(This was a request from DeviantArt.

Phoenix Wright and related characters belong to Capcom…who are nice people and don't want to sue me.

Challenge: Write a Mia x Phoenix piece involving Mia helping Phoenix study for the Bar exam.)

Mia remembered her own Bar Exam experience quite well as it was one of the most fear inducing experiences she'd ever had. After receiving her badge and working at Grossberg and Co., those memories had started to fade like old photographs, but helping Phoenix study for his own bar exam brought them back to full blazing life.

After his fateful trial, Phoenix had settled himself comfortably into a corner of Mia's life, often coming into her office after his classes were done or dragging her out to eat, as he jokingly claimed she'd forget to if he didn't remind her. While Mia considered Phoenix a good friend, she'd been intending to avoid any association with his bar exam like it was black plague mixed in with a healthy dose of the Spanish inquisition. However, Phoenix had practically begged for her help (It probably hadn't hurt that he'd also given her a look that smacked of a kicked puppy, one of these days she'd have to develop an immunity to his looks) so she felt obligated to help him.

Their study sessions were tinted with the scent of tea and the feeling of adrenaline. Phoenix's voice often took on a strained tone as he talked through the more complicated terms and concepts. They were always night study sessions; as Mia was in the process of opening her own law firm and Phoenix was still finishing up some of his classes. They were often at Mia's small, but nice, apartment; Phoenix was still in the process of moving into his (He'd finally gotten sick of living in the dorms).

There was no doubt in Mia's mind that Phoenix would make an excellent lawyer, as he had an exceptionally sharp mind regarding law (common sense was a slightly different story, however). He just needed to have a little more confidence in his abilities. Of course, considering the harsh grading on both portions of the Bar exam, his self-doubt was fairly legitimate.

Mia sighed as she waited for her teakettle to go off. It was close to two in the morning and they'd been going over cross-examination technique since about seven. Tomorrow was the last part of the bar exam and so Phoenix had shown up at the newly christened Fey Law Offices in a panicky state (it would probably be more accurate to say he looked like he was going to pass out at any second). Even though he'd calmed down some since their first acquaintance, Phoenix still had a flair for the overdramatic when he was nervous. It had taken Mia a while to calm him down and let her finish up what she was doing before he dragged her out to help him.

A sharp whistle broke her out of her thoughts and she flicked the stove top off. She then dug around her cupboards to find her teas. Mia had never been a big fan of coffee and since Diego's death she had pretty much sworn off the drink. When they had first started these study sessions, Phoenix refused any kind of stimulant beverage until he passed out, dead tired, onto one of his books. Mia smirked at the memory as she poured water into the mugs before dropping in the Chai tea bags.

As she walked back into her living room she noted that Phoenix wasn't at the desk where she'd left him. Apparently at some point he'd moved onto the couch, and currently was dozing over one of his books with his back against the armrest. He'd pulled the hood of his grey sweatshirt over his head, so Mia couldn't see his face, but she could tell he was on the verge of falling asleep due to the way his head kept tipping forward.

Setting her own mug on the desk, Mia walked over to him and handed him his mug. "You look like you need this, Nick."

Phoenix pulled his hood back and smiled wearily as he took it from her. "Thanks, Mia."

Mia chuckled as she sat down a little ways down the couch. "You might want to drink it before you fall asleep. You looked like you were ready to pass out on your book when I came in."

"I guess I'm not really cut out for late night studying…I'll be glad when tomorrow's over."

Mia nodded knowingly. "The test is stressful, but in the long run, I think the waiting for your results is worse."

"I'm trying not to think about that."

"It is a three month wait for the results, you know."

Phoenix balanced his mug on his lap and mock covered his ears. "I'm not listening!"

Mia laughed. "You're going to have to face it sooner or later, Nick."

"I'll take 'later' thanks very much."

Mia watched him down his tea like a man who'd been out in the desert for three weeks. "Nick, what would you say to coming to work for me after you get your badge?"

Phoenix choked on the last of his tea. After a moment of coughing he managed to get out, "Are you serious?"

"Yes, I am. You've got a lot of potential, Nick and I'd like to have someone working with me that I can rely on."

Phoenix set his book down on the carpeted floor and the mug on top of it before scooting a bit closer to Mia. "Are you really sure? I mean, you've barely got your firm started, so wouldn't you want someone with a little more experience?"

Mia took one of his hands in her own, running her thumb over his knuckles. "I'm sure, Nick. While having a firm with a number of skilled attorneys would bring in more clients, I'd rather have a few clients that I can believe in. I think I can do more good with a smaller firm, where I can trust who I work with and who I'm defending, than a large firm. Besides, I've been unofficially mentoring you since you changed your major from art to law, so why shouldn't you come work for me?"

Phoenix smiled. "True. Alright, I'm in."

Mia chuckled. "Welcome to Fey and Co., Mr. Wright."

"Glad to be here, Chief."

Mia laughed at his response and settled against his chest. His grey sweater was worn but still soft and Mia could feel Phoenix's body heat radiating through it. His hand was still in hers, and as she shifted to a more comfortable position, she noted that she could feel his heartbeat speed up.

"M-Mia, what are you…?"

"I'm getting comfortable."

"I don't…what?"

Mia turned to look up at his face. His face had colored considerably and his pale blue eyes had widened somewhat. He looked so much like he did when they'd first met, but she knew there was more to him than the bewildered college student he had been. She felt a smile touch her lips, and she stretched up to brush her lips lightly against his. Phoenix quickly responded to the kiss, wrapping one arm around her waist while the other came to cradle her head and deepen the kiss.

When they finally broke the kiss, Phoenix ran a finger down Mia's cheek as he spoke, "What was that for?"

Mia leaned into his touch and smiled. "Nothing really. It just felt right."

Phoenix grinned and brought his chin to rest on top of Mia's head. She buried her head in the crook of his neck as he brought his other arm around her waist as well.

After about ten or so minutes of comfortable silence, Mia spoke, her voice slightly muffled, "So, should we get back to studying…?"

Mia could feel the chuckle as it made his throat vibrate. "No, at this point, I feel prepared for anything."

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