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RECAP—After another meeting at the museum, the alter egos of Jeanne and KID meet the next day!

ACT IV. Midnight Meetings

The otherwise peaceful area was full of noise from the police and shouting of onlookers who came to see KID.

Jeanne chuckled quietly. I can see why he's so popular I guess… A faint blush came over her face when she had a flashback of him kissing her hand. She shook her head. Hmph. A charmer like Chiaki.

She sat comfortably on the branch overlooking the top of a roof.

A figure in white emerged from the stairs to the roof. Even from the distance, she could see a familiar grin on his face.

"You look pleased with yourself."

The figure in white didn't turn around but laughed. "Well my lady, I didn't expect to see you tonight."

"This is the eleventh time isn't it?"

The white-costumed man turned around to reveal the our debonair KID with a grin on his face.

"Our third date, yes."

The blond raised an eyebrow at him. "And here I had the idea that dates were planned beforehand."

KID shrugged with a "What can I do?" look on his face. "We're thieves, remember? No need for boring things like that."

Jeanne's face twitched but she couldn't help letting out a giggle. He was funny one, this one. "Whatever you say, I suppose."

"What have I done to gain the pleasure of having you wait for me?"

Jeanne jumped down from her perch to gracefully land on the roof. "A friendly talk between thieves is all."

She doesn't move too badly. He grinned at her reply. "Depends on how you define the word 'friendly'"

The female thief stepped closer to him with a now fiery look in her eyes. "I just wanted you to know that I'd like you to stop targetting my targets."

Unknown to her, KID chose the same targets as her just to see her and play around. I wonder why I'm so interested in her… "And if I don't?"

"Expect fierce competition." She grinned at him, reminding him of a documentary showing the victoriously blood smile of a predator.

He smiled at her competitiveness. Like I thought, an interesting girl. "You think you can defeat KID at his own game?"

"Haven't you noticed? I have my own tricks."

That was true. KID was constantly bewildered by her method of taking the jewel or painting. It simply…vanished and there was her whisking off without so much as a bulge in her clothing.

"Why do you steal? It doesn't seem like you'd sell them away."

She laughed and began to walk to the edge of the roof. The girl looked back at him. "Why do you?" She disappeared into the night.

"Yes, an interesting girl indeed."

The night felt peaceful despite the ruckus just a while before.

KID whistled as he flew gracefully through the night sky with the breeze rifling through his hair.

He thought about the female thief who could disappear so completely and her strange method of stealing.

Why did she steal? How? KID had a feeling she might be able to help with his own objective of finding that cursed jewel that his father died for.

"Dad…"

While he was daydreaming, out of the corner of his eye he spotted a flash and the a bullet sounded throughout the once peaceful night sky.

The damage wasn't too bad. Just a graze on his right arm, though a bit bloody. He wished he could say the same for the hang glider. KID was falling.

All the thief saw was the scene of a residential area coming ever closer.

Then all he could see was black.

"If I survive this one, I'll stop flipping Aoko's skirt… and steal a kiss from Jeanne"

A brunette girl was watching a movie and chomping on popcorn late that night since she didn't have school tomorrow. Plus, it was a nice way to relax after a heist.

Fin had gone out to see Access about "something" she had said. She had stuck her tongue out at Maron after the brunette giggled and flew out with a huff.

The images of Angelina Jolie flashed on the widescreen TV. Maron was watching Wanted, a movie full of action. She loved action movies.

She actually had heard the bullet earlier but thought it was from the movie. Maron turned from the television to look at a magazine on her table and heard the usual noises from an action movie.

Crash…smash…thud? It sounded like it was coming from the balcony.

The brunette paused slightly but then rushed to the balcony. This is the seventh floor, it could hardly be a thief…is it Chiaki?

She stepped onto her balcony to find a person in…white costume?

Except the white costume wasn't completely white anymore. Is that blood?

Without a word, Maron helped the thief up and walked him into her living room to lay him on the sofa. She went off to find her first aid kit.

Why…is it so bright now..? KID blinked several times and looked at his surroundings. "Where am I…?"

"My apartment." Our brunette had come back with a first aid kit in her arms.

Holy—Maron! The thief frantically reached up to check if his monocle was in place and tried to pull his hat down to cover his face more.

The girl giggled after watching him panic. "Don't worry, I didn't peek."

KID sighed in relief. "Thank you, my lady. You have no idea how much that means to me." When he sighed he went down and his injured arm made contact with the sofa. Ow. He winced at the pain.

Maron came closer and knelt down beside him and started to take off his jacket. She examined his arm closely and began to disinfect the wound.

Or tried. The thief winced at the pain. He made a face at her. "That STINGS."

She made a face at him in reply. "Good. It means you're alive. Now hold still." After the disinfecting Maron wrapped his arm in a bandage, careful not to pull too tightly. "Done."

"Thank you again, my lady." Why is she helping me? Is she a fan? If she is, I'm going to tease her next time I call…

"It's nothing, really." Maron stood up to put away the first aid kit.

"Wait. Although I'm grateful, why did you help me? Are you a fan perhaps?" He grinned.

Maron snorted. Who does he think he is? "Jeanne's better."

KID almost sat up before remembering he was injured. "Why did you help me then? I'm curious."

"Maybe it's because I don't think you're such a bad guy. What, did you want me to leave you bleeding on my balcony?"

"No, no. I prefer this. I get to be in a pretty lady's apartment after all." He smiled at her.

His smile is as handsome as ever. Pink rose spread across the brunette's face.

"Kawaii." KID smiled wider.

"Whatever!" Maron huffed and walked away.

Even cuter. She's stubborn just like…eh? For some reason, Maron reminds me of someone… He straightened up, it wasn't the time to be thinking about this.

"Where do you think you're going?" The petite brunette had come back and was now leaning against the doorway with her arms folded.

"To where all great thieves go, my lady."

"Don't be stupid. You should rest for awhile before heading out."

"I shouldn't impose-"

Maron had come up behind him and pushed him down to sit on the sofa. "At least stay until the movie is over."

"Movie?" He hadn't noticed that the TV was on. The pain was a little distracting. Just a bit.

She plopped down next to him and handed him the bowl of popcorn. "It's Wanted. Popcorn?"

Guess I'm stuck. Well, it's not such a bad situation…

Somewhere along Angelina Jolie kicking ass, KID dozed off, as did Maron. He awoke to find her curled up on the other side of the sofa.

The thief turned of the TV and lifted the sleeping girl gently. He carried her to what he guessed was her bedroom and set her down just as gently and pulled the covers over her.

He smiled at the view before him. Maron looked as sweet as an angel.

Then, on sudden impulse, he leaned down to kiss her on the forehead.

"Mmm…" murmured Maron. KID backed off quickly and looked at the girl. She was still sleeping soundly.

What am I doing? He shook his head. Time to go home.

Scared of "impulses," are we now?

Maron yawned and sat up to stretch her arms. She looked at the alarm clock on the bedstand and saw a note. Mmm? What's this?

Thank you for last night my lady.

I helped myself to the treat of your sleeping face.

Love, Kaitou KID

The brunette turned pink. When did he-? Ah, I'm in my bed.

"Treat, huh?"

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Next Chapter: Aoko doesn't know what to do when her dad gets a new painting and goes through a total character change for the worst!