"I could use some good news, Rafa. Got any to spare?" Olivia didn't want to think about her day. She wanted to think about Rafael's hopefully better day.

"You're in luck. I just got my client connected to an agency. The wheels are moving."

Olivia sighed in relief. "I'm so glad to hear that."

"What do you say to my coming over and making you and Noah some dinner tonight?"

"That sounds wonderful. I'll get things here wrapped up and be on my way."

"See you soon, Liv."

"See you." Olivia hung up and took in a deep breath, which she slowly released. When she saw Noah, she was going to give him the tightest hug. She gathered her things and locked up her office.

"Early day?" Amanda asked sympathetically.

"I could have saved that boy," Olivia choked out.

Amanda nodded. She placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Let me drive you, okay?" The last thing they needed was for her to get herself into an accident.

Olivia nodded. "Yeah, okay."

Rafael was already there when they arrived, but didn't yet have a key. He saw them pull in, and just the fact that Olivia wasn't the one driving told him a lot.

"Alright, Barba," Amanda broke the heaviness with humor. "Fix her." She lightly pressed Liv closer to him, hand at her shoulderblades.

Olivia laughed wetly, nearly tripping into Rafael thanks to Amanda's pushing. "Seriously, Amanda."

Rafael steadied her, holding her. "What do you people do to her all day?" he teased.

"Push all her buttons," Amanda teased back. She knew Olivia would tell him on her own terms. But she'd seen her safely delivered and had gotten her to laugh.

"Ain't that the damn truth," Olivia bemoaned.

"I've got it from here," Rafael assured. "Good to see you, Rollins."

"You too." Amanda took her leave.

"What are you doing outside?" Olivia asked when they were alone.

"Can't get in without a key, mi cariño."

Olivia blinked. "I'll have one made."

Once inside, Olivia dismissed Lucy for the night and then went straight to Noah, sweeping him into her arms and holding him tight.

"Hi, Mommy!"

Olivia pressed kisses to the top of his head. "Hi, my precious angel."

"Did work make you sad?"

It took all Olivia's strength not to sob right then. "Yes it did, sweetheart. But your hugs make it so much better." And then she melted as he kissed her cheek.

"I love you, Mommy."

Olivia bit her lip, turning her head away so he wouldn't see her tears. "I love you, Noah. So much." After she had put him down and emerged, she found Rafael already working away in the kitchen. She watched him for a few minutes before stepping up behind him, wrapping her arms around him from behind and hiding her face on the back of his shoulder.

Rafael worked with the position as best as he could and could only draw the conclusion that someone somehow connected to the case had died. When he was able to step away from the food, he turned in her arms and held her close. "It wasn't your fault, Liv," he murmured to her. "Whatever it was. It wasn't your fault."

Olivia shook her head, opened her mouth to speak, then any protests she would have made were stolen away by his kiss. It was enough. For the moment. "What are you making?" she murmured instead.

"Tacos."

Olivia laughed lightly. "You get to clean up Noah's mess with that one."

Rafael smiled. "Challenge accepted." He lightly kissed her forehead.

She managed a smile and reluctantly released him so she could have Noah start washing up for dinner and hear about his day. She briefly considered having him change into his pyjamas first, but thought better of it considering the potential mess.

"And she already knows all the numbers!"

"All of them? That's so many numbers! Who's this, again?"

"New girl. Her name's Amber. She's nice."

Olivia smiled. "Well, if she's new and nice, she's going to need a friend."

"I played with her at recess. She likes the jump rope. That's how I know about the numbers."

"I'm very happy to hear that." Olivia would much rather hear about him forming friendships than getting into fights. "Smells like dinner might be ready. Come on."

Noah moved at lightning speed when he spotted Rafael. "Uncle Rafa!" he cheered.

Rafael was lucky his reflexes were quick to catch the boy when he leaped up at him. "Hey, hombrecito!" He shifted him in his arms, adjusting for balance. "How are you?"

"Good! Are you going to help Mommy read with me tonight?"

Rafael looked at Olivia and smiled. "I could." He hugged Noah since he could and then lowered him back to his feet. "But first, it's time to eat."

That night, Noah sat between them. As Olivia predicted, the tacos caused a particular mess for Noah. But they were so very delicious. Olivia started to help with the mess anyway, but Rafael shooed it away. He wanted to show her that he could handle it. Olivia let him. Once Noah was off, she plopped a dollop of sour cream onto Rafael's nose.

"Missed a spot."

Rafael blinked in surprise and then quickly retaliated, returning the favor.

Olivia squealed. "Ah, it's cold!"

"Close your eyes."

Olivia grimaced, because she had no clue what he was planning. She closed her eyes, though, because she trusted him. Next thing she knew, he nuzzled her nose with his own, sour cream spreading and dripping until Olivia let out a cackle. "You are such a weirdo."

A moment later, Rafael grabbed a paper towel and cleared the sour cream from his own face and then from hers. "You can open your eyes, now." She did, and they sparkled.

Later, they took turns reading a couple pages of Noah's book to him and Eddy until he was asleep. After that, they got themselves ready for bed, sharing the bathroom well.

"I can drive you to work in the morning. I take it your car must still be there."

Olivia sighed. "Thank you."

"Coffee first?"

Olivia looked at him. "Always."

Rafael kissed the top of her head and moved into the bedroom. Olivia wasn't too far behind. "Do you want to tell me?"

Olivia bit her lip in thought. "First, I want to thank you for being here. It really helps."

"Tu eres mi familia. Siempre."

Olivia sat herself on his lap, kissing his temple while he enveloped her in his arms. "Remember that heart I told you about? The one I had to confiscate?"

Rafael nodded, knowing what she was about to say before she even said it.

"The boy it would have gone to died today. Which would have been hard enough if I hadn't met him. But I did."

"That's not fair," Rafael murmured. "I'm sorry." He kissed her shoulder, her neck, her lips.

Tears spilled from Olivia's eyes, but she took comfort from the kiss. "I keep thinking about Noah on both sides of it, and… Whatever keeps him safe and alive - those are the laws I want."

"You'd want him to get any organ he would need, but there would be absolute hell to pay if you weren't asked before his were taken."

"Exactly!"

"I understand." He cradled her cheek. "You did what you had to do, even if it tore you apart."

Olivia kissed his palm. "Is that how it felt when you were in that hospital room with the baby?"

"That is exactly how it felt."

Olivia kissed him so tenderly she felt his jaw quiver. "Lie down," she whispered. As their positions shifted and they got under the covers, she cradled his head against her chest to make it very clear that she was the one holding him and offering him comfort.

He was ever so quiet as he crumbled, but Olivia could feel his hot tears against her skin and his body quaking. She stroked his hair and his back over and over until he stilled. She thought he had fallen asleep until he eventually lifted his head. "How did you do that?" he rasped. "I was comforting you."

"Partners comfort each other." Olivia ran her thumb along his jaw. "You can always come to me. Please come to me."

Rafael kissed her. "I will."