Author: HaughtyHippogriff
Rating: K
Word Count: 300
thebarsondaily prompt: surrender
"Five dead."
The chief's words echoed, and Rafael's gaze immediately sought Olivia's. They were mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted from the case they'd just wrapped up, and now this. It was nearly unbearable.
And on top of everything else, he might have finally pushed the good lieutenant too far.
She stared steadily back, her brown eyes showing the same shock and discouragement he felt.
Chief Dodds cleared his throat. "I can tell I've interrupted something," he said, waving off their weak protests as he stood. "Go home, get some rest. We can regroup in the morning."
He exited the office and Olivia watched him go before dropping her head into her hands. Rafael suddenly felt extremely uncomfortable, sitting here watching her have a moment of weakness. He could press her to answer his question—'disenchanted?'—but in the end he gave up.
"Goodnight," he said quietly. Olivia's head remained down. He stood and gathered his things, planning to head back to his office and get a handle on the firestorm that would be coming their way in the morning. He was nearly at the door when she spoke.
"Barba."
He paused, turned his head towards her.
"Stay?"
He turned to fully face her. "Are you sure about that?" he asked, his skepticism clear in his tone.
"I'm facing some uncomfortable truths," she admitted. "Like how you must feel every time I press you to get me a warrant or indict someone without evidence."
"We both know what I asked you to do was unforgiveable—"
She stood and came to him, placing her hand over his. "No, Rafael. You don't have to apologize. All you have to do is...stay."
He stared at this woman, the one who challenged him and amused him and always, always fought alongside him.
He stayed.
A/N: I realized I didn't actually use the word surrender, but the meaning is there nonetheless. I have been listening to Alessia Cara's Stay and that's how this came to be.