A/N: Here's another chapter! Things will finally start looking up for Polly, promise!

I know in the anime, Phoenix lives in a house, but I've always imagined him in an apartment building due to money issues…

No time jump here.

Chapter Nine: A New Life

Despite his hardships, Nick took good care of me and made sure I got the medicine I needed. It was the flu, so he and Trucy forced me into bed rest.

There were times I'd wake up in the middle of the night to Nick replacing the wet rag on my forehead, or covering me back up when I kicked off the blankets.

No one had done all of this for me since… Mom.

After about a week, though, I was tired of being a burden. I carefully stood, pulling a blanket around me to fend off the chills, and wondered into the kitchen. I wasn't fully recovered, but the body aches, and my headache, were gone.

Nick was at the stove, going between pancakes and a pot of soup, while Trucy sat at the table, swinging her legs, when I entered.

"Polly! What are you doing up?" Trucy demanded. I smiled, moving over to the table and sat next to her.

"I was going nuts, just laying in bed," I replied, wrapping an arm around her.

"But you're supposed to be in bed!" he yelled at me, and I jerked back in surprise. Her big, brown eyes were full of tears. "You need sleep, and rest, and… and…"

"Whoa, whoa, Truce, where is this coming from?" I asked, full of concern.

"You big jerk! You weren't eating or sleeping and you made yourself sick!" she yelled, punching my arm.

"Ow! H-hey, Trucy…" I said, catching her hand after she punched my arm a few more times. She looked up at me, tears now streaming down her face, and suddenly, I felt like a terrible big brother.

"Oh, Trucy, I'm sorry," I said, wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. "I didn't mean to make you worry…"

"Well I did!" she grumbled into my nightshirt, which Nick had given me the night I had collapsed in his office. I stayed silent, comforting her, unsure of what else to do.

Finally, Nick came over, placing a bowl of broth in front of me, and a plate of… something in front of Trucy. Were they supposed to be pancakes? They didn't quite look like pancakes…

"Hey, breakfast is ready," I said, gently pulling back. "And I've rested a lot, so how about I eat now?" I hoped this would make her feel better, which it did. She smiled brightly at me.

"Okay." She turned to her plate, giggling at the 'pancakes,' before digging in. I turned to my broth as well, sipping it.

"Well, Apollo, I think after a few more days, you should be ready to start school," Phoenix said, sipping his coffee. I looked up in surprise.

"School?" I asked, before realizing he wasn't eating. "Are you not hungry?" I asked. He smiled.

"Nope. I'll be fine until lunch," he replied. His throat constricted slightly, like he was swallowing, and my bracelet constricted around my wrist.

He was lying. Was there not enough food in the house? And he was… putting us before himself…

Trucy tugged on my blanket, and I realized she saw it too.

"Will you look at the time," Nick suddenly said. "We have to get you to school, little miss!"

Trucy shoved the rest of her pancakes into her mouth and hopped down, grabbing a book bag and hugging me before darting away. Nick went with her, and was gone a few minutes before coming back.

"Nick…?" I said, looking up at him.

"Hm?" he asked as he collected his mug and Trucy's plate, taking them over to the sink.

"Thank you… for taking care of me and my sister," I said. Nick smiled over his shoulder.

"No worries."

"I just… knowing you lost your job… let me help. Once I get better, rather then going to school, let me continue performing, so I can help pay for things too."

"Apollo, there's no need—"

"I know you're hungry too, Nick. When you said you'd be good, your throat constricted, meaning you were swallowing. That was an unconscious tell, one that proved you were lying," I blurted out.

Besides, maybe if I help around here, you wont get fed up with us and abandon us too.

Nick lowered the plate he was washing and turned to face me.

"So, you can do it too…" he muttered.

"Huh?"

"Trucy's already caught me on a few things." He shook his head. "Apollo, I don't mind if you continue to perform at the Wonder Bar, but you need school too if you're ever going to do anything with your life," he said, in a slightly stern voice.

"What do you mean? I want to be a magician," the said automatically, sipping my broth again. Nick glanced back at me, and I swear, for a moment, his eyes flashed green.

"Now who's lying?" he asked.

"Hm?"

"Trucy said you didn't like performing on stage." He turned back to the dishes. "That your preferred close contact magic. Also… I can see when a person is hiding a secret. Which you are, Apollo," he said, finishing and coming over, sitting across from me. I realized his eyes were green again, and my eyes dropped.

Magic is in my blood. My Grandfather and Mother were magicians, and although I'm not entirely sure, I'd bet my dad – my biological dad – was too. But… he's right. I hated being on stage. I sighed softly, my shoulders slumping.

"I don't know what to do, anymore," I admitted, staring into what was left of my broth. Phoenix smiled slightly, his eyes returning to normal.

"I know. And that, kiddo, is why you have to go to school," he said, standing. I scowled at the nickname, looking up at him.

"Don't call me that. And fine, I'll go," I sighed. Nick looked back at me with a sad smile.

"Alright. Oh. I adopted you and Trucy, while you were still out of it. Both… you and I know there's a very slim chance of Zak coming back," he admitted.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"It means… you last name changed. Instead of Apollo Enigmar, you're now Apollo Wright.

Gramaryes didn't go to school. They were homeschooled with private tutors. After all, Grandfather didn't want us mixing with 'the muggle folk,' as I so endearingly called them.

So, after another week, where I made a full recovery, I went to school for the first time. I was already in tenth grade, meaning I would be in the high school, and had to wear an uncomfortable uniform. I felt almost naked without my cape, gloves, and hat.

"I thought a private school would be better for you and Trucy," Nick said as he stood at the bus stop with us. Trucy was in between us, holding both of our hands. "Because of being homeschooled, and how famous you are, Apollo."

"A Private School? Those cost money. How are you affording this?" I asked, now very well acquainted with his financial issued.

"A friend is helping me out," Nick admitted. Just then, the bus pulled up, and Trucy and I climbed on.

"Remember, the 5th and Ruthford stop coming home! You two can just meet me at the office!" he called as the bus started pulling away. I waved to show him I understood, and quickly found a seat, pulling Trucy into my lap.

"Polly?" she asked.

"Hm?"

"Why don't you call him 'Daddy?'" she asked, tipping her head back to look at me. I sighed, resting my chin on top of her head.

"Because, Trucy. I…" What do I say here?

Every Daddy I've had has disappeared?

I don't trust him to not abandon us?

I'm bitter?

"It just… doesn't feel right," I finally settled on.

"Oh. Okay. Do you think you'll ever call him 'Daddy?'" she asked. I shrugged.

"I really don't know, Trucy. Maybe." I cast around for a different topic. "Hey, why don't you tell me about the friends you've made so far?"

"Well, there's this one girl, named Jinxie," she said thoughtfully, and for the rest of the ride, I got to hear about this… frankly creepy girl. I almost wondered if going to this school was a good idea for Trucy.

"Room 32B… 32B…" I muttered to myself, glancing between my new schedule, a map of the school, and the numbers of the doors I was passing, trying to avoid running into the other students.

"Hey, are you lost?" someone from behind me asked. I looked over to see a boy my age, with messy black hair, barely tamed by a visor, dark brown eyes, and a band-aid over his nose.

"Sorta," I said with a chuckled, rubbing the top of my head with a blush. The boy chuckled, taking my schedule.

"Hrm… let's see here… Oh! You're in my next class, Astronomy in 32B!" he said excitedly. I smiled at that.

"Really?"

"Yeah, come on," he said, grabbing my wrist and dragging me along behind him.

"Whoa!" I gasped, stumbling slightly. "You sure seem excited. This your favorite class?" I asked, jugging simply to keep my balance. Clay looked back at me with an infectious grin and a wink.

"Yep! It's only the best class here!" he declared, pulling me into the classroom and over to a pair of open seats, one right behind the other. The teacher looked up at our entrance and shook her head.

I sat in the one behind the boy and leaned forward, offering my hand.

"I'm Apollo, by the way."

"Clay," he replied, shaking my hand with a grin. "Hey, cool bracelet."

"Thanks, my mom gave it to me," I said, touching the metal band. It was like flicking a switch. Clay's eyes grew a little darker, and he turned back to his desk.

"Right…"

My shoulders slumped, and I couldn't help but wonder what I said wrong. I knew, however, that I wanted to make it right.

I forgot my deck of cards at home, but that wasn't the only thing I knew how to do magic with.

"Hey, Clay? Want to see a magic trick?" I asked. Clay turned back to me, confusion in his eyes.

"A magic trick?" he asked. I nodded, pulling a penny and a sharpie out.

"Yeah. Here, draw whatever you want on this," I said, handing both over. Clay took it and drew a star on Lincoln's face before handing both back. I grinned as sat back in my seat, putting the sharpie away. "Alright, now watch, and prepare to be amazed," I said in my best suspense building voice. It worked. Clay was hooked.

With a deep breath, I placed the penny between the tips of my index and middle fingers of my right hand, and flicked it towards the desk surface, where it bounced. While it was still in the air, I snatched it with my left hand, before opening both. The entire process took abut thirty seconds to complete.

"Whoa!" Clay gasped, before looked skeptical. "Wait. It's in your sleeve, isn't it?" he asked. I held both arms towards him.

"You're welcome to check," I offered. He felt along, and even in my sleeves, but found nothing.

"Huh? Where is it?" he asked.

"Check your left shoe."

Looking confused, he reached down and pulled his shoe off. Out fell a penny. Gasping, he picked it up and studied it.

There, on Lincoln's face, was a star, drawn in sharpie.

"WHOA!" he gasped, his eyes bright. A few of the kids around us started clapping, and I blushed to realize I had an impromptu audience.

"That was amazing, Apollo, how—Wait… you're not… the Apollo Gramarye… are you?" Clay asked. I looked away.

"Um… No, not anymore. I'm Apollo Wright," I replied, a note of finality in my voice. Clay hesitated, before nodding.

"Alright. Hey, do you like sci-fi?"

Clay I became inseparable after that in school. He'd even invite me over once or twice a week, and we'd binge watch all of the old science fiction movies and tv shows he had on DVD.

I became hooked on sci-fi, and soon we were making stupid references like a couple of geeks.

It wasn't until a few weeks after I'd met him, however, that I found out why the mention of my mother had bummed him out so much. The first time I had went to the Terran residence, I had only met Mr. Terran. I sort of assumed Mrs. Terran had left… but that wasn't the case.

Clay came to the Wright residence one day, unannounced. Nick was out at work, while Trucy was staying at a friend's house, so I was the only one home.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I let him in. Clay kind of shrugged, stepping in, and I led him into the small kitchen. With both Nick and me working, we were able to afford enough food, plus pay the bills, so I didn't mind making a cup of tea for the two of us. Clay stared into his cup for a bit, staying quiet.

"Clay…?"

"Apollo, what happened to your mother?" he asked, totally taking me off guard. I sat back in my seat, surprised. "I know Mr. Wright isn't your real dad… that he… disappeared after a trial, but whatever happened to your mom?" he asked, and I didn't even have the energy to tell him he was wrong, that Zak wasn't my dad. Instead, I sighed, putting a hand on my bracelet.

"Mom… well, she was Thalassa Gramarye. She…"

Do I tell him that she died?

That she vanished?

That Grandfather made her disappear?

"There was an accident during training… and she's gone," I settled on, before taking a sip of my tea.

"I'm so sorry," Clay muttered. I shook my head, the anger that never went away boiling under my skin. I tried to push it back, and turned my attention back on my friend.

"What's wrong, Clay? I'm sure you didn't come just to learn more about me," I said. Clay gripped his mug.

"Dad and I… got into a fight. He's been so cold since… since Mom died…" his eyes welled with tears. "If I even mention her, he gets so nasty and upset, and I just… no one understands what it's like, to have your mother suddenly ripped from you, and you'd think he'd be understanding, right? 'Cause that was his wife! But no! I haven't even been able to really mourn her because… because of him, and—" he cut off when I hugged him tightly, surprised. I rubbed his back.

"I understand, Clay, believe me. Go ahead, you can let it out now," I said, rubbing his back. He dissolved into tears against my shoulder, and before I knew it, I was mourning my own mother: something Grandfather never let me do.

I don't know how long we sat there, but finally, I pulled back, and took a deep breath.

"I'M APOLLO WRIGHT, AND I'M FINE!" I yelled at the top of my lungs, facing the wall.

"Apollo?"

"Come on, Clay, you do it too. It'll make you feel better, believe me," I said, looking over at him. He hesitated, before nodding.

"I'm Clay Terran, and I…" he took a deep breath. "AND I'M FINE!" he blinked. "You're right…"

"See? I'M APOLLO WRIGHT, AND I'M FINE!"

"I'M CLAY TERRAN, AND I'M FINE!"

We took turns yelling this until our throats were raw, and we were laughing too hard. I flopped down onto the couch, pulling Clay with me.

"Feeling better?" I asked once I caught my breath.

"Yep!" he said brightly.

"Good! Want to watch Professor Who? I have the next season on dvd!"

"Are you going to pull the disk from your sleeve?"

"Maybe," I smirked.

"Then yes!"

Nick came in, probably around three in the morning, to find Clay and I camped out on the couch, five hours in to our marathon. We must have looked crazed, but I didn't care.

I'd never been happier before in my life.

"Here, Trucy. This is what pancakes are supposed to look like," I said, placing a plate in front of my bouncing sister. She grew still, studying them.

"They don't have the black edges like Daddy's," she said. I chuckled.

"That's a good thing, squirt," I replied. "Taste 'em. I bet you'll like them."

"We'll see," she huffed, taking a big bite. Her eyes widened slightly.

"See?" I said once she swallowed.

"I like Daddy's more," she huffed, but I noticed her eyebrow twitch.

"Morning, kiddos," Nick said as he walked in, a big, blue bin in his hands.

"What's that?" I asked, plopping a few pancakes onto two more plates, one for me, the other for him.

"Old case fi—Apollo, what are you doing?" he asked.

"Cooking. Old case whats?"

"Files. Where'd you learn to cook?" he asked, peering at the plate I set at his seat.

"The internet. Why are you bringing those here?"

"Oh, great. Well, you might want to make more. We're going to have company. And I did so to clean out the office. If we're going to be a talent agency now, our bookshelves need space for the talent," he said.

"Nick. There's three of us. I'm sure there was more then enough space," I said, making more batter. "Who's the company?"

"And old friend."

"Oh!" Trucy perked. "The one who keeps sending you the little kids shows?" she asked.

"The very same." There was a knock on the door. "That'll be her now. I've got it," he walked out. I finished these pancakes, pulling a fourth plate down, and set it at the spare chair, listening to Nick and our guest talk in the hallway.

A few minutes later, a woman with long, black hair and a kind face followed Nick in.

"Oooh! I thought I smelled pancakes!" she squealed, taking the spare seat. "And they're not burnt!"

"Trucy, Apollo, this is Maya. Maya, these are my… my adopted kids. Trucy and Apollo. 'Pollo's the one who made the pancakes," he said. Trucy brightened up.

"Hi, Miss. Maya! Do you want to see a magic trick?" she asked, reaching behind her back. Nick placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You can show her him later," he said, before taking his seat. I filled the sink and let the pans soak before sitting as well. Maya and Nick talked about all kinds of things, like spirit channelings and the such, while I kept Trucy entertained by making faces at her.

Finally, Maya looked over at me. "Hey Polly?"

Her too!? "Yes?"

"Mind helping me get something from downstairs?" she asked.

"You drove?"

"No, we left it in the lobby of the building, since the elevator's out," Nick explained.

"Ah. Oh, uh, sure. Why not?" I stood, taking my plate to the sink, before following the woman out.

"So, what do you think of Nick?" she asked once we were out of earshot of the apartment.

"Well, Trucy seems to really like him. Maybe even love him," I mused.

"Ah, ah. You're avoiding the question," she said with a smile. I looked over at her, and sighed.

"I'm having a hard time trusting him… as a father," I admitted, before realizing why. That's when I noticed her eyes, and the weird charm around her neck, glowing green. "You can do it too, can't you? See when someone's hiding secrets in their heart."

"Yes. It's a spiritual power, after all," she said with a huge grin, slinging an arm around me. "But seriously Apollo, is this because of Zak? If so, I can assure you, Nick would never abandon you and Trucy like that. It's just not in his nature."

"Really?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow. Maya seemed thoughtful for a moment, before nodding.

"Nick is like a mule. Stubborn until the end. Take Mr. Edgeworth for instance. He and Nick were friends when they were kids, and suddenly, Edgeworth moves away. Nick never stopped thinking about him, until one day, he reappeared, but this time as a prosecutor. The Demon of Prosecutors, actually. You know, Nick actually became a defense attorney, just to see him again, and ask what happened? He thought about his friend for fifteen years, Apollo."

"Whoa, really?"

"Really. And that was just his friend. Now, imagine how much that determination would intensify when it came to his kids."

"He doesn't see us as his kids," I muttered, looking around once we reached the lobby.

"Yes, he does," Maya said seriously, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Apollo, he cares about you and your sister. A lot. Loves you, even. Just… give him a chance."

"Well… alright," I said with a sigh. Maya grinned, before pointing at the box.

"There it is! A new shipment of shows for Nick to watch!"

Keeping Maya's words in mind, I decided to look into Nick a little more myself. He left the bin in the corner of the living room, so when no one was home, or awake, I would take to studying his old case files.

They were amazing. The amount of dedication Nick would show towards his clients and friends… right to the point of facing mobs, getting tasered, falling into Eagle River… Maya was right. Nick was a mule.

And inspirational mule. I could just imagine, at the end of the day, the elation he would feel at getting the innocent people off, and seeing the guilty behind bars. The rush that must have come with each objection, each piece of evidence presented… everything. Just reading the transcripts gave me a rush.

By the end of the week, I realized that maybe going to school was a good idea.

After all, I would need an education to become a Defense Attorney.

A/N: Tada! This chapter… was originally supposed to be the second part of the last chapter. I'm glad I split them up.

Apollo's finally finding happiness! And an idol! YAY! And he and Clay are such close buds now… hehe.

There's no shipping there, by the way. Just best buddy-ness.

Well, until next time! TA!