This is a relatively shorter chapter than the others, and probably not as funny, but not serious either. That's all I have to say about it, really. So to make up for this chapter's lack of being good, I'll be posting chapter 10. I kind of want to get things moving along, especially because I'll be back in college in a few weeks and won't have as much time to devote to the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Ace Attorney series characters!

Chapter 9 – Turnabout Preferences

"E-ma!"

Ema Skye glanced up from her book, Scientific Investigation. "Kay. Hi." She set the book down. "How can I help you today?"

"Oh, I didn't come here for help!" Although you can 'help' me by telling me what type of guy you'd fall for.

"Oh then…what are you…doing here?" Ema asked slowly. She had nothing against Kay and liked her as much as she did when she was younger, but she had changed. She made sure to be as civil with her as she could. "And have a seat."

"Don't mind if I do!" Kay's eyes lingered on the desk. Whoa. Looks like she isn't very organized, but I guess that means she does work hard. Is there anything here I might steal, not that I actually would. Because that's wrong. Although the thought is kind of tempting…

"Um…Kay? Is everything alright?"

"Hm?" Kay lifted her eyes from the desk to Ema, only to let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, I'm okay!" I need to stay focused! "How are you, Ema?"

"Me? I…well, I'm alright, thanks. How about you?"

"I'm doing well too! Anything exciting going on with you lately?"

"Exciting?" Ema snorted. "If you consider investigating crime scenes as a detective and having to work with stupid fops exciting, then sure, yeah. It's…exciting."

Uh oh. I haven't been in here for two minutes, and she's already brought up the fop, I mean Prosecutor Gavin.

"Well, speaking of guys…"

"We weren't speaking of guys."

"Well, now that you brought it up, let's have a little chat about them, hm? Just between the two of us?"

Ema could tell she wasn't going to like where this 'little chat' was going, but she decided to play along. After all, she considered Kay to be a friend, and she didn't want to be rude to her. "Alright then."

"Awesome! So Ema, I was kind of curious. What kind of guy would you like to date?"

Ema's eyes widened, and she backed up a little. "Wh-what?! Why are you asking me a question like that?!"

"I'm curious, Ema! I want to know!"

Ema considered other reasons why Kay would make such an inquiry. "You're…not trying to pair me up with someone, are you?"

"Me? Pair you up with someone?! No way!" Kay laughed. She saw right through it! I've got to make sure she doesn't suspect a thing! "I just wanted to know what your ideal romantic partner would be."

"Hm…" Ema tugged at a lock of her hair, looking away.

Ack! She's suspicious! I need to figure out how to convince her to tell me. Think, Kay!...Aha!

Grinning, Kay spoke up. "Isn't it important in science to ask questions?" She noticed how Ema's eyes lit up at the word "science."

The detective tried to feign nonchalance, idly shifting a few papers on her desk. "I'm listening."

"Well, that was a question that's been bothering me for a while, and usually, when you have questions, you're supposed to seek out the answers to them, right?" Ema nodded, still looking at her desk. "Well, isn't that enough of a reason to give me an answer?"

Ema shook her head, glancing up at the prosecutor. "Sorry Kay. I don't think that's good enough."

Why do you have to make this hard on me?! Kay almost pouted, but then slammed her hands on the desk, surprising Ema, and to an extent, herself. I have to remember I'm not in the courtroom.

Clearing her throat and leaning back, Kay took a deep breath in. "Ema. It's because of people asking questions and seeking their answers that we've gotten this far in the world! For example, if Mr. Edgeworth never asked questions while investigating, he'd never find out the truth and punish the criminals."

"That doesn't have to do with science though."

"But without asking questions, Ema, how would science even exist?! Isn't science all about asking questions and investigating so that you can find answers to those questions?! All of the discoveries made in science would never have been made without some asking a question! I would think that as a scientist yourself, you would support my endeavor to ask questions for which I want to find the answers…" Kay rambled on, until Ema couldn't take it.

"Alright, alright! Fine! I'm convinced! I'll answer your question!"

Ha ha! It worked! I am so good! Or…I just annoyed her to the point that she has no other choice but to answer. Either way's fine with me! Kay nodded and leaned in closer. "Cool! I'm all ears!"

"My ideal romantic partner, huh?" Ema sat back in her chair, contemplating the question. "He should be serious most of the time, but have a soft side. He should be smart, and have an appreciation towards science. That's a definite must. He shouldn't be too critical, but I can handle that, if need be." She frowned, unsure of what else to say.

Hm…I guess that's a start. "What should he look like?"

"Look like? Well, I don't have much of a preference for eye color or hair color, as long as they aren't unnatural, like say, purple hair or something." She stopped. "Actually, if you forced me to choose, I'd say…black hair and gray eyes. That would be a nice quality. Basically, he should be somewhat handsome, but I'm not picky about that. Their personality is what I'd be more concerned with."

Okay…still something, but not enough. Maybe I should try a different approach. "Er…what kind of guys would you not date?"

Ema almost snarled. "Guys who think of themselves as being the best and act all pompous when in fact they aren't. If they wear jewelry that reflects light into my eyes, thereby temporarily blinding me, then I'm not interested. Guys who date girls who aren't very confident about themselves, only to leave them for another girl." Ema went on with the list, her voice sounding increasingly bitter.

Oh boy. Well…at least we could probably convince Prosecutor Gavin to ease up on the jewelry. As for his ego…that'll take some major work. And I highly doubt he would do something like that to a girl… Kay went back to listening to Ema, who seemed to be done. Finally. I-

"Basically, I don't date guys who are or were rock stars, like the glimmerous fop, anymore."

And she just had to mention him specifically, didn't she? How are we supposed to…Wait a second. That last statement…I need to press her on it!

"Um…Ema? What did you mean when you said 'anymore?'"

Kay watched as Ema's eyes darted around, desperately trying to find an excuse for the slip-up. "Erm…um…" The detective's eyes fell on an open bag of snackoos. She quickly grabbed it and started munching on some. In between bites, she replied, "It's *MUNCH* none of your *MUNCH* business."

She's hiding something. I just know it! "Come on, Ema. You can tell me! We're buddies, right?" Kay egged her on.

*MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH*

"Ema? Don't ignore me!" Kay whined.

*MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH, MUNCH*

Uh oh. She's eating even faster now. I know what that means. If I don't leave soon, she'll definitely snackoo me!

Kay got up to her feet. "You know? I actually have to get back to the office and…clean my desk! That's right! So I'll see you some other time, Ema! Thanks for talking to me!"

With that, Kay rushed out of the office. She sighed dejectedly, her head down. This is going to be even harder than we thought it would. She then stood up straight. No! I've got to snap out of it! We can do this! We can get them together! She marched off out of the precinct. …I hope.

Kind of a random chapter. You know, I was kind of wondering what kind of guy Ema would like, and this is just my idea of that. It's probably not accurate, but hey, at least she did answer the question. I wonder what she's hiding…