Olivia woke first. She felt a bit stiff, but that didn't matter as her memory returned in a rush. Carefully, she lifted her head and spent a moment watching Barba sleeping beneath her to convince herself her memories were not simply wishful thinking dreams. Not only was he solid, she noted the peacefulness of his expression, and that made her smile. He deserved all the peaceful sleep in the world.

About ten more minutes passed by before Barba slowly woke. "Liv?" he sounded confused.

"I'm here," Olivia confirmed. "Just give it a minute." She knew when he fully remembered because that's when she could actually feel his heart begin to race yet again.

"And?" Barba asked, repeating that ever important question from the day before, searching Olivia's expression for any signs of regret or second thoughts.

"And the world is colorful," Olivia replied meaningfully. And if that wasn't clear enough, she kissed him softly. "Tu eres mi elefante."

Barba laughed. "¿Disculpe?"

"Noah sleeps best with Eddy, the possibly español elefante. Therefore…"

Barba smiled. "You're adorable."

Olivia smiled back. "Careful. I've got a reputation to uphold."

Barba framed Olivia's smiling face in his hands, and if it was even possible, that image deepened his feelings. He mentally recorded that precise moment for posterity. "Best way to wake up. Unfortunately, I need you to move so I can answer nature's call."

"Oh, sorry!" Olivia shifted herself off of him, not liking the instant loss of connection as she made the space for him to get up. What she liked even less was that she knew she had to leave soon and wasn't sure what to expect moving forward, aside from Sundays. Luckily, it was Friday morning.

Luckier still, Olivia hadn't been able to bring herself to move before Barba returned from the bathroom. "Will you let me scramble you some eggs before you go?"

Olivia smiled. "Scramble away."

Barba happily walked off to do so.

Olivia stretched and finally brought herself to move from the bed. She chuckled at the twisted comforter they had slept on top of rather than underneath. Then she followed the sounds of kitchen rummaging and watched Barba going about his task. Despite the kisses and the smiles, she still worried for him.

"Order up!" Barba slid the plate onto the island and placed a fork beside it. Olivia shook herself out of her trance and took a seat in front of it. "You alright?"

She looked at him. "Will you be?" She looked in his eyes. "When you're here with only yourself for company?"

"I'll do my best," Barba answered honestly.

Olivia's shoulders slumped. "Rafa…"

"Hey, now. Don't be so worried. But if you can't help it, you can always call. Any time, 24/7. Okay?"

Olivia nodded. "Okay. Thank you for the eggs."

"You are very welcome." Barba gave her shoulder a squeeze before returning to the stove to make his own eggs.

"These are delicious," Olivia murmured after the first bite. "What did you do to them?"

"Mustard," Barba answered.

"Mustard. Really?"

"Scout's honor." Soon enough, Barba sat beside her with his own plate. "Glad you like it."

Olivia affectionately bumped his shoulder with her own.

After their shared breakfast, Olivia made her way back to the bedroom to slide into her shoes and grab her phone.

"Can't forget this." Barba retrieved her coat and held it open so she could easily put her arms through.

Once her coat was on, Olivia embraced Barba tightly, which he returned in kind. It lingered as they each rode a rollercoaster of emotions.

"Let me know when you've gotten home safe. Or at least when you've collected Noah. I know how hectic it can be."

"I will." Olivia pressed one last, sweet kiss to his lips that was a promise of many more.

"Thank you so much again. I really owe you. Just… not on Sundays."

Amanda smirked. "Walks inside wearing yesterday's clothes and talking about religion."

Olivia snorted. "Not quite."

"Mommy!" Noah ran in.

Olivia bent enough to catch him and sweep him up into her arms. "There's my Noah." She brushed his hair out of his eyes. "How are you?"

"I'm okay, Mommy!" Noah chirped. "Missed you."

Olivia pressed kisses to his cheeks. "Mommy missed you, too. Wave bye to Auntie Amanda now. We need to get you to school."

"You're taking me?"

"That's the plan. Unless work really needs me." Olivia melted at his smile. She looked at Amanda. "So, last night…"

"Smooth sailing, Mama Bear. Have a good day at school, Noah!"

Noah twisted in his mother's arms to wave at Rollins. "Bye bye, Auntie Amanda!"

Amanda waved back. "Got everything?"

Olivia nodded. She spoiled Noah a bit by carrying him longer than necessary. Or perhaps it was for herself. "So, what did you and Auntie Amanda do last night?" She listened as he prattered away and couldn't help but conclude their night apart was for the best for both of them; she couldn't believe her luck.

So focused was she on Noah and racing against the crime clock to be the one to take him to school, Olivia didn't remember to check in until she had already dropped him off.

"Liv?"

"Sorry, I got to Noah and decided to take him to school instead of Lucy if I could without a work call. I just dropped him off."

"That's great! You don't need to apologize. Noah is first priority."

"Yes… You did sound worried, though."

"I suppose we'll just have to get used to worrying about each other a little extra. And being worried about."

Olivia chuckled. "Comes with the territory, I suppose." There was a beep that told her another call was coming in. "Looks like I made perfect timing, duty calls."

"Good luck. Stay safe."

"You too." She disconnected with Barba to answer the other call, "Benson… Detective who?"