Last Time: "JIMMY KUDO!!! HAVEN'T YOU GOT THE MANNERS TO KNOCK BEFORE YOU ENTER A ROOM?!!!" Amy's scream filled the building as she wildly reached for anything to cover her naked flesh, just exiting the shower at the time.
Strawbeby- Yay, oh yay! I've finally finished this chapter. I'd like to thank JimmyKudo84 for finally convincing me to get off my butt and finish the thing. She actually wrote me an email at my address to ask me when I'd be updating. I'm sorry for you who actually wait for an update. I had figured a gob of you just read the fan fics you really like and then was like "Oh, 'What the Tide Brings in' has been updated. I'm really bored so I'll just read this."
You know who chan - no I'm sorry I won't be introducing any other characters from the manga into my story. I really don't like writing about things unless I really know about them. I'd be too afraid to mess their personalities up. Yes Hattori-niichan (Harley Hartwell, he is known as here) has been introduced over here in the U.S. but only in the most recent episode that has been shown on Cartoon Network. Plus I'm sorry to also report that those nitwits canceled Detective Conan, so that's about as far as I can go unless I want to fork over some major cash.
What the Tide Brings In Chapter 7 – Rachel's Version of Jeopardy
By strawbeby
Jimmy slammed his room's door shut as he heard Amy yelling at him through it. Oh, no! I forgot about those three. I mean, I didn't really forget, I just wasn't thinking. Oh, no, this isn't going to be pretty with Rachel. He slowly turned around to see Rachel looking like she had smoke coming out of her ears.
"Jimmy," she addressed him with a tight, firm voice. "Who….was that?"
Jimmy forced himself to smile a little bit, to try and make it look like what it was, a funny coincidence. "Well, you see, Rach…Um, I kind of forgot to, um, mention to you that I, uh, have a few friends staying with me for the week." Man, can she ever make a guy squirm under his skin…
With the same harsh tone of voice, Rachel said, "Let me guess. They are all big bosomed females, aren't they?"
"Actually, no, uh, there are two other guys also, uh, staying with me."
As if on cue Mitch and George came bounding up the stairs, responding to Amy's scream. They had been down in the arcade at the time, letting Amy be a girl and "freshen up" in peace. So they decided to explore what all the hotel had to offer, but they only got as far as the arcade. At the moment George was trying to convince one or two of Jimmy's "fellow classmates" to let him finish their game for them (in other words he was threatening to pound their face into the ground if they didn't let him and Mitch was holding him back). But, fortunately, Amy's scream sounds the same no matter what age, so they recognized it immediately, but they couldn't make out different words through the muffled ceiling. So they thought that they were going to beat up any punk who was trying to harm her. Or George pounding their faces in while Mitch urged him on.
Jimmy instantly relaxed, now that he saw the two guys who would help vouch for him to Rachel. But George didn't put two and two together to come up with the logical reasoning that Jimmy opened the door. He still thought that Amy had been in trouble. "Hey Co- I mean, uh, hey Jimmy! What happened?!" he fumbled over his words.
This instantly gave Rachel some more ammo. "Why did that guy just call you Co?!"
Fortunately his detective skills provided Jimmy with an ability to make a covering up story. "Because he is one of the guys that is staying with me. The other one, besides Ariel, is the one right next to him. He was going to call me by the nickname that they had given to me, Conehead. When they first met me they thought that I was too smart for my own good, and they were watching that movie. Somehow they don't call me by my own name, despite the fact that I ask them to. I had threatened them with an overlooming secret, though, to only call me Jimmy here." Jimmy put the cherry on top of his lie by awarding Rachel a convincing smile.
By this time the two boys had arrived to where Jimmy and Rachel were standing so Jimmy turned to include them into his and Rachel's conversation. "Don't worry Greg (glare that clearly meant to remember the fake names or perish). I just accidentally opened our door without knocking and Ariel had just came out of the shower. She's fine, guys. And I'd like you to meet my friend, Rachel." Introductions were exchanged and George and Mitch discovered that the Rachel that is the same age as you is different from the one who is older and in charge. Less babysitter and more babe.
But Rachel was barely been interested in the two boys before her. What her mind was focused on was the naked girl inside Jimmy's room. What's-her-name, Ariel. She was about to open her mouth to ask why there was a girl staying with the three boys, all of whom she was somehow positive were all hormone driven, when Ariel came out of the room. She somehow looked drop dead gorgeous, despite the fact that she was standing there with dripping wet hair, a tacky flower printed pair of shorts, and a periwinkle blue tank top.
"Hey, Ariel," Jimmy said to the girl. "I'm sorry about that. I, just, uh, needed something from in there, and I accidentally forgot to knock." A slight blush creeped up on his cheeks as he recalled the incident, and in his usual move his arm shot up to absentmindedly ruffle his hair. That wasn't the only thing being ruffled though, as Rachel angrily wished that he wouldn't act that way toward Ariel. Or any girl for that matter. Rachel should've known better, though, when a girl as beautiful as the teenage Amy was involved.
Amy shone a gloss of pearly white teeth as she smiled and replied, "Oh, it's okay. Just don't forget to knock, next time. I hate being exposed like that." That's not right. Rachel thought. She's asking like he put a rubber snake in her hamper, instead of seeing her naked. Is she really that fine with people seeing her like that? Boy, if she is that way all of the time, no wonder she's staying with a bunch of guys. She's probably so loose that she doesn't even think about who might fall victim.
Amy saw that Rachel had been added to their little group from before, so she said, "Oh, hey, Rachel. Isn't this place neat?"
The "confused" face instantly popped on Rachel as she said, "Um, have we met before?"
Jimmy dropped embarrassment of seeing teenage Amy full blown naked as he made yet another miraculous cover up. "Um, I guess that I talk about you so much, Rach, that Ariel feels like she knows you. But (Evil glare going Amy's way this time) I don't think that you two have met before. So let me introduce you. Yeah, uh, Ariel you were correct and this is Rachel. And, Rachel, this is Ariel Young. Yeah, she's staying with us this week, because you know how quickly these rooms are booked, and we could only get one room (actually Jimmy didn't want to anger good ol' dad any more that he had to with emergency credit card expenses)." Kudo scores, once again, in the quick cover up department! And the crowd goes wild! Jimmy thought proudly.
Rachel's face dropped in a humbled state and she mumbled, "Oh." But it didn't stay that way as Rachel's version of 21 questions continued. "And you know each other, how?"
Fortunately, Jimmy had to do no more quick thinking to this one, thanks to actually thinking ahead, and using a part of the train trip to be productive. "You know the case that I'm working on? Yeah, uh, their great aunt Sylvia is the one who hired me to it in the first place. Then I got tangled all up in that stupid, murmble mumblin' mess of a case. These three had then refused to leave my side and have actually proved to be useful now and then, despite my constant reminders of how much danger we are putting ourselves in. When I learned about my only break and decided to use it here, I was so excited about the prospect of being here that I just babbled on about it. These three have also had been home schooled all of their life, though, so I made it sound so exciting that they wanted to tag along. Believe me, Rachel. I told them no way, but they chose to become stowaways when I left, and now I am stuck with them for the week." Big breath. Long explanation paragraph is over.
"That's nice, Jimmy," Rachel sarcastically said. "You are 'stuck' with them. Sounds like really close friends especially since you can say that when they are standing right next to you."
Ugh, Jimmy thought. I am stuck with them, but Rachel doesn't understand that it's more babysitting than hanging out with them. I guess I've gotta change my attitude towards them.
Before he could act out his thoughts and apologize though, Amy spoke. "Yeah, Jimmy. I forgave you for walking in on me naked. When I wanted to go back you just said that I couldn't until we were through with this. And you think I like being here? I had no idea that I'd be squished in a room with three smelly boys, who are all thrilled about being here, when I'm just trying to get used to this. Then, you run off, and I think 'finally some me time' and I take a shower. Only to come out to an open door. And, do you think it's as easy for me to get used to this as it is you? No way, Jose! And you three keep looking at me like I'm a freak of nature. They're just boobs and you knew that I'd get them some day, so keep your BULGING EYES TO YOURSELVES! AND NOW YOU ALL ARE TREATING ME LIKE I'M CHOPPED LIVER!" Amy, furious and breathless, was almost about to break down in tears.
Poor girl, Rachel thought. She doesn't even want to be here. Jimmy doesn't even want her here. Maybe I can make this better for all of us...
Mitch tried to get Amy to calm down. "Ariel, we don't treat you like chopped liver, it's weird seeing you this uncomfortable, and my eyes are not bulging!" I guess he forgot that he isn't the best person to try and get some one to settle down. Especially if it's Amy and she's freaking out about bodily growths. So instead of a "Thank you, Michael for that wonderful explanation," which is what he expected, he got was an evil glare from everyone, except George who is always about two steps behind everyone else and was completely clueless. I mean it had just registered in his mind that Amy was pretty upset about her rooming situation.
Anyway, Amy muttered, "Shut up, Mitch."
Jimmy almost started to freak out about using the made up names. Fortunately Rachel overlooked it (she thought Amy had really said Mick, and Mick is a nickname of Michael, right?), and she said, "It's okay, Ariel. I understand how hard it would be on a girl to live with three guys, let alone three guys. Have you ever even spent the night with another girl, after always being stuck with Michael and Greg and Jimmy?" She seems innocent enough. If she takes the bait I could make this right without seeming like a jerk myself. Rachel thought to herself.
Amy lifted tear filled eyes to shake her head. "I've never had a real friend who is a girl before."
Rachel smiled kindly at the timid looking girl that stood in front of her. "Well how would you like to stay with me for the week? I have an extra bed, because my best friend Serena was going to be staying with me, but she is staying in the suite that her dad got for her and her cousin. We could even make it a party by renting a few movies, gorging on pop and candy, and talking." The three that had been changed into teenagers couldn't see it, but Jimmy noticed a twinkle in her eye as she casually mentioned the last one. And to him, it meant no good. A.k.a. a free for all Jimmy bashing. Great. Just great.
Amy looked as if Rachel just told her that she had won a million dollars. A real slumber party?! No guys?! Just someone who actually understands me? Okay she can't know about the Jimmy really being Conan/me, Mitch, and George really being seven thing. But still… "I'd love that Rachel. When can I move in?!"
Rachel grinned. Her plan went perfect. Hook, line, and sinker. Now I won't actually have to think about if something is going on next door that shouldn't be. And I can find out what Jimmy is really doing when he's on that stupid case.
"Um, wait a second…" Jimmy said. "Uh, she can't do that. Move from this room I mean. Yeah, uh, I told her aunt that she'd be in this room. And, uh, her aunt would get… upset?" Even Jimmy could see the weakness of this lame excuse.
"Don't worry, Kudo," Rachel said. "You can just give the aunt my number. And I think that she would me more reassured if Ariel was in a room that housed a female, not three males." A cocky I-won-now-you-jerky-Jimmy smile, then Rachel returned her attention to Amy. "You can move in now, if you'd like. I'll help you get settled." Rachel swung her crutches through the threshold that Amy had left open to get Amy's things. "Now which is your bags?"
The rest of them filed into the room and retrieved all that was Amy's. Jimmy wanted so badly to intervene and shout out "Rachel, Ariel can't stay with you because she just can't!" but he knew that it would do him no use. He knew Rachel's "This is what it's going to be. So live with it or else," face and he wasn't about to get on the wrong side of it, even if she did have a sprained ankle. So they all lugged Amy's load one room over to Rachel's room.
As the last bag hit the floor they heard a voice come through the hallway. "Rachel! Are you ready to leave?" At one end of the hall stood Ryan Sebastian, looking very handsome in a pair of khaki pants and a scarlet button up collared shirt. "You were supposed to be downstairs five minutes ago. What happened?"
Rachel's eyes bugged out, "Oh, no!" she shouted. "I'm so sorry Ryan! I got kind of side tracked and I forgot!"
Ryan rolled his eyes and turned into the door frame that led into Rachel's room. "We have gotta go, Rachel. Or have you decided not to...?" His face fell at the thought of losing the date.
Rachel shook her head at the guy. "No I still want to go. I just…," she looked down at her clothes. She had on the clothes that she had traveled in, a jean skirt, a pair of her nicer tennis shoes, and a sunflower yellow sleeveless cotton top. It might be pretty casual , but it might pass for a little bit dress up. "I just need to run a brush through my hair. One minute tops. Plus give Ariel a set of room keys. She's going to be my roommate for the week." She smiled then nodded her head in Amy's direction, while Amy gave a shy smile to the new cute occupant of the company.
Rachel swung herself over to her travel duffel bag, dug around for a moment, the pulled out a black hairbrush. She sat on the chair that was next to the bed closest to the door as she started to brush it, oblivious that everyone in the room was watching her. Rachel finished, looked at her reflection in the mirror on the bureau that was at the foot of the bed, then pronounced herself as ready. She then opened a drawer that was on the nightstand beside the bed, and pulled out a pair of keys. Rachel tossed them over to Amy and said, "Here. These are the keys to the room. The silver one is for the door. The gold one is for the fridge," Rachel looked at the small black refrigerator that stood in the far corner of the room. "I would recommend not using that one unless your aunt is loaded with cash and ready to pay my dad back for the bill. And even if you are I wouldn't because then my dad would insist that you pay for the room as well."
Then with a smile at everyone else in the room, "I should be back in a few hours. You can use whatever closet and drawer space that you can find to unpack, Ariel. I'll see you all later." She started to swing herself towards the door then called to her date to come on, and with that, Rachel was gone.
The room became as still and quiet as a church. It was only broken when Amy tried to usher the rest of them out. "Come on, guys. A girl has got to have her own room. I need to unpack, set up my things, and take a nap from being so exhausted from the trip. I can't do it with you all hanging around in my room. So leave."
Amy had succeeded in pushing George and Mitch outside of the room, and Jimmy was almost out the door until he turned around. "Amy I still don't think it's a good idea for you to stay here. I mean what if you slip up, and Rachel finds out. It's enough of a hazard just you knowing. I don't want her to get involved."
Amy was getting irritated about that whole thing. "What is she, glass? She'll find out sooner or later. I mean, how would she have taken it if Conan had gotten kidnapped, and you never came back. Double whammy there. That, and don't you trust me? I mean you drug me here instead of shoving me into a dark, icky basement. So you already showed trust in me. So just deal with me having to stay with your girl friend."
"She's not my girlfriend. And no I don't really think that I should trust a 7 year old with a secret that if she doesn't keep, it could kill lot of people."
"Fine, whatever. It's not like you have a choice now, Conan. She's invited, I've moved in and that is that. If I move back over she'll know that something is up. And not just the sky, either." Amy's face showed full confidence as she watched Jimmy realize that what she said was true. Not just confidence, either. A full blown gloating.
Jimmy threw his hands up into the air in disgust. "Fine, whatever! Stay here! You want to tell Rachel that I've been living with her for the past six months?! Okay! You want terrorists to sweep down and kill me before your very eyes?! Be my guest! Just make sure they do it in my sleep so I don't feel a thing!" He turn from Amy and slammed the door shut behind him as he left the room.
In the hallway he was faced with Mitch and George. Who both were giving him very confused looks.
"What?!" Jimmy bellowed. "Have you never seen a guy getting frustrated before?!"
The two looked at each other. Then George gave a nod and Mitch started to speak for both of them. "Um, Jimmy, we've just never seen you blow up at a girl like that. It's not cool."
Jimmy getting fed up with, in his mind, these 7 year olds were telling him. I mean isn't he older and wiser and better looking. They are not supposed to be better than him! But Jimmy decided to try and keep his temper down and settled with a good eye rolling. Then he said "Whatever. I need to go somewhere. Maybe soak in the hot tub."
"You can soak in the hot tub without an adult?!" Mitch eagerly asked.
"Of course," Jimmy replied in a sort of "Duh!" voice. "I am 17."
"Cool!" George said. "Can we come, too?"
Jimmy thought for a moment. "Sure, why not. Then I can teach you two what being a seventeen year old is really about, since you obviously don't know."
"Sweet!" Mitch and George replied at the same time. Then the three of them entered the room next door to tear apart their suitcases to find their swim trunks.
stbb – Just one note. I think that I have been having the girls scream a lot and then the guys stupidly come running to try and save them. That is the theme of the day, I think. That and having you all thinking over and over "can Ryan get any more stupid?" : ) tee hee. Oh, and I don't own Jeopardy. So cross your fingers that I post another chapter quickly and encourage me by reviewing and telling me how awesome this story is. Just kidding.