The plan was set. Matt crouched on his horse as it galloped across the desert. Hundreds of men, including several sheriffs and deputies from neighboring towns, followed close behind. Word of the rebellion against the bandits spread like wild fire. Before Matt knew it, men were lining at the bar, promising to do whatever it took to protect their homes. He glanced to the side of him, smirking at the bartender, Aiber.

"We got a few days journey," Aiber called to him. "But I'm excited as Hell. I never been in a fight before. I never died before, neither."

Matt chuckled. "I guess there's a first time for everything."

What his men didn't know was Beyond would escape. A part of Matt hoped he wouldn't, but the bastard was too cunning. Lawliet anticipated this, though. Matt clicked his spurs harder into the horse. They sailed across the sand, journeying to the hell which awaited.

Matt's adrenaline pumped hard through his body. The horse's hooves pounded against the sand. Through all the rush, though, Matt constantly found himself wondering if he would run into Mello. Would Mello escape with Beyond, or remain to fight? If the latter was the case, Matt would face him. He had a strategy to defeat Mello-if 'defeat' was the proper word. He would never kill his ex-lover, but he wouldn't let him free either.

"The prime man we're lookin' to save is L, although he might be gone by the time we arrive," Matt informed Aiber. He began to describe L as detailed as possible. "There might be someone with him." He started to describe Light and, to his surprise, Aiber's eyes lit up.

"I saw him! Hell, he stayed right above my bar. His friend was sick. Said his name was Ryuzaki, but come to think of it, he fits L's description perfectly. Never talked to the poor bastard, though. He got shot in the stomach and the doctors figured he'd never recuperate."

"What? You must be mistaken. When was this?"

"A few weeks ago."

"But-he's still alive. What did the doctors do?"

Aiber shrugged. "Light took off with him before the doctors could determine his survivability. Ryuza-I mean L was in a coma."

Something funny was going on. His thoughts wandered to the fountain mentioned in the letter. Is it healed L somehow? He never mentioned he was hurt in the letter. Matt bit his lip as they continued to ride towards Light's and L's hometown. He would find out the answer soon enough.

Mello bent his body over the wash bin, glaring at his reflection in the water. A sickly mucus filled the back of his throat. He stumbled towards the door, throwing up outside. He trembled, trying desperately to gain composure. Horrid thoughts flooded his mind and, before he knew it, he got sick again. He gripped at his stomach, sinking onto the floor. The wind wrapped it's hot, sticky fingers around his body. His clothes clung desperately to his skin.

What happened to him?

Over the past few days, nightmares constantly plagued his sleep. He'd wake up sweating. Craving and yearning attention, he'd beg Beyond to wake up. He'd only receive a smack or a nasty comment before the bastard fell back asleep. Mello had kicked the blankets from the bed in his sleep last night. He woke up to a fist bashing his cheek. After, he dreamed that Beyond tore Matt's head off and ate his innards with a wicked smirk on his face.

Mello curled into a ball, shivering. His body temperature sky rocketed over the past few days. The unexplainable sickness refused to passed his body, no matter how many pills he tossed down his throat. The only time the sickness subsided, though, was when he visited Light.

He stood up, swaying slightly as he caught his balance. Light's chair had been tossed backwards, yet the man was fast asleep. Mello pulled the chair to it's rightful position softly. His stomach settled as he observed the new wounds on Light's body. Apparently Beyond paid him a visit.

Mello caught sight of Light's bound hands. A bone protruded from his ring finger. A few other fingers jutted in strange directions. He bit his lip, pulling a syringe from his pocket. He plunged it into Light's vein. Light groaned as Mello pushed the morphine into his system.

A soft moan escaped Light's lips. "Lawli."

Mello froze. Through all the pain the man endured, his mind still lingered on his old friend. Mello knew what it was like to find comfort in another. He remembered it too well, actually.

Matt placed a damp gauze on Mello's aching face. "Stop worryin' 'bout how you look," he smiled softly. "Just focus on gettin' better so you can leave this stinkin' room. You've been in here way too long."

"Don't tell me what to do," Mello frowned at him.

Somehow, Matt laughed at the comment. He always laughed when Mello attempted to control him. Mello sat up, grunting from the pain. "Want some more morphine?" Matt offered. Mello shook his head, too intoxicated from the pain.

"Mello, you'll be okay." Mello shrugged. Matt began to peel the bandages from his torso. "You will. I'm gonna make sure of it, aw'right? You gotta fight, too, though."

"Matt-"

"Will you fight?" Before Mello could answer, Matt pressed his lips softly against him and left the Mello to think. He leaned against the bed rest, staring at the burns that ran down his body. Matt left without bandaging him back up. He obviously did it purposefully, but why?

Mello knew why now. Matt was promising he would be back. Suddenly, tears poured down Mello's cheeks. He asked himself over and over what he'd done, but now he knew. Light moaned softly in his sleep as Mello slumped against the wall. He lost the only person, the only thing in the world, who made him human. Without Matt's guidance, Mello was trapped in a life which no one should live. Without Matt, Mello was nothing.

He wished he'd seen it sooner.

Suddenly, gunfire sounded from outside. Mello jumped up, clutching his pistol. He turned to Light. Even under all the scars and cuts, Light's face still shone radiantly. He was still somehow beautiful. Mello glanced towards the vanity on the other side of the room. For the first time in months, he admired his reflection.

"C'mon. Let's go to bed. Forget 'bout that thing for one day. Besides, I think it kinda suits you. All mysterious and dangerous and what-not."

More shots sounded from outside. Men hollered for help. Mello glanced at his reflection one last time.

Matt was always right.