Sorry this chapter took so long! Between being sick and job hunting, it has been busy!

Distric Attorney's Office

Friday, December 7

Casey Novack sighed as she leaned back in her chair. Besides the normal holiday stress, this past month had been extremely hard for Casey.

She did something very stupid that almost got her fired. Casey had thrown the case against Saul Picardbecause she believed he wasn't responsible for his actions due to his mental illness. Of course Casey knew she would have never been so bias if she hadn't met Charlie. Obviously, all of her colleagues were angry with her actions. All that is, except for Chester. Despite Elliot being temporary blinded, Chester still stood up for Picard

"Don't do it, Casey," He had said in the squad room. Casey could have kissed him right there…if the rest of Chester's colleagues weren't watching, of course.

Olivia was probably the most angry with Casey. In fact, Olivia had left a private tip to Jack McCoy about Casey's past. Of course, Casey couldn't blame her. It was Olivia's partner who was injured. After Casey returned from McCoy's office, the two of them talked it out. Casey told Olivia about Charlie's death.

"Maybe he would still be alive if I hadn't made him leave," Casey had whispered.

"Casey, you had to save yourself," Olivia replied softly.

Then of course Casey had received a text message that Picard had tried to kill himself. When Casey visited him the next day, she saw how guilty he felt. And although he was in a hospital, Picard was still in prison: The prison of his own mind.

"Do you think he will ever get better?" Olivia had asked.

"No," Casey thought to herself. "Never."

It was strange, but the Picard case gave Casey some closure. She now knew that there was nothing she could have done for Charlie. Charlie was now in a better place. Olivia was right. Casey had to save herself. Now perhaps she could move on…with a kind, sexy Native American detective.

Casey's phone rang, distracting her from her thoughts.

"Hello?"

"Casey?" It was Captain Cragen. "We think we found the murder of the woodsman, but we need a search warrant."

"Great!" Casey answered with enthusiasm. Larry More, a.k.a the Woodsman, killed 24 women. Casey rather persecute him than his murder. However, if More hadn't been killed then his last victim, Amy Doe, might still be alive.

"So who is the guy?"

"Gal," Cragen corrected. "And you won't believe who it is."

Casey leaned closer to her desk.

"Who is it?"

"Agent Cooper."

Casey groaned. It was going to be a long month.

Thanks for all the reviews! Keep them up! The next chapter will take place after "Signature." I promise it will be longer and very upbeat!