And before everyone reminds me, I'm having Near get on a plane here, and I know that he mentions to Rester later on that he wants him to come back and fly with him because he's never flown alone before. As there is no other way for Near to have gone to see the FBI and the President unless he flew so I'm thinking the original writers kinda forgot that when they gave him that line. What I will do is have Near come up with a reason later on for why he says that when it isn't necessarily true. I hope that will work. Hugs everyone.
Chapter 33
Near finished putting the tapes, disks and paperwork into the briefcase. Christine had managed to get to Director Mason of the FBI, she had managed to go thru the channels by using her knowledge of L and Watari and enough of his operations to prove she was who she said she was. Now Near had a meeting to attend to in order to prove his case and hopefully get the help he needed. He looked around L's apartment, making sure he had not forgotten anything. Satisfied he had not he grabbed the briefcase and his laptop and left.
Christine braved the February cold to have her discussion with L at the gravesite. She told him that Near was leaving for Washington today and she was hopeful the director would listen and help him. Near and Matt had done all they could do on their own, without access to L's contacts, they had to find another route and the FBI was the best option. She brushed a fine covering of snow from both L's and Watari's headstones before turning to go back inside, and almost ran into Near. She was completely surprised; neither boy had been here since the funeral. She watched as Near eyed both graves, his fingers twisting furiously in his hair.
"Near why are you here?" she asked gently. He pulled his eyes back to her face.
"I was looking for you, and I know you come out here on occasion, I thought I would check."
"Why don't we go back inside to talk, it's getting cold." She smiled at him. He once again surveyed the graves.
"Why do you keep coming out here, Dr. Thompson? What good can possibly come with constantly staring the fact that they're dead in the face?" Christine sighed and turned back to the graves.
"I know it may sound strange, Near but it gives me a place to focus, to still be able to be with L. I'm not a great believer in spirits and souls and the like, but I do feel for some reason that L is there, that when I talk to him here he hears me and it makes me feel that I haven't lost him completely. I know it makes no logical sense but I can't help what I feel." Near looked at her and back at the graves.
"Or perhaps it's what you want to feel. I know you have not let his death go completely, I'm not sure any of us can with his murderer out there still, but I'm not sure this is good for you." Christine smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry about me, Near. Lots of people talk to a lost loved one this way because above all else, that person is there physically and that's enough for them. I agree that until Kira is caught, there is a part of me that will not let L go. I can't right now, but I will when you've caught him. Now, let's go inside.' He nodded and moved forward with Christine at his heels.
Once inside they went to her office and sat down, Near began going over what he planned to do once he arrived and what the next steps would be. Christine listened and nodded her agreement.
"If they decide to pick up on this, it's possible you won't be coming back here for quite some time then Near." She said.
"Which is exactly why I'm not going with you." Matt interjected from the doorway. Both Near and Christine looked up as he spoke and watched him walk in.
"I simply assumed you didn't want to upset Mello by continuing to work with me." Near said. Matt shook his head.
"I could handle that, so that isn't the reason. But not knowing when we'd back so Mello can contact me is not gonna work for me, I'm sorry Near." Near nodded.
"I understand, Matt. He could call for you any day now, you don't want to miss him." Matt went over to Near and squatted down so he'd be eye level with the white haired young man in the chair.
"I really am sorry, though I really wanted to hear what the FBI had to say, how they're going to handle all this information. I sorta feel like I'm abandoning you at a crucial point, letting L down."
"Dr Thompson can let you know after I let her know what happens. It's ok Matt, your relationship with Mello is very important to you. And once you guys get back together you'll be back on the case so you're not letting L down. You have been invaluable to me these past few years, I have enjoyed working with you it would have been nearly impossible without your help. It's fine, Matt."
Christine stayed quiet, she knew it was a situation that had to be dealt by them alone. She could see the bond between them was still strong and there would be no hard feelings. But she also knew Near was not happy with the trio breaking down to just one now, but he would handle it as Near always did. She couldn't help feeling that ache herself, and she felt it for Near as well.
Matt nodded and stood up, his hand reaching for his back pocket and the cigarettes she knew were there. He was an adult now, there was nothing she could say except to tell him to not do it inside. He pulled one out and stuck it in his mouth and she cleared her throat. He looked at her with his trademark smile.
"Don't worry I'm not gonna light it up in here, Dr. Thompson, I wouldn't want you to hose me down with the fire extinguisher," he looked down at Near again and put a hand on his shoulder; "Go give'em hell Snow Queen make them listen to you." Then he burst out laughing when Near glared at him and ran out of the door. Christine tried to hide the smile when she heard the nickname she hadn't heard in several years. She reached into her drawer and pulled out the airline stood and handed them to Near.
"It's time to go. Director Mason will be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive. You have your cell phone and both of my numbers correct?" he nodded taking the tickets and standing up as well.
"Yes. I will call you immediately after the meeting with the Director and inform you as to the next course of action." She reached into her drawer and removed her car keys. She would take him to the airport and see him off as she had wanted to with L that last time. Not that she suspected anything would happen to Near, but this would be the first time he had ever set foot outside of Whammy's and she was not going to let him do it alone. She smiled at him and gestured towards the door. He picked up his briefcase and followed her out.
She watched the plane taxi down the runway and take off with mixed emotions. She had allowed her emotions to get the best of her and had grabbed Near into a big bear hug before she allowed him to go to the gate. She saw the color appear on his cheeks when she had let him go, but she couldn't let him go without doing that. She didn't know when she'd see him again and he looked for a moment like he was so unsure of what he was doing. She really wanted to go with him since the first moment Matt had said he wasn't going, but she couldn't. She still had an orphanage full of children under her care, and no matter how much she loved Near, they were her first responsibility. Near would be fine; she wished she could find someone to be his "Watari" and look out for him. Perhaps the FBI could provide someone if she asked, but she had to be careful how she worded it. She didn't want Near to come off as if he were feeble or unable to care for himself. She giggled to herself, well actually, in some ways, he was less able than L was as he'd never left Whammy's before or done anything on his own. Yes, she would call Director Mason as soon as she left the airport, she was sure he could provide Near with an escort.
She left the building and got into her car to make the drive back to Whammy's and found that she was near tears. She pulled over to the side of the road and allowed herself to cry. After all this time he was finally on his way to take Kira down and she suddenly realized how afraid she was for him. Kira had taken L, and now Near and Mello were both out there trying to take him. Soon Matt would be in the fray as well. She had never allowed herself to think of this part of it; she couldn't. But now that it was happening it hit her and all the worry and fear she had for the boys was finally letting themselves out. She didn't allow herself the luxury of tears for very long; she could almost see the smirks on all four of their faces, her behaving like such a girl.. She pulled herself together and restarted the car. There was still work to do.
