"You were the love of my life, Liv."

Olivia's eyes widened. "Woah." She was not expecting him to say something so loaded. "That was a long time ago, Cassidy. I hope you're not mistaking my help as some kind of invitation to reconnect in that way. I've moved on."

"Tsk. Course you have. Cop or lawyer?"

Olivia leveled him with a look that said she wasn't answering.

Cassidy chuckled. "Alright, fair enough. Thank you for saving my skin."

"Don't make a habit of needing me to."

As Olivia walked away from that conversation, she found herself heading for Barba's.

"Hey, Liv! This is a pleasant surprise!" Without hesitation, he invited her in.

Olivia nodded, building herself up. "I need to tell you what happened, now that it's over."

Minutes later, they sat on his couch, Barba paying curious attention.

"It was really dumb of me," Olivia began emotionally. "I know that. So, please, let me get through this without interrupting…"

Barba nodded and took in her tale, leading up to what brought her to his door. He let out a long breath when she had finished. "Thank goodness I wasn't on the job for that." He shook his head. "But I have absolutely no room to judge."

"It was Cassidy," Olivia reminded.

"Oh, I know. But you did nothing wrong. You were protecting me legally by not telling me as it was happening. Aside from that, nothing happened. I know you didn't encourage him. I'd take a long time to get over you, too."

Olivia was confused, but it was a pleasant confusion. "That's it?"

"Do you want me to be mad at you? Be jealous?"

"No, I just… I didn't realize you have this much trust in me. I mean, the last person I seriously dated was Cassidy and -"

"And he's the kind of guy that flies into drunken rages and starts bar brawls. Probably territorial, too. You don't have to worry about that with me." Barba drew her into his arms. "You're safe. You're free. I don't expect or want you to change for me."

Olivia burrowed into his shoulder. "Can I stay with you tonight?"

"Of course. Have you eaten yet?"

"Not hungry," Olivia answered.

He frowned, but kissed the top of her head. "Alright, but that means you're eating breakfast with me in the morning."

"Oof, torture," Olivia joked.

He chuckled. That was more like it. He idly rubbed her back as he tucked his cheek atop her head, content to sit and hold her. He would gladly do just that as long as it took for her to feel how safe she truly was. Adorably, she fell asleep right there on the couch. He kept watch over her and only woke her when he knew Noah's bedtime was near.

"Hmm?"

"Sorry, but I know you'll want to call Noah and say goodnight." He didn't know which of the two, but Barba knew he was with either Lucy or Amanda.

"Mm, thank you." Olivia pecked his lips before fishing for her phone.

Later, in his bedroom, Olivia murmured, "Do you think Noah's ready?"

"For what?"

"To know about Mommy and Uncle Rafa."

He nearly choked on his own saliva and cleared his throat to cover it. "Well… You know he's probably going to ask about moving in, right? Are you ready to answer that?"

"I, for one, could use a change of scenery," Olivia admitted. She looked at him. "Are we ready for that?"

"It would need to be a whole new place within Noah's school district… That's going to be a big financial hit."

"Money aside, are we ready?"

"Too early to tell," Barba told her honestly. "But I did pick up an extra charger for your phone and bought you a toothbrush if you want a trial run."

Olivia smiled and melted. "I bought you a toothbrush, too. I wasn't going to say anything until after Noah knew, but…"

He kissed her sweetly. "Stay two nights."

"Rafa…" Olivia reached for her phone to make a few arrangements. She smiled as she returned it. "Better break out that charger."

Barba happily did so, plugging it in for her and connecting it to her phone. "This means you'll stay?"

Olivia nodded. "I think we can get through two nights without killing each other." She winked. "And maybe tonight we actually get under the covers."

"That might not be very comfortable fully clothed."

"Maybe I don't want to be."

Barba rose his eyebrows. "You're sure?"

"We'll keep the naughty bits covered."

He laughed. "You are the most adorable woman." He kissed her fondly. "You're sure you don't want to eat anything tonight?"

"I'll hold off 'til breakfast."

"Then I'll show you your new toothbrush and we can practice sharing the sink."

Olivia smiled. Never before had the concept of brushing her teeth given her butterflies. She followed his lead and was deeply grateful in her impromptu decision to come over. It felt like they had taken another step towards their future.

Back in the bedroom and stripped down to the essentials, Olivia drank in all that was always shielded by suits and suspenders. "You didn't answer my question."

"Uh…" Barba was thoroughly distracted by her form. She was even more beautiful for the mars and batterings the job and life had given her. "What was the question?"

"Telling Noah."

"Let's see how two nights in a row away from you goes for him first. If he's fine with that, I think he'll handle the news alright." He pulled the comforter down and gestured for her to get in first.

"Sounds good." Olivia slid into the bedding. She bit her lip. "Guess I'm not completely damaged goods yet?"

Barba blushed. Less clothing made his desire very obvious, especially when she also had less clothing. "Never." He joined her beneath the covers. "Sorry, is this going to bother you?"

"No," Olivia answered softly. She turned to face him. "You can't completely control it. And I'm flattered." She kissed his pink cheek. "You're very cute when you blush."

Barba embraced her, and that much skin on skin contact was a bit of a shock to both of their systems, and they gasped softly together.

Olivia kissed him, and chaste as it was, she still trembled with so much skin touching. It was a comfort to note she wasn't the only one.