It's been such a long time since I updated. I'm sorry, I had so much work I had to avoid doing. So now I'm back at school and have less free time to waste, I thought I would write another chapter. This one's more serious (for me) and I'm not sure it turned out right but I quite like it.

"So many bad guys, so little time." With a world weary sigh, the Chief Detective slid into his (swively) chair.

"Tell me about it, pal." Detective Gumshoe had sold his office chair to his neighbour in order to pay for instant noodles, and so he was forced to stand while the chief detective complained about life, the universe and everything.

"I mean, every wannabe evil doer has a masterful plan of some sorts." In his mind, the chief detective saw himself as a metaphorical Batman, thwarting the plans on the extremely evil with a finesse he simply did not possess.

Meanwhile, the metaphorical light bulb stuttered into life above Detective Gumshoe's head. "That reminds me, pal." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I heard about one of those masterful plan things earlier."

He paused for effect, and so the Chief Detective cut his pay. Forlornly he continued. "I heard that Kristoph Gavin is meddling in that pointy kid's love life."

This didn't have quite the impact Gumshoe had intended it to have.

"…"

"…"

"Err, why?" The Chief Detectives face was a picture of confusion, a reflection of Gumshoes own face.

"I dunno pal, maybe he's bored."

…

"What is it you want, Detective?" The elegant pink clad man turned to glare at the large detective, who somehow managed to look insignificant cowering in the doorway. "Stop loitering and say it." He turned to Wright, who was spread out on the sofa, and rolled his eyes.

"Yes, Sir." He broke off to stare at Apollo, who was shaking in his chair, seething with silent rage.

"Err, is he alright, pal."

"Now, Detective!"

"Oh, sorry Sir. The chief sent me to tell you that he has uncovered a dastardly plot."

Edgeworth sighed. "Not again. And what does he expect me to do about it?"

"Well I, I mean he, thought you might like to question the suspect."

"I tell you what Detective, why don't you question him, and bring the report back to me."

"Well you see Sir…."

"Detective, as you can see, I am very busy. Could you possibly defer your wild goose chases until a more convenient time?"

"Sorry Sir." Gumshoe shuffled backwards out of the room, his concerned eyes never leaving Apollo.

Vera preferred her entrances to have the least impact possible and so she crept into the room as Gumshoe opened the door to leave. As such, the clumsy detective tripped over her and the whole room turned to look anyway. Blushing furiously, she flinched when Trucy bounded over and threw an arm around her shoulders.

"See Vera's here now, Polly, no problems." She paused as Apollo began to shake his head. "Um, no problems, right?"

"I don't know." Apollo spat. "Can you think of any Vera?"

Vera's blush deepened in confusion and Trucy tipped her head to the side quizzically.

"What's going on Polly?"

"Tell me; tell me how I'm ever supposed to date this girl when she's in love with a MURDERER?" He shouted the last word, once again seething with anger.

"That's what Kristoph told me." Phoenix wearily nodded his support.

The whole room exploded into a flurry of action. Trucy shrieked, Vera fainted, Phoenix doubted, Edgeworth moved to catch Vera, watching Apollo with concerned eyes. Apollo turned and fled the room, disappearing into the Kitchen.

…

The scene to which Klavier and Ema arrived was a desperate one. Phoenix and Edgeworth were attempting to revive Vera and a stricken Trucy was crying in the doorway to the kitchen.

"Vera!" Ema rushed to the small girls' side; she had grown fond of her during Vera's stint in hospital.

"Mien Gott! What has happened here?" Klavier turned to the tow men crouched on the floor, but it was Trucy who answered.

"Polly said he wouldn't go out with Vera. He said she…she…."

"She what?" Klavier prodded gently.

"She's in love with Kristoph." Trucy sobbed.

Klavier's face clouded at the mention of his older brother. "Who told him that?"

"I don't know. He just said…." She dissolved once more into noisy tears.

"I did." Phoenix's voice was harsh and his expression challenging. "Kristoph wrote to me."

"ARE YOU STUPID?" Everybody flinched at Klavier's explosion. "You would believe something that lying bastard said?"

Quietly, Ema moved to his side and rested her hand lightly and unobtrusively on his shoulder.

"Where's Herr Forehead?" He spat.

"Gone. Out of the fire escape." Trucy's tears had subsided but her tone was still bitter.

"Scheiße! Okay, you two take Vera home." Klavier's inner prosecutor was once again emerging.

"I'll look for Polly." Trucy piped up.

"Gut. I will tell him that Fraulien Vera will not leave the house. Ever. Then he will be sorry." The expression on Klavier's face was twisted into a strange sort of triumph. He was planning his revenge on Apollo, but it was his brother's face in his head. Ema caught it, and she put a gentle hand on his arm to restrain him as he turned to leave.

"Apollo is our friend, Klavier."

He turned to her, startled by her sudden closeness. Her eyes were bright with tears, and he cheeks were glistening. Concern flooded through him, and he caught her small hand in his own, pulling her too him. His large frame wrapped her in a hug, holding her tight and letting her cry into his shoulder.

"Shhhh." He stroked her hair, holding her as she sobbed. "Don't cry."

At last, she pulled back from him, and peered up at his face. "Why are you helping me?" She asked; her voice thick with tears. "You don't even like me."

He laughed softly. "Ema, I love you." As both of them realised the truth in his statement, he laughed louder. "I love you more than anything."

She laughed too, happiness chasing away her tears. "Would you believe me if I said I loved you too. Isn't it strange?"

"Strange? Definitely. But why should that be a bad thing?"

"I never said it was." She stood up on her tiptoes and softly pressed her lips to his. Instinctively, he deepened the kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her up to meet him.

They stayed that way for several long moments but suddenly Ema jerked away. "You don't love me."

Concerned, Klavier didn't let her go. "With all my heart." He assured her sincerely.

"Prove it." She smiled wickedly.

Relieved, he grinned too. "Anything."

He eyes narrowed and her face darkened. "Smack Apollo."