Author's Pre-Note: Okay, I know some of you have read the chapter already, but the reader MysticCritc noticed an error/plothole that I had to immediately fix. It slightly changes things, I know, but it also causes a...certain scene to make more sense. Thank you again, MysticCritic~!

Surprise Thirty-Six: Capturing Attention?

Even if Shinichi was nervous at first, he gradually relaxed over the next two weeks. He didn't have nightmares, and the only cases he came across were average ones that were quickly solved. Kaito was rather pleased to see his boyfriend in a better mood.

"I guess it's because you're here!" Kaito told Yukiko and Yusaku with a laugh.

Yusaku put a hand to his chin. "But we're going to be gone for a couple of days during a friend's wedding. Do you think you can keep a close eye on him for us, or should I call someone to help you out?"

Kaito thought about it. He knew it wouldn't be easy to do it alone, so he tried to think of someone that would come at little notice (since it was quite late). He snickered. "Hey, how about Heiji-kun? He probably wants to see Shinichi anyway, and we could show him around."

Yusaku nodded. "I'll call, and you can go to bed. Since it's a weekend, I'm not sure if Shinichi would want to go anywhere in fear of having another case."

Kaito frowned. "But it's been two weeks since anything's happened! He's still not worrying about it, is he?"

Just then, a scream came from upstairs as the detective was startled awake from a nightmare. Yusaku gestured upward. "See? You can make sure he's okay, and Yukiko and I can get ready to leave." He paused. "And please don't tell him just yet that we're leaving; tell him when he's more calmed down so he doesn't panic."

Kaito thanked him and rushed upstairs, stopping in the doorway to Shinichi's bedroom. "Shin-shin, are you okay?" He turned the light on and saw Shinichi wrapped in his blanket and trembling, his face sweaty and deathly pale. "Was it another nightmare?" He coaxed Shinichi into removing the blanket so they could hug.

Shinichi gasped for breath as he clung onto Kaito. "What are they planning, Kaito? Why haven't they done anything for two weeks? It's tearing me apart!"

Kaito gave a sad smile. "But you've seemed so happy lately that they're not doing anything, Shin-shin…it made me happy too." He made Shinichi lie down and stayed with him until he finally fell asleep many hours later. Quietly whispering a "pleasant dreams" and kissing his forehead, Kaito made his way downstairs and had just finished making breakfast when there was a knock at the door.

"That must be Heiji-kun!" He answered the door and saw the Osakan with his characteristic grin. "Hey, Heiji-kun!" He let Heiji inside and put a finger to his lips. "You may want to be quiet; Shinichi just fell asleep."

Heiji raised an eyebrow. "What do ya mean, Kuroba? Is Kudou havin' nightmares again? 'Cuz it's already past noon."

Kaito's eyes widened. "It's that late already? Geez, I haven't slept either." He shrugged it off. "But yeah, he had a nightmare last night, which was pretty odd considering the fact that they haven't done anything for two weeks. I think he's more concerned about that than trying to relax for once."

Heiji was surprised. "They haven't done anythin' at all fer two whole weeks?! I can see why Kudou's so bothered 'bout it; they must be plannin' somethin' big." He gestured upward. "If ya want, ya could get some shut-eye while I stay up there with Kudou."

Kaito looked a bit relieved as he yawned. "Thanks, Heiji-kun, I'll make sure to not sleep too long in case you need some rest." They both went upstairs, one collapsing in the guest bed and the other in a chair at Shinichi's bedside.

Kudou, I understand that yer frustrated right now, but ya need some time to enjoy yerself too! After all, I don't think yer gonna get a break like this fer quite a while…

X

Shinichi felt strangely at ease, so he was able to sleep longer than he anticipated. When he finally awoke early that evening, he was surprised to see Heiji slumbering in the chair beside him, his arms crossed as if he had been thinking before dozing off. "H-Hattori, what are you doing here?"

Heiji stirred and opened his eyes. "Ah, yer up, Kudou; I thought ya'd sleep all day!" He stretched and made his way beside Shinichi, ruffling his hair. "An' I thought yer parents told ya already why I'm here."

Shinichi frowned. "No, they never told me anything like that…" He froze. "Don't tell me…they're not here?"

Heiji hummed thoughtfully. "Yeah, they left early this mornin' to go to a friend's weddin' an' invited me to help Kuroba keep an eye on ya." He stopped when seeing Shinichi's face grow white. "Oi, ya don't need to worry 'bout them; they'll be fine! It's only a few days anyway, an' they're most likely travelin' 'round the place."

Shinichi shook his head. "It's not just them I'm concerned about, Hattori; anyone around me is vulnerable too. If we aren't careful, we'll all be hurt or worse."

Heiji patted Shinichi on the back. "Don't worry yer pretty little head over somethin' as trivial as this, Kudou! Kuroba an' I can take turns at night to make sure no one comes in."

Shinichi's fatigued mind felt comforted by Heiji's words. "Thank you, Hattori," he whispered. "I greatly appreciate it." He loudly yawned and swayed a bit. "Wow, I'm still tired; I'll have to go to bed earlier tonight."

Heiji chuckled. "It appears so! C'mon, let's see what Kuroba's makin' fer dinner—it smells great already!" He led Shinichi to the kitchen and sat him at the table before popping behind Kaito. "Oi, what are ya makin'? It smells good!"

Kaito playfully shooed him away. "Hang on, it's not finished yet." He put the dish in the oven and wiped his hands on his apron, his eyes sparkling as an idea came to him. "So how do you feel, Shin-shin?" he asked lightly, slowly taking off the apron.

Shinichi smirked. "I'm still tired; I'll go to bed fairly soon."

"Do you need anything? I can get you something if you need it~" Kaito bend down to Shinichi's level and kissed him, startling Heiji.

Shinichi blushed furiously. "Kaito, I already told you…" But the magician was kissing him again, this time much more intensely. Heiji had just about fallen out of his chair when Shinichi was able to push Kaito away.

"Kaito, you know I'm uncomfortable still, especially around people that don't know yet!" He gave an apologetic look to Heiji, whose eyes were still wide. "Sorry, he likes using the element of surprise to tell people things."

Heiji nodded, taking a moment to get his thoughts straight. "So yer datin' Kuroba then? I thought ya'd be more concerned 'bout that case than doin' somethin' like this."

Shinichi glared at Kaito, who was struggling to contain his laughter. "I am dating him. I said yes when he was…" He trailed off as he realized something. "Oh, did you hear about what happened involving the latest Kid heist?"

Heiji's eyes narrowed. "Yeah, I heard he was injured pretty bad an' that somethin' happened to close the whole case. Why do ya ask, Kudou? Is there somethin' I should know?"

Shinichi hesitated. "Kaito, do you want to tell him?"

Kaito snapped his fingers, and a white smoke enveloped him. When it cleared, he was in the Kid costume. "I'm Kid, Heiji-kun. And that injury wasn't just 'pretty bad;' it hit me in the lung, and none of the doctors seemed to know or do anything about it. Thankfully, a doctor that Takagi-keiji sent was able to treat me."

Heiji gaped. "So yer the phantom thief? But Kudou…why are ya…?"

"His dad was killed by them," Shinichi cut in. "He was searching for some kind of jewel to destroy it before they got a hold of it. He wasn't stealing anything without returning it anyway, so he wasn't committing any crimes. Even if he was trespassing, he was doing it for a good cause. Besides, he was close to dying when I said yes."

Heiji nodded, finally understanding. "So now the both o' ya are happy. I'm glad."

Dinner was ready a half hour later, and all three enjoyed it. Once the table was cleared, Shinichi couldn't stop yawning and insisted he go to bed.

"But Shin-shin, can't we play a game first?" Kaito pouted. "After all, Heiji-kun's only going to be here for a couple days."

Shinichi shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "No, I can barely stay awake; we can do that stuff tomorrow since we'll have the whole day."

Kaito stuck out his bottom lip. "Fine, but I'm staying with you and making sure nothing happens!" He followed Shinichi upstairs after telling Heiji good night and tucked him into bed. "There, now sleep well, okay? I have big plans set for tomorrow."

Shinichi turned toward Kaito and closed his eyes, falling into a deep sleep.

The house seemed rather peaceful that night. There was no noise other than the quiet breathing of three individuals. Until a fourth set of lungs joined in, that is. The body of which this set of lungs inhabited slowly ascended the staircase, being careful to not make the floor creak. This being finally arrived outside of a bedroom in which their target slept. They were about to enter when they noticed a second person by the door dozing. Rolling their eyes, they pulled out a cloth and doused it in chloroform before stuffing it in that person's face.

That second person, Kuroba Kaito, was startled awake at the cold touch and tried to break free, but the chemical was beginning to pull him under. As the world began to fade, he only had one thought on his mind. Shin-shin, run away…before they get to you…

X

Shinichi felt something slip into his mouth and, assuming it was Kaito with another of his numerous medicines, ignored it. Perhaps it was also Kaito who picked him up? However, he knew something was off when he heard a car engine start. He partially opened his eyes and saw a woman in the driver seat, a silver streak in her hair. Shinichi wanted to panic and try to escape but knew it would be to no avail. It would be bad if I tried to run; she could always come back and hurt Hattori and Kaito…she got me.

He closed his eyes again and continued to fake-sleep. I need a plan. He felt in his pocket and noticed an object that wasn't normally there. Ah, that's right; my nightmare made me worried, so I put Conan's phone in my pocket. I guess I can send something to Hattori to let him know of my location so he can find me. Since Jodie-sensei is still in Japan, I can have him inform her so she and the other FBI members can handle the situation.

Just then, a phone began to ring. Shinichi felt at his pocket again, but it wasn't his—it was the one built into the car.

"Hello?" Marissa's voice spoke. "Who is this? You know I'm busy at night."

A deep voice reverberated throughout the car; a voice Shinichi never wanted to hear. "What are you doing, Daughter? I told you we'd be having a meeting later tonight with some of the others."

Marissa gave a childish giggle. "But Daddy, I have a rather interesting person in my car. I thought you may want to take a look at him."

"Marissa, I have already told you that I don't remember my victim's faces if that's what you mean," Gin quietly replied, sounding irritated. "Just hurry up and get to the meeting spot."

Marissa stuck out her bottom lip. "I guess you don't want to see someone that knows where she is…"

Gin hummed. "Really? Alright, I shall see about meeting this person in a day or so. Don't forget the meeting tonight." He hung up, and Marissa burst out laughing.

"My my, this is going to be rather fun." She suddenly parked the car and turned to the backseat, frowning. "Hm, it'd be best if I blindfolded and tied you up, Meitantei." She did so, not realizing Shinichi had a phone clenched in one hand, and threw him inside a building. "Goodbye for now, Meitantei-san. Wait until I get back, and we'll have lots of fun~" She returned to her car and pulled out, allowing Shinichi to make a move.

Finally she's gone; now I can let Kaito and Hattori know what's up. But where am I? He could hear the sound of waves splashing against the building and smelled salt, meaning he was probably in a warehouse in downtown Beika beside the ocean. Adjusting himself upright against a support beam, he slowly fingered around the keypad to make a coded message. It took him until early the next morning, and Marissa had just arrived when he hit send.

Hattori…please solve this quickly; I don't know how long I'll be able to hold on.

Author's Note: Oh my goodness, Shinichi was kidnapped by Marissa! I wonder what were to happen if Gin showed up soon...*giggles* But that's for next time~ I hope you all enjoyed, and thanks for all the support thus far!

Also, I've noticed that either you guys are so busy reading my story or you're so busy to where you can't read my story...meaning no one has given me any feedback, good or bad. I'm not complaining whatsoever since I'm surprised anyone's reading this, but it would be nice to get some input from you guys as to whether you like it or not. Since I've already finished this story, I can't add anything to it, but I can always rewrite something if it's worded weirdly (that happens a lot.) Other than that, thanks again for reading the story!