Author's Note: Wow! Thank you to Dr. Lust, Lorien Urbani, and Gem of the Stars for your reviews! You guys made me feel really great! Um...now, in the story, I realize that, at the present time, Van Helsing doesn't know his name is Gabriel. However, I will address him as Gabriel 1) Because I like the name Gabriel better than Van Helsing(and apparently, spellcheck doesn't think Helsing is a real word), and 2) Let's just face it, I'm too lazy to type out "Van Helsing" over and over and over...

Disclaimer: I do not own Van Helsing, sadly. I wish I did, though. I only own my own characters and anything that happens that didn't happen in the movie

Chapter Two: A Promise and a Proposition

Outside of Budapest, mid-October

Despite the fact that it was only early fall, a fine layer of snow covered the roads outside of Budapest. It was cold, too…the kind of cold that seemed to penetrate even the thickest of clothing.

It was times like these that made Gabriel Van Helsing glad he wore plenty of layers.

On the other hand, his companion, a young friar named Carl, wasn't so lucky. Carl's robes were really only meant for Italian seasons, not Hungarian seasons, which were far colder. Even with the hood, his thin robes were no match for the cold.

They had been on the road since sunrise, and, judging by the sun's position, it was close to high noon…

Gabriel glanced over his shoulder. "You doing all right, Carl?"

Carl nodded. "I'm all right, but let me tell you, it's really cold out here!"

"Welcome to life outside of the Vatican, Carl," Gabriel commented, smirking slightly.

Carl gave a non-commential "hmmm", and they both lapsed into silence. They remained this way for a few minutes, then, Gabriel noticed someone up ahead on the road.

It appeared to be a young girl, around seventeen years of age, traveling alone. She wore a thin, tattered dress and worn work boots, and was carrying a bow, a quiver of arrows, and a small bag.

"Carl…look up there…" Gabriel said, pointing to her.

"What's she doing, traveling alone like that?"

"I'm not sure…" Gabriel said. "But…we can find out…"

---

Alexis shivered as the cold seeped through her thin dress, chilling her to the bone. She should have known it was going to take her several months to reach Transylvania, and it would only get colder as she traveled.

Behind her, she could hear the pounding of horses' hooves. She moved towards the edge of the road, expecting the horses to just pass her by. To her surprise, though, they stopped next to her. She too stopped, then looked up to see the face of the horse's owner.

He wore a hat with a large brim, which cast shadows over his face. She could still see his face, however…It was a very rugged, yet very handsome face, with hazel eyes full of curiosity and concern. His face was framed by dark, messy, shoulder-length hair. He was dressed in dark colors, and she could see what looked like the end of a powerful weapon sticking out from the bag over his shoulder.

He seems so familiar…Alexis thought. But where have I seen him before..?

"May I help you?" she asked politely.

"You know…" he said in a low, deep voice that sent a small shiver down her spine. "It's not exactly safe for a young girl like you to be traveling alone…"

"I realize that," she said. "But, while I appreciate your concern, I can handle myself…"

She moved to leave, but he spoke again. "I'm sure you can, miss. However, I would feel better if I knew you were safe…"

Alexis turned to face him again. "You would?"

He nodded. "Yes. Would you like to join my companion and me?"

Alexis thought about it for a moment, then nodded. His lips twitched as if he was going to smile, then, he held out his hand. She took it, and he carefully pulled her onto the back of the horse, right behind him. She settled in and he nudged the horse in the side, causing it to give a whinny and start galloping again.

"By the way, where are you heading, Miss-?"

"Alexis, Alexis Roberts," she introduced herself. "And I'm heading to Transylvania."

"What a coincidence!" the friar, who was apparently traveling with the man, said. "Van Helsing and I are-"

"Van Helsing?" Alexis asked in surprise. She looked at him. "You're…you're Van Helsing? The Van Helsing?"

He cringed slightly. "Yes…"

"Wow…" Alexis whispered. "I can't believe it…I'm traveling with Van Helsing…this is amazing…"

---

Alexis's statement took Gabriel by surprise. Alexis wasn't afraid of him? She was actually amazed at the fact she was traveling with him?

"You seem surprised," Alexis said.

Gabriel glanced over his shoulder at her. "My apologies…but you're the first person I've met in a long time who hasn't accused me of a being a murderer."

"Why would they?" Alexis asked. "If people think you're evil, Mr. Van Helsing, then they obviously don't know what true evil is. You're no murderer…in fact, I think you're truly a man of God."

Gabriel could feel the color rising in his face, and he turned his head away. Such kind words from such a young woman, he thought.

They traveled in silence for a while, then, Alexis spoke. "So, why are you traveling to Transylvania, Mr. Van Helsing?"

"I'm going there to defeat Count Dracula…and to protect the last member of the Valerious family," he said. He could see her face-the face of Princess Anna, the last of the Valerious- in his mind…so exotic, yet so resolved and strong…

Alexis was silent for a moment. "May I join you?"

Gabriel glanced back so quickly he thought he heard his neck crack. "Beg pardon?"

"May I join you?" she repeated. "I was going to Transylvania to try to find some of my family. Maybe there are people where you're going who can help me."

"You know, it's going to be dangerous," Carl said as he brought his horse next to Gabriel's. "This is, after all, Dracula, the King of the Undead…"

"I know," Alexis said. "But I can help more than you think."

Carl opened his mouth to protest more, but Gabriel cut him off. "I don't see why not, Carl. She wants to help…I say we let her. Certainly, we have more than enough weapons to spare."

Carl thought for a moment. "Well, all right…she can help you in the field. You know I'm not much of a field man…"

Gabriel rolled his eyes, then glanced over his shoulder and gave Alexis a warm smile. "Glad you can join us, Miss Alexis…we welcome your company."

Alexis smiled, too, then gripped Gabriel's coat tighter as they began to travel over some rougher road. For a while, all was silent, then…

"Why exactly were you going to Transylvania?"

"To find my family," Alexis replied. "My mother was murdered when I was a young girl, and she was the only family I knew. I always thought I had family there, in Transylvania, though. I'm hoping I might find them…"

Gabriel listened intently. She was almost like him, in a way…she, too, wanted to find her family.

"I have an idea…" he said. "Since you're willing to help me with my assignment, I say it's only fair that I, in turn, help you try to find your family…"

Alexis thought about that for a moment. Then, she nodded. "Mr. Van Helsing…I believe we have a deal."