Chapter 4
"I don't know how many times you wish me to repeat myself Franziska. I gave you my word that I would take you to dinner for your birthday and I intend to honour my word."
"Yes, well, we both remember the last time you gave me your word on something."
Subconsciously Franziska's hand rose to touch her shoulder.
"Franziska, that was over 5 years ago, would you let it go!"
"I was a fool to believe you then, and I'd be a fool to believe you now Miles Edgeworth."
"*sigh*"
Her thoughts lingered on that memory. She had been due to appear in court to prosecute the Matt Engarde case when she was shot on the steps of the courthouse. Miles Edgeworth had accompanied her in order to watch the high profile case, and when the shot rang out he had instinctively made a move to protect Franziska, but to his horror he saw her fall to the ground in front of him. It was in those moments when Franziska was at her most vulnerable, surrounded in an ever growing pool of blood that Miles Edgeworth gave her his word that he would never let anyone hurt her again. Like a fool she had believed him and mere days later he had broken his promise to her. She had been at the airport confused and alone when he appeared; presenting her with the whip she had discarded at the courthouse. She remembered the cold tone he took with her, how he'd actually made her cry in public, how when she finally boarded the plane she was lost and broken and the only certainty she held was that she would walk in Miles Edgeworth's footsteps no longer.
"Franziska?"
"If you're lying to me Miles Edgeworth, the consequences will be severe. You will be at my door at 7pm sharp."
The sincerity of the threat carried in her voice.
"You have my word I'll be there."
"Good. Oh, and this is a private affair Miles, so I ask you refrain from inviting any guests."
By guests, Franziska meant dates. Although she was unsure if Miles was actually dating anyone at the moment, today was her birthday, and even if it was only for a few hours she wanted to have Miles to herself. It had been getting increasingly more difficult for Franziska to accept that Miles would never love her and as such she found herself taking every opportunity she could to spend time alone with him. Sadly he just couldn't see that.
"Franziska, why do you insist on being so childish? Don't think I haven't forgotten how you ALWAYS have to be the centre of attention on your birthday. I had sincerely hoped you had grown out of such immature behaviour. I will pick you up at 7pm sharp, and I think it would be prudent for you to consider growing up between now and then."
*Beep*
Miles was helpless to do anything other than watch as the ambulance sped off at high speed carrying the fading soul that was Franziska von Karma inside. Miles had wanted to travel with her but the paramedics refused him entry as it was imperative they had room to work and that they didn't waste any time if they were to stand any chance of saving her life.
"Franziska…"
As the ambulance disappeared from his sight, Miles felt a tug on his heart pulling him towards the ambulance, towards Franziska. He had been such a bastard to her earlier. He hadn't realised it then but now he knew that her childish request over the phone had been nothing more than a plea. Now he realised that all she'd really wanted for her birthday was a few hours alone with him, to pretend that he was hers.
"I-I have to go, I have to be there."
Adrian, who had been standing beside him throughout the whole ordeal, placed her hand on his shoulder.
"I understand. Miles, go to her, there may not be much time left…"
"Adrian…." He took her hand in his, "Come with me. Franziska is your best friend, and although she may not show it, you're her best friend too."
Adrian nodded. She was just as concerned about Franziska as Miles and although she would never admit it, she was dependant on Franziska. She'd perfected the art of hiding it, but the thought of losing Franziska made Adrian's blood run cold.
As she accompanied Miles to his car, her thoughts went back to the only time she'd seen Franziska as vulnerable as she was now.
Adrian looked at her watch.
"6.29"
Adrian frowned. It wasn't like Franziska to be late without prior warning. Picking up her phone she attempted to call the young prosecutor.
*Ring Ring*
*Beep Beep Beep*
No signal, typical. Although Adrian Andrews only lived two doors down from Franziska, she had not wanted to appear rude an impatient by paying Franziska a visit. However she quickly reconsidered this after looking at her watch again to see that the young prosecutor was now 45 minutes late.
Only a couple of days before, Franziska had told Adrian that she'd bought them both tickets to the theatre, more specifically to a production that Adrian had been aching to see. It had, of course, come as a complete surprise to Adrian; Franziska wasn't one for gifts or spontaneity. Franziska had of course dismissed the act as 'one of those American things'.
As she reached the door of Franziska von Karma, she paused. Was this really a good idea? What if Franziska was doing something important and thought Adrian was being rude? What if Adrian's co-dependency had driven Franziska away as well?
Biting her lip Adrian knocked on the door in front of her.
*Knock Knock*
She waited but there was no answer. Was Franziska really avoiding her?
Adrian scolded herself for having such a silly thought. When Franziska von Karma gave someone her word, she kept to it. It was at that moment Adrian had a truly terrifying thought. What if something had happened to her?
Once again Adrian reached for her cell phone and hurriedly dialled a number.
*Ring Ring*
*Beep*
"Miles Edgeworth speaking."
"Miles, have you heard from Franziska at all?"
"Ms. Andrews? No, I'm afraid I haven't heard from her since our run in at her Father's grave."
"You saw her there?"
"Yes, and she promptly stormed off. Maya and I witnessed her leaving via the rear entrance. I have to say I wasn't aware she was that well acquainted with the cities backstreets, but clearly I was mistaken."
"Oh….It's just that she was meant to meet me at 6 so we could go to the theatre and she didn't turn up. It's not like her to be late."
There was a pause.
"Knowing Franziska like I do, she'll probably be at work in a bad mood whipping anyone foolish enough to talk to her."
"Thanks Miles….I'll head over there now."
"Not at all Ms. Andrews."
*Beep*
Adrian sighed. So Franziska HAD stood her up. Resigning herself to uncover whatever it was that had upset Franziska enough for her to break her word, Adrian made her way over to the prosecutor's office.
It was fortunate that the apartment block they lived in was only a short walk from the prosecutor's office as Adrian didn't have a car. As such it had only taken her 15 minutes to get there and she soon found herself outside of the young prosecutor's office.
*Knock Knock*
Just like at the apartment, there was no answer.
"Franziska? Are you there? Please don't ignore me…"
Adrian reached forward to try the door when she was interrupted.
" Karma isn't in today. You should try again tomorrow."
The unexpected unfamiliar voice caused Adrian alarm. She turned to face the fairly short balding man, who was currently wearing a slimy sort of sneer on his face.
"My apologies, didn't mean to make you jump. I'm Winston Payne."
"A-adrian Andrews."
She looked at the man, and after deciding he wasn't actually much of a threat, Adrian collected her nerves.
"As I said, Karma isn't in today. Sorry."
"That's ok, It wasn't important…"
Hastily making her excuses, Adrian left, feeling more confused than before. So Franziska hadn't been at work, so where was she? As she stood outside the prosecutors building rain began to fall again.
"God it's been on and off all day!"
Adrian complained as she ran for shelter, all the while trying to think of anywhere Franziska might be. It was then a sickening feeling grew in the pit of Adrian's stomach. Miles Edgeworth had told her that Franziska had stormed off from her father's grave earlier, what if something had happened to her? Desperate to find her friend Adrian called a taxi to take her to the cemetery in which Manfred von Karma was buried.
Much to Adrian's annoyance, they had hit traffic on the way to the cemetery which had added another 20 minutes onto an already half hour journey. The sky grew darker as she searched for Manfred von Karma's grave. Adrian had decided that would be the best place to start her search as Franziska could very well have returned here. It did not take her long to spot the grand headstone adorned with the Von Karma family crest. Although she had expected it, Adrian was still disappointed to discover that she could not see the young prosecutor at her father's grave.
Unsure of what was compelling her to do so, Adrian made her way over to the grave. As she grew closer, she caught the sight of something long and snakelike lying in front of the headstone. Panic swelled up inside of Adrian as she soon realised the snakelike object was actually a whip. Franziska never went anywhere without her whip. All rational thoughts leaving her mind, Adrian grabbed Franziska's whip and started running towards the back entrance to the cemetery. Miles had said she had left through here, gone into the back streets. What if she'd got lost? What if she'd been hurt? Glancing at her watch, Adrian ran faster realising it was now after 8 and getting darker by the minute.
Adrian's mind flew into auto pilot, her feet carrying her through unfamiliar streets as her undivided attention was given to finding the missing woman. She began to despair after half an hour of running. Maybe she should call for help. She reached into her pocket and retrieved her cell phone, only to find it had no signal. Stuffing her phone back into her pocket Adrian began to run again, still clutching her friends whip. It wasn't long before Adrian realised she was lost now. As fear crept in around her, Adrian felt her hand tighten on her friends whip. She hadn't been expecting it, but feeling the cool leather between her fingers gave Adrian a much needed confidence boost. She was able to defend herself and she knew it.
As her thoughts drifted back to her friend, as if on cue Adrian heard a scream.
"Franziska?"
Making full use of her new found confidence, Adrian made her way towards the direction of the scream, stopping a few alleys' later to see her friend being held against a wall by two hooded men. She couldn't see what they were doing as they their bodies obscured most of Adrian's view, but nonetheless she needed to do something. Closing her eyes and praying that she could remember everything Franziska had taught her, she cast the whip backwards before snapping it forward.
*CRACK*
As the whip bit into the air, its loud crack echoed around causing the men to stop what they were doing immediately. Releasing Franziska the two men paused before turned on Adrian. She was shocked to see that neither man looked much older than Franziska, although the both had very recognisable handprints across their faces. Adrian cast the whip again, this time causing it to hit the closer of the two men.
*CRACK*
As the man stumbled backwards clutching his face, Adrian saw him say something inaudible to his partner before they both made a run for it, a steady stream of blood now visible from the man's face. Once she was sure the men had gone Adrian made her way over to her friend, letting out a loud, shocked gasp at the state of the young prosecutor.
Franziska von Karma was slumped against the wall, curled up as best as she could manage, sobbing uncontrollably. Blood was pouring down her face from a wound on her head and her clothes had been torn open. Adrian was lost for words at the realisation of the events that had just transpired.
"Oh god, Franziska…."
Taking off her coat, Adrian wrapped it around her friend, preserving her modesty. She wrapped her arms around her and held her tightly and Franziska's sobs grew harder.
"It'll be ok, I'll get some help."
"N-NO!"
Franziska cried out, shame and fear filling her face.
"N-no one must know about this! M-miles can n-never find out!"
"Franziska, you need to see a doctor, you need to tell someone. Those men need to be brought to justice!"
Adrian was deeply concerned for Franziska. Why didn't she want anyone to know? This wasn't like Franziska von Karma at all. Carefully she helped her friend to her feet.
"A-adrian….as a friend….p-please, do not tell anyone of this….."
Adrian looked at the tear streaked face of Franziska von Karma, she could see the shame in her eyes.
"Franziska, this doesn't make you any less perfect. You shouldn't be ashamed, you shouldn't blame yourself!"
"P-please….."
Franziska was pleading to her now. Adrian cared deeply for Franziska and couldn't bear to see her in such a state, but the pleading in her voice was too difficult for Adrian to ignore.
"O-ok Franziska….this stays between us….I promise."
As momentary relief spread across Franziska's face, something felt wrong. Adrian couldn't put her finger on it, but something felt wrong about keeping this secret. Still, she had promised Franziska, and she wouldn't go back on that promise ever.
Adrian recalled that it had taken them two hours to walk home that night. Franziska had refused to get into a taxi and be seen in the state she was. Guilt coursed through Adrian as she looked at Miles. He had no idea that ever happened. Maybe if she had told him, if she had broken her promise, Miles would have realised how vulnerable Franziska was and how he truly felt about her. Adrian began to feel sick again as she realised this whole situation was her fault. If only she'd told Miles. Adrian made a silent promise to herself that if Franziska pulled through, she would make her tell Miles what had happened that night.
As the hospital grew nearer Adrian actually prayed that Franziska made it through this. Not for Adrian's or Miles sake, but for her own.
A/N: Phew! My apologies for the delay on the update! Someone thought it would be clever to give me 3 essays! Needless to say I may have to revise the rating of this fic to M. I'm a little worried about how this chapter will be recieved and I REALLY hope it doesn't dissapoint! Apologies for any OOCness! Anyway, Enjoy!
