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 5

About two o'clock in the morning Angel pulled into a densely wooded area in front of a large log cabin. Since he could no longer use his Wolfram & Hart credit card, he couldn't make reservations when he found the site on the Internet. Using the club's email address, he sent his intention to rent and informed the manager that they would be arriving in the early morning hours. Amazingly the man responded immediately and said that there would be someone in the office during the night. There was something available since it was about a month before the summer season began. The older vampire got out of the Plymouth and strode up the steps into the office. Spike got out of the car to stretch his legs and smoke.

Angel came out holding a key and smiling. "I've rented a cabin for three months. That should give us enough time to see if this is the right place for us." Spike dropped his cigarette and ground it out with his foot before getting into the car. Angel backed the car around and drove about a mile down the road. He pulled into a driveway and stopped the car in front of a real log cabin nestled amid overhanging evergreen trees. They took their bags and walked toward the building.

"Feel like a bloody colonial." Spike snarked.

Angel opened the door with the key. They stepped inside and stood in silence. The walls were wood paneled. A huge stone fireplace took up part of the far wall, two sofas faced each other in front of it. Like the cabin in Montana, a sliding door stood next to the fireplace, a small wooden table and chairs in front of it. An open stairway led up to a loft. A full kitchen, complete with a washer and dryer was on their right. They dropped their bags and walked outside onto the huge deck. Spike whistled as they stood looking through the trees to a lake beyond. Angel smiled and felt the tension leave his body. It was perfect for him and it seemed as if the younger vampire approved as well. They went back inside to explore further.

Opposite the living room was a bedroom and a bath. The bedroom had a huge window that overlooked the lake, a big iron bed covered with a quilt, a soft chair, a dresser and a closet. Finally they climbed the stairs to the second floor. A wood stove was vented into the stone wall that continued from below. A rocking chair and a small sofa stood before it. A large window on the back wall provided light, although shutters would insure darkness during the day. A king-sized iron bed and wooden chest stood in the corner of the left wall. Spike walked over and looked out of the large window next to the bed.

He turned around quickly and asked, "Can I have this room? There's a roof I can go out and sit on." Angel nodded and the two vampires walked back downstairs.

They separated. Angel took his bags and went into his room to unpack. Spike grabbed his and ran up the stairs. He threw down the bag and then walked back down and out to the deck, leaving his unpacking till later.

When Angel came out, Spike was lying on one of the wooden chaises. He had found the cushions in a storage shed at the end of the deck. They sat until the first few minutes of dawn, reluctant to leave the peacefulness. As they walked back in Spike finally spoke. "Good choice Angel. We can be outside longer because of the tree cover. What's on for tomorrow night?"

"We'll explore the town. There are several pubs downtown. Maybe they'll need night bartenders."

Spike rolled his eyes. "I thought you had investments. Why work?"

"This is a small town. People will notice if we don't. We don't want to attract too much attention."

"Ok. I get that, but..." The blonde vampire paused and his mouth twitched into a smirk. "Angel do you even know how to make a martini?"

The older vampire returned the smirk. "Yes, and a Sea Breeze and a Cosmopolitan."

When Spike quirked his eyebrow, a chagrined Angel admitted the truth. "OK, I never made one but I wrote the ingredients down so Lorne could have choices when he came to my apartment. Besides I learn fast."

Spike laughed again and turned to go inside. Angel slapped him on the back of his head and a brief sparring match ensued until their exhaustion forced them to their separate beds.

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An unfamiliar noise woke Angel just before sunset. He got out of bed and walked out into the living room and his eyes widened in surprise. Spike was standing in his boxers at the kitchen table folding laundry! The younger vampire didn't hear him because he had his headphones on. He had it turned up so loud that Angel could hear the music. The older vampire stood and watched as Spike turned, opened the dryer door and took out clothes. He finally looked up and glared at the amused look on Angel's face. He tore off the headphones.

"I lived in the slayer's basement for a year wanker. The house was full of women and they were always throwing stuff down for me to put in the bloody washer or dryer. Don't. Say. A. Word." He bit out each word.

Angel made a huge show of zipping his lips, but he couldn't stop the twitches at the corners of his mouth. He turned around and walked toward the bathroom only to be hit in the back of the head with a pair of jeans. He spun around just in time to receive a warm, soft shirt in his face.

"Better lay your togs out on the bed Angel. Ya don't want wrinkles." Spike grinned and Angel's annoyed look flowed into a smile.

A little while later the two vampires drove toward town, dressed in their new but slightly softened jeans. Angel kept trying to pat down his hair, although the wind from the convertible was frustrating his attempts. Spike's hair was softer and curling without all the gel and the blond was slowly growing out. Suddenly Angel turned the car into a semi-crowded parking lot. A slightly run down building loomed before them. The sign above the door read Duffy's Irish Pub.

Spike looked over at Angel, "Tell 'em your real name and you're in. All you Micks stick together don't ya?" The Irish vampire gave him a withering glance and turned off the engine.

When they entered, most everyone turned around to look at them. They smiled and received slight nods in return. The found a place at the end of the long bar. Spike immediately ordered a beer. Angel looked over the bottles behind the bar and smiled when he saw a bottle of Jameson's. They stood for a while until Angel noticed an empty table and nudged Spike. They walked over and sat down. A few minutes later a waitress approached them. She was young and very pretty with auburn hair and green eyes totally in tune with an Irish bar.

"Refill?"

The two vampires nodded and she left the table returning quickly with their drinks and a bowl of peanuts. "New to town or just visiting?" She inquired, her smile revealing a deep dimple.

"We're stayin awhile luv." Spike responded with a grin.

"Ah. You're English."

"Yeah. Born there. Haven't been back in a while. That a problem?" Quirking his eyebrow, he gave her his sexiest smile.

"No. Only Mr. Duffy was born in Ireland. Everyone else is regular American, which means a mix." She winked at him. "I like your accent." She looked over at Angel who offered his own small smile but said nothing and then left their table.

"Way to go ponce. Still perfecting that brooding block of wood mystique I see."

Angel sighed, looking chagrined. "Spike. It takes me longer...I'm not good at small talk. You know that."

"Yeah I know. But if you're thinkin' about getting a job in a bar, you're gonna have to be more... gotta have a personality ya git."

Angel glowered and hissed. "Just because I don't chat up everything that breathes like you do doesn't mean I don't have a personality. I'm reserved."

Spike laughed outright at that. "Dead more like."

The older vampire whispered. "I am dead."

The vampires turned when they heard the fear in a woman's voice. Two tables over, an extremely drunk frat boy was pawing at their waitress. "Come on Fiona. Been asking you out for weeks." He grabbed her and forced her down onto his lap, immediately pushing his hand down her blouse.

Without thinking, Angel stood up and strode over. He pulled the young woman away from the man. "She obviously doesn't want your attentions. Think you'd better leave."

"Fuck off. I'm stayin."

Angel picked the boy up and carried him outside. "Come back when you're not drunk."

The kid stood swaying and Angel turned to go back inside. Enraged, the young man jumped onto the vampire's back and began punching his head. Angel threw him off with little trouble and he fell onto the ground and began vomiting. The vampire turned toward the bar to find several patrons standing outside watching the show, Spike among them.

"Way to stay off the radar." The blonde vampire said softly. Angel hesitated and eyed the small crowd. The waitress walked up to him.

"Thanks. I made the mistake of going out with him once. He doesn't understand the word no."

Angel nodded at her and looked at Spike to see if he thought they should leave. A very short man with bright red hair and beard broke through the onlookers. "Ya want a job, son? Could use a bartender and a bouncer for the night shift. Don't pay much, but ya make good tips during the season. Come in. I'll buy ya a drink and we'll talk."

Angel and Spike followed the man to a table at the back of the bar. He motioned for them to sit. "I'm Patrick Duffy."

Spike reached out to shake the man's hand. "I'm Sp...My name's William, but been called Spike since I was a kid."

The man reached his hand out to Angel who took it and spoke quietly. "My given name is Liam, but like Spike, I use a nickname, Angel."

The man looked up at them. Although he smiled, it did not reach his eyes. "My son's name was Liam." Then he shook himself and chuckled. "Both named William. Good thing you have nicknames. Where'd pick up Spike?"

"Long story." Spike grinned and jerked his head toward the dark haired vampire. "He was his mother's angel and it stuck." Spike and the bar owner laughed while Angel offered a weak, embarrassed grin.

"Got two jobs then?" Spike said using his sweetest smile. "Noticed you have a space for a band. I sing."

The little man laughed. "This is my lucky day. Hired a band for the summer but their singer got into a spot of trouble. Left town. What can you sing?"

"Most anything. I just need to hear it once to know the melody. Takes a bit longer for the words." Spike replied.

"Can you make drinks as well? I could use another bartender when the season starts, 'specially toward the weekend. You could help your friend here between sets."

The two vampires looked at each other briefly and then back at the waiting man.

"When do we start?" Spike asked with a grin.

Mr. Duffy returned the grin and motioned for them to follow. He showed them the back room where the liquor was stored and the basement that held a very nice wine cellar. The older man looked a bit embarrassed. "No self respecting Irish pub serves wine. My daughter, Fiona's mother, did this. Said it would help business in the summer when the tourists come. She was right. Still feels strange though havin' so many women in the bar."

Angel had said little during the tour, allowing Spike to handle the conversation. Finally he spoke. "We'd like the jobs sir, but we can only work nights. We're..."

"We're writers. Need the day to scribble." Spike offered.

"My son wrote poetry. Sent me poems when he was in the war. Vietnam. Didn't come home." The older man paused briefly and then looked up at them with a half smile although his eyes were full of sadness. "Come in Wednesday at nine." He turned to Spike. "I'll tell the band to be here and you can see if you fit." He nodded toward Angel. "Jack'll show you the routine.

A short while later they left Duffy's and drove into the downtown of Lake Geneva.

"Spike, when did you start singing? I knew about the poetry but..."

"Been singin' for a long time, Angel. Got into it a lot in the sixties. Sang a few times at The Bronze. After I got solid I went out to a karaoke bar with the guys in accounting. Lorne heard about it and set me up with a friend of his who had a club. Just did it when I felt like it."

Angel replied hesitantly. "You...I think this is far enough off the beaten track so you won't attract that much attention." The blonde vampire gave him a dirty look. "I mean...um." Angel stammered as Spike just shook his head.

After a few minutes he looked over at Angel. "Ah...Angel? We're gonna have a problem. We have no ID. How are we gonna get paid?"

The older vampire smirked. "Took care of it."

"What do you mean you took care of it?"

"I always expected something to happen. I got us Social Security Numbers. Got one for Illyria too."

Spike whistled. "Regular boy scout ain't ya? Always prepared. And what name did you give the government for me?"

"Your real name, William Radcliffe. Used mine too. Watchers' Council had no human name for either of us. I had Wesley check."

"Good on you mate. Hey, pull over. There's a computer store."

"Why do we need a computer?" Angel asked as he searched for a parking space.

"You have investments git. Ya gotta handle them. Who took care of them when you were at the big bad law firm?"

"Ah...Wes found someone outside Wolfram & Hart to set things up. I've got everything though, including Wesley's portfolio. We were each other's Power of Attorney...um...In his will he left everything to me with the proviso that I take care of Illyria."

"Still getting' everything handed to ya tosser. You must be rich as Croesus." Spike snarked.

Angel didn't respond to the comment and both vampires were quiet for a few moments.

"I can handle it for ya if you want." Spike looked over at the older vampire's astonished face. "I like computers. Fred...Fred showed me a lot and Wes showed me more when we were tracking Illyria. Remember...when she was spilling her essence or whatever all over the building?"

"Oh. Okay. That'd be good. I'm Okay with research but not as up on the monetary stuff since the accountant did it all. Thanks." Angel parked the car and looked over at his companion. "You're not gonna buy too much stuff over the Internet are you? I mean..."

"Can't ponce. No credit card."

Angel smiled at the younger vampire beside him. "Now that we have an address, we can apply for one. Don't know if we'll get one though – no credit history."

They entered the shop and Angel followed Spike around as he searched. "Laptops are best. Don't take up too much room. We need a printer too." A young man approached and he and the younger vampire began to talk.

Angel wandered away thinking, knowing that he needed a new cell phone. He had thrown the other one away certain that the Senior Partners had it bugged. The older vampire pondered over the conversation in the car. Spike was right, he was pretty rich with Wesley's money added to his. His will gave three quarters of his money to Connor. The other quarter went to Spike although Angel hadn't told him. When the memories returned after Wesley smashed the Orlon Window, he had set up a large trust fund for his son. On the way out of town, he had given his son the information to share with his "parents." As he walked around the store, he realized that they'd have to set up bank accounts for their paychecks and it would be a good idea to get a safety deposit box for all of his papers.

"Angel." He startled out of his reverie and spun around. "Have everything we need." Spike stood cocking his head at the counter, a self satisfied grin on his face.

Angel stood a moment and then realized Spike meant for him to come and pay. He shook his head in fake annoyance but handed money to the salesman who was surprised when he used cash.

They carried the equipment out to the car. "We're gonna need to get a cable hook-up for quick computer access but also for TV. Hey....we need a TV. Don't look at me like that. I know you watch ice hockey, when they actually have a season." Spike smirked at his Sire.

"We'll have to ask the landlord if putting in a cable line is okay." It was Angel's turn to smirk. "I know you can't live without your MTV or whatever it's called. But we're not buying a big screen and we're getting headphones or I'll strangle you before the month's out." The blonde just wiggled his eyebrows in response.

They walked along the shopping area, taking note of the stores that would interest them. "There's a book store Spike."

"Yeah and over there's one that sells Art Supplies, right next to a coffee shop." Spike replied.

They bought coffee and spent a while browsing in the bookstore. "Spike, I'm going over to the art shop. You staying here?"

"Yeah, I'm good. I'll come over when I'm done here."

The older vampire left the shop, shaking his head in amazement at the easy-going relationship developing between him and his usually exasperating Childe. He hoped it would continue but he knew that they were too different for everything to go smoothly all of the time. Once again, memories of the infrequent good times between Angelus and William when Darla and Drusilla were gone came into focus only to be quickly replaced with scenes of pain and mayhem.