Rating: PG-13 (I have my reasons for putting up the rating.)

Summary: Takes place a five months after Darla stakes herself.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters… It all belongs to Joss Whedon and co.

A/N: hick hick hick…

Chapter 25- Lindsey

Lindsey looked up from his spot on the floor. He frowned and slowly stood up.

"Darla?" He asked uncertainly.

She smirked. "My dear Lindsey. Why so surprised?"

"I thought you… killed yourself."

"I did." Darla walked over to the bars that separated them. "But I got sent back."

"Oh…"

"I guess I have to 'save' you." Darla grabbed hold of the bars. "Stand back."

Lindsey did as he was told. Darla sighed and tugged. The bars she was holding on to creaked and snapped off.

Lindsey stepping out, wincing slightly. Darla looked at him with interest.

"So why are you here?"

"These people. The Initiative I think they call themselves. They're doing some sort of experiment. They wanted me so they can get resources. Wolfram and Hart, you know."

Darla looked at him. His shirt was torn and covered in blood. His blood. He had a deep gash on his lip and a cut on his forehead that narrowly missed his eye.

"Let's get out of here." Darla grabbed Lindsey's arm and pulled him towards the opening in the ceiling.

"Where do you think you're going?" A deep voice boomed.

Darla turned and eyed the guard. "Oh, please."

The guard cracked his knuckles and advanced towards them.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Angel, Faith, Buffy and Gunn waited impatiently out in Angel's car.

"What's taking so long?" Faith lent her head back.

"Do you think she can find him?" Buffy questioned.

"She'll come." Angel said confidently.

"Anytime in this century would be good." Gunn remarked. "'Cause we're not gonna live all that long. Apart from you that is."

"She'll come." Angel repeated. "I know she will."

"Do you trust even trust her?" Buffy narrowed her eyes.

"Of course I trust her. I wouldn't have asked her to go if I didn't."

Buffy felt a wave of anger fight it's way to the surface.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The guard stood a few metres away. Darla exhaled loudly. She marched up to the guard and threw him back against a wall.

"Right." Darla jumped and held on to the opening in the ceiling. She clambered in and reached out her hand and mentioned Lindsey to grab on.

Lindsey followed Darla as they crawled through the dark tunnel. They reached the end and Darla stopped.

"What's wrong?" Lindsey asked.

"I'm not going out head first." There was laughter in her tone.

"Oh." Lindsey felt Darla move in front of him. Suddenly, he felt her hair swing across his face.

"Turn around. I'm not going to catch you if you land on your head." With that, Darla backed out and landed softly on the ground.

Lindsey slowly turned around and began to inch his way out.

"Hurry up!"

"I'm going as fast as I can." Lindsey growled. He yelped as he found himself dangling outside, holding on the edge of the vent for dear life.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Riley Finn decided that he was officially a disgrace. A national disgrace. He was chain to a bed with no way to get out. His stomach growled. And he was hungry.

"How can you even think about food?" Riley scolded himself. "Oh great, I'm talking to myself. Just great. I'm glad no one can hear me. I bet they're all out looking for base camp. Idiots."

Outside the door, Fred and Cordy smothered giggles and listened on as he continued his ramblings.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Darla had finally managed to persuade Lindsey to let go, the pair made their way towards Angel's car.

"So… you're here with Angel Investigations?" Lindsey couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I told you. This is a one off."

Lindsey grinned. "Good. I'd hate to see you lose your reputation."

Darla laughed. "And what reputation is that?"

"Evil vampire who kills everyone she sees?"

"I didn't kill you."

"Why not?"

"Like I said before, I like you Lindsey. You're not like the other humans. You're different. I'd even go as far as saying you're special."

"Yeah?" Lindsey felt his heart swell at that. He took a moment to look at her. Properly look at her. She was still incredibly beautiful.

"What?" Darla glanced up at Lindsey as she felt his heavy gaze upon her.

"Nothing."

"Tell me."

"You're so beautiful."

"Listen, sweetpea-."

"I know. You don't love me. But you love Angel right? Why else would you be doing this?"

Darla waited before answering. "I don't know."

"Yes you do." Lindsey insisted.

"How come you know me so well?"

"Because I do. I can see you, Darla. I can see past the evil vampire thing. You have feelings like everyone else. The not having a soul thing doesn't mean you can't care."

Darla was shocked. She stopped walking and turned to face him.

"I'm still in love you Darla." Lindsey whispered softly.

"You deserve much more than me."

"But…"

"No buts. As soon as we get out of here, you're going to go and find someone else."

"I'll still love you."

"Then get over me. I'm not worth it."

"Yes you are."

"You're still my sweetpea right?" Lindsey nodded. "Good because you deserve a normal life. I'm a vampire. What could I possibly give you? What sort of life would you have?"

Lindsey shook his head in defeat. "Fine. I know I can't change your mind about him."

"Thank you." Darla stood on her tiptoes and kissed Lindsey gently on the cheek.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Angel's eyes nearly popped out when he saw Lindsey walking beside Darla. Lindsey McDonald? The same one that took off in his truck last year? Angel couldn't believe his eyes.

When they stopped, Angel felt like snapping someone's arms off. Preferably lawyer boy's…

Then, as if he hadn't had enough surprises, Angel saw Darla lean up and kiss his cheek. What the hell is with that?

To Be Continued…

A/N: Please tell me what you think!!