A/N: I quite like Annie. This chapter is just sort of an introduction to her and is about her first date with the ADA. The next chapter is so much more fun. So bear with me on this one. Thanks.

Disclaimer: I do not own Law and Order: SVU or any of its characters.

Annie Rock 'n' Roll Dalton

Was he actually nervous?
'Jesus, Rafael. Pull yourself together'
He was sitting in his favorite Cuban restaurant. His eyes darted to the door every other second, no matter how hard he tried to focus on the menu. The constant checking paid off. He saw Annie – in the daylight - peeking in, then walking towards him with a great smile. Rafael stood with grace, buttoning the top of his coat and taking in the lush sight.
"So you wear nice suits wherever you go"
He shook her hand grinning.
"It's good to see you too. You look lovely"
They sat across each other.
"Thanks. Aunt June wanted me to wear a halter neck but my shoulder flab is just..."
Rafael watched Annie shake her head.
"Never mind. I'm sorry. I babble when I'm nervous"
"You're nervous?"
"Yeah. You are having lunch with a stranger who you could possibly end up having feelings for. Aren't you nervous?"
"I... wow", he laughed, "I'm just hungry at the moment. Can we order?"
"Of course. Sure. Please"
Rafael thanked the waiter when he brought the menu. He observed his date poring through the same.

While they waited for the food, Rafael started the conversation.
"So, the other night, you proclaiming yourself to be NYPD and pointing a hairbrush at the mugger - was that spontaneous?"
"Mm-hm. I am spontaneous. Very much so"
"Why the hairbrush?"
She shrugged,
"I had just bought it. And it was the only thing in my purse besides money and booze. Also, NYPD once shot a 37-year old black woman for pointing her hairbrush at 'em. I thought the trick would work in reverse"
"You don't seem to be a fan of them", he said with malice.
Annie was oblivious to it. She said,
"They are okay. Being a cop is a service to the community. Besides, I wouldn't dare malign your colleagues in your presence, Assistant District Attorney Rafael Barba"
She seemed so proud when she said it.
"That's right. I googled you. Didn't expect to find you on youtube though"
Rafael frowned,
"I'm on youtube?"
"Yeah. In your sex tape"
He only stared at her with a small smile. She relented,
"It's a video from that trial where the guy tried to choke you with your belt. Twenty Five Acts – I knew that book was trouble. You are hardcore though"
"Thanks"
"You're welcome"
"What about you? What exactly do you do in publishing?"
"I am a small time editor"
"I see. Fiction, right?"
"Yep. Romance and erotica mostly"
Rafael couldn't stop smiling.
"Erotica?"
She nodded with fake pride.
"Heard of 50 Shades of Grey?"
"Yeah"
"I had nothing to do with that one. Thank God"
Her wit was refreshing. It also acted as a shield against her true nature. And the true nature of Annie Dalton was what Rafael was after.
"And thank you for the flowers. They were beautiful. But they wilted before I could get them to my apartment"
"Yeah, I figured it out late that you don't live with your aunt and uncle"
"I live in the Village. It's closer to work"
"So you just happened to be visiting family in Queens when you 'saved' me?"
"Correct", she held up her glass of water, "To coincidences"
He clinked his glass against hers,
"To fate"
Annie cast her eyes down, smiling. She had this tendency to be cute, confident and coy in the same moment. Rafael liked that.
"So, google didn't say what to watch out for with you. And you are not on any social media, I checked"
"You're asking me to list my flaws"
"I'm asking you to describe your lesser qualities"
"Well", he smiled, "I'm kind of a workaholic, a hard-ass. I drink too much coffee. I don't like wasting my time or other people's. What about you?"
"I talk too much"
He feigned surprise,
"You do?"
That promptly earned him a light rap on his hand. Annie was defensive while Rafael laughed.
"It's endearing, Mister"
"I have no doubt about that"
"Moving on... let me think. What cliché first date questions can I ask you? Yep - what kind of music do you like?"
"Classical. Cuban and soul. Jazz too, on occasion. You?"
She said in a typical Yankee accent,
"I'm a rock and roll girl. To be honest, anything from the 80s is good"
"I see", he sipped water, "How are you still single?"
That earned him a hearty laugh. She said,
"I'm kind of choosy. And this whole confident, middle-aged woman routine intimidates most men. I was actually engaged once. He died"
He was stunned at her flippancy.
"I'm sorry"
"It was a long time ago"
"How'd he die?", he knew the answer.
She smiled the smile of the bereaved.
"Gang business. He was going to leave it for me. We were supposed to go to college together"
The food arrived on time, sparing her further misery of recalling the past.
"What about you, Rafael?"
"Nothing as serious as an engagement"
"Cause that would mean cheating on your wife Mrs. Work Barba"
Rafael couldn't get enough of that smile.

Dismayed, Rafael's only comfort was that she still held his arm as they walked away from the club. He had almost caught her yawning at the jazz performance.
"I am sorry. I should have asked if you liked jazz"
"You should have", she shook his arm, "Come on. I am just kidding. It was a new experience"
"I would try to repair the damage at dinner but you told me you can't stay that long. Anything I can say to change your mind?"
"Two meals in one day? What, you like me or something?", she joked.
He turned to her,
"So far, yeah"
What he had not expected was for her to kiss him then. It was feather-like, made him yearn for more. She drew away before he could respond. They locked eyes for a moment until Annie looked the other way. The walk continued. She said,
"Oh Annie, thank you. That was nice"
Rafael grinned and turned her face to him by her chin.
"Annie, thank you. That was nice. We should do it again"
He kissed her and she responded likewise. It was sweet and just the right amount of adventurous.
Annie had the tips of her fingers on her lips after that kiss, as she looked away again, smiling.
"It's almost 8"
She hailed a cab. Rafael was sorry it had to end.
"A writer from a different time zone is flowing in. My boss wants me to join their late dinner. But I really had a pleasant time with you, Rafael"
"I did too"
He stopped her,
"Annie? You should know that I did a background check on you"
"Of course you did"
"You really don't mind?"
She shrugged,
"So you know I'm a foster kid. What else?"
"That the Tylers are not only your last foster family but also Michael's parents", he didn't mention her father, "I'm sorry if I crossed a line"
She paused. Her smile was encouraging.
"It's no issue. I would have told you that soon anyway. I like the guy hiding under these expensive suits"
Annie kissed his cheek and got into the cab. A smiling and content ADA waved her goodbye.