Connor and Murphy pulled up to the curb outside the house after taking out a pair of thieves that had been knocking over gas stations in the area. It had been one of their less messy pursuits, not a speck of blood on either of their freshly-cleaned pea coats. Even their leather gloves were unusually free of grime. They were grateful for the little blessings because that day was particularly cold, and blood-free clothing meant there was no need to pull them off before leaving the car.
When they finally worked up the courage to breech that cold day, the brothers stepped out of the car. They were halfway up the walk when Jayne came out of the front door, all bundled up with the dogs on their leashes before her. The pups yipped happily at the twins, dragging Jayne quicker toward them.
"You're home," she beamed, kissing Connor's cheek before pressing her lips firmly to Murphy's.
He kissed her back, smiling as their mingled breath fogged around them. "Where were ye off ta?"
"Thought the dogs could use a walk in the park," she answered. "That backyard is getting too small for them to run around in. Did you want to come with me?"
"Aye," Murphy nodded, taking one of the leashes as his other arm wrapped around her waist.
"Ye were complainin' about how cold it was not ten minutes ago," Connor smirked at his brother.
Murphy smiled back. "True, but then I seen this lass and it warmed me quite a bit."
Connor laughed heartily. "Alright, ye two, go on then. Keep each other warm."
"Ye know we will," Murphy assured, patting his brother's shoulder before starting to walk Jayne toward the sidewalk.
"Oh, Connor," she called back. "I left some food for you on the counter in case you're hungry."
Connor waved in appreciation, watching them a moment longer before continuing to the house. It was toasty warm inside, and quiet for a change. The place smelled like fried chicken, which made Connor smile knowing that Jayne had taken the time to cook. She had been practically running the bakery for the last week, but she somehow managed to take care of the brothers and the dogs and the house. She was nothing but a ball of caring energy. He could see why his brother was so in love with her.
Pulling off his gloves, he started stuffing them in his coat pockets when he saw that the guest bedroom door was open. He swallowed at the lump in his throat as he walked over and pushed the door open a bit wider. His eyes fell on the dark spot in the carpet. Even though it wasn't as bad as it started, everyone knew it would never be completely gone. Just looking at it made Connor flashback to that night.
Julie's blood had been seeping through his fingers as he held her on his lap. She had gone completely limp, and it wasn't until Murphy had touched his shoulder that he snapped into action. He carried Julie's body to the car, Jayne riding along with him to keep pressure on the wound even though she was crying so hard she could barely see. Murphy stayed behind to deal with Tony's body, taking it to the night's previous crime scene with the other dead bodies.
The emergency room doctors had to pry Julie from Connor's arms. Once the weight had left him, he and Jayne were herded into the waiting room by the nurses. He collapsed into a chair, jamming his shaky hands through his hair, not caring that his fingers were coated in Julie's blood. Murphy showed up sometime later, a still-crying Jayne rushing into his arms. She voiced concerns about the cops showing up, but Murphy assured that they would have their hands busy with something else. He moved over to Connor, wrapping an arm around his brother. Connor gripped him tightly, pulling Jayne in as all three pressed their heads together for comfort. They looked up just in time to see the doctor come walking into the waiting room. The look on the man's face made Connor's heart sink and he did his best not to cry…
"Connor-kun!"
Blinking, Connor shook off his thoughts about that night. He turned his face to see Julie's head leaning out of her bedroom door, smiling shyly. A broad grin spread his lips as he looked at her. Her hand appeared from the doorway, one finger beckoning him closer. He knew she had been restless since being patched up and discharged from the hospital. The doctors had put her on bed rest for a week, but Julie was too stubborn to listen, just like when he and Murphy had first brought her home. Most nights, Connor wound up having to carry her to her bedroom before she became too weak. There were no complaints from him though. He took the moments to brush his fingers across her face and hair and shoulders as she lie in bed looking up at him. Several times he would chuckle at her and tell her how glad he was that she was so stubborn, it was probably what saved her life that night. One time, she had looked into his eyes, poised to say something, but he had pressed his lips to hers, stealing away whatever she might have said.
"What'd I tell ye about callin' me that," he chided playfully, walking down toward her.
"You said not in public," she replied, rolling her eyes a little, smile growing. "But we're all alone now. The dogs aren't even here to tease you for it."
"Right," he nodded slightly, still smiling brightly as he moved closer.
"Speaking of which," Julie remarked, smile becoming coy as she stepped around the door jamb to give a full view of herself.
Connor paused less than a foot away from her, eyes widening as his breath caught in his throat. Her brown hair was down all around her face and shoulders, off-set with the silky, red robe she was wearing, no doubt something Jayne had let her borrow. It was open slightly, revealing bare skin and lacy material. But along the right side of her stomach, he caught a glimpse of gauze and surgical tape.
"Shouldn't ye still be restin', love," he said hoarsely, clearing his throat.
Julie looked down at the floor a bit bashful. "It was only a bad graze, Connor. The doctor today said that anything short of heavy lifting, I'd be okay. He even said I could go back to work soon if I wanted. I think kissing me is covered."
"Aye," Connor sighed softly. "But what if I wanted ta do more than just kiss ye?"
Her heartbeat quickened as she bit her lower lip and ran her fingers over his soft wool sweater. "Then you'll just have to go slow and be very gentle with me."
Julie felt him shiver beneath her hand, just as his fingers moved across her cheeks. She looked up at his face, his adoring blue eyes with a smirk playing on his lips.
"Julie," he began, leaning down toward her. She raised a little on her toes until they shared the same breath, his hand cupping her cheek while he gave a slight shake of his head. "There'd be no other way fer me ta have ye."
Connor's lips were on hers then, making her moan gently in excitement. Her hands pressed against his chest so she could lean up further for a deeper kiss. An answering groan came from his throat as she started to slide the pea coat off of his shoulders. His hands dropped from her long enough to get the coat off before they grabbed her closer. Twisting downward, Connor scooped her up off the ground. Julie gave a playful squeal of surprise and delight as he carried her into her bedroom and kicked the door closed behind him.
Standing her up on the floor again, he sat on the edge of the bed and gently pulled her between his knees. Connor craned his neck slightly to look up into her eyes, her soft smile making him shiver again as she leaned down to kiss him, her hands cupping his face. Julie felt his fingers slide over her skin before brushing the robe down her shoulders and onto the floor. His lips moved to her neck as he worked on removing her bra while she undid his shoulder holster and lowered it gently to the ground. Then she tugged at his sweater until he leaned back and peeled it off.
"Ich liebe dich, meine suße Engel," he whispered against her collarbone as her fingers ran through his hair. "I love ye."
She was about to respond when he leaned back on the bed, pulling her along with him so that she straddled his waist. His rough hands skimmed over her back while he held her close, his kisses hot and hungry like he couldn't get enough of her taste. Kicking off his shoes, he slid them further onto the bed before rolling Julie onto her back so that he leaned over her.
Connor's kisses trailed down her neck and chest, tongue and teeth teasing along her breasts and making her sigh in delight. She started to moan and squirm a bit when his lips and fingers found their way between her legs. He held her hips gently as he explored, delighting in the soft sounds she made. Her hands gripped the pillows near her head as tingles started to roll across her skin. Then without warning, it had stopped.
Opening her eyes, Julie saw Connor crawling up between her legs again, a grin on his face. She glared up at him a bit, and accused breathlessly "Tease."
"I've wanted ye fer a long time, Julie," he smiled gently, brushing his lips over the side of her face. "Ye can't blame me for wantin' it ta last."
Her fingers snaked through his hair, pulling him down for another kiss. He held himself over her on his elbows to keep from putting his full weight on her, which gave her enough room to slide a hand down his chest to fumble with his belt buckle.
Connor moaned against her lips before pulling away, taking a moment to catch his breath as his skin nearly trembled against her touch. "Are ye sure, Julie?"
"I want you, Connor," she said softly, fingers brushing down his neck as she blushed. "You're everything I've ever wanted. I love you."
Julie didn't think she had ever seen Connor's face light up quite as brightly as it did then. It turned to pure smugness as he kissed her again, sliding his jeans off. She broke the kiss as he started to slide into her slowly, back arching a little at the pain. He buried his face against her neck, whispering curses as he held himself back, trying not to hurt her. He paused when she gave an excruciating hiss.
"D'ye want me ta stop," he whispered shakily against her ear.
She shook her head slightly, gripping his back as she moaned softly "No."
He began a gentle rolling motion of his hips, grinding into her slowly. His lips were upon hers again as he kept a steady pace. The tingling sensations went through Julie again, leaving her almost breathless, and she raised her hips to meet Connor's harder, urging him on. With a pleasured groan, his lips left her and ran down her neck to nibble the skin there. She started to moan gently as each roll of his hips became more ardent, until finally all the built up pleasure spilled out of her in an ecstatic cry. Connor's breath caught, his whole body tensing under her fingers before he cried out as well, low and breathy against her neck.
"Christ, Julie," he whispered softly once he had caught his breathe. He leaned back over her, looking down into her flushed face and smoothing back sweat-slick strands of her hair. "Ye're amazin'."
"Not so bad yourself, Conn," she smiled sleepily at him, brushing her fingers over his shoulders.
He chuckled lightly, rolling onto his side and pulling her against his chest. "Told ye I'd give ye the same pleasure ye give me. I'm nothin' if not a man a me word."
"Better than my romance novel, I'll give you that," she smiled against his neck where she kissed the Virgin Mary tattoo, delighting in the symbolism.
Connor shivered a little beneath her lips, nuzzling his to her forehead. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Julie pressed closer to him as he threw a cover over them. Her fingers trailed over the scar just above his heart, brushing her lips over it like she had been wanting to do for so long. Then she whispered softly "Ich liebe dich, mein irische Herz."
He wrapped his arms tighter around her, smiling as she dosed off against him. But is wasn't long after, when he had started to dose himself, that Connor felt her fingers run gently over his back, and a shiver went up his spine as Julie started to do a little exploring of her own.
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Minor translations, if you didn't already know them…Ich liebe dich, meine suße Engel…meine irische Herz – I love you, my sweet angel… my Irish heart.
A/N: Were you guys surprised to see Julie? I know I was… but I hate sad endings anyway, so I'm fine with it. There's just two more chapters guys! I know most of you were just waiting around to see Connor and Julie finally… um, well, you know. But now that that's over, hopefully you'll stay for the final two. They'll be dozeys!