Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.

"Fancy a beer?"

Arthur looked at Blake, and smiled. "You're on."

"Good. I know a decent place not to far from here." Stepping carefully on the accelerator, the cop turned his car into the maelstrom of traffic. Arthur sighed, and leaned his head against the car seat. Suddenly, he felt exhausted. As though his energy had finally run out.

"Listen, if you want to nap, go ahead. We could be stuck here for a while." Arthur opened one eye, and noticed John grinning at him. He smiled back in response.

"Sorry," he apologised. "Just...tired." He shook his head. "As though-"

"A weight's been lifted?" Blake asked, gently. Arthur swallowed. "Could say that."

"Well, don't blame you." The detective steered the car through he intersection, cursing the heavy flow of traffic. "The school burning down, prospect of a death, Fischer...its a lot to contend with."

"Yes. And now I have to wonder what's going to happen next."

"Well, you're cleared of all charges, surely you can go back to work?"

"I don't know." Arthur frowned as the car purred back onto the highway. He felt a pang. "It can't be like it was before."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, some parents might not be happy. They might think I shouldn't be in the job." He looked over. Blake was shaking his head, vigorously.

"Arthur. From everything I've learned, you were an outstanding teacher."

"That's just it. I wasn't a teacher - I was the VP." Arthur frowned. "Sitting in my office, pushing bits of paper, dealing with discipline problems, staffing issues, data...not actually teaching. Not actually being out there, in the classroom, interacting, dealing with the kids." He bit his lip. "That's what I enjoyed."

"So why become a Vice Principal?" Blake frowned.

"Well, it was a promotion," Arthur admitted. "I thought that if I were to get married, being a VP would mean-"

"More money, nice house, security?"

"Yes," Arthur admitted. "Instead it meant elevated stress levels, being seen as enemy number one - and that was just by the staff."

John laughed, and Arthur began to relax. "Listen, we're nearly here."

They pulled the car into the lot, and John switched off the engine. As they began to walk to the bar, Arthur tried to breathe. His career was no longer in limbo. He was exonerated. He was free. As they entered, he looked round. It was a slightly upscale place, and he had a hunch he wouldn't notice anyone he knew.

As they settled at the bar, Arthur swallowed. John looked at him. "So, what are you going to do?"

"I-" Arthur paused. The thought of what he wanted to do was looming large, but he knew it would be difficult. "I want to get back into the classroom, properly." He lifted the green bottle that had been placed in front of him. "I don't think I can handle the stress of being a VP."

John nodded. "If you think that's where your needed-"

"I do." Arthur ran his thumb over the bottle top. "Its just...I'm so disconnected, sitting up there in my office. I bark out orders but I never really see what's going on."

"So what are you going to do?" John took a swallow of beer.

"Talk to Cobb, I guess," Arthur mused. He looked at the other man. "Maybe ask if I can change positions."

"Good luck."

Arthur nodded. "I'll need it."

"Sorry," Arthur apologised. He didn't arrive back until nearly ten pm - frowning, he entered the living room of his apartment, and blinked. To his surprise, Ariadne was seated on the couch, and also in the room, were Mal and Cobb.

"Arthur!" Cobb got up, the tension melting to relief. "Arthur, we wondered where you were!"

"Blake and I went out for beer," Arthur mumbled, suddenly feeling guilty. He should have guessed that the others would want to know what happened. "I-"

"Arthur, I know," Cobb said, smiling broadly. "Congratulations!"

Arthur blinked. "They called you?"

"Yes." Cobb's face took on a more serious expression. "And you're exonerated. Which means I need to ask you..."

Arthur blinked. Ariadne walked up, and slipped her arm through his. "What is it?"

"Arthur, Fox is going to be completely re-built," Cobb said, seriously. "But it will need a new principal. Someone who can actually do the job, is actually there for the students."

Arthur swallowed, narrowing his eyes. "Dom..."

"Arthur, I want you to be principal of the new Fox, and Mal will be vice." Cobb's voice shook slightly. "I've handled this badly - too badly. I just want to be an Assistant Principal, and focus on teaching psychology."

Arthur's face drained of colour. "But-"

"But what?" Cobb asked, puzzled.

"I just wanted to teach music," Arthur admitted.

There was a stunned silence. Then finally, Mal spoke.

"Well," she said, her crisp accent music itself, "there's a thing."

Thank you for reading, please review!