“Please, Mr. Gavin! You have to believe me!”

“I do. I believe you, Fraulein Wright. I believe you.”

“I didn’t kill him! I could never-“

“I know, Fraulein. It will be okay. We don’t even have his body, Trucy-“

“Because he’s alive!”

“… Trucy. He was shot on Dusky Bridge and fell forty feet into the Eagle River.”

“…”

“… Trucy… Answer me. Honestly, please. Did you shoot Phoenix Wright?”

“No!”

“… as long as his body is missing, I won’t prosecute anyone. And if he’s found, I’m positive his autopsy will prove that you are innocent.”

“Mr. Gavin, please. Daddy’s still alive. I know it! Please, keep searching for him!”

“We are, Trucy, we are. Sit tight, Fraulein. I’ll see if I can get you out of here. You’ve been through enough already.”

“… Daddy…”



Life couldn’t get any better for Phoenix Wright. He had been exonerated of any wrongdoing, half a year ago. He was almost prepared to retake his Bar exam, and he was getting better at playing the piano as well, courtesy of Prosecutor Klavier Gavin. He hadn’t given up his job at the Borscht Bowl Club- at this point, he’d have felt intensely guilty if he did, since after the media circus died down following that landmark trial, the restaurant became extremely popular.

But it was much more a part-time job now. Gavin had, two weeks after that trial, offered him a temporary job at the Prosecutor’s office: help Gavin sift through his case files, and root out the ones that Kristoph could have conceivably tainted. “He ruined three lives with that case,” Klavier explained. “I want to ensure he didn’t do it again. He did offer advice on occasion, after all. For my own peace of mind, I want to make sure there aren’t any innocents rotting in prison because I listened to him.”

They rarely worried about money anymore. They weren’t rich by any stretch of the imagination, but all of the bills got paid, on time. Apollo chose to join Phoenix and Trucy, proclaiming that they needed a proper home, instead of using the office for that. They couldn’t afford anything bigger than a two-bedroom apartment, but it seemed that Apollo and Phoenix got along fine in the larger room.

And now, with the dark publicity surrounding Phoenix lifted, letters from Maya started coming with increasing frequency. They had corresponded throughout those terrible seven years, but only when Maya could “get away with it.” If she was caught associating with that kind of man, she’d have trouble on her hands. She resisted him at first, but Phoenix insisted that they cut back their communication to a level that wouldn’t create friction in Kurain.

The Steel Samurai and Pink Princess DVDs were one of the ways that the new Kurain Master maintained contact with him. That was her last idea, the last excuse she could come up with before the elders would catch on to how ridiculous her reasons for contacting the disgraced attorney actually were. Phoenix thanked the heavens that his name was cleared before sending that last “report” on the episodes to her.

He didn’t appreciate that he now seemed to be something of a fan of the series, nor did he appreciate that Maya’s grand idea for their reunion would take place at a convention dedicated to those shows, and a handful of similar ones. But he really couldn’t complain. He was finally getting to see her again. Finally.

Trucy had taken a shining to those two strange kids shows, and wouldn’t be left behind; Apollo, proclaiming that he needed a break, opted to join him, as well. As the unaware siblings pointed out various things to each other, and Apollo occasionally scolded Trucy to behave herself, Phoenix grinned. Maya knew about both of them, but he didn’t think she’d consider the possibility that they’d be with him today.

A light, feminine voice broke Phoenix’s thoughts. “Mr. Nick?”

It was familiar. A little more mature, a little less hyper, but definitely familiar. Phoenix turned to the sound of the voice in the crowd, his eyes settling on a young woman, a little older than Trucy, with light brown hair that hung around her shoulders, wide curious eyes, and a mischievous smile. “Pearls?” he asked. He couldn’t be sure; this young woman wore normal clothes, something that he wasn’t accustomed to at all.

The girl laughed. “You sound overwhelmed, Mr. Nick,” she said with a grin. “Don’t tell me you thought I’d keep that ridiculous knot on my head forever.”

Phoenix chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “No, but I kinda did think you’d stay a little girl forever.”

“Heh. I still am, compared to you, it seems.”

“No age jokes, please,” Phoenix said plaintively.

“Daddy? Are you going to introduce us?” Trucy prompted, kindly but firmly.

The woman Phoenix called Pearls’ eyes widened. “’Daddy’?” she repeated.

If it was at all possible, Phoenix’s grin broadened. “Pearls, this is Trucy, my daughter,” he said smoothly, ignoring the stunned expression on her face. “And this is Apollo, my-“ he cut himself off, gazing at the young man, as if searching for something.

His expression wasn’t lost on the attorney. “What?”

“Hmm…” Phoenix came to a conclusion on his own, and said, “This is Apollo, my little brother.”

Trucy laughed. “But you said you were an only child!” Pearl protested, while Apollo repeated Phoenix’s assertion incredulously. Phoenix smirked sheepishly at the younger man and said, “Well, you’re too old to be my son, you know.”

“And Trucy is too old to be your daughter,” Apollo miffed.

“Not really. I was eighteen when she was born, so it’s possible. But are you telling me you want to be my son?”

“Little brother is fine,” Apollo said quickly. “But I’m your employee. Why does there have to be a special relationship there?”

“Because there is,” Phoenix answered, his grin widening.

Trucy was still giggling as Pearl eyed the three of them. “You’ve got some ‘splaining to do, Mr. Nick,” she said firmly, tapping a foot on the floor.

He assumed she meant Trucy. “I adopted her, Pearls,” Phoenix answered, his tone amused. “Come on now- did I ever even have a girlfriend when I was with you? Surely if I had a child, you’d have known about her.”

“But that doesn’t mean he’s any less my Daddy,” Trucy added quickly.

“O-of course not.” Pearl was still a bit stunned. “But yes, Mr. Nick, you did have a girlfriend.”

Phoenix’s face fell. “You’re still hanging onto that fantasy of yours, aren’t you?”

Pearl advanced on him, her shock wearing off. She got right in front of him, looking up at him with an impish grin. “Yes, Mr. Nick,” she said, her voice mildly mocking, “And I’ll hang onto it until it comes true.”

“You’ve got some waiting to do, Pearls,” he said dryly, looking away uncomfortably. “Well, are you going to tell me where she is or not?”

Trucy and Apollo exchanged confused looks when the other teenager laughed merrily. “You know that tone doesn’t work on me!” she giggled. “Whatever. She’s already by the concessions, pretty sure she couldn’t wait for you.”

“Why am I not surprised…”

As Pearl lead them to where she had left her companion, Trucy skipped forward to walk with her. “I meant to tell you,” Pearl commented, when Trucy was next to her. “Your outfit is just so adorable!”

“Thanks!” Trucy said, her face flushing with pleasure. “I’m a magician. The last Gramarye, even!”

Pearl’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding! You mean you’re part of the Gramaryes?”

“Yup!” Trucy preened for a moment in childish pride, and then grew serious. “What was that girlfriend business back there? Did you have a crush on him or something?”

Pearl laughed, and Trucy decided that she liked this old friend of her Daddy’s, very much. “No! Well… maybe a little, but he was far too old for me. He still is,” she giggled. “No, I meant Master Maya, the woman you’re all here to see. They both deny anything happened between them, but I know better.”

As Pearl flashed Trucy a knowing grin, Trucy couldn’t help but think that if both of them denied that there was a romantic interest, then there wasn’t one. Still, she filed that little tidbit of information away. Perhaps if she liked this Maya, she might be able to trick Daddy into getting her a new Mommy…

Behind them, Phoenix halted his conversation with Apollo briefly to call, “Stop poisoning the well, Pearls. I heard that.”

Heh. Perhaps not.


Maya Fey was starting to get worried. Not that she needed to be worried; her little cousin always had a wonderful sense of direction, even able to find her way from Kurain Village to Phoenix's office on foot when they were all still a team. Pearl wouldn't get lost in a convention center, no matter how big or crowded it was.

But Phoenix might. He had always been a bit easily overwhelmed.

As Maya left her table to buy a funnel cake, she turned over another possibility in her head: that Nick had just changed so much that Pearly wouldn't recognize him. Since Pearly insisted on wearing secular clothing, and wore her hair down now, she could just about guarantee that Nick wouldn't recognize her. Maybe if he saw her Magatama, he would, but in this press of people, on a glance, Nick would only see another Steel Samurai fangirl, and that's all he would give anyone unless they stood out.

I should have insisted that we exchange pictures, Maya thought as she sullenly munched on her funnel cake. Why didn't I insist that he send me a picture?

“Oh Master Maaaayaaaa! Look what I found, can I keep them?”

Maya looked up to see her cousin leading a group of three people. At first, she didn't recognize any of them, and was about to ask their names, when the oldest, a man of about thirty, took his blue beanie hat off, revealing a mess of spiky black hair. “Phoenix!” she gasped, ignoring her cousin and their younger companions. She jumped up from her seat and dove into his arms, causing a surprised laugh from the former lawyer. “I missed you too,” he said quietly as he returned her embrace. The huskiness of suppressed emotion in his voice made her feel better; she didn't feel quite so stupid for sobbing like an infant into his chest knowing that he was close to tears, too.

Maya laughed, fighting her tears of joy away and taking care to make sure she had control of herself again before she pulled away from him. Phoenix was in a similar predicament, and as Maya backed away from him, he wiped his face with the back of his hand. “You got my shirt wet, you know,” he informed her with a boyish grin.

“Yeah, well, you got my face wet!” Maya retorted with a short laugh. At that point, Maya turned her attention to the other two people Pearl had escorted there. “You two must be Trucy and Apollo,” she said with a smile.

Trucy shook the woman’s hand, looking slightly puzzled, and then Apollo. He was the one who voiced their confusion: “You know us?”

“Of course I do,” Maya commented happily. “Nick wrote about you both in his letters. Plus, that trial was televised; I actually watched it with Miles,” she added, with a glance up at Phoenix.

Phoenix flushed. “Miles saw it?”

“Yep! He was quite impressed, I must say. Muttered at you a bit for making his job harder, but he was very pleased that this new Jurist system had worked.”

The former attorney chuckled and beamed proudly as Maya turned back to his younger companions. “And it seems we owe an awful lot to you two, as well. Thank you.”

Apollo blushed and looked away, stammering that it was really no big deal, while Trucy smiled broader, if that was possible, and said, “Daddy and Polly did it all. I was just along for the ride.”

Maya grinned. “I somehow doubt that, Trucy. When we were planning this get-together, Phoenix mentioned that he was going to try to influence you to go into law instead of showbiz.”

Phoenix immediately snapped Maya’s name in horror as Trucy turned on him. “Daddy!” she snapped. “Is that true?!”

“Of course not, Sweetheart!”

“Don’t lie to me, you know I can see right through you!” Trucy pointed at him accusingly.

Phoenix laughed at this, and once he’d gotten control of his chuckles, he said, “And that’s exactly why you’d make an excellent lawyer, Trucy.”

The girl stretched. “Yeah, well, with this new Jurist System you’ve planted, I think I’d rather be a prosecutor. More challenging.”

“Don’t you dare.”

The whole group laughed at this exchange, and Maya finally said, “Well, I’m famished! Let’s get some grub!”

Phoenix glanced at the table, where the remains of several snacks lay. “It looks like you’ve already eaten,” he said, confirming Pearl’s earlier statement.

“Yeah, but I’ve got a second stomach for Samurai Dogs.”

Apollo and Trucy exchanged glances as Pearl laughed and Phoenix groaned. “You still haven’t grown out of that?” he demanded.

“Second stomach?” Apollo asked, bewildered, as Maya laughed.

“Don’t ask,” Phoenix muttered. “Just… don’t ask.”



The gathering had been fun. Loose plans for a visit to Kurain were already in place, with a promise that Maya would call within the week to solidify it. Phoenix had already informed Prosecutor Gavin that he was taking “his kids” on a vacation and needed time off. Klavier just grinned. “Just let me know when, Herr Wright,” he replied smoothly. “You three richly deserve a little downtime, I think.”

Klavier noticed that Phoenix was a little more upbeat than he usually was as the morning progressed. The man was always cheerful, but his good mood was almost over the top today. Well, good for him, Klavier thought to himself as he worked on a current case. I ruined his life. The least I owe him is to let him be happy.

At this, Klavier frowned. He’d avoided thinking about the implications that fateful trial had, but thinking about how Phoenix’s fall from grace was a result of his actions stung. It wasn’t just the disgraced attorney he’d ruined. Trucy, Zak Enigmar, and if he stretched it, Valant Gramarye were also victims of this seven-year long fiasco. All because he was foolish and inexperienced enough not to question his brother.

“Mr. Gavin? Are you okay? You look kind of upset.”

Klavier snapped out of his brooding and nodded with a little chuckle. “Ja, Herr Wright. I’ve just got a lot on my mind right now.”

Based on the older man’s expression, Klavier assumed that Phoenix understood what he referred to. “None of it was your fault,” Phoenix said gently. “You were doing your job and made a mistake.”

“A mistake that destroyed people,” Klavier replied sullenly.

“Yes,” Phoenix agreed, turning back to the shelves of files he was currently skimming through. “But you’re doing your best to correct that mistake. That says something. Plus, the best way to get experience is through mistakes.”

“I appreciate your candor, Herr Wright,” Klavier said with a small smile, “but you needn’t try to make me feel better, really.”

“If you say so.” Silence but for the sounds of paperwork being done descended in the office again, as Klavier returned to his case file and Phoenix resumed flipping through old files and tossing them into one pile or another, depending on whether he thought it should be looked at closer or not. Fortunately, the stack of files Phoenix wanted to investigate remained very small compared to the ones he did not.

It was repetitious, and soon Phoenix’s gaze was wandering the room between checking folders. As he absently reached for the next one, his eyes fixed on the bookcase next to him, and he froze. “Mr. Gavin?” Klavier looked up, and Phoenix asked, “What’s that set of files?”

“Missing persons,” Klavier answered. “Why?”

At this, Phoenix looked at the prosecutor, his expression horrified. “Can I look at one of those files?” he asked. If they didn’t involve crimes that had been prosecuted, he had no business touching them. So why was he so interested, so suddenly? “Ja, go ahead,” Klavier answered. As Phoenix pulled the files he seemed so concerned about, Klavier asked quietly, “Herr Wright? Is something wrong?”

Phoenix opened the first one. “Yes,” he answered as his eyes scanned the report for buzz words, like “foul play”. Not finding any, he snapped the first folder shut and went for the second one.

“Fill me in. What’s going on?”

The disbarred attorney looked up, closing the file and hugging it to himself. “These two missing persons are friends of mine,” he said softly.

“… Let me see them,” Klavier ordered. Phoenix complied, handing both files to the prosecutor. He did the same thing Phoenix did, scanning them quickly. “Well, there was no evidence of violence or resistance that we could find,” Klavier said. “Looks like they were reported missing after a nun at Hazakura Temple noticed that they hadn't returned from a hike they went on together.”

“I… see… How long have they been missing?”

“About a month,” the prosecutor replied. He looked up at Phoenix, his expression sympathetic. “This is a really bad way to find out about something like this, isn't it?”

“Indeed,” Phoenix replied dryly. “I'll put it back for you.”

“Don't worry about it, Herr Wright,” Klavier said, glancing at the clock on the wall. “It's almost time to close up shop anyway. You go on ahead, you look like you need a drink after that.”

“Are you sure?”

“Ja, Herr Wright. Go on, I'll finish up here.”

“Thanks, Mr. Gavin.”

And with that, Phoenix was gone. Klavier watched the man leave and close the door behind him, his shoulders slumped slightly. Then, after a moment of hesitation, he picked up the phone and dialed an extension he normally hated dialing.

“Hello, Detective Skye speaking.”

“Good evening, Fraulein Sky,” Klavier greeted warmly, knowing full well the woman at the other end of the line was going to ice up as soon as she recognized his voice. “I have a bit of a request for you, if you've got the time to hang around the office a little longer.”

He heard the long-suffered sigh, despite Ema's valiant effort to mask it. “What can I do for you, Mr. Gavin?”

“I know this isn't your usual department, but I was wondering if you could look into two missing persons; they disappeared at the same time.”

When Ema spoke again, her contempt was replaced with professionalism and a hint of surprise. “Their names?”

“Larry Butz- also known as Laurice Deauxnim- and Iris Hawthorne.”

“Hang on.” There was the sound of typing at a computer, and then: “Okay, I've got their file up.”

“What's the status on that case?”

“Cold,” Ema replied. “They've searched the whole area several times, and dragged fifteen miles of the Eagle River each way from Dusky Bridge. No clues.”

Klavier drummed his fingers on his desk as he thought. “What are the current missing persons reports like? And missing babies or old women or anything like that?”

“... No. The last reported missing person was a runaway teenager, he was caught and returned within a day of being reported missing.”

“In that case,” Klavier said, “Butz and Hawthorne have just become that department's top priority, and yours. I'll reassign your current cases. I want you to find them, Fraulein Skye. You're the only detective I trust to be able to do this.”

“But-!” Ema sputtered for a moment, shocked by this order and clearly not liking it. “Mr. Gavin, I'm working on several murder cases right now! You can't just yank me off them to look into a cold case like this!”

Klavier hesitated, not refuting her immediately. He needed to give her a reason to want to do this. He thought he had one that was good enough, but... When Skye prompted him for a response, he said, “These two people are friends of Phoenix Wright. Pretty good friends, based on his reaction to seeing the file on them in my records. I'd like to do something for him, after all he's been through... don't you agree, Detective Skye?”

“Phoenix... Fine, I'll do it. But I'm doing it for Wright, not you.”

“Of course, Fraulein,” Klavier conceded with a slight smile. “Find them, Ema. He's counting on you.”

Apollo glanced up at the clock, a bit nervously. Mr. Wright was sometimes late getting home, but he usually walked in minutes after Apollo and Trucy did, at the latest. Apollo did his best to focus on a case he was working on, while Trucy laid on her stomach in the living room, reading a high school textbook.

The attorney skimmed a few more lines of the affidavit he was examining before his eyes darted back to the clock. Mr. Wright was now fifteen minutes and forty seconds later than the latest he had ever been late. “Trucy,” Apollo said, after clearing his throat. He’d skipped his Chords of Steel practice that night. It was no fun if Mr. Wright wasn’t there to complain about it. “How long should we wait for your Dad before we have dinner?”

Trucy looked at her watch. “If we don’t eat soon, he’ll probably get mad at us for waiting,” she replied sullenly, dragging herself to her knees. “I’m getting worried, Polly.”

“He’s fine, Trucy. If something were wrong, we’d know by now. Bad news travels fast.”

“You don’t seem so sure about that,” the magician replied doubtfully.

That’s because I’m not… “He’s fine,” Apollo repeated stubbornly, his eyes flicking to the clock. Sixteen minutes. “What do you want for dinner?”

“Daddy told me he already put together something,” Trucy replied, standing and stretching. “Ravioli lasagna. We just have to stick it in the oven for a bit.”

Ravioli lasagna…? Apollo stood and the pair went to the refrigerator together. There was a baking dish on the bottom shelf, some kind of culinary atrocity that looked like it might be comprised mostly of pasta, smothered in tomato sauce and covered with cheese. Apollo took the dish out, suppressing a grimace, and asked, “What temperature and for how long?” he asked.

“I saw that look. Don’t worry, it’s pretty hard to mess up ravioli lasagna. And I’m not sure. I figured we’d just turn the oven all the way up and keep checking it.”

At that moment, as Trucy spoke, the door to the little apartment opened. “Please do not turn the oven all the way up,” Mr. Wright commented immediately. “We most certainly do not want to be responsible for the building burning down. Four-fifty, should take about fifteen minutes. Why haven’t you eaten yet?”

Apollo looked back at the clock. “Why were you twenty minutes late getting home?” he countered testily.

“Worried?”

“Yes!” Apollo snapped, setting the oven temperature.

Phoenix laughed. “I apologize,” he said. “I had to take a detour coming home. Ah, I have a phone call to make, too. I want to see your homework after dinner, Trucy. A pretty reliable source is telling me you’re not doing your art class homework until it’s literally due right then.”

Slightly annoyed with Phoenix for being late, Trucy scowled. “It’s getting turned in on time.”

“It’s homework, Trucy, not homeroom work,” Phoenix retorted as he pulled his cell phone from his pocket and scrolled through his contacts. “And you’re not doing assignments for an elective when you should be? That’s sad. Really. So it better be done by the time we sit down for dinner, young lady.”

“Fine, fine,” Trucy sighed.

Phoenix found the number he wanted and put the phone to his ear. “Cut the attitude, sweetheart. It doesn’t suit you. Hello, Thalassa? It’s Phoenix-“

The pair exchanged glances as Phoenix retreated into the room he shared with Apollo and closed the door behind him. “Thalassa?” Apollo asked, eyebrow raised.

“I have no idea, either,” Trucy said with a shrug. She grabbed her backpack and pulled a sketch pad from it with a sigh, and sat down at the table. After a moment of glancing over a few scribbled notes, she flipped the page and started drawing.

Apollo watched for a moment, and then said, “Don’t be too hard on him. I kinda suspect he just wants to see your drawings.”

“You think so, Polly?”

The attorney nodded. “I was cleaning up the other day in our room, and I found some of his notes from college. He minored in art.”

“Really? I can’t let him see this, then!”

“I’m sure you can,” Apollo said dryly. “He’s no Picasso.”

Trucy laughed and focused on her drawing. Apollo started reading his paper again, after glancing at the clock. Mr. Wright was home. Time to watch the clock more to make sure dinner didn’t burn. Yet once again, the distraction was more than he wanted it to be. He was positive that he’d never heard the name Thalassa in his life, and yet…

… He had a bad feeling about this. Absently, he rubbed his wrist, just below the tightening bracelet, and tried to focus on his case.

~*~

“… It’s Phoenix. I need a favor.”

“Are the kids okay?”

Phoenix cringed at the undercurrent of panic in the older woman’s voice. “Yes, they’re fine. I think Trucy’s about to start seeing me as a villain, but it’s about time. I was starting to wonder if she was going to hit that phase.”

“Ugh. Teenage angst, I suppose?”

“Not quite that bad yet. I’m sure I’ll have no problem getting us through it. I don’t care how bad she gets, I guarantee I was probably a thousand times worse.”

The woman on the other end of the line chuckled. “I somehow doubt that, Phoenix.”

“Heh. I see it coming, anyway. That’s not actually what I called about, though.”

“What is it?”

Phoenix lay back on his bed, toying with the Magatama he wore around his neck. Normally he kept it underneath his shirt; it was an odd piece of jewelry, at best, and he tried to stay inconspicuous. “I need you to watch them for a few days,” he said after a moment’s hesitation. “If you don’t mind, I’d like you to take them tonight.”

“… Are you okay, Phoenix?”

The pianist laughed at this. “I’m fine, Thalassa,” he reassured her. “I just have some business I have to take care of. It’s rather urgent, so I’m taking the first train out there in the morning. This means getting up at about three and I’m not sure either of them would appreciate me up and moving around at that hour.”

“Yes, Apollo especially. You share a room with him, correct?”

“Yep. He’d be chewing me out the whole time I was getting ready,” Phoenix replied, a hint of affection in his voice.

“I see. I was about to ask why you don’t seem to trust Apollo to care for Trucy. He is grown, after all.”

“Well, no, he’s not,” Phoenix contradicted bluntly. “He’s got a lot of growing up to do still. But if that were the only reason, I would just leave him in charge. I’ll only be gone a few days, after all. But disturbing them that early…”

“I understand. … This might also be a good opportunity to get to know them again.”

“Correct.”

“I’ll be over in about an hour and a half. Is that okay?”

“Sure, but you’ll have to wait a bit,” Phoenix said, glancing at his alarm clock. “We haven’t even had dinner yet. I planned on telling them that I’m going away for a few days then, so they don’t even know yet.”

“That is fine. You can give me details and contact information while they’re getting ready.”

“Of course. See you at about eight-thirty, then?”

“Yes. Enjoy your dinner.”

“Thanks. Be careful on your way here, Thalassa.”

“I will. Goodbye.”

Phoenix hung up the phone and tossed it onto the bed beside him. He could hear “his kids” in the other room, setting the table and bickering. I wonder if she's done her art assignment, Phoenix pondered. Perhaps he was a little too hard, expecting her to complete an assignment in ten minutes. It was a high school class, elective or not.

Then, out of nowhere: Heh. Apollo would have a fit if he knew I referred to him as “my kid”. Even if it is only to myself.

He couldn't help it, really. When they'd met, Apollo was a tool to be manipulated. Of course, Phoenix still always saw him as a human being, and would have never done something to bring the young lawyer to harm. But he needed a way- some way- to get his foot back in the door. A pile of evidence was useless without a way and a reason to present it. Apollo was his way. And Drew Misham, unfortunately, was his reason.

Phoenix deeply regretted that it was ultimately the murder of a human being that cleared his name. He almost wished that, if that was the only way, that it hadn't happened. But it had, and the absolute best of the situation had been made. And, somewhere along that path, the purely humanistic concern he held for Apollo grew to something more. He wasn't sure when or how it happened, but somewhere along the line, Apollo became just as much Phoenix's child as Trucy was.

Not that it was a bad thing. They made him happy, both of them. As long as they were happy and content, he was as well. Their wellbeing was all he wanted.

As he sat up, the weight of the Magatama against his chest made him reconsider that assertion. Well. Almost all that I want.

A knock on the bedroom door snapped Phoenix from his ruminations. “Mr. Wright? Dinner's up.”

Phoenix stood and opened the bedroom door. “Thanks, Apollo,” he said kindly. “You do realize that's your room, too. You don't have to knock.”

Apollo huffed. “Excuse me for realizing that you wanted privacy,” he muttered, and Phoenix laughed.

“You're so easy, Apollo!” the older man teased. “I appreciate it, really. I do.”

As the two sat down at the table, Trucy finished unceremoniously dumping portions onto their plates. “Who did you call, Daddy?” she prompted, setting the dish on the counter and taking her own seat.

Phoenix looked at Apollo and pointed at Trucy. “This one, now, has no concept of respecting someone's wish for privacy. I guess I have to apologize to you for ribbing you now, Apollo.”

“Daddy!” Trucy whined.

“You do delight in getting a rise out of us, don't you?” Apollo commented dryly.

“Only because I love you.”

“Likely story,” was the attorney's response, right before taking a drink of his water.

“Nothing but the truth,” Phoenix said airily. “Although I guess I should tell you who that was, since you're spending a few days with her.”

Apollo choked on the mouthful of food he was swallowing. Phoenix slapped him firmly on the back, and after coughing a few times, the attorney managed to gasp, “What's this about?”

“I found out about a situation today at work,” Phoenix told them seriously. “I'm going away for a few days to deal with it. It's quite urgent; I don't have time to plan better. I have to go now. I'll be taking the first train out of town tomorrow morning, which means I'll be up practically in the middle of the night. You two will be staying with a friend of mine, Thalassa, until I get back.”

Trucy looked from Phoenix to Apollo and back. “But why can't we come with you?” the girl asked.

Because I'm looking for two missing people who may have been murdered... “So you mean you don't mind getting up at three in the morning?” Phoenix inquired in a sugary-sweet tone.

Trucy stared at her foster father for a moment, and then started eating her dinner without a word. Apollo watched this exchange blankly. Phoenix smiled to himself and took a few bites of his own dinner; once he'd taken a drink from his glass of water, Apollo prompted, “But why do we have to stay with someone? It's not like you've never left me in charge before.”

Phoenix cleared his throat, and then repeated, in that same sugary tone, “So you mean you don't mind getting up at three in the morning?” Apollo sighed and focused on his dinner. The pianist looked from one youth to the other, his grin growing. “Wow. That was easier than I thought it would be! Thanks for being so understanding about this, guys.”

~*~

The doorbell rang out, interrupting the packing the two youths were doing. Phoenix himself wasn't sure how long he'd be away, but they could always come back to the apartment if they needed to. Plus, Phoenix wasn't really adverse to them returning tomorrow; his primary concern was to make sure he didn't disturb them as he was leaving. None the less, they both needed at least one change of clothes; hence the packing.

Apollo was almost finished, and as he heard his employer greet the visitor warmly, he couldn't resist. The attorney poked his head out of the bedroom and then entered the living room, trying to pretend to be confident. “Thalassa,” Phoenix said as Apollo approached. “This is Apollo Justice. Apollo, Thalassa.”

The auburn-haired woman held out a hand to him. “It is a pleasure, Mr. Justice,” she said.

At that moment, Apollo noticed two things. The first was that she was wearing a bracelet that looked exactly like his. The second, that she had a very thick accent, and he knew her voice. After a moment of thought, he blurted out, “Lamiroir?”

The attorney noted that his bracelet constricted suddenly, and he glanced at Phoenix. The other man briefly appeared stunned, but his face quickly went blank and he said blandly, “Surprised?”

Phoenix's confirmation of the woman's identity- and the woman's laugh- disarmed him. “When did you become friends with Lamiroir?” he asked, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two older adults.

“Shortly after Machi's acquittal,” the woman replied, with an affectionate glance at Phoenix. “He assisted me in finding a physician who could restore my sight.”

“Nice,” Apollo said with an approving grin. The glance wasn't lost on the young attorney, but he didn't press it. “So why does Mr. Wright call you 'Thalassa'?”

At this, the two looked at each other, and Apollo's bracelet constricted further; it was starting to get painful. He absently rubbed his wrist as he watched the unspoken communication between the two; somehow, Apollo knew they were silently debating how to answer him. “Apparently when she regained her sight,” Phoenix answered finally, “her memory was restored as well. Well, as much as possible, given the circumstances. One of the things she could remember was her name.”

“It's a pretty name,” Apollo said with a nod, wishing his bracelet would stop trying to murder his hand. He intended on asking about Thalassa's bracelet, but either Phoenix or Thalassa- or both- were extremely nervous for some reason and it was making him uncomfortable. He'd ask about the bracelet later. “Well, it's great to see you again, Miss Thalassa. I'm just going to go finish getting my stuff together and see how Trucy's doing, okay?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Phoenix confirmed, and Apollo retreated. The man watched him as he disappeared back into their room, and sighed heavily. “I didn’t consider that he’d recognize your voice. That was close.”

“It was,” Thalassa murmured in agreement. “Let me ask you: do you object to me telling them tonight?”

Phoenix shook his head absently. “Even if I did, it's not my place to,” he answered, still watching the doorway Apollo had retreated into.

This statement bothered Thalassa deeply. “Of course it is your place to,” she countered. “You are their father! I'm asking you, parent to parent.”

The former lawyer smiled. “I raised Trucy,” he countered. “I can't honestly make any claim of the sort for Apollo.”

“It's about what's in your heart, Phoenix. Yes, you can make that claim for Apollo. You love them both as though they were your own. Therefore, they are.”

Phoenix chuckled, his face flushing a bit. “That's extremely high praise, Thalassa. I'm flattered.”

Thalassa nodded and smiled. “I speak only the truth. Now that your paternal insecurities are soothed, please answer my question.”

At this, Phoenix laughed out loud. “No, I can't see how telling them would be harmful, honestly. I'll be worried about their reaction in case they need me, but they could as easily get pissed off at me.” He eyed her, that relaxed smile still on his lips. “Apollo, at least, will ask if I knew, and you're going to have to tell the truth, you know.”

“I know,” Thalassa replied, biting her bottom lip. “I wouldn't dream of lying to them about this, anyway. I'll do any damage control necessary, Phoenix. You shall not come home to discover they hate you, I promise.”

“That's comforting,” Phoenix replied. “All right. If you're ready, then I'm sure it's time.”

“Very well.” Thalassa let herself into the apartment further and seated herself on the sofa. “Now then, you have some explaining to do, Phoenix. What's going on? It's not like you to be this urgent about anything.”

Phoenix sat next to her, his arms resting across his knees and his hands clasped together. “I'll try to be quick,” he said, with a glance towards the bedrooms. “I found out today that two of my friends have gone missing. I'm first going to Kurain Village to visit an old friend. She'll be able to tell me if they are still alive.”

“How could she do that?” Thalassa asked, surprised.

“I said I wanted to be quick,” Phoenix replied with a chuckle. “She is a spirit medium and I don't think I have time to explain that, no. Depending on her answer, I'll either return home or make a trip to Hazakura Temple. If I do, I'll contact you to let you know, but you need to keep the kids in the dark about it. If they're alive, the situation could get dangerous, depending on why they're missing. I don't know that it will get dangerous or even how it could, but I'd rather not risk it and they'll follow me if they know.”

“Understood,” Thalassa said. “I assume you'll write addresses and phone numbers I can reach you at?”

“Of course,” Phoenix answered, as Apollo and Trucy emerged from Trucy's room. When did he go to her room? Phoenix thought in concern. Did he hear any of that? “You guys ready to go?” Phoenix asked, standing.

“Yep,” Apollo confirmed, hefting a rather stuffed duffel bag. Trucy herself carried her backpack and another duffel bag. “At least, we better be. I tried to explain that we weren't moving, but-”

“Daddy, tell him!” Trucy pouted. “I didn't pack my 'whole life'! I just packed what I needed!”

Phoenix could barely resist telling the girl to stop forcing her brother to be a pack animal. “I'm not getting involved in this,” he said with a chuckle, going to a tiny phone desk. He scribbled two addresses and phone numbers down. “The first contact is Kurain, and the second is Hazakura. Oh, one more thing, Thalassa...”

“Yes?” Phoenix's voice dropped dramatically in volume; Thalassa leaned in so she could hear him.

“May I borrow your bracelet? I have something of Trucy's already. I'd like to have something of Apollo's as well. I'll return it as soon as I come back.”

Thalassa removed her bracelet as discreetly as she could. “You may not have fathered them,” she whispered emotionally as she handed it to him, “but please, never say that you are not their father. You most certainly are, Phoenix Wright.”