They drove in silence. Aoko had been tempted to put some music on, but fear overruled the tension. Music distracted her when she was driving, especially as she'd only just received her license. In the rearview mirror, she saw KID leaning against the window of the car, eyes closed as though asleep. She knew he was only pretending, though, as he'd told her earlier that ghosts couldn't sleep. With this knowledge, the absolute stillness of the thief unnerved her. He wasn't even breathing, resembling a corpse or a mannequin in his silence. She found herself clutching the wheel a bit tighter.

As though triggered by her thoughts, KID shifted and opened his eyes, staring out at the darkened highway. "How much further?" He asked after a pause.

"An hour," she replied in a clipped tone. He ignored her attitude, instead slumping into his chair with a sigh.

"I'm bored," he declared. Reaching for the radio, the thief asked, "Can we put on some music?"

She swatted his hand away—or tried to. Her fingers passed straight through the glove and sent a chill up her spine. Nevertheless, KID understood and withdrew his arm. His eyes slid shut and she watched as he went still once more. Then, abruptly, he asked, "So what kind of music do you like?"

"…What?"

"I'm trying to make friendly conversation." He grinned. "So what's your favorite music?"

"I don't listen to music much," she mumbled. A flush rose to her cheeks. Before KID could question her again, she countered, "What about you?"

"What kind of music do you think I like?" She noticed the change in him immediately. He sat a bit straighter but tilted his head down and to the side so his hair fell in his eyes, effectively hiding his face. His tone, too, had altered. Where he had once been friendly and casual, he was now all precise words and manners.

A scowl worked its way onto Aoko's face. "Oh, no you don't," she said warningly. "You are not about to go into that."

KID glanced at her, and she caught confusion in his face before it was smoothed over with almost cold tranquility. "Go into what, exactly?"

"This whole…" she took one hand off the wheel to gesture wildly, "mysterious thing. You're 'Phantom Thief 1412,' act."

"I don't understand—"

"You're avoiding my question," she told him, intending the words to come out flat but instead speaking gently. "The moment I asked about your life, you changed. I don't think I'll be able to jail you just by knowing what songs you listen to." She smiled teasingly, and she almost felt compassion for the thief her father chased.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw KID gazing at her. The thief leaned back in his seat with a small sigh and a smile. He mumbled something she didn't catch, then said in a louder voice, "Alright. But seriously, what kind of music do you think I listen to?"

She shrugged. "I dunno, Beethoven?"

There was a snort. KID gave a laugh before covering his mouth and quieting his mirth. Even with his mouth hidden, she saw his cheeks were pulled back in what was obviously a grin. "Beethoven?" He choked out. Lowering his hand, he continued "He's an excellent musician, but it's not like I play Moonlight Sonata before going to bed each night."

Aoko flushed bright red. "Well what did you expect me to say?" She defended. Oh, if only she had a mop. "I don't exactly know what internationally known criminals listen to."

The thief gave a final, breathy laugh. "I may be a criminal, but I do have a life of my own," he said nonchalantly. "It's not like thieves have a specific genre they prefer."

She rolled her eyes and they resumed their silence. Neither spoke until they pulled up into a parking lot, a bright sign advertising a four star hotel. Yawning, Aoko pulled the keys out of the ignition and slid out, the asphalt feeling strange beneath her tired feet. KID beckoned her towards the hotel. "Hang on," she called. "I don't have enough money for this place."

"It's fine," the thief assured her. "I have a friend here. Sort of. Just tell him you're with me!"

"With Kaitou KID?"

"Yup!" He paused then sent her a suspicious look. "You won't set the inspector on them, will you?"

Aoko thought over his words before shaking her head. "They haven't done anything wrong have they?"

"'Course not."

"Then I have no reason to say a word."

KID grinned. He flounced up to the glass doors, sweeping himself into a deep bow. "I would open the door for you, Ojou-san, but I'm afraid I might worry those inside."

Aoko scoffed at his display and pushed them open herself. She spotted the man at the front desk, who looked clean but not exactly friendly. "Umm…" KID gave her an encouraging nod. Stepping closer and lowering her voice, she murmured, "I'm a friend of KID's…"

The receptionist cocked a brow. "Uh-huh."

She swallowed. "I'm trying to… help him. With a job."

The man gave her a hard stare. Aoko gulped, fidgeting under his gaze. Then he huffed and said, "That guy helps me out one time and the next thing I know I'm indebted for like. Tell your boss that this is a hotel, not a hideout." Scowling, he tossed her a set of keys. "Top floor, room 809. I know that bandit likes high places. You get one night here. "

Aoko glanced at the keys before stammering out, "T-thank you," and fleeing to the elevator.

She found the room to be a nice one, with a decently-sized bathroom and a queen bed. KID sank into an armchair and leaned back with a contented sigh. "Gotta love that guy," he murmured. "He's a bit of a grump to me, but always comes through."

"So why does he owe you?" Aoko asked.

KID opened his eyes. "Oh, just some jewel smugglers. They were hiding out in this place and the police were going to bust him for 'aiding and abiding criminals'. I just helped clear his name."

"Why would you help him, though? It's not like you knew him."

KID sighed and crossed his legs. She noticed for the first time that he didn't really sit on the chair, but seemed to hover just over it, as though he couldn't properly touch it. "Because," he said after a pause, "I don't want anyone held responsible for a fault that wasn't theirs."

And like that, Aoko remembered who she was talking to. "And I," she said, her voice shaking, "Cannot stand those who take what isn't theirs. Including my dad."

She blinked once and he was gone.

Hummm, seems this is going to be longer than a two-shot. Not much was explained in this chapter, but character development, yay! I wanted to continue it, but Muse says to stop here. Part three is coming soon.

In other news, I am a bit stuck with AoS (Ace of Spades). I know what I want to write but I cannot put it into words arrrgh! I'm going to go stare at the page until I come up with something. I mean, I just came over a huge roadblock in the plot and now I can't even find the right words to type! This is irritating. -.- So apologies to those of you who are patiently (or not) waiting for the next chapter. I will continue that story, as soon as I can swat my muse back into writing. Now allow me to start staring at the page until something comes to mind...