Part 5

"Ahhh, Galloway City- don't ye just love it?" Liam asked the assembled group.

Galloway for a seaside town was rather busy for the time of year and was buzzing with activity.

The harbour was full with the fishing boats having just come back from the morning trawl, and the shouts of the fisherman could no doubt be heard all over the town.

Mansfield's Confectioners was full to the brim with middle class children spending their allowances on the finest sweets in all of Ireland.

The bakers had just opened and the smell of freshly baked breads and cakes were extremely intoxicating.

Mr Hanson the Butcher was having a major argument with his supplier over the price of the mutton he was buying, and was using such colourful language that the gang decided to move swiftly on.

They walked past Lucas Jewellery Store and Menders Market, which was full of servants trying to buy the food that would feed their household that night.

The next shop was Richardson Books and this particular bookstore was Theresa and Wesley's stop.

"Well this is where I'm off" Theresa stated.

"What?" Liam stopped talking to Cordelia and turned abruptly to face his best friend.

"I have to go and see Chris about some books I ordered"

"Again?"

Theresa's usually confident voice took on a slight guilty tone; she hated lying to her friends.

"I can't help it if I like books"

Liam however did not seem to notice as he was too caught up in the thought of what might happen in the next hour or so, he continued to stare at his friend and voiced his fears.

"Oh I know you are not leaving me alone with those two"

"They're not that bad, Liam!" Theresa grinned at the Irishman's horrified expression.

"Do you even know what volatile means?" Liam asked.

The Angel Investigations team watched their boss and his friend with amusement.

"Besides" Theresa smirked wickedly," if any thing goes" she whispered the word " 'Volatile', just hide behind Cordy or Fred -they look like they can handle themselves"

Gunn bit his bottom lip to stifle the grin that threatened to form.

"Thank you, Theresa" Liam said sarcastically " It's nice to know that you think so much of my abilities as a man that if anything goes volatile you wish me to hide behind Cordelia or Winifred"

"Hey, usually you're your hiding behind me!" Theresa snickered evilly, amusement lighting her pretty face.

Liam threw his hands up in frustration, "ARRRGGHH If you're going go" he almost growled as he began to stalk away; gesturing to the others, save Tessa and Wesley to follow.

Yet he turned once more to Tessa and shouted "But if I end up with a black eye I am expecting some serious alcohol sympathy -and you, my friend; will be paying!!"

Theresa merely raised an eyebrow and walked into the bookshop with Wesley who was following behind and quietly smiling, somewhat looking forward to the time he would get to spend with the spirited girl.

"Come on' people; its not that much further" Liam assured the rest of the remaining group.

Gunn, who had been whispering to Fred for most of the journey now looked up at Liam and asked. "Liam would you, y'know, mind if me and Fred hung around here for a while?"

Liam raised an eyebrow "Are you sure?"

"Yes" Fred piped up " I mean; we know our way back to Rose's -and if ya want, we could always meet up somewhere"

Liam looked worried for a moment as he considered it; and then relaxed

"Okay- how about you meet us at the bookstore in two hours?"

"Sure"

"Cool"

Grabbing Fred's hand, Gunn led her towards the bakery; intent on spending some of the money that Theresa lent them- shaking his head, chuckling at the Texan's "Do ya think they'll have tacos?"

Liam watched the retreating couple until they had disappeared into the shop, and then held his arm out to the beautiful lady standing next to him.

"Care to accompany me m'lady?"

Cordelia looked up at the human version of her best friend and took in his laughter filled eyes and cheeky smile.

"I'd love too." She replied softly.

Liam took her hand and led her further down the street. It suddenly dawned on him that he now had the lovely Brunette all to himself for a while.

His smile grew into a full-blown grin at the thought!