Work Text:
“I’m not sure about this, sir,” Gumshoe said, apprehension furrowing his brow.
“Don’t be foolish; we’ve gone to far worse crime scenes than this,” Edgeworth admonished, pushing past the detective and into the gloominess of the abandoned hotel.
“I know, but the perpetrator could’ve come back to the scene of the crime,” Gumshoe said, his voice lowered as he followed the prosecutor inside.
“He would be a fool to do so,” Edgeworth simply retorted. “And I believe we’re dealing with someone far more capable than that.”
A beam of light swept across the floor as Edgeworth switched on a flashlight; forensics had finished with the scene the day before and had taken all of their lighting equipment with them, much to his chagrin.
“We’ve got to search every nook and cranny for some sort of clue about the perpetrator. Surely there’s something they missed,” he commented aloud.
“Yes, sir,” Gumshoe answered, keeping his eyes open. Maybe he was just being paranoid but this place felt a bit more foreboding than the crime scenes they usually found themselves investigating. He glanced around warily as Miles continued to investigate.
“Eureka!” softly echoed through the building as the prosecutor made his way to a shabbily concealed doorway. “It appears to be some sort of hidden room.”
Gumshoe quickly joined the other man, an odd sense of familiarity going running through him at the sight of the doorway, but how could that be? He’d only been to the crime scene today with Mr. Edgeworth.
Miles smirked triumphantly, “Let’s see Wright talk his way out of this after we-“ His words halted suddenly, his brow furrowing, “Did the room shift just now?”
“No, sir, I don’t think-“
“Obviously neither of you do much thinking,” a voice called, smugness emanating out from it. “Or you would have stayed far, far away from here. Especially after that little love note I sent to the police department about trying to catch me.”
Gumshoe quickly drew his gun, “You don’t scare us!” he said, glaring into the gloom as he tried to make out the speaker.
“That bravado won’t do you much good soon enough,” they heard, accompanied by the sound of creaking metal as it moved along a track.
Gumshoe lunged for the door, realizing what was happening, but it was too late; the doors had slid shut with one last grinding effort and a bar could be heard sliding into place.
“Au revoir, idiots,” gleefully came through, as muffled echoing footsteps began to trail away.
“Come back here at once!” Miles angrily shouted, pounding on the door. “I will not hesitate to prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law! Your empty threats are useless!”
“…It’s no good, sir. I don’t think he’s coming back,” Gumshoe pointed out, thankful that his boss hadn’t realized what exactly their prison was.
“…Of course. Well, it won’t do him any good. I have my cell phone and the police can be here in- Damn him! He’s blocked the signal,” Miles growled, narrowing his eyes. He had known that this criminal was of a more intelligent variety, but he hadn’t imagined they would go to such extremes. He glanced up at the detective, brow creased, “I don’t suppose you can contact them by other means? No, don’t answer; that was a foolish question.” His eyes narrowed further at the somber look on Gumshoe’s face, “What is it?” he questioned.
“Mr. Edgeworth, I promise I’ll get us out of this, sir,” Gumshoe simply replied, hoping to keep the other man talking.
“Yes, well, we can start by looking for a way out of here.” Edgeworth responded, beginning to search around the room for a means of escape. His gaze landed upon an all too familiar panel as heaviness began to seep into his stomach, threatening to extend panicked choking tendrils up his throat.
“Just breathe, sir; I’ll get us out of this,” Gumshoe promised, carefully laying a hand on the younger man’s shoulder.
“Of all the places,” Edgeworth slowly said, swallowing in revulsion at the sight of the numbered buttons. Why hadn’t he thought this place would have an elevator? It was once a hotel after all. But he had to remember that this elevator hadn’t been in service in quite some time, hardly more than a simple metal box, logic argued. But an elevator all the same, panic countered. His gaze flickered briefly back to Gumshoe, trying to look anywhere but at the reminders of where they were.
Gumshoe smiled slightly, thought his concern showed, “Sir… I give you my word it’s gonna be okay. Just, uh, close your eyes and breathe. I’ll get us of here in no time,” he assured, looking up to see if there was a hatch he could reach.
Edgeworth nodded once, stiff and automatic, as he leaned against the wall with a shaking breath; he was fighting back panic as best he could but it seemed to be in vain.
The cables in the shaft above creaked as they settled into place. It was getting close to dusk and as the day’s heat dissipated the building was beginning to settle in for the night ahead.
“Gumshoe.”
The urgency in his tone was underscored by a desperation swelling beneath.
“I know, sir.” Gumshoe carefully replied, standing up as tall as he could to investigate something on the ceiling, but Edgeworth couldn’t see as his mind was already starting to remind him of a different scene. Even though Phoenix had freed him from the imagined guilt of DL-6, the nightmares and flashbacks were still vivid as ever. After all, fifteen plus years of torment did not simply disappear overnight.
The elevator shook slightly, throwing the prosecutor deeper into his panic.
Gumshoe threw a worried glance over his shoulder, “I dropped the hatch door,” he apologetically explained. When he received no reply, he turned his full attention to Edgeworth, “…Sir?” he asked, turning around. Spotting the prosecutor curled into a ball on the floor, he carefully knelt down beside him, “It’s okay. I found a way out. You just sit tight, okay?”
The lack of a responsive glare only caused the detective to worry further as he went back to the hatch. Jumping as high as he could, Gumshoe latched onto the edge of the opened hatch, causing the elevator to shudder once again. He winced as he heard a shuddering gasp come from below. Hang in there, Mr. Edgeworth, just a bit longer.
Miles curled a bit tighter as the elevator began to shake; he tried to say something to Gumshoe but all that he could muster was a wheezing gasp as the edges of the vision began to darken.
“Mr. Edgeworth, it’s gonna be okay. I promise,” Gumshoe’s voice assured him, yet he couldn’t see the man. He couldn’t see anything, and soon upon this realization his consciousness was abruptly extinguished.
~
“Mr. Edgeworth?” Gumshoe asked, but it sounded far off to Edgeworth, as he began to slowly sink into consciousness.
Edgeworth stirred, wanting to open his eyes but at the same time not feeling quite ready to face the world. What if he was still trapped in the elevator?
“You’re safe now, sir. It’s okay,” Gumshoe beckoned, carefully placing a hand on his shoulder.
Edgeworth’s eyes flew open at the sudden contact, “Where are we?” he groggily demanded.
“The hospital, you passed out and back up insisted you come here, even though I told ‘em you’d be just fine in a bit,” Gumshoe apologetically explained.
Edgeworth swallowed; his unease turning into nausea. He hated hospitals, why hadn’t the detective tried harder to prevent his coming here?! He opened his mouth to snap back a reply but the crestfallen wince on Gumshoe’s face gave him pause. Brow furrowing, he took in the bandage wrapped around the other man’s shoulder, “What happened?”
“Oh, this? It’s nothing, sir. Happened on our way out; the perp had a trap set.”
Edgeworth’s frown deepened, “A trap?” he asked; his mind was still a bit cloudy as he fully came to.
“Yeah, but like I said I’ll be okay. It just cut me a bit, nothing I can’t handle.”
“Why didn’t you step out of the way…?”
“Don’t worry about, sir. You just focus on feeling better. Want some tea?” Gumshoe asked, avoiding the question.
Edgeworth shook his head, and almost immediately regretted the action as dots swam across his vision, “No, thank you.” he ground out, trying to keep his stomach acids on the inside. “Explain what happened. It may help with the case.”
Gumshoe frowned, “…I was carrying you out, sir. That’s why I didn’t dodge…” he reluctantly admitted.
“Ah, I- Oh…” Edgeworth said, his final word slow as the detective’s words set in. “…You were injured for my sake…” he reiterated, making sure he had heard him correctly.
“…Sir, it was my honor. And it’s not even that deep. We’re partners; we look out for each other. Just like you look out for me whenever my annual review comes up.” Gumshoe replied, his friendly grin making Edgeworth’s stomach churn with guilt.
“Yes… Of course… Thank you, Gumshoe.” Edgeworth quietly answered, gripping his elbow.
“You’re welcome!” Gumshoe brightly replied, his grin growing.
“…No, I mean a serious thank you is in order. You’ve done so much for me, you always have…” Edgeworth awkwardly began. His expression was solemn as he stared at the opposite wall.
Gumshoe smiled softly, “You’re always welcome. Like I said, that’s part of the job description, and not only that but you’re a good man and a good friend. I’d gladly walk right into that trap again.”
Edgeworth slowly turned his gaze to the detective, trying not to clam up with anxiety, “You’re a good man too, detective… I’m afraid I don’t expound on your merits enough. …Again, you have my gratitude.”
“Aww, pal,” Gumshoe answered, grinning again. He knew that meant Edgeworth was his friend in return.
Edgeworth shook his head, “Allow me to finish. …I believe a raise is in order. …And dinner, on me. And not noodles for once,” he continued.
Gumshoe’s eyes widened, “Thank you, sir…”
“Of course,” Edgeworth answered, guilt gnawing still at the obvious relief and gratitude in the other man’s eyes. He knew he had been less than kind to Gumshoe, but from here on out he would do his utmost to rectify it. After all, isn’t that what friends did? “And, er, keep up the good work.”
Gumshoe laughed, “You got it, sir!”