Seconds ticked past slowly as if struggling to get through the heavy anticipation. The detective thought he felt his heart beat just a little faster, but he was in control. No one had shown up- the plan had failed, making him just another jewel thief. Removing his cloak he would it tightly around the Eye of Neptune, providing a thin layer of cushioning around it. Suddenly in the silence he heard a loud snap and a clink. Reacting unconsciously he dropped to his knees, holding the jewel tightly against his chest. He glanced around. Still alone. But on the floor next to him rested a portion of a small dart, the tip of which had shattered against the glass of the tanks behind him. Tracing it's route approximately into the corner of the room, Shinichi noticed a strange little contraption secured to the underneath of a camera. That was the definition of a lucky break. He supposed the police decided a small dart posed a lesser threat to the valuable animals lining the walls than a rowdy police squad armed with guns. And maybe that explained why they hadn't bothered to seal the entrances to the room. They wanted to catch Kid desperately enough to put all their trust into trinkets. It was about time too, he thought, reflecting on the usual incompetence that resulted when relying on unspecialized cops. But for a second he seemed to be missing the point. That was his cue to get out before anything else happened.

His way back through the vents was even slower than his trek in. With the Eye tucked carefully under one arm, he could hear echoes from the rainforest, calls of nocturnal creatures as well as creatures of the day who had been awoken by the commotion beyond their walls. The humidity collected on his clothes and face, cool against skin, and refreshing inside the stuffy corridor. When he emerged into the glass cage a shaky sigh escaped his chest. The moon was obscured by dark clouds, offering little in the way of light, but just enough for the detective to see small dark shapes shifting all around him. He removed the tophat, placing the concealed jewel inside it and placed the slightly irritating monocle on top.

Using the trees to conceal himself from any eyes above, Shinichi kept to the shadows, pausing whenever the copter made another round. During one of these pauses he noticed another person in the room, exposed only by the brief passing spotlight. Slowly it walked over to him. As he got closer, Shinichi could read the look of disappointment on Kid's face; It wasn't easy to miss. "No one showed," said the thief glumly. Shinichi shook his head. "At least you're safe. We'd better-"

Kid's sudden scream only triggered the animals to follow suite, the birds calling to each other loudly in a panic. The gunshot had been muffled, but it was clear enough. The magician went down, wide-eyed and terrified. He cringed as the back of his head bashed against the concrete floor, and lay on his back in a state of shock. Shinichi found himself searching his pants for a handgun that wasn't there. He made no sudden moves as his partner in crime bit his lip in agony, blood seeping through one of his pant legs.

"Show your true face, thief," came a voice Shinichi recognized. From behind a large tree emerged the source of the voice, a gun held out in front with two hands. Shinichi's response was cold, a harsh whisper through his teeth, his voice bitter.

"What the hell do you think you are doing here?"

"I came to catch a criminal."

"You took my gun. And we told you to stay out of this."

"Only one truth right?" said Conan, lowering the gun. "And the truth is that he is a criminal who needs to be put in jail." With a few steps he calmly placed himself next to Kid, looking down through the large glasses. "But first, show him who you really are."

Kid cringed away from the boy, but knew escape in this shape was going to be impossible. And that he'd be leaving behind a friend. He met Shinichi's gaze. He could hear the older detective arguing that it wasn't the time or place and the younger insisting that it was, but the pain was so excruciating it seemed like they were miles away. His shin throbbed, and he was sure it was shattered, the bone shards floating freely inside his leg and digging into the muscle and soft tissue.

"You wonder why he sent you on his dirty errand instead of going himself?" insisted Conan. "He's afraid of fish. And I'm certain your friend Kaito is too."

"You're being unreasonable. The police are going to swarm here soon. If we don't get out now, I'll be thrown in jail too."

"It's alright," said Kid weakly, forcing a smile, though it wasn't very convincing. "He's right, I hate f-fi… fish." He propped himself up on one elbow, using his free hand to reach for his face. "If this is the only way to get you out of here, then…"

He gently plucked the monocle from his face. Setting it beside him, he placed his hat on to of that, ruffling his hair a little. "Sorry it had to be like this. I'm sure I disappointed you," he said solemnly through his smile, and gave a small laugh. He looked up at the handsome detective who didn't look back. He'd refused to acknowledge his gut, and he wished that option was still available. He could sense the smug attitude Conan held having finally proven his suspicions, but also guilt. The normal kid behind the mask was his friend. He hadn't meant any harm, the thief's eyes had told him that from the beginning. And his warmth was so sincere, making him wish he could be wrapped in it one more time. Setting down his own, hat, Shinichi knelt down, running his fingers through Kid's messy hair, but his eyes were fixed on the floor. "I knew it since I met you," he said quietly in reflection. Kid nodded wearily.

"I wouldn't have expected anything less from the genius detective."

Swallowing his emotions was harder for Shinichi than it had been in the past, but as he did, his arms reached around the kaitou's slender shoulders, holding him gently. "No way a clown like you could disappoint me."

"Someone's coming," whispered Conan harshly. He looked at his rather pitiful older self clinging to Kid. "I'll turn Kid in and say the shot was an accident. You go hide and get out of that clothing," he said to Shinichi. But he barely budged. "Come on!" the boy urged. He set down the gun and pulled the detective away. To his surprise he saw the thief struggle to his feet, balancing skillfully on his left leg as Shinichi regained his own balance.

"Don't worry," Kid insisted. "I'll cover your escape."

"There won't be any escape, I promise you that." The trio looked up, startled at the new voice. As the stranger walked into their sight, they were surprised that this "stranger" wasn't unfamiliar at all. Her uniquely shaped spectacles and her famous face were the biggest giveaways. Her voice itself the second. "A shame you had to show up, detective. I thought I'd gotten you out of the way with that little rumor," she sneered. "It would have been better for you if you'd taken a vacation from this." Her red lips parted in a cruel smirk, visible as the clouds began to clear allowing the moonlight to stream in.

Conan looked down, scanning the floor for the lost gun, but it had apparently been kicked out of the way by one of them, for it was nowhere to be seen. Cursing himself for his own carelessness, he was helpless before the gun and silencer produced by the reporter from her purse. With nimble hands she fitted the piece onto the gun, and pointed it with confidence. "You, kid. Bring me the Eye," she demanded, her glare piercing straight through Conan.

"I refuse to assist you in a crime," he said bluntly. There was a click from the gun, not a good sign.

"Go ahead," urged Shinichi quietly.

"Quickly!" the woman barked, keeping a close eye on the three. Though Kid had any number of tricks up his sleeve, they'd be that much harder to pull off, injured as he was. And she doubted any of them would be much of a match against a straight shot like this. Looking into the hat Shinichi had stored the jewel in, Conan tested its weight and picked it up. He was right, the jewel was stored in there, wrapped for protection. Hesitantly, he walked several even paces before reaching the woman. He grudgingly held the hat out to her by the brim. She greedily tore it from his hands, faltering a little as she tried to make certain it was the spoil that she came for and keep the boy under gunpoint at the same time. But the small boy with large glasses was the least of her worries. A second shot was fired in the night. The tropical environment which had calmed down was once again lively. Shrill bird cries and flapping filled the air above them, almost ominous. Conan dove forward, catching the ball of fabric before it hit the floor as the reporter reeled backwards, the bullet stuck in her shoulder.

Having taken advantage of her momentary distraction, Shinichi lowered the gun, feeling a mixture of pride and relief for his good marksmanship. She fell back against the glass, leaning on it with her good arm, panting, but her eyes were fierce. Her gun was dropped where she had stood and well out of her reach. Conan stood over it, holding the Eye close against his chest, the hat near his feet. His heart was racing, feeling lucky to have saved it from smashing on the floor. But the relief didn't last long. The glass the woman leaned on shifted ever so slightly. Conan opened his mouth to shout but it was too late. The loosened panel popped out of its place and fell three stories to the concrete below- the same panel that Shinichi had removed to break in. She shrieked, her fingers searching frantically for something to grab on to, but to no avail, as she fell backwards and disappeared into the darkness.

As Conan rushed to the window, Shinichi set down the gun and looked at Kid. "You had your card gun, didn't you."

"I'd rather have let her get away with the jewel than with someone's life," responded Kid. "There are some things even a kaitou can't steal back."

Shinichi hugged him fiercely, nearly knocking him off his one leg. Kaito laughed a little, patting the detective on the back. "This is hardly the time. I hear the police. They must be responding to the last gunshot."

"Right," said Shinichi, quickly pulling himself away, embarrassed. "Here." He leaned down, handing the thief back the discarded parts of his disguise and grabbing his own gun. "Your blood is everywhere. They're bound to find out you were involved," he said hopelessly.

"I've got it covered," said Conan darkly walking back to meet them. "I owe you. So get out of here now." Kid looked at Shinichi, the old mischievous smile returning to his youthful face.

"You trust me, detective?"

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After ditching the heavy vest, Shinichi felt infinitely lighter. Light enough to be carried away on Kid's hang glider too. The getaway was easy, all the security called to the scene of the crime leaving the outside nearly completely clear. Even the helicopter was nowhere in sight. It had landed on the roof of a neighboring building, the pilot being led away in cuffs.

The air was still chilly, and so was the metal gripped in his hands, but the boy next to him took his mind off it all. They left the city far behind them, soaring silently towards the sea. The glittering lights faded behind them, giving way to the dark shipyard ahead and the menacing waters beyond. But there was nothing for Kid to fear anymore, no more reason for him to risk his life for these crimes, Shinichi thought. The body would be found and identified, and from there the entire organization could be brought to justice. Next to him Kid held the hang glider, steering it with one hand and holding the Eye of Neptune in the other. There was just one last thing to do.

Landing on the deck of one of the abandoned ships still floating in the water, Kaito carefully unwrapped the mysterious jewel, tossing the cape into the wind. He held it with both hands over the water, mesmerized by its beauty. To Shinichi it almost seemed to glow in an unnatural way under the moonlight, like a ghost. "This is it. Pandora," said Kid quietly to himself. He could feel it. The energy ran through his body, made him feel as if he could float away. But he also felt the pain of all the people who had suffered for it. Including his father. He turned his head, speaking to Shinichi. "They say if you look at the moonlight through Pandora, it will grant you eternal life. What do you think of that?"

"I think it's a foolish thing to wish for. We've already seen too many people die. I want to be able to be with them again someday."

"That's true," he agreed distractedly. Kaito absolutely didn't want to live forever. But it was a strange thing to consider. Perhaps it was the doing of the jewel itself. His own curiosity wanted to know if a thing such as eternal life could be true. He held it up to his face level, gazing deeply into it. Shinichi felt himself tensing. Kaito wouldn't really go through with it, would he? Then he remembered the feeling he'd felt when he was holding it. Kaito had even seemed to forget his injured leg, and was standing on it as if nothing had happened. The kaitou's arms raised just a touch higher. He couldn't let him risk it. From behind Kid, Shinichi grabbed one arm firmly, but not rough. "The mystery is greater when the audience doesn't know the secret of the magician's magic."

Kid chuckled a little. "Yeah, yeah. I know what I have to do." He released the jewel with both hands, but it didn't drop. Levitating feet over the water, it slowly drifted further out into the dark sea. When it was only a small glimmer in the night, it slowly sank into the water without making a noise, disappearing from the world. Kid lowered his arms, feeling the heavy burden lift from his entire being. With a cry of joy, countless doves burst forth from his jacket, flying in spirals around them and leaving a small rain of feathers in their wake. Shinichi smiled, genuinely happy. "Your father would have been proud," he whispered with a small kiss on the cheek.

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The story of the large crime ring that was recently caught was the highlight of the news for some time. One of the heads had been posing as a reporter in order to get close to valuable jewels. The night they were captured, another one had posed as an officer and manned a helicopter patrol in to provide access and keep an eye on the real police. The reporter was found dead with a gunshot wound. A boy present at the scene of the crime, apparently locked in during closing, said that the animal noises spooked the woman and had caused a misfire.

So all the news channels claimed.

Shinichi sat relaxed on the couch, leaning against Kaito who had one of his arms around the other boy's shoulders. "How did you pull it off, kid?" the magician asked, talking to the boy sitting in another chair. "Especially with all my blood."

Conan shrugged. "I told them that she had bled everywhere and I didn't want to get in trouble for dirtying the place so I cleaned it up. They took my word for it. Seeing as she died of the fall, it didn't seem like a huge deal."

"Nice move," he said, flashing a thumbs-up, before stretching his arms and letting out a dramatic yawn. "Well I've had enough of this news. Mind if I crash in your room, Shin-chan? You're more than welcome to join me," he added with a wink.

"Go ahead," said Shinichi, turning a dark shade of pink as he noticed the skeptical look Conan was giving him. Leaving the detective with a kiss on the cheek, Kaito bound up the stairs and dove into the twin bed, his face buried in one of the pillows. Downstairs Shinichi gave a nervous laugh and flipped channels listlessly, feeling restless.

"Just go ahead," said Conan with a defeated sigh after a few minutes. "I'll be at the Dr's."

Waiting until the boy had shut the door behind him, Shinichi jumped to his feet and raced up the stairs, unable to contain himself any longer.

xxxx THE END (or is it?)

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Yes. It's done. FINALLY.

Sadly this has been one of my better endings. I considered building on it, but that would go past the rating that I set for the story. Alas. Maybe I'll do a short bit on that later, eh? ~.^

So I hope it wasn't disappointing. I admit I'd do a few things differently in setting up the plot had I done it more recently, but I think it flowed well enough.

Thank you for reading. Until later~