| 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 Twelve � Lolita Friday 5th July Nora rested her head against the windowpane and closed her eyes, trying to will the feeling of uneasiness away. It was too hot, and trust it to be today that the air conditioning had gone down. She�d had people screaming at her all day about it, as if she could magically wave a wand and the damned thing would work. She spent most of the day on the phone to engineers trying to get someone to come out and fix it but it seemed almost all the city had gone on vacation. And to top it off she had made the front of the local paper, some slander about her supposed family values and the immorality of sleeping with her subordinate. She had never thought of Jack as her subordinate, nor any of the others, she didn�t even see herself as some big scary boss, she just did her job and hoped it was what was best for the city. There was even a picture of them, walking through the park holding hands, how could anybody have the nerve to invade her life in that way? As if it was wrong for her to be in a relationship, why the hell shouldn�t she? She heard the door open and realised it was Jack. �Hey, are you ok?� He asked concerned. She slowly turned round trying to fight the feeling of nausea. �Mmm, just a little hot.� �You look tired.� �Tough day.� �I know, Serena showed me the paper on the way back from court.� �How�s it going?� �Pretty good, closing arguments start on Monday. I wouldn�t let the report bother you.� �They had a picture Jack, it�s that what bothers me.� He sat down across from her. �I don�t know why they�ve started this now anyway we�ve been together four months now.� �Five,� She glared. �And I know exactly why they�ve done it, firstly it�s the paper that doesn�t like me, a woman obviously can�t be a DA. And secondly I think I may have Peter as my opposition in the next election, and guess which paper he supports.� �Ah, I hate the politics of this thing. That�s why I�m glad just to stay out of it all.� �How can you be out of it when you�re dating me? We can�t just sweep it under the carpet.� She stood up and immediately the dizziness went to her head and she collapsed forward onto her desk. In a second Jack had his arms round her helping her to sit back down. �I told you you�ve been working too hard.� �I�m fine, don�t fuss. Just feel a little too hot and sick.� �Then you should go home, I�ll call you a cab.� She pushed his hand from the phone. �I said no, it�s only 4.30, I have work to do and the engineer won�t be here until at least 5, and I need to call the mayor and get his opinion on this report and�� �And nothing. Just slow down for a while, have you eaten today?� �Breakfast.� �Nora.� He groaned kneeling down next to her. �Don�t fuss over me.� �Then don�t give me cause to worry. You�ve been like this ever since we got back last week, you�re getting worse than me at taking care of yourself.� �I�m just busy, I can�t keep going home early just to be with you, as much as I�d like to.� �Five you said they were coming, so we�ll go out and get a sandwich and sit in the shade in the park.� �So they can take more pictures.� �Well let them, I honestly don�t know why you�re so worried, we�ve not done anything wrong.� He leant forward to kiss her but she backed away. �I�ve asked you not to do that here.� �Fine.� He stood up and got ready to leave. �I thought you were taking me out.� �Well it seems to me you just want to be alone, so you can be, until you�ve cooled off.� His voice was hard and firm but to her surprise he didn�t shout, he didn�t even slam the door as he left. Damn stupid woman, she shouted to herself. She opened her desk drawer and took out some aspirin and swallowed them with the water on her desk. He was right though; she needed some air and something to eat. She decided to have a short walk down to the park and grab a sandwich as she went, she passed his office on the way but there was no sign of him. Maybe he�d already gone down ahead of her. * * * * * Nora sat on a park bench watching the people going by, she�d forgotten it was summer out here and people were living and children were having fun. There was no sign of Jack and as he refused to have a cell phone she couldn�t call him, she would have to make it up to him later, take him out for dinner or something. He really didn�t need her acting like this at the moment; he was as busy as she was after all, working on some big cases and all this turmoil over Laura. She heard a little girl screaming and immediately looked up to see a man twirling the child round in the air. She smiled to herself and got up to walk back, it was getting late and she still wanted to finish a few things off. She passed a couple who were lying on the grass kissing and was glad that at least she and Jack hadn�t been caught doing anything more than holding hands in the park. She looked up again at the bright clear sky and remembered how it felt to be young and have nothing more to do than play in the sunshine with your friends. It was then she noticed a little girl with a lollipop slowly swinging herself back and forth, Nora thought it strange that she was alone away from the other children. She stopped and watched her for a while and the little girl looked up straight at Nora and for a moment she was sure time stopped. She didn�t need blood tests to prove anything, it was all there in the girls eyes, she was Jack�s daughter. She didn�t know what to do, to scream, to cry, she wished Jack were there, after every place they�d looked here she was in the park. She took a deep breath and steadied herself, then went over to the little girl. �Hi.� She whispered. �Hi.� The girl replied licking her lollipop, her lips were bright pink from it and her hands looked sticky. �What�s your name?� Nora bent down in front of her. �Nora, what�s yours?� �Lolita.� �That�s a very pretty name, how come you�re not playing with the other children?� The girl shrugged. �They don�t like me, wanna push me?� Nora felt a little awkward. �Well, yes I suppose I can.� She stood up. �Better hold on tight though.� The little girl smiled then looked over Nora�s shoulder and jumped up running towards a woman who was shouting her. Nora spun round; it was the one who was lying on the grass a moment ago. �Lita, I�ve told you not to talk to strangers.� She grabbed the girl�s hand and marched towards Nora. �Who the hell are you? Some sicko trying to steal my kid, I�ll get the police.� �No please calm down, I was only�� �Hey I know you, you�re DA Lewin. You were in the paper.� �Yes, Nora.� She held out her hand to the woman, who hesitated then shook it. Nora noted the bright pink nails, like the girl�s lollipop she smiled. �And you�re Laura aren�t you.� The woman stared at her. �Yes but how do you know me?� �Through Jack.� Nora gave her a second to absorb the information and then the shock registered on her face. �What do you want?� She said possessively pulling Lolita closer to her. Nora looked at the little girl, completely unaware of what was going on. �I think you know.� Laura shook her head then began walking away, Nora chased after her, cursing the heels she was wearing. �Please stop, don�t leave, it isn�t fair, we need to talk.� �Why?� �We�ve been searching for you.� She grabbed Laura�s arm. �Please Jack needs to know, ever since he saw you that night his life�s been consumed with the idea that he might be�� She looked towards Lolita and paused. �Well you know.� �It doesn�t matter anymore, it�s over.� �Not for him. Look we�re not going to pressure you and we don�t want to cause you any trouble, he just wants to talk to you, sort things out.� Laura stopped walking and looked towards the trees grasping Lolita�s hand firmly. �You two are together right.� Nora nodded her head. �Well I suppose I can trust the DA even if I can�t trust him. But only to talk nothing more.� * * * * * Nora eased open the apartment door and led Laura and Lolita inside. �Don�t touch anything.� She heard Laura warn. She hung up her keys and went to the living room; Jack called from the kitchen. �Nora, is that you? Sorry for earlier, I�m making dinner to cheer you up, your all time favourite aswell.� He babbled on as Nora indicated for Laura to sit down. �Hope you�re in a better mood woman cos I ain�t planning on being sulky all weekend.� Nora grimaced at the use of her pet name and was relieved when he finally stopped. �I won�t be a second.� She whispered to Laura. She went toward the kitchen and they met halfway, bumping into each other, Jack was drying his hands but wrapped them around her waist. �Hmm, glad to see me are you, eager to make up I suppose.� He bent his head to kiss her and she put her hands on his chest to push him away. �Please Jack, somebody�s here.� He looked up and let go on Nora stunned. �How the hell�� �We met in the park, she�s come to talk Jack.� She watched him as he stared at Lolita sitting quietly in his big chair. The likeness between them was unmistakable. �Who�s that man?� Lolita asked stretching her legs. Nora went over to her. �This is Jack.� �Is he your husband?� She smiled. �No he isn�t.� she turned back to Laura. �I guess you two would like to be alone for a while.� Laura nodded. �Then how about I take you out pretty lady.� She held her hand out to Lolita. �Yey, can we go to see the Monsters?� �Monsters?� Nora looked puzzled. �She means the film.� Laura responded weakly. �Monsters Inc, she loves it.� �I�ve seen it four times already.� She pronounced proudly trying to climb out of the chair. �Really? Well I guess you�ll have to show it to me then.� Nora lifted her out of the chair and turned back to Jack. �Will you be ok?� He looked pale and simply nodded in response. He couldn�t take his eyes off Lolita, who Laura was fussing over, trying to tidy her hair. �Now, you be good for Ms. Lewin, no running off.� Lolita shook herself from her Mother�s grasp. �Yes mum.� She ran out to the hall. �Come on then.� Nora smiled at Laura. �See you in a couple of hours then.� �No orange for her, it makes her giddy.� �Right, ok.� She had forgotten that for the next two hours she was going to be responsible for the little girl. She went to Jack and squeezed his hand. �See you later.� She wanted to tell him not to shout at Laura, not to overreact or blame or get too angry and put her off, but she settled for kissing his cheek then left. * * * * * By the time Nora had fed Lolita and taken her to the cinema and bought her popcorn and a balloon and finally bundled her into a cab to come home she was exhausted. She leant back and closed her eyes and felt Lolita�s head rest against her. When the cab stopped at her apartment Lolita was fast asleep and she struggled to pay, and maneuver herself and the child out of the cab. She thanked god Lolita was so small as she lifted her up and carried her up the stairs. Jack answered the door and took the child from her arms and carried her into the lounge lying her on the sofa. Nora collapsed in Jack�s chair and kicked her shoes off. �That was hard.� She looked up at Laura who was trying to control her laughter. �What?� �The site of the DA with a balloon tied to her wrist.� Nora remembered the balloon and untied it. �She really begged me for it, I hope you don�t mind.� �Not at all.� Jack handed her a mug of coffee. �Well I better go.� Laura said getting up. She went to the sofa. �Have to get this little girl to bed.� She kissed Lolita�s head. �I�ll call you a cab.� Nora offered. �It�s not far, I�ll walk, I need the air.� �You can�t carry her all that way.� Jack said leaning on the edge of the sofa. �I�ve done it before.� �I�ll go with you, I�d like to.� He brushed Lolita�s hair with his hand. �It�s nice of you to offer but�� �No buts ok.� Nora smiled to herself; at least they hadn�t killed each other while she�d been gone. She was dying to know what had been said but knew she had to wait until they were alone. Jack gently picked Lolita up and wrapped her in his coat and Nora followed them both to the door handing the balloon to Laura. �It was nice to meet you Laura.� �You too, thank you, it looks like Lita enjoyed being with you.� �I�m glad.� �See you later.� Jack called over his shoulder and she watched them disappear down the hallway. She locked the door then ran to the window to watch them walking down the street. For some reason she felt anxious and she couldn�t understand why. She undressed climbed into bed, leaving the lamp on and hoping Jack wouldn�t be too long, she would just rest her eyes for a while. She could feel something tickling her face, annoying her, she tried to scratch it but it grabbed her hand. She slowly opened her eyes as she felt Jack kiss her cheek. �Hi, thought you�d wait up for me.� �I did.� She yawned trying to sit up. �It�s ok, you�ve had a long day.� He suddenly kissed her very hard and full on the lips and she struggled to maintain her breathing. �What was that for?� �For finding her.� �It was pure luck. So what happened?� Jack pulled off his T-shirt and climbed into bed next to her. �Well, After a bit of a row�� �Jack you didn�t.� �How could I remain calm at her? She admitted Lolita is mine.� Nora squeezed his hand. �I knew she was the first moment I saw her.� �Well, she has agreed to let me see her, get to know her, and I suppose even be a father to her in time.� �Oh Jack thank goodness.� She pulled herself up and wrapped her arms around his neck. �I didn�t want to have to take legal action.� �Me neither, apparently she didn�t find out she was pregnant until after we�d split up, she was young and confused and scared. So she went home to her parents and had Lolita and brought her up there. She�s only recently moved back to Elmira but she�s dating some guy over here.� �I saw her with someone in the park.� �Yeah well, she said that over time it got more and more difficult to tell me, so in the end she decided I didn�t need to know.� �And I bet she was terrified when she saw you in the bar.� �Exactly. But she�s not a bad person Nora just afraid of how I�d react � she doesn�t want to lose Lolita.� �We wouldn�t do that.� �I told her that.� He kissed her head easily slipped them both down under the sheets and reached over to switch the lamp off. �How can I sleep now?� Nora complained. �Our entire lives have changed, you have a daughter.� �I know, isn�t it wonderful. She�s so beautiful.� �She looks so much like you, she has your eyes.� �And Laura�s thick black hair.� He laughed. �God I can�t wait to tell Lennie. He always said I must have about a hundred kids living in New York with all the women�� Nora sat up and stared at him. �Do I really need to hear that?� �Sorry, guy talk right.� �Hmm I think so.� She lifted herself on top of him and kissed his mouth. �Besides, they meant nothing right.� She kissed his neck. �Oh absolutely nothing, not compared to you.� She rained kisses over his chest and he closed his eyes and let his hands wander over her body. �I could well believe I�m the luckiest man alive.� She came back up to look at him. �You are, and don�t you dare forget it.� * * * * * Part 11 Stories Part 13 |