Even though the sun was just starting to set, the natural light made my eyes ache enough to keep my focus in front of me, unintentionally watching Matsuda drive us back to the hotel. Though the ride was deadly quiet, I was able to find enjoyment in it. It was a different kind of silence than what I'd lived in for the past fifty days, a peaceful type.

I couldn't stop the slight tremor in my hand as I thought about what this return back meant for the Kira case. Since I was the last one to leave the basement, I had no clue what was happening.

Matsuda dropped me off at the entrance of the hotel, informing me of his regret of not being able to help me with my single carry-on bag, I appreciated the gentlemanly thoughts but assured him I would be fine with just his key card and room number.

I rode the elevator up to the top floor, quick to slide my card in and let myself in.

"Ah, Matsuda-"

L had his back turned to the television, unaware of my presence in the doorway. I shut the thing behind me, speaking up as I walked closer.

"No, it's me, Ryuzaki." I stopped by the armchair, and placed my bag in it, gathering up my nerves.

It's a lot easier for me to act out of spite than calculated and emotional.

"Oh, apologies, Miss. Petrillo."

L turned to look at me, rotating the upper part of his torso. He looked like he wanted to say something but was too busy chewing on the thought.

"Are you going to let me in on your plan or do I have to wait for Matsuda to find out?"

I cracked a small smile, mentally trying to figure out where to keep my hands.

"Watari suggested that when this moment came, I should say something meaningful to you, but I'm unsure of what he had in mind."

I cleared my throat, reminding myself that someone could come back any minute now. Moving just close enough to leave a small gap between us.

"Watari always did try to play matchmaker."

L looked at me, the blackness of his eyes was slightly duller and he smelt just a little sweeter to me. I brushed a strain of hair back into its messy place, brushing his cheek with my thumb. Before he could say anything else, I placed my lips on his, knowing he'd never inch closer.

Surprisingly, L tasted like the last time I kissed him all those years ago, untouched by the wasted years behind us. The scent of linen and the bittersweet flavor of black coffee overloaded my deprived senses to paradise. I couldn't even imagine what favoring I was dissolving upon his tongue, but the egomaniac part of me noticed a hint of heat swelling beneath his skin, making L almost human in appearance.

"Sorry, I'm done." I gasped softly, pulling away as I pushed the words out of my dry mouth, but I knew we were running out of alone time together.

"It's…fine," He said, moving back to his seat.

I felt the pang of anger soaking into my heart, thinking I had misread something again with him, but then I saw L grab his wrist between his thumb and forefinger and rub in a circular motion along the bone. It was something he did when he was faced with some personal exchange out of his comfort zone, I found it cute a kiss threw him off his game.

Before too long I had to let Matsuda and Aizawa back into the hotel room, giving the card key I had back to its owner. Once together, the four of us sat and stood around the television set in the sitting area while live footage streamed from the rear-view mirror, seeing Chief Yagami driving with Misa Amane and Light Yagami in the back. I bit my lower lip as Yagami informed the other two that he was driving them to their execution for their roles as Kiras, watching their sweaty, tearful pleas for freedom.

Once they stopped under an overpass in an area I didn't recognize, the elder Yagami pulled out a six-shooter from his inner jacket pocket to kill his son and himself. Someone began to voice their opposition, but I hushed him up quickly since I was heavily interested in the action playing out on the screen in front of my eyes. A naive part of me hoped to see Kira in action and learn how they kill, but I never got the chance as both Light and Misa sat still while a gun fired a blank right at Light's forehead.

"Brilliant acting," L said, speaking into his tableside microphone that changed his voice with a button.

"It's safe to say if Misa Amane was the second Kira, she would have killed you before you could have pulled the trigger. As I promised, I will end both of their confinements."

Although, their freedom came with prices. Since there was still cold hard evidence pinning Misa to being involved somehow with Kira, thanks to the snack crumbs and hair from the Sakura TV videos, she had to live under twenty-four-hour surveillance. For Light, L decided to keep light close to him for every minute of the day.

L sent Aizawa and Matsuda to fetch Light and Misa, while I stayed behind with L and Watari, trying to talk L out of his next crazy idea.

"I understand your theory behind this, but you're going to get yourself killed, L."

"Nonsense."

The jingling of the chain he held out in front of himself gave away its thickness and bulk. I thought about how the task force would react to the sight of L and Light being chained together, then my mind went to little Misa Amane and her lovesickness for Light.

"Do you think Light loves Misa?" I wondered out loud.

L looked over at me, putting a thumb to his lips.

"I don't think I understand enough of the feeling to give my opinion on the matter."

I didn't need to look at him to reply.

"I wouldn't base the meaning off of our definition, we're not exactly textbook."

"Where are you going with this, Miss. Petrillo?"

"Oh, nothing. Just a plan b if you will." I smiled, looking like the cat that got the canary as I ran a finger over the length of the chain.