"No. Way." Dawn shook her head adamantly ass he gazed into the mirror, "I can't wear this out there. No, Mia."

Mia rolled her eyes, "Look. The outfit is perfect for the song, and you look hot, Dawnie! Just...do this for me?"

Dawn's outfit consisted of a short, red plaid shirt held together by a ton of safety pins in the most strategic places, a black halter-top, black fishnets, and a pair of knee-high black boots. Her hair was in a high ponytail with braids died temporarily black and red staggered through it. A heavy object made of leather was thrust into her hands.

"Spike's jacket." Dawn said, pulling it on.

"Yeah. Man, he's attached to that thing."

Dawn nodded absently as the scents of leather, nicotine, and something distinctly Spike overwhelmed her. She sighed and nodded, "This is much better."

"I think it adds something to the whole ensemble," Mia said, picking up her guitar. She was dressed similarly to Dawn, only with a blue skirt, thigh-high black stockings, and her father's oxford shirt tied up above her belly button a-la Britney Spears. Dawn smiled to herself when she realized Mia looked like Britney Spears on speed. Mia's springy black hair exploded around her head, streaked blue with glitter shimmering with every move she made.

"Are we ready?" One of the Bronze staff asked. The members of Pale all looked at eachother.

"I'm good to go." Dawn said, pulling her hands up into the sleeves of the duster and clenching her fingers. As the rest of the band nodded, the coordinator directed them to the stage.

Willow and Tarah squealed excitedly as the announcer introduced Pale onto the stage. As Jag, Card, Ian and Mia filed on stage and took their places, they waited expectantly for Dawn. When she finally climbed the small set of steps to the stage, Spike could sense her nervousness.

"She looks great." Willow whispered, "Hey, she's wearing your coat, Spike."

Spike nodded, transfixed by the creature on the stage. Dawn wore his duster open over the skimpiest outfit he'd ever seen her wear, and the lights above the stage cast an angelic glow that juxtaposed the outfit. Dawn locked eyes with him and stood a little taller. She winked at him and turned to Jag and nodded. He started the count-off with his drumsticks, and the band launched into their song.

It took Tarah and Willow a moment to figure out what the song was from the beginning intro, but Spike knew right away and a smile slowly spread across his face. Dawn grinned at him and began to sing.

On the floor of Tokyo

Or down in London town to go, go

With the record selection

With the mirror reflection

I'm dancing with myself

When there's no-one else in sight

In the crowded lonely night

Well I wait so long

For my love vibration

And I'm dancing with myself 

"Oh my God!" Willow giggled, "Spike, it's like she's channeling you up there."

Spike rolled his eyes at the witch, then gave her a grin, "I think I'm beginning to rub off on her, don't you?"

Tarah smiled, "Gods help us."

On stage, Dawn had all but forgotten about the audience and was dancing beside Mia as they both sang.

Oh dancing with myself

Oh dancing with myself

Well there's nothing to lose

And there's nothing to prove

I'll be dancing with myself

If I looked all over the world

And there's every type of girl

But your empty eyes

Seem to pass me by

Leave me dancing with myself 

Spike shifted a little in his seat. It was getting harder and harder to just sit there with her on that stage a few yards away, wearing his duster and practically nothing else. It was torture on a vampire's un-beating heart.

*If I was human, I would've had a stroke by now.* He thought to himself. Spike glanced over at the witches and sighed. *Take a deep breath, and stop acting like an idiot before those two figure out what's wrong with you.*

Dawn stared at Spike. He looked odd to her, like he was really uncomfortable or something. She shook it off, not allowing herself to let her focus stray from the performance.

So let's sink another drink

'Cause it'll give me time to think

If I had the chance

I'd ask the world to dance

And I'll be dancing with myself

Oh dancing with myself

Oh dancing with myself

Well there's nothing to lose

And there's nothing to prove

I'll be dancing with myself     

Ian hit the last riffs of the song and Dawn sang the final lines, and the song came off perfectly.

Well there's nothing to lose

And there's nothing to prove

I'll be dancing with myself     

Spike sat dazed as Willow and Tarah both jumped screaming to their feet, applauding wildly. He was still staring at Dawn in awe. Now that the song was over, the band had to clear off the stage for the next band to play, and he watched as she tugged the duster tighter around her to cover her bare midriff. He chuckled softly and began to make his way backstage.

"That...That was beyond words." Ian said dazedly, "Dawn you were awesome."

Mia nodded, "What happened to little miss nervous?"

Dawn shrugged, her cheeks flaming both from her own modesty and the adrenaline pumping through her veins, "I just sang."

"She just sang, she says." Jag muttered incredulously, "I almost dropped one of my sticks when you started the second verse. It was unreal. Are you possessed?"

Spike came up behind her grinning, "I certainly hope not."

Dawn squealed in excitement and jumped into Spike's arms, "Oh my GOD! I was so nervous. Did we do good?"

"Phenomenal." Spike replied, stepping back a bit, "Love the jacket."

Dawn's eyes widened, "Oh! Sorry." She started to shrug out of the duster but Spike stopped her.

"Don't. It looks better on you, anyway."

Behind them, the band members all shared conspiratorial looks.

"I don't know what I missed," Mia whispered, "But did the temperature in here just go up about a hundred degrees?"

Needless to say...they won the $2,000