pHe was going to play pool, but he'd seen Buffy by the tables one too many times./p

pHe went to the bar instead, and ordered a beer./p

p"New policy," the bartender drawled. "I.D.?"/p

pSpike patted down his pockets./p

pNo, he didn't have I.D./p

pBecause he had been dead for a very long time./p

pHe slid into game face again./p

p"I said, can I have a beer?"/p

pThe bartender stared at him in for a minute./p

p"New policy. I.D."/p

p"What the bloody hell is iwrong/i with you people?" He regained his human guise, frustrated./p

p"It's different in England, then?" the bartender asked. "I've always wanted to go to England. My older sister did a year abroad there, never came back. She said-"/p

pShaking his head, he spun around abruptly, black coat billowing behind him./p

pFucking wanker./p

p"Hey."/p

pHe turned./p

p"What now?" he demanded./p

p"You're Spike." She pushed a few strands of dark hair out of her face. "William the Bloody, am I right?"/p

p"Very astute, Princess." He smirked. "Who are you?"/p

p"Don't you know me?" She grinded against him, ignoring the music that worked against the mood. "I'm your dream."/p

p"I don't dream," he said, willing the images of Buffy out of his head./p

p"You will."/p