Chapter Fifteen: Hello

Amy stood outside of McGinty's in the cold. She had left her jacket inside as well as a confused

uncle.

She rubbed her numb arms and bit her lower lip. The autumn air bullied her as Amy shook her head at herself.

Run away… Amy thought sadly… Or go back inside…

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Amy returned to the bar. Doc sat on a stool holding her jacket in his trembling hands. She completely bypassed the old man and Amy – with a blank stare – walked up the stairs to the above apartment.

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She opened the door and gaped at the three men before her. The man Amy did not recognize sat on the edge of the pool table with a beer in his hand.

Connor leaned against the pool table with a confused look. Murphy was sitting on top of the table, Indian-style, and his face was buried in his hands.

"Amy…" Connor breathed. Murphy suddenly looked up.

"Hello…" Amy said awkwardly.

She quickened her pace and held her breath. Amy walked toward Connor. Connor, aware that she was coming closer, removed himself from the pool table's space.

The thirty-five-year-old man opened his arms and caught Amy as she ran into his chest. Connor closed his eyes and a smile crossed his face.

His arms were tight around her, strong, and Amy buried her face into his neck.

He still has the smell of beer and cigarettes…

When Amy finally took a breath, she felt her chest in pain and her eyes burning with tears that needed release.

"Connor…" Amy whimpered into the man's body. She hadn't released her grip nor had she taken the time to look up into his face.

Her body was lifted into the air and Amy felt Connor spin her.

She laughed.

Her hands held on tighter to the man's back. Amy wrapped her hand around his head and finally looked into Connor's face.

Connor was laughing and smiling and suddenly he kissed Amy. Their lips touched for a brief second – Connor began to place kisses all over Amy's cheeks and neck.

"Good to see ya lass!" Connor called out.

Amy's feet were back on the floor. She placed her hands on Connor's shoulder and examined the man in front of her. Connor's hands were on Amy's waist – he was making his own investigation of the woman in front of him.

"You look fuckin' good," Connor noted. "Really good. Damn. Still beautiful. Twenty-five? Really?"

"And you…" Amy smiled. She touched Connor's face and gently slapped his cheek. "What an old man."

Connor shrugged. "I still look good, don't I?"

"Of course," Amy laughed. She giggled nervously and ran a hand through her hair. Connor released his hold on Amy.

Amy's eyes went to Murphy.

The other MacManus twin had his hands stuck into his pockets. He half-smiled when Murphy noticed Amy eyeing him.

"Murphy…" Amy whispered with a shy grin.

Murphy's smile grew bigger.

He practically ran toward Amy and wrapped his arms around her waist. Amy was being spun around again. Her arms were tight around Murphy's neck and Amy was cheek-to-cheek with him.

The stubble of his chin rubbed against Amy's as Murphy kissed the woman's neck and cheek.

Murphy placed Amy back on the floor and placed his hands on her shoulders. He looked Amy up and down and Murphy nodded his head approvingly. "I'll have ta agree with my brother – you look fuckin' good."

Amy released a laugh – which suddenly gave her tears the freedom they desired. She wept happily suddenly, taking the men off guard, and Amy placed her hand over her face.

"Oh, don't cry love," Murphy whispered gently. He pulled Amy closer to him and the woman took the opportunity to hug him again. She pressed her lips against Murphy's collarbone; Amy's eyes were buried into his shoulder.

A third hand, Connor's, rubbed Amy's back gently. She could hear Connor's voice trying to calm her: "It's a'right love. It's okay. We've missed you."

Amy removed her wet face from Murphy's shirt. She continued to stare up at her old friend. Amy turned around and flew back into Connor's arms.

"I've m-m-missed you guys…" Amy stuttered as she tried to get herself together. Her chest heaved with sobs and her eyes continued to release salty tears.

The unknown man by the pool table cleared his throat.

Amy turned her attention away from the MacManus boys toward the Hispanic.

"Amy," Connor laughed, "this is our friend – Romeo."

"Oh, hello," Amy smiled warmly at the man.

Romeo approached the group and held his hand out to Amy. She accepted Romeo's hand and smiled. The man kissed the back of Amy's hand and winked: "Hola señorita."

"Now behave yourself Rome," Murphy warned.

"What?" Romeo asked innocently. "You guys get all the kisses from the pretty lady."

Amy laughed. "It's nice to meet you Romeo."

Romeo nodded and gave Amy's hand back to her. "So…"

"So…" Amy echoed.

She turned around to stare at Connor and Murphy again.

The men moved closer to Amy and suddenly-

With both hands, Amy slapped Connor and Murphy.

"Oy!" Connor yelled out of surprise. "What tha fuck was that for?"

"THAT! was for leaving eight years ago with no visit, no phone call, no e-mail, no fucking letter - nothing!" Amy barked angrily. She turned to Murphy. "THAT! was for suddenly deciding to take the law into your own goddamn hands and start killing people! Do you guys realize you're wanted men! And the priest-"

"Hey we didn't kill 'im," Murphy said defensively while rubbing face.

"Well then, let me be the first one to congratulate you guys on making a mess of things!" Amy snapped. She crossed her arms over her chest. "I want to know what the hell happened! What happened after St. Patty's – and Rocco…"

Connor placed his hands in the air in front of Amy's face. "Ssshhh, love, we'll explain everything. We promise. First…"

"We want to hear about you," Murphy laughed. "We want to know what's happened with you."

"Lots. Lots of uninteresting things," Amy grinned wryly. "Okay now – your turn."

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Author's Note: Just a few quick updates. I'll update a longer chapter soon – with much more interaction between Amy, Connor, and Murphy. Happy New Year!