They both would not really notice their feelings early on, proof being after all the moments they shared in all the games, there were no embarassment, even if it is SOO obvious that there should be, and so I predict that their relationship will (if not aready) bloom sometime in the Apollo era. We probably didn't see her because she was too busy training to be the master to keep being a assistant, and since [spoiler= in case you don't know...] feenie lost his badge [/spolier] she probably feels like she has more time on her hands, but may still see Phoenix. Pearls absence is probably because of school, and since Maya is training, she probably thinks she should too to be at her ready to help Maya. Besides, if Phoenix and Maya hadn't seen each other, or if Pearls hadn't seen romantic sparks, she would probably take matters into her own hands and arrange a surprise visit, which would have to be between 4-1 and 4-3, because in 4-2 Phoenix got those DVD's from Maya, and in 4-1 Pearls could have known where Phoenix Was and heard some information about finding him (if they hadn't seen each other in 7 years, then how could she be sure he was still at the Wright and Co Law offices, causing some need for her to get information regarding his whereabouts.) Thus resulting in Apollo knowing or having met/ heard about Maya and Pearls, because if they hadn't met, then Trucy would have been talking about a lady in weird clothes visiting, and possibly Pearls trying to "set the mood" for the "star crossed lovers". SO they must had been visiting one another, with possible romantic sparks. (So Pearl would not have to meddle.)

I thought that after beating this case that Phoenix/Iris would appeal to me, turns out it didn't. If anything the case increased my preference for Phoenix/Maya. Kay, the damsel in distress thing is annoying and old... but it still increased my likeness for this couple. Hmm.. maybe I'll start to love this pairing rather than just like it. :P

Just started playing case 2. Phoenix is in the hospital [it's not that serious] and Apollo turns up to visit him. About 100 DVDs of Steel Samurai, Nickel Samurai, Pink Princess and whatever other spinoffs have since occurred are piled around, and the TV is playing one of the episodes. Apollo notes they're all little kids' shows and isn't exactly impressed, mentions this to Phoenix. Phoenix explains that "This 'kid' I know keeps sending them to me" [inverted commas definitely there!] Apollo notes to himself, strange, Mr Wright sure doesn't sound like the type who would attract kids [confirming this is not really a 'kid'.]

Apollo notes the TV is playing an episode of this kids' show and Phoenix explains what else can he do in hospital and besides, if he doesn't watch them the episodes will just keep piling up. Apollo thinks to himself maybe he should just not buy them, but Phoenix is continuing that at least now he gets time to write his reports. Yes, that's correct, 'someone' gets him to write a report on EVERY SINGLE EPISODE. Since he didn't even like Steel Samurai much in the original trilogy, he sure must like Maya a lot for him to still be doing something like that for her.

It also hints that they must at least still have a lot of other communication going on. I mean, it could not possibly have been like this:

PHOENIX: Oh Maya, I'm sorry. We can never see each other again. *sob*
MAYA: Wahh. Oh Nick, Okay, I'll never try and see you again
PHOENIX: Oh and we'd better not write or email either. What if that mass murderer I'm investigating reads them?
MAYA: Oh okay Nick. How sad..
Oh but the worst thing. We can't watch Steel Samurai together any more!
PHOENIX: Oh no! The greatest tragedy in this whole saga! I mean, our entire friendship revolves around merely that!
MAYA: Don't worry Nick! I'll send you all the DVDs and you can write a report on every single episode!
PHOENIX: Oh yes! Our most meaningful possible communication!
MAYA: Oh, and if you get hit by a car, I'll know because of your report!
PHOENIX: Oh yes. That really makes perfect sense! *sob* bye forever.

I have read other posts which say Maya sends him a balloon in the hospital [or maybe even brings it?]. The balloon isn't there yet in my game, but maybe it will be when I go back to the hospital, I only just started the case... This would mean that Phoenix or Trucy would have told Maya what happened!

I made it hehe.

And this one too.

Maya had been in Kurain when the disbarring incident occurred, but it didn't take her long to hear about it. Various people who knew her or Nick kept calling about it, and anyway, it was all through the newspapers.

Maya deeply regretted she hadn't been able to be there with Nick when it happened, though she had to admit, she would have been hard-pressed to get back for the case overnight. Obviously Phoenix hadn't wanted to force such an inconvenience on her. It was logical, though now, she desperately wished he for some reason had.

Maya was desperate with worry about Phoenix. She didn't really know what had happened, but she was willing to bet it was nothing like the sensationalising occurring in the newspaper articles. He'd never forge evidence, especially if he'd only taken the case the night before - there wasn't even time! He must have had no idea it was forged.

Maya kept trying to call his phone, but he wasn't answering. She hoped something even more terrible hadn't happened. Eventually she sent him an SMS, and prayed he'd read it

NICK! R U OK? LOVE MAYA

She rang back later, and this time he picked up. "M..Maya?" he croaked, voice barely recognisable.

"NICK! Are you okay? I'm so sorry!"

"I... I'm okay.."

"Is there anything I can do? Anything at all?"

"I'm okay.. Don't,,, worry.."

You're not okay, thought Maya.

"Nick! I'm coming over, okay? I should be there tomorrow!"

"I'll be okay.. don't worry.." he protested weakly. She ignored him.

"I'll be there tomorrow. Is there anything I can do?"

"I'm okay.."

"See you tomorrow. Hang in there, Nick!"

Maya peeked through a crack in the office door. She thought she could vaguely make out a figure on the office couch.

"Nick? Are you there? It's Maya?"

"C..come in..." he croaked weakly.

The door was locked, but Maya had an office key. She was taken aback by the dight which greeted her. A broken Phoenix painted a morbid picture collapsed on the couch. He was highly dishevelled, even his hair was drooping. Dark, puffy circles ringed his eyes. He didn't turn to look at Maya, just continued staring into space with disturbing haunted eyes like she had never seen in him before. The expression was ominously familiar and it chilled her as she realised why. It was the same look in their eyes her mother and sister had had after they had died.

"Oh Nick.." she whispered, her heart breaking.

"Nick.. I'm sorry," she said, coming closer and putting her hand gently on his shoulder. He seemed to register her touch and sighed. Maya sat down and wrapped her arms around him. After a moment, Phoenix relaxed wearily into her hug.

Maya didn't really know what to say to him, so she just held him for a long time.

***
"Okay, I'm just going out to get a burger," said Maya. "Do you want me to get you anything? Anything at all?"

"No thanks, Maya. I'm not hungry."

"You're sure? Okay, I'll be back soon."

Maya soon returned. "Sure you don't want anything? I got you a burger, just in case."

"No thanks. I feel sick."

"You're sure? Okay, I guess I'll eat it."

She poured him a glass of water. "At least have a drink."

***

Phoenix was still in bed. He'd just lain there listlessly for several days, saying little and seemingly lacking the will or motivation even to sit up. Maya tried her best to look after him, bringing him glasses of water and food [which he barely touched], and occasionally reassuring him that she believed in him and she was sure he'd get through this. He didn't seem to want to talk about the incident, so Maya had told her to tell her if he was ever ready to talk.

On the third day, as Maya entered, Phoenix sat bolt upright.

"Maya! You made me remember something!"

"What?" Maya was a little taken aback, though she was delighted he was showing some signs of life.

"My client had a daughter! She had no other family. I don't think she has anywhere to go!"

"Oh no!"

"I have to find out what's going to happen to her! If the murderer's still loose, it could be bad!"

Maya was impressed that Nick could still care so deeply about others at a time like this.

***

Maya and Phoenix had been packing up the office. All the thousands of legal documents and case files. Well, Maya had been. Phoenix would frequently just stare into space, a tortured expression in his eyes.

Maya did her best to arrange everything as perfectly as possible, since there wasn't much else she could do for his legal career at this point, though she suspected it was futile as at this rate it would hurt him too much to ever look at them again.

Finally, Maya reluctantly observed, the job was finished. That was most definitely the end of her position as Assistant General Manager at Wright and Co. Law Offices. She may have shed a few tears over it, except that she didn't want to upset Phoenix even more.

Phoenix sighed, a pained expression in his eyes. "Well, I guess, it's over..." He paused, as if searching for words.
"Thanks, Maya, I.... you were the best assistant I could have ever had..." He wished he could say more but had no idea how to express it.

Maya was worried this might hurt him, but she'd try it anyway. "And you were the best defense attorney anyone could ever have had."

Phoenix signed. "No, I wasn't. But thanks anyway." He held out his hand and they shook. "Sorry, partner. Sorry... Mia...."

Poor Phoenix. This was killing him. Maya wanted to hug him, except that she couldn't really hug him every 2 minutes of every day.

"I'll pay you... after I sell my apartment, if that's okay.."

"Oh Nick. Forget it. Consider it payment for defending me in that case before."

"What? But I was defending Iris."

"You know they were trying to pin the murder on me. Please, keep the money."

"Okay, if you're sure," sighed Phoenix, feeling guilty that he was secretly relieved, there were enough financial problems pending as it was.

***

Phoenix and Maya were reluctantly saying goodbye at the train station.

"You can always come and live at Kurain. I mean it Phoenix. We owe you so much."

Phoenix had to admit to himself the offer was tempting, but somehow he had to work on the tangled mess of the disbarring case. His client's life still hung in the balance, and the real murderer was still at large.

"Thanks Maya, but no. I couldn't make that kind of imposition on you. And I still have to work on that case"

Understanding flashed in Maya's eyes. "You're still going to resolve what happened?"

"Shh" said Phoenix. Then he said meaningfully. "A lawyer can't cry until it's all over. Really over."

"I'll help you."

Phoenix sighed. "Maya. You are Master of Kurain. Your life holds limitless potential. I don't want you held back because I'm trying to resolve my own mistake."

Maya reflected there wasn't really time to argue with him now. Whatever. She'd find a way to help him, regardless.

"Well, please come and visit. You can come and stay, anytime!"

"Thanks Maya," said Phoenix, "maybe when I've got more things sorted out."


***

Maya peeked around to ensure she was unobserved, locked the door of her TV room, and loaded the DVD Mr Edgeworth had just sent her. Maya and Edgeworth had recently been in contact via phone and email [one of the first things Maya had done as Master of Kurain was to get Internet access installed], trying to make sense of the disbarring case, since Phoenix always seemed to pained to divulge much detail about it.

Edgeworth had originally contacted her assuming that she had been present as his assistant during the case. She had to reluctantly admit that she hadn't been with him at the time, but Edgeworth was so relieved to be able to discuss the incident with someone else close to Phoenix that he had kept up communication.

The DVD was a video of the fateful courtroom session. Court was always videotaped for recording purposes, and also in case a big case would be shown on TV. Edgeworth had obtained copies through whatever connections he still held at the Department.

Maya couldn't help sobbing throughout most of the duration of the trial. Poor Phoenix, looking so alone [why couldn't she have been there for him???], that passionate determination in his eyes as he fought for his client, Maya, knowing him well, also able to discern the fatigue of someone who'd worked desperately on a case he'd taken at the last minute. He must have been totally convinced of his client's innocence.

Then the forged evidence revealed, the shock in Phoenix's eyes [he didn't know, Maya was sure]. Maya had to replay part of the DVD as tears blurred her vision when Phoenix stood calm, taking the full responsibility for the evidence as he saw it was the only way he might prevent a guilty verdict for his client. All to no avail. Phoenix was such a small sad figure. All alone.

Edgeworth had said he'd noticed something during the trial tape, though for the life of her Maya didn't know what it was, she was too upset over seeing Phoenix so tragically destroyed. She'd have to watch it again. Not now though. She couldn't bear it.

Thankfully, Edgeworth had divulged what he'd noticed in an email.

'I assume you also noted during the trial that the Prosecutor, Klavier Gavin, mysteriously knew that the evidence was forged, and precisely which piece was forged. It seems unusual that Gavin would be party to this information, [particularly as it appears Phoenix wasn't.]. So this begs the question. Why and how did Prosecutor Gavin know?'

Oh great, one of those courtroom puzzles, moaned Maya, blowing her nose and wishing she knew how to make Phoenix feel better.

'It is possible someone connected with the evidence made Gavin aware of it before the trial. This does support a hypothesis that Mr Wright was set up by someone intending to damage his career.'

'Please also ask Phoenix this question: why and how did Prosecutor Gavin mysteriously have prior knowledge the evidence was forged? I will of course question him myself, but he seems very vague of late, multiple people pressing him may have the result of this important concept sinking in.'