Hi again. Your favorite fic fixers are back. Why? A middle of the night idea to fix the episode. This is something we're really excited for. Of course we got angst but I hope you expected that by now. Kalli(KLK1618) and I (simpforbarba) really wanted to write our idea on how to fix the episode 23x9 and OC's 2x9
Captain Olivia Benson walked into her office in the Manhattan Special Victims Unit Headquarters. A weekend at home to think didn't seem like long enough. She sat at her desk and opened her laptop to try to keep her mind off of the past few days. She couldn't help but to remember the conversation she had with her ex- friend, Rafael Barba. His words still seemed to pour over her as she tried hard to get them out of her head.
Be careful what you wish for, I step aside and whatever shark Wheatley hires will not only just put NYPD and Stabler but you- you! Not just your partnering with Stabler but your relationship, he should have never been near this case. Not only would they eviscerate you on the stand, maybe end your career."
Amanda Rollins had noticed Olivia hadn't stopped to get her morning cup of coffee and felt something was off about her boss. She got up from her desk and knocked on Olivia's door.
"Liv? Is it okay if I come in?." She asked.
"Sure, did you need something?" Olivia said as Amanda came in.
"I was coming in to check on you and make sure that you were okay." She says.
"It's just been a rough few days." Olivia said.
"I'm here for you, okay? Whatever you need, I'm here. Whether you wanna talk or you need your morning coffee."
"You noticed huh?" Olivia said with a hollow laugh.
"We've worked together for a long time Liv. You're always there for me when I need you."
Olivia took a deep breath before speaking.
"Where do I begin?"
"Wherever you feel comfortable."
"I just don't understand why Rafael did it. I get he's a defense attorney now, I get he had to do his job, but the man I saw in that courtroom wasn't the one I know."
Olivia looks at Amanda who gives her a comforting nod.
"He said he took the case to protect me from another defense attorney from ripping me apart, but Amanda, he pushed harder for everyone else in ways I never expected from him."
"Like what?"
"When he was questioning Ayanna. He mentioned her wife's family's lawsuit against police brutality. It wasn't even relevant but said he "appreciated the irony". I mean to bring the issue up like that, it's not Rafael."
"I know Barba isn't much for talking about his personal life but you are his closest friend, did you talk to him about it?"
"I told him I felt betrayed and that I'd probably never get over him defending Wheatley."
"Oh Liv." Amanda says sadly
"He just didn't seem like himself. But it hurt nonetheless, but I regret saying that to him now, I do. I will never forget the look on his face after the case was declared a mistrial."
"You know him better than anyone else. We've all seen the way he's cared for you and always been there for you."
"I know. And that's why I can't wrap my head around why he took the case."
"There has to be a reason Liv. Barba has a reason for everything he does. And while it may not seem fully right to us, he will always try to do the right thing."
