I upped the rating to T for this chapter, just in case.

"I really don't know if it's a good idea for me to come, Master Maya. I appreciate the offer, really, but I'm not really used to going out."

Maya waves a hand at her companion. "Nonsense. Even you need to leave that dreary old temple sometimes, Iris."

Truthfully, Iris is the only other woman Maya knows who isn't underage that isn't already invited or out of the country. Even if she could bring Trucy or Pearl to a bar or club, she's trying to keep them out of the loop when it comes to the fake relationship scheme, so she can't invite them anyway. And judging by Ema's text, her new relationship with Phoenix is going to be a popular topic of conversation. She's just glad she managed to convince Iris to take the train all the way into the city on such short notice.

"Besides," Maya says, "you're already here." Here being Ema Skye's tiny apartment, all the way across town from Phoenix's. They were able to meet at the train station where they walked to Ema's together to get ready.

Iris fidgets with the dress Maya has lent her to wear. They're of similar statures and body types so it fits her relatively well. "I've never even met Kay, and I've known Ema for about fifteen minutes now."

"You'll meet Kay tonight! You need to let loose a little, Iris. Have a little fun every now and then. Just because you're technically a nun doesn't mean you have to stay cooped up there on Eagle Mountain all the time."

"I don't know whether or not to say this, Master Maya," Iris says timidly, "but don't you think it's a little awkward?"

"Why would it be awkward?" Maya asks. She turns to the mirror in Ema's bathroom and starts running lip gloss over her lips.

"Well, because… you know."

Maya presses her lips together to even out the gloss. "Is it because I'm the Master now? You know I'm probably the least strict Master Kurain has ever had. Don't worry about it."

"No, Master Maya. That's not it."

If Iris grips that dress any tighter, she's going to tear the thin material. "Just spit it out, Iris. I'm not a mind reader, even though Nick would insist I am. He's just too easy to read. He basically projects all his thoughts through his facial expressions, it's kind of cute."

"Right. Um, well, it's because you're dating Mr. Wright now."

Maya's finger slips and the line of eyeliner she was applying streaks across her face. "Oh."

"Only because I used to date him, so I don't know. I thought it would be a little weird."

"Well, do you find it weird?" Maya grabs a cotton pad and dabs at the eyeliner with makeup remover. "I mean, I'm fine with it if you are. That was forever ago."

"Yes, it was. I'm also okay with it, I just didn't know if it would make you uncomfortable or not."

Maya shakes her head and starts to apply her eyeliner again. "Nah, it's fine. Honestly, I hadn't even thought about it." She hasn't thought about it because she'd temporarily forgotten about Iris's past with him, but she isn't going to mention that.

"Well, as long as it's okay."

"Great. Are you ready?"

Iris nods. Maya can't help feeling a little jealous of her cousin when she looks at her. She's still so beautiful despite her years in prison and all the time spent in the harsh weather up on Eagle Mountain. Her black hair is still braided in the front the way it always is, and the off-the-shoulder black dress she borrowed looks better on her than it ever did on Maya. She thinks maybe she'll just let Iris keep it.

Maya turns back to the mirror and finishes applying her mascara, then grabs her handbag. "How do I look?"

"You look… beautiful, Master Maya," Iris says earnestly.

Maya turns to look at herself in the mirror. She may not look as good as Iris but she doesn't look half bad, in her opinion. The heels she bought earlier that day rival the ones Molly wears and combined with the tight black pants she has on, they make her butt look great.

"Thanks, Iris," Maya beams. "You do too, obviously. Also, please stop calling me Master Maya, just Maya is fine. You're family, you don't need to be so formal."

There's a knock on the bathroom door and Ema's voice reaches them through it. "Are you girls almost done? Kay just got here!"

Maya opens the door. "We're ready, Ema. Hey Kay!"

Kay Faraday steps forward and wraps Maya in a hug. Kay and Ema are better friends than Maya and Kay are, but they're well enough acquainted that it's not an awkward feeling. Nowadays Kay is an international prosecutor much like Franziska and spends her time travelling around the world. It's just good luck that she and Ema are both in the country at the same time for tonight.

"Good to see you again, Maya. It's been forever."

Maya nods and gestures to Iris standing timidly in the doorway of the bathroom still. "Kay, this is Iris. She's going to join us tonight."

"Sounds good to me," Kay says. She wraps an arm around Maya's shoulders. "We have much to talk about tonight."

Maya smiles. "Yeah… I guess we do."

"Daddy, the phone is for you," Trucy yells from the other room. He can hear some shuffling and waits for her to appear in the doorway. "It's Mr. Edgeworth," she says, holding the cordless phone out to him. "Oh, where's Miss Maya? I wanted to show her one of my new magic tricks."

He takes the phone from her and holds his thumb over the speaker. "She went to hang out with Detective Skye. They haven't seen each other in a while so she figured she should while she's here."

"Aw, okay. I guess I'll see her tomorrow then. I'm going to go do my homework now."

He nods. "Night, Trucy."

"Good night, Daddy."

Phoenix waits for her to leave the room before lifting the phone to his ear. "Hey Edgeworth."

"Hello, Wright. How are you?"

"Uh, I'm fine I guess." He glances at his watch. "It's after 8 pm, Edgeworth. Shouldn't you be in bed already?"

There's a beat of silence and then an exasperated sigh. "I suppose if you have better things to do than talk to an old friend—"

"Oh, don't be like that, Miles. What do you want?"

There's another pause and Phoenix knows it's thanks to his use of Edgeworth's first name. That always manages to catch him off guard for some reason. Edgeworth clears his throat. "I heard about you and Miss Fey finally making it official. I wanted to know if you felt like coming over for a celebratory cup of tea."

Only Edgeworth would describe a cup of tea as "celebratory". But Maya is out with friends tonight too, and Trucy is fine on her own, so Phoenix doesn't see why not. "Yeah, sure."

"Good. I'll see you soon."

Edgeworth hangs up without even waiting for a response and Phoenix grumbles to himself about having to find his own ride to Edgeworth's swanky apartment building. It's not so late that the buses aren't running, but he can spare the cash for a taxi instead. At least he'll look a little less poor pulling up to that building in a taxi rather than walking from a bus stop.

He grabs his jacket and calls to Trucy. "I'm going out for a bit, Truce. You're okay on your own?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Have fun and tell Mr. Edgeworth I said hi!"

"I will. I'll see you later."

Ema has a car, but no one wants to volunteer to be designated driver for the night, so the girls end up piling into a taxi together for the drive to the club Ema wants to go to. The ride is relatively quiet, and Maya can't help thinking it's only because Kay and Ema are thinking of all the embarrassing questions they want to ask her about Phoenix when they get there. Iris is quiet because that's just how she is.

Maya's thoughts drift as they drive through the city. Iris dated Nick in the past. How intimate did they get? Iris at 34 still seems so pure and innocent and Maya can't imagine the Iris of 15 years ago being any different, but you can never tell for sure. It's always the quiet ones, isn't that what everyone always says? What if Ema or Kay ask her something personal and her answer is something different than what Iris knows to be true? What if Iris knows she's lying?

Maya tries to calm herself. If they ask anything too embarrassing she can always refuse to answer, and 15 years are bound to change some things. Phoenix never talks about his college days, but Maya can still remember Mia complaining to her about how annoying her client was during her second court trial. She couldn't believe her bad luck, that she would have such a terrible client so soon into her career. When the trial was over she had some interesting stories to tell about how her client had cried on the stand, exclaimed that girls don't poop, and swallowed evidence.

It wasn't until after meeting him and learning his name did Maya realize that the Phoenix Wright that worked in her sister's law office was the client Mia had complained about three years earlier. He was like a different person. Still dorky and kind of cute, but determined and smart. Not an evidence eating defense attorney, that was for sure. If three years were enough to change Phoenix that much, what were fifteen?

"What are you thinking about Maya?" Maya looks up at Ema, who's twisted around in her seat to face the back through the little window in the taxi. "You were pretty lost in thought there."

Maya shrugs. "Wondering what drink I should get first."

Ema sighs. "Is Mr. Wright already driving you crazy?"

Maya furrows her eyebrows. "Huh?"

Kay huffs from beside her. "I know what you mean, Ema. My last boyfriend was so clingy, it was annoying. I could never go out or do things without him pouting because he wasn't invited. I broke up with him when I had to leave France."

Maya is shaking her head. "No, there's nothing like that going on with me and Nick."

"You're lucky," Ema sighs. "I'm so jealous. I need a mature man in my life. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi is the closest thing I have but he's a bit too perfect, you know? Plus he's my boss, so that's out. Then there's Prosecutor Gavin. I don't even want to talk about him. Someone like Mr. Edgeworth would be ideal…"

Kay discreetly raises her eyebrows at Maya when Ema turns back around in her seat. Maya has to giggle. The whole world knows about Ema Skye's infatuation with Edgeworth, and everyone except her seems to realize that she has no chance.

The rest of the ride is quiet until they finally pull up to the curb outside of the club. Ema climbs out of the front seat while the rest of them untangle themselves from the back. They each pay their share of the fare, then together they head to the doors. There's a line up, but Ema has reassured them that four pretty girls will be let in no problem.

Maya can hear the booming of the music from outside, and the other club goers look excited to be here. Still, as they get in line together, her mind wanders to Phoenix. She left him sitting at home by himself for the night. Even if their relationship isn't real, she was supposed to be helping him with the case that she originally came for. The investigation and interviews earlier in the day were fine though, and he insisted he was okay with her going. He wasn't her only friend, after all.

Kay is standing beside Iris in the line, and Maya starts paying attention when she notices Kay nudge her. "So, how do you know Maya, if you don't mind me asking?"

Iris looks down at the pavement. "It's a bit of a long story. The short version is, I'm her cousin."

"Ah, I see. Well, it's good to have you."

"Thank you. I have to admit I don't do things like this very often, and I'm not much of a drinker either."

Ema nods in understanding from beside Maya. "Is it a religious thing, or do you just not have much experience with it?"

"I just don't have much experience, I suppose. We don't serve alcohol in Hazakura Temple, but not for any particular reason."

Kay grins. "Well, we'll show you a good time tonight, I promise you that."

"O-oh," Iris blushes and takes a step forward as the line moves ahead. "Thank you."

Phoenix manages to make it up to Edgeworth's penthouse apartment while only receiving strange looks from two people, a woman dressed in a cocktail dress and her boyfriend (he hopes) getting off the elevator as he's getting on. Even in his suit people can tell he doesn't belong in a place like this.

When he knocks on Edgeworth's door, the butler greets him. Phoenix knows the man by name, Albert, but every time he visits he finds himself surprised yet again that Edgeworth actually has a butler. Someone to cook him dinner and clean up after him and answer the door for him. He thinks it must be nice, he's lucky if he remembers to do the laundry on time. Being a single dad has never been his forte.

"Welcome, Mr. Wright. Mr. Edgeworth is in his study."

"Thanks, Albert. I know the way."

The butler bows, making Phoenix feel even more out of place, and stands aside to let him in. He makes his way towards Edgeworth's study on his own and knocks on the heavy wooden door when he gets there.

"Come in."

Phoenix opens the door and peeks in. Edgeworth is sitting at his desk behind his laptop, a cup of tea already set beside him.

"Hey Edgeworth. I'm uh… here."

"Good to see you, Wright. Take a seat."

Phoenix sits in the chair across from Edgeworth. "Why do I feel like I'm back in high school and was just called down to the principal's office?"

Edgeworth peers over his glasses. "I have to say, I'm a little disappointed in you, Wright."

"Okay, now I really feel like I'm back in high school. It's report card day all over again… I'm having flashbacks… My mom. She held that D I got in math over my head for weeks."

Edgeworth rolls his eyes. "Stop being dramatic. I'm talking about the fact that you apparently have a girlfriend now, and I'm the last person to know. It wouldn't even bother me so much if not for the fact that Maya Fey is said girlfriend. I feel like I should have been one of the first to know about such a momentous thing."

Phoenix sits back, more at ease now. "Jeez Edgeworth, I didn't know it would bother you so much. Look, Maya and I didn't want to tell anyone right away. What if it doesn't work out? It'll just make things awkward for all our friends." These lies are becoming easier and easier. "Trucy doesn't know either, and neither does Pearls, so don't let it get out just yet. We still need time, just in case."

Edgeworth snorts. "I highly doubt that it will not work out between you two."

Phoenix raises his eyebrows. Even Edgeworth thinks they belong together? "What do you mean by that?"

Edgeworth gives him a look that says Phoenix should know full well what he means by that. "Come on, Wright. You can't tell me you haven't harboured feelings for Maya for years. It's been obvious to me for a long time. A very long time."

"How long exactly?" He has to know why so many people are under this impression.

"How long have you known her?"

"Twelve years."

"You recalled that faster than most men remember how long they've been married," Edgeworth points out. "You barely had to think about it."

Phoenix shrugs. "So? Just please don't tell me you thought I was in love with her when we first met. She was only seventeen, she'd just lost her sister. I helped her because she needed it. That's why I became a lawyer in the first place."

Edgeworth shakes his head. "No, love at first sight is a foolish notion. There is no such thing. But a bond started to form between you from that moment on. I didn't notice it at first because I was so caught up in my own issues. It wasn't until De Killer did I start to see."

"See what?"

"How much you cared for her."

"Of course I cared for her. She was—is—my best friend, I can't lose her."

"Wright… I've never seen you so scared in your life. I remember wondering what on earth was going on because you were so worked up, and when the judge announced that we'd need a second day even after you'd begged him to continue the trial, you broke down in tears. Do you remember that?"

Phoenix swallows. Of course he remembers. How could he forget? Even with everything they've gone through since then, he still considers that day the scariest of his life. He thought for sure he'd killed her. He hadn't been good enough to get Engarde a not guilty verdict on the first day and he'd killed Maya because of it. Maya who had never done anything wrong, except be his friend. "I remember," he says.

"You even said she was 'the person closest to you'. I didn't think there was anything going on between you two back then but if you were already considering her the person closest to you, I didn't think it would take long. The next year at Hazakura Temple only cemented that belief. I'm honestly a little surprised this didn't happen sooner."

Phoenix looks away. He feels bad lying to Edgeworth like this. People are so sure this is real, what are they all going to think when it comes out that it isn't? Will they find it pathetic? Will they think he was only using Maya, so he wouldn't need to worry about the hard work real relationships take? He feels guilty already and the urge to admit the truth to someone is overwhelming.

He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "Edgeworth… I need to tell you something."

"Oh, oh! Can I get a Sex on the Beach for my friend here?" Ema hollers to one of the waitresses, slinging an arm across Iris's neck.

Iris looks alarmed. "A what?!"

Kay laughs and nudges her. "It's a drink, Iris. What did you think it was?"

Iris blushes madly and Ema starts laughing too. "No offense, Iris, but you're not really my type. You're really pretty, don't get me wrong, but you're missing a few of the best bits."

Iris manages a small smile, and Maya finds herself smiling too. At least her cousin is getting used to the combination that is Ema and Kay. Kay looks over to her. "What about you, Maya? Want another? You've barely had anything!"

Maya shrugs. "Nick didn't want me to get too drunk tonight."

"Pfft. Don't let him start acting like he's the boss of you just because you're going out!"

"He's not," Maya says. "We have court tomorrow, I don't want to be hungover during it. And technically he is the boss of me when I'm assisting him with court cases."

Ema puts an elbow on the table and rests her chin in her hand. "Ooh the boss/assistant dynamic. That's kind of hot. Do you ever incorporate that into your sex life?"

"W-What?!"

"You know, like roleplaying? Like the sexy secretary type thing?"

"N-No! We do not," she says.

Kay leans over and rolls her eyes at Ema. "Why would they do that when that's their everyday life? They need to do something different, like a maid/master. Or maybe Maya is the Master." Kay giggles. "You are the Master of Kurain right? That could be kinky."

Maya picks up what's left of her drink and knocks it back. "I think I will have another one of these."

Kay grins and calls over the waitress to order another drink. "Anyway, about that trial. I heard there's a new prosecutor on it. Have you met her, Maya?"

"Yeah, I've met her." She's unable to keep a bit of venom out of her voice. "She's good in court, I guess."

Ema rolls her eyes. "All the guys at the precinct are obsessed with her. I swear all they see is a walking pair of boobs. They ignore all her accomplishments as a prosecutor just because she's pretty. Must be annoying."

"I won't deny that she's probably accomplished," Maya said, "but she's a bit of a flirt and it kind of annoys me."

"What's wrong with that?" Kay asked. "A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do sometimes."

"Yeah, I wouldn't care normally… If it wasn't Nick she was flirting with, while perfectly aware that he's not available."

Even Iris looks surprised at that, and leans forward in her seat a bit. Ema and Kay look shocked, and Ema slaps the table with a hand. "What does he do?"

The waitress comes back with their drinks and Maya thanks her. When she's gone she takes a sip of her drink and sighs. "He's already told her no. He never reciprocates or anything but she won't stop, and she does it in front of me too. I trust Nick, but I mean, look at her. It makes me feel a little inferior."

Ema pats her on the back. "Don't worry about it, Maya. You're the one who has him, so she should be jealous of you. And you and Mr. Wright are like, super close. Prosecutor Hott might be pretty but that doesn't mean anything when it comes to the emotional bond you two share."

If only that were true. Yes her and Nick are closer than close, but they're still only friends. Their bond will mean nothing if he ever meets someone he is attracted to romantically. It won't matter how good of friends they are, his time will be divided and they'll end up spending less time together. The thought of someone taking him from her worries Maya more than she cares to admit. She knows it's selfish of her, but she can't help how she feels.

Kay waves a hand. "Yeah, Maya. I don't know him that well but Mr. Wright seems like a good guy. As long as he's not showing any sort of interest in her, then who cares? He's yours."

Maya nods, but Kay's words haven't made her feel much better. It's just another reminder that Phoenix isn't really hers. This relationship is fake, and it's not going to last. They'll stay friends, and when he finally does find someone to spend his life with, she'll have to find a way to be okay with it. Not with jealousy or unrequited feelings, just with the simple fact that someone else can make him happier than she can. And he will find that someone eventually, she's sure of it. All of the things she'd said to him before were true; anyone really would be lucky to have him.

The table is awkwardly quiet when Maya doesn't respond to Kay's reassurances. Ema coughs awkwardly into her fist while Kay sips at her drink. Iris is staring down into her glass and playing with the straw. Ema eventually clears her throat. "Well, enough depressing topics of conversation." She grins and leans over toward Maya. "I want some details."

Maya raises an eyebrow. "Details?"

Ema rolls her eyes. "You know. What's Mr. Wright like?"

Maya looks even more confused. "You know him, Ema. You even worked with him that one time, and you probably spent more time with him when he was disbarred than I did. You know what he's like."

Kay and Ema exchange a look. "Uh, that's not really what I meant, Maya. I was sort of his friend, but he definitely never discussed any sort of dirty details with me about his love life."

Iris coughs into her glass from across the table, and all three of the others look over at her. She waves a hand. "Sorry. It went down the wrong way."

Ema turns back to Maya. "Anyway. You know, as a boyfriend? What's he like? Is the sex good?"

Maya's eyes widen. "W-What?! T-That's personal…"

Ema grins at Kay. "I told you she wouldn't want to talk about it. Come on, Maya. I've always wondered what he'd be like…"

"You've always wondered?! Why? I thought you were into Mr. Edgeworth."

Ema shrugs. "I'm a woman of science. I like to know things, so I can't help wondering. When I worked with him on my sister's case he seemed so dorky and cute, so I can't help wondering what he'd be like, you know? Guys like him can be surprisingly good in bed. Come on, one little detail. Is he sweet and gentle or is he more rough and sexy about it?"

Maya's face has turned crimson. She can't even think about Phoenix that way without getting embarrassed. She glances at Iris sitting across the table from her, whose face is turned down to stare into the bottom of her glass. Maya can't even see her expression. "Um… uh…"

Kay laughs. "You don't need to be so embarrassed, Maya!"

"But it's… personal… And I don't know if Nick would like me talking about stuff like that…"

"We won't tell," Kay says. "I'm curious too, you know. Aren't you, Iris?"

Iris looks up from her glass, almost as embarrassed as Maya is. "Not really… But can I get another one of these drinks? Or maybe a different one with more alcohol in it?"

"Me too!" Maya says. "I need more alcohol before I can talk about this stuff."

Ema sighs and waves over the waitress again. She seems to know every drink name and what it's made of, so she orders them each something stronger and sits back in her chair. "I thought you didn't want to get too drunk?"

Maya crosses her arms. "You're not really giving me a choice."

"Edgeworth… I need to tell you something."

Phoenix regrets the words as soon as they're out of his mouth. Sure he feels guilty, but he has to think of Maya in this too. Would she want him to tell anyone the truth? What will people think of her for going along with this idea? Would she be embarrassed? They hadn't thought that far ahead when agreeing to this, so when they end it it has to be on both of their terms.

Edgeworth takes his glasses off and starts to polish them with a cloth from his desk. "What is it, Wright?"

Edgeworth may be the one person Phoenix can tell without worrying about being judged too harshly. He knows he may get a stern talking to, and he can trust Edgeworth not to tell anyone else… but when he thinks about Maya, out with her friends and probably talking about him right now, he can't bring himself to say the words.

"Uh…"

Edgeworth slips his glasses back on and furrows his eyebrows. "Something wrong?"

"No! I uh… want to throw Maya a party, but it's a surprise."

"A party? Whatever for?"

"You know, like a welcome home party."

Edgeworth makes a face. "Isn't it a little late for that? She's been home for months."

"I know. We've all been busy though and there was never any time. So I figured since she's here, we could do it… in a few days maybe?" What is he saying? He's pulling this out of thin air. Why can't he stop talking?

Edgeworth raises an eyebrow. "Alright. I suppose I can make myself available for whenever you plan this party of yours, but I'm afraid I won't be able to help you plan it. I suggest enlisting the help of your daughter for that."

"Oh… No, yeah, I guess Trucy would want to help. But just remember, she doesn't know about me and Maya, so don't mention anything like that, okay?"

"Of course," Edgeworth says, before reaching into one of the drawers in his desk. "Now how about that drink?"

Phoenix leans over. It's certainly not more tea Edgeworth is pulling out of that drawer. "What's that? I thought we were having tea?"

"I thought a real drink would be preferable." Edgeworth pulls out two glasses and starts pouring.

"It's not like I'm getting married or something. Tea would have been fine." He takes the glass anyway.

Edgeworth picks his up as well. "Will you?"

"Will I what?" Phoenix lifts the glass to his lips.

"Get married."

He chokes on the drink and sets the glass down, wiping his mouth with a sleeve. "Edgeworth… come on, isn't it a little soon to be thinking about marriage?"

"Perhaps if you didn't already know each other so well. But seeing as you're already so close, I would think your relationship would progress more quickly than normal."

Phoenix laughs. "No, no way! If anything we're taking our time more than regular couples! It's like… we know we're good friends and we get along great but what if? We have to be sure before we get into anything serious like marriage… right?"

Edgeworth stares at him. "You're acting stranger than usual today, Wright. You and Maya aren't having problems, are you?"

"No! None at all."

"Hm."

Phoenix sighs. "I guess I'm a little nervous about the trial tomorrow though."

"Oh, yes. The bank robbery. How is Miss Hott doing? She's new but I figured she could handle… well, you."

"She wants to handle me all right," Phoenix mumbles.

Edgeworth raises an eyebrow. "What was that?"

"She's a good prosecutor, that's true," Phoenix says, ignoring Edgeworth. "To be honest, she reminds me of you when she gets behind the bench. Did you have any part in her training?"

"No, I'm too busy to do that sort of thing nowadays, but I have spoken to her quite often. Why?"

"Does she ever hit on you?"

"Hit on me?" Edgeworth sounds so perplexed, Phoenix has to roll his eyes.

"Flirt, you know? Like, because she finds you attractive?"

"Oh. Not that I can recall."

But Edgeworth has always been oblivious to those sorts of things, Phoenix thinks. He probably wouldn't even realize it if she had, and she would have lost interest in him rather quickly when she didn't get a reaction out of him.

"Why are you asking me something like that, Wright?"

Edgeworth is the Chief Prosecutor. He's Molly's boss. He could probably talk to her about this, tell her to stop, or take her off the case. Then she would leave him alone, and he and Maya could stop this whole relationship charade.

Phoenix scratches his cheek. "…Never mind. She just talked about you once, so I was wondering if maybe she had a thing for you. It's about time you got a girlfriend too, isn't it?" he smiles awkwardly.

Edgeworth sips at his drink. "I'm perfectly fine on my own, but thanks for your concern, Wright."

"Yeah… No problem." He looks around and spots a clock. It's really only been twenty minutes since he showed up? Then why does he want to leave so badly? "Hey, Edgeworth. Thanks for the drink and inviting me over, but I think I'm going to head home."

"Already?"

"Yeah. I should be there when Maya gets back. She said she wouldn't get too drunk but she's with Ema and Kay."

Edgeworth actually cracks a smile. He knows Kay better than any of them. "It's probably a good idea to get home then."

"Yeah." Phoenix pushes his glass back across the desk.

"Do you want a ride home?"

Phoenix shakes his head. "I'm good, I can walk. Thanks though."

Edgeworth nods. "Good luck with the trial tomorrow."

Phoenix waves a hand. "Who needs luck? I know my client is innocent."

"Mhm. You still need all the luck you can get."

"Right, thanks. You're a real friend, Edgeworth."

His sarcasm isn't lost on Edgeworth, who only smirks. Phoenix waves once more before leaving the room and heading back down to the street to start his walk home.

When Maya and Iris make it back to the table, they can hardly walk. They're only managing to stay on their feet by clinging to each other and sheer force of will. They slip back into their seats beside Kay and Ema, who grin at them. "Did you two have fun dancing?"

"It was fun!" Iris says. She's slightly flushed and out of breath still, a sheen of sweat across her forehead. "I've never done stuff like this before. Thanks for inviting me out, Maya!"

Maya smiles lazily at her. "We need to hang out more, Iris. You're family!"

Iris nods excitedly. "Oh, I'd really love that!"

Maya raises a hand to flag down a waitress, but Ema reaches up and pulls it back down. "Alright you two," Ema says. "I think you've had enough to drink for tonight."

"Aaw," they reply in unison.

"Jeez, you Feys," Kay laughs. "You two could drink Ema and I under the table."

Ema crosses her arms. "Speak for yourself, Kay. I've just been going easy tonight." She uncrosses her arms and leans on the table. "Alright, Maya. You're plenty drunk now. I need those details!"

Maya looks at her and tilts her head. "Details about what?"

"Mr. Wright! What's he like as a boyfriend?! I need to know, it's been tormenting me!"

Maya giggles. "Why don't you ask Iris? Did you guys know she dated him in college?"

Even in her drunken state Iris manages to blush. "Maya! That was so long ago."

Kay's expression is a mixture of shock and excitement. "No way! Really, Iris?"

Iris nods. "Yes… But like I said it was a really long time ago! I wouldn't know what he's like now."

Maya sighs wistfully. "My sister told me about Nick back then, but I wish I had known him! It sounded like he was even dorkier than he is now."

Ema taps her fingers on the table. "Alright, spill the beans, Iris. What was college Phoenix Wright like?"

"O-Oh… I don't know. Mystic Maya, are you sure you want me to talk about that?"

Maya nods. "I want to know too!"

Iris's blush hasn't subsided. "Okay. Well, he was… really sweet. My sister never appreciated him, but I'm kind of glad or I wouldn't have been able to spend so much time with him myself." Ema looks at Kay from across the table and mouths 'sister?' at her. Kay can only shrug. Iris continues. "There isn't much to tell, really. I guess he was a lot more immature and he was more open with his feelings back then from what I could tell the last time I saw him, but he was still a good person. I enjoyed my time with him. I can only hope he treats you the same way he treated me, Maya. He really made me feel loved."

Maya finds herself smiling. Phoenix might not be as open with his feelings now, but he does treat her well. They don't need to be in a fake relationship for Maya to know that he shows his feelings with his actions more than words, and they don't need to be in a fake relationship for him to make her feel loved. "Yeah… He does."

Ema looks bored. "Okay, enough mushy stuff. Just tell me, is he good in bed or not?"

Iris stares down at the tabletop. "I can't say what he's like now, and back in college it only happened a few times…"

"Naughty little nun," Maya says with a smirk. She's not that surprised to have it confirmed to her just how close they'd been, but deep down, even through her alcohol addled brain, she feels a pang of jealousy.

Iris looks even more embarrassed. "He was very gentle and loving back then. That's all I can say." She lowers her head and mumbles. "This conversation is so embarrassing."

Ema turns to Maya. "So? Is he different now that he's older?"

Maya smiles at her. "I'm not telling."

"Come on!" Ema urges. "Please?"

Maya shakes her head. "Nope. It's a secret." And she has no idea anyway. She's not about to lie and say something when she has no idea whether or not it's true, but she also isn't going to admit they've never actually been that intimate before. So she'll play coy, and pretend it's the alcohol making her act silly.

Kay sighs. "Guess you're not getting it out of her, Ema. Even super drunk she knows when to keep quiet about personal things."

Ema looks at Maya skeptically. "You have done it by now, right?"

Maya uses all her self control not to blush or react in any way that will make her look like a liar. "Of course!" she insists. "Fine! If you really want to know?! It's great! Nick might be legendary in lawyer circles but to me he's legendary in other ways!" She hopes he's not actually terrible in bed. If so, she's doing him a huge favour right now.

Ema grins and Kay starts to laugh. Even Iris has a little smile on her face. "I'll admit, he was pretty good back in college too. He looked like he wouldn't be and I wasn't expecting much… but it was rather enjoyable," she says thoughtfully.

At least Maya knows she's not building him up into something he can't back up, but hearing that just makes her feel even more jealous. She looks to Ema. "Happy now?"

"Yep. My years of wondering are finally over. Guess I missed my chance to find out firsthand?" Maya frowns at her and Ema laughs. "I'm kidding, honestly. He's not my type. Mr. Edgeworth is still my preference."

"Hearing you talk about Mr. Edgeworth so much gives me the creeps, Ema," Kay says.

"Oh shut up. You're lucky you got to work so closely with him!"

Kay sticks out her tongue. "Jealous!"

"Yeah I am! I'll admit it!" she sighs wistfully. "What I wouldn't do."

Maya is quiet as the two girls banter back and forth. This time neither of them stop her when she signals the waitress for another drink. She makes it a double.

By the time they leave the club, Maya is so drunk that Kay and Ema have to stand on either side of her to guide her to their taxi. When they make it back to Phoenix's apartment building, Ema leaves Kay and Iris in the taxi and escorts Maya upstairs. Maya insists she has a key somewhere, and manages to find it after fumbling about with her clutch. Ema has to take it from her and unlock the door herself.

It's early morning now, so she's a little surprised when she takes a step into the small apartment to help Maya and sees Phoenix look over from his spot on the couch. The only light in the room is coming from the TV. He stands up right away.

Ema looks at him apologetically. "Sorry to barge in like this. Maya's pretty drunk."

"It's okay, Ema," he says, moving around the couch to flick on the overheard lights. "Thanks for helping her."

He approaches them and reaches out for Maya, who takes hold of his arms. She leans into him, resting her weight against his chest. "Nick…" she mumbles.

He shakes his head. "So much for not getting too drunk. You're going to have a bad hangover at the trial tomorrow."

Ema smiles. "Well, I think she's in good hands now, so I'll head out. Tell Maya tomorrow that I brought Iris home to sleep it off at my apartment, so she's not worried."

"Iris?" he says. "I didn't know she invited Iris. Wow, I haven't talked to her for years."

"Oh. I hope it wasn't supposed to be a secret or anything."

Phoenix shrugs, and Maya shifts in his arms. "I don't see why it would be. I doubt she'll remember you told me when she wakes up tomorrow anyway, so you're probably safe."

"Right. Thanks, Mr. Wright. I have to head back down now before the taxi leaves without me. Have a good night, and good luck with your trial tomorrow!"

"Thanks Ema."

She leaves, closing the door behind her. Phoenix leads Maya to the couch and sits her down, then locks the door again. Maya's still wide awake despite how drunk she is, and she looks over at him when he sits down beside her. He sighs. "We should get you to bed. The more sleep you get before tomorrow the better."

"I'm not tired yet," she says, leaning over to rest her shoulder against his. "Ema told you I invited Iris."

"Yeah. Why didn't you tell me?"

Maya shrugs. "I thought it'd be awkward for you to know."

"Maya, I don't mind who you hang out with, and Iris is technically part of your family. I'm glad you invited her."

"Mm. You know what I realized tonight, Nick?"

"What?"

"Iris knows more about you than I do."

He turns his head to look down at her. "What do you mean?"

"I mean… I'm pretending to be your girlfriend, but I don't actually know the things a girlfriend should know about her boyfriend, you know?"

"I don't really get it, no. You know everything about me."

Maya shifts and casually places her hand on his leg. He stares down at it. "Not everything."

"Maya?" She lifts her head to gaze up at him through half lidded eyes, and leans towards his face. He moves his head back. "What are you doing?"

She looks a little hurt that he pulled away. "I wanted to kiss you."

He furrows his eyebrows. "Why?"

"Practice?" she says. She sounds unsure herself. "I just want to know what it's like…" She tries again, and again he turns away.

"Maya, you're drunk," he states.

She lowers her gaze and sits up straighter, no longer leaning against him, and puts her hands in her lap. "I'm sorry."

He scratches the back of his neck and sighs. "It's okay. Look, I don't know what you and Iris talked about tonight, I'm not sure I want to know, but you're closer to me than she ever will be. Physical closeness and what we have… it's different. What we have is more real than anything Iris and I had. And that was so long ago, it doesn't matter anymore. It's something I don't even like thinking about now. Okay? So don't let it bother you." Maya sniffs and he wraps an arm around her shoulders. "You probably won't even remember this in the morning anyway. Lucky you."

She wraps an arm around him. "What if I do still want to kiss you in the morning? When I'm sober? Would you want to kiss me?"

He swallows and squeezes her shoulders. "What about our rule?"

She smiles and snuggles closer to him. "Oh yeah. I forgot about that."

"Come on, Maya. You need to go to bed."

She pouts, looking like a little girl who doesn't want to go to bed yet. Phoenix shifts and slides his arms under her legs to lift her. She wraps her arms around his neck, but by the time he makes it to his room, her arms have slipped from his neck and she's asleep in his arms. He sets her down on the bed as gently as possible.

He looks her over. She's wearing more makeup than he's ever seen her wear before, and pants so tight they show off every little curve she hides under her Master's robes. The top she has on is short and shows a strip of her belly just above her belt line.

"When did you start looking like this, Maya?" he observes quietly. "Have I just never noticed before?" He looks down at her feet and smiles. "And how are you walking in those shoes?"

The only response from her is some snuffling as she gets more comfortable in his bed. He slips the shoes off her feet and sets them on the floor, then pulls the blankets up to cover her. He'll take the couch tonight. She needs all the rest she can get before the trial tomorrow.