L completed watching an entire tape before he focused on Robin again, who now looked considerably less shaken after sitting down and having some tea. The brown paper bag she'd been clutching itched at him, it's mysterious contents made L too curious; Whammy took care of the shopping-even her feminine items-so it's presence was definitely going to be a topic for a later discussion. The bag was resting on a nearby coffee table along with the clothing that made up Robin's disguise, leaving her in just her jeans and t shirt since she'd taken off her shoes and socks long ago. It was somehow pleasant to see her in casual attire, although she hadn't been dressing in suits since he'd accused her of using them to appear intimidating before Light's entrance ceremony.
"Are you going to yell at me?" Robin questioned quietly, and L suddenly became aware that he'd been staring at her as he let his thoughts drift off.
He got up off the couch and walked to the dessert tray, pouring himself another cup of tea with a heavy amount of sugar. "Why would I do that?" he enquired, not bothering to ask for her approval as he retrieved her cup from the nearby coffee table and refilled it as well.
"You have to know I don't have a driver's license. And I nearly got myself killed at the Sakura station. Twice; if you count Kira's presence plus the chief nearly running me over. You congratulated him on a job well done, but not me. I understand I took some risks, but they were worth it in order to help" Robin answered in somewhat of a rush, avoiding L's eye contact as he handed her the full teacup.
"I can't say I was in right straights at the time. If you wanted validation from me, I apologize for not paying attention. You handled yourself very well and certainly helped Yagami solve the situation" L said.
"Right straights? Did you…" Robin trailed off, unsure of how to phrase the question she wanted to ask. "U-Ukita?" she finally said, turning to look at L and then quickly averting her eyes; surprised to find his eyes already observing her.
"It is the first time someone I'd known personally has died on a case. There was once a significantly close call that hindered me emotionally; but seeing Ukita go down before my eyes was a great deal more… effecting." L said.
"You knew B personally" Robin pointed out, making prolonged eye contact with him for the first time that night.
L paused, staring at her until he spoke. "That was different, he had ceased to be the B I knew. I was, admittedly, far more concerned for your well being at that point in the case" He casually took a sip of his tea and lowered his eyes, as if they were taking about the weather or the latest soccer match instead of the great L admitting to having actual feelings.
"You were?" Robin asked in disbelief, suddenly feeling ashamed of her past notions about L; of her naivety to believe B's lies. It made something inside her chest swell knowing that L cared about her well being.
"There was a lot of blood at that hotel" L stated before pausing and turning to regain eye contact with her again. "R, there were restraints on the bed… A thought that troubled me most is the probability of unwanted sexual-"
"No, he didn't" Robin said quickly, swallowing hard. "Once, I thought-I thought he was going to-But he didn't. Nothing like that" as she said it, her hand betrayed her and touched her lips softly as she thought of the kiss B had administered when he tried to drown her. "Do you think…" she trailed off, slouching into herself as she squeezed her eyes shut. "Most serial killers target people they don't know, or people that are symbols of their opposing views. B's murders were that way, but, when it came to killing me… he couldn't do it. Do you think that he…?"
L sat down beside her on the couch, taking the cup of tea from her shaky hands and placing it on the coffee table, "Had an emotional attachment to you?" L finished for her, his large black eyes drawing in her every movement.
Robin ran her hand exhaustedly through her hair and started rhythmic deep breaths to calm herself. "Sociopaths have no emotional attachments. They cant care about people. I mean, obviously they can see well enough the social norms that dictate compassion for their fellow man; but to say that he had some sort of… It's… I know I've diagnosed him properly. He is a sociopath. I just don't understand how it could be possible that he could break through that barrier. Maybe it was subconscious somehow?" She rested her chin on her hands, looking towards L for a comment.
"Whammy's certainly was not the place for him to develop such a thought, subconscious or not, the house has never followed closely enough to societal norms," L said. "But it's not hard to believe he could have actualized his feelings for you when the two of you left the house; after he was alone. It's not strange to hypothesize that he missed you, and further sensations arose from it." he spoke simply, forcibly meeting Robin's eyes as he spoke and taking on his carefully measured even tone. His forced anti-typical actions the same L utilized when lying, or when he was under pressure.
His reaction puzzled her. "Does talking about B make you nervous?" Robin asked quietly.
L took in a sharp intake of breath that made a chill like a lightning bolt, just as quick and potent, run through her spine. He stood suddenly, walking briskly to the wide hotel window overlooking nighttime Tokyo brimming with life. It wasn't until after he took another sip of his tea that he was once again fully composed enough to speak. "What did you buy today?" he questioned calmly.
She almost didn't know what he meant, until her eyes randomly landed on the crumpled brown paper bag still sitting with the remains of her disguise on the table. "It's nothing. Some books." Robin answered.
"Watari could have purchased them for you" L pointed out.
I know, but I didn't want him to think I'm going off the deep end. I'm already doing enough worrying for the both of you. she thought before quickly shaking her head. "You know I didn't want to stay when you discussed Misora. There was nothing else to do" Robin said.
It was a plausible answer, but L squinted his eyes suspiciously out the window into the street below just the same. "I'm curious as to what has become of your literary taste" he pressed.
"You're changing the subject" she said.
"As are you" he countered.
"That nightmare was about him" Robin blurts suddenly, her hand flying to her mouth at the same time as she squeezed her eyes shut. The room is silent, the only sounds being the quiet static coming from the TV and the noises of a bustling city drifting up from below the window. She can hear his clothes shift around his skin as he returns to the couch. L says nothing, only lets the silence go on, and Robin hesitantly opens her eyes. He is expectant. His large analyzing black pupils urging her to continue. They make her feel like a pinned moth under glass being studied. "It was… terrifying" she freely admits.
L's sudden hand covering hers makes her jump, and as quickly as he applied it, his touch retreats until she stops him and intertwines his long spindly fingers in hers. "Physical contact is helpful to comfort victims" he states blankly, his voice just as unreadable as his face because she refuses to look at it. His habitually cold hand in her warm panicky one is distracting. Her throat is unnaturally dry.
She swallows with some difficulty, "I… It just… seemed so real" Robin stuttered out, feeling the uncontrollable shaking well up once again in her small frame. The panic was exhausting, but a feeling she was quickly becoming accustomed to.
"What did he do?" L asked quietly.
I can't tell him the truth, Robin reminded herself despite the fact that L's close comforting presence was making her want to simply break down and tell him everything; seeing B, the hallucinations, the dreams, B's strange power over Adeline's death… a power he still seemed to hold. Releasing all the pent up secrets would surely be the easier route, and it was ever so tempting under the same soothing proximity that had enveloped her in the bathroom with him only a few nights ago.
"Do you know what he did before he tried to drown me?" Robin asked rhetorically, her voice quiet and solemn. "All the blood loss and the beating made me so dizzy and incoherent, but I remember he… He took off my clothes. And he called me beautiful. And then he put me in the bath and he- he kissed me. And he grabbed my hair. He pulled me under. He wouldn't stop until I couldn't breath. Until I chocked and until I…"
"Until you were rendered unconscious. I am aware. Misora had to save you. The doctors preformed full diagnosis at the scene; conclusive that he had attempted to drown you-" L stated. His voice was as cold as his hands.
Robin suddenly felt stupid and ashamed; she was still afraid to look at his eyes. "You're so businesslike," she said, her voice holding bitterness that was surprising and stinging even to her own ears. "I wish I could be as cold as you. I guess that's the great L's secret; that he knows how to look at people like case files"
No, no, no, She thought, this is B's thoughts slipping in again. I know L isn't like that. He just admitted about Ukita. He admitted he was concerned for me when B took me.
Then why is he such a robot?
Shut up, look at who's the pot calling the kettle black. If anyone's a robot, it's me. I don't even care about his damn reactions. I know L has feelings. Just like I do. He just tries not to get effected by-
There is no trying. He doesn't care about you. Or what happened to you. You're his employee on this case, and a civilian during B's, that's as far as his concern goes.
No, that's not true at all, he needs to remain strong for the role he plays in his cases. Of course he cares about the victims, and who he employs. But I know he cares about me much more than that. In the same way that… Wait. I… Do I want him to… show something for me? But that's… No! That's ridiculous! He's L!
"You're correct," L said coldly, his hand leaving hers quickly. Despite the voice in her head urging her to once again snatch up his fingertips in hers, Robin was motionless as L continued. "The only thing that drives me is work. So, if you would excuse me, I have to catch Kira" he left the couch beside her, hastily pushing another tape into the TV's player. "You should be paying more attention to these as well" L said, as the tape began playing.
Robin bit her lip, the guilt of her hurtful words settling heavily over her shoulders and making her slump into the couch in shame as Kira's words rang out in the silent room.
"Don't try to fight this, the revolution of justice is for you; all of you. I'm creating a better world for you, for your children to grow up free of fear and hate. These deaths are sacrifices, for you"
…
The meeting was tense, the cause not only being the team's lack of more than a few hours of sleep, but the palpable tension between L and Robin as well. "The tape detailing police cooperation with this Kira basically has two conditions; to broadcast more criminals, and to show the faces of the top brass and L on live TV agreeing to the terms. Basically, so that they could have our faces in case we did something suspicious"
Chief Yagami, looking considerably less worse for wear after his overnight hospital stay, spoke up solemnly. "And if we had said no to working with Kira?"
"The same thing, only expressed differently. This Kira is very adamant about seeing L and the top brass's faces" L stated. "And since the answer is of course 'no', please allow Sakura station to air the forth video" L said, pushing the play button on the remote to re-watch the forth tape for the entire investigation team to see.
"The police have answered that they still wish to fight me, so, I will first take the life of the director general of the NPA. Or, I may take the life of the detective L who is leading the investigation. I leave the decision with you as to which one will be your sacrifice. Keep in mind, it is only you to blame for this; given that you have not cooperated in the rise of the new world. Please decide within four days"
The manipulated voice of Kira left the room in a shocked silence, Robin having been already exposed to the message, allowed her eyes to trail around the room to observe the reactions of the investigative team. The Chief was gritting his teeth, the difficulty of the decision hitting him hard straight away. Both Aizawa and Mogi had similar expressions of futile despair, while Matsuda was the only one appearing openly horrified at the situation.
"L, you know of course that the director will be more inclined to let you fall on this sword?" the chief said slowly, sadly.
L casually took a sip of his tea. "That would be the far more reasonable option" he said.
"But why? You're the L, surely the director will realize that! I know each life should be valued equally, but you-" Matsuda said, voice high and bordering on the edge of hysterical.
"You misunderstand, Matsuda" Robin said, cutting him off. "People know the director personally, while L is an enigma. Something which is ideal for his job, but not in this case. It will most likely come down to a vote, a vote which someone who can be seen with more humanity will win" she said, meeting L's eyes with sympathy even though his black orbs remained cold to hers.
"I suggest you call the director and discuss what can be don't with this situation, Yagami" L stated, the Chief nodding and pulling his cell phone from his pocket as he stood. He took the call into the hallway, leaving the rest of the team in the motionless, achingly quiet room.
Matsuda tried to give L an uplifting smile, "You never know, Ryuzaki, things could turn out differently" he attempted to reassure.
L glanced at the man before his gaze disappeared into the depths of his tea. "Hardly. A three percent chance" he answered. And with that, the room loped into silence again; until the chief returned through the door.
"I'm afraid to say that it's just as you thought, Ryuzaki" the chief stated solemnly.
L casually took another sip of his tea, but Robin could see the forced deliberate strokes in his actions. When he forced his calmness, that was when L was undoubtedly the most scared. "Well, we do have three days left. So in the meantime, let's think of a measure to prevent all that. It would annoy me considerably if I'm killed by someone who jumped on the Kira bandwagon"
"Huh?" Matsuda let out in surprise.
"You noticed it as well?" Robin questioned.
"What do you mean?" the chief said, the three of their statements almost blending together since they were so closely followed after one another.
"There is a high possibility that this Kira is a fake… no, we should address them as the second Kira" L said.
A collective gasp rang out from the three policemen, "second Kira? What makes you think this is another Kira?" Aizawa asked in surprise.
"Well, first there were the victims of Kira that were used to convince Sakura station that the tapes were indeed from the real Kira; all of these victims being daytime talk and news show announcers. Victims very different from Kira's usual prey. The second Kira used these people only because he couldn't run the risk of Kira killing a criminal he had selected before the second Kira needed to prove himself to Sakura." L said.
As usual, the team largely remained in awe of L's deductive skills. "But, Ryuzaki, what are the chances that this is really a second Kira?" the chief asked.
"Over seventy-five percent. These actions are far too different that those of the first Kira." L stated. "I don't like the way this one does things"
"the way this one does things?" Matsuda asked. "What do you mean?"
L swallowed a bite of his cake, washing it down with some tea before he spoke. "The first Kira has never killed innocent people; aside from those trying to catch him. Anyway, I think we should concentrate our efforts on trying to catch the second Kira within three days. If we catch this Kira, we may also have a hint to find the first one as well" L said.
"But you're forgetting something important," Robin spoke up, all eyes curiously turning to her. "while it is obvious this is a second Kira making the tapes, you haven't looked at the type of profile she displays"
He return his fork to the plate of cake, leaving it there in favor of fully observing Robin's theory. "She?" he questions, enough to prompt her to continue.
Somehow, L's attention makes Robin express a smile. "Yes. Not only are the victims only on daytime shows, but also exclusively in women's magazines. Evidence which isn't conclusive on it's own; but if you pay attention to the way the second Kira says things you can see it. She knows there is a first Kira, and is trying to make him curious about her through the tapes; she also wants to impress him. She's a full-blown Kira worshipper, but also a fan girl. Even when she outlined the police's duties if they were to cooperate. And I quote, 'especially those criminals who have overpowered someone of weaker means'. Most likely, she was involved in an incident and Kira killed her oppressor. That's probably what started her love for Kira number one" she explained.
A short silence overtook the room as the rest of the force took in the entirety of her theory, L of course being the first one to speak. "It does seem like a bit of a stretch in some areas, but I have to say that I agree with you, R. The probability of the second Kira being a woman is roughly ninety-two percent. Surely a factor that can be useful in some way" he said.
Robin grinned at him. "I'm glad to help" she said brightly.
L appraised her expression, but made no comment or acknowledgement before turning to the chief. "Yagami, I have an idea. Would it be too much to ask to propose your son's cooperation for this investigation?"
A/N: Sorry, sorry, sorry! I know I've neglected this story for awhile. Between my fantastic spring break trip with my friends, my increased work hours, and my new boyfriend, I haven't had a lot of time to do what I want. And most of that time goes towards my web comics, so I apologize for the lateness of this chapter! Also, as always, thanks so much for the favs and reviews. I hope y'all stick with this story! -Luv, Cart