Chapter 4:
His head spinning was the understatement of the year – he – Rafael Barba – was going to be undercover as a potential 'pedophile' to track these high class pimps who considered themselves above the law when it came to these boys.
Boys he had no doubt had suffered great lengths just to come to the land of opportunity only to become opportunity themselves.
Multiple eyes were gazing at him at once as if waiting for him to protest the arrangement between him and the enthusiastic detective, which prompted him back from the small day dream, "What is it?"
"You're quieter than how I thought you'd be, seriously thought you would've kicked a fit." Odafin commented honestly, making Sonny look at him wearily and John snickering to himself. It was a side-effect of living with him that the African-American had no filter when it came to certain situations.
"Fin, come on. He's probably just processing everything." Mike responded for them all; arms were crossed over his torso firmly.
A small frown on his features, "I mean it's not that I'd protest or anything…I'm doing this of freewill…"
"Buuut? There's always a 'but' in there somewhere." John mused with a tilt of his head, "It's best to have the cards on the table now."
The attorney gave a small glance over to Sonny Carisi a brief moment as if indicating he could be the problem but knew that the issue lied within himself; could he really pull off undercover work so easily? He had seen the skills of these men under false pretenses were nailed flawlessly time and time again; he was all mouth and no action. Clearing his throat, the Latino straightened out in his stance to shake his head reassuringly.
"You all seem to have thoroughly thought this out, I was concerned about me. Are you sure I'd be the right fit for this?"
"Barba, we couldn't think of anyone better. You practically ooze finesse, intelligence and dignity than a lot of guys, you're perfect." Sonny chimed in, rubbing the back of his neck a moment at realizing that made him sound like he was a fanboy of the attorney although that was not entirely inaccurate. When the time came to divvy up the duties, he had volunteered readily to be bodyguard.
The younger man had come to terms with himself so to be offered the opportunity to explore the ADA's preferences in terms of a partner – he had to try. He was never one to shy away from a challenge!
"Wow, I need me one of him to go…" A murmur escaping the Jewish man who earned a sharp glance from Odafin then clapped his hands, "The longer we stand around here, the longer it'll take to set the gears into motion gentlemen!"
"What do you mean 'WE'? Munch, you're a civilian now, I can't allow your involvement any further than this as the commanding officer of this case." Dodds frowned, holding up his hand to the man and shook his head. "I mean we appreciate your assistance in getting this together but-"
John, in turn, moved to point to the board then himself, "You saying I've outlived my use or something, kid? I'll have you know I've been working this creed longer than you've been alive."
Fin shook his head as he stood up from his seat to move over to his partner who looked miffed then nodding to the younger men, "Carisi, why don't you go and get the info for Barba to look over while he heads back? Dodds, work with Amanda and keep her off the trail I'm pretty sure she's suspicious we're all hanging around in here. Barba – we'll pick you up later after you put notice with your office."
Mike appeared mildly apologetic as the attorney shifted to grab his personal belongings then followed behind Sonny promptly – he knew when privacy was being requested.
Once alone with only the African-American, the elder would only wave him off with an accusing finger, "You knew that he wasn't going to let me in on this didn't you."
"John, you're not on the force anymore-"
"That doesn't mean I can't be helpful as a consultant." John's arms crossed firmly, taking a step back away when the other was approaching him to reason.
When the other had something set up in his head, it would set up camp and refuse to move with a stubbornness that reminded Odafin of their old colleague; Elliot Stabler, whose anger rivaled anyone's.
Shaking his head, the black male would reach for his partner, "We didn't get approval to budget that in."
"I didn't say I was charging! I mean free service is the best isn't it? You'd know." His eyebrows wiggling slightly in an effort to lighten the mood yet he was still frustrated.
"Damn straight, I know I'd better be the only one you're giving any sort of service to."
"It's only for a limited time to have my expertise offered at a generous price."
Fin would only poke the other's forehead lightly, "You're a piece of work."
A sigh escaping the paler man's lips with a mumble incoherently then straightened out, "I refuse to let you do this alone. If I don't know anything, then I'll be that lame housewife who just waits for that call."
The image of John being a housewife only made him snort in amusement as his hands finally caught the other's to tug them free from the arm cross and lift them to press a kiss to the back of them, "Don't want to be my wife?"
"Oh please, Fin – we both know I'm the one who wears the pants in this relationship."
"Babe, you think I'd forget too easily? I'm already yielding to you now. You always gotta win." He mused in return, squeezing the worn pale hands that contrasted his darker ones.
"So then you'll talk to Dodds, no excuses. Barba was my idea – I'll take him back."
Rolling his eyes, Odafin released those hands as he went to grab up the pictures and files scattered by Carisi in their earlier set up of their meeting, "You tryin' to get on my nerves by hitting on younger guys or somethin'?"
"Is it working?"
"Mmm working too well I think." He shook his head in a chiding motion.
"I'll have to show you some 'not safe for work' material I need your consultation on when we get home later."
"See? I am the best consultant ever."
A smirk tossed back, sliding up close to the lithe frame that always gave an aura of mischief. The darker male wrapped his free arm around that waist to tug him flush to him. His face shifting to press a kiss to a small patch of skin on that neck and chuckling as the other wriggled from the surprise embrace.
"Is that promise of free service still up?"
"Nope, that offer expired when you told me I wasn't going to be on this case."
"Wait what?"
"You gotta earn that right back, big boy."
Humming to the kiss, the elder nudged the other away as he straightened himself out to go out of the room first with a whistle.
His gaze over to Dodds was firm in his victory then over to Barba who he would escort back.
As Tutuola trailed out behind his lover, he set down his stuff and looked to Carisi who made a motion like a whip; making him give him the finger for a moment and mouth 'smart-ass' to the younger.
Amused, Rafael held onto the files that held all of the information that he needed to understand: his mind trying to wrap itself more firmly to the fact that his roommate was a virile, young and chatty Staten Islander. How was he going to survive such a scenario? His own sexual preference long ago determined to be gay with the inclination to enjoy one-nights to set in stone relationships.
He was very observant so seeing how John and Fin appeared to be different yet compatible; perhaps he would have to lean on the elder's wisdom when it came to handling these situations.
Carisi was eye-candy: of course he had a lot of trouble paying attention when the younger spoke in his accented drawl about some thing or other so this was worse because ignoring him was not an option. It made him bite his lower lips in thought.
"I'm in trouble…." He whispered under his breath as he slid on his jacket, hazel eyes sneaking a glance over to the younger in question who smiled widely in return.
"I'll see you later Barba!"
"Carisi, why do you have to yell?" Dodds commented from where he sat, not even bothering to look up from where his fingers were diligently typing out the approval clearance to have a car, apartment and the like ready. He had a small doubt the attorney would agree to field work – having needed a lot of convincing from Fin and Sonny combined but in the long run, he hoped they could close their circle more with this case. As his father was chief, Mike knew everyone eyeballed him with serious glances and worried whispers he would get them fired except for his team.
Sonny would merely shrug as he was apparently in too good a mood to care for anyone to call him out on his excitement, "Ain't nothing wrong with that Sarge. You too Munch, I'll catch you later!"
"I'm counting on it Carisi," John chuckled as Fin tossed him a warning look even a mild one from Barba at the insinuations, "See you for drinks at 5, come on Barba."
Both men giving a bow of their head as this would have to continue outside of the precinct and listening ears of the women not involved – Munch ignoring the blonde who walked past him and the attorney as he hummed to himself. It made the woman stare curiously; eyebrows raised at them then shrugged it off.
"Did you all just make a boys club while I was at lunch?" Amanda responded as she had gone on lunch break – leaving the boys to their secret meeting and the like.
"Sorry Rollins, we gotta have some guy talk once in a while." Fin mused from where he sat; reaching for his phone as it began to ring and cutting off any comment she might make.
The blonde staring to Sonny who shrugged in a sheepish manner then nodded to Dodds as if to clue her in, the Sarge looked to be struggling to respond to the statement and it made her toss her hands up as if giving up on their secret meetings.
"Guys are so weird."
The attorney had returned to the office, deep in thought at more so the housing factor to the fact of the actual undercover work – it was probably a stress delay.
He believed that they were going to be helpful to saving those boys so fear was not an option he could have.
But after getting his leave of absence approved relatively quickly; only sending an email to his boss to get an answer within an hour that it was "about time", Rafael had consulted with John regarding what the steps were to go from there. Together, they worked with his assistant to square away his affairs while he was on his long vacation and cancel any court dates that were pending or assign to a junior prosecutor. He would miss it but he was playing a part now and it was exciting slightly.
After that was all set, it was required of him to take the rest of the day to get his belongings in order as well as putting a stop to his mail, letting his elderly neighbor to know of his absence and make sure that his cover story matched his own musings.
According to John, they would have to make their way to the apartment to await the arrival of the working trio since it was still early by working standards; especially for SVU detectives. He spent time making observations, light conversations, as well as general comments with John Munch.
The man was definitely skilled in steering a conversation away from anything that made him uncomfortable so it made it hard for Rafael to inquire on advice on how to handle Sonny.
Or rather the itch that he felt when looking at the tall and savory male.
The retired detective was extremely helpful, perhaps personal experience, and he seemed to read his vibe from earlier and commented something vaguely.
"Things always happen for a reason – as much as Fin likes to bust my bubble – so I'd say your best bet would be to let it come and face it head on."
It was the oddest concept yet it was appreciated by an apprehensive Latino.
They stood outside of the apartment building just away for Dodds who had the keys to the place as well as rendezvousing with Carisi and Tutuola who had to go and make sure the younger was all set for his role.
When the other men arrived, Mike shaking his head to seeing Munch standing there with an innocent gaze, "Munch…"
"Consultant, you aren't responsible for me Dodds relax."
"You are persistent aren't you?"
"Welcome to my world." Fin muttered in response, arriving with Carisi who came in a separate car that would play his own for the process of this undercover work to happen.
The ADA only amused then looking over to Sonny who was dressed in a full black suit, hair slick back with duffel bag in his hand then blinked when a hand reached for him.
"What is it?"
"Gimme." The younger waved his hand, nodding his head downward in his motion.
Rafael thinking it was motioning to his own hand, following the trail as he held out his hand with a raised eyebrow, "My…hand?"
"I meant the bag but I definitely wouldn't oppose the hand." His tone amused as Mike looked between the pair of them then muttering to himself.
"The flirting has to stop, focus guys."
A clear of his throat, the Latino handed over his bag with a frown at himself for being so awkward then straightened out his own suit from the morning; as it was of a good brand and class, he did not have to update the wardrobe, "Right, of course. Thank you."
"Barba, he's your bodyguard so you don't have to be super polite to the guy right?" Dodds mused, waving to them both.
"He's guarding your body so if you want to tip him later we won't judge you." John pointed out innocently as both men in question would choke on air it seemed to catch their bearings.
Fin moved over to pinch John's side in a hidden motion to behave, holding out two cellphones, "For you two – it's got our numbers programed if you need anything. We'll let you two settle in, grab some dinner and be up to see you both bright and early. Thank god it's the weekend."
"It's to establish your presence in the apartment; we're just the friends who will come to celebrate your arrival later." Mike finished then looked serious as he handed the keys to Barba with a spare copy for Sonny. "Any questions? Barba? Carisi?"
The two men would glance at each other with a stare then shook their head simultaneously.
It made John lean his head over to whisper into his love's ear, "Ten bucks they don't end up shacking up by the end of this."
"Come on, make it a hundred and I'm betting till the end of the weekend."
"That soon? Hmm….alright you're on!" He snickered as he waved the two to head inside as he turned to trail along the sidewalk alone to not give away he was friends of the other men till later.
It appeared the two of them made quite a statement strutting into the apartment complex in Soho with the young detective striding behind him with the promised stern authority of a bodyguard – or a possessive boyfriend if his narrowed eyes were anything to go by.
The latter wishful thinking on the Latino's part as his relationship with the younger.
Rafael looked over to the woman who smiled, "Welcome Mister….?"
"Cordero, Rafael Cordero."
To be continued…