I believe this is the second PW fan-fiction I ever wrote. It's not one of my more shining moments; I went through it and fixed any rough spots. But it's not officially Beta-Read. I apologize for any grammar or spelling errors I might have missed!

**Spoilers right off the bat for AJ!**

Recently stripped of his attorneys badge, Phoenix Wright fell into a dark part of his mind that he never knew existed. He put on a happy face for Trucy, but the mask was wearing thin. When her optimism and sunshine face weren't enough to bring him out of the darkness, Phoenix knew it was time to take steps to help himself. The first person he thought of was Miles, but that was ridiculous, no one had heard from him in weeks. So, he set his sights on Maya. With no where else to turn, Phoenix asked Maya to take in Trucy for a couple weeks while he sorted things out.

"Nick! Trucy and Pearly will get along great." Maya beamed after she had met Phoenix and Trucy at the Main Entrance to Kurain Village.

"Papa, its a little chilly here." Trucy shivered and Maya guided her into the Main Hall where Pearls was playing with a couple of other girls. Maya had a questioning look on her face when she returned to where Phoenix stood.

"Papa? ... Phoenix, is there something you're not telling me?" She crossed her arms and gave him a look that was reminiscent of her older sister, Mia.

Phoenix couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, long story short, I took her in after the whole Zak Gramarye debacle. She is his daughter, but she has no other next of kin; none that I can find anyway."

Maya shook her head. "Always a sucker for little kids aren't you Nick?" She patted him on the back and gave him a warm smile. "Trucy is adorable and she is welcome here anytime."

Phoenix paused before answering. He had become good at hiding his emotions and fighting back tears. But he knew he wouldn't be able to hide them from Maya for very long. "Thank you Maya." He had already explained his situation, but not to any degree, so Maya didn't know just how much her friend was suffering inside, and Phoenix would keep it that way.

"Nick, do you want to talk about it?" Maya's spirit training must've been working well, she could channel Mia without any effort, at least Phoenix felt Maya's older sisters presence very strongly.

"Uh...um...I have, um, some counseling sessions set up," Phoenix never was a good liar as he shuffled his feet. "Besides you don't want to be burdened with whats inside this head." He tapped his head and attempted a smile. Maya could see the weariness in his eyes. Something else loomed there as well, a dark shadow that Maya knew she alone wouldn't be able to chase.

"So I should be back in a week." Phoenix continued. "Hopefully I can get my wits about me and tie up some loose ends."

"I hope you are right. I hate seeing my friend suffer like this. You of all people do not deserve what happened to you."

"Yes...Yes, well I definitely need this time to think about the future and what I'm going to do with it." Phoenix shifted and shoved his hands into his pockets. He hated feeling so helpless. "Oh...here," He pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and hesitantly handed it to Maya. "This... this is... Don't read this until after I leave. Er...its allergy info for Trucy and a thank you from me."

Maya frowned at the piece of paper. Something inside her told her that it wasn't what Phoenix said it was. She slipped it into the pocket inside her kimono.

"Oh, something else you should know about Trucy," Maya thought she saw Phoenix's eyes light up. "She has some sort of special sense about her. She notices every little tic I have and points it out; I can't lie to the little girl, like I would anyway, but even little white lies she catches me on. I'm hoping you can mold her..."

"Well, I will do my best, even though shes not a Fey, any sort of 'special power' she has can be honed here at the village. Plus, she will have room to run around and be a kid!"

"Thank you Maya." Wasn't the reaction Maya was expecting. She pulled him to her and embraced him. She could feel him sobbing softly as she held him for what seemed an eternity.

"Papa! Papa!" Trucy's sunshine voice broke through the embrace. Phoenix gathered himself before turning to Trucy and Pearl. "Pearls says she knows you and thinks that its a good idea that I am staying with you."

"Well, thank you Pearls." Phoenix said as he wrapped his arms around the sweet little girl he had taken in three years ago. Dammit Phoenix, you really are a sucker, he scolded himself. "Pearls, Trucy is going to be staying with you and Maya for a little while. Will you help her with her magic tricks?"

"You have magic?" Pearl gave her signature gasp and watched as Trucy whipped out Mr. Hat. The two girls squealed in delight as Trucy preformed Mr. Hat.

Maya giggled. "Alright girls, its getting late and chilly out here. Pearl, will you show Trucy to the dining hall please."

"Papa, are you going to be okay? You don't look so well." Trucy asked as she hugged Phoenix.

"Thats what I'm going to find out in these next couple weeks. I know you'd be bored while I straightened my life out, so thats why you are here."

"You will come back for me?" Phoenix thought he saw her eyes water up and hugged her again.

"Of course I will..."