Not Everything Done In The Dark Is Shameful Barson Story

Chapter 5

It was Saturday night, a full week since Olivia Benson showed up at Rafael Barba's door. She had called him as requested to let him know she got home safely, but not one word was said about the conversation they shared. They saw each other during the week but only talked about the cases they were working on. Barba was determined to change that. He walked swiftly down the hallway of the Manhattan SVU. "I see you're still burning the midnight oil." He said as he entered Benson's office. Her head shot up from a stack of paperwork. "I'm sorry I should have knocked. I didn't mean to frighten you." He heard the top drawer of her desk close and she got up. She walked toward him and stood in front of him.

"You didn't."

"You sure?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yes I'm glad it was you. "I may have a new case for you, I just took a statement, I'm trying to get the woman to press charges."

"It's after 2AM. I think you could use a break." She smiled. You do, do you?"

"I do and I can tell you that because I'm also a workaholic too. She laughed.

"You're probably right then. I would be home already but Lucy has been spending every Saturday night at my apartment studying and writing, she gets quiet and I get work. With Noah there I don't find it quiet but compared to where she lives she says it is. Quiet is overrated."

"I think so", he raised his right hand in it he held a brown paper bag. I brought you some food."

"Thank-you," She took the bag and placed it on her desk. "Did you eat?

"I thought we could eat together. He watched as she unpacked the bag, inside were 2 vegetable soups, 2 coffees, 2 teas, and a bread." I didn't know if you would want coffee at this hour."

It's never a bad time for coffee Barba. Don't you know that?" He laughed and the sound was comforting.

"I agree."

"How did you know I was here?"

"When you didn't answer your house phone, I knew I would find you here."

"I'm glad counselor, never sneak up on me again."

"Noted, I promise I won't."

"Good."

"You know you deserve better. Stabler should have at the very least had a conversation with you after he left."

"I'm not talking about that especially here. I promised myself not to ever talk about it here. My Captain told me I had to learn to work with others, and that is what I did, a long time ago. Drop it."

"Consider it dropped." She smiled and eat her soup quietly for a few moments. Next time I'm taking you for Cuban food, that is if you enjoy it?"

"What I have had of it was good." I'm not the best in the kitchen, but I'm the Take-out queen, I've gotten a little better since I have to feed Noah."

"Taste a piece of bread." Barba held a piece of bread in her direction, we'll each break a piece off. Ready?"

"Sure why not?" She grabbed the part of the bread that was facing her.

"1, 2, 3 Barba said as they both pulled.

"Aren't we too old to play with our food?" She took a bite. "That is so good."

"Thought you would like it, everything in the bag is takeout except the bread, that my mother baked. All I did was warm it before I cane here."

"Thank your mother for me. You want to go over some case files?"

"Not tonight."

"Do we have to have a deep conversation now?"

"No."

"Good I'm tired, but counselor if you want to reveal something deep about yourself I'm all ears."

"My father left when I was very young, but let's not talk about it now."

"Understood. What do you want to talk about now?"

"Favorite movie?"

"No, you'll laugh at me."

"No I won't." He said smiling.

"Your already laughing Barba.

"No I'm not. Tell me." Benson took the last spoonful of her soup, and put her spoon down.

"Ok, When Harry Met Sally." Barba bust out laughing.

"Told you, you'd laugh at me, I knew it!

"I'm sorry", he said covering his month. It's not what I was expecting."

"Really and what were you expecting me to say? Kiss The Girls, I get enough of that stuff at work. She almost added and my dreams but she didn't because her goal was to keep the conversation light tonight.

"Yes you do Liv." He wasn't laughing now.

"What' yours?" She asked quickly.

"The Godfather."

"Oh no Barba every man I know says that, so predictable."

"Sorry it's not my only one."

"It is a great movie."

"Ah you do like it."

"Yes, who doesn't? All the action, all that family, love. "

"How many times have you been in love?" Barba asked softly looking at the woman who sat across from him.

"I think once."

"Do you believe in love, not the kind you called brainwashing, but real love?"

"Yes, for most people. Barba do you remember everything I say to you?"

"Pretty much."

Author's note Kiss The Girls is a book that was made into a movie in the late 1990's