Buffy stood in front of her closet trying to decide what to wear. In the month she'd been in Sunnydale she never once went to The Bronze. She could never find a babysitter. Thankfully, Anya knew one. Her name was Dawn. She and Ahn used to go to work together. Dawn moved here a year before Buffy did and started her own babysitting service. Right now she was downstairs watching TV with Ceri. Anya came in the door and took in Buffy's hair in a messy bun and her robe. "You're not ready yet?"

Buffy looked at her cousin, "I haven't been clubbing since before Ceri was born. I don't know what to wear. I wanna look sexy." she gestured to Anya's pink corset top and black skirt that showed off her thighs. "But hello, I'm a mom."

Anya nodded and walked into Buffy's closet. She came back with a dark purple spaghetti top and a pair of black capris. She tossed them to her cousin, "Put these on and then we'll do your hair."

As soon as Anya turned her back, Buffy put on the outfit. The top clung to her breasts, but flowed out, not showing her stomach. The pants came a little past her knees. "Well?" she asked, twirling.

Anya smiled, "Perfect. Now put these on and I'll work on your hair." Buffy looked at the shoes Anya held, they were black wedges that had a little opening where her toes peeked out, and widened her eyes. They'd add at least two inches to the small girl. "Just put them on." Anya said, pulling Buffy down to the bed and brushing her hair.

An hour later, Buffy's hair and make up was done and she looked gorgeous. Her hair was curled and left down and she had dark purple eye shadow and clear lip gloss. "How do I look?" Buffy asked nervously.

"You look great. Come on, let's go."

After practically pulling Ceri of her mom with a crowbar, Anya and Buffy set off to The Bronze. "This place is really crowded." Anya said as the two girls entered the club.

"I know. Faith said this was the best club in town. And the safest." Buffy replied looking for her friends. She spotted them over by the stage and grabbed Anya's hand to lead her over there. "Hi guys."

"Buffy!" Willow jumped up and gave her friend a hug.

"Hey B. Nice to see you here finally." Faith smirked, "Who's your friend?"

Buffy smiled, "This is my cousin Anya. Anya this is Willow and Faith." She noticed the guys weren't there. "Where's everybody else?"

Faith grinned, "You chose the perfect night to come. It's open mic night"

"Spike and the others have a band that perform every Saturday." Willow further explained.

Anya sat on the stool on the other side of Buffy, "You didn't tell me your sex buddy sang." Buffy paled at her cousin's bluntness. Willow and Faith looked at Buffy wide-eyed. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Sex buddy?" Willow asked, blushing.

Faith tilted her head, "When did this happen?"

"Uh…well…last night."

"I wondering where my cousin was. He didn't come home last night."

"That was because he was with me." Buffy was looking for something to distract her friends. "Oh, look, someone's on stage."

The owner of the Bronze stood on stage, "Welcome to open mic night! Now, may I present your favorite Sunnydale band, High School Hellcats!!"

Spike came on stage followed by Wesley, Oz, and Xander. Spike stepped up the mike and adjusted his guitar strap, "As you already know, we're the High School Hellcats. I'm Spike, bass is Oz, keyboard is Wes, and our drummer is Xander. Now that introductions have been made, our first song is called 'Bad'." Spike smiled over at Buffy and began to sing.

We met, we smiled

I put my arm around you

The camera flashed and it was over

My face was flushed

You turned and walked away

But in my pocket was your number

And I'm thinking

Anya looked over at Willow and Faith, "They're really good." The two girls just nodded.

Who's that girl who smiles and hides at the same time

I really think she's got issues

The way she looks at me I can tell what a kiss brings

And if I taste her pain is that a crime

Faith grabbed Buffy's hand, "Come on B. Let's dance." Buffy's eyes widened as she was pulled to the dance floor.

"I don't know how to dance." Buffy said.

Faith gave her a relaxed smile, "Just follow me."

That night

We're upstairs in my room

I'm trying to ply you

With champagne and caviar

But you just wrinkle up your face

Won't get off second base

I'm trippin' on how strong you are

Oh my toes start dancing when you kiss me

You pull me down and I like it

Then my head explodes and I know something's hit me

You make me want to be bad...yeah

Spike didn't know how much longer he could take this. He was watching Buffy and Faith dance…all…grindy and stuff. He swallowed hard as he felt his jeans tighten.

I am a monkey behind glass

turn on the lights have a laugh

get up you filthy thing and dance

and you would come across the sea

give me kisses that would speak

of your seven lonely oceans

who are you to smile and hide at the same time

I really like your issues

the way you look at me I can tell what a kiss brings

you make me want to be bad... yeah

The guys bowed off stage and jumped down. They smiled when they reached the table. "What did you guys think?" Wes asked Buffy and Anya.

"You guys were awesome!" Anya exclaimed. "I'm Anya by the way. Buffy's cousin."

"So," Buffy started, taking Spike's hand, "you guys do this often?"

"Every Saturday night." Oz answered.

"So, anyone can go up there and sing…right?" Anya asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Xander nodded. A wicked smile played across Anya's features.

Buffy knew what was going through her cousin's mind. "No Ahn."

"I think Buffy should sing."

"You sing?" Willow asked.

Buffy blushed, "Not very well…"

"That's bull and you know it." Anya said to her cousin. She turned back to the gang, "She's won the local talent contest every year."

"Come on Buff." Xander pleaded, "Please?"

"I'll let you use my guitar." Spike bribed.

Buffy knew she'd never win this fight, "Fine. I'll sing."

"Great." Spike got up and kissed her cheek. "Come with me." The blond couple walked over to the owner and talked. The owner smiled at Buffy and walked up to the stage.

"Well, we have a new face for our open mic." he started. "Please welcome Buffy Summers to the stage."

Buffy blushed as she walked on stage. She grabbed Spike's guitar and adjusted the strap to her small size. She shortened the mic. "Um…hi." she smiled nervously. "I'm Buffy and I'll be performing a song I wrote a few months ago. It's called Skin. I hope you like it." Buffy looked down and started strumming.

I drift away to a place

Another kind of life

Take away the pain

I create my paradise

Everything I've held has hit the wall

What used to be yours, isn't yours at all

Falling apart and all that I'm asking

Is it a crime, am I over reacting?

The group stared at her, amazed that such a small person could have such a strong voice.

Oh, he's under my skin

Just give me something to get rid of him

I got a reason now to bury this alive

Another little white lie

So, what you had didn't fit among the pretty things

Never fear, never fear, I now know where you've been

Braids have been untied as ribbons fall away

Leave the consequence, my tears you'll taste

Falling apart and all that I question

Is this a dream or is this my lesson?

Spike could see the pain in Buffy's eyes and knew who the song was about. God help him if he ever ran into this Parker git.

Oh, he's under my skin

Just give me something to get rid of him

I've got a reason now to bury this alive

Another little white lie

I don't believe I'll be alright

I don't believe I'll be ok

I don't believe how you've thrown me away

I do believe you didn't try

I do blame you for every lie

When I look in your eyes I don't see mine

Oh, he's under my skin

Just give me something to get rid of him

I've got a reason now to bury this alive

Another little white lie

Oh, my permission to sin

You might have started my reckoning

I've got a reason now to bury him alive

Another little white lie

The crowd was silent as Buffy finished her heart wrenching song. She blinked back the tears in her eyes and placed Spike's guitar back in its holder. The crowd erupted into applause as she walked back to her table. "Buffy, that was amazing." Faith said quietly.

Spike put his arms around her waist, "I'd heard you sing for the nibblet, but not like that."

Buffy smiled, "Thanks." She looked at her watch, "Speaking of Ceri, I should probably get home." She thought a little, "You guys wanna come over and meet Ceri? Maybe watch a movie or two?"

The group nodded. "I've been dying to meet the little munchkin." Faith smiled.

Sorry for the lack of updates. Soon after I posted, I got really sick. Don't worry, I had surgery on the first of Feb and am recovering fine. Anyway, the songs used in this chapter were "Bad" by James Marsters and "Skin" by Alexz Johnson. If you have myspace, check out my profile. Go to search and then type in 18841833. Chose the first site that comes up. Believe me, you'll love my layout. Well, better get to work on the next chapter. Later.