The next morning Rafael stood by one of the three SUVs parked outside. His nerves were through the roof as he waited for Alina to bring Noah out. They wanted to wait until Barba was showered and changed. No need to scare the child even more. Bouncing from heel to heel, he ran a hand through his hair. What if Noah didn't want to see him? Angered by his betrayal as well? What if – he stopped mid-thought at hearing the front door squeak. Looking up he held his breath the moment Noah's eyes landed on him.

The boy was shocked, to say the least. His eyes widened as he realized who stood in front of him. "Raf-" His eyes filled with tears. Dropping the juice box in hand, he leaped off the porch and ran into the arms of the man he considered his father. "Dad!"

Catching the boy in his arms, Barba held on for dear life. Burying his face into his unruly curly hair. Tears streamed down his face, but he refused to care. He had Noah In his arms.

Safe.

"They said you were dead." Noah cried into his neck. His small hands gripped the back of his shirt. "But I never believed it!"

That stung. "I'm here Noah."

Noah suddenly pulled himself away, scowling up at the man. "You left us."

"Noah-"

"Lied to us! My mom cried for nights because of you!" The anger and pain he held for years were finally able to be expressed. Noah was beyond ecstatic to see him again. To know he wasn't dead, but he couldn't forgive him just as quickly. "My sister doesn't know you! She thinks her dad is dead! You-"

"I know." Barba quickly dropped to his knees scooping the boy into his arms. "I'm sorry." He tightens his hold at feeling Noah fight him. "Listen to me. I did not want to lie to either your mother or you. You will understand later, but I need you to trust in me."

"Don't leave us again." Noah gripped his shirt once more, burying it against his shoulder. "Promise me."

"Never again." Closing his eyes he held the boy even tighter. "I promise."

Station

"I hate police stations." Frank murmured beside him.

Billy rolled his eyes. "Then you should have stayed in the car."

"I'm not a dog."

Billy chuckled. "Of course not." Looking down at his phone, he checked the message he got from Alina. It was a picture of Noah and Barba hugging. Seemed the boy was thrilled to see Barba still on this earth. Let's hope his mother felt the same way.

Barba had asked him to come and pick Olivia up. They had talked all night trying to come up with the best option in telling her everything. In an effort to not give her a heart attack on the spot, they agreed the safe house would be best. Show her her son was safe and then tell her about Rafael. Cracking his neck he prepared himself for the next events. If anything he had read on her file and Barba had told him, this woman was stubborn as they came.

"Stay." Billy ordered, stepping off laughing at the flick of a finger Frank gave him. Straightening his coat, he turned into the bullpen. Detectives and officers scurried from one side to another. Officers passing files and notes to the detectives. There was a setup for calls coming in with hopes of getting any leads. Scanning the room he huffed at not being noticed. Seriously? He was a work of art and no one took notice. Walking up to one of the detectives. If his files were correct this was Detective Amaro. He cleared his throat. "Excuse me? Where can I find Olivia Benson?"

The man turned to him with a tired look. "Who's asking?"

"Billy."

"Billy..."

"Just Billy."

A look of irritation crossed his features. "Well, just Billy. The captain isn't seeing anyone right now."

"I'd like to hear that from her." Billy retorted.

Amaro sighed. "Look man, we don't have time for whatever you are here for. Especially for politics. Come back another time."

"Politics?" Billy was offended, glancing down at himself. "When have you ever seen a politic look as good as I do?"

Was this man a joke? Amaro wasn't sure what to think of him. "Come back another time. Olivia is not in the mood for visitors."

Seeing the man's eyes flicker to the office behind him, Billy grinned. "Well, let's see what we can do about that mood." Making a run for the office, he walked in before Amaro could stop him. Tossing him a victorious grin over his shoulder. "Captain Benson?"

Olivia looked up, raising a brow at the scene in front of her. Well dressed man in a suit that looked like it cost more than her loft. Amaro stood by the door glaring daggers at him, before sending her an apologetic look. "Yes?"

"I'm going to need you to come with me." His brows knitted together, clicking his tongue against his teeth. "I could have phrased that a little better."

"Excuse me?" Her eyes flicked to Amaro, who just shrugged. "Who are you?"

Giving her a small bow, he flashed her a charming smile. "Billy. Now if you will, please." He made a hand gesture towards the door.

Olivia shook her head, going back to the files in hand. She didn't have time for this. Her son was still out there. "Amaro please escort Mr...Billy, out."

Billy had promised Barba he wouldn't do anything or harm anyone. And he had kept his word. But the moment Amaro's hand landed on his shoulder Billy was unable to stop himself. The touch of another person was a trigger for him. Bringer of bad memories. Out of pure reflex, he grabbed the detective's arm, twisting it back. Kicking him behind the knee and pushing Amaro face-first against the wall. Before Olivia could do anything Billy removed the detective's gun from his holster. "Forgive me, I don't like being touched."

Olivia pulled her weapon, aiming it at Billy. "Drop the weapon."

Doing as he was told, he raised his hands to his head. "I was going to wait until you were in the car, but this puts a damper on things. So I'll just say it. We have your son."

"W-what?" Her arms trembled, but she refused to lower the gun. "You?! Why?!"

"Relax!" Billy feared she was the type to shoot and now ask questions later. Didn't help Barba prohibited him to bring his gun or knives. Calming her down it was. "He's safe. A mutual friend of ours called me to help find him. Noah has been with us since last night."

"What friend?" Thousands of questions floated in her mind. But the only thing she cared about was seeing Noah. Make sure he was safe. To have him in her arms again. "Where is he?"

"Safehouse." Billy responded. "Now, will you please put the gun down? I had no plans of getting shot at today." Lowering his hands as she lowered the gun he stepped to the side. "Please, come with me. We will take you to your son and. Everything will be explained to you at the safe house." Seeing the hesitation in her movements, he sighed. "I swear on what every holy being you believe in, I will not harm you."

Amaro looked up from his spot on the ground. "Liv, you can't trust him."

"I'm one of the few she can trust." Billy scoffed.

Standing up he rotated his shoulder, wincing at the prickly pain. "Then I'm going with her."

Billy shook his head. "No."

"Why the hell not?"

"Did you not hear where I'm taking her?" He stepped closer to Amaro. He knew just how hot-tempered the man was. And if there was something Billy enjoyed, was poking the bear. "Safehouse. One of my safe houses. I won't have it compromised."

"That is my captain." Amaro snarled.

"She's technically my family. That outranks you." Stepping back with a smug smile he grabbed the edges of his suit, buttoning it up. "She will be returned to you unharmed." He turned his head towards the woman. "After you."

Amaro stopped her with a grip on her arm, not noticing her wince. "It could be a trap." He was suddenly pushed back.

"Grab her like that again and you will be waking up in a hospital bed." Billy towered over him, his eyes darkening by the second. "If you're lucky."

Olivia took a step out her door, pausing for a moment. "It's Noah, I'm willing to take this risk."

Following the detective through the bullpen, he noticed all eyes on them. 'Now they take noticed.' "Frank, call the elevator." Stepping into the confined box, he gestured to his teammate. "Olivia Benson, this is Frank. Frank this is the captain."

"Just Frank?" She asked.

"Just Frank." Billy grinned at her.

Biting her lower lip, she glanced up at him. "How is Noah?"

"Anxious to see you." He replied. "Alina – one of mine – has been caring for him. He's been cleaned, fed, and rested." Dropping the careless act, he stared at her with utter sincerity. "I swear to you. He is unharmed and waiting for you. Everything will be explained to you after we get there." He paused for a moment. "An odd thing to ask, but please trust me."

She studied his unnatural dark eyes. They resembled a black void, waiting to suck you in. But they held no malice or treachery. "Okay." For a split second something flashed in his eyes. Almost as if he hadn't expected her to take his word. As if he was waiting for disappointment or hurt.

Billy gave her a slight bow. "Thank you."