The never to be turnabout

There was something imposing about the office of the high prosecutors that made visitors feel rather nervous about being there, even if they were invited.

In Wright's case, having Edgeworth glaring at him did not help at all.

"Look Edgeworth, I presume that you have something important to tell me?" Wright began. It would be much easier if Maya was here as there was always something that she would be laughing about, which could distract him quite well.

"It is important." Edgeworth said, but stopped once more.

There were time when Wright was tempted to just play the game of seeing who give up first and speak, but he knew that he lacked the patience to hold on.

"Is it to do with Matt Engarde?"

"No."

Really, this conversation was getting nowhere.

"Look Edgeworth, I actually have a meeting with a possible client…" Wright began.

"- weeks- come- " Was all that Wright caught as this was said in a mutter.

"What?"

"You know I am not good with small talk." Edgeworth immediate said defensively.

"Miles, you would describe our wedding as small talk?" much to Wright's relief, they were joined by Gabrielle. Despite Edgeworth being a much closer friend, it was easier to talk to her.

"I see that you haven't made any progress." Gabrielle muttered dryly as she stood behind her soon-to-be husband and placed her arms around him. "Do you want me to ask him instead?"

"…I can do it." Edgeworth said steadily.

"Then ask him!" Gabrielle insisted. "I want this too."

"Wright." Edgeworth snapped out after a cough, and Wright couldn't help but to reply that he was not an officer that worked under the other. Gabrielle must have felt a similar enough way as she rolled her eyes

"Miles, is this the way that you ask someone to do you a favour?" she muttered in mock despair. "Perhaps I ought to ask Mr Wright while you ask Franziska for me."

"Wright, I am going to get married in a few weeks and I am inviting you and Maya."

Wright almost wanted to yell out: "Is it really so hard for you to just say this?"

Of course that was not. This was why.

"And I want you to be my best man."

Despite the way that it was asked, Wright was naturally very happy and even a bit honoured to accept. After all, this seemed to be Edgeworth finally admitting that they were friends once again.

"…thank you, Mr Wright." Gabrielle said warmly upon the confirmation. "I want you to know that this is not just what Miles want, but what I want as well. However, I apologise for only telling you now, as we decided to set the date rather quick."

"No, I will be fine. Eh…do you want me to make a speech or anything?" Wright asked as he scratched his spiky hair. "I can mention something about when we were in primary and- "

"Oh yes!" the bride-to-be said eagerly, but the groom-to-be reacted in a completely opposite way. "I thought you were busy, Wright."

"…I am really glad that he agreed." Gabrielle said when she was alone with her fiancé. "My bridesmaids have agreed too. But Miles, I can't have Franziska taking out her whip during the ceremony!"

Franziska has become one of her bridesmaids along with Gabrielle's friends since she was like a sister-in-law.

There was a knock on the door although this was really just a show of courtesy as the next moment, the door was thrown open. This was rather strange because Franziska was the only one who would actually just open his door without waiting for him. However, she did not have the hobby of knocking on his door as she claimed that a big sister did not need to.

The answer was easy enough: there were two people.

"Why did these foolish fools assign this foolish task with this foolish fool to me?" Franziska said impatiently as she whipped at the table.

The cause of her anger seemed to be the young man beside him. Edgeworth did not know who he was but he felt that he could probably take an automatic dislike towards this young man due to the way that he dressed. Really, was this how you ought to dress when you were in a high prosecutor's office?

"This foolish fop is Klavier Gavin." Franziska snapped with her whip now hitting the floor. "To think that I was assigned to be his guide during his time in America. When I get my hand on the one that dares…"

However, Edgeworth had to admit that this young man had some sort of courage since he appeared to be completely undaunted by Franziska and this was actually quite some achievement.

"Your last name Gavin sounds quite familiar." Edgeworth commented. "Would you happen to be related to Kristoph Gavin?"

"So you know my bro." Kalvier said in the accent that would later be described as 'affected Euro-rock accent' by someone.

"And what are you doing here in my office?" Edgeworth demanded, being one of those who find the accent annoying. It is because he, as someone who spent a significant amount of time in Germany and Europe, could tell that this accent was done on purpose.

"I might be joining this crowd so I thought I would have a look at the stars." Klavier said easily. "And the Fraulein here has been kind enough to take me around for a tour!"

Definitely the wrong thing to say.

"Eh…are you alright?" Gabrielle asked worriedly as she knelt down beside him. "Mr Gavin, how many fingers am I holding up?"

"There is no need to worry about a fool as that would only make you as foolish as him." Franziska said before she received the tea from Edgeworth. Not only could he sympathise with her, he felt that Klavier has only got himself to blame for what happened.

"Fraulein…" Gabrielle didn't understand what German word he had used to describe her but it obviously irritated Edgeworth.

"Franziska, I want this fop out of my office."

Wait…what was this guy doing? Why was he taking her hand? Was she over reacting or was he actually flirting with her?

In front of her future husband and sister-in-law no less!

"Hope we never meet that again." Edgeworth commented dryly when the two has left.

"Why were they here anyway?" was Gabrielle's comment. However, she was then distracted by something else. "Miles, what was the German word that he used?"

"I didn't catch it."

"Speaking of German words that I cannot understand…" Gabrielle added. "Miles, you never tell me what these German words that you use with me means. I am sure that they are endearment but you never let me know what they mean. However, what is the point of using endearments with me when I cannot understand it?"

Because the only reason that he could say these words were if she did not know what it means, as he would find it too embarrassing.

Which she naturally suspected.

Well, one thing at a time, Gabrielle decided. It was not possible for him to change over night. Besides, that young boy was not very good with talking either.

Life was full of what if and she knew this too well. However, there were still times where she would fantasise about things that could never be.

What if this happened instead of that?

What if Edgeworth and his father did not move away? Would all of their life be very different? If Gregory Edgeworth was still alive, would her fiancé be a much more open man?

Or what if that tragedy did not happen? Would they still have met one another again?

"Gabby?" All of a sudden, she was very quiet and when he turned to her, he saw that her gaze seemed to be quite far. "Gabby, what is it?"

"I was just thinking…" She said absently. "Of what ifs."

"What ifs…" he repeated this word with a slight frown before he told her that it was foolish to think of such a thing. However, he was not completely truthful as he actually continued to think of this himself.

That must be why he had that strange dream. He had been haunted by nightmares for too long, but that dream differed. It was not a nightmare as it showed him a happy life. Yet it was probably worse then a nightmare as it showed him what could never be.

One would miss something even more if it is gone after they finally found it again. He would know this as this was what he felt with his fiancée. Being by himself during the past year was very hard as he had grown to use to having her right beside him, although there was a time when he would never have thought that he would let anyone be with him.

The dream…

The office of Edgeworth and son was doing very well, and many told the father that his son was very much like him. Granted that the young man was still a bit blunt with his words, potential clients could still tell that he was a good person.

One who firmly believed in justice.

Edgeworth the senior was away right now due to one of his client. However, they had been celebrating the success of the case, so the mood was not sombre. The younger Edgeworth, however, was at the office as he did have a new client just yet, although there was no doubt that he soon would.

However, he was not alone. Another young man was with him and they had various books spread out in front of them.

"If you don't have the determination of doing the hard work that is necessary, then you ought not bother to go to law school." Miles was saying. However, despite the amount of complaint from him, it was clear that he would not stop helping his best friend to study.

Gregory also took a liking for the boy that remained the best friend of his son. In fact, he was sure that Wright would end up joining their office one day.

"Excuse me…is this Edgeworth and Son's law firm?"

The possible client was a young woman with chestnut hair. It was strange, but Miles suddenly saw the image of a little girl with chestnut hair. A scene from a very long ago.

"I am Miles Edgeworth and that is…our intern Phoenix Wright." Miles had decided that Wright needed a reason to be here so that was what he came up with.

"My name is Gabrielle Revien. Do you…remember me, Miles? If it is okay for me to call you that."

"Gabby?" he began, and he walked right in front of her. So this woman was that little girl with the chestnut hair. The girl who had been the friend of the little boy who did not fit in with the rest of the class, as well as being his neighbour. There were times when he thinks of her, as he would wonder what would have happened to them if his father did not move.

"You remember me then?" she said with a smile, but he could tell that she was clearly very nervous. "Well…I…the thing is…"

"Why don't you take a seat, Miss Revien?" Wright suggested. After all, this was not the first time that this has happened and he was glad at being able to stay, as this was all part of his learning.

"I…I need a lawyer. Daddy…my father has been accused of murder. However…we do not have much money. Do not," She quickly said very firmly, "think that I am asking for charity just because I knew you. I will pay you or your father. It is just that it will not be immediate."

Edgeworth did not remember the other man that well, but he recalled a man who loved his only daughter very much and therefore extended his affection to the boy whom she regarded as her best friend.

Besides, he was still a very young man who did not realise how dangerous and even cruel the world could be.

The fact that Pierre Revien was guilty did not enter his head at all.

However, what really happened became evident in the second day of the trial.

"Father…I cannot go through this!" Miles said at the intermission that day. "He is guilty, this is so obvious! But yet Gabby…Gabrielle will never believe me and she is convinced that I can save him. I know she will never forgive me but I will never forgive myself if I do this!"

"Miles, calm down." His father said sternly, as his son was clearly getting very agitated. "First of all, answer this question. Why are you a defence attorney?"

"Because- "

"I don't want an answer, Miles, because it should be your own answer." His father said gently.

"My answer?"

Yes, why did he want to be a defence attorney? Now that his father had forced him to think about it, he realised that this has simply become something that he regarded as fact. It was simply part of his future: what he was going to do.

To preserve justice…that seemed to be the answer that he had gave so long ago.

Justice…if he defended Gabrielle's father and let him get away with murdering her stepmother, that would not be justice. That would be as bad as helping a criminal.

Yet this man was his client, and Gabrielle had placed his trust in him. Was it not a defence attorney's duty to do this?

"I cannot do this." he muttered in frustration once again.

No, he would get Pierre Revien to confess to the truth and if the other would not, he would go to the prosecutor in charge and tell him.

Wait, was that not a bit ridiculous?

However, he was not able to defend a man that was guilty.

What was it that he should do?

"Miles!"

Out of all the people, it had to be Gabrielle who come, and the worst bit was how she looked. Her eyes were shining and he was reminded of that young girl from so long ago. That young girl who had looked at him and assigned a heroic status to him without him ever understanding why.

The truth was that he had not changed that much. Just liked then, he still wanted to be able to be like that in her eyes.

"Gabby…"

"I know that I shouldn't interrupt you but I want to say thank you again!" she said happily as she gave him a hug, he would find out that she could be rather impulsive like that. "I want to say thank you."

"…Gabby, do you remember what I had said to you a long time ago, when we were children? Why I will be a defence attorney like my father?"

Yes, it was to her that he had said these words.

"Of course, and you are doing that, are you not? You helped all these people and you are helping daddy." Gabrielle said before she turned to smile at her father, who was right by her. "Daddy, you don't need to worry because I know that Miles can save you!"

A strange emotion appeared on the father's eyes, and this actually gave Miles a sense of hope.

"Mr Revien…" he began steadily, having decided that he cannot do something that would make him feel as if he was betraying his own principles. "You know what really happened, do you not?"

"…what do you mean by that?"

Yes, Pierre Reiven was definitely guilty.

"What really happened." Miles repeated again before he let his eyes rested on the young woman. "Do you really think that it is fair for you to hide this?"

"What do you mean?" anger was in the other's voice now.

"You do not stand here falsely accused." Miles finally said. His voice was very slow, but it was very steady. "You are rightly accused."

"Miles, have you gone mad? You are daddy's lawyer!" Gabrielle shrieked out before she added the following without any hesitation "Besides, daddy would never kill my stepmother. He loves her too much."

"Even though she had a new boyfriend and planned to leave him?" Miels pointed out.

"Yes, he was mad at her but he would not have killed her! Daddy would never do such a thing!" Gabrielle said once more without any hesistaiton.

"Mr Revien…" Miles began very slowly. "When Gabirille and I were only children, she often spoke of how lonely she was at you not being there. However, she never once blamed you as you were her father that she loved and adored. Would you repay all the trust and love she give you by having her continuing believing in your lies?"

Gregory had stood outside the defence lobby as he knew that his son needed to be alone. He was rather worried when the other two entered, but he knew that this was what had to be. Even though he did not enter, his concern for his son made him stand very close to the door in the hope of hearing something.

Something did happen. Gabrielle started to scream but he was unable to understand what she was saying as she did it in French. His son might as Miles actually studied some foreign language. At this, Gregory shook his head while a faint smile appeared on his face. It was ironic that he would be thinking of how proud he was of his son's achievement at such an unsuitable time.

A few minutes later, the door was slammed open and Gabrielle exited, her face streaked with tears.

The rest of the room was not exactly doing good either. First of all, he noticed his son with his head buried in his hand, while their client looked very pale and his fists were tightly clenched together.

"…so, are you happy now?" Pierre Revien finally said and this provoked a very strong reaction from Miles.

"How dare you say this to me after what you had done! You are the one who let Gabrielle bear this burden of her father is a murderer!"

"Yes…that is true. However…" Pierre sighed again before he asked the following. "Miles, you seem to be very fond of my daughter. Therefore, I want to know this: would you have defended and covered up for me if you actually loved her?"

"My relationship with Gabrielle is nothing like that!" was actually Miles' immediate reaction, and he actually appeared rather flustered. However, he then calmed down in order to answer the question properly. "I am a defence attorney and my job is to find out the truth. Therefore, I will do all that I can."

He understood now. As a young boy and teenager, he had been occupied with the ideal of being a hero that could save others, as this was how he saw his father. Therefore, he had become a defence attorney with the belief that he would fight for justice by saving his clients.

However, he now understood that the important thing was the truth. It was not about winning or saving their clients, but about discovering the truth.

The truth would always find a way to make itself known. Even though there were times when it would be hidden, if one fight for it hard enough then it would come true.

"A good answer," Pierre said with a strange smile. "But what if it was Gabby that was accused?"

Why was it that he was not immediately able to come with his answer: "She would never do such a thing" due to seriously considering that possibility.

It was a case that would be widely broadcast for many reasons. First of all, Miles Edgeworth had been a figure in many spotlights due to his age and past histories- which had all been victories. Therefore, his first loss would have been broadcasted anyway. However, it was also the circumstance of the defeat. His client actually returned from the intermission to confess.

Even though Miles did reach a new understanding, his father still decided that it would be best if he take a break by concentrating on paperwork. Miles was not very happy about this because it was easier to be distracted when one was doing paperwork, as opposed to working on a new case for a client.

When the door opened, he automatically presumed that it was Wright.

"…just take a seat – " he began, but found himself stopping due to seeing the real identity of the visitor.

It was Gabrielle- and the truth was that he has actually been thinking of her for more then he would like.

She was actually smiling. It was different from the smile she had before but what could one expect after what she just went through? The fact that she was smiling, and smiling at him, was already very amazing.

"Miles, I wish to apologise to you." she began, as she stood right in front of his desk. "I am sorry for all the things that I shouted at you when daddy confessed that he was the one who did it. It wasn't your fault at all."

"It was perfectly understandable." He said.

"I guess I should also thank you as well." Gabrielle added. "Because you actually helped me a lot and it was not your fault that daddy was really guilty."

She then placed an envelope on his desk. "This is part of the payment."

"I…I am surprised."

"Did you think that I would not pay you due to what would happen?" she guessed accurately. "I won't do that…especially not to you."

"What- what do you mean by that?"

She merely smiled as she leant forward, and he suddenly felt rather awkward at this.

"Miles, thank you." at this, she then kissed him on the checks.

It was his wedding and even though he was the type of person who would have been perfectly content with a very simple and civil ceremony, his wife had expressed a desire of a ceremonial wedding.

As Gabrielle's father was in prison, it was decided that Gregory Edgeworth would be the one who escorted her down the aisle.

However, there was something very strange about all this. Miles thought. Yes, it was true that it ought to be the brie's father that did this, but that did not seem to be why he felt so strange. Without knowing why, he felt that his father should not be standing there at all.

"I would have. I would like to." His father said softly as he walked to him. However, everyone else had become very still.

"Father…this is a dream, isn't it?" he whispered.

Even though he would like nothing more then have his father tell him that it was the reality that was a dream, he knew what was real and what was not.

"A dream, yes." Gregory said and there was reluctance in his voice as well. After all, he would like to have been able to be with his son the way that a father should have. "However, this does mean that this is not real."

"…I don't understand."

"It doesn't matter. I simply want to talk to you, that is all." Gregory said before he smiled. "Miles, I am really proud of you."

"Proud…of…me?" at this, Miles smiled as well, but his smile was a very different one. "Father…I did many bad things due to my own foolishness."

At one stage, he was even willing to give a guilty verdict to Wright even though he did know that Wright would not have committed any murder, let along that of his beloved teacher.

It was easy to blame it all on Manfred von Karma but he knew that this was not so. No matter what, it had been him who made these twisted decision as well when they were presented in front of him.

"You made a mistake, that is all." Gregory said without any hesitation. "Miles, I want you to remember that you ended up being a very fine young man and I am proud to be your father. It is regretful that I am not able to come to your wedding, but I will be watching."

Edgeworth knew that he was awake when he saw his surrounding- the apartment that he lived in was much more extravagant then the house he would have had if he was a defence attorney. However, he could not deny that he had been so much happier in that dream.

After all, his father had been alive.

It was true that he would still had a self struggle due to not realising what it really meant to be a defence attorney and prosecutor, but he would never had been haunted by his father's death.

However, he did realise one thing.

Both the prosecutor and defence attorney's purpose was actually the same: it was to find the truth. At the very least, he would no longer be haunted by being a prosecutor.

Perhaps it was just a dream…yet he was oddly at peace due to that visit with his father.1

Author's Note:Initially, this was going to be an individual oneshot and the idea was that of a 'what if', which I guess I still did, only that it ended up being in the form of a dream. Initially, all I wanted to write was that Edgeworth was still a defence attorney and he had a much happier life. But I then thought, what if something like Wright happened to him? When he would be questioning his own belief? The idea then ended up happening. In the dream, I actually used the first name of Edgeworth as his father due to both of them being there, as I feel that if I continue to use their last name it would get really weird

I had to make the title of this story up and it was actually quite hard, as I wanted to keep to theme with the turnabout idea, although rise from the ashes sort of broke it themselves

As for the bit when Klavier come out, I just wanted to have that bit