AN: Just so everyone knows... the first few chapters are going to be pretty much background information before it actually gets into the show. Stick with me, I'll get you there. Reviews are greatly appreciated.

Also, I don't own the Black Donnellys in case anyone thought I did.

This is set a few days after what Kevin explains in this chapters so it's still like... 2001.

Kevin Donnelly pushed the glass door open, entering the diner. Though he couldn't stop smiling, he needed some advice. He was even happier Tommy wasn't lurking around.

He knew when he actually got around to seeing him, Tommy would interrogate Kevin on what happened during and especially after Brigit's prom. He wanted to figure some things out before that happened. Usually, whenever Kevin had issues with a girl, he'd go to Brigit but since she was the girl he needed to figure out he had to go to Jenny.

He sat down at the counter and waited for her to come out. She grinned when she finally did, leaning against the counter across from him.

She raised an eyebrow, "So? What happened?"
"Well..."

Kevin Donnelly never understood what his older brother, Tommy, had put Sean through last year until now. Except now it seemed worse, probably because Tommy knew how Kevin felt about Brigit. Everyone pretty much understood Sean and Brigit were just friends so his lecture had not been so bad.

Now Tommy was pacing, warning, and threatening.

"I know you wouldn't let anyone else hurt her but it's not everyone else I'm worried about tonight. If I find out you hurt her in any way, Kev, I swear you will be in so much trouble... and not just with me. The whole neighborhood will want your head on a stick so you better not screw this up-"
"Tommy, I'm not gonna."
Tommy looked at his younger brother, raising an eyebrow, "Yeah, we'll see. Now get out of here, don't you dare keep her waiting."

Tommy handed him Brigit's corsage and his overnight bag with a warning glance, before waving him off. Kevin took a deep breath before he began walking towards the Murphys' building. He had no idea what to expect.

He, of course, had been to proms before but going with Brigit was a whole new experience. She didn't make him rent a tux – she just bought him a matching tie for his suit – and she went with him to pick out the corsage. He wondered if she'd be wearing one of those huge dresses that were such a hassle like his previous dates had.

He climbed the steps to her building and was let in by her father, who shook his hand. Mr. Murphy, unlike Tommy, gave him a look that told Kevin he was trusted which eased Kevin's nerves. He entered the Murphy apartment to find both his and her mother, chatting away. They stopped and turned when they heard him come in.

"Oh Kevin! You look so handsome," Mrs. Murphy gushed as Mrs. Donnelly got up to fix his tie.

Kevin knew he shouldn't be nervous as Mr. Murphy knocked on Brigit's door to tell her he was there. His mother looked up at him when his tie was finally straight with a knowing look. He felt a little better knowing his mom was there with him, though he would never admit it.

All the fidgeting stopped when someone cleared her throat. Everyone looked up or turned to see Brigit Murphy in a blue flowing gown with her hair done half up, half down. She never looked so shy in her life.

Thankfully the tension was cleared when both the mothers in the room burst with their excitement, exclaiming how gorgeous she looked. Her father got his bit in when he said the same and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

Pictures were snapped at almost Kevin and Brigit's every move out the door, when finally a limo, that everyone in Brigit's circle of friends had pitched in to get, pulled up.

As the driver opened the door for them to get in, Kevin finally got up enough courage to whisper, "You look beautiful," into her ear, causing her to blush as she climbed in next to her best friend, Katie.

"Do you need to know what happened at prom? It was pretty normal."
Jenny shook her head and grinned, "No, I want the juicy details."
He nodded, "Okay, so after prom..."

"Bri, where are we going exactly again?"
She leaned in closer, "We rented a couple of motel rooms down on the Jersey shore. I hope that's okay with you."
He shook his head, "No, that's fine by me."

It really was... in fact, it was more than fine. Only problem was Kevin wasn't sure what would happen. Well, he knew what wouldn't happen for fear of what Tommy or Jimmy or any of them would do if they found out. But for Kevin, it was nice to dream.

After about two hours, the limo finally pulled up in front of a modern looking motel. The group of eight piled out, running in, finding their rooms. Kevin felt overwhelmed as he watched Brigit run about their room... which only had one bed.

"What in God's name are you doing?"
She stopped on her way to the bathroom, "Oh, we're going out to the beach for a quick swim before bed. You're coming right?"

Kevin hesitated but agreed when he thought of Brigid in a bathing suit – he couldn't refuse. He grinned and followed her outside to the beach.

Practically everyone jumped in the water before relaxing back on the beach and before someone brought out the beer.

Kevin knew he was supposed to keep an eye out on his date but he figured one beer wouldn't hurt her. When she started acting a little hyper, he realized he had forgotten just how much of a lightweight she really was.

Finally, he took her hand and began to lead her inside – she went without much complaint.

When she began to climb into bed, she noticed Kevin settling in on the chair. She stopped and walked over to him, turning the tables on him by grabbing his arm and pulling him.

"Come on, Kev, we can share," she said as she finally got him to his feet.
"Bri, I don't think that's such a good idea..."
"Why?"

She stood up on her toes, closing the inches between them until their lips touched. Kevin knew he should have pulled away but he couldn't make himself do it just then. But when it started to heat up, he pushed her away and she fell down onto the bed with a confused look on her face.

He turned away, angry with himself, "See, I said this was a bad idea."
"Kevin?"
"This can't happen... you'll only get hurt. I came here to watch out for you, not take advantage of you."
She looked up at him, "Sometimes there are things you can't protect me from – not you and not any of your brothers. There are things that are just out of your control."

With that she crawled under the covers, facing away from him, without another word. She heard him sit back down on the chair.

She woke up in the middle of the night to find Kevin's arm wrapped around her waist but in the morning, he was back in the chair.

By then, Kevin had decided to keep the midnight kiss a secret so Brigit wouldn't feel embarrassed or obligated to do or say anything. She kept some secrets too though that night. Like how she really wasn't that drunk to not have control over her actions and that she wouldn't mention the kiss either... it was another one of her own little sweet memories, one she'd treasure all because Kevin kissed her back.