--------------Chapter 14: Back Home--------------

After a couple trips back and forth, everyone finally arrived at the Professor's house. Heiji and Shinichi laid Nagi down in a new room that the Professor had already cleaned out for him. "Should we really trust him here?" Heiji inquired, closing the door behind him and looking at Shinichi.

"Yeah. Don't worry. I know what I'm doing," he winked.

"Uh huh, just like you knew what you were doing at that theme park." said Heiji, in all seriousness. They continued to the living room, meeting with the Professor, Ai, Ran, and Kogoro. The professor was talking to Kogoro, telling him how great it was that he was back.

"Hey, Professor," Shinichi nudged him. Agasa turned around. "He was being detained by the Black Organization... Don't you think it's time we discussed it?"

Agasa looked back to Ran and Kogoro, surprised by this new information.

Kogoro had his hands in his pockets, "Hey." He looked at Shinichi, "You saved Ran, thanks." He looked away, sweating.

Ran giggled, nudging him in the arm, "He means.." She deepened her voice and pointed a finger out. "Thank you very, very much for saving my daughter, Ran, from that horrible man. I don't know what could've happened if you were not there, Kudou." She looked at Kogoro, sticking her tongue out. "Hmm?"

Kogoro rose a brow. "Yeah, right," he muttered.

"Ahhh, no problem," replied Shinichi, his arm behind his head. "But umm.. Can I ask you something?" He took his arm down and looked to him inquisitively.

Kogoro straightened his back, "Yeah, what is it?"

Ran tilted her head, "Oh, I get it."

Kogoro looked at Ran, "Get what?" Ran clapped her hands together, "I should go since that this is going to turn out to be a man-to-man talk." She turned around, "Doesn't matter, I'll be outside anyways."

Kogoro made a fake laugh, "She is too much." He looked back at Shinichi, "So what is it?"

The Professor and Ai looked to each other, then followed Ran out of the room. Ai stayed close by the door, though, listening in.

Heiji went and sat on a couch. Shinichi sat over in a different one, looking into Kogoro's face in all seriousness. "So.. What happened? The last we knew, you went out for Mah Jong before disappearing..."

Heiji quickly jumped in, "That is, the last RAN knew was that. It's what she told US... heh heh..." He gave Shinichi a look, as he suddenly remembered that he was not Conan at the moment.

"Umm yeah. That," Shinichi looked down.

"I actually don't remember how I ended up there in that building," Kogoro said, sitting down. He cupped his chin together with him thumb and three of his fingers. "Although, there was that young man who you were carrying..." he said, looking up at the ceiling. "Now I remember! He was the guy who- uhh... n-never mind." He quickly looked at the floor/

The boys perked up. "What do you mean? Go on!" asked Shinichi.

"The thing is, I don't completely remember," he said scratching his head.

"What was he doing?" Heiji jumped in. "Did he kidnap you or mislead you somewhere or something?"

"That's the part I'm stuck at." He got up, "It's possible.. But I just don't remember at all." He took a glance at Shinichi, "Listen, may we continue this later tomorrow, I'm tired. And I'm sure Ran is as well." He walked outside.

"Ummm, sure," blinked Shinichi. "Oh, by the way..." They both got up, following him. "We've been staying at your house recently, though without your permission... Umm.. Can we stay there tonight again?" The boys looked to Kogoro nervously.

Kogoro stopped. "I guess," he mumbled. He continued walking, "Ms. Toyama will be out of the hospital in the morning, it'd be best if you guys check up on her." He looked down at Ran. "We're going to be late," he said in disappointment.

Ran got up, "Late? Late for what, Dad?"

He rubbed his forehead. "For, for, YOKO!" he yelled cheerfully as he skipped down the sidewalk.

Ran sighed, "After being almost killed, he's worrying about THAT?" She giggled softly. "At least he didn't permanently leave," she said, giving a fake smile to Shinichi.

Shinichi gave Ran a smile back. Heiji walked behind them, watching the cars drive by in the street.

As they stepped up to the house, Heiji continued inside, going to take a shower. Shinichi, however, stopped.

Kogoro quickly ran to his chair, twirled around in it, then turned on the T.V. Ran rubbed the back of her head as she watched him, "Geez..." She looked back at Shinichi. "Eh, what's wrong?" she said, almost about to walk into her room.

Shinichi kept a soft smile and followed her. "Let's talk about it in here," he said, passing her and entering her room first.

"Uh, okay." She took a glance at her Dad, then entered the room. She closed the door as she leaned up against it with her hands behind her back. "So, what is it?" she asked, raising a brow.

His voice suddenly changed. "You're okay, right? Nagi didn't hurt you, did he?" He watched her eyes carefully.

She smiled, "Is that what you're worried about, Shinichi?" She shook her head, "Nah, he didn't hurt me. I was just so shocked by what was going on, I...fainted!"

Shinichi sighed, wanting to believe that. "Then..." he looked away, blushing.

"Hm?" She looked at him. "Then, what?" She smiled. "Since we found my Dad, I'm safe, and Kazuha's safe in the hospital, then you can leave if you'd like," She said, smiling. "You said that you wanted to help me, and... you did!"

Shinichi looked up and blinked. "No! No, it's not that. It's just... " He turned away again. "Have you thought about what I asked.. last night?..."

Ran poked the side of her face, "Last night?" She pointed at him with her back still against the door with a smile on her face. "You mean if I'd cook for you tonight?" She walked towards him and sat on the bed, "Aw, come on Shinichi, I'm only joking. But what did you ask the other night?"

His face burned, unsure if he should even bother continuing. He sighed and sat down next to her, putting his face in his hand. "Hmm..." A smile broke out, beneath his hand. "You really are clueless, aren't you?"

"Huh? I am?" She fell back on the bed with her arms spread out. "Then spit out with it, Mr. Detective." She looked up at the ceiling.

"Actually..." He took his hand away and smiled teasingly at her, "I don't think I'm going to tell you." He moved away from her a bit.

She kicked her legs up high in the air, then got up. She crossed her arms over her chest as she walked towards him, "Oh really?" She then turned around, falling back on the bed.

Shinichi turned and leaned over her face. "Yes really. Why don't you try being a detective for once and try to figure it out, yourself?" He snickered.

She got back up, "Fine I will." She looked around the room, grabbed her baseball cap and put it on, rolling her hair up into a ball and hid it underneath. She turned around, giving the same look Shinichi usually has when he is trying to solve a case. "Well, telling from the other night when we went ice skating, and Kazuha tried kissing me..." she rolled her eyes, then looked back at his. She smiled and giggled. "Oh, I get it."

Shinichi sat up, watching her, "W-What is it you get?..." He could feel the sweat starting to form on his face.

She sat down next to him, "You were trying to be a father figure while my Dad was gone."

"Errr..." Shinichi sat and stared at her, surprised.

"Eh? I was wrong?" She laid back, still with her baseball cap on. "Then what is it, Shinichi?"

"Ahhh, nothing's wrong! In fact, you got it spot on! Ha ha ha..." He laughed nervously, leaning back on the bed, his arms propping him up behind him.

"So that's it.." she said, rolling to her side, her back facing his.

"Y-yeah..." He looked down. "Ugh, I missed my chance AGAIN..." He sighed once more. He heard the water turn off in the bathroom. "I guess I'll go take my shower now." He stood up and approached the door.

She quickly got up. "Uh, Shinichi!" she said, extending her hand out to him. She giggled as she quickly put her hand behind her head. "Nevermind, just turn off the lights please." She took off the baseball cap.

Shinichi stopped and looked to her, "No, what was it?"

"Nothing really!" She walked towards the door. "I uh, just need to get dressed into my pajamas!" she said, holding the door knob.

"Oh, well.. If you're sure that's all." Shinichi smiled. "If you ever need to tell me something, don't hesitate, okay?" He turned around and stepped out, wishing he could follow his own advice when talking to her.

She unbuttoned her shirt, but stopped, looking at the mirror. "He wouldn't have wanted to tell me that." She shook her head in disbelief. After putting on her pajamas she walked over to the bed and did a face plant right into her pillow.

--------------End Chapter 14--------------