Some light-hearted drabble.

Disclaimer: I do not own Law & Order and its characters.

Central Park, June 1996

Claire was ahead. She stopped for a moment, allowing Jack to catch up. She turned around to see the older man puffing and panting behind her, his pace slowed, mumbling along as he did so.

"Come on Jack, we wanna get to the end of the park before next Christmas!" The beaming young woman called out enthusiastically.

He was not amused by her sarcasm. "I thought this was supposed to make you feel better," Jack complained between drawn-out breaths once he had finally reached her. "I feel like I've been jolted around in the tumble dryer."

He knew his legs would be aching the next day.

Claire took his hand in hers, the look of sympathy in her eyes. "Well, I guess we can take a break for a little while," she said, leading him to a park bench, where they both took their seats. "I brought a snack for the both of us."

He sighed with relief, glad that he had a moment where he could rest his weary joints. He was suddenly feeling hungry at Claire's mention of food.

She pulled out a plastic snap-lock bag of apple segments.

Jack's expression sank in disappointment. "Oh." Nevertheless, he took a couple of segments from the bag Claire had now held out in front of him and ate some, and nodded a thank you. At least it was something. He didn't think she had intended on buying fries from the vendor located next to the duck pond.

"I don't know about this health-kick Clair," he said apprehensively, still catching his breath, reaching into the plastic bag again for a second helping of apple segments. "I think I'm actually getting older doing this."

"Nonsense Jack," she replied. "Exercise improves vitality no matter what age you are."

Jack stared into the distance, his eyes locked on an elderly couple hobbling along the pavement, slowly making their way through the park. "I sure hope so." He felt as though he was caught in a time-warp as he watched the couple, picturing himself and Claire at that age. "Funny isn't it, how time creeps up on you? I can remember when I was younger I could run halfway through the park without losing my breath or breaking into a sweat."

Claire leaned in closer to him, her expression mischievous. "I can think of another physical activity we can do later," she said slyly. "Something I know we'll both enjoy."

Jack smiled contently to himself, now looking forward to the rest of the afternoon Claire had planned.

The end.

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