AN: I've decided to continue it, though how frequent my updates will be, i'm not entirely sure. I hope you like this chapter, though I confess, it's a little short. I beta'd it, so if there's anything wrong ,feel free to tell me.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hellsing.
Once in her manor, locked away in her office from anyone or anything that would disturb her, Integra's hand rested on the cool surface of her desk phone. She wanted so badly to call the abuse hotline, she even stopped to get the number before she arrived back home. But as soon as the phone was in her hand, the moment she'd dialed the first three digits_she felt incredibly stupid.
Would they even believe her, and honestly, Integra questioned whether she believed herself. Yes, from what she'd seen, his body had been bruised pretty badly, and he seemed off at the meeting too...but maybe he fell, maybe he tripped. But his reaction, the form of the bruises on his hands said it all.
So again, she tried to convince herself that she indeed needed to call the abuse hotline.
But then again, this was the Vatican she would be budding horns with. This was an adult who refused to get help. But why? Couldn't he just leave the? He could run away from the Vatican, couldn't he? So why stay?
She needed help, she needed a second opinion on this.
Alucard? Above all orders that he was to follow, protecting Integra remained the most important. Instilled into his brain by her father himself, any involvement with Iscariot would be quickly abolished by Alucard. She could not tell him. Not to mention, he'd bring it up at a conference. The vampire was sadistic, there would be torture if he found out.
Walter? Her mind dwindled on the old butler and his stance in a situation such as this. He'd most likely mention the danger of getting involved with Iscariot and tell Alucard Integra's plan.
Pip...no, just no.
These were men, they wouldn't understand.
Seras...Seras would understand, Seras would help! Already, Integra had formed a close bond with her servants fledgling.
"Seras," though barely above a whisper, she knew that that Seras' ears would pick up the silent summon. The Draculina was usually attentive like that.
The door to her office slowly creaked open, a sliver of light pierced the darkness.
"You called me, Integra?" shyly, Seras addressed her master.
"Yes, come in, and do close the door behind you," Seras did so and made her way to the rectangular desk.
"Yes Master?" blue eyes sparked with curiosity.
Integra was thankful for Seras' humanity.
"I need your help," with a sigh, Integra stood up and walked towards the window, beckoning the vampire to follow her.
"With what, Sir?" Seras tilted her head as she followed the older woman, "Is it something that Master can't do?"
"Precisely. Alucard is never to hear the words that are spoken in this room, understood?" Integra began. Seras nodded in agreement.
"Good..." she sighed again, "Iscariot-"
"A surprise attack on Iscariot?" Seras outwardly assumed.
Integra continued, "Sort of. This is hard for me to manage, but...Enrico Maxwell-"
"Head of Isacariot?" Seras supplied.
"Yes, that Enrico Maxwell. He...well has a problem," she tried veer the conversation away from the awkwardness that was sure to follow, but she found herself unable to avoid it if she was to get Seras' help.
"What kind of problem?" for whatever reason, Seras seemed eerily excited.
"He's being...I think he's being...*cough*abused*cough*, I want to help him," phew...she got it out, but a the look on Seras' face ignited the blood in her cheeks.
"What?" the quizzical expression on her face said it all, but quickly, she hid the confusion, "YOU want to help him? Why?"
"Why what?" Integra asked.
"Why help him? He hates us, he hates you!" Seras reminded her, pointing an accusing finger.
Upon scraping her mind for material to defend her claim with, she suddenly realized how stupid she must have sounded to Seras, how stupid she must have been at the meeting just hours ago.
"Put that finger down!I know-"
"And how are you even sure it's abuse, abuse is such a broad word! In my days as a police officer, I saw what abuse looks like. Integra, I need to make sure you've seen the same things that I've seen," Seras offered, "then maybe we'll get somewhere."
Already embarrassed and mentally exhausted, Integra sighed, "And how would you "see what I've see"?"
"Let me into your head," Seras pleaded, "Just let me see what you saw. We're connected like Master and you are, right? So it shouldn't be too hard. Just let me in, then I can help."
Integra sighed, this was all very draining for her. And already, she felt pathetic. Why would she help this man? What did she owe him? She certainly knew that had she been in a similar position, then Maxwell certainly would not have even lifted a finger for her.
So then again, why help? And in all honestly, Integra had no idea.
"Go for it," her tone surrendering, Integra let Seras into her mind. Not very used to mind reading as her Master was, Seras needed a little guidance from Integra in order to get to the particular memory. Finally, after few seconds of complaining and shouting, the Draculina found herself in her master's shoes, just feet away from Maxwell. The scenario played itself out before Seras, and when she was pulled from her Master's memories, once again standing beside the older woman, she had no idea what to say.
"Speechless, huh?" Integra supplied. Seras nodded, "I'm confused."
"As am I. And since I've decided to make this my problem, now what?" Integra reminded her servant.
"What did you have in mind," Seras asked, "Talking to him directly? I don't think that's an option, he already hates you and refuses to meet with you."
Integra blushed again, "I wanted to call the abuse hotline."
"On the Vatican?" Seras seemed astounded, "Sir Integra, that's insane."
"What else would you have done?" Integra shouted, "I can't just let this pass by."
"Than what can we do Master? He won't see you again, I saw that through your memories_Do you want to phone the Vatican personally?"
"I don't know_ I don't even know why I'm doing this," defeated, Integra walked back to her desk and slumped in her chair, "Perhaps I should let it go."
"Perhaps...but you cared for a reason, and until you find that reason, what's the point of making a move?" her fledgling offered, "forget about it, forget about him...i'll keep my mouth shut if you stay out of trouble."
Integra closed her eyes, grabbing a cigar from he desk, "You're dismissed."
"Sir Integra," her voice strained and saddened, Seras left the room.
As the door closed, Integra thought that perhaps she should not have told Seras. But then again, she'd heard what she needed to hear, not what she wanted to hear.
Opening her eyes, Integra vowed to keep the Bishop out of her mind, and she kept her personal vow for six months straight...until a suspicious note was left at her door.
Cliff hanger! :D Sorry it took so long to update, but I'm glad I did. I was planning on ending the story earlier, like the previous chapter, but I kinda got an idea. In the OVA, especially in the Manga, I really like the bond between Seras and Integra, it's almost like a sister bond. I think though, that in the TV series, Integra feels threatened by the presence of another female in the house, hence her behaviour towards Seras. On a side note, for anyone of you who followed Avatar the TloK, I absolutely disliked the ending, wished it was longer than i'd do fanfiction for it. Anyway, I have research paper and a whole lotta other stuff to work on, so this may be the last update till after Thanksgiving. Hope you liked it, God bless.