Disclaimer: I do not own Hellsing or any of its characters. This fic is co-written by myself and someone whose name will not be mentioned for privacy purposes, so all credit does not belong to me. Please note that some of the content is inappropriate for younger readers.

Chapter One

The steady click of high heels against the stone floors echoed throughout the empty hallways. Katherine Elbourne tucked the few stray hairs framing her face behind her ears and checked to see that the pins keeping her hair in a bun were still in place.

"Not so fast, Walter. These shoes are killing me!"

"Then why did you wear them?" came the elderly butler's reply, followed by a soft chuckle. Katherine tugged on her skirt, trying to give it some length before replying, "I want to at least make a good first impression with Sir Hellsing. First impressions are key because they are lasting."

"Ah, is that why you gave me such a dazzling smile when we first met?" Walter asked, slowing to look back at her.

"Well that, and you were positively charming."

Walter laughed. "Good to know I haven't lost all my charm yet. Now come along Miss Elbourne or you'll be late."

Katherine hurried to keep up with his rapid pace. "I told you before you can call me Kit. Now Walter, do you think Sir Hellsing will like me?"

"As long as you do your job, she'll love you."

"I don't know if I can even do that. I mean, what do I have to offer?"

"You graduated at the top of your class, and I've seen some of your designs; they're quite impressive."

"I graduated two and half years ago. Surely there are younger graduates who did even better than I did."

"Miss Elb – Kit, we're not looking for rookies. Your work with the Crime Lab has given you enough experience."

"Well alright, if you say so," Katherine conceded with a shrug.

Katherine had been very surprised when she was approached by the Hellsing Organization with a job proposition. According to Walter, they were in search of someone who could design and manufacture specialized weapons and ammunition for their troops. It was not immediately explained why they needed specialized firearms, but the idea of finally being able to pursue her dreams of designing her own weapons was what caught her attention. Ever since she was 17, Katherine had been sketching her own firearms, labeling the parts and making notes on the types of materials she would use. Of course she never got much further than that since she had neither the resources nor the licensing to take it further. But with this job at Hellsing, she would have everything she needed, and so she had jumped at the chance, signing the contract after only one interview with Walter.

Now that she was an official member of the organization, she was being introduced to the big boss herself, Sir Integra Hellsing. When Walter had met her at the front door, he had mentioned that Sir Hellsing would explain the true nature of this organization to her during their meeting.

Now as Katherine followed behind Walter, she felt herself growing more and more excited to learn the true secrets of the Hellsing organization.

"We are here," Walter announced, stopping outside a large oak door and tapping softly on the wood.

"Enter," came a female voice from within. Walter twisted the brass knob and the door swung open. With a wave of his hand, Walter urged Katherine to enter first, which she did. She came to a stop in front of the desk, her eyes sweeping over the young blonde woman standing on the other side.

Katherine Elbourne was a woman of medium height with a small physique. Her hair was long and dark brown, and her eyes were an unusual grey surrounded by thick black lashes which gave them a wide-eyed, child-like appearance. Her features were fine and delicate, making her appear almost fragile, but the way she wore her hair gave her a slightly sterner look. She had small breasts, a slender torso and slightly curving hips, yet overall she had a somewhat boyish figure.

Similarly, Sir Integra Hellsing had a straight figure, with the only indication that she was a woman being the slight curve of her chest. Integra was tall and fair, with long platinum blonde hair and pale blue eyes hidden behind a pair of large, round glasses. She dressed in a suit, and smoked cigars like any man would – a declaration to the world that she was as tough as any male.

Katherine did not doubt that for a second.

"Sir Hellsing, it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

Katherine noticed how the other woman scrutinized her before nodding to the chair across from her. Katherine moved to sit down and carefully crossed her legs, smoothing her skirt once more before folding her hands neatly in her lap.

"We are happy to have you on board, but I am sure you have many questions. You must understand, we could not divulge any information until you were under contract."

"I understand."

"Good. Tell me Miss Elbourne, have you ever heard of vampires?"

Katherine blinked in surprise, certain she had misheard. "I'm sorry, did you say vampires?"

Integra Hellsing said nothing, waiting for the reply to her question.

"Well yes, of course. I'm sure everyone knows about vampires, but what does that have to do with anything?" Katherine asked, feeling slightly flustered. Integra removed the cigar from between her lips and sat down, releasing a puff of smoke from her mouth. She waited until the air in front of her face had cleared before offering further explanation.

"You want to know what it is we fight against, why we need special weaponry? Well, there is your answer."

Katherine glanced sideways at Walter who was standing placidly next to the wall. He did not smile. She turned her eyes back to Integra and saw the seriousness in the woman's eyes.

It did not appear as though they were pulling her leg.

"I don't think I follow. You're saying you actually fight vampires? Real, live vampires?"

"Well they're technically dead, but yes, that is what I am saying."

For a long moment Katherine was silent, staring down at her hands while her mind processed the information.

Vampires?

What an utterly ridiculous concept.

"Is this some sort of joke? How dare you make me sign a contract and offer this nonsense as some sort of explanation?!"

"In all fairness Miss Elbourne, we did not make you sign anything. But I knew you would react this way – most new employees do, so I arranged for you to meet one of our two vampires."

"Meet one? You mean a vampire?" Katherine asked, her anger suddenly melting away, replaced with uncertainty. Integra nodded before directing her gaze over to Walter.

"Walter, bring her in."

"Yes Madam."

Katherine watched with bated breath as the elderly butler walked over to the door and opened it. A young blonde woman stood in the doorway, wearing a blue police uniform and carrying an abnormally large firearm – more of a cannon really. Katherine's jaw dropped, and she slowly rose from her chair, moving over to the young woman.

"H-Hello. My name is Ceres Victoria."

Katherine barely heard her speak, amazed by the weapon she carried. She circled the girl once before stopping beside the cannon.

"This is. . .an incredible piece of equipment. How did you possibly manage to make it so large, yet still light enough for a girl to carry?" Katherine asked, reaching out to lift the weapon. It came as a big surprise to her when she was barely able to lift it clear of the ground.

"Miss Victoria is able to carry it because she is a vampire and therefore insanely strong," Walter explained. Katherine now looked at the girl, and for the first time realized her eyes were a bright crimson color. Ceres smiled uncertainly, showing off her fangs. Shocked, Katherine took a step back.

"Oh my god, you were telling the truth!"

"Yes, we were. Now you understand the secrecy." Integra rose from her desk and walked around to stand beside Katherine.

"I apologize, but I have to cut this meeting short. There are things that require my immediate attention. Walter will show you the ropes."

"Sir Integra."

"Hm?"

"You said you had two vampires. Where is the other one?"

Both Integra and Walter smiled secretively. "Ah yes, Alucard is our other vampire. He is currently out,"

"but you will no doubt meet him soon."

****

Katherine's first day of work was finally winding down. She was exhausted – having unpacked all her things in her new room and traversed the entire estate with Walter as her guide before finally seeing the weapons storage facility, complete with shooting range. Walter had left her there ten minutes ago to tinker with the available weapons and try them out if she wished. It was her first few moments alone, and it did not take long for her to become completely engrossed with what she was doing.

The familiar smell of gunpowder, the coolness of the metal casings, the smooth contours of the rifle in her hands – all of it drawing her into a world where she was invincible. Katherine loaded the weapon and raised it to her shoulder, checking her aim before firing off a series of rounds. When she stopped, she found to her immense satisfaction that each and every bullet had hit the target dead center. She smiled to herself, but immediately sensed someone had entered the room.

"It's not wise to try and sneak up on someone who has a loaded rifle in their hands," she said without turning to see who it was. She heard a deep, velvety voice start to laugh and quickly spun around to face the intruder. An unusual looking man stood in the doorway to the storage facility, wearing traditional Victorian clothing as well as a pair of yellow sunglasses and a wide-brimmed red hat.

"That's a neat trick woman; I wish you would teach it to my fledgling," the man said with an arrogant smirk on his face. Even though she could not see his eyes, Katherine felt his penetrating gaze eyeing her from behind the tinted lenses. She absent-mindedly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before asking nervously, "Who are you?"

Before the man could answer, Walter appeared behind him.

"Ah, I see you have met Alucard."

"Oh! You're Alucard. Well, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," Katherine offered politely, intrigued by the vampire and curious to see his face properly. Alucard's grin widened, and he folded his arms across his chest as he regarded her.

"Where did you find this one Walter? I like her; she doesn't act either frightened or repulsed."

"Yes well we'd prefer it if it stayed that way, Alucard," said Walter with a somewhat reprimanding tone. The vampire chuckled again before moving closer to Katherine.

"So, you are Katherine, correct?"

"I prefer to be called Kit."

"Katherine suits you better," he replied, his eyes finding hers from above his glasses. She saw they were the same bright red as Ceres' had been. Silence filled the space for a few moments before Alucard leaned closer to her.

"Just a small tip for you, I like my guns big."

"Integra's been waiting for you," Walter interjected.

"Ah, duty calls. We'll no doubt run into each other again, Katherine."

With that he suddenly disappeared, floating through the walls as though they weren't even there. Katherine blinked in surprised, her skin still tingling from their encounter.

"Well, what did you think of Alucard?" Walter asked, suddenly breaking her train of thought.

"He's. . .he's different," was all Katherine would offer. She was uncertain what to make of him, but she had the feeling she would no doubt be seeing him again soon.