AN:

I am so sorry for not updating regularly! I should but this story is going to get put on hold in about 3 weeks because of finals and I am so sorry about that! I will try to write as often as I can so I can get all the chapters in!

Thank you to jinxofthedesert and LittleDevilPrincess for reviewing favouriting and so on, you each get a slice of cake!

How to read:

This chapter has a slightly confusing timeline, basically there's a flashback to when Beth first arrived at Wammy's, I decided to put that in there, it was going to be in a later chapter but I am trying to build a picture of Beth's life and her relationship with Near, how she met him and stuff. Beth is a hormonal teenager still remember, she's the same age as Near.

The other part of the story is set during the trade for the notebook, again I'm sure I've said this enough I had to edit it a little bit to suit the story so it's not all exactly the same as manga/anime so DON'T SKIP pleeeeeeeeeease.

I also figured out that I forgot to do the disclamer last chapter so,

L: forget it, I've done enough.

Me: Matsu?

Matsuda: I did it last time! Get Light to do it!

Me: ehm, maybe not he kind of scares me

Light: Hey? Where's Misa? I'll get her to tell me your real name!

Me: Although he is totally awesome of coarse! Please don't kill me Light! O_O

Light: Ugh, whatever.

L: Maybe our favourite fro-enthusiast will?

Aizawa: Fine. DarkWhispers112 owns nothing but the OC Beth.

Me: Thank you Aizawa!

Trade

*Flashback*

Wammy's. Why was I being brought here? I wasn't a genious. I wasn't particularly talented… I didn't even know who L was! So why was I here?

I wandered all of this as I first walked through the corridor of the scho- No. Not school. Orphanage. I was going to have to get used to that term. All around children stared at me, some whispering things to their friends. How rude. I felt extremely self-conscious right there and was beginning to lose myself in a daydream when suddenly I bumped into someone- a girl. She fell on the ground. I immediately stretched out my hand to help her up and began apologising.

'It's okay, can happen to anyone.' She said as she brushed herself off. She checked me out a confused expression on her face 'are you new?'

I was tiny compared to her, she was a whole head height taller than me although she was probably around the same age. Her hair was long and blonde, the complete opposite of my black locks. Her eyes sparkled a bright blue.

'Yeah I guess…'

She smiled warmly at me stretched out her hand. 'Nice to meet you then! I'm Linda, been here for the past 3 years. Do you want me to show you around?'

With a smile back I shook her hand. 'Sure!'

Without letting go of my hand she dragged me along around the orphanage showing me different rooms: the kitchen, the canteen, the dorm, the classrooms, the library and at last the play room.

We came up to the large glass doors of the playroom and looked inside. The room was filled with boxes of different toys, most of them being something to do with logical reasoning or science like puzzles, a Rubik's cube and dominoes. It made sense that Watari wanted the children to play with these kinds of toys.

The room seemed to be empty apart from this one kid. He sat crouched down, an unusually hard looking puzzle in front of him, but he seemed to be handling it with ease. His expression was completely emotionless. He had snow white hair and pale skin with grey eyes and wore pyjamas that were obviously too big for him. He's so cute! Was the first thought that came to my mind.

'That's Near. He's the first in line to succeed L. he never really talks to anyone just sits in the playroom by himself all day.' Linda informed me.

Near now finished his puzzle and lifted his head. His gaze shifted towards the glass door and right onto me. I froze. His expression remained emotionless, it was almost scary! Nevertheless I thought it was extremely adorable.

We stared at each other like that for a couple of seconds before he finally broke the gaze and put his puzzle away taking out a new one.

I smiled to myself. Something told me I was going to be seeing a lot more of this boy from now on. I wanted to get to know him for some reason. 'Do you think we should talk to him?'

'Don't bother. He not much of a…. conversationist!He's leaving in a couple of days nobody knows why though.'

Linda gestured for me to follow her out the door. I forced myself to tare my gaze away from this boy and followed her to the last room she was to show me: my room.

*End flashback*

Everything was falling into place now. I began to understand a little more, for example the mafia's motives. Everything began to clear itself up to me. Kira had to be someone who knew Takimura was kidnapped- I already knew that far, but now I also knew that Kira was within the police force. How? Because he either had to be one of the Task Force members or he could be getting his information from them which is highly unlikely. We were getting closer and closer to Kira, but I had a bad feeling about it all…. about when the mafia and Kira will 'collide', if you like.

I couldn't worry about that now, 2 days since Sayu was first kidnapped passed. It was time. Everything was set up so that the exchange could be made from the comfort of the base (for most of us anyway).

Everyone sat around the main area; Mello and Rod were looking into the screen of a laptop. The trade was apparently taking place in the middle of nowhere – at an abandoned underground facility used for criminal activity. I wasn't too happy with the way things were going but if everything went according to Mello's plan it should work out to the mafia's favour. The only thing I was really worried about is what Mello will do once… once the notebook is in his hands.

Rods phone lit up. He took it out and looked at the message. 'They're on the plane.' He informed us, meaning Mr. Yagami and one of the mafia men, Zakk Irius.

'Good.' Mello announced. It seems everything was going according to plan. 'Tell him to proceed.'

Rod did just that as Mello picked up a transceiver, the same sort of one Near used. They must be talking through a bug device.

'Yagami.' Mello said into the mike of the transceiver. 'Right now you're the only one that can hear my voice. Listen very carefully.' He put emphasis on the word 'very', 'I'm the one who kidnapped your daughter,' He now took out a chocolate bar (of course) and unwrapped it, 'but don't get the wrong idea. I have no interest in your daughter's life one way or the other or yours for that matter.' He sat with both his arms on the back of the sofa. Overly confident as always. He then picked up the microphone closer to his mouth, a mischievous grin on his face, eyes filled with determination.

I stared straight at him as this scene unfolded, not sure why but I couldn't help myself. He was so focused on this whole thing he didn't even notice which worked to my advantage. His voice suddenly changed to a darker tone 'There's only one thing I want and you know what that is: the notebook.' Wow, intimidating. ' Now all you have to do is follow my instructions. If you do that? No one has to die. As for the trade, I prepared things so that both of us could walk away satisfied. Play along and there will be no problems.' He then clicked the off button on the transceiver to end the transmission.

It seemed now like he was toying with his victim. His gaze shifted to me but as soon as he realized I was staring at him his expression changed to annoyance. 'What?' he sneered.

Without answering I looked at the ground and away from him, disappointment covering my face. This boy really did not like me at all. Why did that bother me so much? Either way I already knew the answer to that question but it wasn't something I was going to admit out loud any time soon. I felt like getting up and storming out of the room but that wouldn't have gotten me anywhere. I would have just looked weird in front on the others.

I looked back up at Mello who was now typing something on his laptop and eating his chocolate. 'They're landing soon.' He informed all of us, 'is our man in place?'

Rod nodded. That means the most interesting part of this was about to begin.

Mello quickly put the laptop down on the coffee table beside the couch so the rest of us could see the screen which displayed the inside of the trading area and took the mike into his hands. On the screen of the laptop, there was a huge glass sliding door thing you would often see in offices. Sayu was inside one of the sectors of the door, shivering obviously incredibly frightened. Suddenly a bit more light entered the (what I guess you could call a) room. Sayu lifted her head to see Mr Yagami walk down the steps into the room. The entrance door which actually opened up since the facility was underground slowly swung closed.

Sayu immediately lit up seeing her dad. She was yelling something at him although I could not tell what. The man that was supposed to be making the trade made his appearance, wearing a black mask over his face. He took out a large gun, Smith & Wesson Model 500 and shot. I closed my eyes with my hands from fright, I couldn't believe they were shooting her before the trade! Once I removed my fingers off my face however I realised that she wasn't actually being shot. He really only shot the glass, probably to prove it was bulletproof. Sayu was now on the ground, shaking violently once again. That poor innocent child. This is so not right.

The gunman spoke, 'the glass is bulletproof, understand?' so I was right. 'This place used to belong to a crime syndicate. They used to make trades just like this. We've made a few modifications as well.' He pointed to a rectangular opening in the glass door. 'Slide the notebook through here once that's done I'll release the lock. You stand back and I'll spin the glass door. The notebook will end up on my side and the girl on yours. However, if you don't agree to this trade… I'll shoot your daughter through this opening.'

I watched with anticipation. Was Mr Yagami going to hand over the notebook? I highly doubted he wouldn't.

Everything was silent. Even the mafia members that had been previously laughing and making a lot of noise quietened down a little. Everyone stared at the screen of the laptop.

Kira… If he was within the Japanese police, he knew about this kidnapping too. But then-

Mello lifted the mike again and switched it on 'Alright Y462, proceed.' He commanded.

'First open the notebook and insert it halfway into the slot in the glass door on your left.'

Mr Yagami did just that.

Then it hit me. 'Oh no!'

Everyone turned to look at me, well everyone but Mello whose attention was still focused on the screen in front of him.

'It's Kira!' I said, 'Kira's going to kill her!'

'That will only bring us a step closer to finding out who he is,' Jose who was sitting at the table a few feet away from the couch muttered.

' But, I mean…True…' But it will cost her life. I knew then that if Kira killed Sayu means he's definitely within the Task Force, because they're the only ones that know about this. They're the only ones that are taking action, just like with Takimura's kidnapping. Except there's something different about this- this is way more personal. That means that whoever Kira is, he would know Sayu or at least had seen her because not all of the police knew Yagami's daughter but only the Task Force members. If Sayu dies that settles it. This must be Mello's plan but won't that mean he won't have the notebook?

I was confusing myself now. All this made me extremely uneasy. I felt the sudden need for comfort but there was nobody here to comfort me. Near wasn't here. But Mello was…

Who am I kidding. This girl's life was at stake and I was worrying about myself and my comfort! There must be something seriously wrong with me.

My eyes drifted back to the screen but suddenly-

Miller choked violently and fell to the floor. Everyone gasped and ran towards him asking if he was okay. I froze with shock.

They killed him! How could they do this so easily?

Rod narrowed his eyes and sneered, 'that's what you get when you steel from me and sell goods behind my back. He's a worthless idiot, this is the first time he's been useful.'

I didn't want to know what kind of goods he meant but I had a pretty good idea. They were the mafia after all, who knows maybe they were smugglers as well. This must be how they made their money.

I just sat there frozen in shock not sure of what to do next as Rod reported Miller's death to Y462.

I took another glance at Mello who sat there as if he didn't have a worry in the world. A man just died right in front of him, how could he just sit there like that! But it was the same old stuff. Takimura's death didn't bother him either. Every single warm feeling I had for him began to fade. I was stupid to have them in the first place! You can't have feelings for someone you met like 2 weeks ago.

When I looked back at the screen Mr Yagami had put the notebook down. Y462 released the lock and the door spun with Sayu running out to hug her dad. Well that's some good news for today. And the mafia had managed to secure the notebook.

'Watch this, this is where it gets interesting.' Mello turned to me.

'Oh?'

Was what happened there not the interesting bit? I was a little confused: wasn't it all over? What about the helicopter that had explosives on it? If they blew that up… wouldn't the notebook go down with the helicopter? But if they didn't blow it up, wouldn't the police be able to track where it lands?

Couple of minutes of silence went by. So many questions filled my head but I kept quiet and watched.

Snyder sat to my right and moved the laptop closer to himself. I watched the screen as he switched the camera to the view in the helicopter. Y462 piloted the helicopter with a gigantic smile on his face. 'Boss, I'm sure you're watching. The missile's launched,' his voice came over the speaker on the laptop. Missile? What missile? When had anybody said anything about a missile? I looked around but nobody was surprised at all, means they had planned this. 'I did everything you asked me to just like we planned.'

'Yeah I saw that. Good job.'

I suddenly got a sinking feeling he didn't mean that.

'So this is gonna wipe out all the past screw ups of mine right?' he asked.

This will not end well.

Rod's smirk only got wider 'Oh yeah. Wiped out for sure.' He then gave a command to Snyder who quickly tapped on the keyboard.

Everything became slow motion. I knew it was going to happen but nevertheless it scared me, it was just so sudden. The helicopter burst into flames and exploded, parts of it flying down to the ground still on fire.

'The notebook…' I whispered.

'Is on the missile.' Mello finished.

'Well what are you waiting for?' Rod addressed the remaining men in the room as some went to carry out Miller's body. 'Go collect the notebook.'

Everyone but Mello, Rod and I then left the room,

'As for you,' Rod turned to me reaching into his inner jacket pocket.

'Near I- I am so sorry…' I cried, hearing about the deaths of my colleagues. My voice was hoarse and tired sounding.

They made me. I didn't want to but I had to. I was put in the position where I couldn't say no. I gave him the names of the SPK members. I didn't want to but I did, all they had to do was look them up and their photograph popped up and….. I had no idea they were going to kill them. The gun was pointing at me and I panicked and now it was too late.

Mello sat on my bed looking out the tiny round window that was in my room. He allowed me to speak to Near without the presence of other mafia members in the room, he however still had to stay and listen in.

I hated him.

I hated everyone and I hated myself for what I had done and I wished I could change it.

'It's not like you were the one that killed them.' Near replied coldly. Not literally no but, if you think about it I kind of was, although I wasn't going to tell him that. Not like this.'However this proves to me that you are incompetent and incapable of doing your job. This is why I am pulling you out of LA. You are to return to New York tomorrow.'

I opened my mouth but didn't know what to say. This bit, but I was more so just in shock. I couldn't leave LA of course, I was with the mafia and wasn't in any position to leave freely. Not like they'd even consider letting even if I told them the situation.

Mello turned to me and gestured for me to give him the phone. 'Near can you hang on a second?' I sniffed as I put down the phone, took it off loud speaker and covered the receiver with my hand. 'Why?' I asked Mello.

Mello rolled his eyes, got up and grabbed the phone off me. 'Hello, Near. Recognise the voice?' He snarled.

So, the time has come. Near was going to find out about me working with the mafia. At this point in time I could not tell weather this was good news or bad news, but all I had to do was wait and see, let Mello take the lead on this one.

'Who is this?' Near wondered, but both me and Mello understood that he knew who he was talking to and he knew well. In all truth both of us had suspected Near had known all along, but I never understood why he kept quiet about it, instead of pulling me out of LA sooner.

'You know damn well so don't play dumb with me. I'm only going to say this once: Beth doesn't work for you anymore. That's right, she's under my control and if you try to do anything about it I won't hesitate to kill her. I know you know our location but trust me if you send back up this is the last you'll ever hear from the girl.'

With that Mello hung up. Did that seriously just happen?

I knew of course Near wouldn't try to do anything about it. It would be foolish to try and on top of it all he just didn't care about me as a member of the SPK. I have to admit it stung, but right now I was more so worried about something else. This was such a weird thing to have occurred. It all happened so quickly it didn't fully sink into my mind just then.

Mello began to walk out the room but I stopped him, 'Mello? Why did you decide to keep me here?'

'What do you mean?'

'Well… why didn't you just let me leave and go back to the SPK? You know I won't tell them anything, wouldn't share any information- well they probably already know everything anyway. So why keep me here?'

Mello closed his eyes for a couple of seconds, not replying and then opened them again. 'Because,' he said, 'we need your help weather you realise it or not. The SPK don't need you and I'm sure you know it. But I do. And plus if I let you go we'd have to change our location all together since they know where we are, we'd all be behind bars. It's too big of a risk.'

I lowered my head. The SPK don't need you echoed in my mind. So, he thought so as well.

'And anyway now that he knows, you don't have to talk to that douche every single day, better for all of us.'

'Right...' But what if I want to talk to the douche? I sighed and watched Mello leave. I then collapsed on my bed. Today had been eventful. It really took a surprising turn. A very bad turn. Most of the SPK were dead, only the ones who's full names I knew. Near now realised what a sad, pathetic disappointment I was. He probably also knew why our colleagues were dead too. The Japanese police had lost the death note. Sayu was now probably scarred for life. It'll take a long time to forget about this for her, I thought.

And then there's this. I wasn't with the SPK anymore. To be honest I doubted I was properly with the SPK from the start, I was their most unneeded member Mello was right. They only used me for their most minor jobs, just like the mafia are doing now. Near hated me now.

Without bothering to take off my clothes or makeup, I climbed under the covers of my bed and began to cry. I didn't even understand why- god I was such a mess. Everything was bad lately, everything. Why had I given him the names, I should have let them shoot me! I should have let them. But they threatened to kill him! They wanted to kill Near without the notebook. That's why I couldn't take it. That's why I cracked and gave them the names, because they threatened to kill him. They said they knew where he was hiding and that they'd find him and kill him.

But the realisation that they were bluffing only came now. They didn't know. They only followed Mello's command. Mello the person I began to- NO!

I sat up with a jolt. I wasn't allowing myself to like this guy. He was a criminal. A cold blooded criminal just like the rest of the mafia who I was now helping. He didn't care about anyone but his own morals and I needed to get that into my head.

AN: Things are getting pretty messed up and if you think they're messy now… wait till the next chapter!

Anyway review, follow, favourite and stuff! Please? A hug from Matsuda is in order of course!