Rafael woke feeling as if he was on fire. Taking a moment to adjust he felt rather than saw, Emma. She was still cuddled up to him. Her head on his chest, his arm holding her close. He looked at her carefully. How could one woman go through so much in a short amount of time and still be happy go lucky every day. He smoothed out the frown on her forehead and was surprised when she didn't wake. Gently stroking her cheek he woke up enough to realise it wasn't him who was burning up. It was her. Her face was puffy from crying so much but she was shivering slightly. Extracting himself from under her he placed his hand across her forehead. Subconsciously she leamed into the cold palm. Sighing he wrapped her up again, put on a t shirt and went out onto the balcony.

Holding his phone he called Liv's number.

'Raf? Every okay? You don't usually call this early.'

' Liv, did you know it was Emma's birthday yesterday?'

' No? I had no idea. Why?' Looking back through the window and making sure Emma was still asleep he answered.

' She called me crying late last night Liv. I found her down at Brooklyn bridge park having been there since the early hours of yesterday morning. She told me about her past. We were right.' Olivia was silent on the end of the phone.

'She stayed the night as at first i didn't want her alone but then she said she didn't either. But this morning she's running a fever, I'm not sure how high but she's feverish and shivering. She won't be able to come in. I've got court this afternoon but I'll stay with her this morning.'

'Alright, keep and eye on her and let me know if anything changes.' Rafael stood watching the sunrise. A little while later Emma opened the door and stood beside him, Resting her head on his shoulder she murmured

'Thank you Rafa.' In return he kissed her forehead and said.

' De nada Carino.'

'Em come on, you've got to eat something.'

' I'm not hungry,'

' Will you at least have a cup of tea?'

'Yes... wait what? Since when do you have tea?'

' Since you mentioned it at Liv's that night. I went out and bought some the next morning.' Emma stood on tiptoes and kisses his cheek. She then waltzed into the kitchen to make a cuppa. After waiting for the water to boil she made her drink, sat on the couch, took a sip and let out a deep sigh.

' All you need is to get a kettle and i will be moving in.' She had her eyes closed so didn't see the slight smile on his face.'

'Are you feeling any better?'

'Much, i feel pretty much back to normal.'

'Are you sure? Liv already knows you wont be in today. '

'Rafa honestly im fine.'

' Well I'd still rather you stay here today. I' have to run, I'm meant to be in court in 40 minutes. Promise me you'll rest?'

'I won't promise but I'll try.'

'Alright Carino, I'll see you later.' Giving her a kiss on her forehead he let himself out. He hoped she listened to him and stayed to rest but he had a feelin g that wouldn't be the case.

It was 2pm when Emma finally walked into the squad-room. She had tried to do what Barba had said but she was feeling antsy and embarrassed that she'd had yesterday off and now was sick. It was her own fault for being out so long. Fin looked up as she walked in.

'Emma? I thought Liv said you weren't coming in today?'

'Ah I'm alright fin, just a bit cold.' She had gone back to her apartment to get change and ended up wearing trousers and a sweater.

'Cold? it's like 80 degrees.'

'80? that's unliveable. Or do you mean Fahrenheit?'

'Anyway were not doing much, just paperwork.'

'mind if i join?'

' sure, knock yourself out.'

Once Emma had started typing at her desk Fin went to let Liv know she was there.

' How does she look fin? Barba said she was running a fever this morning.'

'Barba? how would he know? Is there something going on between those two?'

' Even if there were, it'd be none of our business. But as it happens they've become pretty solid friends.'

' Hey im not judging,'

' I know, but how is she?'

' Seems alright i guess, looks tired and says she's cold but other than that i can't see much wrong with her.'

' alright, keep an eye for me?'

' Sure Liv.'

Emma had been fighting with herself not to cough, but once she started she couldn't stop. Fin rubbed her back while Carisi handed her a drink.

'Thanks guys, I'm alright.'

' You sure you don't want me to drive you home Jones? You look a little pale.'

'I'm fine Carisi thanks.

It was 4pm when Emma started to feel worse. Standing up to go and get another drink, she stumbled. Fin looked up.

'Jones you good?...Jones?...Emma!' Fin caught her as she collapsed. Laying her down gently he felt her forehead.

'Liv! Somebody call a bus!' Olivia rushed out from her office, She tried to wake her up.

'Emma? Emma can you hear me? Hold on, we're getting help.'

Olivia rode with Emma in the ambulance, They'd out an oxygen mask on her and connected her up to the machines. She tried calling Rafael but it went straight to voicemail.

Rafael wiped his brow as the jury and judge filed out of the courtroom. Checking his phone he had 6 missed calls from Olivia. He looked up when he heard his name.

'Barba!' Fin made his way over and whispered in his ear.

' Emma's been taken into hospital. She collapsed in the squad-room, I thought I'd let you know.'

'What? what was she even doing there?'

'She said she felt okay but as time went on she looked worse and worse. I was about to offer again to take her home when she just fell to the floor.'

'Alright thanks fin.'

Barba tried not to rush, and if Fin noticed he'd walked a little quicker than usual he didn't mention it.

'Olivia!'

'Raf you're here.'

'How is she?'

'Doctors say she has pneumonia, probably from staying outside so long yesterday.'

'Damnit, i knew i shouldn't have left her this morning.'

'Rafael is there something you need to tell me? '

'No why?'

'It's just you two seem to be getting pretty close.'

' No nothings going on. Not yet at least.'

' But you can see something happening?'

' Maybe, not at the moment at least. I just feel she needs a friend that's all. And i enjoy her company.'

' Alright, you know i won't judge you even if something does happen right?'

'Yeah i know Liv, thanks.'

' I'll leave you to it. Let me know how she gets on.' As Olivia walked away a doctor walked lout of Emma's room.

' She's awake, you can see her now.' Rafael walked in to find Emma sitting up in bed, a hospital gown on but his coat over the top.

'What am i going to do with you?' Emma looked up but had the decency to look ashamed.

'I'm sorry, I thought i was well enough to go to work. I borrowed your coat. I hope you don't mind.'

It's fine, but i thought i told you to stay at home?'

' I didn't want to Rafa, too much quiet.' He opened his mouth to reply but the doctor walked back in.

'Right miss Jones, Here are your antibiotics, I do not expect to see you any time soon do you hear me?'

' Yes doctor, i apologise for all the trouble.'

' No trouble, just keep yourself healthy.' As the doctor left Emma went into the bathroom to get changed. Once she returned Rafael took her bag and held his arm out to her.'

'Come on, lets get home.'

' Yours or mine?'

'Mine, I'm not letting you out of my sight any time soon.'

After the journey home, Emma was exhausted. Rafael tucked her back into bed, watched her take her pills and put the tv on low in his bedroom. She shuffled aside to allow him to sit with her and without thinking he put his arm round her so she could lay against him. It didn't take long for either of them to fall asleep.

I took another 4 days for Emma to be back up and about. Barba had taken those 4 days leave and insisted she stay with him until she was back on her feet. Emma felt as if a weight had been lifted now that Rafa knew her secret. They found themselves divulging more things about their past to each other over the course of the week. They slept in the same bed, but Rafael never tried to make a move on her. For that she was grateful. She wanted to concentrate on her training and her exam that was in a few months. She couldn't explain how good he made her feel when they slept side by side. She felt safe being wrapped in his arms more often than not.

Things were on the mend.