Author Note: So sorry for the long delay; this chapter was so hard to write, seriously hard, and many projects came along to hinder the process.

"Light's 'Inner Voice'."

Warning: Really hate to admit this but possible OOC.

Disclaimer: Death Note and its characters belong to Tsugumi Ohba.

Chapter 37: The Deal

I sat on the bed of the room I shared with L, still in shock over what had happened. I couldn't get the sight of Akishi passing out in L's arms or the sound of her scream out of my mind.

"She ruined everything." I threw my hands over my ears, hoping that doing so would drown the voice out but knew that it wouldn't.

"She betrayed me again."

Shut up.

"She deserved what happened."

"SHUT UP!"

I didn't care that I was shouting in a room that probably had cameras…I just wanted that damn voice to stop.

"Get out of my head! You're not me! This isn't me. I'd never want her to suffer."

"She's probably revealing everything to him right now."

"I don't care!"

I paused at my own words, surprised to find that I honestly didn't care at that point. The plan was ruined anyway, as there was no way I could bring myself to kill L now that I knew how much Akishi cared for him. Just the thought of putting her through that again made me sick to my stomach. Thinking about it, I realized I always knew how she felt but that voice had talked me into disregarding her feelings.

The knowledge that she potentially cared for L more than me really devastated me and fueled the hatred I had for L. However, there wasn't really anything I could do about that at that point but I couldn't just sit by and do nothing either so I tried to think about what I should do next.

"I have to kill him or he'll kill me."

I heard the voice's almost taunting words but didn't respond to them, though it annoyed me that the voice was still speaking as if it were my thoughts. However, its words gave me an idea.

Akishi's POV:

"How did you manage to talk Rem out of killing me?" L asked, looking unfazed by the topic of the conversation.

"Rem cares for Misa, which was why she tried to kill you in the first place, so I promised her that I would keep her safe in exchange for her not killing you." I answered easily from my place on the bed.

"How do you plan to do that?" He spoke with a guarded curiosity, no doubt aware that I could become a hindrance to the case.

"Misa can't be arrested." I said without any hesitation; it was best that L know what needed to be done.

"She's killed hundreds of criminals and even some innocent police officers." He reminded me, slightly outraged, as if I thought she deserved to go free.

"I know that but this is what I promised Rem…If I can't protect Misa then she'll kill you." The thought of that happening still terrified me and caused my heart to ache terribly. "I can't let that happen." I was practically begging him to understand and let Misa go free.

"It wouldn't be right to let her get away with murder." He said, standing by his idea of justice. Normally, I would have been proud of that but it only caused problems this time.

"What if she had no memories of the Death Note? Could you still bring yourself to arrest her?" I asked, knowing this would be enough to convince him. The conflicted look on his face proved me right. He sat in contemplative silence for a bit then gave a heavy sigh.

"You're right…I would have issues arresting her if she had no memories of her crimes." I smiled when I saw that he clearly hated admitting that but was still going to stick by it.

"That's what we have to do."

"How do you plan to convince her to give up ownership?" He asked, pointing out the major issue. However, I already had that figured out.

"She'll do anything if she thinks that's what Light wants. All I have to do is go to her, saying that Light sent me and tell her that he wants her to give up her Death Note. She'll do it and her shinigami won't say anything to stop her."

He looked like he wanted to ask a question, probably about Misa's shinigami, but didn't. There was a moment of silence after he begrudgingly agreed to the plan.

"I want to do the same with Light." I said without hesitation just as he stood up from his chair. He froze and turned towards me with a look of complete disbelief.

"You can't be serious." There was a slight pleading in his tone, showing that he wished I were just joking.

"I am." I looked him right in the eyes as I said this, showing how determined and serious I was.

"I'm willing to make an exception for Misa but Light is a different story." He said tensely as he practically stormed over to stand in front of the window. There was an unyielding resolve in his words but I was prepared for that.

"Light became Kira on his own and is the mastermind behind-"

"Lawliet."

I couldn't see the look on his face but his back became rigid and tense at the use of his real name and the threatening tone it was said in. He slowly looked back at me and I did my best to suppress the slight hurt I felt at the look of fear in his eyes.

"How…?" He was so startled and frightened that he was actually struggling to get words out.

"Have you already forgotten what I am? I've known your name since the moment I first laid eyes on you." I paused a moment to let my words sink in.

His body slowly relaxed as he realized that I not only saved his life but didn't kill him myself even though I could have ages ago.

"I may have put myself through agonizing pain to save you but that doesn't mean I won't make you miserable if you convict Light." I warned him, hating that I had to resort to threatening him. I immediately regretted my choice of words as a look of surprise and wonder crossed his face.

"What happened to you in the control room was a consequence of saving me?" I didn't answer but he didn't need me to. "You knew that would happen but still saved me anyway?" I wanted to deny everything and get him to focus back on Light but the warm look in his eyes got to me.

"Yes, I did." I admitted sheepishly, suddenly embarrassed by the intent look he was giving me.

The fond, affectionate smile he suddenly gave me took my breath away. All I could do was stare as he made his way over to me. He cupped my cheek and ran his thumb over my deceiving skin. I was completely enraptured by his gaze and touch but also confused by this sudden turn in his demeanor. That smile didn't leave his face even as he gave a resigned sigh, though it did lose some of its intensity.

"I still don't feel it is right but I won't deny you this." My body sagged in relief at those words but he wasn't done yet. "I will give Light a chance but only if he gives up his memories of being Kira…I can't have him going back to being Kira in the future."

It wasn't a big guarantee that Light would go free but it was the best I could hope for from L and I was grateful for that small chance.

"Thank you." My relief was so strong that my words were barely above a whisper.

"Just out of curiosity…what would you have done to make me miserable?" He asked, eyes shining with slight amusement; he clearly saw through my bluff. I couldn't hold in my laughter.

"I have no idea."

Author Note: It may just be me but I feel that L is really out of character in that last part but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't write that part any different. Hope you'll forgive me. The main problem was how easily he gave into her in the end…but as I said before, this gave me so much trouble that I just gave up…really hate that I did but…whatever.

L still stands by his ideas of justice but his growing love and feelings for Akishi is causing him to change his ways a bit, especially since he is coming to understand how much she cares for him in return.

You could argue that he had ulterior motives in agreeing but I will leave that up to you guys to decide.

Akishi still cares for Light, even though some of us wish she didn't, but there is no way she'd really be able to bring herself to make L suffer so that threat was really just a bluff. She would have had to find another way if L refused.

I also feel that there wasn't enough Light in this chapter but we get a lot of him next time.

Both Light and L are giving into their feelings towards Akishi…whether that is good or not…I'm not sure.

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