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Until We Meet Again

Summary:

Phoenix can't quite manage to save Athena and Apollo from a losing trial. Maya thinks her sister might be the solution.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

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The mood in the defendant’s antechamber was…depressing.

No, it was more than that. It was oppressive. The unrelenting despair present in all of their faces, the unspoken reality hanging in the air between them.

He should say something. He had to say something-but what? There was nothing. Nothing more to do, no more tricks, no more leads, no more bluffs. A dead end.

“Mr. Wright…?”

His head jerked up at Athena’s voice. Her face was pulled tight with concern, but her eyes were wide as she looked at him, a hint of hope and trust shining through.

“What do we do now? What’s our next step? Our strategy?” Her voice wavered as she spoke, the uncertainty showing even as she obviously tried to hide it.

“What else can we do?” Apollo cut in. He’d dropped onto one of the chairs lining the wall, shoulders slumped in defeat.

“Wh-what kind of talk is that! Mr. Wright will have something. Right?”

There it was again. That spark of hope, the unconditional trust. They’d called him in, asked for help, so sure he could turn it around. They believed in him.

And he had nothing to give.

He closed his eyes.

“Athena I’m…I’m sorry. I don’t see a way out.”

“What…what are you talking about. Mr. Wright?”

He was selfishly glad he couldn’t see her face, even for just a moment.

“What about the court record! The evidence! Maybe we can get some new testimony, maybe we can-”

“Athena.”

Phoenix forced himself to look her in the eye, waiting until she returned his gaze, a trace of doubt finally creeping into her face.

“We can’t always win them all. Sometimes there’s nothing more we can do.”

She stared, eyes wide, before suddenly violently shaking her head.

“No there has to be-”

“Niiiiiiiiiick!”

The mournful mood was shattered for a moment, Maya’s bright voice cutting through the misery. She bounded in, smile on her face, with, of course, Trucy right on her heels.

“Have you won yet? I’m hungry! I’m a growing girl, Nick!”

Maya was smart, it never took her long to pick up on an atmosphere like this, but Phoenix had never met anyone more attuned to other people than Trucy.

She looked straight at him, dead serious expression contrasting Maya’s oblivious one.

“It’s not going well, is it Daddy?” She said softly.

Surprise flitted across Maya’s face, her eyes glancing from Trucy to Phoenix.

“Nick? Is everything ok?”

Phoenix sighed. He had to pull it together. They all looked to him in one way or another, for good and bad.

“No, it’s not going well. It happens sometimes. You know that, Maya.”

Her eyebrows knitted together in a thoughtful expression. The response caught him off guard. Maya was always so…Maya, sometimes her maturity took him by surprise.

“So…you lost?”

“No!” Athena cried out.

Phoenix winced. Her volume could rival Apollo.

“We haven’t lost we just…there has to be something.” What little energy she had managed to muster back up drained away by the end of her sentence.

Phoenix hated this. He could stomach losing, but watching Athena and Apollo trying to deal with it for the first time? Watching the spirit sucked out of them as reality came crashing down? That was a different story. A heartbreaking lesson he knew they’d have to learn eventually, but still…

And then the moody silence was broken again, ripping Phoenix from his thoughts with the sound of hands clapping together.

Maya smiled at him, hands together, oddly cheerful as she waited for his full attention.

“Well it’s a good thing I showed up then, isn’t it?”

She didn’t bother waiting for a response from any of them. Phoenix recognized it instantly, the familiar glint in her eye right before she closed them, face relaxing as she focused.

Panic set in the pit of his stomach, panic he couldn’t really explain or understand, or maybe just didn’t want to.

“Wait, Maya are you sure-”

It was too late. It happened so fast, even now. There was none of the fuss and pageantry associated with most of Maya’s channelings. No candles, no locked room, no special chants. She had never needed any of that most of the times he’d seen her channel a spirit.

But around him, she almost always channeled just the one.

And in a moment, it wasn’t Maya looking at him anymore.

How many years had it been since he’d seen her? Eight, nine?

It didn’t seem to matter. No matter how much time had passed, one look and he was 24 again, always on her heels, feeling like he would never catch up no matter how hard he tried.

She blinked, her eyes wide with surprise.

And then Mia smiled.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it Phoenix?”

There was a pause that lasted too long, an unnatural stretch of quiet, and her smile faltered just a touch. Her brows knit together almost identical to how Maya’s did.

It used to hurt, the little things he noticed early on, the similarities between them. An echo of his mentor. Now it mostly just filled him with warmth, a comforting familiarity between the sisters. Even Pearl had picked up some of these quirks of the years.

It was this point, deep in his thoughts, that he finally realized he was staring.

“Yeah it’s-it’s been a while, Mia.”

“Aunt Mia!”

They both jumped, like a bubble bursting. Trucy slid into the space between them, brimming with excitement, eyes completely focused on Mia. Mia raised an eyebrow in response, glancing questioningly at Phoenix.

“Aunt…?”

Trucy straightened with a flourish, her eyes shining at the sudden opportunity.

“Trucy Wright, CEO of Wright’s Anything Agency, Magician Extraordinaire-“

“Oh!” Comprehension dawned on Mia’s face. “I remember you. That little girl from the court house.” She sent another glance at Phoenix. “Trucy Wright, huh?”

Trucy deflated slightly at the interruption, but in true Trucy fashion, immediately perked back up.

“Wait, you remember me? But we’ve never met! You’re Aunt Maya’s older sister, right? Daddy’s mentor?”

What?

All three of them jumped, Apollo’s voice loud enough to be painful.

Right. They were here too.

Apollo was wide eyed, his face pale. He was tense, fists clenched in an unconscious gesture. Athena was almost a mirror, but instead of tension seemed to be vibrating with curiosity.

Mia tilted her head.

“It seems there are some introductions to be had.”

Mentor?” Apollo croaked out. “But I thought-I heard-how?

“Polly!” Trucy scowled, hands on her hips. “You’re being rude to my Aunt Mia!”

Apollo reeled back. “What? No I didn’t mean-sorry I’m just…what’s going on?”

“A channeling! Right? Miss Fey told me, that’s what she does, right? A real channeling!” Athena jumped in, her previous mood completely forgotten.

Phoenix’s head was spinning. This was too much. It was getting out of hand. At least Trucy was handling it well. Not that he expected anything less from her.

“Ok, look, everyone calm down. This is-”

The door to the defendant’s chamber slammed open.

“Ten minutes until court is back in session!”

Phoenix made no effort to hide his glare at the officer. The man was quick to retreat.

“Phoenix.”

He turned back to Mia and found himself struck by her expression. He remembered this, the determination, the confidence. She was ready for a fight, without hesitation. Always there for him and Maya even after death.

“Maya called me here for a reason, didn’t she? And considering where we are, I’m guessing you’re in the middle of a trial. So, show me the court record. Let me see what we’re dealing with.”

Phoenix handed it over automatically without protest, but it didn’t stop him from sighing. Right. The trial. He needed to focus, lost cause or not.

“I think Maya may have been a little optimistic. I don’t think there’s anything else we can do.”

Her eyes moved quickly as she scanned the documents.

“Here is this-”

“Yes and he was-”

“That would mean-”

“No that witness was discredited-”

The back and forth was easy and natural. It was almost impossible to not pick himself up, to pull himself together, the professionalism taking over as his brain shifted back into work mode. He moved closer, looking where she was looking, standing a little behind to read over her shoulder as they went through the evidence.

“It seems you really have covered all your bases, Phoenix,” she mused as their quick read through reached the end. Phoenix couldn’t help a smirk.

“What, no corrections to make? Nothing I got wrong?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

He blinked.

He blinked again.

Nothing…?

Something was off. Something important, he knew, something that was very wrong. But before he could follow the thought any further, she was tapping the paper, drawing his attention back.

“Phoenix, this piece of evidence here. There’s something about it…”

He nodded grimly.

“I know. I know it’s key, but I’ve looked it over again and again, I don’t see anything else I can use.”

She turned to face him again, a familiar smirk on her face, her head tilting ever so slightly.

“I think you need to think of it the other way around, Phoenix.”

He furrowed his brow, uncomprehending.

“Other way around? What does that…mean…oh. Oh.”

Mia’s smile widened.

He stared, the pieces flipping themselves over in his mind, clicking together in a way they hadn’t before. This was it. This right here, this changed everything.

They could win this.

The door opened again. The officer peaked his head in, glancing around nervously for a moment before saying his piece. Though noticeably quieter than before…

“Can the defense return to the courtroom!”

“Wait, wait!” Athena cried. “What just happened?”

“What is going on.” Apollo added.

Phoenix mirrored his Mentor’s smile.

“It’s just like she said. We need to think of it the other way around.”

And just like that, he had a chance. The world righted itself in a second, with just enough of a thread for him to grab onto and pull. That was all he ever needed.

“You ready to stand behind the bench again, Chief?”

It almost ached watching her small nod. He’d missed this more then he’d even realized.

“Always. Now lets go turn this trial upside down.”

He squared his shoulders, as ready as he would ever be, and strode towards the door. He saw Mia lean over for a moment, whispering something to Trucy, but in a moment she was done and back at his side, walking shoulder to shoulder back into the courtroom.

***

Athena spun on them the second they stepped back into the defendant’s chamber.

“I can’t believe it! How did we miss that? How did you figure that out?”

“Will someone please explain what’s going on?” Apollo added, his tone borderline desperate.

Phoenix held back a laugh. He couldn’t blame them. Seeing anyone channeled was a lot to take in. Seeing someone channeled who just wiped the floor in court was another thing all together.

Trucy tilted her head at Apollo, brow furrowed, the only one who wasn’t freaking out.

“I told you Apollo, this is Aunt Mia! Daddy’s mentor and Aunt Maya’s older sister! Don’t you pay attention when other people talk? It’s rude not to you know.”

“But-I-that’s…when Mr. Wright talked about her…I thought she was…”

“Dead?” Mia finished, a slight smirk on her face.

Apollo’s stuttering devolved beyond words, and Mia chuckled.

“I can’t believe this, now I know where Mr. Wright gets it from. That was amazing! It’s so cool to actually meet you Aun-I mean Miss Fey!” Athena blurted out. Widget instantly became tinged with yellow embarrassment. Mia kindly ignored it.

“It’s nice to meet you both too. Glad I could see Phoenix’s subordinates for myself.”

Phoenix smiled, but the motion suddenly felt forced. Something wavered in him at her tone. It had been such a long time, and seeing her in court again had struck him in his core, something almost like nervousness. He pushed the feeling down, ignoring it.

“I’m glad too. They’re pretty impressive lawyers, you know.”

“Aww Boss!” Athena said, blushing ever so slightly at the compliment. Apollo, in true Apollo fashion, cleared his throat and glanced away, a hand coming up to rub the back of his neck.

“Well they’ve got a good teacher, don’t they?”

Now it was Phoenix’s turn to rub the back of his neck.

“I’m only passing on what you taught me.”

“Don’t be so modest. I told you before, didn’t I? There’s nothing more I have to teach you. What you’re doing now, that’s all you Phoenix.”

And suddenly it hit him, what seemed so odd about Mia, what was so off. What had felt wrong from the moment Maya had channeled her.

“I’m older than you.”

It sounded so strange, so unnatural coming out of his mouth. The world seemed to disappear beneath him for just a moment, the realization almost too much to bear. Had it been that long? It didn’t seem right. It wasn’t right.

Her expression turned soft as she watched him, melting into something almost vulnerable.

“That’s how it’s supposed to go, Phoenix. When someone dies.”

He flinched at her bluntness.

“I…I know I just…”

“You’ve grown so much, you know that? You didn’t need me here at all.”

He blinked, her words catching him off guard.

“What? What do you mean? If you hadn’t pointed out that evidence we never would have won!”

She raised an eyebrow.

“You mean the evidence you already knew was key? You told me yourself, remember? And I saw your notes on it. Maybe it would have taken a few extra minutes, but you were already almost there on your own. You would have won that trial without me.

“You didn’t need me, Phoenix. And you haven’t for a long time, have you?”

“Chief…”

There it was again, that feeling in his gut, a sudden heaviness.

He didn’t want her to keep going. Suddenly, he knew exactly what she was going to say.

“Look at you. You’re doing so well. Your own practice, your own subordinates. You’ve been standing on your own two feet for years. I’m so glad I got to see it for myself.

“I’m so proud of you, Phoenix. You and Maya both. You’ve both come so far.”

Her voice wavered ever so slightly in a way he couldn’t remember ever hearing it before.

“Mia…why does this sound like goodbye?”

She smiled, small and sad.

“You know why.”

He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but she was already shaking her head.

“I’ve been gone for a while.”

She glanced at Trucy.

“A long while. Life is meant to go on.”

“But…”

He floundered, the words not coming.

The silence between them was heavy.

Mia took a deep breath, as if preparing for something. Phoenix reacted without thinking, and in a moment he’d pulled her in, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. He wasn’t sure he could speak, that he could find the right words, but he tried his best anyway.

“I’ll miss you, Mia. We both will.”

She hugged back, just as tight. They could have stood there for an eternity for all he knew, and yet all too soon she was pulling away. She looked up at him, that same old almost playful glint in her eyes shining through over everything else.

“Now don’t look at me like that. We’ll see each other again, one day. Just…maybe not too soon, ok?”

He couldn’t help but laugh at that, shaky and uneven.

“Don’t worry, I plan to be around here for a while.”

She turned away from him a little, looking at the others in the room. Athena and Apollo were standing with varying levels of wonder and confusion, and maybe a little awkwardness on Apollo’s part. Trucy’s face had gone almost blank, in that way it always did when she was holding back her feelings.

“I hope all of you will take care of Phoenix. Don’t let him get too comfortable.”

“Hey!” he couldn’t help himself, the response coming out automatically.

And then Trucy surged forward, throwing herself into her own hug with Mia. After a moment of surprise, Mia gently hugged her back.

“Don’t worry Aunt Mia, I always know how to keep Daddy on his toes.”

Phoenix sighed.

“She really does…”

Mia laughed.

“Good. You need it.”

They looked at each other, one last time.

And for a moment, it was over a decade earlier. He was standing in her office, hands shaking as he struggled with his tie. He could still see her exasperation, the hand on her hip as she watched. He could feel the deft movements as she finally helped him fix it.

Deep breaths, Phoenix. Are you ready?

And he was standing in what was now his office, watching Maya tear up at a few yellow leaves on Charley.

I can’t even water her plant right, Nick. What good am I without her?

He hadn’t known what to say. He had felt the same.

He remembered after the trial at Hazakura temple, standing in the same room as Edgeworth, Pearl and Maya, watching Maya fuss over her cousin as Edgeworth stood awkwardly to the side. At least, until Maya finally turned to Edgeworth himself.

You know what this means, don’t you Mr. Edgeworth? You’re family.

Phoenix had laughed at the other man’s sputtering, giving no help as he’d cast his desperate expression towards Phoenix.

That’s…very kind of you Miss Fey.

No, Maya! You call me Maya now. I told you, after this you’re family now. Just like my sister used to say, always and forever.

He could see himself in his apartment, only months later, numb and reeling, half of his thoughts wondering what he needed to do about this little girl left behind, the other half screaming wordlessly.

I can’t face her like this Maya, please. I can’t.

He took a deep breath, ignoring the tears pooling in his eyes as he dragged himself back to the present.

“I’ll miss you, Mia.”

“Until we meet again, Phoenix.”

And she was gone.

She disappeared in a moment, as quick and uneventful as if nothing had happened at all. Maya stood before him again, blinking slowly as she came too. Her face fell as she took in Phoenix’s expression.

“Oh no don’t tell me…”

He shook his head.

“No, no we won. Everything is fine.”

She looked around, taking in the others, the solemn atmosphere, the concern morphing into confusion.

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong Maya, it’s just.” He stopped. It was almost too much to say, as if saying it made it truly real. He breathed out through his nose, forcing himself to push through.

“Mia is gone.”

Her expression didn’t change. She only tilted her head, so similar to her sister.

“Yeah?”

“No Maya I mean…she said goodbye.”

Several emotions passed over her face in a few seconds in quick succession, until she was left looking strangely small.

“Oh.” She said quietly.

“You don’t seem surprised.”

She shrugged.

“I guess I’m not. I knew this would happen one day. It’s been so long since I’ve even channeled her.”

He pulled her into a hug without hesitation, softer this time. A part of him smiled at how easy it came to him, comforting the Feys. His family.

“I know, Maya.”

She made a soft noise against his jacket, somewhere between a shaky breath and a sob. He held her a little tighter.

For several moments, the room was dead silent, nothing existing except for his best friend.

And then Trucy spoke, oddly bright. A good imitation of someone without a care in the world. Always ready to put on a show, always so aware of the people around her…

“Oh! Aunt Maya, I have to tell you something.”

Maya lifted her head, partially extracting herself from the hug.

“Ok…?”

“Aunt Mia told me to tell you, and I quote,” she cleared her throat, straightening up, “’always and forever’.”

That broke the dam. Tears welled up in Maya’s eyes now, quickly overflowing.

“Aunt Maya?”

Maya rubbed her face with her sleeve, smiling through it.

“Thanks Truce. Really.”

She sniffed. Phoenix patted his pockets automatically, pulling out a handkerchief he never used. She took it gratefully, immediately using it to blow her nose. He shook his head as she tried to hand it back.

“It’s ok, you can have that. I’m sure Edgeworth will get me another one.”

Or lecture him, one of the two. Maybe both.

Maya nodded, shoving the folded up handkerchief into what he assumed was a pocket.

“You know what we need?” She said.

Phoenix raised an eyebrow. There was usually only one thing to follow those words coming from her.

“Let me guess…burgers?”

The mention of food had her perking up already.

“Or ramen! I’m not picky.”

He laughed, suddenly feeling lighter than he had in days.

“Ok, ok. What do you guys think?” He turned to the others. Athena and Apollo both looked a little awkward, unsure how to respond. He smiled at them, hoping they got the message. “Hey, I’ll even pay.”

“Oh, well if that’s the case, then I’m thinking burgers,” Athena said thoughtfully, widget a strange mix of colors as her mood shifted.

“Ramen!” Trucy exclaimed. “We can go to the noodle stand!”

“I’m not sure I can eat…” Apollo mumbled.

“Alright, lets see what’s closer then. Though maybe we could find a different ramen place.”

“Objection! We have to go there! Saltiest noodles in town!” Trucy called back, already halfway out the door.

“And that’s a good thing?” Phoenix called after her.

“Ok,” Maya interjected as they made their way through the hall, “How about noodles first, then burgers? Nick said he was paying after all!”

“Wait a minute-”

“No Objecting Mr. Wright, you did say you’d pay!” Athena added.

“T-then Hold It!”

“No can do Daddy!”

It was a lost cause. There was no argument he could make against any of them.

Though he certainly tried.

***

*****

“…Phoenix? What are you doing here?”

Phoenix shifted in discomfort, avoiding Ms. Fey’s gaze.

“Sorry to bother you, I know it’s kind of late.”

“I was just leaving my office, yes.”

He flinched.

“Sorry, I just…”

He held out the envelope in his hand.

“My first payment for your defense. It’s not everything but I was hoping you would be willing to set up some sort of payment plan or something. Somehow we never really got around to discussing it before so I thought I’d…go ahead and…bring this.”

He faltered the more he spoke, feeling her eyes on him, boring a hole even as he refused to look directly at her.

Please just take it, it’s all I can do right now.

“Want some coffee?”

His head snapped up, finally meeting her eyes despite himself. She seemed…normal. Casual.

“W-what?”

“Coffee. It’s a little cold outside. We may as well talk inside, so. Would you like some coffee? I have too much these days…”

She trailed off, oddly thoughtful.

Phoenix opened his mouth, ready to say no, to force the envelope on her and get away. Maybe he could just mail payments to her in the future. He didn’t want to be here. He didn’t want to be anywhere, really, but especially not here.

She gave him no chance, turning on her heels and walking back inside, the door left wide open behind her.

“Wait, I…”

“Come on!” She called out.

He looked around. There was nowhere he could leave the envelope safely. The door swayed gently with the breeze, just cold enough to cut through Phoenix’s too thin sweater.

Reluctantly he gave in, stepping inside and closing the door behind him.

The office was always a little too much. Ostentatious and tacky as far as Phoenix was concerned. It didn’t fit Mia at all, but he supposed it made sense for her mentor.

“Take a seat,” Mia said. He could see her in the next room, what seemed to be a small break room. He awkwardly sat down in the plush sofa sat across from a currently empty receptionist desk. He really, really did not want to be here.

Should he just leave the envelope here? Call later to finish setting things up? It was late, later than he’d meant to get here. At best he was inconveniencing her, and after everything she’d done for him.

Pain cut through him, like a shard of glass cutting into his chest. He pushed the thoughts away, forced them down. He couldn’t think about that. He stared at the envelope, focusing on it as best he could. Look forward, he had to look forward, he couldn’t…it was too much to do anything else. He had to-

“Phoenix?”

He jumped, heart in his throat before his mind caught up with him. Mia stood over him, two cups in hand, clear concern written across her face.

“Sorry,” he said instantly, “I didn’t mean to zone out.”

She frowned, looking him over. He fought the urge to move, to get out of her view.

“You look like shit,” She finally said.

He blinked.

And then he laughed, short and humorless.

“Yeah. I guess so. Look I just wanted to give you this.” He tried holding out the envelope again. “I know it’s not much but…”

She ignored him completely, setting one mug on the table by the sofa, and leaning back against the receptionist desk with her own mug.

“I have a question for you, Phoenix.”

He was immediately on guard. For a moment it felt as if he couldn’t breathe.

She looked straight down into his eyes.

“At your trial, you told me you wanted to go into law. That despite being an art major you’re going to law school. That you have a goal.”

…What?

“Is that still true? Are you serious about becoming a lawyer?”

“Yes. Of course.” He answered without a thought, without hesitation. That much was easy at least.

Silence. She watched him, as if searching his face for something. He looked back, uncertain, yet suddenly unwilling to look away. A part of him turned hard at the sudden shift, bracing himself for whatever derogatory comment she was about to make.

And then she nodded, as if suddenly satisfied.

“Would you want to come work for me?”

He gaped, head spinning.

“I-what?”

“Come work for me,” She repeated, an eyebrow raised. “You say your serious about law. You clearly can’t afford to pay for my services, so, come intern as my paralegal.”

“But…I…I don’t have any experience!”

“So you aren’t serious, then?”

“Of course I am!” He said, offended at the implication.

“Then come work for me.” She paused to take a drink. “I’m getting ready to leave this office to start my own practice. It won’t be easy for you, but it’ll give you the boost you need, and the experience you need. And I could use a little help. It’s a win-win.”

He was too tired for this. He was exhausted, he hadn’t eaten, he needed a shower. This was almost too much.

But what if she was serious?

“Is this for real?” He asked. “Is this a real offer.”

“Yes. I could pull up papers right now for you to sign if you’d like.”

“Yes. Yes, I’ll do it.”

She blinked, leaning back a little at his enthusiasm. Clearly she hadn’t expected him to accept so quickly. For a moment he was worried. Maybe he’d messed up, maybe she wasn’t really serious.

And then she smiled, wide and genuine, eyes shining.

“Good. I’ll get started on the paperwork and contact you tomorrow. Is that ok?”

“Y-yeah, absolutely.”

This was surreal. Phoenix felt sure any moment he’d wake up to another dreary day, the entire thing nothing but a vague memory of a dream.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then. And put that away, would you?” She nodded towards his envelope, still clutched in his hand. He couldn’t help the slight blush of embarrassment in his cheeks. He nodded.

“Good night then, Phoenix.”

“…Good night Ms. Fey.”

He didn’t quite remember the bike ride home to his tiny apartment. He barely remembered the quick meal of instant ramen, the too cold shower. One moment he was sitting in front of Ms. Fey, being offered a job he didn’t deserve, and another he was in bed, staring at the cracked ceiling above him.

A paralegal. In an actual lawyer’s office. Working for Ms. Fey.

Even the thought of that day hurt, tore him up inside every moment he couldn’t distract himself from it. The kind of pain that drowned a person, that left him swimming against a current no person could be expected to fight.

And yet, he could remember how she was in court. Even with the odd misstep, what she did was nothing short of a miracle. She was amazing, and only barely begun in her career. Working for her…maybe he could do it. Maybe he could really get through law school. Maybe he could really become a lawyer. Maybe one day he’d even go up against…

He flipped over in bed, burying his face in the pillow. It was too much, it was all too much. But he couldn’t pass this up. He wouldn’t.

Maybe he could never be like Ms. Fey, never as impressive as she was in the courtroom. It was hard to imagine anything more than trailing behind her.

But as he finally drifted to sleep, his exhaustion overcoming his twisted up thoughts, he couldn’t help but think that wasn’t so bad. He barely knew the woman, but somehow he got the sense there wasn’t really anyone else like her. Especially not him.

But he could live with that.

Notes:

Still not sure how I feel about this but I sure did write it I guess.