Although he's a stickler for following the rules. He is reasonable in his assertions, and is well liked by those who support the concept of law and order. He makes it his job to become very familiar with all attorneys and judges, and most people appreciate his presence. Those who don't, don't have the courage to utter their distaste aloud.
Because getting on his bad side is definitely not suggested, and it seems like someone has possibly imparted this wisdom to the man she now knows as Judge Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III. Because he's doing a great job of entertaining Cyrus, and acting like he's interested in what he has to say.
Suddenly, reality comes crashing in, as Olivia's covert opt is blown, when one of the ladies, Melissa, calls her name, and asks her opinion on a topic. Olivia is clueless as to what she's talking about, and can't recover. But, she doesn't try to play it off, she just backs away as she says, "I'm sorry ladies, I wasn't paying attention. I'm just going to excuse myself. My mind is on a case I am working on. You know how that is."
All of the ladies chime in, agreeing with her, understanding her situation, with them all being attorneys or judges. But Abby is laughing inside, thinking, yup. Her friend is distracted as can be. But it's not because of a case.
Knowing that Olivia is full of it, but not wanting to embarrass her. Abby let's her run off, as she stays and continues to talk with the ladies. As Olivia walks away, she sees Harrison and Michael have captured Jake's attention. That gives her a sigh of relief. Even when Harrison doesn't mean to, he's always there for her.
Feeling the need to powder her nose, Olivia excuses herself from the table, and visits the restroom. While in the stall, she hears a toilet flush, a door open, and then running water at the sink. After finishing her business, Olivia walks out of the stall, and sees the young lady who arrived with Judge Grant, standing at the counter, looking down at her phone.
As she approaches the counter, Olivia can't help but notice the look of angst on her face, via her reflection in the mirror. As Olivia washes her hands, she notices that the young woman is fully engrossed in her phone, texting someone, and whatever they are talking about, it doesn't appear to be pleasant, by the facial expressions she's making and the way she's angrily typing.
Suddenly, Olivia feels like she's eavesdropping on a private moment. So she finishes washing her hands, and prepares to leave. But as she turns around to walk away, she hears Karan sigh in sadness. She doesn't want to pry, but her conscience won't let her leave her in this restroom this way.
So she turns around, and before she can say anything. She sees Karan with her face in her hands, and she's sobbing. Olivia approaches her, but doesn't want to touch her, because she doesn't know her. As she stands somewhat closer to her, she isn't sure what to say. She doesn't want to ask the typical are you okay question. Because she hates it, and obviously she's not okay.
So she asks, "Is there anything I can do for you? Like maybe grab your date for you?" Immediately after her question, Karan's hands drop from her face, and she pleads, "No, don't tell him. I'm okay." Olivia sees her frantically wiping her eyes, and trying to straighten her appearance.
Seeing the young woman in an obvious panic, and not wanting her to go into a full anxiety attack. She calmly says, "It's okay. I won't tell him. But you need to calm down, and breathe, or we won't be able to keep it quiet, because the paramedics will need to come get you."
Karan hears her response, and she knows she's right. But for some reason, she can't seem to catch her breath. Her chest feels tight, she's beginning to sweat, and the sound of her heart beat fills her ears. Olivia sees the look of pure fear in her eyes, and knows right away, she's in the early stages of a panic attack.
Karan is leaning against the wall, and she's beginning to hyperventilate. Olivia raises her hands in a halting motion, and moves toward her slowly, speaking to her in a calm, reassuring voice, as she says, "It's okay. I am going to help you. But I need to touch you. Is that okay?" Karan nods yes.
Olivia stands in front of her and takes her hands into her own, putting her cell phone down on the counter. As the phone is sat down; the screen lights up, and she sees a text on the screen, which references the name Karan.
Olivia looks at her and asks, "Is your name Karan?" The fear is overwhelming her, so she can't speak. She again nods yes. Olivia calmly holds her hands, as she remains calm and says, "Okay, look at me Karen. Focus on my eyes." Karan looks at her, and Olivia says, "Good. Very good. I know you're scared. But it's going to be okay. Just follow my lead, okay?
Still, unable to speak, she nods her head, as Olivia says, "Okay. Now I need you to breathe. Breathe with me Karan. Just like this." Olivia begins breathing slowly, and rhythmically in sets of two, very deeply.
Karan is now focusing on her, and following her lead. Olivia sees the initial heightened fear in her eyes. But after following the breathing reps; Karan's breathing begins to balance out, and the tension in her hands starts to diminish.
Olivia continues the process with her for several minutes, and finally sees the fear begin to dissipate, and she sees her eyes clearing up. She's no longer crying, or hyperventilating. She's calm, and she's steady.
As her breathing returns to normal, Olivia is still holding her hands, and they are looking directly at one another. Olivia realizes at that time how young she is. She can't be a day over 25 years old. Their silence breaks, as Karan says, "Thank you."
Olivia sees a slight smile come across her face, and she replies, "You're welcome. How do you feel?" As their hands break apart. Karan shyly says, "I feel crazy. I'm sorry. I don't know what happened."
Olivia sees the embarrassment and shame washing over her. So she says, "You're not crazy and you don't owe me an apology. You had a panic attack. It happens, and there's no shame in having one. So don't beat yourself up about it." Karan hears the kindness and compassion in her voice, and she says, "I guess I just don't understand why it happened."
Olivia responds, "Well, normally it's connected with stress. It's your body's reaction to feeling like you're under duress or attack. It seems like your symptoms didn't worsen until I offered to go get your date for you." Karan closes her eyes, as she shakes her head, and Olivia sees tears begin to fall down her cheeks again, as she opens her eyes.
