Author's note: AND IT'S DONE! I am SO glad to finally have this story finished! I definite felt I was losing enthusiasm for it as I continued to come up with ideas for the continuation, probably evidenced by the admittedly bland ending. But I am glad I can finally spill the beans about that continuation! So, I'll leave a brief summary here and I'd like you guys to leave feedback and tell me what you think of the idea.
The group returns to the Wright Anything Agency where Phoenix is asked to defend an old friend by... GUMSHOE!? Phoenix and Maya take on their first case together in years as Blackquill sets out on a personal quest to test if Apollo is worthy of being with Athena.
What do you guys think? Sound like a story you'd like to read? If I get enough feedback, I'll get right to work on it and aim to get the first chapter out by the end of the week.
Oh, and I should also tell you the title of the story shouldn't I? The title I've decied on is... Turnabout Delivery. Why that title? Well, you'll just have to wait and find out? ;)
June 12
10:27 AM
Fey Manor
Phoenix began to stir, opening his eyes, and immediately winced in pain. And now I remember the other reason I don't drink. He thought, holding his head tight.
"Niiiick, move quieter!" Maya whined, her eyes still closed.
That's when most of the memories of the night before came rushing back to Phoenix. He remembered eating the dinner Trucy and Pearl had cooked, staying up late drinking wine with Maya, taking her to bed, and…
Phoenix felt his chest, and sure enough, he was shirtless. If my shirt's off, then that means Maya and I almost…
He shook the thoughts from his head, causing another jolt of pain as his head throbbed.
He slowly shifted and placed his feet on the floor, scanning the floor for his shirt and eventually finding it. He stood and shambled over to pick it up and put it back on.
He finally spoke, his voice raspy. "Maya, I'm gonna make some coffee. Maybe some breakfast too."
She replied groggily. "Make extra coffee."
He slowly made his way to the kitchen, a bit surprised to find he was the first person awake. He began brewing the coffee and decided to make biscuits and gravy for breakfast, having heard it was a good remedy for hangovers.
He pulled a tube of biscuits from the fridge and put a roll of sausage in the microwave to thaw. I should have known better than to let Maya talk me into drinking in the first place. Last night was fun, though.
He stuck the biscuits in the oven. Wonder how Apollo and Athena's evening was.
Athena began to slowly stir from her slumber, opening her eyes to see Apollo sleeping peacefully next to her. She smiled to herself. I'm so lucky to have him.
She then began to remember the night before. Taking the train to Oni Town, having a nice dinner, and…
Her face turned bright red as she remembered her make out session with her boyfriend and how she tried to undress him. We've been dating for four days and I tried to go all the way. What the hell is wrong with me?
She then noticed Apollo beginning to stir. He opened his eyes to see the girl and smiled.
"Morning, Athena." He said, a smile plastered across his, causing her to smile back.
"Morning, Apollo. Sleep well?"
He slowly sat up and stretched. "Yeah. Weird dream, though. I dreamt I you and I went out on a date. Weird, huh?"
Athena wasn't sure how he managed to be so cheery in the morning before having coffee. "Oh, yeah definitely weird. You and I dating? That's just crazy talk!" She said jokingly, but with little enthusiasm.
Apollo smiled nonetheless "You wanna get the first shower, or should I?"
Athena thought for a moment. "You go ahead. I need to get some coffee first."
Apollo nodded and stood to walk to the bathroom.
"Um, Apollo?" Athena said.
Apollo turned his head to the girl. "Yeah? What is it?"
Athena placed her feet on the floor and turned her gaze to the ground. "I'm… I'm sorry. About last night. For… Trying to-"
Apollo walked over and placed a finger on her lips. "Athena, it's fine. What happened between us is a natural thing. Plus…" He paused for a moment before speaking again. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy what we did." He then closed his eyes and smiled at her.
Athena was speechless, but a small smile spread across her lips. "You're the best, Apollo." She jumped off the bed and hugged him.
He used his good arm to return the embrace, before the girl finally pulled away from him.
"I always assumed you were a huggy person, but I'm not sure my arm can handle this much longer."
She giggled before pushing him towards the bathroom. "Just get your shower. I'm gonna go see if there's any coffee."
Apollo walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
Athena stood by herself in the room. I swear, he's too nice for his own good. She smiled to herself before walking out of the room and heading toward the kitchen.
Athena walked into the kitchen to the smell of biscuits and gravy and that gift to men from God, coffee. She also noticed her boss at the table, clearly out of it as he put a spoonful of gravy covered goodness in his mouth.
"You look like you had fun last night, boss." She said as she poured the dark liquid in her mug.
Phoenix slowly turned his head toward his employee, his eyes practically looking through her. "Almost too much fun, Athena." He said as he took a long sip of his coffee, finally understanding a certain masked prosecutor's need to down 17 cups of the stuff during a trial.
Athena couldn't help but wonder what he meant, but from the tone of regret in his voice, she decided not to press. She filled her plate with the sloppy breakfast and took a seat, nearly downing half of her coffee as soon as she took her first sip.
The two sat in silence, enjoying their admittedly backwoods breakfast when Maya slowly dragged herself into the kitchen, covering herself with a blank. Phoenix noted that she'd found the time to locate her shirt and put it back on.
"Morning, Maya." Athena said cheerfully, the coffee finally beginning to work its magic.
"Shhhh, coffee now. Talk later." Maya said, her eyes glazed over, making her look zombified.
Ten bucks says these two got drunk last night. Athena thought to herself, putting another bite of food in her mouth as she watched Maya pour herself a cup of coffee. She then took a seat next to Athena, which Athena found odd.
Athena was about to ask how their evening had gone when Trucy and Pearl walked in.
"Morning Daddy." Trucy said, making a bee line for the coffee pot. Pearl looked at everyone at the table and began bouncing.
"Mr. Nick, Mystic Maya! Did you enjoy yourselves last night?"
Both of them looked away from the girl.
"Y-yeah, Pearly. Thanks a lot for everything."
Ok, something definitely happened last night. Thought Athena, hearing regret from both of their hearts.
Pearl beamed at the two. "Don't thank us for everything. It was Mr. Polly's idea!"
At the mention of his name, Apollo appeared in the entry way. Everyone turned their head to look at him.
"Speak of the devil." Phoenix said, watching as his employee walked over to the coffee pot and pour himself a cup.
"Glad to hear things went good last night." Apollo said, smiling.
Tread lightly, Apollo, Athena thought. Something tells me things didn't go as great as you planned.
Maya finally spoke up. "So uh, you guys have to leave today, don't you?" Athena could hear both sadness and relief in her heart.
"Y-yeah. The office has been closed for a week now. I'm sure we have a hundred messages to answer. But it's been a really great vacation." Athena again heard sadness and relief. What happened between these two last night?
Everyone ate their breakfast in silence. Once everyone had finished, Maya tapped Pearl on the shoulder.
"Pearly, I need you to help me with something. Let's go to my room."
Pearl put her plate in the sink and followed behind Maya.
Everyone soon followed suit and put their plates away before adjourning to their rooms to pack.
"Pearly, I need you to channel sis for me."
Pearl clapped her hands together. "Oh, are you going to tell her about you and Mr. Nick?"
Yeah, about how I've already ruined it. "Y-yes, Pearly. That's exactly it. Can you do it?"
"Of course, Mystic Maya." Pearl then took a meditative stance on the bed. Maya held her breath as her younger cousin's body changed and grew into the figure of her deceased older sister. Mia slowly opened her eyes and look at Maya before smiling.
"Maya. It's been so long. How are you?"
Maya immediately threw her arms around her older sister, sobbing. "I messed up, sis. I messed up so bad."
Mia patted the girl on the back. "Calm down, Maya. Tell me what's wrong."
Maya pulled back and sat next to her sister, still sobbing. "You already met Apollo an Athena, right? And they asked you about us."
Mia nodded. "Yes. It sounded like Apollo was trying to get you two together."
Maya smiled to herself. "Well, it worked. Me and Nick are dating… For now."
Mia was torn between being happy and worried. "What do you mean 'for now'?"
Maya began to sob louder as she told her sister about the night before.
"I threw myself at him and he rejected me, sis. He doesn't find me attractive."
Mia thought about this for a moment. "Why would you say that, Maya?"
"How could he, sis!?" She snapped. "Look at me." She said, gesturing to her body. "Nick meets pretty girls all the time. Just look at Iris. Or Ms. Andrews or Ms. Von Karma or…" She paused for a moment. "You."
Mia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Maya, you need to stop comparing yourself to other women. Phoenix told you how he felt, right?"
Maya nodded. "I kinda had to drag it out of him, but yeah. He told me he loves me."
"Then I don't see the problem. He told you why he didn't want to go there last night. If anything, you should have even more respect for him for not taking advantage of you."
Maya looked at the floor. "But he wouldn't have been taking advantage of me. I wanted him. I STILL want him. I love him, sis."
Mia again closed her eyes. "Phoenix, you should come in here."
"Huh?" Maya said, confused. She then heard her door slide open and turned around to see her boyfriend.
"Nick!? Y-you were eavesdropping?" Maya said, almost managing to sound mad.
Phoenix stepped into the room slowly. "Yeah. When I heard the Chief's voice, I couldn't help myself. And now I'm kinda glad I stopped and listened."
Maya sniffled. "So you heard, huh? You know that I know you don't find me attractive."
Phoenix stepped closer to her and gently took her face in her hands, looking her dead in the eyes.
"Maya, you are, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I have ever met."
Maya's tears continued to fall as he wiped them away.
"Your sister's right. You need to stop comparing yourself to other women. I don't care if you don't have Adrian's hair. Or Ms. Von Karma's eyes. Or your sister's body." He felt Mia shoot a glare at him. "In my eyes you are the most attractive woman I've ever met. And it blows me away that a woman as beautiful as you could want to be with a goofy looking idiot like me."
Maya shook her head. "Nick, don't ever call yourself goofy looking. You're the most handsome man I've ever met. I love every little thing about you."
Phoenix smiled. "Then stop acting like this. I love you, and that's what matters."
Maya smiled back and threw her arms around the man. He returned the embrace before she pulled away.
"But, if you think I'm so beautiful, why didn't you want me last night?"
Phoenix smiled softly and shook his head. "This again? I told you, I didn't want our first time to be some hazy memory. I want it to be special. I mean, it would be both of our first times, right?"
Maya looked at her boyfriend. "Wait, Nick, you've never…"
Phoenix shook his head. "I've only ever dated Iris. And believe or not, she was never too eager to hop into bed. Who woulda guessed, a shy girl like her, right?"
Maya giggled and hugged the man again. "I'm sorry, Nick. I was being stupid to think you didn't find me attractive. I mean, look at me." She said, gesturing towards her body.
Phoenix chuckled as did Mia, which reminded both him and Maya that she was still in the room. They turned to look at her as she spoke.
"Well, you two are definitely a good fit for each other. Maybe I shouldn't be so much worried about you taking care of each other as I should be worried about you taking care of yourselves."
Everyone had a laugh at that.
"It's great to see you again, Chief. It's been quite a while."
Mia nodded and smiled. "It has been, Phoenix. You shouldn't be afraid to contact me once in a while. I miss being able to speak to you all."
"Same here, Chief. But it's not so easy. What with Maya here being so busy being the Master, not having time to visit."
Maya jabbed him with her elbow. "Hey, aren't you the one who was apologizing for avoiding me before?"
Phoenix chuckled. "I was kidding, Maya. Believe me, I'll be around a lot more now."
Mia interrupted. "I would hope so, Phoenix. I'd sure hate to hear that you broke my sister's heart." She said with a devilish smile.
Phoenix laughed nervously as he rubbed the back of his head. "Hehe, wouldn't dream of it, Chief."
The two girls had a laugh at his expense.
"So," Mia asked. "How are those two employees of yours, Phoenix?"
"C'mon, Apollo! Push!"
"I'm pushing as hard as I can!"
Athena and Apollo were struggling trying to work as a team to zip Athena's suitcase shut.
"Just. A little. MORE." Athena cried as she pulled the zipper with all her might. It finally zipped the last few inches needed, sending her sprawling backwards and onto the floor when she released her grip. Apollo rushed over to help his girlfriend off the ground.
"Please tell me that's the last bag." He said as he hoisted her off the ground.
"Thankfully, yes." She said as she took a seat on the bed. Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
"It's open." Apollo said.
The door slid open to reveal…
"Mia!" Athena cried and rushed over to the woman.
Mia accepted the girl's hug and smiled. "It's good to see you again too, Athena."
Apollo stood up and walked over to the two. "What are you doing here, Mia? Mr. Wright call you?"
Mia released Athena. "Maya, actually. Needed some sisterly advice. But, forgive me if I'm being rude, what happened to you? If I remember correctly, your arm was fine the other day."
"Oh, this?" He said, gestured to his left arm, still in the sling. "You can thank your sister for that. Signed us up for a wrestling tournament. I ended fighting a pro wrestler and got launched through the air."
Mia sighed and put her face in her hand. "I swear, that girl won't be satisfied until her antics get someone killed."
Athena chimed in. "And when that happens, we all know Mr. Wright will defend her."
They all three laughed.
"So, Maya tells me you two are together now."
"Yep!" Athena beamed. "I finally seduced him with my charms."
Mia held a hand out to Athena. "Way to go, girl!"
Athena smiled and high fived the woman.
Apollo looked on the girls, a grin plastered on his face. Mia then turned to Apollo.
"And with a Kurain lily, I hear. I hope you realize how big that is in this village. If you lived here, that would practically be the same as proposing to her."
"Oh yeah, Pearly told us abou- W-w-whaaaaaaat!?" Apollo exclaimed, completely blindsided.
"Awwwww, you proposed, Apollo!? I wish I'd known!" Athena cried.
"N-now hold on, Athena! I swear I didn't know it was THAT serious."
Athena then put on a pout. "Are you saying you wouldn't marry me?"
Apollo began to sweat as his horns drooped. "I-I didn't say that, either."
Athena clapped her hands together! "Yay! I should go tell Pearls and Trucy the good news!"
Apollo knew she was joking about getting married, but he also knew if she told Pearl and Trucy, it wouldn't be a joke anymore. "Ah, n-no! Not them!"
Mia looked on at the two, giggling like crazy.
The group all stood at the train station, Pearl having returned to her body a few hours before.
"I really wish you guys didn't have to go." Maya said, holding Phoenix's hand.
He smiled at the girl. "Hey, don't worry. I promise I'll be by to visit as much as possible from now on." He squeezed her hand tighter. "I've got eight years of being a coward to make up for."
Maya smiled and leaned forward to kiss the man. "And you owe me burgers the next time I come visit."
Suddenly, the sound of the train hit everyone's ears. Maya's face visibly drooped. Phoenix then had a brilliant idea.
"Maya, why don't you come with us? You could stay at the office with me for a week."
Maya jumped, shocked at his suggestion. "N-Nick, I can't do that! I have to watch over the village! The Elders would be all over me."
"Bah, Elders, Shmelders. YOU'RE in charge. Not them."
Maya put her hand to her mouth, considering Phoenix's offer when Pearl walked up next to her.
"You should go, Mystic Maya! I'll tell the Elders what's going on so they can run things here while you're gone!"
"P-Pearly…"
"C'mon, Maya!" Athena shouted. "It would be nice have another girl around the office besides Trucy and me!"
"Athena…"
"You and Mr. Wright have a lot of catching up to do." Apollo started. "Surely your Elders can handle things for one more week."
"Apollo…"
"Please, Maya!?" Trucy begged. "I've only been around you for Christmas the past few years. I need to get to know my new Mommy!"
"Trucy…"
Maya thought hard before she spoke again. "Okay! I'm in!" Everyone cheered as Maya quickly ran to the ticket counter to purchase her ticket while the group held the train for her. She then bounded to the train as the conductor had just about had enough.
"I can't believe I'm doing this!" Maya cried as the train took off.
Phoenix grabbed hold of her hand. "Me either. But I'm glad you're coming."
Maya smiled at the man she'd love for ten long years. "I love you, Nick."
Phoenix returned the smile and leaned forward to kiss her. "I love you too, Maya."
Their lips finally met and everything was perfect.
End