Disclaimer: Ace Attorney and all characters are copyright by CAPCOM; I'm just a fan imitating. The stories presented are influenced by the multiple games as well as the comic (Manga written by Kenji Kuroda).

Chapter 2

More of the Same

Miles Edgeworth stood off of the hangar bay near an open portal overlooking the sea. He'd never seen this part of the world, and he'd expected to see something suddenly different and distinct from anything he'd seen before. But the ocean looked like ocean wherever they went. The Mediterranean Sea didn't seem terribly different from the Arabian Sea or now the Indian Ocean.

"Get your hands out of your pockets, shipmate," Miles startled at the speaker and turned toward him glaring, and then he smiled.

"Where have you been hiding?"

Lang jumped the rest of the way down the ladderwell and joined him in front of the portal and the quickly darkening sky, the sun had set over an hour ago.

"Not hiding, busy. Some of us have real work to do," Lang said grinning.

Miles rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Right."

"Cali said you've been looking for me."

Miles gave him a sidelong stare, "Did she, now?"

"What's the matter Miles?"

"Nothing," Miles crossed his arms, "Just wishing this was over."

Lang nodded out at the darkening ocean. Water blended into sky except where the cresting waves shimmered white with froth.

Miles turned to look at him directly, "You've been pretty scarce. Cali is still mad you missed her song at the open mic thing on Labor Day."

Lang made a face that was almost lost in the shadows, "Really Miles? Why you gotta bring up old shit?"

Miles chuckled.

They stared out at the deepening night, where the stars were starting to twinkle against the inky black sky.

Lang crossed his arms too and frowned, seemingly lost in the scatter of stars.

Miles cleared his throat, but found he had nothing to say. Lang pointed out over the ocean, "See that kind of dark space there? That's the Coalsack Nebula."

"I see," Miles was a little surprised, he hadn't expected this of Shi-Long Lang.

"And those five stars make Crux. You can only see them south of the equator."

Miles chuckled, "Nice to know some of you still know how to navigate…"

"Don't be a dick Miles," Lang said but then barked out a laugh, "You still worried about your pilot?"

Miles frowned, still staring at the blue-white points of Crux—a constellation he'd never heard of, and nodded absently, "He's getting settled now. They sent him to a squadron in Oceana, so he's still getting checked-in."

"Okay," Lang said just as distractedly, Miles was sure he really didn't worry over much about Phoenix Wright, and this was only small talk. Something to keep the heavy silence at bay.

Miles cleared his throat again and turned to look at Lang, it was almost too dark to really see now.

"So, Shi-Long, I heard—"

"I know Miles, I'm sure the whole ship is talking about it by now."

"Not really. Cali told me, and she said she heard it from you."

Lang turned his head to stare at the deck, arms still crossed protectively over his chest.

"I was going to tell you, they did the same thing to Lieutenant Engarde before he left. Larry doesn't seem to think it'll affect—"

"Because he's a pilot," Lang said bitterly still frowning at the deck, "I'm a SWO, guys like me are a dime a dozen. But pilots cost the Navy a lot of money. Pilots don't get thrown out over a letter of reprimand."

"You're not going to be let go over a Lett—"

"I'll never make Oh-four Miles. It's basically the same thing. An administrative sep."

Miles just stared at him, he didn't know what to tell him. Lang was probably right, he'd finish off his requirement and be let go.

"So now what?" Miles looked at him earnestly, "Certainly you have a plan B?"

Lang nodded slowly, lost in his own thoughts, "I have a couple friends that contract out of Virginia Beach. It's not what I wanted, but I'll be alright…"

Miles frowned thoughtfully, "Have you told your… um… spouse—"

"My wife?" Lang glared at him, "She doesn't have to worry about these things."

His tone had an edge that made Miles hesitate to say anymore. Lang turned to him and smacked the bollard near the edge of the portal with the flat of his hand.

"I should go, Miles," he turned then and started to leave.

"Wait," Miles turned his back to the portal to follow Lang's departure. Lang stopped halfway up the ladder but didn't turn or move back down, so Miles could only see his legs between the railings.

"Miles, it was kind of you to reach out," Lang's voice was muffled slightly from his vantage, "But I'll be fine. I wouldn't want you to get caught up in all of this."

Miles started to follow him but Lang dashed up the ladder and was out of sight before Miles had started climbing. He frowned into the dark empty passage.

Ensign James was still snoring in his rack and the lights were still dimmed red in the corridor when Miles awoke the next morning. He slid a sweatshirt on over his PTU and slipped out of the stateroom. He yawned as he made his way toward the main deck, he was used to the darkness by now and unfazed by the constant whir and noise.

There were two other people in there when he entered the space. One of them glanced at him when he entered before turning back to his whispered conversation. There were two rows of metal boxes that looked suspiciously like the old pay phones that used to be everywhere but now only seemed prevalent in airports. Miles dug his calling card out of his pocket and chose a phone away from the other two guys.

He yawned again and then dialed. It rang a few times before the line picked up and he heard some rustling before Phoenix's sleepy, "Hey Miles," came through punctuated on both ends by static.

Miles smiled, "Hello, how did you know it was me?"

"Miles, no one calls me except you and my mom, and when she calls, my phone shows 'mom' on the caller ID."

"I miss you," Miles said and stifled another yawn.

"What time is it there?"

"Four thirty… in the morning," he replied imagining the concern in Phoenix's face at hearing that.

"Are you getting enough sleep?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Miles chuckled, "I have a desk job so, you know."

Phoenix chuckled and it was swallowed in the static. The static started to grow and fill the space of silence, he wasn't saying anything, so Miles continued, "How was your first week at the new Command?"

"Technically it's my second week," Phoenix said.

"Okay, your first full week?"

"It's fine, just hanging out doing check in—I just got to my shop Friday. They're going to give me my own division."

"That's good?"

"It's something," Phoenix said, "And it looks better on a FITREP than, 'sat around broken and useless'."

"Nick, did something happen?"

"No it's fine, really, I'm fine."

"Didn't you say you were going to start physical therapy?"

"Oh yeah, I had my evaluation yesterday, it went okay I guess,"

Phoenix faded out suddenly, "but my back is really messed up."

"What?"

"Don't worry about it Miles," Miles frowned at his words—how could he not?

"What are you up to, my little Shellback?"

Miles chuckled, "Never again. It's taken me days to feel clean again."

"Well, you can say you did it."

"Otherwise it's been quiet. Though there is a port call next week—so who knows what'll happen out there?"

"Geez, hopefully not another international scandal…"

"We've got a SOFA with this next host nation—so I may have time to do some sightseeing."

"Take lots of pictures for me," Phoenix said and Miles felt a tug of sadness at his voice, if only…. They'd be able to do the sightseeing together.

"I miss you so much," Miles said, "this isn't interesting without you."

"Miles…" Phoenix chuckled into the phone and static drowned him out, "besides, there's a point where they send most of the Air Wing off anyway. Maybe we'll take a cruise when you get back."

Miles laughed aloud, "Um no. Just—no."

"It might be fun."

"Why would anyone pay money to do this?"

"Miles you're not seriously comparing a cruise on a luxury liner with a cruise on an aircraft carrier?"

"I hear the food is better, and there's booze."

"No that's the British Navy," Phoenix laughed and faded into static.

They chatted for a few more minutes, Phoenix seemed content to sit there in the static of the open line without talking. All it did was make Miles feel the distance more acutely.

"I love you," Miles said.

"I love you more," Phoenix replied.

"I'll call you next Sunday."

"It's Saturday, Miles."

"It's Sunday here," Miles said.

They bantered on for another minute, saying goodbye but not really wanting to. By the time he hung up, there were several more people making liberty calls in the space. Miles stuck his card in his pocket and made his way back to his stateroom.

Ensign James hadn't moved and Miles tried his best to gather his things quietly before going to the head. On Sundays they had holiday routine. No assigned duty, a chance to catch up on things and do laundry. If one was up before reveille that meant a chance to get in a 'Hollywood' shower.

So he took his time enjoying the hot water and the relative quiet. The rush of water blocked out the cacophony of the ship.

The office was deserted when he entered, and Miles was relieved to have the place to himself. He wanted to focus on this. He didn't bother to flip the dim red lighting to white.

Miles turned on the lone computer in the cramped legal space and waited for it to boot up before inserting his CAC into the reader. He waited while the system loaded his profile. He just let his mind wander as he stared at the bulkhead worried about Phoenix.

It could've been worse…

Miles glared at the bulkhead and mentally scolded that voice in his head. The one that always made him second guess everything. The one that almost brought him and Phoenix to the brink.

He's not really that same boy you used to know…

"Stop," Miles said under his breath and looked at the computer screen that was now populating with the icons representing documents he'd left all over the desktop. He rolled the trackball so that his pointer hovered over the e-mail app icon and clicked. Then he leaned back in the computer chair that had the casters removed and replaced with cut tennis balls and steepled his fingers.

What would they say if you brought him home?

He frowned at the computer monitor. The blue light from the screen found highlights in his hands and clothing that seemed all the brighter in the ambient red lighting.

Mister Von Karma will not be pleased.

Miles startled when the door shoved open and the admin space was shot with light and laughing voices. She stopped cold upon entering the legal spaces he was sitting in. He must've been glaring because she winced slightly.

"Hey El Tee," LN1 greeted him awkwardly and then approached the shared desk, "I left my Cosmo…"

She grabbed the magazine off of the counter—Miles hadn't even noticed it was there—and turned to leave, "Have a good one El Tee."

"You too LN1," Miles replied absently, already sinking into his e-mail.

It was quiet again after she left, and Miles stretched his fingers and minimized his e-mail. He opened the document he'd started last Sunday and frowned at the words on the screen as they faded in and out of focus. He'd spent entirely too long trying to get the spaces right—mostly because he was avoiding the body of the letter. He was certain Cali would format the letter in the proper Navy Correspondence format if he'd asked her—with probably less trouble than he had.

LN3 had done his advancement exam last month, and LN1 had hers in January. So Miles wasn't expecting either of them to come in—not this early in the morning. It gave him a chance to focus on the task at hand—writing a recommendation for LN3 Justice's JAG package. It turned out to be much easier said than done.

You're the one that offered.

Miles grimaced at that scolding voice in his head and started to type. He did offer, so when LN3 came asking, he couldn't in good conscience say no. Besides, he really did think LN3 would make a good JAG.

So why is this so hard?

He spent a few more minutes banging out two paragraphs on LN3 Justice's short Naval career thus far, and leaned back in the chair to read over it.

The door banged open again letting light spill in from the corridor.

"That's not the point, now—is it?"

Miles frowned in the direction of her voice—it was Cali, and she sounded upset.

"So what is your point, exactly?" That was Lang, he sounded angry, "Maybe you should just tell me what it is you want exactly and stop with the games—"

"Shh! Someone's in here!"

"It's just me," Miles called out and grimaced at his computer screen, "I have to get this done, so if you want privacy—"

"Miles!" Lang was suddenly in front of him his head swam out of the darkness and hovered over his computer monitor, lit by the light of the screen, "Found work to do, did you?"

"Not exactly—" Miles began.

"Shi Long! I got it, let's go," Cali called shrilly from the admin spaces, "We can go to the LRC."

"I don't want to go to the LRC," Lang called back to her turning away from Miles, "Miles is my friend, he can—"

Cali entered the legal space glaring, "Miles, tell Shi Long you're not interested in this business."

Miles frowned at her and nodded curtly before turning to Lang.

"Miles, I'm not interested in this business," Lang looked away from Cali to stare at him, "what are you up to?"

Miles sighed and hit save on the document and then pulled his CAC out of the reader—locking the computer, "Actually, I was just finishing up—let me get out of your way."

"Now don't go running away," Lang blocked his way out from behind the desk, "two days in a row—now that must be some kind of record."

"Look, I've got—" Miles began but Cali spoke over him.

"Quit fooling around Shi Long!"

"I fooled around and fell in looove," Lang sang out still preventing Miles from escape, "Hey Cali, let's get breakfast together—the three of us—like old times."

She glared in reply and Miles almost laughed out loud.

"Aw come on," Lang said and he didn't fight it when Miles shoved past him, "Miles did you eat yet?"

"No," Miles looked at them.

"Come on Calisto, my dear," Lang took her arm and turned toward the admin spaces and the exit.

Breakfast was a good idea, although Cali was still grimacing in protest, when he joined her at the table Lang had chosen.

"How have you been?" Miles had to force the pleasantry, and he was sure Cali wasn't buying it.

"Fine," she frowned and speared at the pile of eggs on her plate, "We see each other every day Miles."

"It'll be good to pull in and get fresh fruit again," he continued, smiling a little.

She scoffed and rolled her eyes as Lang joined them sitting beside her, "What?"

"Miles is complaining about the fruit again," Cali said dismissively.

Lang glared at him, "Miles, really? They're bringing in stores next week."

"I wasn't—just making conversation…" he waved Lang off and shook his head.

"Are you going to stay out in town?" Lang asked while Cali glared at her eggs.

"I don't know if it's worth the trouble," Miles said pointedly.

Lang chuckled at that. They were quiet for a while after that until another man sat beside Miles, joining them at the table. Miles startled and glared at him, he didn't know the other Lieutenant's name, but he'd seem him around the ship.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," he said sheepishly, "Shi Long, I been trying to find you.'

Lang looked at him and then grinned, "Rich, how are you?"

"Oh you know…" He sniffed haughtily and then grinned back, "You're not standing watch in port again, are you?"

"No," Lang said, "but I wasn't planning on overnight liberty, either."

The other guy shot out a snort of laughter, and glanced at Miles again, "Hey, you're the JAG, aren't you?"

Miles blinked at him, "Yes."

"Be nice, Miles," Lang said, "This is Richard Wellington, he's Weps."

"Ah, okay," Miles said.

"Rich," Cali looked up from her plate, "What do you have going on?"

"A bunch of us were going to try and get the same hotel out there. We were thinking the Raddison."

"Nope," Lang shook his head, "Too rich for my blood."

Rich laughed again, "It's only two nights. What do you do with your money?"

"That's none of your business," Lang's voice lowered and at that moment Miles decided he didn't like Weps.

"Look, Phil, Mark, Joe, they're all coming," Rich continued, and Cali was starting to perk up at his talk, "Come on, Shi Long, you dipped out on us last time."

"We got recalled last time, so…" Lang said pointedly and glanced at Miles.

"He was hanging out with the pilots," Cali said.

"That's what I heard, too," Rich said.

Lang laughed, "Look, maybe I'm just not interested anymore, okay? I got a lot going on, man. Let's just leave it at that."

"Dinner at least, you can hang out for dinner the first night."

Cali looked pleadingly at Lang. He sighed resignedly and shook his head.

"I'll think about it, all right?" Was all he said.

Weps grinned and stood from the table and left without acknowledging Cali or Miles.

"Nice guy," Miles said.

Cali rolled her eyes and focused on her breakfast.

"We were all on last deployment together too," Lang quipped, but he offered no additional information.

"This is what I'm talking about," Cali said suddenly glaring at Lang, and Miles started to get an inkling of what they'd been fighting about.

"What? I've got a lot to think about—it's not all personal either. There's been a lot more pressure at work too."

"All the more reason to take a break," she looked at Miles, "Tell him, Miles."

Miles met her eye, surprised at her concern, but he was at a loss.

"You can't keep hiding up in the Phalanx pretending that you're too busy—" Cali continued when Miles didn't speak up, but Lang interrupted her.

"I am busy," He said simply, pausing to glare at her and then Miles before returning to his breakfast, "Maybe the idea of hanging out with a bunch of stupid drunk sailors doesn't sound like the kind of break I need."

Lang finished quickly and stood without warning, "I'll see you guys around."

"Shi Long!" Cali spoke up in protest, but he walked away without looking back.

Miles frowned after him and then looked at her, "Is it about the letter?"

She shook her head and turned the eggs on her plate, "I mean, it's probably part of it, but it's been really bad and going downhill."

"So let me ask you something—and I understand if you don't feel comfortable—"

Cali started to laugh suddenly and she leaned away from the table to stifle it with a hand, "Oh Miles, yes… Of course! I'm very interested in Shi Long."

Miles stared at her, still frowning. She glanced away awkwardly poking at the remains of her breakfast.

"I know you probably think I'm silly or something, but there's definitely—"

"He told me he was married," Miles didn't mean for it to burst out of him like that. Cali only paused for a moment and then shook her head.

"She's dead, Miles," Cali looked very concerned suddenly, "she died like two years ago."

A/N: Thanks for reading! (you complete me)

Okay—what? (you'll just have to wait and see) I never really got to use Lang as much as I wanted in Mighty Wings, so I'm gonna have some crazy fun.

Just in case you weren't sure, when Lang says he'll never make "oh-four" he means O4, the rank of Lieutenant Commander. It's basically automatic to O3 (Lieutenant), but failure to promote is basically a limit on an officer's tenure.

Oh yeah Apollo is getting a much bigger role later on *grin*

Until next time!