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Former ADA Rafael Barba stood with his back to Olivia Benson’s office door. He watched the city outside her window. His hands at his back holding each other.
The SVU captain tipped her head upon finding him. “Rafa?”
He glanced over his shoulder, a beam lifting half his mouth. “Hey. Could you close the door, please?”
Her furrowed brows deepened, but she complied. “Is everything okay?”
Facing her, the attorney lowered his gaze, studied his hands as his thumbs played with one another. His shoulders were tenser when their eyes met. He parted his lips, his features marked by creases. He had never seemed this old. He wet his mouth. “Olivia,” he shook his head. “Someone told me about the situation with Stabler.”
“What? What about him?” she placed her hands on her hips.
“You know what I’m talking about,” he said. “I heard Deputy Chief Garland has warned you to stay away from Stabler and his situation.”
“He’s an old friend,” she answered, her tone harder.
“And I respect that and how he had your back. But I also know you put yourself on the line for him numerous times before,” he said.
“As you’ve seen me do for Nick and for others on the squad,” she declared.
Rafael pressed his lips together. “You were both sent to a specialist because your closeness was questioned.”
“You don’t know what happened,” she shot.
“He came here and convinced to let you into an interrogation room where he shouldn’t be,” he said, stepping her way, holding her gaze. “This isn’t how you operate, captain. You threatened to arrest a Chicago sergeant because he was aggressive towards suspects. Elliot Stabler shouldn’t get a free pass.”
“His wife died.”
“And if it had been anyone else, you’d have forbidden them from getting in there anyway,” he insisted. “I don’t know what happened between you and Stabler, I wasn’t here to see it. But when one of your detectives comes to me asking me to intervene-- Liv, listen to them.”
“I appreciate the concern, counselor,” she said, passing him as she went to his desk. “But I can take care of myself.”
He spun, kept his eyes on her. “Everyone knows you do, this isn’t the topic here. Your squad cares about you, I care about you. I’ve been here with you for minutes and I already saw you make up excuses for him twice.” He shook his head. “This isn’t the Olivia Benson I know.”
“You don’t have to worry about me,” she said.
“I can’t help it,” he said.
“What do you want me to do, Rafael? To cut him out of my life when he needs someone to listen to him?” she questioned.
“You’re not his therapist, Olivia,” he said. “And he clearly didn’t have a problem cutting you out.”
She shot up. “This is most definitely not of your business, counselor.”
Barba blinked, his shoulders lowered. He shook his head, snorted to himself without humor. “Wow. Have you been seeing your therapist?”
“I have an appointment at the end of the week,” she said.
He nodded, sighed. “Good, perhaps you’ll listen to him.”
Benson narrowed her eyes at him. “It isn’t your place to talk about Stabler.”
He held her gaze. “No, it isn’t. But it’s my duty as your friend to try and make you see that you’re endangering yourself for someone who has caused you pain. I heard the stories, I saw you. You’ve changed a lot, Olivia, you’ve grown amazing every day and I learned so much from you. What would you say to me if Yelina had come back, what if she wanted to try again?”
She paused, swallowed.
“Exactly,” he said. “It might not be the same, but I know it hurt you a lot. The last thing I want for you is to see you get hurt again.”
“It’s my call to make,” she muttered.
“And it’s my call to warn you. I can’t back you up on this decision. You’re one of my closest friends, I can’t watch you do this to yourself.” He exhaled. “I need to go,” he rubbed his digits together. “Please, think about this, think about what you’re doing.”
He strode out of the office, leaving her to watch the phantom of his presence by the open door.