Single and Seeking Barson story

Chapter 24

months later November
It was noon on a Wednesday. Rafael Barba sat at his desk doing paperwork, and feeling miserable, a feeling he was getting used to. He hasn't visited Olivia in the comfort of her apartment since the night he got her to fall asleep on the couch. That night he put Noah back to bed, and watched her sleep. They had an almost silent breakfast. She thanked him for taking care of Noah. He thought he saw her blush when she thanked him for ridding her of her headache Every time Noah coughed she jumped. Barba drove her to work. He was leaving court that day when his phone rang. Olivia told him not to pick her up, she said Lucy was staying with Noah, and she had to pull an all-nighter. This went on for weeks. After some time she told him she had plans with Dr. Taylor. For 6 months there had been no sidebars, she had plans with Dr. Taylor almost every night. He reviewed that Monday night in her apartment over and over again trying to find the reason Olivia Benson, his best friend was pushing him away. Was it because he told her she came off as jaded. Was she trying to prove she wasn't?
He heard the buzz of his intercom. "Mr. Barba?"
"Yes Carmen?"
"Lieutenant Benson's nanny is on the phone for you." Instantly Barba's heart was gripped with fear. "Put her through." He said.
"Sure" Carmen answered.
"Mr. Barba?"
"Lucy are Noah and Liv ok?"
"Yes, oh I'm so sorry did I scare you?"
"No, you terrified me. What's up?"
"Can you set something up so Liv can meet Roberto?"
"Lucy what are you waiting for?"
"You, please, Mr. Barba. You said you would set something up after Noah's birthday, it's after his birthday."
"Why don't you ask Dr. Taylor?"
"Yuck, that guy gives me the creeps."
"Why, did he do something to you?" Barba asked in an authoritative voice.
"No" Lucy said quickly." I don't like the way he is with Liv."
"Lucy I know you like the idea of Liv and I but."
"I do that's true, I won't deny it Mr. Barba. Lucy interrupted before he could get another word in, there was an urgency in her voice. "He honestly gives me the creeps. I cringe whenever I see him look or speak to her.I can't be more specific than that, I just get a bad feeling." Barba felt sick. He missed Olivia so much, he cared so much, but he didn't want to be right about Dr. Taylor. He needed Olivia to be safe and happy, no matter how he felt inside. Watching his best friend date other men before was almost unbearable, but he understood that she was safe with Cassidy and Tucker. and he thought in both cases that Olivia was happy. He would always feel deep down that he was the best person for her, but it was her choice who she wanted to build something with. He gripped the phone tightly as he continued to listen to Lucy speak. "If you think that Liv is happy, she's not." She sleeps and eats even less than before. She practically lives on caffeine. Don't take my word for it, next time you see her, look at her." Barba wanted to look at her. He wanted to question her, but he wasn't sure what questions to ask, He was waiting for the right questions to form in his brain, but he saw now that it didn't matter. what mattered the most was having his best friend back completely. He was furious with himself for wasting time, for letting this silent wall separate him from her.
"I'll take care of it Lucy."
"Thanks Mr. Barba, See you soon! oh you should know Noah has been crying for you, and Liv doesn't know I'm calling."
Barba smiled, "Anything else Lucy?" He didn't want to smile, but he was glad the boy missed him, and he was glad Lucy called.
"I sometimes wonder what Dr. Taylor says to Liv when he's alone with her or when Noah is the only other person in the room. Bye Mr. Barba." Lucy said before hanging up, and leaving him alone with his thoughts.
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It was 5PM. "Can I get you some decaffeinated tea? Barba heard Carmen ask.
"No, thanks Carmen. "if there's enough coffee for you, and Barba. I'll make myself a cup."
"There is enough." Carmen said, "but... "
Barba walked out of his office. He found Olivia pouring herself some coffee. She took a sip, and her eyes met his. "I need to speak to you." She said quickly.
"Carmen hold my calls please," Barba said. "Come with me, he continued looking deeply into Olivia's eyes. She followed him quickly into his office and he shut the door. "Are you Ok?"
"Yeah, I wanted talk to you about Nicole's case, you need more evidence? What can I do?"
"I can always use evidence, but I think I have a enough."
"I don't think we would have much of a case, if we hadn't found these witnesses who heard Nicole crying and screaming in Paul's car. It helps that the baby is his, I'm sorry to say. Olivia spoke rapidly. Barba studied her.
"How much coffee have you had today?"
"I don't know... 5... 6 cups.
"5 or 6 cups! Liv, put the coffee down, and have a seat."
"I don't have time, I have too much to do. If you don't need me, I gotta go. I found the cab driver who took Nicole from her place to Victor's. He's going to testify that Nicole was distraught when he saw her,"
"Liv, slow down please."
"Did you hear what I said?" She replied excitedly.
"Yes, you made my job easier."
"I'll see you soon", she said preparing to bolt out of his office.
"I need a sidebar." These words stopped her in her tracks, Barba watched as she threw the coffee away, and she rapidly walked to his office couch. He followed her. "When was the last time you slept?"
"You can't call a sidebar in order to give me the 3rd degree Barba,"
"Who says?"
"I do, I stopped to talk to you because I thought something was wrong."
"It is. "When was the last time you slept? 6 months ago?"
"Oh, very funny."
"Am I laughing?"
"I'm sorry. I had a lot of all-nighters lately."
"I know, and plans with The Good Doctor." He replied. Olivia rolled her eyes.
"Barba you know you can always call me."
"All I have to say is sidebar." Barba said smiling at her. "Well Benson I need a sidebar because my best friend has been running herself down. I told her that 6 months ago and she doesn't listen to me. I'm worried about her. I got used to seeing her often outside of work, and now I only see her when we're working together, and not for very long. "What can I do?"
"She's fine, she's just a little stressed that's all. Call a sidebar over dinner the Friday after next."
"That's an excellent idea. I'll cook, my friend looks like she needs a good meal." Olivia got up, Barba followed, He watched as she walked over to his office door. She suddenly turned, and looked into his green eyes. "Barba, I don't know exactly when, but, I know that Lucy called you. I know she wants you to handle me when I meet her boyfriend. I watched as she got your number out of my phone. She doesn't know that. I'm inviting her and her boyfriend."
"8:00 that Friday?" Barba replied.
"Ok. Does it count as a sidebar if Lucy and her boyfriend are around?"
"Yes, they're young and in love, I'm sure they'll leave early." She looked surprised at his words. "What I said makes you uncomfortable?"
"No." She answered immediately.
"Why that Friday, and not before?"
"Because I'll be working undercover the Friday before.." Fear gripped Barba again.
"Get some sleep."
"Don't worry Rafa, I know how to do my job".
You'll do it better if you're not sleep deprived."
"Don't worry."
"Liv. be very careful."
"I always am. Rafa. I'm sorry I haven't had much time lately. Please, don't be too angry at me, and if you are, please, don't stay that way long." She opened the office door and ran out.