Cliff hanger last time right? Such a dick move I know haha. Well this one is just as bad. I guess cliff hangers are just an author's way of saying, "HOLD UP! THERE'S STILL MORE GOOD SHIT TO COME!" Ha ha, well after 12 chapters I figured it had to happen otherwise you guys would be like, "where's the romance in all this?" I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Bit of romance, bit of drama, bit of back story, then a LOT of drama. It's what a good story needs! Chapter 14! Enjoy!

Apollo pushed slightly back away from Phoenix. "Nick, I… I don't know what to say."

"What do you mean?" Phoenix and Apollo shifted on the couch so they could sit crossed legged facing each other.

"Nick, I like you and all… it's just…"

"Your past?"

"Yea, I don't know. I just can't be in a relationship right now. I don't want to, I'm too scared."

Phoenix sighed and relaxed one of his legs so it fell off the couch. He moved closer to Apollo and put his hand on Apollo's shoulder, "Apollo, it's fine. You don't have to be in a relationship. I understand."

"Then why did you just kiss me then?"

Phoenix offered up a chuckle, "It's been a while since I have been out of law, seems like I'm horrible at reading signals." Phoenix smiled at Apollo and Apollo turned away.

"Nick, I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing? You haven't done anything wrong. If anything it should be me apologizing to you. I shouldn't have kissed you out of the blue like that."

Apollo immediately returned his gaze back to Phoenix. "No no, it's fine. I just… I'm not ready right now. There's too much going on."

"It's fine I understand. I don't mind waiting. I mean I have already waited for almost 8 years at this point in time for another chance at a relationship I guess I can wait longer."

Apollo looked down, "But why me? Isn't it weird?"

"Isn't what weird?"

"Nick, I'm your daughter's half brother."

"She's not my legitimate daughter."

"Plus you're 34… I'm 22…"

"How does that saying go…? Half your age plus 7?"

"That would mean I would have to be 24…"

"I never was good at math. That's why I was a literature major."

"Nick… I just…"

"Look it's fine, you're thinking too hard about this. You already said you didn't want a relationship now. So why think it weird for us to be together?"

"Because… why me?"

Phoenix looked at Apollo for a good long while, memorizing every little feature of his face. The spikes slightly drooped down in front of Apollo's large chocolate brown eyes. His shoulders were hunched slightly curling him up. Phoenix reached out to lift up Apollo's head again and gave him a big smile.

"Because why not?"

Apollo frowned, "Not good enough."

"Does it have to be? Why does anyone start a relationship? They just happen. Two people come together and decide that they might want to spend the rest of their life together."

"Nick… I just-"

"Just stop thinking about it. I'm not the one pushing the subject. I'm ok. I'm not going to leave you, I'm not going to hate you, things won't be weird in the office, unless you make it seem that way. Apollo it was just a shot in the dark. Sometimes you have to do that to see if you'll hit your target. Apparently I have bad aim and I missed you. In a crime scene that's a good thing so for you why don't you look at it that way? I missed my shot and that's it. Be happy that nothing in our current friendship will change unless you want it to."

"Nick, I'm sorry."

Phoenix smiled at Apollo again and reached out and hugged Apollo close. "Apollo, it's fine." Phoenix released the hug and looked into Apollo's eyes. "Do what you need too… maybe in 2 years you'll decide and that half plus 7 rule will apply."

"That will make you 36, the dating age cut off is 25 and I'll be 24."

"You're so good at math." Phoenix chuckled.

Apollo released a big sigh and got up. "Well I really need to get to work. Actually would you mind helping me?"

"Am I allowed to?"

"Is Trucy allowed to be on crime scenes? She's never even been a lawyer and yet she still tags around."

"Point taken. So what's up?"

Apollo picked up the paperwork off the floor and stacked it into a pile. "I'm working on a major case that is jeopardizing the safety of basically the entire public. There's an underground organization called the Red Kakumei that sent out a threat that they will destroy the justice system by murdering all the judges, detectives, and police force."

"What?! How does something like that even happen? Why would they want to do that?"

"Because of you."

Phoenix let out a laugh, "No seriously, not everything can be my fault today."

"No actually today it is. They are in opposition of the jurist system you put into place. Saying that it's causing wrongful convictions."

"Really? Because I thought this was allowing the public to come in and see how corrupt the justice system used to be when the prosecution used to make up evidence to get their convictions."

"Speak for yourself."

"HEY!"

"I'm talking about in my case…"

"Oh… right forgot about that one."

"Still mad at you for that one."

"Well if the jurist system was in place you wouldn't have the need to use that evidence."

"Well you and I both know that, and the rest of the justice system seem to enjoy the usage of the jurist system."

"So why is it this Red Kakumei feel the need to redo the justice system?"

"Who knows, there are a bunch of crazies out there, and somehow they all flock to us."

"Alright, so what can I help you with?"

"Well in the past few weeks there have been incidents that seem to have to pertain to this case. 4 members of the force have been murdered and 5 others have been laid off. The detective team of Gumshoe, Ema, and Maggey are off investigating the murder scenes. Meanwhile the rest of us have each been handed someone who got laid off and their bios. We were told to go out and get every piece of information possible. The person I was handed was the District 1 Head Detective. You should know him."

"Well tell me his name because I don't have the force memorized."

"Officer Mike Meekins ring any bells?"

"Oh man, how long have I been out of law for him to get promoted that far?"

"I don't know, but I could use your expertise on him. From what I remember in your cases he was quite squirrely. Would you mind joining me?"

Phoenix stood up and put his beanie back on. "Sure, not like I had anything planned for today."

"Great!" Apollo walked and opened the door revealing Trucy on the other side. "Trucy, you and I need to stop bumping into each other in this doorway."

"Daddy! Are you talking now?"

"Yea, sorry Trucy. I didn't mean to be so depressing earlier. I'm ok now. Sorry to make you worry about me."

"Where did you go anyways?"

"I'll let you know another day."

"Trucy, Nick and I-"

"Wait, Nick? You're calling him by that now?"

Apollo stood perfectly still. His eyes went wide. 'I just started using that so casually. Why?' Apollo looked at Phoenix for an answer and he just shrugged his shoulders. "I guess it was just natural. Hearing both Larry and Maya call him that I guess it just stuck for me."

"That's weird, you were calling him Mr. Wright but only like a week ago and now you're calling him by his pet name." Trucy put her hands on her hip and winked at Apollo. "You'd think the two of you were dating or something."

The color immediately wiped away from Apollo. He froze there and couldn't offer up a response. Trucy looked at him confused. Meanwhile Phoenix came around and tried pushing Apollo out.

"Apollo and I are going to do some investigating. We'll be back later."

"Ooh really!? Can I come?!"

"Don't you have homework to do?"

Trucy looked down and fiddled with something on the ground with her foot. "Yea…"

"Why don't you focus on your studies for a bit Trucy, I don't want you to fall behind. Besides you probably shouldn't get wrapped up in this case anyways."

Trucy perked up, "Oh, so it's like that? Gotcha Daddy!" She winked at Phoenix and went into her bedroom. Phoenix continued walking Apollo out of the agency and down the stairs.

By the time Apollo and Phoenix were outside and halfway up the block Apollo yelled out, "WE'RE NOT DATING!"

Phoenix chuckled, "Tell the world why don't ya? You know for someone who is really opposed to it, you fluster like a little high school girl trying to hide the fact that you really are dating me." Apollo turned and punched Phoenix in the arm. "Heh, been working on your punches haven't you? A lot better than you were several months ago." Apollo slumped and let his arms hang forward. "Just teasing there Apollo."

"Yea… I know." Apollo and Phoenix continued to walk most of the way to Mike's apartment in silence. Apollo kept handing some of his papers to Phoenix for him to read over. They discussed a little bit about Mike's past in the police force but not much conversation came from that, at least none that Apollo could focus on. His head was swimming with too many ideas. Both between the case, Phoenix, and not walking into the road. When they finally arrived to Mike's apartment they headed up the stairs.

Apollo knocked on the door, "Detective Meekins? Are you there?" Phoenix and Apollo stood there in silence for about a minute. "Detective Meekins it's Attorney Apollo Justice and Phoenix Wright, we just have a couple questions to ask you please open up."

There was some sound behind the door. The door handle turned and the door opened slightly. It stopped at the extent of the chain that locked the door on the other side. "What do you want?"

"Detective Meekins we know you were terminated recently, we just wanted to discuss your termination."

"Why bother, I was a failure as an officer, a security personnel, and a detective. I'm sorry sirs, but please leave." Mike started to close the door and Phoenix swiftly put his foot in the door.

"Mike, come on. We're friends here. We just want to talk that's all. It'll be extremely helpful."

"Why are you even here Mr. Wright? You aren't an attorney anymore. You can't push your way into investigations anymore."

"Ouch Detective Meekins. Isn't that a little harsh?"

"Sorry sirs, things have been really different for me ever since my termination."

"Well would you mind talking to us about it so we can understand you more?"

Mike sighed and looked down at the ground, "You aren't leaving until I talk are you?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Alright." Phoenix removed his foot so Mike could close the door. He unlatched the chain and opened the door up fully. "There's no one else here right? You weren't followed or anything?"

"Detective Meekins I can assure you, we came here with good intentions."

"Alright, come on in." Mike led Apollo and Phoenix into the apartment. There was a small table with 4 chairs around it and a couch in the main room. There was a TV on but it only showed static.

"Mike, did you take decorating tips from Gumshoe or something?"

"Actually this is his old stuff sir…"

"Wow, sorry."

"No, it's ok. He gave it to me when they repossessed all my stuff because I couldn't pay my bills."

"Well hopefully we can figure out what happened and get you back on your feet."

"That's impossible." Mike sat down at the table and Phoenix and Apollo followed suit. "I was filed for a major error in the police force and I cannot be redeemed for such a mistake."

"Detective, what happened?"

"Well I was working with a couple of my detectives on an investigation into a grand theft charge. I was directing a couple of my detectives to look at the overall building and the suspect's place. We picked up a lot of the evidence and lifted fingerprints everywhere. We wrote up reports for the prosecutor's office and filed them accordingly. The day before the actual trial I received a call from a very angry prosecutor saying all his evidence and reports were missing. I told him to contact our Evidence Specialist because they were handling it. They said according to a record log I took out evidence from the locker room and the paperwork to add a few more details and I was to personally deliver it to the prosecutor in court. But I never took anything out. Once everything was filed that's the last I ever saw of it. I tried to recreate some of the reports but the prosecutor wouldn't take it. They said the reports would be viewed as falsified evidence because there was nothing to back them up. Because of my apparent negligence the man walked free even though there was without a doubt it was him."

Apollo was furiously writing down notes in his paperwork. Phoenix shifted his weight in his chair and gave Detective Meekins a hard look. "Alright Mike, so now that we have gone through that story. Let's talk about what really happened?" Apollo looked up and over to Phoenix in surprise.

"What do you mean sir? It is as I explained it to you."

"Mike, let's be serious here. You have never been that direct with your actions and missing evidence and reports would actually not surprise me in your position. I'm not saying that you didn't turn them in, but is there any chance that you filed them incorrectly?"

Mike looked down at the table. "Well, yea in the past I have done that a lot of times. Sometimes I would even accidently file reports with the forensic team captain. But I have a lot of friends over at the evidence team. They always would send reports back to me with notes saying what was missing and the direct location I needed to hand things into. They were never mad at me. Every time they would just say, 'It's a typical Meekins day now.' Actually what would be weird is if there wasn't at least one piece of evidence that would be filed incorrectly and appear at my desk later that day." Phoenix looked over at Apollo who was still dumbfounded at Phoenix. Phoenix tapped Apollo's notes. Apollo looked back at his notes, and back at Phoenix. Phoenix made a motion to write something and Apollo wrote a note down. "But it was in the record log that those reports and pieces of evidence were entered and to be sent to court, so there is no way that I accidentally misfiled them."

"Alright, so if you didn't accidentally misfile them why did you take them back out?"

"But I didn't sir."

"Well apparently the report said otherwise."

"Well the report is wrong."

"Mike, from what I remember in my investigation you had to have a certain keycard to access the evidence locker room. Once you swipe that keycard it comes up with who is in the room. Then that specific person is the only one that can access the locker where the evidence is locked up."

"That's the closed case locker room sir. Detectives are allowed to keep whatever they see fit in their own personal lockers for open or closed cases. There is a separate locker room for detectives to use for evidence that is going to trial. It is kept separately because more people are involved for access to the reports and evidence."

"So you're saying more people can access each piece of evidence?"

"Well it is only kept to a two people. Only the detective in charge of the case and the Evidence Specialist can access the pieces. Primarily because it's the Evidence Specialist's job to deliver the pieces of evidence and reports to the courthouse. If they cannot fulfill their duties then the detective in charge is supposed to deliver them."

"So how can they tell who is accessing it? Is it another fingerprint scanner?"

"No, that would take too long to input and work out. For this one it is a keycard access but you also need a key code in addition."

"Do both you and the Evidence Specialist use the same key code?"

"No, the Evidence Specialist has a special key code. The detectives' key codes are 8 digits long. The Evidence Specialist's key code is 16 digits long. His actually is part of the program and overrides the security feature so he has access to all lockers at all times."

"So did you write down your key codes anywhere?"

"No, I'm actually very good at memorization. I can't write it down anywhere because then I'll be afraid to lose it."

Apollo and Phoenix both shot each other looks and knew each other was thinking the exact same thing. 'If you are good at memorizing things why couldn't you remember where you would leave something?'

"Either way, the key code changes with every case or the key code becomes unusable the minute the case is closed."

"So on the day the evidence went missing did you misplace your key card?"

"No I had my key card with me at all times. I have it attached to this little clip so it never gets too far away from me."

Apollo started to slow his writing down and finally looked up at Mike. "So why did you get fired?"

"Evidence was stolen from a case and allowed someone to walk free without a fair trial for the public. As the detective in charge it was my responsibility to ensure that the evidence remained safe until time of delivery. Since my name was on the record log for who took the evidence out last then all fault comes to me."

"So who ended up firing you."

"My direct boss, the Detective Captain. There was nothing he could do. He was just simply following procedure. The Evidence Specialist notified his superior about the incident-"

"You're talking about the Chief of Investigators right?"

"Yup, he then told the captain who is directly under him and gave him orders. The detective captain was just following what he needed to do."

"So did you notice any ill-will towards you prior to this incident?"

"Oh no sirs! I was an upright fighting for the side of justice person. I had nothing but friends in the police department, I just let them down that's all."

"I'm sure you didn't do that on purpose there Detective. Just one last question, who were the other detectives working on that case with you?"

"Let's see, for that one I believe it was Glen and Jess."

"Wait what?!" Apollo started furiously writing again so much so Phoenix thought he saw smoke come from Apollo's pencil.

"Something wrong Apollo?"

"Detective Meekins!" Apollo sounded so urgent that Mike practically fell out of his chair, "Did you all get fired the same day!?"

"No, they didn't get fired with me. Wait, do you mean they were fired after me?!"

"Yes!" Apollo continued writing down more notes.

"Well is there anything else you could think of that might help us Mike?"

Mike looked up and rubbed his chin. "Not at this time sir. Why are you investigating my termination anyways?"

"Unfortunately that information is classified Detective Meekins I cannot divulge that. Just know we are here to help."

"Thanks guys, I trust you both. After all Mr. Wright, you have helped me out in the past and cleared my name of murder before."

"I'm only here to fight for what's right Mike." Apollo gathered his things up and he and Phoenix stood up. "Take care of yourself Mike, I'm sure someone will require your help soon enough." Phoenix and Apollo stepped outside and left Mike's apartment building.

"So what were you writing about Apollo?"

"I was just taking notes of his testimony."

"Heh, there's only a couple things you really need to clue in on."

"Those being?"

"First off the key card and key code access. How easy is it to duplicate those and falsify the records? Secondly who else accessed the evidence and at what times prior to the last access? Lastly, what happened to the evidence in question? That stuff doesn't just disappear."

"I guess that makes sense. What bothers me though is the other two detectives were terminated in addition. Plus Detective Meekins caused the evidence team much hassle with his misfiling. Do you think the Evidence Specialist requested him to be fired because of this?"

Phoenix looked up at the sky. "Well I highly doubt that. The Evidence Specialist is higher on the ladder than the Head Detectives. He would have been able to just carry the process out himself. By going through the chain of command sounds like there was a potential that there actually was a process that is involved. I don't know too much about the code of laws and ethics detectives have to follow but I can bet you that if a prosecutor wound up without evidence in a trial because of a detective there is no chance that detective would be working there too long."

"Do you think we should talk to the prosecutor involved in the situation?"

"Also unnecessary. If you guys at the Criminal Affairs department believe this is all coming from a spy from within, there is no need to bring the prosecutor in because they aren't the one that would have fired him."

"So what now?"

"I think your next course of action would be to speak to the Evidence Specialist."

"That might be an issue. The entire detective team is on vacation at this point. Finding the Evidence Specialist might be a wild goose chase."

"Well if anything you will need to look into the locker room record logs and if there's any chance of a security surveillance camera."

As the two of them walked Apollo started getting closer to Phoenix. "It's really nice to get to see you back acting like a lawyer again." Apollo looked back at his notes and remembered what Gumshoe had said, "Actually speaking of which I was speaking with Gumshoe earlier. He said if you wanted to take the BAR tomorrow you could become a lawyer by Friday!" Phoenix stopped in his tracks and it took Apollo a few more steps before he realized Phoenix wasn't walking with him. "Nick? Is something wrong?"

"So that's why you don't want to date me."

"I'm sorry?"

"You've been upset about not having a relationship for a while. You talked to Gumshoe about getting me back as a lawyer again. You think I'm useless and you won't date me because of that. You're just like him!"

"No, Nick, I didn't mean it like that."

"No, don't even bother! This is ridiculous, back at the office I just thought it was because you were too afraid! You probably made that whole story up!"

"No Nick! I didn't, you even saw the psyche-locks around me!"

"Don't even bother speaking to me. In fact don't even bother coming back to the office. I'll ship your things to you." Phoenix started to take off in a run to the office.

Apollo watched for a bit then heard Trucy's voice in his head 'DON'T YOU DARE LET HIM RUN AWAY!' Apollo gave chase after Phoenix. They ran down the city block. Phoenix turned to take a shortcut in the park. Apollo was slowly catching up. 'Why is he being like this?' Apollo had beads of sweat forming on his forehead. Phoenix cut off into the woods and started zigzagging around trees. Apollo had trouble trying to keep up. Branches were hitting him every which way and one even tore up his sleeve. Another branch cut his cheek. Apollo lifted his hand up and touched his cheek. He was bleeding. 'I don't care. I'm not letting him get away again.' Apollo kept racing after him. Phoenix jumped a small ravine and continued up a hill. Apollo tried to jump but slipped and fell in the water. 'Ugh, now my papers are all wet… Did he run for track or something in his high school?! Seriously, how can he run like this?!' Apollo was slowly falling behind him but still kept pressing on. The two eventually made it out of the woods and back into the park. Apollo was slowing down a lot and Phoenix was able to make it to the top of a big hill. Phoenix paused at the top and bent over to catch his breath. Apollo ran up right behind him and tackled him to the ground. The two started rolling down the other side of the hill eventually they stopped rolling and Apollo was sitting directly on top of Phoenix.

The two of them were drenched with sweat and were huffing heavily. Phoenix's face was dirtied up a bit and his beanie had fallen off in the tumble. Apollo looked down at Phoenix and had his hands placed firmly on Phoenix's shoulders. Phoenix was glaring up at Apollo. "Get off me!"

"Nick, I don't care if you become a lawyer again! It was just a simple offer."

"I don't care. You are just as shallow and filled with lies of your past like him!"

Apollo slapped Phoenix hard across the face. "LISTEN! I am nothing like him. He was selfish in the past and he even confessed to me that he was. I will never be like that. Phoenix I only wanted you to become a lawyer again so the two of us could spend more time together."

"That's just another lie."

"No it's not! What would I have to do to convince you otherwise?"

"Nothing! There's nothing to convince me. Just get out of my life."

"Nick, please I didn't mean to make you upset or anything."

"Just get off me." Phoenix started pushing Apollo off him but Apollo wouldn't budge, he eventually got the upper hand and pinned both of Phoenix's wrists up by his head.

"Nick just let me talk to you." Phoenix turned his head away from Apollo. "Nick will you at least look at me?!" Phoenix huffed and stared back up into Apollo's eyes. They were filled with anger and Apollo could feel it. "Nick, I'm sorry ok? I just thought it would be nice to finally get to hang out and know more about you outside of the office. Maybe a relationship could stem from it."

"You already said it was weird earlier, so that's another lie."

"Nick, I don't know what to say to make you believe me. I don't even know what to say altogether!"

"Then don't say anything! Just get off me."

Apollo looked down at Phoenix. He was grimacing at Apollo. Apollo started to relax and Phoenix stopped fighting back. "Alright Nick, I won't say anything." Apollo closed his eyes and leaned down to Phoenix and kissed him.