Author's Note: Hi everyone! I'm so sorry I haven't been updating as much as usual, had a touch of writer's block and some uber stressful shit going on! But really appreciate everyones feedback, the lovely reviews make me feel all fuzzy inside! And as for the follows and favourites…its INSANE! Thank you all so so much, and I hope this chapter doesn't anger any of you….*hides*

Enjoy!

Chapter 14: Realization and Destiny

"Can we talk, lass?" Teagan's head snapped up to the sound of Connor's voice from the doorway to the bathroom. She was hunched over the sink, rinsing the blood from her sore body.

"Sure" she said quietly, drying her hands on the small towel and following him outside. They both lit up smokes and stood in silence for a moment, unable to think of words to say.

"Are ye alrigh'?" he asked her quietly, turning towards her and leaning against the wall. He gingerly reached out and touched the bandage on her arm.

"I'm fine" she assured him, meeting his eyes.

"We never, ever meant for ye to get hurt, love" Connor's eyes filled with sadness "What happened today…it shouldn't have happened, and ye shouldn't have gotten hurt, I'm sorry, Teagan"

"Don't be" she mumbled "I'm okay, Connor, I promise…" she sniffed a little and pulled away from his touch.

"Don't pull away from me, lass…" he said, the heartbreak I his voice evident

"Connor, what do you expect me to do?" she sighed, stubbing out her cigarette roughly. He frowned a little.

"I-I don't know" he admitted

"If you don't, then how do ye expect me to know?" Teagan questioned "I'm so fucking confused and hurt, Conn. Just last night we were….and now?"

"I know, I know" Connor ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "But, ye gotta understand , lass, I do love you, I really do, and I've never lied about dat"

"I know, Conn" she said softly "I love you too,"

"But, I tink I've realised dat Murph…he loves ye in a different way ta me, and I tink ye feel de same about him." Connor said solemnly "He wants a family wit ye, when all dis is over, he wants ta be wit ye fer da rest of his life, lass"

"And ye don't want dat with me?" Teagan asked, not hurt, just curious.

"I want ye ta be safe, and happy…I tink, in a really fucked up way, I love ye like a sister now, if dat makes sense?"

Teagan nodded, a tear escaping and falling down her cheek.

"It does, I feel the same way about ye Connor"

"I mean, don't get me wrong, love, we'll always have something, and if ye ever get fed up wit Murph, ye know where ta find me" he gave her a cheeky wink, and the pair laughed. "Christ, c'mere" he sighed, pulling the small woman into a careful hug. "Murph can be a bit of an ass at de best o' times, but I know dat he loves ye more dan anyting on dis eart', and he'd die for ya."

"Ye tink…ye tink Murph will still have me?" she mumbled into Connor's chest. He held her away from him for a second, cradling her head in his hands.

"Are ye insane? Course he would, we were both just hurt and angry earlier, we never meant to get angry at ye lass, it wasn't yer fault."

Teagan sniffed and nodded, wiping her eyes.

"Thank you, Connor"

"No, love, thank you." He kissed the top of her head. "We had some fun, didn't we?"

"Dat we did" she giggled, feeling herself flush. The door opened, and their heads turned towards Murphy as he stepped out into the chilly Boston air, eyeing the pair suspiciously. Connor cleared his throat, giving Teagan one last squeeze before heading back inside, patting his brother on the shoulder as he passed him. Murphy waited until Connor had gone inside until he spoke.

"How're ye feelin', lass?" he asked, his voice full of concern.

"I'm fine, ye don't need ta worry about me so much" Teagan gave him a small smile "You?"

"Been better" he shrugged. There was an awkward silence for a few minutes until he cleared his throat. "Teagan, I-"

"Murph, I know, Connor explained." She said gently "Ye don't have ta tell me again"

"But I want ta" Murphy insisted, taking her hand and rubbing his thumb over the back of it "I'm sorry I was a fuckin' ass earlier, love, and I should'a said something sooner, but the whole ting in the club, wit you puttin' yer life on de line, takin' mattas inta yer own hands…made me realise how much I love ye, how much I want ta be wit' ya fer the rest of my life…I want ye ta be de mother of me babes"

"You do?" Teagan smiled as he nodded, leaning down to kiss her hand.

"I really do, and today, scared the fuckin' shite outta me, I put ye in danger and I almost got ye killed"

"No, Murph, I put myself in danger, I tried ta warn ya, all of ya…I'm sorry" Teagan squeezed his hand "But I'm okay, aren't i?"

"Thank da Lord" Murphy mumbled. He fumbled around in his pocket and pulled something out, before pulling Teagan to him in a gentle hug. She threw her arms around his neck and held him tightly. "I love ye,Teagan"

"I love ye too, Murphy" she whispered, pulling back and kissing his lips softly. A smile stretched across his gorgeous face as they parted, and he rubbed the tip of his nose against hers. He took her right hand and opened his palm, where a silver claddagh ring sat in his palm, the two hands holding a heart beautifully and carefully carved into the silver.

"I've had this fer so long, Ma gave me and Connor these when we were lads, told us to give it ta da one woman we wanted to be with fer the rest of our lives…will ye wear it, babe? And when all dis is over…will ye marry me? I'll get ye a diamond and everythin'…I just wanna know that you'll do it…"

Teagan stared down at the ring in shock.

"Murph…" she began, unable to form words. He looked crestfallen and began to put the ring back in his pocket. She grabbed his wrist. "I don't want a diamond, I just want you…of course I'll marry you, ye fuckin' eejit!" she smiled, kissing him hard. He kissed her back just as passionately, holding her close. When they broke the kiss, Murphy slid the claddagh ring onto her ring finger, making sure the point of the carved heart was pointing towards her fingertips.

The newly engaged lovers held each other in the chilly Boston air, neither saying one word. Nothing needed to be said, everything was perfect. Connor watched the pair from inside, swallowing thickly but smiling. He was happy for them, and although he may have wanted Teagan for himself in the beginning, he knew that this was Teagan and Murphy's destiny. They belonged together.