Olivia felt relief wash over her as her apartment door came into view. It was the end of another stressful week, a week she didn't think she could have gotten through without Rafael Barba. This week she was faced with another child abuse case, she still hadn't caught The Weekend Rapist. Olivia thought he fled the state, the rest of the squad thought he was dead. Rollins had not yet gotten back in touch with Ryan Bailey. Olivia and Barba were working tirelessly preparing for Paul Gibson's trial. She looked at her watch, it was 8:30 the earliest she had gotten home in a long while. All this week she and her best friend had working dinners, and he insisted every night on driving her home. She didn't argue. Today, Barba had a long day in court, so she decided to take a cab home, she called him, so he wouldn't worry. She put her key in the door, and began to open it. "Sweet boy, mommy's home.

"Hi Liv," Lucy said softly.

"Hi Lucy "Olivia answered. Lucy smiled as she watched Olivia eyes focus on Rafael Barba who was siting on the couch with a sleeping Noah in his lap. Barba watched as her brown eyes widened in amazement. "Barba." Olivia whispered.

"Noah had a play date today LIv." Lucy said.

"I remember." Olivia replied. "With Scott."

"He was so over tired when we got back, I couldn't get him to lie down. Barba showed up, read him The Little Engine That Could, and he went out like a light." Lucy smiled.

"How long have you been here?" Olivia asked Barba..

"An hour, let me put him in his bed. Barba said carefully getting up.

"Barba?" Olivia called softly. He stopped walking, and waited for her. She was so close to him, as she kissed her son's forehead.

"Liv, I need your help. Can we talk in your room?" Lucy said quickly. Olivia's mind began to race at Lucy's words. Was Lucy hurt? Did Roberto hurt her?

"Sure" Olivia replied trying to keep the worry she felt out of her voice. Olivia turned, and followed the young woman.. She knew her son was in good hands.

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"Is everything ok Lucy?" Olivia asked as she entered her bedroom, and closed the door.

"Yeah. Liv", don't worry." Lucy replied.

"It's just, your tone, you made it sound like an emergency. Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm Ok Liv." I'm happy!" Lucy answered, excitedly.

"Then I'm confused. Did Roberto purpose?"

"Not yet. Soon." Lucy said in a joyful sing-song voice. She walked over to Olivia's closet and flung open the doors. Within seconds she was touching clothing.

"Lucy did you call me in here to talk or go through my closet?" Olivia asked. She sat down on her bed.

"Both. Mr. Barba wants to take you ice skating."

"Does he?" Olivia paused briefly then spoke again. "Lucy I can't. No one knows better than Barba how tired I am."

"I'm sure he does, but he also wants to show you a good time. You need to recharge, why not recharge together?" Olivia closed her eyes, and opened them seconds later when she felt some of her clothes being placed on the bed beside her. "What are you going to wear?" Lucy held up some clothing.

"Nothing you have in your hand. This is not a date. I'll wear black leggings, and my white turtleneck."

"No, no turtlenecks Liv!"

"It's cold." Lucy knew it was cold, but she felt there was more to what Olivia said, then what she was letting on. She put the clothes she had chosen back in Olivia's closet, and continued to search for the right outfit for an ice skating date. Olivia got off the bed, and joined in the search. She quickly grabbed an outfit.

"That's a little better". Lucy said looking at the outfit.

"Lucy you've been dating Roberto for sometime now."

"Yes." Lucy said with a smile.

"So you've talked about Noah, You've talked about me."

"Yes, you're a part of my life."

"I know sweetie. It's normal. You're dating, you love him. What I don't understand is why he walked in here thinking Barba and I were a couple?"

"Liv, you never thought about it?"

"Barba and I are friends. Roberto walked in here thinking that we were a couple for years, for at least 20 years. You never told him I was a single mom?"

"I talk to him a lot about Noah, and you, and Mr. Barba. You know Mr. Barba longer than me. I never brought up that you're single. I don't think you should be. I don't work for single moms only. I can't help it if you and Barba look like a couple."

"Lucy this is not a date. Barba isn't interested in me that way. Did you tell Roberto to act like he thought we were a couple?"

"No, Liv. and he's not an actor. Just get ready, and have some fun." Lucy said. She wanted to say more, but held back. Lucy left the bedroom quickly. She saw Barba sitting on the couch waiting. "She'll be out soon." She said with a smile.

Barba heard Olivia's bedroom door open. He stood when she entered the living room. She wore black leggings, and a red turtleneck made of sweatshirt material. Her beautiful dark brown hair framed her face perfectly, as always she looked incredible. His green eyes drank her in like a fine wine, and his heart filled with happiness. He smiled, and was instantly calm, no one could calm his soul like she could. This week had been so difficult for both of them, there were times when he felt he had no more physical or emotional energy left. One look at her renewed everything in him She rekindled his faith in humanity, and reminded him why he wanted to be an ADA. She made him a better ADA, and reminded him of his deep love of justice. She reminded him that he was a good man, even when he didn't want to hear it. Her influence filled him with a determination to be better.

"Rafa, how about a movie, a sidebar, and some Chinese take-out?"

"Sounds like an enchanting evening, and we will do that, but after we get some fresh air." Any evening with Olivia Benson was enchanting to him

Olivia sighed. " Fine Barba, you win."

"I always do," he said giving her the half smile that was meant only for her. Olivia followed Barba out the front door, and within moments they were in his car.

"Did I ever tell you years ago, I brought a Bentley in black?" Olivia said. Barba smiled as he watched her put on her seatbelt. Great minds think alike. He thought.

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As Barba entered the skating rink with Olivia, he couldn't help but notice all the people staring at her, even dressed in modest casual clothes, the woman now beside him lit up a room. He expected her to have some kind of reaction, but she was oblivious to it. The song All night Long by Lionel Richie was playing in the background. "Barba you're the one who wanted to go ice skating. Olivia said." She glided on the ice. Barba was standing very close to the wall. afraid he was going to fall. "Come on" Barba was amazed when Olivia began to spin on the ice.

"You never told me you were a figure skater." He said. Olivia Benson never failed to surprise him. She stopped spinning, and walked carefully to her friend. "Rafa,. stop hugging the wall. If you're not comfortable with it why did you say you wanted to take me skating?"

"You've been cooped up. You need the fresh air Liv, I remember you said you liked skating, but never found the time to do it."

"Rafa, I said that years ago." Olivia replied shocked.

"I know."

Olivia's eyes went wide., she smiled. "Come on Barba" She moved closer to him. "Let go of the wall. You won't fall." he did as she requested, She moved an inch closer to him, and took his hands in hers. They walked away from the wall. Slowly they moved together on the ice. "See, I got you"

"How did you get so good at this?"

"I'm not that good at it Barba" She sighed softly before speaking again. "When I was kid, I used to come to this rink and watch the families skating. One day I got on the ice. In my child's mind I thought if I could skate like them I could join them, so I came here a lot, and before I knew it I was skating well. When I was about 15, I saved up some money, and hired an instructor for a short time, Skating is great exercise, so it helped keep me in shape when I was in The Academy."

"I'm sure." Barba paused for a second before speaking again, "If you know what you're doing, I'm sure it can be a good dating activity."

"I think it would be." Olivia answered. The song in the rink changed to Madonna's Get Into The Groove at that moment.

"No one ever took you on a skating date?" Barba answered.

"No, I've been taken to bars."

"How romantic." Barba answered sarcastically. He rolled his green eyes,

"And shows." Olivia continued in a voice that told Barba his friend felt she wanted to prove something to him.

"Bad ones, creepy ones or both?"

"Both" Olivia answered trying to hold back laughter and failing. She rolled her eyes, suddenly feeling like she had to explain something t him. "I've been out to dinner."

"Date eating, and most of the time I bet you didn't even like the food or the company." He answered.

"When was the last time you went on a date Batba?" She asked, wishing she could look away from him, but she couldn't, she was helping him.

"A short time before we started working together, it was the date from hell."

"That was years ago. Barba."

"I know Lieutenant." Again, Barba watched as his best friend's eyes went wide with surprise. How could it be that Olivia Benson could be so clueless? Carmen was right, Olivia, his best friend, the women he let in had no idea how he felt about her. The song in the ice rink changed to Peter Cartera's song Glory Of Love. "I have a question." Berba said quickly, making sure his eyes were locked with hers. "Why did you tell Roberto if I knew you 20 years ago I wouldn't have even liked you?"

Olivia heard the hurt in his voice, and wanted to take it away. "You wouldn't have. I was stubborn."

"You still are." He said waiting for a better answer.

"I was reckless."

"You still are, when you're protecting someone."

"I will always protect Barba, but I'm careful now." She spoke rapidly. "I would have driven you crazy."

"You do." He answered, as he moved closer to her. He squeezed her right hand.

"You're a brilliant Harvard law gradate, you always do the right thing, I would have corrupted you."

"Maybe I would have corrupted you.". He said with a smile. "Liv, you're always trying to do the right thing, even when I don't agree with you. You're a real life Wonder Woman."

"I'm not." Olivia said, wishing the song in the background would end. They needed to stop this for now.

"Liv, you're special now, and you were special then. I wish I met you then, you're the best. Under no circumstances could I ever dislike you."

""I'm freezing." Olivia said. Barba nodded. He still held her hand as they walked off the ice.

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Barba entered Olivia's apartment the moment she unlocked the door, He was carrying a hot bag of Chinese food. After a minute he looked behind him. "Are you coming in?" He asked raising an eyebrow. He was getting concerned, since they left the skating rink, Olivia had said very few words to him. She said more to the person on the phone taking the Chinese food order.

"Yeah." Olivia answered following him inside her apartment.

"You 2 have fun?" Lucy asked looking up from her laptop.

"We needed that", thanks Lucy." Barba answered.

"Nothing like a little fresh air." Lucy replied.

"Thanks Lucy." Olivia said. She was just about to lock the door when she heard a knock. "Who is it?"

"It's Roberto." Olivia opened the door. "Nice to see you again Olivia, and nice to see you Mr. Barba."

"Nice to see you Roberto, and it's Rafael." Barba said. Roberto smiled at Barba, and then turned his attention to his girlfriend. He watched as she put her laptop in a black bag. She placed the bag over her shoulder, and walked over to him. She placed a kiss on his cheek. He kissed her lips quickly, but affectionately.

"You 2 have a great dinner"." Lucy said glancing at the bag in Barba's hand. "Noah's sleeping."

"Thanks Lucy, be safe." Olivia said as she watched Lucy and Roberto exit the apartment. Barba put the bag of food on the dinning table, and entered Olivia's kitchen.. She followed him. "I have paper plates in the left cabinet. I'm not drinking wine tonight, but you're welcome to your scotch." He grabbed the plates and smiled at his best friend. It always filled him with happiness when Olivia expressed that she trusted him to drink in her presence. He reached for the plates, and saw her reach for glasses, and mugs.

"I'll take care of the food." Barba said. "I know you want to check on Noah. She smiled at him, and ran to her son's room.

When Olivia entered his bedroom, she saw Noah sleeping soundly. She walked over to his bed, leaned over, and kissed his forehead. She heard him softly breathing. Rafael was right, she needed fresh air, but she was so happy to be home now. "Liv, is Noah Ok?"Barba whispered. Olivia jumped, and her brown eyes locked with her friend's green ones. "Yeah, sometimes I just like watching him sleep."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He said thinking about how she jumped seconds ago.

"It's Ok, Rafa, I trust you. I just didn't t you expect you to be standing in the doorway. She replied. Rafael nodded.

"You ready for some take-out, I'm staving." He said. Olivia followed him to the table, and sat across from him. She tried to give him the container of vegetable Lo Mein, but he shook his head, signaling her to take it first, She put some Lo Mein on her paper plate, passed the container to him, and watched as he put food on his plate.

"You know. when I'm alone with Chinese take out I eat it right out of the container." Olivia said.

"So do I. I'm glad we're not alone." Barba said locking his eyes with hers. "Liv before we eat and watch a movie, I need to talk to you about something."

"What?"

"I should have told you sooner, but we've been working non-stop this week, I didn't have the time, but now I do."

"Barba you're freaking me out. Would you just talk to me? What is it?" Suddenly Rafael felt terrible, he could see he was scaring her, He could see in her eyes she was waiting for him to tell her something horrific.

"Everything's Ok Liv. No one is hurt or dead. I promise.." He watched her take a breath as the panic she had began to feel instantly left her mind and body at his words. "The day it rained, and you got to my office late, Amber was asking about you. I didn't tell her anything."

"I know." Olivia said quickly. Rafael Barba was like her, he would never violate a confidence or give out any personal information unless someone's safety was at stake, It wasn't because he was a lawyer, it was because he was Rafael Barba. This personality trait was one of the many reasons he was a brilliant ADA. It was one of the countless reasons he was a great man.

"Did she talk to you? Did she ask you anything about yourself directly?" Batba asked.

"The only thing I ever talked to her about was her rape, and the case."

"Liv, she wants you to raise the baby."

"What? Did I hear you right? Amber wants me to raise her baby?"

"Amber wants you to raise the baby." Barba said slowly. "Is that something you would want to do?"

"I have Noah.". Olivia whispered. "My schedule is so hectic. How can I be a single mother of 2 children with my job?"

"Do you want to do this?"

"I... I don't know " I barely have time for my son."

"You're an incredible mother Liv. You have time to think about it. You shouldn't talk to her about this until the trial is over." He watched as Olivia slowly nodded soaking up his advice, They ate the Chinese food in a very comfortable silence, until that silence was broken by Noah's cry. Olivia dropped her fork, got up, and ran to her son.. Barba followed. When he got to Noah's bedroom, he stepped inside, and saw Olivia holding the little boy, and feeling his head.

"I knew he shouldn't have had a play date." Olivia said nervously." He has a fever!"

"Relax we'll take care of it. Did you take his temperature yet."

"I was about to."

"Give him to me, I'll do it."

"Are you sure?" Olivia asked, surprised.

"Yes Liv, I won't break him." Olivia walked to Barba, and carefully handed Noah over. She grabbed a thermometer, and handed it to her friend. She watched as Barba took the boy's temperature.. His green eyes filled with worry when he read the thermometer.

"What is it?" Olivia said, her voice full of panic.

"Liv it's going to be ok. We can get it down, and if we can't do it ourselves, I'll go to the ER. with you."

"What is it?"

"102." Barba quickly worked with Olivia to give Noah a cold bath. After the bath Barba dressed Noah in light PJ's, and put him to bed. Olivia went into the bathroom, and quickly returned to her son's bedroom with Ibuprofen . She gave it to him, and then she sat silently in the rocking chair beside his bed.. "He'll be ok Liv." Barba said softly.

"I hate winter Rafael. Winter means ER. visits, every time Noah coughs I jump out of my skin."

"I know, he'll be ok. "I'm here." Rafael wanted to hug her so badly but he knew she was not leaving that chair for a second. He stood next to the rocking chair. He placed his right hand on her shoulder. and Olivia felt a wave of comfort wash over her.

"I'm going to take Noah's temperature again." Olivia said after several long moments of silence. Barba removed his hand from his friend's shoulder, and watched her get up She took Noah temperature, and was relieved to see. at least for now Noah's fever was gone. She looked at Barba and smiled. It's gone."

Barba smiled back. He noticed Noah was sweating. "I'll be back?"

"Where are you going?" Olivia asked, and Barba heard the worry in her voice.

"I'll be right back. I'm not leaving." He answered. He exited,.and quickly returned to the room with a damp dark blue towel. He knelt down in font of Noah's bed and wiped the sweat off the boy's forehead. Noah's eyes closed and within minutes he was asleep.

Barba got up from the carpeted floor, and found Olivia standing in front of him. "Thank-you" She said in almost a whisper. "Can you stay here with him?" He nodded. Olivia took the damp towel from his hand, and ran into her bathroom. Barba heard her open the bathroom door, then he heard footsteps, and another door open. He guessed it was her bedroom door. It was quiet for a few moments until he heard her footsteps again, When she entered Noah's room again, he smiled. In her hand was a white envelope. She stood in front of him, and handed him the envelope. "Here" She said.

"What is this?"

"Open it." She said. He smiled and did as she asked. Inside were 2 tickets to a new Broadway show called Tales of Jerome Avenue, a show Rafael was wanting to see badly.

"Liv," he said carefully putting the tickets back in the envelope. "You didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to."

"What's the occasion?"

"There doesn't have to be one, but your birthday was last month, and I didn't do anything for you then."

"Thank-you Liv." Barba said softly.

"You can take whoever you want?" Olivia said quickly.

"I'm taking you." He answered with a smirk. "Come on let's finish our Chinese food, and watch a movie."

"I have to stay here. Noah..."

"Is sleeping." Barba said. "We can pause the movie, and check on him as much as you want." Olivia sighed, looked at her sleeping son, and followed Barba out of the room to finish dinner and spend time with her best friend.

Author's Note Tales of Jerome Avenue is a title I made up.