Courthouse Steps

Based on the behind the scenes picture of Mariska and Raul hugging on the courthouse steps. You can see the picture on my Tumblr page The Magical Shipper.

"All right Liv I'm leaving. I've got to go by the office before court." Rafael yelled down the hallway towards their bedroom.

"Bye Pappi, I love you." Noah said from where he was eating breakfast at the table.

"I love you Hijo, see you tonight." Rafael said kissing his son's head.

"Wait? What are you doing?" Liv said coming from the bedroom clipping her badge and gun on.

"I'm going to court you know ADA Barba?" He said somewhat perplexed.

"You're supposed to be taking Noah to daycare remember? Lucy is off this week and I've got to be in early. It's on the calendar, I even set a reminder alert for you." Olivia explained to her husband with great frustration.

"Is that what those reminders were? I might have accidently turned those off." Rafael explained nervously. "Liv, I've got court"

"And I have a serial…" She paused choosing her words carefully in front of their preschooler, "to catch"

"Liv, I can't "He said his guilt over forgetting turning to frustration.

"Fine go." She said turning to go back to their room to get ready.

"Don't forget I need you at the courthouse at one to go over your testimony." He said, when she whipped around and he saw her face he knew it was the wrong thing to say.

"Well, Counselor, my husband dropped the ball this morning and apparently turned off some of the alerts on our calendar so I'm not sure if I will make it or not." She said before turning and slamming the bedroom door.

Rafael stared briefly at the door thinking he should go apologize but needed to go if he was going to have time to go by the office before court, so he grabbed his brief case and headed out.

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Rafael rolled his eyes for what must have been the hundredth time that day. The defense's lawyer was getting on his nerves even more than normal. His jury objections were completely ridiculous. Rafael looked at his watch it was already after one, Liv was probably waiting for him. At least he hoped she was. No, he knew she was it was work and even though she was rightfully pissed at him she wouldn't let the case suffer. He owed her an apology and dinner out, and probably a chance to sleep in on Saturday.

"Mr. Barba , any objections to this juror?" The judge asked.

"No your Honor." Rafael answered.

"All right then, I believe we have a jury. We will recess for the day and begin trial on Monday." The judge said as she banged he gavel.

Rafael quickly gathered his things ready to find his wife, apologize and get to work. He was almost to the door when a courthouse police officer stepped into the courtroom.

"I'm sorry we are going to need everyone to stay here. We have an active shooter in the courthouse." He said.

Rafael felt his stomach turn, "Liv" he whispered. He quickly reached to pull out his cellphone out to call her but of course the signal was jammed with all of the activity that must be happening in the rest of the courthouse. All Rafael could do was wait, which he was not especially good at.

He knew Liv would have her gun on her which gave him some comfort He also knew she wouldn't back down if she thought she could get the shooter that was what scared him.

In all his life Rafael had never felt time pass so slowly. He strained to hear bits of pieces of communication over the officer's speaker. He could tell they were in a standoff, he knew that meant SWAT would be on hand. He still had no idea where Olivia was, all he could do was wait. The suddenly the world seemed to stop, he heard the words over the speaker.

"Officer down, we are taking him now." He heard what he assumed was the SWAT commander say then, "Suspect down, everyone hold your position while we clear the building."

"Who is the officer that was shot?" Rafael asked the court officer desperately.

"I don't know Mr. Barba, I'm sorry." He told him.

"I need you to find out, my wife might be out there." Rafael begged the other man.

"I'm sorry, they aren't saying anything yet."

Rafael tried texting Olivia again but could still not get a signal out. He waited desperately trying to control his thoughts. Trying to not think about life without Olivia. Trying not to think about telling their son that Mami would not be coming home. After what seemed like an eternity the all clear came through the officer's speaker. Rafael almost ran over the officer leaving the courtroom in search of his wife.

He was surprised to find Carisi first in the hallway. He practically grabbed the man by his suit jacket desperate for answers, "Is it Liv? Where is she?"

Carisi shook his head, "It's not her counselor, it was a rookie uniform officer and it looks like she's going to be all right. I don't know where The Lieutenant is she texted she was running late and for me to tell you she would be here shortly."

Rafael thanked Carisi and quickly ran out of the courthouse in search of his wife. He was just pulling his phone out again when he heard her.

"Counselor, you looking for someone?" She asked with her signature sass. God he was so glad to hear that sass.

"Yeah," He said smiling as he paused briefly in front of her on the steps, "I was looking for my wife. See I was a complete ass this morning and I really need to apologize."

"Well, she's probably been so scared for the last hour that she will forgive you." She said her voice starting to crack.

He gave her one more smile before reaching his arm around her waist and pulling her close. "I'm so sorry Liv. I'm so glad you are all right. I was so scared." He whispered as he felt her arms go around his neck.

"Let's go home." She whispered back.

The pulled back and noticed Carisi standing there looking uncomfortable trying to give them a little privacy. Oliva offered him a quick smile, "Carisi, tell the team Barba and I will be working on my testimony for the rest of the afternoon. I will see everyone tomorrow" she said as she leaned into her husband's side as they walked down the courthouse steps.

"OH and you might want to let Rollins know you are all right too." She added with a wink.

"All ready did Lieutenant, you two get some work done." He told her with a grin as he turned to leave thinking about where he might take Amanda and Jessie for dinner tonight. He pause for a minute though smiling as he watched the unlikely couple watch away.

Oliva leaned in closer as she and Rafael waited for a cab she turned and smiled at him briefly, "Don't think this means you are off the hook Barba." She said with a smile.

Rafael laughed, "I wouldn't dream of it My Love."

The End