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It might not be the right time
I might not be the right one
But there's something about us I want to say
Cause there's something between us anyway

I might not be the right one
It might not be the right time
But there's something about us I've got to do
Some kind of secret I will share with you

I need you more than anything in my life
I want you more than anything in my life
I'll miss you more than anyone in my life
I love you more than anyone in my life

- Daft Punk, "Something About Us"

October

2016

Prologue:

"How do you feel about Mr. Edgeworth, Nick?"

The question caught Phoenix Wright off guard, especially when asked in his young assistant's most serious tone.

"How do I feel about him?"

They were sitting in the office after the conclusion of the Silver Samurai murder trial, after defeating his old schoolmate-turned-demon-prosecutor for the second time in as many months. He had bought a sack of burgers and two chocolate shakes in the hope of keeping Maya in a good mood as they finished up the paperwork. She had reacted enthusiastically, but he now noticed she'd set aside her quarter-pounder with cheese half finished.

She shifted uncomfortably, eyes downcast. "Yes. And think carefully. The answer you give might save you a lot of heartache later."

He slurped some soupy shake noisily through a straw, finding it tastelessly gluey in his mouth, making it hard to swallow. "I don't know," he answered finally. "Why?"

The girl sighed and wrung her hands. "You knew him before didn't you? Before the trials?"

"Well yeah, we knew each other in fourth grade. Like I told you."

"And you haven't talked to him since then."

Phoenix paused. "Well, yeah." He felt his face grow red; "sorta."

She looked up imploringly. "Please tell me. It might be important."

Putting down his cup, Phoenix signed. He might as well tell her. "Miles left elementary school without so much as a goodbye. I heard his name again when I read it in the papers." He left out the many times he had written the name Miles himself. She didn't need to know what he put in his diary. "It was when he became a prosecutor, and they reported on it because he was so young. I found out then that he was in Germany and I sent him some letters and emails and stuff, saying, like, 'hey, good job man,' yadda yadda yadda." He unconsciously scratched at the nape of his neck. "I actually did go to see him while I was on a trip over winter break. He was, a bit distant, but I thought that was just him growing up. But then, well…" he shuttered involuntarily, remembering the highs and lows of that one weekend in Berlin, and how it changed his life. Shaking his head he said, "we, uh, lost touch again after that, and it was not until, oh I guess another two years later that I saw the Demon Prosecutor article. What's this all about anyways?"

"When Mr. Edgeworth came to tell you... to say he never wanted to see you again, he wasn't lying." Phoenix felt his stomach drop a little at that, but he tried not to let it show. "But, his reason for not wanting to see you was a complete lie. He doesn't hate you. I think you did something good. The way he helped you." Her small face was puzzled, searching for meaning in this statement.

"Hm. It was really strange, the way he kept the witness talking and even pointed out a hole in her story that let me get her to confess."

"I guess I just wanted to make sure you knew that."

"Well don't let it get to you," Phoenix smirked and let his arm rest lightly on her shoulders. "Edgeworth has always been like this. If you want to know if I still care about him, well yeah. I do. Do I think he still needs help? Yeah I do."

Maya picked up her burger. "Ok Nick, I trust you. Just be careful, okay?"

"I promise."

Chapter 1 coming soon! I have to run off to work... :-P