I was going to fall.I was going to hit the ground, broken like a china plate, shattered into unrepairable fragments.I wanted to cry, to throw out the emotions withering inside me.I closed my eyes, finding refuge in a peaceful memory. My sister smiled back at me in my minds eye, her blonde hair hanging over her pale face.I was laughing, throwing an apple between us.

Mum and Dad sat on the grassy hilltop, beneath a blossom tree, glowing pink petals dropped from its branches, littering the ground like confetti. Then, just as quickly as I saw it, the memory faded into blotches of dark red pools. The metal cutting viciously through the scene. Blood coated my hand, streaming down my shaking arm.I would fall soon. My hand slipped and I prayed that help would get to us before I fell to a lonely end.I recalled the memory, trying to find strength from it. The apple came crashing down. Laughter. Blossom. Doctor Fitz and the click of a revolver. I gasped, snapping my eyes open. I screamed, noise tearing out of my lungs

"Help!"

Minutes passed, and the metal cut deeper, but today my prayers were answered.I felt strong arms pulling on my shoulders, dragging us back into the building.I breathed heavily, collapsing on the floor, my arms were spread out beside me. Aching and burning. My whole being felt as though it had been torn apart, every bone smashed, every nerve set ablaze. Doctor Fitz gazed at his feet, offering no protests as he was taken down the stairwell by the, shaken and fuming, Guv.I felt a hand on my shoulder. And, looking up, my eyes met those of the professor, who was smiling with concern

"Are you alright?, that was...quite close"

Quite close? I rolled my eyes.

"I'm ok." I wiped my hands on a towel he had given to me" What about you Luke?"

The boy grinned up at me, his face was covered in grime and lines had formed where his tears had created tracks. Despite his broken and bruised appearance, he managed a thumbs up and I happily returned the gesture. Just as the professor was about to speak, two PCs arrived

"We found them" the blonde man huffed, pointing behind him "the Clays!, we've only gone and found them!"

And they had. Trudging up the steps, bloodied and weary, were the Clay family. Evelyn waved at Luke who, to the professor's amusement, went beet root red.

I addressed the blonde PC "Take them to the hospital, get them patched up. The Guv will ring when he wants them at the station. Good job, by the way"

The PC laughed and steered the family carefully professor was inspecting Luke's injuries, constantly asking if he was alright.I left them to it and began descending the building, wincing at each footfall.

"I'll tell you one thing" I said to PC Rogers as he helped me down the stairs "I'm glad to be getting off this wreck of a building"

He grinned "Yeah me too.57 by the way"

I blinked, confused "57?..."

"57 paper clips can fit into the pot in the office"

Laughing, I patted him on the back. It seemed ages since that conversation. Already the evening was flooding through the building and from our height we could see London's skyline, washed in orange light. I closed my eyes, breathing it in and this time in my minds eye, I caught the apple.

Back at the station, Doctor Fitz admitted to all the charges. It didn't take long at all. He was to receive a prison sentence of at least two years.I couldn't help but feel slightly sorry for him, he had been driven to this by his own grief stricken ambitions. Just as he was to be taken to a cell, the station doors flew open.

Veronica Finch stood boldly in the doorway.I hurried over to her "V, what's up? Look maybe you should-"

"I want to see George Fitz"

The professor, who had been sitting patiently with Luke in the lobby, listened in and approached us.

"Ms finch, Doctor Fitz is the one who kidnapped Luke and the Clay's. He also stole your book...are you quite sure you want to see him?"

Veronica straightened her shoulders, a sad smile creeping across her face "Please.I need to speak to him"

Reluctantly, I nodded, guiding her into the back room. The professor and Luke followed behind us, and we were all silent as the door creaked open. Fitz had his head in his hands, a cold cup of tea sat on the counter, untouched. Jack was filling paper work out opposite him, he was the only one to look up and acknowledge our presence.I pointed V out to him and he got up. Veronica studied the broken man with her glassy eyes before she sat down in the guv's, now vacant, chair. Only then did Fitz raise his head up, as though it weighed hundreds of pounds.I held my breath. He tilted his head, then in disbelief, he spoke in a cracked voice "V-Veronica?...It can't be..."

Veronica smiled "It is George"

Fitz shuffled back on his chair, trying to stand up and get away. Before he could though, V grabbed his hand. "Please George, I want to talk to you"

Doctor Fitz stifled a sob "Why?...Why would you want to talk to me, of all people-"

Veronica removed her glasses, wiping them on her jumper "Now George.I want you to know that I never held any grudge against you. People grieve in different ways."

The professor glanced at me, smiling at the conversation. Jack was also watching intently. Fitz could hardly speak, words strangled by tears "Veronica, I-"

"George, please.I want us to be friends, but you need to forgive yourself"

Fitz nodded and I handed him a tissue.

The Guv motioned for us to step outside and ,once out of the room, he joked "Well.I'm glad the waterworks have stopped." He turned and addressed the professor, holding out his hand "Good job professor, we may need you in the future. You may even get Rachel's job"

I tapped him lightly on the arm "Not on your nelly mate"

The professor laughed and shook the guv's hand "It was a privilege, Jack"

The Guv grinned and faced Luke "How are you lad?"

Luke held his hat, his face now clean of grime "Much better, thanks to you all here"

"Don't mention it Luke, and if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask"

The boy smiled and that smile grew, when PC Rogers handed him a biscuit. The professor laughed "Nothing can dampen your appetite, eh my boy?"

I laughed too "That's a good thing Luke."

Veronica and George walked out of the interrogation room.I noticed they both were comfortable in each others company, even exchanging numbers when they parted ways. Veronica promised to ring and visit him as often as she could, then they went in different directions but still in each others thoughts.

I hugged V, "Are you ok?"

She laughed, eyes lit up "Yes Rachel.I am indeed."

The Clay family were walking down the corridor, hand in hand.I approached them carefully "How are you all? The hospital checked you out?"

A small man, with a full head of brown, windswept hair looked at me his blue eyes reflected tiredness and his face had a deep gash down the side of it. " We are all alright.I just wanted to thank you for your hard work."

I nodded "Thats alright Mr Clay, I'm glad you're all safe"

Susan, Vincent's wife, pulled me into a hug "Thank you"

Evelyn rushed forward and landed a kiss on Luke's cheek. His eyes became saucers and he scratched the back of his head nervously.

"Thanks Luke!" She exclaimed.

"Um...it was nothing Evelyn"

Then after a chorus of well-wishes, the Clay family left, together at last. As they departed, Vincent told me that he wanted to make amends with Doctor Fitz, that he was going to visit him with Veronica.I found that remarkable, but also I was shocked by the ability to forgive. It was a good trait to carry.I could hear Veronica humming 'We'll meet again' behind me and I steered her carefully down the steps. The professor and Luke followed. V spoke happily to them "Why don't we all go back to mine?.I have cake"

Luke looked up to his mentor, hope filling his eyes "Can we professor?"

The professor held the brim of his hat "Well...Why not?"

At that, Luke grinned and set off at quite a pace to the laytonmobile, although that might have had something to do with the promise of cake.I clambered into my own car and told them I'd meet them at Veronica's. Jasper, who had been staying at the station since we left to see Veronica and Doctor Andrews, jumped onto the blanket in the back and within minutes was snoring loudly.