This is the very first fan fiction that I wrote for the Ace Attorney series. There was no Beta-reader, and you can see that my writing has improved ten-fold since I started writing exactly two years ago! I looked at the publish date on Objection, and it said 06/23/08! At any rate this has spoilers for JFA: Case Four, so beware!

Phoenix watched with a tired smile as Maya and Pearls said their goodbyes and thank yous to Gumshoe. He blushed as Maya gave him a kiss on the cheek. Pearls stifled a yawn and Maya led her to the gaudy couch that sat across from the even gaudier front desk of the Gatewater Hotel.

"Alright Pal," Gumshoe said as he shook Phoenix's hand, again. "Take care of those two and yourself. You look pretty worn down."

"Yeah, this case was exhausting. I didn't think I'd see Maya again." Phoenix paused as he rubbed his shoulder. "Thank you again for your help...Pal."

Gumshoe snorted, amused, and gave Phoenix a goofy lopsided grin. "Aahhh...don't mention it. Anything for a good friend!" He paused and squinted out the lobby's double doors.

"Oh, wow. When did it start raining?" Phoenix blinked as a flash of lightning lit up the street outside. He turned back to Gumshoe who was contemplating the shortest route to his car, but then remembered that his car was towed off in his little accident earlier that day. He sighed deeply. He didn't have the money for a cab, and was too proud to ask for it.

"Oh, Gumshoe, um, you don't have a car." Phoenix reached for his wallet.

"No, Pal, I can't let you do that. I can walk. Its actually not that far.

"No, I insist. Its raining pretty hard and..."

" Psh...a little rain ain't gonna hurt me. Besides..."

"Hey guys." The little voice startled them both as they looked down and saw Pearls looking up at them. Phoenix stole a look around Gumshoe to see Maya on the couch in a deep slumber. "Scruffy, didn't Edgy bring you here?"

"Uummm...You're right. But he left already. I-I can't call him back here."

Phoenix searched his pockets for his cell phone to no avail. Instead he came up with some change.

"Here, call him. I need a ride also. I can't afford cab fare for all of us!"

Gumshoe hesitated, but Phoenix shoved it in his hand.

"But Nick," Pearls started as the detective walked away. "I made reservations here, remember? We don't need to go anywhere."

Phoenix laughed to himself, wondering how this sweet, naive child got away with making a reservation at this hotel.

"Pearls, I can't afford to stay here. I'm gonna have to break the reservation." He paused. "How did you make a reservation?"

She winked and motioned him to bend to her. She whispered into his ear in Mia's voice, "She had some help." He whipped up and stared at Pearls wide eyed as she skipped back to the couch where Maya was still asleep. He chuckled to himself. He contemplated staying at the hotel, somehow finding a way to put it on Edgeworths tab, but decided against it.

"What'cha chuckling at?" Gumshoe interrupted his thoughts and he smiled and shook his head.

"Nothing, I'll explain later. Did you get a hold of Edgeworth?"

"Sure did, Pal. He was on his way from the airport."

"Airport? I wonder... Anyway, I need to cancel this reservation that Pearls made." It was Gumshoes turn to chuckle, but then the realization of Pearls making the reservation made him stop and glance over at the two girls curled up on the tacky couch.

"Paid for? How can it be paid for? I never paid for it?" Phoenix's voice was raised a little.

"No, sir another person made the reservation and paid for it." The man behind the desk paused and clacked the keyboard and touched his screen. "Ah yes, the reservation was made at 6:15 this evening. The man left a message for Phoenix Wright. Are you Phoenix Wright? You certainly look like him. " The man looked over his tiny square glasses at Phoenix.

"Um, yeah, I wouldn't be disputing th...wait, a message? What is it?"

"I need to see some identification, please." Phoenix handed his ID over and the man behind the desk scrutinized it "Aahh... so you are the infamous Phoenix Wright, defense lawyer. I am a big fan. Nice to meet you!" He handed the ID back and Phoenix blushed and mumbled a thanks. Gumshoe elbowed him playfully. The man ripped two sheets of paper from an unseen printer and handed them to Wright. He then handed him a pen and an electronic key card. "I need a signature for the key card and for verification that there is someone going to be sleeping in that room."

Phoenix was baffled. He hesitated. But then the image of Maya and Pearls sleeping on his hard apartment floor crossed his mind and he started signing. He sighed and handed the pen back.

"Thank you, sir. Is there anything else we can do for you? Would you like drinks or food sent to the room?"

Phoenix rubbed his chin. "What about breakfast? Can I call down for breakfast tomorrow?" He was gonna milk this for all it was worth!

"Of course sir."

"Okay, then thats it for this evening. Oh does this hotel have complimentary umbrellas?" Phoenix chuckled at Gumshoe.

"Yes sir, I will grab one for you."