So what happens is you post what you think is a one shot. Then you fire up Tumblr for the first time in a LONG time. Then you jumped head first into Barson. Which leads to Raul Esparza. Which leads to images of Raul Esparza. Which leads to inspiration for more than just a one shot. This is all YOUR fault.
"His meeting is running a little long. Can I get you anything?" she said with a sympathetic smile. He just shook his head and took the chair the furthest away from her and his office. All he could do is sit. And think.
That look. That last look. Why did he turn back? He knew it would ruin him and it did. Her hand over her heart. So many messages and meanings.
Leaning back and taking a cleansing breath, he closed his eyes. What would happen if this meeting went south? He would go to her. Either way he will go to her. He always does. But if he loses this job, then what? Part of him, the part that he always shoved way down, knew that he would grab her and kiss her for all he was worth. Would she respond? Who knew. But what if she did? What if she allowed him to spend the night? Allowed him to be there in the morning to see what she and Noah did first thing? He would ask her to go away with him. Both of them. Some place with sun and beach and sand. Some place with amazing tamales and music. Some place where they could just be. No pressure. Just them. How would that work? He smiled to himself, knowing he, for the first time in his life, could not answer that question. How would that work? He could see them as clear as day - her lounging with him in a cabana as Noah threw sand around. Intertwining their fingers for a late day walk down the beach. Drinking amazing wine while Noah slept, listening to the waves in the dark. Slow dancing. He could feel it. He could describe what she would feel and taste like, when he would finally kiss her.
But this job. What they did. They spoke for those no one else would speak for. No one else could speak for. They fought the fight very few people cared to fight. She had done the job without him. What made him think she would give it all up because he made a mistake a long time ago. Even on the cases not assigned to him, she would still call him. Ask his opinion. How to fight a fight she felt was necessary. There were days he knew they kept each other going. There were days he would hear her voice on the other end of the line and find the strength to keep trying, when all he wanted to do was take the easy way out. Not that she believed in ease. She instilled that in him.
"Mr. Barba?" He opened his eyes to see the DA's secretary looking at him. "He's ready for you now."
Hours later, he is walking. That talk with the DA - it was what he expected and nothing at all what he expected. He walked to gather his thoughts. To find his words. He stopped short in front of his destination and pulled out his phone. He hit her contact (#2 in his saved contacts, only his mother ranked higher) and waited for her familiar "Barba, hey".
"Buzz me up. I'm outside."