Ivan couldn't help but compare the feeling to sitting outside of your boss office to how a child feels standing outside the principal's office. Nerve-wracking and kind of terrifying. To explain a little, Ivan was a child psychologist and a behavioral annalist with several awards and PhDs. in child behavior and treating children in distress. While not many like the tall and rather blunt man, almost all respected the man either for his many years of working with children or his dedication. Not many dedicated their lives to helping children dealing with distressing events. Heck most left in half the time that Ivan had spent.

So why was he waiting to talk to his boss if he was such a great guy? The reason was simple. The most recent group of children had caused a big incident. This incident could ruin the rehab oh so valuable reputation. So to save face, the rehab had to fire either Ivan or his partner. That was the reason that Ivan was sitting in the room adjacent to the 'council' room, (A rather fitting nickname for the group of directors, supervisors and vices.) Funny thing was the incident was the biggest piece of gossip in the rehab right now. Most took Ivan side, heck even people who didn't like him were taking his side. However this wasn't a source of comfort for Ivan.

The council had fired talented, well respected people before, even had fired people who had done the right thing! For those who weren't photo ready or people pleasures: trouble meant pink slip. Pink slip meant you were fired. Ivan wasn't ugly or antisocial but he wasn't 'movie star' material nor was he good at dealing with others. He had always been on neutral ground and Ivan wasn't convinced that would keep him safe.

"Dr. Braginski?" called the secretary at the front desk. Ivan was brought back to reality and reminded of his current challenge.

"They are ready to see you now." She stated. With a final deep breath, Ivan got up and walked across the room and entered the meeting room.

The room was very large with big windows, white walls and a blue carpeted floor. The room stank of chemical cleaner, coffee and the different colognes and perfumes that the people were wearing. A large polished black table surrounded by chairs took almost all the space in the room. The only chair available was in front of everyone. Ivan stood off to the side and waited to be called. He didn't have to wait long.

"Please sit down, Dr. Braginski" Said one of the directors with a gesture at the only empty seat. Ivan eyed the chair with a small frown. Ivan was a big man and he had broken chairs before. This one looked very… flimsy. However it was best not to argue or be rude, so Ivan sat down on it and did his best to ignore the groans of the chair. The main director pulled out a file from his briefcase at that point and passed it around. Then all of the members present gave a quick scan of it before passing it to the next person. Ivan already knew it was his file. Yet another reminder of how serious this situation was.

Finally they stopped looking at the file and a supervisor asked "So Dr. Braginski, are you aware of the reason you were called here?"

"Da" was Ivan's honest reply. That got the council's attention.

"You are aware?" repeated one of the vice-directors

"Of course. It is about the incident and recent group of children" stated Ivan. He was vaguely amused by everyone startled expression. Ivan was a professional behavior analysts and psychologist; he was paid to pay attention to the people around him. Of course, he would be aware of what was going on around him. He even knew why it was happening.

"Right then, we will skip that conversation." Started the head director, "we have heard the rumors, and we have interviewed the employees who were present. We even spoke to your partner and heard his side of the story. Truth be told, the rumors and the other employees make you out to be a hero. Your partners story, however, makes you sound like someone we don't want working with children or working around here."

"I'm not surprised" commented Ivan calmly. It was just like his partner to try and sweet talk his way out of the incident.

"However we believe in freedom of speech and believe that you should have a say in this, Ivan" explained the vice director

Ivan nodded, knowing where this was going.

"Dr. Braginski, please explain to us in your own words, what happened that week" asked the head director.

Ivan looked at them, wondering if they would believe him. His mind kept listing all the people they had fired because of their corruption. However his heart kept repeating what his wife had told him, "Deep breath Ivan, their only strength is their number. Your strength is your heart" Everyone was looking at him with expectant eyes. At the very least, they would listen. So Ivan took a deep breath and began his story...