To be perfectly honest I rammed it in as an afterthought because the plot needed a bit of padding out. Although I'm pleased with the chapter on reading it back and I think it adds quite a bit to both the L/Light relationship and to the case story, it does cause one minor problem. You might be able to tell the bit at the end originally belonged to the previous chapter, where it sat a lot better, in my opinion, but it can't be helped. I hope you enjoy anyway, and I'll get the next chapter out as soon as it starts making sense. Waah, it's so hard to write! Ok, enjoy, chickens, and please review, it makes my day.

Light felt surprisingly self-conscious as he walked along the deserted beach with Jen Ainswright, whose simple shorts and sandals served to make her look casual and elegant. The breeze ruffled her hair enthusiastically, causing it to take on a disturbing resemblance to the birds' nest in which Light's fingers had so recently been pleasurably buried. This was ridiculous. If there was one thing Yagami Light could do, it was to charm women. And since there were few things Light could not do, this was a very generous recommendation. So why was it that for some reason he could not decide what would aid his investigation the most; pretending she was L, or trying and erase all resemblances to the flyaway detective from his frontal lobe with sulphuric acid and concentrating on the very pretty woman before him. For some reason, the former seemed more attractive; imagining L's dark-rimmed eyes peering out at him from under sooty lashes made Light's heart invent its own version of the internal tango. Or possibly a mamba.

But ridiculous comparatives were getting him nowhere. Firmly ignoring his rebellious insides, he pulled out the famous Yagami smile, carefully selected the appropriate wattage, and aimed it in the direction of his petite, not at all L-like companion.

"I don't believe you don't come to this beach more often," he said inanely. "It's absolutely beautiful, and you have it all to yourself."

"Oh, well, you know," Jen said deprecatingly. "I don't usually have the time."

"I'm glad you decided to make some for me," Light flattered. Jen blushed, and Light's insides snidely delivered their 'I told you so's. Well they weren't helping him. If he could charm somebody even with the internal treachery, it was no thanks to them. Ye gods, he was arguing with his internal organs. There was something really wrong with him.

"Have you come any closer to solving your case?" Jen asked. Light thought quickly for a moment, but didn't let it show on his face as he answered smoothly

"We're following up a few leads. You don't need to worry about it."

"But I'm a detective writer. It's fascinating to me, although I'm very sorry that my books have caused any deaths," Jen replied warmly. Light noticed a faint red mark on her cheek which had clearly not been caused by her blushes. He filed it away carefully, since L, irritating beast that he was, could only hear every word they said, and was unable to see the two of them. It made Light almost tempted to take hold of her hand just to spite him, but her pale, fine-boned fingers were too reminiscent of the cool hand which had curled around his wrist, so he repressed the urge.

"What made you start writing detective stories?" he asked instead.

"The same reason as anyone chooses their career, I suppose," Jen answered easily. "It's what I love doing."

"But why write novels instead of becoming a police officer?" Light questioned. "I mean, I love your books, but solving real crimes means you do some real good in the world." There, L, analyse that. One-nil to Light.

"I was under the impression you didn't have much choice, since you were chained to that detective. It seemed like he was in charge," Jen responded. Light smothered a scowl. One-one, and he could see L's wicked smile behind his eyelids when he blinked.

"My father's a great detective," he replied, trying not to sound offended. "It was his sense of justice which inspired me to choose this career. Working with Ryuuzaki is interesting, but it's my choice. He insists on the chain whenever he leaves the house because he's mildly agoraphobic, and he only feels safe if he's connected with me." He smirked internally. Roll on the increased Kira percentage, it was worth it to get in the little jibe. Two-two?

"I suppose parents often do have a great influence on their children," Jen considered. "My father has always been fanatically supportive of my writing. In fact it was because of his concern that I never took on a more dangerous job like being in the police. He wouldn't have approved. I'm a bit of a daddy's girl," she gave a small, delicious laugh (Three-two Light, he was attracted to Jen's laugh. Hmm, what does L's laugh sound like. Had he ever heard... damn, three all). "He won't let anyone touch a hair on my head."

"Do you see him often?" Light asked politely, trying to prevent his subconscious from setting up its internal score-board. Was that Kira-like? Did that mean L got another point?

"I visit my parents a lot, but my mother never comes down here. I suppose you could say she's a little agoraphobic, too, but even with my father she dislikes leaving the house. He takes care of her. He's very protective."

"I understand," Light smiled encouragingly. "It must be difficult. I suppose my parents are the other way around..." he bit his tongue, scolding himself for giving too much away. Something about Jen inspired confidence, loosened his tongue, and he had to remind himself that L was listening, L might well use something he said against him, L might be jealous that Light was confiding more in Jen than he did in him...

Damn. L was winning the game, and he wasn't even aware he was playing.

"Do you miss them?" Jen asked quietly. "Your family?" she prompted as Light started; she must have mistaken his disconsolate expression as grief at missing his family rather than sulking at losing his non-existent game against his internal L.

"Sometimes," he lied. He hadn't even though once about home since being with L. He had felt worryingly complete these past few days with Ryuuzaki. It made him feel a little guilty, really.

"It's all right," Jen smiled softly. "It's natural to miss them. You can't be much over twenty. Younger than me, I'd guess, and I still see my dad very often." Once again she had apparently mistaken his expression for awkwardness at remembering his family.

"I don't think of you as older than me," he purred at her. "You look so young and carefree."

"Appearances can be deceiving," she laughed, but Light could tell she was touched by his honeyed compliment. He was an expert, after all. For once on the same page as him, his subconscious shook him by the hand for a job well done.

"I suppose that applies to your detective friend, too," Jen continued unconsciously. "He must be something more special than he looks or acts for you to be so close to him."

"C-close?" Light spluttered as his subconscious ripped its metaphorical hand upwards at the last moment and sneered at him. "We're not – I mean, I suppose we-re – but-"

"I just meant that you allow yourself to be chained to him, and he seemed a bit odd. I suppose there's more to him than that," Jen smiled, that knowing look back in her eyes. Light struggled for composure, the points in L's favour making little chinging sounds as they clicked into place.

"He's a good detective," he admitted carelessly. "I suppose appearances are deceiving."

"But I think I'm right when I deduce that the two of you make a good team," Jen grinned. Light fought hard against the blush he was glad L had no way of seeing.

"We're definitely well capable of getting to the bottom of this case," he sidestepped smoothly.

"I'm counting on it," Jen smiled winningly. "We're almost back at my house. Would you like to come in for some cake?"

Light's internal consciousness gave a wide, very evil smile. This time, the chings were for him.

"I'd absolutely love to have cake with you," he enunciated carefully.

"Well?" Light asked with a nonchalance he did not quite feel as he handed the bugging device back to Ryuuzaki. "Anything useful?"

"You tell me, Light-kun," L responded contrarily. "You are the one who has been recently ingesting cake, therefore your mental functions should currently be higher than mine."

"She sent some back for you in a little box," Light defended weakly. It had been her suggestion, and Light knew that it would be cold glares and acerbic comments all the way if he refused on behalf of L.

"Yes. It served to make her at least 4% more suspicious," L replied shortly.

"Is that because it was the wrong flavour?" Light asked sarcastically.

"No. It would have been 5% if it was strawberry," L decided. "Carrot shows that she is concerned over my state of health, which makes her less suspicious, although assuming she is making fun of me, it might be 6%."

"Instead of quoting cake percentages," Light sighed, "why don't we discuss the evidence that I went out of my way to do the legwork for?"

"Light-kun did not enjoy his date?" L asked mischievously. Light cursed internally. He had walked into that one.

"Well are we?" he demanded.

"I am waiting for a phonecall from Watari," L told him. "When I have his information, presuming it fits with my theory, we will discuss it."

"And now?" Light demanded.

"You may do as you wish, Light-kun," L dismissed. "Since you are no longer bound to an imperfect agoraphobic."

Light sighed internally. L could be immensely petty. And there was one way Light knew of dealing with it. Well, two now, actually. He grabbed the front of L's shirt and pulled him into an abrupt kiss. Setting the astonished detective back down, he smirked in satisfaction.

"Don't believe everything you hear," he said glibly.

"Indeed, Light-kun is rarely honest with his paramours," L snarked. Light scowled. He recognised the look in L's eyes and braced himself for the onslaught. Instead of the usual foot, though, he received a painful tug as L's fingers knotted in his hair and pulled Light onto the floor, the detective straddling him.

All in all, Light thought, it was infinitely more satisfying than getting toes dug into your cheek. Nevertheless, the violent kissing-come-fighting still left him bruised and out of breath. But at least L looked a little perkier in the aftermath. Still, he slid back onto his chair as usual and proceeded to pay no attention to Light. Some things never changed.

"I'm taking a shower," Light said after a few moments. L did not even look up.

"Do as you wish," he said absently. Light stalked into the bathroom.

"I will," replied Light emphatically, and commenced the act of going into the bathroom, unbugged, unmonitored, unbound.

Feeling slightly odd at being alone once more for the first time in months, he tugged his shirt over his head, enjoying the fact that he could accomplish this simple task without the usual technical difficulties. But the universe has an odd sense of humour and, like Light's subconscious, it seemed to delight in making the unfortunate young man the butt of its jokes. Light's shirt had somehow managed to get tangled in his wristwatch, probably during his brief tussle with L on the floor, he thought. Damn, for his first time luxuriating in taking his shirt off without unnecessary fiddling, this was pretty ironic, and not in a good way. Tugging the rest of the shirt over his head, he tugged at the garment in hope of untangling it from his watch. Eventually, after much pulling and manipulation of cloth and metal, it came free with a faint click.

Light watched in confusion as a small fragment of paper fluttered down to settle on top of the discarded top. He glanced at his wrist; a small circular compartment under the face had come open. He hadn't known it was there. Perhaps this was some sort of certificate of authenticity he had never noticed or something. Reaching out to examine it, Light's fingers closed around the little piece of paper.

Dun dun duuuun! And many kudos to the clever reviewer who saw this coming! Please tell me a) if you saw this coming and if you like my decision to include it or not, b) what you think's going to happen both with this and with the case (did you notice any hints?) and c) whether I'm still doing a good job of keeping things in character or if it's too silly or !