A/N: This final flashback chapter has spoilers for Investigations 2, fair warning. Time to start bring the plot of this story to an end. It's time for femslash!
Chapter 30: Sweet happiness
December 22, 2030
Newman-Woods household, living room
7:00 p.m.
After a shower that ended up taking longer than either of them expected, Juniper and Robin returned to the living room. The two girlfriend's seated themselves on a couch, holding hands. Juniper and Robin rested their heads against each other, and for a good while there was silence.
There was silence, because no words were needed. It was enough that they could be near each other, enjoying each other's presence. The physical intimacy only matched by the emotional one. After a real whirlwind of a day, Juniper and Robin soaked in this calm moment together.
"I've really loved how today has gone!" Robin finally said, her usual excitable self. "This might be just my favorite anniversary so f-a-r."
"Are you sure about that? There are still so many years ahead of us, after all," Juniper said, softly but lovingingly.
"Oh, you're totally right! I need to make next year's anniversary even better. I already have so many ideas of how I could do that," Robin said intensely. "And more importantly, today still isn't over."
It really wasn't, and while Juniper was anxious for their dinner to finally begin, right now she didn't want to move from her spot cuddled up against Robin. Instead, she grabbed the T.V. remote and turned on their television, flipping through channels for something they could watch together to pass time.
"Wait, stop right there, Juniper!"
Juniper stopped, and through the T.V. speakers a cheerful theme song began playing.
"Macaroons and waffles~ Light and fluffy chiffon cake!"
"Happiness for one and all! The sweetest temptations…"
As the theme song continued the biggest grin started spreading on Robin's face. Juniper couldn't help but start smiling too, so sincerely overjoyed was her girlfriend. But what was this show to cause such a reaction?
On screen, a woman in a bright green dress started speaking, accompanied by a man with an afro of white hair.
"After a very long time, I am proud to announce the return of Piece of Cake!" The woman said, sounding just as happy as Robin. "As always, I am your host, Katherine Hall, and this is my wonderful co-host Jeff Masters."
"So join us today as we make delectable desserts together," Jeff Masters announced in a baritone, singsong voice. "Right here on stage!"
Seeing the show on screen, Juniper realized that Katherine Hall looked familiar. Following that train of thought, she understood why Robin was so happy to see this show.
"Katherine Hall...she's your favorite actress, isn't she?" Juniper asked Robin.
"Uh huh. I think I've told you about her before," Robin answered, her eyes glued to the monitor. "I watched her movies growing up and later found out she used to be on this."
Given the theatrical way that Jeff and Kate baked on stage, Juniper could definitely see why this show appealed to Robin. "So this is the show Katherine Hall used to be on before she was an actor," Juniper said thoughtfully. "It looks like such a wonderful time!"
"Eh heh heh. Then maybe we can learn to bake together from watching this~!" Robin exclaimed, trying to be in tune with the on screen singing and only partially succeeding.
"Making the sweetest desserts together, just you and me~!" Juniper sang, her voice high and clear.
The singing echoed through the house, mingling into harmony. It spoke of many, many days filled with just as much happiness...
May 12, 2030
Newman-Woods household, dining room
8:15 a.m.
Juniper walked into the dining room to the smell of freshly made oatmeal and toasted bread. In the kitchen, Robin bustled around, already in the red suit and skirt she wore whenever she had a case.
"Here's breakfast, my darling!" Robin said cheerfully as Juniper seated herself and Robin put food in front of her. "I'd eat with you, but I'm facing Hugh in court soon and I want to be as ready as I c-a-n! I'll grab something to eat on the way to the office."
"Oh, how far along are you in the case?" Juniper asked, thinking on the details she personally knew. It was about the body of a fisherman found drowned on a beach shore, if she remembered correctly.
"I'm pretty sure the defendant was the only person that was seen near the docks at around time of death," Robin explained, seating herself at the table as well. "So my current theory is the defendant used her boat to isolate the victim before killing him."
"So could only the defendant have used a boat in those waters?" Juniper asked, thinking carefully. "It could be that someone else killed the victim earlier and the defendant went to go looking for them."
"Good point, Juniper. I'll call Detective Marsh and have him look up how many people involved in this case have a boating license for the kind of boat the defendant uses," Robin answered, already reaching for her phone.
After Robin finished talking with John, she and Juniper continued talking with each other about the case. Eventually, Robin left to her office to prepare for her trial. Juniper cleaned up the dishes from the breakfast and made her own preparations- to meet with Judge Courtney to further her judge training.
May 12, 2030
District Courthouse, Judge Courtney's office
9:00 a.m
"...To think that there would be someone aiming for my position," Judge Courtney said, amused. "Who knows? Perhaps Miss Newman does have what it takes to receive the same blessing from the Goddess of Law that I have."
"I know that she does," Juniper said firmly. "Which is why I'm here to ask you, as your student. Is there a way I can ascend the bench sooner? Or at least, get more hands on experience before I do?"
"I see. By my estimate, in another four years you will become a judge," Judge Courtney stated. "To become a judge by twenty-four is no small feat. In fact, it's around the same age that I ascended the bench."
"You mean, you think I could be just as good as a judge as you, Judge Courtney?" Juniper asked, truly shocked at the thought.
"You certainly have the potential in you, Miss Woods," Judge Courtney answered. "Which is why I must insist you take the full four years before you take on the job. I will recommend you for the State Bar, but that's all I will do."
"I understand, Your Honor," Juniper said gratefully. "Thank you for at least doing that much for me."
"That being said, if you personally want more hands-on experience," Judge Courtney continued. "I think I can allow you to observe me as I go about my duties. I have a trial soon, in fact."
Four years from now, Juniper would finally become a Judge like she's always dreamed. That was what she was aiming for now, and in the meantime Juniper would amass as much experience as she could. With that in mind. She accepted Judge Courtney's offer.
May 12, 2030
District Courthouse, Courtroom #2
11:33 a.m
What Juniper didn't expect is that was that the trial Justine was presiding over was also the one that Robin and Hugh were participating in. The two attorneys acknowledged Juniper's presence, but pretty soon the both of them became focused entirely on the case.
While Juniper had no actual say in the proceedings of the trial, she appreciated the fact that she was in a court of law with Robin and Hugh, after thinking it was impossible for so long. This was as close as she would ever get, and she would live the experience while she had it.
The trial marched on, with Robin laying out her case for the defendant's guilt and Hugh fighting to strike down every one of her assertions. Juniper observed Justine in every decision she made, being sure to keep an open mind for any new possibility.
Pretty soon, the trial reached the point that Juniper and Robin had discussed together earlier this morning. Juniper paid full attention to the proceedings, wondering how things would go from here.
"The defendant was the only person seen near the docks near the time of the victim's death," Robin said, reading off of a paper on her mini easel. "So she's clearly the culprit."
"OBJECTION! Are you really going with such a simple assertion," Hugh said, smirking, "When the defendant is far from the only person to own a boat at that dock?"
"OBJECTION! Ah ha ha! But according to the records researched by the Detective Marsh, the defendant is the only person licensed to drive the boat where the victim was assaulted!" Robin countered.
"Gah! That can't be!" Hugh exclaimed, rearing back in shock.
Judge Courtney closed her eyes, contemplating her next move. Then she slammed her gavel to quiet the courtroom. Juniper watched the judge carefully, wondering what direction this trial would take.
"If the defendant is the only person capable of using the boat, then there is little reason to doubt her guilt," Judge Courtney said after a lot of thought. "So I am inclined to moving onto the verdict."
"Please and thank you, Your Honor!" Robin said cheerfully.
Juniper found she couldn't quite agree with that. To be sure the case that Robin presented so far was solid, Juniper personally would have asked if the defense had any final thoughts. But what was Hugh going to do now?
"Y-Your Honor! I have an objection!" Hugh suddenly shouted.
"Hmm? I suppose I can hear you out if you really have something to say," Judge Courtney said graciously. "Though I must warn you. If you what you say doesn't change the facts of this trial, then you will face the wrath of the Goddess of Law."
"Right! I understand," Hugh said, clearly nervous. "Now, we established earlier that the defendant was alone when she was found on her boat with her victim's body. Is this correct?"
"S-u-r-e thing! Which is why only the defendant-"
"OBJECTION! Not so fast there, Prosecutor Newman," Hugh said. "If only the defendant had a license, then we must consider the possibility that the real culprit simply didn't have a boating license. After all, why would a killer care about the law?"
"But by that logic, just about anyone could have used the defendant's boat," Robin pointed out. "And no proof exists that anyone else ever boarded the boat."
"But that's where you're wrong," Hugh said, now more confidently. "It's true that only the defendant boarded her own boat the last time she was seen. But what if the real culprit got on the boat at a different time?"
"Go on, Mr. O'Conner," Judge Courtney said.
"Wedged in the boat's engine is the remains of a bloodied shirt," Hugh explained, presenting some tattered pieces of a green shirt indeed with blots of blood on it. "It does not belong to the defendant. And as we just established, the defendant was alone when she was discovered with the victim's body. Which means this shirt was stuffed in the engine earlier!"
"Aaaahh!" Robin exclaimed, rearing back in shock.
"That does seem to establish the presence of a third person on the boat," Judge Courtney said thoughtfully.
"OBJECTION! Not so fast, Hugh," Robin said quickly. "Why would this true culprit put their shirt in the boat's engine? They could have just thrown it out somewhere."
"OBJECTION! The question you should be asking is when the shirt was put in there. That answers the question of why," Hugh countered. "To be more precise, the defendant told me that when she last used the boat, the engine had some difficulty working."
That would be the shirt, Juniper thought to herself, just as Judge Courtney said the same thing.
"The defense's current position is that the true culprit stuffed their shirt into the boat's engine after they docked the boat," Hugh said, flipping through a file in his right hand. "So that when the defendant went to go looking for the victim, the boat's engine would break and the boat itself would sink!"
As the crowd in the gallery began chattering amongst themselves, Juniper focused her attention again at Hugh and Robin below. She was excited to see what direction they would take the trial next.
Robin managed to successfully argue that the scheme was just a tad too convoluted for seemingly little benefit, and the shirt by itself wasn't proof enough to point to a specific culprit. In the end, Judge Courtney decided to end the court session for the day.
"I can't always guarantee the attorneys in future trials you observe with me will be the people you know," Judge Courtney said after she met back up with Juniper. "But then again, it would be in your best interests for you to challenge the unknown."
"Thank you very much, Judge Courtney," Juniper said, holding her notes she took of the trial close. "I learned quite a lot today."
Judge Courtney curtsied. "Thank the Goddess of Law, for allowing the trial to take place. Now I must excuse myself. I need to go to my chambers so I can review this case."
After parting ways with Justine, Juniper met up with Hugh and Robin outside of the courtroom. The two of them were chatting with each other, and they greeted Juniper as soon as they saw her.
"Good job in today's trial," Juniper said to the both of them.
"I expected nothing less of myself," Hugh said, adjusting his glasses. "For my defendant, nothing but the best will do."
"She's not completely off the hook y-e-t," Robin said, wagging her finger at Hugh. "Detective Marsh and I will be burning the pavement during our investigation. Our case will be much stronger tomorrow!"
"Then I will just have to bring a better case than yours to court," Hugh said, smiling at his best friend.
"Okay, settle down, you two," Juniper said, giggling. "Save it for the case."
"Right. Thanks for reminding me, Juniper," Hugh said, a little embarrassed.
"Well, I'm not slowing down anytime soon," Robin said, hopping on her feet. She kissed Juniper on the cheek. "I'll see you later, dear!"
With that, Robin rushed off. Juniper and Hugh shared a knowing look with each other. Some things never changed.
May 12, 2030
Wright Anything Agency
2:07 p.m.
Juniper and Hugh hung out with each other a little longer, eating a quick lunch at an outdoor cafe. As they ate, they talked casually with each other, enjoying the company. Hugh was just starting to make a name for himself as defense attorney, and he was even considering opening his own agency.
After lunch, Hugh left to go continue investigating the case. Juniper went to go report to a shift as intern of the WAA. Waiting there was Thena, along with Myriam surprisingly enough. Myriam was dressed in her new standard outfit of a large grey trenchcoat and ballcap.
"And so there I am, inside of a broom closet and completely surrounded," Myriam was saying. "And it seemed like everything was over for me, sss sss sss."
"How exciting! What happened next, Myriam?" Athena asked, completely enraptured.
"They're all staring at me like gaping fishes," Myriam said, grinning maliciously. "So I raise my trusty camera, tell them 'Say Cheese!" and blind them all with my camera's flash."
"Makes me wish I could have seen their faces when you did that," Athena commented.
"Actually, you can! Because I also took a picture at that moment. I still have it in my camera, Kahk Kahk!"
Even Juniper couldn't help but laugh a little along with Athena and Myriam. But after they stopped, Juniper said, "Oh, how I wish you wouldn't risk yourself like that, Myriam."
"You don't have to be so soft-hearted for me, Juniper," Myriam said, tipping her bill of her ballcap down. "I take these risks of my own free will, sss sss sss. It's how I operate as a journalist."
"I don't think you have to go quite that far, though," Athena said.
"Maybe I don't. But if the public is to ever trust the legal system again, they first have to trust the press again," Myriam said. "And I'm going to do that by always reporting the truth."
In fact, while Myriam was rarely seen physically, her presence was always felt. It was thanks to her reporting that the backlash from September's trial was kept to a minimum. Juniper always tried to encourage Myriam to be more sociable, but in the end there was only so much interaction that Myriam was willing to put up with.
"Okay, I think that's enough of that," Athena said, hitting her palm with a fist. "Time to get to work! Junie, you're with me. I have a case to crack and I'd like your input. Myriam, if you're going to stick around then start sweeping the agency."
"Hey, I'm not even employed here!" Myriam exclaimed. In response Athena started glaring at her, and Myriam gave up, going off to find a broom but grumbling every step of the way.
A good few hours went by like this, with the three girls tackling the needed tasks while occasionally talking with each other. As before, Athena sometimes left to go investigate, leaving Juniper and Myriam alone. Then while the three of them were taking a break, they suddenly heard a pair of voices getting closer.
"I am Apollo Justice, and I'm fine!"
"I'm Robin Newman, and I'm f-i-n-e!"
"...Did you really have to spell it out like that?"
"Eh heh heh, yup!"
Through the doors of the agency Apollo and Robin entered. They immediately greeted everyone inside the agency, and everyone greeted them back.
"So what have you two been doing?" Athena asked.
"Actually, I wasn't busy with anything, so I decided to head here to see if there were any new cases," Apollo said.
"And I was taking a break from my investigation, so I came here for a visit," Robin said. "And I happened to run into Apollo here!"
"I didn't think we'd be meeting so soon after you invited me over to your place last week," Apollo said. "But it was a pleasant surprise."
"Hey, anytime I can see a good friend is a good time to me!" Robin said cheerfully.
"When did those two get so buddy buddy?" Myriam whispered to Athena and Juniper.
"It just kind of happened," Athena answered. "They just started hanging out more often one day, and I guess they really hit it off."
Juniper didn't say anything, but she knew it there was a little more to it than that. Robin recently went out of her way to welcome Apollo back into her life, inviting him over as often as possible as an apology for the wedge she had driven between them. As a result of this, not only was their friendship rekindled, but as Athena said they got along very well.
Almost no work ended up getting done after that, but no one really seemed to mind. Eventually everyone left the agency again- Robin to get back to investigating her case, Apollo and Athena to tackle their case, Myriam to go search for a new scoop, and Juniper because her shift came to an end.
With a little bit of time left in the day, Juniper got some grocery shopping done. After that she walked through the neighborhood, greeting the neighbors, before finally heading back home. Not long after that, Robin came back from her investigation.
May 12, 2030
Newman-Woods household
8:15 p..m.
After they got some housecleaning done, Juniper and Robin discussed Robin's case over dinner, with Robin bouncing her ideas of off Juniper, with Juniper answering as best as she could. After that, they talked about more general events in their lives, such as Juniper's Grandma having her birthday the following week or the progress of Robin's art projects.
To end things off, they went to the living room and watched some t.v. One of the first things Juniper found was a movie starring an actress called Katherine Hall.
"Oh! I haven't seen one of her movies in a long time," Robin said, leaning towards the screen.
"So you know this actress?" Juniper asked curiously.
"Uh huh. I watched her movies growing up," Robin answered. "She's so pretty, but I've always thought she looked so sad. I've always wondered why."
Seeing Katherine on screen, Juniper found she had to agree with Robin. Deep inside Ms. Hall's eyes was a deep sorrow. While Juniper of course didn't know why it was there, she found herself wishing it away.
After the movie, Juniper and Robin retired to their bedroom. They dressed into their nightwear and got into bed, huddling close.
Tonight, Robin seemed unusually thoughtful, staring up at the ceiling. Juniper asked her what was on her mind.
"I kinda want every day to be like this," Robin said. "It's all so uncomplicated. You know?"
"I think I do get it," Juniper said. "But at the same time, we've finally found a goal to aspire for. We can't reach it by just standing still."
"Yeah, I guess that's pretty t-r-u-e!" Robin said. "Okay, then I'll ask for something else. I want us to not only reach our goals, but just keep right on going on and on…."
In that moment, Juniper saw the future stretching out before them. Ascending to the bench as a judge, overseeing trials like Judge Courtney. Supporting Robin on her path into the P.I.C. Working and spending time with their friends.
An endless expanse of days lay before Juniper. Once they reached their goals, there was an endless amount of work they could, both for the law system and each other. For the first time, Juniper found she wanted to keep doing this for the rest of her life. And judging by her words, Robin felt the same way.
December 22, 2030
Newman-Woods household, living room
8:00 p.m.
The show drew to an end, as did the singing. Having remembered the first conversation about Katherine Hall, the rest of the details came back to Juniper- about the terrible incident that Katherine and Jeff had been involved in, and the eventual sweet reunion, culminating in the new Piece of Cake she had just watched with Robin.
Much like the show, the rest of this year had passed in a sweet dance. There was an occasional hiccup or two along the way, to be sure- Robin being stressed when a case became complicated, Juniper trying not to falter in her judge training- but most days passed smoothly.
But in her heart, the thought had grown. Of asking Robin to marry her, binding the two of them together forever. After a lot of thought Juniper decided that today would be the day to ask. Checking the time, all that was left was to get dressed and head to their reserved dinner.
It was time.
A/N: There are exactly four parts left in this story: three chapters, and an epilogue. This love story is headed towards a special place. I hope to meet you all there. Until then, this has been Orion Fowl, and thank you for visiting my Corner of Romance.