Happy 2021, everyone! I hope it's going well so far! Before we get to the official start of the chapter, I just want to thank everyone who has followed, favorited, and commented since my last update. It truly means a lot to me that you take the time out of your day to let me know how you feel about this story. Ya'll are so wonderful. Anyway, here is the latest chapter! Let me know what you think? -N
Annabelle sat at her desk in the Manhattan svu precinct typing furiously at her computer keys as she searched for possible leads on her current missing person's case. She barely glanced up as her husband walked in, just giving him a small smile before returning her frame to the screen. "Liv."
The brunette kept walking when the attorney spoke, "please don't tell me it's going to be okay."
"Could this have anything to do with the job?" The panic was clear in his voice as he posed the question, gaining his wife's attention as he leaned against her wooden desk.
She shrugged, "it's more than that. It isn't if we get threats, it's when do we take them seriously and which ones. It's grudges."
"Jesus," he muttered before squeezing her blazer covered shoulder and going towards Olivia again.
She let her eyes follow him as he walked, flinching when her laptop dinged, "Fin? Your barcode came back. Awesome Baby at 143 Nineth in Chelsea."
"Carisi, go. I'll tell Liv, make sure you call Anna when you know something."
—-xxx—
She was taking a sip of her third iced coffee of the day when her phone ring, "that was quicker than I thought."
"Sheila took Noah."
"What?!" Her eyes flickered around the room, noticing how officers were looking in her direction, making her lower her voice, "are you sure?"
"absolutely. I'm on my way back. "
He stood up, making eye contact with Fin, who confusedly mirrored her actions, "I'll handle Liv." Hanging up she ran into the office of her superior, "Shelia did it."
The lieutenant flew up from her seat to glance towards a noun empty holding room, before out into the pit, "where is she? Shelia!"
Fin answered, "she said she was going home. Didn't wanna bother you. "
"Come on."
"What happened?"
"I'll tell you on the way. Anna, take charge."
The youngest squad member's eyed widened momentarily before snapping out of her shock to address the room, "we need an APB out on Sheila Porter. She is responsible for the kidnapping of Noah Benson. Track herself. Her car. Everything. "
—-xxx—-
"Hey" Annabelle left her spot to stand next to Carisi, "she's gone dark. Last call was made this morning and TARU is tracking, but we think it's turned off."
"Credit cards?"
"Nothing since yesterday at 1:12pm," Amanda chimed in.
"Emptied her bank account, too."
"New Hampshire police checked out her house, but said it's been empty three months."
"That's when she showed up here," Olivia filled in as she walked into the room.
"They're sitting on the house in case she shows up."
"Okay. What about a car?"
"The only one registered in her name is at her house."
Annabelle spoke up again, happy to no longer be in charge, "and we are checking rentals, airports, everything. "
"And we've notified state police."
"Great. Which state?" The three members of the squad just looked at each other as their Lieutenant walked away.
Annabelle Barba: Liv needs a friend. Now.
Ten minutes after he received the text, Rafael Barba came strolling in with an iced coffee, which he silently placed on her desk before walking towards and into Olivia's office.
—xxx—-
"Annabelle, let's go."
She glanced at Rafael as he rushed from Olivia's office, "what?"
"Come on. Move."
Shorting a look at fin, she grabbed her coat before following her husband, "explain?"
"We're going to see Susan Janet."
The ride to Susan Janet's office was quiet except for Annabelle talking to Tyler about staying over to take care of Catalina, as this was not a case, they wanted to bring the toddler into the precinct for. The couple stood in the lobby of a smaller building for a bit, before an older lady in a tweed skirt walked in, "I really don't have time for this, Rafael."
The Cuban followed her steps, "give me what I need, and you'll be rid of me."
"You know I can't talk about anything a client tells me, unless there's a damn good reason."
"Noah Benson was kidnapped by Shelia Porter."
"Do you have proof of that?"
"I do," he spoke as he shut the white painted door after the two women had entered the cluttered office.
"Woah. You don't...you don't think I actually embedded— "
"Of course not. What I need is the name of the investigator that referred Sheila to you."
"That's privileged communication."
"Come on, Susan. You know how this is gonna go."
"Yeah, I could be disbarred."
"I'm going to file a motion—-"
Annabelle stepped closer into the conversation, cutting off her husband's sentence, "you can tell us now. Or after we get a judge on our side. This is easier, because if one single hair is out of place on Noah Benson's head and you're withholding information from us, no one will protect you from me "
"Are you threatening me?"
"You're damn right, I am."
—xxx—-
The next day Annabel was in the precinct trying to find any online information about Sheila Porter, while Carisi and Rollins had gone to New Hampshire to follow a possible lead from the name Susan Janet had given them. "Cummings? Huh, Shelia had a sister name Sarah Cummings."
"The cabin. It's in Frankconia, New Hampshire," Fin stated, rising to go talk to Olivia.
—-xxx—
Annabelle gasped, shooting up in bed. Taking a moment to catch her breaths to still her frantically beating heart, she glanced over at her husband who was still sleeping soundly, before slowly getting out of bed to check on her four-year-old daughter. A month ago, Sheila Porter kidnapped Noah Benson. Luckily, it turned out okay, and Sheila was getting the help that she needed. Two days after Noah was saved, the notes began showing up again.
When Annabelle was teaching English, before following the police path she had dreamed of since childhood, someone kept leaving notes for her. On essays, in her office, sometimes they randomly found their way into her bag. They ranged from being annoying and sarcastic to be threatening and creepy, but when she left Hudson the notes quit. When they started up again, they no longer were just about her, now they included facts about her daughter, and it is fully making her a bit more paranoid than she should be, but it's a big house and it's full of hiding places.
The detective sat in the rocking chair in the corner of Catalina's bedroom as the toddler slept soundly in her big girl bed, the Winnie the Pooh sheets wrinkling as she moved about, until the sounds of Rafael getting up from bed reached her ears, making her notice the sun had risen. Smoothing the dark hair over Catalina's head, she left the room to get ready for the day. Annabelle was filling out paperwork from last week when the call came in about a protest at the Hudson campus. "Let's head out."
"Who you want?"
"Everyone." Her eyes widened momentarily, imagining an out of hand orgy of some sort before she grabbed her wool coat to cover her navy-blue shirt. "Do we know what happened?" She questioned as the squad of five gathered into the elevator.
"an attack at a protest against liberals."
"Against? Aren't those the ones who usually do the protests?" Annabelle gave a half shrug at Fin's words, allowing Rollins to start up a conversation on a different topic.
Not long later, the group was walking across the grounds led by a campus cop, Annabelle vaguely listening as he spoke, but eyes flickering around the quad, taking in the damage and trash littering the grass and cement. "Where are all the witnesses?" Fin's voice at her ear broke her out of her own mind, quickly pulling her fully back into the conversation at hand.
"Taskforce didn't know it happened. Sent everyone away. Bodyguard was knocked out. He's with the emts."
"I'll go check on him," Carisi spoke as he pulled away, hand sliding across Annabelle's shoulders slight, as if he knew where her thoughts were truly at.
Her eyes flickered to the trio in blue windbreakers, Fin speaking her thoughts, "TARU must have this mess on videotape," before he left as well, basically forcing Annabelle to continue with Olivia and Rollins as they entered a hallway still outside, the bricks duller than they were a couple of years ago.
"Miss Cobb, can you hear me," Olivia questioned the blonde who laid atop the stretcher.
"She's been in and out," the emt replied, adjusting something she had placed on Martha Cobb's arm.
"Hit over the head?" Amanda pulled her phone from her pocket as she spoke.
"Might be brain injury. We better get going."
Olivia nodded at the female emt, before following behind to join them inside the ambulance. "I'm going to look for a witness…or twelve," Annabelle did her best to hide her frustration before walking away from the older detective. The female Barba walked silently as she roamed her former campus, looking around at anyone she passed, for signs of having been at the protest turned riot. Following a small trail of broken signs, she found her way inside the English building, lips turning up slightly as she recalled her favorite memories inside these classrooms and with her former students. She paused outside of the office that was previously hers, running a hand over the door, she jumped when it opened, a man appearing in front of her. "Whoa. Sorry."
"Can I help you?"
"Oh no, I was just," she broke off as noticed the room was no longer painted the light blue that she had it, "never mind. Sorry to bother you."
"Alright, Annabelle?"
She shot him a small smile, "have a good day." Turns out the professor would be the only person she spoke to that day, as by the time she made it back to the quad, it was fully cleared out. Students were no longer lingering around, TARU was no longer collecting evidence, and she was once again alone before realizing that the squad had already left to go back to the precinct.
She walked in to hear Fin say, "she's a troll, Amanda."
"Sure, but the more you dismiss her, the more you emboldened her supporters."
"Okay. We've gotta pick this up another time. Or never. Cause the DNA just came in," Olivia spoke as she read the message on her phone. "The DNA recovered from under Martha Cobb's fingernails is a match to Justin Vichinsky…who was arrested last month at an anti-Trump rally in Jersey."
"I recognize that dude," Fin pulled a photo from the wall they had created of people in the crowd, Justin's hair and eyes were obvious although the rest of his face was covered by a black and white bandana.
"White guys thinks he's Bob Marley," Carisi snorted in amusement.
Fin finished with a smirk, "without the good vibrations."
Annabelle made a face at the comment as she continued to type away on the newest iPhone, something she had been teased about by Carisi ever since Rafael had gotten it for her in September last year when it debuted. "Got him. Indian Road Café."
-xXx-
The morning of Justin Vichinsky's arraignment Annabelle woke up to see her husband already gone, most likely in his office to do final prep, which gave her time to bathe Catalina before Tyler's replacement arrived, a guy named Alex, who Tyler knew from one of her classes. Tyler had more day classes this semester, meaning her babysitting duties had been reduced to nights and weekends when needed, causing the hiring of another student to help during the day to keep the toddler in a routine that she was used to. Slipping on a pair of high waisted dark skinny jeans, ankle boots, and a dark green sweater, she did her make up quickly before heading to the courthouse for the 10am arraignment. Stopping momentarily to grab a cup of coffee for not only herself, but also her husband, she made her way towards the steps. She smiled as she noticed his familiar gait, opening her mouth to call out to him, she paused when his face broke out into a smile and made his way to Olivia, who was holding two cups of the steaming liquid. They walked closely together as they spoke, making the redhead nod in acceptance before dropping the second cup into the nearby trash can before slowly heading up the concrete steps.
"Who the heck is Randy Platt?" She questioned the moment she walked into the precinct, having already seen the newly viral video he posted ranting about the liberals before the text message had even come through from her boss.
"He's harmless. Lives in his mom's basement," Amanda snorted as the second sentence came from her mouth.
"Yeah, he doesn't seem so harmless to me," Annabelle snarked back eyes going to the frozen video where Platt was holding a gun.
"Agreed. Got an address?"
"18 Cedar Oaks Avenue. Farmingville."
"Carisi and –"
"let me go. Please please please," Annabelle interrupted Olivia when she went to hand out the assignment.
"You are way too excited for this," Amanda laughed.
"Sure. Go."
She quickly stood up to leave, grabbing her jacket from the back of the chair, stumbling over the leg, which caused Fin to laugh, "don't shoot him."
They were almost there when Carisi spoke up about her excitement, "why'd you want this?"
"He'll open up to us…but just imagine his racist face when he realizes I'm married to a Cuban," she smirked.
Pulling onto the side road, she waited until he killed the car before getting out and allowing him to lead the way as they walked up the two steps of the small house. After his knock, an older lady with greying hair and a blue sweater opened the door, "Mrs. Platt?"
"That's right."
"Is your son, Randy, home?" Annabelle winced as a cold gust of wind whipped through the air, partly going down her coat.
"Uh, no. What do you want?"
"Uh, Mrs. Platt, can we talk inside? I've got his old line of duty injury. Shoulders acting up in this chilly weather."
"Oh, you poor thing. Come on in." Nice going Carisi. The redhead held her smirk back as the older lady quickly led them inside the house.
"What time do you expect him back," Annabelle chose to ask as Carisi went directly to the bookcase of Cobb's writings.
"I'm not sure."
"Read a lot of Martha Cobb?" Carisi flipped the book so the autograph showed briefly.
"Oh, they're Randy's. He adores her."
A car door slammed, causing all three to glance toward the front, "must be him." A few moments later, a Molotov cocktail came flying into the window. Mrs. Platt screamed before calming herself down enough to lead them towards the back door. Annabelle kept an eye on the surrounding area inside the house as they hurried through as she pulled her phone out, the familiar operating voice answering quickly. "Hi. We have a fire at 18 Cedar Oaks Avenue."
Mrs. Platt didn't speak again until they were out the door and the firetrucks were there. Eyes locked on the broken window with smoke still billowing out, "I can't believe those bastards set fire to our house."
"Who?"
"Threatening Randy. People on the internet. He showed me some of the vile things they wrote, but I didn't think…I didn't think they'd do this."
A big black truck came rushing up, with Randy Platt jumping out, "What the hell is going on?"
"They threw things in the house!"
"Those sons of bitches. Mom, are you okay?"
"But then the police were here."
"Hey, listen, Randy, would you mind coming with us to the station? Just so we can sort this out."
"Sure. Anything to help the police. Mom, you go with Joe, okay? He'll make sure you're okay." He spent the entire hour-long car ride asking Annabelle questions, only answering in detail when she would ask him something. Carisi would only receive brief answers, making Annabelle work with the situation, replying to his flirting behavior with smiles and sparkling eyes. When they arrived at the precinct, was quick to get out to open the door. "I just want to say how refreshing it is to meet a lady with class and intelligence."
"Thank you, Randy. It's how my daddy raised me," she smirked.
The moment they walked into the precinct his eyes narrowed at Fin's form lounging back in his chair, "find the antifa fucks that tried to kill me and my mother?"
Fin smirked at his tone, "not our jurisdiction."
Annabelle silently took Carisi's coat as the New Yorker spoke, "relax, Randy. Have a seat in here and we'll explain everything."
"I'm going to grab Rafael. Does anyone need coffee?" She got everyone's orders, including Randy's plain coffee with cream.
Before the day was over, Annabelle had a new assignment…protecting Randy Platt and his mother. She chose southern items to further his beliefs of who she was, happy that he hadn't wanted a lawyer earlier, so with a bag full of dresses and conservative outfits, she kissed her daughter's forehead and her husband's lips, promising to text them when she was able to.
-xXx-
January 29th was the first time in a week she had been able to get back to Manhattan, as Mrs. Platt was going to visit her sister in Jersey and Randy had a meeting with the organization he founded. Walking into the bar her husband frequented she smiled as she saw his form, before confusion flickered through her features as she noticed him speaking to Jed Karey, the civil rights lawyer and Justin's attorney. She waited until they were both silent once more before walking up the rest of the way, "hey handsome."
"What are you doing here?"
"My super conservative wannabe boyfriend had a date with his followers and then most likely his hand, sooo," she let the final word drag out, her fingers intertwining with his as they sat on the bar.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"What? I'm sure he'll be fine surrounded by all of his loyal whatevers."
"You're on the job. Does Liv know you're leaving your post?"
"Uh no because I don't have to report my every move to my lieutenant. But clearly this isn't something you wanted, so I'll just head back. Sorry to bother you."
"I'm sorry. You're not a bother," he stopped her from leaving by grabbing the hand she had just released, "I'm just frustrated. You're always welcome. Let's grab something to eat."
"Sure."
He squeezed her hand, "Come on. Let's move to a booth." She smiled as he grabbed her hips when she walked in front of him. "I have missed you this week."
"Yeah? Not like having a cold bed?"
He smirked, "I've gotten way too used to having you in my arms."
"Oh?" She smiled, running her heeled foot gently up his trouser covered leg, "I've missed you being beside me and under me. In the shower."
"Carino, you're playing with fire."
"Good. I like it when yo-"
"Anna, I didn't know you were joining us!"
Annabelle's eyes widened as her boss interrupted her flirting before the knowledge of her husband having dinner with Olivia filtered through her brain. "Oh. Uhm, no. I just wanted to check in. Randy's meeting is probably gonna be over soon, so uhm, I'm just gonna head out."
"Carino…"
"I'll see ya'll tomorrow at the courthouse. Have a good night."
It took her a little over an hour to get back to Farmingville, her emotions keeping her from being able to drive faster. Randy was already back at the house when she arrived, his eyes narrowing at the look on her face when she walked inside, "you okay?"
She tried to give a smile at his concern before shaking her head, "I'm fine. It's just been a rough day."
He stood up, running a hand up her cardigan covered arm, "you should've called me. I would've come home."
She shrugged him off, smiling to ease his frown, "Yeah, I'm good. I just didn't expect such a long ride back from Manhattan. You should get some rest. You've got a big day tomorrow."
"Alright. Goodnight, Anna."
"Night, Randy."
The next morning, she woke up to shower before Randy did, knowing she would have to take the time to dry her hair before Randy would even wake up. Getting dressed in a knee length black dress with black tights and a set of knee-high leather boots. Finishing her eye makeup, she heard Randy getting around in his room, so she made her way to the kitchen to make a breakfast consisting of eggs and bacon, smiling at Mrs. Platt when she walked in the door, "How was your visit?"
"It was good. You're cooking?"
"I figured Randy would like a hearty meal before court today."
"You sure you don't need a boyfriend, dear?"
Annabelle laughed, "positive. I have enough going on in my life without adding a boyfriend."
She drove with Randy in the passenger seat of her SUV, three of his group members in the back for support. Once they arrived, she split from the group, grabbing herself a coffee before meeting up with Carisi who stood in front of the courthouse doors. "Does he know you married Barba?"
"Nope. He even thinks he has a chance to be my boyfriend. I'm waiting to reveal that secret."
"Been useful?"
"I'm learning all kinds of information," she smirked before draining the last of her coffee.
It was after dark when she made her way back to the courthouse offices, having thankfully been relieved of her Platt duties, to see her husband angrily scribbling on one of his usual legal pads. She cleared her throat to let him know she was even there. "What are you doing here this late?"
"I don't even know anymore. I left the precinct and decided to try my luck on if you were still here and look at that."
"I'm always here."
She chuckled, "I know, but at least I know you're being productive. Lina still with Alex?"
"Tyler. She had a couple of days free, so they did some switching to give him some relief."
She nodded, "You look stressed. And that bottle is probably almost empty," she motioned towards the ibuprofen bottle sitting near their latest family photograph.
"Not today, but the hidden bottle of scotch is calling my name."
She smiled as she pressed up against the desk so that she was sitting almost in front of him, "I know a good way to relieve your stress."
"Yeah?" His hand skimmed against her tights, fingers slipping slightly underneath the bottom of her skirt. She sighed at the warmth coming through, before glaring as his phone beeped, which caused him to take his hand away. "Mierda. I need to focus. Did you actually need something?"
She blinked, "seriously?"
"Si. I've got work to do."
"I mean, I haven't seen my husband in a week, so I was hoping to spend some time with him, but I guess I'll go relieve Tyler."
"Be safe getting home," he spoke as he was already reaching around her to grab a file.
She grit her teeth as she walked out, buttoning her coat up against the chill as she exited the building. "What are you doing here so late?"
She looked up at the voice, "Liv, hi. I was trying to entice my husband away, but apparently not," she forced a laugh out, "he's not in such a great mood."
"Wonderful. Get home safe, okay?" She nodded absentmindedly being pulling her phone out to shoot Tyler a quick text about being home soon. She was driving towards the house, past the courthouse a few minutes later when she noticed her husband holding the door open for her lieutenant, and she couldn't stop the tears from welling up in her green eyes.
She left the house before Rafael the next morning, unable to let the hurt go from the night before. After dressing in a pair of dark washed jeans and a black sweater to match her mood, she filled her favorite cup up with iced coffee before slipping out of the door after setting the alarm back for her family's safety. She was standing with Mrs. Platt and Randy when Olivia walked in with Rafael, causing her eyes to narrow before she refocused on the conversation. She gave the pair a nod as they went to pass, before closing her eyes as Rafael kissed her cheek in greeting before continuing to walk past.
"Who was that?"
Mrs. Platt smiled knowingly, already having mentioned her wedding rings while the detective was living with the family of two, allowing Annabelle to answer, "my husband."
"Husband? You led me on while you were married to an illegal?!" His eyes got bigger when she snorted in amusement, "you think this is funny? You're perfection. You're almost as perfect as Martha, and you ruin it by being with someone…someone like him?! What is wrong with you? Oh God, please tell me you haven't bred?"
Annabelle's eyes narrowed, "Okay. So, I'm letting most of that go, because I know what your beliefs are, and you have the right to have those beliefs…but repeatedly insulting my husband is a mistake. He is three times the man you will ever be. His race means absolutely nothing to me. He is kind, and smart, and he is so passionate in everything he does. You can only hope to be as good of a person that he is." She stopped, taking a deep breath, "you have court in ten minutes." She turned away, her loose hair almost smacking him in the face.
Judge Horowitz nodded as everyone settle down for court to pick back up, Randy was back in the witness chair, awaiting Rafael to begin, "are you ready to proceed, Mr. Barba?"
"I am," Rafael said standing up, before sighing as he fingered his paperwork, "Mr. Platt, did you assault Martha Cobb with a cardboard tube?"
"No."
"why should we believe you?"
"What?"
"Answer the question. Why should we believe you, Mr. Platt?"
"Cause I'm giving you my word. Under oath."
"That's all you got? Because in my humble opinion…most of the people in this courtroom think that your word is garbage. Do you even possess an ounce of principal or virtue?"
"Most people are blind and stupid."
Rafael stopped, seeming to gather his thoughts, before glancing a different people in the room. His face softened when he met the eyes of his wife, who gave him a smile and a nod, neither of them noticing how Randy glared at the motion. Rafale sighed once more, "the people are unable to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Justin Vichinsky sexually assaulted Martha Cobb, accordingly, I move to dismiss the indictment."
Jed Karey was quick to stand up, "the defense joins in with this motion."
"Unusual, Mr. Barba," Judge Horowitz began, "are you sure that's what you want to do?"
"I am sure that the perpetrator will never be known to a level of severity."
"I appreciate your candor. Few prosecutors would have the courage to make this call. The case is dismissed."
Annabelle could feel the anger radiating off of her boss and did her best to hide her smirk as everyone stood to be fully dismissed from the procession as the judge stood to leave. She said nothing as her husband walked away with Olivia, after giving her a brief squeeze of his hand to hers.
-xXx-
Annabelle sighed as an unknown number flashed across her screen, "Barba."
"You're a race traitor."
"I'm sorry. What?"
"you're gonna die, bitch."
"Yeah, cause I'm so scared of a phone call. Try better next time." She hung up as the man started to speak again, rolling her eyes as she imagined the caller to be one of Randy's friends. The man himself had insulted her multiple times since her relationship status was revealed, but once she threatened to arrest him the calls stopped. It had been two weeks since the trial had been dismissed, and it was the same day that the calls began. Some from Randy questioning her preferences, and then the calls from the unknown numbers. Annabelle continued blowing them off, knowing that they were all talk, as most angry people are. The phone rang again as she made it to the coffee cart, she was set to meet her ADA at, causing her to sigh, "Barba."
"Hey, something came up and going to be late, but I'm on my way now."
"Alright. I'm here, want me to go ahead and grab your usual?"
"Yes. Gracias."
The call ended as soon as it began, Annabelle making a face before stepping up to the open window to order. She was playing with her phone, the cups sitting on the wooden bench beside her as she clicked away at her phone. She glanced up when the shadow covered her screen slightly, welcoming the kiss he placed on her lips with a smile, "Hola, guapo."
"Carino, how is it that you always look so stunning?"
She laughed, "either your eyesight is going, or the lack of sleep is finally getting to you."
"I'm going with neither," he spoke as he reached out to squeeze her cloth covered knee, "have you thought more about letting Lina stay with Jake?" She made a face, so he continued, "I think it would be a good idea. He wouldn't let anything happen to her, and it'd give her some time with the rest of her family. She should know her cousins."
"I know, it's just…she's my baby. Why did he even offer to let her visit without us?"
Rafael chuckled, "because he's a therapist and knows that parents need breaks occasionally."
"I hate when you make sense. Fine. She can spend Spring Break in Arkansas."
"And while she's gone, maybe we can work on getting her that little sister she's been asking for."
A single eyebrow rose, "oh yeah?"
"Yeah. I especially like the practice runs we do."
She smirked, "really now?"
"Mhm. In the shower. Against the wall. On my desk."
He went to say something else, but she stopped him, "let's finish this at home, because you'll give me ideas, and I don't want to arrest myself. I mean, how would I explain the handcuffs?"
"No explaining needed if we use them with our new headboard, carino," his words caressed her ear as he had leaned in closer to speak, punctuating the sentence with a flick of his tongue against her lobe, causing a shudder to run down her spine. She felt on edge, his words bringing a fire to her blood that hadn't been there for months, and the smirk on his face told her that he knew exactly what he was doing. "It looks like your lunch is almost over, so guess I'll be seeing you in a few more hours."
"I wish you would've drove."
"Why?"
"Cause you'd be driving back with my mouth around your dick, guapo."
"Or maybe with my fingers in your cunt."
"Okay," she stood up suddenly, "I'm going back to work now. Love you."
He laughed, before pulling her into a deep kiss, "love you, too, carino."
The rest of her shift was spent filling out paperwork from past cases, and documenting other cases coming across her desks that might need the attention of SVU, something all of the detectives dreaded doing as they felt responsible if they made the wrong choice of whether a case warranted a second look or not. By the time she got home, she was so exhausted that she bathed Catalina and was asleep before Rafael even made it home from the courthouse.
She was woken up in the middle of the night due to the ringing of her cell phone as Fin was trying to reach her. "Barba," she mumbled sleepily.
"I'll be at your door in twenty. Or less."
Pulling the phone away from her face, she glared at the 2am time stamp, before hanging up without another word and forcing herself out of the king-sized bed to pull on a pair of loose dark jeans and a concert hoodie from a few years ago, deciding to forgo make up and looking any type of professional as she slid her sock clad feet into a pair of Sketchers. She was sitting on the front steps, her hood covered head leaning against the railing when Fin pulled to a stop, the lights of his car brightening her surroundings. She waited until she got in to question, "what have we got?"
"Teenager burned to death."
She groaned, "my specialty apparently."
