Over the next few days, they were definitely kept busy. On top of several hearings, Rafael had a trial for a domestic violence case that had, unfortunately, gone south, and he'd lost when the victim herself had caved on the stand and lied. She's suddenly started defending her husband and saying it was a private matter and justifying everything. One of the few times he'd lost to Buchanan and it was definitely a bitter pill for him to swallow, as he knew the husband hadn't felt an ounce of remorse and was going to attack his wife again. He just hoped that she'd come to her senses before she ended up dead, like Micha Green had.

Sinclair's parents ended up being their own challenge, the father, in particular, acting overprotective and defensive. They had to repeatedly remind him to keep his temper in check as they were on the same side and that he needed to let them do their jobs and not jeopardize his daughter's case; that last part being what seemed to finally get through to him.

As for Levac, he quickly found himself charged with exactly what Rafael had intended. Multiple charges, definitely guaranteeing him some jail time.

The man had claimed that he didn't know the girl was underage. Tried to argue that the teen said that she was of age. Rafael just laughed at the legal aid attorney and told them they should do their job and inform their client that 'Mistake of Age' was not a legal defense in New York like in other states. Even if the man was telling the truth, which he wasn't.

They'd set up a meeting for right after lunch on thursday, given Rafael had several hearing and ither meetings to contend with that morning. Counsellor Marchand then tried to cut a deal, but it hadn't been a good one by any means. Still, Rafael decided to play nice. "I can take one count of Rape Two and one count of Criminal Sexual Act in the Second. Served consecutively."

"Make it Rape Three and all charges served concurrently."

Rafael raised an eyebrow. "Don't offend me," he sneered. "I'll see you in court."

"Get off your high horse, Barba."

Olivia raised an eyebrow at that, but said nothing, knowing Rafael was more than capable of handling his own.

"You're client's a child rapist," Rafael retorted. "The jury'll love to hear all about that, and I have three other strong girls that will testify to the fact." He shot the legal aid attorney a pointed look. "My deal stands until six o'clock. Choose wisely." He gave the man his signature smirk. "Tick tock."

Marchand quickly made a retort. "I'll keep you informed. In the meantime, I hope your day is as pleasant as your personality."

Rafael was actually amused at that comment, in spite of himself. "I've been called worse things by better people." With that, he walked out, casually going to pour himself a fresh coffee while the legal aid attorney conferred with his client, his wife following not far behind.

Rollins walked up. "That was hardball."

He raised an eyebrow. "I wasn't playing."

The blonde detective gave him a very pointed look. "Yeah, I got that. Do you think he'll take the deal?"

He tilted his chin up and set his jaw, a slight shrug of the shoulders immediately following. "What's the opposite of no?"

Olivia looked over at him, having just finished pouring her own cup of coffee. "Well, you're certainly in a mood today."

"Hey, I don't sugar coat anything," he quipped. "I'm not a bakery."

"Well, bless you're heart," Rollins said, lips turning upwards.

He smirked. "Why, thank you."

The blonde detective rolled her eyes, to little response from Rafael, who merely finished his cup of coffee before making a teasing comment about Carisi, who was walking up with the others.

Fin made a comment about something or other, but Rafael wasn't listening as his phone went off. It was Carmen.

She immediately explained then call she'd just gotten, inquiring about him, that seemed a little similar to the earlier hangups he'd used to get.

If anyone noticed that some of the colour left Rafael's face, they didn't comment. Rafael used years of practice to force a neutral expression, trying to sound nonchalant. Partly for himself and partly for Carmen's as she was audibly worried. Freaking out didn't help anyone. "And this guy didn't leave a number?"

The squad were paying close attention now, however, as he replied to his assistant. "Okay, Carmen, thank you." He rubbed his face. "No, I'll be at the office in an hour."

He got off the phone to see them looking at him, but Olivia was the first one to speak. "Everything ok?"

"Yes," he said. "Nothing to be concerned about." A lie, but they had no proof anything was continuing yet, let alone who was behind in. He wanted to be sure before he worried everyone over a silly phone call. "Just about a meeting later on."

Olivia looked a bit doubtful, but clearly opted to give him the benefit of the doubt, for the time being, at least.

Fin, however, wasn't so inclined, and neither was Rollins. Still, he managed to appease them enough for them to drop it.

The second half of the day wasn't any less busy than the first half. By three o'clock, Rafael was back at his office, getting some work related to other cases done while he waited for his next meeting at four o'clock.

The witness he needed to meet with, to conduct a face-finding issue on the case, showed up late with the father and sister. She ended up recanting some testimony and the father wash pushing her not to testify. A case he was definitely now concerned about the strength of.

He was genuinely considering not taking it to trial. It was looking more and more like it wouldn't make it past a Grand Jury.

Marchand had contacted him shortly after, taking the deal that Rafael had offered, which was a relief. One mess dealt with and he didn't have to put a bunch of teenage girls on the stand to discuss being raped.

He then had to contact one of the court clerks regarding hearing status of various cases and talk with McCoy, updating the District Attorney.

He'd been reviewing documents for the Levac case shortly after six, and making sure everything was in order for a plea and sentencing hearing, when his phone sounded, letting him know he had a text.

Expecting it to be someone from SVU he picked the phone up, pushing down the slight apprehension that he felt given the earlier phone call. He'd done well at hiding it, but he'd felt sick to his stomach the better part of the year he was receiving those death threats, and now after one call that didn't necessarily mean anything, that feeling was back. He felt a wave of relief when he saw it was a text from Liv. 'Hey, Rafa. Late night or can you step away from those dusty pages for the night?'

He quickly texted back. 'I can step away. The dusty pages of legal precedent will still be there in the morning.'

'Perfect. How do you feel about meeting at Follia for dinner? Feeling like Italian tonight. You can blame it on the seven year old.'

He chuckled softly as he typed a reply. 'Sure. I'll see you soon, Cariño.'