A/N: Yes, yes, I know what all of you are thinking. 'Why are you posting ANOTHER' story when you have two others that aren't done yet? Because I'm stupid, that's why! Haha, no... Actually it's because I was talking with a good friend of mine, Belletrist Word Salad, about what Near would be like if he was pregnant. After a few hours of talking I had all of this story in mind and I just couldn't let it go. She came up with her own version as well, so be on the lookout for that! It's a lot different from this one, and it's sure to be good! Anyway, let me know what you think. Also, thanks to Lumorai for the awesome edit job, as usual. Gotta love my beta-muse!

I know a lot of people don't like mpreg stories, but I promise you this is not the traditional method of doing one.

Disclaimer: I do not own Death Note or any of the characters used in this story

Chapter 1: Prologue

Near couldn't remember how many times he'd been in this office as a child. A good number, he knew for sure. once for an introduction to Wammy's, a few to be commended on his high marks, a couple on account of Mello, once for when Mello left, and one last time for when he himself left. Near found himself trying to count the instances on his fingers, giving up after counting fifteen or so visits.

Through those times, Near had always believed Roger's office dwelled in a completely separate universe away from the Earth lying in wait just outside the door. The room existed in its own world, completely untouched by the passage of time. Back then, it was the only thing that made sense to explain why nothing in that office changed; it was frozen in time.

And for some reason, despite everything in his rational mind, Near still held on to that childish belief to this very moment, many years having passed by since he had come to the conclusion.

Maybe it was those childish thoughts and moments that allowed him to retain his sanity in a world so devoid of any. He couldn't imagine having to face the cruel outside world without the safety of his childish mind to always rely on.

His dark eyes slipped up, locking firmly on Roger in front of him to keep his eyes off Rester and the bundle in his arms. The thought made him tense up. This was supposed to go over smoothly and relatively painless. He should've known Roger would make this more difficult than it had to be.

"Are you going to take it or not?" Near finally asked seriously, his eyes never leaving Roger's face. In the back of his mind he began making note of his options, should Roger gave him an absolute no from Wammy's. As much as he hated to say it, this was his only option right now. He didn't trust anywhere else with this.

If Roger said no… he didn't know what he would do. Where he would go to dispose of this problem…this accident.

"'It'?" Roger asked, his furry brows meshing together in confusion as old eyes looked up from his hands to Near. "Near… how can you come here and ask this of me? We, at Wammy's, are legally unable to accept-."

"I know the law," Near retorted, cutting him off. "Considering the circumstances, however, I feel it necessary that we bend the law for a moment. It is, after all, in everyone's best interest," he explained, looking away momentarily to begin spinning a lock of white hair.

"How can you consider this to be the best idea, Near? What do you expect us to do, here?" he asked seriously, his tone as patronizing as if he was talking to a child. In a sense, any orphan that grew up in Wammy's always remained a child in Roger's eyes. Perhaps it was just a part of growing old.

"I expect you to do the same thing you did for myself, and every other orphan that's ever resided here. That is all. Nothing more, and nothing less. If all else fails, look at it as a personal favor to assuage your conscience."

"Near, I cannot-"

"Then I have no choice but to place it somewhere else."

Roger was quiet for a moment, his eyes flicking from Near to Rester, who sat in the other chair beside him, his eyes finally resting on the bundle resting in the large man's arms. Tired eyes moved back to the orphan, in a single moment remembering the day Near had arrived at Wammy's. It seemed like only yesterday. And now he was asking this of him…

"Where else could you place him?"

"I have yet to figure that out. If you do not do this, then what could possibly become my successor someday would slip away into the world. And we'll never know what could've been." Near said quietly, realistically. There was a pang in him at the thought, but he pushed it aside, having to continuously remind himself that this was for the best. He had to do this. The situation didn't leave him any other choice.

Roger sighed, "I can't…"

"You can. You just refused. For what reason?"

"This is something you must deal with between the two of you! The mother and you must raise him, since you've gotten yourself into this situation. He is not an orphan. It's more important to ensure a sense of family than to ensure a successor."

Near cringed at the word 'mother', but held back as much as possible, "You are well aware of the fact that I am now acting as L. As such, I do not believe it would be safe for it to be at such a risk. Do you disagree?" His eyes flicked back to Roger, blank yet holding all the seriousness in the world.

"No…" Roger finally responded.

"Then what more is keeping you from doing this for me?"

Roger was quiet, placing his chin on his hands and closing his eyes a moment as he weighed his options. Near was L. How could he say no when he was thinking rationally about the situation. He hated to admit it, but Near was right. There was no other better option.

"Alright, we'll take him." Roger finally said, quietly.

Near nodded, "I knew you would see things my way." He said, satisfied, and beginning to stand up at the same time Rester did beside him. Keeping his eyes to the floor, he still saw out of the corner of his eyes as his right-hand man handed over the bundle to Roger.

Roger's voice stopped him, "Would you like a moment to say goodbye, for now?" His voice was quiet, and calm.

"That won't be necessary. I know it is in good hands." He had to force himself to remember that this was for the best. That he was doing the right things. All the things he was feeling meant nothing, he had to remind himself.

"Well… who is the child's mother? Where is she? What is his name?" Roger continued to call after him.

Near bit his tongue, having hoped he could have escaped this moment without having to admit what'd happened, or create those ties. He'd done so well thus far keeping himself detached and separate from the child. Until now…

He sighed. Near had known, deep down, that Roger would have never let him go without asking such questions. It was, after all, human nature to be curious about such phenomena.

Looking back from the doorknob, Near took a deep breath. "Call him Michael," Near responded simply. "And if you must know, Mello is the father. As such, I request that Michael's presence be kept from Mello as effectively as possible. It goes without saying what could possibly happen if it falls into the wrong hands, Roger." Near turned the doorknob and vanished into the dark hallway, Rester following in tow.

A/N: I apologize that this chapter was so short, but I really just needed to get things started and set up for the rest of things. I'll attempt to make the next chapters longer. Also, I'd like to address the 'it' fact before I get hordes of reviews asking about it. Yes, Near meant to call him that. He's very detached from his child right now, and that'll be shown and explained in later chapters. Just to clear that up. Anyway, let me know what you think!

Please review
-Forbiddensoul562