"This is my favorite coffee shop in town, and in this booth we won't have to worry about to many of the other students bothering us…" Light traced L's face with his eyes. Light mentally shook off his day dreaming, "Well… Anyway, you said something about the Kira case?"
L was surveying the coffee shops's interior, "Hm? Oh, right. That. If your deduction skills are as good as I think they are, you'll be of great value to the case. Not to mention, it will clear you of any suspicion of being Kira."
Light choked on his drink, "I'm sorry, whaa-?"
"There's a 3% chance that you are indeed Kira, will you look over some of the evidence from the suicides? Let's see if you came to the same conclusion I did." L passed Light three photographs, "Let's see how you react to this." L narrowed his eyes watching Light.
Light studied them for a while, "It almost seems like he's mocking you. Well, if you arrange the photos like this," Light shifted the photos around, "and then take the beginning letter of each sentence it reads, 'L, do you knew Gods of death love apples.'"
L stared at Light, "That's incorrect, the truth is there are four photographs, and if you read it that way, it says, "L, did you know that Gods of death who love apples have red hands."
"But, considering I only had three photos to begin with my deduction was perfect!" Light contested.
"No, had you have figured out there were four photos it would have been perfect, you knew the message was incomplete, you never even considered there was a forth, what do you make of that?" L studied Light for a reaction.
"Well you got me, I never thought of that, I'm not Kira so I wouldn't know the whole message." Light said lifting his coffee from their table.
L watched Light longer, "If you were me and you had to establish someone's guilt or innocence, how would you go about it?"
Light finished his drink, "I would try to get them to say something that wasn't made public, something only Kira would know. Kinda like you just did."
L hugged his knees, "Truly amazing. You immediately thought of the situation in which Kira was speaking with the investigator, I'm impressed, you'll make a fine detective, Light."
Light smiled, "It's kind of a double edged sword though, the more accurate my deductions the more guilty I look."
"Yes, it's also made me that much more determined to work with you. You see, even if you are Kira I'm still in a position that benefits me… You know why I say that?" L's eyes never left Light's.
"If I cooperate I might be able to help the investigation move forward, if I'm Kira I would be likely to slip up and reveal myself as Kira." Light said emotionlessly. "Either way you stand to gain. But I don't want to get that involved in the case, I'm not Kira and I certainly don't want to get killed by him. Besides, how do I know you're really L, for all I know you are Kira. I'd be convinced if someone like, my father, were to be able to verify your identity. But, I'm afraid if I can't have proof you're not Kira or if you are really L, I won't be able to help you." Light sat back against the booth and folded his arms.
L analyzed Light, "You sure do talk a lot, typical for someone who hates losing." He thought. "So, would I be correct in assuming if I took you to the task force headquarters you would be cooperative?"
Light nodded as both of their phones went off at the same time. Light reached into his pocket then answered his phone. His face went pale and his eyes widened, "A heart attack?"
They met up in his father's hospital room, "So, the doctors think it was stress that cause the heart attack?" Light said with a worried undertone.
Soichiro laid in the hospital bed, "Yes, I thought it was Kira at first. Then again, I have been working myself hard lately, I feel much better now. Ryuzaki, now that you have spoken with my son, does that clear him of your suspicions?"
"No, but you must understand, when I say I suspect him it's very minor." L said biting his thumb. "I will leave you with your father." L stopped in the doorway and made eye contact with Light. "So, you will help, Light?"
"Yes, but not until my father is better, you understand." Light said placing his hands on his father's hand.
L nodded, "Yes, I do." He turned and left.
Light looked at his father, Soichiro nodded and Light went after L. "Hey! Wait!"
L stopped and turned around with a puzzled face. "Yes, Light?"
Light ran straight into L knocking both of them over. "Heh, sorry, I guess don't have very good breaks."
L's face turned a light pink color, "Um, Light?"
Light opened his eyes to see he was inches from L's face. "Ack! I'm sorry!" He scrambled to get up kneeing L in the groin.
"Oh, unearthly Gods of agony!" L rolled over to his side clutching his groin. "What the fuck!"
Light knelt down to L's side. "I'm really sorry… What do you want me to call you? Ryuga, Ryuzaki or L?"
L winced as he relaxed his body, "I guess since I asked you to join the task force you may as well have you call me the same thing, so, Ryuzaki."
Light smiled and held out his hand, "I'm sorry Ryuzaki."
L eyed Light's hand, "It's okay. You didn't mean it… I don't think, although there's a strong possibility you may have." L took Light's hand and was yanked up landing square on his chest. "Um. Light? Are you doing this on purpose?"
Light wrapped L into a hug, "Look, I know we don't know each other very well, but, you're the only person who I can call friend… Please let this be true. Please tell me you aren't just pretending to be my friend."
L stood there shocked for a moment, "If I told him that I was only being his friend because I suspect him of being Kira… He might withdrawal from me entirely and I'll lose that opportunity to either find out first hand if he is or isn't Kira. But if I tell him no…" L sighed, "Of course not, I told you earlier, you've been the only one close to my intelligence in a long time. Of course, you're my friend." Light let L go. "Or at least the closest thing I've ever had to one…" L thought to himself putting his hands in his pockets.
The nurse scolded the boys to leave, "Visiting hours ended ten minutes ago."
L looked Light over thinking, "Maybe he's just as lonely… Just as lost…"