Chapter Text
It astonished Fenne just how anxious she got when meeting with Mira. It was easily, what, the fifth year working with her? Stepping up to Mira’s home, she shook herself to try to get rid of any jitters. Her effort was for nothing when Mira opened the door.
“Good evening, Wright. You’re early.” Mira stated, letting Fenne in.
“Yeah, I’m sorry! I miscalculated with traffic and all!”
“No need to apologize. You’re helping me, after all.” Mira said, walking to her kitchen. “Need something to drink, Wright?”
“Water, please! Also we’re not in the office anymore, you can call me Fenne.”
“Right. My apologies, I… keep forgetting.” Mira said, turning away as she prepared drinks.
“It’s ok!” she assured, “So, what’re we working on tonight?”
Mira went on to explain the convoluted case she was assigned. Apparently, a drug cartel on the west side of town took hold of the community. Mira ruled it certain that defendant Max Jacques led the cartel, but she was missing pieces in the timeline from his supposed ‘alibis’. Mira searched through numerous confiscated computers, and even received a physically hefty amount of evidence in the form of boxed drugs cleverly disguised as packs of Oreos.
Fenne flipped through the documents, “Just to be clear, Max’s Macs lacked tracks to the packed snacks… of amphetamines?”
Mira chuckled, “Yes, that’s correct.”
Mira watched as Fenne leaned in to view all the papers sprawled on the table. Despite Fenne’s cheery and, sometimes chaotic disposition, Mira admired how dedicated she was to her work. Surely it was no wonder how the young attorney rose up to be one of the most well-known in the field.
She leaned back to rest for a moment, observing Fenne. The hair tied into the attorney’s ponytail grazed over the documents as she got a closer look. She tugged slightly at her lip, something Fenne did as a habit whenever she studied hard. Even then, Mira admired the girl’s sense of focus and dedication.
Fenne’s mismatched eyes caught Mira’s gaze. She grinned, “You checking me out there, Mira?”
“Don’t be absurd…” she countered, to which Fenne couldn’t help but laugh.
“Well, while I have your attention, I guess I’ll share with you what a found.” Fenne pointed to a few excerpts below, “I found a few holes here and here in the defendant’s story. It definitely opens the possibility to his involvement.”
Mira took a moment to look over the documents. Her bangs blinded her slightly, but she could tell Fenne’s eyes were on her. What a hypocrite…
“This… makes sense. The evidence all connects to Jacques leading the operation. Thank you, Fenne.” Mira said.
“Oh, it’s no problem!”
“Don’t be so modest. You considered solutions I would've never thought about! Your thought process is fascinating, really.” Mira began. Fenne was speechless, her cheeks and ears dusted pink. “…So, why did you end up here so early? It’s unlike you to not be at least five minutes late to most meetings.”
“Didn't expect to get roasted tonight!” Fenne gave into a nervous chuckle. She found solace in Mira’s dog Pess resting below her. As soft and loving as the dog was, her mass anchoring Fenne’s feet served as a reminder that she couldn’t run from this conversation. “In all honesty, I kinda wanted to wrap up early so we could hang out for a bit…?”
“I’d like that.” Mira said, softer than she intended, “You can always just ask to come over. You know that, right? You’re one of my closest friends, after all.”
“Really...?” Fenne asked. She considered though, it made sense with how little Mira talked, even among her colleagues. “You sure Gumshoe or Lori doesn’t take that spot?” she teased.
“Please...” Mira scoffed, “I enjoy his company, but Gumshoe is a tad overbearing. As for Lori, she is similar to a stray dog I always seem to be responsible for.”
“You’re right! Just remember, I dealt with her the entire time you were gone.” Fenne laughed, “You know, I think Lori might be jealous of you.”
“How so?”
“Well, between us, she’s just mad because you get a lot of attention from guys,” she took a sip from her glass, looking away, “some girls, too.”
“Really?”
“Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed!”
Mira thought about it for a moment. She couldn’t exactly remember a time someone openly flirted with her, save for Oldbag, a witness she dealt with years ago. Mira shuddered. She considered that she had always been so enthralled with her work, maybe she really didn’t notice.
“I remember Oldbag.” Mira said dryly. Fenne broke out into full on cackles.
“God, I’m still so sorry about that!” she sighed, wiping a tear away, “But seriously, now I’m curious. Are you… interested in anyone?”
“Well...” Mira was unsure how to answer. Attraction didn’t really come naturally to her. Sure, it’d be nice to have someone to hold aside from her dog at night, but her career always came first in her life. Her last actual crush was way back in grade school, with the woman in front of her. But that was ages ago.
Mira’s phone chimed from her coat pocket. “It’s Franziska. Mind if we cut this short for tonight?”
“Not at all!”
Fenne’s hand hovered over the doorknob. She’d curse herself later if she didn’t ask Mira the question dwelling in her head all evening.
It took everything in her to keep her voice calm and even. “Mira, before I go, would you… want to grab dinner sometime?”
“Of course. I will text you later, we can figure out a day.” Mira responded, somewhat quickly as she ushered Fenne to the door.
“Oh--okay! Uh, good night!”
“Good night, Fenne.” Mira said, waving her off before answering the call.
“Hey, ‘Ziska. What do you need?”
“I’m just making sure you have everything ready for next week’s trial.” Franziska said.
“I do, actually. Wright helped in tying up some loose ends.”
“Please tell me you are not still spending time with that attorney.”
“Are you still bitter over her defeating you?” Mira teased.
“It’s not that. Victory streaks don’t really affect me now, after...” She didn’t finish her sentence, but Mira knew she meant the incident involving her father.
“Well, what is it, then?”
“You two spend an awful lot of time together. I don’t want you associating with a fool like Wright.”
“She’s not a fool,” Mira scoffed, “and if she was, that would be another to the collection of weird friends I have.” Unsurprisingly, Lori and Gumshoe came to mind.
“‘Friends,’ huh?” Franziska mused. “…Wait, tell me you’re joking! I can’t believe I have to be the one to break this to you, but Fenne has an obvious crush on you.”
“What a ludicrous accusation, and an unprofessional one at that. We’re just close friends.” Mira said, “If you really don’t believe me, I’ll ask her myself at dinner.”
Franziska cackled so loud, that Mira held the phone away from her ear. “DINNER?! Mira, my sister, my sweet fool, that’s what we call a date.”
The silence on the other side of the line spoke volumes. Mira felt her stomach drop.
“How did you not realize this?! You’re a prosecutor. It is your job to find motives and read people! Not to mention you’ve known her for how long, now? …Are you still there?”
Mira realized she was so lost in thought, she forgot to speak. “Eh, yes. ‘Ziska, I’ll call you back.”
“Alright,” she said, stifling her laughter, “let me know when you figure things out.”
Mira hung up and proceeded to scream into a pillow.