Author's Note: Hey guys! Here's the promised update! (: You guys have been brilliant with your support this week (loveLOVELOVE), so thank you so much! You don't realise how excited I get when I see someone's reviewed a chapter of this! (I have no life like that!) So, here we go; an update a day early!

Please continue to review this fic, because every word if encouragement means a lot to me~

~Rainbow Fruit Loop xx

~Irresistible Love and the Turnabout~

Chapter Four.

"Can we watch the third one now?" Maya asked eagerly, bouncing up and down on the narrow couch.

Phoenix rubbed at his eyes. "If you want to."

The two of them were snuggled down on Phoenix's small apartment sofa, a bowl of popcorn, a bottle of Coca Cola and a few blocks of white chocolate - Phoenix's favourite - lying between them.

As the Master of Kurain - such a big title for such a scatter-brained girl - Maya had been called back to Kurain unexpectedly. As a silent way of saying goodbye, I'll miss you, everything's better when you're by my side, the two had lapsed into a strange tradition of having a crap movie marathon (it was the 'Steel Samurai' tonight), chatting, and eating as much junk food as humanly possible. It was a general rule that whoever ate the least was the weakest link.

"Yay! Nick, go and put it in the DVD player." Maya commanded from underneath her pile of blankets.

Phoenix sighed, and left his oh-so-comfortable position on the sofa to put the third 'Steel Samurai' movie on.

I don't even like the 'Steel Samurai'. Why do I always let Maya choose what we watch? I don't even think she is watching them. She's gossiping more than she's watching.

I'll miss her non-stop chatter when she's gone.

"Thank you, Nick!" Maya thanked when Phoenix returned from his adventure to the DVD player.

"Only for you, Maya." Phoenix grinned, settling down on the sofa beside her.

The two were both silent as the movie started; the dreadfully familiar theme song ringing out through the small room. Phoenix shifted his weight to make himself more comfortable.

"Ouch, Nick. Your legs are taking up most of the sofa," Maya complained heartily. "Shove over." She made to push Phoenix's legs off the sofa, but Phoenix caught her wrist.

"My sofa, my rules." he grinned at her, and stretched out just that much more.

"Is that a challenge, Nick?" Maya asked eagerly, the movie already discarded.

"Maybe. I just don't want to hurt your feelings when you're on the floor." Phoenix started laughing, but it was the type of laughter that made him sad. In a few hours, Maya would be gone, and Phoenix would be alone. Alone with no one to talk to - save for Edgeworth, if Phoenix could convince him of their budding friendship.

Phoenix was distracted from his thoughts by a particularly violent shove from Maya.

I'm not quite sure why she thinks she can beat me in a battle of strength. I mean, I weigh loads more than her.

And she's not exactly what I would call 'strong', or 'persistent'.

"You think you can beat me?" Phoenix mocked, giving her his strange version of an evil German laugh. He wasn't quite sure when he had started role playing, but evenings with Maya always made him act slightly bizarre. "You're going down!"

He clambered across the small sofa and wrapped his arms around Maya's slim waist, and pulled her onto his chest. She kicked out frantically, already having dissolved into hysterics. She gave a mock scream of terror as Phoenix started tickling her sides, and Phoenix wondered briefly if the couple living in the apartment on top of his would be wondering if they were overhearing a violent, gory murder.

"Let me go, Nick!" Maya giggled, resisting the capture.

Phoenix grinned to himself, and gave her hair a gentle yank, before releasing his grip. His laughter became less violent, and he smiled as he glanced around the room. Empty packets of sweets lay, discarded, on the floor, and small pieces of popcorn had been generously scattered in their fight.

He was so lost in this half-hearted investigation that he got a fright when Maya flipped him round and shoved his arms halfway up his back.

"Ow!" Phoenix cried, trying to shake Maya off. "I thought you'd given up!"

"I never give up!" came Maya's reply from on top of him. "I always win! Now, if you want to be released from my evil clutches, say 'Maya is so much cooler than Nick!'"

"No way!" Phoenix shouted, squirming underneath Maya. He started chuckling, despite the pain caused by having his arms pushed unnaturally up his back. "It's a lie!"

"Have it your way!" Maya squealed, and started pushing Phoenix's arms higher up his back.

"Ow! Okay, okay! I surrender! Maya is so much cooler than me!"

"Aw, thanks Nick!" Maya chirped, as though she was genuinely surprised at the not-quite-a-compliment. She quickly released her vicious grip on Phoenix's forearms, and un-straddled his waist.

Phoenix sat up gingerly, making a big show of rubbing at his arms.

"That was violent, even for you." he commented.

Maya smiled, and a sad silence followed.

"How long will you be gone?" Phoenix asked, eyebrows furrowing as he tried to remember what the date was.

"I don't know. A month? Maybe less, depending on what I need to do over there." Maya frowned. "Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. I mean, I don't know what I'm doing half the time!"

"I'm sure you're doing a great job." Phoenix assured his friend, pulling one of the many blankets up around his shoulders. It was cold in his small apartment - he had forgotten to pay the heating bill again, but, even so, he was sure that he wouldn't have had enough money anyway.

"Yeah, let's hope so!" Maya's usual optimism returned as she burrowed down next to Phoenix.

"I'll miss you, Maya." Phoenix murmured.

"I'll miss you too, Nick," came Maya's muffled, slightly tired reply.

She inched closer to Phoenix, and gently placed her head down on his chest. They were both silent; remembering what it felt like to be close to each other before they had to be separated by miles and miles.

I suppose a lot of people think that our relationship is more than it is. I've had so many people wishing us the best of luck in our 'relationship'. I wonder how people would react if we actually said, 'Yeah, you're wrong.' They probably wouldn't believe it, because we certainly give off a 'vibe'.

We're best friends. But it's more than that. We're closer than best friends. We're closer than siblings.

Without Maya, this world would be a lot darker.

"I don't really see any point in watching this, Maya. We've missed quite a lot." Phoenix muttered, his attention having strayed to the moving figures on the screen.

"All right." Maya lifted her head up from Phoenix's chest, and watched his face. "What do you want to do now, then?"

"…Sleep…?" Phoenix hinted, feeling his eyelids drooping. He was going to be whacked in the morning unless he got a good few hours of sleep.

"No way, Nick!" Maya enthused. "Popcorn fight!"

Phoenix watched as the train towards Kurain sped off into the distance. He frowned to himself, wondering just when Maya would be back. It was silly, really, to miss her this much. She was only going to be a month, she said, yet a month without Maya was a month without laughter.

Saying goodbye had been hard; it always was, and Phoenix didn't feel like going into the office.

How many days in a row is this?

Phoenix started wandering towards the nearest bus stop, hands in pockets. He had a list of office supplies that they needed for the office, and what better way to forget his troubles than sauntering around a brightly-coloured shop with the mind-numbing task of shopping?

As Phoenix walked, he thought about his lunch with Edgeworth. It had been nice to finally spend some time with his friend outside of court.

Hm. I think I annoyed him a bit yesterday. Note to self: don't annoy Edgeworth. He'll just end up getting arrogant, rude and a little bit shitty.

I wonder if he'll call me today to arrange another meeting? It'd be a shame not to see him again.

As Phoenix walked, his mind strayed.

Thank God for Kay. If it wasn't for her, then Edgeworth would never have needed my help. Without her, we may have been stripped of the chance to rekindle our friendship.

Phoenix wasn't sure what it was about Edgeworth. He didn't know why he was so keen to be friends again. It had been almost twenty years since the two had been close friends, and, had it been anyone else, he was sure that he would have given up.

But Edgeworth was special. Phoenix loved being in his company, even when the man was being a complete jerk. He wanted to know what made him absolutely furious, what made him smile; what he thought of the defence attorney whose life he left a mark on. Sure, Edgeworth thought of him as an idiot, but was that all an act? Perhaps Edgeworth was softer than he appeared; too afraid of the world around him to leave himself exposed and open to heartbreak.

Surely, then, if that were the case, Edgeworth needed someone to teach him otherwise? Because not everyone in the world wanted to hurt him - there were people who actually cared. There were people who didn't want to find the note, "Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth chooses death," on his desk, because, perhaps this time, there would be no happy ending; no relieved sighs of 'thank God it was only a trick'.

Phoenix shook his head to himself, and wondered when he started to care so much. Edgeworth was simply a jerk who didn't know how to act in social situations, and that's all there was to it.

But he was a jerk that Phoenix wanted to help.

"Well, if he hasn't called by lunchtime, I'll call him." Phoenix muttered to himself, by way of ending the bizarre thoughts in his head.

He made it to the bus stop, and sat down. It was a chilly day; not quite winter, yet not warm enough to brave the cold in a t-shirt. Phoenix pulled his thin jacket tighter around his body, content with the small piece of comfort from the wind it brought him.

Phoenix glanced upwards, and smiled as he saw the familiar sight of public transport driving towards him. He got up out of his seat and waited patiently; his mind wandering to what Maya would be up to.

It's quite a long journey to Kurain. She'll probably be eating. Or reading comic books. Or falling over.

Phoenix smirked to himself as the bus came to a stop in front of him. He clambered onboard, paid the correct fee, and sat down in a vacant seat.

I wonder if she misses me half as much as I miss her? Then again, she's got Pearls. I don't have anyone at the moment.

Except Edgeworth. Maybe.

Phoenix glanced out of the window and watched the world pass by; bright shops and giggling teenagers, couples embracing and dull grey pavements.

Hm. If we really want to find him a partner, I'm going to have to teach him everything. I can't believe he's so inept. He went bright red when I was holding his hand yesterday.

Though, perhaps forcing him to hold my hand was a tad overboard. I don't really know why I insisted, actually. I certainly didn't benefit from it, and I'm sure it's just made Edgeworth hate me even more now.

Though, the look on his face when Natasha interrupted was pretty hilarious…

After a few more minutes of monotonous grey and people with umbrellas, the bus came to a stop. Phoenix got off his feet and hopped off - uttering a half-hearted 'thanks' to the overweight driver with terrifying ear-hair.

Hm. Where to now, where to now? I'm hungry. Perhaps food and coffee is the best way forwards.

Phoenix started walking towards the nearest coffee shop - a shop he visited often, where the staff knew his name and sold the muffins he liked.

He walked for a while, and tried to clear his head in the process. His thoughts were jumbled up and circling around his head at an alarming pace; causing his mood to change every few minutes.

He was miserable about being parted from Maya, amused by the memories of yesterday's lunch memories, excited about his possible friendship with Edgeworth, and confused about his feelings for Iris.

Yes, at the back of his messed-up mind, even thoughts of Iris were lingering. He was sure that he hadn't fallen in love with her for the second time, but, if given the chance, what would he do? Would he take it? If she offered him her gentle, warm love, would he take the risk?

There was nothing Phoenix wanted more than to be loved and have someone to love in return. Sure, his relationship with Maya could be perceived as the love he was looking for - even Edgeworth had questioned it.

Perhaps he was looking in the wrong place? Perhaps Edgeworth and everyone else had been right all along - that it was Maya who he was looking for. Maya with all of her charm and chaos - her happy-go-lucky charisma and infectious laughter. Perhaps she was everything that he wanted - that he needed - in love.

But Phoenix wanted excitement - he desired the thrill of falling in love with someone he hadn't expected to. He'd known Maya for the longest time now - he'd practically lived with her for three years. He knew everything about her, so how could it be anything other than the best kind of platonic love?

…I think I definitely need that coffee. All this thinking about love is going to give me a headache. I'm fine just as I am.

Phoenix shook his head in a half-hearted attempt to clear his thoughts. He wasn't usually much of a thinker - preferring to take life how it was, damn the consequences.

After wolfing down a chocolate muffin and almost inhaling a double-shot espresso, Phoenix felt on top of the world. Thoughts of Edgeworth, Maya and Iris could all disappear - he wasn't going to bother to try and sort through the dark mess in his head.

Just as he was about to get up and leave the warmth of the café, Phoenix's cell phone started to ring.

Hm. I wonder who that could be?

He fumbled around in his pockets for his cell phone, before whipping it out and peering at the caller ID.

Huh. It's Edgeworth. He just can't keep away from my irresistible charm, can he?

Phoenix grinned to himself, happy that Edgeworth had made the effort to actually call, and was just about to answer the phone, when Edgeworth rang off.

Phoenix frowned.

Well, that's weird. Why did he ring off all of a sudden? It wasn't like I kept him waiting for hours or anything.

But Phoenix remembered the promise he'd made himself - no more thoughts about Edgeworth, Maya or Iris.

Right. Okay. Now, I've got to do that stationary shopping. What's on the list?

Phoenix pulled the crinkled list out of his pocket, and unfolded it.

I don't remember writing a list quite this long…

He glanced down at the bottom of the page, and rolled his eyes as he spotted Maya's oh-so-familiar handwriting.

Oh God. What does Maya want with my money now…?

Phoenix read through the list, his dark eyebrows creeping higher up his forehead with every new item.

Do we really need a paper guillotine? What's wrong with good old scissors? And… we need rainbow-coloured stamps pads, why? We don't even own any stamps!

…Oh. That's why Maya's instructed me to buy stamps.

Phoenix rolled his eyes in an exasperated fondness.

Hm. Right, okay. So, according to the list, we need: whiteboard markers, lined paper, printer paper, ink cartridges, twenty white envelopes, a paper guillotine, rainbow-coloured stamp pads, stamps, gel pens, fuzzy pencils, patterned cellotape, and, finally, crepe paper.

Well, I'm glad that Maya's being sensible here.

Phoenix rolled his eyes again, and walked the last few metres to the stationary shop. He wandered inside and picked up a large blue basket from the stack at his right, wondering idly how full it was going to be after he had got everything on the list.

"Okay, so, whiteboard markers first." Phoenix muttered to himself, making his way over to the appropriate isle.

When he had reached his destination, he suddenly remembered why he hated shopping. There were at least seven different types of whiteboard markers - ranging from the ever-popular rainbow-coloured markers, to long-lasting markers, and, finally, to quick-dry markers.

"Why can't I simply buy a pack of whiteboard markers? They really shouldn't give me this much choice. It's too confusing." Phoenix murmured to himself, stretching up on his toes to reach a pack of rainbow-coloured pens.

For Maya's sake, of course.

"Okay. One down, eleven to go."

Phoenix cruised through the next few isles, thankful that there wasn't such a diverse range of printer paper.

Maybe this 'shopping' business isn't too bad. Right, what's next on this list? …Ink cartridges? They're so expensive. Maybe Maya and I should stop printing pictures of kittens off the Internet?

With a yawn, Phoenix headed off towards the ink cartridges, and then proceeded to pick up everything on the list.

Well, that was exciting.

Phoenix headed towards to counter and tried desperately to ignore the fact that his basket was almost busting.

"This is going to cost so much…" Phoenix muttered to himself, wincing as the woman behind the counter started scanning his purchases.

Is it too late to ditch all of my stuff and leave with just the printer paper?

"That'll be sixty six dollars, thank you." the woman said, giving Phoenix a wide grin.

"Okay, thank you." Phoenix said, handing his credit card to her. He watched as she swiped the card, and then felt a sudden rush of dizziness at the amount of money being withdrawn from his account.

Oh, God. I'm not going to be able to eat for a month! I hope Maya appreciates this…

Phoenix grabbed his bags, thanked the over-enthusiastic woman behind the counter, and hurried out onto the street; bags in hand. He looked around for somewhere to sit - all that walking had tired his legs out.

After spotting a moderately clean bench, Phoenix wandered over and sat down. As not to appear like he had no friends, he pulled his phone out and pretended to be deeply involved in a text conversation.

Hm, now that I've got my phone out, I may as well call Edgeworth. Perhaps it was too ambitious of me to think that he would actually call me.

Phoenix searched through his contacts list until he located Edgeworth's name, and then dialled before he could change his mind.

Miles picked up on the third ring.

"Miles Edgeworth speaking." he answered, his voice as bored and monotonous as always.

"Hey, Edgeworth! It's me. Uh, I mean, it's Phoenix. Phoenix Wright."

Classy, Phoenix. How many other people named 'Phoenix' would he know? God, stop being so flustered and awkward.

"Of course it's you, Wright. You're the only person I know incapable of speaking properly."

"Gee, thanks, Edgeworth. I was just calling because… well, yeah. About the meeting that we're supposed to be going on. Dinner date and all that." Phoenix rolled his eyes inwardly, and could almost see the inevitable look of 'you shouldn't be allowed to speak without cue cards' on the prosecutor's face.

"Wright, we met yesterday. I hardly want to be meeting you every day. I don't know whether I mentioned it or not, but I do this thing that keeps me busy all day. It's called 'work'. Perhaps you should try it." Miles said.

"Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, Edgeworth." Phoenix commented, idly picking at the knee of his jeans.

"Look, Wright, in all seriousness, I'm busy. Was there any particular reason why you called, other than the fact that you want to drag me out under the pretence of 'teaching me about love'?"

Phoenix was silent.

He sounds like he's in a bit of a mood.

"Uh… Oh, I forgot to ask! How are you?" Phoenix edged around the question carefully, as he didn't really have a reason to be calling Edgeworth; especially if Edgeworth had decided that being friends was too much of an effort.

"Wright. I'm not an idiot, despite what you may think. I would appreciate it if you would refrain from sticking your nose where it doesn't belong - namely, my personal life."

"What are you talking about?" Phoenix asked, cautiously glancing up at the sky. It was making thundering noises, and he didn't want to be caught out in the rain.

"Stop trying to distract me. I'll hang up." Miles threatened.

Phoenix was just about to make a snarky comment, when he heard a muffled scream of 'Get off me!' that didn't sound too far away.

What was that?

He got up off the bench, and wandered over to where the noise seemed to be coming from. He snuck into a side road - a strangely dark place which held a certain kind of creepiness typical of a horror movie.

He heard another noise, though, this time, it was much closer. It sounded like someone was crying; muffled noises of hurt and fear were echoing in the small street.

"Hello? Anyone there?" Phoenix called out nervously, wishing that he some sort of weapon to protect himself with. Who knew what type of people lurked in the shadows?

"Wright? Are you still there? I've got work to do. Stop fooling around." Miles' loud voice rang out over the phone's speakers.

"Ssh, Edgeworth." Phoenix hissed into the phone, moving his thumb to cover the speaker - cutting off Miles' inevitable demands of 'What have you done now?'.

He crept closer to where a large skip bin sat gathering dust in the middle of the pavement, his heart beating furiously in his chest. It seemed strange that someone would carry out such a heinous act in broad daylight, but Phoenix had seen enough scum in Court to justify his thoughts.

Finally, Phoenix felt the harsh, rusting metal of the skip bin beneath his fingertips, indicating that his infinitesimal steps had actually been moving his body forwards.

Here goes nothing.

He jumped out in front of the bin with a startled cry - half expecting to see a dying individual and a murderer poised for action. However, his eyes focused on the young girl at his feet - very much alive. She had a large purple bruise across her left cheekbone and a large gash across her forehead.

She was a teenager, Phoenix guessed. A pretty girl. Long blonde hair was swept up in a ponytail, dark lash-framed blue eyes filled with tears.

Phoenix bent down.

"Hey, hey, it's okay." he murmured, trying his best to be comforting. He'd never been particularly good at reassuring others, but he rather thought that his effort was really all that mattered. "You're going to be fine. I'll get you out of here."

No time to worry about what happened to her - she probably needs to go to the hospital to have something done to her forehead.

The girl merely squeaked in response, bringing her hands to cover her mouth. Phoenix noticed the look of absolute terror on her face, and wondered why she presumed he was threatening.

"No, don't be afraid." Phoenix tried to smile at the girl; his special heart melting grin that he reserved for special people. "I'm here to help."

But then he heard a cry, felt something connect with the back of his head, and then…

Nothing.