Time jump:

Barba glanced in the mirror once more straightening his tie. He decided a three-piece dark blue suit, with a white shirt and yellow tie would work for today. After a month of settling into his new life, he finally got the call. He had been doing some pro-bono in the month he's been settling. Getting his name back out there, within the courthouse.

Today was his first day as New York ADA. Grabbing his jacket, keys, phone, and briefcase he called for his dog. The two stepped out of the loft, into the elevator, and out the door. For once in a long time, he was nervous.

Walking into the building he showed his ID to the guard while asking for directions to his office. As he turned the corner towards his office, he rolled his eyes at finding Carmen at the desk just outside his doors. Without a word, he walked into the office, with the younger agent hot on his heels.

"You weren't kidding about working together." Barba shrugged his jacket off draping it over his chair. "My secretary? Really?"

Carmen shrugged. "I don't have experience in law. This was the only cover." Her eyes fell on the dog. "You brought your dog?"

Barba looked up from his desk. "Is that a problem?"

"No pets." She snapped.

"She's not a pet and you know that." Barba pinned her with a look to back off. "Leave me, please. I need to make sense of this mess." His desk was a mess of files.

After working through the morning and lunch, he filed the last folder. Half the files on his desk had been solved or cold cases. The few he could work with were handed to Carmen for an update from the investigating detectives. The grumble from his stomach begging for food was enough to get him up and moving. But just as he reached for his jacket, he spotted three individuals outside his office. Seeing Carmen gesture towards him, he flopped back into his chair with a grumble.

"Rafael Barba?" A male asked as he walked into his office.

"That's what it says on the door." Barba had his head tossed back, trying not to sound annoyed.

"I'm captain Harrison, these are detective Rollins and detective Benson." The captain introduced.

"What's today bring your daughters to-" He stopped at seeing the familiar face of Olivia. "Work."

Olivia was just as surprised at seeing him. Let alone in the chair of the ADA. "Rafael."

Barba stood from his chair, walking over to her a smirk playing at the edge of his lips. "Olivia."

Amanda shared a look with Mike. "You two know each?"

"Yes." Olivia smiled. "We met about a month ago was it?"

Barba nodded. "On my first night in the city. You and your son Noah." Glancing at the woman in front of him, he couldn't help but smile. "Nice to see a familiar face."

"Likewise." Olivia replied. "So you're the new ADA?"

"Yes, and I have noticed you and your squad tend to get a new one every few months." Barba chuckled. "Scare them off before they could even settle."

Olivia noticed the look of amusement in his eyes. "They just can't keep up with us."

"I bet." Crossing his arms, he leaned against his desk. "What can I do for you? I am sure you aren't here to welcome me."

"What makes you so sure of that?" Amanda teased.

Barba's eyes landed on the blonde. "For starters, you are here with him." He gestured to the captain. "Secondly you lot don't play nice with the ADA's. So, I'll ask again what do you need?"

Benson handed him a file. "We have a case." She watched his entire body language change the moment he took the file. No longer did he appear lay back, but his entire body had gone rigid.

Barba read over the file. He clenched his jaw at ready the statement from their victim. The poor woman had been raped twice in the span of two days, by the same aggressor. Both the victim and the attacker were high-profile cases, which meant this needed to be air-tight.

"This girl, she appears credible?" Barba was halfway done with the reading.

"She's concerned about perception." Olivia replied. "But she was raped twice."

"I didn't ask if she was raped. I asked if she appears credible." Barba noticed the look she tossed him at being spoken in such way. She really didn't like that. Something told him this was going to be fun.

Rollins decided to butt in. "Okay, I know you have to ask that-"

And already bored with her he dropped the file on the table a little too hard and sighed. "Reason being we had a case a month ago, Red Hook. Guy strangled a girl so hard, her eyes had petechial hemorrhaging. Punk tells the jury they met in a bar, she's into S&M. It's a complete lie. The jury deadlocks. Later we find out that half of them read your victim's book."

Benson squinted her brows. "Wait I'm confused. Harrison told us that you win cases that everybody else ducks."

"Sometimes." Barba thought for a moment, debating if he should even take it. But with one look at Benson, he knew it was just a bluff on his part. "Let me talk to the victim."

"She's had a rough couple of days." Rollin protested.

Barba resisted the eye roll itching to roll. "If we go forward, it's not gonna get any easier."

Benson nodded. "Rollins get her down here." Seeing the blond about to argue, she raised her hand. "I will be with her at all times."

With a defeated sigh, she walked out with Harrison to get ahold of their victim. At that moment it was when Benson found herself alone with Rafael.

"Never would have imagined this would be how we met again." Barba said. "How is the little one? Noah."

"Ah, he's good." Benson smiled. "Won't stop asking for a puppy now."

Barba snorted. "I sure hope you are not insinuating that is my fault."

"You did wave a dog the size of a horse in front of him." She pointed out. "He said he wanted one just like him."

"Her."

"Excuse me?"

"My dog is a she." Barba corrected. "And she is not the size of a horse. Mini horse maybe and that's pushing it."

Almost as if she knew they were talking about her, she crawled out from under his desk. Laying her hand on his lap, she turned her piercing yellow eyes on the stranger in the room. Barba watched her, looking for any signs to call her back. Instead to his surprise she practically bolted into the detective's arms.

"Seems she remembers you." Barba muttered. "Which is odd."

"Odd she remembers me?"

"No, odd she likes you." He blurted out.

Benson raised a brow. "Is it really that unbelievable?"

Realizing what he had said, he quickly shook his head. "No, of course not. It's just, Desoro isn't the most forthcoming with people she has only just met. Usually takes a few introductions."

"Well, she's a female." Looking up at him she grinned. "Smarter than males."

Barba leaned back in his chair, resting his chin on his hand. "No objections there."

"Huh, smart man." She laughed.

Barba narrowed his eyes at her. "Would that be considered a compliment detective?"

"What kind of counselor would you be, if I just gave you all the answers." Olivia found it strange, yet comforting the easy flow of their conversation. "So where did you move in from?"

"LA." He recalled the background information from his file. "Decided I needed a new change of scenery."

"So one busy city to another busy city." Benson chuffed. "What's the difference?"

"It snows here."

Before she could reply, a soft knock hit his door. Carmen poked her head in. Her eyes fell on the woman petting the dog. 'That'sodd.' Realizing she was probably staring, she turned back to Barba. "Your client is here."

Barba raised a brow. "Send her in please." Snapping his fingers, he got the dog's attention. "Ven." Ordering her to come, he made her lay under the desk once more.

Benson walked in a young blond woman entered his office. "Jocelyn, this is ADA Raphael Barba."

Barba shook the woman's hand, offering her to sit down. "Sorry to meet in these circumstances."

"Yeah."

Waiting for Olivia to take her seat, he sat down after. Making sure each one had been offered some water, he leaned back in his chair. "Alright, I am going to be asking you some questions."

"O-okay."

"Let's begin."

Time jump:

Barba staggered into his loft, falling face-first into the couch. It had been a tiring day at court and to make matters worse their key victim had lied about writing the damn book. Not only did he have the press and his boss-not really-boss breathing down his neck. It irritates him. But he also had Benson pressuring him to find a way to convict. It wasn't that damn easy. But once he found a way and was ready to continue he was shut down by the judge. Now he had another day of dealing with this crap.

Rafael was really missing his assignments. The freedom to do whatever he wanted as long as it gave them answers. Granted he didn't miss the mess or blood, but he missed the satisfaction that came with it.

Before he could give in to the sweet slumber waiting for him, a wet nose tapped him on the arm. Opening one eye, he was met with pleasing yellow eyes. "You can't wait till the morning." Instead, all he got was another poke. "Desoro, you have a balcony the size of a park. Go out there just for tonight, please." The dog glanced at the balcony, then back at him before settling on the floor beside him. "That works too." Dropping his hand over her head, he chuckled as she took it in her mouth. "What's you take on Detective Benson? Do you like her? You don't? You think she-ow!" Pulling his hand out of her mouth he glared down at her. "What was that supposed to be for?" Flipping onto his back, he stared up at the ceiling. His mind wandered to a certain detective.

The past few days they have been working together, he already knew this going to be a hell of a run. Benson wasn't one to hold back her punches. The woman had quickly learned how to push his buttons. And he couldn't say he didn't enjoy it. It gave the new relationship a certain spice in his opinion. She didn't mind the flirting from what he had noticed. In fact, Benson had a few comebacks of her own. Some enough to make a grown man blush. 'Come on Rafa, it's nothing but playful banter. Don't go reading too much into this.'

Olivia:

Benson sat curled up on her couch, laptop in her lap with a glass of wine. At the moment she was googling a certain ADA. It was odd though; she couldn't find much on him. Just his career in La. No other history. "What are you hiding Barba?"

Time jump:

Carmen walked into the office, handing Barba an ice pack. "You seriously telling me there was no other way to prove this?"

Barba tossed her a glare. "Needed the impact."

"And nearly got your windpipe shattered." She scolded.

"So, it's true." A male's voice came from the doorway. "Rafael Barba into kinky sex."

"You are not as funny as you think." Barba grumbled. "What are you doing here?"

James shrugged. "Carmen sent a video of your court scene. I thought it was a joke." Leaning forward, he tilted Barba's head to the side. "No mark huh?"

"Well, you know how it is." Barba mumbled, jerking out of his hold. The move alone nearly caused him to yelp. "It takes a few for the bruising to kick in."

"I bet." It wasn't a secret how much James disliked seeing his protégé harmed. "But you are, okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Barba waved him off. "Going to be a bit sore, but that's about it."

"I can help with that." All eyes turned towards Detective Benson.

James didn't miss the way his agent's eyes lit up at seeing the woman enter his view. So, this is Benson. "Hello, I'm James. An old friend of Barba."

"Olivia." She squeezed past them, handing Barba a bag.

Rafael pulled out what seemed like an ointment. "What's this?"

"It will help with the soaring of your neck." Benson replied. "There are a few pain killers and something to help with the sore throat."

Barba cleared his throat, wincing at the pain. "Sore throat?"

Benson raised a brow. "You really going to tell me you don't hear yourself right now?" Barba feigned innocence. "You know for being an ADA, you suck at lying."

"Only to you Detective Benson." Barba offered her his charming smile. Pulling the lid off the ointment and taking a sniff. "What the hell is this? It smells like my old college dorm."

"You need to put that on your neck." Benson said.

Barba shook his head, tossing it back in the bag. "I am not going to put that on my neck."

"Yes, you are." Benson spoke slowly as if speaking to a child. "Unless you want to walk around with a bruised neck. I can just imagine what others will be saying."

"They want to think I have a kinky sex life, let them." Barba sat up, leaning closer to her. "I am not going to be walking around smelling like a bag of skunks."

Benson leaned in closer, towering over him. "You are going to put that on, if that means I hold you down and put it on you myself I will."

James shared a look with carmen, gesturing out of the office. "Let get out of here, before our innocent eyes are tainted." Carmen chuckled, sneaking out of the office with him.

Barba noticed the two sneaking out, but his attention was on the detective in front of him. Her perfume invading his senses in more ways than one. "I always loved a bossy woman." He didn't move from his proximity to her, as he reached for the ointment and handed it to her. "I am in your capable hand's Detective."

Benson rolled her eyes, pushing him back against the couch. "Take that ice off your neck, it will only make it worse." Taking the ice bag and tossing it on the table, she frowned at seeing him cringe.

Barba rearranged himself on the couch, so as to be facing her. The moment he moved his head a sharp pain shot up the side of his neck. He had to admit, he didn't think this through. Olivia took a seat on the table, putting herself between his legs. Barba sat up, closing the space between them to merely a foot or so. Benson couldn't stop herself from taking in his smell. It was a mixture of coffee and something on the wild side. His cologne alone was enough to make her drool. Barba's hands hovered over her waist, asking for permission to rest them on her. Giving him a subtle nod, she tried not reacting from the touch. Opening the bottle, she tilted his head to the side. The bruising was coming in fast. Black and purple already surrounded the imprint from the buckle.

"That was a very stupid thing you did." Benson whispered. "It could have been worse. You could have been hurt worse."

Barba closed his eyes, swallowing hard at the whispered touch from her breath. Her fingers swirled around his neck, in a soothing yet exotic way. To avoid showing just how much in effect he was, he dug his fingers into her hips and closed his eyes. She needed to hurry the hell up and finish this. "I needed to give them an impact. Show them what it was that really got him off."

"Was it worth it?" Olivia tilted his head to the other side, spreading the ointment across. "You were nearly caused to pass out."

Barba chuckled. "It takes a lot more than that to get me on my knees."

"Still, don't do anything stupid like that." She grabbed his jaw forcing him to look at her. "We would like to keep you around for a while."

"We?"

"Me and the squad." She scoffed at the look he gave her. Lust creeping into his green eyes. "Down boy."

He took notice of the fact that she had yet to move away from him. "It was the only way we would have won this."

"Are you always this visual with your cases?" She asked.

"Sometimes." His fingers dug into her hips, refusing to let go. He knew the second he did, whatever was happing would be broken. "Besides, I needed to make a good first impression."

"Impression?"

"Yeah." He leaned in just a tad bit closer. "Did I pass?"

Olivia knew what he was doing. But, she wasn't one to squirm in her seat from a heated look. Even if they came from his vibrant green eyes. Seriously were they contacts? "Still have a ways to go to pass, but let's just say, you're the first to getting kinky in the courtroom."

Barba chuckled. "Well, I can scratch that off my list."

Glancing down at his belt, she poked at the buckle. "Is that why you wore your belt today and no suspenders?"

Barba grabbed the lapel of his jacket and pulled it open. "I still wore them. But I also always wear my belt. You never know when you will need it."

"Like I once said, smart man." Olivia placed a finger under his jaw and tilted his head back. "The swelling is going down."

"And I still smell." He scrunched up his nose. "I need a bath." Reluctantly he removed his hand from her as he stood from the couch. "Are you doing anything tonight?"

Glancing over at him, she shrugged. "Yeah, Cassidy wanted to go out for dinner. Why?"

That's when reality came crashing down on him. Barba had completely forgotten she was seeing someone. 'Real smart Rafa.' Keeping his back turned towards her, he closed his eyes for a moment. "I was going to invite you to dinner…celebration in a way." 'Ha! Like she won't see past that façade.'

"Celebration?" Olivia had spotted the change in his body. His back went from relaxed to rigid the moment she mentioned Cassidy. His tone was no longer a playful banter. This man was easy to read. Grabbing her jacket, she walked over to him and planted a kiss on his cheek. "If that's what you want to call it. But how about a rain check until our next celebration?"

"Fine by me." His cheek still burning from the small kiss. Watching her leave, he finally let his body slouch. Getting a notification he pulled his phone out with an annoyed growl.

*I like her.*

Barba scoffed. *Stop spying on us old creep.*

*Creep me? Remind me again who got choked in public with a belt by their own request?*

Barb refused to be sucked into his jokes. It was bad enough Carmen sent a video of it. He can just imagine the others finding out. But in reality, he didn't regret what he did. It was a nice change of pace, to be honest. He was used to asking and demanding the truth. Hurting whoever and however, he wanted to get it. No laws. No consequences. But it wasn't just the trial that kept him going, but the fact that every time he needed reassurance she was there. One look over his shoulder and there she was. Her piercing brown eyes looked straight at him. Her discretion nods as if saying to keep pushing on. Just knowing she was there, watching him was enough for him.