"I can't believe you fuckers woke me at the crack o' dawn ta go ta church," Barrie grumbled, rubbing her eyes in annoyance as she glanced either side her.

"Ye used ta love comin' ta church."

"Not with a hangover, Connor!" she rolled her eyes, wincing as her head ached. "'Sides, haven't been ta church since me Mam died," she muttered. Murphy stilled beside her and looked over her head at his brother who had his lips pursed, and Murphy knew he was trying to work out what he supposed to say. "Yer mother will be ecstatic when she finds out ye dragged me along. Everyone back home keeps tryin' ta get me ta go, but I don't want to. No God would kill her the way they did. She was a good person, she didn't deserve it."

"What happened ta her, Barrie?" Murphy asked quietly, growling when Connor slapped the back of his head.

"Yer in church, shut up!" Connor hissed.

"Tell ye later, Murph," Barrie patted his knee gently before burying her head in Connor's chest as he slipped an arm around her shoulders. He nodded, brushing the tips of his fingers against the back of her hand and earning himself a look of contempt from the elderly woman sat beside him.

He smirked in response and gave her a shrug of his shoulders.

He knew how it looked.

Barrie and Connor had been very touchy all morning – holding hands, hugging each other, he always had his arm round her or his hand on the small of her back, she was always stood close to him with her head on his shoulder.

And now here she was, still cuddling up to Connor with a hand on Murphy's knee, and his hand covering hers.

The old girl could keep her judgemental looks and thoughts to herself, Murphy didn't care. He liked having Barrie close to him, as he was sure Connor did, as well.

It was amazing how, even after so long, they'd fallen right back into their friendships. It was like she'd never been away from them, like it had only been a couple of weeks since they'd last spoken. It made him feel like a teenager again.

Barrie sighed quietly, pulling her hand out from underneath Murphy's as she shifted closer to Connor, the feel of his soft, wool jumper against her cheek making her sleepy. Her fingers danced across his leg absent-mindedly as she drew invisible patterns on his jeans, her eyelids drooping until Connor's hand reached out and grabbed her own, stopping her movements. She lifted her head in confusion and looked at him, noticing a slight blush on his cheeks as he shifted in his seat.

"Ye might want ta keep yer hands ta yerself, yer in the house o' God," Murphy whispered from her other side. She looked at him quizzically and he gestured towards Connor, who was still fidgeting in his seat.

It was only then that Barrie noticed the effect she'd had on him as her fingers had travelled across his thigh and she bit her lip to keep back a smile as Connor pulled his coat into his lap.

"M'sorry, Con," she whispered.

"Not yer fault," he whispered back, pressing his lips to her forehead as he caught the eye of the woman sat next to Murphy. She eyed the three of the disapprovingly and Connor gave her the most charming smile he could manage as he tugged Barrie closer to him. "Ye can sleep, if yer tired. I'll wake ye up if ye start ta snore."

"Mhmm," she murmured with a sigh, her head against his shoulder and her hand resting on his knee as she closed her eyes. Connor smiled, glancing down at her before he closed his eyes in prayer, hearing Murphy muttering the same words from beside Barrie.

Connor worried too much, he knew that. The minute he'd laid eyes on Barrie the night before, the seed of doubt has planted itself deep in his mind and he couldn't stop the niggling feeling in his stomach that was telling him something bad would happen.

He should have sent her home, should have sent her to a hotel like Murphy had suggested.

Hell, he could have taken Murphy's advice and sent her to Smecker's. He knew she'd be safe there, he knew Smecker wouldn't let anything happen to her. He knew his life with Murphy was dangerous and, as much as they wanted to, they couldn't just lie low until Barrie had gone home. For now, he knew he was worrying for nothing. The only people who knew who they were, who knew they were the Saints, were either on their side… or dead.

But he couldn't help it. The lines that creased his forehead had increased over the years, mostly from worrying about Murphy. He was a born worrier. Barrie being here without knowing what she'd walking in the middle of only heightened his fear that he could potentially lose someone else he loved, and he wouldn't let that happen.

Not again.

Not after last time.

He wouldn't let himself or Murphy lose anyone else they cared about.

He looked up, feeling someone's gaze on him as everyone around him started to leave and he groaned inwardly when he caught Smecker's eye. He raised his eyebrows and gestured to Barrie, but Connor shook his head with a frown and stretched his arm out, tapping Murphy on his shoulder.

"Take her, will ye?" he whispered.

"Take her where?" Murphy asked in confusion.

"Take her off me!" Connor grunted, waving a hand towards Smecker. "Unless ye want ta deal wi' him."

"Oh," Murphy smirked. "Nah, yer alright. I'll take Barrie," he tapped her shoulder and she huffed, opening her eyes to look at him. "Con needs ta talk ta someone. Ye can cuddle up ta me again, m'better at it than he is."

"M'sure ye are, Murph," she sighed quietly and looked up at Connor. "Are ye comin' back?"

"Course I'm comin' back," he smiled, kissing her lips softly before he could stop himself. Murphy grinned at them as Barrie's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. "Just wait here wi' Murph, I won't be long. Try not ta fall asleep."

"Okay," she whispered, coughing to clear her throat as Connor squeezed past them both. Her eyes followed him and she cocked her head to the side as she saw the older man he sat down next to. "Who's he?"

"A friend," Murphy looked at her. "C'mere," he held his arm out and wiggled his fingers, gesturing for her to come closer. Barrie smiled and shuffled along the pew until she was close enough to rest her head on his shoulder and wrap her arms around his waist. Murphy smiled, dropping his arm around her and letting his thumb rub circles into her shoulder. "Did ye sleep okay last night? I didn't keep ye away, did I? Ye can just kick me if ye need ta wake me up."

"Slept fine," Barrie told him. "Just have a headache, too much whiskey. Ye do talk in yer sleep, though."

"I do?"

"Mhmm," Barrie nodded her head slowly. "Murph? …Who's Rocco?" she asked quietly, regretting her question almost immediately as she felt Murphy tense beside her. "M'sorry, I didn't mean ta- Ye were just-"

"S'okay," he muttered, interrupting her. "S'alright, m'fine. He's… no-one," Murphy shook his head and Barrie pulled away from him, watching his curiously as he brought his thumb up to his lips and started to chew on his nail, a sure sign he was nervous.

He was lying to her.

"Does he have anythin' ta do wi' that scar on yer arm? Coz I know yer's lied ta me last night."

"S'nothin', Barrie, drop it," Murphy grumbled, moving away from her. "Nothin' ta do wi' ye, quit bein' so nosy. Yer mother'd be ashamed of ye askin' so many questions, pokin' ye nose into stuff that don't concern ye."

"Me mother would be damn proud o' me for trustin' me instincts!" Barrie corrected him with a frown, crossing her arms over his chest. "S'fine if ye don't want ta talk about it, Murph, just don't go bringin' me mother into anythin' when ye don't know anythin' about the situation."

"Goin' for a smoke," Murphy stood up, muttering under his breath and pulling his lighter out of his coat pocket. "Tell Connor I'm waitin' outside."

"Murphy-"

"Leave it, Barrie," he grunted in annoyance. She stopped, closing her mouth and chewing on her bottom lip as she watched him walk outside.

He always had been the moody twin. Always that little bit harder to read, always keeping secrets and getting into trouble. She'd never known where she stood with him, but they'd had a good friendship, regardless of her feelings for him.

Connor had always been much easier to read. They had no secrets from each other – other than him being in love with her - he was her best friend and she told him everything. She knew what she was getting with Connor and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't much more comfortable around him than she was around Murphy.

She could tell just from looking at Connor now that he was angry, that he didn't like what the other man was saying to him. Barrie wished she could hear what was being said, her curiosity always got the better of her – especially where her boys were concerned.

She watched him carefully as he shook his head, his jaw tense and his fists clenching. She leaned forward, thankful that everyone had left so she could hear them a little better.

"The girl staying long?"

"Not sure yet," Connor replied. "Maybe. Depends. Don't want her hangin' round if she's gonna get in the middle o' things. Was wonderin' maybe, if things get bad, she could come and stay wi' you or one o' the boys? Duffy, maybe."

"Shouldn't be a problem. She know anything?"

"No, an' she's not findin' out, either," Connor growled warningly. "Leave her out o' this."

"Is she going to be a distraction, Connor?"

"Course she fuckin' is, have you seen her? She's been here less than a day an' already me and Murph can't think straight," Connor scoffed, shaking his head. "She's our friend. We'll look after her. Long as she stays safe and ye give us yer word that ye'll protect her, we'll do whatever ye need us ta do, whether she's here or not."

"She'll be safe. I give you my word."

"Aye," Connor grumbled as he stood up. "I mean it, Smecker. Anythin' happens ta her, I'll be after ye."

"Sure you will, Connor."

"Murph won't be far behind me, either," Connor warned, his face dropping when he caught Barrie watching them intently. "Best go home, she's feelin' a bit hungover this mornin'. Too much whiskey for a lady."

"Who said I was a lady?" Barrie called over to them. Connor smirked, and Smecker turned in his seat to look at her. "But yer right, I am feelin' a bit woozy, an' Murph's mad at me. Can we go?"

"Aye, course we can," Connor nodded his head and, with one last knowing look from Smecker, he made his way back over to Barrie. "Where's Murph?" he asked, holding his hand out to her.

"Outside," Barrie shrugged her shoulders and bit her bottom lip as she took Connor's hand and let him pull her up. "I think I upset him… He was talkin' in his sleep, kept sayin' somethin' about someone called Rocco. I asked him about it and he got snappy… Shoulda just dropped it but I kept on askin'. He said ta tell ye he was goin' for a smoke," she told him quietly, allowing Connor to lead her outside. The doors squeaked shut behind them and they looked around, but Murphy was nowhere in sight. "…I'm sorry, Con. I didn't mean ta upset him."

"S'alright," Connor sighed, throwing an arm around her shoulders. "Looks like he's taken the car, too. C'mon, we'll walk back."

"Walk?" Barrie groaned. "Con, I'm tiiiiired," she whined with a pout. "I'm… I'm… thingy… what's it called… jet-lagged, I'm jet-lagged, Connor!"

"Are ye shite, yer hungover!" he chuckled. "Come on, the walk'll do ye good!"

"Carry me?"

"Fuck yerself, lass," Connor scoffed at her.

"Now why I need ta do that, when I've got you ta do it for me?" Barrie raised her eyebrows with a smirk. "Not man enough, Con? I can always find someone who's good enough to handle me."

"Oh I can fuckin' handle ye, don't worry about that," Connor growled, dipping his head down, his lips brushing her earlobe. "Ye better hope Murphy's not there when we get back, else he'll be in for a show."

"Promises, promises…"

"Yer the devil in disguise, come here ta test me patience, haven't ye?" Connor groaned quietly and Barrie chuckled at him.

"Test yer stamina, more like," she shot him a wink.

"Test me fuckin' self-control," Connor huffed. "Yer lucky I've got some, else I'd be draggin yer down the nearest alley."

"How 'bout ye just drag me ta yer bed, Con?"

"…That can be arranged, I'm sure," Connor grinned, his teeth sinking into his bottom lip as he grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her towards McGinty's.

The walk to McGinty's was much quicker than Connor was used to, and he wasn't sure if he'd been rushing to get Barrie back home, or if it had just seemed like it had taken them no time at all because his mind had been wandering. Either way, he was glad it hadn't taken long. He wanted to get Barrie back inside, his paranoia heightened as he thought about her being seen with him. If he was recognised… It wouldn't end well for either of them.

He lead her inside the pub, ignoring the curious stares of the regulars as he shouted a quick hello to Doc before he took her upstairs.

"Can't wait ta get me alone, ey?" she asked with a smirk, covering her mouth with her hand as she yawned.

"Yer goin' ta have a nap," Connor chuckled. "Yer gonna need all the energy ye can get for what I've got planned. Makes more sense if ye rest now."

Barrie eyed him carefully as he walked in front of her and opened the door to let her into the small room. She hadn't wanted to upset Murphy, but she was thankful that he'd gone off on his own. Maybe now she could grill Connor about how he'd really gotten that scar on his arm. She was pretty confident she could get the truth out of him – Connor had never been very good at keeping secrets from her. She could get him to talk, she just had to play her cards right.

"I think a nap sounds really good right now," she yawned loudly, stretching her arms over her head and biting back a grin when she saw Connor's eyes flit down to the patch of skin that was exposed as her t-shirt rode up slightly. "Ye alright there, Con? Look a bit flustered."

"Yer a fuckin' tease," he grumbled, turning away as Barrie peeled her coat off and threw it on top of her suitcase. "Go ta sleep, before I change me mind."

"Will ye lie wi' me, Connor?" she asked, kicking her shoes off. "Please? Just 'til I fall asleep," she resisted the urge to pout at him and Connor paused, his stare burning into hers and she knew he was having an internal battle about what to do.

"Aye, I s'ppose," he nodded with a sigh. "Guess seein' as I kicked ye out o' me bed last night, it's the least I can do ta make it up ta ye."

"Good!" Barrie smiled happily and patted the empty space beside her on the mattress. Connor stood back, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched her wriggle out of her jeans and throw them to the side, leaving her in just a t-shirt and her underwear. "M'just gettin' comfy, that's all," she caught his gaze. "Can't sleep wi' jeans on."

"Hmm," he nodded his head and pulled his boots off before lying down next to her, one arm behind his head. Barrie tutted, tugging on his sleeve and pulling his arm around her waist. "Ah. Ye want ta cuddle," he laughed quietly and rolled onto his side, pulling her back against his chest and dipping his head down to kiss the back of her shoulder. Barrie sighed contentedly, her smile turning a frown as she ran her fingers across his arms, stopping when she felt scars on his wrist.

She looked down, only just noticing the rings of pale skin that circled his wrists and she pulled away, turning to face him and grabbing his hands in hers.

"The fuck are these?" she asked him, raising an eyebrow. "How'd ye get scars on ye wrist, Con? What the hell have you boys been up ta?"

"It's nothin', lass, don't worry about it," Connor shook his head, pulling his hands out of hers. "Had an accident, that's all," he shrugged his shoulders. Barrie watched him, her lips pursed as he avoided her gaze, a sure sign he wasn't telling her the truth.

"I'm not an idiot, Connor," she told him quietly. "I know what a gunshot looks like, I've seen plenty o' them on TV."

"What?" Connor asked, his back straight as he sat up to face her.

"Murphy's arm," she waved a hand in the air and Connor scoffed. "Don't treat me like a kid, I don't like bein' lied ta, ye can't just fob me off wi' some bullshit story. I've been in yer lives too long, Con."

"Aye, I know ye have," he muttered. "Maybe ye've been watchin' too much TV, though. Why would Murphy get shot? Ye've been watchin' too many action movies, Barrie. Ye need ta stop bein' so suspicious and trust us when we tell ye it's nothin' ye need ta worry about."

"Fine, whatever," she grumbled, pushing him away and turning her back to him and she lay back down. "I thought comin' ta see ye both would be good for me but all it's done is remind me how long it's been since ye were home, since I last saw ye. I don't know ya's anymore, it was stupid o' me ta think our friendships would be the same."

"Barrie-"

"S'okay. I'm goin' ta sleep now," she interrupted him and Connor grunted, running his hands over his face in annoyance as he reached out to grab her, flipping her over before he straddled her waist and pinned her hands above her head.

"It wasn't stupid o' ye, don't say that," he murmured. "Nothin's changed, Barrie. We still love ye, yer still our girl and we'll still look out for ye. It- it was bar fight gone wrong, that's all. Murphy doesn't like talkin' about it, we lost one o' our friends that night. Can ye let it rest, just for a while? He'll tell ye more when he's ready. He's me brother, I've got no right ta go spillin' his secrets ta ye," he looked at her, his eyes pleading with her to let it go and, reluctantly, she nodded her head at him. "Thank ye," he breathed a sigh of relief and let go of her hands, staying exactly where he was.

"…Ye can get off me now, Con," she poked at his knee. "I've still got a headache."

"Well," Connor smirked, his hands falling on to the pillow either side of her head as she looked up at him. "Ye know, Barrie, I've heard that when ye orgasm, it releases these endorphins inta yer brain let help get rid o' pesky little headaches like the one ye've got now…"

"Oh, really?" Barrie bit her bottom lip, her hands moving to the front of Connor's jeans as she unbuckled his belt. "And I suppose yer wantin' ta put that theory ta the test, aren't ye?"

"Aye, I am," Connor grinned down at her as she popped the button open on his jeans.

"What ye waitin' for then, Connor?" Barrie winked. "I'm all yours."

Barrie yawned, blinking slowly as she stirred from her sleep, feeling significantly better than she had done before. She rolled over, surprised to find herself clothed and to see Murphy watching her from his seat at the table.

"Don't worry," he told her. "Con dressed ye before he went downstairs for a pint."

"Wasn't worried anyway," she replied, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "Who's jumper am I wearin' now, then?"

"Mine," Murphy smirked. "His boxers, though, don't reckon he fancied dressin' ye in another bloke's clothes. Have fun, did ye?"

"Mhmm," she nodded. "How did he even get them on me without me wakin' up?"

"Ye were dead ta the world, Barrie," Murphy laughed. "He musta worn ye out," he added with a grin. "Knew it was a good idea ta give the pair o' ye someone alone time. C'mere, I got ye a burger while I was out. It'll be a little cold now, though, but it's just as tasty."

"Thanks, Murph," she smiled as she stood up and walked over to him, wrapping her arms round her neck and dropped her head to his shoulder as she stood behind him. Murphy stopped, his own burger halfway to his mouth as he turned his head to look at her curiously. "I'm sorry for askin' ye questions before, about the bar fight. S'okay that ye don't wanna talk about it. I'm sorry for bringin' it up."

"What're ye on about, love?" Murphy frowned in confusion.

"The fight, yer arm," she sighed when she pulled away. "Con said-" she stopped when she saw the look of confusion on his face and she narrowed her eyes, folding her arms over her chest as she looked at him. "Never mind," she huffed. "Got a feelin' I've been lied to again."

Murphy's mouth dropped open and he immediately felt guilty, knowing he'd dropped his brother in it.

"Barrie-"

"I'm not hungry, but thanks," she gestured towards the fast food container on the table. "It's nice that ye thought of me. I'm goin' ta the bathroom."

"Barrie, wait-"

"I can't wait, I have ta pee," she rolled her eyes and stalked off to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her and sitting on the edge of the bathtub with a sigh.

Connor had lied to her.

Her Connor.

And lied bloody convincingly, as well. She'd believed him, she couldn't pick up any sign he'd been lying. But Murphy's confusion had been real, he had no idea what she'd been talking about.

…When had it become so easy for them to lie to her? Had they always lied to her, or was it something new?

She rubbed her eyes with the heels of her hands and sniffed, knowing she was over emotional from lack of sleep and too much alcohol the night before. She took a breath to steady herself and spotted her jeans from the night before scrunched into a ball and tossed in the corner of the bathroom, and she pulled them on over the boxers she was wearing.

"Murph?" she pulled the door open and made her way to her case, grabbing the first pair of boots she could find. "Stop eatin'. Yer takin' me out."

"I am?" he raised an eyebrow, picking up a slice of tomato and popping it in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "Where am I takin' ye?"

"Just out," she shrugged her shoulders and threw his coat to him before pulling her own on. "Think it's time we bonded, hmm?"

"Aye, alright," he nodded and stood up, following her down to the bar. She stopped when she walked through the door, her eyes scanning the room as she looked for Connor.

He was sat at the bar, clearly getting teased by the men he was sat with and it didn't take a genius to work out why, especially when she heard the catcalls directed her way when they spotted her. Connor turned round, his cheeks pink as he smiled sheepishly.

"I'll just be a sec," Barrie whispered at Murphy, walking over to Connor.

"I didn't say anythin', I swear ta God," he held his hands up in defence. "The fuckers heard us, I didn't say a word. Ey, shut the fuck up, lads! Leave her alone!" he called over his shoulder. "Did ye have a nice sleep?" Connor grabbed her round the waist and leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her head and his lips landed on her cheek, leaving him to pull away and look at her questioningly.

"Murphy's takin' me out," Barrie told him, putting her hands on his chest as she pulled away from him.

"Oh," Connor smiled. "Okay, lemme get my coat an' I'll come, too."

"No," Barrie shook her head at him. "We are goin' out, you are stayin' here, far away from me," she glared at him and Connor opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. "Good. Come on, Murph," she turned to the darker haired twin and grabbed him hand. Murphy gave his brother an apologetic shrug as Barrie dragged him outside, leaving Connor staring after them dumbfounded, an uneasy feeling settling itself deep in his stomach.

AN: Had to split this chapter and the next one in two, or it was going to be way too long to read!
Thank you so much for the reviews, follows and favourites - it means a lot, because I wasn't too confident with posting this at first! I'm glad most of you like Barrie - she's fast becoming my favourite character to write! :)
Let me know what you think!
Becca
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