Title: Unexpected, Chapter 1
Author: Sorsha711
Fandom/Pairing: Fin/OFC; Munch/OFC, O/E
Rating: M, for language and references to violence; some adult situations
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize belongs to Dick Wolf. Sigh!
Summary: Across a crowded squad room… Yadda Yadda Yadda… a Fin-centric sequel to Making a Connection. The oh-so-sexy Fin, a beautiful ACS counselor, a heartbreaking case, and Munch/Arwen playing matchmaker. What more do you need? OK, a little OE.
Feedback appreciated.
Unexpected, Chapter 1
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A growl of irritation slipped past the tightly closed lips of Odafin Tutuola as he tried to ignore both the swaying hips of the woman leaving the squad room and his smirking partner. Fixing him with a lethal glare, he demanded, "Spill it Munch. What's so damn funny?"
John Munch leaned back in his chair and grinned openly now that Fin had given him a wide open shot at harassing him. "Funny? Not a thing, man. I am, however, beginning to get a little concerned about your teeth."
Caught off guard by Munch's comment, he bit out, "My teeth? What the hell are you on about now?"
"Your teeth… you know those sharp, pointy things in your mouth used to chew and tear things apart? You're clinching your jaw so tight to keep from drooling… or maybe to stop yourself from asking her for a date, I'm afraid you may grind them down to the quick and then where would you be? Dentures are hardly a look your twinkies will find sexy," he mused, a predatory grin accompanying his observations.
Laughing as Fin's glare upped another couple of notches in intensity, John pretended to mull over the reasons for his friend's uncharacteristic hesitancy in pursuing a woman. "I hadn't realized you had become so shy about asking a lady for a date."
"If I see a lady I want to ask out, I will. I got no problem going after what I want," Fin responded, hoping Munch would let this drop. He knew that wouldn't happen, but he still hoped.
Giving Fin a taunting grin as he watched the fuming man across from him try to avoid his gaze by shuffling the papers in front of him, Munch wondered aloud, "Really? Well I am sorry to have doubted you, Det. Tutuola. I guess I misread the looks you've been giving
Christine Dupree for months now. I could have sworn you watched her every move like a man dying of thirst stares at a tall, cool drink of water."
A wicked grin proceeded, "And I guess I also misunderstood the reason why you suddenly had to pull your chair up under your desk… seemed to humm… stiffen up, when she stopped by your desk earlier and bent over to 'borrow' a pen. Lovely blouse Christine was wearing, sexy without being too revealing for work… unless she leans over a desk."
"I didn't notice."
Eyes glinting with devilish glee, John nodded, "Of course, you didn't. I won't point out that there are centerfold models that would be envious of her body since you apparently haven't noticed. Funny thing is you only act like this when Chris stops by. I wonder why?"
"You're out of your mind, old man. Now shut up so I can work!" Fin demanded, a hard edge to his voice.
Amused by the other detective's reactions to his teasing, Munch observed, "Old man, am I? Well, I'm all of six years older than you, my friend and I'm getting plenty… have a beautiful lady on my arm and in my bed every night. You, however, have been more surly than normal lately… like you're having a dry spell. What's the matter, Fin? The cute young things you normally go after starting to think you're a dirty old man… or are they starting to all seem the same and bore you?"
"I get all I want… and you better not let Arwen hear you announcing to the office you're 'getting plenty'. Why a classy lady like her puts up with your shit is beyond me," Fin retorted, going on the offensive.
"I wonder that same thing every day and try my best not to let her find out she could do a hell of a lot better than me," Munch agreed, defusing Fin's line of attack before it could gain momentum. "But that still doesn't answer my question. The sweet young things starting to bore you or are you boring them?"
"You make it sound like I date teenagers!" Fin charged, his irritation finally getting to him.
"'Date'? Sorry, buddy, but saying you 'date' is giving your social life too much credit!" Munch chuckled. "Your social life is a series of one-night stands periodically broken by the rare lady that somehow earns the distinction of a few weeks in your charming company."
"And, I never said you went after teenagers… just young things! You're 48, so someone in her 20's qualifies!" Munch taunted.
"Case you haven't noticed, Arwen is 11 years younger than you!" Fin smirked, still hoping to redirect this conversation away from his personal life. "How's that different?"
Grinning unrepentantly, Munch neatly dodged his friend's comment. "We all know I'm immature for my age. Arwen is the adult in our relationship."
"Never doubted that!" Fin muttered, opening the file he had been trying to find. "I'm fine, so butt out!"
Growing serious, Munch leaned forward and dropped his voice so only Fin could hear what he was about to say. "Fine are you? Let's look at the facts. You haven't had a serious relationship since you broke up with Vicky three years ago. She was a lovely lady… apart from being spoiled, immature, and very demanding. She wasn't at a place in her life where she could understand where you are in yours… the demands of this job for one. She thought she could change you and left when she saw she couldn't. When you get right down to it, she wasn't right for you or you for her. I think you knew that then, but you still considered marrying her."
In a moment of brutal honesty about himself, Munch admitted, "The only difference between the two of us is I married my 'Vickys'. Since you two split, you're avoided women that demand anything of you, too stubborn to admit you need more than a purely sexual relationship. We both know you're lonely and you need someone that gets you… shares your life. I'm only suggesting it may be time for you to consider letting yourself look for your Arwen."
Caught of guard by the genuine concern underlying Munch's comments, Fin held his friend's steady gaze for a moment before dropping his eyes back to the file. "I hear what you're saying. I'm fine. Don't get me wrong, 'cos I like her a lot and think she's a beautiful lady, but I'm not after someone like Arwen. She's not my type."
Smirking, Munch nodded, "Glad to hear it, because I don't share! And, I didn't say you need to find another Arwen. She's one of a kind and all mine. What I did say is you need to find the lady that fits you and your life like Arwen fits me and mine."
"And you think Christine Dupree is that lady?"
"I have no idea, my friend… and neither do you at this point, but I do know I've never seen you react to anyone else like you do her. I also know you're hesitating about asking her out because you know it would have to be a real date, with more real dates to follow if the first one goes well." Taking a sip of his coffee, Munch added, "She's not looking for a one-night stand … but she's definitely attracted to you. You need to decide if you're ready to start thinking about getting serious about your personal life or not. If you aren't, do her a favor and ignore the attraction."
Eyes still trained on his desk, Fin asked, "And how do I know if I am? My track record is about as bad as yours."
"Like I said, I married my 'Vickys' and you've avoided that." Sighing, Munch settled back into his chair, satisfied he had gotten his friend thinking. "As for how you know, you're the only one that can answer that. If Arwen hadn't come into my life… we both know I was close to breaking. I still have my demons, but I'm not dealing with them alone anymore. I'm there for her, too, so it works. Like she likes to remind me, that's the bargain."
Pausing to take another sip from his mug, Munch advised, "You need to decide what it is you want in your life. Put the bullshit aside and be honest with yourself is the best advise I can give you. Maybe admitting you're dissatisfied with where you are now… that you're lonely and restless, may be a good starting place."
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