"You're awful quiet."

Munch wasn't listening. He had handed the wheel over to his partner for once and was losing himself in thought. It had been a triumphant day. He had arrested one of the two perpetrators he had been after.

Earl Kessler had spilled his proverbial guts to the detective. He had learned all about how he and his sicko brother, Ivan, had been raised by an abusive mother and one day, Ivan snapped and killed her. Since then, Earl had moved them from town to town trying to give them a chance at a normal life, but Ivan wound up killing someone else. After that, Earl spent his life cleaning up Ivan's messes and agreeing to help him, feeling some odd guilt over the situation they had been in since he had been beaten less or something like that.

The important thing was, he revealed that he had been sent to kidnap Ann. Ivan was consumed with rage since she escaped him and he intends to finish what he started. Meaning Ann was in extreme danger. Round the clock surveillance had been ordered, Ann insisted she didn't need it, Munch demanded she have it, she caved but said she would be paying the police herself. In the long run, she left with Benson and Stabler. Now it was time for the second watch and it was up to Fin and Munch to keep her safe.

However, while Munch had Ann on the mind, it was not her safety that was consuming him. He had specifically requested second watch because he assumed she would be asleep. Of course, he enjoyed Ann's company, but that was the exact issue. He wanted nothing more than her company. As much as he had tried to convince himself out of falling for her, it wasn't working. He was afraid to spend too much time alone with her. He supposed Fin would be there, but that would only make things much MUCH worse.

"Would you say something? You're creeping me out, man." Fin glanced at Munch for a brief moment.

"Sorry, Odafin, my friend." John sighed, straightening in his seat "Got a lot on my mind."

Fin made a "whatever" sort of face. "What? See a black helicopter?"

Munch didn't make a return quip. This really bugged Fin. "Come on man, you know you can talk to me."

Could he really, though? Could he bring himself to tell his partner? "Ready to laugh at me?" he asked, settling on a resounding 'fuck it.'

"I'm always ready to laugh at your sorry ass." Fin answered honestly.

This got a small chuckle out of the silver haired detective. "Think I'd ever have a shot with her?"

Fin looked at him confused for a moment. "A shot with who?" he asked, but then it dawned on him "The Clome girl?"

Munch rolled his eyes. "No, my dry cleaner." he made a face "Who the hell else would I be talking about?"

Fin side eyed his partner, a little concerned. "Ain't that mixing business with pleasure?" he asked, trying to be more teasing than serious.

"Forget it." Munch responded with a groaning sigh "The answer is no anyway so the point in me asking is moot."

"Now hold on man." Fin returned, cutting off his retreat from the conversation "I didn't say no."

Munch was possibly regretting saying anything. "What's she act like around you?" Fin questioned.

Yeah. Regretting it. "And don't give me some bullshit answer, you know how a lady acts when they want some. You were married four times."

"Shouldn't that be an indicator that I don't?" Munch replied, feeling a bit perplexed now.

"Just shut up and answer the damn question."

John groaned again. "She has been nothing but polite to me." he said simply, but with a side eye from Fin, begrudgingly continued "She bought me the coat after my last one was ruined, she called me to talk because she said she had no one else which isn't true since she does have Mrs. Schmidt, she didn't wake me when I fell asleep on her couch…"

Munch started thinking more deeply about it and he realized the signs were there. "She...she looks at me like...like I'm some kind of...superman...She uh."

Fin's face was twisting into one of those grins that made you wish you hadn't spoken. "She...oh hell."

Fin laughed as his partner slumped into his seat. "This isn't funny, you know."

"Sure it ain't." Fin chuckled "But now whatcha gonna do about it?"

That was the question. And Munch didn't have an answer. They pulled up to the front of the Comfort Glades. Reaching the complex that Ann's apartment was located, Fin parked. As he turned off the engine he chuckled again. "Look, here's what's gonna happen."

Munch raised an eyebrow. "I'm gonna keep my ass right here." Fin pointed to the seat below him "And keep watch outside for the bastard. You on the other hand..."

He motioned to the complex "Have 8 hours to find out what the hell you two feel about each other."

John's eyes rolled so far, he could have sworn they popped out. "Nothing is going to happen, Fin. Cragen would have my neck."

Fin grinned. "Well, if we catch the bad guy, you can keep your damsel in distress. So, find out what's up now, catch the nut job, and then live happily ever after."

Munch started to try and object again but Fin punched his arm. "Just go in there and have a good night for the both of us, alright?"

Munch gave him one last prolonged glower. "I'm glad you're getting sooo much enjoyment from this." he hissed before stepping out of the vehicle.

Knock, Knock, Knock.

A few seconds passed before Stabler opened the door. "Reinforcements have arrived." Munch said sarcastically "Go get some rest, Elliot."

Elliot checked his watch with a furrowed brow. "You're an hour early." He commented "Where's Fin?"

"He's decided he's of better use circling the perimeter, like he's used to." John addressed "And it's not like I had anything better to do."

Stabler shrugged. "She's in the shower right now." he stated, reaching for his coat "Should be out soon. Coffee's in the pot."

Munch nodded. "See you in the morning."

Stabler patted Munch's shoulder as he passed. Before he was gone, Munch stepped inside. He removed his hat and coat and hung them gently on the coat rack. Had it really only been 24 hours since he was here last? He shook the thought from his mind. He could smell a freshly made batch of coffee in the kitchen. Well, he couldn't let THAT go to waste.

He entered the tidy space and searched the cabinets for a mug. He didn't notice the faint sound of the shower disappear. He managed to find one and busied himself with the pot. A door across the hall creaked open. Munch successfully finished obtaining his coffee and raised the mug to his nose to inhale. "Detective Stabler, let me know when Detective Munch arrives! I'll be-"

Munch turned. The coffee mug dropped from his finger tips and shattered on the floor. Ann was standing there in front of him, only a towel wrapped around her, skin glistening. She was still covered in healing scratches and bruises and her hair had been completely shaved down so it would all grow back at the same length. Her face had not even the slightest hint of make up and you could see all her healing wounds.

John was enchanted. Her eyes were wide but alite and vivid, her lips soft and pink, her cheeks red but gentle. Even through all the blemishes to her body, it was alluring to him. He had not dropped his mug because the vision before him had disgusted him, the mug lay in pieces on the floor because she was so…

"Oh my god, John." she said quickly, covering herself more tightly with the towel "You weren't supposed to be here for another hour."

She reached up with her other hand to cover her head in shame. "You...you weren't supposed to…"

Incredible. He had seen her bloody and naked on the floor and she was still worried about how he thought she looked now. It was...endearing. "I...uhm…" John was at a loss, a very rare thing indeed.

Ann took a step back. "Don't worry about the mug, I'll clean it up in a minute."

She started to walk away. Without thinking John reached out and grabbed her hand. She stopped in her tracks. "I'm sorry."

She looked back at him for a moment. "It's fine, it's just a mug." she returned quickly, her cheeks scarlet and her expression filled with sadness.

That wasn't what he meant. "For staring, I mean."

Ann sighed. "Again...it's fine." she assured half heartedly "Just let me go put my wig on and it won't be-"

"Don't."

John was finding his words as Ann looked at him once more. It was now or never, John knew that. His heart was racing as their eyes locked. He knew if he didn't speak now, didn't act now, he was going to back out. "Don't walk away from me, Ann."

He heard her take a sharp breath. Her body turned back. She looked at him fearfully.

It looked like it was up to Munch. Carefully, he moved forward, closing the gap between them. "I think hair is pretty overrated anyway." he said, feeling somewhat stupid but cheering her up "Sure, it looks nice, but makes showers so much longer. And imagine the money you'll save on hair care products."

Tears were swelling in her eyes, but a small genuine smile had appeared on Ann's face. The hand Munch had grasped had moved up, her fingers grazing his upper arm. Munch moved further forward, inching closer to her while protecting her bare feet from the shattered ceramic pieces. He could almost hear his heartbeat outside of his chest. Or was that hers? "I suppose you're right." Ann replied, her other hand finding his, grazing his fingers "And I hear men like a girl with a scar."

She was responding to his touch, she had not pushed him away. John felt his confidence swell. His hands slid down the lengths of her arms. "Oh yeah." He teased "Women with scars are hot."

Ann's smile grew and she looked down for a moment. One of his hands had found her waist. Her own hands were on his upper arms. "Ann." Munch said gently.

Her gaze returned to his. "John." She said back, her voice velvety and musical in the detective's ears.

He saw her bite her lip slightly, holding herself back. There was not an ounce of rejection in her body. John smiled. "You know what I find sexy in a women?" he asked playfully, his free hand finding her cheek.

She shook her head slightly, looking at him with such longing, John thought he would burst. "Take a look in the mirror sometime." he said smoothly "You'll see a perfect picture."

And just like that... "Just kiss me damn it." she pleaded.

John didn't need a second invitation. He pulled her body into his, not noticing the towel slip. Her arms wrapped around his neck, body arching backwards. John leaned forward a hand supporting her neck. His eyes closed and his lips found hers. Sweet euphoric bliss. He couldn't remember the last time he had been kissed like this. Probably because he never had been. Her lips felt like satin and he could feel a timidness in them. They had never been touched by another's before. At least, not really.

He felt her fingers lace into his hair, holding him closer to her. But John broke the kiss. Ann looked at him, scared and confused. "Ah...we should probably...not stand here like this…"

Hello readers! I know its been uh...literal years since I've updated but I decided I wanted to have some fun with this story again. Don't worry, the next chapter is almost completed and its very long and steamy. Hope y'all enjoy!
~Quinn