The next morning, Lucy found herself sitting at the kitchen table alongside Odd. Both of them sat in silence as the previous night's events played over in their heads.

"He should be home by now." Lucy muttered, picking at her nails. Odd let out a sad sigh as he looked at her. Standing up from the seat at the other side of the table, he moved to the empty seat beside her and faced her. Taking her hand in his own, Odd rubbed his thumb over the back of her knuckles reassuringly.

"He'll be home soon, promise." Odd smiled, watching as she shifted her attention from her hand to Odds' face, returning his smile. The silence was soon filled with the conversation of the duo as Odd did everything he could to distract her.

"So, you have four sisters?" Lucy laughed as Odd recalled tales of having to strategically use the bathroom at home.

"Yup! Adele, Marie, Elizabeth and Louise! It was us five, our mom and dad and Kiwi!" Odd smiled, gesturing widely with his hand.

"Kiwi?" Lucy asked, tilting her head to the side in confusion.

"My little diggity dog," Odd smiled, fishing his phone from his pocket and scrolling through his photos, eventually handing the phone to Lucy, "This is Kiwi!"

Lucy smiled as she looked over the photo Odd showed her. It was taken by one of his sisters and showed Odd laying back on a sofa at home, Kiwi nestled between his chest and his arm, sleeping soundly.

"He's a very cute dog." Lucy smiled, passing the phone back to Odd. Odd nodded in agreement as he slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"I wish I could have taken him with me, but it was probably for the best that I left him at home!" Odd smiled, fondly remembering always having Kiwi around back in Kadic.

As they idly chatted, they looked up as the door opened and Goss entered, the bags under his eyes heavy with worry.

"Any word?" Goss simply asked, taking a seat at the table opposite Odd and Lucy. Shaking her head, Lucy spoke up to answer but stopped when her phone began to ring. Picking it up and looking at the caller's I.D, she hurriedly put it up to her ear.

"Hello?... Speaking..." Lucy spoke down the phone, Odd and Goss shooting each other worried looks, "Mhmm, Mhmm," she continued, stepping away from the table and pacing back and forth in the kitchen before finally coming to a standstill in the middle, "Got it, okay thank you very much."

"Who was that?" Goss asked, standing up with Odd, looking at her expectantly.

"The Police, they have him."

Finding themselves standing outside the Police Station they had been inside the previous night, Odd, Lucy and Goss shared a nod before walking inside. As they made their way over, Odd had texted the others to update them on the situation with everyone confirming they would head over as soon as they could.

Finding themselves inside the lobby, they were guided through the station to the nightly cells they had in the back, a few of them housing people who looked like they were currently recovering from a night out on the town. Eventually, the guard that was leading them stopped outside on, gesturing to the cell slightly and stepping back. Looking through the gates, Lucy couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief when she spotted her brother lying on the bed with his hands behind his head, looking at the roof absent mindedly.

"Kale!" Goss smiled, watching as the brunette swung his legs over the side of the bed, standing up and approached the cell door.

"Hey." Kale responded, nodding at his friends and sister, resting his arms through the bars as he leaned against them.

"Hey?" Lucy repeated, bewildered by his attitude and nonchalantness about his current set of circumstances, "What happened?"

"They caught up to me," Kale shrugged as he answered, as if it was common knowledge, "So they took me here last night."

"Caught up to you?" The guard laughed, causing Goss, Lucy and Odd to jump, forgetting he was there, "You came to a dead stop and allowed us to cuff you." he finished, Lucy's eyes moving from the guard to her brother.

"Why?" Lucy asked, totally and utterly confused. Kale sighed as he pushed himself away from the bars, his attention drifting as he walked aimlessly around the cell before he stopped, recalling the events of the night prior.

"Honestly?" he replied after a while, sitting on the edge of the bed, "I don't know. I didn't want to run anymore. I'm just... tired." he admitted, leaning forward as he rested his elbows on his knees, holding his head in his hands, "Ren is pressing charges, so this is probably going to go pretty badly for me."

Lucy stared at her brother, her mouth agape as a slight ringing sounded in her ears. She wasn't sure if it was because of the white hot rage she felt or the idea of her brother being locked away.

"But surely this can't be enough to have you locked up, right?" Odd asked, his voice slightly lower, not wanting the guard to hear him.

"This isn't his first charge," Goss sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "There was also the fight in the alleyway," Goss continued, reminding Odd of the story Jeremie had mentioned about Kale and Goss fighting in an alleyway when Lucy was grabbed, "And originally when he began managing the club, anything illegal that happened when he wasn't there was pinned on him and in hindsight, I'm guessing it was Ren pointing fingers." Goss finished, his brows furrowed in annoyance.

Kale nodded, letting his hands fall between his legs.

"I'll be lucky if I get out of this." Kale said, shrugging his shoulders, looking over at the guard, "What do you think, Karl?"

Odd blinked in confusion at the interaction, stunned at the use of the guards first name, almost friendly in use which was quickly explained by Goss that Kale knew him from previous interactions.

"Honestly Cosaint, I couldn't tell ya," The guard shrugged, moving to the bars, "If you're really lucky and play it right, it could be your very last chance or at best, community service. But if it goes bad, well…" he droned.

Kale waved his hand in acknowledgement, understanding his situation better than anyone. Before another word could be said, two more guards arrived, approaching the cell, one holding a pair of keys.

"Kale Cosaint, you're up." he said, inserting the keys and swinging the door open. Rising to his feet, Kale walked to the cell door, holding his wrists together, already having been through this so he knew the procedure as the cuffs were placed on him. The air was silent as Kale was escorted out of sight, leaving Odd, Lucy and Goss with the original guard.

"He's been taken to the connecting building for the decision," the guard explained, "They hold small courts there so like, if for example, some people wanted to be there during it, they could go next door." the remaining guard said out loud to no one in particular before he walked to a desk in the corner, sitting and beginning to fill out paperwork, smiling at himself when the trio departed.

Lucy, Odd and Goss exited the front of the building, looking around for the building that Kale was taken to before around the corner of their building came the running forms of Ulrich, Yumi and Jeremie.

"What's happening, any news?" Ulrich asked, catching his breath as Yumi and Jeremie doubled over, breathing heavily.

"He's being brought for a hearing right now." Goss replied, his eyes still scanning the buildings before his eyes landed on a sign reading "Court House".

"Already?" Jeremie said, standing up after his breath returned to him, "That seems too fast." He continued; his hand brought up his chin in thought.

"It is what it is," Lucy said, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear, "But I won't see my brother behind bars for giving someone what they deserve."

Yumi opened her mouth to speak but the sounds of running footsteps approaching stopped her. She turned her head to see Leonie, Hugh and finally, a very frantic looking Aelita approaching them.

"Where... is... he?" Aelita panted as she and Hugh doubled over, just like Yumi and Jeremie before them as Leonie scanned around frantically.

Odd explained the basics of the current situation as the entire group began walking to the Court House, few words spoken as Lucy pushed the door open. Once the door opened, however, her jaw all but hit the floor.

Standing with two men in suits was Ren, his face battered and bruised, his eyes slowly drifting up to the group as his face twisted with a sinister smile. Turning on his heel, he made his way to the courtroom, the group following closely.

Entering the room, they noted instantly that while the room wasn't huge, there seemed to be a lot in attendance. The group slid into a row, four from the front as hushed whispers filled the room. They talked quietly before the sound of the gavel startled them from their conversation. The room became heavy with silence as the doors swung open, Kale walking into the room, his cuffs removed as he walked in stride with a blonde woman.

The woman Kale walked with filled the room with a chill, her piercing eyes instantly burning holes in the back of Ren's head as they took their seats.

"Holy shit..." Goss whispered, leaning over Hugh to talk to Lucy, "He's got a chance."

Lucy nodded, her eyes never leaving the blonde woman. Ulrich looked at the blonde woman with confusion before back to the others.

"Why, who is she?" he whispered, the other leaning closer.

"Her name is Kyra," Hugh whispered in response, "She's Kale's defense attorney by choice. She's lost only a handful of cases, if anyone can get him cleared from this, it's her."

They fell silent as the case began.

The prosecutor began instantly, laying out the facts plain and simple. Ren was assaulted by Kale, and this wasn't Kale's first offense. They continued by bringing up all of Kales' charges one by one, the Jury already looking Kale up and down with concern. Once his speech was finished, Kyra stood up.

"Your Honor, people of the court and members of the Jury," she began, moving to the center of the room, "Yes, it's true that my client has a history of shall we say, rough charges." she said, looking over Kale with an eyeroll, "But let's look at the circumstances of each."

Ulrich and Yumi shared a look of amazement as Kyra took every single one of Kales' previous charges, deconstructing them as if they were paper. She pointed out the alleyway fight first, acknowledging that while Kale may have used more force than required, the reasoning for it was a justified one. She then began tearing apart each one of the charges against him as manager of the Night Club, pointing out that on nights or weeks when Kale ran the club as opposed to Ren, no illegal activity occurred on those nights.

"Not a SINGLE charge against him has held due to his total and utter lack of involvement, the only connecting factor is that man right there." she spat, pointing her finger directly at Ren, "This man, blinded by rage and jealousy, goaded my client into a physical altercation with the idea of landing him behind bars and destroying his livelihood, trying to set his friends against him... and worst of all that he did it without a shred of remorse or guilt."

The room was silent with shock as everyone absorbed her words, her points both valid and truthful.

The jury murmured between themselves before Ren himself stood up.

"Your Honor," he said, standing out from behind the table with a limp, "Take a look at me."

Ren turned to face the court room, his battered features on show as he turned to the Jury before going back to the Judge. He pointed at Kale with hatred.

"That man did this," Ren said, ignoring his representations suggestions to sit down, "Regardless of if the Jury believes the words of that lady, he did this to me, he battered me. That much accounts for assault on its own."

Kale looked at Ren, his eyes hard and focused. Kale watched as Ren returned to his seat, his brow furrowed in annoyance. The Judge looked at him, his eyebrow raised before their eyes moved to Kale.

"Well, since he spoke up, do you have anything to add, Mr. Cosaint?" the Judge asked, allowing this unusual case to continue. Kale stood to his feet and walked out from behind the desk.

Kale looked around the court room, seeing all his friends staring back at him. He felt his shoulders relax before his eyes landed on Aelita. He locked eyes with her and let out a happy sigh before turning to the Judge again.

"I beat him," Kale stated, his straight forwardness surprising the Jury, "I did it blinded by rage and hatred."

Kyra watched, her breath held as she nodded at him, encouraging him to speak.

"He tried to blackmail and threatened my friends. Should I have taken it as far as I did? No, of course not." Kale said, looking at Ren who glared back at him, "I considered Ren a close friend for years but the rift between us had been growing for years. It shouldn't have ever gotten to this point in the first place. I should have been the bigger man and left this behind. There's nothing else I can say or do except ask that I not go to jail." Kale finished his last sentence the closest to a joke Ulrich, Odd, Yumi, Jeremie and Aelita had heard him make before he returned to his seat.

The Judge deliberated for a moment before her gavel rang through the room.

"We will now take an hour recess while the Jury makes their decision." she announced, standing up and leaving the room through the door beside her stand while the Jury departed through another door. People began to openly talk as Ulrich looked at the group.

"So, what do you think?" he asked, occasionally looking at the back of Kale's head as he spoke with the woman beside him.

"Kyra made some good points, and he said so himself," Lucy replied, looking at her brother, "He showed regret and remorse and that's more than that asshole did." she spat, her eyes drifting to Ren.

They spoke quietly for a bit and before they knew it, the Judge entered the room once more and took her seat, the room filling with a loud silence as the Jury filed back in. Once the Jury sat down, both Kale and Ren along with their representatives stood up as one member of the Jury stood up, holding a piece of paper.

No one spoke or moved as they cleared their throats.

"In the case of Kale Cosaint versus Ren Corrigan," they said, each word seeming like an eternity, "We the Jury, find the defendant..."

Kale let his head hang, a long sigh slipping from his mouth.

"Not Guilty."

Kale felt his ears ring. Not one sound entered his ears. He had fully expected to be charged and was ready to face the repercussions of his actions. He didn't even hear the cheers from his friends. It wasn't until Kyra nudged him that he shook back to reality in time to hear the rest of the case.

"With the circumstances being what they were, you will not be charged but be wanted Mr. Cosaint, any more slip ups and unfortunately, you won't be getting off so easily." The judge spoke with an affirmative tone, slamming his gavel.

Kale stood up and turned to face his friends, not feeling Ren's gaze of intense hatred and anger on him as he walked through the swinging gate and felt himself embraced by Lucy immediately.

"You're so damned lucky you idiot." She spoke, burying her face in her brothers' shoulder as Kale lazily patted her on the back. His eyes drifted through his friends before his eyes landed on Aelita who stared back with tear filled eyes, a smile on her face. Lucy eventually let him go as they all departed the building before finding themselves outside. Kale let out a sigh as he looked around his friends.

"I'm sorry if I worried you all." He spoke, his apology seeming out of character for the normally serious man. Ulrich shook his head with a laugh.

"Enough of that," he said, holding his hand up, smiling when Kale caught his hand in his, "You're good man."

Kale looked at Aelita as she shivered.

"Come on, let's get home."

As they entered the house, Kale hung at the back as they entered, nudging Goss in the arm to get his attention, jerking his head to the stairs. Goss and Kale walked up the stairs, entering Kales' room at the end of the hall as Goss leaned on the door as he closed it.

"What's up?" Goss asked, folding his arms over his chest.

"I'm tired," Kale said, sitting on the edge of his bed, "I've been thinking…"

"About?" Goss replied, his eyebrow raised.

"I think I'm going to take a holiday." Kale replied, standing up and walking to his computer desk.

"A holiday?" Goss replied, his eyes open in surprise, "You're not the kind to take a holiday." He laughed, intrigued by his friend's sudden decision.

Kale picked something up off his desk, holding it with his back turned to Goss before turning, holding the brown envelope up.

"I want to go to Ireland and meet them."

Goss instantly recognized the envelope as the one he brought back from when he and Lucy visited their parents in South Korea.

Goss stood in silence, thinking his idea over before he pushed himself off the door.

"You sure this is a good idea?" Goss questioned, eyeing Kale carefully. Kale looked from Goss to the envelope and shrugged.

"Who knows, maybe it'll answer the question of why I am the way I am." Kale replied, sitting back at his computer desk. "Besides, I just need to get away from all this. I can't keep worrying you all."

Goss nodded in silence before walking to his side, putting his hand on his back.

"We're always going to worry, we're your friends." Goss smiled, patting Kale's back before sitting on the edge of the bed, "Why don't you bring Lucy with you? Or Aelita? Hell, I'll go if you need company."

Kale looked over his shoulder at him, mulling over the offer before shaking his head, highly considering inviting Aelita before backing out.

"It's alright, I'll be fine on my own." Kale replied as he stood up, walking to his wardrobe and grabbing a bag from within. He moved silently throughout his room, putting clothes and various things in his bag. After a few minutes, he zipped up the bag and put it beside his door.

"Wait... you aren't going now, are you?" Goss questioned, looking from the bag to Kale who met his gaze for a moment before his eyes fell to the floor.

"Best I go now without making a fuss." Kale said, reaching for a coat that hung on the back of his door. Goss stood up and opened his mouth to argue that it was a bad idea but decided against it, knowing that once Kale had his mind made up, he wouldn't change it. Nodding softly at Kale, he followed the brunette as they left his room. Once at the bottom of the stairs, Kale put his hand on Goss' shoulder before turning to leave, closing the door gently behind him, leaving Goss standing in silence.

After a few minutes, Goss sighed and turned as he made his way into the kitchen. Opening the door, he let out a conflicted sigh. In the kitchen were all the others, laughing and joking. Goss walked further into the room and sat at the table, listening to the conversations before Ulrich spoke up.

"Oh, there you are!" he grinned, moving to sit beside Goss as he looked around the kitchen and then the hall door, "Where's Kale? He upstairs?" Ulrich questioned, noticing immediately Goss' eyes dropping to the floor.

"Goss?" Leonie spoke, knowing something was off. Goss looked up at her, unable to meet her gaze for more than a second. Aelita looked between Goss and Leonie, startled by the look of confusion and anger on Leonie's face.

"Where is he, Goss?" Leonie questioned again, moving to the table and standing in front of him. Goss looked up as Lucy, Odd, Jeremie, Hugh and Yumi joined in the confused stares. Goss weighed the options he had mentally before sighing.

"I imagine he's on his way to the airport." Goss spoke, his words freezing the room.

"What- Why?" Lucy sputtered, looking at Goss in utter confusion.

"He's going to Ireland to meet his parents, said he wanted a break." Goss replied, holding his hands up, "That's all I know."

Goss' words left the group in silence as Lucy scrambled to the front door, tearing it open and walking outside. The rest followed suit and caught up to her, surprised to see her standing on the street in confusion.

"His car is still here." she said, looking over her shoulder. Goss stared at the car before sighing, "He can't do this. He can't leave without saying anything."

"Maybe he took the bus?" Hugh chimed in, thinking of the easiest and most direct route to the airport. Lucy looked left and right and closed her eyes, mentally picturing the nearest bus stop. Looking at Odd with pleading eyes, Odd understood her question instantly and followed suit when she began to jog towards the nearest bus stop. The rest followed along, running in sync as they followed Lucy. Turning the corner onto the next street, they waited patiently for the light to turn green before they crossed. Knowing the bus stop was around the next corner, Lucy focused as she informed the others, their speed jog slightly increased as they all focused on getting there as fast as possible.

Kale stared out the window of the taxi he was in as the buildings became blurred and eventually he arrived at the airport. Stepping out of the taxi after paying his fare, he slung his bag over his shoulder and walked into the airport. Walking to one of the ticketing counters and began to take out his bank card.

"One ticket, right?" the man asked, looking at Kale who had spaced out before shaking his head. He looked at his bank card for a moment before back to the man.

"How long is it until the flight?" Kale asked, a defeated sigh escaping his lips as he was unable to get the image of someone out of his mind.

"Three hours!" the man beamed as Kale extended the bank card yet again.

"Two tickets."

As they arrived at the bus stop, Yumi put her hands on her knees to catch her breath but raising her eyebrow when a text came through. Fishing her phone from her pocket, she furrowed in brows in concern seeing that it was a text from Kale. Opening it and reading it once, she blinked in confusion as she read it a second time. Then a third before sldiing her phone back into her pocket.

"He's at the airport," Yumi said, patting her phone in her pocket, "His flight leaves in three hours."

"Then what are we standing here for!" Hugh laughed, checking the bus time table, "Maybe it'd be easier to get a tax-" he started but was cut off by Yumi.

"We gotta go to our place first," Yumi said, looking at Aelita who stared back in confusion, "You're gonna need your passport and some clothes."

Everyone slowly turned to look at Aelita who stared back wide eyed in confusion as Goss felt a wide grin creep up on his face.

He knew he wouldn't be able to go alone, not without Aelita.