Saints or Martyrs?

Murphy and Connor had just finished putting away the groceries when the front door slammed open and Katie's voice rang through the apartment.

“Where are ye two worthless little pissants? I got ta have two fuckin FBI agents drag me arse all tha way ta Boston o'er tha two o ye so ye'd best be getting yer asses in here right now!”

Cries of “Ma!” followed Connor and Murphy as they fought their way into the room each trying to pull the other behind them to get to the woman first. Connor sneakily stuck out a foot and tripped Murphy who responded by grabbing Connor's ankle as he went down. The struggle continued on the floor as both fought to get to their mother first.

“Damn ye little bastards! Look at ye rollin around like swine wallowin in a sty! Like a couple o three year olds havin a tantrum, ye are are. Get yer worthless asses off o tha floor and give yer Ma a hug!”

Eunice watched as the twins interacted with their mother. This consisted of a lot of good natured shoving between Connor and Murphy and poor Katie stuck in the middle looking for all the world like one of those tug ropes people bought for their dogs.  Only this tug rope was cussing  up a storm.

“Alright ye two that's enough!” Katie said. “Stop actin like a couple of buffoons and take me bags ta me room. Twas a long flight and I need a drink.” She said heading toward the kitchen.

“Told ye yer ma drinks like a fish.” Murphy said grabbing a bag and giving Connor a shove.

“Murphy Michael MacManus! Are ye implyin I have a drinking problem?” Katie yelled.

“No Ma.” Murphy answered while Connor snickered.

“Ye owe me $20 bucks there Murph! Told ye the ye'd be getting inta trouble before I did.” Connor grinned.

“Fuck ye Connor! Shut it and grab tha other bag.” Murphy said as he stomped off toward the bedroom.

*****

“Did you get her all settled in?” Smecker asked as he opened the door for Juan and Eunice.

“She's there.” Juan chuckled. “Not so sure how 'settled' she is. I think she must have smacked them in the head 30 times before we left.”

“Along with giving them a cursing that would make a sailor blush.” Eunice said as she finished pouring herself a drink. “And Connor and Murphy acted like a couple of kids opening the big box under the Christmas tree. They are a couple of Mama's boys.”

“Mama has an attitude.” Juan added. “It's easy to see that Katie MacManus is just as protective of her boys as any Mama bear with her cubs.”

“You didn't tell her did you?” Smecker asked. “She doesn't need to be worrying or worse yet proving she's a MacManus by getting involved.”

“Well we had to tell her something Paul.” Eunice said as she sat down. “We didn't give her any details. We just told her that there was a dangerous gang after the boys and that Riordan's death was a part of it.”

***

Katie pulled out three glasses and a bottle of whiskey. “Sit yerselves down.” she said to her boys.

Connor and Murphy sat at the table while Katie stirred a pot on the stove and then poured three glasses of whiskey and sat one in front of each of the boys before sitting down herself.

“Now Miss Bloom gave me some tale about a gang, but theres more to this tale than she let on ta me. Tha two o ye are goin ta fill in tha blanks. Startin with why ye seem ta be wearing a long sleeve shirt as hot as it is in this flat, Murphy.” She started before giving Murphy a pointed look.

“Tis nothin Ma,” Murphy said. “I just felt like wearing long sleeves.”

Katie shook her head. “I raised ye Murphy MacManus and I know when yer lyin, same as I know Connor will back up yer lies.” She stood up and went around the table to glare down at a squirming Murphy. “Off!” She said tugging at the collar of his shirt.

Murphy drew in a deep breath and let it out before pulling the shirt over his head.

“Ma I'm fine really.” Murphy started.

Katie looked her son over seeing the shiny patch of skin where a tattoo once graced his arm. She also noticed a fading scar across his shoulder. “Connor.” she said.

Connor already knew she wouldn't accept any assurances that he was unharmed. As usual she would have to check for herself. He took off his shirt and waited for her to finish her inspection.

Satisfied that her boys were fine for now she sat down. “Now who in tha hell thinks they are goin ta be puttin their hands on me babies and getting away with it?”

“Her name is Lilith. And she has a lot of help Ma.” Murphy said.

“Aye, and she had Jamie killed to bring home tha point tha she knew where ye were and who ye are.” Connor spoke. “Tis why Smecker had Eunice and Juan bring ye here. Ye'll be safer with us than without.”

“We didn't want ye all mixed up in this Ma. Twas part o our agreement with Smecker that ye be protected from what we were doin.” Murphy said.

“Ye wee little idiots.” Katie smiled at the two. “Did ye think no one would ever think about trackin me down. Yer just as daft as yer Da.” She took a sip of her whiskey. “Why do ye think I spent time teachin tha two of ye how to shoot and defend yerselves? Do ye think I spent all that time teachin ye how ta spot evil men fer me health?”

Ye probably don't even remember, ye were just barely learning ta toddle around when Noah went ta prison. Twas tha only reason they left us alone. Well that and tha fact that I put a bullet tween one o the bastard's eyes.”

She poured another round of whiskey. “I never really let me guard completely down but I've been a wee bit more lax than I shoulda been. Not so lax tha I didn't realize somethin was up with tha package I got supposedly from tha two o ye. I'm reminded now that I need ta be thinking along tha lines o what ye do.” She got up and came around the table and held out her arms until Muphy and Connor stood up and hugged her.

“I may be a crazy evil old drunken woman but the two o ye are me world. Ye make me proud ta have raised ye inta tha men ye've become. Now tell me,” She said ending the embrace “Where can I get a decent gun around here? Tha dirty bitch is goin to regret tha day she ever heard tha name MacManus.”

Conor and Murphy shared a smile

“Well we were thinking ye might be wantin a pea shooter o yer own.” Murphy said.

“Aye so we have an appointment tomorrow mornin with a friend tha keeps us well supplied.” Connor said. “We're thinking he'll take ta ye like a duck ta water.”

*****

“Labasu, have you been avoiding me?” Lucifer asked as he materialized in front of the startled demon.

“Lucifer! No I just thought you were mad at me.” Labusu said dropping to his knees..

“Now what on earth would I be mad at you for. You just healed Lilith's sight. Don't you think I would have done that myself if I had wanted her healed?” Lucifer said as he gently stroked the demon's hair.

“Forgive me! But you told me I was to always heal her if she were hurt.” The demon explained.

“I did give you that order so I will forgive you this time.” Lucifer grabbed the demon's chin forcing Labasu to meet his eyes. “You will accept my mercy and understand that it comes with a condition. Lilith is exiled, along with her followers. Should you aid them in anyway, you will learn the meaning of pain. I will torture you until Gabriel sounds his horn calling us to battle. It that understood?”

Labasu nodded vigorously “Yes Master!”

“Good.” Lucifer gave him a smile “Now report to Apophos, you will follow his orders as if they were my own.”