Not Everything Done In The Dark Is Shameful Barson Story

Chapter 6

was another Saturday night, Olivia Benson walked into the large building which housed the DA's office. She smiled when she saw the woman with jet black hair sitting at her desk. Olivia held a paper bag in her right hand, she walked to the front of the desk and placed it down. "Hi Carmen. Barba still around or do I have to track him down?"

"No, he's still here."

"I brought coffee", Olivia said taking a cup out of the bag and handing it to Carmen.

"Thank-you, Carmen replied happily taking the cup and sipping carefully.

"You're welcome. How are you?"

"Great! How's Noah?"

"Wonderful. Thanks for asking."

"Lieutenant Benson" Barba said walking out of his office and in her direction." I thought I heard your voice". Olivia turned her head to face the man walking toward her.

"I love her, she brought coffee! Carmen said.

"Here" Olivia said handing him a cup when he stopped in front of her. "Careful it's hot,"

"Ah Thank-you You're an angel." He said before sipping from the cup.

"I wouldn't go that far Barba." She answered raising an eyebrow in surprise. Rafael Barba was always the definition of professional, she couldn't believe he just called her an angel. She hoped she wasn't blushing. Why did she come to his office so early? It was only 8:30 in the evening not late at all for Barba. She was almost positive by coming in at this hour she would run in to at least one other person, and she was right.

"Thanks for coming in Carmen, you can leave whenever you wish." His eyes never left Benson's as he spoke.

"Thank-you Carmen answered. "My husband made dinner reservations." She got up from her desk taking her coffee with her. Thanks so much for the coffee Lieutenant it was so thoughtful, and the caffeine fix helps a lot. Good night. You should bring Noah by."

"Good night Olivia called as Carmen left the room.

Bara took a quick sip of coffee and then spoke. "I was coming to see you soon."

"Beat you to it."

"I see that, I'm glad. You OK Liv?"

"Yeah, I couldn't look at anymore paperwork and I thought you could use the coffee. Noah is at a sleepover."

"That's nice, he answered smiling.

"I don't like it." Olivia heard him laugh softly.

"You want to sit down awhile or I could just take you for dinner?"

"No that's ok, I don't feel like seeing a lot of people. I'll sit down awhile." She said walking toward Barba's private office space. He quickly followed behind her. She was already on his office couch when he entered the room. She looked gorgeous as always but she also looked exhausted.

"So Norah's sleepover, you know the parents?"

"Yes."

"Nice people?"

"Yes."

"So you have nothing to worry about."

"Thank-you counselor. Do you ever know anyone? What if I missed something with these parents?"

"What if you didn't, he'll be fine Liv."

"Before I came here I called to check on him."

"How was he?"

"Playing, he said they were going to watch a movie and then James's mother was tucking them in."

"How many times did you call since he's been there?

"3" She answered watching his face for a reaction. He smiled.

"He fine Liv. What cases did you look at today?" She took a deep breath.

"Someone reported a child porn case Friday. I know what you're doing Barba You think I'm overreacting because of my job... because of my job I always see the worst."

"You're his mother, it's normal for you to worry, sometimes, every once in awhile there is nothing to worry about. It's one night."

"A lot can happen in one night. "

"I told you before you can trust your instincts. What did your instincts tell you?" He heard her say something under her breath, and he was sure he knew what it was. He asked anyway. "What was that?" He asked smiling. He saw her roll her eyes.

"they're nice people!" She answered louder. "You better be right."

"I'm always right." She laughed, and it was music to his ears, he heard himself laugh like he used to when he was a boy.

"You're so full of yourself Barba", she answered touching his arm. When she realized what she was she was doing she quickly removed her hand. " It's been a long week." She said quickly.

"I agree, he answered. He was disappointed she removed her hand from his arm, but he wouldn't let it show.

"You Ok?" She asked, her brown eyes were searching his green ones.

"Yes, like you said it's been a long week." He took a deep breath. "It's also my father's birthday today."

'Oh."

'I haven't seen him in years. He left when I was 8, my mother found out he was cheating on her, and next thing I knew he was gone. He drove away on my birthday." Thankfully, I didn't see him much after that, only when I had to, I used to run into him from time to time."

"I'm sorry Rafael." He waved his hand in front of him.

"It's fine. I have a great mother and I survived."

"Still It most have been very hard."

"I'm glad I'm nothing like him. Even when he was around he wasn't around."

"You are successful despite not having a father around."You went to Harvard."

"Did I tell you that?"

"No, Are you forgetting what I do for a living? I was curious." Once again Olivia hoped she wasn't blushing.

"When was the last time you ate?"

"Awhile, but I'm too tired. I could use some more coffee."

"I don't think so." I have a coffee machine here, you don't need an excuse to see me outside of working hours."

"Excuse me for doing something nice counselor, the last time you visited me outside of working hours you had dinner for me. I brought coffee, I know I hate the taste of the coffee at the station. I know you practically live off coffee, and Carmen was pleased. What does that say about the coffee in this office?"

"Not much."

"Thank-you".

"Liv, you realize we have spent every Saturday night together for weeks? It's becoming a habit. He said smiling.

Olivia felt relief wash over her when at that moment Bara's phone rang. "I'll be right back", he said getting up, and walking out of the room. "Hello", he said into the phone. When he heard the voice speaking on the other end. he said ""Mami " How are you? I'm fine Mami, I'm done with work for the day"

Barba spoke to his mother for a few more moments before hanging up. "Sorry about that Liv" he said as he entered his office again. "That was my mother", he looked at his couch and found Olivia was sleeping on it. "Sweet dreams Liv," he said softly sitting down next to her.