A/N: So, I just happened to be in the mood to write something and, not wanting to invest in new characters, I decided to revisit Sadie and Murphy from my one-off "Reconciliation." To be honest, I'm not really sure where I intend to go with this, but who knows maybe I'll get inspired to continue. Enjoy.

/

He still remembered the first time he saw her. It sounded cheesy and everything, but he did. He had seen her come into the bar, hair swept askew by the windy Boston night. Her struggle with the door had caused a ruckus, causing her entrance to be met with a few glared from the bar's patrons. The sheepish grin she gave the men as she smoothed down her dark brown hair caught his attention right away.

He remembered how she looked, standing alone at the entrance, looking all doe-eyed and nervous, her eyes searching the room for someone she knew. He was even close to pushing away from the bar to go talk to her when he saw her smile widen as she made her way over to a group of fellow 20-somethings sitting at a table in the corner. He subtly watched as she slipped her bag off her shoulder and sat down, where she was greeted by handsome all-American type who promptly rested his arm behind her shoulders. Murphy sighed and turned back to his drink and continued to pretend to listen to whatever Connor was rattling on about.

A few hours later and Connor was slumped against the bar having what seemed like a very serious conversation about something with Rocco and most of the patrons had filtered out of the bar to return home.

The girl's friends had all left except for male who was sitting far closer to her than Murphy felt he should. The young man leaned over to whisper something in her ear, his hand firmly on her shoulder, pulling her close to him. She stiffened, clearly trying to keep her distance from the intoxicated man. She smiled politely and pushed against him. She made a show of pulling back the sleeve of her cardigan and looking at her wrist (despite the fact she wasn't actually wearing a watch) and pulling away, clearly making some excuse to leave. She turned to the man, smiled, gathered her things, and went to stand. Seeing she was trying to leave, he drunkenly fumbled and grasped her wrist, trying to pull her back. She spoke to him and, again, smiled and made her way to leave. As she turned again, this time the man's hand grabbed her at her elbow, clearly grasping her skin with some force and pulled her back down. She pushed against his chest, she spoke firmly, and she dug her nails into his wrist, but he refused to be moved.

Now certain other memories of that night may be a little hazy, but Murphy distinctly remembered seeing her struggle from the corner of his eye. At that point he was already a couple beers and a few shots deep so he can't say he was completely responsible for what he did next. Without another thought, Murphy stood from the bar and made his way to the table in the corner. The two were so engrossed in their argument neither noticed him until he had forcefully grabbed the man by the back of his collar and lifted him from his chair. The chair screeched back and toppled onto the floor. Wordlessly, Murphy forcefully twisted the man's wrist behind his back, causing him to drop the girl's arm. Pulling the protesting drunk man below him by the back of his collar, Murphy swiftly escorted him to the door and pushed him out into the night.

Breathing heavily, Murphy turned back to the table in the far corner. He slowly made his way to the girl, standing and gently rubbing her arm. As he approached, she looked up at him and gave him a weak smile. "Thanks," she mumbled, averting her eyes and gathering her things.

Murphy scratched the back of his neck. "No problem."

Giving him one last look, she brushed past him and exited the bar. And as he sat back down, Murphy could hear the telltale sound of a man being kicked in the stomach from just outside.