Hey guys! Sorry this took so long. Can't even begin to tell you how crazy these last couple of weeks have been. The next bunch of chapters may be kind of erratic in when I publish, as I've used up my reserve of chapters and my busiest season's about to start. I apologize for the inconvenience, and hope you continue to enjoy!
Thanks!
TClemens

By the time Al pulled up Will's drive, he was exhausted and hungry. He had been driving for a solid five hours without a break or anyone to break the monotony of the drive. Plus he had a terrible time trying to sleep the night prior, and he had forgotten to pack a lunch. His stomach growled fiercely as he made his way to the front door, interrupting the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the small white farmhouse. He rang the doorbell, and stifled a yawn as he waited.

The door gently swung open, and Will poked his head out to see who it was. Upon seeing Al, he smiled, nodded, and picked up his suitcase without a word. Al, used to Will's quiet nature, followed him in, silent except for the rumbling of his stomach.

Al's mouth began to water as a delicious smell emanated from the kitchen. "What are you cooking, Penn? It smells delicious!"

"That? Oh, that's for the dog." He glanced over, and then cracked a smile at Al's disappointed face. "I'm kidding, of course. I figured you'd be hungry, so I went ahead and made us dinner. Nothing fancy, I'm afraid. Just some soup."

"Soup sounds lovely," Al said almost dreamily. Admittedly, he'd eat just about anything Will put in front of him at the moment. He settled down in the kitchen while Will went upstairs to toss Al's bag into his room for the night. He looked around the room for a bit, taking note of the light layer of dust on just about everything. The only thing that didn't have a layer of dust was a framed grainy photograph hanging by the old kitchen table. Al sat down at the table, and studied the picture. He instantly recognized it as the group portrait they had taken a few years back of all 48 states and Al. He smiled as he looked at the happy crowd, and then yawned. He leaned back in the chair, and closed his eyes for a moment. Suddenly something warm placed itself on his knee. Al opened his eyes, and looked down to see a grey-muzzled springer looking up at him expectantly. Al scratched the dog behind the ear, and the dog grunted in appreciation, leaning into Al's hand.

"I see Briar found you," Will noted as he walked in.

"I haven't seen this little rascal in ages. How long have you had him for, again?" Al asked.

"Oh, about six or seven years," Penn mused, as he got bowls out and began to serve the soup. "He's great company; this place gets awful lonely sometimes."

"I can imagine," Al sympathized. Penn slid a bowl and a spoon in front of Al, and without hesitation he began to dig in, ignoring the burning sensation in his mouth. Penn took his time, leaning back in the old hand carved chair, scratching the head of old Briar next to him.

Seconds ticked by on the old clock over the pantry, and Al and Will sat in silence, except for the occasional slurping of soup.

"How'd things turn out with England?" Will asked out of the blue.

Al waved it off. "That? Oh, that was nothing. He was grumpy for a night and a morning, and then it all blew over. Though I still don't know why it set him off that much," Al pondered aloud. "He's usually one for incessant nagging and snarking, not sudden bouts of rage."

"It could be he's just worried about you," Will suggested. "Some people get like that when they're worried about the one's they care about."

Al snorted. "Why in the world would he be worried about me? Last time I checked I wasn't the one in huge debt."

"I think both he and Canada are both a little concerned with your new relationship. It's kind of an unspoken rule not to get involved in things of the like."

"Are you?" Al asked incredulously.

Will's answer was quick. "No, I know you can handle yourself. It isn't your first trip down the block." He paused for a second, mulling over what he was going to say next. "To be honest, though, I think I'm a bit more worried about her."

"Lily?"

"It's got to be confusing for her being in the dark about, well, you know. You spending all day at work doing who knows what, leaving on business trips for who knows where; she's bound to feel a bit closed off from a pretty big part of your life. She seems like a real doll; it'd be a shame to leave her feeling all lonely and abandoned at home," Will explained.

"I'd never let that happen," Al argued.

"I know you wouldn't. Not intentionally. But you've got to admit that she seemed pretty lost in the conversation at York's place."

Al thought about Will's words, set down his spoon, and stared at the grainy photograph on the wall. Finally her put his head in his hands. "Damn it, you're right. How the hell am I going to keep this up?"

"I honestly don't know," Will confessed. "I guess that's something you're going to have to figure out, I suppose." Al merely nodded in response, still sitting quietly in thought.

They sat down in the living room after washing the dishes, and enjoyed a peaceful evening lounging on the old fraying loveseats, with a fire crackling in the hearth and an old dog snoring in the corner.

Will read while Al enjoyed an evening's cigarette, broodingly watching the fire as he thought about his conversation with Will. He had some very important insights, but that didn't change how much Al cared about her, and how much he treasured her company. He tried to think of ways to reconcile this sudden issue, and kept coming up with nothing. Finally an idea cropped up that wasn't horrible, but Al still wasn't sure how realistic it was going to be.

"A lot of people aren't going to be happy with it," he thought to himself. "But it's worth a shot."

He finished his cigarette, put it out in the ash tray, and stretched as he yawned.

"I think it's about time I go to bed," he announced. "Good night, Penn."

"Good night! If you need anything, feel free to ask."

"Will do!" Al called down as he made his way up the stairs.

The next morning was a whirlwind. Will woke up early and threw together a nice breakfast; the both of them occasionally throwing scraps to Briar under the table. Al threw his bag back into the car, and thanked Will for his hospitality. Will thanked him for his company, and Al was back on the road, Will waving goodbye as he backed down the drive and pulled out of sight.

The more Al mulled over his plan as he sped down the road, the better it began to seem. By the time he pulled up to Lily's family home, he was just as confidant as ever. Everything was going to be fine.

No, better than fine. Perfect.