Disclaimer: don�t own characters but still playing Jack chewed down on the end of his pen, staring across the office to where Serena sat busily tapping away at her computer. She was fully engrossed in her work; she probably wouldn�t even notice if he slipped out early, it wasn�t as if he did it often. �Think I�m gonna call it a day.� �Okay.� She didn�t even look up from her screen. �See you in the morning�� �Bright and early.� He steadily rose, collecting his coat from where he�d thrown it earlier and making his way down the corridor. If he didn�t turn around or make eye contact then he could get out quick without being noticed. At the back of his mind he knew he had a pile of work that still needed to be done but to hell with it, at the moment he had no interest in work, no interest in anything. A quick call by the liquor store and Jack was set for the evening. Hiding away in his apartment he turned off the lights and unplugged his phone and settled back with his scotch and his thoughts. * Nora was late leaving work, it had been one of those days and she was in need of good company, good wine and indulgent food. So she called by her favourite restaurant for take-out and made her way to Jack�s apartment. She could shower there whilst he heated the food, he might appreciate the thought. She�d tried to call him to check he was free but there was no answer. So instead she dug out the key he�d given her and decided to let herself into the apartment. * Absently Jack flicked through the TV channels but nothing appealed, he couldn�t settle. He was watching the busy city traffic from his lounge when he became vaguely aware of a door opening and footsteps in his hall. �Jack�� Nora dropped her keys onto the table and wandered down the hallway, it was dark and there was no sign of life, perhaps she�d have to spend the evening alone afterall. �In the lounge.� He answered. �Why in the dark?� She asked making her way to him and gently kissing his cheek. �Bad day.� �Oh, me too.� She put down her bags and started to take her coat off. �I hate Wednesdays, I always have. I�ve always thought, �it�s only the middle of the week.� I guess that�s pessimism. I suppose on the other hand you could look at it as a good thing. Only two days until the weekend.� She smiled, she was rambling and he was just staring at her. �Did we make plans?� He asked abruptly. �No, not especially. I just thought maybe you�d like dinner, a glass of wine, some company.� He raised his glass to her. �I already have company.� �So I see, so you don�t want dinner.� �I�m not particularly hungry.� She folded her arms. �Okay so tell me Jack did we have an argument last time I saw you or are just taking your bad day out on me?� �I�m doing nothing, just being me.� �Alright, so I think if you want to be like this I should go.� She retrieved her coat off the chair she�d dropped it into. �You never called, you should have at least asked.� �I tried to, you never answered.� Jack remembered the unhooked phone; he moved away from her and sat down. �I was trying to be fun, trying to do something nice for you. I thought this is where we were now, you kept telling me you wanted more from me.� �I did.� �Then what�s changed? Jack I can�t read your mind, how am I supposed to know something is wrong if you don�t at least tell me. You keep changing from day to day. I can�t keep up.� �Then stop trying � if you can�t be bothered stop trying.� Nora took a deep breath. �I�ll go now and give you time to calm down, when you�re ready give me a call.� * * * She didn�t want to appear desperate so she hadn�t made the first move; afterall as far as she was concerned it was Jack who had caused the argument. Maybe she had been a little too presumptuous in going over there and expecting him to be free. But she�d done it with the best intentions and really she felt as if since his �accident� things were changing between them, that little things like sharing a late night meal would be accepted, even expected of them. She was more than ready to move forward if that�s what he still wanted, they didn�t have to hide anything and next week they were supposed to be having dinner with her Mother, now that was a step forward! Nora hadn�t introduced a man to her Mother in almost ten years. Nevertheless she hadn�t called him, she hadn�t gone by his apartment and she had tried not to think about him too often. But when she�d returned home one evening and he was waiting outside, almost freezing to death sitting on his bike, she�d been elated. Of course he�d had to do his fair share of grovelling, but granted he�d had a bad day and she�d been there before � so all was forgiven. �Nice bath?� Jack asked watching her steadily make her way to the front of the fire. Her hair was damp and her skin looked flushed and enticing. �Very nice thank you.� He handed her a glass of wine. �I made us something to eat, that is if you�re hungry. Nothing major, just snacks.� Nora smiled leisurely. �Thank you, again, you�re doing your best to impress I see.� Jack smiled and sat down in front of the chair nearest the fire, leaning back onto it for support. He hadn�t had a drop to drink all day and although he felt a slight twinge watching her sip her wine he was adamant he wouldn�t be drinking tonight. He had taken him three days to build up the nerve to come over here and apologise, he didn�t want it ruined. She hadn�t mentioned the fact he was drunk when they argued and he was hoping it would pass without comment. �Sooo�� She said slowly, putting her glass down and turning her attention to him. �You were in the wrong, were you not?� He smiled as he watched her seductively crawl over to him. �You don�t have to be embarrassed by it, you can tell me.� She bit down on her lip as she ran the palm of her hands up over his legs. �Probably should have called earlier, but I�ve been kind of busy.� He teased. �Really?� She mocked as she unbuckled his belt. �Yes, really.� He gasped as her hand reached its destination. �I� mmm, Nora� work and such.� �Yes.� She was kissing his neck. �And, oh god, I hired a cleaner.� �Good idea.� She looked up at him and smiled deliciously, she was winning this particular fight. Forgivingly she leant forward and kissed his forehead and his arms reached around her bringing her close enough to straddle his thighs. �I think I know where this is going young man.� She breathed against his hair. �Good.� This time when she looked at him her smile was returned, full of warmth and sincerity, it was good to have him back. He loosened the dressing gown she was wearing and held her body back a little so he had better access to her breasts, her skin still slightly damp. She had been so self-conscious at first of him seeing her body. It was so easy when you were young, the smooth skin and firm thighs, pert breasts. You wanted to show it off, not anymore unfortunately. But Jack had somehow achieved the almost impossible task of making her feel sexually attractive again, and she fully intended to enjoy it. * * * Despite his reassurances to the contrary Jack was late and Nora was worrying. For almost fifteen minutes she�d been redialling his phone number, alternating between home, office and mobile. None were being answered. She glanced across the restaurant watching her Mother chatting to the waiter, she couldn�t leave her much longer, it wasn�t fair. After forty-five minutes of waiting for him to arrive she would have to admit what was probably already glaringly obvious to her rather disapproving Mother, they�d been stood up. She took a calming breath, ridded her mind of any memory of the other night�s promises and love-making and strode determinedly over to their table. �Well, he�s been held up.� She smiled. �So, just the two of us afterall. Shall we order?� �Of course dear, if you�re sure.� �Very sure.� She hid her face in the menu. �No need to be embarrassed, it�s not the first time a man has stood me up. Nor you I shouldn�t wonder.� Nora dropped the pretence of the menu. �No, but it�s the first time in what � twenty years. And it was important, I thought it was important to him.� Frances reached her hand across the table and squeezed Nora�s fingers reassuringly. �You want to talk about it with me or not?� �I don�t know. I�m not sure why I�m even bothering Mum, I convinced myself it didn�t matter. You know me, I steer away from serious relationships.� �Oh I know that, I believe it�s a matter of trust with you.� �Exactly, as much as I hate to admit it. But I�m stubborn and stuck in my ways and I told him that from the start. We agreed nothing rushed, and he kept pushing me for more � and stupidly I gave in. Here I am introducing him as my partner to friends and colleagues and now you� and he doesn�t even turn up.� She took a gulp of her wine. �The stupid thing is I know this guy, and I know his tricks, and I damn well should have known better than to trust him.� �Perhaps he has an excuse.� �Oh he will � he always manages too. Somehow I thought after all these years the arrogant selfish lawyer I worked with had grown up�� * * * Jack didn�t remember hearing the front door open, he certainly didn�t hear Nora�s attempts to wake him but he couldn�t fail to miss the fact he was soaking wet and Nora was standing over him with a rather satisfied look on her face and a basin in her hand. �What the hell. Have you gone crazy?� �Don�t you dare � don�t you dare patronise me.� �What�s happening?� He sat up wiping at his face. �You � god damn selfish inconsiderate you � making me look like a fool. I was so mad Jack, so angry and then my Mother convinced me you could have a valid reason for not showing up and on the way over here I�m thinking he wouldn�t have done it on purpose, not after all the things he promised me the other night. I somehow figured that you must really care about me.� �Nora�I�m not sure�� �And then I get here and find you passed out on the couch.� She picked the empty bottle up from the floor. �All that�s really happened is you have been drinking again. So, that�s it, I�ve had enough. I�m tired of being messed around. You want to drink yourself into oblivion be my guest.� She turned towards the door but Jack was instantly behind her grabbing her arms. �Hey, don�t come round here laying this guilt trip on me, I forgot about the stupid meal ok. You�re not my keeper and I don�t have to explain myself to you�� �I know that very well Jack.� She removed his hand from her arm. �The ridiculous thing is you were the one who pushed for this, wanting us to be open with our relationship, and so far I�m the only one whose made any sacrifices. So to hell with you, you�re still that obnoxious lawyer waiting everything to be handed to him. You can�t have it both ways, one minute you want more the next less.� She shook her head irritated. �I�ve had enough of trying to keep up with you.� She collected her bag and coat on her way to the door. �And don�t bother calling!� She shouted as she slammed it behind her. |
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| T h e S u r f a c e part four |
| by Ms. E |