Chapter 5: Awakening

Summary: Olivia dances around evolving feelings.

Rafael might have thought it strange that Olivia never mentioned Tucker or their engagement if he was not actively avoiding speaking (or thinking) about it. It had been a few months since her return from Paris and not a peep about it from anyone. Maybe they were just keeping it lowkey for now?

Maybe he would have questioned it more, or at all, if he didn't see her regularly toying with the ring dangling from the chain around her neck. She did that most often when lost in thought, which he imagined meant she was thinking about Tucker and planning the wedding in her head.

If he did bother to think about it more, he might have wondered why she only wore the ring on the end of the necklace, never on her hand. At work, Rafael understood, it might be necessary for obvious reasons. However, even at her home, the ring stayed firmly in place on the chain adorning her neck. He was certain there was some method to her madness and perhaps it was just none of business. Between that and his need to maintain control of his own feelings, he refused to give it more thought.

"Paid or not paid, no means no. Consent can be revoked at any time." Following their debrief, the SVU team watched the news clip quoting the ADA on the courthouse steps right before the trial for Jenna Miller's rape case.

Hitting the power button on the TV remote, Olivia turned to the detectives seated before her. "Thankfully, that one is over, and Jenna is on her way to learning to live a normal life outside of competitive sports."

"I'm glad that smug bastard got spooked and took a plea deal," Rollins said. "Even if he wasn't put on the registry."

"A couple years in the slammer for assault should knock some sense into him," Fin added. The group concurred.

"Alright, well, it's been a long week. Thanks for your hard work, as always. Why don't you all take off and enjoy your lives for the evening." Olivia eyed the group over the rim of her glasses as she moved toward her office.

"Good night, Lieu," Carisi called as he bolted from the room. He was not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. It was stuffed shell night at his parents' house, and he did not want to miss out.

"Night all," she called back, gathering up her belongings and checking her phone. It was still early, and Lucy planned to stay with Noah until around 8 o'clock. Certain that Barba would be perched on his usual barstool at Forlini's, Olivia swept out of the precinct to meet up with him.

It was a beautiful October evening, the air just beginning to crisp, so she strolled the few blocks to the usual haunt. The city was alive with activity as it was a Friday and Halloween was just a few short days away. Olivia loved the bustle of New York in the fall.

Upon entry into Forlini's, she spotted Rafael sitting atop the next to last stool at the far end of the bar, his briefcase and coat placed on the seat next to him. Winding her way through the busy bar area, Olivia silently approached the prosecutor.

"Is this seat free?" She inquired, masking her voice to sound like a sultry stranger.

Rafael did not look up as he barked out a sharp "No."

Holding in a chuckle, she thought no wonder he didn't have a girlfriend. "Are you sure?" she tried again, this time in her own voice and a touch louder.

That got a reaction out of the surly man as he turned his head, eyes raking her in with a smile. "Sorry, I thought you were a random woman trying to hit on me or something. The seat is free for you, Liv. Always."

"Oh? Does that happen to you often?" Olivia replied, one eyebrow quirked as she felt a tingle of jealousy at the thought of women hitting on Rafael.

"Occasionally," he shrugged.

"Uh huh." Although she wanted to tease him some more, Olivia let it go as she slid onto the stool he cleared for her. "You looked good on TV today."

Sliding the glass of wine Anthony placed on the bar towards her, he chuckled. "I always look good, Lieutenant."

"Smarmy bastard," Olivia retorted.

The two friends chatted softly, taking sips of their drinks during downturns in conversation. After an hour, Olivia declined another round and stood to leave.

"I should get home. Thank you for the drinks." Olivia placed a hand on Rafael's shoulder and squeezed her thanks.

"Anytime. Thanks for the company, Liv," he responded, raising his now full glass of scotch in a cheers motion. His eyes filled with a moment of regret as she turned to leave. He would never get sick of the sight of her.

"Oh!" Olivia declared with a sudden turn back in his direction. "I forgot, Noah asked if Uncle Rafa could join us at the park tomorrow. I told him I would see, but please do not feel any pressure if you have other plans."

Green eyes brightened and his heart accepted the invitation with a nod before his mind could convince him otherwise. "Maybe we could get some ice cream after?" he asked, his expression hopeful.

"Only if you're a good boy," Olivia teased. "Meet you at one o'clock? Remember, you'll be there with a young boy and will likely get dirty. Dress appropriately." Her eyes wandered down his suit-clad body with a smirk, tamping down the thoughts about how good he always looks in his suits.

Rolling his eyes, Rafael quipped, "Yes, mami." Olivia left him, her girlish giggle echoing in the air.

"Noah, honey, slow down," Olivia said, laughing at the way her son yanked at her hand to rush toward the park entrance.

"Uncle Rafa's waiting, momma!"

The curly-haired little boy was not wrong, Rafael leant against the fence near the park entrance. Dressed in jeans, a thin light blue sweater, loafers, and a pair of shades, he was the epitome of designer casual. That outfit alone probably cost more than half the clothes in her closet. Despite the expense, she had to admit that he looked damned good in casual wear.

"Hola Bensons," he greeted the pair as they approached, a wide grin splitting his face. "Are we ready to play?"

"Yes!" Noah cheered. Sprinting forward, the little boy grabbed Rafael's hand and tugged him in the direction of the playground area, his mom all but forgotten in his excitement.

Rafael glanced over his shoulder with a chuckle and a shrug of the shoulder as he followed the eager boy. "I guess we'll see you in there, Liv," he called.

Her heart swelling at the growing bond between her sweet boy and her friend, Olivia followed them at a leisurely pace. She was still surprised at how well Rafael adapted to Noah considering the way the man treated him like a bomb the first time he held the child. Now, they were best buds.

By the time she caught up to the boys, Rafael was helping Noah swing across the monkey bars. Noah did not get to play on those often since he was still little, so he was in heaven as Rafael assisted him. After a few passes, Noah wanted down.

"Your turn, Uncle Rafa!"

Surprised, Rafael glanced down at his pint-sized friend. "You want me to do the monkey bars now?" At Noah's eager nod, he added, "Ok, it's been a long time, but I'll give it a try."

Olivia watched in delight as Rafael reached up to grab the first rung of metal and flew across the row of bars, legs swinging side to side as he went. The ADA was way fitter than Olivia would have anticipated. At the last bar, Rafael turned around to move across the bars again. Catching a glimpse of his abdomen exposed in the gap between his sweater and those low-slung jeans, Olivia almost choked. Her eyes were glued to the faint line of hair leading down his happy trail…

"You did it, Uncle Rafa!" Noah shrieked breaking the spell Olivia was under.

Spinning around to avoid looking at the man for a moment, Olivia gave herself a stern talking to while pretending to look at her phone. You have been single for only a few months, stop salivating over your friend like a sex starved woman!

"Keep it in your pants, Benson," she whispered to herself. A few deep breaths later and she felt comfortable enough to face the boys again. Rafael shot her a questioning look to make sure everything was okay, but she waved him off with a smile.

After a while, the boys took a break in search of ice cream. All the while, Olivia avoided thinking about how attractive the ADA was or how her feelings toward him were continually evolving.