Away From Home

Chapter Thirty

By Andruindel

lilililili

"Ryuuzaki, you've got to get here quick! Something bad has happened!"

L hung up the phone, instantly jumping to his feet. "I have to go."

Light, Mr. Yagami and Mogi stared at him, uncomprehending. "Why?" Light asked the obvious question.

L's hair concealed his face, effectively hiding his thoughts. "Amy is in the hospital."

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The task force were at the hospital in no time. They found Amy's room with a bit of difficulty (no one knew her full name, and the hospital staff seemed to think it a bit suspicious that a group of men were visiting a patient who had been escorted by a man who did not know her last name). When they entered the room, Amy was sleeping. Matsuda was pacing, obviously nervous. "Oh," He turned as the door opened. "Finally, you're here."

"What happened?" L did not take his eyes from Amy's sleeping form. He approached, and sank into the chair beside her bed, folding up into his usual position.

Matsuda rushed to explain. "She was hit by a car. Thankfully, it wasn't going too fast, but still. She's pretty banged up." His guilt was obvious as it richly colored his tone. "I just wish I'd been there to save her like last time..."

Silently, the task force gathered around Amy. Out of necessity, L had removed the handcuffs, to keep from drawing attention to their group. But he insisted that Light stay with him, in the hospital room. After making sure Amy was still sleeping soundly, and getting a promise from L to stay with her, Matsuda rushed away. He said something vague about making sure Amy had something to cheer her up, but that didn't give any clues about what he was going to do.

As for L, he sat motionless in the chair, his eyes never wavering from Amy's face. She didn't look too bad. She had a cut on her forehead, and a bandage wrapped tightly around her left arm. He couldn't see any other injuries, but then again, the blanket was covering most of her. When a nurse came in, L was quick to ask how Amy was doing.

"Remarkably well. Most patients who have been hit by a car have much more damage done to them. She escaped with a few cuts and bruises. Not even any broken bones."

L sighed in relief. He had always known Amy was tough. "How long will she be asleep?"

The nurse considered for a minute. "It's hard to say. We gave her some medication for the pain, and we had to numb her up a bit so we could stitch the cut on her arm. She fell asleep as soon as we'd given her the painkiller. She'll probably wake up soon."

The nurse went away, leaving a much calmer L behind. He now knew the extent of Amy's injuries, and knew also that she was asleep as naturally as could be expected after being hopped up on painkillers. Sleep was really the best medicine, anyway.

Amy was still sound asleep when Matsuda returned, bearing a bunch of balloons, a stuffed panda, and flowers. He carefully arranged them so that Amy would see them first. Curiously, L picked up the stuffed panda. He wasn't shaped like your average teddy bear, but he was incredibely soft and fluffy. It was as L was examining the panda that Amy finally stirred.

Attracted by the motion, L leaned forward, peering into Amy's face. She stirred again, her eyelids flickered, and then she slowly opened her eyes. Comprehension was slow in coming to her gaze. When she finally seemed to remember, she glanced at once to L, her eyes sparkling. "I'm so glad you're here, Ryuuzaki." She said, grinning. She was awfully cheerful for a girl who'd just been hit by a car. "I thought about it, and I made up my mind. I don't know why it was such a hard choice for me in the first place. I could never leave you, Ryuuzaki."

(Point of view change!)

I gazed up at L, smiling, and incredibly happy. Of course, I was pretty sore, and my arm was beginning to ache again, but I knew that I'd made the right decision. I could never leave L. Not while he still didn't have the proof he needed to capture Kira. After my decleration, I was smothered by attention from Matsuda. He showed me the balloons, the flowers, and the stuffed panda. I gave the panda's name some serious thought. I already had a teddy bear named Panda, so, why not name the panda Teddy?

Even though it was nice to have Matsuda and the rest of the task force around, I was soon ready to fall asleep again. Seeing how exhausted I was, the task force crept out of the room, promising to be back the next day, when I was going to be allowed the leave. L stayed where he was. He hadn't said much; When I thought about it, I couldn't remember hearing his voice at all, all day. But now, now that the others were gone, he finally spoke.

"I am glad you're alright, Amy." He finally took his eyes from my face, glancing away. "I don't know what I would have done if you'd been badly hurt, or..." He didn't need to finish the sentence.

Carefully, I reached toward L with my uninjured arm. He took my hand, looking at me again. "I'm sorry I worried you, Ryuuzaki..." I started. "I should have been paying more attention to where I was going earlier, but I was kinda upset..."

"I shouldn't have let you out of the building."

"Ryuuzaki?"

"Yes?"

"Can.. Can I have a kiss?" I knew it was something of a long shot. We hadn't kissed since that night almost two months ago. Not that I hadn't wanted to, but because I had been waiting for L to instigate our second kiss. A slight smile quirked L's lips, and he leaned forward, pressing his lips to mine in our second kiss.

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I was out of the hospital bright and early the next morning, not too much the worse for wear. Of course, my entire body ached, and my left arm was one dull throb of pain, but I was with L, I was out of the horrible hospital, and I was happy with my life once again. I had made a big decision, and I knew it was the right one, which meant I had every reason to be happy. Of course, by the time I had finished the drive home, I was incredibley sore, and impossibly grumpy.

"L?" I asked, as I struggled to get out of the car. He was swift to help me out of the car, and without my having to ask, he hefted me easily into his arms. He carried me inside, up to my floor and then into my room.

"Thank you, L," I said, as I shifted into a more comfortable position. My entire body ached.

L said nothing, but after I was comfortable, and ready to fall asleep, he left silently. I fell asleep knowing that L was somewhere nearby, and that I would never have to leave him again.

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Hey, y'all! To any readers in the good ol' US of A, Happy Independence Day! I don't expect too many reviews today, since it's a national holiday where I am, but maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. It's funny, I remember this chapter going some-what differently back when I first thought of it. Funny how things like that change, isn't it? Anyway, thank you for reading, and please review!