The morning of the doctor's appointment dawned on Edgeworth slowly, boring away at him until Phoenix was urging him to get up and get ready. He did not pay attention. His mind was absorbed in other matters. What, last night, had made him collapse like that? The question taunted him so that he could no longer concentrate on Phoenix's ramblings, the constant beeping of the alarm, not even anything that was in his view. Eyes blurring, Edgeworth puzzled inwardly over the answer.
Could it have been the heat? …No, I distinctly remember it being quite cold. Then was that it? I don't think so… was there a deeper meaning than that? Was it-
Edgeworth jumped slightly as he regained concentration, Phoenix's face right in front of his.
"If you don't get yourself out of bed in five minutes, I'm dragging you there in your pyjamas."
"Fine, fine," groaned Edgeworth, as if being nagged by his mother rather than Phoenix. He turned his head to one side, breaking eye contact with Phoenix. The attorney grinned. Taking a moment longer to make Edgeworth squirm under his gaze, he stood up and opened the curtains before leaving. Edgeworth squinted in the bright light. Today wasn't going to be easy.
"Edgeworth, are you sure you're not scared?" asked Phoenix playfully. Edgeworth scowled. The two had been standing a few yards away from the clinic in silence for a good five minutes, Edgeworth pacing back and forth and checking his watch, trying to make out as if he were doing something worthwhile. The sun blared ferociously although only reflected in the long-paned windows, making Edgeworth uncomfortably warm and so had removed his cravat to use as a fan momentarily. "Oh, come on, if you insist on my company, what do you expect?"
"I suppose I should have guessed that you would have acted like this," sighed Edgeworth, placing his hand on his forehead. He peered cautiously at the building once, twice, before taking a few decisive steps toward the front door. Glancing back at Phoenix, who was standing with a smug grin imprinted upon his face, Edgeworth finally grabbed the door handle and thrust the door open with all of the confidence he could muster.
A rather surprised secretary raised an eyebrow at Edgeworth as he strode into the room with false bravado. She pushed her glasses further up onto the bridge of her nose. Impatiently, Edgeworth drummed his fingers on the desk while she typed numerous nothings into her computer. "Mister Edgeworth?" she queried despondently, not removing her gaze from the computer screen. Edgeworth, rigid as ever, did not reply, forcing the lady to raise her head and stare pointedly at the prosecutor – the burning desire to slap him withheld. She noticed Phoenix standing by his side, flashing his usual cheesy grin. Phoenix, however, not being as used to Edgeworth's silent power to control people, assumed that Edgeworth was simply too nervous to speak and proclaimed cheerfully, "Yes, it's Edgeworth. Don't mind him, he's a little shy." Attempting to muffle her snickering, the secretary nodded and, fingers a flurry of speed, set to typing her work out again. Edgeworth was not amused.
Phoenix politely pulled out a chair for Edgeworth, who sank into the leather all but gratefully. He glared once more at the defence attorney. No-one ever before had ever known just how to irritate him in those little ways that eventually drive a man to suicide. No-one could – except for Wright. What an idiot… fumed Edgeworth inwardly, arms folded tightly. Phoenix simply smiled. What kind of a person could smile like that after treating him like a five-year-old? Honestly…
"Mister Edgeworth?" called a nurse, upon entering the waiting room, a clipboard held closely to her breast.
"Go on, Edgeworth," urged Phoenix, practically pushing him into the nurse's arms. The nurse gestured for him to follow, leaving Phoenix to the pleasures of daytime television and out-of-date magazines. His heels clicked as he stumbled across the corridor. Why was his heart racing? It's only the doctor, Edgeworth told himself stubbornly. Then why was he turning around? What was wrong?
"Wright." Phoenix looked up from the magazine he was browsing, shocked. "Erm… wou- could you, perhaps …accompany me?" stated Edgeworth in the least terrified way he could speak. He hung his head slightly and held his right arm with his left. Laughing slightly, Phoenix placed his magazine on the chair next to him and followed Edgeworth through the doors. The others seated in the waiting room exchanged glances.
"See, I knew you were scared," announced Phoenix. Edgeworth did not reply. He didn't know why he wanted – no, needed Wright to be with him. His presence was comforting, despite his irritating ways. He glanced back to see Wright's confident grin once more, and, taking a deep breath, opened the door which he now stood in front of.
The doctor, who had been typing away on his computer, swung his chair around to face the door. Tucking a few strands of his uncontrolled hair behind his ear, he gestured to Edgeworth and Phoenix, pointing out two chairs. Gratefully, they took their respective seats in silence. Once more turning to his computer, the doctor called over his shoulder, "So, Miles, what's been troubling you?" Edgeworth lowered his head, quaking slightly. The doctor turned to face him expectantly. He raised an eyebrow at Phoenix, who merely smiled apologetically.
"Well… y-you see… I collapsed – rather foolishly – last night. I do believe that it's nothing significant, so, if you have anything that you would like to prescribe me, I'll be on my way," Edgeworth hastened to add. He did not lift his head.
"Miles, this could be very serious!" exclaimed the doctor in disbelief, "Don't brush it aside like that! Now, I'm going to have to take a blood sample to send to thehospital for further analysis, if-"
"That… do you have to?" interrupted Edgeworth, eyes wide with fear. The doctor nodded affirmatively, pulling a syringe out of one of his drawers. Eyes widening further, Edgeworth shuffled backwards in his seat, towards Phoenix.
"It'll be okay," whispered Phoenix soothingly into Edgeworth's ear. He paused momentarily, staring at the syringe with utter horror. He rolled up his sleeve and silently turned his head; offered his arm forward decisively.
"Get it over with then," snapped Edgeworth coldly. The doctor, slightly bewildered, took hold of his quivering arm and gently pushed the needle into Edgeworth's flesh. Wincing slightly, Edgeworth grabbed hold of Phoenix's free hand and clenched it tightly. Phoenix smiled.