Unexpectedly, (Y/n) didn't absolutely hate spending time with Misa. Even though their personalities were rather contrasting, and Misa wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, they got along quite well.

Misa was always surprisingly quiet in the few times (Y/n) had met with her, usually looking around with a small smile and giving off the occasional happy sigh. She claimed that it was because (Y/n) expected nothing of her which meant that she had time to just relax in the latter's presence. Presumably, the model had the capacity to understand that silence held its own appeal that didn't always need to be erased by noise and, hence, she appreciated when the older woman sometimes didn't initiate conversation.

When (Y/n) didn't think she had the patience to listen to the insider's take on the latest celebrity gossip (which was almost always), she distracted Misa with stories. That wasn't to say that the profiler was a storyteller of any sort. It merely was a consequence of having an eventful life. When she wasn't telling her about old cases she'd solved with her team, she was recalling incidents from Light's childhood.

The latter usually had Misa gushing about 'how cute her precious Light was!'

Whatever the case, it was safe to say that Misa Amane had taken quite the fast liking towards (Y/n) Yagami. The older of the two returned the sentiment by admitting that she thought she'd have to tolerate Amane but was pleasantly surprised.

And so, this strange almost-friendship found the two women in Amane's car, driving to wherever caught (Y/n)'s fancy since she'd insisted on driving.

"We could've just gotten my driver, you know," Misa pointed out, crossing her arms and leaning further into the leather of the passenger seat.

(Y/n) spared her a fleeting glance before turning her attention back to the road stretching ahead of them. "I like driving," she stated simply, adding a shrug to her careless response. "I think it has something to do with escapism."

Eyebrows rising in interest, Misa turned slightly to face her friend better. "Escapism?" she repeated curiously. "What are you usually trying to escape?" She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively for a dramatic flair, hoping to get a smile for her efforts but not having her expectations met by (Y/n), who was busy considering her answer.

"People, I suppose," she said at last, her gaze not moving from where they were fixed on the road ahead.

The urge to escape people was evidently a foreign concept to Misa-- an extrovert, through and through. The model looked bewildered, directing her stare to the 24-year-old woman. The non verbal question was clear: Why would you want to escape people?

(Y/n) chuckled slightly, the sound making Misa smile because it wasn't often that the profiler laughed in the latter's presence. "Well," the elder began thoughtfully, "people are pretty annoying." The blunt explanation had Misa snorting unattractively, much to (Y/n)'s own amusement. "I mean it," the (h/c)-haired female insisted. "People really do get on my nerves sometimes. It's a constant struggle through someone being judgmental, or making unwarranted assumptions, or refusing to listen, or just being flat out stupid. And it's so tiring to have to put up with all of that when I'd much rather not.

"So, occasionally, I like to drive to nowhere in particular. It gives me a chance to unwind in my own company. I don't have to think too much. I don't have to pretend. I don't have anyone expecting anything from me. It's peaceful and quiet, and sometimes, I need that. It's awfully helpful to my mental health to just...get away."

Misa fell back into her seat, eyes wide. "Wow," she muttered softly. "I've never really thought of driving to literally get away. Maybe I should try it?"

In response to the questioning gaze, (Y/n) shrugged. "Maybe you should." Her gaze slid to the model. "Do you know how to drive?"

"I do." Misa wrinkled her nose. "I just don't really enjoy it all that much. But this whole escapism thing wouldn't be the same with a driver, so I guess I'll have to drive on my own."

Eyebrow rising, (Y/n) shook her head. "You don't have to," she inputted. "Driving is my way of doing it. You could do anything really. An acquaintance of mine-- back in the States-- draws beautifully intricate patterns and then colors them to serve as a distraction. It's almost therapeutic to watch. Another friend of mine bakes obsessively. So there really is no rule book for what you can and cannot do. It's all up to you."

"But I like going on drives." Misa pouted. "It's calming."

Breathing in deeply, (Y/n) hummed. "I could drive you out if we're both able to make that work occasionally. But it's not a long term offer since I will have to leave eventually anyways." She pulled over to the side as she spoke, parking outside a gas station with the resolve to get a snack for her growling stomach.

"You would do that?" Something about the quiet amazement in Misa's voice had (Y/n) turning to her slowly, finding herself being faced with a wide blue-eyed gaze.

Tilting her head, the profiler shrugged. "Sure," she said nonchalantly. "I don't see why not."

And then suddenly, she was being pounced at by Misa, getting the wind knocked out her when the model's shoulder met her throat rather painfully. "Thank you!" Misa gushed right next to the other woman's ear, hugging her tightly and rocking them both side-to-side.

Awkwardly patting her head, (Y/n) struggled to get some oxygen back into her lungs. "No problem, Misa," she gasped out.

From the backseat of the car, Rem watched the scene play out with nothing but a quiet frown. She couldn't detect any ulterior motive from the (L/n) girl for having made that offer. In fact, there wasn't any ill intention from her at all whenever she interacted with Misa. Then, could she be genuine in her friendship with Misa even though her brother was anything but?

Rem found it difficult to believe that the girl wasn't in lieu with Light who was quite obvious (to Rem, at least) in his intention to only use Misa to his advantage.

They were siblings. Adoptive, yes, but still siblings. And that almost always alluded to some sense of loyalty as far as humans were concerned. But, then again, it was rather easy for humans to switch sides when posed with a more favorable outcome.

Family didn't always matter to them when it came to survival. Perhaps that was why Rem had never been too fond of humans up until Misa.

And if this (Y/n) was dear to Misa, then Rem wouldn't kill her unless the profiler tried to endanger the model.

"Hey, Misa," (Y/n) began once she'd managed to pry the younger woman off, get herself a large cup of coffee, and begun to drive them back home, "I'm going overseas for something, so you might not see me around for a while. "

"What?" Misa blinked. "Where are you going?"

(Y/n) shrugged. "I have a bunch of paperwork and old stuff to take care of back in the States, and I really can't put it off for much longer," she explained. "I'll be gone for a short while-- two weeks at most. Starting tomorrow, though. My flight takes off this evening."

Misa pouted, but nodded in acceptance. "Thanks for letting me know, I guess." She sighed. "Just come back soon, okay? Oh, and text me when you can! It's gonna be so boring without you."

"You'll have Light around." (Y/n) waved her hand in careless dismissal, knowing full well how much her brother avoided spending time with Misa but choosing to act ignorant.

In response, Misa's pout became even more prominent. "Yeah, but he never wants to hang out," she whined. "He's always warning me that we might be watched and that we'll get caught on grounds of suspicion."

(Y/n) nodded, hoping to come off as empathetic. "My brother can be a bit of a prick," she conceded. "When it comes to getting what he wants, he ignores everything else and fixates on that thing. Don't take it too personally, Misa. He's just insanely ambitious."

"I know that, and I like that about him, but he could still pay me a little bit of attention," Misa huffed, crossing her arms.

Breathing out through her nose, (Y/n) prayed for patience because she knew that Misa's overprotective Shinigami was probably hanging around, waiting for her to slip up. "I'm sorry, Misa," she sighed, "but there really is nothing I can do about it. Light's not going to listen to me if I tell him to give you more time. He won't let anything get in his way."

Misa frowned at that, falling silent while she mulled over (Y/n)'s words. The profiler was right, after all. Light didn't let anything distract him from his goal, and he seemed to pursue it mercilessly. Sure, that made him appealing to Misa. The whole thing was kind of hot, but she supposed that it was also alarming in a way.

It made her wonder about what could happen if she ever got in the way. Light had promised that she would rule by his side when Kira managed to cure the world, but sometimes, she questioned his word.

Rem was rather wary of him, and Misa couldn't understand why.

Light wouldn't hurt her, right?

But what if she made a mistake somewhere down the line? Light acted like there was never any room for mistakes, so what would he do if she were to make one?

Would he leave her to face its consequences alone to avoid getting caught?

Misa shook her head, telling herself to stop thinking before she reached a conclusion she knew she wouldn't like. These were dangerous waters she was wandering into. Thoughts like that were better to avoid.

Right?

She bit her lip, turning to look at (Y/n) with furrowed eyebrows. If Light could possibly try to threaten her life, couldn't his sister as well?

"Hey, (Y/n)?" Misa decided to ask. "Would you ever hurt me?"

The elder woman glanced at her younger companion from the corner of her eye, something calculative in her gaze that froze Misa in her spot, pinned by the sharpness of the (e/c) orbs.

For one fraction of a moment, Misa glimpsed into the hundreds of thoughts that passed through the other's head in one second. The sheer speed and ruthless analysis with which she seemed to be dissecting Misa's very being and mind was almost terrifying to watch.

It occurred to Misa that she had forgotten that (Y/n) was very much a genius in her own right. The 24-year-old had been a prodigious child as well, and even Light respected her intelligence.

And sure, she had known that (Y/n) was crazy smart, but she hadn't seen that intellect in action as required by the woman's job. Misa hadn't witnessed more than the silent observations that (Y/n) typically made.

Misa decided then that she wouldn't ever neglect her new friend's sheer intelligence. She didn't think she could afford to.

"I don't think I'd ever want to hurt you," (Y/n) answered at last, her voice light and airy as opposed to the steeliness in her eyes. "That is, unless you ever put the people I care about in danger. You wouldn't do that, would you, Misa?"

Gasping, the blonde shook her head vigorously. "I would never!" she declared solemnly before pausing. "But what if Light asks me to?"

"Refuse," (Y/n) replied simply, her answer prompt. "Never do anything my brother tells you to if you think it's wrong. Never do anything anyone tells you to if it goes against what your mind says. When it comes down to it, Misa, your best bet at surviving this world is to rely on yourself more than on anyone else."

"Refuse Light," Misa repeated softly, the idea causing her stomach to turn with something unpleasant. Was it...fear? But why would she feel fear? "Have you ever refused Light?"

(Y/n) scoffed. "Plenty of times," she waved her hand carelessly. "My dear Otouto can be kind of stupid sometimes. Light is smart, sure, but that isn't to say that he's wise. He's young and can be impulsive because he's also egocentric to an above average degree. "

The whole concept of Light Yagami being stupid had Misa's brain going blank for a second. "But what if he decides that he doesn't need me anymore if I refuse him?" She bit her lip.

"Then you decide that you don't need him either." (Y/n) shrugged. "You really don't need him. You want him, but that's not the same thing as needing. If anything, Light needs you. The Shinigami eyes-- remember? You have more power over him than he does over you and I think you forget that a lot, Misa."

"I guess." Misa nodded slowly, a sense of unease creeping up her spine and curling around her neck like cold fingers that woke her up to a cold reality.

"Then stop treating Light like he's a superior being of some sort." (Y/n) pursed her lips. "He may be smarter but that doesn't make him greater than you. Give yourself and your own power some credit."

The blonde frowned, looking down at her lap and wondering if (Y/n) of all people was the right person to be saying what she was. After all, as Light's sister. And from what Misa had gleaned of their relationship, the two were quite close.

Then it didn't make sense for (Y/n) to be giving advise regarding refusing Light, did it?

Unless it meant that the profiler really did care about Misa-- enough to want her well-being even when faced with Light.

Reaching the aforementioned conclusion, Misa turned to face (Y/n) with a wonderstruck expression on her face, looking at the older woman in a whole new light. Something in her chest swelled, spreading warmth through her until her toes tingled and she couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"Thanks, (Y/n)," she said earnestly. "I won't let Light push me into anything I don't want to do."

Shooting her a fleeting smile, (Y/n) nodded. "That's my girl." She chuckled, eliciting a cheer from Misa.

Giggling, Misa gazed at her companion with a soft, appreciative smile. "You're a good friend, (Y/n). I'm really gonna miss you when you'll have to go back."

"Well, I doubt that's happening any time soon," the 24-year-old muttered, mostly to herself, pulling out onto the main street and driving them back to the city.

"Huh?"

"I said I'll miss you, too, Misa."

Rem shot (Y/n) an appreciative glance, a new sense of thoughtfulness coming over her as she studied the (L/n) girl with more attention than she previously had.

The woman in question had just managed to convince Misa of something Rem had been unable to, after all. And if (Y/n) wasn't as in blatant support of Light as Rem had first expected, then perhaps some reevaluation was needed pertaining the eldest Yagami child and her intentions.

When she and Misa first met, (Y/n) had seemed to be forcing her friendliness just a bit in order to appeal as a companion to Misa. However, over time, that force had...dissolved, almost. Their 'friendship' seemed far more natural now.

"Misa," Rem began, earning a nonchalant glance from the current owner of her Death Note, "who would you prefer-- Light or (Y/n)?"

The question was difficult-- Rem knew this, and she didn't have a particularly pleasant feeling regarding Misa's answer but she was secretly hoping that the blonde wouldn't say Light.

Although, Misa might not say anything at all until they were both alone without the (L/n) girl there.

"Light is cute," Misa announced out of the blue, earning a blank stare from (Y/n), "and I love him very much, of course, but (Y/n)'s my favorite." The response was accompanied by a bright grin directed at the other female who responded with an amused smile of her own.

Rem watched (Y/n) thoughtfully, considering the woman as she reached over to pat Misa's head. The Shinigami had honestly thought Misa would choose Light, but this was an unexpected turn of events.

Not unwelcome. Only unexpected.

Meanwhile, (Y/n) found herself resisting the urge to smirk as she forced her concentration onto the road ahead. However small it may be, this was another victory over Kira after all.

Up until now, one of (Y/n)'s biggest concerns had been the possibility of Misa telling Light her real name on the off-chance that he asked with plans to kill her. But given the fact that she had just convinced Misa to actually think for herself and how the blonde had genuinely just stated that she favored the sister over the brother, (Y/n) decided that her chances were looking pretty good.

When she had told Misa to not do anything against her own will, she hadn't been aiming for it to increase the younger's fondness of her, but it was a nice consequence.

Misa couldn't have given (Y/n) a better going away present.

•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••

There was something so wonderfully different about being back to the place where she'd lived for the past six years.

(Y/n) wouldn't say that the United States were what she considered to be 'home' exactly after having spent a large chunk of her lifetime in Japan. But she did like the life she had built for herself, and she did feel more at ease having returned than she had back home.

"Hey there, hon!" Penelope Garcia grinned, engulfing (Y/n) in a large hug, completely unbothered by the occasional stare thrown her way due to the colorful clothing.

"Hello, Garcia," (Y/n) returned around a laugh, pulling away from the bubbly woman with a genuinely warm smile.

Spencer cleared his throat, raising his hand in an awkward wave, clearly feeling out of his element with the swarms of people around them. "Hello, (Y/n)."

She smiled, giving him a brief hug as well. "Good to see you, Spence."

"Girl, are you okay now?" Garcia spoke up, throwing (Y/n) a concerned glance over her shoulder as she led their trio towards the exits. "I've been so worried about you. We all have."

(Y/n) waved her hand-- an action of nonchalance. "I'm getting better," she replied. "I never had an outburst like that first time again. I've been seeing a shrink regularly, and I've made progress. It's not as fast a process as I would have liked it to be, but I'm getting there."

"Recovery from the beginning stages of PTSD is typically obtained within a year or two of continuous therapy," Spencer provided, raising his finger as he did so.

"Right, well, we all know I'm not exactly typical, so we'll see how fast I'll get there," (Y/n) muttered, tossing her relatively small suitcase into the back of the black SUV that her teammates had brought with them.

"You're seriously good, though?" Garcia confirmed. "No hallucinations or anything? I found out about you working on that