So while on my trip I watched some old eps, namely all the Barba eps from season 14 before Raul was a series regular. Which lead me to Lessons Learned (14x8). This is the ep that takes place at Manor Hill where it comes out that there was a long history of abuse by teachers against the boys. Elliot Gould and Anthony Rapp are in that episode. To me, it's an amazing Barson ep before Barson had really become a thing. I think it's the first time we really got to see Liv and Barba butt heads about how to proceed. He doesn't want anything to do with it because he doesn't think it's a real case. Liv pushes him and then the school pisses him off and we get to see Barba be Barba by going after them hard till they finally own up to what happened. Plus, Barba and Rita face off for what may have been the first time. And then at the end when he walks in and says something to the effect of "the point was never to take this to court anyway" while him and Olivia share a look. It's been a week since I watched it and if I could have gotten this out of my head while on the trip, I would have. I encourage all my Barson-istas to go back and take a second look at this ep. It's cracked my top Barson eps.

'Cause I don't know where you're going,
But do you got room for one more troubled soul
I don't know where I'm going, but I don't think I'm coming home

-Fall Out Boy (Alone Together)

She stayed to the back of the room, just watching these men who had been suffering for years and years in silence and alone finally start to heal, to get some closure, to get some acknowledgment that what had happened to them was wrong.

"So, is this where you tell me that it really is about the people and not the court room wins?" She smiled slightly. He had only been working with them for a few weeks, but there was already something about him. She slid her eyes over to him as he stood next to her, hands in his pockets, looking at the same scene she was.

"Come on, Barba. Surely you knew that in Brooklyn?"

He shrugged. "Not really. The Brooklyn DA wanted the win or he didn't want us wasting our time on it."

"It can't be that different over here in Manhattan?"

"Sure it is. It's different because you are here and not there." She whipped her head around to him, but his eyes stayed on the group, watching them all move around and be there for each other.

"Why, Counselor, that almost felt like a compliment!" He glanced over at her and smiled.

"I guess it kind of was, Detective. Your reputation proceeds you. I guess I should have believed all the naysayers when I agreed to take the transfer."

She turned toward him, leaning back against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest. "And what were all these so-called naysayers telling you?"

He turned toward her, mimicking her position. He took a step closer and she could see the 5 o'clock shadow on his face and got her first good look at his unique green eyes. She felt a lump form in her throat, and for a second, held her breathe.

"That Olivia Benson would change the way I did my job. I would adjust to her, not the other way around. And they were right. I would have never pursued this in Brooklyn. This one is all you. I'm standing here, watching the right thing happen, because you pushed me."

"So, should I say you're welcome or apologize?"

He smiled, cocking his head to one side, like she had quickly discovered he had a habit of doing. "I'm not sure yet. Can I get back to you on that?" She laughed and nodded.

They both turned to look at the men who were finally able to be there for each other, to share what they had experienced and find a way to heal together.

"We did a good thing here" he said, mostly as a statement, not a question.

"Guess you are a little bit more than a prosecutor, huh?" He rolled his eyes at her. "Hush, Detective" he replied. They looked around and found they were some of the last people standing the room. She nodded at him and they both headed out of Manor Hill. They got to the steps and stopped.

"Plans tonight, Detective?"

She shook her head at him. "Can we stop with the Detective and Counselor thing? Please feel free to call me Liv." He nodded. "Ok, then, Liv. Where are you off to?"

"I guess I'll grab some food and head home. Catch up on some TV. You?"

"Same, except reading for TV." He looked her up and down for a moment. "Care to be alone together and grab some dinner? I know a great sushi place not too far from here." She laughed, shaking her head. "Of course you do."

"What does that mean?" he asked, leading them off in the direction of the restaurant.

"You have a reputation too, Barba. I do believe 'food snob' is the phrase that gets thrown around."

"If that's all you know about me, I'm doing ok."

She laughed. "Oh, we can get to the rest of it later. Let's go get sushi." He smiled at her, motioning her to follow him. And she had a feeling this wouldn't be the last time she followed they followed each other's lead.