Note: Hiya, everyone! :) So, this is my first Detective Conan fanfic featuring Shinichi and Ran! God, I love those two! They are so cute! I just wish they would get together already! They are making me wait for so long! (Sigh) Anyway, I hope you enjoy this little one-shot! :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Detective Conan! If I did, I would have put us all out of the misery of waiting! :)

I'll See You Soon

She stood there in the huge white room, alone, with nothing but her own heart drumming into her ears.

It was strange. She could have sworn that she was in her own room just three minutes ago. Where was she anyway? What was this place? Why the whole light thing that seemed to blind her? What is...this aching feeling that was enveloping her?

So many questions, yet, no answers at all.

In fact, she didn't know if she wanted the answers to those questions in the first place.

She had a feeling that if she had her answers; those answers would bring even more questions.

In the hollow of the white room, a velvet voice whispered her name.

She stiffened, turned around and looked at him.

He was standing there, smiling at her, just a few inches away from her—looking into her indigo eyes with his own lapis lazuli—drowning her. Making her breathless—as always.

She smiled watery, refusing to shed the tears that were already burning behind her eyes, and took a step forward.

He smiled back, gently, taking a step forward too, until they were close to each other, but still a reasonable space was between them.

She wanted to cross it, wrap her arms around him and hold on to him like never before. Because she knew—knew—that any minute now he would disappear into the mirage that he came from, and she wouldn't see him anymore.

And she'll be alone—as always.

So, she just stood there, staring at him greedily, memorizing his handsome features.

He seemed to do the same.

But then, after what felt like a short eternity, he slowly raised his hand, palm up and extended it towards her.

She looked down at it, perplexed, tilting her head to the side before looking back at him.

He smiled encouragingly, nodding.

Her hand rose, shaking just slightly. It delicately touched his own and his fingers enclosed around it, tightly, making a perfect fit.

Their eyes locked. And held.

Time seemed to stop all of a sudden, and his warm fingers seemed to radiate a soothing effect on her wounded heart. She smiled a bit, relishing the safety and relief that his presence allowed to her sense.

He smiled back at her, before abruptly, his image faded, her hand went limp by her side and the whole white room enveloped in darkness.

She stood there, numbed and shocked, looking down at the dark floor she now stood at with her bare feet. And it was cold. She shivered, fighting back the tears that were already building. She couldn't cry.

She wouldn't cry.

He—he had left again.

Leaving her all alone. Here. All alone.

Leaving her wounded heart to the childish comforts of the seven year old boy, who by now stood in front of her, smiling at her innocently, eyes looking at her wisely—wisdom that was beyond his years.

He held out his hand for her—in the same fashion.

And she couldn't help but smile, a single tear sliding down her cheek as she took his small hand in hers, squeezing it.

He squeezed back.

After all, he had always been here.

She smiled a little wider.

-.-

"Ran-neechan, may I please go to Agasa-hakase's house?" Edogawa Conan whined, jumping from foot to foot.

Mouri Ran looked at him over her shoulder from where she stood at the sink, raising an eyebrow.

"Doushite?"

"Ah. Well, he said he would take me and the guys out for the park today. Please, Ran-neechan?"

He gave her the best puppy dog eyes he could muster—causing her to roll her eyes internally.

God, he was a good actor, wasn't he?

Nevertheless, she smiled, nodding. "Okay. But you have to be here before dinner. I'm making your favourite lemon pie."

His eyes lit up. "Hai, Ran-neechan. Arigatou."

He didn't stop to think about what he said next. "I want two pieces, please."

Ran couldn't help but laugh—exactly like him. "Sure, Conan-kun. Have fun."

And her little charge ran out of the door after exchanging his slippers to his boots, ignoring her drunken father's slurred words about who knows what before he slumped back to the desk, snoring loudly.

Ran rolled her eyes, washing her hands and getting a trash bag. She began cleaning around her father's office, humming softly to herself, eyes gentle and playful—amused even—as she thought about her little 'brother'.

I wonder how he didn't notice yet.

Was he just closing his eyes about it again? Or was she too good of an actor?

Well, he's the one that's too good of an actor, she laughed bitterly, yet with a sense of amusement too.

Yet, she had a feeling that he did suspect something was up. Lately, he had been going to Agasa's far too much; she even caught him talking with Hattori-kun and a guy—she wasn't sure? But his name was Kuroba...or something?—in the middle of the night, explaining directions and what more.

She never said anything. She never pressed for more information about the subject.

She let it flow—which wasn't in her nature.

But she figured that he had his reasons, so she'll wait.

But she couldn't help but question herself...

Is waiting the right thing...?

She sighed, shaking her head.

Of course it was. Of course. Because he promised. He was coming back. And even though he was here, he wasn't here in the form that she wished he would be in. Or he wished he would be in for that matter.

She laughed a little to herself, finding it rather adorable. She never really stopped to think about how cute her childhood friend was when they were young, but seeing him from an adult's point of view, he looked absolutely cute.

No wonder Ayumi-chan has a huge crush on him.

Or Ai-chan for that matter.

Ran smirked, shaking her head.

No need to dwell on that now!

God only knew she had a hard time controlling her fury and sorrow when she first found out. It wasn't intentional in the least mind you. But she had overheard a conversation between him and Hattori-kun and from there everything was solved—like a jigsaw puzzle. Every piece in its right place.

She had been rather upset about the whole ordeal but she figured that being angry wouldn't help things. She had to be practical—she had to understand. Besides, she knew he had his reasons!

Kudo Shinichi wasn't the sort of person who would lie for anything and everything. He was obsessed with truth and justice and whatnot. So she knew he had his reasons. And she intended to hear them out—all of them. When he was ready.

When she was ready.

Finishing cleaning up the desk and beginning to tie up the bag to throw it away, the telephone rang.

Her father, too drunken by alcohol didn't even notice, except for his high-pitched grunt in his sleep before he was snoring to la-la land again.

Ran rolled her eyes, sighed and picked up the phone.

"Hai. Mouri Detective Agency."

"Ran. It's been a while."

It still confused her how he could do that, but at any rate, she found a small smile gracing her lips. At least, she got to hear his voice. His real voice.

"Shinichi."

"Ah! You remember?" he teased.

"Baka." There wasn't much force behind the insult.

"Oi. What did I do to deserve such a huge compliment?"

Ran rolled her eyes, giggling a bit. "Nothing."

"Meanie."

It was so easy to get back to their own routine. It was their relationship—what they were comfortable with. But even the cheerful façade the he put up was fake—she knew it.

And so, she decided to do something that she wouldn't normally do. Usually, she would ask when he would be home. Why hasn't he solved this big case of his till now? But, this time, she wanted to be there for him, instead of giving him another reason to worry.

He already sounded more exhausted than ever.

"Ne, Shinichi, is something bothering you?"

There was a pause, before he gave a slight chuckle. "Why would you say that?"

She smiled small. "I think...that being around so many police officers and detectives had finally rubbed off on me."

He laughed out loud this time. "Really now?"

"Shinichi, is something bothering you?" she repeated.

He was quite for a moment, and Ran found herself worrying her bottom lip, afraid that she had pushed a button that was horrible wrong before he sighed.

"Yes. You can say that."

"Is it about your case?"

She sat down, again worrying her bottom lip. She knew that he usually didn't talk to her about his so called big case, but he could at least, give her a rough sketch, right?

"Yes." He sighed. "We...eh, got a lead, you could say. Still not sure if it's a true lead or just another dead-end. We...um...intend on making our move soon."

"How soon?"

He paused. "I..."

She waited patiently.

"Probably next week," he finally answered.

She exhaled sharply, nodding to herself.

"I think I'm just worried," Shinichi whispered at the other end, somehow finding comfort in her support.

"Doushite?"

"I don't know. It might blow up on our faces, you know."

She bit her lip. Yes. I know. But...

"I believe in you."

On the other end of the line, in Agasa's house, Shinichi choked.

"Nani?"

Ran smiled. "Just like you believe in Holmes, I believe in you, my Holmes-san."

My Holmes-san...

He was stunned, so she went on.

"So, you better solve this case and bring those criminals to justice, ne? Or else, I swear, Shinichi, I'm losing my faith in you as a famous, well-known detective."

"Hey! That's a hard blow!"

"Just warning you, tantei-san." She smirked.

In a minute, they were both laughing together through the phone. It felt nice for once. Usually, the phone call would be thick with tension and awkward—not easy at all. But today, he was grateful for her supporting words.

"Thank you, Ran. That's just what I needed."

She beamed.

"But I have to go now." Shinichi whispered, suddenly feeling the weight of the departure tiring him all over again.

"I know." She could feel it too.

There was an awkward pause.

"Bye, Ran."

"Matte, Shinichi!" the words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself.

He paused. "Yes?"

"Um..."

What did she want to say?

"I'll..." she trailed off.

He waited. Patiently and a little nervously.

"Ran...?"

She smiled. "I'll see you soon, Shinichi."

She didn't know if he understood the full meaning behind her words at first, but she needed him to know. There was yet again another pause and she could practically see the light bulb blinking open in his mind.

And when he answered, she could hear the smile in his voice.

"I'll see you soon, then, Ran."

Note: Liked it? Loved it? Hate it? Comments and reviews-good and bad-are welcomed! :)

Actually, I have half-a-mind to continue this as more than a one-shot. I have a plot in mind, with some twists and personal characters to make appearance. If you liked it and wish me to continue, please tell me. If not, I'll let it stand as a one-shot! It's up to you! :D

Take care! 33