Disclaimer:

sigh from the beginning until the end, I don't own anyone, nor anything.

A/N:

Hey! Right now, I'm supposed to be studying, as my finals starts tomorrow, but I can't keep away. I wrote this story right after I wrote the last chapter of Spy Girls, so I decided to post it. sigh two weeks to go before FREEDOM! Wish me luck on my exams.

YunCyn:

Glad you liked it. Kazuha-Heiji to follow, maybe in two week's time? =)

bluedetective:

I'll IM you as soon as my finals are over. I'm just sneaking Internet time behind my friend's back. I'm supposed to be studying our country's civil code right about now. And yeah, I think Fumio's Kaito's mom. I read that in a fic somewhere…and yeah, I purposely neglected to write about Shiho's brother-in-law. ;) Because of you, a SD story is now swimming in my head, but I don't have time toy write it down just yet, I want to, but I can't.

Erika:

Ei, kababayan, thanks for the review. I don't mind that you kept saying it over and over again…I like to ego stroke. Thank you for adding me to your favorites. Nice to find a fellow Pinoy who also loves DC. ;)

MUSH ALERT!

This takes place after Ran visited Yoshke in the hospital. Shinichi is now walking her home. He still doesn't know that Ai's alive.

Shinichi and Ran

(dedicated to Det)

          Shinichi stole a look at the quiet brunette walking beside him.

          She was quiet and withdrawn all the way from the hospital. As usual, he worries about her.

          When they were about to cross the street, Shinichi automatically reached for her hand.

          Ran turned to him in surprise.

          Shinichi blushed. "Uh, sorry!" He babbled his apologies. "Habit," he tried to let go of her hand. But to his surprise, she didn't and instead, grasped it tighter.

          "It's OK," she whispered. "I think this is exactly what I need right now,"

          Shinichi nodded. "Uh, right,"

          They walked in silence until they reached Ran's house. Shinichi was about to go in when he realized that he's not Conan anymore, he can't stay with Ran.

          Ran gave Shinichi's hand a squeeze before letting go. "Thanks," she said as she made her way inside without so much as looking at him.

          I have to tell her now. Firming his resolve, Shinichi followed Ran inside. He's finally going to tell her what he feels…

          He got inside just as Ran was taking off her jacket, leaving Ran in a sleeveless top.

          A gunshot would on her shoulder was revealed. So were the various scrapes and bruises she collected the past months.

          "Ran!" Shinichi called to her in shock.

          Ran turned around. When she saw Shinichi, she immediately jammed the jacket back on her shoulder.

          "Ran," he said softly as he reached her. He gently tugged the shirt off her shoulders and traced the wounds on her body. "What have you done to yourself?"

          "It'll disappear in a few weeks," she told him.

          "Gunshot wound?" He asked as he tenderly touched the bandage. "No wonder you stopped wearing sleeveless tops," he blushed. "Not that I noticed or anything,"

          "You're taller now," Ran changed the subject as she turned around to face him. She was surprised that she now had to look up to see his eyes.

          Shinichi grinned, as he now had to look down to stare at her eyes, those deep, dark, fascinating eyes. Those chocolate brown eyes that he could drown into, if he was not careful. Those eyes that seem to hold mysteries even he cannot fathom. Those eyes…

          "Shinichi?"

          Shinichi mentally shook himself. "Yeah, well, it's to compensate for looking up at you for all these months. Waaay up."

Ran giggled, and Shinichi felt immense relief at that sound. They were on their way to being OK.

"Well, that and the fact that I'm now two years older."

"Really?"

"Ai's new formula," Shinichi's eyes darkened as he remembered his friend. "Her formula ages the body by three years. I took four dosages,"

Ran saw the pain and sadness in his eyes. She released his hand, to his dismay. But he soon found himself engulfed in a warm, comforting hug.

"R-Ran," he choked out as he closed his eyes, allowing himself to draw strength and comfort from the woman before him.

He was glad that no one was there to witness his breakdown; the Sleeping Detective was with his ex-wife, much to Ran's delight.

She allowed him to hold her for as long as he needed, knowing that the past year had been harder for him than for the rest of them. And to loose his co-conspirator, his confidant, his friend…I'll tell him about Ai as soon as I can. She rubbed his back comfortingly, familiarly.

After a few moments, he drew back. "Thank you." He told her quietly. "I needed that."

She gave him a smile that almost knocked him senseless.

He released her and took her hands in his. "Ran, I need to tell you something,"

Ran glanced up quizzically at him.

          "This past year, it's been hard, for the two of us." He began. "And I realized one thing, Ran. It's about how I feel about you. Ran I lo—"

          But she took one of her hand from his and used it to silence him. She shook her head. "No." She said. "Not yet. If there's something I learned from what we went through, it's our immaturity. We both need time to grow up (no pun intended). We both kept secrets from each other, big ones. I don't know if I can trust you yet, so I don't think I'm ready for what you have to say."

          Shinichi was pained, but he understood. He took the hand on his lips, kissed it, and placed it on his heart. "I'll do as you wish and not say it yet. But if there's anything I learned the past year, it's carpe diem. Seize the day. I don't know if I can contain it within me for too long."

           "Let's take it slow, Shinichi." Ran smiled sweetly at him. "After all, we do have the rest of our lives before us,"

          Shinichi nodded, unprepared to deny her anything.

          But I will tell you one day, Ran. But until that day you're ready to hear me, I'll be at your side.