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 T h r e e Nora wasn�t dumb and as she entered the room she could sense the tension between the two men and Serena. She took her seat at her desk and placed her glasses lightly on her nose. She didn�t even look up at them as she spoke, she�d found it much more effective to simply use her hard edge tone and continue staring at the notes on her desk while she chastised them � all lined up like naughty school children. �When I put you all together on this case I expect you to try and work like adults. Not to have arguments in full view of every other lawyer, and certainly not in court.� �You can�t expect us to get on all the time Nor.� She looked up at Tom reclining in the chair across from her, biting her lip she said calmly. �I expect you to try � and even if you can�t, I expect some kind of adult behaviour when you�re in public view. I won�t tolerate it, if you�re going to win this case you work together.� She looked across at Serena who looked extremely tearful and took her glasses off. �Tom, Serena go get some coffee, Jack I want to talk to you for a moment.� She waited for the door to close before she launched into her attack. �What the hell are you doing? Allowing them to act like that, you�re supposed to be leading them.� �How do you expect her to work calmly with him after the way he treated her for gods sake. He�s sleeping with her one night, then you the next.� �How do you know that?� �Because she told me of course, in tears. What are you doing with him Nora, allowing yourself to be dragged down to his unprofessional level?� �Me! You were the one involved in a public brawl. And I never knew that he�d done that to Serena, but we�re all single Jack and I can do what I want with who I want.� �And damn every fucker else right.� �Don�t speak to me like that.� �Who taught you to be so cold Nora?� �You did Jack.� He was silenced by the comment, it stung � it wasn�t that he�d forgotten what had happened between them more that he�d tried to forget. After all it was a long time ago and he�d learnt a lot from the experience, he was one selfish son of a bitch and he knew it. He took a deep breath before continuing the conversation. �You really wanna discuss this now?� �No, I shouldn�t have brought it up, forget it, I was angry.� �Perhaps we should talk about it.� �Why? It happened a long time ago.� �Because it�s obviously still there Nora, for both of us. We haven�t mentioned it since you came here but maybe we should.� �NO!� She snapped. �I don�t want to, it�s over, finished with, so leave it alone.� �Why are you so upset?� �I�m upset because my staff are running riot, seem incapable of working together like human beings and are down right embarrassing me. How do you expect me to feel - proud?� Jack shrugged. �I�ll talk to Serena, but she�s hurt, best thing would be to get rid of that loser. He doesn�t fit in here and most of all he�s not wanted.� �He has as much right to work here as you do Jack. Really if you think about he�s no different to you, you�ve certainly had your fair share of female co-workers over the years.� �But never the boss.� "You seem to forget you were my boss." He stormed out slamming the door after him. * * * Nora was sleeping when she got the call. She had somehow dressed and drove herself down to the station, meeting Lennie outside and feeling somewhat embarrassed to be there. �Nora, glad you could make it.� �Where is he? Have you seen him?� �Not yet, still being interviewed from what I understand � doesn�t seem to have much to say. He wants to see you.� She nodded, unmoved. Lennie watched the display of emotions upon her face, her eyes were tired and somehow she looked older through the shock. Well it was only 3.a.m. �We should go in, it�s freezing out here.� She followed him inside in a dream like state and was faced with Jack McCoy sitting in chairs sipping coffee. He stood up when he spotted her. �What are you doing here?� She barked. �Lennie called me, figured you�d need some support.� Despite his openness she still felt defensive. �I�ll talk to him alone if that�s ok.� �Sure, whatever suits you.� He sat back down and opened a newspaper. Nora wasn�t sure if the man in front of her was really the same person she�d spent the previous night with, eating lobster in an expensive restaurant and allowing herself to be dragged away by the thrill of excitement and romance. �I�m sorry.� He croaked, his throat was dry, his lips cracked, his face haggard and scratched. �You must believe I didn�t do it.� He reached out for her hand and squeezed it. She took it back and looked up at him, squaring her shoulders. �You must understand Tom I�m here as your boss. Whatever has been going on between us has to stop until this is sorted out � I can�t� this is my career. I�m sorry but that�s how it is.� �I understand. I never expected more, but I need some help. I want out of here as soon as possible and McCoy � I want McCoy on the case.� �He doesn�t handle these�� �He�ll handle mine � he�ll do it for you. Ask him.� He shook his head. �I didn�t do it. Believe me.� She stared into his eyes for a second too long then closed her eyes and got up from the table. �I�ll go talk to Jack.� She mumbled. She stumbled out of the room and fell straight against Jack who was leaning on the wall next to her. She was shaking and almost in tears when Jack forced her to look at him. �Nora, what is it, what did he say?� �He did it Jack, I can tell. He raped her.� P l e a s e r e v i e w S t o r i e s |