Not Everything Done In The Dark Is Shameful Barson Story

Chapter 9

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Hi" Barba said when Olivia opened her apartment door.

"Hello", she answered surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"I promised Noah I would read him a book."

"Oh that's Sunday right? He hasn't stopped talking about it. He said you were coming over the next time we are both off from work."

"I did say that, but I finished my paperwork and had some time. I should have called."

Noah is sleeping. After school he had a play date, and he was asleep before his head hit the pillow."

"Oh, I can come back another time. I promised him." He said quickly, so that she would know she had to invite him back or disappoint her son.

Raffa, you don't have to leave. Unless you want to."

"You haven't invited me in."

"Oh sorry, she said letting out a little laugh.

Olivia stepped back and he entered, he closed and locked the door, then he turned to face her. "So Liv how are you?"

"Fine." She answered, and Barba was doing it again, he was reading her, that was her job, and she was more than good at it, she was fantastic at it, but so was he. She hated to admit it. He looked deeply into her eyes, and tilted his head. She looked away the eye contact was getting too intense for her.

"You sure?"

"Yes", she answered quickly, glad she heard no hesitation in her voice.

He continued to look at her intently. "Look me in the eye and say that."

She looked him directly in the eye and signed "I'm really fine Raffa, it's just been a long day, and don't do that.

"Don't do what?"

"Try to read me, that's my job. I do it for a living,"

"So do I."

"Point taken." She placed her hands over her face. I'm sorry Raffa, "It's been such a long day." Barba could hear the exhaustion in her voice. She uncovered her face.

"One too many rapists. He replied.

"Something like that. "Can I get you something?" Olivia walked to her kitchen. If I have coffee now, I won't sleep. I don't have scotch in the house." I should get some she thought but would not dare say that out loud.

"No" Barba said sitting down on the couch and taking off his winter jacket.

Within moments Olivia was standing beside the couch, holding 2 ice teas "Take one, if you don't want it, I'll throw it away later, he took the glass in her left hand. She sat down, and he took a sip, and placed it on the coffee table, she placed her drink beside his. "I never want you to say I'm a bad host." She said.

"I would never say that." No Cabernet for you tonight?"

"No" She answered quickly.

"What's in the tea?' it's good."

"A touch of cranberry." She picked up her glass and sipped, there was a long moment of silence before she spoke again. "Sorry I fell asleep on you last night while we were watching the Godfather."

"I did too." Barba turned, and was looking into her eyes again. "What's wrong LiV?"

"Nothing... I'm just... I have a lot on my mind... and on top of that I've been thinking about my mother."