Chapter 2

BROKEN HEARTS

Location: London, England

Year: 1999

Current Title: Lucy Knight, age 23

Thursday Afternoon: 5:41 PM

I bit my lip in terror as he advanced towards me. He slowly sank his long, sharp fangs into my skin. I clutched onto his shoulders and bit my arm to hold back screaming. He was drinking my blood, claiming me as his own. Then the light hit my eyes making me wake up.

"Are you alright, mademoiselle?" I looked up at the annoying Frenchman, who dared to interrupt my dream with Alucard, and growled at him.

"I'm fine, Pip. Except for the fact you woke me up." He backed away; at least he knew not to aggravate vampires.

"It's just that, you kept hitting the coffin, so I thought you were stuck. I guess you're one of those violent sleepers." I must have been kicking and punching in my sleep.

"Look, if you're this bored to talk to women, go harass Sir Integra." Pip shook his head and walked out muttering something about women in French. I groaned and flopped back into my coffin, closing the lid behind me. This is nuts. I just met the guy five days ago, now I'm bending over backwards to be around him and I haven't seen him in the last two days. I'm not entirely sure what makes him so intriguing, but something about his presence seems… how to put it? Ancient, but before I could think much more my stomach growled in agitation.

I sighed in frustration, and walked out of the room in search of food. I walked up the stairs, two at a time, heading for the kitchen. Thankfully, Sir Integra lets me raid the fridge. Some other observations I have made; this is a HUGE MANSION. Actually HUGE doesn't even begin to describe it. It has four floors, and I'm pretty sure it was once four different mansions at one point. Another observation, Alucard and Integra seem like they hate each other often, but I noticed they have a certain respect and devotion to the other. Seras and Pip get along… most of the time. They seem like best friends. Walter has said he once was a Hellsing operative, but now he's the retired Hellsing family butler. I wonder if he was a marksman or something.

I opened the refrigerator door, and pulled out a bowl of beef stew, a plate of strawberries, and, my personal favorite, chocolate pudding. I was halfway through the strawberries when I heard a growling from below my feet. I ignored it quickly and returned to my dinner. I heard it again, louder and more clearly than before. I dumped my dishes in the sink and was about to run back into my room, for this thing was freaking me out. But instead I turned around and bumped into Walter.

"Oof! Oh! I'm so sorry Walter! I heard this growling and the stew and the-" I stopped because I started to sound insane. As if to prove my point, Walter was staring at me like I was nuts. "Um… does Sir Integra keep anything in the basement?" I asked.

"Yes. The basement is actually Alucard's living quarters." Oh. That explains it. "And as a matter of fact I was about to give him this," He held up a bottle, which for a second I thought held wine, until I remembered Alucard can't eat or drink human food. "But, there are some things I need to attend to. Could you possibly run downstairs and give this to him?" My brain short-circuited. Of course I wanted to see him, but after that growling and Walter dumping this on me at the last second, I wanted to be nowhere near Alucard.

"Sure. I can do that." Curse my kindness. I took the wine bottle and headed for the staircase. I heard growling coming from the basement, thunderous and livid. I shuddered, why do the male vampires have to be so assertive? I walked down the stairs, through the hallway, and reached the basement entrance. Two armed guards stood at the sides.

"Um, can I get by?" I asked. One of the guards looked at me.

"Why? Do you need to go down there?" I held up the wine bottle.

"Sort of. Room service." The sound of the red liquid sloshing inside the wine bottle would make any humans stomach twist. The other one wrinkled his nose and said something to the other, unaware that vampires can hear like bats. (Haha)

"I bet it's feeding time, probably why he's growling." One nodded and let me go through. I muttered thanks, walked through the door, and headed further underground. I slowly headed down the stairs in the underground chamber. I wondered if once it was a dungeon. I got off the last step and was facing a long dark hallway. The walls were stacked stone, and so were the floors, more ancient then the upstairs. Eventually, I saw a metal door. I slowly turned the handle, and was faced with another stairwell. Thankfully it had only ten steps. I looked straight ahead; there was a single tall chair with red cushions attached to it. It looked like a king's chair, or should I say throne. A small wooden table with a wine glass was next to the chair. I looked around for a minute, and then I saw what was eating away at me. Behind the chair was a low, black, glossy object. I walked towards it, examining it with curiosity. It was sleek and beautiful, for a coffin I mean. It was sanded and waxed; it was clearly taken care of quite well. And it should, for a vampire treats their coffin with as much respect as their life. I noticed at that point something was carved into it in white.

"The bird of Hermes is my name. Eating my wings to make me tame. I wonder what that means." I quietly asked myself. Then the coffin lid was pushed off to the side. I half screamed.

"What do you want?" The figure inside hissed, probably because I woke him. "Why are you here?" He said you like some people say 'evil' or 'Brussels sprouts'.

"I… just was supposed to give you this." I turned around and placed the wine bottle on the table. He sat up, his red eyes glowing in the dark, glaring at me. "I'm sorry I woke you. I'll leave." I turned to the stairs, when he stopped me.

"Why did you come instead of Walter?" He asked. I turned back to him and explained.

"Um, he said he was needed elsewhere, so he asked if I could give you the…blood." I almost said wine, and then quickly remembered. He still stared at me. "But I suppose if Seras was there, she'd be giving it to you." I grinned weakly. He raised an eyebrow.

"Do… were you growling in your sleep?" Alucard tensed after the words came out of my mouth. I regretted even coming down here. I turned around to leave. "I'll just show myself out." I was at the bottom step when he called.

"Do you want a drink?" I looked over my shoulder. He had an extra goblet on the table. I nodded.

"Yeah. Sounds good." I sauntered over to the table and he poured the red fluid into the two glasses. I looked at him; he wasn't dressed in his usual manner, the black suit, red cravat, red duster, gloves, and glasses, but a thin dark purple button up shirt, with the first three buttons open, revealing his bare chest, and he wore black jeans. He was barefoot, which was odd, considering how the floor was stone cold. (No pun intended) He handed me my glass and I took a sip, testing it.

"This is really strong. What is it?" The taste was much stronger than most human blood. He took a sip out of his goblet.

"The blood of a virgin. Pure and untainted." He sighed, as if it was a rarity. "It's sad. Most people throw it away without a second thought. It's probably why so many of these vampires now kill more than they used to, because of all the unclean, spoiled blood." I smirked as he took another gulp.

"So I guess you're opposed to all of the humans pre-marital activity." He paused and swirled his glass.

"I suppose so, yes. I guess I am very old-fashioned." He grimaced into his cup. I shook my head.

"No. No. Kudos to you. There need to be more guys like you." I encouraged. He shrugged.

"When were you born the second time?" I looked up as he asked me the question.

"In the 1800's… 1834, actually. A vampire killed my parents, and I tried to avenge them. I did, but not as a human. How about you?" He sighed and looked at the ceiling.

"Hmm. You actually are older than I thought. As for me? Heh, I make you look like a newborn. I was born again as a vampire in the 1400's." My eyes bugged. He was an ancient vampire.

"How old were you?" I asked innocently, as I took another swig. He breathed in deeply.

"Twenty-six. And you?" He turned towards me.

"Twenty-three." I mumbled. He nodded.

"Notice how you never read a vampire novel that ended with; 'the vampire lived happily ever after'." He grinned. I giggled.

"You have a point Alucard." I looked at my glass, empty. He motioned to the bottle.

"Care for some more?" I shook my head.

"No thank you. I should head upstairs now. Thanks for the blood, and the conversation." He nodded once.

"Sure." I headed up the small staircase, and as soon as I shut the door, I swear I could hear him chuckling to himself. I jumped up the stairs, and headed to my room out of the basement. I had just lain down in my coffin, hey, that was a lot of walking up and down stairs, when someone knocked on my door. I groaned and sat up.

"The door is open." I snapped. The door opened up and revealed Seras.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" I felt embarrassed.

"No. I was just walking up and down lots of stairs. What's up?"

"Sir Integra wants to see you." She replied. I got up and stretched.

"Right. Oh, Seras, what time is it?" She looked around the corner of the hallway.

"About seven-thirteen." Wow. I was with Alucard for at least an hour. Time passes so quickly. I walked outside and headed up more stairs, ugh, and made my way to her office. I knocked on the tall wooden door and waited.

"Come in." I heard Integra say. I turned the handle and walked inside. Integra sat at her desk with her fingers laced together under her eyes. Next to her Walter stood, and I remembered to notice him ever since the first day here. I bowed.

"Sir Integra."

"Lucy, we have picked up some intelligence that Millennium has some soldiers trying to recuperate in Italy, and we're sending you there." I stood there waiting. Hmm. I've always wanted to go to Italy. I thought to myself. "Of course we're sending someone else with you as well." I can only guess who'd come. Then as if on cue, Alucard walked right through the wall.

"Alucard, Lucy, this is an organization that has threatened my family's name, the Church, and our country as well. Search and destroy." I bowed. Alucard grinned, then bowed very formally.

"Of course, my master." He responded.

"Your flight leaves at seven tomorrow morning. I expect you to be ready." Then she turned to me. "I assume you can travel over water, yes?" I nodded.

"Yes. I have been able to for a century." I replied. Integra inhaled deeply.

"You have your orders. We'll see you off in the morning." I bowed again, Alucard did the same, and I turned around and left. Well, I never could have guessed we'd be leaving in the day. I thought. I had barely put much thought into it when I heard them speaking from behind the closed door.

"I'm sure she isn't a traitor, but something about her presence makes me wonder." Alucard mused. There was a pause.

"Perhaps you'll figure out what it is while you're in Italy." Integra stated. "You still can't read her?" She asked. Another pause.

"Not yet. Just faint parts of emotion, I think." I sighed. I am glad he can't read my thoughts, you know, personal space.


Friday Afternoon: 1:04 PM

"Lovely." I muttered as I sat in my first-class seat next to Alucard on the plane to Italy.

"What was that?" Alucard chuckled. We had just heard over the intercom that our flight was going to take an extra thirty minutes because of some fuel issue.

"Oh, it's just how forgetful humans are and we'll be stuck here for a while. Ugh." He smirked. He looked out the window.

"So! Anything new?" I asked, hopeful I could start a conversation. He looked back at me.

"Hmm? Are you trying to small talk?" He asked as a faint smirk played on his lips. I shrugged.

"Maybe. Who asks the questions first?" I looked at him. He pushed his glasses up further on his nose.

"I will." He stated. I sat forward.

"Okay. Ask away."

"What vampiric powers do you have?" I scratched my head.

"Oh. Um. Transformation, control over certain animals…"

"Like what?" He inquired.

"Um, some kinds of wolfs and dogs, but not many. I have pyrokinesis, and enhanced speed and strength, regeneration, and intangibility." I took a deep breath.

"Interesting, I didn't know you could use intangibility."

"Yeah, you're not the only one who can walk through walls," I shrugged. "So what about you?" He looked at me like I surprised him.

"What?"

"What powers do you have?" I asked, curious now.

"Oh, quite a few. This will take a minute. Transformation, super regeneration, intangibility, teleportation, enhanced strength and speed, hypnotism, control over dogs, wolfs, and bats, teleportation, blood memories-"

"What's that?" I interrupted. He waved his hand in the air as if painting the picture.

"When you suck someone's blood, you can see their memories."

"Cool. Oh, um. Continue, please." He smirked.

"Summoning powers, hellfire, animal transformation, mind reading, telepathy, and I can impale someone on cue if that counts." I nodded one jerky bob.

"Yeah, that counts." He shrugged. "Now I get to ask the next question." I grinned.

"Go ahead." I bit my lip trying not to laugh.

"Ever fallen in love?" He was silent.

"Once." My eyes widened.

"Really? What was her name?" He sighed, and looked out the window.

"Mina." I sat, thinking how to further inquire about this Mina.

"That's a pretty name. Did she love you too?" He exhaled deeply.

"She tried to kill me, but that's how humans treat monsters." I clamped my mouth shut.

"Sorry." He just sat there facing away from me. I wondered for a minute if he was deeply sad about this conversation. I felt bad for asking him it now.

"What about you?" He asked after a minute.

"No. Never." I said and looked at my feet. He chuckled bitterly.

"Ever heard the saying 'Tis better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all'?" He questioned. I looked over at him.

"Yes." I could see his jaw tighten.

"It's a lie." I looked away.

"Sorry." He didn't move for a second.

"It's not your fault." I shook my head.

"No. I'm sorry because that happened to you." He didn't speak after that.

Thank you for waiting, your flight will begin shortly. We apologize for the inconvenience. Again, thank you for choosing Air Italy. The woman's voice echoed over the intercom. I pulled out a notepad and began sketching while the plane started up.

What to draw? This is a thought I often come across. I looked over at Alucard, still facing away from me, looking out the window as still as a statue. So I began to draw him. It took about five minutes to get the basic parts of it, so if he moved, I at least knew how to make it look. After an additional ten minutes I had finished. I marveled at my work for a second, and then placed it in between my armrest and my side. I looked down the isle, from passenger to passenger, everyone seemed happy, traveling with his or her loved ones, or visiting their loved ones. I smiled. The plane started to lurch forward, faster and faster. Soon, we were airborne. I rested my head on my shoulder and started to fall asleep. I must have fallen asleep for a minute when we all of a sudden hit some turbulence, jolting me awake. My sketchpad fell to the floor, and when the turbulence passed Alucard reached down and picked it up for me, but he stopped when he saw the page it was open to.

"Did you draw this?" He asked looking at the intricate sketch of the back of his head looking out the window. I nodded.

"Yeah. What do you think?" He handed it back to me.

"It's good. How long have you been drawing?" He asked.

"Uh, since I was eight. So I've been drawing for a hundred and fifty seven years." I grinned. He chuckled once.

"Well, you outrank experience of any human artist."

"Thanks." I laughed. "Takes years of practice to even get hands right. Don't even get me started on feet. And faces. You're a good example of someone difficult to draw." A Cheshire cat-like grin stretched across his face.

"Really? How so?" I tilted my head to the side for a second.

"You have a longer, pointed nose than some people, not enough that it's aquiline, but still. Whenever you grin like that, I can see your lower gum line, just a bit. And having short teeth usually causes it, however you just can flex your face like that. Your cheekbones mold perfectly into your jaw line, giving your face a mature look. And you have eyes that seem two-toned. Red and gold, but just a tiny bit of gold." He grinned when I gave the details of drawing him, as if this amused him that I noticed his exact skin tone, which is a soft, pale peach, the slight curve of his jaw, just the exact length of his raven-black hair, or how his eyelashes were naturally black and almost feminine in the way they slanted towards the edge of his eyes, and- Oh God. I sound like a doting lover. And, I felt terribly embarrassed all of a sudden so I stopped giving details.

"Um. Any other questions you want to ask?" I quickly changed the subject. He smirked.

"Why are you so drawn to my blood?" The second it came out of his lips, I bit my lip.

"I don't know. It seems… more ancient and strong. And for me, the older someone's blood is and how powerful they are their blood is sweeter and more quenching. And since you've been around for a while and you are really strong I guess that's why." I sighed.

"You seem to be more powerful than you think. You are extremely amusing to watch with your little powers. And you act different when I talk to you like this, like this is the real you I'm talking to. Do you act different when you're around others because of what they'll think if you speak your opinion freely?" I looked at the headrest in the seat in front of me.

"You can read minds. You tell me." I muttered. He sighed.

"I can't read you for some odd reason, so I suppose you'll just have me guessing about you for a while then."

"I like games. Keeps life interesting." I looked at him and grinned. He chuckled once.

"I suppose so." Alucard pulled the window cover shut, as the sunlight began to pour inside. I felt my eyelids become heavy. I closed my eyes and leaned my head against what I thought was a headrest until it tensed for a second then relaxed. I opened my eyes just slightly; I was looking down an arm that was wearing a charcoal suit. Alucard didn't protest, and I was a bit to tired to care, so I drifted off. My dream was vivid, full of colors and things too complex to remember, but it was put in such a way, you felt like it could go on forever and peaceful slumber could take you away for eternity.

I opened my eyes slowly, hesitating to move much. I then noticed, that there was some pressure on my head, then the object made a sort of sighing sound. I looked out of the corner of my eye and figured just as I rested my head on Alucard's shoulder to get into a comfortable sleeping position, he rested his head on mine to fall asleep. I also noticed my right arm was around his chest, resting at the top of his left shoulder. I felt awkward about the situation, but a bit happy at the same time. Oh no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! I can't… when I'm pulled away from this world that'll wound my heart to the breaking point. And the words Alucard said about loving someone and losing them is worse than never knowing what love is made me scared. As if to interrupt my thoughts he must have been having a wonderful dream, because he sighed sounding pleased and nuzzled the top of my head. I blushed, closed my eyes and hoped I could fall asleep again like this, him so close to me content and blissful. I made my decision, that I would love and eventually, when I leave this world, I will lose him, but I will not spend another second wandering through my life with such a big what if swirling around my head, and clouding my heart.

I felt the strings already tugging at my heart, setting the pain in place for me the day I leave this place; I just can't bear that thought now. I felt a big, bloody tear run out of the corner of my eye, and splash onto my arm. Good thing I'm wearing red or else Alucard will ask why there's blood on my shirt. I bit my lip, feeling the sadness come over me and another tear fell, and another. But eventually I had to stop, because there's nothing wrong with crying, but you do have to stop at one point. I then stopped focusing on the end of this story I'll live through, and focused on this moment. I'll take every second I spend with Alucard and keep those moments in my heart until the judgment day, and the angles call me home.

DING! Thank you for flying with Air Italy. Please check overhead bins and under your seats for luggage. Again, thank you for flying Air Italy.

I slowly opened my eyes. My head was resting against my headrest and my arm was against my side. I looked up and saw Alucard getting the bags from the overhead bin. All I remember about these bags was that they contained the passes for the warehouses that we flew the weapons and coffins to. I felt a bit dejected that he pushed me away, but I didn't hold onto that thought. I stood up.

"Need me to carry anything?" I asked. He turned his head for a second then went back to the bin and pulled out the first bag.

"No." I frowned. He pulled out the second bag. He looked at me and motioned to the isle.

"Move." I blinked, realizing I was blocking the way.

"Oh. Sorry." I quickly stepped into the isle so he could get out. He walked towards the exit, and I followed. We walked through the terminal and got a ride to the warehouse. Alucard and I flashed our tickets and they moved aside and let us take our stuff. We then decided to take it to the hotel and get a decent nap before we began our work. We walked right in, and a man behind a desk welcomed us to the hotel and mentioned how we were expected.

"Your suite is on the top floor. Quite a wonderful spot for such a lovely couple." I blushed, and almost sputtered 'we're not lovers', although I now wish we were. But, Alucard just kept the charade going and smiled.

"Thank you." He then directed a few men who carried the coffins, which had the weapons inside, to the suite, but the man stopped him for a second.

"Um, pardon me sir. But we cannot allow such large luggage here." Alucard smiled in such a sickly sweet manner the man quickly recoiled.

"I assure you, everything is fine." His eyes glowed a bit more golden then usual for half a second then the man nodded and walked away muttering to himself.

"Everything is just fine… everything is just fine…" I stared at Alucard.

"What? Never seen hypnotism before?" I shook my head, astounded that it worked so well. We headed for the elevator, I pushed the fifteenth floor button, easy listening muzak played inside, and we both rolled our eyes at it. You'd think pricey Italian hotels would have better elevator music. Eventually we got to the room. It was the nicest hotel room I had ever been in. There was a massive window where, if the curtains were open you would have a breathtaking view of Italy. The only thing most people would object to is the two coffins on the floor. I heard my stomach growl, so I looked inside my coffin. I moved Alucard's two guns out, which he had told me were named; the silver one, which has the words: Hellsing arms-454 Casull, on the side, was called 'Joshua'. And the black one with the words: Jesus Christ is in Heaven Now, and a small white cross on the side was called 'Jackal'. Then I found what I was looking for; a small red bag with a label 'O negative' on it.

"Yes!" But before I could reach down, Alucard snatched it up.

"HEY!" I yelled. "That's mine! Give it back!" He stuck a straw into it.

"No. I'm thirsty. You go get another one." I glowered at him.

"But it's an O negative! That's rare! Come on, it was in MY coffin!" He shook his head. I frowned and struggled to get him to give it back.

"Please?" I begged. He put his index finger on his chin like a little kid.

"Let me ponder your request. No." He began to slurp the blood through the straw and walked away.

"UGH! You SUCK!" He grinned.

"I suppose I do." He continued to suck the blood out of the bag. I groaned.

He's such a pompous ass! Why do I love him? He stopped drinking. I looked up. He turned around so fast; I blinked to make sure he really turned. The look on his face was completely and totally speechless. His mouth was open and twitching as if he tried to say something, but he couldn't form the words.

"What?" I finally asked. He closed his mouth and took a step forward.

"What did you just say?" My eyes widened in confusion.

"I didn't say anything." He took a step back.

"You… I heard you." He looked astonished. My brain racked trying to figure out what he was talking about.

"What is it?" I asked distressed to know what's making him all weirded out.

"You said… you… loved me." He choked on 'loved'. I stood there, my face the exact reflection of his.

"I…I didn't… I… I don't…No… I-I-I…" I never could finish my sentence. I just felt bloody tears form in the corner of my eyes, and spill over. He dropped the blood bag, staining the white carpet. He stood there, with the same taken aback look on his beautiful face, his eyes completely astounded. He turned around as tears continued to stream down my face. He slid silently into his glossy onyx coffin, without a word. I broke down. I fell to my knees, sobbing into the depths of my pitiful despair.

Mina…You were a FOOL among women to throw him away. Those words echoed inside my head as I fell into my anguish beyond the sane point of grief. Then something inside my head clicked. Mina, vampires, Hellsing; no Helsing. Abraham Van Helsing was how he originally spelled it. Mina… MINA MURRAY HARKER. The woman that… The king vampire set his sights on Mina Harker after he drained Lucy Westerna of her blood. Jonathan Harker, Mina's husband, Dr. John Seward, Quincey Morris, Arthur Godalming, and Abraham defeated the king vampire; Count Vladimir Dracula IV. Dracula. DRACULA! D-R-A-C-U-L-A. For the love of all things holy! Backwards. It is spelled backwards! A-L-U-C-A-R-D! He is the king among the un-dead! The king of vampires! The being that casts a shadow on death itself! Alucard is Count Dracula! He was captivated by her bravery, and drank her blood and forced her to drink his own, claiming her life as an un-dead. Forever to be beside him, but those brave men did not let this go unnoticed, and hunted the Count down and killed him! But he wasn't killed! He was forced into slavery to the Hellsings for the rest of eternity as punishment for the sins he had done.

I slowly raised my head and looked at his coffin.

"Mina Harker was a fool. Any woman, human or vampire would throw themselves to you if they knew who you were, my Count." I said solemnly. He opened his coffin and looked at me, his eyes wide with utter surprise, blazing like hellfire.

"You know who I am." He retorted. I nodded slowly, blood dripping off my chin. I looked down.

"I…I'm sorry." He was silent for a second.

"For what?" I couldn't raise my head and look him in the eyes.

"For imposing those feelings on you." I heard him exhale, as if irritated. "I am sorry that was the one time you could hear my thoughts. I am sorry that I… think of you in such a disrespectful way. It…won't ever happen again." I finished. Silence. I looked up to see his coffin shut. He must have closed it on me when I was apologizing. I crawled into my coffin, wounded and grief-stricken. I knew these wounds, once made, would never heal. Even when I return to my own world, after I am dead and in the ground, I will always carry this sorrow. Silently, I cried myself to sleep, mourning over the love of the Count, who will never love me back. –End Chapter 2