Authors Note: I've been a fan of SVU since it came on the air and have loved all the characters that have strolled in and out of the show. I was never bothered too much when a character departed, but damn, Barba leaving bummed me out. I always liked him and Liv together and didn't realize there was a name for it until now (Barson) LOL. I've been away from fanficdom for quite a while now, but his departure inspired me. I'm not the greatest writer and I'll accept any and all constructive criticism. I hope you enjoy.

It was a Monday morning and the squad sat around the conference table talking about yesterday's football games.

"I'm telling you, if Odell had been in the game, the Giants would have scored on that drive in the third quarter." Carisi didn't just bleed blue because he was a NYPD cop, he bled blue because he was a diehard Giants fan and he was in a great deal of pain watching the Giants season fall apart.

Fin enjoyed jerking Carisi's chain a little too much and playfully winked at Rollins as he said, "coulda, woulda Carisi."

Rollins declared, "My Falcons were lookin' pretty good yesterday, just sayin'."

Carisi laughed, "Oh please, the Falcons will never live down losing to the Patriot's last year. How do you blow that kind of a lead?!"

Barba was reviewing his notes – it was as if he was invisible to the rest of the squad. He in his world and they in theirs. Without looking up Barba chimed in, "It wouldn't have mattered if Odell wasn't injured, you can't move the ball if the offensive line can't give Eli time to throw."

Everyone dropped what they were doing/talking about and looked in disbelief towards Barba…he was a football fan?

One beat

Two beats

Three beats

Barba's eyes were drawn up by the sudden silence.

Finn looked at him with half amusement/half disbelief. The fact is everyone was thinking the same thing; they couldn't picture Barba watching anything beyond the PGA tour.

Finn chuckled, "you watched the game last night?"

Barba looked back down at his paperwork, he loathed their condescending looks, "I was up until Philadelphia upped their lead by 24 points, and that was it for me. Besides, I had to be here bright and early to meet…" he flipped a page in his notebook, "Lieutenant Thomson from the New Jersey State Police…"

He glanced over towards Liv, if he were honest to himself, she always made his heart beat a little faster, but he tried very hard to keep things professional and reveal very little about how he felt about her, but as each day passed it was becoming increasingly difficult. "As much as I enjoy coffee and all of your company, I do need to be in court in two hours."

"You forgot the donuts counselor, we're a full service squad here at SVU," Carisi chided as he took a bite of a donut.

Liv quickly shot a look at Carisi which said, 'don't get him started.' She looked at her watch, "I'm sorry Barba, she said she'd be here by 9:30 AM."

No sooner had those words left her mouth; Lieutenant Thomson was escorted into the squad room by a patrolman. He motioned in Liv's direction, the Lieutenant thanked him, and she confidentially walked towards Liv.

Old habits die hard, and Liv was sure she was like every other detective and instantly began evaluating the Lieutenant and she was not what she expected. She wore jeans, a fleece pullover, and hiking shoes. Most state troopers you could spot a mile away and yet she wasn't one of them. She was of medium height, average build and somewhat short hair which was spiked with gel. Lieutenant Thomson may have been comfortable and casual, but Liv sensed if she had to, she could take a perp down in less than 15 seconds.

Thomson outstretched her hand, "I am so incredibly sorry, my son informed me this morning he had a school bus trip and I had to drop him off at school. Mind you it was in the opposite direction of where I was going." She chuckled, "Mom of the year once again goes to me!"

"Not a problem Lieutenant let me introduce you to my squad." Liv steered her over to Finn, "this is my sergeant…"

That voice caught Barba's attention. He hadn't heard it in years. It stirred many emotions. He looked up and his stomach did a flip flop. It was her. If he could run he would, but he was cornered. She looked good, scratch that, she looked great. She barely had aged in 15 years. He'd recognize her anywhere.

"…and this is ADA Barba."

Liv immediately knew something was up. All the color had drained from Barba's face and if she were half the detective she thought she was, his hands were trembling.

"We've met…" Thomson interrupted, "Good to see you Rafael. You haven't changed one bit." She extended her hand and it hung for a moment too long before Barba reciprocated.

Liv could see the uneasiness in both their eyes.

"It's good to see you Linda. I'm afraid it's you that hasn't changed."

Liv didn't know what was going on but it was clear Barba and the Lieutenant knew each other and not only that, they were on a first name basis. A flash of jealousy washed over her and she quickly tried to bury it.

Thomson turned to face the screen hanging on the wall, she needed to get a grip and put her game face on. Not how she expected her day to turn out.

Thomson inserted her flash drive into the computer, and three mugshots popped up on the screen. "This is Lou Casasnovas, his brother Tom, and his girlfriend Marta…"

Barba watched her. He could see her lips moving, but he couldn't hear what she was saying. His head was spinning. Why her? Why now?

Liv glanced up from her notes, Barba was in a daze. She had worked with him for a while now and even spent time with him outside of work, but she had never seen him act so strangely before. She looked down at his clenched fists and knew he was about ready to explode.

Thomson flipped to the final screen, "We're hoping this information will help with your case. At the very least, it should be enough for a warrant."

All eyes were on Barba and yet all he could look at was Linda. He caught the glimmer of a diamond on her ring finger. She was married!

Lieutenant Thomson could feel Rafael's gaze. She knew he saw her ring and she unconsciously folded her arms, thus hiding her ring.

"…counselor?"

"Barba!"

Boom!

He had been transported a million miles away, but now he was back in the dingy NYPD squad room. He stood and began gathering his things, "not enough information. Get me more and maybe I can get Judge Miller to sign off on a warrant. I can't put my neck out for something like this." His hand waived towards the screen on the wall.

Lieutenant Thomson's hands were now on her hips, 'what the hell is he talking about? More information?'

Liv was confused and attempted to stop Barba from leaving, "All due respect counselor, but how much more do you need? We're handing this to you on a silver platter."

"When you or any of your detectives make it to the DA's office, then you can call the shots, until then it's my ass on the line."

With that he stormed out of the squad room.

Liv was at a loss for words. She hadn't seen that side of Barba before, but she suspected it had something to with the woman standing at the head of the table.