Shutter Speed

Fandom: The Practice

Series: Photomosaic

Title: Shutter Speed

Author: Carla

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: I am not, nor have I ever been, David E. Kelley. His characters, his show my original work of fiction.

Archiving: Okay to list archives and the Realm. All others please ask. The rest of this series and my other flights of fancy may be found at http://www.realmoftheshadow.com/carla.htm

Feedback: I find I am partial to it. So if you feel inclined to give it please do either on-list or off at cmfloresfd@yahoo.com

Summary: Jimmy takes the first tentative steps towards mending his friendship with Roberta and by extension Lucy.

A/N: This ficlet takes place after the last third of Sepia Tones and references the events of After Images. You might want to reread the latter but it really isn’t necessary to do so. This has not been beta-ed so any and all mistakes are mine and mine alone. I take full credit for them.

Enjoy

"Court is in recess until two o’clock" Roberta swung her gavel down with a resounding thwack and headed for her chambers.

"Kelly I’m not available till quarter to two." She hung her robes on their customary peg and sat down at her desk with a sigh. She was tired, she was sore, though it was a pleasant sort of soreness she had to admit, and all she really wanted to do was take a nap. Her private line rang and she snatched it up impatiently.

"Hello."

"Roberta it’s Jimmy."

"Jimmy what a surprise." They seldom spoke or saw each other outside of the courtroom, ever since they’d broken up and she had started seeing Lucy. "How are you?"

"I’m fine really…I was calling…I wanted to. That is Lucy gave me an invitation to the house warming and I wanted to be sure it was really okay for me to come. I know I’ve been…"

"An ass."

"Difficult, judgmental even. Anyway Lucy was passing them around the office and well I couldn’t tell…"

"Yes she told me she was going to be inviting all of you."

"Oh good." His slightly labored breathing was starting to annoy her.

"Is that…"

"I’m um…You’re happy really happy?"

"Yes I am Jimmy. Incredibly happy actually."

"The other’s were shocked to say the least but I think they’ll be there."

"Will you?" she asked.

There was a long silence while Jimmy considered his answer.

"Yes."

"Good."

"Roberta"

"Yes"

"I’m glad you’re happy…with Lucy."

"Thank you Jimmy. I’ll be seeing you then."

"Roberta?"

"Yes."

"I did love you, you know."

"But you didn’t love me did you?"

"I cared deeply for you Jimmy."

"But once you met Lucy…"

"I’m sorry."

"So am I…for the things I said before, that night you know. And after too."

"I understand. We say things when we’re in pain that we wouldn’t ordinarily."

"Yes we do."

There was a brief awkward silence and then Roberta spoke.

"I’m sorry I hurt you."

"Me too."

"I miss my friend."

"Same here."

"Lucy isn’t keen on baseball."

"And I’m not keen on opera."

"I guess that makes you even."

"Guess so."

"I have tickets to next week’s home game."

"I’ll buy the hot dogs and beer."

"And peanuts?"

"Peanuts too."

"Goodbye Jimmy."

"Goodbye my friend."