I know my course. The spirit that I have seen
May be the devil: and the devil hath power
To assume a pleasing shape.

-Hamlet, Act 2 Scene 2

Misa bounced in place, frantically pressing the elevator button, trying to get the doors to open faster. She glanced down at her phone: 6:47, nearly an hour late. She slept in much later than she meant to after the stressful night.

All night her dreams were plagued by shadowy men reaching out, offering her roses from dark corners. She woke up more than once, gasping in fear, thinking a coat hanging up in the corner was a man.

As the elevator doors slid open she rushed through the corridor, looking down to check her phone, until bumping straight into someone. A hand shot out, gripping her arm and steadied her before she fell backwards. She looked up startled to see a handsome man, dressed in a crisp navy blue suit. He had chestnut hair and soft eyes. He apologized, reaching to grab her phone and keys that fell when they collided. Recognition flashed behind his eyes when they met hers.

"I don't think we've formally met." He said, handing her things over, "I'm Light Yagami"

"Are you a new model here or something?" She said distractedly. She wanted to be polite, but she was tired and already very late. She looked over his shoulder on tip-toes where she could see the door to the studio.

"Not quite," he said smiling, "But I'm flattered. My father is the CEO of Facade."

Her agency. Misa felt the blood drain from her face.

Light laughed at her expression, "I'm just here visiting."

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" She said nervously, "I had no idea his son would be here. I'm kind of embarrassed to be seen like this..." She had rushed out of her apartment that morning without putting her usual care into her appearance. She tugged nervously at her black ruffled skirt, hoping when they bumped into each other nothing was exposed.

"Don't be. You're a natural." He encouraged and then added bashfully, "I actually had one of your posters in my dorm in college so meeting you is kind of a dream."

Misa's face lit up at this, "Really? I appreciate the support!"

"Where are you rushing off to?"

"I'm filming a commercial today and I'm pretty late." She admitted, somewhat embarrassed. "So really I'm just postponing the lecture I'll get."

"Well we can't have that, can we?" He murmured, "What studio are you in today?"

She pointed to the door around the corner. He nodded resolutely, heading off in that direction, with her scurrying to follow behind him.

The director of the shoot that day was an irate, red-faced little man who had worked with the agency for nearly 20 years and was well-known for his explosive temper. He'd made nearly every model he worked with cry more than once and in fact seemed to revel in it. He was a favorite at Facade however, so complaints against him fell on deaf ears.

He was waiting by the door when they entered, no doubt ready to ream Misa the moment she came in, but at the sight of Light he blanched.

" ! To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Light smiled, "I actually came here to apologize. I've kept one of your models out and made her late."

The directors eyes shifted quickly from Light to Misa, "Well, we were just saying we needed the extra time to set up, so really we're grateful sir!"

Kiss-ass, Misa thought, but she enjoyed seeing the director sweat. Light surveyed the room with interest.

"I've actually never been on set for a commercial before." He remarked, looking around at the assistants and crew members who gawked at him. "I'd love to observe today if that's alright?"

"Of course!" The director cried, "Of course let's find you a comfortable place to watch. Kana!" He snapped his fingers at one of the other models, "You and Amane get to the dressing room."

Misa was then ushered off along with the other model to get her hair and makeup done. Kana whispered in her ear as they left, "How did you snag the CEO's son?"

"I didn't snag him." Misa said indignantly, "He bumped into me!"

In the dressing room a stylist helped lace Misa in a black velvet bustier with panels of scalloped lace. Kana, who was dressed in a similar style but in ivory, peeked through the dressing room door out onto the set.

"God he's handsome." She gushed, "I'm so glad it's a lingerie commercial."

Misa muffled a snicker as she pulled the sheer black thigh highs up.

She shot Misa a glare, "Don't tell me you're gunning for him too?"

Misa rolled her eyes, "Not exactly. You shouldn't be either. You know we're not allowed."

Kana stuck out her tongue playfully, "He's the CEO's son. I think we can break a few rules for him."

Misa may have flouted the rules once or twice when she was very new, but quickly learned it wasn't worth it. The stress of almost getting caught, the worries of losing her coveted position; it was too much of a risk. She also wasn't sure getting involved with the CEO's son would be a smart move either. Though, she wasn't blind; he was insanely handsome and she was grateful for the distraction after the terrifying night.

Throughout the shoot she snuck glances at Light who watched over the production. He wandered around asking questions, pointing at various camera equipment with interest. Occasionally he'd give her an encouraging smile which she'd return eagerly.

More than a few of the crew members were whispering amongst themselves about him, wondering if he was single or if he'd be up to getting drinks with the crew when they were finished.

"He acts like a prince." Kana sighed while Light held the door open for a grateful assistant carrying in lighting equipment. She had to agree. She'd not heard much about the CEO's son aside from the fact that he would probably be taking his fathers place in the upcoming year once he retired. She felt hopeful about it now that she met him. Maybe under his leadership models would be safer in situations like hers.

She remembered what Ryuzaki said about the industry not taking care of the models in it. He was right. This stalker wasn't her first, but certainly the most threatening she'd dealt with. She knew many models who had dealt with overly friendly "fans", with just as little support. Light, she hoped, possessed more compassion than the other men in charge.

To the delight of everyone on set, Light had an enormous amount of expensive food catered when they took a break for lunch. The atmosphere on set warmed up even more towards him after that. If there was one way to win over a crew it was through good food.

"That was so sweet of you." Misa remarked as they walked together outside of the studio in the late afternoon. He invited her out to talk with him while he waited for his driver to pick him up. "I don't know how to thank you for today."

"You could let me take you out tonight?" He suggested smoothly.

She stopped in her tracks, her eyes going wide, "Oh, but I don't...I mean, I'm not really allowed to go on dates." She explained.

"It wouldn't be a date then, just a nice night out." He said grinning and then leaning forward he added conspiratorially, "With the CEO's son can you really afford to say no?"

She laughed at this, but before she could think of an answer to give, her phone rang: Ryuzaki.

"Excuse me a sec!" She asked before stepping away to answer.

"Ryuzaki?"

"We have the contents of the box." He said without preamble.

"What was in it?"

"Roses. Like the picture he sent before. Nothing overtly dangerous, but I'd like to get together to discuss it in person. Come to the address I send you when you're done there."

"Oh okay," she glanced over her shoulder to see Light waiting politely. "I gotta go. I'll see you then."

She hung up and turned back to Light. She slipped her phone back in her purse and smiled at him.

"Sorry about that."

"Boyfriend?"

Misa shook her head emphatically, "No! Nothing like that, but I do have somewhere I have to be tonight unfortunately."

His expression was unreadable for just a moment before he reached into the breast pocket of his jacket, producing a small card.

"Here," he said, holding it out to her, "I'll give you my number. Don't worry, I won't even ask for yours. Shoot me a text sometime when you're free. No pressure."

She smiled apologetically, "Okay...I'm sorry about all of this. Today is just a little crazy."

"Should I do something crazier to grab your attention?" He teased.

She giggled at this, "No thanks, I've got all the crazy my life can handle." She smiled shyly, looking up at him through her lashes, "Besides, I think you've got my attention."

At that moment his ride pulled up with a man hopping out hastily to hold the door open for him. Light leaned forward, his mouth hovering near the shell of her ear, "I'm so glad to hear it." Goosebumps erupted along her arms.

He gave her another dazzling smile as he got into the waiting vehicle. She watched him leave before glancing down at the business card she still held, thinking that she may have to keep that particular encounter a secret from Kana.

The address Ryuzaki told her to go to looked to be a large, sleek apartment building that loomed Intimidatingly above her. She looked at the text again: top floor. She walked inside unsure, holding a small container of cake she had gone home quickly to prepare for him. A man in a plain suit approached her.

"Miss Amane?" He asked.

She nodded as he bowed, "I'm Shuichi Aizawa. I'm with Ryuzaki. We're located upstairs, he asked that I escort you."

"This is what Ryuzaki is using as an office?" She asked confused.

The agent shrugged as he directed her towards the elevator, "He said this would be more comfortable for him. He's using the penthouse."

"May I ask, how many people are working with him...with Ryuzaki?"

The agent thought for a moment, "I'm not sure. He has a few of us on call as needed."

"And he pays you guys?" She asked puzzled.

"Oh yes he's compensating us quite generously. Though I think a few would of them have done it for free just so they could put working with him on their resume."

All she could think of was how expensive it all sounded while she carried her own meager contribution to the operation in a small plastic container. Just how much money was he pouring into helping her?

The elevator doors finally slid open to reveal the foyer into the penthouse. It was enormous and seemed to be made nearly entirely of glass windows that overlooked the city around them. Some of the rooms they passed had walls that were partially transparent with frosted glass.

It was decorated somewhat strangely though; the furniture was distinctly European, down to the tea set sitting on the mahogany coffee table in the large living area. She noticed someone familiar standing by giving her a crinkly eyed smile.

"Watari!" She said delighted.

He smiled warmly at her, "It's nice to see you again."

Watari worked exclusively with Ryuzaki, though she couldn't quite figure out if their relationship was familial or not. He was especially kind to her when her parents died and was the one who brought Ryuzaki onto her case.

He gestured towards the large couch for her to settle down on where Ryuzaki waited biting his thumb.

"Ryuzaki this place is nuts!" She exclaimed looking around. The windows in the living area had billowy white curtains drawn against the brightness of the setting sun.

"They don't mind you using it like this." She asked him concerned, "You're using the entire penthouse?"

"Why would anyone mind? I own the building."

Misa nearly choked, "You what?"

Ryuzaki looked at her in mild surprise, "I said: I own the building. The penthouse is mine too, of course, I just prefer to stay outside of Tokyo when I visit, but since you're located closer this made the most sense." He poured himself tea from a delicate looking silver tea pot, adding in an obscene amount of sugar cubes. "This also has helicopter access if I need it." He added casually.

She was stunned. Even as they spoke he perched on a couch that was most likely worth more than her entire apartment, in frayed jeans he probably owned since before the first time they met years ago. It made no sense to her.

She was successful as a model, but no where near the realm of owning an entire apartment building. She glanced down at the small container of cake she brought suddenly feeling very inadequate.

"Is that for me?" He asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Yeah...This is why I was a little late."

She reached hesitantly for a small silver plate and served him a slice.

"What type of cake is this?" Ryuzaki asked, holding the plate up to eye level, examining it closely, "There's no frosting...pound cake?"

"Honey Castella" she replied softly, "My mom used to make it for me. It's her recipe."

"Ah." He stuffed a forkful in his mouth. She sat awkwardly for a moment as he ate, watching him closely, waiting to see if he liked it or not.

"Well, do you like it?"

Ryuzaki nodded, already grabbing for another piece.

"That was kind of you." Watari remarked as Misa offered him a piece as well.

She blushed, "It's really the least I can do. I haven't made sweets in a long time, you know since my parents...so when Ryuzaki asked to be paid in cake I-"

Ryuzaki coughed.

Watari's eyes moved between the two of them with a small smile. "I see. I'm glad to hear it."

"We should discuss the contents of the box." Ryuzaki said, setting his empty plate back down, "I was going to discard of the flowers. Unless for some reason you want keep them?"

The roses currently sat in a battered cardboard box on the coffee table, their deep red petals slightly wilted. She shook her head.

"I don't even wanna touch them."

"Then that leads me to security. This man, and I'm assuming it's a man based on the behavior, is escalating. The messages, the pictures, the package. I don't say this to scare you, only to make you aware."

"You said I should continue my life like normal right?" She asked, nervously twisting the hem of her skirt. She wondered how on earth she could possibly continue pretending nothing had changed when he was apparently escalating. What did he plan to escalate up to next?

"Yes. He knows you're a model so he may know that your agency won't be of any help. We don't know for sure yet if he's aware you've contacted authorities for assistance, but I have a suspicion he does after last night. I'm sure he was watching very closely."

She took a steadying breath, nodding as he continued.

"We're not yet to the point of having someone from my team to follow you for your safety, but if that case does arise I have plans in place..." He trailed off as an agent entered, looking grim.

"Could you excuse us please Misa." Ryuzaki murmured frowning. Misa nodded glumly and left the men alone, wandering over to a sliding glass door that lead to the expansive balcony.

She stepped out and was greeted to a breathtaking view of the city. She leaned on the railing as a warm, balmy breeze with the promise of rain ruffled her hair.

"It's a lovely view."

Watari had followed her and looked out over the city with her. He mopped his sweaty forehead with a handkerchief, "A little warm perhaps."

"It's pretty." She said quietly.

"Something wrong?" He asked concerned.

"To be honest, I'm uncomfortable." She confessed. "I know I wanted his help, but after seeing how much time and money he's spending I feel bad. He could be helping someone more important than me."

The old man looked at her with sympathy, "And what makes you less important than anyone else?"

She shrugged. She didn't know much about Ryuzaki other than that he was a world renowned private detective. She recalled the excited whispers among the police when he took her parents case, how every detective clamored to get his advice, how he had apparently caught terrorists, serial killers, arsonists. In the years since they parted she would try looking him up occasionally, but internet searches came up largely empty.

"Well, I'm not a politician who needs protection or a serial killer who needs catching. I'm just a model with a stalker."

"Hmm." Watari thought for a moment, "This is how he handles every case he works on. He gives it everything he has."

"So, I'm not special then." Misa sighed, looking down at the streets below with a sad smile, internally frustrated with herself for being so contradictory.

Watari chuckled softly, "Oh, I wouldn't say that."

"Misa." She turned to see Ryuzaki waving her back in.

"Is something wrong?" She asked as she stepped back inside. Aizawa looked slightly stressed whereas Ryuzaki's pensive face revealed nothing.

"One of the windows in your apartment was broken. He left a flower." Aizawa explained.

"A rose, to be exact." Ryuzaki said thoughtfully, "He seems to be upset you didn't personally accept his gift."

"You think?" She replied exasperated, already drained at the thought of cleaning up glass and dealing with a more irate stalker. "He wants to scare me, but sends me flowers. Then he gets mad at me? If he wants me so bad shouldn't he be...I don't know, nicer?"

"This man isn't playing by normal rules." Ryuzaki explained, "It's about power and control. You denied him the act of watching you open the box. In his mind you took something from him and so he's punishing you for it."

"Should I go back there now?" She asked, watching as Ryuzaki paced around the room, thinking intently. He seemed to get an idea.

"No." He said decisively, "I'll have someone sent to clean it up tomorrow. You can stay here for tonight."

She suddenly felt very warm. "Here?"

"Yes, I have several unused guest rooms. Unless you'd be more comfortable elsewhere?"

She briefly thought of Naomi, who had plenty of room and would surely let Misa stay with her in a heartbeat, but Misa quickly replied, "No...Here is fine."

She tentatively padded out to the dimly lit kitchen, long after the others had gone home. She could not possibly sleep, too acutely aware that they were the only two there. Through one of the sets of semi-transparent sliding glass doors, she could see Ryuzaki who sat hunched in front of a computer. He'd probably be there all night which gave her an idea.

While the coffee brewed she looked through the fridge for snacks. Unsurprisingly, real food was scarce. There was a small glass pitcher of water, a half empty carton of cream and a container of fresh strawberries. How are you so rich, but have nothing to eat she thought irritably. The cabinets were loaded with foreign looking sweets and half opened packages of cookies. She grabbed the strawberries, thinking they were by a large margin the most nutritious item in the apartment.

The warm aroma of coffee now filled the kitchen. She hummed softly to herself as she poured some in a cup, setting it neatly on a tray along with the strawberries and sugar cubes. She remembered the cake she brought and quickly opened the container sitting on the marble island, putting the last slice on a plate for him. She stood back, admiring her work. Something about the whole act of bringing him a snack at night while he worked made her feel somewhat domestic.

"Ryuzaki?" She called timidly outside of his office.

Ryuzaki slid the door open for her, looking at the tray in surprise. "Is something wrong?"

"I'm having a hard time sleeping." She admitted, as she stepped inside to set it carefully on his desk.

"I'm having someone sent to your apartment to clean up the mess and to install more cameras as soon as morning." He said promptly, his eyes straying to the tray, already plunking a few cubes into the coffee.

"Thank you." She said, sitting on the leather couch across from his desk. "What brought that up?"

He settled back in front of the computer. "You can't sleep because you're worried about your stalker, correct?"

Not entirely, she thought, but she smiled knowingly, "So you were trying to comfort me?"

"I suppose..." he muttered, taking an absent minded bite of cake. He continued typing, the light from the computer casting a blue glow on his pale features. He looked as tired as he usually did. His dark eyes darted back and forth reading quickly.

"Why did you become a detective?" She asked suddenly.

He looked up at her, "Why do you ask?"

She shrugged hugging her knees, "I'm just curious. Like, why do you do it?"

He thought for a moment. She watched him choose his words carefully, "I like to solve problems...see justice served. I want to do my part in making the world better."

"But why?" She pressed.

"Everyone should." He said simply, adding, "You wanted justice for your family."

"I did, but that's because they were my family. I loved them. You do this for anyone or at least anyone you find interesting right?"

"I think someone should be looking out for everyone's best interest regardless of whether or not they have a personal stake in their life."

She couldn't read him well, but there was something guarded in his expression that made her question if there was more to it than that. She wondered if there had ever been a time in his life where someone should have been looking out for him. Had someone failed him? She didn't feel it was her place to ask, not yet anyway.

"I guess that's true, but I don't think I could do a job where I deal with bad news all day like you do."

"Well I don't think I could do a job that requires me to wear a thong bikini like you do." He retorted.

At this she fell back on the couch, covering her mouth as she giggled uncontrollably. "You're right, my job is way harder."

She peeked up at him and noticed the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. The closest she'd gotten to a smile from him. It was also the first conversation she had with him that wasn't completely revolved about her stalker. It felt natural. She didn't want to stop, but of course he was the responsible one.

"You should try and get some sleep." He suggested, popping a strawberry into his mouth.

"Yeah yeah, but take your own advice alright?"

He grunted an unintelligible reply, already lost in whatever he was reading on his computer again.

She stood yawning but paused mid-stretch when she noticed something familiar sitting on his shelf. She hadn't released much music, just a few singles that did moderately well in online sales, so she hadn't seen many people purchase physical copies of them. She was touched.

"Did you need something else?" He asked, glancing up from his screen again.

She blushed, quickly stammering out, "N-no! Goodnight Ryuzaki!"

She hurried out of his office and practically floated down the hall, her brain not at all working properly. Her thoughts bounced around her skull in a happy, incoherent little mess.

He bought my CDs!

Do I...

No way.

I'm over thinking this.

I just haven't had a decent guys attention in a while. She reasoned with herself, rubbing her face as if she could fade away the scarlet blush that stained her cheeks. But that's not true, said a sly inner voice. Thats right. Light Yagami showed her plenty of attention, even asking her out, and while she was certainly flattered by it, it didn't affect her nearly as much. Flirting with him was like flirting with any other guy, but Ryuzaki? There was just something different there.

L got up stretching, his back ached from being cramped in front of the computer researching all night. He twisted his neck trying to work the knots out to no avail. Misa's stalker, though seemingly infantile and prone to emotional outbursts, had yet to leave a concrete trail for him to follow. The twitter account was a dead end, the package left at her door had no fingerprints. The roses he left were of a standard variety and nearly impossible to trace back to a viable source.

But L knew keeping Misa out all night would be sure to anger him more. Good. He looked forward to seeing what move the petulant child made next.

The sun was beginning to rise over the city. An excellent time for another cup of coffee, he wasn't tired anyway.

He felt an unfamiliar tugging sensation in his chest as he neared the room Misa was in, like a balloon being pulled at the end of a string. He paused when he saw the door left open. She lay curled asleep on the bed inside, her golden hair splayed over the pillow.

He thought back five years earlier to a similar scene of her asleep in an interrogation room, Watari's long grey overcoat laid over the top of her.

The old man looked at her with pity, "She's a good girl."

L looked on indifferently. He could have taken any case he wanted, anywhere in the world. When Watari brought him into the Tokyo precinct, he assumed it was for something different. Already since arriving several agents had approached him asking for professional consultation on several high profile cases. Instead, they stood together outside of a one way mirror watching the interrogation of a teenage girl.

"She reminds me of you actually." Watari observed. "When you were very young. So angry. So full of hurt."

L watched her closely as she was shaken awake by an officer. For nearly an hour she argued passionately with the exasperated interviewer. Her arms crossed over her chest, looking away in defiance. Once the man left the room however, she lay her head on the table exhausted, tears streaming down her miserable face.

"Tell them to stop treating her like a suspect." L said annoyed, "It's obvious she's not."

"They think she had something to do with it." Watari explained gravely, "Double homicide in a peaceful neighborhood. They want this wrapped up quickly. They'll try to pin it on her."

L's eyes met hers through the window, though she didn't know it.

"Will you let that happen?"

Of course he wouldn't.

The sun came in through a crack in the curtains, casting a beam of light across her peaceful face. She exhaled softly through her parted lips, hugging her pillow with a sleepy moan. Whatever nebulous thread that reached through the one way glass those many years ago, still tethered Misa to him now...or was it the other way around? He backed out of the room quietly, sliding the door shut, thinking perhaps he may need some sleep after all.

AN: So if you're like me you may be thinking, "CDs? I thought this was a modern AU!" But apparently they're still relatively big in Japan. According to an article I read, 71% of their music sales is physical media like CDs, so it made sense to have L purchase them. Though, I also like the idea of L just kinda being stuck in the past in some ways (like his old ass flip-phone).

As always thanks for reading, your comments are so encouraging and keep me going!