Chapter Two Summary: Murphy is taken in for questioning, leaving Connor with Romeo, who are jumped. Murphy arrives in time to help, and they're all taken to solitary. Murphy tells them they may be released due to Smecker, who's alive. He also tells Connor that Anna, the woman who kidnapped and tortured Murphy eight years before has gone missing. Connor takes his hand in an attempt to comfort him.

AN: Be ready for the epic cliff hanger of doom!

Demons of Saints

Secrets and Messages

By Candra Hastings

A week had passed since Murphy had seen Smecker. A week since they'd learned that their own personal demon was missing. A week since things had changed in both brothers.

Murphy had grown darker. Instead of chatting away like always with Connor into the dark of the night in their shared cell, he now turned to the wall on his bunk and closed his eyes to face long nights of nightmares. They'd come back after all these years with a vengeance, making Murphy cry out in his sleep, but never wake up.

The sounds of his brother suffering through the night had about driven Connor mad. He hardly slept anymore because he couldn't stand hearing Murphy cry out in pain every night. Because he wasn't getting much sleep, he had started becoming very cranky. He would snap easily at Romeo, and even Murphy at times.

For the past three days, the brothers had been at odds. Though they wouldn't leave each other's sides and they felt the need to protect each other, neither of them liked each other at the moment very much.

Murphy had taken to talking to Romeo if anyone at all. He didn't understand why Connor seemed so mad at him and would snap at him for the slightest things. So if the need to have a conversation arose, he went to his friend instead of his brother.

Connor didn't like that. All their lives, Murphy had always come to Connor about things first. Now, Connor felt like he was being replaced, even though he knew it was a silly thought. Still, it bothered him to no end that Murphy had practically stopped speaking to him.

Romeo had noticed the change, though he had no clue what had brought it on. One night, when Murphy was asleep, he decided to ask Connor about it from his cell across the twins'.

"Hey, Connor, man. What's going on with you and Murphy? You guys have a fight or somethin'?"

Connor frowned. He hadn't expected to be asked about this. "No, not really. He just... I dunno. He won't talk ta' me anymore. Have I been a jackarse lately?"

Romeo shrugged. "You mean more than usual?"

"Thanks, Rome. Real helpful."

"Hey, you asked. But yeah, you've been kinda short with him and me lately."

"It's because he won't talk to me!" Connor snapped. "You know what?" he continued in a heated tone, "Why don't yah have this conversation with him? Since you two've been so close an' all that as of late."

Romeo sat up in bed and fixed Connor with a glare. "Listen here, leprechaun-head. You can get as pissy with me as you like. But Murphy is your familia, and family is the most important thing. And I don't know what he dreams about that's able to make him sound like that," he ranted, only stopped by Murphy's pained whimper, "And it's not my place to ask, but right now he needs you. So why don't you pull your head out of your pot o' gold at the end of whatever screwed up rainbow you live on and just try being nice to him?"

Connor gaped at his friend. Only now had he realized how bad he'd been lately. What Murphy had needed when he was pushing Connor away was for Connor to hold on tighter. There were times that Murphy may not want to be babied but still needed to be. Now, Connor understood that this was one of those times.

"I'm such a jerk," Connor sighed. "I'm sorry, Rome. I just... I can't sleep while he suffers like this," Connor admitted.

"I get it. Just make sure he does, too. Because he needs you, bro. He really does." With that, Romeo laid down and went to sleep.

Connor turned over and went to sleep himself, though it wasn't a very good sleep. He woke several times at night to Murphy's agonized sounds. Still, he did all he could to ignore it. When morning came, Connor was wide awake and stayed put on his bunk until Murphy climbed down.

Before his twin could even move to put a shirt on, Connor was up and wrapping his arms around his brother. He could feel Murphy tense under him, but his twin relaxed under his touch after a moment. "I'm so sorry, Murphy. I'm sorry I've been such a crappy brother for the past week. I really am."

After saying this, Murphy also wrapped his arms around his brother in a powerful embrace. "It's s'okay. I just didn't know what I did to make yah so made at me."

Connor pulled away so he could look his brother in the eye, hands placed firmly on Murphy's shoulders. "Yah didn't do a thing, Murph. I just haven't slept very well for the past week."

Murphy looked towards the ground. "Me either."

"Oh, I know."

It was then it clicked for Murphy. "Oh, hell. I've kept yah up, haven't I? Me and my big mouth..."

"Maybe a little," Connor admitted, pulling away to give Murph some personal space.

"I'm sorry, Con."

"No!" Connor said sharply. "Don't you dare apologies for that. You didn't do a thing wrong. You can't help what happens in your sleep."

"Still," Murphy grumbled before pulling on his shirt. "I feel bad for keepin' yah up."

Connor shrugged. "It's not a big deal. You know me, though. I'm an jerk when I don't sleep well. How you manage to be somewhat civil sleepin' like you do is a mystery to me," he teased.

Murphy just rolled his eyes and was about to comment back but was interrupted by the guard that had taken Murphy yesterday and his little band of followers. "Connor and Murphy MacManus, Romeo Lopez. You are to be released today from Hoag penitentiary. You've been cleared of all charges."

Connor and Murphy had no clue what to say. They both had been in denial that they would ever be free again. Romeo however, summed things up with, "About time!"

They all were given their clothes back that they'd been brought in with. They'd been washed and their blood no longer stained the dark material, but the bullet holes were still there. The twins were also given back their rosaries, which they immediately strung around their necks and kissed lovingly before tucking them under their torn shirts.

Within a few hours, all three were processed out of the Hoag. They were informed that a cab was parked outside, waiting to take them where they wished. As they headed out the door, Murphy was handed an envelope and was told to not open it until they were in the cab.

After the three had piled into the back of the cab, Murphy scrunched in the middle while Connor and Romeo were pressed against the doors of the car. Murphy struggled to pull the envelope out and elbowed Romeo and Connor several times in the process while the two spat curses at him.

"Keep your shirts on!" Murphy growled as he tore open the letter.

"What's it say?" Connor asked, reading over his brother's shoulder, the same as Romeo.

"It's from Smecker. 'Boys, I'm sorry for not being there for your release. For safety reasons, I won't be able to contact you for a day or two. Until then, take the cab to the Claremont hotel, where there is a room under your name. Wait for me to contact you. And no matter what, do not leave the hotel,'" Murphy read the letter.

"Claremont it is, then," Connor informed the driver.

"How are we gonna pay for the cab?" Romeo asked.

Murphy dug back into the envelope, pulling out a thick stack of bills, all marked with three digit numbers. "I think we can manage," he commented with a grin.

"God bless that man," Connor said in wonder as he took the bills from Murphy and put them in his coat pocket.

The drive was long and not much was said. When they got to the hotel, which they'd expected to be a little roadside joint but turned out to the Ritz, they went inside and gave their names. They each were handed a key and were told that it was to the master suite. None of them had ever seen a suit before, so when they opened up the door to their rooms, there were surprised to say the least.

"Holy mother of..." Murphy croaked.

"What the bleedin'..." Connor trailed

"This is awesome," Romeo stated simply.

The suite was huge. A spacious living area with luxury recliners and couches took up the area, along with a huge plasma T.V., which had an Xbox 360 hooked up to it. A kitchen area totally stocked with food and had a microwave, which was the extent of all their cooking skills put together. Four doors lead connected to the area, which when the boys checked, proved to be three bedrooms and a large bathroom.

Each chose a room. In Connor's, he found another letter. He read through it once, took a look to the corner of his room and went back to the living area to tell the others of his findings.

"Hey, guys," Connor called out. "Another letter from Smecker."

"Well go on and read it," Murphy said while flopping down on the couch while Romeo took a recliner.

"'Boys, again, I'm sorry I can't be there right now. Just wait a bit and we should be able to meet up soon. Until then, I've left you with your clothes and some of your personal items,'" Connor read.

"Personal items?" Murphy quizzed.

Without a word, Connor pulled something out from the waistband of his pants and tossed it to Murphy. His brother caught it instinctively. He studied the item, mixed feelings taking over. It was his beloved Rambo knife. The one he'd used to escape Anna, even though he was recaptured. It had also been the blade that he'd been stabbed with. Still, even with the dark memory, the familiar weight of the blade was a comfort to him. He grinned at Connor. "Did Smecker get your stupid rope, too?"

"Aye, he did," Connor smiled back cheekily. "Romeo's flamer- I mean, colorful guns are in my room, too. Along with ours and our phones."

"Sweetness," Romeo beamed. "Hey, I call the first shower. Connor, you think you can put my guns in my room for me?"

"Aye, I can manage that," the lighter twin agreed. After that, Romeo fled to the bathroom, leaving Connor and Murphy alone. Connor excused himself a moment while he did as Romeo had asked, coming back to find Murphy rummaging through the refrigerator.

"What the hell are yah doin' Murphy?"

Murphy turned around, a beer tucked under his right arm, right hand holding another. His left was busy clutching on to a sandwich he'd whipped up and was munching on it while he used his hip to close the door. Though the food in his mouth distorted the words, Connor managed to suss out, "Da'hell does it look like I'm doin'? I'm starved!" With that, he tossed Connor the beer in his hand and took the other for himself.

Connor caught it, grinning. "I like the way yah think, my brother."

Murphy swallowed the food in his mouth and sat down on the couch, Connor following his example. He took a swig from his drink and paused, something obviously on his mind. He looked towards the bathroom door, as if afraid that Romeo could hear what he wanted to say. To be careful, he spoke in Gaelic.

"Cad tá muid ag dul a dhéanamh faoi di, Connor?" What are we going to do about her, Connor?

Connor knew who he was talking about. "Cad a dhéanann cheapann tú tá sí ag dul chun teacht in áit ar bith in aice linn?" Connor asked. What makes you think she's going to come anywhere near us?

A dark look came into Murphy's eyes. "Ní gá duit a fhios aici mar is féidir liom." You don't know her like I do.

No, Connor didn't know her like his brother did. He hadn't been the one tortured by her for three days. Still, he didn't want Murphy to worry about Anna right now. Right now was the first time in months that they were free. He needed a distraction.

"Is that an Xbox?" Connor asked, knowing already it was.

Murphy bought it and looked towards the T.V. where the consul glowed it's trademark green light. "Aye, it tis."

"What games do yah think are here?"

"I dunno," Murphy admitted, obviously becoming intrigued with the machine. "Do yah suppose we should take a peep?"

"I think we should, Murphy," Connor goaded.

The two sprang towards the gaming system at the same time, both wrestling to get to the games firsts. Murphy managed to writhe out of Connor's grasp and got himself to the games first. Connor allowed him to pick the first game, which was Call of Duty so he could kill the zombies.

The two played until Romeo came out, who took over Murphy's place when the dark twin decided to steal a turn in the shower. When he came out in clean P.J. pants and a T-shirt, Connor went to take his turn while Murphy downed another beer and took over his controller.

When Connor got back, sporting the same outfit as Murphy, Romeo decided to head off to bed. The brothers wished him a good night while they continued to play several games through the next few hours. It was late and they kept dying because they were so tired, but neither wanted the night to end.

Both laid sprawled on their stomaches in front of the T.V. Their legs would tangle and bump into each other as they battled digital foes on the screen. Eventually, when they could no longer keep their heads up to look at the game, they just lay on the floor in silence as they fought sleep, staring into each other's matching eyes instead.

After a while, Connor's hand came to rest on Murphy's shoulder as he gazed intently at his brother. "We're going to look out for each other, right, Murphy? Even if she comes, which I don't think she will."

Murphy flinched at the mention of his worst fear, but felt calm under Connor's touch. "She'll come, Connor. I just know she will. I dunno when or where, but she will. The things she did... the things she tried to do..."

Connor frowned and pulled himself up onto his elbow. "What do you mean by that? The things she tried to do?"

Murphy sighed. He'd never told Connor. It hadn't happened, so why worry about it? Still, he did worry about it. He couldn't help it. So, he rolled to his back, locking his strait fingers with the somewhat crooked ones and rested them on his chest as he spoke of the secret he'd kept all these years.

"She... she tried ta'... After they caught me again, trying ta' get out, she said she wanted ta' own me, Connor. Wanted me ta' be hers. She... went for my belt..."

Connor took in the meaning of his words. Fury ignited in Connor's eyes, the calm of a sea turning into a an ice storm. "Da'hell do yah mean she went for your belt? You don't mean she-"

"Yeah, that's what I mean, Connor. She tried to rape me."

Connor's jaw snapped shut at the blunt wording, a twitch ticking away. He'd known they'd done awful things to his brother. They'd burned him, beaten him, hung him, cut him... horrible things that only Murphy was strong enough to come back from. But had it ever crossed Connor's mind that they might've... No, it really hadn't.

"Did she... Did she...?" Connor couldn't finish. He couldn't say the "r" word. His brother was stronger than him in that sense.

Murphy's eyes met Connor so that he knew that he was being honest when he said, "No, she didn't. I fought her off with all I had. Earned a bit o' punishment, but naw, it didn't happen."

Connor breathed a huge sigh of relief he hadn't realized that he'd been holding in. After all these years, Murphy was more damaged that he'd ever known. Would his brother ever be able to completely heal? Not while that woman still lived, that's for sure.

"If she comes near you again, I'll kill her," Connor promised. "I don't care if she's a woman or not. She's not human to be able to do what she did. She won't be getting near you again, or I'll kill her, Murphy. I swear it."

Murphy nodded. He trusted Connor. No matter what, he knew Connor would go to the ends of the Earth to keep him safe.

"Let's go to bed, yeah?" Murphy prodded, wanting to rest and enjoy the coming day of relaxation with his twin and his friend.

"I think you're gonna have to carry me to my room," Connor teased.

Murphy rolled his eyes, but got to his feet and offered his brother a hand up. Connor took it and wobbled a little as he stood. Never letting go of Murphy, he pulled him in for a hug. "I love yah, Murph. And I do whatever I gotta for yah. Always."

"Love yah, too, Con. Now get your sorry, overtired self to bed before yah pull a Romeo and start cryin' on me," Murphy teased, giving Connor a playful slap on the arm in the direction of his brother's room. Connor nodded and waved over his shoulder without another word before disappearing for the night.

Murphy shook his head lovingly at his brother before trudging wearily to his own room. He hopped into bed and pulled the covers around him in a protective fortress meant to keep his demons at bay for the night. He knew it wouldn't work, it never did, but sometimes, he liked to pretend that a little part of him wasn't... hurt. Because he wasn't broken. And that's something that pissed her off, that she couldn't break him. No, not broken but maybe just a little... cracked.

B~D~S

Murphy woke the next morning knowing something was wrong. He couldn't place what it was, but he knew it was terrible, all the same. He got out of bed and headed to the living space where Romeo sat, playing Xbox.

"Rome, where's Con?" he asked.

Romeo offered a shrug. "Hasn't gotten up, yet."

Murphy frowned. Even after their late night, Connor never slept in. Early to bed, early to rise and all that nonsense. "What time is it?"

"About one. Why?"

Something was very wrong.

Murphy grabbed his knife from the end table and moved with the walk of a predator as he unsheathed it and opened Connor's door. What he saw almost shattered the cracked pieces of his heart.

The bed was unmade, which didn't bother him much other than the fact that sheets were strewn on the floor. However, Connor wasn't in the bed. A note was, trapped under one of Connor's guns.

Murphy lowered the blade as he moved to read the paper. It was a letter. In neat, delicate print, a message was written on it. A message that was addressed to Murphy, calling him a name he hadn't been called in years.

Connor misses you, pet. So have I.