Not An Angel

AN: Oh dear god, I have recently come up with an idea that I swear will be the death of me. It will be the biggest undertaking of Death Note fanfiction for me to date. But it won’t be out anytime soon since I REFUSE to post it until it's complete. Just thought you should know where my dwindling sanity has gone... I will tell you that it's going to be MelloMatt. I seriously LOVE this pairing.... hehe.

Suggested Listening: Sound of Madness by Shinedown; Feel Good Drag by Anberlin (the radio edit, it’s shorter than the album version though I love both)

Chapter 4: 336 hours

~Mello~

I don't even know what time I left the apartment. I didn't even have a planned destination; I just needed to get out.

I had woken up with Matt's arms around me, pulling me close to his chest. And I just had to... leave.

It shouldn't have bothered me; it should have been a comfort to me. But it wasn't. I couldn't enjoy myself when I knew I was lying to him, when I knew what I was doing behind his back...

It didn't matter that it was to save his life, it didn't matter how many times I tried to justify it to myself.

I eventually found myself parked outside of our apartment; I honestly didn't remember getting back. I didn't bother trying to disguise my entrance, he would have notice me even if I had. With the door shut I moved into the living room only to stop short in the doorway. My eyes were locked on the computer screen and all I could see was that video.

Where the hell had he found that?!

“What are you watching?” I ground out as I stalked over to him, stopping just behind the swivel chair. “L sent this for me to analyze.” his voice was calm and he stayed focuses on the video.

My vision blurred for a moment, completely blurred red. That bastard! I could say with certainty that I would not trust L at all for the time being; he was working against me on this case, or was at least untrustworthy as I had asked him to leave Matt out of this.

Though with Matt’s eyes he might notice something the rest of us haven't, which would be useful... No, it didn't matter. I still didn't want him involved anymore than he had to be. And this video...

“Have you gotten to the end of it yet?” I asked with what I hoped was a curious tone. He paused as though dissecting my words, looking for something incriminating.

“Yeah, I watched it once while talking with L. But it seems like the file is corrupted. There is around thirty seconds of footage unaccounted for. I have my program running in the background but so far it’s unfixable.”

“Oh. What's the video of?” I ask after a few seconds. He turns to look at me and I don't think I was able to hide my fury quick enough. He didn't comment on it, but I knew he would be watching me more closely. He always worried too much, was too curious....

“It's the murder of Anastasia Lanceberg.” he said while turning back to the video only to close it out completely. “Mello. Let’s go get something to eat.” I blinked in surprise. He wanted to go out to eat? Was it that late already...?

“Before you protest, I hardly ever get to leave the apartment except for cigarettes. I haven’t seen much of you lately, pizza perhaps?”

I instantly felt guilty. I had been neglecting him... And the hopeful look on his face didn't help. I had lost before the battle had even begun. “No fish on the pizza.”

He smiled widely, a confident and assured smirk. He had known I would cave. I was not expecting Matt to practically jump up and kiss me and before I could stop myself I leaned into his touch. I could feel the smirk against my lips making me sigh.

He still wanted me, at least for now…

He wrapped an arm around me before pulling back. “So, pizza?” he questioned. I rolled my eyes but avoided shaking my head.

“Yeah, let's go get your damn pizza.”

He stole another quick kiss before happily grabbing the keys to his piece of junk car. “Who said you were driving?” I asked him. “You honestly want me sitting behind you on the motorcycle?” I felt my face heat up despite myself.

“You're right, I don't.” he pouted a little as we exited our apartment. I would allow Matt this little break, since I knew we both needed it, because after this... it was time to sift through the information I had gotten last night.

“Mello, think about the case later.” he said softly to me as we got into his car. I was slipping if Matt could read me so easily...

“I'll obviously have to since you're an attention whore.” he smirked devilishly at me. “Yup, that's me.” and with the flick of his wrist we were on our way. “Do you even have a clue where we're going?” I asked after a moment. “No.”

I sighed. It was going to be a long break.

It was only once we got to the pizza place, El Dimato's, that I realized just what I had set myself up for.

As we sat at a table in the back, since we needn't draw attention to ourselves, I could smell the aroma of freshly baking pizza. The hot smell of baking breads, cheese and other toppings... made me nauseous.

I took a deep breath but made it out as a sigh so as to not draw Matt's attention. He had already seen the affects of my work before, back when I only knew him as J. Work that I wasn't supposed to be doing ever again.

Once a failure, always a failure.

A broken promise to L, a broken promise to Matt.

We were able to agree on a medium three topping pizza. Mushroom, onion and ground beef. I didn't even want to think about what that would look like the second time around...

The waiter was a bubbly auburn haired girl with hazel eyes. “So have you two gentlemen decided yet?” she cocked her head to the side with a large smile, pad in hand and pen poised above the lines. “Yes we'll have-”

As Matt ordered the pizza I began to look around the establishment. The lighting was kind of dark, but not so much that you'd have a hard time seeing. The seats, including the booths, were all a dark wood and not cheap plastic like in other places.

There was artwork of Italy and France all around the walls. Small but decorative wine bottles sat upon shelves lined with fake grapes, tomatoes and garlic. It was a pretty nice place. Dragging my eyes along the row of customers my breath caught.

Oh no.

Dark eyes, even darker hair and a lusty smirk were directed at me from across the room. It was the guy from last night.

Fuck.

“Mello?” my head snapped in Matt's direction and I forced a smile on my face. “Yeah?”

“Oh, nothing. You just seemed to... I don't know, space?” I nodded. “I was just checking the place out. For not knowing where you were going you picked nicely.” he grinned, my lie was believed.

“Alright, I lied. I pass this place while getting my cigarettes.” it was hard to concentrate on Matt when I could feel that man undressing me with his eyes. Keep looking because you will never touch this body again, I thought to myself.

“You should quit.” he stared at me. Just stared. Like I had said something stupid. “Can you quit your chocolate?”

“My chocolate isn't a drug.” I countered with a smirk. “It might as well be with as much of it as you eat.”

“And yet it won't give me lung cancer.”

“No, just diabetes.” I rolled my eyes. “If I don't have it yet I doubt I’m going to get it.”

“Same.”

“Stubborn ass.”

“I have nothing to say to that.” he said after a moment. I smirked. Victory.

“Bastard.”

“A little late on that.”

He was about to retort when the pizza was placed between us. “Thank you.” he told the waitress, who blushed, before he began to cut himself a slice. “If you need anything else just ask.”

I narrowed my eyes at her as she walked away. “Mel just eat your pizza, there is no need to be jealous. She doesn't even hold a candle to you.”

With a huff I took the smallest piece I could find without making it obvious I was. Tearing off a piece I hardly chewed it as the flavor made me want to gag. It wasn't the pizza that was bad, just food in general.

“Wow this is great. We might have to come here more often.” I nodded in agreement I didn't feel. If I never ate food again it would be too soon.

Somehow I managed to down three slices of pizza, while Matt ate five. “I'm stuffed.” I snorted.

“You should be.” he gave me a withering look but I knew it was in jest. My stomach churned unpleasantly and I clamped my mouth shut quickly as the bile rose. Clenching my fists I forced my self to wait until the waitress brought over out check.

“Let me just go to the restroom before we leave.” Matt nodded and sank further into the seat, sipping on his soda. Passing the counter I walked down the hallway and into the men’s bathroom.

Quickly shutting a stall door behind me I heaved into the toilet; all the food I had just eaten being purged from my stomach. I hated this. Not being able to eat because everything brought back the memories... the touches, the sounds, the smells. Everything.

Taking a calming breath I forced myself onto my feet and went to the sinks. My skin was pale and my mouth tasted like a dumpster. Rinsing my mouth and splashing some water on my face I sighed.

“Freshening yourself up for me?” a voice called from my left. Spinning, my hand on my gun, I faced the dark eyed man.

“What do you want?” I snarled. He tsked.

“Is that how you treat everyone after they fuck you?” I shivered. “What. Do. You. Want?”

“How would you react if I said you?”

“I'd pull out my gun and shoot you.” I told him seriously. I had to get going, any longer and Matt was going to get suspicious. And this time it was no longer just about throwing up.

“Are you really going to act like that to someone who gave you information? Who in the future might give you information?” he took a step foreword and I pulled out my gun.

“If you think I’m joking keep walking.” eyes narrowed and heart pounding I found my grip on the gun tenuous at best. It would be very bad if I had to kill him here. Ex-mafia with connections or not I would be in hot water.

He turned around as the door opened and my breath caught.

“I thought you were taking a little too long.” Matt commented dryly. I didn't know if I felt more like kissing him or hitting him at the moment so I settled for a smirk. “I apparently had some trash to take out.”

“Oh, is that all?” Matt pulls out a cigarette and lights it while leaning on a sink. He gave off a I don't give a fuck attitude but I knew that if this guy made one false move Matt would interfere in a second.

“Are you sure this is how you want it?” the man asked. I nodded and made motions with the gun for him to leave. He gave my body a once over before turning to the door. “I doubt this will be the last time we see one another.”

“That's what you think.” I hissed under my breath. Matt moved once the door had swung shut and the footsteps had faded.

“Who was that?” Matt asks curiously, though I could see the darker question below it. What were you doing with him?

“He's just an old acquaintance. One I’d like to stay old.”

The previously calm, and dare I say enjoyable, atmosphere was gone. An awkward silence had taken root and I wasn't sure where the conversation would go if I broke it. Matt had already paid so we just left after that; the upside was I didn't have to see that idiot waitress flirting with my boyfriend anymore.

The air in the car smelt stale, the smell of one too many cigarettes. It was funny how I’d only noticed it when I was trying to ignore the silence. I practically ran from the car the moment it was parked.

I didn't want to deal with all of this right now; I had a flash drive to look through. I left the door open behind me and fled to the bedroom. I shut the door and turned the lock with a click. I heard his keys hit the counter and the door close softly.

“Mello?” I closed my eyes and chose not to answer. Bringing my computer out of hibernation I stuck the flash drive in a USB port and waited for it to come up.

The drive was a mess until I ran the data through a decryption program Matt had created. Numbers and symbols became folders and documents after that and I was able to sort through the two folders.

One was filled with pictures, some blurred and some not, while the other had a single document in it. Clicking on the document, which was about sixteen pages, I began to read through it.

It ended up being one of the single most valuable leads in this case so far. I didn't know how far it would take me but it was worth looking into. And it was worth sending to Near, I was still pissed at L so I refused to send him anything. Childish, but it worked for me.

Though knowing those two, they had already obtained this information.

I had to tread carefully, because according to this data, I was dealing with some very dangerous people.

An organization to be exact. It wasn't even known how large or small it was. And it wasn't even really known as anything, but had been given the name The Organization.

“Not very creative of the person who did it, but it could be more clichéd I guess...” I mumbled.

It was filled with highly skilled people, what kind remained a mystery. It could be doctors and rocket scientists for all I knew.

With the exception of the top three. They were trained in infiltration, torture and a few other nice things. From what the data suggested, they were the ones in charge of, and carrying out, the Detective Purge. Pretty much, they were assassins.

Though it didn't even touch on possible meeting places or known associates. I was lucky I had gotten this much. But I had to hurry, Matt was down to only fourteen days... and that was entirely too short.

If I didn't get everything ready by then...

Forcing those thoughts to the back of my mind I opened the other folder. Dozens of pictures popped up, and I tried to sift through the crap ones.

One picture showed three figures, with hoods drawn tight over their faces, sitting at a table drinking. It could have been a bar or just a restaurant. But it was clear that one of them was female due to soft curves of the body and just the barest hint of breasts under the dark baggy clothing.

There was nothing notable on any of them, all clad in dark clothing. Much like one would in a secret society, or in their case, much like an assassin would. Though there was one thing I did notice upon enhancing the photograph.

The blond woman, as I was calling the figure now, always wore a silver ring on one of her index fingers. Now, either there were two blond women, or the ring switched hands continuously.

One of the others also had a silver ring, though it was always on a thumb. There were no pictures of the thirds hands so I couldn't tell if the rings were some sort of identification thing for the organization or just a coincidence.

But one thing was for certain, this was all valuable information.

Finally done going over everything, I wrote a quick, and insulting, e-mail to Near. In which I attached all the proper files. With that unpleasant thing done, there was only one thing left to do. Call Jasper.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like anything that comes out of your mouth?” I laughed humorlessly at his disgruntled tone.

“Because you are usually right.” he sighed heavily. “What is it now that I have to do?”

“You just have to say that the information I have was given to me by you. That's all. Naturally you will get paid.”

“That's it? I get money just for lying?” I rolled my irritably. “Yes.” I hissed into the phone.

“Why?” I hadn't expected that particular question.

“This is important information Jasper. That's why.” he sucked in a breath. “Case breaking stuff?”

“Maybe, maybe not. If it leads us to them then obviously yes. If not...” we both knew what the alternative would be.

“Fine, so what is the story?”

“You, as a favor to me, were able to obtain a flash drive full of data about an organization that is supposedly the mastermind behind the Detective Purge. Your main reason was that you would be out of business if all the detectives were gone. Which sadly is kind of the truth.” he laughed but didn't deny the last statement.

Detectives will use any source if they truly want to solve a case.

“Alright. And what's this I hear about you pulling a gun on someone in a pizzeria bathroom?” I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it for a moment. “Mello?”

“That bastard is lucky Matt walked in or I would have shot him.” I said finally.

“Whoa, I thought you were going to at least stick to one of your promises? Why were you pointing it at him in the first place, I hear that Takahashi isn't too happy with you right now. That guy is a big customer.”

Closing my eyes I rubbed at them with my free hand. “No need to remind me.” I spoke softly. “Oh shit, sorry-”

“It's fine. Matt and I were eating there, at the end of lunch I went in there and as I was leaving that idiot decided he wants me after our transaction had already ended.” I snorted.

“So you pulled a gun on him?” Jasper sounded just a little incredulous.

“Before he started something, yes.”

“I should thank Matt, he made sure you kept your word.” I winced again at the mention of keeping promises. Jasper kept slipping up with his references almost to the point that I wondered if it was on purpose.

And it might have been. He had been very vocal in telling me he didn't like what I was doing to myself. But I would do it all again in a heartbeat if it kept Matt alive. And that was why Jasper had never told him.

“One question.” he asked.

“Shoot.” he snorted at my choice of words.

“Where are you that you can talk to me this freely?” I felt my heart clench rather painfully.

“I'm...home.” I hesitated.

“Home? Then is Matt out?”

“You said one question.”

“Don't be a bastard.” he barked.

“No, he's here. I just locked myself in our bedroom since lunch...”

He sighed deeply, and sounded as though he was loosing his patience. “You aren't making things easy for him are you? At least leave your hiding place long enough to talk to him for a change. God I think some women are easier to deal with then you...”

I decided that he didn't deserve an answer due to his last statement, so I hung up on him.

-End Chapter 4-

AN: Hahah what a nice spot to end it... if I hadn't this chapter would have kept going on and on.

Anyway, I made reference to, foreshadowed, something that will happen later on in the fic. If anyone can tell me what line it is, I will answer ANY one question you want answered about this fic. Hint: The line is after Mello gets home but before they go to lunch; it’s short and about Matt in a way...

Not very helpful, but I have to make it hard for you, who knows what you'll ask? -_-;

Now, how is everyone liking this so far.... I’m kinda worried actually... I’m not sure how this is doing as a sequel, so feedback would be appreciated.

And REVIEW!