A/N: Started this series awhile ago but it is still very much in progress. There will eventually one stand alone short fic for each deadly sin. But in the meantime, seems like now is a good time for a little Elliot/Barba interaction :)
He hears her laughter as he rounds the corner into the squad room. The floor has mostly emptied out but he sees the back of her head where she's sitting on the couch in her office. And she's not alone. The door's open, but he can't hear the conversation and he slows a little outside her door because he's on high alert and he needs to know what he's walking into.
The sound of a man's voice makes him pause and he realizes they're speaking of a case, of some sort of history. He can hear it now, the familiarity, the lightness in her voice, and he has to know who this is, this stranger who can bring out this side of her that she reserves for so few.
He strides into the office, intent on making his presence felt, but it takes a moment for Liv's eyes to rise to his, a moment for her to register him.
"Hey," it sounds almost confused, like she wasn't expecting him even though they had plans.
"Am I early?" He's trying for warm, but he can hear he's missed the mark. And he knows his assessment is right when he sees her smirk at him.
"You must be Stabler," the man is on his feet now, turning to face Elliot. He doesn't offer a handshake, bracing his hands against his hips and giving Elliot an assessing look.
"And you are?" Elliot doesn't even care if he sounds irritated now. He leans a hand into the door jamb and he can already recognize the start of the pissing contest.
"Barba," is all the man says and Elliot is already getting more irritated at the clear stand off.
"Friend of yours?" Elliot's eyes slide over to Liv who looks ready to throw up her hands or roll her eyes. But she stays seated and waits, seeming to accept some inevitable conclusion to this moment that he can't foresee.
"Wow, he's exactly what I would have expected," Barba is still looking at him, but the comment is clearly directed at Olivia.
"Rafa," she warns, but there's mirth in her voice and he's not sure if she's a neutral player in this game or not.
"I mean look at him, brute, brash. Lot of muscles. This really what you like?" Barba tilts his head at Elliot and he can feel his fist clench against the door jamb.
"Mmm...he'll do." Olivia says softly, and Elliot's gaze can't help but move to her. The tone in her voice, that teasing deflating the anger. And when he looks into her eyes, it's there. An open, loving look, a shy smile. He straightens then, because who cares who this guy is when she's looking at him like that.
"Alright," Barba shrugs. "If you say so. I have to once more question your taste."
She laughs again, standing. "You should visit more often," she says as the man turns back to her. Elliot shifts uncomfortably as he watches them hug tightly.
Barba pulls back, "With this guy around, most definitely. If he pulls any of his shit-"
"Rafa," a scold this time as she bats his arm.
The man lifts his hands, lowers his voice a notch, "I know you can take care of yourself, but you only deserve the best. That's all I'm saying."
She gives him an affectionate sort of look and then he turns back to Elliot. "Don't screw up this time," it's fiercer than he'd expect from this man.
"You a lawyer?" Elliot raises his eyebrows at him and Barba laughs, shakes his head.
"See ya later, Liv," he calls over his shoulder as he walks out of her office.
Elliot watches him go and then turns slowly back to Liv, who he finds watching him, smirking once more.
"Jealous?" She arches a brow at him.
"Of that guy?" Elliot tries to dismiss the notion but he knows Olivia knows and he drops his hand and tries for diversion instead. "Who was that?"
"Rafa was our ADA for a while. He's with the Innocence Project now."
"I knew he was a lawyer," Elliot mutters as Liv steps closer to him. She reaches a hand out, grasping his and he squeezes his fingers around hers. "He's pretty protective of you."
"He's a good friend."
"That all he is?"
She laughs softly, "I knew you were jealous."
He squeezes her hand again, "You didn't answer my question."
"That's all he is." She assures as she steps closer, leans up and kisses his cheek.
"Good," he says softly, reaching up and sliding his hand under her hair, against her neck, and pulling her mouth to his. He kisses her softly, but it's not enough and he wraps their joined hands behind her back and pulls her closer, deepening the kiss. She sighs softly into his mouth before she gently pulls back.
"Let's get out of here."
He grins at her, "Good idea."