| 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 7 � The Hardest thing to Say Nora wiped the condensation from the bathroom mirror and leant forward. She looked old and tired and her eyes were red and sore from crying. Why did she have to cry anyway, it�s not as if a man hadn�t hurt her before. Somehow this one seemed different though, at least she�d hoped Jack was different. She jumped when she heard her apartment door slam shut and for a second there was that fear to think somebody had broken in, and the panic � what was she going to do, but then she heard Jack�s voice. �Nora, where are you, we need to talk.� The arrogance of the man! She pulled on her dressing gown and went out to him. �What the hell do you think you�re doing?� �I have a key remember.� �Well leave it on the side and go.� She marched past him, willing herself to keep her head up. �No, I�m not leaving until you listen to me.� �You smarmy son of a bitch, why would I, so you can lie to me some more.� Jack grabbed her wrists. �Enough with the insults ok. You storm in yesterday hurling abuse at me, screaming, shouting, accusing � never once stopping to hear me out or even believe what I say, you don�t trust me.� �Oh no, don�t try and turn this around. I did listen to your excuse and I did believe it, it was all a mistake, office gossip � fair enough. But that doesn�t change things. I�m angry at you for thinking so little of me, for having me around as company for a while, not even caring.� �But I do care.� �Let go of me, your grip�s a little tight.� He dropped her wrists but cornered her against the wall so she couldn�t move. �I�m not going to let you push me away.� �Why not? I thought you�d like that, the easy way out.� �For gods sake Nora, I want to be with you, I need to. You make everything else so much more bearable.� He wiped the tears from her face with his thumb. �I know I�m crap at all this, I�m selfish, I don�t give enough. And you�re right I haven�t introduced you to my family but that�s not because I�m ashamed of you it�s them I�m ashamed of. I�ll tell you every single thing about my life if you really want to know.� She smiled slightly. �People will gossip and joke but only for a week at the most and then they�ll move on.� �I feel so humiliated though.� She snuffled. �They were laughing at me and I don�t think there�s anything more hurtful. I thought they liked me when really they think I�m isolated and cold.� �Well they don�t know what I know.� He kissed her forehead. �I don�t say what you need to hear most of the time, I�m rubbish at remembering valentines and anniversaries � but hell I�ll get an organiser! Just don�t end it now.� She looked up at his pleading face and suddenly felt guilty for everything she�d said. �I�m so sorry I went crazy yesterday, I trashed your apartment.� He shrugged. �Len helped me fix it.� She kissed his mouth softly. �I need you too.� She whispered as she pushed his jacket off. �Let�s go to bed.� �Right now? It�s 11 a.m.� He brushed her hair with his hand before kissing her head. �You smell so good.� She smiled. �And how do I feel?� She ran her hand under his T-shirt, before lifting it over his head and in reply his fingers began sneaking into the opening of dressing gown. �You�re naked under there.� She laughed. �I just got out of the bath � wallowing in self pity.� �Well no more of that, alright.� He lifted her up so she sat on the dining table. �You�re going to cheer me up?� She asked innocently. �Only if you want to.� �Oh I do, and I think I should really apologise for doubting you.� She kissed him again as her fingers found the fastening on his jeans. He breathed deeply. �God how could anyone ever think that making love to you is a chore.� He let go of her for a second and went to the window closing the blinds. �Don�t want to start any more rumours do we.� She laughed and parted her legs as he went back to her, wrapping them around his waist. How easy it had all become, now they knew each other so well, what the other liked and wanted. He pulled the cord on her dressing gown and let it slip down onto the coffee table, forming a more comfortable surface for her. She lowered herself back and with her hand on his neck brought his head down to kiss her stomach, then he moved up kissing the line that ran straight up her body and between her breasts until he reached the softest skin at the base of her neck. �You�re so beautiful.� He whispered and she almost cried in relief. ***** Jack could very easily believe that this was heaven, or at the very least paradise. He was in Nora�s bed, her scent surrounding him, his body naked but warm with the midday sunshine spreading over the bed and her mouth was on his body, all over him, sending his senses into overdrive. She moved her body on top of him as her lips glided up over his chest and then kissed his open mouth. He opened his eyes to see her smiling. �How was that for an apology.� She brushed his hair back that stuck to his face but he couldn�t get his voice to work. �Your face is red.� She rested her palm against his cheek. �I�m exhausted.� He managed to croak out. �Me too.� She lay down at his side and wrapped her arm around his waist, draped one leg over his and rested her head on his chest. And for the first time in hours there was silence, nothing except the sound of his breathing and his heart pumping beneath her head, she couldn�t even make out the traffic outside. She closed her eyes and immediately found herself drifting off to sleep. �I love you.� Jack whispered. She smiled, she already knew. ***** Nora stretched her body out; she was in that wonderful place, just waking up but not fully alert yet. There was an unbelievable smell in the air, like home cooking when she was young at home with her parents. She opened her eyes slightly and realised she was in bed alone. Her body ached but she felt good nevertheless, she licked her lips and could taste Jack�s kisses there. She couldn�t help but smile, he�d said he loved her, perhaps not openly but still in his round about way he�d said it, and that was all that mattered. �Hi, you�re awake.� �Mmm, what time is it?� She stretched her arms out and beckoned him to her; he kissed her hand and sat down next to her. �Just gone six, I�m making dinner.� �Dinner, you mean you�re cooking, on my stove.� �Well, that�s what its there for.� He laughed. �I can�t believe it actually works.� �I take it you�re not much of a cook.� �Hey I never have time. What are you cooking anyway?� He stood up. �Oh now that�s a surprise, suffice to say it�s my specialty.� �Then I should feel spoilt right.� �Exactly, it will be ready in about twenty or so minutes.� �Then I�ll get dressed. Could you pass my dressing gown please.� �What, you�re afraid to be naked in front of me.� He laughed. �Hey, I�m not afraid, I would just rather not be naked, now go finish my dinner while I get dressed.� �Ok boss, would you like some wine?� �I�d love some.� ***** Nora refilled Jack�s wineglass while he took their dishes into the kitchen. �Dinner was wonderful thank you.� �Well you deserve to be spoilt every now and then.� He rubbed her shoulder as he sat down. �Hey have you given me more wine? How can I dance when I�m drunk?� �Dance?� She almost choked on her drink. Jack smiled. �I�ve decided to take you out dancing.� �But I haven�t been dancing since I was �very� young. I�ve forgotten how.� �How can you possibly forget? Besides I know a fantastic place, you�ll love it.� �What will I wear?� He laughed. �Wear! Anything, a dress, shoes, underwear I hope.� She slapped his arm. �Oh very funny.� She rested her chin in her hands. �I�m not sure, what if I embarrass you?� �You couldn�t even if you tried.� �Ok, I�ll go change, for the fiftieth time today!� �And I�ll do the dishes.� �Ooh you are quite perfect.� She squeezed his hand and went to prepare herself for a spot of dancing. ***** Part 6 Stories Part 8 |