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Cathy Sheer leveled her gun at the Mayor.

“What?!” The Mayor flinched.

“Shit.” Phoenix breathed.

“Cathy-!” Sherry made to step forward before catching herself.

“No one move!” Cathy snapped, “Hands up! One false move and I plug you! Look I'm real sorry, like I said. But I can't let this go to chance. Funny thing Mr. Wright, Vrik Mart's the only groceries story for fifty miles around here, I can't let it close. He goes in the slammer, who knows what happens to it? The government takes it or something. He goes into the ground though? It goes to his next of kin. Mrs. Tortes and Sherry, their good people, they won't let it close, and the town goes on.”

“Cathy, Cathy, I don't know what you're saying, please...” Sherry said, “This, this ain't right, please put the gun down...”

“Miss Sheer, listen to me,” Nick said slowly, trying to keep his voice level, “this-this isn't the solution. If you do this you'll go to jail for the rest of your life.”

“Ha!” She laughed a painful horrid sound, “I've been in jail a long time Mr. Wright, ever since daddy got sick, I dropped out of school, lost my shot...” -tears were welling up in her eyes, “Least in jail you don't walk ten miles to work fourteen hours and walk back to a broken down shack.”

Oh my god... God this is so much worse than I thought. “Look ah,-” Nick began.

“ Cathy , Cathy, look we can work this out, Okay? We can help you, please,” Sherry said.

Phoenix took a breath: “It's not over, you haven't wasted your shot-”

“-What would you know about-?” Cathy snapped.

“-more than you would think,” Nick cut her off, his voice hard but even, “Look, I know what it is to be at the end of your rope, to feel like you failed, to have your chances stolen from you. To feel abandoned, to lose everything , and feel like the walls are crumbling in around you, to live in fear, to never know how you'll get through the day. But you will, this isn't the end, I know you're scared, you're tired, god so tired all the time , but this isn't the solution. Everything else, the grief, the debts, school, you can come back from that... Not this.”

“How?” She breathed, her voice trembling.

“You let us help you, honey,” Sherry softly, “You're trying to get a car right?”

“Ye-yeah, we can, I can help you with that-” Jalopy said, “I don't even know if I will keep the shop, I'll need to clear out some anyway...”

“See?” Phoenix said, keeping his voice low a calm, “There are people willing to help you. You can make it out of this... But only if you put the gun down, please...”

“Please Cathy, don't do this, he- he's a murdering crook but he's my family ,” Sherry begged, “Please don't kill my family Cathy. This isn't like you...”

“Let him go to jail for his crimes,” Phoenix said, “It's going to be okay...”

Slowly, painfully slowly, Cathy knelt and set the gun down before collapsing in tears.

Phoenix and Sherry held her, while Jalopy took the gun, and glared at the Mayor.

“Fuck you Vrik.”

May 8th, 1:30 p.m.

The Hash House Diner,

Rubesville

South Heartland, USA

Mile's had had his car towed back to Los Angeles. It needed professionally cleaned, a new windshield, and some bodywork done. They had also called for a ride, which would arrive later.

They were still stranded here.

Meanwhile, they had set up shop in the diner. Edgeworth, dressed in his last clean suit, sat on his computer, -the diner wifi was 'acceptable'- hot tea by his elbow. Cathy Sheer and Jalopy sat with Miss Cindy Lyn Rolls and Terra Misu taking turns crying and staring dead-eyed off into space. Cindy Lyn had offered to let Cathy stay with her in town, which Phoenix thought was an excellent idea.

She should not be alone right now.

Sherry Torte moved around, keeping everyone stocked up on food coffee as well as other odds and ends, giving the others a wide birth, and Miss Sheer in particular if Nick was any judge. She had threatened to shoot her Uncle dead in front of her. Pheonix had not told that to Miles, prison was not what this woman needed.

What a mess. Nick thought. Mayor Vrik Grebes was sitting where Edgeworth had been that morning, waiting to be moved to the county detention center on Monday. Glancing at what Miles was working on, an outline for a case, Mr. Grebes was going to be put away for a very long time.

Miles would not prosecute this case himself, but by the end of the week whoever would be prosecuting Mr. Grebes would have a very solid case handed to them.

Phoenix left him to it. After a night in the tank, Miles needed something to pour his righteous anger into.

This also left Phoenix without much to do. Currently, he had a notepad and pencil out, drafting a letter of recommendation for Miss Sheer. He was trying to make it an all-purpose letter, that could be sent to jobs and schools alike. He had gotten Miss Sheer's email and had a note to look into loan forgiveness programs, as well as online grief counseling.

It didn't feel like enough.

He had asked Miles, quietly, if in his case he was building they could in fact find a way to get a court to give the Vrik Mart either Miss Torte or someone in the town. It was, after all, the only grocery store for fifty miles. He said, 'perhaps' but there was no guarantee.

Logically, Phoenix knew none of this was their fault, but still. He wished they could do more for these people. Something that could give them hope.

He had finished drafting his letter and was doodling on the next page when the sound of a car pulling in got their attention.

A bright purple car.

Beside him, Phoenix saw Miles frown slightly. Edgeworth had intrusted Phoenix with call their ride while he secured a long-distance tow, and assumed he had called Gumshoe. Phoenix hadn't bothered to correct that assumption, not wanting to deal with any pushback. Now it was too late. Mile's shot him a look as their ride, followed by their ride's boyfriend stepped out onto the gravel parking lot.

Phoenix said nothing. Just glanced at the town folk, who were definitely in a better place than they had been a few hours ago, but not really paying attention.

Terra Misu noticed first, doing a double take just before the door chimed and Prosecutor Klavier Gavin walked into the Hash House.

“Ja, I am looking for Herr Wright and Herr Edgeworth? Ah, there you are! And Oh Hallo, die Damen. ” This last was addressing the diner woman and Jalopy.

The response was sheer chaos.

Phoenix had warned Klavier and Apollo what they might be walking into, but even he was not ready for the reaction.

Terra Misu, who had been in a total state of chilled-out for the two days Nick had known her. Looked stunned for all of two seconds before letting out a high-pitched squeal. This sound altered Sherry Torte in the kitchen: “Terra what-? Oh!”

There was a crash as the coffee pot she was holding fell to the floor. She stood agape.

Cindy Lyn, a woman in her mid-forties, stood up, then sat back down, her mouth working and nothing coming out.

Jalopy, stood up, eyes wide, and as if compelled by magic, crossed the few feet to where Klavier stood smugly by the door, stuck out his hand, and said: “ HiI'mJalopycanIloveyoucanhaveyourautographandapicture? ”

Cathy Sheer, took one look at Klavier, and bust out laughing. Head in hands, she howled till she couldn't breathe, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

All the while Terra Misu kept letting out a seemingly involuntary squeal.

Nick couldn't help it, he laughed too.

This was perfect.

He tried to sober up and failed, as he came under the stern and unassumed glares of Edgeworth and Apollo. Though what Apollo was upset about he didn't know, he at least had been warned.

What's with lawyers in red? No sense of humor I swear.

May 8th, 3:00 p.m.

The Hash House Diner, Exterior.

Rubesville

South Heartland, USA

Once Apollo had helped them load up the trunk, it took another hour or so to wrap things up.

Klavier, happily basking in the attention, was extricated from the diner girls and Jalopy, having taken and signed what Phoenix felt must have been hundreds of pictures and other various objects. He was grateful though, by the end of it all everyone was smiling, and it provided a distraction.

Edgeworth had pulled Cathy Sheer and Sherry Torte aside to talk quietly. Afterward, he took Jalopy aside, ostensibly to pay him the other half of what was owed for the car, but they ended up standing outside talking for the better part of a half-hour.

Jalopy came back, eyes puffy holding Mile's monogrammed handkerchiefs. “I won't forget this,” he said, “I'm sorry, and- thank you.”

Miles gave him a gracious nod. Phoenix sent his partner a curious look but didn't press it.

They headed out, stepping into the late afternoon heat.

“Here,” Sherry said, handing a small basket of wrapped items to Phoenix “I got you boy's some sandwiches and treats for the road.”

“Oh! Thank you, you didn't have to do that,” Phoenix said, delighted.

“Oh's nothing, figured I'd leave y'all with one final taste of home cook'n before you head on back to the city,” She said, giving him a beaming smile, “You take care of yourself now you here?”

“Oh, that does remind me,” Edgeworth said, “Wright there is something I have neglected to do.”

“What's that-? Hmph! ”

Miles had stepped forward, grasped Phoenix's tie, and pulled him forward into a searing kiss.

There was a moment of silence, in which Phoenix recovered and responded.

“Oh is dis vhat we are doing?” Klavier asked, and grabbed Apollo.

“Wait wh-? Hmph! ”

Their kiss was clearly the fan favorite. Terra squealed again, and Cathy pulled her phone out. As soon as Klavier let Apollo up for air, Cathy handed the phone to Terra.

“Don't worry I got it for you.”

“Girl I love you so much, I will give you my blood-”

On that note, they left.

Edgeworth and Phoenix sat in the back seats, Apollo shotgun next to his boy.

“Thank god,” Miles muttered, laying his head back on cool leather seats. They pulled out onto the dusty country road and began putting Rubesville behind them.

“Right?” Phoenix said, “I think I need a vacation from my vacation.”

Miles snorted, “Indeed, this was not the weekend I had hoped for.”

“We'll do better next time,” Phoenix reassured him.

Edgeworth hummed in agreement, then he said: “Wright. When we get back, it occurs to me... There is something I have been needing to discuss with you.”

Phoenix cocked his head curiously, “Of course, what's on your mind?”

“When we get back,” Miles waved him off, “Until then...”

Mile settled himself with a sigh, letting his's close. One hand was placed openly on the seat between them. Phoenix took it in his and dozed off to the sound of Apollo teasing Klavier:

“Well, I suppose it's good to know we have options if we ever want a surrogate.”

“Getting a bit ahead of ourselves aren't we Schatzi?”

Two weeks later, they were informed that Mr. Vrikcon Grebes was sentenced to life in prison. His assets were placed under the care of his closest living relatives. One Mrs. Berry Torte, and her daughter, Miss Sherry Torte.

Three weeks later, Phoenix received an email with more good news: Miss Cindy Lyn Rolls was now Mayor Cindy Lyn Rolls, and she was pivoting away from ducks.

Marshland USA might work a bit better, She wrote. I've been talking with some conservationists -real nice types- about what it takes to become a state park, set up campgrounds, and such.

Better yet, Cathy Sheer had moved. She got her car and was now living outside Los Angeles. Still working as a cashier, but... God, she had gotten out of there.

Phoenix would have lunch with her when he got back. Talk more about her plans, and if she was going back to school and such. There was still a long way to go, but she was no longer trapped in the prison of despair.

But that would come later when he and Miles got home.

June 1st, 5:30 p.m.

Lovely Lake Resort - Suite 7,

Pacific Northwest.

Sunset over Lovely Lake, was, in a word, lovely.

The air was fresh, and filled with the scent of redwood and pine. The view from their balcony was breathtaking looking out over the lake, forest, and candy-colored sky.

Phoenix and Edgeworth sat next to each other in outdoor chairs, hot tea on set out on the small table between them. Phoenix leaned back in khaki shorts and an open button-down shirt, while Miles sat, no less relaxed, in his vest and dress shirt.

Phoenix watched the love of his life take an appreciative sip of his tea, before turning his gray eye's towards Phoenix.

God, he is beautiful, Phoenix couldn't help himself. The way his gray hair shown in the light, the small relaxed smile, and the light in his eyes. I am the luckiest man in the world.

“Your staring Wright,” Edgeworth said, though by his tone he hardly mind it.

“Yeah,” Phoenix said, and leaned more his way, and let out an appreciative ' Hmmmm' “I'm just enjoying the view.”

Miles chuckled, shaking his head, causing his glittering gray hair to catch the light in yet more wonderful ways.

“You're impossible,” Edgeworth said, leaning over the little table between them to put a hand on Phoenix's cheek and pull him into a soft kiss.

“I love you, Miles,” Phoenix murmured, “God, I love you.”

“I love you too...” Miles kissed him again, before pulling back slightly, “I have a question, I have been meaning to ask you...”

Phoenix's cocked his head curiously, and Miles asked.

“Miles...” Phoenix breathed, and felt a tear coming to his eye, “Of course. God of course yes!”

His hand moved to grasp Miles's.

“Always, for as long as you'll have me.”

The end.