Authors note: Hey. This is the final chapter! A HUGE thanks to all those who reviewed and 'faved' and everything! (:
Well. I'm writing a story also set around the time when Phoenix was disbarred (Well. It is seven years later). I didn't really think about it, but, if you kinda squidge up the plot line, it could be a sequel to this story. Read it if you want the couple to have a happy ending :) Its called 'Forgotten Promises, My Turnabout'.
Thanks guys!

~Cookie.

The Forged Turnabout
~Chapter Five~
H o p e

Phoenix awoke the next morning, with a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.

He hated fighting with Miles.

Phoenix quite often made the wrong decisions - but he knew that he had really outdone himself this time.

Gee, I always knew that I was an idiot, but really…Why did I think that it was such a good idea to not tell him?

Phoenix rolled over, and noted that the space beside him was empty.

I guess Miles spent the night in his office…

I hope he forgives me.

But…How could I not have told him?

It was such a huge problem…Why didn't I tell him the truth?

If I was him…I wouldn't trust me ever again.

Phoenix stretched out his arms, and he pulled Miles' pillow towards him. He felt something that felt suspiciously like paper dig into his bare forearm.

He sat up, and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. Before he picked up the paper, Phoenix glanced at his alarm clock.

It was eight thirty – and was still relatively early for a Sunday morning.

Miles didn't go to work on a Sunday – so he must still be in his office. Perhaps he had fallen asleep on his desk?

Phoenix smiled softly to himself as he thought of how…cute Miles would look, with his silver hair falling across his face, and gently snoring.

So, what's this bit of paper?

Phoenix pulled up the bit of paper (which had, by now, disappeared underneath Miles' pillow) and noted that it was an envelope.

There was no name on it.

Hm, I wonder who it is addressed to.

Because Phoenix was very nosey, he gently slid his thumb underneath the flap, causing the envelope to open.

He tipped it up, and a letter feel out.

Phoenix opened it out, and noticed that it was addressed to him.

Moreover, it was written in Miles' fancy, elegant script.

Woah, this letter is like…three pages long!

What could he possibly have to say to me that he can't say to my face?

I guess I'll just have to read it…

Phoenix ran a hand through his spiky hair, and begun reading.

'Dear Phoenix,

I've probably made a rash decision. But, you've known me long enough to understand that…I'm a coward. I'll admit it. I'm a coward. I've done what I needed to do, and I'm sorry that my decision is gong to hurt you. Understand that this is going to hurt me as well.

Last month, I received a letter. It was from the Head of Interpol in Germany. She was offering me a job as being the Head of the Interpol Prosecuting Office. As you know, you mean more than anything to me. So, I declined the job. Obviously, you could have come with me, to Germany, but you were so happy here, with your job, and your friends. I couldn't bear to ask you to leave with me. Another option was that I could have gone to Germany by myself – although that never really was an option. Because I could be anywhere in the world, but I choose to be with you, because life is just better with you by my side.

However, after recent events, I've come to realise that…I think I love you more than you love me. And it hurts me to have come to this conclusion. To think that you didn't feel confident enough to tell me the truth…It makes me feel so empty, and so cold inside.

The fact that you didn't tell me has made me see the truth, you see. I never was quite what you needed. You need someone gentle…someone not judgemental. Someone other than the man dubbed the 'Demon Prosecutor'.

You may say that I am over-reacting, but, you know I've never been good at this whole 'relationship' thing. And, to be hurt by the one person I love – yes, you are the only person I could honestly say I love - …I think it'll be easier if I…have nothing to do with you…

So, tonight, or, I suppose it will be tomorrow morning when you read this, I will be on my way to Germany. The job remains to be available – and so I am about to begin my career abroad.

Now the fact that I am leaving you is not entirely to do with the fact that you didn't tell me the truth. It has just opened my eyes. I threw away the chance of a life time, and now is my chance to leave.

I would be lying if I told you that I don't love you anymore – I love you more than you know. To make this decision…to leave you now when you're in need…It breaks my heart. But I need to get out, Phoenix. I need to leave, to collect my thoughts. I need to escape from this life.

I'm a very selfish man.

So, this will be the last time you hear from me. To avoid further heartache on my part, I am selfish enough to ask that you please don't try to contact me. Try to forget about me – be strong.

…You shouldn't find it too hard.

…And just to let you know. If you had told me that you were set up in the beginning, I would have believed you. No doubt about it.

Phoenix, I'm truly sorry that you didn't tell me the truth. And I'm also sorry that I am not brave enough, nor strong enough to forgive and forget what you did. Or rather, what you didn't do.

I love you.

M. Edgeworth.'

Phoenix stared blankly at the letter in front of him.

He re-read the letter three times over, trying to find a hidden meaning within the message.

He must be playing some sort of sick joke on me…

Phoenix leapt up off the bed, and raced into Miles' office.

"Miles? Miles? ! MILES? !" Phoenix yelled desperately.

The office was empty.

He ran around the other rooms in the apartment, furiously yelling Miles' name.

The silver haired prosecutor was nowhere in sight.

"Miles? Come out, this isn't funny!" Phoenix shouted, his legs starting to shake.

There was no reply.

Phoenix raced into the living room, and grabbed the phone. He dialled Miles' cell phone number, and went numb as he heard Miles' familiar cell phone ring-tone ringing from in the bedroom.

He…left his phone here.

Maybe he went to work today and accidentally left his phone here.

Yes. That's it.

As Phoenix, once again, started to dial a number, he knew deep in his heart that Miles wasn't going to be at work.

"Hello, pal?" Detective Gumshoe answered.

"Gumshoe! I know Miles doesn't work on Sunday, but is he at his office?" Phoenix asked desperately, trying not to yell.

"…Pal? …Mr. Edgeworth has moved to Germany. Didn't you know? I thought you and he were together…" Gumshoe answered, his voice glum.

"HE HASN'T MOVED TO GERMANY!" Phoenix bellowed, slamming down the phone.

Phoenix racked his brains, trying to think of where Miles' could be.

...I refuse to believe that he's gone…!

But as time went on, Phoenix realised, with a heavy feeling in his stomach, that Miles had left him to go to Germany.

Miles never was a practical joker.

Tears started streaming down his face, dripping off his nose, onto the floor.

"What have I done to deserve such a horrible punishment?" Phoenix yelled, looking up at the sky.

He hasn't really left me, has he…?

Phoenix sunk to the ground, and put his head in his hands. He ran his fingers through his hair, and yanked at it. He wanted to feel pain. He desperately wanted to break something – anything to distract him from the stabbing pain in his heart.

Phoenix stood up, and stumbled over to his – no, their bed – and buried his face into the thick duvet.

How can this be true? !

I…I know I made a mistake, but…. Is this really necessary? !

However, as Phoenix thought about it, he realized just how…stupid he had been by withholding the truth.

I think…I think I deserved this, actually.

But it doesn't mean that I accept it!

Phoenix felt raw inside, and angrier than he had ever felt before.

He let out a muffled scream, and kicked his legs.

He hit the end of the bed with his foot, and felt an incredibly small feeling of satisfaction as his foot was swallowed up in pain.

I feel…so empty…

…He said that he would have believed me…

The no-longer defence attorney realized that it was becoming progressively more difficult to breathe. It was as though someone had taken an axe to his heart, and slashed it into a million tiny pieces.

Losing his attorneys badge was nothing compared to the pain he felt at losing the man he loved.

Blinded by the tears streaming down his pale face, Phoenix pushed himself up off the bed. He rummaged around for something belonging to Miles – and ended up opening the wardrobe.

I need…something belonging to him…

Miles' magenta suit was hung up neatly – he had obviously decided not to take it with him.

Phoenix pulled the jacket off the coat hanger, and pushed his face into it. It still held Miles' soft, musky, slightly floral scent – and it gave Phoenix a small amount of comfort.

Again, Phoenix sunk to his knees, and lay on the ground, the jacket still pressed up against him.

He moved, and felt something dig into his chest.

What….?

He sat up, and fumbled around inside Miles' jacket pocket.

He pulled out a small, black box.

Oh Christ. Please say that this isn't what it looks like…

The spiky haired man opened the box, and inside, nestled in deep blue satin, lay a simple, yet beautiful gold ring.

Phoenix was absolutely speechless.

It was an engagement ring.

Gently, Phoenix pulled the ring out of the box.

Inside, the words 'Phoenix, I'll love you forever. M.E.' were engraved, in an elegant font.

No…!

Phoenix let out a howl, and his tears became stronger.

He was going to propose to me? !

What the hell have I done? !

MILES!

Phoenix wiped pathetically at his face, and put the golden band on his ring finger. It felt absolutely perfect.

I…

This could have been normal for me. To wear this ring everyday…

But it'll never be that way, now…

Good one, Phoenix.

As the days went by, Phoenix resisted the urge to completely let himself go. He forced himself to get up in the morning, and he forced himself to eat breakfast. He forced himself to have a shower, and forced himself to look for jobs.

Although his life would never, ever be the same (and he knew that he would never, ever be anywhere near happy ever again), Phoenix had hope. It was what kept him going through the tough times. Hope that, one day, the man he loved would come back home.

It was where he belonged.