Case Closed Fan Fiction ❯ Going Down ❯ The Little Patches ( Chapter 3 )

Going Down

Disclaimers: I do not own Case Closed/ Detective Conan. Whoo boy. Never thought I would say that, did ya?

People have been asking for the next chapter for awhile now and I must digress; I do not easily write under pressure. So I really don't have a set time for when I write. I write when inspiration hits me and only then. So to expect a update every week or even every month would be silly.

I still promise to update as soon as I can. I just can't promise that will be as soon as you'd like me to.

And as for the prizes for last chapter I would like to congratulate Jeffery Mewtamer and Fora for answering correctly to my question. So they get 10 cyber cookies and a piece of cyber cake! Wheee!

I misspelled something last chapter too. When I reposted it I forgot to change it. It's PaChinko not PaChink. Just thought I'd apologize for that. ::insert sweatdrop::

Anyway this chapter should be more on the fun side. Time for the Detective Boys to make their grand entrance! Wheee! It's up to them to cheer everyone up!

And now onto the next chapter, please!

-LAST TIME ON GOING DOWN-

Who to call? Who to tell?

Should Conan have just jumped out of the frame, Richard would have nothing and everything to say to him.

Kasei Inc.'s faulty elevator. The aftermath. (Far Left)

"There is no crime scene."

"Where's Conan?"

They called for her. She let them call.

"He'll wake up. He has to…"

Richard pushed the fallen popsicle stick back into place.

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Chapter 3:

The Little Patches

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"Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway."

-Mary Kay Ash

---

Rachel hadn't seen hide or hair of her father since she first woke up. She could only hope that he was indeed solving the case, but the girl couldn't shake the feeling that he was just trying to avoid her.

Even Serena didn't know what to say. She didn't stick around often.

It had almost been a full forty-eight hours since Conan was awake.

"I could sure use a phone call from you, Jimmy," Rachel smiled brokenly. "But how could you forgive me for what I've done?"

Rachel bowed over in the chair she rested in. She was tempted to slouch but she didn't want to look at the ceiling. It was all too white for her. Although the floor wasn't much different.

The painful smell of alcohol burned in her nostrils. The whitewash walls wore out her tired eyes. Everything so agonizingly sharp on the senses. She almost wondered how Conan could still sleep.

And there he was, beneath the neatly pressed sheets, looking like a male version of sleeping beauty. His cheeks were drained of the rosy complexion that used to take residence there before- hooked to more machinery then Rachel even conceived possible. Things were folded into the skin of his arms and legs. Tubes were pushing air into the container on his mouth. Wires and bandages covered every piece of flesh. It was a wonder if there was anything human left under all the technology.

Rachel held her breath at every estranged beep. Her nerves were on such tight strings that every little thing seemed to be a threat to her and Conan. Mostly to Conan. Never mind herself.

"Mrs. Moore?"

Rachel looked up. The nurse was there again. A pitiful expression shown on her face... again.

The teenager fixed a frown. That woman seemed to hold more concern for Rachel then for her own patient. Rachel didn't like being fussed over. Even Jimmy wasn't given the luxury, much less a stranger with a medical degree.

"Hai?"

"Shouldn't you go get some rest? We have some spare rooms you can stay in. You'd be far more comfortable."

The nurse was just being kind, Rachel knew. But then again, Rachel didn't much care for people's feelings of late.

"No thanks. I'm quite fine here," replied Rachel rather curtly.

"I see…"

There was a pause in her voice as if she was debating on whether or not she really saw anything.

"Your son is in stable state now. You needn't worry. He'll be fine in a couple of weeks."

Rachel flinched at the suggestion of being Conan's mother. A white lie she used to get into Conan's quarters. It worked quite well as long as she kept from flinching every time it was mentioned.

"You can't be sure of that. Conan might never wake up," Rachel grumbled.

Her heart stopped. A sort of bile feeling burned up her throat as if attempting to destroy the words spoken. But they had already left.

Is it really that hopeless?

Her stupor silence seemed to have scared away the nurse. When Rachel had raised her head again, the woman had left.

Rachel lowered her head once more.

"Jimmy…"

A tear fell- muted by the constant bleeping of an artificial heart.

---

Weathered by the sleepless night and long hours aside the phone, the old man, known better as Doctor Agasa, sat hunched before his desk. The phone was held halfway between ear and stand; wobbling back and forth like it was placed on a tentative balance.

The sun had long since risen in the sky but all of Dr. Agasa's blinds were drawn. The darkness of the room was unnerving. He had half the mind to open a window to rid of some stale air- had his hand not been glued to receiver.

Call or not to call. Call or not to call.

What had happened to Jimmy was a tragedy, no doubt. Agasa was incredibly grief-stricken to hear the news from Richard. He almost told them there. There, when the question of Conan's survival still hung in the air. But now that he was in a stable condition, the phone would not reach the good doctor's ear.

"What now, Jimmy? What now?"

The old man sighed and rubbed his sweaty brow with his free hand. How long had he sat here pondering this? An hour? Two?

He made a promise to Jimmy to keep a low profile. No more contacting his parents unless absolutely necessary. Now the question was whether or not this was a necessary situation.

Now what were the facts? Jimmy was obviously out of it for the time being. He was unconscious, under constant watch of Richard's daughter. His condition was no longer in it's critical stage. But whether he would wake was still wavering between a yes and no.

His brain was still active. But Agasa always knew the boy's brain to be active even in his weakest hours. Didn't mean it would stay that way… nor would it mean that he'd wake any time soon.

And there were the other victims. Of the eight brought into the hospital the only ones alive upon arrival were that of Conan and a young woman. That was a two-eight percent of a survival rate. Those odds could easily change.

He promised Jimmy's parents to look over the boy if only distantly. Agasa was the only other being who knew of Jimmy's current state. He gave Jimmy items to help the boy through the lacking qualities of youth. He gave Jimmy chances to be himself, guidance, and friendship. He also gave Jimmy his word. To keep his secret, secret.

If Agasa were to call, Jimmy's parents were most likely to panic. They'd rush over demanding to see Jimmy, ultimately defeating any chance of hiding Jimmy's identity anymore. They were parents. That's what parents do. That and, having their worst fears recognized, they would most likely try to take Jimmy back home. Back to the states.

Jimmy would hate that.

Doctor Agasa lowered the phone slowly.

If Jimmy's parents were to hate him forever, then so be it. He'd keep his oath of silence.

"I still have faith in you," Agasa smiled. "I know you will come back…"

The phone clunked dully back into it's stand for the fifth time that day. Agasa didn't plan to pick it up again.

---

"Amy…" Mitch groaned as the girl skipped down the sidewalk ahead of the other two boys. "Stop whistling."

"Can't help it," replied Amy casting a sweet smile over her shoulder. "Got it stuck in my head. Gotta get it out!"

Both boys gave each other side glances before smiling back.

"I don't mind, Amy," chimed both before sending each other warning glares.

Amy paused, her whistle reaching a low tone as she eyed their destination. Dr. Agasa's place.

All the window blinds were shut tight. Not a single light appeared to be on in the whole house. Just like all the other houses they dropped by today.

"Looks like he's not home either," George groaned, "What's going on? Did everybody get up and go someplace?"

"Maybe," Amy sighed glumly leaning against the picket fence.

"It's weird. It's like they all got abducted or something…" Mitch started.

"Abducted?!" Amy cried. "Really, Mitch-kun?"

"It's a definite possibility. There are hundreds of alien abductions every year in Jap-"

"Aw. Dun listen to him, Amy-chan," George grinned elbowing Mitch hard in the gut. "He likes to make up lies."

"Do not! It's true!" snapped Mitch while rubbing his sore.

"Do you think…" sniffed Amy, "That Conan-kun was abducted too?"

Both boys looked at each other before replying a sheepish, "No way."

"Conan's too smart for aliens…"

"…so small. He probably dun taste good to no alien…"

"…just out with Rachel-san today. It is a Saturday…"

"…I wonder if they like bony kids?"

"…Alright, Amy-chan?"

Amy smiled, wiping away any extra tears.

"You're right. He's probably out with Rachel-chan. And… aliens probably only like big kids."

"By big you mean fat!" Mitch chuckled, giving George the elbow this time.

George paled a bit as he tried to think up a way to save himself. Before he was even able to open his mouth, he was interrupted by an abrupt shout.

"Amy? George and Mitch?"

They turned, thrilled to see they were not the only one's in the street nowadays.

"Doctor Agasa-sama!" The detective boys sang cheerfully.

---

The doctor smiled, his face still a bit downcast. The three children before him had no idea what had happened. Although who could blame them, they didn't watch or read any news. Nor would they care much about such grown up affairs. The only thing grown up about them were their selfless tendencies to worm into people's hearts. Conan's flunkies, no matter how crude the word.

"Is something wrong, Doctor?"

Amy was beside him already, tugging lightly on his pant leg. Agasa smiled again and ruffled her dark hair kindly.

"Come on in. I've got something important to tell you."

The detective boys sent each other mixed stares before joining the doctor. The door fell opened revealing the darkness the detective boys had misinterpreted for vacancy. One could hardly see their own nose in such a place.

Agasa opened the blinds as soon as they had all entered. Flinching at the suddenly light, the three children froze in the entrance hall. It wasn't long before their eyes adjusted and their questions arose.

"Doctor, why were you keeping everything so dark if you were home?" Mitch asked curiously. "Is it because you're a vampire?"

"Ha. Hardly," Agasa chuckled heading towards the living room. "Although I'm told I sound like one."

The three children followed in suite, pondering his last statement.

"You sure you're not a vampire?" Mitch question again just to receive a smack upside the head from George.

The big brute was shivered as he spat, "Don't be stupid. Vamps don't exist. Dork."

"Now, now." Agasa grinned while Mitch clutched his wounded head. "Let Mitch alone."

That being said, all four of them took a seat. The children took the couch that the Doctor had lead them to. Agasa sat in the large oaken chair across from them.

"Are you kids hungry?"

"Nope." They replied.

"Alright."

They sat, staring at each other for several a minute. Finally Amy spoke up.

"Doctor? We were wondering if- If you had seen Conan recently? He didn't come to school on Friday."

The doctor frowned knowing he had been trapped into the corner he built himself. Taking a deep breath, he began.

"The truth is… Conan's very sick…"

---

"I can't believe you did this behind my back!" Meguire fumed.

Richard leaned back in his chair, flipping through the folders handed to him for his disposal. He did so carelessly, just irritating the inspector even more.

"I can't believe you went to my superiors and stole this information."

"Now now, inspector. I didn't steal it." Richard grinned looked up at the red faced man, "I asked for it. Once they heard my name- well… you know. My reputation perceives me."

"You- you…"

Meguire headed towards the door. Even his neck was red, Richard mused.

"You're damn stubborn, you know that?" Meguire hissed, "It's a wonder I can tell you apart from Kudo at times."

Richard flushed. He looked over at the inspector blankly, as if trying to find a way to defend himself.

"Don't, Moore." Meguire smiled, his face still mildly red, "Take it as a compliment."

The door slammed shut at his exit. Richard smiled softly, and whistled as he flipped through his much desired treasure.

It's a definite start…

---

"Rachel-chan?" A meek voice sounded.

Rachel, having just been going through the waiting room, was bewildered by the sight before her.

"Doctor Agasa? Amy, Mitch, George?" She inquired dully. "What are you all doing here?"

"We got you and Conan these!" Amy stated rather forcefully as she pushed the flowers into the older girl's hands. "We thought that might make Conan feel better."

"Hospitals are creepy," Mitch grumbled edging closer to the teenager, "When I broke my arm I had to stay here a whole week…"

"Yeah. Mitch came up with the idea." smiled Amy petting a silky petal between her fingers.

She probably pulled it off earlier…

"Flowers and cards always cheered me up." Mitch nodded, "Even if… it isn't a boy thing…"

He turned a slight pinkish color and added quickly.

"It was mostly Amy's idea."

Rachel blushed and looked down at the gorgeous assortment of flowers.

"Thanks guys. I'm sure Conan will love them."

"Can we see him?" The three insisted more then asked.

Doctor Agasa was rubbing his neck sheepishly obviously not wanting to get involved. Rachel stared at the doctor for a moment before turning back to the children.

"Well- I don't know…"

"You can sneak us in!" Amy cried. "We'll be quiet! We promise!"

"Rachel. I have to take them home at six… They came all this way- maybe…" The doctor faltered.

Rachel smiled softly and nodded.

"Alright. I'll sneak you in."

---

It hadn't been easy. Rachel had to insist they were family. She used the power of her white lie to gain them access. That and Conan's stability.

When they arrived in the room, Amy was the first on the bed. Rachel near panicked but she soon realized the girl would do no harm.

"He's asleep still," Amy sighed sadly as she slipped off onto the floor.

"We could wake him up-"

"Better not," Mitch murmured, Rachel being grateful to him. "Sick people need rest. It's important for their recovery."

"Right." Amy nodded.

She turned to Rachel, her arms opened. Realizing she must have wanted the flowers, Rachel handed them over. The bouquet was nearly the same size of the girl herself.

Rachel smiled fondly at Conan's little girlfriend as the girl made sure to put the flowers visibly on the nightstand. She pushed all the other cards second to their own display, careful not to knock any completely out of sight.

"Good!" Amy smiled wiping her hands as if she had just tackled a near impossible task. "Now those will be the first he sees when he wakes up."

"Excellent job," Rachel smiled softly. "I'm sure Conan will be thrilled."

Her eyes widened slightly,

Geez. Now I'm sounding like I expect him to wake up any second. Come on, Rachel. Don't be so childish.

"Rachel-chan…"

Rachel looked down into the chocolate eyes that filled nearly all of the young girl's face. She was crying…

"Amy… What's wrong?"

Of course, she already knew what was wrong.

"Conan is going to wake up, right?"

Rachel hesitated. She even knew it was coming but she had no idea how to respond. In her state of mind, Conan would never wake up. But Rachel couldn't say that to a little kid…

Nor could she lie. This little girl was asking her- pleading for a strait answer. No doubt Amy had no idea what had really happened. Agasa would be vague. He probably only said that Conan was sick.

Which wasn't exactly a lie.

The other two boys were looking at Rachel now. They wanted an answer. They could tell if she lied…

Who said that Conan wouldn't wake up anyway?

No one. Only she thought that… How dare she? Who was she to condemn Conan's fate?

Jimmy wouldn't have lost faith. He wouldn't have lost heart.

"Conan will be fine," Rachel smiled.

She could feel the warm sticky tears slip down her cheeks- but her words were sincere.

"Conan. Conan- will be fine. He'll wake up."

Jimmy. I need you to help me be strong.

Rachel let out a small gasp when Amy wrapped her arms about the teenager's midriff. A smile slipped across her lips. Rachel held the little girl close, breathing in the flowery smell that was still left on the girl's clothes.

"He will wake up," Amy grinned pulling away from Rachel's embrace. "He will now that he knows we're waiting."

Rachel's smiled again… her smile breaking only for her tears. She hugged the girl close, weeping softly and wishing it were Conan in her arms.

The other two children joined their embrace. Rachel felt warmer then she had in days.

My little patches…

To Be Continued…

Please R & R!

Awwww. That was adorable, was it not? I had to give Rachel a break, you know? Can't have her suffer through this alone.

I decided to use the Japanese name for their group, the detective boys, instead of the Junior Detective League. I hope that doesn't mess anyone up. I just thought the Detective Boys sounded cuter. And it was the first name I recognized their group by.

The mystery will continue next chapter. This one was just a fluffy sort of stuffer. I can't forget about my other characters, can I?

No review responses any more. I may, every now and then, respond to a review that I feel needs a response. But other then that, if you want any questions answered just AIM me on DiehardGohanFan or MSN me with my contract OoshiiKurai_DbzWriter@hotmail.com. Or email me. That's always easier. ::insert grin::

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