fic post

[samsom]

Title: More Than a Memory
Author: Samsom
Summary: Darla and Angel in the alley during Lullaby.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Notes: Written yesterday for the What If comment ficathon going on of late at fictorium, off eleusis_walks's prompt "Darla survives Connor's birth". Just a bit of a ficlet, and one of the few that aren't C/A flavored. I am both dismayed and proud.

~~~



It comes out of her, squirming and crying, and she feels the noose slip from her neck.

Just like that, she's Darla again. Whole again.

Angel snatches it up and immediately backs away, shielding it as much as he can from the rain and cold.

And her.

She gets to her feet slowly, the wounds of birth already healing. Her belly needs more time, though, still flabby and stretched, like a balloon with the helium drained out.

But eventually, even that won't bear the marks of childbirth.

As the rain pours down over their heads, Darla flashes her game face.

"Darla?" Angel questions, the pathetic hope still clinging to his voice. She glares at him, baring her teeth.

"Don't bother with the congratulations, Angel, it won't live long enough to matter."

He shakes his head.

"You won't hurt him," he declares.

"Won't I?"

"No, you won't. If you try, I'll kill you."

She smirks.

"Sorry lover, been there, done that. It won't happen again."

"He's your son!" The little girl standing near Angel chirps up like an annoying bird. And like an annoying bird, Darla wants to stomp her into a wet spot.

"Oh please," she scoffs through her teeth. "It hijacked my body and nearly killed me. " Smiles. "Can't wait to return the favor. With interest."

"You felt him," Angel said, his voice lost a little in the sound of the rain hitting the metal trash cans. "His soul. You couldnt have forgotten so fast."

She shifts her gaze just slightly, to the thing in his arms.

"I won't ever forget," she agrees. "That's why I'm gonna get so much enjoyment out of killing it." A movement behind Angel makes her grin and she backs away.

"I'll be seeing you," she promises Angel, and turns and runs, leaving him to deal with Holtz.

Barefoot, she picks up speed, putting distance between her and Holtz's aim, trying to put as much distance as possible between her and that thing that came out of her.

She hates it, with everything she is, she hates it. It's human and it tainted her with its soul, and she can't ever forgive that.

She won't stop until she wipes it off the earth.

Because if she does, then maybe she won't remember anymore...what it feels like to love it.

~end~

Comments

[bluemage55.livejournal.com]

Darla's death is a rather sad moment, but this ficlet basically reminds us why it could have been much, much worse. Thanks for writing it.

[samsom.livejournal.com]

I couldn't think of a worse nightmare than a mother attempting to murder her baby, so yeah, I'd say it could have been a lot worse! Thanks for reading. :)

[angryscientist.livejournal.com]

That was perfection, I honestly felt like I was watching it happen.

"He's your son!" The little girl standing near Angel chirps up like an annoying bird. And like an annoying bird, Darla wants to stomp her into a wet spot.

Hee, your Darla voice is impeccable :D

[samsom.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :) I don't think I've ever attempted Darla's voice before, so it's awesome to know I got it more right than not.

[makd.livejournal.com]

Wow! I could see it ending (beginning?) this way. And your Darla? Spot on and chilling....

[samsom.livejournal.com]

Thank you, bb. :)

[melissasdavid.livejournal.com]

wow. Powerful. Very powerful.... Oh holy hell, there'd have been even more agony had it gone down this way. Simply and gorgeously written. Don't be dismayed!!!

[samsom.livejournal.com]

LOL, thank you. :)

[starlet2367.livejournal.com]

I really hated watching Darla stake herself. It played so against type for that selfish, brutal creature (who was my fave on the show, next to Cordy). I'd rather have seen it play out like this. And yes, you nailed her voice perfectly, alng with the sensory experience of being there, especially the wet rain and the sounds. The whole thing was so visceral and true. I think you should write more Darla. :)