I woke up and heard banging and shouting. "Maggie! Open the door!" I rolled out of bed and fumbled with the dead bolt. At last I got it unlocked and opened the door. The sight that greeted me made me gasp; Murphy being supported between Connor and his Da.

I quickly stepped aside and let them pass. "Just put him on the pull out." I ran into the kitchen and grabbed the first aid kit from the cupboard along with the bottle of alcohol I used on their cuts and scrapes. Back in the living room Connor had already removed Murphy's shirt by ripping it. His left shoulder was exposed revealing a gunshot wound. His breathing was ragged, his face pale and sweaty. His eyes briefly connected with my own before he closed them in pain.

"Luckily it went all the way through so we won't have to dig it out." Connor took the alcohol bottle from me yanked the top off with his teeth. He poured some over both sides the wound, causing Murphy to hiss.

"Da…"

"Aye, Murphy?"

"Get her out of here." Murphy rolled his head back, his jaw clenched

Da made his way toward me, and I shook my head. "No I'm not leaving him like this."

"Maggie he'll be fine. He's survived worse. Right now I need ya to go and put the iron on the stove." Da leaned down so he directly in my line of site. "Do ya understand."

I nodded. "Iron on stove, got it. Why?"

"We're going to have to cauterize the wound."

"Oh Lord."

"Maggie, do it, and then I want you to go into the bathroom and stay in there."

"But…"

"Maggie I'm not asking for ya, I'm asking for Murphy."

I looked past him at Murphy who caught my eyes again. I saw him mouth "please" and I nodded. I went into the kitchen, turned on the stove and placed the iron on top. I then went into the bathroom and huddle in the bottom of the shower with my ears covered. It wasn't long before I heard the groans of pain coming through the door. I closed my eyes tight and prayed as hard as I could. I was no where near as religious as the McManus men were, despite all their foul mouthed swearing. But I did go to mass with them and in cases such as these I did pray. I clutched my small cross in the palm of my hand and recited every prayer I had learned and even a few I made up on the spot.

The door to the bathroom opened and Connor stared at me his face tired.

"Is he alright?"

"He'll be fine. He's sleeping now." Connor slid into a heap on the floor. "It was supposed to be an easy hit. Just three guys." His eyes went blank. "But there were two more coming, and they came late. They surprised us. We got them both, but not before they got Murphy."

I crawled over next to him and pulled him into a hug. "Shh, it's all right. It's over and you said he's going to be fine." This was first time either of them had ever actually spoken about what they did.

"But for how much longer. How long till one of us doesn't come back? How many more do we have to kill before it's enough, before it's over?" Sobs wracked his body and he buried his face into my shoulder. I just held him. Da came over and gave me a nod. He walked over place a hand on Murphy's head and then went out the door. I sat with Connor till he had calmed. I then pulled him up and with one arm around his waist and the other holding his arm around my shoulders I took him to the bedroom and lay him into bed.

He tried to protest but I shushed him. "You need sleep. I'll watch over Murphy and clean up." Pulling the covers over him I kissed his forehead. "You and Murphy saved me once from myself. Let me do this."

As I turned to leave he grabbed my hand. "Neither of us deserves ya. But he does care for ya. And I know ya love him. Why won't ya admit it?"

"How long have you known?"

"Since that first night."

I gave him a sad smile. "Heavy sleeper indeed."

"Well I didn't know what had passed between the two of ya. I just knew ya wouldn't resolve it in my bed. I must say I'm getting sick of watching the two of you dance around each other."

"I'm not that brave Connor."

"Ya were brave enough to leave a life you hated to start a new one. And ya were brave enough to stick it out with us even when you learned what we are. You're brave enough to do this. I'm not saying ya have to fuck him…"

"Connor!"

"… but ya have to tell him and soon."

"Go to sleep Connor."

He closed his eyes and let go of my hand. I turned off the light and closed the door. I started by cleaning and putting away the first aid kit and then the bloodied pieces of cloth. I put those in a box to be burned later. I very carefully crawled back onto the sofa bed in an effort not to disturb Murphy's sleep. I gently curled up against his good arm and whispering one last prayer I drifted off.