Chapter four:

They find a decent restaurant and head in to eat.

It's not long before they are sitting at a table.

"Say I was wondering." Near turns to Mello who is sitting beside him with the other two across from them.

Mello turns to Near.

"Are you fully robotic?" Near asks.

"No. Only part. That's what terminators are. We are part robotic. At least by future standards." Mello explains. "Though because of it we do sometimes come out as fully robotic to anyone who doesn't know."

"Ah I see." Near says with a nod.

They eat and generally talk then pay and leave when done.

"We should find something for Near to change into. Mine and A's clothes will be too big." BB says as they get into the truck.

"It's a good idea." Mello agrees. "It'll be harder for Matt to recognize him."

"You too. Since he probably also knows how you look." A adds.

Mello looks about to protest but Near speaks.

"It'll help hide us."

Mello glances to Near meeting his eyes for a moment. "Ok." He agrees glancing away.

BB begins driving.

"So your loyal to Near I take it." A says.

"Without a doubt." Mello responds.

"That's good." B says.

They arrive at a store and BB parks in the parking lot.

A leads them inside and they look around at the store. "Alright let's do this." He says and they move more inside of the store.

Soon Mello settles with a long sleeved black shirt and black pants with his hair tied back into a ponytail with some of his hair framing his face.

Near has on a black hoodie so he can pull the hood over his head, a grey muscle shirt, black pants and black runners.

"I do believe that will work." BB nods in approval.

So they get them then they head off as Near makes sure the hood is up. They knew Near's hair would be pretty obvious so they couldn't just throw on a hat or just change his clothes without something to help cover him.

Mello stays close to Near.

A falls into step with Mello. "Be careful of how you act." He says. "If you're not then you could give away the truth. Me and B are here to help. We aren't your enemies." He says whispering to Mello. "We want to protect Near as well. Be a little more relaxed."

"The one chasing us is dangerous." Mello whispers back. "I am not against you. I just know what we are dealing with."

"Perhaps you could share more later." A says.

Mello stays silent.

They get in the truck and head off.

Mello glances around looking like he is just looking out the windows but he doesn't see any sign of Matt. "So far so good." He whispers to himself then he turns to A and BB. "Say where are we going now?"

"A place where we can call home for now." A answers. "It'll be best for us to talk there."

Mello glances out the window he is closest to then out Near's window before turning back to the front window. He spots part of Matt's car peeking out of the alley. He hurriedly makes sure that Near's hood is up then he leans back trying to show relaxation to try to seem normal.

Near has his head down as if pretending to be asleep or looking at a phone.

Mello doesn't even acknowledge Matt as they drive by but he can feel Matt's gaze. He turns to look out the window next to him instead. He listens for Matt's car but doesn't hear it so after about two minuets he looks back but sees no sign of Matt or his car. He relaxes and turns to Near. "All good."

Near raises his head. "Thanks." He says in which Mello nods in response.

They make it to the house. It is a normal sized home with two stories and it also looks pretty normal. It has brown outside and a black door.

Mello nods liking this so far.

BB parks the truck in the garage that stands on the front side that seems small though Mello believes that it is because it is just the two of them.

As the garage door closes they get out. Mello walks by BB while Near and A walk a little ahead of them. They make it inside using the door in the garage which happens to be by a cozy looking living room with mahogany walls, white ceiling, dusty grey carpet, a black coffee table and grey couches except for one recliner that is dark brown. They take off their shoes before heading to said living room. A and BB settle on the grey loveseat, Mello lets Near sit on the recliner while he himself settles on the carpet by the coffee table.

"Okay. Now we can talk in more detail about what is going on. This is a house we use." A says. "What made Near at least in this timeline trust you?"

"With this." Mello gets his gun out in which A and BB tense. "I won't shoot unless Matt bursts into here or some other threat does." He assures them then shows them the signature.

"That's Near's signature alright." A nods. "Okay that convinces me even more." He leans back into his seat. "So tell us how this came to be to where we found you."

Mello puts away his weapon. "Well it started with…." He tells all that happened from Mello arriving at Whammy's up until A and BB found them.

Near adds a few things here and there.

A and BB nod in understanding.

"I see." BB says. "Well thank you for helping him."

"Don't worry about that." Mello says. "I will protect him until the end."

"We understand that but you must remember that right now you two are in hiding. We cannot confirm how to kill Matt as we don't really have those like you running around." A tells him. "So you sticking close to him all the time will draw attention."

"I understand that but Matt is one enemy that is not like any you will have encountered. It will be best if I am there to fight him off if he tries to attack Near." Mello responds.

"I am sure that we can stand our ground long enough for Near to at least get away." BB says defensively.

"He wouldn't hesitate on blowing you up in a second if you get in his way." Mello counters.

Near's voice makes them stop and glance away. "Please don't fight."

Mello turns to Near instead of looking away from the others. "Sorry." He apologises.

"It's okay. You all just want me to be safe." Near assures him.

A smiles then chuckles softly.

BB turns to A with an almost knowing look of suspicion. "I swear he learned that kind of thing from you. Being able to stop something like that and get us to listen." He says making the others laugh.

"Most likely." A says in agreement before waving it off. "Well anyways." He looks to Mello. "As long as we work together we should be fine."

"Should be." Mello says mostly in agreement.

"Now with that settled." A claps his hands together before anything else can be said. "Why don't we show you to where you guys can sleep?"

"Sounds good." Near agrees and gets up.

BB can already tell what his lover wants so he and Near head on down to the hall first.

Mello gets up to follow but A goes over grabbing his arm. He turns to A.

"How much does Near really mean to you? What is he to you? A creator?" A questions. "And be honest. I mean completely honest. No lies or skipping over anything. Nothing."