Genre: Darla/Angel

Rating:R

*Characters belong to Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, etc.

Nativity
by Tara Ann Stridh


She stood in the old convent like a memory from his past. Her golden eighteenth century gown familiar yet slightly altered from the one he remembered so perfectly from that night in Galway years ago.
"What's with the dress, Darla?" Angel slid his hands into the pockets of his black leather coat, waiting for her to unravel her new game. The powdery perfumed scent of her body sang to him of strawberries and peach blossoms, and her smile was an exact replica of the smile he had seen before he was born to an immortal life. She waltzed a step toward him with lengthy distance between them still.
"Thought I'd dress up for you. Thought maybe you like me better this way."
"I agreed to meet you here. Now what do you want?"
"You know what I want, my darling boy, so the question is 'Why did you agree to meet me here?'" The dark-haired vampire with the smooth, angelic face smiled with a laugh.
"They really want me to turn bad, don't they? What do you get in return for your whorish services?" Her posture remained unbroken, proud and elegant as if she was back in that century of manners and statuesque beauty.
"A second chance is what I get. A second chance with you is what I'm hoping for."
"Admitting you were a bad mother, huh?"
"And obviously, by your statement, I wasn't lacking as a lover." His dark eyes narrowed at her, and he gave her a smirk. As he took a step forward she removed the skirts of her outfit, tossing them aside to reveal snug, purple leather pants. Next she tore the curled wig from her head, unleashing her untamed, straight blonde strands. The golden corset trimmed with silk lace remained the only nostalgic garment on her slender body.
"You know, Darla, Spike once told me I was the Slayer's lapdog. As much as I hate to admit it I was-"
"And you will be again, but for a different slayer."
"Then what does that make you? Trailing me around endlessly. I thought our break-up was clear when I staked you. You remember that, don't you?" Darla's face quivered slightly while she allowed Angel to circle her. Her scream was soft as his arm wrapped around her neck, pulling her against his body. She cried out as his vampire teeth bit into her neck, drinking her now human blood. As he fed the tears in her violet eyes did not fall and instead transformed into moaning laughter. Abruptly he tore his mouth away from her neck, grabbing her by the hair and whispering harshly into her neck. Her manicured nails dug into the cold flesh of his hands and she sighed.
"Angel. You for once feel superior over me now that my body is breakable, and it's part of your dominating male ego to take advantage of the power. Let me go."
"Why? Isn't this what they want? Isn't this what you want?" He was still in vamp face, his breath soiled with her blood. Darla's breathing was heavy, her shimmering lips parted. The blood from her wound crept along her ripe breast.
"You remember the terror you inspired in those you preyed upon. Now I'm one of those souls to be conquered."
"To be saved." Her melodious voice snickered at him. "Making me bleed isn't saving." His hand tugged at her hair, and she gasped.
"Threatening me now, are you? Hello Angelus." The last comment was an orgasmic purr.
"Honestly, I don't know what irritates me more. That Wolfram and Hart want me evil or that they brought you back to do it." With a small punch to her back Angel made her fall to her knees, her head still pulled upward to him. Angel let go of her hair, walking around her so that he stood in front of her; she refused to look up at him. "You want to know the truth that I try to hide from myself, Darla? It's about you. It's about how you get to come back from the dead with a soul. Similar to me, except you're human. How is it that someone like you, who tortured and maimed almost as many people as I have, probably eve more, gets the super deal, and I don't. It all just makes me think that The Powers That Be must really be fucked up."
"You're jealous of me?" Her gentle voice echoed confusion.
"Instead of feeling all the pain you caused you don't feel anything." The sincere warmth she was feeling faded from her face, and she smiled with a mocking pout. Her eyes gleamed up at his towering figure.
"You're jealous that you don't have a brooding partner. You were hoping we could share the pain we caused together, because let's face it, I was there for most of the havoc you caused, enjoying every moment of it, of course. But instead, you're all alone in the feeling part of it. You know, I do regret something. I regret not watching you rape that dark-haired slayer." Angel's powerful hand hit the side of her face, causing her nose to bleed. After wiping the blood from her nose, she looked up at him again and smiled, licking it off her warm skin.
"More blood is always nice. And another bruise. I can take as many as you can give, Angel." Quickly, he took off his leather coat, throwing it on the ground. Then he began to unbutton his black silk shirt, and Darla's hands grabbed at his belt buckle. Her eyes twinkled as he grabbed her petite hand, almost crushing it, raking her fingernail across his firm chest, drawing out the blood. She cried out for a second time as he held her head in his hands, bringing her mouth to his flowing cut. "If I'm going to be evil, then I want you back the way you were." Darla squirmed within his vice-like grip, trying to tear his hands away from her.
"No. Stop! Let me go!"
"No, Darla. Its time for you to become again."
"No! Angel, I don't want to!" Her screams were muffled as he embraced her, her mouth pressed against his body. After a second passed Darla shoved herself away from him, falling on to the ground, spitting out the taste of his blood. She wiped at her mouth desperately and continuously, choking and coughing. Her violet eyes glared up at him before she stood up. A red streak was smeared across her chin.
"How dare you try to make me! I will not allow you to own me! Never Angel! I would kill myself before I let you own me in any way! I would say screw Wolfram and Hart - I'll kill you if you ever try to make me! You are mine, Angel! You still can't stand that, can you? Knowing that I linger through your blood, through your body, through your thoughts." Angel shrugged, his handsome visage returned.
"You're right. I don't think I drained you enough to turn you. Shall we?" She turned to run, but he caught her wrist, swirling her to him. As quickly as his strong arms tightened around her trembling body, his vampire face was revisited, and he drank from her sore neck for a second time. This time Darla cried, her tears scornful as she felt her drifting energy drowning her in unwanted sleep. Then his feeding ceased, and Angel let her exhausted body tumble to the once sanctified ground. His human face restored he knelt beside her, stroking her face. "
Maybe now you'll leave me alone." His sire reached for his hand, her eyelids heavy. She smiled.
"Bastard Liam. Angel. Angelus. Whoever you are, you'll be back, and so will I because you won't kill me now." Her eyes closed, and Angel felt for a pulse in her neck. Reassured of her well being he picked her up like a groom carrying his bride over a new threshold. Observing the horrid wound in her neck Angel wondered who he was becoming; his tears were a mixture of fear and disgust. Still, someone had to bring Darla home, wherever it was at the moment, and he knew it could only be him.