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 6

By Wednesday, they had the TV, cable and computer all set up. Spike had already annoyed him with the loud battle games he played long past sunrise. At dusk they drove to the bar. Angel was introduced to the regular bartender, an older man who assured him that there were not that many calls for the "frou-frou" drinks, although in summer that would change some. Spike strolled over to where the band was setting up to introduce himself and to find out what type of music they played. The keyboard player was a music teacher in the high school so he had a broad range of musical knowledge. The drummer was a history teacher and the bass player worked in the bookshop. Most of their repertoire was country, most often ballads, but it was interspersed with rock and roll, although heavy metal and the Sex Pistols were not in the mix. Spike didn't know much country although he could learn it quickly enough. Unless he could con Angel into buying some, he figured he'd have to use his own money to buy a bunch of country CDs. After about an hour, the band began to play and Spike sang his first song at Duffy's.

There was silence for a long moment when they ended the song and Angel tensed with anger and worry for Spike. Suddenly the entire room erupted in applause and shouts as most of the patrons stood on their feet in appreciation. Angel relaxed and looked over at his Childe who had a broad grin on his face and playfully winked his eye at his Sire.

For the next two hours, the band played and sang mostly soft rock and roll music. Spike explained to the audience that he was new to country music. He promised more country songs for the following night. To the older vampire pouring drinks behind the bar, it didn't look like it mattered what songs Spike sang, he was that good.

After about a week, Spike noticed that an old man was in the bar most almost every night. He always sat alone at a table in the back, nursing one beer for hours. Late one Saturday night on his break, the vampire walked over to him.

"Hey mate. See you every night. Like my singin' then?"

The man looked startled that Spike had spoken to him. "Yeah. You're okay. You at least can sing."

"Is there a song you'd like to hear?" Spike asked.

The old man looked at him intently. "You wouldn't know it."

"Try me. If I don't know it right off, I can find the music and learn it." Spike smiled at him.

"Don't think the other patrons would like it. Too old." The man lowered his eyes.

"Supposed to sing for all the customers mate and you're one of the most faithful."

The man lifted his head. "The White Cliffs of Dover". Heard it a lot during the war. That's World War II son."

Spike grinned at him. "I know it. I think the guys'll have to learn it. I'm singin' again next Wednesday." He heard his bandmates getting ready for their final set. "Wednesday?"

The old man could not hide his surprise and it took him a moment to respond. "I'll be here."

The vampire nodded and returned to the band. When he began the first song, he looked over but the old man was gone. Angel had watched the entire scene and marveled at Spike's ability to connect with people. He smiled, pushing down the jealousy running through his body. Spike had always been like that, even without a soul. People were comfortable with him, all the while he chatted them up before he drained them. As he said in the hospital after Dana cut off his hands, he enjoyed the rush, the thrill. He fed, he never tormented, unlike Angelus...unlike him. Angel pushed those thoughts from his head and enjoyed the music that his Childe was providing.

On the drive home the two vampires continued their verbal sparring over the female bar patrons who had attached themselves to each of them.

"What is it with you Angel? Ya got pheromes that only attract birds that are small and blonde – Darla, Buffy, Doggirl?"

"At least I have one at a time. You've got a whole bevy of beauties drooling over you."

"Bevy of beauties! You ponce! Sounds like somethin' I would put in that horrible poetry I wrote long ago." Spike kept saying "bevy of beauties" over and over until Angel pulled the car to the side of the road and growled.

"You say that one more time and you walk the rest of the way home!"

"Fine wanker!" Spike threw himself over the side of the car and began to walk still muttering "bevy of beauties."

The dark vampire banged his fists on the steering wheel. After a few moments he calmed down, and began to snicker and mumble. "Pheromes?!" He sighed and drove slowly until he came abreast of the annoying younger vampire trudging along the side of the pitch-black road. The headlights of the Plymouth provided the only light. "Get in Spike and stop pouting."

"Pouting! You're the champion pouter Captain Forehead!"

"Spike. You're not walking on this dark road. You could get hit."

"Hit? There's never anyone on this road Angel. That's why you love it. No contact. No danger of getting involved. Unless of course you're small and blonde."

"Well, you're small and blonde. Get in so I can get involved..." Angel stopped suddenly when he realized what he said. "I mean...um..."

Spike sputtered out a laugh at the older vampire's discomfort. "Relax beefcake." He hopped back into the car and then stared over at Angel. "I'm not small and my hair is hardly blonde anymore, so I guess I'm safe."

Angel turned his head away appalled at the sudden heat between his thighs. He didn't answer, just put the car in gear and drove quickly to their cabin.

Over the next few days Spike continued to pester Angel to take him shopping for a motorcycle. The older vampire kept putting him off saying that he would drive Spike wherever he wanted to go. Finally Spike had enough. He called Colin, his drummer, to come pick him up.

As he walked out the door, the younger vampire shouted out. "We're gonna practice some new songs, git."

Angel began moving toward his bedroom. "I'll come...just"

"Nah mate. You'd be bored. Stay here. Maybe sketch a bit. Ta." Spike replied as he hurried out the door and drove off before Angel could follow.

The younger vampire's departure made him restless. He went up the stairs to Spike's loft. His scent was everywhere. Annoyed with himself for the troubling feelings welling inside, he turned to leave but stopped when he saw the large open window. The older vampire walked over to it and climbed out onto the flat roof of the carport. He sat down and tried to relax, determined to allow only good memories of old times and past loves wash over him. A loud roaring engine disrupted the evening quiet and Spike came tearing up the driveway on a motorcycle.

Any fond thoughts dissipated, replaced with a white-hot anger boiling within him. He stomped downstairs determined to stay in control. Spike burst into the cabin.

"Come on Angel. I'll take you for a spin. You'll love it....it's...freeing.'

Furious Angel retorted. "Freeing! Yeah, until you wrap yourself around a tree and I have to take care of your broken body for months."

All of the excitement fled from the blonde's face and at first he visibly deflated. But as Angel watched, fury more powerful than his own stiffened Spike's slight body and he hissed. "I don't know why I...bother. You should be alone. You destroy everything you touch!" He turned on his heel and ran back outside to jump on the bike and thunder away. Spike tried to force away the hurt he felt at Angel's thoughtless comments, but the pain and anger burned as he rode through the dark.

Angel stood rigid. Emotions battled each other in his mind and on his face – shock fear, hurt and anger. He knew Spike was right. He did destroy everything he touched – the innocents he killed, not just to feed, but to savor the art of their destruction, Drusilla, Spike, the years lost with Connor, the deaths of his friends. He tried to tell Spike he was better off alone, but he wouldn't listen. As much as his Childe annoyed the hell out him, he knew he'd miss him if he wasn't around.

Angel wandered down to the lake. He sat on a fallen log and stared out onto the gently rolling waves crashing against the sand finally giving in to the grief that he had held tightly inside, sobbing as if his unbeating heart could break yet again. So much loss, the terrible loneliness, the failure of his mission. He didn't even hear the quiet revving of an engine. He didn't feel Spike until his Childe knelt next to him and took him into his arms. The two vampires stayed like that without speaking until sunrise tingled on their skin.

Spike whispered. "Angel, sun's rising. Come on."

He helped the older vampire get up and they walked back to the cabin without speaking. Spike led Angel into the bathroom and turned on the water.

"You're all sandy. Get in the shower." Angel just stood there, head down so Spike began to unbutton his shirt. Suddenly Angel broke out of his stupor and grabbed the younger man's hand, looking deeply into his eyes for a long moment.

"Hot water'll run out. Get in." Spike said biting his lip as he saw the intensity of feeling in Angel's smoldering eyes.

The older vampire lowered his gaze, nodded and began to undress himself. Spike turned and left him alone. Angel stood under the water for a long time. When he came out wrapped in a towel, Spike was standing in the kitchen in front of the microwave. Angel went into his room, put on clean boxers and sat on the edge of his bed. Spike walked in and handed him a mug of warmed blood. Angel looked up, his eyes filled with terrible pain. "Spike, I...I..."

"Don't talk Angel. You're tired. Drink this and sleep." Spike stood there quietly until he finished the blood, then took the mug and turned away. The tormented vampire whispered his thanks and lay down in the darkened room.

Spike lay awake for a long time worrying about Angel. The battle against Wolfram & Hart had weakened him. He seemed to have lost direction, lost his desire to fight for good. Not for the first time the younger vampire was concerned that his once invincible Sire would give up and walk into the sun and end it all. Thoughts of tenderly holding his Sire awakened emotions he tried to ignore and his confusion over those feelings kept him sleepless until almost sunset.

The following Wednesday, the old man was at his normal table. Spike walked over to him. "Say Mate, if I'm doin' a song for ya, how about a name?"

"Bill Reilly."

Spike nodded. "I'm Spike. Nickname...long story."

The vampire turned and went over to the members of the band. They had practiced several songs that were popular in the 1940s as well as some country music. They warmed up and then Spike walked to the microphone. "We've had a request. It's an old song...really old." He winked at Mr. Reilly and began to sing.

Once again there was complete silence in the pub at first and then Mr. Reilly and a few other older patrons began to applaud and everyone else joined in.

"Okay, that was memory lane. Now we'll go upbeat and country with Toby Keith." Spike told the crowd and their response showed where their tastes lay.

When the vampires got to work on Friday night there was a large crowd. The tables surrounding Mr. Reilly were filled with patrons around his age.

Angel whispered with a grin. "Fan club Spike? Not your usual groupies."

Spike glared at the older vampire. They snarked constantly at each other about the lovely young girls who hung near each of them while they worked. As if on cue, a dark haired young woman dressed as skimpily as allowed walked toward them. She smiled up at the blonde vampire and put her arm through his and pulled him away. Spike felt Angel's eyes boring into his back. He accompanied the "chippie" to a table crowded with other young things, each one prettier than the last. He spoke a few moments and then turned to join the band. He saw Mr. Reilly waving and strolled over.

"Brought a few friends Spike. No one else around here can sing the old songs." The old man smiled.

Spike nodded to everyone and saw the expectant, perhaps hopeful, expressions on their faces. "We've learned a few more old tunes, perhaps not the ones you want."

An elderly woman named Rose smiled broadly. "Anything from the forties is good for us." The others all agreed. Spike noticed one man in the back was studying him intently. The vampire turned and went over to the band. He took the microphone and spoke to the crowd.

"We're gonna play a few more old songs tonight, but we'll begin with something from Rascal Flatts." The younger members of the audience shouted in appreciation as Spike began to sing.

The band went right into an old song, made new by Bobby Darren – "Mack the Knife." For the next hour they played a blend of old-old, country and rock and roll to an enthusiastic audience. When they stopped for a break, Mr. Duffy hurried over to Spike.

"Boy, you're great. The take when you're here singing is double what it is the other nights!"

Spike smiled. "Thanks. Glad it's goin' well." He looked over and saw that Angel had left the bar and was walking outside. The younger vampire followed him.

Angel turned around and spoke. "Mr. Duffy's happy I guess?"

"Yeah. He is."

"You've made those old folks happy too. Don't guess there's many places that play forties music."

"Probably not. Maybe in Chicago." Spike responded. He had been bugging Angel for weeks to go to Chicago but so far the older vampire resisted. Although he had the motorcycle, he didn't feel like going into the city alone.

Angel turned around to look into Spike's blue eyes. Spike stared at his Sire. Jolted by the intensity of their gazes, they both looked away quickly. Angel spoke first. "We're off next Saturday. Duffy has an Irish band coming in for the weekend. We could drive in after we get off on Friday and stay over."

Spike was gobsmacked. He never believed Angel would agree to go to the city.

Angel laughed at the look on his Childe's face. Without thinking he reached out and put his hand around Spike's neck, rubbing his thumb against his skin. When Spike stiffened he realized what he had done and drew back. "I'd ...I'd better go back in. Jack'll need help with this big crowd." He turned away and hurried into the bar.

Spike's body trembled slightly after Angel's touch. Unbidden, an image of Angel raining soft kisses on his naked skin, caressing his thighs before... He shook himself, ignored his body's reaction, and returned to the band for his final set.

Both vampires were a bit tense on the drive home and neither spoke. When they entered the cabin Angel walked quickly toward the bathroom, speaking over his shoulder. "Gonna stand under the shower for a while. Muscles are stiff. Probably from carrying those cases of beer."

Spike didn't answer. He just went out onto the deck and took out his cigarettes.