I don't own any of the Boondock Saint characters. Please read and review. This chapter is more of a prologue from Velvet's POV and the start of the story. I have a lot of this story already written so there will be future chapters as I work on some transitions between them. The storyline goes all the way through to the second movie. Thank you and enjoy =)

Can't Escape the Inevitable

My name is Velvet Rourke.

My childhood was rough. My biological father died when I was young and was quickly replaced with my stepfather. He was an alcoholic and Mother was too weak to leave him. They lied, they cheated... It was ugly. I found out that my mother had a distant cousin in Boston, a man by the name of Richard McNally. The night my stepfather first hit me, I ran away from home. I showed up on Doc's doorstep with nothing but a backpack in the pouring rain. I was seventeen.

Doc's doorstep happened to be a bar. I must have come across older than I looked because I was ushered in without any questions. You could be 18 and join in the festivities, minus the beer. I can remember as clear as yesterday seeing the MacManus brothers for the first time. They looked quite handsome as they sat at the bar joking and laughing with a group of guys.

I locked eyes with the darker haired one first. His hair was messy and his eyes were a striking blue that could be seen even from where I stood. He smiled at me with a certain boyish charm and I felt my heart rate speed up. I probably looked ridiculous since I was soaked from the rain and my supposedly waterproof makeup was smeared. He didn't seam to mind so I smiled back.

Then I remembered that I was there to meet Mother's cousin, in hopes that he'd let a seventeen year-old girl live with him. Yikes. Someone suddenly spoke to me and I pulled my gaze away from the stunning guy at the bar.

"Can I help ya with s-something, lass?" A jolly old man asked, hair already white and glasses perched on his nose.

"Um, y-yeah," I stuttered, feeling nervous. "I was looking; I mean I am looking for a Richard McNally?"

The man smiled. "Oh, that'd b-be me lass. I go by Doc though. What d'ya need?"

Deep breathe... Please, please, let him like me...

"Well, my name is Velvet Rourke. There's no easy way to say this," I started. "I-I'm your cousin Andrea's daughter and I was wondering if I could live with you?"

An hour later, the bar had been cleared out with the sudden news of a new family member. Of course, I did have to prove who I was and after Doc got over the astonishment they all settled around one of the large wooden tables.

To my surprise, the dark haired guy from earlier had stayed- along with the guy who had to be his brother. They were watching me curiously. I really hoped that we all weren't somehow related... My, how awkward that would be.

"So, you're looking to stay here?" Doc repeated for the millionth time.

I nodded. "I understand this is coming out of no where but I promise I'm not trouble and I can help you around the house or running this place," I said with a glance around the bar. "Anything you need."

"Since Doc forgot his manners, let me introduce myself," the brown-haired brother said suddenly. "I'm Connor MacManus."

I looked at him, returning a gentle smile, and shook his outstretched hand. "Velvet Rourke," I said.

"This 'ere's my brotha-"

"Murphy MacManus," the dark-haired guy I locked eyes with earlier said, laying his hand out.

I knew they had to be brothers. They didn't necessarily look alike but their mannerisms definitely were. I smiled at him, perhaps a tad more than at Connor, and shook his hand as well.

We all fell into another moment of silence.

"Can I ask how ye got that bruise on yer cheek?" Connor asked, breaking it.

I raised my hand to the sore cheek and lowered my eyes. I had tried to cover it with foundation. Damn the rain. "It's nothing," I said. I didn't want any sympathy or pity from them.

"Doesn't look like nothing, love." This from Murphy.

I finally looked at them both. I was surprised to see genuine concern in their eyes. I sighed, "Stepfather." I said just the single word. The two boys turned and both stared hard at Doc. I looked at him.

"Look, I don't want you taking me out of pity. I have other places I could go-" okay that was a lie but still… "-I just wanted to try family first."

Another silent second then, "Fuck me! I'm out of my damn mind… Alright, c-come on up, we'll get ya s-settled."

It didn't take long for a deep friendship to form between Connor, Murphy, and I. The three of us became nearly inseparable.

Everything was going smoothly until about a month before my 18th birthday. It was an ordinary Wednesday night, just after midnight. I was helping Doc clean behind the bar while Connor and Murphy chatted with the small crowd that was left form the evening's festivities. The door chimed and I looked up to see my Mother walking through the door and the profile of my stepfather right behind her.

I gasped and quickly threw myself to the side where there was a tiny close space, minus the door. Murphy had just been walking behind the bar and he laughed, "And what the hell are ye doin'? Playin' hide and seek without us?"

I looked at him and whatever he saw on my face made his smile melt off. "What's wrong?" He asked with growing concern.

It took me two tries before I got it out. "They're here. My parents are here."

Murphy swore, "Fuck."

"What's goin' on?" Connor asked, appearing behind Murphy.

"Con, her parents are here. Which ones are they?" Murphy asked, looking back at me.

"My mom was wearing red I think," I said, too scared to even turn around.

"Is that your stepfather with her?" Connor asked.

I nodded. Both boys' face darkened. Murphy turned back to her while Connor kept watch on the room. Murphy put his face close to mine and looked into my eyes. "He's not going to hurt ye again."

I shook my head, feeling on the verge of hysteria. "You can't stop him Murph. I'm not eighteen; legally they have the right to take me."

Connor spoke, "No, Velvet. We won't let them take you."

"We promise," Murphy finished.

I looked into both of their faces and saw determination. I didn't feel as confident. They laid out hands to me simultaneously. I smiled inwardly, they were so much alike. I took both their outstretched hands and they gave me a reassuring squeeze. We walked around the bar counter and only then did I look up. Mother was hugging Doc. Anthony stood next to her, scowling angrily at the room. My mom squealed when she saw me, "Velvet! We were so worried!"

I let go of the brother's hands as she pulled me into a hug. I stayed sort of stiff but I could tell she had lost a lot of weight. She was so frail. Anthony stepped up to us. Mother finally let go of me.

"You gave us a good scare young lady," Anthony said, his voice holding the edge of anger.

I was suddenly frightened so I stepped back.

"You're coming home with us now," he said determinedly.

"She ain't goin' anywhere," Connor said in a low voice.

Anthony's eyes flared with a rage that I knew all too well. Doc spoke, "I'm afraid that isn't an option. A-Andrea, Vee's happy here. She's welcome to s-stay and s-s-she helps me a lot with the bar."

"Richard please," Mother said sarcastically. "You don't know the first thing about raising a daughter!"

"And you do?" I spat. I was suddenly furious. She had no right to judge Doc. "Doc's been a better parent to me in the last six months than you have in years!"

My mother looked shocked at the outburst. I didn't care. "I'm not leaving. In a month I'll be eighteen anyways. I'm done with you!"

Anthony yelled, "Enough of your bullshit! I'm teaching you some manners as soon as we get home you little bitch-"

Connor's arms were suddenly around her. Anthony reached for me, Connor pulled me back, and Murphy met Anthony with a swift fist to the jaw. Anthony rocketed back but managed to somehow keep to his feet. Connor ushered me to Doc. I glanced at my mother, she was crying. I was too numb to cry right now. The brother's stood side by side, glaring at Anthony, daring him to make another move. He didn't, just stood there and wiped his face of blood.

"She stays," Connor said.

"Get the fuck out," Murphy said.

"Velvet please…" My mother pleaded.

"I'll take good care of her Andrea. It's time for you t-to go," Doc said.

I looked at my mother with a straight face.

"Let's go Andrea," Anthony called, already moving towards the door.

"Velvet, my baby-" Mother started again.

"No," I said shaking my head. "Step up for once mother, be strong and just let me go. I'm going to be fine here."

Still crying, she looked me over one more time before turning back to Anthony. I watched them leave. It was the last time I saw them, either of them. I stood there frozen and unable to comprehend everything. Doc rubbed my back. I looked at him. There was sorrow in his eyes. I looked away. I didn't want to cry, not about this. They didn't deserve it.

Connor and Murphy had escorted them out and they came walking back to me. I looked at Connor then looked away. Dammit, I would not cry! Murphy came and stood directly in front of me. I had no choice but to look into his eyes. He was concerned, they all were. I didn't need my mother, I had three men that would do damn near anything to keep me safe- and I had only known them six months.

The first tears began to fill my eyes.

I collapsed against Murphy's chest, giving into the emotions. Doc grabbed my hand and held it. Murphy's arms held me and Connor pressed against my back so he hugged me and his brother and Doc. My best friends and family held me while I cried out my frustrations with all that was wrong in the world.

It took some time but eventually the tears stopped. Connor stayed downstairs to help Doc finished cleaning up. Murphy helped me up to my bedroom in the living area above the bar. I still felt shaky and exhausted.

"Everything's goin' to be okay Vee," he said as we came to my doorway.

"I know," I said quietly. "Now I can move on with my life and forget that part of my past."

Murphy nodded in agreement.

I leaned against the doorway, resting my head back. "Thank you," I said.

He stepped closer to me and asked, "For what?"

"For punching Anthony… doing what I couldn't do."

"I've been wantin' to do that since the night ye came 'ere." Murphy raised his hand then and laid it gently on the side of my face, using his thumb to wipe at my moist cheeks. "It hurts to see ye cry, love…" He whispered.

I raised my gaze to look in his eyes. It was here that the feelings started to form between us. We had never spoken about the moment when I first came through the door that rainy night. Staring into his eyes, it was obvious there was potential for far more than just friendship. There was an attraction there that we both had just never experienced with anyone else before.

I raised my hand and touched his hand lightly. Slowly, he turned his hand away from my cheek and into my own until our fingers intertwined together. My heart was racing. Our eyes never broke contact. He leaned into me and I rose up on my toes slightly to meet him. Our lips brushed together in a delicate kiss. There was a pause before we met a second time with more pressure. It was slow and careful, like we were both afraid the other was going to run- or perhaps that this wonderful dream would end. My mind was rushing through thoughts... His lips were so soft and I could smell his cologne... Oh my God I was kissing Murphy!

The kiss continued gently until-

"Murphy!"

Connor's voice echoed from the stairs into the silenced hallway. We broke apart reluctantly and I leaned back against the doorway to steady my suddenly shaky legs.

"I'm comin'!" Murphy yelled back. He turned to me, licking his lips.

I took deep breathes, still disbelieving what had just happened. We shared a heated, lustful look before parting ways without another word.