Disclaimer: The characters in this story are not my own but are the property of Wolf Productions and NBC.
Rated: G
Summery: Short Munch Oneshot. Feedback appreciated!
--- A Little Less Alone ---
He stared for a moment into the bottom of his empty glass, the distant look in his eyes indicating that although he sat there, his thoughts were somewhere else completely.
The noise in the room cut into his thoughts and he held up his glass indicating he wanted another vodka on the rocks. He watched as the bartender shook his head but set about fulfilling the order. It was getting late and past his usual hour of sitting here. He'd long passed his usual consumption but what the hell, it wasn't as if he had anything... or anyone to get back too.
The bartender had placed his drink in front of him now and he mumbled a quick thanks without looking up. It wasn't often that he allowed himself to get like this. He had a way of deflecting anything personal with a joke or a sarcastic comment. But not tonight.
He'd spent the evening trying to come up with a good reason for why it was that he found himself alone after all these years, but after hours of thinking, he'd been unable.
The entire day at the squad room, he hadn't said much which was odd for him and though he'd ignored them, he hadn't missed his co-workers questioning stares. But they'd never asked and even if they had, he'd have never admitted anything.
He turned his gaze back on the untouched glass of vodka but somehow, he no longer had the stomach to drink it. Pushing it away from him, he stood slowly, leaving enough money on the bar to pay for his bill and leave a little extra for the tender.
The chilly March wind blew hard against him as he pushed the exit door open. He was surprised to see her standing there yet was somehow able to keep the shock from showing on his face.
"Olivia? How long have you been here?" He was unable to think of anything else to ask. She shrugged.
"About twenty minutes." She answered and by the look on her face, he knew she was concerned.
"I thought of coming in but I thought you might need time to yourself." As the sentence left her mouth is suddenly struck her at how foolish it now sounded. He spent every night alone.
"I should have come in." She said quietly.
"I'm fine, Olivia." He said it gently so she knew he wasn't annoyed by her concern. He wished he could tell her that it was seeing her here that would help him sleep tonight. She nodded at him and offered a smile.
"You know where I am if you ever need to talk."
He smiled back at her. It was here that he'd normally reply with something sarcastic. Something to lighten the mood and end the uncomfortably personal moment, but nothing came to him tonight and he was unsure he'd have said it if it had.
He took a couple of steps forward before turning back toward her.
"Thanks, Liv."
She nodded again before heading in the opposite direction. He watched her until she disappeared into the darkness and even then, he stood as though frozen.
All his life, love had alluded John Munch but he knew just then that had he know the kind of woman to look for, had he known Olivia Benson, he might have found it.
Staring for another moment into the darkness to which she'd departed, he turned now, in the direction of his own residence.
And the world felt a little less alone.
--Kate Taylor
March 2006