Before the end of 2020, a new chapter, I hope you like it, let me know what you think.

Happy New Year.

You're sure we shouldn't have brought anything else Rafael – Lexi said as they stood in front of Lucia Barba's apartment door waiting for her to open the door.

I told you no, it wasn't necessary to bring wine – said Barba while rolling his eyes.

It's a courtesy – Lexi said angrily, Barba was about to answer but the door opened and his mother appeared with a smile, given how he looked at Lexi he was sure he didn't believe her when he told him that he was going with a friend.

Rafi, you are finally here – Lucia said as she approached him to kiss him.

Mommy, this is Alexandria Cabot, Lexi, Lucia Barba–

I thought Rafi was joking when he said he was coming with someone, it's nice to meet you dear–

The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Barba–

Please tell me Lucia, but come in and don't stay at the door–

Rafael could not tell me which wine he preferred more, I hope you like the one I chose for you–

My dear, it was not necessary for you to bring anything, but it is a good detail on your part, I assure you that I will love it – Lucia said with a huge smile accepting the gift.

Granny is here already – asked Barba.

In the kitchen, but let Alexandria sit Rafael, do you want something to drink my dear–

So I'm fine Mrs. Barba–

Lucia dear, tell me Lucia–

Mommy, don't overwhelm her, you want me, let me introduce her to granny and then you can question her–

Okay, do things your way, you never listen to me–Lucia said as Beard led Lexi through the house to the kitchen where an old woman with a sweet smile was standing.

But look who's here, it's good that my judge has arrived – said Catalina when she saw her grandson.

Granny, I've already told you many times, I'm not a judge – said Barba as he gave her a kiss on the cheek – I want you to meet someone, granny, she's Alexandria Cabot, Lexi introduce you to Catalina Díaz –

It's a pleasure to meet you, Rafael has told me a lot about you – said Lexi giving him a smile.

It is also a pleasure my dear, she is cute Rafi – Catalina said in Spanish as she looked at her grandson.

That's right, granny– said Barba winking at her, Lexi looked at the exchange with a smile pretending not to take it for granted, Rafael had assumed that he did not understand Spanish, what he did not know was that it was his mother tongue.

I hope you are hungry dear, the food is almost ready – said Catalina turning her attention to her.

I'm famished – Lexi said giving him a smile and letting Rafael lead her back to the living room where her mother was waiting for them.

To say that dinner had gone well was an understatement, Rafael's mother and grandmother had turned to make her comfortable and satisfied, throughout dinner they listened to her and tried to please her, she remembered the brightness of the women's eyes When she offered to help them wash the dishes, between her grandmother and she did the work but not before having a good talk, Rafael's grandmother had told her about many things about him, about how he was when he was a child, about the problems in the That he put his mouth into it, he said something about his father but he did not want to dwell on it too much, what had most caught his attention was Yelina.

According to Catalina, that bad woman had despised her adorable grandson and that was the reason why he had hardened his heart, the woman had not gone into details but the betrayal had involved someone very close to Rafael, perhaps a friend had thought Lexi , Rafael never spoke much about his childhood friends and although he had tried very hard not to outline it, it was impossible not to do so, he practically lived by profiling people and he was very good at it, he had only looked at a little of the file he had of Rafael Barba, knew about his friends but did not remember anyone named Yelina, he knew that if he looked again he would find something, but he preferred that he tell him, both how the two women were surprised when she said goodbye in Spanish, and he could swear that Lucia Barba was already planning her son's wedding.

That night he had stayed in his apartment, he had not spoken much but the way he had looked at her while they were in bed had been worth a thousand words, he was a great man underneath all that hard and sarcastic exterior that was placed on top of him to deal with others.

...

It's good that you're here – Fin said to Lexi when he saw her leave Cragen's office.

What's up– he said when he saw that the others were gathering several files.

Barba called, he needs us and that includes you, although I specifically told him that you weren't working yet–

When he perishes that doesn't interest him, because he wants me with you– Lexi said to Fin.

Only he knows that, come on he seemed irritated–Beard is always irritated– said Amanda joining them– I just hope whatever can be resolved– Lexi nodded in agreement, Beard irritated and something that could not be resolved would be a combination explosive.

They had arrived at Barba's office just at the right time to see Sufflolk prosecutor Pam James leave, who had apparently heard the rumor that Lexi had left the FBI to collaborate with SVU, after the prosecutor's dismissal they followed Beard who demanded that they inform him of the case of Jessie Sturgis who was going to be tried for murder, Alexandria listened carefully as he came to the conclusion that James only wanted the files to save the informant from his office.

If they are here to report the case, what am I doing here, especially when I'm not officially named – Lexi asked as she looked at Barba.

They are in the case, you are not, I need objectivity – said Barba while looking at the case files – I also need what you do to know that someone is lying –

For that I need a person – Lexi said looking at him as she raised her eyebrows to give her eyes more drama.

Don't worry about that, I'll get it for you–said Barba downplaying the matter.

Lexi was attentive to all the details that they were giving of the case, at first glance this problem showed only what she wanted to show, but for something her instinct did not fail and something inside her told her that it was not going to be easy.

Your turn, tell me what you think– said Barba as he put on his suit to go straight to Jessie's arraignment.

Michael Provo is undoubtedly a bastard, an arrogant man who believes himself protected by his location, the threat to Sturgis proves it, I will guess, in his office many photos that demonstrate his high status in society and many of his family, I hit something – Lexi said looking at Fin and Amanda.

Each letter – Amanda said, stopping organizing the documents that were on the table.

I'm not surprised, he wants to compensate for the infidelity to his family, once unfaithful always unfaithful – Lexi said and saw how both Barba, Amaro and Fin looked at her – oh my God, men like him – she raised her open hands as she said it – conclusion I'm not surprised so we may find more dirty laundry if we dig deeper, as to whether or not Sturgis killed Vandolche would have to talk to her, still there is reason not to give her the case file–

...

Believe me, I would not blame you for believing her – Lexi said as they left to see Jessie – something stronger than the survival of your life is the mother's instinct, she would not do anything to put the stability of her son at risk –

You're saying he didn't – Olivia asked as she stopped so she could be in front of her friend.

I am saying that your statement is concise and with a lot of detail, a person who invents something stays with the general the specifics can get them in trouble, which leads me to the next problem there are some things to check in their case–

You're right – Olivia said nodding to give more weight to what she was saying – I want to see your file –

I'll see what I can do–Amaro answered.

...

Lexi was standing near the window in the office where they were waiting for Barba to show up with Mr. Gorromini's lawyer, she had an instinct about this.

Think about it very well Mr. Gorromini, any lie no matter how small I get the deal ends – Lexi said to prevent him from being over–smart.

While everyone listened carefully as Michael Provo pulled his strings to be able to frame Jessie, which meant that he could have more people involved in this, Lexi saw how Barba thus signaled him to go out with Rollins, at the end of the hall he was waiting for them Olivia who was carrying another bomb in her hands and you could see above that Barba was having a good day, even joking with Rollins.

Alexandria can you stay a second– Beard didn't wait for an answer and entered his office, Lexi shrugged at the questions etched on the faces of both Olivia and Amanda.

So you won't open your kimono– Lexi said once the door was closed.

I will if you open yours – he said smiling as he placed the reports on his desk – how do you see all this?

There is a chance, you just have to do your thing, I know that woman did not kill anyone, even so the prosecutor James will not let this be resolved soon–

Oh to open his eyes–

Don't be afraid you are going the wrong way, SVU will find the evidence you need–

...

To say that the double trial was exhausting was an understatement, everyone was running to get Barba's request in record time and pending both the Sufflolk and Manhattan trials, and Olivia was pushing Barba more and more to get Jessie out of the game. prison, that until a gift from heaven came to their hands, the second call to the police that could sink the case appeared and everyone ran to find out what they could get out of this to put it in their favor and they were about to give the final thrust, everyone was present at the police station waiting for Pam Janes to appear.

Seeing Provo's credibility collapse in front of James was priceless, his face changed every time the light illuminated the dirty acts he had conspired, and when Barba nodded to him to contribute what was really going to bring Provo down. She didn't hold back, reminding James that men like Provo weren't worth defending and risking throwing away a career like hers.

In the end, although justice was not done for what they had done to Jessie, they managed to get her out and that she could return to her son's side, Lexi knew that for Olivia it was like a bitter drink, she stopped thinking about the case, she finished closing His suitcase and after a look to verify that he had nothing left, he closed his apartment.

You already have everything – said Barba when he saw her appear.

Don't worry, all set, you are going to tell me where we are going – said Lexi giving her suitcase to the driver and getting into the car.

Appointing you, don't worry, you bring your passport– said Barba when he closed the door behind him.

It was the first thing you reminded me to bring – Lexi said as she showed him her passport.

Well, let's get on the road before someone thinks that he needs us – said Barba as he nodded to the driver to let him know they were ready to go – you'll like where we're going, I assure you –