"Can I have a hug?"
"Excuse me?!' He didn't mean for it come out quite like that. Her face mirrors a frighten animal. 'I mean of course you can." He takes a step forward as she steps back.
"Sorry it was foolish and unprofessional to ask." She forces on a smile.
"I mean if you want one I'm willing." He tries to keep his tone soft and inviting without coming off as creepy.
"No its ok Rafael I'm fine.' Her facade of a pleasant smile fades and she takes a few deep shaking breaths. 'I should head home." She mutters reaching for the door knob as her cellphone goes off. Rafael watches her remove it from the holder on her hip, look at the identification screen, throw it across his office, and herself crumble onto the floor sobbing. He didn't feel himself move or even think about it, just one second he was by his desk the next on the floor pulling her into his arms.
"I see you did need that hug huh Liv?"
"I've tried so hard."
"I know you have."
"The station. The cases. Noah. But it never ends."
"Take a vacation Olivia."
"I can't. They need me."
"The station? They can handle things without you. This stress is going to kill you. I mean no offense but look at yourself. This isn't the Olivia Benson I respect and love." He hadn't meant to say the second part. It wasn't a secret how they felt about each other just it was expressed in silent know how.
"I must look pretty foolish huh?"
"I just wish you'd let this stress out sooner and less um dramatic?" Rafael tries to light the mood and his relieve she laughs.
"To my benefit I did ask for a hug."
"And I was a fool to question it. Come to my place tonight for dinner." Olivia pulls away to look at him, her eyebrows arched.
"Excuse me?"
"I'm a pretty good cook if I do say so myself. Come on just two friends enjoying a meal. But nothing work related." He can practically see her thinking it over. Weighing the pros and cons.
"I should call back Rollins." Her voice is weak.
"If it were an emergency she would have called again."
"I can't ask Lucy to stay longer at such short notice."
"Why not? You've done it plenty of times."
"Great making me sound like a shitty parent there always leaving their kid with the babysitter!" She snaps at him.
"That's not what I meant. Your a great mom. In fact if you want bring Noah." Olivia gives him a hard look.
"I know that's not something you want to deal with. A dinner without work or and please don't judge me on this without Noah sounds great. Its always one or the other." Rafael smiles as he returns to a full standing position.
"Then give Lucy a call and head to my place. You still got the spare key right?' Olivia nods. 'Just make yourself at home and I'll be over in about two hours."
"I mean is it professional?"
"Is you crying sitting on the floor professional?" She gives a hardy laugh as she stands up herself. Walks past him to retrieve her cellphone and places a call.
"Yeah Lucy its me. Yep gonna be late tonight. Give Noah an extra story and kisses for me."
"How late are you planning on eating?" Rafael questions with a chuckle.
"I mean I do have a lot of stress that needs worked out. And I might have a few ideas." Before he can fully process what she meant she's out of the office.
"Holy crap." He mutters to himself, grinning like a schoolboy.