Bail has been paid and Nick is released. A small part of him almost wishes he was staying inside away from all the mess he is going to have to deal with, but never one to back down from a fight he takes a deep breath, tells himself once more that he is innocent, and walks through the doors to freedom. No one is there to greet him, Nick and his lawyer had had a short talk before Belden had dealt with posting bail and had arranged a meeting for the next day to discuss the way forward. Nick told him to talk to his Dad to say that Nick needed to go home and change and go in to work and that he would come by and see him as soon as he could. He also passed on the message of how grateful Nick was to see him in court. Belden had also arranged a taxi and it was waiting for him as he exits the police station.

Nick calls Emily on the way home to let her know that he will be there in about an hour. She informs him that the head of the board is waiting in his office. He notices the many missed calls and voice messages on his phone and ignores everyone choosing instead to lay back and close his eyes for the rest of the journey. His home feels heavy and silent as he enters. He is assaulted by images of the night before. The police stomping through his home, his sanctuary. For a moment he is struck paralised by the horror of it all but the shrill of the house phone shocks him out of it. He ignores it and heads upstairs.

In his bedroom by the small amount of clothes on the floor he can see that it wasn't far in to the search of this room that the drugs were found. He picks up the clothes on the floor and places them on his bed and then strips and enters the shower. The heat of the water feels so good and he leans in to it letting the water tumble down his face and body. He stands there letting everything drift away but the pounding of the water. The process of getting washed is done on instinct, as he turns the water off he has no memory of reaching for the soap, he watches the last remnants of the foamy water at his feet swirling down the drain, the evidence of his bathing. As the last drop disappears he is brought out of his stupor and shivers as the loss of heat. He grabs his towel, gives himself a quick rub down and wraps it around his waist. He moves to the wash basin and proceeds to shave ignoring the weary face staring back at him.

Although he suspects he won't be at work very long he purposefully chooses a white shirt and jet black suit. The favourite suit of choice when he knows he has difficult negotiations ahead of him as he feels stronger and intimidating wearing it. Funny how clothes can have that effect. He doesn't understand it but he doesn't question it either, he just accepts it and uses it.

Before grabbing some orange juice from the fridge he switches on the tv, it is the local news and among the headlines running through the bottom of the screen is the arrest of the director of LSP, Nick Fallin. It takes him by surprise and he switches it off but then immediately back on again, if they are talking bout him perhaps it is better to know what they are saying.

It is a short report, talking about his court appearance and his past conviction. This accounts for the chairman already waiting for him. He downs his drink, switches the tv off and gathers up his files from the night before and is out the door.

The elevator doors open signalling their arrival at the offices of LSP. Nick strides confidently in to the main area and heads immediately for his office where he finds Brian Foulds sat in his chair.

"Good morning Nick, nice of you to finally show up."

"Good morning Brian, I'm sure you know the reason for my delay."

"Yes, I was shocked to see the report on the news this morning. We have put great trust and faith in you and you have let us down."

"The drugs are not mine."

"Then how do you explain their presence in your home?"

"I can't yet. But they are not mine."

"So you keep saying."

Nick stares at him and them asks:

"What are you going to do."

"That is the question Nick. I can't deny you do good work here and we can't fire you as you have pleaded innocent so until the matter is settled you are on suspension. We can't risk you working with the kids."

"You did when I was on probation."

"That was different then, you were under supervision."

"Then put me under supervision now. Let Emily take over as head temporarily and supervise my work. I don't want to let my clients down."

"You already have Nick."

"The drugs are not mine."

"That's what you say Nick."

Another icy stare from Nick brings a sigh from Brian:

"Look I will take your proposal to the committee but I'm not making any promises."

Nick nods curtly:

"Thank you"

"But for now you will have to leave the premises."

Nick shrugs

"Okay"

Nick turns around and leaves the office. This time he faces everyone.

"The drugs were not mine"

And he heads to the elevator.