Turn about goodbyes (Part 2)
The trial would start and even though she was probably Edgeworth's closest relatives, she was still not able to be in the defendant lobby with him. Much to her relief though, he looked a bit calmer. However, she could not deny that this might very well be fatalism.
The prosecutor was von Karma, whom Gabrielle has never seen or talked to before. However, she has talked to Franziska a few times on the phone, although that was the extent of her dealing with the von Karma.
Gabrielle did not really understand the extent of her fiancé's relationship with them. When they were engaged, she did ask whether he was going to tell his foster family about this. At this, he had told her that it was not the type of adoption that she was thinking of. However, a few days later she was to receive a phone call from Franziska von Karma, who not only has discovered about the engagement, told her that she needed to 'see if you are worthy of being with my little brother'.
As she watched von Karma the senior begin the trial, Gabrielle thought that she was able to understand, a little, of why Edgeworth ended up being like this.
This was not the first trial that she has gone to and very sadly, this was the second time when the defendant was someone that she cared about. However…she was determined that the outcome of the trial would be very different: the defendant must be found not-guilty.
Yet she could not be as confident as she would like. She wanted to argue that it was because of what happened with her father, yet she knew that it was because of her fiancé. Even though he had let her see what most people would never see, there was still much that he hid from her.
"I am not ready to talk about it." that was what he would say, and she had no choice other then to accept it.
The trial was extremely intense and there were many times when she thought that she was going to pass out because it seemed that the verdict 'guilty' was going to be declared. She has seen her fiancé in action and thought of him as very good, but she had to admit that von Karma was truly much different.
She had hated Edgeworth when he was prosecuting her father, but what she felt for von Karma was much stronger then that. She desperately wished for something to happen to him so that Wright could have a chance of speaking, which ought to help Edgeworth.
However, she was even more confused. Von Karma seemed to have no care for Edgeworth at all, as there was not the slightest hesitation. In fact, he did not even bother to look at Edgeworth. Therefore…why would he take him in?
Surely von Karma ought to know what type of men Edgeworth was. He should surly know that Edgeworth was innocent? What was a simple lose compared to an innocent man?
"Gabby, didn't I tell you that this was type of man that von Karma is?" Edgeworth commented after the trial, when she was in the detention centre. "His main concern is his perfect record…and I seemed to have taken his lessons a bit too well."
"But he adopted you and – "
"Even now, I am not very sure why he did that." Edgeworth admitted before he told her: "Gabby, I want you to go and pay the bail fee for Maya Fey. Tell Wright that this is a…reward. A reward for being able to last to the next day."
She was quite tempted to ask him why he could not just say 'thank you' in a straightforward fashion, but she was quite glad of this, as it showed that he must be recovering by being his normal self.
She had always hated an empty house due to what happened in her childhood, but their empty apartment seemed even worse. Instead of being able to comfort herself with the fact that she would soon no longer be alone, there was the faint fear of: "what if he would be guilty?"
Like many people in her situation would do, she was desperate to find tasks that would distract her. She then settled on cleaning the apartment, although this was not really necessary. After all, the apartment provided cleaners.
She allowed herself a slight smile as she recollected the first time she encountered this person. This took place a few days after she moved in with him and he did not feel that it was necessary to warn her about this: perhaps he had lived in such a way for so long that he forgot about it.
The result was that he had to quickly assure her that the woman who seemed to be rummaging through her wardrobe was not stealing from her, but was actually sorting out her clothes for her.
The only thing that needed to be tided up in the apartment was the things that she had not put back since she received the call a day ago. She actually feel asleep on the sofa due to wanting to wait for her fiancé, but it turned out that he was unable to come home.
The last time that she slept on the bed…he had been there. Without understanding why, she was suddenly reluctant to sleep in their bed. To a certain extent, she was a bit afraid of an empty bed, but this was something that only developed when she begin to live with him. After all, her own bed had been quite small. She did not like the feeling of turning and seeing an empty spot beside her, especially when that spot was meant to have someone else there.
Going to the bedroom was out of the question, so she found herself at the living room. She must have just stood there for a while as she was suddenly startled by the phone. When she picked it up, she was to learn that it had been ringing for quite some time.
"Miss Revien, I know that this is really hard for you, but please try to hold on." Wright told her gently before he gave her a brief report on his progress. "Miss Revien, I need to ask you more about the DL6 case."
"I do not know that much about it other then the very basic." Gabrielle said apologetically. "Mr Wright, I am really sorry that I won't be able to be more help to you but…"
"It is alright. I know what Edgeworth is like." Wright pointed out before an idea suddenly hit him. "Mia- my teacher- had many collections of old cases. Perhaps Edgeworth might have them to."
"I do not think that I have the ability of going into his office." She pointed out.
"Well, I thought that Edgeworth might have a study or something…"
This was a good idea, and Gabrielle decided to do it. Partly because he was simply desperate for something to do, but it was also because it was likely that she might really be able to find something.
The study had always been his since she had no need of such a thing. However, it was not as if she could not go there. There have been times when she did in order to get books from there, but the time that she entered was quite rare.
The study was also one of the rooms in the houses that might have its door locked. Edgeworth said that it was because there were times when he needed to concentrate and having another person suddenly enter it might completely disorganise his train of thought. Because of this, Gabrielle had teased him that this was like a boy's secret base.
The study did serve as an office and the filing cabinet probably did contain some valuable information. However, she had never wondered about what was in there until now.
The filing cabinet was probably a backup of all his cases, as all the papers were photocopies. However…since they contained all of the cases that he was involved in…
So was that case.
When she saw Edgeworth again after more then a decade, it was at the police centre, as she was told that she would be meeting the defence attorney.
She had to admit that it was not Detective Gumshoe's fault for her assumption of Edgeworth being the defence attorney because he only got around to saying the name. However, why was he introducing her to him anyway?
"Miles! You are that Miles! Then daddy will be fine, as I am sure that you are a very good defence attorney." She was happy because she truly did believe that he would be very good at whatever career he choose. Perhaps it was the same faith that she had when he helped her with her homework. Because he said the answer was this, then the answer much be that.
Ironically, the next time that they faced each other again was at the police centre again, as she was there to talk about the details of her father's sentence.
"Miss Revien…" Edgeworth began as he held out a handkerchief to her. After what had happened, she was crying and has not stopped since she left the court.
Later on, Gabrielle would realise that this was actually a very kind act. However, at that time all she could think about was the fact that this person was the one responsible for her father, who she believed to be innocent, to be falsely condemned and imprisoned.
"Get out of my sight!" she yelled out, slapping that hand away.
"Miss Revien, please calm down." Gumshoe began as she continued to scream since Edgeworth did not leave.
"…you really ought to take the handkerchief." Edgeworth said as he continued to hold it to her.
Even though she would like to have a handkerchief or a tissue, as the sobbing was at the stage where she looked disastrous, Gabrielle refused to accept any of his aid. This then mean that she was forced to use the back of her hand, which was probably even more embarrassing.
"Gabrielle, do not be so irrational." Edgeworth muttered as he placed the handkerchief onto her lap. However, she reacted by flinging it off.
"What part of get out of my sight do you not understand?" she said angrily.
Normally, he would have just left, yet he actually continued to find her, even after she slammed the door in his face.
Gabrielle believed that it was because she represented a time in his life where he had been happy. After all, she met him in the year before he met Wright, so he would not automatically think of the case when he thought of her. Otherwise, she was sure that the brief friendship between two young children would not be able to last long enough for him to accept her.
During the time of the trial, Gabrielle would try to find all the information that she could, as well as doing various chores in the house. She was simply too afraid at not having anything to do. It was as if she was re-living the nightmare of the time that her father had been arrested.
"Sweetheart, if he is innocent then you can only believe him." her father told her when she went to visit him. "After all, the justice system is quite good."
It seems an idealistic view, but this was not completely so. After all, Pierre Revien was a good example. He had tried to frame his wife's new boyfriend for the crime, but he was still the one who was arrested even though the other had been accused.
He loved his daughter and even though it would be impossible for him to say that he could greatly care for the man, he did not dislike Edgeworth. After all, this young man was merely doing his job and Pierre himself had been guilty, and he could also see that this young man did love his daughter.
"I am sure that your fiancé did not do this, because he has a strong sense of justice.
Gabrielle's worst fear was that her fiancé would be accused of being guilty for the crime of Robert Hammond, and there were many times when she thought that this would happen. There was even a time when it did happen.
However, nothing could prepare her for the surprised twist that suddenly appeared when it seemed that everything was finished.
"Miles…what are you doing?" She whispered when Edgeworth suddenly yelled out after the judge declared out the verdict. Wright and Maya were both as shocked as almost everyone else. However, there was one person who was not.
Von Karma had a very smug smile on his face.
With horror, she recollected what Edgeworth had said to her when she pointed out that he did not do it.
"No, not that."
"For fifteen years I have had these nightmares…for fifteen years I told myself that they were nightmares that resulted due to shock at what I have experienced. However, I realised that they are not nightmares." Edgeworth said very softly before he declared out the following sentence in a clear tone that did not contain any hesitation, as it was a choice that he has spent much time thinking about. "Your honour, I would like to confess to the crime of murdering Gregory Edgeworth, my own father!"
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Normally, Gabrielle would not be allowed into the defendant lobby, but due to the situation, it was decided that she would be given an exception.
Maya was clearly in a highly agitated status just like Gumshoe, but Wright was surprisingly calm. However, the one that concerned her the most was Edgeworth.
"Gabby," he began when he saw her, "I am sorry."
"…it was a nightmare. That is all!" she yelled out. "My stepmother's boyfriend had these same nightmares of being the murderer even though it was daddy who did it."
"I am sorry, Gabby, but they were not nightmares. They were memories of what happened. I know this now." Edgeworth said grimly. He was not a very demonstrative man even when they were alone, but much to her surprise, he actually placed an arm around her. "I am sorry."
She wanted to struggle out of his hold because it was as if this was the last time that he would be able to do so, and she did not want to admit it.
"What is true is true, and crimes must be punished." He said softly, the same words that he had used when she screamed at him for what happened to her father.
"But that is different. Daddy was guilty…you are not."
"Miss Revien is right." Wright suddenly said as he snapped the file shut. "Edgeworth, I am going to proof that you are innocent."
Gabrielle would have liked to ask him more, but a bailiff appeared at that very moment.
"Miss Gabrielle Revien, Mr von Karma just told us that you would be speaking as a witness." The bailiff said. "So please follow me."
"Why do I have to speak?" she asked sharply clinging onto her fiancé ever tighter.
"Mr von Karma just told us to tell you this."
"Does he wish to speak to her?" Edgeworth asked a bit sharply.
"No. He just sent us to bring her back to the court as well as informing her that he would be asking her a few questions."
"It's alright, Gabby, just say the truth and you will be alright." Edgeworth told her in French, hoping that this would gave them some privacy. He was a bit alarmed at what happened since he knew how von Karma operated. After all, he had operated in a very similar way.
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Gabrielle would be the very first witness as it seemed that she would serve as an introduction. An opening.
"Will the witness state her name and profession?"
Despite the fact that she thought she had many things to say, there was something about the way that von Karma glared at the witnesses that her only able to answer the question that he asked. At that moment, Gabrielle thought that she was able to understand what they meant by one who has such a presence.
"My name is Gabrielle Revien, I am a waitress at a French restaurant."
"Miss Revien, what is your relationship with the accused?"
"Miles Edgeworth is my fiancé."
"Has the accused ever spoken of any of these nightmares to you?"
"Sometimes. However, he has always maintained that they are nightmares." Gabrielle said firmly before she suddenly raised her voice. "That is more then normal because they are dreams! Miles would never do something like that!"
She thought that von Karma would tell her to answer his questions without adding anything else, but he did not. Instead, he asked the following: "Miss Revien, are you not the daughter of Pierre Revien, who had been accused and convicted of murdering his wife?"
"Yes, but what has that got to do with anything?"
"Your honour, I would like to point out that whatever defence this witness might say would be suspicious. However, she is to be pitied as she would not be the first woman who falls into a cycle of ill violence. Often, these women would pick a boyfriend who has the same violent trait as their father."
"That is not true at all, Miles isn't like that!"
"Witness, you have said what I need you to say. You can sit back down."
She did not think that her words mattered, but it was clear that von Karma was satisfied at having harmed her and perhaps Edgeworth, who appeared to be more concerned at her. After all, he was very calm, as he seemed to have accepted and believed that this was the punishment that he should have received fifteen years ago.
"Mr Wright, please don't give up on Miles." She whispered over and over again.
The numerous times that Wright was shouting 'objection' was actually what made her have hope. At least this person believed in Edgeworth, even though Edgeworth himself no longer seemed to hold any of this faith in himself.
"Objection! I know who the real murderer is!" Wright yelled out. "It…it is…Prosecutor von Karma!"
This, Gabrielle thought again, was the craziest trial that she has ever been involved in. If it wasn't for the fact that she was personally involved, then she might actually enjoy it, as it was like a drama instead of a real event.
A bullet that has been in one's shoulder for fifteen years…was that actually possible?
The piercing scream told her that it was so.
"…and I would hear this scream, Gabby. That scream is always there." Edgeworth had said when she was comforting him after one of the nightmares.
"It was you who screamed…not my father." Edgeworth murmured before he yelled out. "Why did you adopt me after you killed my father?"
There has been many times when von Karma lost his composure due to a specific point that Wright made. However, this was the first time that he was like this.
"You and your father! Your father shamed me with a penalty and then you…you are the one who left this scar on me!" there were more that von Karma shouted, but they did not need to be heard.
All that Gabrielle could think of was this one thing.
Edgeworth was innocent for the crime committed a few days ago, as well as the crime fifteen years ago.
The mood of the defendant lobby was very different as everyone was celebrating in their own way. Amidst the very centre was her fiancé, who was looking rather awkward.
"Miss Revien, we are all waiting for you!" Maya said cheerfully. "Detective Gumshoe is going to shout us dinner."
The first thought that entered Gabrielle's mind was: "Does he actually have enough money? Even if it is just instant noodles for everyone."
"You can call me Gabrielle, if you want." Gabrielle decided, as the other had already told her to not be so formal by using 'Maya' instead of 'Miss Fey'.
"Gabby, I want to talk to you." Edgeworth said as he took hold of her hand and leaded her to a corner of the lobby. After all, he was still in detention and so had to be within sight of a police officer.
"Gabby…do you remember what you had said to me once? How you think that the reason that I was…attracted to you was because I knew you a year before the case?" Edgeworth began in French. "I think you were right. After what had happened, I actually secretly believed that I was a criminal and believed that I should be punished. In addition, I was afraid of people. However…I then met you again and you were different. Yet even with you, I was rather guarded as I was afraid at what you might find out."
"Miles…what are you trying to say?" she whispered, a bit nervous.
"I haven't been a very good boyfriend." He finally said. "And I am sorry."
He then took her hand again, the hand that wore the ring. "However, I will try to be better. But Gabby, firstly, I think we should both take a holiday after all that has happened. Do you want to go to France? Or do you want to go somewhere else?"
"But before that…there is something else you have to do, Miles." She said with a faint smile. "You need to thank all these people first."
Despite how he behaved, they all believed in him.
"…I am not very good at this." he muttered as he turned to face them as well.
"And one more thing, Miles." She added. "Don't you think that you should give Detective Gumshoe a raise in his salary when he is going to treat everyone to dinner?"
"That is a different matter."
At this, she laughed. It seemed that things were the way it was.
No, this was not so, she thought as she watched Edgeworth give his thanks.
It was better.
Author's Note: it seems that I suddenly have inspiration for this story again. To be honest, I am not sure how it happened but all of a sudden, I am just sitting infront of my desk and typing and typing. Because all of a sudden, ideas are pouring in.
I do not know why, but I just wanted to have the scene where Gabrielle was made into a witness, although it did not really have much influence in regard to the story.
I know that I appear to be skipping a lot of, as the progress is quite fast. However, I don't want this to be a mere repetition and quotation of the game. I think in this chapter, I kind of ended up examining Gabrielle and Edgeworth's relationship a bit more. Basically Gabrielle knew him a year before the DL6 incident. I think this did have an influence- she represented a part of his life that was not really painful. Therefore, he did not feel the need of cutting ties with her. And then, of course, they ended up in love. I hope that the interaction between Gabrielle and Edgeworth would not be to OOC. But I feel that it would not be uncharacteristic if he is quite gentle with her. After all, she is not just his girlfriend, but his fiancée. If he cares about her enough to marry her, then he clearly love her a lot.
Personally, I think there is a sense/implication of EdgeworthxFranziska in the game, but in this story, due to my OC, they will just be like siblings. In the game, Franziska does refer to him as her little brother. It seems that Edgeworth had little contact with von Karma (when I say von Karma, I mean Manfred von Karma) after he went back to America, but probably stayed in touch with Franziska. Therefore, I feel that it is likely that even though Gabrielle would have had no contact with von Karma, she would have had a conversation or two with Franziska.
I actually plan to continue writing- there will be at least two more chapters as I will talk about at least two more cases.
Brief reminder about Gabrielle's past. Her father is French and came from France. Gabrielle herself was born in America. However, she is bilingual as her father would talk to her in French. Given that Edgeworth went to live in Germany, and he seems the type of guy who would probably be able to be multi-lingual, I feel that he might very well be able to speak French.