PLEASE READ: SELF-HARM TRIGGER WARNING. READ WITH CAUTION

(O)

It felt so empty without Apollo.

Athena sat alone in the cab, the driver staying silent. He knew that if he was picking up someone from the hospital who didn't look jolly, then don't say anything.

Athena flipped the locket open and close, thinking. Apollo was getting a blood transfusion for the amount he lost when he was stabbed in the stomach by the Phantom. If someone had told Athena that he would suffer through that, she would've not only cancelled this holiday, but would've protected Apollo. He had lost Clay, and had gone through a month of depression after not only losing his closest friend, but thinking his other best friend hated him after accusing her of murder. The amount of guilt he felt the past six months was deafening to Athena's ears every time she saw him, but it slowly died down.

The cab eventually pulled up in front of the resort, and Athena paid the driver before getting out of the cab. She walked slowly over to the elevator. Normally, she'd be smiling or annoying Apollo. Normally, he would've sighed, acting as the mature one, trying to calm Athena down. Normally, Athena and Apollo were happy.

Now, she was sad. Now, she was the mature one. Now, she was not in the mood for anything. Now, she and Apollo were apart.

Now, everything was not the same.

The after effects of Apollo's stabbing will take a toll on the man, and she wasn't sure if she could take care of him. She doubted her abilities to help the man.

What could she do to help a stabbed man if she felt empty inside as well?

The elevator doors opened, and Athena walked over to her room.

No, not her room. Their room.

She opened the door, and saw the bed had been neatly made. Apollo's and her stuff were still spread on the ground. She walked over to pack up her bag. It was a simple process, since she had not worn much clothes on this holiday.

She eventually packed all her stuff, and zipped up her back.

Now she needed to pack Apollo's stuff.

This wasn't going to be easy.

No, what was wrong with her?! He's going to be fine! She can't break down over a living man!

He was going to be fine.

He was going to be fine.

She slowly picked up Apollo's red clothes, and neatly packed them into his suitcase. She notice a sound in his suitcase, like a crumbling of paper. She reached into his suitcase, and pulled out what looked to be a drawing.

The drawing showed Trucy in the middle, both her hand behind her back, with Mr. Hat out by her right side. On her left was Apollo, blushing as he scratched the back of his head.

Athena remembered Apollo mentioning that drawing. It was done after the case he had put away Kristoph Gavin for the second time. The defendant of that case drew him and Trucy.

She could remember that case. It was broadcasted, as it was a case which used a new jury system. She could remember seeing Apollo, and how cute it was to see him make his way through everything just barely. She could remember hearing about Apollo, the apparent 'apprentice of the forging attorney'

Obviously, he wasn't very popular. Everyone said how he forged evidence, just like Phoenix. She never believe in Phoenix's forged evidence event, and she never believed Apollo forging evidence. He looked like a guy who wanted justice and truth above all else.

She did forget about him after a while, but then she met him again.

That time, she threw a security guard at him.

Athena put away the drawing, and pulled out something else in his backpack.

She looked at a photo of him and Clay, their arms over each other, laughing.

She was so excited to meet Clay, but her wish never came true.

Clay seemed like a good person, and Apollo and him were close.

She put the photo back, and walked into the bathroom.

She grabbed Apollo's hair gel.

It was the strongest in the business, and could keep hair up for the longest time. She slightly laughed.

Apollo cared way too much about his hair.

Athena eventually zipped up Apollo's bag. She grabbed all the bags and started to take them down to reception.

She placed her key on the desk, and walked out to the cab area. The same cab she had come on still waited at the entrance. She placed all the bags in the back of the cab, and sat in the back.

"Same hospital, please."

The cab sped away from the resort.

She could remember the excitement she felt seeing it for the first time.

Now, she never wanted to come back.

It would only bring bad memories.

(O)

Athena stepped out of the cab, bringing all the bags with her.

She would have to sleep in the hospital for three days, so hopefully they didn't mind. Athena stepped in, and went to the counter.

"Is Apollo Justice available for visiting?"

The lady behind the counter typed something into her computer.

"He should be in a couple of minutes."

Athena sat down in one of the seats. She pulled out the locket.

She loved that locket.

She loves how Apollo spent his time on it for her.

That was the reason she wanted to kiss him so badly. She thought their first kiss would be awkward, and something she'd look back on with regret.

Her thoughts were wrong.

It was one of the most beautiful moments of her life.

Athena thought back to what the doctor said earlier.

'No complications.'

As long as nothing happened to Apollo, he'd be fine.

As long as nothing happened.

Athena wanted to just think about the happy ending.

But not every story ended with the hero and the girl riding off into the sunset. Sometimes, they ended with a bitter taste.

Godammit, she needed to stop thinking about the bad. Apollo will be fine.

Apollo will be fine.

Apollo will be fine.

Apollo...

No, he's going to die. He's going to get something. He'll die. He's not going to make it.

He's going to leave Athena.

This is not going to be a happy ending.

He's going to die.

Athena's vision went slightly black, as the worse possible thoughts started flashing in her head.

Apollo's corpse.

His dead body.

He was going to die.

She started to pant heavily, grabbing her arms.

He was going to die.

She was having a panic attack.

He was going to die.

She eventually heard words other than her own.

"M-miss? Are... A-are you alright..?"

Athena's horrible thoughts broke, and her vision returned to the hospital. Her eyes focused on the man in front of her who just spoken to her.

She then realized.

She was in the middle of a panic attack, and she hadn't noticed.

She was on the ground, curled up in a ball, shaking. Widget had gone black, and her eyes were as wide as golf balls. The man leant down in front of Athena.

"Miss?"

Athena looked around the waiting room. Every single pair of eyes were staring at her.

"I-I'm fine... Sorry..."

The man grabbed Athena's arm, and pulled her up.

"You were whispering 'death' to yourself... Are you sure you're alright?"

Athena took a few deep breaths, looked at the man.

"I-I'm okay, really..."

The man nodded.

"Okay... Apollo is open for visiting. That's all I wanted to tell you."

"Okay, thank you..."

Athena walked down to Apollo's room, and slightly opened the door. Apollo laid on his side. The dressing on his stomach had been replaced, and looked fresh.

"Hello...?" Apollo spoke.

"Apollo..."

"Athena..!"

Apollo's voice was cut off by the sounds of him shuddering. He started shaking rapidly in his bed, grabbing his own arms.

Athena sprinted around to Apollo's front. He looked even worse. He had bags under his eyes, and looked slightly pale.

"C-c-cold..." Apollo shuddered. Athena realized that Apollo was shirtless, and it was a pretty cold room, but she had feeling it wasn't the air conditioning that was making him cold. She ran out of the room, and unzipped Apollo's bag, grabbing his thickest jackets. She sprinted back to his room, throwing the jackets over his body.

"T-thank you..." Apollo shuddered out.

"Although he seems bad, everything is okay."

Athena looked up at the doctor, standing by the doorway.

"The blood transfusion was successful. He may seem bad, but his health gets better by the hour. He should be okay in a couple of hours, but until then, keep him warm so he doesn't catch some sickness."

Athena nodded.

"Okay... Could I stay here for longer?" Athena asked. The doctor nodded.

"Of course. He only needs a few days to recover now, and as far as I know, he doesn't need anything more serious. The dressing should come off tomorrow. The day after, he shall be released."

Athena nodded, smiling.

"Thank you, doctor."

Athena got up, and walked over to the doctor, and hugged him.

"Thank you so much..."

The doctor slightly returned the hug.

"I was just doing my job. If there's anything more you need, please feel free to ask."

The doctor eventually left the room, closing the door behind him.

Athena noticed Apollo, still shivering.

She walked over to the front him, and sat down in a chair, leaning towards him.

He looked so cold.

Apollo looked up Athena, and slowly reached out a hand. He touched her cheek slightly, and his fingers felt stone cold.

Athena leaned in and wrapped her arms around Apollo, being careful not to hurt him, trying to share her body heat with him.

Apollo's shuddering slowly, but eventually, stopped. He rested the back of his head on the pillow, but Athena still had her left arm over his chest and her right ear buried into his chest, listening to his heartbeat. It thumped loudly, it's sound echoing through his body.

"Athena, you can let go now... I'm fine." Apollo said.

"No..." Athena replied.

"Why not?"

Athena slightly shuddered.

"I don't want to lose you..." Athena said.

Apollo put his arm around her back, her soft hair brushing against his arm. He held Athena close to his chest.

"I'll never leave you, Athena..."

Athena held onto Apollo for five minutes. Then thirty minutes. Then an hour.

They never broke that position, not speaking a word.

They just held each other, never letting go. Listening to each other's breaths and heartbeats.

They had nearly lost each other.

They were never going to go through it again.

"Apollo..."

That was the first word one of them had said in the last hour.

"We still gotta call people. Tell them about all this..." Athena said.

"Yeah... We should probably tell Klavier..." Apollo grunted. Athena finally got her head off Apollo's bare chest. He was finally warm, and his strong chest raised up and down from his breaths.

Athena awoke Widget, and called the famous rock star and prosecutor. It had to be an audio call, but neither of them minded.

"Well hello, Fräulein Cykes. What do you require of me?"

The German accent spoke on the other, as calm as ever. He was always positive, even though he's probably gone through more hell than anyone.

"Hey, Klavier... Thought I might update you on a little something..." Apollo grunted out.

"Herr Forehead?! You don't sound so well." Klavier said.

"Yeah... Being stabbed will do that to ya..." Apollo told the prosecutor.

"S-stabbed?!" The prosecutor said, stuttering.

"Yeah... I'm fine, don't worry. Just thought we should let you know..." Apollo said.

"This... This is certainly surprising. I hope you get well soon. I need a good courtroom rival, and no one else can match, Herr Forehead."

Apollo slightly chuckled.

"Y-yeah, thanks... See ya, Klavier..." Apollo said.

The phone line disconnected.

"For someone who loves humiliating you, he had a lot of worry for you. I could hear it in his voice." Athena commented.

"Heh... That's nice, I guess. We should talk to Simon next..."

Athena wasted no time talking to the twisted samurai himself.

It took no less than two rings for Simon to answer.

"Cykes-Dono. What is it?" The low, British accent spoke on the other side.

"Blackquill..." Apollo spoke out.

"Justice? What's happened to Athena?" Simon asked.

"Nothing, Simon. I'm okay," Athena said. Obviously, Blackquill was protective of Athena. He had been for a long time, back when she was young. "But Apollo could be doing better."

"Hmph. What's happened to Justice-Dono?" Simon said.

"He... He got stabbed, trying to save me..." Athena told him.

"D... Did I hear you correctly? Stabbed?" Simon stuttered.

"Yes..." Athena said.

Simon stayed silent on the other end.

"Trying to save you... Justice."

Apollo immediately answered.

"Yes?"

"You have saved my masters greatest treasure, and have even risked your life and nearly lost it doing so. You have my greatest respect." Simon told Apollo.

"T-thanks..." Apollo grunted.

"We've gotta go now, Simon, but we'll try and see you as soon as possible." Athena said.

"You better get well soon, Justice. You shouldn't be dying to any blade other than mine."

Apollo slightly laughed.

"I'll try..."

The phone line cut off.

"We should probably update Trucy and Mr. Wright on things..." Apollo said.

"Yeah, okay. Hold on..." Athena said.

She started to call Phoenix's apartment, and it took less than two seconds for an answer.

"How's he doing?" Phoenix immediately asked.

"Just got the transfusion... He's getting more and more healthier... We should be out in a few days." Athena said.

"Great to hear. I'm sure Trucy'll love to hear about that... I couldn't get her to go to school. She just wanted to stay home... She's worried about you, Apollo." Phoenix said.

"I'm... I'm worried about her, too... Can I speak to her?" Apollo asked.

"Sure, hang on..." Phoenix said. Athena and Apollo heard the phone moving. They heard the creak of a door open.

"Trucy, it's A- TRUCY?! Stop!" Phoenix immediately yelled.

Athena heard the phone hit the ground and footsteps on the other end.

"Boss? Trucy?!" Athena called out. They could hear something hitting the ground, and some sobs, probably coming from Trucy.

"Trucy... What were you thinking..?" They could hear Phoenix say.

"Mr... Mr. Wright? W-what... What happened?" Apollo asked.

"I'm sorry, Polly... I'm so, so sorry..." Trucy sobbed out as they heard the phone being picked up.

"Let's get this wrapped up... C'mon, baby girl..." Phoenix said.

"Phoenix!" Athena called out, surprising him.

"Y-yeah...?" Phoenix asked.

"What happened?!" Athena said.

Athena could hear Phoenix sigh on the other end.

She could hear some sobs as he sighed, coming from him.

"She was in her bedroom..." Phoenix started.

Apollo and Athena didn't like what was going to be said.

"She... She was... She had a knife... Her arm..."

Apollo's eyes widened, and Athena slightly gasped.

"She... She was cutting herself?" Athena gasped out.

"Y-yeah... Not the wrist, and she didn't get too far but... Her arm... It's bleeding..."

Athena swore she could hear Phoenix sobbing.

"Can I talk to Trucy?" Apollo asked.

"T-Trucy? Apollo... He wants to speak with you..."

The phone was handed over to Trucy.

"P-Polly..."

"Trucy... Why?" Apollo asked.

"I'm such an idiot... I'm so sorry..." Trucy said.

"Trucy, it's okay... Just don't do that ever again. Ever." Apollo said, sternly.

"Apollo... Come home, please... I keep thinking you're gone, and... I miss you so much..." Trucy sobbed out.

"I'll be back soon, Truce. I'm going to be okay..." Apollo grunted out.

"O-okay, Polly..." Trucy sobbed.

"I'll see you soon, Truce."

The phone line was cut.

"G-god... I... I can't believe she would..." Athena shuddered.

Trucy was always so positive, and so happy. She was a light in the dark.

When the darkness was too much for her light, then it was too dark for any light.

Athena started to hear something from Apollo.

She started to hear him crying.

"S-she could've died... It's my fault..." He sobbed out. Athena wrapped her arms around him, careful not to hurt his wound. Athena rubbed his back in the circular motion, her head on his shoulder. He didn't return the hug, using his hands to cover his face to hide his sadness.

Athena removed Apollo's hands from his face and saw that his eyes were red, with wet streaks down his cheeks. He looked genuinely sad.

Athena grabbed the back of his head, and pulled his head to her shoulder, holding him close.

He eventually wrapped his arms around her, and lightly held her. He tried to hold her closer, but was immediately hit by a massive wave of pain.

"Nrgh!" Apollo grunted. Athena immediately pulled away.

"S-sorry! I-I'm sorry!" She said in panic.

"No, it's okay..." Apollo grunted, still gritting his teeth.

Athena saw that it was getting slightly dark.

"Maybe some sleep would be the best option right now..." Apollo said, still in pain.

"O-okay... I'll stay here... A-are you alright about Trucy?" Athena asked.

"I-it'll be okay... But not right now..."

Athena slowly moved her left hand towards Apollo's right hand, and locked her fingers in between in his. She held his hand tight, not letting go. She rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat make that same, familiar sound. That beautiful sound.

She felt Apollo run his left arm under her hair, holding her close to his chest.

Athena eventually, slowly fell asleep.

Apollo couldn't sleep.

All he could think about was Trucy.

(O)

"I'm sorry, but you need to move, please."

Athena woke up to see the doctor looking at her. He had a tray of tools. She looked at Apollo, who looked tired as all hell. He didn't get a single minute of sleep. The bags under his eyes were visible, but he still smiled at Athena.

"Hey, tiger... You were out like a rock."

Athena looked at a clock and saw the time.

5:43 PM.

She had slept for nearly 24 hours.

"S-sorry..." She apologized.

"Don't worry, Athena. You needed it..." Apollo told her.

Athena unlinked her hands with Apollo's, and sat back in her chair.

"We're just removing his dressing. Should be quick and clean." The doctor said.

Athena watched as the doctor pulled out a pair of scissors, and started to cut away at Apollo's bandages. It took around two minutes, but the dressing came off.

"That should be it. Thank you." The doctor told Apollo as he walked out the door. Apollo finally laid on his back. He couldn't lay on the wound yet, but at least he was comfortable, and not feeling too much pain.

Athena walked around the bed, and saw the wound.

It was a pink scar, still bearing fresh on his belly. The crisscross of stitches black and visible. It was a little small, but still pretty bad. Athena slowly ran her hand over the scar, feeling it. Apollo didn't feel any pain. It felt so weird to touch. It didn't feel like normal skin. It was so odd.

"That's... That looks..." Athena tried to comment.

"It looks pretty good, huh?" Apollo said cockily.

Athena kept staring at the scar.

'It kinda makes him... Sexier' She thought.

She took her hand away from the wound slowly, and went around to Apollo's good side.

"How are you now? Pain wise, and... About Trucy..." Athena asked.

"Pain wise, I'm doing alright. If I don't put too much pressure on it, then I'm good. Trucy... I need to talk with her again. I couldn't sleep at all last night..."

Athena switched on Widget to call Phoenix's apartment. A tired man answered on the other end.

"H-hey... How's Apollo..?" Phoenix asked drowsily.

"He got the bandage off, and he seems to be doing good. Could... C-could we speak with... T-Trucy?" Athena asked, slightly nervous.

Phoenix stayed silent on the other end for what seemed the longest time.

"Y-yeah..." Phoenix eventually answered, and started to move to Trucy's room.

"Trucy? It's Apollo..." Phoenix said.

The phone was handed to the girl. She sounded tired, just like Phoenix. She still sounded like she was sobbing.

"P-Polly..."

Apollo felt pain hearing her so sad. She had never acted like this in her life.

"Trucy... Are you alright?" Apollo asked.

"Y-yeah... I didn't sleep, Polly... I..." Trucy tried to speak, but was getting choked up too much.

"Take your time, Truce... I'm not leaving." Apollo reassured her.

"I need you, Apollo." Trucy said suddenly. Apollo didn't know how to reply.

"I..." Apollo stuttered out.

"I'll be back soon, Truce... And I will never leave you..."

Trucy slightly sobbed.

"T-thank you, Polly..."

Apollo heard the line get cut off by Trucy.

"Apollo..." Athena whimpered out. He was looking at his feet.

He needed to get home. Soon.

Athena wrapped her left arm over his chest, burying her head into his neck as he laid on his back. Apollo wrapped both his arms around Athena, holding her close.

This time, without any pain.

Tomorrow, they would set home for L.A. They would come back home.

Athena closed her eyes, sinking her head into Apollo's chest, her arm still over his chest.

She felt complete with Apollo.

To be continued...