Catch Me If You Can

This was a challenge set by CherriAme. She is currently writing a con-artist fanfic too called 'Day and White, Night and Black'. Check it out, it is awesome!

Disclaimer: 'Tis henceforth disclaimed.

Warning: Do not try any ideas presented in this story. CONNING IS AGAINST THE LAW. Everything here is fictional, and should stay fictional.

Summary: She was Allen's ultimate mark. He was Lenalee's ultimate case. He may have won the battle, but the war was far from over. Let the chase between con artist and detective begin.

The two sat silently under the tree, feeling the heat of the rising sun. She held on to his hand, hoping that he would just deny what he said. She searched his eyes to try and find the joking glint. But all she could see was the pain of the truth. A sympathetic smile dressed his lips, his gray eyes soft. Tears stung her eyes and she shook her head in refusal.

"Please," she whispered, "Don't tell me that. I don't believe you."

"I'm sorry, my love," he said equally quietly, caressing her cheek, "But that is who I am. And that is how I will live."

He proceeded to stand, letting go of her small hand. She grasped his hand as it slid out, doubling the force. Her amethyst eyes glistened as she spoke.

"But why? I thought you really loved me!" she said passionately.

He bent down again, and gently kissed her lips. The pair pulled apart slowly, savouring every touch. He smiled again and wiped away a tear. The wind picked up and soft petals of spring blossom twirled around the lovers. He carefully pried her fingers from his.

"I thought I loved you too. But a leopard can never change his spots," he said as a farewell.

The tears flowed freely as she watched him disappear down the country path. She had been so close, and now he was out of her reach forever. She smiled ironically. He had finished what he had sought out to do.

She said to no one in particular, "It is true; a leopard can never change his spots. And a con-artist can never change his heart."

November 16th 2010 18:35 – Black Order HQ

Lenalee Lee sat at her desk with a mug of tea in her hands. The paperwork pile was enormous, almost as big as her brother's. She sighed, and started to sift through it. Most of them were cases for her to sign as complete; murder, theft, fraud, rape. It had almost put a smile on her face to know that so many criminals were now in custody. But the smile vanished when she opened that file.

That file was her ultimate case. That case would have proved her worth as a detective. But that man was something else entirely. That man became her first failed case. Her lips trembled as she read the report that she had sent to the head. Lies. All bloody lies. Lenalee tossed it away angrily, biting back the tears that she refused to shed. She had promised herself – no more tears will fall because of him.

Calming herself down, she went to pick the file up again. A photo had fluttered out, and she stared. It was obviously a university photo, as he wore the uniform of University of Noah proudly. He was striking, to say the least – A mop of spiky white hair framed a pale unblemished face. His gray eyes twinkled with intelligence. With a sincere, warm smile, anyone would think that he was the model student in U of N. But far from it, Lenalee thought. She placed the photo back in and flipped the manila coloured folder over. The signature line glared at her, mocking her. Lenalee frowned, and sat.

She grabbed her blue fountain pen, eager to sign. If Lenalee had signed, it would close the case forever, making it one of the most famous unsolved mysteries of all time. The nib wavered over the dots. If she had signed, she would not be allowed to pursue it any further, not even try to make contact with the suspect. Her amethyst eyes glazed over. She rubbed them impatiently, and pressed the nib to the file.

At the end of the day, Lenalee locked her office and found her brother. Komui Lee dozed peacefully on top of his desk, blatantly ignoring the mountain of cases in front of him. Lenalee smiled at the scene, and almost laughed at his name plate. How Komui had gotten to 'Chief Supervisor of Black Order Detectives' she had no idea.

"Brother, it's the end of the day. Time to go home," Lenalee whispered gently.

No reaction. Lenalee frowned, then sighed. This really is the only way to wake him, she thought in exasperation.

"Brother, I'm getting married tomorrow," she said woodenly.

All of a sudden, the man jumped to hug Lenalee's legs. Large, fat tears streamed down his cheek, and he bawled like a little child.

"Lenalee! How could you do this to me? How could you betray your brother like this?" he yelled.

"K-Komui, please!" Lenalee said, embarrassed, "It's time to go home."

After a while, the two siblings reached home. Lenalee immediately locked herself into her room, and grabbed her phone. Whilst she expertly dialled her friend's number, she opened her bag. Inside was a manila file. She put her phone to her ear, and also looked at the back of the folder. Lenalee smiled as her eyes landed on the empty signature line. There is no way I'm giving up on this, she thought. But this time, I'll need some help. The other end of the line picked up.

"Hello, Kanda?" Lenalee said. "It's been a while. Listen, you, me and Lavi – we're going to Las Vegas."

Yay, first (not very long) chapter! Well, it's a prologue. Hope you liked it, and if you did, review! :)