Olivia's sitting at her desk, furiously pounding away at the keys of her laptop. It's been a shit week, an even shittier few months, and she's wrecked. She's trying to unload it all before heading home to Noah, to release some of the built-up tension of this case and life in general. She tries so hard to be this supermom, to shed the perils of the job at the threshold of her doorway and be in the moment for her son, but lately that's becoming more and more difficult. Noah is smart, almost too smart, and he picks up on her hidden moods immediately. Honesty is a challenge as of late, Noah questions her on everything, and she just needs some time to decompress. She's struggling, so she's here, in the safety of her office, taking her emotions out on a few carefully worded emails to McGrath.

So when there are two sharp knocks on her office door and the handle is already turning before she can offer permission to enter, she's whipping her glasses off in frustration, ready to do battle. But then a stupid, cocky grin peeks from around the corner, and she smirks and rolls her eyes.

"I didn't realize we had a meeting, counselor."

"I brought you coffee. Thought maybe we could talk?"

"And you chose to barge in? Typical Rafa."

"Would you have seen me if I texted ahead of time? Since you haven't responded to any of my messages since the trial, I figured this was the only way."

She stares at him until she finally sighs and relents. He grins again and takes a seat as if he belongs in her office, and he really truly does. It's like old times again. She could never resist that damn Barba smile, and he knows it.

They sit in a comfortable silence as she enjoys her peace offering. Rafa always knew the best way to her heart, a spectacular cup of coffee after a hell of a day.

"I heard your laptop taking a beating. Tough day?"

She scoffs "Tough year."

"Liv, do you understand why I did it?"

She nods slowly before meeting his eyes. "I do, Rafa. It just doesn't make it hurt any less."

"Another defense lawyer would have crucified you on the stand. It would have hurt the department's credibility, would have hurt Stabler's credibility. And I didn't want to see you go through more pain. Revisit those demons. I had to do it, Liv. I had to pour my heart and soul into it in order to keep you safe."

"I could've handled it."

"Could you? Would you have really been fine going through it all with Stabler's entire family sitting there? Does he even know what happened to you while he was traipsing around Italy?"

She glares at him and he stops and sighs in frustration. He knows he's crossing lines and boundaries he has no right to attack, and her look reminds him of that. She takes another sip of coffee before quietly gathering her thoughts. "It didn't have to come off as such a stinging betrayal. I've had enough of that to last a lifetime, thank you very much."

"I'd never betray you, Liv. You know that."

"You betrayed Elliot. It feels exactly the same."

"You love him." It's a statement, not a question, and Liv hates how much of a lawyer he is.

"I do. But I love you too. You're my best friend."

"I know." He erupts into laughter. "God, Liv, you must be an absolute ballbuster with him right now if this is how you've treated me."

She crinkles up a rogue Post-It note and lobs it in his direction. "Oh, stop it!"

"Give him hell, Liv. Anyone that could love you this much and leave you for this long deserves your wrath."

Now she laughs freely, missing the enjoyment of the bluster and beauty that defines her bond with Rafael Barba. "Got any dinner plans?"

"As a matter of fact, I do. I'm taking the two best people I know out for pizza. I believe it's a picky nine year-old's favorite meal."

She grins, feeling the remnants of the day melting off of her. While the stressors of her life will still be there waiting for her, having her friend back is a warmth she needed now more than ever.

"He'd love that. I'd love that."

"After you, Captain."