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 23

Broken and Useless

Phoenix turned the envelope upside down and retrieved it's contents while he waited for the elevator to arrive at his floor. He jammed his keys into his pocket and flipped the phone over in his hand. It was turned off.

He tried a few times to turn it on to avail, and then the elevator slowed to a stop and the door opened with the soft dinging of a bell. He frowned at his dead phone as he made his way toward his door. It had been fully charged before he left.

He went straight into his bedroom to plug in the phone before dragging himself back into the living room and sitting on the sofa. He hadn't bothered turning on the lights or the television, he just sat there in the near total darkness, softened only by the ambient glow from the street lights in the parking lot of the complex.

He thought about Laurence, feeling helpless and impotent—you knew it was going this way, and you just brushed him off…

And then there was Miles… What the hell?

Phoenix ran both hands through his hair and stood to go in the bathroom. He turned on the light and stared at the cleaning caddy for an inordinate amount of time before moving to turn on the shower. He went to take off his clothes near the washing machine and then dragged himself into the shower.

He stood there trembling in the water that wasn't quite warm enough yet and stared daggers at the shower head.

Is that why you volunteered to take Engarde's spot in the VFA?

He must've figured it out. Miles was smart—too smart. And it's not like he didn't have easy access to Larry or the other guys in the VFA while he was still aboard the ship. It wasn't exactly a secret—nothing on the ship really was…

But why bring this up now? I thought we had an understanding…

It's more important to me that you're happy…

So it must've been lip service. Because he'd sent that e-mail when he was drunk and vulnerable…. Anything to placate poor Phoenix…

I want you to be happy…

Well, it certainly doesn't seem that way.

He stood there, hugging himself against the chill until the water warmed up and eventually crumpled to the shower floor. And he cried. Huge, quaking, sloppy sobbing. Anger and self-pity. Confusion. Devastation…

Despair…

He cried until he was spent, and then he sat quietly thinking, hugging his knees in the wet, watching the water collect and twirl before going down the drain. Eventually, Phoenix stood and washed—like one was supposed to. Long after the suds disappeared down the drain he stood there, letting the water pelt him like rain. The apartment must've had a few water heaters, because the warmth didn't fade for a very long time.

He wanted to run away. Drift off… Drown…

Instead he turned off the water and toweled himself off. Taking some extra time on his hair and then he padded into the bedroom barefoot and naked, while the sun was rising outside, bathing his bedroom in cheery morning light.

Phoenix turned the blinds, hiding the light as best he could, and buried himself in the pillows and covers. He lay there, thinking…. Until at some point, he fell asleep.

He startled awake to the sound of his phone ringing. It must've been afternoon because whatever light that managed to filter into the room had an orange cast, like sunset… Like fire…

"Hello?"

"Phoenix Wright! Thank goodness," Phoenix frowned at the sound of his voice.

"Hey Miles," He sat back on the bed and stared at his toes.

"I've been trying to call you."

"Yeah, okay…" Phoenix mumbled, still groggy, "I was asleep."

"I'm… Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine…"

"I'm sorry about last night…" Miles sounded apprehensive suddenly and Phoenix shook his head.

"It's whatever Miles…"

"It's this case—it's got me in a bit of a panic…"

"Okay…"

"I'm sorry about—"

"Don't worry about it," Phoenix rubbed his face and then lay back to stare at the ceiling.

"I'll make it up to you, Nick… In a couple weeks…"

Phoenix glared at the ceiling but didn't say anything.

"Yes?" Miles prompted when Phoenix didn't reply.

"Sure…"

"I'm going to get back to work… We go to trial on Monday…"

"Kaye…"

"I love you, Nick."

"Kaye…"

Phoenix hung up and tossed the phone onto the bed. He took a few minutes turning his thoughts over in his mind.

It's this case—it's got me in a bit of a panic…

Miles never panics about court…

I'll make it up to you…

He told you how he really feels…

He got up and dressed and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Then he sat out on the balcony, slouched in the camp chair and glared at the sunset.

It was dark when he heard D'Andre's sliding door open, "Heyy!"

Phoenix looked over at him, "Welcome back Dee…"

D'Andre leaned on the railing facing Phoenix, "How do you feel?"

"Great," Phoenix turning to stare out ahead at the sky.

"So this past week off didn't provide any healing?" D'Andre chuckled and then lit one of his narrow cigars.

"Don't smoke at me, Dee," Phoenix said.

"What? Nick, you ain't happy to see me?"

Phoenix cocked his head but didn't look over at D'Andre, "How was Georgia?"

"It was Georgia…" D'Andre chuckled, "What's up with you?"

"Nothing… ready to go back to work…" Phoenix said woodenly, still facing the sky.

"Nick…" D'Andre chuckled, "Did you miss me that much?"

Phoenix smiled slightly, "Yeah Dee…. That's it…"

Mom called on Sunday morning while Phoenix was sitting on his couch and staring at the blank television screen.

"How are you, Mom?"

"Nick, what's wrong?"

"What do you mean? I'm fine."

"I'm your mother," she said and he imagined her scolding frown and smiled.

"I'm just tired," he conceded finally.

"I thought you stayed home last week?"

"Yeah."

"You were supposed to be resting," she said.

"Yeah I know…"

"Have you talked to Miles? Did he make it to Hawaii okay?"

"Yeah."

"I've never been to Hawaii…"

"Me neither…"

"Well, you're still young, sweetheart…. Maybe the Navy will send you there."

Phoenix frowned at that, "Yeah…"

"I talked to your Aunt Susan and your Aunt Jessie yesterday, we met for coffee at the old lady's café."

"Did you?"

"Susan's husband is going to rent a tent for the Christmas party, and Jiji and Baba have reserved a spot on the beach."

"That sounds awesome mom," Phoenix did like the idea of going home, but talking about it seemed to extend the wait, "I can't wait."

"All your Aunties miss you sweetheart," she seemed excited and it made him smile.

"I hope they're not disappointed when they see me…"

"Nick, no one is disappointed. You'll be fine, and flying again."

Mom always believed in him.

"So when do the other guys get home?"

"Soon," Phoenix said and he sat up a little on the sofa, "Larry's already ashore."

"Which one was Larry? Not the one who crashed?"

Phoenix swallowed, "Um… No, Larry was the guy I flew with—kinda like my co-pilot."

"Oh, he's in Washington now, right?"

"Yeah," Phoenix picked at his sweatpants absently, "With Stan…. I told you Stan got my billet?"

"I'm sorry, Nick," She must've caught the disappointment in his voice—even over the phone.

"No, it's good. Stan's a good guy," Phoenix said trying to sound cheerful, "At least it's someone I know, right?"

They chatted for a few more minutes. She could probably tell he didn't feel like talking. He slouched back on the couch and frowned at the television some more. When the sun finally started to set, he got up and went to bed.

He was in early on Monday, because D'Andre was nice enough to give him a ride—even though that meant they both had to leave a little earlier in the morning. There was time for him to log into the computer before quarters and make sure nothing too important happened last week.

There was no message traffic about him and aside from the usual messages that went out to the command daily, there was nothing that he'd really missed.

They don't even really need me here…

Petty Officer Berry, at least, seemed enthusiastic to see him after his week-long hiatus, even if the other Sailors seemed oblivious. After quarters, Phoenix walked over to the administrative building and met AZ1 at the counter.

"Good morning, Lieutenant Wright," AZ1 smiled at him.

"What's going on AZ1?"

"Not much, sir, but the week's just starting. How are you feeling?"

Phoenix looked at him surprised, "I'm fine… How did…?"

"It was on the muster, El-Tee, you had some convo leave," AZ1 chuckled, "and I know you didn't have no baby."

Phoenix laughed, "No, I didn't have a baby… Or you know… Cause a baby…"

AZ1 laughed, "What can we do for you today, sir?"

Phoenix leaned on the counter, embarrassed, and said quietly, "I got a ticket on Friday night—" he smoothed the citation onto the counter, "Or Saturday morning."

"For shame, Lieutenant!" AZ1 scolded and Phoenix stepped back from the counter.

"Naw, sir, I kid…"

"So do I need to see JAG or the MAC?"

"Have you notified your chain, sir?"

"No one is in yet—I mean my Chief knows," Phoenix frowned, "I'll go wait for department to come in."

"What did you get a ticket for?" AZ1 smirked sidelong at him.

Phoenix rubbed his neck and then folded the citation and put it in his pocket, "Nothing worth mentioning…"

He ran into Celeste walking back toward the hangar, "Nick! How are you?"

He smiled, "I'm fine. How have you been?"

"Good," She took his arm and dragged him off of the pathway into the grass, "Matt told me about the other night…"

"Yeah, that was really cool of him to come get me."

"Matt really likes you," she said, smiling up at him—Phoenix wasn't sure how to reply.

"Did you get your leave in?" Chief asked him later that morning in their shared office.

"Oh, I changed my mind," Phoenix said casually and realized just then that he had.

"I was just giving ya a hard time, you—"

Phoenix laughed and waved him off, "I'm already going to California in December…"

He found the department head—Lieutenant Commander Franks—just after lunch, when the students were trickling back into class. Commander Franks was sitting in his office poking at his computer when Phoenix tapped on the doorframe.

"Lieutenant Wright," Franks nodded congenially at him but remained focused on his computer, "What can I help you with."

"Sir," Phoenix frowned and held out the citation, "I got a ticket over the weekend."

"For what? Speeding?"

"No," Phoenix said, "It was Destruction of Property."

Franks held out a hand and then looked at the citation, he started to laugh, "Where was this—at a hospital?"

"Yeah," Phoenix said.

"Were you drunk?"

"No."

Commander Franks passed the citation back to him, "They're not even fining you. I wouldn't worry about it."

"Just making sure…"

"Oh no, I appreciate it Wright," the Commander leaned back in his chair, refocused on his e-mail, "Nobody likes surprises. Stay out of trouble, okay?"

Celeste came looking for him at the end of the day, and he found her pacing in front of his desk. He'd just returned from the locker room, where he'd changed out of uniform.

She looked upset.

"What's wrong?"

"Matt got arrested by NCIS," She stared at him frowning and a little desperate. Phoenix swallowed.

"Okay… So what do you want to do?"

"What can we do?"

"Have you talked to him?"

"I was in a meeting," She frowned and held up her phone as if that would give him the answers he needed, "He left a message for me."

"It's all right," Phoenix said, "Calm down. Do you want to go to Norfolk?"

"Do you think they have him there?"

"That's where he's stationed," Phoenix offered as reassuring a smile as he could muster, "If you're worried you should go see him."

She stared at him, "You don't mind?"

"It's fine," Phoenix said, "I'll call Dee—or I can walk, I'm not that far from here."

"Will you come with me?"

Phoenix stared. Why would she want him to come along?

They'd left the base and were headed North on Oceana Boulevard when Celeste relaxed her grip on the steering wheel and shot him a dark look, "Does this have something to do with what happened Friday?"

Phoenix rubbed his neck guiltily, "I don't think so…"

"Do you know if there's an NCIS office in Norfolk?"

Phoenix shrugged, "I mean it's a huge base—I'm sure there's something like that—"

They could see the traffic piling up as they approached the interstate, "Maybe you should wait until he calls you again?"

"I can't believe he—what do you think happened?"

Her dark eyes met his pleadingly but Phoenix could only shake his head mutely in reply.

"Do you know why he left the ship early and got sent to TPU?"

Phoenix looked at her, "No—not really…"

She shook her head, "The only time we were apart was when he went to get you, Phoenix—from the police station."

"All of that was over and done with hours before Matt showed up."

"Then why won't anyone tell me what happened?"

"It was Laurence… Lieutenant Williams," Phoenix frowned at the traffic which was heavy but moving steadily, "He ran into the gate at my apartment complex. They booked him for a DUI—I didn't want to leave him, so I went with him. The deputy let me sit in the jail with him—in case he woke up—but also so I didn't have to sit out in the cold. My phone was dead, and Matt's was the only number I recognized on Laurence's phone. I don't see how any of that would lead to Matt getting arrested."

"Was he in trouble on the ship?"

"I don't think so—I mean they had him in the brig when I left because he'd jumped off the ship."

"He what?"

"He jumped off the ship—and not during a swim call…"

"You mean he…?"

Phoenix nodded, "Yeah…"

"Poor Matty…" she said and sped up, passing several cars to try and get ahead and merge on Interstate 64–fortunately, everyone seemed headed toward the city and not the big base, so traffic thinned out as they neared the Naval Station.

They stopped at the TPU, because it was easy to find. Celeste was still wearing her uniform, and while her presence and demeanor intimidated the Petty Officers on the Quarterdeck, no one there had any idea who Lieutenant Engarde was.

It was after dark when she dropped him off at his apartment—with still no word from Matt—apologizing profusely to Phoenix for dragging him out on the fruitless search.

"Hey," he told her, leaning toward the open driver-side window, "Relax, okay? If he got picked up by NCIS he's safe right? I'm sure he'll notify you as soon as he can."

D'Andre was standing in the hall on the phone when Phoenix got off of the elevator, he was dressed in civilian workout clothes, looking like he'd just returned from a run.

"Hey, I love you, call you later," D'Andre told the other speaker before hanging up and then grinning at Phoenix.

"What the hell, Nick?" He said raising his arms, "It's almost nine o'clock!"

"Hey Dee," Phoenix spared him a sidelong glance before stepping in front of his own door.

"Whatcha been doin' Nick? Coming in all late like that?"

Phoenix opened his door and then paused, "A buddy got scared—just trying to help out…"

"Lemme guess, it's a girl right?" D'Andre crossed his arms and eyed him shrewdly.

Phoenix laughed and shook his head, "Good night Dee."

On the ride in the next morning, Phoenix explained to D'Andre what had happened with Celeste.

"Mmmm hmmm," D'Andre uttered knowingly, "That dude shady A-F!"

Phoenix laughed uncomfortably at that.

He was the first one in the office again, and had already changed into his uniform and logged into the computer when his phone rang—it was Chief Tigre.

"Hey, El-Tee," Chief said, "I'm not feeling so hot 'dis morning… Imma head over to medical."

"Okay, Chief," Phoenix replied and made a note of the time Chief called—he gave little thought to it otherwise.

He ended up leading quarters with Petty Officer Berry, and was relieved that there was little to pass down going into Thanksgiving in the next couple weeks, so quarters ran short. What was surprising were the number of Sailors that stayed behind after he'd dismissed them.

Most of them—five Sailors—had questions about their leave for Thanksgiving, so he took their names and said he'd get back to them. Two Sailors asked about the Academic Review Board, they'd been warned about last week. And finally, one Sailor wanted to inform him that his grandfather had been very ill for several weeks.

He walked back in with Petty Officer Berry afterward, "Wow, no one ever stays behind."

She giggled girlishly at his comment and shook her twin braids, "No one likes Chief, El-Tee."

He frowned at her revelation but said nothing until they parted—she for class and he for the office. He spent the next half-hour alone in the office trying to get his accounts to work and ended up calling into the help desk for the Navy website he was having trouble with.

He'd only just managed to log in and review the leave requests he had purview over and set the first of them to approved, when a suit and an NCIS Special Agent walked in led by the JAG.

"This is Lieutenant Wright—his Divo," JAG said in his unctuous sneering voice and flipped a hand in Phoenix's direction.

Phoenix stood to greet them, "Good morning, gentlemen."

He offered a hand to each of them in turn.

"Well," JAG said, "I have actual work to do—Wright take care of these guys, okay?"

JAG was out the door before anyone could comment. Phoenix frowned at the spot he'd just vacated.

The suit laughed and shook Phoenix's hand, "Good morning, Lieutenant, I'm Robert Fulbright—Bobby—Special Investigations Unit Virginia Beach."

The other man shook Phoenix's hand in turn, "Special Agent Max Ardent, NCIS."

"So what can I do for you?" Phoenix eyed each of them with some trepidation and almost fell over in shock when the detective slapped him on the shoulder.

"See Max! This is what I'm talking about! This guy says, 'What can I do for you?' That's some mighty patriotic stuff there—JFK said that!"

Max shot Phoenix a look of long suffering, "Lieutenant… Wright—was it?"

"Yes, sir," Phoenix was still scrutinizing the detective with a sidelong look.

"We actually came by to see Chief Tigre…"

A/N: oh no...