A/N: Sorry for the long delays, but I have been suffering from severe bouts of writer's block lately. Hope this chapter is satisfactory and don't forget to review and tell me how I'm doing!

~Diana

At 9:45 Madeline was bolting up the stairs from the courthouse reading room, a thin sheaf of papers in one hand, a hot cappuccino in the other. She had spent the last night going over the case for today and the entire morning researching a certain seven-year-old case in the reading room. She hurried into the prosecution lobby and looked around. It was empty except for a court bailiff.

"Excuse me," she said. "Where is Prosecutor Gavin?" The bailiff shrugged. "Has he arrived yet?" she pressed. The bailiff shook his head and Madeline fumed. "How could he not be here yet? There's only ten minutes until the trial!" she muttered to herself, playing with a strand of dark hair.

Suddenly the door opened and Klavier sauntered in, smelling of cologne and motorcycle fumes. "Morning, Fraulein," he said breezily. Madeline huffed and turned away. "What, I am here on time, no?"

"Do you even think about preparing?" Madeline said, her back to him, arms crossed. Klavier laughed.

"Fraulein, I am here. Is that not preparation enough?"

"Will the prosecution please report to the courtroom? The trial is about to begin," the bailiff called.

"Ja, ja, we are coming," Klavier responded. Madeline took a deep breath. Not that this was particularly complicated (especially since it wasn't her case), but it was still quite different from the courtrooms of Germany. She took her place at the prosecution's bench and was overwhelmed with a sense of déjà vu.

She heard the defense enter the courtroom, but she just looked straight ahead, resting her chin in her hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Apollo's surprised face. She waved at him. His expression was priceless. She stifled a smile as the judge entered the courtroom.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Wocky Kitaki. Are both sides ready?"

"The defense is ready, Your Honor," sounded confidently from Apollo's side. She was impressed, the kid had more guts than she gave him credit for.

"Prosecution's ready to rock, Your Honor," came from next to her. It took all her self-control to keep from rolling her eyes.

The judge exchanged a few words with Gavin and then his gaze fell on Madeline. "Ms. Brent," he said in surprise, his usual expression.

"Yes, Your Honor?" she replied.

"I was under the impression that you were studying in Europe."

"Yes, well, I've come back. Nice to see you again, Your Honor."

The judge still looked a little confused and Madeline chuckled quietly to herself. Some things never change. "Likewise," the judge murmured. And the trial continued…

Madeline exited the courtroom, relieved that the trial was over for the day. Although she didn't approve of some of Klavier's methods, such as playing air guitar at important moments, she had to admit they were effective. Lost in her own thoughts, it took her a moment to realize that Klavier was looking at her. "I'm sorry, did you say something?" she asked.

"I asked if you would like a ride to the crime scene. We have to investigate. Judge's orders, ja?" he said, grinning. Madeline vaguely remembered someone-Ema or Apollo, maybe-mentioning Klavier drove a motorcycle.

"No, thank you. I actually have to talk to a few people. I'll meet you there, alright?" Klavier nodded and left. There was the sound of a motorcycle starting up and then silence. Madeline slipped out of the prosecution's lobby and into the defense lobby, hoping to catch Apollo. It was empty. She figured he was probably already on his way to the crime scene.

She headed to the judge's chambers and knocked. "Come in," the voice of the judge said.

She opened the door and sat down in the chair across from the judge. "Ah, Ms. Brent. I must admit I was surprised to see you in court today."

"I believe we covered this earlier, Your Honor," Madeline said, laughing. "Actually I wanted to talk to you about something else. The last time I appeared in this courtroom…as a witness."

"..?" The judge was clearly confused. Madeline sighed.

"The last trial of Phoenix Wright, Your Honor. Could you tell me what you remember about it?"

"Ah, yes. Well, let's see…"

About 15 minutes later, Madeline emerged from the judge's chambers carrying her notebook under her arm. She checked her watch and groaned. She had hoped to have time to follow up on a lead she had found while pouring over the files this morning, but it would have to wait. For now, she had a crime scene to investigate.