A/N: Slightly AU, instead of Lindsay, Angel finds Darla in her apartment.
Los Angeles, California USA 2000
Shattered
It had taken Gunn's surprisingly astute observations, but eventually we found her. Cordelia made sure, even posing as Darla's 'concerned sister' in a vain bid to find out where Wolfram and Hart were keeping her. We finally found her, holed up in a little apartment on the other side of town. It was the middle of the day, but I jumped in the back of the Plymouth with a blanket over my head as Wes drove and Cordelia complained in the passenger seat. We parked in the shade and I told them to wait, I needed to see her alone.
I raced into the building and up the stairs, stopping in front of her apartment. I knocked politely and waited. I knew she was here; I could hear her heartbeat pounding on the other side of the door. "Darla!" I call loudly, making my voice light. She doesn't answer but I hear her suck in a deep breath, then she hisses in pain.
I freeze startled and take a deep breath; the sweet smell of blood reaching my nostrils. My eyes widen and I take a few steps back. Gritting my teeth I kick out at the door, sending it crashing into the wall. I luge forward only to be prevented from helping her by the invisible barrier across the doorway "Darla!" I yell again, this time a note of panic entering my voice.
I see movement and the top of her head peaks out from the top of the couch as she turns and looks at me. Her eyes are tired. "Darla, ask me in" I tell her
"Come in" she whispers.
I quickly rush inside, my boots crunching against the glass that litters the floor. I hurry towards her, walking around the couch and kneeling down in front of her.
She looks terrible. Her hair is limp and life less, her eyes dull and feverish and her lips are cracked. I glance down and take her hands carefully. They are bleeding sluggishly from the shallow cuts on her palms and wrists. I glance around the room and notice the shattered mirror. I swallow nervously and lick my lips. "I'll be back in a sec," I whisper before I place her hands in her lap and step back.
I search the apartment for a first aid kit, finally finding one in the bathroom. I grab some gauze and a washcloth and fill a small bowl with warm water before I hurry back. She is leaning back against the couch. Her arms stretched out in front of her. Small droplets of blood fall from her hand to the white carpet below.
I curse silently as I grab her palms "What have you done Darla" I whisper shaking my head at her.
She sniffs and looks up at me. "I couldn't face her" she whispers
"Who?" I ask quietly as I start to clean her hand.
She doesn't answer and I look down at her curiously. She is staring at her wrist. She swallows and moves forward quickly, her tongue flickering out and she licks up the small droplets of blood on her palm
I swallow thickly and place my free hand on her shoulder, pushing her back against the cushions "Darla, stop it" I tell her sternly "I'll clean them up"
She blinks at me, watching me closely as I dip the cloth in the warm water, squeeze the excess out and slowly move it over her cuts, cleaning them quickly. Then I wrap her palm and wrist in gauze and start with the other hand.
"You can use you tongue if you want…" she whispers to me quietly, her voice almost a purr "I wouldn't mind…" she tries to laugh but it comes out a shaking sob.
I sigh softly and glance at her again "You know I won't" I tell her evenly. I'm almost finished wrapping the other hand "Why did you do this to yourself? Who couldn't you face?" I decide to get her mind of the blood, and instead focus on what I had asked her before.
She pauses and looks up at me, her blue eyes shimmering with tears "Me" she whispers.
I pause and glance up at her startled. She gives a small humourless laugh "You were right" she tells me quietly "This soul, it's eating me from the inside out"
I look at her sympathetically, rubbing her hands softly. Then I bend forward and kiss her softly on the forehead. I know exactly how she feels.
A/N: I was always kinda annoyed the Angel didn't see Darla at her most vulnerable point, when she is lying on the couch with her hands bleeding. So, I thought of putting them both together in this scene. Hope you all liked it! Please review if you did. I love getting reviews!