Juliana Vasquez was fairly excited for her job at the Special Victims Unit within the NYPD. She had worked very hard to be transferred there from vice. Being a vice detective just wasn't enough for Juliana, and both she and her captain knew it, and had put in the recommendation for a transfer the second word had gotten around that a new position was open in SVU, one of the toughest departments of the NYPD. Everyone knew that she belonged in one of the toughest departments there. She was someone who needed to be challenged, and constantly. Juliana had been through both the vice and the narcotics department, which was a bit ironic. So far, her first day had been just as anyone would expect, and the people were polite and professional towards her. Everything seemed perfectly fine and exciting.
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After the excitement and novelty of her first day, Juliana had been standing just outside of her precinct, as a man had come out just before her. It was a bit later than everyone else had left; Juliana had some things to sort out in order for her to get situated at SVU. The man in front of her held the door open for her as she stepped out into the cold New York nighttime air. "Wait.... Juliana?" the man recognized her. She stared, getting a closer look at him. "Oh! Rafael? What's your business being here?" she asked, noticing the suit. "Well, um, I'm the Assistant District Attorney. And you?" he asked, noticing her work outfit.
Clean cut black blazer and pants, along with a soft dark purple blouse and, of course, Chris's cross that he had given her. "I'm the new SVU detective," Juliana replied. "Oh," Barba said quietly. "Oh," he repeated. "Well, sh*t...." "So uh...." "Yeah, this is pretty awkward," Barba cut her off. "Yeah...." "Bar?" he blurted our, instantly giving up on himself and on being tactful. "Sure, let's take a cab," Juliana nodded, just as she was able to call one over not too far from the outside of the precinct. "Was this why you didn't want to bring up work when we first met?" Rafael asked quietly. "No, actually, I had no idea. I mean.... this job, you come across a lot of people," she reasoned. He nodded. "Of course." Juliana sighed exhaustedly. "I'm sensing a bit of tension here, aside from the obvious. Why don't we just make this simple and clear it up now?" Barba nodded appreciatively at her honesty. "Well, the thing is, Juliana.... Iike you, a lot. I want to pursue whatever it is that we have going on here," he smiled slightly. "Okay, well, why don't you do that then, Mr. Barba?" she asked softly. He chuckled. "I would definitely like to. But there's a lot of bureaucracy and red tape with these things, you know? IAB. 1PP. The DA. The press. All sorts of things, I'm sure you realize." Juliana only laughed as they neared the bar. "I suppose that's the difference between us, Mr. Barba. I know every single risk to this, every single repercussion, but, see.... I honestly don't care, because when I find something that I know I want.... I'll go out and get it. Surely a no-nonsense Assistant District Attorney such as yourself would understand," she pointed out in a low murmur. "Detective Vasquez.... has anyone ever told you just how reckless you are?" he asked with a hidden smile.
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