A/N: As I predicted, every other day didn't work because I was on vacation, and although I had internet the majority of the time, I didn't have time to go through and type everything up. Sorry. I did, however, finish this, and Matt's chapter is half written. It should be up soon. Also, thank you to everyone who reviewed/favorited/alerted. I appreciate it.

Just so you know, I plan on continuing this fic until I run out of characters, so if there's anyone you'd like to see, lemme know. Kthnxbai.

Disclaimer: I forgot this last time, but I don't own it. Original idea isn't mine either. Only the words and the order in which they occur.

Who is Near?

Near is a puzzle piece just a little different than the others.

Near is ice easier to melt than most people think.

Near is the only one to ever have shut Mello up.

Near is a pale finger twirled in a mop of snow-white hair.

Near is a voice, raised barely above a whisper, that can catch the attention of a room full of people at least three years older than himself.

Near is the quietest child at Wammy's House… and also the most stubborn.

Near is the only one who never gave up on Mello, even when Mello gave up on him.

Near is a toy robot clutched by a child much older than he seems.

Near is analyzing anything and everything just in case it comes in handy some day.

Near is a silent nod of respect to the man who gave his time to helping Near and the others to succeed.

Near is a tiny smile hiding a devious plot.

Near is a cheeky little bugger when he wants to be.

Near is L's silent shadow—watching, learning, waiting.

Near is towers and towers of building blocks and puzzles, because every block has its place, and every puzzle has an answer.

Near is like the pieces on his robots—detachable.

Near is a pout that'll get him just about anything from his superiors.

Near is an animated discussion with Roger about maybe expanding the playroom just a little bit.

Near is a tiny bit of resentment toward the ones who left, and left him behind.

Near is a reluctant giggle when Mello does something worth laughing at.

Near is Remembering. Remembering a brilliant blonde boy with eyes like ice and a smirk on his face. Remembering a boy in goggles and stripes, a cigarette clutched between his lips and a Game Boy in his hand. Remembering a soft-spoken detective with icing on his fingers and a sense of justice yet to be matched. Remembering a small pale boy in white pajamas who will never, ever give up.

A bit less angsty than Mello's. Not by much, but still. ;) And I really have no idea where the ending came from. Blame an hour and a half on a double-decker bus with nothing to think about but old historic documents. Not that they weren't fascinating or anything….

Thanks for reading!

-Eggy