Here's my second installment, and I hope everyone will enjoy this. I want to thank everybody for the amazing response to the first chapter! The follows, favorites and reviews mean everything.
So now we're officially back in the present.
Present…
The office had grown quiet as she continued working through the staggering amount of reports, which had piled up on her desk. The responsibility accompanied by heading a FBI Unit were immense, and she had learned that soon after she had accepted the job three years earlier. But despite the long days, and often horrific cases, she didn't want to be anywhere else.
The small team of five agents under her command was a tight nit group, and together they dove into the dark world of crimes perpetrated against children. It involved dedication, and often didn't allow for a personal life whatsoever. But she'd grown accustomed to living only for her career. Her personal life had been non-existent for quite some time.
She closed a file and moved it to edge of her desk, when a soft knock on her door sounded. She looked up at the door, wondering who'd be at her office door at such an hour. ''Come in.''
The door opened and revealed her former boss, Dean Porter. The shock overcame her immediately, and she closed another file on her desk. They hadn't been in contact for three years after she left his division, to head up her current post. Working with him had been both a blessing and a curse, but that didn't take away from his capabilities.
From the expression on his face, she detected frustration and she realized he was about to lay it all out before her. He was after all not the type of person to beat around the bush, that much she knew.
''Still burning the midnight oil.'' Porter remarked as he marched over to her desk. He sat down in one of the chairs opposite of her, noticing her lack of verbal response to his presence. ''Well, I do believe we've had more pleasant encounters.'' he suggested, and finally her eyes lifted to his.
She didn't flinch, knowing he was trying to lighten the mood before dropping something on her. ''Is there something I can help you with, Porter?''
He nodded at her directness. ''The Deputy Director reached out to me earlier tonight.'' he began in annoyance. ''Apparently we have an interest in of the suspects NYPD is currently holding for questioning.''
She was about to ask the question when she stopped herself. It hit her immediately. There could be no other reason for Porter visiting her office at that time a night. The thought, however, created a lump in her throat.
''Let me guess, Lloyd Anderson?'' she offered immediately.
''They suspect him of multiple rape homicides in New York.'' he explained quickly. ''I tried to explain to the Manhattan DA that he is currently of grave importance to us in a case we've been developing for years. I didn't provide them with the details, but he is unwilling to release him into FBI custody.''
Olivia sat forward in shock, her elbows coming to rest on the desk. ''Are you telling me we can't interfere?''
Porter shook his head at her question. ''The Director insist we cooperate.'' he explained. ''He wants to promote interagency cooperation, including that with local law enforcement. I tried to press the issue, but he wouldn't hear me.'' he replied. ''The Manhattan District Attorney just informed me that they are willing to discuss the matter in person, so an ADA will be traveling here to make possible arrangements.''
The politics is what she despised most. Her work meant everything to her, but being overshadowed because politeness was required for political relations annoyed her to no end. She had often pushed her own interests aside, but with this case too much was riding on it.
''That to me sounds like a ploy by the DA to waste our time so we can't have a possible interrogation with him.'' she immediately suspected. ''I'll book a flight to New York immediately. I'll inform Agent Brandon that he'll be in charge for as long as I'm gone.''
Porter had risen from the chair, about to walk out of the office, when he suddenly turned around and moved back to her desk. ''Do you have any contacts at the DA's office from your time at SVU?'' he questioned.
''The ADA assigned to SVU at the time was my friend Alex Cabot, but she's working for the International Criminal Court in The Hague now.'' she replied, hoping to steer from her contacts in New York as quickly she could. ''I have no pull there anymore, Porter.''
The truth was, she didn't want to hold influence over anyone from her past. Her time in New York was something she'd buried long ago. Even though she exchanged the occasional email with members of her squad back then, she had mostly lost touch with friends from her past.
Porter sighed, knowing how unlikely their success would be in trying to get Anderson in their custody. ''Maybe I can get assurances from the Chief Judge and the US Attorney that they will push for an order of extradition.'' he told her. ''If the US Attorney can get multiple convictions in this case it will look good when he wants to get re-elected. I'll remind him of that.''
Olivia was surprised that he seemed so willing to go the extra mile. ''Going above the Director's head won't lead to anything good.'' she stated firmly.
''I'll be fine.'' he reassured. ''The next 72 hours are vital, Olivia. If NYPD releases him we may never get another lead. And you and I both know that Anderson can lead us right to the person we really want.''
She leaned back in her chair, watching as he once again moved toward the door. ''Dean!'' she called out before he exited her office.
He turned around and was both shocked and happy at the sound of her saying his given name. ''You know, it's been a long time since you called me that.'' he declared as his lips curved into a smile.
She smiled back for a few seconds, and then realized she didn't want to cross any lines. Not with him especially. ''I just wanted to say thank you for informing me about Anderson, and getting me involved.''
''No need to thank me, Olivia. This case means a lot to everybody, and the higher-ups want to see it solved as long as we don't go above NYPD in this.'' he responded kindly. ''And I especially know what this means to you. You're the most motivated to close this case because you lost the most.''
Hundreds of cases had crossed her desk in the nine years she worked for the FBI, but there was one case she could never let go off. Not until it was solved and those responsible were convicted for their crimes.
She nodded at him as she fought to keep her emotions in check. ''Thank you.''
''Have a safe trip to New York, and stay in touch.'' he said as began to approach the door. ''If you need assistance I will join you in New York.''
Early next morning, the plane had touched down in New York. As she drove through the city, the feeling of familiarity struck a chord with her. The memories remained hidden, but the idea of being back in a place she'd once called home felt incredibly strange. Once upon a time, New York had been the only city she saw herself living. But of course, like many others things, her dreams and desires had changed.
And as she found herself approaching the courthouse, she froze in her tracks. She observed the building from a distance, clenching the coffee in her hands. People passed her by, noises were all around her, and she realized that some things hadn't changed. Perhaps it was just her. Maybe her perception of a once great life had changed, and forced her to view things differently.
Times spent in court rushed back to her. The overwhelming emotion of victory at a conviction, or the sickening feeling when a not guilty verdict had been read. She still remembered her squad, and working closely with Alex, whom had been her best friend. There were many good memories, but unfortunately they were unable to balance out the heartbreak the city embodied to her.
She shuddered as a strong wind blew, and she buried one hand in the pocket of her coat. Her meeting would start in fifteen minutes, and she needed that time to prepare herself. Burying emotions and distancing herself had become one of her strong suits. But she was about to enter a meeting where the stakes were higher than ever before.
The recent scandals that hit the District Attorney's Office hadn't gone unnoticed, and she hoped that recent changes would be in her advantage. Through sources she learned they were scrambling to repair their image by hiring fresh blood.
She checked her phone. Ten more minutes left. The conflicting emotions flashed through her and had her glued to the spot, still. She knew avoidance wouldn't lead to anything. So she turned to her left, dropping the coffee into the trash bin, and starting her approach to the courthouse.
The sound of a ringing phone interrupted the meeting in the room and forced its possessor into the hallway. Closing the door to the conference room, he glared down at the screen as an amusing feeling coursed through him. Through the craziness and the interruption, the caller always managed to make him smile.
''Mami.'' he greeted kindly as he put the phone to his ear. ''What can I do for you?''
On the other end of the line, Lucia Barba sighed in relief to finally hear her son's voice. ''Rafi!'' she replied kindly. ''Mi hijo, it has been a week since we last spoke. Can't a mother be worried about her son?''
Barba leaned with his back against the wall, his eyes shifting down to his watch. ''Of course you can, mami.'' he agreed as a grin spread across his face. ''How are you?''
''I'm good, Rafael. But I called to ask you that.'' she reminded him easily.
His mother was never one to avoid getting straight to the point. ''Work has been crazy with the late hours and transitions going on, but I'm fine.'' he told her quickly.
''Did I call you at a bad time? You sound a little stressed.''
He took a deep breath to settle his emotions. The pressure accompanying his promotion had most certainly put a lot of stress on him. The responsibility of his new job was one he could handle. It just took time to adjust to. He was simply overworked and sleep-deprived.
''Work is just busy, mami. Can I call you back tonight?''
''Of course.''
After saying their goodbyes he ended the call and returned the phone to his pocket. He moved away from the wall, rushing back to the conference room.
He stepped back inside, taking his seat at the head of the table as all eyes turned back to him.
''I apologize for the interruption.'' he started off. ''I'll say this again, from now on we're running a clean office. We've taken a hit with the recent scandals, and big changes have followed. But I was hired to keep this office honest and ethical.'' he went on. ''Now, please get back to work and come to me with any problems.''
People began leaving the room to get back to work as Barba remained in his seat. One of the ADA's stayed behind and approached him.
''Mr. Barba, I wanted to inform you that I'm about to go into a meeting with an Agent from the FBI.'' he informed quickly. ''I know we're not cooperating with them, but how do I handle the meeting?''
Barba rose from the chair, putting his hands on the table. ''Try to find out why the FBI is interested in Anderson, and don't divulge any information of our investigation.'' he said. ''We can't afford to lose this case to the FBI.''
The meeting had started off with the usual niceties, but soon enough Olivia knew the younger man before her was digging for details about their case.
''Ma'am, can you give us any details concerning your investigation?''
As the sentence reached her ears, she stood up from the chair, her patience begging to wear thin. ''First of all, it's Supervisory Special Agent Benson or SSA Benson, but for you I'll make the exception of Agent Benson.'' she corrected calmly. ''And second, I won't share any information until you do.''
Olivia watched as the ADA took in her words, his face reddening. Her own expression was stern, no compassion traceable as she watched him attempt to form an apology. ''You'll be hearing from my superiors within the hour. The US State's Attorney, the Chief Judge, and the Executive Assistant Director from the National Security Branch all have a stake in this case.'' she lied all too easily.
At the same time, Barba walked across his office to reach for a pile of files, when he stopped dead in his tracks. He had no idea how long he stood there in the middle of his office, gazing into the direction of the meeting taking place in the opposite room. His mind came up spinning and then suddenly hit a halt, as if he was frozen in time.
The image must have been a hallucination. It simply couldn't be possible. But as his eyes took sight of the familiar silhouette, he knew it was no dream. She was there. It wasn't imagination, it was reality. One he couldn't begin to comprehend.
Yet as he lost himself in his haze, his eyes remained transfixed on her. Fearful that she'd disappear if he moved an inch, he stood impossibly still. Her movements were subtle and gracious, her poise a never fading quality. Something he remembered fondly.
From that distance he could recognize her with ease. Months of remembering the planes and features of her body would never allow him to forget her. Olivia Benson, the woman who had once been his lifeline, was mere feet away from. Still unaware of his presence.
His eyes continued to cross the room with his gaze fixed on her. And then suddenly out of nowhere, she spun around, and his breathing hitched. A set of deep brown eyes connected to his with equal intensity and emotion, forcing him back years in the past. He tried to grasp the enormity of the moment, but failed.
Done with the meeting, she spun around in a fraction of a second, only to be met with green eyes filled with recognition. She gasped, her eyes widening as she tried to get a grip on reality.
Her world suddenly slowed down, the voice in the room fading into the background as she stared back at him. Her own expression remained blank, whereas his seemed to be filled with wonder.
Her instinct was to run and never look back. Just to allow herself to keep him buried in her past. To continue on as she had for nine years. Without him.
The possibility of them meeting again never seemed far out of reach to her. Yet she'd hoped for her own sanity that it wouldn't happen. To her he was an enigma, mysterious and yet predictable at once. He embodied not only a broken heart, but dreams and promises unfulfilled. A combination that could easily push her boundaries.
She involuntarily gripped the chair before her as a means of supporting herself. The situation had yet to set in, and her focus was elsewhere. Her eyes wandered across the features of his face, and she found that nothing had truly changed. He still looked as beautiful and untamed, a man with his own will, never relenting to anyone.
Her eyes lingered on him, careful with her own expressions. It were his eyes that spoke a thousand words, even from across the room. Filled with green and traces of brown, she remembered those eyes by heart. The emotions they had shared, the heartbreak, it all been in his expressive eyes.
She was as gorgeous as ever. Her curves, now fuller, were beautiful. Her face more mature yet the same in many ways.
But when he finally dared to take a few steps forward, the distance evaporating, he noted the unknowing glance on her face. Her eyes, although the same he once knew, represented distance and detachment. A look only carried by those who had seen too much, those who had experienced too much devastation.
It forced him to wonder how her life had played out in the nine years he hadn't seen her. Whether she'd been happy or perhaps unhappy with her life. This confrontation couldn't come without questions, he realized that.
For some reason their exchange had felt like a lifetime, while it had only been several seconds. He'd held her attention for too long, and she finally turned away from his gaze to focus her attention on the apologizing man behind her.
She turned her back to Barba, her heart beating in her chest. ''You'll be hearing from us.'' she ended quickly.
She had to get out of there, had to find a moment alone to breathe without his eyes on her. And as she fled the office, she kept her eyes adverted to the ground.
As soon as the cold air and wind hit her, she felt tears forming in her eyes while walking the courthouse steps. The circumstances engulfed her, the emotions devastating. Years of attempting to move on hadn't helped much when she had faced him. Instead, the feelings she buried deep long ago all came rushing back. It was a paralyzing feeling, the inability to control her emotions.
Their meeting was almost a cruel twist of fate. It immersed her in questions, not only about him but about her feelings as well. It made her question everything. In the past, when she'd been with him, she believed that he came into her life for a reason. Simply to enrich it. But now, now there was no reason, no simple explanation. Nothing could erase the sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach.
She took a deep breath and tried to get her bearings, knowing she had to push aside her personal attachments. Her career was number one in her life, especially now, so she picked up the phone and quickly dialed Porter's number.
At the first ring the call went straight to voicemail. She sighed and waited for the beeps to end so she could leave him a message.
''Dean, I thought I'd let you know that the NYPD and DA's office are refusing to cooperate. They tried getting information from me instead, but I didn't give them anything.'' she informed him quickly as she resumed her way down the street. ''I'm going to book a hotel room for the time being. Reinforcements would be appreciated. Call me.''
Knowing her time in New York would be extended due to the lack of cooperation, she booked a hotel room close to the courthouse and awaited a message from Porter.
As she stepped through the doorway of her room, her phone indicated that a message had come in. She dropped her go-bag to the ground and closed the door. She retrieved her phone and smiled at the confirmation message that Porter would be joining her in New York.
She threw her phone onto the bed while moving further into the room. She continued to place her gun on the bedside table, and ridding herself of her blazer. Her entire body felt heavy when she finally dropped to the bed, turning on her side.
She desperately needed a moment to come to terms with the events of the day, even though it was only lunchtime. Her mind was filled with too many concerns. The past seemed to have decided to come back to haunt her, her demons never far behind.
Her eyes finally closed, the exhaustion overtaking her for a long moment. But just as quickly she was forced awake. A soft knocked sounded on the door and jolted her awake, causing her to groan out in frustration.
Getting onto her feet, she straightened her blouse. She moved to the door, leaning forward to glance through the peephole.
As she took in the person standing on the other side, she pulled back immediately. A hand went through her hair, and her heart sped up again for the umpteenth time that day. She was unable to make a choice of what to do next, or even how to move.
''Liv, I can hear you.''