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 S e v e n The sunlight came in streams along the bedroom wall, and it took Jack�s eyes a while to adjust to the brightness. The morning was glorious, the sky clear, the air with a light breeze and no sign of clouds on the horizon. He lay in bed watching the shadows passing traffic would create on his wall, creating pictures in his mind. He held up his hand and made his own shadows, like he did when Sarah was a child, so she wouldn�t be scared of the dark. Like he did with Nora, back in his old office, when they would lie on his couch and play childish games. He wondered how she was this morning, hung over no doubt, paying for the previous nights drowning of sorrows. However angry he was with her, however stupid she�d been, he�d still be there, he was certain she�d do the same for him. After all they were friends, always had been in his mind. When she�d walked out of his life he was hurt but he never hated her, never given up the hope of her return. But now that she was back things had somewhat altered. Jack had seen his fair share of women pass in and out of his life, when he was young he�d given his affections easily, but now he was more restrained. He hid his feelings, he never gave his heart, Claire had been breaking point for all that. Romance was for the young, funny how back then it had been Nora who had hid her feelings and he who had confessed undying love, like some idiot desperate to be wanted. Now he was alone, and growing old. He glanced over at the clock and realised he�d been lying there reminiscing for the past thirty minutes. He jumped out of bed and began to dress, no time for a shower, no time for breakfast. * * * Of course Nora was in her office when he arrived, just after nine, not too late. He shifted from foot to foot outside her door, strangely nervous, before gently knocking at the door. �Come in.� She barked. He entered and found her stood by the window surrounded by papers strewn across the floor. She looked up at him as she ruffled her hair for what looked like the hundredth time that morning. �Oh, it�s you.� �Charming welcome, greet all your visitors like that?� She smiled at his cheek. �Yes, that�s why I don�t get many.� He sat down at her desk. �Cynic, you�re beginning to sound like me.� �Have you seen the papers?� He shook his head. �Slept through the alarm.� He lied. She picked one up from the floor and threw it at him. He straightened it out before he read. �District Attorney involved in sex scandal with young lawyer.� He read aloud emphasising the word �young� as he spoke. �Oh please read on.� She gestured with her arm. �Don�t you want to know all about my strange fetishes and the fact I never let my lovers sleep.� Jack laughed. �Wow, maybe I should spend a night with you.� �Very funny, I�m a laughing stock Jack. That damned boy.� �Guess he needed funds for his defence now you�re not supporting him hey.� �So what, we shouldn�t blame him for trying to ruin my life?� �Oh Nora calm down, so you�re in a few papers, it�s publicity.� �Not the kind I want.� �Politics, politics hey.� �This isn�t politics, it�s a matter of decency and trust. That woman in there is not who I am.� �I know that.� �You do?� �Sure, remember how I begged you and you�d never relent.� She looked at his questioningly, her pacing ceasing as her intrigue was raised. �Because I was married, you wouldn�t sleep with me because I was married. �Oh right, well I was young then and not so willing to give my body until I was sure.� �You regret it?� She laughed. �What?� �Regret not sleeping with me � you lost your chance you know.� �Well I�ve cursed myself every night since.� He leant back in her chair with his arms folded behind his neck. �And so you should.� Her smile was wide and her eyes lost their fight and sparkled instead. �You like my chair?� �I think it suits me, I could do this job, sitting in this big office, with this big desk and shiny leather chair.� �Very funny. Now get up.� She knelt down and began picking the newspapers up. �I think I should stay here a while, I mean you used to take over my desk plenty.� She looked up at him. �Been thinking on the past a lot lately haven�t we?� He shrugged and leant forward. �Funny how things start to play on your mind.� �Is it?� �You start to remember things, and finally see what was important in your life.� She was silent watching him as he fiddled with his tie and thought on his remarks. �Perhaps it�s just me getting old.� He smiled as he got up. �I thought Jack McCoy didn�t show his feelings anymore, and certainly didn�t share them.� He held out his hand and helped her to her feet. �It must be your influence � again.� He took the papers from her hand. �Now, as for these�� he scrunched the papers up and dropped them in her waste bin. �Forget them, and forget him, he�ll get what he deserves.� �And what about me? Will I get what I deserve?� �I think the embarrassment of walking through Hogan place and having everyone see you as some kind of sex crazed mad woman will be punishment enough.� He teased. �And how do you know I�m not?� �Don�t tempt me.� He smiled as he ran his finger under her chin. She grabbed his hand and smiled at the sensation. �Go, and let me get on with some work.� �For a change.� �Jack.� She warned. �Ok, I�m going � cheered you up though didn�t I.� �I suppose.� �Good, too nice a smile to hide.� �You always were a romantic. Now disappear.� He bowed briefly before exiting, then stood on the other side of her door taking deep breaths. Right now he could be right back there, in his tiny old office with a naive young Nora lying on his couch laughing at him. Was he in love again or had it never really disappeared? Nora, Nora, how can one woman shape your life in such a way. He shook his head as he ignored the bemused glances of the staff around him and retreated to his office. * * * He didn�t see her again until the end of the day. She was on her way to the elevator and he was just returning to the office. �Hello stranger.� �Still smiling then.� �Hmm trying to. How�s your day been?� �Busy, had to fend of revealing questions about my boss all day.� �What a comedian you are. You really should give up the law and go in for stand up.� �You think?� �No of course not, well maybe, it would get you out of my hair.� �And you�d really like that?� He smiled. �Come on, walk with me to my office.� �I�m going home.� �Isn�t your apartment surrounded by journalists?� �Is it?� �So I heard.� �Are you lying?� �No, seriously, reporters galore I heard.� �Damn it, I just wanted to have a nice quiet Friday night at home, curled up on the sofa with a glass of wine.� He opened his office door. �Curl up on my sofa if you like.� P l e a s e r e v i e w S t o r i e s |