A/N: Sorry for the wait guys. Been busy with school and such. Anyway, hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Reviews Welcomed

(Near P.O.V)

I had hoped that Matt would come into contact with Mello for me. If only because I wanted to know the current condition he was in at the moment. As I've said before, Mello hadn't been himself in quite a long time. If Matt could speak to him, then maybe there was a chance we would have been able to fix him.

I had been playing with a few toys of mine when Halle approached me. "Sir, Matt is on line two. He wishes to speak with you directly."

"Then patch him through. I'm eager to know what he's come up with concerning our friend in the Mafia."

She complied and transmitted a video feed to me. The red-head was in full view, and he seemed less concerned now. In fact, one might say he had a… glow about him.

I grinned a bit at him. "I take it you've found our missing blonde?"

"Yes." he said in an almost cheery tone. "However, he requested that we only see each other once every few weeks. It would see that the leader, the one Mello and his men follow, isn't too keen on having him around other men."

This made me angry. Maybe it was because it was Mello, and how I knew him and Matt belonged together, but the thought of someone forbidding another from being close to anyone else… was more than upsetting. Although, circumstances being what they were, I couldn't really do anything to help the blonde.

"Is Mello alright? Anything you feel we should worry about?"

"No, he can take care of himself. But you should warn Roger of a possible Mafia threat. The only reason Mello was doing anything their leader said was because he knew about Wammys."

This sparked a bit of hope in my chest. 'So the old Mello still remains. To a degree, anyway. No matter what, it will always be the lives of others before himself. I suppose I should be thrilled with this.'

"Matt, I know you want to see Mello right away, but I suggest that you wait until I say it would be alright."

"What? Why should I listen to you?"

I picked up my favourite robot then, knowing full well that Matt could see it. "Because it would seem that Mello is at an impasse with himself right now. On the subject of Wammys and every student who attends, plus the thought of you – and quite possibly myself – he reverts to a stage where he will protect us, even if it costs him his own life. This is good.

"However, with the offhand chance that you aren't there for him to protect, he stands to gain more for himself. Meaning, he doesn't care about the livelihoods of others because… well… he doesn't know them. Why should he care? These people have done nothing for him, unlike us and the Wammy house."

I held two finger puppets now, both of them completely different but signifying the same subject; Mello.

I flicked them up so that they were the same height. One was dark, one was lighter. "Mello has become two things in one, Matt. And so now he must fight an internal battle to find out what truly means more to him. The sacrifice of others for himself? Or the sacrifice of himself for others around him? Either way, the only way you can help is if you stay away and allow him to make the decision himself. Otherwise, you may get hurt."

"But, when I saw him, he was the same Mello I knew from the orphanage. He acted the same way…"

"'Acted', Matt. Perhaps he was genuine when you were in the room, but are you so sure that this is truly the Mello we grew up with?"

He was silent now. I suppose bursting his bubble was uncalled for, but I was only looking out for him. Mello was a case we hadn't solved yet, and I doubted we ever would. Matt needed to know his place.

He sighed a bit. "But Near, I haven't seen him in… forever! Don't you think it's a little cruel…?"

"Matt, listen to me." I said in a more stern voice, making Gevanni and Rester flinch a little. "Mello isn't the same person anymore. He's changed, as have we. The only difference, is that he's changed for the worse. We can't get involved like this, not until we truly know where his loyalties lie."

"You know his loyalties are with us! He's never gone against us, because we're family!"

"Family doesn't matter to him anymore, Matt! Why else would he murder his own father?! Why else would he take down more than half the SPK?! Get it through your thick head, he's a torn man! His loyalties to you won't matter once the notebook is in danger once more. He'll kill anyone to get what he wants, and this includes you!"

I hadn't meant to be harsh, but Matt wasn't getting it. So, I had to tell the truth. About everything Mello had done and then some. I could see the pain in his eyes though… and I instantly regretted my decision to tell him.

But… I had to.

I sighed heavily as I began fiddling with my toys again. "One night of passion won't change the truth about him, Matt. I know you care for him. I know that the true Mello cares for you. But if you aren't careful, if you don't take the time to consider how fast his attitude can change, you'll wind up in a shallow grave." I looked up at him once more. "You got lucky that day in the library. The day he ran off after hurting you. You're lucky he caught himself before he could do any real damage to you. Mello's even luckier that you still love him so much. He knows what he did. He also knows that you shouldn't care for him so much. I mean… he is a lost cause."

"No." He said quietly. "He isn't."

After my inquisitive look, he explained.

"Mello's… been through a lot. I mean, he was tortured constantly as a child, his father and brother beat him senseless, he struggles with his anger, he barely knows what any form of love truly is, and now he has to deal with losing L, Watari, his dream job, the constant nightmares, and some old pervert who won't take 'no' for an answer. So, forgive me if it sounds selfish, but I at least want to help carry that weight he carries. The weight of a world we could never truly understand because we've never been in that situation. To hell if something happens to me. I just can't bear to see my friend suffering anymore."

It was my turn to be silenced. I knew full well of the struggles that Mello endured, and I knew Matt helped with at least some of it. However, I just couldn't risk him getting killed. Even if it were an accident on Mello's part, I don't know that the blonde would truly forgive himself for such an act.

"Matt, do not go near Mello. I'm not ordering you, but begging you. I know Mello would want the same. Your life means everything to him, so don't throw it away like that. Please."

For a solid ten minutes there was silence. I stared at Matt as he contemplated what I'd said. I had hoped he would see reason. That I wouldn't have anything to worry about with him. Instead, I got a very typical answer from the red-head.

"If Mello calls me, I'll go to him. No way will I pass it up. Otherwise, you win. I'll stay in my hotel until further notice."

I nodded. "Fair enough. I must leave now, though. I seem to have made headway in the case and now must take the time to go over what I've found."

Matt nodded back. "Alright then, but one more thing."

"Yes, what is it?"

Matt gave me a small grin. "Mello says to tell you that he'll be seeing you soon. Something about wanting his 'existence erased'."

With that, the monitor clicked off, and we were back to our maps.

'Existence erased? What could he be…?"

I blinked when I remembered the picture in my front pocket. 'Could he have meant…'

I grinned impishly at this now. 'Well then, my old friend. We shall see you soon.'