Chapter 51

The Phoenix Wright School of Defense

Phoenix slammed his hand down on the snooze and sat up. He stared at the clock, seven forty-nine. He'd finished at least one snooze cycle. He picked up his phone and the business card he'd been given.

(Okay, ten minutes)

Phoenix lay back down and closed his eyes. His phone in one hand and the business card in the other.

"AHH! WHAT—?"

He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep until the alarm rang again. He slapped the snooze button and then picked up the business card from where it had fallen out of his hand. The clock read seven fifty-eight.

(Close enough)

He punched the numbers into his phone and dialed.

"Hello?" The voice was cheerful, female.

"Um, hello," Phoenix said.

"Hello—oh?"

"Yeah, I'm—I can hear you."

"Good morning!"

"Good morning," Phoenix was starting to feel nervous. The weird girl he was talking to didn't help his apprehension, "Yeah, so I'm looking for—"

"May I ask who's calling?"

"Um," Phoenix said, "My name is Phoenix Wright."

"Oh! You're Wright!"

"Uh, about what?"

"No, you're Wright! Phoenix Wright!"

"That's my name," he chuckled nervously, "Don't wear it out."

She laughed on the other end like an idiot. Like no one had ever come up with anything funnier.

"So," Phoenix said, "So anyway, I was calling about—"

"Are you going to come to the meeting?"

"Um, okay."

She gave him the address. Phoenix frowned, he had no idea how to get there.

"It's going to be at five-thirty."

"Oh, five-thirty this afternoon?"

"Don't be late," she giggled cheerily and then abruptly, hung up.

Phoenix stared at the phone in his hand and frowned. Maybe he shouldn't go to this thing...

(You could go to work instead...)

Phoenix rolled out of bed and went to shower.

(Nah...)

He actually did open the office that day. Made coffee, watered Charley, and played a whole lot of desktop solitaire.

(Hey, it's the thought that counts.)

He went for a walk at about noon. Down to People's Park where he found Eldoon's and had lunch by himself. It was a nice day. Clear and sunny, if not warm yet. He was back in the office that afternoon watching the movie of the week—Dirty Dancing. Well, no one would know he was watching it.

At quarter to four he locked up and walked down to the bus stop. He had a rumpled route map he was studying and a piece of paper where he'd written the address.

(This might end up being an adventure...)

The place was easier to find than he'd expected. A Russian themed dive in a less than savory neighborhood. When he went in the place was deserted. He stood among the heavy wooden tables and looked around.

"Hello?"

(Damn... It's cold in here...)

"Wright! You made it," she had come up from an almost hidden staircase leading into what might be a basement storage area.

"Ms. Shield," Phoenix said, "Afternoon."

"It sure is," she said and waved at him to follow her downstairs.

There were two other people sitting at the small round table in the room, one tall and the other short. Both men looked at him in surprise and stood to greet him.

(Wow. They seem to know who I am.)

"My name is Dan," the tall guy said shaking Phoenix's hand, "Dan Boucheri."

"And I'm Phil," the short guy said, "Phil Miyupp."

"Oh," Phoenix said, "Uh, nice to meet you guys... I'm Phoe—"

"We know who you are," Dan said.

"Let me just say that it's an honor, a pleasure to meet you in person," Phil said.

"Yeah," Phoenix said, "Gee Thanks!"

(Wow, I have followers?)

"So um," Phoenix said looking around the room, "What are we up to, today?"

"Just waiting on the boss," Phil said.

Shield looked at her watch and frowned, "He's usually very punctual."

"Do you think something happened to him?" Dan said.

"Good Afternoon," Phoenix turned toward the stairs to look at their recent companion and nearly fell out of his chair.

"Miles Edgeworth?"

"So who is he anyway?" Phoenix asked.

She didn't answer right away, pausing instead to take a bite of her Panini. He stared at her with not too subtle annoyance.

(Why does she do this?)

"Um," Shield said and swallowed her food, "He's a student at Themis. Trying to be a defense attorney."

Phoenix frowned, "So he's not even finished with school? How does a law student get to have that much influence in a trial?"

"I dunno," Shield said, "Why do you care anyway? You didn't even want to take the case."

"That's not the point," Phoenix said.

"So what is your point?"

Phoenix shook his head, "I'm just trying to understand what happened."

Shield shrugged, "He must've been innocent."

"Sheinheilig? Have you met that guy? He's guiltier than a whore in church!"

"But the prosecution couldn't clear all of the doubt surrounding his crime. So he's innocent."

"It's just wrong," Phoenix said.

"No, it's justice," Shield said, "If there's any doubt, you shouldn't be thrown in jail."

"So what if he kills again?"

"Then he could go to trial for that. Why are you so interested in that case anyway? You had your opportunity to get involved but—"

"I'm not seeing clients right now," Phoenix said, he picked up a potato chip and stared at it for a moment, "It's complicated."

He ate a couple chips, staring at his plate as he did so.

Shield chuckled, "Complicated, huh?"

(Nope. Not going to get into it.)

"Uh, yeah," Phoenix said, "So I have to get back to the office. Thanks for lunch."

"If you're not taking clients, why is the office open?"

Phoenix shrugged, "It's complicated."

"Come on," Phoenix grabbed him by the arm and dragged him off of the dance floor where Edgeworth had been staggering around waving his empty box of chocolates.

"I need to get you home," Phoenix said.

"Hello?" Edgeworth grinned, "Where are you taking me?"

"Home," Phoenix said without relaxing his hold on Edgeworth's arm, "We need to find Larry and get the hell out of here before one of you does something really crazy."

"But we just met," Edgeworth said and then laughed.

(How did I end up being the straight guy in this? I should've been drowning my sorrows with everyone else)

"Hey," He found Larry simpering among a group of embarrassed looking women, "We're going!"

"But Nick!"

Phoenix hooked Larry with his other arm and dragged the two men out into the corridor.

"Guys, this isn't cool right now," Phoenix said, "I need to get you home."

"I'll drive!" Larry said, Edgeworth laughed. Larry dragged his keys out of his pocket and waved them in the air. Phoenix managed to grab them without letting go of Edgeworth.

With Larry's keys secured, Phoenix hooked his arm and dragged the two of them toward the elevator.

"We forgot our coats!" Edgeworth said and he stopped in the corridor anchoring all three of them.

Phoenix groaned, "Edgeworth you can get your coat some other time, your coat is the least of your worries."

Phoenix slammed the elevator button several times, as if his coaxing would bring it up to the floor faster.

"I been gone so long! But my heart it carries on!" Larry belted out happily and very off key. Edgeworth laughed at him.

"As it pounds like a drum on my journey back home!"

The elevator dinged and Phoenix let out a sigh of relief.

Phoenix jammed the button for the lobby. Edgeworth and Larry were still making noises at each other.

"I been gone so long, but my heart it carries on!"

"Larry, please," Phoenix said.

(I actually like that song... He's going to ruin it forever...)

"I won't give up!"

Larry laughed and Phoenix covered his eyes with a hand. At least he had them trapped in the elevator.

"I'm not trying to stop a hurricane! I'm not trying to shake the ground below! I'm just trying to FIND a WAY to make it back Hoo-oh-oh-ohm!"

"Larry will you please shut up?" Phoenix said.

"Hey," Edgeworth said suddenly serious, "I want to take the stairs."

"Okay, Edgeworth," Phoenix said, "Just relax."

Suddenly Edgeworth was silent. He grabbed Phoenix by the shirtfront and shook him.

"Hey what—"

"I don't want to take the elevator!"

"Well, why?"

"Oh man, Edgey," Larry said.

"Where almost there," Phoenix said, "It's too late."

He was shocked when Edgeworth wrapped his arms around his shoulders hugged him in desperation. Phoenix hesitated a moment and then patted his back.

"Hey, you're all right," he said. Edgeworth didn't move, but he was so close Phoenix could feel him shivering, "Uh... Shh. It's okay, buddy. We're almost there."

Larry started laughing. Phoenix shushed him with a glare.

The elevator dinged and the three of them tumbled out into the lobby. Phoenix grabbed each of them by the arm and made a beeline for the exit before either of them made a scene.

"Where are you taking me! Unhand me knave!" Edgeworth said.

Larry burst out laughing.

Phoenix put his head down, bound and determined to get them out of the public's judgmental eye.

The sidewalk outside was blessedly deserted this time of night and Phoenix managed to drag his two stumbling drunk friends to a bus stop.

"Hey guys," he said, breathing hard from the effort of dragging them through the streets, "Come on, sit down."

Edgeworth immediately did as he was told but Larry was not so sanguine. It took Phoenix several tries and no small amount of shoving to get Larry to calm down. He sat in between them. Larry was still humming to himself, while Edgeworth started to sulk.

"You all right, Edgeworth?"

"No, you're Wright," Edgeworth said and dropped his chin in his hand. Phoenix rolled his eyes.

"I didn't know you were such a goofy drunk," Phoenix said.

"I'm not a drunk," Edgeworth shot an index finger at him, "How dare you?"

"How dare, I?" Phoenix laughed, "I hope you don't remember any of this."

"What are we doing here?" Edgeworth said, staring out at the dark street.

"Waiting for the bus," Phoenix said.

"Why?" Edgeworth said.

"Because, neither of you are in any condition to drive and I can't carry both of you home."

Edgeworth dropped his face in his hands, "I'm so sorry. I wasn't—I didn't mean to—"

"Hey," Phoenix said, "Everything is fine. No need to get all emotional."

Edgeworth shook his head and crossed his arms in a full on brood. Phoenix startled, he realized they were sitting alone.

"Wait here," Phoenix hopped to his feet, "I have to go find Larry."

Larry had managed to find a girl around the corner. She was wearing a very short dress and very high heels and a short faux fur coat over it. She was smoking a cigarette and looking in the other direction while Larry carried on a conversation near her.

"Larry," Phoenix said approaching them cautiously, "Let's go. Stop bothering the nice lady."

The woman turned to look at him. She had on garish and heavy make-up. Her lipstick was smeared and she gave him a bleary gap-toothed smile.

"Hey handsome," she said to him and Phoenix had to force himself not to grimace at her.

"Hi," he said, "I'm just collecting my friend. Have a good night."

Phoenix dragged Larry to the bus stop before she could attempt to engage him in further conversation.

(Dammit!)

Edgeworth was gone.

Phoenix shoved Larry onto the bench, "Wait here! If you take off, I'm not coming after you again! Do you hear me?"

Larry nodded sullenly at him, "Nick, are you mad bro?"

"Just stay here," Phoenix said and he went in search of Edgeworth.

He hadn't gone far, just a few hundred yards up the street in the direction of the hotel.

"Edgeworth," Phoenix said, catching him up, "Come on. I'll get you home."

Edgeworth turned slowly and looked at him.

"Well, if it isn't Phoenix Wright," Edgeworth said.

"Ha very funny," Phoenix said, "Let's go."

Edgeworth made no protests, but followed him back to the bus stop. Larry was laid out on the bench, asleep. Phoenix shoved him over so that he and Edgeworth could sit down.

"That guy is funny," Edgeworth said.

"That guy? You mean Larry, right?" Phoenix said.

"I thought his name was Larry Butz," Edgeworth said.

"Oh geez," Phoenix said, "I never in a million years expected to see you like this."

Edgeworth frowned at him, "Is it this shirt?"

Phoenix laughed.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"No Edgeworth," Phoenix said, "But you should hear the crap you're saying right now."

Edgeworth glared at him, "I don't... What are we doing again?"

"We're waiting for the bus," Phoenix said, "Because you are so drunk right now."

"I may have had a few too many," Edgeworth said, "Please don't tell Mister Von Karma."

Phoenix frowned at him. Edgeworth actually looked worried.

"Edge—Miles... He's dead, you know?"

"Oh," Edgeworth said, "Yes. That did happen."

"Are you doing okay?"

Edgeworth met his eye for several moments, his expression unreadable. Then he shook his head.

"Yeah I'm very well—apart from, you know, my current state of inebriation."

"I thought you didn't drink?"

Edgeworth crossed his arms and frowned, "If I didn't drink, I would die of dehydration."

"No, I meant—"

"I know what you meant, Wright. Why are you always asking me questions like that?"

"Oh come on Edgeworth, I thought we were friends. Friends talk to each other, you know..."

"Aren't we talking?" Edgeworth asked.

"Yeah, but..." Phoenix shook his head; "I'm too tired for this. I don't know why I let Larry talk me into coming out."

"Perhaps you were feeling lonely?"

"I'm not..." Phoenix started and he looked at Edgeworth. The other man swayed where he sat, "Were you feeling lonely?"

Edgeworth met his eyes directly and nodded.

Phoenix offered a closed lipped smile of empathy, "It gets that way sometimes."

"Certainly," Edgeworth said, "Perhaps more than one would care to admit."

The call went to voicemail so Phoenix hung up and dialed again.

(What the Hell, Edgeworth?!)

He let it ring until the voicemail greeting sounded again. Phoenix shoved his phone into his pocket and walked back to his desk. His inbox was still empty.

(So... Bored...)

He stared at his unchanging inbox and started fumbling with the items on his desk. Stapler was dancing with pencil.

"The best place to practice the lift is in the water..." Stapler told pencil.

(You know you could take a peek at the docket and find a client...)

Stapler whirled around and then lifted pencil into the air.

(Nah...)

Phoenix let the stapler drop back onto the desk and flipped the pencil between his fingers. He took a moment to glare at his computer screen.

(I don't think I'm ready for a new case... I don't know if I'll ever be.)

The office phone rang and Phoenix stared at in shock. It was already on the third ring when he finally managed to pick it up.

"Phoenix Wright," he said, "How can I help you?"

"It's me," Shield said. Phoenix frowned, what does she want?

"Oh, hi," he said, "What can I do for you?"

"So he told you, huh?"

"What? Oh, yeah."

"So I guess it's all over," she sounded genuinely disappointed.

"Yeah."

"I uh, don't suppose you'd need another lawyer at your firm?"

Phoenix had to stifle a laugh. He could barely make rent, let alone hire another lawyer.

"No," Phoenix said, "We're not hiring right now. Sorry."

"No, no," Shield said, "I figured that might be the case. But it never hurts to ask."

"No," he said, "It doesn't."

"So are you mad?"

"Mad? About what?"

"Well, I don't know," Shield said, "Were you expecting something more—?"

"Hey," Phoenix said, "So I'm waiting for a call now. I'm going to have to let you go."

"Some other time, then?"

"Uh... Sure," Phoenix said, "Some other time."

He hung up quickly and shook his head. Then he laughed.

A/N: Thanks for Reading! (Please review? **sad bear**)

JordanPhoenix, Nick is watching your movie! ;)

Okay, so we're finally at that point! Can you guess what's next? Can you? (**grin**)

Brooke N. Shield is the pixie cut lawyer from earlier. She's involved with the School of defense thing (yeah, I know it's been a while)

Sorry this chapter is so short. I type and it comes to it's conclusion, you know?

Let me know what you think! (who am I kidding, you probably wont)