Off-Stage
by Gunbunny

The outside of this door is fairly discreet, with just a polished brass sign to indicate that there's a club in here at all. No advertising, but then the management does well enough on word of mouth, and don't want the hassle the trashy allure of neon can provide. 

Push the door open, make your way past the cloakroom and cashier to a dimly-lit but not overly dark interior. On the stage, two brunettes writhe as a pair for this song. The club caters for both leanings, and there aren't many clientele who don't run an appreciative eye over both lead dancers.

The music's harsh, arrogant, and they tailor their routine accordingly.

~Cos I-I am - a pretty piece of flesh I am~

The male half of the pair murmurs "You really get into this one, don't you?"

She flashes a grin back at him, purrs "Gave me a low-down good tingly feel ever since I first heard it. Real sex, you know?"

"Real vanity, you mean." Leans into her, then back, as the routine demands. Jerks her hard against his body, she twists up and down him. Leather jackets go flying.

~Stars collide, we'll survive with a pretty piece of flash. Your little pretty piece of flesh~

She backs off, twists to swing round the pole, head back in apparent abandonment.

The song finishes, applause and whistles from the audience for the sweaty pair, who still possess their leather trousers.

Retreat to dressing room. Faith grabs the proffered towel from her partner. "Nice crowd tonight."

Xander tuts. "You were so overdoing the pole tonight."

"Yeah, but did you see that suit-geek?"

"He was drooling over me, thankyou. I got flowers from him last week."

She shrugs. "So he swings both ways. Big deal." She picks up a shirt and bra from the chair, looks round in frustration. "Where did Joel move my pinstripes?"

"Have you tried the cupboard?" He asks, pulling a white tank top on. "It's the usual place for dry-cleaning."

"Don't use logic on me, Xander." Glances down at the leather trousers that she's still wearing. "These have to be the most awkward things to strip out of ever."

"It's a sign of the cow psyche."

"Explain that one."

"Stripping is not of the cows."

She gives him the raised eyebrow. "You've researched this?"

"What do you think I do between acts, laze around and eat twinkies?"

"They're bad for your figure."

"Ah, but I'm on the patented Xander diet plan."

"Dancing and sex?" He nods, grinning. Faith sighs, looks in the mirror, picks up a brush. "There's a vamp in the audience tonight."

"There always is. You want to do the distraction and dusting later?"

"That's your job, stud."

"My job? I'm just the weak, defenceless demon magnet. You're the slayer."

She leers. "Yeah, but you don't need my help in staking this one." Finishes brushing her hair, then turns and starts fussing with the outer seam of his new trousers. "You know you have to have these straight for good movement. One day you'll forget to check them and you'll go on stage and rip something."

"Liking the subject change there. 10 points."

"It's not a subject change, it's the job. And I know you hate the next routine, but you look hot doing it. Pout extra and John said he'd give you a bag of M&Ms."

"Ooo, chocolate." Frowns. "Hold it, what do I have to do for these M&Ms?"

She grins. "Just pout. He loves that lower lip."

"I'll tell Mark he loves my lower lip."

"Mark likes it too, stud." Turns him round and gives him a slap on the bum. "All done. Now get out there and jiggle."

Near the end of the night.

Faith smiles to herself onstage during her last set, moving slowly to the beat of the current song. Her attention's on the action off-stage, by the bar.

~First I say no, I've got some plans for the night; but then I stop - and say alright~

Xander's there, involved in a deep embrace with the bleached vampire who's been lurking in the shadows half the night, watching the performance.

Her smile broadens as she mouths along to the next line, winking at Spike as he looks up, catching her eye.

~Love is kinda crazy with a spooky little boy like you~

He grins, nods back and turns his attention back to his boyfriend. She finishes her set, changes and joins them.

Spike takes a drag on his fag. "You ready to go, luv?"

"I'm five by five. You like the dancing tonight?"

"Dunno, was watching the barman."

Xander pouts. "You weren't drooling over me? I'm going to have to sulk."

"Was drooling over the Slayer here, pet."

"They're bad for you, trust me on this."

Faith punches the vampire on the arm. "I told you what I'd do to you if you ever hurt the Xand-man here, Spike."

Spike whines, mostly because the jolt dislodged his fag. "Pet, the psychotic chit here's beating me up."

"It's her job, and I'm not listening to you until you give me chocolate. Lots of chocolate to make up for that comment."

Spike grins, pretends to examine his nails. "Don't have any chocolate on me. Will sex do?"

Xander pauses in the middle of pouting, and contemplates the offer. "Only if it's of the hot and steamy kind."

"Do I offer anything else, pet?"

They step out of the club, passing the bouncer. Faith goes on tip-toe to kiss him on the cheek. "Bye Joel."

"Stay out of trouble, you two. And don't come in all dusty like you did this evening."

"Not my fault." Xander grins, trying to combat the wandering hands of Spike. "Blame her."

"It was you too."

"Was not."

"Was too."

The squabbling can be heard as they wander away from the club, getting fainter and fainter, until there's a cry of "Will you two bloody well shut up!"

************

END