A Defender's Oath (Rafael Barba x reader)

Consequences.

"They what?!" Barba sounded so appalled.

My head was on the table.  The bartender patted my back carefully. Both were unsure how I was reacting to it. I lifted my head wiping away the tears trailing from my eyes.  Who would have thought the entire precinct had a pool going on how long it would take us to hook up.

"I could do a lot better." I laughed while sipping my drink.

"Excuse you."

"What?"

"I'll have you know I do quite well with the ladies."

"Yeah, I'm sure.  How many women have you dated in the past year?"

He took a sip of his drink.  I smiled pushing the hair back from my face. But it wasn't a moment longer that he asked me about my love life. I rolled my eyes and set the empty glass on the napkin.

"I'm too busy. And just a little picky.  Not that it's any of your business."

"Honestly you two should-" The bartender started before catching Barba's glare, "-have another round."

"Don't let him scare you.  Barba is all bark, no bite. He probably has to go back to work."

"I actually do.  Some of us don't get suspended Miss ____."

He grabbed his things and headed out the door without so much as a goodbye.  I placed my bag on the counter, searching for my wallet.  The bartender quickly informed me that Barba had left more than enough money for our drinks.

"Maybe he wants in on that pool." I joked leaning onto my hands that rested on the bar.

"Do you want him to?"

"No way. I think it's hilarious everyone sees us like that. I don't think either of us would care if we never saw each other again.  Today was work related."  I shrugged, gathering my things and heading toward the door. "Hopefully this doesn't happen too often, can't handle that much snark on the daily.  That being said guess I better go do some errands."

"A pleasure as always."

I gave a quick wave of my hand. The door let a rush of frozen air brush across my face. My face buried into my jacket collar.  The wind became unbearable over the last few days. Stray snowflakes fell on the bustling city.  The sun fell behind the skyline.  Bright oranges, reds and pinks, reflected off of the buildings around me.  Around the brightly colored sky, darker clouds loomed bringing more snow to the city.   I'd be home before that storm even arrived.
  
   
My week suspension went by quicker than I would have liked. It had been ages since I had got so much sleep.  On my first day back I woke before the sun rose.  I put on my running outfit and sneakers.  I wrapped my music player around my arm and put in the headphones.  The door closed behind me when a ping lit my cell phone.  Followed quickly by phone calls.

Liv:
Stay put and don't leave your apartment. Rollins and Carisi are on their way over.

Missed call

2 Missed calls

Carisi:
Liv said you aren't answering.  You better still be asleep. Call one of us as soon as you get this message.

I walked out of the lobby of my apartment building.  Without hesitation I took off on my usual route.   After heading off a car pulled up outside of my building.  Two men looked around before heading inside.  When I returned I found my apartment door ajar. I took the headphones from my ears.  Something broke and scattered across the floor.  I peered inside to see a figure moving into my bedroom.  I carefully walked toward my room. The figure stepped out of my room. I grabbed their arm, pinned it behind their back, and slammed them into the wall.