Title: A Tale Of Pensive Hearts: Epilogue
Author: JINXwatcher
Feedback: Constructive comments always welcome: jinxascendant@hotmail.com
Pairing: Spike/Angel, Spike/Penn, Angel/Spike/Penn, mention of past instances of Spike/Dru and William/Angelus, Angelus/Penn, Darla/Angelus, and Angelus/Dru
Rating: R to a possible romantic NC-17'ish
Spoilers: Some scattered among Buffy Season four and one reference to Angel's fifth season but then it goes AU, additionally the events of Angel Season One's Somnambulist Episode happened but instead of Penn being killed it's Lawson (The vampire he sired in Why we fight, an episode from season five) who is dusted and Penn doesn't appear at all until this story. His canon history has been changed to fit the circumstances of this story. Season Five of Angel does not take place in this story.
Warnings: Character deaths in this one, sorry! Adult language, situations, & Content, slash, violence, all that sort of stuff. Warning some Scooby bashing road signs ahead....
Disclaimer: Just borrowing them for a bit of harmless fun. All characters, recognisable likenesses are retained by their owner and accredited license holders.
Writer's Notes: This story takes place in an AU setting so some details have been changed to ensure continuity in the story so forgive me if it deviates too far from canon; I hope you'll enjoy it anyway. Please excuse any minor discrepancies or artist license. As always thanks are going out to GF, Myst, Betsy, Sweet, Luba, Mandie, and Mera my most excellent group of Beta/Editors.
Writer's Credits: The songs 'Girl you'll be a woman soon' by Neil Diamond and 'Black Velvet' by Alannah Myles and excerpts from 'I never saw blue like that before' by Shawn Colvin are used.
Writer Websites: JINXI's Website: Shadows In A Mirror: Her Archive: FEVER DREAMS                                       
                              JINXI's LiveJournal: http://www.livejournal.com/users/jinxwatcher
                              The Crypt: http://home.att.net/~lubakmetyk/crypt.htm#buffywatcher
Distribution: If I've already been given permission to archive my work please consider it yours if you want it. If I haven't and you would like to archive it please do, all I ask is that you email me and tell me where it's going so I can visit.
Distribution: If I've already been given permission to archive my work please consider it yours if you want it. If I haven't and you would like to archive it please do, all I ask is that you email me and tell me where it's going so I can visit.
Summary: In the wake of Spike's treatment at the hands of the Initiative and Buffy, Angel faces an unexpected challenge for the leadership of the Aurelius Order... and for Spike's affections.

Epilogue

Angel sips his glass of blood-laced wine from the welcome shadows beside on of the double fireplaces that warm the large glass-sheathed conservatory and looks around. Everyone has happily changed into casual clothes provided by Lilia Creations and everyone appears to be having a ball in their new outfits. Some are ultra casual like Fred's simple tank top, cardigan, jeans, and moccasins while others like Giles, in tailored trousers, a dress shirt, and a vest with casual loafers, prefer a more formal appearance. Surprisingly Micah did find some of his things in the basement vault and the tailored pants, loafers, and billowy soft Mohair sweater are his own. He's understandably surprised how well everyone is taking it, finding themselves suddenly so far from home. From the sea of happy faces it's clear to see that most of them have indeed forgotten that not only are they many states removed from Sunnydale, but that they're in the heart of one of the oldest and most powerful Vampiric Orders. His eyes seek them out one by one.

The atrium is truly lovely, one wall and the majority of the ceiling is composed almost solely of thick lead glass sections interspersed with sections of master-crafted stained-glass. The floor is paved with the same beautiful marble; that is so predominate in the hotel turned Chantry; but it has been cleverly inlaid with a lovely and richly grained red Cedar wood to form a paving style layout. Richly coloured wool area rugs, sometimes as large as twenty by twenty feet, are placed around the room to anchor the various conversation and lounges areas that have been designed to make the huge space more inviting for lounging. The lighting has been kept soft in the form of modern lamps cleverly fashioned to appear like old-fashioned English street gaslights. With the corner fireplaces, the light level is comfortable rather then jarring as so many artificial lights can be in this age. The design of the atrium is very clever, incorporating elements from both the exterior and the interior to merge the two spaces. It's almost like being outside in the garden under the night sky but much more pleasant then fighting the steady drizzle outside that's sending a million drops of crystalline rain, tiny prisms dancing down the glass to reflect tiny rainbows for their eyes.   

The converted hotel makes for a very fitting Chantry, Angel has to admit. He spent much of his formative fledgling years at Darla's side as she attended her Sire in all of the grand courts and Chantries of Europe and he can honestly say that he's never seen a lovelier one. It is a fitting setting and a home worthy to house the treasures of his life, his precious boys.

One wall is dominated by large, impressive looking salt water aquariums built directly into the walls and an astonishing collection of sea life populate their crystal walled universe quite happily. The playful darting of the rainbow of life in the tank is enchanting for Fred and Cordy who are watching raptly and pointing out things with the occasional giggle or awed gasp of wonder. Lorne and Gunn are several feet away, their faces pressed to the glass of an aquarium farther down from the girls, marvelling at the expertly crafted shipwreck scene populated by a surprisingly large Octopus peeking from the wreckage.

Anya, Xander, and Giles are sitting on one of the truly gigantic corner sectional couches, talking quietly with Tara, Ravali, and her Mate, Jacob. His keen ears pick up snippets of the conversation now and then. He's not surprised to hear that Giles is asking incessant questions about magic and that Xander is asking how they can help Willow. He grins now and then when Anya's endless questions about how much the Order is worth reaches him.

His eyes flick towards the other end of the room, towards the glass wall that is all that separates them from the lush gardens and sweeping expanse of manicured lawn, hedges, and trees that grow beyond. A tasteful collection of Roman-style chaises, padded Ottomans, larger then some couches he's seen, and easy chairs are arrayed in small groupings to create cosy chatting areas that manage to make the large somewhat formal room rather warm and inviting.

Aaron Logan is holding court with all the regal airs of a powerful Prince over his kingdom and Buffy somewhat predictably is hovering nearby and sending him flirtatious glances every so often. His Grandchilde Genevra is perched along the back of one of the easy chairs, draped artistically across the shoulders of Ian and he not surprised to see that the glances being sent his way by the pair are anything but warm and welcoming. Aaron's twin Brother and Childe is sitting next to his Sire having an animated discussion with his descendant Lilia, who is sitting with ladylike grace on the arm of the easy chair, that Grady is sitting in across from the couch. Judging by the protective arm he has wrapped around her waist and the affectionate arm she's draped across his shoulders and the loving glances they're exchanging, it's obvious that they have deep feelings for one another.

Erick proudly told him the story of his family's history and it's a fascinating story. Aaron was attacked and unbeknownst to his family, turned by a Vampire; in case of fact one of Darla's own Childer. His grieving family tried to go on as best that they could and Erick's marriage was arranged and he was married to a young heiress. The marriage was advantageous to their family but it was not one of love only of duty and his wife was soon expecting the heir that duty demanded that she must bear. Mourning his Brother Erick was throwing his life away in endless and meaningless affairs and squandering the family fortune in drinks, gambling, and other selfish pursuits. Then Aaron returned for his Twin and told him of his fate and betrayed his secret in an attempt to selflessly help his Twin. Erick asked him to make him as he was so that he wouldn't have to live without the Brother he'd known forever. Aaron agreed and somehow he successfully turned his Twin and for a long time his Sire raised them both quite happily. Unlike most Vampires however Erick was able to maintain his place in society and it was almost ridiculously easy to hide the fact that he was a Vampire when 'polite society' rarely stirred from their beds before the last flush of sunset anyway.

Erick's wife safely delivered fraternal twins, a handsome son and a beautiful daughter and she would live out her life never fully understanding her husband's secret. The children grew up, knowing that there was something other-worldly about their Father but saw his agelessness as a gift rather then a curse. In time they married well and 'grieved' for their Father supposedly killed at sea when the ship he was on went down in rough seas during a furious storm. In time they had children and their children had children, each generation protected by their doting 'Uncles' Aaron and Erick. Lilia is the youngest of a quartet of Logan siblings, including a twin brother of her own. Her Father, one of Erick's direct descendants, and Mother are living happily in Florida and enjoying their Order funded retirement. Unlike her Brothers and Sister, who are happily raising thriving families, Lilia sadly was born sterile and contracted a deadly strain of Influenza as a young girl. At Ravali's urging Lilia moved to live with her 'Uncles' so that she could benefit from frequent transfusions freely offered by her paternal ancestors. With the strength of their Vampiric blood in her system her immune system eventually re-established itself but it takes periodic transfusions to maintain her health. She ultimately chose to make her home nearby and judging by Cordelia's star struck expression upon being introduced to her, her career as a fashion designer is going very well. The relationship between Lilia and Grady seems to be well received by all parties and they do make an adorable couple.

The sound of musical laughter draws his attention to another conversation area of the room. A veritable mountain of pillows, cushions, and futons are mounded up in one of the corners. Dawn is cuddling a large puppy that's playfully tumbling around on her lap. Micah is sitting nearby strumming a large folk-style wooden guitar as Murielle, sitting beside him, sings softly in Russian and keeps time on a lovely hardwood Bodhran. The small handheld drum is a beautiful accompaniment to the passionate sounding song and the ringing tones of Murielle's bracelets and anklets adding a depth of sound that is very pleasant.

A hint of movement draws his eye to the easy chair across from his own and he turns to see that Wesley is staring at him again. His lips twitch in amusement as Wes hurriedly looks away when he realizes he's been caught staring again. It hasn't escaped his notice that he's caught Wesley staring at him more and more often of late. He's not entirely self-absorbed and he's realized that Wesley's feelings for him have been changing and growing and that he's been trying to hide it, very unsuccessfully. He considered confronting him about it but he's not sure how the reserved man will deal with such a blunt approach.

Speaking of approaches, nearly silent footfalls turn his eyes towards the wide door-less entry and what he sees pushes any thoughts of Wesley from his mind. Penn strides in wearing an open dark grey silk robe that floats around him; brushing his calves as he moves and burgundy silk pyjama pants. Dark grey slippers protect his feet from the chilly marble floors. He meets his gaze with a simple nod and steps into the room and over to where Tara is sitting and stands talking quietly. He's not sure what's bothering him about the scene at first and then he realizes that Penn is alone and for the first time since he saw his eldest Childe, Wil isn't within his line of sight.

Even as the thought occurs William pauses in the doorway, talking with a tall silver haired man that looks vaguely familiar but he can't quite remember the context in which he knows the man. Wil is looking amazing but then he has to chuckle as he can recall very few instances where William managed to look like anything else. He's wearing a long sleeved, stonewashed silk dress shirt in a shade of blue so dark that it almost looks black in the soft lighting of the atrium. It's not tucked in, fluttering in soft folds to mid-thigh and the buttons are undone and his chest is bared to his appreciative gaze. The sleeves of the shirt are cuffed neatly and folded back up to his elbows. His blue jeans are so old and worn that barely any hint of blue remains in the almost white fabric. The knees are worn through and the hems on the cuffs are frayed gently as they rest against the top of his bare feet.

Angel watches as Wil turns to gesture to the silver-haired man as he talks and he has to suck in a ragged breath at the sight of the denim clinging to his perfect rear like a hand in a glove. The threadbare fabric shows tantalizing glimpses of alabaster skin like a shy little boy playing peek-a-boo behind the shelter of his Father's legs. Despite the pale perfection of his skin, William's skin has always had a certain touchable quality that the cool stone of alabaster could never hope to eclipse. He watches as William laughs at something the silver haired man says and the deep, husky sound sending shivers along his spine. His eyes narrow as the handsome man leans forward and kisses Wil on both cheeks and departs with a distinctly continental 'Ciao' and a wave.

Wil pivots on the ball of his foot and continues into the room and he bites back a growl of appreciation mixed with aggravation at the sweet smile curving his lips. He doesn't want to think about what the silver-haired man did to put that smile; a smile he's never been gifted with; on Wil's face. He appreciates the straight forward view of Wil as he stalks into the room, carried by his typical silently stalking stride. The ornate collar from earlier is gone, replaced by a simpler collar of simple Clack Gold links with a small charm lock in front. The open links display glimpses of the tattoo below as the collar shifts with his movements. The tattoo over his heart peeks from the open flaps of the shirt as he walks. Simple black gold studs adorn his left ear and eyebrow and glitter from his navel. All but the ring fingers on his hands are bare of the usual chunky rings he prefers. He looks fresh and comfortable... and sexy as hell.

Before he realizes what he's doing he's out of the chair and across the room, flicking Wil's shirt aside and running his palm over his heart and the tattoo adorning it. He's not surprised when most of the room seems to surge around them but no one makes any move to stop him as Penn steps up beside him and doesn't demand he stop.

"Whatever happened to him it wasn't enough." Angel growls angrily but the hand tracing the slightly raised scar concealed by the tattoo is gentle and reverent. He spies a slender hand trying to reach past him to touch the tattoo and his hand strikes Rattlesnake fast and catches Buffy's hand deflecting it away with a flick of his wrist. "You've touched him enough." He says flatly, ignoring Buffy's outraged gasp and hurt look as she snatches her hand back and cradles it against her chest, rubbing the sting away.

Angel turns and flips Penn's robe open, tracing his palms over his injuries, nodding in satisfaction at the advanced degree of healing they've undergone. He cups his hand around Penn's cheek and then turns and cups Wil's cheek in his other hand and caressing their cheekbones with his thumbs he pulls them both to him and wraps his arms around their shoulders.

Aaron watches with a critical eye and after a minute, he makes a twirling motion with his hands and the Vampires slowly disperse back to what they were doing before. Genevra and Ian pause uncertainly, their expressions twisted by hatred and it takes a low warning growl from Aaron to get them moving.

"It's taken you a century to start acting like a true Sire Angelus. Don't hurt them again, we won't stand for it but if you want to try and earn their trust back we won't interfere and you will be welcome amongst us." Aaron imparts with an air of quiet menace. "This is your last chance Angelus, don't disappoint us and be very sure that we will be keeping an eye on you." Aaron gestures to Micah, who has stopped playing his guitar as the drama unfolded before them and he starts playing once more. After a final warning glance at Angel, Aaron returns to his seat from earlier.

Giles gently urges Buffy away from the group and over to one of the couches and sits beside her. Xander and Anya drift back to their seat as well but Tara remains hovering nearby. Ravali threads her arm through Jacob's and he escorts her back to the sofa, Lorne and Gunn going along with them as the stately pair ask them questions about Los Angeles, a city they've never had the occasion to visit.

Dawn is watching the scene unfold from the mound of pillows, an expression of concern on her face that wars with glimmers of hope as no one comes to blows. All she's ever wanted is for everyone to get along so that she can keep the only family she's ever known intact. She's already lost her Mom, and Buffy; though she got her Sister back; she doesn't want to lose anyone else too. Micah and Murielle keep a quiet eye on the young woman as he takes up his guitar playing and her voice lifts once more in song.

Angel releases his Childer and smiles as they instantly gravitate towards each other and cling to one another. He knows that it will take them a long time to accept that whatever happened in the past isn't going to happen in the present. They have time to rebuild that trust. It's the first time he's ever been grateful for his Demon.

As soon as he steps away Wes is glued to his side looking nervous and a little frantic. Angel shakes his head; he can almost feel Wesley's urgent need to talk, he's almost vibrating with it. He turns a charming smile on Tara. "Tara, would you please restore his voice before he resorts to obscene gestures?" He asks with a grin and Tara giggles as many of those that overhear the comment chuckle as well.

Tara steps up to Wes and touches her fingertips to his forehead. "If my lesson you have learned to you now your voice return." There's a flash of green light from the point her fingertips are touching and she drops her hand and steps away. Wil and Penn instantly snag her shoulders and pull her back to rest pressed between them protectively in case Wes reacts badly to his little magical slap on the wrist.

Their eyes widen as Wesley immediately launches into an explosion of questions so fast that it's impossible to answer one before he's asking another and another and another.

"Damn." Penn breathes. "I didn't know people could talk that fast."

Wil closes his mouth, that's dropped open in amazement. He leans over to whisper. "Bloody hell, they should call them Talkers not Watchers. I'll pay you if you make his voice go away again." Tara and Penn explode into laughter and Angel looks like he really wants to but unfortunately his face is frozen into an expression of long-suffering resignation.

Penn pulls his beloved and their best friend away to the mountain of pillows and playfully tackles the pair into the fluffy cushions making Dawn chortle with laughter. She throws herself on the three laughing adults and gives a fake Tarzan yell and proclaims herself Queen of the jungle and everyone laughs at the sight of two Master Vampires and a powerful Witch begging for mercy from their 'Queen' seconds before turning the tables and tickling the hysterical young woman into surrender. The quartet curls up happily together and listens to the music being woven by Micah and Murielle.

One by one their friends drift over to the mountain of pillows and curl up amidst the softness and talk quietly or just cuddle and listen to the music. Soon even Angel and his friends and Buffy and hers find themselves drawn to the happy congregation and find places amongst the lounging group.

Angel settles on the cushions above Wil and Penn who are sandwiched between Tara and Dawn who are happily cuddling up to them and lying their heads on their chests. He sighs as Wesley and Buffy almost decapitate each other in a near collision in a race to sit next to him but releases a relieved breath as Xander and Anya take the place to his right and Giles sits to his left. He expects though that it has more to do with Jacob and Ravali who are reclined on his left rather then himself. As the other spots are quickly filled by the others Buffy and Wes are left to sit by Gunn and Lorne towards the back corner.

Dawn lies against Wil and smiles happily, snuggling happily against her adopted big Brother.

"Happy, Lil Bit?" Wil asks threading his fingers through Dawn's long hair and kissing her temple affectionately. When he was growing up as a little boy he always wished for a Brother or Sister and it took a century but that wish has come true.

"I could be happier." Dawn teases. "You have the rest of a promise to fulfil Mister, don't think I've forgotten!" Dawn joshes with a grin, poking Wil's side with a sharp finger and giggling as Wil twitches with laughter as she hits a ticklish spot.

"You heard the guest of honour, Childe. You have to dance for us." Penn grins widely, rubbing his hands together with an unholy gleam in his eyes.

"Aaron!" Wil warns before bodily lifting Dawn and tossing her with ridiculous ease the six feet to a grinning Aaron who catches the whooping young woman.

"I wanna do it again!" Dawn screams bouncing happily in Aaron's arms and he whistles sharply and heaves the young woman easily to Erick who in turn lobs her to Grady who passes her to Ian. The young woman laughs wildly whooping and cheering as she makes the circuit from Vampire to Vampire to Ravali to Angel and finally back to Penn who flips her to an open spot in the mountain of pillows beside Wil who steadies her as she recovers from her impromptu flight and giggling fit.

Wil rises smoothly to his feet. And walks some distance away before slowly pivoting with a swirl of his hips to face them. He slides his thumbs into the waistband of his jeans, the top button of the button-fly working loose and gaping invitingly. He signs to Micah who smiles and nods, placing his fingers in the ready positions on the strings of his guitar. He glances at Penn and signs again and Micah's smile turns into a grin. He turns his back on them all swaying slightly side to side; moved by a beat only he can hear.

Micah's hands dance over the strings like a virtuoso and a familiar riff explodes through the silence and Tara and Murielle grin. They bob their heads keeping time with the driving beat of the music and sing on cue, their voices harmonizing incredibly.

Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell
Jimmy Rogers on the victrola up high
Mama's dancing with baby on her shoulder
The Sun is setting like molasses in the sky.
The boy could sing, knew how to move, everything.
Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for.

Wil's feet start tapping and the movement spreads slowly up his body one muscle at a time until his whole body is in motion. He draws his left leg in and kicks off into an undulating hip roll that turns him around to face them. A collective gasp breaks out as he looks up at them from under his lashes and a bright smile makes him shine. His body moves to the infectious beat in ceaseless motion, his muscles rippling and contracting under the silken Suede of his skin.

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please.

Wil rocks to his knees, his hands braced on his thighs as he dances on his knees, letting his hands roam up from his thighs and over his chest until his palms are pressed together in the classic prayer position against his chest. He kicks his legs out until he's flat on his back still moving his body to the beat, writhing against the floor in a display that has Dawn cheering.

Up in Memphis the music's like a heat wave
White lightning, bound to drive you wild.
Mama's baby's in the heart of every school girl
"Love me tender" leaves 'em cryin' in the aisle
The way he moved, it was a sin, so sweet and true.

Wil draws his body up and vaults easily to his feet, a fluid shrug of his shoulders sending his silk shirt sliding off in a sinuous slither and he catches it in his hands as it slides free. He pitches his body into a slow hip thrust as he rotates in a slow circle to face away from them slowing turning his hands and binding his wrists with his shirt. He spins back to face them, his bound wrists over his head  as he undulates slowly around in a circle his hips rocking.

Always wanting more, he'd leave you longing for....

Penn is on his feet in the blink of an eye, shrugging his robe off and letting it fall to the pillows and striding forward with a low growl. He stops a foot away and makes a low growling sound deep in his chest that has every Vampire, except for Angel, straightening to attention and almost vibrating with barely leashed excitement. Angel only watches with an enigmatic smile.

Wil freezes turning to look over his shoulder at Penn with a sweet smile for a heartbeat. He slowly deflects his body into a hip roll, keeping his bound hands up over his head and dancing toward Penn. He stops moving forward when their chests touch but he doesn't stop dancing. He purrs softly, the rumbling sound slowly filling the room with its thrumming cadence and Penn's growling slowly tapers off until he's purring too.

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please.

Penn slides his hands slowly up Wil's flanks and up his arms until he reaches his bound hands. He unwraps the silk as they dance pressed as close as two people can be without one of them being inside the other person. He gently unwinds the silk shirt, freeing Wil's hands as he tosses the shirt over his shoulder towards the pillows.

Wil sinks his fingers immediately into Penn's thick mane of hair and melts against him. Penn's arms snake around him and sink deep into the back pockets of his jeans as he passionately yanks him closer, lifting him right off his feet in his urgency. Wil uses the momentum to carry him upward and he locks his legs around Penn's waist, crossing his ankles and locking them together. He never stops dancing for a single moment throughout; Penn's body has become his new dance floor of choice.

Every word of every song that he sang was for you.
In a flash he was gone, it happened so soon,

What could you do?

Angel darts forward and snatches the shirt up before it can fall to the pillows and flips it to lie over his shoulder. He inhales deeply and sighs as the scent of his youngest boy fills his lungs once more. He can catch the distinctly sharper and stronger scent of his eldest as well and it is a heady mixture that makes him feel light-headed.

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please.

Angel can't take his eyes off his writhing boys as they dance in a world of their own making, lost in the motion and emotion of the moment. He absent-mindedly notes Ravali and Jacob gently urging Dawn to her feet. He can see them escorting the wide-eyes young woman from the room to a soundtrack of half-hearted objections but the yawns she can't hide put a lie to the objection. It's been a very long day and a longer night and despite avowing her newfound maturity Dawn is in many ways still sheltered. No one else makes the slightest move to leave; not that he expected anyone to find the strength of will to leave the untamed mating dance being performed with unashamed glee by the lovers.

Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please.
Black velvet and that little boy smile
Black velvet with that slow southern style
A new religion that'll bring you to your knees
Black velvet if you please.

Penn's dancing slows as his hands curve around Wil's thighs, stroking slowly in silent command. Wil obligingly relaxes his legs and lets Penn lift him off. He holds him with an easy strength that never fails to make his stilled-heart want to pound again just so that it can stop again. Penn sets him down gently, not letting go until he feels Wil's muscles tensing to take his weight, sliding an arm around him and pulling him close. Wil right hand falls to rest over Penn's heart, stroking gently as they sway together. Their free hands meet and their fingers weave together as they slow until they're doing little more than rocking and swaying, their eyes locked on each other. Then lean into each other in unison, their lips barely touching, letting the swaying movements gently deepen the kiss.

...If you please...
...If you please...

As the song trails off and Tara and Murielle let their voices fade to silence the pair never stop dancing. Micah immediately starts another song, a quieter and softer toned melody that is almost melancholy. Tara smiles and nods her appreciation as she recognizes the song. She's always thought that it suited Wil and that it speaks an inherent truth that cannot be denied. She's never seen blue like that until she got to know William and the universe that is his eyes. Her voice is rising and before she realizes it she's singing; singing for Wil and Penn and for everyone that is blessed to know, really know, what blue is now.

Today I took a walk up the street
And picked a flower and climbed the hill
Above the lake

And secret thoughts were said aloud
We watched the faces in the clouds
Until the clouds had blown away

And were we ever somewhere else?
You know, it's hard to say

And I never saw blue like that before
Across the sky
Around the world
You've given me all you have and more
And no one else has ever shown me how
To see the world the way I see it now
Oh, I, I never saw blue like that....

Two by two other couples are drawn to the embracing pair like iron shavings to a magnet and soon there is a sea of swaying bodies as Angel watches. He's surprised to see Cordelia and Gunn slow dancing next to a shyly smiling Fred who is blushing in Erick's arms as he waltzes with her, keeping a respectful distance as in days of elegant cotillions and royal balls. He can see Wesley and Buffy both looking at him but he ignores their air of silent yearning and keeps watching his boys dancing; though vertical making out may be a better name for what they're doing at the moment. Whatever they're doing though, it's more entertaining then a sulky Slayer and an ex-Watcher that isn't sure what he wants out of life.

He glances over his shoulder and sees that Giles is doing his best to talk Wes and Buffy into comas. Micah is still sitting beside his Lady-love Murielle, happily playing his guitar for everyone, content to just be with the fiery Russian, who is happily singing harmony for Tara. His eyes move to seek out Tara and he's somehow not surprised to note that Aaron has moved next to her. He seems quite content to recline and relax as he listens to her singing. He is a little surprised to see that Lorne is talking quite animatedly to the Master Vampire, who seems to be genuinely interested in what he's saying. Erick escorts the still blushing Fred back to the mountain of pillows but Lorne pops up like a Jack-in-the-box and leads the giggling young woman back out into the dancing crowd.

And it feels like now,
And it feels always,
And it feels like coming home....

Angel's lips twitch to smile but he fights the feeling and deliberately adopts a brooding expression as he notices that his boys are slowly dancing their way closer. He tips over on his side and curls up, comfortably sinking into the plump pillows and braces his cheek on his palm. In a few seconds Penn's got Wil down less than a foot away, kissing him like it will save his life. He makes no secret about his fascination with the pair as they exchange slow drugging kisses and tender caresses. It's not even overtly sexual; it's loving and affectionate but very, very hot and he has to look away briefly.

When he looks back he finds himself lost in bottomless pools of eldritch blue and he is drawn under to drown in a rush of heat that makes him feel like he's going to combust any second. He falls back with a silent groan, his back arching off the pillows as he gasps silently. He doesn't know how Wil is making it happen but he's channelling what he's feeling directly to him and his eyes slip closed and he sinks boneless into the pillows.

He can feel the silken rough glide of Penn's tongue against his own, the sweetly sharp sting as his tongue grazes one of Penn's half-descended fangs, the painful pleasure as nimble fingers tug lightly on a navel piercing he doesn't have. He is William. He is Angel. They are Angelus. He can feel the bond pulsing with lifeblood and devotion that flows between his Childer and he is lost to the passion that flows between them. He moves as easily as a river of lava through a world of snow and ice as he flows through their link, passing from William to Penn and back again. Every caress, all the slow tangos of adoring kissing and sultry emotion, he feels it all intimately. It floods through him doubled and returned until it sends him crashing back into his body with an ecstatic shudder that causes him to clench his eyes shut.

He opens his eyes slowly and he shudders as the blue sea recedes beneath William's sheltering eye lids and the connection fades as abruptly as it formed. He is humbled by the depth of the feelings that flow between his Childer and touched by the deeper truths it also reveals. They still care for him, it may be against their wishes and contrary to their common sense but he hasn't killed everything they feel for him despite all that he's done. They were reborn to love him and it seems that in some small part they still do. William is not the Vampire that he thought he knew, he can feel such power in him, unlike that he's ever sensed in another Vampire. The strength that he imparts to Penn through their bond is unfathomable. He can even feel echoes of his ties to Tara.

"What are you?" He breathes under his breath in a voice so soft that not even Aaron or Erick sitting two feet away can hear him but Penn and Wil do.

"He is mine Angelus." Penn replies in a low rumbling growl of satisfaction.

Angel doesn't answer him. It's true and he can feel that, the memory of it hardening his resolve even more to reclaim them both. William does belong to Penn and vice versa. He will find a way to make them see that he has no intention of taking them from each other. They'll both belong to him.

Oh, I, I never saw blue like that  

Tara's voice trails to silence as the songs ends gently and softly and Micah segues into an ardent Spanish Flamenco song. Erick and Aaron converge and sweep Tara up between them and the trio tumbles over amidst her giggles. They straighten out the tangle of limbs and curl up together talking quietly.

Angel pays them little to no attention, though he can see Buffy's startled stare in their direction. The expression of surprised confusion on her face suddenly makes him chuckle which earns him several shocked expression of his own.

"Damn, it's good to be home." Angel flops back on the pillows chuckling helplessly. There's an ancient curse that reads 'May you live in interesting times'. Amen... Amen.... He can't wait to see what happens next. Life is fun and unpredictable again and he wouldn't have it any other way.

The end of Book One: Pensive Hearts

TBC in Book Two: Aurelius Rising

Angel faces off against the Senior Partners of Wolfram & Hart in a final cataclysmic battle but he won't be alone on the front lines....