A/N: Woo-hoo, it's Friday! And that means this story is updated. Yet another reason to enjoy Fridays. Anyway, I better let you guys read this chapter--I guarantee that you will love it!

Disclaimer: Don't own Death Note, only V. Yet again.

Chapter 18: Conciliation

It started raining cats and dogs by the time I reached the edge of Los Angeles. The dark night threatened to swallow me whole as I deftly crossed a street with developing puddles. Truthfully, I was amazed that I even managed to travel this far in one day—walking through the desert seemed to last forever. I wouldn't recommend undergoing such a trek by the way, even if you harbor wretched emotions toward someone. But, as I trudged through endless sand, I started regretting my words profoundly. Why did I even speak to my best friends in that manner? They surely must have utterly despised me as of late...and I wouldn't blame them a trifle bit. Perhaps our friendship would shakily come to a close, leaving me fully alone without anybody in this cruel, hateful world.

Mello would already be holding a grudge against me, I assumed darkly. If not, then he would have forgotten me altogether and obsess over getting the Death Note. That would become reality very soon, if he played his cards right. As for Matt—well, I wished to avoid thinking about him right now. The two of us had actually shared our first argument, which still stung when I recalled it. He was the one to tell me to leave. There was no hope for what I longed to occur between us. And what I wanted was...

I shut my eyes tightly against the pouring showers, avoiding that subject. In my opinion, it was best to evade dreaming things that would remain impossible.

My navy hooded sweatshirt seemed to weigh a ton, dragged down by the soaking wet of this horrid weather. My jeans and sneakers hardly fared better. I began to shiver, privately predicting a frightful cold in my future. My infernally long raven bangs hung limply in front of my face, so that I could scarcely see where I walked. To say the least, I was soaked to the skin, lacking everything in the world right now. I hadn't even eaten ice cream before I ditched the hideout, and I usually did before leaving my apartment back within this city. Because of this, my alertness lowered, replaced by heightened weariness from the absent sugar. It became so terrible for me, I narrowly missed a car when I sprinted (more like limped) across the street.

Yes, I was a perfect wretch, and I ached for shelter or any such refuge.

I discovered the safe haven in an unlikely place: a telephone booth. Eking out on what remained of my decreasing energy, I opened its door to come inside. Luckily, since it insisted on raining so bloody hard, I doubted no one would feel the inclination to use the phone. However, I realized that I indeed required some assistance, just to seek some location—I didn't care where. I could be temporarily residing in a hut in Zanzibar, and I would be highly content. Anywhere to escape this depression, dampness coupled with emotional pain, I wished to run to. So, I resolved to go through my inward list of options.

OK, first off the task force members...unfortunately, that was out of the question. They had fallen under Light's charismatic spell that could lure them to their gradual deaths like a mermaid's song. This also ruled out Light, who aspired to kill me anyway if he saw me again. No thanks. Hmm...perhaps Misa-san could help me—no, not good. From what understood before L's death, she had returned to killing criminals. Besides, she was much too closely connected with Light, and she could have been currently living with him for all I knew.

That left my friends, who would shirk any potentially helpful hands away from me. I knew that for certain. Then again, I supposed I could return to the orphanage...

In my dreams! I would rather live with cannibals than the sinfully envious orphans again. I was of age anyway, too old to be in an orphanage according to British legality. Clutching the phone in my quavering hands, I impelled my fingers to hover over the buttons to desperately dial Watari or L. At that point, my mind became frantic in its thoughts to the point that it had forgotten that those two never had phone numbers. Furthermore, those two, the dearest people in the world to me, were dead, killed by merciless, revolting Kira. A revelation came to me full-force then, stating the reason why I behaved so erratically to Matt and Mello. I hadn't come to terms with my brother's or Watari's death, still blaming both of them combined on myself. I could have done something to save them, warn them—I lost it right then and there.

The phone made an agonizing racket as it banged against the glass of the booth, suspended by a mere cord. It was my fault for everything wrong in my life, forget Kira. I jinxed my two dead loved ones, leading them to their murders without warning them of Light's power. Helpless and alone for once in my life, I huddled in one corner of the booth and proceeded to sob. There was no one to turn to for aid now. Tears streamed down my face like the rain outside, which compelled me to recall another thing. Every time a turning point that usually destroyed part of me came, torrential showers would fall. I wasn't sure if the weather sympathized or hated me due to this not amusing irony.

Enshrouded in my pain, I ignored whoever decided to open the booth door as my sobs gradually ebbed into only weeping. When a hand touched my shoulder, I nearly bumped my head against the neglected phone.

"V," a warm, familiar voice welcomed, "we meet again."

Oh, no—tears stained my normally ensured calm face. I couldn't be seen like this; my raging pride dared not allow it. So, I took the coward's way out by concealing my face with my still soaked sleeve. The same hand that had rested on my shoulder gently pulled my horrid countenance toward its owner.

Brushing back stray hairs that plastered to my hued cheeks, he whispered while wearing his eternal smile, "You're so proud... You won't even let anyone see your tears. Geez, V, I knew you had pride issues, but this is ridiculous."

I held back a laugh that probably would have come out as a sob as I cautiously leaned toward Matt, who draped one arm around me. He acted so casual regarding this, yet I felt as though my face would turn into a tomato ready for a Caesar salad topped with ranch dressing. Well, I do detest tomatoes, but that's beside the point. My emotions were a turmoil within my heart, threatening to impel yet another sobbing episode. When Matt noticed this, he looked somewhat concerned, though proceeded to wrap his other arm around me.

"Tell me all about it," he murmured casually.

Funny, how he ended up being the only one to ever see me cry.

Crying out my problem of blaming myself for the fatalities of Watari and L, I told Matt that my refusal to come to terms lead me to my repulsive behavior today. Even though I had buried my face in his shoulder, I sensed he listened to every word, and I swore he placed his lips to my hair. I couldn't be certain, though.

Once I concluded my summarized story, he stated gravely, "You shouldn't have even bothered blaming yourself. It's obvious Kira did that, and that's why he's still a big deal. Trust me, we'll get that idiot."

Stunned at his seriousness, I jolted my head upwards to meet his gaze. "Who are you, and what have you done with Matt?"

Obviously, my eyes must have dilated, for he started chuckling and adoringly ruffled my hair. Oh, how I loved that!

"I'm still here, Princess Zelda. Don't worry about that."

"Princess Zelda?"

Matt sighed in mock hopelessness and shook his head. "It's a long story."

A content silence passed between us as I wondered why he had come back for me. What I did to him and Mello was foolish; in my opinion, they should have left me out here.

Meanwhile, I looked deliberately at Matt when I lifted my head only to observe that he eyed his soggy cigarette with dismay. However, he grinned like the ludicrous Cheshire Cat once he noticed me looking at him.

"And I smoked all the way here, too! That's the good thing about stolen vehicles. They provide perfect smoking shelter."

"OK...so you imply that you came here in a stolen car?" I asked in a slightly bewildered manner.

"I've actually 'owned' it for four months now," he explained, tossing the cigarette casually aside after picking wet ash off it. "It's a real hot rod."

I smiled again after he bragged about his car, which must have been an expensive convertible. Of course he would steal something like that.

Serenely leaning back against Matt, I resolved to finally pose the question that I had been dying to ask. "So...am I forgiven?"

"Yeah, definitely by me—I don't stay mad too long. Though Mello...he's kind of iffy about it, but I think he forgives you, too."

Heaving a sigh of relief, I murmured, "That's good to hear."

"Yeah..."

A longer yet still placid silence intruded while my thoughts averted to more important matters, ones I was unsure about addressing. Reflecting on my meditation when I trudged alone in the rain, I recognized that one unique topic stood out.

I had fruitlessly attempted to escape love, to avoid developing an infatuation with Matt. But, now that we were here, practically stranded in a telephone booth in the midst of a storm, I could hardly deny it any more. The emotion I felt currently had settled within my heart for years, a decade even. All the while I bravely endeavored to slay it like St. George killed a mighty dragon in that legendary myth. Yet, this situation frightened me into holding my tongue and not confess the truth. I loved Matt—I always had and would continue doing so after my death, whenever it may come. In the past, he had made ma laugh and feel approved, as though I could do anything without him despising me like the other orphans.

Sure, this was similar to my friendship with Mello, but that was just that: a mere friendship. With Matt, I sensed these spine-tingling, beautiful emotions that I never felt around anybody else. I guess he really brought out me, the true V, who possessed a sharp wit and cared more profoundly than her peers ever deemed possible. And, most of all, we basked in all the fun moments we shared. I yearned so anxiously to tell him just how extensive my feelings for him stretched. For, he meant the world to me, and I hoped he could return my sentiments. Oh, how I hoped...

As I summoned my courage by embracing Matt, I enjoyed the feel of the soft fabric of his brown vest against my cheek. It was damp, but felt exquisite.

"I love you," I whispered in the most loving tone ever.

To my crushing disappointment, he didn't utter anything in response, which compelled me to speculate. Then again, I dared not study his facial reaction. But, what if he loved somebody else that I never knew? Or, worse, what if his apathy had severely kicked in? I worried, fretted, and worried some more.

Then, he simply stated, "Let's go back."

Great, I blew it tremendously. All my dreams shattered, my heart breaking right along with them. Please don't let his anger emerge, I prayed fervently.

But, really, what could I do? Depression and I went hand in hand.

I opened the booth door to wander outside first. As irony would have it, rain fell, though the thunder and lightning ceased. This shower was persistent, but I realized now I didn't care. Not even the admittedly impressive red convertible I espied (Matt's car) could awe me with its presence. My already drenched shoes worsened as I trudged through puddles emotionlessly.

I should hardly permit this to destroy me, so why was it? Suddenly, leather brushed my hand, proceeding to grasp it gently.

"V," Matt addressed me, so that I could stop my walking.

I had barely turned around to face him when his soft lips touched mine. Yielding instantly, I enjoyed this sensation that came once in a lifetime: the first kiss. No wonder the orphan girls at Wammy's obsessed over receiving one! Everything regarding it was perfect to the last detail. The scent of the rain mingled with the ashy aroma of his cigarettes smelled so good...and his wet bangs plaster to my own seemed like heaven on earth. I could die happy if this moment happened to be the last. This already lengthy kiss strengthened in passion as I sensed Matt grinning into it, whereas I smiled my widest. We broke apart then, my arms remaining coiled intimately around his neck. I could tell that we both enjoyed the kiss. In fact, we leaned in for another one before Matt broke it this time.

"I know this has been amazing," he started, "but I don't plan on getting mono. It is raining, after all."

I giggled, bringing my hand into the crook of his arm while we walked to the parked convertible with its top up. He opened the passenger door first.

"Ladies first," he drawled, mocking politeness.

"Now you're just being too charming," I joked in return as I eagerly strapped the seatbelt. I had fully prepared to go back to the hideout without any protests. We headed back to the location, conversing as though my second emotional breakdown in practically two years had never happened. We gave each other blissful laughs when we contributed jokes to inject some spice into the conversation. Now, we were lovers as well as best friends, and I was confident that we could keep that balance.

"So, Matt, why did you come back for me in the first place?" I inquired at one point in our lively talk.

He ensured to keep his eyes on the road as he answered, "It kind of resulted like in those movies when the girl is like, 'Oh, I hate you—I'm moving out', and the guy then knows he messed up. This scenario was exactly like that."

"But, was it more? I'm...I'm just curious."

Appearing to think on that, he snapped his fingers once the right response came. "I guess it's that I realized I loved you since I was a kid...and I didn't want to lose you."

I couldn't resist my cooing when I let out an "Awwww." This reaction made Matt chuckle, though he managed to idealize a retaliating remark.

"Look, V, I want to be considered cute as in handsome, not cute as in an adorable puppy. Scratch me behind the ears now, I dare you!"

Slyly pretending to, I noted that he jerked his head away yet focused on the road. I laughed with effortless enthusiasm.

"You have an ego!" I exclaimed, clapping once to signify my amusement.

"And you're too cute. That's a problem right there!" he joked as an almost counter defense strategy. Matt was just so unbelievably funny that I thanked fate for once that it allowed me to fall in love with him. And, better yet, he seemed to adore me, judging by that kiss in the rain and those constant jokes.

As he proceeded to drive through the desert, which marked the home stretch for the ride, Matt took out his cellphone to call Mello. "Hey, Mello, Princess Zelda is returning to the castle. Repeat, Princess Zelda is returning to the castle, over."

I thought I heard protests regarding that weird announcement from the other end before he hung up.

"You know, Matt," I informed him quietly with a small smile, "I wish you'd stop calling me Princess Zelda. In a way, it's rather unnecessary."

He glanced at me for a fraction of a second. "Then how about Princess Peach?"

"No!" I bit back a laugh, nearly chewing my bottom lip.

"All right, Miss Pacman it is!"

A stream of giggles eluded me due to Matt's insistence on being so ornery. And yet, it seemed to bestow to him an irresistible personality. I could never refuse him.

"Right back at you, Donkey Kong!" I retorted blissfully, which made him laugh along with me.

"I didn't say you could start calling me weird nicknames," he responded.

By the time Matt drove us to the garage of the hideout, tears of mirth brimmed my normally calculating eyes. But, being around him was never tiresome. Of course I would live every minute with him to the fullest.

After we exited the convertible, I assumed footsteps slyly approached from behind me. Just as I turned around, Matt grabbed me and resolved to carry me out of the garage.

"Matt!" I groaned jokingly, lightly batting his arms. "Why are you doing this?"

"To make sure you don't run away from me again," he told me as though he commented on the weather.

I laughed as I replied, "I won't! I won't! Now put me down!"

When he followed my request, we merely gazed at each other, and I noted how green his eyes were from behind his goggles. Matt kissed me on the forehead, and with that, we set off to talk to Mello together.

A/N: YAY, MATT AND V ARE OFFICIALLY TOGETHER!!!! XD This called for putting that in all caps, trust me. I've been so psyched posting this chapter that I couldn't wait til Friday. So, I grudge that there were probably some unrealistic little things in this (like V walking through the desert in one day...then again, I didn't name a specific time nor how long the desert stretched from hideout to city). I don't know. But, anyway, yes, this was the mystery pairing I had come up with. I guess the secret's out now.

For the record, Matt's an Aquarius (I think) and V's a Gemini. The ironic thing is I looked up V's sign the other day and found that Gemini and Aquarius are compatible. So, see? Even the stars said they were meant to be together!...in my story, that is.

Well, R&R! Should be updated tomorrow. After that, I seriously gotta learn to type faster. ^_^