Chapter eleven:
Mello's gun begins shaking.
Near's hands gently bush against Mello's cheeks causing the other to gasp.
Mello leans back away from the touch gun still trained on Near.
Near stays there watching Mello as if waiting.
Mello's gun trembles then it stops only to power down. He transforms it back into his hand then moves forward wrapping his arms around Near pulling him close in tears.
Near returns the hug. "I knew you could do it."
"Matt used a hack to change some programing." Mello says. "I managed to use the hacking skills I was given to break free. Deleting those programs he put in so I can go back to normal."
"I'm proud of you." Near says still remaining strong. "I can do a quick check to make sure that it's all good now."
Mello nods. "Please. I don't want to hurt you."
Near takes him back to the room making sure that Matt isn't there. He gets Mello into the chair once more and though Mello was hesitant he trusts Near so he gets in. He puts Mello into sleep mode then looks to him. "I'm sorry. I wasn't able to stop it. Despite my efforts things have taken a wrong turn with Matt." He says quietly only to look away. He begins to check that everything is alright.
"Not so fast."
Near blinks at the voice but then he notices that Matt is hacking into Mello's deleted files that are stored in a special place that Mello can't access them just in case.
They had made this since they wanted to be safe rather than sorry if something important gets put there or if anything happens.
"I won't let you." Near says knowing that Matt is planning to put the deleted files on a restore so Mello will once again go back to trying to kill him. "I will do what I can to stop you." He begins working quickly but Matt is a much better hacker than he is. He turns. "Manual time." He says quietly then dashes to where he heard Matt's voice he ends up finding him just outside of the room. He tackles him sending the laptop flying.
The two watch as the laptop hits the wall then the floor harshly causing it to crash.
"NO!" Matt pushes Near off only to hurry over to it. "I can't get into those files now!"
Near gets up as does Matt.
Matt glares at Near. "This isn't over." He turns and dashes away.
Near's eyes fall to half open as the only sign of worry and regret he is allowing him to show. "I know and I'm sorry that I couldn't save you." He says then heads back to the room. He has to make sure that Mello is okay and to delete the programs that Matt made to make Mello a killer. He knows that he needs to keep Mello in as best shape because Matt will be back. He finishes up then lets Mello wake up in which he wait for the other to do so.
Mello's eyes blink open and he turns his head to Near.
"How do you feel?" Near asks him.
"Truly back to normal." Mello admits. "Thanks."
"You know this isn't over. He came back for a second try this time to try to restore the data I was getting rid of." Near nods to the left laptop in which Mello glances to it. "He will be back. That much we can say for sure."
"Then I'll stop him. Or you can." Mello says glaring at the laptop.
"I'll need to keep you in the best shape possible just in case. I will also be working on upgrades because he will know what you have right now." Near explains.
Mello turns to Near. "I will always be ready to help in any way. I promise."
Near smiles and the two hug. "Thank you Mello."
"Don't mention it Near." Mello assures him.
So over the months the two worked together to keep Mello in top shape, keep Near safe and work on updates for Mello.
Near knew what was coming so he tried to plan around that and do what he can without truly knowing when the red head will be coming back. He is working on a project with Mello watching trying to figure out what Near is doing. He wouldn't tell Mello at least not yet and Mello backed off in favor of watching.
Then a woman comes into the room. "Guess who!"
Mello jumps away from the wall he was leaning against and aims his gun at the woman.
Near turns and rushes over. "Mello calm down. It's just my sister."
Mello lowers his weapon letting it turn back into a hand. "Ah. Sorry."
The woman smiles. She has white hair that's straight and goes down to her waist and winter blue eyes. She is wearing a tank top with a white skull on it and rips in certain parts that are done in a fashion way revealing a black tank top bra underneath. She also has on black short shots and brown knee high tie up boots without really a heel. "It's good to see that my older brother is being well protected." She compliments making Mello stand tall in pride. "So you're Mello huh? My names Rai."
Mello extends a hand. "Nice to meet you." He says as Rai shakes it then they turn to Near.
"It's been awhile." Near says.
"Yeah. I've come to talk to you about a few things." Rai admits looking rather serious.
Near frowns in worry. "What happened?" He asks.
"Do you remember Matt?" Rai asks.
Near nods. "Yeah. What happened?" He asks even more worried now.
"I over heard that he has… Improved himself." Rai says. "I think that he's coming back."
"Oh no." Near breathes out.
"Also." Rai continues causing Near to turn to her. "As discussed I made sure that my son knows to come here if I tell him that he's in danger. He kind of reminds me a little of you which is probably because he has shorter hair than me. Me and my boyfriend are just worried that Matt might go after him if he has a specific look in mind or just because he's connected to you."
"Right. If the need arises then we will do all we can." Near assures his sister.
"Yes." Mello says in agreement. "I will do my best to protect anyone related to Near or anyone he cares for if I can."
Rai smiles. "Thank you. Thank you both." She says gratefully.
Near turns to Mello. "I think it is time I explained what I am working on."
Mello turns to him but they turn back to Rai when she speaks.
"I must get going." Rai says. "But I wanted to drop in and I also wanted to let you know what I heard."
"Thank you for the information sister." Near says then they share a hug before Rai leaves. He turns to Mello who meets his gaze. "I have been trying to look at all scenarios of what could happen and prioritized things that are the most dangerous." He leads the blonde to what he was working on. "So I've made a new installment for you. It'll allow you to travel back in time then back to the future. It'll appear as a button on your arm when you want it to come out. You will send the date to it as it'll be hooked up to you then you along with things in a close proximity will travel through time."
"Do you think we'll ever actually need it. I mean it's fucking cool but I'm just asking." Mello asks as he looks at the piece of technology with a button.
"Matt is a genius." Near reminds Mello. "He was right behind us in scoring. So it is very likely that he'll do this if he cannot beat us here."
Mello nods. "Yeah. Okay. I see what you're saying." He agrees. "Are we installing it now?"
"Almost. I just have a few finishing touches." Near informs him.
Mello nods. "Okay." He backs off so Near can finish but he watches as Near fiddles with the circuits a little then check a few things.
"There." Near says. "Now we can install it."
"Great!" Mello grins in excitement for this.
Meanwhile…
"It is done." A male's voice says.
"Did it work?" A female's voice asks.
"It worked." A third voice assures them.
