Murphy glared up at the bar from his seat in the booth. Katie was talking and laughing again with the big guy on the end. Keeping his eyes on them, he took another drink of his guinness.
"What the fuck is botherin' you now?"
Murphy moved his glare to Connor who had been sitting quietly across from him.
"I don't like this. She's not the type ta be bartending."
"Yeah, she looks like she's having a real terrible time up there." Connor snorted and drained his mug. He stood up and held out his hand to Murphy. After draining his own glass, Murphy handed to his brother, not taking his eyes off of the bar.
Connor just shook his head and headed to the far end of the bar, away from the guy Katie was talking to. It only took a minute for Katie to work her way back down to him.
"Hello there, handsome. You come here often?" Her question was bubbly and she was grinning widely. Connor couldn't help but smile.
"You really are having a good time here, aren't you?"
She grabbed the two mugs and spun toward the tap to fill them. "I really am. I mean, no offence to you, Murph or Da, but I finally get to be around people again. It's great!"
Laughing, he leaned forward. "So what are we then? Wee little leprechauns?"
"Hardly. More like cute little trolls." She set the mugs up on the counter with another grin. Connor laid his hand on hers and leaned even closer. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Flirting with the bar staff doesn't guarantee free drinks, Conn."
He ignored her comment. "Is everyone behaving themselves?"
Katie tilted her head to look at him and then started smiling again. Her smile grew into a laugh and she laid her other hand on top of his. "Connor, is that what Murphy's been moody about since I clocked in?"
"That doesn't answer my question."
"Get Murphy up here. I'll deal with you two at once. That is, unless he can already read lips." She said as she looked over and saw Murphy watching them.
"Nah, that's one communication he never mastered."
After both of them waved at him, Murphy slid out of the booth and walked to the bar, glaring at the bar patrons as he passed. As he reached the bar Katie motioned for him to lean closer. Once he was close enough, she playfully slapped him on the side of the head. He jerked back.
"What the fuck was that for?"
"For being overprotective and moody. Choose one or the other, Murph. As I have no patience for the combination tonight." Katie gave him another nicer smile.
"Well, that was worth the walk up here." Murphy muttered and turned to go. Connor grabbed his arm.
"Now, she actually has something she wants ta say."
"What?"
"I just wanted to rest your overly worried, misplaced protective minds." Katie grinned and grabbed one of the mugs for a drink. She made a face when she remembered what it was but took a drink anyhow. "These guys are no more of a threat to me than you are."
"Katie, how many drunken Irishmen have ya been 'round?" Connor raised an eyebrow at her.
"It doesn't matter. I seem to have an overall cross-cultures effect on guys of all ages and sobriety. My friends dubbed it the 'little sister syndrome."
"Which means?" Connor spoke up again. Murphy simply stayed silent and waited, his eyes moving between Katie and the men to his left.
"Let's just say I've never been able to pick up a guy in a bar. Guys tend not to look at me as they do other women. I remind them too much of their little sister." She took another drink from the mug. "In fact, the only bar fight I've even had over me…was when a guy I'd just met felt the need to 'protect my honor' or some shit."
Connor and Murphy exchanged a look.
"Like he asked, how many drunken Irishmen have ya been around, Katie?" Murphy leaned toward her. He shot a quick glance down the bar. "Because in a few hours, you are going to have several to try this theory out on."
Katie just shook her head and laughed. "You Irishmen are the worst of the lot for this theory. I can't tell if it's in your blood or in your raising but I've only caught one guy looking at my chest…and he apologized immediately." She just laughed as she caught Murphy's eyes trailing downwards and Connor's off in another direction. "Okay, so now two and a successful avoidance."
Murphy finally smiled at that. "Sorry, it was automatic."
"And now two apologies. Man, you Irish guys really are the worst for this."
"I think we'll still stick around for awhile, Katie." Connor looked down at the remaining mug on the bar. "I'll take the full one." He walked back to the booth and sat down with a grin.
Murphy pointedly looked at the mug in Katie's hands with a raised eyebrow. She just grinned and filled it back up before handing it to him. He started to turn away but then looked back at her.
"There's just one thing ya're forgetting about Irishmen, Katie."
"What's that?"
"We all like a good challenge." He raised his glass to her before taking a drink and walking away. She just shook her head and watched him walk away, unsure of how to take that statement.
Connor and Murphy stuck around for another half hour before they finally drained their mugs again and said goodbye. Murphy had seemed more relaxed as they left, even winking at her as she watched them walk out the door. Katie felt a mixture of freedom and, surprisingly, a little loss. They would be back, of course, to walk her home after closing. But she realized that it was the first time they'd willing left her alone in the last few days. She wondered if it was because of the switchblade Connor'd given her. Or did Murphy even know about it? Shaking her head, she headed down to the rowdier end of the bar for some distraction.
Her hand was deep in the third to last mug to be dried when she heard them walk in. The sound of their footsteps was familiar enough that they didn't even have to say a word. She was glad that that just meant she also didn't have to turn around yet.
"Another few minutes, boys. Then I'm ready to go."
"Aye, just take yer time." Murphy's voice came from nearby and Katie could tell he was just leaning on the bar behind her. She nodded and continued to wipe the mug. After a few more wipes, she methodically switched to the next mug. What was the best way to do this?
"Hey, Connor. Can I talk to you for a second?"
"Sure. What do ya need?" His voice came from a little further down the bar. Katie sighed.
"Can I speak to you alone?" She finished wiping the second to last mug and started on the final one. There was a brief pause.
"Why?" Connor's voice was softer. Murphy spoke up at the same time.
"What's going on, Katie?"
"Please."
"Now, K-k-katie. Sp-sp-splitting the b-boys up won't make this any e-e-easier." Doc had moved in from the back room. Katie turned her head only slightly to see him standing a few feet away out of the corner of her eye.
"Make what any easier?" Murphy's question hung in the air and Katie took a deep breath.
"Katie." Doc said again. Nodding slightly, she took another deep breath before turning around. Both boys reacted as she figured they would. Murphy clenched his fists and swore, while Connor's only reaction was the muscle tensing in his jaw before taking a drink. They both stared at the still forming bruise that spread around her left eye.
"What the fuck happened?" Murphy slammed a fist down on the bar and Katie tensed but didn't jump. "Who did that to you?"
"It was an accident, Murph."
"Let me guess, you walked into a fucking door? Little fucking sister, my ass." He stepped away from the bar abruptly and moved to walk behind it toward her.
"I knew you were going to fucking do this, Murphy. That's why I wanted to talk to Connor first. Calm the fuck down."
"Calm down? Fuck this. I'll be outside." He turned and stormed out, allowing the heavy door to slam behind him. Katie raised her hand to rub her forehead before turning to give Connor a weak smile.
"Your turn."
He just smiled slightly back at her and motioned for her to come closer. Reaching out, he inspected the bruising and looked closer at her eye. "Accident, huh?"
"Yes. An accident."
"The 'ye should see the other guy' type of accident?"
"No. Actual accident. The guy felt terrible too."
"I'm sure." He smiled a little more as he nodded toward the door. "Go talk to me brother."
"Think it's safe?"
He nodded. "With Murph, it's always safe." He added seriously. She sighed and grabbed her coat.
"Well, that was a fun night, Doc. See ya tomorrow?"
"No, t-t-take t-tomorrow off. N-n-n-no n-need to c-come in."
"Thanks. Good night." She nodded at both Doc and Connor as she walked out the door.
Murphy leaned against the building just a few feet down from the door, cigarette in hand.
"Murph."
He glanced at her before turning his attention back to the empty street. Katie stood silently for a moment before she found herself laughing softly at the whole situation.
"This is kinda funny, actually."
"You getting hit is funny?"
"I got elbowed, Murphy. Not hit."
"Oh, now I see it. Yer right, being elbowed is so much funnier." He gave a few sarcastic laughs before taking another drag of his cigarette.
"It's just a bruise, Murphy. He was sorry about it."
"Yeah, I'm sure he fucking was."
"Fuck, Murph. You don't even understand what happened." Katie hesitated for a moment then turned sideways and lifted up her coat and shirt.
"What are ya doing?"
"Here's proof. I bruise easily. See my side. That's from roughhousing with you earlier. And you know you didn't use that much force." She looked up to see Murphy frozen, staring at the softly smudged bruises on her side, one for each of his fingers and thumb. Katie sighed and lowered her shirt. "Murph."
"Jesus. I'm sorry, Katie." He continued to stare at her now covered side for a moment before looking away from her completely. "Fuck."
She groaned and rubbed her hand over her face. "Murphy, I didn't show you that to guilt you. I knew I'd get bruises. I didn't care. A girl's skin is thinner than a guy's. It's a biological fact. And I bruise easily for a girl. So, the guy didn't even elbow me that hard to make this bruise. That's what I was trying to tell you."
He continued to look away for a moment before nodding. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Murphy. Look at me."
After a moment, he looked over at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't tell me that this means I can't pin you down anymore." She smiled, hoping he would loosen up and smile too. He took a drag, and then grinned.
"Well, you can certainly try, Katie. But I'm not guaranteeing you'll be able to. Especially now that I know you play dirty."
"Is that a dare?"
He just shook his head. "So you getting elbowed was funny then?"
"If you'd seen him afterwards, you'd have thought it was funny too. He was tripping over himself to apologize, slurring 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry' over and over again." She smiled again and nudged her toe at the cement. "He was like a fucking broken record. It actually took someone to hit him on the back of the head to make him shut up."
He shot a glance at her then. "And you enjoyed being that person, right?"
"Damn right." She grinned fully at him and felt better to see him smiling back. Dropping his cigarette, he twisted his boot over it before turning to her. In a nearly direct imitation of Connor, he reached out and lightly brushed his finger over her bruising eye.
She pulled away and rolled her eyes with a laugh. "I've already been Connor approved."
"Well, ya've got to be both Connor AND Murphy approved."
"Ah, I see. I haven't been informed of the rules then." She stepped forward again and allowed him to look closer.
"Well, now ya know. Can ya still okay see out of that eye?"
"Yes, Dr. Murph."
He continued to focus on the bruising. "Why did ya want to talk to Connor alone about this?"
"Murph."
"Why?"
"Because I knew he'd be calm about it."
"Katie-" He started to respond but she cut him off.
"Look, I know you mean well, but I was a bundle of nerves for the rest of the night, knowing I'd have to tell you, Murph. I can't stand making ya blow up over something this small. And I wasn't concerned about telling Connor so much."
He laughed softly as he brushed a few stray hairs back away from her face. "And you think Connor is any better?"
"Well yeah, you're the one who blew the head gasket."
"And you think he's not in there right now grilling Doc over what happened?"
"What?" She moved toward the door but Murphy caught her arm. She noticed that his hands were gently hooking her arm instead of actually gripping it, which meant the only pressure on her arm was if she pulled. Oh well, he'll get over it.
"Don't. I'm sure he's almost done by now."
"Dammit. That sneaky bastard. Acted all calm and reasonable."
Murphy just laughed at that. She smiled and leaned up against the wall next to him. "Well, at least you're both on my side. I wouldn't want to know what you'd be like if you were against me."
"Aye, I don't think we'd be bothered nearly as much if we didn't like ya."
"But you'd still be bothered?"
"Katie, seeing bruises on any woman always rises the temper of an Irishman. Even if only just a little."
"You need something else to occupy your time then. Women don't always need your protection there, Murph."
"That may be true, but they still always have it."
Katie just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. The door to the bar opened with a creak and a smiling Connor stepped out.
"Take care, Doc."
It took Connor a moment to realize she was glaring at him with a raised eyebrow. He wrinkled his forehead and shot a glance at Murphy, who shrugged. "What?"
"Sneaky bastard."
Murphy started laughed, making Katie smile despite her best efforts. Connor just cocked his head at her, confused.
"Excuse me?"
"How did your grilling of Doc go?"
He looked at Murphy accusingly. Murphy just raised his hand in surrender.
"Well, Katie. Yer not exactly known for givin' all the needed information right up front." He started walking, so the other two walked faster to catch up to him.
"Wow, you've known me for what…not even a week? And you're already categorizing me, huh?"
"Katie." He just glanced at her.
"Seriously. When did I not give you all of the information?"
"Ye only give us the information that you deem important. For Christ's sake, we don't even know yer full name."
"Connor…" Murphy started in a warning tone but Katie cut him off with a glance.
"Kathleen Sofia Shafer. I'm twenty-five years old. My birthday is November 5th, which just happens to be three days before my younger brother Peter's birthday. He's twenty-four. What else do you want to know?"
"Katie."
"No, Connor. You started this. What else do you want to know?"
He stopped to look at her, leaning down to get closer. "I want to fuckin' know anything that could endanger your life. Or anything that might endanger ours. I want to know information that can prevent anything else from happening like last night."
She paused. "So that's what this is about. You're fucking pissed because I didn't tell you anything about me until last night?"
"It could have been helpful."
"I only knew you for three days as of yesterday. Three fucking days. Sorry if I'm not willing to trust that easily. I'd have been dead three times by now if I trusted a man that quickly. Fuck you, Connor." She turned away and started walking again.
"Just fuckin' wait a minute, Katie." Murphy's voice burst out this time, causing her to turn quickly.
"What?"
"Both of ya listen. First off, Connor. Give her a fuckin' break. She's right. She had no reason to trust us before last night. Fuck, we still haven't given her a concrete reason to trust us."
"Murph." Katie started but was cut off with a wave of his hand as she turned down him.
"Katie, he's also right. Ye need to tell us everything. If ye don't trust us yet, than tell us what we need to do. Because we're trustin' you. I don't need to know what's in yer diary, but we do need to be kept up on anything else that might be important. Like with this situation tonight. If there is something else beyond it being an accident with a drunken bar patron, than we need to know. Ya'll just have learn how to fuckin' trust someone outside of yerself." He glared at the both of before waving his arms in the air in frustration. "Now was that so fuckin' hard?"
Both Katie and Connor stared at him before glancing at each other. Only then did she laugh.
"Did you two switch bodies recently?"
"What?" Murphy said harshly, still wrapped up in his temper. She fought a grin as she looked at him.
"Well, Connor's having emotional outbursts," she said to Murphy before turning to Connor. "And Murphy's giving rational arguments."
"And there to ye go categorizing us again." Connor raised an eyebrow before throwing an arm over each of their shoulders and steering them toward the apartment. "Murphy's rational once in a while."
"God, I need a drink." Katie as she collapsed on the couch with a laugh.
"Ye just got done working at a bar all night." Da raised an eyebrow at her from his chair near the door.
"Yeah, but besides that half a mug I stole from you, Murph, Doc wouldn't let me drink anything. Despite the fact that I did have two guys offer to buy me a drink."
"Ha, like Doc doesn't drink himself while on the job." Connor snorted.
"Well, I'm learning he's got a bit of a double standard. Must be because he's Irish." She emphasized with a meaningful look at both Connor and Murphy. They both just laughed.
"Well, I think we might just have some alcohol in the apartment." Da said with a grin.
"Know any drinking games?"
"Humm…we could watch a movie and pick the 'magic' word."
"Or, we could just take a shot every time Murph says any derivative of the 'F' word." Katie suggested. Connor shook his head.
"Not unless you want to get drunk."
"And I could guarantee you would." Murphy grinned.
"Humm..okay then. We'll play the question game."
"Which is?"
"We ask questions to each person and they either have the choice of answering it or taking a shot."
The two brothers exchanged a glance before nodding together. "Let's take it into the kitchen to leave Da alone." Connor added.
Within a few minutes, they were seated at the kitchen table with two bottles of whiskey, one bottle of rum and one bottle of vodka. Katie took once glance at the selection and grabbed a cola from the fridge. She turned to find Murphy raising an eyebrow at her.
"What? I need a chaser." She sat down and gestured to the bottles. "How many questions you two planning on avoiding?"
"That's all for you." Connor answered and leaned away from her swatting hand. "Okay, me first." He looked back and forth between Katie and Murphy, as if trying to decide who to choose.
"Give it up, Connor. You already know everything about Murphy."
"Yeah, but asking him questions can let me embarrass him. It's so tempting."
"Conn."
"Okay, Katie." He lit a cigarette and pointed it at her. "Favorite color?"
She shook her head and sighed. "Ouch, dare I answer that? Green."
"Just starting off easy."
She narrowed her eyes at the two and watched as they both took a drag of their cigarettes at the same time. "Okay, Murph. Biggest childish fear?"
"Stinging insects. Katie, biggest childish fear?"
"Pitch black dark. You are so creative, Murph."
He made a face at her. "It seemed like a good question."
"Okay," Connor turned with a grin to Murphy. "Did you or did you not kiss Jenny O'Reilly at our 9th year spring dance?"
Katie laughed as the two brothers stared at each other for a moment. Then, Murphy slowly poured whiskey and took the shot. Connor grinned with victory.
"I had to start the actual drinking of the drinking game somehow. He's never answered the question yet."
"Jenny O'Reilly, huh?"
"Katie, don't get him started." Murphy muttered as he tried to suppress a grin. He leaned over then and whispered something in her ear. Katie covered her mouth as she started laughing.
"Connor. Did you or did you not ditch Fiona Flanagan at the Christmas festival when you were 13?"
Connor shot a glance at Murphy before finally giving into a grin. "That is so cheating. But I'll own up to it. Yes I did ditch her. I was a terrible bastard for it too." He pointed his cigarette at Katie as if to make a point. "And she made me regret it every year after that until we left for the states."
"Wuss." Murphy said softly.
"Fine, I do you one better, Murph. I answered your question, and I'll take a shot."
"Okay, then. Back to Katie. Just what racy job did you do to get in with the New York mob?" Murphy said and just laughed as she glared at him.
"I didn't really do racy jobs. I hate to disappoint you, but I mostly ran numbers and kept the accounts balanced."
"Ahh…a brainy girl. Okay, Katie. Two part question. Did you do any racy jobs at all? And if you did, what was one?" Connor asked and watched as she turned slightly red.
She fought a grin but finally gave into laughing. "You are such guys." Picking up the bottle of vodka, she poured a shot and took it. She made a face and both guys laughed harder.
"I think we'll have to wait until she's drunker and then ask again." Murphy stage whispered. Connor just nodded with a laughed.
"Okay, Connor. Why did you two come to the states anyhow?"
He shrugged. "To make more money. And we knew Da was here but didn't know where."
"Okay, my turn. Katie, did you go to college?" Murph asked and Katie was surprised to see that he was actually waiting with interest for her answer.
"Yes, and I have a B.S. in Psychology."
"We've got ourselves a brainy lass, indeed." Connor grinned. "Okay, what did Ma tell ya on the phone today?"
"Wait, she talked to Ma?" Murph seemed surprised.
"Yeah, I talked to your ma. She told me you were two good boys and to keep an eye on you for her."
Connor narrowed his eyes at her. "She didn't say anything else?"
"Not that I can think of, why?"
He shrugged. "She just made it seem like you'd had a nice little chat."
"We did. It just wasn't very long."
"Wow, ye talked to Ma and survived. She used to scare all the girls who came to our house. On purpose." Murphy laughed. Katie shrugged.
"She took pity on me as one of your innocents. Okay, my turn." Katie looked at the both of them. "How many times have the two of you been shot?"
Connor and Murphy exchanged a glance before looking back at her. "Who is that directed towards?"
"Ummm…Murph. Since you avoided the question already once."
"I didn't avoid it. I got interrupted." He took a drag of his cigarette before letting it dangle lighting between two fingers. "Connor's been shot, what…twice in the same arm and once in the leg. I've only been shot twice total. Once in the arm and once in the side."
Katie pursed her lips before taking a drink of her cola. "We need to get you two some armor or something."
"Actually, we've been pretty lucky considering how many times we've been shot at."
"I know. That's what concerns me." She gave a short laugh.
"Okay, Murphy. What did you whisper to Katie before she collapsed at the warehouse?"
Katie looked at Murphy surprised. He gave Connor a hard look before shrugging. "I don't really remember."
"Liar." Connor scuffed. Murphy glared at him again.
"I don't. I said a lot of stuff that night I can't remember."
"Than take a shot."
"But he answered the question." Katie said, confused. Murphy held Connor's gaze for a second before pouring a shot and taking it. The room seemed tense until they broke each other's gaze.
"Okay then. My turn. Connor, why does Murph call you Charlie Bronson?"
Connor grinned at her. "Because we used to watch those movies when we were younger. He's an older action star."
"That and Connor likes to use rope like him."
"Rope?"
"Nevermind." Connor leaned back with a laugh.
"No, I think I want to know. Otherwise, it's kind of disturbing."
"Katie!" Murphy started laughing as he followed her train of thought. "No, he seems to think there's always a use for rope. Nothing kinky about it."
She choked the cola she was swallowing and burst out laughing as soon as she could breathe again. "So, like some guys and duct tape."
"Basically, yeah."
Connor shook his head, slightly amused. "Okay, so who's turn is it?"
"Murphy's."
He brought his thumb to his mouth and chewed on it, looking back and forth between Connor and Katie. Finally Connor sighed and sat up. "Are ya going to choose?"
"Okay. Katie, who's cuter? Connor or me?"
She started laughed and shook her head at that. "I can't believe you asked me that."
"Answer or take a shot."
"Ah, the age old question. Same old competition. Don't worry Katie, he does this to a lot of girls. And last time I checked, we were about even on the responses." Connor leaned his elbows on the table and smiled, obviously waiting for an answer.
She finally just shrugged. "You both are."
"Nope, ya gotta choose one."
After looking back and forth between the two of them, she pretended to think deeply about it. Then after a few minutes, she quickly poured a shot of rum and took it as they laughed.
"Okay, Katie." Connor spun his shot glass on the table. "Your name is Irish, Italian and German. So what are ye?"
Katie smiled at that. "Great job. Most people don't get all of them. I'm half Irish, half German."
"So where does the Italian come in?"
"I'm black Irish. My mom researched heavily and found that there is that linkage to a Sicilian sailor like many 'black Irish' families have. That's also how I could pretend to be Italian for the mob. Now my turn. Connor, do you really not know who the older twin is?"
"That fascinates you, doesn't it?" He laughed. She raised an eyebrow and eyed the shot glass.
"Answer or drink."
"We really do not know. But if ye every find out through yer chats with our Ma, than feel free to enlighten us."
Murphy's jaw dropped a little. "Great idea! We could send her in as a mole!"
She just laughed. "Murphy. I barely know your Ma. I doubt she'll tell me if she won't tell you."
"I wouldn't be so sure. She just loves torturing us. Just wait until we get our annual call for St. Patty's." He answered and Connor shrugged. Murphy narrowed his eyes at Katie. "Okay, Katie. My turn. Are ya going ta trust us and keep us in the loop from now on?"
She stared at him for a moment, a blank expression on her face. Then she reached over and poured a shot. She took it and maintained the straight face for another moment before she finally grinned. Neither Connor or Murphy looked too pleased.
"Sorry, I had to make you nervous. Of course I trust you. I tried to tell you that earlier but you cut me off. I just didn't realize how much I trusted you until last night. As I will try to keep you in the loop."
"Try to?"
"Yeah. I've been living in my head for the most part for the last year, not really able to share any real information with anyone else. So it'll take some getting used to."
Both guys were still silent as she looked back and forth between then again. "Guys, I was joking when I took the shot."
Connor shifted in his seat. "Okay, my turn. Katie, when did you realize you had a bad sense of humor?"
She pursed her lips for a second before laughing and pouring another shot. After saluting Connor with it, she downed the shot and quickly chased it with a drink of cola. She blinked hard before laughing and putting her hand to her forehead. "Okay, I gotta start answering questions now."
Murphy reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. "Maybe we should just go to bed. It is near three."
"How the hell do you know what time is it?" Katie looked up at him, frustrated.
Connor laughed. "He's got some sort of an internal clock. Take him three time zones away and he still automatically knows the time without really looking."
"And you don't?"
"Nope, but I've got an internal compass. Murph can tell ya what time it is, but he can't tell ya where the fuck he is half the time."
"Humm…I'll have to figure out what I have. Maybe I'm the bionic woman."
Connor leaned closer to her and peered into her face. "You're not actually drunk, are ye?"
She just laughed. "No, just really tired. I am going to go to bed." She got up and grabbed the table for balance. Both twins raised an eyebrow at her. "I swear. Just tired. I'm much worse than this when I'm drunk."
"Good night, Katie."
"'Night boys."
She was still awake when he shadowed her doorway nearly an hour later. He was silent for a moment.
"Ya 'wake?" His voice was quiet and thickly Irish in the dark.
"Yeah."
"Why don't ya sleep in here with us again?"
"Murphy, I'll be fine."
"Come on. Ya can have me bed."
"Do you really want to sleep on the floor again?"
"No, but I want to be able to fuckin' sleep."
"That doesn't make sense."
"Well, by now it should. Ya know those words are still there. Even if ya did cover them up with a coat o' paint."
"Two coats."
"Whatever. They're still fucking there. Ya didn't erase their fucking existence."
"Murph," her voice was frustrated. She heard a sigh.
"Fine, do whatever the fuck ya please."
His steps clomped down the hall followed soon by Connor's slightly drunker stumbles. She could only figure that they'd continued drinking after she'd gone to bed. Katie sighed and buried her head into her pillow again.
She had an hour of peaceful sleep before the nightmares began. She'd found her parents all over again, only this time the guns were still there and were pointed at her. Then she was in the alley again but she could still hear her mother's screams. The knife pressed into her throat, not stopping this time but making a full circle around her neck.
Her hand was on her bandage when she woke up and found herself sitting up and backed up against the wall. She brought the other hand up to her throat and felt her pulse racing. It seemed so fucking real. The sobs rose without warning and she covered her face with her hands. She was tired. She wanted some freaking sleep. But she knew the dreams were there, just waiting for her to close her eyes again.
"Fuck this," she whispered and only hesitated slightly before sliding off the bed. The wood floor of the hallway was cold under her feet as she tiptoed down to the brothers' room. Slight snoring could be heard outside of the door, covering up any sound she made as she opened it. The two were curled up in nearly mirroring positions: head high up on their pillow, one arm curled under it and the other across their chest. Katie wished briefly for a camera. Why was it they looked so damn innocent when they slept?
Sighing, she moved towards Murphy's bed, knowing he would be the least confused if she crawled in it with him. The floor was cold and she'd left the blankets back in her room, so that wasn't a good option. Lifting the covers, she moved in slowly trying to make the least amount of movement possible. She didn't want to wake him up if she could help it. His arm came around her instantly and Katie froze until she realized he was still asleep. He was warm behind her, forcing her to fight the urge to cuddle further into him. They weren't spooning. She was just trying to get some sleep.
She closed her eyes and could still see the guns in her dreams still waiting for her. The tears came instantly this time. Sleeping in their room was supposed to make her able to sleep. She knew her silent sobs had woken Murphy up when she felt his arm tighten around her. He sat up slightly to look down at her.
"Hey, what's this all about?"
Katie just shook her head and put her hands over her face.
He shushed her softly and lay back down to hold her closer. "Ya're okay."
It was another minute or so before she could speak again. "I had a nightmare."
He reached up and brushed her hair back from her face, and then rested his chin on her shoulder. "It's okay. Ya're safe. We won't let anything happen to ya."
She laughed softly. "Do you always speak as a set?"
"What?"
"You said we."
"Oh, well. I think Connor would agree to that to."
She smiled again but fell silent. Even with Murphy so close behind her she could still feel the pressure on her throat from the dream. She couldn't stop the shiver that went through her. She could feel Murphy look down at her again.
"Are ya cold?"
She just shook her head. He sighed quietly.
"Turn ta face me."
She shook her head again.
"Why not?"
"I don't want you to see me." Her voice was shaky.
"It's too dark ta see ya. Come on, ya'll feel better facing me."
After a short pause she shifted quickly onto other side. His hands framed her face as he wiped off the remaining tears. Raising her eyes, she realized she could still see him despite the dark.
"Liar."
He just smiled slightly and guided her head to his shoulder. His other arm went around her and made gentle strokes up and down her back.
She was enjoyed the feeling for a moment before looking up at him again. "I was followed today."
"Humm?"
"I was followed. When I went to get the paint. Someone followed me."
"Yeah, I know."
"What?"
She felt him laugh softly.
"I know. It was Connor. I told ya we wouldn't let anything happen to ya."
"Oh."
"Now go to sleep."
"I don't know if I can. I keep seeing the guns." The tears were back in her voice and he kissed the top of her head in response.
"Close your eyes and imagine something different. I won't let anything happen to ya."
She noticed 'I' but didn't say anything. She didn't know what to imagine. The good memories involved Brett and their family but he was gone and they were no longer a family. So instead, she concentrated on being in his arms. On his smell, which was currently a mixture of rum, slightly cigarettes and Murphy. It was a nice smell. One she could grow used to.
Murphy noticed her breathing change slowly and continued rubbing her back until he was sure she was asleep. She mentioned guns in her nightmare. He wondered whose guns they were. He stopped his hands and relaxed fully beside her, feeling her adjust to his movement in her sleep. He kissed the top of her head again before closing his head. She was here with them now. Now he could actually get some real sleep.
The sun had brightened the room by the time that Katie finally woke up. The bed had lost some of its warmth and she realized then that Murphy wasn't in it with her anymore. Opening her eyes, she looked around. Connor was still curled up, facing the other way this time. As she rubbed her hands over her face she remembered Murphy's laughter when she told him she was being followed. She'd been slightly annoyed when he'd told her it was Connor. Now she was pissed. Slipping off her socks, she folded them into a ball and winged it at the back of Connor's head. He shifted abruptly before sighing heavily.
"Dammit, Murphy." He sat up and faced her with a glare but stopped short when he realized it hadn't been his brother. "Oh, Katie." He paused. "What the fuck was that for?"
"For following me."
"Jesus woman, for what?"
"For following me yesterday."
"Well yeah, ya left here all alone. What else would ye have wanted?"
"To be allowed to go on my own."
"You were on yer own. I didn't try to stop ya from doing anything."
"No, just followed me."
"What the fuck else did ya think would happen? Ya left here on your own without saying more than fuckin' two words ta me about it."
"Wow, I see the massive amount of trust you two have in me."
"Or maybe it's the great fuckin' fear we have for ya." Murphy's voice was harsh from the doorway. She turned to glare at him. "Or did that never occur to ya? Go fucking alone next time. See if I give a fuck."
He turned and she could hear his loud footsteps stomp down the hall. Looking back at Connor, she sighed. He just watched her with a look she couldn't read.
"Dammit!" she muttered and flopped back down onto the bed. "Fuck, how do I always end up doing that with him?"
"He doesn't want to see ya hurt because of us. Neither do I."
"Who says it's because of you? I'm not exactly friends with the mob either."
"No, but they left those messages for us."
"After they followed me here. Did you think that maybe they know I'm with 'The Saints'? That they can kill two birds with one stone? I bet they don't even know what you actually look like, outside of those stupid courtroom drawings."
"How did they fucking know about Rocco then?"
"They know Papa Joe killed him. They know you were with him. Make the fuckin' connections, Connor. That's why I'm pissed that you followed me. You two shouldn't be anywhere near me, come to think of it."
She got to her feet and grabbed her socks from near Connor's knee. He grabbed her arm, forcing her to make eye contact with him.
"Don't just take off because ye think it will protect us."
She narrowed her eyes at them. The thought had only just occurred to her, how the hell did he know?
"What makes you think I'll do that?"
"Because it's what I'd do. But stay. You leaving will only make things worse at this point."
"How can it make things worse?"
He sighed scrubbed a hand across his eyes before giving her a small smile.
"Because Murph wouldn't stop looking for ya. And-"
"Yeah, yeah. Neither would you."
"Actually, I was going to say that I wouldn't be able to stop him. But yeah, I'd probably look a little too."
She laughed at that and then quickly sobered as she glanced toward the door.
"I really did fuck up with that, didn't I?"
"Don't worry. He'll be over it in another five minutes."
"Why aren't you mad? You're the one who I yelled at. And threw dirty socks at."
"We balance each other out. He's all bark."
"Than what the hell are you?"
"Me…I'm all bite." He flashed a grin at her and laughed as she dropped her jaw slightly. She knew it was true though. Connor would be the last person she ever wanted after her.
"On that note…" She shook her head, laughing.
"Yeah, yeah. Go talk to me brother."