The next morning, you wake up with a hammering heart and newly-found adrenaline pulsating through your body. Today is the day. With excess energy to spend, you chucked your pillow at Matt, who's currently deep in his REM cycle of sleep. Matt stirred. You sigh and yank off his blankets.

"What the fuck, (f/n)?" He sleepily mumbled.

Matt sits up, dressed in only his boxers. You're used to seeing Matt like that, so you carelessly hurled his striped shirt, jeans and goggles at him. Matt clumsily caught all three articles of clothing and quickly put them on. You hurriedly grab your denim jacket, jeans, plain, white t-shirt and headed off the bathroom to change. You can feel your heart pounding faster and faster with every step. You've recognized this new-found energy, this form of anxiety. It's not the kind of panic attack that would send you collapsing, but more so the kind that makes you crave more action, fueling your body with adrenaline. You slovenly dressed and washed yourself up.

"Hurry up, (f/n)!" Mello impatiently knocked the door.

"I'm almost done!" You shout back and opened the door, only to be greeted by an impatient leather-clad Mello.

You exit the bathroom and head to the kitchen.

"RING!" Your phone ran, just as you are about to make coffee. Near's calling-who else would it be?

"Hey, Near."

"Good morning, (f/n)"

"I guess today's the big day, huh?"

"Yes, it is. Today's the day where we see the fate of Wammy's house unfold. It's the very day where we'll witness Roger's life being shifted slightly off-balance on a tightrope. We'll also witness Matt's, Mello's and your fate unfold, hopefully it won't shift off-balance as well."

You understand the ciphered message. "All the best for you as well."

"Very well then, I'll see you guys at the CIA headquarters." Near hung up.

You smiled.

"What was that about?" Matt entered the kitchen.

"Nothing really, Near was just wishing us the best of luck."

Matt grinned.

"Do you think we'll be able to save Roger?" You asked.

"Please don't say that, of course we will. We have to save him." Matt firmly confirmed.

"Right."

You saunter over to the espresso and begin making your morning coffee.

"Let me do it." Matt appeared beside you.

"But you always make our coffee. Can I just do it for once?" You pouted.

"Alright." Matt backed away and sat back down.

"I'M DONE!" Mello flung open the bathroom door and strode into the kitchen, his black combat boots loudly clicking on the floor.

Mello always had a sense of presence. You'll always know when he's in the room, contrary to Near, who's barely noticeable at all.

"Mello and Near. The ghost and the Devil. One draped in loose, white clothing, one who seems to be outfitted by Satan himself. Both tormentors, both tormented." You mentally queried.

Metaphors have always been your thing. You tend to think in metaphors which is one of the reasons why you were brought to Wammy's house. You heaved a sigh and poured a sizable amount of milk into Mello's, Matt's and your coffee. You then, poured a great deal of chocolate syrup into Mello's cup (Nesquik's the devil).

Matt went to the bathroom, as it's his turn to wash up.

                                                                  -------------------------------------------------

Matt starts the engine of his car, you uneasily shift in your passenger seat and glance at the calm everyday scenery outside. The car begins to move and so as the scenery around you.

"We're heading for the CIA headquarters right?" Matt asked.

You nodded.

"Okay then." Matt resumed driving.

Matt drove through quiet neighborhoods, busy intersections and quite a few places in between. Squat houses that are low to the ground whizzed by you, towering skyscrapers loomed over you, casting shadows over the car. You're beginning to feel uneasy as Matt stopped at the (what seems to be) one millionth red light. You want something to occupy yourself with, something to easily manipulate with your own fingers. You feel like a combination of Matt and Near for a second. You shake these thoughts away and gripped the edges of your seat with both hands. Your nails dig into the leather, carving indents. The green light flickered on, and Matt continues driving onward, to the headquarters. The towering glass building soon came to view. . Matt paralleled parked (god knows how he can complete the impossible task of parallel parking) at the curb of the sidewalk, behind the CIA's trademark black cars and motorcycles. 

You step out, and push your shoulder-length (h/c) behind your right shoulder. Mello gets out, pushing back his (long-ish) blond hair, keeping it away from his face. Matt exits the car and runs his hand through his shocking red hair (what's with the hair, you might wonder. Well, I have no answer to that, I just felt like it). The three of you walk past the automatic doors and get by the security system like it was nothing (which it really is). You are greeted by Halle and Gevanni. You all exchange your greetings and head to the meeting room.

Near is sitting in the far, left corner of the room, assembling card castles. Mello shoots a death glare at Near. You purposely step on his right foot.

"Ow, what was that for?" He whisper-yelled at you.

"Can you just get along with Near for once?" You whisper-yelled back.

"Now that everyone's present, we shall begin." Announced Near.

It seems like Near's announcing to the wall. You and Mello diverted your attention back to Near.

"Rester, please retrieve everyone's costumes." Near commanded.

"Yes, Near." Rester heads for the storage room.

Rester hands everyone a large plastic bag, containing the costume. Once all the costumes are distributed, everyone (including you) goes for the washrooms. You locked yourself in a dull, grey stall and began pulling on the short, tight skirt. You then, put on your stockings, flats (You guess Near has switched the heels with flats), blouse and cardigan. Halle hands you the makeup and bobby pins. You did your hair into a neat bun and applied makeup (with Halle's help). The whole team got ready in no time and soon, you're all ready to roll.

Matt handed everyone a tiny earpiece and demonstrated on how to apply it. You carefully place the earpiece in your left ear. A cold, monotone voice echoed in your ear.

"Hello everyone, this is Near. Can you hear me?"

A chorus of yes' rose in the room.

"Good, you'll be hearing me throughout the operation. Don't act without my command."

Everyone nodded.

                                                            ----------------------------------------

You sat in Matt's car once again, clutching leather, glancing out the window.  Matt drove past the downtown skyscrapers, and sped down winding highways, until he finally reached the outskirts of LA. All this time, you were nervously tapping your foot, and gazing out the window, at the ever-changing scenery. You were hit by shock as the Mafia headquarters came to view. It was completely repaired and looked just as it did years ago (with a few minor changes). You recalled finding Mello (with Matt's help) in the Mafia after all those years you lost him. You and Matt decided to join Mafia with him that day.

"(f/n)? Are you okay?" Matt must have noticed your troubled expression.

"I know that this place stirs up many painful memories, but try not to let them get the best of you." 

You nod. "I won't."

"Good."

You turn back to see Mello. His skin's three shades paler then before, and he is wearing the same, troubled expression you were just a moment ago. You know that Mello's still traumatized by the explosion.

"Mello, are you okay?" You asked with concern.

"I'm fine." He firmly said.

"You don't look fine. Anyway, it's the future that matters, try not to look back at the past. I know it's easier said than done, but just keep it in mind." You tried with your best effort to comfort him.

Mello slowly nodded.

Matt parked the car behind the rubble surrounding the hideout, hiding the vehicle. You stepped outside, behind a large mass of junk, with the others, waiting anxiously for Near's instructions.