The Ghost of Christmas Past

AN: Well, I hope you enjoy the second chapter. I worked hard to get another one out before the weekend was completely up. Please forgive me if this is a little 'fluffy' for a Hellsing fic. It's kind of needed, and I promise that the next chapter will be darker.

1:00 AM; December 25, 2030

At one in the morning, Christmas day, there was the crash of thunder, and Alucard's chamber filled with a thick, glowing smoke. The ancient vampire guessed that these events heralded the coming of the first 'Ghost of Christmas'. Yes, Alucard had read Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. There really wasn't much to do in between missions, and the vampire had read every book in the mansion's library.

Alucard spoke, "Well, well. It seems my one o'clock favors the dramatic entrance. Well, you can just go back to... wherever you came from. I will not be going anywhere... or when with you." Alucard chuckled. "And tell that son of a bitch traitor that he's never losing that chain!"

A voice emanated from the mist and answered Alucard, "Very well, my prince."

Alucard's psychotic grin dropped instantly into a quizzical expression. He recognized that voice, though he didn't believe it was possible. "Mina? It... It can't be." The smoke swirled around and condensed into the form of a raven haired, beautiful woman. "You... you're the Ghost of Christmas past?"

Mina smiled warmly at her prince. "Your ghost of Christmas past, yes." Then the 'woman' cast her eyes downward. "I was looking forward to spending some time with you, but if you really want me to go..."

"No!" Alucard was quick to repeal his earlier statement. "No, stay..." Mina looked back up and stared into her prince's face; and Alucard found himself using a rather unfamiliar word. "please?"

Mina smiled again. "Well, I can't exactly stay here, but we can go somewhere else... if you want to." An other-worldly portal opened behind the raven haired beauty, and the two 'old lovers' joined hands before stepping through it.

The portal deposited the pair inside a great castle courtyard; and as Alucard looked around, he recognized the place. "This... This is my castle, but... but it's so bright." He paused and looked at Mina. "I'd forgotten how bright it use to be." The ghost smiled for a third time, and Alucard felt his lips pulling into a smile of his own. It wasn't one of his usual psychotic smiles, but one of genuine happiness.

However, before the smile had time to completely form, a young child ran right through the ancient vampire. The boy could not have been more than five years old. He passed through Alucard's body without even a hint that he'd done so; and as he ran, the child shouted. "He's here! He's here!. Papa's come back from the war!"

The castle gate opened up as the child ran to, and through the gate passed a parade of armored knights, riding upon large horses. The man at the front of the 'parade' spurred his horse forward and snatched up the child as he rode. The boy, not the least bit frightened, just laughed.

Then the man stopped his horse and pushed up his visor. He looked at the boy and smiled. "Hello, Mihnea. Have you been good while I was away?"

"Course, Papa." The man eyed the child, appraisingly; and after a moment, the boy added, "Usually." Then Mihnea's lips curled into a roguish smile.

The father just laughed. It was a deep, baritone laugh. Then he looked at his son again. "Off, with you now. Go to your mother. I shall be along shortly." The man lowered the boy from his saddle, chuckled then spurred his horse along again.

Alucard walked over to the boy and kneeled down in front of him. He stared at the boy's face almost... longingly and tried to hug him; but the vampire's hands simply passed through. Alucard turned to Mina; and for the first time he could remember, he actually felt angry with her. "You bring me here, show me my son, and I can't even touch him! What is this? Have I not been tortured enough!"

Mina looked away. "I'm sorry, but they are not my rules. I can't do anything about them. You can neither speak with, nor touch anyone here. If... if you would rather leave." Mina extended her hand, and another portal opened.

But Alucard did not move towards the portal. Instead he took the hand and kissed it. "No, I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to snap at you like that. Thank you for taking me here, showing me this."

"There is more, my prince..." Mina waved her hand, redirecting the portal. "If you are willing." Again the two stepped through, but this time the portal did not take them far. They were now inside one of the castle's chambers. It was even the same day, but the pale light that shown through the windows revealed that the sun had long since set.

In front of Alucard three people laid huddled together before a roaring fire. One was the boy from before, another his father and the third was a woman who bore an eerie resemblance to Mina. The woman rested her head on the man's chest. The boy, who had a small pile of new toys scattered about his feet, was propping himself up by leaning against his father's shoulder. As for the father, he seemed to be enjoying being in between the two people he loved most in the world. He looked up, mouthed a silent 'thank you', then went back to reading the book in his hands. "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child; and so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; for there was no room for them in the inn..."

As Alucard watch the sight before him, the smile that had previously threatened to spread across his face returned; and, this time, it fully formed. Mina took her prince's arm in hers and leaned upon him. "You seemed quite... happy, back then."

Alucard shook the smile away and diverted his attention back to the ghost of his once lover. "I was... But that was a long time ago. Before the God I served saw fit to betray me and take away my family."

Mina's expression didn't falter one bit. "You know, God always has a reason for what he does... You remember the story of Job, right."

Alucard chuckled darkly. "Yeah, righteous man, who was 'tested' by God. The poor fool lost his home, wealth and family... all in one night."

"Yes, but in the end, God restored everything Job had lost... and more."

"Well, maybe if God gave me back my family I'd forgive Him... maybe."

At this, Mina giggled. "You know, sometimes you are as blind as a bat?"

Alucard stared at Mina. "Now, what do you mean by..." But before the vampire could finish his question, Mina dissolved into the same smoke from which she'd come.

"I'm sorry, my prince, but our time is up. I must go. You may use the portal to return home when you're ready."

"Wait, Mina! Wait!" Alucard stretched out his hand towards the smoke, but it just slipped in between his fingers. A single, crimson tear ran down the vampire's cheek as he lost his last love again. Once the smoke had completely vanished, Alucard turned back to the family sitting in front of the fire. He cast a hard stare at his former self and mumbled, "Enjoy it while you can... ya lucky bastard." Then Alucard huffed, turned to the portal and walked through it.

(Well, I hope you're still enjoying this. Please Review and let me know what you think. Thanks. Oh and before get a lot of complaints about how Alcard couldn't have had a kid because vampires MUST be virgins, Vlad Drăculea, aka Count Dracula, aka Alucard had more than one son. Mihnea was Vlad III's first son, born of his first wife. Maybe the virgin thing's only for girls or Vlad was turned through less conventional means?

Have a good day, and God bless.

Metropolis Kid.)