Olivia's first case back was a doozy, to say the least. A mother poisoning her own daughter for attention, the daughter fighting back with murder. Until it reached the point of murder, Olivia couldn't help but constantly be reminded of Sheila by the mother's demeanor. She was stunned when Barba revealed his 'mistake' to the court.

"That was a big risk," she told him.

"We all take our turns." He looked at her meaningfully. "You okay?"

Olivia laughed. "That's relative."

"Not an easy first case, that's all."

Olivia sighed. "They're never easy. But you're right, some are harder than others. Drinks?"

Barba was surprised, but glad she asked. "Definitely."

Soon enough, they sat at their usual bar in their usual spots.

"Have you decided what you're going to tell Noah?"

Olivia shook her head. "I don't know what to say that won't add to his trauma. He's five." She took a light sip of her drink.

"Have the nightmares stopped, at least?"

"His or mine?" Olivia deadpanned.

"Your choice."

Olivia sighed. "His have slowed down, but they haven't completely stopped."

"Well, he's a fighter. Just like his mother." He raised his own glass in a toast.

Olivia smiled tearfully. "Thanks." She let out a shaky exhale. "I'm just so tired of fighting, Rafa."

Barba lightly touched her wrist. "You're not alone," he reminded her.

Olivia looked at him for a moment. "Sorry, I was meaning to distract you."

"You are. Misery loves company."

Olivia started to take another sip when her phone went off. She put it down and looked at Barba apologetically. "It's Lucy," she announced before answering. It was a short conversation. "Sorry again. My boy's asking for me."

"No apologies necessary." Barba laid cash on the bartop. "I'll walk you home."

"You didn't even taste your drink."

Barba shrugged. "Drinking alone is for people who are lonely and sad. I prefer the company."

Olivia gave him a side eye as she chuckled. "Alright, then." She slid off her bar stool and Barba followed suit. She shivered as the night's chill hit her face. "Cold tonight."

Barba nodded in agreement. As they set off, they drew closer to each other without realizing it for the extra body heat. They walked in a companionable silence until coming upon standing water from a clogged sewer grate. Instinctively, Barba held his arm in front of her to block her path. "Careful."

Olivia stepped around the puddle, but the direction she chose was the middle of the street.

Barba caught her by the sleeve. "Not that way." He tugged her safely in the opposite direction, over soggy grass rather than asphalt.

Olivia looked back in the direction she had tried to take and shook her head. She wasn't drunk, but she was apparently tipsy enough that she nearly walked into traffic. "Seems I needed the escort after all."

Barba let the comment slide. There was no point telling her yet again that she was being too harsh on herself.

Soon enough, they reached her door unscathed. Olivia took out her phone, "I'm at the door, Luce." They soon heard the locks tumbling. Olivia looked at Barba. "Thank you. Sorry it got cut short."

"Happens. I'll see you around." Barba smiled at her.

"You let me know when you've gotten home safely," Olivia told him before stepping inside.

"Text or call?"

"Quick call," Olivia answered as she closed the door behind her.

Barba took his leave, pleasantly surprised.

Olivia ventured further inside. "Is Noah still awake?" she asked Lucy.

"Yes, he's been refusing going to sleep before seeing you."

"I didn't mean to be so late. Thank you. I'll take it from here." She checked the time. "And I'll double your pay for this last hour."

"Thank you." Lucy gave her hand a friendly squeeze. "Good night."

"Good night, Lucy." Olivia stayed behind to make sure everything was locked to her liking once Lucy had left. Then she made her way into Noah's bedroom. "Hey, little man! I'm sorry it's later than I promised."

Noah launched himself out of bed and clung to her in a hug. "It's okay, Mommy. You're here now."

Olivia picked him up and returned his hug, nice and tight. It took great effort not to burst into tears.

"You're squishing me, Mommy."

Olivia released her grip. "Sorry! Sorry." She placed him back down on his bed. "I just missed you a lot." She got him all tucked in. "How about a story? Oh. Where's Eddy?"

Noah glanced around and shrugged. "Don't know."

"Well, you can't sleep without your Eddy. I'll find him." Olivia kissed his cheek. She looked in the usual places before checking under the bed. "Aha!" She pulled out the stuffed elephant, brushed off some dust, and tucked it in alongside Noah. "There we are." She smiled at him.

"Story?"

Olivia gladly grabbed one of his favorites, barely needing to look at the words on the page thanks to how frequently she had already read it. At least the first half. She only made it a couple pages further when she noticed her boy had been lulled to sleep. She kissed his forehead softly. "Sweet dreams, Noah," she whispered to him.

She had just made it back to her own room when her cell rang. "Benson," she answered habitually.

"Barba. Safely returned home."

Olivia closed her eyes. "Thank you."

"Everything alright with Noah?"

Olivia smiled and at the same time there was a stinging in her throat. "Well, he pounced on me as soon as he saw me. Didn't want to sleep without seeing me first."

"Sounds like a five year old boy."

"I love him so much, it physically hurts."

"I know that, Liv," Barba replied softly. "All of us do." He hesitated, but ventured to ask anyway, "Are you getting any sleep tonight?"

"I don't know," Olivia choked out honestly.

"Would you like me to stay on the phone a bit longer?"

Olivia pushed back the instinctive, 'yes' and instead answered, "You've done more than enough tonight, Rafa. Get your rest."

"Alright. Good luck. I'll see you around."

"See you." Olivia hung up before covering her face with her hands. What was up with her?