A/N: Polished, updated (7/12/06) and it would've been served fresh...but I got busy. :) The next chapter is being betaized (is that a word?) and then it'll be up!
Katie stepped into the hot stream of the shower and sighed. She hadn't been this relaxed in days and Murphy was to credit for that on all parts. First, he came home alive so that she didn't have to keep tearing her hair out and then he had loved her.
She smiled widely and leaned her head against the tiled shower walls. The ceramic felt cool to her forehead and with the mixture of the sensations, she closed her eyes. A nap would be good right about now, but it was the middle of the fucking day and they had plans for McGinty's.
The cool air outside of the shower hit her as the curtain was pulled open. Murphy stepped into the shower behind her before she could react. Turning, she laughed at him through the steam.
"What are you doing, Murph?"
"Thought we could save time. Connor and Da could be here any fuckin' second."
His hand ran down her back as she slipped her arms around his neck. "And what part of us taking a shower together would be saving time?"
He kissed her softly, sweetly before giving into a chuckle. "Christ, Katie. Sometimes, a shower really is just a fuckin' shower."
"Uh, huh." Grinning, she stepped back slightly, blocking most of the stream from hitting him.
Working the shampoo into her hair, she saw him trying to hold back a smile as he watched her. She just shook her head at him and they both smiled.
"I think this should become a regular fuckin' mornin' ritual." He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the tile.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?"
Stepping forward, his eyes fell again on the cross that hung between her breasts. She had noticed he had kept looking at it all morning, despite the fact that only the chain had been visible underneath her clothing. His fingers brushed the stream of water than was flowing down her body as he lifted the necklace up.
"Did ye wear it last night?"
His questions surprised her and she didn't know which answer he was looking for. She finished rinsing the shampoo out of her hair and shook her head slowly.
"I couldn't."
"No, I suppose it wouldn't go with the fuckin' outfit." His voice was weary, not angry like she expected.
"Murph, I…I couldn't take a part of you there with me. Not with what I was doing." She had toyed with the idea for a good few minutes despite the nervous energy with her that night. It would have been disrespectful to wear his communion cross.
He raised it to his lips, kissing it before letting it settle back against her breastbone. His hands framed her face as he kissed her, his fingers tangling in her wet hair. "Please, don't take it off again, no matter what ye're plannin' on doin'. It can't work if yer not wearin' it."
"Okay." She stared up at him for a moment. His eyes were on her upper arms and she was still slightly surprised to see the pain in his face as his fingers rubbed over them.
Running her fingers along his stubble of his chin, she kissed him softly. "I'll cover mine and we'll find a way to cover yours. Then we can have a night without being reminded of everything that's going on."
"Cover mine? Shall I wear a fuckin' bag over me head?" He gave her a half smile.
"That can be our backup plan." She grinned as she pushed him back into the stream of water, switching their positions. "But first, we need to finish showering."
Sara moved past Mags front desk quickly, hoping to just get to her office without answering anything else. The girl was new and still showing it by her ignorance of everything.
"Sara."
Stopping, she sighed and knew she couldn't just keep walking. So much for escaping. She turned slowly and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Mags?"
"There's a strange man in your office. I tried to keep him out here but he insisted on waiting for you in there."
Nodding slowly, Sara felt herself grin. Could Connor be back already? Her heart beat a little faster as she wandered back to her office. If it was Connor, she was going to need Mags to define her version of 'strange'. Though, Sara realized, maybe others might see Connor McManus as a strange man.
She pondered this with another smile as she rounded the corner. Seeing the back of a dark, curly head, she tried not to be disappointed. It wasn't Connor, but she had a good idea who it was.
Stepping into her office, she glanced briefly at the man and smiled slightly before sitting behind her desk. "So, what brings your ugly ass to my office, Davis?"
"And I was going to tell you how beautiful you look today." Her old colleague smiled back at her and she noticed that he was still as sweet and innocent looking as he had been when she first met him.
"Don't butter me up. What do you want?"
"I can't visit an old friend?" He pouted slightly and she just rolled her eyes. If it were anyone else, he would be out of her office by now…
"Davis." She warned softly, her eyes glancing behind him to make sure no one was around. "You've got a file in your briefcase for me, don't you?"
"Well, now that you mention it, I have something that might just be perfect for you. A distraction while you're living here in Boston."
Sara shook her head. "No. First off, I don't need a fucking distraction. And secondly, I'm not working for you anymore. Just like I wasn't the last six times you contacted me. I'm done with this investigative bullshit."
"But this is an important project. I need someone I can trust on it."
"Fuck, Davis. I worked for you for a whole six months. And that's only because I was still trusting and fresh from college. What makes you think I'm trustworthy now?"
"But it was such a fun six months." His voice took on a singsong quality and she couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah, until your fucking detective work nearly got me killed. Besides, I no longer have any reasons to want to do this." She picked up a pen and pulled out her daily planner. "So go, I've got work to do."
"Does this mean you found her?" Davis leaned forward, giving her a genuine smile. And Sara knew this is why she had stayed working with him as long as she did. She had known she wasn't cut out for his type of 'investigating' after the first month.
"Yes. I found Katie."
"And gimme some details here, Sara. This has got to be a good story."
She laughed. "We just kind of ran into each other, really. We have some friends in common."
"She still involved with…?" He raised both of his eyebrows at her. Sara shrugged.
"I don't really know anymore. If you'd asked me earlier today, I would have said that she wasn't really. But, fuck, with Katie, I don't know."
"But you found her, Sara. That's the important part." He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a manila folder.
"Davis. No." She gave him a long look and saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Hopelessness? Fear?
He kept his eyes on the top of her desk for a moment and then held the folder out to her. "Please. Just look it over and then decide. I know you want to be out of this, but I wouldn't ask unless it was important."
"What's going on?"
"A bit of pressure from the information buyer."
"Pressure?" She set the folder down and leaned forward, watching him closely. "What kind of pressure?"
She saw something else flicker across his face before he gave her his crooked grin. "Nothing I can't handle, babe."
Nodding slowly, she reached across and patted his hand. "Try actually keeping in touch this time, Davis. Instead of just keeping track of me."
He smiled slowly, and this time she saw it reach his eyes. "I will, Sara. You take care now." Getting to his feet, he picked up his suitcase and walked to the door. It was only as he was there that he glanced back. "Oh, and you really look even more beautiful now. Whoever he is, hold on to him."
Sara gave him a half smile as she watched him leave. Was it that noticeable? Shrugging, she sighed. Davis could read her better than most. Fuck, he could read anyone better than most, and that is why he was good at his job.
Tracing the outside of the sealed folder, she knew she couldn't take this job. Part of her wanted to, just to help him. Outside of Katie's brother Peter, Davis had been the first man she let anywhere near her. He had worked his way into her life with ease and mostly under her radar, becoming a close friend in a rather short period of time. And she'd missed him, even though she'd never missed the work.
Sighing again, she slipped the folder into her bag without opening it. She'd put it in her desk at home. Whatever was in there probably shouldn't be in her office. Fighting the curiosity to open the folder, Sara forced herself to concentrate back on her work.
"Hold the fuck still, Murphy." Katie's voice reached all the way out the hallway as Connor reached the apartment. He paused for a minute and heard muffled laughter. Sighing, he eased the door open, hoping he wasn't interrupting anything.
Katie stood with her back to him and after a second, Connor realized that Murphy was sitting in a chair in front of her, his legs sticking out on either side of her. Muffling a chuckle at the odd image, Connor shut the door and tiptoed further in.
He knew his brother knew he was there. Murphy could and had always been able to tell, but Katie was another story. Reaching up as he approached her, he dropped his hands on her shoulders. She jumped and shrieked, nearly tripping over Murphy's extended knee.
Both brothers reached out to keep her from falling and she smacked their hands away before turning to glare up at Connor. "What the fuck was that?"
"Hi." He grinning and moved away as she swung her hand at him again. Meeting Murphy's gaze, they both just kept laughing.
Katie looked back at Murphy in surprise and smacked him on the shoulder. "You knew he was fucking there, didn't you?"
She only got more laughter in response as he put his hands on either side of her waist. Connor watched as she just glared down at him.
"You're lucky I didn't hit you in the fucking face, Murph. I'm doing delicate work here."
As she shifted her hands, Connor saw the round hinged compact in her hands. Crossing his arms over his chest with a confused grin, he looked at them. "What the fuck are ye doin', Katie?"
She dabbed a white sponge on the makeup and began to apply it to the right side of Murphy's face. "I'm covering his bruise. He'll have to answer fewer questions that way."
"Murph, ye agreed ta wear makeup?"
"Shut it, Connor." He glared up at him, but Connor was hardly intimidated.
"Christ, I didn't know I had a fuckin' sister as a twin. Ye must be fuckin' Murphette."
Katie laughed softly, but kept her eyes on her work. Murphy just took a drink of his beer and gave Connor another look.
Watching her use the sponge to rub more of it on, Connor found himself intrigued. It was working. While the cuts were still visible, the bruise was disappearing as she spread the makeup on. Stepping forward, he leaned closer to look.
She waved a hand at him. "Connor, you're in my light."
Grinning, he moved behind Murphy and watched from the other side. "I'm impressed. Where'd ye learn how ta do this, Katie?"
"One of my few hidden talents."
"Is it fuckin' workin'?" Murphy glanced up at Connor, who nodded without moving his eyes off of where her hands worked.
"Fairly well."
"Good. It'd better be fuckin' worth it if I'm wearin' it."
Katie laughed and finally looked up, winking at Connor. "We'll find you a sister here, yet. A little eyeshadow, some mascara. Murph might make a pretty girl."
"Ye try it and I'll fuckin'…" Murphy muttered but she just kept laughing. Katie stepped closer and stared down at him, pushing her fingers lightly into his chest.
"You'll fuckin' what?"
He finally just gave in and grinned. "Just don't fuckin' do it, alright?"
"So, where are ye goin' that ye need to cover this up, Murph?"
"McGinty's. Ye joinin' us?"
Connor sighed and shook his head. "I already have plans."
They both raised their eyes to his, surprised.
"Plans?" Katie asked. "Sara?"
Nodding, Connor shrugged. "Aye."
"And where ye goin' then?"
He grinned at Murphy. "A little place I know called McGinty's."
Katie just laughed. "I've heard of it. I thought only losers and Irishmen went there."
Connor opened his mouth to respond but the door opened behind them.
Da walked in with Smecker trailing after him. Connor saw Katie slid the compact into her pocket and couldn't help but smile. He knew she was trying to save Murphy some further grief about the makeup.
Smecker nodded at all of them and moved to Katie with a frown. "So, you have a fun fucking night last night?" His voice was low and Connor could hear the disappointment in it.
Katie sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Christ, get it fucking over with."
"We need to talk." Was his only answer and he nodded toward the hallway. She followed him silently and the door shut quietly behind them.
Sighing, Connor glanced over at Da. "How's yer back?"
"Fine. Did ye talk ta her, Murph?"
"Aye, I took care o' it." Murphy's eyes were on the door but Connor noticed that he didn't get up to stop Smecker. "She got the fuckin' idea from him, didn't she?"
Da forced out a half laugh as he pulled a beer from the fridge. "Fuck, ye should've seen his face when I mentioned what the lass did."
"He doesn't know we know, does he?" Connor crossed his arms over his chest and saw Da shake his head.
"Well, at least not ye two. I fuckin' saw 'im. So he knows I know." He looked at both of the brothers briefly before glancing back at the door. "Ye both ready ta go?"
"Yea." Connor said and Murphy nodded.
"Good. Then we can leave once Katie's been sufficiently fuckin' yelled at." He winked at Connor who just shook his head with a smile. He had a feeling that Katie had already long since gotten the point. Who was he to stop them? Especially since he hadn't really had his turn yet.
Katie leaned against the wall in the hallway and looked up at a silent Smecker. He paced slightly before turning towards her.
"Katie, what the fuck were you thinking? I tell you that I've lost one informant and you decide to become the next?" Smecker leaned close to her and shook his head. "You getting yourself killed isn't going to help them."
"I realize that now. And I should have come to you." She kept her voice soft, feeling guilty as she watched him struggle with his anger. "They don't know where I got the idea, Paul. And I'm not going to tell them."
"I don't frickin' care about that, Katie. I know you've got a brain in there, but what I want to know is why you didn't fucking use it."
"It felt like the right thing to do at the time."
He stared at her for a moment before sighing heavily. "Sometimes, you've got to weigh the risk with the possible gain. And you gained nothing by going."
"I found Peter."
Nodding, he looked at her again. "I know. And I'm glad you did, but that wasn't what you went in for. That was an added benefit."
"He's working as an informant, Smecker. He's got a contact in New York he's feeding information to. Maybe he can help us, too."
Smecker pursed his lips slightly and shook his head. "Does he know about the Saints?"
"Yeah, he figured it out by talking to me."
"And how does he feel about you being with them?"
"Doesn't want me near them." She smiled slightly as he waved his hands.
"Exactly. That doesn't usually make a great informant. Emotional involvement is never good."
"You're emotionally involved." She said it without thinking and he paused in his movements.
"And that makes my job twice as hard, Katie. Which is why you are going to promise you'll not try anything else."
"Paul…"She sighed but he raised his eyes to hers again.
"I mean it, Katie."
"Fine. I promise to not try anything without talking to you first."
He held his hand out to her. "Deal." His handshake was gentle and she smiled at him.
"Thanks, Paul."
"For what?"
"For caring enough to yell at me." She grinned as he smirked slightly. Putting his arm around her, he hugged her quickly.
"I'm glad you're alright. Now don't fucking do it again."
"Yes, sir." She nodded at the apartment door. "Now let's go in so they can see we're both still alive."
Smecker waved his hand for her to lead the way. All three McManus men turned their heads toward them as they walked in the door. Katie found herself smiling as she shook her head.
She walked over to Da who was leaning against the counter with a nearly empty beer. "Your turn."
His eyes wandered over her for a moment before he just smiled at her. "I'll pass fer now. But I get first dibs next time." He teased her.
"There isn't gonna be a fuckin' next time, right Katie?" Murphy's voice floated over and she exchanged a grin with Da. She saw Murphy stand up and move to where she stood, an eyebrow raised. "Right, Katie?"
"Right, Murphette." She grinned as he narrowed his eyes at her. After a pause, he put his arm around her with a smile.
"Watch it, Minnie." He chuckled as she glared up at him.
"Let's get goin'." Da set his beer down on the counter and led the way out of the apartment. They all followed out and Katie locked the door quickly. She glanced at the group of men around her and grinned. They walked out as a group, leaving the tension behind.
Sara grabbed a few remaining things off of her desk and hustled out of the office. She felt a little giddy, knowing she would get to hang out with Connor and everyone else tonight. The gang. She thought with a grin. I've got me a fucking gang.
The drive home was slow and she ran up to her apartment as soon as she pulled in. Pulling off her work clothes, she quickly changed into a bar of jeans and a nice t-shirt. She used to dress in a hoochie bar shirt each time she went out, but McGinty's was definitely more of a t-shirt type of place.
As she slipped her shoes on, her eye caught on the manila folder sticking out of the top of her bag. In the rush of the afternoon, she had forgotten about it. The image of Davis' face floated in front of her and she pulled it out of the bag.
He had asked her to at least look at it. Fuck, and she knew he thought simply looking at it would pull her into the project. Sighing, she shook her head. His projects had no room in her life anymore. She had walked away that last time after the report she handed in put her and an entire family in danger. That wasn't her type of reporting.
When she had first started working for him, he introduced their 'projects' as independent investigations that were paid for by outside parties. Freelance research and writing. A great way to get into the investigative journalism world. He swore that most of the time those outside parties were magazines and newspapers across the east coast.
But things had started changing after Davis had taken one lucrative research project from a member of the Fertitta family. It was just for the money, he had told her. Just a one time deal that turned into regular fucking business. Now, two years later, she had a feeling he was sucked in too far.
She stared at the folder silently before sliding her finger underneath the seal and breaking it. Let's see what Davis thought was so important. Pulling the small stack of papers out, she set them in front of her before glancing down.
Her eyes caught the word Saints and her heart skipped a beat. She skimmed her eyes down the page and raised a shaking hand to her mouth. Davis wanted her to find the Saints. To research the Saints. To give the fucking mafia information on the Saints.
Swallowing hard, she moved the top page aside and stared at the blurred photo underneath. It was from the courthouse for the Yakavetta trial. Somehow, someone had gotten a picture of them. She stared at Connor's scowling face in the picture and felt a lump grow in her throat.
What the fuck am I going to do? If Davis had willing left the file with her, it meant he had a copy of it somewhere. She could refuse it and the project would still find its way into willing hands somewhere.
Sara sighed heavily and leaned her face into her hands. She knew there was only one thing to do. She had to take the fucking project. She had given misinformation to save a life once before. I just hope it works as well this time.
McGinty's was busier than usual as they arrived and Katie realized that word had spread that the McManuses where back in town. Although few people knew why they had left and even fewer knew where they had gone, their absence around the pub had been noticed. A slight cheer went up as they came in and Katie found herself grinning. God, she loved the Irish.
She found her way to their booth, which had somehow managed to have been kept empty for them and sat down to watch the three men make their rounds. More than once she saw either Connor or Murphy laughingly slap someone on the back of the head. Louder laugher usually followed such a movement.
"It's like fuckin' St. Patty's again." A voice came from the end of the booth and Katie sighed when she saw Tommy leaning against the side she was on.
"What?"
"Well, since their St. Patty's was cut short this year by what happened. The fuckin' prodigal sons have returned and it's a grand fuckin' day." There was a trace of bitterness in his voice but he kept grinning at her. "But I'm glad ta see that they're back safely. I honestly didn't know if they'd make it."
"Shut it, Tommy." She glared at him, but he just smiled again.
"Face it, Katie. If they continue as they are, it's only a matter of time. You and I both know that."
"Fuck off. You don't even know what you're talking about."
Her heart raced as he just stood there and kept smiling at her as if they were discussing the goddamn weather. She clenched her fists and slid out of the booth to stand before him, anger coursing through her veins. She could punch him now, she would enjoy it, too.
"Open your damn eyes, Katie. It's gonna happen whether you want it to or not. That's all I'm tryin' to say." He leaned forward, invading her personal space with a single move.
She shoved him away and he stepped back forward, no longer smiling. An arm separated them before she could do anything else. Her eyes found Da staring down at them, disapproval on his face. "What's goin' on here, lass?"
"Nothing." She sighed and turned away from Tommy. The anger was still there, but she knew fighting him in the middle of a pub was hardly the answer. Especially since she had never actually hit someone before. Christ, I just nearly got in a fuckin' pub brawl.
Keeping her eyes on the table, she slid back into the booth and worked at calming herself down. He's not worth it. He's a jackass. He was just trying to piss you off. But his words still affected her. She closed her eyes and rested her face in her hands, using the weight of her head to keep her hands from shaking. It wasn't working. She wasn't calming down. Her thoughts spun faster through her head and she dropped her hands to the table with a sigh.
She felt herself being watched but didn't look around her as she opened her eyes. Getting out of the booth, she pushed through the crowd and stepped into the girl's bathroom, locking the door behind her. After a few calming breaths, she pulled her phone out of her pocket. Murphy was right. She needed someone who would understand.
Sniffing, she pressed Sara's number on speed dial.
"Hello?" Her voice came through the phone loudly, echoing slightly.
"Sara, it's me."
"Hey, what's going on?"
"We're at McGinty's. You should join us as soon as you get done at work."
Sara laughed softly. "Katie, it's nearly six now. I'm off of work."
"Oh, well then why aren't you here? I know Connor told you about it."
"Yeah, but there were a few things I wanted to finish up first."
"So you are still working." Katie laughed as Sara sighed loudly.
"Uh, I suppose you could call it that. What's wrong with you anyhow? You sound upset."
She noticed the quick change of the subject but didn't say anything. She would figure out what was going on later. Shaking her head slightly, she smiled. "Nothing that can't wait, really. It's just not the same without you here. Please come join us as soon as you get done."
"Okay, okay. Man, you're as bad as Connor is."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Katie said, smiling. Sara laughed again.
"I'm not sure I meant it as one, but whatever. I'll see you in a bit."
"See you. Bye." Katie hung up the phone and slipped it back in her pocket with a smile. The tightness returned to her chest as she heard knocking behind her. She could barely hear Murphy say her name through the heavy door.
Squeezing her eyes shut for a second, she took a deep breath. She reached out and unlocked the door. He stepped in right away and locked it again behind him before turning to her with a concerned look.
"What's goin' on?"
"Nothing. I'm fine." She tried to smile but saw he wasn't buying it.
"Ye just fuckin' locked yerself in the bathroom. That doesn't say fine ta me." He stepped closer, studying her face carefully. "Da said ye got into it with Tommy. What about?"
"He was just trying to get a rise out of me."
"And that's why ye nearly socked him?" He smiled slightly as she raised an eyebrow at him. "I have fuckin' witnesses."
"I wouldn't have hit him more than once."
"Aye, and what would ye have done if he'd hit ye back?"
She grinned then. "I'm in a pub full of Irish men. He wouldn't have dared."
"Damn right, he wouldn't have." He leaned down and kissed her lightly, keeping his hand on her cheek as he continued to look down at her. "So what'd he say ta ye?"
"Murph." She sighed but he shook his head at her.
"Tell me. What'd he say that upset ye this much?"
"I'm fine." She put her arms around him and leaned her face into his shoulder. He held her tightly and she felt him tense up as she remained silent.
"Why won't ye just tell me, Katie?"
"Because I don't want another fight this evening." Her voice was muffled but she knew he could hear her. She meant that she didn't want to fight with him but she realized as he stiffened that he took it another way.
"What'd he say about ye?"
"What?" She moved her head to look up at him.
"I need ta know what he said about ye ta know how much I need ta kick his ass."
Closing her eyes, she shook her head and laughed. "He didn't say a word about me. So nobody's ass is going to be kicked tonight."
He frowned down at her then, pulling back slightly to look at her. "Who did he say it about then?"
She sighed. Damned if you do anyhow. "He said it about you three. That he was surprised you made it home. And that you wouldn't make it much longer if you continued as you've been going." She opened her eyes then and saw that he was watching her carefully.
"Do ye agree with him, Katie?" He got to the point much quicker than she thought he would. Christ, Murph. You're getting better at this.
She shook her head slowly, forming her words with care. "I couldn't be here with you if I did. I couldn't live with that certainty of losing you."
He kissed her then, slowly and deeply, his hands pulling her close to him. She felt the lump in her throat grow. Pulling back, she pressed her face into his shoulder. He brushed his hand down the length of her hair before resting it at the small of her back.
"Ye want me ta go beat him up for ye?" His question made her laugh.
"You'd actually do that for me, wouldn't you?"
"With pleasure."
"Well, hold off for now, but I'll kept that mind." She grinned as she felt him laugh. With one final kiss, he turned and led them out of the bathroom.
As they neared the booth, Katie just smiled as she saw the yellow drink at her spot across from where Connor was sitting. Sliding into the booth, she grinned at him. He raised his eyes to her and finally smiled back after looking at her for a moment.
"Thanks for the screwdriver."
"My round ta buy. Thought ye'd want one."
"So you can be trained." She laughed as he raised an eyebrow at her. "Oh, and I talked to Sara. She said she'd be here as soon as she finished up whatever she's working on."
He nodded and shook his head. "Christ, Katie. What is it? Because ye couldn't take a girl ta the bathroom with ye, ye had ta call one from the there instead?"
She gave him a look before breaking down and grinning. "Something like that."
By seven o'clock, McGinty's was packed and Sara still hadn't arrived. Katie half listened to Murphy tease Connor about something as she let her eyes wander. As usual, even by this early hour, there were several drunken sights to see. Loud laughter flowed over from up by the bar and she grinned as she watched both Da and Doc shaking with laughter.
Da had found a friend. Well, actually two, she realized as Smecker slid back onto the stool next to Da. He said something with a grin and Doc waved his rag at him, laughing. She wasn't sure if the brothers already knew it or if they were simply just blind to their father's life outside of them, but she got a warm feeling as she watched the two older men and Smecker go back and forth with what could only be jokes by the way they were punctuated by laughter. One of her worries had been Da's loneliness. She knew that simply having the boys back wasn't enough to fill his life. She hoped that he had been finding something else to fulfill him.
"Katie." A low voice beside her called her name and she brought her attention back to the booth. Murphy was grinning at her. "Christ, yer not fuckin' drunk already, are ye?"
She gave him a look. "Murph, I'm not that much of a fucking lightweight."
"Then let's get ye another drink." He glanced at Connor who held up his beer slightly and nodded. Murphy got out of the booth and walked to the bar.
Glancing at Connor, she kept an eye on Murphy. "Is he going to be able to carry three drinks?"
"As long as he doesn't lift them above his shoulders, I think he'll be fine." His response was teasing and she turned to grin at him.
"Forgive me if I'm not up-to-date on the restrictions of your injuries."
"Christ, woman. What have ye been doin' in yer free time, then?"
"Ha!" She raised an eyebrow at him. "As if I have free time between worrying about you two and worrying about myself."
"And don't forget, working as a fuckin' hooker too." He pressed his lips together to keep from smiling as she glared at him.
"I'm not going to live that down for awhile, am I?"
"Nope." He drained the last of his beer as Murphy arrived back at the booth with their drinks. He slid Katie's to her with a laugh.
"Drink up."
"Fuck, Murph. Are you trying to get me drunk?"
"How else am I gonna make sure I have a fuckin' chance with ye tonight?" He laughed and moved away slightly as she looked at him in shock.
"Jesus, Murphy." She managed to get out and heard laughter from the other side of the booth. Turning to look at Connor, he unsuccessfully hid his grin behind his hand. She shook her head in disbelief. "Christ, Connor. What don't you know about me now?"
They both just laughed harder and she felt herself start to turn red.
"Fuck, what did you two do? Have a gossip session in New York? Swap fuckin' sex stories?" She took a long drink of her screwdriver before setting it down with a thump. Connor reached over and patted her hand.
"Relax, Katie. We didn't exactly discuss details or anything." He moved his eyes to Murphy. "Yet." He flinched and glared at his brother. "Fuck, Murphy. That was my fuckin' shin ye just kicked."
"I know." Murphy muttered and nudged Katie. "I didn't broadcast anything, Katie. I swear."
"So nobody else in McGinty's knows anything about me I'd rather they didn't?"
"Just fuckin' Connor. Nobody else."
She grinned then. "Well, nobody else until Sara gets here." She let out a laugh as both Murphy and Connor raised they eyes to her.
"Fuckin' hypocrite Katie here."
"There's a difference. I didn't use it to embarrass you."
"It's fuckin' Connor. Why are ye embarrassed in front of him?" Murphy raised an eyebrow at her. She glanced at him and then moved her eyes to where Connor leaned against the back the booth, watching them. He gave her an oversize grin and crossed his eyes at her.
Katie burst into laughter and managed to get the words out. "You're right. It's just fuckin' Connor."
"Can you two stop referring ta me as fuckin' Connor? It's getting a bit annoyin'."
She just smiled again. "So, what was this about this being the second time you've dislocated your shoulder?"
Murphy chuckled softly to her left. "Yeah, Conn. Tell her about the first time."
"The first time was all fuckin' Murphy's fault anyhow."
"How was it my fault?"
"Ye wore out the fuckin' rope by goin' first."
"Wait, wait." Katie held up her hand with a laugh. "Stop acting like I can read your minds. Start at the beginning here."
"Okay, when we were little, we used ta play Tarzan in Uncle Sibeal's hay loft." Murphy started, turning slightly toward her. Connor nodded.
"There was a rope that ye could reach from the loft and it led down into this open space where the stalls were."
"Well, the rope had been there fer years. We probably shouldn't have even been playin' on it at all." Murphy took a sip of his beer.
"But, well, ye know us, Katie. We couldn't stay away from it." Grinning at her, Connor followed with a larger drink of his beer. "And one day the summer we turned ten, well…"
"The rope finally gave way."
"Because Murph went first." Connor leaned back and laughed again as Murphy glared at him.
"I'm surprised that it didn't break for him then." Katie's comment broke their staring contest and they both raised an eyebrow at her. She laughed. "Well…it makes sense. Murphy's heavier than you are."
"Yeah, yeah. I know." Muttering, Connor finally grinned at her.
"It's only fair, boys. Connor, you got to be taller but you also got to be the lightweight of the family."
"I thought ye were supposed ta be on my side, Katie." Connor shook his head. "Remember, yer me partner."
"Is there somethin' I should know here?" Murphy laughed softly and raised an eyebrow at her again. She grinned.
"Yes, Murph. I love your brother very much and we're moving to the south eastern tip of France to raise goats."
"Yeah, ye seem like a goat person." Murphy nodded in agreement, grinning as she smacked him in the shoulder. Katie opened her mouth to respond but stopped as her eyes caught on a familiar blond man up at the bar. She gasped quietly, ignoring the looks that both Murphy and Connor were giving her.
Pushing on Murphy's arm lightly, she glanced at him. "Let me out. Let me out."
"Katie?" He stood up and held his hand out to help her out but she slid past him without paying attention to it. Her brother was here. He had found McGinty's. He had found her again.
Grinning, she moved up to the bar and leaned against it beside him. "Looking for someone, stranger?"
He turned and looked at her in surprise, smiling broadly. Katie threw her arms around him and he hugged her back without a word.
Murphy watched in confusion as she parted the crowd with ease and went straight up to the blond man. Connor leaned forward. "Is that who I think it is?"
"I don't know." He muttered back and watched as the two hugged tightly. They held onto each other for a moment and the man kept his arm around her even as the turned back to the bar. Murphy smiled slightly at Connor. "I hope so."
"Look at him, Murph. It is. Ye can seem the resemblance from here." Connor grinned as he watched the two.
Murphy nodded and relaxed slightly against the booth, keeping his eyes on them. While a large part of him felt better that she had found her brother, he was still unsure of him. Her brother worked for the Mafia, even if he was undercover. He had gotten the impression from Katie that her brother wasn't too happy about her being associated with the Saints. She hadn't said it right out, but he could read it in what she didn't say.
He had wanted to meet him since she had first mentioned him. This man was a connection to her past, to her family. But even after finding him, Katie hadn't said anything about wanting the two of them to meet. In fact, she had avoided that topic and that's what bothered Murphy the most. Finishing his beer, he stood up and glanced at Connor.
"I'm gettin' another. Want one?"
"Murph, leave 'em alone fer now."
Murphy shook his head. "I want ta meet him." With that he left the booth and Connor behind and worked his way up to the bar. Setting the beer down, he nodded at Doc for another one for both him and Connor. It was only once he got them that he wandered slowly over to where Katie and her brother stood.
Pausing slightly just behind him, his mind raced as he tried to figure out what to say. Hope she won't get fuckin' mad at me. Smiling, he stepped up beside Katie. "So, is this Peter?"
They both looked over at him surprised and Katie nodded. "Peter, this is Murphy. Murphy, this is my baby brother Peter."
Peter noticeably winced at the term 'baby'. "I'm her younger brother."
Murphy felt himself being analyzed and was surprised to find that he couldn't read anything off of the brother's face. They stared at each other for a moment.
"So you're Murphy."
"Aye, that I am." He switched both beers to one hand and held out his right hand. "Nice ta meet ye." Peter's hand closed over his and Murphy forced himself not the wince as pain shot through his ribs at the rough handshake. He didn't think it would be wise to show any weakness around this guy yet.
"I think we need to talk, Murphy." Peter let his hand go and took a drink of his own beer.
"Ye might be right." He nodded and glanced at Katie, who was watching them both with increasing frustration.
"Will it be the fucking swords or pistols at ten paces?" She glared at them and crossed her arms over her chest. Peter looked over at her briefly before turning his attention back to Murphy.
"Watch your language, Katie."
Murphy fought a smile as he saw her bristle out of the corner of his eye.
"Peter, don't even start with me. What part of 'younger brother' do you not understand? You have no control over me."
"Yeah, I'm less than twelve months younger. And I'm the man of the family."
"Oh, the big man of the family. Shall I get you a fucking crown?"
He looked at her for a moment and pressed his lips together. "Katie, go sit back down. Murphy here and I need to have a discussion."
"Jesus, Peter…"
"Katie, go. Now."
Murphy saw her turn to him for help but he just shook his head. He wanted to kiss the pout off of her face but knew this was hardly the time. They had lay everything out much easier if she wasn't there to keep interrupting them. "Just go, Katie. Take this beer ta Connor for me."
She yanked the beer out of his hands without looking at him and walked away quickly. Murphy waited until she was past him before he grinned. Peter raised an eyebrow at him.
Murphy just laughed. "She always been that way?"
"Yeah, you might say that." Peter reached behind him for his drink and took a swallow. Murphy waited, deciding it would be best just to let her brother set the course of the conversation.
"I know who you are."
"Yeah, I kinda got that impression." Murphy moved to lean against the bar, hoping that would keep his ribs from being jostled anymore by moving crowds. "What do ye plan ta do about it?"
"I haven't decided yet." Peter kept his eyes on Murphy's face again, studying him. He then glanced past him, toward the booth and Murphy turned to see what he was looking at. He couldn't help but smile as he saw that Connor was teasing her again. Katie's laugh rang out and his heart felt lighter. Movement in front of him made him realize that Peter had turned back to him. "She seems happier than I thought she was."
"I'm tryin'. Actually, we both are." Murphy kept his fingers busy by peeling at the label on the bottle. Now wasn't the time to start chewing on his thumb.
"Who is he?" Peter glanced at the booth again.
"Oh, that's me brother, Connor."
"Older or younger?"
"Well…" Murphy laughed. He'd just give him the easy explanation. "We're twins actually. Just not identical."
"She seems to like him."
Sighing, Murphy just smiled. "Yeah, sometimes I think they get along better than her and I do. She says he reminds her of Brett."
Peter turned his gaze back to Murphy and frowned. "Must be the old fucking Brett then. Although Katie always did put him on a pedestal."
"Why is that?"
Shrugging, Peter took a drink. "No idea. But she somehow managed to blind herself to his changes."
"How did he change?"
"He went bad." Peter stared down at his beer for a second before raising his eyes to Murphy. "I don't know how else to explain it. He got deep, too deep with the Mafia. Started thinking only of himself, forgetting his duties at home. Fortunately, Katie and I were old enough to take care of ourselves by that point."
"And take care of each other." Murphy added and Peter nodded.
"I don't want to know how much of a monster he would have become if he hadn't died that way."
"How did he die?"
Peter glanced at him again, surprised. "I don't want Katie to know yet. But he died because he raised his gun to an armed police officer."
"Wow." Sighing, Murphy glanced over to the booth. "It might help her ta know that though. She might not fuckin' canonize yer brother if she knows the truth."
"She was just so mad after he died. So angry at the world." His voice got softer and Murphy had to lean closer to hear. "I didn't think she could take the truth. She's always been more sensitive about those things."
Nodding, Murphy kept silent, not knowing what to say in response. Peter kept his eyes on his bottle and sighed.
"That's why I nearly lost it when I saw her last night. I thought she'd fucking became Brett all over again."
"I'm glad you found her though." Murphy felt Peter watching him and they exchanged an understanding look. It was something they could agree on. Something they could build on. Their love for Katie.
"I am too. I just wish I could have grounded her." Peter smiled slightly and Murphy gave a half laugh.
"Trust me, I understand. I nearly fuckin' had it out with her myself over this."
"What'd you do?" Peter's question sounded casual, but as Murphy glanced up at him, he realized this was a sort of a test. How he handled the situation with Katie would give Peter an idea of just how Murphy treated her.
"I wanted ta yell and scream, but I didn't. It wouldn't have done any good."
Peter nodded. "Another thing to thank our brother for. He used to yell at the both of us like crazy. I yelled back, but Katie just stopped listening." He took another drink. "So what did you do?"
"After a few false starts, I made her listen ta me. Christ, I won't hide the fact that it fuckin' scared me. Still does. And it was stupid on her part. Fuckin' idiotic. She went in alone. And while we were out of town, too. If you hadn't been there…" Murphy stopped and after a brief pause, took a long drink of his beer, draining it.
"Yeah, I know. I might need to still make that clear to her myself. Make sure she gets the point." Peter's eyes wandered over to the booth again, but Murphy shook his head.
"I'm not sure ye need ta do that. That's another reason why I didn't yell. She's been beatin' herself up about it enough. I think she understands what could've happened."
Peter finished his beer and set it on the bar. He nodded toward the front door of the bar. "Let's go outside. The noise in here is driving me nuts."
Nodding, Murphy set his empty bottle down beside Peter's and followed him out the door. They were barely outside when Peter laughed quietly.
"What?"
"I imagine Katie's ready to run out here to save you."
Murphy tensed as he stared up at Peter, unsure of what he meant. "Why?"
"Last time I took a guy of hers outside, it wasn't to talk to him."
"Oh really?" Murphy kept an eye on Peter as he dug in his pocket for his cigarettes. He lit one as Peter nodded.
"Yeah, her senior year of high school some guy started fucking with her early in the year. Leaving notes in her locker and that kind of shit. This guy was known among the boys as a player. Use 'em and dump 'em type. So when I saw him hitting on her at our Halloween party, I got a little angry. He was trying to get all over her and Katie being Katie wasn't taking him seriously." Peter grinned. "So I took him outside and made it clear to him."
"Christ, how long did she scream at ye for that one?" Murphy laughed as Peter rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, what I didn't realize is that Katie had already been warned and was playing her own little fucking game with the guy. She wasn't happy when I ruined her plans to embarrass him. I was kind of disappointed myself when I found out what she was wanting to do."
"Which was?"
"Leading him on and then turning him down in a very public display."
"So basically, she's not that bad at takin' care of herself." Murphy smiled as Peter shrugged.
"Doesn't mean I'm going to let her do it herself."
Murphy choked on his laughter. "I think I told her the same thing once myself."
"But that does lead me to why we're really out here." Peter crossed his arms and looked Murphy in the eye. "I hate to be predictable but, just what are your intentions with my sister?"
Taking a drag on his cigarette, Murphy considered the question. How much could he let Peter know? Sighing, he raised his thumb to his mouth and chewed on the side of it. "I love her, Peter. And I intend ta stay with her as long as she'll let me."
Peter watched him for a moment before nodding. "That's what I thought."
"So do I pass inspection?"
Chewing on his lip for a second, Peter sighed. "Murphy, I'll give it to you straight. I don't like what you and your brother are involved in. If it were up to me, that stuff would never touch Katie." He raised his eyes up for a moment before looking straight at Murphy again. "But I think that you might be the best thing that's happened to her for a long while."
"And she is for me too."
"What's the name of your FBI agent?" Peter's question caught him off guard and Murphy stared at him for a moment. Where the fuck had that come from?
"How did ye know we had one?"
"Katie."
"Why do ye need ta know?"
Peter crossed his arms over his chest again. "Because. I want to help you guys."
"And how are ye gonna do that?"
"You lost an informant. I can replace him."
Murphy eyed him for a moment, trying to read the sincerity in his face. Finally, he nodded. "His name is Paul Smecker. He actually works out of the Boston P.D., south precinct."
"I'll get in contact with him." Peter moved to the door. "And it's getting fucking cold. Let's go in."
Smiling, Murphy moved to follow him but saw the yellow cab pull up near the bar. A blond woman was handing money to the driver and he grinned. Bout fuckin time she showed up. Waving at Peter, he stepped toward the cab. "Go in. I'll be in, in a minute."
Katie sighed again as she watched Murphy and her brother up near the bar. It irritated her that they made her leave. Rolling her eyes, she turned to look at Connor who still sat quietly across from her. His eyes were also on where Peter and Murphy stood.
"Fuck. Why couldn't you have been the one I'd fallen for instead?" She muttered and he turned his head to her with a raised eyebrow.
"Now this sounds like the start of a fuckin' awkward conversation."
Laughing, she shook her head. "You know what I mean. You're not the one up there feeling the need to talk to Peter in private. Without me."
"I have a feelin' it's yer brother who suggested that, not mine." He pressed his lips together and raised his eyebrows.
"What's your point?" She muttered again, not being able to fully hide a smile.
"Murph can be a hassle. But me point is that you and I both know he's worth it."
"Connor, you're not doing this right. You're supposed to agree with me, not defeat my arguments." She grinned fully as he just kept staring at her. Glancing back at where her brother and Murphy stood, she realized they were continuing their discussion outside. Katie moved forward to follow but Connor reached out and grabbed her arm.
"Let 'em go, Katie. They need ta work out whatever it is between them."
"Me, Connor. It's fucking me between them. And Peter was trained by our older brother to be way too overprotective. Annoying overprotective."
"Aye, but Murphy can take care of himself. Besides, I think he likes yer brother." Connor pulled her back into the booth before he let go of her arm.
"How the hell can you tell that?"
"Body language. That, and I know me brother."
"Yeah, well I know mine too. And Peter already doesn't want me near you guys."
Connor narrowed his eyes at her. "Why not?"
"Because he's concerned. He hears bits and pieces of their plans for you two and he nearly blew his stack when he found out I was with you guys."
"No wonder he's angry with him." Connor took a drink of his beer and Katie couldn't help but notice that his eyes wandered back to the door.
"Why?"
"Fuck, it doesn't take a fuckin' psychic ta see what's goin' on between you and Murph. So not only are ye involved with us, but yer involved with Murph. I'd be a bit upset with that situation myself if you were me sister."
Peter stepped inside then and Katie felt Connor tense across from her as the door closed and Murphy didn't appear. Her brother made his way over to them, veering around the tables.
"Pete, where's Murphy?" She asked quickly, hoping to keep Connor settled down. Peter shrugged.
"He saw someone getting out of a cab, so he waited for her."
Katie smiled then and she meet Connor's gaze. They both relaxed. "Sara."
He grinned and took a drink of his beer. Peter sat down next to Katie and held his hand out to Connor.
"I'm Peter, Katie's brother."
"I'm Connor, Murphy's brother."
Katie grinned at their introductions and just shook her head. "Did you get things figured out, dumbass?"
Peter nudged her. "Watch it, Katie. Or we'll have to take this outside."
"And I'd kick your ass all over again."
"You haven't kicked my ass since I was five."
"That's because you stopped trying to fight me then." She grinned as she heard Connor's laughter.
"Are you two always like this?"
Katie nodded and put her elbow on Peter's shoulder, leaning against him. "Basically, yeah. I'm still waiting for him to grow up."
"You first, Sis."
"Christ, you two are worse than Murphy."
"How are they worse than me?" Murphy's voice floated over as he led Sara up to their booth.
Laughing, Katie grinned at him. "Murphy, stop eavesdropping."
"I heard me fuckin' name, that's hardly eavesdroppin'."
Peter slid out of the booth and held his hand out, motioning for Murphy to take his seat. Grinning, Murphy sat down next to Katie.
"Wow, I think my brother likes you, Murph." She gave a smiling look past him to where Peter sat in a chair he grabbed.
"We have an understanding."
"What type of understanding, Peter?" Raising an eyebrow at him, she glanced between him and Murphy. Connor cleared his throat from across the table, catching her attention with a grin.
"A gentleman's understandin'." He tilted his head to Peter who nodded in agreement.
"Christ, which is?" She exchanged a look of exasperation with Sara who just grinned at her from where she sat with Connor.
"Ta keep ye from doin' anything fuckin' stupid." Murphy grinned at her, giving her a look. She narrowed her eyes at him.
"And they're trusting you with this, Murphette?"
He just kept smiling and put his arm around her. "I'm the man fer the fuckin' job."
Leaning against him, Katie took a drink. "Whatever."
"Screwdriver, Katie?" She shifted her gaze but at Peter who was laughing.
"Yes. A drunken idiot talked me into it once."
"Huh, imagine that. You listening to a drunken idiot for drink tips." Peter laughed and Katie turned red as everyone else joined in.
Sara's mind kept returning to the manila folder that was now buried in the bottom drawer of her desk. She hated that she couldn't warn them about it, but she had a feeling they wouldn't let her get involved. Now, she was getting a good idea of how Katie felt. She could do something to help, so she wasn't going to just idly sit by.
Raising her eyes across the table again, she watched her friend smile up at Murphy again and smack him in the shoulder. She still needed to talk to her, but tonight wasn't the right time for that. Tonight was supposed to be to relax, but Sara couldn't quite get there.
Connor's arm pulled her closer to him and she turned her head to look at him. He looked at her carefully for a moment. "What's botherin' ye?"
"What makes you think something's bothering me?"
"I can tell. Ye're tense." His eyes were worried and she leaned up to kiss him lightly.
"It's just a project, no big deal."
"Forget about work for tonight, Sara."
"Easier said than done, isn't it, Sara?" Peter spoke quietly from his chair at end of the booth. She turned to look at him, surprised. He gave her a small smile.
The table became quiet around them as she didn't answer. Moving her eyes to Katie, they just looked at each other. They had wondered if they could do this. If they could live like this.
Sara realized that the moment of choosing had passed. Their way out had disappeared without them realizing it. And now, nothing could stop them from living this life. Not that either of them would willingly give it up. The McManuses had become that important to them already.
Peter rose slightly from the table. "I've got to get back." He nodded at Connor, then Murphy. "It was nice meeting you. I feel better about leaving her here now." Glancing at Sara, he smiled. "Good to see you again, Sara."
She nodded back and watched as Katie led him to the door. Murphy wandered up to the bar to get another beer, leaving her and Connor alone in the still silent booth.
"Ye ever date him, Sara?" His question surprised her, bringing her eyes away from where Katie was hugging her brother at the door. He smiled down at her and she could only see the honest curiosity in his eyes.
"Peter? No. We just were good friends."
"There just seemed ta be a moment there between ye."
She turned fully toward him and smiled. "Are you jealous, Connor?"
"No, just fuckin' curious."
"If anything, that was a moment of understanding. We went through Katie leaving us together. And I think we knew then that it was just the start of things. But I didn't realize just how big this whole situation would get."
"It was tough on ye both." He pulled her hair back behind her shoulder and kissed the side of her head. "And honestly, I'm glad ye had someone ta lean on then."
"And I do now, as well." She kept her voice quiet and she felt the change in tension between them. "I just get to love you, too."
Staring down at her for a second, she could see the love in his eyes as he smiled down at her. His lips met hers softly. He deepened the kiss but then pulled away, leaning his forehead against hers. "God, I missed ye."
"Break it up, break it up." Katie smiled softly at them as she slid into the booth. "No kissing allowed at the table."
Murphy slid in next to her with a grin. "Fuck that rule." He kissed her soundly on the mouth before taking a drink of his beer. She just shook her head with a laugh. Sara felt Connor chuckle and she relaxed against them. Taking a drink of her beer, she glanced around the table. She found herself tucking the worries in that manila folder in the back of her mind as she listened to the teasing fly back and forth. She was home again. Even if home was a smoky Irish pub.