Title: Lonely No More

Authors: angelspike69 and anamcara420

Pairing: Angel/Spike

Rating: Adult. This story contains M/M sex. If that isn't your cup of tea then go away now and don't read any farther.

Warnings: None. This story takes place after the final scene of "Not Fade Away".

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, Angel and Spike don't belong to us. If they did, they'd be following up all their fighting snarking with each other with lots of shagging (lol).

Spoilers: None, unless you haven't seen Angel the Series at all. This story goes totally AU after the screen darkened in "Not Fade Away".

Feedback: AngelSpike69 (marinersgal69@msn.com) and Anamcara420 (ldelrossi@excite.com)

Notes: This story is written for the Forging_Ghost Ficathon. The idea for this story is based on Challenge #200 issued for our fantabulous leader Ghost_Forge. Songs used in this story include in order - Let Me Love You by Tim McGraw, Maybe It's Love by Trisha Yearwood, Carry on Wayward Son by Kansas, The White Cliffs of Dover by Burton and Kent, I Melt by Rascal Flatts, Here for the Party by Gretchen Wilson, This Love by Maroon 5, Lonely No More by Rob Thomas, and Forever and For Always by Shania Twain.

Summary: The only survivors, Angel and Spike have relocated. They attempt to lay low in Middle America together. For the first time, they get a shot at a "normal life", doing "normal things." The fact that everyone thinks they're together was unexpected.

Chapter 2

When Angel awakened near sunset, he felt something lying across his chest. He opened his eyes to see Spike sprawled across his body, one leg thrown across his. He held his body rigid as he remembered falling asleep on top of a bloody, shackled William after he had raped and beaten him over and over. But the closeness, he hadn't felt this close to anyone since that fateful night with Buffy before Angelus returned. Abruptly his mind looked back to the previous day when he had fallen apart. Guilt and embarrassment erased the momentary peace he felt. He moved from beneath the younger vampire and eased himself out of the bed standing and walking to look out of the window. He heard the bed creak and turned to face Spike, waiting for the gloating remarks.

"So where to now? Decided where we're headed yet?"

Angel's body relaxed. Spike was not going to bring up what...his weakness. He sighed and straightened his shoulders. "I think it would be best if I went on alone. They want me Spike, not you. You could go to Rome..."

Spike sat up and stared at the older vampire; hurt warring with anger on his face. "Bollocks! You're a sodding prick Angel, you know that? Stop with the martyr bit, it's becoming a bit old. Besides, you need me."

"Spike, I traveled alone for over 100 years."

"Yeah I know, livin' in alleys, eating rats. Even the powers that whatsit got tired of your moaning and sent you to Buffy."

Angel tensed and growled, Spike's words hurting him more than he would admit. "Spike I'm trying to protect you. I'm..."

Spike scrambled off the bed and glared at him snarling. "Don't need protecting. I took care of Dru for years, mostly on my own. She got me in some right scrapes too." He turned away and his voice softened. "Don't try to be a noble prat Angel." He spun around and smirked, his hands on his hips. "You need me git, whether you want to admit it or not. I'm better with people than you are and you know it. Did ya know the names of the guys in accounting? Ever sit in on a poker game? Go drinking with the birds in transcription?"

Angel's eyes had widened with Spike's tirade. Now his lips twitched, a smile threatening to ruin his fierce look. "Okay Spike I surrender. I need you... to annoy me so I can stay sharp."

"Ponce. I'm taking another shower." Spike stomped into the bathroom. "Probably use all the hot water too." Angel turned back to the window, unfurrowing his brow and allowing a grin to creep across his face. Sighing, he turned back around, took two blood bags out of the cooler and put them in the microwave. He stood thinking, staring as they twirled around. The ping shook him out of his brief reverie. He poured them into mugs and began to sip his as he bent down to pick up his bag. He pulled the map from the top and spread it on the bed. Making the decision to stop in Reno so Spike could have his bright lights for a night or two, he strode over to the bathroom door and banged on it. "There'd better be hot water left. Hurry up, we've got to get on the road."

The shower stopped and the door opened. This time Spike walked into the room naked, using the smaller towel to pat himself dry and not doing a very good job at hiding his smirk. Feigning anger, Angel glared, thrust the mug at him and hurried into the steam filled room. Spike laughed at the sound of the slamming door.

Spike was dressed and flipping through channels when Angel came out of the shower. The older vampire ignored him and walked to the closet, holding a towel tightly around his waist. After choosing a pair of pants and a shirt, he took his boxers out of the bag and stalked back into the bathroom to dress, hearing Spike snorting as he shut the door. A few minutes later he emerged to find Spike still clicking the remote. The blonde vampire looked up and saw a smug look on the older man's face.

"What?"

Angel actually grinned. "ADD."

Spike tossed his dirty t-shirt at Angel who batted it away giving him a dark look. "Get packed Spike, we have to leave. It's going to take us about seven hours to get to Reno, and there is one stop I have to make on the way."

"Reno? Where do you need to stop?"

"Yeah, Reno. I figured you'd never stop yammering about casinos so we'll stop there on our way east." Ignoring the second question, Angel never looked at Spike, he just picked up his bags and walked out of the room. He had to wait several minutes for Spike to emerge. The annoying vampire tossed his bag carelessly in the back of the car, hopped in and immediately began fiddling with the radio.

Angel sighed in exasperation. "Spike, I got you that CD player so you'd leave the radio alone."

Spike gave him a scathing look and then knelt up on the seat to rummage in his bag. He flopped back down onto the seat, put on his headphones, inserted a disc and stared out of the window.

About 30 minutes into the drive, Spike noticed they were up in the hills of Los Angeles. Removing the headphones, he looked at his traveling companion, "Care to tell me where we are going?"

"There is someone I have to see before we leave...explain..."

"Who do you need to see? Do you have some bird hidden away up here?" When his traveling partner didn't respond, Spike glanced at him. "Well..."

"No, I don't have anyone hidden up here. I...I...just...need..."

"Come on Angel, spit it out would you!"

Exasperated and knowing Spike would never stop asking, he answered his question. "Okay, fine if you really need to know, I'm going to see my son."

"You what? Come on mate, what the hell are you talking about...your son?" Spike turned in his seat and gave his full attention to the vampire sitting next to him. He reached over to feel his forehead. "You sure you're okay? Maybe you got smacked on the head harder than you or I thought and now your brains are scrambled."

Angel swatted the pale hand away. "There's nothing wrong with me or my brain."

Spike laughed. "You do remember you're a vampire, right?" He laughed again when Angel glared at him. "And you do remember that vampires can't have kids, at least not in the conventional human way?" He kept laughing when Angel sent another scathing look his way.

Returning his attention back to the road, he sighed in exasperation as Spike continued. "Were you a naughty boy when Angelus was released last year? Did you make me a little brother?"

Angel started at Spike's mention of Angelus and last year. "How did you hear about that?"

Spike laughed again. "It's amazing what one can learn while hanging out at the water cooler. You should try it some time. So yeah, I know all about the stupid idea of releasing your inner demon in the hope he'd help you and your bunch of merry men. So what happened?"

"For your information, Spike, I didn't sire anyone. My son isn't a vampire, he's human."

Gobsmacked, Spike couldn't do anything but stare at Angel with his mouth hanging open."

Angel laughed, pleased that for once he was finally able to shut Spike up.

Sputtering, Spike was finally able to get his brain working again. "Human...how the hell did you have a human child?"

"It's a long story. Can't you just take it as that?"

"No way! We've got a long ride ahead of us, so you have plenty of time to weave your little story."

"Fine!" Defeated, Angel spent the rest of the drive telling Spike everything – Darla coming back at the hands of Wolfram & Hart, sleeping with her out of despair, her pregnancy, and all the events that led up to him taking the deal the Senior Partners offered. Spike sat riveted to his seat as Angel told his tale.

As Angel finished, he slowed the car down, having reached their destination. He turned to Spike, "Wait here, please. I won't be that long." Still stunned, Spike nodded as Angel got out of the car.

Angel approached the house and knocked on the door. He was relieved when it was Connor who answered. He wasn't sure what he was going to say if it had been one of his parents answered the door. "Connor." Angel said hesitantly.

"Uh, hi." Connor looked over his shoulder quickly, and stepped outside, closing the door. "What are you doing here?"

"Just wanted to let you know that I'm leaving town."

"So you won?"

"For now, but the Senior Partners won't give up. Thought it would be better to get out of town for a bit and lay low."

Connor looked over at the car. "Your friends with you?"

Angel nodded sadly. "No, they're all dead."

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." Connor reached out and placed a hand on Angel's shoulder. "But who's in the car?"

Angel smiled at the concern in his son's voice. "Thank you. That's Spike. We're all that's left. I just wanted to let you know that I was going. When I get settled, I'll get in touch with you to let you know where I am. You know, just in case you need me or something." He handed the boy a thick envelope. "Give this to your...your parents. It's that trust fund they wanted."

The boy stared at Angel remembering when his parents took him to Wolfram & Hart, it was to learn why he remained unhurt after getting hit by a speeding van, not to set up a trust as they originally told him. "Umm...thanks. I would like to know where you are when you get settled." Connor leaned close to Angel and hugged him. "Take care of yourself okay?"

"I will. You take care of yourself. You should be safe with me gone. I have to get a new cell phone. When I do I'll let you know the number. Promise you'll get in touch with me if you get into trouble with..."

"Yea, I will." Connor reached for the door and opened it. He stood there, watching Angel get into his car. He waved once and walked back into the house."

When Angel got back in the car, Spike asked, "So that's your son?"

"Yes, that's Connor." Angel replied sadly.

"Handsome kid."

"Thanks." Angel answered as he drove back to the main road to continue their journey to God knows where.

*****************************

They drove for several hours without speaking, the only sound was Spike changing discs. A short time before sunrise they arrived on the outskirts of Lake Tahoe. Angel parked in front of a rustic looking motel.

"We'll sleep here today and then go into Reno tonight okay?"

Spike nodded and got out of the car. Both vampires stopped and surveyed the scene. The lake lapped against a small beach at the end of the lawn; huge trees almost blotted out the sky. They sniffed the air and looked at each other.

"Haven't smelled air this sweet in a long time; even Sunnydale had smog on some days." Spike remarked. Angel didn't respond but walked up the steps to the office. He came out a short time later and motioned for Spike to get back in the car. Driving around to the side of the hotel he stopped at the end of the building. They brought their bags and the cooler into the room, both pausing to stare. The room was lovely but the view was spectacular. A large window overlooked the lake. There was a door in the wall that led out onto a small porch, complete with rocking chairs. They dropped their bags and walked outside. They stood in silence breathing in the fresh air and appreciating the verdant beauty until they felt the oncoming sunrise. Angel closed the shutters over the window and they hurried back inside. Spike drew the curtains. They both undressed in the dark and got into bed.

"Ta Angel. "S a beautiful place."

"It is. I've forgotten that there are places like this. Maybe we'll stay a few days."

"That'd be good. Night."

"Goodnight Spike."