Integra jolted upright in her bed. It hadn't been this bad in a long time. She wiped the tears in her eyes and took a moment to gather herself. It had all felt so real.

"I didn't know if I should wake you."

Seras voice carried into the dark room and she stiffened at the surprise. She hated to be seen like this.

"That's okay…" She wished she had woke her though.

Seras sat down on the side of the bed much like the night before and she instantly went back to the memory, Seras mouth against her, her fingers inside her…. She let out a shuddery breath and hoped Seras couldn't sense how much she was already craving her touch. They had crossed a boundary that shouldn't have been crossed last night.

"Dont…"

Seras paused in her movements.

"Do you want me to go?"

"No."

"Then what-"

"Lay with me."

Her heart skipped with nerves as Seras wordlessly climbed onto the bed beside her.

When Seras respectfully kept her distance she moved over to the blonde herself, wrapping an arm around her waist and resting her head atop her shoulder. There was nothing wrong with this at all.

Neither of them spoke. It was hard to know what to say anyway. They had come to a silent understanding that this was what Integra needed. A body to hold onto, someone to be there for her. Even if that very body was a vampire.

Seras moved a hand to her head and slowly combed through her hair. The touch felt intimate and she couldnt help moving into Seras a little more.

"You're hair is so soft." Seras breathed. "I wish mine was like yours."

She brought up a hand to touch Seras locks and smiled softly.

"Your hair is fine the way it is."

"You're just saying that."

"No. I'm not. "

Seras smiled down at her and it was suddenly obvious to her that something was happening between them. No matter how much she didn't want to acknowledge it Seras had found a way into her heart.

"Do your nightmares ever stop?"

"If I'm lucky there will be a night or two…."

They never really talked like this. Their conversations during the day rarely lasted a minute and usually revolved around escariot. She realized she knew nothing about Seras.

"Have you seen anyone about them?"

"No but maybe I will."

She didn't really want to think about them anymore the they were draining. Seras sensed her apprehension and didn't ask about them anymore. The silence in the room continued to grow but it wasn't an uncomfortable one. It was nice to simply lay there with the comfort of Seras body beneath her. But the silence soon gave way to the buzzing thoughts in her mind.

"I don't think I'll be going back to sleep anytime soon...care to join me for a walk?"

"Sure."

She stood from the bed and wrapped her robe around her. Seras silently trailed behind her before they settled into a comfortable pace beside one another. Minutes into the walk she finally broke their silence. A silence she realized Seras gave out of respect.

"My father was a knowledgeable man dedicated to the queen and his country." she started. "He taught me a lot in my childhood. But when he spoke to me about vampires. He led me to believe they were nothing but monsters." Seras steps became noticeably wary as she breached the subject. "Alucard is a monstrosity the true definition of a vampire. However I don't see that in you. "

Seras smiled weakly at her.

"Of course that may change… you are after all still a young vampire."

"I could never be like Alucard."

"I hope so."

The mood shifted uncomfortably between them. Seras was clearly upset with the direction of the conversation.

"You aren't a monster Seras you're more human than myself most of the time."

She turned away from the gaze Seras was giving her and looked to the sky. She didn't want to see the hurt in her eyes. The stars were a nice distraction, their shine reminding her of their own insignificance in the universe. The mention of monsters had drawn Seras back into her own memories.

" I never got a chance to thank you the day the Valentine brothers attacked..."

"You don't have to."

"But I do…. If you hadn't stopped me-"

"Seras. I did what was necessary."

"Still…."

She saw the smallest quiver in Seras lip and knew she was trying hard not to cry. The transition from human to vampire was without a doubt difficult.

"What do you miss the most?"

Seras eyes widened before falling to the ground.

"It's silly but I miss being able to feel my own heartbeat."

Maybe she shouldn't have asked but she wanted to try and understand. She had expected her to answer with a missed loved one or something materialistic but not that.

"I hardly notice mines there but I imagine it's strange without one."

"Yeah…"

"Would you go back to that night and change things if you could?"

"No...I don't think I would."

"Why not?""

Seras smiled.

"I'd never meet you."

She fell speechless. She hardly thought she was anyone special.

Seras seemed to realize how bold of a statement that actually was and shied away from it.

"or Walter….and the Wild Geese."

"That's true."

Her heart was fluttering oddly in her chest despite Seras attempt to hide her statement.

"I wasn't expecting it to be this cold out…I think it's time we head back in."

Seras agreed with her but she could see the disappointment in her eyes. It was the same disappointment she felt at ending their time together.

"Do you...want me to go back to your room?"

She did but knew it was best if she didn't.

"No. I'll be fine now. Thank you. Good night Seras."

"Good night."

She sighed and set down her pen. She still wasn't getting anything done.

She just couldn't get Seras out of her head. Neither of them had brought up the other night but now she was beginning to think they should. It was eating away at her constantly.

She went down to the firing range, telling herself it was to inspect operations, that she wasn't keeping her eyes glued to a certain vampire.

Seras aim was deadly, and impressive. No doubt a result of being on the force.

She watched her hit a small target that looked to be miles away.

Seras set down her gun and looked uncharacteristically smug about it.

"Sir Integra!"

The Captain spotted her. Great.

She looked over the captain's approaching shoulder and met Seras eyes. They were slightly surprised but mostly curious. When their gazes connected Seras smiled brightly at her and she fought off the urge to return it.

"Anything I can do for you sir?"

"Good Evening Captain. I thought I might see my men out here However, It seems to be just the police girl practicing now. Why is that?"

She already knew the answer.

"The men have already done their drills for today. Officer Victoria has personally requested this time to train. I have offered to supervise though she doesn't seem to need my help. Her skillsets are well beyond our expectations."

"That's good to know...I'd like to borrow her time now. You may return to your quarters for the day."

"Yes sir." He gave her a nod before leaving the field.

Seras was still looking over at her. Her rifle was halfway slung over her shoulder as she watched her approach.

"Hello Seras."

"Sir."

"I've heard good things about your marksmanship."

"Well I do have experience."

She raised a brow.

"The captain says you've exceeded expectations." Seras smiled at her. "But If you're as good as he says you'll be able to show me how to shoot that rifle."

She didn't know why she said that but now that it was out there she was excited by the idea.

"You've never shot a gun before?"

"Pistols yes but never a rifle."

Seras took the rifle off her shoulder.

"It's not so different. Stand here."

She moved to where Seras directed her, desperately trying to push down the nerves the vampire gave her lately.

" I always treat it like it's loaded even when I know it's not. So I keep the barrel angled down and my finger off the trigger until I'm ready to shoot."

Seras handed her the rifle. It wasn't as heavy as she imagined it to be. She kept it pointed away from them just as Seras instructed.

"You'll want to bring the butt of the rifle high on your chest and near the center of your body." Seras adjusted her arms to show her what she meant.

"Press your cheek firmly into the stock."

Seras hand gently fell onto her left shoulder as she guided her into a better shooting stance. With Seras standing so close now the butterflies in her stomach felt more like a flock of birds. "Your left hand should be supporting the forestock."

Seras grabbed her left hand and put it into position. She could feel Seras breasts pressing into her as their personal space became limited.

"Look through the scope and zero in on your target."

Seras kept her hand on the rifle, taking up a stance behind her to help aim.

She was fully capable of doing this herself but having Seras there to guide her was oddly warming. She felt...protected and more sure of what she was doing. It wasn't the feel of her body pressing into her she told herself.

"Try and hit the closest target there." Seras voice met her ear and she suppressed a shiver. "Here."

Seras guided her to the target.

"Pull the trigger when you're ready and remember to keep a steady hand."

Seras grip remained on her even when she was ready to fire. She didn't want her to let go either.

With the pull of the trigger came success. It wasn't a perfect shot but she hit it.

"You got it."

The excitement she felt at hitting the target was more for Seras than herself.

She lowered the rifle and Seras hands fell away.

"Have I exceeded your expectations?" There was a suggestive tone in Seras voice that had her feeling breathless. She hung the rifle over Seras shoulder with her hand lingering a little too long on her shoulder.

"Yes."

Seras eyes darkened for a moment before suddenly sobering up.

"Good."

She had hoped for a better response but realized Seras was being conservative for a reason. Alucard.

"Don't stop on my account." He grinned. "Things were just starting to get interesting."

Despite her best attempt to stop it she felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment. He was so frustrating at times.

"Alucard leave us be."

"As you wish..." He chuckled just before vanishing but the damage had been done. She couldn't stay any longer.

Seras tried handing back the rifle to shoot some more but she refused it.

"Sorry I would stay but I have some calls to make."

"Oh. Of course. Good bye sir..."

They both knew she didn't have any calls.