For the Love of Science

Michiyo Ichimaru

A/N: Shoot me all you want, but you know… I love it for some strange reason. xD Someone asked for it on the Phoenix Wright LJ Kink Meme and I answered. Since then, well… there's been no going back. w Eh, enjoy!

Pouring over evidence wasn't her dream. She didn't want to talk to witnesses about their messed up memories. And all this led to the conclusion that she DID NOT want to be a detective, working right here, right now. If all that wasn't bad enough, she seemed to attract real creeps of all kinds, starting with that glimmerous fop…

But this guy… he was more than just creepy. From the moment she looked at him, she had this bad feeling about him. Her boss asked her to talk to the witness and get any information she could use in making his case, so she didn't have a choice, no matter how strongly she disliked all of this.

"Uhm… you are… Mr. Stickler?" She asked politely, although she couldn't help the way her brow automatically rose. It was a subconscious reaction she had to the abnormal. And this guy was the king of abnormal. 'I just hope I can get him to talk… and stop reading that annoying book and pay attention to ME!' She grimaced. "Mr. Stickler!"

He snapped his book shut and held it up by his head. 'God… looks like his ego's as big as that glimmerous fop. Joy…' He shook his head and grinned. "Science never rests, young detective. I must apologize if you cannot understand the outstanding amount of thought I put into my work."

Ema was about to snap back, when something in her snapped. "…hold it." She said, looking at the book in question. "You said… science? Are you studying science as a major profession?" Now she was genuinely interested and quite aware she was off track, without a care in the world whether her boss got mad or not.

"Ah. Indeed, I am well on my way to studying the deeper mysteries of science, and I cannot rest for anything, to getting my results! Data is everything, and statistics are the foundation of all real information." Ema stared at him in awe, and a strange, honest smile that she hadn't worn in a while, showed itself.

Clearing her throat, she offered him her hand. "Ahem. Ema Skye. I studied forensic science and scientific investigation. I'm currently the detective who's supposed to question you about the murder you witnessed." Mr. Stickler put down his book and shook her hand.

"You looked like a clear minded woman. I am Wesley Stickler, a studious university student searching to unravel the mysteries left unsolved in science so that we may find new knowledge to use. It is a pleasure. I've been asked so many questions about all this murdering… I'd rather like someone intelligent to talk to about something else…"

Ema smiled. "You can start off with what book you're reading."

"Oh, this?" He acted like it was nothing, but from the smile on his face, he was clearly proud of this particular book. "Well, it's not really related to my current studies and project… but it IS science!" he grinned broadly. "It's called The Prism and the Pendulum."

To this, Ema gasped. "You've read that book!?" She looked completely thrilled. "Most of my professors and fellow students thought it was just ridiculous to make a book about the "beauty" of science. I absolutely loved it." The look on her face had transformed into complete adoration. "What do you think of it?" She asked, suddenly serious again.

Wesley Stickler laughed. "Think of it? You watch me read it adamantly and you ask me what I THINK about it?! Oh, my… I adore it. Most would condemn it because they are not true scientists, seeking to make it a part of their lives! I find that science is the most beautiful thing, and at the same time, the most reliable. What more could you ask?"

"You're right! Everything beautiful and everything we love is really tied to science in some way. For example… even that glimmerous fop's beloved music is ruled by heavy theory. The sound waves… it's ALL thanks to science!" Ema never looked so pleased with herself. "And paint is a chemical, cooking is a science of it's own and all technology is related in some way to science."

"Oh Miss Ema, your logic strikes me so! Not even I with my word-ly ways, would be able to state it better." Ema practically glowed at the compliment. "To be honest… I'm wondering why I see you now, as a detective and not a scientist."

Ema frowned. "I guess I got overconfident. Maybe I didn't study enough… whatever it was, I didn't pass the exam." Wesley patted her on the back and smiled, even if it was a bit creepily. "I was so disappointed… and I hate this job so much that it just makes me even more angry!"

Wesley chuckled. "Don't worry… someone who seeks to make science a part of their life will never give up. You will definitely do it."

Drying her eyes, Ema smiled. "Thanks! You're right! I HAVE to keep studying and working hard… after all, science is my life! I'm glad I decided to talk to you instead of blowing off my boss's orders. Maybe you could tell me about your scientific project!" her eyes lit up at the thought of scientific study.

Suddenly, he got very nervous. "Ah… uhm… maybe some other time…"