After FYI Pt 3: The Rule of Threes

by Ms.M

UPDATED AND CORRECTED:Part 3 - Murphy is visited by more men from her past: Jake & Peter. Is the rule of threes true? Or just a comic device? See Murphy & and gang in the dramatic/funny conclusion of the Murphy Brown Reunion movie.

2. For Sentimental Reasons

Chapter Two: For Sentimental Reasons

---

It was all over the newsstands, "Peter Hunt: People's Sexist Man Alive." It was the first time such an "honor" had been set upon a man of the news media. Reporters from Entertainment Tonight, and shows with such words in the title, spoke about it non-stop. And the sight of his face, on every newsstand, was something a person in New York City couldn't get away from, including Murphy. Women by the thousands grabbed copies like it was water in the middle of a draught, causing in effect for more and more copies to be dropped off at street corners at early hours, for that days shelving. They hit the ground from the moving trucks with thuds. One wondered why no one had been hurt from such a display, but what a wonderful way to go.

Jim walked past three women all gawking at one magazine with Peter's picture, laughing and smiling. Jim saw the magazine cover and scoffed, only to find another woman by the water cooler reading the same People magazine. She walked away, trying to read and walk at the same time. Jim watched her walk away in astonishment. This caused his gaze to shine on Kay.

"I tell you. It's when news people turn themselves into personalities." He pointed towards the magazines behind him. "It gives a bad name to all of us, real news men."

"What, Peter on the cover of People?" Kay saw the cover.

"Exactly! How could he let them do a thing like that? Sexist Man Alive? How can that be gauged? Why anyone could be in that category? I don't know why..." But Kay interrupted him.

"Jim, asking Peter if he wanted to be the sexist man alive is like asking Murphy if they could take that picture of her coming out of that donut shop with white powder all over her face. But it sure is entertaining for the rest of us." Kay took the arm of a woman walking past. "Make sure I have three copies of People and the Tattler on my desk." The woman nodded and walked away. Kay looked at her watch "Ok!' Kay Carter-Shepley stood in front of her Newsbeat team, dressed in a back Kenneth Cole suit with purple and grey strips, and her coal colored hairs sweep up, as usual, on top of her head. "Does anyone have any ideas, yet!" Kay held a clipboard in one hand and her glasses in the other, as she looked at her three main reporters sitting around the story meeting table. "I'm waiting. Anyone?"

First, Kay looked over at Tawny, the youngest member of the group at twenty-one, who looked back at Kay, in her brown highlighted hair and matching suit, dumbfounded. Stan hired Tawny, who hadn't even gone to journalism school, because of her "big brown eyes" and her resemblance to Yasmine Bleath. After her dumbfounded look she leaned back in her chair and continued reading her People magazine.

Kay grabbed it and caught sight of the cover. "I'll..." She opened it. "Give this back to you later."

Second, there was Joyce, clad in her ever-present black sunglasses, sitting in the center of the group. Joyce was extremely tall, extremely thin, and extremely blonde. Joyce said very little, usual nothing, choosing instead to sit in her chair with a brooding look on her face. When she did do her reporting she was good, even better than ok, and probably the one among the group who had the most talent. It was only when she was off camera that getting a word or a story idea out of her was like drawing water from a rock. Joyce was in her early thirties, from Seattle, and handpicked by Stan because of her pouty lips and her resemblance to Elle McPhersen.

Thirdly, Kay looked at Lois, a redhead, not picked by Stan for her resemblance to any swimsuit clad television star or model. Lois, named by her parents after Lois Lane, had neither the color nor complexion of her namesake, which was easy, because of the fact that Lois Lane was a cartoon character. No, Stan, in fact had hired Lois because of her resemblance to the woman at the cleaners he had a crush on. Lois was a decent reporter, but like the other two women, was hired for her looks more than her talent. Lois, out of all of the women, worked the hardest and her only difficulty seemed to be her lack of poise, or perhaps some sort of perceptual or anxiety problem. That was at least what Kay tried to tell herself, for she hated to think that the woman was so inapt, as she was, all by herself.

Lois always seemed to walk into walls or cupboard, or doors; she even once walked into a closed elevator. She knocked her knees on tables and stammer on her words when she was nervous. When none of these things were happening, which was at very short stays, she was fine. The only problem with her at story meetings was that she wasn't very good at ideas and when she did come up with one she would be afraid to mention it to the group. Once she was on the air she seemed to be fine, it was just a good idea that most of her segments where taped.

Now, if it sounds as if Kay had no control over picking her own crew, which she didn't, that's not all together true. Stan felt that since it was Kay's first time creating a news show, from the ground up, that she just needed a little help. And so he was only "helping" and not controlling, as Kay had accused him of, but once the show started Kay was given creative control. It was just at the initial launch that she was given so much trouble. In fact, the whole "revolving star news anchor" was Kay's idea in the first place to help with the ratings. There was only one choice that Kay had been happy with and that was Kathryn Morris. Unfortunately, Kathryn Morris, who made Stan happy and had passed Stan's approval, only by her resemblance to Susan Sarandon, left the week before for creative differences. She ended up taking Corky's Job at ABC - funny how thing work out. This left Kay with the three "thorns in her sides" and left Kay's mood not the happiest.

Kay waited another moment, as there was another, of the many, of that morning's silences.

"What about, Jim?" Tawny questioned, like a child accusing another child for something she had done. She pointed her finger at Jim Dial who stood up against the coffee island that crescent shaped around half of the table. "Why doesn't he give an idea?"

Kay, who stood next to him, but two people apart, spoke for him. "Because, Jim already presented his ideas this morning. Five of them! Two of which were for you, Twany!"

Twany rolled her eyes, folded her arms and leaned back in her chair. Jim continued to dunk his tea bag into his mug. "And Jim came up with the ideas last week.

Kat continued, "Jim always comes up with the ideas. Come on!" Kay's eyes lit up, as she tried to jazz up the group. "I know we can do this. If we put our heads together. I'm sure we can come up with something."

"How about you just assign us ideas? Like you did last time. I liked that." Lois smiled.

"Because, I always do that. I've been doing that since we started this show. I just thought for once we could all come up with our own ideas. Let's give it a shot."

"Why don't we just wait until Rachel gets here," Joyce droned. "That's what we do anyway. I mean the old man isn't any help."

Jim stiffened up in defense of himself. "Do... Well...I," Jim stammered, while Kay pushed him back with a light touch. "Do you ever take off those sunglasses?" Jim responded his final words and finally decided to take Kay's "advice" and calm down. Jim turned his back to take a breath.

Kay took a breath herself. "Ok. So, this isn't working. Let's go over what we already have in the works." Kay looked at her clipboard. "Lois, you're doing your piece on women and cigarettes - Joyce, you have your story on the legacy of Katharine Graham and her impact on women and society, Tawny you have your profile of Pamela Anderson."

Tawny began to speak.

"No, Twany, for the hundred time we will not pay for you to go skiing while you're in California." Twany rolled her eyes and refolded her arms. "And Jim has his report on education." Kay looked up at Jim. "Jim, is there another story you'd like to add onto the show this week? I was thinking you could take over Kathryn's story on Ovarian Cancer..."

"I was thinking about perhaps something on..." Jim stammered. "Economy, or cars, or maybe fly fishing, that's a real man's sport, don't you think..."

Suddenly, Kay's attention was taken away from Jim and the group. "Was that a hand?" She grinned. "I saw a hand. Come on, whose was it? Someone had an idea." She looked at Lois. "It was you? Wasn't it Lois? It's ok. Speak up."

Lois held her hand and looked up at Kay in a shy state. "Actually, I hit my hand on the table. The flared arm was just a reaction..."

"Ok. Go get some ice." Kay was much deflated.

Lois made her quick exit.

Kay leaned her hands on the table with her head, looked up at the group, and then stretched her hands around the back of her neck. "Alright! Who has an idea?" There was silence among the girls who were left.

"Ah, for the love of Mohammed! We'll be here 'till Thanksgiving!" Jim ranted and grunted.

Kay leaned her head back into her hands.

While this was going on Murphy was making her way up in the elevator to the Newsbeat floor. She carried a donut box in her left hand and held on to her purse with her other, as it dangled from her shoulder. Although it wasn't true, Murphy looked rested and wore a very nice grey shirt and suit. She got off the elevator and into a reception area with the words Newsbeat hanging over the desk of a young redheaded woman doing her nails. Murphy ignored the woman and to her left entered through a pair of wooden doors. As soon as Murphy opened the doors she walked past a small divider and upon the group, as Jim made his comment.

Kay saw Murphy first. "Murphy!" Kay was relieved to see her.

"Yes, I'm here!" Murphy put her hand up. "I'm sorry, I'm late. It took a lot of digging; it took a lot of research, but finally after almost three months in this city of pounding the pavement. I did it! I found the good donuts! Yes! How does she do it?" She looked at Jim. "Jim you know they have no Marinos here?"

"Yes, Murphy, I know. I've known for the last month! Because, every time I see you, which has been every day for the last month, you've had to tell me!"

Murphy looked at him. "Gettin' old, Jim?" Jim huffed off. "Come on, Kay." Murphy continued by opening up the box and lofting them in Kay's face. "You can be the first to partake of the best donuts in New York. Crispy Cream. I looked low, I looked high. But I found them. Come on?" She teased, "I know you do."

"No, thank you, Murphy." Kay pushed them aside.

"Suit yourself. I'll just go see if Frank want's them. Like I even have to even ask." Murphy laughed.

"Murphy, let me just introduce you to our main crew. The girls you'll be working with." Kay pointed to Tawny. "Murphy Brown this is Twany Simon." Twany stood up and Murphy put on her professional smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Brown." Twany said in a bit of a high pitch.

"Donut?" Murphy smiled and opened up the box. Twany looked into the box and then looked back at Murphy. "No." She shook her head and walked behind the coffee island.

"And this is Joyce Dewitt." Kay leaned her hand towards Joyce who just sat in her chair and didn't move a muscle.

"Donut?" Murphy opened and shoved the box in the Joyce's face.

Joyce looked in the box and then at Murphy. "No. Really." Joyce looked towards Kay. "Are we done here?" she said in a hard cold voice.

"Yeah, yeah," Kay groaned. Joyce and Twany both walked off. Kay yelled after them. "But I want everyone back here in an hour with ideas! Ideas!" She then spoke in a normal voice. "You'd think they were brain cells they're so sparse around here." Kay waved her hands in the air by her head.

Murphy gave a cocky smile. "Ideas, Kay? You need ideas? Because, I have tons of them. Millions of them. I have so many great ideas they're burning a hole in my pocket. And why? Because they're worth their weight in gold I tell you, gold! Let me just drop my things off at my office and gives these donuts to Frank..." Murphy went for the door.

"Actually, Murphy." Kay's eye's twinkled with delight. "I thought you could have an office here." She paused." In the bullpen." She paused. "Near me." She paused again. "Where I can keep an eye on you." Kay cackled.

"Will you stop that!"

Murphy followed Kay towards an office, just off the bullpen, like her office at FYI had been.

"Kay, what have you done!" Murphy walked into her new office and her eyes shot out, as she caught sight of it. Kay had taken everything from her old office down the hall and put it in this one.

"Oh, this?" Kay crackled.

"Will you stop doing that?" Murphy whipped her head towards Kay and then walked around the room, making sure everything was accounted for. Most of it was in boxes, but it was all there. "Kay? How did you do this? I think the question here is? Why did you do this?" Murphy's gaze reached her desk. "I mean everything's here? What did you do? Beam everything in here? And where-"

"I thought it would save us time. I want to get to work right away. I want to get you on this week's show at the latest."

"Good. Because, I have some great ideas. I was thinking about..."

"Oh, don't tell me now. Save it for the story meeting later..." Kay started to leave.

"Why should I wait? You're here. I'm here." Murphy organized some papers on her desk. "Besides, I really want to get to work on my story right away." Murphy took her bag and dropped it on her desk. "And if you don't remember by now I need my producer to get me started."

"But I'm not your producer, Murphy. It's best if we're both here..."

"What?"

"I'm not your producer. I'll see you an hour in the bullpen. We meet around the coffee island. Like usual." Kay made her exit for the door, but Murphy stopped her with her words before she could make it.

"Kay, what do you mean you're not my producer?" Murphy almost sideswiped her desk, as she left her shadow quickly behind her. The office was small and Murphy blocked Kay between her door and her desk. The light from the window on Murphy's right hit the leather sofa and then Kay and Murphy. "You're the executive producer of this show that means you produce my stories."

"Not necessarily."

"Not necessarily? Who's going to produce my pieces the mail clerk!"

"Murphy, I'm just too busy. I have Jim's piece, plus three other pieces..."

"There are five people on this show, Kay. That's one more then was on FYI. You can't tell me you don't have time. For me! I mean... it's me!"

"Murphy, that's just the number of people here! I have three reports from other states, four from other countries, not to mention I have not one, but two broadcasts to produce. I'm sorry, Murphy, but until I have an opening I just don't have the time."

"Then who do I get!"

"You get, Rachel."

""Oh, no. NO. You can't give me her."

"Rachel has the time and I don't. She just so happened to be working on Connie and most of Kathryn's work, before they left, so she has the time. She's really doing a great job, Murphy. You even said so yourself."

"Ok, I said that. But she canNOT be my producer! She's a child. I have shoes older the she is!"

"Murphy, Miles was Rachel's age when he started working for you."

"And do you know how long it took me break him in? Years! And look what happened. I did all the work and Rather reaps all the benefits. I don't have that much time Kay. I'm the star! I get the executive producer. And that's you. I want you!"

"I am flattered, Murphy. But not on this one."

"I will not have my stories produced by a woman who doesn't even know who the Shirelles are!"

"Mama Said!" Rachel appeared in the doorway with a cocky smile. She held her hand on the doorframe and the other on her hip, which held a bunch of folders. She looked pretty happy with herself as she glared at Murphy dressed in a 70's type pattern wrap dress.

"What!"

"The Shirelles sang Mama Said... Is that it? Do I pass?" Rachel said dryly.

"Lucky guess." Murphy looked at her with a look of intrigue on her face. The intrigue was more for the start of a challenge where Murphy saw herself as the victor.

"Lucky my ass!" Rachel walked into the room and up to Murphy.

"Oh, please. Just because you know one Shirelles song."

"They also sang Tonight's The Night, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, Baby It's You, Dedicated…"

"Ok. OK. So you know The Shirelles. That still doesn't mean anything. I bet you don't even know who the Marvelette's are? The Ronettes, The Defonics?"

"Marvelettes: He's A Good Guy, The Hunter Is Captured By The Game..."

"Ok, so you know the Marvelettes. That still means nothing. Miles prepped you for this didn't he?

"I don't even talk to Miles!"

"Jerry. Jerry told you to learn this... stuff? To impress me..."

"He did not!"

"I bet that's all you know. HA!"

"I don't think so."

"Ronnettes?"

"Born To Be Together."

"Defonics?"

"Over and over."

"Smokey Robinson…"

"Are we talking all the songs he wrote or just the ones he recorded?" she said with a cocky lilt to her voice.

"Who sang Heard It Through The Grapevine?"

"It depends, are you looking for Marvin Gaye or Gladys Knight and the Pips..."

"What Motown label did Aretha record on?"

"Well, that's a trick question because Aretha wasn't on Motown. She recorded on Atlantic. HA!"

"How do you now all this!"

"My mother left me two things when she died. A case of scotch and her old forty-fives. Guess which I devoured?" The two women faced off head-to-head. "So, do I pass?" Rachel smiled slyly.

"Don't think because your Jerry's daughter that means I'm going to be nice to you."

"Well, don't think that because you're dating Jerry that means I'm going to give in to you."

"I'm not nice to people. It's not a word I understand. Especially, when it comes to people who cross me. And I'm not dating Jerry, I'm sleeping with him. There's a difference."

"Well, don't expect me to treat you in some special way in here because of certain things I told you about outside of here! There's a difference."

"You beat me to the punch."

"Mary Wells."

"That wasn't a song title." Murphy pushed out her lips and her eyes gleamed. "Listen, Rachel. I'm sure you're very good at what you do, but then again this is the first time you're doing this, isn't it?" Murphy seemed pretty pleased with herself.

"Kay, I need to talk to you about Joyce's follow-up." She looked at Murphy as she spoke. "Murphy." Rachel turned for the door.

"Oh, this is going to be fun." Kay laughed and followed Rachel out the door.

"Well, you were wrong, Kay!" Murphy yelled at her as she left. "I don't like this job at all so far. I mean what kind of office has news people who don't even eat donuts! I tell you they're all freaks! Freaks, I tell you! " Murphy exited the office on her last line and the entire office looked at her. "What are you looking at?" And she exited back into her office.

About an hour later Murphy emerged from her office, her jacket off, her sleeves rolled up, and her mommy mug in her left hand. She made a beeline to the coffee island. Jim was leaning up against it dunking his tea bag into his mug.

"I swear it took me an hour to re-organize all the things in that office." Murphy started searching around the contents of the island for a tea bag. "I hate it when people fiddle with your things. They get their finger prints all over everything; you never know where anything is." Murphy opened a cupboard in the coffee Island, raising her cup up towards Jim, as her head pocked into the shelve areas. Jim took a tea bag from beside him and placed it in Murphy's mug. Murphy took her head out from the cupboard and noticed the tea was there, she looked at it strangely for a moment, but then really took no notice as to how it got there. "I mean, why do people think that by throwing all your stuff in boxes it's helping you, when they have no idea..." Murphy walked over to the water cooler and tried to fiddle with the hot. She played with it incessantly, but it didn't work. After less than a minute, Jim pushed it in just the right place, sending hot water into her cup. "Where everything goes, what has value!" Murphy started to look around for the honey or sugar. Murphy turned her head around to the right, and down like crazy, until Jim picked up the little bear shaped honey and poured just enough into Murphy's mug. "It just shows you that you have to do everything yourself." Murphy looked up and Jim handed her a small spoon. Murphy looked in her mug, noticed the honey and after a short strange face took the spoon. Jim looked up to the heavens.

As all of this was happening the elevator in reception opened and Peter Hunt walked out. He looked around, a bit unsure where to go, and walked up to the reception desk. Mabel, the redhead receptionist with Shirley Temple curls noticed him right off the bat. She, like every woman in the country, had a copy of People magazine right next to her, and the appearance of the cover man at her feet made her gasp. At the first sight of him, her eyes popped out, causing her to take in a breath and bite her lower lip. She checked her hair and licked her lips as he approached her.

"Hi." Peter spoke and she seemed to melt in his presence.

"You're Peter Hunt?" she said with excitement.

"Yes," he said, in his deep masculine voice with the boyish charm. Mabel started to melt again. "I'm here to see Kay Carter..."

"Yes, she's expecting you." Mabel picked up the phone and hit a button while looking at Peter with a look of lust on her face. She played with the cord with her fingertips. "Yes, Peter Hunt is here to see you..." She waited and then hung up the phone. "She says to go right in she'll meet you." Mabel pointed to the door with her finger. "Of course... I could show you where it is if you like?" Her eyes gleamed. "I'm very good at that."

"No. That's alright. I think I can find it." He smirked and began to walk away; something Mabel liked just the same.

Mabel leaned over her desk and watched him enter the door. When he was gone she took her magazine, looked at the cover, and then held it to her chest in glee.

Peter opened the door to the newsroom and a small hallway leading to the center of the bullpen. He walked past a group of desks mostly populated by women and one man, all of whose head's turned towards Peter like he was the diet coke man and they were on a break. The women reacted the same way as Mabel, taking a breath and biting their lower lips. Even Joyce, who was in the area, took a look out from under her sunglasses. Peter felt all the eyes, but tried to ignore them. When he could feel the stares it always made Peter uncomfortable. And ever since the newest addition of the People magazine cover he was on heighten alert. Peter tried to pretend they were all staring at him because of his past relationship with Murphy, but he knew they weren't. It was the only time he ever hoped for plain old office gossip of yore.

Peter ran his fingers through his hair, as he passed the large hallway and into the main part of the bullpen. And as he did so Peter bumped right into a woman sending her papers all over the floor.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Peter bent down and started cleaning up the folders and papers.

"It's alright." Peter looked up, as the woman spoke and it was Rachel. Her short hair hung over her face, as she franticly grabbed what papers Peter hadn't already handed to her. This little set back wasn't something she was in the mood for. The two stood up as Peter handed her the last of the papers. "I'm sorry, I didn't see there."

"Well, you should keep an eye out where you're going!" Rachel held her papers to her body and tossed her head and her hair out of her face, revealing it and their eyes to each other.

"Have we met before?" Peter questioned.

"No, I don't think so. You're Peter Hunt."

"Yes? And you are?"

"Rachel Margolis." Rachel gave her hand out and Peter shook it. "Producer on Newsbeat." The paper's started to slip and Rachel took hold of them before they fell any further.

"Yes, of course."

"You must be here to see, Kay." Peter nodded his head, as Rachel rushed her fingers threw her hair to get it out of her way. "Well, I'm just on my way to a story meeting. Why don't you follow me?"

Peter nodded and followed Rachel over to the center of the bullpen.

As she was doing this, Murphy was continuing her rant and Lois and Kay approached the group. Kay introduced Lois to Murphy although Murphy was way too busy to notice. She was in her own world moving things around on the coffee island because there was not enough room for her donuts.

"Where's Joyce?" Kay questioned in dismay.

"I got Joyce that interview with Andrea Perez." Rachel walked up beside Kay.

Kay turned her head and noticed Peter. Well, hello there. Peter Hunt." Murphy's head shot up. "I'm so glad you've come to join us."

"Peter?" Murphy was agog.

Peter looked at Murphy who had a stunned look on her face. "Oh, hi, Murphy?" Peter said it in a very nonchalant way.

"So, have you decided to join us?" Kay asked very content with herself.

"Well, actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about, Kay." Peter seemed a little embarrassed.

"Hi, all." Frank Fontana walked up to the group next to Murphy and the coffee island. The group made their acknowledgments to Frank.

"Hello. Peter." Frank said in anger.

"Yeah, hi, Frank." Peter did his usual attention towards Frank.

"Oh, don't tell me you've reconsidered," Kay asked him.

"Well, you see..." Peter tried to make his excuse.

"You asked Peter on the show?" Jim seemed to perk up. "You didn't tell me that, Kay?"

"Now, I said I would only consider it..." Peter tried to get his words out.

"Oh, but we could really use a reporter like you." Jim grinned and then leaned in for a whisper, "I think you know what I mean." Jim rolled his head and eyes towards all the women in the room.

"Well," Peter didn't quite understand. He put his hands in his pockets. "You seem to have enough reporters here..."

"What's going on here?" Frank asked.

"It's just that we really could go for a real investigative reporter..." Kay was buttering him up.

"I'm an investigative reporter?" Frank butted in like a child wanting to get into a game of baseball.

"With your experience..." Kay ignored Frank as if he wasn't there.

"I have experience!" Frank retorted, but again no one heard him.

Murphy of course did and looked over at her friend. He was doing it again.

"Oh, I don't know? I would really like to talk to you about this alone, Kay..." Peter was trying to get Kay alone.

"Oh, come on, we're all family here. And we all think it's a good idea. Don't we girls?" Kay looked over at Lois and Tawny who had approached the group, and had been leering at Peter the entire time, from the other side of the office.

"Oh, yeah," the girls responded in a gleeful unison, as if they were waiting for the perfect reason to approach.

"Come on, Peter. We really could do with another man to balance things out." Kay asked. Jim gave Peter a look.

"I'm a man!" Frank blurted out in defense.

Murphy gave Frank a look. "I think that's still being determined, Frank!"

Frank shot Murphy a look in response.

"Well I..." Peter stammered.

Jim leaned in and whispered to him "Dear Lord, man. You have to save me! I'm being over powered with estrogen, here!" Jim walked beside Peter and behind the corner of the coffee island, holding in his anger.

"Well I suppose... Sure. Why not?" The group cheered on the decision in their own way. Peter looked in Murphy's direction. "What do you think about this, Murphy?"

"It's your decision. You should do whatever you want to do." Murphy held a morose face.

"So, you don't mind?" Peter asked again.

"Mind? No, not at all. Why would I mind?"

"Then it's settled." Kay walked over to Peter and shook his hand.

Murphy walked past the group and into her office. Peter watched her and followed her in.

Murphy walked into her office and behind her new desk.

"Murphy?" Peter approached Murphy.

"Yeah." Murphy looked at things on her desk and then looked up at Peter.

"Are you sure you don't have a problem with this, because..."

"Why would I have a problem?" Murphy was quite sure of herself. "So, we used to have a previous relationship. That's no reason why we can't work together. I'm a professional, Peter. You're a professional. I think we can all act like adults here."

"Good. Good. Sorry.' He shook his head. "It's just it's been weeks and I haven't heard from you…"

"I've been busy. That's all. Bus

"Busy. Sure, of course."

"I've been busy." Murphy was making herself sure of the comment.

"Well, then it's great that we're working together. We'll get to see more of each other then."

"Great." Murphy nodded her head.

"So, I guess I'll see you at the story meeting."

"The story meeting."

Peter walked out of the office as Kay walked in. Murphy watched Peter leave.

"Come on, Murphy I want to get this thing over with." Kay looked into Murphy's eyes. "Are you alright?"

Murphy looked at her. "Of course, I'm fine." Murphy seemed defensive.

"So, you're alright about Rachel being your producer?"

"No, of course not, Kay! Has hell frozen over yet, do pigs fly, is Frank in a committed..." Murphy stopped her thought. "I guess I can't use that one anymore." Murphy shook her head, picked up a few papers from her desk, and heading for the door.

"Then what did you think I was talking about?" Kay asked.

"When?" Murphy stopped and looked at Kay.

"When I asked you if you were alright?"

"What! Kay? You know, I don't have time for games. I have a story meeting to get to." Murphy raised her eyebrows and exited the door. Kay stayed for a moment giving one of her all-knowing looks.

Murphy walked out into the bullpen. Peter was getting himself a cup of tea and Rachel was getting herself a cup for her coffee.

"So, how old are you?" Peter asked, looking at her, as he dunked his tea bag.

"Excuse me?" Rachel looked at Peter with an offended look on her face as she poured herself her coffee. Murphy approached.

"You just seem kind of young to have this job? That's all?" Peter eyed her.

"I'm old enough." Rachel again was defensive.

"Don't worry, Pete, she's legal!" Murphy's eyes shinned.

"I'm twenty-five." Rachel gave Murphy a stern look. Murphy took her mommy mug off the coffee island where she left it.

"But she'll be getting her training wheels off real soon." Murphy smiled and her eyes popped out in her cocky way. Rachel and Peter gave her a look; Rachel's look was more of anger than Peter's. "Can we get this thing started? Where is everyone else, Kay?" Kay approached and Peter sat himself down at the table.

"Everyone's out on assignments right now and Lois just went to the emergency room. So, it's just going to be us," Rachel answered.

"Oh, I hope she's alright?" Peter inquired.

"Yeah." Rachel answered before Kay could. "She just closed another file cabinet on her hand," Rachel said it with a dry wit.

"Let's get this going! I have things to do," Murphy grunted and folded her arms.

"Alright then." Kay cleared her throat. "Peter, I'm assigning your stories to Rachel Margolis, here. We share the producing duties. Any questions or problems you go to Rachel first. She's my right-hand woman."

"Yes, we've met." Peter looked towards Rachel, as she leaned against the other side of the coffee island.

"Thank you, Kay. I just want you to pitch me your ideas. I also…" Rachel handed Peter and Murphy folders of papers off the table. "…came up with some story ideas that might work for you. They're not set, they're just suggestions." Peter looked over his list while Murphy ignored her's by pushing the list in front of her. Murphy folder her arms and looked up at Rachel with a cocky smile. Rachel took a breath. Kay gave Rachel a supporting look and took a step backwards.

"Are we done?" Murphy said like a bored child.

"Not until we hear your ideas, Murphy. Unless of course you don't have any." Kay giggled. "I crack myself up." Kay gave Murphy a look.

"Well, I have a few. I've been reading a lot about this Jackal character.

"The internet scam-artist?" Rachel continued.

"No one knows who this person is. He's already come away with millions of dollars and the FBI thinks he's already hit the East Coast."

"I like it." Kay looked at Rachel. "We can do one of those up to the minute stories. Live aspects. Up to the minute reports." Rachel wrote something down on her clipboard. Kay looked Peter. "Peter?"

"Well, I really didn't have many ideas like, Murphy. I hadn't really thought about it. But I do like your suggestion of digging into the whole FBI debacle..."

"Whoa! Wait a minute. That was my idea!" Murphy yelled in Peter's direction.

"No, Murphy..." Peter knew what road he was going

"Yes, that was my first idea, but that was my second. You can't take that, it's my idea."

"Oh, come on, Murphy? You can't have a patent on every idea." He leaned back in his chair and laughed. "This always happens."

"Always happens?"

"Someone comes up with a good idea, that happens to be better than yours, and you try and do everything possible to claim it as your own-"

"That's not true. I happened to have research on this. It's in my office. If you care to see."

"Ok. Ok, you two." Kay got them to calm down. "Why don't we make a compromise?"

"There's not need to compromise. It's was my idea!" Murphy yelled.

"Typical," Peter mussed.

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"I think you know."

"Why don't the two of you just share the idea?" Rachel interrupted again.

"What? No!" Murphy and Peter responded together.

"We can't share a story like this," Peter retorted.

"Why should I spend my time here on half a story?"

"No. I think it's a great idea. The each of you will have your own story and then work together on this one," Kay chimed in.

"But, Kay," Murphy demanded, as Kay got a beep.

"Oh. I have to get going." Kay smiled her evil grin and walked away.

Murphy sat with her arms folded and not in her best of moods. She held her lips pursed together and ran her eyes to her right towards Peter. Peter equally upset looked the same way at Murphy.

Rachel walked between the two. "Well, I'm glad that's settled." She smiled and held onto her clipboard. She looked at her watch. "Well, I need to get to editing. Murphy why don't you fill Peter in on your work so far and we'll meet up again tomorrow." She started to walk away. "And Murphy I want to see you tomorrow about your Jackal story." She continued to walk past the coffee island but stopped." Woo, Donuts!" she responded, as she dove in and sprung up with a donut. She then turned around and looked at the two, as she continued her walk. "Ohh, and the good donuts."

And Peter and Murphy were left alone.

"So. When can I see them?" Peter leaned his arm on the back of his chair and faced Murphy.

"See what?" She glared at him.

"You'll notes?"

"Oh, my notes." Murphy paused. "I can't show them to you now. They're at home," Murphy droned her words.

"Well, then I'll have to just come over, then," he said with a charming, cocky, tone.

"Fine. You can stop by tonight if you want?" Murphy sprung from her chair.

"Sounds good."

"Now if you'll excuse me I have a few calls to make."

"How about we just forget all about this work stuff over some food?" Peter stood up.

Murphy turned to him. "Really? Are you sure you're not busy doing a photo shoot? I hear the AARP needs a new cover boy." Murphy grinned.

Peter leaned his head to the side and held in a grin; shaking his head as he spoke. "I knew you'd have something to say." He stood up.

"So, when you die does this thing carry over? I mean, is there some sexiest man not alive status or once you give your crown away, next year, you no longer own the title?"

"Are you done?"

"For now."

"So how does that food sound?"

Murphy paused and looked in his eyes. She felt something. It scared her. "I don't have any plans." She paused. "Come back in fifteen minutes." Murphy entered her office.

"Murph!" Frank Fontana emerged behind her. "There you are!" Frank walked into her office behind her. "I've been looking all over for you. They told me your office was on the other side of the building. After you disappeared I went there looking for you."

"Oh, Frank were we supposed to have lunch?" Murphy had a frustrated look on her face.

"No, I brought you your mail?" Frank handed Murphy a package of mail held by an elastic band.

"Finally, Frank! You've been to Washington three times in the last month. When you have kids Frank I recommend putting them each on leashes so you don't forget them!" Murphy walked behind her desk.

"I'm sorry, I've been busy." Murphy took her mail from Frank and walked behind her desk. "So, this is the new office they put you up in?" Frank looked around the office.

Murphy sat down in her desk chair and put on her reading glasses. "Yeah." Murphy leaned back in her chair and leafed through the letters, not opening any of them, only checking for importance first.

Frank sat down on the leather couch by the window. "So, I was looking at apartments here in the city. I saw a really nice Brownstone over in Chelsea. "

"Why are you looking for apartments here in town, Frank? I thought you had a place." Murphy still sifted through her mail.

"I do. But it's just temporary. I've been talking over the idea with Lesley. About taking of residence here in New York."

"Really, Frank? That's great! I thought you wanted to move back to Washington?" Murphy looked at him behind her glasses and then back at the mail, as she opened a card and set it aside.

"I did. But Lesley really liked it here. And I agree with her..."

"Ohh." Murphy set aside the rest of the mail on her desk for one white letter. It was a sound of shock and fear.

"What is it?" Frank looked over towards Murphy.

"It's a letter from Jake?" Murphy began to stand up and stare at it.

"Why is Jake sending you a letter? I thought you said he's still New York, right?"

"No, Frank, this is dated a month ago. Three weeks before I ran into Jake in the clothing store." Frank could tell Murphy was upset. He rose from the couch. "This means something, Frank?"

"It doesn't have to mean anything. It could mean a number of things? So he tried to get in touch with you before he came. You said you wish he had, and he did."

"I don't know, Frank. He didn't mention this. And it's sort of a light for a letter."

"What are you getting at, Murph?."

"Whenever Jake comes back into my life he announces his arrive with some sort of gift. A token from out past together. But this time, nothing? So, I thought this time things were different."

"Different?"

"First he sent a me a drive-in movie speaker. It was from our honeymoon." Murphy took a breath. "And then it was a book jacket from the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolf." Murphy paced and then faced Frank." I gave it to Jake on August 28th, 1968 the day we were married."

"So!"

"So, I thought that when he didn't send anything this time that he didn't..."

"Have any romantic intentions?"

"Yes...!"

"Oh, come on, Murphy he's engaged."

"I know…"

"And you're with..." Frank had a semi-disgusted look on his face.

"I know, Frank!"

"Oh, this is crazy, Murph." Frank tried to shake it off. "But there's only one way to find out?"

"Open the letter?"

"Yeah." Frank was deadpan.

Murphy looked at the letter. "You open it, Frank?" she said in a hurry and shoved the letter in Frank's face.

"No. NO!" Frank put up his hands and walked away from her. "You're going to have to deal with this, Murphy!" He gestured towards her. "Open the letter." Murphy was silent. "Murph. I never see you like this except when he's around. It's been over thirty years and he still does this to you?" Franks last line got to Murphy.

"Close the door, Frank." Murphy was firm with her demand. Frank closed the door and Murphy sat at the edge of her desk. "I mean it's probably nothing. So, he sent me a letter before he came?" Murphy took a pair of scissors off her desk and sliced open the envelope with one of the blades. "Maybe he just forgot about it. Or assumed I didn't get it. It means nothing." Murphy set the scissors back on her desk and opened the rest of the envelope. From the envelope Murphy took a small old, ripped, theatre ticket. "Oh…"

"Murph, what is it?"

Murphy took a few steps forward. "It's a movie ticket." Murphy was in shock. "A movie ticket from the movie Jake and I saw on our wedding night. The movie that we never saw because we drove off so fast we took the speaker with us. The same speaker he gave me the first time around."

Frank looked at the ticket over Murphy shoulder. "2001: A Space Odyssey?" Frank looked over at Murphy.

"This means something, Frank."

"It could mean any number of things? Maybe it's just a late millennium gift? I mean they say it really starts in 2001."

"He wants me back, Frank."

"That doesn't have to mean anything. Maybe he just found it around the house and he thought you might want it? You know? Spring cleaning."

"The man can fit everything he owns into the back of a Volkswagen bug, Frank! I really don't think there's anything he has that's unaccounted for!" Murphy started to pace.

"Well, has he even mention ticket?" Frank was serious for a moment.

"No." Murphy took in a breath. "But maybe he just didn't mention anything about it because I didn't mention anything about it."

"Murphy, I don't see what the big deal is! He's engaged. And as much as I don't understand it you claim you love Jerry. "

"I do."

"I mean Jerry's not my favorite person, but Jake. He's just as worse for you. Besides he's engaged!"

"I know!" Suddenly, Murphy heard a noise outside her office.

"Maybe then he'll just stay out of our lives for good."

"You too? What's so wrong with Jake?" She heard the noise again.

"I think this entire conversation covered that!"

"What is that sound, Frank?"

"What's what?" Frank shrugged his shoulders and Murphy went for the door.

"It sounds... Familiar?" She looked at Frank and opened the door making the noises grow louder.

Outside, Murphy 's office was Jake, Jerry, and Peter arguing their heads off. Murphy slammed the door and blocked it with her back.

"Murphy?" Frank yelled at her.

"Oh god, Frank, I can't take this! It's happening again, Frank! Again!"

"What is!"

"Them! They're back! And now's there's one more of them! I don't know if I can do this again, Frank!" Murphy walked closer to Frank. "You know what happened to me last time. This could push me over the edge."

"If you ask me, last time it did push you over the edg! And who's the third?" Frank gestured with his hands.

"Peter..."

"Peter? You're counting Peter in all of this?" Frank felt a little responsible for that, but tried not to show it. "What is going on with you?" He gestured with his hands.

"I don't know, Frank? All I know is feelings...that I thought were long gone have somehow... resurfaced."

"What are you saying, Murphy? Are you saying you don't love Jerry anymore?" Frank was concerned for his friend, but also hoping for a yes answer.

"No! No or course not! I mean. I do! I do! It's just lately... and now..." She took in deep breaths.

"Murph. It's only normal to have feelings for past loves when you run into them. If you really love someone there will always be a place for them in your heart. Especially, when you have a child with that person."

"You're right, Frank, that's all it is." Murphy shook it off.

"Ok, so Jake sent you a movie ticket from your past, but he's engaged. He's taken."

"True, but that doesn't always mean anything..." Murphy sat down on the couch. "I never told you this Frank, but remember when Jerry came to Washington to get married."

"You slept with Jerry while he was engaged!"

"Give me a little credit here! I didn't know he was engaged at the time, Frank!"

"He lied to you about being engaged and then slept with you." Frank took a breath. "And this is the man she claims to love!" Frank did an aside.

"It's complicated, Frank!"

"Why is your life always like some bad soap opera!"

"Why does everybody say that?" Murphy shot up off the couch.

"You're like some poster girl for all the bad that can happen to women! Alcohol, cancer, Jerry Gold!"

"Will you stop it, Frank! What I really need right now is words of encouragement!"

"What are you saying, Murphy? You don't trust, Jake? And what about Peter?" Frank rolled his hand over his forehead. "I don't know if I want to hear this." He sat himself down on Murphy's couch.

"I don't know about Peter? All I know is that the prospect of working with him sends shivers up my spin and I don't know why? But I could never start up a relationship again with Jerry..."

"Don't you mean, Peter?"

"Yes! That's what I said, Frank! Peter and I could never work again. He and I always butted heads, he never wanted to compromise."

"Sounds like all your relationships!"

"His work isn't even in this country - he could leave at any moment..."

"Wait, are we talking about Jake or Peter this time?"

Murphy thought for a moment "I'm not sure?" Murphy was confused.

"Murph. What going on? I'm still not sure what you're saying? Are you saying you don't trust them?

"Yes? No? It's just that right now. I'm saying. I…" Murphy took a breath. "I don't know if I trust myself." Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Go away!" Murphy turned her back to the door as Kay walked in.

"Murphy, you better get out here!" Kay demanded.

Frank and Murphy gave each other looks. It was then that Murphy heard that familiar sound again and she knew what it was.

Murphy took a breath and charged into the bullpen. "Ok! Knock it off! Knock it off! What the hell is going on!" Murphy demanded. The three men, Jack, Jerry, and Jack, blamed each other. "Ok. All three of you in my office!" they all looked at her. "Now!"

Frank and Kay waited outside as Jake, Peter, and Jerry entered her office.

"Ok. One at a time you are all going to tell me why you're here and what the hell you want! No insults! No comments! Just the facts!"

Jerry spoke first. "Well, thank you, Jake Webb, but I don't see why I've been dragged in here in the first place," Jerry snared.

"It's not my fault!" Jake and Peter groaned.

Jerry continued. "I just came to take you to lunch... when Dwedum and Dwedeldummer showed up."

Jake and Peter both took offence. Murphy scolded.

"What did I do?" Jerry confronted Murphy in a confused way.

Jack finally spoke up. "Murphy, that's the only reason I'm here. I wanted to take you to lunch. When..." Jake insisted.

"I was minding my own business and when he..." Jerry continued.

"He insulted me!" Jake demanded.

"Oh, it was an innocent comment!" Jerry was fed up with it all.

"Don't include me in this madness." Peter put up his hands. "All I did was explain to both of them that I was taking you to lunch. And all hell broke loose." Peter showed his lack of blame and how crazy the other two were.

"So, is this true?" Jerry asked.

"Yes, Jerry. Peter is taking me to lunch. Peter and I are working together now. So, yes we will be partaking of food together. Sometimes even alone and with groups of people!"

Rachel barged into Murphy's office. "Murphy my editing session was canceled I was hoping we could..!" All three men and Murphy turned to look at her. On seeing the group of men Rachel's jaw dropped. "Dear lord!" She covered her month; she had not wanted to say the words out loud.

"Rachel, could you give us a moment." Murphy spoke with strength.

"Hey, Rachel." Jerry walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek.

"Hey, Jerry?" Rachel was confused. "I see, future, present and past. Where's Jacob Marley and the chains?" She laughed and no one else did.

"And who is this?" Jake asked looking at Murphy.

"She's my daughter, Lowenstein!"

"She's your daughter?" Peter asked in astonishment.

"Murphy, Peter, my editing time was canceled." Rachel felt awkward. "I was hoping we could discuss some quick ideas before I have to go on location? But I can just go. Yeah, I think that's a good idea. I'll do that." But she stayed – it was all too juicy.

"Ok. I'll be right there," Murphy told her.

"Murphy, I really need to talk to you..." Jake chimed in with desperation.

"Jake, I'll just have to see you on Thursday when you pick up Avery." Murphy looked at Jerry. "Jerry, go home!" Murphy walked out followed by Jake. "Let me just get my tea." Murphy rambled as she walked past Rachel.

"Let me just get my notes." Peter told Rachel, as he passed through the archway.

Jerry followed last and walked up to Rachel who watched the group leave.

"What just happened here?" Rachel was agog.

"You don't want to know?" Jerry was holding in his anger.

"Wanna tell me over some food?" Rachel took a quick look at him.

"Yeah, sure." Jerry looked around and sighed.

"Give me about fifteen minutes to meet with these guys. Meet me by the elevator." She looked at her watch. "Maybe a half hour." She looked back at him. "I can have a quick bite before I'm due on location."

"It's ok." He took her hand for a moment. "I have to be back at the studio anyway." He grunted as Murphy walked back in the office. "Can you give us a moment?" Jerry whispered to Rachel. Rachel nodded her head and walked out.

Jerry turned to Murphy and changed demeanors. "Can we talk?" he said in a harsh voice, as he slammed the door in Peter's face, who had tried to follow Murphy back in. As the door slammed the noise of the two's distinct voices rose to undesirable decibels. It was so loud that everyone in the bullpen stopped what he or she was doing to listen to the commotion.

Suddenly, the door opened and everyone quickly got back to what they were doing, as Jerry speed walked through the bullpen and out the door. Rachel who had been sitting on Murphy's empty secretaries' desk looked over at an intern who was standing next to her.

"Well. I think the day's going rather well so far? Don't you?" Rachel said sarcastically.

---

LATER THAT WEEK

Murphy sat on the couch looking over some papers, as did Peter also on the couch to her right. Murphy finished reading one of the papers and switched it for another. As she did so she reached for a slice of pizza. She took a bite and then pushing herself into the corner of the couch.

"This is good. Where did you get this?" Murphy was excited.

"A buddy of mine at the Pentagon." Peter sat up and took the last slice of pizza from the box.

"I wish I could get a buddy like this."

"Well it depends can you get him some good ass and six cases of Dowers?"

"Well, if you asked me that twenty years ago I could of got him something pretty close." Murphy laughed and Peter chuckled.

"Mind if I get myself something to drink?" Peter shook his empty glass Murphy's way. She peered out from under her glasses and waved Peter to go ahead.

Peter disappeared into the kitchen. "You know I wasn't sure about sharing this project for you." Peter appeared at the door of the kitchen. "But now I'm thinking it's not such a bad idea." Peter handed Murphy a bottle of Perrier and gave her a humoring nod. "I mean I'll be working on two other projects and this gives me more time."

"Yeah, I do all the work and you get all the glory." Murphy gave Peter a look and he sat himself down on the couch to Murphy's right. Murphy was about to make a defensive comment when she noticed the bottle in her hand.

"I didn't ask for this?"

"I know. I thought you just might want one?" Peter gave a confused look.

"Oh." Murphy seemed embarrassed.

"Listen, Murphy." Peter leaned forward, as he held onto his drink.

"Yeah?" She was reading another group of packets and not really paying attention.

"How long has Jake been in the country?"

"About two weeks. Why?"

"And in actually - what capacity has he been here?"

"In what capacity?" Murphy looked up from her glasses again. "What's that supposed to mean? If you mean is he seeing Avery? Yes. In fact, he's out with him right now." Murphy gave a disapproving look and went back to her places.

"And that's it?" Peter took a drink of his soda.

"Excuse me, Peter." Murphy tore off her glasses and looked at Peter.

"Nothing. Nothing." Peter shook it off and sat down next to Murphy.

"I am in a relationship, Peter." She looked at him.

"I know. I know. Never mind. I'm sorry I brought it up." Peter started to stack some papers.

"What is this?" She looked at the paper funny.

"Those are the percentage of guns and computers that were miscounted for," Peter said it very matter-a-factly.

"Then what's this?" She pointed to another piece of paper.

Peter leaned past Murphy grazing himself up against her. She could smell his after-shave mixed with his sweat and the feel of his cotton shirt. Murphy seemed confused by her reaction, but within minutes had put it behind her.

Peter pointed to graph on the paper. "This is…." Murphy took a gulp and grabbed the paper from Peter. "The ratio of those unaccounted for verse what was actually filed as lost."

"I can't believe how huge this ratio is."

Peter stood up and walked towards the fireplace. He noticed the small picture of Murphy on the mantel and picked it up. He set it down and turned around gesturing with his hands.

"Just the idea that they want us to believe..." Murphy started to rub her neck.

"Are you alright?" Peter asked nicely.

"I think I just pulled something in my back..."

"Here, let me," Peter offered in his boyish tone.

"Oh, no really, I'm fine. I..." Murphy tried to fend Peter off with words, but Peter insisted with his hands, as he sat behind her. With the sudden release of pressure from Murphy's back and shoulder she was quieted from protesting any further.

"I forgot how tense you get."

"Ok." Murphy shot up giving Peter a confused look. "I think. That's enough." Murphy looked a lot tenser then before. "Ok." Murphy shook her arms. "I think that's enough."

"Murphy, maybe I should. Go."

"No. No. Peter. It's fine. I'm just very tired. That's all, tried."

Peter started for the door. "No, it's late. Plus Jerry should be home soon. Right?"

"You don't have to leave on his account," Murphy grunted.

"No. I think. I should." He laughed it off and went for the door. Murphy met him at the foyer door. "We'll pick it up again tomorrow?"

"Alright?" Peter looked at Murphy. Her hair was askew and falling off to one side - all in front of her face.

"Your hair?" Peter motioned with his hand and just about grazed Murphy's hair off her face, before Murphy moved her hand up quickly and fixed the problem herself.

"Oh."

"Murphy?"

"Yes." Murphy looked at him and before he could speak the door latch sounded and the door opened to reveal Avery and Jake.

"Mom!" Avery gave his mother a hug. "Guess what we did? Guess? Guess!"

"What?" She smiled.

"We went boating in the Lake. In the Park. And then we had cotton candy. And looked at the penguins at the Zoo"

"That's great."

"Peter." Jake nodded at Peter

"Jake." Peter did the same.

Murphy eyed the two, as everything seemed to be all right. "Avery." Murphy turned him around and held on to his shoulders. "Do you remember, Peter?"

"Hey there, Avery." Peter looked down at the boy with a look of pride. "Wow. You've grown."

"Hi." Avery seemed a little shy.

"You don't remember me, do you?"

"Of course he does. Right, Avery?" Murphy urged.

"I do. I just don't remember you that well. Sorry."

"That's all right." Peter smiled. "It's been awhile."

"Jake?" Avery asked, as Jake leaned down to the boy's height.

"Yes, Avery?" Murphy beamed, as Jake spoke to their child.

"I had fun."

"Good."

"Can we do this again?"

"Sure. I'd like that."

"Do you think we could go to a Yankee game next time?"

"I don't see why not." Jake looked at Murphy who nodded.

"Yes!" Avery pulled his arm backwards and made a fist. Something he had seen his mother do and ran away.

"Well, I'll get going." Peter went for the door.

"Really, you don't have to leave for anyone, Peter," Murphy gritted her teeth.

"No, Murphy. It's ok. Peter and I have no qualms with each other do we, Peter. It's other people we have problems with." He smiled at Peter.

"Oh?" Murphy shook if off. "I'm glad you're both being adults about this."

"Yeah. Peter and I go way back." Jake laughed and then looked at Murphy. "Murphy, do you have a moment to talk?"

"Sure? Why don't you go into the living room."

"Nice to see you again, Peter." Jake walked into the living room with a smile and Peter watched him leave with a not so happy look on his face.

"Peter, what did Jake mean by you two go way back?" Peter looked at Murphy.

"How long did you say he was staying here?"

"I didn't. I don't know. Maybe a few weeks? What did he mean by you two go way back?" Peter put his hands in his pockets and looked around.

"Jake and I met in Brazil last summer."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Peter looked towards Jake's direction.

"How did that happen?"

"Listen, Murphy I should get going." He went for the door and grabbed it with one hand. He then stopped and hit his other hand on the door as he turned. He looked like he wanted to say something, but Jake appeared at the doorway of the foyer and Peter said nothing. "I'll see you at work."

Peter closed the door and Murphy turned around to see Jake.

"Jake."

"Murphy."

"So, you two had fun?" Murphy made her way out of the foyer.

"Yeah?" Jake was more confidant, "I would really like to see more of him... if that's alright with you."

"Of course, Jake." Murphy seemed pleased and surprised.

"Murphy..." Jake motioned for Murphy to sit down on the couch and he sat down next. "Spending this last week or so with Avery... I feel like a different person." Murphy smiled while Jake searched for the words for a moment. "I just can't explain it in words, but talking with him, spending time with him, seeing this child that you and I created..."

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Murphy glowed.

"Yeah. It is." Jake smiled at her. "What I'm saying, Murphy..."

"Yes, Jake?"

"What I'm saying is ...when I say I want to spend more time with Avery - I just don't mean a for a few more days more, I mean permanently..."

"Permanently?"

"I look at him and think about all the years I missed and I don't want to miss one more of them. I've already talked it over with Sharon and we've decided to keep her apartment here in New York. I may not be here as much as I would like Murphy, but I will be here. I want to be a part of our son's life. If you'll let me, I mean?" He paused. "Will you let me, Murphy?" There was a pause

"It's funny. When you first came here I was excited for you to get to know your son. To know the joy that he has brought me in the last ten years. I had hoped, but I never thought you would react this way, " Murphy beamed.

"I know." Jake got up off the couch.

"But I am glad you made this choice, Jake. I'm glad you want to be a part of your son's life."

"I never thought I would react this way, Murphy? After all these years..." He looked in Murphy's eyes. He shook his head and looked at Murphy, as if he wanted to say something, but seemed to edit his thoughts. "That's a really great kid we made."

"Yeah." Murphy held a smile, as if she was holding back tears. It was an emotional smile.

Jake stood, walked over to Murphy, and she rose. When he reached her he took her hands. "We must have done something right?" Jake paused.

"You wouldn't want to have dinner tonight would you?"

"No, I can't I have plans with Sharon." Jake looked at his watch. "In fact, I really should get going." Jake went for the door. "Maybe some other time."

"I'd like that." Murphy smiled and Jake left.

Murphy walked over to the couch and started organizing her papers. She took her glasses from the couch and set them around her head. Just then the door squeaked opened and slammed. It was Jerry.

"Hey, get this. According to the American public - I am no longer the scariest man on television." Jerry slapped his hand on his paper, as Murphy stood up.

"That's great?"

"Now, I'm the funniest man on television. Right under Jerry Springer."

"So who beat you out for the scariest?"

"Geraldo Riverio." Murphy smiled. Jerry took her hands. "Listen, Murphy." Jerry looked into her eyes and got serious. "I want to apologize for the way I've been acting lately."

"Jerry..."

"No. I know how it upsets you. I promise I will. Try. To act better around Jake. But only for you."

"Again..." She shook her head. "You cease to amaze me." She kissed him.

"You sound a little more surprised than usual. Are you doubting me?"

"What? No," Murphy got defensive.

"Brown, I was kidding."

"Oh." She smiled awkwardly. "Ha." Jerry stroked the side her face and then leaned in and kissed her. "Thank you, Jerry."

"For what?

"For this. It really means a lot to me." Murphy smiled and so did. "Especially, now."

"Why's that?"

"I had a talk with Jake and he wants to spend more time with Avery."

"Oh." Jerry was surprised. "Well, that's great," he said with little feeling. He sat himself down on the couch. "Interesting timing."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm sorry, Brown. But it's all rather convenient when the man is leaving next week." Jerry opened his paper.

"That's what I mean, Gold. He's not leaving New York."

"He's not?"

"No, when he and Sharon get married they're going to live here in Manhattan. Sure, it won't be around all the time, but he wants to be more of a presence in Avery's life."

"I see." Jerry flipped to the next page in his paper.

"Are your doubting him?"

"I don't mean to, Brown. But the man does have a track record in that area." Jerry crossed his leg on his knee and opened his paper.

"I think I know him better then you do, Jer."

"That's right, I've only been in the man's presence for five days, for you it was more like ten. And that's over thirty years." Jerry still kept looking at his paper.

"The amount of time we spent together isn't the factor here, Jerry. And I thought you said you were going to try and behave yourself when it came to Jake."

"Why is he here?"

"Gold!"

"Ok, Ok" Jerry tossed his paper to the side and stood up. "It's just I love you so much. He brings out the worse in me." Murphy smiled. "Ok, so that's not that much a stretch for me." He laughed and took Murphy by the shoulders. "I just don't want to see him hurt you again."

"Who said he'd hurt me?" Jerry face reeked of disbelief and his eyes blazed at Murphy's lie. "Besides, I think we both know what the problem here is. You just..."

"Alright, Alright. Let's not rehash this again. Let's just change the subject, alright?" Jerry got a smile on his face, as he found another subject to change to. "I'm almost forgetting." Jerry face read the word exuberant. "I have great news." Jerry beamed with excitement.

"What's that?" Murphy broke away and sat herself down on the couch. She crossed her legs seductively and ran her hand off the side of her face, leaning on it a bit. Jerry clasped his hands together and rubbed them for a moment. "I didn't want to tell you this before. Because I didn't want to get your hopes up, but after the Emmy nominations Howard took me a side - and he told me - if this was any indication the boy upstairs would give me the go ahead to move back to Washington. And well. He was right. I got the news today. We can be back in Washington by next month. "There was silence from Murphy. "Ok. Not the response I was expecting." Jerry looked to the side.

"I wish you had told me, Jerry?" Murphy stood up and walked closer to the mantel.

"I thought this would make you happy, Brown! All you could talk about when we first got here was going back to Washington."

"I know Jerry, but things are different now."

"How?"

"I have a job here, Jerry."

"You said you hate it there?"

"I have a contract."

"Fine, we'll move after the summer. Come on, Brown? Huh? What's the big deal?"

"I'll tell you what the big deal is, Gold! This is a major decision here and you didn't discuss this with me."

"Decision? I wasn't aware it was a decision that hadn't already been made."

"That was before. This is now. You could have asked me first what I wanted to do. And I'd like to stay here!"

"Oh, I see," Jerry grumbled. "When there were people, other than me, waiting back in DC for you, then it was fine. But now that everyone you care about is here..."

"Sure, Frank, has something to do with why I've started to feel settled here. And Jim and Kay, but that's not the only reason."

"And here I was thinking you came to New York to be with me."

"Don't give me that! You wanted me to stay in New York. And when you didn't say anything I thought that was what was happening. I made plans."

"What are your talking about you never told me you had plans to stay in New York? What plans? You said you wanted to live in Washington, that you hated New York. That was the goal! I think it was you who needed to inform me about this sudden change and not the other way around!"

"That was before my job, Gold!"

"You said you wanted to try and get your special going again."

"I did. But now I'll really like being back with an ensemble show..."

"You mean with, Peter…"

"Oh, here we go again! Why are you doing this, Jerry? You have no reason to be jealous. You don't!"

"I'm not jealous!"

"Please, you're as green as the walls in my house in Georgetown!"

"I'm not jealous! I just don't see why one day you're whining you head off about leaving this place and then the next you don't want to leave?"

"There are a lot of things. Frank's here. My jobs here..."

"And Jake's here...I'm starting to get this now," he said sarcastically.

"We're back to this again! Will you stop harping on this! You won Jerry. I'm with you. Your precious male ego is intact!"

"Oh, really?" Jerry cracked and Murphy sighed. "If I won anything. It was by default." Murphy rolled her eyes. "I mean let's just get it all out in the open here."

"What are you talking about, Jerry!"

"Let's go back. Let's just say ten years ago. 1991. If you didn't get pregnant all those years ago who would have chosen, Murphy?"

"Oh, come on, Jerry, that was a long time ago."

"Who would you choose!"

"It doesn't matter, Jerry! That was over ten years ago."

"Who would you choose!"

"I don't know!" Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"Who is it!" Jerry yelled.

"It's Jake," came Jake's muffled voice.

"Huh? Perfect timing. Come on in!" Jerry gestured outwards with his hands. The door opened and Jerry walked out towards the terrace with his back to Murphy with his newspaper clenched in his hands.

Murphy lowered her head and walked closer to the foyer

"Hi, Murphy." Jake walked into the foyer.

"Jake, this is really a bad time." She looked over at Jerry for a moment. "Could you come back later?"

"I'm sorry, Murphy. I think I left my glasses here, when I picked up Avery this morning." He looked around and put her hands in her pockets. "I think I left them on the coffee table.

"Oh, sure. Let me look." Murphy walked over the coffee table and looked around. She picked up her own glasses and looked at them. "I must have confused them for mine." She looked at Jake. "They must be in my room." She looked at Jerry.

"Go. Go ahead." He looked at Jake and put his hands in his pockets.

"Jake." Jerry stepped off the landing to the terrace and slapped his paper with his hand.

"Jerry."

"What a surprise to see you... here. Again." Jerry stood still and looked at Jake. There was a silence of tension between the two.

"What, no insult?" Jake spoke and Jerry took a pause and threw his paper on the couch.

He looked Jake up and down. "Ok. Listen. Here's the deal, Jake. We don't have to like each other, we don't have to talk to each other, we don't even have to share a time-share in the Hamptons together. We just have to tolerate each other. So why don't we leave it at that?" Jerry started to walk away.

"I'm glad you've come to senses." He paused. "For Murphy's sake."

"Yeah?" Jerry didn't seem to buy it. Jake offered up his hand to shake. "For Murphy's sake?" Jerry started to walk away leaving Jake unhappy for the state of his hand. Jake shook his head.

"Come on? You won't even shake my hand?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Why? I think you know why?"

"No. I don't."

"Because, I don't shake hands with people I don't respect?"

"You don't respect me?"

"No. I don't."

"Well I..." Jake stammered for the thought. "Don't respect you."

"Oh, my heart is broken," Jerry smiled sarcastically. "You see, Jake. I may not like someone's politics or their way of thinking, but I can at least respect them for it. You? I don't respect. You claim you're a man of peace and love. Giving of yourself before others. Yeah, right? If it doesn't mess with your plans. You see, Jake, you're a hypocrite. And hypocrites, I don't respect."

"Hey, I don't need a lecture from you, Jerk. I think I've done a lot more good then you have for this planet."

"It depends on your definition of good." Jake started laughing. "What's so funny?"

"You. Pretending to be righteous..."

"I never said I was righteous. Far from it. But at least I don't preach one thing and do another."

"Hey. Murphy and I had an agreement. This was her decision. I never forced her into anything. And she knows that! But I'm here now. And I think that's what's really bugging you. Isn't it?"

"Yeah. We'll just see about that."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Because, old dogs don't learn new tricks. And believe me I'm the oldest dog there is. And I know one when I see it. You come into town with your sweet words and your good looks and somehow, I don't know how, sweep Murphy off her feet, and then as soon as you can say abandonment, you're gone."

"I'm here to stay."

"Oh, well that's different." He gesture with his head. "It's not like you haven't said that before?"

"You know, I've had about enough of you, jerk!"

"Ohh, Jerk, again? Very original comeback. Get that one from the Breakfast Club, did you?"

"I can't believe I'm sitting here talking this from you. You say I'm the hypocrite. What is this I hear about this daughter of yours..."

"Hey, don't bring my daughter into this! That is completely..." Jerry gestured hard with his right hand.

"Whoa, Whoa!" Murphy emerged from the hallway. "What is going on here?"

"Nothing. Murphy." Jake was serious and kind.

Jerry huffed at the exchange and walked over to the terrace. He slid open the door and walked out slamming it shut.

"Here are your glasses." She handed them to Jake. "I'm sorry for whatever Jerry said."

"No, Murphy. It's not your fault. I just don't see what you see in that man. I mean he can't be a good influence on Avery."

"Believe me, Jake. There's more to him than this."

Jake took the glasses from her and held on to Murphy's hand for a moment. "Well." He paused. "I really have to get going." He leaned in and kissed Murphy on the check before his departure. Murphy watched him leave and turned around. She walked further into the foyer and looked out towards the terrace where she watched Jerry smoking a cigarette. Murphy took in a deep breath and let it out.

---

THE NEWSBEAT BULLPEN

A week later things between Murphy and Jerry weren't getting any better and things at the Newsbeat offices where bustling as usual. Always in a hurry, Rachel Marglois walked down the aisle of desks and into the main bullpen area. Her arms where lagged down with papers and videos

"Good Morning, Jim." Rachel opened the lid of the box of donuts to be completely disappointed - it was empty.

"Good morning, Rachel. I'm afraid the last of the donuts where gone hours ago."

Rachel made her way over to the glass table and dumped her large stake of papers. She took a folder and a videocassette over to Jim. "Here, Jim. I got that release for you and a copy of the education report." Jim took the folder. "I also found this tape you might be interested in. It's film stock on asbestos cleaning in city schools. In case you want to use that angle in the story. I came up with the idea on the subway last night. I also had this idea of you going out to the schools yourself. Talk to the children. See what they have to say. Don't delegate them to a bunch of numbers. We could do a forum of students. All age groups. Special Ed to mainstreamed kids. Maybe even get them some money in process."

"Are you sure your Jerry Gold's daughter?" Jim asked with a confused look on his face.

"Yes Jim. You ask me that every morning." Rachel picked up her stake of paper and began to walk back towards the direction she came from. "The stick was blue, Jim," she said in a deadpan.

"Are you sure? Perhaps there was a mix-up at the hospital...?"

"No, Jim." She smiled. "By the way Jim... Kay called on her cell she needs to move the morning meeting back another hour. She's stuck on location."

"Again, but it's twelve already. This is the third time this morning." Rachel walked away. "Is there no order around here!"

"I'm sorry, Jim." Just then Mabel entered the area.

"Rachel, there's a person on line three for you? They said it was important. And your secretary wasn't in. They needed to speak to you right away."

"Oh? Here, do me a favor. Put these in my office would you? I'm going to take that here." Mabel took the papers and walked away. Rachel took a pad and pencil from her purse and picked up a phone on one of the desks in the area. "Yes, Rachel Margolis?" She leaned on the edge of her desk. As Rachel wrote down impeccable notes Peter entered the coffee island area.

"Hi, Jim."

"Peter. You'll be behooved to know that the morning meeting has been moved back. Again," he said with a military assertiveness.

"Oh. Alright." Peter seemed to have no problem with it, as he opened the donuts cover to find nothing he wanted.

"Aren't you appalled by the lateness around here?" Jim held his head high.

"No? Not really."

"Well, I think it's a total lack of decorum. And when that fails you have nothing." Jim whispered his final thought.

"Alright?" He looked Jim in the face. "Jim, have you seen Rachel?"

"She's over there." Jim pointed towards toward Rachel with a lack of enthusiasm. Jim walked away as Peter approached Rachel. At the same time Rachel was hanging up the phone.

"Here's my piece on Erin Elborn." He smiled at her. "Hot off the presses. Well I guess in our line of work we don't have presses, but you get my drift." He handed her his tape.

She looked up at her from him, perched on the side the desk.

"Is it ten point five minutes?" She put her hand out to take the tape.

"I told you," Peter gritted his teeth. "I could only do the piece at no less than twelve minutes. It's down to eleven point five."

Rachel took her hand away. "Then I can't take it."

"Come on, Rachel. I can't work this way," he tried to laugh it off.

"Everyone else seems to be able to deal with it." She crossed her legs.

"Not, Murphy."

"Well, Murphy is a freak of nature. This has been established. Now, I can't take that tape unless you take a minute off of it." Rachel walked over to the coffee Island and looked around for her mug.

"It's a lousy minute." Peter followed her.

"Hello, all." Murphy seemed more exuberant than usual.

"Hi, Murphy." Peter and Rachel responded to her in off tempo beats. Murphy herself shook her mug and prepared her tea, as Rachel did the same.

"It's one lousy minute." Peter accosted Rachel, as she walked over to the glass table and took the honey for her tea.

"Would you rather I cut the minute myself?" She dunked the tea bag.

"No! You are not touching my piece!" Peter demeaned.

"He gets this way," Murphy interrupted. "Just wait until the little vein in his head starts pounding." Murphy walked towards her office, but stopped between the two as she caught their exchange.

"Your eyes?" Rachel looked at him dead on.

"What?"

"They're crinkling?" Rachel was mesmerized.

Murphy rolled her eyes.

"Crinkling?"

"Yeah. Has anyone ever told you that?"

"No." Peter smirked a bit of a cocky smile and leaned on the table towards her. "Why, do you like that?"

"No," she smirked. "I find it annoying. I was hoping you could stop somehow?" Rachel looked away, obviously lying.

"Oh. I see. I guess I won't offer you the compliment I was going to offer you in response."

"You were going to offer me up a compliment?" She looked up at him.

Peter pulled out a chair and sat himself down. "Yes. But seeing as the eye thing wasn't a compliment. I don't think you deserve it."

"Well, the eye thing wasn't completely an insult. I mean at times it can be charming. It just drives me crazy that's all. I mean in a semi-bad. Good type way. What were you going to say?"

"Nothing. Just that I thought you had nice legs."

"I do? Most men go for something else entirely on the first shot. I commend you on your male restraint."

"Well, I like your legs. In a semi-good. Not so bad. You know easy on the eyes type of way." He leaned in further.

Murphy let out an express of air and stormed into her office.

"Excuse me a moment." Peter followed Murphy into her office.

"Murphy?" Peter was used to the situation of Murphy hiding things from him and was determined to get the truth out of her.

"Yeah." Murphy hung her bag on the coat hanger and walked over to her desk where she deposited her belongings.

"Is something bothering you?"

"Bothering me why?" Murphy seemed agitated.

"I just..."

"If you want to embarrass yourself by flirting with Rachel I have no problem with that."

"Whoa, wait a minute? Flirting? Who said I was flirting with her?"

"Oh come on, Peter. If you batted your eyes one more inch you would take flight!"

"Ok. Fine, I was flirting. But what' so wrong with that? Unless of course you have a problem with that for other reason?"

"Are you insinuating that I'm jealous for some reason? Is this what you're getting at?" She put her hand on her hip.

"Yes. What other reason could be it?"

"Well, other than the fact that I don't think office romances are conductive to a working environment."

"That's how we got together."

"And look what happened to us!"

"No. I think... Wait a minute, what was the other then?"

"Other then?"

"You said, "other than the fact", which meant you had more to say?"

"Did I?"

"Murphy?"

"I just think that Rachel. Is a bit. I don't know... out of your league."

"Out of my league? And what league would that be?"

"She's a bit young for you, isn't she, Peter? I mean she still has that new car smell."

"Age doesn't matter to me. I think you would know that."

"You know, she's Jerry's daughter?"

"I know. And I don't care? Why do you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I don't know - you tell me?"

"Besides, do you really want to date a girl who once dated Miles? I mean she must be insane to date a man with that much neuroses. Some of it had to rub off."

"Who said anything about dating her? I never said that! But if I wanted to you couldn't stop me."

"Fine. You want my blessing. Go ahead date, be merry, get married have lots of children."

"Fine!"

"Fine!" And Peter stormed out of the office.

"Hey, Murph." Frank pocked his head into Murphy's office.

"Hey, Frank."

"I was hoping you could help me. I'm speaking at Colombia next week and I need a good Bush joke to open up with. Have any ideas?"

"Just take all the Dan Quayle jokes and replace the names, Frank." Frank nodded and sat down on the couch as he jotted some notes on an index card.

"So, have you caught Corky's new show?" Frank leaned back and began a conversation with his old pal.

Murphy made herself busy around the office as Frank spoke. "No. Not really. Why is it any good?" Murphy stretched her arm to a video case behind her desk and checked the label.

"Any good? It's been number one in the ratings for three weeks now."

"Oh? Really? I hadn't noticed. Is it?" Murphy was lying through her teeth, which brought a smirk to her friend's face, for he knew her so well.

"Really?"

"And I wouldn't take so much stock in what's number one in the ratings, Frank. It's summer. People would rather watch grown people eat rats than watch reruns. I wouldn't be so impressed."

"Come on, Murph? I've seen the show. It's pretty good. It's a real good blend of hard news and human-interest pieces. She and Champion really got a great mix. They get the people tuned in and then hit them later with the important stuff."

"It's dumbing down, Frank."

"This doesn't have anything to do with the fact that since Corky started her show and you started this one. Her ratings have gone up and yours have gone down." Frank lifted his eyebrows. "You're jealous."

"Oh, come on, Frank. Of Corky?"

"Admit it. You're jealous. I bet you've even seen the show."

"Frank! Don't you have work to do?" She eyeballed him

"No," he smirked.

"Murphy." Rachel entered the room for a moment. "Kay's here. She wants to have the meeting now." And then she was gone.

"I'm sorry, Frank. I'd love to sit here and chat, but some of us have real work to do." Murphy walked out of her office.

"That's alright. I'll just say hello to my other friends." Frank walked out of the office and up to Kay. "Hello, Kay."

"Hello, Frank. Are you on my show again?"

"No, of course not, Kay."

"Ah, that's too bad." Key smiled and then hit him over the head with her rolled up magazine. "Now get out!"

"OWW." Frank held on to his head and walked away while Jim approached. He said hello to Frank and was confused when the man gave Jim a fumbled hello back, as he was still nursing his wounds.

Peter walked up beside Murphy with Kay on his right. The two acknowledged each other's presence, slightly. Rachel stood in her usual stop alongside the coffee island next to Jim, while Joyce, Lois, and Tawny took the remaining seats around the table. They all looked rather cramped.

"Can we get this over with? I have things I should be doing!" Murphy demanded. The whole group grumbled at Murphy's protest and then acknowledged she wasn't the only one with work to do.

"I know we all have work to do. I'm sorry. I don't like postponing the meeting as much as you do, but I've had a lot to do this week. In fact, for the rest of the week I have decided to forgo the meetings and you'll just all report to Rachel and she'll report to me." Now. Just a few announcements. I talked to the crew and the conference room will be ready by next week.

"Oh, I don't know, I think it's rather cozy here." Jim made a gesture with his body and bumped into Rachel. "Oh, I'm so sorry." Jim used his hands in his apology, which Rachel tried to fend off, because she knew it was an accident.

"You mean you're moving the story meetings?" Murphy found this interesting.

"Don't worry, Murphy, we'll have the donuts in there also," Rachel mused.

Murphy gave her a look and before she could make a comeback Kay interrupted.

"Can we get back to the subject at hand, here!" Kay seemed agitated. Murphy noticed Kay's eye twitch. Kay put her hand to her eyelid, making it stop. It was completely unnoticeable. Only Murphy noticed the reaction because of her closeness to Kay physically and emotionally. "What do you all have for me?" Suddenly, Kay's beeper went off. "Damn!" Kay picked up the beeper and looked at it. "We're going to have to pick this up later." The reporters all groaned and Kay slugged off. "Rachel follow me to the elevator."

Rachel did what she was told and Tawny and Joyce made their exits. Murphy began to fix herself a bagel at the table and Peter picked up a phone on an adjacent desk.

Lois approached Jim. "Excuse me, Mr. Dial?"

"Yes, Lois?" Jim dunked his tea bag into his tea, as he looked at the woman in the sweet polite way he reserved for young ladies.

"I was wondering perhaps if sometime. Well. If you could give me some pointers?"

"Pointers?"

"Well, you seem to really have such grace on screen. You have such a presence."

"Well, thank you." Jim was flattered and he puffed out his chest out.

"I was wondering if you could teach me?"

"Well, Lois. Presence is nothing that can be taught. One either has it, or they don't. But I do think everyone still has the ability to - I mean. Well, everyone within them can be graceful."

"Really. Mr. Dial?" Lois was so excited she took a step towards Jim and fell flat on her face.

"Well. Not everyone." Jim helped her up.

"I tripped over my shoe." Lois seemed embarrassed, as she hobbled on one foot.

"Would you like me to help you to your office? Again."

"Yes. Thank you, Mr. Dial. I have an ice pack there."

"Yes." Jim smiled awkwardly and helped Lois away, as she used him for support.

After Peter was done with his conversation, Rachel made her way back into the bullpen. She walked over to the glass table and made herself a bagel.

Peter took a breath and approached her. "Hi, Rachel."

"Hi, Peter?" She looked at him strangely because they had just seen each other.

Murphy spread cream cheese on her bagel and eyed them with the sides of eyes. Peter noticed this and looked at Murphy, only to have her move her eyes back to her bagel.

"I was wondering. If you were doing anything after work tonight?"

"No, why?" Rachel and Murphy both reached for the tomato at the same time. Murphy snatched it and placed it on her bagel. Rachel gave her a look and then went for the lox.

"I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me?"

"Dinner? Do you have a new story you want to discuss - because I have time now?"

"No. I was hoping we wouldn't discuss business."

Murphy closed her bagel and rolled her eyes.

"Oh?" Suddenly, Rachel seemed to get it. "Oh!" Rachel turned around with an astonished look on her face. She looked at Murphy not knowing what to say.

"It's alright, Rachel." Murphy said with a serious tone. "If you want to go out with, Peter. Go ahead." Murphy swayed her head.

"Really?"

"Sure." With a big grin Peter walked over to Murphy. "Murphy and I are good friends. Isn't that right, Murphy?" Peter put his arm around Murphy making her uncomfortable as he squeezed her towards him.

"Oh. If it's alright with Murphy - it's alright with me." Rachel picked up her plate. "You can stop by my office around seven." And she walked away.

Peter smiled as he still held on to Murphy. "Thank you Murphy for being so understanding. I mean thanks to you. Rachel and I could hit it off. Hell, we could get married." He looked towards her. "I could, in a way. Become your son-in-law." He squeezed her shoulder towards him again, as Murphy's eyes looked up in anger and then Peter walked away.

"Ah, god." Murphy muttered to herself and entered her office with her bagel. Murphy walked through her office with a long stride and set her plate on her desk when she was stopped in her tracks by a voice.

"Murphy?" It was Jake.

Murphy turned around with a surprised look on her face. "Jake?"

"I hope I'm not disturbing you?"

"No. No. Come on in." Murphy walked in front of her desk as Jake walked in.

"An appointment of mine was canceled. I thought we could use this time to talk." He closed the door

"Talk. Sure." Murphy was taken aback.

"I know we said we'd talk this weekend, but since I had some time free I just..."

"No, it's fine. What's on your mind?"

"You know how I told you while I was in town I was trying to organize some local groups, help get the information out there about the Elko Islands. I was hoping you could help me by doing a story?"

"A story?"

"No one seems to understand that just because they say they're getting out of there..."

"I understand that Jake..."

"Then you'll do the story?"

"Let me just do some research. And I may be able to do to a report in my next special. I just need to talk to Stan. I think instead of just one story this time around I'll do two or three. And I had been..."

"No, Murphy I don't think you understand. This story needs to be done now. Every day that passes..."

"I don't have time on my plate now, Jake. I'm all booked up. Plus, I have to do research and..."

"What, you don't trust me?"

"Of course I trust you, Jake. But you know the drill - I have to look at every story from all angles. Otherwise, I'm not being objective. I won't be doing my job."

"Then put me on the show."

"You? What for?"

"I'll talk about my life."

"Oh, no. I'm not putting you on just to sprout propaganda on your cause. Besides, I'd still have to do the research and I have enough on my plate. You'd still have to wait."

"But with a name interview they'd have to make me your priority."

"I will not let anyone one, no matter who they are, use my show as a soapbox!"

"It wouldn't be a soapbox."

"Give me a break!"

Suddenly, Jake grabbed Murphy by her cheeks and planted a large kiss on Murphy's lips. At first she resisted but soon was overcome by the sharp tingling sensations that ran through her body. Jake wrapped his arms around Murphy, and she around his, as his body weight pushed her against the edge of the desk. He made his way to Murphy neck, as she was pushed slightly onto the desk. Murphy took out a breath and placed her hand on the desk to hold her balance from falling even further.

"No. We can't do this." Murphy pushed herself away from Jake in a defensive move. She was breathless.

Jake turned and faced her by the door. Why not?" He moved towards her and stopped, as Murphy walked backwards away from him.

"Because, we can't. I'm with Jerry. And you're engaged!"

"Oh, come on, Murphy? I know you've felt it. Ever since I got here, there's been this tension between us. You can't deny that. I think we both know what it is. That kiss proved it." Jake walked closer.

Murphy was agitated and confused. "You are engaged, Jake. We can't. I'm with Jerry now. I can't do that to him and you can't do..."

"God, Murphy. I don't know what you see in that guy? You talk like you owe him something. You don't owe him anything..."

"You don't understand, Jake. You don't know Jerry the way I do. You don't know what he's done for me. We have history."

"So do we, Murphy." Jake was able to place his hands on her shoulders. Murphy tried to avoid his crinkling eyes. "I love Sharon and I do believe you love Jerry. But Murphy, I'll never loved anyone the way I love you. And no one will ever love you the way I love you. And I think you know that." He lifted her chin up with his fingers. "We were meant to be together, Murphy. We were married. We have a child together. I thought I could fight it when I came here. I thought it would all be in the past, but I was wrong. I even sent you the movie stub from our honeymoon to see how you still felt?"

"That was why you sent it?" she said softly.

"Yeah. I assumed when you didn't say anything that you didn't feel anything. Anymore. But that kiss, your eyes. They tell another story, Murphy. It was meant to be. I think you know that," he repeated again and leaned in.

"Oh, god. You're eyes. They're crinkling." Jake leaned further in for a kiss and met Murphy's lips, but she quickly pushed him away. "You have to leave, Jake." Murphy lowered her head and walked behind her desk.

"Murphy?"

"I think for both our sakes, Jake. You need to leave! Don't worry, I won't tell Sharon." She took a breath.

"I'd say I won't tell, Jerry. But I don't think he'd believe me." Jake laughed.

"Just go, Jake!" She pointed towards the door.

"At least think about what I said, Murphy."

"Go, Jake." Murphy stomped over to the door and opened it with force. "Now go!" He looked at Murphy, his eyes crinkled. Murphy tried to stay tough, as she was stuck between the door frames.

"Just think about," he whispered and gently held the side of her face. And then he was gone. Murphy's heart was racing as fast as her mind and her eyes. As soon as Jake was out of view Murphy walked back into her office and slammed the door.

Peter couldn't hear anything, but he watched Jake leave Murphy at the door and walk past him towards the exit, Jake didn't see him. He then witnessed Murphy slam the door and he felt something was wrong. Peter looked at the door and then towards Jake's exit and approached the door. Inside, Murphy had set herself along the other side the door. And when she heard Peter's knock she thought it was Jake again.

"I said go away, Jake!"

"Murphy. It's Peter." Murphy turned around and opened the door. The two faced each other in the doorframe. "Peter?"

"Is everything alright here?"

"Yeah, why?" Murphy shook her head and tossed her hair in an attempt to cover.

"Did he say something to you?"

"Who?"

"Jake? You look upset somehow? And what is he still doing here? I thought he left last week?"

"I didn't tell you? Jake decided to say here in New York. On a semi-permanent basis. You know, to spend more time with Avery?"

"Avery?"

"Yes. With Avery. Why else would be want to stay around?"

"Murphy..."

"Yes, Peter." Murphy eyed balled him and raised her eyebrows "I have work to get to."

"There's something you should know about Jake…"

"Know about Jake? Know what about Jake?" If someone knew better Murphy was giving herself away.

"I didn't want to say anything before because I didn't see the point, because I thought he was leaving. But now."

"Now what? After what? Nothing happened? Nothing."

"Murphy, Jake isn't the man you think he is."

"Excuse me?"

"There are things you don't know about, Jake. And I know how you said he can affect you?"

"Oh, you too. You know what, Peter! Everyone keeps forgetting Jake and I had an agreement. An agreement, Peter. In which, I made the decision. He didn't leave me. He didn't abandon me. He's not a bad man. I just wish people would remember that."

"I'm not saying that, Murphy. I'm just saying. When Jake and I were in Brazil together..."

"Oh, you base your assumption of a man you met for two months in Brazil."

"And how long have you known, Jake?"

"Over thirty years!"

"And how many of those years were you in the same room with him, even the same country? What five weeks? Seven counting today?"

"I still think I know him better then you, Petie!"

"I just don't want to see you get hurt again, Murphy. You or Avery."

"Get hurt? Is this relationship advice, Peter? Not that Jake and I have a relationship. But then again either do we? So advice like this is sort of fruitless, isn't it?"

"No. I'm not saying that..."

"You think that just because we didn't work out that means I can't have a normal relationship? Did you ever think that maybe it was you that ended our relationship. Not me."

"Whoa, Murphy. I wasn't saying that. But if you have to bring it up. Yes, it was your fault our relationship ended!"

"You never wanted to compromise."

"I never wanted to compromise? You're the one who wouldn't compromise."

"Ok. Maybe a little." Murphy paused before starting up again with gusto. "But you expected me to do all the compromising. A relationship is all about give and take. Give and take. A pendulum so to speak. And how do I know this, because I just happen to be in a relationship. A happy one at that."

"I couldn't agree with you more."

"Well, I'm glad you've finally learned something."

"Murphy, I always thought that. I was more than willing to meet you compromise for compromise. But you always need to have it your way. You wouldn't give in!"

"What!" Murphy was flabbergasted by the comment.

"I see like usual this is just pointless!" Peter put up his hands and started to back away.

"What! You never said that! You never said that!"

"I said it all the time, Murphy. Maybe not in those words. But I said it. But like usual you just weren't listening!" And Peter walked away.

Murphy slammed the door shut and backed up against it again. Her breathing was heavy, as she tried detracting all the different thoughts from her mind. She took a breath and opened the door again to get some air. As she did, Murphy noticed Peter and Rachel near the coffee island, and then they disappeared around the bend towards the elevator, with Peter's arm around her. This caused her to retreat back into her office.