as possible," L's soft but commanding voice interrupted his train of thought.

"Right away L," he said as he walked bringing a tray over to the desk realizing L wasn't going to move from it to eat, "I'll buzz you when I've reached him."

"Thank you Watari," L answered without looking up, his fingers dancing across the keyboard at lightening speed. The older man nodded and left the apartment, taking one last look at the young man hunched over the desk before closing the door behind him.

Mihael hadn't realized he had fallen asleep until he felt someone shaking him. His eyes opened and he shot up quickly, his arm pulled back ready to strike if necessary. Mail backed up, holding his hands in front of him defensively.

"Watch it, it's just lunchtime!" he said laughing and Mihael dropped his arm.

"Sorry, where I was before…there were a lot of fights," he explained and Mail nodded.

"I get it," Mail answered and moved towards the door, "C'mon, its lunch time," he added and went out into the hall, with Mihael scrambling to catch up with him.

He found himself walking into a large room that was filled with tables and talking children. Instead of the long picnic type tables he was used to, the tables here were regular rectangular that sat four students at a time. The room was bright with sunshine from the large windows on one side of the room, while on the other side was the line for food; children carrying trays and selecting the items available to them and then finding a seat at the waiting tables. It reminded him of a regular school cafeteria, but a bit cheerier and brighter, and definitely better than where he left. He followed Mail to the line, picked his tray and moved along behind him.

After getting their food, he followed Mail to a table where one solitary figure in white sat, one leg tucked under him, one hand twirling furiously in his white hair. As they sat down he acknowledged Mail with a small smile, then eyed Mihael suspiciously.

"Hey Nate. This is Mihael, just got here today." Ante stared at the blonde for a moment and then focused on his meal again.

"Don't hurt you saying hello," Mihael said and Mail laughed.

"He's not big on talking, don't take it seriously," he said as the white haired youngster reached for a toy robot that was lying on the table by his plate. Mihael's hand was faster and he picked it up first, studying it as Nate stared at him.

"This is kinda cool, you like robots?" he asked and Nate nodded and then reached for it. Mihael pulled it away from him, "I'm still looking at it," he said and Mail sighed.

"Give it back to him," Mail told him, "It means a lot to him," he said and the blonde could hear the serious tone in his voice and decided to comply.

"I was gonna give it back," he said as he handed it to the small boy, "I was just looking at it." Mail stared at him for a minute before he spoke again.

"After lunch I'll walk you around the place, try not to be a jerk the whole time, okay?" he said grinning and Mihael eyes narrowed as Nate chuckled at the statement.

"What if I don't want you to walk me around?" he demanded and Mail shrugged his shoulders.

"Whatever, I could care less, but I don't know why you're being such a jerk. Do you want everyone to hate you? You wanna go back to where you came from?" Mihael looked down at his plate, that was the last thing he wanted.

"No.."

"Then stop being a jerk," Mail said simply and went back to his lunch. Mihael looked up at the red-head, realizing this was the first kid he'd met since he'd been orphaned who didn't try to bully him or hurt him; nor was he afraid of him. Maybe this wasn't the way to treat him.

"I'm sorry," he managed and Mail looked at him, and flashed him a brilliant smile.

"It's okay, everyone's a jerk when they first get here," he said laughing, "But you're the first one I've ever met who worked at it so hard!" his laughter was infectious and Mihael couldn't help but join in.