Feeling refreshed after a shower, sleep, and bag of blood, Seras emerged from her room. There was another mission on for that night, of added importance considering the unexpectedly difficult mission the night before. Matthew would still be involved, likely on the front line again. She'd have to watch him closely, see if the likely coming battle might give her some sign of what might be happening to him.

She took her customary place in Sir Integra's office, Matthew arriving soon after. He didn't stand beside her that evening. The look on his face seemed more familiar; one of contemplation. He might have realized his own changes, and was reviewing them. He'd done that before, talking with her as needed to figure things out. It gave Seras some small relief. Maybe she had overreacted afterall?

Fargason gave his briefing of their mission. Study of the remains from the last night's mission suggested the vampires there had friends. In the aftermath of the Global Fang incident, they were being especially careful to keep rogue vampire bands from forming up. So, they'd head out and crush this pocket. As expected, Seras and Matthew would be joining the troops. There were likely some stronger vampires there, so Alucard would be sent after them.

Seemed like old times.

They gathered their weapons, Matthew once again bringing just his pistols and his sword. Seras paused for a moment, but shook her thoughts off. No. It would be all right. She'd keep tabs on them through their bond and figure out what was happening. Matthew had always given her a sign when something was wrong, if subconsciously. It would happen again this time.

Hellsing's forces were shuttled to the scene in their diesel transports, forming up on arrival and preparing for their entry. It was another apartment type building, like the one from the night before. Harison formed his people for a strong entry, Matthew near the head of the group. He already had his sword drawn… Seras readied her Glocks.

They breached the door, two Hellsing soldiers rounding opposing sides of the door to open fire on the undead within. Matthew charged in immediately after, somehow managing to maneuver his longsword in the narrow corridors without hitting either friendly troops or himself. Seras joined the fray, shooting bursts of fire at any target of opportunity.

She did get some of what she'd hoped for. A part of her mind paid close attention to her bond with Matthew, and in the efforts of combat whatever he was doing to block her faded. She got a glimpse into his mind. What she saw made her pause for a brief moment, brief only because a pair of ghouls brought her attention back to the there and then.

Darkness… Darkness the likes of which she'd never seen in him… It wasn't all encompassing, but it was… not normal. But right then there wasn't anything she could do about it. The mission came first.

But she'd be asking some rather pointed questions after the mission was completed.

/

The mission had gone much more smoothly than the previous one had. There had been a connection between the two cells, but this one was much less well organized, and not as overall strong. Their leaders had been stronger, enough for Alucard to enjoy himself. More important to Seras, though, was the fact that all of Hellsing's troops came back alive and mostly uninjured.

But Matthew had worried her even more. Not only had she felt his darkness, she'd seen him give even less quarter than before. He never once touched his pistols, instead taking out every opponent he faced with his sword. She saw him silence one vampire… The vampire had been asking… no begging… for mercy. Even if it were a ploy, the Matthew she knew would have held back.

Seras had gone back to her room. She needed a moment to collect herself before she confronted him.

There was a knock at the door.

It seemed she wasn't going to get that moment.

She walked to the heavy metal door and pulled hard, feeling suddenly fatigued. She peered through the opening to see Matthew standing there. Something told her this wasn't going to be an enjoyable conversation. "Hey there, Seras. Mind if I come in?"

If she said 'no' it would tip her hand… She stepped back and gestured for him to enter. He did, and she shoved the door closed behind him. Seras walked over to a nearby armchair and fell into it. Matthew grabbed another, turned it backwards, and straddled it. "What can I do for you, Matthew?"

"I've got a question," he said. "Something I've been curious about. What do you think would happen if one of us left?"

Seras's eyebrows furrowed. Suddenly her mind seemed to be getting slower. She was feeling more tired. Something about that sounded wrong, but it didn't trigger anything. "Left?"

"Yeah, left," he repeated. "Decided we'd had enough of Hellsing life and wanted to punch out."

"I don't know…" There was a pause as she tried to get her mind working again. Why did she feel so tired all of a sudden? "I guess it would depend on what you wanted to do…"

Matthew looked into her eyes closely. "I'm considering some other options. Looking at ways to spend my time that might be more… interesting. I was curious if you might want to come along?"

Come along? Leave Hellsing? "And do what?"

"Whatever we want."

But she liked it there. She wanted to stay. Didn't she? Why did a part of her seem to like the idea? "I… I don't know, Matthew."

"Think about it. It could be fun."

"I… I think you should leave now… Matthew."

"Okay." Matthew stood, smiled, and started for the door. "Let me know if you change your mind. Offer's indefinite." With a final look back over his shoulder and smile, he slipped out the door.

And within moments, Seras's mind was clear.

She quickly figured out what had happened to her, and what was happening to him. She needed help, and she needed it fast. Luckily, Alucard was in his chamber…

Seras made her way through the corridors of the mansion's basement, quickly arriving at Alucard's chamber. She pounded a fist against the door and, in silent acknowledgement the door hinged open. Alucard wasn't at it, but that didn't stop her. She pushed her way in and quickly saw him sitting on his throne-like chair. He looked up to her, a smirk on his lips. But the smirk quickly fell when he looked at her. Whether it was the look on her face or what he got through their bond she wasn't sure, but he quickly realized that something was wrong and right then was a bad time for jokes. "What is it?"

"It's Matthew. I think there's something wrong with him." She quickly described what she'd seen in him, focusing on the past few days. Alucard looked at her with a serious expression, one she'd rarely seen in him. That told her just how bad things were.

Once she'd finished her description, he gave a solemn nod. "We will need to move quickly. Go to his quarters and keep him there. I will inform Sir Integra and bring her to you."

"What's wrong, Alucard? What's happening?"

"Later," he said, firmly. "There's no time. Do as I said, now."

She stared at him for a moment, somewhat like a deer in the headlights, then turned and shot off back down the corridor. The corridors to Matthew's room were a blur of dark gray stone. She vaguely noticed people ahead of her in the corridors. She shoved out of the way those who didn't move. She arrived at the door to his room. With renewed strength, she shoved against the door. It swung open fast, banging against the wall.

Everything still seemed in place… the decorations of the room at least. She quickly spotted Matthew's jean and cloth jacket, torn in pieces on the floor. Matthew himself stood in the center of the room, wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt. In one hand he held his longsword, but it was down at his side.

He looked to her, giving a smirk that seemed far too similar to Alucard's. Whatever was blocking their bond faded again. She could once more feel the darkness… He took his free hand and touched a finger to his temple in his classic salute.

And he vanished…