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Vi was reading a newspaper while she sat in the lobby waiting for her new family member.
It was a quiet facility. A hospital that acted as a hotel or a dog pound for strays, depending what city the dog came from. In this dog’s case, what their background was. The retired enforcer’s dog suffered “minor injuries” that allowed them to retire early.
“Violet Lane.” A nurse called out.
“It’s just Vi.” Vi looked up and quickly shot up. She handed the clipboard over to the nurse. “Here. Sorry, I forgot to hand this over. He ready for me?”
It felt like handing in a vital exam to continue in life.
The nurse took it and set it aside. “No worries, deputy. We know who you are.”
“Former deputy.” Vi shoved her hands in her pockets. “I’m retired,” …after beating up a culprit a little too aggressively.
Among other things.
The nurse smiled, as though knowing a secret. “Then I know you’re perfect for her.”
Vi liked the sound of that. “What’s her name?”
Vi only had online photos to go off of.
Puppy pictures when Penne (yes, like the pasta) was in training. Young Penne was so serious in her job. The one who had the sharpest attention and the best posture. Vi noticed Penne’s trainer was the same young woman in every picture. Except for the last photo of the small album. Penne was standing on a stage, posing with her bullet proof vest next to a person Vi could only assume was the Sheriff. Both faces of the officers were strategically removed.
So when this massive, young and dark furred Noxian Shepherd was led through the double doors, Vi knew she made the right choice.
“Hey, Penne,” Vi knelt down and held out her hand.
The dog slowed… sniffing Vi—catching a certain scent on the woman. Penne appeared— lived . Still a “soldier” in those eyes. Alert of everything around her. But something inside the puppy was broken. Like she lost someone dear to her.
But Vi understood what loss meant to everyone. “It’s okay. Take your time.”
The nurses were all watching. One of them covered her mouth to stop from crying. “Penne will love you. Trust us.”
Vi smiled appreciatively. “I hope so.”
The drive back to Zaun was quiet.
Penne was in her cage, standing, refusing to sit or relax in the slightest.
Vi turned on some soft music. “You’re okay, girl. You’re safe. You can relax with me here. I promise.”
Penne didn’t make a sound.
Vi was okay with that.
At least Penne was trained for practically everything.
Vi had a slight limp from her “glory days”. Penne noticed. And began hovering around her new mother. Vi laughed it off one evening when she was watching a movie. “See? We’re all broken.”
Penne laid down at Vi’s feet for the first in the few weeks she’s been there. From that angle Vi could see Penne’s own scars from a disaster no puppy should ever witness. Vi thought of something. “We should go out. Both of us. It’ll do us some good.”
It was too damn hot to be outside, but Vi put on her shades and snapback.
She had taken Penne to a dog park in downtown Zaun. Which left much to the imagination. Like an abandoned park they gated off and called it a dog park. Penne barked when she heard shouting from across the street. She stood on alert the entire hour they were there.
Vi was smoking to relax her own nerves. “Maybe Zaun isn’t the best place for this.”
Vi waited until it cooled down just slightly before taking Penne north of the bridge.
Penne was slowly coming out of her depression. But every time Vi thought it was to begin petting the Noxian Shepherd, Penne would growl (protecting herself) and stiffly walk away.
Vi had her window down to feel the river’s breeze in her jeep while they crossed the bridge. Penne was in the back, staring impassively at everything around them. Vi noticed Penne perk up just slightly when they drove around an expensive neighborhood by the old station Vi used to work at.
It brought relief to Vi. “Remember this place, huh?”
The dog park was much nicer, but it did little to elevate Penne’s spirits. In fact, Penne seemed much more agitated. She looked around as though expecting to see someone. Penne walked around the empty benches and sniffed them all. Vi struggled to keep the harness and leash short so they wouldn’t distress the other dogs that were there to play.
“Ouch! My hip. Slow down, girl!” Vi made a decision and reached down to unhook the leash.
Penne took off running.
Vi could only watch from the sidewalk. Curious about what the Shepherd was doing.
Penne ran along the far side fences. Sniffing and stopping at each bench.
Vi limped towards the most secluded bench. Under the shade of a tree that was almost hidden from the low branches. Penne sat in front of the very same bench. And whined. Vi limped and slowed. She looked from Penne then to the bench where Penne rested her head and closed her eyes.
Vi sighed. “Shit.” She slowly inched forward before kneeling next to Penne. “They used to take you here, huh?”
Penne leaned into Vi for the first time they’ve been together. If a dog could cry—mourn someone lost, Penne was doing just that. Vi sat on the ground, so she wouldn’t taint the lingering scent on the bench. Penne laid next to her.
“At least it’s beautiful outside.”
Vi had just gotten home from work when Penne began barking and jumping around. She smiled. “Wait! Let me eat first.”
Penne grabbed her harness and leash from the basket by the door and brought them to Vi while she dressed and changed to shower.
“I know, we’ll leave soon. Let me relax real quick.”
Vi had never seen Penne so lively when visiting the dog park in Piltover. Vi stretched her legs and rotated her hips before getting Penne out of the Jeep. “You’re making me more active, so this is good I guess.”
But once again, Penne ran around the park sniffing the benches before stopping at the shaded one. Vi could’ve sworn she saw Penne’s tail wag. Just so. Vi smiled sadly. “They’re not here again, huh? We’ll come here earlier next time.”
Penne appeared to have understood what that meant.
The next weekend, Vi took both days off to spend all day at the dog park.
“I believe I saw a hotdog stand.”
Penne was obediently standing in front of the door as Vi knelt to put on the harness. “Alright, let’s go.”
It was much colder, so less people were here on Saturday morning. Perhaps choosing to spend it with family rather than at a dog park. This time, Penne was whining uncontrollably inside the jeep as they parked.
Vi frowned. “Easy, Penne, or we’ll leave if you’re going to act up.”
Vi opened the back door and Penne leaped out. “Shit, wait!”
Vi finally got the leash on Penne while they walked/limped to the front gate of the dog park. Vi put on her shade and looked around the empty area. But as they entered, Penne didn’t move. Vi noticed there was a single dog just running around the entire park by themselves. Completely okay with being alone.
Vi looked around and didn’t see the owner. “Damn, who would leave their dog here?”
It looked like another Noxian Shepherd that was running around as they’ve never felt grass before. Never been free before. Vi unhooked Penne from her leash but the shepherd never moved. Vi frowned but said nothing. She was getting ready to sit at one of the closer benches when Penne began walking away. Slowly, but still heading towards the shaded bench. Vi realized at this angle, she couldn’t see the bench so decided to walk forward.
Vi was surprised to see a woman sitting there. But it made sense.
She was dressed for the autumn weather, feet stiffly on the ground while she watched her dog run around. A lost look to her expression; as though following a routine that had died long ago. The woman was very beautiful. Ionian. Demur spirit that radiated something for Vi's dog. Attracting Penne towards this stranger. Vi cursed under her breath as her dog slowly crept towards the woman on the shaded bench. Penne yipped, announcing her arrival to the woman. The woman slowly turned but made no grand gesture that she knew Penne. Vi quickly followed, not wanting Penne to disturb the woman. But what happened next, made Vi nearly slow to a stop.
Penne stood in front of the woman, looking up as though meeting someone she knew. Then Penne rested her head on the woman’s leg, and stayed there.
When the woman appeared just as confused, though she smiled and lifted her hand to pet Penne.
Vi could see Penne’s body physically drop with relief. Like every knotted muscle finally let go. Vi sped up, rushing through her own limp to get her dog away from the stranger. “Hey, sorry. I can take her from you. Normally she’s not so personable around strangers.”
The woman looked up at Vi’s voice. “That’s quite alright. She doesn’t bite, does she?”
Vi winced through her hip pain and shook her head. “Nah, she’s gentle. Do you—know her?” Maybe from the previous visits Penne used to make here before she was retired.
The woman looked down at Penne. “No. Sorry.”
As Vi got closer she could see a scar on the woman’s head. A long gash across that neatly hidden by hair or her hat. But Vi can spot any injury. “I’m Vi. This is Penne. She’s an enforcer retiree.”
The woman got a look of recognition in her eyes. But it quickly faded into sadness. “I believe I may have known her, but I’m afraid—I may not remember.” She looked up at Vi, as though she held the answers. “I’m Caitlyn. Former Sheriff. Also retired.”
Vi understood. Then she remembered, “You were the deputy that trained Penne, huh?”
Caitlyn’s attention snapped to Vi. “Sorry?”
“At the hospital where I picked her up, there was a small photo album. The two of you were in most of them.”
Caitlyn’s mouth opened. “Oh. I see.” She looked down at Penne in her lap and continued to pet her. “From what I’ve heard, I believe I owe you my life, Penne. Thank you.”
Vi’s never heard the whimper Penne let out. Like she never wanted to leave Caitlyn's side.
"You're a very good girl, aren't you?" Caitlyn whispered.
And Penne's tail was wagging. Reverted to an excited puppy and not this hardened soldier that lived in Vi's apartment. Vi didn't mind not being the one that Penne opened up to. Vi was just happy her dog was able to meet someone from her former life. Even if they've been apart for months. They were partners through the tough and the dangerous.
…and, it was nice not being stuck in the apartment treated like an invalid from Vander and Powder.
Vi was watching the woman closely. Seeing that tough exterior also melt away.
Caitlyn was very beautiful, so…
Vi cleared her throat. “Hey, uh,"
Words were lost on Vi when Caitlyn looked up, giving Vi her full attention. "Yes?"
Pretty eyes.
And a familiar squint to them.
Vi swallowed away her nerves. "Um, if you wanna catch up with Penne, There’s a dog friendly café down the road if you—,” Fuck. “Wanna get to know each other? I don't bite either."
Caitlyn’s expression softened. She smiled at Vi. “I’d love that.”
Vi smiled as well. “Cool.”
Hearing Caitlyn talk about herself or her former position as Sheriff made her even more attractive to Vi.
They were sitting outside, Vi was sipping on hot cocoa while Caitlyn was nursing her second cappuccino. Talking about the months before her accident. An accident that Caitlyn doesn’t remember. The Noxian Shepherd Vi saw at the park is her therapy dog. He was off the clock.
Caitlyn giggled into her coffee. “How often do 4 retirees end up in the same park? Which branch were you?”
Vi shrugged, “Don’t remember. Must’ve been a long time ago. But my dad and sister visit like I was just recently hospitalized.”
Caitlyn nodded. “I understand that, at least. I wish I remembered what I’ve forgotten.”
Vi sighed, “Not gonna lie, Caitlyn, that’s gotta suck. If you need water or anything—,”
“I’m more than fine.” Caitlyn whispered.
Vi finished her hot cocoa and sighed in frustration. She clearly didn’t want to leave. “I know we just met—but it seems like I’ve known you for years,” Vi nervously tapped the side of her cup. “Can I see you again?”
At Caitlyn’s rising blush, that could only mean something positive. But the former Sheriff’s quiet. “Yes, please,” made Vi’s rapid heartbeat slow to a steady calm.
“Fuck, yes—I mean—thank you!” Vi rubbed her neck in shame.
Caitlyn’s laugh was magical. Vi never wanted to stop hearing it.
Perhaps adopting a dog was the best medicine for her own broken soul since it brought her to Caitlyn. Caitlyn Kiramman; former Sheriff of Piltover.
Unbeknownst to the chatting ladies and their dogs,
Cassandra and Tobias were sitting at a restaurant across the street from Caitlyn and Vi. Cassandra couldn’t stop crying, wiping her eyes every few seconds. “It’s as though—it’s as though the accident never happened—and,” She sobbed into her hands. "They're still our girls. Still together."
Tobias quickly reached over to comfort his wife. “It’s magical, actually, how they found each other again. This is nice. Like we’re spying on them again when they were in college. Remember that?”
"How could I forget? We were terrible at it. Caitlyn always spotted us." Cassandra smiled through her tears. “We shouldn’t have kept them apart when they healed. Look at them! They were always meant to be.”
Tobias became somber. “Doctors said it was for the best. And look! Love finds a way. A path only Caitlyn and Violet know. When it gets serious, we'll tell them.”
Cassandra leaned heavily into her husband while she text Vander about their daughters—meeting all over again.
…and still married-yet no memory of the other or the beautiful life they lived together. Vi and Caitlyn found each other once again after their own full recovery. Somewhere only they knew to meet.
Caitlyn had reached across the table to write her number in Vi's phone. Cassandra wondered if the old number was still under "Cupcake"... And if the new one will be changed to it soon. Cassandra hoped it was very soon. Vi said something that caused Caitlyn to smile and Cassandra knew it was only a matter of time.
The nurses at the animal hospital hung up the full picture of Penne on her graduation. Standing on the stage next to her mothers. Mrs and Mrs Caitlyn Kiramman. Deputy Vi in her uniform with her wife Sheriff Caitlyn Kiramman.
Arms "professionally" around each other while they posed for the camera.
Penne was the happiest puppy.
“You all are perfect for each other.”