The cold embrace of water in the tub calmed Ai down. Too much has been going on and she feels like it's all just beginning. She feels like she's on a rollercoaster's peak and she will come crashing down any second. What the hell was up with Vermouth's offer? She's never even considered it. All she has ever thought of now was to hide and avoid the organization. She just wants everyone safe. But now that it's there, she had to admit that there was some sense in coming back. The future was bleak for Haibara Ai but being Sherry would have a sense of direction. Gah, you're overthinking this Ai. She submerged her head under water and tried to think of other things. She thought of her rescue, Subaru's bravery, and Conan's jealousy. She got up and smiled. Better get back to my knights in shining armor. She got the towel, patted herself dry and headed out the door, fresh and rosy-cheeked.

Bourbon just got inside Subaru's room and was ready to abduct him. The DNA from that glass matched. This bastard was Moroboshi Dai and he was about to pay for Akemi's death. It was all too easy. Subaru was all alone and nobody would really care if he suddenly disappeared. He came in silently through the window and heard someone in the washroom. He carefully awaited Subaru's exit. The door opened and he quickly poked the arm with his needle. Sure enough, the body was losing consciousness and he caught it before it fell to the floor. Boy was he surprised. It was Sherry. He could see Sherry's eyes in shock before it finally succumbed to the sedative. Why was Sherry there? Why the hell was she even alive? She died in that train, Bourbon saw that with his own eyes. What is with this woman? Well, a little glitch but not a problem. Sherry was just as good as that bastard. He doesn't mind killing them both.

Ai's phone vibrated on the bed. Bourbon laid Sherry down without a sound and checked the phone. It was a message from Vermouth. Vermouth? This woman knew all along that Sherry was alive? They were talking? But she was with him when they plotted to kill Sherry. What the heck was going on? I trust you Vermouth. Don't mess with me. Despite his innate desire to just finish off Sherry, he put it on hold and decided to call Vermouth.

"Sherry?", Vermouth was quite surprised to receive a call from her. "Decided already?", she smiled.

"Why the heck are you in contact with this woman Vermouth?", Bourbon's irritated voice sounded on the other side.

"Bourbon?" Vermouth was even more surprised. "Why are you on her phone? Where is she?"

"Where she she should be is dead Vermouth. Why the fuck is she alive?", Bourbon demanded an explanation.

Vermouth let out a short sigh of relief. She needed Sherry alive after all. "Bring her to me. Then we'll talk."

"Aniki, what are we doing here?" asked Vodka. "There are police downstairs. We should go."

Gin ignored him and they entered a room. He walked straight to a cushioned chair in the middle of the room. He angled his nose a few inches above it and inhaled deeply. He was a hound tracking down prey. "Vermouth.", he whispered.

"She was here Aniki?", inquired Vodka.

"Yes, and she probably wasn't alone.", answered Gin as he entered the washroom. He knelt down beside the tub and saw a brownish strand of hair. Satisfied, he smiled, "Sherry."

Subaru and Conan were silently eating their sandwiches. There was a lot to discuss about what just happened but they both didn't know how to start. Somehow, they knew that they both understood what was going on, no matter the details. Subaru glanced over the clock hung on the wall and noted, "Haibara-san is taking a while up there."

"Don't girls usually take long in the shower? Ran-neechan takes a while sometimes too.", explained Conan.

Subaru let out a soft laugh. "Is that so? You seem to know a lot about girls Conan-kun.", he teased Conan who slightly blushed. Conan even remembered the times he bathed with Ran and his cheeks just turned red.

"I guess there's no harm in checking." Subaru finally got up. For one reason or another he just couldn't sit still.

"Subaru-san!", Conan warned. He imagined Ai irritated at being disturbed in her beauty bath. He shuddered at the thought. He got down his chair and followed Subaru into the room.

Ai's clothes were on the bed, both the goth costume and the plain clothes she should have worn. The bathroom door was open. Conan ran to it. If Ai was there, he knew he'd get hurt barging in like that, but that would be a lot better than if she's... Conan got in and saw the tub still moist but with no sign of Ai. He went out and saw Subaru inspecting the open window.

"She's not here.", Conan announced. Subaru looked at him and Conan understood that he knew. He felt sort of sheepish stating the obvious. "He came through the window.", answered Subaru. He? Gin? thought Conan. "They left no more than 20 minutes earlier. The tub is still moist.", Conan added.

This was no ordinary kidnapping. This was the black organization for sure. There is no ransom with those people. They would likely not contact either. What were they to do? Conan was trying to think hard when he was startled by his vibrating phone. It was Ran. He saw Subaru tapping away at his laptop and he went out of the room to take the call.

"Ran-neechan.", he giggled childishly.

"Don't you Ran-neechan me!" She's mad. Conan realized he forgot to update her. "Where are you? Takagi-keiji said you weren't feeling well and you missed school." Despite her loud voice she was definitely concerned. Conan smiled. Ran has always been so caring.

"I just dropped by the Professor's house. I will go home now. Sorry to make you worry Ran-neechan.", he assured her.

"We're not at home. We're at Beika Hotel. There's been a case."

Beika Hotel? Is this related to Ai's kidnapping? Or at least to what happened earlier? Whatever it was, it didn't seem safe and Conan knew he needed to be there. He went back in the room just as Subaru closed his laptop.

"There's a case in Beika Hotel.", said Conan.

"I don't think that's related to Haibara-san's kidnapping.", he said with certainty. With his laptop under his shoulder, he got up. "I have a lead. I need to go now." Conan felt the gravity of Subaru's words. It was so unlike his cheerful nature. He wanted to save Ai but he didn't feel right with the Beika Hotel case either. Subaru helped him decide. "It would be best if you check up on the hotel case Conan-kun.", he said this with a smile. "Tell me what you find out. I have to save Princess." With that, Subaru darted out of the room. Conan wanted to save Ai too but he sighed and said Subaru was as good as he was. He went to the Professor's since Subaru was obviously not giving him a ride.

"Why is she only wearing a towel? How exactly did you bump into her?", Vermouth teased Bourbon while looking at Ai's motionless body lying on the sofa.

"She wasn't my target. I thought it would be that bastard Moroboshi Dai.", Bourbon defensively replied.

Vermouth was suddenly still. She held up her forefinger to hush Bourbon. She heard the familiar rev of a porsche. "Shit. Gin is here. You have to go."

"But, we're not done talking.", Bourbon came to her for answers but all he got was more questions.

"Just go. We'll talk later."

Bourbon has known Vermouth for the longest time and it isn't often that she actually shows even a shred of panic which he definitely sensed in her voice. He reluctantly stood up and was heading for the door when Vermouth hissed, "Where do you think you're going? Bring Sherry with you!"

Now she was just being mad. He didn't kill her, brought her here, and now Vermouth wants him to bring her home?! He was about to let out a scream of protest when Vermouth uttered, Please. He didn't know what was going on but one thing is for sure, Vermouth doesn't say 'please'. He grunted and got the towel-wrapped body in his arms.

"I'll pick her up from your place." Now that Bourbon was carrying Sherry in his arms Vermouth was back using her authoritative tone. Bourbon could never tell when Vermouth was being sincere. She's a damn actress after all. He didn't have time to change his mind because Vermouth was practically pushing them towards the door.

This was short, sorry. I want to update this fic and this is only what I have written so far. I will try to update sooner. I'm a medical student in case y'all ever wondered so you know, I'm supposedly kinda busy haha. Thank you for speaking out and I'd love to hear more from you. Till the next chapter. :)