A/N: Many apologies for the last ending. :) That was just the perfect end to the chapter. But I have plenty more chapters planned, so that should tell you something about Katie leaving. And yes, Penscratch, you are right, it was necessary for the story even if you didn't like it. :) The story is listed as drama/angst...it's about time I start living up to that genre choice! (cue evil laughter) Murphy and Connor humor can only go so far storyline wise...(despite how long we'd be willing to continue to read it just to 'listen' to them. :) Thanks for all the reviews and double thanks to Rynn for reading this chapter so quickly right after getting done with the last chapter!
Murph! Connor sat up quickly in his bed and breathed a sigh of relief when he realized he was awake. Murphy's death had just been a dream. The same dream that had plagued him for months after Rocco had been shot. The same dream he still hadn't told Murphy about. A hand touched his shoulder and Connor turned his head to find a half-asleep but concerned Sara watching him.
He smiled slightly as he remembered that she had crawled into his bed in the middle of the night, leaving Murphy's bed abandoned. She put her hand on the side of his face. "You okay, Connor?"
Nodding, he turned his head and kissed the palm of her hand. "I'm fine."
"Bad dream." It was a statement, not a question but he nodded anyway.
"Aye. Sorry I woke ye." He pushed the covers back and stepped over her legs to get out of the bed. "Go back ta sleep."
Sara shook her head and sat up, putting her feet on the floor. "I'm awake. You check on them. I'll go make some coffee."
She got to her feet and kissed him on the cheek before moving past him and out the door. Connor watched her leave with a smile. She looked good in just his t-shirt.
Yawning, he trudged out of his room and down the hall to Katie's door. He knocked lightly but opened the door without waiting for a response. Connor smiled when he saw that Murphy was awake, sitting on the side of the bed. Their eyes met and Connor grinned fully.
"Ye awake?"
Murphy nodded slightly. "Me fuckin' head is killin' me."
"I imagine it is." Connor moved into the room and rubbed his hand over his brother's head, messing his hair up further. The brief contact made him feel better. Murphy was alive and he was awake. Realizing Katie wasn't in the room, he looked around. "Where's Katie?"
Shrugging, Murphy glanced around the room and then up at Connor quickly. "Why am I in her bed?"
"What's the last thing ye remember, Murph?"
He narrowed his eyes and rubbed a hand over his temple. "What the fuck happened last night?"
"Let's start with what ye remember."
"Katie and I came ta the bar late. She and Sara knew each other." Murphy squinted up at Connor, who nodded. "I feel like I have fuckin' cotton in my head."
"Do ye remember the fight?"
"We got in a fight?"
Connor sighed. "No, we broke one up."
"What the fuck is goin' on, Connor? I didn't get that fuckin' bombed last night, did I?" Murphy dropped his hand away from his face and stood up quickly. Connor reached out as if to steady him, making his brother look at him funny.
"What's with all the fuckin' questions?" Murphy knocked his brother's hand away from him. "What happened last night?"
"Do ye remember drinkin' Katie's drink?"
"No! I don't fuckin' remember."
"Well, someone fuckin' slipped something in it, Murph. Ye don't remember because you were fuckin' drugged." Connor watched him carefully, forcing himself not to reach out as Murphy stepped toward the door. They looked at each other and Murphy brought his hand up to his mouth.
"Someone drugged Katie's drink? Where the fuck is she? Is she okay?"
Connor put his hand on Murphy's arm. "She's fine. I'm sure she's just out in the kitchen."
"Connor." Sara's voice came quietly from the doorway. Both brothers broke the stare to look at her. She held out a piece of paper. "She's gone."
Murphy grabbed the note and started to read it. Connor leaned in over his shoulder. Skimming the note quickly, he put his hand on Murphy's shoulder and squeezed. "Fuck."
He glanced up and saw that Sara was watching them, the beginnings of tears in her eyes. Murphy continued to stare at the note.
Murphy, Connor, Da and Rosie,
I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye. But I can't
let this hurt you anymore than it already has.
Take care of each other. Please forgive me.
Love,
Katie
"She left her key on the table." Sara spoke up finally. Both Murphy and Connor looked up at her again. Murphy set the note on her bed and raised his hand to his forehead again.
"I thought it was a fuckin' dream."
"You thought what was?" Connor frowned at him. Murphy stared at the wall. He pressed his lips together and sighed heavily.
"I heard her say goodbye."
They combed every place they could think of in South Boston for her. It'd taken nearly the whole day and they still found nothing. She hadn't contacted Doc for her paycheck. And every time they called her cell phone, it went straight to voicemail. Left with no more ideas of what to do, Connor, Murphy and Da returned to the apartment, each one of them hoping she might be there waiting for them. The apartment had been empty and each McManus passed the time they waited in their own way.
The ringing of Connor's phone finally tore him out of any semblance of sleep at three A.M. Staring at it for a second, he saw that it was Smecker. This can't be fuckin' good.
"'lo?"
"Connor, it's Smecker."
"Aye, I know. What's wrong?"
"I found your girl. She's okay." Smecker waited a beat. "She's down here at the precinct."
"Think we can get in this early?" Connor rolled over onto his back and glanced at his brother's bed. It was empty, the blankets twisted and the pillow on the floor. Where the fuck was Murphy?
"I'll make sure it's clear. Come to the side door."
"We'll be there shortly. Thanks for lettin' us know." Connor shut his phone and stared at Murphy's bed for another second. He turned then and got out of bed quickly. Walking down the hallway, he saw Murphy at the kitchen table, cup of coffee in one hand and lit cigarette in the other.
"Murph?" He kept his voice low, seeing that Da was snoring softly from one of the recliners.
Murphy looked up at him surprised before staring back at the front door. "Keep it down. We don't need to fuckin' wake up Da, too."
Pulling out a chair, Connor sat down and looked at Murphy. "What are ye doin'?"
"Couldn't fuckin' sleep. Thought maybe she'd come home tonight."
"Not fuckin' likely. Smecker found her. She's fine, Murph." Connor added quickly, as Murphy turned to stare at him wide-eyed.
Murphy got to his feet and tapped the ashes off his cigarette. "Then what the fuck are we waitin' for?"
Holding up his hand, Connor stood up. "Just let me get some clothes on." He ran back to their room and quickly pulled an old pair of jeans on and a dark sweater. Grabbing his phone off his nightstand, he quietly shut the door behind him. The longer Da thought they were sleeping, the longer they had before he got worried.
"Why the fuck is she at the precinct?" Murphy whispered from the door as Connor haphazardly tied his boots. He stood up and shrugged.
"No fuckin' idea." Connor pulled his keys out of his coat pocket and pushed Murphy out the door, locking it quietly behind them.
The walk to the police station was tense and completely wordless. Connor had to walk quickly to keep up with his brother. Their stride was off. They were off. He looked at Murphy every few minutes, wanting to speak up but unsure of what to say. Murphy hadn't told him what exactly had happened between Katie and him.
They both walked around to the side doors and Connor pulled out his phone to dial Smecker.
"We're here." He shut his phone again and looked at Murphy, who couldn't seem to keep still. "She's alright, Murph."
His brother just nodded shortly and straightened as Smecker appeared at the glass door. He used his keys and unlocked it quickly.
"Follow me."
Smecker led them away from the door and down a small hallway until they reached a tiny office. Connor sat down in one of the chairs across from Smecker's desk, but looked up to see that Murphy had remained standing near the doorway.
"Where's Katie?"
"Murphy, sit down." Smecker pointed at other chair, but he just shook his head.
"Take us to her."
"Murph, sit down." Connor's voice was quiet but he knew that Murphy would listen to him. There was a brief pause before he sat down as well. They both leaned forward then and Smecker sighed.
"It's more complicated than that. Katie killed somebody. We believe it was in self-defense."
"What the fuck happened?" Connor asked at the same time that Murphy spoke up.
"Is she hurt?"
Smecker shook his head at Murphy. "No, she's okay. We don't have all of the story yet, but she was attacked in an alley not far from here. Fortunately for her, she had this." He pulled out an evidence bag holding a switchblade.
Connor's eyes widened as he stared at it. "Fuck."
"Do either of you recognize this?"
"No." Murphy shook his head but continued to stare at the bag.
Connor swallowed quickly and leaned forward to take the bag from Smecker. He looked closely at the knife and nodded.
"I gave her this." He glanced at Murphy, who was giving him a confused look. "The day she ditched me and bought the paint. I felt better knowing she had something to protect her."
"Why didn't ye fuckin' tell me?"
"I didn't want ta make a big fuckin' deal of out it." He shrugged and looked at Smecker again, feeling his brother continue to stare at him.
"So, she knew how to use it then?"
"Aye, I fuckin' taught her." Connor pressed his lips together before glancing at both Murphy and Smecker. "I also told her never ta bring it out unless she really fuckin' needed it."
"She might have gotten scared, Connor."
Out of the corner of his eye, Connor saw Murphy lean even further forward. "Where is she? We need to see her now."
Smecker shook his head and held up a hand quickly. "There are a few more details here."
Connor leaned back again. He looked over and saw that Murphy had started chewing on his thumb. He looked back at Smecker.
"The guy she killed was a mobster."
Connor exchanged a quick glance with Murphy before nodding. They'd figured as much. He opened his mouth to respond but Smecker held up his finger again.
"He was a Russian mobster."
Both Connor and Murphy sat up straight and stared at each other before turning back to Smecker in unison.
"Fuckin' Russian?" Murphy asked.
Smecker nodded.
"This just got a whole lot more fuckin' complicated." Connor reached into his pocket and pulled out his cigarettes. He handed one to Murphy and tossed one to Smecker, before lighting one himself.
"I have a theory." Smecker took a drag and stared at them. Connor nodded quickly.
"Which is?"
"So far we have two major competing mob families working together and suddenly the Russians are also in on this. There's only one man who could do this. The fucking former right hand man of Papa Joe. Leon Fertitta. He has family ties with New York. Three of the under bosses are his first cousins. Now he just got fucking passed up after Papa Joe was taken down. He also used to do a lot of trading of resources with the fucking Russians when they first started coming over." Smecker put the cigarette to his lips.
"What does this have to do with Katie?" Connor glanced at Murphy as he spoke. Murphy had started chewing on his thumb again. They'd have to let him go check on Katie soon.
"Everything. Intelligence tells me that the Russians weren't even in communication with either mob family until a week ago. But the New York family and the Boston family have been in communication for nearly two months."
"So the fuckin' Russians were brought into it after she met us."
"Exactly." Smecker pointed his cigarette at Murphy. "Which means that you two weren't even fucking targeted until then. Katie was the original target."
"But she wouldn't have been fuckin' kidnapped if she hadn't been with Janie Fertitta." Connor pointed out. Smecker raised an eyebrow.
"Wouldn't she have?"
"Kidnapping Janie was never their intention." Murphy stared at him.
"Exactly. Why else would they have let her go? Because they'd already lost Katie. But we need to find exactly what Katie knows. We've been lucky so far. That's the only reason she's still alive. These two families are still fucking learning to work together. But soon enough, they'll be a fucking well oiled machine and we'll have much fucking harder time keeping her away from them." Smecker looked hard at Murphy who had started fidgeting even more. Reaching next to his desk, he pulled out a paper bag and Katie's backpack.
"Murphy. She's in the holding cell you two were in. Her clothes may be needed as evidence. She has a change of clothes in here."
Connor reached out and put a hand on Murphy's shoulder. "Go take care of her. We'll be in there in a minute."
Murphy nodded and looked at Connor quickly before grabbing the bags and walking out the door. Connor watched him disappear down the hallway before he turned back to Smecker.
"What do ye think she knows?"
"I don't know. But I think it's something pretty fucking big."
Connor nodded and took a drag of his cigarette. "Let's give 'em a few minutes here."
"Connor, you know that she may have been their original target but bringing in the Russians only means one thing."
"That they mean to take us down too." Connor took another drag of his cigarette before he looked back at Smecker. "I wish 'em good fuckin' luck with that."
Katie was curled up on her side on the cot nearest the outside wall. She was exhausted but each time she closed her eyes the knife and the blood came back to her. Great, another fucking image to add to things.
The door creaked as it opened but she just stayed as she was. The sound of footsteps came closer. Katie sighed.
"Paul, please. Just let me be alone for a while."
The footsteps kept coming. Looking behind her, she froze as she saw Murphy watching her carefully. His eyes widened as he saw the blood on her shirt.
"Murph." She didn't know she'd said it until it was out. He sat down next to her and pulled her into his arms. Wrapping her arms around him tightly, she fought the lump forming in her throat.
She could feel that his body was tense. Pulling away slightly, Katie reached up and put her hand on his face. He stared down at her for a second before brushing her hair out of her face and gently kissing her. She felt him relax a little as she kissed him back.
Breaking the contact finally, Katie looked up at him and then moved her eyes away. "I'm so sorry, Murph."
He tried to smile. "For what? Leavin'?"
"No. For you getting hurt." She continued to look away until the silence got to be too much for her. Raising her eyes to him, she found that he was watching her.
"Katie, look at me. I'm fuckin' fine." He opened his arms for her inspection. She just stared at him before she turned away and stood up.
"You weren't." She crossed her arms.
"Yer right. I wasn't." Murphy spoke softly. "From the moment I found out ye were gone until now, I wasn't fine."
"Murph." She sighed and then ran a hand through her hair.
"No, I'm not ready to argue about this yet." He reached down and tossed her the backpack. "Smecker needs those clothes for evidence. He said to put them in that paper bag." She just looked at him. "Please."
She watched as he turned around and found herself smiling slightly. "Always the gentleman, Murph."
"Sometimes, that's all ye can fuckin' be." He responded and Katie felt a little better as she heard the smile in his voice.
Peeling off her t-shirt, Katie folding it neatly and laid it in the bag. She did the same with her jeans. Glancing down, she shrugged and put on the extra set of clothes out of her bag. She hoped Smecker wouldn't need anything else.
"It's safe to look now." She found herself smiling again as Murphy peeked cautiously behind him. "I guess I need to get a new coat though. Most of the…of it landed on that coat." She couldn't say the word. It was blood, Katie. Just fucking blood.
"Ye can wear mine home at least."
"No, Murph. I'm not-" Her response was cut off as Smecker opened the door. Connor followed him and his eyes studied both of them for a moment. Katie bit her lip.
Connor walked forward and looked at her closer before putting his arms around her. Hugging her tightly for a second, he stepped back again. "Are ye okay?"
She nodded but watched Connor glance over at Murphy anyhow. Murphy nodded slightly. Katie narrowed her eyes as she watched them.
"Your clothes in here?" Smecker held up the paper bag and she nodded again.
"Do ye need anything else from her right now?" Connor turned to him. Smecker shook his head.
"You can take her home. I'll call you if we need anything further."
"Wait." Katie stepped back and held up her hands. "I'm not going back with you."
All three men stared at her. Connor crossed his arms but she cut him off before he could start.
"I'm sticking with my decision."
"Ye just got fuckin' attacked in an alley, for Christ's sake." Connor broke the silence.
"And I
survived."
"Aye, until next time. Ye're not makin'
fuckin' sense, Katie." He stepped closer. She glared at him and
crossed her arms over her chest too.
"I'm a fucking adult, Connor. I'm free to make my own choices. And I choose to not fucking endanger anyone else."
"So ye'll just fuckin' endanger yer own life. Who gives a fuck what anyone else thinks, right? Who fuckin' cares if it hurts anyone else?" Murphy's voice was soft but she could hear the emotion in it. She felt colder as she stared at him and forced herself to shut down her own emotional response. It's for his fucking sake.
"This is my problem. I'm not letting it fucking touch you guys anymore than it already has. It's my fucking problem." She could hear the shaking of her voice and she knew she was losing the battle for control over herself.
Connor looked at Murphy before he turned back to her. His face showed no emotion. "If ye won't come home with us, then yer stayin' fuckin' here."
Her mouth dropped open and she stared at him. "Fuck you, Connor. That's not in your control." She looked at Smecker who had been observing from the near the wall. "I'm free to go, right Paul?"
"Keep her here, Smecker." Connor looked at him. Smecker shifted the paper bag and slipped his hand into his pocket. He then focused on Katie.
"Technically, I'm supposed to hold you until we know what actually happened. I was going to release you early to these two."
She stared at him in disbelief. "You're joking, right?"
"No, Katie. I'm not." Smecker sighed.
Katie pressed her lips together and glared at Smecker first and turned to Connor. Her gaze softened when she looked at Murphy. Finally, she shook her head and sat back down on her bed. "Then I guess I'll just get comfortable."
"Fine. Fuckin' stay in here for all I care." Murphy raised his voice as he stared at her. He turned and left the holding cell, slamming the door behind him. Smecker exchanged a glance with Connor. Connor nodded toward the door and Smecker followed Murphy out the door.
Katie leaned her chin on her fist and raised her eyebrows at Connor. He looked at the door behind him before turning back to her.
"I told ye awhile ago that leavin' wasn't the answer. I'd have left myself if I thought it'd keep Murphy safe. But he'll keep lookin' for ye. Everywhere. Pushing him away doesn't save him, Katie. It only hurts him more." Connor turned and left her alone in the room without a backward glance.
Murphy was pacing back and forth in the hallway when Connor reached him. He looked up briefly at Connor but then put his eyes back on the floor.
"She'll come around, Murph."
He just nodded in response. Smecker looked at Connor.
"You two better get going. The day shift'll be in before long."
Connor nodded and stepped toward his brother. Murphy shook his head and met Connor's gaze.
"I'm gonna get some fuckin' air. I'll see ye back at the apartment." He turned and started walking down the hall. Connor watched him for a second.
"Ye got yer phone?"
Murphy pulled the phone out of his pocket and held it up without looking back. He disappeared out the door as Connor kept his eyes on him. He then turned to Smecker.
"He gonna be okay?"
Connor nodded shortly. "He'll be fine. He just needs ta be alone."
"Maybe she does too."
"Aye, maybe. Thanks for keepin' her here."
"I can only hold her for so long, Connor."
He looked at Smecker. "Let's just fuckin' hope it'll be long enough. Do me another favor?"
"Depends. What is it?" Smecker grinned at him. Connor pulled a cigarette out and lit it.
"Can ye look someone up for me? Figure out if there's anything in yer system?"
"Who is it?"
"His name is Peter Shafer. He's Katie's brother." Rolling the cigarette, Connor glanced up at Smecker again.
"Okay. Why?"
"He might be a good fuckin' plan B. He's a cop. Transferred to some precinct in New York City about two months ago. If she won't go with us, maybe she'll go with him."
"I'll let you know." Smecked nodded at him. Connor gave him a small smile and followed his brother's path out the side door.
Smecker was nursing his third cup of coffee since noon when Murphy appeared in the doorway. He looked up and frowned at him, motioning for him to come inside.
"What's going on?"
Murphy just held out a white paper bag. "It's for Katie. A little late for lunch, but I know she likes it."
"Thanks. I'll take it into her in just a minute here. How are you doing?"
Shrugging, Murphy pulled out a cigarette. "She talk ta anyone yet?"
"No, she's been sleeping since you two left. I have a feeling she didn't sleep much last night."
"No, I don't fuckin' suppose she did."
They were both quiet for a moment before Smecker sat forward.
"Do you want to take it in to her?"
Murphy took a drag of his cigarette and shook his head. "No. I'd better not." He got to his feet and walked to the door. "Thanks, Smecker."
Smecker nodded and watched Murphy leave. What was going to happen if she continued to stick to her decision? Sighing, he got to his feet and grabbed the white bag.
Katie woke slowly. The cot wasn't the most comfortable thing but she had been so exhausted that it worked for her. Now she could swear that something was poking her in the back. Sitting up, the white bag on the floor caught her eye and she picked it up with a frown.
It was still slightly warm and smelled like food. Smecker must have brought it in while she was sleeping. Her stomach growled lightly and Katie opened the bag. Pulling the Styrofoam box out, she turned the bag on its side. A slip of paper floated out and landed on her lap.
Figuring it was a receipt, Katie glanced at it quickly. Rough handwriting was scrawled across the paper instead of the printed blue words she expected to see. Turning it right side up, she read the words.
I love you too.
Please come home.
Murphy
She stared down at the words through the tears in her eyes. Raising her hand to her mouth, she read them again. How did he know what I said? Katie finally gave in and cried.