Pulling up the driveway, Barba rolled his eyes at seeing Stabler sitting on their porch stairs. "And there goes our peaceful day."

Olivia gave him a look. "Be nice."

"No promises." Jumping out of the car, he stopped the yelp of agony. His leg was really pushing his limits today. "They just had to shoot me in the leg. Why not the arm."

"Seriously?" Olivia scoffed at hearing his words.

"At least it wouldn't hurt as much when I walk." Leaning against the hood of the car, he turned towards Stabler. "What are you doing here?"

Ignoring him Stabler addressed Olivia. "We ran background checks on the parents of each student. Nothing outstanding popped up, but we just wanted to make sure everything was clear."

"You couldn't have said that through a phone call?" Handing the file, she was handed to Barba, she grabbed her bag from the car. "You know better than anyone the risk of you coming here. So I am just going to ask you this once. Why are you really here?"

"Someone had to be assigned to watch out for you two." He grinned at his ex-partner. "Due to our history, they decided it would be best if I did."

Barba nearly tipped over as he tried to straighten himself off the car. "You?"

"Yes."

"Of all the agents, officers, and detectives they sent you."

"They are aware of Liv's and I's history as partners." Stabler mentioned once more. "They figured it'll make this whole process easier."

"We talking before or after you walked out?" Barba snapped.

"Enough." Olivia jumped between the two, stopping Elliot from saying anything. "El, give us a moment."

"Seriously?" Seeing the look she gave him, he walked away with a scoff. "I'm getting a drink."

"Stay away from my good scotch!" Barba yelled after him. "I want a redraw of protection detail."

"That's not how that works." Leaning against the car next to him, she stared up at the house. "It will just be for a while."

"I don't like him." Barba grumbled.

Rolling her eyes, she turned to stand in front of him. Releasing his crossed arms, she wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled up to him. Barba brought his arms around her, resting his chin over her head. Looking back up to the house, he narrowed his eyes at seeing the look of shock on Stabler.

"The moment there are problems I will speak with Craigen and have someone else assigned." Olivia spoke against his chest. "Elliot may be rough around the edges, but he's a good cop." Looking up at him, she kissed him under the jaw. "Just roll with it for a while."

Hugging her tighter, he exhaled softly. "Alright."

Stabler slammed the glass of scotch on the bar, taking in ragged breaths. He knew something might be going on with them, but he figured Olivia would have more common scenes than to get involved with him.

Walking into the house:

"I thought I said not to touch the good scotch." Barba grabbed the bottle of Bowmore's 50-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Putting the bottle back in its box and on the shelf, he took a seat on the couch.

Olivia reached behind the bar in the living room and grabbed another bottle of scotch. Gesturing the bottle to Barba, she waited for the nod. Pouring two glasses, she handed them to him and took a seat beside him. "Any updates?"

Ignoring just how close Olivia was sitting next to Rafael, he pulled a handful of files from his bag. "We went through every case Rafael has worked on in his career. They were able to sort out these based on what we know." Tossing them on the table in front of the duo, Stabler went on. "They want you to go over them and see if anything pops out to you."

"Pop out?" Grabbing the file on top, he scanned through it. "This is an automatic toss. Darren Hawks doesn't have the money to pull this off. And his family disowned him the moment he ratted them off to lighten his sentence." Grabbing the next, he tossed it aside. "Michael Yanks was killed a week before he testified against his clan. His family doesn't have the money either."

"Does anyone pop out?" Olivia asked.

Barba shook his head. "No, none of these have the resources or money to pull this off."

"So back to square one." Stabler tossed back the last of his drink. "I'll call the captain and let him know."

"You said they went through every case I have worked on?"

"Yes."

"Does that include the ones in California and LA?" Barba asked.

Elliot shrugged. "I suppose."

"Why?" Olivia asked.

"Most of my extravagant clients came from California." Barba replied. "Many were small, but there were a few that pissed off major drug lords."

"I'll let them know." Placing the glass on the bar top, he pulled his phone out and walked out to the balcony.

Barba leaned his head back, wincing as he got comfortable. Feeling her hands slide across his abdomen, he reached over to grab it. "What do you want to do?"

"Well, you did promise a cooked meal." She muttered.

Barba chuckled. "I can do that."

"Okay, thank you cap." Walking back in he froze at seeing the duo on the couch. Clearing his throat he glanced down at his phone. "They did not look at the ones in California. Munch and Amaro will be traveling down to your office."

"The files will be in a locked cabinet. There is a spare key inside my desk." Barba said. "The cases are not by name, they are by case numbers. The client's information is in my laptop, but put in the case number."

Stabler raised a brow. "I will have them send it here."

"Right, well while you do that I will be heading out." Trying to stand up he was pushed back down by Olivia. "Liv?"

"Where are you going?" She was buried into his side.

Looking down at her, he chuckled. "I need a few things for dinner."

"You do that." Elliot butted in. "Liv we need to go over a few security measures. Alter a few things surrounding the house-"

"You are not altering the house." Barba cut him off. "Do what you like, but you are not messing with the house or the grounds."

"You are open to any at-"

"The whole point to moving here and living this somewhat lie is to not attract attention. Making this into fort knocks 2.0 is sure to do the opposite." Getting up from the couch, he helped Olivia up. "I'll get the keys."

Waiting for the man to exit the living room, he turned to Olivia. "You think this is a smart move?"

"Excuse me?"

"You getting involved with him." Stabler continued. "This is a mistake and you know it, Liv."

"You have no say in this." Olivia reminded him. "I understand you thought you had some right back when we were partners, even though you didn't. But here...right here you do not. What happens between Rafael and I is none of your concern."

"I am just trying to keep you from committing a mistake is all."

She scoffed grabbing her jacket and purse. "Well, if it turns out to be a mistake I'll at least have enjoyed committing it."

Barba looked up as she walked down to him. He spotted the displeasure on her face. Hearing her mutter a let's go, he swiftly grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms. Within seconds he felt her relax in his hold. "Whatever it was he said to you, don't pay any kind to it."

"I know."

Pulling back he laid his hand over her cheek. "Don't let this ruin the evening."

Taking a deep breath she gave him a soft smile. "Let's go."

Barba walked around the car, opening the door for her. He knew having Stabler here would be an issue. Sliding into the passenger seat, he took her hand in his. Pulling his phone out he quickly searched for a place he could take her. They had two days before she started her job at the school and he was not about to share them with Stabler.

Time jump:

Walking down the meat aisle Olivia watched as Barba would pick up two packs only to drop them for two others. It was both annoying and dare she say cute. They had decided on steak with asparagus and potatoes, with red wine and strawberry swirl cheesecake. She had helped pick out the stuff for the dessert but left the main dish to him.

"Mrs. Nina!"

Olivia turned around to see Enzo waving over at her. "Hello, Enzo."

"Mom, this is the new teacher I was telling you about and that's her fiancé." He pointed at Barba.

"Hello, I'm Alma." She shook both their hands. "Enzo told us he met his new teacher today."

"Had a tour of the school."

Barba tossed the pack of meat into the cart, paying them no mind. "I need butter."

"I'll catch up." Letting him take the cart she turned back to the mother and son. "Excuse him. He gets lost in what he's doing."

"My husband is just the same." Alma chuckled. "I heard he's a chef?"

"He is." She should have known small towns talk. "Has a job interview at the new restaurant opening in town."

"That's wonderful!" Fetching into her purse she pulled out a little notepad and pen. "We are having a putlock with the neighbors this weekend. We would love for you and your fiancé..."

"Paul."

"To join us. Get to know the neighbors. Wouldn't mind getting a taste of his food either." Writing down her number and address, she handed it to Liv. "We really hope you can make it."

"Of course, see you then."

Time jump:

"Take this road up." Barba was currently guiding Liv to their getaway beach home.

He had managed to snag it at the last minute for two days and three nights. The pictures had been amazing and as they pulled up the driveway, he realized they did it no justice. Climbing out of the car he helped with the bags much to her protest.

"How did you manage this?" Placing the bags on the kitchen counter, Olivia wandered off to explore.

Putting the items away, he shrugged off his jacket and got to prepping dinner. "We have two days before you start the job. I wasn't about to share them with Stabler. Besides I was hoping to do dinner with just the two of us."

"You just wanted to get me alone." She called from the bedroom. "Admit it."

"Would that be so wrong?"

"Depends on what you were hoping for?"

Barba froze for a moment, certain images crossing his mind. "Ju-just dinner and dessert." He wasn't thinking about the cheesecake.

Barba spent the rest of the afternoon in the kitchen. In the chaos of his own work, he had managed to forget about the pain and instead thought of what might happen tonight. In truth, he didn't wish to move too fast with Olivia. He wanted to take things slow, but she was not making it easy on him.

While he remained in the kitchen, Benson made it her sole purpose to get him hot and bothered. A few times she walked behind him, touching him anywhere she could. Speaking into his ear in a soothing tone. At one point she rested against the counter with her elbow, grabbed his tie, and pulled him down for a long kiss. Walking away just before he could grab her.

If she wanted to play that game, he was more than happy to oblige her.

Time jump:

Olivia sighed and laid her spoon across her plate. Could the man ever cook.

Helping Barba carry their dishes to the sink, they moved to the living room. She stood close to the window, staring out into the horizon. She was impressed despite herself. His flair with food showed creativity and his effort in preparing it made her feel special.

And this beach house was something else, too. The ocean just a few feet away. Its waves giving a sense of tranquility to the night.

She heard him sit on the couch behind her. Taking a sip from her third glass of wine, Olivia felt the warmth of it feeling its way toward her fingertips. They danced around the attraction between them all night, and she knew it was now or never. She had told promised herself she'd wait. That she wouldn't move quickly. But somewhere along the night, it became something else. She didn't know when or where it changed, but she was not leaving until she had what she wanted. No more taking the easy path, especially not with Barba. Tonight, she'd take what she always wanted.

She just needed a little help first. Olivia tipped up her glass and felt the last of the wine slide down her throat.

Barba forced his attention outside to consider the view he'd come to take for granted. They'd talked a lot over dinner and he'd been both pleasantly surprised by the flow of their conversation. She knew exactly what she liked and why, and clearly stopped at nothing to get what she wanted. Something he was well aware of.

Their conversation at dinner hadn't been blatantly sexual, but her ingenious little double entendres had him caught between laughing and wanting to take her right there on the table.

Barba looked over to study her soft profile as she took in the view from the windows. Hell, the dress itself was enough of a come-on. It had shocked him when he'd seen her walk down dressed in it. And while he loved all the teasing, he was more than ready to move beyond the word games to some more serious play.

His eyes flicked once again to the view outside the window before coming back to her. From his vantage point on the couch, he definitely had the better view. Like the day they'd first met.

Barba smiled, remembering his own reaction when she was introduced to him. That innocent look on her face, but one look into her eyes and it was a whole different story. He'd fantasized about seeing Olivia in red and there she was, draped in scarlet from head to toe.

He felt his blood quicken in appreciation of the view he had now. Barely draped in scarlet, he amended with a wicked grin.

Her hair was piled high on top of her head and he let his eyes caress her back, bare past the waist. He couldn't wait to get his hands on all that smooth skin. He'd yet to touch her once tonight and the anticipation was quickly building to a breaking point.

He watched as Olivia shifted her weight to her right hip and widened her stance just a bit. As if the dress itself wasn't enough, Barba thought on a silent groan. She was deliberately provoking him.

He felt his cock twitch against his fly. Her skirt was short that her current pose almost threatened full exposure.

Almost, but not quite.

Time to do something about that.

Barba got up and dimmed the lights before moving toward her. The view was great from the couch, he thought, looking again at her long bare legs and silk-covered ass as he approached, but he'd rather have all that skin within reach.

Olivia could almost feel his eyes on her skin and fought down what she was sure was a full-body flush. She seldom wore her hair up and felt naked with her back fully exposed.

She'd seen the way his eyes devoured her all night. He'd been polite and attentive, but the tension beneath the surface was palpable.

She wanted him. Her body remembered the feel of his lips on hers and she shivered at the thought of how much more he could give her. She intended to get what she could from this encounter.

She felt him behind her now and almost shivered when he took the glass from her hand. She held her breath as he leaned over to put it down out of reach. The air was thick with tension and Olivia felt her knees go weak as his shadow rose again over her reflection in the window. She felt a rush of pleasure slide through her even before his hand reached her.

His fingers slid from the nape of her neck to come around and cup her jaw, his touch light.

"We had some unfinished business," he said, his voice soft and matter-of-fact as he turned her head to speak directly into her ear. "Didn't we."

It wasn't a question, and Olivia felt a hard tremor slide through her at his tone, remembering his kiss on that night.

He intended to have her now. That much was crystal clear, and Olivia felt herself blush again with the full force of her desire for him—for this.

She was more than ready. She'd already made up her mind to play and play hard.

And it was starting.

Barba released her jaw but she didn't move a muscle. She knew he'd felt the heat that washed through her at his words, and she was strung taut with anticipation of his touch.

She saw her flushed cheeks and wet, open mouth through half-closed eyes and was stunned by the wantonness of her expression. There was no doubt she was liking this. A lot. And the thought of how she looked to him made her even hotter.

Barba ran a slow finger down the bare length of her spine and her shiver followed him down over red silk to trace the curve of her butt. Her skin flushed again as she gasped and arched a bit.

Olivia turned her head the slightest bit more to look at him over her shoulder and knew as she did that her eyes carried the same faint plea she'd seen in her reflection only moments before.

He held her gaze but didn't touch her again and Olivia felt as if her skin had come alive. She knew it was ridiculous, but she had the sudden feeling that she'd die if he didn't touch her soon. 'With my luck, I just might.'

"Put your hands on the glass," He said quietly, his voice rough. "High."

The command sent a jolt of pure fire through her and she closed her eyes briefly to compose herself before looking at him again.

They were in full view, she thought, controlling a panicked little spurt of pleasure. While there weren't any houses facing theirs, she would be on display in front of a wall of glass.

Looking at his eyes now, she saw a savage pleasure there and knew he wouldn't back down. He stood behind her, patient, waiting. Not asking again.

Not asking at all.

Overwhelmed with her desire for him, Olivia closed her eyes and turned her head back toward the glass as she slowly raised her hands.

Her fingertips jumped at first contact with the cool, hard surface, and she pressed her palms down, gathering every ounce of self-control she had not to turn around and settle for something less threatening but infinitely less exciting.

This was what she was here for. Her pulse went wild as she held the pose for him, feeling his gaze slip over her body.

"You're beautiful." He said, his breath hot, like phantom fingers on her sensitive skin. "No one will see you but me."

And still, he didn't touch her.

She could feel her body trembling now, aching for his touch and poised on the cusp of desperation.

"Spread your legs wider." The demand sent a gush of heat between her legs, soaking the scrap of silk nestled there and making her painfully tight nipples even harder.

Moving slowly on unsteady heels, she felt cool air rush between her thighs and swallowed hard on her excitement.

Barba reached out to brush the hem of her dress, and her thighs clenched hard. He was so close, but still, he didn't touch. Instead, she felt the silk slide over her skin in the lightest caress possible as he inched her skirt up.

Oh. My. God.

Her breathing reduced to a sharp pant now, Olivia stood still while he pulled her skirt up to drape it over the uppermost curve of her bottom.

She'd never felt more exposed, or more aroused, in her life.

And then he stepped back.

It was all Olivia could do not to move. Embarrassment mixed with intense excitement swirled like a fever through her veins and she could feel herself shake with need.

His eyes were on her and she burned again with the knowledge of her exposure to him.

She watched his reflection as his eyes moved over her. He took his time, and she felt herself get even hotter under his scrutiny. She could almost feel his gaze, like a possessive touch.

When finally his eyes came up to meet hers in the glass, his smile was dark and wild, and Olivia felt her own lips curl the slightest bit in response.

And still, she stood there, not moving a muscle, legs spread. She was hotter than she'd ever been, and she was beyond shock now at her own abandonment. She heard him approach and arched again in a blatant invitation, hardly believing her actions even as she tensed in anticipation of his touch.

Was that really her, she wondered, burning with the heat of the moment, watching him in the glass. She never made such needy little noises. But she was breathless and desperate for the feel of his hands—for anything, really. He had her exposed and whimpering and yet she'd never felt more sure of anything. And she knew with sudden certainty that she couldn't wait another second.

Barba growled and the sound went straight through her. Just as she thought she might actually beg him to touch her, his right hand slipped inside her dress from the back and he reached up to tug on her nipple.

Olivia let out a greedy moan and let her forehead rest against the glass. His hand was covered by her dress, but somehow she felt even more exposed like this.

He seemed to read her mind. "Easy access," He said, his voice strained with need. "Isn't that why you wore this dress?"

She moaned again, unable to answer as he brushed her ass with his left hand and then hooked a finger beneath the string of her underwear.

Her body heat was steaming the glass and she'd lost her view of the ocean in front of them.

"And this sexy little thing," He said, tugging up on the garment and drawing a strangled gasp from Olivia as it dug into tender, engorged flesh. She ground back against his hand in search of greater contact and turned her head to the left against the cool glass.

She felt his breath against her ear and struggled to hold herself together in the face of his steady tug and release.

"Answer me," He said quietly, pulling again on her nipple in tandem with his rhythm down below.

She felt herself start to rock her pelvis in time with his tugs and forced out a tortured "Yes," Not caring that he controlled her so completely with only two points of contact.

And with his voice, she thought, frantic to hear it again.

He slid his fingers down, still beneath her garment, and reached between her spread legs to feel the wetness there.

"I imagine this is for me, too, then," He said, spreading the moisture around before pushing a finger up inside her.

She heard the satisfaction in his voice and expelled her breath with a long, drawn-out moan. His fingers pumped in and out with the motion of her hips, and when he withdrew his hands, she whimpered again.

She was desperate to feel his touch, desperate to touch him ... desperate just to see him. She turned her head more to look at him from heavy-lidded eyes and saw his features taut with the same need she felt.

"What do you want?" He asked, moving his right hand from her breast to thread his fingers in her hair and force her head back more for a scorching kiss. And still, only his mouth and hands touched her.

"I want to touch you," She said breathlessly when he pulled away.

Olivia started to turn toward him, but he reached out and placed her hands firmly back on the glass before running his palms down the length of her arms and body to settle on her ass again and then leave her.

She heard a zipper, then the sound of foil being torn and she tensed, but still he held back.

His hands reached back around beneath her dress, one to a breast, one down her belly beneath her underwear, and he squeezed.

"This dress will live in my fantasies forever," He said, his voice tight in her ear. "To the outside world, we're just a couple enjoying the evening view together." Her thighs clenched again as she felt him pull aside her undergarment and nudge himself up against her slick entrance.

"You want to touch me?" He asked, his voice hard with strain now.

Again he squeezed both hands—pinching, pulling—and again she felt her body tighten in response. She was so ready. She couldn't take another minute of this. Another second.

"No." She choked it out and arched against him, trying desperately to stay in control.

"Good," He said, then slammed inside and slid two fingers down around her clit while he pulled hard on her breast. His rhythm was furious, and Olivia came to a screaming climax within seconds, overwhelmed by the fury of their joining.

She braced herself against the glass as he came right behind her, his face reflected in a silent scream of ecstasy.

Then she was caught up in his arms as he lifted her feet off the ground and backed up toward the couch. He sat, bringing her down on top of him and folding himself around her.

When her heart had slowed its frantic pace, Olivia moved her head to the side and looked up at him.

He was smiling drowsily down at her. "Not bad for the first time, huh?"

She laughed, still a bit breathless and not used to the feeling of him still inside her. "Much, much better than not bad," She said, sated and content, completely boneless.

They sat tangled on the couch for long minutes, his hand caressing her leg, eyes closed in utter contentment.

"More wine?" She asked finally, pulling herself off his lap and adjusting herself with an embarrassed little blush. "I'll get it."

"Sure," He said with a chuckle. "I could use something to drink." He smiled lazily up at her.

Olivia crossed to the kitchen and found the wine on the counter. She poured two glasses and stopped for a minute to collect herself before heading back in.

Resting her palms on the granite countertop, she let her head fall forward. Sex with Barba had been a nearly transcendental experience.

She raised her eyes to find her image in the glass on the cabinet doors and had to close her eyes against the memory of her reflection in the windows when he drove her over the edge.

Finally, she opened her eyes and picked up the glasses. She was going back out there to get as much more of him as she could before the end of the night.

Checking her reflection in the glass of the cabinet doors, she headed back out to the living room.

He looked up when she entered, and Olivia smiled before moving toward the couch. He looked relaxed, his broad shoulders lose, pants still undone, his legs splayed with hands resting lightly on his thighs. Slightly rumpled and extremely sexy.

She settled down beside him and handed him a glass, and he looked at her for a second before taking a sip. His eyes traveled from her mouth down over her breasts and thighs to follow the length of her bare legs before coming back up. She felt her breath stop and her nipples tighten as his gaze stopped there.

"You know," He said, very seriously, looking back up at her eyes, "I've yet to see the rest."

She smiled at the twinkle in his eye and leaned in to graze his lips in a butterfly kiss.

"That's what the bedroom is for."