Curiosity killed the cat...

The sun had risen one Saturday morning, bathing everything with its warmth, but the chill of the air was prominent. A promise of winter was just around the corner.

It was six in the morning when the alarm clock went off. Ran immediately silence the annoying thing and sighed. She was already awake almost an hour ago, just didn't want to get up. Who would? She was still deprived of sleep because a certain detective refused to leave her mind.

Ran sighed again.

Deciding that lying on her bed wasn't really going to make anything better, she dragged her body off her fluffy pillows and mattress to start her morning routine.

Thoughts of a blue eyed young man continued to occupy the girl's mind even as she started to strip down inside the bathroom to take her shower.

That event that triggered many thoughts and dreams continued to repeat inside Ran's head like a broken record. She didn't even flinched when the hot water from the shower started to cascade down her bare body.

It all started when Kudo Shinichi returned back three months ago.

Accompanied by his comeback was a pill that was hard to swallow. It's nothing like the Apotoxin 4869, but it was something that can be considered as dangerous as the shrinking pill.

The horrible truth.

Ran wasn't really surprised by it, just disappointed. And it hurts too much. She had hoped that her hunch of Shinichi and Conan-kun being the same person was wrong but she was proven to be right.

Shinichi made her swallow the bitter pill.

Ran almost choked with sadness.

Despite knowing the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth, it didn't hide the fact that Ran's childhood friend, the person she trusted the most and loved the most, lied to her face for months, almost a year.

Shinichi asked for forgiveness and she was willing to give it to him but couldn't he please leave her alone so she can forget about him? She was too much in pain because of this whole ordeal.

But Shinichi grovelled and apologized and desperately bowed and did everything he could think of.

"Just please please please Ran, don't leave me."

And just like that.

Who was she to deny his heartfelt plea especially when it was said with so much passion and regret and…

"I love you."

His confession was wholly accepted by her heart because she knew; she understood what he had continually told her, that all of the lies were the result of only wanting to protect her.

Because he loves her, more than anything in the world.

There were so many things to tell, so many things to explain. He still owed her a lot and he was more than willing to spend the rest of his life to make it up to her.

So she started dating Shinichi.

And the better part of dating Shinichi was full of shy kisses, late night phone calls, trip to the police station and attending to trial court rooms to support her boyfriend.

Now, that event, the event that had been playing simultaneously in Ran's mind happened when the trial had come to an end. Every Black Organization's member, who hadn't been killed in the incursion and The Boss, had been sentence to life imprisonment in a maximum security cell without the chance of having a parole.

Everyone who had been fighting against this organization, celebrated.

Ran and her family had been invited. It was a victory party hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police held at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo.

Shinichi was there when she arrived. Donned in a sharp dark blue suit, he was still handsome despite the bags under his eyes telling her of his countless sleepless night and stress. She was so glad that this was all over.

When he approached her with wide mile smile and eyes shining like of a child, the smile that reminded Ran of Conan-kun, her heart ached. All those things he had been through were finally over. It took her all her might not to cry in front of him for she knew that it will just confuse him and she didn't want to spoil his celebration. She was so happy because now, she can finally feel it, Shinichi officially came back.

They held hands when they reached each other, grinning ear to ear as Shinichi led her and her parents to the reception.

All the while they were holding hands, sharing soft but sincere smile oblivious to the people who were observing them silently, pleasant smile carved on their lips as if saying finally they will be happy.

The time was close to midnight when Shinichi pulled her away from the crowd and led her to an empty balcony. Considering that no one was there and the chance of people going there was slim, Shinichi gently pushed Ran against the smooth surface of the marbled wall and leaned on her, his hands on either side of her face, his body inches away from her, so close that she could hear his erratic heartbeat and feel his body heat.

Ran's face went red. It might have matched the red dress she was wearing which Shinichi complimented that she really looked good on.

"Shinichi?" Ran called feeling confused as she gaze at his serious expression. His eyes shining with so much emotion Ran couldn't comprehend. She wanted to call to him again, but her words caught in her throat when he smiled softly and said to her in his softest voice…

"Tadaima…"

The impact of his words made her tremble with emotions. It was a promise. Never will she wait for him again, never will she feel sad because of his long absence and never will she hurt again because of his lies.

Ran's tears came forth but it wasn't because of sadness or pain. It was happiness and Shinichi was welcomed to share this kind of tears with her.

"Okaerinasai, my Holmes-san…"

Her watery smile, her pink nose and red rimmed eyes only emphasized the ethereal beauty Ran possessed and Shinichi gave in to the temptation, dipping his head to catch her lips with his.

A silent gasp was swallowed by Shinichi's mouth. Her eyes widened at the ardent pressure of his lips as if reciting the powerful emotion he felt. When her surprise subsided, Ran carefully wound her arms around Shinichi's neck, pulling him closer to her until not a single space was between their warm bodies.

The feeling was exquisite. Shinichi tasted of honey and cream and Shinichi. His taste was addicting, intoxicating her also with his scent and the delicious sensation of his palm caressing her arms.

His right hand leave fire on its wake as it glided from her arm to shoulder to her collarbone, caressing the soft spot there. It made Ran feel like metal surrendering to the heat of fire. Her blood threatened to boil when his long fingers stopped caressing her clavicle and proceeded to glide toward her cheeks, slipping his thumb to her chin gently coaxing her mouth to open.

Ran shyly complied, opening her mouth for him then almost releasing herself from his embrace when his hot tongue entered her mouth. Fortunately, Shinichi's left arm was tightly holding her around her back. Her impulse of pulling out from his arms didn't happen and she was thankful for it.

Shinichi's tongue was smooth and hot and strongly tasted of him. It caressed her mouth and tongue, coaxing her to have a dance with him. Ran didn't have the power to resist him.

As their tongue dance a lazy rhythm, Ran wrapped her arms tighter around his neck, bringing their mouth closer and their bodies more intimate to the point that she can feel the hard planes of his chest against the softness of hers.

It was an exquisite experience heightened by the hand on her back, sliding up and down her spine. His hand was dangerously lowering but she didn't correct him. It felt too good and Ran impulsively bit his tongue. Shinichi reacted with a throaty groan.

The sound of Shinichi's strangled moan made Ran felt like something scorching was dumped inside her stomach warming her soul and melting her heart. The warmth traveled down, down to her…

"Ran!"

The sound of her father's voice from outside the closed door of the bathroom woke her up from her day dreaming. She was thinking of it again!

"What was it, Otousan? I am taking a bath!" Ran retorted feeling annoyed at her father intruding her reverie.

"I know you are taking a bath, but can you hurry up? I need to use the bathroom and I've been waiting for almost half an hour now!"

Ran tsked at his father's remark. Surely he was overacting! But when she looked at her hands, and realized it was starting to prune. Just how long had she been standing here in the shower and day dreaming about him?

"O-okay! Just wait for another minute, 'Otousan." She said then heard his grumble (that suspiciously sounded "women") before walking away from the bathroom door.

Ran sighed. She grabbed her shampoo and soap and made sure to take double time to clean herself today.

I'm going to go now, Otousan." Ran called from their house door's ledge, her hand reaching for her shoes.

"Ah. Tell Yuki-chan and Yusaku that I apologize for not coming today. It's a shame this wasn't fully healed yet." Kogoro complained, pointing at his bandaged leg.

His father, Mouri Kogoro was also recognized for bringing down the Syndicate. He, along with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police had risked their lives to help Shinichi infiltrate the BO headquarter. Although Ran was so stressed that not only Shinichi was in danger but her father too, she can't really help but to be thankful for the situation since it made her mother, Kisaki Eri to come back to her husband. Apparently, she was not ready to lose her husband permanently. Although Eri had not yet moved to their home officially, she was staying a lot with them.

Like today, she would be staying to assist Kogoro since Ran will be out most of the day and he had already proven to everyone that he's as adept as a two year old because of his injury.

Except the injury wasn't the result of his involvement with the Syndicate. It was the fruit of drinking too much at the victory party and using the stairs instead of elevator.

"If you didn't drink too much, you wouldn't trip on the stairs and break your leg. You would be with me and Okaasan on our way to Shinichi's house to have a small get together before Yukiko-san and Yusaku-san left for America."

"Che…" he replied, looking away from her. It looked like he was sort of ashamed.

Ran smiled.

At least he's getting less stubborn.

"I'll be on my way, Otousan!"

"Be careful and don't spend too much time on that detective brat's room especially at night!"

Ran rolled her eyes as she descended down the stairs.

As if those things happen only in the night.

Sighing, Ran made her way to the Kudo Mansion.

Yeah, those things didn't only happen at night. It can happen anytime of the day but she doubted if such things will happen between her and Shinichi.

Their lip locking at the Mandarin Hotel halted when they heard someone approaching. Shinichi immediately released himself from Ran and slipped in the shady side of the balcony. The state of their person, if seen together, will be a dead giveaway as to what had transpired between them. Better hide and hopefully, Ran can come up with an idea as to why her lips were swollen and face so red.

"Ran!"

Sonoko came into view in her yellow chiffon dress. Her heels were four inches high, no wonder it was creating noise on the marbled floor.

"S-Sonoko!" Ran exclaimed, pretending that she was enthusiastic to see her friend while trying to recompose herself.

"I was looking all over for you! I have tons of stories to tell!" Sonoko paused and made a double look at Ran.

"What happened to you? Looked like you run a mile in that dress and shoes."

Ran faked a laugh.

"Silly! I was just having some fresh air but the gust of wind disarrays my hair and dress."

Sonoko raised an eyebrow. Ran was sure Shinichi wouldn't be pleased with her made up excuse.

"Let's get back inside and look for Shinichi, ne?" Ran continued, pushing Sonoko inside. She took a peek at the shaded part of the balcony, hoping to see her beloved Metantei, but she saw nothing.

Ever since that night, Ran was becoming curious.

When she was reading or watching stories that will somehow end up intimately in bed, Shinichi will pop in her mind. Even intimate kisses on manga books or movies triggered the memory of that night.

At times, usually when the two them were studying Ran will found herself looking at him. She will be observing his face: his expressive eyes that were framed by dark eyelashes, the defined edge of his cheekbone, the soft line of his jaw, the bridge of his nose, the color and shape of his lips, the sharpness of his chin, and even the way his hair fell on his forehead. Why? Why was he so handsome? But Ran's perusal didn't only stop at his face. Her eyes would travel down his neck, slender and pale. His collar bone peeking from his uniform, to his broad shoulder, to his strong arms and to his hand, long slender fingers and soft palm that most of the time held hers and played with her hair.

Ran didn't know why she was suddenly interested on Shinichi's physique. It was hard to believe that she was already having sexual attraction to her boyfriend, although she knew that many would tell her that it was expected since her boyfriend was hot stuff and it was normal for girls her age to be curious. Still, that would be so embarrassing, besides Shinichi might not be attracted to her like how she was having an attraction for him. Many times did they end up alone in her house (when her mom was accompanying her dad to the doctor) but Shinichi didn't even once try what he did on the balcony again. Did he realize doing French kiss with her wasn't satisfying as he thought it would be? She can't blame him though. She was boyish and she always hurt him with her karate chop. You can't imagine doing it with someone who can break poles with bare hands.

Ran sighed as approached the Kudo Mansion. She rang the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door.

She knew with all her heart that Shinichi loves her, maybe he wasn't really thinking of things like that for now. Maybe this wasn't right time. Shinichi might want her someday when she was fully matured. Yeah, she can wait until then. It wasn't like her thoughts were killing her; it was just making her restless!

And sleepless…

Oh and very frustrated.

"Ran-chan!"

Yukiko greeted opening the gate to let her in. She gave the young lady a bear hug before dragging her inside the house.

"I'm sorry Okaasan and Otousan can't come. Otousan still can't walk and Okaasan have to look after him." Ran explained when Yukiko had asked her where her parents were.

"Oh, that's more than alright Ran-chan. Eri had already given me a heads up. Those two will need some time to catch up." Yukiko giggled while she reached for the fluffy blue towels on the coffee table. Ran wondered what those are for. "Besides, Eri had promised me that if she will not make it today, she'll give us a ride tomorrow to the airport."

Their little conversation was halted when a bubbling sound and a clatter resonated from the kitchen.

"Oh shoot! It was already boiling!" Yukiko gushed, immediately dropping the towels on Ran's arms and made her way to the kitchen. "Can you bring the towels to Shin-chan? I forgot to put a pair in his room and he might take a bath or something."

Before Ran can give an answer, Yukiko was already in the kitchen, sputtering nonsense while probably saving whatever meal she cooked.

Shrugging her shoulders, Ran went upstairs and decided to do what Yukiko had told her.

When she arrived at Shinichi's room, Ran knocked to see if he was inside. He might be changing or might be only in his underwear, that won't really help especially when she was feeling like this. She was still awkward because of their first (and sadly, maybe last) French kiss and didn't want anything to add up to it.

Knocking again, Ran waited for a minute before deciding to twist the doorknob. It was unlocked and when she peeked inside, Shinichi wasn't there. The room was empty.

There was a chance that Shinichi might not be in his room, so despite a little hesitant, Ran stepped inside and made a beeline to the closet where the towels were usually kept.

Opening the closet and kneeling in front of it, Ran stared at the closed bathroom door adjacent to her. She waited for a good minute, listening hard to any noise that might come from inside the bathroom, and when hearing none, she started to pile the towels inside the closet.

When the task is done, Ran stood up. She was about to make her way outside Shinichi's room when she heard a voice, a very familiar voice came from the other side of the bathroom door.

"Where are the goddamn towels?!"

The usual great reflexes of a Karate Champion didn't work this time. She was petrified on her spot even when the bathroom door opened, that revealed a very wet, very naked Kudo Shinichi.

The young detective's vision zeroed on Ran. It took him less than a second to realize that his girlfriend was there, in front of him, pretty much seeing everything.

Everything!

"Ra-Ran?!" he exclaimed. His eyes widening while his face collected unbelievable amount of blood.

Ran who was dumbstruck, watched as his hair and body glistened with water. His hair sensually plastered on his reddening face, water droplets dripping, caressing on his skin. Ran noted how red his face was, even his neck was red. Was it possible for a human to have that color? She suddenly noticed a lone droplet on his neck. She followed with her eyes as it glided down to his sternum, to his broad chest, to his flat stomach, down to his belly button and finally dropping to his…

Ran's eyes widened.

To his…

Her heart drumming against her ribs.

To his…!

"IIIIIYYYYYYYAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

A/N: So yeah, I am back. Sort of. Anyways, this keeps bugging me and needed to be write down. I didn't mind though since I'm getting inspired with Shinichi and Ran recently! So... This fic will be on the lighter note of DC. Except there will be naughty things. Hey! Gosho can insert naughty things between Ran and Shinichi so why can't I? BUHHH!

Oh! And this is beta-read by the wonderful essicaJoola!

Disclaimer: DC is not mine. Okay? Okay.

And oh! In the future, this could be an M-rated! If you want... *shrugs.