Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, and no profit is made from these stories. (But I do have fun writing them! : )

It was a month after Claire's death and Jack was finally just beginning to settle into his old work routine at Hogan Place. But Jack was still overflowing with grief, kept deeply hidden under his ambitious persona. He was reminded of Claire morning, noon, and night - and work often failed to take his mind off the loss. The fact that she'd been his assistant made it even harder.

He was working on the particulars of a case one morning when his secretary arrived bearing his mail. On first glance, it was the usual stuff - Bar Association correspondence, junk mail, the odd hate letter from someone he'd put behind bars. However, there was one letter that stood out from the rest. It bore an unfamiliar postmark, and in his haste Jack opened it before looking at the return address.

Dear Jack,

I want to express to you my deepest condolences on the loss of Claire Kincaid. I was shocked and saddened to hear of her tragic death. She was a fine human being and a talented attorney. Although we clashed from time to time, my memories of working with her are nothing but pleasant. She will be greatly missed by everyone whose life she touched. I also understand that you and Claire were quite close - my deepest sympathies on your personal loss.

It is my hope that swift justice is brought to her killer. Please pass my condolences along to Claire's family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Ben Stone

Jack didn't know much about Ben apart from seeing him at the office Christmas party and the occasional Bar Association function. But what he did know was that Ben had also been in the trenches with Claire, he had trained her as an ADA - and from his letter, he was obviously among those whom Claire had touched during her brief lifetime.

Somehow, that knowledge brought him a tiny bit of comfort.

finis