Single and Seeking Barson story

Chapter 19

Author notes At the beginning of this story Noah is 3 going on 4, this was mentioned in the author's notes in the first chapter, I found a typo related to his age in chapter 1 that has been corrected.

In chapter 18, I mentioned An Affair To Remember, it is a real film which came out in 1957. The books mentioned in chapter 18 have been published, and are in print.

It was Saturday evening. It was another rough day for Olivia Benson, the entire week had been rough. At noon today, Olivia was called to yet another crime scene. Again, there was no DNA or forced entry. She and Rollins thought that all the victims may be renting apartments in buildings with one owner in common. It wasn't much to go on. but it could be something. Olivia got home at 5:PM. All she wanted to do was relax, but she couldn't. Her mind was spinning. She walked into Fitzgerald's, a jazz lounge, and spotted Dr. Brad Taylor right away.

"Olivia you look breathtaking." He said, walking to her. Olivia was wearing a long sleeved, floor length, crew neck, black dress covered in silver rhinestones.

"Thanks Brad, I'm sorry I'm late."

Dr. Taylor glanced at his watch. It took him a moment to answer. "No worries, you're a busy woman. Come with me", he said leading her to a table at the back of the lounge. Jazz music filled the room, but thankfully it was not too loud. She wished that this place wasn't so dimly lit. She sat down, and Dr. Taylor quickly sat across from her. "It's nice to see you again Olivia. How was your day, how was your week? How's Noah?"

"I've been working, and Noah's fine. I think he's back to his old self. Thanks so much for asking, and for your help with him,"

"I'm glad, he's feeling better."

"So Brad, tell me more about yourself."

"You're a cop, you must ask questions all the time. You don't get tired of it?"

"Not at all."

He laughed. "I love jazz, and travel books. I'm a good dancer."

"Why travel books?"

"I want to see the world, but with my job, I don't have time."

"I understand that."

"In order to send you flowers at work, I had to look in Noah's file. Under your work information there is a phone number and, an address, but you failed to list the name of your department."

"Special Victims Unit."

"Doesn't that unit handle sex crimes, and child abuse?"

"Can I get you a drink?" A waitress said, walking up to the table.

"Ladies first", Dr. Taylor said to Olivia. Olivia didn't want a drink with alcohol, in case she got called to work again.

"Club soda with lemon please." Olivia said to the waitress, "Thank-you."

"No Alcohol?" The waitress asked to be sure.

"No Alcohol." Olivia confirmed. "Thank-you."

"The same." Dr. Taylor said when the waitress looked at him. She nodded and walked away. When she did, Dr. Taylor continued to speak. "I don't know how you do it. You have to be such a strong person to work with people in such pain."

"I'm sure you've seen your share of people in pain."

"You're right, luckily I haven't come across many child abuse cases, and I have been able to help a lot of people. I think your job is more difficult than mine has been, so far. You must see so much cruelty. I never could understand why people enjoy inflicting pain on others. What do you do to relax Olivia? You have to do something to get your mind off of the horrors you see?"

"I spend time with my son every chance I get."

"He's so young, I take it, you've been in this line of work long before he was born. What did you do then?" The waitress came back to the table with 2 club sodas, placed them down, and left.

"Brad, I keep telling you, I'm boring, before there was nothing, but work, and that was Ok. My job is very rewarding."

"If you had the chance to travel Olivia, would you?"

"I'm so busy, it would depend on where."

"What about Italy?" Have you ever been?"

"I haven't been there, but it would give me a chance to use Italian?"

"You speak Italian?"

"Yes."" Olivia took 2 small sips of her drink and put it down.

"I speak French."

"So do I."

"Impressive. I'm surprised you decided to become a cop, I mean no disrespect, what you do is needed and honorable, It's just I get the sense you could have done anything."

"And I chose to join The New York City Police Department, and to became a detective."

"You're not boring Olivia, you're amazing." Dr. Taylor sipped his drink, and placed it down quickly. Olivia, would you dance with me?"

Olivia got up from the table. "Sure." Her mind was still spinning, and she needed a break from talking. She and Dr. Taylor walked onto the dance floor.

Olivia felt Dr. Taylor's arms wrap around her as Norah Jones's version of the Nearness Of You began to play, she let her spinning mind wander, and it wandered to Rafael Barba. A week ago tonight, he was at her apartment for hours, he got her to watch An Affair To Remember with him. Soon, after the movie ended, she found that he was sleeping, he looked so peaceful. She covered him with her blanket, and walked into Noah's room to sleep in the rocking chair beside his bed. She awoke Sunday morning to aroma of strong Cuban coffee. She went into her bedroom, quickly changed her clothes, and joined Barba for a cup of coffee, and a long talk. She was debating whether or not to have a second cup when her phone rang. "I have to go" She told him. "This guy doesn't give up." Barba told her he had plenty of paperwork to work on, and they walked out of her apartment together. After work that day, she spoke to Barba on the phone, and he promised her a real breakfast when they both had time. Olivia got the sense that just before her phone rang, Barba was contemplating making eggs. During this past work week everything was for the most part normal. After work everyday Barba drove her home, and they ate his mother's leftovers together. Barba even read to Noah, but there was something off with her friend.. She understood that he was a very guarded man, but around each other they were both able to drop their guards, This past week, she found he was distant with her, and she didn't like it. She wondered if he was embarrassed because he fell asleep at her apartment. Was he angry with her? The song ended, and she walked back to the table to find her phone ringing. "Benson." She answered,

"Sidebar." She heard Barba say.

"Will you excuse me Brad?"

"Sure thing." Dr. Taylor said.

Olivia walked to the ladies room, and spoke into her phone. "I'm on my way, tell me where you are."

"At my mother's, I'll meet you at your apartment." Barba answered.

Ok." She answered She hung up her phone, left the ladies room, and walked back to the table.

"Is everything Ok?" Dr. Taylor asked.

"I'm sorry Brad. I have go."

"Duty calls, I'll call you later." Dr. Taylor replied. Olivia smiled, walked out, and quickly got into a cab.