So here's the next chapter to my story. I meant to update this a lot sooner but life kept getting in the way. I'm going to try and update the third and final chapter before the weeks over but we shall see.

Chapter 2: Babysitter

A few months had passed since the phone call and Hattori's confession. Shinichi's calls to Ran had become less frequent but he still tried calling once a week. Their conversations had been awkward and forced in the beginning but they were finally becoming more natural. He would even ask about Eisuke now. She would still yell at him and ask when he was finally coming home and Shinichi realized this might be for the better. Of course when she finally brought Eisuke over to the agency after telling her father and Conan they were dating, Conan had pulled him away to have a private chat. Conan remembered the pale, worried look on the guy's face but determination shined in his eyes. He had told Eisuke in no uncertain terms that if the boy ever hurt Ran nobody would ever see him again. He'd taken it a step farther and even described one possible way to kill him and not have the body found. Eisuke had nodded his head so quickly he almost toppled himself. Conan had smiled and asked him to take care of her then walked off. It was later that Eisuke confided that he had been afraid that he had destroyed their friendship and had felt like he stabbed Conan, or really Shinichi, in the back. Conan quickly assured him that he was fine with it and it had been Ran's choice anyway. Eisuke came over more often after that and seeing how Ran's behavior changed whenever he was around helped Shinichi heal. She was the happiest he'd ever seen her in a long while and he refused to take that from her.

On the other hand, Conan hadn't seen Hattori since he'd left which was the morning after his confession. They talked on the phone a little but the conversations were pretty short and neither brought up what happened. Even then, Hattori had hesitated at mentioning Ran but that was fine. It wasn't really unusual to not see each other considering how far apart they lived and Hattori had school. Conan did miss hanging out with him though. Besides the fact that he tired of acting like a child, he could be himself around Hattori. His fellow detective understood him in a way nobody else could. Even though Shinichi had only been friends with one person his own age, Ran was the only one who could handle getting close to him, Hattori had quickly butted into his life in that headstrong way of his and Conan was much better for it.

Currently Conan was sitting on the couch and watching Ran run about frantically. It was Friday afternoon and she had been invited to spend the weekend at one of Sonoko's summer homes. They had been hoping for it to just be the girls but Kogoro was gone for the weekend as well, he was actually spending quality time with his wife for once and Ran couldn't be more over the moon about it, and Agasa had gone on a trip with Ai. Since she couldn't leave the seven year old by himself for a couple days, he hated being stuck as Conan sometimes, Ran was forced to bring him as well. Sonoko wouldn't be pleased. He could already hear her disappointed rant and pointed comments. Ran was currently trying to make sure everything was ready before they left. Hearing a knock coming from the front door, Ran went to answer it.

"I'm sorry but we're closed for…"

"Hey it's me! Can I come in?"

Heiji stood there as Ran just stared at him. The gears in her head were turning.

"How long are you here for Hattori?"

Confused, Heiji answered, "Until Sunday afternoon. I was hoping I could stay here for two nights if that's alright?"

Ran promptly ushered him into the house. She disappeared into another room then came out with some bags. Moving to the door, she grabbed Heiji's hand before dropping a set of keys into it. She said goodbye to the both of them after reminding Heiji to lock up and then fled. Heiji just stood there dumbfounded. Turning to the boy on the couch he grew annoyed at the smirk Conan was trying to hide.

"Oi Kudo, what just happened?"

"You apparently just volunteered to 'babysit' me for the weekend." Conan explained the situation to Hattori. When the Osakan started laughing Conan had to fight the urge to kick the teen.

"Aw don't worry kid! I'll take great care of you!" Why did Conan decide not to kick him again? Right he was comfy on the couch. He'd kick him later. After all it seems he had a whole weekend to choose a good moment.

"So Hattori, why are you here?"

"I came to visit of course! I finally got a break so I hopped on the earliest train here. Seems like my timing was perfect. Now it's just you and me for the next couple of days."

The implications of that finally hit Conan and he started grinning. For a whole weekend he didn't have to put on a mask. He could be Shinichi without fear.

Heiji observed Conan and noticed the way he lit up when he mentioned they would be alone. He had seen the dulled look in his eyes but now they were bright and shining. Seems Heiji really did have perfect timing. If he had known Conan was that stressed from playing a kid he would have given him a break sooner. He found himself cursing the distance between them and Conan's inability to ask for help when the burden became too much. Well he was here now and that's what really counted.

"So since I'm here what do you want to do?"

"Why don't you start by putting you bag in the room?"

"Heh forgot I was carrying it. Just a minute." He went into Conan and Kogoro's room to drop off his clothes. Leaving the room he found Conan standing by the front door.

"You coming?" Conan strolled out of the agency and Heiji found himself irritated. Stupid cocky kid. He followed the seven year old just barely remembering to lock the door on his way out.

They ended up at a small cafe to eat a late lunch. Heiji noticed Conan eyeing the coffee but in the end ordered juice. He asked him about it.

"If I ordered coffee it would draw attention and they may outright refuse me. Plus you would get some nasty looks for allowing a child to drink it." Disappointment seeped from his tone and expression.

"You can get some coffee when we get back to the agency. I can help you make it." Heiji could swear that sparkles appeared behind the kid at his offer. His heart skipped a beat. Shinichi didn't seem to realize the effect he had on the teen. To save himself he decided to change the subject.

"So how is Ran doing?" And immediately he felt like kicking himself. Fortunately he saw a soft smile form and even though Conan's eyes were a little downcast, he noted a lack of despair and heartbreak. As Conan told him about everything that happened after they…sort of broke up, Heiji realized the kid had needed someone to talk to about this. He needed for someone to know how he felt and Heiji made sure to be a good listener. He noticed Conan perking up as he went on and he even laughed with Heiji when he told the story of him threatening Eisuke.

"You should have seen how pale his face went! I almost thought I'd have to restart his heart."

Heiji was clutching his sides while he tried to keep his voice down. "I almost can't believe you did that. It must have been worse for him since it came from the mouth of a child!"

Conan would have commented but he noticed they were getting strange looks so he decided it was time for them to leave. They finished eating, payed the bill, then left. They decided to walk around and discuss cases they solved recently. Eventually they made their way back to the Mouri Detective Agency.

As soon as they got back in Conan stared up at Heiji with those goddamned puppy eyes. He understood what the guy wanted but fuck did he have to look so cute? Heiji started imagining how a full-grown Shinichi would look with the expression but had to immediately shut the thought down. Forcing his blush down he moved to the kitchen to make the shrunken detective's coffee. He heard moving around before the sound of the television could be heard. The volume was low so he couldn't tell what was on but he doubted the boy was really watching it. The coffee machine beeped declaring the black brew to be done. Before Heiji could even take a step a little boy wearing glasses had teleported to right next to his legs. He glanced down in shock as the little boy started tugging on his pants.

Hattori wasn't moving so Conan decided to snap him out of his daze. "Heiji-niisan pick me up!" Hattori snorted at the childish voice and glared at the boy who smiled innocently with his arms out to be picked up.

Heiji shivered, creeped out by his little boy act but picked him up and put him on the counter. He grabbed him a cup and anything else his royal shortness asked for. "Geez coffee addict slow down!" Heiji exclaimed while watching the boy gulp down the brown liquid. Heiji had an image flash into his head of a person lost in the desert who'd stumbled upon an oasis. He had to contain his giggles. Conan finished his first cup with a content sigh before making another. He then asked Heiji to put everything away before hopping off the counter. Settling down in the living room, Conan sipped at his coffee while Heiji flipped through channels. Heiji hopped Conan wouldn't try for a third cup because he doubted the child's body could keep up with all that caffeine.

They sat and watched nonsense for a little while before they started getting hungry. That had been out for a while talking so it wasn't much of a surprise. Deciding now was a good time for food, Heiji headed back to the kitchen.

"Hey Hattori. What are you doing?"

"I'm going to cook dinner for us."

A pause. "You can cook?" The disbelief oozed from his voice.

"I'll have you know I'm a fine cook!"

"Kazuha taught you, didn't she?"

"That has nothing to do with this!"

"I bet you were so bad she decided to teach you just so that you didn't accidentally poison yourself." Silence met his response.

"Look I'm cooking us dinner so shut up and be grateful."

"Yes oh master chef." Sarcasm. Conan could hear growling come from the kitchen. He left Hattori alone, he wouldn't put it past the teen to mess with his food for revenge, and turned to the news. A while later the smell of curry was filling up the house and Conan's stomach was grumbling. Finally the chef himself came out carrying two plates. He set them both down on the coffee table before going back for drinks. Conan himself asked for milk while Hattori grabbed water and then they dug in. Conan loved it and was surprised that the other detective could make his favorite dish so well. He made sure to thank Hattori, though he didn't praise him too much. Didn't want to overly inflate his ego, which was ironic coming from Shinichi. Conan offered to do the dishes but Hattori claimed that since he was imposing on them, ignoring the fact that he actually was helping, he did the dishes. Settling back in the living room they decided to try and find a decent movie to watch.

They managed to find a mystery movie and both agreed it could be entertaining. With that said, Heiji ended up watching Conan more than the movie. The boy was focused on the movie so Heiji didn't believe his staring was noticed. Conan would shout at the screen saying things like "He's obviously the one who did it," or "Behind you!" He seemed captivated by the movie and Heiji abused his lack of attention. They were around murders so much that it was easy to forget that they were both still kids. Sure they were almost adults but they were still so young compared to the others who tended to surround them (police officers). Heiji managed to live a decently normal life but Kudo didn't have that option anymore. It was ripped away from him. He didn't get respect like he used to and his words carried less weight now. He'd managed to build up his reputation a little but he was still only smart for a child in the eyes of others. How often had Mouri or someone else hit him on the head or thrown him around? Kudo didn't deserve the way they treated him but he didn't have much choice. When he wasn't busy getting underfoot at a crime scene he was hiding from the people who'd stolen his life from him. Sure Kudo let down his guard but that one mistake was costing him everything! It wasn't fair! Noticing his clenched fists and tense posture he threw a glance at Conan before relaxing. For now he would focus on the movie.

After the movie finished, Conan animatedly described how he realized who the criminal was in the very beginning. Heiji nodded along, throwing in a few of his own comments or observations, but started noticing the boy's yawning becoming more frequent. It got to the point where the boy's head would drop down before he would jerk himself up. When this started happening a few times in a row Heiji was reminded of bobble heads. With that mental image now stuck in his brain he decided it was time for bed.

Conan protested when Hattori picked him up but realized he didn't have the energy to fight so became limp. Reaching Mouri's room he set the boy down and pulled out the futon for him. Grabbing some blankets for himself he went back out to the living room to get the couch comfortable while the boy got ready for bed. Conan set up his blankets and was ready to crawl under them when the door creaked open. He glanced up to see Hattori smiling sheepishly.

"Sorry just wanted to say goodnight, Kudo."

"Goodnight Hattori." The door closed and Conan got comfortable before falling asleep.

Only to be woken up again a short time later. He didn't know how much time had passed but he slept lightly so the door opening again woke him up. He thought about asking Hattori what he wanted but decided if the Osakan really needed his help he could 'wake' him up. He was too tired anyways and Hattori could just be grabbing something from his bags. To his surprise, Hattori came and sat down next to him. About to open his eyes, he froze when he felt the other's hand in his hair, using his fingers to comb through it. Conan decided to pretend to sleep. And he was not blushing!

Even though it was a whisper, Conan could hear everything. "You know Kudo you really can be frustrating. You never let anybody in and you always take everything onto yourself. You do your best to keep yourself together and try to never hurt others while everyone else hurts you. You're stuck in that body but you never let it hold you back, sometimes getting injured in the process. I know life's not fair but life is being especially cruel to you. No matter what though, I will always have your back whether you realize it or not. I promise if you ever call for me I will come and I will never leave you alone. You are not alone and I really hope you can see that. Really," a quiet chuckle, "it's no surprise I fell in love with you. I enjoy our conversations and you understand me in a way others can't. You can see right through me but I don't know if you understand that I can read you just as easily. You put up a wall but I know how you think. I can see right through you and it hurts to see you in so much pain." A sigh. "But that's just how you are and I wouldn't really change it. I hope that one day you willingly let me in and take some of the burden off your shoulders. I can help carry the weight if only you would let me." He stayed quiet after that and just brushed through Conan's hair. They both stayed like this for a while and Conan found himself being lulled to sleep by the gentle movements. Hattori must have finished contemplating things, or was afraid of waking the younger boy up, because he got up and left the room leaving the phantom touch of his hand in Conan's hair. Before falling asleep, Conan sleepily responded.

"You're wrong Hattori. Life isn't being cruel to me. I got to meet you after all."

That's two chapters down now just one more to go. I hope everyone enjoyed this story and please review. It really does help to know somebody cares even if it is a critique.