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Annals of Fear II	By : DeathNoteFangirl Category: Death Note > Yaoi-Male/Male > Mello/Matt Views: 5803 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note and I do not make any money from these writings

Chapter List
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Only Hal was in the hub, when they returned.   Mello raised his eyebrows. "It's like herding fucking cats."    He turned abruptly, nearly colliding with Deontic and Matt right behind him.    He could hear voices inside Century's study, so tried there first.    Lauren opened the door.   Mello peered past her. "What's happening?"

"Century's looking at 18th century mining maps."

"Good for him."   Mello pushed past.   Century barely looked up.   Daf was with him.    "Where are the others?"

Lauren replied again, "Fenian's going to the hospital to have his back x-rayed.   They've gone via his study, then Daf's going to cycle them."

Mello nodded. "Ok.   Mail can drive them, but otherwise a fair plan."    He gave the room another quick glance.   "Stay with Century."   As the Welshman frowned, Mello added, "Because none of us should be alone in this.   You pair would work well together.   No doubt your histories are full of Latin. She can help with that."   He smiled at Lauren, as he rushed out.   Deontic and Matt had stayed in the hub.    He could hear Deontic telling Hal that she desperately needed the flip-chart from the communal hall.    Mello dashed along the freezing, open passageway and rounded the corner.    There was a candle-glow from around the ajar door into Fenian's study.    Mello didn't knock.    He waltzed straight in, causing the candles to flicker dangerously.

Fenian was lying flat on his front over a table.   He was topless, with a coating of Kiana's green ointment covering the bruises on his back.    He looked cold.   He was holding a wind-up torch over the pages of a book entitled, 'Earth Energies and the Mystic Landscape'.     He barked out, "What?"

"You needn't have arranged yourself especially for me."   Mello smirked, closing the door.

"Fuck off."

Kiana was crouched over her carry-all of Wiccan items.   She peered nervously, over her shoulder, at Fenian, "Don't rise to the fucking bait, Liam."

Mello stood with his back to the door.   He could see how tense they both were.   He schooled himself to appear perfectly relaxed. "You're going to the hospital.   That is very sensible and I really do hope that there's nothing permanently wrong with you.    You chose between happiness and wealth; and I think that you took the wise decision."

"What the fuck are you going on about now?"

"Kiana, he could have been a detective.   He is a very brilliant one, but you're worried about life expectancy.   In all the history of Watari, the eldest of us reached twenty-seven years old.    Look at my face.   I could show you the rest, if you're not squeamish.   I am burnt over a good portion of my torso too and it hurt like fuck."   He stared meaningfully at her.   "That wasn't the closest that I came to being killed.   Not even in the top ten.    During Kira, a simple misspelling of my name saved me from death.   As a detective, you deal with the scum of the Earth.   I'm talking seriously dangerous men and women, some of which are geniuses. Some of which are even worse. They are the immoral bastards who haven't the wit to consider you more interesting alive.   They would kill you for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, with no logic that you can anticipate.   That's the reality."

Fenian had slowly eased himself off the table and was now standing beside it.   "Thanks for the soliloquy on the fucked up nature of the world, but..."

"It's not a soliloquy." Mello told him, quite seriously.   "I'm telling Kiana.   Because she knows that you are worth millions. She just needs to decide now whether she wants to be an extremely wealthy widow, or if she's prepared to let you have your happiness."    A stunned silence fell over the room.   "I'm quite certain that she loves you more than she perhaps lets on.   She kicked up enough fuss on your behalf in the other room, when it became clear to her that you could be killed."   His gaze met Kiana's horrified expression.   "Only five people stand between Fenian and the L title.   That truly carries billions with it, but it has its price.   Only two people have ever legitimately held it.   At least to my knowledge, which I believe to be sound.   The first was killed before he reached thirty.   The second is so closeted away that he doesn't have a life.   He's like a robot, programmed to solve puzzles, trapped in a system that will never let him out.    He's never alone and he runs the risk, every second, of someone coming to assassinate him.   He has the best security that genius can devise and money can buy, but I've gained access to him five times in the past two years.   Only once with his consent." Mello smirked, proud of that.   "Fenian could have that."

"Would you not fuck off?" Fenian blazed.   "I don't fucking want it!   How many more fucking times do you have to hear that? I'm opting the fuck out!"

Mello nodded, but his stare was still penetrating Kiana.   She stayed crouched, pinned by it, her eyes wide. "For Fenian to be L, he would have to beat or outlive five of us.    Truth is, we will probably all outlive Near.   He already is L.   Did you know that the Mafia have a higher figure attached to L, than to the president of the USA?"    He snapped off a strip of chocolate.   "I'm talking contracts, which, of course, are very fluid.   It all depends upon whether either party is interfering with Mafia interests.   The higher figure reflects more the difficulty with which the hit could be carried out.   The president has to appear in public from time to time.   He has a huge staff of potentially corruptible people around him.   L can hide away with fewer people around him. His investigations often run contrary to Mafia business interests.    Arms trades; sex industry; narcotics; assassinations.   They are after him, I can guarantee that."

Fenian spoke up, his mouth dry, "You're helping the Mafia kill Near?"

"No." Mello scowled.   "Why would I?"   He peered sidewards at Fenian.   "It is conjecture.   But it's obvious."   He returned to survey Kiana.   "But you can be quite sure that the Mafia do have a contract out on Near.   Each time his solved cases mean a loss of revenue, the prize goes up, the net goes wider.   Many young Turks, out to make their name, will be setting their sights on him. It would be a point of honour."   He chomped chocolate.   "But they are just one organisation.   Near upsets the underworld on a regular basis, but more dangerously to him, he upsets governments.    He has to engage with governments.   They are more likely to be able to get close enough to him to set a trap.   Then, bam, he's dead."

Kiana found her voice, "Then I feel very sorry for him."

"Fenian could pick up one of those rocks right now and bash me over the head with it."   Mello winked, seemingly unfazed. "That would be me out of the running.    He could pick up his gun and put a bullet in the heads of Mail and Deontic.   They're just along the block.   He would be second."   Mello licked his chocolate.   "But the first would be Luigi.    Luigi probably wouldn't last a day.   He would top himself before Fenian ever got near.   Then, oh then, it would get very interesting for you."

Fenian's fingers tapped on the table.   "It would be fucking cheating.   I wouldn't be L. I wouldn't deserve to be L.   I wouldn't have the respect to be L."   He glared at Mello.   "And I never fucking would be L, because after Luigi, it would skip me to Linda. I'm fucking getting out!   In a few days, months, however long this fucking takes, there will be no Fenian!   I'll be Liam Tighe, Irish citizen.   So fuck you."

Mello ignored him.   "Fenian would have to leave Ireland for a start.   He'd be moving around from headquarters to headquarters, in dozens of different countries.   He would travel by private jet and never see the sights.   He would be plugged into a computer, with information coming at him from all angles.   He would rarely see the outdoors, let alone under them. He wouldn't have time for you and, anyway, you'd be a security risk.   With all due respect to him, he's no Lawliet.   So let's call his life expectancy five years from that point? That's being generous.   I doubt that even I would last that long."

Kiana finally stood.   "He's getting out."

Mello inclined his head.   "I am very glad to hear it."   His gaze never left Kiana.   "Only you'd be amazed at the back-stabbing I've seen, when money is at stake.    Sons topping fathers.   Wives ratting on their husbands.   Rich people with the ghosts of loved ones haunting their nightmares.    Tough cookies, who were never able to shake the sight of their beloved's face; the look of absolute betrayal, shortly before they were killed or disappeared.   It's ugly. Really ugly."   He bit into his chocolate. "The things that people do for money."

Kiana's hand rose to her hip.   She had recovered her wits.   "What are you trying to say about me precisely?   That I'm only fucking after him for his money?    He works for the fucking..."

Fenian interrupted swiftly, "He doesn't need to know where I work."   He reached for his t-shirt, no longer concerned with the wetness of the paste on his back.    "We're fine for money. Thank you."

Mello nodded. "When you leave, they are going to make you sign an affidavit, ensuring that you never set up a rival code.   You will lose access to the MayDay Line."   He bit off more chocolate.   "If you did set up an independent code, then the consequences would probably be far-reaching."

Kiana stared, "They'd kill him?"

Fenian rolled his eyes, "Like anything happened to you, when you set up your own fucking code."

"I'm still technically Watari."   Mello smirked.   "Near enjoys the competition too much.   The trade off is that, when he's killed in the line of duty, Watari gets me as L.    That's how Salvo has his own code too.   You step out of the running and set up alone, then you can't offer that.    All bets are off."

"Good job I'm not setting up my own fucking code then, isn't it?"   Fenian winced, as he pulled his jumper down over his t-shirt. "We're away now, Mello."

Mello faced Kiana, "In one evening, sitting at home with no personal risk, acting simply as a consultant, Fenian could make probably around 5 to 10 thousand euros.    That's just working through the shit that gets put onto the MayDay Line.   If he took higher level cases, as Deontic does, then he'd probably make a quarter to half a million euros every week."   He watched her blink.    He could feel Fenian's eyes burning into him.   "If he went for the big ones, as Mail and I do, then he would be playing for upwards of a million euros per case.    Do you own your own home, Kiana?    Any Gucci dresses or Tiffany jewellery?   How many foreign holidays do you have each year?     Local school or a really good private school for your future children?    Only, if they have his genes, they could well be geniuses too."   He was watching her carefully.   "What could that kind of money do for your causes? And your area?    I believe that there are some really deprived neighbourhoods in Western Ireland, which could use an influx of serious money."

Fenian was holding his breath. "What the fuck are you up to?"   He exhaled loudly.   "Why are you trying to keep me in the fucking system?"

Kiana swallowed, "If he left, would he ever be allowed back in?"

"What?" Fenian shrieked, shock plastered across his features.   Mello just smiled.

Kiana frowned in exasperation, "I don't give a fuck about the money!   He's just fucking hinted that you could be hunted down and killed, if you left the system!   I mean, was that a fucking threat?   I'm just trying to get some fucking clarity on your options."   She held out her hand.   "Liam, you're twenty years old.   I didn't know what the fuck I wanted with my life when I was twenty.   I still don't!   But I know that I could have done things a whole lot differently and be better off now."   She glanced at Mello, then walked across the room, when it became clear that Fenian wasn't moving to take her hand. She stood in front of him. "I've supported you.   I will still support you, if it's the best option.   But what do you gain by leaving?   I can think of the big one.   No-one will want to kill you to be L.    That's a pretty good fucking reason to leave, but not if you're jumping out of the frying pan into the fire."

The door knocked behind Mello.   He stepped away from it and opened it.    Matt was standing there.   He looked quizzically at Mello.    Mello wrinkled up his nose, "Sorry, baby, I got caught up here."

"Deontic's getting antsy."   Matt informed him.

"Right."   Mello looked back over his shoulder.    He pulled Matt inside and closed the door.   "Fenian."

"You're a fucking bastard, Mello."

Mello blinked.   "Ok."   He sighed and handed his chocolate to Matt.   Matt took it with a slight frown. Mello unzipped his coat, then pulled off his jumper. He unzipped his leather vest, shrugging that off too.    "Here Kiana."   Mello thrust his clothes at Matt, then advanced across the floor.   "Have a good look.    He stays with Watari and he might not be killed.   He might be maimed worse than this."    He turned his back, so that Kiana and Fenian could see the scarring there.    "You might be spending those millions playing nursemaid to a physically mangled, mentally traumatised cabbage.    That is a very real possibility."   He jabbed a gloved finger back towards Matt.   "He has a gunshot wound.   He could show you that, if you needed to see it.   This is the reality of Watari."

Kiana hissed back at him, "I don't want his fucking money!   Are you telling me now that it's safer outside Watari?"

"Yes, I am."   Mello marched back and took his clothes from Matt.   He hurriedly put them back on.   "But only if he doesn't attempt to create his own code.    If he leaves tomorrow and carries on with whatever he's been doing, playing with his rocks and whatever, he'll be fine.   Fenian is a fucking intelligent man.   His education has fitted him for a number of high-paying jobs that don't risk this."   He slipped his coat back on, then took his chocolate bar from his husband.   "You berated me for being his childhood bully.    You stand in the perfect position to be his adulthood bully.   Or," Mello snapped off a strip of chocolate, "you could facilitate his happiness.   You could make it all better again.    Don't talk to any of us here about safety, Kiana.   Money or compassion, those are your choices.   Which will it be?"    His gaze locked with Fenian's wounded eyes.   "Fenian, you think I'm fucking with you.   I'm bringing this out into the open.   She knows, because Hal told her, and now you know that she knows.   She thinks that you're a lying cunt and I've just backed you up.   Whatever happens now is between you.   You have the knowledge and the ammunition."

"Why?"   Fenian asked, the emotion raw in his tone.

Mello inclined his head, "Because helping you on this one," he paused, considering it, "on this fucking big one, that will have long-lasting repercussions in your life, on issues that you hold dear..."

"What?" Fenian gasped.   "You think she wouldn't have fucking told me?"

Mello shrugged, "Maybe. Maybe not.   We'll never know."   He flashed a smile, "But now she has no avenue of covert manipulation open to her.   Said with all due acknowledgement that she might never have gone down that route."   He shrugged. "My dealings with the female of the species have largely surrounded Mafia comares and Watari women.   That may have coloured my vision somewhat, given that all of the above are extremely skilled, devious manipulators."

Kiana snorted, but it was in frustration.   "Your misogynism is breath-taking."

Mello raised his hands in mock surrender.   "I am willing to be proved wrong, when I witness you letting him leave Watari."   He smiled, dropping them again.   "Fenian, I strongly recommend that you negotiate a financial settlement, as compensation for the clause which denies you the ability to form your own code.   That is where your training lies, so it's potentially losing you a substantial income.    Make the sum large enough that money matters never become an issue between you and Kiana.   Then get the fuck out of there and enjoy the rest of your life."    He looked from one to the other.   Kiana's colour was crimson, though whether in embarrassment or fury, it was difficult to tell.   Fenian appeared close to tears, which meant that he was almost certain to lose his temper, should this conversation continue for much longer.    "I consider that I've assisted you here, Fenian."

Fenian grit his teeth, "What do you want, Mello?"

Mello held one finger into the air. "I would like Kiana to tell me who Mail's guardian spirit is; and I would be very obliged if you would both give us just ten minutes of your time, before you go to the hospital.   Then we are quits and you are free to fuck off back to Galway, if you so wish."    He met their expressions with a smile.   "You will also both note that, before any of this kicked off, when we were in the communal hall, I warned you that this place can fuck with your relationship.   I think that events have proved that warning to have been apt."

"Ten minutes to do what?"

Mello stared at him, "To prepare me to do what has to be done.    To go under the house and examine that chamber under the standing stone.    You're too scared and injured to do it.   I'm still in the Watari system and we're not allowed to be too scared to do anything."

"You're going under there?"   Fenian asked, stonily.   Matt's eyes had slid sidewards to fix upon his husband.   Mello shrugged. Fenian exhaled.    He reached onto the table for his own cigarettes, extracting one from the nearly new packet.    "Fuck." He breathed, as he lit it.    Kiana rubbed his arm, looking very worried.   Fenian's expression grew wretched, but his tone was gruff, "I'll come with you."

"You don't have to."   Mello told him.   "You're practically a civilian now. You don't have to be forced into this shit anymore." He placed his arm around Matt's shoulders.   "We don't get that choice.   We are Watari."

Fenian's tapping, on the table, grew faster and louder.   "Fine."   He blinked, hardly believing that he had agreed.   He nodded a few times, fighting the inner conflict that told him that the investigation was all.   Instinct buzzed with the notion that the solution held priority over life and sanity.   "Fuck."   He drew heavily on his cigarette, then faced down Mello.   "Is it equipment that you'll be wanting?"

Mello shook his head.   "Information. Back in the other room, with Deontic still present."   He smiled at Fenian's surprise.   "She holds the overview.   She will probably be leaving after this too, but right now, she'll help us pull it all together."

"I've told you all I know."

Mello nodded towards the book on the table, "Earth mysteries?"

Fenian looked flushed, "It's Kiana's.   She wanted me to evaluate something."

"Then maybe I need to evaluate it too."   Mello stared at Fenian.   "Your last job for Watari, then you're free.   Just ten minutes in a room telling what you already know.   Helping me put together a case, that's going to put me on the front line.   If everyone runs away, then we're all fucked.   You'll find it waiting for you at home.   The second someone removes that bottle, you'll know terror like you've never known it.   Terror that will make you want to be outside your own skin and will have you both rushing to ensure that that's precisely what happens."   He indicated Kiana's open bag, on the floor beside him. "Kiana, which of these items will you choose to kill yourself?    Fenian, I haven't decided between crucifixion or suffocating myself with Communion wafers, have you?"

"You're a fucking arse."   Fenian seethed.

"No. I'm your best chance of survival."   Mello looked from one to the other.   "Do we have a deal?"

Fenian glowered, but nodded, "I'll help you form a strategy.   Then we're quits."

Mello held out his hand.   "Thank you."   Fenian shook it, reaching painfully around his girlfriend to do so.

Kiana sighed.   She took a stone pendant, hung on a thong, from around her neck and dropped it onto the table.   She strode forward, with Mello and Matt both watching her intently.   Fenian's head was bowed now.   He was smoking his cigarette in agitation.    Kiana stopped in front of Matt, who gave every impression of not even seeing her there.   No-one was fooled, even Kiana. She lifted her hand suddenly and placed it on the top of his head.   Matt immediately ducked back, but Kiana's head jerked to the side.   "I see him."   She said, dully.   "He's right here."

Matt moved to the other side of Mello.   Mello took his hand and held it tightly.    Matt lit his own cigarette and didn't overtly watch Kiana at all.   Mello gave no such pretense. "So there is someone.   Can you describe him please?"

Kiana's eyes flickered up and down, as if inspecting a figure standing there.   It remained as empty space to the rest of them.   "Hello.   My name is Kiana.   Do you speak Eng...?   Oh!"   She smiled. "That makes it easier.   What is your name, sir?"   Shock shook her features.   Her eyes widened.   "As in fucking Wammy's House?    Are you the fucking toerag who took him from Galway?"   Kiana jabbed her finger back towards Fenian.   Her dark eyes flashed with temper. "I don't fucking care if you thought it for the fucking best at the time.   You fucking..."   Kiana gasped. "You think that these are fucking obscenities?" Her tone plummeted into an icily furious growl.   "Obscenity is taking that fucking boy from his home and abusing him with fucking mental torture!   Indoctrinating the fucking children with..."   She stood back, indignant.   "Where the fuck has he gone?" She spun around, but evidently saw no-one.   "Fucking arse just shagged off!"   She charged back to Fenian's side, shaking. Fenian's stunned gaze met a similar one on Mello's face.   Both twitched and pushed it under, aiming for expressions of blank neutrality.   Matt was just very still, giving nothing away from start to finish.   Kiana snatched up her pendant. "Fucking coward!"   She glanced back at Matt.   "His name was Quillsh Wammy."

"'kay."   Matt acknowledged, emotionlessly.

"Bastard, fucking coward!"   Kiana concluded.   "And he had the fucking gall to tell me that I was using a lot of obscenities!" She glared back at the space where he had stood.   Her tone dripped venom, "Go n-ithe cata thú agus go n-ithe an diabhaill an cata!   Fucking arsewipe!"   She looked from one Wammy boy to another.   "No need for you all to be looking like fucking that.   He had it coming to him, whether he was your fucking father figure or not."   She sneered, "Especially because he was your fucking father figure."   She took Fenian's unresisting hand.   "Shall we get this fucking ten minutes over with or not?"

Mutely, Fenian nodded.    Mello opened the door and led the way.

Author's Note: This story is being discussed here: http://mrsjeevas.joharrington.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=11
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Annals of Fear II