A/N: Hi, friends! So, you know how I said this would be the last chapter? Turns out that with the way things are going, we won't wrap until the end of the month, so here we are. Are you ready? Because…Well…I am. If you're not, that's ok. Go ahead. Take five. Look away from the screen for a sec, pull yourself together, get some water, and then come back to us. We're not going anywhere. Love you x

"So," Matsuda sat off to the side as he did every other day at task force headquarters, "How are we supposed to catch Mikami? Especially if he has any inkling we know it's him we're after?"

"I don't know, Matsuda," Aizawa snarked off, "Maybe we'll set up a series of elaborate traps like Wile E. Coyote and see if that does anything."

"Aizawa…" Soichiro settled him.

"That's basically Ryuzaki's train of thought, Chief," Aizawa argued, "All this place is missing is a massive amount of wooden crates that say Acme on the side of them."

"If you're really that curious, Mr. Matsuda," L came back out with Light following him closely, "We're going to have Mikami come to us."

"Is that really the best idea?" Soichiro asked, "To bring Mikami here?"

"I trust Light's judgment," L explained "And we have a plan."

"Good," Aizawa listened intently, "Does it involve a solid wall and some paint?"

"No," L smirked, "But it does involve Light doing more for this investigation than you have, so we have that. Light is going to give Mikami a call and Mikami is going to come running."

"How do we know he'll come running?" Soichiro wondered, "How do we know Light calling him won't intentionally tip him off?"

"I know Mikami," Light admitted, despite wishing they had never met, "If I call, I know he can't say no. When Misa and I broke up, he was her lawyer. He's the one that had me signing the NDA. And Mikami hated her for putting me through what she put me through."

"What did she do?" Matsuda asked, so blissfully ignorant.

"That's not important," L shot him down. Nor is it anyone else's business.

"If he hates her so much," Aizawa thought, "Why would they be working together?"

"They're both their own special brand of horrible, "Light shuddered, "She's a sadist. He's a masochist. They're a match made in hell. Trust me. They're awful."

"And," Matsuda thought, "You're going to be the one to get him?"

"That's right."

"What makes you so special?" Aizawa's curiosities were rightfully placed, but poorly timed.

"Mikami stalked me for a while," Light growled, "And if I ask him to jump, he'll jump."

"How did I not know this?" Soichiro asked, "When did Mikami start stalking you, Light?"

"Shortly after Misa and I broke up," Light cringed. Around the time I moved back home. It's bad enough he knows Mikami followed me. He doesn't need to know about the incident with Sayu, "I kept a lot of things secret in those days, Dad. To say I was ok would be a flat out lie. But those are stories for another day."

"I can't allow this," Soichiro put his foot down, "I can't sit idly by and let you use yourself as bait for a serial killer, Light. There's no guarantee this is safe."

"We don't exactly have much of a choice," Light argued, "If we brute force this, Mikami's going to find a way to weasel his way out of it. That's just what he does. If we lure him into a situation where he feels like he has the upper hand, we'll be more likely to catch him. He won't run from me, Dad. I can promise you."

Soichiro sat back, still uncomfortable with the plan, "And you're sure you want to do this, Light?"

"I'm sure," Light nodded.

"I'm not overly comfortable with it either, Mr. Yagami," L agreed, "But Light can do it. I know he can."

"Thank you, L," Light smiled, "I won't let you down."

"I know you won't," L shot him a quick wink, "You have yet to ever disappoint me, Light. Let's keep that track record."

"We will."

"Go on," L nudged him, "Go make any sort of preparations you need. Both mental and physical."

"Ok," Light started heading upstairs with a certain sway in his hips.

"Light…" L grabbed his hand, making sure to keep his voice down, "I know dealing with Mikami isn't going to be easy for you, but I really do appreciate this."

"You owe me," Light purred in his ear, "I can't wait to see how you repay me."

Not only has he gotten bratty in my absence, but bold. L didn't know if he should be scared or turned on. But he already knew how he'd repay Light. I'm proposing to you later tonight, Light. I think that's payback enough. L watched as Light kept on his path upstairs, appreciating the view as normal. God, I missed being home. If he doesn't' make me want to commit the most unholy of unholy sin, I'll be highly disappointed and I'm sending his ass back.

"So…" Aizawa wondered, "Should we call Mikami first and pretend to be Light? It would make sense."

"No," L shook his head, "Mikami is impatient. Light and I have talked about Mikami before. I fu8lly trust him as an authority. We'll wait for Light to finish."

"Why?" Aizawa dug deeper, "Why is Light such an authority? Why does he know so much about Mikami?"

Because they slept together once and Light is a classy bitch. I have no doubt in my mind he made Mikami work for what he wanted. They had to talk about something. Aizawa was pressing hard on L's last nerve. And L tried his hardest not to kill him, "If you don't want to trust Light's authority, Mr. Aizawa, trust mine. I've seen this man firsthand. Not that I'm really looking for your trust. I know what I've seen. At the NPA ball, of which he was invited, stupidly in hindsight, I saw him corner someone in the bathroom. He's a vile creature and I greatly look forward to taking care of him so we can all go home."

"And throwing Light to him is going to be ok?" Soichiro stepped in before it could turn into a pissing contest between L and Aizawa.

"This is going to be more controlled than the NPA ball," L assured him, "You have nothing to worry about."

"Controlled by who?" Aizawa scoffed.

"By me." Who else?

"Ryuzaki…" Soichiro asked, his voice a bit shaky," Are you sure we should be sending Light to Mikami?"

L never had much interest in having any kids. The idea of parenting never really sunk in with him. The closest experience he had to go from was what he had with Near and even that wasn't quite right. However, no one could sympathize with Soichiro's plight more, "As I said before, Mr. Yagami, I'm not exactly ok with this either. But Light did agree to this. And I'm trusting he can do it."

"But Chief," Matsuda worried with the best intentions, "Can't you order him to stand down? If it were any of the rest of us, I'm sure that's what you'd do."

"As much as I applaud your outside of the box thinking, Mr. Matsuda," L praised, "Light works for me. No one other than me can give him orders. Still, gold star."

"Where is Light anyway?" Aizawa wondered, "Shouldn't he be back by now?"

"No," L rolled his eyes, "I know it may come as a surprise to you, but Light is an incredibly high maintenance creature. It's maddening."

"Really?" Soichiro thought back to when Light still lived at home, "I've never seen it."

"He is," L confirmed, "Any time he and I have been out together, he takes at least half an hour to get ready. If you ask me, I think that's residual influence from his relationship with Misa. I'm sure she beat that into him."

"How od you know about Light and Misa?" Soichiro looked at him strange, "I thought she made him sign an NDA about that."

He's my boyfriend. Of course, I know about Light and Misa. I know more about Light and Misa than what I probably should. Definitely more than anyone in this room. That's for sure, "Have you just met me? Light and I talk from time to time. We've talked about our pasts before. He knows all about my exes, too. Even met some."

"All that aside," Aizawa brought it back, "What are we supposed to do now?"

"Right now," L made himself comfortable, "We wait."

It's not that Light was high maintenance. Yes. He has his moments where he puts more effort into himself than the average person. Certainly more than L. That aspect of their relationship was incredibly lopsided. Although, Light's preparations for this adventure were more mental than anything. Mikami…I haven't seen Mikami since he jumped me in the bathroom. And before that…I can't believe I'm willingly putting myself through a date with Mikami. I didn't want to then. I don't want to now. If L wouldn't have come along that night…I don't even want to think about what he would've done.

"Light…" L's voice boomed on the intercom, "We don't have all day. We have a killer on the streets of Tokyo and you're the one to seduce him into a false sense of security. I don't want to rush you, but I'm rushing you."

Light giggled to himself. I love him. I'm almost done. I look amazing. I smell like an expensive escort. There's no way Mikami can tell me no. Not that he would. The thought of Mikami in general made Light's skin crawl. I won't do it. If it comes down to it and I have to, I'm not doing it. I refuse to sleep with him. If I have to have sex with Mikami for the sake of this investigation…No. I' not doing it. Light had his limits. And Mikami was a hard line in the sand.

Knock, knock.

Who in the hell…? Light went to the front door, still scratching his head. Who the hell would be at our door? And now? Although, once Light opened the door, he let out a little sigh of relief, "Oh, it's you…"

"It's nice to see you, too, Light," L got an eyeful of what stood in front of him. Jesus Christ, you teasing slut…If I take you on our bed later tonight, Light, don't be surprised, "I live here, too. Last time I checked. How much longer until we can call Mikami?"

"In a minute," Light leaned against the wall, "I'm sorry. I've been a little on edge. There's been…A lot to take in."

"Are you going to be ok?" L worried, taking Light's hand, "You don't have to do this."

"L…" Light took a quick peek into the hall, making sure they were alone. Then, he took L's face between his hands, pressing a soft, gentle kiss on his lips, "I'll be fine. It's sweet that you're worried about me, but I can handle Mikami."

"I'm not the only one concerned," L admitted, "Your father is, too. That's understandable, I suppose."

"I'll be ok," Light curled into L's shoulder, "If I don't come out of this…"

"Light," L cut him off. Those words cut deeper than you think. Especially with our plans for tonight, "I don't ever want to fucking hear that come out of your mouth ever again. Do you understand?"

Light jumped at L's sudden outburst. Where the hell did that come from? Still, Light let it go, "Ok. But I meant that more in a Mikami tries to kidnap me and hold me against my will in his basement kind of way."

"He's not holding you hostage," L promised, "Although, no price is too high. I'm fully prepared to pay your ransom."

"That's comforting," Light laughed, "Love you, too."

"So?" L sighed out, "Are you prepared to take your first steps into becoming an homme fatale?"

"I don't think I can call myself that," Light shot him down, blushing a bit.

"I can," L looked like over, "It's such a shame. To think this is about to be wasted on another man…You're cheating on me, Light. And I'm the one allowing it."

"I'm not cheating on you," Light rolled his eyes, "Honestly, you can be so dramatic."

"No, no…" L swooned, "You're taking off and leaving me. And you're never coming back."

"L," Light pulled L against his body, getting one more kiss in…And another…And another, "You really think I'd do something so stupid like leave you for Mikami? You? There's no one else in the world that would put up with your ass the way I do and Mikami makes me nauseous. Trust me. None of this is being wasted on another man. And it sure as fuck isn't being wasted on Mikami…I mean, for all anyone downstairs knows, you're helping me up here. I'm sure they already think I'm high maintenance. We could definitely manage a quickie before we call Mikami."

"It's not that I don't admire your enthusiasm, Light," L backed off, relaxing a little. At least I know Light's stance on cheating now, "But we do have a case to finish. After that, the world is our oyster. And I can start looking into ad space in Shibuya."

"No," Light buried his face in L's shoulder, hiding a smile from him, "We've talked about this."

"Only joking," L swore, "Just a little something to lighten the mood. Let's go call Mikami."

"Ok." Mikami haunted Light's dreams like a poltergeist, making sure his presence was known. Light's hesitation wasn't exactly worn on his sleeve. But one more thing burned in Light's brain. He knows I'd never cheat on him, but…I can't help myself, "Hey…L?"

"Yes, Light?" The two of them took the stairs down.

"About Mikami," Light asked, "I don't have to sleep with him, do I?"

"I would consider it a great personal favor to me if you didn't," L told him, getting into Light's ear, "I have plans of hitting that ass tonight and I'll be damned if I come after the likes of Mikami."

"That's good to know," Light bit the inside of his cheek, "You make me sound so cheap."

"You are far past any sort of cheapness, Light," L laughed, "Believe me. I know you make me work for it. And I'm ok with that. But a little celebration afterward won't kill us."

"We'll see." Light teased him, skipping down the last few stairs, "Which line should I use to call Mikami?"

"Wow, Light!" Matsuda gasped, "You look amazing!"

"If you're into that sort of thing," Aizawa mumbled to himself.

"Line three, Light," L instructed. I'm into that sort of thing, "Do you need his number?"

"I remember it," Light twitched, "Don't worry."

With shaky fingers, Light dialed Mikami's number. I don't want to do this. But I need to do this. The sooner this case is over, the sooner I can run off with L. Light kept his eyes on the prize and his breathing as steady as he could. Until a familiar voice boomed from the speaker, "Yes?"

An immediate knot tightened in Light's stomach. No…Remember why we're here. Light put on a soft, seductive voice, "Hi, Mikami…"

"Light?" Mikami gasped, "Is that really you?"

"It's me," Light did his best to keep his head about him. Even though every other part of his body was giving him a resounding no, "Are you busy right now?"

"Not for you," Mikami jumped. Just as Light said he would, "Where? When?"

"I…"

"Wait…" Mikami stopped him, "Why…? The last time we saw each other, I'm pretty sure the other guy said something about…"

"That doesn't matter." In that moment, a knife ran through L's heart. But L knew better. He knew what Light was trying to do and he couldn't fault him for that. Not to mention, Light was still protecting himself in front of the other members of the task force, "Don't worry about that. None of that matters now. I miss you, Mikami."

"I miss you, too," Mikami awed, "Hey…How about we meet at our spot? Say, ten minutes?"

"Ok," Light remembered their spot like it was yesterday. I don't want to go to Shinjuku, "I'll see you soon."

Click.

"Well…" Aizawa scratched his head, "That was easy. I would've thought you scoring a date with Mikami would've been like pulling teeth. He kind of comes off like a recluse."

"And he is," Light confirmed, "For the most part. But he's also a horrible creature of habit."

"So," Soichiro stepped in, "He mentioned meeting at your spot. Where is that?"

"It's a seedy club in Shinjuku…" Light started to feel something off. And he knew where it was going to end. And it wasn't going to be pretty. Light bolted for the nearest trash can and emptied the contents of his stomach into it.

"Light…?" L worried, "Are you ok?"

"Yep," Light groaned weakly, "I'm alright."

"Why do I have the feeling you're lying to me?"

"Because you have trust issues?" Light figured.

Well…He's not wrong. But I thought we were past that, "I wouldn't say I have trust issues."

Aizawa's quiet chuckle did not go unnoticed. Soichiro gave him a quick nudge to the ribs, effectively shutting him up. Light pulled himself together, "No. Really. I'm alright."

"You're lying to me, Light," L knew better. Instead of spanking him in front of God and everyone, L dragged Light into the conference room, "I'm serious, Light. You don't have to do this. If you want to back out of it, I'm not going to blame you, nor will I think less of you. And if any of them have anything to say about it, I don't have any emotional attachment to any of them. You, on the other hand…"

"I know," Light hid his face, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink, "You know, L, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you loved me."

"I do…" L kissed his cheek, his heart skipping a beat. And just you wait when I say that to you for real, "Which is why I'm so worried about you going out like this. I saw what Mikami did to you the last time you were toe to toe, Light. You can't blame me for worrying like this. And that was before he was a mass murder suspect."

"But that was then," Light wrapped his arms around L, "We'll be alright. I'll be fine. If it makes you feel any better…"

"Oh, I've already thought about that," L assured him, "This is non-negotiable. You will be wiretapped to the hilt. Anything that comes out of either yours or Mikami's mouth will be recorded."

"That's not what I was going to say," Light looked at him strange, "But I have something I need to get to tonight and I'm not missing it for the world."

"I love you, too," L melted inside. I'm glad you think that way, Light. Because I don't want you to miss it either.