Even The Fallen May Rise

Chapter 1: Crash

Chapter Summary: By the Gods it hurt, her whole body was sore. What had she done to deserve the treatment her head was giving her? A cold
hand brushed against hers comfortingly, and for a moment she thought it was Dru, but the voice that spoke was one she didn't know.

Charity clung to Drusilla, her small arms wrapped tightly around the woman's waist.
Her head was burried painfully against the curve of Dru's back, the dark helmet pressed against the black leather of her jacket as the world whipped by them.
Her large eyes peered out at the world from behind the visor of the helmet, the transparent plastic protecting her delicate face from the racing winds.
The night was falling, the colours of the sky spilling out over the trees at the base of the horizon, staining their fiery leaves.
The clouds caught the last rays of sunlight, contrasting sharply against the nearly black canvas of sky, twinkling with faint jewels.

She could hear the roaring of the motorcycle as it mixed with the billowing wind to deafen her.
Tightening her grip Charity closed her eyes, drooping from the long ride through the rainy state.
Puddles littered the road and Dru swerved to avoid the deeper ones that promised to soak them given the chance.
The constant shifting was making her sick and Charity tried to put the sensation from her mind.
The potholes that Dru couldn't avoid jarred her frail body, the ache between her legs reminding her of the previous hours.
She wondered when they were going to find a motel.
Dru had promised to settle in by sundown.
Needless to say she was cutting it close.

Charity wasn't entierly sure what happened next.
A blurry silhouette leapt from the shadows as Dru was slowing down to make a turn.
The enormous creature plowed into the side of their bike, and Charity went flying.
She hit the ground hard, a searing pain racing through her body from her shoulder and she cried out.
Charity didn't stop for another five feet where she slammed into the base of a tree, the thud resounding inside the confines of her helmet.
Her eyes saw stars as the world twirled about her.
Her ears not sure what to make of the snarling that interupted her daze.
When the terrifying noise abruptly stopped Charity allowed herself a dim smile.
It had been so annoying, now there was silence.

No crunching of leaves would alert her to Drusilla's approach.
Charity didn't see the leather-clad woman standing over her, her face indecisive as she tried to find a solution.
Dru's sigh and shake of head never reached her darkening eyes.
But she felt the searing pain in her shoulder as she was gathered into Dru's arms.
Suddenly the world was once again racing by.

"What am I going to do with you...."

By the Gods it hurt, her whole body was sore.
What had she done to deserve the treatment her head was giving her?
Everything ached three times as much as it should have.
She couldn't remember what had really happened, just a bright white flash when her head impacted with the inside of the helmet.
She lifted her hand to her head, trying to find where she'd been hit.
A coldhand gripped hers comfortingly, bringing it back to her side, and for a moment she thought it was Dru, but the voice that spoke was one she didn't know.

"That helmet probably saved your life Miss Baker, I wish everyone would be smart enough to wear one."

Charity shifted in the hospital bed, blinking her eyes open.
The world did a quick spin and she had to close them again.
After a few moments she was able to re-open them and focus on the man who had spoken to her.
His white robe and gloves led her to believe he was the doctor who had taken care of her, but he looked more like a supermodel.
The man had the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen and Charity tried to smile back, but ended up turning green with the effort.

"Oh, here."

He gently helped her turn onto her side and she retched unabashedly into the bucket he offered her.
His large hands held back her long hair, wiping away the leftover goop on her mouth when she was done.

Pain shot through her head again as she fell back into her previous position and she winced.
Her shoulder hurt the most, it ached so bad, like it had been torn off and just replaced.
Probably not too far from the truth either, Charity reasoned, from what she could remember it made sense to believe she had dislocated her shoulder.

"Where's Dru." She managed to mutter, her mouth dry.
Charity coughed and the doctor helped her sip some water.

"Your companion is fine, remarkably so. Not a scratch on her," he smiled. "I was quite impressed. I perswaided her to go get something to eat while you were unconsious, she should be back soon."

Charity nodded, staring at the ceiling.
She wondered if the doctor knew what 'getting something to eat' for Drusilla was.
She frowned, jealous of the creature that would be Dru's prey, Dru hadn't feasted on another in a long time.
She only made an exception when Charity was sick or very tired.
It really wasn't fair.

"When she gets back wake me up."

The doctor nodded, his blond hair bobbing slightly.
He continued to stare at Charity after she'd fallen asleep, wondering what to think of the young girl and her companion.
He feared what might happen to his own family when the werewolves found one of their own dead.
He could smell their blod on the woman before she'd walked into the hospital.
There was very little possibility that this would turn out good.