Disclaimer: Don�t own characters, just muddle on through the plot� For lyrics to Send in the Clowns visit my Lyrics page. S e n d i n t h e C l o w n s P a r t O n e The sky was purest blue, almost surreal like some impressionist painting with dreamlike white clouds swimming across the open blue. Vast fields stretched out as far as the eye could see, and flew past the train window, impossible to remember the places, the views but somehow moving in the fact that they were there. There was something perfectly apt in watching parts of your country fly by and knowing you might never see that spot again, or never see such a beautiful day. It certainly put things into perspective, life wasn�t easy but somehow there remained beauty in amongst the madness and really some sense of belonging. What an absolute bizarre weekend it had been, rain for the past two days and now glorious sunshine, and fine views. Nora let her head fall back against the cushion and closed her eyes. She knew he was watching her, but she also knew she needed to keep some distance between them for the time being. She could hear Serena giggling and she smiled to herself, it had certainly been an intriguing few days if nothing else. And for the first time in so very long she felt content, and somehow comfortable to be in her own skin. The sunlight was warm upon her face and soothing, and the train smoothly travelled on, taking them home to the city. * * * �You�re late.� Jack complained as he leant against the wall folding his paper and tucking it under his arm. �I�m sorry, but I couldn�t get a cab.� Serena mumbled dropping her bursting suitcase to the floor. �We�re only going until Monday morning.� �I know.� She pushed her gleaming hair back into place. �Best to be prepared though.� �Hmm I managed with one bag.� She ignored his comment. �Where�s Nora?� �Complaining about something or other.� �Can I read that?� �Sure.� He passed the paper over to her, pulled up his shirtsleeve and looked at his watch again. �God damn delays and this weather, can you believe it�s June?� He continued to moan on as Tom came over to them. He was young, vibrant and very handsome, and Jack couldn�t understand why Nora had felt the need to invite him out of all the trainees to join them this weekend. �Morning guys, ready for some fun?� �I�d hardly call a weekend law conference fun.� �Jack cheer up, its not all work, plus it�s in the middle of the countryside. Beautiful views, long walks, loud parties where there�s nobody to complain.� Serena rubbed his arm as she grinned at Tom, he certainly looked like fun. Nora marched across the platform towards them, she didn�t look at all happy. �They�ve lost our bookings.� �What � that�s gonna be a pain, have we had to pay again?� �No we have not.� Nora mumbled. �Looks like we�ll be standing too.� Jack said as he noted the crowds on the platform. �I knew we should have hired a car and just drove through the night.� Nora sat down on the edge of a bench. �Oh but we get to see more of the country this way don�t we.� Serena smiled. �Hmm well I certainly argued our point with the young man.� Tom laughed. �How ridiculous arguing with the DA. You should just have flashed him your wonderful smile Nora and won him over and then our seats would be secure.� �What a flirt you are.� She said looking up at him. Jack moved slightly to cast a shadow over her and she smiled at him with gratitude. �I like a good flirt.� Serena whispered not looking up from the paper. It was almost midnight when they finally arrived at the hotel where the conference was to be held. Yet there was still life about, loud music and lights in almost every window, despite the journey Serena was more than ready for a dance and after she and Tom had left their bags she dragged him off to find the party. Nora on the other hand was in no mood for socialising. She had spent the majority of the journey cramped up in a corner with nobody to talk to and some strange guy attempting to press himself up against her. It had been Tom who had finally rescued her, Jack had secured a few seats further up the train and Tom had happily given his up for her. Serena was dozing in the corner and Nora had once again gone over her notes for her speech. And now as she sat in her hotel room she was doing the same. She sat on her bed with her laptop on her knee making changes and little alterations so it was word perfect for tomorrow afternoon. She had to admit she was just a little nervous about it despite the fact she�d done hundreds before, and this wouldn�t be the last. She put the laptop to one side and once again reached down to rub her ankle, it was still sore, in fact it was throbbing and getting worse by the minute. It had only been a small trip and Jack had caught her arm as she stumbled on the platform but not being able to rest or ice it had certainly had an affect. And after all the sore joints didn�t seem to heal quite as smoothly anymore. She stretched her toes and her foot tightened as the pain spread through the muscles, sharper now, more direct. She closed her eyes and mentally counted down the seconds until the pain ebbed away. Damn the stupid uneven paving slabs, and the damned rain and this stupid conference that she�d forced herself to attend�she made herself stand up and respond to the knock at the door. Of course it was Jack, who else would have taken the time to come see her when she�d been in a terrible mood all day and snapped at everyone. Who else was brave enough to face her? He was leant against the doorframe when she edged it open. �Hi, fancy coming down for dinner?� That Jack smile, always slightly confident of its power over the opposite sex. �I don�t think so.� She held the door open wider so he could come in and the hobbled over to the bed to sit down again. �Still sore?� �Very much so.� �Want me to take a look?� �That�s fine. I think I just need to rest it.� She realised she was being less than gracious but somehow she wasn�t in the mood for chitchat. �One hell of a day it�s been.� Jack dug his hands in his pockets as he looked out across the lawns. �You could say that.� She whispered looking down at her ankle. �Hardly the great start I wanted for this.� �I�m sorry, I know you were looking forward to it.� �But you weren�t, I shouldn�t have forced you to come, there were plenty of others who were willing.� �Well I�m here now so may as well make the most of it. I�m starving.� �Then go down and eat.� �And leave you sat up here feeling sorry for yourself, I don�t think so. If I go you�re coming.� �Jack I really don�t feel like getting changed and socialising tonight. Just go, you know when I�m in this mood it�s better to leave me alone.� �I also know that you�ll curse me in the morning for allowing you to get drunk up here alone.� �What makes you think I would?� �Come on, what better way to relax after a hard day than a couple of Brandy�s.� He levelled her with his gaze, and she looked away to the window embarrassed. "So here�s my suggestion. We order some food up and I will keep you company.� �I was hoping to work on my speech.� �Then you can test it out on me. Come on, I�m hardly likely to go running after Serena and Tom am I.� �Why not?� �Because if my instincts are correct they�ll probably end up sharing a room tonight.� �What?� �Don�t look so shocked. Surely you had one night stands at their age too, physical attraction is a hard thing to resist.� �Don�t I know it.� She whispered. �What?� �Nothing, ok, you win, order dinner. I�m going to take some aspirin for my head.� She attempted to march to the bathroom but her foot wouldn�t let her, so instead she half limped, half hopped to it avoiding Jack�s grinning face. * * * The rain came down in streams, lazily sliding down the window into plant pots that gradually overflowed into the gutter. The morning resulted in being altogether slow and dream like, warm and humid but damp. Nora never switched her gaze from the window as she stirred her coffee, and Jack watched her from across the room. Her head reclining on one hand, tipped to one side as she watched the weather in all its glory. It was still early, only just turned 8.00 and there were only a handful of people in the restaurant. He didn�t recognise any so didn�t bother with any greetings simply made his way over to her table. He took the seat across from her and she slowly turned her head to acknowledge his presence. �Morning.� She smiled as she lifted her coffee up to take a drink. �Good morning, you look well, how�s the ankle?� �Much better thank you, all down to your very skill full massage I expect. You should charge for your services.� He raised an eyebrow and smiled. �You can be arrested for things like that.� �And I see you�re on top form this morning too. No sign of Serena or Tom yet then.� Jack opened the menu. �Not as yet, I called by his room but there was no answer.� �Do you really think they�?� �Don�t you?� Nora shook her head and turned back to the window. �On a work trip as well.� �Don�t sound so disgusted, people do have sex you know.� He didn�t even look up. �I know.� She watched as he skimmed through the menu. �Well what are you having?� �Full breakfast I think � you?� She raised her coffee and smiled. �That�s it!� �I�m too nervous to eat.� The waiter approached them and Jack ordered his food along with blueberry pancakes for Nora. �They�re your favourite if I remember correctly.� �You do, and thank you but if I�m sick on stage you will have to cover for me.� �This is ridiculous I�ve never known you get nervous about anything. And I�ve known you for some years.� �Well it�s my first time.� She laughed at Jack�s expression. �I just wanna make a good impression.� �You will.� He took hold of her coffee cup and took a sip. �You want to go for a walk after breakfast, apparently they have fantastic gardens here.� �It�s pouring.� �I know � I remember you like that too.� * * * Serena drained an entire glass of orange juice in one go before she even sat down at the breakfast table and Tom watched in amazement. �What?� �You enjoy that?� �Yes thank you, makes me feel better. We all have our own hang over cures. What�s yours?� �Sleep. Unfortunately can�t have it because we have to attend Nora�s speech.� �I�m quite looking forward to it, all those points of view. Exciting.� �Sometimes you�re strange � scarily strange.� �You weren�t saying that last night.� She reached over and squeezed his hand but he was looking out to the garden. �Now would you look at that.� �What?� �Jack and Nora walking in the rain.� �Don�t they look cute?� �I suppose.� He shrugged shaking his hand loose from her grip. * * * �You remember the last time we walked in the rain?� �Of course, you dumped me.� �I didn�t dump you, we weren�t even dating.� �Well you left my life, told me you didn�t want to see me anymore.� Jack lifted back the branch of a tree so Nora could step under it. �You were married Jack, what the hell could I do? I wasn�t going to hang around and see if it went wrong, I�m not a home wrecker.� �I know, I missed you though, there were times you were the only person I could speak too about everything.� �I know; I often felt like an agony aunt. I am sorry I left like that but it was going too far, I couldn�t be your best friend and feel the way I did. Even I�m not that perfect.� �I understand � I understood then too, I just didn�t want to accept I done something wrong, I thought it would be easy enough to remain married and expect you to put up with it.� She turned round to look at him, somewhat astonished by his admission. �You thought we�d have an affair?� �No, not in the way you think, I just wanted your company, enjoyed the long walks and chats, perhaps the old adage is right men and women can�t be best of friends because sex gets in the way.� �Maybe you should write a paper on it.� Jack laughed as he walked past her. �Maybe I will.� He brushed his soaking hair back from his face and Nora noticed how silver it looked went wet. It hadn�t always been like that, but still time had been kind to him, he looked better now than he ever had, or perhaps it was just her eyes playing tricks. �We better be getting back indoors, I have to change.� �Alright.� He turned back to her and linked his arm through hers as they made their way back into the hotel. * * * �You think they used to date then?� Tom asked as he lazed on Serena�s bed. �I don�t know, ask them. Besides what if they did it doesn�t matter does it.� Tom shrugged. �You work with him all day, what do you know about Jack, I mean I heard he�s a bit of a ladies man.� �Supposedly but he�s always been great with me. I have no complaints. Are you gonna change or what, we�ll be late for dinner.� �Ok I�m going.� He draped his long legs over the side of the bed and got up. Serena had only seen him around Hogan Place before and barely spoken to him but this weekend had presented her with the chance to finally bag herself a gorgeous guy, just like all her friends seemed able to do. �Will you be staying with me again tonight.� She whispered tightening her robe. �That depends.� �On what?� �On if I get lucky with Nora�� He laughed then disappeared out the door and Serena giggled to herself, he had a wicked sense of humour. She dressed quickly so she could stop by Jack�s room and have him escort her down, she felt bad that she�d hardly spoken to him since they were at the train station. * * * Nora was last to arrive at the dinner table � it didn�t help that she was stopped on her way down at almost every step with a handshake and a congratulations on her speech. She suddenly felt that perhaps her skirt was too tight and awkward as she sat down, it was uncomfortable being on display and as she bowed her head and let her hair hide part of her face she wished she were back in her office, secure, and playing the role she actually relished. Tom was the one who made a mad dash to sit next to her, squeezing her hand and whispering in her ear as he sat down. Jack noted her wide smile as he escorted Serena to their table. Sure the guy was cheering her up, but at what expense. Was it really appropriate for the DA, shining at her first major conference, to be flirting with her youngest employee? Or was it just Jack�s jealous nature once again coming through. He looked over at Serena�s mournful expression and reassuringly took her arm as he held out her seat. Nora, unaware of the unfolding drama, pulled her hand back and poured four large glasses of wine. �Shall we celebrate, I feel it�s been a rather successful day.� �All down to your marvellous performance I believe.� Tom boasted lifting his glass up to her and then draining half of its contents. Serena kicked him under the table annoyed � this from the man who didn�t want to attend the damned speech. �So would you like to dance Nora?� Tom leaned into her. She laughed. �Afraid I can�t really, ankle is still a little sore.� �I�m sure Serena will accompany you.� Jack butted in, he noted Tom�s sour face and felt the urge to trip the guy up as he passed by him but somehow resisted. He leant across the table to Nora as soon as they were alone. �What the hell are you doing?� �What do you mean?� �Flirting with that creep.� �Oh Jack I am not, he�s just sucking up to the boss. Besides what does it matter, I�m single.� �Nora, for gods sake.� �What? You think he�s too young for me right � that I�m making a fool of myself. Well I don�t notice you dating women of a similar age. Besides if he�s interested, why shouldn�t I?� �Because he spent last night with Serena.� �We don�t know that for sure. And you said yourself, everybody has one night stands, its just sex.� �I can�t believe you would be so cold hearted.� She took no notice of his comment as she refilled her wine glass and looked across the room to where Tom and Serena were dancing. �So you fancy Nora as your bed partner tonight then?� �Come on Serena, she�s a bit too old for me don�t you think.� �You certainly don�t seem to mind flirting publicly with her.� �We�re just having some fun, like you an I did. It�s nothing really. Cheer up, you�re still my favourite blonde.� * * * Nora�s head shot up as she felt the train surge to a halt, she looked out the window to the crowded station, they were home. �Great to be back.� Jack said standing up and stretching his arms above his head. �Certainly is.� Serena said taking her bag down from the tray above her. �Thanks for keeping me entertained on the way back Jack, I never could sleep on journeys.� �No problem, good to see you smiling again, you shouldn�t let small matters bother you Serena.� He said poignantly as he pushed past Tom. Nora took little notice as she lifted her head up to find Tom still staring at her; she gave him a glimpse of her trademark smile. She felt a sudden rush of excitement at the prospect of spending yet another night alone with this young man, somehow waking up with him that morning had given her a new surge of vitality and it felt good. P l e a s e r e v i e w S t o r i e s |