Not Everything Done In The Dark Is Shameful Barson Story

Chapter 13

Rafael Barba was scared. After Olivia sprinted out of her office and the building, he tried to call her. she didn't answer. He tried to track her down at a gym, he didn't see her, now he was standing at the front door of her apartment, he knocked once so far, but she didn't answer. "Olivia, come on." He said as he knocked again. In a moment like this, Barba wished she kept a spare key under a mat, but she would never do that, she was too smart. He wished he had a key." Olivia, open the door please." He sighed and continued to knock. He heard noise coming from inside. "Olivia I have to be in court at 9AM, but I'll stay out here all night if I have to." With these words the door was opened. Olivia stood in front of him drying her hair with a yellow towel. It was dripping. She was wearing a black jogging suit. Without a word she let him in.

"Relax Barba." She finally said as she watched him lock the door behind him.

He turned and looked at her. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"No. I went to the gym for 2 hours, came home, fed Noah, put him to bed, and jumped in the shower. When I came out you were knocking on the door."

"You ran out.

"I had to get out of there."

"I noticed. I know you're upset..." She put up her left hand to stop him from speaking.

"I'm not upset." She said,

"Right, you always run out of work like that", Barba answered sarcastically. "I know you're upset." He spoke softly. "Vicki got to you."

"I'm happy for her Barba. She has her life back, and she's stronger than ever, She's a survivor."

"I know, I know you're happy for her, that doesn't mean she didn't get to you. It must have brought back memories. Stabler was your partner?"

"Yes", she said as she continued to dry her hair. "He left at the end of that year." Barba gazed deeply into her eyes, she had an urge to look away, but she didn't.

"You said this monster kept her duct taped for hours? That's how you were able to get him."

"Barba Noah is sleeping, I don't want him to hear any of this. I know where you're going with this. Lewis has nothing to do with Vicki. She whispered. "What happened to Vicki, happened years before, and you would be surprised how many rapists freaks I have seen use duct tape."

"How have you been sleeping? Barba continued, careful not to wake Noah.

"Why do I feel like I'm on the stand?"

Barba sighed before, he was silent for a moment but his eyes never left hers. "I'm sorry", he said breaking the silence. "Next time you feel the need to run out of your office can you at least tell me where you're going, so I'm not at risk of a heart attack?" He smiled.

"I told you I had to punch something. I had a meeting with a punching bag. Go home Raffa, get some sleep, you have court in the morning."

Barba nodded. "Good night Liv." He said before he turned and left the apartment.

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Olivia sat on the couch. It had been about 20 minutes since Rafael Barba left her apartment. Her hair was finally dry. She couldn't remember the last time she dressed so quickly. She blushed when she thought of him seeing her with wet hair. Rafael Barba was used to seeing her put together, and that's the way she liked it. She grabbed her phone to check her messages, there were 3 of them, and she listened.

"Liv, are you ok? Please, call me back" Barba said on her voicemail.

"Liv, I know you're upset, I know you need a little time, but please call to let me know you're ok." Barba said.

"Olivia it's been 2 hours since you stormed out. This is not like you. It's not like you not to answer your phone, I'm getting worried. Call me please. Anytime."

Olivia hung up the phone, she looked at the clock. It was 9:30. She wanted to call ADA Barba right now, but he had court in the morning. Why didn't she just pick the phone once when he called? She didn't see it was him, but she did hear the phone ring.

"Liv Olivia heard Barba say, as he knocked lightly on the door. She quickly got up, and answered.

"What are you doing here?" She asked stepping aside, and watching him enter her apartment again.

"You didn't think you could get rid of me that easily did you?" He answered.

""What was I thinking? You didn't even get to closing arguments? Barba laughed.

"Now that I think about it, it was way too easy to get you out of here." What can I do for you?"

"I thought we would both get a better night's sleep if I slept here?"

Olivia's brown eyes went wide, "Excuse me?" She saw he held a tan bag in his hand.

"If I try to sleep at my apartment, I'm going to think about how you're not sleeping here."

"I sleep fine, most nights, and you have court in the morning."

"So do you."

"Your apartment is a little closer to the courthouse." She replied.

"What good is that if I don't sleep tonight?"

"Point taken, but I'm fine."

"If you don't want me here, I'll go. but please don't lie to me. We slept in the same room before." Olivia thought of the times she fell asleep with him in the room. It was so comforting to have him there, but they hadn't planned it. Did that matter? Olivia thought.

"We're both adults, and we both need sleep." She answered.