I hope you aren't mad at me for the small cliffy…oh well. It least it's only been a week. Come now, rejoice. My crappy updating hasn't kicked in yet…

Disclaimer: I do not own the ace attorney series or any of its characters.

As soon as he saw that twisted smile, Kristoph's heart plummeted into the pit of his stomach. All he could think about was the atroquinine coursing through the young man's veins. Kristoph was no stranger to the poison, and he had suspected that Overhead would pull something of the sort.

Kristoph leapt from the gallery and raced to the young attorney who was convulsing on the ground. Alice Chin was already on the phone, calling the paramedics. Payne in a rare moment of heroics bolted out of the courtroom to chase after the escaped witness. The judge was shouting for order, failing miserably.

"Move," Kristoph said harshly. "I'm a doctor."

Kristoph wasted no time injecting the prepared antidote for atroquinine. The convulsions stopped, leaving Apollo motionless on the ground.

"Miss Chin…as a medical caregiver, I trust you know CPR."

The defendant nodded as she went through the motions. In the chaos "Doctor" Gavin escaped the courtroom, praying Apollo would be alright.

()()()()

Apollo woke up with the most horrible headache. He could tell his breath was coming up short, and he barely had the energy to sit up. He looked around, trying to figure out where he was. Everything was foggy, but he could vaguely make out the shape of an out of place top hat.

"POLLY! You're awake!"

Trucy grabbed him into a hug, causing Apollo to wince.

"Gah! Trucy! You're heavy…"

"We thought you were…" Trucy began, wiping her eyes. "Don't you dare…leave me alone."

"Trucy…" Apollo watched as Trucy began to fidget with his pillows. He rubbed his head, trying to remember what the hell happened.

"You should know that your client was acquitted. The judge said you proved her innocence before things went nuts. Well, he said it more eloquently than that…." Trucy trailed off as Apollo exhaled. "I should have been there. Why didn't you let me help?"

"I should think that would be obvious at this point, Truce."

"What do you mean?"

"He was dangerous. This whole thing was dangerous. If you stole a sip of my water as you usually do, you'd be lying here right now."

Trucy crossed her arms and looked away before leaving the room in a huff. Apollo sighed. She was worse than a sister. Apollo began to look for his television remote when he heard a small knock.

"Herr Forehead. How're you feeling?"

"Gavin…I'm fine. Well…as fine as I could be."

Klavier walked into the room, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers that cost more than Apollo's rent. The prosecutor set them down on the windowsill.

"Of course you'd get poisoned with atroquinine," Klavier muttered darkly, half chuckling.

"So that IS what it was."

"You guessed?"

"Well…the victim was killed with it. Speaking of which, what happened to Overhead?" Apollo asked, hoping that something good came with his near death experience.

"Well…Payne ran after him, but he got away. Though I've never seen Payne run. The bailiff said it was quite epic."

"Damn…" Apollo cursed, trailing off. Klavier's expression hardened as he changed the subject.

"Forehead…there's something I want to talk about."

"What?"

"You were saved by a doctor who left the scene quickly. According to Miss Chin, he injected you with some sort of antidote."

"Really?"

"You know who it has to be, ja?"

"I can't remember anything from the end of the trial. You think it was Kristoph?"

"I know it was…though I have no evidence.," Klavier muttered, his hands in his pockets. Apollo saw the most conflicted look grace the prosecutor's face, and Apollo had the same feeling. Neither of them knew whose side Kristoph was on.

"Why would he?"

"No idea."

"Have you caught him?"

"I pulled the hospital surveillance tapes for the past four days, but I don't think he ever visited you here."

"Wait…I've been here for four days?"

Klavier smiled weakly.

"You've been through a lot. I'd tell you to get some rest, but…well you have some more visitors."

"What?"

Klavier ducked out as Miles Edgeworth and Phoenix Wright entered the room, looking somber. Edgeworth managed to crack a small smile.

"Remember when I told you to tread carefully?"

"Yeah, well…"

Phoenix gave Apollo a weak smile.

"You know, I had to deal with Trucy's constant panicking. You're such a hassle…"

Apollo shot Phoenix a harsh glare before Edgeworth interrupted, speaking in a hushed voice.

"Regardless, we were quite worried. I have some information for you regarding our case, but we can wait if you need to rest."

"No," Apollo said flatly, shaking his head. "We need to take them down."

"You really should take it easy," Phoenix said grimly, clearly worried, but Edgeworth stopped him.

"He's right. Any time we waste gives more opportunity for people to get hurt," Edgeworth said, ignoring Phoenix's silent protests before continuing. "According to Kay's last report, the syndicate is called Bison. And unfortunately, she has no names to give me. She's been taking orders from a guy named Rose, but that's only a nickname."

"A guy named Rose. Really."

"Anyways, we have Agent Lang securing airports around the country. Hopefully, Overhead won't try to leave."

"How'd Kay get into Bison anyway?"

"She's using an alias."

()()()()

Everyone called him Rose.

It didn't carry a happy connotation when Rose entered a room. Known for the tattoo on his neck, Rose was quite possibly the most feared man in Bison - a dangerous crime syndicate whose name is known only to it's members. Rose was certainly not as pretty as his name would suggest. He was bald with narrow green eyes, and a scar just above his left eye. But everyone's eyes were drawn to the rose tattoo which wrapped around his neck like a very unfashionable choker. Rose was the only leader anyone ever met, and it wasn't certain if he was anyone's subordinate. He was an expert at finding skilled people to perform a wide variety of necessary criminal activities. He discovered almost all of the top criminals, including the gifted Yuri Overhead.

Rose was quite pleased with his newest addition - a female thief with a penchant for breaking into secure government buildings and stealing their most important secrets. Sure, Rose had seen a fair share of thieves enter his syndicate, but none of them had the skill to match the talented Kayla Byrne.

Bison worked like a small corporation. There were enough expendable members for security and minor hits, but there were a few jobs that needed specialists. Yuri Overhead was the best black market salesman he could ask for. He had an assassin who had never even been suspected of murder, despite his many victims. Until recently, there was a thief that could steal from the top mob bosses. Rose had felt personally grief-stricken when he was forced into retirement by cancer. He had died the month before.

Rose needed a replacement to carry out his plans, and he needed someone who specialized in stealing information. Most professional thieves could steal paintings, cash, and artifacts, but when it came to information gathering, they were hopelessly inept. That was when he discovered Kayla Byrne.

She was pretty and smart, and Rose first caught a glimpse of her in one of his favorite restaurants. As she left he noticed that she had somehow left the restaurant with every piece of employee data on the place. The next morning, he saw that the place was closing and that several mobsters had been arrested with the help of an anonymous tip.

He knew it had to be her, and after a few days, he finally chased her to a rather nice apartment. He knocked, and she opened the door, a gun in her hand.

"This place is registered to a Kayla Byrne, who apparently pays in cash every month. Who are you really?" Rose asked, not even flinching at the gun.

"A man known only as Rose is asking me for my name?"

"You've done your homework."

"You've been following me for about a week. Of course I looked into you. What do you want?"

"I have…a proposition. I know it was you who tipped off the police about that mobster joint."

"And?"

"I'd like to know why."

"I was paid. End of discussion."

"Just money?"

"Need I spell it out for you? If I see an opportunity to make money, I take it."

"And if I offered you more money than you could possibly envision?"

The woman smiled, a childish grin escaping her stunning face.

()()()()

Apollo sighed as he began to pack his small bag. He was out of breath. Again. The poison had done a number on his lungs, but he had still been cleared to go home to rest, much to his delight. He was really tired of hospitals. From the overpriced TV to the ridiculous backless gown, he needed to go home. He needed to sit somewhere and think where he wouldn't be interrupted by constant doctors and visitors. All he needed was for someone to check him out.

"Morning, Apollo."

"Mr. Wright, thanks for coming."

"Don't mention it. Oh, I've got something to show you."

Phoenix pulled out a familiar gold badge, but his looked brand new. Apollo recognized it immediately, his eyes growing wide.

"Mr. Wright! You got reinstated!"

"Yep. Couldn't have done it without you."

"That's wonderful."

"And the best part is, while you take some sick leave, I can handle any cases in the meantime."

"I don't need…" Apollo began, before having to catch his breath.

"Until you can breathe without wheezing, I've got it under control. You need to rest, or I'll let Trucy take care of you."

"That can't be so bad…"

"…she'll confiscate your hair gel. My spikes never recovered."

"…okay, fine."

After checking him out, Phoenix walked Apollo home, feeling incredibly lucky. Phoenix had arrived home earlier in the week to find his daughter in tears with Klavier Gavin trying to comfort her, but clearly agitated himself. The doctors didn't think he'd survive, and by all accounts, the fact that he was walking with Phoenix down the street was a God-given miracle.

"Hey."

"What is it Apollo?"

"You've been in a daze. We're already here."

Phoenix waved goodbye as Apollo entered his building, hustling up to his own apartment. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a familiar figure sitting at his kitchen table.

"It seems you're doing well, Justice. I'll admit, I was quite worried."

"…Kristoph."

I'm sorry if Kay seemed a little out of character, but she's undercover, and she will have opportunities to act more like her awesome self later on. And I PROMISE some Kristoph/Apollo fluff for next chapter…finally.

And I would love to hear your thoughts on Rose as the story goes on. I needed to make a bad guy, so this is the first major OC I have ever written (not counting regular fiction), and I would love your thoughts and criticism. I know he's not well developed yet, but I've got plans for him, and I would love your input.

READ AND REVIEW! Also, I'm considering the idea of adding the occasional bonus chapter on the end of Yes, Sir. You know, fluffy Kristoph/Apollo moments? Tell me what you think! Ideas are always welcome!