Deliver Us

Author's Note: Well after that rather heart-warming ending to the previous chapter, I'm not really sure what I can do to top it. So I figure I'll just keep writing and see what comes. It worked with Hells Angels, and heck, that went for 10 chapters until I finished it! Well, please keep reading and reviews are more than welcome.

Chapter Three: Separate Ways

Several days had passed, and Liam and William were getting to know each other as human before deciding what their path in life should be.

'I'm gonna stick by Buffy's side and keep fighting with her.' William said proudly.

'You need to learn how to fight better first.' Liam sneered. 'Being changed back into humans has sort of weakened us a little bit. Plus, everything seems to hurt a lot more.'

'Yeah, I've noticed that too. I banged my shin against the coffee table in the living room. Bloody hell that hurt more than I was expecting it too.' Liam smiled as he admired the man he once knew as his childe.

'You know William, you and I should keep in touch.' William looked at him, perplexed. 'I mean, I plan to keep in contact with Buffy and everyone here and I plan to come back, but I'd like to personally keep in touch with you. The only you that I know was a very different man.'

'You got that right. But yeah, that sounds alright to me mate. With technology nowadays we can send emails or something.' They exchanged a smile before they were interrupted by Buffy.

'Hi guys. What might you two be talking about all alone in this dusty old bedroom?' She asked as se entered and stood in the middle of the room.

'Uh... nothing.' Liam answered hesitantly.

'Is it really something to be embarrassed of Liam?' William asked, turning to face Liam.

'No, I didn't mean it like that. It's just… I dunno. I'm adjusting to life as a man and I feel guilty. For some reason I feel like I'm lying to you.'

'Because you won't tell me what you're talking about.' Buffy said.

'Buffy…' Liam whispered, sounding a little annoyed. He lowered his head.

'Look, we were just talking about our new lives and what we plan to do with them.' Spike informed Buffy. 'I don't know if Liam's okay with me and you.'

Liam suddenly looked up. 'What? I… I'm fine with it. Really.' He assured them.

'Angel,' Buffy began, calling Liam by his vampire name. 'I fell in love with you, and I always will love you. But now I have Spike, and my heart belongs to him. The love I have for you is different now, because I have Spike. I'm glad that you can accept that.'

'Yeah mate, thanks for making it easy. I'd hate for things to be complicated between us three. God knows they have been for years.' William turned to Buffy. 'Please, call me William. I know that you were referring to our previous state of living, but I kind of want to put my vampire past behind me. I want to change, and I want to change for you.'

Liam was touched by William's speech, only now fully understanding that he really did love Buffy. She was in good hands with him, and Liam could happily leave to search for Nina.

'I think it's about time I left.' He spoke suddenly.

'Where do you think she'll be?' Buffy asked. 'I mean, how do you know where to find her?'

'She's in Italy. On holiday.'

'Right, I remember.' Buffy replied, remembering that Angel had mentioned it earlier when he had just returned as human.

'I'll be gone for a few days, but I want to come back. If you're okay with that.' Liam asked Buffy.

'Yeah, I'd love for you to stay around.' Buffy replied, a smile appearing on her face.

'Okay then. Well… uh… I guess I'll go then. See you in a few days.' Liam got up and awkwardly left the room.

'He's still weird.' William commented, smirking at Buffy. She wandered over and sat on the bed next to him.

'William, I love you.' She whispered.

'I love you too.' Buffy had heard him say it before, when he closed the Hellmouth, but she made it clear with a kiss as she embraced him that she felt the same way. They lay back on the bed, holding each other closely. Buffy heard William's heartbeat and smiled contently. He was human, and he was with her.

Liam was already on his way to the airport. He'd said goodbye to the others and told them he'd be back soon, leaving with only the bare necessities that Willow had provided him with. Through the light of day, Liam made his way from Paris to Rome. He would find Nina and spend a few days with her before inviting her back to Paris. He sincerely hoped she'd say yes.

As the plane flew, he thought about where they'd go to live. He wanted Nina to meet Buffy and William and all the others, his friends. Then he wanted to go off with her somewhere, so that they could be happy together.

The turbulence was beginning to upset his stomach. He ordered a bottle of water and peered out the window.

'You ever been to Rome before?' The man sitting next to him asked. He looked much older than Liam, probably about 40 or 50 years old. His black hair had some visible grey hairs hidden amongst, yet he didn't seem to be trying to hide his age at all.

'Yeah, actually I have. Once.' Liam replied.

'Did you like it?'

'It was nice, but I didn't go for a holiday.' Liam tried to explain.

'Business?'

'No.'

'Then what drew you to the wonderful city then?' The old man was asking too many questions.

'A girl.' Liam answered quickly. He wished the old man would stop asking so many questions.

'Ah, girls always seem to bring in some sort of trouble, eh?' he bumped Liam in the ribs gently and took a sip of his own drink, a can of coke.

'I think we're landing.' Liam changed the subject, glad that the plane actually was landing.

'So where you headed?'

'I'm actually looking for someone.' Liam couldn't avoid to conversation until the plane had landed, so he answered.

'A girl?' The man asked, to which Liam nodded. 'I see. Well, I hope you find this girl. I'm looking for someone myself actually.'

'Hmm?' Liam tried to sound interested.

'Her name's Nina. She called me to tell me she was in Rome on holiday.' Liam had an expression of pure shock on his face. Luckily, the man didn't see.

'Nina?' Liam asked.

'Yes. She's my daughter. You see, I haven't seen her for about a year or so because I've been away on business trips. I gave my wife my number for the hotel I was staying at and she rang to say that she was in Italy. I decided to fly over and surprise them. So who is it you're looking for then?'

Liam paused for a moment to think as the plane touched the ground and he was jolted forward slightly. 'Um… just an old friend.' Was all he could manage to say.

'I see. Does she have a name?'

'… Nina.' Liam told him. 'I think we're looking for the same person.' The man seemed puzzled.

'Young girl, a little younger than you with brown hair, beautiful skin and really pretty?' he asked.

'She's an Art student back in Los Angeles.' Liam added.

'I believe that we are looking for the same young lass then.' The old man stuck out his hand. 'I'm Nina's father. Pleased to meet you. How do you know my young Nina?'

They had made their way off the plane and were now on the runway making their way into the terminal.

'I'm her boyfriend.'

'Oh.'

Author's Note: Yeah, I know. It's a kind of crappy ending. But I'm getting there. With school starting next week I'm kind of pushing to get things all in order. It may be a while before I update, or it may not. My brain's kind of feeling all mushy at the moment but hopefully things will go a bit better. Reviews are most welcome.