This was meant to be the Epilogue to my other story 'Sense Memory'. However it turned out to be an exercise in character study; mine and Edgeworths.
Not beta read, so any criticism is welcome.
I do not own any characters, only the story.
I can only hope I wrote in character!

A big Thanks to James Birdsong for his review to the previous story. It might be the most words I've seen from him! ^^; It was greatly appreciated!

"Without friends no one would chose to live..." ~Aristotle

Miles Edgeworth winced as he carefully placed the pieces of tape on either side of the cooling wax on the enclosure of the parchment envelope. This was something he would never do and he knew Phoenix would catch the minor detail. He sighed deeply as Pess trotted up to him and rested her head in his lap.

"Wright..." He said to the walls as he scratched Pess behind the ears. "Why am I doing this?" Pess whined. "Heh, amazing how you know me better than I know myself." She sat back on her haunches and panted at him. Miles shook his head and stood up. Pess followed him to his coat closet where he retrieved his black wool pea coat and her leash. She barked and he shushed the excited dog as he slid his hands into his leather gloves.

"All right, lets go girl." He hooked the leash on her worn, brown collar and vigorously scratched her head. "I think we both need some fresh air."

Miles shivered and pulled his collar closer as he stepped into the chilly Berlin air. It was frozen nights like this that he questioned his choice to come back to Germany. He laughed at himself. Germany was his escape; the farthest away from that elevator; the farthest away from that lake. However, the first time wasn't an escape, but a lesson of family dynamics...

"Miles, Elsinore, bring Franziska into the study, I have an announcement to make." Manfred said as he gestured with his cane down the hallway. Miles sighed as he put the book of German verbs on the floor, stood up and took Franziska's tiny five-year-old hand. He looked up at Franny's sixteen-year-old sister, who straightened the navy jacket that she wore over a crisp white button down shirt and plaid skirt that she wore to the private school that Von Karma sent them to. She touched the turquoise broach that she wore at her neck as she walked elegantly and perfectly out of her bedroom. He looked down at his own uniform; a navy jacket that was similar to Elsinore's and crisp navy slacks that Von Karma insisted Elsinore iron for him every day. Even their hair was perfect...

"Miles, lets go!" Franny was tugging at his hand and he let her lead him out. They ran up behind Elsinore so that they would enter just as Von Karma wanted them to, by age, the eldest being first and on down.

"Ahh, my children," Manfred stood in front of Elsinore and tapped her on the bottom of her chin, signaling chin up. He cleared his throat as he tucked a few loose pieces of hair behind her ear. "I should make you cut this...this mop you have on your head. You look too much like your mother with your hair long." Out of the corner of his eye, Miles saw the raven haired girl wince when Manfred mentioned her mother. The Eldest Von Karma struck a thinkers pose, tapping his temple and clicking his tongue. "That will not do. I will take you tomorrow and you will get that hair cut." He touched the broach at her neck. "Very good. Always keep that with you. Turquoise is the strongest stone and you are my strongest descendant." Miles furrowed his brow in confusion, but quickly regained his composure.

"Children, I called you in here because I have something very important to tell you." Manfred's voice filled the dark study with authority. "We will be moving to Germany at the end of the week."

"What! But we can't..." Miles outburst was cut short by what was becoming an all too familiar sharp, evil look from Von Karma. Elsinore tried to stop him but was unsuccessful. Miles gathered his composure and stood as straight as he could, anticipating the next move as Manfred moved around the children. The cane came swiftly to the back of Miles's knees. It was just enough pain to bring him to his knees. Franziska whimpered and knelt to help Miles but was instantly pulled up by Manfred. Elsinore took a deep breath. Even though he was young, she had taken an instant liking to Miles when he entered the household. She was more than happy to be a mother figure, whenever Von Karma would let her, which was rare. As much as it pained her inside, she knew better than to console Miles. Her punishment would be twice as bad as Miles's if she showed any form of weakness.

"Now, have we finished pouting and protesting, children?" He leaned on his cane. "Good. I have made arrangements for a car to pick you up on Friday and take you to the airport. I am counting on you, Elsinore to have the two youngest ready and at their best behavior the flight over. I will be leaving the day before for Germany. I have people here to take care of the house and such." He started to leave the room, but turned and said. "Oh, and I have made arrangements for your schooling as well. Thats all."

Miles sat on the edge of Elsinore's bed, his head in his hands. The raven haired girl was rubbing his back as Franny laid in her lap. She had to explain to Franny where Germany was and how far away. She was terribly smart for a five year old little girl and she understood, then immediately started crying.

"I'm never going to see my friends again." She wailed and Elsinore shushed her. It was the same thing that Miles wanted to scream. First, Manfred took him from his school and his friends, now he was taking him away from his home and country. He watched as the elder sister comforted the youngster and thought about Phoenix and Larry. He had just begun to become close friends with them, and now he had to leave. Bitterness was an emotion that was foreign to him, until now.

"Elsinore, would there be any way we could stop by Phoenix's place on our way to the airport?"
He looked at her with red eyes.

"Of course Miles. I'll talk to our driver." She gave him a half empty smile as she caressed his cheek with her thumb. It was then Miles resolved that he would never get close to anyone ever again.

***~X~***

"Stupid boy!" Miles held his cheek. It was early on the day that Manfred was to leave. He wasn't going to give up routine, however, as they sat in his study. He was drilling legal terms and matters into Miles's head. He had wanted Elsinore to stand by his side one day, but he had sensed that she had become weak in her resolve since his wife died. Only after this decision, did he take in Miles to mentor and ruin the Edgeworth name. "You know better than that. Now, lets do this again." A knock on the door stopped Miles from reciting his terms.

"Yes, what is it?" Manfred called impatiently. Elsinore walked in with her head bowed.

"Father, your car is here." The pixie cut on the dark-haired girl was something that Miles wasn't used to.

"Ahhh...they are early. Very good." He stood up. "You will learn these terms boy. You will be the perfect Von Karma prodigy. This I can promise you!" He turned to his eldest daughter. "Make sure he is studying and nothing else. I have other plans for you my dear! I will see you children this weekend."

"Yes sir." They said together. As soon as the door shut, Elsinore swooped down and embraced Miles.

"Oh, Miles, I wish there was something I could do. I wish I could take you with me!"

"What? Wait..." Miles pushed her away. "Take me with you? What are you talking about?"

"Miles, I am going to emancipate myself from this family as soon as we get to Germany. I will move away, and you can visit me often." Her eyes were filled with excitement. But all Miles could feel was contempt and anger. How could she?

"You can't just let Franny and I go to Germany with that monster while you run away!" Miles shouted.

"Sshhh..." She put a finger to his lips. "I have a plan and it will work. You'll see!"

"I thought you were stronger than that, Elsinore, I thought you would at least stay until Franny was old enough. You won't solve anything by running away." She gave him an incredulous look.

"When did you become so grown up Miles?"

"When Manfred Von Karma took me in." He shrugged her hands off of his arms and started to walk out of the room but turned before he opened the door. "I thought you loved us Elsinore. Now I know that love doesn't exist." Then walked out.