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 4

Angel awoke near sunset and looked over at the next bed and sighed with relief. Spike was huddled under the blanket sleeping. He got out of bed, got fresh boxers and went to shower, gladly standing for long minutes as the scalding water bombarded his tense muscles. He walked out of the bathroom, the steam wafting behind him. Spike had awakened and was sitting up in bed.

"Spike. I'm sorry. You know I don't ...I'm not good with talking..."

"Funny that. Angelus was quite the talker. Charmed everyone."

The older vampire stiffened. "Yeah...he was a charmer all right until he ripped their throats out." Angered, Angel strode to the closet and began to dress.

He heard Spike getting up and going into the bathroom. When he heard the shower, he sank onto the bed, lowering his head, holding his shirt in his hand. He didn't realize how long he sat until he heard the bathroom door open. He turned and the two vampires stared at each other. Angel glanced at Spike's hair. He remembered how Angelus loved to wrap his fingers through those curls and then pull on them until William yelped. He shook himself and stood up turning away to finish dressing.

"Think we're both on emotion overload Angel." The older vampire nodded.

Fully dressed, Angel took two blood bags out of the cooler and put them in the microwave. When it pinged he took them out and poured them into glasses on the dresser. He turned and handed one to Spike.

"Ta."

They drank their blood, packed up their things and left the room. As they got into the car, both vampires looked up. The sky was covered with stars so close it seemed possible to touch them.

Angel spoke softly. "I haven't seen a sky like this in a long, long time. Never saw stars in Los Angeles, too many bright lights."

"Probably will see more in that small town we're going to." Spike replied. The vampires turned toward each other. No other words were spoken, but much was said in their eyes.

As they drove Angel kept glancing over at Spike who had his eyes closed and was listening to his music. Hesitant to have another argument, but knowing he had to have a much needed conversation with the blonde vampire sitting beside him. Angel cast furtive looks at Spike repeatedly. Suddenly an annoyed voice jarred his thoughts. "Bloody hell Angel what? Ya been watchin' me for miles. Just spit it out will ya?"

The older vampire sighed. He didn't want to upset the peace with another fight. "Spike we have...we need to change how we look. Wolfram & Hart must have sent out our descriptions."

The blonde vampire looked at him intently. "How do you mean change?"

Angel didn't answer but gripped his hands more tightly on the steering wheel.

"Come on ya git. Out with it!"

"You need to change your hair. It's too ...too distinctive. And you...you have to stop wearing the duster. I know it's your...your trademark, but that's the problem." Angel spoke tentatively and didn't look over at his companion.

There were long moments of silence.

"And what are you gonna change ponce? You gonna go punk are ya?" Spike smirked at him but his eyes blazed with hostility.

"I don't know. What should I do?" Angel asked.

Spike looked at the older vampire and the anger left his eyes. "Grow your hair. Not like Angelus, just longer and stop using that girly hair gel."

"My hair is curly Spike. It won't stay...it flies all over without gel."

"You want me to change my hair, you change yours. Oh and stop wearin' those designer threads and get jeans."

"Jeans?" Angel sputtered.

Spike had to laugh at the horror on his face. "We're goin' country right? Have to look the part you git!" He paused and then grinned mischievously. "And cowboy boots!"

The older vampire groaned. "Ok, jeans, longer hair, but no cowboy boots."

They drove in silence pierced only with occasional snickers from the blonde vampire as he imagined Angel without his wool slacks, silk shirts and custom made shoes. The older vampire knew he was enjoying his discomfort but refused to respond.

They arrived in Missoula about four hours later. Angel turned away from the city and drove a while longer; finally stopping in front of a large cabin. Smaller cabins huddled beneath huge trees along the gravel road. They could hear rushing water in the distance. "This was a camp in the thirties. Canvas tents, open fires. I worked the night shift in a copper mine for a while. I'll see if there is anything available." Spike was looking up the sky again and didn't answer. Angel returned with a key and a large paper bag. "It's the farthest cabin. Next to the river." He drove the car for about a mile and pulled into the front of an isolated small wooden building. The only sounds were the water and an owl hooting nearby.

"'S peaceful all right." Spike marveled.

"We'll go into town tomorrow night. Things close early out here. I asked."

"S'alright." Spike took his bag and walked toward the cabin.

"Ah Spike..." The younger vampire turned, quirking his eyebrow at Angel's hesitation. "There's only one bed."

Spike was surprised when the muscles in his groin trembled, but he covered his discomfort with a snide comment. "Not like we never slept together peaches." He turned and entered the building leaving Angel staring open-mouthed outside. They dropped their duffels and looked around. There was one large room with a sofa and two chairs facing the fireplace. A sliding glass door leading out onto a deck took up the rest of the living room wall. A kitchenette stood off to the right with a wooden table and two chairs. There were two open doors on the other side of the cabin, one was the bathroom, the other the bedroom. Angel walked toward the bedroom. Spike opened the sliding door and strolled outside. Angel joined him a few minutes later carrying the paper bag which he placed on a wooden table. The younger vampire was leaning on the railing watching the moonlight glittering on the lake.

"Bought beer and a few snacks in the office. Didn't have much." When Spike whirled around, Angel handed him a cold bottle of beer and the opener. For a moment they stared at each other, a grin dancing at the edges of the older vampire's mouth.

Spike grinned broadly. "Thanks pet."

"Pet?" Angel inquired with a silly smile.

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

The two vampires sat out on the porch drinking in the fresh air and the beauty of the place until they felt the sunrise made their skin tingle.

"I'll take the couch. Slept in a cement crypt in Sunnydale, so a couch would be quite a step up."

"It's a huge bed Spike. There's room. Besides, I don't want to hear you whining about a sore back later."

They undressed in the dark and got into bed each clinging stiffly to one side. Both lay awake for a long while as confusing emotions tumbled through their minds until their exhaustion forced them finally to sleep.

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

Spike woke to the feeling of another body next to him. Angel was spooned behind him. He lay a moment trying to figure out what to do. Suddenly the older vampire groaned and turned onto his back still deeply asleep. Spike had been holding his unneeded breath, unsure of Angel's reaction to their closeness; uncertain of his own. He quickly got out of bed and walked into the bathroom.

As soon as he heard the water, Angel opened his eyes with relief. He had only pretended to be asleep. He too had been shocked when he woke to find himself holding onto the younger vampire. He waited, perfectly still, trying to force away the harsh memories of his cruelty towards Spike, especially when Angelus resurfaced a few years before in Sunnydale. Tormented by his thoughts and worried that it would start the day off badly when it seemed things were a bit better last night, he had groaned and turned over, thankful when Spike got out of bed.

Spike walked out of the shower draped in a rather skimpy towel. "Left you the big towel, you being bigger and all." He smirked at the older vampire still lying in bed. With lightning speed, Angel tossed a pillow and hit Spike in the face and then roared with laughter at the shocked look on the younger vampire's face. Spike growled and tossed it back missing Angel entirely because he had jumped out of bed. The two vampires stood grinning at each other. Angel went toward the bathroom and Spike stepped aside, ripping off his towel and flicking the larger man as he walked by. Angel spun around and got a glimpse of a very naked Spike. He quickly turned and hurried into the bathroom. He showered quickly, dressed and walked into the main part of the cabin. The sliding doors were open and Spike was relaxing on a chaise.

"Blood's out here."

The two vampires sipped their blood watching the evening sky darken.

"So what's on the 'genda for tonight?"

"We'll go into town. We'll find a clothing store and...and." Angel let that comment hang in the air and hurried on. "I'm not sure what still exists but it's a college town, there will be bars, although I don't think they stay open too much past midnight." Angel responded.

"Let's go then." They walked down the deck steps around to the front of the cabin and got into the car.

The town was much larger than Angel remembered although he recognized the Wilma Theatre. It looked almost the same outside. Eight stories high, its hundreds of flashing lights brightening the entire street. He had seen a few vaudeville performances when he had been here in the thirties. "Spike, over there." He pointed at a brightly lit shop on the corner. "A western clothing store." He winced inwardly and looked at Spike who just quirked his eyebrow and crossed the street. Angel followed filled with dread. Fortunately there was only one other customer in the shop. The older man at the counter nodded but made no move to approach them. The two vampires wandered around for a few moments. Angel walked toward the piles of jeans on a table and began fingering the material almost shuddering at its stiffness.

"Wash them a few times. They'll soften up." The older vampire turned around to see his annoying Childe, arms filled with clothes. "Dressin' room's over there." He nodded toward the side of the store and strode purposefully toward the curtained cubicles.

Angel searched through the jeans and found his size and then searched the shirt rack. He reached the dressing rooms as Spike walked out of one wearing tight blue jeans and a darker blue suede shirt. He stood waiting for the other vampire's reaction. Angel stared a moment and then nodded as he walked into a vacant dressing room. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. Angel forced the thoughts of how good Spike looked, how he looked good no matter what he wore away and proceeded to change his clothes. He was in the cubicle for a long time.

"Hey git, what's takin' so long? Let me see ya."

Angel pushed aside the curtain and stood refusing to look up at Spike who whistled. "Lookin' good cowboy." The older vampire lifted his head, glared, and closed the curtain. Spike snickered and turned away. He realized that he'd never seen Angel in anything other than his designer duds before. Even Angelus went for the fancy stuff back in the day and when he made reappearance in Sunnydale, he preferred leather and silk. Spike pushed his thoughts away and strolled around the store picking up more clothing, grinning. He was having fun spending Angel's money if only because Angel hated spending it himself.

Angel finally came out and found Spike on the other side of the store. He was trying on a suede jacket. He spun around. "Like it? Do I look country?"

The older vampire just grimaced. Spike noticed the clothes in Angel's arms. "One pair of jeans. One shirt? Come on Angel. Harmony isn't around to pick up your cleaning. We'll have to do our own laundry. You'll need some spares." He grabbed the clothing from Angel's arms. "They fit?" Angel nodded and Spike strode off, stopping by counters, picking up more clothes. Angel just stood and watched. Finally the younger vampire brought a much larger pile of clothes to the counter.

"Like shopping Spike?" Angel grinned at him.

Spike gave him a dirty look and then turned away, mumbling quietly. "Took Dawn when...after Buffy...when Buffy wasn't around. Bit was lonely."

The ensuing silence was broken by a cheery voice from behind the counter. "Find everything gentlemen?"

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

The vampires went to put their purchases in the trunk. Angel kept shaking his head. "We just spent $2,000. $2,000!"

"Calm down Angel. Ya said we had to change our look. That means everything."

"Those jackets were $400 each!"

"They're suede ya ponce. Jeeze Angel. Those suits you were wearing at the law firm cost more than that!"

"I know...I know. But I just ordered them. Never saw the bill. Everything was charged to my Wolfram & Hart account and it was paid."

"Welcome to the real world tosser."

The older vampire stopped grousing when Spike touched his arm.

"Hey Angel look. Iron Pub Brewery." Spike walked toward the building and Angel followed. Inside it was dark and wood paneled with a large bar similar to those seen everywhere in England.

"Welcome. There's a $15 cover charge for all the beer you want to taste." A perky brunette in a short black skirt and top smiled at them. Angel paid for the two of them. "Just go along through the rooms and try the different beers."

Angel and Spike looked at each other. This was a new experience for them. For the next hour they followed other patrons around and tasted the various microbrews made by the small company and worked their way back to the entrance. Once again the dark-haired girl stood by the door. "Did you find one that you liked especially? You can buy a six-pack through that door."

Angel followed Spike as he entered the shop. The blonde vampire strolled around searching intently and finally saw the one he wanted. He looked over at Angel and waited while the older vampire paid and the two of them left the pub. "I'll put it in the trunk Angel. Some college kid might take a fancy to it."

They put the beer away and walked on down the street. Angel stopped and pointed at the blinking sign which read "Moulin Rouge Cabaret, Live Poker and Pool." Spike grinned at him and they crossed the street. Angel touched his arm and admonished. "Spike, don't be too good. This is a country town, not too slick." Spike smiled hugely and walked into the building. For the next three hours the younger vampire played poker. Angel watched a bit as he drank several glasses of a rather nice merlot. He could see that Spike was not playing at his best, but he still won more often than not. Looking around, he noticed a well lit room at the rear of the building. He walked back and saw that it was an Internet Café. He bought a coffee and sat at a vacant computer.

The place closed at one a.m. and the two vampires left, Spike pocketing the $200 he won from the locals. The lights in almost every shop and restaurant were off. The town was closing for the night. Spike looked at Angel and raised his eyebrows. "I warned you that they went to bed early here. There might be something open on the campus." Angel said.

Spike just shook his head and whispered. "Obviously not a vampire haven." They laughed, walked to the car and drove back out to their cabin. They sat on the deck and drank the beer that Spike had bought until they sniffed the approaching sunrise.

They packed up the following evening and drove the last leg of their journey. Angel had found a place he thought might work for them at least for a while in the travel book he bought in Reno. Lake Geneva was seventy miles outside of Chicago in Wisconsin. The pictures showed a peaceful historical town on a lake. On the Internet he had found a group of isolated cabins that were available for rent. He told Spike what he had found and they agreed that it sounded perfect – the solitude that Angel needed but the nearness to Chicago that Spike wanted.