A/N: I am hesitant to do so, but here is a tiny preview for this chapter. This update is primarily to serve as a notice to the people following this story that I have long since moved on to AO3 (archiveofourown). My username there is blindwriter. This story has been revamped, and that version will be posted there.

Anyway, onto the spoilers.

"Alright, what the hell, Haibara?" Conan rounded on her, all his frustration and irritation on full display for her to see. He was annoyed, and damn if he was going to tolerate it for the remainder of their vacation. But mostly, it was just because he was unable to decipher what her problem was. She was looking at him with a mixture of smug recognition and a false sense of innocence, as if she didn't want to admit that she was intentionally driving him up the wall.

"Yes?"

He scowled. "You've been acting weird. Mind explaining the reason?" She tilted her head off to the side, in a considering motion.

"The great detective still hasn't figured it out? You really are terrible at noticing things about yourself."

"Cut the crap, Haibara."

A leg lazily swung out as she slowly twirled and turned her back to him. Her hands crossed behind her. Finger loosely clasped, she gazed off to the distance. "I'm just surprised, is all. You've been distracted for a while yourself. If anyone is acting oddly, it is you, Kudou-kun."

"I have not -"

"This isn't the first time, either," she cut him off. "You have been staring at people, sizing them up in an obvious and suspicious way. People will begin to notice your scrutiny. I'm concerned - it's like you're forgetting your position. If you have an issue that is interfering with your work, I would like to know. For every case you work on, there is the possibility it might be the one which will give you contact with the Organization. I have long since accepted it would be futile to convince you to stop, but the fact remains that you are taking a huge risk. I cannot tolerate if you are going to be distracted, and doing sloppy work. It places everyone in even more danger."

"I'm not-"

"You are!" She twirled around to face him, the outburst enough to surprise him into silence. Haibara stared him down for several long seconds before continuing. "This has something to do with Kaitou Kid, doesn't it?"

He started, and blinked at her. Her eyes were sending accusatory daggers at him, and he honestly wanted to flinch away from it. He was still uncomfortable talking about Kid after everything that had happened. "What?"

"Ever since that heist on the airship, you haven't quite been yourself. He is the one criminal who has eluded you that has absolutely nothing to do with the Organization, but is the one you talk even less about capturing. He has gotten away from you before, numerous times - what made this time so different? I cannot help but think something happened to cause you to remain quiet. He does have nothing to do with the Organization, right?"

"Of course not, Kid's a lot of things but he's definitely not one of Them," came his automatic reply.

Haibara crossed her arms, giving him a cool look that sent chills up his back. "He found out then, didn't he. Your identity."

Ah crap. He'd been hoping to keep that a secret. Granted, he knew from a long time ago, but if it was the answer Haibara wanted, then fine. Cheeks growing pink, he turned his gaze aside. "Yea, he knows."

"Kudou-kun!" He cringed at her protest. "You have hidden things from me before, but even Hakase has told me nothing about this. You obviously haven't told anyone else. If he knows your secret, then you absolutely must capture him. It's dangerous! He could expose you at any time!" Her hands dropped to her side as her voice rose, and he turned his attention back to her. "Kid is entirely unpredictable - he'll get us all killed!"

"He will not!" Conan surprised himself with an outburst of his own. Equally surprised, Haibara stared back at him. "Kid may be unpredictable, but he isn't going to do or say anything which will endanger the lives of anyone. He is… trustworthy - in that respect." Picking his words was becoming a struggle, and his face contorted as he fought to articulate what he knew to be true.

"What makes you so sure? He's a criminal. He has shown himself to do whatever it takes to escape. If the Black Organization ever gets involved, even Kid might have a hard time getting away. He could easily throw any one of us under the bus to make a getaway."

"He wouldn't do that."

"Are you saying that because he's blackmailing you? Is he spying on you to make sure you leave him alone? Kudou-kun, if you need help -"

This was getting way out of hand. "Calm down, Haibara. Kid is not like that. He's…" Conan placed his hand over his face and sighed deeply. "… a friend."