Yes, I know, it is rather awful -I'm not sure how I could bring myself to do it, to be honest. I did try to put in some hints as to the wider cost, though I hope the ending, with Charles going to find Mary, was less bleak than it might have been. And, of course, the line about 'the difference between a life that made sense and one that didn't' is a nod to the fact that this is an AU and, in canon, justice was done. Thank goodness, too.

And, um, I'm glad you found it moving, fi that doesn't sound too weird. There were points where I choked a bit writing it.