The tension between the two of them as Audrey stared at Mello was palpating, sudden panicked thoughts ran through her head. No, he wouldn't leave me here-would he? How could I possibly find him again if he… It would be the perfect chance to ditch me, if he wanted too-no way, he wouldn't. But if he disobeys Near… What is Near really capable of? Would he have his agents shoot Mello?
The sudden words cut through her thoughts like a knife, "Listen Near," Mello said, looking at Audrey as if he were talking to her instead. "I will win in the race to beat Kira, I won't be second to you anymore. We're both headed towards the same destination… Now who will get there first?" and with that, Mello was gone; but Audrey understood. The way he was staring at her as he spoke those words… there was a message for her in there somewhere. If not, well, she could always call Matt.
She searched through his words in her head, Surely the first sentence doesn't mean anything, since I can't get anything out of it, but the second one… "We're both headed towards the same destination… now who will get there first?" Audrey frowned as she thought, staring at the door Mello left through as she focused. We never made plans to go anywhere after this, but what if he did? What if Mello was keeping it from me? Where would he go? I mean, Matt's in Japan-That's it! Japan! I'll just go straight to the airport as soon as Near lets me go. That is… Assuming he will… What if he wants to interrogate me for information about Mello? Wait, no, he think's I'm a civilian. That means some sort of speech to comfort me at most, right?
Slowly, Audrey turned back to face the small boy; making sure her eyes were still watery and full of fear. "Wuh-What happens now?" She croaked, hoping she still sounded convincing in her role.
"You can drop the act now, I know who you are" Near said calmly, running a toy car along the floor.
His words make her body stiffen in shock as her jaw dropped in surprise. "W-w-what?" she exclaimed, trying to mask her surprise with outrage. "First I get kidnapped, then I have my life threatened-And now you think I'm lying?"
"Sir, the girl can't possibly be-" Near's remaining agent spoke up, before he was cut off.
"She is" Near stated, fixing Audrey with a cold stare.
"She's been badly shaken, don't you think-"
Near disregarded the agent's protest, "Despite your ability to hide in the background, which probably saved you when the mafia was killed, a nickname like 'Death Doctor' is hard to ignore." Near stated evenly, expression completely void of any emotion. "You have no name on record, police or otherwise, but your nickname has popped up in our research more than once-without a picture. There is a 72% chance, due to your described appearance in police reports and your reaction when I asked the two of you to split up, that you are this 'Death Doctor'" he stated, and a surprised gasp came from the remaining agent.
"Sir, she's just been held at gunpoint, do you really think this is a fair accusa—"
"Shut up" Audrey interrupted, retrieving the knife from her boot before the agent could blink. The man was too slow to draw his own weapon, his fingertips barely reaching the holster as she held the blade at his throat. "Place your hands behind your head" she ordered, retrieving her gun and trying not to care that lifting up her dress had probably given Near a good view of her black Hello Kitty underwear. She stepped closer to the man, so that the barrel was resting against the back of the agent's head. It was a reverse of the situation she had been in only minutes before-except that this one was real.
Neither the gun nor the knife got a rise out of Near, "There is no need for such brash action. Doctor, please lower your weapon" Near said calmly.
Audrey glared, annoyed by both his lack of emotion and the fact that he used her nickname. That stupid monotone voice-does he even care I could kill his agent? Or, did he expect this sort of reaction…? "Don't call me that" she said through clenched teeth, glaring fiercely at him.
"Then what should I address you as?" Near questioned.
"Nothing, since you're going to shut the fuck up right about now. If you don't want your agent to die right here, then let me leave in peace like Mello" she demanded, and tried not to let her surprise show as the corner's of Near's mouth flicked upwards slightly.
He bit his thumb, "Shoot him, all of the men on my team made a vow to die in the pursuit of Kira." Audrey flipped off the safety at his words, and Near continued a bit louder "But that would be very foolish, when all I want is to talk with you. I will let you leave after we're through, in peace, as you said" he finished.
Audrey stared suspiciously at him. If he's serious, then it must be something big to discuss… Maybe even something worth telling Mello. "Fine," She said finally. "But, if all you want to do is talk, then send your agent out of the room. The only condition is that I'm keeping my gun" she stated, and when Near gave the agent a nod, he reluctantly left.
"Are you two staying here?" Near asked, wasting no time.
"No" she answered truthfully, keeping her eyes locked on him as she slowly slipped her knife back into her boot.
"Where are you meeting Mello?" Near continued.
"Dunno" she answered simply and he stared at her.
"Please don't lie"
Audrey paused from wiping the dry tear streaks from her face. How could he tell? lying is one of the skills I pride myself on... "Fine. I'll be honest; I'm not going to tell you anything I know Mello wouldn't like" she shot out.
"You're pretty, is that why he keeps you around?" Near asked, and she was hit out of left field.
"W-What?" she questioned, squinting at him in confusion.
"You seem to have some moderate acting skills, but what do you bring to the table that Mello couldn't achieve himself?" he asked emotionlessly.
Audrey suddenly had the overwhelming feeling to wring his little neck. "Don't you dare underestimate me! I may not be a genius, but I'm not stupid. If you'd seen half the things I have, or what I can do to people, you'd probably be bawling your eyes out. Hell, I have more guts than you can hang on a fence boy" she finished, aiming the gun at his head in a threatening gesture.
Near reached up to twirl a lock of snowy hair, unaffected by her intimidation tactic. "I see, that's why he likes you. You're the same emotional, stubborn person he is. I always figured he was narcissistic enough to date himself if he could…" he stated flippantly and she wanted to pistol-whip him, teach the little precious something.
"If Mello and I were the same, he would have killed you a long time ago. I'd like you to know that if he didn't want to beat you so bad, I would kill you myself here and now. I have no likening for golden boys who haven't spent a day out of mommy's lap" she finished, gesturing to the expensive control room as an example of the wealth that he was coddled in.
If he was offended, Near didn't show it. "I see that you won't tell me anything, but I will warn you, Mello is dangerously impulsive. He will most likely get you killed. What I'm saying is, if you ever want to fight against Kira on a different team…" he trailed off and tossed her a business card, which she caught and clenched in her fist.
Audrey wondered what his point was, sure Mello would rather take action than sit around and wait-But so would I… "Near, let's get this straight right now: I'm not fighting on any team. I'm fighting Kira." Audrey stated. "I'm loyal to Mello because he's still the boss, even if the mafia is gone. My men lost their lives to that coward Kira, and I want my life to be used for the same cause; just like them, I will follow my master. Even towards death" she stated before turning on her heel and walking to the door.
Audrey paused on the threshold, hesitation gripping her bones. "However… should you need Mello's help… I will speak in favor of you. You're a jackass, but you're a jackass that knows what he's doing" she said with an amused smirk before she walked through the doorway, "And the name's Audrey" she added, just as the doors closed behind her.
That little prick was certainly not what I expected, but somehow it doesn't really surprise me… Anyone who grew up with Mello has to be a little weird. Although, how old was he? Ten? Audrey smirked at the thought, a perfect joke about Near popping into her head to share with Mello later.
"Mello!" She exclaimed aloud, realizing that she had better get to the airport fast. Audrey started at a full sprint down the street before she stopped and smacked herself on the forehead. "It's not like I can run all the way to the airport, stupid. I need some wheels…" she trailed off before jumping at a horn honk coming from down the street. Immediately furious, Audrey whipped her head around; already yelling. "Son of a bitch, who the hell do you think you are, you fucking pervert? I am not in the… mood to…" Audrey halted and laughed aloud before walking towards the motorcyclist.
"I heard you needed a ride" Mello said, smirking as he took off his helmet.
Audrey let out a sigh of relief. "I thought you left me here for real…" she stated, "To be honest I was a bit afraid that you were going to try to ditch me-Or that you wanted me to meet you at the airport"
"I wasn't sure you got that message or not, so I rode around until I was sure Near didn't have a tail on me. Then I came back for you" Mello said, starting to slip back on his helmet.
She found herself blushing again, and before she could think about it, Audrey grabbed his helmet away from him and placed a soft kiss on his lips. Blushing darker now, she pulled back quickly, "Sorry, I just… You deserved that" Audrey stated.
Mello had a genuine expression of surprise on his face, but he recovered quickly. "Do I deserve any more?"
"No!" Audrey exclaimed, punching him lightly in the arm before shoving his helmet back into his hands and climbing onto the back of the bike. "Now are we going to the airport, or what?"
With a chuckle, Mello slipped on his helmet and accelerated quickly; making Audrey yelp and immediately wrap her arms around his waist. "Make sure you hang on tight" Mello said teasingly as they roared down the street.
Even though she'd slept on the plane, Audrey still felt like hell when they landed in Tokyo. "Fuck, have I ever mentioned to you that I hate jet lag? Because I really, really, do" Audrey stated as they walked off the flight, scowling as Mello shushed her. "Did you just-"
"Look," Mello said, pointing at the large TV in the airport lounge.
Audrey's eyes widened as she stated at the sight, "Is that… The SPK?" she questioned rhetorically as the two of them made their way closer to the TV, sitting down on one of the uncomfortable airport couches.
"Fellow Kira followers!" the TV blared. "Don't rush in all at once, the traitors may hide among you in order to escape. Follow me, for I am the true voice of Kira!"
Audrey scoffed, "Traitors? Who does this guy thing he is?" she exclaimed, ignoring the several Japanese people that turned to look at her, "How can the police let them do that-violent rioting is illegal! They should round up all those Kira idiots and-"
Mello clamped a hand over her mouth, meeting her glare with one of his own. "Shut up, what do you think you're saying?" Mello demanded in a hushed tone before looking up at the voice that addressed them.
"Nihagno, mora hi rangana?" The perturbed businessman said. Audrey would have snapped at him that she couldn't understand a single word he was saying, but Mello's hand was still over her mouth.
"Kata meji bungo, shiko kochira" Mello stated fluently to the man, making Audrey's jaw literally drop in surprise. "Zo-wa hana-ga nagai" he continued, and suddenly Mello was pulling her to her feet and they were walking away from the news.
Audrey was confused. "Where are we going? I want to see if N is okay" she protested, but Mello kept yanking her along until they reached a less-populated part of the walkway.
"What the hell kind of stunt were you trying to pull back there?" Mello questioned, gripping her forearm tightly.
His sudden anger unnerved her. "Huh? What the fuck are you talking about?" Audrey asked, bewildered, before wincing. "You're hurting me" she added, struggling with her arm in his grasp.
Mello's grip was immediately released, "I don't think you get it; we're in Kira country now. Even if people don't agree with him, they're too terrified to say anything against him. If you sound like you're saying something even close to negative, people could get angry with you and try to hurt you"
Audrey rolled her eyes, rubbing the red mark on her arm, "That businessman? Come on, I could have taken care of him" she said nonchalantly, jumping as Mello grabbed her shoulders. It was a firm grasp, but gentler than the one before.
"I'm not saying you couldn't, I'm saying that next time it might not be a businessman." Mello stated, staring into her eyes in a way that could only mean he was being deadly serious. "Unless you're in someplace safe, you can't just hand your opinion out like that. What if they'd all mobbed you? You have to be careful from now on, okay?"
"I-I, um, okay" Audrey stammered, his concerned attitude making her flustered. "What was he saying anyway?"
Mello gave her a curious look, "You don't speak Japanese?"
She dared to roll her eyes at him again, "Not everyone is a genius" Audrey shot back.
"I'll teach you," Mello stated, letting go of her shoulders and taking her hand instead. "Now, Matt's supposed to pick us up, so lets get going"
As soon as they reached the curb and spotted Matt leaning up against the cherry red mustang, Audrey let the grin overtake her face. "How's the world's biggest nerd holding up?" she asked, standing on her tip-toes to ruffle Matt's hair.
"Jesus Christ, you're awfully chipper" Matt said in surprise, stomping out his dying cigarette before swooping her up into a bear hug.
Audrey flailed, "Augh! Not chipper enough for this, put me down you son of a bitch!" she ordered, shrieking as Matt spun her around.
Mello was scowling at them and crossing his arms, having already tossed the duffel bags into the trunk. "Do you want me to give you guys a moment?" he asked bitterly, glaring daggers at Matt as he let Audrey out of his arms.
"Chill out, you're the only one she's going to be getting between the sheets with" Matt stated with a teasing smirk, making both Audrey and Mello blush. "God, you two are so perfect for each other. Jealous, stubborn, sons of-" Matt was cut off as he shut the driver's door behind him.
Mello sighed exasperatedly. "How did he find out?"
"Hell if I know, he just figured it out I guess"
"Figures. The wily little bastard is too smart when he tries" Mello said with a smirk.
"Hey, do you guys want a minute or do you want me to show you the new HQ?" Matt asked though the car window smugly.
A/N: So. Much. Fluff. I think I'm dead because of all the happy. Anyway, thanks for the reviews and favs guys! Yall are awesome, seriously. I'm really glad you're enjoying the story-and I hope you continue to! -Luv, Cart
PS. All that Japanese is totally made up, so don't try translating it.