AN: Haha, I thought I was going to post more during the summer, but nope it still takes me a month. I procrastinate... a lot. Heck, the only reason this got done so soon is because I was pushed to do it XP Let's just say I lack motivation the majority of the time. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter and please don't forget to review/follow^.^
Apollo sat at his desk and spun around in his chair aimlessly. Kristoph had said that he would take care of the paperwork for the trial that morning. He wasn't exactly sure why his boss had volunteered to take Apollo's work, heaven knows he had his own work to be done, but he wasn't complaining.
He probably wouldn't have been able to focus on the papers anyways. Samuel's words were still going through his mind. He was analyzing all of his client's words, looking for some sign that they weren't true. He thought that he had ascertained all of the facts. He was certain that he was on the right track. Then again, Apollo wasn't sure he could trust his certainty anymore.
Soon after, Kristoph emerged from his office and opened a filing cabinet. He carefully found the exact spot where the folder would go. The man was very organized and hated it whenever anything was out of place. Apollo had learned that about two weeks after he was hired.
"Justice, what exactly are you doing?" Kristoph questioned as he tilted his head.
Apollo sat up a little straighter in his chair. "N-nothing sir."
"I can see that." He glanced up at the clock. "It's almost two in the afternoon. Have you eaten anything yet?"
"No."
"Well, I was just heading out. Why don't you accompany me?"
"It's okay; I can eat on my own."
"I insist. Knowing you, you won't eat at a time like this unless prompted." Kristoph removed a set of car keys from his pocket.
Apollo sighed and stood up. "I suppose getting out of this stuffy office might be good for me." He followed his mentor out the door and down a flight of stairs. The duo then exited the building and walked a few hundred feet on the side walk until Kristoph stopped in front of a sleek black car. The red clad attorney couldn't help but let his mouth fall open.
"Justice, you look like a fish out of water. Haven't you seen my car before?" The blonde man inserted the key into the pristine keyhole and opened his door.
"Of course I've seen it before. I just didn't think that we'd actually be riding in it." Kristoph wore an amused expression on his face as he got into the car. Apollo hesitantly made his way over to the passenger's side and sat down.
The interior of the vehicle was as nice as one would expect judging from the outside. The seats were of black leather as was the steering wheel. The dashboard looked complex, especially to someone like Apollo who had never even bothered taking Driver's Ed. And although he would never in a million years even attempt to drive the contraption, he couldn't wait to ride it.
Soon Kristoph started the car and was already pulling out of his parallel parking spot, the soft sounds of classical music emitting from the stereo system. Personally Apollo wasn't really into the same kind of music as his boss and would have preferred a different station- something with both modern and older pop perhaps, maybe even some rock- but he didn't want to be rude. So the classical stayed.
"So, uh, Mr. Gavin where exactly are we going?" Apollo asked as he turned towards the driver with a sheepish grin.
"Just an Italian restaurant on the other side of town." Immediately the younger man's heart sank. The phrase 'Italian Restaurant' equated itself with 'fancy' and of course fancy meant expensive. How on earth was he going to afford this?
The rest of the ride there was no more speaking from either man, unless you counted Kristoph's infrequent humming as speaking. Within 15 minutes they were at their destination, and, much to Apollo's surprise, it seemed to be a normal establishment where the food would be reasonably priced.
The sign read 'The Wet Noodle' and Kristoph entered the building without further hesitation. A hostess was standing behind a podium smiling politely as she questioned them about their party number. They were then seated immediately seeing as the majority of the lunch crowd had already left.
Kristoph thanked the woman as he tilted his head and smiled, eliciting a blush from the hostess. She quickly gave them both menus and scurried away. Apollo flipped through his menu and within two minutes had already decided on his food. Kristoph was taking his time however and didn't choose until ten minutes after they had been accommodated.
"Justice,"
"Y-yes sir?"
"There's a reason why I asked you to come with me here. I don't suppose you know what that reason is, do you?"
"No…" Apollo shrunk back in his seat.
"You're attitude lately has… concerned me."
"What do you mean?" His behavior hadn't been different. He was acting like his same old self.
"Ever since Phoenix Wright's trial you've been wallowing."
"I haven-"
Kristoph interrupted him. "You have. And while it may not be obvious to most, I can tell. Even after I had that short discussion with you the other day, nothing has changed. You're still upset and today's trial has only made it worse."
"Well of course I'm upset!" Apollo hollered, gaining the attention of a number of patrons and a few staff members. "Of course I'm upset." He resaid in a quieter tone of voice. "Everything is just so wrong. When I wanted to become a lawyer I didn't think that this would happen."
Apollo ran a hand through his hair in a flustered manner. "I know that it is not my place to say this, but perhaps you could talk about it with someone. Maybe that boy that always seems to drop by the office at the most inconvenient of times?"
"Clay? Maybe, but I'm kinda scared about how he'll react to today. Losing a case is one thing, but keeping a scumbag from his rightful punishment is another."
Kristoph turned his eyes towards his drink and shrugged, but it didn't have the usual suggestion of pompousness. Instead, it seemed as if he was merely closing the topic like a friend would.
Apollo closed his eyes and took in a breath. "Maybe I could talk to… you about it?" Kristoph just looked at him for a few seconds, not saying anything. "I-I mean you don't have to sir. In fact just forget I asked; it was a dumb idea anyway."
"Actually, I wouldn't mind hearing your thoughts on the matter. It would provide helpful insight on your perspective, hm."
"Well, if you're sure you don't mind…"
"Anya, why exactly are we wandering around? There are far more important things we could be doing." The escapade had been fun the first thirty minutes, Lana was now growing tired. Her partner, however, was not.
"Well, fresh air is nice." Lana let out an audible sigh. "It's not like we had anything better to do. We already reported to Mr. Edgeworth about the trial, and so far we haven't been assigned a new one."
"I would prefer if we stopped wasting our time though…"
"We'll stop for a quick lunch and then we'll get back to the office, okay?"
Reluctantly Lana gave her consent, on the condition that it would be hurried. Soon enough the two found themselves standing outside of a building with a logo proudly proclaiming the name of the establishment 'The Wet Noodle'.
"Uh, Anya are you sure you want to eat here?"
"Why wouldn't I be? I've been here before and their noodles are to die for."
"…Which is exactly why we shouldn't eat here. Why don't we get something else?"
"Haha very funny." Anya rolled her eyes. "And while your offer for 'something else' is very tempting, I'll have to pass. Don't worry, if you get sick we can always press charges." Without another word the two entered the restaurant, Anya with a slight bounce in her step and Lana begrudgingly.
The small bell rang above the door announcing their arrival. Anya leisurely scanned her surroundings, not really expecting to see anything of particular interest. The shock was evident on her face when her green eyes met cold, calculating blue slightly enlarged by glasses.
Anya turned towards the hostess. "Could we get a table as close to those two men as possible?"
"W-why of course, but may I inquire as to why?" The women held menus close to her chest.
"Let's just say there's some business I'd like to settle."
"O-of course ma'am." The mousy female led the prosecutors to a table right next to Kristoph and Apollo. The youngest person present shrunk own into his chair at the appearance of the women.
"Prosecutor Fallman, Prosecutor Skye, what a surprise to see you two here." Kristoph's glasses glinted menacingly.
"I could say the same thing." Anya sneered. "I didn't think that a snob like you would eat here."
"Anya!" Lana scolded, obviously appalled with her mentee's behavior.
She ignored the words directed at her. "Mr. Gavin, could I request to talk with you. In private." She sent a short glare in Apollo's direction.
"Certainly. Apollo, why don't you take this time to get to know a bit more about Prosecutor Skye?" With that said Kristoph stood up from his seat and followed Anya to the outside patio eating area, open for patrons. Once they were out of earshot the man continued. "What seems to be the problem Ms. Fallman?"
She clenched her fists around the white table cloth below her. The standard silverware set was already set out and neatly tucked safe inside a napkin. Her hand tightened around that. She was ready. She could do this. "I think you know what my problem is, and I'm settling it right now."
