Ok everyone, this is the last chapter. The follow on is the oneshot 'Change Of Heart.' I hope that you all have enjoyed reading as much as I have enjoyed writing this, and I am contemplating a Sequel to follow on from 'Change of heart'. But I'll let you readers be the judge of that. So without further delay, I present to you the final chapter. Please enjoy. :)

xXxXx

I tore through the halls of headquarters, not fully aware of where I was, but knowing my exact location at the same time. L knew. All this time that bastard knew! I was merely a pawn in his game! I had to do it, and I had to do it now! I threw open the door to my room, briefly startling Hebi as I made my way to the bathroom and pulled out my Death Note from behind the toilet. I took a quick glance at the first blank page, staring at the pure white sheet before running my hand over it.

"Alessa."

I turned my attention to my Shinigami, his face twisting into what looked like shock-fury. I moved my gaze to the mirror before me. My face was flushed and damp with sweat, my eyes red and watery from holding back tears.

"Who did this to you?"

His voice was low and threatening causing me to look at him. He really was a deadly Shinigami.

"He knew Hebi. All this time he knew. I was just a joke to him, some sort of play thing."

"He knew? How?"

I shrugged. I didn't know the answer to that. Had I made myself too obvious by using Beyond's sir name? Had he known from the start I had never killed myself? Had Misora told him of me when she saved Beyond? He had known that Beyond spouted mad talk about having the Shinigami eyes? Had he put it together once he knew the existence of Death Notes? There were many options; but it just proves he really is the worlds best detective. He's managed to take down the 2 people best suited to surpass him. A wry smile crossed my face as I turned back to my Shinigami.

"He's beaten me Hebi..."

His face fell slightly until I slapped the Death Note close and held it out in front of him.

"But at least I can go out with a bang."

"You want to return the Death Note to me?"

He tilted his head confused and I lowered the book, his snake irises looking into my determined ones.

"No, I want you to give me the Shinigami eyes."

Hebi took a step towards me, his long jaw opening slightly in shock.

"Alessa, no... Please don't make me do this to you. You know that your life-"

"Is meaningless without Beyond."

Hebi closed his mouth as my eyes welled up with tears. Did I really believe that? I clutched the book to my chest, avoiding the Shinigami's gaze.

"All the time I've been here, as more days have gone by I've been second guessing killing L. I don't know why, but I just don't feel right doing it. I've put it down to the fact that I've never killed before. He doesn't care about me, not like I do him..."

I finally gained the courage to look at Hebi, a smile on my face.

"But I've also narrowed that down to because he looks like Beyond. I don't really care for him, I care for the fact he looks like my old friend. So now that I've spent too long trying to figure that out I've become sloppy in my work, and now he knows the truth. It's only a matter of time before he puts me away for attempted murder, but L isn't going to be the one to do it... because I'm going to kill him today. And in order to do that I need Beyond's eyes."

Hebi wiped a stray tear away before placing his clawed hand on my head, a sad smile on his face.

"I care strongly for you Alessa, and from the start I said I would do anything to make you happy. I just wish it didn't have to come down to this... I hope L's death will make you happy, rather than filled with grief and regret..."

I didn't have time to ask what he was talking about as he ran his hand down my face and over my eyes, clouding my vision for a moment before pulling away, a sad expression on his face.

"You're life has been halved and added to mine... you now possess the eyes of the Shinigami."

xXxXx

I had dawdled long enough. I spent almost 3 hours in my room, wanting to leave but never having the courage. Now I stand outside the investigation room, staring blankly at the iron door. I know the others are probably watching me on the camera wondering what I was doing, but I was...scared. Very scared. To see when someone is going to die for the rest of my life... this is what sent B mad... was this one person worth it? I took a deep breath, the Death Note rubbing against my stomach where I had tucked it into my jeans. A wry smile crossing my face. Too late now. I opened the door and walked in, expecting to see everyone there and a mass amount of floating numbers. I did not. Rather there was one person typing away at a computer away from me. I screwed my nose up; what was this?

"Hello?"

I received no answer and walked over to where I heard the clicking.

"Hello?"

Once I was close enough to the chair it moved and there sat L. My gaze on his intent onyx ones.

"Ah Miss Birthday, glad you finally joined me."

"Where are the others?"

"On break, like you were."

He turned back to the computer and carried on typing as I took a seat next to him, refusing to look at him. This would be the perfect opportunity! No one was around to see me write his name other than himself. And when he was dead it wouldn't matter what he saw. Then I could kill Misa and Light with no problems at all! Sure I would be found out eventually, but at least I'd get my wish. Is this what I wished for? Even with L dead... Beyond would still be...

"Are you alright?"

I looked at B's double, he looked genuinely concerned... All I had to do was look up... and I did. L Lawliet. That was his name.

"Yes, L... I'm fine."

He nodded and continued to type away at his computer as I stared at the name floating above his head for a while longer. So L was his real name. It was slightly humorous if you thought about how the world thought it was an alias. I pressed my hand to my stomach where the Death Note lie, looking at L's face. He looked peaceful, even when working. It made me smile... He made me smile. And now that it's come down to this, so close to the moment of truth; despite everything he put me through, everything I put myself through... I realized that I didn't want this man dead... I loved him.