Starting Over

A/N: Hello, guys! WOW, it's been a while, hasn't it? Well, I've FINALLY gotten around to that multi-chaptered story I've been babbling about recently! Believe me, it took a lot will-power and determination for me to sit in front of the computer rather than on the couch watching TV!

The pairing is Shinichi/Shiho (or Conan/Ai) as always! (BTW, if you guys EVER want me to portray a different pairing, you only need to ask! I'll see what I can do!)

Well, here's chapter 1: The Prologue! (for lack of a better title) [;

NOTE: This fiction takes place after the defeat of Black Organization. There will be a couple references to it.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Detective Conan. (:

(3rd Person POV)

"Kudo."

A young, bespectacled boy of around 7-years old turned around, meeting the eyes of another child – female, with shoulder-length, dirty blonde hair. Her gaze was lingering sadly over a group of primary school students behind them as they joyfully played the newest Kamen Yaiba video game on a certain professor's flat screen TV.

"Haibara," the seemingly innocent boy nodded. However, his solemn expression was clearly not that of a child's – nor were the bruises upon his face, or the large, bulky cast on his leg. The girl, too, bore a similiar look, with bandages layered over her entire left arm. Yet, despite their injuries, both of the children seemed relieved, almost cheerful. "How are you feeling?" the boy by the name of Kudo added.

Haibara let out a sigh. "Come with me." She led him downstairs, to the basement.

The two children quietly entered the lab. Immediately, Haibara headed towards a large cabinet, and took from it a clear, plastic box barely the size of her palm. Opening it, she revealed two red and white pills, and showed the dazed boy beside her.

"Ai..."

"I finished it last night," Haibara Ai told him, "After I was able to retrieve the rest of the APTX-4869 data, it was actually quite simple. You can take it today, if you'd like... Of course, Conan's 'departure' would need to be arranged... but... I'm sure you couldn't wait to go back to her." For a split-second, she seemed saddened, but Conan hardly noticed. He was too busy jumping up and down in joy.

"I... Really, Ai?" He had called her by her first name again. She smiled bitterly. "I – I can't believe this! I have to find Ran! C'mon!" Pulling her by the hand, he dashed out of the lab and into the kitchen upstairs, to find a plump, white haired man cutting vegetables.

"Hakase!"

The old man jumped, "What is it, Shinichi?"

"The antitode! Haibara finished the antidote, Agasa!" Conan was jubilant. The professor took some time digesting this new developement. At last, he too jumped in joy.

"Oh – Shinichi! That's great! I'll call Ran and tell her Conan will be leaving tomorrow!" The professor ran to the phone. Conan turned to Ai, his grin fading slightly upon seeing her dejected expression.

"Haibara... what's wrong?" Conan asked, concerned. Suddenly, he started. "Wait! Ai – you're gonna take the antidote too, right?"

Ai rolled her eyes – in exasperation AND his use of her first name (which she actually found rather amusing). "Of course I'm taking the antidote! You don't expect me to stay in this child's body forever do you?"

Conan breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright then!" he exclaimed, jubilant once more. "Tomorrow, Kudo Shinichi returns to Teiten High School! And now that the Organization's been taken down, Miyano Shiho can transfer too!" He flashed a big cocky grin at her.

Ai, stunned, replied, "I don't know Kudo..."

"Why not?"

"Well... I'd have no place as a high school student..."

"But you can start all over!"

"Yes, but I still don't think –"

"Why not?" The ever persistent detective was starting to get on Ai's nerves.

"Well it's not like you'd need me here anymore! I'm giving you your life back, Shinichi... At least go back to Ran and forget about me!"

Conan took a step back, dumbfounded. "Ai, you... you know I can never do that..." Why does he keep calling her by her first name? He took a deep breath, "You may not know it, but... you mean a lot to us, okay? Agasa, the Detective Boys... me..."

She glared at him for only a second longer. "Fine. Miyano Shiho may transfer to your school tomorrow. But... if it doesn't work out... you won't be seeing me for much longer."

Conan frowned, but complied. "Well... Let's just worry about Conan and Ai for now..."

The very next morning, Kogoro, Ran, Professor Agasa, and the Detective Boys all gathered at Tokyo Narita International Airport to bid Conan and Ai farewell. Last night, the professor had gotten an unexpected call from Mrs. Edogawa, who missed her little boy, and insisted that both Conan-kun and Ai-chan (who was apparently a distant relative) come home to America with her and Mr. Edogawa.

And thus, that Saturday, everyone accompanied the two children to the airport. Ran and Ayumi were in tears, with Mitsuhiko and Genta trying to comfort them, and Kogoro looking bored – although if you looked close enough, there was a touch of sadness in his eyes. No doubt he would miss the little brat.

At last, after all the endless lines and airport security, they were able to enter the terminal, where only Conan and Ai were allowed to pass through. All their friends were given one last hug before the pair headed past the metal detectors, and out of their lives forever.

Both children let out sighs of relief the second they were out of sight. Goodbye's were always painful, and neither of them could deny that "leaving" saddened them. However, the act was up. There lives would no longer be one big lie. All they would have to do would be to change back – and everything would be right again.

Conan gave Ai one last smile as they stopped outside the public restrooms. "I'm going to miss seeing you in that body," he teased. She shot him a glare, before smiling wistfully as well.

"Don't pretend you won't be ecstactic to be back," she said, and placed a single pill in his palm, then sighed. "Goodbye, Edogawa-kun."

"Goodbye, Haibara..."

And they both entered their seperate bathrooms.

That was the last anyone saw of Edogawa Conan and Haibara Ai.

A/N: GASP! Cliffhanger! LOL, I am so evil. Sorry this chapter was so short! I tried to do more! I really did! I just thought this was a good place for me to stop. (:

Also, I feel as though I'm going at an awkward pace..? Is it too fast..? Or maybe too slow? PLEASE tell me!

PLEASE REVIEW! Do you guys realize that if you review, it'll motivate me to write quicker and better? It's true! So please do it!

Um, I'm still not 100% sure where I'm gonna take this story so if you guys happen to have ideas... [;

Thanks! More to come soon!