Five More Scenes from the Greatest Law Firm that Never Was

By Cyberwulf

Rating: T

Summary: Did someone say sequel? Well here it is! Five more scenes from a universe where Mia Fey survived Redd White's attack. Visit my profile to read the first installment, or to hear the amazing podfic version by fulldaysdrive. Based on the "Five Things That Never Happened to Character" trope. Written for the Phoenix Wright Kink Meme. Contains mild spoilers for Dual Destinies.

xxx

i. Turnabout Goodbyes

"No."

Phoenix looked up in surprise. "W-what?"

Mia stared back, her expression cold and grim. "I said no."

Phoenix floundered for a few seconds, at a loss. He'd known the Chief wouldn't be happy about it, but he hadn't expected this sort of reaction. "But I already told Edgeworth we'd represent-"

"I don't care what you told him," Mia cut him off sharply. She hobbled over to the window, leaning heavily on her crutch. "Go back and tell him I said no. I give you full permission to make me the bad guy."

"Why?" Phoenix asked.

Mia scowled at him.

"Oh, I don't know, Phoenix," she drawled sarcastically. "Maybe the hunk of plastic in my head is leaching chemicals into my brain. Or maybe it's because Miles Edgeworth indicted you and Maya for attempted murder based on absolutely nothing."

Phoenix shook his head. Mia wasn't being fair. "Based on evidence and witness testimony," he argued.

"Based on forged evidence and perjury," Mia countered. "That he left you to uncover."

Phoenix swallowed. "I know," he admitted. "But –"

"Then why do you want to defend him?" Mia interrupted. "Explain it to me, Phoenix."

"Because he wasn't always like this," Phoenix answered.

Mia barked out a bitter laugh, and he rushed to continue.

"I went to school with him, Chief. And one day… one day after gym, some lunch money came up missing. I sat out gym with a cold, so everyone blamed me." His face heated up at the memory of standing in front of his jeering classmates, the teacher sternly telling him to admit the theft while tears rolled down his cheeks. "And then, in front of the whole class, Miles stood up for me. He said there was no evidence – he made the teacher have a trial. And she found me not guilty." He looked at her, pleading silently for her to understand. "Miles Edgeworth believed me when no-one else would."

Mia gazed at him with an unreadable expression.

"I see. You're doing this for the boy you knew."

Phoenix nodded, filled with a sense of relief. He'd known, if he just explained, Mia would –

"That boy is gone, Phoenix."

Phoenix swallowed, the tension immediately rushing back.

"Let me tell you about the man he became."

Mia uncrossed her arms and began to limp back across the office.

"He became the kind of man who decides right off the bat who did it," she continued. "Like an escaped prisoner, or an ex-boyfriend, or the victim's hysterical sister. Then he chooses the evidence and testimony that fits his version of events, and ignores anything that doesn't. Especially when his star witness has a set of perky breasts and dewy eyes."

Phoenix stepped back a little as Mia's voice began to rise.

"Who cares about the truth?" Mia went on with a sarcastic smile. "Everyone's guilty of something, right? And if the real culprit gets away, and happens to hurt someone else, well that's just too FREAKING BAD!"

She smashed her crutch into the filing cabinet. The bang startled Phoenix and reverberated through the office. Mia stood with her back to him for a few moments, breathing heavily. She turned and looked at him, her cheeks flushed with anger.

"This firm defends Miles Edgeworth over my dead body."

The words hit Phoenix like a punch to the gut. The image of her slumped under the window, bleeding, swam before his eyes. He shook the memory away and gazed at Mia, but he didn't see his boss and mentor. Just an angry, shaven-headed stranger.

"Then I guess I don't work for this firm anymore."

Her face paled and her shoulders dropped as the rage drained out of her.

"…Phoenix."

He wet his lips, doing his best to keep his voice level.

"I'm sorry, Chief. I wanted to do this with your blessing, but I guess I'll have to go on without it. Something happened to Miles Edgeworth to make him this way. If I take this case, maybe I can find out what. Maybe I can get the boy I knew to come back. If it was your best friend, wouldn't you at least try?"

Mia looked away, a blush flooding over her cheeks. Phoenix took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was throwing away his job, maybe even his career, for the sake of a friendship he'd had fifteen years ago. He was surprised by how calm he was.

Phoenix turned and walked the few short steps to the door. He paused as he touched the doorknob, still haunted by the memory of feeling desperately for her pulse while her blood trickled over his fingers.

He turned back, keeping his voice low, and pointed for emphasis.

"And that was a lousy fucking thing to say."

He strode out of her office, grabbed his coat, and left the building.

The December air was bracing as he walked the short distance to People Park, stopping to grab a coffee-to-go on the way. Phoenix made his way to a bench and sat down, trying to clear his head. He guessed the Chief would need a formal letter of resignation. And he should probably tell Edgeworth he was working solo now. Phoenix blew on his coffee and heaved a sigh. He hadn't counted on Mia being this angry. And he hadn't counted on her throwing her assault in his face. Most of all, he couldn't believe it was over. If he left the firm at all, it was supposed to be years down the line, with drinks and well-wishes and promises to stay in touch.

Not like this.

Phoenix had a sip of the still-scalding coffee, and regretted it immediately. He set the cardboard cup by his feet.

"…Phoenix?"

Phoenix looked up as Mia hobbled towards him. She gazed at him briefly, then glanced away. Phoenix found himself doing the same.

"I shouldn't have said that," Mia blurted out. Phoenix looked up at her. She looked at her feet, scuffing the gravel with her crutch. "I know that…" She gestured to her shaved head. "…that all this wasn't exactly a cakewalk for you either. And I'm sorry."

Phoenix risked a small smile, and scooted over. "You should sit down."

Mia joined him on the bench. They sat together in silence for a few moments, their breath smoking in the cold, dry air.

"Chief, you should've worn your hat," Phoenix remarked at last. "Your ears are bright red."

Mia gave him a sheepish smile, running her fingertips over her ear. "Can we chalk that up to shame?"

Phoenix nodded, and smiled back. Mia looked down at her hands and twisted them in her lap.

"Phoenix…" She looked up at him. "…I don't like Miles Edgeworth. I never have. And I like him even less since he tried to put yours and Maya's necks in a noose." She paused and glanced up at the sky before continuing. "Honestly, I think you're chasing the ghost of a memory. I'm afraid you're just going to get hurt, and it tears me up inside."

Phoenix looked away and blew out a breath. Mia had just put the creeping doubts he'd had ever since his first case against Miles into words. And he kinda hated her for it.

"But…" She laid a hand on his arm and squeezed it gently. "…I do know that working for the Prosecutors' Office can change people. Your instincts about our clients have always been sound so far." She shrugged. "Maybe mine are a little off."

Phoenix gazed at her, a hopeful smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Chief, are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"I'm saying I overreacted," Mia admitted. "And…you have my blessing."

Phoenix pulled her into a fierce hug.

"Thanks, Mia," he mumbled. He moved back a little so that he could look at her properly. "Then I don't quit – if that's okay."

Mia patted him on the back. "I'm glad to hear it," she replied with a warm smile. She grabbed her crutch and levered herself onto her feet. Phoenix picked up his coffee and rose with her. "Let's go. You've got work to do."