"Sorry, Apollo. Not to steal your thunder or anything, but I think I'm going to need some comforting myself."

And it was with those words Phoenix Wright embraced his pupil, in the wake of unparalleled defeat. Upon returning home and embracing the younger attorney, he was reminded of how close he had come to losing Apollo Justice. Of how he almost lost Apollo's smile, his respect, their friendship. And it was in a fresh wave of grief he reflected on the distance between them. The ice threatening to envelop their memories in silence. Apollo went back to him, smiled at him, forgave him, but it was still there. The pangs of almost losing the young man he loved like a son rushed back, all brought on by the morning. Flowing from him in waves of tears, apologies. Pain. Raw heaviness.

"I'm so sorry, Apollo, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry, Polly! Don't ever leave me. Please don't ever leave me!"

It was while holding Apollo he cried. Enveloped in the light and love of family, he cried. Harder than he had ever cried before. Harder than he had ever allowed himself to cry. Didn't allow himself to cry at Clay's memorial service out of wanting to be strong for Apollo. Didn't cry at Mia's funeral out of wanting to be strong for Maya. And never cried in front of Trucy, not even once. But it was on that morning he cried. Cried for everything, everyone he had ever lost. Cried for Maya. Cried for Apollo.

Cried for himself.

Miles Edgeworth returned to the agency, as promised, wanting to check up on Apollo, but left immediately after finding Apollo out of bed. A weeping Trucy tried to stop him, assisted by a visibly livid Athena Cykes, but to no avail. Phoenix stopped both young women from saying anything, not wanting any of his family to get any more involved in the downpour he created. That left the prosecutor to once again vanish without a trace.

And without any intention of looking back.

In the quiet hours that followed, Apollo never left his side. Even with Clay's memorial service still fresh in his mind, Apollo stayed. Told him stories of the rocket ships Clay built, of how he doodled stars all over his paper whenever they were in class. Told him of how they sat under a diamond-studded sky, and wished upon a star. He wasn't sure if his childhood memories were the best distractions, but only knew of one way to comfort his friend-talk. So talk he did, about the memories he treasured more than life itself.

It was hard. Phoenix knew it was hard. And because he knew it was hard, he listened. He listened with tears in his eyes, knowing Apollo was driving stakes into his own heart, for him. All for him. Apollo was still hurt, but was finally opening himself up, because he knew someone needed him. He knew his mentor was lost. Just as hurt and lost as Apollo himself had been.

The only beam of light in an otherwise dark nightmare.

The second Larry became aware of the distance between Edgeworth and Phoenix, his agenda vanished. A solemn vow to end the feud, or at least soothe it, was spoken by the klutz with a heart of gold. But his efforts to soothe things were just as fruitless as Trucy and Athena's efforts; he resigned himself to defeat, calling Phoenix back with a heart heavier than stone.

"Sorry, Nick. Tried to get Edgey to come back to his senses, but he wasn't havin' it. Dunno what's gotten into him, but maybe we should back off for now. Let the guy cool off. He is a bit of a drama queen."

The same words of comfort spoken by Lotta Hart and her customers.

"Thanks for trying, Larry. You did your best. It's not often you don't stink at anything."

"Don't be so down, Nick. Maybe our primadonna Edgey's just havin' an off day. It'll be cool. Trust me on this. Okay?"

Even Athena recommended it. Trucy supported her, not wanting to let go of even the smallest drop of hope's light, not when all of the light had gone out of her father's eyes. And desperately, Phoenix worked to accept the option presented to him. Desperately wanted to believe that maybe, just maybe, tomorrow would be a new day and all would be right with the world. Edgeworth would forgive him, and they'd start anew. It would be as if that morning, the sun-kissed morning in Lotta's teahouse, never happened. He'd have back the man, the person, the only ever soul he had ever loved, with an intensity so fierce he'd tear apart Hell with his bare hands to protect him. But in just mere moments, that man was gone. Gone. And with every passing minute, the distance between them grew much too wide to cross. But then-

-then came the thunder.

"Dad! Dad Dad Dad!"

"What what what?" answered a groggy, somewhat alert Phoenix, thrust out of slumber by not only Apollo's strange call, but by how urgent the younger man was. Still disoriented by Apollo referring to him as 'Dad', for the first time, Phoenix found himself thrust onto his feet with his head in a fog. "It's Detective Gumshoe," Apollo warned him, officially ending Trucy's Family Slumber Party at the agency. Just a few minutes ago, it seemed as if they were all winding down from a quiet, tiring day, enjoying each other's company over popcorn and corny old movies. The moment Apollo really opened up to him, in a way that moved mountains, was the moment the world ended.

Apollo spoke quickly, wide alert. Strong. Wise. Unlike his dashing mentor.

"The detective's here and really needs to talk to you. It's about the Chief Prosecutor!"

All traces of sleep vanished. A pang, just as strong as an arrow piercing flesh and blone, ran through his chest. "Edgeworth may want me nuked off the face of existence, but that doesn't stop me from worrying about him," the veteran attorney declared, not only to Apollo but to himself as well. And it was in that moment the two of them bolted from Trucy's bedroom, where the slumber party (complete with a mini magic show) took place.

In mere seconds the two men were in the agency's living room, side by side, where the young women and a panting detective stood. "Good, you're up, pal," Gumshoe said, breathless from not only relief but from fear, a huffing, puffing mass of panic. Phoenix, accepting Trucy's hug and wrapping his arms around her, wasted not a second in investigating.

"What is it, Detective? Why didn't you just call me?"

"Couldn't, sir, not in a time like this! This was way too important for a phone call!"

Phoenix's response was rapid fire. "What's going on, Gumshoe? Is Edgeworth all right?"

"Not for long, pal! He's about to make the biggest mistake of his life!"

Athena seized the baton, eyes glistening like those of a panther following its prey. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that he's about to go off on this trip o' his and make the biggest mistake of his life!"

The veteran attorney recalled a certain morning, grimacing as if Godot had ripped his eyes out with his bare hands. "I remember him telling me about a business trip," he proclaimed, then shook his head. Confusion, exhaustion and adrenaline bashed his skull in like a bag of bricks, suddenly driving him to become dizzy. He tightened the hug he shared with Trucy for support. Trucy tightened her grip on him.

"But what does Edgeworth's business trip have to do with anything?"

Gumshoe's response was as quick as a bullet and as sharp as a blade, laden with panic. "Everything," the detective roared. "Long story short, we're leavin' to go settle some case in a place where they don't look too fondly on prosecutors, pal," he disclosed, not at all calm. "I've heard they put prosecutors to death! It ain't pretty where we're goin', lemme tell ya! I'll tell ya right now, it ain't pretty! Somebody over there called for the Chief Prosecutor's services but we're probably walkin' right into a trap, I can feel it, just as much as I feel the winter ice creepin' through my bones!"

Athena's voice was calm. Gentle. With Widget glowing a deep shade of green, she spoke affectionately, softly to the detective. "Wait. I get it. This is horrible. Oh no. But why now? Why are you over here now, when you've known all along about the Chief Prosecutor's trip? You're by his side even more than a dog would be, Gumshoe."

"Because somethin' terrible's about t' take place, pal, somethin' bad!"

Breathless, Phoenix jumped into the fray next. "You're talking about the case, aren't you? You think something's going to happen to Edgeworth, don't you, Gumshoe?"

"No! I mean, yeah! But that's not why I'm over here! I'm over here to tell ya that the Chief Prosecutor's about t' confess his love for someone else!"

"Really?!" Apollo shouted, shoulders slumped over while the rest of his family had fallen onto the floor, in a clear show of disbelief. "Really, Detective?! That's the big mistake Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth's about to make? He's heading into territory that's apparently hostile towards prosecutors, and you're worried about him confessing his love to someone?"

Gumshoe did not relent, unwavering in his pursuit of assistance. "I'm tellin' ya, pal, I heard it myself," he shouted, not out of anger or hatred, but out of rising tension. "It's about t' go down! Th' Chief's got his heart set on spillin' his heart out to this other person, but he can't because he loves you, Phoenix Wright!"

And with that, Phoenix went from worried and alert, to feeling very much like an old man. "News to me," the attorney sighed, wounds from that morning rushing back, as if they were just inflicted a mere second ago. The fire sweeping through him, just a few seconds ago, was replaced with defeat. Heavy, cold, much too hot defeat. He smiled at the detective, an old friend he suddenly realized he loved, through burning eyes.

"Sorry, Gumshoe. I don't know why you're here, but I'm sure you'll look after him. You always have."

Anger enveloped Detective Gumshoe's being. Normally, Edgeworth's right hand man was a creature of immense gentleness, but on that night he was anything but, raging with fury. Fear. Out of the deepest love and concern for not only a prosecutor, but for an attorney and his family. "You aren't gettin' me, pal," he snarled.

"Listen! After you invited him to the teahouse, I found him in his office, crying! He's never cried before, pal, ever!"

Inquisitive, like an archaeologist on the verge of discovering the most sacred treasure, Athena stepped in. "Gumshoe, at what time did you find the Chief Prosecutor in his office?"

"Um, had to have been around eleven. Why?"

"No reason," the young woman replied, eyes wide, breathless, playful yet mystified. "That's just the time the Boss came home, that's all. Came home and cried his eyes out to us. But I'm not saying anything about destiny, or how that was totally not a coincidence. Don't mind me."

Gumshoe went on, carrying the light of Athena's discovery with him. "I eventually got 'im t' call down and tell me what happened, pal," he explained to the unreadable, weary attorney hugging his daughter. Apollo took Phoenix's free arm and encased in his warmth, letting him know he'd always be there with a quick smile.

"Yeah, th' Chief's really angry at you but listen, he's also really happy about what 'cha you said to 'im, too! Everything you told him? It's all stuff he's been dying to hear! He's always loved you! Talked about 'cha before a case, during a case, after a case! Talked about ya when he was down 'n out! Said you've been his inspiration, his hero! He's got a picture of ya in his wallet, pal, and not of ya as a lil' shrimp, either! He loves you, Phoenix Wright, you gotta believe me! Please! You just gotta prove it to him! Ya know, with some evidence! Cold, hard evidence!"

With Trucy tearfully beaming over 'Mommy', Apollo took the baton next. "Wait, if the Chief's so in love with Mr Wright, what's going on with this other party? Is he in a close relationship with someone else?"

"Yeah," a dejected Gumshoe sighed. "A really close one. And they're gonna help the Chief out on this new case comin' up. But that's not all! Chief's gonna tell him he loves 'im, and it won't work, pal, because he'll be doin' it outta hurt! Chief Prosecutor's all confused and has so much goin' on, he doesn't know what he's doin'! Mr Wright, Phoenix, please, please, ya gotta help him! I want him t' be happy and he ain't goin' about it the right way!"

Silence flooded the agency in a heartbeat, overwhelming them all. All eyes were on the unreadable Phoenix Wright, who was silently submerged in the sea of deepest thought. Just as Lotta's teahouse had been, his agency, a world he shared with family and friends, became a dimension in which nothing existed but anticipation. Waiting. Wondering where time would cast them. But then-

The veteran attorney lifted his head. With a smile.

"When exactly is this trip, Detective? When are you leaving?"

"Six tomorrow mornin'. Why?"

Phoenix sighed and rolled his eyes. "Just like all of my cases-given to me on short notice," he groaned, rubbing the back of his neck in a show of nervousness. "I would've liked more time to pack, but-

And it was at that moment the family erupted in squeals. Shouts of support. Trucy gave her father a hug that bowled him over, with Apollo and Athena following suit.

"Daddy! I'm so proud of you, Daddy!"

"That's the spirit, Boss! Faint o' heart NEVER won fair maiden!"

"We have the Phoenix Wright we all know and love back. Welcome back, Dad."

Eyes shining with nothing short of the deepest affection, Phoenix patted Apollo on the head. "Sorry for being such a loser, Polly," he laughed warmly, then gave a smile of the purest sunshine to the rest of his family. Gumshoe included. In the mood to pat everyone on the head out of affection, the attorney did so to the detective.

"Thank you. Thank you for always being such a good friend to Miles, Gumshoe. Without you to look after him, I probably would've gone insane a long time ago. Thank you for coming and telling me all of this. And if you don't mind, I'd like you to tell me more about this trip you're going on. The case, too. I know we're on opposite sides of the track, but-"

A tearful detective threw an arm about Phoenix's shoulders. "Don't worry about a thing, pal," Gumshoe beamed at him. "I'll give ya a free pass this time. This time, we're on the same team! I'll tell ya more about the case later, but as for the flight-"

Four tickets were drawn from his coat pocket. "I've got it all covered! All you guys gotta do is pack!"

Suddenly feeling recharged, in the mood to explore a newly rejuvenated friendship, Phoenix poked at him. "YOU? You've got it covered? What are we flying in, a paper airplane?"

Gumshoe winked at him. "Stop worryin' so much! I got these as a personal favor from an old friend! You're all gonna be ridin' just as pretty as me and th' Chief are. So get packed-we got a pretty big adventure ahead of us!"

And with that, ends the tale of Counting Stars.

This was originally going to be a much shorter adventure, with Edgeworth accepting Phoenix's apologies and engagement ring. After going over everything Edgeworth went through, though, with Manfred von Karma, losing his beloved father, a certain letter and his painful separation from Phoenix, not to mention certain things Phoenix said to him, I couldn't possibly just have Miles accept his apologies. It would've been too easy. And with the Ace Attorney universe being completely and utterly insane, I figured it wouldn't hurt to have Phoenix chasing after Edgeworth turn into a wild adventure.

I'm separating Counting Stars from the other journey because someone might not agree with my secondary Edgeworth ship. If you choose to read the follow-up adventure to this, spectacular. I await your presence with immense excitement. If not, you're free to keep this as a cliffhanger and/or come up with an ending that suits you, Edgeworth's love interest included.

There was no Apollo ship because I wanted heavy focus on Phoenix's relationship with Edgeworth. This started because I thought Phoenix was a huge douche to Edgeworth in the games, so I thought 'why not finally have Phoenix put everything out on the table?'. Plus I wanted his grief over Clay to be heavily focused on.

Apollo shouting 'Dad Dad Dad' and Phoenix going 'what what what?' was inspired by SpongeBob Squarepants.

Edgeworth going to a country that hates prosecutors was inspired by 'Spirit of Justice', in which our heroes visit a country that hates defense attorneys, putting it mildly. The case will have a lot to do with his father, and one of his cases, so it'll be yet another emotional ride for our Chief Prosecutor. How will Phoenix and his family help him on the case? Will any of them survive the case? Will Phoenix defeat his opponent in the race for Edgeworth's heart? Find out next, on-

Well, there's no title yet. Sorry.

Thank you for being here. A special thank you to tezmilion.