Hey chickies and whoever else reads this crazy thing. So here's a bit to tide me over while I go insane trying to relearn about the Canadian Constitution Act and Stoiciometry. (If you know what I'm talking about, you can be sympathetic to my pain. I hate grade eleven!) After my exams are finally over, I'll finish this up, so hold tight for just a few more days. Shall be out of the worst of it by tuesday.

Disclaimer- I do not own Bones, and probably never will. Still, it's nice to dream...

Zack barely stirred when the door to his room opened. He was trying to remember all he could about his case, and how the justice system worked. It was hard, because usually he was on the other side of the system; trying to put people like him inthe prisons, not keeping them out. Hodgins and Kat had explained it all to him numerous times, but even they seemed a little confused.

It had been two weeks since the paperwork had been sent in, and no word yet from the AG's office. That was supposedly good, because any rejection would be outright, and swift. This left only two possibilities; he could be what Kat called "cleansed" from the system, meaning the justice system would want to keep it's mistake quiet, or he could stand full trial and possibly lose. There was a chance he would be committed to McKinley for years, or even decades.

'Zack, are you even awake?'

That voice—it was far too illogical. Only McKinley staff were allowed in the wards. So he turned and sat up to make sure it was really Booth standing there, and it was; in his usual suit, tie and ridiculous socks. Zack had never been so glad to see the FBI agent, despite the fact that he threatened to shoot him at least three times a month.

'Dr. Zackary Uriah Addy, you are here-bye cleared of all charges laid against you by the District of Columbia, and the United States of America. Therefore, you are free to leave McKinley Psychiatric Facility for the Criminally Insane.'

He could hardly believe his ears. After all this time—this past year—it was over. He was free to go. There was no way it was that easy. 'Agent Booth, please tell me this not all some cruel and pointless joke.'

The agent crossed his arms and grinned. 'I don't joke about this kinda thing; kid, you're really free. I'm supposed to take you to see everyone at the lab. You can't go into the lab yet, and you definitely can't go up on the platform—they have a case, and you don't have clearance. But you can still go there.'

'Do they know yet? Dr. Brennan, and Dr. Saroyan, and Hodgins, and—'

'Sweets is supposed to go tell them. Though there's a good chance he won't get the message through to Brennan. It wouldn't be the first time.'

Zack didn't know what to say; he was thrilled. He was so happy, he worried that maybe this wasn't real. But it was real; he was free. He had no idea how to express how happy he was…

'This is the best news I have learned in a very long time.' He said in what he hoped wasn't too flat a tone.

Booth looked skeptical. 'This beats learning that Kat is over-the- moon in love with you?'

'I had already guessed that. She visited me more often than my best friend, and that was after not seeing me for five years. I doubt that I would have done that, if I was in her situation. Particularly seeing as we weren't speaking to one another when she left for Africa. Though we did e-mail back and forth for awhile, and I was hoping when we got home, things could return to normal—'

The agent was shaking his head, obviously trying hard not to laugh. 'Dude, are we going to get out of here, or is this place suddenly not so bad now that you can leave? I could easily leave you here for another year. Maybe even two…'

To both their surprise, Zack actually laughed, and quickly gathered up his few things. 'I would be perfectly content to never see this building again in my lifespan.'

Following Booth down familiar hallways, they passed familiar faces in familiar windows. He didn't regret leaving a single person here—with the exception of maybe Jerald. The other patients had never understood his innocence, or his sanity. Some had never even looked him in the eye. Only the staff had been even remotely friendly, in their strangely disconnected way.

Stepping outside, Zack breathed in cool, moist air. It had just stopped raining, and the sun had hardly had a chance to warm the morning. Maybe with a little time, this place would begin to fade in his memory; like a mental scar, or an old nightmare. After all, he was going home today, and home would be good for him. He'd be able to work, and do things with Kat, and try to live a relatively normal life; at least by his standards.

'Welcome back to the real world Zack.' Booth said, putting on his sunglasses as the last of the clouds cleared. 'Or as close to the real world as you squints get.'

I have learned not to say I will post after a certain number of reviews. Because I am not one for torturing myself, or others. Though saying I might take a powder seemed to work. (If you don't know what I mean by "taking a powder", you could always read Stephen King's novel It. Good book to read anyway.)