A/N: Hello my lovely readers! Glad to see people are reading this one. Special thanks to IrishSaints, BelhavenOnTap, GoddessLaughs and CrimsonKissMJ for supporting this story. Never fancied myself getting into writing another Connor/OC, but alas, here we are. I just wanted to see more Connor/OCs in this fandom. Glad you liked the teaser. Hope you like this next one! xx IFHD

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Chapter 2: Reunion

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"Here We Stand"

By: Amber Pacific

Here we stand again
Another day has passed us
With its lack of change
And all we have is what we share
And all we want is someone else to be there

And if the sun will set tonight
Hold our secrets up to the sky
As our shadows grow there's nothing left to hide
And if you ever doubt
You will know that I still wonder
How many times that I've compared
The stars to your eyes

We will make it through
No matter the cost
We've gone this far
Why not find out how it works out
For you and me
We'll make it through
I thought we were lost
But somehow we haven't found a way
And I hope that we never do

It's hard to get to understand
When our own lives are in our hands
And don't stop when you've never been closer
Just 'cause you don't know what matters most
The way won't always be so clearly right in front of us

Doesn't really matter how it all became forsaken
Got this far without knowing who we truly are

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At this revelation, Connor felt as though he had just been hit in the chest with a sledgehammer numerous times. This was definitely not the type of reunion that he had envisioned. Lourdes is engaged to my cousin? What the fuck?, he thought with a clenched jaw, fighting to keep his calm composure. As though reading his twin's thoughts, Murphy briefly placed a discreet hand upon Connor's shoulder in subtle comfort before cheerfully greeting Sean. As more MacManuses and Flannagans entered the modest, suburban Dublin home, Connor and Lourdes were left standing in front of the doorway stalk still in shock, for neither of them expected to see the other at this gathering.

Lourdes didn't know how she managed to suppress the desire to turn on her heels and bolt out of the house at that very moment. Standing frozen upon the doormat, she felt as though she was just seeing a mere apparition standing in front of her. Connor. The handsome, kind, compassionate Connor. Was it really him, or was she just hallucinating? When he finally walked towards her, she knew that he was real, that standing before her was really the man that she had longed – ached – to see for months. As Connor quietly slipped off her coat from her shoulders, they shared a brief glance before Lourdes was crowded by excited and curious MacManuses and Flannagans.

Connor stepped back as his family members continued to chatter around and congratulate Lourdes, welcoming her with wide, open arms. This was the vision that he had been waiting to see for months. Taking in her form, his breath caught in his throat when he realized just how much more beautiful she had become in only a few months, how much strength seemed to emanate from her kind face. Connor had always believed that Lourdes was a strong lass, and even in the face of danger or during the guilt of her first kill, she never seemed to entirely falter. Her raven hair was much longer, curled for the occasion, and she was attired in a striking red dress that immediately caught his eye.

As Connor spotted Murphy sharing an embrace with Lourdes, almost lifting her off the ground with the excitement of seeing her again, Ma screeched through the lively chatter of about twenty in the home, "Dinner's ready!"

Connor and Lourdes somehow managed to sit across from one another as the seats beside the long dining table were filled. If anyone closely observed the two of them, it would've been quite obvious that they could not keep their gazes off of one another; it was blatantly obvious to the nearby Murphy. As the food and drinks were served and passed around amidst hearty laughter and chatter, Connor and Lourdes spent the entire time breaking their stare from the other when they made eye-contact.

Murphy, on the other hand, continued to contentedly imbibe his whiskey with a permanent grin plastered upon his countenance.

"So Sean, how long have ye and Lourdes been engaged?"

Connor's eyes snapped upwards at his Ma's chirpy question and keenly listened for Sean's response.

Sean beamed proudly at his family members as he took Lourdes' hand in his upon the table. "For a few months now, actually. We never told anyone until just about a month ago." He lovingly kissed her hand, eliciting a smile from those around the table and a sickening sensation in Connor's stomach. "I have ta admit, though, that I had a hard time gettin' 'er ta say aye!"

Blushing at this truth, Lourdes replied in a mere whisper, "Sean, you make it sound worse than it really was."

"Well, at least ye got this beautiful lass ta say aye in the end!" commented Ma with a playful smirk, placing a light hand upon Lourdes' shoulder.

Sean eyed Lourdes adoringly, caressing her cheek with the backs of his fingers. "The weddin' won't be long now." Eyes scanning through his family members, his gaze landed upon Connor and Murphy. "Since ye two knew Lourdes from Boston, we hope that ye both can extend yer visit and stay a while longer for it. We'd be honoured to have you both present during the ceremonies."

As he heard noises of agreement around him, something in Connor finally snapped. With a forced smile, he inconspicuously excused himself from the table. He was so discreet in his exit that only Murphy and Lourdes noticed his leaving. With her brown eyes following Connor's retreating form, Lourdes said a few more words to Sean and those around her before excusing herself as well. With a light kiss on Sean's cheek, she reassured her concerned fiancée that she was indeed fine and just needed to use the bathroom. Thinking that nothing was amiss, Sean ensued to continue drinking with Murphy and his other family members as Lourdes made her exit.

Lourdes made a beeline for the direction that Connor had taken. Finding that the back door was halfway open, she curiously peered outside and towards the backyard. She instantly saw the blonde MacManus on the back patio not far from where she stood, taking a long drag of the bent cigarette he tightly clinched between his fingers. Clearing her throat in order to gain his attention, she declared softly, "You don't seem happy to see me."

Although he clearly heard the sound of her voice, the voice that he had longed to hear for months, Connor didn't turn around. Instead, he dismissively flicked his cigarette towards the ground, violently crushing it with his heel. Looking out at the view of the Dublin Bay dock in front of him with his hands in his jean pockets, he muttered in a low tone, "Never said I wasn't."

Lourdes didn't miss the iciness in his tone. Taking a few steps forward and standing by his side, she pointed out, "You never said you were, either." It hurt Lourdes to the core when he didn't reply or make a move to even look at her. Swallowing, she mustered enough nerve to take his arm. Pulling Connor so that he would finally face her, she admitted through the lump in her throat, "After the case, leaving Boston, all of these protection programs, I…I never thought I'd see you again." Disregarding the dark stare that Connor threw her, she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face upon his broad chest.

Wholly taken aback by this gesture, Connor tensed, not quite sure of how to respond. Though, all of the bitterness, rage, and repugnance of her engagement seemed to momentarily dissipate as he reluctantly embraced her in return, keeping his hands upon the small of her back. He reveled in her sweet, familiar scent, the smooth feeling of her raven hair upon his cheeks. It was then that Connor truly realized just how much he had missed her.

God, how he missed her.

Neither of them knew just how long they stood there in each other's arms, distantly looking out at the brightly-lit harbour. Slightly pulling away from his grasp, Lourdes began to wipe away the tears that were mercilessly cascading down her cheeks. Connor was surprised yet again, for it was a rare occasion to see Lourdes crying. Feeling guilty of having caused her to do so, Connor placed his forehead upon hers, delicately wiping her tears with the backs of his fingers. This gesture of affection only encouraged Lourdes, who clung onto his black shirt and pressed herself even closer to him for comfort, to sob even more.

All of a sudden, the back door slammed open, causing the two of them to jump away from one another. Wide-eyed, their eyes simultaneously darted towards the shaded figure as it stepped onto the back patio.

The erratic beating of their hearts slowly ceased as they recognized who it was.

Murphy.

Singing a merry Irish tune at the top of his lungs as he began to stumble, Murphy teetered and tottered as he attempted to light a shaking cigarette. As he subsequently burnt his finger and dropped his lighter, he let out a curse in sheer irritation, which then caused the cigarette that he had tucked in between his thin lips to fall as well. Crawling on his hands and knees, Murphy then ensued to search for both his lost lighter and cigarette through the dim lighting. Wholly concentrated on his newfound mission, he still hadn't noticed that his twin and Lourdes were both shooting him confused looks. After a few moments of crawling from side to side, he finally caught sight of two pairs of legs in front of him. Slowly inclining his head to meet both Connor's and Lourdes' stares, he narrowed his glossy eyes in blatant suspicion, loudly slurring, "Alright, which one o' ye took me lighter and which one o' ye took me cig?"

Slightly stepping away from Connor, Lourdes lightly cleared her throat as she pointed down at him. "Murphy, look underneath your palms."

As the dark-haired MacManus slowly did as he was told, he gave out a shout of glee, seeing as his search was finally over. Holding up the two objects in triumphant victory, he exclaimed rather loudly with a hiccup, "It's like…magic!"

Connor rolled his eyes at his twin's drunken childishness and gripped his right arm. "Alright, David Blaine, time for ye ta get up now."

"Do I have ta?" Murphy's whining resembled that of a five-year-old who had been told to eat his vegetables. Sprawling on the back patio upon his stomach with both arms and legs extended, he proclaimed, "The floor's so comfortable! Try it!"

Lourdes let out a light laugh at his contorted expression, taking Murphy's other arm. "Aye, Murph, you have to. You'll catch your death out here in the cold. We'll find you a nice, comfortable bed, alright?"

Murphy merely grinned in response. Lifting the half-asleep MacManus upon their shoulders with a bit of a struggle, Connor and Lourdes somehow managed to drag the Irishman inside.

With another hiccup, Murphy rolled his head to the side in order to face Lourdes. "I'll tell ye a secret." He leaned forward conspiratorially, though his attempt to whisper ultimately failed. "Con 'ere thinks yer hot as fuck!" He let out a giggle. "Ye know what else 'e said? 'e said that 'e…"

"Alright, alright, enough with yer blabberin'." In order to shut his brother up, Connor pressed his palm upon Murphy's face as they made it into an empty bedroom. Lowering the contented Irishman upon the bed, Connor sternly instructed, "Now Murph, ye stay 'ere and don't move an inch. I'll go see what 'appened ta the rest o' the family."

"No need." Murphy's head suddenly snapped up when Connor and Lourdes made a move to leave. "Everyone's pissed drunk and passed out!"

Wrinkling his forehead in confusion, Connor eyed the wall clock that sat above him. Holy shit. We were outside for an hour? Immediately eyeing Lourdes, he could tell by her bewildered expression that she had identical thoughts. Slightly worried, Lourdes bolted out of the bedroom in search for Sean. Closely following her, Connor then realized that their living room wasn't empty at all – everyone was just sleeping on the floor!

"Babe?" Lourdes lightly called out, finally finding Sean sprawled on the floor beside the couch and hugging a pillow to his chin. She tried once more. "Babe, are you alright?"

The only answer that she received was a light groan and heavy breathing.

As Connor quietly stood behind her, Lourdes brushed the long hair away from Sean's face and gently propped another pillow beneath his head. On her knees, she placed a gentle kiss upon the side of his cheek, eyeing his form for a few moments. Then, with a sigh, she stood and turned to face Connor once more. Connor merely observed her with an inscrutable expression, not quite knowing how to respond to the display of affection he had just witnessed. Before either of them could say a word, Ma MacManus' voice blared from the kitchen, "Ye two haven't had anythin' ta drink, 'ave ye?" She held up two half-empty bottles of alcohol in her hands. "How'd ye manage ta miss all o' the fun? Con, I beat yer Da at Irish Quarters!"

"That's great, Ma." Connor threw her a small smirk, knowing that this wasn't an easy feat at all. Swiftly making his way to her side and guiding her towards the living room by the elbow, he was astonished that his Ma still had some mobile skills in her state!

"Come on, 'ave a bit o' somethin' ta drink!" She encouraged with a hearty laugh, offering a shaking bottle to Lourdes.

"I'm fine, Mrs. MacManus, really." She placed a gentle hand on Ma's arm, motioning her head towards the front door. "I think I'll be heading home now. It's getting quite late."

Ma let out a dismissive scoff, waving her hand. "Lass, it's ta early ta go home! The night's still young, ye know!"

"Ma, don't force her ta stay if she doesn't want ta…" Connor chided softly, clearing his throat as he eyed Lourdes. "If she wants ta leave, let 'er leave."

"Oh dear." Ma breathed out as she caught a glimpse of Sean's sleeping form, almost tripping on him, for that matter. "Alright, if that's what the beautiful young lady wants! But Conny, be a good lad and drive Lourdes home, will ye? I dunna think Seany's goin' anywhere tanight, and I dunna want Lourdes ta go home all by 'erself."

"Alright, I will," Connor complied with a hint of hesitation in his voice. Slowly tilting his head towards Lourdes, he questioned, "I mean, if that's alright with ye?"

With a somewhat surprised expression, Lourdes managed a small nod. "Aye…that's fine. Thank you."

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A/N: Just how righteous can a Saint be? I guess we will see next chapter. Cheers! xx IFHD