It's been so long. Finally, this story will come to an end. This will be the final chapter and I hope it's worth the wait…

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but OC's (and it shouldn't be too hard to figure out who they are)

Part Three: The Lies-Hidden (10 years later)

Chapter Twenty-Three: Dangerous Game

Tick. Tick. Tick.

The scenario played over and over again. One wrong move and it's done. It's over.

"It may not be where you think…" What kind of hint is that?! Fuck it. Why can't I think straight?

Shinichi looked down at his watch. Time was slow, but yet fast. There was nothing he could do but keep moving. Every second was precious.

He sidled against the wall to avoid confrontation of guards just around the corner.

"Why are you doing this?!" Ran shouted.

Shiratori turned to her.

"My dear Ran, is there a need to rid of all the blocks in one's life?"

"But why him? Why us? Shinichi did nothing to you. We did nothing."

"Oh, Ran. If you only knew…"

"Aye! Stop talkin' if ya ain't explainin' yerself." Heiji shouted back. Shiratori snickered.

"Detective of the West, I'd shut it if I were you."

Heiji tensed up. He backed down.

"Boss," Daiquiri addressed Shiratori.

"What!"

"She's back…"

Shiratori's sinister grin grew bigger. Everyone could see the look in his eyes. The look of an insane person ready to kill.

"Good."

"Shiori, are you sure this is the right way?" Takagi asked.

Shiroi shushed him as they approached a corridor.

"Of course. There should be a panel right around the corner." She looked down and saw a badge.

"What's that?" Takagi asked.

"Our way in through the next room…my prints won't work anymore but a badge will get us through."

Takagi nodded and followed Shiori.

There were another set of footsteps heard from behind.

The two both were on guard and about to shoot.

"Wait, don't shoot. It's me."

Takagi sighed in relief.

"Oh, it's you Shiratori…"

Shiori backed away.

"Takagi," Shiori pulled him back, "I don't trust him."

Takagi put a smile on his face.

"Don't worry Shiori, he's one of us."

"Yeah, there's no need to be scared. I'll protect you." Shiratori reached his arm out to grab her.

"No."

"Shiori…" Takagi turned to her. Shiratori reached for his gun, "Stop right there," he reached for his gun.

"Takagi…"

"She's shaken up and you're reaching for your gun? Why?"

BANG.

Shiratori grinned and Takagi dropped to the floor. Shiori backed away in fear and ran off while she could.

"Kahlua," Shiratori made sure Takagi was dead and headed towards Shiori. "Come back."

Shinichi searched thoroughly and carefully around the area. Five hours wasn't long when lives were on the line.

Every panel. Everything electrical could be a trigger. But so far, nothing. Frustrated he punched a wall. As he did, he heard a gun go off.

"Shit."

He ran towards the sound, armed with a gun, ready to shoot. From a distance he could see Shiori.

"Shiori?! What are you doing here?" He yelled.

She caught up to him.

"I…um…we can't talk right now. Shiratori is coming…"

He looked up and saw Shiratori with an evil look, one that would scar a person for eternity.

Shiori was shaking with fear.

Shinichi looked her in the eyes.

"Shiori, listen to me. We're going to run towards him."

"Towards him? Why!?"

"Just trust me."

She nodded, unsure of the plan.

Shiratori had his gun aimed at Shiori but Shinichi shot at him.

"Damn it!" Shiratori shouted as he dropped the gun.

"Aren't you going to kill him!?"

"Not right now, I still need him in my plan…"

"What plan?"

"I'm still working on it!" They kept running. Eventually they came to a dead end. "Damn it! Which way?"

"The elevator!"

They both ran in barely dodging bullets from Shiratori's free hand.

The doors closed.

"Everyone's in danger…"

"Is it a bomb?" Shiori asked.

Shinichi nodded.

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"They were testing out a new bullet and shatterproof room with a bomb. I figured that's what they're doing."

"That's exactly it. I just can't figure something out though…"

"What?"

"How to disarm it…"

"No one knows. Shiratori…had it connected to something…like his phone or something…"

Phone…is my phone also in sync?

The lights in the elevator began flickering and then the elevator came to a stop. Loud alarms began to go off.

"They trapped us."

Shinichi tried prying the doors open. Shiori stepped over and helped him.

They both crawled out into the dark hallway.

"Where are we now?"

"We're in the tech labs. There's a stairwell down this way."

Shinichi followed Shiori. They stepped into the stairwell and to their surprise found MeGuere.

"Inspector!" Shinichi shouted. MeGuere was propped against the wall, injured, barely alive.

"K-Kudo…"

"Inspector, where's my dad?"

"He's safe, I think…he headed back…for help…"

"He's bleeding a lot." Shiori looked around for some gauze and alcohol.

"Kudo," MeGuere let out a small and faint voice, "Kill that…son of a bitch."

MeGuere took one last breath.

"MeGuere…MEGUERE! Fuck!"

Shiori came running to his aid.

"Damn it."

"Shiori, stay here."

"Shinichi…I—"

"Do as I say. This is about to get very dangerous. Too many lives have been taken by this organization and dead or alive, I will take them down."

"Shinichi…"

She watched as he ran up the stairs.

"Mommy, how long has it been?" Akane asked. Ran turned to her daughter.

"It's been long enough…" JD said. Cider stepped into the room.

"The boss has been attacked. He's more pissed now."

"Mommy,"

"SHUT UP!" Daiquiri shouted.

"Aye! Don't yell at her!" Heiji shouted back.

Daiquiri turned to him, aiming his gun.

"Tell that to me again and I'll shoot ya right in front of your kid and wife."

Heiji backed down.

"Daiquiri, calm down…" Cider said.

Daiquiri punched the wall trying to hold in as much as his temper as he could.

"I'm trying but these kids are annoying. Why not just shoot them now and kill the parents afterwards?"

"No one dies, except the detective."

"But that's not fun,"

"Shut it, Daiquiri." JD sighed. He grinned and turned to Ran and the others, "They'll only die if the detective chooses wrong, which is possible. He hasn't found it yet…"

"Psst. Shinichi…"

Shinichi turned to see his father, well hidden in the shadows behind a bookshelf.

"Dad, what are you—"

"Shh. Step forward and be quiet."

Shinichi stepped forward to meet with him.

"I found something,"

He pointed to the room adjacent to them.

"There's a panel in that room with a GPS on it. There are pinpoints on it."

"Pinpoints?"

"Yeah, I believe they are trackers or something…"

"Trackers..."

Shinichi started towards the room.

"It's not going to be easy…it could be a trap."

Shinichi took a deep breath and ignored his father's warning.

"Son, wait!" Yusaku aggressively whispered as he followed close behind.

Shinichi noticed that he was holding his arm and was bleeding.

"Dad, are you ok?"

"I'm fine, it's not that bad…"

They stepped into the room, cautiously.

"No one's here."

"There was one guard in here, I was watching him. He didn't come out." Yusaku stated as he looked around the room.

"Of course, not. There's an elevator." Shinichi said. He pointed.

"Right, right."

"So, it's a GPS." Shinichi turned to look at the screen. He examined it closer and noticed that the dots were stationed, except one. Which was moving…but slowly.

"That one's moving." Yusaku said.

"Wait, that's—" Shinichi stepped back, "That's me…but how?"

Yusaku thought for a moment.

"Have they had a chance to bug you?"

"No, I haven't been touched," he thought a moment then he remembered, "Shiratori must've bugged my jacket when the lights went out."

"Shiratori?"

"Right, you were in hiding. Turns out Shiratori has been in charge of the syndicate all along."

"That's…impossible. Under your nose, and you couldn't even identify him."

"Dad, enough please. I have to deactivate those bombs."

"There's bombs!?"

Shinichi nodded.

"Yeah, and I have," he checked his watch, "less than 2 hours to figure out how to shut them off."

"Any hints or clues?"

"Shiratori said, 'it isn't where you'd think'. I'm not sure what that means." Shinichi slammed his fists down on a table, "I feel so useless. Damn it!" His fists hit the table again, this time a panel fell off.

They both looked down.

"What's that?"

Shinichi kneeled down to check it out.

"It looks like an electric panel…"

"It's not where you'd think," Yusaku said softly almost to himself.

Shinichi shot up.

"This is a distraction."

"What do you mean?"

Shinichi turned to Yusaku.

"It's me."

"Shinichi, calm down…what are you saying?"

Shinichi turned to him, "It's me. Something about me will trigger it…"

"That's insane." Yusaku reassured his son.

Shinichi stepped back and took off his jacket, slowly.

"Son, what are you doing?"

"Stay where you are."

He set his jacket aside and proceeded to remove his shirt and bullet proof vest. He was left in an undershirt.

"Shinichi, this is insane…"

Shinichi turned his vest inside out, slowly and carefully. Sure enough, there was a wire. He looked up at Yusaku with an "I told you look".

"Still think it's insane?" He set it down carefully on a table and put his shirt back on, "I knew it was odd…it was heavier than normal but I didn't think anything of it." He turned to face Yusaku, "We should get back to the cell blocks."

As they exited, they heard footsteps coming down the hall. Both took out their guns in prepare to shoot but then settled down.

"Shiori,"

"I finally found you."

"I told you to stay put," Shinichi said using a fatherly tone.

"Since when am I one to stay put. I can never let someone down." She sighed, "How are you going to deactivate the bombs?"

"Well, I'm sure Shiratori planned on shooting me, which was one trigger, and the others are located as a switch on every guard. I'm guessing the only way is prevent them from pressing the buttons...or it was a bluff."

"It could've been a suicide mission for Shiratori, too…"

"Possibly but…I'm sure he planned to have an escape route."

"Before we head up, we need a plan." Yusaku suggested. Shinichi nodded.

"Here's what we're going to do..."

A metal door opened and closed aggressively. Shiratori stepped in.

"Boss, what happened!?"

"Forget about it, prepare your guns. Kudo is coming."

Shiratori leaned against the wall, clutching his arm.

"Do you need a bandage?" Cider asked.

Shiratori hissed at him.

"Shut up."

Heiji turned to Kogoro.

"Do you think he found it?" He whispered. Kogoro shrugged.

"He's smart, and I hope he can do this without getting hurt."

"Will you two be quiet?!" Daiquiri shouted.

JD sighed and smacked Daiquiri in the back of the head.

"Your voice is annoying."

"Why you—" Daiquiri was about to get aggressive.

Applejack entered the room pushing Shiori.

Heiji and the others gasped.

Applejack chuckled.

"Look who made her way back."

"Kahlua," JD walked over to her and caressed her face, "Long time no see." A shiver went down her spine, but she tried not to let it show.

"I found her wandering around by herself. Stupid bitch came back." Applejack's tone was chilling.

Shiori looked over at Heiji and he knew what was about to happen.

A few seconds later, Shinichi stepped into the room.

"Well, well. You finally made it back." Shiratori said, turning to face him.

"I did."

Shiratori looked at his watch, "You have time left, but I think it's time to make your decision now."

"There will be no decision to make. Everyone's making it out alive."

"Idiot, there are two bombs. You can only save one unless you deactivate them, which you haven't." Daiquiri stated.

Vermouth was above watching this showdown happen.

Well, Silver Bullet, let's see how this plays out.

"I don't need to deactivate anything…"

"What?!" Kogoro shouted. His body tensed up. "Just what are you saying, Kudo!?"

Heiji tried to calm Kogoro down.

"I'm sure he's got a plan, just lay low," he whispered.

"What are you saying?" Cider asked.

Shinichi stepped in front of them all, watching their moves.

Shiratori reached for his gun with his good arm and aimed it at Shinichi.

"Shinichi!" Ran shouted.

BANG!

Shinichi fell the ground.

"No!" Ran cried.

Shiratori stood there in shock.

"Why didn't it go off?!" Daiquiri asked.

Shinichi grunted and lifted himself up.

"I'm…not the trigger."

"What!"

"I…took the vest off."

"How did you figure it out?" Shiratori asked in disappointment and anger.

"At first I wondered what your hint had meant. Then it's something my dad asked me. He asked me if I was bugged. Turns out, the vest you specifically had prepared for me, had wires and a panel…I figured you'd try to shoot me and with doing so, not only would I be blown, but everyone else would too."

"But how?" Daiquiri asked. He reached in and pulled out his switch, ready to press the button.

"That won't work."

Daiquiri was skeptical and refused to listen. He pressed the button. Nothing happened.

"WHAT!?"

"They've all been deactivated."

"But how?"

"It wasn't easy, but I found a way." Shiori said. Applejack turned to her.

"You? Found the panel…and deactivated it?"

"Yeah, it wasn't too hard…I used your password."

"You little bitch." Applejack took out his gun.

"Applejack, enough."

"But JD…"

"Enough is enough."

"Release Kahlua."

"Boss," Applejack was confused.

"Don't make me say it again." Shiratori's voice was cold.

Applejack took his hands off of Shiori.

"It's over, Shiratori." Shinichi said.

Shiori ran over to the side with Heiji and Kogoro.

"We'll protect you, I promise."

"Thank you, Hattori."

Shiratori had an evil grin and along with it, a menacing laugh.

"What?" Shinichi asked turning to him.

"I may have lost the battle…but not the war. You're going to die down here alongside your family. If you haven't noticed by now, there are vents that will soon release poisonous gas. They are timed and should release about…now."

"Everyone, cover your mouths and nose!" Heiji shouted. Kogoro and Heiji tried to break down the glass containing the families.

"Come on!"

"Under the chairs…there's a hook. If only it could be lifted." Shinichi said as looked over.

Ran nodded and tried to release the ropes. Little did everyone know, she had a small pin that she was using to loosen it.

"Screw this," Daiquiri said and he hit a panel unlocking the glass doors. Just as he did, the remaining police officers stormed in.

"Everyone drop your weapons! Hands on your head! And knees to the ground!" Takagi shouted as he came in.

"Takagi…I thought you were dead."

"Nope…just knocked out. When I came to, I was in a lab and I heard everything."

"Shiratori! You're going to prison. You have the right to remain silent-."

"Yeah, yeah." Shiratori said as he was escorted out.

"Come on, everyone needs to get out. Now!" Kogoro said as he sent the kids head with their mothers.

"Please be safe, Shin-chan. You too, Yusaku. And they hurt a hair on my grandchildren's head I'll—" Yukiko said in worry. Eri pointed ahead.

"Here they come now."

"Grandma Yukiko! Grandma Eri!" The kids shouted running towards them.

"Conan! Akane! You're ok." Yukiko and Eri hugged them both.

"Mom!" Ran shouted as she sprinted towards Eri.

Kogoro, Yusaku and Shinichi followed slowly behind.

"Shin-chan!" Yukiko's arms were opened wide.

"Mom, please. I'm in pain."

"You'll live."

An ambulance was waiting for anyone who needed it.

"So Shiratori was behind this…" Yukiko said, trying to grasp it.

Shinichi sat up in the hospital bed and nodded.

"Yeah, but I don't know what his angle was…"

"No motive?"

"Not a chance."

"He was such a great guy, I wonder what happened."

"That doesn't matter. What matters is that we're all safe…and I fucked up."

"What do you mean?" Yukiko asked her son.

"I—"

"Daddy?" Akane entered the room followed by Ran and Conan.

"Hey, Akane." Shinichi smiled. Seeing his children and wife were his world.

"How are you feeling?" She asked. He snickered.

"Actually, I feel fine for being shot in the ribs."

"Stop being sarcastic." Ran said. She leaned over and kissed him.

"What? I'm serious…" He hesitated for a moment.

"Something's bothering you, what is it?" Ran asked.

"I…need to talk to you," he turned to Yukiko, "in private…"

Yukiko nodded and shooed the kids out of the room alongside her.

"What?"

"Ran…I did something wrong and it's been eating at me for a while."

"Shinichi…"

"I cheated on you."

She looked at him with a look of emptiness. She was confused. She stepped away slowly.

"What?"

"It happened when we had dinner with Mia and Ty…"

"You slept with Mia? How could you!?"

"Ran, please. She seduced me, I…"

"Don't make excuses."

"Ran please. I love you. I swear to you, I would never intentionally hurt you." He grabbed her hand.

She shook her head. "But you did."

He looked down.

"I know what I did was wrong. I don't even know what came over me. There must've been something in the wine…"

"Yeah, real mature. Blame the wine for your actions!" She angrily shouted.

"I had to give her what she wanted."

"And that was to fuck her?! Seriously, Shinichi."

"Please, forgive me."

"That's a lot to forgive. We made vows. We are supposed to be loyal to each other."

"I know. I feel really bad about it. I do. And to make things worse, Mia is Vermouth. I had to do it. If I didn't I wouldn't be able to bug her the way I did."

"Shinichi…"

"Yeah?"

"I don't want to fight. I don't want the kids to grow up without you or us separated."

"So, you forgive me?"

"I don't want to. I don't have to. But I almost lost you. And that woman kidnapped our son. It wouldn't surprise me if the wine had a drug. But you still cheated."

"I don't know how to make up for it."

"Shinichi, I'm beyond pissed but I love you. I want you in my life and now," she put his hand over the future baby bump, "now that I'm pregnant again, we need to stay strong."

He leaned up and kissed her.

"You'll be sleeping on the couch until the baby is born and that means no sex. You will have diaper duty and potty training duty."

"Really?" He asked in disappointment.

A second later, Yukiko, Yusaku and the kids stepped into the room followed by everyone else.

"Hey guys," Shinichi said.

"How ya feelin' Kudo?"

"Ok." Shinichi said.

"When are you coming home?" Conan asked.

"Probably not for another day."

"When you do, can we go to Tropical Land?"

"Sure."

"Shinichi, you won't be well enough."

"Nonsense, Ran. Of course, I will."

She sighed. No use in arguing with Shinichi.

"Hello?"

Everyone turned their heads to see Shiori, Ai and Agasa.

"Hi, Shiori. Ai. Hakase."

Shiori stepped in and set a bouquet of flowers next to Shinichi's bed.

"These are for you," she turned to him and smiled. "I wanted to thank you."

"No need. It's my job."

"I know, but," she turned to everyone, "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. It's a personal thank you."

"You're welcome."

"I also want to thank you, Kudo." Ai said.

"For what?"

"Well, everything you've done since we met. I never properly save you for the countless of times you save my life and the lives of the Detective Kids. You deserve the rest you'll be getting. And please do just that. Rest. You've been reckless since you were kids."

Ran snickered and nodded.

"She's right. You need to rest. You've been on the go since you learned to walk."

Yukiko and Yusaku nodded.

Shinichi nodded.

"Ok. I'll rest."

"And we wanted to say goodbye."

"Goodbye? Where are you going?"

"We're traveling the world."

"What?" Ran asked.

Shiori smiled.

"I've always wanted to travel and now that the organization is gone for good, it's a great opportunity to travel the world and catch up with my mom."

Ai smiled and wrapped her arm around Shiori.

"I still don't know her favorite foods or colors. I want to know her habits. And I feel this will open a new life." Ai said.

"That's a great idea." Shinichi said.

"Our plane leaves in an hour. We should start heading to the airport." Ai said.

"Have fun. And don't forget to write. I want to see a postcard from every place you visit."

"We will." Shiori said with excitement.

"And Kudo, watch after Hakase and the Detective Kids for me."

Shinichi nodded.

"Of course."

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'll miss you." Ai stated as she hugged Shinichi.

"Me too." Shiori hugged him as well.

"Same. Just don't get caught up in any crime."

They all snickered.

"Ok, guys, I think it's time for Shinichi to get some rest. We should let him do that." Ran said.

They all exited the room leaving Shinichi to sleep.

"I'm going to ask again," Takagi slammed his fists on the table. "Why target Shinichi?"

"Because…"

"Because what?"

"Are you sick of it?"

"Of what?"

"Kudo, always getting the credit for cases. He's always in the headlines barely making room for us. Everyone comes in the police department looking for him asking him to solve cases."

"It's his job. And it's not his fault he's quick and smart."

"So, it doesn't bother you?"

"No."

A month passed by.

Word got out about Shiratori's insane motive.

"I can't believe it's been a month."

"Neither can I."

"How are your ribs?"

"Still aching."

"Daddy! Can you help me with my homework?" Akane shouted as she entered the room. Shinichi turned to her.

"Ok. Sit up here."

"I'll be over at Hakase's house." Conan said.

"Be home by dusk. And Conan,"

"Yeah?"

"Don't put your nose where it doesn't belong."

"I won't."

"Conan, why don't you give it a break tonight?" Shinichi said.

"Why?"

"Mysteries are too dangerous for a kid. Take it from me. Let's all stay in tonight and play a game."

"Can it be Clue or something?"

"He's definitely your son." Ran joked. She set a cup of tea on the coffee table.

Shinichi snickered. "Yeah, we can play Clue."

"Daddy? When did you want to be a detective?"

"Akane, it's a long story…"

"I ain't going anywhere. I've got all night." She said with the biggest grin.

"Well, it all started when…"

~Then End.

That was the end. It wasn't the ending I was originally going for but I felt it was a better end anyway. I may or may not go back to fix chapters for this story as this may be my last post on , at least for a while.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for following.