Chapter 422

“Excuse me, what?” James blurted the words out, even as the tone shifted in the area. He could tell Fel was pissed, yet she was staying abnormally quiet. Why wasn’t she speaking up? Didn’t she love him? “What’s this got to do with Alex?” James pressed. “And how did we go from Fel dropping off a freaking weapon of mass destruction, to talking about her boyfriend?”

For a brief second, James felt like he’d gone too far. However, the ridiculousness of the whole thing, combined with what he’d been dealing with, was just too much. He saw a dangerous look cross Marissa’s face, her eyes threatening him bodily harm, and then, as quickly as she’d shifted to that dangerous persona, it was gone.

Marissa started laughing. A joyous, amused sound, completely pure and whimsical. Her entire demeanor relaxed, and while Fel still seemed to be sizzling with anger, Marissa, thankfully, seemed completely at ease. Which was good, because James hadn’t wanted the first test of Dagger to be against the head of Phoenix Down.

“The reports about you said you were reckless.” Marissa said, catching her breath. “But I hadn’t expected that type of an outburst. Truly, you’re an amusing individual James.”

James didn’t say anything. He just stood there, staring at her. What was going on? Was all of Fel’s family like this?

“Don’t worry though. Alex isn’t in danger, per say. I’m just doing my job, both as Felecia’s mother, and the head of Phoenix Down, to vet him. It goes without saying, that he and my daughter are,” her lips pursed, “close.”

James’s bit back a snide remark. The two were more than close. He’d heard Fel talk about her feelings for Alex, and he knew from watching the two in game, that they were definitely a lot more than just close. Their relationship was the real deal.

“I see that look in your eyes,” Marissa said, “and yes, I understand the depth of their relations. Felecia here may be one of the best in Phoenix Down, but she still has much to learn.”

Fel growled.

“Ignore her for the moment.” Fel’s mother flashed her daughter a smile. “She’s just irritated I chose this time to confront her on the matter. Truth be told, I’ve been surveilling everything about her and Alexander for a long time. Which, is further reason for her current state of frustration.” Marissa let out a cruel laugh. “If not for the training I instilled in her, and perhaps, her sense of self preservation, I’m sure she’d try to hit me right now.”

“I’d do more than try.” Fel muttered under her breath, though she quickly quieted down. All it had taken was a raised eyebrow from Marissa. This was definitely not a dynamic James wanted to get between. Once again, he silently gave Alex his sympathies.

“How does all of this involve me?” James asked hesitantly. He wouldn’t consider himself and Alex great friends. Even though Alex had played a part in keeping James somewhat safe, and keeping Dwight from getting away without being punished, he and Alex had never been close. And while James felt bad about Alex getting hospitalized by Dwight, he had done a lot, in his mind, to repay that debt.

“For one, you and Alex are classmates. Meaning, you’ve interacted with him before in the past.”

“Not much.” James countered. “I was more of a loner at school. I’m sure your ‘records’ regarding me would have detailed as much.”

“True, however,” Marissa held up a finger as she continued, “you and he now share a bond thanks to the incident with Dwight. That type of a shared experience will make the two of you closer. Even now I know you are on your way to meet with him.”

“I was actually going to get my jaw and head checked out…” James said, trailing off.

“And after, you intended to visit Alex, did you not?” Marissa pressed.

She had a point. He’d intended on visiting Alex once he was done with his appointment. As much as he didn’t like admitting it, he did feel a new connection to Alex he’d not had before, and he had no doubt, if he played into that connection, the two of them could become good friends.

Marissa smiled. “Please remember, I read people for a living. You can’t hide things from me, nor lie. So, do us both a favor, and just follow along.”

“Okay. What else? Just because I feel bad about what happened to him doesn’t mean I’ve got anything special that can help in this case.”

“Yes, and no.” James could tell by the way her eyes seemed to widen with her smile, that she was toying with him.

“While you’re not best friends or anything, you’ve got a bond with him. And I’ve no doubt, a ‘loner’ as you put it, would have no trouble observing people from a distance, and getting a read on them. Combine that with your position as a Dungeon Core, and you have at your disposal the ability to monitor and develop a profile on Alex that would be just as extensive, if not more, as what I could normally acquire. With the added bonus of costing me nothing in resources, since the game gives its Dungeon Cores ridiculous powers when it comes to such things.”

James glanced at Fel. Just how much did her mother know?

“I’m not asking you to spy on the two of them.” Marissa said in response to his glance. “Though, that is an option.”

Fel stiffened, her eyes narrowing.

“What I’m asking for, is your honest opinion.” Fel’s mother said. “Felecia’s relationship with the young man in question, have put me in quite the bind. Normally, I wouldn’t care. But given everything that has happened, her personal life, and work life, have gotten too close to each other. Meaning, as head of Phoenix Down, I need to do what I must, in order to protect my organization, and my agents.”

“To that end,” she continued, “I’ve got to decide on if I relocate Felecia to a different area and stop her access with Alexander. Or I can authorize the relationship to continue, though under additional restrictions and monitoring, to ensure our secrets are kept safe.”

“Or.” Fel pushed.

“Or I allow the relationship to continue, and trust Felecia to inform Alexander of just who and what she is, at the appropriate time. Though, doing so would make his life forfeit if he ever left her.”

James thought of Alex, his mind immediately going back to the hospital room, and how lovingly Fel had looked at his broken form. It was the same way Rue looked at James, and he was sure the same way James looked at Rue. It was a true love. It was a bond that wouldn’t break, but would only grow stronger. And, while James felt it was a bit presumptuous to believe it would last forever, he knew, at least his heart told him, that it would

“Go with the third option.” James said immediately. “They love each other. And Alex can be trusted. He’s a good guy.”

Fel did her best to hide it, but James saw all the tension leave her as relief flooded into her. Marissa, on the other hand, let out a heavy sigh, but nodded.

“So be it.” She said simply. “Who am I, to ignore my own daughter’s love?” Her hand reached down towards the ring she’d activated earlier. “Besides, his blood is on your hands now, not mine, if he ever does break.” And with that, the ring twisted, and shimmering field of energy around them dissipated.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, James.” Marissa said, nodding her head slightly towards him. “I do hope our communication in the future, can be just as pleasant.” And then, without another word, she walked past him, not even giving Fel so much as a glance as she left the warehouse.

“Bitch.” Fel muttered once her mother was out of earshot, loud enough though, that James could here it.

“Is everything going to be alright?” James asked, Marissa’s final words lingering in his mind.

“If it isn’t,” Fel said firmly, “then you can bet I’ll do everything I can, to protect Alex. My mother knows well enough, that if she harms him, she loses me as well.” Fel’s smile started out as uncertain, but quickly shifted to confident. “And not even that woman, would be willing to take a risk like that.”

“If you say so.” James let out a sigh. He really was tired of dealing with things like this. “Are we good to leave now? Or am I about to get abducted by aliens next?” James joked, but with the way his life was going, that wasn’t all that crazy, was it?

“We can go. If we hurry, we should still be good on time too.” As she spoke, James nodded and turned, preparing to leave. It was a good thing she’d given them extra time for this endeavor. While he was certain her mother’s appearance had been a surprise, that little meeting, had at least, been somewhat quick.

“And James,” Fel’s voice caused him to stop. “Thank you, for supporting us.”

“No problem,” he responded, not turning back to look at Fel. Something in his mind told him that she wouldn’t want him to see her just then. She wouldn’t want him to see her vulnerable. “It’s what friends do.”