Four hours later found Mello sitting in Rogers's office with his arms crossed over his chest as his mind worked through the situation frantically. He had insisted on talking to L, something Roger hadn't been very happy with, but Mello hadn't given up. After hours of arguing Roger finally agreed to contact Wammy.

Which is why Mello was currently sitting across from Rogers computer, waiting for the familiar L to appear on the screen. Wammy had told Roger that L would call in to speak to Mello, but if this was any sort of trick there would be consequences.

Mello just told Roger to let L know to hurry.

The older man hadn't seemed to appreciate it.

Mello jumped as the gothic L appeared on the screen, "Hello, Mello. What did you need?"

"You are going to have me committed," Mello muttered as he struggled to find a way to explain himself and his odd behavior.

"There is always that possibility," L's distorted voice answered, "please tell me what it is you need. I am very busy."

Mello closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and began, "Just don't interrupt me until I'm done, alright? In four days, a young man named Light Yagami is going to find and notebook-"

"Mello-"

"L, please listen! I promise, I'm not making this up. Please."

There was silence and Mello was certain the transmission was going to be shut off at any moment. But a moment later, L's voice came through the speakers, "Continue."

"As I was saying, Light Yagami…"

He went through it all. Every bit of information L had sent. The fact that L himself had been killed by the Death Note. That, since neither Mello or Near had officially been declared heir, and Mello had left Wammy House and joined the Mafia while searching for Kira. That Near had put together a task force with the Americans. Mello told him everything he had done. Told him about Light taking over the position of L. Of dragging Matt into the mess. Of the plan. Matt's death. Mello's death.

"I don't know if it worked," Mello finished, "I don't know if Near beat him. Maybe Near died after I did. But the Death Note says that anyone that uses it can't go to Heaven or Hell. I used it. After I… died, it was just darkness. Nothing but black and silence. And then… I was here. Back in my thirteen year old body before Kira exists. We have to stop it, L. It can't happen again! It just c-"

"I believe you."

"-what?" Mello asked, shocked. He honestly hadn't expected L to believe him.

"Please relay the entire story to Near and Matt and make sure all three of you are ready to leave Wammy House tomorrow. Wammy will pick you up and bring you to me. I will be working on a plan. Do you happen to know where Yagami found this…Death Note?"

Mello slowly shook his head, "No, I don't think we ever found out – wait, why do you believe me?"

"Should I not?" L questioned. Mello didn't have time to form a response before he continued, "You have not had any recent head injuries, nor is the level of detail you relayed possible in a dream. Based on history, you do not tell stories for attention, instead competing with Near for the top position. And, if such a story was made by you, I do not believe you would be relying on Near to be the hero. I shall have Wammy call Roger and let him know the three of you will be leaving."

Mello stared at the black screen, heart pounding in surprise and relief. L believed him. He was going to try to stop it. Stop Kira before he even existed.

Mello closed his eyes and let out a deep breath before pushing himself to his feet. He needed to find Matt and Near.

"Have you gone insane, Mells?" Matt demanded, shaking his head when Mello finally finished. "A notebook that kills people by writing down someone's name? Really? Couldn't you have thought of anything better than that?"

"I swear I'm telling the truth, Matty," Mello said, staring at his best friend. He felt tears sting his eyes. "Shit. You have no idea how happy I am that you're alive."

Matt's mouth snapped closed at the comment as he winced. "Yeah, that didn't sound pleasant," he muttered, staring down at his body as if he was imagining multiple bullet wounds.

"So it is unclear if Kira was found out in the end," Near commented, twirling a strand of hair between his fingers. His eyes were focused on the cards in front of him, cards that Mello had found when he had noticed the younger boy looking more and more uncomfortable during the tale. "And Mello and Matt were both killed. Why did Mello leave?"

Mello blinked in surprise at the sudden change in conversation, "What?"

"Mello said L did not choose an heir and Roger suggested a pairing. Why did Mello leave?" It was as close as Mello had ever heard to the boy sounding demanding. It was odd. And a little disconcerting.

He gaped at the younger boy in shock, trying to formulate an answer. He was certain Near knew the reason. Why would he want Mello to state the obvious? But maybe Mello owed it to him. Or to a version of him, anyway.

"I didn't want to share it with you. I left so I could prove that I was better than you were," Mello replied slowly, noticing the younger boy's hand had stopped stacking the cards as he did so. "I was too stubborn to try to work together."

"And yet, Mello is here now," Near stated softly as the cards were placed on the floor beside him and his eyes travelled up slowly to look somewhere around Mello's collarbone.

"Well, not working with you got Matt killed."

"Uh, you died too, Mells," Matt cut in, looking between the two boys curiously.

Mello rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. He'd have thought Matt would have figured this out already. "That was expected."

Matt stared at Mello furiously at those words and Near climbed slowly to his feet. "Matt and Mello should start packing now," he said as he shuffled toward the door. "Mello should also make sure there was nothing left out of the events he has told us."

Mello fought back the irritation rising in his chest at the younger boys words as he disappeared out the door. He was going to change this, change all of it. He couldn't allow himself to fall into the same bad habits he had before. He needed to at least try to get along with the other boy.

"So…it took you six years to call me?"

Mello winced at the suddenly cold tone. "We already had this fight once. I'd rather not do it again."

Matt's green eyes narrowed behind his orange goggles. "No, you and future me had this fight. I have not."

Point made. Time for a rebuttal. "Alright, but I also didn't leave you."

Matt rolled his eyes as he pulled a suitcase out from under his bed, "whatever you say, Mells."