A/N: Here it is, the long-awaited final chapter! Sorry about the delay, but circumstances arose and I had to rewrite this entire chapter. If you see anything I missed, plot holes I forgot to fill, etc. leave me a review! Also first attempt at trial and writing in first person, so don't criticize that too harshly please! Ok, enjoy! I should be starting something new soon! Review! Thanks!

~Diana

October 9. A special day for many. A defendant declared innocent. An ex-attorney cleared of the forgery charges against him. And a prosecutor opening her eyes for the first time in five days.

There was only one person there when it happened. Miles Edgeworth, who had barely left her side since he had arrived in California, was dozing in a chair by her bed. Her eyes opened and blinked once, looking around as much as possible without moving. They widened when they focused on Edgeworth and a small smile lit up her face. He started and woke up and she blinked again in surprise. He just looked at her for a minute, scarcely believing his eyes, and then he was kissing her, disregarding the tubes and equipment that were connected to her.

"Madeline," he whispered. She smiled and opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her face fell and her lips formed an adorable pout. "Shh. It's alright." Before he could say anything else, the door opened and a nurse entered the room.

"Oh, you're awake!" she said in surprise. Madeline nodded and tapped her throat, head tilted to the side questioningly. "Oh, are you wondering why you can't talk? The poison damaged your throat pretty badly, but you should be able to talk in a day or two."

Edgeworth quickly moved out of the way to avoid being flattened as the nurse bustled around the room, adjusting equipment and things like that. She also checked out Edgeworth a few times, which caused Madeline to purse her lips in annoyance. When she finally closed the door (after shooting Edgeworth a winning smile), Madeline was sitting up, propped against some pillows, her face a bit pink.

"Are you alright?" he asked, sitting back down next to her. She tapped her throat again, reminding him of her silent state. He thought for a minute and then called to the nurse, who came rushing in immediately. "Can we have some paper and a pen?" he asked.

The nurse nodded and practically ran out of the room, reappearing with a notebook and pen. "Here you are, sir," she said breathlessly, handing them to Edgeworth while fluttering her eyelashes at him. "Please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything you need."

"Thank you," Edgeworth said, and the nurse smiled again before leaving the room. Edgeworth turned back to Madeline. Her lips were pressed into a pout and she took the notebook and pen from him. She began to write.

I can't believe you don't notice

He read the message. "Notice what?" he asked in confusion. Madeline rolled her eyes and pulled the notebook back toward her.

How she just threw herself at you

She cracked a smile as she saw his genuinely surprised face.

I missed you

"I missed you, too," he whispered, kissing her forehead. There was a loud beeping from one of the machines, and they both turned toward it. Madeline's heart rate had sped up. She grimaced and blushed, scribbling another message.

Well, that's embarrassing

He chuckled. He could tell she was too, but no sound came out. She picked up the notebook again.

Are you angry with me?

She bit her lip as he read the message and looked up at her. "How could I possibly be angry with you?" he murmured, leaning closer.

I didn't tell you

He gently took her hand before she could write any more. "I'm just glad you're alright," he said quietly, stroking her hair. She closed her eyes and leaned back with a small smile, relief apparent on her face. They sat together for a few minutes, then Madeline suddenly sat up, pulling the notebook toward her again. Her eyes were bright as she wrote.

The Misham trial! Is it over?

"I believe so," he said. As if on cue, Trucy rushed into the room, Apollo and Rei on her heels. Trucy screeched to a stop at Madeline's bedside.

"Madeline, you're awake!" she squealed happily. She elbowed Apollo. "Polly, say something!"

"Oh, um, it's good to see you, Madeline," Apollo said, rubbing his spikes awkwardly. Rei nodded and smiled. Madeline began to write. The threesome looked on in confusion.

"She is unable to speak at the present moment," Edgeworth said quietly. "The poison damaged her throat." As he finished, Madeline pushed the notebook toward them, a grin lighting up her face.

Hello you three. We were just talking about the Misham trial. How did it go?

"Not guilty, of course!" Trucy exclaimed. Madeline's eyes glowed and Edgeworth wore a small smile at seeing her so happy.

So, tell me everything!

Apollo related the events of the second day trial (he had stopped by and told her what happened on the first day yesterday, even if he wasn't sure if she could hear him), with occasional interjections by Rei or Trucy. He expected some surprise when he related the secret of the forged evidence, but he was disappointed. Sure, Edgeworth was surprised, but Madeline simply sat back into her pillows, a satisfied smile on her face. "You knew?" he asked. She nodded.

I was able to put two and two together. After all, I have had a lot of time to think about what you told me yesterday

"Of course she knew," came the voice of Phoenix Wright from the doorway. "It's good to see you awake, Madeline." She nodded, smiling. "I assume you also know who poisoned you." There was a small pause, with Madeline looking warily at Edgeworth, then she nodded again.

"WHAT?" Edgeworth yelled, standing up so fast his chair fell over backwards. Madeline looked at him anxiously, grabbing his arm and pulling him back down gently, eyes pleading. He focused on her face. "Wright," he said, obviously still trying to remain under control, "who was it?" Madeline gestured to him to be quiet, then wrote in the notebook and handed it to him, eyes locked on his, begging him silently not to do anything rash.

Kristoph Gavin

"Kristoph Gavin?" Edgeworth read.

"Yes," Phoenix replied, entering the room to lean casually against one of the walls. "On the day you were poisoned, you went to the detention center to see him, right?" Another nod. "May I ask why?"

It doesn't really matter now

Phoenix nodded. "And you saw something he didn't want you to see." She nodded again.

A yellow envelope. It said Misham on it

Trucy gasped. "Polly, that's-"

"Yeah," Apollo nodded.

"Anyway," Phoenix continued. "He poisoned you to get you to keep quiet. You got too close to the truth of the trial from seven years ago."

Madeline was immediately lost in a tidal wave of memories.

"…Finally." A small smirk painted Klavier's features as his fist slammed against the wall behind him. "You just couldn't resist, could you, Herr Wright?"

Phoenix responded immediately. "Resist what? Presenting solid evidence?"

There was silence for a minute, then Klavier spoke again. "Herr Judge?"

The judge jumped and stuttered, "Y-Yes, Prosecutor Gavin?"

"Might I request we put the current cross-examination on hold?" he asked. "The prosecution would like to call a new witness." He paused. "Two new witnesses."

"B-But, Prosecutor Gavin!" the judge protested, glancing at the diary page Phoenix had just presented. "This evidence overturns the current witness's…"

"I ask only to put it on hold!" Klavier interrupted smoothly. "Please. My new witnesses have very, very important pieces of testimony to give." When the judge still looked a little reluctant, Klavier said, "Five minutes. No more. I promise…Your Honor."

"W-Well, if you put it that way," the judge stammered. "Mr. Wright, what's your take on this?"

Phoenix was quiet for a minute. "Well, Your Honor. Judging from his enthusiasm, we'll have to hear these new testimonies sooner or later anyway. So it might as well be sooner."

The gavel slammed. "Then, though this is highly, highly irregular, we will put the current cross-examination on hold. The witness may step down." A sweating Valent Gramarye was led from the stand. The judge coughed and continued. "Now, Prosecutor Gavin! Please bring the first surprise witness to the courtroom!"

Klavier scanned the gallery and focused on a head of raven black hair. "She's already here, Your Honor. I call Madeline Brent to the stand."

I could see Phoenix's surprised face as I was sworn in and took the stand, noting the odd lack of murmuring. Klavier had sent out the audience (something about 'legal ramifications' for the second witness), plunging the courtroom into an eerie silence. "Witness, name and occupation, bitte," Klavier said.

"Madeline Brent, legal aide." I pushed a piece of black hair out of my eyes and stared back at Phoenix. There had to be some mistake here, right? The Phoenix I knew would never…

"Please testify about the events of April 14th," Klavier requested, smirking at me. I ignored him and focused on my hands, which were clasped around the rail of the witness stand. Never had I felt so much anxiety in a courtroom.

"Alright."

Witness Testimony

April 14th

I was covering for the usual receptionist at the Prosecutor's Office when I took a phone call.

The caller mentioned something…interesting about this trial.

Then they just hung up.

I immediately went and informed Prosecutor Gavin.

I could see Phoenix's worried and confused face. My testimony was a short one and not very descriptive. "Mr. Wright, you may begin your cross-examination," the judge said. Phoenix took a few minutes to reply.

"Yes, Your Honor."

Cross-Examination

April 14th

I was covering for the usual receptionist at the Prosecutor's Office when I took a phone call.

The caller mentioned something…interesting about this trial.

Then they just hung up.

"HOLD IT!" Phoenix's hands slammed the desk. "Did you recognize this voice?"

"No," I said calmly.

"I-Is that it?" Phoenix asked, sweat beginning to form on his brow.

"I don't really have any other information to offer," I said, biting my lip.

"Well, ok, I'll move on then," Phoenix muttered to himself. I could tell he was still a little confused.

I immediately went and informed Prosecutor Gavin.

I could tell Phoenix was at a loss, that he'd gotten a bad feeling about pressing the obviously suspicious statement, as well he should have. I simply waited, knowing he'd have to do it eventually. "Mr. Wright?" the judge asked. "Is your cross-examination over?"

"No, Your Honor. Ms. Brent, could you please start your testimony over from the beginning?"

"Sure."

I was covering for the usual receptionist at the Prosecutor's Office when I took a phone call.

The caller mentioned something…interesting about this trial.

"HOLD IT!" There was a slight pause, as if Phoenix was having misgivings, then he pressed forward. "What exactly was so interesting about this phone call?"

"Forged evidence has been prepared for the Gramarye trial," I whispered, eyes fixed on Phoenix. He started.

"What?" he asked.

"You heard her, Herr Wright," Klavier said mockingly. "Forged evidence. I received the same warning again the next day. Your Honor, I'm ready to call my next witness." I stepped down and slipped behind the door, hearing Klavier say, "Witness, state you name and occupation for the record."

"Erm… My name's Drew Misham. I'm…a painter."

The judge's confused voice rang through the courtroom. "A painter? And you are somehow related to this case?"

"No, well. Not per se…" the uncertain voice of Misham responded.

Klavier's voice sounded next, cool and collected. "I have one simple question for this witness." There was a pause. I vaguely wondered if he was waiting for Phoenix to say something. "Mister…Misham, was it? Do you know what this is?" My instincts told me he was holding up the diary page

"Oh…yeah. I know it well." I sighed. I knew it. Phoenix, on the other hand, still appeared to be in the dark.

"How's that possible?" he asked incredulously. "Have you seen this diary page somewhere before?" Ah, Phoenix. Clueless to the very end. Or was this a well-developed bluff…? I almost missed the next words, spoken by the 'painter.'

"Oh, yeah. I mean…I made it." And with that, I left the courthouse, trying to control my emotions, a dangerous mixture of anger and sadness.

A few hours later, I was at the airport. I was headed to Europe. "Madeline!" I heard a voice call from behind me. I turned around to see Phoenix running to catch up to me. His suit was rumpled and he was sweating profusely, but it was his eyes that worried me the most. They looked crushed.

"What is it, Wright?" I asked coldly, trying to ignore his eyes.

"Since when have I been Wright?" he asked, an ironic smile painting his features, but it didn't reach his eyes. I just couldn't look at him.

"I don't have time for this," I hissed, turning back toward the gate.

"I didn't do it," he said quietly from behind me. I didn't turn around, but I didn't keep walking either.

"My flight's going to leave soon," I whispered and I turned around to try and give him a glimpse of the strong, proud woman he should remember me as. "I guess this is goodbye…Phoenix."

"Madeline. Madeline," Edgeworth called softly, squeezing her hand. She blinked, returning to the present. She opened her mouth, then remembered she couldn't talk and pulled the notebook toward her.

Sorry about that. Phoenix, I'd like to apologize for my behavior all those years ago

"Don't mention it," Phoenix said, waving a hand. She blinked at him gratefully, then yawned. The nurse came in quickly, her gaze passing over Apollo, Trucy, Rei, and finally Phoenix (her nose crinkled a bit), before fixing on Edgeworth for a bit, and then Madeline.

"She needs rest," the nurse said bossily, readjusting Madeline's pillows so she could lie down. Edgeworth gently kissed her forehead again (the nurse turned an interesting shade of crimson).

"I'll be back later," he whispered, and left the room, closely followed by Apollo, Trucy and Rei. Phoenix hung back for a minute.

"I'm glad we could talk," he said quietly. She nodded, eyes glowing and wrote again with some difficulty, now that she was lying down.

I'm sorry for doubting you

He shook his head and left, closing the door softly behind him. Madeline was left alone, gazing up at the ceiling, reflecting on how the ghosts of the past could be vanquished by a single ray of truth from seven years later.