Claire was at a local pub, with the loud drunks saluting the new year with the program of Fireworks on the television on the corner. The pub was a lit with the sining and a strong smell of alcohol, as Claire quietly sipped at a J20 in the corner. Rain couldn't make it - he had busy with something, presumably family... Either way, that wouldn't stop Claire from going out by herself, as her own family had scattered and disperse, all having different plans.

Carter threw his head back. As he did the clear liquid in his shot glass rushed towards the back of his throat. It stung his trachea as he swallowed and he felt the low chemical burn trickle down through him. He pulled his body taut and let out a relaxed sigh. When alcohol coursed through his system, perhaps, Carter was complete.

He ordered a beer and made his way through the busy pub when he recognised a familiar blond.

He started to ask about her family, but they were past those games, those devices. Especially since Christmas.

He sat down in front of her, placing his beer on a coaster in front of him. "Can I buy you a drink?"

"If it's not alcoholic," She raised her eyebrows at Carter, taking the last swig of her juice drink. "I'm legally of age, but a drunk vampire is never fun."

Carter smirked at her and reached into his coat pocket, producing from it a carton of juice with a cartoon apple on front holding the attached straw in its plastic wrapper.

"Ity's favorite." He explained.

"Apple juice?" She said with raised eyebrows, and after a moment of hesitation snatched it up and poked the straw into the juice carton. She took a sip and nodded intellectually. "Yes. Very good apple selection."

Carter snickered. "Or so I'm told."

He thrust his hand up into the air signalling for the waitress. "A refill each." He indicated Claire's empty order and his own bottle which held less than enough required to coat the bottom.

"So, is this where you'll be midnight?"

Claire nodded. "No use staying in an empty home on New Years Eve. Too depressing, you know?"

"I know. My house is empty as well." He didn't seem to want to think about that.

"You remember the triplets we helped save? They're 13 now and Keely, the little girl, had some very unfortunate things happen to her and now she's....out of control. I may be helping Harry locate the defendant in her case. That's a mess."

Claire raised her eyebrows once more. "Typical life I suppose, but what a shame. Keely? Funny, I think I've eard Ace talk about her.. Oh dear god, you don't suppose Acey had any involvement in that, do you?"

"Well Ace has been involved with Keely before. The both of them were on something and they got caught wrapped up around each other at a party...she got sent to a different school because well, he looks much older than her, but that's not the reason problems now."

"She was raped, by her cousin. The Greyback kid. Celia's little nightmare."

"So I doubt Ace has any more ties...she's not too fond of men at present."

"Jesus christ," Claire said with a sense of irony. "That's terrible... you said she was out of control, is she just not mentally stable or otherwise? Do they have her on calming potion?"

"She hasn't responded positively towards any sort of therapy. Bottom line is she just couldn't handle it or any of the violence surrounding it. And of course her parents pressed charges, so she's dealing with the court cases."

"Since then she's tried to commit suicide and she's been caught with drugs n her system."

"Poor girl," Claire shook her head. "You don't suppose I could try and do anything? I've been through, well, you know... rape, before, maybe I could be of some consolation?"

"Possibly. I don't know how she'd feel with you being Ace's mother and all, but it's certainly worth a try." Carter shrugged.

"Yeah... I don't know, I just hope I can be of some help," Claire said.