A/N: Sorry for the brief wait on this one, I hope to get better about getting these done again soon. Don't give up on me yet:):) Because more is yet to come in this story and I know once I reach a certain point, it'll be much easier to write it... Thanks to Rynn for being my beta! I know I demand lots of time:):)

Connor's hand wrapped around his coffee cup tightly as he stared at the television. It was early still, too early for anything but news to be on. He was hardly interested but sleep had slipped beyond his grasp hours ago.

His brother's nightmares were back. As if they didn't have enough to stress and worry them, but now this was added on top of it. As kids, the almost nightly occurrences had affected both of their lives for weeks at a time before they would disappear again. Murphy suffered through the dream and he suffered through watching and fighting to get him back.

That first night when Murphy woke up moaning and twitching, Connor had thought he had been possessed. They had snuck out a copy of The Exorcist from Uncle Sibeal's video cabinet only a few nights before and it had terrified them both. It was only after he was able to wake his brother up that he realized Father O'Neil wasn't going to be able to help them with this.

The dreams never had anything to do with the scary movies they watched or the stories they made up. It was usually about some combination of Ma's death, Da's death, Uncle Sibeal's death and Connor's death, usually at the hands of some unforeseen murderer. Even for days after the last nightmare would take place, Connor would often find Murphy staring off somewhere, the visuals of his nightmare still very fresh in his mind.

Sipping his coffee slowly, Connor couldn't help but wonder what this dream was about. Fuck, he thought they had long since left this stage behind, but the old familiar sick feeling in his stomach told him this was only the beginning.

The sound of socks shuffling down the hall made him look up and he saw Murphy rounding the corner from the hallway.

"Mornin'." Connor offered but wasn't surprised when his brother barely nodded at him. It was only when he had a fresh cup of coffee and had sat down beside him that he finally spoke.

"Thanks." His voice was low and his eyes were focused on the steaming liquid. Reaching out, Connor put his hand on Murphy's shoulder, squeezing lightly.

"Ye alright?"

A shrug was his only response.

"Wanna talk about it?"

"No." Murphy sighed heavily and stood up. "I'm gonna get in the fuckin' shower."

Connor nodded at his brother's back and let out his own sigh. He knew Murphy wasn't ready to talk. It was usually a day or so before he opened up to him. Closing his eyes, he sighed, realizing that he really didn't know though anymore. Things were so different now that they were adults with this nightmare business. They could always blame it on monsters and ghosts when they were lads. But now they'd seen real horror in their lives. And now their nightmares were no longer green blobs. They were filled with the blood and bullets of their memories.

The shower had been on for a few minutes when Connor felt himself being watched. Turning his head, he watched as Katie trudged out, her eyes still half closed.

"Morin'."

"Eh." Was all she let out as she pulled a mug out of the cupboard.

"Christ, can't anyone just fuckin' say good mornin' ta me too?" Connor muttered under his breath and was surprised when Katie opened her eyes fully at him. She smiled slightly and set the mug on the counter, walking over to sit next to him on the couch.

"Good morning, sunshine." Her enthusiasm was fake but as he looked down at her, he realized the small smile she gave him was real.

"Thank ye. That's all I fuckin' ask." Motioning toward the counter with his mug, he raised an eyebrow. "I think ye forgot yer coffee."

She shook her head slowly. "Don't think it'll agree with me this morning."

"How's the hip?"

Letting out a breath, she leaned back against the couch. "Sore."

"Ye did fine, Katie. You did exactly what he needed ye ta do."

Her eyes trailed up to his and she sighed again. "What the fuck was that, Conn?

"A nightmare. He used ta get them when we were little."

"Are they always that bad?"

Connor paused before nodding slowly. "Aye. It's a bit o' a shock. I just hope ye won't have ta get used to 'em."

"Christ. Is he okay?"

Shrugging, Connor just looked at her. "He hasn't said much. But probably not yet. Whatever the fuck it is he sees in those dreams takes fuckin' hold on him for a while."

"Just when you think things can't get worse, right?"

"Aye."

They sat in silence for a few minutes and Connor continued to stare at the television. He heard her shift slightly and realized she'd turned to look at him.

"Conn, will you do me a favor?"

"Depends." He offered her a smiled quick before taking another drink.

"Will you get Sara later this afternoon and meet us at your old workplace?"

"What? Why?" Leaning forward, Connor set his mug down and put his elbow against the back of the couch, looking at her.

"You ever just get a feeling?"

"What type of fuckin' feelin', Katie?"

"Just a feeling. Sara and I will be better off if we know how to handle a gun. If we know we can shoot one. And I think it might help you and Murph feel better too."

Connor pressed his lips together and studied her for a long moment. He let out a breath. "Katie, there's a good chance Murph's gonna keep havin' the fuckin' nightmares whether ye can shoot a gun or not."

"Fuck, Connor, I don't mean just about the nightmares. In general."

"Okay." He offered slowly. She had a point and he knew it. He would feel much better if he knew that Sara at least had a fighting chance if something happened. "Are ye sure ye want ta do this?"

Rubbing a hand over her face, she nodded slowly. "Want to, no. Need to, yes."

"Then we'll do it. I'll take the guns and we'll meet ye there."

"Thanks, Conn." She smiled at him again, looking relieved. "Just call me once you know when you want me to."

"Ye got it." He grinned back and watched as she relaxed back against the couch again. "Fuck, Katie. Go back ta sleep. Ye look fuckin' half asleep."

"I am fucking half asleep. Impressive, huh?"

"Go. Sleep. Now." He nodded his head toward the door and she jokingly sighed heavily.

"Aye, sir." She mocked him softly and padded back to their room.

Connor shook his head slowly and got to his feet, moving out to the kitchen. Pouring himself another half cup of coffee, he leaned against the counter. He wanted to go see Sara but he knew she would be at work already since it was only the middle of the week. Smiling slightly, he pictured her at her desk. A warm feeling spread through his body. Maybe he would need to go visit her. He could be a great fucking coffee break.

Movement out of the corner of his eye made him turn slightly to see Da moving slowly to the kitchen. Grabbing a mug from the cupboard, Connor poured a cup of coffee and handed it to him.

"Mornin' Da."

Da merely grunted in return as he lowered himself slightly onto a kitchen table chair. Connor just shook his head slowly. So third time was not a charm on getting a good response.

It was only when he glanced over at Da again, that he saw that the grimace was still on his face. Pulling the chair out beside him, Connor sat down and leaned his elbows on the table. "Are ye gonna go ta the fuckin' doctor now?"

"Aye. Gotta fuckin' call this mornin'."

"It that bad?"

The lack of response worried him a little but he knew that Da wouldn't allow him to give any help. It was that stubbornness that ran through the family. Each man stands on his own, which was why Connor wouldn't be telling Da about Murphy's nightmares. It was bad enough that now both Katie and himself had seen them, but telling anyone else would just embarrass his brother and possibly cause a big fight.

Connor nodded slowly and finished his coffee, moving to set his cup in the sink. "I'm gonna go visit Sara at work. Murph and Katie are sleepin' in."

After another second of Da's lack of response, Connor sighed and moved back to their bedroom. Tiptoeing in, he saw that Katie was already fast asleep beneath the covers on Murphy's bed. Grabbing his wallet and his phone from the shared nightstand, he softly shut the door behind him.

The bathroom door opened, revealing a steam-surrounded Murphy. The brothers exchanged a look and Connor nodded toward the door. "Go back ta sleep, Murph."

Murphy dipped his head slightly in response. "Where's Katie?"

"I made her go back ta bed, too."

"Made her?"

Connor grinned at the raised eyebrow. "Well, strongly fuckin' suggested ta her."

"Sounds more likely." Murphy raised a hand to his hair, running his fingers through it to force it to lay flat. "Where are ye headed to?"

"Sara's work."

"Ah."

"Don't fuckin' say 'ah' like that, Murph." Connor chuckled softly. "I'm wide awake and you two are goin' back ta sleep. And Da's in a pissy mood."

"Uh huh. So yer visitin' Sara because yer fuckin' bored?"

"Ye know what I mean."

"Aye, I do." Murphy finally gave him a full smile. "Which is why I'm gonna go back ta bed."

"Good, get some fuckin' sleep."

"Who said we were gonna fuckin' sleep?"

Connor reached out and smacked Murphy lightly on the back of the head. "Sleep first. I'm not dealin' with both of ye pissy later on today."

"This comin' from the man who was up at five fuckin' o'clock this mornin'." Murphy muttered and turned the doorknob, leaving Connor alone in the small hallway.

Connor watched the door shut and stood there for a moment, running his fingers down the side of his phone. So Murphy had heard him get up. Why wasn't he surprised? Sighing, he moved out of the hallway and grabbed his coat off of the chair near the door.

"I'm goin' Da. See ye later."

"Bye, Connor."

Shutting the door behind him, Connor found himself wanting to hurry outside and down to Sara's office. She would be awake, in a good mood and willing to talk to him. And even if she wasn't, well fuck, it was enough that it was Sara. He found himself speeding up his walk as his boots hit the sidewalk.

Murphy eased the door shut again behind him, his eyes falling on Katie's sleeping figure. Keeping a hand on the towel around his waist, he watched her. Emotions swarmed over him and he closed his eyes against them. Christ, he loved her. The images still burned into his head from the dream terrified him.

Get a fuckin' hold of yerself, dammit. He raised a hand to his forehead and forced a deep breath. Pulling on his boxers quickly, he eased into the bed from the bottom, moving slowly as not to wake her. She nestled against him in her sleep as he slipped his arm around her and he forced himself not to sigh in relief. To have his arms around her again made the fear subside. Made it clear to him that she was alive, unhurt and peacefully sleeping in his arms. Now if only they could stay like this forever, he might be okay.

She moved slightly again, and he felt her breathing change. "Murph?"

"Yeah?"

"Connor made you sleep too?" He heard the smile in her voice and nodded.

"Aye. Seems ta think he's the fuckin' older brother or somethin'."

She laughed softly. "You can make him go to bed tonight when he's tired and crabby."

"Good fuckin' idea." He kissed the side of her neck softly and felt the goosebumps rise on her skin. She turned in his arms, her eyes finding his.

"You okay now?" She spoke softly and he had to force himself not to look away. Could she see the fear in him? Did he care if she did? Shrugging slightly, he flattened his hand against the small of her back.

Leaning forward, she kissed him and he raised a hand to her hair. She pulled away after a moment. "You'll be okay, Murph. I promise you that. Don't let your dreams tell you otherwise."

His heart sped up slightly as he stared down at her. She doesn't realize why I'm afraid. Sighing, he rested his chin on her forehead and tightened his arms around her. "The dream wasn't about me."

"Connor?" She shifted so that she could look up at him. Murphy closed his eyes. He couldn't look at her and tell her. Couldn't mix the horrible images in his brain with the reality of her in his arms.

"Aye. Both of ye."

"Oh, Murph." She whispered softly. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" He forced himself to get the words out, to keep on talking. If he stopped talking he might never get going again. Might never want to tell her.

"That this scared you. Still does, doesn't it?"

He swallowed tightly and tried to take a deep breath without her realizing it. "I, uh….you were handcuffed ta chairs. In some old buildin' somewhere. Never fuckin' seen it before. They were gonna shoot ye. They did fuckin' shoot ye." They made me choose between ye. Fuck, Katie, how could I ever tell ye that I couldn't fuckin' choose between ye? He couldn't tell her. Couldn't let the words out. Couldn't let her know just how much he had failed the both of them.

Katie laid her hand on his chest lightly, and pressed her lips to the skin just above his racing heart. They both were silent for a moment; her waiting for him to continue and him working to find the words.

"They shot the both of ye. And suddenly the gun was in my hand. In my fuckin' hand. I stared at it, not realizing that the whole fuckin' building was burning around me. I fought ta get ta ye. Ta save ye. But they wouldn't let me. Just kept fuckin' holdin' me back." He pressed his lips to her hair, muffling his next words. "And that's when Connor woke me up."

It sounded so stupid, but even in just saying it aloud, he felt the slick fear in his stomach. Felt the smoke burning his lungs as the arms had held him down. Kept him away from them both. Connor's dying eyes had been the last thing he saw.

He held Katie tightly to him and forced himself to just continue breathing deeply. If he could just keep his arms around her, she'd be safe. But what about Connor? Could he protect them both?

It was only when Katie's lips touched his lightly that he pulled back slightly and looked down at her. She had the beginnings of tears in her eyes, but what touched him most was the tenderness he saw there. Running a hand gently down the side of his face, whispering past his bruise, she leaned forward and kissed him again.

Rubbing his thumb along her jaw line, Murphy pressed a kiss to her nose. "What are ye doin'?"

She smiled slightly. "Kissing away the pain. Is it working?"

"Aye, I think it might be." He framed her face with his hands and kissed her deeply. "But I promised Connor we'd sleep first."

Katie just shook her head at him with a smile. "I'm not gonna ask how that conversation went. But we'll sleep later." She pulled him tighter against her and Murphy got lost in her kiss.

"Yeah. Later. Good. " He mumbled against her lips and his hands found the bottom of her shirt. With a smile, he pulled her on top of him.

Sara sat on her couch, still wrapped in her robe. Her hair had dried two hours ago from her shower, but she still hadn't moved. She hadn't been able to.

The day had started out great. She woke up to a sunny room with Connor's name on her lips. She would make time for him tonight, she had thought. That was a promise. But then she had turned on the news after her shower and seen the report.

A man's body was found late last night just past the docks in the shipyard. Davis Sheppard was 32 years old. The police suspect foul play. The words played over and over in her head. Another tear slipped down her cheek but she ignored it.

Davis was dead. He had died in Boston. Less than twelve hours after talking to her. He was dead. She was still numb to it.

A hurried knock on the door finally tore her gaze away from the television screen. A soap opera was on. When did the news end? Sara raised a hand to her face and wiped the stubborn tear trail away with a shaking hand. Glancing at the clock on the wall, her eyes widened as she saw it was now half past ten.

The knocking increased to pounding. She heard Connor's muffled voice call her name. Forcing her stiff legs to move, she got up from the couch and stumbled to the door. Three more pounds echoed through the door as she neared it. Flipping the lock, she pulled it open and sighed.

Connor's fist was raised to knock again but he stopped himself and stared down at her. "What's wrong, Sara? Are ye okay?"

She barely had time to answer before his arms were around her, holding her tightly against him. After a short hesitation, she put her arms around him and leaned her face into his shoulder.

The sobs came easily and she felt herself suddenly overwhelmed with them. He tightened his hold on her and rubbed a hand down her back.

"What's wrong, sweetie? What happened?" It was the shaking in his voice that made her finally speak.

"Davis is dead." Another few sobs followed her words and she pushed her face further into his shoulder. She barely registered it as he shifted slightly and lifted her in his arms. Linking her fingers behind his neck, she clung to him tightly.

He sat on the couch and held her close to him, her legs over his lap. Rubbing his hands in small circles, he whispered softly to her in words she couldn't understand. But it was soothing and she found her sobs slowing.

"Who is Davis?" He finally whispered as she pulled her face away from his now damp shoulder.

"He was a friend. A colleague."

"I'm sorry, Sara." Leaning close to her, he kissed her softly. "Does anyone else at work know?"

"No. I mean, he doesn't work there. I knew him from a past job." Sara closed her eyes and put her forehead on his shoulder again. How did she explain this to him? What was she willing to keep from him? Nothing. She shook her head into his shoulder. Lies had ruined her last relationship. She wasn't going to let it ruin this one too.

But how do I tell him that? How do I tell him that Davis was killed because he was looking for information on the Saints? Information he wanted me to find? Lifting her head slightly, she bit back a gasp. Fuck. Do they know Davis gave me the project?

Sighing, she realized what Davis's death could mean. Raising her eyes, she saw that Connor was watching her closely, concerned. How did she even begin to tell him everything? Start at the beginning.

"Davis recruited me straight from SUNY to do investigative research for his firm. We became good friends, even though I only stayed there for six months."

"Why'd ye leave?" His question was quiet, prodding her to continue after she paused for a moment.

"It wasn't true journalism, Conn. It was on a fucking contract basis. And he got in with some bad clients." She felt his hands stop moving on her back and hurried to continue. "Yes, it was the Mafia. And that's why I left. It was no longer pure journalism. It'd become tainted."

"What about Davis?"

"What about him?"

He tucked a few stray hairs behind her ear. "Did he get out of it too?"

Pressing her lips together, Sara dropped her eyes and shook her head. "No."

"How did he die, Sara?"

"It was on the news this morning. They found him floating by the docks." She felt the lump grow in her throat again and laid her head back down on his chest.

"In fuckin' Boston?"

Her only answer was a slight nod.

"Was he in contact with ye, Sara? Before he died?"

She sighed. "Yeah, he stopped by my office yesterday."

"Fuck. What did he want?"

"To offer me a project. He keeps…kept trying to get me back to the job."

His hand gripped her chin lightly, forcing her to look up at him. "Is this the project that was botherin' ye?"

Keeping quiet, she simply lowered her eyes, unsure of how to answer.

"Did ye take the project? The fuckin' project that killed him?" He voice was still soft but she could hear the panic in it.

"No." The lie slipped out before she could stop it but she felt him relax at her words. Fuck.

Looking back up at Connor, she saw that his lips were pursed and he was staring across the room. "It could still touch ye. Ye've got ta be careful, Sara."

"I am. I will be." She turned so that she was sitting next to him and leaned back against the couch. "They fucking killed him, Conn. Davis was the sweetest guy and they killed him."

Connor put his arm around her and she shifted her weight against him. "Why'd he choose ye?"

She smiled slightly. "Luck and connections. He knew my favorite professor and I broke a great story about a month before graduation."

"About what?" She could hear the smile in his voice.

"An underground student gambling society that bet on the school sports. Nearly half the roster was student-athletes." She grinned at the memory. It had been a story she had sought out on her own. One she had needed to undercover to get information on. Nobody second guessed her. The look on Davis's face as he had listened to her describe how she had done it had been priceless. And now he's gone. She pressed her lips together. "He also tried to help me find Katie."

"Sounds like he was a good man."

"He was." She thought of the image of a scowling Connor from the blurred photo. Davis had put it into her hands. He had been keeping track of her for years. Could he have known she was involved with Connor? Could he have known that giving her the folder that could save the lives of the Saints would cause his death? He had found her at work. Could he have known?

"Katie's right." Connor muttered near her ear and she looked up at him.

"What?" Sara tilted her head.

He moved his eyes to look at her. "I'm gonna teach ye how ta use a gun."

"Okay. I'm confused."

"Katie had a bad feeling. She suggested we teach ye how ta shoot."

Sara narrowed her eyes. "But Katie hates guns."

"Aye, but she's learned how ta use one. We talked her into it." He paused and studied her for a moment. "How do ye feel about guns?"

"Uh, don't really feel either way about them. I'm not afraid of them though, really."

"Good. That'll make it easier on both of us." He slipped his phone out of his pocket and then looked at her. "Oh, ye need ta call yer work. They were gettin' worried about ye when I was there nearly an hour ago."

"Fuck. I…" She trailed off and looked down at her hands, feeling the lump back in her throat. She had been frozen. Been stuck in her impending grief. Connor's hand warmed her back

"It's okay, Sara. They'll understand. Just let 'em know yer okay."

Nodding slowly, Sara moved to the table where her phone was. She grabbed it and turned to look at Connor. He had the phone up to his ear but nodded at her with a small smile.

"Call."

She found the number in her phone book and pressed send. As she brought it to her ear, she heard Connor start talking. His voice calmed her nerves as she listened to the ringing of the phone. She had been a mess and he hadn't left. She had been pathetic and sobbing and he was still here. Smiling, she lifted the phone to her ear as she heard Mags answer.

The ringing finally dragged Katie out of her deep sleep and she opened her eyes in confusion. Her phone was lighting up less than a foot away from her, the ring blasting out at top volume. Murphy stirred behind her and leaned up.

"What the fuck?" His hand was at her waist and she had to move away to reach the phone.

"Hello?"

"Katie?" Connor's voice made her sit up, her hand holding the sheet to her chest. Murphy sat up next to her and looked over with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey Conn." She sighed and felt Murphy lean into her. She elbowed him away. "What's up?"

"Next time ye have a feelin' I'm not fuckin' brushin' it aside." His voice was half serious, half teasing.

"What happened?"

"We're fine. I'll explain later. But how about we meet ye at the meat packin' plant at one?"

Katie nodded slowly and felt Murphy moving in closer again. She slid to sit on the edge of the bed, leaving his warmth and listening ears behind. "That'll work. Are you getting lunch beforehand?"

"Aye, I think we'll just grab somethin' here though."

"Did you bring-"

"I've got the guns. Don't worry. I wasn't gonna make ye carry 'em that far."

She laughed softly. Connor knew her too well. "Thanks."

"Have ye told Murph?"

"Nope."

"Is he tryin' ta listen in?"

"Yep." She laughed as she heard Murphy sigh behind her. "And he's not doing too good at it."

Connor's chuckle echoed slightly. "Good. Make 'im work for it."

"Oh, I will."

"I know ye will, Katie. That is one thing I never have doubted with ye." He laughed softly and Katie could hear Sara's voice in the background. "But we'll just meet ye there then."

"Okay, see you later, Connor."

"Bye Katie."

She hung up the phone and turned to see Murphy watching her expectantly.

"What?"

"What'd me brother want?"

"Hot sex tonight." She laughed as his jaw dropped slightly. His arms came around her, pulling her underneath him again.

"Then he'll have ta fuckin' get in line." He punctuated his words between kisses.

"You two really do share everything, don't you?" Katie kept laughing as his hands found the ticklish area at the base of her spin. "Murph. Murphy. Stop it!"

"Then tell me what he really said."

She grabbed his hands as they edged toward her lower back again. "We're going to meet them later."

"Where?"

"It's a fucking surprise, darling." Katie emphasized the last word and felt him laugh against her.

"Tell me or else."

"Nope. I won the bet. I get to plan what we do. Fair and square."

He stared down at her for a second before kissing her softly. "Why do I have a feelin' it's something fuckin' serious?"

"Because you practice voodoo in secret?"

"No, because I know you too well, m'dear."

Katie pressed her lips together. "Just wait and see, Murph. It'll be worth your time, I swear."

He smiled slowly. "I don't care where ye take me, Katie. It only matters that I'm with ye."

Putting her hand behind his head, Katie pulled him down to kiss her. Their heart beats slowed together and she felt herself relax again. "Let's take a nap."

"We just fuckin' woke up."

"We've got until one."

"Food?"

"It's overrated." She grinned as he raised an eyebrow.

"And sleep?"

"Can never get enough."

Murphy smiled slightly and moved to the side so that she could slide out from under him. His arm came around her and their bodies fit together perfectly. Yawning softly, Katie felt his breathing even out first. She fell back to sleep with a smile on her face.

Smecker stared down at the file in his hand, the words having blurred together several minutes ago. His head pounded and his mouth was dryer than an old pair of socks. Hangovers were a bitch but the fucking case at hand made this one nearly unbearable.

The knocking on his already opened door made his head snap up, ready to snarl. The blonde man who stood there wasn't immediately familiar.

"Can I help you?" He tried to take the bite out of his voice but by the weary look on the man's face, he knew he hadn't succeeded.

"Ah, you were at the bar last night, weren't you?" The man rested his hand on the doorknob and grinned. "Murphy didn't fucking tell me you were there."

"And you are?"

"Peter. Peter Shafer. And from what I've heard, you've been looking for me too."

Extending a hand out, Smecker found himself really smiling for the first time all morning. "Fuck. It's nice to finally meet you. Now I can see the resemblance."

Peter just laughed. "Yeah, it's only obvious when you look for it.

"So, what can I do for you? I thought you were on an assignment."

"Oh, I am." Peter's eyes shifted to the open door before returning to Smecker's face. "I want to help them out."

"How?"

"I can get you information."

"In exchange for what?"

"Knowing that it'll help keep my sister safe."

Smecker pursed his lips and nodded slowly. The man was offering to be an informant. Why was he hesitating? "You know what happened to Billy, right?"

"Yeah. I heard about it."

"And you know it could happen to you?"

"Sir, I know if I stay long enough, it will happen to me. I'm just hoping to get out before then."

Nodding slowly, Smecker pulled his cigarettes out and offered one to Peter who shook his head. He lit one and took a long drag before finally looking at him. "So, what do you have for me?"

"Well, to begin with." Peter paused and leaned forward. "They know about the car wreck. They know the Saints survived."

"Fuck." Smecker muttered and saw him nod in agreement.

"And they're planning on striking again soon."