Chapter fifty-four- Change of plans: Part three.

L spoke those evil words with a frown.

Light blanched. The plan needed to be activated NOW, before his cover was blown.

Misa was no more than a pathetic shadow when she was taken from the room, but she even more poignant going back in. The normally cheerful blonde stared at the ground and mumbled her greetings.

"Now that the team's all together, we should get back to work. The killer won't catch himself, right Misa?" The head detective teased his wife incognito.

She ignored him and curiously fingered the package in her hand. L knew about it. Did Ryuuzaki? It was something for the both of them. She was supposed to open it at home. Privately.

She momentarily hoped it wasn't sexy lingerie. Light wouldn't give them something like that... would he? No way. That wasn't an appropriate thing to give to an ex and her new husband. All the things Light had said swirled around her head over and over again.

She made up her mind she couldn't wait. Whatever the package contained, it was important.

"Miss Amane, are you okay? You look rather pale."

She shook her head innocently. "No, L. That's alright. I'm fine."

"Are you sure? I could have Watari being the cad around for you. It's no trouble."

He couldn't hide the hint of concern that crept into his voice. Miss convinced herself she was imagining it. L was never outwardly nice.

She shook her head once more. "No. Really, L. I'll be fine. It's just a bit of a headache."

Deciding to let the conversation go no further, L put an abrupt end to it by pointing at the door. "Out," he commanded firmly. "You are clearly not better yet. And it's my duty to Ryuuzaki to make sure you don't kill yourself on your first day back."

She slung her bag over shoulder and allowed Watari to escort her from the building. She made a mental note to make the detective feel guilty about it later. All she'd have to do is bat her eyelashes and he'd fall under her spell just like that.

"Ryuuzaki," Matsuda said the moment she was gone. "What's the point of sending our suspect home? Won't this just put Misa under more suspicion?"

"Not if this goes according to plan."

The police officers groaned. Once more they were being left out of the detective's loop. "Mind telling us what this plan of your's is?" Aizawa raised an expectant eyebrow.

"In due time, all will be revealed," is what he left it at. He could almost see his counterpart facepalming and rolling his eyes.

"See?" Ryuuzaki seemed to whisper. "You stick them constantly on a need-to-know basis. A wonder they continue to trust you..."

"Go away," he hissed softly. "I'm working."

The other men decided not to question this. This wasn't the first time they'd heard him talk to himself in their presence. Often, he seemed to forget they were there.

"Don't worry!" Matsu smiled brightly. "I'm sure Ryuuzaki will tell us when it's necessary. He hasn't been wrong yet, keep in mind!"

Misa felt less optimistic from where she sat on her bed. She stroked the package until her curiosity finally won out and she needed to know what was inside.

Carefully pulling the brown paper apart, her fingers met the hard surface of a book. Memories streamed through her mind in violent bolts, piecing themselves together to finish the puzzle.

"R-Rem," she choked out. The shinigami wasn't there, but her ex mistress couldn't help but cry out her name. "Rem, where are you?"

The Second Kira's instincts set in and she recognized the camera as an immediate threat. Laying down, she placed the Death Note over her stomach. Pulling her legs to her chest, she blocked the book with her knees.

Now that that threat was currently deactivated, on to disabling the next one.

I need to get to the bathroom, she thought to herself. L said it himself; it's the one room without a camera installed.

Thinking quickly, she picked a pillow up and opened her legs just enough to maneuver the pillow so that it stuck out between her legs. She made sure the opening was pointing towards herself. Moving the Death Note virtually, she slid it into the pillow case and stood up, casting a giant smile towards the camera.

Time to bring you down, L.

Ah! What the crap! I'm insane, aren't I? That's it; I plead it. But the ending's really closing in. What will be Misa's choice? Light or L? L! *cough cough*

Writer's Rave;

FNAFFRENZYCAT: Thank you. I was a bit iffy about it, but you have assured all insecurities. It's always great to hear from you. How are you doing? ^_^

WildfireDreams: Yeah, I think I can get that. I worked on an old computer long enough to understand the feeling. Though, auto correct is now my worst nightmare. Seriously, I'll tell you about tomorrow's dream. XD