A/N: Happy Thursday to all! This chapter has officially been betaized...thanks Anasazi Darkmoon!
It was late when Sara finally left Katie's hospital room. Seeing Katie had made her feel much better about things and hearing Connor's note to her made her realize a few things.
She knew somewhere deep down that she was right to feel abandoned. There was no reason she should have ignored the feelings that were honest and, somewhat, expected. But at the same time, she knew she had some decisions to make. Connor's love for his brother was one of the things she liked best about him. He was not only a family man, but he was capable of such a deep love that she knew there was absolutely nothing he wouldn't do or say for Murphy.
But with everything good part of that, came some not-so-good parts. That meant that there would be times that his attention would be divided. And Sara knew he'd made the right choice when he'd walked out to find Murphy. She could only hope that he'd recognize those moments that she needed him more, too.
As Peter walked her out of the front entrance to the hospital, she tried to push those thoughts aside. He'd been somewhat quiet all night, allowing the two girls to lead the conversation and only offering input when they'd asked for it.
"She seems better, like she's getting her energy back." Sara glanced over at Peter as she bounced a little to keep warm in the breeze. He stepped forward slightly, turning toward her to shield her from the wind, and she knew he had done it without even thinking about it.
"Yeah, she does. The doctor said that would be the biggest thing for now, as long as her stitches heal and all without a problem."
"It's amazing how it all seems so minor now. It's almost like she's just had her fucking appendix out or something. Not like she's been shot."
The muscle in Peter's jaw tightened at her words but Sara watched him keep whatever emotions he'd felt back. He offered her a simple nod. "Almost."
"But not quite, huh?"
"No, not quite." His hands pushed deeper into his coat pocket and he sighed. "Fuck, Sara. I don't even know where to go from here. It all just exploded the other night."
She glanced at Peter quickly, more than a little surprised that he was opening himself up to her. That he was actually speaking about something so personal to anyone but Katie. But then again, she supposed, with the situation as it was, Katie wasn't exactly the best choice.
"You move forward, I guess. What were your plans once you were done with being undercover?"
Shrugging, he glanced down the street. "Didn't think that far. Figured it'd be obvious once I found her."
"Well, what do you want to do? Go back to be on the force in Stillwater? Bust keggers parties and pull over old ladies on their way to the grocery store?" Sara smiled as he shot a grin at her.
"Sure beats kissing up to the mafia."
"Then do it. Go home, find yourself a girl and park your patrol car in the bushes near the only red light in town."
"There are two red lights in Stillwater." He laughed softly, his eyes finding hers. Pressing his lips together, he shook his head. "I can't just leave Katie though. And I don't think she'll come home to Stillwater with me."
"Why can't you leave Katie? She'll be okay here."
"She's my family." His answer was simple and Sara knew that he saw it that way. Same old Peter, everything was black and white. Only one right answer to everything. But it was about time he started seeing some gray.
"And being more than two miles apart won't make her any less your family. Now if you want to stay here for yourself, than do it. But if it's for her, you are wasting your time, Peter. She loves you, but she doesn't have to have you next to her to survive."
"No, she just gets shot without me."
"Peter." She warned softly and he gave her one of the few looks that always managed to remind her that he was younger. That he was the baby of the Shafer family. The family she'd basically become part of the day she met Katie.
"It's true, Sar. You can't argue it."
Gritting her teeth, Sara turned toward him, crossing her arms over her chest. She was getting sick of the guilt and blame game. "No, but I can smack you for it. Because if you ever say that to Katie, she'll smack you, too. And then I'll smack you again. Katie getting shot had nothing to do with you. It was not Murphy or Connor's fault and it's not your fault. It's fucking Frankie's fault and we can't smack him because he's dead. Stop over-dramatizing the fucking issue and just realize that Katie is alive. She's alive and she's going to live a normal life, without you or Murphy smothering her. And I'll do what I have to, to make sure that it stays that way."
Peter just stared at her and sighed before nodding behind her. "Here comes your cab."
"Answer me, Peter."
"Answer what? You didn't exactly ask me a fucking question there."
"Tell me you are done blaming people, including yourself. Tell me that you'll just accept that Katie was shot and that she survived."
"How about I just tell you that I need to sort things out? Without you in my head."
"Fine. But remember one thing Peter, you are not alone here. Katie isn't all you have."
He finally gave her a small smile. "Yeah, I've been told that once today."
"By who?"
"Murphy. Now go. Your cab is waiting."
Sara hugged him quickly before moving toward the cab. "Plan on bringing Katie to the McManuses' apartment when she gets released."
"Why?" He leaned closed to the window as she got in and rolled it down.
"Because, I'm planning something. We're going to welcome Katie home properly."
"Good, because if we don't, I'm sure she'll turn right around and leave." He teased her and she just made a face at him, waving him away from the car.
"I'll call you in the morning."
"I'll be sure to ignore my phone." Grinning, he raised his hand as the cab pulled away.
"Asshole." Sara chuckled as she leaned back against the cool leather seat.
The idea of a party for Katie had occurred to her several hours before, when Peter had given her the news of her being released the next day. She knew that Katie wouldn't expect anything and that made the idea that much more exciting.
Digging into her purse, she sighed when she realized she still didn't have her cell phone. The reminder brought back images of the last time they were in McGinty's and Sara closed her eyes against the whiskey she could still smell without an effort. Shaking her head, she forced her mind onto other things for the remainder of the ride.
After getting into her apartment, she picked up her phone and brought it to the couch with her. Turning on the news, she muted it and dialed Connor's cell phone. It barely rang once before he picked it up.
"Sara?"
"Hey. What are you doing?"
"Ah, talkin' with Murphy and Da. What are ye doin' yerself?" His voice sounded funny and she realized that he was working hard to speak carefully. Laughing, she switched the phone to her other ear.
"Are you drunk, Connor?"
"Fuck, no. I'm had…five fuckin' beers, is all." In the background she heard Murphy shout something. "Okay, fine, I've had six. Me fuckin' brother feels the need ta count my alcohol intake fer the evenin'."
"And you're not drunk?" She grinned as he sighed dramatically.
"No, Sara. I'm not that much of a fuckin' lightweight. I'm barely feelin' it."
"Right."
"What are ye callin' about anyhow? How did Katie like me note?" He chuckled softly.
"She wants to know what the pay is like for that position. She wants to make sure it matches her other offers."
He laughed louder. "Fuck, she has other fuckin' offers, huh?"
"Of course. Angels are very much in demand right now."
"We'll keep that in mind as we discuss her fuckin' pay at the next meetin'."
Sara grinned. "Good. Oh, and I did get your other messages. The ones at work."
"Oh, ye did?" His voice turned slightly serious and she fought a sigh.
"There's no need to apologize. You did nothing wrong, Conn."
"I ditched ye, Sara." He kept his voice low and she knew he was trying to keep his conversation from the other two.
"We'll talk about it later. But I just wanted you to know that I'm not upset or anything. I was, until I really thought about it. But I'm not now. I understand."
"And that, m'Sara is why I love ye. Ye understand me even when ye don't."
She laughed at the confusing state of his sentence, shaking her head. "And that's why I love you, Connor. You make sense even when you don't. Now you boys have fun tonight, but be ready to do some work tomorrow morning."
"What type o' work?"
"Surprise work. You'll find out tomorrow."
"Aye. Fine, but Murphy says there'll be no fuckin' strippers fer Katie's surprise homecomin' party." There was a smile in his voice and Sara couldn't help but laugh.
"How the fuck did you guess that?"
"I know ye, m'dear. And I know what tomorrow brings."
"Than you'll know to be awake and ready to go, right?"
"Fuckin' bright tailed and bushy eyed." He laughed and she rolled her eyes.
"Connor, you aren't that drunk."
"Good night, Sara."
"Night, Conn." She hung up the phone with a smile still on her face. It felt good to laugh with him over stupid things. And it felt good to know that she was going to be able to do that for a long time to come.
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The knock on the door nearly an hour after Connor got off of the phone with Sara made them all sit up in surprise. Murphy exchanged a quick glance with his brother as they both stood up.
"Maybe it's Sara."
"Fuck, Murph, she said she wouldn't be here till mornin'."
"Check the fuckin' peephole, Connor." Da warned, still reclined in his chair. He seemed relaxed, but Murphy noticed that his hands gripped the arms of the chair. They had all been nearly asleep already.
Connor ducked to look out of the peephole. He paused for a moment before moving to open the door quickly. "It's Doc!"
"What the fuck?" Murphy walked over as Connor opened the door all the way. An agitated looking Doc raised his eyes to the both of them without a word. Murphy felt the tension in the pit of his stomach grow.
"Ye okay, Doc?"
"I'm f-f-fuckin' f-fine." He moved past them, into the apartment, his eyes on Da. "Except I've lost e-e-ever thin'. FUCK! ASS!"
Connor glanced at him wide eyed and they both moved forward.
"What do ye mean ye've lost ever thin', Doc?" Da put the footstool down on the chair and motioned for his friend to sit down. Shaking his head, Doc clutched his hands together and paced forward a little.
"The fuckin' b-b-b-boy t-took it'all. The b-bar's smashed up and all o' me m-money's g-g-gone. I'm f-f-fuckin' f-finished." He turned to face them all again and Murphy was surprised to see the beginnings of tears in the old man's eyes. "He was in-involved, wasn't he? H-h-he helped t-ta kidnap yer girls, d-d-d-didn't he?"
Connor put his hand on Doc's shoulder, squeezing lightly. "We've got a fuckin' lot ta tell ye, Doc. Ye better sit down."
"N-no, j-j-j-ust fuckin' tell me." He pulled away, crossing his arms over his chest.
Da leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "No, ye better have a seat. We've got a lot ta discuss tonight."
Murphy watched as they both stared at each other for a long moment and finally let out his breath as Doc nodded slowly and sat down. Connor took the other chair and Murphy sat back down on his end of the couch. They were all quiet for a moment as Da lit a cigar. He took a quick puff from it before raising his eyes back to Doc.
"First, did ye know?"
Doc met his gaze straight on, and shook his head slowly. "I had n-no fuckin' idea. If I'd kn-kn-know, I'd've k-killed the f-fucker meself."
Da nodded slowly and Murphy could feel some of the tension in the room dissipate. "We've got a lot ta discuss, than. Ye don't know the half o' it, Doc."
Connor handed a cigarette into Murphy's range of view and they both shared a long look. It'd been a long time since they'd seen Da that intense, that serious. And as with the last time, they knew they were in for a long discussion. But it was one they knew was necessary.
And Murphy knew that that while they might share their information and learn some new things from Doc, there were still going to be questions to be answered. Where was Tommy? And what were they going to need to do to find him?
Because he knew that while the Saints were dead, some business needed to be taken care of before they could rest peacefully.