He stood just outside of the village after getting off the train. Something had stopped him from continuing, so all he could do was stand there, staring at nothing in particular. After a few minutes he cleared his throat and continued towards the village. He put his hands in his dissolved blue suit pant pocket and wrapped his right hand around a small object.

He stopped at a familiar looking sign, reading “Kurain Village”. He smiled a little and continued in.
I haven't been here in a long time. He thought to himself. Looks like nothing has changed though. It still looks like it did the first time I came here about 8 years ago.... Has it really been that long?

He made his way to the center of the village. It was quiet but it was a large village. Most of the inhabitants were related to the Fey family. As he walked he heard a familiar voice.

“Mr. Nick! Mr. Nick!” said a young girl.

He turned and looked. The young woman was wearing a light purple robe with light blond wavy hair. She was a lot taller since the last time he has seen her.

“Hey Pearl!” said Nick with a smile. “How have you been?”

“Oh I’m fine.” She said a little sheepishly. “How’s Trucy?”

He paused “she’s fine,” he finally said after giving it a serious thought. “Where’s Maya?” he looked off as he asked this, trying to see if she was around.

“She’s currently in the temple. Do you want me to take you there?” she said with a burst of excitement.

“Sure.” he said Looks like she is taking the role as Master seriously

They made their way to the training temple. It was the largest building in the village and one of the grandest. Inside it had a wood floor with large columns supporting the roof with candles all over. In the center there was a woman praying. She was wearing a dark purple robe. Her black hair was up with wood rods holding it.

“Hey Mystic Maya!” Pearl yelled as she ran over.

The beautiful woman turned around. When she saw Nick she put her hand over her mouth and said “Nick? Is that you?”

“Yup.” He said, scratching the back of his head.

“You need to let Trucy help the next time you put your suit on.” She said with a smirk.

“That bad huh?”

“Ya, it’s pretty bad” as she started laughing.

Pearl stood there looking at the two of them then started to walk away.

“Umm I j-just remembered I have to clean the toilets. Uh, bye Mr. Nick!” she said as she left in a hurry.

Toilets? I guess she still really likes to clean. Thought Phoenix.

“So what have you been doing lately?” Maya asked as she stood up and started to fix his suit coat.

“Well I am trying re-implement the Jurist system.” He said “and I have one case in mind that would work perfect for it.”

“What case is that?”

“My last case.” he said as he looked down.

“The one with Zak and the forged evidence?”

“Yes. I've been investigating it for the last seven years on my own and if it goes as planned maybe I can clear my name and become a lawyer again.” He laughed as he said this.

“Good, because you are a lousy piano player.” She said with a smile. “So how is Trucy doing with all this? Or have you not told her yet about what you’ve found out about Troupe Garmyre."

“She's putting on a brave face but I know she is hurting deep down with all that has come up about the Troupe Garmyre’s secrets.” He paused “I just couldn't keep it a secret from her.” He looked a way for a moment “I can’t keep secrets with her any way. She always seems to see through them.” Then he looked back at her with a smile. “So how is it being the Master of the Kurain Channeling technique?” as he started to fiddle with the small object in his pocket again.

“Harder than I thought, for one.” She said “But it is also kind of fun.” She said with a smile “So what brings you here anyway?” as she raised one eye brow with a half way smile.

“I umm... no reason I was... I, um…..” Nick trailed off, clenching the small object ever tighter. “I was in the area.” He shot a goofy grin while scratching the back of his head.

“So 2 hours by train is in the area?”

“Fine, you got me.” He laughed “I noticed the date and wanted to stop by and see how you were doing.” He admitted as he started to blush.

“Date? What is so special about the date its only September……” she trailed off as she realized it was September 5th the first day they met 10 years ago after her sisters murder. “Oh I was so busy I didn’t notice.” She said as she looked down.

“Don’t worry about it Maya. It’s not that big of a deal.” Nick chuckled a bit after he said this.
Maya still seemed a bit sorry for forgetting.

“How about we go somewhere for lunch? I’ll pay.” She put her hands together and smiled.

“That would be great. So where should we go then?”

“I know a great burger joint close by!”

“Sounds great.” Nick said as he smiled. Same old Maya and her burger addiction...

As they walked to the restaurant they were quiet. They watched as some of the leaves fell from the trees. It was peaceful and serene with all the different colors.

“Maya”

“Yes nick?”

“I know I never said it much in the past but I love you. You know that right?” he asked sincerely.

“Nick…” she said slightly surprised “Of course I do. And I also love you as well. If it wasn’t for you I would be in prison for my sisters murder.”

They stopped walking both staring at the other. They slowly moved closer. Nick grabbed Maya buy the waist and pulled her up to him and kissed her for what seemed like forever.

“I missed this” he said with his arms around her waist still

“So did I” she gave him a smile as she looked at him. Her hands on his chest.

He let go and they continued towards the restaurant side by side both smiling and completely happy.

I wonder if I will actually be able to ask her, though. Nick thought.

As they walked Nick grabbed Maya’s hand. She looked at him with a smile then rested her head on the side of his arm as they walked.

"I can't believe it's been 10 years since we met..." she said.

"Mmhmm. 10 wonderful years."

"I really missed you, Nick."

"I missed you too. Trying to down a whole bowl of Eldoon's Noodles just isn't as fun anymore without you."

Maya giggled. "Yeah, I guess they were a little bit salty."

"A little?"

"Ok, Ok, they were really salty. But I still loved going there with you. You were always fun to be around."

“You too."

"I wish you could visit more often..."

"What, so I can blow all my money on burgers?"

"No! Because you're my best friend, and I miss hanging out with you. But I wouldn't mind you buy me a burger or four."

“Well if all works out with my project I should be able to visit more. Or maybe you could visit me?”

“Maybe it is starting to quite down here with winter coming.” she she said thinking.

Here I am, the girl of my dreams resting on my arm, telling me how much she's missed me since I left. I can't miss this chance?

“Maya I was wondering if I could ask you something?” he stopped walking.

Maya let go of his hand. “Sure Nick what is it?”

He fiddled around in his pocket and took out a ring with a purple amethyst stone on it.

“Nick you don’t mean…”

“Yes I do” he looked at the ground as he said that he then got on one knee and grabbed her hand “Maya Fey will you marry me?”

Maya was stunned. She put her free hand over her mouth and stared at Phoenix Wright, the love of her life, who was on one knee holding her other hand and the ring.

“Nick... of course I will!”

Nick stood up and grabbed her in his arms as they kissed again this time longer and more passionate. When they finally finished they just stared at each other. Nick then rubbed her nose with his.

“I Love you Maya” he said softly.

“I Love you too Nick.”

The two of them stood there with the brightly colored leaves falling around them, holding one another.


THE END