Author's Note: AND... without further ado!

Enjoy!

Chapter XIV

Angel felt ready to break down in front of both the prideful Oracles and the judgmental Old One at his side. As if he could not be granted any more joyful brilliance and complete gladness, the lady seer had had to mention that little piece of value.

Free of Angelus. Forever.

Angel allowed the words to sink in, eyes glittering with emotion.

That was better than being human.

"It seems I shall never meet him, then," Illyria mused aloud, breaking the moment. She'd had to admit—she was curious about the belligerent, though cheery, counterpart of Angel's psyche.

Angel laughed outright, eyes still glistening as he brought his fingers to the bridge of his nose, massaging it. Feeling one's heart alive and beating was one thing, but experiencing it lift with absolute delight until it couldn't possibly lift any farther was another thing entirely. However, there was one more thing that he knew would push it over the edge and bring him perfect bliss. Without consequence. Thinking of said factor caused the heart in question to beat faster with anticipation.

"Your reward does not end here, Human," the man-seer notified, a hint of secret in his tone.

Angel looked to him in surprise. How could there possibly be more?

The lady-seer smiled, stepping around and coming closer to her brother. "Either way, in some manner or another, you will continue to serve the Powers."

Angel's brow drew together with lack of understanding. "Either way?"

"You have a choice," she told him. "You may choose to remain in the city—fighting for the weak and the helpless. Or…" she began to move closer to him. "You can choose to accept your final gift."

Angel considered her, trying to make sense of her slightly cryptic words. "What is the final gift?"

A gentle bend lifted the corners of her mouth. "A new life." She came before him, unblinking eyes staring up into his.

"Choose to be given a new life," the brother seer explained.

"It will not be a perfect life," the sister cautioned. "You will still be aiding those in need, but with purpose and duty. The Supernatural will be left to others able to fight. You will receive a new calling. In this life, you will have love." At this, she smiled warmly. "And you will gain what you have lost."

Even though it went unsaid, Angel somehow knew exactly what the seer spoke of. His eyes softened. "Connor," he said.

A slow nod. "His childhood. You will be given every moment of it. This life will suit you in every sense." A final smile appeared, spreading. "A Man's life."

Those three words struck a poignant chord within Angel's chest. Even through the pleasure of it all, his overwhelmed and exultant expression faltered. His eyes looked between the two seers. "How will this be carried out?"

"Memories shall be wiped clean. Even yours, on this account," the man-seer relayed. "With new life, comes new beginning. A clean slate."

Angel's face gently fell, brow drawing together. He closed his eyes briefly. Opening them, he looked to the sister for guidance. "What about her?" he asked.

Both oracles cast a glance at Illyria. "Destruction." The man-seer merely shrugged.

Illyria's bold stance faltered and she glared between the two, and then looked to Angel. Her emotionless mask held a fracture to it. Angel was about to protest.

"Brother," the lady-seer scolded. Turning her attention to Angel, she gave a sad smile. "She cannot follow you." Her eyes drifted to Illyria. "She will be allowed to carry out her existence—as long as it is a peaceful and harmless one."

Illyria turned her gaze wordlessly on the stone floor and did not look away after that. Angel, too, remained quiet—gaze set against the same stone.

"You are without decision," the sister observed, tilting her head to the side. "Have you a need to be shown?" Angel's eyes flickered to her at her words. "Pre-knowledge of the future? I can show you but a glimpse."

"You can show me," Angel repeated.

"If you wish it, I can show you," she confirmed, then reminded with caution: "but only a glimpse."

Angel hesitated, torn with indecision. On one hand, the insight could be dull and without significance. On the other, it could show him earthly paradise—making his choice that much more difficult. He mulled silently over his options for a hanging moment.

Illyria remained silent at his side.

He had to know.

Angel looked to the oracle at last, determined. "Show me," he said.

A/N: R&R, please and thank you!