A/N: Hey guys! Don't really have much to say today. Tired and glad it's the weekend. I've completely written out the end of Changes, but have one more chapter before I can start typing that up...I've got my work cut out for me!

Reviewers: Feyfangirl and Shizuka Ayasato!

Thanks for reading and enjoy!

~Diana

Edgeworth stood in the defense lobby, feeling worried and unprepared. Maya stood in front of him, looking nervous. "Mr. Edgeworth, do you have any idea what you're going to do when you get in there?" she asked.

"Somewhat," he said. He was worried about Madeline; nothing had been seen or heard from her since she had vanished from Kurain. "Madeline's disappearance isn't going to help me prove her innocence. It looks like she ran, and I just know von Karma will use that."

"Mr. Edgeworth, the trial is about to start. Please take your place in the courtroom," the bailiff called. Edgeworth nodded and moved toward the door, Maya following close behind. Although he wouldn't normally use a co-council except for Madeline, he felt that he'd need all the help he could get today.

"Court is now in session for the trial of Madeline Brent. Are both sides ready?" the judge asked from his customary seat at the head of the courtroom.

"The defense is ready, Your Honor," Edgeworth said confidently.

"The prosecution is ready," Manfred von Karma said from the other side. To Edgeworth's slight surprise, Franziska was next to him as his co-council.

"Before we start I'd like to clear up a few things," the judge said, looking at both sides. "First, Mr. Edgeworth. Weren't you the one insisting that this girl was guilty during the last trial?"

"Yes, Your Honor. However, I've been convinced otherwise by looking at the evidence."

"I see. And one other point I'd like explanation on. The defendant…where is the defendant?"

"She ran, Your Honor," von Karma said, shaking his head.

"Objection!" Edgeworth shouted. "That hasn't been determined yet. She may have been kidnapped."

"But that hasn't been determined yet either, and I personally am more inclined to believe that she tried to run before her trial, which she undoubtedly knew would end in a guilty verdict."

"That sounds reasonable," the judge said thoughtfully. Edgeworth mentally cursed. Von Karma was already trying to sway the judge over to his side.

"Be that as it may," he said quickly. "we're here to decide her verdict, not speculate about her whereabouts."

"You're quite right, Mr. Edgeworth. Mr. von Karma, you may call your first witness."

One hour later…

Edgeworth entered the defense lobby and took a deep breath. Von Karma was relentless, presenting all kinds of evidence that incriminated Madeline more and more. However, the witness Edgeworth was waiting for hadn't been called yet: Markus. Occasionally Edgeworth could see von Karma looking over at him tauntingly. It was as if he KNEW Edgeworth wanted Markus on the stand, but was deliberately holding off.

"He's really letting you have it, isn't he, Mr. Edgeworth?" Maya asked quietly, her eyes worried.

"Yes," he said absentmindedly. He was trying to think up a plan of attack for when court reconvened, but suddenly the doors to the courtroom were thrown open and a bailiff appeared in the doorway.

"Mr. Edgeworth, your presence is required in the courtroom immediately," the man said. "There's been a development that needs your attention."

"I'll be right there," he said. He got a feeling of apprehension as he re-entered the courtroom to see the von Karmas and the judge already there, but the gallery empty. "What happened to the gallery?" he asked.

"I sent them out," von Karma replied. "This new information requires privacy."

"Well, Mr. von Karma, what do you have to share with the court?"

"During the recess, I had a very interesting visitor. Bring them in, bailiff."

"Them?" Edgeworth asked in confusion. Then the doors creaked open and two familiar figures were escorted in by the bailiff. Markus entered first, practically dragging another person who was in handcuffs and gagged. "Madeline," he breathed. He slammed his hands on the table. "Those bonds aren't necessary."

"I beg to differ, Miles Edgeworth. She's a murder suspect," said von Karma from the other side of the courtroom.

"But the gag…Your Honor," Edgeworth pleaded. The judge thought for a moment, then nodded. Markus roughly tugged the gag off, at the same time whispering in her ear. Her eyes became wide with fear. "I'd like to request a recess to talk with my client," Edgeworth said.

"The trial will continue," von Karma said, ignoring Edgeworth and the judge entirely.

"Your Honor?" Edgeworth said hopefully, directing his attention to the judge.

"Hmmm, this is a very unusual circumstance," the judge mused. "Very well. There will be a ten minute recess, but know this, Mr. Edgeworth. If you cannot find proof to prove your client innocent after the trial reconvenes, then a guilty verdict will have to be delivered."

"Yes, Your Honor." Edgeworth proceeded out of the courtroom, followed by Maya. After a minute or two, Madeline was brought in by the bailiff. "Madeline," he said in relief. She forced a smile. Her black eye was almost gone, only a thin purple line remaining. She wore a jacket and jeans, surely covering more bruises. "Are you alright?" he asked anxiously. She nodded.

"I'm fine," she said quietly.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" he asked. She looked around nervously. "What are you afraid of?"

"After you left my room…" she began slowly, "Markus came. He kidnapped me. I tried to fight but it was no use. He took me back to our house. I heard you there," she said, smiling ruefully. "That pounding on the wall…that was me." Edgeworth was furious with himself. Why hadn't he figured that out? "Then this morning he brought me out, put the gag and cuffs on me, and dragged me down here. We met Mr. von Karma right away, which I thought was weird. And that's it, really."

"You've been so brave!" Maya said, throwing her arms around her. Madeline patted her back, looking at Edgeworth over her shoulder.

"So, do you think you can get me an acquittal?"

"I think so. I noticed something when looking over the evidence just now. It's not a huge contradiction, but it pokes a hole in what Markus claims he saw."

"Ok. Good luck!" she said, hugging him quickly, then entering the courtroom, taking her place in the defendant's chair.

"Are we ready, Mr. Edgeworth?" Maya asked.

"Let's finish this."