This chapter is more of an explanation chapter than anything in particular really happening; it was brought to my attention by a reviewer that I have not mentioned how Light got away from Ryuk's promise to write his name in his own Death Note when the time came, and also how Light could have possibly known what L had told Watari in his dream. Hopefully, this chapter will clear up those questions in as plausible a manner as possible and the next chapter will get back to their actual vacation as it comes to a close.

Hugs!

Chapter 20

The next morning found L up before sunrise so he could watch it from his balcony, sipping coffee and working on his laptop. He talked to Mello and Near, checking on the progress of his cases and then to Watari to see if any new cases were on the horizon. Watari sent him information on several that had come up for him to decide whether or not they were worth his time to accept. It felt really good to work, as much as he enjoyed the vacation, he also needed his work to make him happy; being L was part of him and he couldn't do without it for too long and not feel he was missing a part of himself.

He smiled as he watched wildebeests cavort across the grass, followed by several zebra that joined several giraffes at the watering hole. For a few moments he thought it would be wonderful to live here and have this view every day, but then decided that he would be too distracted and not work to his fullest capacity with this view available to him each day. He suddenly remembered that he hadn't had a chance to really study the lobby with all of its displays and he especially wanted to look at that mask again. He shut down his computer and brought it back inside the room, then walked into the bedroom to see if Light was awake.

Light was still sleeping soundly, and probably the deepest sleep he'd had since the end of the case. He wasn't surprised; not only had he released a lot of pent up worry, they had also made love three times the night before, once in the Jacuzzi. He grinned to himself, he was actually surprised he could walk this morning. He walked over to the bed and gently carded through the auburn hair and got no reaction except for a slight movement against the pillow. He leaned forward and gently kissed Light's forehead, deciding to let him continue to sleep; he'd take his cell phone with him and call him a little later. He went back into the kitchen and grabbed a large lollipop from his stash and headed out of the door to the lobby.

The first place he went to was the Ijele mask from Nigeria. It towered over him and he marveled how someone could wear it, especially in the heat of Africa, but he had seen it with his own eyes, and they were quite graceful. He scrutinized the details, the characters and animals around it, the materials they were made from; the colors. He walked around it, reading the plaques of information, making sure what they had was correct.

He walked through the lobby, looking at the recreated firepit that was set up with chairs around it for storytelling later in the evening; the beautiful chandeliers, the bridge that spanned across the lobby above him. His eye spied what appeared to be a shop and he made a beeline for it. As he approached it he saw it was called Zawadi Marketplace and he went inside.

His finger came to his lips as he studied the items in the store, where he found everything from authentic looking pottery, to hand carved tribal masks. He walked through African themed clothes and furnishings and found an area that was dedicated to art. He stopped at a painting of the front of the resort, with animals grazing in front of it. He decided he had to have it; it would look good in his office and constantly remind him of the wonderful place Light and brought him to. He took it to the cashier, had them charge it to the room and requested that they have it wrapped and sent there. He walked around the store a little longer, then headed out again to go outside and up close to the animals.

Light opened his eyes and stretched, a yawn escaping as well and feeling more rested than he had in a long time. He looked towards L's side of the bed, hoping to see that wild hair staring back at him, but not surprised when he didn't. He imagined L was out on the balcony watching the sun over the savannah that he seemed to love so much. He sat up, grabbed his robe and walked into the main room.

"L? Do we have coffee yet?" he called out walking into the main room. When he didn't get an answer he looked around. There was evidence L had been through, the cabinet where he kept his stash was still open, there was a used coffee cup on the table alongside the remainders of a melon. He looked towards the balcony and saw it was empty. He looked around to see if L had left him a note and then realized he wouldn't do that. He must have decided to go for a walk, most likely to the lobby, he thought as he walked back to the kitchen and poured himself coffee.

As he poured his coffee, his mind ran away from him and he thought of how many contracts were on L's head and it made him just a little nervous. What if someone had figured out who he was and had come in while he was sleeping and took him away? He couldn't help looking around the room for signs of a struggle; L would not have gone easily. Nor would he have gone quietly, he certainly would have heard something. Besides, assassins don't generally take their victims, they drop them where they're found; unless they wanted to get information from him before they killed him.

He dropped his coffee cup and ran for his phone. He knew he was being completely ridiculous, but he couldn't help it. In a world where there was a killer notebook, anything was possible. He sped dialed L's number, the seconds until he heard L's voice seeming an eternity.

L picked his phone out of his pocket and looked at the number; obviously Light was awake and wondering where he was.

"Good morning," he answered, "So you're finally awake," he said sitting down in one of the many lounging areas in the lobby, "I was beginning to wonder." Light swallowed to fight the panic that he knew would probably be in his voice and took a deep breath.

"After three months of waking alone it isn't something I enjoy," he managed to say, "Especially after the evening we had." L listened for a moment before answering, he could tell something was a bit off in Light's tone but he didn't know what it was.

"Yes, well after the evening we had I'm very surprised I could move. Light, is something wrong?" he asked and heard a small chuckle in return.

"No, I was letting my imagination get the best of me when I saw you weren't here," Light admitted, "So I'm very glad to hear your voice."

"Did you think I had run away with the Concierge?" he asked making Light's chuckle blossom into a full laugh.

"No, nothing like that. Suffice it to say I was concerned about your health," he answered.

"I see, well actually I do not but I will leave it at that as you seem reticent to expand on your thoughts, but as you can hear I am fine. I am hungry, however, I only had a melon earlier and that was quite a while ago. Shall you get dressed and meet me down in the lobby? I would like to try one of the restaurants here for breakfast."

"Sounds good, give me ten minutes. L…I love you," he told him. L's head cocked to one side as he listened; something had definitely bothered him.

"And I you, but that could change if you do not hurry," he warned him and Light laughed again.

"On my way," he said and closed the call. He took a moment to calm himself; he had really worked himself into near panic. Now that he knew about these threats he wondered if he would ever feel safe leaving L alone again. Although at home there was maximum security, no one could even get to their floor without being let in or knowing the code, Watari was always there and there was also constant surveillance. Right now he had a hungry L waiting for him and if he didn't hurry there would be consequences. He started pulling off his robe as he ran for the shower.

Light was quite surprised when his elevator door slid open and he found annoyed dark eyes staring directly at him.

"Were you standing in front of every elevator door when it opened?" he asked.

"Not until the ten minutes had passed, it is now nearly 20 minutes later, you are late," L told him and he rolled his eyes.

"Honestly you'd think you were going to starve to death," Light returned and walked into the lobby, "Where is it you wanted to go to?" L stared at him in annoyance for a few more moments and then turned around.

"I would like to try Boma; it seems to have an interesting buffet," L told him, and then eyed him again, "And since it is buffet I do not have to wait any longer to eat." He added then walked into the restaurant. Light counted to ten before walking in behind him, fighting down the desire to punch him. To think that less than a half an hour ago he was worried about his life, and now he wanted to knock him out. He had to laugh to himself; that was life with L Lawliet and he should be used to it by now. He immediately followed L in before he got bitched at again.

Once they got their food-which was a journey in itself as a still bitchy L felt he had to comment on everything Light decided he wanted to eat, including the quinoa porridge he wanted to try until L told him it looked as if someone else had eaten it first and gave it back-and were seated, Light decided to wait until L had gotten some food into him before he began a conversation. It had taken every ounce of control he could muster to not snap back, but he didn't want to start the day with a fight.

"How's your bear claw?" he asked gesturing to the huge almond covered pastry he had been working on. L swallowed and thought a moment.

"It is quite good, exactly what I needed. I believe you completely depleted all of my stored sugar last evening," he said with a sly smile and Light smiled back glad L's mood had changed back to normal.

"It's your fault, you shouldn't excite me so much," he answered and L snorted at him.

"I did nothing to provoke such lascivious behavior," he denied and Light leaned closer to him.

"Well, you were naked…" he began and snickered when he saw the color rise to L's cheeks.

"I do not believe this is a proper conversation for breakfast," he said trying to change the subject and Light laughed.

"Okay, maybe it wasn't all your fault," Light conceded, "Maybe it was because I felt really good for the first time in a while and that was definitely your doing."

"I did nothing but give you an opportunity to talk, you did all the work," L told him as he finished his bear claw, "But I am not surprised you feel better, I did after you forced me to talk." Light reached across the table and took L's hand, not caring who saw.

"I never said thank you," he told him and L cocked his head to one side.

"I'm certain you did, in the Jacuzzi," he said, "Perhaps not with words, but your actions certainly expressed your thankfulness!" Light brought his hand back and laughed again.

"I guess you could say that, one definitely had something to do with the other." L smiled at him again and then seemed to be thinking.

"Light we must have a Jacuzzi installed at home," L told him, "It is quite relaxing…under normal circumstances."

"I don't know, we'll have to see if it'll work within the building code," Light warned and L stared at him.

"I shall buy the building and rewrite the code if necessary," he said and Light burst into laughter.

"Yes, of course you will," he said finishing his coffee, "You don't ever take no for an answer do you?"

"Not if it's something I want, surely you must realize that by now," he answered and Light nodded.

"Oh yes I'm well aware of that, I learned that a long time ago and I wouldn't be here right now if it weren't the case."

"This is true. You are the first and only time I put what I wanted before my work, and I am very glad with the results," L told him and Light gazed at him seriously.

"You're sure about that?" he asked and then wished he hadn't when he watched L's eyes flash in annoyance.

"Do not ruin this moment by being stupid Light Yagami," he told him making Light laugh again and raise his hands defensively.

"I'm sorry forget I said it," he said and L went back to his bearclaw, "I guess I'm still feeling a little unsure about exactly where I stand without Kira."

"Understandable, under the circumstances," L answered, "I imagine it was those feelings that brought about that nightmare you had the other evening," he added and Light thought a moment and then nodded.

"Showing how helpless I am without Kira by making me watch…what happened without being able to stop it and having Kira still try to talk me into taking him back."

"Exactly," L agreed and then stopped eating again, remembering a moment in that dream that had confused him then, but had neglected to ask Light about as he was so upset about it.

"Light, can I ask you something about that dream without upsetting you?"

"That's hard to answer without knowing the subject of the question," Light answered, "But I will definitely try not to now that I'm forewarned. What's the matter?"

"You knew something that I had only told Watari, about deleting all files if something happened, how could you possibly know about that?"

"Oh…that," Light sighed heavily looking away from L for a few moments, then turned back to face him.

"Ryuk told me. After we had Higuchi's Death Note, I had Misa dig up my Death Note and I had her tell Ryuk to come to headquarters and follow you around. You hadn't touched my Death Note yet so you couldn't see him. As long as she kept him in apples and he was amused he didn't mind spying on you. He told me what you had planned which was great for me because it meant I had that much less information to try and destroy if things between us went wrong." L stared at him in surprise.

"But that was after you regained your memories, after I talked you into not killing Higuchi and told you I still loved you. Why would you still do something like that, or even think about Watari's or my death?" L asked him in surprise.

"I was trying to make sure all my bases were covered, just in case you changed your mind after thinking about it for a while and decided it would be wrong not to turn me in. I loved you, but my paranoia wouldn't let me completely relax until Higuchi was officially charged. My self preservation had been paramount for so long that it took me a long while to stop thinking of ways to protect myself. I knew I loved you but I wasn't sure just how much you really loved me," He explained. L's thumb came to his lips as he thought.

"That explains why it wasn't until after he was booked as Kira that you instructed Misa to bring your Death Note to me. I then burned hers and she lost all memory of everything," L sighed before continuing, "Your brilliant mind never ceases to amaze me, that you had plans in place even after I told you I loved you and would protect you."

"I'm sorry, but it was hard at first for me to believe you wouldn't suddenly remember you were L first and think that what you were doing was wrong, in spite of what you felt for me. I was still mostly Kira at that time and my paranoia was still strong; in the back of my mind was the fear that your sense of justice would over rule your love for me."

"My love for you overrules any sense I have," L told him with a smile, "But I have learned to live with that little problem."

"I knew for sure that I was safe with you when you talked Ryuk into rescinding his promise to kill me himself by writing my name in his book unless I gave up the Death Note and forgot everything. I didn't think that was going to be possible, but you still managed it. You never did tell me how you did it." L shrugged.

"I merely suggested that with all the enjoyment you had provided for him he could just forget about that deal for once. He would never have been so entertained and for so long had it not been for you, and now that you had seen the error of your ways you should be allowed to go on with your life as payment for what you provided him, that he owed you that much," L smiled at him and then continued.

"Of course I also told him how much I loved you and begged for your life on my knees as well just in case my well thought out argument didn't wash. Apparently he found that idea so funny, that L and Kira now loved each other, and that the great L was on his knees before him that he just flew away laughing. I don't mind telling you that for several weeks I was afraid that one day you would just drop dead in front of me, that he'd decide to keep his deal in spite of what I said." Light listened and shook his head.

"I had no idea you went through all of that, begging for my life that way, I'm sorry," he told him and L shook his head.

"Don't be, it worked that's all that matters. Once you told me what he'd said, I knew I would have to do something drastic to convince him otherwise. What we have now was definitely worth a little humiliation."

"Even if I'm late for breakfast?" Light asked and L waved his hand at him going back to his bearclaw.

"Next time I will not wait for you, you will simply have to find me and catch up," he warned, making Light roll his eyes again.

"Fine, I've been warned," he said and finished his coffee, "Now you said today you wanted to stay here and relax am I correct?" L nodded as he finished the last of his bearclaw.

"Yes, at least for most of the day. I wish to do some work, Watari sent me some cases that I must decide whether I will take them or not for one thing, and I would really just rather stay in for a while. This evening perhaps if you wish to go out I would be agreeable to that." At first Light was going to remind him that it was supposed to be a vacation which meant no work, but he realized that was an argument he couldn't win; L was L and he had done well to not have worked for as long as he had so far.

"Okay, maybe I'll check out the pool while you're slaving away at your computer. I know how to have a vacation." He said instead as L finished his coffee and nodded.

"I agree that would probably be best as I have no desire to sit out in the sun half naked next to a body of water and screaming children," he stood up and walked away from the table; Light shaking his head and following behind.