He Who Walks Among Roses

"Rocco? Dad?" Murphys eyes opened. He had been asleep. Just a dream. He noticed it was still dark out, he rolled so that he was facing the ceiling, then he noticed Evalin's hand had found its way to his shoulder. He liked feeling her touching him, her hand was smooth and warm. "No, no Murph." he thought. But he still felt his left hand fall on top of her right hand. She was laying on her stomach, her face: peaceful. He held her hand and a smile was brought to his face. She was so beautiful, he hardly knew this girl and he couldn't help but care for her. If she was important to Doc, she was important to the Saints. And maybe just a little extra important to Murphy.

"NO." He couldn't risk falling for someone. "Wha' if one day their enemies found her?
We do hav' the same enemies, maybe it'd be beneficial. Wha' would Connor do? Besides punch me in the' gut. He'd probably kill meh'. She needs someone to protect her'. That can't be meh. yes it could. No.. it couldn't. It's dangerous." Murphy agued with himself. So realizing he had at least gotten some sleep, he should probably leave her to her own rest. So he left and went to pour himself a little whiskey to help him fall asleep on that sofa.
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That morning Evalin woke up. Half her bed empty. "Weird" she thought. She got out of bed and put on her nicest pair of black pants, and a tight gray t-shirt. She through on a warm pair of boots and then bundled herself in a winter coat and scarf. On her way to the hospital she say a lot of people getting ready for spring. March wasn't far away.

Room 1414: Doc- Evalin looking in the window was happy to see him up.
"Hey Sugar Daddy." she said.
"Evie- glad you could c-come!" A plate of eggs, and a english muffin were in front of him. "I got your flowers, they make the room much br-brighter."
"I'm glad. Sorry I couldn't come yesterday."
"Oh don't worry, when the nurse told me what day it was I almost d-didn't believe her. I don't remember a FUCK thing."
"Good, well you look well."
"I feel well. The doctors, they t-tell me that being in here will get expens-s-sive. And what the bloody hell happened to your eye?"
"Well, It was just a bar fight. I was kicking them out, I just got behind the wrong horse. And I called you insurer, they cover some of it. And I think some of the stuff we saved for renovations will just have to be put towards it. I'm opening the bar earlier, and staying later. It'll come by."
"Well, as lo-long as your not workin' to hard. How are the ASS PISS! the- boys?"
"They're good Doc. They know whats been going on with me, and I pretty much had to play twenty questions until they told me about the whole super hero thing." She winked.
"Well, they're good boys. Despite what some may think." He touched her bruised eye. There wasn't anymore swelling, just a hefty shiner. She sat with Doc and talked about the boys, Romeo, Connor, yet she said little about Murphy- trying to disguise any funny faces Doc might catch.
"So you like Murphy then?" Evalin's face became flushed with blood.
"I uh- uh."
"Oh. Dear. I didn't mean that, I just didn't know if you liked him. But I guess you've found feelins' for the old lad eh?" Well disguises backfired in her face.
"I- No- Of course not." she said flustered. "He- I like how- he was in the dream."
"Wait the dream? The one with Cash?"
"Yeah, he was at the door, only he couldn't hear me calling his name."
"Oh dear. That means you're in love." he teased.
"NO IT DOES NOT!"
"No of course not- that takes -FUCK- time."
"You- You don't think I- No. I don't like the guy. He's not even that handsome. Too many bullet holes. Not my type." she winked.
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The bar was filled with people that night. She was running like crazy mad trying yo get everyones order, and then fill them. Doc was usually there to help her fill the drinks but with wanted felons upstairs she couldn't exactly ask for help. But she'll manage. Tips just would just have to be sacrificed. The telephone rang.
"McGinty's."
"Hello. My name is Eunice Bloom. I'm lookin' for a few vigilante men, think you can help me out?"
"Uh, I don't know what your talking about." she stuttered while filling a pint for a gentlemen at the bar.
"Oh sweet heart. Don't let me worry you. I'm a dear friend of the boys. They were with me before they came down to Boston. I just wanted to make sure they weren't leaving the bar like they promised."
"Well. They haven't if that answers your question."
"Good. Now, don't let anyone else know there there; Unless It's myself calling, or a man by the name of Smecker."
"Bloom, Smecker. Got it."
"Good Bye Darlin', and you have a lovely evenin'." Evalin traded the man the beer for eight dollars. Then put the phone back on the receiver. Tips were going down. "I'm gonna have to figure out a way to make more money." she thought.
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"So Brother, you wanna tell meh where ya' slept lass' night?" Connor asked.
"The Sofa."
"Really? Cause I wen' in ther' and you were no wher' ta be foun'!"
"Oh shut it- You stupid prick."
"I'm juss' a lil' worried' thas' all."
"Cause of that girl?"
"Well all three of us know she's beautiful. And we both have a heart meant to protect the weak. So I'm juss' sayin' I know whats' goin' through yer head."
"Nah you don'. She's kind to meh, and she's beautiful, yes. But I know our agreement. If I decided to show intrest' in 'er anyone of our enemies would use 'er against us."
"Well Brother. As long as your on the same page. Or atleast pretend you donn' like 'er to save her because ya really like 'er."
"Donn' even! yer just an asshole, makin' me say it out loud!"
"Well I'm lookin' out for ye'. I'am the oldes'."
"Don't fuckin' say tha'. YE JUS CAME OUT FIRSS. We're the same god damn age."
"Oh is someone jealous?!" Connor asked.
"Go take yer fuckin' shower." he snapped.

Murphy went downstairs to sneak some liquor from the storage closet. When he reached the bottom he realized how late it was. It was nearly two am. The bar was almost empty. So he took a seat at the end with his hood on and ordered a dry whisky.
"Well how's your night goin' Sir" she asked. The last man was slowly staggering to the door.
"Eh you! You need a cab?" Evalin asked.
"No I gots -hiccup- my feet." Evalin pour Murphys drink.
"That man lives twelve blocks from here. I called him a cab twenty minutes ago." And sure enough when he made it outside he went over to the Taxi's window, "SIr -knock- sir, you available?" And he left.

Murphy was alone with Evalin again.

He was mad at Connor for accusing him of wanting her, of loving her. He swallowed the glass of liquor, and asked for permission to smoke. "If I crack a window, can I lite one?"
"Sure. Just one though." Murphy looked in his pocket, there was a lighter, but no cigs.
"You don' happen to hav' a cig to yeh?" She reached in her pocket and pulled out one in blue wrapping.
"I dont think you'll like it."
"What the hell is tha'?"
"Try it." he lit the colored stick and found the aroma quite pleasing.
"Minty." he said. Evalin took it from his fingers and took a long drag. She smiled at his smile.
When she blew out the smoke she laughed.
"So, you like?" she asked. He took another drag.
"Not bad." He replied. He continues to smoke the strange cigarette. The scent was soothing. Connor had made him angry, but he was just making sure he hadn't forgotten their arrangement. He watched Evalin at the end of the bar counting money from the till. Her pants, they clung to her hips and Murphy pictured his hands on her hips. Maybe while they were dancing, maybe while they were making love. He shook his head to try and get his mind to stop. But then she bent over, moving a box full of vodka, and Murphy could see her breasts they looked so soft and firm. He imagined his hands on them... "no Murph." he thought.
Evalin walked back over to Murphy for another drag.
"They're herbal, with a hint of MDMA. So if you feel funny, thats why."
"I was mad a minute ago, would it affect tha'?"
"Yep, its always soothing. Its the only thing that gets smoked in here. I have the crappy ones out for customers who complain about no smoking. I keep the good ones."
"I bet ya' do." he smiled. He was always smiling at her. He couldn't help but think of her. He touched her hand that was resting on the bar and she picked it up with her hand and held it to her cheek. And they both just stared at each other. Thinking about how they were glad to have made it to this moment in their lives. "Murph, Stop, just go upstairs." he thought. He let go of her hand and said, "It's my turn to shower, thanks- thanks for the smoke." and he left.
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Evalin curious as to what went through guys heads. "Maybe he hasn't had a shower in a while she thought." She took her four pairs of earrings out. And was a little ticked that there wasn't any hot water left. But she could wait till morning. Her bed was cold. Then Murphy walked in.
"Evie- I'm sorry about being abrupt earlier. I uh- was smokin' somethin' funny I guess."
"Its alright, did you want to sleep here? You went back to the sofa, so I guess that means this bed isn't much better?"
"Yeah, I guess I can't get much sleep anywhere I go."
"Well, your welcome to sleep here if you run out of new places to try."
"Thanks. Uh, would you like to pray with me?" he asked.
"Yes, I - I'd love to." Murphy took his rosary and wrapped it around both their hands. Then they kneeled at her bed and bowed their heads.

"Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen." they said in unison.

"I hadn't said a Catholic prayer in a long time." she said.
"Well prayin's good for the soul." he replied.
"This tattoo, on your back. Christ on the cross?"
"Yeah, Connor has the other 'alf."
"It's very beautiful." she said.
"What about yeh? got any ink?" Evalin lifted her shirt to her chin, Murphy immediately regretted asking. The scent from her perfume escaped from underneath her shirt and toyed with his nostrils. On her ribs where lines of writing.
"This prayer-" she said
"-St. Michael." he finished.
"My life has always been filled with evil, and Its the way I ask the lord to protect me. I got it a week after I found Doc."
"it's beautiful, but not this little bump." he said pointing at her lower rib.
"It was broken and never set- it didn't heal right." Murphy touched the little bump from her broken rib. He shouldn't have, because now his body was very close to hers. He could barely tear himself away from her flesh, it was beautiful - scars and all.
"I'll let you sleep now." He put the rosary around his neck and turned to leave.
"Wait-" Evalin put her hands on his chest, she toyed with the rosary that now sat there. Then all it took was one tug on the rope and his face was nearly centimeters from hers. And then Murphy let himself go. He new of he left he'd regret it, he didn't want to spend his life without a kiss from her, even if it was only one. His lips silently touched hers. And she moved her head to the side to allow him to take control of her lips. He pushed ever so gently, his mouth was slightly open and he gently licked her lips. Her mouth opened and their tongues met for a small second. Then his hands found the way into her hair and down her back, while her arms were safely planted on his chest. He pulled away for a moment, hearing his mind telling him to stop, and then went back for another small kiss.
"I'll sleep here tonight," he said. Evalin nodded as she moved the divider blanket and laid down. Murphy lay next to her his finger tracing her face. Until she fell asleep, and soon after her fell asleep as well.