A/N: Well, hope you enjoy the chapter. Seriously though, I'm exhausted from writing so much. Must... rest... :)

Reviews are always welcomed.

(Mello P.O.V)

I felt sick sitting on that bastard's lap. He'd already gotten what he wanted, so why was he still claiming me like this?! It just made me want to hurt him. However, knowing Matt was in danger, I kept my mouth shut.

At that moment I was just wallowing in self-pity. I had actually gone through with it. I'd let Ross win. I'd let him take something I should never have let him take. I felt wrong. Disgusting. Utterly humiliated. And I had no one to blame but myself.

How would Matt take this?

I felt Ross' hand adjust the way I sat on his lap, bringing me in closer. He was revelling in this, too. He'd already went about telling the other men what he'd accomplished. Thankfully though, none of them were any less afraid of me. I think they were simply waiting for me to tear off Ross' head. Believe me, I was very close to doing so.

Ross didn't hang around his whores too often anymore. He had been so fixated with me that they were merely relief to him. As he'd put it, I was more of a 'treat'. A special occasion that happened once in a full moon. I didn't like how he'd said that, either. He made me sound like an expensive whore rather than a one-time fling. Although, with the way he was acting, I could only assume he'd drag me into another 'session' by threatening Matt.

And really, it was him that I was doing this for. I wouldn't allow Matt to be killed, not by him. If this was all I had to do to make sure Matt would live… then so be it. I didn't care about the humiliation. I didn't care how many bad memories it brought up. I didn't care about having bruises or pains that wouldn't heal until weeks later.

I cared about Matt. My Matt. And I'd sooner take death than have him even remotely injured. And if I found out that Ross laid even a finger on him, there'd be a hell to pay unlike any other.

I was brought from my thoughts by a small nudge from Ross. "I asked you a question, Mello."

I rolled my eyes involuntarily but cuddled closer to him anyway. "Yes, Capo?"

He seemed happy with my feign attachment to him. "Did Miller really bet Jose here five hundred dollars that you'd reject me to the end?"

I nodded, remembering the conversation from just a month ago. "Yes, sir. He did."

Ross chuckled heartily then. "Poor bastard lost then. Well, I suppose not. He's dead now so he doesn't have to pay a dime."

Jose leaned back in his chair. "Yeah, that sucks. But hey, at least I got his job."

I ignored the two men as they laughed at me. I couldn't believe how low I felt at that very moment. There wasn't much that would make me feel better at that moment.

Well… no… I shouldn't say that. Because what happened next almost made cry tears of joy.

Snyder had walked in with another of the men. "Mello. We got some guy wanting to see you. He says that he knows you. I think he wants something though, I don't know. He's just… shifty."

"He's waiting in your room." Said the other man, whose name I hadn't cared to remember. "We made sure he had no weapons on him. You should be good."

'Anything to get out of Rod's lap.' I thought bitterly.

Ross let me go and tried to follow but I glared at him to stay away. He instantly got the message, but he still laughed at me. My intimidation to him had gone down substantially, and now I barely had nothing. My dignity, my life, my sanity. Everything was wilting away. Thank god that this visit happened when it did.

I had gone alone to see who it was, not exactly caring whether or not this guy would harm me. I couldn't care less about what happened to me anymore. Once I had opened the door, however, all my pain and anger seemed to just melt away.

It was impossible. He couldn't be here. This had to have been a dream… a nightmare.

But it wasn't either one. I could see him clear as day. The red hair that had slightly darkened over time, his green eyes behind the orange tinted goggles. That all too familiar smile that played on his lips. I almost cried at the sight of him.

Matt… my Matt. My best friend… my truest friend… my beloved red-head. I honestly couldn't contain the joy I had at seeing him right then.

I finally found my legs and ran to hug him as tightly as I could. He hugged me back with just enough force. I loved this hug more than any others I had ever received from him. It was almost as if one of my prayers had come true. He was here when I needed him, when I was at my lowest of lows…

Like he'd always promised me. Right from the beginning.

I shook with both excitement and sadness. Sadness, because now he knew who I had become… and now I had to tell him about Ross. I couldn't keep that from him.

Still, I had to enjoy this moment. Just for a bit.

"Mattie? Please… please tell me you're here."

He hugged me tighter now. "I'm right here, Mels." He soothed, petting my hair. "I'm right beside you. Like I always am."

I buried my face into his chest now, taking in all the warmth he offered. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too." He nuzzled me just a bit. He then pulled out of the hug just a bit to look me over. "But what on earth are you wearing?! Leather? Did you seriously steal L's credit card to buy leather?! You're fucking crazy! You know that?!"

I could only laugh along with him. "Shut up! You know I look good."

He chuckled back as he hugged me tight once again. It was then that I noticed the odd smell emanating from his clothes. I had only smelled it once before on a certain bully who went by the name 'Torrik'.

I looked at his face now, in all seriousness. "Matt, have you been smoking?"

The look in his eyes almost made me smile. It was his signature, 'maybe if I smile, he won't notice' face. He used it constantly when we were kids every time he took one of my chocolate bars.

I crossed my arms now. "Really, Matt? Smoking?"

"It calms me." He tried. "Besides, I only started on them because it helped with the stress. I barely smoke more than three a day…"

"One a day is too much." I interrupted. "Jesus Matt, you know those things cause cancer. L absolutely hated them."

I lifted his hands up in surrender. "Alright, I won't smoke in front of you."

I cocked an eyebrow. "You shouldn't smoke at all."

Matt smiled happily again. "No matter what, you're always gonna treat me like a child. Aren't you?"

"You are a child." I chuckled, hugging him once again. Matt had gone through a growth spurt in our time apart and now we leveled each other almost perfectly. Well… maybe the small lift in my shoes made a difference. But I hadn't cared about how much he'd physically changed in the years. I only cared that he was there, with me, and making my day just a bit better.

Matt hugged me back softly. We stayed like that for maybe five or six long minutes. Just enjoying the presence of one another. I had missed Matt since the day I'd left Wammys. Every day I had wanted him right beside me. I had wished and prayed for him to come back to me, and now…

He was here. Here? In L.A?

I backed away for a final time. With a look of confusion from him, I spoke my mind. "Matt, what exactly are you doing here in Los Angeles?"

Like he had been hit with a sudden realization, he began his story.

"Right! I'm here because of Kira! Mello, he's looking for you. Near had dropped the bomb about Wammys being your home. He wanted to see if the second L would try to look or you, and he did! Two men spoke with me about you and asked for photographs and everything!"

I felt my anger boil over. "Near did WHAT!? I'LL KILL THAT LITTLE BASTARD!"

I was about to storm out of the room when Matt had grabbed me and held me close. "Whoa there, Mello. You have no idea where Near is, and even if you did, you'd probably be shot on sight."

"I'll take that chance! Now, WHERE IS HE!?" I demanded.

I tried my best to struggle away, but it only made Matt chuckle. The guy was still stronger than me! He was even able to hold me back.

When it was evident that I wouldn't give up, Matt only gripped tighter as he spun me back around. The smile on his face made me a bit angrier.

What he did next, made all the anger dissolve and float away.

"It's good to see you haven't changed." He said right before pressing his lips to mine.

I couldn't remember what I was mad about anymore. I couldn't remember how bad my day had been. Hell, I didn't even remember what made it bad in the first place. All I could think of was how right it felt to have Matt kiss me. To have him be mine in this way. To know he cared for me just as much as I cared for him. If not… more.

It ended all too soon though. I think I actually whined when he pulled away. Of course, he had that cheeky smile playing right on his face.

I grinned back though. "You don't play fair."

He pulled me into a cuddle. "Look who's talking. How dare you wear skin tight leather and expect me to control myself? A tease is what you are."

I scoffed. "A tease? Hardly. It's not my fault you have a thing for people in leather."

Matt snickered a bit as he slowly sat on my bed, bringing me into his lap. Now THIS was more like it. Matt's lap was perfect for me.

"And you're going to tell me that you haven't had a few 'admirers' in your years?"

I fell into silence at that now. He hadn't caught on to it until he looked down at my face. The cheery feel in the room no longer existed. It was dread now. Dread, because now he had to know.

I already knew I had to tell him. I couldn't live with a lie like that around him. It would be wrong of me to do so, and it wouldn't hurt so much if I told him sooner rather than later.

However, right when I was about to speak, there came a knock at my door.

My heart dropped. "Hide." I said quietly to Matt. When he didn't move, I had to force him off the bed. "Matt, go! Under the desk, in the closet, I don't care!" I exclaimed as quietly as I could. "Please."

He did as told and found a place to hide where I knew Ross wouldn't see him.

I answered the door then, but the Bastard didn't even wait for me to speak. He simply bombarded through the doorway and looked around my room. I knew he was looking for whoever he thought was in here beforehand.

"What do you want, Ross?" I asked, irritated by the intrusion.

He looked at me then. "You didn't come back right away so I came to make sure you weren't dead." He suddenly grinned at me, placing a hand on my cheek. "I mean, you were on your own with some guy I know nothing about."

I smacked his hand away. "He's gone. He owed me some money, so he paid me and left. That's all.

Ross smiled happily then. "Well then, since I'm here, why not go another round? Unless you want Wammys to burn to the ground with that red-head you love so much. You know I can make that happen."

Clenching my fist, I fought the urge to punch him. However, my voice remained calm. "Not tonight, Ross. I'm still in pain from last time."

He huffed a bit. "What a shame. I would've thought you'd be better by now. But I suppose I'd rather have you back to your normal self than to have you unable to walk for the next three days."

"Piss off." I mumbled, turning away.

Another chuckle from the man. "As you wish. But do tell me when you're ready to go again. I'm more than anxious for our next 'meeting'."

Right as he sauntered out of my room, I slammed the door in his face, locking it with all three locks I had put on for this exact reason. I wouldn't have Ross fucking me in my sleep if he got desperate.

I breathed out heavily as I sat on my bed. I covered my eyes in shame and sorrow. 'God, Matt had seen all of that. He must hate me now.'

As if on cue, I felt a weight on my bed right behind me. Soon, two arms enclosed themselves around me in a loving embrace.

A pair of lips pressed against my temple. "Mello?"

I turned my head a bit. "Hmm?"

He hugged tighter now. "Remember when we were six? Remember how I promised to keep the nightmares away?"

I knew where he was going with this. "You can't get rid of this nightmare, Matt. It's impossible."

"I can still try."

A tear fell from my eye then. I'd been dying for an escape from this nightmare for a long time. And I knew… I just knew… that Matt would be able to get rid of them for me. Or at least help me forget.

So he stayed the night. By morning I had to sneak him out before Ross caught on to what we had done. But for the first time in what felt like forever, I had felt loved again.

Matt would inform Roger of the possible Mafia threat, and Matt himself would try to stay away from anyone that might know Ross or anyone associated with him. With this, I was able to reclaim my place in the Mafia once again.

Ross feared me now more than ever. I had made him pay very dearly for humiliating me like he had. You see, Ross had one or two tattoos I was more than happy to slice off for him. He didn't bleed much, but it got my point across.

With that done now, I could get back to work. First thing was first: use the death note to my full advantage. Namely, I needed the second L's face. I could already write his name down, but without his face, I had nothing.

That fake L… Kira… he'd pay for trying to find me. For harassing Matt and everyone else at Wammys.

I swore by it.