Time jump: Past 9 am

"I will see you later today." Olivia stood in the corner of the room talking to Noah. "He's..." She glanced at the sleeping man. "He's doing fine. Yes, I'll let him know. Love you. Let me talk to Lucy." Seeing Barba stir, she lowered her voice. "I don't know how long it will be, but I already talked to Fin. He will help you while I am gone."

'Must they put him into hiding?'

"It's the only way to stop any other potential attacks. We will catch him in no time."

'Just be careful Liv.'

"Yeah, tell Noah I call him soon."

"You can't stay here Benson." Barba grumbled having seen her hang up. "Go home to your son."

"Noah knows you're hurt." She replied. "He made me promise I'd take care of you."

"I don't need to be cared for." He knew he sounded like a child, but his pride was a bit wounded at the moment. "I was shot not incapacitated. I'm fine on my own."

"Twice."

"What?"

"You were shot two times."

Barba quirked a brow. "I'm well aware of that Captain. What's your point?"

"There can be more attempts. I not going to stand aside and let them harm you." She stubbornly took a seat on the chair. "You'd have to have them drag me out of here."

"It's much easier than you think." His chuckle turned into a coughing fit. "Mmph shit that hurt."

"Let me go get you some water." Grabbing the pitcher off the side table she offered his arm a squeeze. "Don't go anywhere."

Elliot found her by the nurse's station as she waited for the water. "Morning."

"You need to go home."

A sarcastic laugh erupted from the base of her throat. "Normally one replies with a 'good morning' before diving into something that's not their business."

"Liv, you stick around Barba and you will get hurt." He paused as a group of nurses passed by. "He will be sent in WP as soon as he's cleared."

"I'm not leaving him alone Elliot. Rafael risked his life in saving mine last night. And you want me to repay by abandoning him?" Olivia narrowed her eyes at him. "Right, I forgot that's your MO."

That felt like a punch to the gut. Anger began to rise. "Please, the only reason he did that was to save his own ass. They were there for him, not you."

"I'm not going to get into this with you right now." Grabbing the pitcher of water, she walked towards the room.

"Olivia, just stop!" He cringed at realizing just how loud he yelled. "Sorry, I-"

"Listen, Stabler, one thing is me forgiving you for walking out on all of us. Helping you through the death of Kathy. Allowing you to get near me once more, in hopes of our friendship regrowing once more." She jabbed a finger at his chest. "But that gives you no right over my life. You do not get to decide where I can and can not be. You don't get to decide anything in regards to Rafael. And you sure as hell don't have the right to order me around. I have decided to let your previous action slide, but if you interfere in any way with my life or Rafael's we will have a problem. Is that understood?"

"Understood, Captain."

Time jump:

Barba stared at the papers in his hand. The feds had walked in as soon as Olivia walked out. Regardless of his protests, he was officially under WP. In his hand, he held the options of relocation. Apparently because of his status-previous status-they would allow him to choose.

"What's that?" Olivia slipped into the room carrying the pitcher and cup of coffee.

Rafael nearly moaned at catching the smell of sweet caffeine. "I'll answer if I get some of that."

"Not happening." She chuckled. "Are those the WP papers?"

Barba nodded. "They are giving me the pleasure of choosing my relocation."

"Our relocation."

The man was too stunned to speak. His eyes stared at Olivia wide-eyed. He open and closed his mouth a few times failing at speaking. It took his brain a few seconds to finally catch up. "Huh?"

"I told you before, I am not leaving your side." Olivia shrugged.

"That was in regards to me being here." He gestured to the bed he was currently occupying.

Placing the cup down, she leaned in closer. "Rafa, who better than to keep you alive but me? Plus I already spoke to Craigen and the feds. Not to mention they are about to release the statement in a few hours."

"Why are you doing this?" Barba wanted to yell at her. Order her to go home. To stay away from him. But a part of him was ecstatic. "If this is payback for last night, we're even. You don't owe me anything."

"While I am grateful this has nothing to do with that." Taking her hand in his she suddenly had a dry throat. "Rafael, I made my son a promise. I promised him that I'd protect his uncle Rafa. And I made a promise to you. I promised I would not leave your side. I'll be there to protect you."

"I didn't ask you to."

"You didn't have to."