A/N: I must begin with the comment that this is my first Conan fanfic. I am also in America so yes I have limited access (but i work with the manga I can acquire.. which is more then just Cartoon networks dubbed versions) Also I am using the original names, so there might be some mistakes, because after one too many of the true manga, I don't even know but a handful of the dubbed names (and I could never use Harley Hartwell in place of Heiji Hattori...) Anyway, as I was stating. There may be some mistakes, when I can I'm going to try to use honorifics, because I think it makes more sense.. however I may not be always correct, so please don't flame me, just feel free to tell me politely. (I don't know Japanese that well.. but I'm always willing to learn more.) This story starts off during winter, Im' not sure how far I'm going to take it yet, but my muse has like steadfastly refused to let me do anything until I get this out. So what with the holiday spirit its turned a bit.. umm Christmassy. I'll get to the explanations in later chappys.. but for now just enjoy.

Disclaimer: No I'm not the wonderful, great, talented author Gosho Aoyama.. nor do any of his charries belong to me.. no matter how much I'd like Shinichi in myyyy stalking-erm I mean stocking for Christmas.. XD

Oh and for all you who don't know the Japanese names here's the basics:

Kudo Shinichi ---- Jimmy Kudo
Mouri Ran ---- Rachel Moore
Mouri Kogoro ---- Richard Moore
Heiji Hattori --- Harley Hartwell
Ayumi ---- Amy
Genta ---- George
Mitsuhiko ---- Mitch

Chapter 1: The End of Night

"Burning... I'm-"

Shinichi Kudo, presently known as Conan Edogawa, threw off his covers sitting straight up in bed 2 AM in the middle of winter. He felt slathered in sweat and pain drove through his body.

Heat flooded through him and his bones seemed to be melting inside of him. "What the-" he winced at the shocks that ran through his system. "This is what it felt like when those bastards fed me Aptx... or... Ai's 24 hour pill-" He clutched his blankets and shuddered again.

But why of all the times did it have to happen now?

He barely stopped himself from crying out just as the pain began to subside. He felt calmer and breathed easier then he had in a long time, but for some reason his clothes suddenly felt stragely tight. "What the-" as he sat up he suddenly froze.
"No way..." He slowly lifted up his hand his and raised an eyebrow. As he peered down at his feet he wiggled a toe and stared, noticing suddenly how far it seemed.

This isn't... he stopped and looking at the state of his poor clothes suddenly had a large grin, "IT IS!" The boy half fell half jumped out of bed and ran over to a mirror propped up in the corner. He was staring, "I'm back t normal... I'm actually back to normal.. but... how?"
He thought over everything he had done the day before. Let see, I had a soda, Ramen, umm more Ramen... oh right Ran got home late so that was all I had to eat... But that's strange I didn't have anything different then usual when she's gone...

He looked at his reflection and turned crimson finally reaslizing the state his clothes were in, 'Ahh... yeah.. probably should find something to wear.... It'd be bad enough if Ran found me in her house, even worse in this...." suddenly he stopped, "Oh God... Ran. What can..." should I tell her? His heart was racing but what happens if I turn back? Ai was right last time... I mean what if the men in black had found out? Vermouth already knows, but she doesn't appear to have told the rest of the organization for whatever reason... but can I risk turning back and let Ran know?

He tapped his fingers against the wall and opened up an old closet, Smart Shinichi, remember to bring at least one change of normal clothes next time you shrink into a 7 yr old...

As he looked through the clothes he winced with each new find, You have gottta to be joking me, How does Kogoro wear these things.... He finally found the least offending outfit out of the choices, picking a dull Hawaiian shirt and kakis. They were slightly big and looked horrid on, but at least they were clothes..,. Better then trying to get out of Ran's house half naked... oiy... then I'd really be killed.. probably will anyways but I can hope. Now think Kudo.. how do you get out of this room without waking up the whole house.

He had finally decided that the best choice of action would probably be to go speak to Ai first. He by no means wanted to confront Ran until after he figured out what was going on. All he needed was to see her and collapse in a heap dying... Instead he'd go to Hagasa's and see what he could do from there.

Window? No check... he swallowed hard looking down at the pavement below him. Well then I'll just have to climb through the house. Glory I'm a detective not a thief. Next thing you know I'll be wearing white tuxes and going from case to case on a hand glider...

The boy opened the door slightly looking in the hall, as he inched out his room door slammed shut and he winced. Oh shooot please don't wake up.... He waited listening for movement. Instead he was greeted with one of the "Sleeping Kogoro's" snores. He grinned, Good. Mabye I can get out of here alive.
Shinichi walked down the hall like a silent shadow. He reached the living room and was about to head across to the door when,
"Shinichi?"

The boy froze.

"Shin-Shinichi....." He turned and saw Ran laying on the couch and closed his eyes in defeat.

"Ermmm Ran I can explain.. Honestly... See I'm-"

"Don't leave.. Shinichi.. not again.. please.. Shin-"

Shinichi opened his eyes and his breath caught, Oh... she's sleeping.. Wait... SLEEPING? Damn it, she's dreaming about me. Can't you even stop crying in your sleep. Oh Ran I'm so sorry... He looked at her guilt rising in his chest.

The girl tossed and finally the boy went over and took a blanket off the chair. Gently he covered the sleeping girl and lifted her hand back onto the chair. She seemed comforted by his touch and her face settled into a calm sleep. Shinichi touched her hair slightly and suddenly bent down and placed a soft kiss on the girls cheek. She shifted in her sleep and seemed to have a soft smile.

Shinichi turned crimson Man what has gotten into me tonight? I need to be careful before I do something I really will regret.

He brushed way another piece of hair and said gently, "Sleep well Ran-"
Then he barely remembered to jot down a quick note on the table, explaining that Conan's parents had come to fetch him, and since Ran seemed so tired he hadn't wished to wake her. He didn't say when he'd be back.
With that Shinichi went out the door and fled the house, heading at a run to Hagasa's.

OOOOOO

It was well into the night that Ran Mouri awoke with a start.

She found herself laying on the couch in the front room, still fully dressed but covered by a blanket and rearranged onto the sofa.

"What?" She said confused for a second. Suddenly she stopped.
She had been dreaming about Shinichi again, that much she remembered. This time he had been walking with her from school when it had begun to snow. Taking her hand they had ducked underneath some of the thick trees like they had as children. He had been commenting on the flakes when suddenly he drew her close.
Ran's cheeks burned remembering that part. What are you thinking? Shinichi would never even think about doing that... I mean.. he's such a-

But you'd like him to hmm? And what was he going to tell you that time in the restaurant hmmm? Tell me that! Said her other side.

Then her heart fell as she remembered what had happened after. As two shadows drew out of the snow and grabbed at Shinichi. She had yelled, but the boy just grinned and said

I'll be back Ran. I promise. I won't let them keep me.. just wait for me. Then she watched helplessly as the men knocked him out.
She finally had gained the energy to kick but a woman made her turn around. The face seemed oddly familiar and with snicker she had said Well Angel, how long will you wait this time. And how long can you keep your feelings secret hmm? After all a secret keeps a woman a woman....

Ran had been going to scream but suddenly she felt her nerves calm, and a steady hand was placed on her shoulder. She found Shinichi once more at her side but this time both of them were little children again. Like when that Christmas when they had been eight.

He grinned, the area suddenly joyous once more. The shadows passed and Ran smiled back. Then he said Well.. ummm have a Merry Christmas will you Ran-chan? Then he reached up and kissed her gently on the cheek...
Only for her to awaken seeing a shadow slip out of he room to make her wonder if that had been a dream or not....

OOOOOOOO

As a cold wind nudged open the quickly shut door Ran found herself crawling out of her makeshift bed to look into the street where a new layer of snow had begun to fall.

As Ran watched the street in the early morning darkness she softly whispered to the fresh snow, "Oh Shinichi you baka... Where are you?"