Mi Salvador

Secrets Unfold

Rafael's POV
Ascella stood next to me as we stood in the squad room, looking over the files.
"She said Cassidy raped her?" Ascella wondered, seeing his picture. Amanda sighed and nodded.
"Yeah, we have to question him."
Someone's phone started to buzz and Ascella pulled hers out.
"Excuse me." She walked towards the break room. I smiled to myself as I looked deeper into the file. Nick And Liv walked in and I looked to them.
"What do you have?" I asked, sipping my coffee. Liv briefed it over and Ascella walked back in, greeting Nick.
"Come on, Ascella. We've got to talk to one of the judges willing to look over this case."
"Of course, counsellor." She grabbed the file and we walked out.

Ascella's POV
I sat in the cab with Rafael and looked down at my phone. He reached for my hand and I looked to him.
"What's up?"
"Um...someone just asked me a favor."
"Is it bad?"
"No." I laughed, "No, it's not."
"Do you need the rest of the day?"
"I might need after 3."
He nodded and we got to our destination.

A few hours after being at the office, I headed to my car to meet Cynthia, who had called me earlier. I drove quietly, very nervous about what I'm doing. I pulled up to the small restaurant and parked before heading in. I saw Cynthia talking to a young boy in a school uniform. My breath was caught in my throat and I walked over to them. Cynthia sighed and smiled, hugging me.
"Thank you for coming."
I smiled, "It's no problem."
"This is my son, Gilberto. But we just call him Gil."
I nodded and looked to Gil, "Hi, Gil. My name's Ascella, but usually go by Ella. Do you know why we're here?"
"Something about my father?" He looked to his mom. She nodded to me and continued speaking.
"Well, Gil, your dad...is my dad. His name is Nick Amaro. He doesn't really know about you, but I'm here to reassure you that this has happened before with me." I thought about what I just said, "Okay, not so reassuring but I have been in this situation before." I laughed before looking to Cynthia, "I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm bad at this right now. I'm usually good at explaining things..."
Cynthia shook her head and laughed, "It's okay. Don't sweat it. I'll explain the rest later. I also called Ascella here so you two could meet."
"Do I have any other siblings?"
I nodded, "yeah, a younger sister named Zara. She's with her mom in DC right now."
Gil nodded, "So we all have the same dad?"
"Yeah." I scratched the back of my neck. We talked for a little longer before I had to leave. I waved to them before driving back home.

The case progressed and Cassidy was under fire during it. I really believe Cassidy, I do, but the evidence just wasn't adding up and her story checked out. I shook my head and set my own down, holding my face in my hands. I was so confused. Carmen looked at me and laughed.
"You okay?"
I nodded, "Yeah, just frustrated. This case is..."
"I feel ya. You must be learning a lot."
"Yup." I flipped through another write up. Footsteps came from the office and the door opened with an aggravated Rafael. He made a humming noise after looking at me, which signalled that we were heading out. I waved to Carmen as I put my coat on and followed him. He finished his coffee and trashed the cup as we walked out of Hogan Place and caught a cab. It was extremely quiet as Rafael texted on his phone and I watched him silently. He looked up at me and raised his brow.
"What's up?" He smirked. I smiled and shook my head, but he put away his phone and urged.
"What?"
I shook my head, "I was just wondering how I could make you smile by the end of the day, but I guess doing nothing really worked."
He chuckled and shook his head, "I'm alright. We just gotta figure all of this out."
I nodded and we arrived to the courtroom, the squad right outside. We all greeted each other before walking in. I sat as the trial went on, quietly and respectfully taking notes. Of course I was paying attention and processing everything they said, but something didn't feel right. Everyone continued talking, but then the defense called out for another witness.
"We would like to bring in Cynthia Moncheno."
My pencil scraped my writing pad as I was thrown off by the counsellors words. Did he just say Cynthia's name? Barba sat and sighed, looking over at me before noticing my panic.
"What?" He whispered. I shook my head, sitting back. I heard Amanda ask Liv who they were talking about, but then I saw Cynthia get escorted in. She glanced at me, then where my dad sat and I can feel the utter fear seeping in. I looked to where Cassidy sat smugly and then looked forward, knowing I'm going to dread the rest of the trial.

Everyone was dismissed that day and I rushed out before Barba, looking for her. She stood nervously away from the crowd and I pushed through, saying my "excuse me's".
"Ella?" Someone called, but the panic was set and I arrived in front of her. She shook her head.
"I'm so sorry, Ella. They paid me and..."
"No, I get it. I-I just..." I ran my hand through my hair, "It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong. I-"
"Cynthia!" My dad went to us and I covered my face before looking at him. He was about to say something but then realized why I was talking with her.
"Leave us alone, Ascella-"
"Dad-"
"Now." He ordered. I looked to him, then Cynthia before walking away. Liv reached for me, but I shook my head.
"Ella? You okay? Who is that?"
"Is what she said true?" Amanda wondered. I nodded, looking back at them. I could see they were arguing and Cynthia left quickly. I cussed as we all left and went back to the precinct. As they talked, I sat quietly as everyone talked, feeling sick to my stomach. Amanda walked up to me, holding out a can of soda.
"You look like you're gonna puke." She laughed. I took it shakily, and she crouched down, "Hey...what is it?"
"I-I think I have to tell my dad today...about everything."
She nodded, getting up when Liv called her. My dad took her place and sighed.
"I'm going to ask simply, how long did you know?"
I took a shaky breath, "Dad-"
"How long, Ascella?"
I thought back before answering, "Five months..."
"Five months?"
I looked at him, "Dad, I can explain-"
"No, it seems like you can't since you've kept this from me for five months, Ascella!"
"It wasn't my place-" I stood, but he cut me off.
"It's the same thing over and over again, Ascella. You're keeping secrets, other people's secrets-"
"I know, I know. I-" I felt tears well in my eyes. He grabbed my arms in frustration.
"You're going down to DC."
"What?"
"Or else you pack up and go to Harvard."
"No! No, you can't just send me away!"
"Yes I can because I am your father!"
"Oh don't pull that crap!"
"Don't pull that crap?! What about you being Barba's slut?!"
When he said that, I did the unimaginable. I slapped him hard, causing him to step back. My breath caught in my throat as I looked at him. Everyone was rendered extremely silent. I grabbed my coat and bag before rushing out of the precinct and catching a cab back to my house. I rushed all over the place, packing a few things, before loading it into my car. I got in and started to drive quickly, holding in the urge to cry. Then, I arrived to Hogan Place to chat with someone.

Rafael's POV
I stood in shock with everyone else as Ascella slapped Nick for his comment. She rushed out and I couldn't move to follow her. Cragen lead Nick to the bunk room and I turned back to the file, speechless.
Amanda places a hand on my shoulder, "Barba-"
"How long has he known?"
She sighed, "He figured it out around her birthday...he has a tracking device in her phone. It's been there since her case..."
I was once again speechless, then we had to keep working. After, I headed back to the office, already passed hours. I walked in and saw Jack McCoy and a Michael Cutter waiting there. They were drinking some scotch and Jack greeted me.
"Hey, Barba. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all." I shook their hands. Then I shed my coat and placed my things down, "How can I help you?"
Michael spoke, "We'll be brief. Ascella Amaro came in today, and explained something very very against the rules."
Jack nodded, "Rafael. I don't know how things went in Virginia, but getting involved with colleagues, especially paralegals...it's against the rules."
"But...we're not firing you." Michael reassured.
"What?" I stopped before I could take a sip of my scotch. Jack sighed.
"Ascella gave up her position working under you. She is no longer a paralegal here at the DA and will continue her studies at Fordham Law. All she bargained was for you to be suspended for 30 days."
Ascella sacrificed the job she's always wanted...for me? I took a moment before speaking.
"Is the suspension effective immediately?"
"No, you can finish this case."
I nodded and they made their leave, "Goodnight, gentlemen. Thank you."
"You should thank your girlfriend when you see her. She seemed pretty torn up." Jack insisted. I watched as they left and took a moment, thinking about what they told me. An instant rage took over me and I threw the cup I was holding, shattering it.
"Dammit!"