I do not own Law and Order: SVU!

After the thrilling night of pursuing Wikipedia articles, Barba nearly slept through his alarm. Despite being somewhat behind, he had a pep in his step. He was no longer overthinking this whole soulmate debacle. He felt like he was normal again. Back before the countdown even reached zero. As he waited for the water in his Keurig to heat up he went through his phone. He had a missed call from his mother. She attempted to call only 10 minutes ago. "Odd." His brow furrowed.

As he called his mother back, slight panic rose up in his chest. He usually didn't hear from her until later in the morning or early afternoon. He really hoped nothing was wrong. Everything had just fallen back into a normal pace again. Not that it was out of whack long, he just appreciated when things rolled the way they were supposed.

Mama picked up on the third ring. "Rafael, how nice of you to finally pick up." She teased.

"She's definitely perfectly fine." He rolled his eyes but had a grin on his face.

"What's the problem, ma? I'm getting ready for work." The last word of the sentence was slightly cut off from him putting the coffee mug to his face and having a sip.

"You know very well why!" She seemed offended that he didn't know.

"Ma, what?"

"I'm calling because I had just remembered that your countdown stopped yesterday! I was expecting a call yesterday but I figured you were busy. Though I couldn't wait to hear the details." While he found her excitement endearing, he really wasn't in the mood to talk about it. Ever. Again.

"Oh, c'mon mom. You know I've never cared about the countdown. I get that you want grandkids, adopted or not. But you know romance and marriage were never my destiny. My one and only is my job." The number of times he explained this to her was in the double digits by now.

"Yes, Rafi. I know you love your job. I've heard it enough times. But save the speech. I want to know who they are, what they look like, where you met them, everything! You're not getting out of this one." The tone in her voice was playful but stern.

Barba groaned. He knew he wouldn't be able to get out of her interrogation. Though, he knew he could at least delay the inevitable. "Mom, I need to go to work. I'm already late. We can meet for lunch. Te quiero." Before she could get a word in he hung up. Later he would get a good scolding but he would have been on the phone for another twenty if he hadn't. He left the kitchen to go into his bathroom to start getting ready for work.

He got ready for work. It took him longer than it should have. He wasn't sure if he should go with the pink or purple tie to match his pink and purple socks. Eventually he decided on the pink one. It was one that his mom had bought him, so that'll soften the scolding he was due for later on at lunch. As he looked into the mirror to make sure his tie was straight his mind wandered to if he would see Olivia today. Of course he probably would since they're working together now. But what he was really after was to see her countdown. The desire for the truth is what will always drive Barba. Even in his own love life.

/ / /

On his way to his office he pulled his phone out of his suit jacket. He had two texts from his mother.

"You're in trouble, mi nino."

"You better be at our favorite restaurant on time or else."

With a grin on his face, he stopped at his door to text her back.

"I promise to be there. Ready to spill my soul to the best mother on Earth."

As he looked up from his phone he met eyes with Olivia. While it startled him, he didn't show it. "Hello Detective. You're here extremely early. Do you ever sleep?"

"Great see you're having a good morning, counselor." She motioned toward his phone and smiled sincerely.

He sucked in air quietly as he shoved his phone into his pocket. That smile wasn't like the one she gave him yesterday. This was a glimpse of who she was underneath the usual cop façade. He could see why she could be a heart-breaker. "Well, since you're here let's continue to go over the case."

They settled into his office and pulled out their notes. While they were going over the evidence and asking each other questions, Barba paid careful attention to her wrists. Of course, she too was wearing long sleeved attire. After 15 minutes of them discussing the case, she took her coat off – short sleeve shirt. There was nothing on her left wrist, the right was now up for examination. Another twenty minutes of them talking, she got up to leave. He extended his hand for a handshake. She shook his hand with her right now. There was no countdown. He quickly adverted his gaze back to her face. But nothing gets past her. She knew he was looking.

"Yep. I'm one of very rare ones who don't have a countdown. Leave it to me." She shrugged, putting her coat back on. "Have a good day counselor."

"I, uh, apologize detective. I didn't mean to pry. But, you have a good day too."

"I'll just have to use my impressive powers of being a detective to figure out who my soulmate is." She gave him another real smile before she turned to leave.

After she left, Barba buried his face in his hand while muttering swear words in Spanish. "Just my luck. My soulmate is someone without a countdown. Mom isn't going to be happy about this."

Despite the fact that he was going to have to explain all this to his mom, he totally blew the defense away in court in another case he was working on. That perp was going away for life. Maybe this soulmate business would be good for his career after all. Adding fuel to the fire that always burned.

/ / /

Barba joined his mother for lunch at their usual table that had the best view of the river. He handed her a bouquet of flowers and a kiss on her cheek. They exchanged pleasantries with the waiter that always requested their table when they came in during his shift.

"Well if it isn't my favorite, mother-son duo." He placed his hand on both their shoulders. His gaze never left Rafael. "What can I get for you two to drink?"

"Hello Arturo." They both greeted him.

"I'll just have a water." Raf said.

"I'll have the wine special." Momma Barba ordered.

"I'll be back for your orders." Arturo waved on his way back to the drink machine.

"Well if things don't work out with that soulmate of yours, you'll always have Arturo to fall back on." She smirked as she coyly looked out the window. "It's such a beautiful day out. Don't you agree Rafi?"

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry for hanging up on you this morning. I needed to get to work. You know how our phone conversations get." Reaching across the table he patted her on the hand.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You just don't want to tell your mother about this mystery person. But you are going to tell me. Here and now." She turned her gaze back toward him. There was a small smile tugging on the corners of her mouth but her eyes were completely serious.

Before he began relaying information about Olivia to his mother, Arturo came back to take their orders. They both ordered salads. Raf got a chicken salad and his mother ordered a Spanish salad. Arturo left for the time being. As he took a sip of his drink, his mother gave him an impatient look.

He sighed softly, pushing his drink away. "I met her at work. She is a detective for the Manhattan SVU. You know, the place I just transferred to as their ADA. I really don't know much about her. All I know is that the moment our hands met, that's when the countdown stopped and there was this…jolt. And I'm not telling you her name. You don't need to be snooping ma." He gave her a stern look for her not to push the subject any further.

"But Rafi! Can't I just know her name? What does she look like? I bet she's gorgeous."

"Mom, it really doesn't matter. She doesn't even have a countdown."

"Oh, mi nino." She whispered softly as a look astonishment flashed across her face.

Gotta love our misfit ADA and detective. Our poor babies can't catch a break! :-(

I hope you enjoyed ~