Not Everything Done In The Dark Is Shameful Barson Story

Not Everything Done In The Dark Is Shameful Chapter 21

Rafael took a deep breath, and paused before knocking softly on Olivia's door. It was 8:55, but he had been waiting outside her building since 8:30. When there was no answer he rang the bell. He heard movement from inside her apartment, and about a minute later he heard her voice, from her tone he could tell she was rushing around. "One minute Please!" She called. He continued to hear movement. A few moments later she called, " Who is it?"

"Liv, it's me" Barba said knowing that she would recognize his voice, he saw she still looked through the peephole. He heard some more movement, a few moments later he head her opening the locks on the door. Hesitantly she opened the door, and his breath caught. She was dressed in a strapless black dress, that traveled down just touching her knees. The dress fabric looked soft. He caught himself imagining kissing her. Olivia Benson was the most breathtaking woman in the Universe, and beyond to Rafael Barba, Even he was not used to seeing her dressed the way she was. He was used to pant suites with jackets. He was used to her jeans and sweaters, he was used to her jogging suits now. He saw her in a dress before at work a few times but each time there were puffy sleeves, and more dress. The night she was attacked didn't count. She was hurt in that dress, and embarrassed. She chose this dress for herself, not for work. She didn't need make-up, but it was applied perfectly.

"Barba." She said quickly, shock filled her voice and face. "What are you doing here?"

"Are you going to let me in?" His eyes locked with hers, and she was silent. "Liv are you going to let me in?" He repeated. She blinked.

"What... sure... but I'm going out any minute". Barba nodded. Slowly, Olivia stepped away from the door, and he entered. He locked the door, and took a deep breath.

"So Olivia he said as he turned away from the door to face her. She was several feet away from him. "Why do I get the feeling you're running away from me?"

"I'm not."

"Oh really? I saw you this morning in the courthouse after the verdict. You literally ran from me. I was going to buy you a cup of coffee."

"I'm sorry if it locked that way, I had things to do." He followed her eyes to the sofa, and there he saw a black shawl, she must of forgotten to drape over her shoulders before answering the door.

"Are you upset with me?" He asked. Olivia could see he didn't buy her answer.

"No." She said softly.

Barba nodded, and started to walk toward her. He had a look in his eyes, she remembered well. That day he asked if she was upset with him, he didn't buy her answer then either. He walked toward her, not giving up, and asked if she was disenchanted with him. She remembered looking down, and being thankful she had been standing behind her desk. It kept her safe. Now, there was no desk to separate them. "I got your note this morning." She backed away a little.

"Can we talk about it later?"

She looked away from his intense green eyes. He continued. "It was so formal. Barba, not Dear Barba, and a colon after my name, not even a comma."

"Now your judging my writing skills. I gotta go, I'm waiting downstairs, you have to leave." She said quickly walking to the sofa and picking up her shawl.

Olivia walked toward the front door, but Barba stood in one place. She had almost every lock on the door unlocked before she heard his voice again. "What's your plan?"

Olivia turned to see him walking toward her again. "Excuse me?" These eyes were filled with such determination, it was a look she knew well. Sometimes that look rendered her speechless, but in the past she was able to cover it up.

"What's your plan?" You're going to go out in that dress, with some guy, some stranger. You're going to make him fall in love with you."

"I'm going out to dinner Barba, I have no master plan to make anyone fall in love with me!" I'm not running. Have you gone crazy? I'm sorry I was busy today, I don't want to fight with you."

"I'm not fighting with you, Olivia.

"I feel like I'm on the stand, and I'm not dressed for court. She said trying to lighten the mood. Rafael Barba was such a brilliant serious man, few knew he had a sense of humor, and could make her laugh whenever he wanted. Her heart sank when she didn't see even a hint of a smile. "I'm sorry, I owe you a coffee everyday for the next 3 months." Barba's phone rang, he took it out of his pocket, he picked it up on the 3rd ring.

"Mami I can't talk right now No, she'll be Ok. I'm with her now. You called her today? I know, don't worry, I'm taking care of it." He hang up the phone. The truth was he only picked it up to give Olivia a break, she looked so beautiful, but so uncomfortable standing in one spot in those sexy shoes.

Just as he thought Olivia took the opportunity to move away. The shawl was wrapped around her shoulders. She sat on the sofa and he followed. He sat beside her, she now had one shoe off and was massaging her right angle. "Whoever made these shoes should be charged with a crime." Olivia said trying to make him laugh again. She quickly glanced at him, while putting the shoe back on. He wasn't laughing and her heart was gripped with guilt. "Congratulations on the verdict, that was a great closing argument". Barba said nothing, but Olivia could tell he was thinking about what to say. She looked away from him, that same determination was in his eyes, and a part of her was relieved. "I'm changing these shoes. This guy Fin wanted to fix me up with is at least 15 minutes late He's probably not even showing up." She put her hands on her lap, and stood. She put one heeled foot in front of the other. She looked in the direction of her bedroom. "Ah" She yelled, falling, and trying to catch herself, then she felt Barba catch her. "Dam shoe!" She felt his arm wrap around her waist. What a grip, he had. For a moment she wanted to fall backward into him, but she couldn't. Get a grip Olivia, she thought to herself. "Thanks", she said. "You can let go."

"You have your balance?."

"Yeah, I'll be right back."

"If Mr. amazing shows up while you're changing, you want me to say I'm your brother?"

"Trust me he's not Mr. amazing, and he's rude. Tell him what you want." Barba smiled, but she didn't see it. He let her go for now, and watched her walk into her bedroom. He sat on the sofa and waited for her.