Rafael, lifted his Arroz Imperial out of the oven. He placed it on a counter, and was relieved to find that the yellow rice dish wasn't burnt or under cooked. It was Friday night, exactly a week since the outing to Metropolitan Dining, and Rafael had been distracted, and racked with worry. He and Olivia were too busy to discuss the strange encounter with the mysterious man. Olivia made sure of it, and Rafael couldn't stop thinking about it. He looked at his watch. It was 8PM. He placed the rice dish back in the oven to keep it warm. Where are you, Olivia? He thought to himself..

An image of her in a navy blue nightgown flashed in his mind, and the events of last Friday night played like a movie. After Rafael followed Olivia into the bedroom, he watched her turn down the covers for him. "I'll be right back." He said. He turned and left the room. His overnight bag was by the front door. He picked it up, and carried it to the bathroom. Once in there, Rafael changed into sweatpants, and removed his shirt. He looked in the mirror, and imagined Olivia doing incredibly sexy things to him. He took off his sweatpants, and jumped into the shower as visions of what he wanted to do for her, and to her flooded his mind. The shower lasted 30 minutes, He then jumped out, put the sweatpants back on, and returned to the bedroom. Olivia was in bed, he got in beside her. "Do you wanna talk?" He had asked.

"Not about what I think you do." She answered. She turned on her side, away from him. He wished he could see her brown eyes. He wanted to read her. 15 minutes later, he heard soft breathing telling him she was hour later, she woke up, and asked him to hold her. He pulled her to him. She rested her head on his chest, and closed her eyes. Ten minutes later, they were both sleeping.

The knock at the door called Rafael out of his thoughts. He rushed to it. "Rafa, it's me." Olivia said. He opened the door, took her hands, and pulled her in.

"I was about to send out a search party for you." He said, the statement earned him a little laugh from her.

``What?", he responded. "You don't think I could do it, I'm an ADA, I'd have the entire country looking for you, the entire world." Olivia smiled at his words.

"I know, you would." She answered. Rafael studied her face, she looked exhausted again. "Come sit down." He said pulling her gently to the couch.

'I didn't see you all day. I missed you like crazy." She let go of his hand, and placed her arms gently around his neck.

"Not as much as I missed you. That's why I wanted you here, I love Noah, you know that. I still wanted us to have some alone time. I cooked us an easy, but scrumptious meal. Nothing too fancy. Is that OK with you?"

"Have you ever known me to need a fancy meal? Rafa, it's great. thank-you for cooking, so that I don't have to. I know you had a hard week."

"I did, and you did." He answered. Olivia didn't say anything. "Do you want to eat by the TV? We can find a marathon to watch."

Olivia sighed."That sounds like heaven, but we can eat at your dining table tonight." Rafael gave her the half smile he only used for her, and moved them to the dining table.

"Sit down." He said. when they arrived at Olivia's chair. She removed her arms from around his neck, and sat down. "I'll be right back."He moved to the kitchen. and returned 10 minutes later with 2 plates of Arroz Imperial. He set Olivia's plate in front of her first, then he sat across from her with his plate. "How was your day?"

"Another day, another rapist. I might have 2 more cases for you." Rafael studied her as she spoke. He guessed she hadn't slept well in days. She was beautiful as always but very fatigued. He watched as she stared at her food without touching it.

"We should get away. We have plenty of accrued vacation time."

"I don't want to use it now, if I can help it. I'm saving it for your birthday."

Rafael was touched. "That's not necessary, Liv." He watched as she took a forkful of the meal.

"And it;s not necessary for me to go on vacation right now." She took another forkful of food. She put the fork down, and spoke. "I'm fine, Rafa." She sighed. "I know you're worried about me."

"I am." He confirmed, honestly.

"Rafa, you don't have to worry about me. I'm exhausted, but fine." She took another bite of food. "This is delicious."

"I'm glad you like it. You know, I know you." He said after a pause. "When you say you're fine, you're not fine."

"I'm OK., Rafa, really. How was your day?"

"Busy, Carmen was out sick. It made things a little difficult."

"I'll bet. Can I do anything for you?"

"Talk to me,Olivia. You have been quiet all week, withdrawn. Have you been eating or sleeping?" Rafael finished his piece of Arroz Imperial, while he listened to her speak.

"I've had some trouble sleeping, and I'm eating this." Olivia answered, honestly, taking another small bite."

Rafael was instantly in a panic. "Is this your first real meal all week?"

"That depends on your definition of a meal. I had some yogurts, some eggs, some nutrition bars, and I had a sandwich at my desk yesterday. "

"How much sleep?"

"I don't know, Rafa. 4 to 5 hours a night, this week."

"That's not enough. You're on the streets of New York protecting people. It's dangerous."

"That's my job. it;'s dangerous."

"Especially if you have no energy. You've been distracted since last Friday. night. Something is bothering you. Olivia, Por favor, talk to me."

"You wanted alone time, to do what Rafa? I know you love me, but are you with me just to keep an eye on me?"

"No, Olivia, no, absolutely not."

"You don't want me." She said, her voice cracking.

Rafael got up. rushed to her chair, and keeled in front of her. "Olivia. I want you so badly it's physically and mentally painful. You have no idea how much I want you. I won't be like your other relationships. You're not ready, you were attacked again. I know it's frustrating, but I think you're bringing it up at this moment because you don't want to talk about Friday night, which proves my point that you're not ready."

"You don't think it's strange that we sometimes sleep in the same bed, and we don't have sex, we've never had sex?"

"Strange, but not wrong, and we will have sex I love you,Olivia.. I'll be right back." Rafael disappeared into his bedroom. Moments later he left the bedroom, and placed a bag by the front door. He walked into his kitchen space, and packed up some leftovers. Olivia was still sitting in her chair, now looking straight ahead. He walked to her, and stood in front of her. "Come on, you're not staying here tonight."He watched as Olivia's face became almost heart dropped for her. You'll sleep better knowing that Noah, and I are there in your apartment. Let's go."

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On the ride back to her apartment, Olivia thanked Rafael, but was otherwise silent, Rafael was even more worried than before. When Olivia opened the door, she was greeted by Lucy.

"I thought I was sleeping over." The young woman said.

"You still can, if you want to, Lucy."

"No, I can study at home." Lucy replied, picking up her backpack.

"Good to see you with Liv, Mr. Barba. You look happy." She said on her way out the door. That was an hour ago.

Now, Rafael was waiting for Olivia on the couch. She had gone to check on Noah, 30 minutes ago He was about to check on her when she exited the boy's room, and closed the door. She walked to Rafael, and sat down next to him. "Thank-you", she said, closing her eyes. "I would have stayed by you, but I feel like I don't want to let him out of my sight." Olivia admitted.

"I know. I know you."Rafael answered..

"Can I get you something? I have your scotch."

"I know. No, thanks." She turned to face him. "Then what can I do for you?"

"You know what."

"I need some wine."

"You might want it, but you don't need it, Olivia."

"Whenever you call me, Olivia, I know you're serious. You want to talk about last

Friday night. Rafa, it doesn't matter. I have a life. I have Noah, I have you."

"Olivia, my angel. mi vida. You can tell me anything. I won't judge, and you won't lose me."

It;s nothing, Rafa. It doesn't matter."

"If it's nothing, then why is it so hard to talk about?" Olivia rose from her seat, and walked to her bedroom, within 5 minutes, she was back. "I love you, Rafael." She stood in front of him, holding a yellow Manila shifted from one foot to the other.

"I love you too." He said loudly. "Olivia, I love you."

At those words, Olivia took a step forward. She leaned forward, met his green eyes, waited a second, and then handed him the Manila envelope.