Pretty Little Poison
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor am I affiliated with Ace Attorney or Capcom. This story is just for fun.
Rated M for: Lemon, strong language, very dark/potentially triggering themes [specifically violence/murder] and minor character death; Mostly in the later chapters.
A/N: My heart. Send tissues. And wine.
"Impossible! But why?"
The medical staff had taken a small sample of Ema's skin and sent it to the lab. Klavier's mind was spinning with bewilderment and grief. So much grief. He was the former front man of the Gavinners and had signed many autographs over the years. Anyone could know his handwriting. Could the perpetrator have been a crazed fan that saw him and Ema together? His stomach turned; he failed to protect her.
He recalled Vera Misham's collapse in the middle of her trial for the murder of her father a while ago; she, too, suffered from poisoning in a similar manner that Ema had. However, the circumstances were opposite and different methods were used. Kristoph was in prison and had no knowledge about his relationship with Ema. His involvement was impossible. However, his downfall was well-known across the country, but only as the older brother of a rock star who turned to murder. He supposed there was a chance that his actions were mimicked.
His thoughts returned to the theory of an obsessed fan, and the unwanted memories of the many women he welcomed into his dressing rooms. It appeared his reckless ways had caught up with him and at Ema's expense. If this was the case, he would never forgive himself.
"I am only going to ask you this once, Mr. Gavin." The prosecutor's eyes lifted from Ema's face and met Lana's hard stare. "Did you poison my sister?"
Apparently, Lana was thinking of Kristoph, too. For reasons such as this, it was truly difficult being the younger brother of a serial killer. "Absolutely not. I love Ema. I would never hurt her."
He watched Lana's features twist painfully. "Please don't make me regret believing you."
"I swear this with my life. You have my word."
Tightening his hold onto his beloved's digits, he rested his throbbing forehead against his free hand. He was sure he could handle any legal proceedings, if it had ever come to that. All he cared for was Ema's survival. Lana watched his every move closely. He did not outwardly appear to be guilty, and she recalled how happy her sister was when the topic of him arose in their conversation. She was filled with joy. Beaming. What would Klavier gain trying to hurt her?
"Oh, Em..." She whispered, returning to brushing Ema's hair.
Saturday, April 6th – 3:18 p.m.
Los Angeles Prison, Solitary Cell 13
Kristoph, just finished with his manicure, stood and stretched before walking over his mirror to look over his appearance. Ensuring that no officer was near his cell, he had reached for a book and opened it; the pages had been cut into a neat square, revealing the perfect hiding place for his cellular phone that he purchased from a corrupt security guard. A smile brightening his ageless face, he flipped open the cheap phone and called a number.
Mr. Gavin!? What in the hell –
"How goes it?" Kristoph whispered.
Ema was rushed to the hospital last night! She was poisoned! I didn't … I didn't –
"Is that so?" He was unfazed by this news.
Mr. Gavin!
"Mr. Bennett, remain calm. You have done nothing wrong, I assure you. The guilty party will be tried and convicted. This, I promise you."
Saturday, April 6th - 6:57 p.m.
Fairview Medical Center – Intensive Care Unit
Klavier and Lana had eventually gave in and ate dinner that was sympathetically offered by the nurses at the hospital, though neither of them felt better afterwards. The two had made small talk, discussing old times, the jurist system, and Ema's determination to become a forensic scientist. Lana, though, never stopped studying Klavier, despite her growing conviction of his innocence.
She kept her curious gaze on him as he watched the sun set for another night; it was clear how easily Ema, and thousands of other women, had fallen head over heels for him. Despite his dark circles and his sullen stare to the bright, colorful rays of the sun, he was very handsome. He had shown so much devotion to her well being and her justice, she concluded his guilt to Ema's poisoning to be nearly impossible.
"How long have you had feelings for my sister?" She asked; another conversation starter.
"… Over a year, perhaps two." A smile, though painful, surfaced on his face. "With the heart of a lioness and the mind of a genius, she is perfect. No other maiden can compare. It simply took a while to come to terms with it."
Squeezing her sister's wrist, she smiled. "I understand."
Klavier's eyes fixed on the homicide detective's lifeless face. "She never had a favorable opinion of me. It was quite the challenge to change her mind." He pulled an empty seat to the end of Ema's bed and began to massage her feet. Lana had raised an eyebrow; she was ashamed to ever suspect him.
The doctor had paused to the left of the doorway, observing Ema's chart, though they paid no mind. Dr. Bone then entered the room quietly and eyed Ema's vitals on the screens. "We have good news. Mr. Gavin was correct; Ms. Skye's perfume tested positive for Bhykanol Futathine. The levels appear to be decreasing, so our treatments are working. Her bloodwork, otherwise, continues to remain normal. Therefore, we believe she has little to no organ damage."
Lana's cry of relief filled the quiet room. "Oh, thank you doctor!"
"However, there are two officers in the hallway who need to speak with you, Mr. Gavin."
The prosecutor stood suddenly, with a fiery determination in his features. "Do we have a suspect?"
Without saying another word, the doctor disappeared from the room and two officers, whom Klavier immediately recognized, emerged and stood in his place. Both had appeared to be visibly upset, and one of them had a pair of handcuffs in his hands. "I'm sorry, Prosecutor Gavin. I don't agree with this, either."
"What are you talking about?"
"We have a warrant for your arrest for attempted murder."
"Excuse me?" His gawk was dumbfounded. "I did not-"
Lana stood. "Mr. Gavin saved her life! He would never-"
"I'm sorry, Prosecutor. There were several pieces of evidence found, pointing towards your guilt. This isn't our decision to make, sir. Please forgive us."
The agony of Ema's impending absence seared through Klavier's body. He did not know when, or if, he would ever see her again. This pain was worse than any death. "I need a moment. Can you give me that?"
He watched the two officers turn to each other in silent debate with his request, and eventually, the two nodded. Klavier's broken stare turned to his beloved and slowly walked to her bedside, momentarily bending over her body. "Ema..." He stroked her hair with trembling hands before kissing her forehead. "Ich komme zurück zu dir. Ich liebe dich. Ich liebe dich." He finally surfaced to look towards Lana. "Please, take care of her for me."
She nodded, though her faith in him was visibly shaken. "Do you still stand by your promise?"
"Until my last breath, Miss Skye."
Klavier finally stood and he allowed the officer to place the handcuffs on his wrists and escort him from the room. Lana's sobs echoed into the hallway and he pursed his lips. Nurses, doctors and aides witnessing his escort gasped and whispered to each other, yet he paid no attention. The word of his arrest will spread fast. Soon, his face will appear on every news channel, comparing him to Kristoph.
No longer did he have the strength to react to the injustice. He could only pursue the truth and discover the identity of the real perpetrator, the monster that succeeded in tearing him apart from his beloved. Ema possessed a strong resolve and he could never dispute her ability to investigate. However, he doubted that their relationship would recover after this scandal. Not as long as his reputation was soiled at his brother's hands.
Without Ema, he was as sure as dead. And he preferred it that way.
?
It was cold. Dark. It was comforting, in an odd way. Peaceful. No worries. No emotion. No pain. A perfect state.
Beep.
Her fingers twitched.
Beep.
She felt a tightness around her upper arm.
Beep.
Her body began to ache from lack of movement.
Beep.
Ema's eyes slowly opened to see the ceiling of her hospital room. Her reality, though, had not registered yet and it took a moment. Where was she? What was her last memory? Slowly blinking, she tried to lift her left hand but found that it was pinned down. Her head turned to see Lana, asleep beside her, with dried tears on her reddened face. With all her strength, she squeezed her sister's hand to alert her. Lana was in prison; she was sure she was dreaming.
She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling as though she had been hit by a truck. Her body was painfully stiff and she longed to move, yet her energy seemed depleted. Perhaps she was not dreaming, after all. Trying to remain conscious, she gently squeezed Lana's hand again, and her body jerked upward as though she had never slept. "Ema!?"
She tried to speak. Her throat felt obstructed, though she could breathe perfectly fine. On her right arm was a blood pressure cuff and a device on her pointing finger. Her left hand and her left forearm were punctured with IVs. As each second passed, Ema's fear grew. She watched her elder sister run from the room, yelling for a doctor. What in the hell was going on?