A/N: Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers. You have no idea how flattered I am!

Note: I do not own Death Note. But I do own this 'alternative' plot. Oh, and I couldn't find the official make of Mello's gun, but I did find something. Google "beretta 92 mihael keehl".

This chapter contains an excerpt from Volume 10, Page 76-77. This is for continuity purposes, so you know EXACTLY where/when the story is going.

Chapter 10: Hidden Key

I was strutting down Allie's street, completely aware that I stood out like a sore thumb.

I observed my surroundings as I walked. The houses were impressive and pristine; their lawns were a healthy green, wet and sparkling from the afternoon rain. Gleaming cars sat in every driveway. This was undoubtedly one of the many upper-class neighbourhoods that populated L.A.

My lip curled in disdain. I've never had a problem with accessing money. Matt and I splurged constantly on chocolate and leather clothing (for me), video games and cigarettes (for him).

But all this – luxury for life – I could never have, I thought bitterly. Then again, I had always known that.

Two minutes later I was standing on the Robinson's front porch, which was overflowing with potted orchids. I stared at the door, which was set with a brass lion head door knocker. For the first time ever, I was unsure of what to do. Should I knock or ring the doorbell? I hadn't done either in years.

I eyed the lion head. Do people actually use this thing? I lifted the handle and rapped three times, loudly and sharply. For a second, I considered jumping into the bushes. What if Allie's parents answered the door?

I was in no condition to introduce myself.

I caught my reflection in the porch window. With half of my face gruesomely scarred, I was the poster boy for danger... which I neither loved nor hated. I was donning my usual quilted leather vest, leather jeans, gloves and matching boots. My silver-plated Beretta 92 was bulging out of my waistband. The only thing that looked out of place was my red-beaded rosary.

I listened intently for footsteps for a minute. There were none. I glanced behind me at the driveway. There was only one car, but clearly Mr and Mrs Robinson weren't home. I frowned. I rang the doorbell instead, and again, I waited, but no one came.

Irked, I pulled my cell out of my pocket and speed-dialled Allie's number. It rang six times before I hung up, annoyed. She's probably in the shower, I guessed.

I was in no mood to wait any longer. I began to look around for a way to get in.

My gaze strayed to the pots of flowers that lined the porch, and noticed something that made me groan out loud. There was an iris plant, hidden among all the purple orchids. It was one of the oldest tricks in the book. I dug a gloved finger into the dirt.

I grinned triumphantly as I pulled out the hidden key.

"I'm back." Aizawa shut the door behind him.

Light visibly stiffened. Matsuda jumped up to greet him. "Aizawa!"

"Mogi's alive," Aizawa stated, watching for Light's reaction.

"Really?" Matsuda cried.

Light didn't turn around. "I'm glad," he said, "but how do you know that Mogi's alive?"

Aizawa paused before answering. "Let me say it straight. I've been to see Near."

"What?" Matsuda exclaimed.

Light continued to tap away at the computers. "As I said, people who want to cooperate with him can do so, since Near seems to suspect me. You don't have to get permission from me to see him," he said. Light finally looked up from his work, and turned around to face him. "And what did you talk about? What did Near say?"

Aizawa stood there, unsure of how to answer.

"Oh, don't tell me. It's probably strange for me to ask you about it," Light said, smiling slightly.

Aizawa took a breath and unbuttoned his coat. "I want to believe that you are not Kira. No, I want to be certain about it. But considering what the former L and Near said, I can't say with certainty that you're not Kira...so...I apologize that we're going to be going through the same thing again, but until we can be certain...until Kira is caught, Mogi, Ide and I will keep an eye on you. Mogi has already come back to L.A. and is at Amane's place right now. I've told Ide about it too, so he should be coming back soon."

Light nodded. "Very well. That's fine. I'm just going to be on the lookout for Kira, as before," he said calmly.

Aizawa narrowed his eyes.

Right away, I noticed three things as I crept through the house.

One, there was a tantalizing smell of tomatoes and cheese wafting out of the kitchen. I sniffed the air impulsively.

Two, the house was very well-kept. I had grudgingly yanked off my boots and placed them by the door, feeling slightly guilty about the muddy tracks I already left.

And three, there were many family portraits adorning the walls. With a twisted satisfaction, I saw that Allie's parents and older sister were all Caucasian. Allie was obviously adopted.

One portrait in particular caught my eye – it was the largest one. My heart jumped out of my chest. It was inscribed: "Welcoming our beautiful daughter Alexandra into the family."

And sure enough, twelve year old Allie...Alexandra... Ax...Alternative... was smiling out at me from the picture, looking exactly how I remembered her – trademark chestnut pixie cut, small hazel eyes, fair skin, pale lips, and plump, rounded cheeks.

I almost stopped breathing. I could hardly believe my eyes.

I chided myself for not recognizing her right away, but that was reasonable. After all, she was supposed to be dead. I couldn't believe how drastically she had changed in just six years. For one, she had lost all her baby fat, and her hair had grown out long and wavy.

Watari must have faked her death, I realized. And he most certainly arranged Allie's adoption as well. But why?

At that moment I heard a strange noise coming from the floor above. I recognized Allie's voice. I made my way up the plush staircase, following the sound of her voice right into the bathroom, which was unlocked. I was right; she was in the shower. And she was singing.

"When will myyyy reflection shoooow who I aaam insiiiiiide?"

The bathroom was completely filled with steam, but I could make out her shadowy figure from behind the shower curtains.

Holy shit.

I immediately felt my pulse quicken. My face flushed. What the hell? This never happened when I was with Halle during her showers. I felt like a voyeur. I was just about to leave to wait for her outside when I heard her suddenly scream.

"ARGH!"

I jumped out of my skin. Had she seen me? I waited, but nothing happened. She probably just got soap in her eyes.

But then she spoke. "Mom? Is that you, Monica?"

Before I could react, Allie whipped open the curtains and saw me, frozen to the spot. Her hazel eyes widened in astonishment. Then she screamed.

"AHHHHHHHHHH! WHAT THE FUCK!"

A/N: Hehehe. The plot will pick up pretty fast from the next chapter. I've been building up the suspense for long enough!