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- Or we can go right now! Either way is fine for me.
As Olivia puts herself between Carisi and the scumbag Gallagher, she can’t help but wonder if Rafael Barba would also rise to the obvious bait. Certainly he wouldn’t try to get into a fistfight with the perp. Carisi wore his heart on his sleeve, he was quick to say what he thought and the latent feelings might be just a case of frustration, Gallagher had gotten to all of them with his prolonged impunity. Either, the judge knew where to poke and the new ADA still had a few insecurities stepping into big shoes. But Barba? No, he would just smirk and say something clever, his perpetual smugness wiping the smile from Gallagher’s face.
One can blame it on the Italian blood, the “garlic” bit was just as low the rapist’s morals, but Barba was as Cuban as his deep stare could get, “El Tiburón”. He also was cold blooded enough to give his address to someone who threatened his life, calling him “amiguito”, so there.
At first all his energy went into winning cases, the strong drive being shown since the first time she saw him in court; willing to be choked with a belt to prove the defendant’s extreme violence. No one could argue his fire, especially after that, and she knew then they had the right ADA. Yet, after the first defeat, the first sign of reluctance on prosecuting less than perfect cases and putting wavering victims on stand, she also knew he had to learn the true purpose of SVU’s job; to get justice for the victims, and that not always meant winning.
And learn he did, discovering some new shades along their time together, squabbling, battling for the victims more and more. So much so that in the gray area of murder and mercy he did what he thought was right, without concern for the consequences, as ruthless as when in court, as righteous as she tried to be even while toeing the line of law.
After tucking Noah in, Olivia also mused on Barba's preference for cutting remarks instead of punches landed; how different he was from what she unconsciously had as the male stereotype, from her previous boyfriends? Would he always put his career first like David? Not see himself getting old like Brian? Hide a cancer diagnosis and later silently end his life like Ed?
Rafael Barba, with his gigantic ego, sharp tongue, expensive suits and a stubbornness that only rivaled hers. Her... friend, who had declared the most profound, cryptic words and kissed her head goodbye. He opened his heart and expected nothing from her, as always, and that was freeing for her too because she always gave so much, but not enough. He moved on, but still was the first one to wish her happy birthday with a wide smile.
Carisi, on the other hand, was once a cop. He began chasing criminals down the street with only his breath to count on. Now, he had to learn how to corner them in court, a much slower, finer chase. Good thing he had such a cynical mentor. With time and much more patience, he would shape the position into his image, the experienced, sensitive, moody Carisi, oh and empathic too. He would do great.
Turning off the lights and closing her eyes tiredly, she thought about this new Barba, with a freaking full beard and deeper, wiser stares. He was more nuanced than any standart role she could think of after he advocated for a troubled, but still guilty veteran.
Just because she asked him to.
Nothing would ever be the same, but still, she missed them, missed him so much. Maybe it was time to show him new, truer colors.