Title: Daddy's Girl (Niña de Papi)

Summary: AU. He's my favourite hug and my giggles at night. He's the voice that reads me stories and the strength behind my fight. He's my hero and my first love. He is my protector and my answer from above. He is not just my Father, he is my Dad.

Disclaimer: I do not own Law & Order: SVU - if I did I wouldn't be writing fanfiction.

A/N: I've just binged on Seasons 13-21(of which I only have 6 episodes). The ages of the characters I'm hoping are near spot on…I tried to be accurate. I know that Noah is 'nearly two' in Season 17. I think that is about 2016.

A DAUGHTER NEEDS A DAD TO BE THE STANDARD AGAINST WHICH SHE WILL JUDGE ALL MEN

Office of Assistant District

Attorney Rafael Barba

1 Hogan Place

New York City

Wednesday, November 27

"Barba." A.D.A. Rafael Barba answered his phone expecting hear Olivia Benson's voice on the other end. She usually called him at his office or visited him. So he was surprised when her voice didn't respond to him.

"Mr Barba? The emergency contact for Sofia Barba?" An unfamiliar voice asked.

"Yes. She's my cousin. Why? What happened?" He hadn't seen his cousin for about 6 months.

"Were you aware she was pregnant?" The voice asked. He knew that she was due any time now. She was so excited, he'd spoken to her only last week on the phone.

"Uh, yes. I was." He replied a little stunned.

"I have some bad news Mr Barba." The voice said, a voice he now recognised as a nurse.

"I'm on my way." He said.

"We're at Mercy General." The nurse said before she hung up. Rafael asked Carmen to cancel the rest of his day, if Lieutenant Benson or anyone from SVU turned up while she was doing that tell them he had a family emergency and he would see them tomorrow.

"Then take the rest of the day." He said, "Go and spend some time with your daughter." He knew Carmen had a young daughter and she had little time to spend with her as it was. So to have the rest of that day was a blessing for her.

Rafael ran his hand through his hair as he stood beside his mother, Aunt and Uncle in the Hospital corridor. His tie was loosened and his hair was in disarray.

"Dead?" He repeated unable to believe it. The Doctor nodded slowly.

"I'm sorry for your loss. Truly. Her child survived. I assume she nominated whom would be primary carer for the child if she passed?" The Doctor asked.

"Her parents. Elena and Miguel Barba." Rafael said immediately, "She told me when she announced she was pregnant." He explained when they looked at him. They were taken to the nursery, where they were introduced to the tiny little girl. She had not been named and when the family was asked what she would be named – Elena and Miguel shrugged as did Lucia.

"Mr Barba?"

"Uh…I don't know what she wanted to name her child. She didn't tell me." Rafael said.

"Well perhaps your grandmother's name?" Miguel said.

"Yes…Catalina. She would be proud." Lucia said.

"A nice Spanish name she needs." Elena added.

"Allison." Rafael said, "Allison Catalina Barba." Elena and Miguel nodded, that was good name. A name she would grow to know the importance of as she grew up. Her mother's middle name had been Allison. Sofia Allison Barba would have her daughter bare her name.

Rafael had never been good with children. He had limited contact with Noah Benson. However that child was almost 2-years-old. So how was he supposed to help look after Allison? He was expected to. He looked down at the child that Olivia was helping him hold properly. Allison was his cousin's baby. His cousin by default. Sofia would have expected him to pitch in and help. But he was way out of his depth. This was beyond even him.

Olivia had been informed of his cousin's little girl being motherless. So she and the others had found and contacted Sofia's 'Baby daddy' but he had refused to have anything to do with his daughter. Rafael couldn't understand that – if he had been contacted about a child he knew nothing about he would try to be part of that child's life. He knew that Nick Amaro had, he had even moved out to California to be nearer both of the children. Zara in L.A. and Gil in San Diego. But Rafael was at ease knowing that Allison had a loving family around her and willing to help. Even if Rafael needed a crash course in child care.

It came as a bit of a surprise to Rafael when he was told by his Aunt and Uncle that they couldn't look after Allison. Their health wouldn't allow them to raise a child properly. Rafael himself was edging 46 and he gaped at them.

"You think I could raise her?" he frowned, "you do realize that I have little to no experience with children right?" He asked.

"She is your cousin, Rafi. We are asking you to help us. We are too old, we cannot look after her." Miguel said, his English was good but not great.

"Can you give me a little bit of time to make sure I can do this? I'm not even sure I have the space for her! Give me a week. Can you give me that?" Rafael asked.

"Of course we can, Rafi. As long as you need." Elena said, she was smiling. Somehow, Rafael knew he would not be getting out of this completely unscathed.

"Is it to Sofia's wishes?" He asked, running his hand through his hair with a sigh.

"We found the will she wrote when she found out she was pregnant. If she had married Harrison, he would be taking care of Allison. But since he's not around, Sofia wished for us to look after her – like you said at the hospital. But if we were deemed unfit or our health prevented us from looking after Allison – we were to allow custody of the child go to – and I quote – 'my favourite cousin, Rafael Barba'." Elena said.

"I highly doubt I was her favourite, Tía." Rafael said and small smile.

"You were. She never stopped talking about you whenever she came home after visiting you and your mother." Elena told him.

"I'll get a friend of mine to help me and I'll see if I have room for her." Rafael said, before kissing his Auntie on the cheek he left.

So it turns out he did have space for her. His mother and Aunt helped him toddler proof the apartment and make sure that she had a cot, toys and clothes. Rafael was in way over his head. He had no idea how to look after a child, let alone a girl! He asked Olivia for help and she gladly offered him a bit of advice. She would help him out if he needed it. Noah would be with her whenever she visited Rafael and Allison. Noah adored the little girl, even if he wasn't sure why she was with 'Uncle Rafa'. But Noah wanted to be her friend – Olivia joked to Rafael that Noah and Allison could have the same sort of friendship that the two of them had.

Rafael and Olivia had met after Olivia had worked at SVU for 13 years already. He knew the temporary captain of SVU, Harris, and he had brought Olivia and Amanda in to meet him. He had joked that it was 'bring your daughters to work day'. He had liked Olivia from the off. Amanda was a little grating and he wasn't sure she knew the job as well as she thought she did.

Rafael knew he was sinking into Olivia's world when the black and white world he had known was turning grey and then suddenly colours started to seep in. One day he woke up and his whole world was a glorious display of technicolour. Blues, greens, reds, yellows, oranges. All the colours of the spectrum. He no longer had nightmares of his father, he had dreams of his grandfather and grandmother.

Olivia and Rafael were always close and now they knew their children would be as well. Noah already liked Allison. Allison would stare at Noah and coo when he made funny faces at her. Even though she was still very young Noah understood that and he knew he might hurt her if he was too rough. But he enjoyed spending time with the baby. Fin made a joke one day about Allison and Noah being 'Barson 2.0'.

Rafael hadn't had to deal with a baby before. Crying every night at about 1am. And he had to take a few days off work to sleep when he could and take care of an infant barely five months old. At least she was sleeping mostly at night. She had previously when she lived with Elena and Miguel, but now in an unfamiliar apartment and possibly the smells and sounds were different so she woke at night. Olivia was a great help telling him that it was natural. That at times she would wake because of milestones. Noah had done it also. When he began to roll over, when he began to pull himself up to stand. And when he began to teeth it was waking a couple of times a night in pain. But together they determined that the unfamiliar sounds and surroundings were the reason she woke at night.

"Rafa…" she sighed, "I get it. I really do. Remember I have Noah." Olivia was at Rafael's apartment trying to help him and now that Allison was down to sleep, they could talk over a drink. Cabernet for her and scotch for him.

"Noah isn't your cousin, Liv. He has no familial relationship to you!" Rafael snapped, he was overtired and frustrated. In fact if Olivia didn't know better she'd say he was acting like Noah when he missed a nap.

"That's not fair." She said quietly.

"I'm sorry, it came out wrong. I meant that Ally is my family, she's always going to be my cousin." Rafael said, he felt bad for how he'd reacted initially.

"Yeah, that means you have a responsibility. She's your's Rafa. For better or worse." Olivia said, emphasizing the fact that he now had a child who was completely and utterly reliant on him.

"I'm not sure if I have the strength to do this, Liv. Not with a five month old baby." He said resting his head in his hands, feeling the familiar burn of tears he blinked them back, he was not going to cry in front of Detective Olivia Benson, his best friend. Not today, not right now.

"You do Rafa. You're the strongest person I know. You're gonna get through this. You have me, Fin, Amanda, Carisi and your mother and Elena and Miguel. And I can tell that you're already in love with her." Olivia said carefully, not wanting him to snap at her again. He gave a chuckle that sounded a little too watery to him, and raised his head to look at her.

"How?" He asked.

"You're calling her 'Ally' aren't you?" Olivia said with a knowing smile. No matter what he said Olivia could tell that Rafael was in love with this little girl even if he refused to acknowledge that he did, it was obvious to everyone else.

"Lieutenant. What fresh hell awaits?" Rafael asked as he came up behind her in the precinct. She turned with a sigh and gestured to where Rollins was talking to a young girl.

"14-year-old, Abigail, says that she and her infant sister, Georgie, were being groomed by their father to please to his friends. With sexual favours. Abby is already in it and Georgie is too young to realise…Barba?" Olivia saw the pained look on Barba's face.

"An infant? How old exactly, Liv?" He asked, his voice strained.

"5 months, why…oh…Ally is the same age isn't she?" Olivia gasped.

"She's now 6 months old, but you do not start grooming an infant who doesn't yet understand the difference between right and wrong. It doesn't work that way. Where is Georgie now?" He asked. Olivia pointed to the interview room.

"In there…with Carisi." Barba followed where Liv pointed and entered the room just as Georgie started to cry. Barba – to Carisi's surprise - immediately scooped her up into his arms and soothed her cries. Georgie buried her face in Barba's shoulder and her cries soon became little whimpers until he managed to sooth her to sleep.

"I keep telling myself not to be surprised by you, Barba. But every day…you have a new talent I didn't know about." Carisi said with a grin.

"Comes from being a father, Carisi." He said with a small smile.

"Yeah. How is Little Miss?" Carisi asked.

"She's doing just fine." Barba replied as the tiny infant calmed to sleep in his arms.

"Good to hear. Maybe I should come round to visit her sometime." Carisi said.

"I'm sure Allison would love that, Carisi. I'm just not sure I would." Barba agreed as they exited the room, the infant asleep in her capsule.

"Aw, come on Barba. I'm a riot." Carisi argued.

"Yes, that's what concerns me." Barba said.

"Kids love me." He countered.

"Again, it's cause for concern." Barba said with a small smile.

"So Harrison is dead?" Barba asked as he stood in the squad room of SVU, Allison was nestled in her capsule by his feet.

"Yeah. Shot in a drive by." Fin said.

"That changes things." Rafael murmured.

"Why?" Amanda asked.

"Well, I was always worried that once Ally is a few years older and not waking at night or wetting the bed anymore – he'd want to take her from me." Rafael said.

"Well he is – sorry - was her father." Amanda pointed out.

"Thank-you for that Rollins. But I'm not letting her go." Rafael said.

"Good for you, Rafa. She's in a stable home. She seems to like Lucy and I'm sure your mother offered up her services too." Olivia smiled.

"I don't have to worry so much if he was killed do I?" Rafael said.

"No you don't. Even ACS can't take her from you." Carisi stated.

"You're right Carisi, of course," Rafael agreed.

"Everyone can see how perfect you two are together, so there's no way." Olivia said.

"Unless he hurts her." Amanda muttered.

"Uncalled for and totally untrue." Carisi argued, "He's the only father she's ever known."

"Barba wound never hurt a child." Fin said,

"Rollins, that was hurtful, and completely unnecessary." Olivia said, frowning.

"Barba." Rafael answered his phone, "Is she ok? Alright Lucy, I'll be there soon. I gotta go, Ally's sick."

"Lucy! Is she alright?" Rafael rushed towards the young girl.

"She's with the doctors now. I don't know what happened, Mr Barba. I put her down for her nap and the next thing I knew she was crying and when I checked on her she was so hot. I brought her right here." She told him.

"Good. You did well. You can go home if you like. I really should be here." Rafael said.

"No, that's ok. I'll stay. I brought her in." Lucy gave him a small smile.

"Don't you have to mind Noah this evening?" He asked.

"Yes, but Olivia understands. I called her just a moment ago." She said.

"Thank-you, Lucy." He smiled. Rafael hated hospitals, he remembers being at the hospital whenever Eddie got hurt. They looked up when the doors opened and the Doctor walked out.

"Allison Barba?" The Doctor asked.

"Yes? I'm her father." Rafael said.

"Allison has a fever of 105 – we're working on lowering that. She had a seizure while she was here but she is alright now." The Doctor told him seriously.

"Can I see her?" Rafael asked.

"Right this way." He indicated for Rafael to follow him, but the ADA turned back to Lucy.

"Call Liv, tell her what's going on. Then you can go and look after Noah is she needs you too." He said. Lucy nodded and turned to make the call while Rafael followed after the Doctor. He needed to be here for Allison right now. He didn't need to anywhere else but here. He knew Child Services was watching him like they had with Liv. He would stay, Rita, Buchannan and other ADAs could take the cases.

Allison had been home for a week when the visit came unexpectedly, Rafael had been changing Allison when the knock sounded at the door. He'd called out that he'd be just a minute before he got Allison into a new diaper, blew a raspberry on her tummy making her squeal with laughter, and he dressed her then carrying her firmly against his chest he answered the door. A kind, plump woman with short greying red hair and dark blue eyes stood there, clipboard in hand and a smile on her face.

"Mr Barba? I'm Jennifer. I'm the ACS worker here to evaluate your Niece's condition and see how she's fairing." She said.

"Of course, please come in. Sorry about the mess, we were having play time before you arrived." He told her with a smile. He set Allison down with her blocks and toys. Allison played happily while Rafael and Jennifer talked and discussed Allison and how she was growing. Rafael happily told Jennifer anything she wanted to know.

"You know, I try to keep up with her every day. I make sure that she eats when she has to. Her nanny knows how to look after her and looks after another child when I am off work and can look after Allison. Her name is Lucy Huston. She's a student at Hunter College." Barba informed her. She nodded with a smile.

"I understand. You're a wonderful Uncle." She said.

"Thank-you." Barba said as he hitched Allison higher on his hip. She had tired herself out and now rested her head on his shoulder and put her arms around his neck. She managed to wave a goodbye to Jennifer when he prompted her.

"Well, she's adorable." A voice made him turn, he had turned to go back inside and he made to close the door.

"Detective Carisi. Say Hi to Uncle Sonny, Ally." Barba prompted the girl in his arms.

"Hi, Unca Sonny." She said quietly.

"She's too cute. Hey there Allison." He replied, putting out his hand to her, giggling softly she took it and let him shake her hand.

"So what's next for Ally?" Carisi asked. Why Sonny was here, Barba had no idea. But he valued the company.

"I'm not letting her go. Liv was right…I love her." Barba said.

"So, what are you going to do?" Carisi asked. Barba set him with a gaze Carisi had only ever seen in the courtroom. And he knew what it meant. Determination.

"I'm going to adopt her." He said. Carisi nodded, that was the best idea Barba could have.

Allison 1 Year Old

"The father is recently deceased?" Judge Linden asked, six months after Rafael had filled out and applied to adopt his orphaned niece.

"Yes. And the Grandparents – don't want her. They apparently 'don't need the added stresses' of raising a child. Citing health problems." Langdon interjected. He had been Noah's attorney and Barba had asked him – as a professional curtesy - to help with Allison's adoption.

"Ok. D.A. Barba, are you willing to raise this child as your lawful child?" She asked.

"Yes." He said, firmly and with a confidence that Carisi had only seen the D.A. display in the courtroom.

"This child will inherit from you. She will be treated no differently than a biological child. Do you agree?" Judge Linden said.

"Yes." He said, bouncing Allison on his knee.

"I know it's been a long year, a hard process. But everything seems to be in order." Judge Linden said with a small smile, "Congratulations, Rafael. And to you Allison Catalina Barba. I'm signing off on the adoption." She signed her name on the papers and gave them another smile.

"Thank-you, your Honour." Rafael said shaking the Judge's hand and then pulling Allison in tight to his chest.

"You're a father now, Barba. Think you can handle it?" Carisi had gone with Rafael as 'moral support'.

"I question psychopaths and criminals for a living. I'm fairly sure – with a little help from two mothers I know – that I can raise a child." Rafael pressed a kiss to his new daughter's cheek.

"You including Liv in that?" Carisi asked.

"Liv and my own mother." He said, "Though she isn't thrilled at this."

"I can only imagine." Carisi laughed. Lucia Barba was a force to be reckoned with at the best of times, but if she was upset, mad or angered by something…you stayed out of her way.

Allison was giggling while she sat opposite Noah in Rafael's apartment. She liked to laugh at Noah when he made funny faces at her in her crib or when she was sitting opposite him playing with her blocks or dolls. Noah was nearly 3 now and Ally adored her friend. She had yet to meet newborn baby Jesse Rollins, but Rafael felt certain that Ally would have another friend in the tiny blonde child.

"They seem to get along." Olivia said, offhandedly.

"Yeah she adores him just like he does her." Rafael replied sipping his coffee.

"They are going to be best friends." Olivia said with a smile.

"They already are." Rafael pointed out.

"Best friends for life?" She asked.

"I think it's likely." Rafael smiled warmly.

"Just like us." Olivia smiled.

"Just like us." Rafael repeated hearing Ally squeal with laughter.

"It seems like Noah would do anything for her." Olivia said.

"And Ally anything for him." Rafael replied.

"How far do you think that will go?" She asked.

"My professional point of view? I think Ally would perjure herself, to keep Noah safe. My personal opinion is that they would lie for each other. But they would never let the other go to prison or be killed if they could help it." Rafael said.

"I think so too. Noah knows it'd bad to lie but I think if Ally was in any kind of trouble he would do whatever he could to help her out." Olivia agreed.

"Just like you would with me." He said.

"And you for me." She replied.

"Best friends for life and the kind of relationship that builds through the tough and the fiercely challenging times." Rafael said.

"It's not always easy or pretty." Olivia stated.

"But always worth it." He replied.

Allison 2 Years Old

"Papi! Papi!" Allison looked up at Rafael with such adoration and love that he couldn't help himself. He smiled, even as she got up and ran towards him. He put down his briefcase in anticipation.

"Ally, mi hermosa niña." She squealed with laughter as he scooped her up from her position on the floor and swung her upwards. She loved the time she got to spend with her 'Papi' and she'd always tell him. He nuzzled into her neck, making her giggle.

"Love you, Papi." She whispered when he held her in close. He pressed a kiss to her head and he gave Lucy a smile to say thank-you.

"I love you too, pequeño." He whispered in return, he bid Lucy a goodnight and started to put Allison to bed. Lucy said that if he needed her tomorrow she was looking after Noah, but if he dropped Allison off at Liv's she'd love to look after both of them.

"Papi? I sleep with you?" Allison asked after Lucy had left and he helped Allison put on her pyjamas (and her night time pull-ups). Rafael made a face as if thinking over it, making her giggle.

"Tonight? I guess so, but only tonight, than you have to sleep in your own bed. Okay?" He bargained with her. She made a similar face that he did, then grinned and nodded.

"Kay." Rafael took Ally and helped brush her teeth, made sure they had Dora (her teddy bear that Uncle Sonny gave her for her birthday), then lifted her up onto his bed. He got in beside her, despite it not being very late. But as she snuggled down, he sat up to read some case files.

"Goodnight, pequeño. Sweet dreams, mi hija." He said kissing her head softly.

"Goodnight Papi. I love you." She said as she slowly fell asleep.

"I love you too, mi amour." He whispered. Rafael made it through 5 case files before he felt his eyes getting heavy and just as he closed the case file trying to ignore the heaviness of his eyes sleep overtook him.

Needless to say he woke in the morning to case files scattered on the floor and his bed, and his reading glasses resting on his chest, not to mention a sore neck. Allison was curled up fast asleep and not in the least concerned about the paper scattered everywhere. Careful not to wake her, Rafael collected them and left the room to sort through them on the kitchen table. He vowed he'd never ignore his body again.

"When the indictment does come down," Barba said to Olivia and Dodds, "I'm going to need you to walk me out of here." He turned and made his way back towards the courtroom. He knew what he was doing wasn't good by any stretch of the word, and he hated that he might just have put not only himself but Allison in danger as well. He couldn't risk her life. He'd get his mother to look after her for a few days, just so she was safer than being at his apartment. Ally would love to spend some time with her Abeulita and Lucia wouldn't say no to some time with Allison either.

The crowd on the steps outside was huge, due to the sheer number of Corrections Officer that had been in court today. Rafael knew right then that his mother was taking Allison that night and he'd wait until he knew it had calmed down or that the threat was terminated before letting his daughter come 'home'.

"You want a war, Barba? You got it."

"We're going to shut this city down!"

"Hold on guys. Guys." Olivia held up her hand to stop them, "There's really no need for this. Everyone's just trying to do their jobs okay? So how about you step back and let us through?"

"You don't know about the day-to-day reality on Riker's Island. It's all about the inmates. My COs get beat up, jumped. But you lay a hand on the inmate, and they write you up."

"Good luck to you when you need a prisoner to testify."

"You're looking at a big problem, Mr Barba You're counting on these guys to put their life on the line for you. That ain't gonna happen anymore."

"Okay, Mr. Rodriguez. You've said your piece. Now, guys, please, let us through. Step back."

"And what happens if we don't?"

"Hey, take it easy, all right?" The crowds parted enough for Olivia, Dodds and Barba to pass but a hand grabbed Barba's arm and stopped him.

"Barba, you don't know me or who I am, but we know a lot about you, things people would want to know."

"Is that a threat?" He wanted to keep his bravado.

"Threat? No, a threat would be, right here, right now I shove you down these steps and get your skull cracked open, bleeding to death."

"Right here, in front of all these people? Maybe they wouldn't be able to save me, but they sure as hell would catch you. So amiguito, I'll tell you what. You want to kill a DA, right here, surrounded by all these cops and cameras? Spend the rest of your life in prison? Here, here's my home address. You come by any time you want." The man walked off after taking the card from Barba. He stumbled slightly, as the adrenaline left his body.

"Hey everything alright?" Olivia's voice sounded in his ear.

"Not really. Someone just threatened to kill me." Barba said.

"What?" Olivia cried.

"Who was it?" Dodds asked.

"Just a face in the crowd. Tell the squad to watch their backs. This is just the beginning." Barba said.

"What about Ally?" Dodds asked.

"I'll take her to my mother's. My mother will love to have her granddaughter for a few days." He said, easily.

"What will you tell her?" Olivia asked as they got him into a car.

"I'll tell Ally it's a mini vacation. That Papi needs some time to get a lot of work done and that he won't be able to play with her. So for her to spend some time with her Abeulita she'll be fine." Barba said easily. He didn't like lying to Ally, but it would be for the best.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yeah Liv, I'm sure." Barba said. He felt that if Allison heard it from him she would take it much easier than if it came from Uncle Sonny or Aunt Livia.

"And this guy didn't leave a number? Okay Carmen, thank-you. No, I'll be in the office in an hour." Barba hung up, before his phone buzzed in his hand again. A text from his mother. He continued walking as he opened the picture, it was picture of Allison chocolate all over her hands and face with the caption: Making your favourite galletas! Mucha diversión! He smiled as he replied: No puedo esperar! Ya los puedo oler! He knew that his mother would translate that to English for Ally's benefit before he could slip his phone back into his pocket he heard his name called.

"Mr. Barba."

"Mr. Pastrino."

"Glad we caught you. You have a minute?" the lawyer asked.

"Uh, no, not really. I'm on my way to a motions hearing. Can you schedule an appointment?" He said.

"This won't take long." Barba suddenly realised he was cornered. This reminded him of a movie he'd seen where a guy was pushed off a balcony to his death on a marble floor – like the one in the foyer below him. He didn't like this one bit, but he bit back the sharp remark and simply replied with the only thing that was less likely to get him killed.

"Uh," he scoffed, "Your client ready to plead guilty to multiple counts of rape?"

"Let's be realistic here. You don't want to take a corrections officer to trial. You don't want to put yourself through that." Rodriguez stated.

"I hope that's not a threat." Barba said, his bravado wasn't going to fail him today.

"It's a reality. My guys already feel like they're under attack." Rodriguez said.

"Tell you what. Two counts, criminal sexual act, and the third." Mr Pastrino said.

"So you guys does, what, a year and a half?" Barba challenged.

"These women come on to him. They work him anyway they can. I've seen it." Rodriguez wasn't going to let it go.

"He's a CO. They're inmates. They're incapable of consent. It's rape." Barba countered.

"You really think the jury's gonna look at a bunch of junkies, then look at him, and believe that?" Rodriguez said.

"Yes, I do." He said, lowly.

"It these women even testify. They're lowlifes. They miss their own court dates. They're not making yours." Rodriguez warned.

"Thanks for the advice. Your guy's doing hard time and then he's going on the registry. It's over." He walked off, almost throwing another comment over his shoulder but he thought better of it.

Barba was texting Ally when the elevator dinged allowing the other occupants out before it would ascend to his floor. He didn't expect the uninvited new occupant of the elevator.

"Abogado. A second later I would've missed you." Barba's eyes glanced at the panel for the alarm button. "That alarm is not going to help you." He warned moving into Barba's line of sight.

"What do you want? Who sent you?" Barba asked, trying to sound braver than he felt.

"Well, that's the thing, Rafael. You've made so many enemies, you have no way of knowing, do you? Same way, you won't hear the bullet that's coming for you." As he exited the elevator, Barba darted forward and pressed the alarm. A guard from the crowd outside the door stepped in immediately.

"I'm a New York City DA. That man just threatened me. Shut the building down and get the security footage!" He demanded the guard took heed and ran after the offender. Barba pulled out his phone and hit speed dial 4.

"Carisi." The Staten Island accent calmed Barba somewhat.

"Detective. I need to speak to you and Rollins. Meet me at my office." He said, his voice shaking slightly. He cursed himself for sounded so weak. He hated it.

"That's the guy." He confirmed, the image on the iPad from the security footage in the elevator got a good capture of the guys face.

"Okay, so you said he threatened you twice, when was the first time?" Rollins asked. She had agreed to join Carisi in talking to Barba about his stalker.

"Uh, after the Munson indictments, he stopped me in front of the courthouse, said he could throw me down the stairs and crack open my skull." Barba said with a sigh.

"Why didn't you tell us about that?" Carisi asked.

"I've been getting threats all year." Barba said.

"All year? So this may have nothing to with Riker's. When did the threats start? What kind of threats?" Rollins asked.

"Hang-ups, mostly, on my cell, from burners, a few texts." Barba admitted.

"Okay we're running this through facial recognition. And I'm calling Intel, get you a security detail." Rollins said pulling her phone out.

"Is there someone there you trust? The threats started after I indicted the three cops who shot Terrence Reynolds." He said.

"I'm calling Benson." Rollins said.

"Do you want us to check in with Allison and your Mom too?" Carisi asked.

"No it's ok. I'll do it. I know they're at home at my Mom's apartment and I've told them to stay inside." Barba said.

"We'll check in with them anyway. To make doubly sure." Carisi said. But before they could Rollins announced they had to find Olivia and Dodds – they had a serious situation.

He attended Dodd's funeral. When he thought of Mike Dodds Jr, he always envisioned a strong, never-say-never, devil-may-care young man. He never thought he'd find out from Carisi that Mike Dodds had suffered stroke while recovering from a gunshot wound and have to leave this life so soon. It was so very sad for one to die so young. The ceremony was beautiful. Mike's brother spoke, and his mother. It was a lovely service. He stood next to Olivia outside the Church as they carried Dodds' coffin out to the hearse.

It wasn't until the wake at a pub later that afternoon that he got to speak to Carisi. It seemed like they had cornered his stalker.

"Counsellor just – just so you know we haven't arrested Heredio yet, but we have units posted on his block." Carisi told him.

"I'm not worried. Not in here." Barba voice was quiet, thankful. He even managed a small smile – of relief. He picked up the shot glass that sat next to him on the bar, he raised it to Carisi they clinked glasses and Barba mused that this evening he would go home to his own apartment, read his daughter a bedtime story at her request and kiss her goodnight before sleeping with both eyes closed for the first time in a long time.

"We caught him." Carisi said over the phone to Barba.

"You did?" Barba asked.

"Yeah, can you come in do a line up? Just protocol." Carisi asked.

"Sure. I'll be right there." Barba hung up, he told his mother and Ally he'd be back soon and quickly made his way down to the precinct. Carisi and Rollins were waiting for him.

"Are you sure you're ok to do this?" Rollins asked, Barba nodded, he wanted to put away this guy so that he could finally have his daughter home and not have to lie to her all the time.

"Just take your time, Barba." Rollins reminded him.

"I know. I have to be sure." Rafael said.

"Right. Here we go." Carisi said as the door opened and 6 men all lined up.

"Number Three. He looks smaller in there." Barba said after a moment to look over all of the men, to make sure Heredio was there.

"They usually do, Counsellor." Rollins said.

Carisi knocked three times on the window, "And for what it's worth, while he was in holding, he told me he got $250 each time he talked to you." He said.

"250, that's it? I should be offended. Who paid him?" Barba snarled.

"That he wouldn't say. Based on what he did say, threat assessment's going to keep the security detail on you 24/7." Carisi said.

Barba sighed, "Terrific." They turned back to the bullpen, "Still wanna be an ADA?"

"I've been thinking about it." Carisi said as they stepped out into the bullpen.

"I heard there's an opening in Brooklyn." Barba said.

"Thing is, Counsellor…I took an oath to protect and serve. So I don't want to leave. Not now anyway. After what happened to Dodds…it just doesn't feel right." Carisi said.

"I get it. In the end we're all just passing through. How's Liv doing?" He asked.

"She's taking it hard." Carisi said honestly. Barba nodded, yeah he thought I expect so, she would blame herself for Dodds death; that was the way she was. Even though she shouldn't.

"Counsellor, go home. Go and get Allison from your mothers and go home. It's better now." Carisi told him seriously. Barba looked at Sonny and nodded slowly. He was right, for once.

Allison 3 Years Old

"Are you ready for Noah's birthday, Ally?" Barba asked as he pulled Allison's brand new dress on over her head. It was pink and she had fallen in love with it the moment she had seen it.

"We have to go, Papi?" She asked, still not quite full sentences but he knew what she meant.

"He's your friend isn't he?" He asked.

"Yes. His friends, I don't like them." She had just been able to register dislike and she didn't like Noah's other friends. Noah got along with girls well enough but the boys and Noah played baseball together. Allison wasn't allowed to play baseball with the boys. Barba looked at her and lifted her up onto her bed to put her shoes on.

"That's only because they're boys." He said putting her little 'Mary-janes' on her feet. She didn't say anything for a while and swung her feet after he had finished with her shoes.

"Ally…sweetheart. If you don't want to stay that's ok. We can go and you can stay for as long as you feel comfortable, ok? Then we can leave. Aunt Olivia and Noah won't mind."

"Ok." She agreed letting her father lift her into his arms and swing her onto his hip. He pressed kiss to her cheek and he carefully picked up the Noah's present, his keys and his wallet. He then very carefully closed the door behind them and then they walked to Olivia's apartment.

"She didn't want to come." Rafael told Olivia as they drank coffee as Noah opened his presents.

"Why not?"

"She's not fond of Noah's other friends." A scream caught their attention and then a voice that took control.

"Josh! Let go of Ally's hair! That's not nice!" Noah's voice said firmly. After a moment Noah brought Allison out to the kitchen he held her hand. He let Rafael pick her up and sit her up on the counter.

"Josh pulled her pigtails. I told him not to." He said. Rafael nodded in understanding.

"You ok, Pequeño?" Rafael asked, carefully undoing her hair. He had done it that morning for her but now since it had been tugged on – it was ruined.

"No." She wiped at her eyes, she didn't want to cry but she did.

"Do you want Aunt Olivia to help you do your pigtails again?" He asked gently brushing his fingers through the now loose hair.

She shook her head, "No. Want to go home."

"Ok, baby. Ok. We'll go home." Rafael agreed.

"Noah?" The boy a reappeared a half opened gift in his hands, "have you opened Ally's gift yet?" Olivia asked.

"Not yet, mommy." He said holding up the gift in his hands, "This is Tommy's."

"Ally's not feeling well, Uncle Rafa is going to take her home. Maybe you should open her present." Olivia suggested.

"Ok." He finished ripping the paper off the gift he held then retreated back into the lounge, re-emerging with Ally's gift in hand. He knelt down on the floor and Rafael knelt down so Allison could see what the boy was doing.

"WOW! I really wanted this Lego set! Thanks Ally!" Noah got up and pressed a quick, friendly kiss to Ally's cheek, before giving Rafa a hug too.

"I hope you feel better soon Ally." He said as they said their goodbyes and went home.

"You need to speak. Now." Olivia said when she found Rafael, again, at Forlini's. At the bar. Going over a case file. Allison said next to him, eating ravioli.

"Hi Aunt Livia." Allison said looking up from her pasta.

"Hi Ally. I've gotta borrow your Daddy for moment, is that ok?" Olivia asked.

"Kay." Allison smiled turning back to her pasta.

"Start talking, Rafa." Olivia said.

"About?" He asked.

"About what you did. How Willard got to you. Ashtonja Abreu." Olivia said.

"You talked to her?" He didn't ask her a question – it was more of a statement.

"Yeah, and Willard talked to her too. He seems to think that you're paying her for sex." Rafael cast a sideways glance at Ally, but she was engrossed in her pasta.

"I know. He told me." Rafael said.

"He told you? Right before you called off getting me those warrants?" Olivia said.

"Yes, come here." He moved to the table opposite where he has been sitting. It was more private than the bar.

"Of course, Willard got it wrong. I knew Ashtonja's mother, Marianna. She was a heroin addict. And she was a witness in a case against a guy who raped and killed two women. She was the only witness." Olivia could tell it was hard for Barba but he pressed on, "On the day of the trial, she showed up so strung out she could barely talk. The judge wouldn't give me a recess. Marianna asked for a loan."

"And you give it to her." Olivia said.

"Yes." He replied.

"Knowing that she would buy heroin." Olivia said.

"Yes." He replied.

"And?" Olivia prompted.

"She bought what she bought and she did what she did, and she got on the stand. She buried the guy. She sent a really bad man to prison for the rest of his life, and she died of an overdose, eight hours later, leaving behind her ten-year-old daughter." Rafael said.

"Who you've been giving money to ever since." Olivia said.

"She lives with her grandmother. They're broke. I help out. Willard must have hacked me bank account and tracked down Ashtonja." Rafael supplied.

"Papi?" Allison's voice came from next to him. She'd finished her paste and had climbed up next to him at the table.

"Yes Ally?" He asked.

"Why are you sad?" She asked, reaching up to wipe away his tears, which had leaked out of his eyes.

"I'm not sad…I'm angry at myself. But Aunt Olivia is going to help me feel better." He told her.

"Kay." Allison accepted the hug he pulled her into. Allison was too young to understand, but she was trusting. So if Daddy said that Aunt Olivia was going to make him feel better, she trusted that that was exactly what was going to happen.

Allison 5 Years Old

"Papi?" The little voice was a bit more confident now. Her Spanish was good and Rafael could see that curiousness in her eyes and he knew he wouldn't get out of saying 'later' this time.

"Yes Ally." He gave her his full attention. He glanced at her dinner plate, she was playing with some left over peas.

"Why don't I have a Mommy?" Rafael froze. Allison had never asked this question of him yet. And how was he supposed to tell her?

"Ally, your mother…she passed away giving birth to you." Too early to tell her she was adopted.

"But she loved me?" the child asked.

"Very much." He agreed.

"So you're my real Papi, then?" she asked.

He nodded, "Of course. Why all the questions?" he laughed.

"I see all my friends with their mommies and I never have mine." She explained.

"Well, how about this. You know when Noah needs a 'dad', he asks me?" He said.

She nodded, "Yeah."

"How about whenever you need a 'mom' you ask Livia or Manda?" He suggested, knowing both women would jump at the chance to help Allison.

"Ok. That sounds good. Because you help Noah so Aunt Livia and Aunt Manda can help me!" She said happily.

"That's right. Ok, so - do you have to have your Mommy for something at school or is it just because girls are asking about yours?" He asked.

"Katelyn Michaels. She said that my family is broken because I don't have a mommy. I told her that I did, but she told me that if I did she obviously didn't care because she's never around." She confessed.

"Oh, Cariño. Next time Katelyn Michaels says anything – you tell her that your family is not broken you have your Papi, your Abeulita, your Tía and Tío, Fin, Amanda, Sonny and Livia. You have the richest most loving extended family in the world. And if she doesn't like that – add Noah in there as well. Didn't you tell me she liked him?" He said, while he spoken she'd eaten those loose peas.

"Yeah. We think she might have a bit of…what did uncle Sonny call it? Puppy love!" Allison said with a big grin.

"Puppy love…well that will never last. You tell her all about your loving extended family and that Noah is your best friend and that will never change. She may just leave you alone." Rafael said.

"Thank Papi. I love you." She said.

"I love you too, Ally." He said.

"Can I watch cartoons?" She asked.

"Have you finished with your dinner?" Rafael asked looking down at her plate. It still had the asparagus and brussel sprouts he'd cooked, untouched. However she had eaten her carrots, peas, beans and potato. Ad of course she'd devoured the chicken. She'd always told her father that he was the best cook in the world and usually he'd let her off eating something.

"Si, Papi." She replied.

"Did you try the sprouts? What about the asparagus?" He asked.

"But Papi…" She tried.

"Don't 'But Papi' me young lady. At least try them. If then you still don't like them – it's ok. Try them then you can watch cartoons." He said. He watched her carefully as she speared a piece of asparagus with her fork, she took a bite out of it and chewed. A second later she made a face and spat it out onto her plate. He indicated to the sprouts. He carefully cut one in half and let her spear one. She brought it to her mouth, sniffled it, before taking a bite. She still made a face but at least swallowed it. Rafael pleased she'd at least tried the foreign vegetables sent her off to watch cartoons while he cleaned up.

11 Years Later

"Dad! I can't find my house keys!" 16-year-old Allison Catalina Barba called from her bedroom.

"Did you look in the kitchen?" Her father, Rafael, called back to her, taking a sip from his coffee.

"Yes, of course I did!" Rafael turned from the kitchen bench, coffee in one hand his daughter's keys dangling from his finger just as Allison rounded the corner from her room.

"You planted them!" She accused, snatching them from his hand, he chuckled.

"You can't charge me on that." He replied. He told her taking another gulp of coffee, the caffeine was starting to kick in.

"I can charge you with whatever crime I like, Conserjero." She smiled, pulling her backpack on to her shoulder.

"Can you now? Who told you that?" He asked. He had suspicions it was Carisi, Fin or Amanda.

"Aunt Livia and Noah did. Apparently, Uncle Rafa would prosecute Deer if he could for J-walking." Allison grinned, Rafael rolled his eyes and downed the last of his coffee.

"Okay, school." He said grabbing up his car keys and briefcase ushering her out the door. Just another Monday morning in the Barba household.

A/N: I'm not sure of the age Noah is by the time he is rescued, but now that I'm watching Season 19 and he's…4? So by that stage when Barba is getting death threats and all Allison would be 2. So I added that in to the areas where she was 2 years old.

Spanish Translations:

Tía – Auntie

Mi hermosa niña – My Gorgeous Girl

Pequeño – Little One

Mi hija – My Daughter

Amiguito – Little Friend

Abogado - Lawyer

Making your favourite galletas! Mucha diversión! – Making your favourite cookies! Having lots of fun!

No puedo esperar! Ya los puedo oler! – I can't wait! I can smell them already!

Cariño – Sweetie

Conserjero – Counsellor (Masculine)

I am not a mother and therefore have to rely on my own mother and websites to inform me on a child's developmental stages. Both the internet and my mother confirmed that most children will sleep for 13-15 hours a day at the three month stage – with approx. 9-16 hours of wakefulness. To sleep all through the night is not unreasonable for a child of that age – but I also believe in my own personal opinion that a change in environment (moving to Rafael's apartment) changed her patterns of sleep due to the unfamiliarity of it.

I understand the themes I have undertaken in this fic (Death during childbirth, death via drive-by and adoption) are difficult to over but I hope it worked out. However, as I have not adopted a child nor had a family member die in childbirth nor had a family member killed via drive-by, I am unaware of the heartache and turbulent emotions of the family. I apologise if I had offended or misrepresented anyone who has suffered through any of the themes undertaken in the preceding story.