A/N: It has been too long since I last posted a chapter here, and I sincerely apologize. I guess I needed to find my initial inspiration for this story again, and fortunately I managed to write this chapter quickly. So I hope you all will enjoy this.
Special thanks to BenoightLangson, BJ, Meg0613, MrsChilton, and NuoviOcchi!
I don't own Law and Order: SVU!
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."
~ Lao Tzu
The following three days passed by without Olivia finding much time to rest properly. Her focus was spanned in many different directions and she began to feel the stress of it all. She'd spent time bringing Barba's essential belongings over to her apartment for when he came to stay with her and Noah, and then there was work, which hadn't slowed down for a moment. All she wanted to do was curl up on her couch with Noah and Barba, and enjoy some quality time.
Much to the Dodds' dismay, and that of the squad, she had decided to take a week off from work to recharge and get settled back into her life. A lot of pain was still fresh on everyone's mind and she knew that taking time off was not only to get away, but it was to deal with Dodds' death. Through Barba's shooting and the investigation, no one had been able to properly grief for their loss.
Despite the busy days, Olivia couldn't be more grateful to be alive. And as she stood in the hallway, with Barba next to her, she knew not to take a single moment for granted. She was starting a new relationship with a man who had been her rock for years. And even though, she sometimes had to pinch herself, it truly was happening, and it made her feel hopeful for their future.
She shifted her eyes to Barba as she found her keys, and she couldn't help but chuckle at his current state. He was wearing a pair of sweatpants with the Harvard sweater he had requested, and his state of undress was appealing to her. It was something different, something she loved to see.
''I can almost hear you think.'' Barba remarked, breaking the silence as he stood beside her, waiting for her to open the door, but instead she turned to him.
''I just…you…uhh…you look great out of your suit.'' she admitted as a blush crept up her face. ''Not that you don't look good in a suit. Because you do. You really really do.'' she said almost breathlessly as he began closing the distance without hesitation.
This was different than their kisses before. He was now actually standing, and the one truly initiating, and she had to admit, she loved it.
He took one final step, taking note of her unsteady breathing, the heat rising between them. ''Well well, the Lieutenant is blushing.'' he teased happily as he leaned in closer. Instead of kissing her on the lips, he gently placed a kiss on her cheek and pulled away. He'd seen the exhaustion displayed on her features and wanted her to catch up on sleep.
''You seem to have that effect on me.'' she whispered softly as she fumbled with the keys in her hand. She turned away from him and quickly opened the door to her apartment.
Once inside, Olivia dropped her belongings to the ground and said a quick goodbye to Lucy. After the door closed behind Lucy, she moved to her couch and sat down next to Barba, letting her head come to rest on his shoulder.
''Liv, you look exhausted. You should go to bed.'' he insisted, hearing her yawn just as he finished his sentence.
She had already done so much for him, and he didn't want her to suffer on his behalf. It had been a shocking few days and after his release from the hospital all he wanted was to crawl into bed with her and sleep for hours, maybe days even.
She lifted her head and leaned in quickly to press a kiss to his cheek. ''Your clothes are in the second drawer of my dresser.'' she told him. ''I'm going to check on Noah, take a shower and then I'll join you in bed.''
''Thanks.'' he whispered gratefully as he rose to his feet and made his way toward her bedroom as Olivia moved to check on Noah.
About ten minutes later, Olivia emerged from the bathroom wearing her pajama shorts and black top to find Barba sitting on the edge of her bed. She heard him slightly cursing under his breath as he seemed to be attempting to remove his shirt to no avail.
She rushed towards him and kneeled down before him, exchanging a judging look with him. ''Here, let me.'' she offered. ''You have to be careful with your stitches.''
Barba, however, barely listened when he got too caught up with looking down at her. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and her pajama shorts and top outlined her curves perfectly. And as their eyes connected, he swore he'd never seen anyone more beautiful than her. There was a calmness in her eyes, a peace he'd never known or felt before.
''Mi amor…'' he breathed as he felt the air rush over his bare torso once she had removed the shirt.
Her eyes drifted down to his chest, to where the bullet had entered his skin. Seeing it for the first time forced her to realize how real everything was. How she had nearly lost him.
She extended her hand and placed it gently over the wound as her eyes flew back up to meet his. ''I'm so sorry that this happened to you.'' she spoke softly as her eyes began shining with tears.
He cupped her face, sliding his hands down slowly to her shoulders and pulling her up to come sit next to him on the bed. ''There's no need to cry, cariño.'' he told her while wiping the tears from her cheeks. ''I'm here, Liv, and I'm not going anywhere. The worst part is over and from here on out it can only get better.'' he went on. ''I don't want you to be sad.''
''I'm not sad, Rafael.'' she said as she gazed back at him. ''What I meant is that you don't deserve to get hurt. You may have acted like an arrogant ass when we first met, but as I got to know you and I fell for you, I saw a different side to you.'' she continued. ''You fight for the victims, and even if you may not admit it, you care. You're a good person. You're someone who never deserved to get hurt, especially not for doing your job.''
He stared back at her with nothing but love. ''If I'm a good person, then you must be an angel.'' he murmured.
Barba closed the distance between them, his lips brushing against hers. He moaned into the kiss, feeling his body relaxing as she responded with a matching passion.
She moved onto her knees as the kiss intensified, their tongues intertwining. She gently urged him further up the bed, and with her hands on his chest she moved to straddle him as he laid back. For a moment, she pulled back and looked down at him as her hands explored the planes of his torso in a slow pace.
His hands rested on her hips as his eyes were glued to hers. Laying down with Olivia on top was a sight that still seemed surreal. ''Ya sabes que eres preciosa, ¿verdad?''
She loved the sound of the Spanish rolling of his tongue so easily. He spoke it with such passion that it warmed her heart. ''I do now.'' she beamed. ''Tu eres muy guapo.''
''You're sexy as hell when you speak Spanish.'' he praised.
His hands slowly moved beneath the hem of her top when their lips connected once more. He groaned appreciatively at the feelings of her soft warm skin beneath his fingertips. He wanted more than anything to continue the slow exploration of her body, but he felt both of them needed sleep.
''I'll regret saying this, but we should probably go to sleep.'' she suddenly whispered against his lips, as if reading his thoughts.
''That sounds like a plan.'' he agreed.
Together they slipped beneath the blankets and Barba moved behind her as she crawled into his embrace, his arms slipping around her. He kissed the top of her head lovingly and smiled when she sighed in response to the kiss.
''I love you.'' she whispered, her voice so soft it seemed like she had already fallen into a deep slumber.
''I love you, too.'' he said, his own eyelids growing more heavy as the seconds began to pass by.
The following morning, Olivia awoke to the sound of Barba's voice resonating from her living room. She opened her eyes, adjusting to the sunlight shining through the curtains. She slowly moved to sit up, stretching her arms and legs.
She moved onto her feet and treaded into the living room and a wide smile immediately crossed her face at the sight in front of her. Noah was happily playing with his toys on the couch next to Barba, who seemed to be completely entranced in the presence of her son.
She stepped towards them, her hand gently squeezing Barba's shoulder as she leaned down to drop a kiss on his cheek. She sat down on the other side of Noah as she caught his eyes, feeling unbelievably happy. If this is what life would look like every day, she couldn't ask for more. With Noah and Barba with her there wasn't more she'd ask for.
''Good morning, Noah.'' Olivia whispered in a soothing voice.
''I woke up early and decided to check on Noah when he was already awake.'' he began to explain carefully.
Olivia raised her hand reassuringly. ''Raf, it's fine. I trust you with him.'' she reassured him. ''You and him on the couch is one of the best things I've witnessed.''
''You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear that.'' he said as his eyes shifted to Noah who was still playing all too happily with his toys, completely unaware of the conversation between them. ''I need you to know that I love him too, Liv. I'm not the best with kids, but with Noah, I want to be the best father I can be. If you'll allow it of course.''
It continued to shock her how many times, he managed to bring her close to tears with his words. ''There's a reason that you're here, and that's because I want you here. I want us to be a family.'' she responded. ''And I know it's all moving really fast. I mean, we haven't even had a first date and we're jumping into this so quickly, but I believe in us.''
''We should fix the first date part.'' he beamed as soon as she finished her final sentence. ''Olivia Benson, would you go on a date with me?''
''Hmm, let me think for a moment.'' she teased with a grin on her lips. ''I'll say yes as long as you behave as the perfect gentlemen.''
''Before I accepted that offer I'd need to know what the definition of a perfect gentleman is because I do intent to kiss you. A lot.''
She settled comfortably in the couch, leaning back as their hands connected on the armrest. ''That's an offer I won't refuse. You have a deal, Counselor.''
''You're an easy negotiator, mi amor.'' he said.