A/N: And with this one, I no longer have any chapters in reserve. I'm really hoping I can get this story finished before either Christmas or my birthday, but at the same time, I wanna try to finish Ace Mommy before the end of the year. My plate's a bit full in terms of my stories, but I still enjoy writing them so much.

Quick shoutouts to the awesome reviewers from last chapter.

GameLord the Hitman: Hey, I needed an excuse to get Franzy into this story. And boy am I gonna have fun with it.

ZardX (I sure hope this translates correctly): Honestamente, dado un contexto de pruebas y tribulaciones, no creo Maya cuenta con uno de los suyos. De hecho, en cierto modo me dio la sensación de que Phoenix es uno de los tipos. Podría estar equivocado. Tal vez encontremos en 6?
Y es bueno saber de usted personalmente! Recuerdo JordanPhoenix mencionar cuando tenías un par de reqeusts Drabble.

Anikasnow6: It truly wouldn't be Ace Attorney without some family issues, would it? I truly do like Klavier, I thought he was a cool character who deserved a little more backstory. I mean, the poor guy lost his friend and his brother in the same year. Both of them turning out to be murderers, not to mention, his brother used him as a pawn. And yes, those two crazy kids deserve each other.

Ryszard: I already PM'd you about it, but I want to apologize once again for my mistake last chapter. I certainly should have clarified more.

Saintgirl1999: I haven't played Uncharted, so I had to look the song up. You're right, that was one EPIC reveal!

Multifangirl6: Yep, Ol' Nick is ready to settle down! And how could I possibly resist the opportunity to give Nick a good lashing from our favorite whip happy prosecutor?


December 19
5:52 PM
Tres Bien

Franziska very nearly choked on the tea she was sipping. Quickly placing the cup on the table she looked at the spikey-haired fool across from her. "Are my ears working correctly? It sounded like you just asked me to help you choose an engagement ring for Miss Fey."

Phoenix simply nodded. "That's exactly what I said. These last few months with Maya have been the greatest of my life. It's not even a question anymore if I want to spend my life with her. The only question is when I can start."

Franziska was dumbfounded. In all the years she'd known Phoenix Wright, she'd never once thought of him as ever so much as being intimate with a woman. But now here he was, laying down his intention to propose to his former assistant. She took another sip of her tea. "As flattered as I am by the offer, I must wonder why you wish for my assistance on this matter. Would your young employee not be better suited than I?"

"Athena? Yeah, she'd probably be a good pick, but something tells me she wouldn't be able to keep it a secret. Really, I just need a woman's opinion on this and you seem like a really good choice. Look, I understand if you don't want to, but I thought-"

"Nonsense, Phoenix Wright." Franziska interrupted. "As I said, I am flattered that you would ask for my assistance. After all," She then readjusted her glasses. "Without my help, how could you possibly hope find the perfect ring?"


December 19
6:08 PM
West Pavilion Mall

Apollo had his hands in the pockets of his jacket as he wandered through the mall. Maya and Athena had gone off together, leaving him to wander through the mall on his own.

Man, Athena should have been the first person whose gift I bought, but here I am. With absolutely no clue what to get her. How exactly do I top that hair ribbon?

As he wandered, racking his brain for an idea, he wasn't paying attention when a person walked right into him and they both fell on their behinds.

"Ow! Man, shoulda been looking where I was going." Apollo said, rubbing his rear.

"Herr Forehead?" Said a voice.

Apollo looked at the person across from him and was met with none other than the rockstar prosecutor himself, Klavier Gavin.

"Oh, Prosecutor Gavin!" Apollo cried, quickly pulling himself up from the ground and offering a hand to man. "Sorry about that, I guess I wasn't paying attention."

Klavier accepted the hand and was hoisted up. "Nein, it is fine, Herr Forehead. I wasn't paying attention either." He then leaned forward and smiled at the horned attorney. "So what brings you here? Perhaps, shopping last minute for my gift?"

Apollo chuckled and crossed his arms. "What makes you think you're getting a gift from me?"

Klavier clutched at his chest, faking that he'd been hurt. "Ach, mein heart. How could you be so cruel, Herr Forehead?"

Apollo gave the man a friendly punch in the arm. "Relax, your gift is already wrapped and ready to go."

Klavier smiled, messing with his hair. "And your year's supply of forehead polish should be in the mail as we speak."

Apollo slumped forward, his horns drooping. Somehow I get the feeling he's not joking.

"So what does bring you here?" Klavier asked.

Straightening up, Apollo crossed his arms. "Well, you were half right before. I am doing some last minute Christmas shopping."

The two began to continue walking as they talked. "Ja? And whose gift have you waited this long to purchase?"

Apollo scratched the back of his head nervously. "Oh, y'know. Just my girlfriend."

"A girlfriend? Herr Forehead, I thought what we had was special!" Klavier joked.

"Yeah, yeah, I've heard all the gay jokes before."

Klavier laughed. "Forgive me, I could not resist." He shoved his hands into his jacket pockets. "So who is the lucky lady? Someone I know perhaps?"

Apollo smiled to himself, still beyond happy that he could say the next sentence. "You've met her. It's Athena."

Klavier's eyes widened. "Fraulein Cykes? I'm impressed, Herr Forehead."

"What, is it THAT surprising that I can get a girlfriend."

Klavier smirked. "You don't want the answer to that, Herr Justice."

Apollo shot a glare at the man. "You're a real comedian, you know that?"

Klavier smiled, running a hand through his hair. "Oh? Perhaps I should consider a career change."

"So enough about me, what brings you here?" Apollo asked.

"I am in much the same position as you, actually. Last minute shopping." Klavier explained.

"And you're giving me a hard time?"

"Hey, in my defense, I was unaware that I would be spending Christmas with anyone until a few hours ago. Let alone this person." Klavier said.

"Oh really? And who would this person be?" Apollo questioned.

Klavier hesitated a moment, stopping in his tracks. Apollo stopped as well and turned to look at the prosecutor. "Prosecutor Gavin?"

"You… would not believe me if I told you, Forehead."


December 19
6:23 PM
West Pavilion Mall

"Seriously?" Maya asked. "You haven't bought Apollo's gift yet?"

"I know, I know, I'm terrible." Athena said as she browsed through various men's clothes around the two of them. "I just can't think of any ideas. Apollo's probably picked out the greatest gift ever for me and I have no clue what to get him."

"I dunno," Maya said walking over to the girl. "I think he's gonna have a hard time topping that." She pointed at Athena's ponytail, indicating the Kurain lily hair ribbon Apollo had given her several months prior.

Athena giggled. "Yeah, it will admittedly be tough to outdo himself there. But I'll love whatever he gets me either way." She put down the ugly sweater she was looking at and turned her attention back to Maya. "So what'd you get Mr. Wright?"

Maya sighed. "I swear, Nick is always such a pain to buy for. But, Trucy and I pulled our money together and got him a new coffee maker. And not a cheap one either. It's one of those ones that you can use either grounds or those little cups."

"Oh, you mean one of the new Beurigs? That's awesome! I'll be mooching off of that big time at the office." Athena said as she looked over the tie rack.

Maya let out a laugh. "You're not the only one. Trucy's already picked out her own selection of coffee for the thing. I also got him some high dollar coffee grounds imported. A friend gave me the suggestion."

The two left the men's clothing department and headed for the electronics. "That sounds like a really awesome idea. Apollo could use a new coffee maker…"

Maya laughed. "Please, you expect me to believe you can afford a Beurig on what Nick pays you?"

Athena grimaced. "Ya don't have to rub it i-whoa!" She cried out as she walked into someone and toppled over.

The person shoved Athena off of them. "Ya wanna watch where you're going!?" They cried out.

Athena composed herself and sat up to look at the person she ran in to. "Hey, I'm sor- Hey, aren't you that detective friend of Apollo's?"

The woman stood from the floor and dusted off her lab coat. "Justice? Yeah, I know him. And who are you?"

Maya suddenly cried out! "Ema!" She threw her arms around the detective.

"Whoa! Easy there, girl." Ema said, gently pushing Maya off her. "What brings you here, Maya? Haven't seen you in a while."

After the events of the Peppa Cinni's trial, Maya and Ema had become fast friends, hanging out often. Plus, Maya acting as Phoenix's assistant off and on, the two interacted during some cases. Particularly cases Klavier Gavin prosecuted.

"I'm Christmas shopping with Athena here." Maya explained, pulling Athena from the floor.

"Athena, huh? That sounds familiar." Ema said as she produced her seemingly endless bag of Snackoos.

"That's cause we've met before. It was just the once, at the crime scene during the Peppa Cinni's case, so I don't blame you for forgetting." Athena explained. "So, re-introductions! I'm Athena Cykes, an attorney and Apollo's girlfriend."

"Girlfriend, huh?" Ema pondered as she popped a Snackoo in her mouth. "Honestly, I wasn't sure Justice swung that way."

Athena let out an exasperated sigh. "Why does everybody think that? Is it the bracelet?"

Maya decided to cut in. "So, what brings you here, Ema?"

"Same as you. Christmas shopping." Ema said bluntly.

"Really? The other day you said you finally finished. Who's left to buy for?" Maya asked.

Ema looked off into the distance before replying. "Would you believe me if I said Klavier?"


December 19
7:09 PM
West Pavilion Mall

"I still cannot believe you talked me into going to that pathetic excuse for a restaurant again! Fine French cuisine, my a-"

"I get it! I'll make it up to you somehow, but can we stop talking about the poor food? You were even complaining to the cabbie!" Phoenix cried.

Franziska gritted her teeth and reached for her whip, causing Phoenix to flinch. Franziska let out an exasperated sigh. "You are taking the fun out of this, Phoenix Wright."

Phoenix composed himself and continued to walk alongside the German woman. "Well forgive me for not waiting around with a smile on my face as you lash out with that thing."

The two made a beeline for the jewelry store.

"Now, tell me, Phoenix Wright. Do you have any idea what sort of ring you're looking for?" Franziska asked.

"Uh…"

Franziska put a hand to her head, feeling a headache coming on. "Have you not thought this through at all?"

"Uh, well, I thought to bring you. That's thinking something through, right?" Phoenix said.

Franziska sighed. This fool is my husband's best friend. That thought alone terrifies me.