[center][h1][color=82ca9d]Claire McManus[/color] [/h1][IMG]https://38.media.tumblr.com/a684e03c66905630fc680cd84f0e5439/tumblr_inline_mfpjw6nEH01r6mp78.gif[/IMG] [b]Location:[/b] The Party; San Fran In General; Apartment; Fight And Fitness Gym [b]Interacting With:[/b] Her Brothers; Tas *[color=ed1c24]Not the colab - just a little back story of what happened with Claire over the last week - something to read.[/color] [/center][hr][hr] The party ended not too long after Nat left but Claire and her brothers hung around for a bit afterwards. They made sure anyone that needed a ride had a cab, they took care of making sure everything was cleaned up and Murphy went ahead and covered the damages the fight had caused, told Claire to tell Nat happy birthday from the clan. The following days Claire ended up at the gym and all over San Fran with her brothers; they fought, they laughed, they drank. They did all the things they usually did. Claire was so glad to have them around and was sad to see them have to leave when mid week came. She always hated saying goodbye but you wouldn't know it by the look on her face. Claire was tough, she never let the bad show. [hr] [color=82ca9d]"Thanks for giving us a lift to the airport,"[/color] Claire said as she leaned back in the passenger seat as Tas weaved through traffic in the usual madman way Tas always drove. Claire didn't mind, she loved to see Tas cut loose like this and knew the woman knew what she was doing. The boys in the back seat on the other hand were not as confident in Tas's driving skills. Grabbing the [i]oh shit[/i] bar and saying several Hail Mary's during the drive. Claire could only laugh as they parked and the boys spilt out of the back seats and kissed the ground. "Oh thank you Jesus!" Connor said as he stood up and held him stomach. "Sweet lord woman, you drive like you are trying to outrun death," Murphy chuckled as he grabbed his bag out of the back of Tas's PT Cruiser. "What's with the [i]Can't take the sky from me[/i] bumper sticker?" [color=a187be]"Watch Firefly, you'll understand,"[/color] Tas said as she climbed out and locked up before they headed to check the boys in for their flight back to Boston. The lines were long but the four stood there and talked, laughing about stories the boys wove. They truly had the gift of gab. Finally they made it up to the security check and it was time to say goodbye. Claire gave both of them a big hug, clinging to them and not wanting to let go. Out of all her family and friends, she was closest to these two. Them leaving was like loosing a part of herself but again, she didn't let it show. "Ahh, lass, we'll come back soon! Who's birthday is next?" Murphy asked. [color=82ca9d]"Tas's! Next month!"[/color] Claire quickly chimed with a big smile on her face. "Well then we will see you then. It's a date?" Connor asked as he wrapped his arm around his little sister. [color=82ca9d]"You bet!"[/color] Claire exclaimed, she was already excited about them coming back to visit. "And don't forget, I'll be back to help out with that one final of yours," Murphy chuckled as he messed with Claire's hair a bit. The reminder made her smile, her brothers had helped her out a lot with her upcoming project finals the last couple of days; it had been hectic but they had gotten a lot done. Connor moved over and gave Tas a quick hug. "Stay strong girl, you need anything let us know alright?" Connor said as he tapped the bill of her pageboy cap. [color=a187be]"I will, thank you for everything,"[/color] Tas said returning the hug and batting his hand away from her hat. [color=a187be]"Hey, watch the hat, it's a collectors! Wal-mart exclusive!"[/color] she hissed but she was more than obviously joking. Murphy pushed Connor to the side and held his arms out to Tas. "Give me a hug love! I be back to sweep you off your feet soon enough I will!" he said with a cheeky grin. Tas just rolled her eyes. [color=a187be]"Sorry, taken,"[/color] she said bluntly. Claire's eyes widened a bit, Tas hadn't said anything about dating anyone but the way she left the party the other night and how happy she had been acting the last few days made it more than obvious that she was now dating Sam. She was just surprised she let it slip in that way; granted she was also confused to why they hadn't said anything. Most of the group had figured they would end up together eventually. Tas was only not a bitch around Sam, he was the only one that calmed that part of her. "Aww.. lass, you're breaking me heart," Murphy exclaimed as he pretended to drive a dagger through his heart. Tas held out her hand and shook his; which caused Connor to fall out laughing at the [i]burn[/i] his brother had just received. [color=a187be]"Have a good flight you two,"[/color] Tas said with a smile before giving Murphy a quick hug and punching the hell out of him as he tried to plant a playful kiss on her cheek. "Oh I am in love," Murphy said as he held his jaw. Tas just shook her head and waved as she walked off. Claire grabbed another quick hug and darted off after Tas. [color=82ca9d]"So... things with you and Sam? Going well?"[/color] Claire pipped in as she caught up with Tas. [color=a187be]"Yeah, they are but don't say anything okay?"[/color] Tas asked of Claire as they made their way back to the car. [color=82ca9d]"Um okay, but why?"[/color] Claire asked confused. [color=a187be]"We're taking is slow, we haven't decided when we are going to tell everyone you know? I mean if it comes up, I won't lie or play it off like I am single. I'm his. But I am not going to yell it out for the world to hear either right now,"[/color] she said as she unlocked the car and climbed in. [color=82ca9d]"You want to,"[/color] Claire teased as she slipped her seat belt on. Tas gave a shy smile and blushed slightly. [color=82ca9d]"Don't worry, lips are sealed but I am happy for you both. Though I will never get that man, doesn't like beer? Sure he is as perfect as you claim??"[/color] Claire asked, poking fun as she always did. [color=a187be]"He is to me,"[/color] Tas said as she started the car up and pulled out. [color=82ca9d]"So where to now?"[/color] Claire asked, changing the subject before she pushed Tas too far on the topic of Sammy-boy. [color=a187be]"Hospital to check on Eddie,"[/color] Tas answered, which caused Claire to start shaking her head. [color=82ca9d]"Drop me off at the apartments first,"[/color] Claire stated quickly. [color=a187be]"Why? You should check on him,"[/color] Tas said, looking over at Claire a bit perplexed. [color=82ca9d]"Why the hell should I? The man came in and I gave him a punch equal the damage he caused. Seriously, I don't care what the guys problem is. To walk into someones birthday like that and do that, no excuse. Sure maybe Dom went a little much but he's Nats boyfriend and hell even Nat knew what would happen. She said herself as she walked off "[i]you're dead[/i]" or something like that. I gave him far less than I give me own brothers so as far as I am concerned, it's even on my part,"[/color] Claire rattled off. Tas had to admit she had a point but still the man got beat pretty bad but looking back it wasn't all from the mountain and the Irish Rose. Most of the damage was from Jay, which really was still throwing Tas off. Why? [color=a187be]"Well, then at least stop by and say hi. He is your roommate,"[/color] Tas tried to reason. [color=82ca9d]"Will deal with it when he gets back to the apartment,"[/color] Claire stated flatly. [color=a187be]"Please?"[/color] Tas asked as she glanced over to Claire. [color=82ca9d]"Listen, I am already covering for you enough, don't ask for more,"[/color] Claire snapped and Tas sighed. She was right, she wasn't exactly in a position to ask more of her bestie. [color=a187be]"Okay..."[/color] Tas said before turning and letting Claire off in front of her building before driving off. [hr] The rest of the week went by quickly; she had spoken with Tas since then but it had been tense. Perhaps she shouldn't have rigged the mousse to blow up in her face but what the hell. Life was too short. She wandered down the street towards the gym, knowing she needed to get something's done there before anything else happened that day.