The two of them arrived at the precinct not much later after they left Gourd Lake, and one of the first people they saw upon stepping inside was Gumshoe, leaning over his desk with his head in his hands. Franziska didn't know if she wanted to ask.

"Scruffy!" She called, stopping at the side of his desk, "Do tell me that you got the autopsy report as promised."

"Sir!" Gumshoe shot out of his seat and threw his hand up in a salute, "That I did!" He passed the file over, but in doing so he noticed something different about Franziska, "...Weren't you dressed a bit differently earlier? What happened?"

"Mud and betrayal." Franziska muttered, shooting Maya a glare out of the corner of her eye, "That's what."

Maya just shrugged uneasily as Gumshoe looked back and forth between the two of them, "Well, uh… Huh…" He said in a grumble.

"Anyways," Franziska cut in, crossing her arms, "where is this Detective Rice?"

"He's over at his desk, sir." Gumshoe pointed towards one of the desks in the corner, "Have at him."

Glancing over towards where Gumshoe pointed, Franziska looked the other detective over. He had short blond hair and a light stubble for a mustache and beard. He also looked to be in violation of the dress code with only a t-shirt and jeans. Franziska hated him instantly.

Maya looked at Rice then back to Franziska, confused as to why she wasn't moving, "...Earth to Franziska?"

"Hmm?" Franziska seemed to be jolted out of her inner dialogue, "Oh, pardon me. I was drafting the argument to use in this detective's salary hearing I will request once this case ends. This is inexcusable."

"Typical Franziska…" Maya laughed nervously, eventually just moving towards Detective Rice on her own without Franziska. "Hey, Detective Rice!"

Rice looked up from his paperwork and looked around for the voice calling for him, growing a bit confused once he spotted Maya, "How can I help you…?"

"Hi! I'm on the defense team for Daniel Tanner!" Maya greeted with a smile, "I was hoping you could give me and my colleague some information about the case."

"...You're a defense attorney?" Rice asked incredulously with a grin on his face, "Wow, I didn't know they started licensing kids in my absence."

Maya scrunched her nose and jabbed her finger into Rice's chest angrily, "Hey, Mister! What's that supposed to mean?!"

Franziska had joined Maya's side at this point, and Rice focused on Franziska instead, "Are you with this girl? For the sake of the criminal justice system, do not mix children in with your work. I thought the system was better than hiring kids."

"It has come to my attention recently that me and this 'kid' you are referring to are the same age." Franziska flashed Phoenix's attorney badge to Rice, "So by all means, do tell me about the deterioration of the justice system. I do love it so when men talk down on me because of my age."

Rice shifted uncomfortably and clenched his jaw, "What do you want?"

"I want to know exactly what happened on the day of the crime. And do know that I don't take lightly to people withholding the truth from me." Franziska growled. Maya proudly crossed her arms as she looked back at Rice.

"A couple fishing early in the morning called the police after noticing a body by the lake. I was in the vicinity when I received a dispatch call. I arrived at the crime scene at around 5:45 and I asked the couple a few questions. They looked pretty shaken up, so I sent them home. I called for a forensics team and backup afterwards, and they arrived some time later. I identified the deceased quickly as Ireland Boyd because I had run into him a few times before. I went to break the news to his wife first, and then I investigated where Boyd was seen last. Due to the evidence I had, I arrested Daniel Tanner for the crime." Rice crossed his arms and shrugged, "I'm confident in my decision in arresting him. He did it. I'm also confident that my impeccable work in this case will help make me in my campaign when I run for sheriff."

Maya grinned to herself and nodded, "Impeccable work… Sure. Well, thanks, Detective! I think we have everything we need."

"I got my eyes on you kids. I don't appreciate a couple of schoolchildren turning a courtroom into a playground. This is adult territory. You don't belong." Rice sneered.

Franziska rolled her eyes, "We'll see who's the childish one when we face each other in court. Don't expect me to have mercy on you just because you're my elder. I don't respect anyone who insults me, elder or not."

Rice narrowed his eyes in return, and Gumshoe, having picked up on the aggressions, suddenly butted in and threw his arm around Rice's shoulder.

"Everything good around here, pal?" Gumshoe asked with a nervous grin as he subtly turned Rice away from Maya and Franziska, "How's the paperwork going?"

Franziska glanced back at the path to the records room and then back at Rice. For a moment, they were completely out of his line of sight as he was dealing with Gumshoe. In a split-second decision, Franziska grabbed Maya's wrist and pulled her along.

"Move quietly but quickly." Franziska ordered in a hushed whisper.

Maya did as told- more like she let Franziska drag her off -but that didn't mean she wasn't confused, "What are you doing?"

"Accidentally stumbling into the records room while going on a childish frolic through the precinct, that's what." Franziska grinned a bit, "Or, that's what we'll say when we're asked."

Maya felt like she was catching on, but still was a bit lost, "Are you upset because of what Rice said earlier? I mean, I don't know about you, but it didn't bother me too much-"

"Of course I'm bothered by it! But I'm using it to my advantage as an excuse for what we're about to do here now.." Franziska opened the door to the records room when the coast was clear, pulling Maya inside and quickly shutting the door behind them. She looked back at Maya, "I need to find Detective Rice's file. He's too suspicious for my tastes, and this could play out in our favor at the trial."

Maya nodded and snickered, "Oh, I see… Smart."

"Well, that's obvious. I'm the one who came up with the idea." Franziska quipped before walking off in search of the file.

In a few minutes, Maya managed to find Detective Rice's file and she chased Franziska down to give it to her, "Look, I got it! There's a lot of stuff in here… That's got to be good, right?"

"For once, a long rap sheet for a detective is a godsend for me." Franziska joked, taking the file and sitting on the ground. She passed some papers to Maya for her to look over, "Tell me anything that may possibly be incriminating. I can blow even the smallest detail out of proportion in the trial tomorrow, so there's no need to worry about telling me about something too small."

"Got it!" Maya nodded, reading over some of the files. Franziska did as well, and so they sat in silence for a moment. Before long, Franziska suddenly let out a low, throaty chuckle. Maya looked up from the papers and tilted her head.

"What did you find?" She asked.

"Daniel Tanner's ticket to freedom." Franziska was smirking at that point when she handed Maya the file in question, "Detective Rice has not one, but three charges of evidence tampering on his jacket." She sighed despite herself, "The only other detective in this city is a corrupt one. He's making even Scruffy look competent."

"Hey! Gumshoe's competent!" Maya countered, though she was quick to focus back on the task at hand, "Wait… It also says that he was censored the last time he tampered with evidence… Could that have been the 'absence' he was referring to?"

"I assume so." Franziska grinned once more, "He also says he wants to be sheriff someday. Closing a lot of cases quickly and easily is a trait many look for in electing sheriff… It looks as if Detective Rice is trying to falsify his way up the ranks." She laughed lowly and glanced off to the side, "He will not survive my cross tomorrow, that I can guarantee."

"Aw, man…" Maya was grinning widely and bubbling with excitement, "We've never been so prepared for a trial before… It feels good!"

"...The more you speak of Phoenix Wright's incompetence, the more I despise myself for losing to him as often as I did." Franziska muttered.

Maya winced, "Sorry…"

"However…" Franziska recovered quickly enough, "It does feel good to know I can do his job better than he can. I'll accept that."

Maya flashed a smile and started gathering up the papers to put back in the file, "So… What next?"

"Well, I'd like to visit Ireland Boyd's wife and then head back to the Detention Center to see if I can get Daniel Tanner to open up about Dawn Jennings…" Franziska stood and placed a hand on her hip, "So we have no time to waste if we wish to make it before the Detention Center ends visiting hours."

"Got it. Let's go then!" Maya perked up, ready to just stroll on out of the records room before she remembered, "...How do you suggest we sneak out of here unnoticed?"

Franziska paused, musing it over in her head. Eventually she just pursed her lips and gave up, "...Just run. Go!"


"So… Is this Mrs. Boyd's house?" Maya asked, glancing around once Franziska and her arrived in the neighborhood.

"Assuming that the police records didn't lie, it's safe to say this is it." Franziska responded, crossing her arms, "I want her take on the situation before I go any further. I have a feeling she could give valuable information regarding how her spouse and Daniel Tanner got along."

"Maybe she'll be nice and treat us to some welcoming food when we go in…" Maya frowned and placed a hand on her growling stomach.

Just when Franziska was about to brush that comment off and go to Mrs. Boyd's front door, a sudden voice from behind them called out, stopping the duo to stop in their tracks.

"Excuse me, ladies!" The voice said- it was a boyish voice, but still moderately developed. Franziska could place it as mid- to late teens just off the voice alone before she turned around to see a young man by his truck, "Are you looking for Mrs. Boyd?"

"Yessir!" Maya said back.

"I'm sorry, but she's out right now. She's been gone for most of the day." The teenager replied, "Are you two the police or something?"

"We're actually lawyers. We're defending Daniel Tanner in his case tomorrow." Maya explained.

The young man smiled a bit- which only made him look younger; Franziska was betting on 17 years at this point -and he looked both ways before crossing the street to approach the two ladies, "It's good to hear he's got a good team on his side. I know he's innocent. Everyone just needs to believe that."

Franziska looked the man over once more, "Just who are you, anyways?"

"I'm Glenn Warner. I work as Danny's apprentice." Glenn said, still with a smile on his face, "He's also a close friend. I owe him a lot."

"Apprentice?" Maya perked up, "Ooo, apprentice for what?"

"Danny's car repair business!" Glenn grinned widely, closing his eyes and running a hand through his ginger hair.

Franziska furrowed her eyebrows in disbelief, "Eighteen is a little young for someone to own their own business, wouldn't you say?"

"Says the girl who became a prosecutor at age 13…" Maya muttered quiet enough for only Franziska to hear. Franziska just stepped on Maya's foot with her heel.

"Yeah, but isn't it incredible?!" Glenn didn't falter in the slightest at that comment, "Once everyone found out about Danny's past, no one would hire him. So he went out and made his own business! I was in a bit of a rough patch for a while with my dad passing away and my mom unemployed, so I needed work and dropped out of school. Danny was kind enough to take me under his wing as his apprentice! I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him."

Maya's eyes were watering slightly at that, but a single sniff caused any traces of it to vanish, "There's no way Danny could murder Mr. Boyd if that's true…!"

Franziska just let out a noncommitted scoff. Glenn quickly spoke up again, "Yeah! I know he didn't do it! In fact, I was thinking about going to the police, because I can prove it too!"

Suddenly Franziska was a lot more interested in what Glenn had to say, "Then you must tell us what you know!"

Glenn nodded, "Right! Well, the night of the murder, I was staying up later than I was supposed to because I was trying to read up on car manuals so I could be of more help to Danny… and then I could hear Ireland yelling outside. I looked out my window to see what was going on, and some strange truck was pulling into Ireland's driveway. I never seen it before, and I couldn't recognize the voice that told Ireland to hop into the back of the truck. Once Ireland was inside, they were off, and Ireland never came back. That all happened around...Oh, 1:50 in the morning, maybe?"

Franziska looked over at Maya, who was looking back at Franziska with the same shocked expression on her face. Then Franziska focused back on Glenn with a fiercely determined look over her features, "You must testify to this in court tomorrow. This may be the only way your friend sees the light of day again." Franziska's voice then dropped down to a whisper, one both Glenn and Maya thought they'd miss if they weren't already captured by her determination, "...Please."

Glenn nodded vigorously and threw a hand up to his head in a salute, "Yes, ma'am! I'll do it!"

For once, Franziska actually smiled genuinely for a moment, "Thank you. This will be of great help to the defense's case tomorrow."

"You're a lifesaver, Glenn!" Maya cheered, grinning widely.

"I'm glad I could help!" Glenn said proudly.

"Good. Then I think we'll be on our way." Franziska said, "We won't be needing anything from Mrs. Boyd when we have this information on our side."

Maya pursed her lips for a moment before she stopped Franziska, "Wait! I still have something I need to ask." She looked back at Glenn, and she grinned a bit mischievously, "So, Glenn… What do you know about Danny's girlfriend?"

Franziska's eyes flashed wide for a second; she had forgotten about that completely, as embarrassing as that may be to say.

Glenn just tilted his head and scratched the back of his neck, "I've met her a few times. She's real nice. It's hard to believe she's an ex-con too."

"Dawn Jennings is a convict as well?" Franziska asked, an eyebrow arching in surprise.

Glenn nodded, "Yeah. That's actually how she met Danny. They met through a rehabilitation program for ex-cons at the local church." Glenn scrunched his nose in thought, "I'm pretty sure she has a few theft charges on her. I have no idea why, because her family is filthy rich. She can get whatever she wants from them, and with that face of hers, it's not like she needs to steal stuff to get it for free."

"Huh…" Maya shrugged, "Alright then. Thanks again!"

"It's no problem!" Glenn smiled, "I'm just happy I can help Danny out after all this time."

"Speaking of which…" Franziska looked back towards Maya, "We should visit Daniel Tanner now. He should know about the progress we've made."

Maya nodded, "Let's go then!"

"Good luck, ladies! I'll see you tomorrow!" Glenn waved the two off in a goodbye.


Before long after arriving at the Detention Center, Daniel Tanner was let in by the guard to the visitor's area and he took a seat on the other side of the glass. He looked a lot more hopeful than he did earlier in the morning. That was a good sign.

"So?" Daniel looked between the two girls with a hint of a smile on his lips, "How did the investigation go?"

"Good!" Maya smiled brightly, "Like, really good!"

"I can't thank you guys enough." Daniel said, "I would be already be on death's row without your help."

"You should thank your apprentice Glenn!" Maya said, "His testimony is gonna help us out a bunch. But, you know. The two of us need our thanks too." Maya looked to Franziska, "She's gonna kick butt tomorrow in court." She looked back to Daniel and cupped her mouth, "And I totally found amazing evidence. It's a real team effort here."

"So you're gonna be the main lawyer tomorrow, Ms. Franziska?" Daniel asked, "If it's half as good as how Maya is hyping it up to be, I'm sure you'll do great."

Franziska just let out a sigh and closed her eyes. She set her hand on the small slab of concrete that came out of the wall in front of her. On closer inspection, Maya could see a faint green glow slipping through Franziska's fingers. Maya's gaze drifted to the ground. It was business as always with her, it seems…

"I do have a lot playing in my favor at the moment, but I'm still not satisfied, especially with the information I've received from you." Franziska said flatly, eyes still closed. Tact was one thing a von Karma didn't seem to possess.

Daniel's expression flashed concern and hurt for a moment, but he recovered quickly enough, "Okay, that's my bad. What do you need cleared up?"

Franziska opened her eyes and stared right into Daniel's own. Daniel felt pushed into the back of his chair from the force behind her glare alone. "The location of Dawn Jennings, of course." She said in a low voice, "Where is she?"

Daniel swallowed noticeably, "I-I already told you, Ms. Franziska… I don't know where she is!"

"Don't lie to me." Franziska sneered. The colors of her vision inverted again and chains wrapped around Daniel, a lock forming in front of him. "Tell me where she is!"

"Why do you think I'm lying?!" Daniel shot back, with what it lacked in conviction it made up for in sheer panic.

"Because," Franziska began, speaking as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "You have to protect her."

"She doesn't need my protection. A girl like her can handle herself!"

"I'm sure she can. In fact, I think she was the one who asked you to keep quiet."

"H-How can you say that?" Daniel recoiled, sweat beading at his forehead.

Franziska shrugged easily. The force behind her tone was replaced by passive indifference, "She's an ex-convict, like you are. I'm sure her parents aren't quite happy about that."

Maya scrunched her nose, "Yeah? What's that got to do with anything?"

Franziska turned towards Maya, "Think about it, Maya Fey. If your child committed a crime, what would you do?"

"I would punish them, of course!" Maya pushed her sleeve up, like she was flaunting her power, "Make sure they learned their lesson!"

"Exactly." Franziska looked over at Daniel, "That's why she was in the rehabilitation program with you. I'm also certain her parents limited how much money she got from them as well as punishment."

Daniel swallowed and looked at the ground. Franziska just took it as permission to continue, "If Dawn Jennings were to get involved with trouble again, she would lose all of her family's support. A murder case is certainly trouble. I do not believe her parents would enjoy learning of their daughter's involvement in a murder case. That's why she fled. That's also why you're covering for her."

Daniel let out a sigh and placed his elbows on the small ledge in front of him, resting his head in his hands. Franziska's reality froze for a moment, and the lock on the chains surrounding Daniel shattered, the chains receding soon after. Her lips quirked slightly in victory, but she schooled her features quickly enough. Daniel looked on the verge of admitting the truth.

"You're right…" He muttered, ashamed, "I'm sorry. I didn't want her to get in trouble because of me…"

"Tell us where she is, Daniel." Maya said, her voice soft, "We have to help you."

Franziska hesitated, but eventually she joined in, "I can make it so that word of her involvement doesn't spread, even if I do get testimony from her. I just need to know where she is."

"...Becksdale." Daniel admitted, "It's a city over. What are you gonna do, Ms. Franziska?"

"I was already going to put in a request for closed proceedings, but I'll contact the Becksdale police department so they can question her and send me a deposition of her account of events. It's written, so she won't visibly be tied to the case." Franziska explained.

"Thank you…" Daniel said quietly, "I'm really sorry…"

"I suppose it can't be helped." Franziska sighed, "But do not hide anything else from us in the future. We cannot help you if you don't cooperate."

"I understand. No more lies. Just truth." Daniel nodded.

Maya stood up, looking between Franziska and Daniel, "I think we're done?"

Franziska nodded, "Yes. We'll see you tomorrow for the proceedings, Daniel Tanner. There's a lot still left to be done if we aim for an acquittal."

Daniel nodded, "Alright. Good night, ma'ams. And good luck."

Maya and Franziska exited from the visitor's area and the Detention Center. Once they were outside, Maya looked towards Franziska, a bit of a pleading look on her face.

"Is it time for dinner yet, Franziska?" Maya asked with a nervous grin, the ominous sound of her stomach growling after her words.

"You can go have dinner." Franziska simply replied, brushing some hair out of her face, "I have paperwork to get to."

"You… don't want to come along?" Maya's nervousness turned more towards panic, "But… you need to eat! Preferably with me right now!"

Franziska's eyebrows quirked in suspicion, "And I shall...just not at this moment. Why can't you go yourself?"

Maya just forced a grin and uneasily pressed her fingers together, "Well, you see… I kind of don't have any money, so…"

Franziska's expression fell completely blank, before she let out an annoyed groan and pulled out some money, shoving it towards Maya, "There. Now leave me to work in peace. I'll be back at Phoenix Wright's office. Don't even think about going coming back just to ask me for more money."

Maya looked down at the dollar bills in her hand. Did Franziska not understand the value of American currency? She just handed Maya at least 200 dollars. Maya would not point that fact out, however. "...Y-Yes, ma'am! Thank you so much!" And off she went.

Franziska let out a defeated sigh once she was alone. The entire day had been a hassle for her, and she was completely exhausted at that point. There was work to be done, however. That she could not put off.

She arrived at the Wright & Co. Law Offices some time later, and immediately she kicked off her heels and pulled out her cravat. She sat down at Phoenix's desk and let out a loud sigh before buckling down to her work. Franziska had to admit, it felt strange to be filing motions for the defense. She knew what to do, of course, but she never pictured the day where she'd have to do it. The entire situation was strange to her. She wanted to say she hated it, but she really couldn't either.

Sometime down the road, Franziska couldn't remember when she shifted from her work to her thoughts, and she certainly didn't know when she drifted off into sleep, either.


She awoke to the sound of her name and a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open and immediately pain shot up in her neck and back. Franziska grimaced when she peeled herself from off the desk and sat up, and eventually she managed to register that Maya was at her side.

"Hey, Sleeping Beauty." Maya teased, obviously reveling in this new opportunity, "I didn't think a von Karma would be prone to sleeping on the job."

Franziska just growled, wincing at the light in the room. There wasn't much, but it was enough to blind her. She also felt hounded by the smell of something strikingly artificial, but she couldn't place her finger on what it was, "What time is it…?" She muttered weakly.

"Midnight." Maya said simply, "I just got back."

"Midnight?" Franziska repeated incredulously, shooting Maya a dirty look, "I parted ways with you at seven at the absolute latest. What have you been doing all this time?"

Maya frowned, "None of your business. I brought you dinner, though."

Franziska turned back towards her desk, finding a small cup of noodles in a styrofoam bowl in front of her. She furrowed her brow, "What is this nonsense before me?"

"Only the finest microwave ramen money can buy!" Maya gleamed.

Franziska grabbed the cup of noodles by the top and lifted it up, inspecting the underside of the bowl, "It's marked at three dollars."

"Which is absolutely ridiculous for ramen in a cup." Maya shook her head.

"When I gave you money for dinner, I gave you enough so that you could get dinner for me as well. I had hoped you were smart enough to pick up on the hint." Franziska growled.

Maya grew offended at that, "Hey! I knew that! That's why I got you this!"

Franziska looked at Maya with a blank look before giving up and taking the bowl of noodles. As she stirred it, she just shook her head in disapproval and muttered, "Do I want to ask where all the money I gave you went?"

Maya tapped her chin, "No, but I'm almost positive you'll figure it out soon enough." She shrugged and pulled up a chair, sitting across from Franziska with the desk in between them, "So, whatcha been working on?"

"..." Franziska flinched for a brief moment, not able to remember. With a spoonful of ramen in her mouth, she woke the computer up to check what document she was last working on. "I was filing the motion for closed court proceedings before… well, you remember."

"You've talked about that before, but why?" Maya asked, tilting her head, "Nick never did anything like that."

"Because Phoenix Wright has had no need to hide trials from the public eye." Franziska explained, strangely finding herself unable to stop eating the ramen, "If word gets out that I was working the defense in this trial, this entire case would go under investigation from the Conviction Integrity Unit. They might assume that I, a known and accomplished prosecutor, conspired with the prosecution's office to set Daniel Tanner at a disadvantage in the trial. That doesn't even go to mentioning how I'm not even certified to work defense." Franziska sighed, "Closed proceedings create less holes for the truth to slip through. We should be safer that way."

Maya just nodded. She understood most of what Franziska was saying, "That's smart."

"Of course it is. I came up with it." Franziska shot back, still eating the ramen, "...I might have been too hasty to judge this meal. It's not terrible. Quite the opposite, in fact."

Maya grinned and swayed in her chair, "I can't believe I got Franziska von Karma hooked on microwave cuisine."

"I cannot believe that either." She went silent for a moment before slowly looking back at Maya, "...You will speak of this to no one."

"If you say so…" Maya giggled.

Franziska looked back at the computer and the documents she had open, "I finished the request to the Becksdale Police Department to acquire a deposition from Dawn Jennings as well. I don't believe it'll arrive in time for court tomorrow, but it would be nice to have if proceedings drag on another day."

Maya pursed her lips, nodding yet still a bit concerned, "What do you think the prosecution will be trying to do tomorrow?"

"My brother is a fool, but he's at least half as good of a prosecutor as I am. It'll be a challenge, but we should be fine." Franziska replied, "If it were my case, I would be exaggerating Daniel Tanner's past crime and painting the fact he is a killer a great aspect of his character. There's no doubt my brother will do the same. There was a statement from the wife that claims that Daniel Tanner was the last person to be seen with Ireland Boyd, which I would stress to the judge, and which I assume Miles will as well." Franziska pursed her lips for a moment and shook her head, "As much as I hate to admit it, I don't think that Detective Rice's past will go unnoticed by my brother. It is an advantage, but Miles will just have to work around it. I'm sure he's thinking of ways to do so as we speak."

Maya frowned, "Oh…" She let out a sigh, "Well, it is helpful having someone who knows how the prosecution works on our side, right?"

"Yes, I suppose." Franziska sighed as well, "However, it's of no help knowing what will happen if I don't know how to counter it."

"So…" Maya began cautiously, "You have no clue what to do, huh…?"

Franziska shook her head, "I always know what to do. But…" She shifted uneasily in her chair, glancing off to the side, "Sometimes I don't always know right away…"

"Don't worry. Nick never knows what to do, even as he's doing it." Maya said, "You're at least one step ahead of him here."

"That comes of no surprise, but is still relieving to hear." Franziska sighed.

"You should get some actual sleep." Maya said softly, "Tomorrow's gonna be...interesting. You need to sleep, and not on Nick's desk."

Franziska pursed her lips at that comment but let it slide, "You have a point. Besides, I finished the ramen." She looked at the empty cup in her hand in disappointment before she realized something, "You live out in Kurain Village, don't you?"

Maya nodded, "Yup."

"That's almost two hours away. You can't possibly be thinking about taking the train out there at this hour." Franziska said, "I don't even think the train runs this late."

Maya only shrugged, "There is one train for the night that leaves pretty soon. I don't mind the ride, either. It's calming."

Franziska shook her head, "That's ridiculous. At least stay with me for tonight."

"R-Really?" Maya looked taken aback, and she blinked rapidly, "No, I couldn't!"

"I insist." Franziska crossed her arms and closed her eyes, "I'm not jeopardizing the case because my co-counsel stayed up all night and morning because of a lengthy train commute."

Shifting in her seat, Maya mulled it all over for a moment, "...Just this once, maybe."

"Thank you." Franziska said, focus shifting back towards the desktop monitor in front of her, "I'll only be a few minutes more. I've finished mostly every motion I need to file in the morning."

Maya nodded, "I can wait, no problem."

Only a few moments after that, the printer ran off and Franziska gathered all the papers and placed them in a folder. She placed them with the other files and let out a sigh.

"We're done here." Franziska said plainly, "No point in standing around longer than we need to." She was putting her shoes back on, and soon enough she was already at the door, waiting for Maya to join her.

Maya had a sheepish grin on her lips when she reached the door, and Franziska knew that look well enough by that point to just shoot her look that said 'just spill it already.' Maya put on a bright smile and tried to play up her sympathy points, "...Do you think we could go out for something to eat before we check out for the night?"

Franziska's face went blank and she eventually rolled her eyes, just stepping out of the door and not bothering to look back to see if Maya was following or not.