Chapter Text
The tall shadow of a figure leaned down, admiring their work. The person they leaned over wasn’t moving. The body laid supine with the arms laying by either side of their body. A man who now lay still on the cold concrete ground of a New York alley.
The body was still, no sign of life left. The figure continued to look down at those round lifeless eyes, before dropping something onto the victims chest.
The figure took one last look before leaving back down the alley and into the shadows.
~
“Victims name is Jackson Murphy, 37 year old white male. He worked at the bank 10 minutes from here. Divorced with a 9 year old kid.”
Detective Dominick Carisi listened as his captain, Olivia Benson spoke. He looked at his partner Rollins, watching as she kneeled beside the victim on the ground.
The victim had signs of strangulation, as well as marks on his wrist that insinuated he’d been tied up antemortem. Dominick, or as he preferred to be called Sonny, grimaced as he stood staring at the wide open eyes of the man on the floor.
The victim lay there with his arms on either side of his body, his pants were gone, suggesting possible sexual assault, and something small, like paper, laid upon his chest.
“Another note?” Sonny asked Rollins, stepping closer toward them both.
“Yeah, looks like.” She said inquisitively, reaching down with a gloved hand and picking it up slowly. She looked at it curiously before reading the note aloud.
“There will be more until I find the one.”
“That doesn’t sound good” Sonny groaned
“No kidding” rollins agreed.
She stood up, walking toward Sonny and Olivia.
“This is the third victim in two weeks. This guy is escalating. I’m sure once the medical examiner gets a look it’ll be the same as the others. Tied up and sexually assaulted within the last twelve hours, before being strangled.” Benson sighed.
“We need to call Barba.” She explained, before walking away.
Sonny was having a rough day. Third victim in two weeks means a serial killer is on the loose. This guy was smart too. Always wiped the body clean of any evidence or fingerprints before the body turned up in a dark alley way. Thrown away like they were nothing. It made him so angry.
The first two vics, Henry McDonald and Ted Sanchez, also had notes thrown atop their bodies. Each read the same, containing only one sentence. “Not the one”
This third note though. The threat that there will be more was more concerning. This, monster, was searching for “the one”. Whatever that meant to them. They’ve been working tirelessly day and night trying to find any evidence or connection between the victims, but there was none.
Sonny turned away from the crime scene and started toward his car. Rollins following behind him.
They drove back to the precinct, and went to the meeting room. Barba sat at the chair closest to the board, snacking on some candy. He looked up when Sonny and Rollins walked in.
“We’re waiting on Detective Amaro to get back from questioning the families and friends” Olivia explained.
“And he’s late” Barba jumped in, popping another candy in his mouth. “I had to cancel my next meeting”
“You mean the one with Buchanan? You should be thanking us” Olivia jeered.
Rafael smirked. “Should I?“
“I have news” came a voice from the door.
Everyone turned to see Detective Nick Amaro enter the room.
“Have you found anything that can connect these victims to one another?” Olivia questioned Nick.
“We found something. Fin and I spoke to a few friends and co workers of the victims, and it seems all three vics frequented the same club”
Nick smiled, seemingly happy he found something that could prove useful.
After a moment, Rafael turned toward him.
“Care to enlighten us on which club detective, or should we continue to wait in extremely awkward silence together.”
“If that’s what excites you counselor I could hold off for a few more minutes”
“Alright gentleman.” Olivia interrupted. “Nick, what is it”
Nick shifted his eyes back on the captain ignoring Rafael’s little smile.
“All three men frequented the same club called The Neon Garden”
“The Neon Garden?” Rafael frowned, his shoulders straightened back.
Sonny eyed him curiously, trying hard not to stare for too long, which was a hard task. He usually lingered too long on the lawyer’s green eyes, or broad shoulders. Something about his hands when he talked also enraptured him and made his brain all fuzzy.
Like right now.
He blinked and turned away quickly, blushing furiously when he realized Rafael caught him staring.
“Yeah. That’s the one. It’s an inclusive club for the LGBTQ community, and the killer has made it their hunting grounds” Nick spoke angrily, his teeth grinding when he said the word killer.
“Fin and I looked over the surveillance footage and we found all three victims talking to the same guy before leaving with him the night of their murders.”
Nick placed a set of photos on the board before backing away and letting everyone look.
The man in the grainy photo wore all black. He had black pants, with a shirt tucked inside, and wore a leather jacket with leather gloves. On top of his head sat a black baseball cap.
Three separate photos showed him in the same outfit talking to each of the three victims on different nights.
The room was silent for a moment before Rollins spoke up with an idea.
“We should send someone in undercover. Set up a sting.” Rollins suggested.
Olivia let out a hum of disapproval.
“Rollins, it’s too dangerous. Plus, we don’t even know what this guy is looking for. None of the vics shared the same ethnicity, and each ranged from different hair and eye colors, different ages, and backgrounds. It’s too much of a risk” Olivia said.
“We could try! If we see anyone suspicious who looks like the guy in the photo, we can follow them. We have no evidence, no finger prints! This guy is too smart, but he doesn’t know that we found where he likes to hangout. We can have units outside and someone on the inside.” Rollins continued to fight for her idea, making some good points.
The room stayed silent until Rafael spoke.
“I think it’s a good idea.” He said.
“You do?” Questioned Rollins.
He rolled his eyes at that.
“Yes detective. I do. And actually. I’d like to volunteer as your man on the inside.”
“No!” Exclaimed Sonny. The room quickly looked at him, and he suddenly felt embarrassed.
“I-I mean Barba, you’re not a cop. This is dangerous, and we don’t even know who we’re looking for. It can be anyone! And um..also it’s uh. A uh-“
“It’s a what Carisi” Rafael spat out.
He gulped. “A gay club..right?”
Rafael continued to stare at him like he had three heads and was spewing fire.
“And?”
“And. Well-“ Carisi continued to stammer. He glanced over at Olivia and Rollins hoping they’d step in and help but neither spoke. Rollins was hiding a smile behind her hand knowingly.
“Well as it so happens Detective, I frequent this club, and also so happen to be good friends with the bartender. We can ask for access to the surveillance room, and for his cooperation. As for me volunteering as possible bait, I know a lot of the regulars there. People who go there almost every night or weekend. I can help.”
Sonny’s mouth flopped open like a fish. He flushed nervously again.
“I didn’t realize you were-“
“Didn’t realize I was gay?” Rafael finished his sentence.
“I don’t exactly go around shouting my sexuality off the rooftops Detective.” Rafael stood looking over at Olivia.
“So?” He asked.
She crossed her arms.
“I don’t like it Rafa.”
“But I’ll be safe. I trust you. And for some reason I trust this team to keep me from being kidnapped and murdered. Nothing may come of it. But it’s a start.”
Olivia nodded. “Fine.”
“Great” Rollins smiled, happy others agreed with her undercover operation.
It was when everyone started to discuss the semantics of the plan when Sonny spoke again.
“I want inside too.” He exclaimed.
Olivia looked at him curiously. “You want to be inside?” She repeated.
The detective nodded. “Someone should be close by. We can’t just send our best ADA into an undercover sting operation with no backup!” He said more confidently.
“What a nice compliment coming from you detective, but there’s no need for that.” Rafael jumped in. “I’ll be just fine.”
Carisi got even redder. “I’m sure you’ll be just fine counselor, but I can be inside with you! Close by. Just incase something happens.”
“I don’t need a babysitter”
“I’m not saying you need-“
“Then there’s no need for anyone else to put themselves in danger.”
“Oh but you can?” Carisi snapped back, placing his hands on his hips in frustration.
“I just think it’s unnecessary for you to be there as well. I’m perfectly capable of protecting myself.” Rafael was now standing, also frustrated.
“Yes! You are capable I know that, but I’m not letting you go alone!” Sonny was now shouting. The conversation getting more heated.
“Let me?!” Rafael barked back.
“Yes counselor. I’m coming, whether you like it or not.”
Rafael and the detective were standing even closer to one another now, staring at each other intensely.
Olivia quietly coughed before joining the discussion.
“Rafael..it’s not a bad idea. I think having Carisi in with you will not only keep you safe but think about it? We don’t know who this guy is looking for. He said he hasn’t found “the one” yet. So, for all we know he may not even approach you. He may not even approach Carisi. Putting you both inside to keep an eye out for one another as well as the other bystanders will be helpful.”
Rafael sighed and looked down silently for a minute, before looking at Olivia again.
“Okay.”
Sonny sighed in relief.
“So. When do we start?” He asked.
~
The next day the squad began to set up their little operation. With permission from the bartender at the club, Fin and Nick were to stay in the back surveillance room. Olivia and Amanda and other uniformed officers were to be by all exits, surrounding the building.
It was around nine that night, and Rafael and Sonny were getting dressed for their night undercover in the club. Once dressed they were to be mic’d up.
Sonny was finishing his hair in the mirror. He looked at himself making sure he looked less like a cop and more like a guy ready to enjoy a night out.
He wore slightly tight fitted blue jeans and a dark blue button down shirt. His hair wasn’t slicked back like usual, giving a more bed head look.
Sonny left the bathroom and headed toward the squad in the meeting room.
Rollins whistled. “Wow detective. Hoping to score some dates tonight? Remember you’re working.”
Sonny laughed. “Oh shut up Rollins. I always look like this.”
“Don’t let one compliment get to your head. Your head is big enough already.”
Sonny gave her a small friendly shove, when someone cleared their throat behind them.
He turned and looked toward the door.
Rafael walked in the room wearing dark black jeans, a tight fitted black shirt which he tucked into his jeans, that also sported a black belt. The shirt collar was lower than what the lawyer normally would wear. Showing off just a small amount of chest hair that peeked out from underneath.
The shirt sleeves were also shorter than normal t shirts, and showed off his muscular arms.
Sonny couldn’t help but stare at those arms, drooling at the muscles normally hidden under three piece suits. Sonny gulped nervously before looking at Rafael’s face.
He shouldn’t have looked.
Rafael was wearing eyeliner! Rafael Barba Assistant District Attorney was wearing black eyeliner. The eyeliner brought out his deep green eyes and long eyelashes. His hair also messy like Sonny had done.
Rafael Barba looked beautiful.
That was the only thing Sonny can think. His brain going fuzzy like it always did when he looked at the counselor.
Sonny felt his cheeks go red as he continued to stare at the lawyers arms again.
Rafael proceeded to put on a dark black jacket, hiding those muscular arms.
“Something wrong detective?” Rafael asked.
When Sonny gained focus, he looked at Rafael again and noticed he was slightly red in the cheeks.
Was he nervous or embarrassed? Rafael also had one arm by his side, the other massaging into his opposite arms bicep.
The lawyer was nervous, he can tell. The room was still silent as no one said a thing.
Seeing how red Rafael was now getting, and the more he shifted back and forth, the detective decided to be the first to speak up.
“You look-I mean…wow. You look amazing.” Sonny said honestly.
“Amazing?” Rafael repeated, his cheeks the reddest Sonny has ever seen them.
“You’re beautiful.”
Rafael’s eyes quickly landed on Sonny as he said that. Before he could speak though, Olivia walked in.
“Alright guys. We need to head out to the club now. Sonny and Rafael, you can drive in the van with me and Rollins. We need to get you both mic’d up before you enter.”
She glanced over at them both before smiling.
“You both look great by the way.”
Olivia then turned and left. Everyone standing and ready to follow.
Sonny took one last glance at Rafael before exiting the room.
~
It was time. Everyone was in their designated spot. Fin and Nick stationed inside the camera room. Olivia and Rollins at one exit. And four uniforms stationed at the other two exits of the club.
Olivia and Rollins were done placing the mic on both Sonny and Rafael.
“This tape is itchy.” Rafael complained, scratching at his chest.
“You’ll be fine.” Olivia laughed.
“Sure. Tell that to me later when I sue the department for tape that gives me an allergic reaction.” Rafael shifted again, looking down at his chest.
“Whatever you say counselor. Just stop messing with the mic and get in there.” Rollins said.
Sonny stepped out of the van, waiting for Rafael to follow.
Rafael hesitated before stepping out beside the detective.
“Good luck boys. Remember, we’ll hear it all, so keep the flirting kid friendly in there.” Rollins teased before shutting the van doors.
Rafael chewed on his lip.
“You’ll be fine counselor. The team won’t let anything happen to you.” Sonny gave Rafael a friendly smile.
Rafael nodded back before walking in the direction of the club.
Once inside, Sonny wondered how the team would hear all considering how loud it was. A crowd of people were dancing all around. Some danced alone, while others danced extremely close to others.
It was a pool of sweat out there. The lights were flashing all sorts of colors, while music played so loud the floor vibrated. Sonny felt like his ears would never recover.
Sonny had been to a club or two before, but back when he was around eighteen or nineteen years old. It’s been so long, and things have changed.
Sonny had also never been to an inclusive club before. He felt his cheeks flush as he watched two people making out on the dance floor.
Rafael finally grabbed his arm, and when Sonny looked at him he was laughing.
“Not your scene?” He shouted closely into his ear.
Sonny’s body shivered as Rafael’s breath tickled his ear.
“Come on!” The lawyer yelled, dragging Sonny toward the bar.
Rafael squeezed between two men talking, making room for himself and Sonny to lean against the bar.
The bartender saw them and smiled, heading over.
“Rafi!” The bartender shouted happily.
The man was tall, and he wore a short pink skirt with a black crop top. He had body glitter all over, and his left ear was filled with piercings. The man was cute. With shoulder length blonde hair pulled into a bun, strands of hair falling beside his cheeks.
“Your usual?” He asked, then glanced over at Sonny for the first time.
The bartender smiled before eyeing Sonny up and down.
“Hes a looker Rafi!” The bartender shouted.
Sonny’s cheeks burned hot.
“You’re making him nervous Ben!” Rafael laughed.
“This is Sonny.” Rafael introduced them.
The bartender, Ben, put his hand out to shake. Sonny shook his hand smiling.
“Nice to meet you! And thank you for..you know.”
Sonny smiled.
Ben laughed. “Of course! Drinks are on me today gentleman.” he winked before leaving to make them drinks.
Sonny turned to Rafael who was watching him curiously.
“What?” Sonny said nervously.
Rafael smiled. “You’re not used to a guy flirting with you huh?”
Sonny let out a chuckle. “Who says I’m not?”
Rafael gasped. “Look at you detective! You look ready to run. Your cheeks have been bright red ever since we walked through that door.”
Ben brought their drinks over and set them down in front of them, not staying to chat as more people walked up ready to order.
“You don’t know me that well then do you Rafael?” Sonny took a gulp of his drink, before placing it back down on the bar.
Rafael did the same, then smirked.
“I dont need to know you to know this isn’t your scene.”
Sonny nodded before blurting out “I’m bi.”
Rafael was taking another sip of his drink when he gasped, alcohol now dripping down his chin. He wiped it away with his hand before speaking
“What?” He said shocked.
Sonny laughed. “I’m bisexual. You know? I like boys and girls.”
Rafael rolled his eyes. “I know what being bi is, I just..I-I didn’t know you were.”
“I don’t exactly go around shouting my sexuality off the rooftops now do I counselor?” Sonny said cheekily. He smiled watching Rafael’s eyes open wider, before he shifted and glared at him.
“Funny.” Rafael said.
“I can be.” Sonny smiled back.
The two of them were pressed close to each other, leaning on the bar and staring into each others eyes like a cliche romantic movie.
They have never been this close before. All that back and forth banter they do is usually separated by a table in the precinct, or by the desk in Barba’s office. And often they’re surrounded by their co workers.
Sonny knew how he felt about Rafael. He always found him alluring and beautiful, but he knew the lawyer would never feel the same about him. At least he thought he knew. He only ever hoped.
The silence was interrupted by a man tapping Rafael on the shoulder. Rafael turned.
“Trevor!” Rafael yelped, then leaning forward to give the man before him a hug.
A woman stood beside the guy whose name was Trevor. Trevor was about Rafael’s height. Black hair, blue eye, wearing jeans and a blazer.
The woman also had black hair and blue eyes, wearing a short red dress.
Rafael then hugged the woman.
“Penelope! How are you guys?”
Both of the new comers smiled before Trevor spoke.
“We’re good! Penny here is still hoping to find true love, even though I tell her maybe this isn’t the place to find it.” Trevor laughed.
Penelope, or Penny, gasped.
“Excuse me big bro, but that’s just insulting everyone who does come here. My wife could be in this room! You never know?! And if not, then what’s the harm in having a little fun.”
She winked before looking to the bar and noticing another girl.
“Excuse me.” Penny said before walking over to the girl at the bar.
Trevor just shook his head before looking over at Sonny.
“Well well well who’s this Rafael? Is this the reason you always turn down my offer? Tall and blonde is more your type?” Trevor teased.
Rafael coughed, running his fingers through his hair nervously.
“No Trevor. This is Sonny, my friend.” Rafael emphasized.
“Oh so he’s single then?” Trevor smirked.
Sonny laughed. “Sadly yes.”
“Rafael here comes all the time, and I always try to get him to come home with me. And every time he says no. I even tried asking him to dinner. Thought maybe that would loosen him up but no. Here I was thinking it’s because he had a secret lover.” Trevor wiggled his eyebrows.
He then turned to Rafael.
“You’ve been hiding this one even though you’re not dating. Tsk tsk.”
Rafael’s cheeks turned red. Sonny watched him curiously.
“Care to dance?” Trevor asked him.
“Um-“ Sonny leaned back in surprise. Turning to Rafael for help, but Rafael only watched, his smile suddenly gone.
I guess the idea of dancing wasn’t so bad. They were on the job, but maybe getting a look at the crowd on the floor would be smart.
Rafael spoke first “Trevor please. You’re always flirting with anyone who will let you. Sonny here is too nice to tell you no.”
Sonny glanced over and noticed something else upon Rafael’s face. Was it anger? Or wait. Rafael was leaning closer to him now, arms crossed and he almost looked…jealous?
Sonny smirked before grabbing Trevor’s hand.
“I’d love to dance!” He smiled.
Trevor clapped and laughed happily. “Perfect! Follow me!”
Rafael looked at Sonny annoyed. He leaned closer and whispered “we’re supposed to be on the look out detective. Not dancing with the other club attendees.”
Sonny turned and whispered back “Why, are you jealous Rafael?”
Rafael pulled away with a gasp.
“I am not jealous!” He spat. He then took a gulp of his drink.
Sonny only smiled before leaning in one more time “Don’t worry. I’m only dancing to get a better view of people. I’ll check over there and you can stay at the bar. I’ll be back”
Sonny then watched as Rafael’s face softened a bit, then his eyes looked away seeming embarrassed. He nodded before Sonny followed Trevor out on the dance floor.
Sonny hadn’t danced in a long time. It was fun although he felt silly. Trevor placed his hands on Sonny’s hips, and they swayed back and forth to the music.
Sonny glanced around the room searching for anyone in all black wearing a leather jacket and gloves.
He wouldn’t forget why they were here.
Sonny felt his phone ring in his pocket.
“Excuse me.” He told Trevor. Trevor just nodded continuing to dance on his own.
Sonny plugged his left ear before putting his phone up to the other.
“Hello.”
“It’s Amanda. We just spotted a guy who matches the description of the suspect walk in. Keep an eye out for him. He’s wearing the same thing in the picture we have.”
“Alright, I’ll tell Barba”
He hung up the phone and started making his way toward the bar when he saw him.
There was the guy. He was tall, about his height. He wore black pants, a black shirt with a leather jacket, and leather gloves. What stood out was the black baseball cap on top of his head.
And there he was leaning against the bar, talking to someone. Sonny pushed his way through the crowd of dancing people, trying to get closer when he stopped suddenly.
The suspect had his hand on top of another man’s arm. He was leaning down whispering in their ear.
When the man leaned back up, Sonny noticed the person whose ear he was whispering into.
Standing there talking to the suspect was Rafael.
Sonny started to move faster and get closer when his phone rang again.
He answered quickly.
“It’s him!” He said into the phone.
“Carisi it’s Olivia. Do not go over there right now.”
Sonny gasped angrily. “Rafael could be in danger!” He shouted.
“Carisi listen to me. We are listening to them right now. We’ve got all exits surrounded Fin and Nick have him on camera as we speak, and will not stop watching. I need you to stand down. If you go over there he’ll run. We don’t have enough proof to charge him with anything. Rafael can do this. He’s got this.”
Sonny took a deep breath before answering. “Okay..okay. I’m just going to get closer but I won’t interfere.”
“Good detective.”
Sonny hung up the phone. He made his way to the opposite side of the bar watching the man and Rafael.
Rafael laughed tilting his head back and then leaning into the other man. Sonny saw the man’s smile from under his hat, and he clenched his fists.
Rafael was playing a part. This wasn’t real. Rafael is safe.
Sonny wished more than anything he can hear what they were saying. It was when they started to move away from the bar that Sonny tensed up making his way through the crowd to follow.
The man held Rafael’s hand in his leading him to the exit.
Rafael what are you thinking?
Sonny did his best to push through people and keep his eyes on the lawyer. He couldn’t lose him.
He watched as they made their way to the door, and suddenly all hell broke loose.
The fire alarm went off. The loud beeping noise echoed in the building, a bright flashing white light coming from the fire alarms.
People started to panic, rushing toward the exits and out of the building.
Sonny shouted into his mic attached to his chest.
“Barba! I don’t see him! Keep eyes on Rafael!!”
Sonny shouted hoping the team would hear.
Sonny ran, pushing through the crowd of people trying to make his way to the exit both Rafael and the man were heading to.
He couldn’t lose him!
Sonny finally made his way outside. People were running all over the streets trying to leave the building. Sonny looked left and right, but couldn’t see the counselor anywhere.
He ran, making his way to the van they first arrived in.
The doors rushed open.
“Where is he?!” Sonny shouted at Olivia and Amanda.
“We don’t know! We can’t hear him either. Either he’s not talking or the mic is gone.”
The fire truck pulled up, more noise now mixing with the sounds of panic and the alarm.
Fin and Nick rushed outside to meet the team.
“He’s gone.” Nick gasped. “We lost him when everyone started rushing the exits”
“Damnit!” Sonny shouted. “We were supposed to keep him safe! We need to find him!”
“Wait. Wait!” Rollins shouted.
The team looked at her from inside the van.
“It’s Barba. He’s talking”
“What’s he saying?” Sonny rushed inside the van, placing headphones on his ear.
A muffled voice came through, that sounded like Rafael.
“-pulling into garage, I heard a garage door open and close. The car is stopping. I think we’ve stopped. I turned the gps on for my back up phone, and you can track-“ Rafael stopped talking, and another voice chimed in.
“Who are you talking to?” The man’s voice was deep and gravelly.
“N-no one. I was praying” Rafael responded.
“God can’t save you. Not unless you are my one true love.”
“Wait!” Rafael shouted before the sounds of a taser turning on came through the headphones.
The last sound the squad heard was a yelp before the mic stopped working.