A/N: And with chapter 10, our story draws to a close. Thank you so much for sticking with me this far, I really appreciate all the feedback that I've gotten. If you enjoyed this story, please read the sequel, "Missing Piece" which should be available on my profile by now.

Wright-

I am writing this to inform you that I am leaving today on an extended trip to Europe. I will be away for an indefinite period of time.

-M. Edgeworth

Phoenix snapped his phone shut, having read and reread this message several times within the past hour. He was sitting in the back of a taxi, impatiently waiting to reach the local airport.

Honestly Edgeworth, if you think you can take off again with this as your only goodbye message, you've got another thing coming.

Phoenix had received the message earlier that morning, to his complete shock. He had not seen Miles in several weeks, and he had been hoping to reconnect. There was only one problem: he couldn't call. On several occasions, Phoenix had picked up the phone with the intention of calling him, but his nerves would always get the better of him. He was never sure why the idea of calling Edgeworth made him so nervous, but he was irrationally afraid of doing something to blemish the prosecutor's opinion of him.

But when Miles sent him a message simply announcing his most recent departure, Phoenix wasn't about to sit idly by. He sent several texts back, all asking for details, but none were returned. None of his calls were answered. Desperate, Phoenix had checked the flight schedules on iFly's website. Luckily, there were only two European flights departing that day, and one had already taken off that morning. After finding the correct flight, Phoenix had scribbled down the details and rushed off to the airport as fast as he could- there wasn't much time left.

He disappeared twice with no warning. At the very least, I'm going to see him off this time. To hell with my stupid, pointless anxiety.

After what seemed like forever, the taxi driver finally pulled up at the airport.

"Thank you so much, sir!" Phoenix gushed hurriedly. He grabbed his briefcase, paid the driver, and rushed inside.

Jeez, I forgot how big this place is.

He grabbed a crumpled slip of paper out of his pocket.

Gate E, Terminal E53, Flight 261, 5:20 boarding

Following the signs, Phoenix briskly jogged around the airport looking for Gate E. He checked his watch.

5:00. Not much time left.

Fortunately for Phoenix, he quickly found the path leading to Gate E.

I swear, Edgeworth, you are NOT leaving again without letting me say goodbye.

He glanced down at his watch as he walked.

5:06. Shit.

As fatigue was beginning to set in, Phoenix finally saw the opening of Gate E. Terminal E53 was not far behind.

E51... E52... E53.

Edgeworth!

As soon as Phoenix stepped through the arch marked "E53" his eyes fell on a man wearing a garish magenta suit. He stuck out like a sore thumb. Miles was sitting in the waiting area, staring at the wall to Phoenix's right. He seemed completely lost in thought, and his brow was furrowed in the way it always was when the man felt uneasy.

For a moment, Phoenix did not want to disturb the pensive man. It would be far too much like interfering with a deeply personal moment. But Phoenix was not about to abandon this endeavor now.

"Edgeworth!" he called, striding up to the man.

Miles' head snapped up in shock. He stared incredulously at Phoenix, saying nothing. His cheeks turned slightly pink.

And now he's all flustered for no apparent reason.

I knew this was a bad idea.

"Wright... what on earth are you doing here?" he asked.

"I came to see you off!" Phoenix replied.

Miles sighed, looking down at the ground.

"I didn't ask you to do that," he stated.

"I... Edgeworth... what the hell are you doing?" Phoenix blurted out.

Miles stared up at him. "I beg your pardon?"

"Why?" Phoenix asked, his emotions rising. "You're leaving again? You just... it feels like you just got back from the dead, and now you're leaving again. You didn't... you were going to leave without saying goodbye... " he rambled on.

Miles held up a hand. Phoenix stopped babbling.

"Allow me to explain," said Miles. "I am taking an indefinite leave from the prosecutor's office to travel abroad. While I am staying in Europe, I plan to study the various judicial systems set in place throughout the many countries. It will be beneficial to me as a prosecutor, and it is an opportunity to further my connections."

A wave of sadness sank into Phoenix.

He's really leaving.

I suppose there was a small part of me that thought I could convince him not to go.

"So... how long will you be gone?" Phoenix asked.

Miles sighed again. "I'm not sure at this point. I have contacts in many places, so there will be no shortage of business. All I can say with confidence is that I will most likely be gone for several months.

Months?

"So... you're leaving for months, and you thought you could just slip away without saying goodbye? Honestly, Edgeworth, you should know better by now."

Miles gave a small smile, relaxing his body. "I am sorry. I didn't want any fuss over me leaving. I only notified you to ensure that you do not attempt to contact me by way of my office phone while I am gone. I'm not dead, as you can see. I'm not dropping off of the face of the planet. I'm just going away for a little while."

"I don't think 'months' qualifies as a 'little while,' Edgeworth," Phoenix argued.

"It's only temporary, I assure you," Miles insisted.

Phoenix sat down next to his friend. For a short while, the two men simply sat in silence. It was enough to be there, being with Edgeworth just for a little while. Nothing needed to be said.

"I'll miss you," Phoenix whispered, almost subconsciously.

Edgeworth kept his face mostly still, but his faint blush and subtle smile told Phoenix that he had heard him.

"I'm going to miss you too... and everyone else, of course," Miles quickly added.

Phoenix smiled. Whatever you say, Edgeworth.

"Um, I'm probably going to be moving around a lot," Miles changed the subject. He took out a slip of paper and a pen, and he began to scribble something down. "But I'm going to live in Germany for a few weeks. Here's the address at which I will be staying." He handed Phoenix the paper.

I suppose it's now or never.

"Hey, Edgeworth? There's something I want you to have..." Phoenix began, but he was cut of by a harsh, loud voice from the ceiling.

"Flight 261 now boarding, Flight 261 now boarding."

Miles looked somewhat sad. "That's my flight." He got up from his seat.

"Wait," said Phoenix, also standing. "I need to give you something."

He handed Miles an envelope. It was old and careworn, as though it had been held many times without ever having been opened. The words "From Phoenix Wright to Miles Edgeworth" were handwritten on the front.

"I wrote this when you, um, 'died,' " said Phoenix. "I've had it in my desk for almost a year. But I want you to have it now. I don't care if you read it."

Miles stared down at the envelope before looking up at Phoenix.

"Thank you, Wright," he said simply, staring straight into his eyes.

"Flight 261 now boarding, Flight 261 last call," the voice blared again from the speaker.

Don't leave. Please.

"I have to leave," said Miles. "Goodbye, Wright."

A lump rose in Phoenix's throat.

"G-goodbye, Edgeworth. Don't forget about everyone back home," Phoenix forced a smile.

"I could never forget my friends, Wright," said Miles. He was looking at Phoenix with an expression Phoenix had never seen on him before. It was a simple smile, but his features glowed with warmth and affection.

And with that, Miles turned to leave. Phoenix felt hot tears filling his eyes, but he blinked them away. As the woman by the gate was processing his boarding pass, he turned back to wave at Phoenix. Putting on a brave face, Phoenix waved back. Miles stepped through the gate and disappeared.

He's gone.

Phoenix sniffed, letting the tears fall freely from his eyes. He watched a plane taking off outside the window, but he doubted it was Edgeworth's. His plane couldn't possibly be in the air yet.

Phoenix reread the paper that Miles had given him, now with firm resolve.

I'll write to you, Edgeworth. Just like old times. I promise.