Author's Note: I've returned! Sorry that took longer than expected. Coaching started and has taking over my life. Plus, holiday times means lots of wrapping for donation items that are due rather early in the month. But, you at least have some more chapters now!

Chapter Five – Melting Hearts

"I can still see everything that happened, feel everything he did every time I close my eyes. It doesn't matter whether I'm awake or asleep. He's still there."

Olivia had heard more stories of abuse and rape over her years with Special Victims than she could count. Even after she'd left the force she was still hearing them. Now the setting was different and the women sharing their stories didn't have to tell them alone. Olivia could provide some support, or more accurately, Suvi could. She tuned out the woman's words a bit and instead focused on Suvi. He'd sat himself down beside the victim and hadn't moved since she'd started speaking. Simply by watching the motion of her hand over Suvi's fur Olivia could identify the hardest parts of the story to tell. She let herself drift away further and mostly blocked out what was going on in the room. Some days were easier to listen to than others. After how many stories she'd heard from the group today she didn't find it wrong to ignore it all for a little bit. It wasn't like she could really offer much help or comfort to these women. If she really thought about it she hadn't been able to do much before either. She could listen and be a rock to hold on to in the storm as she tried to bring justice, but that was about it. As much as she said naming a rapist for what they were was the start of the healing process, it wasn't a miracle cure for healing the scars left behind. Convicting a rapist just never felt like enough. Now instead of bringing justice she brought a golden retriever that could melt hearts. It never felt like enough either, and she had to remind herself that she was doing what she could.

Olivia was jerked back to reality when she felt the touch of a wet nose against her palm. Apparently the most recent story was over and Suvi had come to check in with her. He gazed up at her with bright brown eyes filled with love. As much as he loved the extra petting and attention he received at the support groups, nobody could replace Olivia. She smiled down at him and trailed her fingers up his nose and over his head. He happily curled into the touch and leaned into her. Thankfully the session was basically over so Olivia could keep Suvi beside her and get a little comfort herself.

After hearing the parting words she remembered so well from her own group sessions Olivia put Suvi's vest back on and clipped the leash to his collar. There were certain groups where she'd stick around at the end since she'd connected with some of the women. They would talk; Olivia offering support and the other women sometimes thanking her for bringing Suvi. This wasn't one of those groups, but even if it was she wouldn't have been able to stick around that day. She had a lunch meeting she needed to get to.

As she headed down the street she tried to box up some of the darkness that had settled over her during the last few hours. There was a lot of weight to get off her shoulders and not very much time to do it in. Getting to the restaurant she was meeting at wouldn't even require a trip on the subway. She was rather looking forward to lunch with Caroline and didn't want anything to taint it. There was the chance that the meeting could bring its own sadness, so she definitely didn't need to come carrying extra with her. By the time Olivia pushed open the door to the small café she was feeling more relaxed. Since she and Caroline met there all the time Olivia wasn't the least bit concerned about the response she would receive from the staff. The people knew her and treated her rather highly. When Caroline spotted Olivia she stood and the two women quickly embraced.

"It's really good to see you, Olivia."

"You too," Olivia returned as they both sat down and Suvi took his place under the table.

Caroline was the activities director for the children's ward at Mercy General Hospital. During her time as director she'd met a lot of volunteers and comfort animal pairs, but she'd found a real gem in Olivia. She was wonderful with kids and knew how to talk to them. What was more, she could relate to what they were going through. She too had experienced the boredom of long hospital stays, the fear of a serious diagnosis, and the disappointments and setbacks involved in recovery. The children loved her. All of those traits and benefits she had didn't even cover the biggest reason she was a major asset to the hospital's volunteer program. Suvi was the key. While the kids loved Olivia, they absolutely adored Suvi. He brought smiles to faces across the hospital, sometimes before he even arrived.

After they'd ordered the two women sat and chatted, catching up on the good things going on in each other's lives. Olivia shared some of the ridiculous things Suvi had done and her newest request to speak at a conference while Caroline chatted about her kids and the upcoming festival they were planning to go to as a family. It wasn't until the end of their meal that they finally got down to business.

"Here's your new schedule," Caroline told her as she slid the paper across the table to Olivia. "There are a few new kids in there I'd love you to go see. They'd be individual visits at this point, but I'd put them as a priority over the B group."

Olivia looked over the list of dates and times available before pulling her calendar up on her phone. She had a speaking engagement at the academy later in the week, but that was all she had to work around. The other conference she'd confirmed she would attend was at the tail end of the visit period and shouldn't be hard to schedule around either, if she needed to at all. After entering the dates and times she would go in into her phone she circled them for Caroline and handed the sheet back.

"That should cover everyone, I think. Anything specific I need to know about the new ones?"

"Nothing too far outside the ordinary. Parker is the only challenge. He's having a really hard time coping and most of that is coming out as anger. Make sure your patience meter is all the way up when you go see him."

Olivia smiled knowingly. It wasn't all that uncommon to visit a child that wanted nothing to do with her at first. These kids had been through enough that they had reason to be angry. Many times the uncontrollable fear presented itself as anger or frustration too. She was used to it and knew how to handle it.

"I'm sure I've dealt with worse."

And she probably had, though not necessarily at the hospital. Perps, victims, her partner, people that didn't approve of Suvi. They'd all directed anger at her at some point or another.

"I'm sure you'll do just fine too."

Caroline wasn't sure she could even name a child that Olivia hadn't gotten through to eventually. The question wasn't if she would reach Parker, it was how many visits it would take to do it.

"There's also one other thing I'd like to ask you about," Caroline continued.

Olivia lifted her eyebrow in a silent urge to go on.

"I know this is kind of last minute, but do you have time to come back with me to the hospital and visit someone?"

Olivia's eyes widened in surprise. She'd never gotten a request for such a quick meeting. Everything was usually planned days, if not weeks, in advance unless Olivia had to change her schedule last minute because of a consulting job. For Caroline to be requesting her now it must be a special case. She'd been planning on bringing Suvi to the dog park on the way home if she had the time, but that could always wait until later or tomorrow even if that was her only option.

"I have some time yet, yes."

Caroline's face flashed with relief.

"Perfect. We had an eleven year old girl brought in last night after she nearly collapsed at her soccer game."

"Collapsed?"

"They found that she has a heart condition that's going to require almost immediate surgery. She's terrified. Almost completely shut down. Technically her parents can force her into the surgery, but it would be harder that way."

Olivia understood. An eleven year old girl could put up a real fight against the doctors if she got it into her mind to do so. That wasn't exactly the best way to go into surgery, and being held down to be put under for it would only scare her more.

"There's only so much I can do. I don't know anything about her surgery. I can try to get her to relax, but her parents will have to convince her."

"That's all I need you to do."

They paid their bills, packed up, and headed the few blocks down to Mercy General. After Caroline led Olivia to the correct room she hung back outside of view.

"All yours. Good luck."

Olivia flashed her a bright smile and knocked on the door in front of her to let the family inside know someone was coming in. When she entered she found Kate lying in bed glaring at the wall and purposefully ignoring her parents who sat worriedly at her bedside.

"Kate? I heard you could use a friend."

"I don't need any friends," she snapped back.

Her parents,' eyes shot up in surprise at her tone, but Olivia wasn't bothered.

"Well, he's going to be really disappointed then. Aren't you, Suvi?"

Olivia caught Kate glancing over at her out of the corner of her eye. Since Kate had kept her eyes down and tried not to show that she was looking the first thing she spotted was Suvi. Her eyes widened.

"How did you get him in here?"

Olivia managed to restrain her laugh but let the smile bloom across her face.

"Suvi's my service dog, so he's allowed in here. He's also a pretty good friend. Sure you don't want to change your mind?"

"I guess…"

From an eleven year old Olivia was going to take that as a resounding yes. She guided Suvi closer and gave him the command to put his front paws up on the bed so Kate could reach. When she started petting him he scooted in closer and plopped his head down onto the bed. Soaking up the attention like this didn't count as work in his book, and he made an excellent sponge. Put him in a competition with any brand and he would win, guaranteed. Olivia let Kate continue petting him without saying a word for a few minutes.

"You know, Kate, you can trust the people here."

"Says who?"

"Says someone who's been through it."

"Like you've had someone mess around with your heart."

"No. I had someone mess around with my brain."

That caught Kate's attention, and she looked up to meet Olivia's eyes.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

Kate looked back down at Suvi and twirled his hair around her finger. Olivia couldn't help seeing a mirror image of herself from a few months ago. When she'd been uneasy she'd done the same thing.

"I'm still scared."

"I think everyone would be," Olivia told her.

"Katie, honey, the doctors have all said that you should be perfectly fine a few months after the surgery," her mother assured.

Kate tucked her knees up to her chest and looked away. Suvi whined and poked his nose at her arm in response. When she ignored him, Suvi reached forward and pawed lightly at her. She finally reached out and rubbed his ears. Once Suvi was satisfied Olivia gently touched Kate's arm.

"How about Suvi and I stay with you until they get you ready? He won't let you worry too much. Okay?"

"Okay…"