An hour passed slowly as L was forced to stop his work and tend to the child Watari left with him. He sighed, Near crawled over to him and handed him a car from his toy pile.

"Thank you, but it is yours, you play with it." L took a step back. Near sat down and stared, holding the toy out in his hand.

"I do not play with toys Near, but I really do need to get some work done." He got back in his chair leaving the child on the floor. L was about to begin working when he received a communication from Watari.

"Watari, are you coming to get him?" He said hopefully.

"No. I just wanted to check in and see how you two were getting along."

"He will not allow me to finish this case."

"L, it's only a few hours, you can solve that case in a matter of minutes, Near needs looked after, what's he doing?" L turned his chair to face the child.

"He is staring at me. I do not know what to do with children Watari, come and get him."

"L, you're a famous detective, you put criminals in jail, go over evidence, work the really difficult, unsolvable-"

"I mean it Watari. I do not know what to do." The old man sighed.

"You can do it, just relax." Near was back at the chair, now shaking the car at L.

"No. I do not want it." L said sternly.

"What?"

"Not you Watari, he is shaking his toys at me, is that some kind of-"

"It's an invitation to play, he wants to share with you. You should feel honored, Near doesn't share with just anyone. That reminds me of the very first time you shared with me. A piece of chocolate, it was. Before that you just-"

"I do not play."

"Today you do."

"Watari-"

"Since you two are having trouble breaking the ice, why not see if you can give him a snack or just spend time with him. That is what a good babysitter do-"

"Stop that, that is not a toy."

"Don't be so hard on him, you were little once too."

"I did not run over the evidence to an important case with fire engine."

"Just-"

"You cannot stand on it, you will-" A small thump reached Watari's ears as L got down to help a stunned Near off the floor. The boy cast his gaze to the floor.

"I did try to tell you." L said lifting the boy up after Near fell trying to climb on his toys. L held the child at arm's length and looked him over to make sure he was alright.

Near's tiny hands made grabbing motions toward the detective.

'L, what happened?"

"Near fell, he is fine." The boy leaned closer in an attempt to grab L.

"I am not a toy." Near made a small sound but didn't give up.

"You are very persistent Near, I will give you that much, however, I am led to believe that perhaps the fall frightened you and this is your way of seeking comfort, very well, but only for a moment." L pulled the boy closer, instantly near rested his head on the detective's chest. With a sigh, L got back in his chair.

"Are you sure, he didn't hit his head or anything?"

"No Watari, Near is fine a little afraid but physically I see nothing to worry about."

"Good. Just keep a close eye on him for a while. I should be back later this afternoon or early evening."

"Watari, you told me he did not need much, he has been clinging to me since he arrived."

"That's interesting, he doesn't do that at the house, I think he likes you. Maybe he saw something in you that made him want to be friends."

"In our line of work, there are no friends, attachments are-"

"He's practically a baby L, it wouldn't hurt you to show him some kindness."

"He will learn that forming bonds with others leads to weakness that can be exploited by criminals during cases and can prove fatal."

"Later in his life yes he will learn What you were taught, right now, be nice. I have to go, I'll talk with you again soon." Before L could respond,Watari was gone. He looked down at the white hairs child who was now asleep.

"Perhaps now I will get some work done." He said quietly to himself as he began to type on his computer, all the while, young near slept soundly held carefully by L who would look down to check on him frequently before continuing to work on his current case.