Barba's sitting in his hotel room in St. Barth's- ever so slightly intoxicated, shining his shoes when he calls Liv later that night. After making the arrest, Olivia had come home to find Noah already in bed. So she'd curled up on the couch with a glass of wine and turned on the West Wing to try and drown out the day.

She's still focused on the television when she picks up, "You know it's midnight, Barba."

"Shit, I didn't wake him up did I?"

She smiles, her attention now on the conversation, "No. How's it going down there? Your friend married yet?"

Barba tenses a bit at the question. "Tomorrow. So it worked? You got him?"

Liv takes a sip of her wine and sighs- she'd almost managed to stop thinking about the case, "Yeah, but getting her to testify is going to be a chore, the moment he-"

On the other end of the line, Liv suddenly hear's Barba's voice grind out through his teeth, "Coño!"

She sits up a bit, "Excuse me!" Any cop in New York knew that word.

"Shit, sorry. Not you. Goddamnit!" Barba walks into the bathroom inspecting his khaki pants- which now have shoe polish all down the front. "I just dropped shoe polish all over my damn pants!"

Olivia tries to stifle a laugh, "Didn't really take you for the kind to shine your own shoes, Counselor."

Barba stands at his bathroom sink attempting to remove the polish with a wet wash cloth. "It relaxes me." ,he grinds out.

"I can tell." She can practically hear him roll his eyes on the other end. "You'd think the week on a tropical island for a friend's wedding would relax you."

Barba throws the washcloth into the sink, giving up, and slinks back to the couch, "You would wouldn't you?"

He actually seems upset so Olivia switches gears, "You OK?"

Her question makes him realize that he's coming on a bit strong. Barba takes a breath, "Yeah. I just never realized how exhausting my friends can be after spending more than 5 hours with them. And I've still got another 3 days."

"Don't you regularly spend time with these people?"

Barba sighs, "Yeah, but- a few hours a month. The opera, a yacht- we talk for the half a second it requires to take each other's political temperature. When you get to know these people they're not good people. I mean, I've known these people since Harvard- how did I not notice? The only reasonable explanation is that I, too, am an asshole."

He wasn't sure why he was telling her all this- except that she was the only person he talked to and he needed to vent. And lets face it- he was a bit tipsy. Not choosing his words as carefully as usual.

He continues his rant simply because she's still listening, "I mean honestly, I'd rather be home with you dealing with child abductions. Speaking of which, I'm leaving you for corporate law. Carter's sailboat down here is the nicest one I've ever been on."

"You're leaving me for a boat?"

His usual cocky, lopsided grin finally finds Barba's face, "Why, will you miss me?"

"No, I just don't want to break in a new DA", she returns in jest.

She finally hears him chuckle on the other end of the line and is happy he's relaxed.

He picks up his shoe to start polishing again and shifts gears, "Hey did Lanagan send over the rest of that paperwork about the adoption? He was doing that today right?"

"He got tied up. He's going to bring it by tomorrow, I think."

Barba drops his shoe and takes another deep breath, "Does the man get you anything on time?"

His mood is starting to get on Olivia's nerves. "I don't know that I'm exactly his top priority right now, Barba."

"I realize that but as soon as that last home inspection is done you should be putting those papers in. I'd prefer if this were all done before we take Johnny D to trial."

She tries to take a calming tone but her frustration is evident, "As would I, but you and I both know the chances of that are slim. I wouldn't have had time to start going over it today anyway. It's OK."

Barba knows he's being ridiculous but the more he thinks about it the more he works himself up. He doesn't want to risk anything going awry with this adoption. Having Noah is what put Olivia back together again after Lewis. He'll do anything to keep from risking her happiness.

His voice pitches up, "What are you talking about, we could be going over it right now."

"Are you always this bitchy in a tropical paradise because, if so, remind me to never visit one with you."

In his slight intoxication, he speaks before he thinks, "I assure you, if it was you here with me- I would not be so bitchy." Once it's out of his mouth, he realizes the implication and hopes very much that she doesn't. Olivia's momentary silence on the other end dashes his hopes.

A warm flush comes over Liv's cheeks at his words. Was he- is it possible he felt the same way she did? She reminds herself that it doesn't matter- anything more than a friendship is dangerous. She realizes she needs to say something back.

"You're not an asshole, Barba", she says softly. It's the best she can manage with her muddled amygdala.

The shift throws him even more often balance, "What?"

"You're cocky and stubborn and say what you think but you're not an asshole."

"Um- thanks?"

"Those things make you good at what you do. But to get here, you had to be friends with those people- you know it and I know it. I'm sorry you resent that now but I'm glad you're friends with them- because the world would have missed out on a great prosecutor if you didn't play the game."

Barba smiles warmly at her candidness- reminded why she's the one he talks to. "Thanks, Liv."

She smiles, "Anytime."

He sucks in a breath, "I should let you go to bed. I'll see you in a few days. Tell Noah I'm bringing him something."

Olivia breaks into a broad grin, "Should I be worried?" His only response is a chuckle. "Alright, Barba. Goodnight."

"Night, Liv."

Olivia clicks off and Barba goes back to shining his shoes. It really does relax him. He used to do it for his dad when he was a kid. Barba's innate, meticulous nature made him perfect for the job. It was one of the few things his dad would admit he did well. But in all honesty, it was Liv who'd helped him relax. Amazing how she could have that affect on him one minute and the next make him feel he wanted to strangle her.