My goodness I didn't acknowledge that my last chapter was #40. That's a whole lot more than I first suspected when I started writing this, but then I'd forgotten just how much there was to the Death Note story. We are now turning the corner closer to the end now, soon Kira will get what's coming to him and L will be avenged! Oh and to those who were concerned that Christine was going to move on to someone else…LOL that was funny to receive those emails about that. I'm conflicted about that myself. Although I firmly believe that Christine will move on once Kira is brought down, I don't believe she will look for another relationship. She's going to be so wrapped up in the new heirs program I'm not sure she'll have time, also I think, at least I know I would, be continually comparing that person with L which would make it very difficult on the new guy. But then, I never know with these characters, sometimes they tell me things I didn't think of before I started typing…LOL. I need to shout out to my faithful readers and reviewers Rainy-Lullaby, Caboose-Blue, my new readers ShizukaLawliet 13 and BluePainted Freak. But most of all my dearest friend, Dragonrider 4000.

Chapter 41

Mello opened his eyes, well he was only able to open one he realized. His mouth was very dry and it hurt a little to breathe. He tried to remember everything that had happened, but what came through most was pain more than anything else. He used his right hand and felt the bandage on the left side of his face. He grimaced as it hurt to touch. He tried to look at how far the bandage went and could feel it on his chest and his arm. He tried to remember what happened after the explosion and it was hazy and pain filled. He remember feeling as if he were completely on fire, the leather he was wearing searing into his skin. He knew the task force would be checking every hospital, every doctor to see if someone injured would show up tonight so he couldn't go near a hospital. But there were places in his world he could go, because it was quite often Mafia would be hurt and not want to be found. Fear of Kira had made most of them flee, but he made his way to the one he knew was still around and quite literally fell on the floor when he arrived. The next thing he knew was a haze of pain again as they tried to remove what was left of the leather out of his chest and back. He remembered vague warnings of not to move, and then nothing. His next memory was waking up and finding himself alone, but thankfully his cell phone was still in his pant pocket. He knew he wouldn't survive this without help and there was only one person he could trust and he called Matt with the little bit of strength he had. Matt…he had come for him and had brought doctor Thompson. Matt…where was Matt? He needed Matt..

"Matt!" he called out, surprised at how hoarse his voice was, "Matt…"

Matt's eyes shot open as he heard his almost whispered name. He sat up in the bed directly across from Mello's and looked in his direction. He saw Mello frantically looking around for him, but unable to move his head too far in any direction. He jumped up and ran over to Mello's bed, grabbing his hand.

"I'm here, Mello I'm right here." He said getting as close to Mello's face as he could. Mello's eye rolled up to where he heard the voice and stared at what he wanted to see the most.

"Matt..Matt.." and he started to cry. Matt kissed his undamaged cheek and then his hand.

"It's alright Mello, you're going to be alright. Dr. Thompson took care of you for hours last night, but she said you're going to be all right."

"It hurts so much, Matt, it hurts." Matt squeezed his hand harder and nodded.

"God I know it hurts, I'm so sorry. I love you." Matt kept himself in control, Mello didn't need to see his weakness right now, but he ached right down to his core for his partner. He waited a few moments and then tried to let go of Mello's hand for a moment.

"I'm going to get Doctor Thompson. I'm sure she can give you something for the pain." Mello looked frightened and grabbed at Matt's hand.

"Please…don't leave me.." he begged and Matt nodded.

"Ok, I'll use the phone, I won't leave." He stretched himself to reach the phone by the bed and dialed Christine's number.

The sound of the phone broke through immediately; she had been subconsciously waiting to hear from Matt. She reached over and picked it up.

"Matt? How is he?" she asked immediately.

"He's awake and in a lot of pain. I hoped you could give him something to take the edge off."

"Ofcourse, I'll be right there." She sat up, pulled on her robe and grabbed her bag as she headed towards the adjoining doors. She went to Mello and checked his vitals, still hearing the fluid in his lungs. She prepared two syringes for him, one for pain and an antibiotic. She put them into his IV and then sat down on the bed.

"Other than the pain, Mello how are you feeling?" she asked him and he swallowed and tried to look at her.

"I'm having a little trouble breathing." he started then he broke. These were the two people he could let his bravado down around and not feel stupid, he trusted them with everything and he just didn't have it in him to try anyway.

"It's alright Mello, it's alright. You're safe now, you're not alone." He nodded and she stroked his cheek with her fingers. She looked at Matt.

"I'm going to have the desk find a medical supply store for me and have some oxygen delivered. Try to keep him as calm as possible so he doesn't exert himself. It's because he was lying on his back for so long before we found him, there's fluid build up in his lungs. After the pain subsides a bit, I'll have him sit up and get him to cough and try to loosen it up some. Don't worry, it will be fine. We got to him in time, he'll be fine. But he's got a few bumps to get over." She stood up and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze as he gave her a shakey smile and turned his attention back to Mello.

She went back into her room and closed the door behind her. She didn't let on how she fell apart when she finally got back into her room last night. Cleaning Mello's burns had been every bit of horrific as she had been afraid of, and thankfully, he had passed out from the ordeal halfway through and it was easier on her and poor Matt after he had. When she had done she made Matt lie down and then went in to her room and fell apart herself. This was her little Mello, the little skinny blonde hellion whose escapades brought laughter to her when she should have been scolding. Whose laughter with Matt's filled those Whammy halls so often she would know it the minute she heard it while sitting in her office. She remembered the look in his eyes when he was with L, the love and intense loyalty she saw there, the need for L to love him. Just like the others, she loved him as her own, and it damn near killed her to have to hurt him as she did.

But at least she knew he would survive and be his old self soon. Scarred, yes, but he would heal and shouldn't have any restriction in movement. She wasn't sure about the trauma he must have suffered, both from the accident and the shoddy treatment he received afterwards. How horrific to have been left alone when you were so hurt and scared; thank god he had managed to keep his cell phone. She shuddered at the thought.

She would stay there until he was able to get up and move around properly and there was no more risk, no matter how long it took. Now that he was getting proper treatment she thought it would only be a matter of weeks. The kids at Whammy's could do without her for a little while longer, she was sure. Her hand unconsciously wrapped around the caduceus around her neck which she had not removed since L gave it to her as she thought.

"L why didn't you warn me about this part of the job, with these heirs of yours? You held out on me, Mr. Detective." she whispered into the air and then laughed.

"Yes, I would have done it anyway." She said and then reached for the phone to call the desk.

Near tried not to let the angry he felt affect his thinking process; they had already suffered compromises, but this one would be difficult to come back from. The deaths of almost his entire team, having to confirm he was indeed Near from The Whammy's House to L2 (he would never forgive Roger for that) and now this. He listened again as the vice president tried to explain his position, why the US would no longer pursue Kira. No matter what he said, Near knew the real reason, he was afraid. Obviously Kira had already made it clear he would end up like the president if he didn't cooperate. This would leave the SPK in a precarious situation. The FBI would no longer be able to assist them, and it would only be a matter of time before Japan and other countries would follow suit. He stared out at the New York City skyline outside the office window.

"What's going to happen to us?" he heard Halle wonder out loud.

"We're going to be disbanded, that's for certain," he answered. This chicken hearted, maggot of a man would not stop him from finding L's killer and stopping this chaos. He'd find a way.