Feedback: Please! It makes me write faster.

Warnings: Language

Chapter 2

Halfrek flipped her hair and sat down opposite Spike. "I heard you died too, William."

"The name's Spike." The blond vampire countered with menace in his voice. He snorted and then added. "Yeah, my death didn' last either." Spike laughed as he hiccuped.

"So, what happened to you?" The brunette asked with genuine interest.

"Ladies first." Spike gestured lazily towards Halfrek.

"Well, after Anyanka died, I guess D'Hoffryn had a change of heart. He brought me back into the fold." She answered in a cheery voice.

Spike sat up a bit. "Anya died?" He bowed and shook his head. "Didn' know. She was a good bird, she was. Bet the Whelp didn' take it too well."

"Despite what you think, I do miss her." The two sat in silence for a time. "What about you, William?"

"Well? Burnt up savin' the soddin' world. Came back in a bloody amulet. Played like Casper for a bit. Now, I'm back. End of story." He took a large swig of whiskey.

"You don't seem too happy." Halfrek added.

"Since when do you give a shit how I am?"

"Anyanka was my friend. And she was very fond of you. So, I do care."

"Piss off, Cec-Halfrek. 'M trying for alcohol poisoning here. Y-you're ruinin' my c-concentration." Spike said as tried to focus on the myriad of empty bottles in front of him.

"Who broke your delicate heart this time, William?" Halfrek asked.

"Wot? Wot do you know of it? Jus' want to get pissed thas' all!" Spike placed his head in his hands.

"Is it the Slayer? Anyanka told me of your love affair with the Chosen One." She chuckled. "Sounded ill-fated to me; but she insisted that Buffy loved you."

Spike looked directly at Halfrek with cold eyes. "She didn' love me. Might have been fond of me, maybe. But, not love. Never love." He whispered the last line. He bowed his head.

"Oh, my poor William. You have always worn your heart on your sleeve." She paused. "If you must know, I felt a bit horrible at what happened between us."

"Yeah, I guess I never thanked you for that, you bitch."

"Now, now. Isn't your life better as a vampire then it was? My life certainly improved when I became a Vengeance Demon."

"Whatever...we done sharin'?" Spike spanned the room for another waitress.

"If not the Slayer, then who?" Halfrek crossed her hands in front of her.

He bowed his head. "Doesn' matter. Won't never happen." Spike answered with such sadness that his eyes watered.

"Come on, Sweetie. Why don't you tell me? It might make you feel better." Halfrek smiled sweetly.

The blond vampire stared at the brunette for some time. "What the hell?" He looked down and decided to say it out loud. Holding his feelings in was killing him. "Me Grandsire."

Halfrek was silent for a moment. "Angelus?" She asked and Spike nodded.

"He never sees the real me, ya know? Doesn' see what's right in front of him. Never has. Only pays attention to blond chits: his bitch of a Sire, Buffy, Dog-Girl. He'll sacrifice and fight for them. Always them. Never me." A tear escaped his eye.

"Do you wish that..." Halfrek started as she fondled the gold and black pendant around her neck.

"I bet he didn' even know that I died until I came back in his bloody office." Spike's voice rose. "Used to have a blood link, but after he got his Soul, the bastard cut it." Spike continued rambling. "I fought for my Soul! And he said I just try to steal his thunder. Didn' matter to him." Spike shook his head in disbelief. "It's never enough." Spike sighed. And half smiled. "Still so pathetic, ey?"

"Why do you want to be with him?" Halfrek asked.

"The heart cannot help whom it loves." Spike said quietly in his native high brow accent; for a moment he seemed totally sober. After some time he added. "Bet it be easier as a chit!" Spike and Halfrek laughed heartily at his joke.

Halfrek leaned towards Spike. "You could wish it." She said seriously.

Spike leaned back and almost fell out of the booth. "Are you nutters? Why the fuck would I want to do that? You're out of your bloody mind!"

"Okay, okay!" Halfrek placed her hands in the air. "It was just a suggestion. Just trying to help."

"And how is me being sans dick supposed to help?" Spike's face was red with anger. His eyes were bright yellow.

"No big, William. No need to go all grrr on me." Halfrek smiled.

"Yeah, well." Spike snorted. "This conversation is over. See ya around, whatever you call yourself now." Spike waved her off and turned his attention back to his bottle.

"You can call me Hallie. Well, William." Halfrek stood up. "Always a pleasure." She slowly walked away.

"Stupid bitch." Spike shook his head and chuckled. "Yeah, I wish I was a chit. Like I'd ever want that. A nightmare, that'd be!" He hiccuped and dropped his head onto the table. He suddenly was very tired.

As Halfrek walked out of the bar, she smiled as her demon visage came to the fore. She whispered in a deep voice, "Wish granted."

TBC...