DISCLAIMER

All these characters (except Tori) are the property of Capcom and all the awesome people there.

Italics - thoughts

Tori (toh-ree)

CHAPTER ONE

Miles Edgeworth put his pen down on the desk and made a pyramid with his hands. He was done for the day. Outside, the streetlights glittered like stars under the cloudy sky.

All he could hear was the clock ticking and the distant sound of the cars outside. Nothing moved.

Time seemed to trickle past slowly, making Edgeworth feel every second, taunting him with every moment that passed and was lost.

The drama of the courtroom seemed so distant now. Like a memory. All that was left was him, alone in this room, in this world, with only the ticking clock for company.

The knock on the door brought him back to reality, away from melancholy thoughts.

He blinked and shook his head.

"Come in,"

The door opened and one of the secretaries put her head around the door.

"Um, Mr Edgeworth," she said nervously. "There is somebody downstairs in the lobby causing an awful lot of fuss. She keeps demanding to see you. Something about a lawsuit?"

An image of a red-haired girl on a bike drifted into Edgeworth's mind.

"I'll come down right away," he said, getting to his feet.

In the lobby, the red haired girl was leaning across the desk towards the receptionist. Her long pigtails were trailing across the surface and she was standing on the very tip-toes of her military boots.

"I'm telling you! He gave me his card! Why won't you let me in to see him?"

"I've already told you," said the receptionist, somewhat irritably. "You have to have an appointment!"

"I don't care about some stupid appointment! Just let me in to see him!"

"Look here," said the receptionist, her voice angry. "You can't just…" Then she stopped and suddenly seemed rather flustered.

"Mr Edgeworth," she said, her cheeks pink.

The red-haired girl span around.

Edgeworth walked over, flanked by the secretary.

"What seems to be the problem?" he asked, looking expectantly from the receptionist to the girl.

The receptionist opened her mouth to speak but the girl jumped in first.

"Mr Edgeworth!" she cried. "At last! You've got some explaining to do!"

Edgeworth looked puzzled "I do?"

"Right!" The girl drew herself up to full height, which, compared to Edgeworth, didn't make a lot of difference. "Kindly explain to me why every damn lawyer I've been to see has turned me down at the very mention of your name!"

"Ah," said Edgeworth, unable to hide a smile. "Well, you see…"

The girl held up her hand. "Don't tell me! I think I've figured it out… You've bribed them all!"

"WHAA?" The receptionist and secretary looked utterly repulsed at the idea of Edgeworth doing such a thing.

Edgeworth, however, looked amused. "You think I bribed every lawyer in the district? How much money do you think I have?"

The girl stopped, thought for a moment and then grinned. "Aha! So it's blackmail then, is it?"

"What!"

"I'm right, aren't I!" cried the girl, leaping up and down. She pointed her index finger accusingly at him.

"You've blackmailed them all, you monster! I can't believe scum like you are allowed to serve the law! You're a criminal if I ever saw one! I bet you have a gun hidden under your cravat right now!

"Don't be ridiculous," snapped Edgeworth, not even bothering to try and picture that absurd scene.

The girl folded her arms and lifted her chin. "Fine then. I'll give you a chance to prove yourself. With testimony!"

Edgeworth frowned. What is she? Some kind of wannabe lawyer?

"I don't think testimony is quite necessary in this situation. Although I will tell you why you can't get a lawyer,"

The girl glowered. "Go on then,"

"It's simple. Nobody wants to face up against me," said Edgeworth with a smirk.

The girl's jaw dropped. "That's your reason? Are you SERIOUS? HOW BIG HEADED CAN YOU GET?"

Edgeworth chuckled. "It's the truth. I'm somewhat of a prodigy around here. I doubt anybody wants to risk their chances against me,"

"YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!" The girl's face fell and her whole figure seemed to droop.

Edgeworth looked at her, suddenly feeling almost sorry for her. He had wrecked her bike, after all.

Suddenly, the girl started to smile. She drew herself back up and looked rather smug.

"Hah! It doesn't matter anyway. I'll be a prosecutor myself soon and then I'm gonna get you good!

Edgeworth raised an eyebrow. So she's going to be a prosecutor? Well that certainly explains a few things. Especially that finger pointing habit.

Edgeworth smiled and spread his hands out. "Very well then. As soon as you become a prosecutor, you will have every right to try and sue me,"

The girl punched the air. "Alright then" she cried.

Suddenly, a loud growl filled the room.

Edgeworth looked around. "What was that?" he demanded.

The receptionist and the secretary looked blank.

The girl however, turned red and shifted her feet awkwardly.

"Sorry," she said. "My stomach. I haven't eaten dinner yet because it took me two hours to find this damn place,"

Edgeworth looked surprised, if not slightly amused. He also became aware of how hungry he was.

"Look here," he said to the girl. "Why don't I buy you dinner? It's the least I can do for all the trouble I've caused you,"

The receptionist's eye widened and she looked shocked, as did the secretary.

The girl however, did not appear to find this offer flattering or suggestive. Just tempting.

She looked at Edgeworth suspiciously. "And you would pay, right?"

Edgeworth nodded. "Of course. It'll give us a chance to discuss the incident with the bike as well,"

"Alright then! Free food!" The girl grinned. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"Slow down a minute," said Edgeworth, sounding slightly exasperated. "Let me get my coat and wallet,"

"Okay then," The girl folded her arms again. "But don't take too long. I'm starving,"

The girl stared at the décor around her in amazement. The tall, marble statues that towered above her, the glittering chandeliers that dangled from the ceiling and the spectacular fountain that was just visible in the lobby.

She twisted in her seat to face Edgeworth.

"You can afford this?" she asked, wide-eyed.

"Sure," said Edgeworth, taking a sip from his wine glass.

The girl looked suspicious. "Are you sure you didn't bribe all the lawyers in town? Because it certainly looks like you do have the money,"

Edgeworth chuckled. "I'm sure,"

The girl settled into her chair. "Well, okay then," she said, picking up the menu.

Edgeworth took another sip. "You never told me your name," he said, placing his glass on the table.

The girl looked up. "It's Tori," she said brightly. "Tori Harper,"

"Pleased to meet you, Tori Harper," said Edgeworth with a smile.

Tori smiled warmly. "Pleased to meet you too, Mr Edgeworth,"

Edgeworth watched her for a while, as she flicked through the menu. He wondered how long it would take before she admitted she couldn't read the French.

"I have to say, Tori, you've undergone an extraordinary personality change," said Edgeworth, opening his own menu. "Only half an hour ago, you were accusing me of blackmail,"

Tori shrugged. "What can I say? You offered me a free meal! You're OK in my book!"

She bent her head again over her menu.

Edgeworth waited.

Tori lifted her head.

"Hey," she said. "What's Koulibiac de saumon?"

Alright! End of the first chapter! So, what do you guys think of Tori? I like her a lot but I want to know what you think! You get my drift…? REVIEWS! If you have time, please, please review! 3

WOOO! I am having so much fun writing this! I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT WRITING ALL THE CHAPTERS!

Stick around for the next chapter! XD

Thanks for reading xxx The Lamplight Detective