Hello everyone.

Fist off, I want to say you are all the best. Thank you!

Also, I realized this AU may be a bit confusing since I never said what parts of canon is true for this story and what parts aren't. This chapter will hopefully answer everything, but I'll also do a small recap at the end.

Though it's important to note that KID and Conan never met.

The pace has been rather slow, but I hope you all can enjoy anyways.

Chapter Three:

An Offer

Haibara was going to kill him.

Shinichi distinctly remembered her warning him about looking after his health — repeatedly saying things like he shouldn't stay out too long and that he needs to get a lot of sleep. The night Shinichi called and asked Agasa to help transport KID back to his house Haibara had lectured him about his drenched state the moment she saw him. Which he though was completely unfair since it wasn't like he meant to come across a thief bleeding out in an alleyway on a rainy night.

Ever since he took the antidote his immune system has been extremely weak. Haibara developed pills he was supposed to take every month to help slowly build it up again, but until it was completely recovered he was stuck getting sick from something as simple as standing out in the cold without a jacket for an hour. And after standing out in the rain, even if it had only been for a few minutes, Shinichi found himself bedridden the next morning. It had actually been left up to Haibara and the professor to take care of both KID and him for an entire day and a half before Shinichi felt better again.

He was lucky KID woke up when he did, actually. Shinichi felt better for only roughly twenty eight hours before he was sick again. He really only just managed to make it back to his house after dropping off his report before he collapsed with another fever. It was probably the worst thing about his immune system right now. When he was sick he was really, really sick. Sicker than what was usual and although he got better in a day or two, it would come back again soon enough. It kept going on and off again and frankly, it was rather inconvenient. It's been an entire week and he was still not completely better. It was rather ridiculous in his opinion.

Though Haibara continuously told him it was because of him that his fever kept coming back, but if it was up to her then Shinichi would have been confined at home for a week anyways. Which was still ridiculous. So he decided he might as well get what he could done in the few hours he felt okay before the fever returned, much to Haibara's displeasure.

But really, it wasn't like he could help it. He finally got his body back not even a month ago and he already spent a year as Conan. He wasn't about to let the antidote dictate his life like the APTX did. If he got sick a little more than usual, well at least he was able to still get things done in his life.

Besides, today he was really only out for a few hours. And most of the time he was inside the police building so it's not like Haibara could scold him about being reckless. (Though no doubt she would anyways.)

He coughed again, slumping back into his bed with a sigh. Downstairs he could hear KID fiddling in his kitchen, presumably to make some chicken soup.

It was a pretty strange situation.

He had gone to the meeting about KID to see if he could learn anything about the snipers. He hoped the meeting could give him answers, but once he arrived he immediately wondered if he should have just not come. Inspector Nakamori was displeased to see him and attempted to kick him out, but Shinichi managed to convince him to let him stay (really only by sure stubbornness and simply staying seated at the table until the inspector relented and began the meeting.) And even after all that, in the end he was still as clueless about the shootings as he was before the meeting. Just his luck really.

Though it turns out Nakamori was there when KID got shot, he was adamant about the thief still being alive because they never found a body. It was pretty amusing, how much faith the police inspector had for KID's skills. Amusing, but probably not surprising since he was the one who has been chasing KID even before KID stopped returning his heist targets.

The door to his bedroom opened and Shinichi immediately focused on the scent of chicken soup. He wasn't even that hungry a few minutes ago, but realizing that food was available to him made his stomach growl, much to his embarrassment.

KID for his part merely grinned, pulling up a chair next to the bed and placing the tray neatly on Shinichi's lap.

After KID had misunderstood what Shinichi had said — he only meant that he was sure that if it was completely up to KID he would have continued to return the jewels he stole like he used to — Shinichi had begun to cough again. Abruptly the thief had stood and announced that he was going to make him some soup and left.

The detective snuck a glance at the other as he mumbled a thanks and began to eat. KID looked fine, but Shinichi could tell that he was upset. Upset about what, he couldn't be really sure, but it was obvious it was somehow his fault.

Just great.

"…I met him a couple of times, is all." Shinichi ignored how the other's head snapped up and continued with his explanation. "I know he didn't keep hold of the jewels because he wanted to. I don't know why," here Shinichi gave KID a curious glance but continued speaking, "but it was obvious that even back then it wasn't by choice. I figured you, as his son, would feel the same way. Though I figure it probably has to do with whatever reason you guys have for stealing them in the first place."

KID had stiffened completely, though his face was as impassive as always. It was a bit irritating. Shinichi couldn't read the thief at all and he was beginning to think he only made things worse by bringing up the original KID.

He knew who the first KID was and that he had been murdered, even though he didn't figure it all out until recently.

When he was old enough to wonder what happened and investigate on his own, he began to look into the disappearance of the phantom thief, though he hadn't gotten very far before his father had stopped him. His father had been unusually serious and explained to Shinichi that KID had died and that Shinichi should stop investigating and just let it go. It didn't sit well with Shinichi and he wanted to continue investigating, but his father then said how it was dangerous for KID's family if Shinichi tried to look into who KID was.

Still, Shinichi was young and brash and insisted that he wanted to know who KID was. To be fair, Shinichi really had sort of admired the thief. KID had made a pretty big impression on Shinichi when he was young and he was pretty disappointed when the phantom thief disappeared.

So with a sigh, his father told him KID was the late Kuroba Touichi and that he had died in a stage accident and that there was no evidence to suggest it was anything but an accident. He then made Shinichi promise that besides looking at an old newspaper article about Touichi's death he wouldn't investigate further. He wasn't even allowed to look up anything about Touichi from when he was alive, much to his puzzlement. He suspected that there was something else going on, but during the article it had said that the accident was confirmed as such by Kudou Yuusaku. His mother then explained to him how Touichi was the one who taught her to disguise and the two families had formed a sort of companionship even if they didn't meet very often.

She had begun to tear so Shinichi allowed the matter to drop.

Then Conan had happened.

And he learned about the existence of the Black Organization. How there were murders going unsolved because there was absolutely no evidence to investigate. How sometimes openly investigating something could turn you and everyone around you into a target.

It didn't occur to him until much later, but when he had asked his father if KID had come across the organization and was murdered, his father answered more truthfully. He said he wasn't sure who was exactly responsible, but Touichi had requested that should anything happen to him to make sure the case of his death would be closed as soon as possible. Touichi was afraid of something, afraid not really for himself, but for the family and friends he would no longer be able to protect if he were to die. Touichi believed that if his death was investigated for too long others would be in danger next.

Shinichi observed carefully as his father spoke. How while his gaze was calm, his hands were clenched into fists and his voice was soft with repressed emotion. How he looked at Shinichi — who was still several feet too short at the time — and spoke of how Touichi had been a friend, even if they didn't behave as such by conventional terms. How Touichi had warned him to be careful and to think of his family if he were to think about investigating. How despite the warning, he had tried to see if he could find at least one clue about what happened, only to come up completely empty.

He didn't bring up KID again to his parents.

It wasn't until after Shinichi was already halfway done with his soup when KID spoke again. He was quiet, but since there was no other noise in the room it was easy to hear him, and the uncertainty in his voice.

"…Why?"

Giving up on the pretense of giving the thief some space, he spoke up first after all so Shinichi figured it was an okay to continue the conversation, he turned to face KID more directly. "Why what? Shouldn't that be my question?"

KID stared directly at Shinichi, and even then the detective couldn't make out what the other was thinking.

"Why? How could you think all that? Even if you met — met him once, it's not like he told you anything if you don't know why KID exists in the first place. So what makes you think that KID isn't stealing for keeps out on a whim?" KID's voice was raw, there was an underlining sadness and desperation Shinichi could detect even though he had no doubt the thief was trying to hide it.

Shinichi bit his lip, choosing his words carefully. It was true, he really didn't know anything, but while he never liked to make conclusions without evidence, he also knew that sometimes he just had to trust his instincts. "Not everyone believes KID is the bad guy, you know. There are those who remember him before that incident with the old man are still hoping that KID would change back to how he was."

"Well he isn't going to!" The exclamation seemed to shock KID as much as it did Shinichi, and he watched as KID visibly regained control of his emotions. "KID is going to continue to steal and not return the jewels. You are hoping for something that will not — cannot happen. KID is nothing more than another phantom thief stealing for his own gain…It's no wonder people hate him so much."

It looked like KID was about to leave so Shinichi reached over and grabbed his wrist. Before he could really think about what he was saying, he blurted, "I don't hate KID."

He wouldn't have normally admitted such a thing, but the other looked…not broken, but like he was getting there. (Like he had his entire world changed in the span of one night. Like he had to make hard decisions even if it ended up hurting someone close to him. Like how Shinichi looked sometimes when he put on those glasses a year ago.) It was a bit startling to realize when KID was always depicted as confident. "Why is it that you can't? Like I said, you want to. I can tell. So why can't you? Once whatever is preventing you is gone, KID will return his jewels once again, right?" KID was looking at him like he had grown three legs and Shinichi came to a decision. Because he was a detective. Because while he didn't really know KID, he knew KID. Because the first KID had been murdered and Shinichi knew that but couldn't do anything about it. Because he looked at the teen in front of him and only saw someone in need of help.

"Just let me help you, KID."

KID was shocked. It was probably the first expression Shinichi could read so clearly, and he let the other's wrist go as KID slumped back into the chair and threw an arm across his eyes.

"You don't make any sense, detective."

Shinichi couldn't help but grin, because it almost sounded like the other was grateful.

However, his grin faded at the next words. "You're right. I would return the jewels if I could, but I can't. I can't for a reason, and it's safer for you to not get involved." Here KID sat up again and gave Shinichi a serious look. "It's dangerous. Don't go around poking your nose where it doesn't belong."

Shinichi almost scoffed. "Dangerous isn't exactly new to me." Seeing that KID was about to protest again, he held up a hand and continued, "You have an organization after you. Bad guys with guns, who aren't afraid to use whatever they can against you." It was hard to tell, but it looked like KID had paled. "People who can murder someone and fool everyone to make it look like an accident." Yeah, KID was definitely sheet white.

Shinichi allowed what he said to settle for a moment before he continued again, hoping that he could convince the thief to accept help. "I had an organization of my own, you know. For an entire year I went supposedly missing. In actuality, I…went into hiding. Because of them." KID was looking at Shinichi more carefully, almost inquisitively. Shinichi hoped that was a good sign. "For a while I wondered if we were facing the same organization, but mine has already been taken down for the most part. There are a few stragglers, but those are mostly lower members who didn't even have a codename within the organization. Somehow, I doubt they would provide much trouble for you."

Silence again. He tried to not fidget where he sat. As quietly as he could he cleared his throat, feeling a tickle there and drank some more soup. It wasn't really that warm anymore.

He couldn't tell if what he was saying was helping his case or not. For all he knew, KID would turn away his help and end up getting shot again during his next heist…only this time it'll be more fatal.

No, Shinichi didn't want that. He would not let that happen.

"It's hard," Shinichi continued, "If who you're facing is anything like who I was, you are probably doing whatever you can to make sure those close to you aren't becoming a target. I had help. I ended up making connections that helped me to be able to take down the organization. There was once a time where I thought I could do anything on my own. But I know that I would have died a long time ago if it wasn't for all of their help."

He thought of Haibara who warned him time and time again about the Black Organization and how they handled things before he truly understood who they were facing against. Of Jodie-sensei, Akai, and the other FBI who, while maybe was disapproving of a six year old getting involved, always was looking out for him and the Mouris to make sure they weren't going to be targeted. Of Hattori, who always was willing to lend a hand even if Shinichi continuously didn't give him all the information he wanted. "I can help. The ones who helped me are still around and can help too. KID, how long have you been facing these guys? Do you have help from anyone at all? Besides your assistant? I won't say it'll be over quickly if I help, but will it really be so bad to have someone to watch your back? Someone who has quick access to police files and connections with people who are used to investigating secret organizations despite the risks."

He wondered if he was saying too much too quickly. He couldn't tell. KID was just sitting there continuing to stare at him. Shinichi opened his mouth to try and convince KID some more, but then closed it. He was close to babbling at this point, it was better to stop while he was still ahead. (He hoped he was still ahead.)

It took a few minutes of awkward sitting before KID pursed his lips and asked again, "Why?" At Shinichi's look he expanded his question, "Why are you trying to…help me? I'm Kaitou KID. A thief. Aren't you a detective?"

Shinichi wondered if he should be taking offense. "Why would I choose to antagonize a harmless thief when there are criminal organizations filled with murders out there to arrest?" It looked like KID wasn't expecting that answer. "…My parents knew yours, by the way. Apparently they were close even though they didn't meet with each other often. I'm sure that if I asked they would want to help you too."

Somehow, while all of that was true, it felt like some kind of excuse. Shinichi frowned and tried to think before he added on, "And…well, even besides all that, why wouldn't I help? I can, and like you said, I'm a detective. It's my job to help people, you know? I just want to…So, I will. Even if you don't want me to." Here Shinichi leveled KID with a determined look, somehow feeling more himself after saying all that.

After all, since when did he need permission to stick his nose where it didn't belong?

"I'm going to investigate whether you want me to or not. Though I would rather you work with me. It'll save me a lot of time and probably lessen the chance of them noticing I'm looking." The last bit was probably a low blow, but Shinichi wasn't about to take it back.

He could see KID considering, before the thief let out a noisy sigh.

"Finish your soup, detective. It already got cold."

It was obviously a change in topic, but Shinichi allowed it. He already said his piece and if KID needed time thinking about it all, well it would give Shinichi time to contact Jodie-sensei and do some preliminary investigation.

Haibara had come by not long after. Not even caring that there was Kaitou KID in the room she berated him about his health and how he should be more careful and that she was just wasting her time because he was going to get himself sick again in a few days anyways.

KID looked rather amused with the whole situation, if not puzzled by Haibara's behavior — which was not how a normal seven year old would act.

Ever since the organization was taken down she's been a lot less careful about who noticed her. Honestly, it was pretty refreshing seeing her so open about things, even if that also meant he ended up being scolded in front of phantom thieves.

Although the danger of being found out was gone, they decided to keep the effects of the APTX4869 a secret. After all, who knows what people would do if they knew that de-aging was possible? After Haibara gave him the final antidote she destroyed all research about the apotoxin and the antidote, without bothering to create a cure for herself as well. She said she had no desire to take one and wanted to grow up the natural way. It wasn't a wish Shinichi could really relate to, but he somehow wasn't particularly surprised.

"Haibara." He interrupted her rant after a rather painful jab of a needle. "I'm okay. I'm just coughing a bit."

Before she could retort to that, and he knew she would have, KID decided it was time to inject his own comment, "More than 'a bit', detective. I seriously was wondering if you were dying for a bit there. You looked dizzy as well."

Shinichi ignored the look Haibara was giving him in favour of glaring at KID, who looked entirely unrepentant.

"Not surprising since you refuse to rest. Did you save another phantom thief from the rain today?" Haibara gave KID a glance and added, "Or just the same one since you brought this one back home?"

Shinichi hurried to explain at the flash of alarm that crossed the thief's face. "Haibara had to help take care of you the first day because I…got a little sick after standing in the rain."

"You fainted with a fever almost high enough to need to be hospitalized."

"But I'm fine now." Shinichi grumbled, trying very hard to ignore the amusement that was back on KID's face. Though, now that he was thinking about it, he was getting rather sleepy. A lot sleepy, actually. He felt his eyes slip close before he forced them open again to frown at Haibara was who putting the needle back into her case. "Did you just drug me?"

"Yes," She answered swiftly without even a hint of guilt. Shinichi wondered why he even expected anything else. "You'll wake up in time for dinner. Which I expect you to then eat. Something warm. Now go to sleep. I'll check up on you again in the morning."

"Haibara you—" But that was all he could get out before he found himself slipping from consciousness.

When he woke again it was already dark out and he was alone in his room. Grumbling about how unnecessary Haibara's actions were and about the slight grogginess he felt, he made his way to the kitchen. If he didn't eat something like she instructed she would definitely find out and probably deem he needed a babysitter or something.

...Nah, surely even Haibara wasn't that bad.

"Had a nice nap, detective?"

Shinichi almost tripped. "KID! What are you doing here still?"

KID shrugged as he stirred a large pot. "After you passed out the little doctor told me to stay and look after you if I didn't have anything better to do. And since I still need to give you an answer and it's the weekend tomorrow I figured I would do a good deed."

…He would need to talk to Haibara because it seems she already decided he needed a babysitter. And that KID would be a good candidate. On the other hand, if KID was willing to stick around to give an answer for his offer to help it was probably good. (He hoped.)

"You didn't need to stay, you know. I don't really need someone to look after me." Nevertheless he sat at the table as KID placed a bowl and pointed for him to eat. "So, what is your answer then?"

KID gave a hum, filling another bowl and sitting across from him. "Nope. First you need to eat."

Shinichi wanted to ask if he was kidding, but he figured that KID really wasn't. So with a huff he began to eat, wondering if KID had made more soup or if Haibara brought it over and KID was just heating it up. Should he be concerned that a thief was making use of his kitchen without his supervision? Maybe. Well, too late now.

"She's quiet the interesting little doctor you have."

Somehow hearing KID speak was surprising, though when Shinichi looked up he was the epitome of nonchalant, like the comment was just small talk for the sake of talking. Or maybe that was exactly what it was?

Still, Shinichi wasn't exactly sure how to respond. "…Did she tell you anything?" He didn't really expect Haibara to offer up information like that, but it seems she did spend some time to talk with KID.

"Nothing much. Just instructions on how to take care of a detective. Along with some…advice."

"Advice?" What kind of advice would a phantom thief want?

KID merely hummed again, making a show of eating until Shinichi followed suit.

"Apparently you are impossibly stubborn and hard to deal with."

Shinichi would have chocked on his soup, if he didn't already know Haibara would say something like that. Even to a complete stranger. Seriously, he wondered if she made it a hobby to offend him. Maybe he should suggest knitting. "I'm not that bad." He felt the need to defend himself.

KID snickered, probably in reaction to his expression, and placed his spoon in his now empty bowl — how did he finish so fast? — and with a snap of his fingers, KID's bowl disappeared in a puff of smoke. He wondered offhandedly if he should be expecting to see it again when he next did the dishes.

A little wearily, Shinichi watched as the thief walked around to his side and held out a hand with a lopsided grin. "Okay. I give."

Shinichi spent a bit of time trying to work through his confusion as he blinked at the offered hand. "Give?"

"Yeah. I'll accept your help. Looking forward to working with you, detective."

Author's Note:

Okay so as recap:

Shinichi was turned into six-year-old Conan when he was sixteen. He spent roughly a year as Conan before he was able to bring the Black Organization down. He hasn't attended a KID heist as Conan — KID heists weren't something you would take a child to because even though KID stuck with his no-harm policy, it's not like the fans could know that. There has been rumors about there being shootings and the general public assumes that it's KID doing the shootings [it's really Snake and his gang] The police has made no comment about the shootings, neither confirming nor denying the accusation against KID.

Shinichi and Kaito are now seventeen and while Shinich's organization was taken down, Kaito's is different and they are still gunning after him. It's been about a month since Shinichi got the antidote.

xXx

Somehow this chapter really didn't cover everything I wanted it to. I had basically three points planned to cover when I began to write and I only covered one. And that one was about how Kaito would need to take care of Shinichi for a bit — which wasn't even a major plot point.

I suppose this (hopefully) cleared a lot of things up though, so I guess it was necessary, though I'd imagine it must have been a bit boring. Let me know what you thought if you have time.

An another note, I will probably change my pen name sometime so don't be surprised if you see this, or other ones of mine, under a new name. I dunno, I've been kinda wanting to change it for a while but it may end up confusing people but hmmm

Oh, and I think I'll stick to updating this story for now. I am working on You're Not Alone, but there are just so many things I cringe at when I look back at it and so it'll take a bit of time to think of ways to fill up my rather obvious plot-holes and fix my characterization damage. I don't think I'll end up rewriting it though, I probably would end up dropping it before it's finished if I try that. Hopefully I can finish up an update for that as well sometime soon.

Thank you for reading!