| 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 Fourteen � Young World Saturday 6th October Nora woke to the sound of thunder, a perfect start to the weekend. She turned herself over onto her side and loosened the sheets that had tangled around her body. Jack was still comfortably sleeping, his chest rising and falling steadily, the hint of a smile still lying on his face. She traced the lines on his forehead and down his face and his hand flinched at the sensation and reached out for her. She held his hand still and rested it back upon his stomach gently rubbing his fingers. There was no doubt about it, he was still very good looking and charming - no wonder young women were attracted to him, an older distinguished man, sure of himself, intelligent and financially secure, it was what she'd wanted when she was young. Once again she wondered why the hell he'd chosen to have this relationship with her of all people, his boss, somebody aloof and distant and boring when compared to what was on offer. She'd never imagined it would last this long, hoped, but never truly thought it would. That he loved her was evident, he'd stopped trying to hide his feelings now he was comfortable with her, in fact it seemed he shared everything with her, something she'd always longed for in the early days and now she had it what had she done - betrayed that trust. She closed her eyes and saw the man from the night before again, the feeling of dread returned to the pit of her stomach and that horrible sense that something had gone terribly wrong. The thunder ran across the sky once more and the rain battered against the window. She dragged herself out of bed, put on Jack's dressing gown and pulled open the drapes. The sky was grey and miserable and it didn't look like it was going to clear up. She took one last look at Jack and crept out of the bedroom and closed the door. She went through the routine, putting fresh coffee on and opening the blinds in the lounge then she found herself in the spare bedroom. She was standing watching the rain when she felt the warmth of Jack's arms around her waist and his chin resting on her shoulder. "Sorry, did i wake you?" "I smelt the coffee. Why are you up so early, on such a miserable day too?" She shrugged. "Couldn't sleep, I was thinking." "Hmm." He kissed her neck and pressed himself against her back. "Are you naked?" She gasped blocking him from the window. "Somebody had my dressing gown." He tugged at it. She slapped his hand away. "It was the closest thing, besides it smells good." He smiled against her skin before gently kissing her neck again while rocking her in his arms. "You're in a good mood this morning." She said stretching her neck to allow him better access. "I had a good night." He laughed. "Anyway what were you thinking about?" "Oh lots of things; you know I planned to make this room into an office for you." "Really? You never said. I'd like that, it would get me out of your way." She turned and linked her arms around his neck. "I like you in my way." She kissed him. "Besides I changed my mind. You know you won't be able to walk round naked for much longer." He looked at her questioningly before she dodged out of his grasp and left him open to the view of the window. He ran after her and collapsed on the bed watching as she began to dress. "Why did you change your mind and why can't I walk around naked?" "Well I don't think Lita would appreciate it as much as I do." He stared at her and she laughed and knelt on the bed. "I thought we might do some decorating this weekend, that little room would be perfect for Lita don't you think." He kissed her hand. "I think she�d love that and so would I." "Well it will be nice to have her stay over." "She adores you, do you know that?" "I�d noticed; I�ve never hugged a little girl before in full view of my staff." She smiled remembering Lita�s behaviour the day before. "I adore her too, she�s yours." She stood up and pulled a jumper on. "Where are you going in this rain?" "To buy breakfast. You can think about colour schemes while I�m gone." * * * * * They sat on the floor of the spare room cross-legged eating chocolate croissants and drinking coffee. "You know, when I lived alone I never bought breakfast." "I must be upper class then right." "Spoilt was the word in my mind." "Hey!" She slapped his leg. He laughed. "Sorry woman." She rolled her eyes. "I really do hate it when you call me that." "I know." "Can you even remember how it started?" "I watched one of those teenage movies and picked it up." "I�ll have to stop you watching television you�re too easily influenced." She sipped her coffee. "Have you thought what colours yet?" "Pink of course." "Oh the favourite right; pale pink though." "Yes, don�t want to harm the wonderful d�cor of your home." "Our home." She glared and was about to chastise him again when an idea came to her. "We could have a space theme." "Space?" "You know, just on the ceiling, those plastic star things you can get that glow in the dark." "I suppose she�d liked that, I always hated the darkness as a kid." "Me too, ooh we could have a planet for the light fixture." He smiled her excitement. "How the hell are we going to make that?" "You�re clever you�ll find a way." "Hmm we�ll see if you can buy them I think; you can teach her all about the constellations right, is that what you�re thinking?" She smiled remembering her Grandfather. "Something like that. It would be nice to pass the information on I suppose; so it feels like I�ve done something with it at least, never having children of my own." "She�s as much mine as yours." "Don�t be ridiculous." "I�m not, you�re learning about her at the same time I am, you�re kind of like a Stepmum I suppose." "I�m not sure Laura will see it that way." "She might in time." "What are you suggesting?" She asked leaning forward on her knees. He grabbed her waist. "Nothing, just thinking of the future." "Well how about thinking about the future of this bedroom. What do you know about decorating children�s bedrooms anyway?" "A little, from when Kate was that age. What we need are features, like the planet." "Features?" "Exciting stuff; an unusual bed for starters." "Well we�ve got money we might aswell spend it on a good cause." "I completely agree." He held out his hand and helped her up. "Thanks for breakfast." "My pleasure, as always. Shall we shop?" "After you." * * * * * Sunday 7th October Nora lay on her back in the middle of the floor staring up at the ceiling; Jack stopped at the door and laughed. "What the hell are you doing?" "Checking they look ok." "We checked yesterday. Everything looks perfect." He looked round the room and smiled to himself; they�d done a good job he had to admit it, all they needed was Lita�s approval now. Nora had forced him to relent and let her have a traditional wooden bookcase in the room, she argued it was important for Lita to be interested in books. She�d even bought a selection that the local bookshop had recommended. And he could visualize her reading to Lita at night, how the hell had he become such a softie? Falling for all this parenting stuff. Nora got up and locked the windows. "Let�s hope the smell of paint has finally gone. Are you hungry?" "Yeah, I suppose. I�ll cook." "Don�t be silly, it�s late and we�ve worked hard this weekend, we�ll treat ourselves to take out." "Does that restaurant know your voice now and refer to you by name." "Sure there like my best friends." She smiled and turned the bedroom light off. "Come on, you can choose what we have." * * * * * "Ha, I win!" Nora squealed jumping up from the floor. Jack groaned and shook his head. "How the hell do you keep doing that? That�s three games." "In a row, I am a chess champion, and don�t forget it." She moved round the coffee table and slipped down onto his knee kissing his cheek. "Jealous?" "Depends, is there a consolation prize?" "There might be." She smiled as he lifted his head up and kissed her. "Will that do?" "I suppose." She stood up again and began tidying the glasses and plates away. "It�s late." She yawned. "But we�ve had a good time, I forget how much fun you can be." "When I�m not stressed out right." He lay down on the carpet watching her. "Well we both have off days. It�s just you have more than any other person I�ve ever met." "Hey!" She threw a pillow at him. "Now get up and help me tidy this room so we can go to bed." He jumped up and rubbed his hands together loosening his shirt. "And don�t get any ideas I�m too tired." He held his hands up innocently. "Would I?" He started putting the chessboard away. "It�s been good this weekend, I�ve enjoyed it." "Me too, at least now we know we can always give up the law thing and go into decorating if we need to." He laughed. "You can be the designer and I�ll carry the work out right." "I did my fair share." "Yeah we�d soon see who was the brains in the business." "And who the complainer." She switched the lamps off and followed him into the bedroom. "I�m sorry I was a pain last week." "It�s ok, I�m getting used to it." He quickly undressed and climbed into bed closing his eyes. "What do you think the weather will be like tomorrow? I�m not sure what to wear." Nora asked fussing through the wardrobe. "Jack." She turned round and looked at him, fast asleep already. She closed the wardrobe doors and got into bed next to him, they must be getting old, but at least she was doing it alone though. She looked out the window, it was a clear night and she could see the stars and a huge full moon lighting up the sky. Last week was hell, and she wondered when things were going to get easier. Perhaps they never did, maybe Jack was right, you got rid of one problem you encountered another. They�d be through so much already this year she just hoped that it was going to get easier now, for both of them. * * * * * Part 13 Stories Part 15 |