| 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! [email protected] 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 6 � High Maintenance Nora had practically run all the way from her office to Jack�s apartment, she was exhausted and frustrated and mad as hell. She pushed her way into the building and almost knocked Jack�s door down before he had the chance to let her in. �Hey what�s the matter with you?� He asked trying to grab her arms; she forced herself past him and into the lounge looking around her. �Alone are we?� She fumed. �What, of course, I�ve been working!� �You absolute bastard!� She screamed picking up a nearby vase and throwing it at the wall. �Hell Nora, what are you doing?� He ducked as a book headed for his face. �You, how could you, after everything you said. What did you think I was? Just seem cheap little whore you could pick up and toss aside.� �Nora, please calm down, come on, I don�t understand.� He put his mug down and came towards her. �Don�t you even think about touching me. I can�t believe you, did you think I wouldn�t find out, wouldn�t hear.� �Wouldn�t hear what?� He shouted in return. �The gossips, the ones you claimed to avoid, calling me high maintenance � me! As if I�m nobody, as if I don�t matter. Oh she�s the DA she doesn�t have feelings.� �Nora I never�� �Don�t lie to me. I can just see you all laughing about me in the canteen. Hear you�re fucking the boss Jack how�s that going? Is it that bad she has to pay you?!� She sobbed and collapsed onto the sofa, head in hands. �Nora please listen to me, I�ve never said anything to them.� �Then how the hell do they know?� She spat back. �High maintenance Jack, as if I�m too old and fussy to be with you because you only go for good sex. In fact I don�t know why I didn�t see this coming, I�d heard the rumours, I knew what you were like.� �And what am I supposed to be like exactly? Some woman hater!� His voice was as loud as hers was now; he took a breath to steady it. �Look Nora just because I�m not amazing at relationships doesn�t mean I don�t respect the woman I�m dating. I told Lennie about us, he�s my friend for chrissake, he didn�t know not to mention it did he, word gets round.� �Like this, so they�re all laughing at me. Like I�m a god damn difficult ice queen.� �I didn�t say that, I didn�t mean�� �Then what the hell did you mean?� �I�ve never really had to work to get it right Nora. If it was good I stayed, bad I left.� �So what am I � in the middle?� �No, god this is all coming out wrong.� He sat down across from her. �Relationships, sharing, intimacy, it�s never suited me, I�ve never got it right, never really wanted it. But now, with you, I do and it�s hard for me. High maintenance didn�t mean you�re difficult, its just something Len & I say, we have to work at it, and I have to work at this.� �But why? You�re finding it hard and you don�t think I am? For gods sake Jack I�ve opened my entire life up to you and what do you give me in return? You�ve got this wall around you and you won�t let me in. You know this is the first time I�ve been to your home, you never invite me.� �It�s a mess.� �You think I care! It�s like you�re hiding something from me. You never talk about yourself, you won�t share things. I haven�t met your family, your friends, your daughter Jack, I�ve never met her, even heard about her. It�s like you�re ashamed of us; you want to hide it. The only time you really show any emotion is when we�re in bed, and how do you think that makes me feel � cheap! As if it�s the only thing that matters to you, sex. And even when we�re� you know�you never say it, never.� �Say what?� She stood up. �Forget it, it doesn�t matter. I have to go home.� �Nora don�t go, we need to talk about this.� �What is there to say?� �That means you�re gonna end it.� �Then you should be glad shouldn�t you.� ***** Jack drained the last of his brandy and stared at the bottom of the glass. �Too many of them will kill you, believe me I know.� Lennie took the glass from his hand. �Besides it won�t help you forget.� He sat down next to Jack. �Are you gonna tell me what happened or just sit there in silence?� �Sit here in silence. I�m not even sure what the hell has happened, from what I can gather she heard some of the staff gossiping at work about us and�� �What they said wasn�t too nice.� �She went crazy Len.� �I can see.� He said gesturing towards the smashed vase on the floor. �And then she goes on about me being cut off, and erecting walls and all that shit.� He had started to pace. �And don�t look at me like that.� �What? Come on Jack you�re not known for the sharing caring stuff.� �And?� �And � forget it. What else did she say?� �Sex came up a lot.� Lennie laughed. �Surprise, surprise.� �She thinks I said that sex with her is bad, a chore even.� �What, she�s gorgeous.� �You think I haven�t noticed. And then she got to hear about the high maintenance thing.� �Wow, that�s rough.� �Yeah, thanks �friend�, nice of you to spread that around.� �Hey, I was talking to the lads, you know how it goes. But hell if she is, I�ll take her off your hands.� �Don�t.� Jack sat down again. �So another relationship bites the dust.� �You�re giving up already. No wonder you�re always alone.� �Well it didn�t exactly sound like she wanted it to continue, and she kept going on about how I don�t say it, I mean say what for gods sake?� �You don�t know! Love of course, she wants to know you love her, have you told her?� �Probably not.� �Why the hell not?� �I just don�t say it, I try to show it.� �Jack, women like to hear it, need to even, you know that. Has she said it to you?� �All the time.� �So, do you love her, that�s the only thing you need to ask yourself, if you do tell her, if you don�t, well maybe you should move on.� ***** Part 5 Stories Part 7 |