Yo. I lied on the first chapter. This will be four parts... maybe five, we'll see. Anyway, there are likely to be several typos and such which I'll fix as I find them but I wanted to get this up. Obviously, there are some plot holes to this whole thing but for the most part it should hang together fairly well. I'm hoping at least.

I still don't own the characters. Alexis Davis is stolen from General Hospital and the Judge is named after one of Sassy-Aloo's relatives.

I hope you all still like this and please leave lots of feedback for me, okay? Thanks!

Reno fidgeted beside Phoenix, anxious to get started. He had been surprised to see Cid and Yuffie in the gallery, the young woman shooting him two thumbs up as he and Phoenix walked into the courtroom. He tried not to tug at his collar and decided he could really use a cigarette right now.

"Okay, I don't want you to say anything unless directly asked," Phoenix whispered, arranging some papers that he had pulled from his briefcase. "The prosecution has five witnesses called for today but it's unlikely they'll get through all of them. Once through those, we'll get to call our witnesses."

"We have witnesses?"

"Well, yeah, why do you think I spent all that time talking to your co-workers and that neighbor what's his name…"

"Demyx."

"Yeah, he was an interesting guy," Phoenix shook his head. "Anyway, hopefully we'll be able to use the prosecutor's witnesses against them. All the hard evidence is circumstantial at best."

"Whatever you say, yo," Reno took a deep breath. "I just want this over with."

The double doors opened behind them and Reno glanced back a moment. A silver-haired young man walked down the aisle behind the prosecutor. He paid Reno no attention as he moved off to sit in the first row of seats as the prosecutor entered the main floor.

Reno saw Cid and Yuffie's looks of disbelief and made a face at them expressing the same opinion. When he moved to turn back around, Kadaj caught his eye and glared at him, flicking his chin-length hair. Reno's jaw tightened and he quickly looked away.

The prosecutor, a woman by the name of Alexis Davis, nodded at Phoenix as she settled herself behind her table. She did not once look at Reno, clearly not interested in seeing who it was she was attempting to convict. Reno figured it probably was not necessary to know who it was you wanted to lock away for life.

Shortly after her arrival, the jury was brought in. It consisted of eight men and five women, none of whom Reno recognized. Several of them glanced at him curiously and Reno really wanted to ask what they were staring at.

"All rise," the bailiff suddenly announced. As everyone got to their feet, a black robed man came out of the door behind the bench. He was a later-aged man with graying hair and glasses. "The Honorable Judge Walter presiding."

Reno took one look at this guy and decided he was screwed. The man seemed bored and completely disinterested in what was going on as he told everyone to sit back down. Judge Walter flipped open the file before him and read off the case details.

"This is Case 1138, the people against one Reno Sinclair on one count of kidnapping with intent to harm and one count breaking and entering. The defendant has entered a plea of not guilty. Ms. Davis, are you ready to state your case?"

"Yes, sir," the woman stated, standing and walking around the table. She approached the jury and began speaking in a steady, certain voice. "Reno Sinclair is a dangerous man. He has a long history of illicit behavior including theft, espionage, manslaughter, and kidnapping. He would like for us to believe he has reformed but it is clear he has not. He still works for the same employer whom he allegedly performed these atrocious acts under the orders of.

"We have evidence that shows he broke into the residence of one Jenova and her three sons. He then took her from the home for no doubt malicious reasons."

"Objection!" Phoenix jumped up. "First of all, Jenova isn't even a person! She's a head so this whole thing is ridiculous!"

"Don't you dare speak that way about Mother!" Kadaj shouted from the gallery.

"Order!" The judge tapped his gavel several times. Once both Phoenix and Kadaj quieted, the man rubbed at his forehead. "Look, I understand that this is a… unique case. After looking over the information presented, the…head will be seen a person seeing that guardianship over it- her, was granted to her sons. Now that that's cleared up, continue councilor."

"Thank you," Alexis brushed a wisp of honey-colored hair from her forehead.

"Darn it," Phoenix muttered lowly as she called forth her first witness. "I can't believe they're actually going to treat her as a person."

"Knowing Kadaj," Reno glanced back at the named man who was staring at him with clear dislike, "He bullied the judge into it, yo. Those freaks are obsessed with Jenova."

From the door next to the one the jury had entered came in a rather effeminate, silver-haired man. He casually looked over the gallery, pausing for a second on Kadaj before taking a seat in the witness box. He almost seemed bored as he pledged to only speak the truth and was instructed to give his name.

He flicked his bangs and quietly said, "Yazoo."

"Would you give the court your account of the events that took place six days ago?"

Yazoo glanced at Reno before turning his attention on the jury. "I was at home waiting for my brothers to return for the evening. I went into the bedroom to put some clothes away, it was only for about ten minutes, and when I came back into the main room, Mother was gone."

Alexis adjusted her glasses. "Where would your mother normally be?"

"She rests on a high table opposite the entrance of the apartment," Yazoo explained.

"And what did you do when you noticed she was missing?"

"I called my brothers," The long-haired one replied, angling his head slightly as if bored. "Kadaj didn't answer but Loz did. I told him Mother was missing and it was obvious that the Turk did it."

"Objection!" Phoenix smacked the table top.

The judge lifted an eyebrow. "On what grounds, Mr. Wright?"

"Uh…"

Judge Walter nodded once. "Right. Continue, Ms. Davis."

"Thank you," The prosecutor looked again to Yazoo. "How did you know the defendant was responsible?"

"There was red hair where she stayed," replied Yazoo, glancing at Reno. "The same shade as his."

Alexis turned on her heel and walked over to her table and picked up a small bag. "I submit to the court Evidence One, the distinctive red-colored hair."

She handed the bag to the jury to look over and stated that she had no further questions at that time. Judge Walter told Phoenix he could cross-examine and the young attorney stood. He flashed a bright smile at Alexis as he passed her and proceeded to the witness box.

"So, Mr. Yazoo," Phoenix was suddenly all business. "You found some red hair where Jenova's head was, correct?"

"Didn't I just say that?"

"Yes, but you have no proof that that hair," Phoenix whirled and pointed at the baggie in one of the juror's hands, "came from this man!" He pointed at Reno.

"No one else in this town has that color of red hair," Yazoo stated simply.

"Yes, well, that doesn't mean that someone not for this town couldn't have come and stolen the head."

Yazoo narrowed his eyes. "Do not refer to Mother like that."

Phoenix waved the order off. He rushed over to his stack of papers and rummaged through them for a second. He pulled one out rather triumphantly. "I have here the analysis of the hair which came back," he turned toward the jury, "inconclusive!"

He smirked at Alexis and turned the report over to the evidence table. Once he did, he spun on his heel, "No doubt you will all see that my client is not guilty!"

Alexis lifted an eyebrow at him. "Absence of proof does not acquit the defendant, Wright."

"Are you finished with the witness, Councilor?" The judge asked, ignoring Phoenix's crestfallen expression.

"What? Yeah," The black-haired man slumped back to sit beside Reno. He quietly mumbled, "Darn it. I hoped that would be enough for them to throw the case out."

Reno snorted, dropping his head against the table. "If that's the best you've got, I'm fucked, yo."

"No, no," Phoenix spat out hurriedly. "I've still got this, don't worry. Just gotta think of another approach…"

Alexis was back on her feet and calling for her next witness. The side door opened again and in walked another silver-haired male, this one rather bulky with short hair. He sniffled as he took the stand and was sworn in to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. When finished, he flicked his eyes toward Reno before Alexis asked him his name.

"It's Loz," he replied, looking for all the worlds like he was going to cry.

Alexis smiled in a placating way, obviously already annoyed with the deceptively masculine man. "Now, I know this is difficult for you but would you please tell us your take on what happened the night your mother went missing?"

"I was coming home from the store and as I walked into the building, a redhead rushed past me, bumping into my shoulder," Loz explained, brushing at his nose. "A few seconds later, Yazoo called me to say that Mother was taken."

"And what time did all of this occur?"

"Around seven pm."

"Was the man carrying anything when he passed you?"

Loz nodded slowly. "Yeah, but I didn't get a good look at it. It was black and shiny just like Mother's home."

"Thank you, Loz," Alexis patted his arm. "I know this has been painful for you." She looked to the judge. "No further questions."

Phoenix got up again and very sympathetically smiled at Loz. "It's obvious you love your mother very much."

Loz nodded, a few tears escaping him.

"I just have one question for you: Did you happen to actually see the red-haired man's face when he passed you?"

"Uh," Loz glanced in the direction of Kadaj uneasily. "Well, I saw he had pale skin and some kind of mark on his cheek."

"But you never got to actually see enough of it to be certain it was the defendant."

The muscled man shook his head. "No."

"That's all," Phoenix turned around and returned to the table.

Loz was dismissed and quickly left the stand, looking for all the worlds like he was about to burst into tears. He disappeared through the door and Alexis was prompted for her next witness. When she called forth Rude, Reno leaned back in his chair.

"Well, this should be interesting," the redhead smirked as his long time partner entered the courtroom. "Turks don't talk, yo."

"That may work against you," his attorney murmured. "If he won't say what you were doing that day, then you don't have a solid alibis."

Reno winked at Phoenix before he fixed his blue eyes on where Rude was being sworn in and prompted to state his name for the record. The bald man did as told and Reno grinned. "Oh, don't worry, yo. We've got it covered."

Alexis had removed her glasses before walking over to the witness box. She folded her arms and was obviously taking a different approach with Rude. "What do you currently do for living?"

"I'm one of the Security Operatives for Radiant Garden," Rude answered simply.

"And the defendant shares the same occupation, correct?"

"Yes."

"The two of you worked together before taking this position, correct?" Alexis prompted. "You both worked for the Shinra Electric Power Corporation."

"Yes."

"And what is it that you did?"

"We were agents of the Investigative Division of General Affairs Department," Rude's tone did not change.

"More commonly known as the Turks," Alexis clarified, turning to take a few steps toward the jury. "And your job was, basically, to ensure that the company's information, reports, and other secrets remained within the company, yes?"

"Yes."

Alexis paused rather dramatically before adding, "By any means necessary."

"Objection!" Phoenix stood up. "Relevance."

"Your Honor, all I want is to establish that not only does the defendant have the skills necessary to pull off a kidnapping and no scruples regarding committing undue harm to the target of such actions."

"Over-ruled," said Judge Walter. "Watch yourself, Councilor."

"Of course," Alexis faced Rude again. "Let me restate that, the Turks do not have the most positive reputation among those that are familiar with them, do they?"

"We are a misunderstood division," Rude casually declared.

"Is it not true that espionage, kidnapping, and even murder where all rather common occurrences under your previous employer?" Alexis pressed. "Isn't it true that the defendant was at one point ordered to arrange for the mass killings of an entire sector of your home-city?"

Phoenix whipped his head toward Reno. "Is that true?"

Reno sighed, closing his eyes. "Yeah, I was ordered to blow up a support strut for one of the plates so that it would collapse. However, I kinda dragged my heels on it so most of the people had time to escape."

"Should have mentioned that earlier," the attorney growled lowly, returning his attention to Alexis who was prompting Rude to answer.

The bald man answered very neutrally. "He was ordered to flush out a resistance group that was a threat to the company. He only did exactly as he was told."

"Which resulted in countless numbers dying," Alexis sneered. "But he was just following orders."

"Objection!"

"I retract the last statement," the prosecutor conceded. "A few years ago, the Turks were involved in an operation to retrieve the victim from her location and place her in Shinra hands. Reno was involved in the assignment, correct?"

"Yes," Rude confirmed, faint suspicion shading his voice.

"While he wasn't one of the pair that actually took Jenova, he was the one who received her and brought her to your boss, yes?"

"Yes."

"So, he's assisted in the abduction of her before, delivering her to a man he knew wanted to harm her but you want the jury to believe that he wouldn't do it again?"

"Objection!"

"I'm done here," Alexis returned to her seat. "The witness is yours, Mr. Wright."

The black-haired man approached Rude, quickly figuring out what he was going to ask. He had to somehow make the Turks sound a lot less negative. Unfortunately, the group really did have a very questionable reputation.

"You and Reno have worked together for a long time, haven't you?"

Rude nodded once, "Over ten years."

"A Turk's life isn't easy, is it? You have to make a lot of on the spot decisions and carefully consider your options, don't you?"

"Yes."

"In the years you have been working with the defendant, has he ever needlessly acted upon another without being under orders?"

"No," Rude did not hesitate. "Reno has never done more than absolutely necessary to accomplish the job."

Phoenix continued slowly. "He's never acted on his own accord or used the power bestowed upon the Turks for his own gain. Overall, Reno's a pretty laid back guy, right?"

"Very much so."

"Would it be out-of-character for him to act aggressively toward anyone without provocation?"

"Objection," Alexis interrupted. "Relevance?"

"You are attempting to get a kidnapping with intent to harm conviction," Phoenix folded his arms. "I'm asking if the defendant has ever acted in a manner that would prove or disprove the notion that he's a needlessly violent man."

"I'll allow it," the judge nodded toward Rude. "Answer."

"It would be," the large Turk stated. "Reno is very laid back and even when someone attempts to get a rise out of him, he's more likely to shrug them off or use words against them as opposed to becoming involved in an altercation."

"Thank you," the young man smiled. "No further questions."

"Witness is dismissed," Judge Walter glanced at his watch. "Given the lateness of the hour, we will adjourn for today and reconvene tomorrow at nine a.m."

He stood and tapped his gavel on the desk. The jury filed out and most of the gallery did likewise. Yuffie came bounding over, followed by a much more subdued Cid.

They waited behind the divider, Yuffie leaning her hands against the rail. "So how are we doing? You gonna get off?"

"That sounded really bad, Yuffie," Reno snorted, watching Phoenix walk away to speak quietly to Alexis.

After a minute, the lawyer returned. He collected his papers and motioned for Reno to follow him out. He and Reno passed through the swinging doors and left the courtroom, Yuffie and Cid on their heels.

As they walked out of the courthouse, Reno finally asked the question they all wanted to know. "So, how's it look, Phoenix?"

Phoenix made a soft noise. "It's too soon to tell. Even though the evidence is circumstantial, combined with your questionable history, it's enough to make a solid case."

"But isn't there, like, reasonable doubt?" Yuffie asked. "Loz didn't see your face clearly and the hair sample couldn't be traced back to you."

"Well, that's what I'm hoping for," Phoenix rubbed at the back of his neck. "Alexis just told me that she's dropping everyone from her witness list but Tseng. Apparently she thinks she's done enough to prove that you have the capability of committing the crime."

"There's still no fuckin' motive," Cid observed, handing Reno one of his cigarettes. "Unless she's just going to claim that because they fuckin' failed the first time he did it again."

"That's exactly what she's doing," the black-haired man confirmed. Rude and Tifa were waiting down the street. "We're going to keep Elena, Zack and Demyx as our witnesses and just overwhelm the jury with information to create enough reasonable doubt to get you acquitted."

Reno took a drag of his cigarette, free hand in his pocket. "I'm just hoping the Freaks don't have anything up their sleeves. They aren't above threatening the jury, yo."

"I wonder if Sephiroth knows they're here," Yuffie pondered. "It seems kinda weird that there's some big thing to do with his mother and he's nowhere to be found."

Reno paused for a moment. "Yeah, that is kinda odd."

"I'm gonna ask Riku about that next time I see him." The ninja princess waved to Tifa and Rude. "He'll know something. He says he doesn't spend a lot of time with his brother but I know that isn't true."

Cid snorted. "Yeah, good luck with that."

Tifa smiled at the group as she and Rude joined them. "So, it wasn't a horrible day."

"Could've been a lot worse," Reno tapped his fist against Rude's shoulder. "Thanks, partner."

"It was all the truth," the larger Turk stated dismissively. "I still don't understand why Alexis Davis thinks she has a solid case against you. There are a significant number of holes in her case and a large margin of error."

"I don't know either but regardless, there's a good chance she can pull this off," Phoenix advised. "There's an equal amount of questionable evidence on both sides and a clear verdict can't be seen yet. I'll have a better idea of things after Tseng's testimony tomorrow."

"If she's planning to use him to get more information on the Turks, she won't get much out of him," said Rude.

"Well I plan to focus on getting Reno a solid alibi for his whereabouts the day in question, hence why I'm using Elena, Zack and Demyx. They all had contact with Reno throughout the day."

"Tseng can vouch for me, too," Reno added. The group walked past a trash can and he tossed his dead cigarette butt in.

"I'll note that for cross-exam," Phoenix informed them as they came up to the street his office was on. At the corner, the group stopped and the lawyer turned toward them. "A lot of things will happen tomorrow, guys. This isn't over yet but I think we have a really good chance."

"Considering I didn't fuckin' do it, there better be more than a good chance, Phoenix," Reno spoke lowly, looking harshly at the attorney.

Phoenix smiled a bit nervously. "Of course! I'm an ace attorney. It's all good."

He bid them goodbye and headed down the street. He frowned to himself in worry. Yes, this case had a lot of circumstantial evidence but when push came to shove, everything was going to boil down to credibility and that was the biggest hurdle they faced. Unless some kind of solid proof appeared, there was a real question of whether Reno could get off scot-free.

He decided that when he got to the office, he was going to beg Miles to re-go over all the testimony with him. Maybe there was something he missed.