VIII

Erica placed the phone down after hearing the dial tone, her hand shaking. "He's gone." She said.

"Good."

The bar looked suitably quiet, dark and grubby- just the sort of place Murdock was looking for.

He wanted to just forget the 'real' world, just for a while.

To be honest, wanting to get away from the real world wasn't good for him. Not in the real world meant being in his world, which was never a good place to stay, not when it landed you in a mental institution for more than 10 years.

But right now, it was preferable to be locked up than it was to deal with what was happening in his life.

He ordered a beer from the barman, who seemed just as disillusioned with his life as everyone else in the room, and the sat hunched over the bar, drinking it, all the while trying to forget all that was wrong with his life at that moment.

Murdock was vaguely aware of someone's presence next to him, but ignored it assuming it was a customer waiting for service. When the bartender made no attempt to serve the stranger, Murdock turned to look at the person sitting on the stool next to him.

A warm smile greeted at him from a petite blonde haired lady. She was cute, Murdock had to admit, far to cute to be in a rotten place like this.

"Can I help you?" he asked her.

"Depends on whether you want some company." she replied.

"Er... I just came he for some time alone." Murdock answered, not quite sure what she was asking him.

"Me to. They say talking helps. Could you help me out and maybe listen?"

Murdock didn't answer immediately, he wanted to think through his own problems not here somewhere else's.

Noticing the stalling, the lady stood up. "It's Ok. I'm sorry to bother you."

"No, it's OK. I wanna help. I'm not getting anywhere anyway." Murdock explained.

She sat back on the stool, her smile restored. She held her hand out for Murdock to shake. "Names Gabrielle."

"That's a pretty name."

"Thank you. What can I call you then?"

"Murdock. Or, HM. Your choice."

"Murdock. That came first, so that must be the preferable one."

Murdock smiled at her, confirming what she thought. "So, tell me your problems."

"BA, where's Face?" Hannibal asked, as he came in through the front door.

"Gone out." BA replied.

"Do you know where?"

"Didn't say."

"Great."

"Problem?"

"Not really. I just wanted to talk to him. It'll keep. Thanks BA."

"So, that's my story of woe. Any advice?" Gabrielle asked.

"Leave home." Murdock suggested.

"I've thought of that before. But if I go, I'll be on the streets."

"Well, you could come stay with me until you get sorted."

"Are you kidding me? You don't even know me."

"I can't turn away from someone who needs help."

"Tell me your story." she asked.

"Well, there's not much to mine. I've got a ex-girlfriend who's pregnant, by me, and wants nothing to do with me. I'm in an eternal struggle between my friends and my job and whatever I do, it'll be wrong."

"Why don't your friends understand you have to work?"

"It's not that simple, I guess. They kinda work for a charity- helping people out for nothing and I try and help them as much as I can, but I need to work too."

"Sounds hard to choose. Wanna hear my advice?

"Of course."

"Work first. Who doesn't wanna do something for charity, but if you're not careful you'll end up as part of the charity case. You're friends should understand."

"Look, I was serious before about that offer. I don't want you to go back to your place if your guys gonna be there. I promise to be the perfect gentlemen."

Face knocked on the door to Jessica's apartment. He'd called her once they'd got back and she'd told him to come over.

He'd stopped briefly on the way over to buy her some flowers, but had got caught up in traffic because of a minor accident. He hadn't seen what had happened by the time he got to the the place, everything had been removed and only glass marked the road.

When she didn't answer, Face knocked a little louder, he listened for the sound of running water, or a hairdryer, but all he could hear was some music playing softly.

Realising that she couldn't hear him, Face looked around and seeing the coast was clear, he pulled out his trusty lock pick.

He had the door open in seconds, and carefully shut it behind him.

Noticing some items of clothing on the floor in the bathroom floor, and seeing the door half open, he made his way to surprise Jess.