So when I planned out this chapter I'd planned on doing the safe house bit all in one go. It was going to be an epically long chapter that was going to take an obnoxiously long time. This scared me away a bit.

Anyway when I finally made myself return to it to crunch out some more I noticed a perfect opportunity for a break. There will be another part to this chapter, maybe a third but no more than that because that would be completely ridiculous.

Much easier to write and to read if I split it up so that's what I decided to do 5 minutes ago. Please don't be mad that it took me this long to update, just enjoy and be bolstered by the fact that I am now back on track with the story so the next chapter will be up soon. XOXOXOXO TigerLily

Chapter 5 Safe House Part 1

The next morning I woke up and the boys were gone. Frantically running through the house hoping they hadn't run off on me. I found them ransacking the kitchen looking for food. Fucking bachelors. This was going to be a long ass two weeks.

The idea had been to cook breakfast for me/fend for themselves. They didn't want to be a burden and they didn't want me waiting on them hand and foot but I wasn't in the mood. They needed to be in bed. Period.

They weren't doing anything particularly strenuous but in their condition they were practically dead on their feet. They needed to stay in bed for at least 3 days probably more before they could move around freely.

They didn't have the energy or the physical stamina right now to pay attention to what they're doing and concentrate enough not to have an accident. This was a disaster waiting to happen.

I'll admit, I may have overreacted a bit but they need to understand who's in charge here. So I yelled, "GET BACK TO BED BOTH OF YOU!" to two very surprised Irish men. They put what they were holding down but I think their obedience was more from shock than actually letting me tell them what to do.

They moved out of the kitchen, but to my chagrin didn't go to bed as I'd requested. Instead they limped to the couch and sat down. They had to help each other do that as well. Spirits preserve me these two were a pathetic sight.

I had no idea how I was going to convince these infuriating men to stay in bed but I'm worried that if I don't they'll injure themselves more.

*Unto The Day It Is Done*

I sat there thinking for a moment. Unfortunately thinking wouldn't get these idiots fed and if they didn't eat soon they might riot, aka fend for themselves. Besides I needed to eat too and they needed to heal, which they couldn't do on an empty stomach.

So I went into the kitchen and made a hearty meal. In fact I probably made more than the three of us could eat in one sitting. I put a lot of effort into it because it was our first meal together. I had something to prove to them, that I could take care of them, that they should trust me.

I had a vested interest in keeping them satisfied, for them to let me take care of them I couldn't be too bitchy or controlling. I wanted this to be a good thing and for that to happen I needed to put my best foot forward.

If me turning into Betty Crocker helps the boys, then that's what I'd do. Well, maybe not Betty Crocker but if they have to be here then I have to do my best to make them comfortable and at home.

The boys didn't talk too much during the meal. Mostly I think it was because they were too busy stuffing their faces but I couldn't help but feel some of it was because they were a little afraid of me. They knew they'd done something bad and like any good dog they were acting all mopey and cute about it hoping to curb some of my anger.

Once I got my initial outburst out of the way I wasn't that mad. By the time the meal was over and all the left-overs were put away I was very calm. The boys knew they were in for a talk so after that was done we all filed into the living room. This time I was in the middle lending a little support to both of them.

By the time they tumbled onto the couch for the second time that morning they looked exhausted. I sat across from them on the coffee table. Not the most comfortable spot but I wanted to be addressing them and looking them in the eye. Comfort didn't matter anyway, I wanted to keep this short.

"Look I know you guys are a big deal and you don't like lying down. I know its demeaning to you to feel so helpless and weak but you guys are very hurt and you need to give your bodies the time they need to heal. I know being off your feet and stuck in this apartment is probably gonna drive you bonkers but that's where we are."

I paused, the brothers looked at each other. I wondered who would be the first to speak. Connor looked at me and said, "Sorry, we weren't thinkin'. We get that we're in a bad way and your just tryin ta take care o' us. As much as its annoying I think we need you to stop us from doing some things so we can heal."

Murphy speaks next. "So what now?"

"You guys need to stay in bed for the next two, three days, minimum. After that you can move around a bit. You two have to understand, you need to be in a hospital but since that can't happen this is the next best thing. I know you don't like it but if you move around too much you'll just hurt yourselves more. "

They may not like it but they knew I was right. That's what I was here for, to be their voice of reason, to take care of them.

"Alright, now off to bed. You guys look like you could use a rest. I'll be in here if you need me. I'll come and check on you in a few hours but I really don't want to see you again til then."

Grumbling I helped them stand and together the three of us limped into the bedroom. Tucking them into the beds, I turned the light off and closed the door. I padded softly down the hall back to the living room to watch tv.

*Unto The Day It Is Done*

Three hours later I walked back to the bedroom. It was quiet but that didn't mean anything. Looking in I hoped they were still asleep because they needed it. A quick glance confirmed that they were so I snuck back into the living room. This time I picked up a book to occupy myself.

Between my job and working for the network I didn't get much time for reading, unless it was involved with my work so this was a rare treat. I lived my life at a fast pace and didn't leave much room for anything else besides work. Downtime was not on that list. I simply had too many things I could be doing that would be a better use of my time.

I got a decent chunk of the romance novel read before Conner came stumbling out of the bedroom a little over an hour after I had checked on them. He had woken up and been unable to fall back asleep. He came in here because he didn't want to wake his brother.

Playing hostess I asked him if he wanted some tea. He said yes. I told him that it was Japanese healing tea but he just shrugged and said he figured that's what I meant. Satisfied that he knew what he was agreeing to I went and made some tea for us.

Within minutes we both had steaming mugs of herbal tea in our hands. I held mine for a moment, savoring the warmth before I set it down on the table. Not wanting to be rude but also not wanting to force a conversation I picked up my book and resumed my previous activity.

I could feel him looking at me, assessing me but I refused to let my concentration falter. It seemed that he didn't want to talk just yet about whatever it was that was bothering him but I remained steadfastly focused on my book.

I wasn't hiding, I was letting him look at me. It was a bit unnerving but if he wanted to be talking to me he would be so I waited. I didn't actually read, I was pretending to so he would feel more comfortable. If I wasn't the silence between us would be deafening but since he didn't think I was paying attention to him it was almost bearable. It would be weird if we just sat there staring at each other.

Trying to break the silence I said, "You know I was quite serious about you staying in bed. I get that you didn't want to wake your brother by turning on the tv while he was sleeping. I can give you books to read so you can occupy yourselves quietly."

"Well that's fine. Never minded a good book but since I'm already in here why don't I stay awhile and watch tv with you."

Groaning I said, "Sure" He was right. Better to keep him in one place for a bit then try to move him back to bed so soon. Besides doing that would no doubt wake Murphy up and they needed as much sleep as they could get.

I threw him the remote and he turned on the tv. It wasn't much passed noon and since it was a weekday there was nothing on that we wanted to watch. So I got up to tell him what movies I had. After going through several we settled on 'The Fugitive".

I always thought this movie was kind of funny which is why I kept a copy here. It was a ridiculously overdone 80s action movie but I loved it. I haven't watched it for years so I was eager to revisit the geeky thriller that made fun of itself with a straight face.

Connor loved the movie as much as I did. We had a lot of fun watching that movie. When Murph appeared after having been woken up by the finale we put in another. The three of us camped out in the living room and the afternoon was filled with a movie marathon.

Aside from having to get up to get everything they or I might want, the day was quite enjoyable. If I had any doubts about me and the boys getting along they were extinguished by the friendly, comfortable atmosphere during our movie marathon. The first of many I'm sure since there wasn't much they could do other than watch tv and sleep.