Note: I love digging into Edgeworth's brain. Hell, I just love Edgeworth. Anyway, here's my own take on Edgeworth's life after 3-5. Hopefully there will be more twists and turns than you can throw a stick at somewhere along the line…but first we've got to start, don't we? On with the story.

Restless Spirit

Chapter One: My Back Pages

Crimson flames tied through my ears

Rollin' high and mighty traps

Pounced with fire on flaming roads

Using ideas as my maps

"We'll meet on edges soon," said I

Proud 'neath heated brow

Oh, but I was so much older then

I'm younger than that now.

-"My Back Pages," Bob Dylan

Two years back, Edgeworth would have wondered why he was on his way to eat at a third-rate French café with a bunch of chattering fools. Normally, he didn't enjoy large crowds, but this was different. These fools…no, these people…were his friends. No matter how much they may have irked him or tried his patience in the past, he owed them, and he was coming to consider most of them, if not good friends, then at least closer acquaintances. That year abroad, among other things, had changed him, and had made him see things more clearly, especially in terms of his role as a prosecutor.

Trés Bien…what a place. Only a few months before, it had been the site of a murder. Funny how that attracted business, but the group didn't seem to care about the restaurant's dubious past. Dinner was apparently on Gumshoe, and no one wanted him to go back on his promise, so they hurried as a crowd to the café as soon as they were clear of the courthouse steps.

This, of course, was a night to celebrate. Phoenix had just won a monumental trial, bringing to a close several tragic events that had plagued the Fey clan for years. Maya was the new master, it seemed, and Pearl was finally free from her mother's grip, at least for now. As Edgeworth walked with them, he couldn't help but ponder the terrible trauma that both girls had endured – and yet there they were, smiling and laughing with everyone else. He admired their strength.

"Hey, Mr. Edgeworth!" Maya's voice snapped him out of his reverie. "Since we've already got Nick's opinion…what do you think of Trés Bien?"

Edgeworth cocked an eyebrow uncertainly. "…I suppose we'll find out soon enough. I've never eaten there before."

Maya clapped her hands together, looking gleefully to the young girl next to her. "Did you hear that, Pearly? Mr. Edgeworth's never eaten there…ooh, we've got to tell him about all of the great stuff that's on the menu…" She soon began talking animatedly to her little cousin, leaving Edgeworth out of the discussion for the moment.

Phoenix took this chance to break off from a conversation with Gumshoe and Franziska to lightly offer his own advice. "If you know what's good for you, you won't pick the lobster."

Edgeworth rolled his eyes. "Since when did you become a food critic, Wright?"

"Since I investigated Trés Bien for that case a few months ago – State vs. Byrd," Phoenix said somewhat solemnly, the restaurant in sight. "I haven't gotten anything but the lobster, but if I can trust what I've been told, everything else on the menu appears to be in the same league."

Edgeworth shrugged. "Well, I was only planning on getting a salad or a coffee or something along those lines anyway…items that would be difficult for them to butcher, I'd imagine."

Phoenix smiled, as if amused by an old memory, but didn't reply.

"Anyway, Wright." Disliking small talk, Edgeworth moved on. "I know I've told you this before, but I really must commend you for your work in court today. You played that case like a hardened defense attorney…and you discovered the truth. Plus…" He glanced at Maya and Pearl, still engaged in conversation. "You've restored some light to these girls' lives, and I honestly can't believe they're as happy as they are now."

"Well, you're to thank, too, Edgeworth. I could say the same of Franziska as well – I couldn't have done it without you two. As for Godot…er, Diego, well…" Phoenix trailed off. "He's certainly been through a lot, but he does have to answer for what he's done, even if murder wasn't his intention. He cared a lot about Mia, so…I suppose I'll be able to reconcile everything in the end, no matter how hard it is to swallow."

"Hmph." Edgeworth grinned slyly. "You certainly make enemies quickly, and by no apparent fault of your own. Yet you're still out there striving for truth, no matter what…"

"Well, I wouldn't have discovered my purpose, either, if it hadn't been for you, Edgeworth. You remember the Engarde case. In the end, the truth won out, even though it was...well, a really delicate situation. I was just following where the evidence led."

By now, the group had convened in front of the café, milling about the menu posted in the window before heading inside. Edgeworth turned to face Phoenix.

"Following the evidence…not a bad way to put it." He smiled broadly and held out his hand. "In any case…Phoenix, I'm in your debt more than I can say. Can you forgive the arrogant fool that I was?"

Phoenix grasped his hand and shook it firmly. "Hey, it's in the past. I guess we can all say we've come a long way in two years…and now we can start fresh."

The group was startled by Larry, who took this moment to debut his latest "masterpiece." Pulling a small painting from his knapsack, he used one hand to hold it while gesturing wildly with the other. "Yes, my friends, this is indeed what you've been waiting for…a meticulously detailed portrait of our dear Franzy! Done in my trademark watercolo pai-AAACK!" Both the painting and Larry now bore new marks from Franziska Von Karma's whip. She drew the whip back to her, stretching it out menacingly.

"…Did I ask for you to DISPLAY that thing? Don't try my patience."

"Wh-what was that for, F-F-Franzy?!" shrieked Larry, his eyes wide. "You don't want everyone to see how beautiful I've made you – OUUUUUUCH!" Another lashing soon silenced Larry, and the group finally appeared ready to sit down to dinner.

Gumshoe chuckled at Larry as he walked past him into the café, rubbing his neck tenderly. "Ooh, that's gotta hurt, pal. I feel you on that one."

Phoenix held his face with his hands. "Well…maybe some of us never change, even if we take on new identities."

Edgeworth smirked.

"I-Is Mr. Laurice going to be alright, Mr. Nick?" asked Pearl shyly, nibbling on her thumb.

"Heh. It's Larry, Pearls. And I'm sure he'll be fine. I think he's taken worse abuse. And…to be honest, I think Franziska whips the people she likes."

"Then she must really love you, Mr. Nick!" Pearl squealed, grasping Phoenix by the hand and leading him into the café.

"Would that that were the case, Pearls…"

Edgeworth followed them, the last one to enter the café.

***

Dinner that night was typical Très Bien fare. Amidst lively discussion, Edgeworth was goaded into trying the lobster by Maya and Pearl, who delighted in his expression after biting into it for the first time. After attempting to eat more than just a few morsels, he set down his fork in despair.

"I appreciate the suggestion, really I do. But I doubt this is edible."

Maya simply giggled behind her hand. "Well, as I tell Nick, Mr. Edgeworth…it's never bad to be adventurous with food! And that lobster is one of Mr. Armstrong's specialties!"

Then I really don't want what's on the regular menu, Edgeworth thought with a grimace.

Gumshoe, meanwhile, was digging into his clam chowder with gusto. "This is delicious, pal! I can't believe I didn't eat here before that case! …It's a bit on the pricey side, though."

"It's a good thing you're paying, then, isn't it, Scruffy?" Von Karma flicked a piece of her bread away, the crumb landing in Gumshoe's chowder.

Eyeing her whip, Gumshoe gulped. "Y-yes, sir! I'm paying! Understood!"

A lull in conversation allowed Larry a chance to pipe up over his salad.

"So, Edgey…are you going back to Europe after this case or what? Gonna leave us all behind again, aren't you?" That same simpering grin that Edgeworth despised was plastered all over his face.

Sighing, Edgeworth crossed his arms defensively. "…Most likely. It's not because I bear any ill will towards any of you, of course…I just would like to continue my studies in Germany if at all possible."

"Then I'll probably be joining you, too, little brother," said Von Karma. "I think I've had my fill of this country…for now."

A look of extreme relief came over Gumshoe.

"…But of course, upon my return, you shall be under my constant surveillance, Detective."

"Gahh…"

"Gumshoe's definitely seen better days," muttered Phoenix to Edgeworth and the girls.

Pearl laughed. "But Mr. Scruffy's paying for our meal, right? That's really nice of him…so, um…thank you, Detective!"

Gumshoe looked taken aback. "Aw…w-well, it was nothing. Just two weeks' worth of salary, pal!"

"I'll have to see about increasing your pay, incidentally," Edgeworth remarked with a small grin. "You've done quite a lot of work on this latest case, Detective, and I think a promotion of sorts is in order."

"S-sir? You'd really do that for me? Even before you leave the country?"

"Well…it's just a matter of a few phone calls," said Edgeworth. "I can easily arrange it even if I'm out of the country."

"That's really nice of you, Mr. Eh-ji-worth!" Pearl seemed elated at Edgeworth's goodwill.

Edgeworth could feel a bit of a blush creep into his cheeks. "It's really nothing. It's the least I owe you, Detective."

Gumshoe appeared to be beside himself with glee, returning once more to his clam chowder. Larry looked askance at Edgeworth.

"But when are you leaving, Edgey?"

I'd hoped it wouldn't come to this, thought Edgeworth wearily. "…Tomorrow. I'm to fly out early tomorrow morning for Germany."

"WHAT? And you were just going to leave without telling any of us?" Maya shrieked. "That's bad form, Mr. Edgeworth!"

Phoenix did not seem nearly as surprised as everyone else. "…I figured as much. You really only came over here to help me out. I guess it makes sense that you'd go back so soon."

"Again, I assure you all it's nothing personal," said Edgeworth. "I wasn't sure how to bring it up myself. But…" He pushed his plate away and stood up hastily. "I would have had to leave this little celebration early anyway. I have some things I need to take care of at the office before I fly out tomorrow."

He hesitated. "Thank you for the evening, though. I really did enjoy it." At that, he turned to go, leaving the group behind to mumble in his absence. One voice called out to him as he opened the door.

"I'll see you when I see you, Edgeworth. Thanks for everything."

The prosecutor grinned into the cold night air. "See you, Wright."

Edgeworth trotted quickly to his car, pulling his keys out. There were more things on his mind than he cared to go over at the moment, but he figured that he would have more chance for contemplation back at the office. He also could stand to sleep for more than five hours before catching his flight at 6:30 the next morning…

"Mr. Eh-Edgeworth! Wait, please!" Pearl cried out to him, and Edgeworth turned suddenly to see the small girl pelting across the parking lot to his side.

"…What is it, Pearl? I've got to get going soon."

"I…I…I just wanted to thank you personally for helping out Mr. Nick and Mystic Maya!" Pearl blurted, hugging Edgeworth's waist. "It-it means s-so much to me!"

Completely taken aback, Edgeworth patted Pearl's back awkwardly. "Erm…well, you're certainly welcome, Pearl. But I know you're all thankful, you really don't need to tell me again."

Pearl pulled away, a serious expression on her face. It was almost comical to see such a young girl with so forceful of a personality, but Edgeworth could tell she was solemn.

"Mr. Nick and Mystic Maya are really my only family right now," she explained. "I would do anything for them, so…well, I guess I just wanted to say…" She clasped her hands together, looking down uncertainly. "…If you ever need help with anything, no matter what, I'll help you in any way I can! I promise!"

"…Thank you." Edgeworth could think of nothing else to say. There was something eerily prescient in the little girl's words, though the feeling did not linger with him for long.

He climbed into his car, rolling the window down as he backed out of his parking space. "...Goodbye, Pearl. Tell the others 'goodbye' for me as well…I won't forget what you said." He smiled.

He drove away with the young girl waving back at him. Her expression was happy, but there was something pained about the way she talked…he could tell she was still smarting from the trial.

Or was it something else?

"Strange," mumbled Edgeworth. He fiddled with the knobs on his radio, trying to find a station that would help to calm his suddenly jumbled nerves, but to no avail. He drove the rest of the way to the office in silence.

He was a prosecutor with a job to do, after all. But now he had a different perspective on things, thanks to everything that had happened over the past two years.

He also had a plane to catch tomorrow. He could not let silly, baseless worries get in the way of his studies...

***

Seven years had passed since that night, and Edgeworth now found himself suddenly and desperately in need of help.