Title: Instant Karma, Chapter 1
Author:
Sorsha711
Fandom/Pairing: JM/OFC; involves the entire Law &
Order universe
Rating: M, for language and references to violence;
some adult content
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to
Dick Wolf. Munch isn't mine, except in my dreams! Sigh!
Summary:
A series of random bombings reunites Munch with the woman that has
haunted his sleep for years. In the midst of tragedy, can some much
needed good karma open the way for true love delayed? JM/OFC
"Instant Karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you
right on the head"
Instant Karma, John Lennon
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Instant Karma, Chapter 1
Rounding the corner in time to see the doors of an elevator beginning to close, Munch sprinted forward calling, "Hold the door."
To his surprise, a hand appears in the dwindling crack, causing the doors to spring open. With a sigh of relief, the tall man slipped inside the nearly full car. "Thanks. I'm running late as it is."
"Not a problem. Maybe it will bring me good karma."
Noting both the smile and the soft slur of a southern accent that colored her voice, Munch reached over to tap the button for the fourteenth floor. Mingled with those quick observations was the certain knowledge that he had heard her voice before… that their paths had crossed sometime in the not too distant past. The sudden clinching of his heart warned him it was likely he still carried a scar from that prior encounter.
Hesitating to turn to study her and place a face with the tantalizing voice, he let his eyes remain focused on the panel. "What floor do you need?'
"Sixteenth … Det. Munch."
Startled, the lanky policeman swiveled to face her and dropped his head a fraction so that he could peer at her over the top of his omnipresent dark glasses. "Do I…? Sydney Riley." The memory of the lovely blond-haired woman before him swept over him in a sudden rush. "I… it's been a while. What brings you to New York? Are you still living in Boston?"
A soft smile greeted his question, a smile that did not quite dispel the shadows that haunted her hazel eyes. "I've moved since the last time we spoke. I relocated to New York three years ago. I'm a fellow at Hudson's Institute for Public Policy Research. Are you visiting New York or are you here on assignment?"
"I live here now too… moved from Baltimore a little over six years ago." Noting the changes that had occurred to her features in the years since they had last met… the scar still visible under the fringe of her bangs, he added, "I guess that means it's been about seven years. Your friend's murder was one of the last major cases I cleared before I retired from the force."
"Seven years sounds right." Moving away from the door as it opened for several people to exit on the third floor, the shapely blond hesitated for a moment before asking, "You've retired from the Baltimore force?"
"Yeah… I did my twenty and decided I needed a change." A dry, faintly dark laugh slipped from his lips. "I guess I'm just too much a creature of habit. I'm back on the job with the NYPD."
"Baltimore's loss is New York's gain."
Still holding her gaze, he was pleased to note that her comment seemed sincere. Falling into his habit of a lifetime, he joked, "My captain might disagree. And then there's my partner…"
Shifting toward the back of the car as more people entered and exited the elevator as it made its slow crawl up the building's core, Munch reached out a steadying hand to catch her elbow as a young man, lost in the world of his iPod, caused her to stumble into the back wall. A wave of long-suppressed desire surged to life at the contact. He unconsciously took a step closer to her, all too aware of the unrequited feelings she had always inspired in him… feelings that past circumstances had kept him from pursuing.
For several long seconds, he stared into her startled eyes. It never entered his mind to doubt that she had felt the electric charge that had sparked to life at his touch; the flush on her cheeks and the catch to her breathing were all the confirmation he needed that she had. The bell that signaled the elevator's arrival at another floor finally broke the moment. Uncomfortable with the intensity of his reaction, Munch forced his gaze away from hers and glanced around them.
He turned his head in time to see the doors to the car slide shut behind the last of their fellow passengers. He knew the lower portion of the building was devoted to academic space… classrooms and the like for several of Hudson University's programs. Above the tenth floor, the building housed offices of one type or another. Since it was nearing 9 a.m. and the start of another block of classes, John was not surprised that the other passengers had all gotten off on the lower floors.
A quick review of the lighted numbers over the door confirmed his assumption that they would soon reach his floor. The need to know, to at last have some answers to the questions her departure from his life had left behind, motivated him to ask, "I know this is a little presumptuous given our last conversation, but would you…"
The sound of a muffled explosion rocked the elevator, cutting into his proposal that they meet sometime soon for a drink to talk and perhaps renew their acquaintance. The car was plunged into complete darkness as the floor seemed to fall away from under their feet. Instinct took over as he threw himself against her, crushing them both into the corner of the car. Wrapping his hands around the rails on either side of her waist, Munch braced himself against her anticipating the coming impact. "Hold on! The emergency brake…"
The stop was as sudden as the freefall. Despite their combined hold on the rails, the force of their momentum drove them hard to the floor. Still huddled together against the wall, the pair waited anxiously for what would happen next. The blare of the emergency alarms was muted by the sounds of their pounding hearts and labored breathing.
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