TRUTH TO LIES AND BACK AGAIN -FINN-

[CONNOR GREGORY SELWYN]

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WHOOOOT

SEATING HIMSELF IN THE CHAIR HE HAD DESIGNATED AS HIS OWN, IN THE PERFECT LOCALE IN THE CENTER OF THE CAFE OWNED BY ONE OF HIS EMPLOYEES (AND, ULTIMATELY, THE MOB). PROPPING HIS FEET UP ON THE CHAIR BESIDE HIM, HE CAUGHT THE DIRTY LOOK OF HIS YOUNGER SISTER FROM ACROSS THE CAFE, BUT HE RAISED HIS EYEBROWS AT HER AND CHOSE NOT TO RESPOND. OF COURSE, SHE DISDAINED ON HIM PUTTING HIS FEET UP ON THE FURNITURE, BUT HE DIDN'T GIVE A FUCK. SIPPING FROM HIS EARL GREY TEA, HE SET HIS FINGERTIPS ON TOP OF THE SMALL PILE OF PAPERWORK ON THE COUNTER NEXT TO HIM, FLATTENING HIS HAND OUT ACROSS THE TOP OF THE PAGES. PAPERWORK WAS HIS LEAST FAVORITE OF EVERY JOB HE HAD TO DO. HE WAS GOING TO PASS THAT OFF TO LENNOX TO. HE DESERVED EVERY BORING JOB THERE WAS.

LENNOX WAS LUCKY CONNOR HADN'T KILLED HIM FOR WHAT HE'D DONE AT THE VERY PARTY HONORING CONNOR AND ELI'S ENGAGEMENT. HE'D SCREWED THE LEADER OF THE RUSSIAN MAFIA RIGHT UNDER CONNOR'S NOSE, A DIRECT SNUB TO HIS OLDER BROTHER AT A PART IN HIS HONOR. THE GALL OF LENNOX BOTH PISSED CONNOR OFF AND MADE HIM RESPECT THE YOUNGER MAN. HE APPRECIATED LENNOX'S BALLS TO DO SUCH A THING, BUT IT MADE HIM IRATE AS TO LENNOX'S CHOICE OF WOMEN. OF ALL THE WOMEN HE COULD HAVE SEX WITH, AND HE CHOSE THAT WHORE.

TRYING IN VAIN NOT TO DWELL ON HIS ANGER, HE GLARED OPENLY AT LENNOX AS HIS YOUNGER BROTHER EMERGED FROM THE BACK OFFICES. HIS BREATH CAME SHORT AS HIS STAB WOUND BENEATH HIS RIBS ON HIS LEFT SIDE CAUSED EVERY BREATH HE TOOK TO SEND SHOOTING PAIN THROUGH HIS LUNGS. HE WALKED GINGERLY TO A TABLE ACROSS THE AISLE FROM CONNOR WHERE KAHLAN SAT PROTECTIVELY BESIDE HIM. SHE WAS THE PROTECTOR OF THEM ALL, THE GLUE THAT KEPT THEM TOGETHER. CONNOR AND LENNOX HAD NEVER GOTTEN ALONG, BUT FAMILY WAS EVERYTHING TO BOTH OF THEM, AND KAHLAN WAS THE ONE WHO'D PERPETUATED THAT IDEA. THEY BOTH LOVED HER, SO THEY LOVED EACH OTHER BECAUSE OF HER. THE SAME WENT FOR ASHER, ALTHOUGH CONNOR AND LENNOX BOTH SHARED ENOUGH ATTRIBUTES WITH THEIR YOUNGER BROTHER AND FEELING AFFECTION FOR HIM WASN'T DIFFICULT.

CONNOR DISTANTLY WISHED ASHER WAS HERE NOW, BUT ALAS, WORK HAD TO BE DONE ELSEWHERE. WHILE HIS YOUNGEST BROTHER WAS ON A GUN RUN, CONNOR HAD AGREED TO THIS MEETING AMONG THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE TEAGLACH TO SORT THROUGH THEIR CURRENT ISSUES. NAMELY AMONG THOSE WAS THE UPCOMING WEDDING OF THEIR MOTHER. KAHLAN WAS HER MAID OF HONOR, AND ELI HAD BEEN ASKED TO BE A BRIDESMAID, BUT CONNOR WAS UNSURE TO HER ANSWER CONSIDERING HER SWINGING HORMONES. HE'D AGREED TO BE DALTON'S BEST MAN, WITH LENNOX AND ASHER AS GROOMSMEN. HE'D ACCEPTED HIS MOTHER'S MARRIAGE TO THIS GUY - SINCE HE REALLY HAD NO CHOICE AND TESSA HAD SUCCINCTLY PUT HIM IN HIS PLACE WHEN HE'D TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO IRELAND IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP HER - AND HE'D BEEN BENEVOLENT ENOUGH TO AGREE TO REPRESENTING DALTON IN THE CEREMONY. HE FELT AS IF HE WAS REPRESENTING HIS FATHER'S HONOR AS WELL, ALTHOUGH IT WAS UNSPOKEN, AND HE BELIEVED HIS MOTHER APPRECIATED HIS AGREEMENT FOR SIMILAR REASONS.

NEXT ON THE LIST WAS THE CASE OF THE RUMORS SURROUNDING THE REBUILDING OF THE RUSSIAN BRATVA. HAVING BELIEVED IT DESTROYED, CONNOR WAS IRRITATED BY THE REAPPEARANCE OF KONSTANTINE - A MAN HE'D BELIEVED VERY MUCHLY DEAD - AND THE ARRIVAL OF ANYA PETROVA. HE KNEW ENOUGH ABOUT THE BRATVA'S CHAIN OF COMMAND TO KNOW SHE WAS THE HEIR TO THEIR THRONE (IF THAT WAS EVEN WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF IT AS). IF KONSTANTINE HAD HER, THEN HE HAD EVERYTHING HE NEEDED TO REBUILD. CONNOR HAD TO SHUT IT DOWN BEFORE IT COULD GET ITS FEET. AND THAT WAS HOW LENNOX HAD FUCKED HIM OVER WHEN HE FUCKED THE RUSSIAN GIRL. HE'D SHOWN HER ONE OF THEIR WEAKNESSES. IF SHE COULD GET INTO LENNOX'S PANTS, THEN WHAT ELSE COULD SHE DO? IT WAS RECKLESS AND STUPID, AND CONNOR STILL HADN'T FORGIVEN HIM. THE ONLY REASON HE HADN'T BANISHED HIM THE WAY HE HAD WITH ASHER WAS BECAUSE HE'D LEARNED HIS MISTAKE THE FIRST TIME. KAHLAN HAD QUICKLY SHUT DOWN THAT IDEA, AND CONNOR HAD SPENT AN ENTIRE WEEK HOLED UP AWAY FROM LENNOX TO RESIST SHOOTING HIM. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME HE'D SEEN HIM IN PERSON, AND HE FELT NO PITY FOR HIS BROTHER'S PAIN AS A RESULT OF HIS STAB WOUND. THAT WAS WHAT THE LITTLE BASTARD GOT FOR BEING INCAPABLE OF KEEPING IT IN HIS PANTS.

ELI'S PRESENCE CAUGHT HIS ATTENTION, BREAKING HIM OUT OF HIS THOUGHTS AS HE TOOK A SIP FROM HIS STEAMING TEA AND SET THE CHINA ON THE COUNTER. HIS GREEN EYES WERE DARK AND STORMY BECAUSE OF HIS HATEFUL THOUGHTS DIRECTED AT LENNOX, BUT HE MANAGED A SMALL SMILE AT HER AS SHE SETTLED HERSELF INTO HER SEAT. HE WAS TRYING TO SHOW HER THE AFFECTION SHE DESERVED. HE REMEMBERED HOW HIS FATHER HAD BEEN WITH HIS MOTHER, AND HE KNEW HE WAS ALLOWED A CERTAIN LEVEL OF CARE TO BE SHOWN TO ELI. HE LOVED HER, AND SHE DESERVED TO BE LOVED. IT DIDN'T MAKE HIM WEAK TO LOVE HER; HE HAD TO REMEMBER THAT. IF ANYTHING, IT MADE HIM STRONGER BECAUSE HE HAD SOMETHING TO PROTECT. HE DIDN'T SEE HER AS HIS WEAKNESS ANY MORE THAN HE WOULD HIS FAMILY. SHE WAS ALREADY A MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY AS FAR AS HE WAS CONCERNED.

SWIVELING HIS CHAIR, HE GLANCED OVER AT HIS SIBLINGS AS HIS ARM SLID ACROSS THE BACK OF ELI'S CHAIR BESIDE HIM. HE OPENED HIS MOUTH TO SPEAK BUT WAS SUDDENLY INTERRUPTED BY THE ABRUPT EXPLOSION OF THE FRONT DOOR BURSTING OPEN AND SLAMMING VIOLENTLY AGAINST THE GLASS WALL BEHIND IT. INSTANTLY, HE WAS ON HIS FEET, HIS BODY MOVING INSTINCTIVELY IN FRONT OF HIS FIANCEE AND THEIR UNBORN CHILD.

A GUNSHOT WENT OFF, SNAPPING HIS MIND TO ATTENTION: THAT DEADLY ATTENTION THAT BEFELL HIM IN BATTLE. HIS EYES WENT TO THE INTRUDER EVEN AS LENNOX CRIED OUT AND SLUMPED BACK AGAINST THE WALL, HIS HAND CRADLING HIS LEFT ARM JUST ABOVE HIS HEART. KAHLAN CRIED OUT AND LEAPT FOR HER YOUNGER BROTHER, GRABBING HIM AS HE FELL FORWARD IN PAIN. CONNOR ADVANCED ON THE YOUNG MAN AT THE DOOR, STRONGLY REACHING FOR HIS GUN AND TWISTING IT OUT OF HIS HAND BEFORE ATTEMPTING A PUNCH AT HIS FACE. HE DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE MAN, ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SOMETHING STRANGELY FAMILIAR ABOUT HIM. TRYING TO WRESTLE HIM TO THE FLOOR WAS DIFFICULT, BUT CONNOR'S ADRENALINE RUSHED TO HIS SYSTEM AND HELPED HIM TO FEND OFF THE ATTACKER.

"GET ELI...OUT OF HERE!" HE SNAPPED URGENTLY, KICKING OUT WITH HIS FOOT AND CATCHING THE YOUNG MAN BEHIND HIS KNEE, TO TAKE HIS BALANCE OUT FROM BENEATH HIM. THE MOVEMENT CARRIED CONNOR TO THE FLOOR ON TOP OF HIM, BUT THE STRUGGLE WASN'T OVER. THIS MAN WAS HIS MATCH, PROBABLY MORE SO IN THIS SORT OF COMBAT. ALTHOUGH HE HAD THE TOP POSITION, HE WAS MORE SKILLED IN GUNPLAY AND FINISHING OFF A VICTIM WITH A SWIFT FLICK OF HIS KNIFE AT CLOSE RANGE. HE SELDOM WRESTLED SINCE HE CONSIDERED IT BARBARIC, AND HE DIDN'T LIKE GETTING CLOSE TO AN ATTACKER. HE PREFERRED TO PICK THEM OFF BEFORE THEY COULD TOUCH HIM.

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[finnegan malachi odaire]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=0b0b0b][atrb=style, padding: 10px][atrb=cellpadding,0,true] [/style][style=overflow: auto; background-color: 1c1c1c; float: right; margin-left: 10px; width: 250px; height: 400px; border-top: 12px solid #9a2e38; border-bottom: 12px solid #9a2e38; line-height: 9px][style=padding: 5px; font-family: Trebuchet MS; text-align: justify; ]Eli was tired today, and her movements were sluggish and slow as she followed her fiance into the coffee shop without a complaint. Her exhaustion was obvious through her silence and the dark circles beneath her eyes gave proof to the fact that she hadn't slept much last night. She had been uncomfortable, but she had managed to remain as still as possible for Connor's sake. She knew that he suffered from lack of sleep even more than her because of her. She felt guilty, and as she looked sideways at the man she loved now, she sighed softly. She hated making him uncomfortable, and her sensitivity at the moment caused her eyes to well up with tears. She hated being pregnant because of how emotional it made her. She was about to cry because she made it difficult for her future husband to sleep at night. She needed to pull herself together. Managing to wipe at her eyes without being noticed, she settled into the seat beside Connor, her eyes taking in the pile of paperwork at his fingertips. Eli glanced to him, then reached over, pulling at the papers with what was left of her energy. "I can do this, Connor. It's all I'm good for right now." She informed him, her voice tired, but stern. Picking up the pen that had been laid in front of him, she sat forward in her chair, trying to bring some relief to her aching back muscles. She was getting bigger and bigger each and every day, which was normal of course. However, she felt like she was growing two sizes each day, and the maternity clothes that she had chosen with kahlan's help were becoming tighter and tighter. Trying not to fret because her clothes weren't fitting, she suddenly felt a craving for the cup of tea that Connor had in front of him. Looking at it for a moment, she tried to control her urges and reached for her water glass, taking a small sip. Her morning sickness had been absolutely unbearable lately and she didn't want to push herself over the edge. The water didn't make her stomach revolt as everything else did, and she even experimented with a piece of toast. The bread was a mistake though, for she felt the nausea rising in her throat before she could even put the piece of toast back on the plate. Giving up on eating, she pushed the food over to her husband to be, slumping a bit miserably in her chair. She simply did not feel well today. As she glanced over at Connor once more, she caught his small smile and it lifted her spirits. Returning the simple gesture, she reached over and caught his hand with hers, squeezing his finger softly before returning her hand to the pen. She felt his arm brush against her shoulders as he leaned it over the back of her chair, and she craved for his touch as she sat there beside him. He would be able to settle her stomach. She didn't know how, but as she breathed in his familiar scent, it seemed that their baby was comforted, for the rolling sensation ceased in the middle of her belly. Relaxing a bit more, she leaned back so that her back brushed his arm more, her hand going up to his as he rested it over her shoulders. Keeping her fingers in his, she suddenly couldn't resist the urge for his tea any more. Turning her blue eyes up to him, she leaned in, her lips kissing his softly for a moment. Pulling away, she smiled innocently and spoke up. "Can I have a sip of your tea?" She whispered so that only he could hear. When he finally agreed, she kissed his lips once more and then took the proffered cup. Taking a small sip, she relished in the taste of it, and then took one more drink before handing it back to him. She felt bad for always picking at his things, but she always asked first. He never seemed to mind, but it still made her feel guilty about it all. Feeling more at ease now, she turned her attention back to the papers in front of her, sighing softly before starting in on working through them. Her attention was pulled away as a dark form suddenly exploded through the door, and she jumped obviously, her hand flashing instinctively for the knife taped beneath the cafe table. Clenching it in her hand, her eyes widened in horror as Lennox was shot, and as Connor stepped protectively in front of him, she moved to help Lennox. As Connot dealt with the situation at hand, Eli slipped into the role of the soldier, helping Kahlan sit Lennox up. Grabbing the cloth napkins that decorated the table, she ripped Lennox's jacket from his shoulders, quickly moving to unbutton his shirt. "You're okay Lennox, it's okay. You just have to stay awake." She muttered swiftly, working expertly to hold off his wound, his blood soaking her fingers. Glancing to Kahlan, her blue eyes sparked with worry. "We need the medic." He had done his research. He had followed the Selwyn family. He had watched them until he was certain that he would have them. His ability to blend had been hindered because of his obvious limp, but he managed to the best of his ability. And when they disappeared into the cafe that belonged to the mafia, he could only smile. So predictable. Moving as quickly as he could, he made sure that his motorcycle was parked around the corner, where it wouldn't be noticed. Making sure it was safe, he stuffed the keys into his pocket and then checked his side arm. Once he was certain that it was loaded sufficiently, he limped painfully to the cafe, the cane he was supposed to be using was folded up and in the pocket of his leather jacket. He never did what he was supposed to, and it was the reason why he was in so much pain. Ignoring it, he gritted his teeth and came across the cafe, his voice tainted with the Russian accent he had had to adopt for more than two years. He didn't even know if the Selwyns remembered him, and the fury over being shot and left to die swelled in his heart. He wasn't here to kill anyone, but he was certainly here to have his revenge. Finn's blue eyes scanned the area quickly, his photographic memory working in overdrive as he memorized the positions that the family were sitting in. His target was Lennox. He was at the easiest angle. Now he only had to deal with the guards. Moving as swiftly as he could, he entered the front of the shop with a bright smile. "Morning lads. I'm here to see Connor Selwyn." His voice was filled with energy, but the tint of Russian to it made the men in front of him to leer warily at him. "He isn't expecting anyone, you have our sincerest apologies." Finn furrowed his brow dramatically, looking back and forth between the two men. "Is that so? Well, how unfortunate. Alright, I'll reschedule. Thanks for your time." He reached forward to shake the bodyguard's hand, and as the man took it, Finn launched into a flurry of activity. His bulk allowed him to swing the body of the slight bodyguard into the other, his gun flying from his side as he shoved the barrel into the man's chest. Pulling the trigger, he sent the bullet flying through the chest of the man in front of him, as well as through the chest of the man behind him. The silencer did its job, and he went unnoticed to the door that hid the Selwyns behind it. He felt no remorse for killing the bodyguards. They had done a rotten job. He was doing Connor a favor. Testing the door, he saw that it opened inward, and he launched his foot at it. The first time, it only shook, but as he figured out the correct angle, he sent his good leg sailing forward, the kick sending the doors smashing open. He raised the pistol in his hand, his eyes flashing as he focused on Lennox. Aiming just above his heart, he knew his aim was true, as it always was. The hit wouldn't kill Lennox. Hell, if left untreated for twenty four hours, the man wouldn't even bleed out. It would just hurt like a bitch. He was expecting Connor's attack, and as his former best friend charged him, Finn let him disarm him, figuring the fight would be more fair this way. He was taken down suddenly, his knees buckling as his bad leg was hit. "Fucking prick." He growled out, his accent still tainted with Russian and Irish as he fell from the pain in his leg. Hitting the ground with a loud thud, he got the breath knocked straight from his chest, listening as Connor shouted instructions to get his fiancee out of here. "Relax you ass, I'm only here for you. Not your precious family. Lennox was a lesson." He snapped out, his icy blue eyes gazing up at the man in front of him. But pleasantries were over now, and Finn threw his entire weight into a punch, aiming straight for Connor's jaw. Struggling with him now, he went into a frenzy, his hands flying as he tried to remove himself out from beneath Connor. Snarling a bit, he sent another few punches, losing his mind as he adopted his familiar, physical fighting style. He had come for revenge, and he was going to get it. [/style]

[style=padding: 5px; margin-top: -15px; border-top: 0px solid #4d4d4d]words: idek tagged: connor notes: the muse is cominggg

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table made by MADAME MARIANNA of CAUTION 2.0

[CONNOR GREGORY SELWYN]

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YAY!

CONNOR DIDN'T ARGUE WITH ELI AS SHE TOOK THE PAPERWORK FROM HIM. ALTHOUGH HE FELT THAT LENNOX DESERVED TO BE BORED, HE KNEW SHE WANTED TO DO SOMETHING. HE HADN'T INTENDED TO CLOISTER HER, BUT HE HAD, AND HE FELT MILDLY GUILTY ABOUT IT. SHE WAS A FREE SPIRIT, LIKE HIM, AND HE KNEW HOW MUCH SHE HATED BEING WATCHED OVER. BUT HE COULDN'T STOMACH THE IDEA OF SOMETHING HORRIBLE HAPPENING TO HER OR THEIR CHILD, AGAIN.

"YOU'RE GOOD FOR MORE THAN THAT," HE POINTED OUT WITH A SLIGHT RAISE OF HIS EYEBROWS AND A SMIRK. HER SMALL AFFECTIONATE GESTURE, A SQUEEZE OF HIS HAND, CAUGHT HIS ATTENTION AND SURPRISED HIM. SHE USUALLY WASN'T OPENLY AFFECTIONATE WITH HIM IN PUBLIC, BUT SHE'D HAD SEVERAL MOMENTS THAT HAD SURPRISED HIM SINCE SHE'D FOUND OUT SHE WAS PREGNANT. SINCE HE WAS AN OPENLY SEXUAL MAN, AND HE LIKED FLIRTING WITH HER AND TEASING HER AROUND HIS FAMILY, HE APPRECIATED THAT SHE SHOWED LITTLE BITS OF ATTENTION TO HIM IN FRONT OF THEM. AS HE LAID HIS ARM ACROSS THE BACK OF HER CHAIR, HER FINGERS LACED THROUGH HIS, AND HE GENTLY SQUEEZED HER HAND, MIRRORING HER ACTIONS FROM BEFORE.

WHEN SHE ASKED FOR A SIP OF HIS TEA, HE NARROWED HIS EYES PLAYFULLY. "I SHOULD'VE KNOWN THAT WAS A LOADED KISS. YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT MY TEA," HE COMMENTED WITH A HINT OF AMUSEMENT IN HIS TONE. HE WAS CRANKY IF HE DIDN'T GET THAT BIT OF CAFFEINE IN THE MORNING: A TRADITION WHICH HAD CARRIED OVER WITH HIM FROM HIS TIME IN ENGLAND AT CAMBRIDGE. NOT HONESTLY CARING IF SHE HAD SOME, HE NODDED TOWARD IT AND ALLOWED HER TO GATHER THE CUP TO DRINK FROM IT.

THE PEACE OF THE CAFE WAS INTERRUPTED VIOLENTLY AS THE DOOR FLEW OPEN AND THE SHOT WHIZZED THROUGH THE AIR.

LENNOX CURSED RUDELY AS THE BULLET HIT HIM IN HIS CHEST. IT WAS ON THE SAME SIDE AS THE KNIFE WOUND IN HIS GUT, AND THE PAIN RIPPLED, INTERMINGLING AND BLOSSOMING THROUGHOUT HIS LEFT ARM AND SHOULDER AND DOWN HIS SIDE. THE BULLET LODGED BENEATH HIS SKIN, AND HIS FACE BLANCHED AS HE HIT THE WALL AND LOST THE FEELING IN HIS LEGS. SINKING RAPIDLY, SO RAPIDLY HE WOULD SURELY HAVE FACE-PLANTED IF KAHLAN HADN'T ARRIVED TO CATCH HIM, HE COULDN'T RESIST HER AS SHE LOWERED HIM TO THE FLOOR. SHE WASN'T STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD ALL OF HIS BODY WEIGHT, BUT SHE PROPPED HIM UPRIGHT AGAINST HER KNEE AS ELI JOINED THEM ON THE FLOOR.

AS ELI WORKED HIS JACKET OFF OF HIM, HE GROUND HIS TEETH TOGETHER AND HIS WILD EYES LOOKED UP AT HER AS SHE BEGAN UNDOING THE BUTTONS ON HIS SHIRT. "JUST RIP THEM OFF! HOLY SHIT," HE CURSED, AN EXCLAMATION THAT WAS VERY UNLIKE HIM. HE WASN'T TOO PROPER TO CUSS, BUT HE WAS GENERALLY THE QUIET ONE IN THE GROUP. HE SELDOM RAISED HIS VOICE, AND WHEN HE DID, IT WAS ONLY IN A SERIOUS SITUATION.

KAHLAN'S FACE WAS SCREWED UP IN WORRY AS SHE HEARD LENNOX'S WORDS, KNOWING HOW MUCH PAIN HE MUST BE IN TO REACT TO ELI IN SUCH A WAY. SHE HELPED THE OTHER YOUNG WOMAN TO REMOVE HIS SHIRT AND STEELED HERSELF AGAINST THE BLOOD EBBING OUT OF HER BROTHER'S CHEST. SHE'D GROWN UP IN A MAFIA FAMILY, BUT SHE'D BEEN KEPT AWAY FROM THE VIOLENCE HER ENTIRE LIFE, AND SHE WAS NAUSEATED BY THE SIGHT OF BLOOD. HOWEVER, HER RESOLVE WAS LIKE IRON, AND SHE CLENCHED HER TEETH AND HELD THE DESTROYED SHIRT AGAINST HIS BLEEDING WOUND AS ELI TIED A MAKE-SHIFT BANDAGE AROUND HIS ARM TO HOLD IT ALL IN PLACE.

"I'LL CALL SOMEONE," SHE ANSWERED, NODDING SLIGHTLY AND RISING FROM HER KNEELING POSITION ONLY AFTER SHE WAS CERTAIN ELI HAD LENNOX UNDER HER CARE. SHE WOULD NEVER ABANDON ONE OF HER BROTHERS WHEN THEY NEEDED HER.

UNINTENTIONALLY KNOCKING THE GUN OUT OF HIS OWN REACH, CONNOR CURSED INWARDLY AS HE TOOK THE MAN DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE AIR WHOOSHED OUT OF HIS LUNGS WITH THE IMPACT, AND HE HEARD THE YOUNG MAN'S CURSE. IT REMINDED HIM OF A SIMILAR SITUATION IN THE ALLEYWAY THE NIGHT HE'D GONE TO GATHER ASHER WHEN KIPPER HAD FIRST ARRIVED IN TOWN, AND THE DISTANT THOUGHT ENTERTAINED HIM. HIS EYES GLAZED OVER, ZONING IN ON THE MAN BELOW HIM AS THEY STRUGGLED AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.

AS HE YELLED FOR ELI'S SAFETY, HE HEARD THE BITTER REMARK BELOW HIM, HEARING HIS BROTHER'S NAME. HE STILL DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE MAN WHO'D ONCE BEEN HIS CHILDHOOD BEST FRIEND, BUT THE MAN KNOWING LENNOX'S NAME TEMPORARILY THREW HIM FOR A LOOP. EVEN KONSTANTINE DIDN'T KNOW THAT SORT OF THING. LENNOX WAS THE MOST UNDERCOVER SELWYN BESIDES KAHLAN, AND IT WAS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO KNOW WHO HE WAS, LET ALONE HIS NAME.

THE MOMENTARY DISTRACTION COST HIM, AND THE MAN'S FIST CONNECTED SOLIDLY WITH HIS JAW, THROWING HIM BACKWARD. GROWLING WITH IRRITATION MORE THAN THE PAIN THAT WOULD SURELY TURN HIS EYE A NICE SHADE OF PURPLE, HE CAUGHT HIS BALANCE AND EVADED A SECOND BLOW TO HIS FACE. "ELI! KNIFE, NOW!" HE YELLED AT HER, KNOWING SHE WOULD UNDERSTAND HIS WORDS.

DODGING AS THE KNIFE SHE'D PULLED FROM BENEATH THE COUNTER FLEW PAST HIS HEAD, THUNKING SATISFACTORILY INTO THE WALL BEHIND HIS ASSAILANT, CONNOR GRIPPED THE HILT AND TORE IT FROM THE PLASTER. CUTTING DEFTLY WITH A FLICK OF HIS WRIST, HE CUT INTO THE MAN'S NECK JUST DEEP ENOUGH FOR IT TO STING BUT NOT DEEP ENOUGH THAT HE WOULD BLEED OUT. HIS GREEN EYES FLASHED DANGEROUSLY AS HE HELD THE KNIFE AGAINST HIS NECK.

AS KAHLAN STOOD TO FIND THE DOCTOR OR A MEDIC, OR A FIRST AID KIT FOR THAT MATTER, SHE WAS SUDDENLY STRUCK DUMB BY THE FIGHT BETWEEN HER BROTHER AND THEIR ATTACKER. SHE WASN'T A SOLDIER, AND THE CONFLICT GOING ON BEHIND HER AND IN FRONT OF HER FROZE HER LIKE A DEER IN THE HEADLIGHTS. HER TONGUE SWELLED IN HER THROAT, AND SHE ALMOST CHOKED, HER GREEN EYES RIVETED AS CONNOR PULLED THE KNIFE FROM THE WALL AND SLICED THE MAN'S NECK. AS THEY STRUGGLED, HER EYES WERE DRAWN BENEATH HER BLACK-HAIRED BROTHER, AND HER HEART FROZE IN HER CHEST.

"CONNOR, NO!" SHE SCREAMED, FINDING USE OF HER MUSCLES AGAIN AS SHE LURCHED TOWARD HIM. HER FINGERS DUG PAINFULLY INTO HIS SHOULDERS, AND HE WAS DEEP ENOUGH IN HIS MURDEROUS HAZE THAT HE IRRITABLY SHRUGGED HER OFF. BUT, AS ALWAYS, SHE WAS PERSISTENT, AND SHE TORE AT HIM, PULLING AGAINST HIM WITH HER MIGHT UNTIL HE RELINQUISHED THE HOLD HE HAD AGAINST THE YOUNGER MAN'S NECK.

"CONNOR, IT'S FINN!" SHE BEGGED HIM, THE ONLY ONE IN THE ROOM TO RECOGNIZE THE MAN THEY'D GROWN UP WITH SINCE A YOUNG AGE. PERHAPS IT WAS BECAUSE SHE'D LITERALLY LIVED DOWN THE HALL FROM HIM AS A TEENAGER THOSE THREE YEARS SHE'D SPENT AWAY FROM HER IMMEDIATE FAMILY WHEN SHE'D RUN AWAY TO NEW YORK TO HER AUNT EVANGELINE, BUT SHE COULD RECOGNIZE HIM PAST THE ROUGH RUSSIAN ACCENTED VOICE AND THE STEELINESS OF HIS FACE. "IT'S FINN," SHE REPEATED EXASPERATEDLY.

THE SOUND OF HIS OLD FRIEND'S NAME STIRRED SOMETHING WITHIN HIM, AND CONNOR'S EYES WIDENED AS KAHLAN'S WORDS INEXORABLY CREPT BENEATH THAT HAZE IN HIS MIND. "WAIT... WHAT?"

ANOTHER PUNCH LANDED SQUARELY ACROSS HIS CHEEKBONE, SENDING HIM REELING BACKWARD AND THE KNIFE FLYING FROM HIS HAND. INSTINCTIVELY, KAHLAN REACHED FOR IT AS IT FELL, AND IT SLICED ACROSS HER HAND BUT SHE CAUGHT IT WITH A SMALL YELP. THE PAIN CAUSED HER TO DROP THE KNIFE, AND HER GREEN EYES WIDENED AS CONNOR FELL BACKWARD, CRADLING HIS FACE AND CURSING WILDLY, BEATING HIMSELF UP FOR LOSING HIS FOCUS. GLANCING FROM HER BROTHER, SHE LOOKED BACK AT FINN AND STOOD STIFFLY STARING DOWN AT HIM. WHY DID HE WANT TO KILL THEM? WHY WOULD HE SHOOT LENNOX? SHE'D KNOWN HIM SINCE THEY WERE KIDS, AND SHE NEVER IMAGINED HE WOULD BE CAPABLE OF SUCH VIOLENCE DIRECTED AT THEIR FAMILY.

RECOVERING SLIGHTLY, SHE RUSHED TO HER OLDER BROTHER, FORGETTING THE CUT ACROSS HER HAND AS SHE REACHED TO HAUL HIM UP TO HIS FEET. THE PAIN BLOSSOMED ACROSS HER PALM AS SHE GRABBED HIM, AND SHE WINCED BUT IGNORED HER OWN PAIN AS SHE EXAMINED CONNOR'S ALREADY-BRUISED FACE. BACKING AWAY AS HE SHRUGGED HER OFF, SHE RETURNED TO ELI AND LENNOX, SHIVERING FROM THE HEAVY WEIGHT OF THE CONFRONTATION IN THE ROOM.

"FINN..." CONNOR STATED, SHAKING HIS HEAD SLIGHTLY TO STRAIGHTEN OUT HIS RATTLED BRAIN. "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?" HE ASKED. HE WAS WEAPONLESS SINCE THE KNIFE AND GUN WERE BOTH TOO FAR FOR HIM TO REACH. ALTHOUGH HE WAS HORRIBLE AT WORDS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO FOR NOW. WHY DID HIS CHILDHOOD FRIEND WANT TO TEACH HIM A LESSON? WHY DID HE WANT TO KILL HIM?

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[finnegan malachi odaire]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=0b0b0b][atrb=style, padding: 10px][atrb=cellpadding,0,true] [/style][style=overflow: auto; background-color: 1c1c1c; float: right; margin-left: 10px; width: 250px; height: 400px; border-top: 12px solid #9a2e38; border-bottom: 12px solid #9a2e38; line-height: 9px][style=padding: 5px; font-family: Trebuchet MS; text-align: justify; ]Gazing over at him as he told her she was good for more than paperwork, she gave him a look. "Your child hasn't rested long enough to give me a break. I'm too tired to do anything other than lift a pen." She told him with a small smile, watching him with love and adoration in her eyes. Looking down at her ever growing belly, she rested a hand over it, wishing that she could feel their baby kick or move, or do something. She knew that it was too early to feel such reactions, but she could always hope. Sighing softly, she settled back into the chair, her hand lacing with his as she grew more comfortable showing him affection. While it wasn't something that she was entirely alright with yet, she was slowly becoming more and more open. They were going to be married. It wasn't a crime to kiss him in public. It wasn't inappropriate for her to hold his hand, or to touch him. She was allowed. She just needed to keep reminding herself that, especially in front of his family. If there was anyone they could be affectionate around, it was the members of the Selwyn family. While Asher usually made the most fuss, it was all in good fun, and she appreciated how light he made a lot of situations. Looking to Connor now as he spoke playfully to her, she smiled quietly, watching him with a certain light in her eyes. She wondered now if she could convince him to go home with her. She was tired, and she could tell that he was tired as well. She wouldn't complain to spending the rest of the morning lazing in bed with him. Deciding to keep that to herself, she grinned innocently at him, "I also happen to know how you feel about me, and I'm convinced that you love me more than your tea." Knowing that he would get cranky if she drank the entire thing, she decided against it for the simple fact that she was too tired to get up to go to the bathroom. Having to pee was going to be the consequence of drinking all of that tea and she couldn't bring herself to stand. So she settled happily with a couple of sips, returning the cup to its rightful place when she was done. Making sure he knew that she was giving him her toast, she was suddenly surprised by the outburst at the front door of the cafe. Eli hadn't been expecting anything to disrupt their morning, and the fear for the well being of their child swelled in her heart. However, she needed to be a soldier as well. Leaving the protection that Connor had offered her by shielding her with his own body, she was touched by his actions, knowing more in that moment about how much he truly loved her. He would have never sacrificed himself in that way before, and she was momentarily distracted by his obvious affection and loyalty. Focusing now, she bowed her head, crouching down to protect herself more. Her blue eyes flashed to Kahlan for a moment as she moved to unbutton Lennox's shirt, hearing him snap at her uncharacteristically. "Alright, alright. For fuck's sake, I'm doing the best I can Lennox!" She spoke in a hurry, ripping through the buttons as he instructed, succeeding in pulling the shirt off of his shoulders. Balling it up, she handed it to Kahlan, taking notice of the girl's pale face for the moment. Praying that she could keep it together long enough to care for Lennox, Eli starting wrapping up the make shift bandage, slipping off the over shirt she had on. She was now simply in a white tank top, which left nothing to the imagination, but she kept those thoughts to herself. Getting Lennox situated, she watched as Kahlan stood to call someone. When a first aid kit was suddenly shoved to her side, she opened it, ignoring the blood on her fingers. Finding what she wanted and needed, her eyes met Lennox's. "I'm going to give you something for the pain. Just hold still." She told him, her voice leaving no room for argument. He would be easier to move if she could get him to feel less pain. Reaching for the alcohol wipes in the bottom of the kit, she cleaned a spot on the inside of his elbow, flicking the veins with her fingernail to get them to protrude. tying a makeshift tourniquet, she finally got a good source and grabbed the morphine, gathering the correct dose in a syringe. once situated, she injected it quickly, making sure he was settled before she moved to clean everything up. it was then that she turned to watch the situation unfolding in front of her, and it was then that she heard connor's command. the knife. she needed to give him the knife. leaving lennox for the time being, she scrambled to her feet as fast as a pregnant woman can, her hand closing around the cool handle of the knife. sending it flying, she watched it hit its mark, hoping it would give connor the advantage he would need. Finn's fist protested as it came in contact with Connor's hard jaw, but he didn't have time to focus on that pain as an entirely new agony greeted him. Feeling the cool blade slice into his skin sent a hiss through his lips. He had always been taught to stomach his pain silently, but that had caught him off guard. His pupils dilated from the impact, and his hands went out, squeezing Connor's wrist tightly as he tried to get him to drop the knife. But his efforts were unnecessary, for it was Kahlan that saved him any more trouble. However, the momentary distraction that her confession created gave him the opportune moment to strike Connor once more. His punches were hard and accurate, his fighting style dirty and successful. He might not always fight fair, but he always got the job done. As Connor finally seemed to realize who he was sitting on, Finn glared viciously up at him. "Did you forget about me?" He asked his former best friend bitterly, watching him warily, carefully. There would be no animosity once Finn could get his initial anger out, but right now, he couldn't control his volatile nature. He had always been difficult to calm down when something got under his skin, And Connor shooting him in the head and crippling his leg really got under his skin. Shoving the man away from him, as Kahlan pulled Connor to his feet, Finn sat up, his hand going to his neck. The warm blood was pouring from the well placed slice, and he kept his hand against the wound tightly, trying to stem the bleeding. He had expected some kind of injury so he wasn't surprised. Pushing himself to his feet, he struggled because of the pain in his leg, but he refused to show his weakness with his cane. Getting to his feet, having to let go of his neck, he stood there, his chest rising and falling rapidly as the blood continued to drip from his neck. "You shot me. In your raid against the Russians. You forgot I was there and you nearly killed me. You shot me in the head, you crippled my leg. I called out to you mate, I tried to reach you, but you were too far gone. Excuse me for my anger, but it's well deserved." He finished viciously, watching him with a wariness that had only gotten worse because of his time with the Russians. Reaching into his bag, which had been on his back, he pulled out a thick manila envelope, his bloody hand print soiling it. He threw it at Connor's feet. "I risked everything for you for two years of my life. That's everything you need to know about Konstantine, about Anya. It's all there." [/style]

[style=padding: 5px; margin-top: -15px; border-top: 0px solid #4d4d4d]words: idek tagged: connor notes: the muse is cominggg

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table made by MADAME MARIANNA of CAUTION 2.0

[CONNOR GREGORY SELWYN]

[style=width:400px; height:272px; background-image: url(http://25.media.tumblr.com/d1609c4a11d4e329627080c1c5b1e9d0/tumblr_mgdnxl41xH1s2ycrgo2_500.gif);]

I'M NOT SURE IF THIS EVEN MAKES SENSE XD

"THAT'S DEBATABLE," CONNOR TEASED AS ELI CONFESSED SHE KNEW HE LOVED HER MORE THAN HIS TEA, "AT LEAST BEFORE EIGHT IN THE MORNING, THAT'S FOR SURE." DODGING HER AS SHE SURELY RETALIATED AGAINST HIS TEASING, HE WAS INSTANTLY IN MOTION TO PROTECT HER AND HIS SIBLINGS AS THE ATTACK CAME. HE DIDN'T REGISTER LENNOX'S PAIN AS HE LAUNCHED HIMSELF FOR THE ASSAILANT, A MAN HE'D KNOWN SO WELL BUT WHO HE'D BECOME SO DISCONNECTED FROM, HE NO LONGER RECOGNIZED.

LENNOX KNEW HE WAS BEING MORE BELLIGERENT TOWARD HIS SISTER AND FUTURE SISTER-IN-LAW THAN NECESSARY, BUT THE PAIN BLOOMING THROUGH HIS CHEST WAS MORE THAN HE'D EVER FELT IN HIS LIFE. HE'D NEVER BEEN SHOT BEFORE, AND COUPLED WITH THE KNIFE WOUND THAT STILL HADN'T HEALED, HE FELT AS IF HIS LEFT SIDE WAS BEING TORN OPEN. SWEARING PROFUSELY AS ELI FINALLY REMOVED HIS SHIRT, HIS BACK ARCHED AS HE CLENCHED HIS TEETH WITH THE AGONIZING PAIN AS KAHLAN HELD HIS BALLED-UP SHIRT TO HIS SHOULDER.

"SHITTTT," HE DRAWLED THE WORD WITH HIS IRISH ACCENT, HUFFING AS HIS BREATH CAME QUICKER AND SHORTER. AFRAID HE MIGHT CAUSE HIMSELF TO HYPERVENTILATE, HE TRIED TO USE HIS NATURAL CALM TO SOOTHE HIMSELF. THAT WAS WHEN ELI TOLD HIM SHE WAS GOING TO GIVE HIM SOMETHING FOR THE PAIN. RELIEVED THAT HE WOULD GET SOME SORT OF RESPITE FROM THE AGONY THAT WAS MAKING HIS ARM GO NUMB, HE PATIENTLY WAITED AS SHE INJECTED THE MORPHINE INTO HIS VEIN.

"OHHHH...KAYYY," HE RESPONDED, HIS VOICE ALMOST INSTANTLY SLURRING AS HIS EYELIDS DROOPED. WARMTH SPREAD THROUGH HIM FROM HIS RIGHT ELBOW, AND HE FELT WEIGHTLESS ALL OF A SUDDEN. HE FELT WONDERFUL AS IT SWEPT THROUGH HIM, HIS EYES OPENING AND STARING UP AT THE CEILING BUT NOT EVEN SEEING IT. "MY... NOSE ITCHES..." HE STATED ABSENTLY, REACHING UP TO SCRATCH IT. "THAT'S THE BEST FEELING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD," HE CONFESSED AS HE ITCHED HIS NOSE AS IF IT TRULY WAS THE MOST EXQUISITE EXPERIENCE HE'D EVER HAD.

AS KAHLAN BACKED AWAY AND CONNOR SCRAMBLED TO HIS FEET OFF OF FINN, THEY BOTH STARED, DISBELIEVING, AT HIM. KAHLAN DIDN'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF HIS DISAPPEARANCE LIKE CONNOR DID. WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON IN HIS LIFE RECENTLY, HE'D FORGOTTEN ENTIRELY ABOUT THE SPY HE'D SENT INTO THE HEART OF THE RUSSIAN OPERATION. REMEMBERING THAT DAY WHEN HE'D MASSACRED THEM, REALIZATION SUDDENLY DAWNED ON HIM AND HE STIFFENED IMPERCEPTIBLY. KAHLAN NOTICED THE MOVEMENT EVEN IF NO ONE ELSE BESIDES ELI WOULD, AND SHE SAW THE TENSENESS ACROSS CONNOR'S SHOULDERS.

CONNOR BELIEVED HE'D KILLED EVERYONE THAT DAY. KONSTANTINE WAS LIKE A BULL AND HAD MANAGED TO LIVE THROUGH IT, BUT HE HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT FINN WHEN HE'D GONE IN THERE. HE HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO THINK ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN KILLING NATALIA AND THE MEN WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR ELI'S TORTURE AND RAPE. HE COULDN'T THINK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE.

FINN BEGAN EXPLAINING HIS WOUNDS, AND CONNOR WATCHED HIM WITHOUT EMOTION AS HE DESCRIBED IT ALL. HE WAS SUDDENLY OVERWHELMINGLY PROUD THAT HIS MAFIA MEMBERS WERE AS VERSATILE AND STRONG AS THEY WERE. ELI HAD SURVIVED AT THE HANDS OF THE RUSSIANS' TORTURE. ASHER HAD OVERCOME A CHILDHOOD AILMENT HE'D BEEN BORN WITH. KAHLAN HAD RUN AWAY FROM HOME WHEN SHE WAS ONLY FOURTEEN BECAUSE SHE DISAGREED WITH HER FATHER'S WAY OF DOING THINGS. AND NOW, FINN HAD SURVIVED HIS OWN WRATH, TAKING A BULLET TO HIS HEAD AND HIS LEG THAT LEFT HIM CRIPPLED BUT HIS SPIRIT STILL STRONG.

RUBBING HIS CHEEK WHERE FINN'S FIST HAD CONNECTED SOLIDLY WITH HIS CHEEKBONE, HIS GREEN EYES FLASHED APPRECIATIVELY. AS THE YOUNG MAN'S HAND DROPPED FROM HIS NECK, KAHLAN FOUGHT BACK THE WAVE OF NAUSEA AT THE SIGHT OF HIS BLOOD AND REACHED FOR LENNOX'S JACKET, TEARING OFF ONE OF THE SLEEVES, MIMICKING ELI'S BEHAVIOR AS SHE'D WORKED WITH LENNOX. NEVER TIMID, BUT ALWAYS CARING ABOUT THE PEOPLE AROUND HER, KAHLAN APPROACHED FINN AND OFFERED HIM THE SLEEVE: THE ONLY BANDAGE AVAILABLE SINCE THE ONES IN THE FIRST AID KIT WERE WILDLY UNDERSIZED FOR A CUT OF THIS LENGTH.

BACKING AWAY WHEN HE ACCEPTED THE FABRIC, SHE RETURNED TO ELI AND LENNOX WHO WAS SMILING HAPPILY WHERE HE SAT ON THE FLOOR, WAVING HIS HANDS IN THE AIR AS IF HE WAS DIRECTED AN INVISIBLE ORCHESTRA. "KAHLAN!" HE SLURRED HER NAME, HIS EYES WIDENING WITH EXCITEMENT THAT REMINDED HER OF WHEN HE WAS A KID AND FOUND OUT THEY WERE GOING TO SEE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA AT THE WEST END. "YOU SHOULD TRY THIS STUFF. IT'S BETTER THAN SEX."

"NOT THAT I WOULD KNOW WHAT THAT IS LIKE," SHE MANAGED. STIFLING A SNORT, SHE IGNORED THE HEAT RISING IN HER CHEEKS AS SHE GLANCED QUESTIONINGLY AT ELI. "WHAT EXACTLY DID YOU GIVE HIM?"

SHIFTING HIS WEIGHT, CONNOR DROPPED HIS HAND TO HIS SIDE AND A DARK SMIRK CROSSED HIS FACE. "YOUR ANGER MAY BE WELL-DESERVED, BUT SO WAS MINE. I DIDN'T INTEND TO LEAVE ANY CASUALTIES. ALL I CARED ABOUT WAS KILLING EVERY ONE OF THOSE BASTARDS FOR WHAT THEY DID TO ELI," CONNOR REPLIED SIMPLY TO FINN'S EXPLANATION. HE KNEW FINN WAS AWARE OF ALL OF THIS EVEN IF HE HADN'T BEEN AROUND IN TWO YEARS. CONNOR WATCHED AS FINN THREW THE SIZABLE ENVELOPE AT HIS FEET, AND HE BENT TO RETRIEVE IT AS THE YOUNGER MAN ANNOUNCED IT WAS FULL OF INFORMATION ABOUT ANYA AND KONSTANTINE. A VICTORIOUS GRIN SPREAD OVER CONNOR'S FACE AS HE OPENED THE ENVELOPE, SEEING PICTURES AND PROFILES AND HUNDREDS OF PAGES OF ITEMS HE COULDN'T EVEN PINPOINT IN SUCH A QUICK GLANCE.

CINCHING THE ENVELOPE CLOSED, CONNOR RETURNED HIS GAZE TO FINN WITH AN APPRECIATIVE SMILE. "SORRY I ALMOST KILLED YOU. DID YOU AT LEAST GET A GOOD SCAR?" HE ASKED, AN ANCIENT, ONCE-DEFUNCT, JOKING SIDE OF HIM RISING IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS OLD FRIEND. HE WAS A TYPICAL GUY WHEN IT CAME TO FINN AND JETT, HIS TWO BEST FRIENDS: BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF ONE ANOTHER AND THEN GET UP AND SHAKE HANDS AND ALL IS FORGIVEN. WHILE HE MAY HOLD GRUDGES AGAINST HIS ENEMIES, AND EVEN HIS BROTHERS AT TIMES, HE VALUED THE TWO CLOSEST FRIENDS HE HAD. JETT HE'D MET IN ADULTHOOD, THE SAME TIME THAT HE AND ELI HAD JOINED THE MAFIA WHEN THE IRA HAD MURDERED THEIR FAMILY. FINN, HOWEVER, WAS A FRIEND FROM HIS CHILDHOOD WHO HAD BEEN ADOPTED BY HIS AUNT AND THEN TAKEN UNDER HIS FATHER'S WING WHEN HIS AUNT AND UNCLE HAD BEEN MURDERED.

FINN WAS THE YOUNGER BROTHER LENNOX NEVER WAS: VIOLENT AND MILITARISTIC LIKE CONNOR AND STRONG. LENNOX PREFERRED TO BE AN ACTOR, TO GET IN TOUCH WITH HIS FEELINGS, BUT FINN WAS WHAT CONNOR HAD ALWAYS WANTED IN A BROTHER INSTEAD. THEY'D BECOME AS CLOSE AS BROTHERS, AND CONNOR CONSIDERED THE YOUNG MAN PART OF HIS FAMILY.

"DOES THIS MEAN YOU'RE SWITCHING SIDES? I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PUT ANOTHER BULLET IN YOUR HEAD. THAT METHOD DOESN'T SEEM TO WORK SO WELL," HE COMMENTED WITH AN AMUSED SMILE. SUDDENLY, HIS BROW DARKENED AND HE FROWNED. "YOU INTERRUPTED MY TEA."

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[finnegan malachi odaire]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=0b0b0b][atrb=style, padding: 10px][atrb=cellpadding,0,true] [/style][style=overflow: auto; background-color: 1c1c1c; float: right; margin-left: 10px; width: 250px; height: 400px; border-top: 12px solid #9a2e38; border-bottom: 12px solid #9a2e38; line-height: 9px][style=padding: 5px; font-family: Trebuchet MS; text-align: justify; ]The playful slap to Connor's shoulder after his comment about loving tea more than her, especially early in the morning, was that last touch she had of her future husband before he offered himself as protection against the armed attacker. How had the mafia members that were guarding them allowed one man inside? His talents worried her if he had gotten in so quietly, without a sound, but she was forced to focus on the Selwyn brother in front of her. The blood coated her hands as she struggled to stem the bleeding, unsure of how much time she had to really stabilize him. Eli had gone through the in the field training that every soldier went through, and she quickly stemmed the bleeding as quickly as she could. Keeping the bandage tight, but not tight enough to cut off circulation, she raised her eyes as Lennox cursed because of his pain. "I need you to lean forward." She instructed him quietly, yet firmly, helping him sit forward to the best of her ability. Supporting him with Kahlan's help, she investigated his wound and was relieved when he saw the exit wound. Tracing her eyes to where he had been sitting, she saw the hole in the seat behind him, and she looked at him with encouragement. "It went straight through Len. It'll be an easy fix." She informed him, her heart going out to him because of the pain he had obvious experienced because of his stab wound. While she couldn't feel too much remorse because of who he had slept with, he didn't deserve to get this much physical pain. Brushing his hair back from his face after she had administered the drugs, she watched as his pupils dilated successfully. At least the morphine was working and he could and would have relief from the agony. When he said his nose itched, a small smile tugged at her lips and she nodded. "You can itch it." She explained, watching him do just that and resisting the urge to laugh because of the serious situation behind her. Swiveling on her heels, her blue eyes studied the scene in front of her. Everything seemed to be settling down, thankfully. Still confused about the entire thing, she looked back at Lennox, her eyes looking down at her hands as well. She was covered in his blood and while normally it wouldn't affect her, her sensitive stomach churned warningly. Ignoring it because she had to, she refocused on the man in front of her, keeping him steady as Connor tried to figure out what was going on with the intruder. Apparently Kahlan recognized him because she had ordered Connor off of him. More confused than ever, she just shook her head and kept pressure up against Lennox's shoulder so that he could get some relief. Finnegan watched Connor warily, his hands flexing as he stood across from him. He didn't trust the Irishman yet, but who could honestly blame him? He understood that he had been wrapped up with what had been happening to Eli and he would never judge him for that, but some recognition would have been nice. He was certain that Connor hadn't even thought of him once in the past two years and that was what hurt him the most. They had been inseparable growing up, more like brothers than friends. Finn had been Connor's equal and they had done everything together. The lack of recognition in his face even now was enough to send Finn walking, but he didn't move. His loyalty was fresh and powerful and despite everything Connor had done, Finn could not bring himself to leave the man in front of him even though his mind was telling him to do just that. Deciding to listen to his heart for a change and follow his instincts, he watched as Kahlan went back to Eli and Lennox, knowing he needed to thank her. She had handed him fabric of some sort, and after thanking her genuinely, he held it up to his neck now, bleeding rather profusely from the injury. Never taking his eyes off of Connor, as had always been his habit, he didn't relax as he stood there, even when the situation seemed to dissolve for the most part. As Connor explained his actions, Finn held up his hand, the bloody knuckles apparent from punching Connor's face. "You owe me no explanation. I know why you did what you did. I just wish you had been able to recognize me." He said, the wry smile working its way onto his handsome features. He would never blame Connor for doing what he did as a reaction to finding out what had happened to Eli. The guilt plagued him at that moment and he looked up, his blue green eyes sincere. "I tried to get her out of there Connor. I tried to tip off someone in the Irish. I'm sorry." He had failed his leader, his best friend. He hadn't been able to keep the woman that he loved safe. Standing there rather dejectedly, he listened to his best friends next words. The smile that worked its way onto his face was charming and antagonistic. "When I shave my head, the scar is fantastic. I get all of the ladies." He finished, reaching up to pull the hair back from his hairline, keeping it flat against his head with his palm. Letting Connor inspect the rather nasty looking scar, Finn smiled once more and shoved his shoulder ruefully, especially at his next words. "You prick. I never left your side, ya sap. You forced me there, remember? Now I've got to work with someone to get this awful accent out of my system." He explained, his voice holding traces of the Russian. It was unique in a way, and it would be really difficult for him to get rid of it. Shrugging it away now, he spoke up once more. "Did you miss me? Sorry about shooting your brother. I was always one to make a grand entrance and I heard about his little get together with that Russian whore. She couldn't stop talking about it. It seems you and your little brother have more in common than you would like to admit." Brazenly, Finn made a rude motion with his hips, signifying to Connor exactly what he meant. Shaking his head, he looked back at Eli, then back to Connor. "You happy?" Eli tried her best to get Lennox to remain where he was, her hands on his shoulders. As he informed his sister that the morphine was just like sex, and Kahlan replied, insinuating she had never had sex, Eli turned her look back to Lennox so she didn't make her friend uncomfortable. Grinning at at Lennox, she shook her head. "You need to behave yourself sir. You're embarrassing your sister." She informed him, still keeping her hands on his bare shoulders. As Kahlan questioned her, she gave her an innocent smile. "I just gave him a strong dose of morphine. He's so pleasant now," [/style]

[style=padding: 5px; margin-top: -15px; border-top: 0px solid #4d4d4d]words: idek tagged: connor notes: the muse is cominggg

[/style]
table made by MADAME MARIANNA of CAUTION 2.0

[CONNOR GREGORY SELWYN]

[style=width:400px; height:272px; background-image: url(http://25.media.tumblr.com/d1609c4a11d4e329627080c1c5b1e9d0/tumblr_mgdnxl41xH1s2ycrgo2_500.gif);]

I ATTEMPTED A SEMBLANCE OF ORDER, WHO KNOWS IF THAT WORKED

CONNOR SMIRKED IN RESPONSE TO HIS FORMER BEST FRIEND'S COMMENT. "YOU ARE PRETTY FORGETTABLE THOUGH, TO BE HONEST," HE JABBED TEASINGLY. IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, THE ONLY PEOPLE HE EVER TEASED WERE HIS FAMILY. CONNOR HAD NO CLOSE FRIENDS, EXCEPT ELI'S TWIN BROTHER JETT, WHO HAD LEFT THEM AROUND THE SAME TIME HE'D SENT FINN ON HIS MISSION, TO GET MARRIED AND MOVE BACK TO IRELAND.

AS HE HEARD FINN'S APOLOGY FOR BEING INCAPABLE OF SAVING ELI, CONNOR'S JAW TIGHTENED VISIBLY AS HE CLENCHED HIS TEETH TOGETHER AND LOOKED AWAY. HE HAD NO RESPONSE TO THE APOLOGY, AND HE DIDN'T CARE TO CREATE ONE. ELI'S FATE HAD BEEN SEALED BY HIS OWN DOING, AND HE WOULD NEVER FORGIVE HIMSELF FOR THAT. THERE WAS NOTHING FINN COULD HAVE DONE TO STOP IT, AND HE KNEW IT, BUT HE DIDN'T ADDRESS IT. ELI HAD SOMEHOW MANAGED TO FORGIVE HIM, BUT SINCE HE COULDN'T BE AS BENEVOLENT TOWARD HIMSELF, HE REFUSED TO TALK ABOUT IT.

SO HE CHANGED THE SUBJECT, PICKING AT FINN ABOUT BEING SHOT. HE ADMIRED THE ANGRY SCAR AS THE YOUNGER MAN PULLED HIS HAIR BACK, NODDING APPRECIATIVELY AT HIS OWN HANDIWORK. "I DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB IF I SAY SO MYSELF," HE COMMENTED WITH A DARK SMILE. HE VERBALLY JABBED FINN ONCE MORE, GOADING HIM INTO ADMITTING HE WOULDN'T TURNCOAT. HE KNEW FINN'S LOYALTY WAS UNSWERVING, EVEN IF THEY'D BEEN ESTRANGED FOR TWO YEARS. THEY'D GROWN UP TOGETHER, AND FINN WAS SO FIERCELY LOYAL TO THE PEOPLE ON HIS SHORT LIST OF LOYALTIES THAT HE NEVER WENT BACK ON HIS PROMISES WITH THEM. CONNOR WAS ON THAT LIST, AND HE KNEW IT. HIS FAMILY AS A WHOLE WAS PROBABLY NEAR TO THE TOP.

"GET KAHLAN TO CALL A DIALECT SPECIALIST FOR YOU TO GET RID OF THAT GOD-AWFUL ACCENT," HE OFFERED, "SHE'S INTO ALL OF THAT 'ETIQUETTE' SHIT."

"I HEARD THAT," KAHLAN PIPED UP, SETTLING HERSELF BACK ON HER HEELS AS SHE GLANCED OVER HER SHOULDER WITH A PLAYFUL GLARE AT HER BROTHER AND HIS FRIEND. THEY'D ALL KNOWN FINN EQUALLY AS LONG, MEETING HIM WHEN THEY WERE ONLY CHILDREN AFTER THEIR AUNT EVANGELINE AND HER HUSBAND ADOPTED HIM. THEY'D CHOSEN TO KEEP HIS BIRTH NAME, NEVER MAKING HIM A SELWYN ALTHOUGH THE KIDS CONSIDERED HIM A PART OF THEIR FAMILY.

WHEN KAHLAN RAN AWAY FROM HOME AT THE AGE OF FOURTEEN, FINN (WHO WAS THE SAME AGE) HAD BEEN WITH HER AUNT AND UNCLE ALTHOUGH KAHLAN'S OLDER COUSINS (HIS ADOPTIVE SISTERS) WERE BOTH OLDER AND IN COLLEGE BY THAT TIME. FOR THOSE THREE YEARS KAHLAN LIVED WITH HER AUNT, SHE BASICALLY GREW UP WITH FINN. HE WAS LIKE ONE OF HER BROTHERS, ALTHOUGH HE POSSIBLY TEASED HER EVEN MORE, AND SPENDING TIME WITH HIM HELPED HER NOT TO MISS HER BROTHERS QUITE AS MUCH. BUT WHEN SHE'D FOUND OUT CONNOR WAS ALLOWED BACK IN THE STATES, SHE'D INSTANTLY CHOSEN TO TRANSFER TO CALIFORNIA TO NEAR HIM AGAIN. HER DEVOTION TO HER OLDER BROTHER WAS UNFLINCHING, AND SHE'D NEVER APPROVED OF HER FATHER BANISHING HIM TO LONDON. THAT WAS THE REASON SHE'D DISAPPROVED SO HIGHLY WHEN CONNOR HAD DONE THE SAME THING TO ASHER. THEY WERE DIFFERENT THAN THEIR PARENTS. KYSON HAD BEEN WRONG IN MANY THINGS HE'D DONE, AND SENDING CONNOR AWAY WAS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS ON HER LIST. SHE HADN'T BEEN ABLE TO HANDLE IT WHEN CONNOR HAD MIMICKED HIM EXACTLY. SHE BELIEVED HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER.

BUT THAT WAS ALL BEHIND THEM NOW, AND SHE HAD ALL OF HER BOYS TOGETHER AGAIN. THEN FINN WAS ADDED TO THE MIX, AND THAT ONLY MADE THINGS BETTER. SHE'D LIKE ELI'S TWIN ALRIGHT, AND SHE APPRECIATED HOW HIS PRESENCE LIGHTENED CONNOR'S MOOD, BUT SHE'D NEVER BEEN TERRIBLY CLOSE TO HIM. SHE HADN'T MISSED HIM WHEN HE LEFT TO GET MARRIED, BUT SHE WAS THANKFUL SHE'D FOUND A FRIEND IN ELI. ELI WAS THE SISTER SHE'D NEVER HAD, AND KAHLAN RELISHED IN THE FEMALE COMPANIONSHIP IN A WORLD FULL OF MEN.

GLANCING OVER AT ELI AS SHE INFORMED THAT LENNOX HAD BEEN GIVEN A DOSE OF MORPHINE, KAHLAN RAISED HER EYEBROWS - LOOKING VERY MUCH LIKE HER BROTHER CONNOR IN THAT MOMENT DESPITE HER GOLDEN HAIR THAT WAS IN STARK CONTRAST TO THE REST OF HER FAMILY - AND NODDED WITH A SMALL SMILE. "AT LEAST HE SEEMS TO BE ENJOYING IT," SHE COMMENTED.

AND ENJOY IT, HE WAS. ROCKING HIS HEAD AND FEET BACK AND FORTH, LENNOX WAS BUSYING SINGING 'STAYIN' ALIVE' BY THE BEE GEES, POSSIBLY CAUGHT UP IN SOME MUSICAL REVELING IN HIS STATE OF BEING. "I'LL TAKE CARE OF HIM FOR A WHILE," KAHLAN OFFERED, GENTLY MOVING TO TAKE OVER SO ELI COULD REST. MOTIONING TOWARD CONNOR WITH HER HEAD, SHE SMILED SLIGHTLY. "YOU SHOULD GO MEET FINN. HE'S AN OLD FAMILY FRIEND." SHIFTING HER WEIGHT, SHE PULLED HER KNEES UP TO LENNOX'S SIDE AS SHE HELPED TO MAINTAIN PRESSURE ON HIS SHOULDER.

CONNOR SHRUGGED AS FINN APOLOGIZED FOR SHOOTING LENNOX. "HE DESERVED IT, THE LITTLE SHIT," HE COMMENTED WITHOUT REMORSE. "HE'S LUCKY I HAVEN'T SHOT HIM ALREADY. YOU DID ME A FAVOR." SEEING FINN'S MOVEMENT OUT OF THE CORNER OF HIS EYE, HE RAISED AN EYEBROW AND SNIFFED DERISIVELY. "DON'T COMPARE THE TWO OF US. YOU KNOW THAT'S A CARDINAL RULE." HE WAS ONLY HALF-KIDDING, BUT HE KNEW FINN HADN'T BEEN AWAY LONG ENOUGH TO FORGET HIS PERSONALITY. HE HAD NEVER GOTTEN ALONG WITH LENNOX, BUT THEY WERE STILL BROTHERS. PROBABLY THE LEAST ALIKE OF THE FOUR SELWYNS, THEY BICKERED AND TORE AT ONE ANOTHER, BUT THEY HONORED BLOOD ABOVE ALL.

KAHLAN KNEW ELI NOTICED HER BLUSH AS SHE COMMENTED ABOUT HER DISCOMFORT TO LENNOX WHO HAD FINISHED UP THE FIRST FIVE SONGS FROM HIS FAVORITE JOHN TRAVOLTA MOVIE AND WAS BUSY TRYING TO COUNT THE FINGERS ON HIS LEFT HAND.

"KAHLAN... HOW MANY FINGERS DO YOU SEE ON MY HAND?" HE ASKED CONSPIRATORIALLY, HIS BROW FURROWED AS HE SHOVED HIS LEFT HAND INTO HER FACE. JUMPING BACK SLIGHTLY SO HE DIDN'T SMACK HER IN THE FACE UNINTENTIONALLY, SHE RESTRAINED A LAUGH AT HIS INTENSITY. "YOU HAVE FIVE FINGERS ON BOTH OF YOUR HANDS, NOX," SHE SMILED GENTLY DOWN AT HER YOUNGER BROTHER.

"WOW... HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?" LENNOX ASKED INCREDULOUSLY, LOOKING UP AT HER WITH ADMIRATION. "I'M SMART LIKE THAT," SHE ANSWERED SIMPLY, LEANING OVER TO KISS HIM ON HIS FOREHEAD AS HE SIGHED IN AWE AND WENT BACK TO TUGGING ON EACH OF HIS FINGERS AND SINGING THE 'THIS LITTLE PIGGY' SONG TO HIMSELF.

AS CONNOR WATCHED KAHLAN AND ELI SHIFT POSITIONS, HE GLANCED OVER AT FINN AS HE HEARD HIS QUESTION. "AS HAPPY AS A BASTARD LIKE ME DESERVES TO BE," HE ANSWERED WITH THE HINT OF A SMIRK. LOOKING DOWN AT THE ENVELOPE IN HIS HANDS, HE OPENED IT ONCE MORE AND PULLED OUT SOME OF THE PICTURES. SIGHING AS HE SHIFTED THROUGH THEM, HE REALIZED HIS INITIAL BELIEF HAD BEEN INCORRECT.

"FUCKING HELL," HE CURSED UNDER HIS BREATH, SHOVING THE PICTURES BACK INSIDE. "THIS ISN'T ANYA. IT'S NATALIA, THE BITCH WHO RAN THE SHOW BEFORE. THEY WERE COUSINS," HE COMMENTED. SINCE ANYA HAD ONLY JUST ARRIVED IN TOWN, HE KNEW LITTLE ABOUT HER AND THIS IRRITATED HIM. HE LIKED KNOWING HIS ENEMIES, AND THE ONLY PERSON WHO'D GOTTEN CLOSE TO HER WAS LENNOX - UNFORTUNATELY. SHE'D ARRIVED IN TOWN AFTER CONNOR KILLED - OR BELIEVED HE KILLED - THE RUSSIAN BRATVA, AND ALL HE KNEW ABOUT HER WAS THAT SHE WAS A PHARMACIST. KONSTANTINE APPARENTLY RESPECTED HER ENOUGH NOT TO KILL HER, BUT CONNOR DIDN'T KNOW OF HER TIES TO THE RUSSIANS. HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW THEY WERE ORGANIZED OR WHO THEIR LEADERS WERE.

"ANYA SHOWED UP AFTER YOU WERE WOUNDED, AND NO ONE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT HER. SHE LITERALLY JUST GOT INTO TOWN. SHE'S A SNEAKY BITCH, AND I WANT TO KNOW WHAT SHE'S UP TO," CONNOR COMMENTED IN A DANGEROUS TONE, CRUSHING THE ENVELOPE IN HIS HANDS. "WHAT YOU'VE GOT ON KONSTANTINE WILL DEFINITELY HELP THOUGH. THAT ASSHOLE IS GOING TO DIE." HIS HATRED FOR THE RUSSIAN SOLDIER WAS BASED SOLELY ON THE FACT THAT HE KNEW KONSTANTINE WAS THE LEADER OF THE GROUP THAT HAD RAPED AND BEATEN ELI.

HIS CHEEK TIGHTENED AS HE CLENCHED HIS TEETH AND WATCHED HIS FIANCEE, SISTER, AND BROTHER ON THE FLOOR. DECIDING HE DIDN'T NEED ANYMORE STRESS THIS MORNING, HE MOTIONED FOR FINN TO FOLLOW HIM AS HE LED THE WAY OVER TO THE THREE ON THE FLOOR. KNEELING BETWEEN ELI AND KAHLAN, HE GLARED AT LENNOX. "FINN, THIS IS MY FIANCEE, ELI," HE INTRODUCED THEM, MOTIONING TOWARD HER AS HE LEANED IN AND INSPECTED LENNOX'S GUNSHOT WOUND. "ELI, THIS IS FINN, A CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF OURS."

WHEN THEY WERE INTRODUCED, HE GRIPPED LENNOX'S HEALTHY SHOULDER SO HARD IT BROUGHT HIS DRUGGED GAZE UPWARD AS HE FROWNED IN DISAPPROVAL AT THE PAIN OF HIS BROTHER'S FINGERS DIGGING INTO HIS SHOULDER BLADE. "WHAT THE HELL?" LENNOX PROTESTED, BUT CONNOR EASILY CONTROLLED HIM BY PRESSING HIS THUMB DEEPER INTO HIS SHOULDER WHICH MADE HIM WHINE FROM THE PRESSURE.

"YOU'RE LUCKY I DON'T LEAVE YOU HERE TO BLEED OUT ON THE FLOOR, YOU SHIT," CONNOR HISSED AT HIM, RELEASING HIS SHOULDER AND INSPECTING THE WOUNDS. "AT LEAST, EVEN IF YOU LOSE USE OF YOUR LEFT ARM, YOU'VE STILL GOT YOUR RIGHT HAND TO JERK OFF WITH SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO AROUND FUCKING ANY MORE RUSSIAN WHORES," HE SNAPPED HEARTLESSLY. KAHLAN SUCKED IN A DEEP BREATH, HER GREEN EYES HARDENING AT CONNOR'S CRASS WORDS. SHE DISAPPROVED OF LENNOX'S ACTIONS WITH ANYA, BUT SHE ALSO DISAPPROVED OF HER BROTHERS FIGHTING. SHE WAS USUALLY THE ONE TO STEP BETWEEN THEM.

"THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT THIS ENTIRE SITUATION IS THAT WE NOW KNOW YOU'RE NOT GAY AFTER ALL," CONNOR COMMENTED, RISING TO HIS FEET AND RETURNING KAHLAN'S DISAPPROVING GLARE DISMISSIVELY.

"CONNN, YOU'RE SSSSO MEAN," LENNOX REPLIED, HIS VOICE SLURRING AS HE GREW TIRED FROM THE MORPHINE. "DAMN RIGHT, I'M MEAN, YOU INSUBORDINATE ASS," CONNOR SNARKED IN RESPONSE.

"HE NEEDS A PROPER DOCTOR," KAHLAN POINTED OUT, REAPPLYING PRESSURE TO LENNOX'S WOUNDS AS SHE IGNORED THE IRRITABLE BANTER PASSING BETWEEN HER BROTHERS. "FINE," CONNOR HUFFED, WAVING A HAND, "GET LACIE DOWN HERE, OR THAT CHARLAND GIRL. I DON'T CARE."

DEEP DOWN, HE DID CARE, AND KAHLAN KNEW IT, BUT HE WOULD NEVER SHOW IT. CONNOR HAD NEVER KEPT HIS DISLIKE FOR LENNOX TO HIMSELF, AND NEITHER HAD LENNOX TOWARD THEIR OLDEST BROTHER. THEY COULDN'T BE LESS ALIKE, BUT THEIR LOYALTY TO ONE ANOTHER WAS UNSHAKABLE.

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