Chapter 12

Light maneuvered the fruit aisle quickly, making his way to where the melons were. It was one of the few things L would eat for breakfast and he wanted to make sure the ones he got were perfect. He had grabbed a taxi outside of the hotel once he had learned the address of the nearest supermarket, and had the taxi wait for him in the parking lot as he didn't think it would take too long and he didn't want to have to wait for another.

He picked up more strawberries, more cream, sugar, coffee and tea so they wouldn't have to always wait for room service. He picked up the makings for L's frozen mudslides, and several other easy to make items for when they were relaxing at the hotel room, including a box of muesli for himself. He heard L calling it "pellets" earlier in his mind and had to smile in spite of the insult. He was surprised and excited to find an Asian food section, which included a sushi bar and picked up several boxes, along with soy sauce and wasabe and they even had chopsticks.

He hurriedly pushed the cart to the cashier to pay, looking at his watch every few moments. He didn't like leaving L alone after hearing about the contracts; he wasn't as well protected here as he was at home. How could he not have realized that there were actually people offering money for L's death? He took a deep breath and thought logically; L was right no one knew what he looked like; no one knew his full name except for himself, Watari and the boys. The few people who knew him to be L would never give that information to anyone as they were all members of the NPA and none of them would dishonor themselves to do something like that. He would just have to put it out of his mind as if he'd never heard it. He sighed and shook his head; he knew he couldn't really do that but he'd try.

L stood in the middle of the kitchenette with his thumb at his lips, trying to decide what he wanted to snack on next. This was the first time he had been separated from Light since they had left Japan and he was surprised how alone he was feeling. He reached for the package of strawberry cookies and walked back across the living room to the balcony. He knew why he felt that way; he was completely out of his element. Light had wanted to make sure that he had to depend on him fully and it had worked; and now that he was without him he almost felt lost. He turned his laptop on again checking the time as he did. It was probably about two a.m. in Japan right now, but he knew he could reach Watari. He contacted the older man's computer and sighed happily when he heard his voice.

"Why aren't you out enjoying the amusements?" the older man asked him.

"At the moment Light is shopping and as he always gets into a nasty temper when he's shopping I elected to stay behind." He heard Watari chuckle before he answered him.

"Oh, I see. Of course you wouldn't know why he gets into such a temper, would you?" he asked.

"I'm sure I don't know why, I just know he does. Are the boys still working?"

"Near is, but I just suggested he should call it a night; he is very much like you and seems not to require much sleep either. I reminded him it would be rude to leave Ms. Yagami waiting for too long." L cocked his head to one side.

"Ms. Yagami? Sayu is there at this hour?" he smiled, "I will be sure not to mention it to her brother." Watari chuckled again, but was quiet for a moment and then decided he had to ask.

"How are you faring, Ryuzaki?" he asked being careful in case someone could overhear their conversation.

"I imagine you are referring to why you and Light were conspiring against me," L answered and he heard his guardian sigh.

"We were not conspiring against you, merely working together on the best ways to help you." He answered.

"Nonetheless it was behind my back and I am not sure I appreciate it. However, to answer your question I am feeling more of myself recently; situations have gotten better."

"I am glad to hear that. You do realize that it will probably take a while for you to completely get over the trauma…"

"Yes, I am quite aware of the effects of PTSD. However, I have made progress and I do not expect for it to have a hold on my mind for much longer, I cannot let it control me."

"I understand Ryuzaki, but even you cannot completely control how your mind heals. Just give it time and continue to let Light help you through it."

"Yes well at the moment I fear I shall have to help Light through the idea of knowing there are contracts out on me. He was quite distraught over the idea."

"I imagine he would be if he hadn't been aware of it before. That's not the happiest news to hear, that someone you love has paid assassins looking for them." Watari advised.

"Yes- but after all of this time with me, he must realize that I am quite safe from all of that," L said, slightly aggravated.

"I'm sure once he thinks logically he will realize there is no reason for worry, but you have to give him a while to digest this admittedly alarming knowledge." L was quiet for a moment before saying anything else.

"Watari, I believe I need to think of something special to do for Light this evening, to help put his mind at ease and to thank him for what he has done. I will check back with you later. Oh, and please remind Near to be careful in his endeavors with Sayu."

"Indeed, I will definitely remind him. Good-night, Ryuzaki."

"Good-night, Wammy." L returned and shut down the connection. He got up from the balcony and walked over to the desk where all of the brochures about the hotel and Disneyworld were spread out from the last time Light had looked at them. He sat down and began to go through them and ran across something that he imagined would appeal to Light and his romantic nature. He studied it then picked up the phone to set plans into motion.

Light was willing the elevator to move faster to their floor. He kept having visions of L on the balcony and someone with a high powered rifle picking him off. Of course he knew that was ridiculous, no one knew who he was and no one knew he was in Florida, but he simply couldn't shut off the fear. He had left his cell phone on the table and so he couldn't even call him just to make himself feel better. The minute the elevator doors were open he was flying down the hallway, room keycard in hand as he clutched the two bags of groceries in his arms. He swiped the card in the door and pushed the door open in almost one motion.

"L?" he called as the door closed behind him and couldn't stop the sudden rise of his pulse rate when he didn't see him immediately. He walked to the kitchenette and dropped the bags on the table as he continued to look.

"L..where are you?" he called, his eyes darting to the empty balcony and then forward towards the bedroom as he practically ran in. L was sitting in the middle of the bed, a candy apple in his hand as he stared at the television. He looked up as Light ran into the bedroom and smiled.

"I didn't hear you come in. Did you get everything you wished?" he asked and then cocked his head to the side in confusion as he watched Light practically hyperventilate in front of him.

"Light? Is something wrong?" he asked and in answer Light jumped on the bed and wrapped his arms around him making him have to hold his candy apple in the air so it didn't get crushed between them.

"I know I'm being ridiculous, but when I came in and didn't see you and you didn't answer I sort of panicked," Light told him as he held him tightly. L sighed and patted his back.

"This is about what you heard this morning isn't it?" he asked and Light nodded slowly as he pulled away, "I told you not to behave this way, Light." He said and the young man ran a hand through his hair.

"I know, and I'm sorry and I promise to not let it get to me again," he said leaning forward to kiss the detective. After their lips touched he backed away and grimaced, his tongue licking his own lips.

"Ugh, sticky!" he complained and L laughed.

"You have no appreciation for a good candy apple," he said and took another bite as Light got up from the bed. He glanced at the TV and had to laugh; L was watching a Mickey Mouse cartoon.

"You're watching Mickey Mouse?" he asked and L shrugged.

"One must study their enemy in order to understand them," he said and Light shook his head.

"He isn't your enemy, L" he said walking towards the kitchen to put the food away now that he knew L was safe, "He's a harmless icon."

"I don't believe I'd call him harmless," L answered, "After what I've witnessed I truly believe that the people who follow him would do so no matter what he asked them to do. They already buy anything that has his likeness on it; they pay thousands of dollars to visit the place he can be found, and submit themselves to whatever they have to do to be here. It is only one step away from god worship."

"Leave it to you to find something wrong with Mickey Mouse," Light answered as L crawled off of the bed and joined him in the kitchen.

"I did not say there was something wrong per se, simply that he has an enormous amount of power over the masses for a rodent and I wished to understand why."

"And do you?"

"I understand his appeal and I understand the mind set from what you've explained to me. Together they make a very powerful influence." L told him as he leaned against the table.

"It's a good thing he uses his powers for good then, isn't it?" Light said with a smirk as he put the strawberries and sushi into the fridge.

"Scoff all you like, Light Yagami but I warn you that if fascism does come into power again it will come in wearing mouse ears." Light laughed but nodded at the same time.

"You may have something there, just don't spread it around. You wouldn't want them to know we're on to him." He said and turned to face the frowning detective, "Are you in the mood for more fireworks tonight?" L's frown disappeared and he nodded finishing off the apple.

"Yes, and I have already planned where we shall have dinner and it will have a view of the fireworks," he said and Light raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Really? Are we talking Magic Kingdom or one of the other lands?"

"Magic Kingdom as we did not finish it today. I thought perhaps we'd go back for a while and then have dinner. Our reservations are at 8:30."

"Are you going to tell me where?" Light asked and L shook his head.

"This time it is my surprise and will appeal to your romantic side, I believe." He said and reached up to pull Light to him for a kiss. Light stopped him, reached for a napkin and wiped as much of the sticky substance from the candy apple away before kissing him. When he pulled away, L went into the cabinet and began to pull out some of the candies he'd had delivered.

"I wish to put another bag together before we leave to take with me," he explained and Light smiled at him.

"Okay, but I was planning to get you a special treat…a chocolate covered banana," he teased and L turned to him, a completely serious look on his face.

"And I see no reason to change that plan because I am bringing something with me. Now let us go, I wish to ride thee Monorail." He stated and walked towards to door, a smiling Light following behind.