Hey guys! Guess what? There are actually some serious parts in this chapter! *le gasp!* I know, right? Anyhoo, thank you thank you THANK YOU for all your wonderful reviews! Nothing beats the knowledge people are actually enjoying your fanfic! That's probably why I've been writing so fast… ^_^'

Oh, and a quick re-cap: "-san" is the equivilant of Miss So-and-So, Mrs. So-and-So, or Mr. So-and-So. It's a polite, formal way of addressing someone. "-chan" is used for female friends, or as a term of endearment towards a female. "-kun" is the same, except it is for male friends or as a term of endearment towards a male.

Enjoy~!


After Watari had put L into bed, he dismissed the rest of the Kira Task Force for the evening. Everyone went without much complaint. Even Misa left, though I noticed that she seemed to be super-glued onto Light's arm. She glared at me like a rabid cat when they walked by, as if she thought I'd try to steal Light right out from under her. Honestly, I don't think I could've pulled him away with a crowbar, not that I wanted to.

Sorry, Light-san. You're on your own with that one.

Once everyone was gone, Watari's stoic expression gave way to one of worry, and he sighed deeply. The fact he looked worried made me worry even more.

"Watari-san? Is…something wrong with L-san?" I asked anxiously.

He glanced down the halls, as if to make sure everyone was gone, before replying.

"As the others might have told you, L is an insomniac. He typically gets only two to three hours of sleep per night, and usually it is sitting in front of a computer with his eyes open."

Well, gee, that would've been nice to know. It would've kept me from, say, thinking I'd killed him.

"However," Watari continued wearily, "His lack of sleep and unhealthy diet puts so much strain on his body, that every so often, it will simply give out from exhaustion. That forces L to actually rest, and let his body fully recover, before he runs it through the mill again."

I took a few moments to process that, and then it dawned on me.

"So…L-san knew he was going to collapse?"

"Yes, I'm certain he's known it was coming for some time. All the extra sugar he's been consuming, as well as those energy drinks, has staved it off a few extra days, but he couldn't hold out forever."

The older gentleman gazed toward L's bedroom door.

"This time seems even worse than usual. This case has been more difficult on him than he lets on."

Watari sighed again, shook his head, and turned to me.

"Shortcake-chan, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you a favor."

"Oh, sure! Anything!" I said quickly. That was probably a mistake. Knowing my luck, he'd end up asking for my kidney or something.

Thankfully, he didn't.

"I have to run a quick errand, and I need you to watch over L while I'm gone."

Ha! Like that was a favor! I'd been starring at the gorgeous man for the better part of the week! What "favor" was he going to ask me for next? To eat chocolate and read Manga?

"I'd rather you stay close to him. His sleep is generally – troubled – after one of these episodes," Watari continued, putting on his hat. He opened the front door, and regarded me firmly, "And make sure he stays in bed. He'll want to return to work immediately, but he needs to rest."

I set my jaw in determination, and nodded.

His face softened into a warm smile.

"Thank you, Shortcake-chan," he said quietly, "I'll be back shortly."

And with that, Watari left. No sooner did the door close than I hurried to L's bedroom and peeked inside.

My crush was lying in the bed, his raven locks peeking out from under the covers. Weirdly enough, the lights were still on. I went to switch them off, but hesitated. Perhaps they were left on for a reason. I decided to leave the lights on just in case.

Remembering what Watari had said about staying close by, I tiptoed into the room, and sat in an adjacent armchair. Okay, so that wasn't the only reason. I wanted to watch him sleep. I'd never seen L asleep before. And seeing him, for once, not totally aware of everything was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I just couldn't pass up.

He was sleeping on his back, only his head visible from underneath the blankets. His eyes, which had been open before, had fully slid shut. The comforter rose and fell with each soft breath. But what really got me was his face.

An expression of complete serenity was spread over his handsome visage. It stuck me that I had never seen L look at peace before. Not even at peace…I'd never even seen him look content before. But looking at his job, I guess that made sense. I mean, he had solved crimes all over the world. Sometimes I couldn't even watch the news and feel content.

Peace was hard to feel, when you knew the world was a rotten place.

I was pulled out of my melancholy when L rolled over, turning towards me. He curled in on himself, pulling the covers up to his chin. He murmured sleepily.

I nearly squealed from the sheer cuteness of it.

I couldn't believe my good luck. Here I was, alone with possibly the most gorgeous man on earth, being able to watch him sleep…my chair pulled right up to his bed…

Less than a foot away.

In L's bedroom.

With L.

Alone.

Whoever said "Ignorance is Bliss" was one smart cookie, let me tell you. 'Cause the realization that I was, indeed, less than a foot away from him, in his bedroom, alone, made my heart belly-flop into my stomach. My face flushed deep pink.

If ignorance is bliss, then awareness is misery.

What had seemed a simple, pleasing task mere moments before now made my knees knock together. I could already feel sweat forming on my skin.

L and I had never truly been alone. Not once. Even at night, Watari was always there. But now the ninja-wizard was gone, and I was left completely and utterly alone with my crush.

Heck, I could barely string together two competent sentences in his presence. And now I was alone with him in his bedroom? What the hell was he going to think when he woke up and found me starring at him? While I was blushing? And sweating?

Oh god.

Escape. I need to escape. Right now. Right. Now.

Remember how Life hates me? That it's always trying to screw me? Yes? Good.

Then it will come as no surprise whatsoever to you that L took that moment to start waking up.

His brow furrowed, his hands tightening around the covers. He began shifting uncomfortably under the blankets.

This was my last chance for escape, and I knew it. But I was so scared-stiff I couldn't move. I couldn't even wiggle my toes. Only one word kept repeating itself in my head.

Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap…

His shifting became thrashing. His eyes were roving restlessly beneath his closed lids.

CRAP…!

Then he did something I was not expecting in the least.

L bolted straight up in bed, his eyes flying open, and screamed.

"!"

The sheer shock of it knocked me out of my chair and onto the floor. I don't know how I recovered so darn quickly, but I was on my feet in an instant.

L's peaceful expression was gone, replaced by one of complete and utter terror. His skin had gone from pale to chalk white. The man's normally wide eyes were the size of saucers. He took several rattling gasps, clenching the blankets so tightly his hands shook.

"W-Watari…" L choked, starring at me in horror, "Where is Watari?"

I was surprised to hear my own voice answer him. My instincts must have kicked in, and taken control away from my faulty brain.

"Watari is fine. He's okay," I assured quickly, "He just left on a quick errand. He'll be right back."

This didn't seem to sooth him much. He just kept starring at me, the air filled with the sound of his labored breathing.

"Do you want me to get you a phone?" I asked, "So you can call him?"

Boy, were my instincts good. I wouldn't have come up with that on my own. Too bad they couldn't be in charge all the time.

I could tell that he wanted to, but there was reluctance on his face. After a few moments, he sat back against the bed's headboard.

"No…no, that won't be necessary…"

His voice cracked slightly as he said it, and I could hear a distinct note of self-loathing in his voice. L closed his eyes, breathing deeply.

I just stood there. It was awful, watching him try to piece himself together. L was always so logical, so composed. Seeing him like that felt…wrong. Like I was intruding on his privacy or something.

I wished I could do something, say something, but I was afraid that would make him feel worse instead of better. He was embarrassed, and I'd definitely had enough first-hand experience to tell.

Suddenly, I remembered what Watari had said, about how troubled his sleep was. Was that the reason he had wanted me to stay close to him? Because he didn't want L to be alone after a nightmare…?

My crush recovered himself quickly, or, at least, he acted like it. I think he was still shaken. He was just good at hiding it.

"…that is why I hate sleeping," he muttered in annoyance, "And because I was moved to a bed, my cognition has dropped 70%..."

He pulled his knees up, bracing himself against the headboard to rise into his usual crouched position.

Watari's voice echoed through my head.

he needs to rest…

"Um…uh…L-san…?" I said meekly. Well, great. Looked like my instincts had relinquished control to my brain. This was going to be fun.

L seemed to ignore me.

"I can safely assume Watari sent everyone else home. At least I'll be able to work in peace now..."

He'll want to return to work immediately…

"Errr…L-san? W-Watari said…"

The raven-haired man continued to ignore me.

"Shortcake-san, please bring three slices of cake and an energy drink to the study. I'll be there shortly," he said, preparing to step off the bed.

And make sure he stays in bed…

Whatever that had been holding me back suddenly snapped. I owed it to Watari, and I owed it to L.

"L-KUN!" I cried out, "GET BACK IN BED!"

Well, he heard me that time. His dark eyes widened, and his leg pulled back so fast you'd have thought he'd been burned. My embarrassment, fear, and anxiety fused together to form the next jumbled sentence.

"I'm-sorry-but-Watari-told-me-to-keep-you-in-bed-because-you're-exhausted-and-need-to-rest-and-I'm-really-worried-about-you-so-please-just-stay-in-bed!"

L kept on starring at me, his dark eyes locked with my green-blue ones. I was blushing fiercely at that time because, once again, I had come off as sounding like an idiot. My gaze fell to the floor. I was silently kicking myself when I heard his quiet voice.

"…worried about me…?"

My eyes shot up.

He was still starring at me with wide eyes. The shock on his face suggested I had just told him I was a cross-dressing hippopotamus that had run away from the Russian circus. Did he really think me worrying about him was that astonishing?

"W-Well…yeah," I replied, surprised, "I mean…you're always pushing yourself so hard…it…it isn't good for you, L-kun…"

He blinked. My crush's dark eyes were swirling with emotions, but I didn't have time to discern what they were before his gaze dropped to the bed.

"You referred to me as L-kun. Does that mean…you consider me a friend?"

His voice was very quiet, almost timid, as if he expected me to shout "APRIL FOOL'S!" or just plain deny it. And there was something else hidden in there, that almost sounded like…longing?

"Of course I do!" I blurted out. I couldn't help it. The expression on his face was like a little kid waiting to be told if there was a Santa Clause or not. I wanted to reassure him so badly I didn't even give myself a chance to think.

L gaped at me.

I began twirling the end of my braid nervously.

"I-I…I know we've only known each other…well…for a few days, but…b-but I do think of you as a friend…and I…I know you probably don't think of me as a friend…but that's okay…"

I swallowed, and finished quickly.

"…because you'll still be my friend anyway!"

I was expecting an awkward pause, or an awkward reply, because, let's face it, what I said to him was just plain awkward.

Instead, I was met with the biggest smile I'd even seen on his face. All the other times, it was just a small smile, as if he was trying to conceal it. But this one was different. Nothing about it was veiled; it was warm, and whole, and pure. And it lit up the room.

I could've tanned myself in the sheer brilliance of it.


True to his word, Watari returned ten minutes later, holding two bags. Which was weird, considering I was pretty sure the store they came from was already closed. But, then again, Watari was a ninja-wizard. He probably teleported inside, or somersaulted through an open window.

Per his request, I brought one of the bags into L's room and unloaded it onto a nearby coffee table. There were several kinds of sleeping pills, three bottles of a Gatorade-like beverage, and a slew of vitamins.

L had already fallen back asleep, which proved just how exhausted he really was. As quietly as I could, I leaned over, and gently pulled the covers back over him. He murmured something softly – I think it was the name of a dessert – and snuggled into the blanket. I suppressed an affectionate coo and beat a hasty, but silent, retreat into the hall.

Watari was carrying a platter I thought was meant for L, but set it down on the table near me instead.

"I noticed that you had skipped dinner, Shortcake-chan, and took the liberty of having something brought up," he said, and pulled off the cover to reveal one of the fanciest dinners I'd ever seen in my life. I mean, it shouldn't have been a big surprise. We were living in a five-star hotel, after all. But it looked like condor roasted over hundred-dollar bills, topped with pureed-gold, and served with a side of lobster.

Except it looked appetizing. Like, mouth-watering.

I gave him a huge smile as I sat down to partake in the over-the-top feast.

"Thank you so much, Watari-san!"

"Not at all," he replied, "It's the least I could do to repay you. And I know L enjoyed your company."

I blushed a little. I wasn't so sure about that. I'm pretty sure he would've preferred if Watari had stayed there instead…

Come to think of it, why didn't he just send me to get the stuff, and stay behind himself? Especially if L had nightmares, and would want someone close by? It's almost like he wanted me to be there alone with L…

Wait a minute…!

I whipped around to look at him. There was a look of complete innocence on his face, but there was a tell-tale glimmer in his eye. Apparently, he realized I had figured it out, because he simply chuckled warmly, and headed towards my crush's bedroom door.

No way…

That is one clever Ninja-Wizard.