And A Child Shall Lead Him: Chapt4

Munch sighed as he opened the door.

"Natasha correct?" He asked.

Natasha looked to him inquisitively. She was about 5'8, 22 years old, on the thin side, blond hair, and blue eyes. He could the family resemblance.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"I just do. So, did you specifically wait until I officially adopted Ayana or is this just a surprise?" Munch asked her.

"I just found out." Natasha spoke, she spoke quietly and usually looked towards the floor.

"Well, come in I guess."

Munch let her in and they sat at his kitchen table.

"How did you find me?"

"You left the adoption open Detective Munch."

"I knew I forgot something. So, what do you want?"

"I want to see my little sister."

"No."

"No?" Natasha asked surprised.

"I'm not going to arrange some little play date for you and her because I know what's going to happen. You'll take her to the park or something, you'll play, you'll connect with her, and then you're going to tell her who you are…just to abandon her again."

"You're being unfair, I didn't abandon her."

"Then where have you been for the last 3 years of her life?"

Natasha looked down to the floor; Munch could tell she was hiding something.

"I've been sick."

"Being so full of yourself that you ignore your own family is "sick", it's neglect. I'm sorry but I don't want you damaging her."

"How will I damage her?"

"How's it going to look when you leave her again? She'll think she's unwanted. I'm not going to let her think that."

"I don't want to leave her…again. You have to give me a chance to make it up to her…please."

Munch sighed. As much as he loved Ayana he was torn. He knew many people who would dive at the chance to see their families again, but he didn't trust Natasha as of yet. He thought about the situation.

"I'm not totally cold-hearted despite what you think. Come back in 2 days and we'll discuss this."

"Ok."

She stood and Munch walked her to the door. Before she walked out she turned to him.

"How did you know who I was?"

"You we're listed in Ayana's file."

"Oh. By the way, I know you're not cold-hearted. Otherwise you wouldn't have adopted Ayana."

And with that she left. Munch stood in the doorway for a moment, just thinking. She only wants to 'see' her, he thought to himself. Rekindling a relationship may not be that bad…but still. Munch walked into Ayana's room where she slept peacefully. He watched her for awhile and decided he wasn't going to lose her.

The next evening after everyone had left the station; Munch had picked up Ayana and returned to the station. Busying her with a color book he sat at his computer and researched Natasha's file.

"Natasha Klept" He read aloud. "She has a criminal record."

He clicked on the screen a few times and found her record.

"She was arrested 2 years ago for prostitution and drug possession, heroin." He looks to Ayana. "Hell of a role model, huh munchkin?"

Ayana smiled at him and jumped up in his lap. She pointed to the picture…

"'tasha." She said.

"'tasha? Natasha you mean?"

Ayana nodded.

"Who is that Ayana?"

"Sissy."

Munch sighed and kissed her cheek, a feeling of confusion veiled over him.

The following night: Munch had put Ayana to bed. He and Natasha sat at the kitchen table over a cup of coffee.

"I looked up your police record Natasha and to be honest…I'm not all the comfortable with it."

"Please do not judge me on that. It was forces beyond my control."

"Drug addiction and prostitution was a choice and I certainly don't call it being 'sick'"

"Why can't you just trust me and let me see Ayana?"

"I need to know what she will be exposed to when and if she's around you."

Natasha ran her fingers thru her hair and sighed.

"The drugs…the prostitution…I was forced to do those things."

"Why should I believe you Natasha?"

"You're a detective, run the name Howie Yurn thru your computer. He was my boyfriend, you'll find out everything you need to know."

With that she left. Munch sat at the table feeling slightly bad for what he had done. If she really was forced to do those things he was putting her thru more hell. Ayana…it was for Ayana though. She only mattered. The next day at work, Munch found little time to research the name Natasha gave him but he got enough information to make a decision. After work and after Ayana was in bed Novak visited on his request. They settled on the couch together, he handed her a file.

"What is this John?"

"Look" He said simply.

Novak opened the file and read thru it. She closed it afterwards and laid it on her lap.

"John, she has no ground to challenge the adoption."

"Maybe, but now I feel guilty. That Yurn character got her to run away with him and forced into a life of drugs and prostitution."

"Is she clean now?"

"She's been clean for 8 months."

Munch removed his glasses in frustration.

"I can't lose her Casey."

Novak placed her hands over and under his, holding it tightly.

"You won't lose her John, I won't let that happen. Offer her some visitation time; let her baby-sit Ayana while you're at work. If she doesn't take the offer we'll squash her in court."

Munch smiled.

"I think you're too good for me Casey Novak."

"I know I am…but I'll settle." She said smiling.

"Who taught you that sense of humor?" Munch asked cocking an eyebrow.

"Guess."

He smiled and they shared a sweet kiss.

The next night Munch invited Natasha to his apartment. At 7pm she knocked on the door. Ayana answered. Natasha was in awe of her long-lost little sister. She tried everything to not cry as she spoke to Ayana.

"Ayana?" she asked in a whisper.

"'Tasha!" She said excitedly, reaching her arms up to her.

Natasha picked up and hugged her tightly. Munch quietly walked up behind them.

"You know, I could use a babysitter during the day…if you want the job."

"Of course! That's perfect since I work nights anyways."

"Ok then. I'll drop her off tomorrow morning, 7am sharp."

"That's great, thank you so much!" She put Ayana down. "I have to get going, I have work in an hour." She spoke to Ayana. "I'll see you tomorrow ok Ayana?"

"Ok sissy" Ayana said gladly.

"Thank you Mr. Munch"

"John, besides we are somewhat family."

Natasha smiled, said her goodbyes and left. Munch looked down at Ayana who was all smiles.

"Happy Munchkin?"

Ayana nodded and hugged on Munch's legs. He bent over and picked her up, lifting her into the air like a plane. She squealed with delight.

"Munchkin flight 3 high in the skies!"

1 month later: After work, around 8pm Munch arrived at Natasha's apartment to pick up Ayana. After knocking on the door for sometime he noticed a note on the mat in front of her door. Munch picked it up and read it.

"Dear Mr. Munch. I'm sorry but I had to do this. Just leave me and Ayana alone. Please. –Natasha."

Munch thru down the note and broke open the door with his foot. He rushed in, he checked the dresser in her room and it was empty. The room she had for Ayana was bare as well. Munch stood in the middle of the room, finally realizing what had happened. Angry tears arose in his eyes as he grabbed his cell phone.

"Captain Cragen, I need help, now!"

TO BE CONTINUED.