*Hey guys- still working on my other story but couldn't get this out of my head. It's just a quick one shot inspired by the photo this week.*

Barba hands her a glass of Scotch and takes a seat on the couch beside her. He sips his own scotch, considering her for a moment.

"You OK?"

Olivia takes a drink and dips her head in a small nod. He reaches over and slips his hand into hers- giving it a comforting squeeze. The gesture brings her eyes to his.

"It's OK if you're not."

She returns a forced smile and then stares back into her glass. He's worried about her but she clearly doesn't want to talk about it right now. He's made his point- he's there when she is ready.

He pulls his hand away and sits back, loosening his tie. Time for a subject change.

"So, how was the date?" He attempts to keep his tone light but isn't all that successful. He wants her to be happy but the idea of her dating made his chest hurt.

She smiles finally, "It was good. It was nice to get out." He gives her a pleasant look but stays quiet. She turns toward him a bit more, sighing. "I don't know, Tucker and I have definitely gotten closer over the years but I don't exactly see myself growing old with him."

The tightness in Barba's chest seems to loosen momentarily. He smiles, "That's good because you already promised to grow old with me." Aaaaaannnnd, it's back! That came out far more suggestive than he'd intended. The scotch and his exhaustion have seemingly demolished his filter for the evening.

He looks to her- attempting to gauge her reaction. Surprise lights her eyes for a moment before she places a hand on his knee. "I did, didn't I." She keeps her eyes locked to his. She wants this more than she's ever wanted anything but she needs him to make the first move. She won't risk their friendship if he doesn't want her back.

His hand comes to cover hers- he gently laces their fingers together and stares at their interlocked hands. He's not sure how but he musters the courage to ask for more than what they have.

"If that is still the plan, it might be a good idea for us to go to dinner sometime. You know the kind of dinner that doesn't involve case files and trial prep?" His eyes come back to hers. "It might even involve inviting along a three year old?"

Olivia's face lights up at the idea that he's already thinking about how to include her son, "Barba, are you asking me out?"

"Well, I figure at some point we're going to retire. So we should probably find something other than work to talk about until we're 85."

She squeezes his hand and beams back at him. "I think that'd be nice."

Four years ago, when they'd first met in that courtroom she'd have never guessed that this conversation would be happening. But now- sitting her hand in hand- it seems as if it were almost inevitable. He'd been her partner in nearly every way for the past 4 years. And now they were about to enter into a new type of partnership. It was exciting and terrifying but also seemed the most natural thing in the world.