PW fanfic- Turnabout Attorney - Chapter 2

Trés Bien was a scene for many mixed memories for Phoenix Wright in his most recent months. The lacy pink curtains, and delicately fashioned partitions seemed to sparkle that night, as Jean Armstrong, the owner of the restaurant almost pirouetted the two of them to their table. Fluttering about with neatening the immediate decor and lighting special candles for his guests, Phoenix and Miles exchanged glances across the table from each other. Checking his watch for a moment, Phoenix realised that he was still a little early for the meeting. After placing a glass of champagne in front of both the guests, the frivolous cook finally pranced off, leaving the two to chat finally. Phoenix pulled out `Z''s business card, and looked at it intensely.

“So, what do you suppose he's like? What he did before he suddenly decided to become a lawyer? Is he even a male?” Phoenix questioned, holding the card up to the light. Miles laughed politely, leaning heavily on his chair.

“'Z' couldn't be a female,” Miles grinned, taking a sip of champagne. “Firstly, if `her' motive was to become well known fast, based on the fact that `she' is excessively forward about joining your firm, `she'd' have a feminist approach. That, and would be very unlikely to want to play on equal terms with a male- based on the level of self sureness our Greenhorn is showing, of course. I hardly see `her' wanting to be walking in your shadow,”

“Secondly, if `she' was really a she, and `her' motive wasn't to become well known, but to get close to you specifically, she's going about it poorly.” Placing the wine flute carefully onto the table, Miles' expression darkened, as he drew closer to Phoenix, “To become qualified with a law degree is no laughing matter. To be as confident as `Z' is leading us to believe that he or she is, then they'd need to be talented at law.”

“Maybe I studied Law with `her' then, smart aleck.” Phoenix grinned, pointing the card at Miles accusingly, “I'll let you know that I had all the ladies after me in High school.”

Miles Edgeworth's brow rose coyly.

“Look, Phoenix” Miles started, diverting his attention to fingering the pattern of the table cloth, “whoever this person is, they've broken the law getting your attention, and I... I don't trust them. I'll let you use any of my resources you need to research this person. I don't like the level of mystery this person has. We don't even have their name yet.”

“Zed is my name, Prosecutor Edgeworth,” Turning to the voice, a man in his mid 20s stood behind Phoenix, poised proudly with a glass of champagne in his hand. He was dressed formally for the occasion with a simple dark blue shirt, a blood red tie, with black pants, and pair of trendy green tinted glasses. His hair was black with an odd bleached white stripe down the middle, and a neatly trimmed goatee on his chin. Something about the bold lawyer struck as familiar to Phoenix though. He wasn't sure why.

Bending over so he was head level with the conversation, Zed took a sip of wine, still concentrating his attention to Miles, “Now, would you kindly move over a seat so I can speak to Mr Wright face to face?”

Widening his eyes in curiosity, Miles shuffled over a seat, letting Zed sit in front of Phoenix. Zed sat there with a serious look for a moment longer, watching Phoenix's shocked expression distort into a washed out look. Suddenly, he burst out into laughter. “You both are so serious! Look at you!” Pointing his glass at Phoenix, Zed's whole face beamed happily, “I've waited for so long to finally get to meet you, Mr Wright! I've read up on all your cases over the last few months- you're a living breathing genius, I tell you!”

Phoenix's face dropped as Miles suddenly burst out into muffled laughter in the corner. Ignoring Miles' uncharacteristic laughter beside him, Zed offered his CV to Phoenix grinning from ear to ear. Phoenix accepted the documentation, handing it straight over to Miles. Zed's expression became serious all of a sudden, as Phoenix took in a deep breath, releasing it again slowly to calm himself. Miles accepted the CV, and slipped it under his resting arm safely. Phoenix's eyes narrowed analytically at Zed, tapping his wine glass lip. It was time to find out his truth.

“As of this second, I don't believe a word in that CV.” Phoenix started, moving his wine flute aside, “You faked association with me. What you did was against the law. That act could've stolen clients off me, or worse, damaged my firm's reputation. Explain your intentions.” Phoenix watched Zed's expression for a while, trying to find any sign of uncertainty. Zed's eyes remained cool for a minute, before he adopted a smile again.

“I knew it!” He grinned, cupping his head in the palm of his hands, “You like to gamble, don't you Mr Wright? I can see it in your eyes- You've figured out why I made such an effort to impress you,” Leaning back in his chair, Phoenix hid the slight smile appearing on his face with his hand.

“Supply and demand, Mr Wright. I am the supply that you will soon demand. It's simple economics,” Shrugging confidently, Zed shook his head, “But for you to demand the work I now supply you, I have to make the deal even better. Like, working for a month for free just so you can see just how much Wright & Co. Law Offices needs my assistance,” Phoenix's eyes widened as he leaned forward to hear more. Even Miles edged closer in interest. Zed smiled secretly, pushing his glasses back up his nose again.

“See, here's where the gamble is, Wright. Here I am, the man that stole your identity to give you work. I could have the worst intentions installed for you, or I could be your company's biggest asset, second to yourself. In one corner, you lose face. In the other, you gain a lot of money. After the month, you even have the luxury of telling me to take a hike,” Intensifying his look, Zed offered his hand to Phoenix, “It's up to you, Wright. I guarantee you I have the necessary qualifications to do this job. Trust in my intentions, and you'll be greatly rewarded.”

Glancing over to Miles in the corner, he noticed him scanning through Zed's CV. Phoenix sighed, and turned back to Zed, slipping his hand off the table, and into his jacket pocket to where the magatama, a stone that allowed him to see the truth in someone's heart, lay. Clasping on it tightly, he bit his bottom lip.

“What is your real name, Zed? First and last name in full.” Zed's eyes narrowed, before his expression turned into one of challenge. All of a sudden, Phoenix sensed Psyche locks- spiritual locks that humans makes to protect hidden secrets from being exposed. Lots of them.

“It's all part of the gamble, Mr Wright,” Zed replied darkly, “If you're not willing to put your reputation on the line for me, then you aren't the man I thought you were. So what'll it be?”

Phoenix looked down at his pocket for a moment, sighing deeply. The magatama has been wrong before. Maybe Zed is hiding his name for a justified reason? What if not knowing his name is another test of my faith? Hah, everything is a test with this guy. I can see him and Miles Edgeworth getting along famously.

Glancing at Miles quickly, a smile managed to sneak onto his lips as he pictured Zed driving all the prosecutors this crazy in court. Even if he wasn't that great of a lawyer, he could handle the comic relief for the next month at least.Grabbing Zed's hand, Phoenix gave it a firm shake. Zed's eyes lit up happily.

“I hope you have no aversion to hamburgers, and instant noodles, cause there's a lot where you're going.” Phoenix grinned, ignoring Miles' objectionable look, “Welcome to Wright & Co Law offices.”