NOTE: I was not going to start this story until I was done with my other WC story Double or Nothing (under the pen name Phonenix-cry, that's me as well). However I can not get ideas for this sequel out of my head and I figured I should probably start it before readers forget about the original. I will be updating as often as I can, but I am also working on another novel so please bear with me.

I will be explaining the name of this story at some point in the narrative. Animula is Latin ('little life' or sometimes translated 'little soul') so I felt another Latin title was in order.

Again, special thanks to Wondo for encouraging me on these! She has written some short stories for this world as well, search 'Animula' to find her!

Timeline wise this story starts off literally where the other one left off...okay maybe like five hours after the last one left off.

Animula: Ignis Aurum

Chapter One

"Neal…Neal, it's time to call it."

"I know, Moz."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault." Neal assured quietly.

"Half a million dollars is an awful lot of temptation for anyone, let alone…"

"Just go home, Mozzie. We'll talk later."

"Right." Mozzie shifted his weight uncomfortably. "Call me if you…well just call me, okay?"

"I will."

Mozzie still hesitated to leave. He took a breath to say more but when he couldn't find the right words he just sighed to himself and left. Neal knew that Mozzie didn't want to leave him alone but he appreciated that he had honored his desire for some privacy. The fake party that they had set up through Elizabeth's work had wound down about an hour ago with the last drunken cast member having finally given up on the night. The hired guests had made a substantial mess making the high scale flat apartment look like it had given host to a particularly rowdy New Year's Eve party.

It was pushing three o'clock in the morning but Neal found himself more heavy hearted than tired. Leaning against one of the pillars Neal reached up and pulled the black bow tie on his tuxedo loose as he looked out the large window over the nighttime cityscape. Neal didn't blame Peter for deciding to run with Elizabeth, he loved her and any risk to be with her would be one worth taking. Staying and attempting to go up against an organization as powerful as the Market was probably destined to fail quickly and tragically, at least by hiding they had half a shot at a life.

The hardest part for Neal about the way his friendship with Peter had abruptly come to an end was the fact that he would probably never know what became of the starcrossed lovers. Something truly spectacularly horrific would have to happen to make them National or even Local news. The more likely outcome if they were caught would be a quite cover-up so that the Market could keep their reputation of giving Animula a place in this world rather than forcing them there. They were so good at branding that men like Peter weren't even given the consideration to be referred to as slaves, they were simply 'Animula'.

Neal knew from experience how difficult it was to be on the run and he had the advantage of being able to blend into a crowd, something Peter had no hope of doing. Their only protection from the world was the thin sheet of paper that falsely named Elizabeth as his owner. Misunderstood and distrusted by most Peter and Elizabeth were going to have to treat every human they encountered as a direct threat. Neal had done his best to set Peter up to succeed if he chose that path, but Neal couldn't help feeling that it wasn't going to be enough. Elizabeth wouldn't be high on the law's list of broken parolees to chase after, but the Market would forever be on Peter's heels.

"I hope you make it out there, the odds have never been in your favor."

Staring out at the skyline Neal smiled at the memory of how the view city had never failed to capture Peter's full attention. It would have been entirely reasonable for Peter to despise everything about the humans that held him captive including the buildings that they had built with the wealth gained from the labors of the Animula. However he didn't see it that way, any time Peter looked out over the world that he wasn't allowed to fully be a part of he still saw beauty in it, and in a life that could have and by all rights should have beaten him down he still found love.

Feeling somewhat better about the idea that even if Peter and Elizabeth didn't manage to stay hidden for the rest of their lives at least they'd be together for as long as it lasted Neal smiled to himself. He was confident that Peter would gladly give his life for even one night with her. Neal just hoped that both Peter and Elizabeth understood that either one of them could always come back and ask him for help if they ever needed it.

Knowing he should go home but still not feeling ready to leave Neal slipped his hands into his pockets and brushed against the envelope Mozzie had given him. Pulling out the wrapped piece of paper Neal turned it over in his hands a few times. With curiosity getting the better of him Neal went to open the small envelope to read the name that Peter would never learn. Neal wasn't even a hundred percent sure that Peter even wanted to know it, he had reacted negatively every time Neal had suggested that Animula might just be human after all.

Neal was just about to break the seal on the envelope when the elevator behind him chimed to inform him that someone was arriving. Tucking the unopened envelope into his breast pocket Neal turned around fully expecting to find Mozzie returning to check up on him. When the doors opened and revealed Peter and Elizabeth returning from the penthouse suite Neal's previously heavy mood instantly lifted. Seeing the pair Neal felt a flash of guilt for selfishly being happy that they hadn't left, and then another for assuming that they had. Peter had a concerned expression on his face as the doors opened but when he caught sight of Neal a lopsided grin parted his lips as he stepped forward with one arm held protectively around Elizabeth's waist.

"Neal, you're still here." Peter said in obvious relief. "I'm so sorry, we completely lost track of time. I don't want you thinking that I…"

"Peter," Neal interrupted as he walked up to meet them "it's okay, you don't have to explain. I'm just glad you decided to stay."

"You knew I would."

"I had my suspicions." Neal smiled.

"Thank you so much for tonight, Neal." Elizabeth said gratefully as she reached out and gave Neal a warm hug.

"It's the least I could do."

"You know that's not even close to the truth." Elizabeth chided Neal as she stepped back and put her arm around Peter's lower back.

"We will do everything we can to get you two together as often as possible." Neal assured.

"Thank you, Neal, I hope you realize just how rare it is to find anyone who is even willing to try to understand let alone actually help."

"We'll find others." Neal said confidently. "My faith in humanity has certainly taken a serious hit lately, but I haven't lost it completely."

"I came dangerously close to losing mine." Elizabeth admitted quietly.

Hearing the pain in Elizabeth's voice Neal nodded in sympathetic understanding. He suspected that much like Peter Elizabeth had spent the past two years unsure why she bothered to carry on everyday but still unable to let go of that last shred of hope. Neal was honored to be the catalyst to bring that spark in them both back into a flame, he'd never saved a life before let alone a soul. Right now Peter looked like he might physically drop at any moment, but he'd lost the dull hollow look in his gold ringed eyes. His unfocused disinterested gaze had been replaced with a noticeable intensity.

At the moment Peter wasn't paying attention to the conversation he only had eyes for Elizabeth. After the long emotional night he didn't have the energy to worry about how his decisions tonight were going to affect all of their futures, he was just enjoying the moment. He almost looked like he was studying her and Neal realized that was probably exactly what he was doing, memorizing her every expression to help him convince himself in the morning that this evening hadn't just been a vivid dream.

Elizabeth looked up at him and smiled before her already red rimmed eyes brightened with tears, knowing that she was going to have go home alone soon. Neal hated to see them separated again so soon after being reunited but it was going to be four o'clock in the morning before too long and she was already out way past curfew even given the work extension. Elizabeth nuzzled against Peter's chest needing the night to last at least a few seconds more. Wrapping his arms around her Peter closed his eyes and allowed a full minute to pass before put his hands on her shoulders and taking a slight step back.

"I love you." Peter said softly.

Elizabeth smiled brightly despite the tears that ran silently down her face, she tried to return the heartfelt phrase but trying to find her voice threatened to break her down into proper crying. Not needing reassurance of her feeling Peter leaned down and gave her a quick kiss to let her know she didn't have to say anything. Breaking off the kiss Peter lead Elizabeth back over to the elevator and pressed the contact to open the door. Keeping a hold of Peter's hand Elizabeth stepped onto the elevator before reluctantly letting him go. Neal stayed back trying not to intrude on the difficult departure.

Before the elevator door could close Elizabeth turned back to give Peter one last quick good-bye. Neal's breath hissed across his teeth as Elizabeth suddenly threw her arms around Peter high around his ribs and embraced him tightly. He expected Peter to cry out since the marks down his back, particularly the large gash that ran down his spine, weren't fully healed. However despite tensing for a moment Peter kept silent and visibly forced himself to relax. Pressed against him Elizabeth hadn't noticed the obvious reaction to the flare of pain.

Peter put one arm around Elizabeth but he had to use his other hand to reach up and hold on to the edge of the elevator door frame to keep himself on his feet. Neal stayed where he was despite the fact that Peter's handle on the elevator had turned to a white knuckled grip. Neal had thought at first that in the heat of the moment that Elizabeth had forgotten about Peter's injuries, but it quickly became clear that she simply didn't know about them. Peter did just as good a job of hiding his weakness from Elizabeth as he had done hiding it from Neal when they'd first met. Neal found himself holding his own breath as he waited for Elizabeth to release Peter.

"I love you." Elizabeth whispered before stepping back.

It was Peter's turn to be unable to find his voice, afraid that he'd reveal the pain she had just caused if he tried to use it. Still using the edge of the open elevator for support he nodded and smiled loving at her before leaning back just enough so that the elevator door sensor would allow the door to close. Neal waited for the door to fully close before he rushed up to help Peter before he collapsed.

Peter didn't make it for more than a few seconds after the door had slid shut before dropping to his knees. Neal was able to get his hand under Peter's arms in time to help slow his decent to the floor to keep him from landing too hard, but beyond that there was little he could do to help. Pitching forward Peter ground his teeth together as he pour what was left of his energy into not succumbing to a fit of dry heaving, a battle he eventually lost.

Kneeling down next to Peter Neal waited patiently for Peter to either get his stomach under control or to pass out completely, wishing he could do more than just being ready to catch him if the latter occurred. Neal winced as he noticed the back of Peter's tuxedo jacket becoming shiny as blood seeped through the dark cloth. The large wound down his back had a tenuous layer of eschar over it that Elizabeth in her ignorance to his condition had just reopened. It wasn't a life threatening complication but it would set him back a few days in his healing.

Managing to sit back on his heels Peter took a few deep breaths with his eyes closed as he centered himself. The long emotional night alone had been enough to bring him to the point of exhaustion and by all rights he should have blacked out, but he forced himself to open his eyes again. Peter turned to look at Neal with an unwarranted expression of guilt.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't tell her…I didn't even try."

"It's okay, Peter, tonight wasn't about the past."

Peter thought about Neal's statement for a moment. Neal knew how much guilt Peter carried for allowing Cheng to abuse him rather than committing suicide, but he was hoping that Peter would let that go since his drive to survive had eventually paid off and it had taken far more courage than cowardice to make it this far. Looking like he might have come to that same conclusion himself Peter's face suddenly lit up in a bright smile as if he'd just seen a particularly spectacular bolt of lighting. Neal yelped in surprised as Peter wrapped his arm around the back of his neck and pulled him into a powerful hug. Peter laughed, a deep joyous sound that ended in him struggling to catch his breath as his hug turned more to him leaning on Neal for support. He reminded Neal of a marathon runner at the end of a race: exhausted and in pain from being pushed to the limit of endurance, but at the same time never having been happier or more triumphant.

"Thank you, Neal, tonight was the best 'present' I've ever been given."