#Gregory and Miles go off to Europe for a year and get therapy (physical and mental)

[abluescarfonwaston]

What do you think Gregory would do if DL-6 played out modtly the same way, but Greg was knocked out and Manfred still took miles.

Like. Once he found out about what Manfred did.

I"m going to assume by 'knocked out' you mean like. In a coma of a length of time because unlike Muppet Miles Manfred can't just walk out with Miles, kidnap him and have everything be cool. (although... wouldn't amnesia Miles kidnapped by Manfred and raised by him while Gregory looks for his lost son be fun? Phoenix meets The Boy who is not Miles in Germany on study abroad that's just achingly similar to the boy that once saved him. Sure Manfred can't risk making him a lawyer but every time he sees Gregory's wane face he knows he's won. Except there's Phoenix. Except he didn't count on Phoenix)

So Gregory gets comatosed for a considerable length of time. Since no one can take Miles in Manfred swoops him up and takes him back to Germany. He doesn't even get to visit. Edgeworth still grows up with endless guilt except this time Gregory wakes up. At almost the fifteen year mark.

Miles- still consumed by guilt and unable to bare to show his face to his Father still goes out on that lake praying for benediction. Phoenix, who's been visiting along with Raymond Shields (who returned from abroad for Gregory) runs over to Gregory right after Miles turns him down for Defense.

Gregory can't defend him (his badge would have expired years ago) but he asks Shields to- "If he's worried about Phoenix's inexperience then you're the obvious choice Ray. Although I'm sure Miles would greatly appreciate your aid too Phoenix."

"I..."

"Heh. So you didn't tell him huh Nicky?"

"Tell me...?"

"That man is an Edgeworth in name alone. He's not your son anymore Mr. Edgeworth. He's Miles Von Karma now."

"What?" The horror on Gregory's face was absolute.

"Who's Von Karma?"

Gregory recovered. Face hard. Neither responded to Wright's question.

"Raymond I don't care what happened in these last Fifteen years. I don't care about what he has done. He will Always be my son. I am asking you to defend him."

"...Even if he's guilty?" Phoenix mumbled.

"Especially if he is guilty." Mr. Edgeworth's eyes were hard. Absolute. Sheild's nodded. "No one deserves to be alone." He bowed his head. Jaw trembling. "God knows I left him alone far too long already."

They bring Edgeworth to the trial in a wheelchair. Miles refuses to look at him. On the second day they're celebrating the pretty much guaranteed win when Gregory rolls into the lobby. Miles is not Celebrating with them.

"Miles what's wrong?"

And Miles just. Flinches away from him. "Don't look at me like that." Like what? "You have no idea who I am or what I've done in these last fifteen years. So stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Oh what?! Did Raymond not tell you? How I had all his clients convicted without mercy? Or Wright! How I nearly had him sentenced to death for the sake of my record?! Did you tell him that?" His wild and furious eyes clawed at them. "No? Of course not." He grabbed his arm and squeezed so hard the fabric strained. "You have no idea what I have done. So stop looking at me like that."

"Like what Miles?"

"... Von Karma was right." Four sets of Hackles raised. Maya's hands on the wheelchair tightened. "The guilty deserve to be punished."

"But you're not guilty!" Phoenix threw his arms up. "You didn't kill Hammond!"

"You have no idea what I have done."

Miles confesses on the stand to shooting his Father. Gregory and Shield's try to console him. You were trying to protect me. I love you and you don't need to be punished any more than you've already clearly punished yourself.

You were nine. If you think Uncle Ray is letting you serve a day for accidental injury while under extreme duress you're wrong kiddo.

"Nick what are you doing?"

"Getting the case ready. Sorry. But I don't believe your nightmare Miles. Something about this just doesn't add up."

"Wright..."

Everything is wrapped up and Von Karma is taken away. There's the "I don't know what to say." Line. "You could start by saying thank you." "Ah... Then... thank you."

Gregory wheeling over to Miles. His son. His precious boy who still can't look him in the eye.

"Thank you sir." Sir. Sir never 'Father'. Not the sweet little way Father used to fit into his mouth. His chest aches.

"Of course son. I'm sorry I left you alone so long."

That hand on his elbow tightened again. "I don't deserve that. You have no idea what I have done."

"No matter what you've done Miles, you will always be my son."

There are endless tears in his eyes when he turns. Finally looks at him. Drawing in sharp half breaths that do not fill his lungs.

"Father."

Gregory opened his arms and pulled him in. "My son."

"My precious boy."