Chapter ten- Dangerous mind state.

Misa collapsed hard against the hard wood of the door. Her heart raced and she felt like crying. And she was confused!

Why did she feel this way?! Light told her that he loved her constantly, didn't he?! So why was she hesitating to kill the enemy when she obviously had a clear opening?

She pressed her lips together hard, holding the longing tears at bay. Just barely.

"Oh, Ryuuzaki, I just want you home!" She groaned aloud to herself. "I want to talk to you, even if you end up saying something pervy, and I wanna slap you 'cause of it!"

She sighed, forcing herself weakly to her legs. She just barely made it to her bed before they gave out

completely. This time, when the tears threatened to fall, she didn't stop them.

These tears, in turn, led to a long shuddery awakening, and then in exhausted effort, a slow-happening drift-off. And by the time Ryuuzaki got home, she was already deeply asleep, a tear-stained face apparent.

This was a dangerous mind state for her where the plan's involved. If she fell for the enemy, Light would be busted as Kira. And herself, most likely, for being the second Kira.

Ryuuzaki smile peacefully as he entered the control room. It took him a little less than three seconds to deduct that Misa had been here. For one thing, his bed was a mess. And God knows he didn't sleep a wink last night.

"Bratty, she-devil," he muttered fondly to himself. A picture of her sleeping was enough for him to "relax" into his chair. "But you're quite cute when you're asleep. No, I won't wake you yet. I'll let you sleep it off."

She stirred gently, as though hearing him, despite two things; he hadn't touched the intercom button, an she was dreaming of something.

This was apparent from the soft murmurs and breezy laughs that escaped through her lips as her body supplied her faux events. Much to his surprised interest, he caught her saying his name once or twice.

He leaned forward in captivation. What's she dreaming about? He tried to determine. Is she thinking of...

His thoughts were cut off as she yawned and sat up. "Good evening, sleepyhead. Did me being away so long bore you? Aw, it's so adorable that you care. Maybe I'll take you with me next time."

His tone was teasing and she could tell. However, ignoring that fact, she perked up and grinned. "You're home!" Then to the latter claim, "And don't be so mean to me with your teasing . I missed you, I'll admit it!"

"..." Ryuuzaki cleared his throat in order to give himself time for a comeback. It only took him a moment to realize that she wasn't being snarky or sarcastic."Aw, Love, you really mean it. I was joking about the beginning part. But if you want to claim not to be able to survive without me, who am I to stop you?"

He broke into a fit of hysterical laughter as she fumed. "That's it! Go away, I don't need you. Leave. Prove my point."

He shook his head. "Stubborn mule."

She gasped, tears ready to fall in absolute, painstaking horror. "What'd you call me?! Mules are ugly! I'm not ugly, am I? Am I?!"

Ryuuzaki winced at the pitch. "You could be an opera singer with your pipes. And no, to answer your question, you're not ugly. You are a mule in the way of stubbornness. You are, in fact, quite lovely."

Ryuuzaki realized his mistake a moment too late. But even if he hadn't, it would have already been too late; the words had been said and there was no taking them back.

Misa smirked hotly. "Why, thank you. I knew I was a model for a reason."

He groaned, rubbing his face in self-disappointment. I mean, really, wasn't he suppose to be the genius here? And since when did MISA managed to trip him up?

He shook his head. Sad... But he pushed that fact away to ask the question, "So, how'd your day go?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. You should ask Watari, though. We had a brief, mild conversation about a school you two opened." She paused to allow it to sink in. It did with crushing consequences.

"Don't bother Watari just because you're bored!" He snapped coldly. "Besides, Wammy's house is of none of your concern. You will never meet the children that attend that school."

Misa bit her lip, surprised by the anger in his tone. It was curt, but anyone could tell that he meant every word he said.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned anything. Watari seemed hesitant to say anything, too."

Ryuuzaki's gaze softened, realizing he must sound like a paranoid fool to her. "No, I should be the one to apologize. I'm rather protective of the children, that's all."

Misa nodded softly. "Do you have a favorite? She perked up.

That brought a smile to the detective's face. "N, Matt, M, Linda, and B," he rattled a few off the top of his head.

Misa chuckled, pretending to wipe a tear from her eye... Or maybe, she wasn't pretending, after all... "B? N? M?! That can't be their real names!"

Ryuuzaki's expression darkened. "Yes, you're right. They are aliases. I have a few myself, actually."

Misa snorted unbelievingly at that. "When would you ever, in life, need to have to have an alias?" Her face exploded into a wide grin.

He wagged a finger at the screen. "Not telling you, Love. It's a secret." He took deep pleasure when she threw herself against a wall.

That seemed to be her thing- throwing herself places, whether it's HIS bed or, in this case, the wall. She landed with a hard THUMP.

"Ow," he muttered to her. "That couldn't have felt good."

She laughed, pushing messy blonde hair out of her face. "Ugh, shut up!" She teased aloud. "And come down here so I can punch you!"

He shook his head. "No way! I fear your wraith. No. I shall just stay in the safety of this control room. Besides, then I can keep a close watch on you and see when you're making a face at me. Yes, Love, I see you flipping me off."

She giggled and shot a snide look his way. Oh, if looks could kill, he'd be half-burnt.