Chapter Three: A Thing Of The Past

"Well. Don't you know? I'm wondering. Little girl, I'm wondering? How can I make you love me? A little more than you loved him? Ohh, Baby. I'm wondering. Little girl. I'm wondering? How can I make you love me? A little more than you loved him? Ohh, Baby.

"Jimmy" was your sweetie pie, your precious one. And I knew you use to love the very ground he walked upon…..And You say you love me too. But Baby? I'm wondering?…

The day ever you see his face again or hear his voice. I don't want to be a looser if you have make a choice…I know I'd be in trouble if he came and took you back.

I feel so insecure. In my mind I can't think sure. Losing you for sure is the pain I can't endure…

I can't stop loving you baby, I can't stop loving you no. I can't stop loving you baby….

I'm worried. I'm really, really, worried. I want to make you happy. Really, truly, happy. Baby, Baby. I'm wondering…?"

I'm Wondering ~ Stevie Wonder

THE SAME DAY - Five Minutes Earlier

29.5 days 'til the end of August

The silver elevator dinged open to reveal Jerry Gold as its only occupant. Jerry walked out and onto the Newsbeat floor, running his left hand through his hair and brushing it back. Even though Jerry was about to meet his daughter for lunch his only thoughts were of Murphy and the lyrics to a certain Stevie Wonder song that ran through his head, direct from his subconscious. But although inside his insecurities and jealousies surrounding Murphy plagued him, once the elevator opened his persona was cool and collected. He looked the way Jerry Gold always looked when he walked into a room, as if he owned it; even if he didn't.

Jerry had done everything to try to get Rachel to meet him at his office for a change, but being the daughter of the man she was it didn't happen. She put it off, and put it off, until once again Jerry was forced to show up at the CBS building at Fifty-Second Street. In other words, she made sure it all happened the way she wanted. Jerry hated how he would fall for it, but he knew how busy she was and how much he wanted not to spoil the leeway he had gained with Rachel already.

Still, the main thought on Jerry's mind was of Murphy and his fear of losing her. He hated Jake the moment he met him. It had nothing to do with the fact that on his first meeting with the man Jake was practically in her arms. Or the fact, that because of him Jerry was forced to watch the woman he loved, more than life, bare another man's child. Jerry still felt it was much more. Jake was one of those people who left a bad taste in his month. To Jerry, Jake was the worse of the worse. Not only did he feel he preached nonsense, but that he didn't follow it, especially when it came to Murphy. Jake seemed to be able to flow the molasses over Murphy's eyes and Jerry hated that. Not only did he hate it, Jerry feared it. He feared again he would lose; only this time picking up the pieces wouldn't be as easy

Jerry paced reception towards Murphy's office with his trusty newspaper in his hand. As he turned the corner into the bullpen he walked smack into full view of Jake leaving Murphy's office. Not only his departure from Murphy's office, but the look in his exchange to Murphy. The words being the only thing he couldn't hear. Jerry's nostril flared and he was about to pounce, making his presence known, when he realized he had to trust Murphy. The problem was that he didn't just Jake, but to save his relationship he had too.

"Jerry?" Rachel took his arm.

"Hey," he smiled as he caught site of her.

"You're early." Jerry watched Jake walk down another hallway and Rachel followed his gaze; she knew just what Jerry was thinking. "Why don't you wait in my office? I'll be right there."

Jerry turned his head towards Murphy's office as Rachel spoke and Peter approach. Peter, another problem Jerry didn't want to think about. Jerry really knew nothing about Peter except what he knew from television and the fact that he was good looking. This didn't help Jerry's state of mind. How could be compete with the so called "Sexist Man Alive." So like pretty much everyone Jerry came in contact with, he didn't like him either.

Jerry's first instinct was to approach, make his presence known. But not in a jealous way to antagonize Murphy even further then they had already both alienated each other. For many reasons they were at a tough time in their relationship. Jerry took a step.

"Jerry?" Rachel questioned like an all-knowing mother type.

"What? I'm going to say hi to Murphy." Rachel gave him a look. She then grabbed him by the arm and pulled him around a corner into a private hallway.

"What are you doing?"

"What? What?"

"Jerry..."

"Is it that bad?" he confessed

"You just have to trust her, Jerry."

"I trust her. It's them I don't trust." Rachel gave him a look. "You don't understand. Rachel. You don't know her history with these guys."

"These guys? Listen to you. You're turning into this paranoid…" She paused and looked for the perfect word. "Man! Women don't like that, you know. You're going to ruin this!"

"I don't need a lecture from my daughter..."

"It's not a lecture. It's advice." She paused. "Don't push it so much. She loves you, Jerry. I see that. Why can't you?"

"See, you're young. You don't get it yet. There's more to it than just love. Things get in the way. Things get spoiled. It's the way of life. The quicker you learn that the better. Now, that's the last and only time I'll give you some fatherly advice." He sighed. "But you're right." Jerry didn't seem happy about that fact. "I'll go wait in your office."

"You're so cynical you know that."

"Of course I do." Jerry walked off and Rachel stood there bemusing the situation.

"Rachel!" Miles voice came crashing in at the worse time. He sounded different than usual. He was happy or his closest faux-simile of it.

"Miles?" She rolled her eyes and made her way down the hallway towards the left, where almost all the correspondents had their offices. She passed a few glass-enclosed offices, as Miles followed her.

"Rachel hi." He smiled. "You look good." She looked at him with her eyes as she approached a woman's desk. "In a non-sexual, friend type way of course." Rachel took some papers and a video from a woman. "And your hair, I like it. It's curly. It's new?" Rachel turned and looked at him. "And I mean new in the sense that's its different. Meaning it's curly as opposed to straight, because the short thing I know isn't new, because…"

"Miles my hair was always been curly. That's the beauty of my hair it goes both ways. Miles what do you want?"

"What? I don't want anything."

"Alright." Rachel rolled her eyes, scooped up her papers and walked down the hall. Miles followed. "Here give this to Joyce." She stopped for a moment and handed Joyce's secretary a video." Tell her she still needs to take twelve seconds off." Rachel raised her eyebrows.

"Ok, I have a question for you. But does it have to be like this, Rachel?" She continued walking down the hallway. "Why can't we be friends? Have a civil conversation for a change. Why can't we do that?"

"Because, I'm a woman, Miles. I'm entitled to my moment of spite, anger and bitterness. "

"Now that's not really becoming," Miles tried to joke.

"Really? I think it t gives me an inner glow. Ha." She smiled and then quickly took a frown. "What do you want, Miles? I have things to do." A woman stopped Rachel and had her sign something on a clipboard.

"I'm here on business."

"Then shoot."

"I need a replacement for just a few days while Dan Rather has root canal. I want to use Murphy. I talked with Kay and she said it was fine as long as I talked to you."

"Are you kidding me?" she scoffed. "I'm not giving you, Murphy!" She walked over to another desk and stopped. "Linda I need you to cross-reference this for me." She handed a folder to the woman. "And give a call down to boys in proof reading. This is all wrong. Who did they hire down there Dan Qualye!"

"Why not!"

"Because, I need her here, Miles. Murphy and I have a lot of work to do. She has some big stories in the works I can't have you talking up half of her time and her attention."

"It would just be for three, maybe five days. Tops!"

"Still, too much. I won't have you taking all the time of my star reporter."

"No, I see what this is? You're being petty."

"What? I am not being petty. I may be bitter, but I'm not petty. You can call me bitter! But petty… See… I see what this is? You think that because of our past relationship….you think you can get some head way with me." Rachel made her way towards her office. "That - that you can get something out of me. Well it's not gonna happen."

"I'm not using our past relationship for anything. I am here as a colleague asking another colleague for a favor. I think of anyone here is using personal feelings affect..."

"Miles, Murphy is only here for a month. We are working on some major stories. The more time she devotes to other things the less chance that we have in cracking these stories in time. If they don't get on the air in a month then she takes them with her. I want these stories. We've been working long hours on them."

"We Rachel?"

"What?"

"You said "we". You said "we" are working…"

"Murphy and I have been working very closely on a few stories." She titled her head back to move the hair away from her face.

"But, you do know they are her stories?"

"Yes, Miles. I do know that… What are you insinuating, Miles…" she stammered and changed the subject. "I have a job to do. Even though you officiously don't think I should be doing it."

"It's not that, Rachel. I think you're doing a great job here."

Rachel was taken aback. "Thank you, Miles." She gave him a face of weakness, in the fact that she was surprised and honored by the compliment.

"I just don't see what you would give up what you're so good at?"

"I'm good at this. You just said that!"

"I know, I said that. But, Rachel. I know you. You know you. And I think we both know where your passion lies. And it's in reporting. You can't deny that."

"Miles this is just a great change that came alone. I never said I was giving up on reporting. I don't give up."

"So if an on camera offer came your way you'd take it?"

"That was better than this? Of course, but I don't see the offers pouring in… And I? I see what you're doing, you're trying to get me to change the subject so I'll give in to your demands."

"How would changing the subject make you change your mind?" Suddenly, something made its way to Miles mind. "Demands? What am I a kidnapper?"

"Yes and you're trying to kidnap Murphy from me. And you can't have her. She's mine. Mine, Mine! Mine!" Rachel regained her composer. "Now, if you excuse me. I have a lunch date." By now Rachel and Miles had reached the area surrounding her office and Miles noticed Jerry in it's out cove.

"With him?"

"Yes with him." Rachel hugged her papers to her chest with confidence. Miles made a horrible face, as if he was holding back something. "I don't want to hear it, Miles." She waved him off and walked over to Jerry. Miles watched as Jerry seemed to crack a joke and Rachel laughed.

Miles looked like he wanted to crawl into himself and at the same time lash out at Jerry. He lowered his head and put his hands in his pockets. Just then he noticed Corky speed past him, looking around as if she was looking for something.

"Corky?" Miles wasn't sure at such lighting speed if it was her.

Corky turned around and looked at Miles. "Miles? Have you seen Murphy? I need to see Murphy?"

"Did you check her office?"

"I'd have to know where that is Miles!" Corky pushed her purse strap up her arm and onto her shoulder, as she looked around frantically. She seemed to be beside herself.

"Over there?" Miles pointed in the direction of Murphy office. "Through those doors and around the corner." Corky threw her head forward and thrust her body first before her feet, as she often did, repelling herself forward.

Miles looked towards Rachel's office, and when he noticed she and Jerry were gone, he then decided to follow Corky, for he sensed something was wrong. He found his way into the center of the bullpen, but there was no Corky.

Suddenly, there was a bit of commotion followed by Jim Dial emerging behind Miles. He was holding his head back with his hand over his left eye. Miles turned around and noticed Jim making his way towards him.

"Jim what happened?" Miles exclaimed, as Jim made his way to the coffee island. A very flustered young woman named Lois followed him.

"Mr. Dial! I am so sorry," she repeated over and over again. "I didn't know you were behind me when I was pulling out that filling cabinet!"

"Really, its fine," he muffled in a disgruntled way, as he buried he head in the small refrigerator under the coffee island.

"Jim what happened?" Miles approached, flabbergasted.

"Well, you see." Lois played with her fingers, as she tried to explain what happened. "I was trying to un-wedge this filing cabinet - I just couldn't get open. And well, I pulled it with such force the last time…"

"Jim? You were hit with a file cabinet?"

"No, my elbow. My elbow fell into his eye." Lois felt very awkward.

"Jim, Jim." Miles tried to get close to Jim.

"Oh, just leave me alone, Miles." Jim was irritated, as he lifted his head out of the refrigerator with a frozen pizza on his eye.

"Here, Mr. Dial." Lois tried to coax Jim into a chair. "Let me help you."

"Haven't you done enough woman?" Jim regained his composure. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that." Lois smiled and went over to the freezer. When she was out of view Jim pulled Miles by the tie towards his face. "For the love of Muhammad save me from this woman. Yesterday she stapled my tie to her desk, now this, I'm lucky I didn't lose an eye." Jim let go of Miles tie.

Miles took Lois by the shoulders. "Lois, is it? Why don't you go out and get Mr. Dial some ice?"

"But I have..." She showed Miles the ice in her hand causing it to fly onto the fall. "Ohh."

"Don't worry about that." Miles stepped over the ice, pushing Lois towards the door. "Why don't you go out and buy Jim an ice pack…"

"But I have some in my office…"

"Great! But why don't we go get him a new one..."

She nodded her head and ran off, as Kay approached from the other direction looking at her watch and then towards Murphy's office.

"Where's Murphy?" Kay looked at Jim. "Jim are you aware you have a frozen pizza on your face?"

"What are the odds I don't know that, Kay?" Jim took the box of his face, as Miles handed him a towel of ice. Miles took a look at Jim's eye.

"What happened Jim?" Kay also peered over at Jim.

"Lois." Jim tried to hold in his anger.

"Oh, god." Kay buried her hand in her face and then looked up, as Frank walked along side Jim and noticed the ice bag. "That woman is going to be the death of me."

"Hey, what's going on?" Frank Fontana appeared next to the coffee Island and took a donut out of the box sitting on it "Any one seen Murphy?" He looked over at Jim. "Jim what happened?"

"He got hit in the eye with an elbow?" Miles answered.

"Jim, are you alright?" Frank questioned

"Has anyone seen Murphy?" Corky appeared from Murphy's office, as she heard Frank's line. "Jim what happened?"

"Shouldn't she be in her office?" Kay answered.

"She's not there." Corky looked at Jim. "Jim what happened?"

"I'm fine."

"Elbow." Miles answered.

"Who's?" Corky asked.

"I bet it was that girl Lois?" Frank asked, as he stuffed a donut in his mouth.

"Who's Lois?" Corky asked.

"Jim, maybe you should get that checked out?" Kay was concerned.

"You should use some frozen peas. It'll mold to your face," Frank remarked with a month full of donut.

"You should use some raw meat," Corky mused. "My Cousin Roon use to always say..."

"Oh, god, I'm not even on the same show with her anymore and they still don't stop!" Jim wasn't in the best of moods.

"So no one's seen Murphy?" Corky seemed to take offence, as she changed the subject.

"No... I've been trying to get in touch with her all day? I thought you guys would know where she is?" Frank added his own two cents.

I haven't seen her?" Kay, Miles and Jim mused in different rhythms.

"Frank! Do you work here?" Kay approached him.

"No," he said with a mouth full of powder.

"Then stop coming in here and eating our donuts!" She hit him up the backside of his head. Frank made a defensive gesture and dropped his donut into the empty box.

"Corky, I'm sure Murphy will be here momentarily. She must be out on a story? Somewhere?" Kay answered and then looked at Corky. "Corky is there something you need to discuss?"

'I need. I need…" She looked at the group. "I need to talk with Murphy." And she stormed out of the office.

Kay watched as Corky left with a concerned look on her face and then looked over at Frank. "Frank why are you still here?"

"Jim, Jim," Miles yelled. "Your nose." Miles pointed to Jim whose nose was bleeding. Jim held his nose back as the gang ran to his aid.

UPTOWN

Later that day, around seven o'clock, Murphy arrived home at the apartment. She had left work early, taking the long way home by way of a long walk through the park. It was light enough, because it was summer, so Murphy's didn't bother to turn on the lights. She set her bag on a chair next to the door and picked the mail up off the foyer table. Murphy saw nothing of importance and after discarding the mail, back onto the table, made her way through the living room and into the Kitchen. New York City was going through a heat wave and instead of relaxing on the couch; Murphy's first thought was to get a drink of cold water. She walked into the dark kitchen and didn't bother turning on the lights, again, because it wasn't needed and it fit her mood.

Murphy took a water filter pitcher from the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, set it on the counter and closed the door. She opened the cabinet and took out a glass. As she did, she suddenly felt a soft hand on her neck. It made the hairs on the back of Murphy's neck stand on end for several reasons. It was the tender touch of Jerry, a casual touch, a graze really, and an announcement of his presence.

"Hey." He kissed the back of her neck and trailed his hand away, as he walked over to the cabinet at the other end of the kitchen. Murphy stared at him with a much-confused look on her face. Then, as if out of nowhere, Avery entered the Kitchen, sending Murphy back into her reality. She shook her head trying to regain it and poured herself a glass of water from the pitcher

"Hey, Mom." Avery opened the refrigerator and started to rummage through it. Murphy walked over to the other side of the refrigerator and leaned in for a kiss from her son, as he raised his head with an apple in his right hand. Not satisfied with her small peck, Murphy kissed her son on the head and rustled his hair, as he walked past her and Murphy made her own way into the refrigerator. Avery sat himself with a comic book and his apple at the kitchen table.

"Hey, Jerry." Avery looked at his comic as she spoke

"Hey, kid." Jerry looked at the bottle of pecans he had taken from the shelf.

'What's that?" Murphy asked her son. She looked over at Jerry, but when he looked her way she tried not to make eye contact.

"It's a comic book. Superman. Jake gave it me. It's real cool." Avery looked at his watch. "Ohh, gotta go." He stood up. "Bye, Mom. Bye, Jerry." Avery ran for the door.

"Whoa. Wait a minute." She grabbed her son's arm. "Where are you going?"

"I'm staying over Jordan's tonight?"

"You are?"

"You said it was ok. He's my only friend in New York."

"Oh yeah, of course." Murphy didn't seem to remember. "Ok, be good." And the boy was off before his mother could even ask for a kiss good-bye.

"Wait!" She stopped her son, as he reached the doorframe. "Go find, Eldin, I need to talk to him."

"He's not here?"

"What do you mean he's not here? He's always here."

"I don't know." He shrugged his shoulders. "He hasn't been around lately." He started to go.

"Wait." She took a step closer. "Who's been staying here with you?"

"Mom. I'm old enough to be home alone."

"Well, I guess... I mean... How did you get to your swimming lessons and the Y?" Murphy was perplexed.

"Jake takes me… I have to go Mom." Avery ran off.

"Avery..." Murphy took a step and stopped. After a moment she picked up the phone, but again stopped. "I don't even know how to get in touch with him." She threw her hands up. "He's always here." She sighed and hung up the phone.

Murphy switched her focus back to her water, as she remembered she should take her calcium supplement before she forgot. She turned around and opened her pillbox at the back of the counter.

"What's that?" Jerry asked Murphy, as she put the pill under her tongue. Jerry reached for a towel slightly touching his arm against Murphy's arm. Murphy pulled the pill out of her mouth and showed it to Jerry.

"My calcium pill." She replaced the pill in her month and downed some water.

"Then which one is my blood pressure bill?"

"The blue one?"

"I thought the blue one was your Iron pill?"

"No, that's your vitamin E."

"I thought that was your vitamin E pill."

"I don't take E!"

"You don't?"

"No?"

"No matter." He shook it off. "Listen, have you seen my passport?"

"It's not in your desk?"

"No." Jerry said it, as if say he had already looked there.

"Look in drawer next to the stove, Eldin puts anything he finds in there." Jerry nodded his head. "Why?"

"Why, what?" Jerry opened the drawer without looking at her.

"Why do you need your passport for?"

"I have to go to England for a few days." Jerry began to sift around the drawer. "They're thinking of starting some overseas syndicating in the fall… They want me to do some chat shows as a starter. Where is..." Jerry finally found his passport.

"When?" Murphy asked

"Tonight." Jerry looked over the passport and placed it in back pocket.

"Tonight?"

"Yeah?" He looked up at Murphy.

"And you're telling me this now?" Murphy leaned her hand under the elbow holding her water and gesturing with it.

"I just found out now."

"Oh?" Murphy turned her back to Jerry and downed another pill with her water.

As she did this Jerry approached her with no words and slid his hands over her shoulders. It sent shivers up Murphy's spine and into her skin, as it had before. This time Jerry noticed. He ran his fingers onto Murphy's shoulders, sending a sound out of her mouth in recognition, small and soft, but heard. She lowered her head as Jerry slide Murphy's shirt to the edge of her shoulder grazing his hand over it and causing her camisole to slide gradually off her shoulder and onto her arm. Jerry replaced his mouth with his fingers and slowing kissed her freckled skin. Jerry carefully made his way over Murphy's shoulder blade and onto his favorite area of her neck. This caused Murphy's head to fall back slightly. Then as Jerry raised his head just inches from her skin for air, Murphy spun around wrapping her hands around his neck and through his hair and kissed him. Passionately at first, and then delicate and slow, until he leaned back and kissed the lining of her arm, while Murphy watched him. If Murphy had any doubts of her feelings towards Jerry they were resolved, but it only made other confusions worse, because Murphy began to wonder if that was her real dilemma in the first place.

But before Murphy and Jerry could continue any further they heard the door open and slam shut. This caused them both to break away from each other and pretend to do something else, as the sound of Avery's voice filled the living room. Murphy took a large drink of water as Jerry pretending to read his paper.

"I got it." Avery could be heard in the living room, and when the door could be heard slamming again, the couple retained their positions like magnets on the refrigerator.

"Don't you have a flight to catch?" Murphy asked as they came up for air.

"I'll take a later flight." Jerry panted and held her around the waist, as they kissed again, lips to lips, in a steamy embrace. This sent Murphy up onto the edge of the counter, causing her left hand to brace herself, as she leaned back. This was only for a moment, as Murphy's weight pushed the couple forward and back against the edge. Murphy's head leaned up against the phone on the wall, as Jerry leaned his head against her head and then stroked the side of her face, before kissing her again. This for some reason took Murphy aback and when Jerry kissed her she kissed him back passionately and sweetly at the same time. Suddenly, the phone began to ring.

"What?" Jerry answered the phone, as Murphy took a breath. He was not happy for the interruption. Jerry listened and took a breath himself. After a moment, he lifted the phone from his ear. "It's Ira. He's waiting downstairs." Jerry hung up the phone. 'I have to go." Murphy pushed herself away from the counter and past Jerry.

"When will you be back?" She pulled up the collar of her shirt up.

"In two days." He motioned his hand for Murphy to take it. She took it and Jerry pulled her close and kissed it. And then he was gone.

What had occurred between Murphy and Jerry really didn't hit Murphy until she took a nice cold shower. After the shower, Murphy turned up the air conditioning, wrapped herself in her favorite robe and made herself a nice cup of blackberry tea. She walked out of the kitchen and over to the large window that faced the terrace. She looked out and hoped the tea would calm her - too many ideas rushing through her head.

Suddenly, the downstairs buzzer interrupted Murphy's moment of reflection. Murphy set her tea on Jerry's desk next to the buzzer and hit the talk button.

"Yes?" Murphy was not happy for the intrusion, as she hit the listen button.

"Yes, Ms. Brown. There's a woman here to see you…" Murphy let go of the listen button and hit the talk button before he could finish.

"Is she blonde or brunette?"

"Excuse me?" said the voice.

"Is she blonde or brunette? It's a simple question. Jeez!"

"Oh? Blonde."

Murphy made a face. "I'm not here." Murphy started to walk away when she heard a voice over the buzzer speaker - it appeared to be stuck.

"Murphy. I know you're up there. Let me in!" Corky's Sherwood's voice echoed out of the small box on the wall.

"Hey, you can't do that. Get away," the doorman's fate voice was heard in the background.

Murphy hit the talk button and unstuck the listen button. "There is no Ms. Brown here?" Murphy spoke in her worst French accent. "Mademoiselle Brown and mon - sieur Gold are not at home. Go away now."

"Murphy stop it! I know it's you. Let me in. I need to talk with you."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Brown." The doorman spoke out of breath. She just pushed past me. "I'll call security."

"No." Murphy sighed. "Let her up." Murphy slowly walked over to the door and unlocked the three locks with the quickness and the heaviness of a turtle.

Murphy opened the door, stood in the doorway and waited for Corky to appear. This only took moments.

Corky appeared agitated and framed in Murphy's doorway with her hand on her hip. "Murphy… I can't believe you did that?" Corky stomped into the room.

"What's the point of having a buzzer and doorman if I can't, Corky! Now, what do want?" Murphy slammed the door. Corky looked at Murphy and tried to change the subject even though she was the one who wanted to talk in the first place.

"You're hair, Murphy? It's grown out?"

"Yeah, it has been for a few months now."

"Really? I like it. You should keep it that way."

"Really, because I wasn't sure if it was too long, or maybe I'm just not… Whoa! Wait a minute? What am I doing? Corky why are you here?"

"I need to talk to you, Murphy?"

"Talk? Corky? Now is not a good time. I'm tired. I'm irritable. I haven't had sex today. Can't we talk another time? Like the next time I'm under anesthesia?"

"Murphy I need to talk to you. It's important."

"Alright, what is it?" Murphy walked towards the couch. "But don't see this as some act of love and kindness on my part. I'm doing this for selfish reasons only." Murphy turned in Corky's direction. "So tell your story and get out. What is it?" She plopped herself down on the couch. "So what happened?" Corky looked Murphy in the eye for the first time. "Oh, my god, Corky! You had sex!" Corky was appalled.

"No. No." She waved her off and tried to avoid her eyes, as Murphy rose from the couch in astonishment.

"You did, didn't you?" She caught Corky's gaze.

"Murphy stop it!" Corky continued to avoid Murphy's gaze and walked towards the door.

Murphy followed in pursuit with her duck walk and her month open. "Corky?"

"Ok I did. I had sex!" Corky started to cry.

"Wow. Corky." Murphy herself was in shock as she paused for the words." I didn't even know you were seeing anyone?"

"Well. I'm sort of. I mean. I wasn't really?"

"Corky?" Murphy was still agog, as Corky moaned in agony. "Wow. When you really take the plunge you take the plunge."

"Murphy stop it! This is a very big thing for me." She began to whisper her next sentence, "I had sex out of wedlock."

"Don't worry, Corky, I don't think you'll be stoned. You're not going to have to walk around with a big scarlet "A'".

Corky collapsed on the couch. " You don't think I know that, Murphy. I'm not stupid! Well, at least as stupid as you think. Besides, if that were true…" She looked over at Murphy. "But then again red was never your color."

Murphy made a face and then walked over to her. "I know this is a big step for you, Corky. But it's nothing you have to feel ashamed about. Women in this country have come a long way not to have to feel ashamed anymore. I don't want you feeling this way about yourself." She sat down next to Corky and put her arm around her." Don't feel bad Corky." She looked at her. "Unless of course the sex was bad? Was it bad, Corky?"

"Murphy?" Corky pulled away

"Corky don't think it had anything to do with the fact that you're not married. I've had plenty of bad sex." Murphy stopped and digressed." Well, mostly in my earlier years. But I mean once you hit your forties... believe me. I mean, Whoa!"

"Murphy, no! It wasn't bad. It was fine…" Corky played with her hands.

"Fine?" Murphy raised her eyebrow.

"More than fine. It was nice. Oh hell, it was amazing! Oh." Corky took her hand to her month. "Listen to me."

"Corky." She paused for a moment. "Did you use protection?" she said in all seriousness.

"Murphy!" Corky flared her arms.

"I just want to make sure you were safe."

"I was. We… He…" Corky began to whisper again. "He had a…"

"Condom, Corky! A condom?"

"Yes, that!" Corky was embarrassed and Murphy rolled her head. "Maybe I should leave." She went for the door. "This was a bad idea."

"Whoa, what a minute." Murphy grabbed her by the arm. "You can't just spill a story like that and just leave." She motioned Corky towards her and took her by the shoulders and sat her on the couch. "Obviously, this is a major step in your life and you're in need of someone, a friend, a woman friend. To tell, I mean share, all the sordid details with. That is why you're here?" Corky looked up at Murphy, as she twisted her purse strap with her fingers and fist.

"Yes?"

"Come on. Tell Murphy all about it." Murphy sat down next to Corky.

"Well, it started when I went…to his office…"

"In his office. Whoa!" Murphy made an "O" shape with her mouth, as her eyes lit up. "Now we're talking. Corky, you little minx, you." Murphy glared her eyes at her. "So, did he lean you down or did he sweep everything off the desk. Sweeping is good. I love sweeping. Sweeping's what got me pregnant."

Corky gave Murphy a look. "He…" Corky rubbed her neck in nervousness. "It was late. I went to his office to break up with him and then the next thing I knew..." Corky got a scared look in her eye. "It was like my brain was leaving my body."

"Believe me, Corky, that's a good thing."

Corky motioned with her hands turned to face Murphy. "I've never had that happened to me - never, Murphy. Never. It was like I couldn't stop myself, even though I knew it was wrong. I didn't want to. I mean I wanted to, but. How could I have sex with someone when I went there to break up with him? It doesn't make sense."

"Really, it makes perfect sense to me."

"Of course it does. You're sleeping with Jerry Gold. It makes sense to you." Corky sprouted up off the couch and motioned heavily with her hands. "But it doesn't make sense for me Murphy. For me!"

"Well, you obviously didn't want to break up with him."

Corky sighed loudly at the common knowledge of the remark. She threw her hands up.

"Corky. It's called passion. You can't tell me this is the only time you've had feelings like this?" Murphy walked closer to Corky.

"Of course not. You know I was married before. Twice." Corky bit her lower lip

"Don't take this the wrong way, Corky, but you and Miles had just as much sparks as a rolled up piece of chewing gum." Corky let out a noise. "We all saw it. Just ask Frank."

"Murphy, I'm pouring my heart out to you and you sit there insulting me. I'm very vulnerable right now. Murphy he asked me to marry him."

"What!"

"He asked me..."

"I heard you. You had sex with him once and he asked you to marry him?"

Corky shook her head. "Yes!"

"Now, wait a second? Was this during or after?" Murphy motioned with her hands. "See, Corky men will say things they don't mean during sex. Things like, that feels good, no you're not fat, I love you. It's something you're going to have to learn."

"Nooo, it was after."

"I guess you really don't get the cow for free?" Murphy stood up from the couch.

"What?"

"Nothing." Murphy looked at Corky. "Well, Corky? Do you wanna marry him?"

"I don't know? I mean, no? Marriage and I don't mix. In the last ten years I've had two husbands. I never thought I'd have more than one. I don't want to be going on my third husband."

"Well, at this rate just think of all the fun you'll be having in your eighties."

"Murphy, please!"

"Well," Murphy paused. "Do you love him, Corky?"

"Love? What is love?" Corky took a tissue from her purse and wiped her nose.

"That means you love him." Murphy was pretty sure of herself.

"How do you know?" Corky's voice squeaked.

"I know."

"Murphy… I thought I had given up on finding my soul mate. I decided it wasn't going to happen. I would focus on my work." Murphy just looked at Corky as she spoke. "And then he came into my life. And at first I didn't like him. I hated him in fact. I came to see you, Murphy, because I thought you'd understand and be able to give me an unbiased opinion. You of all people could understand strange attractions." Murphy looked off to the side in reaction. "I just don't understand it?"

"Corky we don't choose who we fall in love with, who we're attracted to. It just is. This reaction you're having is nothing new. Nothing special. You're human. So…" Corky looked at her with her puppy dog expression. "You have to be straight with yourself, Corky. Don't confuse lust with love."

"Oh, I don't. I already learn that the hard way with, Miles."

"Corky you married him and then you didn't have sex with him for a year, that's not lust that is marriage." Murphy's head shook.

"Murphy - what Miles and I did was a very passionate spur of the moment thing."

"Oh please, Corky, you and Miles had more sparks then a rusty tin can at the bottom of a lake. You and Miles got married out of shear loneliness. Or sheer stupidity. Take your pick. They both make no sense what-so-ever." Murphy walked towards the fireplace. "I don't think it's the sex, or this proposal that's got you all riled up. I think it's the fact that you've never experienced this kind of passion before and that scares you. You even said it so yourself it was different. So? Do you love him?" There was a silence from Corky. "Corky if you want me to be honest with you. You have to be honest with me."

"I do. I think? I don't know? I just know. I don't want to keep getting married. I've been married. Why am I so irresistible that they all want to marry me?" Murphy rolled her eyes. "Murphy?" Corky looked into Murphy's eyes. "I'm not myself around him. Today proved that."

"No, it didn't, Corky. That's what love is. It makes you do crazy things. But if you don't want to be married, Corky. You don't have to."

"Oh god. I never thought it would be this way. I thought when you found your soul mate. You would know. And you would spend the rest of your life with him. I mean when I met Will I felt all those things. I thought he was my one - and then look what happen. Even with Miles. And…" she trailed off. "If I can't trust myself anymore..."

"Corky! You have to stop this! Who says there has to be one person for everyone? What is this Noah's ark? Who's to say there's more than one person in our lives? You meet someone. You fall in love and then that fails and you move on. Each and every time you're going to think this is the one. But just because - that doesn't mean for that brief moment that you - and that person where meant to be. But there's no law that says you have to have one love of your life... one soul mate."

"Murphy you said you don't believe in soul mates."

"I'm just saying," she tried to push it off.

"Murphy? What's wrong with you? Something's wrong." She motioned towards Murphy.

"I've just been thinking lately. What you were saying about finding the one wasn't so well... far off." Murphy hated revealing what she was revealing.

"I knew it. Murphy…" Corky paused. "It's not Jerry, is it?"

"I don't know? I mean." Murphy took a breath. "But I don't think it's… It's like I said…" Murphy finally got to her point. "Maybe it's not just one person. Maybe there are people who we're met to be in your life. And maybe, no matter what, you will always be in love with them? Is that possible? I mean who says there's not two men for you, or five of three. Three is nice number. What's wrong with three?" Murphy was getting herself worked up.

"So what are you telling me, Murphy? Do you think you have three soul mates?"

"I'm not the best person to be asking for advice right now, Corky. I think you should leave." Murphy walked towards the bedroom.

"Murphy!"

"Go away Corky! Go away! Away!"

"Murphy is Jerry one of three!"

"Yes!" Murphy yelled. Corky stood there amazed by what Murphy had said. Murphy looked like she was going to cry or die from the shock of her revelation. There was a small pause where tumbleweeds could have blown past.

"Murphy?" Corky finally spoke.

"Corky you have to stop coming to me for all the answers. I don't have all the answers."

"I never said you did, Murphy!" Murphy made a face and walked away again towards her bedroom.

"Corky, I'm going to bed. Show yourself out," her voice grated in her throat.

"Murphy Brown don't you walk away from me!" She caught Murphy as she reached her door.

"I tell you those are the worse seven words in the English language. What are you my mother?" She brought her hands to her head. "Corky." Murphy gestured towards her. "I'll tell you again, Corky. You have to make up your own mind about things! Now leave me alone." And she slammed the door in Corky's face.

BLACK ROCK: CBS HEADQUATERS

A few days later Murphy stood behind her desk looking though a stake of papers like a crazy woman. Suddenly, the phone rang and without a beat Murphy picked it up and held it against her ear with her shoulder.

"Hello," she answered in a voice, that if it had been a utensil, it could have grated cheese. "What? Oh Yes. Congressman. Yes. I'm sorry we missed each other last weekend. Thank you for calling me back. Tomorrow?… I would…no….no… I really do want to interview…" Murphy picked up a large pile of papers and looked under them before putting the pile back down. Eldin walked into Murphy's office looking tentative.

"Eldin. Hey." Murphy pulled the phone away from her month. "I'm glad you're here... Come in, come in." Murphy went back to her conversation. "Yes, I'm still here, Congressman." Murphy sat herself down in her desk chair.

Eldin took a step in and looked around; as if he wasn't sure he belonged there. Murphy waved for him to come in closer.

"Of course, I'll hold, Congressman. I have all the time in the world for you." Murphy smiled and fiddled with the number two pencil in her hand. Once he was off the phone Murphy put her hand over the speaker and leaned in towards Eldin. "I haven't seen you're around the house lately. Where have you been?"

"I've had some things to take care of…"

"Oh?" Suddenly, Murphy's attention was taken by the phone. "Yes, I'm still here. Yes, I'll hold again." Murphy smiled and laughed. Soon her smile turned upside down, with a sigh, as soon as she felt that the person was gone. "I was starting to think you vanished into thin air… So, what brings you here, Eldin?" she paused in a moment. "Is something wrong with Avery?"

"No. Of course not."

"Oh, good? Then, why are you here, Eldin? You never come to my work. Except for that one time I didn't pay you? Do I owe you money? Do you owe me money? You didn't get paint on my leather jacket again did you?"

"God! You'd think after thirteen years I'd get used to it? Is this how you interview people or do they actually get a word in?" Eldin gestured with his hands. "But no I can't just come in here and let you get it out of your system. No. I have to come in here and actually try to explain myself."

"Ok. Eldin why are you here?"

"Well… I…"

"Eldin?"

"I'm finished." Eldin put his hands in his leather jacket.

"Wow!" Murphy was taken aback." I thought you'd never finish that room. But you didn't have to come here to tell me that."

"I wanted to give you back your key." Eldin leaned forward to present the key to Murphy

"Why?" Murphy looked up at him strangely.

"I'm finished."

"Yes. You said that. You're done painting Avery's room. I got that? So? Why are you giving me the key?" Murphy took her hand off the receiver. "Yes, I'm still here…"

Eldin fidgeted and sat down in the chair before he stood up again. He looked at Murphy. "I'm going back to Washington."

"Ok, when are you coming back?"

"I'm not." Eldin played with the key in his hand.

Murphy's mouth dropped half way. "Excuse me, Congressman, but I'm going to have to call you back." Murphy hung up the phone. "You're what?" Murphy rose from her seat and placed her hands on her desk.

"God! What to you gargle with rocks?"

"What?" Murphy shook her head to the left

"I still have some touch ups in the living room, but I'm come back for that next week…"

"Whoa, wait a minute. You're done, done? Like done? How can you be done? You're never done. You're done?"

"I told you when I came up here; it wasn't for the whole summer. I got things to do…"

"Things to do Eldin… Like what?"

"You know, I have a life outside of you and Avery. It's not always about you."

"Yes it is!" Murphy pulled her hands off her desk. "You're his nanny, Eldin, you just can't leave... You can't just go away… Who will take him to his friends…" Eldin looked edgy. "And swim lesson, to the park..."

"I've been thinking about that and I feel the boy's come to that age where he doesn't need a Nanny anymore. Besides he has his father now and…"

"Eldin, is this what this is about? Is this about Jake? Is that why you feel you have to go back to DC… because…"

"No. Of course not. It's like I said. I have things I need to do." Eldin looked up. "Who did this ceiling? The paint job is terrible. There's a little brush hair …and there's another." Murphy moved behind her desk." Some people just don't take pride in their work anymore. This is what I'm talking about..."

"So, what are you saying, Eldin, that when we get back to Washington….you won't be there either?"

"I'm not sure."

"You're not sure! You're not sure!"

"Wait? I thought you were staying here in New York…"

"Oh, Well… that… I'm not sure."

"You're not sure?"

"Well… there are a lot of factors… and well probably... and hey, that was the same answer you gave…"

Murphy looked down. I guess I couldn't expect you to follow me everywhere I went." She paused and looked up. "When do you leave?"

"Saturday"

"So soon?"

"I'm starting a new job."

"Whoa. Whoa… Wait a second. Flag on the field. You have a new job? You're going from my house to a… stranger's house. Without even a grace period. A time of adjustment? Did I mean nothing to you, thirteen years and out..."

"Hey, Murph." Frank stepped into Murphy's office. Murphy pursed her lips and sighed. "Hey, Eldin. How are you?"

"Hey," Eldin whispered

"Frank, can you give Eldin and me a moment?"

"Sure?" Frank eye's looked startled and he backed out of the room. Murphy walked over to the door and shut it behind her. Eldin scratched the side of his head and shifted in his skin. Murphy lowered her head and walked towards Eldin, who had started playing with a glass paperweight on Murphy's desk.

"So there's no way I'm going to change your mind is there?"

"No."

"I see." There was a pause. "Have you told Avery yet?"

"Yeah, I told him this afternoon…He took it well. I think..." He looked at Murphy.

"Good. Good. It was worrying me. You know how much he idolizes you, Eldin..." Murphy put her arm out to Eldin and he walked towards the door

"Yeah well…" Eldin scratched the side of his head. "I better get going..." He reached for the door. "I just wanted to let you know and… I have to pack up my paint supplies and stop by my mother's..."

"Eldin…"

"Yeah?" He turned towards her." Oh, the key…" He reached his hand out toward Murphy.

"No. No... You keep that." There was a pause while they looked at each other. "You said you had to come back and finish the living room. So, it's not like you'll leaving for good. Besides odds are we'll all see each other in September. Right?" There was a pause. "Eldin?"

"Like I said. I don't know," he said softly.

"You'll be back"

"Well. I'll…" He opened the door and started to play with the knob." I'll see ya around," his voice cracked. And he left the office.

Murphy stood there. "He'll be back," she said to herself. Murphy felt in such a confused state she didn't know if she was deluding herself or if Eldin was really coming back. Altogether, she wondered if she had just let Eldin go with not enough of a fight. All Murphy knew was things were not like they use to be or ever were and she had the sneaking feeling this was only the beginning.

THE APARTMENT

The next morning Murphy opened her groggy eyes to the morning air. It wasn't a kind morning on the eyes, but then again it never was. It had been a long couple of days and Murphy hadn't been getting a lot of sleep, which meant when she did it was like she hadn't sleep in years. This made waking up all the more horrible. Murphy lifted her head and realized she was not alone. There was a man in bed with her, but since Jerry was still out of town, her eyes and mind bugged out, in fear as to who or what it could be. Murphy racked her mind, but couldn't remember what had happened the night before. It reminded Murphy of when she had been drinking and scared her for more reasons than just that. She patted her hand over the man's chest, afraid to look up and see what she had done, or who she had done. It seemed familiar, was it Peter she thought? Was it Jake? Murphy had no idea and with great fright felt around blindly. Suddenly, the man groaned and it seemed as if he was walking up.

"Hey. Good morning," Jerry's sweet morning voice permeated the air, as he kissed her on the top of the head.

"Jerry?" Murphy questioned. She looked at Jerry as he smiled and slipped his way out of bed.

"Yeah?" Jerry asked, responding to Murphy's question mark. "Jeez, look at the time." Jerry groaned, as he looked at his wrist watch on the night stand.

"Jer, When did you get back?" Murphy's voice was groggy and confused.

"What are you talking about, Brown, I got back last night?" Jerry looked at Murphy in the same perplexed way that she looked at him

"You did?"

"Yeah, Brown, don't you remember?" Jerry took a clean shirt out of his top dresser and slammed it.

"No?"

"We had sex!"

"No, we didn't?" Murphy screeched.

"Not the first time I've heard that from a woman." Jerry threw the shirt along with his belt on the bed and walked into the bathroom.

"Oh, come on! I think I'd remember a thing like that. I mean…" Murphy stopped for something had caught her attention. She pulled her covers up and looked under them to notice she wasn't wearing any clothes.

"Ah, jeez!" Murphy rolled her head and eyes and then leaned forward to grab her PJ top off the bed and threw it on. Murphy could hear the water running, as Jerry began to shave.

"Don't worry about it, Brown," Jerry yelled from the bathroom.

Murphy sat up with the covers at her lap, looking like she was pondering something. Jerry walked out of the bathroom wiping the last of his shaving cream from the side of his face.

"Don't worry about it?"

"Yeah?" Jerry leaned on the left of the doorframe and set his left leg over his right.

"This doesn't bother you?"

"No." Jerry threw the towel into the bathroom and walked back in. Murphy put on her robe that had been lying on the floor.

"It doesn't bother you that we had sex last night and I don't even remember it?" Murphy took two wide steps out of her bed and followed Jerry to the bathroom. Jerry could be heard turning on the water, as Murphy talked with him from outside the door. "You can't tell me that that doesn't bother you a little bit? Just a little? I mean somewhere in..."

"Ok. Ok." Jerry bemused at the door with his hands up. "I get the point. You want to push the issue any further? I think there's one more complex we can fit into my lifetime before I die." Jerry changed speeds. "Come on, Murphy? It was late. I know you're not doing it on purpose. It's ok. I'm not offended by this." Jerry kissed her and walked over towards the walk-in closet.

Murphy walked over to the front of the bed and sat down. "I don't like this Gold. I don't like this at all?" she muttered to herself. "How could I? How could we…" Jerry emerged from the closet with a pair of trousers on a hanger and laid them next to Murphy on the bed. "We've become complacent." Murphy looked up at Jerry matter-a-factly.

"No, we haven't!" Jerry pushed it off with his hands

"Come on, Gold, first it's forgotten sex, next thing you know I'll be picking the lint of your jacket and calling you Poppa?"

"And what's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong with that? That's a stale relationship, Gold. A relationship shouldn't …"

"It's called comfortability, Brown. Were comfortable with each other. I think it's great. Ok, so it means sometimes we can take things for granted, forget things, places. Places I took you to twice I might add, but I don't think it means our relationship's in trouble? I kind of like it… It means we've settled." Jerry laughed it off and walked towards the bathroom.

"It just feels like lately we see less and less of each other." Jerry turned around on a dime when Murphy spoke. "I feel. I feel… I feel like there's no more romance in our lives. There I said it…" Murphy's words reeked with stiffness, nothing close to comfort. "And that's why this bothers me so much. Don't you feel that? You can't tell me you don't?"

"No." Jerry seemed pretty happy with his answer.

"I think we're losing our grip, Jerry." Murphy was very serious.

"Murphy, you don't have to have romance in a relationship all the time to have a relationship."

"We did?"

"And we still do!" Murphy grunted, looked to the left, and walked away from Jerry. "Jeez, Brown. I'm sorry I don't bring you flowers every day, or read you poetry in bed. It doesn't mean I don't love you. That I don't care for you."

"I know that!" she grunted. "You know that's not what I'm talking about, Gold. Things are different between us. Things are just different. And I know you see it?"

"That sure is right. But I don't think it has to do with the both of us."

"What are you implying?"

"I'm sorry if I'm not as romantic as Jake."

"I never said that! I never said that!"

"But that's what you were thinking?"

"No? Jerry - you have to stop with this stupid competitive thing you have going with Jake."

"I don't have a competitive thing with - Jake." Jerry walked back into the bathroom and then back into the bedroom, slamming his hand around the doorframe. "Why is it always about my feelings toward Jake? Did you ever think that maybe he has a competitive thing towards me? I mean why it…"

"Ohh!" Murphy screamed and rolled her head to the side. "This is just like you. Ignoring the whole issue at hand. I..."

"And I resent you making that accusation…" He pointed with his finger.

"You are straying from the whole point of this conversation," Murphy huffed.

"I'm late for work!" Jerry threw his hands up. "I have to take my shower."

"Fine!"

"Fine!" Jerry made his way to the bathroom. "I can't believe were actually having this conversation!" Jerry slammed the bathroom door.

"Same here!" Murphy yelled with her head first and with nothing to slam she walked over to the closet door and slammed it for spite.

THE NEXT DAY

Murphy ran for the elevator, late as usual, with a hot cup of tea in one hand and the other on her leather bag

"Hold the elevator!" she yelled with her hand and body moving towards the closing door. Only the door closed and left Murphy in a cursing mood

"Murphy?" a familiar female voice spoke.

Murphy turned her head in mid-curse and stopped her behavior in mid-thought. "Sharon?" Murphy was surprised to see her. The younger blonde woman smiled at Murphy sweetly.

"What are you doing here?" The elevator next to the women opened

"Oh. I have an interview." Murphy took a fast step forward and grabbed the side of the elevator in a pre-occupied state. More for the fact that Murphy felt she had nothing in common with this woman, other than Jack. Murphy had no desire to speak one word with Sharon and so in Murphy's effort to be polite only came out as a look of distraction.

"Really?" Sharon stepped into the elevator, as Murphy pushed the elevator button repetitively. Sharon opened her month to speak, as a man walked in to the elevator and stopped the closing of the doors.

"Hey! In or out! In or out!" Murphy walled at the man, as he looked out the door. "Make up your mind, buddy!" Murphy looked at the man fiercely and he coward away in fright.

This left the women alone in the elevator. There was an awkward silence. The two women stared straight ahead, hands in front, eyes off to the side. Murphy began to shake her head and move her balance, along her heels and toes, in a semi-rocking position. She looked for a thought, but none came.

Finally, Sharon spoke. "I must say, Murphy, your son is a delightful boy." She paused. "Very well behaved."

"Thank you."

"Every time he comes over is so well behaved, Murphy, really."

Murphy smiled awkwardly. "Well, he is my son."

"In fact, it's really given me a lot of thought. I had wanted to call you. I was hoping we could get to know each other better. All of us. You and Jerry…"

"Oh. Sure." Murphy didn't know what to say and wasn't really paying much attention.

"I mean once Jake and I are married. I'm going to be your son's stepmother." The word stepmother didn't set well with Murphy. "I think it would be nice if we all were…friends."

"Friends. Yes…" Murphy started to speak.

"Perhaps, we could all have lunch. Or dinner. Just the four of us."

"Four of us?"

"You and Jerry and Jake and I."

"Jerry and Jake?"

"Yes."

"Together?"

"Yes."

"In the same room?"

"Of course?"

"Sharon." Murphy paused and looked at Sharon more intently. "That's very nice of you. But you see. Well. Jake and Jerry don't get alone very well. From way back. It's nothing personal. They've just always hated each other. Putting them in a room together is not the wisest thing."

"Jake has told me all about that, Murphy."

"Oh?" Murphy was a bit surprised.

"That's why I really think this dinner would be a good idea." Murphy didn't know what to say. "Please, Murphy. I think you would agree that it's better for Avery we all were friends."

Murphy paused and thought for a moment. "OK," she groaned and Sharon smiled. "But no restaurants. We can't do this in a public place. I learned that the hard way." Murphy shook her head. "Believe me."

"Agreed."

"Ok." Murphy fumbled for her organizer from her purse and bit a pencil in her mouth, as she opened the flap and flipped through the pages. "I think I have some time on the… no…" Murphy flipped again and noticed a date. "Maybe… Well… That won't work either..." Murphy shook her head, as the elevator opened to Sharon's floor. Sharon stepped out and placed her hand in the doorway to stop the elevator from closing. "I think I have some time next month." She looked up at Sharon.

"I was hoping we could do this as soon as possible. Jake and I getting married in less than a month…"

"So soon?" Murphy interrupted and Sharon paused.

"It has come so soon, hasn't it? Which is why I feel we should do this as soon as possible..."

"Well, I'm sorry, Sharon, but I am very busy women and unless your free tonight." Murphy had that look in her eye - happy that she was getting out of the dinner so easily. "I don't see this happening any time soon."

"Then tonight it is." Murphy opened her month. "And you're right about being in public. Very smart. I'd offer my place, but Jake and I practically live in a hotel."

Murphy tried to speak again. "I really think…"

"Let's see - eight o'clock is always a good time for dinner. Jake and I will stop by your place at around seven."

"My place!"

"Oh, Murphy, this is really going to be a fun. You'll see." She smiled and walked down the hall.

"Wait. No. Really, not a good idea. I mean the house…" But she was gone. "Oh, Jeez." Murphy's body slumped.

LATER

Murphy walked into her apartment in dread of the night's events.

"Eldin!" She crossed the threshold and picked up the mail. "Eldin. I tried to call - the line was busy…" She looked up into the living room and noticed the white tarp over all the couches and tables

"No! No!" She dropped the mail and looked towards the dining room area, which too was covered with a white drape. "Eldin! Eldin!" Murphy's body shook.

"He's not here. Mom?" Avery entered the living room

"Hi, Honey." She looked towards her son. "What do you mean he's not here?" She paused. "He's always here."

"Mom." Avery paused. "Eldin left today?"

"He did?" Murphy seemed hurt. "That's right. I forgot. I didn't realize it was so soon," she said in a soft-spoken voice. She looked over at Avery. "Why is all his all his stuff here?" she said in her normal voice.

"I don't know?" Avery shrugged his shoulders. "He said he'd come back for them."

Murphy walked over to the couch. "I can't believe this." She pulled the tarp off the couch. "Today of all days."

Murphy gestured with her hand. She turned around and threw the tarp to the ground. She paused for a moment and looked at her son who just stood in front of her. She knew what was wrong and she smiled at him bitter sweetly.

"Avery, Are you alright?" And before she could say another word her son's arms where around her waist and his head against her stomach. She was taken aback at first because of the strong nature of her son, something he got from his mother. She hugged him close. "It's going to be ok, Avery." She told him, but the look on her face showed she wasn't sure. After a moment, she gently pulled her son away from her and leaned down to his level. "I know you were going across the hall to Jeff's tonight, but if you want I can cancel this whole thing and you can I can just stay in and watch old movies."

"No, that's ok, Mom."

"You're sure?"

"No, Mom, you don't have to do that for me..."

"I was afraid you were going to say that." She smiled at her son. She kissed him on the head and stood up. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. "Honey, could you get that, it's the food for tonight, there's a twenty in my purse next to the door." Murphy picked up the tarp she had crumpled to the ground and looked around for a place to put it. She finally just opened the terrace door and threw on out before closing it with a slam. She looked pretty happy with herself. Then semi-frantically, Murphy made her way to the large coffee table behind the couch and pulled that drape off to find nothing underneath. "Where are my picture frames?"

"They're piled in the hall," Avery spoke, as he carried a large bag into the kitchen. Murphy walked over to the hallway.

"I don't see them!" she shouted, walking back into the living room still looking around.

"Mom, can I stay and have dinner with Sharon and Jake…"

"Actually, Honey, we're going to be talking about adult things, I think it would be best if you go over to Teds."

"Jeff's…"

"Yeah, Jeff. Sorry." She squished her forehead together. "What am I looking for again?"

"The picture frames are in the hallway to the kitchen."

"Oh, that hallway." Murphy walked into the kitchen hallway and then came back with an arm full of frames. Murphy still seemed preoccupied as she set them on the table. She paused for a moment and looked at Avery. "Avery, who's been talking you to your swim lessons…"

"Jake has…"

"Oh…?"

"How long has Jake been doing this…I mean you mentioned he was...but how long has…."

"Has Eldin not been coming around?"

"Didn't you notice he wasn't around Mom?"

"Sure, I just though I kept missing him…" Murphy walked into the kitchen hallway and came back with her Emmy.

"He's been in and out for the last couple of weeks…" Avery answered his mother's question, as he scuffed the tip of his shoe on the floor.

"Oh…" Murphy looked at her son and realized she needed to change the subject. "Have you been having fun with Jake?" Murphy pulled a tarp off the mantel, threw it to the ground and then set her Emmy in the center of the mantelpiece.

"Yeah! He's going to take me to a Yankee Game… A Yankee game. I finally get to go…"

Murphy turned to her son. "Avery. I thought you said I could take you…"

"You've been so busy…"

Murphy looked at her watch. "Well, I think it's really great you've been able to spend so much time with your father, Avery… Oh, Jeez, look the time." She looked from side to side unsure what to do next. The buzzer rang again. "Oh, well tell me when you're going, Sweetie. We can all go together…" Murphy took large strides towards the buzzer and listened for the words, "Your order is here." And she buzzed the delivery boy in. "Avery, I have to go change... that will be the desert. Would you answer it before you go across the hall to Mutt's…"

"Jeff's!"

"Jeff. Yes. Jeff!" Murphy started towards the bedroom.

"Mom can't I stay here…"

"No. Avery. If you want to stay here I can cancel the whole thing…"

"No…no…"

"I'm sorry, Avery, but your father and I need to discuss things..."

"You mean me..." Murphy stopped at the small step.

"I don't know why I tend to forget how smart you are..." She looked over her son for a moment. "Yes, we'll be discussing you…"

"Then don't you think I should be there. If you're talking about me..."

Murphy took a breath. "I know there's no way for me explain this in a fair way, Avery, but right now. No I don't…" Avery started to speak, but Murphy stopped him by speaking. As she spoke she approached the boy. "But I promise you, Avery, nothing is going to be decided for you without your approval. Just trust me on this one. Ok?"

The boy looked up at her. "Ok." He didn't seem happy. Murphy leaned in and kissed her son on the forward for a long time. Then the boy trailed off towards the kitchen.

"Avery…" she called after her son.

"Yeah?" He stopped

"Do you and Jake have fun together?"

"Oh, yeah. I like him a lot…"

"Good." She smiled and her son entered the kitchen and she entered the hallway towards her bedroom.

A moment later the doorbell rang and Avery bounced out of the kitchen and over to his mother's purse. He opened the door, paid the man, and walked back into the kitchen. The next moment, Murphy came out of her bedroom looking around frantically with her body closer to the floor, as if she was looking for something. She looked under Jerry's desk and Avery walked into the living room eating a chicken leg.

"What are you looking for, Mom?"

"My other tan shoe?" Murphy pulled her head out from under the desk and looked in the waste paper basket next to the desk.

"Under the couch next to the fireplace." Avery said, not even looking at his mother, as he passed her. Murphy sprung up and took large strides to behind the couch next to the fireplace, grabbed the shoe, and ran back into her bedroom.

Avery passed the step into the foyer, as Jerry entered from the front door.

"Hey, kid…" Jerry said, as he still held on to the door with his right hand and his paper with his left

"Hey…" Avery didn't look at Jerry, only at his chicken leg, as he passed into the hall.

Jerry walked into the living room and over to the couch. He stopped for a moment to survey the difference in the room with a slight irritation. Then he pulled up a side of the drape, dropped himself down on the couch, opened his paper, and began to read.

Jerry looked around and with no sight of Murphy ventured towards the bedroom. He walked into the bedroom and caught site of Murphy primping herself in the mirror. She wore a devastatingly fabulous black beaded skirt and a lovely silk blouse direct from Harrods department store. Murphy had set her hair with a perfect flip, on the shoulders, and having completely changed her outfit now wore black heels and not the tan shoes she had been looking for before. Her lips were glossed and although she looked perfect she still looked about her person for something to fix. Even her skin smelled of Obsession perfume, one of Murphy favorite scents, which she had the inkling to buy on her way home from the office.

She blotted her lips and adjusted the collar of her lavender top, making sure it revealed her new purple porcelain pearls from Tiffany's. Jerry walked up behind Murphy and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his head in the creases of her right neck and shoulder. He snuggled in deep, feeling the heat of her body, and the smell of her hair and neck. Murphy too could feel the warmth of another body wrapped around hers. It was nice. She smiled sweetly and rubbed his hand and looked at him through the mirror.

"Hey, there beautiful," he said softly

"Hey, there yourself." Murphy smiled awkwardly. There was a pause as Murphy looked at herself and Jerry in the mirror.

"Listen I tried to call you…"

"You alright?" Jerry questioned.

"Yeah, I'm fine…" Murphy turned to face him and Jerry sat himself down on the bed

"You seem… preoccupied?"

"I'm not. I'm fine."

"Good, Good."

"I was going to call you…"

"Yeah, you said that already?" Jerry looked at her funny

"Sorry, did I?"

"Yeah? Twice now? Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Will you stop asking me that!"

"Well, I didn't get the message." He gestured out with his hand. "When did you call?"

"I didn't…"

"You didn't?" He questioned with his head as well.

"See, when I say I tried to call you…" Murphy laughed. "What I mean is I wanted to call you and forgot. Well, more like put it off and then..."

"Brown, Brown..." Jerry put his hands up and rose from the bed. "It's alright..."

"What? What is?" Murphy seemed confused.

"I think I know what this is about?"

"You do?" Murphy jetted her head towards Jerry and almost bugged her eyes out. She griped the edge of the dresser.

Jerry motioned to take Murphy's hand. "Listen, I know lately, there's been a lot of tension between us. You've been working a lot. I've been working a lot. This whole Jake thing." Murphy gave him a look. "Ok, it's been mostly that." He paused. "But it's only because I care so much for you. And you just have to understand that there's this part of me….that can't bear to see anything hurt you. Or Avery… I… I just don't want to see the two of you get hurt again…"

"Hey, was that a crack on Jake?"

"Do you mind, I'm trying to apologize here!"

"Well, you're doing a lousy job of it!"

"Well, maybe if you wait a few minutes it might get better. I'm not done yet. Do you mind?" Jerry broke away from Murphy tossing her hands aside. There was an awkward pause for a moment while the two of them brooded. Jerry took a moment and then sat on the bed while Murphy leaned the back of her waist against the dresser.

Finally, Murphy spoke up. "Ok," she said in a kid confessing type way. "What were you going to say?" She sat herself down on the bed next to Jerry.

"I was going to say. That I was sorry for the way I was acting…"

"And…."

"I'm getting to it. Alright." He cleared his throat." I'm going to try…" Jerry moved his head to the side and gritted his teeth. He didn't make eye contact with Murphy and then he finally turned his head and looked her in the eye. When he did this he regained control of himself. Murphy looked at Jerry and waited for his answer with anticipation and impatience. Even his voice became more of a silk type substance. "And act… Better around Jake…" Murphy smiled. "I'm not making any promises..." Jerry caught Murphy's smile and pushed a strain of hair from her face and over towards her eye. "But if this is something you want. I want to try and make an effort to deal with this. And I will. You have to understand that when it comes to you I'm like some animal in the woods." He paused. "I have this incredible urge to protect you." Jerry raised his eyebrows. "Not that you need it. God knows, you don't," Jerry scoffed. "If anything I think I'm the one who needs the protecting… from you." Murphy hit him upside the arm. "Oww." His body ducked in for cover.

"Just get on with it!"

"Alright, Alright!" Jerry regained himself and took Murphy's shoulders in his hands. "What I'm trying to say is that - what I have to remind myself is that I have you and that's all that matters." Jerry lifted his hand to Murphy's face and the two leaned in for a kiss.

"Jerry. You don't how happy I am you said that," Murphy spoke, as they both broke from the kiss inches away from each other. Jerry raised his eyebrows at her and kissed her again. Jerry slowly pushed Murphy towards the bed until they were side by side.

"Wow, you look great tonight..." He looked her in the eyes. And then began to nimble on her neck.

"Do you really want to make nice with, Jake?"

"If that what's you want, Murphy, I'll do my best." He smiled and kissed neck again.

"I'm so glad you said that because…"

"You smell different?" Jerry lifted his lips from Murphy's neck and looked her in the eye.

"I do?" Murphy tried to sway the conversation. "Jerry I need to tell you..." She sat up in the bed.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Obsession. Why?"

"Nothing." He kissed her." It's just different, that's all."

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

"Ah, huh." Jerry kissed Murphy again pushing her down onto the bed ever so slowly. Murphy started to break her fall with her hand, which caused her body to arch on the bed.

"I mean, I really am happy that you feel that way… Because you see…" Murphy was dazed, as she looked up at Jerry, while he made his way down her neck. "Because, in about twenty minute they'll be over here for dinner."

"WHAT!"? Jerry lifted his head and then his body from the bed. "What did you just say?"

Murphy sat up and stared him down. "I said Jake….and Sharon are coming over here for dinner!"

"Who the hell is Sharon?"

"Jake's fiancées!"

"Oh great! Why are they coming over here tonight?"

"We're having a dinner party, Gold! I was trying to tell you…"

"A DINNER PARTY? What are we Truman Capote?"

"Jerry?"

"And you're just telling me this now!"

"There was no time..."

"I can't believe you didn't check with me first!"

"It was very last minute. Believe me, Jerry. I tried to get out of it." Murphy paused and grumbled. "But the next thing I knew I agreed to have dinner with her and Jake and then you were invited and the next thing I knew... I couldn't say no!"

"That never stopped you before!" Murphy gave him a look. "Did you ever think that maybe I had plans tonight! Did you ever think of that? No, you're only thinking of yourself. Like always..."

"It's Saturday night, Gold! Since when do we ever have plans on Saturday nights? I thought we decided that was the one night we spent time together?"

"Yeah and I don't want to spend my one night off with that…"

"Why can't you do this for me, Gold!" She paused. "This is important to me. Please. This is my son's future we're talking about, Jerry. Do you think I like this? Do you think I want to have dinner with this woman? You think I'm happy about this? I'm going to have to small talk, Jerry. Small talk. Which is right up there for me with get appendectomy."

"And so we both have to endure the torture…"

"Yes! That's WHAT COUPLES DO, Jerry! They have mindless conversation with people they hate because they have a common interest..."

"Yeah, alcohol!"

Murphy gave him a look. "You just said you wanted to make nice with him..."

"I said I would act better about this whole situation. Not invite him over for finger sandwiches and a couple rounds of Pictionary and Charades…" Jerry gestured sideways with his hands.

"I knew you couldn't behave yourself... even for just one night." Murphy pushed herself off the bed and took her shoes off. She looked at the shoes strangely, threw them to the ground, and walked towards the closet.

"Behave…?" Jerry gestured with his hands grandiosely. "What am I your boyfriend or a golden retriever? I don't believe this!" he said, as Murphy answered him.

"Yes! Behave!" Murphy appeared at the door of the closet. "You have a certain reputation in that area. JERRY!" Murphy leaned against the door and put on her right black strappy shoe -a different shoe from before. "I don't know why I'd believe you could ever keep your big mouth shut. Even for me." She put the other shoe on.

"I can't believe I'm being lectured on this subject by you!" Jerry paused to give his next comment its bite.

"I know how to act in situations..." Murphy pushed past him

"I can't believe Mouthy Brown is lecturing me on decorum!"

Murphy was steamed and about-faced towards Jerry's direction. "That cartoon had no bearing on WHO I REALLY AM!" Her head shook.

"You sure, Brown? You look like your about to burst a blood vessel there?"

"You said you'd behave." She walked closer. "You said you'd do this for Avery and me…you said…" She fixed the back of her slipping earring.

"I know what I said!"

"Then do it!" Suddenly, the doorbell rang and they were frozen for a moment.

"That must be John and Yoko now!"

"Jerry!" She paused for a moment.

"I'm sorry!" he said softly, but with no real apology. He turned his head and body away.

"I know this is hard for you, but believe me it's harder for me. This woman is going to be Avery's stepmother…" Jerry started to speak. "Let me finish!" She pushed out her hand. "And although I didn't like it when she first mentioned it… I'm starting to think she's right… and the four of us… for Avery. Need to, even if it's just for one night, get in a room together and get along." She paused and waited for a response. "This is important to me Gold!" She waited for a response. "Gold?"

"Alright, Alright."

"Jake and Sharon won't be here for a half hour. I don't know who that could be. I'll get the door." Jerry walked over to the bed and sat down. "I had your dark blue suit dry cleaned." And she walked out of the room.

Murphy walked into the living room adjusting the collar of the blouse. She tossed her hair as she entered the foyer from the hallway to her bedroom. The doorbell rang again.

"Yeah. Yeah," Murphy grunted. Murphy lengthened her arm to the door and with her large stride opened it. To Murphy's surprise it was Sharon.

"Sharon, hi?"

"I hope I'm not early." She motioned with her body, as if to ask whether she could come in.

"Please, come in."

Sharon entered the foyer holding a large bottle. "I was done with work early, and Jake was meeting me here. So, I thought I'd just make my way over. You know, in case of traffic and everything."

"No, No. I just wasn't expecting you for another..." Murphy looked at her watch with surprise. 'Twenty minutes." She blew out breath of air out to calm herself.

"Well, more time for us to get to know each other." Sharon turned around and took her coat off. Murphy rolled her eyes and then set them back as Sharon faced her again.

"Where can I?"

"Oh!" Being the bad hostess Murphy jumped into action to make up for it. "I'll take that." Murphy took Sharon's coat, as Sharon looked around the foyer and soon set her eyes on the living.

"Wow, Murphy, you have a lovely home." Sharon made her way into the living room. Murphy put Sharon's coat in the closet and then followed Sharon into the living room.

"What? I'm sorry I didn't hear you?" Murphy seemed agitated, but it was more the look of discomfort.

Sharon turned to face Murphy. "I said you have a lovely home."

"Well, thank you, but it's not my home." Murphy stopped and stood on the threshold of the living room and the foyer.

"Oh, I thought you lived here with Jerry…" Sharon faced Murphy.

"Well. I do. It's just that this is really Jerry's apartment. I have my own place in Washington."

"Oh." She smiled and nodded her head

"A big place - a townhouse. It's been in magazines..." Sharon nodded her head politely. There was an awkward pause. Murphy smiled and turned towards the couch. "Jerry should be out any moment." Murphy looked like she was caught in the headlights. "JERRY!" Murphy turned her head and screamed. Sharon was a bit startled by Murphy's loud outburst. She recovered rather quickly and tried to pretend it had not troubled her. There was another short pause of the previous caliber. Murphy looked at Sharon. "He's really looking forward to meeting you… really…" Murphy shot a gaze towards the hallway and rolled on her heels.

"Oh, how could I forget?" She handed Murphy the bottle in her hand. "I brought this for you. I wanted to bring something and since you and Jake don't drink..." Murphy took the bottle and stared at the label. "It's sparking cranberry juice."

"Ah?" Murphy nodded her head in agreement. "JERRY!" She turned her head, yelled again, and then looked back at Sharon. "This is nice. Really nice. I never knew they could do that to cranberry's…" Murphy turned her head again. "JERRY!" Sharon filched again. Murphy smiled awkwardly at Sharon. "I really don't know what could be keeping him..."

"Really, Murphy, it's alright?"

"Alright? What's alright?"

"We don't have to feel awkward about this?"

"Awkward? I don't feel awkward about this. None at all. I'm fine really…" Murphy turned her head and yelled again. "JERRY!" She looked at Sharon. "I don't know what could be keeping him so long. He was so looking forward to meeting you…" Murphy did her awkward polite smile again.

"Really, Murphy, you don't have to feel awkward. I don't. You were married to Jake; I'm going to married to Jake. The two of you have a child together… It makes sense that the two of us are going to feel a little antsy about the whole situation, but we just have to remember were all on good terms… this is just an opportunity for all of us to get to know each other a little better… really…"

"That's very nice, Sharon, but I'm fine, I'm not dreading this at all, really. I feel very comfortable with you..." She smiled and gave a fake good-hearted laugh. "JERRY!" Murphy screamed his name again. Sharon didn't flinch as much as before, but her body still felt it.

Sharon then took Murphy's hand causing her to look Sharon in the face." Murphy…" Sharon leaned in. "Avery is your son. I would never want to change that. Jake is Avery's father and as long as he wants to be a part of Avery's life, I will be there. But I would never want to be any type of barrier between you and your son…."

"Thank you, Sharon…Really, Sharon, I would never think that…" Murphy smiled. "Well…" She patted the bottle. "I should go put this away." And Murphy made her quick exit into the kitchen.

Sharon set her purse against the side of the couch and looked around. She noticed a few things on the coffee table lightly setting her hand against them. She then noticed the Emmy on the mantel and walked over to it look it over. From there she noticed a painting on the north wall and began to admire it, her back to the hallway.

"Hey Brown..?" Jerry entered the hallway. "What's this chick's name again..." Sharon turned around setting Jerry back.

"I'm sorry…" He shook his head. "I thought you were my…." His voice then became ragged. "Who are you?"

"Sharon Jordan." Sharon extended her hand and walked over to Jerry. Jerry shook her hand with hesitation. "I'm Jake's-"

"Yeah, I got that…" He looked her over, as his head filled with thoughts of how much she reminded him of Murphy. "With the blonde hair I thought you were Murphy..." He looked her over and put her hands in her pockets.

"Oh…"

Before the conversation could continue any further Murphy entered from the kitchen. "Oh…" Murphy's voice was monotone. "Jerry there you are." She walked closer to him and then stopped, as she came closer to Sharon. "Have the two of you met yet?"

"Somewhat. We were just about to finish," Sharon answered.

"Well," Murphy took Jerry's arm. "Jerry come meet our guest..." Jerry looked at Murphy unsure what to think. Sharon and Jerry shock hands again, while Jerry tried to fain a smile.

"So where's Jake…" Jerry questioned Sharon in an acid tone. He didn't mean to but the name Jake did that to him. Murphy gave him a look as she coughed.

"I'm afraid I'm a little early. He should be here any moment. He was meeting me here. I hope it's alright?" Murphy squeezed Jerry's arm and her face.

Jerry felt it and "behaved" himself. "Of course. No problem, no problem at all…"

"Well," Murphy smiled. "Why don't we all sit down?" Murphy and Jerry sat themselves down on the couch in the center and Sharon made her way towards the couch facing the fireplace. Jerry placed his hand on Murphy's leg, something he did often. Murphy gave him a look.

"What?" Jerry gave her a similar look back. Murphy titled her heads slightly towards Sharon.

Offended, Jerry lifted his hand and adjusted himself in his seat. "Sorry," he said in an acid tone.

Jerry adjusted himself in his seat and smiled the forced smile he often used in these situations. It was one that seemed to stay in the front of his face, but also seemed to rise upwards into his temples and eyebrows. There was short pause. Jerry started to reach for Murphy's hand as he often did, but stopped himself, whipping his hand around, as if he was only moving it to scratch the back of his head.

"So." Jerry took a short pause and looked at Sharon. "Where again is, Jake?"

Murphy shot up immediately. "He's coming. He's just a little late that's all…"

"I was talking to Sharon," Jerry spoke to Murphy and then faced Sharon.

"He's coming from downtown. He's meeting with my father about donating money to the cause." Jerry nodded his head, holding his tongue. "We decided it would be easier if we just met here…"

"Oh. I see." Jerry didn't seem to really care too much. "I wouldn't want to think he just abandoned you or anything…"

Murphy imminently shot her head in Jerry's direction, her eyes flaming. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

"I bet that's, Jake. I'll get it. "Sharon jumped up with glee and walked into the foyer.

Once Sharon was out of sight Murphy shot into Jerry. "What the hell was that?" She burned into him with her own version of a whisper.

"What the hell was what?" Jerry defended himself.

"That crack about Jake… you couldn't even last five whole minutes could you, Gold.…?"

"What, that? That was a joke, Brown… a simple comment…"

"I think you both know what you meant by that, Jer!"

"Oh, yeah, what did I mean…" he said sarcastically.

"Jake?" Murphy stood up in a gleeful spirit. "You're here." Murphy tried to hold back her enthusiasm, but parts of it seemed to seep through.

Jerry shifted towards his right and looked up at Murphy as she brushed past him.

"I'm sorry. Am I late?" Sharon clung to Jake's arm looking up at him.

Jack looked into Murphy's eyes and she was about to speak, but Sharon spoke instead.

"No, of course not." Sharon pulled Jake towards the couch she had been sitting on previously. "I got here a few minutes early and Jerry and Murphy where just wondering where you were." Sharon sat down.

"Oh?" Jake sat down alongside Sharon and eyed up Jerry. Jerry gave Jake a similar look, in reaction to the one he was receiving.

"Jerry." Jake nodded his head.

"Jake." Jerry did the same in a monotone sound.

Murphy watched the whole volley and then sat back down next to Jerry. As she did she noticed Sharon take Jake's hand and squeeze his hand. Murphy watched them the entire time. When she hit the sofa Murphy took Jerry's hand, but never looked at him. Jerry noticed something. He just didn't know what yet. He smiled at Murphy and squeezed her hand. Murphy made herself comfortable and faced the other couple.

"I hope I didn't miss anything?" Jake questioned. "I came as fast as I could. You wouldn't believe the traffic in this city. I forgot how crazy it can get on Saturday nights…"

"Jake…" Murphy set her arm across to Jake. "How have your meetings been going?"

"Oh, well, very well… Thank you, Murphy. I really think I'm making some leeway. I was in Washington last weekend..."

"You were in DC?" Murphy leaned in. "Oh, I miss it. I'm started to forget what it looks like…" She laughed.

"I don't think it forgets you, I had a meeting with a lobbyist, Marc Silvus…" Murphy started to laugh and so did Jake. "I thought we'd never get down to business…I was afraid to even mention I knew you…" They both laughed at the joke that only they both knew.

"Oh, Murphy?" Sharon stood up and picked up a small picture from the table. "Is this a baby picture of Avery?"

"Yes it is." Murphy was proud of her boy. Sharon sat down with the picture. "What a sweet child. You know he looks just like Jake here." She showed the picture to Jake.

"Really, I never saw that."

Sharon leaned forward and set the frame back down on the center coffee table. Sharon pulled herself closer to Jake's body. Murphy then did the same to Jerry. This time Jerry noticed and he didn't like what he saw.

"Sharon?" Murphy spoke up. "Jake tells me you're a photographer?"

"Well, yes. It's what I'm doing now. I batted around a bit. Trying to find out what I wanted to do. Right now, I'm trying to dabble more into photojournalism and not just photography in an artistic sense…"

"Really…" Murphy's interest was piqued. Perhaps Sharon and herself might have something to talk about after all.

"Yes. In fact..." She looked up at Jake. "It's completely how we met…"

"Sharon decided she wanted to follow me around and document my activities…" Jake laughed, finishing Sharon's sentence.

"Only Jake wasn't too happy about the idea…"

"I mean that's all I needed. Right? A white women with a camera following me around the jungles of Africa." He looked at her. "But she was determined."

"I somehow got my publisher to convince him it was a good publicity..."

"And I was running out of funds…" Jake continued Sharon's sentence again.

"So, I show up and he does everything to avoid me." Sharon grabbed a hold of Jake's arm.

Murphy's smile shorten a bit, but returned as she grabbed onto Jerry's arm. Jerry just stared at her for a moment.

"So, one night." Sharon was getting giddy, as she started to get to what was probably the good part of her story. "I stayed up all night and I followed him into the bush. Only he found me out and after trying to loss me so many times he got us both lost. We ended up having to spend about three days out there alone. Jake actually saved my life a few times…"

"I saved her life maybe once." He tried to be humble.

"It was like something out of Romancing The Stone." She laughed and Jake took hold of her hand and shifted to get a better look at her. "And as crazy as it sounds. I think we fell in love that night." Jake leaned and kissed her lightly.

Murphy spoke up immediately, almost rising about in her seat. "You know…" She fanned laughter. "Jerry and I met in a pretty funny way ourselves…" She waited for Jerry to say something, as Jake and Sharon looked at them. "Didn't we, Honey?" She looked at Jerry and Jerry looked at her in a bewildered way.

"Well, sweetie." Jerry raised his eyebrows at her. "I really don't remember." Jerry pulled his arm out of Murphy's. Murphy gave him a look and then smiled at Jake and Sharon.

"I think what Jerry means is that we knew each for a long time before we ever started dated. We hated each other in fact. Well, hate isn't even the word. More like despised each other with nuclear capabilities…" She laughed a few bars of a song only Murphy knew. "I think we hated each other for about…" Murphy looked up, as she was looking for the right number, and then looked at Jerry. Not before she noticed Sharon put her hand on Jake's leg. "What was it, Jer? Eight years?" Murphy put her hand on Jerry's knee.

Jerry shifted his head and stared at Murphy's hand. He locked eyes with Murphy. "I really don't remember." Jerry pushed Murphy's hand aside and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Murphy snarled.

"I'm gonna get myself a drink." He walked behind the table and over to the cabinet under the small table next to the sliding door to the terrace.

Murphy looked at Jake, who held on to Sharon's hand, while trying to hold in his anger. One could tell Jack was not surprised at the way Jerry was acting, but none the less, wanted to make the evening a smooth one. Sharon just looked unsure what to think. Murphy looked to her left and tried to hide her anger as well. Jerry opened up the cabinet with a large clamor and slammed a glass on to the glass table.

Murphy stared at him. "Where did that come from?" She was shocked to find out there had been liquor in the apartment.

"A gift from Ira for my birthday." He took out the bottle and stared at the Jimmie Walker label. "I've been saving it for a special occasion."

"Jerry maybe you should drink that…. LATER!"

"No, I'm fine now." He looked at her. Their eyes met. Jerry poured himself a scotch and then looked towards Jake. "Jake, would you like a drink?" Jerry held onto the glass in one hand and the bottle in another.

"No," he said simply.

"Remember, Jerry." Murphy gritted her teeth. "Jake doesn't drink."

Jerry looked at her, as he set the bottle down. "That's right I forget," he said sarcastically. There was a pause and then he looked at Sharon. "Sharon?"

"No, thank you." Sharon answered. She felt how awkward it all was.

"Suit yourself." Jerry spoke to himself. Murphy stood up, as Jerry brought the drink to his mouth.

"Why don't I get the bottle of cider Sharon brought," she said to Jerry. "Doesn't that sound nice?" She's said to the group.

"No." Jerry smiled. "I'll be fine with this." He took a drink. Murphy sat down and brooded to herself. She watched Jerry circle the back of the table and lean against the fireplace. He was done behaving.

"I'll go check on the food." Murphy stood up trying to muster up all she could not to explode.

"You cooked?" Jake and Jerry both spoke in unison. Murphy gave them each a look as she went for the kitchen.

"Jerry, why don't you come in the kitchen and help me?" Murphy jetted her head towards the kitchen in a not so subtle hint.

"No, I think I'll stay here and talk to our guests." He smiled evilly at her.

"Murphy, why don't I help you?" Sharon stood.

"No really." She pushed back Sharon with her hands. "I can do it myself." She looked at Jerry. And she disappeared into the kitchen. Jerry stared at the lovely couple, smiled and batted his eyes, sarcastically.

"So, Jerry…" Jake looked for something to say. "How's that show of yours going…I can't say I've seen it. I'm usually in meetings most of the day…"

"It's going well, thanks." Jerry was surprised by the gesture. "We just got nine Emmy nominations." Jerry was trying to prove himself somehow with the revelation.

"Really?" Jake didn't seem to have kindness in his voice.

"And what are you doing in this great city of ours?" Jerry stepped forward.

Murphy entered the room with the bottle of cider and four cups. She set them on the table and looked at Jerry. Murphy began to open the bottle, but Jake stopped her.

"Here, let me?" Jake took the bottle from Murphy and opened it for her. Murphy smiled. Jerry saw it.

"The food should be really in a few minutes. I just set the timer for just a little longer. It should be ready soon."

"Well, it smells great." Sharon smiled at Murphy.

"You didn't answer my question? Jake?" Murphy whipped her head around at Jerry. "I was asking, Jake here, what brought him to The States? What sort of meetings are you involved in here?"

"I've been talking with some people, getting reacquainted with a few people - Fundraising."

"Sharon mentioned you had a meeting downtown?" Murphy questioned

"Yes, with Sharon's father… in fact he's generously decided to help me with my little endeavor." Jake seemed embarrassed.

"Jake, that's wonderful." Murphy smiled.

"My father likes Jake very much." Sharon smiled.

Just then the timer went off in the kitchen.

"Well," Murphy shot up. "Let's eat." Murphy walked up to Jerry and he let out his hand for her to pass. Murphy and he shared bad looks. Murphy huffed past him and into the living room. Jake walked up the stairs and into the dining room area and Sharon made her way towards Jerry at the mantle.

"Jerry I would like to hear about the Emmy process. It sounds interesting."

Jerry looked at her and put his hands in his pockets. "It's really not," he said with a dark town. Jerry took a drink not looking at Sharon.

"Still, I am interested how it all works."

Jerry looked at Sharon strangely as she past. "Sharon, your perfume? It's familiar. What is it?"

"Oh. It's Obsession. Jake bought it for me." And she entered the dining room area. Jerry finished his drink with a finale gulp. He didn't look happy.

Dinner was served and it ended up being a repeat performance of the pre-dinner festivities. Making all the parties at hand in a higher state of angst then they had previous been. Sharon walked out of the dining room first, followed by Jake with his hand on the back of his neck.

Only Sharon was trying to lighten the mood. "He had to beg me to go out there with him. I just didn't want to go…." Sharon took Jake's arm.

Murphy walked out behind them and took Jerry's arm as he entered. This time when Jerry stared at Murphy, he looked hurt, but Murphy didn't notice. She was too busy trying to find a way to interrupt Sharon.

Murphy found her chance and dove in, "That sounds a lot like our first date. It started off more like a bet then anything." She turned to Jerry. "What was the name of that place again Jerry?" She looked at him and smiled.

Jerry pressed his lips together. "I don't know Murphy what was it…"

She looked at him. "You know full well the name of the restaurant. It's was your favorite restaurant." Murphy gritted through her teeth. "That's why you took me there."

"Maybe, I just don't want to talk about it," he whispered back to her in his acid tone.

Murphy laughed, and not in a fun way, as Jake and Sharon turned to look at them.

"Maybe we should stop telling stories..."Sharon answered in.

"No. Of course not." Murphy laughed it off. "I mean we haven't heard the rest of Sharon's story..."

"Oh." She looked at Jake and then at Murphy. "Well, then, it started to rain and the mud is just crashing everywhere. We had so much mud in our ears. I couldn't hear a word Jake was saying when he proposed to me…"

"That sounds a lot like what happened when Jerry tried to tell me he loved me. It was so sweet." Murphy hit Jerry in the arm. "Jerry, tell them the story." He looked at her. "Remember?" She looked at Sharon and Jake. "He tried to say he loved me and it came out that he loved my… well…" She looked at Jerry. "Tell them. Tell them what you said." She looked at Sharon and Jake. "This is great. Listen to this."

Jerry took a moment, looking at Murphy evilly, and then after a beat spoke. First he took his arm out of Murphy's. "I'm going to have a smoke." He walked over to the terrace door, slid open the sliding door, and slammed it shut.

Murphy stood in embarrassment, as well as a deep hurt, unsure what to make off it. "Excuse me for a moment. I need to be… not here..." She walked towards the bedroom hallway. "Excuse me." And in a mess of anger she was gone.

Murphy walked straight into the exercise room; because it was the first door once you entered the doorway and straight on from where she had started. She just needed to be alone for a moment if she was going to keep up the façade she was never good at keeping up in the first place. She hit the frame of the doorway, as she entered the room and brought her hands to her forehead.

"What am I doing?" she whined to herself. "What am I doing?" She took a breath and placed her hands on her hips and took a breath in and out.

"Murphy?" Jake heard Jake's voice behind her in the shadows. Murphy turned around to see his figure in the doorway. He walked forward causing the light through the window blinds to shine on his face.

"Jake."

"I'm sorry, Murphy - I was looking for the bathroom..."

"It's the third door on the right." Murphy turned around to avoid her face from Jake's. She didn't want him to see how upset and hurt she was.

"Murphy…" He paused. "Are you alright?"

Murphy sucked in her emotions and turned around. "I'm fine. Thank you, Jake. I'll be right out."

"Murphy…" He put his hands on her shoulders. "I hate to see him treating you this way, how…"

"He's not treating me anyway, Jake." And Murphy went into her famous triads in defense of Jerry - so famous it was starting to feel like a knee jerk repetitive response. "I really am sick and tired of you and everyone else… you don't know him the way I do…"

Jake took his hands off Murphy. "I wish you'd stop making excuses for him, Murphy…" He slid his hands into his belt and onto his hips.

"I'm not making excuses for him…"

"You are! Listen to yourself…"

"I really think this is none of your business, Jake…"

"It does when it concerns my son…"

"My relationship with Jerry has nothing to Avery. It only concerns me. I can take care of myself, Jake. I will handle this." There was a pause as they looked at each other. "You shouldn't keep Sharon out there by herself." Murphy's face was stern.

Jake nodded his head and lowered his eyes. Murphy looked down and to the left and Jake lifted her chin up with his finger-tips.

"I just hate to see him hurt you like this…" Murphy said nothing and with his face Jake seemed to answer, as if understanding the silence as an answer.

Jake walked to the door and then stopped. "You know Murphy…" Murphy looked up at him. "I'd never forget..."

"What?"

"I'd never forget where I was. What I did and what I said. When I said I loved you." And he disappeared, leaving Murphy in the greyness.

Moments later Murphy walked out of the hallway - Freshened up. She noticed Jake handing Sharon her coat.

"You don't have to leave, really," Murphy urged.

Jake walked over to Murphy. "I'm sorry Murphy, but Sharon just got a page. We really have to get going..."

"I hope it's nothing serious..." Murphy questioned.

"No, not at all," Sharon urged, as she put on her coat. "I really had a lovely time, Murphy." She walked up to Murphy and took her hand. She smiled and walked off towards the foyer.

Murphy looked at Jake.

"Call me, alright," he whispered and walked towards the foyer.

Murphy followed them out and shut the door.

The sun was just beginning to finish setting and the room, much like the exercise room, was beginning to look just as grey. Murphy set her back against the door for a moment brooding. She heard the sliding door open and Jerry's after smoker's cough. She walked into the living room and caught sight of him as he began to speak.

"Well, that was interesting. I always wonder what'd be like to jam my head into the vice in woodshop." Jerry paused for a moment. "Now I know."

"What was that?" She pointed towards the door.

"I think I should be asking you the same question..."

"I can't believe you, Gold. I ask you do one thing for me one thing. One thing. And you can't even do that..."

"Hey, I only dished out what I got. I don't attack, Murphy, I react. You of all people should know that by now. All I was doing was defending myself..."

"Defending yourself from what?"

"From you!"

"Me? What did I do? I think I behaved pretty well considering the circumstances. You where the one…"

"Did you think I wouldn't notice, Murphy?" Jerry walked down the small step connecting the landing to the main part of the living room. "Did you think I would get what you were doing?"

"I don't know what you're talking about…." Murphy walked towards the fireplace.

Jerry huffed. "Oh, don't give me that. You knew exactly what you were doing…" Murphy turned at the fireplace and faced Jerry. "You were trying…"

"How come you couldn't remember any significant events in our relationship…"

"What? I…" Jerry tried to find the words. "I didn't want to discuss it…"

"Oh, come on. You didn't remember? And you know what, Jerry. That really hurt. Even more then you completely disregarding my feelings and not granting me one request…"

"I don't see the point in trying to complete with Jake, that's all. I just happen to think that the things that happen between you and me." Jerry gestured toward himself and Murphy. "Are private..."

"Who's trying to complete with Jake. If anyone it's you…"

"Me? You should have seen yourself. I'm surprised you didn't bring out slides and protectors and start comparing sexual positions…"

"Well, that was uncalled for!"

"This whole evening was uncalled for, Brown, and you know it…"

"I am so sick of having to keep apologizing for you…"

"Hey, hey, hey. I never asked for any apologizes for me! This is who I am, Murphy. I'm sorry you don't approve, but I don't have to apologize for anything. Just like you, Brown…" He pointed at her.

"Well, at least I deal better with people then you do..."

"Oh, give me a break, Brown, were back to this again..."

"I know how to handle myself in situations…"

"Handle yourself? If you speak your mind any further you be one step closer to turrets…."

"Oh and who are you Barbara Bush!" Her head gestured with her words.

"Hey, people have always considered me-"

"Abrasive, obnoxious-"

"But, hey! That's just my style! I'm not going to pretend I'm something I'm not..."

"What are your calling me a hypocrite, Gold? Is that what you're saying..."

"At least I don't sing one tune and play another…"

"This is just like you…You take every little thing I say and turn it into a huge deal…"

"Oh, now I'm the one who started this…"

"Yes, yes you did!" Murphy's head shook.

"And I guess I'm not the one who wouldn't let me touch her until Sharon touched Jake, or wouldn't let me speak until Jake did…"

"I didn't do that! I didn't do that!" Murphy spoke over him

"…All I was just waiting for was you to throw everything off the table and with your butter knife crave Murphy loves Jake with a big heart and an arrow though it."

"What are you saying, Gold! You think I still have feelings for, Jake!"

"Ding, Ding, Ding. Tell the lady what's she's won!"

"That's ridiculous, Gold!"

"I thought so too. I keep telling myself it wasn't true. Rachel told me. You told me. I kept trying to convince myself I was just paranoid. But, after tonight, I think you've made your true feelings loud and clear. Both you and Jake!"

"What!" Murphy spoke in an exasperated whisper.

"I saw the way you too looked at each other Murphy. I'm not blind!"

"We'll you're sure as hell delusional, Gold! What are you talking about!"

"And you're still denying it!"

"You know I've had it with you. I do not have feelings for Jake and Jake sure as hell doesn't have feelings for me. That's all a thing of the past!"

"That's not what I saw..."

"Just because I was enthusiastic about telling stories over dinner…"

"I'm not just talking about dinner!"

"Then what are you talking about?"

"I saw you through the blinds, Murphy. I saw you…"

Murphy looked scarred. "It was a meaningless kiss, Jerry, it meant nothing…"

"Whoa? What?" Jerry was hit like a ton of bricks. He stopped the momentum of his anger for a moment to get a hold of the situation. "What are you talking about? You kissed him?"

"More like he kissed me. It meant nothing." There was a pause.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about when Jake came to my office. What are you talking about?"

"Just now I saw you and Jake form the terrace…"

"Oh?"

"When was this?"

"About two weeks ago…" she confessed.

"And you didn't tell me? You kissed him?"

"It was no big deal, Jerry. I didn't tell you because I knew you'd make it into a huge deal like you always do…"

"Big deal? You kissed another man! You kissed Jake! Oh, my god, I can't believe this… So, it is true! You do still care for him! Did you sleep with him!"

"What! No!"

"You did, didn't you? You slept with him."

"I didn't sleep with, Jake! Will you stop this?"

"But why am I surprised you can't seem to shake feelings for any of the men who come back into your life… Jake, me. Peter…"

Murphy started to interrupt him. "Peter! When did he come into this!"

"Maybe I should pace myself I could be here all night…"

"You act as if I have them coming out of the woodwork! It's not like I just open my heart to just anybody, Jer!"

"Yeah, just your legs!" Jerry screamed it and then there was silence. They looked at each other while Jerry realized what he had said. It was only a short moment. "Murphy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

"Get out," Murphy's voice was a low whisper, her body didn't move. She looked like she was doing everything she could do hold in her emotion. But for some reason that always made her look stronger than if she had shown no emotions at all.

"Murphy I didn't mean…" He stepped forward.

"Get out," she said sternly.

"Murphy, it just came out…" Jerry took a step forward. "We're just both upset..." Jerry was overcome. He couldn't believe what he had done. He'd hurt Murphy and he knew it.

"Get out!" Murphy picked up a picture frame and threw it just past Jerry's shoulder. It hit the wall with a crash.

Jerry flinched. n"Come on, Brown." He put his hands up. "Let's just talk this out."

"There's nothing to discuss. I want you out of my house." She picked up a vase and threw it in Jerry's direction.

"This is my house!" Jerry ducked, as it hit the foyer step.

"I still want you out!" Jerry took another step and Murphy picked up a clock from the mantel and threw it, just barley hitting Jerry again.

Jerry jumped to the left. "Brown! Stop this - you're gonna kill me!"

She looked around. Murphy was running out of things to throw since most of the good stuff was still in the hallway where Eldin had left it. "If I wanted to kill you I wouldn't be throwing objects." She picked up a frame and through it with all her might. "I'd be throwing punches..." She let out a release of air as it hit the ground with a crash. Jerry flinched again and looked where the frame had landed. "I'll only hope to maim you." Murphy threw a glass from the coffee table. Murphy then looked around for something else to throw, as Jerry got closer to her. There was nothing else.

"There's nothing left, Brown. Can we talk now like normal human beings?"

Murphy turned around and took sight of her Emmy and took hold of it. She turned to Jerry and held it above her body like she was Glenn Close in fatal attraction.

Jerry laughed more secure with himself. "Oh, come on, Brown? You don't really think I'd believe you'd throw that thing at me?" He laughed

"Who said anything about throwing..." She walked forward and tightened her grip around it. Jerry looked behind him for a moment and walked backwards unsure what to think.

He looked a little scared. "Come on, Brown? I know you too well. You'd never damage your Emmy…"

"Well, you see you may have me there, Jer. But there's one thing you don't know. But if for some reason your Emmy is damaged, in let's say an earthquake, or perhaps it gets lodged in someone's scull." Jerry didn't seem to like that last part. But as he got more and more scared Murphy became calmer. "I can send this baby there and they'll fix it free of charge. In fact, if it's so damaged from perhaps being wrapped around someone's throat. They could even send me a new one. So, you see here, Jer. The only person who has something to lose here is you."

Jerry took a gulp. "Fine." He put his hands up. "I'll leave." He took a step towards the foyer and set his foot on the foyer step. "I don't know why I ever thought I we could have a normal relationship with you!"

"Same here!" Murphy raised the Emmy up and Jerry left.

All Murphy heard, as she heard so many times before, was the slamming of the door. "UGG!" Murphy screamed and without thinking threw her Emmy out of her hands and up against the wall where it made a small hole next to Jerry's desk, before falling to the ground. It was then and only then that Murphy started to cry at her loss.

LATER

Murphy set her head against the hard wall of Jerry's apartment.

"Thank you for coming over so soon." Murphy turned her head towards the hole in the wall, just above her head, and Eldin who was spackling it from the other side.

"That's what I'm here for..."

"I don't know what I was thinking. I mean all my life I dreamed of having an Emmy. When my parents use to take me to the beach house every summer. And all the other kids wanted to make sandcastles and forts in the sand. I made a figurine of an Emmy. The first time I had dinner at Walter Cronkite's house, he use to keep one in the bathroom, I keep excusing myself to go in and feel her up. It was my all, my pinnacle of my career. I don't even let Frank touch it. And there I go, Eldin - I just threw it against the wall. It was like I forget what was in my hand. I just forgot. Why did I do that Eldin, why? Why did I do that!" she screamed.

"I don't know! Maybe you asked it so many questioned it repelled off your arm."

Murphy shot off a look. "You're not helping, Eldin. You're not helping at all." Murphy buried her hand in her face. "Why do I always get myself into these situations?" She leaned her head back and hit it against the wall.

"Hey do you mind?" Eldin shot to her in a caustic tone, pointing to his work.

Murphy shot him a look. "It's not my apartment. I don't care..." She pushed herself up. "No. Not my apartment. Not at all," she spoke to herself and kicked the wall. Eldin wasn't happy about that either. "Wasn't my idea to come here. Not my idea at all..."

Eldin over lapped Murphy's last moment of angry reflections. "Then why did you call me all the way over here in the middle of the night to fix your wall?"

"Well, appearance is very important." Murphy turned towards the couch and gestured with her arm. "And you needed to pick up your stuff. I mean you can't just go leaving your stuff here with no word of when you're coming back…" She looked at Eldin and she calmed down. "Ok. I needed someone to talk to." Eldin smiled and Murphy walked closer to him. "Do you really have to leave on Saturday, Eldin? I mean you could just stay until my last show on the 29th and.…wait." She paused and looked at Eldin. He lowered his head and continued spackling. "Today's Saturday… Eldin?" She lowered to her knees and crouched next to Jerry's desk. "Did you come all the way from Washington when I called you…"

"You know, I'm going to have to repaint this entire wall, you know? Even if I can find the right color. There will still be a visible…"

"Eldin..."

"Line..." He looked over at Murphy. ".It's not like I was doing anything." He smiled.

Murphy smiled back. "Thank you, Eldin." Murphy stood up. "So what do you say, Eldin?"

"What?"

"You come back to work for me?"

Eldin stopped spackling for a moment." Well, I can stay a few days and fix this wall. And I do have to collect my things. I was going to come back next week and get them, but I guess I can stay a few more weeks. But then I have to get back..."

"No, Eldin. I'm talking for good."

"I'm sorry, no." Eldin continued his spackling.

"No? NO? Eldin?"

"The boy doesn't need a nanny, he needs a father. He's just getting too old for that… besides like I said… It's about time…"

"Eldin, if this is about Jake. There no reason…"

"Look, I'm not Avery's father…"

"Sure, that's true Eldin. But you're his nanny…"

"Like I said - I'm not his father - I'm not family. He won't even notice I'm gone…"

"Eldin…"

"Would you please pass me my plaster smoother..." Eldin put out his hand.

"Eldin…"

"It's that white object on the desk..."

"Fine. If that's how you feel. Fine!" Murphy grabbed the tool off the desk sending papers down with it. "Here." She shoved it in his face. Eldin took it and started to smooth over the wall.

"Jeez." Murphy noticed she had knocked the papers off Jerry's desk. She leaned down and picked up the papers, as she muttered to herself. "The man has a desk doesn't even use it." Murphy dumped the papers on the desk. "Just dumps everything on top of it..." Murphy eyes caught sight of something on top of the desk. She picked it up and opened it. What made her noticed the folded up paper were the brown stains on its edges.

"Ok, I'm done." Eldin stood up. "It just needs to dry. I'll go pick out a color in the morning. Maybe a nice rose or dusty brown. I never got white walls? What's the point?" Eldin picked up his a rag from the desk and begin to wipe his hands with it. "All you need is some orange carpet and it'll be like one of those shows they have on TV." He walked towards Murphy. "The one's with the fake laughter and the funny music…what are those called?" He looked up at Murphy and noticed the look on her face. She looked as if someone has died. What's wrong?" Eldin asked her.

Murphy said nothing and handed Eldin the three-sectioned paper. He looked at her and took the paper in his hands. Eldin proceeded to read parts of it out loud.

"This document states that Elka Elizabeth Hasengunzer-Gold and Jerome Allen Gold." Eldin laughed. "He's name's Jerome." Eldin lifted the second page and looked over what he was reading. "What is this?"

"It's Jerry's divorce papers."

"Yeah?" He looked at Murphy

"See anything odd about them Eldin."

"No."

"They're here, Eldin! They're here. He didn't file them!" They're not even notarized." Murphy hit the middle of the paper to show Eldin what she was talking about.

"So, maybe this is another copy. This doesn't mean he's not divorced."

"It's not another copy Eldin. These are the originals. And do you know how I know? Huh? Huh? Do you? I'll tell you how. Because, of the tea stains on the corners." Murphy pointed at them adamantly. "And do you know how I know that, because I put - I them there. The day he ran off to get it notarized." Murphy paced away from Eldin. "And then he told me he mailed this off. Here he's lecturing me about harboring feelings for Jake and here he can't even sign his own divorce papers!" She faced Eldin. "He lied to me." She looked down and spoke to herself. "I bet he was lying to me the whole time…I bet he didn't even want..." Murphy stopped in her utter exhaustion and romantic confusion. It was times like these that made her seem so much unlike herself. She opened her mouth, looked around, and then sank onto the couch. "Ohh!" she let out a sigh. "I can't believe I ever thought I could trust him." Murphy muttered to herself. "It's just too hard. Why does it have to be this way with us?" Murphy spoke, as if to herself, and then looked at Eldin. "I'm tired, Eldin. I'm just tired of this whole thing! It's just too hard." Eldin walked over to her and the stopped without saying a word. "Well, don't just stand there give me some advice."

"I don't know. I think you have to figure this one out yourself."

Disguised by her own comments coming back to her in a way Murphy huffed.

"Fine. Then that's just what I'll do!" Murphy stormed into the bedroom.

THE NEXT MORNING

Jerry opened the door to his apartment, quietly like a kid sneaking in after curfew, but in a more delicate way. He hoped to catch Murphy as she woke up so they could talk. He went to throw his keys on the center table only to notice it wasn't there. Jerry gestured and looked toward the door to see if he had been moved - it wasn't.

Jerry knew something was up. His face changed and he took large strides into the living room, leaving the door wide open. He stopped at the foyer to notice something different about the room. It seemed barer then it had been before. He walked past the patched up hole in the wall noticing its difference to the rest of the wall. He called out Murphy's name, as he entered the hallway to their bedroom - no sign of her.

Moments later, Jerry walked out dazed. He stopped and walked into the hallway leading to Avery's room and then came back into the living room. He walked over to fireplace unsure what to think when he noticed a small envelope with his name written on it, staring at him on the mantel in front of the mirror. With held in emotion he took the envelope and opened it.

"Hey?" Rachel appeared at the door and passed through it, noticing the oddness of the door being open. She caught sight of Jerry, as she passed through the foyer. "I thought I'd stop by and see if you wanted to have some breakfast." She stepped down the small step into the living room, as she held onto her purse strap. She looked at Jerry knowing something was wrong. "What's up?" She looked at the door again and then back at Jerry. "Why's the door open?"

Jerry dropped the note to his side and away from his face.

"What's wrong?" Rachel was worried.

Jerry walked towards the fireplace and shook his head. He reached the fire place and looked up, as his whole demeanor and voice changed into his famous acid toned defense mechanism "Oh, nothing," he paused with an upward inflection. "Murphy just left me." Jerry gestured with the note toward Rachel and then balled it up and threw it to the ground.

What happened to those happy hours
and where is the sweet bouquet of flowers
I'm so afraid the die is cast, oh yeah,
and our love's becoming a thing of the past.

The Shirelles ~ A Thing Of The Past