Disclaimer - Everything belongs to Joss and all the wonderful people who made Buffy. Transcripts (in italics) from episodes of season seven Buffy. Story's conclusion also taken from a rumoured plot twist that never eventuated, but changed to suit my needs. Main story concept mine.

HALFREK
It's the talk of the order. They're calling you "Miss Softserve." Tell me you don't know this.

ANYA
But...who?

HALFREK
Listen, Anya. I know I've always been a little competitive with you. I mean, there was that thing in the Crimean War. We laugh about it now. But the fact is, I've actually always looked up to you. You were the single-most hard-core vengeance demon on the roster, and everybody knew it. Do I have to mention Mrs. Cholgash?

ANYA
Hmm. Ha. Good times.

HALFREK
And then you lost your powers. It happens, and you fell for this Xander guy.

ANYA
It was a glitch. A summer thing. I am so back in the vengeance fold.

HALFREK
No deaths. No eviscerations. You're not goading women into anything inventive, and you're not delivering when it is.

ANYA
I don't even know—

HALFREK
Waitress downtown wished her husband was a frog? You made him French.

ANYA
Hmph, he's smelly and with a little moustache. She—

HALFREK
Listen, Anya, if it was just me—

ANYA
What do you mean if it was just you?

HALFREK
D'Hoffrin. The lower beings. They're all feeling the heat. Something's rising. Something older than the old ones, and everybody's tail is twitching. This is a bad time to be a good guy.

ANYA
Well, what is this—an intervention? Shouldn't all my demon friends be here?

HALFREK
Sweetie... they are.

Hally reached across the table and took her friend's hand. This conversation had been a long time coming, and she knew that Anya had to hear it, but she felt better knowing she had something to offer along with this harsh dose of reality to soften the blow.

"Anya, sweety..." Halfrek started to speak again, but Anya didn't want to hear anymore.

"No Hally, I think you've said enough!" she said, and with that she began to gather her new coat and purse (imported leather, on sale last week - she'd thought them both very beautiful and had to have them) in readiness to leave. Before she could stand though, Hally grabbed her by the hand again and gave her one of those piercing stares that they each knew meant she had something very important to say.

"Stay. I want to give you something. A gift. To help you get yourself together again sweety. Trust me, you'll love it." Halfrek said in a meaningful tone. She knew Anya wouldn't leave now.

Curious and intrigued, Anya settled down again. "Well, where is it? Give it to me" she said, forcefully.

Hally smiled. She knew that this was something special, and it had taken her a lot of careful work to secure this gift. D'Hoffrin had needed a lot of persuading, and she had had to fill out a lot of paperwork. Anya would love it though, so it was all worth it.

"D'Hoffrin and I have made a deal," she began, "in which the details are that you may make a wish. A reality altering wish. Any wish your little heart desires." She finished with another small smile. "She raised her arms, ready to fulfil the wish she assumed would escape her friend's lips in any moment. But they didn't come. After close to half a minute, Hally lowered her arms again, looking around embarrassedly. Anya was silent. And she looked thoughtful. This was not going at all to plan.

"Sweety, what is the problem? Just wish that little Xander-roach into non-existence and be done with it!" Hally said at last, unable to contain herself any longer.

"Hally, I can wish for anything right? Anything at all? Like, shoes, or... shoes, right? And I can choose... Anything. Reality altering... Hmm..." Anya was starting to mumble to herself now, and suddenly leapt up, grabbing her things. "I'll call you later Hally. This is a big decision and I need some time alone at the mall to think" she called over her shoulder as she left. She waved distractedly, walked through the open café door, and was gone.