Disclaimer: Of course I own Justice for All. I have I copy of it in my DS right now. Oh, you mean the copyrights? In that case, no.

Author's Note: This is a spontaneous little fic that came to me after I realized that Case 3 had a very convenient date. And Pearl is generally just awesome, so I had to make tribute.

Chapter One: New Year's Plans

It had all started with an innocent enough question. On the concluding evening of the circus case, as Phoenix, Maya, and Pearl were waiting for the train, the youngest member of the group suddenly tugged on Phoenix's sleeve.

"Hey, Mr. Nick? What are you doing for New Year's?"

"Well," Phoenix started, admittedly a bit afraid of what the eight-year-old might suggest. "You see, Pearls, I wasn't really planning anything…"

"Oh! I know, then! We can come to your office and stay with you!" Pearl clapped her hands together excitedly. "You shouldn't be all alone on New Year's, Mr. Nick!"

"We? As in, you and Maya?" Phoenix raised an eyebrow as he looked over at the older girl. "Is that all right?"

"Don't be so boring, Nick!" Maya winked and waved her hand nonchalantly. "I'm sure they won't miss us in the village for a day or two."

I am so sure, considering how Morgan's still in jail and all, Phoenix thought, frowning. "No, I meant, what about all the trainees, and—"

"I told you not to worry about it!" Maya reiterated. "Besides, New Year's Eve is actually tomorrow, right? I'm sure I'll be able to work something out between now and then. Isn't this going to be exciting, Pearly?"

Pearl cheered as her cousin started rattling off New Year's games they could play. Phoenix merely sighed. His office was still a mess—he hadn't gotten to take down many of the Christmas decorations before the trial had started. And, with every new thing Maya mentioned (various party games, typical "stay up until midnight" competition, eggnog drinking competition), the ominous feeling in the pit of his stomach grew larger and larger.