Brian kept his focus on her, using her as a fixed point to steady the anger and pain that swirled like a wind tunnel inside of him. His hands clasped tightly together, he tried to steady himself while his heart beat wildly. Words were spilling from deep inside into open court and everyone was watching with pained eyes. Except her; she saw him.

The more revelations that poured from his soul, the more their connection deepened. All of the reasons that she had found to break up with him, were the defenses he was using to hide his hurt. She felt waves of guilt roll over her but she steadied herself and pushed it down. She needed be strong; Brian needed her support now.

When court was adjourned she guided him outside. They stood in the cold with his testimony lingering in the frigid February air; each breath and each gust of wind cut into them. Brian leaned against a pillar and she kept a hand on his arm trying to steady him. It was a relief to Brian that they didn't need words. The soft buzz of her cell stopped and started. She ignored the cadence of someone else's needs and closed some distance between them. For a second he wondered if she was just cold, but she seemed to read his mind and slip her arm around his and give it a squeeze. He felt the fourth round of her cell phone between them and nodded for her to answer it.

"No, it can wait," she replied softly.

"Liv, it could be the nanny, just check."

She pulled her phone from her pocket with her free hand and nodded to affirm he was right. After several text exchanges, she hung her head for a second before taking a deep breath.

"Lucy isn't feeling well," she began, holding his eyes, keeping the distance closed, "Come home with me. I can put Noah to bed and we can talk or have a drink."

"Liv... I don't think that's a good idea," he replied as he started to pull away from her, "I'm fine, you go take care of your son."

"Please, Bri, come with me. I can't let you go home al-" she caught herself before she said 'alone,' remembering his laundry friend. He swallowed a smile down, knowing she was thinking of his neighbor. It wasn't that it bothered her, but he liked that it flustered her a bit. It knocked her off balance - a feeling he was painfully familiar with. He let her linger a moment longer before slowly nodding yes and letting her lead the way.