Title: Making a Connection, Chapter 2

Author: Sorsha711
Fandom/Pairing: 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 coffee-shop… yadda, yadda, yadda. A Munch romance with a generous side of O/E; Post "Uncle" so Spoiler warnings if you've not see that episode

Making a Connection, Chapter 2

"So, what are you reading this week?" John asked, oblivious to how telling his question was. He had all but confirmed her secret suspicion he had been watching her as closely as she has been watching him.

"A biography of Thomas Jefferson," she replied, handing him the book for closer review. "I love biographies."

"So do I. Why Jefferson?" he asked, hoping to keep her talking. There were few things he enjoyed more than a good conversation… at least among the activities appropriate for a public place with someone he'd just met. He loved long, flowing exchanges that began at point 'a' and meandered all over the map, ones that had no real endings. None of the people that shared his daily life shared this passion. They tended to have tunnel vision when they were working a case and avoided idle conversations.

John was just the opposite. He needed to talk to keep his thoughts flowing freely and his emotions in check. Some of his clearest insights came while he mentally juggled two topics… one outwardly expressed in a conversation… or an angry rant, the other silently turning over and over in the back of his mind until he found the answers he needed. The more difficult the case, the more he needed an outlet for the churning emotions that simmered just beneath the cynical facade he presented to the world.

Fin regularly claimed that what John really needed was to get laid. While his only response to those semi-serious digs from his partner was a disdainful glare, John knew there was more than a little truth in them; that made them all the more irritating. In the past, he had settled for brief affairs and the occasional one-night-stand as a way to vent those energies when he was not in a more permanent relationship. Not long after his fiftieth birthday, he had come to the conclusion that those two options were more depressing than satisfying. He needed more, but had largely given up hope of finding it.

While he knew he was lucky to have found several close friends among the ranks of his co-workers, John missed having someone to fill the void in his private life. To his cautious amazement, his senses were humming with excitement as he waited for Arwen's answer. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this way and he found himself hoping his instincts were right about her.

"I've always felt Jefferson was one of the most fascinating, yet disappointing figures in American history," she offered, watching as he began to flip through the book. "I picked this one up a few weeks ago and decided to start it last night. It received pretty good reviews… is supposed to offer new insight into his character. So far, it's a rehash of other books I've read."

Intrigued by her comment, Munch glanced up from his review of the book's flyleaf to ask, "Disappointing? Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, was our third president… founded a major university… was a scientist, inventor, scholar, diplomat. Most people consider him a Renaissance man."

"Maybe, but his private life never lived up to his public image," she countered, relieved to have found a topic that seemed to interest him. "It isn't enough to say something is true or right if you ignore it in your own conduct. In some ways, a hypocrite is worse than someone without principles."

"You may be right in that; at least, the person without principles isn't pretending to be something he's not," Munch replied, settling back to enjoy their conversation. "And they can't disappoint you because your expectations are low to begin with."

Nodding, she added, "It isn't so much that Jefferson had feet of clay, but that his private life made a lie out of his own words. He owned slaves, but wrote 'all men are created equal'. He made one of his slaves his mistress… fathered her children, but left them all trapped in a life of slavery. His own children! How could any parent do that?"

Remembering a quote from Jefferson, he offered, "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."

A pleased smile greeted his words. "Exactly. How can a man that could say that about slavery own slaves? He knew it was wrong and understood that the country would pay a high price for allowing slavery to survive its founding. He as much as predicted the Civil War, for God's sake!"

Smiling back, he offered, "So you don't buy the argument that he was a man of his times and…" falling into the conversation as easily as if he had known her for years.

-----

The early breakfast crowd had given way to the late lunch crowd before either took notice of the time. A sudden silence descended on the table as they realized just how long they had been talking… how easy it had been. Both had kept a mental scorecard, checking off interests they had in common and issues that they wanted to debate further if their morning coffee turned into more. The morning had been the most enjoyable either had had in a very long time and neither wanted it to end.

Suddenly unsure of herself, Arwen admitted, "I didn't mean to take up your entire morning, John. I'm sure you had better…"

"No, I had nothing planned. I enjoyed our conversation a lot more than doing laundry or running errands," he insisted, relieved that she didn't seem to regret how much time she had spent with him. "I hope I didn't keep you from anything."

"Nothing that can't wait. I had been thinking about going over to the Met to see their new exhibit, but it will be there until January. I can go another time," she replied. "All I really have to do is run by the bookstore down the street to pick up an order, but that's on my way home. I told Phil I'd be in today."

"I like that store. It's small enough to feel comfortable, but big enough to have a great selection." Grinning he added, "Phil seems to share my tastes in reading material because I can usually find what I'm looking for there. I'm not sure if that makes him strange or brilliant!"

"Maybe both?" she teased. "If you're not in a hurry, I was thinking about getting a sandwich…"

"Great idea!" Rising, he asked, "What can I get you? You save our table and I'll brave the line."

"A chicken salad on wheat," she replied with a smile, reaching for her wallet. "Here, let me…"

"No, my treat," he insisted, hoping he could then count this as a date. "You want another coffee… or tea?"

"Hot tea would be nice… green or white. We drank a lot of coffee this morning, so I better slow up on the caffeine," Arwen smiled, mentally shifting the morning out of the 'casual encounter' column into 'first date'. /First date with another to follow… I hope!/

"I drink caffeine all day at work, so I can stick to 'high-test' and not feel it too much." Grinning, he added, "My partner rags me all the time that I might sleep better if I cut back a little. He's as opinionated as I am."

John turned to join the milling line waiting to purchase their lunch when his words hit him. /Damn! I hope she didn't think I meant life-partner!/

Discretely watching him take his place in the line, Arwen mused/So, he is a cop. I was pretty sure that was a badge I saw when he opened his wallet to buy his coffee. I'd like to ask him about his work./

/I'd hate to lose the momentum we've got going by her misunderstanding what I meant. I want the chance to get to know her better. How can I make it clear Fin is my police partner? This morning was even better than I had been hoping./

/It's been driving me crazy trying to figure out a way to strike up a conversation with him. It's such a relief to have that out of the way and to discover I like him… a lot! I don't want to put him off by seeming too eager./

/I wonder what she does for a living? Talking about work would be the logical next topic, so…/

/I hope I won't sound too boring if he asks what I do. Not many people find economics all that exciting. Compared to police work…/

/She's already mentioned the bookstore, so I could suggest walking there with her after lunch… maybe get up the nerve to ask for another date. I wonder what exhibit she wants to see at the Met? I think there is a new show from the collection of Ambroise Vallard. That could be good. I could suggest we meet there tomorrow and then go to dinner…/

/I wonder if he would be interested in the Vallard collection? I hate going to things like that alone and it would be fun to see it with him. He has such an off-center sense of humor! If I suggest it, he'll know it's a date. He may not think lunch is… though he seems to be enjoying himself too./

/Since lunch just happened, she may not think it's a date. If I ask, she might still say no.… though she seems to be enjoying our conversation as much as I am. Damn! I hate asking! I'm too old for this! I wonder if she's seeing anyone?/

/I never thought I'd be worrying about a first date at this point in my life. I wonder if he's dating anyone?/

/I doubt she is since she was going to the Met alone and is here every weekend. If she was dating someone, you'd think there would be some mornings spent with him, not all alone in a coffee shop./

/He always comes in here alone. That's got to mean something. If you're dating someone, you aren't likely to be free every Saturday and Sunday morning are you? He seems like someone you could snuggle up to… share the paper and a pot of coffee with on a cold morning. I'd want to linger…/

/I can't imagine dating her and not wanting to keep her in bed as long as possible on the weekends! Damn, she's sexy! Those eyes and that body! How did I ever think she wasn't truly beautiful!/

/I love his eyes! It's not that he's good-looking exactly… well, he is, but not movie-star handsome. He's fascinating to watch and talk to and… he's just very sexy!/

/How do I ask…/

/I hope he wants to see me…/