Barson- I need you

Prepping For The Stand

*Barba is prepping Benson in the courtroom to testify at trial.*

Barba:"Ok, so walk me through what happened after Mr.Lewis got back into the car at the hardware store."

Benson: "He handcuffed me and then he began showing me the stuff he had bought."

Barba: "Do you remember what it was that he had bought?"

Benson: "He said he had bought a tarp, duct tape, rope, drinks, and "surprises" for later."

Barba: "And what did you take "surprises" for later to mean"

Benson: "I believe that he was talking about some materials he was going to use to torture me. After he told me what he had, he asked me if I was thirsty and I didn't respond. He told me that he was going to take the duct tape off of my mouth and that I had to be a good girl. He proceeded to take a bottle of vodka out and he forced me to drink it. After that, he opened a bottle of water and brought it up to my lips. He gave me a little sip and then I reached for more and he hit me. He then proceeded to pour the water out the window. He began to shake my head and hit me again..."

Olivia began to cry.

Barba: "Olivia, do you need to take a minute."

Benson: "No, um, no I'm fine. She wiped her tears with her hands. I think we've got this part covered. Maybe we could move on."

Barba: "Ok moving on. After the defendant had brought you to the beach house, what happened"

Benson: " Well , he um, through me down onto the bed and handcuffed my hands to the bed frame. He then proceeded to, um, cut my shirt off and... "

Olivia begins crying uncontrollably.

Barba walks up to the stand and grabs Olivia and helps her stand up.

Barba: "Ok, Liv I think we can be done now. Let me help you down."

Olivia hugs Barba and falls to the ground on her knees. 

Barba: "Ok Liv, I'm going to help you get home. Is that alright?"

Benson: "Ok"

Barba walked a crying Liv to the elevator and once they were outside, he hailed them a cab. Liv gave the driver her address and they were off. She laid down in the back with her head on Barba's lap as the taxi drove away.

Once the taxi stopped, Liv sat up and Barba helped her to get out of the taxi. Barba walked her up to her apartment door.

Barba: "Hey Liv, can I have your keys?"

Liv handed Barba her keys and Barba opened the door and helped Liv in and onto the couch.

Barba: "Ok Liv, do you want me to go"

Benson: "No, Barba please stay. I just can't be alone right now.'

Barba: "Do you need me to get you anything"

Benson: "I think I would just like some wine. Can you grab me the bottle from the fridge?"

Barba: "Liv, I don't think that drinking right now is a good idea. I think that you should just get into bed. "

Benson: "Fine, I'll go to bed but I need to shower first. Can you grab me a towel out of that closet over there."

With that Liv walked into the bathroom, started the shower and took her clothes off. Barba knocked on the door.

Barba (from outside the door): "Hey Liv, I have your towel."

Benson: "You can come in."

Barba walks in, sees that Liv was naked and quickly turned around.

Barba: "Liv, you didn't tell me you were naked."

Benson: "Oh Barba, I'm sorry. Can I just have my towel?"

Barba turned around to hand Liv her towel and as he looked at Liv, his eyes darted all over her body and his cheeks turned bright red.

Barba: "Liv, I think I'm going to go."

Benson: "Barba, could you please just wait out in the living room for me, I'll only be a minute."

Liv proceeded to to hop in the shower and Barba left the bathroom and went out to couch to wait for Liv. Five minutes later, Liv came out dressed in her pajamas and fell on the floor crying.

Benson (crying): "Rafael, I just can't do this anymore. I hate myself so much. I let this happen to me. I let Lewis abduct me. It's all my fault."

Barba got up of the couch and ran over to Liv.

Barba: "Ok Liv, it's ok. It's not your fault. You're ok. Let's get you to bed. Ok?"

Benson: "Thanks Rafael."

Barba picked up Liv and brought her into her bedroom and laid her down on her bed. Barba pulled the covers over Liv and sat down on the bed next to her. 

Benson: "Thank you for everything Rafael."

Barba: "No problem, I'll let you sleep."

Benson: "No it's ok. Can you please stay?"

Barba: "Sure"

Barba laid down next to Liv and soon both Liv and Barba fell asleep.