You know what to do after the beep…Disclaimers please.

A/N:

I can't help the Phantom Thief part. I need him for my future chapters. But I'm not going to put flesh on him. He would be the Phantom Thief, not the person, because I only know him as Kid, not as Kuroba Kaitou. Whatever info I have here about him is gleaned from different websites and fanfics. If they're not accurate, my apologies, but I'm doing my best (read A/N of chapter 7 for the reason why this is).

Also, I made a boo-boo in chapter 7. Ran was shot before, in the movie, The Fourteenth Target. I've corrected it now. It slipped my mind for the simple reason that I haven't watched it yet. Detective Conan merchandizes here in our country are like gold, hard to find and very expensive.

BTW, Kid's entourage is only making cameo appearances. I mean, it is a Kid heist, their presence are mandatory, but like the Kid, I don't want to gamble on their characters. I mean, I already am going out on a limb with Kazuha and Ai (I didn't get to watch them either). Oh, well…

Please review. Please review. Please review. Oh, and please review. Thanks.

M:

Sorry if I confused you with the flashbacks in chapter seven…I was experimenting with the set-up a little…but I'm too lazy to go over it again. Oh, well…your suggestions are welcomed. However, the one concerning the Phantom Thief we all know and loved can't be written because it's in conflict with this chapter (unfortunately, I've written this chapter before I read your review). However, I'll do something with Vermouth and the girls. It'll be in chapter 11. Thanks for the idea and for reviewing. =)

Crazy4u:

*lol* Thank you for the very enthusiastic review. I also appreciate your answering to my question. Kid is appearing in this chapter (however, before you get any hopes up, read my note above). I am from the Philippines, hence from SEA (btw, what gave me away?). Hope to hear from you again soon.

Kaitou Magician:

Thank you for answering my question.

YunCyn:

Nice to hear from you again. There's more Heiji-Kazuha interactions to come, not in this chapter though. Rest assured that I've got something special (and I do mean special) planned for the two of them *cackles*.

Chapter 9:

Confrontations and Decisions

          "I, the great detective Mouri Kogoro will lead all of you to the capture of the Kid! After all, I leave no cases unsolved, no criminals unpunished!" He crowed loudly.

"Daddy," Ran sighed in exasperation as her father insisted on making a spectacle of himself.

Inspector Nakamori sweat-dropped. "Didn't he promise the same thing the last time we're here?" He whispered to Inspector Megure.

The older Mouri snorted. "Even that Phanthom thief is no match for me!" He proclaimed stubbornly.

Conan sweat dropped. If you only knew…

Ran sighed as she turned to the blond-haired boy beside her. She bowed down. "Forgive my father," she apologized.

Hakuba Saguru, another teenage detective who came with Inspector Nakamori, grinned at her as she straightened. "It's fine, really." He said.

"Is the Kaitou Kid really going to be here?" Conan asked the taller boy innocently.

Hakuba grinned confidently. "He will. He hasn't backed out of a heist yet," he checked his watch.

          Ran tried to keep herself from rolling her eyes. This guy was worse that Miyagi when it comes to time. Miyagi absolutely insisted that everything had to be on time. Well, that probably had something to do with their line of work where everything has to be synchronized. And perhaps it was the same thing for detectives too. But then, a certain brown-haired teenage detective wasn't like that…

          Shinichi…

          Ran's eyes were drawn to the small boy beside her. Hang on, Shinichi, help is on the way… She bit back a sigh. Since she found out, she had alternating impulses of hugging the adorable man-child in an attempt to comfort him and squeezing the life out of him for keeping something as big as this from her. But you're keeping something from him, too. Ran tried to overlook her jumbled emotions by looking around the museum.

It was the opening night of the Egyptian Exhibit of Beika Museum. And perhaps the heart of the exhibit is the unveiling of a new archeological find, the Immortality Stone, a large gem fabled to bring immortality to its owner. The irony of it all was that it was found inside an empty sarcophagus. That was the object of the Kid's latest heist.

The museum was almost filled with people. Some came for cultural experience, but most wanted to see the Kaitou Kid in action. Anyone who was anyone went to witness its opening. And the place was literally crawling with police officers and detectives, and anyone with the dream to capture the elusive Kid. The museum had adamantly refused to postpone its opening because the Egyptian exhibit would only be in Japan for one week before moving on into another country.

"Ran!" A high-pitched feminine voice, distinctively Sonoko's, called out. She had just walked in the museum, with her boyfriend in tow.

"Excuse me," Ran murmured to the gentlemen around her as she made her way to the couple to say hi.

A pair of expressive dark blue eyes, now devoid of forced innocence, followed her retreat. Conan sighed as she watched Ran and Sonoko hug and admire each other's clothes.

She looked so grown-up tonight. Her hair was pinned up her head for a change, with a few curly tendrils framing her face. Her dress was long-sleeved yellow dress showed off her shoulder blades. It reached her ankles, though a very high slit gave a hint of shapely legs…

She was beautiful as she was a mystery.

Though he knew her for years, she still surprises him.

And now, though closer to her than ever before as Conan, she was hiding something, not just from him, but also from the world.

Who are you working for Ran? How on earth did you and Kazuha-chan, and possibly Sonoko-chan, find out about the Black Organization? Please don't get involved in this. I'm keeping everything from you to keep you safe…

But he can't confront her, not yet.

Raking a hand through his already-tousled hair, he made a decision. He was going to come clean…if only to stop her from getting involved in the mess he was in.

"So, is everything in order?" Sonoko asked worriedly as she frantically combed her hair.

Ran grinned at her at the bathroom mirror. "Relax. If you continue brushing your hair like that, you'll go bald."

"How can you be so calm?" She demanded.

"Hey, we can afford to slack, we're not the leader in this operation," a voice in the two women's ears replied.

"Kazuha-chan, are you seeing us OK?" Sonoko demanded.

"Yes, boss." Kazuha replied.

"How about the—" Sonoko began.

"Been there, done that," Ran replied dismissively with a wave of her hand.

"What? How?" Sonoko asked in confusion.

Ran grinned. "While you were on a date with Kyougoku-kun, Kazuha and I went here this morning and took care of, uh, stuff."

"That's what I like about you girls, initiative!" Sonoko grinned.

"So, ready for action?" Kazuha asked.

Sonoko made one final adjustment in the mirror, took a deep breath, and plastered a smile on her face. "Ready as I'll ever be,"

"I found him," Sonoko whispered to her ring that contained the transmitter. "Or rather, he found me,"

"Where is he?" Kazuha asked.

"Lady Luck is smiling upon us today." Sonoko replied. "Would you believe he's…"

"Kyougoku-kun!" Ran called to the karate master.

Kyougoko turned around expectantly and waited for Ran to catch up with him.

"Sonoko had a little accident at the punch table near the entrance," Ran told him apologetically. "She's in the bathroom trying to compose herself."

Kyougoku smiled at her. "Thanks for telling me. I'll go get her, then,"

"I'll come with you," Ran chirped as she fell in step beside Sonoko's boyfriend.

The two walked in companionable silence. However, once they reached the bathroom door, Ran had shoved the taller man inside.

"What the—" Kyougoko gasped.

"Hello, Makoto-kun," Sonoko was inside, waiting for the two of them.

          "Sonoko-chan, this is nice and all, but this is the women's bathroom," Kyougoko protested with a blush.

          Sonoko grinned wolfishly. "I know." She smiled seductively as she walked closer to him. She then linked her arms around his neck. "Ran and I planned this," she whispered into his ear. "I missed you, you know,"

          Kyougoku then turned around at the mention of the other girl's name. "Don't, Sonoko-chan, not with—"

          But before he could finish his sentence, Sonoko touched his lips with hers.

          His eyes widened. But before he can stop her, Sonoko had released him from her grasp.

          "I kissed him!" Sonoko announced gleefully. "I finally kissed the elusive Phantom Thief!"

          Ran laughed at her friend's exuberance. "Congratulations,"

          "What are you talking about?" The man protested. "I'm not the Phantom Thief."

          "Oh, there's no use pretending, Mr. Thief." Sonoko spun around and grinned at him. "We know you're not Makoto-kun. You underestimate me. I am his girlfriend, I know."

          "But—"

          "Oh, don't object too much, or I will ask Ran to demonstrate by pulling your wig off, not to mention your mask." Sonoko interrupted him. "And don't waste your time trying to convince me otherwise."

          The thief whirled around, suddenly dropping his "Kyougoku" costume and he was back to wearing his white tux again, complete with top hat and monocle. "Well, it was nice talking with you, ladies, but I'm out of here," he was about to throw a couple of smoke bombs.

          However, Ran was faster as she caught his wrist and shoved the bombs towards the sink that was filled with water, effectively rendering the smoke bombs useless.

          "Oh, I don't think so, Mr. Thief, we have a lot to talk about." Sonoko told him seriously.

          "Well, I really would like to stay and chat, ladies, but I have a gem to steal," he grinned at them.

          "I'd stay if I were you, Kuroba-san," Sonoko said calmly, taking out her big guns.

          The thief, who was on the verge of leaving, froze. "What did you say?" He choked out as the poker face we wore throughout their conversation slipped.

          "That is your name, isn't it?" Sonoko asked innocently, her eyes wide.

          "No," he denied weakly.

          "Oh, yes." Sonoko grinned, knowing that the thief was defeated.

          "Who are you?" His voice was weak, like Ran had just punched the breath out of him. But Sonoko knew that wasn't the case. Ran was standing away from the two of them, watching the two in interest.

          "Your enemy's enemies." Sonoko replied. "So I guess that makes us your friend."

          "We're not after you," Ran had decided to join in the conversation. "We just want some information."

          "Information?" The thief repeated as he backed off a bit until the sink was directly behind him. Confident that no one was to jump him from behind, he then adapted a relaxed posture.

          "Well, for starters, are you also after the Pandora Gem?" Sonoko asked.

          "Yes," Kid replied. "My turn, how did you know I wasn't your boyfriend? What tipped you off?" He then asked with a frown.

          Sonoko looked at Ran, as if asking if she should answer.

Ran simply shrugged as if to indicate that it was only fair.

Sonoko smiled triumphantly. "Your smell. I gave Makato-kun perfume on his birthday. He wore it tonight. But an hour ago, he started to smell differently, so I know he wasn't the person I'm with. You are not working for the Black Organization, are you?"

The bandit snorted. "As if." He replied. "Who are you working for?"

"As we've said, your enemy's enemies." Sonoko replied. "Our turn. Why are you after the Pandora's Gem?"

"A good magician never reveals his secrets," was his curt reply.

"We figure as much." Sonoko nodded. "Well, diplomacy couldn't convince you to talk to us, maybe we could try another tactic."

"What do you mean?" The burglar asked with a suspicious frown, his body suddenly tense and alert.

"What time is it?" Sonoko asked Ran, ignoring Kid for a moment.

"It's eight-thirty."

"The Kid said he'd steal the diamond at nine, right?" Sonoko asked jubilantly.

Ran nodded.

"Wanna race him?" Sonoko asked her best friend and partner in crime.

"I'm always up for anything," she replied.

"What?" Kid asked. "Just who are you? And what do you want?"

Sonoko grinned at him. "Change of plans. We would like the diamond for ourselves."

The Kid started to pull out something from his sleeves, but he soon found out that he was unable to do so.

Sonoko grinned at him. "My lip gloss contained powder that can paralyze a person temporarily," she said wickedly. "Just enough to give us time to steal the Immortality Stone," she grinned at him.

Ran smiled at the thief. "Consider this as my payback for what you did when we first met."

"And Pray that nobody would walk in the bathroom while the powder is still in effect," she called out over her shoulder as she and Ran began to walk out. "Oh, before I forget," she walked back to the Thief and pinned a brooch on his lapel. "For you to contact us, in case you change your mind," she laughed and walked out.

"WAIT!"

"Phase one, success!" Kazuha cried gleefully as the car they were riding sped off.

"Where to?" Miyagi, who was behind the wheel, grinned.

"On to stage two!" Sonoko replied with a giggle. "Job well done, Ran!"

Ran grinned. "Couldn't have done it without Kazuha and her special effects,"

"And my leadership abilities!" Sonoko added.

"Of course, of course." Miyagi grinned. "We make a great team!"

Haibara Ai sat morosely at the computer keyboard. Once again, she hit a brick wall. Frustration was eating at her bones. It's been months now, and still nothing. She glared helplessly at the monitor, when in reality what she wanted to do was smash it in a million pieces.

"Need a little break, Ai-chan?"

Ai almost jumped at the sudden intrusion. She knew that the professor was already asleep at this time, so who could it be?

"Ran?" She gasped. "Ran-neechan?"

The taller woman had disengaged herself from the shadows to stand directly in front of the child.

Ai's calm demeanor slipped back in her face. "It's quite late,"

"On the contrary. I'm very early." Ran replied. "Way past your bedtime."

Ai double-checked her watch. It was two AM. However, she said nothing, her face revealed nothing. But a hundred questions whirled in her head all at once. What's she doing here?

"I brought a friend," Ran interrupted her thoughts as if reading her mind.

Ai's eyes narrowed.

"Sherry?" A surprised voice squeaked out.

Ai felt her blood run cold. And for a while, she couldn't think. She hadn't heard someone call her by that name for a very long time.

Ran saw that the other girl had gone deathly pale. "Don't worry, Ai-chan. He won't hurt you."

Ai then saw a man walk until he was directly behind Ran. She took in his lanky frame, his black hair, and brown eyes.

"Sweetie, are you sure that it's her?" The man asked as he wrapped his arms around Ran, or at least he tried to.

"J-Johnny?" Ai choked out hoarsely.

The newcomer then beamed. "It's her alright." He crowed in delight. "But it's Yoshke now, Sherry."

Ai was bombarded with memories with she was still working for them. She had a lot of recollection of the elder boy. He had worked beside her at the APTX project; however, she never had the chance to really talk to him since she preferred to do things on her own.

"And she's Haibarra Ai." Ran told the guy behind her as she once again tried to loosen his vice-like grip on her. "Or would you prefer Miyano Shiho?"

"But, how? What—"

"I've come to develop the cure with you," Yoshke said, as if that was the most obvious thing in the world as he grinned at Ran before finally releasing the irritated brunette.

"You know," Ai glared accusingly at Ran. "But why and how?"

"I do now," Ran replied quietly. "I don't have time to explain. Maybe Yoshke-kun can, if he wants to." She looked at Yoshke. "I'm going to leave you guys here. If you need help, you know where to contact me,"

Yoshke nodded as he unconsciously gripped the earring on his right ear.

"Things are going to get really hot tomorrow," Ran told the two. "Stay inside. And if it makes you feel better, Ken-kun had posted three men outside just to watch you. Contact us if anything goes wrong."

Ran was about to leave when the woman in a child's body called her name. Ran stopped and turned around.

"What do I tell him?" Ai asked her, her usual calm and collected mask back in view. There was no need to identify who him was.

"You can tell him whatever you want," Ran replied. "It wouldn't really matter anymore, would it?"

"I guess not."

"I'll pick you up tomorrow right after school, Yoske-kun," Ran began walking away.

"Bye Ran!" Yoshke called out, oblivious to the tension between the two women. "I love you!"

-TBC

P.S.

Please don't flame me for what I did to the Phantom Thief. It would get better, I promise!

P.P.S.

I forgot to ask this question in the last chapter, who do you think is the virtual boy Ran was beating up when Johnny/Yoshke and Miyagi were talking? =)