All characters, Detective Conan, belong to Gosho Aoyama.

--Part 12, third person POV, Bickering--

"Taa-da! It's my brand new invention: one day hair color!"

Ai took the bottle of formula from the professor and studied it. How curious.

"Hakase…why would anyone want to buy hair dye that only lasts a day?" Conan asked.

"You never know, especially with women," Ai answered, handing over the bottle to Conan for inspection. "Maybe a lady wants to have an affair without any problems. Change of makeup, a pseudonym, and different hair color would ensure no loose ends." She smirked viciously at the shrunken-detective.

"Well, isn't that a pessimistic view on this?" Conan asked sarcastically, eyes narrowed, one eyebrow up, throwing the bottle to Agasa-hakase.

"As compared to yours? Which was--"

"Now, now." Agasa brought his hands up to stop the teenagers' bickering. "Interesting question you brought up, Shinichi. And thank you, Ai-kun for your, ah, interpretation. Actually, I invented it in mind of, perhaps, those which have a reunion, or something of that matter, and want to, say, impress others, if only for one night."

The children turned to each other, sharing a taunting smile. Ai got up from the couch and began walking to the kitchen, "I'll watch the house while you're gone."

"Thank you," the doctor said in a voice soaked with guilt and embarrassment. "I'll get packing!" Ai walked back in the room, dodging the older man, almost spilling her and Conan's drinks.

Conan chuckled at his former neighbor racing up the stairs. "Haibara," he turned toward the older girl, "why don't you take a vacation, too?" He took a drink from his glass.

At first, Ai was about to point out how horrible Conan's idea was, but then, gave it more thought. Setting her cup down, she said, "I suppose it couldn't hurt. And actually, I'm getting further ahead in the research; I've almost got a trial pack complete."

"Perfect!" Conan smiled broadly, teeth and all. He seems really eager for me to leave. "How about you visit Hattori and--"

"Wait." Ai interrupted, "Why exactly did you propose this, Kudo-kun?"

When the boy didn't answer her, Ai walked over to the television, eyeing Conan suspiciously. "Wh-what are you doing?" He asked nervously.

"Relax. I'm just going to check on the current events."

"No!" Conan ran to beat Ai, "There's nothing important on T.V., I'm sure." He covered the T.V. screen with his body.

Ai smiled, reaching out behind him, grabbing the remote and turning on the box.

"—set to arrive at 2:15 Monday morning, authorities say. Fans are already lining up, ready to see their kaitou in his attempt to steal another priceless jewel. In other news…"

Ai gave Conan a disapproving look. "This is why you wanted me to leave?"

Conan began to feel horrible for ostracizing his friend, "I'm sorry, okay…" Then he remembered the reason he didn't want Ai to catch wind of the thief's new goal. "But it's only because you let him escape last time! Not only that, but you put yourself in danger!"

"So you were worried about me?" Ai asked heatedly. "I don't need your protection. Especially not from some less than memorable thief that can't even escape the grasps of some half-rate detective!"

Before Ai was able to storm off, Conan grabbed hold of her shoulder. "Whether you like it or not, you know you need me just as much as I need you. Even if I am just some 'half-rate' detective."

Ai smiled sadly, turning to face Conan, knowing what he said was true. "I'm sorry."

"Please," Conan smiled back, "this time, don't interfere. I don't know what I'd do if he came back to harm you."

"I should go pack too, if I'm planning to get away this weekend." She turned to leave, "If anything, he won't harm me." Conan was left downstairs to reflect over what Ai had said.

When Ai reached her bedroom upstairs, she could hear Agasa say, "He can trust you."

Ai sighed, "I know, but…" He really worries about me.

Too much.

--End Part 12, Bickering--

I actually completed this before starting Part 11.