Avery

My legs felt weak as I stumbled towards the door to wait for Watari to pick us up to take us to the hospital. Light held my hand tightly as he helped me to a bench in front of the Café. I tried to control my tears, but it was near impossible. The tears flowed as I put my face in my hands and sobbed.

"Avery. Hey. Ave. Look at me." Light said softly. I looked where his voice was coming from. He sounded so concerned. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

I couldn't speak. I couldn't get a word out. I was starting to hyperventilate. I couldn't control my breathing, and I started to cry more. Light wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly.

"Avery, listen to me. It's okay. You're okay. You're safe." He whispered softly in my ear. "Breathe Ave. Deep, slow breaths." I started to calm down, and he handed me some water. I slowly drank some and calmed my breathing down more. "Okay, now talk to me. What happened to Raden?"

I took a deep breath. "N-Near said Raden felt terrible when he found out that I knew about L's suspicion of you. So he was trying to find another suspect to take suspicion off of you." My whole body shook slightly as I tried to compose myself. "He was following a few members from a pretty rough gang, when one of them caught him, and, and-" I couldn't continue. I broke. The tears flowed down my face, staining my white top.

Light tightened his grip around me. I tried to calm my breathing so I could get out the last couple of words. I took another deep breath. "He was stabbed."

I heard Light gasp as his grip loosened around me. He placed his hands firmly on my shoulders, and I knew he was looking at me, searching my face. "What?"

My body shook slightly again, and his hands tightened. "He was stabbed three times in the stomach." I sobbed. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have reacted as badly as I did about you being a suspect. I should have stayed at HQ. I shouldn't have come here with you."

"Stop it. Don't you dare think like that." Light scolded me. "None of this is your fault. You can't blame yourself for this. Raden went off on his own. He made the choice, not you. You didn't make him search for another suspect. This is not your fault."

I sighed. I knew there was truth in his words, but I couldn't help but feel like I was the reason for all of this. What if he didn't make it? I would never be able to live with myself if my brother died because of something he was doing for me.

"Hey. Deep breaths." Light said softly. "He'll be okay. Raden's a tough son of a bitch. He's not going to let a couple wounds take him out of this world. And he's definitely not going to leave his little sister alone in this cruel world." I felt his hands leave my shoulders as he stood up. "Watari's here. Let's get going to the hospital."

Light

I sat in the hospital waiting room with Calla, Arkem, L, Watari, Mello, and Near. The nurses wouldn't allow any of us in with Avery to see Raden. Family only. I understood the rule, but I hated that Avery was in there alone. I wanted to be in there with her. To hold her hand, and tell her that everything was going to be fine. I wanted to be her rock. I wanted her to know that she wasn't alone.

It felt like we were waiting forever. I didn't know when I started pacing, or how long I was doing it, but I was sure I had started to wear out the floor. I was starting to get worried. Avery had been in there for at least 3 hours. And Misa calling me every 5 minutes wasn't helping. I had to go outside for a moment to yell at her to stop calling me and that I would call her back when I could. She didn't take that very well, and called me a couple more times before she finally took the hint. She was starting to seriously irritate me. I may have to kill her sooner than planned.

I continued my pacing when Calla jumped to her feet. "Avery!" She shouted, running past me.

I spun around to see Avery standing in the doorway beside the doctor. Her eyes were tear stained. She had a slight smile on her face, which meant that everything was okay. Raden was going to be okay.

I strode towards her quickly and brought her into my arms. "Are you okay? What's happening?"

"Light? You're still here?"

I pulled back slightly and looked her. "What kind of a question is that? Of course I'm still here." I responded, slightly appalled. "What makes you think I would leave?"

"Light, it's been 5 hours." She responded, shaking her head slightly. "Honestly, I'm surprised that Calla's still here."

"We're all here Avery." Arkem told her. "L, Watari, Near, Mello. We weren't going to leave you here to deal with this yourself."

"I would have been fine." She snapped slightly in Arkem's direction. She all of a sudden seemed irritated that Arkem was there.

Arkem seemed ready to retaliate, but his sister cut him off. "I know you would have been fine Avery." Calla told her. "But what kind of a friend would I be if I didn't wait here for you?"

Near made his way over to where Avery was standing. He seemed very relieved to see her. "How's Raden?"

"He's going to be okay." The doctor responded before Avery could. "We're just finishing up some more tests, and then he can go home. He needs to take it easy for the next few days, and he'll be good as new."

"Oh, thank God." Calla whispered. She looked back towards Avery. "Are you okay?"

Avery smiled towards her. "Yeah, I'm okay. A little overwhelmed, but I'm just glad Raden is okay." Her smile dropped slightly. "I'm really tired. I need to sit down."

Before anyone could react, I grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the chairs in the waiting room. I sat her down and took the chair beside her. She rested her head on my shoulders and closed her eyes. I took her hand in mine and stayed as still as possible so I wouldn't disturb her while she tried to sleep.

I was furious. When I find out that man's name, I'm going to write his name in the Death Note 10 fucking times and give him the worst death possible. He needed to pay for harming Avery's brother. It would seem like Kira was just passing judgment on this man, so it wouldn't add any suspicion to someone close to the Penbers. I just needed to find out this man's name. Easier said than done.

I flipped open my phone and sent Misa a text.

I need you to search the internet for a man who was apprehended for a stabbing today. When you've found him, kill him.

My phone vibrated moments later. Why?

Bloody hell, this woman was going to be the death of me. Because I said so! Just do it! Honestly, why did I have to explain everything to this idiot? And tell me when you've done it. She told me she would do anything for me, for Kira. Why the hell was she questioning me?

Okay, okay, jeez. What's going on?

I decided to ignore her last text message. She was working my last nerve.

My attention turned towards Avery. Her head had shifted slightly on my shoulder and her hair had fallen over her eyes. I brushed the beautiful strawberry blonde strands behind her ear and smiled slightly. She was so beautiful. I wanted her so badly, it hurt. I needed her. I knew it was a bad idea, but seeing her break down, so fragile, it hurt. I just wanted to hold her and kiss her and tell her I loved her. I wanted to be the one she immediately came to with every problem. I wanted to be her everything. I wanted to be her world.

I looked back at her as she shifted slightly and mumbled something. Even in her sleep she was adorable. I didn't know what came over me, I couldn't seem to control myself, and I just leaned over slightly and kissed the top of her head.

I looked up towards the others and froze when I saw Arkem glaring at me. Dammit. Of all people, he's the one I didn't want to see that. Now he'll be worse around Avery, and even more of a jackass to me. This wasn't good. I had a hard enough time dealing with him.

He turned away and I just shook it off. I would deal with him when the time came. The only thing that was important right now was being there for Avery and Raden.

It was another hour and a half before the doctor finally wheeled Raden into the waiting room. He seemed tired, but aside from that, he seemed okay. I nudged Avery slightly. "Ave. Hey, Ave." I said softly. "Avery, you're brother's here."

She shifted slightly then looked up at me with half opened eyes. "Hm?"

"Raden's in the waiting room." I told her. "Look."

She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. And then, as if a light bulb went off in her head, she gasped. "Raden!" She stood up quickly and grabbed my hand. I stood up and walked her to her brother and she wrapped her arms around him. "Oh my God, Raden!"

Raden chuckled slightly. "Hey sis. I'm okay." He wrapped his arms around her. "Hey, hey, don't cry"

Avery had broken down again. But who could blame her. She almost lost her brother, the most important person in her life. She needed him in her life.

"Raden's going to be just fine Miss Penber." The doctor told her. "He just needs to take it easy and stay in the wheelchair for another twenty-four hours." He handed Raden a piece of paper. "Here's a prescription for some pain killers. Only take one per day when you need it." He patted Raden lightly on the shoulder. "Take care of yourself Mr. Penber." And with that, he went to see to another patient.

"I'm so glad you're okay." Avery sobbed. "I thought I was going to lose you."

Raden laughed. "Come on Ave. You know it would take more than a couple of stab wounds to take me out." He smiled. "I'm okay Avery, really." She nodded and he looked towards L. "I know what you're going to say, and I won't have it. I'm going straight to HQ. I'll be fine."

Avery looked as though she was going to argue, but before she had the chance, L responded. "I'm glad to hear that. But you need to take it easy, and no more going off on your own." He looked around at the others. "That goes for everyone. No one goes off on their own, got it?"

There were murmurs of agreement between the group, and L nodded. "Alright, then let's get back to HQ."

Avery

Raden seemed fine, but I was still very worried about him. I wouldn't let him go anywhere without me, and if I couldn't go with him, I'd send someone else to watch over him. I could tell it was starting to get on his nerves, but he must have figured that was how I felt when he stayed by my side, because he never said anything about it.

Twenty-four hours had passed, and Raden was out of the wheelchair and seemed good as new. He kept talking about how he wanted to continue looking for a new suspect, but L would have nothing of it. "You just got out of the wheelchair Raden. Do you really want to go back in it?" That had shut him up about it, but I could tell it was bothering him.

"Raden, it's okay." I had told him while we were in the kitchen alone. "You don't need to find someone to clear Light's name. I know he's innocent."

"No one agrees with you Avery." He had responded in a whisper. "Not even me." He looked down at his feet and clenched his hands into fists. "I want to believe you, so badly, but he's the only suspect we have. All of the evidence leads to him and Misa." His voice shook, and I knew he was holding back tears. "I know how much this is hurting you Avery, having him under suspicion. I just… I just want to be able to help you, and finding a new suspect is the only way I know how."

"You don't need to help me Raden." I told him, my own eyes watering. I hated it when he was like this. He sounded so fragile, so heart-broken. "I know I broke down when I found out, but that was because I was caught off guard. I know he's innocent, and right now, that's all that matters." I lifted my hand towards him and he took it in his. "Don't worry about me Raden. And don't worry about Light. His innocence will become clear in time."

"And if he's guilty?" He asked. "For the sake of argument, if he truly is Kira, then what?"

I was silent for a moment. I hadn't thought about that. What would I do? Raden's grip tightened on my hand as I responded. "If Light truly is Kira. I will help turn him in. And I will watch as he is executed."