January 2013

ADA Rafael Barba and Detective Olivia Benson had been slowly getting closer and closer since they first met after being introduced by Captain Harris. Barba's initial comment of,

"Captain, take your daughters to work day?" had surprised her.

It sounded more like a line she'd hear in a bar than a courtroom. She figured he was a by-the-books kind of guy. They were always together working on cases or going to get drinks with the rest of the squad after a win. Olivia was surprised by how close they had gotten that first month; she didn't think she would ever be this close to a male coworker again. Especially after her former partner up and left without a word, even a goodbye. She would have even settled for a text for that matter. No, he was just gone. Rafael's arrival at SVU gave Olivia that sense of support she had been missing since her former partner left. One night Olivia and Rafael were working on the Jeremy Jones case that would go to court soon. Rafa was prosecuting and Liv was venting about it. It was about 7:30 p.m. Liv kept looking at her watch.

"Got a hot date, detective?" Barba smirked.

"No, I have to get home to my two-year-old, counselor." Liv said looking up at his face.

"Didn't know you were married with a kid." Barba said with a smile.

"No husband, just a two-year-old."

Barba looked at her confused.

"My son Noah is adopted, I've had him for about three months. His father was a sex trafficker that sold girls for years without getting caught. He got one of his girls, Ellie Porter, pregnant. He was shot by my old partner Nick, who also got shot, which ended his career. I got custody of Ellie's son Noah by chance really." Liv explained.

"Oh, I see." said Barba, starting to pick up the papers and case files they were working on.

Raf could tell she wanted to go home to see her son. He got an idea, so they could spend some time together.

"Why don't you go home and spend some time with Noah, and we can talk about anything after he is asleep?" Barba suggested.

"You sure?" Olivia said, surprised.

"Yes, go home. I'll pick up something to eat. What does he like?"

"Spaghetti." Liv said gathering her stuff.

"I'll go to a place I know he'll love, I'll bring it over, and after he has eaten and down for the night we can talk."

"Okay, but he's going to be fussy, he's two."

"I may be too, but I think it will be okay." Barba smirked, opening the door. They made their way out.

An hour later dinner was done, Noah bathed, and down for the night. Olivia came and sat down next to Rafael with two glasses; one wine for her and a scotch for him. They continued working on the Jeremy Jones case. After they went over everything for the trial, they sat back and just relaxed while they got to really know each other. After two bottles of wine and half a bottle of scotch, they started teasing each other about their pasts. Barba in his drunken state leaned in for a kiss and to his surprise, Liv met him halfway. Rafael was about to reach for her to pull her into his arms and deepen the kiss when sounds of Noah crying in his room broke them apart.

"Hold onto that thought." Liv whispered as she broke the kiss, giving him another peck on the lips and got up to make her way to her 2-year-old's room.

As Liv went back to Noah's room, Barba watched her.

"How does she do it all? Why did I do that? We have known each other for months! She must feel the same way I do?" He wondered as he sat back smiling, listening to her calm Noah down.

When Noah had settled back to sleep, Liv made her way back to the living room to find Rafael on her couch asleep. Looking at him, she realized she felt something for the guy sleeping on her couch at midnight on a Friday night. She nudged him; he stirred, looking around then up at her smiling down at him. He was a little embarrassed he had fallen asleep in the mere five minutes while she checked on Noah. He looked up at her and stood up.

"I have to go, I've got to be in the office in the morning." He said, heading for the door.

"Please stay." Liv said in a near whisper.

Raf stopped dead in his tracks when he heard her and looked back at her.

"What did you say?"

Liv moved quickly toward him, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. When they parted she said,

"I want you to stay." She leaned in for another kiss. It had been years since she felt this attracted to someone. He seemed to feel the same way, so she wasn't going to let him get away.

Raf smiled at her, putting his hands on her hips.

"You sure, about this? We work together, conflict of interest with the DA's office and NYPD?"

Liv nodded, returning his smile and took his hand, leading him to her bedroom, checking in on Noah one more time.