Yesterday

"Bloody hell. You have GOT to be kidding Angel." Spike groaned into the phone as he drained his beer and lit a cigarette.

Angel could hear him inhale the smoke into his lungs and waited till he exhaled to continue. "Everyone is coming….everyone. I expect to see you there no later than 8:00 pm. Is that clear?"

Angel was using his 'this is not up for discussion' voice that Spike hated with a passion. But, he agreed to work for the poof so who was he to bitch? "Fine, I'll be there." He said as he took another long drag.

"Bullocks." Was all that Angel heard as Spike hung up the phone.

Tonight

Spike breezed in and over to the table, a half drunk bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand and half a cigarette in the other. "That'd be me pet. I want this over as quick as possible." Spike replied, as he heard Anya's question as he approached the table. He moved to walk past them to the stage when Faith stood up, her hand on his chest stilling his movements.

"Hey Blondie, I've got a way to make this a hell of a lot more fun." She said with a grin.

"Make this quick Slayer, I've got places to be." He looked down at her, taking a drag off his cigarette. He had no intention of hanging around the Scoobies any more than he had to. It's not that he hates them, its just he's moved on. That 'in the gang' part of his life was over and he didn't want to be reminded of it.

Faith began to swagger around the table as she spoke, picking up her beer and sipping it as she talked. "I say we all put up 50 to go to the winner. A nice pot of money would make this evening a lot more tolerable I'd wage," she said with a grin. Everyone had thoughtful looks on their faces. It would be a good sum of money, plus they all knew from that musical demon fiasco that they could sing. "But…" Faith continues, her grin growing larger, "we have to continue with Anya's theme. It was her amazing performance that inspired this idea." Anya blushed at the dark slayer's words and Faith nodded her accolades.

Everyone looked a little confused and Spike was growing impatient so Faith decided to speed everyone up. "We all have to sing Michael Jackson songs." The look on everyones faces was priceless. No one voiced any objection though so Faith lit her own cigarette. Once she had collected everyones money she handed it to Giles, the only one not required to sing. She walked back to her chair and looked at Spike. "Whatcha waitin for Blondie?" she says as she takes her seat.

"Bollucks," Spike mutters under his breath. Angel catches it and chuckles quietly. He isn't looking forward to singing Michael Jackson but Spike's discomfort with it was definitely amusing. Spike puts his cigarette out and walks up onto the stage. He punches up his choice and a synthetic gong sound echos over the club as a sultry beat begins. Everyone turns their attention to the stage as Spike slowly grips the mic in two hands, holding it close to his mouth, his eyes closed.

You'll never make me stay, So take your weight off of me

I know your every move, So won't you just let me be

I've been here times before, But I was to blind to see

That you seduce every man, This time you won't seduce me

Angel sighs and takes a long sip of his whiskey. He completely forgot about this song, but obviously it still held a place in Spike's heart. Angel had stumbled across a very drunk Spike in the sewers of New York in the mid eighties. Angel recognized Spike immediately but Spike was too drunk to realize it was Angel under all the matted hair and dirt. Angel helped Spike up and walked him to the cemetery. All Spike was could do was sing this song. Angel eventually helped him into a crypt and left him there as he passed out.

She's saying that's ok, Hey baby do what you please

I have the stuff the you want, I am the thing that you need

She looked me deep in the eyes, She's touchin' me so to start

She says there's no turnin' back, She trapped me in her heart

Spike had fallen hard when Dru left him that time. She caught him cheating on her and kicked him out. He ran to the nearest bar and got as drunk as possible. He heard this song on the jukebox and started playing it over and over. Once they kicked him out of the bar Spike stumbled into the alley and fell over, singing the song.

Dirty Diana, nah

Dirty Diana, nah

Dirty Diana, no

Dirty Diana

Let me be!

Spike returned from his memories of that night and slipped his duster off, turning his back to the crowd as he tossed it on the screen, having no need for it. His voice echoes slowly over the club.

Oh no...

He turns and looks at the crowd, almost pleading with us to tell him its not true.

Oh no...

He drops down to his knees, curling into himself as he utters the words.

Oh no...

He looks back up at us like he's telling us the most disgusting pieces of gossip ever.

She likes the boys in the band, She knows when they come to town

Every musician's fan, after the curtain comes down

She waits at backstage doors, For those who have prestige

Who promise fortune and fame, A life that's so carefreeh

He quickly rises onto his feet, his hand in a fist at his side, the mic gripped close to his mouth. There is a strength in his posture that cannot be denied. He starts to spit his words at us, you can feel his disgust at what he's saying.

She's says that's ok, Hey baby do what you want

I'll be your night lovin' thing, I'll be the freak you can taunt

And I don't care what you say, I want to go too far

I'll be your everything, If you make me a star

He starts to repeat the chorus, her name over and over. The music keeps the sultry beat going and you can see people moving in their seats to it. Spike begins to dance very sensually as he repeats her name over and over.

Dirty Diana, nah

Dirty Diana, nah

Dirty Diana, no

Dirty Diana...

As the music slows even more he stops moving. He stands still for a moment before he starts to laugh softly, quickly turning it into crying. We all feel like he's about to confess his worst sin.

She said I have to go home, 'Cause I'm real tired you see

But I hate sleepin' alone, Why don't you come with me

I said my baby's at home, She's probably worried tonight

I didn't call on the phone, to Say that I'm alright

He uses past emotions from that night and others to drive the song home. His own guilt coupled with the pain he's felt himself fuels his words.

Diana walked up to me, She said I'm all yours tonight

At that I ran to the phone, Sayin' baby I'm alright

I said but unlock the door, Because I forgot the key

She said he's not coming back, Because he's sleeping with me

He walks hopelessly back and forth slowly, repeating her name over and over as the chorus repeats. As the song ends everyone claps loudly. He's definitely given Anya a run for her money. Her unhappy look and half hearted clap easily shows that. Spike walks back towards the table and takes a seat, resigned to see who wins.