A/N: WARNING: There is some abuse in a dream at the end of the chapter.

September

Dorothy opened the door after she had looked through the peephole and Murphy and Connor smiled at her. They were wearing their work boots, dark jeans, black sweaters and their black Navy pea coats.

"Good evening," Dorothy said after she opened the door.

"Good evenin'," Connor said and Murphy nodded his head. She moved back as they walked by her and Louisa carefully stood up. Connor walked to Louisa when he leaned in to kiss her cheek and she smiled. "Hey, Lou."

"Hey, Connor," Louisa asked. She turned to face Murphy as Murphy placed his hands behind his back and she frowned. "Where's Murphy?"

"I'm here," Murphy said, walking to her and he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

"I'm afraid we already ate dinner," Dorothy said. The twins had been over for dinner nearly every night and Dorothy silently admitted she enjoyed their company.

"That's ok," Connor said, standing next to Louisa. "We jus' came over t'ask if it's alright t'take Lou out fer a bit."

"You both know I cannot allow that."

"Oh, come on! It's been a month since you moved in! You gotta be tired of lookin' at th'same four walls all day!"

"Aye," Murphy said and they gave her sad puppy eyes. Louisa tried her best to give her the same look and Dorothy sighed, rubbing her eyes with her finger and thumb.

"No. I will not give in," Dorothy thought then she saw the twins sticking out their lower lips and she felt her resolve fading.

"Hold on," Connor said as he stood a little straighter. "What if you come with us?"

"Aye, you can be our… Uh….," Murphy said as he tried to figure out what he wanted to say.

"Chaperone," Louisa said and he smiled.

"Aye! Chaperone!"

"Please!?" Connor pleaded.

Dorothy felt like she was losing ground as she nodded and the twins hugged her.

"Where are we going?" Louisa asked while Dorothy went to get their coats and Connor lightly nudged Murphy.

"It's a surprise," Connor said while Murphy helped Louisa on with her coat. She reached down for the metal leash after Dixon walked to her and Dorothy placed her own coat on.

"Uh, Connor, do you think we can bring Dix?" Murphy asked, looking at the dog.

"Well, seein' how he's her seein' eye dog. Aye, I think so."

Murphy gently placed his hand against Louisa's lower back while Dorothy opened the door and he led Louisa and Dixon toward the doorway. Dorothy followed them out into the hallway as Connor closed the door after he left the apartment and they headed for the elevator.

McGinty's

The doors opened while the sound of music, laughter and talking filled the air and Connor held the door open for Dorothy. She quickly looked around as she sighed and Connor gave her a wink.

"Where are we?" Louisa asked as she held onto Murphy's right arm.

"McGinty's," Murphy said.

"Oh."

"Is it always this…busy?" Dorothy asked.

"Nah. This is a slow night," Connor said and he led them to one of the booths. Dorothy slid in to the back of the booth while Murphy helped Louisa sit down and Dixon sat next to the booth. Connor headed for the bar when he saw David Rocco and Rocco gave him a smile.

"Hey, Connor," Rocco said.

"Hey, Roc."

"Who are those women? One of them looks old enough to be your mom."

"Hey, my ma doesn't look that old."

"Sorry. Who are they?"

"Th'young lady is an old friend and that's her nurse."

"Nurse?"

"She's blind."

"The nurse?"

"No. Her," he said, pointing to Louisa.

"That explains the dog," Rocco said, nodding his head. "Where did you meet them?"

"They're our new neighbors," Connor said while Doc walked over and the old man smiled at them.

"G-g-good evenin', lad," Doc said.

"Good evenin', Doc."

"Hey, Doc, looks like Connor and Murphy have company," Rocco said and Doc looked at Louisa and Dorothy.

"Isn't sh-she a little old fer y-you? Shit," Doc said while he looked at Connor and Connor rolled his eyes.

"She not my date. She's her nurse," Connor said with a sigh. "Can we get some beers an' summat t'eat?"

"Aye. Shit. Fuck," Doc said as he walked away and Rocco noticed Murphy was whispering something to Louisa and she laughed.

"Damn. Murphy's really into her," Rocco said and Connor looked at them.

"Aye. She an' Murph go way back," Connor said.

"How come he's never mentioned her before?"

"Have you told us about all your girlfriends?"

"No, but none of my old girlfriends looked like that."

Connor smiled while Doc brought over a tray with glasses of beer, some bowls of stew, some spoons and napkins on top and Connor paid him. Connor picked up the tray while he and Rocco walked over to the booth and Rocco saw the cold look Dorothy was giving him.

"Who is this?" she asked.

"This is our friend, Rocco," Connor said, placing the tray down on the table and Rocco scooted onto the seat and sat next to Murphy.

"You can call me "David" if you want," Rocco said with a grin.

"Hello, Rocco. I'm Louisa," Louisa said.

"Pleased to meet you, Louisa," he said as he held his right hand out and Murphy arched an eyebrow as he frowned. "Oh. Fuck. Sorry."

"That's ok," she said as she held out her right hand and Rocco stood up enough to reach for her hand. They shook hands as he sat back down and Connor slid in to sit next to Dorothy.

"This is her nurse, Dorothy, and the dog's name's "Dixon"," Murphy said and Rocco nodded his head. Connor passed out the bottles of beer, the bowls of stew, the spoons and the napkins and Rocco watched Murphy help Louisa find the spoon. Rocco cleared his throat from the "Stop starin'!" look Murphy gave him and Rocco leaned back against the cushion.

"So, Lou… Can I call you that?" Rocco asked.

"Sure," Louisa said with a nod.

"How did you meet these guys?"

Connor, Murphy and Louisa took turns telling him while they ate and Rocco noticed the slight smile on Murphy's face when he looked at Louisa.

"Damn. That sounds like one of those movies where a boy meets a girl during summer vacation, they break up then, years later, they meet up again," he said.

"And what is wrong with that?" Dorothy asked.

"It's not fucking realistic. Stuff like that doesn't… Ow!" he said when Connor kicked his shin and Rocco frowned. "Why the hell did you do that for?!"

Connor glanced over at Murphy and Louisa as Rocco looked at them then he sighed.

"Anyway," Rocco said as he tried to change the subject and he placed his forearms on the table while looking at Louisa. "You're from New York?"

"Born and raised," Louisa said while she reached for the beer bottle and Murphy guided her hand toward it. Murphy saw the frustration in her eyes as he moved his hand away and she picked up the beer bottle, taking a drink.

"Me, too," Rocco said with a grin. "So, uh, what were you doing before you…? Before…?"

"Before I went blind?"

"Yeah," he said, nodding his head.

"I was a photographer."

"You mean like wedding photos and shit like that?"

"That's how I got my start. Then a friend of mine, who owned a small gallery, said I should show off my work. One thing led to another and, well, I was getting offers from art, travel and nature magazines."

"Where's your favorite place to go?"

"I love going to Scotland, England, Wales and…Ireland," she said, sliding her right hand toward Murphy's hand and he placed his left hand on top of hers.

"If I could go anywhere…," Ricco said as he paused to take a drink and he placed the bottle on the table. "I'd like to go to Texas."

"Why?"

"I'm a bit of a Wild West fan. Y'know… The Duke. Wyatt Earp. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."

"I did a photo shoot at the Alamo once," she said and Rocco had her attention as she told him about the shoot.

"Damn. Wish I could see… Uh…"

"Rocco, it's ok to use that word," she said with a grin and he laughed.

The rest of the night consisted of small talk, eating and drinking beer as Dorothy watched Louisa's interaction with the twins and Rocco and she noticed how at ease Louisa was.

"Uh…," Louisa said.

"What's wrong?" Murphy asked.

"I have to go to the bathroom."

"Does this place have a lady's room?" Dorothy asked.

"Aye," Connor said as he moved to get out of the booth and Dorothy followed him. Dorothy helped Louisa stand as Dixon gently bumped against Louisa's right left and Louisa reached down for the metal leash. Doc had noticed them as he quickly walked to the booth and Dorothy noticed he looked a little nervous.

"D-d-d-do you need s-s-some help?" Doc asked.

"Aye, the ladies need t'use th'bathroom," Connor said.

"F-follow me. Shit. Fuck."

Dorothy saw how he suddenly became embarrassed as she nodded and he sighed.

"I d-do apologize," he said, lowering his head.

"There is no need," she said, softly. She had experience working with people with Turrets and he gave her a tiny grin. They headed for the restrooms as Connor sat down and Rocco looked at Murphy.

"So, are you gonna ask Lou out?" Rocco asked.

"No," Murphy said, sipping on the beer.

"Why not?! She's beautiful!"

"She's also under guard," Connor said.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Dorothy. We're not sure, but she's more than jus' Lou's nurse," Murphy said.

"So, what, is Lou in some sort of witness protection program or something?"

"Dunno," Connor said.

"But, if she was available, would you ask her out?" Rocco asked, looking at Murphy.

"Nah," Murphy said, shaking his head. "She might already have a boyfriend. Even if she didn't, I don't see her wantin' someone like me."

"What does that mean?"

"It means drop it," Murphy snapped as he took a long drink of beer. Shrugging, Connor and Rocco started eating the rest of the stew and Murphy sighed, placing the glass on the table.

A few minutes later, Dorothy and Louisa returned to the table as Rocco and Connor stood to allow them to sit then they sat down.

"Did you remember t'wash your hands?" Connor teased and Louisa laughed.

"Yes," Louisa said when her face became serious and she sighed.

"What's wrong?" Rocco asked.

"It's nothing."

"Are you getting tired?" Dorothy asked.

"No," she said with a shake of her head. "Do you remember when we first moved here? I asked you what our neighbors looked like."

"I remember."

"Well, I'm still wondering," she said and she turned her head toward where she though Murphy was. "I mean… It's been ten years."

"Who do you want me to describe first?"

"Whoa. Wait. I remember seeing something on tv once. This blind guy used his fingers and hands to help him figure out what someone looked like," Rocco said.

"I was taught how to do that at the rehab hospital, but I never felt comfortable doing that," Louisa said as her sightless eyes met Murphy's eyes. "Unless you want me to."

"Go ahead," Murphy said. He turned to face her as she reached her hands toward his face and her fingers touched his eyebrows.

"Keep your face blank," she said. He silently admitted he liked the feeling of her fingers moving over his face as her thumb lightly stroked the small mole near his left nostril then her fingers stroked the mole on his left cheek and she smiled. He closed his eyes as her fingers brushed against his eyelids and eyebrows then he opened his eyes. Her fingers moved long his jawline then outlined his ears and he felt a cool shiver moving through him. He lowered his head so she could move her fingers through his hair then he lifted his head and she sat back.

"Well?" he asked.

"Your cheeks aren't as round as they used to be and your hair's a lot shorter."

"But I still look th'same? I mean…"

"Aye, you're still a handsome lad," she teased and Connor saw the blush moving over Murphy's cheeks. Murphy reached his leg under the table when he lightly kicked Connor's leg and Connor yelped. "Connor, are you ok?"

"Aye," Connor said.

"It's your turn."

Dorothy stood as Connor got out of the booth while Murphy moved so Connor could sit next to Louisa and Connor sat down. Murphy went to sit next to Dorothy when Connor turned to face Louisa and she placed her fingers on his face. She moved her fingers as he kept his face blank and she blinked her eyes a few times. He closed his eyes as her fingers brushed against his eyelids and eyebrows and he opened his eyes. Her fingers moved along his jawline and outlined his ears and he lowered his head so she could move her fingers through his hair.

"Well?" Connor asked, lifting his head up.

"Your face is a little longer and, like Murphy, your hair's a lot shorter."

"But I still look th'same?"

"Yes," she said and he smiled. "Where's Rocco?"

"I'm behind you," Rocco said and she carefully turned to face him. She reached her hands out toward his face when she smiled while her fingers moved over his beard.

"Nice beard," she said and he softly laughed. She moved her fingers over his face and through his hair and her eyebrows arched up a little. "You're a good-looking guy."

"Thanks," he said with a smile. The rest of the night was filled with small talk when Louisa yawned and she leaned toward Connor.

"Ah, it looks like someone's ready fer bed," Connor teased and she shook her head.

"I'm good," Louisa said.

"No, it's late," Dorothy said and Louisa frowned.

"Yeah. I gotta get home," Rocco said.

"Fine," Louisa sighed and he leaned over to kiss her cheek. They slid out of the booth as they said goodnight to Doc and he gave them a wave. Rocco headed for the door when he left while Connor picked up the metal leash and Dixon stood. Murphy held onto Louisa's arm as they walked outside after Dorothy opened the door and Louisa leaned her head against his upper right arm. Murphy moved his arm so she was leaning against his side and they headed down the sidewalk.

Connor placed the dishes in the cupboard while Murphy placed the metal leash on the hook by the door and Dorothy helped Louisa into bed. Dorothy watched Murphy kneeling on the floor while he ruffled Dixon's fur and the dog wagged its tail. Dixon walked to the dog bed as the dog settled down and Murphy stood. He walked to the sink near the toilet as he used soap and water to wash his hands and he saw Dorothy watching him in the mirror.

"Is she asleep?" Murphy asked.

"Yes," Dorothy said, looking down at Louisa.

"Guess we wore her out," Connor said, placing the last glass in the cabinet, closing the door.

"Aye, I think we did," Murphy said as he walked to his twin.

"Then I guess we best be goin'."

Dorothy watched them head for the door while Connor opened the door then they turned to look at her.

"G'night, Dorothy," Connor said.

"Night, Dorothy," Murphy said.

"Good night. And thank you for a nice evening," Dorothy said.

"You're welcome," Connor said. They left the apartment as Murphy closed the door and Dorothy smiled. She walked to the dresser when she opened the drawer and she removed the laptop. She walked to the round table when she placed the laptop on the table, sat down and she opened the laptop. She pushed the power button as she waited for the laptop to power up then she looked at the screen. She opened the email file as she looked at the emails then she saw IRISH ROSE. She clicked on the email as she looked at the screen and she pressed her lips into a thin line.

Is she safe? Has anything happened?

She had written full reports over the last month, but she never mentioned the twins. She knew she and Louisa would be relocated if she said anything and she dreaded the idea of separating Louisa from Murphy and Connor. She moved her fingers over the keyboard then she sent the email and she sat back in the chair. Turning off the laptop, she got up when she went to put the laptop back in the drawer then she went to get ready for bed.

Connor turned the lights off as he carefully walked toward the mattress then he crawled under the blankets. He glanced over at Murphy resting on his back when Murphy yawned and he rubbed his face with his hands.

"You didn't ask Lou about Norman," Connor said.

"I know," Murphy said as he rolled onto his right side and he pulled the blankets up to his shoulders. Murphy listened to Connor settling on his mattress while he looked at the far wall and he flexed the fingers of his left hand.

"Night, Murphy."

"Night," he said. A few minutes later, he heard the sound of Connor snoring as he closed his mind and he sent out a small prayer for Louisa to have a peaceful night's sleep.

"No," was her first thought as the dream started. "Please no."

She was back in Greenwich.

She could see the buildings across the street from the large windows which took over the back wall of her loft apartment and the sky was a bright blue.

"No," she repeated.

She looked at the furniture, potted plants, statues he had made and the camera equipment when she walked to the small kitchen area and she looked around. She picked up a white coffee mug with a green cartoon frog wearing a leprechaun hat as she frowned then she placed the coffee mug on the counter. She walked to the door which led to the bedroom as she opened the door and she walked in the room. She checked the bathroom when she left the room, walked back in the bedroom then she went back to the main room.

Framed photos of places she had been, people and animals she had taken photos of and scenic landscapes were on the walls and the largest framed photo was one of her, Murphy, Connor and…

"Hey, Lou," Norman O'Shea's voice called from behind her as she turned and she looked at the archway. She and Norman had decided to share the loft apartment and they had divided it with a brick wall. At the center of the wall was the archway and an iron gate made it so they could still see and talk to each other. "You ok?"

"Wake up," she repeated as he opened the gate then he walked to her.

"Lou?"

She scanned him with her eyes and she felt the tears coming.

His brown hair was long and rested on his shoulders and his blue eyes shimmered in the light. His body was lean and muscular and he was wearing a black denim vest over a black t-shirt with RIDE OR DIE on the front in white letters. Tight jeans hugged his hips and legs and he was barefoot. He looked like he needs a shave and he gave her a concerned look.

"Come on, Lou. Talk to me."

"It's… It's nothing," she said.

"Bullshit. It's him, isn't it?"

"Normie…"

"No! This isn't right!" he said as his accent grew thicker and she sighed. "He has no right t'treat ye like…"

"A slut?!" she asked, arching her eyebrow.

"I didn't say that."

"And I appreciate what you aren't saying. But it's my life and…"

"That's what I'm afraid of," he said as he walked closer and he placed his hands on her shoulder, locking eyes with her. "I don't want to lose you."

"You're not going to lose me."

"I might if you don't get rid of him."

"How?! How can I get rid of him?! I have called the police several times and it's always the same! They can't do anything until he does!"

"You could leave."

"I tired that! I lost my last assignment because he showed up and ripped into my client! I was lucky I wasn't fucking sued and I still have a career!"

"More reason to find a way to get him to leave you the hell alone!"

"I have a restraining order, but he doesn't give a shit!"

"Lou…"

She felt him pulling her closer as she buried her face in his shoulder and he wrapped his arms around her.

Suddenly, the dream changed into a nightmare.

She felt the pain as someone punched her repeatedly in the face or in her stomach.

She felt herself crawling along the floor.

She heard Norman calling her name.

She heard the multiple sound of gunfire.

She felt pressure on the back of her head.

"You'll never be free of me."

She heard screaming then everything went black.

Gasping for air, Louisa's sightless eyes snapped open as she sat up on the mattress and she screamed.