"Oh, shit." Katie sat up from her relaxed position on the couch. She looked around but found no clock. "What time is it?"
"Probably close to midnight." Connor answered, turning his head only slightly to watch her. Murphy glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes, but kept his attention mostly on the television.
"Fuck." She stood up and put a hand to her forehead. "Fuck."
"What?"
"I gotta call work. Fuck."
"You've said that already." Murphy mumbled before leaning forward to look at her across Connor, who was in the middle. "Why do you need to call?"
"I was supposed to go there tonight. Doc thought they might have a crowd. Wanted me to start a night early. Dammit."
Connor took another drag of his cigarette before glancing away from the television again. "He's not gonna fire you over one night. He'll understand."
"I know. I just…I just didn't want to start out this way."
"He'll understand." Murphy agreed and nodded toward the kitchen. "Call him if it'll make you feel better."
Katie nodded and picked up the phone. She pulled out the number Doc had written down for her and dialed quickly. Doc picked up on the third ring.
"'lo?"
"Doc, it's Katie."
"Are y-y-y-ya okay, l-lass? Where are ya?"
"I'm fine. I'm so sorry. We…we had a break-in here. I got caught up. I just forgot. I'm sorry, Doc."
"Is everybody o-okay?"
"Yeah, we're fine."
"Good. N-n-now don't w-worry yourself. I'll see ya tomorrow night."
"Thanks, Doc. Goodnight."
Katie hung up the phone and moved to the kitchen doorway, leaning her head against the wood frame.
"Well, how many lashes?" Connor asked without taking his eyes away this time.
"None, I…he…" Katie's voice broke and she found herself surprisingly close to tears. Both twins looked at her quickly.
"What's wrong, Katie?" Connor leaned forward, muting the television. She shook her head and was mortified when a few tears escaped.
"Nothing. He was just so nice about it. This is stupid. I don't know why I'm crying." She wiped at the tears quickly, only to have more follow. Murphy exchanged a glance with Connor before getting to his feet.
"Hey, it's okay now." He spoke softly. Katie gave in to her sobs as his arms slipped around her. He ran a hand down her dark hair, careful to avoid putting pressure on her neck. "Just let it out now."
After a few moments, Katie pulled back and found herself only starting to cry again. She was tired and achy. Her neck burned. She buried her face into Murphy's worn t-shirt again, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"I'm sorry." She managed to say eventually and was surprised that they could even understand her muffled words.
"Shhh. Don't apologize."
"I'm such a baby." She stepped back away from him and rubbed her hands over her face. Murphy kept one arm around her while he brushed her hair away from her face.
"No. If you were a baby, you'd've broken down much sooner than this."
"Katie, you've been kidnapped, held hostage and attacked…and that's just in the last two fuckin' months." Connor pointed out and put out his cigarette before relaxing back into the couch. "Aye, I think you're tougher than Murph here is, actually."
Katie watched as Murphy made a face at Connor before she gave into laughter.
"Which just means you're way tougher than Connor here." Murphy smiled down at her and moved his arm away from her. "Go sleep. You're exhausted."
She nodded slowly and turned to go when he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Wait. Stay here." He turned and walked into the kitchen. Katie gave a weak smile to Connor.
"You two practiced at dealing with hysterical females?"
Connor laughed. "Hardly. Must come naturally. And you weren't hysterical."
"Okay, quasi-hysterical."
"Do ye feel better at least?"
She meet his gaze for a second before nodding with another small smile. "Sadly enough I do."
"No, that's good that ya do." His eyes were gentle as he smiled at her. Katie just shook her head with a laugh. "What?"
"You just…you just remind me of my brother. You've got that big brother thing down, huh?"
"Hey, that's not proven." Murphy's voice came from behind her. Katie turned to see that he held a glass of water in one hand and two Tylenol in the other. He looked strangely like Connor had the first time she'd met them. Katie smiled her thanks and took the pills.
"Not proven?"
"Ma won't tell us."
Katie finished her water and put it back into Murphy's waiting hand. "What about your birth certificates? Wouldn't they tell?"
Connor shook his head, rubbing the back of it with his hand. "The doctor's hand writing is near fucking illegible. There are only a few minutes between the two o'us. But we can't tell if Murph was born at 5:11 or 5:17."
"Connor was born at 5:14." Murphy clarified. Katie laughed softly as she raised her hand to rub her forehead again. Connor nodded slightly toward her and Murphy nodded in agreement. "Go try to sleep now."
She nodded and gave them another small smile. "Thanks." Turning, she headed toward her room and prayed for sleep.
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Katie shifted in her bed again, unable to lie comfortably in her bed. Her neck felt like it was on fire, but she knew she couldn't take any more Tylenol. Footsteps made soft echoes down the hall and she saw the figure stop in her doorway.
"You feeling any better?" Murphy's voice was barely above a whisper. She shook her head slightly and bit her lip. It hurt. But she lied.
"I'm fine."
She heard him fumbling around, his hand hitting the wall.
"Yer a bad liar. Where's the light switch?"
"The bulb is out anyhow. Remember, I told you yesterday."
"Hold on. I'll be right back."
She heard his feet shuffled down the hallway and after a second, they came back again.
"Where's Connor?" she asked, and then gasped when the flashlight turned on. "Dammit, that's bright."
"Sorry. He's putting the food away."
"Murph. You left him to do it one armed?"
"No babying. Besides, that's not the first time he's been shot in the arm."
"What?" Katie sat up as Murphy stepped over to her bed. He used the flashlight to shine down on the back of her neck.
"Good, it's not bleeding through." He kept his hand resting on her shoulder. She forced herself not to close her eyes against the warmth of it.
"Murphy. How many times have you two been shot?"
"Well…" He started but then froze as he raised the flashlight. Katie watched as his eyes widened. She looked behind her and saw the red paint on the wall. He pulled the flashlight away before she could read it.
"Connor!" Murphy yelled and Katie could hear the fear in his voice.
"What does it say?" She jumped out of bed and turned to face the wall, but he kept the light on the floor.
"Connor!" He yelled again. Connor appeared in the doorway with a look that was a mixture of annoyance and concern on his face.
"What?"
Murphy raised the light to the wall again. "Look."
"Oh, fuck." Connor muttered as their eyes read the message on the wall together. 'JUST LIKE ROCCO.'
Murphy raised his hand to his face and scrubbed it across his eyes, as if he hoped that would clear the message. "Fuck. Christ. Fuck!" He screamed and threw the flashlight onto Katie's bed. She jumped but couldn't look away from the wall. Connor moved behind her and put a hand on Murphy's shoulder without a word.
"Well, that changes things." Connor finally muttered. Murphy shoved off his brother's hand and ran his hands over his face again. Connor turned and looked at Katie's profile.
"Katie. Grab your stuff." He told her.
"What?" She finally tore her gaze from the wall. Murphy leaned over and handed her the pillow.
"Take that." He handed the flashlight to Connor and pulled the comforter off her bed, balling it in his arms.
"What? Where?"
"You're sleeping in our room." Murphy used his hand on her elbow to steer her towards the door. She moved away slightly to look at him and then Connor.
"Wait. No, I can't do that."
"Well, you can't sleep in here."
Her eyes went back to the wall even though she couldn't see it through the darkness. She didn't need to. The red dripping words had been burned into her brain. 'JUST LIKE ROCCO'.
"No, I can't." She finally agreed. Sighing, she stepped out of the room. "But I can't take one of your beds. I'll sleep on the couch."
"That's not any safer. Da's not back yet."
"I- safer?"
"Yeah. That's not just a fuckin' greeting on the wall." Murphy moved toward their room down the hall and Katie followed just to continue the conversation.
"But what if it wasn't for me? Isn't that Da's room?"
"Your clothes were in there, Katie. It was obviously your room."
"Besides," Connor added as he set the flashlight on the nightstand between the two beds. "Da can take care of himself."
She watched in silence as Murphy took his own comforter and made a softer bed out of it on the floor. He set his pillow on it before sitting down to take off his boots. After getting them off, he finally looked up at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Lay down." He nodded toward his bed. Katie opened her mouth to argue but saw that Connor had the same stubborn set to his face. She couldn't win against the both of them. She assumed that Murphy was on the floor because Connor was wounded. How had they decided this without even discussing it?
Nodding finally, she tossed her pillow onto his bed and crawled onto it, pulling the comforter over her. She relaxed and tried to fall asleep but could still feel their eyes on her. Sliding her arm underneath the pillow, she attempted to get more comfortable. Her knuckles hit something cold and metal that was twisted in the folds of the sheets. Sitting up, she pulled it out and held it up. It was fold-away knife. Sighing, she raised her eyebrow at Murphy. He gave her a small smile.
"Oh yeah, forgot about that."
"That I find hard to believe with the lump it makes underneath the pillow."
He just laughed softly and slid it underneath of his own pillow. Looking up at Connor, she was only slightly surprised that he didn't seem to think it was abnormal. He probably had one of his own, hidden somewhere. Laying down, Katie felt under her pillow for anything else. She shut her eyes. The room was silent but still not relaxed.
"Go to sleep, guys." She said finally without opening her eyes. There was a moment of silence.
"We will if you do." Connor finally answered with a yawn and the light was turned off.
Even with her eyes shut, she could hear their rustling in their bedding. She could feel their tension and uneasiness. She knew she was safe, but still, she couldn't relax. It would be while, she knew, before any of them got to sleep.
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Murphy woke slowly the next morning, confused for a moment as to why he was on the floor. He sat up as the answer came to him and shot a glance at his brother. He was still sleeping peacefully on his good arm, his wounded one across his chest. Murphy than glanced at his own bed and was surprised to see it was empty. Katie was gone! The bed was still slightly warm under his outstretched palm. She couldn't have been gone long.
He could hear the coffee pot percolating when he reached the hallway. The scent of coffee drifted toward him. She was curled up on the side nearest where Da sat, her head resting on the arm of the couch. She looked up as he came in and smiled.
"Morning."
He gave her a smile and leaned against the door frame. Da gave him a slightly groggy nod before looking back down into his coffee. Murphy felt a little like he'd interrupted something. His gaze moved back to Katie.
"You look tired."
"I am tired. But I couldn't sleep. Are you sure there weren't more unnecessary lumps in your bed?"
He just laughed softly. Rubbing his eyes, he glanced over at the coffee pot. "I need coffee."
She rose to get it but he reached out and held up a hand to stop her.
"I'll get my own coffee."
"Just trying to help."
"Sit. Stay."
She made a face at his back but turned her attention back to her lukewarm cup. Murphy moved back to the living room and sat next to her on the couch. He set his cup down and had lifted her hair before she even realized he was there. She could feel the warmth of his body as he leaned over her.
"What?"
"Just checking your neck here."
"Why? It's fine."
"The bandage probably needs changed."
"Fine, Florence. But leave this one off, I'm gonna shower in a few minutes here."
Murphy nodded his reply as he began to work the bandage off. She winced slightly.
"Sorry, it's kind of stuck to your hair here. Da, did she tell you what happened?"
Da nodded slightly and glanced over at them. "Aye. She did."
"Ow, Murph!" She winced again.
"Sorry. I'm almost done here."
She shrugged but felt his hand tighten slightly on her shoulder once the bandage had come off.
"This must hurt like hell." His accent sounded slightly thicker. She shrugged again.
"Part of the reason I couldn't sleep."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"What were you going to do? Lend me your neck?"
Wincing again, she moved away slightly as he gently ran his finger around the open wound. She didn't have to see it to know there was a bruise there. She'd felt the slightly dull knife pressing into her neck hard enough. Only the tip seemed to be sharp to make the slice. She leaned away from him again.
"Go bug Conner's wound."
"He hits harder. 'sides, he's still sleeping."
"Not anymore." Connor spoke from the doorway, already looking more awake than both Murphy and Katie. He looked at his brother for a minute before walking to the other side of Katie and leaning down to look at her neck too.
"Ow. I think you've got more than a small cut there now."
Sighing, Katie leaned forward and stood up, moving away from the two brothers.
"Bug each other now. I'm going to go shower."
All three of them were silent until they heard the door to the bathroom shut harder than necessary. Connor poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down next to Murphy.
"Well, that was fun."
"Fuck. What was? Getting shot? Finding the words painted on our walls? Or finding our place trashed?"
They were both silent for a moment.
"So, what do you think really we should do?" Murphy asked finally. They both looked at Da as he handed Connor a cigarette and lit his own. Connor took a drag before answering.
"Move on?"
"Already? We just got here."
"Aye, and someone already found us." Da spoke up finally. Both brothers nodded slightly at that.
"Did Katie talk to ya, Da?" Connor asked after taking a long drink of his coffee.
"Yes, the lass told me everything. She's had a rough go at it."
"And we're not making it any easier." Murphy muttered, keeping his eyes on his coffee. Connor nudged him slightly.
"At least she's safe if she's with us."
"Like last fuckin' night, huh?"
"Nonetheless m'boy, she's safer with us than she is without us." Da pointed out.
"Did she tell you about the message in her room?" Murphy asked after a moment.
"Yes. And we both agreed that there were several different meanings of it."
"How are there different meanings?"
"Murph, it doesn't say how she's like Rocco." Connor glanced at him. Da nodded.
"Exactly. She's not involved in anything we do like Rocco was."
"No, but she may die because of us. Just like fucking Rocco." Murphy set his coffee down and got to his feet.
"Murphy. She also has her own connections with the mob. As Rocco did. Connections that already brought her here." Da stared at him until Murphy finally met his eyes. "Come sit back down. We have more to discuss."
After a slight hesitation, Murphy moved to sit down again. He lit another cigarette and leaned back with a frown.
Connor stared at his brother for a moment. "When do we move?"
"Well, Murph and I are going to talk ta Smecker in a short while. He's agreed to meet us at the diner."
"And what'll I do?"
"Play injured. Keep an eye on the lass."
Connor made a face at that. "Play injured? Like she'll believe me. I've all but fuckin' convinced her I'm fine."
"Doesn't matter. It'll keep ye with her."
"Yessir."
"And we won't be gone long. We'll be able to decide more later."
"I don't think she'll give ya much of a problem, Connor." Murphy finished his coffee and stood up. "She's scared."
"I think I can handle Katie."
Murphy just grinned at him when he heard the door to the bathroom open. "I would hope you can. I'm gonna go shower quick."
Connor nodded and leaned back with a frown. He glanced over at Da.
"I don't like having to do this. She should be free to come and go. Now she's like a God damn hostage again."
"It's only for a short while, son. Just until we move."
Connor sighed and nodded again. Even that seemed like too long.
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When Murphy walked back out into the living room, Katie had divided her attention between watching the morning news, eating cereal and painting her toenails. He paused for a second before moving towards her with a laugh.
"What in God's name are ya doing?"
She looked up surprised but just smiled and shook her head. "This is called multi-tasking."
"That's called insanity. Yer disappointing me Katie, yer becoming a girl."
"Well, as much as I hate to disappoint you. Blah." She laughed and then looked back up at him. "So what are you all spiffed up for?"
"Spiffed up?" He raised an eyebrow and sat in Da's chair. Untying his shoes, he bent down to put them on.
"You know. Showered, shaved. Not so scruffy looking. Got a hot lunch date?"
"Yeah, he's meeting Smecker." Connor answered with a grin from the doorway. He forced himself to hold his arm stiffly as he moved to sit on the other end of the couch.
Murphy just laughed and pointed at his brother. "Not funny."
"Says the man who's laughing."
Katie wrinkled her forehead. "What? Why is that funny?"
"Smecker is…well…" Murphy couldn't figure out how to explain it.
"Smecker might like to have a date with Murph. As well as any other man. I don't know his exact type, but…"
"Ahhh." Katie just smiled and returned her attention to her toenails. "I didn't know you felt that way about Smecker, Murph."
Connor snorted a laugh. "Are ya hiding secrets from yer own brother?"
Murphy lit a cigarette and pointed it at Connor before taking a drag. "If only you weren't hurt…"
Connor glared at him but kept his mouth shut. Katie turned to Connor frowning.
"Your arm's bothering you?"
He just stared forward at the television, not giving an answer either way. She sighed and looked at Murphy with raised eyebrows.
"He just doesn't want to admit it." Murphy shrugged, ignoring a glare from Connor. He just gave him a look back until Connor sighed.
"Yeah, it's bothering me a little. If nothing else, my arm is completely stiff." He gave Katie a smile, but she just frowned more.
"So much for that whole 'no babying' thing." She gave Murphy a look and he just shook his head.
"This is normal. He was just shot for Christ's sake."
Connor gave him a look and they both simultaneously crossed themselves. Katie just smiled at that but didn't say anything. As Da walked down the hall, Murphy stood up and grabbed his coat.
"You kids be good now. We'll be back."
"Where are ya going?" Katie looked up from her toes again. Da cocked an eyebrow at her as he stared at her feet. "Good God, you'd think none of you had been around a girl. I'm painting my toenails."
Murphy just laughed again. "We're gonna find us a new apartment."
"Smecker's goin' ta be waiting. Let's go." Da headed toward the door and Murphy pulled his coat on as he moved to follow.
"Tell Charlie hi!" Katie called and heard Murphy laugh again as the door shut. She glanced over at Connor who appeared to be glaring at the television. "Made you stay behind, huh?"
He nodded curtly before sighing and looking over at her. "Yeah, group decision."
"Of which you didn't get a vote."
Grinning he nodded again before turning his attention back to the television. Katie just smiled as she saw that he'd found yet another Western movie. These guys had a thing for vintage movies.
"It's not really your arm, is it?" Her question caught him off guard and he looked over at her quickly. As he opened his mouth to answer, she cut him off with a look. "Don't lie, Connor."
"My arm does hurt a little, if that counts."
"But you're here because of me."
He paused. "Aye."
Katie sighed and relaxed back into the couch beside him before giving him another look. "Sorry to break up the three amigos."
"Don't worry about it. It was either you or Smecker. I drew the good straw."
"So what am I supposed to do about my errands?"
He shrugged and kept his attention back on the television. "Wait for us to go with ye. I'm sure I can convince Murph to leave the apartment later on. We can all go shopping for more of yer clothes or whatever."
Katie restrained herself from smacking him in his good arm. "I don't need to go clothes shopping, Connor. I have other things to do."
"Whatever. We'll do those later on." He tossed the remote over to her lap and got up. "I'm going to go get in the shower. Enjoy some John Wayne."
She gave him a half-smile and started to change the channels as he left the room. The phone rang just as she had gotten into a travel channel 'best hotels' show. Looking around, she realized the Connor wasn't within hearing distance. She jumped up and grabbed the phone.
"Hello?"
"Who is this?" A thickly older female's voice came over the line. Katie just grinned as she heard the Irish in it. Three guesses who this was.
"Let me guess, you're looking for an Irish twin."
"Aye, but who are ye?"
"Katie. Or, well, Kathleen actually."
"A good Irish name. What are ya doin' there, lass?"
"Ah, well…" Katie started but then realized that she had no idea whether their mother knew about their recently career change. "I needed help. They took me in, I guess you could say."
"Ah, so yer one of their innocents, huh?"
"Ummm…yeah, I guess."
"Are they treatin' ya right?"
"Of course. They've been nothing but good to me."
"That's me boys for ya. Is either of them there?"
"Yes, Connor is. Hold on." Katie held the phone to her chest and yelled for Connor. "He'll be here in a sec. I think he's out of the shower by now."
"Now, Katie, can I ask ye a question?"
"Sure."
"How are me boys doin' really? They always tell me their alright, but they can't stand to have me worry. What's the truth?"
"They are fine. They take good care of each other."
"They always have. Always, always have. But they've been too long without a good womanly influence. Can ya keep an eye on them, Katie?"
"Of course." Katie said instantly and felt someone honored to be asked. "I'll do my best." She grinned as Connor came into the kitchen finally. His hair was still wet and spiky but he'd pulled on clean jeans and a darker blue t-shirt. He nodded to the phone with a questioning look.
"That's all I ask." Their ma answered softly. Katie grinned again.
"Well, one of your two favorite sons is here. It was nice chatting with ya." She handed the phone to Connor. "It's your ma."
Connor laughed softly, finally understanding the conversation. He took the phone quickly.
"Hey, Ma, ye there?"
Katie left him in the kitchen and moved quickly to her room. This was the perfect chance to get away. She had more than one errand to run and she didn't want any of McManuses with her. It had to be a surprise.
"No, Ma. I swear, we're fine. Yes, both of us." Katie heard Connor laughing as she moved back down the hallway. His back was to her. Pulling her coat on quickly, she quickly opened the door and shut it behind her again without a sound. If she had any luck, she'd be blocks away before he noticed.
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It was nearly lunchtime and the apartment was deserted when she got back. She winced and sighed. There'd be hell to pay when Connor got back. She just hoped he'd get there before Murphy and Da did. One McManus was bad enough to face. Especially since she now regretted going without them. Someone had been following her while she was out. She never got a good look at them, but the same dark clothed man had remained roughly a block away from her for the entire trip out and back. Thinking twice, she locked the door and looked out the windows. No sign of anyone following her to the apartment at least.
Setting her sacks down, she lifted out the small white paint can and the paintbrush before moving down the hall to her bedroom. That was the most troublesome message. It had to go first. Whoever had written those messages could go to hell, because she wasn't going to allow this to bother them all for another day.
Working quickly, she managed to get the words covered up with only two coats in less than twenty minutes. The apartment was still quiet. Where the hell was Connor? Better yet, when were Da and Murphy going to be home? She wanted to be done before they got there.
Katie lifted the can and brush and moved down to the twins' bedroom quickly. She stared up at the message for a moment before moving forward. It was such a generic message. Had they been after her? Or after them?
She took her shoes off quickly before jumping up onto Murphy's bed first. Moving the paint brush slowly, she felt some satisfaction as she covered the end of the phrase first. The word became only a slight hint of pink under the thick white paint.
The feeling of being watched came over her as she was finishing with second coat of the last letter. Instead of turning to acknowledge them instantly, she finished the final stroke before turning around. Murphy stood at the door chewing as his thumb, his eyes wide at the sight of the freshly painted walls.
"Katie." He said, but then stopped, unsure of what else to say. She just smiled in response and stepped down off of Connor's bed.
"I didn't hear you all come back."
"Da and I just got here. Connor's watching tv. We brought lunch." He answered slowly, his eyes still on the wall. Then he switched his gaze to her. Katie caught a glimpse of emotion before he turned and called over his shoulder.
"Conn, Da. Come 'ere."
They both could hear the movement of footsteps down the hall. Murphy looked at her again.
"Thank you." He said simply before Connor moved past him with a concerned look. Katie fought a grin as Connor gave her a quick glare before rising his eyes to the wall. She just nodded back. Da walked in slowly, his eyes on the wall.
"Yer a sweet girl, Katie." Da finally said, after they all stared at the wall for a moment.
"Honestly, I couldn't stand the thought of looking at them for another day." She answered with a shrug. He nodded and moved to the doorway before looking back.
"We've brought ye both a sandwich."
Connor put his arm around her and squeezed her shoulders. "A fool's errand, Katie. But one that came from the heart. Thanks." She just nodded, starting to feel somewhat embarrassed. She hadn't considered the response. She just couldn't stand having those words stain their walls.
With a look at Murphy, Connor let go of Katie and slipped out of the room. She watched him go before looking back Murphy. After a moment, his eyes left the wall and moved back to look at her.
"He's right, ya know. Ya've got a good heart, Katie. I never even thought of covering them up."
"After last night's reaction and all…"
He nodded and moved to take the paint can and brush from her hands. Setting it on the floor, his slipped his arm over her shoulder and smiled down at her. "Again, thank you."
She just smiled and let him led her out of the bedroom and down to the kitchen.
Da handed her a sandwich as she walked into the kitchen.
"We didn't know what you'd want, lass."
"Honestly, I'm hungry enough, it doesn't matter, Da."
He grinned before turning his attention back to his own food. Katie raised an eyebrow as she saw all three of them had a beer out. She just grinned when she saw the can of cola set out for her.
"Beer? Already?"
"Just a primer for the evening." Murphy laughed and took another bite. She frowned at him.
"What?"
"We thought we'd walk ya to work and hang out for a while."
"Ah…speaking of, what time is it?"
Murphy shrugged and Connor just shook his head with a smile.
"We really need to get you a watch, Katie."
"Well," Murphy pulled a bag from near his feet and set it on the table. "This might work for now."
"What is it?"
"Smecker's idea. Pre-pay cell phones."
Katie laughed. "Let me guess. He's going to call and give you orders just like Charlie on them."
Da shook his head, the movie reference not quite connecting with him. "No, he thought it might be best if we were all able ta contact one another. Since we're not together as much as we used to be."
Connor reached into the bag and pulled out the phones one at a time. He handed the black one to Da, the dark grey one to Murphy and set the dark blue one in front of himself. It was then that he grinned and pulled the last one out of the bag. Katie's jaw dropped as she saw the phone he set in front of her with a laugh. It was silver and was decorated with red and pink hearts.
Both Murphy and Connor were laughing as she continued to stare at this.
"Wait, you guys get the cool looking phones. And I get this?"
"Yeah, it reminded me of ya." Murphy laughed and took a drink of his beer. "I think those pink hearts match yer toes."
Katie didn't know whether to laugh or hit him, so she settled instead with a glare as she took another bite of her sandwich. Dhe picked up the phone and started punching buttons to see how it worked. She continued to look at her phone as Connor's began to ring. He wrinkled his forehead before holding it up to his ear and answering it.
"Hello?"
"Your brother is an idiot." Katie laughed through her own phone. Murphy reached over and took the phone from her, making sure it was hung up.
"Yer wasting minutes."
"But still telling the truth." She grabbed her phone back and glanced down at the time display. "I've still got a little while yet. Think a good Western is on?" She shot a laughing glance at Connor who raised an eyebrow.
"There's always a good Western on." He replied with a rather serious tone before cracking a smile. Katie just rolled her eyes and threw her sandwich wrapper in the trash before moving out to the living room. She'd barely sat down and was reaching for the remote as another hand darted out to get it first.
"Hey!" She looked up at a laughing Murphy.
"I'm not watchin' a Western again."
"I teasing Conn. I don't like Westerns."
"It's my turn to choose anyhow," he said as he plopped down beside her. He changed the channels quickly before seeing enough blood and guts to satisfy him.
"Let me guess, Rambo?"
"Actually no, Commando. Right genre, wrong actor." Murphy kept his eyes on the screen but tapped Katie on the side of the head with the remote.
"Ouch! What the fuck was that for?"
"For leaving without Connor. Don't do it again."
"Murphy!"
He looked over at her with a raised eyebrow. "What?"
"'Don't do it again'?" She raised both of her eyebrows in response. He grinned.
"Yeah. Fine. Don't do it again, please."
"That's better. And I won't have a reason. I have no more secret shopping to do as of yet."
He turned completely toward her this time and tilted his head. "You risked all of that for secret shopping?"
"Yeah, why else do you think I did it?"
"We figured you just didn't want to be baby-sat."
"Well, I don't. But I'm not going to cause trouble because of it."
He leaned back beside her again and kept his eyes on the television. "What secret shopping?"
"The paint."
After a slight pause, Murphy reached over and tapped her on the head again with the remote.
"Dammit, Murph!" She grabbed the remote and began to tug on it. "Give me the thing."
Connor looked around the corner and started laughing at the commotion. Murphy chose to look up just then and lost grip on the remote. Katie shifted it to her side with a smile. She instantly changed the channel to TLC without even flipping through.
"Let's see what you two will be tortured with now. Oh, it's What Not to Wear. You two lucked out. It could have been as bad as A Baby Story."
Connor just shook his head and took a seat in the chair closest to Murphy.
"So we're not moving yet, huh?"
Murphy shook his head and peeled his eyes away from the television. Clothes shopping was a poor substitute for blood and guts. "Nope, but soon. Smecker's gotta find us a place first."
"How was Smecker?" Katie asked with a smile, keeping her eyes on the screen.
"Ah, fine. I guess."
"And how as yer date?" Connor barely had time to laugh before Murphy dove at him and they both landed on the floor. Katie jumped up quickly and at a loss for anything else to do, she moved the coffee table out of the way as they rolled toward it.
Murphy had Connor pinned quickly and he leaned over him, careful to really only hold down his good arm. "Say it! Say it!"
"I'd rather die first!" Connor replied dramatically and they both grinned. Katie let out a laugh that distracted Murphy. Connor simply wrapped his arm around Murphy's neck and flipped him, landing on top with a grunt.
"Now, you say it!"
"Never!"
Katie watched them grapple for a few more minutes, counting how many times they managed to flip each other. She could only figure that was part of their fun. Finally, she moved toward them and kicked lightly at Connor, who happened to be not the bottom.
"Give it up."
"I'll let him up when he says it!"
"Murphy, how is that fair with Connor having a hurt arm?"
"He knew that when he started this." He turned his attention down to Connor again. "Say it!"
With a sigh, Katie moved in and grabbed Murphy by the waist. She dragged him off Connor with surprising ease. It was only when she dropped him and turned to go that she figured out her mistake. A hand grabbed her ankle and she found herself flipped and falling hard onto the floor.
"Ow!" She frowned at Murphy who sat on top of her, pinning her with a grin. She pulled a loosely pinned arm away to touch the back of her head. Murphy's attention was on her hand as she moved it back out, making it much easier for her to grab his side and flip him. She sat on his stomach and leaned over him with a frown.
"Some warning would be nice."
"Yeah, I could say that same. That was a dirty trick. Making me think yer head was bleeding." He attempted not to smile but couldn't. Katie could hear Connor laughing behind her.
"Say it!" She said as she leaned down and felt Murphy start to laugh.
"That doesn't work with you."
"What are you supposed to say?"
"Connor tell her. I'm not saying it while pinned."
Connor moved into her view and laughed with his arms crossed over his chest. "We have our own version of 'Uncle'."
"Which is?"
"Yer the older twin." Connor started laughed again as Katie grinned back down at Murphy.
"Say it anyway!"
"Never!" Murphy pulled his hands from her grasp quickly and she realized then he'd been using absolutely no force with her. His hands gripped her abdomen and she found herself pinned quickly again.
"Murphy! You weren't even trying before."
"I might have if I'd known what a dirty cheat ye are."
"Liar."
He laughed. "Humm…this might work. Say it!"
"Say what?"
"Say Murphy's the older twin."
"Thou shalt not lie." She laughed harder as Murphy leaned over her again.
"Say it!"
"Never!" She pulled at her arms and was surprised when he simply held her wrists tighter.
"Not so easy now that I'm actually trying. Do you give up?"
"Nope."
"Well, I could sit here all day long. But you have to go to work."
"Dammit, Murphy!"
"Say it!"
"No!" She managed to slide up and used her head to knock his elbows outward, making him lose his support. He let go of her hands to keep from falling onto her. She used this advantage to twist her body and land on top of him again.
"You are a dirty cheater!"
"Hardly. You use your strength, Murph. I'll use my brains." She leaned over him with a laugh. He shook his head.
"Why do I have a feeling you've done this many times before?"
"I did. Two brothers. Both ended up being stronger than me early on. But I also learned that neither of them would willingly crush me." She laughed and looked up to see Da leaning against the kitchen doorframe. Connor had taken a seat nearby to watch the action.
"Oh the pride I have for me boys today. Losing to a girl." Da laughed softly.
"Hey, I didn't lose to her!" Connor protested. Katie felt Murphy chuckling underneath her. She turned her attention back to him.
"Humm…I can't have you declare me the older twin. What should I have you say?" She looked over at Connor. "Any ideas?"
He shrugged and shook his head. Katie pursed her lips before grinning again.
"Say, Katie can take care of herself!"
"What?"
"Say, Katie can take care of herself!"
"Okay, Katie can take care of herself." He shrugged and she rolled her eyes before leaning back to let his hands free.
"You are absolutely no fun! It's not supposed to be that easy."
He just laughed and she caught him exchanging a look with Connor. "Katie can take care of herself…but we aren't about to let her do it!" He managed to maneuver out from under her before she could react and she found herself in a headlock. Murphy's arm was wrapped around her head rather than her neck, but he still reached up and rubbed his knuckles into her hair.
"Murphy!" She twisted but he held her tightly.
"Say you won't leave without us again."
"Fine!" She found herself free again and looking up into a laughing Murphy's face. Running her hands through her hair, she glared at him. She winced when she touched her neck and realized she'd broken the scab. "Fuck. My neck is bleeding again."
Murphy bit his lip and lifted her hair to look at it. "Sorry, didn't think about that."
"No don't worry about it, I didn't either. Besides, Connor's bleeding again too."
They both looked over at Connor's arm, where the bandaged was slightly redder. Even Connor looked down and seemed surprised. "Humm… I didn't even notice."
"And that's why I broke you two up to begin with."
Connor lifted his cell phone and glanced at it quickly.
"Ye better let him take care of yer neck quick. We need to leave soon."
"How soon?"
"Twenty minutes."
Katie nodded and pulled her hair up with a hair band as Murphy grabbed the first-aid kit.
"No rubbing alcohol, though."
"Katie, we forgot to cover it up this morning. Ye've had dirt getting into it all day. It needs to be cleaned out." Murphy said and she felt the sting of it before she could answer. Murphy's other hand hooked around the front of her neck to keep her still as she tried to pull away.
"Dammit, how about some fuckin' warning here."
"Thought I'd try to sneak it in." He leaned closer and she felt the warm air blowing on her neck again. It helped take away the sting somewhat.
"At least make the bandage small, please. I have to go into public."
"Into a semi-dark smoky bar. I doubt ye'll have the only bandage there."
"You won't. I'll be there." Connor spoke up from his seat. Katie felt Murphy's hands smoothing the tape around the outside before he slid his hands off her neck.
"You deserve a lollypop now."
She just gave him a mock glare. "But I won't be getting one now, will I? Give me five minutes, guys?"
They both nodded and she hurried out of the room. She had changed into a dressier looking shirt when she heard the knock on her door.
"Come in." Sitting down on her bed, she reached for her shoe before looking up. Connor peeked around the door quickly and then moved in, shutting the door behind him. She raised an eyebrow.
"Just wanted to talk to ya for a moment."
"Okay." She looked down at her shoe. Now the yelling starts. But Connor surprised her. Instead of yelling, he knelt down in front of her. She sat up fully and gave him a look. "What are you doing?"
He opened his hand to reveal a small switch blade. Shifting forward, he pulled a small black strip out of his back pocket. "For protection."
"What is it?"
"It's a switchblade and an ankle holster for it. Here," He began to tug on the leg of her jeans, attempting to pull the leg up. Katie slapped his hands away and pulled the pant leg up to her knee.
"Why are you giving me this now? Both you and Murph will be with me tonight."
"Aye, but who knows when ya'll feel the need to ditch us again."
Katie sighed. "Connor."
"Don't explain. This sucks. I know. That much I do understand. Now, this black strap goes around yer ankle underneath yer sock." He put it in her hands and showed her how to pull it tight. She looked pointedly down at the knife. Rolling back on his ankles, he stood up.
"Have ya used one of these before?"
She just shook her head. He walked her through how it worked quickly and made her show him a couple of times. It was only when he was satisfied that he finally let her put in into the holster in her sock.
"Remember, only pull it out when you are going to actually use it. And only use it if you absolutely need it."
Katie nodded and grabbed her purse from the foot of her bed. "Won't Murphy wonder where we are?"
"He's waiting, but he's putting the numbers in all our phones."
"Let's go then. I don't want to be late. Connor, thanks."
Connor nodded and left her room first. Katie glanced around quickly to make sure she had everything before following him.