This story was written in 2001.

After FYI...

Part Three: The Rule OF Threes

Chapter One: Sometimes They Come Back

Ooh, I bet you're wondering how I knew' bout you're plans to make me blue with some other guy that you knew before. Between the two of us guys you know I love you took me by surprise I must say, when I found out yesterday. Don't you know that...I heard it through the grapevine not much longer would you be mine. Oh I heard it through the grapevine, Oh and I'm just about to lose my mind. Honey, honey yeah. I know that a man ain't supposed to cry, but these tears I can't hold ' you would end my life you see, cause you mean that much to could have told me yourself that you love someone else. Instead... People say believe half of what you see, son, and none of what you hear. I can't help bein' confused if it's true please tell me dear? Do you plan to let me go for the other guy you loved before? Don't you know...

~ Hear it Through The Grapevine ~ Marvin Gaye

ALMOST A MONTH LATER

Murphy sat at the anchor desk, just minutes before the start of the broadcast of the Evening News. Being her last week it was old hat. She talked on her brand new cell phone while a woman behind her fiddled with her hair. Every so often Murphy would swat away the woman as if she was swatting away a fly. Finally, forcing the woman to give up and walk away.

"No, Avery, you canNOT...no… Because I said so…" Murphy huffed in reaction to her comment. She spoke in her kid confessing voice, "Yes, I know, I just spoke like a mother. I'll give you the five bucks when I get home." Murphy went back to her normal voice, "Avery, it's just too dangerous for a boy your age. When you're older. Now, put Eldin on. No, Honey, I can't take you to the game this week." There was a pause. "I'm sorry, Honey, I know I said that, but Mommy has a lot of things to do this week. I'll try for next week, ok? Ok?" There was a pause. "Now, put Eldin on." Murphy looked at her watch. "Honey, I have to go. I'll talk to him later." Murphy got off the phone and handed it to a woman holding a clipboard. The woman walked away. Murphy looked around the room and at the empty chair next to her.

"Where's Jim?" She threw her arms in the air, as a man with a head set walked past shaking his head. The woman who had been doing Murphy's hair ran up with a lint remover and took a bit of fuss off Murphy's pink suit. "Where's Miles?" The women shook her head and raised her shoulders as she walked away. "Oh yeah, real crack news department. We can't even find a short Jewish guy with glasses and a tall Protestant!"

Suddenly, Jim ran into view and behind the anchor desk.

"There you are, Jim! Where were you? How did you go to bathroom via a slow boat to china?"

"I got side-tracked." Jim sat down in a hurry and tucked in his tie. "Miles has Rather in his office." He set his microphone on his lapel.

"Rather? He's back? I thought he wasn't coming back until after the weekend?"

"I thought so too." Jim leaned in close to Murphy as if about to tell a secret. "But apparently he wanted to talk to Miles right away, before Monday," Jim insinuated with his voice that something was afoot.

"Something's going on? There's no way Miles would leave before a broadcast unless something was up?"

"I would have to agree with you there, Slugger. I tried to listen in – but I couldn't hear anything. Damn soundproof walls." Jim got a bit hot under the collar. "But you should see his hair. He cut it all off. A buzz cut!" Jim started to laugh his silent laugh. "He looks like a grey chia pet." Murphy smiled. Jim got scared for a moment. "You don't think that's going to be the new thing, do you? They wouldn't make me get that haircut? Would they? I have a badly misshapen head. I don't think it would be wise."

"Well, that was the best fifty bucks I ever spent."

"What?"

"And were on in..." The stage manager shot in front of the pair and singled them that they were about to begin. "Five, four, three…"

Murphy and Jim adjusted themselves for camera. Under the desk, Jim tapped the desk four times for good luck. The music swelled up for the CBS EVENING news and the camera began to close in, as the announcer introduced them.

"The CBS Evening News with Murphy Brown and Jim Dial reporting. The News that American trusts. From CBS headquarter in New York. Now here's Jim Dial and Murphy Brown."

Jim and Murphy gave their anchor faces as Jim spoke, "Hello and good evening…"

LATER

After the show Murphy and Jim took the short walk to their offices up stairs. As they covered the studio and out the door Murphy began to speak.

"I bet Rather is talking to Miles about retiring?"

"I was thinking the same thing. It seems like the logical choose. Especially, since he changed his week-long vacation to a month's vacation. That's usual a sign of someone with a lot to think about."

"And you know who's the next in line for it? I bet it's you, Jim."

"Me? No? It could just as well be you, Murphy?"

"I don't know, Jim? You're more the Evening News material. Plus, you're free. I'm not. I have my specials you know." Murphy grinned.

"Yes, I know." Jim coughed, trying not to make a face, because the subject of Murphy's special was a topic that always came up. "Well actually, Murphy, it seems like I'll be busy for a while myself." Jim was happy about the idea himself.

"Doing what, Jim?"

"I'll be working on Kay's show, Newsbeat."

"I thought Chung and that new woman were anchoring that show."

"Well, they were, but Connie has to leave because of other commitments and they're having problems with this new woman."

"But, wait a second, Jim, I could be wrong here, but isn't Newsbeat hosted by all women?"

"Yes it was, but they've come up with a new concept for show. They're going to keep the same set of young correspondents and then have more experienced news people, like myself, come in to anchor. Like guest anchors. I think it's a very clever idea." Murphy and Jim hit the elevator and Murphy hit the button.

"Guest anchors? What is it a news show or Saturday Night Live?" The elevator dinged and Jim and Murphy road the elevator up one floor. They both walked out and Jim stopped, getting Murphy's attention.

"I was just going to go home for the night? Should I wait for you? Walk you out?"

"No. Thank you, Jim. I have to make some phone call's before I leave."

"Alright, then. I'll see you tomorrow." And the two parted.

Murphy made her way to her office and turned on the light. She circled around her desk and took her reading glasses out of her pocket. She picked up some messages off her desk and began to read them. It was only after seven in the evening, so there was no need turn on her overhead lights.

"Quick, Murph, I need a safe place to hide!" Frank Fontana burst through the office looking paranoid.

"How about my uterus, Frank? It's only had one tenant and we both now no one else can set up shop there anymore!"

Frank gave Murphy a look and walked over to her door and closed it. "I caught sight of Miles. I ran, but I think he saw me." Frank peered out a small opening in the door and then closed it completely.

"And you sent his rain terror my way!" Murphy took her glasses off and threw them to the table. "Ever since he broke up with Rachel he's been unbearable to be around!"

"I know! Why do you think I ran! Every time I see him he just wants to talk. About him and Rachel and Rachel and him! The man needs help." Frank gestured with his hand. "I'd send him to my therapist, but I wouldn't want to submit her to that!"

"Yeah, because I'm sure she's not over the edge already!" Murphy voice crackled. "Why didn't you just hide in your own office, Frank?"

"I just thought my office was an obvious place to look."

"And my office, the one right next door to your office, isn't!" Murphy walked towards Frank. "Ok, let's not panic. If we act now. We might be able to get out of here before he gets here."

"You're right, you're right, I panicked."

Murphy grabbed her purse off her coat rack and went for her glasses off her desk.

Frank continued, "If I have to listen to him whine more time about his relationship problems I may have to kill myself with a blunt object."

Murphy shot Frank a look before speaking. "I know the feeling." Murphy rolled her eyes away from Frank's view. Finding her glasses, she took hold of them and walked towards Frank. "You think you have it bad? I have to deal with him all day. Thankfully, lately I've been able to avoid him, but there's still the story meetings." Murphy slipped a note pad into her purse. "Every day. Day in and day out. Rachel comes up. Today he went off on an hour a half tangent as to why Rachel reminded him of the dairy creamer." Murphy gestured with her finger. "An hour and a half, Frank! An hour and a half because of dairy creamer." Murphy paused. "Frank, all those times I told you were crazy and needed help, I was wrong. I really had no concept of what that meant."

"I know. I'm the one who's spent twenty years in therapy working on my problems and he needs more help than I did when I started." Frank paused.

"Come on, Frank, let's go."

"But, Murph, what do we do? He's our friend?"

"We do what any good friend would do. We run." Murphy took a quick look around. "Ok, let's get out of here." Murphy went for the door and Frank began to follow, but stopped as Murphy hit the door.

"Wait, I need to get my jacket."

"No, Frank! There's no time!" Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Ah, Jeez!" She motioned towards the door and sunk her body.

"Maybe if we're real quiet he won't know where here," Frank whispered.

"I know you're both in there!" Miles voice cracked and he banged on the door again.

Murphy and Frank both looked at each other.

"Had to get the jacket, didn't you? FRANK!" Murphy gave Frank a look and he gave her his usual sorry confused look. "Cards." Murphy said it as if Frank would now exactly what she meant and it was understood.

Like lighting Murphy draped her purse over the coat stand and took her glasses out, as Frank went for Murphy's desk drawer. Murphy turned around as Frank lobbed her a desk of cards. She caught them with a crack. This was followed by the two going into their positions. Murphy crossed to her desk chair where she doled out a hand for both her and Frank, while Frank opened the door for Miles. Frank had that look on his face when he and Murphy were having fun with others; that boyish all-knowing look.

"Miles," Frank smirked. Miles walked in annoyed, as Frank took his place on the edge of Murphy's desk and picked up his hand.

"What took you so long?"

"What, Miles? We're playing cards." Frank took a card and placed it in the center of Murphy desk.

Miles stood at the door and then walked around the office slowly and paranoid. Murphy and Frank continued to play cards in silence.

"How can you two just sit there playing cards? Don't you have work to do?"

"Not me," Frank responded quickly.

"All done." Murphy did the same

"Oh, come on!" Miles moaned and flapped his arms about. "Murphy, Murphy, you have your special. You're always working on your special." He turned to Frank. "And Frank, Frank. Last time I talked to you, you said you were three chapters behind and you had a deadline for your show?"

"Actually, I finished my story already." Murphy was very confident "Now, all I have to do is send it out live on Monday night. I tell you! Work. Family. A relationship. How do I do it?" Murphy smiled and kissed her own shoulder. "Ha."

Miles brooded.

"Yeah, and I checked up on Lesley this weekend." Frank glowed. "It's funny how a little sex can just speed right through that writers block."

"Ugh. Corky was right. There has to be something wrong with the universe." Miles voice became frog like, "Nothing ever goes right for the two of you!"

Murphy threw her cards down. "Miles, you have to get over this! It's been a month! She's not your girlfriend anymore," Murphy attached Miles.

"Yeah, Miles, suck it up. Be a man." Frank tossed his cards to the table and replaced them.

"That's easy for you to say! Rachel didn't take your heart and stab through it with her imported heels. Shoes complaints of Jerry Gold."

"Jeez, Miles, will you stop blaming Jerry for this! You have to take some reasonability for the break-up."

"No. No." Miles pounded his fist on Murphy's desk. "Ow. Ow." Miles lifted up his hand and jumped a bit before starting to rub his fist. "It's all his fault. It's his fault we're not together! It's his fault she hates me." Miles face looked like it would explode. Murphy rolled his eyes. "He took that unsuspecting girl into his clutches and…"

"Miles, he's her father!" Murphy had no idea where Miles was going with his comment.

"I'm still investigating that one," he said in a deep tone.

"Just deal with it, Miles. You dated Jerry Gold's daughter and you screwed up!"

There was a small silence while Miles brooded again. He sank his head down and still held onto his fist. "I ran into her today," Miles whined like a child.

"Oh, no." Murphy and Frank both groaned. They picked up their hands of cards and faked engrossment in them.

"She cut her hair, you know?" His eyebrows lifted. "It's short. But not too short. Just below her ears. It bobs when she walks. Just so slightly. She even smelled good." Miles was in a daze of the memory for a while, he even tried to touch it, but then broke out of it and began to pace. "She wouldn't even talk to me. She snubbed me like I wasn't even there. And when I wouldn't go away she insulted me. Like. Like. Like, a Gold." He was disgusted and scared by his own deduction. "She did look good? And happy? She must be dating someone. I bet she had no problem getting back in the game. I bet he's tall and handsome. And Tall. Oh, no." Miles began to huff and bob up and down. "Oh, no. I can't take this! I need to know! I need to! It's killing me! She can't be; she can't…" He seemed to get an idea. "Murphy!" He dashed to the side of Murphy desk.

"No, Miles." Murphy began to organize her cards. Any attempt to not look Miles in the face.

"You must see her all the time, Murphy. More than I can. You have access."

"I really don't see her that much, Miles." Murphy replaced one of her cards for the pile. "She came over for dinner once, but she really spends most of her time with Jerry." Murphy replaced another card. "And since he's been in LA for a week - I really haven't seen much of her lately. So, I have no idea if she's seeing anyone."

"But you could ask her for me?"

"No, Miles." Murphy motioned with her hands for Frank to give her his cards and she started to dole out a real game this time.

"I'll ask her." Frank shot up with that confident joking look on his face. Murphy smiled at Frank toying with Miles.

Miles looked at Frank. "You can't ask her, Frank! That's too obvious. I thought of that."

"Oh and me asking her isn't!" Murphy commented and Miles turned to her.

"No! You're dating her father. She's practically your daughter!" Murphy got defensive.

"Miles! I couldn't be Rachel's mother! There's no way."

"But you and Jerry are the same age?" Frank smiled slyly.

"Shut up, Frank!"

"Please, Murphy. I need to know. It's killing me. The idea of another man touching her and talking to her out and opening her car door for her and..."

"Miles, if that's beginning of a euphemism I don't want to hear the end of it."

"Come on, Murphy." Miles was calming down, as he began to take his new plan into action - the plan of buttering up Murphy. "I know you've always wanted a daughter. Here's your chance. You could take her shopping. Talk about the ERA. Mold her in your image. The Murphy Brown image." He presented his hand, as if it read in front of him like a banner. Murphy could see it to. "God knows we've all benefited from it." Miles shock his head with confidence.

"Miles, I don't…" Murphy was half convinced.

Miles walked around her chair. "You could shop together for Donna Karen separates." Miles gripped the back of Murphy's desk chair. After thirteen years he knew just how to play her. With his last line he had her.

"Donna Karen?"

"Donna. Karen."

"I always said that if I had a daughter, when she was old enough, we'd go to Bloomindales and shop for Donna Karen separates." Murphy was wide eyed.

"I know," Miles said with a cocky intonation.

Frank was watching the entire proceeding with an interesting look on his face. He knew the logical course Miles plan would go, he just was interested as to how long it would take to be laid out.

"Ok, maybe it wouldn't be that bad of an idea…"

"No. Not at all," Miles shrugged it off for her

"It could be a time for Rachel and me to get to know each other? We really only broke the surface of our relationship that night in the diner. I really got the feeling we could be good friends. And it's very important when dating a person with children that you make an effort to get to know them better. I mean, I ask that of Jerry, why shouldn't he expect that from me?"

"See. It all works out for everyone."

"Good idea, Miles." Murphy slammed down her cards and got up. "Come on, Frank, let's get out of here. I'm starving." Murphy went for her purse. "And will you be paying in cash or credit, Miles?"

"Wait, I have a good hand." Frank threw down his cards.

"Let's go, Frank!"

Frank sat up off the desk.

"What? You want money?" Miles was shocked.

"Donna Karen doesn't grow on trees, you know."

"I thought you were doing this out of the kindest of your heart." Miles eyes shot out.

"I am. But the kindest of my heart can't pay for silk, Miles. If that were true I'd be a completely different person." She exited the office.

Miles looked at Frank. "Yeah, and some of us would still have parts of their colon."

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Murphy and Rachel looked at scarves around the accessories department of Lord and Taylor's department store. It was a Saturday around lunchtime, and although it was crowed, their little spot of the store had a small amount of foot traffic, as too give them some privacy.

Rachel looked a lot more interested in the scarves then Murphy did. Murphy loved a good scarf like no bodies business, but the large sweeping kind that made a fashion statement and kept you warm. It was summer and so the scarves the two were looking at where the silky type with patterns. Murphy hadn't seen or worn such patterns since nineteen sixty eight, and the last time she saw one herself was on a rerun of Rhoda.

"Rachel, why don't we go upstairs and look around?"

"In a second. I need a new scarf. And I need you to help me find Jerry a birthday present? You said you'd do that?"

"I just thought we could go. I don't know… up to the Donna Karen floor, buy a couple of separates?"

Rachel looked at her funny and moved on the next counter to take a look. "Sure? If you like?" She moved onto a set of three scarves set out on the counter. "But if we're going to go clothes shopping could we go over to Bloomindales..."

"But Bloomindales doesn't have a Donna Karen section right now. It's being re-shelved. I checked!" Murphy was disappointed about that fact. "Today of all days," Murphy grumbled under her breath.

"Yeah, but that's where I have a charge. And why does it have to be Donna Karen?"

"Because, it does! That's the way it supposes to be! You! Me! Two women and Donna Karen! That's the way it is!"

Rachel was very confused. "And you're the women "American trusts"?" Murphy gave her a look. Rachel held her purse by her thumb, against her arm, and turned her head to look at another display across the aisle. Murphy followed, as a young man crossed Rachel's path and looked her over.

"Pretty Girl," he said from behind his glasses.

"Wow, you can talk! I bet it took you all night to come up with that one! Out of the way!" The guy gave her a freaked out look and moved out of Rachel's way. Murphy watched the guy walk away and followed Rachel. "God, I hate when guys do that! And that wasn't even a complete sentence. Like that's supposed to just sweep me off my feet."

"So, we could just go to Bergdof Goodmans. It's much better there anyway. And with this face. I bet I get us three sales people, the food cart, and some of those special designer teas. And they don't just bring that stuff out for anybody you now?"

"Sure, Murphy if you want? It's just so expensive there and I'm trying not to tempt myself to spend a lot of money lately."

"Why? You've got a nice cushy job. Spend some of that hard earned cash. And nothing says I. Love. Me. - like 100 percent silk."

"I'm just starting to make money, Murphy. I want to save up for a nice apartment!"

"But you have an apartment!"

"Yes! But it was my grandmother's apartment. I want to get my own place. A place I didn't grow up in!"

"If you're trying to save money then why do you have a charge at Bloomindales?"

"Even when I was poor I always had a charge at Bloomindales." She looked at Murphy. "A person should always dress like the salary they're asking for."

"That makes no sense!"

"It makes more sense than you think, Murphy." Rachel moved onto another display. Murphy followed about to speak when she caught sight of someone or something.

"Oh, Jeez, it's Corky!" Murphy turned her head and then strained to hide behind a confused Rachel.

"Murphy, I thought you liked Corky?"

"I do. I love Corky. Corky is my friend. But if she sees us she'll want to shop with us. And believe me, you don't want that. She'll pick at you and everything you try on until your self-esteem the size of a cherry pit. All that'll be left is some bones, a rag of hair and a designer belt! And that's when she thinks she's helping! I'm telling you, the woman is the verbal equivalent of fluorescent lighting! Murphy noticed over Rachel's shoulder that Corky was coming closer to them. "Quick, hide!" She grabbed Rachel's arm and pulled her down beside the counter.

"Murphy? Rachel?" Corky voice was heard above them. She had found them out. "What a hoot!"

"Corky, hi?" Murphy tried to pretend that nothing was wrong, as she pulled up a very confused Rachel.

"What were you doing on the floor?"

"Oh, nothing. Nothing. Just trying to pick out scarves. Yeah, that's' it. That's all. Rachel was just having trouble picking which one she wanted. She doesn't do well with decisions. I had to console her." Rachel gave Murphy a dirty look and then Murphy elbowed her. Rachel let out a muffed hurt sound, as Murphy eyeballed her to contribute.

Rachel looked straight ahead and with no feeling spoke to corky. "Yes. I have a problem...a shopping problem." She gave Murphy dagger eyes.

"Well, you know what I always say. A good piece of clothing is like love. If you set it free and you come back and it's still there then it's meant to be." She smiled and gestured with her finger.

"I'll remember that, Corky." Rachel looked at her strangely.

"You never know, Rachel." Murphy got that tone in her voice when she was throwing something back in someone's face. "It could make more sense than you think?"

Rachel gave Murphy a look before looking back at Corky. "So, Corky, how's your new job going. I hear it's doing very well." Rachel tried to change the subject.

"Oh, it's going wonderful, thank you. I 'm just so busy all the time. Victor really keeps me busy."

"Victor?" Rachel questioned.

"Victor Champaign. My boss. In fact, I really can't stay. I was just buying a new pair of sunglasses. I have an interview with Gary Appleton I have to get to..." She went for the door, but Murphy stopped her.

"Wait, Corky? How did you get an interview with Gary Appleton? He won't even return my phone calls," Murphy was stunned, as she called after Corky.

"Victor got it got me. I think they went too high school together? Bye. I'll call you when I'm free, Murphy."

Murphy got an angry look on her face, as she tried to follow Corky, but was stopped by the attachment of her young son to her waist.

"Mom! Mom!"

"What is it, Honey?" Murphy looked down at him.

"Look, Eldin got me socks?" He shoved his socks in Murphy's face.

"Ahh… that's great, Honey."

Eldin came up beside them. "I'm going to take him upstairs and get the kid some new shoes to go with those socks."

"New shoes too?" Murphy seemed a little distracted.

"How do you think I got him so excited about the socks?" Eldin walked towards the escalator, but when he turned to get Avery's hand, he noticed the boy was no longer beside him.

Avery had walked over to Rachel and took her hand. "Rachel?"

"Yes, Avery." She leaned down to towards him with a smile.

"Do you want to come with us?" He turned towards Eldin. "Could she come with us, Eldin?"

Eldin and Rachel went to speak, but Murphy spoke before they could. "Avery, Honey," Murphy took his hand. "Rachel and I need to do some shopping down here. We have some adult things we have to discuss."

"We do?" Rachel was again confused.

"Yes, we have to find Jerry a birthday present." She spoke to Rachel and then to Avery. "You go with Eldin and then when you're done we'll all go shopping together, ok."

"OK." Avery looked a little sad. Eldin took his hand and they disappeared. It seemed that Avery had a crush.

Rachel made her scarf purchases and then the two made their way over to one of the jewelry counters.

Rachel looked into the glass cover. "I was thinking of cuff links?" Rachel pointed at something on top of the glass. "That's always easy, right?"

"Sounds good." Murphy followed and a saleswoman came by and asked if they needed help.

"No, were fine" Rachel smiled at the woman and walked over to another counter and looked in. "So, what's up with Corky and this job of hers?"

"What do you mean?" Murphy looked over the counter with a quick glance and saw nothing she liked.

"She had a great job at ABC and she gave it up for some struggling cable network. Run by Victor Champion. I mean it just seems… Not wise."

"She's a grown woman she can make her own decisions."

"You don't like this decision do you, Murphy?"

"No," Murphy grumbled. "I told Corky that she should take a chance, make her own way in life. I didn't think she'd get wrapped up with a character like Victor Champion. All he needs to do is make another one of his financial mistakes and he brings Corky right down with him. Corky has grown a lot since I've known her, but I still think she can be a little naive in some ways. I just hope this guy doesn't take advantage of her somehow." Murphy shook her head. "You know what! Let's not talk about this anymore." Murphy moved over to another counter. "How about a watch?" Murphy made her comment, not as if she really thought a watch was a good idea, but as if she wanted to change the subject. Murphy pointed to the counter top and Rachel approached her. "Let's just talk about something else. How's your job going?"

"Real well! Much better than I thought! I'm really enjoying myself. I mean instead of working on one story, I get to work on three or four. Kay likes my work so much she's asked me to be her assistant. Which means, I have a lot more responsibility as to the product of the show."

"That's great. I have to say the work of yours I have seen so far has been very impressive."

Rachel turned to Murphy with a huge smile on her face. "Thank you, Murphy." She was really touched. "That really means a lot." She looked back towards the cases. "To be honest, I wasn't sure how I was going to do…" She turned to the left of the counter and looked in the adjoining one.

"So, how is everything else going?" Murphy tried to bring in the pre-arranged topic.

"Going?"

"Your life, other things? You know… Are you dating anyone? That type of thing?"

Rachel's face changed. "I've been on a couple of dates with this guy Joe, but nothing really serious." She leaned her side on the corner of the counter and faced Murphy. "Did Miles ask you to ask me that?"

"No. Of course not." Murphy was trying to lie. "I just… I just. Jeez, I'm losing my touch." Murphy leaned over and rubbed her head and then lifted it again. Rachel got a worse look on her face. "But you should see him, he's a mess."

"That's not my fault. And, what? Finding out who I'm dating is going to change that?" She crossed to another counter.

"Well, really it's to get him from whining to me all the time - so, really this is all purely a selfish act on my part." Murphy followed her and then stopped for a moment. She thought she caught something out of the counter of her eye. She turned around, but saw nothing. Murphy had that feeling she got whenever she heard the timber of Aretha Franklin's voice over the speakers in a crowded noisy store. That feeling she got when she knew something was familiar, not because she saw it or heard it completely, only because she felt it in her soul. Murphy shook it off and followed over to Rachel. "I'm sorry to say this, Rachel, but aren't you being a little hard on him."

"Murphy, you weren't there! You don't know what he said. And I'm not telling you, Murphy, because you're his friend and I don't think it's fair to bad month people in front of their friends. Now, help me pick out a present for Jerry!"

"Why are so worried about this present!"

"Because, I've only known him for a month really now and we don't really know each other well and I want it to be a good gift. You'd know more what he would like then I would." Rachel leaned over the glass.

"You still care about Miles, don't you?" Murphy asked point blank for her own reasons.

"I'll always care about, Miles," she said it softly. "You won't tell him that will you?" She looked scared at the thought.

"No," Murphy said seriously.

"Now, let's get back to important things at hand." Rachel looked back over the counter top.

Murphy leaned on her side and took a look herself, in the counter top, before looking out and around for a breather. She really didn't like shopping. For other people that was.

That was when she caught sight of him. Her heart skipped a beat because it was the last place she expected to see him, and the last person she expected to see. It was her ex-husband, and Avery's father, Jake Lowenstein, looking the same as she last remembered him, only ten years later.

Murphy stared in shock for a moment, unsure if it really was Jake, while Rachel asked her questions she didn't hear. It was really just less than a minute, but it seemed a much longer. Just when Murphy was sure that it was Jake he turned and seemed to notice her. It was just at the moment that Murphy decided to move away. Murphy turned around and knocked over a rack of cuff links onto the floor. Murphy knelt down and began to pick them up in a tizzy.

"Murphy?" Rachel knelt down and helped Murphy. She looked into Murphy face. "Murphy, what hap...Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine. I…"

"You're not fine. Murphy, what happened? You look like you've seen a ghost?" Murphy looked into Rachel's eyes and knew she could trust her. She had to tell someone.

"I just saw my ex-husband." Murphy face as filled with panic.

Rachel was taken aback. "Your ex-husband Jake Lowenstein?"

"Yeah."

"The same Jake Lowenstein who you haven't seen in like ten years…"

"Yes," she gritted her teeth.

"The same Jake Lowenstein..."

"Yes, Avery's father…" Murphy whispered but somehow it still sounded like she was yelling. Rachel looked over Murphy shoulder and her eyes changed. "He's coming up behind me isn't he?"

"Yeah."

Murphy stood up with the cleaned up tray. Rachel stood up with her as Murphy composed herself. "Rachel, I want you to do me a favor?" she whispered and Rachel nodded her head. "I want you to go upstairs and cut off Avery and Eldin before they come back down..."

"Murphy, don't you want Avery to meet…"

"Of course I do." Inside Murphy was a wreck and some of it seemed to bleed though. "Just not like this. Not like this." She paused for a moment. "Can you do that for me?" Rachel nodded. "I'll meet you out front." And Rachel walked off.

Not, but two moment later Murphy heard Jake's familiar voice behind her. Even though in technical terms they had only known each other for a little over six weeks, she could never forget his voice.

"Murphy?" Jake was equally surprised to see her.

Murphy took a breath, turned around and took him into her view. "Jake?"

"I can't believe… what are you-"

"-Doing here? I'd have to ask you the same question."

Jake seemed cool, but awkward. Murphy was still in shock.

"I wasn't sure 'till yesterday if I'd even be coming to The States…" He looked her over for a moment in a state of shock. "I was going to call you… I never thought I'd run into you here..." He looked her over again. "You… look great!"

"Thank you." She looked him over: same brown leather jacket, same dark hair, a little grey, and those crinkling eyes that drove Murphy crazy. "You look good yourself. The last ten years seem to have been good to you." She nodded her head a few times in a nervous reaction.

"You too," Jake still spoke in shock. "But then again you always…" He paused and shook his head. "I heard what happened to you, Murphy…" He paused looking for the words. "But I heard… I hope things are well now?"

"Yes. Completely better. Have been for the last three years."

"Thank god...well you look great." He looked at her for a moment. "It must have been a lot for you and…" He looked like he wanted to say something, but didn't know how to word it. "How is…" He gestured with his hand.

"Avery. He's name is Avery."

"I knew that. I knew that. I read it. Somewhere." He took a breath and scratched the back of his head. "I was going to call you. I was hoping when I came in I..." He looked away and scratched the back of his neck. "Murphy... But then I guess it wouldn't have mattered because you're..." He looked at Murphy dead on."...here." He presented his hand in her direction.

"Yup. I'm here. And you're here. And Avery's here..." Murphy didn't mean to say that and her face said it in volumes.

"He's here? With you? I mean in the store?" Jake seemed to get agitated, as he looked around.

"Don't worry, Jake, I would never have him meet you until I've talked to him and you first."

"No. No, it's not that, Murphy. I was just surprised you brought him with you..."

"Well, I'm staying in New York... for an extended period of time."

"You're not moving out of Washington are you!"

"Oh no. Of course not. You'd have to tear me away from there kicking and screaming." Murphy laughed uncomfortably and then took a breath.

"Yeah. You do love that town." There was a short pause. "How is he, Murphy?"

"Avery?" Murphy at first wasn't sure what he was asking. "He's very well. He's everything a mother could ask for in a child. You'd love him. Really."

"He's a good kid then?"

"He's a great kid." Murphy was moved by the thought of her son.

"He must take after his mother then." There was a moment between them when Jake interceded. "I'd really like to see him, Murphy. I do. I mean. If that would that be alright?"

"Of course, you're his father." There was another shared moment of silence between them.

"Good. You know, I wanted to come see him plenty of times, but this was the first change I've had to be in the area…"

"That's right, Jake, what are you doing in New York?"

"Well, I'm here on business really and…" Just as Jake was about to finish his sentence a woman approached Jake and spread her fingers around the arm of his leather jacket, gripping with ownership, revealing her slender fingers and large diamond ring.

"There you are, Honey. I thought I lost you," she laughed it off.

"Sorry, Sharon." Jake seemed to feel the awkwardness of the situation.

Sharon was a beautiful woman in her early to late forties, although she looked young it was more her demeanor that suggested her age. She had the same hair color that Murphy had at her age. Sharon had a friendly face with healthy cheeks and a small waist. She looked as if she had no idea what she had just interrupted, or didn't want to admit that she had.

"I ran into someone…" Jake finished his sentence, turned his head towards Murphy, and introduced the women, even though Sharon seemed to know exactly who Murphy was.

It was an awkward exchange for Murphy because she seemed to have a pretty good idea who Sharon was also, even if she didn't know of her as well as Sharon seemed to know of Murphy.

Sharon, on the other hand, appeared to have no problem with the situation. "Murphy… very nice to meet you." Jake watched the women shake hands. He looked around and down, knowing Murphy needed an explanation.

And then quickly and as gently as he could Jake introduced who she was. "Sharon and I...are engaged."

"Engaged!" Murphy felt like the air was let out of her sails. "Wow. Well, congratulations." She tried to fake her way through it when inside she was dying. "That's wonderful, really. That's great." She took a breath.

"Murphy and I were discussing me seeing Avery."

"Oh." Sharon took on a serious face. "I'll just be over here then." She leaned in to Jake and then turned to Murphy. "I really hope we can meet again, Murphy." Murphy nodded while Sharon slid her hand and her huge ring away from Jake.

"That's quite a ring, Jake. You afford that on a revolutionary salary, did you?

"It was her mother's." Jake's voice was very serious. "Her family has a little money." Jake tried to push it off and gets back to what he felt were more important things. "Murphy…"

"A little money! I've seen smaller jewels thrown off that ship in Titanic."

"Murphy…" He looked at his watch. "Oh, god." He looked up at Murphy. "Sharon and I have an appointment to get to. But... I would really like to see Avery. If you'll let me?"

"Of course, Jake. I would never think of keeping you away from your son. Just give me some time to talk to him, see what his opinions are on the subject. Prepare him." Murphy was agitated.

"Of course."

"How long will you be in town?"

"I don't know. We have some business to attend to. And…" He looked at Murphy. "I could come over tonight?"

"Tonight? Sure." Murphy then realized something. She squished her forehead and eyes. "No. No. Tonight is bad. Not tonight. How about tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? Tonight was my only real free night." He thought for a moment. "The morning would be alright. Afternoon maybe."

"Sunday would be perfect." Murphy thought for a moment. "Could you stop by my place say about noon. It can't be before noon."

"Noon would be fine."

"Call my office at CBS and I'll have them give you the address."

"Alright." He smiled, crinkled his eyes, and began to back away. "It really was wonderful to see you again, Murphy."

"You too, Jake." And he disappeared.

Murphy took in a breath. A breath that seemed to be the only true breath she had taken in the last fifteen minutes. Murphy thought to herself about how she really felt about seeing Jake again, after all these years, and she really had no idea. The truth was she felt something and it scared her.

THAT NIGHT

"I'm back!" Jerry yelled as he dropped his bags in the foyer. They hit the ground with a thud while part of his body was taken down with the release of his carry-on bag, as it slid off his shoulders. Jerry had a lot of bags with him for two weeks, but Jerry was always known to over pack, being the type of person who at all times wanted to be prepared for anything. As this was happening and Jerry was trying to set himself apart from his belongings, Murphy, who had heard his voice, made her way out of their bedroom and into the hall and swung into the doorway.

"You're back!"

"Hey." Jerry grinned with his arms out and planted a kiss on Murphy.

"Happy Birthday," she grinned.

Jerry took her in his arms. "Why, thank you," he grinned slyly, as he felt her body in his arms.

"How was L.A?" Murphy's eyebrows lifted because she knew Jerry hated LA. She broke from his embrace at the same time, taking his hand and leading him towards the center of the foyer.

"Well, you know! It's L.A. I hate LA! I saw more plastic then in a Mattel factory and now with the power shortage I had to learn to drive by candle light." Murphy grinned. "Did a couple of rounds last night with Bill Mahar..."

"You were on Politically Incorrect last night? I thought you were just on Monday?"

"I was. Last night I had cocktails at his house. I drank him and Arrianna Huffington under the table. It was beautiful… So, you watched me on TV… this is a first…" Jerry put his hands in his pockets.

"There was nothing on, it was late…" She grinned.

"Ah, ha..." he humored her.

"I have to say I think you're the first person to make the Little House On The Prairie girl openly weep on national television."

"It's a gift…" Jerry made his way into the living room.

Murphy let go of Jerry's hand as they entered the living room. Jerry stopped, as he left the foyer, and noticed that the center couch, which since Murphy had changed the apartment around had been a brownish color, now had been replaced with a black one. It was a black couch very similar to the one Jerry had in the apartment when Murphy first moved in. In fact, it looked exactly like it. Murphy grinned and set herself against the inner corner of the center couch, farthest from Jerry. She looked pretty satisfied with herself.

"Well, well, well?"

"This is my way of compromising. Don't ask any questions about it. Don't comment on it. Just except it!" Murphy gestured with her hand." Consider it my birthday present from me to you."

"Alright?" Jerry stood for a moment and took a quick look to the side and then sat himself down on the couch.

"Sorry I haven't called in the last two days, but I I've been doing press non-stop."

"It's nice being nominated for an Emmy isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's great! It's fantastic for the show! Although, if one more person asks me where I'd put the damn thing, if I won it, I think I'll have to bang myself over the head with it, if I actually win the damn thing." Jerry took his wallet and keys out of his pocket and dumped them on the coffee table. "After a million and a halves, "I really don't knows" and "who gives a rat's ass." I just said I'd put it in the bathroom. What I didn't know was it wasn't an original answer and it just made me come off as humble and quirky..."

"God forbid," Murphy said sarcastically, with a twinkle in her eye.

Jerry took her into view and leaned in closer, pushing Murphy slightly up against the arm of the chair. "So what happened?"

"Happened? Why should anything happen? Nothing's happened."

"Well. I was away. I was just wondering what you've been up too?"

"Oh! Nothing. Nothing really." Murphy looked away. "Worked on my story." She shifted in her seat and crossed her legs. "Went shopping with Rachel."

"Shopping?" Jerry started to lightly play with Murphy's leg. "Good. I'd really like you too to get to know each other." Jerry looked in her eyes. "So?" He ran his arm around her neck, causing Murphy to turn in towards him. "Did you do any other shopping?"

"You mean for your birthday present? I really don't know?" Murphy faked coyness.

"I'm was just hoping it wasn't - because, if you got me something with large wrapping and a bow I'm going to be very disappointed."

Murphy grinned. "Oh, it's doesn't have large wrapping, but the bow part I'm really quite sure about."

Jerry continued running his hand along Murphy's thighs and gently ran his hand down to her foot and lifted her legs onto his lap. He then began to lean in to kiss Murphy, but stopped. "We're alone?"

"Yes, completely alone. I had Eldin take Avery over to his place for the night. Happy Birthday." She raised her eyebrows.

"Wow? It really is my lucky day." Jerry leaned in to kiss Murphy and just as their lips met Eldin entered the room.

"Whoa! Just pretend I'm not here." Eldin held his hand over his eyes, as he walked through the living room.

"Why am I not surprised!" Jerry rose up off the couch and groaned.

"Eldin, what are you doing here and where's Avery!"

"He's waiting in a cab. He forgot his toothbrush." Eldin gestured with the toothbrush. "He also wanted me to find his glove. Where would I find something like that?"

Suddenly a phone rang.

"Hall closet." Murphy pointed towards the foyer.

"Hey? That's my fax line. I'll be right back." Jerry walked towards the bedroom.

"Hall closet." Murphy walked off the couch and when Jerry was out of sight took Eldin into her confidence. "Eldin…"

"Yeah." Eldin found Avery's glove in the hall closet and closed the door.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention what happened today at the department store to Jerry."

"You mean about running into Avery's father?"

"Yes, about Jake," she whispered.

"Alright?" he stated as a question.

"I'm going to tell him. I will. Just not tonight."

"Ok." Eldin looked down for a moment. "When are you going to tell, Avery?"

"I'm going to talk to him tomorrow."

"Because, I could talk to him tonight if you want."

"No, Eldin. I think it's better if I do this."

"Alright. Just be very gentle with him."

"Eldin. I know this is going to be hard. For everyone. I know my son."

"Ok." Eldin looked like he had been pondering something. "Just be easy with the boy. I told him I wouldn't tell you this, but..."

"Eldin, what?"

"Ok... When Avery ran away from camp it wasn't because he was bored. It was because the other kids found out about his situation. And they made fun of him."

"They made fun of him because he didn't have a father!"

"Yes."

"Why couldn't he tell me? We share everything. He never had trouble telling me things like this before?"

"He was afraid he would hurt your feelings"

"Oh…"

"So, all I'm saying is… I know you'll treat this thing as delicately as you can with Avery, but I just thought you should know what state he's in."

"Thank you, Eldin."

Eldin tipped his head, smiled and left.

Murphy leaned up against the door frame of the hall between the hall and the foyer closet. Jerry walked through the hall and next to Murphy.

"Look at this. Mary Matlin sent me another fax." Jerry noticed that Murphy was in her own world and wasn't listening to him. "Murphy?" Nothing. "Murphy?"

"What? What?" She looked at him.

"You were in your own little world there. You, ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. What's going on?"

"Nothing. So far, I am very disappointed in my birthday."

"Well, let's change that." Murphy walked past Jerry and towards their bedroom. Jerry smiled and followed.

That night Murphy and Jerry both lay awake in bed. Neither of them could sleep. Murphy noticed first that Jerry was still awake. They each lay on their backs, each on their own side of the bed, staring up at the ceiling. Murphy really was the one who couldn't get to sleep. Jerry just had jet lag and was so tired he couldn't get to sleep. They had been awake talking and this was just another conversation after a small lag in it.

"Jer?"

"Yeah?" Jerry answered with his voice only.

"You've never mentioned Rachel's mother in all of this?"

"Yeah?" There was a small pause.

"So, who was she? What was she like?"

"You want me to talk about another woman? Now? While were in bed with you?"

"I'm curious, can't a girl be curious? I'd like to know a little something about the woman you procreated with?" Murphy sat up a bit and leaned on her side.

"Well, this is an interesting turn of events," Jerry insinuated.

"Just do it, Gold, before I change my mind."

"I don't know - there's not much to tell?" Jerry leaned on his side facing Murphy.

"You don't have much to say about a woman you had a child with?"

"Not everyone has long meaningful relationships with people they have kids with, Brown! But then, I guess anyone who has one that outlasts the milk in the refrigerator is a marvel to you, isn't it, Brown?" Murphy kicked Jerry in the leg. "Oww." He made a face. "How come you can make fun of your marriage and I can't?"

"You want me to make fun of yours?" her tone as dark and twisted.

"Ok. Veronica?" Jerry thought for a moment. "She was a sweet girl... You know, nothing like you." Jerry smiled slyly and Murphy gave him an odd set grin. "Looked like Rachel. What else do you want?"

"And where did you meet such a creature?" Murphy asked sarcastically.

"I met her at some bar on Seventh Ave. I was doing my column for the Post at the time and she was still in school..."

"A co-ed Jerry - I'm impressed."

"She saw my press credentials and we started taking. She was a photojournalist. Accosted anyone with the mark of journalism on them. I just happened to be a schmuck who stopped in on his way home from work. We started talking. She was strong and opinionated. Not as much as you. But of course compared to you, anyone is Switzerland." Murphy kicked him in the leg again. "Hey! Stop that! You ever hear of shaving?" Jerry recoiled under the streets. "You wanna hear the rest of this or not?"

"I do." Murphy rolled her eyes and spoke in a mock voice of "alright already." She sighed," I do."

Jerry waited for silence and then with a tilt of his head continued. "We dated for a few months. We broke up. Then I got that job at the Washington Post. Which as we both know lasted about a week. Then a few days before I was set to leave for Washington she tells me she's pregnant. I even asked her to marry me." Jerry laughed. "I wanted to take responsibility for what I... But she said no. I told her that whatever she decided I couldn't be there for her. I would try, but I couldn't. She told me she understood. I sent her money every chance I could…"

"And Rachel?"

"I saw Rachel on and off for about I don't know? Eight years? Whenever I was in town, which wasn't often. Then I got The Jerry Gold Show, it took off, I got to New York less and less. Then Veronica died and Rachel went to live with my parents. You know the rest."

"Yeah. The..."

"Car accident…"

Every time Murphy heard, or thought, about such a thing she flashed back to the many times she had driven drunk and felt bad and lucky that she or anyone else, on the road, didn't reach the same fate because of her drinking.

"I'm getting tired, Murphy. I don't want to talk about this anymore. Good-night." Jerry turned on his side with his back to Murphy.

Jerry tried to go to sleep again, but Murphy lay awake for a moment thinking. It all, in a way, sounded so familiar.

FLASHBACK 1975

It was a dark outside in the West Village of New York. The door of the bar opened and left only darkness in its wake. A figure of a woman came through the door. Her figure, the shape of her hair, her hips, everything seemed to favor that of Rachel, but when the woman hit the light and came out of the darkness it was another woman all together. She wore a blue poke-a-dots scarf in her curly, dark, shoulder length hair. She held a cigarette to her month and blew out the smoke in a perfect stream. She threw the cigarette to the floor, as it had started to burn her fingers, and stuffed it out with her leather boot. She looked around the bar as if she was looking for someone familiar, but found no one. She took another cigarette out of her pocket and walked over to bar.

It was nineteen seventy five and Jerry Gold sat at a bar in the village. He leaned into the bar and held a cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other. He had his smokes on the bar, next to his red lighter, and an ash tray. He looked up at the game on the screen, occasionally, as he soaked up alcohol and nicotine. His hair was bigger of course and so were his collars. He wore a brown blazer and a press badge around his neck. The woman with long curly hair, and a scarf in her hair, leaned her back against the bar. She rested her elbows on the brass rod attached and still held the unlit cigarette in one hand, and the waist band of her jeans in the other. She looked over at Jerry and stared at him for a brief moment before speaking.

"Hey." She looked at him and then straight ahead.

"Hey." Jerry looked up at her and then back to his drink.

"You a reporter?" She looked over at him again.

"Ah, yeah." Jerry looked down at his pass around his neck.

""Ah, yeah," she mocked him, "You must not be print." Veronica laughed and took a lighter out of her pocket and quickly lit the cigarette.

"As a matter of fact I am." Jerry turned on his stool to her and got defensive.

"I thought so." She blew out the smoke.

"Then why did you ask?"

"I wanted to be sure." She rubbed the edge of her smoking elbow with her free hand. "Maybe I've read your stuff? What's your name? "

"What's yours?" Jerry took a puff off his own cigarette.

"Veronica Carl. Well that's not really my real name. It's my by-line name. My names really Veronica Schwartzberg." She thought for a second. "I may just end up changing it again to Margolis. My mother's maiden name. I can't decide. What do you think?"

"Why Carl? It's so…"

"I know non-ethnic…"

"No? A first name?"

"It's for Carl Perkins!"

"I see." Jerry really didn't.

"But my friends call me Ronnie."

"Ronnie? So, you're a journalist? Or are you just staking reporters for the sport?"

"HA." She smiled. "Yeah, I'm a reporter. Well, I'm studying to be one. Photojournalism, but I write my own copy." She made her final point with her cigarette and then ashed it in Jerry's ashtray. "So, you gonna buy me a drink?" She brought the smoke to her lips.

"Why? It's the 70's, you're the one picking me up? Shouldn't you be the one buying me the drink?"

"I'm not picking you up. I'm just engaging in a little friendly conversation." Now, she got defensive.

Jerry looked at her with his cigarette hanging off the tip of his lips. "Really?"

"Watch. I'll order my own drink." Ronnie faced the bar, motioned the bartender, and he brought over a martini.

She held the drink and her cigarette in her left hand, turned her back and leaned her elbows against the bar again. She took the stick out of the drink and began to suck on the olive. She played with it in her mouth. This got Jerry's attention.

"You come here often?"

"Oh, that's original." Ronnie laughed, as she bit into the olive and eyed him.

"I just meant that you didn't tell the bartender what you wanted and he just brought you a drink?"

"Oh." She seemed embarrassed. "Yeah, I come here a lot. I go to school around the corner." She sipped the edge off her drink so it wouldn't spill over and then with the wooden stick gone she switched her drink to her free hand.

"Oh, you go to NYU?"

"Is there any other?"

"As a matter-of-fact, yes," he said with a snarky attitude.

"It was a rhetorical question."

"So was mine." Jerry seemed intrigued. "So, you do this often?"

"Drink. Yes." She downed the rest of her drink and began to order another one.

"This one's on me." Jerry waved at the bartender, but looked only at her. "And make sure it has plenty of extra olives." He eyed her up and down.

"You mean pick up strange men in bars?"

"Yeah?"

"No."

"Too bad, because the idea is turning me on." He grinned.

"I like talking to reporters."

"Why?" Jerry blew smoke into the air.

"I find them more interesting."

"I see. So, my rugged good looks had nothing to do with it," he said sarcastically.

"This is, coming from a woman on her third martini..." She looked him over. "But I do think you're kinda cute."

"Kinda cute? I can go for that."

"So, where do you work?"

"The Post. I write a column." He ashed the butt of his cigarette and thumbed another out of his packet and lit it.

"Wow. the Post and you're how old..."

"Twenty-seven..." Jerry insinuated with his eyebrows for her to tell him her age.

"Twenty-two." She puffed on her cigarette. "So, what's your name Mr. New York Post man?"

"Jerry Gold."

"Is that your real name?"

"Are those your real breasts?" He grinned and took another puff off his cigarette.

"Funny? I'll assume that was a joke." Veronica rubbed her thumb on the forefinger of her smoking hand.

"If you want?" Jerry grinned at her and took a drink of his beer, as Veronica took a drink of hers and nodded her head in amusement.

1976 (The Bicentennial Year)

"Hey." Veronica sat in the booth in bar. It was a cold and snowy January day.

"Hey." Jerry tossed his paper to the table and sat down across from her, as he rubbed his hands for warmth.

"Thanks for meeting me. I know you have a lot to do before you leave."

"No, it's alright. What's going on? You want a drink?" He looked around for a bartender.

"No. I'm fine." Jerry felt around his pockets looking for his cigarettes.

"Jerry, there's something I have to tell you."

"Yeah, wait a moment." Jerry took a sliver cigarette case out of his pocket.

"What's that?"

Jerry took a cigarette out of it and lit it with the lighter he found in his other pocket. "A cigarette case. My mother gave it me…" he said it with a lilt of disgust. He tossed it on the table.

"It's just not… you..."

"Yeah, I hate it. But she had it monogrammed. Maybe, I could hock it?" He picked it up and then tossed it down again.

"I'll take it if you don't want it?"

"Go ahead." He took a puff and slid it across the table. "So, what did you have to tell me?"

"Alright." Ronnie looked nervous. "I just want to tell you that I'm not asking for anything. I'm not demanding anything. I'm just stating a fact."

"OK?"

"I'm pregnant."

Jerry got a stunned look on his face. He didn't know how to react, what to say, or even what to tell his facial muscles to do. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Is it mine?"

"Of course it is!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He took a breath and a smoke. He looked away and then back at Veronica. "So, what are your going to do?"

"I'm going to have it."

"You are?"

"Don't act so surprised."

"What about that internship?"

"I can still do it."

"What about once the baby's born? I mean, how can you do your job with a baby."

"I can do it. It is the 70s?" She had a bit of hesitation in her voice. "A woman can have a job and a family."

"A family? It would just be you!" Jerry took a breath feeling stupid for what he had said. "Ronnie… It's just that you're so young." He was concerned for her.

"This is something I feel I should do."

"You're positive?"

"In many respects, yes."

He took her hand and looked into her eyes. "Ok." He took a breath. "Let's get married?"

"What?"

"You me. We could go to the court house tonight and then you can come with me to Washington…"

"I don't want to go to Washington and I don't want to marry you! Come on, Jer. You and I decided we're much better as friends. Besides, we hardly know each other."

"You're right. You're right. I'm sorry. But you have to understand this, Veronica. I'm not ready to be father. I don't want to be a father. I don't know if I ever will. Children and I don't mix."

"That's why I'm not asking for anything. But you'll be ready someday. When you find a woman you love. A woman that you love so much that you'll want her to have your children." Jerry looked down and to the side. He felt uncomfortable. He looked at Veronica. "And you will find her, Jerry. I know you will."

"But I will take responsibility for this child, Veronica. I may not be able to be around, but I won't run from my responsibility."

"I thought you'd say something like that. But it's alright, Jerry. I don't want you to feel obligated."

Jerry didn't know what to say, he looked around awkwardly, and Veronica looked sad and stern. "I did care about, Ronnie... a great deal."

"And me too. But I would never ask this of you." Jerry tried to speak, but Veronica stopped his words. "I understand, Jerry. I understand."

SUNDAY: (The Present)

The next day Murphy stood impatiently waiting on the balcony. She looked out onto the morning skyline holding a cup of tea. She was nervous. Jerry had left that morning for the office, it was a filming day for him and she knew he would be gone most of the day. That was why Murphy had asked Jake to come over on Sunday, because she knew that Jerry would not be home. She had suggested Jake came over at noon, which was the middle of Jerry's broadcast, because she knew Jerry wouldn't come home early or unexpectedly. Perhaps, he might come back to retrieve a lost item or something, but once the show started she knew she wouldn't see him for a while.

Murphy began to pace back and forth. She was so nervous about her son meeting Jake and all the questions it brought that ran through her head. Was she doing the right thing? Was this the best thing for everyone? Of course it was she told herself. Parents had the right to know their kids and vice versa.

Murphy walked over to the doorframe of the open sliding door leading from the terrace to the living room. She leaned up against it and watched the TV set in the living room. She took a sip of her tea and rubbed her thumb over the buttons of the remote control in her other hand. She was thinking. She took the remote and brought it to her mouth, deep in thought, and then turned off the television, just as Jerry's show was about to start.

Murphy was going to tell Jerry, she was. It just never seemed the right time. And she was sure she needed the right time to tell Jerry about running into Jake. She sure as hell wasn't going to tell the man on his birthday and this morning things were just so hurried. The truth was, Murphy for some reason, or another, was putting off telling Jerry. She told herself that once Jake had met Avery then she would tell Jerry. She would tell him tonight.

"Well, I'm off." Eldin walked out of the hallway from Avery's room, dressed in his leather jacket and without his painter's overalls.

Murphy was shaken out of her world. "Eldin!" Murphy shot out of the door frame and tossed the remote on a small table next to the terrace door. "Now, you're going to pick up Avery and take him for ice-cream first, right?"

"Yeah." Eldin really only nodded his head and made very little sound.

"And then you won't come back here until after twelve thirty so I can talk to Jake first." Murphy caught up with Eldin by the doorway to the foyer.

"Yeah, Yeah. As if we didn't discuss thi a hundred times. Relax! Relax!"

"I'm relaxed." Murphy outreached her hand in a gesture, showing how tight her hand was on her mug of tea. Murphy looked at the mug. "Oh Jeez, look at me." Murphy tried to budge her hand off the mug. "It won't come lose." Suddenly, Murphy's left eye began to twitch. "Oh no, and now I think my eye's twitching." Eldin just stared at her confused. "Will you help me here, Eldin?" She held onto her eye with one hand and pushed out the mug with the other for help. "Eldin!"

Eldin walked over to Murphy reluctantly, and carefully, tried to pull the mug from Murphy's grip. "Has anyone ever told you - you have man hands?"

Eldin was able to release Murphy from the mug and placed it on Jerry's desk. By this time, Murphy's eye stopped twitching. She took her fingers off her eye and regained herself. "I'm alright. I'm alright." She paced for a bit.

"You're sure?"

"Of course." Murphy gave a grin, as she overcame it all, or perhaps put on a facade of some sort.

Whatever it was Eldin didn't buy it. "You're sure, because I could…" He pointed to the door.

"No, Eldin. I can do this myself." Murphy took a breath. "Plus, I really think Avery should be with someone he knows right now."

"Okay." Eldin went for the door, Murphy took a breath, and then the buzzer rang. Eldin and Murphy looked at each other. He was here. Eldin looked at Murphy who calmly walked over to the buzzer and pushed it.

"Yes." Murphy took a gulp.

"There's a Mr. Jake Lowenstein here to see you."

Murphy hit the talk button. "Yes, send him up." Murphy let go the button and then seemed pretty satisfied with herself. "See." She grinned with a cocky satisfaction. "No problem." Murphy showed her hand. "Steady as a rock." Murphy then set her hand down and it leaded on Jerry's desk, slipping and knocking over her tea all over the desk. "Ah, Jeez." Murphy jumped back, so not to get the tea on her brand new blue suit. "Eldin?" Murphy tried to clean up the tea and separate Jerry's papers from the wetness.

"I'll get some towels!" Eldin slowly walked for the kitchen in an annoyed state.

Murphy began to wave papers and frantically tried to make sure that nothing was ruined. She looked at the door every so often for a sign of Jake.

Suddenly, Murphy's attention was caught by something. In Murphy's frantic task of saving the papers on Jerry's desk she found something she wasn't supposed to find. Murphy pulled a group of papers out of the pile in which the tea stained only the edges. It was Jerry's divorced pages. And they were unsigned. Murphy came to the deduction that they were the same papers that had come in the mail two months ago. Murphy sat down in the desk chair not knowing what to make of it.

Eldin came from the kitchen and started to wipe up the tea. He noticed Murphy's state. "You doing alright?" Eldin took the soiled towels and threw them in the waste paper basket next to the desk.

"Yeah. Why?" Murphy asked harshly.

"Because, you're sitting in tea." Eldin scratched the side of his forehead and Murphy shot up.

"Oww." Murphy made a face and looked down at the seat and her back. Then the doorbell rang. Murphy's eyes shot out. "Jezz! Eldin, will you get that?" Murphy shot for her room. "I have to change."

Eldin walked towards the door and opened it. Jake stood there standing tall in his brown leather jacket and jeans.

"Eldin?" Jake was surprised to see him.

"Come on in, she'll be out in a minute." Eldin didn't have the most cordial tone in his voice. It wasn't pleasant and yet it wasn't cold. Jake walked in with his hands in his pockets. He turned and looked at Eldin, as Eldin still held onto the door handle.

"I'm just surprised to see you here, that's all? Still here I mean."

"I look after Avery."

"Like a nanny?"

"More like spiritual rear-er." Eldin gestured with his hand. "Not to mention his teacher to bowl."

"I see?"

"I'd love to chat some more, but I have to go pick up the kid." Eldin gestured with his hand.

"Sure. Sure." Jake gestured awkwardly for Eldin to leave and so Eldin did.

Jake looked around the apartment awkwardly not sure what he should do. After only a moment Murphy emerged from the hall near the terrace. She ran out quickly, dressed in the same cream blouse, but now wore a pair of light brown dress pants. As soon as she saw sight of Jake she stopped short.

Jake turned around and caught site of Murphy. "Hi?"

"Hi?" It was an awkward exchange. Neither seemed to know what to say and so Murphy decided to stick to business. "Avery's not here yet. He's at swimming lessons. I had Eldin pick him up. I thought it could give us time to talk." She gestured stiffly with her hand.

"Sure." Murphy made her way to the left side of the couch and across from Jake. "So, he's a swimmer?"

"Yeah. Pretty good too. Back in Washington he's on a team. Although, his real love is soccer."

"Funny. I use to swim myself."

"No kidding?" Murphy was really intrigued by it. "You never told me that?" Murphy walked closer to Jake.

"Yeah. Well, it was when I was in high school." Jake sat down on the center couch.

"Oh." Murphy sat down next to Jake.

"So, how did he react when you told him? Did he want… to meet him?"

"He seemed excited about it." She nodded her head awkwardly. " I mean he wasn't exuberant, but he's a nine-year-old boy. He's at that age when he doesn't tell his mother everything."

"Oh?"

"What I'm saying, Jake, is… Be easy on him. I want you to meet, but I'm not going to force him to. Or you for that matter."

"You're not forcing me, Murphy. I want to be here. I do." Jake took a breath and looked into Murphy's eyes. "I wanted to call you. I did. See how you and he were doing..."

"And you did a few times while I was pregnant. But then what happened?"

"I was never in the same place for more than a few days and time just kept passing. I guess I got scared. I felt I had no business interfering in your lives. But then when I found out I was coming to New York - all those feelings… I mean." Jake stood up and looked away for a moment. "The idea that I might be able to see my child…" He looked at Murphy. "I liked the idea, Murphy. I liked the idea of finding out who this child was that you and I created."

"That's wonderful, Jake." Murphy smiled. "I'm so glad to hear that. But why am I not surprised when it comes to you." Jake smiled. "I just want you to remember that this is going to be very hard on Avery…"

"I understand, Murphy. I'll be careful."

"Thank you." Murphy smiled.

Jake looked at his watch. "So, when should he be getting here?" Jake seemed anxious. He took his hands out of his pockets and rested them on his hips and his belt.

"Soon. The swim club is just around the corner..." Jake gave Murphy a look over.

"So, really? How have you been, Murphy?"

"Well, really great. How about you? What have you been up to in the last ten years?"

"You know. One un-liberated country after another. A protest here. A brake-in there." He laughed

"And in all that you managed to get engaged?" Murphy shook her head. "Where did the two of you meet? What? Were the two of you chained to a tree or something?" Murphy turned her head and said her next comment to herself. "Get locked up together?"

"Murphy, I can explain that…" He walked closer to her.

"You don't need to explain anything, Jake." Murphy looked at him. I'm sorry. It was a bad joke. Where did you two meet?" Jake sat down next to Murphy. "Really, I mean it. I want to know."

"Well, Sharon's a photojournalist and an archeologist…"

"A photojournalist and an archaeologist!" This seemed unbelievable to Murphy.

"I met her on a dig and then when it was over she decided to follow me around and document my efforts. Somewhere between Nepal and Naples, I proposed." He seemed surprised by the reevaluation as much as Murphy was.

"Wow…" Murphy took an opened mouth moment. "And what are you two doing in New York?"

"We wanted to get married in the States. She has some family here."

"Oh. I see."

"And what are you doing here?" Jake looked around the room. "This place. I was surprised to find you here. The network put you up in this?" Jake took a look around, making facial comments on the decor.

"No." Murphy raised her eyebrows. "Although, I am here on business." Murphy took an uncomfortable laugh. "Jake?" Murphy stood up and crossed to the fireplace. But, before Murphy could say anything the door burst open.

"Hey, kids! You'll never believe this!" Jerry shouted and slammed the door. Murphy turned around with her mouth wide open.

Jake stood up in shock at the sound of the voice. He knew that voice. He just didn't want to believe it.

Jerry threw his keys on the foyer table,walked into the living room and stopped dead at the sight of Jake. "Jake!" Jerry's voice gritted.

"Jerry?" Jake looked at Jerry and then at Murphy

"Jeez." Murphy was frozen for a moment. "Jerry, what are you doing here? You should be filming your show?"

"There was a fire at the studio." Jerry walked closer to Murphy and the couch. "What's he doing here?"

"I'm here to see my son!" Jerry looked at Murphy.

"He's son!"

"Now, guys…"

"And what is he doing here?" Jake looked at Murphy, as she walked closer to the men.

"What am I doing here?" Jerry got defensive in his face. "I live here!"

"He lives here!" Jake was in shock. "How long has this been going on?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jerry once again got defensive.

"Jake! Jerry!" Murphy separated the two. "If you'd both just be quiet I'll explain everything!"

"You better!" Jerry demanded.

"Hey, don't you talk to her that way!" Jake attacked.

"I can talk to her anyway I want! After all I'm not the one who's been gone for ten years!"

"Ok! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!" Murphy set out her hands, with her voice between them, and the two men quieted down and backed off.

"Jake." She turned to him. "To let you know what's been going on. Jerry and I have been living together for two months now."

"Three months!" Jerry snarled in Jake's face. Murphy gave him a look. "I just want to know what's going on in my own house. I at least deserve that! Now, why is he here?"

"Listen, I'm sorry." Jake walked closer to Jerry. "Let's just start over." Jake outstretched his hand.

Jerry kept his hands in his pockets and eyed Jake. "Yeah?" Jerry looked him over.

Jake gave a face, as to not let on how upset he was over it, and looked away.

"Why is he here?" Jerry looked at Murphy and not at Jake.

"You know, I'm right here! If you want to say something, why don't you just say it to my face?" Jake held his hands on his hips again.

"I would - but I wouldn't know which ONE to speak to?" Jerry snarled.

"Ok, that's it!" Murphy put her hands out between them.

"Murphy, no it's ok." Jake tried to make piece. "Obviously, you and Jerry have something you need to discuss. So, I'll just go and sit across the street in the park while you do."

"But, Jake..."

"It's ok. Just come get me in the park when Avery gets here." Jake made his quiet exit.

"Ok, what's going on, Brown? Why is he here? And why does he think he's going to see Avery?"

"Because, he is, Gold. Now sit down I have to tell you something."

"No, I prefer to stand. How did he find you? Who told him you were here? It was Fontana wasn't it? He called him? Or Sliverberg?"

"No, I told him. I ran into him at Lord and Taylor's the other day."

"You what? You ran into him yesterday. And you didn't tell me? Brown, I can't believe you didn't tell me this. I thought we said we wouldn't keep secrets from each other."

"It was your birthday! You'd just gotten in from LA. I didn't think it was the opportune time. I was going to tell you tonight!"

"Well, now you don't have to!" Jerry took an aside on his next comment. "My birthday? The guy sure knows the best times to shows up."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you, Jerry. I just thought…"

"And I can't believe you're going to let Avery see him..."

"Why not, Jerry?"

"I mean he's not the best role model..."

"And you are!"

"That's not what I meant!"

"Come on, Jerry. You of all people should understand a man's urge to get to know his long lost child..!"

"Ohh. Don't use that… Don't throw that in my face! This is different and you know it!"

"How is it different, Jerry? I know you don't like, Jake, but I thought you could at least understand his state of mind."

"How is it different! How is it different!" Jerry took a huffed breath. "I'll tell you how it's different. I took responsibly for my child. I may not have been there for her the way I should have. But I didn't run away from my responsibility like he did! I set up money for her and when her mother died I made sure she had a place to stay and food on her plate. Not to mention…"

"I never asked that of Jake!"

"And Veronica didn't ask that of me. But I did it."

"All that doesn't matter, Jerry. He's here now and I think I should give him the change to know his son, to at least meet him. And I think Avery also deserves that change."

"Yeah, what about that? Why is he here anyway? I'll tell you why! For you!"

"What?"

"Whenever he gets into town he goes straight for you. And you fall for it every time..."

"For your information, Jerry! Jake happens to be engaged. So, I don't think he's here for me! In fact, he's in town to get married. To someone else!"

"Oh. Great. Let's throw a party!" Jerry stammered. "That doesn't mean anything. He came to the States to get married? He came to see you! Why couldn't he get married in whatever godforsaken country he was in the first place?"

"That doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean he still has feelings for me..."

"That's what I did!"

"He was in another country for ten years!"

"So, was I!"

"Jerry, we're forgetting one thing here. You may have had feelings for me, but you were in love with Elka. You married Elka."

"But not before I slept with you!" Jerry seemed pleased at what he was pointing out.

"Expect you're forgetting one little detail, Jerry. Shall we forget? You didn't tell me you were engaged!"

"A minor difference!"

"You don't trust me!"

"I don't trust him!" Jerry shouted. "There's a difference. Plus, so far, if were going for who's been the most trustworthy thus far. You would be the one coming up short here, Brown!"

"Oh, yeah!" Murphy walked over to Jerry's desk.

"Yeah!" Jerry seemed pretty confident in his. "I mean why would you feel like you couldn't tell me about running into him unless you still had feelings for him? Admit it! You still do."

"What's this, Jerry!" Murphy shoved his divorce papers in his direction. "I'll tell you what this is? It's your divorce papers. The same divorce papers you told me you signed almost two months ago. How do you think this made me feel when I found these? I'll tell you. Pretty. Lousy. You lied too, Jerry. Not only did you lie to me about it - I don't think you had any plan of telling me about it? Did you?"

"Now, Brown, I can explain…" He put his hands up.

"Why did you think you couldn't discuss this with me? I think someone else here is having trouble giving up the past. And it's not me!"

"Brown, I can explain! And what were you doing in my desk?"

"Were you ever going to sign them? Were you just going to keep me here in your little Love Nest!"

"Love Nest?"

"I want answers, Jerry, just like you!"

"Ok. I lied. I'm sorry." Jerry walked towards Murphy.

"You're sorry?"

Jerry walked away from Murphy and then turned around towards her. "Ok. OK. At first when I got the papers I balked. I mean, I've never been divorced before. I was scared. Ok, are you happy!"

"I understand that, Jerry. You could have told me. I hate that you lied to me about this!"

"I had every intention to sign them! I don't see why this is such a big deal. I love you, Murphy. You!"

"Then sign them!" Murphy took a pen from Jerry's desk and dangled it in front of him.

Jerry huffed and in his anger walked over to the desk. He grabbed the pen and papers from Murphy, leaned the papers on his desk, and signed them in a hurry. He smiled at Murphy sarcastically and handed her the pen. "Happy now?" He folded the papers and slid them in his breast jacket pocket.

"Ecstatic!" Murphy tossed her head sarcastically. Jerry went for the door. "Where are you going?"

Jerry turned to her as he reached the steps. "I'm going to get it notarized!" He stopped for a moment, but then kept walking.

"Jerry, you don't have to do that now! It's Sunday? Nothings opened!"

"It's New York City I'll find one that's open somewhere." He stopped to speak to her in the middle of the foyer. "Besides, I don't feel like being around for this little reunion of sorts." As Jerry turned and reached the front day it opened and Eldin and Avery trailed in.

"Hey, Jerry!" Avery seemed happy to see him.

"Hey, Kid. Eldin." Jerry nodded at them and walked out the door.

"Mom!" Avery ran into the living room and hugged his mother, who stood by the back couch. Eldin held back in the frame of the foyer.

"How was class?" She set on the edge of the couch and fixed her young son's blonde hair.

"Great! And Eldin took me for ice cream."

"I see." Murphy licked her thumb and took some chocolate off of Avery's cheek. Avery fussed a bit by the act. Murphy took him by the shoulders and talked to him straight. "Avery. Remember our talk last night. About Jake - your father."

"Yes. He's here, right?"

"Yes. He's in the park. Do you want to go meet him? Remember. You don't have to if you don't want to?"

"I do."

"Ok." Murphy took a breath and sighed. "Let's go take a walk then." Murphy slapped her hands on her knees and stood up. She took her son's hand and went for the door, but stopped at the foyer when she noticed Eldin had already begun to walk towards the kitchen and Avery's bedroom.

"Eldin?" Murphy asked. "Do you want to come with us?" Avery just looked at him.

"What? Me? No." Eldin looked down at his shoes.

"It's alright, Eldin. You can come if you want. He's just across the street."

"No. This is between…" Eldin looked around and back. "I really have to finish that molding." Eldin played with his keys and then gestured with them towards Avery's room.

"Ok." Murphy seemed to understand and Eldin disappeared into the hallway.

OUTSIDE

Murphy took Avery out the front door of the apartment building and didn't have to go far because Jake sat across the street, waiting on a bench in front of the stonewall that ran around the park. He stood up as soon as he saw them and Avery and his mother crossed the street.

From the corner of the building, across the street, Jerry sat in a cab. He watched how the boy tentatively approached Jake and the father and son met for the first time.

"Go." Jerry motioned to the cab driver and they drove away.

From his window, although too high up to really see much, Eldin looked down on the meeting himself. After a moment of looking upset, he let go of the curtains he had pushed out of the way to see through the window.

MONDAY: Show Night

The elevator dinged and Murphy walked off in an angry mess. She was not happy and her leg seemed to have a bit of a limp to it. She wore her favorite red suit with the black collar. The jacket that made her feel like a huntress. Not only that, she was made-up to the nines, since she had just filmed the show, but apparently things didn't go so well. As Murphy made her way down the long hallway Frank came around the corner, as if he had been looking all over for her.

He had a cocky smile on his face. "Hi."

"Don't talk to me, Frank."

"I caught your show just now." Murphy entered her office. "I really loved the part when you came back from the commercial and you were cursing out that camera crew guy"

"He hit me in the head with his boom mic."

"Oh, was that why you kept repeating your words. I just thought there was something wrong with the sound." Frank laughed.

"Frank, will you cut it out! I am not in the mood. That was the worse television experience of my life. And that includes the time I was interviewing Mother Teresa." Murphy franticly searched her drawers for an aspirin.

"Don't forget the time Aretha Franklin stood you up." Frank said, amused with himself. Murphy found an aspirin container in her bottom drawer by the window, and as she shut the drawer gave Frank a dirty look. Murphy walked over to her refrigerator and took out a Perrier bottle.

"The teleprompter didn't work! They couldn't find my tapes and then when they found them the sound ran out of sync! And to top it all off - my main interview didn't show up. He got arrested, Frank! Why did he have to get arrested, Frank? Why couldn't he wait until after I exposed him on national television, ruined his life, and let the world know all of his internal secrets? Why, Frank? Why! Why couldn't it have been me, Frank!" Murphy looked like she was about to cry, but held it in. "I'm telling you this is the week from hell!"

"I don't know, Murph." Frank put his arm around her. "Maybe some things are meant to be."

"Well, hello there." Miles sauntered into the room.

"Hello, Miles." Murphy rolled her eyes and groaned, knowing Miles was there to gloat. Murphy tossed a tablet into her hand and downed it with her water.

"Thought you could do it alone. Thought you didn't need a crack executive producer on show night. "Oh, no,
Miles, I can do this by myself. No, Miles, just because my executive producer averted arrest by running off to Mexico means I need your help. Oh, no…""

"OK, Miles, I get the point! Now, shut up!"

"What's with her?" Miles snorted and gave an aside to Frank. Murphy heard it and gave the men a horrible look.

"Murphy." Jim caught sight or her from the hallway.

"Jim."

Jim walked into Murphy's office looking a bit off kilter. "I caught your broadcast tonight."

"Did you, Jim?" Jim's was the one comment she was interested in hearing.

"Yes. I must say I've never seen a news report that… I mean. I've never seen a broadcast have such a fine use of colorful language. Oh, damn it to hell, Murphy. It sucked." Jim looked around at the group as if to say, "I tried," or "look what I had to work with."

"Thank you, Jim, for pounding it into my skull so elegantly!" Her head shook.

"Well, hello there, Murphy." Kay made her appearance. Her mood as usual was ecstatic. "I just wanted to…"

"Go head, insult me too! Great group of friends you are. When did I ever kick you when you were down!"

The group all grumbled their own comments to the question, until Murphy silenced them.

"Ok. That's it, everybody out!"

"But, Murphy, I wasn't here to insult you." The group, except for Kay, all made their exits.

"Then why are you here, Kay?" Murphy took her bag off her desk chair and began to sift through it.

"To offer you a job."

"Oh, no, not again, Kay, I told you. I don't want to be on your show. I have my own show."

Kay issued out one of her cackles. "Sure. If you say so."

"Ok. So, the show didn't go that well." Kay laughed again. Murphy gave her a look, as she tossed her bag over her shoulder. "But I really think you're jumping to conclusions. Stan would have talked to me by now if something was wrong. But he knows, like me, that all great things have a bad starting out point - a transition period before they go on to their true greatness - their place in the sun. The space program, bell bottoms." There was a pause. "Rob Lowe." Kay gave her a serious look and then cackled again. "Will you stop that?" Murphy shot her a look as well. "Besides, I don't like the idea of revolving door anchors. You have no control over who you end up with!"

"But Jim's one of the anchors now, Murphy, You love working with Jim. And it would only be for a month."

"Yeah. Today it's Jim and the next week it's Miller Redfield." Murphy groaned. "Oh, Jeez. I said his name. Now, look what you've done!"

"What's so wrong with saying the name Miller…"

"Stop it! Don't say it! The man is like a plague or Kathie Lee Gifford. I swear every time..." Murphy flared her body around. "…I mention his name he shows up somehow. All dominions of evil work that way!"

"Murphy." Murphy and Kay turned to the door to find Stan Lancing standing at its threshold.

"Stan?" Murphy was surprised to see him and because of what had just happened was afraid as to why he was there.

"Murphy, I caught your broadcast tonight."

"Did you, Stan?" Murphy was tentative.

"Yes, I don't think I've seen such colorful language since I watched The Sopranos back-to-back. What are you crazy? Are you insane? Small children are watching! With their even smaller pets."

"Stan, what child watches television after ten o'clock at night?"

"But their parents do… And if they think this is the kind of fare our channel is providing. They stop watching! They turn it off and we lose both demographics. Then they change the channel to ABC! Or one of those damn game shows! I've have to take Charlie Rose off 60 minutes Two and put him on some island with a house and some guy with a mental problem! Not to mention, the fact that your show was crap! It's sucked, Murphy! With a capital "S"!"

"Ok. Stan. I know it didn't go well. But I'll do much better on the next show. I've learned from my mistakes."

"Murphy, there'll be no next time. I'm canceling the specials."

"But, Stan, you have to give me another change. You know my record. This was an isolated incident. And what are your going to do with the open air time you secured for me at the end of August? It's too late to find anything new and you know it."

"Oh, I can just air extra episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. People love that guy. I don't get it, but they do."

"But, Stan, you have a contract with me?"

"About that... I thought you might do better on a show with more people like FYI." Kay crackled in delight. Murphy gave her a look, which quieted her down. "I was thinking about our new show The EYE. We're bringing in that blonde guy you use to work with. Named after a beer?"

"Miller Redfield?"

"Yeah, Miller. Wouldn't that be good?"

Kay coughed.

"How about Kay's show…" Murphy lowered her head in disgust

"Oh," Kay spoke up. "Do you really want that, Murphy? Because, I wouldn't want to put you into something you didn't want to do?"

"I want to," she groaned and slummed her shoulders.

"Sign here." Kay shoved a contact into Murphy's face, shocking Murphy completely. Murphy gave her a cross face and then sat her bag down on the table to get her reading glasses. When she found them she began to read over the contract. "You don't have to read it, Murphy, it's all standard. Unless you caught that section on paying me homage every day? That's just something special I like to put in." Or course she was kidding and since it was just one page it only took Murphy a moment to read it, before signing it begrudgingly. Kay took her contract with delight and folded it, as she cackled her maniacal laugh again.

"I think Ruth Gordon had that same laugh when gave Rosemary those cookies that made her have the devil's baby." Murphy paused, as Kay laughed again. "Will you be spurting pea soup, Kay, or are you done!"

Kay smiled and she and Stan took their leave. Not before Kay gave Murphy a finale cackled in the door frame.

Murphy took a look at the door and then placed her glasses in her bag before slipping her bag back onto her shoulder. Murphy was about to make her way to the door when she looked up, to her surprise, to see Peter Hunt enter her office.

"Murphy!" He was happy to see her.

"Peter?" Murphy was surprised to see him.

"I thought I wouldn't catch you." Peter smiled.

"Catch me?" Murphy looked at him funny.

"Yeah. I swear every time I'm in town and I come to your office you're not here. I gave my voice mail to Kay, but I guess ...you never got it." Peter seemed to know the answer to what he had posed as a question.

"No, I didn't."

"Well, no matter." He grinned sheepishly. His eyes even seemed to crinkle. Murphy hadn't remembered that.

"What are you doing in town, Peter? When I didn't hear from you last month. I figured I missed you."

"No. No. I still have some business to attend to. I may take a spot on that new show Newsbeat. I'm not sure."

"Wait. Did you say Newsbeat? Kay Shepley's new show?" Murphy had hopped she heard wrong.

"Carter-Shepley?"

"Yeah."

"Then, I guess that's the one? But besides that, I've just decided to spend the month here. You know, work on that break I talked about. Wow, you look great." Peter looked her over. "You're wearing your lucky suit what's going on?"

"I filmed my special today..."

"Really? I'm sorry I missed it. I just got in yesterday I didn't know it was on. How'd it go?"

"Not well." Murphy went on to what she felt was more important. "Newsbeat? You're talking a job on Newsbeat? Kay's new show?"

"Yeah. I'm thinking about it. Why?"

"Oh, nothing. It's just I just signed on to work for a few weeks… 'Till… till the end of the month. And Kay didn't mention it."

"Well, she doesn't know I'm in town. She offered me the job about a month ago. She told me to just mull it over. I ended up doing a correspondent report from Brazil."

"Yeah, I saw that."

"Wow. So, we might end up working together again." Peter was pleased.

"Yeah." The two nodded their heads in an awkward state.

"How long are you here?"

"'Till the end of August." Peter looked at his watch. "I have to get going." Peter took a pen out of his jacket pocket and fumbled for a piece of paper in his pants pockets. He found it and jotted down some numbers.

"This is my voice mail and this is where I'm staying. Give me a call. Ok."

"Ok." Murphy had little expression in her voice, but not because she lacked any emotions on the subject.

He handed Murphy the paper and then like some automatic reaction he kissed her on the cheek. Murphy seemed a bit shocked, as did Peter, at what he had done. He looked like he wanted to apologize, but said nothing, although his expressions and gestures gave away everything to Murphy.

Peter walked towards the door and then turned at the door frame to watch, as Murphy showed him the paper and then folded it and placed it in her pocket. It was like it was an unspoken signal that everything was alright and then he disappeared.

Murphy shook her head, as if she was shaking off of a state, or thought of mind. She walked towards the door and then as she reached for the door handle stopped in her tracks. After a moment she opened the door and exited.