Phoenix unlocked his apartment and kicked the door open. Maya and Pearls were already there, sitting on the sofa, watching the Pink Princess and munching on burgers.

"Ha Mik, ou ah ee if Ebwof?" Maya muffled passionately.

Phoenix threw his case files on the sofa then plopped on it himself beside the girls, cushioned himself with his arms.
"I'd love to know what that was, Maya." Phoenix sighed in relaxation.

Maya swallowed her mouthful of burgers.
"I said, how was tea with Edgeworth?"

"It was...very civilized... and peaceful."

"The way you say it, doesn't sound like a compliment," Maya shrugged and grabbed another burger. "Not like I care."

"Um...Maya?"

"Huh? What is it, Nick?"

"Can you...do me a favor...?" Suddenly a little pink, Phoenix sat up straight.

"What is it?"

"Can you...um...channel Mia for me?"

"Oh. I thought it was something important." Maya smiled.

"Ah ha ha..." Phoenix laughed awkwardly, scratching his head, not knowing what to say.

Maya threw him a weird look and started channeling Mia. Soon enough, Mia was sitting right in front of Phoenix.

"Um, Pearls? Could you...erm...go back to your room while I talk to Mystic Mia about...work?"

"Oh, okay," said Pearls, with a similar expression of Maya.

"What is it, Phoenix?" Mia smiled gently.

"Oh...um, it's my new case. I just wanted some suggestions from you..."

"I see." Mia crossed her arms and wore on a serious expression. "Well..."

Mia began to study the case, while Phoenix began to study Mia. She had a soft scent of ebony, and she looked particularly attractive when she was working.

Phoenix had always had feelings for Mia. He respected her; but he also had a feeling for her more personally. He had known so since she was alive, and he was pretty positive that that was why he had managed to win with such certainty only on his second case: to fight justice for Mia and take revenge. That was only how he had enough strength.

"Phoenix! Phoenix!"

"Huh? Huh?"

"I've been calling out for you six times. What's on your mind?"

"Oh uh, nothing."

"Hmmm well." Mia eyes him suspiciously. "I've been thinking... this is a difficult case, but it's not like the hardest one we've come through! You haven't summoned me for any case before. Is there something else that you really wanted to say to me?"

Nothing can escape her eyes, thought Phoenix.

"I... I have something to confess."

"?"

"I, I wanted to tell you that... um... I have... strong feelings for you..." Phoenix hung his head shamefully like a child with a wrongdoing. He could tell Mia was surprised, her eyes wide open and her lips curled to a small "o".

"I... well... actually... you're a great man, Phoenix... um..." Mia stammered. She sensed Phoenix had something extraordinary to say, but she wasn't ready for this.

Phoenix had never noticed how tempting the aroma of Mia was. The gentle scent was luring him, and he could refuse it no more... He went closer and closer to Mia... So close he could see every eyelash of her...

"NICKKKK!"

Maya pushed Phoenix right on the sofa, allowing him to hit the huge stack of case files.

"Yeowwwwww..."

"Why...WHY WERE YOU KISSING ME?!"

"Huh? Kissing you? I was kissing..." Then it struck him. He understood what had happened...

Maya raised an eyebrow at him, her cheeks pink from embarrassment.

"Because I... I love you! I always have!" And Phoenix ran away.

Maya froze. Nick... he loved her? Excitement filled Maya; she had fallen for Nick for long. She felt life a little better already.

Phoenix ran to his room, kicked the door shut and grabbed his head. He felt so messed up; he had just confessed love to Mia, then kissed Maya and told her he loved her. He didn't know what to do now, and that he felt guilty. Maya was such a great girl... but he really just liked her as a sister, or a best friend. He didn't know how to explain to her, and he felt like he would never be able to even look her in the eyes without feeling guilty.

Phoenix lay on his bed, closed his eyes. He could still recall the dazzling ebony aroma, stronger and stronger yet more gentle as he closed in... How had it happened? He was kissing Mia! Did Mia run away?

Phoenix felt a slash of pain and a rush of panic grow inside him. He had to make sure.

Carefully, almost in tip-toe, Phoenix walked out of his room and peeked out. Maya was already gone... He assumed Pearls to be, too.

He gave out a sigh of relaxation, yet felt the fear inside him bump. He nervously picked up the phone, dialed the number, and put it down again. Wondering for a while, he picked it up again, took a deep deep breath, and managed to dial the number.

"We won't have to talk about anything else. Nothing. Just that." He encouraged himself silently.

It took Maya no time to pick up.

"Nick?" there was inevitable eagerness in her voice.

"M... Maya..."

"I... Is there something you need to say...?"

"I, um, i wanted to ask you something. It's like, when you channel spirits, other than leaving herself, what other conditions cause the spirit to leave? Like, rather being forced?" Phoenix added hopefully.

"Um, well." Maya's voice sounded a little down. "If the spirit medium runs out of energy, then..."

"Oh! Okay! Thank you!" And Phoenix threw the phone down.