All right, this is the last chapter. Thank you all for reading and reviewing. Sorry about Fanfiction sending out the emails. I hope everyone enjoyed, and I am sure I will post something else soon!

The red police car slid into the curb. Ran hopped out, scooping Conan into a bone crushing embrace.

"Conan-kun, you are ok."

Conan sank into the embrace with a happy sigh. Finally, this adventure was over, well not quite. There were still loose ends to tie up after all. Takagi Keiji stepped out of the police car that pulled up right behind Sato, with Yumi jumping out of the driver seat.

"Conan-kun, where are the robbers?"

Conan thumbed back over his shoulder.

"They are in a cabin about two miles into the woods. I can take you there if you like."

He switched on his glasses, checking. Yes, the three dots on the radar hadn't moved, so they were still asleep, or at least still tied up. Ran gripped him tightly in her arms.

"Conan-kun you need to go home. The police can find them on their own."

Conan wanted nothing more than to do just that, but he didn't want to take the chance of any of the officers ending up lost or unable to find the perps. Time for some award winning acting. Plastering a childish smile on his face, he exclaimed with a lot more energy than he had.

"It's ok Ran-neechan. I can do it."

He slowly led all of them into the woods. He didn't want to take Ran and Kogoro, but something was telling him KID was still around here somewhere, and he didn't need them seeing the thief getting picked up by his ride, however long he decided to take. Now then, which was the quickest way?

Kaito watched the group go into the woods from his vantage point on the roof of a nearby building. It was satisfactory to see Conan's surprised face to notice his disappearance, but he needed to get out of there; any suspicious character and he was sure Ran or that Sato keiji would have broken more bones then necessary. Plus, he and police officers didn't mix well. He dropped to the ground gently, sticking in the shadows, blending in with his dark clothing. Now he just needed to wait.

It was a little more than fifteen minutes later when a black car swung around the corner, and immediately screeched to a halt as it spied the police cars. Kaito sighed, stepping into the light and slowly walking to the car. Jii looked out of the window at him, horrified.

"Bot-chama, what is the police doing here?"

Kaito plopped into the backseat, removing his hat and monocle with a sigh.

"Relax Jii-chan it isn't for me. It's my companion's ride."

Jii shifted the gear shift down, placing the car back in drive.

"And who was that Bot-chama?"

Kaito gave a smirk.

"Edogawa Conan."

Jii almost wrecked the car as he spluttered.

"Bot-chama you can come live with me for awhile. I will turn myself in if I have to."

"Jii-chan relax he didn't turn me in or find out my identity or anything. In fact, if it wasn't for him I would have died."

Kaito smiled leaning his head back against the seat tiredly.

"Let's just go home."

Jii turned back toward the road.

"All right, but you have to tell me the whole story. I feel like I am missing some things."

Kaito cracked open an eye.

"Actually we need to stop at a gas station first. Just to pick up something."

Conan sunk into the steaming bath with a sigh. It had taken a little longer than expected to find the cabin, but the arrest was a success. The robbers were all awake when they walked in, and the leader had tried to grab at Conan, shouting all sorts of threats, but with Ran there, he didn't get very far. The officers were quite surprised and confused as to see them in their, um, colorful state, but Conan just explained that the officer he was with was a bit of a prankster, which they kind of bought. After they brought the three robbers back to the car, Sato and Takagi took them back to the precinct, while Yumi used her police car to escort the Mouris and Conan back to the detective agency.

Ran had immediately fixed some curry for Conan and it was the best thing he had ever tasted. While she was fixing it, he messaged Haibara as well as Jodie, asking if there was anything going on. Both had said that it was all quiet and peaceful and that there was no news on the organization. A quick conversation with Bourbon, who was working the evening shift that day, also lowered his suspicion. Apparently his nightmare was just that, a dream, with no further implications. Feeling a lot better, Conan finished his curry with ease.

Now he was taking a hot bath, just like he wanted more than anything. Dirt, river water, blood, and a whole slew of other materials covered him, and his tired and aching muscles wished desperately to be soaked. Not to mention, the beginnings of a fever he felt earlier was getting worse. It was almost guaranteed he would wake up tomorrow with a cold. A warm bath would chase some of it away.

He blew bubbles in the water as he slipped down, immersing himself in the warmth. The water was waking him up, but at the same time, the warmth was leeching all the tension from his body, leaving him wanting to sleep. But he couldn't, not yet. He needed to make sure KID called. It had been over an hour. Did he make it home? He had no idea where he went after he disappeared. The unease he had felt this afternoon had appeared again, gnawing at his guts at the lack of communication.

Conan sighed as he sat up in the water. The heat was starting to make him feel woozy but he stepped out, drying himself off and putting on his pajamas. He stepped out of the bathroom, his towel wrapped around his neck as he started toward the kitchen. Might as well have a glass of milk while waiting. That was if the thief even called. He wouldn't be surprised if he just ignored his request, even though he was worried. Stupid thief.

Suddenly, he heard Ran speaking downstairs, from the office.

"I am sorry, Conan-kun is in the bath. Would you like to call again tomorrow."

Could it be? Conan rushed down the stairs two at a time, bursting through the door.

"Ran-neechan, is there someone on the phone for me?"

Ran was standing by the desk, holding the office phone next to her ear. She glanced toward him with a smile.

"Oh, here he is. Conan-kun it is the officer that was with you."

Breathing a soft sigh of relief, Conan took the phone from her hands. Ran pointed at him.

"Five minutes Conan and then you are going straight to bed."

"Hai Ran-neechan."

He waited until Ran closed the door to the office before speaking into the receiver.

"So, you made it home KID-san?"

Kaito on the other end smirked at hearing the relief clearly in the younger boy's voice. He was currently sitting on his couch after a warm shower that had rejuvenated him. As soon as he had gotten home Jii had performed first aid, fixing up the bullet wound and wrapping up his ribs better. He was now laying in his pajamas, watching Jii who was fixing hot chocolate and supper for him. He had been surprised when Ran had picked up the phone. He had figured that Conan would be by the phone by now, waiting for his call. Nevertheless he had handled it smoothly, changing into a nondescript male voice, asking for Conan, saying he was the officer and was just checking to make sure the young man had made it home. Then he had heard the exchange between pseudo siblings, pseudo lovers. Now back in the present Kaito sung out playfully.

"Hai Mother hen-kun."

Conan grimaced.

"No. I barely tolerate Tantei-kun, no way are you calling me that."

He heard the gleeful snickering on the other end.

"Yet it fits you so perfectly Tantei-kun. Who else would blatantly ask an international criminal to call them just to say they made it home? Oh, and don't try to track this phone number. It is a burn phone I got from a convenient store. I know you can see the number on that display."

Conan sat in Mouri's chair behind his desk, propping his legs up.

"Oh really? So in other words if I look up the number, find the convenient store I can ask who they sold it to, or check the security cameras to find you that way? Please tell me you used cash instead of a card. Better KID, but I can still find you."

Conan paused, hearing the slight intake of breath. Kaito on the other end had tensed. Oh crap, he had totally underestimated Tantei-kun; he had sworn he would stop doing that. Conan grinned.

"Well, lucky for you that is way too much work, I don't want your identity, and I can't see the number because I put tape over the display."

It had been the very first thing he did when he got home. He wanted to be prepared when KID had called. Kaito sunk further into the couch, sighing.

"Way to give me heart palpitations Tantei-kun."

Conan spun in the chair a little.

"So you did make it home. Did you get your hot chocolate?"

Kaito glanced into the kitchen at Jii.

"In the process of getting it yeah. I already had a shower, and my assistant has fixed my wounds up for the most part. They complimented your first aid skills."

"Are they at least the hot nurse that you dreamed of?"

Kaito's eyes widened before he cackled loudly. Just imagining Jii-chan in a nurse outfit…oh my.

"Tantei-kun did you just make a joke?"

Conan raised an eyebrow. So his assistant wasn't hot?

"I thought all magicians had hot ladies for their assistants. Was I wrong?"

Kaito waved a hand, still chuckling.

"Sure, let's go with that option."

Conan shrugged, before getting serious.

"I have information for you."

Kaito raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of information?"

Conan had pestered Ran the entire carried back, asking what Nakamori had said what the complications were. She had told him an interesting tidbit of information.

"Apparently the officer that you impersonated is getting an award, medal of honor or something for willing to sacrifice in the line of duty. The story goes he got shot, and stumbled downstairs and passed out in the closet. He is seen as a hero by the rest of the task force, and that he has super healing powers. So they don't think it was you that got shot."

Kaito smirked. He doubted Nakamori Keibu was that stupid, however if he was, it just meant Lady Luck was on his side yet again. He probably did it to cover up the fact KID was shot. He had already checked in with the Nakamoris, being there when they had returned after their day excursion. He had asked Nakamori Keibu himself, using roundabout ways to get information from the inspector.

"I have information for you too."

Conan froze. How had the thief gleaned information?

"What?"

Kaito sighed regretfully.

"Apparently there was more than one sniper. By the time the police got there, there was no trace of them. Everything was wiped down, no blood, only gunpowder readings."

Conan gritted his teeth.

"So they got away."

Kaito nodded, even knowing that the detective couldn't see him.

"Seems that way."

Conan sighed inwardly. It would be harder to catch them off guard now. They knew that the police were aware of their presence, so they would back off, at least for the time being. They had lost their one lead. Dang it. He narrowed his eyes.

"How do you know that information?"

"Inside source?"

Conan's eyes widened. KID had an insider in the police department? How?

"Relax Tantei-kun. They don't know they are my informer."

Oh that made him feel a little better, he supposed. He leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling.

"Well, don't worry about it KID-san. We will get them."

Kaito smiled faintly. Yes, with Tantei-kun on the case, the probability of that happening was very high. Suddenly he heard a cough on the other end.

"Tantei-kun, you ok?"

Conan sighed as he closed his eyes, relishing in the darkness.

"Pretty sure I caught a little cold. It's fine. I will just sleep most of tomorrow."

Kaito gulped.

"So I should wear armor my next heist is what you're saying."

Conan chuckled, remembering his previous threat.

"I suppose so."

They were quiet for a few seconds, before Kaito decided it was time to change the subject.

"What about you Tantei-kun? Did you do everything you wanted to do?"

Conan leaned forward in the chair.

"Yep. I checked up on some things, and the robbers are in custody. This adventure is wrapped up."

Kaito paused, before answering.

"Hey Tantei-kun, no Kudo."

Conan paused, frowing. KID never used his fake name, let alone his real name. Kaito took a deep breath, before saying sincerely.

"I don't think I ever thanked you. If you hadn't have been there, I would have died multiple times, and you didn't try to find out my identity. It was fun just hanging out without the barrier of the law between us like usual. I just wanted to thank you for everything, even if you are a trouble magnet."

Conan was surprised to hear the genuine gratitude in the thief's voice and a soft smile graced his lips as he replied fondly.

"Baro, just you wait at the next heist. I will unveil you for real, in front of everyone."

Kaito smirked fondly at the silent you're welcome. Yes, the adventure was over, but its effects would last a while yet. Both boys had learned so much about the other, only strengthening the bond they had previously had, yet at the end of the day, nothing had really changed. He was still a phantom thief, and Conan was still a detective, and they would continue through the rest of their days playing the same cat and mouse game as usual. However, their dynamic was less enemy, more friend and rival between the two and both boys seemed to think that this change was for the better.

Conan yawned.

"All right KID, I am going to bed. I better not hear you are doing a heist before your injuries are healed. Goodnight."

Kaito sat up quickly, frantic.

"Wait Tantei-kun!"

Conan paused on putting the phone back on the receiver.

"What?"

Kaito let out a breath as he continued casually.

"I have a magic trick, just especially for you."

Conan rolled his eyes.

"What? Why now? I just want to sleep."

Kaito answered carefully.

"Well it is more like a magic spell. It will only work this one time. It is a magic spell that will make you fall asleep in less than a minute."

He wanted the boy to sleep, and peacefully too, not plagued by nightmares or anything of that nature. He had a plan, and hopefully it worked with the very little preparation he had done. Conan instantly was alert, turning to look out the window into the darkness.

"You are at home right?"

"Of course Tantei-kun."

Conan questioned suspiciously.

"So you aren't going to snipe me with a tranquilizer dart or your assistant isn't going to come out with a stun gun is he?"

Kaito sighed. Seriously, how had that been Tantei-kun's first assumption? The kid needed to relax. He soothed.

"I am currently many kilometers from your location. That is why it is magic."

Conan, seeing no threat inside the office or outside the window, lowered his suspicions. On one hand he really wanted to go to bed, but he was curious about this 'magic' the magician was capable of. Just this once, he would humor him.

"Fine, but I bet I won't fall for it. Magic doesn't usually work on me."

Kaito clapped his hands in excitement, gleeful grin. As usual, Tantei-kun threw down the gauntlet, so Kaito of course had to take it up.

"Fantastic, and I seem to remember that my magic usually works perfectly on you. Now there is some preparation for the trick. First you need to lay down on the couch."

Conan sighed, lying down on the couch closest to the door. He pinned the phone between the back of the couch and his ear so he could still hear.

"All right, now what?"

Kaito scolded good-naturedly.

"Now Tantei-kun, for this trick to work, you can't talk. You can't talk and sleep at the same time you know."

Conan glanced at the phone.

"Fine fine."

"Now close your eyes and take a deep breath, in and out."

Conan followed the directions exactly, feeling like he was in a yoga ad or something, but he didn't complain. He wanted to know the trick after all. There was a few seconds of silence before Kaito asked quietly.

"Are you ready Tantei-kun?"

Conan hummed in response. He was already drifting off as it was. KID could probably not say anything and he would be asleep in less than a minute. He was confused as to why KID was doing this though. There was no reason because KID knew how tired he was; he knew he would sleep without any aid. So what was his goal?

Kaito took a deep breath. All right, here goes nothing. He switched his voice to one Mouri Ran.

"Shinichi."

Conan's eyes popped open as he heard Ran's voice come over the phone. That jerk…he was using Ran's voice again. Man, the inflection was exactly how Ran said his name, and he wouldn't have noticed the difference if he didn't know he was talking to the phantom thief. He opened his mouth, ready to chew the thief out for using Ran's voice, when Kaito's next words came flowing out of the phone.

"Shinichi, I am safe."

Conan gasped lightly. Oh that was KID's goal. It wasn't sleep, but quality of the sleep. But how did he know, what his nightmare was about? He didn't tell him did he? It was working too. His body didn't seem to care that 'Ran' was an imposter and tension he didn't even know he still had fled from his body leaving him boneless mush on pure instinct at hearing the simple sentence. He almost let the phone drop if he didn't have the mind to press it deeper into the cushion, listening.

"You don't have to worry anymore. I am safe. I am not hurt or anything."

Kaito made sure to choose his words carefully. He didn't want the words he said to be used in nightmares later on down the road, so he refrained from using words of promises or telling Shinichi that he protected her in case that backfired. Instead he focused on just the phrases that he knew would force the detective to relax.

Conan felt sleep tug at his mind his breathing started to slow as his mind slowly followed his body. He knew it wasn't the real Ran, but the effect was still very potent. The nightmares that he might have had retreated back into the deepest parts of his mind, not to be thought about again.

It was just too real, and it was the words he had always longed to hear, but Ran, poor ignorant Ran who didn't know the situation or how Shinichi craved hearing about her safety, would never tell him those words, at least not to Shinichi, not like this. So he would indulge in this fantasy only a little while longer. This is what he needed, to be reminded after the dream early this morning, that Ran was safe, not shot, that she was alive and well, and it was a little pathetic he was affected this much by just her voice, but he was past caring at this point. Sleep was the top priority in his mind right now. He managed to breathe out.

"Not…fair."

No, it wasn't fair that KID was using Ran's voice, manipulating his relationship with Ran to soothe him to sleep with something that worked far better than a lullaby. It did show that KID did seem to care about him enough to let, albeit force, him into having a good night sleep. Apparently he was more concerned about him then he originally thought.

Kaito smiled fondly at the barely audible confirmation that his magic spell was working. He soothed, his feminine tone sounding like a creamy velvet that would sound like an angel on Conan's ears. He didn't focus on flirtatious, only pouring in love and care that he knew the real Mouri Ran would use.

"Oyasumi Shinichi, have sweet dreams. I will be here when you wake up."

Conan sighed in bliss. He didn't even care at this point that KID was succeeding in his trick. He was dozing now, mind at a tranquil standstill. No nightmares, no problems, no cases, no mysteries, just a quieting emptiness that almost never happened in the always working mind. He was so close to complete sleep when he faintly heard KID switch back to his normal voice, the tenor smooth as butter.

"The grand finale in three…two…one."

Conan felt warm thin arms loop under his knees and his neck, and Ran say gently.

"Mou, Conan-kun, if you were sleepy, you should have gone to bed."

Ran? His barely functional mind asked questions as to how had she snuck up on him, how he didn't notice her enter the room, but he found out he didn't care. Now he was cradled in her arms oh so carefully, blinking half opened eyes up at a smiling Ran.

That seemed to be the tipping point for Conan. Everything before now was an act, a farce that he could easily brush away in his nightmares. But this, this was evidence, proof that Ran wasn't shot by Vermouth, that she was warm, breathing, soft, alive. That was all Kudo Shinichi needed to know. He took comfort in the thought as he slumped in Ran's grip, breathing lightly as he fell into deep slumber.

Kaito waited with baited breath. He didn't hear anything from the other end from Conan. Did that mean he succeeded? Suddenly Ran's voice came over the speaker.

"I am so sorry officer-san; you will have to call back tomorrow. Conan is fast asleep."

Kaito grinned as he finally relaxed. He was worried the trick wouldn't work on the detective. It was a one-time thing; never again could that trick be performed. He switched back to the nondescript voice from before.

"Oh no ojou-chan, I was just making sure the young man made it home safely. Please make sure he sleeps well. Good night ojou-chan."

"Good night."

He heard the girl hang up and smirked. He watched through his dove camera that he had used to pull off the timing of the trick as Ran carried Conan out of the office, probably back up the stairs to the boy's bedroom. He fervently hoped his trick worked throughout the night, blessing the mini detective with a full night's sleep without any dreams of the nefarious nature. He clicked the recall button, signaling the bird to come back to his house. He watched the camera spin wildly as the dove took flight, on its way back. Jii stepped into the living room, handing him a cup of hot chocolate.

"Is it all over Bot-chama?"

Kaito took a sip and shivered at the beautiful nector from the gods as it filled him with sweet warmth.

"Almost Jii, almost."

He smiled as he got another idea. Yes, it was almost over. Nevertheless, this was quite the adventure he would never forget. Tantei-kun may claim they were rivals or whatever, but he would always see him as a friend, and he was sure that Conan felt the same about him. After all, a friend in need is a friend indeed.

The next morning, Conan was pleasantly surprised and baffled to find a dove on his balcony, with a bag of cough drops tied to his leg, along with a pure white note, with a KID caricature grinning up at him.