Author's Note - Hello my lovelies! I have returned with another drama filled chapter.
DeDe324 - My BDS quoting partner! As you know this chapter gave me the worst time, I mapped it out like three times and I'm finally happy with it. Thanks for listening to me whine about it. I didn't have nearly the trouble I thought I would writing it. Thank you for being amazing and making me laugh so much, this week was a monster, but things are looking up. You are amazing and I love you so much!
sprite76 - You are too good to me and too funny. I love you and you never want to know what's going on in my head, it's rather scary in there (read All Men Of Action Are Dreamers, and you'll find out). Thank you for being there for me, you know how horrible this week was for me too, couldn't have gotten through it without my best gals! Love you and I'll talk to you soon.
One more and that's all she wrote folks, thank you for sticking with Quinn's journey. I'm gonna miss my plucky little read head. Please enjoy, read and review!
Quinn snickered a bit at her brother's speechlessness, there was a first time for everything. A strong hand was placed on her shoulder and the red head jumped a bit. She turned to see Murphy, his face now twisted into an expression that reminded her of one of Connor's famous concerned looks. "Can I talk to ya?"
The ginger nodded, "Yeah, you ok Murph?"
"Ask me when it's over," he huffed out leading Quinn to a quiet corner of the abandoned house. Offering her a cigarette to buy sometime, he didn't know how to start this conversation. He loved Quinn, she was his little sister whether it was official or not, the last thing he wanted was to tell her to stay away from them; if he didn't he knew that Connor wouldn't let go and put her and her family in danger. Poor red head had been through enough for them and all they did to repay it was run away.
Worry crossed Quinn's face, "Murphy," she ventured.
Her soft voice broke into his thoughts, "Sorry Q," he sighed looking at her, this hurt more than it should.
"MacManus," she replied playfully annoyed. It wasn't like Murphy to hold anything back, always had a comeback for everything. He was the more quick witted of the brothers.
"What'd he tell ya?"
"That if I ever needed him to call, he'd try to be there."
"Figured, git," he snorted, "Ya know you can't ever take him up on that?"
Quinn nodded solemnly, "Yeah, I know Murph," her green eyes filling with tears as she looked over Murphy's face, telling her that this was the end was killing him. It wasn't any easier for the red head, somehow she always thought their time away wasn't permanent, but this time there was no coming back.
"What'd ya tell him?"
"I told him I would," she glanced at Connor talking with Flynn and Duffy.
"Well ya can't. Ya can't give him fuckin' hope like that. That idiot brother of mine needs ta get over ya," the darker haired twin's face read frustration, mostly for Connor.
"Give him some credit. He was only doing it to because he has a warped sense of chivalry. We both know you aren't coming back, even if I happened to need you," Quinn smiled a bit.
A slight smiled crossed Murphy's handsome face, "I forget what a smart kid ya are. I think ya might have fallen for the wrong brother," they both chuckled a bit.
Quinn shoved him playfully, "Whatever Murph," she hugged him tightly not wanting to let go even though she knew she had to, "Love you big brother."
Murph kissed her head, "Love ya too girl. Take care of Duffy and that little beauty, ya hear?"
"Always," she looked into his eyes, the blue seemed darker like the night sky, his pupils only slightly darker. Quinn kissed his cheek, "Come on, let's go see what strategy Connor has copied from The Great Escape," they laughed a bit but knew that's where he'd get the plan from. The lighter haired MacManus always wanted to be Steve McQueen. Quinn had sat through Bullit so many times it was committed to memory. Arm around Quinn's shoulder the pair rejoined the group. The ginger threw a wink at her husband before reaching up to kiss Murphy again, "You take care of him," she whispered and he nodded. "You have a plan, I assume?"
"There is no way you're finding out," Flynn snapped.
Frank came to his daughter, "You need to go home, get some rest. We'll take care of everything and call you when it's over," he hugged her.
"I know, Daddy," she whispered pulling away from her father and into the safe and secure arms of her handsome husband kissing him. Melting into him, still catching her off guard with how soft his lips were combined with the sneaky strength in his arms. Quinn threw her arms around his neck, just enjoying him for a moment. Then the groans started from behind the couple. Duffy and Quinn chuckled a bit, lips still attached for a moment, the red head turned, "Yeah, yeah, yeah," she spun around to the scrunched up faces of her brother and the twins. Brendan held onto her waist as she turned, keeping her close. "The fragile gunshot victim will get out of your hair. Just be careful," she turned back to her detective, "Come home soon," she pleaded, "We have about six weeks to make up for."
"That's my baby sister boys," Flynn groaned and the boys laughed her father gave a slight smile.
Brendan smiled kissing her head, "As soon as it's over, I'll be home," he kissed her lips lightly, to more groans.
Quinn walked up to her brother punching him on the arm, "Ow," he shouted rubbing his bicep.
"Serves you right," she hugged him, "Nothing happens to them, understood soldier?"
"Yes ma'am."
Quinn turned to the Irishmen and tears fell from her green eyes again. She looked over them trying to memorize everything, this couldn't be the last time she'd ever see them; it seemed impossible. The twins embraced her in a tight hug, all three of them relieved it was over but mourning the end of a family bond. Connor and Murphy kissed her temples as she kissed their cheeks, no words could have made this moment more poignant. A collective breath was released as the boys let her go. All eyes on the ginger as she walked out the door. The car engine turned over and drove away. Quinn's journey home was filled with so many memories, ones that made her cry, others making her laugh, most of them making her wish that circumstances would be different. That the boys could stay, have an active role in her life. The red head pulled into the drive way of her home. Looking at their home, how she missed the normalcy of it all. Quinn sighed again, getting out of the sedan making her way to the door. Another car pulled up on the crub. She turned and froze not recognizing the car. The doors opened, Kuntsler and Johnson got out. The action seemed to be in slow motion, like an action movie.
"If it isn't the girl who wouldn't die," Kuntsler smirked as he sauntered up to her pulling out handcuffs.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
The FBI agent grabbed the red head hard by the arms spinning her around, "Told ya Red, I'd put these on personally," he whispered into her ear, "Now be a good girl, don't wanna hurt you more than I have to." Quinn could hear the smile on his face as the cold metal handcuffs ratcheted, placed them on her tightly, "Quinn Duffy, you are under arrest for obstruction of justice, harboring fugitives and for being a pain in my ass," turning her around nose to nose, "There is a way to get you out of this, just tell me where they are," he ran his hand through her hair, "Come on Red, make it easy on yourself."
Quinn pulled away, "You can only hold me for 24 hours before your bogus charges are shot to hell by my attorney and you better believe I'll be calling him."
John smiled, "Fine have it your way," he pulled out a cell phone dialing a number. "Ah, detective, lovely night isn't it? Just wanted to let you know I'm taking your wife down to the station for some questioning," he looked directly at Quinn, nothing but malice in his tone and eyes. Quinn started to get scared, he was going off book. "There is a way you can stop this. Bring me the MacManus brothers and no harm will come to this pretty little wife of yours," Kuntsler smiled. The way he showed his teeth, blood should have been dripping down from his canines. "You have two hours, meet me at the docks. I do hope that you do the honorable thing detective, wouldn't want Quinn to forget how to swim would we," he hung up grabbed the red head by the arm and practically threw her into the back of his sedan.
"Bren, what's going on," Flynn ventured.
Duffy's kind face twisted with hate, "Kuntsler, that mother fucker, he arrested Quinn. He's gonna hurt her if you don't turn yourselves in."
All eyes were on Connor and Murphy who looked at each other then back at Quinn's family, "Let's get her back," Connor said, rage seeping through his voice and body. His face wore Duffy's matching expression of hate.