"Ema? Ema, can you hear me?"
She was going to take the hammer that was being rammed into her head and beat the owner of that voice to death. Within seconds of hearing the infernal sound, Ema tried to move and immediately her body screamed in protest, chastising her in the most painful way for even thinking of lifting a finger. She opened her eyes and a white monster attacked her and she cried out in pain, a string of curses bursting forth from her lips.
"Ema? Ema, look at me," the voice commanded and she thought that whoever it was, he was lucky she couldn't move or she would have ripped his face off. "Look at me, babe."
Babe! That did it. White monster or not she was going to get this guy and make him eat his own words. She opened her eyes again, ignoring the sharp pain she experienced, and focused on the room; she saw that the 'monster' was just white walls and, suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, a flash of yellow caught her attention. She turned her head to the side and blinked a few times until he came into focus.
"Deston?"
His arm was bandaged and there were several cuts to the side of his face. His hair was an unseemly mess and his clothes were ripped in several places. She frowned, wondering what had caused this state.
"Hey, sweetheart, are you okay?" His voice sounded odd but it was clearly dripping with concern and she frowned again, wondering why he was talking to her like an invalid. It was then that she took into account the background; her eyes swept around the room once more, taking in the surroundings and she realised she was in a hospital room… In a hospital bed.
"What…?" She began but it all came back to her. Deston entering the flat. Demanding she go with him. Tackling her.
The blast.
Wide-eyed, Ema looked at him and swallowed the gasp that was making its way up. Somebody had tried to kill her.
Again.
"Ema, talk to me," Deston pleaded and his bandage-less arm reached out to take her hand. She jerked it out of reach, her fear numbing the pain that shot through her at the movement. She could do nothing but blink at him, trying to remain calm. "Ema…?"
"You…" She swallowed her fear and took a deep breath, trying to get hold of herself. "You've got –"
"Wait," Deston said holding up a hand. "Let me call the nurse." And before Ema could say otherwise, he was gone. She very much doubted he'd gone to find a doctor… Actually, he was too smooth to run away. He would call someone, to make himself look like the concerned boyfriend, and probably try to kill her again at the first possible opportunity. Ema almost laughed at the idea – her first boyfriend in forever and he was trying to kill her! How on earth did she manage to get so lucky?
Her mind cleared as, within minutes, Deston was rushing back into the room, followed by nurses and a kind looking doctor. Somewhere, in the back of her mind, Ema thought that if she didn't know what Deston was up, she would have been extremely touched by the frenzied look of concern that was etched in the lines of his injured face.
However, all thoughts were pushed out her mind when the doctor began asking her useless questions and examined her physically. Throughout it, Ema's eyes were fixed on Deston whose normally calm expression was disturbed by anxiousness – she found it almost comical when she saw he was biting his nails. It was unlike the elegant man. One of the nurses glanced at him and, following his gaze, she mumbled something that sounded like 'lucky'.
Yes, she certain was lucky – lucky to be alive. And Ema was no fool; she had no illusions about why Deston looked like he was about to have a heart attack. Of course, Ema had remained quiet about her suspicions throughout everything because she had Klavier's best interests at heart. She didn't want to put him through anymore heartache than was necessary but of course, Deston didn't know this and she wasn't about to tell him. Complacency could get her killed a lot easier.
It was funny though. Considering what agency Deston worked for, she'd have thought his assassination attempt would be successful the first time around – never mind fail. He was apparently one of the best FBI agents for his division… Still, Ema supposed that being compromised in a plan would make anyone nervous.
"Mr Cavatin," the Doctor said. "You should return to your bed and rest. You suffered too."
"I'm fine, thank you," Deston replied, barely sparing a glance at the woman; his eyes were burning holes in Ema's face.
"Very well." The Doctor looked between them and sighed. "Considering your occupations, I don't think I have to cite procedure. The police should be here soon."
"Yes, thank you," Deston said shortly. After a split second of hesitation, the woman left, leaving the two alone.
Ema stared at him for a long moment in which Deston stared back. She took in the array of cuts and noticed that they extended down his neck – in fact his entire right side was either a bloody mess, shredded cloth – or both. Finally, she looked away and, uncomfortable with lying on her back in his company, she made to sit up. Immediately, he moved forward to hep her but she held up a hand to stop him.
"No, thank you," she said curtly. "I think you've done enough."
"Ema," Deston sighed. "I'm sorry. I tried not to hurt you – "
Ema's laugh cut across him. "You're sorry? Gee, I think that's going to make it all right now! Obviously, I'm just meant to forget everything and you won't hurt me now! Right?"
Deston frowned. "Ema, I meant when I tac – "
"Tell me, what made you change your mind?" Ema said in a cheerful tone. "Why did you come in at the last minute and save me? Did you see the error of your ways?" She said condescendingly and watched, her insides boiling, as he turned his back to her and banged his fist against the wall. "Or did you think you could fool me into thinking that because you came to my rescue, you're not an evil ba – "
"I'm not apologising for trying to kill you," Deston said from his position against the wall.
"I didn't think so, to be honest," Ema said. "I was exercising a little thing called sarcasm. You should know all about it as your buddy Daryan is –"
"Ema!" Deston snapped, turning around. "I wasn't apologising for trying to kill you because I never tried! I was apologising for hurting you when I tackled you to the ground and saved your life!" He let out a low sound in his throat. "What do you think I am, some master of the illusory arts? I don't kill people."
"I know," Ema said, her eyes flashing and he frowned. "You're the type to make a despicable plan to destroy your friend then skulk in the shadows as you watch hired assassins complete the job you're too scared to do yourself. You wouldn't get your hands dirty."
"Dammit, Ema!" Deston said and his voice was rising in volume. "I thought you were supposed to be a detective! You sound like you've been watching too many movies and not doing enough work!"
"HA!" Ema scoffed. "I thought you were supposed to be an FBI agent. Klavier's friend. Last I checked, that job description didn't entail evil plans!" She rolled her eyes. "But sounds like you watched too many movies yourself! Plotting against your frien – "
"Ema Skye!" Deston groaned. "You're completely crazy! How could you think I would ever plot against Klavier? He's one of my closest friends! What the hell could induce you to believe that I – "
"Oh, I don't know," Ema said sarcastically, putting on her thinking face. "Let me think…"
"Ema – "
"I need it to work, Cavatin," Ema imitated Daryan's drawl before switching to Deston's calm tone. "You've always been self-centred." Deston was looking at her with a thunderous expression but she wasn't intimidated as her voice deepened into an imitation of Daryan's again. "Does Gavin know?" Deston's eyes widened all of a sudden and Ema knew she had him. "Yeah right. You think I'm stupid?" Ema glared at him as she shot his own words back at him. "I wouldn't tell that bastard anything if my life depended on it." And finally, the most ironic of all, Ema repeated Daryan's words; "He has a way of acting like your friend at the right time and then turning around and stabbing you in the back."
A silence followed Ema's performance in which she looked at Deston fiercely as if daring him to deny it. Shocked, Deston could do nothing but stare back with a dumbfounded expression and Ema wondered what he would do now. He couldn't very well kill her here and he couldn't let her talk because then he would be in trouble. Ema herself was having a hard time deciding on what the best course of action was. She didn't want to hurt Klavier but it was fast becoming obvious that she could not handle him alone. If he could blow up an apartment building, he could do anything. He was a psychopath and out of control and Ema needed help.
It was just when she reached this conclusion that, to her surprise, the corner of Deston's mouth lifted into a smile. She frowned as the other corner soon joined in the ascent and he was flashing those pearly whites of his at her and then, quite suddenly, he was chuckling. She felt a jolt of fear as he took a step toward her, his chuckles morphing into outright laughter and he fell into a chair beside the bed where he clapped his leg with his good hand, shaking his head, his body shaking with mirth.
Had he lost his mind! Ema wouldn't put it past him to flip and suddenly do something to her right there and then. She looked around, quickly trying to find the best way to escape should it come to that, when he suddenly leant to the side and pulled out something from his pocket. Ema froze, expecting to be on the receiving end of a bullet, but Deston simply pulled out his phone, flipped it open, pressed a button and lifted it to his ear, regarding her with amusement.
Finally, when he spoke, his voice was thick with hilarity; "Hey there. I'm… Ah you heard? Yes… Yeah I am. Ema's here too. I was… Actually that's why I was ringing. I think I might need your help. Uh huh… Yeah I will. Come quick. She doesn't have any Snackoos but she's still dangerous."
Ema's eyes narrowed as he chuckled and put the phone of the side table. When he leaned her way, Ema cringed and moved backwards, expecting him to strike her. Deston's smile vanished and he was shaking his head,
"Oh Ema… Ema…" He sighed, settling in the chair again. "Why didn't you mention this before? All this time, I've been trying to fi – "
"Oh, now you're going to tell me I misunderstood everything?" Ema snapped. She was frightened, angry and in pain and she just wanted it all to be over.
"You did misunderstand, Ema," Deston said and his voice was kind but she didn't trust it.
"Oh really?" Ema said in a sarcastic voice. "Tell me how else you can construe the sentence 'I wouldn't tell that bastard anything if my life depended on it'? How can I misunderstand that you swore at Klavier, that you're hiding something from – "
"Ah but there's the misunderstanding, right there!" Deston interrupted with a smile, shaking his head again. "Remind me again, Ema, when did I say it was Klavier?"
Ema scoffed. "Even one of his bimbo fan-girls would know that his last damn name is – "
"Ema," Deston said, cutting across her again. "He's not the only Gavin."
Ema frowned, staring at him, uncomprehending of what he was saying. What the hell was he…?
"That's right," Deston said with a smile as he took in her widening eyes and shocked expression. "You know there are two of them."
Ema's mind had gone blank for a moment as she tried to recall the conversation. No, no, no… Something wasn't right… there had been a particular reason why she was certain they'd been talking about Klavier. Deston was just trying to reason his way out of this…
"Very clever," Ema said angrily. "But it's not just that." She expected his expression to change, for him to say something but he continued on looking at her with a benign smile. Furious, Ema spoke up again, "I heard Daryan – he said something like 'he has a way of acting like your friend at the right time and then turning around and stabbing you in the back'!" She narrowed her eyes, waiting for his explanation.
"Aaaah, Ema…" Deston let out a deep breath. "The answer's there; first of all, K's not the type to act your friend just at the right time." He chuckled when Ema frowned. "The statement implies that the man we were discussing only acts like your friend at the time you need him most." When Ema didn't say anything, he continued; "As for stabbing you in the back… When has K ever stabbed anyone in the back? He's too honest for that. Rather, it's him that gets stabbed in the back."
"How does that even make sense?" Ema demanded.
Deston raised an eyebrow. "Didn't Kristoph pretend to be Mr Wright's friend, to defend him while being the murderer all along?" He asked. "Kristoph acted like his friend at the right time. That's what Daryan was referring to."
Ema was quiet as she took this in but then her mind was whirring again as another thought ran through her. "Daryan's been – "
"Daryan committed a crime," Deston said, not unkindly. "K did what he thought right and Daryan doesn't begrudge him or hate him for it. If anything, he's the one who stabbed K in the back and he's one of the first to admit it."
"I saw Daryan's reaction on the stand," Ema argued. "He was pi – "
"Of course Daryan was angry," Deston said. "Anybody would have been. No, hear me out," he said, holding up a hand when Ema opened her mouth to argue. "Did you never wonder why Daryan smuggled that damn cocoon into the country?"
"Because he wanted money, obviously," Ema said, rolling her eyes.
"Really?" Deston asked, his eyes deadly serious now. "There was no other way for him to make money? Keeping in mind the fact that he was a member of our band and we rake in more than two people make in a lifetime? Not to mention, he was one of the best detectives in Criminal Affairs. He had two successful full-time jobs. He's richer than you can even imagine." Deston paused. "And you think he wanted more? Daryan already has more money than he could ever spend." He shook his head. "Think about it Ema – even if he did want money, you don't think he could have done it in a less risky way?"
Ema was silent – what could she say to that logic? There was something in her that was still struggling to trust him but there was another side of her that was actually listening to him because what he was saying was making sense…
"Then why?" She demanded, her eyes fixed on Deston's. She wanted answers and she wanted them now. "Why did he smuggle a cocoon into the country? What, he suddenly felt philanthropic and wanted to help the Chief – "
"No, nothing like that," Deston said and a part of Ema felt a twinge of annoyance at the way he kept cutting across her. "Of course, the only reason he would risk everything he had was because he needed the cocoon."
"Why?"
"Ema…" Deston rubbed the bridge of his nose before looking up at her. "Daryan needed the cocoon for the cure. He needed the cure for Tessa."
Ema's eyes widened. "Tessa?" she whispered.
"Tessa," Deston repeated. "Tessa Crescend."
Ema blinked. Tessa… Crescend? The Tessa she'd been visiting was…?
"She and Daryan married privately a month before his trial," Deston explained, a weary look upon his face. "They kept it quiet from everyone because she was ill and he didn't want to subject her to the publicity she was sure to get if it ever came out they were married."
"You're telling me…" Ema's voice was barely audible. She felt numb. "…that Tessa's dying of Incuritis?"
Slowly, but surely, Deston nodded. Ema looked away from him, blinking fiercely as tears blurred her vision. Unwilling to accept this, she lashed out once more; it couldn't be true. Deston was just trying to play on her emotions, make her vulnerable, make her forget what was important…
"If he was doing it for her, why did he burn the damn guitar on stage?" Ema asked, her tone aggressive. "He'd already killed LeTouse, why didn't he just wait till afterwards and – "
"If the one you loved was dying, would you want to risk spending the remaining time in prison for a piece of cocoon that might not work?"
Ema's head snapped toward the doorway, where the voice came from, and she saw Phoenix Wright filling the frame, his hands in his pocket as usual and a serious look on his face. Ema's heart leapt and sank at the same time – if he was here, she was safe. But… what had he just said?
"Phoenix," Deston said, standing up and Ema frowned. They were on first-name terms? "Thank you for coming."
Phoenix nodded and walked towards Ema, a frown creasing his forehead. "Ema," he said. "How are you?"
She barely heard him – she was too busy looking from him to Deston and back again. "I… don't…"
"Understand?" Phoenix offered and Ema nodded faintly. "To be honest, neither do I." He looked at Deston questioningly.
"I've been trying to explain to Ema that I'm not the one trying to kill her," Deston said dryly.
"Kill her?" Phoenix repeated with a raise of an eyebrow. "Why would she think you're trying to kill her?"
Ema listened, her mind numb and her heart beating a mile a second, as Deston recounted their preceding conversation, taking in Phoenix's reaction of surprise and amusement and, finally, when it came to Tessa and Daryan, solemnity. Finally, the ex-attorney turned to her with a kind smile and, taking a hand out of his pocket, placed it over hers.
"Oh Ema," he said. "Still taking on responsibility too big for you."
"Bu-but Mr Wright…!" Ema spluttered. "I'm so confused! What the…?"
"Everything Deston has told you so far is true," Phoenix said. Ema's eyes widened as shock jolted through her and she looked at Deston sharply, who was stood behind Phoenix. "He's been working with me."
"With you?" Ema echoed and then shook her head, trying to clear it of all the information. She felt as though someone had jammed it with a million words and she had no place to store them. "But I heard Daryan and Deston…"
"Daryan's also helping as much as he can," Phoenix said. "He committed a crime – but not because he's evil."
"He was just trying to save his wife," Deston said.
Ema looked between the two – one, a man she had distrusted for weeks, believing him to be a murderer and the other, the face of her saviour, the one who had saved her family. If Phoenix trusted Deston, then she had no reason to doubt him. Phoenix Wright was never wrong and he never allied himself with evil people.
How could she have been so wrong?
And then came the realisation that if she was trusting Deston then…
"Tessa's really dying of Incuritis isn't she?" Ema asked quietly. Phoenix glanced at Deston before they both nodded. She turned away and glanced down at her hands which blurred within moments and stillness fell around her, bringing with it the echo of the truth…
Daryan needed the cocoon for the cure. He needed the cure for Tessa.
"Why doesn't Klavier know about Tessa and Daryan?" Ema asked, trying to fill the silence.
"Because Daryan and Tessa think he'll get even more angry," Deston answered. "They don't think he'll understand."
Ema's eyes flashed. "Why do you think Klavier won't understand? What do you think he is, some kind of – "
"Hey, whoa!" Deston threw his hands up in the air. "I've been trying to convince them to tell him!"
"If Daryan told you, why couldn't he tell Klavier?" Ema demanded.
"Nobody told me," Deston said shaking his head. "I just didn't buy that whole greedier-than-thou bullshit. I went out and did a little investigating. I found out on my own."
Ema fell into contemplative silence again. So Daryan and Tessa… He'd tried saving her, taken such a risk… and he was paying the worst price. He was locked away while his wife died in a hospital bed. Ema rested her head against the pillows and closed her head, trying to prevent the tears from falling. Everything made sense now; why Tessa didn't want Klavier knowing who she was – in case he started doing some digging around. The argument she'd overheard between Deston and Tessa had been him trying to convince her to tell Klavier…
She couldn't imagine being in Tessa's shoes… nor Daryan's. The thought of their problem caused a sorrow to wash over her and she was so deeply saddened that her heart sunk. How did Daryan survive those concrete walls? She imagined him locked away with his thoughts, his horror at the impending death of his wife, the sense of failure. He must think about her all the time, Ema thought. How much must he love her if he'd been willing to take such a huge risk? And yes, Phoenix was right – if she'd been in his place, she would have burnt the cocoon and spent what time she had left with Klavier…
She squeezed her eyes and what tears she'd been holding back escaped, rolling down her cheeks. She snapped her head to the side to shake away the image of a dying Klavier. No… she couldn't think about it… she wouldn't…
And her mind suddenly threw her the rope she needed to pull herself out of the emotional abyss she was sinking into.
"So what plan were you and Daryan discussing?" Ema said, turning to Deston, uncaring, for the first time in her life, of the tears that trailed down her face. "You were talking about Kristoph. What the hell is going on?"
Phoenix and Deston looked at each other before turning back to her and she didn't like the look of wariness on their faces.
"Ema… You've been through a lot," Deston said kindly. "Just relax. Now's not the time to be discussing this."
"I want to know," she said stubbornly.
"We can't talk about this yet, Ema," Phoenix said, turning toward the door. "Just rest for now. I'll go talk to the doctor about discharging you. We need to get you somewhere safe."
"Somewhere… safe?" Ema blinked, looking between the two men again. "Why?" Again, the men exchanged looks and this time, she didn't need them to say what the problem was. She answered her own question almost instantly, shocking realisation gushing through her. "Someone's trying to kill me."
"Don't worry," Deston said, placing a hand over hers. "We're not going to let anything happen to you." Phoenix turned back around to face her and smiled.
"Trust me, Ema," he said and his eyes seem to flash. "I'm going to find whoever it is and bring him to justice."
"Him? Do you know who it is?" Ema asked and then she suddenly felt like she'd been hit over the head with a hammer as the bits and pieces of the conversation came together. "Is it Kristoph?"
Phoenix shook his head. "No, it's not him."
"How do you know?" Ema demanded. "You can't be – "
"It's not him, Ema," Deston interrupted. "He doesn't know where you were and what's more, he's got no reason to kill you."
"Not to mention, he may enjoy amenities in prison," Phoenix added, his eyes tightening. "But his arm isn't that long. He can't get to you from inside prison and like Deston said, he's got no reason to attack you – I can tell you that with confidence. Now, just relax," he added when he saw her about to protest. "Let me go talk to the doctor and we can sort something out. Then we can discuss this in more detail later." Without waiting for an answer, Phoenix turned around and walked out, leaving Deston alone with Ema.
She shook her head, trying to clear it, and winced when it hurt. It felt as though her brain had been knocked loose and was being thrown around inside. Obviously, that was scientifically impossible as she would be dead by now if that had happened but still, she –
"Ema?" She jumped before looking at Deston who was watching her, his thumb running across the back of her hand. She stared at him blankly, looking up into his injured face. There was something bugging her, something she was supposed to say… "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I…"
What the hell was she missing?
"Are you sure?" he asked. She glanced down at their hands and the nagging feeling grew worse.
"I… Yeah – " she looked up at him, " – I'm sure. I guess I… owe you my thanks." She laughed dryly at the confusion that was rendering her almost incoherent. "You saved my life and I accused you of doing the opposite."
"It's alright," Deston laughed. "You're worth it."
"What?" Ema frowned.
"You're too precious to lose, Ema Skye," Deston whispered. "I see why K's in love with you."
Ema's body jerked and her muscles screamed their disapproval but she barely noticed. What had he just said? And there was that nagging feeling again, practically shoving her off the edge of some cliff, trying to remind her of something…
"W-What?" She stammered.
Deston laughed. "You don't even realise it do you?" He shook his head, chuckling as he looked down at the hand he was holding. "You're both ridiculous."
"W-W-What are you saying?" she exclaimed. "We – I mean, he doesn't… I don't know what you're talking about!"
Deston laughed again. "I can't laugh as loud as I'd like because it hurts," he said and his gray eyes were glittering with mischief. "Ema Skye… you really are something else."
And then it hit her. That nagging pushed her right over the edge and it came to her.
"Why have you been leaving me those HS-9 notes?" she demanded, wanting an answer but also wanting to change the subject. It was too intimate to discuss with him, too scary… too wonderful to ever be true…
"Ah…Damn." Deston frowned. "I thought I'd copied Klavier's handwriting pretty well."
"WHAT?"
Deston winced, throwing his hands up in the air as he grinned sheepishly. "How did you know it was me?"
"Handwriting analysis, but that's beside the point. What the hell is that all about? Tell me. Right now."
"Er…" he scratched the back of his head and his eyes were looking side to side and he was taking tiny steps backwards.
"Don't you dare run away, Deston Cavatin!" Ema warned. "I'll chase you no matter how – "
"Okay, okay!" Deston said laughingly as he held up his hand as if to ward off an attack. "Yeesh. I'll tell you!" Ema crossed her arms and glared at him, waiting for his explanation. "I saw K's expression the day we met – you walked into the office and he was looking at you and I saw it. So I – "
"You saw what?" Ema demanded. Her heart was racing now, hope flaring through her and something was rising upwards from her feet, rushing through her legs… It was taking over her and numbing the pain of her aching muscles, kick-staring the butterflies in her stomach and her head was starting to spin. "What are you talking about?"
"Hey! Hey!" Deston exclaimed nervously. "Easy there, tiger! I saw the way he looked at you – he's head over heels in love with you!"
Ema's heart stopped and her breathing was suddenly uneven but she tried to get control of herself. Don't get carried away – it's not like it's Klavier saying it to you – Deston could easily be wrong.
"What are you talking about? He's not – "
"And you're in love with him," Deston said and Ema lost her voice mid-rant. She gaped at him as he grinned at her and shook his head. "Don't try to deny it! It's as clear as day – you're both mad about each other but you're both as stubborn as mu– aah…" he trailed off, seeing the expression on her face and took another step backward.
"W-wh… I – you…" Ema spluttered but she couldn't form a single coherent word and she took a deep breath before letting it all go; "I'M NOT A MULE!"
Deston stepped back involuntarily. "Hey, I didn't say you were!"
"If you thought he – that I… that…AGH!" Ema bunched her hands into fists, wincing at the pain and tried again. "Let's say you're right – which you're not by the way – but let's just imagine… Why did you pretend to be interested in me and start this farce of a relationship!"
"Hey!" Deston exclaimed. "I always kept my distance! A-Anyway," he added hastily, seeing the murderous gleam in her eye. "I was trying to push K into admitting his feelings to himself and to you. I thought jealousy was the best ally."
Ema stared at him in shock. "And you couldn't just let it be?" She demanded. "If it was true?" She added hurriedly.
"No," Deston said and he was shaking his head sadly. "He's just lost his brother and his best friend. He needs someone. You two are so obviously in love with each other – "
"We're not in love!" she said loudly.
" – and you're both so stubborn I figured you needed a push," Deston said as if she hadn't said anything. Ema glowered at him. "Plus I thought that maybe if he was in a relationship, Tessa and Daryan could tell him the truth before it was too late."
Ema's anger subsided as she remembered Tessa's condition. Today had certainly been full of revelations… and not all the good kind.
Tessa Crescend. She certainly hadn't seen that coming. But then… how could she have missed it? Hadn't Daryan mentioned her in the conversation Ema had overheard? Daryan in prison for cocoon smuggling and murder… and Tessa in hospital, dying of Incuritis. And Ema had been assuming she was Klavier's girlfriend and that Deston was an evil mastermind, trying to destroy Klavier while trying to kill her.
Ugh. Some detective she was.
"Ema," Deston's voice was soft now. "There's something else."
Ema groaned. "I don't know if I can take much more, Deston."
"I know," he said sadly. "It's unfair but necessary. I know that I've just told you how K feels about you… and I know how you feel – no, don't try to deny it," Deston held up a hand and Ema pursed her lips in irritation. "There's no use. Anyway, that's not the point." He fixed her with his eyes once more. "I've done nothing but try and push K into admitting how he felt. I copied his handwriting and left you those notes thinking you'd assume it's his and tell him how you felt. I made you two live together. When you received those flowers and Snackoos, that wasn't me, it was him." Ema's heart was racing so fast, she was certain it was humming. Klavier had sent her those…? "I thought if I lied and said they were from me, it would push him – I was constantly pushing him and it wasn't working. And now that it has worked somewhat…" he hung his head.
"What's worked? You're confusing me, Deston," Ema said breathlessly.
"He sang to you at Lana's party," Deston said and Ema wondered why his voice sounded heavy. "Ema, I saw your expression – it was finally working. And now…" he looked up at her and his eyes were sad and Ema suddenly felt her heart sink. "Now, I have to ask you not to approach him. Not romantically."
"Why?"
The word had fallen from her lips without thought and in any other situation she would have smacked herself or said something to cover the severe disappointment that rushed through her but now… All she could think about was how her hopes were swiftly sailing away while she drowned in the emptiness left behind.
"Ema…" Deston ran a hand through his hair. "I had another reason for making you live with K. When you first got attacked, I thought it was because of me. I thought, maybe, they assumed you were mixed up in the whole thing. The investigation I'm involved in with Mr Wright is pretty dangerous and I wondered if maybe it was risky for you. I told you to stay with Klavier because I though if whoever it was, thought you were with him, they wouldn't target you. Now, after your second attack…" he sighed, frustrated. "I'm not sure what to think."
"You think whoever it was is after Klavier too," Ema said hollowly. Deston nodded. "Because of me?"
"I'm sorry, Ema," Deston said and he sounded miserable now. "I made a mess of it. I didn't realise – you understand don't you?"
Ema nodded, feeling empty. "Because I'm meant to be your girlfriend, if I'm seen with him, whoever it is will assume he's in on whatever it is."
"Yes."
"I understand," Ema said quietly. "I'll stay away from him."
"I'm so – "
"Deston," Ema interrupted, holding up a hand. "It's fine. I want his safety too."
"It's more than that, Ema," Deston said falling into the chair and running a hand over his face. "It's that now you know, you can't tell him. We're still not sure exactly what we're dealing with and I don't want him getting involved into this mess. It's…" He shook his head. "I don't know how he'd take knowing we're investigating his brother."
"Kristoph Gavin?" Ema frowned. "But I thought you said he's got nothing – "
"He's got nothing to do with your attack," Deston nodded. "That much we know – for a fact."
"How?" Ema demanded. "I want to know everything, Deston. I'm involved now and I have the right to know."
"I know," he acceded. "It's complicated. Phoenix – "
The man in question stepped into the room just then and Deston went quiet, turning around to look at him. He smiled at Ema before looking at Deston. "I've spoken to the doctor and the police are here. Deston, they just need you to confirm everything, sign a few documents and we can go." He glanced at Ema. "The quicker the better."
"Yeah," Deston nodded. He glanced back at Ema who bit her lip in frustration. She wanted to know what the hell was going on but she could never argue with Phoenix. She just shrugged and Deston lifted her hand to his lips, dropping a kiss on the back softly. "I promise, we'll talk later."
"Okay," she said.
Deston smiled at her and turned to walk out. At the doorway, he stopped before Phoenix. "Have you told K?"
"I tried," Phoenix said. "His phone appears to be out of range. No need for concern," he added seeing the ashen look cross Deston's face. "I made a few calls and found out he's out of the city on a job. He's got police escort – he should be fine."
Deston and Ema both let out a sigh of relief and the former shook his head, clapped Phoenix on the shoulder and left. In the silence, Ema tried to calm her beating heart, telling herself that thinking about it all and stressing like this would give her a heart attack. It must have been beating loud because Phoenix chuckled and settled into the chair next to her bed.
"It's okay, Ema," he said reassuringly. Somehow, his words did calm her – she supposed it was because she knew that he wasn't just saying it. She trusted him beyond belief.
"Mr Wright, what's going on?" Ema said, a pleading tone to her voice. "I'm so confused and I – "
"Deston will explain everything to you later," Phoenix said holding up a hand. "I don't think this is the time and place to discuss this." As if to restore confidence, he smiled at her. "Try to relax, Ema. You've had an exciting day, to say the least. You don't need to worry anymore – you're not alone."
Ema stared at him for a moment, searching his eyes for… well, for anything, but all she found was confidence. Satisfied, she nodded and laid her head back into the pillow.
"I take it Deston has told you about Klavier…?"
"Yes," she said tiredly. "I understand. I won't go anywhere near him,"
Phoenix was silent for a moment. "It will be hard for Klavier," he said quietly. "And you will have to be his friend."
Ema's head shot up and she ignored the pain it caused. "What? Deston said…"
"I know," Phoenix said. "I agreed with Deston at first but now that I think about it, that may seem even more suspicious – living with Klavier then suddenly breaking off all contact? No." He looked to the side, as if thinking about something. "You will just have to balance it…" He glanced at her dismayed expression. "I know what I'm asking of you Ema. But I'm asking nevertheless because you're the only one who can do this."
"What do you mean?"
"It's going to get tougher for him now and only you'll be able to pull him through it."
"But that means I'll be putting his life in danger!"
"He'll be in even greater danger without you around, Ema." Phoenix leaned forward until his elbows were resting on his knees and his hands entwined. "Klavier's going to need you and when he does, you're going to have to do what you think best."
Ema's heart sunk and her shoulders drooped as she felt a heaviness come and sit upon them. She was confused, tired and heart-broken. She had experienced everything from fear, sorrow, anger and elation in one day – anyone else would have exploded by now, she was sure of it and damn the scientific impossibility of it. Ema wanted Klavier with her, right now, holding her. She wanted to hold him too and cry and protect him…
How was she going to be able to protect him if all she wanted was to stay by his side? What if staying away is what was best for him but she couldn't?
"I know you doubt yourself, Ema," Phoenix's voice broke through her thoughts, saving her from drowning in her despair. "But I don't. I know whatever you decide will be right – because you love him."
Ema didn't deny it. There was no use lying to Phoenix. She simply let her head fall into her pillows a final time and looked at him wearily.
"How are you so certain I'm going to have to do all this? He may not even need help."
"He will," Phoenix said and the look on his face was more grave than she had ever seen. There was no far-away look, no amusement, no mischief in the eyes, no boredom… just pure intensity. He was radiating seriousness and she almost shivered at his next words.
"I told you once Ema – there's a dark time coming for Klavier. And he won't be able to pull through it alone."