Single and Seeking Barson story

Chapter 36

Author's note: Thank-you for reading everyone! Remember I'm always working on a story.

After a few minutes, Barba ended his phone call, shut off his phone, and reentered the hospital. The elevator was empty when he entered it, and he was relieved, he was in no mood for small talk.. The elevator landed quickly. Barba stepped out, walked swiftly down the hall, and arrived back at Olivia's room just as Dr. Wilder was approaching. "Mr. Barba, are you ready to talk?" Dr. Wilder asked.

"Tell me what I need to know." Barba answered in one of his courtroom voices

"OK." Dr, Wilder replied. She could see in Barba's eyes that helping Olivia Benson was truly important to him. "You need to make sure she stays hydrated, and she needs to ice her injuries often."

"What injuries?" Barba asked, disgust and worry evident in his voice.

"As I said, her ribs are bruised, and very sore."

"I know about the ribs. I get the impression there are other injuries I don't know about?"

"She has other areas that need to be iced, and she can take Ibuprofen . I thought about giving her a rib compression brace, but I decided against it." Dr. Wilder answered. Barba was hit with a fresh wave of sadness, he knew the answer to his question before he asked it. He had hoped that his gut was wrong. Dr. Wilder continued slowly "She is healing very well physically Mr. Barba."

"I know, you said that." He paused and continued speaking a moment later "You're worried about her emotionally."

"I'm sure she'll be fine. I sent a social worker in to talk to her about what happened, she refused to talk." Dr. Wilder said.

Barba nodded. "Anything else?"

"I'll be back in 15 minutes . If she's not ready to leave by then, I can discharge her tomorrow." Dr. Wilder said as she walked away.

Barba sighed, before entering Olivia's room yet again. He stationed himself in front of the bed. "Liv you've been through... a lot.. I get why you don't want to go home with me."

"You think so?" She questioned staring at him. Her eyes hadn't left him since he rushed back into the room.

"I understand that you're uncomfortable." He continued rapidly. "Liv I promise I will be there for you, and when you need space I'll give it to you. I'll give you my room."

"No, you can't." Olivia answered softly.

"Yes, yes I can, but I don't have to. You can have your own room. I don't like the idea of you in here."

"Hospitals, the longer you stay the sicker you get." Olivia said softly. It's something Captain Cregrn said."

Barba nodded. "He's right... Liv do you want to stay here?"

"No." She answered quickly, "You know I don't. I just... I just..."

"What Liv, you can tell me. Barba replied, preparing himself to hear something horrible.

"I... I don't want to disrupt your life."

"Knowing that you're in here... in pain has disrupted my life in a bad way. I don 't eat well, I don't sleep well... Liv, please come home with me." He pleaded looking deep into her brown eyes.

"OK Counselor, you win." She whispered.