Single and Seeking Barson story

Chapter 33

Dr. Wilder looked into the green terrified eyes of ADA, Rafael Barba, and spoke quickly. "She's going to be fine." Dr. Wilder watched the ADA.'s reaction, and was reminded why she became a doctor. His once terrified eyes filled with relief, and his body began to shake. Tears streamed down his face, and he sighed. several times before he began to wipe them away."Thank... Thank... Thank-you." Barba whispered, overwhelmed by his emotions."Do you need to sit down?" Dr. Wilder asked."No... no." He answered quickly. He took a slow breath to regain his composure. Dr. Wilder nodded. She watched Barba closely. Several moments of silence passed. before Barba spoke again. "What happened to her?" The question rushed out before he could stop it. Rafael Barba was a brilliant lawyer. Olivia Benson was part of his family. That was a fact. However, he knew the law didn't see him that way. Legally, he had no right to know Olivia's condition. The doctors didn't have to tell him anything, and they could get into serious legal trouble if they did, and were reported for it. If he was acting as an ADA. He could use what Dr. Wilder said to build a case. Normally, it was Olivia's job to gather evidence and bring it to him, but there was nothing normal about this situation. He couldn't be the ADA on this case, he was a witness, and friend. He wished he could be on this case, he would make sure the person who hurt his best friend would suffer, and that was the biggest reason he couldn't be on the case. Would there be a case?Rafael was confident that since he rode along in the ambulance with Olivia, and made such a scene, at least one of the doctors would take pity on him. He was just lucky to know that Olivia was alive and would be fine. He listened intently as Dr. Wilder answered. "She had a rough time." She sighed and continued. "She has bruised ribs, and other bruises. She's dealing with the side effects of the Benadryl and alcohol we found in her system."
""Benadryl and alcohol" Barba said horrified. "Is that why she was unconscious?" Dr. Wilder noded."She's also dehydrated, and drowsy from it . She was beaten, but she put up quite a fight, which I can tell you wasn't easy since she has the flu." Barba felt a stab of guilt. If he had left his office earlier would he have been able to protect her? Is it possible that the whole ordeal wouldn't have happened if he was by her side? He pushed these thoughts away. Dr Wilder was talking again and he needed to be tuned into every word. "We want to keep her here for a few days, to keep an eye on her.""Is she awake? Can I see her?" Barba asked quickly."Yes, she's awake.I can tell you're not leaving this hospital until you see her." Dr. Wilder was suddenly silent. Her expression told Barba that she was focused. After a moment she spoke again. "Come back in about an hour." Barba noded. Dr. Wilder gave him a smile which conveyed both happiness and sympathy. With that she quickly walked away. BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
Rafael sat alone on the long waiting room couch. He quietly ate the tasteless fish sandwich Sonny brought him. His mind was still racing, and it would continue until Rafael saw Olivia, his best friend, with his own eyes. 15 minutes had passed since his conversation with Dr. Wilder. Why did he have to wait an hour before he saw her? He felt tears in his eyes, He didn't make a move to wipe them away, instead he stood up, and matched to a trash can to get rid of the fish sandwich wrapper, when that was done, he continued to march out of the hospital doors. He felt like a robot. He reached for his cell phone. He had 30 missed calls. He listened to his voice messages."Mr. Barba, I called you a bunch of times already, you probably have no reception. Please, call as soon as you can. I need... need to know how Liv is doing." He heard Lucy say. "I'm praying for her." She continued before she began sobbing. "I'm sorry." She said before the message ended."I feel sick about Olivia. I'm trying to keep Lucy calm, and she's trying to keep Noah calm. Let us know when you know anything." He heard Carmen say. The next message was from his mother. "Rafi this is the woman who gave birth to you. Call me!"
The next message was from Carmen again. "I'm home with my husband, and we're fine. Lucy is still with Fin, and that other guy. They're taking her to her family. She's fine." Call us!""Rafi this is your mother. I have a bad feeling. Call me soon or I'm coming to your apartment." Barba was relieved he had no work related calls. He played back each of his messages and deleted them. He then dialed Carmen's number. She picked up on the first ring."Hello". She answered."Carmen. How are you doing?""I'm safe, so I'm good. Just so you know, we weren't followed. If you don't believe me , you can ask Fin. He was watching like a hawk. How's Olivia?""She has to stay here awhile, but she'll be fine. He heard Carmen breathe a sigh of relief. "That good." She said after a moment. "She's strong.""Have a good night." Rafael said, trying to keep his emotions in check, He ended the call, and immediately called Lucy."Hello", he heard her say when she answered the phone. He could hear she had been crying."Lucy, Liv's going to be fine. She needs to stay here for awhile, The doctors want to keep an eye on her. Are you ok? with Noah?""Yes," Lucy answered quickly. "He can stay with me. He wants Liv. She's his mother.""I know. Is Roberto with you?""Yes.""Good. Is Noah sleeping?""Yes, I just got him down.""Ok let him sleep. Lucy, if he needs me, call me please. I'll be going back into the hospital soon, but I will be checking my messages.""Ok Did you see Liv?""Not yet.""Then how do you know she'll be ok?""I know." Rafael said.Suddenly he heard a long beeping sound, signaling he had another call coming in. "Lucy, I have to go, I'm getting another call.""Ok" Lucy answered. "Give Liiv my love."
Rafael pressed a button without looking at the caller ID. "Hello", he said quickly."Rafi. I've been so worried. Are you Ok?""Mami, it's been a long day. I'll explain everything tomorrow, I promise. He said to his mother. He heard his voice crack, and so did she."Rafi, what's wrong?""Something happened to Olivia. I'm at the hospital, I'm waiting to see her. I gotta go.""Rafi, what hospital. Tell me and I'm on my way.""No, Mami, there's nothing you can do here now. I promise I'll talk to you tomorrow. I have to go." He hung up the phone, and looked at the time. It was exactly 1 hour since his talk with Dr. Wilder. He took a deep breath, and forced himself to smile.BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
Rafael rushed to the nurse's desk. "I need to see Olivia Benson." He said to a tired looking red headed nurse. The woman yawned."Who are you? ""Rafael Barba. I came in with her."
"Dr. Wilder said, you wouldn't leave until you saw her. She's in room 225. She might be sleeping.""That's Ok. Thank-you." Barba ran to the elevator, the doors opened, and he quickly pressed 2 He was happy to be the only one in the elevator, it made the ride shorter. He hoped Olivia was awake. He knew she needed rest, but he needed to see her beautiful brown eyes open. He took a deep breath as the doors opened. Within seconds he was approaching room 225.
"No Liv!" Barba heard Rollins say, and he picked up his pace. The hospital room door was opened.
"Rollins I'm fine." He heard Olivia respond."Says the woman lying in a hospital bed." Rollins replied.
"I don't have to be." Olivia said."When I was shot in the shoulder, and I said I was fine. do you remember what you said to me?""That's different, you had a hole in your shoulder."
At that moment Barba was standing in the doorway. He knocked lightly on the door to make his presence known. "What's going on?" He said entering the room. He was surprised, and a little disappointed to see that Rollins made it into the room to see Olivia before he did. He wanted to be the first to see her.
"She wants to leave the hospital... now!" Rollins answered. She was standing across from the hospital bed looking at Olivia.
"I need to see my son." Olivia said. She was determined, but her voice came out weak.
"You're not going to find a doctor to discharge you tonight." Barba said, His voice was determined but calm, and quiet."Who says I need to be discharged?. I need to be in the courtroom tomorrow."
"You're not coming to court tomorrow." Barba said."I have to." Olivia answered."No, you don't, I can be there! I will be there!" Rollins said."Stop yelling at me. Olivia said quietly. Barba heard nervousness in her voice that bordered on fear. He walked quickly over to the side of the bed, and her eyes met his. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Rollins said lowering her voice to almost a whisper. 'I'll be there." "Liv, you're not scheduled to testify tomorrow" Barba said gently. "Noah's fine. I checked on him. He's sleeping. He's with Lucy. You'll see him as soon as you can." Olivia felt a tear slide down her face. She didn't move to wipe it away."I'll be in court tomorrow Liv." I want to be there". Rollins said as she walked out of the room.
Barba quickly sat in the chair next to the bed. He stared into Olivia's eyes for a long time before he spoke. "I was so scared Olivia, no I was terrified.""I know." Olivia said. She had been terrified too, and not just for Noah. She had been terrified that she would never have the opportunity to look into her friend's deep green eyes again. She was thankful she was wrong. her eyes were locked with his."How are you feeling?" Barba asked.
"Almost everything seems to hurt. I'm happy to be alive." Barba noded, never breaking eye contact."You have to leave. Come back tomorrow." A nurse said from the doorway. Barba moved off the chair, and Olivia felt pangs of anxiety, fear, and sadness.
He walked into the hall. "May I speak with you a moment?" Barba asked the nurse. She nodded in agreement. "She's been through so much tonight. I don't want to leave her. I'll make sure she sleeps, I promise." Moments later, Barba was back at Olivia's bedside."I thought you were leaving." Olivia said."Never."" Barba answered."The nurse", Olivia managed to get out."Couldn't resist my charms." Ollivia fought the urge to laugh. She didn't want to move."Rafa, you have court.""Yes, and I'll get there.""On time?""On time." He replied with a smile." In case you were wondering, after court I'm coming right back here. "Try to sleep Liv.""Rafa?""Yeah." He answered, locking his eyes with hers again."Thank-you." She whispered.