Chapter 1: Troubled Shinichi

Shinichi Kudo, who had been shrunk as Conan Edogawa, was pacing back and forth, arms crossed, constantly sighing in front of professor Agasa who was feeling anxious with him.

"So, did Ran say yes to Araide-sensei?", the professor asked.

"No, not yet. But I had a feeling she was considering it," Shinichi said in response, his voice was breaking, "I could not be there when she needs me even when I'm always beside her."

It had been 3 years since Ran graduated. Supposedly, Shinichi would have graduated with her if it weren't for the APTX 4869 drug that made him shrunk into a kid. He was still battling with the Black organization but he felt that it would all be over soon. He had all the leads he needed with the help of the FBI, and his partner, Shiho, who he refers to as Haibara. Until terrible news came, Araide-sensei confessed his feelings to Ran. Araide-sensei was a physician to their school, a kind man and would be ideal to Ran as other people would believe. He could only wish that Ran would wait for him a little longer until the Black organization was out of the picture, and they were free to be together again.

Professor Agasa's phone suddenly rang. "Yes, this is Agasa," he answered the phone, "Hmm I see. Yes. Okay, I'll be there", then hung it up.

"You're leaving?" Shinichi asked with a sad tone in his voice. He needed someone to talk to right now. Someone who could tell him what to do. Someone who could help him compose himself. The professor sensed this and felt bad for leaving but it was an important call from his client.

"Y-yeah. I'm sorry Shinichi." The professor was gathering his things as he was pacing near the main door, "I think I will be staying over there for the night. There had been a machine failure that needed to be repaired by tomorrow."

"O-okay…"

"You can stay here if you like." The professor suggested, "Ah, but Ai-kun is here, working in her office. I'm sure she can help you."

Their eyes met and Shinichi knew what the professor was talking about...the antidote to APTX 4869.

"Okay. Have a safe trip." Shinichi waved to the professor. The professor nodded in acknowledgement, closed the door and left.

Right now, he badly needed the antidote that Shiho had so he could finally return to his normal self again and build up his courage to confess to Ran. Shinichi wished he could tell everything to her but he wouldn't, because he couldn't put her life on the line.

"True love waits," Shiho went out of her small office, wearing her white lab coat and favorite garnet colored turtleneck dress, in her 18 year old normal self. Shinichi gasped, mouth falling open. He could only think of one thing, Shiho had taken the antidote that he badly needed now. "But waiting can be tiring too." Shiho added.

Shinichi stared down in disappointment. Shiho felt the sadness in his eyes. She had bottled her feelings for him knowing that they could never be together because deep down, she knew Shinichi's eyes would only look at Ran. She had given up this feeling a long time ago. She knew she would come to a point where she had to correct her past mistakes, where she needed to do the right thing. Even if it would cause pain in her heart. And if this was the price to pay for everything she had done before, then she was ready to accept it.

Shiho paced closer to Shinichi, holding a capsule in her hand, "I know you need this," she extended her hand to give the antidote to Shinichi, who was currently in his shrunken form, Conan. He looked at Shiho in awe that she was giving it without him trying to persuade her. He quickly grabbed his light of hope, the antidote.

Shinichi ran towards the bathroom and took the antidote. He prepared himself for some painful body reactions but there was none. He felt a little dizzy which caused him to close his eyes for a bit. He slowly opened them and widened as soon as he saw he had already returned to his normal self! His joyful laughter was echoing in the bathroom, Shiho smiled in secret. He took on his normal clothes and stepped outside the bathroom, eyes gleaming.

"How was it?" Shiho asked with a knowing grin.

"There was no pain. I'm surprised that it worked out!"

"That was an enhanced antidote you took." Shiho said, arms crossed, "I've been working on it for a year now."

Shinichi could not contain the happiness he was feeling.

"It should last for a few weeks at least, but you can always take another one if you feel like the antidote is starting to wear out its effect." Shiho added.

"So, it has no side effects?" Shinichi asked, eyebrows furrowed, "Is there a chance that I'll die from taking this or what?"

"Again, it's an enhanced antidote, there could be some minor side effects but not to a point that it will kill you." Shiho said, giving a glassy stare at Shinichi.

Shinichi was still in amazement with the antidote Shiho created, and this time she was able to develop an enhanced one. Shiho spent a year researching and working on the enhanced antidote. Shiho knew this time would come. She knew she would choose to see Shinichi's happiness than her own. The light at the end of the battle with Black organization was so close. After all of this, they would be able to return to their normal lives. She could imagine how happy Shinichi would be as he would be able to hold Ran's hand as his normal self. The thought was excruciating but as a matured woman as she was, she was trying all her might that she would eventually get through it and soon be over it. While she, on the other hand, could imagine herself being Ai Haibara, where she could start her life all over again.

I'm just doing what should be done. It'll be fine. I would be happy this way, as soon as I see that he's happy. Right? Train of thoughts was running inside Shiho's mind as she looked at the still amazed Shinichi.

Shinichi who was inches away from her turned to look at her, a teary eyed smile painted on his face, pulled and hugged her tight, "Thank you Haibara. It means so much." Shinichi couldn't contain how grateful he was to Shiho. It was really just a friendly hug for Shinichi. a genuine expression of gratitude. But it would be a different case to Shiho.

Shiho had been caught off guard, flustered, her knees feeling weak. Her face was pressed against his chest, hearing his every heartbeat. She couldn't believe how in one instant, could one hug bring back her bottled feelings she tried so hard to keep inside. It felt as if the feelings were awakened by the warmth of his body around hers. She had it all planned out, she had it all in her mind that she would do what was needed to do and she would just move on. But now a part of her was being greedy, was being selfish, dreaming of what ifs, hoping of a different outcome. There was a part of her that could not just let go.

As she was about to hug back, Shinichi pulled away.

"I will go to Ran before she completely decides", Shinichi said, his eyes were still gleaming. He took one last look at Shiho and paced toward the main door.

Shiho watched him as he was walking away, fading in the shadows. Each step he took away, the more painful it got. And as if Shiho's body was acting on its own, she ran toward him and wrapped her arms around him, trying to make him stop walking away.

What am I doing? I should let him go, right? I should let them be happy. But I'm wrapping my arms around him now. This is stupid. This isn't me. Shiho's mind was in battle with her heart.

Tears were starting to fall on Shiho's cheeks. Her mind was telling her to let go but her heart was telling her otherwise. Shinichi, who was caught off guard, didn't know how to react. He felt the warmth of Shiho's arms around him. He also felt his heart racing, which he couldn't seem to understand why.

"H-Haibara?"

This somehow awakened Shiho from her thoughts, "Idiot. D-Don't go just yet.", her voice trembling, "I still need to monitor your condition you know, at least until tomorrow."

She managed to make an excuse for it. She let go of Shinichi and stepped a few inches away from him.

"Okay, I'll stay." Shinichi responded, his eyes were hinting confusion with how Shiho acted.

A/N: Thank you for reading! They say that being a ConAi fan is painful. I can totally relate! LOL. ShinRan is official so I know ConAi is not possible T^T With this, I have poured all my love for ConAi/ShinShi ship in this fan fiction. Follows and favorites are greatly appreciated! Feel free to comment and let me know what you think~ Thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own 'Detective Conan' nor any of its characters. I also do not own the image/art cover used for this fan fiction. All right reserved.