Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Hee... None, really.
Disclaimer: I don't own "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" or "Angel". No profit is being made off of this story, and no copyright infringement is intended. The lyrics are from Patsy Cline's "Never No More", and they are not mine either. Also, I don't own Highlander.
Authors Notes: The lyrics to this song sound upbeat, but trust me, they're not. This song is VERY slow and wistful. And this WILL be a stand-alone. The author has spoken.

The interior of the bar smelled like alcohol, and the lemon polish they used on the bartop. Someone had renovated the place to look like what was old fashioned in my day. And my day was a long time ago.

I'm not here for memories or the scent of the lemon polish, though. I'm here to forget for a bit, and let down my guard for once. Also, for the alcohol.

Someone's turned on the jukebox to an old Patsy Cline tune, and it's wafting through the shadowy bar. As the bartender sets down a glass of whiskey in front of me, I smile faintly. The song fits my mood well.

Never no more, will I cry for him
Never no more, will I try for him
'Cause I've got me somebody
Who makes me happy when I'm blue//

Many men have come and gone from my life in the hundreds of years I've lived and fought. For a while, I've stayed, lived and loved while I could. Few of these men ever knew any of my secrets. Those who did usually were the quickest to be ripped away from me.

But in time, the ache fades a bit, until it is swept by in the winds of time. I smile when I see the descendants of my friends and lovers happy. But in time, they die too, and I pass on into the night, holding back the spawn of Hell.

I've crossed the path of only a few of my fellow Slayers, and never stayed around them very long. I don't fear them, it's just hard. In the beginning, I helped all of them I could. Doubtlessly a few fledgling Slayers will see my face in a dream, among those who have passed on.

I've been all around, a-paintin' the town
Saw the old faces and all the old places
That we use to know//

I finish the whiskey, and order another. A man slides into the seat next to me, and orders the same. We sit in companiable silence for a while, sharing in silence and alcohol.

Finally, I slip from my seat, and start towards the exit. I'm barely aware that the man is following me. No matter, I know how to deal with him.

A quick turn, and the sword flashes out. I twirl around easily, settling into a battle stance, and the man attacks without a single word.

The fight lasts maybe ten minutes before I take his head. Once the Quickening has run it's course, I'm gone into the night.

Sunnydale never grew much, even with all these passing centuries. It's still a small harbor town, with a small population of people, and the sameinflow of vampires. The goverment still hasn't caught on yet. I doubt they will until they want to catch on.

No never no more, will I ever see him
Never no more, now that I'm free of him
'Cause I've got me somebody
Who makes me happy when I'm blue//

A man has been following me, and I stop, turning around to face him. Chocolate eyes meet mine. He's calm as he watches if I'll drive him away.

"It's been a long time." I say calmly.

He smiles. "Yeah." he replies. No other words are needed. He slips an arm around my waist, and we head off, towards home.

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