Writing this chapter was hard work...I wrote it over three times before getting this..hope that it paid off...anyways enjoy and REVIEW!!

Heartache

Mello's POV

"Near?" I said softly, cautiously taking a few steps closer to the lying figure. It was getting more difficult to breathe just looking at Near like this, I slowly set myself down on the bed, holding a thin hand.

"Nnh.." a soft whimper escaped those lips. "Shh" I hushed stroking a hand through Near's curls, "You're safe now, I'm here." My hands starting to shake a little, but I tried to hold back the heartache and tears.

Near, how am I suppose to help you through this?

Damn it all…I would never be able to shake that image away. Near's blood dripping down her torso, to those thin legs, staining the water dark red, Beyond Birthday lying motionless with three bullets to the heart and one between the eyes, his dirty blood splashed on Near's face. That image of Near half way ripped apart, barely breathing, naked and eyes shut tight.

"M-Mello…" I held her hand tighter. "Shh, it's ok" No, it's not, who am I trying to kid? Nothing's ok. Near, I'm sorry, but I'm here now. I don't want to lose you again. I wiped my eyes, bringing the hand close to my lips and gently placing a kiss.

Near, please stay alive, we need you.

**

"Um, Mello, I need to tell you something."

"Yeah what is it?"

"Well, it's not very important, but I just wanted you to know."

"…?"

"I love you. I've always loved you, for a long time now."

"Ever since I first laid eyes on you."

"Huh? H-How'd you-"

"It's the same for me. I've loved you since you were just a little squirt sitting in the hall. Here, I even have the picture to prove it."

"…this picture...it's just like the one I have of you…"

"This one?"

"Yes..um..may I have it back?"

"S-Sure"

"Thank you"

…

"And uh..don't say that it's not important.."

"Wha-"

"It's very important.. that you love me."

…

"I love you, Mello. I've always loved you, for a long time now, ever since I first saw you, spying on me with your little camera."

"WHAT!"

"And I'll always love you."

"M-Mello?" I woke up from my dream, hands still holding Near's.

"Hey, good morning" I tried to sound casual even though Near's been asleep for five days now. "I'm glad you're awake." I smiled, feeling a great weight lifting off my shoulders. I saw those dark eyes finally opening, looking very blank.

"Mello? Where are you?" dark orbs shifted left and right. "I'm right here." I gripped Near's hand, letting the kid know that I was by her side, "It's alright, everything's fine now"

"I can't see.." Near's voice already beginning to shake. "It's ok, the doctors said they have to wait till you were awake before doing anything about your eyes, but I'm sure that they can help you." I wiped some of the tears that were slipping down Near's face. The kid seemed a little relieved. I can't believe B.B. would do something like this to Near, just thinking about it makes me want to kill that piece of shit all over again. Near, don't worry, if they can't fix it, I'll take care of you and be your eyes.

"Near, wait, you're not suppose to get up," I quickly caught a hold of the thin body before it collapse back to the bed, "take it easy." I held Near's body close to mine, feeling those cold fingers on my arms for support.

"Nnh.." Near whimpered, a hand falling to her now flat abdomen, eyes widening. "Where's the baby?" that was more of an exclamation than question. Before I could answer, the kid starts sobbing, looking up at me with such grieved eyes, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Mello.." Near clutched onto me. "Please, I'm sorry, p-please don't hate me…I'm sorry.."

"Shh, the baby's alive, don't worry. I don't hate you. I love you." I tried to sooth, resting my face on those soft white curls, desperately trying to hide how much those words were killing me inside. Damn it, I hope BB's freakin' burning in hell for this.

"R-Really?" that childish voice asked, hiccupping and tears still brimming, but Near was smiling. "It's alive.." Near whispered on my chest.

"He's in the nursery, do you want to see him?" Why the hell did I use the word 'see'? But Near didn't seem to notice, eagerly nodding.

It was the most perfect picture I'd ever seen, Near holding our son in her thin arms, smiling and kissing it tenderly on the forehead. I don't think I could get any more ecstatic than right now, until that is when Near asked, "What does he look like?"

SHIT! I feel like someone just stomped over my heart. I swallowed down the pain I felt, slowly opening my mouth to speak, "He looks like us," I tried to make my voice as optimistic as possible, moving closer to snuggle up with the two most important people in my life.

"Really?" Near smiled, looking at me for more elaboration. "Yup, he has your eyes" the smile grew bigger, I imagined that Near must be picturing what he looks like in her mind right now, but it shouldn't be too difficult since Near's a genius and all.

"What's the color of his hair?" big black eyes looked up at me expectantly. "It's blonde." Near didn't say anything after that, just gently stroke the baby, probably trying to picture it in her mind again. "He must be really beautiful" Near finally broke the silence. "Yeah, he is." I muttered.

"I wish I could see it myself." My heart wrenched hearing those words. "You will." That's all I could say, wrapping myself around my two love, trying to be strong for them both.

Everything's going to be ok…..

Ah!! This sucks!! I seriously don't know how to continue...can I leave a cliffhanger?...give you guys a chance to imagine the ending yourselves XD...will that be ok?...ah!...