[When L behaves like a child and is summarily treated like one, it doesn't particularly surprise him. It still rankles him to have two of his enemies talking past him, as though he's a problem to be dealt with.

Maybe I am. They certainly are. Could I take them both? Alone? Working together?

He doesn't want to encourage an alliance, but it's a fascinating thing to consider. Because there's no one left he loves, at least no one that John doesn't also feel conflicted about harming. Their tangled, overlapping webs and Paul Atreides' own fierce competence compromises the old covenant.

They both know it. Light will probably pick up on it, if only because he does know L, and his sting, and his nature, and that he was like this even when death could (did) stop his heart permanently.

What could cause that to happen again? Taking down the Pthumerians, perhaps.

Those books.]

Good fences make good neighbors, but I'm thorough. I can't be held responsible for what I stumble into when a boundary hasn't been set.

[Where's your campsite, John?]