Nora stepped off the elevator and was greeted by smiling faces. I'm probably leaving at the right time. I'm really beginning to feel paranoid. She knew that she had had big shoes to fill. Adam was well loved/hated by his staff. She could feel his crushing presence all during her stay as interim DA. She knew she commanded their respect, but could never banish HIS presence. She wondered how much she let that affect her comfort level in the job. She knew she was up to the challenge mentally, physically, emotionally, and educationally. She just never felt comfortable here. However, if she were really being honest, she would admit to herself it wasn't only the Adam-ghost who made her uncomfortable...

Her office seemed its usual space, a little more bare, since someone had been considerate enough to pack her belongings for her. This was never really a place of comfort or solace. She had added a few personal touches, her diplomas, a few honor plaques, but she had never completely moved in. She was never sure how long she would be welcome here, or how long she would want to stay. Many had offered, begged, challenged her to run for the office, but to be truthful, she found the position stifling. There were too many people to please too many angles to consider too many politicians to appease and not enough of the intellectual challenge and discussion that she enjoyed in academia. That wasn't fair. There were many free thinkers in this office who had amazing ideas and weren't afraid to argue them. Especially...

Well-wishers poked their heads in throughout the day; even the mayor dropped by to offer his thanks. Her senior staff wined and dined her at a special luncheon and her junior staff had a cake and sparkling cider. There were speeches and tears and hugs and "Give-'Em-Hell-Teach!"s from every one. Except...

Late in the afternoon, when most had gone for the day, Nora heard an impatient, rapid knock on her door. On her command, a radiant Serena entered closely followed by privately pleased Jack McCoy.

"We got him, Nora!" Serena was practically hugging herself with joy. "He confessed. Right on the stand. Right when I asked him. Just like we thought he would." She hugged Nora hard. "I just wanted to thank you for everything! I learned so much from you! I'll never forget you! Thank you! Jack, I'm going to get started on that brief!"

And she zipped out the door.

Jack watched her leave, then said, "She's a little excited."

"Ya think?" Nora laughed. "Am I to understand the case went well?"

Jack smiled and loosened his tie. "Understatement becomes you."

"I remember the shock and thrill I felt after my first win." Nora sighed. "Oh, to be that young again!"

Jack smirked. "I don't think I'd have survive my youth a second time around." He suddenly looked a bit sheepish. "Serena won't be the only one to miss you, you know. I'll miss your point of view, your assistance, your arguments; I'll miss you." He moved closer to her as he spoke, until he was close enough to take her hand. He couldn't look at her as he spoke. Nora looked up into his face and smiled. He looked so much like a naughty little boy finally telling the truth. She couldn't resist any longer. This would probably be her last chance to speak up. Oh! Please! Grant me the courage to see this through! She reached up and gently kissed him. He looked very surprised, but immediately and eagerly returned the kiss.

"Now, I could never have done that while I was your boss. Kissing a subordinate would have been a cause for dismissal. So would this: I love you, Jack McCoy." She was blushing.

Jack was shaken. "Nora, I never knew...I mean, all this time...I mean..."

Still blushing, Nora smiled. "Why should you? I never said anything to you. I had hoped it was a little law-school crush. But I was wrong; I never got over you. You and Paul were the big men on campus. You were both in the fast lane of what the law was to become. I was a little brown library mouse; I knew the kind of women you liked, and I knew it wasn't me. Then there was that whole Catholic/Jewish thing-do you think our parents would have approved? And...and...you and Paul were always studying together; I felt special when you would come to me with a problem..." it seemed as if everything, the past thirty years, just tumbled out. Nora tried to stop it, but it would not end. She was horrified and humiliated, but she couldn't stop speaking "...but I could never understand why when you had Paul to ask..it seemed as if he knew everything. And...I'd see you walking hand-in-hand with Gwen Young, and I'd feel so jealous and so lonely. I would picture us alone on the rooftop..."she sighed, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I followed your career; I was crushed by your marriage, but wished you well. I was happy to learn about your daughter, and I took an interest in her career..."

She just tapered off. She knew she was babbling, and wanted things to end before she lost whatever dignity she had left. She was blushing furiously by this time, and unable to face him. "I'm sorry about Paul," she ended lamely. What have I done! She tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn't let go of her hand.

He was smiling. She blushed more deeply. I'm going to burst into flames in another moment! STOP STARING AT ME! Oh, why did I have to open my big mouth!?

"So, my 'little library mouse' squeaks up. My turn?" He lifted her face to his and he kissed her again. He hugged her closely and stroked her hair.

"That's for all the times I seemed to ignore you, and you're right-I liked my woman very smart and very flashy. If it's any consolation, Gwen's and my break-up made nuclear fission seem like a firecracker! It makes for some VERY interesting court appearances-that woman doesn't forget-OR forgive!" He laughed softly. "And you are right, Paul knew all there was about the letter of the law. The extent of his knowledge was incredible. But you understood its heart more than any person I have ever encountered did. I envied you both so much. My best memories of law school are when the three of us met to debate. Paul would never admit it, but I think you amazed him. He would barely look at underclassmen, let alone debate them."

He stopped, and Nora thought that was the end of their discussion. She was still embarrassed by her out burst and wanted to break away and hide. Will you please let go of me? I'm so sorry I ever opened up my mouth. Will I ever be able to speak to you again? But Jack held her firmly and began speaking again.

"I know what you said must have been very difficult for you. I also have a confession to make. You were not the only one who had a crush. I never thought you could have had any serious interest in me. You were so much smarter, so intense, so quiet, and so serious, I thought you would never have the patience for a scoundrel like me. Do you really think that religion-or my parents-could have stopped me if I thought I had a chance with you?

"I've been with many women in my life, and I truly believed I loved them all, but there was always something lacking, something missing with all of them. Well, all but one..."

Nora finally looked up at him, and saw his eyes fill with tears. "I've heard about Claire, and I'm very sorry. I'm sure you loved each other very much."

Jack cleared his throat. "Thank you. Claire taught me about trust-so very much. And I never got the chance to thank her."

Nora stayed quiet, waiting for him to continue.

"Another thing she taught me, was life is short. Go for it! Ask for what you want or need, because it may not be there tomorrow. I couldn't believe my luck when you were appointed DA! I was going to correct the errors of my past and make up for any missed chances. Unfortunately, old fears are the hardest to conquer and now you were my superior. I could never find the nerve to ask you out. I felt like that sweaty-palmed 24 year old."

Nora chuckled. "I thought I was silly! I see I'm not alone. I have another confession to make. The challenge of the office and my resume were not the only things on my mind when I accepted this position."

Jack beamed. "And where did I rank?" he teased.

Nora laughed. "Sorry, Jack. You didn't even make the top ten reasons to take the job, although I did consider you a perquisite. All this time and neither of us could ask each other to lunch! Well, Counselor, I am no longer your superior, and you are no longer twenty-four. May I take you to lunch? My treat?"

"Well, now, I'm not sure. I've never been out on a date with a flashy library mouse before this."

"That's all right. I've never been out with a former scoundrel."

"Let's have dessert first..."

And they kissed once more.

Suddenly, the door flew open and Arthur Branch, the new DA of New York County, stood framed in the doorway.

"Well, now. I can see where this is going to be a right friendly place to work."