Obsessed – 7

"What the hell is going on?" Misa yelled as she stormed into her manager's office.

"Calm down Misa, yelling at me isn't going to change anything!" she snapped back.

"Why have all my shoots been cancelled? What are you doing?" she continued to yell, marching right up to the desk.

"I have no idea Misa I told you that over the phone," her manager answered, "I was going to ask you what it was that YOU did! I'm just getting the phone calls, they've all decided to cancel until further notice and none of them are giving me any definitive answers!"

"I didn't do anything! I showed up on time, I did everything I was supposed to do! It's got to be something you did, you must have pissed someone off!" Misa accused and her manager bridled at the accusation.

"Misa, I suggest you go home before you say something we're both going to regret. I will try to find out what has happened and I will call you when I get information. Until then, just enjoy your time off." She picked up her phone and began dialing, ignoring anything else Misa had to say.

"You better figure it out, or I'm getting a new manager!" she huffed standing up and ran out of the door, slamming it behind her. As she walked to the elevator she decided she'd call Light; he'd help her figure out what was going on, he was brilliant he'd find a way to help her.

Light lifted his head from putting his papers away and turned when he heard the soft sound of L's office panel opening. He smiled and stood up, walking to meet L as he walked out of his office. He had called him on the intercom, telling him he was ready to take a break and L had agreed he was ready for one as well.

"Glad you agreed to take a break," he said gathering the detective into his arms.

"How could I refuse?" L answered allowing himself to be gathered in Light's strong embrace, and leaning in for the kiss. Light didn't disappoint, leaning forward and attacking L's mouth, tenderly at first, and then more aggressively, pushing his tongue into his mouth and attacking L's waiting one. Only to be surprised by L taking over the kiss, beating his own tongue into submission.

"Well…that was unexpected!" he said when they finally parted and L smirked at him.

"I can't have you thinking you can control every kiss," he said and Light laughed.

"Really? See what you can do with this one…" and as he leaned forward for another kiss, his cell phone went off. He sighed and leaned his head against L's forehead.

"Can't I ignore it, just this once?" he asked and L shook his head.

"It might be something important. You answer your call, I'll get us some coffee," he said pulling away. Light grabbed him for a quick peck before he walked away and then answered his phone.

"Yagami," he answered, aggravation clearly in his tone.

"Light, are you busy?" his father's equally aggravated voice asked him.

"Well, I'm about to sit down and have some coffee with Ryuzaki…"

"Good. I need you to do me a favor…just a moment young lady!" suddenly his father was gone and an unwelcome voice took over.

"Light? Light it's Misa. I need to see you right away, I have a really big problem and I need you to help me with it!" Light ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Misa…what are you doing there?" he asked.

"I came to see you, and they said you had the day off. Since I don't know your phone number or where you live I thought I'd ask your father if he would call you because I need to see you, this is REALLY IMPORTANT My career is in jeopardy!" Light pulled his phone away from his ear to get away from the screech. He thought for a moment; he really needed to talk to her about getting his mother involved and what she said to her, he had to set her straight for the final time. This would be as good a time as any he imagined.

"Fine, I'll see you. There's a coffee shop right on the corner next to the NPA building, go there and I'll meet you there as soon as I can, just wait for me." He hung up the phone before she could answer and put it in his pocket. He looked up as L came back into the dining room with coffee for both of them, and a slice of cake for himself; now for the hard part.

"Was that anything important?" L asked setting the tray on the table.

"More annoying than important," Light answered sitting at the table and taking the coffee offered him, "I need to ask your patience and understanding." L raised an eyebrow as he sat down.

"What has Misa done now, Light?" he asked with a sigh.

"Apparently she's having some problem with her career and she went to my office. Of course I'm not there today so she went to see my father, and he called me." L nodded as he took a sip of his coffee.

"I imagine she wishes to seek your help about this…problem," he said trying not to smile.

"Yes, although I have no idea what I could possibly do with anything involving her career," Light said stirring his coffee, "But I'll use this opportunity to tell her what I think of her going to see my mother and make it crystal clear to her never to do anything like that again." He reached across the table and took L's hand, "You understand now why I'm asking for patience and understanding." L nodded, removed his hand from Light's and stood up from the table, taking his coffee cup and cake with him.

"Well then, I suppose you should get going," he said turning towards his office, "I'll go back to work until you return."

"L wait," Light called getting up from the table and going to him, "I'm sorry I have to do this, but I have to straighten her out, you understand don't you?" L nodded again and smiled at him.

"Of course I do, and hopefully this will be the end of it," he leaned forward and gently kissed the worried young detective, "I am fine with this and I will see you when you get back." Light reached up and caressed L's face.

"Thank you for understanding, I'll get back as quickly as I can," he captured the raven's mouth in a soft kiss, then turned and left the apartment.

L walked to the intercom, putting down his coffee and cake for a moment.

"Yes, L?"

"I'm going to be going out in a few minutes…"

"I'll get the car ready," Watari answered.

"That isn't necessary, I'm only going down to the crepe restaurant, and I can easily walk that. I just wanted to let you know where I'll be."

"I see. Is Light going with you?"

"No, Light has gone to have a discussion with Misa Amane, so I will take this opportunity to have a discussion with someone else on my own."

"I understand; you will be careful I'm sure," Watari said and L smiled.

"Of course. I shouldn't be too long…oh and I'll need a credit card," he answered and snapped off the intercom. He finished his cake and coffee to give Light time to get to the subway, then headed out himself.

"Well, well looks who's here again by himself," the waitress whispered to Maki, "Let's hope this time he pays for his own check," she added with a smirk. Maki looked up and smiled as she saw L walking into the restaurant. He stopped at the door and looked around and smiled when he saw her, and nodded. Her heart nearly stopped, did that mean he actually came in to look for her? She watched as he headed for his and Light's usual table and sat down. She immediately went for coffee and ordered his favorite crepe.

"I ordered your chocolate crepe," she said nearly breathlessly as she placed his coffee in front of him, "I hope that was okay." He looked up at her and smiled.

"That's fine Maki," he said, "And if it's okay with you, perhaps you could help me with something." Maki smiled back and nodded vigorously with a bow.

"Yes, of course, I would be happy to!," she answered, "Just let me get your crepe!"

"Thank you," L answered sipping his coffee. She bowed again, then turned and hurried towards the kitchen, her heart beating wildly in her chest.

Misa was impatiently finishing her second coffee when she finally saw Light come through the door of the coffee shop. She raised her arms and waved them so he could see where she was, calling his name. Light rolled his eyes and walked to where she was sitting and sat down next to her.

"Oh Light you won't believe what's happened! It has to be some kind of sabotage, some fan who thinks I've done something to them. I have haters you know, I don't understand why but I do! It's just awful Light; I haven't done anything to anyone! You have to help me I…." Light reached up and covered her mouth with one hand.

"Okay, okay calm down a minute and we'll talk about what's happened," he said then removed his hand, "But I have something else important to talk to you about first." She stared at him indignantly.

"What could possibly be as important as what's happening to my career?" she asked.

"How about the fact that you went to my mother behind my back and brought up what is a very sensitive subject?" She blinked once and then smiled.

"What sensitive subject? I only asked for your number and address, which she wouldn't give me by the way. I don't remember anything sensitive." He leaned closer to her so he could speak quietly.

"How about the subject of grandchildren, knowing that my relationship with Ryuzaki can't give her any?"

"Ohhh that," Misa said with a shrug, "Well, I didn't know it was a sensitive subject, she didn't act like it was. It was just conversation," she giggled, "It's not my fault Ryuzaki can't have your babies like I could." Light closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.

"Misa, if you do anything like that again, go near either one of my parents again, it will be the end of any communication between us, do you understand?"

"Oh but Light…"

"Do you understand!" Light repeated moving even closer to her and through gritted teeth. Misa's eyes widened almost comically and she nodded.

"Yes Light, I understand, I'm sorry," she said quietly and looked down at the table. Light nodded and sat back.

"Good, and one more thing before I listen to what your problem is," he said and she looked back up at him.

"Yes?" she asked.

"I know I've said this before, but I feel I have to make sure you understand this. There is nothing and never will be anything between us. I need to know that you realize that and aren't hatching some ridiculous plan to get us together because it isn't going to work," he said and Misa shook her head.

"No silly, I know that. I know that as long as Ryuzaki is with you there can never be anything between us. But I want you to know that if anything should ever happen, if he should leave you for any reason, I'll be here if you need me."

"Well, as much as I appreciate the sentiment, I can assure you that nothing is going to happen like that. Ryuzaki is not going to leave me for any reason, any more than I am going to leave him," he relaxed and smiled at her, "Now that that is out of the way, you can tell me what your problem is, although if it has anything to do with you career I can't imagine what I could do about it. I work primarily in homicide, not entertainment."

"Light someone is trying to ruin me! I had all of these modeling jobs lined up, and several appearances and now suddenly they've all gone. They've all cancelled until further notice!"

"Well, did you say something to upset someone? Not that you would ever do that, of course…" Light suggested trying not to laugh.

"NO! I haven't done anything Light I swear! But someone is out to get me and I can't imagine who would want to do that to me!"

"I can't either, so there must be something else going on. But think hard, there's no one who might have taken offence to something you've done, someone in power?" Misa crossed her arms and pouted as she thought and then shook her head.

"No, no one that I can think of," she finally answered and Light shook his head.

"Well, I can't think of anyone who could hate you enough to want to sabotage your…" he stopped suddenly as someone who could possibly hate her enough and had the power to do it came into his mind. Misa leaned forward frowning.

"What Light…have you thought of someone?" he shook his head.

"No…no I was just running something through my mind, as to how someone could do this to you," he sighed and looked at his watch, "I've got to get back home Misa, I'll think more on it and leave a message with your manager if I come up with anything."

"You don't have to do that, here's my cell phone number, just call me!" she said reaching into her purse and pulling out a pen and a piece of paper. He took the number from her, folded it up and stuck it in his pocket.

"Okay, thanks," he said and began to get up. She reached up and grabbed his arm.

"Wait! Don't I get your number so I can call and check if you have any information for me?" she asked and Light shook his head.

"No, that wouldn't be a good idea Misa," he said pulling his arm away.

"But that's only fair, I gave you my number in good faith!" Light sighed and took the paper out of his pocket and dropped it on the table.

"You're right, of course. I'll leave a message with your manager," he said and walked away.

"I don't believe it!" Misa cried smacking the table with her hands, "Why are you so difficult!" At least he was going to work on helping her out, at least she had that going for her. She could always reach him at his office if nothing else. She stood up, paid for her coffee and stomped out of the restaurant.

As L tucked into his second crepe, Maki poured him a fresh cup of coffee and watched him eat. She had the deepest desire to run her hand through the wild raven black hair, to see if it felt as soft as it looked. She had never known anyone with his type of coloring; his skin so pale that it looked like porcelain, and she wanted to touch it to see he were warm to the touch. She watched his fingers as they precariously held the fork he was eating with, the long, slender fingers that seemed so graceful and elegant. She wondered if he were a pianist or some other kind of musician that would justify such graceful features. She also began to imagine those graceful fingers touching her face, tracing a line from her face down her neck, saying her name softly…

"Maki, are you alright?" she started when she realized he really was saying her name. She felt the color rise to her cheeks and she looked down at the floor.

"Yes…yes, I'm sorry, did you need more coffee?" she asked and began to add more to his cup.

"Thank you, but I wonder if I may ask you a few questions now?" he asked, noting the sudden color to her face.

"Of course Mr. Ryuzaki, let me put this coffee pot away, and I can take my break now. I'd be happy to help you with anything I can," she answered with a small bow and walked away to do just that. When she returned she sat down across from him at the table.

"I understand that you have recently become acquainted with someone I am also acquainted with," he began.

"Really? Are they a customer here?" she asked and he nodded slowly.

"A recent one I understand, her name is Misa Amane." He watched her reaction carefully, the color once again rising to her cheeks; she hastily looked down at the table before answering.

"Yes, she does come in here on occasion. I didn't know you knew Ms. Amane," she said.

"Yes, we have a…shared history. Now as much as I would like to go over this slowly, the matter I am concerned about is too important for me to beat around the bush as they say. I know for a fact that Ms Amane has been coming here to speak to you, and I also know for a fact that the last time she was here you two had an argument…"

"But Mr. Ryuzaki I…" he raised his hand to stop her.

"Don't make things difficult by denying it Maki," he said, "I need to know what you two argued about because I have a feeling the reason is very dear to me."

Maki tried not to show the panic she was feeling. If he knew that much, it was possible he knew about everything. But if he did, he wouldn't still be treating her so nicely, he would be angry with her. She also knew that if she didn't answer him soon, he would definitely be angry with her, and all the progress she felt she had made would go up in smoke. Nothing was worth that, nothing and no one.

"Mr. Ryuzaki, I'm so sorry," she said, allowing her tears from the fear she was feeling to fall, "She told me she'd get me fired if I didn't help her; I didn't want to but I need my job."

L once again watched and listened, knowing that she was not telling the complete truth but wanting to hear what else she had to say.

"What did she want you to do Maki?" he asked.

"She…she wanted me to get your address and phone number, she wants to try and break you and Mr. Light apart, she wants him for herself." L smiled and nodded knowingly.

"Yes, just as I suspected. What is that you want Maki?" he asked, "Surely there is something that you're getting out of this." The waitress stared at him horrified.

"Oh no Mr. Ryuzaki, there was nothing in it for me, except to keep my job! I'm so sorry Mr. Ryuzaki, but she's a big star, she has power and…"

"It's alright Maki, I can understand that Ms. Amane can be quite formidable when she wants to be. Now, if you would be kind enough to please let me know whenever Ms. Amane comes to you again, and let me know what she says. Can I ask you to do that for me?"

Maki stared into his huge dark eyes, knowing she could deny him nothing, and whatever kept him from knowing her part in this she would do.

"Of course Mr. Ryuzaki, anything to make this up to you," she said and he nodded.

"May I borrow your pen? I wish to give you a number that you can reach me at," he asked and she hastily gave him the pen she wrote her orders with. He took it and wrote a number onto his napkin and then gave it to her.

"When Ms. Amane comes in again, I need you to call me at this number and let me know what transpires," he said and she nodded clutching the number.

"Yes…yes I will Mr. Ryuzaki, and thank you for not being angry with me," she said.

"Well, as I said, I know Ms. Amane," he pulled out his cell phone and checked the time, "I must be leaving now, if you would give me the check." Maki shook her head looking almost horrified.

"Oh no Mr. Ryuzaki I couldn't possibly ask you to pay after what you know I've done, please…I'll take care of it tonight," she said and L shrugged as he began to stand up.

"As you wish," he said, "I expect to hear from you shortly," he added and she bowed again.

"Yes, you will, as soon as I see her again," she answered and he smiled, then turned and left the restaurant.

For a few moments Maki just concentrated on breathing and getting herself back together. She had no idea how he knew what had transpired between Misa and herself; and it made her worry that maybe he knew more about her than she wanted him to. He didn't seem to; otherwise she was sure he would have asked. She closed her hand around the napkin with his number. At least she had this, and once all of this was done, she would be able to contact him, to console him when Misa had finally managed to get Mr. Light away from him. That's what she looked forward to, when she finally had the opportunity to show him just how much she cared.

L pulled his phone and called Watari as he began his walk home.

"I am on my way back," he said.

"Yes, I can see that on my GPS. Did you get accomplished what you set out to do?" he asked.

"I did, and I wish you to begin a search for everything you can find on a Maki Uchida. I need a complete dossier on her."

"Certainly, right away," Watari answered.

"Also, I just gave out the number to one of your extra lines for her to provide me with information, so please let me know when she contacts you."

"Of course," Watari answered.

Thank you, Wammy, I should be there shortly," L told him and closed the call, slipping the phone back into his jeans pocket. There was something about her he simply wasn't sure about, and he needed to find out what it was before he went any further. But now to get back home to Light, and to see what he had discovered from Misa, and he in turn would tell him what he had just learned from Maki. It would prove to be an interesting evening.