I'm back! I'm so sorry for taking so long. I've had this chapter for a while but didn't have the means to get it up. Thanks for sticking around this far. I very much appreciate it. Hopefully I can update on a regular basis now. Sorry it's so short! I'll write a better chapter next time!

As always, I don't any thing involving Dick Wolfe. Any mistakes are mine.

On to the story!!!! BWHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!!!!

Chapter 6

Tender Hugs Centre:

"Hey Alex! Come join us!" cried young Tasha. Alex just simply shook his 4-year-old head.

"Don't wanna!" Alex replied and stuck his thumb into his mouth. Making her way over to Alex, Mackenzie knelt down in front of the young boy and smiled softly,

"How come you don't wanna join in on the fun?"

"Don't wanna,"Alex said again. Smiling to herself, Mackenzie just ruffled the boy's hair and stood back up. Turning to Tasha and the rest of the group she said, "Maybe next time kiddo. Al and I will just have a little walk, right Alex?" Turning her head in time, she saw Alex nod his head with his thumb still in his mouth. Chuckling to herself, she turned her attention to Tasha and said in a quiet voice, "How about you let me see if I can talk him out of his shell, ok?" Seeming satisfied with the outcome, the 5 year old nodded then turned to the group and began to give out orders. Laughing again, she turned and grasped the hand that was patiently waiting for her.

As the two began their walk, Mackenzie softly began a conversation, "so…how do you like it here?" The boy just shrugged. Mackenzie tried again, "I hear you like hockey. Me too. Who's your favorite team?" Another shrug came from Alex. Sighing quietly she thought to herself, he's so much like me when I was his age. Mackenzie continued talking softly to Alex,

"I like hockey too. My favorite team is the Toronto Maple Leafs. You know that team?" Looking down, she saw the shaggy brown head nod. Smiling, she gently squeezed Alex's hand and continued the conversation, "they're not doing so well though. I do hope they win soon." Noticing she had Al's full attention she stopped walking. Kneeling down in front of Alex she held his gaze. Softly, she spoke to him.

"Sweetie, do you know why you're here?" Looking into his eyes she already knew the answer. She didn't like it. In fact, she hated it with a passion. She could never understand why any human being could hurt a small child. She hated that a 4 year old had to experience fear like she had…like Alex had. Slowly, Alex tore his gaze from Mackenzie and lowered his head in shame and ever so slightly, nodded. Pain stabbed at her knowing that Alex blamed himself for the abuse he experienced.

"Alex," She softly said. The little boy didn't lift his head. But Mackenzie knew he was hiding the tears that were falling.

"Alex, this was never your fault. I know you don't believe me right now. But it's true. Someone that was supposed to take care of me hurt me too. Just like you." Alex slowly lifted his head to look at Mackenzie. The unshed tears in his eyes only furthered Mackenzie's pain. It was her turn to look away. God…why does this hurt more every time? Feeling a small pair of hands on either side of her cheeks, she slowly turned her head. She stared into Alex's blue eyes and for a brief moment, she felt as though he could see right through her. Feeling a gentle pat on her cheek, she noticed for the first time that she had been crying. Sniffing a little, she tried to wipe away the tracks of tears on her face but was stopped by Alex. Again, she felt as though Alex could see right through her. Then slowly, Alex wrapped his arms around her neck. She squeezed his tiny little frame. And Mackenzie, for the first time in a long time, felt whole.

Pulling back, she smiled at him. Then looking up, she saw that one of the girls had wandered off from her group and was now talking to a strange man. Standing up, Mackenzie spoke to Alex in a tone that only meant business.

"Alex, I need you to do me a big favor." She looked down at Alex and he gave a little nod.

"I need you to be a big boy and run inside. I need you to get Dr. Joy for me. Tell her it's an emergency." Alex's eye's widened slightly and took off for the centre.

"Molly. I think it's time to go back inside sweetie. I think our snacks should be ready by now" She said loud and clearly as she made her way to where the little girl stood. Molly glanced at Mackenzie with fear in her eyes and took off for the center.

"Aw…why'd ya do that for? We was just talkin," the strange man began.

"Yeah, and I'm the bloody Pope. Listen you sick pervert, I'm only going to tell you this once so you better listen good. Beat it. Or you'll have a nice big boot shoved up your rear."

"Hey lady! I wasn't breakin any laws! I was just talkin to her and you ruined my fun…"

Losing her temper, Mackenzie grabbed the man by the front of the shirt and slammed his face into the bars of the playground,

"Are you deaf! I said get lost. Now you've seriously pissed me off!" Tightening her hold on the man, she raised a fist, ready to strike when she heard a voice coming from the left of her,

"I hope that's not the way you treat all those kids," said the voice. Glancing over to where this new stranger stood, Mack was slightly taken a back. Oh my God…it's…it can't be…it's her! It only took a moment, but her grip lost its strength just enough for the man to raise his own hand and land a blow on Mack's right cheek. The new stranger quickly grabbed the man and had him on the ground with a speed that surprised Mack.

"Are you all right?" the woman asked slightly out of breath. Mack, still unable to speak, just nodded. Holy shit! It's really her! The woman then turned to the man, who was now groaning in pain and spoke so softly that only the man could hear and with as much venom in her voice she said,

"You do realize you're on private property. I can haul your ass into jail right now and I could care less," turning to Mack, who was now making her way over to them quickly asked, "did you want to press charges?" Just then, Dr. Joy came rushing out.

"Are you alright?" She asked Mack. Nodding, Mack gave her the run down of what happened.

"Mack! What did I tell you about your temper," then turning to the woman who still had the man on the ground said, "thank you. You probably saved Mack from an assault charge."

"Uh…I'm still here! And I was handling it just fine before she showed up," said Mack in a stubborn tone.

Turning once more to Mackenzie, Dr. Joy gave her a stern look, "we'll talk about that later. I want you to go inside and wait for me in my office." With that, Mack stormed off towards the center. Sighing, Dr. Joy shook her head and turned back to the woman.

"I'm sorry for that out burst. She's a great kid but she can be…stubborn at times," she said with a bright smile. Holding out her hand she introduced herself, "Dr. Joy. I run the center and take care of a hard-headed 28 year old," she said with a little laugh. The new woman was mesmerized by the sound and all she could do was smile back. Wow…she thought.

"Um…I had asked the kid if she wanted to press charges before you came…" the woman began rambling. Good grief! Get a grip will you!

"What? Oh! Right…of course…Yes please. I'd like to press charges on behalf of Mackenzie and Molly."

"Great. I'll just call…uh…a friend at the station," the woman said as she pulled out her cell phone.

"I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name," said Dr. Joy expectantly.

Looking up from dialing the station the woman replied, "Benson. Olivia Benson"