(A/N) Okay, I'm really, really sorry. This is a late update, plus there was no clue for the reviewers. I've been super, super busy, and I really apologize.

Anywhos, I hope this chapter was worth the wait!

Thanks to my reviewers, mima1214, orangeeclipse, and invisible-gurl! You guys are the best, and I apologize again for no hint!

I do not own Death Note. My L Nendoroid almost lost his arm tonight; I dropped it on the third floor of my building after dark, and had little hope of finding it. Luckily, I did, and L was very relived.

L nodded slowly. He had known Jane was close to figuring some things out, but it was still a shock to hear it.

"How much to you know?"

"Not much!" Jane snapped in exasperation. "Only that Ryuzaki, my Ryuzaki, doesn't exist. He never did!"

Ryuzaki winced at her cruel words, feeling each one carve into him like a knife. "That's not true," he said softly. "I've never put up any sort of front with you. Ever."

"How can I believe that?" the girl asked plaintively. "You've lied to me about everything!"

"No!" the other objected vehemently. "Can't you see? I was tired of lying! I was tired of being someone I'm not! That's why I left that life!"

Jane stayed silent for a moment, and Ryuzaki jumped on the opportunity. "I wanted my own life. I didn't want to be isolated, trapped, enslaved anymore. That's why I faked my death!" He made a helpless gesture. "Really, some days I wanted to tell you, I really did, but… I wanted to leave my old life behind, really behind; completely behind.

"I wanted you to see me for me, not as L. Not as the world sees me. Even they see me as L!" He motioned to the door where Mello and Near had vanished. "We grew up together, but they still… my position as L gets in the way. It taints the way they see me. I didn't want anything to get in the way. I know I lied…" he hung his head, "… but… if there's some way you can understand…"

"But… what about the world?" Jane asked softly, remaining motionless in the face of his confession. "They need you. You know that."

"Yes, but… others will come. Near will be there… I've served for long enough!"

"The world needs you…" Jane continued softly, "but now so do I."

She moved forward, then, and embraced him; he returned her hug, feeling her warmth seep into him, her heartbeat strong against his chest.

"Ryuzaki… I'll never call you by another name."

… … …

Mello and Near watched incredulously. They were staring at a small, portable monitor; Mello had installed the cameras and microphones while his small companion treated L.

"I had no idea…" whispered Mello, "how far gone his mind really was."

Yet Near heard the words. The person on the screen was so different from the person the Force had known. And in that moment, he realized that L really had died. But the L had never really existed; the person he and Mello knew had always been Ryuzaki.

"We have to let him do this," he said quietly. Mello's head snapped up.

"What?"

"He had the right to lead his own life," announced Nate River. "We can't get in the way of that. If we want to clam to be his friends, we have to support Ryuzaki."

… … …

"You're 'cousins'…" Jane made air-quotes, "Near and Mello, right?"

"Yes." Ryuzaki nodded. "How did you become so… knowledgeable?"

"I was glued to the TV during the Kira case," she explained. "And even though no one knew your faces, we all knew your names. Or, at least, what you went by."

"I can't tell you how relieved I was when that whole thing was over."

"Don't you ever get bored?" Jane asked curiously. "I mean, you work in a doughnut…"

"Work!" Ryuzaki sprang up, sending the coffee table, which he had been sitting on, clattering backwards. "I'm supposed to be at work! Merciful cake…" he staggered, suddenly dizzy, and landed as gracefully as he could, legs folding under him.

"Hell no!" Jane objected. "I'm calling you in sick!"

"I've been though worse," Ryuzaki pointed out mildly, getting to his feet. Oh, Cake, my head feels light!

"Sit down!" Jane ordered fiercely. "Now."

Ryuzaki hesitated; it was against his nature, obeying orders. Still, he realized that, if he tried to stay on his feet, he would fall again and humiliate himself. So he finally flopped into his big chair, tucking his legs under him and leaning back, finding himself exhausted. Jane appeared form the kitchen, a cup of coffee in one hand, a bowl of strawberries in the other, and a cell phone balanced on her shoulder.

"He's really, really sorry," she was saying, "and if it was up to him, he would be crawling to work. But I'm not about to let him." After a moment move she hung up, and handed him the bowl and cup.

"Now eat," she commanded, seeming to get the wrong idea about his policy concerning obeying such orders.

Finding himself genuinely hungry- and convincing himself that that was why he was complying -Ryuzaki obligingly ate what she had given him. After he had finished, he found it increasingly hard to keep his dark eyes open. Jane seemed to sense this.

"Come on," she said gently. "Let's get to bed."

Jane walked closely to Ryuzaki, but didn't quite touch him, no wanting to bruise his pride, already battered that day. He walked slowly, one shoulder rushing the wall for support. They finally reached his bedroom, and Jane helped him into the bed. He curled up, legs tucked up to his chest.

"Thank you."

Ryuzaki breathed it so softly, that, at first, Jane was sure she had imagined it. But when she turned, she met his eyes; they were bright and wide.

"You're welcome."

"You know," Ryuzaki continued quietly, so Jane had to strain to hear, "no one cares about L. L doesn't have a body, or a soul. No heart. Just a mind. And L doesn't need anybody. But you… you seem to care about Ryuzaki. And I do have a heart. And I do need you."

Jane didn't know what to say. She was touched, a lump forming in her throat.

"I'm glad," she finally said. Then she came over, placing one hand lightly on his shoulder. For the first time, he didn't flinch or shy away from her touch. He only let out a deep, contented sigh. "Now sleep."

Ryuzaki's eyes slowly slid shut, and Jane gently brushed some raven hair out of his face. With that, Ryuzaki dropped into a deep, peaceful slumber.

(A/N) Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Sorry, had to get that out of my system.

I really liked this chapter, how about you? Like it? Hate it? Please tell me! Hints this time for sure!