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CHAPTER 6: Narrator, LOCATION: Bridget's apartment

During the drive to Bridget's apartment Murphy had considered pulling over and shoving Bridget out several times. 'Don't tailgate,' 'that light was red', 'oh, we're taking Jefferson? Way to add twenty minutes to this deadly car ride.'

"I would throw you out of this car right now if Meegan wouldn't kick my ass!" He growled so frustrated he was crushing the steering wheel. Bridget felt the angry energy like an electrical storm.

"She wouldn't hurt you. She would laugh. She doesn't care about me like I care about her." Bridget sounded so sure. Murphy's face fell. He didn't mean to bring up something like that. Bridget felt her face turn red. She hadn't realized she was going to embarrass herself by saying that, but she felt the heat of pain blush her face anyway. Murphy took a hand off the wheel and put it on hers for just a moment. Their eyes met and he let go. It was something no one had ever done for her before. And it felt that way. It was a small touch but it was so goddam comforting. She had received hugs from Liam that produced the same effect but it was because he was hers and she was his. Never before had such a simple gesture said 'I understand, it is alright, I am sorry.'

"Murphy?" She said shyly.

"Yeah," he said so softly.

"Don't tell Meegan I said that."

"Why? If she's hurting you then I'm sure she would want to fix it." The hope in his voice was clear.

"Just… Please, Murphy." So was the desperation in hers. He nodded.

They parked in the parking garage and went up to Bridget's apartment. In the elevator Murphy finally spoke again. "Why is Meegan's brother calling you?"

"We're together." She wanted to add 'I think' to the end of that. She hadn't talked to Meegan about it, but she knew her and Liam weren't forever. She was plagued by this painful thought every day because she had a reoccurring dream about the day they were ridiculously in love. One shining day right before graduation when they won tickets to see Blink-182; it was their happiest, most carefree day together. That night was the first time they made love…

Murphy didn't let his disappointment show. There were other girls, right? He found it hard to believe himself in that moment, but he had time to convince himself tonight. Plus, as pretty as Bridget was, she annoyed the hell out of him. The whole relationship would be 'Murphy, this… Murphy, that.' He was annoyed by the thought alone.

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Bridget almost panicked when she noticed someone walking down the hall, coming toward them. Her heart was beating out of her chest. Was it illegal to house an enemy of the state? 'Of course…' She turned to Murphy, worry all over her face. He smirked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Watch this," he whispered. "Hey, man how's it going?" Said Murphy to the man walking by. Bridget's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

"Fuck off." Said the guy looking at his cell phone, completely ignoring Murphy.

"See," he said putting a hand on her shoulder, "nothing to worry about." She smiled against her will. Despite all her complaining about his driving she did feel an aura of comfort around him. He was a good man… better actually.

She unlocked the apartment and threw her jacket on a pile of clothes near the door. The apartment was a huge space. The ceilings were tall, windows were floor to ceiling, the floor was hard wood and all the walls were white. If it weren't for her Ikea furniture and piles of personal items, it would look like no one lived there. It was blank as if she couldn't commit to the space. It was a bad sign as far as relationships went. Bridget knew that. Murphy was sensing it.

"You stay in there," she said walking in front of him, pointing to a room directly across from another one at the end of the hall, which was a ten foot wide picture window. Murphy walked past the kitchen on his left and an open living area on his right to join Bridget at the huge window. It was dark already and there were red lights on the building outside. The way they glowed and shone on Bridget's face made Murphy want to reach out and touch her cheek. He imagined the pads of his fingers grazing her nose and eyelids and more… 'She's committed.' He told himself. 'What's wrong with me?'

Bridget watched these thoughts pass through his expressions; they were so small and so sweet. "Murphy, I- " She was cut off by the phone ringing. "Uh, sorry…"

She walked into her room with heavy feet and answered the phone quietly. Murphy slowly backed up until he found the handle to his room. He turned and walked in. There was nothing inside except a futon and a windowed wall looking over Boston's nighttime skyline. It took Murphy's breath away. He hadn't been so far inside the city for almost a year. After taking off his boots and shirt he pulled the futon all the way up to the window wall and just sat on it looking at the city. He only sat there minutes before he heard Bridget yelling, the phone slammed down on the receiver and then silence.

Murphy got up. "This is a terrible idea," he mumbled as he walked across the hall and peeked in Bridget's open door.

"Bridget?" In a second she had her arms thrown around him. She squeezed him around the chest hard and he squeezed her back even though he was surprised. Surprised this little woman with so much sweet smelling red hair had such a strong grip. He felt his heart leap when Bridget reached up to his ear and whispered.

"Please, sleep in my bed Murphy. No one's been there for so long. I'm so alone." It sounded like she might cry, maybe it was the wires. "I just need someone warm that cares about me at least a little. Just lay with me, please?" Her huge blue eyes sparkled with tears. How could he say no? All she wanted to hear was his soft voice agree.

"Just sleeping," he nodded. And she nodded too.