Faded Memories
Chapter 1 - the Question

“So, you know her?” While there were only two people in the room, the petite blonde directed the question to the floor. She was afraid to look up, she didn’t want to read his expression.

“Who you talking about pet?” He knew damn well who she was talking about. Ever since her birthday several days prior the knowledge gnawed at the back of his brain. He was hoping no one remembered the exchange, with the utter chaos going on, it wouldn’t have been hard. But luck such as that seem to have left the vampire the minute he crossed the Sunnydale city limit.

“Anya’s friend,” Buffy said rolling her eyes. “You remember, the Vengeance demon who granted Dawn’s wish, locking us in my house for days with a rampaging sword monster.”

“Think she asked to be called a Justice demon, luv.”

“Whatever, just stop being all avoidy and answer the questions.”

“Am not being avoidy.”

“Are too…”

“Am not.”

“Are too. And you haven’t answered my question.”

“What question was that?”

“Halfrek, do you know her?” ticking the words off her fingers.

“Well, yeah, I recognized her.”

Silence filled the room. Buffy wasn’t quite sure where the conversation would go from here. She hadn’t expected him to answer the question so quickly. That night, she had ignored the exchange between the two demons. She, unfortunately, tucked that information away and was looking for a time when they were alone that she could ask him about it. But now, he wasn’t forthcoming with any details, so she was still uneasy with the situation. Not that she knew why she felt that way. Then she realized the implication of his statement.

“You just happen to recognize the demon called forth to ruin another one of my birthdays.”

“Oi, Slayer, what the hell does that mean? You accusin’ me of something?” His eyes flashed yellow, for a brief moment; his demon screaming for a dance. Although, this made the situation easier for him to deal with. Anger, he could deal with. Embarrassment, feeling unworthy, those were feelings his demon had beat down long ago. He was not about to wrap himself up in the self-loathing, low self-esteem flag anymore.

“No, well yes, no, I’m not accusing you of anything you stupid vampire. I just find it funny that you’re pals with all these demons making my life miserable.” Buffy didn’t think he had anything to do with it, but she couldn’t stop from needling him, just a little.

“Well, then I’ve fulfilled my destiny in life – keeping you amused and miserable,” Spike smirked that last line. His eyes darkened when his thoughts went back to the original reason for the conversation. “We’re not pals.”

“Oh, I’m well aware of the fact that we’re not pals, but I’d like to know what’s going on with you and this Halfrek character.” That came out a little rougher then she wanted. Not that her blonde nemesis was noticing.

“That’s who I meant you stupid bint.”

“Rude much. No need to get all huffy about this.”

“I’m not huffy.”

“Yes you are, it was just a simple question.”

“Slayer, nothing’s simple with you.” Spike was shaking his head as he walked away.

*********************
A few nights later...

“Spike, I want to ask you something, without you wigging out on me.”

“Depends, what’re you gonna ask?”

“I don’t want to ask if you’re going to get all broody.”

“I don’t brood, Summers – that’s Peaches gig. Go on, ask your question,” Spike said silently hoping a Thrala’k demon would fall upon them so this conversation would end.

“How do you know Halfrek?”

“Oh, bloody hell Slayer, what is it with you and this obsession with this bird?”

“I just don’t know how you two would know each other.” Buffy realized how lame that sounded. Her reasoning sounded much better in her head when she was playing out this conversation in her head.

“Vampire, luv, ‘emember. 180 plus years. Been around, you meet people, get to know the society, you know them, they know you. I have quite a reputation in the demon community ya know.”

“No, ego boy, this has nothing to do with your glorious reputation. She recognized you. She called you William.”

“’Smy name,” he shrugged. “Can’t you let it be?” His shoulders slumped slightly in defeat. He knew this bloody woman wouldn’t let it go. She was going to pick and pick and pick until that wound was wide open and bleeding again.

“I don’t see what the big deal is, why can’t you tell me how you know her?” Buffy was positive now she was going to find out this connection. She could see it in his eyes, there was something. She couldn’t place the emotion, but something…

Spike just stood there and all the could think was where was the bloody Vivshe’ell clan when you needed a distraction? Hell, a fledgling rising would be great right now. It was at this moment that Buffy decided to bring out the big guns…

“Besides, Dawn wants to know as well. She asked me about her.”

tbc