A/N: Hey everyone! First of all, thank you to wolfchick11 and IrishSaints for reviewing. It means a lot to me. Thank you all for reading as well!

If you don't know yet, I'm currently writing a Murphy/OC entitled "Even In Heaven", so check that out when you have the time! People seem to be liking it, so I'm happy about that.

Also, remember to check out the Path To Sainthood OC Character Collage. The link is on my profile page.

Happy reading!

xx

IFHD

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Chapter 13: Introductions

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"Light Up The Sky"

By: Yellowcard

Your making choice to live like this,
And all of the noise,
I Am Silence.
We already know how it ends tonight,
You run in the dark through a firefight.
And I would explode just to save your life,
Yeah I would explode.

Let me light up the sky,
Light it up for you.
Let me tell you why,
I would die for you.
Let me light up the sky.

I can't find a wall to pin this to,
Their all coming down since I've found you.
I just wanna be where you are tonight.
I run in the dark looking for some light,
And how will we know if we just don't try,
We won't ever know.

Let me light up the sky,
Light it up for you.
Let me tell you why,
I would die for you.

Let me light up the sky,
Light it up for you.
Let me make this mine,
I'll ignite for you.

Let me light up the sky,
Just for you tonight.
Let me help you fly,
Cause you won't have time.
To cover your eyes,
To get your disguise,
They won't ask you why,
They just watch you die.

And it's still so hard to be who you are,
So you play this part,
The show goes on.
You've come this far with a broken heart,
Yeah you've come this far,
And you've broken.

And it's still so hard to be who you are,
But you've come this far with a broken heart.
And it's still so hard to be who you are,
But you've come this far with a broken...

Let me light up the sky,
Let me light up the sky.

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The sun began to relinquish its place upon the sky, slowly sinking beyond the horizon. Hues of pink, orange and yellow emanated from the distance, signaling the end of another day and the countless hours that the MacManus brothers had been waiting patiently in front of the Irish Embassy for Lourdes to show. The two continually stared at the entrance, as if she would appear at their whim if they just concentrated a little harder. Though the seconds, minutes and hours passed, and still no sign of the agent. From the stiff positions and expressions that the twins wore upon arrival, they gradually grew tired and bored, and were now poised as though they were completely hammered, slouched (almost painfully) upon the seats, limbs fighting to stretch, yawns automatically escaping from their mouths.

"Isn't it dangerous for Lourdes and the other agents to be staying with the mole at the Embassy?" Murphy took one last drag from his cigarette before flicking it lazily out of the car window. With a leg propped up against the dashboard, he rolled his head back, exhaling rings of smoke out in front of him. "I mean, fuck, they could be fuckin' murdered in their sleep for all we know."

"They're inside the Irish Embassy, for fuck's sake. Every breath they fuckin' take is recorded, 24/7." Connor rested his arm on the steering wheel, peering out at the imposing four-story, white building beside them. He continuously attempted to find a more comfortable spot on his chair, unable to feel his numb bottom anymore. "The fucker can't do anythin' unless he…or she…wants to be caught red-handed."

"She ain't talkin' to her agents about any of this shit, right?" Rolling up his window to block out the biting wind, Murphy turned his attention to his brother, tightening his jaw.

"I don't think she can trust any of them, Murph," Connor admitted with an exhaled breath, fists now clenched upon the steering wheel, "not until she finds out who the bastard is. They can all be dirty for all we know. This could all be just a big set-up." He paused, pursing his lips in deep thought. "She's on her own now."

"Well, not completely, aye?" Murphy gave his brother an encouraging slap on the arm with the back of the hand. "She's got us."

Connor groaned at Murphy's hearty enthusiasm, giving him a rude shove. "I thought that we agreed that we were like 7/11. Now what are we turning into, a woman's shelter?"

Murphy was caught completely dumbfounded. His jaw dropped as he tried to find a proper response. Seeing his difficulty, Connor began to laugh, his smile reaching his eyes, as he shook his head. Giving his twin another shove, he snickered, "I was merely jokin', ye dumbass. 'Course we'll help her. That's why we're here now, aye?"

A miracle occurred then. Lourdes finally appeared from the entrance of the Irish Embassy just as the twins' conversation had ended. Carrying a black briefcase in hand, she was attired in an all-blue business suit, the length of the skirt just reaching her knees. On top, she sported a long, black coat, ending just above her thighs. Briskly walking down the marble steps on dark-blue high heels, she acted as naturally as possible as she discreetly searched for the MacManus car. Spotting flashing headlights to her right side, she quickly spotted the brothers and hastily marched towards them, head tucked down.

As she entered the car, Murphy twisted his head around to face her, greeting her with, "So did ye find and kill the motherfucker yet?"

"Not yet." She breathed out in response as she slammed the door close. "Sorry about being late. Our every move is being watched and recorded. We're all under high surveillance, even though we – save one – aren't the criminals in the first place. It's hard for the mole to operate, yeah, but it's making it hard for me to even investigate. I couldn't find out any evidence as to who it may be."

As Connor began to drive away from the Embassy, he firmly suggested, "The only thing we can do is go through each of 'em one by one when they're nowhere near the Embassy. We gotta catch 'em when their guards are down."

Quickly thinking, Lourdes replied, "One of them is not in there for sure. He's in the Boston Hospital."

Connor clicked his tongue, giving Lourdes a side smirk. "Looks like we got our first target."

"I must say," Murphy piped up in a light tone a few minutes later, index finger wagging in front of him as he eyed his twin and Lourdes alternately, "That was probably the first civil conversation I've heard ye two have."

Connor caught a glimpse of Lourdes from the rearview mirror, his eyes smiling in good humour. "Don't ye worry, Murph. She's got more fire in her. Don't ye, Lourdes?"

Lourdes playfully rolled her eyes at this, but found that a smile was slowly pulling at her lips. She had to admit that the bickering and bantering that went on constantly between she and Connor helped her cope with the amount of stress piling up on her shoulders. Although the MacManus brothers were only her acquaintances – or accomplices – at the moment, she felt that they were helping her with more than her job. And Il Duce. He had mentioned that he had known her father many years ago. The fact that her father, Riley Villamor, the epitome of all that was righteous and just, was actually acquainted with the notorious Il Duce astounded her. She wondered if there were any other ways that her family was connected with the MacManuses.

Looking out the window, Lourdes realized that they were going nowhere near the hospital. Furrowing her brows in question as the car slowed to a stop, she took another look outside. Connor had parked in front of a church. Simultaneously exiting the vehicle, the brothers slammed the doors shut behind them. She eyed each of them confusedly as she unfastened her seatbelt. Murphy then lopsidedly popped his head in front of her window, grinning at her. "Detour. We won't be long." Giving the hood two taps, he began to jog away, catching up with his brother in the distance as they entered through the gigantic oak doors.

Lourdes must have waited in the car for only five minutes when curiosity got the best of her. What business did the Saints have in a church, especially on a Tuesday afternoon? Intending to find out and despising the fact that she was left in the car like a child, she cautiously exited the vehicle, closely surveying everything around her. When nothing seemed to be amiss, she placed her hands in her coat pockets, following the footsteps of the Saints and making her way inside the massive church.

As she entered, her breath was immediately taken by the grandeur of the cathedral. It was completely empty save for Lourdes, the brothers, and a handful of other people scattered around the pews in silent prayer. The cathedral wasn't as impressive as those she had seen in Europe, but it was breathtaking nonetheless for a relatively young city. What caught her eye was the gigantic statue of Jesus Christ at the very front, seemingly hovering over the altar.

Connor caught her entrance from the corner of his eye as he knelt in the pews in prayer. He eyed her curiously, seeing her slow procession down the aisle of the church. His thoughts then flashed to a night where he had been doing some research on the attacks against the agents. Giving into curiosity, he began to dig up information about Lourdes, wanting to know who she was exactly. It was then that he had found out that she was an only child and that her mother had died when she was very young. All she had left was her father, one of the top agents in the Irish Forces for many years, and a few relatives to look after her while she was growing up in England. Fresh out of university at twenty, she was immediately recruited into the An Garda Síochána in Dublin to work as an agent, selected for her pristine record and top honours in school. From then on, all of Lourdes' information was classified. And ever since that night, Connor's curiosity about this woman grew even more.

As Murphy remained deep in prayer, Connor stood, crossing himself simultaneously. Turning his attention back to Lourdes, he saw that her eyes were surveying every inch of the cathedral, mouth slightly agape in wonder. As he began to stride in her direction, her eyes flashed to his form instantly. She commented quietly, "Didn't know the Saints actually prayed."

Connor flashed a winsome smile. "We wouldn't really be livin' up to our names if we didn't, now would we?" Not taking his gaze off of her form, he said. "Come with me."

Lourdes tilted her head in curiosity as he beckoned for her to follow him. Hesitating for only a moment, she did as he had requested, falling into step with him as they reached a side door. Wrapping his jacket more tightly around him as they exited the cathedral, Connor led her down a rocky path and out into the massive graveyard. She furrowed her brows in question, but decided not to say anything.

Seeing that Connor had stopped in front of a simple tombstone, Lourdes read the engraving:

Here Lies

David Della Rocco

Beloved friend of

The MacManus Brothers

Deus est intus

"A very close friend?" Lourdes whispered, almost carefully, for she had seen the slump of Connor's shoulders when they had stopped.

"Aye." He replied quietly, crossing himself as he kept his head slightly bowed. "He was killed by Yakavetta a little more than a year ago. Murph and I were in the room when it happened."

Frowning, Lourdes lithely stepped behind him, gradually extending her arm. Almost hesitantly, she placed a comforting hand on Connor's shoulder. She felt him tense slightly at her touch, but after a few moments, he twisted his head so that he could see her. "I'll admit to ye that he wasn't a saint himself, but he didn't deserve to die the way he did. He was a good man."

"I'm sorry." It was all that Lourdes could offer the Saint at the moment, for she was at a loss for words. "I know how hard it must be."

Connor didn't want her to think of her mother's death, so he said, "This is why we do what we do." He straightened his spine, as if regaining his strength, as he turned to face her fully. "To prevent shit like this from happening to good people; to people who have loving families, friends, people who just live their lives." Exhaling heavily, he outstretched a hand towards her, placing his palm softly upon the side of her cheek. "People like ye."

Lourdes closed her eyes momentarily, feeling the shivers running down her spine as Connor touched her. She sighed, pressing her face into his calloused palm. She saw the blaze that ignited in Connor's eyes as she did this, his eyes now a dark shade of blue. She smiled. She couldn't explain it, but Lourdes felt so safe whenever she was with this man, even when they didn't see eye to eye. She felt so protected from harm that even if all hope seemed lost, she was somehow certain that he would be there to help her.

In a move that surprised Connor, Lourdes placed her hands upon his chest gingerly, stepping closer to him. Then, she rested her head upon his shoulder, the length of their bodies now touching. Wrapping his arms protectively around her waist, he pulled her in towards him, resting his chin upon her head. It was then that Connor felt such a longing to protect her, regardless of what had transpired between them in the past. Wrapped in each other's arms, they remained like so for a few minutes, oblivious to the world around them.

That was, until they heard Murphy clear his throat behind them.

Almost jumping off of each other in alarm, they both became slightly embarrassed. Taking deep breaths, they looked away from one another, throwing nervous smiles towards Murphy's direction.

Murphy only grinned widely in the midst of their discomfort. "Looks like some people finally made up."

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The three lounged in the waiting room of the Boston Hospital until the nurse called them in. Knowing exactly where Sean's room was, Lourdes led the way, the Saints following her closely behind. Firstly knocking on the door, she listened for any sign of Sean. When she heard his cheerful voice, she pushed the door open, making her way inside. The MacManus brothers remained outside, standing on either side of the door, giving the two a moment of privacy before they made their appearance. Upon seeing Sean standing up beside his bed and packing his backpack, Lourdes squinted out of confusion.

"Lourdes!" Sean rightly boomed as she entered, picking her up off of the ground as he embraced her excitedly. "Guess who's back on the force?"

"You seem to have recovered quickly." She punched his jaw playfully, then returned his embrace. She said, almost hesitantly, "Nice to have you back, Sean."

"So…what'd I miss?"

Lourdes blew the hair out of her face as she deeply exhaled. In a mockingly nonchalant tone, she said, "Well, other than the fact that I almost got murdered a week ago, nothing really."

"Fuck's sake!" The tall Irishman exclaimed, his eyes inflamed with anger. "Nobody told me! Ye alright, though? Have ye killed the bastards responsible?"

"Not yet, but I intend to find them, and find them soon." At this point, Lourdes' eyes considerably darkened, her smile completely disappearing. "Sean, I've known you for more than three years. We've become good friends ever since then…" She trailed off, still unable to believe that she was suspecting him of the crime, "But I…I have reason to believe that…you are behind all of this."

Sean dropped his jaw so low that Lourdes thought it was going to hit the ground. "Ye've got to be fuckin' kiddin' me, Lourdes." When he made a move to touch her, she recoiled immediately. The Irishman scoffed in disbelief, holding his hands in the air. "Why would I wanna kill a good friend? What'll I gain from it?" He dug his index finger upon his chest several times. "I was the one shot here – twice, for fuck's sake – in the first place! If I had wanted to make it a show, I could've just at least pretended to get hurt!" With a shake of his head, he actually admitted seriously, "Besides, I would never touch an inch of ye unless it were for a pleasurable purpose, one that would be pleasin' to the both of us."

Disregarding the latter statement, Lourdes took a harsh step forward. "There's a mole on this team, Sean." Her jaw tightened, her brows crinkling. "And I'm not going to rest until I find out who it is."

"It sure as hell ain't fuckin' me, so point that pretty finger somewhere else!"

It was clear to Lourdes that Sean was taking a great offense to her 'finger pointing'. She couldn't blame him. After all their years of friendship, they did have a certain level of trust. Plus, one of the transcripts that Smecker had uncovered from the Westin Hotel read that it was February 13, and Sean was still bound to the hospital bed. He couldn't have possibly made that call, let alone appear at the hotel without being undetected. Running her fingers through her hair as she closed her eyes, Lourdes said to herself more than to Sean, "It can't be you. I know it can't be you."

"And it isn't, alright?" Sean moved closer to her, delicately placing his hands on her shoulders. "I wouldn't hurt you, ever." He then began to brush the tendrils of her hair away from her face, letting his thumb brush upon her cheeks. "And like I said, the only reason why I'd ever touch you is…"

Lourdes brought her hand to his, squeezing lightly. Sean stopped mid-sentence, his twinkling blue-green eyes surveying her face. "Listen," she began, retrieving her hand," There's more that you have to know." Turning her head towards the door, she gently called out, "Connor? Murphy?" As the MacManus brothers composedly entered the room, Lourdes proceeded to introduce the three men. "Sean, this is Connor and Murphy MacManus. Connor and Murphy, this is Special Agent Sean Flannagan."

Instead of the cordial greetings that Lourdes had expected of the men, she saw that they only stared at one another in complete silence. Eyeing each man, she pressed her lips into a thin line in confusion, turning to each of them alternately for an answer. "What is it?" she questioned, "Do you know each other already?"

With a simple nod, Connor replied, "He's our cousin."

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Translation:

Deus est intus God is within

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A/N: Sweet revelation, eh? lol What'd you guys think? What do you think is going to happen or what do you want to happen? Don't forget to review! xx IFHD