Here is the link to a video I did as a trailer to this story. https/youtu.be/Y_z2bHzdH8E
Let me know what you think.
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Walking down the corridor he took notice of the clean white corridors, the same ones he has walked so many times. But this time it was different. The brightness gave him a slight headache. The lights above him perfectly aligned, passing overhead every five steps he took. A firm hand landed on his shoulder, guiding him into another white room. He knew what this was, but he sure as hell didn't like it. This wasn't how things were supposed to happen. There was nothing in the room but a steel table and chair. No windows, but the door he came through. Taking a seat, he took in a deep breath. Looking down he stared at his bloodied hands. His knuckles were bruised and cut, the inflammation starting to kick in. His shirt was soaked in what he was sure to be multiple blood samples. Being locked in the room meant being alone with his thoughts. Those same thoughts he has been fighting to keep locked away. A fog clouded his mind. The blood. The bodies. The look on their faces as they laid on the ground bloodied, he forced to keep the contents in his stomach down. The fog cleared up at the sound of the door opening.
The man stared at his protégé. The kid was a bloody mess. "You are aware of what is about to happen." He stated rather than asking. "I am here to make sure it all goes as smoothly as it needs to be."
He nodded. "I understand."
"To make things clear, we are not dropping you." He assured. "But after what happened we need to pull you out."
"I had every right to do what I did." He growled. "I would have done so much worse, had you not stopped me."
"You beat a man to death." The man snapped. "Nearly killed one of ours. With no evidence that he was a part of the crime!"
"He was just as guilty as the other." Slamming his hand on the table, he jumped off the chair with a growl. "He was in on it. There was no way Jason would have found them unless he was tipped off. You can't expect me to just let them walk. This is a personal matter; you have no say in this."
"You are wrong Rafael." He sighed. "Everything you do is our problem. You should have come to us the moment you knew." He no longer saw the man he knew, but a shell of him. The anger in his eyes was enough to scare him shitless. He needed to get him away. Pulling a file from his briefcase, he tossed it onto the table. "You took a bar exam, correct?"
Rafael tilted his head to the side in confusion. "Yes, a few years ago, for an assignment you had for me."
"That's right, the one in LA." He sucked on his teeth leaning forward on the table. "Scored in the top 3 on that exam. You are still in with us Barba. But you need a break from all of this. That means going on with a new life, new job until they call you back in."
"New life?" Barba asked. "Where?"
"New York."
"New job?"
"I assume you have heard of NYPD Special victims' unit?"
Barba nodded. He had had a few run-ins with the department. Of course, they never knew he was there, but they had intervened one too many times with his assignments. Sometimes to the point of ruining multiple assignments. But even he had to admit they were good at what they did. The few times he had stuck around to complete his assignments, he learned a few things. "Yes, that unit is well known. They seem to never stay out of trouble."
The man chuckled. "So you and them should get along very well."
"Excuse me?" Barba walked back towards him, placing his palms on the steel table. "I am not working as a detective."
"I was thinking more of New York's newest ADA." He grinned. "And before you go off on me again, you will be responding to us. You will not be working under their office, but you must follow their rules and chain of command. They will not know of your past; you don't exist beyond what we put. So careful what you make up beyond that. "
"No one knows about me." Barba sighed. "Not anymore anyways."
"We have created a new background for you." He handed him a file, trying to distract him for a moment. "Same name of course. The same background you used in LA will be in effect as of now."
"That assignment was from ten years ago." Barba took a seat once more, studying the file. Trying to memorize as much as he could. "I haven't studied law since then."
"Don't sell yourself short Rafael." He chuckled. "I have seen you in a courtroom. You have a gift."
Barba scoffed. "A gift."
"Had we not snatched you up when we did, I guarantee this is where you would most likely be." He replied.
Barba ran a hand down his beard. He knew this was non-negotiable. If he refused, they would simply toss him in some remote area until he was called in. If they ever did. At least here he would be busy. "What happened to the previous ADA?" Seeing the look on his mentor's face, he raised a brow. "Please, there had to be a reason for this spot to be vacant." Barba narrowed his eyes at his supervisor. "What did you do?"
"Relax Barba." He was actually hurt; the man would never think what he was thinking. He wasn't a monster. "As you said, this unit just can't keep out of trouble." Based on the look he was getting from Barba; he knew he wouldn't drop the subject. "She took down a major drug lord, got green-lighted, and put in WP."
Barba sighed, tossing his head back. "You really know how to pick them."
"Only the best for the best."
"Funny." Tossing the file on the table, Barba stood from his chair and grabbed his jacket. "I am going home. Let me know when I leave."
"Barba." The older man reached for his shoulder, pausing the younger agent from leaving. "I truly am sorry for what happened. I am trying to get you the best I can from the worse of situations. But remember we don't even exist. What happened didn't exist to the world."
Barba nodded. "I ever see Aaron I will kill him."
"I have no objection to that." Giving him a pat on the shoulder, he allowed him to walk out. "You can come out."
Another agent stepped out from a hidden door in the wall. "Are you sure this is for the best?"
"Rafael is one of the best agents to walk through these doors." He replied. "But they want someone to blame. To avoid that I need him gone. Away from their hands."
"You are sending a trained agent out into the world without a leash." The agent replied. "Someone that has worked alone since he was a teenager, you sure that is the best route?" She scoffed. "Do I have to remind you what happened the last time he was on a team? Or the last time he was alone with a suspect?"
"And may I remind you what his job was for us?" He reminded. "What he did to the suspects were all under orders or what he deemed needed to be done. He always got the job done." He turned to face the new agent. "How long did you last in a room with him? When was the last time you lasted in a room without running out of the room?" The girl shifted on her heels, staring down at the floor. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Listen you have a new job."
"Sir?"
"Keep eyes on Rafael." He ordered. "I need to make sure he is okay."
"Yes sir."
Taking a seat at the table, he waited until he was alone in the room to exhale. His eyes landed on Rafael Barba's file. Closing his eyes, he chuckled at memories flashing. Rafael appeared on their radar when he was just 14. They watched him for a while, before snatching him up at the ripe age of 15. He took Rafael under his wing, showing him the ropes and training him to the point of blackouts. He was a quiet kid, never spoke back, and went along with his every order. Until he was on his own. Suddenly he was a rogue agent. Still kept his loyalty to them, but he did things his own way. He couldn't complain though, he got the job done without any flaws. Getting him away from the agency at the moment was the best he could do for him. The higher-ups knew where he was, but have agreed to keep away from him. Unless they needed him back.
Time jump:
Rafael stepped into his loft, tossing his keys into a bowl on a table in the hallway. Shrugging his coat off, he threw it over the back of his couch. The sound of rapped tapping caused him to prepare for the pending attack. Within seconds a large mountain of pure muscle jumped up against his chest.
"Hey, how was your day?" Barba sighed, pushing the dog down. "Catch any dust bunnies today?" The dog simply tilted her head. "Right. Well, I got some news for us." Walking towards the kitchen, he leaned down picking up the dog's bowl. "What do you want for dinner?" Opening the fridge, he pulled out a prep bag of raw meat. Tossing it into the plate he laced it back on the floor. "Eat up, 'cause tomorrow we are on a big move. Again."
Letting the dog eat on its own, he decided a shower and dinner were in order. Just as he lay in bed a notification from his home beeped. Reaching towards the phone, he took in a shaky breath at the text.
*Everything has been arraigned. Get packing, you leave tonight.*
Tossing the phone away, he jumped out of his bed. Grabbing a bag, he made his way towards the closet. Opening the safe lodged in his wall he unlocks it, pulling the contents out and into the bag. Zipping the bag up, he changed into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt before calling his dog over. Placing the collar and leash on her, he looked up at someone knocking on his door. Ordering the dog to stay down, he rushed towards the door. Gripping the weapon behind his back, he knocked on the door twice. Getting a response back in five knocks, he released his grip on the weapon and open the door.
A tall dark-skinned woman stood on the other side. "Barba, it seems you and I will be working together."
Barba opened the door wider allowing her in. "More like keeping an eye on me."
"Well, you know James." Carmen chuckled. "Always likes keeping his boy insights."
"Don't call me that." Barba snapped. "Everything ready?"
"Yeah." She noticed the dog staring at her intensely. Reaching down to pet her, she pulled back just in time to avoid the teeth closing in in her hand. "Jeez!"
Barba glanced over his shoulder with a bored look. "Watch out she bites."
Carmen tossed him a glare. "Thanks for the warning."
Time jump:
Stepping into his new two-level loft, he let the dog off to investigate. The place was already furnished and equipped with everything he needed. He never really bothered with decorating anywhere he lived, he never stayed long enough to call home. So, he allowed them to do what they wanted, the only thing he never allowed them to buy was his clothes. The bottom level held a large kitchen with an open living room. There was a small bedroom with an attached bathroom. A large balcony with a pool viewing over the city. "They have seriously overdone it this time." Barba scoffed at seeing the pool. Walking up the stairs, he found two bedrooms, an office, a library, and a bathroom. On the bright side, he would never be spending a dime on this place. Or for anything to be honest. They paid for his life and luxury and he just did what was ordered-expected-of him.
"Desoro." The dog came running from down the hall, coming to a sliding stop by the door. "Remind me to buy some rugs for you tomorrow." Attaching the leash on her once more, he stepped out of the loft and into the street. "Come on, let's see what's around here." The beauty of owning such a large dog was people tended to avoid him. Which he really didn't mind, he wasn't a people person. But apparently, not everyone got the memo. Before he knew what happened a little kid stepped in front of his dog and now reached to pet her. He reacted out of instinct, grabbing the boy by the arm, he swung him into his arms just as Desoro snapped at his feet. "Acuestate!" The dog flinched at the harsh tone, laying on command.
"Noah!"
Barba looked up to find a pissed-off brunette a few steps in front of him. "This your kid?"
"Yes, mind telling me why you have him in your arms?"
Barba noticed the badge on her belt and gun on her side. 'Great first night and already dealing with cops.' He smiled at the giggling child in his arms. His attention was drawn to the large cross around Barba's neck. "Might want to teach him not to approach dogs he doesn't know."
She paused her advances at seeing the huge dog laying on the ground. "Can I get my son back?" The worst of scenarios crossed her mind the longer he held his son.
"Relax." Barba scoffed, handing her the boy. "Names Rafael." He held his hand out to her.
She studied him for a moment, before shaking his hand. "Olivia."
"Pleasure to meet you."
"Liv!" A low voice carried from the food stand beside them. "Hey!"
"Why were you not watching Noah?!" Olivia snapped. "He nearly got bit."
The man looked between the two adults, the kid and the now asleep dog. "I-I am sorry. I hadn't realized he left my side. I'm sorry Liv."
Barba was starting to feel awkward standing between the arguing couple. "I will leave you to it if you will excuse me." As he passed by Olivia a small hand gripped his jacket. Looking down at the kid, he raised a brow. "Que paso peqeño?"
"Dog?" He muttered into his mother's sleeve. "Can I pet him?"
"Her." Barba glanced down at his dog, then back to the weary mother. "Objections?"
"Wasn't that mutt just about to take a bite out of him earlier." Brian snapped.
"I know you aren't calling anyone a mutt." Barba snipped back.
"What are you suggesting?" Liv stopped Brian from responding to the clear insult. "To let my son pet that dog?"
Barba gestured to the hand not letting him go. "He seems to want to." He wasn't sure what had gotten into him. But this woman...this woman was something else. Her presence alone was making him want nothing, but to fall to his knees in front of her. He wasn't sure what the fuck was going on with him, but if he could prolong it just a bit he will. And that kid was not helping the situation. He looked so much like Sam. And those damn puppy eyes. "Do you live around here?" Seeing the look he got from her, he chuckled. "I am not asking for a map to your place. I just bought the loft a few blocks from here. If you do live around here, I don't wish for this to reoccur should we bump into each other again." His eyes turned to the man standing on the side. "Especially when he's such an escape artist."
Olivia glanced down at her boy who kept leaning down to pet the dog, all while still holding onto the man's sleeve. Forcing him to let go, she squatted a few paces away from the dog. "What's that?" She gestured to the dog. "What is that?"
"Desoro, sientate." The dog sat up, her tail wagging at seeing the kid reaching for her. She was actually a sucker for kids, but any dog will bite at having been startled. Barba squatted down holding his hand out for the boy. "Come here, little man."
Noah stepped out of his mom's embrace with no hesitation and into the strangers. She watched his hands at all times, as Noah leaned against his thigh. Rafael's hand was laid over the boy's belly, putting a barrier between the dog and boy. She heard him speak to the dog, ordering it to crawl up to them. To her surprise it did, laying its head on Noah's shoes. Her boy laughed at finally being able to pet the enormous dog. Its head was the size of his chest for crying out loud. She was at a loss for words. Noah has never been that forward. Hell, it took him months to just tolerate Brian being in the same room. But here he was laughing with a complete stranger and his dog. Looking at the man, she noticed a look of sadness on his face. He was grinning, but every time his eyes landed on Noah they filled with pain and grief. She had seen that look so many times in her line of work. The look a parent gets at the loss of their child.
"Noah baby we have to go." Olivia spoke quietly. "Say goodbye to the puppy."
"Bye!" He laughed, running back into the arms of his mother. "Bye!"
Barba waved back to him as the family walked away. Placing a hand on Desoro's head, he sighed. "You miss him too?" Getting a whimper in return Barba picked the dog's head meeting her eyes. "Believe me, girl, I miss him as well." Giving her a kiss on the nose, he stood with a groan. "Damn, I'm getting old. Come on let's go back." Giving the retreating family another look the guilt came back in a flush. "Let's go home."
