New York City M.N. Murder Case

Chapter 9: Believe

A joyless chuckle drew back the two investigators' attention towards the main subject of the conversation.

''That's nonsense, Mello.'' Elena said, her voice very calm as she was still checking her fingernails.

Silence.

Eventually, she raised her head. Dark empty orbs and icy blue eyes were cast upon her.

''Wait.'' She snorted awkwardly. ''Oh, please! Tell me you're not bying that!''

When her wide hazel eyes locked with emotionless black ones, she leant back against her seat and smacked her forehead.

''Oh God! You are.'' She groaned. ''I can't believe you're actually trusting him!'' Her eyes shut as a weary sigh escaped her red lips. ''He's a psychopath trying to reach to you by killing innocent children...but when he tells you that I, your co-worker in that case, had some kind of a relation with Kira, the worst mass murderer that ever existed, just in order to confuse you and test your trust in me, you just listen and agree with him. Unbelievable.''

''I don't know, Miss Cabestan.'' L tilted his head to the side, his eyes still locked with Cabestan's. His chair was now fully turned towards the older woman. ''After all, I myself could observe many common traits between you and Kira. As did Lidner, if I remember well.''

''Well,'' Lidner's uneasy voice interfered, ''in fact, when I said Elena was comparable to Kira, I didn't really mean—''

''That is irrelevant,'' Near cut her off icily. ''You said she could become just as narcissist as Kira used to be, and you were right.''

''What?!'' Elena yelled, finally opening her eyes to glare at the young detective. ''I am not a narcissist! And— Oh God! I can't believe we have come to this...'' She shook her head in disbelief. ''I was called in the middle of the night to help you discuss with a serial killer to try and get some informations out of him, and now I'm the one being questioned. It doesn't make any sense! Obviously Mello set up a trap for you, and you just fell for it. I'm really disappointed, L.''

''There is a seventy-three percent chance Mello did say that in order to turn us against each other.'' The white-haired man blatantly ignored her complaints.

''Then why the hell do you believe him?!''

''...But there is a ninety-seven percent chance he is telling the truth.''

''You— Wait, what?!'' She stood up abruptly, causing the chair to fall backwards. She looked down at the younger man before her, a glow of pure rage clearly painted on her bright eyes.

''I assure you, I don't know Kira, and I never worked with him! I am not his accomplice, and I never was! I have nothing to do with him!'' She turned away from the two SPM members as she struggled to hold back a howl of frustration. Suddenly, she turned around to glance at the blank screens.

''And why the hell are you not speaking anymore, Mello? Are you just looking at us through one of the bugs you put in here Satan knows how? You like the show, don't you? The task force members charged to stop you tearing themselves apart... You like spreading chaos all around you, don't you?''

''Indeed,'' the deep voice agreed in a neutral tone. ''And you sound a bit too much agitated for someone who's supposed to be completely innocent, now don't you, Cabestan?''

''And you sound a bit too much calm for a murderer who's taking pleasure in killing children just in order to play his sick games of dominance with his beloved mortal enemy, now don't you, Mello?'' She fought back instantly as she regained her composure. She shot a look at the world's greatest detective who was blinking at the dark gothic M, his hand suspended in the air.

''W-What?! He is not my—''

''Who cares, Mello?'' Elena slammed her fists on the desk, glaring at the shining screens with boundless fury. ''Who cares? He could be the president of the United States, or Michael Jackson, I would't give a damn! You're just a fucking psychopath with an inferiority complex, obsessed with a sociopath child detective suffering from an emotional disability!''

Near widened her eyes at her. Me? A sociopath child detective suffering from an emotional disability?

Lidner cleared her throat, trying her best to ease the atmosphere, but as expected, failure was all she got.

''But let me help you on this,'' Cabestan carried on with her violent speech, impertubable. ''You are not inferior to him, Mello. Near, L, or whatever he likes to call himself, is no better than you. He is just wearing white so his soul appears more clean, that's all. But the truth is, he is just as disturbed as you, perhaps maybe even more! You're a ruthless and dangerous serial killer, and all he wants is catching you, but not in order to bring you to court, no... He just wants to win. Just like you, Mello.''

She turned towards L, boring into his impenetrable dark pools with her burning almond eyes. ''You were right. You are the same. You don't care about Justice with a capital J. You're just like the former L, and probably just like all the Ls that will succeed you. All you care about is your little ego and your reputation of the world's greatest detective.'' She spat disdainfully.

''But you forget that between your two incredible minds, in the middle of your games and pawns, there are humans who are just waiting to be saved. And those humans don't care about who wins and who loses. All they want is Justice, and yet all you can do is throwing your little victory at their face.''

Elena looked away and rested her palms on the table once again. Hal and Near exchanged a quizzical glance as a spark appeared at the corner of the lawyer's eyes, but none of them dared to wonder what that odd gleam could actually hide. The criminologist then looked up at the great and powerful M displayed on the wall.

''But I can tell you, L, Near, M, Mello, both of you... this time, none of you will win this battle. If Kira wasn't Justice, then so can't you. No one can embody Justice. Not Kira, not L, not N, not M, not me. And if you think otherwise, then you will both lose.''

She straightened up as her red full lips let out a trembling sigh. She bent down and got her chair back on its wheels. She put her head down and walked towards the exit.

''Now if you'll excuse me, the only human in this room would like to sleep while you, broken heartless machines, keep fighting for a mirage.'' She waved a weary hand without looking back. ''You can continue accusing me of the worst crimes imaginable if you want. Unlike you, I am tired of playing meaningless games. I am not playing anymore. And I am not staying to see your demise.''

And with that, the door wings slid closed, leaving a motionless L still blinking at the screens like a robot, a stunned Lidner clinging at her armrests almost desperately and a speechless Mello who hadn't even the strength to bite into his last chocolate bar.

Finally, a steady voice broke the unbearable silence and seemed to bring back reality to the three protagonists.

''Mello.''

Croc.

''What?'' came the harsh answer.

''You requested Miss Cabestan's presence just in order to provoke her and see her reaction yourself,'' Near stated plainly. ''Did you get what you wanted?''

A mirthless chuckle resounded in the empty room.

''Yeah, but not what I expected though...''

''What do you mean?'' The crouched man frowned slightly.

''I didn't imagine her that...eloquent. She didn't stay troubled for long, she quickly got a hold on herself. And that was kinda disappointing. It's even possible that she actually faked her shock...''

''I am afraid Miss Cabestan is just as skilled as we are in the art of manipulation.'' L sighed lightly as he took his disregarded robot toy in his pale hands. ''That is going to complicate your plans greatly, isn't it?''

''Probably, yes.'' Near could imagine his slender shoulders shrug as he spoke. ''But that only confirms her possible relation with Kira, don't you think?''

''Mello. How is Miss Cabestan linked to Kira?''

''Ah!'' The older man laughed out loud. ''You'd like to know, uh? Sorry, Near. I won't tell anything more. You'll have to figure out the rest on your own. But I can tell you one last thing...''

''Yes?''

''You should really inform yourself better before hiring a new member in your team you know nothing about,'' he said quietly, his voice even lower than usual.

A muffled crackle echoed in the dark, and the two investigators understood the line was cut. L pressed his toy against his chest as his other hand reached up to twirl a white lock of hair.

''Lidner.''

The blonde woman seemed to remember how to speak after being silent for so long, only listening to the conversation between the two geniuses.

''Yes, L?''

''I need you to investigate Elena Cabestan.''

''What? But there is absolutely no public information disclosed about her private life whatsoever! She is very secretive, she never revealed a single thing to the press, even during interviews! There are no documents nor anything I could use! How am I—''

''I wasn't talking about interviews, legal nor administrative documents, Lidner. Those are not what I am looking for. I want you to get informations out of Miss Cabestan, but not by using a conventional way.''

''Not by a conventional way? But then how—''

''I want to know everything about Miss Cabestan.''

''But that's impossible, Near, I can't—''

''Of course you can,'' Near interrupted her ruthlessly. ''There are many different ways of getting informations, and you know it. You have been part of the C.I.A. once. I believe you are perfectly aware of the different techiques provided for such purpose.'' He rested his chin on the top of his toy's head.

''And you have now my authorisation to use any means necessary.''

''No...'' Hal whispered weakly. ''You can't possibly mean—''

''I may suffer from an emotional disability as Miss Cabestan generously pointed out earlier, but I am certainly not blind, Lidner. '' L snapped. ''I can see how you and Miss Cabestan are acting around each other. That is why I am asking you this special favour. Because I know Miss Cabestan will be more willing to share—''

''No.'' Lidner shook her head vigorously.

''I beg your pardon?'' Eventually, L looked up at the woman in front of him who raised from her seat.

''I understand what you expect from me,'' she said dryly, ''and I won't do it. You want me to bring Elena to trust me and then use her own feelings against her to get the informations you need.''

''That was exactly what I was thinking about, yes.''

''I figured. But I won't do it, Near. I am not going to seduce her to better manipulate her. That's cruel.''

''Yet you applied that very same strategy on Mello last year during the Kira case, if I remember well,'' Near reminded her, his voice as sharp as a knife.

''Yes, but...that was not the same situation. I didn't— She's not Mello.'' Hal blurted out miserably. ''Elena is...different.'' She looked down, hiding her eyes behind her blonde bangs.

''Is she?'' The white boy tilted his head to the side, faking genuine interest.

''Yes.''

''And may I ask how Elena Cabestan is any different from Mello?'' He asked coldly. ''Because she is a lawyer? Because she is french? Because she is a woman? Because she is on the good side of the law? Because she is what one can consider as beautiful? Because she has not been destroyed by a hard and unfair life? Because she has not—''

''That isn't true,'' Hal cut him off quietly.

''What is not true?''

''You might be right about one point.'' She sighed, biting her lip. ''I suppose I can tell you, I have absolutely no clue about what she was implying anyway.'' She looked up at Near, her blue eyes glistening in the dark. ''There is one thing that Mello and Elena have in common, Elena told me so herself.''

''And what is that thing?'' Near urged her as he eventually put his toy robot down.

''She said she understands him. She said she understands criminals because they have a shattered soul. According to her, Mello has a shattered soul, just as she does. She said she had tried to save a criminal once, but she failed. If I understood well, as she gradually learnt to understand that criminal, she ended up breaking her own soul in the process...''

L glanced down at the floor, nodding slightly. ''I see.''

''You...you see what she meant by that?'' Lidner questioned him, incredulous.

''Of course I know what she meant. I believe I can even claim I know the criminal she tried to save in vain.''

Hal Lidner took a step closer towards the young detective, leaning down as if to hear his revelation better.

''Who was it?'' She breathed.

The white-haired boy raised his head as his pale lips curved into a tiny smirk of satisfaction.

''Why, Kira, of course.'' He stated neutrally, as if he was not talking about the worst serial killer the earth had ever held.

The older woman froze, straightening up abruptly.

''Oh my God.''

A tense silence filled up the room, during which Lidner was staring at the floor blankly, while the world's greatest detective was busy keeping his favorite toy into a little box which seemed to fit the robot's shape perfectly.

''We cannot afford to let the world sink into another wave of terror,'' L finally broke the silence. ''If Elena Cabestan did get in contact with Light Yagami, she might have become her accomplice, instead of Takada whom he chose to replace for obvious reasons. And now she might have taken up the torch. As we speak, it is even possible that Elena Cabestan has become the new Kira and is currently pursuing Kira's justice around the world, but with such caution that no police noticed something suspect.''

Lidner couldn't suppress a shiver at the idea of that so enticing woman carrying up Kira's justice in the shadows, deceiving the whole world without no one knowing.

''She is older than Kira used to be. If she benefits of his power and is free to act without having to obey his orders, it is highly probable that she is using it more carefully and more patiently that a young and fiery man would. Miss Cabestan is a very wise and patient woman despite the appearances, I had the opportunity to verify that myself.''

The blonde was glaring at the detective, speechless, waiting for him to elaborate his terrifying theory.

''Thus, it is very likely that, if Miss Cabestan does have a Death Note in her possession, she would not use it as massively as Light Yagami. It would be quite unsurprising that a few heart attacks here and there among the inmate population have remained unnoticed since the Kira case has been officially closed and no one wishes to believe this is in fact not over.''

Then, L stretched his legs and got up from his seat, walking very slowly towards the middle of the room, wandering like a ghost, where he settled down, in front of a few cards scattered on the floor. He took a black card between his thumb and forefinger and lifted it at his eye-level.

''I cannot reopen the Kira case, but I cannot afford to let Kira's threat rule the world once again either. That is why I am asking your help, Lidner. I know you only listen to your heart and instincts, but you should ponder that.'' He looked at her from behind the small card he held before his face.

''Do you want to bear the responsibility of a new Kira rising and terrorizing the world once again? Do you want to see your dear Elena Cabestan become the blood thirsty murderer Light Yagami used to be? Do you want to see her fall right at your feet when I will sentence her to life in prison or worse...to a death sentence?''

She struggled to swallow.

''Actually, that would be the best case scenario. What would you do if your former employers, Interpol or perhaps the F.B.I. heard about the existence of a new Kira and required a top-secret execution, unknown from the public opinion and the governments, in order to protect the worldwide's population?''

Lidner averted the young man's harsh gaze.

I cannot let her be executed like a mere terrorist!

''I don't know.'' She mumbled.

''There is a way, Lidner,'' L began in a smooth tone. ''We could ensure Miss Cabestan was never involved in Kira's assassinations program by setting up a small investigation which would forever stay inside the walls of the SPM headquarters, lead by a truthworthy person...''

She clenched her fists angrily. Damn you, Near! She cursed innerly.

I can't let the secret services deal with it because, if Elena turns out to be guilty, that would inevitably end by her death, but I can't let L investigate either for he would not hesitate to put her to death or to a life-long prison sentence. If I want to have any control over this situation in order to sort informations and prevent Elena from being doomed, the only way is to lead the investigation myself.

And Near knows that.

He knows I want to make sure no compromising informations will be revealed, and for that I'll have to investigate Elena Cabestan myself and control the informations that will be released. Perhaps he has a plan to get the informations I will try to hide from him, but I have no idea how he will manage that...

Elena is a great woman. I can't let her be sacrificed for L's obsessed desire for justice like Light Yagami, or Mello, had been.

I have no choice. I don't know why, but I feel it. I need to protect her. If I don't, then who will?

''Fine,'' she spat between gritted teeth. ''I will do it.''

Near raised his piercing bottomless eyes to meet hers. She believed she saw a small grin spreading across his blank features.

''Very well,'' he agreed almost cheerfully— if he was able to express joy, that is. ''You made the right choice, Lidner.''

''Yes.'' She growled as she turned around, heading towards the swinging doors.

I have a great deal of respect for you, Near, I always did.

But sometimes, you are nothing more than what Mello calls you...

An asshole.

As she entered her flat and let herself fall on her bed, she sighed deeply, forcing her eyes shut.

I am sorry, Elena.


The next morning went so usually and everyone was acting so normally, it was almost disturbing considering the events of the night before.

Even though Hal Lidner seemed to be constantly deep in thoughts, L was as emotionless as ever, Gevanni as composed as ever, Rester as silent as ever, and Elena Cabestan as sarcastic as ever.

It was only the fourth day since the arrival of the new member of the task force, yet some sort of a routine had been settled.

The mornings were reserved to investigation on the murder scenes, while afternoons and evenings were spent at the headquarters, looking through the victims' data, checking the clues, discussing some theories— which most of the time ended with a confrontation between the world's greatest detective and the criminologist— and trying to find some solutions about the Mello's situation.

So when the time had come to go and investigate the third crime scene, Mickael Nichols' house, the SPM agents didn't even need to talk before they were all busy working on their respective tasks. Lidner searching for some documents or files, whereas Gevanni was looking for any scientific proof of Mello's visit and Cabestan for any indications about Mello's state of mind or emotions which could emerge from the place.

''So, where is that damn toy?'' The lawyer wondered aloud as she entered the evelen year old victim's bedroom, soon followed by Hal and Gevanni. She looked around, not wasting her time searching for anything else.

''On the floor, right next to the bed,'' Gevanni answered.

Elena lowered her gaze and laid her eyes on a tiny green fairy toy disregarded on the ground. She walked towards the little object and kneeled in front of it.

''You must be kidding me,'' she scoffed as she held the fairy in her hands. ''L, do you see yourself as Peter Pan or something?''

[Not particularly, no. Why do you ask?] Near's plain voice echoed in her earpiece.

''Oh come on, L! You have a little Tinkerbell doll, for God's sake!''

[This is not Tinkerbell, Miss Cabestan.]

The french woman arched an eyebrow as she examined the green fairy more closely. She rolled her eyes.

''Oh yeah, she has brown hair and she is not wearing a bun, my apologies,'' she mocked.

[I accept your apologies.]

''Why, thank you very much!'' She said sarcastically as her eyes met Lidner's amused gaze. She smirked at her, Hal raised a questioning eyebrow.

The criminologist then glanced down at the toy lying in her hands, frowning slightly.

I wonder what this fairy means to him...

No.

To them.

She sighed deeply. She didn't like to force people into confessing a very private secret.

''L.''

[Yes, Miss Cabestan?] Came the prompt and blank response on the other end of the line.

''I, uh...'' She hesitated, but was soon cut off by a firm voice.

[Yes.]

''You—''

[Yes. I know exactly what you are willing to ask, and I suppose I have no choice but to tell you. So listen well, Miss Cabestan.]

She smiled slightly as she let herself be carried away by L's calm and soothing voice...


Eleven years ago: The Wammy's House

The blonde boy was lying on a couch, his feet resting on the armrest, a piece of dark chocolate stucked between his teeth as he was eyeing some piles of packed chocolate bars on the ground.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, elev—

A knock on the door.

He raised his head, frowning.

''What?'' He grumbled.

''Mello, it is Near.''

The older kid winced at the sound of that annoying empty voice.

''What do you want, Near?''

''I want to talk to you, Mello. Could you please open the door?''

''No,'' he spat, his icy blue eyes fixed on the closed door. ''Tell me what you want.''

''L sent me.''

Those three words were enough to freeze Mello in place. His eyes widened, he opened his mouth to talk, then he gave up.

''Fine, come in.''

The door opened slightly to let enter a small white figure which crept into the room and walked towards the couch. Near then leant down and settled on the floor at Mello's feet. At Mello's greatest surprise, he slid a pale hand in his shirt pocket and handed out a tiny fairy toy.

''What the hell are you doing with that doll?!'' He asked, utterly puzzled.

''Nothing in particular, I simply always have it with me.'' Near shrugged his shoulders.

''But what—''

''She never leaves me.'' He cut him off quietly as he held the fairy against his chest.

''Yeah, I got that,'' The blonde growled in annoyance. ''But why?''

Near stayed silent as he reached out to pick some chocolate bars and started stacking them as if playing some kind of a construction game.

''I am not a dreamer.'' The white-haired boy declared eventually, in his usual monotone voice.

''You— What?''

His rival sighed lightly as he slowly looked up to meet Mello's piercing gaze.

''Does Mello believe in fairies?'' He questioned.

''What?!'' The blonde burst out as he bent forward to loom over Near. ''What the hell, Near?! You're not making any sense! Of course not I don't believe in fairies, no one does! That's just— Why are you asking me that, anyway?! Since when do you care about what I think?''

Near looked down, focusing on his new-built tower made up of chocolate bars.

''I always care about what Mello thinks.''

''You do?'' He blinked at him.

''Yes.''

''Why did you ask me that, then? Do you believe in fairies?'' He lowered his head so his face was right in front of Near's messy white hair.

''Of course not.''

''God, Near! You're just so...weird.'' He shook his head as he glanced at the other kid's new creation.

''I know,'' Near murmured almost inaudibly.

''What are you doing here, Near?'' Mello urged him as he stretched a hand to snatch Near's from the chocolate pile, preventing him from playing with his favorite snack.

''I already told you,'' Near answered blankly. ''I want to talk to you.''

''Yeah, but what do you wanna talk about?''

The slouched boy raised his head to find himself staring at two bright blue orbs, his face only a few inches apart from Mello's.

''Did you ever dream about flying away, Mello?'' He whispered.

Mello frowned in confusion.

''Well, every kid had dreamt about flying, I guess.'' He shrugged.

''That is true,'' Near nodded solemnly. ''But humans cannot fly.''

The blonde boy laughed roughly. ''No shit, Sherlock!'' He mocked.

His worst enemy raised the small fairy doll so that it was right between the two children's faces.

''She can fly.'' Near stated simply. ''She has wings while I don't. Therefore, when she is with me, she is my wings.''

At this very instant, Mello thought his eyes just popped out of his head with pure disbelief as he leant back against the couch.

''What the hell, Near?! This is a fucking toy, it can't fly!''

''It cannot fly only if you believe it can't,'' the boy said mysteriously as he tilted his head to the side. ''That is exactly the lesson Peter Pan taught to Wendy and her brothers. Believe you can fly, trust pixie dust, and you shall fly. That is the law of Neverland. That can apply to our world for almost everything. You can't catch a criminal only if you believe you can't.'' He put down his hand, placing the toy upon his bent knee. ''So tell me, Mello...'' He smirked as he locked his unreadable gaze with Mello's.

''Do you believe?''

''I believe in nothing,'' the stubborn blonde snapped as he crossed his legs and folded his arms on his chest.

''That is very unfortunate, Mello.'' Near sighed. ''If you don't even believe in yourself, then you will achieve nothing. Nonetheless...''

''What?''

''I heard that if someone believes in you, then you don't have to believe in yourself.''

''Yeah, well,'' Mello sneered, ''nobody believes in me, so that's not gonna help!''

''That is not true.'' Near grabbed the fairy's wings and held it towards Mello, stretching a hand towards him.

''Ah! Good joke, Near!'' He snarled. ''Even L doesn't believe in me! No, no one believes in me. But you know what? I don't give a shit.'' He leant forward once again and stole the little fairy away from his rival. ''Now go away, Near. I don't wanna talk to you anymore. Get out.'' He stood and went towards the door, suggesting Near to follow him, but the odd kid didn't perform the slighest gesture.

''Get out, Near!'' Mello ordered through gritted teeth.

Eventually, the crouched figure straightened up and walked towards him, very slowly. He planted himself right in front of Mello and reached up to twirl a white lock of hair around his index finger, looking up into Mello's burning eyes.

''You ripped my wings off.'' He murmured. ''Now you have my wings. Then you shall fly for me, Mello.''

''W-What?!'' Mello stuttered in awe as he took a step backwards. ''That's bullshit, Near! I can't—''

''Of course you can,'' he cut him off sharply, his bottomless orbs boring into Mello's widened eyes.

He circled around the blonde, carefully avoiding to touch him as he reached the door. He placed a pale hand on the door knob and turned his head to glance at Mello.

''Because I believe in you, Mello,'' he said, his voice still devoid of emotion.

''That is the reason why I will let you take my wings away from me,'' he added as he stared at the small fairy toy now pressed into Mello's right hand.

''Perhaps, one day, you will return them to me. When you will believe.''

With those last enigmatic words, the nine year old boy exited his so-called nemesis' bedroom, leaving a puzzled and shocked Mello behind him.

Mello looked down at the tiny precious green fairy in his hand and wrapped his thin fingers around it fiercely.

You believed you can fly.

You gave me your wings.

You want me to fly for you.

You believe in me...

What does that mean? What is it all about, Near?

Is that one of your puzzles I have to solve in order to beat you?

What is it I have to believe in?

Do I have to believe...

In you?


Elena Cabestan looked down at the slim green doll. She smiled at herself as she stroked the fairy's wings, then she chuckled lightly.

Hal frowned at the younger woman.

What is it that makes you laugh, Elena? Did you understand something?

Like an echo to her thoughts, a deadpan voice spoke in their headset.

[Miss Cabestan, may I ask what is it that is so ludicrous?]

Elena laughed even better in response.

''L, I am afraid there is a matter in which Mello is far, far better than you.'' She announced teasingly.

[I suppose so.]

Lidner walked towards the criminologist, still frowning.

''What do you mean, Elena?''

Cabestan raised her head to meet Lidner's gaze, clearly grinning at her.

''L is completely incapable when it comes to explain his emotions, and yet Mello figured out the puzzle he gave him and he understood. He understood everything.''

''But what did he understand exactly?'' The blonde woman asked.

The lawyer's smile widened. She held out the fairy towards the other SPM member.

''He understood the real meaning of that fairy for L,'' she declared as she swung the doll back and forth with a regular twist of her wrist.

''In fact, I think he even understood it better than L himself. Of course, this fairy isn't literally Near's wings, that's merely a metaphor. But we all got that. In truth, we could say this fairy is the only link between L and the world of dreams and imagination. Perhaps he got that toy from his big sister, his mother or whoever person that was important to him, and I guess that person taught him the story of Peter Pan and explained him how the fact to believe would allow him to achieve whatever he wishes. From that moment, he kept that fairy with him as a reminder that believing is the strongest weapon of all to get what you want. Without this doll, L doesn't believe in anything but proved and established matters. He can't dream anymore. That is the meaning hidden between the expressions ''fly'' and ''wings'' used by both Near and Mello. Am I right?'' She paused as she waited for the detective's reaction.

[Yes, you are, Miss Cabestan.] Near's empty voice agreed almost reluctantly.

''Fine,'' The french woman nodded in satisfaction. ''So L used to believe, while Mello didn't. But when Mello took that fairy away from L, he also stole his ability to believe. Like I said, now L doesn't believe in anything anymore. On the contrary, Mello has the ''wings'' so he can believe. But that is not all. The only thing they did is exchanging their places. First, L was the one who believed, and now it's Mello. No. This is not supposed to end like that. The ultimate goal is for the both of them to finally believe.''

''But,'' Gevanni interrupted her hesitantly. ''How are they going to do that? If I understood well, the only way to believe is to detain the fairy doll, so...''

The criminologist shook her head, an amused smile tugging at her scarlet lips. ''No, Gevanni,'' she said confidently. ''This is not the only way. And Mello understood it perfectly. The fact that I am holding the fairy between my hands is the proof.'' She put her head up as she glanced at the dark-haired man.

''After all, the one who needs the fairy to believe was and still is L, right?'' She shot an inquiring glance at her two co-workers who shared an inquisitive look before they both nodded. ''Right. So he shouldn't have left the fairy to Mello...and yet he did. Why?'' She asked them just like a teacher would ask her students to finish her sentence to check if they did learn their lesson.

''Because he believed in Mello...'' Lidner realized as she pronounced those words aloud.

Elena offered her a warm smile. ''Very well, Hal. That's it. L gave up his wings because he believed. He believed in Mello. He gave his wings to Mello, but not without asking him to give it back to him one day, when Mello will believe as well. Why?'' She paused again, looking at Gevanni and Lidner.

''Because Near knew he needed his wings to believe, but he thought Mello didn't?'' Gevanni tried.

''Exactly,'' Cabestan confirmed. ''L needs something in order to believe because he is not skilled in that matter, whereas Mello is naturally inclined to believe, so he doesn't need anything. But then, you may ask, why give Mello the fairy if he knew Mello didn't need it?'' She wondered as if for herself.

''That's simple, actually. He did it to prove that he believed in Mello. Giving up his wings to Mello was an act of trust. ''I give up my only way to believe to you because I believe in you. I trust you to understand and give it back to me the day you will believe in me as well.'' That is the only logical explanation of L's move. It is some kind of a test, if we think about it...'' She rested a hand under her chin.

''To pass the test, Mello had to give the fairy back to L, which he did!'' She exclaimed, raising her index finger in the air. ''Now we have to decipher Mello's intentions. But that seems pretty clear.''

''Well, speak for yourself,'' Hal mumbled which earned her a smirk from the lawyer.

''Mello didn't need the fairy to believe, generally speaking,'' Elena began. ''He needed the fairy to believe in something, or rather in someone in particular. He needed the fairy to believe in Near. Since Near gave up his wings to him, then it means Near believed in him. It was an act of trust whose purpose was to lead Mello to believe in him in return. Mello had returned the fairy, the wings, and by doing so, he's saying that he believes in Near.''

''That makes sense,'' Lidner commented. ''Near gave up the fairy to Mello so Mello would believe in him. But if we follow your reasoning, Elena, then Near cannot believe again...until he has his toy back.''

''Not really,'' Cabestan pursed her lips as she walked slowly towards Hal, her bright eyes staring at the slender blonde woman. ''When Near gave up his fairy to Mello, he thought he would never believe again, but he was wrong.'' She stopped as she spotted Lidner's and Gevanni's puzzled gazes.

''Actually, he never lost the ability to believe.'' She raised her head as she stood right in front of the other female agent. ''Because he believed in Mello, then he never ceased to believe. Somehow, we could say he believed through Mello. The fairy was just the mediator between them.'' She reached up to brush the fairy's wings against Lidner's sharp cheekbone. The blonde froze instantly as she glared at the curly-haired woman in awe.

''When Near was deprived of his wings,'' the professor began as she slid her fingers still wrapped around the doll down Hal's neck, ''Mello got them, and then...'' She bent her head to the side as she placed her hand right on Lidner's heart.

''Mello became his wings.'' She whispered eventually as she locked her glistening gaze with Hal's.

''Elena, what—'' The former C.I.A. agent called in a husky tone as she grabbed Elena's hand.

Elena shut her up as she pushed the toy's wings against the blonde's lips. She curled her red nails around Lidner's blazer collar, drawing the woman's face closer.

''And now,'' she murmured, her lips pressed against the fairy's face, the only thing that still separated the two women's lips, ''Mello gave the fairy back to Near. So it means he believes in him, right?''

Hal could do nothing but nod as she tightened her grip around the lawyer's wrist.

''And if Mello believes in Near, if he gave up his wings to him, what does it mean, Hal?''

Hal Lidner slowly pulled Cabestan's hand away, freeing the space between their mouths, light brown eyes piercing into icy blue ones. The younger woman leant even closer, ignoring the embarrassed cough coming from behind her and the disapproving noise which filled her earpiece.

''They switched roles,'' Elena purred against Lidner's shaky lips. ''They are equals now. They both believe. But they don't both have the fairy, only Near does. Yet, they both have wings. How is that possible, Hal?''

Then realization strucked Hal Lidner full force. Her jaw dropped, her eyes widening in disbelief. Without thinking, she raised a hesitant hand as her fingertips touched Elena's cheeks and settled on the professor's red lips.

''Near has become Mello's wings.'' She said quietly as her hand fell down limply.

But her hand was caught in mid air and brought to smooth, silky lips as Elena Cabestan kissed Lidner's hand delicately, her amber eyes meeting the other woman's in a tense and mesmerizing contest.

Hal squeezed her lips shut as the criminologist smiled smugly.

''Very good, Hal,'' the french woman breathed against Hal's lean fingers. ''It seems I finally bring you to believe, after all...''

All of a sudden, she let go of the tall agent's hand and took a step back before she turned around abruptly. She suppressed a chuckle at the dead silence that reigned in the whole place and in the headquarters where L was probably left speechless as well.

I know what you plan to do, L. But I won't let you.

I am not the one who's seduced. I am the one who seduces.

So what are you gonna do, uh?

Hal can't play with me if I seduce her first, now...

Can she?


Author's Note

Thank you for reading, I hope you liked it.

Who will win the game: Lidner or Cabestan?

Next chapter: A much-anticipated character finally arrives...

A huge thanks to Elena1111 who keeps sharing her thoughts, thank you so much for your support! Please don't stop!

Follow and leave a review if you want to see Mello! :P

Bye bye, humans!

C.