Authors note: Finally, I have some form of Internet connection and with it I bring you the next chapter. The subsequent chapter is in the making currently so be looking for it...or something. Anyway, Matt keeps up with his meeting with Roger and it's here that some things about his 'other' side come out. Anyway, read review and enjoy.

Past meets present

Matt pulled to a complete stop barely glancing at his stunned best friend in the passenger's seat before hopping out and heading towards the front gate. The older Iron Gate held a security pad that had been present since they attended Wammy house but he was pretty sure by now their codes were outdated and there was no use in even attempting it. He could have buzzed Roger who was no doubt watching him right now but what fun would that be? Instead he lifted a gloved hand and ran his fingers over the keypad several times before the lock beeped and the Iron Gate opened on its own. He smirked, some security system. Without a glance back at the blond who was still sitting in the car watching him he headed through the gate taking the measure to let it close behind him. If Mello wanted in he would have to do it on his own.

He paused momentarily glancing towards the playground that housed a few playing children running around and giggling. For a second he could almost see Near, Crimson, Celtric, Mello and himself all superimposed on the children there. Nate was reading quietly under the tree glancing up from time to time to see what Rebecca was doing and how close Mello was. Mello was arguing that in kick ball it didn't matter if someone aimed for the head as long as it didn't connect and he could see himself pulling a handheld out of his pocket knowing that the argument would take some time to end. As quickly as he saw it, it was gone and he turned his back heading for the door.

Everything here was so familiar and yet so different. He couldn't help but feel as if he had gone back in time. If outside made him feel awkward inside made him feel like he was home. The idea soothed him but also left a sense of terror bubbling deep under the surface that he wouldn't dare allow reach out to anyone. He shuffled forward forcing his hands deeper into his pockets finding them completely empty of his handheld. He winced slightly remembering that this was the first time Mello had been home since he walked out years ago. Instantly he quit his quiet relieve and headed towards Roger's office affording a quiet knock on the door.

"Matt." The steady voice came from inside as Matt pushed the door open. "I see that you're finally done dallying outside and in the main hallway. You've managed to make it to my office out of the fear Mello is going to follow you soon." He gestured forward for the red head before moving to stand on his own. "If you have any weapons please lay them upon the desk."

Again Mello shuffled forward before taking a seat. He didn't have a weapon on him but there was no doubt that Mello had quite a few lying around. "I'm clean." He mumbled softly thinking in how many ways he meant that. "You asked me to come in."

The older man nodded pouring tea for Matt as the man continued to stare forward. "Don't worry, Mello will be in soon but you should have at least five minutes before he comes to the door." He placed the tea in front of the other before returning to his seat allowing the hot chocolate to brew on its own. "Now, the last time we spoke you asked that I call you once every day so that I can check on your mental state. A few days ago you didn't answer your phone. I believed that perhaps that you were busy with your kind of work but as I continued and there was no answer I grew worried. I knew you didn't let Mello in on your situation so I asked for him to bring you in but right now you seem perfectly fine and in the days before I didn't sense anything amiss.

Matt nodded slowly, "On my way home from doing some stuff I ended up running off the road. Mello said that I lost my memory for a few days but we got into a fight yesterday…I don't know why but I came back." He frowned clasping his hands together. "Since returning something strange has been going on with Mello and I don't know what to do."

Roger nodded glancing towards the monitors where Mello was stalking back and forth watching the front door with enough vehemence to melt it. "I see but he seems to be acting completely normal also. Indeed, I was aware of your accident. Near watches over the older members of Wammy house and looks for descriptions of each of you in the system. Of course the record is deleted now but he informed me that you had an accident in which you totaled your car but an unidentified individual had already come to claim you and take you home." He glanced towards the monitors once again where Mello was now keying in a password with less accuracy than Matt. "We assumed the individual was Mello."

He nodded giving a slight glance towards the monitors where Mell had finally managed to get through the security gate and head up the stairs. For a second he stood in front of the main staircase before he headed up presumably towards their old room. "You want me to go get him?"

The man shook his head slowly, "He won't make it to the top." He replied and in the monitor Mello immediately stopped as if he had changed his mind and headed back down towards Roger's office. "Before he arrives, I read the report that the police took but it seems as if there was no reason for you to have hit your head."

Matt glanced back at the door that Mello would be arriving at any moment now and shook his head. "I didn't." He whispered softly. "I don't know what happened to me. I went off the road and managed to avoid hitting anything. At least I thought that I did but everything went dark…" He sighed as an impatient knock came to the door.

Roger nodded, "Come in Mello." He called as the door flew open but stopped short of hitting the wall. The blonde's eyes slid from the red head to the older gentleman before folding his arms. "It's lovely to see you after such a time Mello." He looked him over, "you have certainly changed in the last few years but while you're here please remove your weaponry. This is a home of children with traumatic pasts…"

"Right, right." Mello shifted placing an automatic on the desk before taking a seat beside the red head. He didn't glance sideways; actually he did everything that he could to keep his eyes away from Matt. "I know the story. I did live here at one point." He mumbled awkwardly before glancing out the window. "Nothing's changed."

"Maybe Mello can assist us in telling us exactly what happened after me met with you in the hospital." He glanced to the blond who shifted slightly but didn't respond. "Or do you not want to Mello?"

He shrugged, "I got a call saying that I was the last phone number called in Matt's phone which makes sense. I came to the hospital immediately." He glanced to the red head before scowling, "Almost immediately." He corrected out of spite. "They point me to his room and that's where he was laid up but he wasn't Matt anymore. He was some kind of sex crazed idiot that didn't smoke and didn't play games. After a few days I had to return to work and I warned him to stay in the house when I arrived home he wasn't there. I got pissed off so I beat the shit out of him as soon as he walked through the door." He glanced at Roger before coughing and clearing his throat. "Anyway before I knew it I had Matt back if not a bit strange. That's all."

He nodded gesturing towards the door. "Matt I insist that you allow Marie to look at you." He watched the red head cringe. "She won't make you stay if you don't want to but you need to be checked." He watched the red head slowly move from his chair and head down the hallway without looking back. "Now Mello, what exactly has happened between you and Matt that has caused this kind of reaction?"

The blond shook his head, "Nothing." He replied giving the other a hard stare knowing that something like that wouldn't work. He didn't want to return to the child that was frightened and quiet but he couldn't help but feel that way sitting in front of the older gentleman. "There's something that Matt's not telling me."

He nodded, "Yes, but it's up to Matt if he wishes to tell you or not. It's quite personal actually." He watched the blond glance towards the monitors watching the red head in the infirmary and Marie fussing over each and every bump and scrape.

He sighed, "I rather not tell you what goes on inside of my head." He replied blankly as Roger nodded as if he understood.

"That is perfectly acceptable nonetheless allow me to give you some golden information of Matt. He has no experience with the same of opposite sex therefore it was only a matter of time that he began developing feelings for you. It's up to you whether you've decided to accept it or shoot him down before he begins. If you don't stop him now he'll become more and more aggressive." He shook his head, "You can't be upset with him because he's only doing what feels right to him. You're his best and in some cases only friend. You've always been there for him and your relationship is sometimes closer than a typical male friendship." He watched the blond wince. "But you are Catholic. You religion forbids such things and from there I leave the final answer to you."

The blond watched the other for several seconds, "How did you…know all that?"

He shook his head, "I was the one that told Matt to keep his feelings inside of that Journal. He spent years with a puppy crush on you and out of fear that you wouldn't accept those feelings he forced himself into a depression. Until today you had been completely oblivious but a few days ago I was alerted by Near that someone had hacked into Matt's computer. You read what wasn't meant for you ever to see. As far as he is concerned you've opened Pandora's Box and it's now or never."

~*xXx*~

Marie gave the other several worried glances as he redressed himself sitting on the table behind her. "Matt, if Mello is treating you like that there's no reason for you to stay there. You can live here and probably teach a class. To some of these kids you're a legend. They would love to have you here and you'd never have to worry about someone putting their hands on you no matter what happens." She watched him in the mirror before shrugging. "Matt, please."

"I told you years ago Marie, I wouldn't leave Mello. If he didn't have me then he wouldn't have anyone. I'll stay with him until the end of time if I have to." He lifted himself off the table before feeling his phone vibrating in his pocket. He assumed it was Mello calling to tell him that he was ready to go because Roger was being annoying but instead a cheerful voice filled his phone.

"Matty!" The sing song voice came. "I know that the last time we met I had to leave but I've been thinking and there are something's that I want to tell you."

The red head blinked a few times, "Ah, okay. I'm a bit busy right now but we can meet up tomorrow sometime."

She giggled, "That's perfect. How about the tiny café at the end of First Street?"

"Perfect." He turned to find Mello's questioning gaze on him. "I, uh, have to go." He mumbled hanging the phone up without thinking twice about it. "Bye Marie, I'll stop by for another checkup soon."

The woman glared but it was at Mello, "Don't lie Matt. It's unbecoming."

He shrugged, "I tried." He whispered disappearing down the hallway attempting to make it to the door before Mello could catch him.

"Matt." The blond hissed as the red head stopped instantly. "If Roger and I are the only people that you talk to whom the hell were you just on the phone with?" He questioned as the red head shrugged slightly not glancing back to see the other's bothered face. "I see." He replied stopping beside the other in the hallway watching his face for several seconds. There was nothing to see but goggles and hair but that made Mello smile. "Wrong number?"

The red head cracked a smile, "That's what I assumed." He whispered but he wasn't so sure of his own words.