Olivia came home to a ringing phone, she sprinted to it, and answered it on the 4th ring. "Hello?" She hoped she didn't sound as tired as she felt.

"Olivia, where have you been? I called 4 times, once last night and 3 times today."

"At work." Olivia had been working for 2 days straight, and she wanted to get to bed. "Why are you calling, mother?" Olivia asked, trying hard to hold back a yawn she felt coming on.

"We had such a nice dinner, I thought we could have another one very soon." Serena answered. Olivia, now fought the urge to laugh, there was nothing nice about that dinner. "How about tomorrow night at 9?" Serena continued.

"I'm sorry, mother." Olivia replied, swiftly. "I can't, I have plans. As soon as the words left her mouth, Olivia regretted them. Why didn't she just say she was working at that time? "Mother, are you alright?"

"Yes." Serena answered. "I'm doing well."

"Good." Olivia said, "I'm glad, if you don't need me, I have to go. I'll try to call next week."

"Good-bye, Olivia." Serena hung up before Olivia could say another word. Olivia hung up the phone, and quickly picked it up again. She glanced at the white piece of paper she had placed next to the phone, a little over a week ago. She dialed the number printed on it. She put the receiver to her ear, and waited

"Hello?: A clear male voice answered on the 3rd ring.

"Barba, it's Olivia." She responded, quickly

"Olivia, how are you?" Rafael said, his voice upbeat.

"I'm good. Did I wake you?"

"It's 8PM. I'm working, but I'll take a break."

"How are you doing?" Olivia said, sympathy, and concern in her voice.

"You mean since my heart was thrown to the ground, stomped on, and given back to me in tiny little pieces?"

"Yeah, how are you since that happened?"

"I can hear the smile in your voice, Benson."

"I'm sorry, it's not funny, it's not what you said, it's how you said it." Olivia answered.

"Don't worry about it, I'm glad I can make you smile. How am I doing? Great as long as I keep working, I don't think about it."

"I hear you."

"How was your day? Rafael asked.

"How about we don't talk about my day or your ex?" Olivia asked.

"OK. " Rafael said, very slowly "I can try and make you laugh for the rest of this phone call.

"Give it your best shot, Barba, it won't be a long phone call. I have to get to bed."

"You're just getting in?" After how long?"

"2 days "

"Olivia, go to bed."

"I will, soon."

"I'm glad you called me."

"Me too, Barba. I have something to ask. What are you doing tomorrow at 9PM?"

"Hanging out with you."

"Thanks." Olivia said. For the next 10 minutes, Rafael Barba, and Olivia Benson laughed..

"Olivia?" Rafael said, when he was finally able to stop laughing.

"Yes"?

"May I have your number?"

"No", Olivia said, quickly. "I'll call you at 7:30, and tell you where to meet me, goodnight." She hung up before Barba could get out another word.