AN: I'm so sorry I've been gone so long! School has been absolutely crazy lately and my English teacher is evil. I wanna thank my friends VeritasVamp and BBC for being there for me. It means a lot. With that note, enjoy the long chapter and please drop a review on your way out!

Shoutout: Thank's go to Chades for the new cover of my story!

Prayers of the Faithless

Boys at the Bar

Before you die, put in on your bucket list to go to a bar with Irishmen. You will not be disappointed.

Alana was pulling on a pair of black flats when she got the text. She had done her makeup and curled her hair into soft, warm ringlets. She had pulled on a dark purple sparkly top with a low neck along with black skinny jeans. She wasn't wearing something fancier because... this was not a date. It was a... a friendly get-together.

That's what she kept telling herself.

Still, she couldn't help the speed of her heartbeat when he phone chimed to say that she had a text message. And yes, though she'd been texting both MacManus twins for about a week now, for some reason, it felt different tonight. Just a bit.

She unlocked her phone and slid open the message box to see that she had a text from Murphy.

Hey. Be over to pick you up in 10.

Her fingers typed out a quick reply as she finished putting in an earring with one hand.

Mmkay. See you soon :)

Now all she had to do was wait for them to come get her. She'd offered to drive herself, but they'd insisted to drive, as they had been the ones to ask her to the bar. And Alana found herself okay with it, to her surprise. She hadn't expected to trust them, after all she'd been through...

She went and got a small purse that had a long shoulder strap she could loop across her chest. She didn't have much in it other than some pale pink lipstick, some money and an I.D. She wasn't planning on drinking much, if at all.

She had enough money for a few drinks, if it came up, and a taxi home, just in case something went wrong. It wouldn't have been the first time she'd been left without a ride because of something going wrong with a guy. But she had a feeling... she just knew that the MacManus' wouldn't do that. Still, a nagging voice in her head said, Be prepared.

She heard the boys' car pull into her driveway. She jumped a bit when she heard a know at her door. For a moment, she had to remind herself that it wasn't him as she went to answer it. She hid her unease, putting a smile on her face.

Opening the door relieved the twins, both smiling softly at her. They wore matching outfits, as usual, but something was slightly different. Their jeans were a dark navy, looking neater than their light blue pairs. That, combined with dark grey t-shirts gave the impression to Alana that they had actually tried to dress up, in their own way. That, and the fact that Murphy's unruly hair appeared had appeared to have been tamed by a comb.

Alana smiled warmly at them as she grabbed her jacket, shrugging it on as she stepped out to meet them. "Hey guys," she greeted. "Thanks for coming to pick me up."

"Not a problem," Connor replied.

"It's our pleasure," Murphy added.

Alana his her blush well as they walked through the cold evening to the car. Connor was driving, so Murphy took the back, allowing Alana to take shot-gun.

It was short drive to the bar, though not an uncomfortable one. Though she still had a slight feeling of unease about the place, she felt safer with the twins around. Especially when they all got out of the car and each twin took a gentle hold on either of her arms. She tried to refrain from blushing like an idiot.

Connor held the door open as the trio went inside. A roar erupted from inside the bar as the twins escorted Alana through the room. There were choruses of, "Connor! Murphy!" or of, "Murphy! Connor!" But one voice caught Alana's attention over the rest.

"B-B-Boys!" an older man called out from behind the bar. He was a short, slightly plump, sweet looking older man. He had snowy white hair and a rich Irish accent accompanied his stutter. The accent gave Alana the clue that this was a totally Irish bar.

"Doc!" the twins replied in perfect sync with each other. Alana went with them as the guided her to the bar. "How yah doin', Doc?" Connor asked.

Murphy found three seats at the bar. He pulled a chair out for Alana in the middle of the two. Connor slid into his stool to the left, leaving Murphy the right. The darker twin helped Alana get settled in her seat before claiming his own.

Doc beamed at the twins. "Good, good. Th-The bar's been f-f-full... Been missin' yah b-boys for a while... Now, enough a-a-about me. Who's the l-lovely lady y-y-yah two dragged in here?

Alana was embarrassed by the attention she was getting as Murphy playfully bumped his shoulder into hers. "This here's Alana," he introduced. "Alana, this is our old friend, Doc."

"We met her a few days ago," Connor contributed to the conversation.

Doc offered a worn-looking hand, toughened and calloused from hard work. "Pleased t-to m-m-meet yah, lass," Doc said sweetly.

Alana smiled and dipped her head modestly. "Thank you. It's nice to meet you, as well," she replied.

Doc grinned, letting her hand go. He eyes the boys with suspicion. "Are yah boy t-t-treatin' her r-right?" he asked.

Alana smirked in amusement. She saved the guys some trouble of answering up to their friend. "Yes, they are. Perfect gentlemen, in fact."

The bartender nodded. "Good. They're good Irish boys. The b-best around. N-Now, what would yah th-three like to d-drink?"

"A pint for me," Connor spouted off.

Alana looked down shyly. She wasn't a big drinker... Her voice was small, timid, and afraid of judgment. "Uh... a Coke for me, please?" Was Coke even an option here?

Doc could sense her awkwardness. He smiled sweetly at her and moved on to Murphy. The darker twin also set her at ease. "Coke for me, too, Doc." Murphy turned to her and smirked, feeling he had to explain himself to his brother. "Someone has to drive home."

Connor raised his eyebrows slightly but nodded as Doc set down his drink in front of him. He was a bit surprised. Murphy almost never opted out of a drink. But his twin was right. Someone had to drive. He sipped at his drink as Doc set down two cokes for his companions.

Alana accepted her drink with a polite nod as Doc settles down behind the bar across from her, eyes trained on her. She sipped her Coke, feeling very self-conscious. When she finished, she asked quietly, "Are you really from Ireland? Or were you born here in Boston?"

Doc grinned at the question and Alana could've sworn she'd heard Murphy's eyes roll in his skull as Connor groaned. Doc was practically bouncing with excitement, obviously happy to tell an old story to fresh ears. "Oh, aye, m'from I-I-Ireland! Just about e-e-every fella in here is! Even th-these two!" he adds, tapping the bar in front of the twins.

Alana giggled at their embarrassed expressions as she prodded further. "Oh, really?"

Doc was grinning ear to ear with his glee. "Yes, really! I kn-kn-know these two's m-mother!"

Connor had had his fill. "Easy, Doc. Let's not be talkin' about our Ma."

Alana found the term Ma to be adorable. And the way Connor said our instead of my. Murphy chimed in. "Aye, the evil woman called to torture us just a month ago."

Doc looked sternly at an abashed Murphy. "Your m-mother is a lovely w-w-woman, Murphy M-MacManus!" The stutter somehow made the gentle chastise less potent.

Murphy tried to defend himself, sounding downright indignant. "Aye, she is! But Doc, yah've never lived with her! She terrorized us growin' up!"

"Aye, she did!" Connor agree with empathy, "I don't how we lived seventeen years with her!"

Alana was a bit surprised. So young? "You two moved out at seventeen?"

"Aye," Murphy answered. "We did. Ma about threw a fit."

"She did throw a fit," Connor clarified. "The woman about screamed us to death when we told her we were goin' to America."

"Doc was our only savin' grace," Murphy credited his old friend.

Doc puffed up a little with pride. "If I hadn't p-put in a good w-w-word for 'em and told th-their mother I'd wh-watch over them sh-she'd never have let 'em go."

Alana smiled at Doc, becoming more at ease with the bar and the man. "So it's your fault I'm stuck with these two," she teased. She in no way minded Murphy or Connor.

Murphy gaped at her in mock horror. "What's this? I'm not gracin' yah with my presence?"

Connor nodded in agreement, blue eyes alight with humor. "Aye! I see how it is!"

Alana took initiative and bumped shoulders with both of the boys on either side of her. "Good. Because I totally dislike you guys."

Alana could feel Murphy vibrating with hidden laughter. Connor chuckled as well while Doc refilled their drinks, smirking at the sarcasm. "Right. So wh-why don't yah tell us a-a-about yourself, lass? Where did these two f-f-find yah?"

Alana tensed a little, being asked about herself. But... it was still about Boston and it was safe to talk about that, right? It wasn't Georgia... "Uhm, I met them at Walmart and we ran into each other again after that."

Doc nodded, easy with the conversation. "Have yah always l-lived in B-B-Boston?"

Alana tensed further, he answers shortening. "No."

"She says she's from Georgia," Connor supplied.

"Georgia?" Doc exclaimed in surprise. "What d-did yah c-c-come all the way up here for?"

She couldn't tell them. Not the whole story. What would they think of her? But she didn't want to lie, either. She settled for vague. "I... my mother and father and I don't get along anymore. So I needed to get away from there."

They boys and Doc all had looks on their faces that ranged from pity to sad to confused. Murphy put a light hand on her arm, as if to comfort her. His voice was soft, blue eyes kind. "M'sorry about that."

Alana didn't know how to react to the touch, something Murphy and Connor both noticed. Murphy removed his hand, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. She smiled, though it was a little shy and unsure. "It's fine. It's over now, so there's no point in being upset over it."

There was an unspoken agreement among the men to not push her any further about her past for the moment. Doc had other customers he had to attend to. "Excuse m-me," he said as he went to chat with some other guests.

Alana felt like she needed to pick up the conversation again, but she didn't really know how... "Uhh... so... do you guys come here often?"

Really? She internally face-plamed as the answer to her stupid question was obvious. She felt them both lighten up, though, laughing quietly at her. "Aye, we do, "Murphy answered for the both of them.

"Where is it yah usually hang out?" Connor asked curiously.

Alana shrugged and sipped on her drink. "I don't really go out much..." By much she meant never. She wasn't really an out kind of person. Even in Georgia, she'd preferred to be on her back porch in a hammock, reading a book.

"Well, you're more than welcome to come hang out with us again," Murphy offered. "It's nice to have some company other than my idjit brother." Connor reached behind Alana and smacked Murphy on the back of his head in response. The darker twin jumped a little, yelping with surprise. He glared at his twin. "You're gonna get it later, Connor."

Connor smirked. "We'll see about that... baby brother..."

Murphy's ears turned pink in embarrassment, much to Alana's amusement. "I'm the oldest, and yah know it, Connor!"

Connor was about to argue back when Alan cut into their banter, utterly confused. "Wait, wait, you two don't know who's older?"

Murphy grinned wryly. "Not officially. Ma won't tell us, but she gives us hints. Hints Connor won't accept."

Connor was indignant, eyes wide. "I already told yah, I had ice on mine!"

Murphy chuckled, a rich, happy sound. "Excuses, excuses."

Alana had an idea of what Connor'd had ice on... He could tell by the small curve of her mouth as he read her expression. Connor turned red in a blush. "Yah just shut your hole, Murph..."

"Whatever yah say... little brother...," Murphy snipped one last time before finishing his drink. He jolted again when a hand once more smacked the back of his head. He stuck his tongue out at Connor, not wanting to embarrass him any more.

Alana found their banter to be adorable. Her family had never been as affectionate as these two. It was something she longed for. Something she craved. She jumped a little when she felt a gentle hand on her arm.

"Sorry," Connor apologized. "I asked if yah were havin' a good time tonight."

"Oh," Alana said quietly. She'd zoned out... "Uh, yes, this has been really fun. I'm glad I came out." And she really meant it. Tonight had felt... right.

Murphy grinned at her. "God! Well, then we'll have to do it again sometime. But, as much I hate to say it, it's getting late and Boston isn't the safest place for a lady at night. Connor and I would be bad to keep yah out any later."

Alana checked her phone. It was 8;47. Murphy was right... But she was reluctant for the night to end. She stood, pulling money out for her drink. Connor put more than enough to cover all three of them, stopping her. She felt like a mooch. "I can pay for it, Connor."

Connor smiled, snorting playfully. "We asked yah out, so we'll be payin'."

Murphy held her jacket out for her to slide into. He noticed how thin it was. "Don't yah have somethin' heavier than this? S'gettin' cold out at night. Winter just started."

Alana fed her arms through her jacket with a grateful nod. "No, I don't. Winter was never this cold in Georgia."

Murphy frowned. He shrugged off his own black pea coat as Connor said his goodbyes with Doc, putting it around her shoulders. Alana was startled as she moved to give it back. "I can't take this. You're in a t-shirt. I'll be fine."

Murphy placed a firm but gentle hand on her shoulder to stop her. He felt her tense under his touch and lifted his hand back slowly. "M'used to the cold. I've been livin' here longer. Yah take the coat."

Alana did as asked and slipped her arms through the big sleeves of the black coat. It was a little too big for her, but it felt... right. Warm. She kept her eyes on the ground, a blush creeping on to her face. "Thank you, Murphy."

He grinned at her, happy she'd kept it it on. "Of course."

Connor finished up with Doc. He joined Murphy and Alana at the door of the bar, taking notice of his twin's bare arms, though he said nothing of it. The three braved the cold as they trudged through the slick parking lot to the car. To Murphy's credit, his teeth didn't even chatter as he slipped into the back seat. Alana wanted to give the coat back then, but she knew he'd just have her wearing it again as they walked her to her door.

Stubborn Irish...

The car warmed up quickly, as small as it was, and Alana sat comfortably warm as Connor drove her home. He pulled into her driveway and parked, both twins getting out of the car to walk Alana to her door. Though their solid forms guided her safely to her home, she couldn't help but look around, eyes darting around the shadows in search of him.

She unlocked her door and went in, turning to face the boys. It had gone... badly... the last time that she'd let someone in... But these boys... They just radiated warmth and kindness. She just knew that she could trust them to a certain extent... as friends... that they wouldn't harm her. But still...

"Uh... thank you, guys. I had a great time tonight," she told them.

Connor smiled. "That's great, lass. Now, Murph, let's get home so I can use the bathroom," he mumbled the last half to his twin.

"You could use mine if you want," Alana offered the blond twin. She stepped aside to allow them entrance, of which, Connor took eagerly.

"Ahh, thank yah, lass! Point me the way," Connor said.

Alana pointed down her short hallway, of which there were four doors. Her bedroom, the far right, the guest room, the far left. Also on the left was the laundry room, which was across from the bathroom. She aimed her finger towards the closer door. "There."

Connor was gone in a flash, leaving Alana alone with Murphy, who was still standing on her porch. She held the door wider, inviting the still coatless Irishmen inside. "Come on in, Murphy. It's cold out."

The darker brother entered her home slowly, very respectful of her space. He'd seen the confliction on her face when she'd been debating to let them in. He was very quiet and calm, something Murphy usually isn't good at.

Alana suddenly felt awkward, just standing there with him in silence. Murphy came off as very loveable, almost like a puppy, affectionate and loyal. But she sensed power in him, something that intimidated her. She remembered that she was wearing his coat and slipped it off of her shoulders and held it out to him. "Uhm, here. Thank you. It was warm."

Murphy took it with a soft smirk of happiness, glad to have been able to do something good for her. "Any time, lass."

Alana was about to offer him a cup of cocoa when her phone kicked on. The old land line buzzed with an incoming voice message sounding over the speaker. Alana tensed when she recognized it as his smooth, slithering tone. He sounded angry... Threatening...

"Alana... sweetheart... it's me... You haven't answered your phone... you're ignoring my texts... I'm getting annoyed, baby... You didn't stop to speak to me yesterday when I came to see you... But you won't be able to ignore me forever, darling. That's a promise."

Murphy's clear blue eyes narrowed at the wording of the messages. He looked to his brother coming from down the hall who wore the same expression of concern. Connor had caught the end of the message. Murphy could tell. As his twin joined his side, he looked to Alana, who seemed embarrassed to meet his gaze. "Who was that?" he asked.

Alana blushed. She was so embarrassed that they'd heard the message... They both looked upset... She knew they'd want to go now, and that due to her crazy stalker they'd probably never ask to see her again... Blushing profusely, she answered Murphy. "That's Jason... Jace... my ex. He... doesn't quite understand the 'ex' part..."

"Does he always leave messages like that?" Connor asked, eye narrowed. He didn't like the threat in the man's voice...

Alana shrugged. "Sometimes... he does this sometimes. I blocked him on my cell phone, but I can't on the house..." She decided to be honest with them. Totally honest. Maybe they wouldn't run away from her... Like everyone else did... "He shows up sometimes here when I'm coming home... He won't leave me alone..."

Connor and Murphy looked to each other. Neither of them liked the sound of that. What if that man went too far one day and hurt her? Murphy spoke for the both of them. "Alana, if this guy keeps bothering yah, yah should let us know. We don't want yah gettin' hurt..."

Alana blanks. Never had anyone who's she'd tried to befriend in this town before had ever offered anything comforting to her. They left her, never to call again, and Alana was alone. But Murphy... had he just offered support from both of them? It was a kind gesture but... she couldn't have them getting hurt... "Murphy, Jace is a little intense... It could go badly if you-"

"I'll be fine. We've been in bar fights since we were thirteen, and before that we were fightin' each other. We can handle ourselves, lass," Murphy tried to assure her. And so she let him.

She nodded with a small smile. The boys moved more towards the door, feeling that the night was done. She held the door for them, the house suddenly feeling colder with them on her front step. She didn't want them to go... But she'd had fun. She'd hold onto that. "Could you guys give me a call when you get home so that I know you made it there safe?"

Connor smiled at her thoughtfulness. He nodded, blond spikes bouncing slightly. Aye, we could manage that," he teased. "We'll talk to yah soon, Alana."

She grinned at that, trying to keep the blush off her face. She was glad they'd at least call again. It was good to know. Murphy waved to her as he got inside and Connor offered a nod as he pulled out and drove off. Alana closed her door and locked every lock before she went to her room.

She spent the next half hour drawing out getting on PJ's, which were flannel pants and a tank top, brushing her teeth, washing her face and getting into bed, plugging in her phone. She wouldn't sleep until she got their call...

Which came five minutes later. Her hand hit the answer button of its own accord and she was speaking with a groggy voice. "Hello?"

Murphy's chuckle came from across the line, waking her up instantly. "Hello, lass. Just callin' like yah asked to let yah know that Connor and I got home alright."

Alana rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Oh, okay. That's good. You going to bed then?"

"Aye, in a little bit," Murphy confirmed. "But... I was curious before I went... Would yah maybe like to come over tomorrow around six for a movie night with us? Yah can pick the movie if yah'd like..."

Was it because she was half asleep or did Murphy sound... hopeful...? My heart sped up and I was suddenly more awake. "Uh... Yeah, I'd like that." She hoped he couldn't hear the goofy grin in her voice.

Murphy sounded happy. "Great! Con will pick yah up tomorrow then?"

"Yeah, sounds great," she agreed. "I'll text you in the morning, okay?"

"Alright, Alana. I had fun tonight. Goodnight, lass."

"Me too. Goodnight, Murphy. Bye..." Alana hung up and fell to her back, a goofy grin on her lips, eyes closed as she pulled the covers over her. She noted they didn't seem as warm as Murphy's coat had...

They had called. They wanted to see her again. They weren't running away.

They weren't running away like everyone else had.

Including Alana.