A/N: This is the first Phoenix Wright fanfiction I am writing, so please keep that in mind as you read. Also, I have never played the games, just watched others play. That being said, this story takes place two years after the events in Ace Attorney. Which, if I'm remembering the lore correctly, is the second(?) game in the series. Anyways, without further ado, let's get into this fanfic. I hope you guys enjoy it and have a great night. I may or may not make a video series out of this based on how many readers I get. Thank you!

Phoenix Wright

A Turnabout Proposal and Future Imperfect

Chapter 1: A Deadly Outing

One day, Phoenix Wright was in the Defendant's Lobby, having just completed a very tough case. It was 5:30PM, and he was rather hungry. As Maya walked out behind him, he turned to her and said, "Wow, that was one tough trial, huh?" He had been once again close to losing the case, but had managed to get a Not Guilty verdict for his client, Ms. Noelle Fair, who had been accused of larceny, grand theft auto and a few other petty charges. It was because of the large number of charges against her that he had been given the case, as he was known to achieve a Not Guilty verdict in even the most hopeless looking cases.

Maya nodded and smiled, "Yeah, but we did it, right? That's all that matters. Oh, you know what we should do? We should go get a burger or something for dinner. I'm half-starved!"

Phoenix nodded, "A burger sounds good...I guess..." Whether it was the long hours the trial had been, or his exhaustion, he couldn't be sure, but today, Maya's hair looked especially soft and shiny. He also noticed that she had become a bit more...developed on certain areas of her body over the past two years. He had been tempted to ask her out a few times, but never acted on it because of her relation to his mentor, Mia. He felt that he would be shaming the memory of his mentor if he even got close to touching Maya. As if sensing his thoughts, he heard Mia speak in his head, as he had during that one case...what was it again? Oh yes...the case where she had been killed. Mia's voice told him, "I trust you more than I have anyone, Phoenix. Feel free to marry Maya if you would like. It would make her the happiest she has been in years." The spiky-haired defense attorney nodded his head and looked at Maya, taking this chance to ask her out since it was only the two of them in the lobby for the moment. He continued, "Actually, Maya, how would you feel about doing something...a little more formal and intimate, just the two of us?" He was glad hes finally asked the question, as he had been holding back asking it due to his worry for Mia's response, and the possible danger it could hold for Maya. He was a well-known defense attorney, after all, and it had earned him a few enemies. He hardly ever mentioned them to anyone, as he didn't want to cause Maya, Larry, Edgeworth or anyone else to worry. His enemies were sometimes the relatives of the witnesses he had cross-examined, or family members of the victims of the crimes that his clients had been accused of. Either way, he hoped Maya would accept his invitation.

Maya responded, giggling and nodding, "Well, Mr. Phoenix Wright, are you asking me on a date?" She didn't seem nervous or unhappy, quite the contrary, she seemed perfectly comfortable, and slightly excited. Not ever one to beat around the bush, the young man answered her, "Yes, I am. So...what do you say?" After considering Phoenix's offer, the young woman gave a soft giggle and nodded, "Yeah, let's go. Oh, should I wear something nice?"

The thought of the brown-haired woman in anything other than her kimono and purple cardigan made the defense attorney blush a bit, but he nodded and smiled, a little excited as well, "Sure, if you would like. Just don't cake yourself in make-up, okay? You don't need it."

Maya giggled at Phoenix's comment. The young defense attorney had always been straightforward when talking to her and to others. That was one thing she loved about him, his honesty and fairness. She told him, "Aww, Phoenix, you're sweet. Thank you." She leaned over and kissed his cheek, "I can see now why my sister enjoyed working with you so much." She walked away and went to the mall, to find a dress that she thought Phoenix would enjoy seeing her in. After searching almost every clothing boutique, she came across a deep purple, longsleeve evening gown with a lowered neckline, sequins on the bodice, see-through sleeves and a skirt that from this distance, looked like it would hit just below the knee.

Phoenix had always told her she needed to dress a little cuter in court, but...surely something like this wasn't what he was talking about! In any case, it would work for their special dinner tonight. She went and tried the dress on and it fit her perfectly. She was stunned by what she saw in the mirror. She could probably get away with wearing the purple cardigan with it, since it was purple. Plus, it would help Phoenix be more comfortable with seeing her like this to have something familiar paired with something new. At least, she hoped so. One of the employees of the store complimented her, "You look beautiful in that, if I do say so, miss. Your boyfriend is one lucky fellow." Maya smiled and giggled, excited about the idea that she had impressed somebody without even trying. She replied, "Thank you, ma'am. He's not my boyfriend...at least,not yet. He's a little shy with his feelings, so he hasn't come right out and said how he feels. I think he's afraid of dishonoring my sister. That and...I think because of the age difference, he's afraid people will talk. Not only that, but he is a well-known defense attorney. He's garnered a lot of different kinds of attention. I think he's afraid he'll put me in danger if we start dating."

An older employee of the store, who had been in the area at the time organizing some of the racks, spoke up and said, "Listen, girly, love knows no boundaries. You can't put an age on love, and if he really loves you, he'll respect your wishes. From the way you're talking, you've wanted to go out with him for a while. Am I right in that?"

Maya thought for a moment. Did she really consider Phoenix like a brother like she had assured herself, or was there something deeper there that she was afraid to touch on? Mulling further on what the woman had asked, she came to the conclusion that she, Maya Fey, was indeed in love with Phoenix Wright. She, like him, had just been afraid to act on her feelings. She answered the woman's question, "Yes, you're right, but...what if something happens?"

The elder woman assured her, "Just tell him your honest-to-goodness feelings, all right? And who cares about the age difference? Love is love, no matter who feels it for whom. That way, if something does happen, he'll take comfort in knowing you feel the same love in your heart that he does." A little chilled at the thought of Phoenix being hurt, Maya gulped, but nodded, "Okay, I'll tell him how I feel. I just hope this date doesn't end in disaster." She went back into the dressing rooms and changed back into her kimono, as she wasn't comfortable with the thought of wearing something new right out of the store.

Once she was home, she put on some rose-colored lip gloss, silver nail polish and a light touch of pinkish blush to give her cheeks a fair pop of color. She then tried to get in contact with Mia, to let her know that she had accepted Phoenix's invitation to dinner, "Mia...are you there?"

Mia's spirit answered almost immediately, but she seemed at peace, and very happy, "What's up, sis?" Maya told her, "I accepted a dinner invitation from Phoenix...is that all right? He was your student after all..."

Mia giggled and nodded, "Sure, that's all right. I care about both of you and I think you could be very good for each other." She then added, as an afterthought, "But be warned...he is a defense attorney. Every date you're going on with him puts you at risk. Are you prepared for that?"

Maya nodded her head, trying to live up to the family reputation for being tough. She was a little scared, she couldn't lie about that...but if she never acted on the love she felt for Phoenix, she might explode. She just hoped that he was ready to act on his love for her as well.

Phoenix was waiting outside the Wright & Co. Law Offices, as he had made a brief stop in here to check on Charley, the plant that Maya had charged herself with taking care of since her sister's death. He muttered, "I just hope I can show the same care for Maya's heart."

Mia spoke to him again, a slight breeze blowing through to show her presence, "Oh, come now, Phoenix, I know you. You'll harm yourself before you hurt my sister. You have a very caring nature, even if you don't always get to show it and you've come through some pretty tough cases with my sister. I think you'll be fine." She went silent again and not long after, Phoenix decided he wanted to get Maya some flowers, to make this date seem more official. He just hoped everything went smoothly. He was wearing different tie, pants and shirt, but the same jacket he wore to court. Also something familiar with something brand new.

The flower vendor down the street from the office, considering it very unusual to see Phoenix here, asked him, "Good morning, Nick. What brings you by?"

Phoenix looked at the girl and told her, "Well, I came to get some flowers for Maya. We're uhh...we're going on a date."

The girl giggled and nodded, "Good luck with that. Maya's a lucky girl. You look really handsome in that get-up." After purchasing the flowers, the defense attorney walked back down to the offices, and spotted Maya waiting in the same spot he had been standing about 10 minutes ago. Or had it been 20? Either way, he was happy to see her.

Maya heard footsteps and turned around, then smiled upon seeing Phoenix, "Hiya, Nick!" She then noticed the flowers and gasped, her eyes going wide in surprise, "Wow...are those for me?" She knew Phoenix was very sweet and caring, but had never realized just how far down his consideration went.

Answering her immediately and with a slight redness to his cheeks, Phoenix nodded, "Yeah, I hope you like them."

Maya nodded her head and ran over to him, taking the flowers and giving him a slight peck on the cheek. For now, she would settle for that. Perhaps a little later on, they could try kissing on the mouth, but at the moment, she was happy just to have her lips in contact with his face in any fashion, "Yeah, I love them. They're beautiful! So, where are we going?"

Phoenix thought a moment, then suggested to her, "How about the new Italian restaurant that just opened downtown?" He had only been there once, with his client, Noelle, but he had really enjoyed the coffee and the bread, if nothing else. Granted, it had only been lunch, but he knew a little about the restaurant, and that was something.

Maya smiled and nodded, "Sure." The two of them walked to the restaurant hand-in-hand. Once they reached the restaurant and went inside, a hostess seated them and handed them menus to look over. Once Phoenix had decided what he wanted to eat, he lay down his menu and looked at Maya, who was still deciding. He loved the way her eyes sparkled when she was thinking. It created an aura of mystery around the young woman. She decided what she wanted and lay her menu, then her eyes locked with Phoenix's and she smiled, "Phoenix...how long were you staring at me?" Blushing a little bit, the young defense attorney considered a moment how to answer. He didn't want to seem too forward, or to not care about her, but then again, the fact that he had let her kiss him had to mean something, right? He answered her, "Just a minute or two...why?" He tried to sound as cool and casual as possible, but then again, there was nothing casual about all this, right? They were finally being open to each other's feelings, and that meant every bit of feeling, even the awkward ones.

Maya giggled nervously and told him, "No reason. I was just asking." She walked to the other side of the booth they were sitting in, just trying to be a little closer. Phoenix noticed this and cleared his throat, but said nothing. Maya spoke again and told him, "You look awesome, by the way. Who knew that famous blue jacket of yours would go so well with a vest?" She was complimenting his choice of clothes...that was something, he guessed. Maybe an icebreaker to start up conversation, or something. So, he told her, "You look great too, Maya. But you probably don't need to keep that cardigan on. It's a little warm in here. " Either that, or he was just feeling a little warm because of how close Maya was sitting to him.

Maya giggled, "Aww, is someone a little flustered? It's okay, Nick, really. You can relax." She kissed his cheek. Despite how special this day was to the two of them, there was still the underlying nervous feeling, at least on Phoenix's end. He was enjoying himself, but part of him couldn't help but feel he was dooming the young woman. Whatever happened tonight, though...he was ready for. After the two of them had placed their order with the waitress, a stranger wearing a ski mask walked up to their table, having been watching from the back of the room.

Phoenix noticed him immediately and tensed up, seeing the murderous intent toward Maya in his eyes. He told the stranger, "I can't tell who you are with that mask on, but if you think I'm going to just sit by and let you harm Maya, you're dead wrong." He stood up out of the booth, protecting his newly-found love. The stranger told him, "Heh...you're the one whose gonna be dead if you don't move, jackass." Phoenix shook his head, in the same manner he did in court. He wasn't going to let anything happen to Maya, not as long as he was living and breathing. The stranger then said, "Well then, Mr. Wright...you've just signed your own death sentence." He took a pistol, equipped with a silencer, out and shot Phoenix twice, once on the left shoulder and once on the leg. He then left the restaurant.

Phoenix fell to the ground, bleeding from his gunshot wounds. Maya screamed at noticing the blood and knelt by her new boyfriend, her eyes full of tears, "Nick! Nick, hang in there! Someone call 911! He's been shot!"

Miles Edgeworth, who happened to be in the restaurant at the same time, but eating by himself, walked over to the two of them and also knelt by the young defense attorney, helping Maya keep him conscious long enough for help to arrive. He asked the man, "Well, Wright...looks like you've gotten yourself into another mess, huh?"

Phoenix rolled his eyes, not at all amused by his adversary's dry humor about the situation. Then again, Edgeworth was always a little messed up in the head. Well...okay, maybe not always, but he had been ever since the DL-6 incident that had claimed his father's life. Before that, he was a happy, carefree person. He then told Edgeworth, "I guess. But at least...I got to show you up beforehand." He could feel himself slipping and tried to sit up. He wanted to kiss Maya, at least once, before going to the hospital or anything like that. Edgeworth smirked, then told him gently, "Wright, you'd best stay still. If any of the bullets are still inside of your body, moving around will only make things worse."

Maya nodded and told Phoenix, in a shaky voice,"H-He's r-right, Nick. P-P-Please, don't move." He could tell she was holding back an outright sob and added, "Maya...if you need to cry, go ahead. I won't think any less of you, that's a promise." He glared at Edgeworth, as if daring him to say something.