Chapter Eleven The Transaction

"What news do you have to report?" Nate's voice asked.

I couldn't see his face, but if he was here, I knew his eyes would be shimmering with curiosity and excitement.

I tapped my finger nails on the wood and replied, my voice laid back, "He knows about you and Wammy's. He knows where Wammy's is located and that Mello and you share a past there. Currently he is researching into that past," I gazed around my apartment, staring into a mirror not far away, "...He says he has more information he's willing to give me."

It was silent for a few moments on the other end. Finally, just as I was thinking Nate wasn't even listening to me, his voice came in a clear response, "How did you learn this?"

I looked sharply at the computer, though we couldn't see each other's faces anyway, and said, "...He told me himself. He said he could trust me...and that I wouldn't betray him. None of the other task members know."

But before I even finished speaking, Nate was talking again, his voice slightly aggressive, "But how did you get it out of him? What did he do?"

My finger nails stopped beating the wood. Eyes slightly wide in anticipation, I wondered whether I should tell Nate the truth. What would he say, if I told him that Light gave that information to me for a kiss?

"Alice," his voice demanded, bringing me out of my slight reverie.

"...He asked me...if he could have me," I whispered, my voice slightly shaky as I admitted everything that went on, "He told me that if I let him have me...he'd tell me anything I wanted."

Suddenly, I was glad that Nate and I weren't in the same room. The loud cusses that were next uttered completely shocked me into thinking that maybe someone had switched places with the passive white haired young man.

But no: everything was the same, and when he spoke next he seemed to be trying desperately to control his immense anger.

"Why did you let him-? Alice, tell me you didn't-"

I frowned, "We didn't do anything. He kissed me, that's all. I'm not going to let him get any farther than that."

Nate's voice still hadn't improved, "That's not the point, Alice! You let him violate you and he didn't even give you valid information!"

My eyes widened, "What do you mean? That information was completely valid, Nate."

He sighed in irritation, "That information won't help in the case to bring down Kira. Where I used to live will make no difference-"

I couldn't take it: this was all too much for me, "NATE."

He stopped talking, and in his surprised silence I continued, "Don't patronize me. I'm a grown woman who knows what she's doing. This will help get information to you: that's the only reason I'm doing it, Nate. If I had a choice I'd much rather be with you, by your side, but-"

...But apparently, fate wasn't smiling on me that night. Nate had already disconnected, leaving me to stare at the screen in shock and disappointment.

*Page Break*

The week went by with little contact between Nate and I. He was still angry that I allowed Light to kiss me. Why he was angry, I couldn't say. I had never seen his annoyance before, and it shocked me that such a simple thing would bring it on. Perhaps there was a deeper meaning? But I wasn't sure, and I didn't intend on finding out any time soon.

With Nate, it always took longer than other people to understand their motives. Because I was also angry that he seemed to treat me like a child, I only checked in on nights when something crucial happened, and kept the little details of that day to myself, deciding that he probably didn't want to hear them anyway. After all, the only reason I had those little details was because I allowed Light to kiss me every evening.

It was a simple transaction: information for a kiss, nothing too much. He understood my unwillingness to do anything more intimate. Still, I knew he suspected me of being part of something more.

He mentioned the SPK quite a lot, which made me think he thought he'd get a reaction from me. But I kept my appearance very neutral, not allowing him to see anything I kept hidden.

I had made friends with the other members of the Police Force as well, especially with Matsuda. We often went out for coffee together when it was a sunny day. I learned many things from them, and I even met Aizawa's family a few times. His little daughter was darling to me, and she treated me like an aunt.

I hadn't expected to get to such a personal level with any of them, but the one who continued to dissuade me was Light. The others said he didn't trust as easily as they would have liked, but for good reason, they all decided. So I began thinking of ways to become more friendly with him. I needed information for Nate. I had to reconcile the friendship between us.

And that was just what I was going to do.

"A date?" he asked, glancing at me as he went through his files.

I nodded, sitting next to him and putting a hand on his, "I thought maybe since we've become a little closer...you'd like to have dinner with me?"

He smiled at me, eyes slightly suspicions, "I never thought you'd bring this up, Alice. You always seem so reserved after everyone leaves."

I looked away, smiling flirtatiously, "Well I want to know more about you, Light."

"And you want to know more about other things too, huh?" he asked, entwining our fingers together as he leaned back, "Alright. We'll take it a step further tonight. You'll have to tell me when to stop, of course."

I blushed slightly, looking up at him from behind my hair, "...Alright. What time should I be ready?"

He sat up straighter and leaned toward me, his free hand tilting my head slightly back, and whispered into my ear, "8:00. I'll pick you up at your apartment."

He leaned in and gently kissed my neck, right over the jugular vein, before abruptly pulling back and smiling shrewdly at me, "Be ready."

I nodded, looking breathless, and watched as he untangled our fingers and left the room.

I put a hand on the place he had kissed, my eyes dulling. It was what had to be done, I decided. Getting off the table, I made my way to the couch and sat down, resting my head back.

I needed more information.

*Page Break*

I stared at myself in the mirror, taking in my stately appearance with annoyed eyes. I wore a simple but sexy black dress. My hair was tamed, straightened, and all but wild. Around my neck was a flattering ruby necklace.

I thought of Light, and what I would be doing tonight. I wouldn't allow him to go all the way, of course. I shut my eyes tightly, reminding myself this was for Nate, and he needed this information.

I sighed and quickly strapped on short black heels before reapplying some eyeliner that had slipped.

My make-up was very easy: just a little silver eye shadows and a touch of eyeliner. A bit of mascara coated my eyelashes.

A knock on the door made me jump, and I realized just how late it was.

Grabbing my small hand bag, I walked to the door and opened it easily.

Light stood outside, looking very handsome in his black suit. His eyes gave me a quick check and he smiled, "You look beautiful, as always, Alice."

I smiled softly and thanked him, "Won't you come in? I just have to get my jacket."

He nodded, entering my apartment as I closed the door.

He glanced around, and I noticed his eyes gazing at a few personal pictures I had put up.

I had made sure to hide everything relating to my thieving history, the SPK, or anything else about my past. The only thing that showed was in the picture Light was now studying.

I walked into the other room and grabbed my gray jacket, sliding it on as I returned to the sitting room.

Light was standing by the door, curiously taking in the other parts of my apartment that he hadn't noticed before.

I smiled, "Shall we go?"

He returned the smile and nodded, holding out his hand for me to take, "The car's waiting outside. I thought we'd eat dinner then go for a walk...or we could come back here."

I glanced at his face, and he was looking ahead of us, not paying me any attention.

"Yes, I suppose," I murmured, taking his hand as he led me out the door, "I would like to talk about the Kira case."

He chuckled, "But this time, I'd like some information about you, too."

My eyes widened slightly, but I nodded and said, "Alright."

Once we were outside, it was a little colder. I wrapped the gray jacket around me tighter, and Light rubbed my arm, noticing my discomfort.

He led me to the car and opened the door for me, waiting till I had situated myself in the seat before shutting the door.

As we walked to the other side of the car, I began to realize how much I was relishing in his gentleman-like behavior.

He got into the driver's side and started the engine.

"I thought we'd go to a little restaurant in the center of town. It's really nice," he said as we began driving away.

He reached over and took my hand, looking at me and smiling that shrewd smile.

It took about 6 minutes to reach the restaurant, since my apartment was not far from the center of town. Once we had gotten there, Light got out of the car and helped me out, taking my hand and leading my inside.

We got our reservation and our date began.

Welllll...I don't really like Light but it had to be done D= I mean, he's kinda the main character and if I just left him out, what kind of person would I be? Hope I got his character right. I don't THINK he's OOC o.O

Hmm...you have a point, Fool's Ivory Wings...=D Thanks! I'll think it up and put it in the upcoming chapters~! I haven't really thought about their relationship at Wammy's but it definitely should be explained

Thanks for all the reviews! I had to take a break from writing so I'm sorry for not updating these past few days. Thanks for reading!