Geez! I feel so bad you guys! I've had a less-than-wonderful week, which is why I've been procrastinating on this chapter. Not to mention I'm getting way ahead of myself, drafting out future chapters and planning out what's going to happen. Sorry for the long wait!

I'm going to spare all of you from the awful trial and just provide a brief summary of the second day. I'm skipping the investigation too, only because I think I want to focus more on the conflicts that are happening with and between our characters (and like I said before, I am awful at writing the trial and investigation portions, so I'm not going to bother trying). Anyway, this is a relatively short chapter, but I hope it's good!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Ace Attorney series characters!

Chapter 14 – Turnabout Conflict

"Well Boss? How do you think things are going?"

"Do you want me to be honest, or do you want me to bluff?"

Athena considered the question. "Even though I already know how you think things are going, the bluff would sound nice right now."

Phoenix nodded a little before saying, "Things are going wonderfully."

The two of them stood in the defendant's lobby. The second day of the trial was just as uneventful as the first one. The main problem was with the autopsy report, which still wasn't ready for the trial. Not to mention, everything seemed to point to Apollo as being the murderer.

"We need to get Apollo to somehow tell someone, anyone, what really happened," Phoenix began after a moment of silence. "The question is, who and how?"

Athena snapped her fingers, a grin on her face. "I know exactly who can do the job, Mr. Wright."

"Apollo."

Apollo looked up to see someone with brown eyes wearing a gray uniform with the well-known crest on it. It was the one person he had surprisingly not expected to see there, visiting him. "J-Juniper." She was a little smiling at him, and he returned it. "What are you doing here?"

"I should be the one asking you that, Apollo." She frowned as he looked away. "What's going on, Apollo? What happened?"

He was silent. He didn't want to tell anyone what had happened, what had led to him getting arrested. It was sensitive information. He tried to think of something else to talk about, when he remembered something very important was happening very soon. He gasped a little, gazing up at her.

"Juniper. Tomorrow…isn't that when you're…"

"Graduating? Yes, it is."

He had almost forgotten. His eyes widened when he came to a realization. The trial had not gone too well that day, and if it stayed that way... "Juniper…I…"

"Apollo," she began. "I…I know you want to come and see me graduate, and I want you to be there too, but if you don't tell me, or anyone for that matter, how you got into this huge mess, there's a good chance you won't be out of here." She had a very stern look on her face, much like how she was when he had first met her at Themis Legal Academy.

Apollo knew that, inevitably, he'd be having this conversation with someone, so who better than to have it with than his girlfriend? He sighed heavily. "I…I'll tell you, Juniper. But I need you to promise you won't tell Mr. Wright or Athena about it."

"But…what about the trial?"

"Let me rephrase that. You can tell them the basics of what I tell you, but…there are some things…some things I don't want you to tell them about."

Juniper hesitated. What did he mean? Nevertheless, she offered him a smile and nodded her head. At least he was going to tell her. "Alright."

"Okay. Here's how this whole mess began…"

"Well Junie?! What did Apollo say?!" Athena hounded her best friend, who had just come to the Wright Anything Agency from the detention center. Juniper was quiet. "Junie? What did he tell you?" I…don't like where this is going. Not one bit.

"He…he told me…some things." Athena motioned with her hands for Juniper to elaborate. "I…Thena. I'll tell you." She sat down next to Athena on one of the couches. "Apollo. He was contacted by Mr. Huntley, who said he had sensitive information that Apollo…wanted to know."

"Sensitive information? What would that be?"

Junie frowned. "Thena...I...I can't tell you that. Apollo made me promise."

"Junie..."

"Please!" Juniper pleaded with her best friend. "You'd understand, Thena. If you knew, I know you would."

Athena didn't know how to respond to that. Hm...what could this information be? And why won't he tell us? She wanted to press Junie about it, but she could tell her friend was struggling between keeping her boyfriend's secret and revealing it to her best friend. Athena smiled anyway. "I'm just glad that he told someone about it." She placed an arm around her friend's shoulders. "So tell me more about what he said happened."

At People Park, Trucy was accompanying Iris and Phoenix on a date. She was walking between the two adults. Despite the bright smile on her face though, Trucy knew better than to think things weren't awkward. No one had said a word to each other. She figured Phoenix was upset because of how the trial was going, but Iris...she didn't know why Iris seemed dismayed.

She sighed loudly, looking up at the sky. "It's such a wonderful day, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"It is."

She frowned at their absentminded replies. This was not how their date should be going. She crossed her arms for a moment, pouting, until she came up with an idea. Discreetly, she took hold of Phoenix's right hand. He glanced down at their locked hands before looking up and giving her small smile, squeezing her hand a little.

Trucy and her Daddy had taken many a walk through this park for years. It was a nice time for them to just enjoy each other's company, back when their family consisted of only the two of them.

Trucy then turned to Iris, and grabbed her left hand. Iris gave Trucy a surprised look, before a smile appeared on her face. She had come to grow found of her Daddy's girlfriend. Secretly, despite her enthusiasm for finding a "new mommy," Trucy feared that if such a person was found, Phoenix would then spend all of his time with that person, leaving her to be alone.

But she should've known better than to doubt her Daddy like that, and she realized this when Phoenix had started dating Iris. Even though he did look forward to his time with his girlfriend, Phoenix always made sure to spend time with his beloved baby girl.

Trucy was satisfied as they all held hands and strolled the park. It feels like we're a real family. A child, a daddy, and a mommy. She sighed contently, her mind going off into the future, to a time when she could really call Iris her mommy.

"Aw! What an adorable family!" An elderly woman sitting on a bench they were passing by exclaimed.

Trucy was beaming, until she felt someone's hand release her own. She glanced to her left, shocked to see that it was her Daddy.

"Daddy?" She asked, uncertainly clear in her voice.

Phoenix had a deep frown on his face. He looks almost as serious as Mr. Edgeworth. Trucy nearly shuddered at the thought. Her Daddy was usually always smiling and carefree. To think that he now reminded her of the ever-serious prosecutor… This had her worried. Really worried.

"Trucy. Iris. I need to get back to the office, but how about you two stay and enjoy yourselves here?"

Before Trucy could object, Phoenix rushed away, hands shoved in his pockets and head down.

"What's wrong with Daddy?" Trucy thought aloud. When Phoenix had left, she felt Iris's grip on her other hand loosen and eventually let go.

"He's probably just worried about Apollo's trial is all, Trucy."

But Trucy could tell even Iris wasn't convinced by what she'd said.

Later that day...

Iris went to the Wright Anything Agency, hoping to find Phoenix there, and indeed, he was there, sitting at his desk, poring over a case file.

He looked up at her and smiled. "Hey."

"Hi Feenie." She smiled back. He seems to be in a better mood now. She took a seat in front of his desk. "What are you doing?"

"Looking over everything for the case tomorrow." He frowned as he put down some of the papers he was holding. "This autopsy report issue's been messing the trial up, not to mention the Judge seems convinced that Apollo's the only suspect." He held his head in his hands.

She smiled sympathetically. "I'm sorry Feenie. I wish I could help somehow."

He looked up at her, shaking his head. "It's fine, Iris. Just seeing you makes me feel a lot better."

She blushed at that, but stared down at her lap when he continued sifting through papers. "Um...Feenie?"

"Yes?"

"I...uh...well...I was just wondering..."

"What is it, Iris?"

She exhaled lightly. "Is...is everything okay?"

"What do you mean?" He asked skeptically, a frown forming on his face.

"You just...seem a little...distant...is all."

He sat back, crossing his arms. "Distant?"

She nodded. "Like today. At the park. You seemed preoccupied. Is something wrong?"

"No."

She couldn't help but be suspicious at how quickly he'd replied. "Are you sure, Feenie?"

"Yes, I'm sure," he replied, sounding slightly irritated.

"It's just that you..."

He slammed his hands on his desk. "Iris! I don't want to talk about this, okay?! So just let it go!" His blue eyes flashed in anger. Iris's eyes widened in shock. The two of them went silent. Iris couldn't believe it. He had never, ever raised his voice at her like that. She watched him hold his head in his hands. She waited for a minute.

"I...I should go," she said quietly, getting up. She reached the door and paused. She looked over her shoulder to see him once more reading the papers on his desk. She hoped he'd stop her from leaving.

He didn't.

Shutting the door behind her, Iris let the tears flow from her eyes. Feenie...What's going on?! What's happened to you?! Why are you pushing me away?!

"Hey Simon!" Athena cheerfully greeted the prosecutor as she entered his office. She plopped down in one of the chairs in front of his desk.

"Athena," he greeted her.

She pouted a little. "The very least you could do is put down that paper and look at me!" She waited, but he proceeded to ignore her. "Hmph!" She turned her head away, crossing her arms.

He snuck a quick look up at her from his paper, smirking at her antics. "How are you?"

It took her a moment to realize that he had spoken to her. "Oh, me? I'm doing well."

His eyebrows went up as he placed the paper on his desk. "You're doing well?"

"Yes. Why? Is there a problem with that?!" She snapped a little.

He shook his head, tsking at her. "Athena. You should know better than to lie to your boyfriend about how you're feeling."

"Who said I'm lying?! You're just looking into it too much."

"She's lying," a robotic voice declared.

"My point is proven." He watched as Athena frowned a little. He leaned forward. "Athena. Tell me. What's wrong?"

She didn't want to tell him. She didn't want him to know that she was bothered about the secretiveness of her two coworkers at the agency. He would probably just tease her about it.

"Cykes-dono," he said firmly. "Tell me what's troubling you."

She knew that tone of voice. She wasn't getting out of this one that easily. "It's…Mr. Wright and Apollo."

"What about them?"

"They've both…well, the two of them, they've been kind of…distant. They both don't seem as happy as they used to be, and…" She stopped, not wanting to say it aloud. "They're hiding something."

"Hiding something? What is it?"

"I don't know!" She replied exasperatingly. "Mr. Wright's been pretty busy doing who-knows-what, while Apollo won't tell us what's the deal with him and that guy, Mr. Huntley!"

Simon thought about what she had said. He had heard about Apollo's trial, and how the defense attorney was not being as cooperative when it came to revealing the reason why he was going to meet the victim.

He looked up Athena. Her usual bright blue eyes were dull, and Widget was blue and projecting a sad face. He loathed seeing her troubled, but even he wasn't sure what to tell her.

"Ahem. Well, I'm sure that…they both have…very good reasons why they're hiding…whatever it is from you," he said awkwardly.

Athena gave him an odd look. "Did you just say that? I was expecting something more along the lines of, 'Hmph. You shouldn't be fretting over such trivial matters, Cykes-dono.'" She had furrowed her brows and deepened her voice several octaves in her imitation of the prosecutor.

He snorted. "You would expect me to say that, wouldn't you?" He frowned when she once again turned away. "I mean it, Athena. I'm sure they wouldn't hide anything from you for no reason at all. Perhaps it's something private that they'd rather not share."

"Yeah, but still." She was obviously unconvinced.

Hoping to get a smile out of her, he leaned back in his seat. "You know? It is a shame I wasn't the prosecutor for the case."

"Why? So that we could shoot insults back and forth at each other?"

He laughed a little. "There's that, true. But what I meant was had I been the prosecutor, I could've easily gotten Taka to take care of Justice-dono and have him explain himself to the court."

Athena looked confused momentarily before a smile broke out on her face. "I get it! Yeah, now that you mention it, it would've been super nice if you were the prosecutor. The moment Apollo would see Taka, he would tell us everything!"

He grinned. "Of course he would. Although," he couldn't help the frown that appeared on his own face. "Chief Prosecutor warned me about Taka and his…antics, in the courtroom."

"It's about time someone said something about that bird of yours." Athena searched around the office. "Where is he anyway?"

"Oh, probably on the rooftop of the courthouse."

Athena's eyes widened. "Wow. He really has made the courthouse its home, hasn't he?"

Simon shrugged. "It's a second home to him." He stood up from his desk.

"Where are you going?" She asked as he made his way to the door.

"We're going to go outside for a while."

"We?"

"Yes, we. Why? Will that pose an issue?"

"Er…no." She got up and went over to him. "But why all of a sudden?"

As he opened the door, he replied, "We could both use some sunshine, couldn't we?"

She shrugged. "Can't hurt."

The two of them left the Prosecutor's Office and were walking outside on the streets when Athena saw a familiar figure in the distance.

"Hey! Iris!" She ran up to the woman who didn't seem to hear her. "Iris! How are you?"

She heard the woman sniffle a little. "Good, Athena."

Athena gasped a little. She….she sounds really hurt. "Iris. What's wrong? Are you okay?!" She was concerned.

"I'm…I'm fine…"

Simon had caught up with Athena and looked from her to Iris then back to her. "What's the matter, Cykes-dono?"

Athena waved at him to be quiet. "Come on, Iris. You can tell me," she prodded gently. She was shocked to the see the woman's eyes were red and filled with tears.

"It's…Feenie."

Her voice…there's discord in her heart. I can tell. But…why?

"F…oh. You mean Mr. Wright. What about Mr. Wright?"

"He…he yelled at me."

"He WHAT?!" Athena exclaimed, knowing Widget was probably red. She clenched her fists. "How could he do something like that? And to YOU of all people!"

Simon could see that Athena was ready to go on a rampage. "Now, now Cykes-dono. Calm down. I'm sure…"

"No Simon! I cannot calm down! How dare Mr. Wright do something like this?!" Athena stopped yelling when she noticed that Iris was crying. She wrapped her arms around her. "It's okay, Iris. You just cry." She patted the older woman's back.

Simon could see the gears in Athena's head turning at full speed. Wright-dono better watch out. Athena won't let this slip by easily.

"Simon. We're going to need your help in all of this."

"In all of what?"

"We're going to find out what's going on with Mr. Wright. We can't keep putting this off forever. We need to take some serious action!"

"Now Cykes-dono. You need to slow down. Have you all asked Wright-dono what's the matter?"

Athena gave Simon the "are you serious" look. "Really? Of course we did ask him, you dummy!"

"And what did he say?"

"He usually just brushes it off, saying it's other business. Heck, he won't even tell his girlfriend, Simon! Something's seriously up!"

"Are you absolutely positive everyone's asked him?" He had a person in mind.

"Yes, I'm absolutely positive every-" Athena stopped.

"Well?"

Athena looked down at Iris, who had finally stopped crying. "Iris? Did Trucy ask Mr. Wright about what's going on?"

Sniffling, Iris shook her head as she pulled away from Athena. "No. Not that I know of."

"Then have her ask him."

"Simon! That's a great idea!"

"Actually, Athena. I…don't think we should resort to that extreme."

"What?!" Simon exclaimed.

"And why is that, Iris?!"

Iris looked down at her feet. "Trucy…she's such a happy and sweet girl." Her eyes lifted. "I don't want her to know about all of this. She'll only get upset about it."

Athena couldn't help but also agree with her. "That's…true." She also didn't like the idea of worrying the young, carefree magician and youngest member of the Wright Anything Agency. However, never being one who wouldn't rise up to a challenge, Athena took in a deep breath. "That's fine then. We'll…just find some other way to get Mr. Wright to spill the beans."

She began chattering with Iris, trying to distract her from the matter, with Simon tailing them. He let out a silent sigh. By "we," I suppose this means she's going to string me into this whole affair. *Sigh* Wonderful.

Yeah. Reading over this chapter, I'm so not happy with it, but it's the best I could do. Things are in a rather awkward position for me in terms of writing this. The next chapter might be a trial portion, although again, I might just give a summary of what happens in it. If that is the case, then it'll be a short chapter. (I'd super appreciate it if you guys did let me know if you would have any objections to me not writing a trial!) Anyway, I hope this chapter wasn't too bad. I know it's not my best work, and I deeply apologize. Feel free to leave a review or private message me. Thanks!