Ran Mouri opened her eyes slowly. The stillness of Shinichi's house was pleasant; the heater was running, making murmuring noises in the hallway. The house was dark and the air was warm. The fragrance of the rose that Shinichi had gotten for her wavered throughout the air. She smiled to herself and rose sleepily and blinked several times.

A warm body was lying next to her on the couch. Shinichi was sleeping peacefully as his chest rose and fell steadily. Ran propped herself on her elbow, making as little noise as possible. She noticed that their legs were entwined, and they faced each other. Ran watched Shinichi sleep. Even though he was in his teens, Shinichi still looked like the little boy he used to be.

His features were of a sleeping child; calm, steady, and dependant. Shinichi frowned in his sleep as he felt Ran's side leave his. His hand searched around until they found Ran's waist, and he quieted. Ran's eyes widened slightly, but then she relaxed, closing her eyes half-way. Shinichi's hand was comforting. It warmed Ran's waist. Drowsily, Ran wrapped her arms around Shinichi's body. She laid her head on his rising chest and listened to his heart beat. The sound was calming; it acted like a lullaby, soothing one's nerves and lulling one to sleep. Ran sighed and snuggled her head.

Shinichi slowly awoke and looked down at Ran's head. Her beautiful brown hair lay in locks, spread out on the inner edge of the couch. He raised his hand silently and touched the silky brown tresses. The feel was enticing. Ran felt the movement and looked up into Shinichi's soft blue eyes. They were incredible, and it seemed as if they were fathomless. His eyes were brilliant blue orbs that seemed to penetrate all darkness; even the sad remains in Ran's heart. She had missed him dearly. He was going to pay.

"Shinichi…" Ran growled lowly. "I still haven't forgotten how much you have hurt me…"

Shinichi chucked softly and stroked Ran's head. "I promise, Ran, that I will make it up to you," he murmured. Ran was getting sleepy. The sound of Shinichi's beating heart was lulling her to sleep.

"How?" Ran whispered. She tucked her head back against Shinichi's chest.

"You'll see," Shinichi replied softly. He buried his face into locks of Ran's silky hair and inhaled the sweet fragrance of her hair. "You'll see."

:…:…:
Kogoro paced in front of his desk. It was almost dusk and his daughter still hasn't returned. He remembered that Ran had placed a blanket on him while he was dreaming, but that was it. When he woke up, he noticed that Ran wasn't there anymore. There was no note or anything. Her shoes were missing.

"Hmmm," Kogoro muttered to himself, "if Ran was kidnapped, the person wouldn't have let her put on her shoes, and there would have been a sign of resistance. Also, I'm the famous detective Kogoro! No one would dare take my daughter from right under my nose…" he stopped by the window and looked out. Something was out of place. He smelled a rat.

The house that Shinichi's parents had left him was as still as ever, but the light was on in a room. Kogoro squinted through the silently falling snow. "That place has been dark for a while…" he muttered to himself. "Maybe Ran went to go tidy up the place?" he mused.

He eyed the phone laying amongst the mess on his desk. "Just in case…" Kogoro picked up the receiver and dialed Shinichi's number.

:…:…:
Ran broke away from Shinichi's moist lips and gasped, breathing for air. The phone was ringing. She looked from the phone to Shinichi.

"Shinichi, the phone's ringing," Ran said softly.

"Mmm?" Shinichi blinked. He looked at the persisting phone and sighed. What timing. The idiot phone ruined their moment.

Begrudgingly, he hoisted himself from the couch and made for the phone. He snatched the receiver up and glared at the base.

"Moshi moshi," Shinichi drawled.

"HEY! Who's that!" the phone shouted, the loud noising biting his ear.

"That's what I should be asking YOU," Shinichi bit back. He glanced at Ran, who cocked her head, her eyes questioning.

"It's Kogoro Mouri, the famous detective of Japan," the voice bragged. "YOU, young man, should be respectful to your elders!" Shinichi held the phone away from his ear, his eyes wide. His hand covered the mouth piece.

"Is that my dad!" Ran gasped. She flicked up her wrist, checking her watch. "It's already 6:38!" Ran exclaimed.
Shinichi tentatively placed his ear back onto the phone.

"Is my daughter, Ran Mouri, there?" Kogoro spat. "Wait a minute…"

Shinichi rolled his eyes. He could just picture the dunce that a male teenager voice had answered, and realizing that Shinichi was back, and that possibly she was in the same house as that detective. "SHINICHI! Just you wait, I'm gonna come over there and bust your ass!" Shinichi turned to Ran and held out the phone.

Ran took it from him and placed it over her ear, waiting for the explosions. "Uh, Dad?" Ran asked.

"Ran…" the ear piece emitted. "What and why are you doing at that bastard Shinichi's house?" Kogoro muttered through clenched teeth. He was fuming. He saw how his daughter had suffered, waiting for Shinichi to come back to her. He saw how his fame had been taken away when Shinichi took over. He saw how Shinichi disappeared, finally giving him cases to solve. Then, Ran fell in depression because she missed the frickin' bastard! Oooh, the nerve of him!

Shinichi watched Ran's facial expressions change. She turned from nervousness to aggression. "Dad! I can't believe you!" Ran said with a slightly raised voice. "I'm here, safe in sound with Shinichi, and I'm happy, so just go and…drink some beer! Don't worry about me!"

"Ran, your mother will hear about th--" Kogoro was cut short, because Ran hung up the phone.

"Yeah yeah, whatever…" Ran muttered as she made her way back to Shinichi. She sat down on the armrest of the couch.

An awkward silence followed. Both of them stared at the ground uncomfortably.

"Umm, Ran?" Shinichi asked uncertainly.

Ran looked up. "Yeah?"

"Errm…" Shinichi said.

"…" Ran followed.

"Where were we?" Shinichi finally asked.

"Oh yeah…" Ran murmured. She inched her way slowly towards Shinichi and touched his cheek. He cupped her chin in his open palms and caressed her cheeks gently with his thumb.

The world seemed to stand still. It seemed as if time stopped just to let the two express their hidden feelings for each other.

They had a lot to catch up on.

Shinichi still owed Ran much. And he was going to pay her back. He would make sure of it. He would give her all he can; after all, she did the same for him by waiting like a saint. Oh yeah, he was definitely going to pay her back. And he stared by leaning forward and kissing her gently on her moist lips.

The End