RISENFROMASH: Hello, everybody! I just wanted to say that this story has been a pain in the but to write as I didn't want to go TOO dark with it and lose that special Ace Attorney feel, but I also wanted some real peril and drama.

Here is important back-story info for those of you who might not have read anything else I've written as part of my huge Apollo/Vera, Nick/Maya story arc. This takes place after the Apollo Justice game but before Nick has gotten his attorney's license back by retaking his exam. At this point Apollo and Vera are fairly early in their relationship and Maya and Phoenix are engaged and living together at the office along with Trucy and Apollo. Vera lives upstairs (presumably in Mia's old apartment though this has never been discussed with Apollo) and Vera is under house arrest for forgeries she created while living with her father. Phoenix is considered the guardian or overseer of her house arrest and she has a probation officer that comes and checks on her. She doesn't have an ankle bracelet- budget cuts have made them cost prohibitive in many cases. So, Vera is Ok to move about the building, but not leave it. I think that's about all you need to know.

CHAPTER 1

"Hey, Polly?" Trucy was talking to me through our makeshift wall. Trucy was such a damn early riser. It made it hard sharing a room with her sometimes.

"Yeah?" My room was cast in the haze of the early morning light which gave everything a crazy orangish hue to it, even the "Color Theory" painting Vera and I had created together looked oddly monotone in this light. I hate mornings.

"Is Vera in there with you?"

"No, I wish," I said and rolled over.

"Um, do you know where she might be?"

I sat up like a shot. "What do you mean? She's not in her apartment?"

"She's not answering her door or her phone. Polly, I have a bad feeling…"

I ran into the office and grabbed the spare key to Vera's apartment and ran upstairs. Vera suffered from insomnia making it unlike her not to answer. I shouted her name as I slid the key in the lock and ran in. The living room looked normal.

"Vera? Vera? Are you OK?" I peered in the bathroom. She wasn't there. I ran into the bedroom. Behind me, Trucy was madly punching the buttons of her phone constantly redialing Vera's cell number.

"Vera, Vera are you there? We're here at your place, me and Polly. What's going on? Please call us!"

Her bed looked like it had been slept in, but the blankets were pulled half way off the bed and her window was wide open. The screen was out. Trucy again hit redial and I heard a sound coming from Vera's nightstand. I slid open the drawer and saw her cell phone vibrating. There'd be no reaching her on that.

I turned to Trucy. "Call the police." I ran down the stairs dizzy from worry and ran outside to look around the building's grounds. The whole world seemed to be spinning. Maya came running out of the office throwing a bathrobe over her nightgown. She must have heard me run down the stairs. I shouted to her that Vera was missing and before I knew it everyone was there: Trucy, Maya, Phoenix, and I all calling Vera's name and running around the building and its alleyways in our pajamas hoping to find some sign of her, but we couldn't find her anywhere.

The police interrogated me for what seemed like hours. When was the last time I talked to her, when was the last time I'd seen her, had we had a fight? They asked me if she had suicidal tendencies or if she might have made a run for it with some underworld contact. I shouted at them. None of these ridiculous lines of questioning was going to do anything to help find her.

"Why aren't you out looking for her? Somebody's taken her!" I got up in the cop's face and another police officer was about to grab me and pull me back, but Phoenix stepped between us. Under his breath he whispered to me, "Apollo, calm down or they'll think you did something with her."

And then Phoenix turned on that nice-guy charm of his. "Officer, is my friend here considered a suspect? Because if so I think he needs to be allowed to consult a lawyer before this line of questioning proceeds and if not I think it's obvious he has nothing more to tell you. We all got up this morning and she had vanished. It's as simple as that. He's worried about his girlfriend. Here's his card and my card. You can have Detective Skye call us." And with that the dumbfounded police officers let Phoenix wrap his arm around me, turn me around and march me back into our office.

Our office was filled with more police officers milling about than I usually see at the police station. A couple of them eyed me suspiciously as they questioned Maya. I had a feeling that Maya was trying to keep them occupied as she seemed to intentionally stall her answer to every question. Phoenix had probably told her to keep the cops busy for a while. After all, they were of little use to us if they really didn't think Vera had been kidnapped.

Trucy was on one of the computers creating a missing person's flier using a photo Maya had taken of Vera. The picture had been taken a few weeks ago when Vera had us all over for homemade pizza at her apartment. Maya had lined up the shot of Vera with the gourmet pizza she had made, but Vera had other ideas and yanked me by the arm into the shot at the last moment. You could see her joyfully giggling as I bumped into her and the hot pizza. Even in the poorly framed snapshot Vera was radiant, a stunning wide-eyed beauty holding the hand of a total doof who had been stupid enough to believe that the worst in her life was behind her. And now her innocent beauty was in the hands of criminals who would do god knows what to her. The thought made me ill and I ran into the bathroom and was sick.

If I could have done anything to trade places with her I would do it. There was no hesitation on my part to do whatever I could to get her back. The only problem was we had no clue where she had gone to and why.

Returning to the office from the bathroom, I saw that our friends were huddled together on the couches. It was obvious that investigating Vera's disappearance was not going to be left merely to our local police. Maya and Trucy were already on the case discussing with Phoenix anything that might lead us to clues as to her whereabouts. I would have liked to think I could switch myself that effectively into investigation mode, but my stomach was still sick with visions of all the horrific things that could be happening to her. All those crime photos I'd seen, all those horrible stories that I had purposefully created a blockade from for my work, now they were all her. I realized then for the first time how dehumanizing it is to be referred to as "the victim". All those people had been someone's child, someone's friend, someone's lover and nothing had protected them, why should I think that Vera and I were immune to the evils of the world? I had no control, no way to protect her. Maybe if I had been there I could have done something, but I wasn't. She had been stolen away right under my nose as I slept downstairs.

"As far as we know she never had contact with any shady people. Her dad did all that and most of that was years ago." Maya stated.

"So, why would someone take her now?" Trucy asked.

"It could be that someone's trying to get at Apollo, but it isn't that widely know that they're together," offered Phoenix.

I shrugged, "I can't think of anybody. I don't have any cases right now."

"Well, it doesn't take long to make enemies in this business," said Phoenix.

Maya smiled sympathetically at me, "Don't worry. I've always come back unharmed. Just hungry and tired." Maya was our local expert on being kidnapped or being put in harm's way; during her years as Phoenix's assistant she had been a common target. It almost seemed like Phoenix's enemies recognized the intimate connection between the two of them before Nick figured it out.

Maya hugged me and I started crying. I could have been embarrassed, I guess, but instead I just felt relief. It was hard to hear all these strangers talking in their business-like tones about Vera. I was used to any mention of her being tinted with affection not because I was dating her, but because she was part of the family, part of the odd conglomeration of souls who found peace in Phoenix Wright's world.

We had to get her back. I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her. Vera was simply too nice a person to ever be harmed and I didn't feel like we could ever be whole again without her. As I sat there trying to clear my anguished mind so I could be of help, Detective Skye came in. She looked more intense than usual and for once did not appear to be snacking. I never realized she cared about Vera.

"So, have any of you gotten a ransom note or a phone call?" We all shook our heads.

"When can I get back in her apartment?" I asked.

"If you're hoping for finger prints on the window. You're outta luck."

"…Sorry" she added.

I was thinking about that, but I also had more mundane concerns, "I need to feed Henry the Magnificent. It's her pet fish. She won't forgive me if he doesn't get taken care of. " I must have looked pathetic in Maya's arms with blood shot teary eyes asking permission to care for my girlfriend's stupid fish but Ema said nothing. She merely raised her eyebrow at me like I was a broken shell of my former self and whipped out her cell phone to call someone. We heard her talk to someone named Officer Meekins, "When you're done dusting for prints bring the boyfriend the fish…I know, I know…well we don't need to be doing it! It's a damn fish…yes…All you have to do is bring it down here. Just do it!"

Then she turned back to us, "Apollo, they'll bring her fish down here for you guys to tend to, but I'm sorry I can't let you in the apartment. It'd mean my neck. They're trying to connect you with her disappearance because it's not looking like she left on her own."

"I know! And it's ridiculous. I love Vera. I'd never do anything to hurt her."

"Well, you've got a reputation for being a little aggressive…a little overly passionate…scientifically speaking crimes of passion are fairly common…"

"Ema, I swear I didn't hurt her. I'd never do that! You know me!"

"I know that, but you need to lay low and not be antagonizing the cops. It makes my job harder. We need to concentrate on trying to find her as quickly as we can. Keep your cell phone on you and stay at the office in case Vera or her kidnapper call."

As Ema went to leave I walked with her to the door of the office and she spoke to me in a low voice, "Try not to do anything stupid, OK? They're watching you."

At least Detective Skye agreed with us that Vera had been kidnapped unlike the first responders who seemed to think Vera had suddenly decided to leave everything she owned and start a new life. If I really believed that I would have felt better, even though it would mean never seeing her again. But I was sure she had been abducted. She wouldn't have left without saying goodbye to at least one of us and not only that, I was convinced she would have taken some things with her that had sentimental value: her favorite paintbrush set, Henry, her favorite book, a photo of her father, something. Hell, she hadn't even taken her drawing pad. It was resting on her bedside table with a pencil at the ready just like it always was when she was in bed.

The day stretched on. I paced from one end of the office to the other. I sat down and got up. Nothing felt comfortable or right. Phoenix spied on the cops trying to figure out when he and Maya could sneak into Vera's apartment to investigate and Trucy went out to ask our neighbors and people at the Gatewater Hotel next door if anybody had seen or heard anything suspicious.

We all reconvened around lunchtime. There had still been no contact from the kidnappers and no witnesses had come forward to say they saw or heard anything out of the ordinary. The fact no one had contacted me or Wright made me really nervous. Was she just a random victim of some sicko? Where was she and what was happening to her?

Ema had told us that she would be issuing a news bulletin regarding Vera's disappearance so we decided to turn on the TV news to see the coverage of Vera's vanishing.

Local convicted felon, Vera Misham, better known as world-famous forger and book illustrator, Drew Misham, has disappeared from her apartment in the SE district. Police aren't releasing details, but it is believed that Ms. Misham was taken from her apartment during the night. It is believed that foul play may be involved. Authorities have not released the names of potential suspects but have interviewed her former defense attorney, Mr. Apollo Justice, in connection with the case.

I grunted. Wonderful, just wonderful.

In other news, Freedom Party Candidate, Ralph Parks insists that he has proof that his opponent, incumbent Susan Bennett has been taking bribes. While he has yet to produce any proof of this representatives from his campaign said that they will be holding a press conference later this month to prove the allegations of unethical behavior. Susan Bennett calls the allegations, "Preposterous and unworthy of further comment."

"I agree with her. Doesn't everybody know the Freedom Party is just a puppet for the Rivales crime ring?" Trucy asked her dad. Phoenix shrugged and I was forced to admit that I hadn't known that, but I don't really follow politics much.

Looking for something fun and educational to do this weekend? Head to the art museum where an exquisite collection of Asian artifacts will be on display. Amongst the collection is a painting of a former Chinese emperor valued at over 20 million dollars.

So, Bob Henry what can we expect from the Ivy League Aadvarks tonight? Is another win in there future or are they going to choke like on Thursday night…"

I groaned. They were going to devote more time to some idiot throwing a ball in a hoop than on my girlfriend's kidnapping. Typical. I turned off the TV and tried to decide what to do next.

"Maybe we're comparing this too much to when Maya's been taken," said Trucy. We looked at her- what did she mean? I felt like she was making an important point but my synapses were no longer connecting to one another. I struggled to grasp the thought that seemed just out of reach.

"That's it! Her skills! Maybe somebody kidnapped her for her forgery skills. The trials were in the papers anybody would know how good she is. Maybe they've taken her to create something! And then they'll let her go!"

At this point Trucy bowed her head. Maya was clinging onto Phoenix as if he were a life preserver and Phoenix looked very downtrodden.

"There's a problem with that," Phoenix said slowly as if easing into a conversation he didn't really want to be having.

"No that has to be it!! Vera's brilliant- they've taken her because she does what nobody else can do. I'm sure of it. Maybe they need a famous work of art copied or-"

"Apollo, I don't mean with your theory. I mean with the last part. If somebody took her to use her forgery skills they're not going to let her go." Maya let out an enormous sob. "They won't want her to tell what she's done for them. They'll kill her when she's done."

The stark truth of Phoenix's words hung in the room. There would be no ransom note, no negotiations. Whoever had her would use her and throw her away.