I'm back! The trip was good - Belize is a beautiful country if you stick to the tourist traps or once you get to where you are going. Traveling around is a whole other story. But, I watched a LOT of old SVU eps during the hours and hours we were trapped on the bus. God Bless Netflix for having downloadable eps from season 14 on. So I went back and picked quite a few to watch again with my Barson goggles on. It was fun. FYI - Lessons Learned. That's a hell of a Barson ep, especially at the end. I've got a one shot coming for that for sure!

Hold up now, you look good, I will not lie
But if you ask where I'm staying tonight I gotta be like
Oh baby, no baby, you got me all wrong baby
My baby's already got all my love
-Andy Grammer (Honey, I'm Good)

"This seat taken?"

Barba glanced up at the tall, leggy blonde giving him a look he had gotten on more than one occasion, he could admit to himself. He shook his head no, turning back to his work and his drink, but still feeling her eyes on him.

"Seems like an odd place to try to do work" she said, turning toward him slightly, legs crossed. He looked over at her and shrugged. "What can I say? The noise actually helps me think." She extended her hand.

"Madeline."

"Rafael" he replied, quickly shaking her hand before he turned back to his legal pad, jotting a few more thoughts down.

"Unusual name. I like it" he heard her say.

"Well, my mother is an unusual woman. Plus, it's a family name." He watched her run her tongue over her lips slightly. He nodded at Anthony behind the bar and he filled up his glass again.

"Seems like this is a regular spot for you, Rafael."

"It is. I work around the corner."

"Banker?"

"Lawyer."

"That was going to be my next guess. You work for a firm I have heard of?"

"I actually work for the Manhattan District Attorney's office."

Her eyes got wide in that moment. "Oh. I knew you looked familiar. You work a lot of high profile cases."

He shrugged. "What can I say? The DA trusts me. I can get the job done."

"I would say so" she replied, leaning in to him a little bit. Anthony pressed his lips together to keep from laughing as his eyes met Barba's over the blonde's head. He felt her rest her hand on his forearm and he sighed, looking back at her.

"I bet you have some great stories. How about we go someplace a little quieter and you can tell me some?" He smiled at her and waved Anthony over.

"Drop her drink on my tab, please, Anthony." He nodded and Barba started to gather up his things. He saw her reach for her purse and he stopped her.

"It was nice to talk to you, Madeline, and there are probably dozens of men in here tonight who would love to take you some place a little quieter." He glanced over his shoulder toward the entrance and smiled. "But I am not one of them. Have a good night." He missed her eyes widen as he grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and headed toward her, standing in the entry.

She narrowed her eyes at the blonde, who's eyes had followed him across Forlini's to her. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and grabbed her hand. "You're late" he said, lacing their fingers together.

"I swear, I'm like 30 seconds late to meet you and some woman is throwing herself at you. Again!" Liv gave one last glance to the blonde, who had already moved on to the man that had taken over his seat at the bar.

"Maybe you should stop being late."

She rolled her eyes at him as they walked out onto the street. "Or how about we take lunch tomorrow to run down and buy you a new wedding band since the other one has seemed to have vanished into thin air."

He stopped and pulled her into him, wrapping his arm around her waist, cocking his head to the side and giving her a slight smile. "Olivia Benson, jealous. Who knew?" He kissed her quickly on the lips before letting her go.

She looped her arm through his. "Maybe. But these women need to know that you have someone to go home to at night. You're taken. It's either a new ring or I tattoo it on your forehead."

"New ring it is, dear. I'll have Carmen clear my lunch hour tomorrow."