An: Hello! This is my very first time writing a fic for the Barson pairing. I really don't want to give any of the plot away by giving you too many details at the moment. I will say that this is a short Valentine's Day story, and I really hope you all enjoy it! I'd absolutely love some feedback. Love y'all!
Disclaimer: I do not own Law and Order SVU or the characters.
"Good job, counselor. You nailed the guy" Carisi congratulated the A.D.A. The case had proved to be quite a challenge throughout the week; two of their three witnesses were unable to pick the perp out of a lineup, followed by a video of their drunk victim stripping for a group of men at the party where she was raped surfacing only a day before the trial began. Somehow, Rafael Barba had managed to reveal the defendant's true colors to the jury and get a conviction.
"Thanks" Barba nodded curtly. He was starting to warm up to the young detective, but he would never admit that. He made his way to the elevator, noticing a familiar figure out of the corner of his eyes.
"Lieutenant" He greeted with a small smile. She looked like she had had a long day and was a bit flustered, but he knew better than to press her for information.
"I tried to get here for the verdict, but we caught another case" She explained.
"Never ends, does it?" He asked as they stepped into the elevator, standing shoulder to shoulder.
"Tell me about it" She sighed. Her phone began to ring, distracting her for a moment.
"Benson".
He gratefully used the opportunity he had been given to look over her profile. Her adorable little nose caught his eye first. Then her pouty lips and the way their corners curved up when she smiled. And those eyes…
"What?" She asked, feeling his eyes on her.
"Nothing".
"Are you sure? You looked pretty out there for a second".
"I'm fine. Great even" He assured. When did he become an awkward teenaged boy around her?
"Okay then...I'll see you tonight". She walked out of the elevator, making him realize that it had been stopped on the main floor. He quickly got out of the courthouse and down the street, needing the distance to think properly. His feelings for Olivia had grown exponentially for the last several months, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to hold a conversation with her without getting tongue tied or just looking stupid in general. He tried, and mostly succeeded, to keep conversations strictly professional. At the same time, he absolutely loved to joke around with the usually serious and stern lieutenant.
If only he had the courage to tell her…
"Hola, mami" Rafael said as he entered his mother's apartment. It was a small and humble place, but he felt like he was home when he was there. Although his work schedule was crazy, he made sure that he had time to sit down and eat with his mother, Lucia, at least once a week. The both of them needed the time to forget about the stress of work and life in general and just chat while enjoying food. This week he wanted to take her out for a nice dinner at one of her favorite places.
"Rafi, come here" She ordered, opening her arms to her son. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing mami. Just some work stuff" He lied. He couldn't get Olivia off of his mind and he was sure that it would drive him crazy.
"Sit down and tell me the truth or we aren't going anywhere" Lucia threatened with a bit of a smile. It was like when he was a child all over again. He sighed, but did as she was told.
He had told his mother about Olivia before, but only as a co worker. Actually, it had started with him complaining to her about how snarky the captain was and her complete disregard of the law at times of emergency. Over the years, he found himself telling his mother about something funny the brunette said or how wonderful she was with victims. Lucia always sat quietly and listened, but by the smile on her face though, he could tell that she suspected there was more to it.
"What's troubling you?"
"I'm serious, it's nothing big".
"Then why are you making a big deal out of it?"
She had him there.
"I don't know how to talk to Olivia anymore" He started. "I either get caught staring or say something stupid every time I'm with her". Lucia gave him a knowing look, but kept quiet so he could continue. "Today I was too busy looking at her to notice that the elevator had arrived at the floor I needed".
"Sounds like you're in love" Lucia commented.
He hadn't thought about his feelings that much. Was he in love with Olivia? It was very possible…
"Can we get dinner now? I have to go over a testimony later".
"With Olivia?"
"Yes, mami, with Olivia".
"Oh, I picked something up for you today" Lucia remembered. She opened one of the cabinets and reached for a box on the middle shelf. The box was red and covered in what looked like Chinese symbols.
"They're cookies. You'll love them" She insisted.
"Thank you".
"Hey Barba, come on in".
He carefully avoided the hundreds of little toys that littered the living room floor as he made his way to the couch. The floor hadn't seen the light of day since Noah's adoption had been finalized. What was the point of cleaning up tons of toys every day when he was just going to destroy the room again the next day?
"Noah, say hi to Barba" Olivia told her son, who was too busy playing with his fire truck to notice their guest.
"Hi" The little one said, briefly looking at him before turning back to his toys.
"I'll have to get him to bed soon or he'll start to get cranky, so let's get started".
They went over her testimony a couple of times, taking a couple of moments to just talk in between runs. Noah started to whine, signaling the end of their work. Rafael was gathering his papers when Olivia emerged from Noah's room with a smile on her face.
"He is out like a light. As soon as he was in the crib, he passed out".
"Sounds like someone was playing too hard". He had all of his stuff together, which meant it was time for him to head out.
"You want a glass of wine? I know I could use one" Olivia offered, already making her way to the kitchen. He was happy to stay a little longer. "Are you hungry? I don't really have anything to snack on, but I'm sure I could find something around here".
Remembering the cookies his mother gave him, Rafael reached into his bag. "Don't worry, I've got that covered". She handed him a glass and sat down on the couch, making herself nice and comfortable. He offered her a cookie and she gladly accepted.
"Wow...this is a really good cookie".
He bit down on his, immediately agreeing. "I'm going to have to ask my mother where she got these".
"Please do. They're really good".
He noticed that there were a lot of cookies in the box. He wouldn't be able to eat all of them by himself.
"Why don't I leave some of these here? There's too many for just me. Besides, I've got to watch my figure" He joked.
"And it's okay if I make mine worse?"
"Oh stop that, you have a perfect figure".
Olivia blushed at the compliment. He had complimented her before, but only about the job. He had never commented on her physically, and she didn't know how to feel about it now that he had. She reached over him to grab another cookie, chuckling when he snagged it out of her hand.
"That one's mine. Get your own" She said, taking back her sweet treat.
They sat snacking on cookies and sipping on wine for another hour or so, nearly forgetting that they both had to be up early the next day. Throughout their time together, Olivia had moved closer to him on the couch. Instinctively, he put his arm around her shoulders. He was surprised when she didn't move or push him away, but he wasn't complaining.
"Do you feel...different?"
He nodded. He couldn't describe it….
"Do you feel different?" He asked her, wondering if she was feeling the same thing he was.
"Yeah" She sighed. "I feel...I feel good. Really, really good". Her eyes were locked on his lips in a heated stare. She slowly moved closer, until there was only a few millimeters between them. Her lips hovered dangerously close over his. He was ready to close the remaining distance, but a loud cry followed by a teary "Mommy" interrupted him.
"I should get going" He said, but made no effort to move.
"I should get him". She stood up, grabbing their now empty wine glasses and taking them to the sink.
He finally stood and grabbed his bag. "Do you want me to leave some of these here?"
"If you don't mind".
He smiled and separated what was left of the box into halves.
"I'll see you tomorrow".
Olivia laid in bed, staring at her ceiling. She couldn't sleep. Her mind was too busy thinking over the events of the day. How had a completely normal day ended with her almost kissing the A.D.A?
Of course she found him attractive. He was smart, witty, and the man knew how to dress. Most of all, he would work his ass off to make sure their victims were comfortable and the perps got the punishments they deserved. She had found herself becoming more and more attracted to him lately, but tonight was just...odd. It felt like she had lost control. But he had smelled so good and looked so nice…
She sighed and turned on to her stomach, clutching her pillow in her arms. She wanted Rafael, but she didn't know what to do. She closed her eyes, ready to try to sleep a little bit.
An: Should I continue? Questions, comments, or concerns?
