| Disclaimer: I don�t own these characters, I don�t pretend to know all the ins and outs of Law & Order � I�ve just started watching it & I�m picking it up as I go. But the story & ideas are mine� please don�t sue! I W a n t L o v e A Jack/Nora story by Rhonda* I want love, but it's impossible A man like me, so irresponsible A man like me is dead in places Other men feel liberated I can't love, shot full of holes Don't feel nothing, I just feel cold Don't feel nothing, just old scars Toughening up around my heart But I want love, just a different kind I want love, won't break me down Won't brick me up, won't fence me in I want a love, that don't mean a thing That's the love I want, I want love I want love on my own terms After everything I've ever learned Me, I carry too much baggage Oh man I've seen so much traffic But I want love, just a different kind I want love, won't break me down Won't brick me up, won't fence me in I want a love, that don't mean a thing That's the love I want, I want love So bring it on, I've been bruised Don't give me love that's clean and smooth, I'm ready for the rougher stuff No sweet romance, I've had enough Part one � Drunken Evenings Friday 11th January Jack watched the snow steadily piling up on the sidewalk, it had been snowing a good few hours now and if he wasn�t careful he�d be spending the night in his office. Not that it was anything new, how many years had he been single now? Too many to count, of course it wasn�t that he was lonely, and certainly the physical side of a relationship was easy for him to manage � many pretty young girls were queuing up for an established, successful A.D.A to take them out� and home for coffee. He smiled to himself as he spotted his reflection in the window, possibly he was still handsome, distinguished is what his Father would have said. He looked a lot like him now, funny how you notice these things as you get older. There was a gentle tap at the door and he called enter, expecting the cleaner � needing to do her job but not wanting to disturb him. He felt a warmth behind him and realised somebody was standing there, he spun round defensively, years of experience making him wary. �Hey it�s ok, I haven�t come to attack you.� Nora smiled. �Was just going home, noticed your light, what you doing here so late, on a Friday night aswell.� �I could ask you the same thing.� He turned back to the window and she moved next to him. �I was just�well, thinking I suppose.� �About what?� She folded her arms as he laughed and rubbed his face. �Age.� �Oh dear � has it been one of those days?� �One of those weeks.� �You should come and talk to me if something�s bothering you.� He watched her as she gazed out at the city; this woman could be fierce as hell at times and had a damn strong voice to match it. But occasionally, if you caught her off guard, this gentle soothing tone would slide back into place. And no matter where he was or how angry he was feeling, it had the ability to make him feel helpless. She could do it now and she�d been able to do the same thing years ago when he�d known her as �the Professor�. A couple of dates they�d had, good ones too, until she�d caught him in bed with a young law trainee. Stupid fuck. And he�d hurt her, even though it wasn�t serious, only even kissed once, there was something there, the ability to grow into more. He�d hurt himself too. �Thankyou.� He whispered. �For what?� She looked over at him and he shrugged. �Shoulder to cry on.� �But I haven�t been.� �It�s not work stuff.� �Oh, so you don�t want to talk to me about the personal right.� She smiled and took his arm. �Come on, let�s go, or I�ll be late. And I don�t want to think of you stuck here all weekend, watching the snow.� �You have a date?� He blurted out. �Goodness no. Haven�t had one for years. Just friends, drinks, catching up you know.� �Oh right.� He pulled on his coat and felt ashamed as he admired Nora�s smart long black coat and thick red scarf she was carefully wrapping around herself. Why did she always have to look so classy � so good? �Ready?� �You�re escorting me out!� �I want to make sure you leave, have you no scarf, gloves? It�s freezing out.� He shrugged. �Never think. Look Nora I think I�m just gonna stay here, may aswell spend the evening doing some work rather than be bored at home.� �Nonsense, its Friday night. Look why don�t you come with me for a drink.� �I don�t know them, besides there your friends, I�ll be in the way.� �Of course not, I always feel odd anyway, I�m the only one who�s still single. What�s wrong, afraid they won�t like you?� She smiled teasingly. �You know everybody likes me.� He gloated laughing. �Well, they only know you as �the ass who took me out twice then cheated on me� so I don�t suppose you have a good basis.� �You�ve never mentioned that before.� �You get over it. Besides it was only two dates, I didn�t own you. Now come on or we�ll be late.� �Ok ok, but a couple of drinks then I�m off.� �Misery.� ***** Jack leant on the bar tapping his wallet on the surface, it was busy in here, too busy, he was tired and fed up and wanted some peace. So why was he here � queuing to be served? Something was keeping him. He turned back towards their table as he heard Nora laugh � there was no doubt about it, she was beautiful, absolutely, and way out of his league. He didn�t usually go for women like her, too much hard work, the caring and sharing aswell as the fun. She caught his eye and smiled as he spun back to face the bar. What was he? A bloody school kid staring, what must she think? She�s his boss for chrissake. He felt a hand rest on his back. �Forget the drink we�re going. Nora shouted over the noise. �Where?� �Home. Louise has to be back for the babysitter and the weathers getting pretty bad anyway.� She took his hand and led him out, pushing through the crowds but still holding onto him tightly. He felt exhilarated, lucky and suddenly he didn�t want to leave anymore. The night air was refreshing and the silence of the streets pure bliss. �I�m starving.� Nora said making her way to a cab. �How about takeout, my treat.� �You�re determined not to let me suffer alone aren�t you.� �No, I just don�t fancy eating alone.� She got into the cab and for a second he hesitated. Afterall he had no idea where this was going, but what the hell, it felt good. ***** She was lying on the couch, rubbing her feet together, a glass of wine in one hand and ruffling her hair with the other. �I could get used to this�, Jack thought to himself. �The problem is having enough time to care.� Nora continued. �I mean people like us, lawyers, police, doctors, in fact anyone who faces these things. We see such horrifying things Jack and most of the time we don�t even have time to stop and think what the hell kind of society are we living in anyway.� �You care.� �Oh god, am I going on? I�m sorry, I�ve drunk too much.� She turned onto her side resting her glass on the coffee table. �We both have.� �If we�re not careful, we could easily slip into complete drunkenness.� �Oh dear, well perhaps I should go.� �Mmm, that or we open that last bottle of wine that�s sitting in my fridge.� �That sounds a much better idea.� She laughed and sat up. �Ok, I�ll go get it.� �Stay there, I�ll go.� �What a gentleman.� �I�m just worried you won�t be able to walk to the kitchen without falling over.� �Hey that�s not fair.� She watched him leave then slowly stood up, taking a quick glance in the mirror and tidying up her hair. �How about a game?� he shouted as he opened the bottle. �A game, such as?� �How about chess?� �Chess, when we�re drunk.� �More fun that way.� He said handing her a glass. She sipped it and smiled. �I have to confess I don�t know how to play, I don�t own a board.� �What? I�ll have to teach you someday.� �I�m so uncultured aren�t I. I�m damn good at cards though.� �Well, bring it on then.� ***** Nora drew back the curtains and opened the balcony door, letting the fresh morning air sweep in, awakening her. She rubbed the bridge of her nose; leaning out and taking a quick look around. At least it had stopped snowing, though the streets looked pretty much blocked up. Coffee, that�s what she needed, and a couple of aspirin. She gathered the empty wine bottles from the table as she made her way to the kitchen. There were cards scattered over the floor and she smiled to herself at the memory of last night, it was the most fun she�d had in ages. She was sitting reading the papers when Jack came in. �Morning.� He groaned. �It�s almost lunchtime.� Nora smiled. �How you feeling?� �Very hungover.� �Here.� She threw a box of aspirin at him and poured him a glass of orange juice. �Thanks, you know I thought I�d reached that age when I�d realise when enough is enough.� He swallowed the pills. �Sorry about the mess in there.� He gestured toward the living room. �I think I�m as much to blame. Coffee?� �It�s ok, stay there, I�ll get my own.� He watched her read the paper as he sipped his coffee; in her dressing gown, no make up, still tired, her hair unstyled, and somehow she still looked good and her eyes were still sparkling. �What are your plans for today?� She asked without looking up. �Not sure, go home, have a shower, do some work. You?� �Well, its my niece�s birthday next week, she�s having a party. And I still haven�t got her a present, so I think I�ll be going shopping. I can drop you off home on the way if you like.� �That would be great.� She folded the paper and handed it to him. �I better go and get ready then.� She pulled her dressing gown tighter as she got up. �Make yourself comfortable.� �I will.� He took the seat she�d just left and opened the paper. �Oh Nora, thanks for last night. Really cheered me up.� �That�s what friends are for.� Part 2 Stories |