((AN: SO! I've reached in a decision in that part one will conclude at chapter 40. Yes, part one. I also might write out some 'missing scenes' if anyone is interested in those. some may or may not be work safe. I hadn't decided yet.))

Light let out a sigh as he leaned back in his chair, his mother and father talking about his condition. Thanks to his earlier statement about not wanting to leave Conan on his own, he was now stuck watching the brat while they waited for Ran to come collect him from Ibaraki Hospital. He watched as Conan looked around the room, his gaze stopped on Light's mother for a moment, and he knew that Conan was doing an information scan and making observations as he normally did when meeting anyone new. He'd also noticed Conan's penchant for staying quiet around people he didn't know very well unless he had a question.

He said hello to Light's parents and sat in the seat closest to Light just as a little kid might in a situation he was uncomfortable with. It would make sense that a child at his age would want to cling to the person he knew best, when in this case just so happened to be Light. He took his eyes off the small child and returned them to his family.

"Are you really sure this was just caused by overwork?" Light asked.

"Light, what are you saying?" His mother asked, everyone's attention snapping to Light.

"Mom, he had a heart attack who wouldn't make the connection? I mean, that's the way every single one of Kira's victim's died." He pointed out. "Even if Kira has been inactive recently-it's possible he started up again."

"To be honest, that's exactly what crossed my mind as I was going down." Light's dad admitted.

"You head the task force in charge of this case. Kira has more than enough reason to want you dead." L said thoughtfully. "Hmm... a murder attempt by Kira, we can't rule it out completely. Kira has been rather inactive-he could have very well have been gathering information to take out the Task Force." Light's mom looked horrified at the notion and his dad shot her a worried look and Light had to consider the idea that perhaps he shouldn't have mentioned the possibility in front of her.

"Sachiko, I'm all right now, and anyway, Light's here. You go on home and not a word about this to Sayu, I don't want to upset her." Soichiro instructed. For a moment it looked as though his mom wanted to object but ultimately she just did as her husband had told her, getting up and heading for the door.

"All right, I'll be back tomorrow with some more of your things." She excused herself. "Thank you for coming, Light."

"Sure." He responded, watching her leave the room.

"I don't think it was Kira." His dad finally said once Sachiko had left. "Well, now that I think about it, being under all this pressure, the fear of being killed by Kira, the incident with the hospital... I haven't had a good night's sleep in months. I was asking for it."

"Having your own son under suspicion must be an emotional strain as well." L stated conversationally.

"You told my father I'm under suspicion?" Light demanded, not bothering to hide his irritation.

"Yes." L said calmly. "I have told your father everything, including the fact that I'm L."

"That's right, this is L. We've been calling him Ryuuzaki so that nobody finds out, but he is definitely L." Light's dad confirmed. If he was still doubting him after Conan's testimony, now he knew for certain that it was L that was sitting next to him-that had approached him and at the very least, the one giving orders to the police. "However, I know that Conan-kun is a bright young boy, but should we really be discussing case details with him in the room?" Everyone's attention was suddenly on the child.

"It's fine." L said calmly. "Conan-kun's already aware of everything we've discussed thus far."

"We ran into Conan-kun at the cafe we were at." Light explained, "Considering his track record, I didn't think I should leave him on his own." Light's dad nodded at Conan, no doubt he agreed with his son's assessment. Conan was well known amongst the police and it was also well known that he was a magnet for trouble.

"So Ryuuzaki, has talking to my son helped clear away your suspicions?" Soichiro asked. L was silent a moment. Had he? Light was well aware that thanks to Conan's sharp instincts, he'd managed to keep him clear of any traps but even then, it was likely that L would say that his suspicion is the same just to try and get a reaction out of Light.

"To be honest, Conan-kun interrupted several times so my suspicions remain the same." L confirmed Light's theory. At least this time, he knew L was bluffing.

"That's because you asked obvious questions." Conan pouted, crossing his arms. Light let out a sigh and gently grabbed him by the shoulder to whisper the word 'manners' in his ear again and once again, Conan mumbled a small 'sorry.'

"Don't be too hard on him, Light." Soichiro stated. "He's a lot like you when you were a kid-you wanted everything to be a challenge." He told his son fondly.

"I still enjoy an occasional challenge." Light said calmly, "But, I've since learned my manners." L's gaze turned towards him again before moving back to Conan. Light could tell he didn't trust their interactions but he could hardly call them out on it-Conan appeared to be seven, and if Light wasn't aware of the kid's identity than he highly doubted if L was. "And you, Ryuga." Light turned his attention on L. "Saying things like that to me is one thing, but don't say things in front of my dad that will upset his condition. Try to have a little consideration."

"It's alright Light, an ambiguous answer wouldn't make me feel any better. I much prefer hearing the truth. And, even though you are under suspicion, I understand it's not quite enough to make you an actual suspect."

"Yes, Light-kun has misunderstood." L stated calmly, capturing both Conan's and Light's attention. "As I told you earlier, when I say 'suspicion' I'm talking about a very slight possibility-let me explain again.

"Kira murdered the twelve FBI Agents who entered Japan. This is clear from the fact that all of them died of heart attacks on December twenty-seventh, the very same day the received that file. It is also a fact that Kira had access to Task Force information. I don't know how, though it does seem like the firewalls on the Task Force computers were not very secure." L informed him. "Regardless, there's a good possibility that Kira was able to access data from a Task Force member's computer. However, even though Kira murdered the FBI agents, he has not killed a single Japanese investigator." He reasoned. "This also can lead us to infer that Kira is related to someone on the Task Force. Well, I suppose Kira might be capable of murdering a member of his own family."

"I see…" Light said thoughtfully, following along with L's logic and wondering if he'd honestly be able to kill his own flesh and blood if it came down to it. He'd like to think he wouldn't have to but could he? That was another question all together.

"Then there's one of the FBI agents, Raye Penber, some of his actions were curious and quite noteworthy. Now even his fiancé, who was in Japan with him and a former FBI agent herself, has gone missing." L went on. Conan stiffened from where he was sitting beside Light and the he tried to ignore it, he couldn't call attention to the reaction. Did he recognize that name? Just how long had Conan known? Was it Misora that had originally turned his suspicion to Light? She'd said she hadn't talked to anyone else but considering Conan's age she might have just kept it secret.

"So that's how you narrowed it down." Light offered, keeping attention off of Conan's mini-episode.

"Yes."

"My view so far has been that since Kira was operating in the Kanto region, he must be Japanese, and that he couldn't bring himself to kill innocent Japanese for that reason. But if those FBI agents were shadowing NPA personnel and their families, you're right there's a good possibility Kira was among those they were probing. I happened to be among those they were investigating too, so I can't fault you for putting me under suspicion. In fact, you're absolutely right, there are no other likely suspects." Light offered thoughtfully.

"Your powers of deduction and are outstanding, Yagami-kun." Light felt Conan turn a small scoff into a cough and 'accidentally' elbowed him.

"Ouch!" Conan whined.

"Oh. Sorry, Conan-kun." He offered as though surprised that he'd managed to elbow the child.

"However Yagami-kun, I never said you were the only suspect-you are just the only one with a connection to the Kira Task Force." L ignored the small moment between the two.

"What?" Light looked over at L.

"Oh, I get it-Kira might have a connection to the police so that means that anyone that fits the profile and has a relation to the police would be under suspicion." Conan piped up.

"Precisely, in truth there are three two others that are under suspicion-one of them we haven't been able to locate, the other is Hakuba Saguru." L revealed. Hakuba? Aoko's friend?

"I doubt if Hakuba-kun is Kira, he's friends with my girlfriend and I've met him a few times. Truthfully, I don't think he's childish." Light offered. L nodded in consideration, watching him closely. Had that been a test? Was he trying to determine if Kira would make such a remark?

"I've met Hakuba-no-niichan too, and I agree with Light-niichan." Conan offered up. "We've worked on a few cases together and he doesn't have the temperament nor is he impulsive enough to be Kira."

"Temperament?" Light turned to Conan, ignoring Ryuuk chuckling overhead.

"Mm! Kira must have been really mad when L called him evil, right? That's why he killed Lind L. Taylor. He acted on impulse out of anger, right?" Conan asked happily. It was a little creepy considering the words that had just left his mouth.

"Conan-kun has a point, Ryuuga. Hakuba-kun regularly chases after Kaitou Kid, who likes to irritate the officers chasing him. From what I've seen, Hakuba-kun hasn't demonstrated having any issues with keeping his temper." Light continued, starting to worry if his vouching for Hakuba was something that L thought Kira might do.

"Mm. Yes, admittedly, Hakuba-kun was relatively low on the list." L stated, still watching the two of them very closely. "And have you met the other suspect, Kud-" At that very moment Conan managed to tip his chair over and with a loud 'thud' hit the ground.

"Ow…." The child whined.

"Conan-kun, what in the world-?" Light asked, honestly confused as to how Conan managed that-his feet didn't even reach the ground. "-Are you all right?" He offered him a hand which Conan took.

"I think so…" Conan slowly got back up to his feet and righted the chair. "I didn't think it would tip over."

"You should be more careful. Don't tilt the chair back." Light instructed.

"My son is right, Conan-kun. Next time you could really get hurt." Soiichiro stated as Conan climbed back into the chair.

"Sorry…" Conan mumbled quietly. Light knew better than to think that it was an accident though-for some reason, Conan didn't want L to mention the other suspect to him-from the syllable he was able to get out it was likely that the other suspect was Kudou Shinichi-the missing detective he'd met twice now. Though why Conan wouldn't want him to discuss that was-

"Are we interrupting?" Aoko's voice tore Light out of his thoughts and he turned to the door, noting that it seemed like she'd lost a little more weight and was holding a small bouquet of flowers. Her dad was behind her, his hair was peppered with gray and white and he was wearing a familiar green suit.

"Aoko-chan." He got up from his seat to greet her. L didn't bother to move, but he too looked in the direction of the new comers, pressing his thumb against his lip.

"Yagami-kun's girlfriend, I assume?" He asked.

"Yes." Light confirmed, not sure he liked how L was looking at her. "Aoko, this is Hideki Ryuuga, a friend from university. Ryuuga, this is my girlfriend, Aoko and her father, Nakamori Ginzo."

"Eh? Hideki Ryuuga… like the idol?" She asked. Light nodded as he took the flowers from her and she leaned in to whisper to him, cupping her hand over his ear and her breath tickling just enough to give him goose bumps. He really wished she hadn't done that. "Could he actually be L?" She asked, shocking Light to his core. What gave her that idea? He knew she was smart but sometimes she still managed to astound him with just how smart considering she frequently it.

"Nakamori-kun, does it really take a heart attack for you to visit these days?" Soichiro asked the other officer before Light could respond. Nakamori shifted a little uncomfortably, almost embarrassed.

"I erm-heard what happened from the chief." He admitted. "Just wanted to drop by and say hello-Aoko insisted." Aoko rolled her eyes at her dad's inability to admit he was worried about an old friend and then looked at the other two in the room again.

"Hi Aoko-neechan! Nakamori-keibu!" Conan smiled at them. She smiled back and offered a small wave. Though, Light noticed the smile seemed a bit forced. This depression was really starting to grate on his nerves.

"Hi Conan-kun, Aoko didn't expect to see you here." She admitted. Conan just offered another smile.

"I'm waiting on Ran-neechan to pick me up-Light-niichan won't let me go back to home on my own." He pouted at Light who just rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"It's for his own good, trust me." Light assured her. She offered him a small smile-not quite as forced with a flicker of that warm encouraging smile he hadn't seen in almost a month. It faded quickly though as her dad's phone rang. Nakamori let out a curse and stepped out into the hall.

"He was so worried about Yagami-san and then only said one sentence to him." Aoko sighed. "I'm sorry Yagami-san, he really was worried."

"Don't worry Aoko-chan, I'm well aware of how Ginzo-kun can be. He's always been like that."

"Eh? Light-niichan's dad and Aoko-neechan's dad are friends?" Conan looked between Soichiro and Aoko. "But Nakamori-keibu doesn't get along with anyone."

"Manners." Light sighed under his breath, unable to determine if Conan was really acting or if his social skills were just that bad.

"It's okay, Conan-kun's right. Daddy's hard man to get to know. He's a bit of a loaner." Aoko waved it off.

"Nakamori-kun and I are a few years apart but we were partners in our earlier days on the force." Soichiro explained. "That was back when he was still working homicide-He was too stubborn to let a single case go unsolved."

"That sounds like dad. He still never gives up." Aoko stated fondly, clearly still very proud of her father.

"That's exactly why they put him on the Kid Task Force-that determination." Soichiro sighed. Conan looked at them all, considering this new information. At that moment Nakamori stepped back into the room, looking a little redder than he had before and Light assumed he must have yelled at someone.

"Dad!" Aoko reacted immediately, going over to check on her father. "What happened?"

"Kid sent another notice." Nakamori revealed. "I have to go back to the station to get all the warrants approved before his heist tomorrow. Sorry to take off so soon."

"Oh." Aoko's mood seemed to drop at the mention of Kid but she didn't rant. It was a little concerning. "Okay, I'll see you at home." She forced a smile.

"Don't worry Nakamori-keibu, I'll walk her home." Light offered, hoping to get a moment alone with her-maybe he could finally get her tell him what this depression was about. Nakamori raised an eyebrow at him.

"Your daughter will be in good hands with my son." Soichiro vouched for him. Nakamori still seemed skeptic. It was understandable considering that Nakamori knew Light was dating his daughter.

"Of course. Thank you, Light-kun." Nakamori nodded to him before turning to Soichiro. "I hope you're better soon, Yagami-san." He nodded to the other before leaving the room.

"Aoko, do you mind staying a little longer?" Light asked her, she looked at him a bit confused.

"Light-kun, your dad just had a heart attack-we can stay as long as you want." She told him. He didn't really want her so close to L-he didn't want him to asked her any questions especially if they were in regards to Kira. He could feel those beady little eyes watching him. On second thought, maybe he did want to walk her home now.

"Light, go ahead and walk Aoko-chan home, visiting hours are almost over anyway." His dad encouraged.

"Yes, Yagami-kun. I will watch Conan-kun for you." L offered. Light turned to see what Conan thought of his plan.

"Um…" Conan started, clearly uncomfortable with the offer. Light hesitated. Should he leave Conan alone with L? Would L suspect him of being Kira anymore if he said he'd wait for Ran-chan to get there? Even if he did, Light could easily point out that Conan didn't seem to like him much. Thankfully he didn't have to think on too long though as his dad must have seen Conan's unease.

"It's all right, Light. I'll keep an eye on him." Soichiro offered.

"You must be joking dad, you just had a heart attack." Light objected immediately. In all fairness, Soichiro had never been tasked with keeping an eye on Conan so Light wasn't sure his dad knew exactly what it was he was offering.

"I can still keep an eye on a small child." So long as that child stayed in the room. Light let out sigh and turned to Conan who looked deceptively innocent.

"Conan-kun, please don't wander off, okay? My dad doesn't need any added stress."

"Um…Okay." He offered, looking over at his appointed babysitter. Could he trust things to be okay if he left? Probably not but he needed to walk Aoko home before L got it in his head to question her.

"...Um… Aoko can walk herself home, you know." Aoko finally spoke up when she given a moment to do so. Light turned to her and looked her over closely. She didn't have a mop to beat anyone with if they attacked her-no he didn't like the idea of her walking home alone at all-and as Soichiro's son he had to object to that idea on principle.

"I'm sure you can Aoko-chan, but I'd feel better if you let me walk you." He said gently. In truth there was more than one reason he wanted to walk her home-the first being to asked her how she'd figured out it was L in the hospital room with them, second to see if he could figure out why she was depressed and third… well… he really wished she wouldn't have whispered like that.

"Are you really going to leave?" L asked as Light was zipping his jacket it up a little more.

"Yes." Light replied. "We can pick this up later-for now, I need to make sure my girlfriend gets home safe." L's eyes narrowed and then moved over to Aoko.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Nakamori-chan." He stated calmly. He hadn't really said one word to Aoko-it was hardly a meeting.

"O-oh, you too." She said a little uncomfortably before turning to the child in the room. "Ne Conan, don't go easy on Kid, okay?" She told him.

"Of course not!" Conan chirped happily.

"Ready to go?" Light asked, offering her his hand.