Station:
By the time they arrived back at the station, Rollins had everything set up for them. Pictures pinned up on the murder boards, along with a few crimes scene photos. Pictures of Lewis at different stages of his life.
Barba took a seat at one of the chairs. "Rollins, you summoned us?"
She tossed him an apologetic look. "I know you two were at lunch, but Lewis's past has finally caught up to him."
"So, tell us." Olivia stood beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Who is he?" She took the file Carisi handed her.
"Lewis Williams." She gestured to the first picture. "I tracked down his birth certificate, he was born in Kentucky. 15 years ago, he abducted and raped the mother of his girlfriend when she tried to break them up."
"Charged? Convicted?" Barba asked.
Olivia shook her head. "Oh no, he got lucky. The mother of the vic was also a junkie and the DA didn't want to put her on the stand. No charges were pressed."
"So, he leaves the state." Amaro stated.
Rollins nodded. "Yeah, I mean he wasn't lying about that. He did move around quite a bit."
"You mean wore out his welcome." Fin added.
"Then Alabama."
"It gets worse." Carisi sighed. "He was the suspect in a kidnap, rape, torture, of a pair of roommates."
"He was charged." Rollins gave a humorless chuckle. "But the victims were too traumatic to testify and his lawyer got him off. Paperwork completely misspelled his name."
"This guy, if there's a break, he catches it." Barba was seriously starting to loath the man. "What about Merlain?"
"Three years ago." Rollins answered. "This time name is completely misspelled. William Lucas goes to trial for the murder, rape, of then-girlfriend who was his former defense attorney."
"So, she defends him. She sleeps with him. And when she tries to break it off, he kills her." Olivia recapped. "Seems he can't handle rejection."
"How did Houdini get out of that one?" Fin asked.
"His defense does their job." Carisi replied. "They created reasonable doubt, Lewis walked and the DNA is expunged."
"If there is even the slightest opportunity, he grasps it and never lets go." Rollins finished. "He is probably already finding a way to get out of this one."
Barba leaned forward with a small huff. "This explains why he refused to take the plea. The moment we got him in the system, everything would have come up."
The vibration coming from her pocket alerted Olivia of the incoming call. "Benson. When? On our way." Hanging the call, she looked up at her team. "Alice Parker was just assaulted in her apartment."
"The photographer from the park?" He got a stiff nod in response. "Lewis?"
"I don't see anyone else having reasons to go after her." Amaro growled. "I am going to kill that son of a bitch."
"Go down there." Barba ordered Olivia softly. "See if she remembers anything." His eyes turned to land on amaro. He understood the anger brewing in the man, he truly did. "Find Lewis, preferably alive." He stopped Amaro from walking away, lowering his tone so only he could hear. "But not a necessity."
"Understood counselor."
Watching them all leave he stood in the middle of the squad room. He wasn't sure what else he could do. This was the only downside of this fucken job. Not being able to do anything, until after he was in the courthouse. Grabbing his jacket, he decided to feel helpless in his office. At least there he could be a little more himself.
Walking into his office, his phone went off. "Yeah?"
'She made an outcry. Said Lewis was the one that assaulted her.'
Barba exhaled slowly. "Where is he?"
'He isn't in the halfway house. But Fin and Rollins are sitting out a liquor store he frequents.'
"Okay, have them sit there until he shows." Barba ordered. "Liv?"
'Yeah?'
"Are you okay?"
He heard a slight scoff. 'I will be once we get this son of a bitch.'
"We will."
Time Jump:
Barba fell into the couch in his office with a loud groan. Laying his head back, he closed his eyes for a moment. This case was going from bad, to worse, to apocalyptical disaster. Their key witness Alice Parker was found dead in her apartment. The best the ME could give them was 'probably' when asked if the assault could have caused her death. Even with the outcry, she gave Olivia and the probable reason Lewis had, it was going to be a tough one to win. Not to mention Olivia just had to go and poke the bear that was Lewis's attorney. If she wasn't doing the impossible to get him out of it now, he was sure to be in for a hell of a fight tomorrow. He has been going non-stop, pulling every stop and trick he had in prepping how to win this thing. Carmen scolded him a few times for skipping his meals and refusing to leave his office.
"Barba?" Carmen poked her head into the office. Caution to not startle the already stressed man.
"What?"
"Captain Benson is on line one."
Barba made a move to stand up but simply fell back once more. "Tell her I am prepping for the trial. No calls please."
Carmen frowned but decided not to comment. "Of course."
Barba felt a tinge of guilt at having lied to her once more. But he couldn't talk to her at the moment. All she would most likely talk about is Lewis and the trial. He needed a break from it all. He needed to clear his mind of it all. Including her. Not that he thought it was even possible, but it was worth a try.
Olivia walked into the building, off the elevator, and through the doors. She was met with Carmen packing up her things for the night. Before she could say anything, she was gestured to keep quiet. With a confused look, she approached the woman. "Why are we whispering?"
"He's asleep." She gestured to Barba sleeping on his couch. "Come." Grabbing her by the arm, she led her out into the hallway. "I don't know what is going on between the two of you, but right now he needs whatever that is."
"What do you mean?"
"He has not left that office since he came back from the ME's," Carmen explained. "He needs a break from it all that. The last thing he needs right now is someone going in there and talking about the case. He's worn out." She gave her a pointed look. "I haven't even been able to get him to eat anything today. He listens to you. Maybe you can get his mind off this if only for a few moments."
Understanding her point of view, she briefly touched the woman's arm. "I'll get take him out for a walk." Sharing a chuckle, she made her way back into the office. Stepping into his office, she took a look around the office. First thing she spotted was the untouched food on his desk. The man hadn't even bothered to open the bag. Walking over to his table, she took notice of all the clutter. He had the Files of Lewis's previous records. Law books were scattered throughout the table, each opened in different sections. Medical books containing the effects of an assault on the human body and mind. He really was diving in. Her thoughts rewinding to her and Rollins ganging up on him earlier. And then her little showdown with Lewis. She knew she screwed up back there. Making it harder for him than it already was.
"You going to stand there all night?" Barbe grumbled, his eyes still shut.
Olivia pursed her lips at jumping. "I thought you were asleep?"
"I was, but your perfume."
"My perfume? What about it?"
He dropped his head to the side he forced his eyes to open. "Your scent woke me up."
She was a little stunned. "You memorized it?"
"It's embedded in my brain by now." Seeing the look of shock, he chuckled. "Was that creepy?"
"N-no, it's just no one ever has."
Barba watched her for a moment. A smirk played at the corner of his mouth, at seeing her slightly squirm under his gaze. Pushing himself off the couch, he walked over to her. Tilting her head to the side with a soft touch, he leaned down pecking her on the cheek. In that intimate space, so close to the nape of her neck, he already knew the scent of her perfume was something he will always crave. He knew he'd have that emotional need to return back to this exact moment, to this blessed time their connect was made once more. "It's a smell I will never be able to forget. One that gives me a feeling of safety."
Olivia was mesmerized by the low tone of his voice. "Rafa..." Why the hell did she whisper his name?
"Woah." Barba swallowed the lump in his throat. The way she spoke his name should be illegal. "H-how about we go get something to eat? I'm famished."
"I was thinking Take-out, wine, and movie?" Olivia suggested. "Noah is with Rollins and Jess. He's been begging for a weekend sleepover with them."
"No school tomorrow?" He grabbed his jacket, keys, and phone, gesturing for her to head for the door.
Olivia shook her head. "No, long weekend."
Shutting the door behind them, Barba pressed for the elevator. "You think you ready to handle three days without Noah?"
She scoffed, taking offense in the question. "Of course."
Barba rolled his eyes. "How many times did you tell Rollins to call you?"
"Three." She nudged him slightly at hearing him laugh. "I compromised. It was originally 5 times a day."
Opening and closing the door of her car for her, he placed his hands on the seam of the car window. "I will grab the take-out and wine, while you go to my place and get the movie picked out." Handing her the key to his loft, he leaned in for a quick kiss. "If you want to change into something else, grab whatever you want from my closet."
"You mean to tell me you have other clothes besides suits?" Olivia teased, snatching the keys out of his reach. "I will see you there."
Stepping back, he stood for a moment watching her drive off. His mind and heart were still in a constant battle. He knew this was reckless on his part. But the bigger half of him, couldn't step away. He couldn't not have her in his life. Even though there was a high chance this would end just as quickly as it started, he was going to make sure it was worth it.
Time jump: Rafael's apartment
Olivia pushed the door in, poking her head into the dark loft. "Hello?" Waiting for the answer she knew would not come, she walked in. The moment she closed the door she heard the sound of nails clicking on the hardwood floor. Turning around she spotted Desoro coming around the hallway and towards her at a full run. Closing her eyes and bracing herself for impact, she opened one eye to see the dog sitting in front of her. "You nearly gave me a heart attack." Giving her a pet over the head, Olivia made her way into the kitchen.
The kitchen was her second favorite part of his loft. The first thing you noticed was the glass window having replaced the majority of the wall. The kitchen cabinets and island were completely black. The island held the large sink, leaving more than enough space to use as a table. The back wall was made of real bricks giving the kitchen that authentic look. The base model of the cabinets was modeled around in a large rectangle form. Leaving an open space in the middle as a counter and stove. The oven was attached to the base cabinets on the left side, while the microwave was the same on the right side. Three crystal-shaped lights hung down from the ceiling over the island.
Checking the cabinets, she found the one she was looking for. Grabbing the packet of popcorn, she tossed It into the microwave and waited. Letting it go on its own she made her way towards the stairs. She never did understand the reason behind making a spiral staircase. Reaching the long hallway, Olivia stopped in front of Rafael's bedroom. She had only stepped into the room once to leave him the letter, after spending the night. Walking into the room, she was a bit surprised. It was black.
All black.
Well, almost all black. The walls were a dark brown, almost black colored. The ceiling had a barrier on the edge giving the place an ancient roman feeling. The wall facing across from her was a large window, with white curtains and black drapes open to the side. Two black leather chairs in front with a small table in the middle. Next to one of the chairs on the corner was a darker-colored desk. To her left was a long dresser taking up more than half the wall. A tv hung over the dresser with two pieces of art on each side of the tv. Her attention was drawn to the bed. The king-size bed stood on a small platform. There was an ottoman at the base of the bed, of course, it was also black leather. The header on the bed had her blushing. It was a long-padded header attached to the wall. Deciding not to dwell on the reason for that piece, she opened the closet. She snorted at the amount of suits the man had. Walking towards the back, she found the shelf holding his t-shirt and sweats. Grabbing a pair, she ran into his bathroom for a much-wanted shower.
"Of course, it had to match with the bedroom." She was once more met with a black-themed room. She loved the size. On your left was a double sink counter, with a long mirror running the length of the counter. On your right was a tub. "And it's white. Shocker." Straight ahead at the end of the room was the shower with glass doors. It was a room within a room. Undressing, she stepped into the shower standing out from underneath the showerhead. Turning the knobs, the water came down with a smooth flow. The shower wall and floor were a black rock texture, a bench was installed in the shower as well. Finishing with her hair, she reached for the body wash bottle. Opening the lid and inhaling the scent, it sent her back to the first day in his office. The sent was that of a midnight summer.
Barba placed the food and wine on the kitchen island. "Liv?" Getting no response, he frowned for a moment. He had seen her purse and phone on the table. "Liv?" Jogging up the stairs he noticed his door was open. Seeing Desoro laying outside his bathroom door, he chuckled at the slight growl she gave him. "Relax, I wasn't planning on going in there." Grabbing a treat from the jar on his dresser, he tossed it to her. "Good girl." Leaving his two girls alone, he focused on getting the food plated.
"Hey."
"Hey, did you pi-" Suddenly he no longer knew how to breathe. Olivia worse his grey sweats with one of his black dress shirts. "Uh, d-did you pick a movie?" He looked away back to dealing with the food. Willing a certain antonymy of his body to relax.
"No, not yet." Grabbing the remote, she connected the tv to Netflix. "So, I was going to ask you what your favorite color was, but no point in that now."
Barba chuckled. "It was either make everything black or red."
"Good call on the black." Picking a random movie, she turned with a small smile. "Weren't able to find a black tub?"
Handing her a plate and glass of wine, he followed her into the living room. "I did, but they were out of stock."
"Of course, it was."
Pressing play to the movie, they settled down. Barba rolled his eyes at seeing the name. Phantom of the opera. He did not peg her as a musical lover. Somewhere along the movie Barba had leaned back, placing his feet on the table. Olivia had curled up in his lap, her head resting against his shoulder. His right arm was being used as a backrest for her, while his left one held onto her legs. Barba had begun dozing off near the ending of the movie but refused to move. Olivia was engrossed with it and he wasn't about to break that moment for her.
Resting his head back he felt a hand slowly raising up his chest. Glancing down at the woman in his lap he locked eyes with her. Making no move in stopping her she reached the back of his neck pulling him down to her. Barba kept his eyes locked to hers. The warmth of her breath on his face sent shivers down his spine. Olivia brushed her lips to his, testing the waters before crashing them like waves. Barba ran his tongue across her bottom lip begging for entrance. Still, he made no movements of his own, allowing her to set the pace she wanted. Olivia released a moan into him as their tongues fought for dominance. Moving his hand from her legs, he found his way under her shirt. The smoothness of her skin was heaven to him. Barba released what sounded like a growl as she tugged at his hair, trying to get him closer to her. Her fingers were able to open the first three buttons of his shirt, before feeling the need for air become demanding. Pulling back, she breathed heavily.
Barba growled grabbing her bottom lip between his teeth and biting down. Just as Olivia moved in for another kiss he pulled back. "We need to stop; otherwise, I won't be able to hold back." Barba whispered kissing his way across her jaw and down to her neck. "There is only so much I can handle if I had to stop."
"What if I don't want you to stop."
