This really was supposed to be a one shot. But I woke up this morning with a follow up chapter in my head. This is me, trying to fix it more. Unsure if I will continue or just leave it here. Plus, I know Langan is back in Ep 3 and the idea of Langan and Barba crossing paths makes me happy in a very special way.

The day had dragged. Long and torturous. He had heard Carmen dismiss Cassidy again later in the afternoon after he showed up again uninvited. Barba had tried his best to get through his work, dive into briefs and motions but all he could think about was this thing Olivia was dealing with. An ignored call and three texts that just sat on delivered. It was a little after 5 when Carmen stuck her head in the door.

"Mr. Barba, I'm leaving. And if you were looking to make an escape, Cassidy just went into a last-minute meeting. He's got at least 30 minutes." Barba resolved to give Carmen a raise on her next annual review. She was his life saver. "Thank you, Carmen. Go home. I'll see you tomorrow. She nodded and closed his door. He sat for another minute, staring at his hands, knowing he needed to get out of there before Cassidy had a chance to corner him again. If it happened now, Barba knew he would throw punches.

His hand was raised, ready to knock on her door when it was opened by a man he immediately tagged as another lawyer, based on the suit and the briefcase. He took a step back. Both of them froze for a second, looking at each other.

The other man looked over his shoulder. "Olivia needed a minute. She… well, it's been a rough day. I'm not sure she's up for a visitor right now."

"Yeah, I tried calling but… sorry" he said, clearing his throat, extending his hand. "Rafael Barba."

The other man smiled slightly, meeting Barba's extended hand. "Trever Langan. Nice to finally put a name with the face." They quickly shook hands and Trevor stepped out into the hall, keeping the door from shutting all the way.

"I hear you fought her on putting Johnny D's name on Noah's birth certificate." Barba just nodded. "Me too. Did I everything I could to talk her out of it. Maybe we should have joined forces back then. Think it would have made a difference?"

"Not at all. It's Olivia. Once her mind is made up…" Barba trailed off as both men nodded. Trevor cleared his throat, checking his watch. "Well, I've got a social services worker waiting on me. I've got to go." Barba nodded. "We can share the elevator."

Trevor stopped him, grabbing his shoulder. "No. You should go in. I didn't know who you were when I said that a minute ago. She… I think she needs someone right now. Lucy took Noah out for dinner and a movie and she may even keep him with her tonight. Olivia needs a minute to get her head right but… I don't think she needs to be alone. I begged her to call someone but she said no. But yet, here you are." Trevor smiled. "Like fate or something. Go in. Tell her I'll call her tomorrow."

Barba watched the other man go, taking in his words. He slowly pushed open the door, taking off his jacket and hanging it up. He heard the click and just looked around, taking in her place. It felt like home. It was warm and lived in. Full of life and love. Every spot in this place was Olivia and Noah. How anyone could ever think that Olivia would do anything but protect that boy made his blood boil.

He walked into her small kitchen, not really knowing what to do. So, he did what he used to do when his mother was having a bad day. He rolled up his sleeves and started to do the dishes. The running water drowned out her quiet footsteps coming down the hall, but he heard her gasp when she rounded the corner, finding him there, doing a task she hadn't been able to bring herself to do in over a day.

He glanced over and shut off the water, grabbing a towel to dry his hand, just staring at her.

"Langan was leaving as I was about to knock and he told me to… he thought that..." he wasn't sure how to finish his thoughts, looking at her, a little broken and very sad. It made him angry and protective of her. "Liv."

Her name off his lips propelled her forward. He dropped the towel on the floor a moment before she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, dropping her head down and letting loose the tears and emotion that had been building up since Cassidy had knocked on her door.

He just held her, letting her cry on his shoulder. He could feel the tears soaking through his dress shirt and all he cared about was taking away her pain and burying Cassidy. So, they stood there, her holding onto him like he was anchoring her to the ground, him slowly rubbing her back, trying to take this weight off her shoulders. He finally felt her tears start to slow and her breathing come back down.

"We're going to fix this, Liv. I will fix this. I promise."

She pulled back, focusing on the wet spot she had left on his shoulder. She traced her finger around his, feeling him tighten his arms around her waist.

"I'll pay to get this cleaned" she said, being unsure how else to respond. He laughed. "Will you please stop trying to take care of everyone else right now? Forget about my shirt. It's just a shirt." She finally met his eyes. Those soulful, caring, beautiful green eyes that could always pull her back from the brink. Always. She had no more fight left in her. After this… the rest of her fight had to be over. She continued to draw light circles on his shoulder, stepping closer to him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Dishes". He smiled when she smiled.

"No, I mean…"

He cleared his throat. "I spent all day worried. Cassidy got the jump on me this morning…" he felt her tense up just at the mention of his name. "Don't worry. I told him to go to hell and that he's an idiot."

"How did that feel?" she asked, a slight grin on her face.

"Not as good as I think punching him would have felt, but it was alright." The smile grew a bit. "Anyway, I was worried and Carmen waved the flag so I could get out of the building without running into him again and I… I just had to come here. I was worried."

She ran her eyes over his face. There she saw concern and worry and caring. She saw someone who wanted to protect her, for a change. She knew it was there and she knew what she thought about it, but there was always a reason to just not. And there was a huge reason now, but she found she didn't care. Not anymore. Trevor had suggested surrounding herself with people who could support her and Noah. Give her help and be a shoulder to lean on. As he said that, Barba was immediately who she knew she needed. And then, she came out to find him standing there, doing the one chore she loathed more than any other. No begging. No questions asked.

She stepped a fraction closer to him, wrapping both arms lightly around his neck. His eyes widened and she could feel his breathing stop for a moment.

"Liv…" he whispered, running his eyes all over her face.

"Rafael… please… I have felt like shit for almost 36 hours now. I want to hide in this apartment and never leave again. Noah and I both know the truth, but it is starting to feel like none of that matters. I need to feel like something matters. I need to feel like I matter to someone."

"Liv… you know you do. You matter to Noah. And the squad." He watched her face, her eyes. Her walls were crumbling. It felt all wrong and so right all at the same time. "And me. You matter to me, Liv. Always have." He barely got the last word out before her lips were on his. She gave in to him, completely. He tightened his hold on her waist, turning them and walking her backwards till her back hit the wall. The impact with the wall broke something loose in her. Suddenly, their tongues were dueling and she ran her hands down his torso as he cradled her face, yanking his dress shirt out of his pants, resting her hands on his back. She felt him growl against her mouth and she was lost.

He felt is control crumbling. He wanted her. For so long. He couldn't remember a time he didn't want her. But now was not the time. She was vulnerable and hurt and sad. The last thing she needed was one more man taking advantage. So, he used what was left of his self-control and pulled back. He smiled as she huffed, finally opening her eyes.

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, resting his hand against her cheek.

"Liv." He felt her tense up. "Relax. Just listen." He felt her let go a little bit. "Good. Look. The very male part of me wants nothing more than to take you right up against this wall and then after that, spend lots of naked hours with you in your bed. Trust me. But, that's not happening right now. You don't need that right now." She started to shake her head, but he stopped her, placing his other hand against her other cheek.

"Yes, Olivia. I promise. I'm not going anywhere. You are going to beat this stupid investigation and I'm going to get the pleasure of burying Cassidy so deep everyone will forget he existed. Then after that… after all that… I'll have my mother, who is getting roped in to your inner circle in just a few minutes… take Noah for a fun night while you and I hole up here for our own fun night. Deal?" He almost said screw it when she bit her lip, but he was able to beat back that idea.

She slowly dropped her hands off his back and nodded. "I'm going to hold you to that, Counselor." He smiled. "I wouldn't expect anything less." He took a step back, lightly grabbing her hands, walking her over to the couch. He got out his legal pad and pen, joining her, getting to sit as close to her as he wanted.

"Tell me everything you and Langan talked about. We're going to beat Cassidy and anyone else who tries to cause you any more trouble. That's a promise." Olivia nodded and started to talk.