AshBreanne: A short chapter, but I was really excited about giving you guys more! I actually want to take the time to really thank my reviewers. I never thought AIW would be as popular as it is. and I'm sure to all you fanfic masters out there 76 reviews may not seem like much but they mean a lot to me!! Especially for my first fic! But anyways, I really do appreciate it. And I want to apologize for being so slow. School just started and I'm a junior this year (YAY class of '10!!) and I've been busy busy! But hopefully I can speed it up a little. Also, I want you all to know that once AIW is complete, I have no intention of putting Lirael and Nick to rest. Oh no. I have fallen too much in love with them for that. I have many ieas for shorter stories and perhaps one shots stored for later. So, please be on the look out for those!

Nicholas did not relax until they were safely behind the doors of Abhorsen's house. The Dog had joined them at Long Cliffs and was now with Lirael in her room. They had sent a message hawk to Sabriel explaining everything but had yet to receive a reply. Outside, it was growing dark.

Mind racing, Nicholas had barely a moment to contemplate the kiss Lirael had given him. But now, seated in the library away from the chaos of the escape, he allowed it to slip into his concentration.

He was unaware if it had been a real kiss or if Lirael was simply trying to distract him. Though the latter seemed more likely, it was also out of character for the Abhorsen. But he didn't want to get his hopes up by thinking she really meant it. That would just be his luck.

He shoved away his thoughts as the door opened and Lirael entered, Dog in tow. He stood, noting every weary mark on her face.

"Anything?"

She shook her head.

"Not yet. Most likely they're still out searching for me, which makes Sabriel an easy target for Chlorr."

"What about the Storm Mages?" Nick asked. "Surely they will be after you still?"
"Not anytime soon," the Dog replied. "I sent them fairly deep into death. They are strong and Chlorr will no doubt bring them back, but they will come back weakened."

"But Chlorr has other followers…" added Lirael. "She will send someone."

They were silent for a moment, each within their own contemplations.

"What should we do?" Nick asked.

"As of right now," Lirael replied, "We have two options. Stay here in case Chlorr or one of her minions is waiting for us or Paper Wing to Belisaere before she does arrive."

Nick was silent for a moment.

"You should stay, Lirael. That way you will be safe. The Dog and I can fly to Belisaere."

"No! I will not stay behind!"

Once more they fell silent.

"We will all go," she said finally. "Soon. If Chlorr should stop us along the way, we can only hope Sabriel gets our message before Chlorr finds her."

OOOOOOOO

Lirael avoided Nick. Not consciously, she told herself. It just… happened. She was scared, really, as to what had opened with her kiss. She was afraid she might not know how to handle what could come and was even more frightened that nothing would come at all and it would be forgotten.

This, she decided, was absurd.

"What's wrong?" The Dog asked from her seat on Lirael's bed. She was watching the girl prepare her things for the trip with little interest.

"Nothing. I'm just worrying over trivial things when I should be focused on the current situation."

"Hmmm…" The Dog yawned. "Perhaps it is good for you. Romance is a lovely thing, after all."

"Dog! I don't have time for romance!"

The dog sighed and rested her head on her paws.

"Suit yourself."

"And I wasn't talking about Nick."

"I said nothing about Nick…" The Dog smiled. Lirael stopped her task and was about to scold her companion when a soft knock sounded at her door.

"Come in," she said, glaring at the canine.

"Eh, Lirael. I'm ready when you are."

Nick stood in the doorway awkwardly.

"Yes, well I'm almost done. Have the Sending's readied the Paperwing?"

"I'll go check."

She waited until he was gone before turning to the Dog.

"What are you doing?"

"Whatever do you mean?" she asked innocently.

"I don't want to talk about Nick!"

"Of course you do. You're a girl. Don't girls talk about their loves?"

"He is NOT my love! He's my friend."

"Oh is he?"

Lirael crossed her arms and remained silent, fuming.

"Well," The Dog said hopping off the bed. "That kiss you gave him seemed a little too intimate for friends."

"What would you know? You're a dog. You lick everyone."

"Yes, but I save the sloppiest for those I love." And with that she ran her huge dripping tongue over Lirael's cheek.

OOOOOOOO

The Dog, who had mysteriously grown wings, flew alongside the Paperwing as Lirael directed it. Sometimes she would fly ahead, checking for safety, and sometimes she would fall back to see if they were being followed. But no danger had yet to surface and they flew on almost peacefully.

Lirael still felt unsure about her relationship with Nick, but she tried to hide it. He spoke little, which unnerved her, but at the same time she enjoyed the calm silence.

"We're not far," she said after a while.

"So far so good," Nick said.

"So far so good," she repeated.