If you even find the name Santo, it's just fanfic screwing with me. It's actually Sato.

I did no adding in this ch, only proof-reading.

Ch 17: KIDnapping

Officers Sato and Shiratori, alongside FBI agents Judie and the disguised Akai Shuichi (Subaru Okiya) waited impatiently in the hallway after being yelled at by the hospital's owners. Three doctors went against the interrogation and requested to leave the patient alone, yet when the law forces didn't resign, the hospital resorted with force.

Four guards were stationed in the waiting area while two were guarding against both sides of 1412's room. Having two inside and two outside, the hospital was sure to keep the nosy persistent officers at distance. Sato and Judie didn't like the outcome and kept complaining, while Subaru and Shiratory sat down accepting the order.

"Give it up already..." said Shiratori, "Do you want them to kick us out?" both glared him, then gasped, resigning.

Aoko remained inside, moderating her patient's condition, while Dave noted the information down on his clipboard. As Kanna, she was a convincing actor who Dave now thought she would be a talented Kaitou. Then again, he didn't know anything about Kaito's partners, he couldn't role out the possibilities of her already being one.

Yusaku monitored the cameras, disguised as one of the stuff inside when the two 'doctors' left room 14 and headed towards the doctors for a short break.

Once they stepped inside the creepy white painted room, they saw the others sitting by a large round white Oak wooden lacquered table, hosting all seventeen doctors and nurses. The topic was very hot and they didn't seem to miss much of it.

Kanna gave a broad smile as she greeted them and sat beside Dr. Aron While Dr. Mark sat on the empty chair beside a doctor who recently joined filling in for someone. Nurse Kanna was introduced by Dr. Aron and they were happy to meet her. Overall, her enthusiastic and cheerful character easily found its way to their hearts, and Dave didn't expect anything less. From his memories about her when she was small, she was always the cheerful type of girl, one who enjoyed seeing Kaito perform new tricks. But this eighteen-year-old Aoko probably didn't remember Dave. It wasn't that she actually couldn't remember him, but it was more like, she didn't know the man's real face. Furthermore, only two_ no three_ people knew about him wearing a mask. That the face Dave showed up with since Kaito was taken to S2, wasn't his real face or name.

Kudo Yusaku and Vermouth only knew of the name, but Kudo Yukiko knew about a mask being used but didn't know the real identity yet. Although she had her doubts and a few people who fitted her suspects' circle, she would probably have him figured out sooner than later.

It didn't bother him anyway, he trusted the kudos to the point of saying his name. But he thought to keep her safe by not revealing it just yet.

To his concern, he wondered if the current Kaitou KID partners knew anything about him. Of course, they would search and find something odd, like Jeff mentioned when he left Yusaku a note warning him. Truth be told, Dave didn't know most of his background and a small hint to Shinchi told him that he suffered a great ordeal and survived a very unfortunate accident and since then, he worked with the hospital that found and hospitalized him.

Thankfully to Dave's fortune, the hot topic continued. It revolved around the nosy police who finally resigned and let 'the kid' rest.

To everyone's relief, he was still under drug influence which gave him time to rest before the law party starts pulling some uncomfortable answers out of him. On the other hand, to everyone ignorance, including Kanna, Dave managed to overhear a secret conversation between the suspicious doctor and a person on the phone while he checked on Jeff. That conversation confirmed his suspicions about Dr. Jake being a syndicate man and that he was talking to someone who was a high ranked member. Much of respect and consideration seemed to overflow hos voice before he closed the phone and placed it on the counter. Yusaku's turn was to zoom in on the image and the contact's phone, what he saw made him worry.

'The boss?' he sank in his thoughts pretending to read today's newspaper. 'He asked to keep the boy here until he recovers. Which only means 1412 is already in a bad shape to be moved...' From the reports, he had a severe infection from the slip and the bullet Snake shot him with only made things worse for his frail exhausted body. There were no serious injuries to his head, and all it took was a simple operation to close the bleeding. Thankfully, it was a slow thing and he stayed 24 hours until Bourbon and Vermouth discovered his condition. It was a lot of time, but he wasn't beyond saving. The report said the two people noticed the trembling which was caused by a high fever, then while changing his soaked clothes, they saw the redness on his right shoulder. The rest was discovered once he was admitted to the emergency room.

"It's very lively here~," Said Kanna with a cheerful smile. "And most patients are young, it's kinda sad though"

One of the nurses nodded. "But you'll find adults here too, depending on their case"

"Most of the doctors here came from outside, it's more common to find English names and we don't follow any honorific with each other. My name is Layla, I came here three years ago"

"Eh? Three years and you're already this good with Japanese? Great~"

Layla returned a smile and diverted her sight to Mark. "Next week is your annual holiday, are you going to see your family outside?"

Dave's mind quickly swirled an answer. He was only covering for a friend of his who already was on vacation. The man was an old acquaintance and happily accepted to lend his face. "I am not sure yet, after a week I plan to head to them. There is so much to do"

"But America is a long way, anyhow, I'm sure it's worth seeing your kids for two months. I would do a lot in two months"

'Oh trust me, you don't want to know what Mark planned'. He let a little smile show behind his mask, he made a quick glance towards Kanna's direction in case she needed any help, but to his surprise, she was capable on her own. 'Perhaps it is high time I include her in the partners' circle. There is no doubt our old friend Konosuke Jii is one of them. Which only leaves room for us to discover who 1311 and 1412 truly are'.

He managed to get a quick glance on the Kid's face times before, but everything told him he was a Kaito look-alike, and no matter what name the boy followed, there was no evidence to know his real identity. Furthermore what troubled him more was why Jeff refused the witness protection program and stayed in the very city his said parents were murdered in.

Why?

Revenge?

It seemed to be covering it. Whatever reasons Kuroba Kaito had to include him as his equal meant something was definitely big. The syndicate wants him alive so badly, even to the fact that the boss would allow him to join the doves and would wait forever for him to come to his side someday.

Just how important is he?

He was woken from his reverie when the door suddenly opened and a young man entered. Kanna played dumb and pretended to not recognize him, Dave, however, knew the man and didn't bother to hide it. The real Mark and this man were close friends and everyone knew that.

The break was soon over and each person took his task at hand.

Dave casually walked to room 14, glade he chose the right man for the job. Mark and Jake were regulars watching over the patient who is staying in that very room. Verily, he didn't like the conversation between Jake and the boss and wanted to reconsider the escape plan. There will be severe precautions if the KIDs try to take him, and as far as the boss meant no harm to Jeff, it would be okay to leave the boy here for few more days until he recovers. He can still pull this mask for a week until Mark is expected to leave, and as long as he was watching over 1412, he could assure his recovery and safety.

Kanna disappeared all of a sudden, 'she's probably applying another mask'

He threw his sight on the monitor, he seemed okay and calm with the drugs still intact. 'It would be another three hours before he makes a move or even wakes'. In the meantime, Yusaku watched the cameras while the two currently hiding KID partners waited for the darkness to fall down.

Midnight was only four hours away and with any luck, they won't face any trouble if and only if the Boss didn't consider Jake's opinion.

Moreover, he wanted to do something in the meantime, he texted Yukiko and told her not to wait for her husband. They were also bringing a guest over. That was plan A if it went smooth. He'd ask the partners to keep Jeff under his watch and promise to return him once he recovers. He knew well that despite their medical knowledge, Jeff needed a real doctor. And he could keep him safe and sound until he is well inside the room of the Kudos house. The basement was always sealed off and no one knew about the secret room anyway. He was sure Kaito was under the care of both his friend's wife and her son; no one tried to approach him again.

He glanced at the innocent-looking teen, bandages covering his wrists under his restrains in case he hallucinated and hurt himself. Painkillers were still being given regularly while he remained asleep. His heart was calm and stable, much to Kanna's relief. Maybe he should ask to postpone the escape. He gently moved his hand through his hair, turning on the device in his ear swiftly like the Kaitou he was. Jake was still in the doctors' room, chatting with the rest. Nothing sounded important. Kanna entered the room and did her regular checks, she glanced a deaf look at Dave hinting for him to check something without letting it show on the camera.

She opened the drawer searching between the medications vials then asked him about one she couldn't find. Dave went along her little scheme and approached to search. She had a small paper inside between the Vials. The words were carefully written small enough for him to move further to read them. With the meds in the drawer, no one would suspect what he was trying to read since the writings and names on those vials were very small.

'Word from 1311 says the boss didn't approve to doctor Jake's plan. We can make our move when the agents leave at ten'

He shot a confused swift glance at her and picked up the requested vials. She took it and infused a syringe in his left arm into it then approached the boy and infused the substance into the cannula. She then noted what she gave him on the clipboard which she rested beside him on the counter alongside an answer to what Dave asked.

'He allowed us to take 1412 until he is okay. He will send 1311 to claim him back in a month. Security will not include us but the police alone. Vermouth and Bourbon are watching to assure for us a safe escape. Jake is aware of it.'

Dave's mind screamed Trap but Aoko was sure of herself. The boy's life and safety were of great importance to that man, and he would agree to anything that would keep him safe until he claims that gem. Whatever would happen afterward, was of no one's knowledge. After he obtains it, he might eliminate 1412 because only the silver bullet could bring his downfall along with his men. 1311 was no doubt a spy, Dave had a small number of suspects to think of, namely one.

Vermouth.

Kanna approached the sleeping figure and placed her hand gently on his. Once she did that, Dave noticed a little change in the heartbeats displayed by the monitor. She murmured assuring words. "It's okay, Calm down. I am here" she said in her own voice and Jeff seemed to listen to her. She had to avoid saying her name to not blow her cover. Almost immediately, he calmed down and she retracted her hand after giving a last gentle stroke. She straightened herself and turned to the man noticing his careful observation.

"I will give him a pill just in case," she said and returned a quick glance at her friend. She only used her own voice to let him know that he was with them, instead of using a stranger's voice which would have allowed him to guess where he truly was. It didn't matter because they will take him back home and he didn't need to know about being in this hospital.

She gently placed the pill in his mouth without disturbing the tube and watched his expression become softer. 'He fell asleep fast …' but Dave wondered how he managed to wake although he was still drugged.

He turned away and said he was going to speak with Jake for help with Jeff, Kanna nodded and stayed beside her patient to carry the remaining work she had left for the night. 'Including untying the restrains and manipulating the monitor to remain functioning after we escape with KID' she chuckled behind her mask. Once she was sure she was alone, she turned her back to the cameras pretending to pick up some medicine and spoke with a hushed tone. "Are you awake, Jeff-kun?"

There came a node. As a magician, he could speak with the tube in his mouth without even showing a change in his voice or moving his lips. They both knew the room had bugs, however, with low voices, the frequency wouldn't be able to pick it up.

"Where are we?"

"Ekoda central hospital," she said hushed. "Pretend to be asleep, the others and I prepared an escape plan. Don't move under no circumstances, unless you hear from me. Dave is disguised as Dr. Mark and he will easily realize if you are faking it. I gave you drugs to keep you calm so they think you are asleep. As long as I am noting down what drugs I give you, no one will give any meds or suspect if you truly were given them or not. In an hour, we will escape, Okay?"

"Okay," and he didn't add another word.

The door opened again and Jake entered with Mark along his side. Both turned their sight on the young nurse, as she saw them, she continued writing on the clipboard and settled it down.

"I am done with everything, Dr. Jake."

He nodded and told her she could leave and get some rest.

'The perfect opportunity to slip sleeping gas in the air vents'. Aoko made a slight nod and exited the room.

Jake read everything and turned to Mark. "He will sleep perfectly calm through the night, we can leave now and check on him in the morning. The guards will watch over everything... the police left suddenly though..."

'That's too good to be true, they might be still around waiting to get a chance and talk to him'

"Perfect for now," he said. As best friends with five years of experience in the same domain, Dave knew Mark's exact words and what he would and wouldn't say. All the better to keep Jake from suspecting him. "Any other patients to check on?"

Jake shook his head, "I only want you to watch over this kid. Until he recovers, that is. We can only hope he remains calm and doesn't see any nightmares."

'Hopefully' 1412 breathed normally and didn't move an inch. He knew the man well enough to keep his guard up. The man never meant him any harm although it was three years ago, he was a doctor after all and being mean to Jeff won't help him get any better.

Jake watched the monitors for the last time and told Dave that he will take things from here. Without hesitation, he sustained and left him alone.

He turned his sight to the boy, carefully watching the lad breathing through the tube. Everything seemed okay, but he had to be sure. He approached the IV drip and stopped the drug from dripping in the connecting tubes. He then counted five minutes and waited for him to wake.

Once Jeff heard the machine giving off a sound, he knew he was being allowed to wake. "Kid?" Jake called when the five minutes passed and Jeff began to slowly open his eyes.

'Man, those drugs cause headaches!'

"Kid, stay still..." the tone wasn't harsh and it wasn't an order . Jeff obeyed to the demand and didn't move. Jake sat down and spoke with slow easy-going words. "Do you know where you are?"

'I have to play dumb until he expects me to become fully aware of my surroundings.' He slightly shook his head to not cause himself any more headaches from moving.

"Well you weren't conscious when you came here, so you probably don't know. This is Ekoda Central Hospital" He paused allowing the information to sink in. "Just stay down and rest. I can't keep you on sleeping pills, it's doing you more harm than good." There came a slight nod. "My name is Jake and I'm your doctor, for the time being, there are two more, Kanna and Mark. They will be checking on you in the morning"

'I doubt you will find us here in the morning.'

"Do you remember what last happened?"

'Oh that's a really hard question. Nothing is coming up yet. Aoko didn't say anything either.'

"I will take your silence as a no," he said. Jeff heard a sort of friction between a paper and a pen. He was probably writing the answers down. He then removed the tube and placed a face mask instead. "I'm going to ask you some question to see if your head received any damage. You underwent a concussion hours ago. Do you remember what happened?" He shook his head. "Okay, your age and date of birth?"

'He already knows though. Man, I don't like to answer these questions. I don't have any brain damage, just a little_ lot_ headaches' He gasped mentally deciding to finally answer. "17 years old. June 21th, 1998" as expected, he heard the friction between the clipboard and the pen again and waited for it to stop.

"Do you remember your name?"

He nodded, Jake knew everything about him. Now that he could speak, he spoke with a lighter tone, his real voice.

"I'm not supposed to say, and someone might be listening"

"The order applies to everyone aside us. I already know, so no harm is done." he paused and waited for a few seconds to pass. "If there were any devices here, I wouldn't be asking you to say your name. No need to worry"

1412 held back a shrug, "Still, I can't"

Jake signed and surrendered, "Alright, as long as you know it" he stood up. "Sleep for now, do you want me to untie you?"

'...No no no no...' He shook his head, '... Aoko already untied them halfway...'

"Alright, it will help in case you hallucinate" Jeff heard the steps pull away and a switch ticked. "Sleep well. Goodnight."

"... Goodnight"

Time was slowly enclosing on the mention escape time, and Jeff began to feel sleepy. Was he supposed to stay waiting despite every fiber in him telling him to crash? Busy yourself with something, think think think...can't put their efforts to failure now...His mind drifted to an unpleasant memory again.

"We're going home this summer, son" his father's voice said.

"It'll be fun," his mom's voice said.

"Do we have too?"

"Yes, yes. We said we will come back during the summer break, and you haven't been to Japan since you were nine, dear" she gave a broad smile. "It will be fun!~"

"We'll meet our cousins there, I'm sure they are looking forward to seeing you"

Jeff sealed the memory away, pain consuming his heart. 'Maybe if we stayed in America, they wouldn't be dead now...' he exhaled with pain overflowing in his heart. 'Why did all of this happen anyway? Even if I belonged to the syndicate, Mom and dad said they escaped... Why did they come back here? Snake was going to kill them… they knew he was dying to kill them…'

His thoughts were interrupted by a sound coming from above him, from his experience in sneaking in, his mind screamed someone came through the ceiling Vent. 'It's about time' he waited until it approached him. He felt larger hands untying the restrains. Aoko told him not to move earlier, but he didn't recognize the rough touch of those hands. 'The only males in the group are 1211, 1314 and me... so who is this guy? Maybe a disguise?'

"I got you, 1412..." the person muttered in a tone neither male nor female, words he only heard 1311 say once when he played Kaito's corpse. He was picked up and the person walked towards the right side from the bed. "1311 here, I got 1412. Get the car ready"

Jeff exhaled mentally in relief. 1311 carefully got out through the window with Jeff in her hands. Shorty he was placed into a car beside someone. 'Another unrecognizable person, I'm getting tired of this... If only my hands would respond to me and pull these bandages off!'