Sometimes you go weeks wanting to write something, but can't find the inspiration. And then it strikes you twice in less than 24 hours. Plus, BNL is my absolute favorite and I think it's a minor crime I haven't used one of their songs yet. This is my first stab at writing Amaro. I honestly can't remember much about his outside life other than his daughter and ex-wife. I hope I got his voice right in this. I'm watching some old eps and I kind of miss Nick. Maybe someday they can find a way to bring back Danny Pino for a few eps.
But it's a twenty-three four-to-one
That you can fall in love by the end of this song
So get up, get up
Tell the bookie put a bet on "not a damn thing will go wrong"
-Barenaked Ladies (Odds Are)
"Liv!" She turned to see her old friend, Nick, walking toward her. It had been years since they had seen each other. Some emails and texts but life goes on. When he sent her a message saying he was in town today, she knew she had to carve out some time to see him. She gave him a big hug and they sat down in the booth, quickly ordering lunch.
"Just one day?" she asked.
"Yeah. Mom needed some help emptying out the house."
"I can't believe you all finally talked her into moving out west." He nodded. He ran his fingers around the rim of his cup. "How are Amanda and Jesse?"
"Doing well. How's Zara?"
"Amazing. And Noah?"
Liv smiled brightly. "Perfect. He's in kindergarten all day now, so it's been an adjustment." Nick stared at her, hard. "And what about you, Liv? It's been a rough couple of years. I heard about Tucker and the Chief's son…" Liv just nodded.
"Are you taking care of you?"
"I'm trying." She replied. Her phone buzzed and she quickly read the text, smiling brightly. She typed out a reply and set her phone back down.
"Now, there's a smile I haven't seen in years. That someone helping you take care of you?" Liv pressed her lips together, shrugging. Nick narrowed his eyes at her. "Barba finally happened, didn't it?"
Her eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. She started to talk and he held up his hand. "Liv, please. Barba and I made our peace years ago. And you two… well, there was always something more there. We all knew it. Those three still do, but they will never say a word about it. Ever." He watched her grip her coffee cup till her knuckles turned white.
"It's new" she whispered.
"How new?"
"A couple of weeks. We had this bad case and my testimony was rough and the cross was brutal and it about broke me one night until…" Nick held up his hand. "I get it, Liv. I do. But… it's Barba. You two… it's not going to be easy. The odds are one of you… I would bet on him… will have to leave or will do something and you all will have to make hard choices. This could change your life. Are you ready for that?" Liv just stared at him as the waitress dropped their food in front of them. The rest of the lunch was cordial and soon, they were bidding each other goodbye on the street.
He squeezed her arm as his cab pulled up. "Be careful, Liv. And be happy too." She nodded as he got into the cab and rode away.
"So how was Amaro?" she heard from behind her. She turned to see him, sunglasses on, briefcase in hand, walking toward her.
"Good. He guessed that we had finally happened" she said as she wrapped her arm around his, joining him walking down the street. He watched her bite her lip, worrying about something. He stopped and pulled her around so he could look at her, pulling his glasses off his face.
"What did he say?"
She sighed. "Look, I know you and him never really…"
"Liv, that was years ago. Amaro isn't even a blip on my radar anymore. What did he say to you? He's in your head about something."
She nodded. "Look, he just… he said you and me… it was going to be hard and that one of us might have to make a hard choice down the road and…"
"And, what? That might end us?"
"He's right. It could. He said the odds are hard decisions are coming and this could absolutely change our lives."
He smiled, dropping a light kiss on her lips. "Damn, Liv, I certainly hope so. I'm kind of counting on it."