v. Dual Destinies

Athena carefully smoothed down the elegant tablecloth Mr. Edgeworth had lent them, and stepped back to let Apollo set down yet another platter of hamburgers.

"Maya, we're never going to finish all this!" Mr. Wright protested, gazing at the sheer volume of hamburgers, hot dogs and salad laid out on the motley collection of tables in front of them.

"Course we are, Nick!" Master Maya replied cheerfully. She waved her hand at the small group of friends mingling with each other in the garden. "You've got all these people, plus three of us are Feys."

"And don't forget me!" Athena chimed in. She flashed Mr. Wright a peace sign. "I'm a pretty big eater too, Boss!"

"See, Nick?" Maya replied. "There won't be a crumb left."

The Chief came up and leaned in between Maya and Mr. Wright, glancing over the spread.

"Funny, I was just about to ask who was on a diet."

Maya blew out her cheeks, and Athena tried not to laugh at the childish expression. "Jeez, she ate one steak the size of a boogie-board and now she thinks she's the Mayor of Cow Town."

Athena's jaw dropped. "R-really?"

"This guy I was dating took me to a steakhouse and then ordered me a salad before I even sat down," the Chief explained with a smile. She jerked her head at Mr. Armando, manning the grill a few feet away, and winked at Athena. "He had to be put in his place."

If Mr. Armando had heard the exchange, he didn't show it.

"Hey, kitten." He waved Athena over and handed her the last platter of hot dogs. "Don't forget…" He lowered his voice and shot her a conspiratorial smirk. "…you and Justice sit next to Trite."

Athena grinned back and took the hot dogs over to the tables. She just had time to set them down before Apollo bellowed, "Come and get it!"

The small crowd ambled over, escorted by Pearl, who was keen to show everyone to their seats. Athena sat next to Mr. Wright, just as she, Apollo and Mr. Armando had planned the day before. Apollo gave her a brief nod, a faint conspiratorial smile on his face.

"Miss Juniper, why don't you sit next to Mr. Apollo?" Pearl asked shyly, pulling a chair out for Junie. Athena couldn't help smiling as Junie blushed and Apollo nervously rubbed the back of his neck.

"Pearly," Maya warned, only half-sternly. "No."

"Oh, let the little kitty have her fun," Mr. Armando remarked, tousling Pearl's hair as he passed by. "Without matchmakers, we'd all be in the dark."

Pearl skipped ahead of him to the other side of the table. "And Mr. Diego, you'll sit next to Mystic Mia, won't you?"

Mr. Armando spat a mouthful of coffee all over the lawn, and Athena winced at the sudden discord in his heart.

"That's all right, kitten," he managed. "I can find my own seat." He moved up the tables a few places, mumbling, "To a blind man, light is overrated."

Simon slid into the chair on Athena's other side, Taka perched on his shoulder. Athena smiled at him, and got a small smile in return. She was really glad he'd come – it wouldn't be easy, adjusting back to a normal life after prison, and she'd been worried that he would shut himself away, just because it was what he was used to. Further down the tables were Mr. Edgeworth and Mr. Gavin, with Hugh and Robin at the other end. The Chief made her way carefully to the seat opposite Mr. Wright, while Trucy sat facing Apollo.

"Hey, Athena."

Maya plopped into the chair opposite Athena and shot her a grin. "You, me, burger to burger. How about it?"

Athena grinned back. "You're on!"

Still standing, the Chief rapped on the table with her knuckles. The murmur of the assembled guests died away and a respectful silence fell.

"Don't worry, this won't take long," the Chief promised, "because the food's getting cold." She paused and reached into her top for some cue-cards, provoking a wolf-whistle from someone. She smirked and continued her speech.

"On behalf of my staff, I would like to thank you all for coming, and celebrating our move to our new premises." She gestured to Junie. "I'd especially like to thank Ms. Juniper Woods for all her work on the garden. It was a real jungle before she got her hands on it."

Blushing, Junie stood up to a round of applause led by Robin and Hugh. She ducked her head shyly in appreciation and then sat back down.

"Now, some of you…" The Chief paused to let everyone quiet down. "…Some of you may have noticed that the plaque on the door outside says 'Fey, Wright and Company Law Offices.' That's because, as of today – " She gestured to Mr. Wright. " – Phoenix is a full partner in the firm."

There was another, louder round of applause, and the Chief waited until it had died away before she continued.

"It's been my pleasure and privilege to work with Phoenix for the past ten years," she declared, "both as an attorney, and as a…" She looked down at the cue-card. "…pretending-to-play-the-piano… player." She frowned a little at the wording, then shrugged. "In any case, the firm would not be where it is today without him, and this promotion is long overdue." As another round of applause broke out, she gestured to Mr. Wright. "Phoenix, would you like to say a few words?"

Mr. Wright pushed back his chair and stood up. He ran a hand through his hair, a nervous grin on his face.

"Wow." He looked around at the group, a faint blush appearing on his face. Athena couldn't help smiling at him - his heart was singing with the kind of happiness so powerful it made you want to cry. "You know, Mia said the firm wouldn't be where it is without me, but the truth is… if it wasn't for Mia…" He gazed at her warmly and she smiled back. "…I wouldn't be where I am today. I'm so lucky she believed in a wimpy art student who was on the hook for murder, and so lucky she took a chance on that art student when he came to her fresh out of his bar exam, looking for a job."

He ducked his head, and Athena felt a slight pang when he discreetly wiped his eyes.

"What more can I say… except here's to another ten years of truth, justice, and ruining the prosecution's winning streak."

There was another round of applause, accompanied by a groan from the three prosecutors, and Athena tensed, waiting for her cue.

"You know," the Chief declared, "this is a celebration, and I think it calls for champagne."

Athena reached under the table for the bottle of champagne Mr. Armando had stashed there earlier. She and Apollo rose as one, shaking their bottles as they did so.

Mr. Wright realised what was coming a fraction too late.

"Whoa-"

Apollo and Athena popped the corks and proceeded to spray their new boss with champagne. Mr. Wright tried in vain to bat the jets away with his hands, but eventually gave up and accepted his fate. Their guests cheered and clapped as he wiped the sticky alcohol away from his eyes.

"Let me guess whose idea it was to drench me with a beverage," he grumbled. Athena gave him a sheepish smile and offered him her bottle. Mr. Wright accepted it and had a swig. The Chief leaned forward and pecked him on the cheek.

"Enough speeching already!" Maya declared. "Can we eat now?"

"Yes, we can eat now," Mia agreed. "Dig in, everybody!"

Athena tried valiantly to keep up with Maya, but had to call it quits after only four burgers. She sat back in her seat, eyes closed, and rubbed her aching stomach while the rest of the party got up, changed seats and mingled around her. At last she began to feel a little less like a human beach ball. She opened her eyes just as Apollo slid into the chair next to her.

"You okay?" he asked.

Athena nodded and risked sitting up a little straighter. "Well, I'm not going to explode," she answered with a smile. She glanced around – she and Apollo were the only ones sitting at the tables. The rest of the party were dotted around the garden. Robin was teasing Hugh. Mr. Gavin was strumming his guitar while Junie, Trucy and Pearl listened. Mr. Edgeworth was taking a nap under a tree. Simon and Maya were deep in conversation about something, while Taka pecked at a hot dog nearby. Athena made a note to bug Simon for the details later. It was good to see him making new friends.

She looked at Apollo, and knew that he hadn't come over to the emptiest part of the garden just to check on her.

"You wish Clay was here, don't you."

Apollo took a deep breath and let it out, nodding.

"Yeah." He gazed at the table, picking idly at a ketchup stain on the tablecloth.

"You know, the Chief says... sometimes spirits stick around," Athena murmured. "Watching over the people they were close to."

Apollo looked up at Athena with a weak grin. "Well, I really hope that asshole hasn't spent the last six months hanging around spying on me. His mom'll be miss-" Apollo broke off and turned away, choking back a huge sob. Athena reached out and rubbed his back.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"I-I'm fine," Apollo managed. He took a couple of deep breaths, then looked at her. "Really. I'm fine."

Athena knew he was telling the truth. She could hear it in his heart – a peaceful, beautiful sadness. A hurt, but one that was slowly healing.

"I wish I could've met him," she murmured.

"Me too," Apollo replied.

Athena smiled at him – and was abruptly showered with beer. Apollo spluttered as the spray hit him, too. Athena turned in her seat, wringing out her hair. Mr. Wright was grinning behind them, his cheeks slightly flushed, holding an almost empty bottle of beer in one hand.

"Now we're even," he declared, his words slightly slurred.

"Mr. Wright!" Athena whined. She gestured to Apollo. "We were having a moment!"

Mr. Wright chuckled and began to walk away. Apollo glowered at their boss – then grabbed a nearby bottle of ketchup and launched himself out of his seat.

With a grin, Athena grabbed the mustard and followed him.

Mia gave the ensuing condiment fight a wide berth as she made her way to where Diego was sitting on the fire escape. She settled on the steps beside him, placing her cane within easy reach.

"Hey."

He glanced at her, but didn't reply. Mia tried not to let his silence bother her – at least he hadn't flinched away when she sat down. He'd been more withdrawn for a while now. Mia couldn't be sure when she'd first noticed, but it was definitely a matter of months rather than weeks. And then he'd practically fled from her earlier – someone had said something, she couldn't quite remember who or what – and he'd been keeping his distance all evening. She didn't like it. She'd really hoped they were reaching a new equilibrium, as friends instead of awkward exes.

Beside her, Diego had a mouthful of beer. Mia nudged him gently.

"Should you be drinking on your medication?"

Diego smirked and nodded at her own bottle. "Should you?"

Mia chuckled. "Touché." She sipped her drink and gazed out over the small garden. It wasn't quite sunset, but the sky had started to change – there was a golden tint to the blue.

"What would you say…" Diego didn't look at her as he spoke, focussing his gaze on his beer bottle. "…if I told you I was leaving?"

Well. That explained why he'd been so quiet all day. Mia considered her answer.

"Truthfully?" she asked. He inclined his head in a brief nod. "I'd say, is this because I made Phoenix partner and not you?"

Diego glared at her, offended. A moment later his shoulders sagged and he looked away.

"Hell, kitten, I can't hold that against you," he said. "Trite's paid his dues. He brought in Justice and Cykes. You said it yourself – the firm wouldn't be where it is without him."

Mia gazed at him for a few moments.

"Diego, I would never have gone back into a courtroom if it wasn't for you," she said quietly. He didn't look at her. "You wouldn't let me blame myself, and you wouldn't let me quit and go home. And when that… that demon poisoned you, I knew I had to make her pay. Phoenix played a big part in bringing all this together, sure. But there wouldn't even be a firm without you."

Diego did look at her then. His mouth twitched upwards briefly in a sad smile.

"I just always thought it would be you and me," he murmured. "And I know I have to let it go. But when you only drink coffee out of one mug, sometimes it takes more than elbow-grease to get rid of the stain."

His voice cracked and he looked away. Mia gazed out over the garden to give him some privacy while he regained his composure.

"I'm sorry things didn't stay the same between us," she said after a few minutes. "You deserved to pick up your life where you left off."

"No, I'm sorry," Diego replied. Mia looked up at him. He was engrossed in picking the label off his beer bottle. "I…I was so angry with you, Mia. Kept telling myself I would have waited, I would never have fallen out of love with you."

Mia flinched, but tamped down her impulse to argue with him. Diego flicked a few shreds of paper across the garden.

"But the truth is, I don't know that," he admitted. He did look at her then, a faint smile on his face. "I can't blame you for living your life. And I can't keep waiting for something that's never going to happen."

Mia nodded, and smiled back at him. "Please don't poach any of my talent."

Diego shrugged. "Maybe I'll quit trial law."

Mia looked at him in surprise. "What will you do instead?"

"Themis Academy have a position free," Diego replied with a smirk. "If they won't have me, I could open a coffee shop. Maybe I'll take the saxophone back up, see if Trite's little hatchling can get me a regular gig." He sobered, scratching at the remnants of the label. "But whatever I do, I can't stay here."

Mia's heart sank. She felt for his hand and laced her fingers through his.

"If that's what you need to be happy, then go for it," she murmured. She squeezed his hand. "You're one of my best friends, Diego. You'll always be special to me."

He smiled at her, and pressed a kiss against her hand. Mia drew his hand onto her lap, and traced the scars on his palm. Fifteen years. Where did the time go?

Phoenix, Apollo and Athena rolled by in a flurry of condiments and beer.

"We should probably break that up," Mia remarked.

Diego smirked. "Ah, let them roll on top of Miles Edgeworth first."

"You're not nice," Mia replied in mock-disapproval. Diego's smirk broadened and he bumped her gently with his shoulder. Together they watched as the trio inched closer to the sleeping Chief Prosecutor, the first rays of sunset painting the sky overhead.