Infinity

TITLE: Infinity (12/?)

AUTHOR: Master F&M

FANDOM: Law and Order: SVU

RATING: Everything from PG to R—just like life.

SUMMARY: A Fin fic— to give him a life that the show refuses to give him

DISCLAIMER: L&O: SVU and all its characters belong to Dick Wolf, NBC, and whomever

                          else puts the show out for our enjoyment. I just get to play with them.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Sam is a character of my own creation. She does not exist on the show.

FEEDBACK: Please give some. For entertainment purposes only.

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CHAPTER 12

  &;
         It was an unusual Saturday afternoon in Special Victims. Three of its four lead detectives,
Stabler, Benson, and Tutuola, had com on on their day off to finish up a case. Olivia and Elliot
had caught a child rape case involving the use of cocaine, and Fin had volunteered to help out
with it. Contacts from his Narcotics days had provided valuable information about a possible
suspect who was then later charged with the crime. The three detectives had come in to close out
the case for the sake of the victim’s parents. It was an especially gruesome murder, and everyone
was eager to put it behind them.

            When the last of the paperwork had been properly checked and filed, Elliot stretched and
asked Oa ifa if she had any plans for the remainder of the weekend.

      
#160#160;    “Not really. After this case I’ll probably just stick close to home. Maybe I’ll get around
to some of those projects I’ve been putting off. What about you?”

            “I promised Kathy I’d take kid kids out to dinner and a movie. Give her some ‘me’ time,
you know?”

            “That was thoughtful.”

            “Yeah, well, I figure she could use it. She has to do a lot of the kids’ stuff without me, so
I try to give her a break when I can. And speaking of which,” Elliot looked at his watch, then
stood up. “I’d better get going.”

            He picked up the mug from his desk and brought it to his mouth before realizing it was
empty. Deciding on one for the road, he headed for the coffeepot. On the way he passed by Fin
who, sitting at his desk, had been on his cell for several minutes. Elliot couldn’t help but overhear
his conversation.

            “That’s cool. Are we meeting there or should I pick you up? . . . Okay, but I get to drive
it this time . . . You keep saying that . . . he laughs . . . Alright, I’ll be there in a little while.”

            Elliot grinned as he headed back to his desk. “Who was that? Your girlfriend?”

            Fin gave him his famous ‘annoyed’ look. Everyone knew not to ask him about his private
life.

            “Sure. And who would that be?”

            “Ahh. Sam? Samantha Munch? The girl you’ve been dating for the past couple of
weeks?”

pan>            Looking mortified, Fin jumped up and grabbed his jacket. “She ain’t my girlfriend, and
we’re not dating. We just hang out together. That’s al82218221;

            “Gee, I don’t know,” Olivia countered. “Two people who enjoy each other’s company,
going places they both like? Sounds like dating to me.”

    㺼&60;      Fin kept quiet. He didn’t want to encourage them by saying anything else. Instead he
relied on his ‘angry’ look. Elliot kept it up anyway. He walked over to Fin and put an arm
around his shoulder.

            “Hey, don’t worry about it, buddy. We all get bit by the love bug sooner or later.” He
leaned in for a conspiratorial yet loud whisper. “And I won’t mention to anyone that you wore a
tux to the opera last week for her. That’ll stay between us.” He gave Fin a reassuring pat on the
back.

 

            Fin looked up, surprised. Elliot shrugged then admitted, “Kathy dragged me to it. But
like I said, your secret’s safe with me.”

            Fin looked as if he wanted to protest, then thought better of it. He grabbed his keys and
headed for the door, clearly uncomfortable.

            “Later.”

            Elliot shot Olivia, who had overheard the entire exchange, an enormous grin. He then
turned back to Fin’s retreating figure.

            “They’re so cute at this stage.”

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            Munch puttered around his kitchen waiting for Sam and Fin to arrive. He had invited
them both over for a homecooked meal, and was spooning the takeout he’d ordered into
individual bowls. He laughed at the thought. Anyone who knew him at all knew he couldn’t
cook worth a lick. He had thought about trying to fool them, but knew they wouldn’t fall for it.
Sam had only agreed to come out of loyalty, and Fin had agreed to it out of curiosity and the
possible amusement value.

            The doorbell rang and Munch grinned as he went to answer it. Opening the door with a
flourish, he bowed and waved the wooden spoon he held in his left hand.

            “Welcome to Chez Munch.”

            Sam took in the spoon, the apron and the chef’s hat he was wearing and laughed. “Hey
looktt’s Chef Munch-Ar-Dee!” She stepped into the room and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“You look adorable, Uncle Munch.”

            Fin came in behind her, shaking his head. “You look like an idiot.”

            Sam turned around and glared at him. “Whatever your problem is, don’t take it out on
him.”

            Munch gave Fin a once over. “Aren’t you a bundle of sune the this evening?”

            “Tell meut. ut. He’s been in a crabby mood since he picked me up. And I even let him
drive my car. Talk about gratitude.” Sam walked into the kitchen to see what Munch had rustled
up for dinner.

            John studied Fin’s face carefully. “You okay? Anything you need to talk about?” He
knew better than anyone that although Fin could appear to be distant or moody, as nas never
openly hostile. Not unless something was really bothering him.

            Fin recognized the concerned look in his partner’s eyes and softened toward him. It
wasn’t John’s fault that he was starting to get a little mixed up about the Sam situation. And he
did look pretty funny in that getup. He took a deep breath before answering. “Naw, I’m okay.”

            “Hey!” Sam called from the kitchen. “You said a homecooked meal. Since when do you
live at Luigi’s?”

            Fin laughed softly. “You would invite someone over for dinner, then order takeout.
You’re crazy.”

            “So I’ve been told, my friend,” Munch said with a laugh of his own. “So I’ve been told.”

            They both joined Sam in the kitchen, and Fin’s mood gradually improved over dinner. He
found it near impossible to remain upset around these two. They were always laughing and
poking fun at one another. It was really nice to see how well they got along. After dinner they
returned to John’s tiny living room where he offered them dessert.

            “No thanks, “ Sam said patting her stomach. “I’m stuffed. BR’ll take another ice tea.”

            “Since when do you like ice tea so much?” John asked. “You never used to before.”

n>&#n>            “It’s a recent development.” She looked over at Fin who was staring at her. “What?”

 

            Fin shook his head, clearing it. “Nothing. Make that two, John.”

             John went to the kitchen, but returned only with an ice pail. “I’m all out of ice, but I&7;ll7;ll
just scoot down the hall and borrow some.” He thought about that for a second. “Well, probably
not borrow. I doubt they’d want it back.”

            “Don’t worry about it, then.”

            “It’s not a problem. The tea was, after all, the only part of the meal actually made at
home. I owe you. Be back in a few.” He left in search of the ice.

            Sam stood up and stretched. “So what was your problem earlier?” she asked Fin. “Why
were you in such a foul mood?”

            “You.” Fin decided to be honest with her.

            “Me? What did I do?”

            “Nothing. It’s just . . . everyone seems to think we’re a couple.”

            Sam smiled, pleased at the idea. “Really? Why’s that?”

            Recauecause we hang out a lot.”

            “I see. Did you tell ‘everyone’ that it was none of their business?”

            “Pretty much.”

            “Good. Or better yet . . . ”

            “What?”

            “We could pull a Bonnie Raitt.”

            “Pull a what?”

            “You know, the country singer? ‘Let’s Give ‘Em Something to Talk About’?”

            Fin rolled his eyes. “That’s the last thing I need. They’re already doing enough talking.”

     &#      “Okay, then you could always beat them up.” She smirked at him. “Either that, or lighten
up. So, come on, stand up. I’ll show you a few good moves.”

            Fin looked up at her and had tile ile back. “You know, I ain’t about to get into any hts hts over you.”

            She put her hand over heart. “I’m crushed. Really. Now get up just so I can knock you
back down on your ass.” She grabbed him by the arm, hauling him to his feet, then took a
defensive posture. “Okay, come at me.”

            Fin looked skeptical.

            “Not afraid of a girl, are you, Detective?”

            “No. Just don’t cry if I hurt you.”

            “In your dreams.”

            She took a step toward him and hooked her foot around his ankle. She pulled his leg
forward while giving him a shove backward, throwing him off balance. With a leg knocked out
from under him, Fin began to fall. Reflexively, he grabbed her as he went down, and they landed
in a heap with Sam on top of his chest.

             Almost as if they had a mind of their own, Fins’ hands slowly made their way up over her
derriere to her back, caressing her along the way. His arms came around her, encircling her, and
held her closely to him. Sam tingled under his touch. She couldn’t decide if it was the fall that
had knocked the wind out of her, or being so close to his lips. She brushed a finger softly across
his cheek and dipped her head in anticipation of a kiss, further compromising their position.
Which was exactly the way Munch found them when he came through the door a second later.

            “Am I interrupting anything?” Fin and Sam looked up to see a stoic Munch raising an
eyebrow at them. “I could come back later.”

            “No.” Fin jumped to his feet, barely giving Sam time to get out of the way. “This was
nothing. We just fell.”

            “You fell?” Munskedsked, trying not to laugh. “And just what were you doing prior to
that to cause such a fall?”

            Fin started to explain, but Sam cut him off. She wasn’t so sure she liked his ‘this was
nothing’ statement.

     㼠160;     “Oh, leave him alone, Uncle John. I think he’s about to start blushing.”

            Fin began to protest again when the phone rang. As Munch went to answer it, Fin looked
at Sam who was quite plainly annoyed.

            “Hey, I didn’t mean anything earlier,” he mistook the cause of her annoyance. “I was just
trying to steady you after we fell.”

            Sam looked back at him, torn between being bothered and amused by him. Since when
did steadying someone include a leisurely stroking of their butt?

            Before she could reply, Munch returned to the room. They took one look at his stricken
face and knew something was amiss.

            “Uncle John? Wis iis it? What’s wrong?”

            “I’m sorry, Princess. It’s your dad.”