A/N: Finally...

The stillness of the woods through his window held Connor's attention again. He could still see the spot where Sara had said the words he was still having trouble believing. She wanted to become his wife. And even with the reactions of his family fresh in his memory, it still hadn't completely hit him. He was getting married.

A quiet knock on his door made him break his stare from the woods, and turning, Connor found a still smiling Murphy leaning against the door frame. They exchanged a long look before his brother moved to stand beside him at the window.

He'd expected a typical loud, almost manic Murphy reaction to their news. Instead, his brother had been quietly beaming, holding him in a tight embrace before kissing Sara on both cheeks and twirling her around a few times in laughter. His only words had been to welcome her to the family.

Their Ma had unexpectedly burst into tears at the news, inducing all three McManus men to move to her quickly and she held on to them all in turn. Da had simply teased her about her tears as she moved on to hold Sara tightly for a long moment before asking her if she was sure she wanted to join their crazy family.

"She fuckin' caught ye off guard, didn't she?" Murphy's voice broke his thoughts and Connor grinned.

"What gives ye that idea?"

"The deer in the fuckin' headlights look ye still got in yer eyes."

Crossing his arms over his chest, he gave his brother a closer look. "It's that obvious?"

"Katie thought ye'd been plannin' it. So not obvious ta everybody."

"I didn't dare ta fuckin' hope it yet, Murph. I didn't even say it to ye, thinkin' she'd walk away the moment I even played with the idea o' it."

Murphy smiled widely for a moment before nudging him. "Did ye cry when she got down on her knee for ye?"

"Shut yer fuckin' trap. I was the one on me knee. She just mentioned the idea first, that's all." Connor attempted to glare over at him but couldn't when he saw the smile still planted on his twin's face.

"Doesn't matter how it happened. I'm happy for ye, Conn" Murphy hooked his arm over Connor's neck and pulled him into a headlock, rubbing his knuckles into his hair. "Ye'll make 'er a great wife!"

Letting go, Connor grabbed for his brother but missed him. Murphy's chuckles echoed through the hallway and he just sighed, turning back to the window with a grin. "Yeah, ye better fuckin' run."

"Should I run too, then?" Sara raised an eyebrow at him from the doorway, his old robe pulled tightly around her.

"Nope, ye're not gettin' too far. But it could be a fun game." He wagged his eyebrows at her. Laughing, she just gave him a look.

"Let me at least get dressed first."

"Well, o' course. But only ta make the game fair for ye."

Crossing her arms, she pursed her lips at him. "I'd outrun you any day, Connor."

"Oh really." He stepped closer, running his hands down the worn terry cloth that covered her arms. "Guess I'll just have ta spend the rest of me life chasin' ye."

Sara smiled slowly before kissing him. Her arms slid up around his neck. "So no regrets?"

"What? Are ye fuckin' serious? O' course not." Connor stared down at her for a moment, more than shocked at her words. The questions were still there, he saw. Still lingering despite the love he so desperately tried to show her. And he wondered just how long he'd be fighting that war.

He kissed her on the forehead and on the tip of her nose before pressing his lips to hers for a moment. Tilting his head, he smiled down at her. "Okay, one reget."

Her eyes widened as she waited warily. "Yeah?"

"That I didn't think o' it first. But I'll make that up ta ye." Connor just grinned down at her as she hit him lightly in the arm.

"Don't do that to me!"

"Than don't ask me stupid questions."

Sara gave him a long look before giving in and smiling back. "You know what I like about you, Conn?"

"What?"

"That you can't even be a jerk when you try." She turned her back to him and slipped the robe off to get dressed.

"Ye know what I like about you, Sara?"

"What?" Her answer was muffled as she pulled the shirt over her head.

"That ye look even better with that ole robe o' mine off than ye do with it on."

"Than it's too bad for you I just showered. Keep working on your compliments, honey. You'll get better." She zipped up her jeans and patted him on the cheek with a grin.

Wrapping his arms around her, Connor pulled her in closer to him, kissing the spot behind her ear and loving that she melted even just a little in his arms. Her laughter filled the room as he kept kissing further down her neck and she finally wiggled out of his arms.

Pointing a finger at him, her cheeks were a little flushed as she laughed again. "No. I've got to go talk to your Ma now. Something about wedding ideas."

"We just got engaged." He shook his head. "How can ye be plannin' a weddin' already?"

"If your Ma had her way, we'd be married in two weeks."

"Two weeks it is, than." Connor moved in again to put his arms around her, but Sara moved out of his way, opening the door instead.

"No, two weeks is too soon. There is far too much to do before we have a wedding." Flashing a quick smile at him, she left the room.

Returning to his place at the window, Connor found himself grinning again. Wedding plans. His Ma and Sara were already making wedding plans. Christ, he hadn't planned for a wedding. He only wanted a fucking marriage.

His eyes fell on that spot at the edge of the woods again, and he realized just how much that one moment had changed things. When he woke up this morning, he really only wanted to hold on to Sara and to keep sleeping. And maybe a little morning sex later on. And now. Christ, now she was planning their fucking wedding.

Rubbing a hand over his face, he realized that there was something was missing. He hadn't had a chance to think of anything of this before now. And Connor's eyes widened as he realized what hadn't be mentioned. With a grin, he headed to the guest bedroom. This was something he needed Murphy's help on.

Murphy stretched his arms above his head and grinned up at the ceiling. Things hadn't felt this right since…well, in a fucking long time. They were home. And Connor was getting married. He hadn't considered that this day would ever come. Not that he considered his brother unmarriageable, but it was Conn.

Closing his eyes, he sighed. He wondered if his brother realized what this meant. What this could mean. Marriage had never been in the cards while they'd been the saints. Hell, two weeks later was never planned, much less a lifetime commitment. It was their second chance. And he had to make sure his brother knew that.

The sound of knocking on the door made him sit up and he raised his eyebrows at the sight of his brother leaning against the door. "Ye daydreamin'?"

"Thinkin'. Works better with closed eyes."

"About?"

"Second chances."

Connor stared at him for a long moment before pressed his lips together and nodding. "Aye. Hadn't thought about it that way yet."

"Ye've hardly had a fuckin' chance ta think that way."

"I also didn't get a chance ta get a ring, Murph. Will ye come with me ta get it today?"

Murphy laughed softly, enjoying the goofy grin on his brother face almost as much as the thought of helping him pick out a ring entertained him. "Ye sure ye don't want ta take Katie? She might know more about that stuff."

"No, I need her ta keep Sara occupied today. Unless ye'd rather have that job."

"Newly engaged shoppin' trip. Not fuckin' likely."

"Good. Than ye're free ta come with me. And Katie can take her." Connor jumped slightly when Katie spoke up from behind him.

"I can take who where?" She crossed her arms over her chest and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Sara. Shoppin'. Or whatever it is ye do. Murph's with me today."

"Okay. Why?"

Grinning at his brother's obvious discomfort, Murphy slid off the bed. "We have a special mission today."

"I haven't gotten her a fuckin' ring yet, Katie." Connor sighed, glancing behind him to make sure the hallway was still empty.

She smiled slowly up at him. "So it really wasn't planned, was it?"

"Told ye, Katie." Murphy caught her hand as she half-hearted tried to hit him.

"Congratulations, again, Conn. I really am happy for both of you. No matter how it happened." Connor slid his arm around her to hug her but Katie shook her head. "Not bandaged yet. No hugs." She raised an expectant eyebrow at Murphy who nodded her inside.

"Why don't ye have yer stitches covered?" Connor stepped in after her, looking at Murphy for an answer. But Katie beat him to it.

"Dr. Murphy wanted to see it before I covered it. Which made it extra fun to get dressed." Giving a mock glare at Murphy, her fingers played with the bottom of her shirt.

Raising his hands in surrender, he stepped toward her. "I could've helped ye."

"I'll leave the two o' ye alone." Connor smiled slightly and turned toward the door.

Glancing at her for a moment, Murphy shook his head. "Wait, Conn."

"What?"

"Can ye look at her stitches?"

His brother glanced back, his eyes narrowed and Murphy caught the bit of concern there. "Why?"

"Ye know what they should look like. Ta me it all looks bad."

There was only a brief pause before he nodded and stepped back into the room. Katie's fingers tugged at her shirt as they both stood in front of her.

"Lift yer shirt, Katie." Murphy put his hand on her shoulder, feeling the warmth through the soft cotton of her t-shirt. She raised an eyebrow again.

"Girls gone wild?"

Her tone made him grin despite himself, despite the moment and he just looked at her.

"Ye can wait ta do the flashin' thing at the bachelorette party, Katie." There was a smile in Connor's voice and she fought a second before giving into her own.

"Fine. I guess I can wait." She raised her shirt up just enough for them to see the stitches and Murphy had to fight not to show emotion in his face. She was watching him closely, he knew, and that's why he kept his eyes on the stitches, waiting for someone else to speak first.

Connor leaned over slightly to look closer before glancing up at him. "Looks ta be healin' fine. Christ I've forgotten how ugly these things could be."

"You can't tell me its worst than a cauterized wound." There was slight annoyance in Katie's voice as she lowered her shirt again, but she just looked at the two of them.

"Hate ta break it to ye, m'dear, but it is. Much uglier." Murphy managed a smile as she narrowed her eyes. Connor opened his mouth to speak but she held up her finger at him.

"You say anything about a lollypop, and I'm smacking the both of you."

His brother broke into a grin and she punched him softly in the shoulder. Holding his hands up in surrender, he laughed, which only annoyed her more. "I wasn't goin' ta. I swear."

"Good. Now go help your fiancée with her wedding plans before Ma gets her dream wedding." Katie grinned and Murphy saw the slightly panicked look in his twin's eyes. Connor glanced behind him quickly before shaking his head with a slight sigh.

"How ye feelin' anyhow, Katie?"

"Don't change the subject, Connor. Her dress'll have long sleeves if you don't hurry." Katie rolled her eyes at his blank look and grinned. "It's bad. I promise you."

"I wasn't changin' the subject. Just askin' as someone who cares."

"I'm fine, Connor. Now go."

Rubbing his hand across her hair, he grinned before leaving the room. Murphy couldn't help but notice that his brother headed for the stairs instead of back to their old room. Laughing softly, he raised an eyebrow at Katie. "That true? About Ma's dream weddin'."

"Eh, don't know. But it was fun."

"That was mean." Murphy chuckled as he glanced out the bedroom door again. "And it just makes me realize just how much I love ye. Now let's get ye bandaged."

"Gee, Murph. Those are the words every girl wants to hear." She leaned against him slightly as he slid his arm around her.

"Ye'd rather butterflys and sliver magic dust?"

"I get the option of magic dust, huh?"

"I do aim ta please. Even if I'm just yer stand-in prince charming."

"If you're the stand-in, when do I get to meet the real thing?" She teased him and he just answered it with a grin.

They both feel silent as he taped the gauze over her stitches. Her skin was warm beneath his fingers as he pressed the tape down. And her sigh was so soft he almost didn't hear it. When he glanced up at her, she just smiled slightly.

"I miss this, Murph."

Giving her a long look, Murphy finally shook his head. "Miss what?"

"This." She guided his fingers to her skin. "I miss your touch. I'm not breakable, Murph."

The lump in the back of his throat was an odd mixture with the sudden jump of need in his gut. Running his thumb along the smooth skin over her ribs, he kissed her softly before leaning his forehead against hers. "Ye're not breakable, Katie. But ye're not ready either."

She was silent for a moment before nodding once. "I know. I just…"

"Just what?"

"I…I just hate this, Murph." Her eyes wouldn't meet his and there was a tightening in his chest as he drew her into his arms. Katie buried her face into his shoulder and he slipped his hands underneath her shirt, his fingers drawing circles into the soft skin of her back as he held her tighter.

Murphy leaned his chin on her shoulder and closed his eyes against the enormous amount of comfort just holding her gave him. She was the root of his life now, the constant he never wanted to let go of. And his eyes opened again as a thought occurred to him.

"Katie, is that all that's botherin' ye?"

She raised her face from his shoulder and tilted her head up at him. "What do you mean?"

"Is there anythin' new that upset ye today?"

"Today? What…" Smiling slightly, she leaned her head against his chest again. "Why would Sara and Connor getting in engaged upset me?"

Murphy was quiet for a moment, adjusting his hold on her only slightly as he put his words together. "I just didn't know if it bothered ye that they were…and that we aren't." The words were out and she was silent for a long moment before laughing softly up at him.

"You were worried about that, weren't you?"

Her reaction wasn't giving him any answers, so he just shrugged in response. "It kinda just occurred ta me."

"Don't take my words the wrong way, Murph, but I don't have the need to be married like Sara does. She needs that solid sign of commitment. I don't yet."

"Yet?"

"I do want to marry you someday, Murphy. But not tomorrow."

Her smile kept him silent and after another long moment, she stilled in his arms. "You do want to marry me, right?"

Murphy gave into the laughter and he nodded as she raised an eyebrow up at him. "Aye, I do. I just didn't plan ta tell ye that way."

"Well obviously, we can't wait for you McManus boys to get anything done."

"Why don't ye want ta marry me yet?"

She let out a few soft laughs into his chest before looking back up at him again. "Because I love this so much that I don't feel the need to rush it. I want to enjoy every stage with you. I feel no need to rush to the alter."

Smiling down at her, he kissed her softly, trailing his lips up her cheek to her temple. Katie gave another soft sigh and Murphy was beginning to figure out that that sigh was a good thing. Pressing his lips together, he kissed the top of her head.

"So, what? We thinkin' another year?"

"Fishing, Murphy?"

"Just gettin' an idea. Apparently we McManuses are bad with the fuckin' timelines."

"Than it's a good thing you're just that good at everything else." Katie grinned up at him and Murphy felt his heart skip a beat before he lost himself into another long, soft kiss.

Sara drained her cup of coffee and smiled at Ma again. Connor's Ma had seemed so intimidating to her originally. She raised both of the twins virtually alone, and that was enough to make her seem twenty feet tall. And then there was Ma's bigger than life personality.

But Sara was figuring out there was a secret to every one of the McManuses that not everybody knew straight on. Despite their cursing, their drinking and smoking and loud ways of making their opinions known, their big hearts lead them into everything they did. She was marrying into a family of saps.

And the sappiest one of them all sat in front of her, her eyes aglow as she showed Sara the pictures of her and Da's own wedding.

"Now ye see, Sara. Quite a lot can be done ta dress our ole church up. It's a beautiful place ta have a weddin'. But only if that's where ye want ta have it." Ma smiled widely at her, before leaning back and giving a loud laugh. "No 'ere I am, pressurin' ye inta a certain type o' weddin'. Just like Pat's Ma did ta me. I'm just here fer ideas, lass. Ye don't have ta listen ta a word I'm sayin'."

Grinning, Sara wondered again how such a sweet woman came off as intimidating to her. "This is where Conn's roots are. I only promised my mom I'd get married in a church. So I think your church sounds perfect."

"Ye were just a lass when ye last yer Ma, weren't ye Sara?"

She looked up from the pictures again to see Ma's gaze on her. Sara forced herself to shrug off the old familiar emotions as she nodded.

"I was twelve. We had six months after she got the diagnosis. She made her last wishes very clear to me." She found it easy to laugh about it, and saw a smile appear on Ma's face. "Of course, not all of the wishes were logical. I highly doubt I'll ever get to meet the Pope. But she wished that if I got a chance that I would."

Tapping her fingers against the rough wood of the table, Sara gave another short laugh. "I don't even think Connor knows."

"A part o' him knows. Even if ye've never talked about it." Ma paused, tapping the end of her cigarette into the ashtray. "What about the rest o' ye family?"

"Well, Katie and Peter are my family now."

"And yer Da wasn't in the picture then?"
"No, he was the whole picture for me. But his car got hit by a drunk driver when I was 18. I think that's why Katie and I bonded so well that year. My pain was only a little bit rawer than hers."

Ma's hand covered her own, squeezing gently and Sara looked up to find Ma watching her closely again. "Ye've been shaped by them, Sara. Ye've been shaped by havin' in your life and by lovin' them. And each day that ye live yer own life, ye're makin' their dreams come true for ye."

Blinking against the rush of emotion her words brought to her, she just put her hand over Ma's hand and smiled.

"How are the wedding plans coming?" Katie's voice was cheerful but she stopped short as she entered the kitchen. Sara wanted to laugh as curiosity and politeness warred across her friend's face. "Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt anything."

"I just told her about my mom and dad."

"Ahh…" Katie murmured slightly and her fingers found their way to worry the bottom of her t-shirt.

"Ye're welcome ta join us, lass." Ma's smile brought her closer and Sara wanted to laugh with the semi-awkwardness of the moment.

"Where are the guys?"

Katie smiled fully then. "Gone."

"What do you mean gone?"

"As in poof. They've gone to take care of a few things. I'm to distract you until they get back."

"They ditched the two o' ye?" Raising an eyebrow, Ma took another drag of her cigarette.

"Not ditched so much as left quickly for some important shopping."

Sara caught the wink that Katie sent to Ma and she let out a half laugh. "You're telling me they chose to go shopping?"

"They knew they needed to. Connor realized something was missing."

"He's gone to get me a ring, hasn't he?"

"He proposed without a ring?" Ma scuffed. "And here I thought I'd raised me boys properly."

"Us getting engaged wasn't exactly planned." Sara laughed. "It just sort of happened. But I can't believe they ditched us. What are we supposed to do until they get back?"

"Sara. Think about it."

She narrowed her eyes at Katie. "What?"

"We're in Ireland, Sar. It is really so hard to think of what to do?"

"The two o' ye might want to hit the local tour spots today. As me boys'll refuse ta take ye there."

Katie nodded in agreement. "I figured that much. Let's go play tourist."

"Ma, will you give us a list of the must-sees?" Sara caught her friend's gaze and they shared a long grin. It had been so easy to forget. But they were finally in Ireland.

It was when Connor sighed for the sixth time in a minute that Murphy finally cleared his throat and leaned down beside his brother. "What exactly are ye lookin' for?"

"Fuckin' don't know."

"A ring, Conn. How hard can it be ta find a fuckin' ring?"

"Christ, Murph. That's what I thought too until I saw all of these. Who knew there where this many options with fuckin' rings."

Murphy found himself joining in on his brother's seventh sigh as they both peered down through the now smudged glass. "Somethin' simple, right? Sara's a simple girl, right?"

"Aye, Murph. And that's how I'll fuckin' present it ta her. A fuckin' simple ring fer a simple girl."

"Fuckin' Christ. Just choose one already."

"If it were that fuckin' simple, don't ye think I'd've done it already?" Connor stood up completely, rubbing his hand through his hair and closing his eyes. "Think she'd mind pickin' it out herself?"

"Somethin' tells me that wouldn't go over much better than the simple girl plan. Hey, grab this guy. He can fuckin' help us." Keeping his voice low, Murphy nodded at the older jeweler who made eye contact with them finally. The jeweler smiled warmly and stepped closer to them.

"Can I help with somethin', lads?"

"Engagement ring, please." Their voices rang out in union and Connor glanced over at his brother slightly as the jeweler just smiled.

"Which o' ye is lookin'?"

"I am." Connor leaned against the glass and stood up again quickly as the jeweler waved him off of the display case.

"I'm just helpin' him."

"A lot o' bloody help ye've been too."

"Well, then, boys. We are type o' girl are ye looking ta propose to?"

Connor raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I'll help me figure out what kind o' ring she'd like. Unless ye already had one in mind."

"She's blonde." Murphy spoke up first and received another look from Connor for it.

"Ye're a great help, Murph." His brother's words were sarcastic and Connor's hand rubbed over the back of his head again. "She's smart, sweet. She writes for a magazine."

Murphy cleared his throat. "She's sophisticated. She's a nice girl but ye can tell that she really knows what she's doin'." Connor grinned at him this time before nodding.

"She sounds like a keeper." The jewelry smiled again, his eyes fixed on the rings in the case below them. He pursed his lips for a moment before pulling out a row of rings. Locking the case again, he set the rings on the counter and glanced up at Connor. "See anything ye like here?"

The lack of sighs as his brother looked at the few rings in front of them told Murphy they just might escape the store sooner than he'd thought. Connor's elbow hit nudged him slightly and he saw him pointing to the one on the end.

"What do ye think?"

"Perfect." He grinned as his twin let out a sigh.

"Murphy."

"I think it's a nice ring. And that's all that'll matter ta yer girl when ye give it ta her."

Another sigh came from Connor. "Alright then. I'll take that one."

"Wonderful choice, lad."

Smiling at the prospect of freedom, Murphy put his hands in the pockets of his coat and paced slightly toward the door. But his fingers closed around the metal in the depths of the pocket and he pursed his lips before turning back around. With a sigh, he stepped forward.

Preparing himself for the possible onslaught of selection, he moved back to the counter and shrugged at Connor's raised eyebrow. "One more thing before we go.

Their day had been exhausting but full of fun and embarrassing pictures of both of them. Katie had been disappointed to find they weren't close enough to find the Blarney stone and kiss it, but there still had been a lot of beautiful ruins to see. And they'd both bought their share of souvenirs. She just hoped the sweater she'd bought Peter would fit him.

Even though the sun hadn't quite set, the lights of the town welcomed them as they passed on through. Katie glanced over at Sara, who still wore a small smile on her face as she steered the car through the south end of town and drove them the half mile out to the McManuses' house

Sara had glowed all afternoon. Through the teasing drizzle and sudden downpour in the early afternoon and even through the chaotic hustle of the rest of the tourists. It almost seemed as if nothing could touch her and nothing could bring her down. And that made Katie realize just how perfect this was for her friend. She'd had questions deep down as to whether it was too soon or not, but the serenity that this decision brought Sara pushed away any possible lingering doubts.

"I don't have to actually ask you to be my Maid of Honor, do I?" Sara grinned as she pulled the car up near the house. Lights glowed from within and Katie wondered if everyone was still home.

"Nope. You don't have a choice. As your best friend, I claimed that position six years ago."

"Good to have that settled." She led the way up to the house, looking back at Katie only as she reached the side door. "Think they have any girl cousins to be the other bridesmaids?"

"I haven't seen a girl McManus by birth yet."

The house was quiet as they reached it, despite the evidence of life inside. Smoke floated out from the living room as Katie walked through and she grinned as she heard the guns blazing from the television. The half dark room was illuminated by occasion blasts of light and she leaned against the door jam.

"Sounds like Rambo."

Murphy grinned over from where he was stretched out, his bare feet crossed on the coffee table. "It's amazin' that ye can identify that when ye claimed ye've never seen the movies."

"I didn't say I hadn't seen them, Murph. I just said I didn't watch them."

"Splitin' hairs. Maybe ye should go inta politics. Now that yer no longer a mafia princess, that is." He just laughed as she made a face and nodded to the couch beside him. "Wanna join me for some gore?"

Sara chuckled from beside Katie, making her look over. "He's a real romantic, isn't he, Kat?"

"That's my Murphy." Katie sighed, smiling despite herself.

"Yer husband-to-be is in the shower. Ye might catch him if ye hurry." He winked at Sara. The sound of water running stopped then, making Murphy grin again. "Nevermind. Too late."

"What's he showering for, Murph?" Katie leaned against the doorway again.

"Personal hygiene. That and we were wantin' ta go to the Anvil if the two o' ye want to."

Sara just smiled and shook her head as she headed up the stairs. "Wow, going to a bar with the two of you. Something new and exciting."

Katie laughed as he raised his eyebrows.

"Are we borin' the two o' ye?"

"Hardly. I think we're both just tired."

Murphy patted the couch beside him, sitting up fully and turning down the volume. Pushing off the wall, she settled in next to him and smiled as he kissed her temple.

"Just tired? Or hurtin'?"

"Murph."

"Fair question, Katie. Just answer it."

"Tired. I swear." She said as he looked at her. "I'm not stupid enough to leave pills behind."

"If ye want ta just hang out here, we can."

"Murphy, I didn't come to Ireland to stay in your house."

"No, but ye didn't leave ta end up in the hospital again either."

Katie glared up at him for a moment before leaning back against him with a sigh. "That's not going to happen."

"Ye damn right it's not goin' ta happen." His voice was soft and she moved her head to look back up at him.

"Compromise?"

"What do ye mean?"

"We can go to the Anvil. Hang out with your family. And come home when we get tired."

He looked down at her for a moment before kissing her lightly. "Fine. But ye better be tellin' me when yer tired this time."

"As if I need to Murph. You tend to know it better than I do."

Murphy opened his mouth to respond but the ringing of a cell phone cut him off. Frowning, he stood up quickly, going to his coat and pulling out a lit up cell phone. Katie reached for the remote and started switching through the channels. There might not be a TLC channel but she'd be damned if she'd spend even part of the evening watching one of Murphy's bloody movies.

The number was unfamiliar to him, so Murphy answered it quickly, waving at Katie to lower the volume. The loud sound of static greeted him and he tried again. "Hello?"

"McManus?" The stress in Peter's voice was clear as he spoke and Murphy felt his heart start to race as he turned away from Katie.

"Peter?"

"I need ye to do me a favor. Well, actually a few." The sound of wind overpowered the last few words and Murphy pressed the phone closer to his ear.

"What?"

"That's Peter?" Katie's voice came from right behind him and Murphy just shook his head in response and waved her away as he concentrated on Peter's voice.

"Call Smecker and tell him to come to New York. Something's going on here and I don't like it. I've been followed all day and someone just tried to shoot at me."

"What's going on, Peter?"

The loud beat of footsteps echoed in the background and he heard Peter gasp. "Keep Katie safe with you, Murph. There's something big still going on here and I haven't quite figured it out yet."

"Where are ye, Peter? Where should I tell Smecker to go?"

"Fuck! McManus, I've got to go. Shit! Just get Smecker to New York City. I'll take it from there. And keep my sister safe! Fuck, I knew he followed me…" Peter's voice faded and the sound of gunshots followed.

A full second passed before Murphy realized the call had been cut off. Lowering the phone slowly, he raised his eyes to find Katie watching him wide eyed, her hand gripping his other arm.

"What the fuck was that about, Murph?"

"Peter. He needs Smecker in New York." He forced out a sigh and glanced over as a frowning Connor came down the stairs.

"What the fuck were ye yellin' about?"

"What's going on, Murphy?!" Katie's voice had risen in pitch and he chewed on the side of his thumb as he felt his heart trying to burst through his chest. Connor crossed the room in three strides and moved to stand in front of him.

"Murph?"

"We've fuckin' missed somethin'. Or Peter did." His eyes landed on Katie who was already chewing the corner of her lip. And he knew whatever he told her would only make her more concerned. But he also knew he couldn't hold it back. "Someone's after Peter. He said someone had been fuckin' followin' him all day."

"Think the Fertitta's figured out who he was?"

"It's more than that." Murphy kept his eyes on Katie, as it started to sink in. "He called for us to get Smecker to New York. And to make sure we kept his sister safe."

"Sounds like we need ta makin' a trip. I'll go call ta get us some tickets." Connor rested his hand on Katie's shoulder for a moment but her eyes continued to just hold Murphy's gaze. Sighing, Connor left them alone, climbing the stairs two at a time.

"So, we're going back?" There was a tremor in her voice but her eyes remained clear as she stared hard at him.

"No. Conn and I are goin' back. Ye're stayin' right here in fuckin' Ireland. Where I know ye'll stay safe." His words came out harder than he meant for them to be, but the pounding in his ears and the need to do something stopped him from apologizing. There wasn't time for that. And as moved away from her, he wondered if there was even time for them to get there before it'd be too late.

Katie watched him walk away, his words echoing through her brain and she worked hard not to cry. It'd be so easy. So easy to just break down and to let him handle it. But as her heart pounded and her stomach turned with the sudden worry, she knew there was only one right way for her to do this.

She left the room and climbed the stairs quietly, making her way to the guest bedroom. If they thought they were leaving without her, they were sadly mistaken.

Her bag was heavy on the floor of the closet, but she lifted anyway, ignoring the sharp pain in her side. That kind of pain was good. She could deal with the pain in her side. She knew what was causing it and she knew it would heal.

A lump grew in her throat as she began to load her clothes from the dresser back into her bag. Pain from her stitches had an end to them. A timeline. But the aching in her heart scared her, because she wasn't sure it would ever be over. If she lost Peter…

The sound of footsteps in the door way stopped her thoughts and she managed to breathe back the oncoming tears. She knew it was Murphy without turning around. And she braced herself for the fight she knew was coming.

"What the fuck are ye doin'?"

"Packing. What does it look like?"

"Dammit, Katie. Ye're not fuckin' goin' with us." His voice rose with each word and he pulled the bag from her hands, tossing it toward the closet.

"He's my brother, Murph! I have to go find him, help him!"

"We'll find him. Ye can't go."

The burning behind her eyes was back but she continued to glare at him. "Would you want to be kept from Connor if he had disappeared?"

"That's not the same fuckin' thing?"

"Why not, Murphy? Why not?" The tears came then, filling her voice and her eyes and she wiped them away without breaking eye contact.

"She's goin' Murph. I already got her a plane ticket. We leave for the airport in an hour." Connor's voice came quietly from the doorway and Katie watched the emotions flicker over Murphy's face before he turned and walked out of the room.

There was a silent moment before Connor stepped fully into the room and lifted her bag from where Murphy had thrown it. He set it on the bed in front of her without a word. It was only when he touched her shoulder that Katie finally looked up at him. His eyes were watching her carefully.

"Sara's almost done packin'. She'll be in ta help ye in a minute. Don't ye dare try ta lift that bag. And don't try to do too much, Katie. No sense in hurtin' yerself just ta hurry." He rubbed his hand down her hair before pulling her into a hug. Connor rested his chin on the top of her head for a moment. "We'll find 'im. And we'll take care o' things, mo deirféar"

Katie closed her eyes against his words and kept them closed as he let her go. His footsteps left the room again and she fought for composure. They were going to find him. And he'd said they'd take care of things. Sighing heavily, she opened her eyes and started packing again, ignoring the tears that ran freely down her cheeks. They were going to find him.

Connor found him outside of the kitchen door, puffing on a cigarette and staring out into the darkness. He let the door close quietly, knowing his twin was well aware of his presence, even if he hadn't acknowledged it yet. Murphy just took another long drag as he leaned against the house beside him. The stillness of his brother was worrying him, so Connor began to prepare himself.

Finally, after few long minutes, Murphy spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "She compared him ta you."

"What?" Connor blew smoke out to the side and glanced over.

"She said keepin' her from him was like keepin' me from you."

"That's probably how it is, Murph. They've always been close. He's all she fuckin' has."

"I didn't think o' that. I didn't fuckin' consider it."

Connor let out a half laugh. "Murph, ye're not exactly known for ye're thinkin'."

"What?"

"Ye feel things so fuckin' strongly that thinkin' usually just slows ye down."

"And that's why ye do the thinkin' for me?" Murphy smirked slightly before grinding his cigarette into the grass. "It's a wonder we're still fuckin' alive than."

"Go talk ta yer girl, Murph."

Nodding, Murphy put his hand on the doorknob before glancing back over at him. "Thanks, Conn."

"No problem. I always love knockin' a little bit o' sense inta ye."

"No. I mean for goin' along. For once ye're riskin' yer neck for somethin' that doesn't really involve ye."

Connor stared at him for a minute. "Fuck, Murph. O' course it fuckin' involves me. If it touches ye, or yer Katie or Sara, it involves me. So, I'd say this rather fuckin' involves me." Murphy considered that before nodding.

"Ye're right. But thank ye anyways." He gave a small smile before leaving Connor alone in the darkness.

The red of his cigarette glowed as he took one last drag. Grinding it beneath his boot, he stared out into the distance. Fuck if this didn't involve him. He was sick of the fucking mafia coming after his family. This time, those who were guilty would meet the wrath of the Saints. And then they'd send each one o' them to meet his maker.

'mo deirféar' means my sister.