A Step Out of Purgatory

Authors Note: This is a fanfic based on the film Boondock Saints. Everything is the same except for new characters which I've added. Also I came up with the name Kayne for El Duce, as the film did not saywhat his name was. Kayne is an Irish name meaning dark and strong. Other names have apparent symbolism.

Chapter I: Seeking Retribution, Finding Life

They were like shadows moving across the night. Raining down the vengence of God, brimming with hellfire and retribution. They were twin souls fighting a war against evil. And so far ... they were winning.

Connor and Murphy MacManus were reloading their guns after a long nights work. It wouldn't do to get killed on their way home because they forgot to reload.

"Connor, ya ready?" Murphy asked, his thick Irish-Catholic brogue sounding excited after the long night of killing. Unlike Connor, Murphy always seemed like he'd had a shot of adrenaline pumped directly into his heart after working. He never got tired and he loved his work.

"Ay, just let me finish with da cash. Wouldn't do to leave it lyin' around, eh?" Conner said, while stuffing away the mounds of bills the drug dealers had been transporting. They took what was necessary for them to purchase equipment, food and the occasional hotel room or temporary apartment when their situation became hot. Being career vigilantes meant having the bad guys as well as the good guys chasing after them.

Conner stood up and shook out his peacoat. "Let's get a move on, brother. It looks like it might be an early night"


Maria Magdalena Cross walked down the dark street towards her small apartment. She moved briskly, upset that she'd let herself be caught outside at such a late hour, but when you're helping the helpless you tend to forget the time. It was the life she'd chosen for herself; to give back to those who'd helped her. An orphan, Maria had been found and raised by the sisters of a local parish on the South Side of Boston. At first she'd considered joining the nunnery but after years sitting side by side with the sisters, she knew she didn't have the heart. God had not called her and she wouldn't disrespect Him by choosing a life He did not want for her. But she had stayed close to the parish choosing to teach at the school that had been her home.The twenty-two year old had never been out of Southie and she didn't want to leave. Tonight Maria had been visiting the homes of her students, meeting with their overworked, overtired parents to try and get them interested in their children's schoolwork. Although she was glad to have convinced some of the more stubborn parents that checking their kids homework was beneficial, Maria was livid that she allowed herself to get caught out so late. As much as she loved her neighborhood, she was not oblivious to it's dangers.

When she had stopped mentally berating herself, Maria began to take in her surroundings and she didn't like what she found. Now that she was on alert, she realized that she was being followed. Maria hastened her steps, her tightly curled hair billowing behind her. She gripped the oversized bag she carried and looked for a possible escape route. After assessing her options, Maria realized she could either wait until she was three blocks down and could duck into the cornerstore or take the upcoming short cut through an alley to the awaiting diner on the other side ... either move was risky. She was quickly coming up on the alley and Maria boldly decided to venture down the alleyway. It was a bad move.


Murphy and Connor heard the screams blocks before they'd reached the alley. When the screams died suddenly, they moved hurriedly to see what had happened. They rounded the corner, guns drawn, fire in their eyes. Connor was on the assailants before they even knew what was happening. He disarmed one of them quickly, using the butt of his gun to knock the young man out. Murphy caught the second man with a elbow to his temple before he could regroup. Then without pause he and Connor whirled around pointing their guns at the last assailant. Seeing the two brothers, the boy whimpered and turned tail, running away from his retribution. Connor started after him.

"Ay, he's a child. Let 'im go, Connor" Murphy said looking around. Between the two beaten men was a woman, the victim. Murphy bent over her examining her clinically. She was bruised and bloodied. It looked like a robbery turned rape. Her clothes were ripped and bloody as well. Though he was mechanical in his examination of the girl, making sure she was still breathing and not internally damaged, Murphy could not help but notice the creamy brown of her skin and the firmness of her body. Her hair was curled softly at her temples and her face was serene though she was unconcious. A small wooden cross sat delicately at her collarbone. Almost without conciousness, Murphy smoothed the hair back from her face, running his fingers down her jawline.

"Murph! Murphy! Is the girl, ok?" Connor said shocking his brother out of his reverie. Murphy looked almost dazedly at his brother.

"They didna get as far as they wanted. She's just bruised. She'll have one hell of a headache tomorrow"

"So what now?" Connor said taking off his jacket and covering the girl's exposed body.

"We take her home" Murphy said scooping the girl into his arms.

"Home? Home home? Our home?" Connor said increduously. "When did we start takin' in houseguests?"

"When we don't know where to take them. What if she wakes up panicked? Let's go". Murphy moved decisively and Connor followed muttering curses in a litany of languages.


Maria opened her eyes slowly. Her body ached as did her head. It was as if each part of her was waking slowly and she winced as it came to life. She started to sit up as her eyes opened but found that she could barely move. She began to fall back against the pillows when she felt strong arms embrace her. "Ay, ya shouldna try to move. Ya too weak" For some reason Maria was comforted by the soft Irish accented voice. She opened her eyes and found herself staring into the most crystal blue eyes she'd ever seen. And those eyes stared right back as if they could see into her soul.

Gasping for air, she let herself lean into the curve of his body. He was solid but lean. It felt good to rest against him. He raised a small paper cup to her lips and she sipped the cool water he offered to her. She closed her eyes and alowed her mind to refocus. When she opened them he was staring at her hesitantly. "Are ya okay?" he asked. She nodded her head afraid to trust her voice. Slowly, she tested out her voal chords. "Need to call. Worried", she said in a gravelly voice.

"Your family? I can call them for ya" She shook her head. "No, church. Our Lady of .. of Mary Magdelene. The sisters ... worried"

"Ya a nun?" he said with surprise. He could believe she was an angel, this girl who seemed to fall from the sky, but a nun. If there were nuns this beautiful at school, he might've stayed more often. She shook her head with a slight smile. "No. I teach at the school. The sisters will be worried that I'm not there"

"What about ya fam'ly? Should I call them?"

"No family" she said weakly, "Orphan". She was starting to feel sick again. Her head was reeling. The last thing she remembered was screaming and then she felt a swift punch to her head before blacking out. She felt like her head was ripping open again. "Ya gettin sick again. Lie back" he said. He started to let go of her but she tightened her grip on his arm. "Please, don't let go" she whispered. Her eyes were closed and her brow was furrowed. Maria didn't know why but she felt comforted in this man's arms. She didn't want him to let her go.

"I'm not going anywhere" he whispered into her hair. "Don't worry. I won't let go".

"Is she up yet?" Connor asked walking into the room. He leaned against the doorjamb and took in the sight in front of him. Murphy was sitting on the bed, his back against the head board. The girl was curled against his chest. She sighed contentedly in her sleep.

"Gettin' pretty cozy, are we?" Connor said.

"She woke up and fell unconcious again. She didna want me to leave"

"Did ya find out enythin'?"

"She works at Our Lady of Magdalene"

"So we saved a nun. Lucky fa us"

"She's a teacher an' an orphan"

"Didya happen to get 'er name too?"

"She fell under before I could"

"Well it's a good thing I checked 'er pockets then" Conner said pulling out a wallet, "Maria Magdalena Cross. Strong Catholic name if I ever heard one. She lives not too far from where we found 'er. Twenty-two. Black hair, brown eyes. 5'6" Cute picture". Connor tossed the wallet to his brother who caught it deftly. "Now what do we do?"

"She wanted me to call the church. Tell them what happened to 'er"

"I'll make the call" Connor said grabbing his coat and heading out the door, "You and Sleeping Beauty have fun" He said over his shoulder. He flinched as the wallet Murphy threw connected with the back of his head.


When Maria woke again she was alone but this time her head was clearer. She took in her surroundings. The room was bare, with a small window and nothing on the walls except two hooks, with rosaries on them. Immediately, Maria felt up to her neck and touched the wooden cross there. It had been with her since birth. The only thing she had from her parents. It was why the sisters had given her the last name Cross. Maria stood up and realized she was only half-dressed, in an oversized men's sweater. As she padded barefoot across the floor, the sweater slipped off her shoulder exposing the bare skin there. Maria opened the door slowly and peeked out into the living room of the tiny apartment. The room was littered with pizza boxes and papers; it was clearly a bachelor's pad. Maria surveyed the room and was startled to see some guns and other weapons amongst the litter as well. She was unsure of what to make of this but she knew that the man with the blue eyes wouldn't harm her. More than anything, she could sense that he would protect her no matter what.

"So ya finally came back, didya?" A man said entering the room. Maria turned around startled and found herself face to face with her mysterious protector. He also looked shocked as if he had not been expecting her to be standing there, especially since he had a towel wrapped loosely around his waist. "You're awake" he said. He looked her over taking in the patch of bare skin at her shoulders. The lean legs exposed under the sweater. She began to feel a little uncomfortable at his close scrutiny. "Are ya alright? Maybe ya should sit down. Are ya thirsty? Hungry?". He began to fuss over her but she pushed him back.

"I'm fine thanks" she said politely.

"Well if ya give me a second, I'll change. We gotcha some clothes if ya wanna clean up"

"Take your time" she said glancing at his towel. When he realized his state of undress, Murphy chuckled slightly. "Give me a sec", he said moving towards the bedroom. While he was changing, Maria continued to look around. She walked over to the coffee table and saw that the papers strewn about were not random as she thought but instead, they were articles. Maria let out a small gasp as realization dawned upon her.

"So ya head feelin' better" Murphy said entering the room.

"You're one of the Saints" Maria said almost in disbelief. "One of those men who kills criminals"

"Ay..." Murphy said slowly.

"And what do you intend to do about it?" Maria turned to find two men standing behind her. One was older with a thick gray beard and the other was young like the one standing in front of her. With the three of them surrounding her it was like being consumed by fire. The older one spoke again. "Well what do you intend to do lassie?"

"I ..." Maria fought to regain her voice. "I just want to go home. I won't tell if that's what you think. I ... You saved my life".

"That's what I wanted to hear, lass" said the deep voice. "Besides, ya too beautiful to be makin' me mad"

"Ah, Da stop scarin' 'er", Murphy said moving towards the shocked girl. "Ya alright now?", he said looking in her eyes. For some reason, she felt reassured just looking back at him. "Yes" she whispered. The two of them looked at each other for a while longer before Maria finally pulled away. "I think I'll go clean up now" she said backing away.

"There's fresh towels and cloths in the bathroom" Connor said as she passed by. "And clothes behind the door".

"Thank you" Maria said. She turned towards the three men, "Thanks alot"


They refused to let her leave alone and insisted on taking her home themselves. Murphy and Connor flanked her like she was the president and they were the Secret Service. Occasionally, Murphy would reach out and grab her hand, guiding her gently through the narrow streets of South Boston. Maria tried to ignore it but she knew that both of them were carrying guns and though she felt protected she was also afraid. Until last night, Maria had never experienced violence and now she was literally surrounded by it.

When they reached her doorstep, Connor stood by the entrnce while Murphy walked her up the three flights of steps to her tiny apartment. "Thank you" she said, "For saving my life".

"Nah. We were just there at the right time. Couldna let the bastards do anything to you"

"They were going to ..." Maria swallowed hard, "They ripped my clothes off" She felt cold inside when she thought of how close she'd come to losing what she'd fought so hard to keep all these years.

"They didna touch you" Murphy said. He pointed to her cross. "Ya still square with God"

"Are you?" she asked curiously.

"Whadda ya mean?" Murphy asked.

"You kill men. Not innocent men but you still kill. Are you still square with God?"

"We're God's venegant angels. What we do is for the lambs, the meek, the innocent"

"I'm not sure if that's true" Maria said moving closer to him. She took his hand in hers. "But I'm glad you were my angel". Warmth spread through him as they held hands. Finally, she pulled away. Murphy turned to head down the stairs. "Wait!" her voice stopped him mid-step. He turned to look at her, "What's your name?" she asked.

"Murphy", he said. "You can call me Murphy"