The Soul in Question Part Two

Angel sat in the courtyard outside their room staring into the water flowing over the fountain. It had been an intense evening and the sound of the water was soothing.

They had spent several hours talking with the family about souls then Angel had faced the elders of the gypsy clans who had come to help with the ritual. Before he met them Simon and Violet had taken him aside and guided him through a meditation.

It was a warrior meditation that took Angel into his own mind to face his demon. For the first time Angel saw his demon in it's real form, not as Angelus but a true demon. He felt the rage, the need to feed and they 'fought' for want of a better word.

No blows were exchanged but with Simon's help Angel was able to dominate the demon and with Violet's calm presence beside them he was able to reach a place of understanding.

It had not been an easy meeting with the elders; they were understandably hostile and wanted to be certain that Angel would still be suffering for what he had done. Cleo had argued persuasively that Angel was still atoning for his actions and would never forget what he had done but that losing his soul was no punishment for the demon but being trapped forever was. They did not tell the elders about the earlier encounter with his demon but Angel knew he would never stop searching for redemption.

The ritual itself was almost an anticlimax after everything that had happened. It had hurt but Spike had held him up and it was over quickly, now they just had to wait for that perfect moment. Angel had to wonder though if such a moment really existed or if he had been deluding himself all along desperate to touch his humanity again.

With the demon controlled and Spike's lessons on how to be human with or without a soul, Angel had found a place within that was calm and accepting of whatever was going to happen. The only thing that concerned him now was what they had to face back in L.A. The things he was going to do had been easier to accept with the demon to blame; now it was all on his own shoulders.

Angel sighed and tipped his head back to watch the stars. Spike had sat with him for a while and Angel had enjoyed being able to lie back and rest against that firm lithe body. But Spike had slipped back inside to let Angel be with his own thoughts for a while (not brood, just think). Angel could feel his childe (it still gave him shivers to think of Spike as his childe) puttering around in the room moving furniture.

Angel could still not comprehend that his soul was safe, no matter what happened he would remain Angel. It seemed unreal still he wasn't sure how to act. A part of Angel wanted to hide away and come to terms with it before facing anyone but a larger part wanted to laugh and enjoy himself without fear. But he knew he had to simply carry on as if nothing momentous had happened.

Spike stepped out into the courtyard and leant down to kiss Angel on the top of the head and wrapped his arms around the older vampire. Spike had stripped to the waist and his skin glowed in the moonlight.

"Ready to come indoors?" Spike asked him. Angel looked up into the smoky blue eyes and smiled answering him with a kiss.

In the darkness of the surrounding garden Philippe watched the two of them kiss, poised like a marble sculpture of love. Philippe watched as Angel stood and was led back into the room now decked out in starlight and continued to watch a silent witness to the consummation of a hundred year old love story.

Angel stared in amazement at the changes Spike had wrought in the room. The dresser had been moved closer to the bed and every available space was covered with candles to light the darkness. Oil burners filled the room with the scent of frankincense and roses, and the bed was made with fine silk sheets pulled back and waiting.

Spike slowly unbuttoned Angel's shirt kissing each piece of skin as it was revealed, teased his nipples erect and nimble fingers unbuttoned his trousers and eased them down. Spike sank to his knees and helped Angel step out of his slacks and boxers.

Spike stayed on his knees in front of Angel and nuzzled his face into his sire's crotch breathing deeply of the unique scent that meant love, passion and happiness to the blond.

Angel's cock rose out of the nest of fine dark hair twitching slightly as Spike's nose brushed against it. Looking up into Angel's eyes Spike licked across Angel's cock dipping his tongue into the slit on the top and slipping the head into his mouth.

Angel groaned and ran his fingers though Spike's hair, ungelled it hung in curls around his face softening his features.

Spike worked Angel's cock with absolute joy worshipping it with lips and tongue and throat until Angel was incoherent with desire, holding onto Spike's head simply to stay upright. Spike cupped the heavy balls in one hand, loving their weight and texture. The other hand toyed with the sensitive skin below them, the gentle scraping of one fingernail enough to send Angel over the edge for the first time that night.

Spike swallowed Angel's release with satisfaction and came gracefully to his feet shedding the rest of his clothes as he did.

Angel gathered Spike into his arms and swept him around to lay him down on the bed. Candlelight shone on the near perfection of the body in front of Angel and he stopped to admire the lithe form. Strong wide shoulders and arms leading to clearly defined collarbones that frame a chest tapering down to sharp hipbones and hollows just begging to be kissed.

Angel knelt over Spike and placed his lips against the hollow in one hipbone then kissed his way down and across to the other side. He ran his hands up Spike's sides to brush his fingers across the sensitive nipples.

Pushing Spike's legs apart, Angel licked the full length of Spike's cock then sucked on it briefly before turning his attention to the balls hanging full and heavy. He sucked each one into his mouth savouring their firmness while he slowly fisted Spike's shaft.

Spike was in heaven when Angel's tongue pushed into his arse, hands still busy fondling and stroking his cock. Angel pushed in as far as he could with his tongue delighted to taste the frankincense oil inside knowing that Spike had prepared himself for Angel.

Angel moved over Spike positioning his cock at Spike's entrance. Spike hooked his legs over Angel's waist and Angel slid home.

Looking deep into Spike's eyes Angel began thrusting, making sure to hit Spike's prostate every time. Not taking his gaze off his beautiful childe Angel grasped Spike's cock, which was leaking a continuous flow of pre-cum. Gathering up the pooling liquid Angel fed it first to Spike and then bent down to share the feast with him.

They kissed as Angel continued to fuck Spike with long deep thrusts. Spike arched his body up to embed Angel in deeper. The pace picked up as Angel felt the first tingles of orgasm building. Spike's fingers were twisting Angel's nipples just on the good side of pain and the small noises he was making at the back of his throat told Angel that Spike was not far off climax either.

Spike clenched the muscles surrounding Angel's cock and it was enough for Angel who came with Spike's name on his lips. Spike followed Angel over at the sound of his name called out in such ecstasy.

Angel collapsed on top of Spike, a heavy warm cover he did not ever want to leave.

They made love twice more as dawn approached taking turns to bring each other to climax, murmuring nonsense words of adoration. The last time Angel was on his hands and knees looking into the dresser mirror.

Angel watched as Spike pushed slowly into his body; saw the look of ecstasy on his own face and saw the love reflected in Spike's eyes as he called out his pleasure. Their eyes locked on the vision mirrored back at them. Bodies moving in unison, Spike's strong hand fisting Angel's thick red shaft.

Muscles rippled in time with their movements, fangs flashed as Spike bit down into Angel's shoulder drawing out his lifeblood as he spilled his seed.

His cry of "Sire," was enough to send Angel over the edge as well and he watched in awe as the two faces in the mirror reflected complete love and happiness back at him.

Finally they collapsed into exhausted sleep as dawn lightened the sky outside.

They awoke again in the late afternoon, someone had slipped into the room when they slept and left them a decanter of warm blood and some snacks for Spike.

A long bath later Angel was drawn back to Philippe's painting once again. He was certain now that the two angels were he and Spike and as he looked closer at the painting more details began to appear. Hidden in the clouds were the faces of demons reaching out to clutch at the wings of the angels and drag them down.

A pair of hands slipped around Angel's waist, "bit macabre innit?" Spike rested his chin on Angel's shoulder.

"Recognise them?" Angel leant back into the embrace.

"Looks a bit like you and me," Spike grinned, "although he's been a bit generous with you. Good though."

They were interrupted in their perusal by Violet and Isabella who swept them away for a proper tour of the villa. Spike promptly forgot about the picture but it still called to Angel and he found himself back before it again.

"If you try to do it alone they will drag you down," Philippe's voice interrupted Angel's musing.

The small vampire was watching Angel from the staircase.

"When did you paint this?" Angel asked him.

"Long time ago," Philippe's gaze slid past Angel and fixed on a spot behind him, "in the darkness, I knew you would come and I had to show you."

"Show me what, this painting?" Angel pressed.

"This, others," Philippe replied vaguely. He shrank back as Angel approached him still staring resolutely away.

"Guessed you'd be back here," Spike came into view, "hello Philippe, can we see your other paintings?" he spoke calmly and Angel was reminded again of how he had been with Dru.

Philippe looked in Spike's direction carefully and then nodded, "supposed to," he turned and went up the stairs leaving Angel and Spike to follow.

They found him right at the top of the villa waiting and he led them into an attic room as brightly lit as daylight. Around the walls were dozens of paintings mostly dark and forbidding landscapes but here and there a piece with figures included and these drew Angel immediately.

They were a series of angels. The first few were so dark it was impossible to identify the figures except for one with vivid white hair. In all of them the figures were battling shadowy demons attacked on all sides. Most of the paintings only had one angel in them and each seemed to have more and more demons attacking. In one picture the two angels battled each other while the demons capered about in glee.

Philippe stood in the middle of the room and watched Angel without speaking. Spike had disappeared into a corner of the room drawn by the few vividly coloured pictures hidden there.

Here Spike found portraits of the family in various costumes over the centuries. Several included a handsome young man with Cleo; he was as tall as Cleo with long black hair and green eyes. In every picture he was smiling straight out of the frame directly at the viewer.

When Spike picked up one of the pictures Philippe made a small keen of distress letting Spike know who the young man was. He put the painting back and moved over to Philippe with sympathy in his eyes.

"Sorry pet didn't mean to upset you. He was a handsome man," Spike said softly.

"It hurt," Philippe replied looking down at the floor.

"I know," Spike touched him gently on the shoulder.

Philippe looked in the direction of the paintings painfully "Cleo was strong for us, I wasn't," he confessed.

"S'all right, you loved him," Spike consoled.

"Cleo did too," Philippe shook his head "but she was strong and I... I couldn't help but I can now," he went on more firmly.

Philippe moved over to the easel where a new painting sat and beckoned Spike over.

It was another picture of the angels but this time the sky above them was clearing, the demons falling away. Below the angels a silver line snaked back down to earth connected to a large old building.

Angel hissed in surprise when he saw the painting, "the Hyperion?"

"Let them help when they come," Philippe said, "It is your ties to family that will let you defeat them."

It was then that Angel noticed a second painting behind the one they were looking at. He pulled it out to reveal the courtyard outside their room. This time they were not angels, Philippe had captured the moment Angel had leant up and kissed Spike. The candles behind seemed to have haloed them in light, Angel's dark head contrasting against the marble whiteness of Spike's skin.

"You were watching?" Angel demanded.

Philippe smiled at him a hint of cheekiness showing, "you are beautiful together," he said the sadness returning to his eyes. "Family is in the heart don't let it go." Philippe pressed both paintings into Angel's hands.

The awareness in his eyes faded and Philippe's face became a mask of indifference again as he wandered away without another word.

"As batty as Dru," Spike commented looking at the paintings, "but bloody good."

As they came down out of the attic they were met by Cleo who looked surprised to see where they had come from.

"Philippe showed you his paintings?" she asked looking at the two canvases Angel held.

"He said they were for us," Angel explained unwilling to show them to her.

Cleo nodded sadly, "we never knew he had seer abilities until after Robert's final death. Now only occasionally do we see flashes of his gift but we have learnt to listen well."

Spike tilted his head to regard Cleo, "Philippe said you loved Robert too?"

Cleo closed her eyes briefly, "we were matched all three of us, Robert loved us both and we were willing to share for that love. I survived but Philippe did not," her gaze hardened, "I had never taken a human life in anger before."

"You killed the slayer that killed Robert," Angel stated "I would have done the same," he confessed much to Spike's surprise.

"I was hurt and angry and she did not expect me to be a threat," Cleo confirmed.

"Did it help?" Spike asked softly.

"No," Cleo shook her head.

"Can Philippe tell us anything of what he saw when he was painting?" Angel wanted to know.

"It seems to be an unconscious thing," Cleo explained as she led them back to the sitting room, "when Philippe retreated into his own mind he let his subconscious roam free."

The family were gathered in the sitting room and smiled as they entered. Angel placed the painting face down by the sofa as he sat down with Spike next to him.

"Now we come to the business end of our alliance," Alexander began as Octavian handed around glasses of blood to everyone before he took up his place standing behind Alexander.

"Whilst you will still be head of the order of Aurelius" Alexander continued, "you are now part of the Ptolemy family and need to understand our political standing."

Angel nodded in agreement and sat forward in his seat as Alexander carried on.

"Our major alliances are with Lombardi and the Desterrar clan. We have been meeting with Huntian as well and judging by your relationship with Wulfric I suspect a treaty will be signed with them also." Alexander explained.

"Are any of them aware of the souls?" Angel asked.

"Nobody outside of this room knows," Alexander answered, "and we prefer to keep it that way. Things have not advanced within the community enough to reveal that. You two are a big enough anomaly to the elders as it is."

"What will you require of Aurelius?" Spike asked.

"Your support in council, your backing in our endeavours, your blood should we require it..." Alexander raised a cautionary hand to stop any questions, "only for situations that you agree with that do not go against your own interests."

"And Wolfram & Hart, do they interest you?" Angel asked suspiciously.

Alexander smiled thinly, "Wolfram & Hart only interest us when they try to interfere with our society which they have not done successfully in several hundred years."

"The information I presented you with to save your Fred should have been a clue that we have avenues of knowledge that far surpass them," Cleo added.

"The Senior Partners may be more powerful than we are in their own dimension but here on earth they have to work through humans and that puts us on an equal footing," Simon entered the discussion, "we have little interest in them except where they meddle with our concerns."

"Will there be any fallout to you for this alliance?" Angel asked in concern.

"It depends on how long you intend to stay in the belly of the beast," Violet's voice was audible to everyone. Spike and Angel were becoming accustomed to the sound of her in their heads, knowing the story of how she lost her voice in a vicious gang attack they were simply glad Cleo's magic enabled her to communicate with them.

"We have a plan," Angel replied.

"Not a good one," Spike chimed in, "but guess we will play it through to the end."

"Might I suggest that the family could help," Octavian spoke softly.

"This isn't your fight," Angel shook his head.

"You are family now, your fights are our fights," Isabella corrected him.

Spike put one hand on Angel's knee and squeezed it gently drawing his attention. They shared a look and Angel relented.

"We will contact you if the need arises," Angel conceded.

"We will," Spike reinforced Angel's agreement firmly, "Angel has issues with protecting his family and it can get in the way sometimes," he explained an imp of mischief in his eyes.

"Spike," Angel growled but the effect was diminished by the fondness in his gaze.

The other couples in the room shared mutual intimate looks at the interaction between the two and even Cleo smiled sadly at the love they shared.

"Want to know about the mirror," Spike demanded breaking the mood.

"The mirror?" Alexander smiled.

"In our room," Spike prompted, "how come we can see out reflections?"

"The power of belief is mighty indeed," Alexander smiled at the frowns on both their faces. "The mirror is spelled to clear the eyes of belief," he explained.

"Not helping," Spike scowled.

"You like human food do you not William?" Alexander continued, "So it won't surprise you to know you eat garlic without harm."

"Always figured that was some old wives tale," Spike confirmed.

"Most of what is believed about vampires is. It has everything to do with belief but it may be easier to show you than tell," Alexander reached into his shirt and pulled out the chain hanging there to reveal a crucifix. He enclosed it in his fist and then released it to reveal an undamaged palm.

"When the demon inhabits our bodies it absorbs much of our memories including superstitions. I was born before the rise of Christianity; the cross holds no fear for me. The same way our bodies remember breathing and are still capable of intercourse," Alexander lectured.

"Modern vampires are not adversely affected by garlic but holy items and a stake through the heart still work. It has to be a combination of human and demon belief. I have often pondered where our demons come from, whether they are from the same species, how they cross over to us through blood... but enough of our musings." Alexander smiled.

"So because we or our demons believe we cannot be seen in mirrors we can't?" Spike asked incredulously.

Alexander nodded, "very few of the vampires around today pre-date Christianity it has become as much a part of vampire mythology as human."

"Huh, that would explain showing up on cameras," Angel mused.

"So we could break the beliefs," Spike said thoughtfully.

"You could but the experience would be painful," Alexander went on, "sunlight still burns and a stake through the heart would finish me even if holy water and a cross would not."

"So no experimenting just yet," Cleo laughed at Spike's expression, "Simon here was bald for months when he tried," she added mischievously.

"Hey!" Simon protested over the general laughter.

"We use the spell for the mirror because sometimes it pays to use superstitions in our favour and let people see what they expect," Isabella explained, "would you like the spell?"

"Hell yeah," Spike's enthusiastic response started the laughter back up again.

Angel sat back and looked at the group around him amazed at how easily they had been accepted by Alexander and his family.

Isabella leant up against Xavier, the two a perfect complement for each other. She was not as dark as Cleo, more the colour of a latte, her creamy skin offset against the pale flesh of the blond Xavier.

Simon loomed over the petit Violet but he obviously doted on her. He appeared the most European of them all with swarthy good looks on enhanced by the fact that his nose had been broken in the past.

There were definite resemblances between the Ptolemy siblings, the prominent nose and wildly curling hair just two. Simon controlled his with gel as rigidly as Spike whereas Alexander kept his cropped short.

The teasing and banter continued around the room late into the night. Alexander quietly filled Angel in on the rest of the politics with the vampire families, next to the deep knowledge and experience of the elder vampire Angel felt like a youngster again for the first time in years.

Finally the gathering broke up as they all began to yawn; Angel picked up the paintings and pulled Spike out of an argument with Isabella about somebody called Timmy.

"Isabella give you that spell?" Angel asked Spike as they returned to their room now restored to its former state.

"Sure did," Spike threw himself onto the bed with a sigh, "it's nice to be part of a family again."

Angel looked a little surprised; "I always thought you and the gang in Sunnydale..." he stopped at the shaking of Spike's head.

"Briefly the summer Buffy died it felt like it but it didn't last," Spike said wistfully, "do we really have to return to L.A. tomorrow?"

"Yes," Angel agreed with a sigh, "we have to finish this and get everyone out of there safely." Angel was saddened by the realisation of how alone Spike had been after Dru left and all the more determined not to lose anymore of the family he had gathered.

"Can we really do it?" Spike's voice was uncharacteristically subdued.

"I don't know but we have to try," Angel's voice was just as subdued as he sat down on the bed next to Spike.

"It's going to be bad, are you going to be able to cope?" Spike asked.

"Isn't that supposed to be my line?" Angel asked with a slight laugh.

"Nah, I'm a survivor mate, you're the one who will tie himself up in guilt and worry," Spike scooted around to rest his head on Angel's lap.

"I'll have you, that will help," Angel threaded his fingers through Spike's hair, "we have to make this work."

With a sigh Angel collapsed back onto the bed and pulled Spike up to lie across his chest, "you will have to keep the paintings, I don't want them in my penthouse where someone could find them," he explained.

"I'll have the spell up on a mirror quick smart too," Spike grinned up at Angel, "maybe on the ceiling."

Angel laughed and hugged Spike hard, "I love you, no matter what happens please remember that."

"Always will pet, don't forget it's me you're talking about, you know I don't give up my love easily," Spike hugged Angel back, "so every punch I throw is because I love you."

"And because you will enjoy every moment of the fight," Angel kissed Spike soundly.

"Too right mate," Spike yawned and they fell asleep in each others arms.