~Two Months Later~

*A search of Danny and Lucy Ward's house found that the crimes that Claire and her team had investigated represented only a small fraction of Danny Ward's murders. A grand total of 69 victims over the course of three years, as evidenced by blood red tick marks on one wall of what had once been Danny and Lucy's bedroom. Sixty-nine Lucys, and of those, ten were never to be identified. Ten more families who would never know closure, and that Claire had failed. She kept a running total in her mind, of those who she had failed. Their faces haunted her whether she was asleep or awake. She could hear them begging her for help that she could not provide. All the anger and rage that built up within her over the course of the investigation had drained away, leaving only guilt, remorse, and overwhelming feelings of inadequacy.

Annie's funeral had been terrible. She told Annie's parents that their only daughter had died serving her country, but just like Annie, they wanted answers.*

~Why Annie? All she did was work in a lab...What did this Danny want with her?~ *Her mother looked so frail, and her dad had gone completely gray since the news reached them. Claire didn't know what to say. How could she tell them 'Your daughter was nothing but a pawn in Danny's twisted game. He wanted to hurt me and used her to do it.' They didn't need that, and Claire didn't need any more accusing eyes piercing her soul and condemning her in angry silence.*

He was insane. He was striking back at the FBI, and she was available.

*But Annie's mom's eyes widened.* ~You! He wanted you, didn't he? My litle girl got killed because that nutjob wanted you, not the FBI! You and that other agent.~ *Claire had to step back as the old woman lunged at her.* ~His FRIEND!~ *She spat the word friend, like she'd tasted sour milk.* ~Why isn't he dead? Why....isn't....HE....dead??~ *Then, her husband pulled her close, and she began sobbing into his chest as Claire backed away, tears filling her own eyes.*

~Two Months Later (cont)~

*There was a wave of public outrage over the fact that one of the FBIs own agents had been aiding and abetting a serial killer. Tim's name and face were everywhere, and a tidal wave of hate mail poured into the FBI. Like a brush fire, Danny had effectively cleared Claire's life of everyone she had ever felt close to. But, in the days prior to his trial, Claire had reached an understanding with what Tim had done. They had both made mistakes that cost innocent lives. Although Claire would never forgive herself, she had forgiven Tim. She visited him when she could, and she was the only one. His family had disowned him. At first they had been willing to take him back, like most families, but he kept pushing until they finally gave up and renounced him on television. Claire saw him that day, and it was the only time she'd ever seen him cry.*

~I did what I had to do, Claire. I couldn't let someone who wanted to hurt me hurt them..Not after what I put them through.~

*Claire's breath caught and it was hard to talk around the lump in her throat.* I-I know, Tim. That's how I felt about you, Annie, and my mom. You succeeded, but I failed. I can't apologize enough to any of you for letting Danny get you.

*Tim shook his head.* ~Claire, I knew it was wrong to help him. I made my own choice to help him, to continue to help him, and then to rat him out. You did the best you could...~ *He was worried about Claire, and it showed. Every time she came to visit, she just looked worse. He could tell that Danny was still winning, but he couldn't do anything to stop it, just like he couldn't help himself.*

Yeah, but it wasn't enough and it's never going to be enough, is it, Tim? *He had no reply, because she was right. When Claire left that day, she knew what she had to do. She was going to help Tim the best she could, she owed him that much. However, her motives were not entirely pure. She felt that perhaps in some way, helping him would assuage her own guilt over allowing Danny's killing spree to continue so long.

During Tim's trial, she testified against him. When he was found guilty of multiple counts of aiding and abetting a fugitive, she was the only one to speak on his behalf at the sentencing hearing. She painted an accurate picture of an agent who was good at his job, but overly loyal to those who did not deserve it. It was a shock to those assembled in the courtroom, but no one was more shocked than Tim himself when his sentence was reduced to ten years in federal prison. The gray-bearded judge looked down his wire-rimmed spectacles at Tim, who nervously awaited his fate.*

~Normally, I'd leave someone like you to rot in prison for the rest or your life, and then some. But, the very fact that the lead agent you betrayed is here testifying on your behalf when no member of your family showed up shows there may be hope for you.~

*As they led Tim away, he nodded, and mouthed the words* ~Thanks, Claire.~

*She said nothing, merely nodded back. The act of defending Tim was not without repurcussions. The FBI could not support her in her defense of the traitorous Tim, and she was fired. It was for the best, nightmares and guilt prevented her from doing her job properly anyway, and she just couldn't handle it anymore.

The local police department kept a file of all the death threats she recieved from those who offered to 'Finish what Danny started' and 'Make the bitch pay..'. Claire could only shake her head and laugh. They didn't get it at all. Danny never wanted her dead. He only wanted her to wish she was dead, to be adrift in the ocean of despair that he had sailed until his brilliant plan came to light. Where Danny found a port and hope, Claire continued to drift aimlessly, isolated and alone..*