Rafael stared out the window as they pulled up to his 'new' home. He decided to pick a remote place, away from the big cities. He wanted some quiet if only for a moment in his life. They gave him the option of a few small towns and much to their surprise he picked the smallest one there was.

"Winthrop." Olivia was reading the notes to the small town. "Population 340."

"342." Rafael muttered.

"Right." Looking over at him she sighed. "Any reason why you picked here?"

"It's quiet."

"And?"

"Horses."

She frowned. "What?"

"They have horses." Jumping out of the car, he went around to the trunk. Opened the back and began pulling the bags out, all while trying to ignore the pain shooting up his leg and sides.

Still not sure what he meant by that, she climbed out as well. "Horses?"

Rafael nodded, reaching for his bag only to have it snatched by one of the agents. "Always wanted a horse as a little boy. Figured I might as well move to a place they have them."

"Okay." Olivia wasn't sure if he was being serious or joking.

"Here are your passports, ids, and birth certificates." One of their escorts handed her the folder. "We will be sending someone undercover to keep an eye on you two. The house has been fully furnished and the kitchen is stocked. That should give you enough time to settle in and get to know the town."

Grabbing the folder, she sighed at the large house. "Did it have to be so secluded and big?"

The agent shrugged. "That's the way he wanted."

"I assume they gave you the details about my son?" Olivia had asked them to hold off on bringing Noah for a week. "If there is no change to any of this-"

"He will be extradited here." He gave her a stiff nod. "I am aware of the order."

"Sorry, first time being in WP." Slapping the folder against her leg a few times, she walked towards the house.

The entire property had been fenced off, leaving only one exit and entrance. The main gate had an intercom that connected to both the house and garage. It gave them the power over who came and went. The driveway up to the house was about half a mile long, made of gravel. Once you reached the house, it was a lovely gray-blue building. The stories with a balcony that surrounded the second floor. The main porch was spacious, giving her a few ideas of how she might get it fixed.

Walking into the house, she stood in the round foyer. Looking up at the high chandelier hanging over her head. To her left was the staircase that lead her to the second floor. Walking deeper into the house, she found the main floor held the kitchen, living room, home office, game room, and dining room.

Jogging up the stairs, the first door she opened was a bedroom. To her surprise, it was decorated for Noah. The avengers were everywhere you looked. It had a loft bed, with a desk and laptop set underneath it. Checking the other rooms, she came across her bedroom, and next to her was Rafael's bedroom. Each room had its own bathroom and for that she was grateful. Turning the corner, she found another living room and office, along with a gym and guest bedroom.

Walking across the living room, she opened the double slide doors and stepped out onto the balcony. You had a clear view of the back and front yard. If you walked to the front, you'd be able to see the full driveway. It was a beautiful house there was no denying it.

"Not bad." Barba moved slowly to her side.

"It's lovely." Lowering her head and turning to him, she noticed the slight discomfort on his face. "What hurts?"

He chuckled. "What doesn't."

"Rafa-"

"I'm fine." Gripping the banister, he bit back the groan. "It comes and goes, I'll take some painkillers in a moment." After the second shooting, they managed to knick him on the leg as well. His abdomen still hurt with each breath he took. But it was his leg that hurt the most. The throbbing was manageable during the day, but it was at night, and mornings it became unbearable. "What's that?"

Holding the folder up, she handed it to him. "Our new lives."

Opening it up, he pulled his out with a weird look. "Paul Mendelson? Do I look like a Paul?" Reading the rest of the file, Barba rolled his eyes. "Let's see yours."

"Nina Echeverria, age 38." Reaching for the id in the folder, she held it up for him. "I'm the new high school teacher."

Barba ran his eyes up and down her body, a sly smirk appearing on his lips. "I'd bet you'd look amazing in a school uniform."

"Keep dreaming." Snatching the file from him, she scanned over his. "Paul Mendelson, age 45. Chef?"

"They really dug into my life."

"You're a chef?"

"I didn't always want to be a lawyer." Turning around he leaned against the rail, propping himself up on his elbows. "I was given the chance to go to culinary school. Went for about a year or two. Wasn't moving fast enough for me, so I dropped out." Looking over at her with an almost shyness in his eyes. "If you'd like, I can cook something tonight."

"I'd like that."

Barba groaned at the alarm going off. Grabbing the offensive item by the top, he hurled it against the wall. At the same moment, his door was open.

Olivia rolled her eyes at seeing yet another alarm clock shattered. "You truly aren't a morning person."

"Why are you up so early?" His face was buried in the pillow, causing his voice to come out muffled. "It's five am."

"I have orientation at the school today. Meet the staff and such." She bit her lower lip, debating to ask. "You want to go with me?"

Barba nodded into his pillow. "Anything to get out of this house."

By the time he showered and changed, Olivia was warming the car up. His leg had gotten better from the constant moving, giving it a better blood flow. He still needed to do his weekly checkups to ensure everything was healing well.

"Any word from the other side?" Barba leaned his head on the cool glass already knowing the answer.

"No." Glancing at him briefly, she turned the car out of the driveway and into the main road. "Still no idea who it might be?"

He shook his head. "No." Barba's gone through most of his files with no luck. "Every case I have dealt with there is someone I pissed off. And let's face it, most cases with you and the squad weren't some low-level criminals. But neither are the ones I have handled before relocating." Ruffing his hair up in frustration, he sighed. "I should have stayed in California."

"Hey." Taking his hand in hers, she entwined their fingers. "Fin and the others are handling this. It's only been two days, you can't be tired of me already."

Lifting her hand towards him, he brushed his lips over her knuckles. "Don't think that's possible."

Barba trailed behind Olivia and the head of the school, while they were shown around. It was a nice school as far as high schools go. He hated his years in the dreadful building. If it hadn't been for Eddie or Alex looking out for him, he'd be lost. He clearly remembered the beatings he got before them. But in the end, he preferred them to the ones he got at the hands of his father.

A young boy ran past him nearly knocking him over, the backpack slamming into his chest as he swung it over his shoulder. Barba clenched his teeth willing the pain to subdue quickly. About to call him out on it, he stopped. The kid was running towards his waiting father, practically jumping into the man's arms. That was something he had always longed for. A child. But it was something he could never have. The fear of being like his own was too great. He would never run that risk. Not even with Noah.

In the years he has watched Noah grow, he had grown to love that kid like his own. And as much as he has hated stepping away, it was a good thing.

"Rafa?" She whispered so only he would hear her.

Breaking away from his thoughts, he looked back at Olivia. "Sorry, what was that?"

Walking over to him, she took his hand off his chest. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Seeing the not-so-convinced look on her face, he gave in. "My chest is hurting."

"I can ta-"

"No." He shrugged her off. "It's just a minor pain. Kids backpack hit me is all."

Replacing his hand with hers, Olivia ran it across his chest in a soothing manner. Her eyes jumped from his chest to his eyes. "They just need to show me the classroom and we are done."

"I'm fine." Taking her hand, he kissed the inside of her palm. "Take your time."

"The classroom is just around the corner." The head of the school Ms. Parks intruded cautiously. From the moment they met, she noticed a few things about the couple. Nina always had an eye on who she assumed was her husband. The man was no different. He may stray behind them, but he made sure to always be within reaching limits. "Mr. Mendelson if you don't mind me asking, what do you do?"

It took a moment for him to realize she was speaking to him. "Chef."

"Really?"

Olivia was curious about her reaction. "Why? What does he look like he does?"

Ms. Parks eyed Barba for a moment. "Lawyer."

Trying not to laugh she spotted the eye roll her partner did. "Was it the suit?"

"That was part of it." She laughed. "But it's also the way he holds himself up. But yes, the suit was the biggest giveaway." The man was wearing an all-black suit, with a black shirt. The top two buttons were undone. His hair was combed back and his beard had been trimmed. "Folks around here don't usually dress like that unless they are office workers."

Barba tuned the woman out, his eyes fixed on Olivia. He caught onto her bored look. Reaching for her hand, he held her beside him. "Bored already?"

"Hmm, more hungry than anything." Following Ms. Parks down the hallway, they turned the corner.

"This will be your classroom." Ms. Parks gestured to room 218. "Let us introduce you to your students." Opening the door she walked into the classroom, Olivia following closely behind. Rafael stayed by the door, allowing the door to lean on him. "Class, this is Mrs. Nina Echeverria your new teacher. She will be starting next week." Ms. Parks turned to the woman standing by the board. "This is Emily, she's currently covering the position."

Olivia glanced at the small classroom. There couldn't be more than 17 students. "Are these the only students I will be teaching?"

Ms. Parks nodded. "Yes, there are only four classrooms for each grade. We aren't that big like other schools."

"Where did you come from?" A red hair girl from the back row asked. "You don't sound from around here."

Olivia turned to Barba, who just shrugged. "I'm from New York." She remembered the background papers given to the school stated New York as her past home. "Moved here for a much-needed quiet life."

"Who's he?" A spiked teen pointed to the Cuban man. "Your husband?"

Ms. Parks pinned the boy with a look. "Enzo, that is none of your concern."

"It's alright." Olivia stopped the woman from scolding the boy in front of the class. "This is Paul and no he isn't my husband."

"So he's single?" Emily eyed the man by the door with a flirty smile.

Barba felt a weird shiver run down his back and it wasn't the good kind. "I am not."

"Oh?" She frowned.

He glanced at Olivia holding back the smirk at seeing her glaring look towards the teacher. "I'm the fiancé."

"Ah." A deep blush crept up her neck.

"Well, how about we get going and let them continue with their day." Ms. Parks ushered both Olivia and Barba out and escorted them to the front of the school.

Holding the door open for her, he walked out after her. "I'm starving, how about some lunch?"

"You're paying?" She asked.

Barba raised a brow. "I'm paying?"

"Since we are engaged, the soon-to-be husband pays." Olivia jumped into the car before he could respond. "I'm craving Italian."

Barba open and closed his mouth a few times, but no words were formed. Climbing into the passenger seat he glanced over at her. "Does it bother you?"

"What?"

"The whole fiancé thing." He didn't wish to make her uncomfortable, but he also didn't want to deal with the idea of another woman showing interest his way. "I can always say we called it off."

Olivia shook her head, turning the engine on. "Seriously? A few minutes into the engagement and you already want to call it off?"

Barba chuckled. "I mean she seemed interested." He noticed the slightly irritated tap of her finger against the gear shifter. "But she isn't my type."

The tapping stopped. "What's your type?"

"The kind I'd take a bullet for." He laughed at the huff she gave.

"When do you have the interview at the restaurant?" She decided to change the subject before she asked something she shouldn't.

"They ask I stop by sometime this week for a demonstration." Barba replied. "They open next week."

"Do you kno-" Olivia was cut off by the ringing of her phone. Clicking the button on the wheel, she answered the call. "Yes?"

'Liv, where are you?'

"Elliot?"

'I'm at the address I was given. You aren't here.'

"I know I'm in the car. What are you doing there?"

'I'll tell you when you get here.'

"We are on our way to lunch."

'Oh? Where? I'll meet you there.'

Olivia was about to give him the name when Barba reached over and hung up the call. "Rafa?!"

"That man can't take a hint." Grabbing her phone, he opened Stabler's contact. "There."

Pulling into the parking lot of the restaurant she shut the engine off. "What did you do?"

Jumping out of the car Barba shrugged. "Just sent him a message is all."

Not believing him, she grabbed her phone and opened the messages.

'This is a date lunch.'

Rolling her eyes, she followed the Cuban lawyer into the restaurant. "Date?"

Open the door for her he paused. "I'm sorry?"

"Date lunch?" She held the phone up.

"Yes."

"I don't recall being asked." Turning away from him, she was pulled back and turned to face him. A silent gasp at how close she was to him. His eyes locked with hers in an intense gaze. "Rafa?"

"Would you like to have lunch with me?"

Hearing his voice become deep and gravel nearly had her on her knees. "J-Just lunch?"

"No." Leaning in closer to her, he inhaled her sweet perfume. "I was hoping maybe dinner as well."

"In hopes of what?" Olivia needed to hear him say it.

"No hope." Barba raised his hand to cup her face upon seeing her smile drop. "I have been by your side as a friend. Pushed away as your enemy. If you say yes, I am going in with the determination of something much more." Pulling her closer to him, he lingered for a moment. Seeing no rejection on her part Barba brushed his lips against hers. Testing the waters before capturing her lips in a deeper kiss. "So, the next time I call you my fiancé it won't be as a cover story, but because you wear a ring on your finger." Pulling back just enough to catch her gaze, he repeated the question from before.

"Yes."