This time she found him, it was his turn to be sitting in a bar, there was something obvious wrong, but Olivia couldn't tell, he hid his emotions too well. She walked up to the stool behind him and sat down, he sensed her presence and turned towards her, at the same time she directed her gaze towards him.

"Barba you up for a squabble?" He chuckled at her choice of words as he remember their discussion just earlier in the week.

"Benson, I uh, I found out my grandmother passed," he stumbled, unsure of his words.

"Oh, Rafael I'm so sorry," she replied placing her hand on his shoulder.

"I know it's wrong, but I can't help but think that if I didn't push her so hard to get out of her home, maybe she would still be here and I know it's ridiculous," Barba sighed.

"Hey, never blame yourself, you did what you did to help her and that's all you can do, blaming yourself won't help you at all, like I said you're a good grandson and I mean that truly."

"Liv, you know, I'm grateful for this pep up, but my mother, the look she gave me when she told me, I can tell she blames herself, but also me for trying to move her away from the place she loves," Barba sighed.

"I'm sure that isn't true," Olivia tried to soothe him.

"But you didn't see her," he said angrily, which made her jump slightly.

"I'm sorry Liv " he looked up at her and she saw a small tear forming in the corner of his eyes.

"It's ok, I understand, I know what it's like to feel responsible for the death of someone you love," Olivia sighed.

"How so?"

"Well, I'm the product of a rape my mother suffered," she started.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push," Rafael said.

"You need to stop apologizing, I'm working through the guilt. Anyways, when I was young I remember my mother drinking heavily on a daily basis, one day she would scream at me and the next she was crying and hugging me. When I found out about my father, I understood how hard it was for her to see me and see my father in me. He was still out there and she had to live with that and the only way she could was by drinking. She died because she was drunk and had an accident and she died."

"Liv, I'm-," he stopped himself before finishing.

"I know you are but Rafael I learned how to deal with the guilt and eventually you will too," she smiled.

"Stay and have a few drinks with me, I'm paying."

"How could I refuse a deal like that," Olivia laughed.

As he order her wine and another scotch for himself Olivia slid her coat off and set it on her lap.

"You know Benson, you have some strange talent of finding me in bars," Barba joked.

"What can I say, I'm a trained officer. Well actually tonight was a coincidence, but I'm glad I ran into you."

"Well, I'm glad you found me, other wise I would be drunk off my ass and fumbling my way home," Barba laughed.

"Gee thanks, glad I could be of service."

"That's not what I meant."

"Barba you need to loosen up a bit, all this sincerity is strange, should I be worried," Olivia joked.

"Call a bus," he said sarcastically.

"That's my line," she replied smiling.

"In all seriousness, you're a good friend Liv."

"You definitely had a lot drinks," Olivia said laughing.

"I'm serious."

"I know, but so are you, you've helped me win cases, you've had my back, helped me through Lewis' trial, helped me adopt Noah, and fight to keep him," Olivia spoke looking directly at him.

"You make me sound ethical," he laughed.

"I'm serious too, and you are, at least behind your charming class," She replied sarcastically.

"Oh charming class?"

"That wasn't me being serious," she laughed.

"I'll remember that Benson."

As they sipped their drinks Olivia noticed a blonde looking over at Barba, she chuckled and Barba glanced at her and asked,

"I know it's not my charm, so what are you laughing at?"

"There's a blonde over at the end of the bar who keeps looking over at you."

"Like you said my personal life is 'dull for such a vibrant man' and besides, blondes aren't my preferred choice," he laughed.

"Oh, so what is?"

"Brunettes," he smiled winking.

Olivia's face grew red at his remark and she knew he was laughing about it, despite his efforts to hide it. Then Olivia saw her chance to embarrass him,

"Well counselor, you appear to be her 'preferred choice' because here she comes."

Olivia smiled as the woman approached as she began flirting with him he looked over at Olivia, know what she was up to.

"Hey handsome," the blonde spoke.

"Hi," Barba spoke back in a casual tone.

"You mind if I stay and chat?"

"Well, you see mi amor is right here," Barba said leaning back showing Olivia, who was shocked.

"Oh my god I'm sorry I didn't realize you were off the market," the blonde said turning to leave.

"Barba that wasn't funny," Olivia said.

"I find it quite comedic," he replied laughing.

"You're such an ass," she said slapping him gently on the shoulder.

"I know," he smirked.

"Well I'm out of jokes for the night, but I'll see you at work," Olivia said as she got ready to leave.

"I'll walk you out."

They walked out of the bar together and Barba hailed her a cab.

"Thanks," Olivia said getting into the car.

"Tell Noah I said hi," Rafael smiled.

"I will, mi amor," this time Olivia smiled as she saw his face turn a slight shade of red.

"Very funny Sergeant."

"I know," she said winking.

"Sabelotodo."

"Well I did learn from the biggest smart ass I know."

"Damn I forget you can understand," he smiled as her cab.