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eddiemunsonspantschain · 5 years

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Anamchara - Ch. 2

Author’s note: I know it been a hot minute. Trying to touch some old fics

Warnings: Gratuitous violence probably

Pairing: Murphy MacManus x OC

Tag List: @allsnarkandsarcasm

As soon as I hung up with Murphy I was getting out of bed. I changed my clothes and woke Sarah up long enough to ask for the keys to her car. Hungover as hell,she didn’t argue. Just handed over her keys. I hopped into Sarah’s car and headed to St.Anne’s hospital.

Walking inside I was pointed out to an area when I asked about the MacManus brothers. Walking into the hallway I saw Conner first playing with a little kid. Murphy sat beside them,watching the two. I sighed seeing Conner’s leg looked fucked up. I walked over to them and both brothers looked up.

“Lexi!” Conner grinned,”Good mornin.”

“Yeah,huh?” I nodded down to his ankle,”Lookin good there,Conn.”

“Why t’ank you.” Conner chuckled before looking to his brother.

“Lex,” Murphy smiled,hopping off the hospital bed he was sitting on with the kid.

“Murph,you okay?” I asked him despite him saying before he was fine. He walked over and nodded.

“Right as rain. Can we talk?” He gently placed his hand on my arm and led me away from Conner and the kid. He started to tell me about last night. How when they went home to their apartment last night Chekov and his guys had followed them there and tried to kill him.

“What?!” I hissed and Murphy grabbed my shoulders.

“Look,I’m fine! Conner broke the damn toilet off the floor an’ dropped the whole thing on him. We came here to get fixed up. We were going to go to the police. Tell them it was self defense.”

“Which it was.”

“Til Doc came by. Said an FBI agent spoke to him and knew we would be doing that.”

“Murphy,you have to talk to him. If you both run,you’ll be fucked.” Murphy was quiet for a second before nodding.

“You’re right.” He sighed,looking back at Conner before looking to me. “Will you take us over there?” He asked and I nodded.

“Of course. Lemme go see about Conner getting released.” I smiled at Murphy who gave me a small smile back. He leaned down,kissing my cheek quickly.

“Thank you,love.” He grinned and went back to Conner.

I felt my cheeks warm and quickly turned,heading back to the nurses’s station. They agreed that Conner was good to go and after signing some papers Murphy and I helped Conner out to the car. I slid into the driver’s seat and started up the car.

“Nice car,Lex.” Conner said,looking around before picking up a bra from the floor of the backseat. Far too small to be mine.

“It’s not mine,actually.” I told him.

“Clearly...” Murphy was looking at the bra then glanced at me.

I rolled my eyes and reached back,swiping the bra from Conner’s hands. “This is Sarah’s car.” I told them and started off to the police station.

“Oh and how is she?” Conner asked like he hadn’t almost died last night. Or his brother either.

“Hungover.” I shrugged and both boys laughed.

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When we reached the precinct Murphy and I quickly got out to help Conner out of the car and into the building. We pushed the door open and walked inside. We could hear people talking so logically started to head there.

“Just tie a potato to a string and drag it through South Boston,thanks for comin out!”

“Actually you’d have better luck with a beer.” Murphy cut in,making all the men in the room stop and look back at us.

“Yeah,you would.” Conner laughed.

“Hey Greenly,onion bagel. Cream cheese.” A man in a grey suit said before walking up to us all. “Boys,miss. Follow me.” He started down a hallway so we followed. He led us into a room and I helped get Conner onto the chair. “Were you there that night,miss?” The man in the suit asked me and I shook my head.

“No,sir. I wasn’t. At least not when the boys went home.” I answered,figuring he was smart enough to figure I wasn’t with the boys considering how I was dressed and clean while the other two were in robes and dirty.

“We called Murph’s girlfriend over here when we got to the hospital.” Conner cut in,sending a wink my way.

“Oh? You’re dating one of them?” The man asked,looking downright amused.

“Something like that.” I hummed and nodded to Murphy,”The less annoying one.”

“As fun as this is,I’ll have to ask you to step out a second.” The man motioned to the door.

My eyes flicked over to Murphy and Conner. Both boys nodded and I sighed before leaving the room so they could be interrogated. I waited nearby,sitting on a bench and just waiting before deciding to call Rocco. I used Murphy’s phone and let Rocco know what was going on,asking him to bring the boys some clothes.

After some time the man left the room and headed towards me. I stood up and he stopped in front of me. “Agent Smecker.” He held his hand out and I took it.

“Alexa Winchester.” I let go of his hand after a firm shake,”What’s the verdict?”

“They aren’t being charged. They are choosing to stay the night to avoid the press. I suggest you do too if you wanna keep your face off the news. Tell me,Ms.Winchester. Why didn’t you go home with your boyfriend?”

“He had work in the morning. I try not to stay around when he has to work. I can be a bit distracting.”

“I suppose. And what do you do?”

“Own a tattoo shop.”

“Interesting.” Agent Smecker smiled like he knew something I didn’t,”Please go on and see your boys. They’re going to the holding cells to stay there. I’m going to talk to the dogs outside.”

I watched Agent Smecker go outside and waited. Just as I turned away the door opened and Rocco walked in with an armful of clothes. “Hey there,sweetcheeks.” He laughed,”Lead me to the morons.”

I rolled my eyes and started leading him to the holding cells. “Are you sure you’re not counted with them?” I asked and he shrugged.

“Maybe.”

As soon as we walked into the holding cell Murphy cheered and hugged Rocco. I leaned against the bars and watched Rocco lift Murph off the floor. Rocco set Murphy down and pulled their crosses from his neck. “Here we go!” He laughed,giving the boys their crosses.

“What kind of greetin you give Rocco when your girl is right there,brother?” Conner laughed,shaking his head and wagging a finger at his brother. The two cops sitting in there laughed along with him. Conner was gonna die. Or get his ass beat.

Rocco looked confused for a moment,not catching on to what Conner was trying to do. Murphy just grinned at his brother before walking over to me. I didn’t expect anything. Truly. Before I could even think Murphy was leaning down and pressed his lips to mine. I kissed him back without thinking,ignoring the whistles from the cops in the room. I pulled back from the kiss and hit his chest gently. “Jerk.” I mumbled with a soft smile.

“I got some work to do boys. Murph,try not to bump uglies with Lex when Conner’s only a few feet away.” Rocco joked,comically squeezing past me since I kind of blocked the door.

“Conner hasn’t given me the same curtesy!” Murphy called,receiving a playful punch from Conner.

“One time!” Conner complained.

“Alright,boys. Knock it off.” I intervened and pointed to the bed. “Conner,sit. Get the weight off that leg.” I started setting the boys up and the cops offered to bring us some dinner.

As the night came over the boys started to get tired after the long morning they had. Murphy sat on his ‘bed’ and motioned me over. Conner had went off to the bathroom for a moment. I walked over and took his offered hand. He pulled me down and I sat on his lap,shifting to be a bit more comfortable. Murphy’s arm curled around my waist and he sighed softly.

“I’m sorry I dragged you into this. You sure ‘bout stayin here with us?” Murphy asked and I nodded.

“I’m sure.” I reassured him,”I might have to fight Conner though.”

“For callin you my girl?” Murphy laughed and I nodded.

“And pulling what he did earlier.” I added and Murphy smirked.

“I ain’t upset with him one bit. If I had had my way I would have kissed you sooner.”

“Why didn’t you then?”

“You were drinkin last night. I know you weren’t pissed but I wouldn’t do that to ya,Lexi.”

“Such a gentleman.” I teased,receiving a pinch to my side.

Murphy reached up with his free hand and cupped my cheek. He pulled me down gently and kissed me again. This time it was deeper and slower. He took his time pressing kisses to my lips and feeling how my lips felt against his. I moved a hand into his hair,massaging his scalp with my nails and pulling a groan from him. I smiled against his lips,filing away that he liked that for later use. Murphy gently nibbled at my lower lip before teasing his tongue along my lip. I parted them and let my tongue mingle with Murphy’s,whimpering quietly as his kiss became more urgent.

“Ladies and gentleman.” Murphy and I pulled away quickly only to see Conner leaning on the door frame of the cell with a grin.

“Fuck off,Conn.” I said before he could say anything. He held his hands up.

“I wasn’t going to say nothin!”

“Liar.”

“Okay,maybe I was.” Conner hobbled over to his bed for the night and sat down,pulling his shirt off. “Do as Rocco said or I’ll be beatin ya,Murph. We’re too damn close.”

“You didn’t think of that last time did ya?” Murphy argued before pressing a kiss to my shoulder. “C’mon,love.” He murmured and patted my thigh.

I slid off of Murphy’s lap and kicked my shoes off. Murphy slid his shirt off and kicked his shoes to the side before laying down. He held his arm out to me and I crawled onto the bed with him,snuggling up to his side. He wrapped his arm around me and sighed softly as I reached out and gently played with his cross. It wasn’t long until all three of us were drifting off to sleep.

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I groaned quietly,snuggling further into the hard but warm mass my head was on. Until I noticed I was wet. I slowly opened my eyes and looked down at my short. It was wet. So was a bit of my hair. “Why am I wet?” I mumbled sleepily,lifting my head off of Murphy’s chest.

“Wasn’t me. I swear.” Murphy mumbled,pulling me back down onto him.

I nudged Murphy’s side and wiggled free of his hold. I sat up,noticing Conner sitting up in bed as well. He was also wet. I looked at Murphy and then up at the ceiling where some drips were coming from. The twins shared a look and I rolled my eyes. “No silent conversations,please. The odd man out is here.” I mumbled crankily. Murphy pressed a kiss to the side of my head and grabbed his shirt,slipping it over his head before putting both arms through the holes.

A sudden beeping made all of us look around before Murphy grabbed a pager. “What is that?” Conner asked with a yawn.

“It’s the Russian’s pager.” Murphy answered before tossing it to Conner. I stood up and put my shoes on and slid on my leather jacket. The boys put their jackets on too and we all left the holding cells

As soon as we were in the bull pen the cops cheered and greeted the boys. Last night the boys had spent some time shooting the shit with the cops and seemingly won them over. Murphy said hello to them all and took a cup of coffee offered to him. He took a sip and passed it to me,letting me take a couple sips while the cops showed him a newspaper headline about them. Murphy shrugged and I handed the coffee back to him. He started flicking some coffee onto the cops saying ‘body of Christ’.

“How dare you waste coffee.” I said,pouting at Murphy.

“I’m sorry,love.” He grinned,stealing a kiss before handing me the cup of coffee. I took a long sip and handed the cup back to him.

It took awhile for us to get away from the cops. They wanted the boys to stay and talk but we managed to get out. As soon as we did I brought them back to my place. I unlocked my house and led the boys inside.

“Sarah?!” I called,sliding off my jacket while the boys removed theirs and slid their shoes off. I noticed a note on the table and picked it up.

‘Headed to work. I’ll be back for my car later! -Sarah’

“She here?” Conner asked and I shook my head.

“Went to work but will be back for her car later on.” I answered and started for my bedroom. “Make yourselves at home!” I called as I pushed my bedroom door open. I slid my shirt off my body and tossed it aside. A whistle made me jump and I looked back to see Murphy standing in the doorway. He walked in and shut the door behind him before going to my bed and laying down.

“Please,continue.” He smirked,letting his eyes roam over my tattooed flesh.

“Having fun?” I asked and he nodded slowly. I shrugged and started wiggling out of my jeans. Murphy groaned after a second.

“I’m never going to get da image of you in purple lace outta my head,love.” He complained,running his hands over his face.

“It’s your fault for following me in here.” I told him,grabbing a new shirt and pulling it over my head.

“True but I couldn’t resist.” He sighed,sitting up and crawling over to the edge of the bed. He reached out and hooked a finger in the waistband of my underwear,tugging me toward him.

I moved closer if not just so he wouldn’t rip my panties off by accident. I ran my fingers through his hair as he rested his head on my stomach. “What is it? I can practically hear the gears turning.” I said and he nuzzled into my stomach further.

“Conner and I have a plan...a dangerous plan.” He murmured,”Evil men can not walk dis Earth,snuffing out the good in the world. It needs to be taken care of. Those Russians first.”

I stopped running my fingers through his hair. “Murphy?” I whispered and he looked up at me,”What are you and Conner planning?”

“We’re going to get rid of ‘em. The Russians hurtin good people,Lex. Good people like you.” Murphy stood and took my face gently in his hands. “It’s gonna be dangerous.” He murmured and I rolled my eyes.

“No shit,Murphy!” I sighed,”Is this some way of you saying I won’t see you again? Cause if I’m boring you just say so.”

“Boring me? How could you be boring me,love?”

“I don’t know...” I mumbled,looking away from him.

“I’m not saying goodbye,I promise. I just want you...I want you to know if somethin happens to us that I like you,a lot. I think you know this but I wanted ta tell you.” Murphy bent down and kissed me gently.

“When are you going?” I murmured against his lips between his kisses.

“Soon.” He murmured back,kissing my again. “If it goes well I’ll be here,love.” He nudged his nose against mine and I sighed.

“Okay,” I murmured back,letting him kiss me one more time before letting him leave. I heard Conner shout a goodbye my way before both boys were gone.

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I went to work even though my mind was elsewhere the entire time. I just focused on tattooing and wondering if Murphy and Conner were okay. When I got home and no one was there I felt my heart drop. The longer I waited the worse I felt. Maybe something had gone wrong. Murphy had promised. Eventually I got into pajamas and laid in bed,falling into an uneasy sleep.

A sudden dip in the mattress woke me up. My eyes flew open and I turned quick to hit whoever it was until blue eyes met mine. Murphy held his hand up,ready to catch my fist which now hovered mid-air. “Murph?” I whispered,feeling an overwhelming relief seeing him. I noticed the sun was up now,illuminating the room. “You said...”

“I know,I know. Some things happened. Roc was there. His boss sent ‘im. We ended up getting wasted at his place. I’m sorry,love. I didn’t mean to worry you.” Murphy apologized,taking my hand and uncurling my fingers. He kissed my fingers gently.

“Why didn’t you call me?” I asked and Murphy sighed.

“Got caught up. There were nine men in there,love. Rocco was sent with a six shooter an’ told it’d be three men.” Murphy mumbled and I blinked slowly.

“If my math is right...”

“I’m sure it is an’ you know Rocco would be gone right now.”

“Did you tell him?”

“Not yet. Conner’s gonna say somethin in the mornin. They both passed out an’ I remembered I had promised ye I’d be here.” Murphy was already in just his boxers,ready for bed. “You forgive me?” He asked.

“I do. But do it again and I’ll bash your head in with a frying pan. I thought you were dead,Murphy.” I murmured,looking down at his hand that held mine. Murphy pulled me close and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“I’m sorry I let you think that,love.” He murmured and laid down,pulling me down onto him. I snuggled up to his chest and closed my eyes,letting sleep drag me back down again much more peacefully this time knowing Murphy was safe.

#Murphy Macmanus #Murphy Macmanus imagine #Murphy Macmanus fanfic #Murphy Macmanus fanfiction #Murphy Macmanus x oc #boondock saints fanfic #boondock saints imagine #boondock saints fic

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totalfanfreak · 7 years

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One of Three - Chapter 13

One of Three Chapter 13 – Why is Everything so Heavy?

[Guys! I got a beta finally – actually I got two that offered, bleedingrose0688 and canadianjelly, they have both been amazing in putting up with me and giving me ideas and just making me want to finish this. So thank you so much you two for that. Here's hoping it doesn't take so long in the future.]

“I’m telling you guys, there’s nothing.”

The boys were walking to McGinty’s with Rocco hoping after waiting for weeks to have something to go on to relay to Sera, only to come up empty, again.

Connor took a long puff of his cigarette before speaking. “There’s got ta be somethin’, Roc, doesn’t yer boss talk to the other crime leaders or somethin’?”

Rocco shrugged his shoulders, making his shaggy hair bounce in his face. “Yeah, they all keep on alert with each other. They’ll wage fuckin’ war if they breathe on another’s territory. Look, all I know is Papa Joe is hoping to get an alliance going with the Russian syndicate but as far as knowing what their hits or interests are I haven’t gotten anything. It’s not like I can probe too much or outright ask, you know? I learned early in this job you ask too many questions your answer’s going to be a bullet in the head.”

The image put a brick in Connor’s stomach, running his tongue over his teeth he was glad when his brother spoke.

“What about da note? Did ye recognize the handwriting? Think one of yer friends could’ve forged it?”

The letter Sera had gotten on Christmas had them both suspicious. Why wouldn’t her friend just call? There were payphones everywhere if the girl had been worried about being traced. So why a letter? It seemed too bizarre to be legit though their doubt had irked Sera a tad.

“We’ve written notes to each other since we were seven. I think I know my best friend’s handwriting.”

And she probably did, but someone who had trained themselves could copy anything. And it worried Connor as well as his brother that this was putting her guard down while putting theirs’ up – they had believed her long before this but now it was becoming real. So they were trying to keep her engaged, wanting to teach her how to fight better, moves where she could get out of someone’s grip if needed. The most fun was teaching her the Russian tongue, her mouth more than once unable to produce the right annunciation of the words. The slips making her curse, and stammer. Connor wished one of them knew the Fehnay better, only able to teach her a handful of phrases that people in the underworld would use.

“I’ve looked it over several times. It doesn’t look like anything one of the guys could do. It’s too feminine.”

“So it had to be a woman that wrote it?”

“That’s my guess.”

Connor looked at his twin, not fully convinced but knew they both could try and breathe easier. Coming up to the pub he stayed out with Rocco while Murphy went in.

“Man, I get it, you’re tryin’ to protect your girl. If I see or hear anything I’ll let you know. I’ll do what I can.”

Connor sighed, taking off his sunglasses. “We know, Roc. Murph and me have faith in ye with that. But workin’ with these people fer so long, what do ye think we should do?”

Rocco’s usual blithe features hardened, eyes unwavering. “I’ve heard things about the Russian scene, shit they’ve done up here’d make you sick, worse than what Papa Joe’s crew has done. I can’t say what to do for her brother – could be dead by now if they got him. But her, you want to keep her safe, you need to get her the fuck away from here.”

Connor swallowed, taking in the sage advice. The only place he could think to take Sera would be his home in Ireland. But there was no damn way she’d go without knowing about her brother. And he couldn’t place blame on her for that. But they would have to find some precautions they could take.

“Think a gun would help til we can figure shit out?”

“For starters, I know a guy that can set you up with what you need.”

He nodded, throwing the unfinished cigarette in the bucket Doc kept by the door before entering the bar. Sera was supposed to meet them here, and his heart pounded when it took a minute to find her. Shepherd helping her stand out from the increasing crowd, Murphy sat on the booth’s table beside her making weird faces and jiggling his rosary and Connor thought his brother had lost it until he saw the baby Sera was holding.

“Whatcha got there, lass?”

She turned and smiled at him jostling the baby up and down as she greeted him. It couldn’t have been a few months old, eyes wide as Murphy tried to keep its attention, tiny hands clutching on Sera’s sleeve.

“This is Julie’s son, Adam. Adam this is Connor.”

He grinned taking the little hand to shake, the baby’s reflexes making him grasp back.

“Who’s Julie?”

Sera’s lips parted in disbelief. “Geez, Rocco, she’s like the only waitress Doc’s been able to keep for more than a week. Red hair, pretty, you kiss her cheek whenever she hands you a beer.”

“Oh, yeah, I knew that.”

Connor smirked at his friend. “Course ye did. He’s got too many girls on him now ta remember them all.”

“It ain’t like that.”

Connor could tell he was embarrassed now, Rocco’s tell of stroking his beard showing up.

“So what’s it like then?”

Murph was joining in on the teasing now, hearing that small lilt of enjoyment enter his voice.

“I can’t help I’m a nice guy, girls like that and shit. Doesn’t mean I’m doin’ anything. Hell I already got to put up with Donna at home, I can’t handle more.”

Sera shook her head. “Don’t pay any mind to them, Roc, Claudette knows you two are just friends. She’s just glad to have someone to talk to about things that the two of you seem to get. She said you helped her out the other night too.”

Rocco lip curled in a sneer. “Yeah, that piece of shit ex of hers came running on her lawn screaming at her. Glad to knock him on his ass.”

Sera chuckled. “She was glad too.”

Rocco grinned clapping his hands together. “I think it’s time to get ole Fuck Ass to get me a beer. I’ll be back.”

Connor watched his friend go up to the bar before turning back to his girl. “Ye have one yet, lass?”

She shook her head. “Didn’t think it was a good idea, you know, with my hands full and everything. I will when Julie gets back, she went with her mom to do something real quick.”

“You’re good with ‘im.”

The baby was content in her arms, gumming on his hand, while he eyed everything.

“The look suits her, doesn’t it brother?”

Connor turned to his twin, seeing the playfulness there, but with the soft smile he knew Murph was with him that it wasn’t a bad daydream for later on.

“I’d say it does, ye thinkin’ about havin’ one of those, love?”

Connor grinned, watching Sera sputter, hand going to her throat. “I can’t say I ever really have. Would you like to hold him?”

Now it was his turn to be nervous. “I think I’ll pass, lad doesn’t want ta be smellin’ like meat.”

Her smile told him that it was fine, that she understood the same as he did with her sputtering. It was a fine thing to imagine but too soon and the wrong circumstances to consider. They all had time to learn and get over their nerves.

“I’ll take him.”

He wanted to smack Murph then, at ease with taking the small bundle and cradling him in his arms. But Connor laughed when he did, the baby’s face wrinkling up and ready to cry making Murphy look up in alarm.

“What’d I do? I couldn’t have hurt him, right?”

Sera went to him, adjusting the baby from his arms to let him lie on Murphy’s chest, the whimpering settling down.

“Julie says he’s about three months old, he’s still at the stage that he likes to hear a heartbeat and be snug up.”

Murphy looked proud of himself as he patted the wee one’s back, swaying back and forth.

Sera crossed her arms, a hint of color entering her cheeks. “I’d say that the look suits you as well, Murph,” she pivoted back to him, pinching his face softly. “I’m sure it’ll look good on you too, Conn.”

“Thanks, aingeal.”

“How about I take Adam back and you two join Rocco? I invited Janine and Claudette here. I haven’t really talked to them since Christmas so I’ll wait on them to join in. Besides you both look like you could use a drink.”

Connor tried to appear offended. “We look that much like shit?”

“No, but you seem tired…worried. Did something happen?”

He knew she wasn’t meaning work. That it was her asking if Roc found anything. “Nothing’s happened, grá aingeal. Roc’s working his way inta things and will keep tryin’ ta find something. We want ta be careful though.”

She nodded, solemn. “I know.”

“Thinkin’ we should show ye how ta use a gun.”

She snorted. “I know how to shoot, boys.”

Connor glanced at his brother who shrugged at him smiling, that was one thing they wouldn’t need to worry about then.

“That’s good, we were going ta look at some with Roc. Maybe start practicing.”

She chewed her lip. “If you want…he didn’t hear anything about…?”

His gaze softened, touching her cheek. “’Fraid not, Seraphine. But it’ll be all right. Sometimes no news is good news, aye?”

She nodded again, but he knew she wasn’t convinced. Letting his attention go back to his brother, paying mind to how Murph was reluctant to give up the baby.

“I got two hands, love, I won’t drop him or nothin’. ‘Sides he likes me.”

Connor was happy that a smile came back up to her face. The baby did give the impression of being happy enough in his twin’s hold.

“Fine, as long as you drop your beer before you drop him.”

“Ye have me word, lass. Come on, little lad, Uncle Murph will show ye the proper way ta poke some fun.”

Sera poked his side on the way to the bar. “You’re right, it is fun.”

“Watch it, love, have my hands free soon enough.”

Connor smiled at her giggle, lingering behind. “Having a girls’ night then?”

“I feel kind of bad for not keeping in touch with them lately, thought it’d be good way to take my mind off things too.”

“Ye should. Don’t help too much ta dwell on things, need ta keep your spirits up.”

“You do too. It’s been one of the things I’m afraid of with all this happening.”

He tilted his head, not able to figure out where she was hinting. “What do ye mean, love?”

Her smile was sad. “That you’ll change. That both of you will. You’re both light-hearted and happy, this…I want to shield you from the things that can happen. I don’t want either of you part of it.”

“Aingeal –“

“I don’t want you to resent me.”

He took her by the shoulders then, waiting until she made eye contact with him to speak.

“That ain’t ever gonna happen, Sera. It may take a while but this will be over, and we’ll still have each other, and the way we feel about one other. Nothing’s gonna change that.”

Her eyes flitted to the side. “Perhaps, but the way this is going. The things we may have to do. It could change you Conn. The things I’ve done, what Sapph’s had to do…we don’t see the world like we used to. I just want you both to be able to smile if you stay.”

“If you stay, that shouldn’t be a problem, lass. Ye see, Murph and me have big plans fer the three of us.”

Her body slackened, the stiff brooding gone. “Oh, yeah? Do I get to know what they are?”

Connor pulled her to him, kissing her forehead. “Ye will soon.”

He wished he could tell her how all this was going to end, how he wanted it to end, and with her pulling back to let her hazel eyes twinkle at him he nearly did. Perhaps due to luck baby Adam started to wail, drawing Sera’s attention away. Murphy had started bouncing him, hoping to quell the crying.

“I don’t know what happened, lass. We weren’t being loud or anythin’. He started movin’ around and then started ta cry.”

The sight before him put a wrench in the plans he had, watching Sera beside Murph as they tried to calm the little one down.

“How was he moving?”

On cue the baby’s head started moving, trying to find a place to suckle. Connor started laughing.

“He’s trying ta find a teat on ye! Must’ve known ye were too girly ta be a man. He’s a smart one.”

Murphy’s eyes flashed at him, Connor knowing he was riling him up. But the look Sera gave them made his next comment fizzle out.

“I think it has more to do with trust, Murph. He feels safe with you, so it’s only natural he’d think you’d feed him. Julie said he just ate, so maybe he wants a pacifier.”

Doc pulled a bag from behind his counter. “The l-l-lass left her t-things here, sure there’s something fer him in o-one of ‘em.”

There was one, thank the Lord above, fitting it in the boy’s mouth making the crying die out in an instant. Murphy was starting to cradle him again when Connor held his hands out.

“I’d like ta try and hold him.”

His brother snorted at him. “Thought ye said you smell too much like meat.”

“So do you, ye prick. I want…want ta see what the fuss is about, all right?”

The sharpness from Murphy’s eyes dulled, grasping what he was saying. Adam didn’t make up a fuss at being handed over, his eyes widening a bit as he was lifted away into Connor’s hands. Otherwise he was as content as he was before, now happy to be suckling his pacifier. It filled Connor with wonderment how something so small could be so powerful - not too long ago this child wasn’t in existence. But through a miraculous process here he was. Strong, yet fragile that the people around him were so careful not to hurt him. Helpless, but smart enough to cry to alert someone to his needs. It was an odd thing to see up close, even more bizarre that now, when it was time, he had the gift to make one as well. Taking his eyes off the child he glanced back to Sera while she clinked a glass against Murphy’s.

“L'Chayim.”

Connor smiled watching his brother try to mimic the word, and failing. She sat across from Murphy letting her mouth say it again in slow motion, making him snort when his brother decided to sneak a kiss instead.

“What does that mean, love?”

She smiled. “It’s basically Yiddish for cheers, it means ‘to life’ so cheers to life. How would you say cheers in Italian, Roc?”

“Hey, we know Italian too.”

“I know, but Rocco’s family is native there.”

Rocco grinned, pride welling up from mentioning his roots. “You’d raise your glass and say ‘alla salute.’ Or if we’re going with life here you can say ‘cento di questi giorni’ it means may you have a hundred of these days.”

Murphy clanked his glass with Roc’s before taking a swig. “I’ll say cheers ta that.”

“What about French? How would you say cheers then?”

It was directed at both of them but Sera was facing him. “Ye not gonna ask how ta say it in Irish?”

She shook her head. “I know how to say it in Irish.”

Murphy bumped her with his elbow then. “That so? How ye say it, I’ve forgotten, aingeal.”

She was trying to muffle her smile, though she indulged him. “Sláinte. It means ‘health.’ Now we’ve gotten to life of a hundred years with good health.”

She was about to take a sip when Murphy took her arm. “No, lass I need ye ta come back down and teach me da word again.”

She laughed bending back to stool level to try the word again, he let her say it, before moving in again. “Ye do good, love, but it sounds more like this –“

“Might cut ye off Murph, gettin’ too frisky with the girl.”

“Only had one drink, ‘sides, it’s all in good fun ain’t it, Sera?”

She nodded kissing his nose. “I’d say so. What about Russian, how would you say cheers then, Conn?”

“Ypa.”

“Ypa?”

He nodded, the word coming out of her mouth close to perfect.

“How come ye didn’t learn Russian, lass?”

“It was Sapph’s language, not mine.”

His brow creased. “How was it yer brother’s?”

“We all learned three of the same languages – Polish, Yiddish, and Spanish. Polish and Yiddish for our roots and Spanish because our mom thought we’d need it. But when we picked out which ones we wanted he picked Russian – he wanted all the languages that sounded tough, Selene wanted all the ones that sounded romantic, and they always dumped on me that I got the leftover ones.”

“But they weren’t.”

She shook her head, a coy smile coming upon her. “Nope.”

Murphy scoffed. “So what ye gonna keep us in suspense over it?”

The smile stayed on her. “It’s maybe a little bit of a downer is why, but I picked the languages I did because they were some to ally with the Jews during the Holocaust.”

“Oh.”

She chuckled. “That is exactly the sound my brother made when I told him. He liked to rub it in that him and Selene got the better languages then finding out when we were twelve he said – ‘Well, I feel like an ass.’ And I told him – ‘Yeah, you kind of are’. I had some idea of what my grandparents went through, though they never wanted to talk about it. And I didn’t blame them, from what mom would tell me. I just thought they were so strong, and the people that didn’t sit and do nothing were too. I wanted to be like them.”

She smiled at the memory before Rocco interjected. “So the Irish helped with that shit?”

“In 1937, the Irish government put in their constitution to specifically protect people of the Jewish faith, so I’d say it helped.”

“Italy helped too, you know.”

Sera hit Roc’s shoulder in a playful manner. “I know, but my sister got that one, romantic, remember?”

“You’re right on that, us Italians are more romantic than these leprechauns you got.”

He could see Murph aiming to hit Roc upside the head when Sera stopped him.

“I think the Irish are very romantic, to each their own, Roc.”

“Possa allora il tuo romanticismo essere eterno.”

Connor smirked. “Don’tcha worry on that Roc, it will be.”

“What’d he say?”

“May our romance be everlasting.”

“Awww, thank you, זאל איר געפֿינען די ליבע אַז איר פאַרדינען.”

“And what does that mean, honey?”

She hugged Rocco. “May you find the love you deserve.”

“Need all the help I can get with that.”

“What do we have here then? Never thought I’d see da day when a MacManus held a baby, let alone mine.”

Connor jumped, before realizing it was Julie returning, the petite redhead grinned at him putting a few bobby pins in her signature braids.

“Didn’t see the harm, fine boy ye got here, taken a liking to us. ‘Specially Murph, tried ta find a place to drink from and was disappointed to not find anythin’.”

“Shut it, Connor.”

Julie took her son, and he felt a bit disappointed at the empty spot in his arms.

“Sorry bout that, Murphy, means he likes ye I s’ppose.”

Murphy scratched his head, playing off his embarrassment. “He’s a good one, didn’t kick up too much of a fuss or anythin’.”

Julie grinned. “Thank you, and thank all of ye fer watchin’ him. I’m going to run him out ta my mother and I’ll be ready ta throw on my apron.”

“T-t-ake yer time, 1-1a – FUCK! ASS!”

Connor tried to show sympathy as the baby wailed from the yelled obscenities. Yet he couldn’t help but be amused by Doc’s timing. Saying goodbye to Adam, Connor got him a pint keeping his eye on Sera until her friends got there. He was being honest when he said she should keep her mind off things, she needed a distraction, and it was good for her to have it be something other than him and Murph. He hated to admit that, but knew it wasn’t healthy for her to have her attention all to themselves.

When the two women had gotten there, Janine, had leaned over the bar asking Doc for something, coming back with a few bottles and shot glasses. Watching as Sera gulped the liquid down with some hesitance. He smiled to himself, going back to drain his own glass.

“So what’re you two fucks planning on doing once you find her brother?”

Connor looked into his glass. “Don’t know fer sure, I mean, we both want to make an honorable woman outta her. Take her to our ma, set us up a home, but we’re tryin’ ta see what’s before us. We need ta find her brother ta see what our next move should be. If we truly should get out or if we should fight.”

“I hate to break it to the two of you, but there’s a snow cone’s chance in hell any of you are going to take out the Russian mob.”

Murphy piped in for him. “Don’t need ta take ‘em all out, just the fuckers who hurt Sera and her family.”

“You’re not even thinking of getting help either, are you? You seriously believe the two of you can do it by yourselves?”

Connor looked at his twin, his eyes holding him. The answer wasn’t that hard.

“If we get help then fine, but if we haveta, yeah, fer her we can do it.”

Rocco shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t want you two to get me wrong, she’s a great woman. But to put your lives on the line for one chick, hell thought it was crazy enough the two of you dating her.”

“Pretty obvious ye haven’t found the right girl, Roc. If Donna was the one you’d fight tooth and nail ta keep her safe.”

“Wouldn’t say I’d do that shit, not all of us can be knights in shining armor.”

Connor was brought back to the night at the restaurant, when Sera had said him and Murph were her white knights.

“I don’t know, Rocco, there’s a time when every person can be. Just takes a little motivation.”

“Whatever you say, Sir Galahad.”

Connor rubbed his lips together, hiding his grin, and was about to ask Doc for another beer when the doors were slammed open. He felt his posture straighten when his eyes focused on the men entering the pub. Three men built like the Leinster House came barging in to the bar, Connor kept his gaze steady watching as they rounded on Doc. The one that appeared to be in charge had begun removing his gloves slowly, before giving them a derisive smile.

“My name is Ivan Chekov, and I would like to speak to the man that owns this establishment.”

His appearance and accent told Connor he was Russian but it wasn’t until the clattering of glass from the direction at the girls’ table that he became alert.

“I-I own this place, now what’re ye people wantin’?”

Murphy already sensing the trouble brewing put his arms around Rocco. “Maybe they’re out lookin’ fer Spock for an away team.”

The men at the bar laughed, but Ivan and his companions stared coldly.

“Isn’t it amazing? A bunch of Irishmen drunk at a bar making complete asses of themselves. This is no time for jokes, mucker, this bar is closed until further notice.”

Someone in the crowd piped in. “Says who?”

A shared, “yeah,” went through the bar.

Ivan grinned, yellow teeth peeking past his lips. “My boss. We’re here for answers and we have all the time in the world to get them. But that might mean bad for your business, yes?”

Doc narrowed his eyes, magnified by his glasses. “And just w-what k-k-kind of answers ye want?”

Ivan reached into his overcoat, pulling out a picture. “We’re looking for this girl, and we know she’s been seen frequenting this bar. I need to know all you have in that drunkard head about her.”

Connor stood up from his seat beside the men, not needing to look at the photo to know it was Sera. Sliding his hand behind Roc’s neck like they were sharing a joke and he whispered to him.

“Ye get the girls and you slip the fuck outta here. Don’t make any noise or nothin’ go out the fire exit in da back and take them home. Murph and me will handle ‘em.”

Rocco looked like he was going to protest but the look on Connor’s face made him clam up, nodding as he tried to casually move out of his seat. Murphy got into the vacated seat beside him, bending over enough to stare at the picture before looking at the lumbering man.

“Aye, scorned love? Can tell ye me and him come in here every day, and we ain’t seen this one. Might do ye well ta let things go if she ain’t wantin’ ye. Kinda pathetic if ye ask me.”

“No one fucking asked you! You’re not part of this!” Ivan thrust his finger at Murphy’s chest. “So I want you, and all the rest of you Irish fucks out of here!”

Doc let out a strangled scoff. “Y-ye heard him, didn’t ye? None of us have s-seen the lass, now why don’t ye make like a tree and g-get the FUCK! ASS! out of here.”

“We know for a fact this girl was here, and we’re not leaving until you tell us what you know.”

“Oh, shit!”

Connor’s head swiveled behind him, his heart sinking at the sight of Sera on the floor her body jerking. She was having a fucking seizure. Turning back he saw the others with Ivan starting to look in that direction and tried to put it back on them before they could.

“I’m sure these fellas can be reasonable, not sure what a little thing like that could do ta strike yer interest but we can try ta sort it out fer ye. I can’t say I’ve seen her, perhaps she comes in early in da day when they open. Ye think, Doc?”

Doc pursed his lips, eyes softening at Connor before freezing back up. “I’m t-telling ye, boys, I’m here a-a-all day and haven’t seen her. Yer inform-m-mation must be wrong.”

“Girl’s a fucking murderer is what she is!”

Connor turned to the man behind Ivan, his pale face red from anger. Ivan turned to him.

“Вам нужно держать голову черт или я буду иметь свой язык.” (You need to keep your head or I’ll have your tongue.)

“Они вероятно друзей с сука, они не собираемся рассказать нам что-нибудь. Мы могли бы также осветить это место.” (They're probably friends with the bitch! They're not going to tell us anything. We might as well light this place up.)

Connor looked at Murphy, his expression mirroring his, them both turning on the Russians. “Давайте будем здесь гражданами, господа. Нет необходимости в насилии. Почему бы вам не встать на место и стакан, и мы можем попытаться устранить эту дилемму.” (Let's be civil here, gentlemen. There's no need for violence. Why don't you three take a seat and a glass and we can try and clear this dilemma.)

This crew obviously wasn’t expecting fluent Russian to come from any of the bar patrons, but as quick as astonishment came it left leaving Ivan snarling at him before nodding his head at the two behind him.

“I tell all of you to leave, you don’t, we make you leave.”

Going behind the bar the two men proceeded to bring down the shelves, leaving poor Doc stammering trying to clamor by and pull the men back only to be knocked aside causing him to fall to the floor.

Connor could feel his blood boiling. “Это было не чертовски приятно, не так ли?” (That wasn't fucking nice, now was it?)

He could feel his brother’s rage as he came beside him curling his hands into fist. “Не думайте, что мы должны отпустить это, брат?” (Don't think we should let that go, should we brother?)

The men turned to eye them as they clunk their shots together, slugging them back before proceeding to jump over the bar to attack them. All hell broke out then. Everybody who had been watching joined in, throwing punches or grabbing things to strike the Russians with. Before long the whole bar was demolished, but the three mobsters were taken down and unconscious. One Murph had taken with the wine bottles, another the patrons got a hold of knocking him out with a cue stick, and good ole Ivan was strapped down to the bar, starting to come out of his haze.

“The fuck?”

Connor bit down the filter of his cigarette, undoing the bottle of Hennessey. “Ah, good you’re awake there Ivan me boy. We didn’t want ye ta miss out. Ye see I think all here can say we have a soft spot fer Doc here, and coming in smashing the place, preying upon innocent girls, and Lord knows what else…well, we got ta take it upon ourselves ta teach ye a lesson now don’t we?”

Pouring the liquor over his ass and legs he stepped back to let Murphy in. “Care if I light him up, brother?”

Connor grinned. “Be a pleasure ta see.”

Murphy grinned taking a match, lighting his own cigarette before tossing it on the man. The moment it hit, Ivan threw his head back and yowled.

“Might consider a new profession, Ivan, you and yer crew seem to lack the finesse fer it.”

The bar laughed, Doc coming to the man’s aid and throwing a wet towel on him before smiling at them. “Don’t need ta be fuckin’ up the b-bar than it already i-is, fellas.”

Murphy smashed his cigarette on Ivan’s boot. “We’ll find a way ta fix everything, Doc, no worries. Fuckers needed ta be put in their places.”

Connor chuckled. “Sure they didn’t bet that it’d be some Irishmen ta do it.”

All the men helped to straighten up what they could, throwing the men out on their asses as they did. When all that could be repaired was done, the men set out. Connor and Murphy throwing on their coats, anxious to get home.

Connor nudged his brother. “Need ta find a long way ‘round. Make sure the stupid shits don’t follow us.”

Murphy nodded, steering them both around the corner taking the longer trail into town and back. When they were sure they were alone on the sidewalk they headed back.

“Ye think Roc got them home alright?”

Connor glanced at his brother, the streetlights flickering to life improving his vision.

“Yeah, believe he did. Hope he stuck around at the house though. Don’t know if ye saw or not but Sera went down at the bar. If my thinkin’ was right, she was havin’ a seizure on him.”

Murphy gaped at him, before his eyes narrowed. “And ye didn’t think ta mention that shit til now, did ye? Waitin’ fer us ta finish our stroll or somethin’? She could be fuckin’ dyin’ and yer yammering on –“

“Keep yer voice down, dammit. Ye know we had ta. Ye think those fuckers won’t be pissed when they come to? They’ll be up and taggin’ us by the end of the day tomorrow and that’s if we’re lucky.”

He saw Murphy stick his thumb between his teeth. “We need ta get those guns.”

Connor nodded in agreement. “Roc said he knew a guy, if he’s there then we’ll ask if we can go tonight.”

Murphy tapped his lips with his thumb, his face turning conflicted. “What about Sera? Can’t just leave her there by herself.”

Connor could tell his brother wanted their girl safe but he also wanted to go see the guns. It was like telling a kid he couldn’t go to the toy store. So he shrugged with a smile.

“Figured you could go with Rocco, rather stay behind anyways. Nurse my wounds and all that.”

Which was true his ribs were a bit bruised from the scuffle, his shoulders tense and sore from the strain of the fight; his brother probably earned some as well, but knowing Murph, his excitement outweighed the pain.

Murphy looked relieved. “Aye, a lot’s happened tonight.”

“And we have a long way ta go before dawn, so let’s get on home. Don’t know about ye, but I could use a fuckin’ beer.”

“I’ll agree ta that.”

It was a comfortable walk, trying to hurry back, but keeping themselves perked up by recanting the events that happened, both of them already exaggerating the details making them both chuckle. Getting in and climbing out of the lift, they were reassured when they saw Roc waiting by the banister puffing on a cigarette as he watched them get out.

“Any of you dumb fucks get arrested?”

Murphy scoffed, Connor snorting along with him. “Ye know no one’s gonna call da cops down there, Roc.”

He nodded to them, inhaling the smoke again. “Everything work out then?”

“As well as it could. Taught them a lesson, don’t know if they’ll come back on it yet…How about here, everything okay on yer end?”

Rocco sighed. “Took forever to get out of there, that crazy goth chick wanted to stay, you know, to see what happen. I got her and Claudette to move, then Sera froze up. Pulled on her arm to get her and she fell to the fucking floor, her nose started bleeding; then she started jerking. It scared the living hell out of me.”

“She was havin’ a seizure.”

“The girls told me she was epileptic when we got out, I thought she was fucking dying on me. But she quit when we got down the road, wanted to take her to the emergency room once we dropped the girls off but she wouldn’t have it. Brought her back here and we hung out until she passed out from the pills she took.”

Connor looked into their darkened home, the light filtering from outside through the windows letting him see her and Shep nestled next to each other on the bed. Rolling his eyes when he turned back to see Murph had stolen their friend’s lighter out of his pocket.

“Was she okay while she was up? Wasn’t too disoriented or anything?”

Roc took a minute to answer, realizing his lighter had been pilfered and trying to get it back from the dark haired twin who was holding it out of his reach. Connor kicked his brother in the shin before handing the item back to Rocco.

He whispered harshly. “Ye need ta quit fuckin’ around, too much shit’s happened.”

Murphy rubbed his leg, scowling. “I am serious, ye fuckin’ ass, nothin’ wrong with lightening up the moment.”

“As soon as we were alone in the car she wanted to go back for you two, figured you’d be pissed off if I did that.”

The two both grumbled in agreement on that.

“So she opted in trying to stay awake and wait for you. She kept looking over at the clock and getting worried, so I got her talking. Seemed to help her, got her to eat something, and she asked if she could draw me when the pills started kicking in and she started nodding. She asked me to keep talking to her, and I did til she dropped off not too long ago.”

Connor pursed his lips. “Thanks fer doin’ that, Roc. Know she had ta be scared, good ta know ye were there ta ease her mind.”

Murphy nodded. “Aye…so she drew yer ugly ass?”

Rocco grinned. “Yeah, she did, was doing a good fucking job too, but she was getting too tired to finish it. She said I could have it if I wanted it, going to, might have it framed. Didn’t even know she could draw.”

Murphy gave an exasperated sigh. “She was an art teacher, the fuck ye think she did?”

Rocco shrugged. “You can be a teacher and not have any specialty in the field. But she’s talented, she told me she got it from her aunt and grandmother…I’m going to go back out and try to find some leads for her before I head home. I have a few people I can call up, see what they know about her brother.”

Connor simpered on that. “Did yer slumber party get ta ye, Roc?”

“Maybe it did, if you fellas are done I’ll be heading out.”

Murphy stopped him. “Whoa, a second there, we do have a favor ta ask of ye.”

“Of course you do. You know you both would be fucked without me.”

“Yeah, yeah, ye think the man that has those weapons would meet us tonight?”

“Probably. I can call him while I’m out, you gotta have cash though.”

Connor waved him off, going quietly inside to grab their rainy day cash from behind the refrigerator before coming back out. “We got it covered, just take Murph with you, and help find something fer us and da lass. She says she knows how ta shoot so there’s no need ta worry on that.”

Rocco thumbed through the envelope and nodded. “He’ll set you up. Kick his ass otherwise.”

“Ye both just be careful and hurry back.”

Murphy nudged him. “Ye think we should get a knife?”

“The fuck fer?”

“In case we need ta be stealthy ‘bout shit.”

“Just get da guns fer now, Christ’s sake.”

Murphy startled at the tone, mumbling while he went to the lift. “Lord’s name.”

Connor crossed himself, nodding his goodbye to them. Locking eyes with Murphy he smirked before shaking his head and going inside. He loved his brother, but sometimes the shit he thought of was stupid as hell. He got his beer and headed for the couch, letting Sera and Shep have the bed while he got lost in his thoughts.

He wondered how much the trauma had changed her, if it could change them, then thinking of all the times him and Murphy went to Mass and heard of another poor soul reaped before their time for someone else’s gain – it seemed right to be defensive. If the life of an evil person had to be taken to preserve someone that was good, shouldn’t it be right to do so? It was the exact definition of self-defense wasn’t it? He couldn’t help but watch her in the glow of the night, she had told them she knew how their mother had to feel when watching them sleep, looking so innocent but knowing better. It was easy for him to understand right now, her face devoid of any worry as she slept, at peace within herself. Shep lying next to her near nose to nose, it was a fine picture.

It made him think of what her life could have been like before this, before them. She had admitted to sharing a room with her sister, moving back home from their dorm after college. Was one messy, one clean? Had they worn each other’s clothes? Stayed awake until the other was home from a night out? Would the all of them have stayed together? Connor knew they were close, all three of them, just as he was with Murph. But there were tells about her that made him know their lives were different from each other. He knew that her family was well to do. Not very much by possessions, but in the way she talked, the way she held herself. It wasn’t just pride, hell the MacManus’ had plenty of that, it had been something taught to her. They might not have had a vast of wealth, but they had lived in comfort. Both parents going to school and working their way up in good careers to give their children what they needed.

His own mother hadn’t been able to do that. Of course she gave him and Murphy what she could, but she hadn’t had the money or the time to go to college. Barely out of high school when she fell for their father, getting her pregnant with them and leaving when they were just out of diapers. They hadn’t had grandparents to help already passed on before they had been born. Sure, Ma’s sister had helped all she could but she had a brood of her own to deal with. But that left the bulk to neighborhood friends and Uncle Sibeal to take some of the stress off their Ma. He was a God send to her, giving them the male influence they needed and small insight of what their father must’ve been like. He’d take them to the Anvil and let them loose in the bar throwing more peanut shells on the floor than they were eating. Both him and Ma were the ones to educate them to the Bible, with Ma giving them the paddle and their uncle being a priest it was hard to be out of line, though the two always found a way.

Connor chuckled, raising his eyes back to Sera as she burrowed deeper into the pillows. Would her parents have accepted them? Their relationship wasn’t conventional, and being different faiths and poor as hell to boot he didn’t know. She had said they would’ve, her mother and sister being the ones to embrace them first making them promise to let her keep her beliefs. After that it’d take some coaxing with her dad and brother, but they would come around. It was the way things were, fathers and daughters – mothers and sons. She said that’s why she was terrified meeting their Ma. It was the point of being seen as taking them away, and not wanting to give back. But if they were happy, that would be enough, right?

Again, he didn’t know. Love didn’t keep everything afloat, the perfect example being their poor Ma. What if down the line Sera finally saw they couldn’t give her what she needed? Him and his brother were used to living a certain way and didn’t need fancy outings or things to make them happy. But would she? He mentally slapped himself for thinking that, but, then again, didn’t all women want nice things? Could the two of them be enough? He lay out on the couch, staring at the ceiling wishing he had gone instead of Murphy. He didn’t like being stuck here with these fucking doubts. He sunk into the cushions, gritting his teeth while his muscles finally caught up to the events of the day and gave out. They loved each other and that’s all they needed, after all the shit had been dealt with they’d figure out things down the road. Letting his eyes shut he soon fell asleep.

He didn’t know why he was here. But no one paid mind to him while he made his way down the corridor, walking past people in their stiff suits to go down to the uproar on the floor below. Peering around he took in the metal detectors, policemen guarding the entrances while people from the outside held cameras and microphones out to the men at the bottom of the steps, all of them crowding together like sardines in a can. Connor decided to take a different turn not ready to hear the commotion, ambling in the hallways he saw people through the glass walls working at their desks. One of them getting up and coming out at him.

“Sir! Mr. Hamilton!”

The man that came out spun around, smiling at who called his name; turning himself, Connor’s eyes grew recognizing the girl from all the pictures he and his brother had flipped through. The girl with light brown copper hair, her frame smaller but close to identical to their Seraphine.

“Miss Morgenstern, I thought you’d be out there greeting your fans.”

Morgenstern?

Little Selene much meeker than Sera had described, face turning downwards with a shy smile while she picked at the sleeve of her dress.

“No, sir, I think I need help. I need my brother, have you seen him?”

Hamilton’s forehead wrinkled. “I’m afraid not, I think he’s down feeding the circus. Is there something I can help you with?”

Her mouth gaped, trying to find the words. “Something’s going to happen, I heard it. I just – please I think we need police to comb the area. The man had a gun and –“

The man raised his hands in an appeasing manner. “Let’s calm down for a second, what man?”

Selene huffed, starting to back away. “I don’t know what man, I don’t know him. But I think he’s a sniper.”

Hamilton’s brows went up. “A sniper? Jesus, I’m going to alert someone now, okay? Maybe you can sit in my office until –“

“No! I need to find my brother and sister.”

“I’m sure your brother is speaking to the press and your sister went out with one of the agents not too long ago.”

“Sera? When did she go out? With who?”

“It was one of the newer agents on your case, Bloom I think…Mis Morgenstern?”

Selene was trekking backwards ready to bolt. “Just call them please. I have to find my family.”

Sprinting as fast as she could Connor followed behind her downstairs and past the news crews to the front steps. Swiveling about until she found who she was searching for.

“Sera!”

Looking in that direction he saw her too, talking to a red headed woman, facing them when she heard her name. Sera’s face lit up, saying something to the woman before waving, and heading up to her sister. Selene was trying to keep composure, as she rushed to her sister. Sera embracing her when she approached, pushing aside her nerves Selene hugged back. Connor seeing Sera whispering to her went closer to hear.

“We’re free, מיין שוועסטער ליבע.”

He didn’t know what it meant but could tell from the loving smile it was an endearment. Selene started shaking her head in Sera’s neck, and he was able to tell she was crying.

He heard her sniffle before replying. “We are, נשמה זיך. We will be.”

Pulling away, Selene glanced around her before looking at her watch as she choked out a laugh. She began to pivot them around the steps.

“He was right, I told He was. He’s always right.”

Sera smiled, her face riddled in confusion. “Who’s right?”

With that a bang and a ringing sounded, having everything follow at a fast pace. He watched Sera fall apart, seeing the life drain from her sister’s body refusing to leave her side, repeating the same thing over and over.

“וועקן אַרויף, ביטע וועקן אַרויף!”

Connor didn’t have to understand the language to know what she was uttering. The way Sera rocked her sister’s body back and forth, every now and again stopping to shake her. He realized she was trying to get her to wake up. She stayed like that until the other part of the photo came, the person Sera had been seeking, her brother having to grasp her tightly to pull her from their sister. The scream that emitted broke him, ambulances arriving and having to sedate her. Sapph sat her on the back of one of them while wrapping her in a blanket to talk to one of the officers. Soon applause came as a man in handcuffs being hauled into one of the police cruisers. But Sera didn’t flinch, not even when her brother came back handing off a purse to Sera. Her hands came out to clasp the leather bag.

“She left it in the agent’s car.”

Sera’s body began to tremble. “Is it true?”

Her brother was startled. “What?”

“They catch him, but they’re going to have to let him go.”

“Who the fuck said that?”

A shaking hand pointed out to a cluster of police and reporters. “Diplomatic immunity.”

“Bullshit! That’s bullshit, Sera! He’ll pay, he – he…what he did, he’ll be punished for it.”

“Mr. Morgenstern?”

Sapph’s eyes flared. “What?”

It was the agent that Sera had talked to. “We need a statement. We’ll make it quick, and you and your sister can go to the hospital together.”

He clutched Sera’s hand. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

Connor could tell she didn’t want him to, but let go. After several minutes she held the purse closer to her, sniffling before opening the bag. Her smile was wistful, full of sorrow as she went through the contents. Then paused. Her eyes cleared. Pushing her hair back she looked around her before hopping out of the ambulance. Putting the bag on her uninjured shoulder she was nervous, trying to play it down, holding her head up. She weaved her way past, no one paying mind to her as all the reporters were being occupied with the police and witnesses. Heading to the front of the courthouse she stood beside one of the cruiser, putting her hand in the bag before wrenching the door open. He saw her hold her breath, bag falling to the ground he could hear people shouting at her when she pulled out a small pistol. Hers eyes welled, finger pulling the trigger.

His eyes snapped and he began flailing when something wet went on his face, stopping when he felt soft hands on him.

“Sssh, you’re okay. Everything’s fine.”

He leaned his head up, the room remaining dark. “Fuck. What happened?”

It was a rag, he realized, Sera wiping the cool cloth over his brow. “You were having a nightmare. You started to scream and I wanted to calm you. Might’ve made it worse, huh?”

Hearing the voice that had been so broken moments before left him wounded, turning himself into her.

“Can we turn the light on lass? I need ta see you.”

She didn’t ask questions, shifting around to switch the light on. He gazed at her, hair rumpled from sleep, only in some shorts and one of their shirts they had thrown around. He sighed, tautness leaving him as the nightmare faded. She continued to stroke his hair, and he let himself lean into it. Wrapping his arms around her middle while he pushed his nose to her stomach, inhaling her scent combined with theirs. He didn’t like being coddled, more accurate, he didn’t like others to think he liked it. He always hassled Murphy about it, constantly wanting to be babied by Sera just as he had with their Ma, but now the shoe was on him and he couldn’t pull back. He needed this. He didn’t know what that was; it was as if he got to live the worst day of Sera’s life. Every sense, every thought one of the girls had, he saw it. Seeing a sister give up her life for another, said sister taking a life in retribution.

His breath was returning to normal, closing his eyes as he nestled closer, hearing Sera hum as she kissed his hair. She understood, hell she did in every possible way, but she had her nightmares and knew he didn’t want to talk about it. He thanked her for that, especially since he had no idea how the hell he’d explain it to her. He began pulling her shirt up, reveling in the Triquetra that she now kept around her neck before kissing each mark on her. The knife wounds, the gunshot from the first break in, the one he hadn’t pressed about – pulling the shirt over her head without a word he looked at her, small smile on her face as he went down and tenderly kissed the mark he had witnessed. Going back to kiss behind her ear, and then her lips. Caressing her face he inhaled.

“Will ye tell me somethin’?”

She leaned into his touch. “Anything I can.”

“Is Shafir your real last name, love?”

She froze for a second before answering. “Well, no, does that…is that bad?”

He shook his head, fast. “No, no, I’m curious.”

She let out a slight laugh. “I’ve used it all these months. I kind of forgot it wasn’t.”

“What was it? Yer real one?”

“Oh, um, Morgenstern.”

“Morgenstern.” Like his dream.

“I know what you’re thinking. ‘I didn’t think she couldn’t get any more Jewish til this moment’, right?”

He looked back to her, and was able to chuckle. “Ye might be, aingeal. What made ye choose the name Shafir then?”

She kept touching him, thumbs going in soft circles on his neck. “It’s Hebrew for Sapphire. I – he wasn’t with me in person, so I thought it was a way to keep him with me.”

He nodded, going back to settle his head on her chest.

“May I ask what brought the question on?”

He wasn’t going to lie about it. “It was in the nightmare I had.”

“Oh. Does it bother you? I wasn’t trying to keep it from you I just –“

He pulled her wrist to him, kissing it. “No, love, want ta know everything I can about ye. And with what went on, seemed like the appropriate thing ta do. ”

“It made me feel safe in a way. Maybe I should go back since it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Ye could, or ye could try MacManus on fer size.”

He smiled at her stunned expression. “What, not Jewish enough fer ye?”

She blushed, smiling. “It’s not that…I just can’t believe you said that.”

He grinned. “Can’t take it back. Just needin’ yer answer.”

He could feel so much in the kiss she gave him, the hairs on his arms standing up as she pulled away.

“How about you say it again when this is over, that way I know you’re serious and not caught up in the heat of the action. Because I’m hoping for less excitement in the future.”

He stood up on his knees. “I am serious, love. Won’t be changin’ me mind. Neither of us are. Gonna make sure yer never sad, never hurt ever again.”

Her eyes misted. “Connor, what did you –“

“Not tanight, grá aingeal. Ask me anythin’ else.”

She looked down at herself, he knew she was becoming self-conscious by lack of dress. He had drawn attention her her scars her nudity to that making her feel raw and vulnerable. The way she must have felt that day. He pulled her to him, moving so she was lying on him. Wanting to take both their minds away from the darkness he decided to distract her with his own scars.

He traced his finger over the raised edge of his left eyebrow. “Ye want ta know how I got this?”

Her finger followed his over the old abrasion. “I have been curious about it.”

“Ye can be blaming yer other punk boyfriend fer it.”

She laughed. “Why would Murphy do that?”

He snuggled her closer, glad to be going somewhere else. “We were kids, raking leaves in da yard. We finish up and wanted ta jump in ‘em before we had ta bag it all up. Murph gets da idea we should get on da shed ta do it. I couldn’t let him do it without me, he’d be holdin’ it over me head fer years if I did. So I go up there with him, but seein’ how high it was I was goin’ ta climb down. Except Murphy decides he’s going ta push my ass off the damn roof himself.”

“No.”

Connor was getting into the story now, body gesturing in each part. “He did! My own fuckin’ brother pushes me off a roof, and what we didn’t know was under the damn pile was a fuckin’ rock and my face ends up hittin’ it. I come up with a headache and a gash on me that’s bleeding like crazy.” He started laughing. “Murphy starts panickin’, thinking he’s killed me, screaming his lungs out til Ma comes hollering out of the house. She patches me up and takes a switch to Murph’s backside fer doing it. I start ta feel bad so I end up tellin’ her it was my idea. I ended up with a headache, a scar, and a sore ass all in one day because of me dear old brother.”

He smiled when she brought his face down to kiss the scar. “Poor Connor. I’m sure he didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Maybe not ta break open me head, but he sure as hell meant ta push me off da roof. I beat his ass fer it a few days later.”

“Regardless, you’re both good brothers. Hearing things like that, I think you’re especially protective.”

“Course I am, I’m the oldest.”

“Like shit ye are.”

They both faced the doorway, Murphy holding a few paper bags in his arms. Connor could see and smell that his brother must’ve gotten shitfaced with their friend. Making him wonder what the hell they’ve been doing this whole time.

“What ye actually believe in that head of yers that ye could be da oldest?”

“I fuckin’ know I am, ye dick!”

“Yeah, that’s right, me dick! Lass will tell ye it’s bigger meaning I’m da oldest.”

Sera started coughing, face red as she went to reach for the discarded shirt.

“See she knows ye ain’t. Tell him love, he’s gotta tiny pecker.”

She scooped the shirt over her, shaking her head when it popped through. “I’m not saying that at all.”

“See!”

“No, she’s being nice to yer little cock!”

“You both stop!”

She was laughing, waving them off. Murphy went to her, grabbing her up before she could lay back down with Shep.

“I don’t think ye want me to, aingeal. Roc and me got ye a surprise.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, all ye gotta say is I’m bigger and I’ll hand it over.”

“No! You’re both the same okay.”

“Ain’t no way in that.”

“Well…tell me I’m fat.”

Murphy brow shot up. “What?”

“Yep, tell me I’m fat and I’ll say who’s bigger.”

Connor grinned. “Yer fat, love.”

She pointed at him, grin growing. “You’re lying. What does it matter, I like both of them equally.”

Murphy started tickling her. “Like?”

“Love! I mean I love them! Dammit, how’d we go from talking about you two as boys and talking about your junk?”

“Cause Murph’s the same size today as he was then, keep up, Sera.”

“Fuck off!”

Connor laughed settling on the couch. “What surprise ye got the lass?”

Murphy’s eyes brightened then starting to dig through his coat pockets with one hand, setting Sera on the bed with the other. Falling on it beside her he continued stuffing his hands but this time inside his jeans.

“Fuck sake, Murph what did hell ye go after?”

“Shut it, Conn, bring da phone over here.”

Being too tired to argue he did as asked, throwing the large cordless on the bed. He was about to lie back on the couch when Sera’s hand stopped him. She didn’t say anything at first, taking the time to interlace their hands together.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine, aingeal.”

She nodded, but he could tell by the look she held that she didn’t believe him.

Murphy barked a laugh when he pulled a scrap of paper out of his pocket. “Here we go, lass. Give these people a ring, when they answer ask fer someone named Sunburn.”

Sera flipped the paper over, studying, looking over at Murphy uncertain. “Why?”

“Trust me, love. Just give ‘em a call.”

She scooted closer to Murphy, and Connor could tell she was nervous of what this could bring at such a late hour but she dialed the number given, holding the receiver up to her ear in anticipation.

“Hello?”

Her eyes kept darting between the two of them, saying the name she was given and waiting. Neither him nor her knowing what it was leading to. A few minutes and she let loose the lip she had been biting, her mouth falling open and her eyes becoming much more awake as they locked on his. The green-brown eyes welling up with tears, letting her hand cover her mouth.

“Hi.” Her voice croaked it out, her body in shock.

She started to cry Murphy beating him in putting an arm around her.

“I was so scared. I-I thought something happened to you. Are you okay?”

Connor’s eyes flicked to his brother, Murphy smirking in triumph. They had done it, Rocco finding her brother somehow. Her breathing was becoming spastic and he went to rub her back, hoping it was the tears and not another seizure happening so soon. They went back and forth for a while, a smile coming through the tears. When her eyes started to dry the smile slowly fell, a quiet ‘yes’ coming from her.

“I don’t see why that matters –“

“You should be able to tell that from them helping me find you –“

“I shouldn’t have to explain –“

“Yes. Yes! They know everything. I’m not going to lie or cover it up Sapph. It doesn’t matter anymore! If you must know I’m with them both and it doesn’t –“

Connor felt himself growing angry, her tears of happiness now coming back bitter. Out of all the things her brother could say he was asking about them, his sister’s fucking love life. Watching Sera about to break at her brother’s words he snatched the phone out of her hand before she could react.

“Who the hell ye think you are, boy? Yer sister’s been fuckin’ worried sick about ye, doin’ all she could ta find out where ye are and when she finally finds yer ass you berate her? The fuck’s wrong with ye?”

A low hiss was on the other end. “You need to watch your mouth and tone, I don’t have to explain anything to anyone. Let alone one of the guys taking advantage of my sister.”

Connor scowled. “I don’t know where da fuck ye got yer information, but no one’s takin’ advantage of anyone. Me and my brother care fer yer sister a great deal, and fer some reason she puts up with us. And we’re gonna keep on with the arrangement until she’s sick of us. Now why don’t we all make nice and get yer ass down here fer us ta figure this shit out.”

He could hear a huff of annoyance on the line. “I don’t know what all my sister’s told you, but I think you should have the common sense to know that it’s more complicated than that.”

“Not really. The scuffle may end messy but gettin’ together is the easy part of this. Yer sister’s fuckin’ hurtin’, has been since ye left her. And she doesn’t need ta be on her own through this, she needs family.”

“She’s alive, isn’t she? That’s the end goal of all of this, nothing else matters.”

“Alive in the fact that she’s still breathin’. But there’s more to it than that, and ye know it. What she needs right now isn’t somethin’ me and my brother can give, though the Lord knows we’ll keep tryin’. She needs you. And you need her. Ye need ta come here, Sapphire.”

There was a long pause on the other end. “Tell my sister I’ll contact her within the week, and that I love her.”

With that the line went dead, Connor feeling guilty when the dial tone came on.

Taggers!

@some-daniela

@derpypenguin

@shinydixon

#one of three #chapter 13 #boondock saints #boondock saints fic #fanfiction #connor and murphy macmanus #connor macmanus x oc #murphy macmanus x oc #macmanus brothers

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