A/N: No one is perfect. For example, this chapter literally took a month to write and publish. So let's explore the nature of our error-prone selves. Its time for femslash!

Chapter 19: To err is human

December 22, 2030

Gallery Nucleus

4:00 p.m.

The gallery was now host to the group of mutual friends that were such a large part of their lives: Athena Cykes, Apollo Justice, Ema Skye, Hugh O' Conner, and Myriam Scuttlebutt. Juniper had coordinated with all of them to arrange this exhibit, from having Ema and Myriam track down Courte's art pieces and ensuring their veracity to begging the manager of the place along with Athena, Apollo, and Hugh to first snag the private exhibit, then bumping it up to an earlier time.

"Hello, everyone," Juniper greeted. "Thank you all for working with me to give this gift to Robin. Since you're all here, please enjoy yourselves."

"Don't mention it," Apollo said casually. "There wasn't any case to work on at the agency anyways."

"It was nothing, Junie! Courte's art is really fascinating to look at," Athena added, glancing around. "so I think we'll stay for a while."

"GGGGGUUUUUYYYYYYSSS!" Robin cried out, on the verge of tears. "THANK YOU ALL!"

After calming herself down, Robin went around, personally thanking each and everyone there. When she reached Hugh, she said, "Oh hey there, Hugh! I'm surprised to see you here. Didn't you have something to do today?"

"As a matter of fact, I was supposed to meet with you," Hugh said. "But it didn't seem like you were going to show up."

"Aaaahhh! That's right, I was supposed to meet with you after work," Robin exclaimed. "But since I got the day off, I guess that slipped my mind. Eh heh heh, sorry."

"There's no problem with that," Hugh responded. "Since I got to be a part of this effort as a result. We can catch up later."

The conversation sparked a particular memory deep inside Juniper. How many people go through the same exact thing as Robin just now, on a daily basis? Juniper knew for a fact that it was something that could happen all too easily….

April 19th, 2029

Newman-Woods residence, kitchen

7:32 a.m.

The sound and smell of cooking eggs filled the air, as Juniper went about making that morning's breakfast, with a small fruit salad already prepared along with fresh apple juice made from apples from her garden. The two women took turns doing various household tasks, so the fact that Juniper was making the meals today meant that Robin would be in charge of cleaning and other upkeep on the house, and vice versa.

After Juniper finished cooking, she went to go fetch Robin at her small art studio, i.e. the shed in the backyard. She had started working on a new project a few days ago, and if Juniper wasn't mistaken Robin was going to finish it today.

Entering the art studio, Juniper found her girlfriend putting some finishing touches on the art: A small but intricately detailed reproduction of the local courthouse made of clay, complete with miniature versions of various people they knew, such as Thena and Prosecutor Gavin.

Oh! This is really cute, Juniper thought to herself, not wanting to interrupt the artist at work.

Robin frowned as she gave her art piece a once over. As usual, it seemed like she wasn't very happy with the end result. She bent down and picked up a hammer.

"No good," She muttered to herself. "I need to start over."

"No!" Juniper exclaimed, unable to help herself. When Robin turned to face her, Juniper continued, "I really like what you've done here. The courthouse is very well done, and I love that you decided to make tiny versions of all our friends to go along with it."

Robin contemplated her girlfriend's words for a few minutes, then thankfully set down the hammer.

"In that case, I think I'll let this dry and paint it another day. Anything e-l-s-e?"

"Breakfast is ready, darling."

The two women ate their breakfast as they happily discussed their plans for the day.

"So Klavier isn't angry with you anymore about missing a training day?" Juniper asked curiously.

"Nah, Klavier really isn't the kinda guy to hold onto his anger," Robin answered. "So I'm looking forward to training with him again soon! You're going over to Judge Courtney's today, right? Say hi to John for me!"

"John" was John Marsh, someone that Juniper had met while training under Judge Courtney. He was also her adopted son, so Juniper and Robin talked to him whenever they happened to encounter each other.

"Okay, I will," Juniper said. "And I'll be sure to say hi to Thena and Apollo when I stop by the agency later. You have a long work shift today, don't you?"

Robin's cheerful expression fell, and she grumbled, "About six hours. It's not fair that I have to be away for so long serving people food!" Her mood bounced back pretty quickly. "On the other hand, I have our date later today to look forward to…."

Robin stroked Juniper's face with her hands, planting light kisses on her forehead.

"Robin, don't lean over the table," Juniper protested, even as she started smiling.

The rest of the morning proceeded more or less how mornings in the household did: after a kiss goodbye at the door, after which Juniper left to make her way to Judge Courtney's office, cordially greeting her neighbors on the way. As soon as she arrived at her destination, the judge-to-be knew she would be put under trial….

April 19th, 2029

District Courthouse, Judge Courtney's office.

9:00 a.m.

"So given the situation that has been outlined before you, Miss Woods, how would hypothetically you respond? What would your verdict be in this case?"

Juniper opened her mouth to answer, but all that came out was a coughing fit instead. Since John was in fact not here today, they were running a simulation. The simulation Judge Courtney had presented her was supposedly based on an actual trial that had once occurred. But at around the time that the assassin had been introduced Juniper couldn't help but wonder if something that insane had actually happened.

"Well…. I s-suppose most of the evidence would still p-point to the defendant," Juniper said slowly. "And his attitude…. s-seems very indicative of their guilt. I w-w- *cough* *cough* *cough*"

Juniper grabbed her one of her sunflowers, breathing into it. She didn't need her medicine as much as she used to- even with the dirty city air she didn't have too much trouble. But at times like this, when Judge Courtney placed a tough challenge before her and Juniper faltered, she felt like her weakness was back in full force.

Judge Courtney's harsh expression softened, and she pulled up a chair for her student to sit in so she could catch her breath, which Juniper accepted. After a few minutes of silence Justine started talking.

"Perhaps the trial I picked was too difficult," Judge Courtney said, dropping her usual stoic persona. "But there's a reason the Goddess of Law allows us to experience certain events."

A melancholy look fell over a the judge's expression. "I'm not saying you should completely harden your heart. Perhaps a few years ago that's what I would have told you."

"What ch-changed you, Justine? Was it John's kidnapping?" Juniper asked, referring to a rather famous incident from some years ago. Interestingly, the current Chief Prosecutor had been at the center of that event.

Judge Courtney nodded. "They were some of the darkest times of my life. The only ray of light I had during those times was something my mentor once told me: Weather the worst tribulations as best as you can…."

"Because the proper verdict is always a worthwhile result," Juniper finished, having heard the same thing herself from Courte.

"Even then I came close to guiding the case to an erroneous conclusion," Judge Courtney said. "Without the assistance of a group of special individuals all would have been lost. Even if we are meant to maintain neutrality on the bench, our hearts still beat under our robes."

Justine pointed to Juniper with her gavel, much to the young woman's surprise. "I imagine you've already made peace with the Goddess over your broken promise."

Broken promise? What on….?

Then Juniper abruptly grabbed her Proof of Friendship as the other shoe dropped. The only promise that was relevant was The Promise, to work alongside Hugh, Myriam, and Robin to fix the legal system.

Ethics demanded that she and Robin never work the same case together. As a judge especially, she was morally obligated to keep as impartial as possible, which meant-

"Never seeing the one you love work just as hard as you do," Judge Courtney said knowingly. "Most people will sooner see the Judge that passes down verdicts than the person beneath. It's why I choose the simulation that I did- most people see the Judge of that case as hopelessly fickle, but he confided in me when I asked about this case that both the prosecution and the defense were sending mixed messages the entire time, and he could only rule according to the circumstances."

"Was it really like that?" Juniper wondered, "I mean, Judges can involve themselves in a case, right? Didn't you investigate a few yourself?"

"Those were special circumstances. I was aiding the prosecutor assigned those cases," Judge Courtney stated. "And it's something I'm still earning forgiveness from the Goddess of Law for. But let me tell you something about being a Judge, Miss Woods."

"The role of the Judge as assigned by the Goddess is a unique one. By our very nature, all the information we receive about a case is given to us by the defense and prosecution. Ours is a stationary position- and yet our words decide the very fate of the defendant, they can scatter an investigation to the farthest reaches. So it is the same with your dilemma: You have been faced with an immovable wall. What happens next is ultimately up to you."

April 19th, 2029

Wright Anything Agency

12:12 p.m.

The training session continued on for several more hours after that. As such, it was a mentally tired Juniper that stumbled into the agency to report for a shift as an intern. Athena and Apollo bustling about working were very much a sight for sore eyes.

It didn't help that Juniper's mind was whirling from all the heavy concepts that had been dumped on her earlier. Concepts that raised questions she had no answers to, and as such stuck inside her like thorns.

"Hello, Junie!" Athena greeted as she looked up from some paperwork she was going over. "How are you?"

"I'm doing okay, I guess, Thena."Juniper said, not bothering to hide her weariness. The moment Athena and Apollo heard her response they focused on her, concern clear on their features.

"Did Judge Courtney wear you out?" Apollo asked sympathetically.

"Uh huh," Juniper answered. "She really wants me to give it my all every time we meet up."

"Well that may be so, but that's no reason to work you that hard!" Athena declared indignantly.

"I'm fine, Thena," Juniper reassured. "Every time I finish training with Justine, I feel a little stronger. I think like this I'll be ready to ascend the bench someday soon."

"Well, you can start by helping us cut down on some paperwork for our current case," Apollo said, putting said papers on Juniper's desk. "So you can get a good feel for different kinds of cases."

"Or you could just be trying to duck out on it like you were last week," Athena quipped from her workspace.

"If I remember correctly, I was cleaning the toilets last week," Apollo said. "And you were the one that was trying to sweet talk Juniper into doing all your work."

"That was different! Junie's my best friend, so we were sharing work," Athena answered.

"If you say so."

Juniper giggled as she settled in her desk, listening to the two close friends continue to playfully tease each other.

Time passed as the three of them continued to work while occasionally talking with each other. Every so often, either Athena or Apollo would leave the Agency to investigate some aspect of the case they were working on. Currently, Athena was telling Juniper a story of something that happened to her recently.

"...So I was going to have a regular jogging run like I do every morning, but then a guy asked to join me," Athena said, gesturing wildly. "He seemed harmless enough so I said yes."

"What happened after that, Thena?" Juniper asked, on the edge of her seat.

"Well then a girl popped up out of nowhere and started jogging alongside us," Athena continued. "Followed by a few more people. Then some more people joined us, and they brought along even more people! By the time I made it back to the Agency there was an entire crowd with me!"

Juniper laughed helplessly at the mental image of Athena leading a pack of total strangers, with Athena and Widget joining in as well. Only Apollo didn't seem to be listening, who instead was distractedly looking around the Agency.

"Apollo?"

"Hm? Oh, sorry Juniper. I am listening to the conversation," Apollo said. "But I'm getting this feeling that we're forgetting something."

He cracked a smile. "Although speaking of what happened to Athena, I do remember her and those runners cleaning out the agency's fridge. It was worth seeing the look on Mr. Wright's face when he returned to find that mess."

Athena opened her mouth to say something, but then she abruptly stopped then turned her head.

"I hear someone's phone vibrating," She said, looking in the direction of the noise that only she could hear. It turned out to be coming from Juniper's purse, which caused the girl to wonder who could be on the other end. Juniper reached into her purse and took out her phone, glancing at the display- and her blood went cold.

The first thing she noticed was the time, roughly six in the evening. Her phone had vibrated because it had received a text message from Robin.

Juniper, where are you?! ANSWER MEEEEEEEE!

Today, she and Robin had planned to go on a date to a bowling alley, trying out something new for the first time. As such, they had made a reservation ahead of time, a reservation that she was now almost two whole hours late for.

Apollo dug up a paper that had been stuffed deep into his desk. "Now I remember what we were forgetting! We should have clocked out Juniper a while ago. Looks like we were so busy talking we lost track of time."

"Oh no…..what have I done? I need to go now," Juniper said, desperately collecting her belongings.

"Go right ahead, Junie! We'll take care of things for you!" Athena declared.

Juniper burst out of the Wright Anything Agency, texting Robin back and hoping that she hadn't just messed up too badly.

April 19th, 2029

Outside bowling alley

6:35 p.m.

Juniper found Robin waiting outside the bowling alley, fidgeting anxiously and looking about ready to completely flip out. Juniper nervously approached her girlfriend, hoping not to startle her. When Robin saw Juniper she froze, an uncertain look on her face. The normally loud girl had no words, and instead she slowly lifted her hand, as if wanting to touch Juniper.

The silence broke when Robin wailed loudly then threw herself onto Juniper, squeezing for dear life. Juniper hugged back, all her anxiousness gone and replaced by confusion at her girlfriend's reaction.

"Juniper, where have you been?!" Robin asked in between sobs.

This sparked a very old memory inside Juniper, of what happened when she met up with her friends the day after the Courtroom Bombing.

JJJJJJJJJUUUUUNNNNIIIIIPPPPEEERRRR! YOU'RE OKAY! I'm….. I'm so happy!

Robin's confession had actually followed that outburst, propelled by a surge of honesty and emotional vulnerability. Having this event in the forefront of her mind but Robin's current state in sharp relief. Juniper started stroking her girlfriend's back, finally answering her question.

"I'm sorry I missed our date, Robin. My phone was on vibrate and I lost track of time while talking with Thena and Apollo. I'm not going to excuse what happened."

Juniper waited for Robin to calm down, feeling relieved that Robin didn't seem to be angry. The people that were coming in and out of the bowling alley gave the two women a wide berth, clearly baffled by the scene that Robin was making. But then, none of them knew Robin like she did.

"Oh, is that what happened?" Robin said after she finally calmed down. "I understand! I wish you had texted me sooner, but if you were just talking with our friends that's okay!"

"Well, I certainly shouldn't have been late to our date to begin with," Juniper said. "Especially when I worry you like this."

"Ah! Eh heh heh, I wasn't that worried," Robin said, fidgeting again and clearly embarrassed with herself. "Just a little anxious when I didn't hear from you after long while."

Two hours certainly qualified as a long while, considering that Juniper hadn't even remembered of today's date. With the date essentially over before it even began, Juniper grabbed Robin's hand and started heading back home.

"No, let's not head home just yet," Robin said, smiling her bright, bubbly smile that always made Juniper flutter. "I think there's a carnival nearby that's in town. Let's go!"

In the space of a few minutes Robin's voice had regained the uplifting, energetic tone it always had. As she led Juniper in the direction of the carnival, chatting animately, Juniper let the love in her girlfriend's tone take her away.

December 22, 2030

Gallery Nucleus

4:15 p.m.

A loud slamming sound shocked Juniper out of her reverie, which was revealed to be from Myriam accidently dropping a box full of whatever it was she always carrying. Robin and Athena also jumped, frantically looking around.

Ema lay a hand on Athena's shoulder. "Calm down, Athena. Nothing happened, and nothing's going to happen."

Juniper knew that her best friend was in good hands with Ema, so she went to Robin.

"If you're ready to leave, then we can say goodbye to our friends," She said.

"Hmmm…. Maybe we can stick around a bit longer, while I come up with what we're going to do next," Robin answered, the look in her eyes indicating that she already had ideas cooking in her mind.

Reassured by this, Juniper went back to admiring the artwork on display. Missteps and stumbling points were a lot more common in relationships than Juniper suspected they might have been. But then, it also meant that reaching a point of reconciliation was that much sweeter. A lesson that one never really stopped learning.

A/N: It's all coming together now. This story is finally heading towards its natural conclusion. But first, there's the matter of the dark abyss up ahead. Until then, this has been Orion Fowl, and thank you for visiting my Corner of Romance.