So I love music. I have a random assortment of songs in this crazy big playlist on my phone. Like lots of random stuff. And we have a LOOOOONG three months till our favorite cop and lawyer are back on screen. I'm open to suggestions. I've got a list working right now that I'm adding to as I hear songs that work. I'll usually try to pick out a lyric or a few lines that prompted me to write. All will be one-shots. And I start at the beginning (Twenty Five Acts) but this will in no way, shape or form be chronological. But I knew I wanted to start where Barson started. I also don't know if the Forlini's thing is true, but I'm going with it.

But the planets all aligned
When you looked into my eyes
And just like that
The chemicals react

-Aly & AJ (Chemicals React)

"Detectives Benson and Rollins, Rafael Barba. I lied and told them you know your way around a courtroom." When she shook his hand, there was something… a spark or a moment. It had been a very long time since she had felt that with anyone. But the way her hand fit in his, the way he held her gaze for a moment too long, the way he made a joke before he even knew if she would find it funny – it caused something in her to react to him.

"OK, I'm confused. Harris told us you win cases that everyone else ducks."

"Sometimes."

He cocked his eyebrow at her, holding her gaze in that moment. She felt her heart speed up. She was chalking it up to the heat of the moment and this big case and this larger than life man they were trying to hold accountable for his actions. But a part of her brain, the part she tried to ignore when it came to her life outside this job, was screaming at her. There was something else. He was something else. When he demanded to speak to Jocelyn, he challenged her. It got her blood pumping. She took a hard look at the man. She had known this man for a whopping 20 minutes and she found herself wondering how she was going to turn off his voice in her head once she left.

"You may not like me when we're done."

"I don't like you now."

"Honesty. Good."

He looked at her and she felt drawn to him. She could only watch, and do her best not to stare, as he pushed himself out of his chair, hand in his pockets, questioning Jocelyn. Getting her story. Working every angle so that he could win this for her and for them. She could feel her pulse race as Barba and Jocelyn talked back and forth, going over detail after detail. He perched on the corner of his desk and she took a moment to run her eyes over him, to appreciate his suit, his demeanor, his gorgeous green eyes.

And he won. In spectacular fashion. Playing to Cain's weakness, going so far past what she had ever seen anyone do to win a case. When Cain pulled too hard on the belt, choking him, Olivia felt a murderous rage in that moment. She had known this man just a few weeks and she already knew that she would fight with him as long as he was willing to fight with her. He turned to her after the verdict was read. She had wanted to blow him off. She figured him to be just another awful ADA in a long line of ADA's that had been through SVU since they lost Alex. But the look that they shared lead her to believe that he was more. That he would be more. And that part of her brain started screaming at her again. That he could be more to her. The thought made it hard for her to breathe for a moment.

Jocelyn declared on the steps that she still didn't like him and that made him smile. It bowled her over how OK with that he seemed to be. How he was taking it all in stride. Like it was par for the course. He understood, after one case, that it was ok that the victims hated them. That they weren't thankful. Her heart beat double time as she watched him walk away to address the reporters.

She stood there the whole time he talked, after Amanda and Jocelyn had left. She just watched him talking and charming the throng of reporters that had gathered. He was disarming, funny, handsome and just what she… THEY she told herself, shaking her head slightly… needed in the DA's office. They needed him.

The impromptu press conference broke up and he looked back over his shoulder to see her still standing there, watching him. He gave her a wry smile and walked back up to her, standing next to her.

"Harris said you would be my harshest critic. Did I pass the Olivia Benson test?" She smiled at him. "More than, Counselor."

"Perfect. I may just be able to enjoy my stint in Manhattan yet. I got the Benson seal of approval. Buy you a drink? Forlini's is just around the corner."

"Never been there" she said as he motioned for her to lead the way off the steps.

"You're going to love it, Detective. You are just going to love it." She chose to ignore how closely they walked to each other on their way to get a drink.