Chapter 4

I deeply apologize that this is just now being posted. I unfortunately have had no time to write and post this up.

On his run Shinichi tried not to remember where he had found the note or the hands that put it there and failed miserably. Of all the places to put it why his back pocket and how in the hell didn't he feel it when it happened? Oh right he was too busy trying to restart his brain and his ability to breath. Biting back the sudden need to scream to the heavens he pushed himself a little harder on the run and decided that some poor punching bag needed to die.

He was in the middle of practicing high kicks when he faintly heard his phone ring over the belting Breaking Benjamin. Turning the music off and unwrapping his hands from the short boxing impulse he had he listened to the answering machine take the call.

"Hey, Shinichi, it's Ran. I just wanted to thank you again for the marvelous honeymoon/wedding gift. Truly. I and Daisuke are having a little too much fun. Hopefully you are too. I'll find something that will fit your style and bring it back. Ah, sorry got to go I think the waiter is trying to get us to eat something that is moving. Bye Shinichi, Love ya."

Shinichi laughed and tossed the tape into the waste bin next to the door. Stopping short in the hallway he realized that he didn't had that painful twinge that he usually got when he thought of her. A bitter-sweet smile crossed over his face and he realized that he was getting over her. Painfully slow but actually do it.

Towel drying his hair he heard the phone go off again. He smiled at the thought of Ran calling him again to explain the waiter incident he answered.

"Kudou residence, this is Shinichi."

"You know it's really bad to just answer the phone without looking to see who it is first."

"KID?"

"Morning Tantei-kun."

"How did you- never mind don't explain. What do you want?" Shinichi asked as he ventured towards his window to see if the some crazy fool was standing outside his window.

Kaito had to move the phone away for a minute to laugh quietly. He was looking for him. Cute. "I was wondering how my note was for you?"

Shinichi blinked and grin. "Eager to see if I liked it huh?"

Kaito smirked. "I already know you liked it and the place it was hidden."

Shinichi felt his face burn and glared at the wall. "It was interesting. Actually a little more than that it was a challenge and one I have been waiting for."

Kaito widened his grin. "I aim to please."

"Well you have done just that." Shinichi shifted in spot then started to pace. "I take it you have something big planed?"

Kaito laughed now. "Clever, clever detective trying to see if I slip a hint." He watched Shinichi stop in place in the screen and wondered if he guessed wrong.

"I …" Shinichi thought about it and he wasn't actually. He blushed slightly and fiddled with the hem of his shirt. "I wasn't actually. I was approaching that as an admirer."

It was Kaito's turn to be sheepish. "You admire my work?"

"Ah well, yes. It's an absolute masterpiece. An awe inspiring performance."

Kaito blushed and couldn't help but to fall a little for him. He was prepared to make a silly jab at him for actually like a thief's work but couldn't his heart was too swollen. "Thank you, Tantei-kun."

Shinichi found himself smiling before straightening up and busying himself with case files in the study. "Ah, KID since I have you hear can we talk for a bit? I mean you don't have to … I mean you did call me. What for is an enigma to me but"

"Shinichi." Kaito cut threw calmly. "I wouldn't mind it at all. You do forget that I like you."

Shinichi turned an interesting shade of pink and drop the file he was holding. "I, ah, I … no trust me I remember." He skimmed his fingers over his then caught himself. "I remember all too well."

Kaito smirked. So that kiss got him thinking. Good, at least that impulsive action turned out well. Wanting to tease him a bit he asked. "Are you talking about the kiss on the roof?"

"NO!"

It was so instant Kaito had to laugh. "I think about it to and beat myself up for stopping when neither of us clearly wanted to."

This time Shinichi whimpered and collapsed into the chair behind him. Taking deep breaths he laid his head onto the cool surface. "KID."

Kaito wanted to pounce and realized that torturing the detective like that had consequences for him as well. God, he just groaned out his name. Shifting in his chair he took a very careful mental step back. "I …"

"KID … can I ask you something?"

"Depends on what it is."

"What happened with Ran? You saved her right?"

Now Kaito fumbled with an explanation. This was a very dangerous topic. For both of them and very personal for him. "Not over the phone. I'll answer your question just … just not over the phone."

Shinichi gave it a long thought then stood and straightened his desk. "Would you like to meet somewhere or even come over?"

They both let that question hang in the air. This was a very muddy decision. Kaito watched Shinichi from the monitor and waited. He wanted to give Shinichi enough time to revoke that statement. Once laid he was going to visit whenever he wanted. "Your place is fine."

Shinichi exhaled and relaxed a bit. "Ah … Do I need to give you the address?"

"I'll see you tonight Tantei-kun." Kaito smirked and hung up the phone.

He didn't know why but Shinichi felt like he just open a huge door. A huge heavy door that wasn't going to be able to close without someone on the other side pulling on it.* Seeing as how he wasn't going to see KID till late tonight he buried himself into all of his case files on the Organization. It wasn't until he stomach finally demanded food did he move from the library. Raising his arms over his head he stretched out his back then with them still stretched bent over to touch his ankles.

"You know I still haven't figured out how you stayed single in high school."

Shinichi straighten like a shot and spun around. "Geez … a little warning next time. If I was close to the desk I would have shot you."

Adorn in his full uniform KID tilted his head to the side and slid open the middle draw. A 9MM Beretta was sitting next to two full clips. KID let out a low whistle and slid the draw carefully closed. "Heck of a gun."

"With the Organization after you it feels good to have some kind of protection."

KID couldn't argue with that logic. Moving around the desk he leaned a hip on it a watched the detective. "Continue with your stretch I'll wait."

Shinichi straightened his shirt a little and turned his back to the thief and side stretched. "Sorry I have to do this. Because of the change my muscles tend to cramp up if I don't move for long periods of time."

KID watched him widen his stance and placed his forehead to his knee. Looking away he tried to focus on something else.

"Can I get you something or do you suspect that I'll collect it for DNA?" Shinichi asked while he stared up innocently at him from the open space.

KID smiled dangerously and gave him a soft look yet his body tensed and prepared itself for an ambush. "Doesn't that hurt?"

Shinichi tilted his head and gave him a confused look.

"Stretching like that doesn't it hurt?"

Shinichi chuckled. "No. My martial arts and Parkour training keeps me highly flexible. Isn't it the same with your acrobatics?"

"Touché but I couldn't give myself a blowjob."

Shinichi straighten and gave him a hard look. "That would require me to remove several of my ribs and honestly I wouldn't even want to."

Uh-oh. KID arched an eyebrow. "Is it too crude?"

"No, I just don't love myself enough to even consider." Shinichi stated.

KID tossed his head back a laughed deeply.

Shinichi straighten and walked out leaving the door open for KID to fallow if he wanted. He needed food and coffee. Standing in front of his fridge he saw the white of KID's suit and felt the thief presence on his skin. Ignoring him he reached in a grab some BLT fixings then also grabbed an egg.

"What are you going to make with the egg?"

"A bacon egg lettuce and tomato sandwich."

"My, oh my, Tantei-kun can cook." KID purred and leaned on the counter.

"Ha ha, very funny. I learned by watching Ran." Shinichi paused to crack the egg one handed into the pan. "I think now is the time to tell me what happened."

KID shrugged and flipped the top hat off his head and made it disappear in a puff of smoke. "I don't really have to say anything. I saved her from the Black Organization because she was, is someone very precious to you."

"You know for a fact I won't be satisfied with that short of an answer."

Yeah, KID already knew that but it was worth another try. "Tantei-kun, I heard she got taken and I knew who it had to be. I wasn't about to let her, a very innocent, very nice girl get hurt just because these guys hate you. That isn't fair to her. I also knew that if you can home to find out that she had been taken then killed you wouldn't be able to forgive yourself for leaving in the first place, something you needed."

Shinichi watched him as he sprinkled sea salt and cracked black pepper over the layers of tomato, bacon, an over easy egg, and lettuce. Placing another slice of bread he pressed down lightly on it. For a long moment he felt he wasn't going to be able to eat it unless he got some more details. "Did they do anything to her?"

KID watched his hands shake as he placed them onto the counter. "They … yes. They tortured her lightly for information on you and on Conan. They never did … touch her inappropriately"

"You mean they never raped her?" Shinichi watched KID close into himself and slip into the shadows near the dinning room. "KID?"

Very carefully he walked around the corner towards him. "KID? What happened?"

"I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't. Not again."

Shinichi found himself reaching out towards him. "Again?"

KID squeezed his closed eyes tighter and jumped like a rabbit when he felt steady hands frame his cheek. Looking slightly down towards Shinichi he saw genuine concern in those dark eyes. For a brief instant moment he felt his mask crack a reveal a slice of a very painful part of his heart. Wrapping his arms around the detective he squeezed him tight.

"She … someone very precious to me got taken the same way Ran-chan did. She however was never saved. Snake or Jackal or whatever you want to call that stupid bastards name took her from me. Ripped her right out of my arms. I tried so desperately to hold on to her to keep them from taking her but …" He paused when his voice cracked. "I had been shot. Several times in fact. I wasn't at a heist so I didn't think of wearing my usual Kevlar so the shots I took hit in and buried themselves deep. I was bleeding out like a gutted pig and she, my Aoko, held onto me. I was going to tell her who I was. Everything."

Shinichi wrapped his arms around KID's waist and held.

"It wasn't until I woke up a week later I found out what had happened. That's why I saved her. I had watched over her since that day. We often talked of you; still do from time to time. We shared our missing of you. She healed a certain part of me that I didn't think could heal at all. She told me that my presence also eased her loneliness Conan had left her with. Daisuke-kun he healed her longing heart."

They stood holding each other for a long time before Shinichi eased back. "Thank you, for protecting her, for saving her. A part of me will always hate the fact I left her but I am happy that she found happiness. It's funny I always thought that if I lost her to someone else I would die. She was my world for a long time. I realize now that that wasn't the case. Thank you, KID."

*Kingdom Hearts reference.