Disclaimer: I'm sorry, but I do not own Van Helsing.

Fierce Reluctance

After a two day travel, Van Helsing and Anna arrived at the Vatican. They were greeted in the courtyard of the abbey by Carl. He gave Anna a kiss on the side of the face and shook hands with Gabriel.
"So when is the baby due?" Carl asked motioning towards her growing belly.
"The doctor believes that the baby will be born in about a month or so." Anna replied.
"Do you think you'll have a boy or a girl?" Carl questioned. Anna looked at Gabriel and smiled.
"Of course Gabriel is hoping for a son." Anna stated.
"And just what's wrong with that?" Gabriel asked putting both of his hands on his hips. Carl smiled and thought of the idea of having two Gabriel's around. One was bad enough he thought, but two? Yikes! Anyway there would be plenty of time for pleasant conversation, but first there were certain matters that needed to be handled first.
"Why don't we move inside," Carl suggested. "The clouds do not seem too friendly today." Carl said as he turned and led the way inside.
"Carl, your letter said that it was important that I come back to Rome at once." Gabriel said as they walked towards Carl's quarters.
"It has been a hell of a week around here trying to arrange the Cardinal's funeral and deciding what is best for the future of the Order. It's a relief to all of us that you are here." Carl replied as he opened the door to his chambers and went inside. Once Gabriel and Anna were inside, Carl closed the door so as not to be disturbed.
"So what does all of this have to do with me?" Gabriel asked as he sat on the couch next to Anna. Carl sank in the large leather chair behind his desk.
"The Cardinal requested one last thing of you and he wanted you to promise that you would honor this request in memory of him." Carl stated.
"What did Cardinal Jeanette ask of me?" Gabriel asked impatiently.
"Gabriel, the Cardinal asked if you would become the new leader of the Knights of the Holy Order. He told me that he would be able to rest in peace knowing that everything was in your hands." Carl explained.
"No." Gabriel simply stated.
"No what?" Carl asked dumbfounded by the simplicity of Gabriel's answer.
"There is no way in HELL I am becoming the new leader of the Order! No way! Besides, why can't someone else do it? I mean there are plenty of people who would jump at this opportunity." Gabriel said.
"The Cardinal wanted no one else for this but you." Carl replied.
"Is that why I was summoned here? To fulfill the dying wishes of some old man?! " Gabriel roared. Carl looked into his friend's eyes that had suddenly grown cold.
"Yes." Carl stated.
"C'mon Anna, we're leaving." Gabriel announced as he went to grab her hand. However, she pulled it away from him.
"Anna?" Gabriel questioned.
"Cardinal Jeanette had the highest regards for you to trust you with something this important and you have the audacity to throw it back in his face. How in the name of God can you do that?" Anna asked.
"Don't be so self- righteous with me Anna! There were times that you wished that you didn't have to carry the family burden and you know it!" Gabriel shouted back. Anna stood and marched over to Gabriel and got right in his face.
"At least I understood my responsibility and fulfilled it regardless of how much it interfered with my life!" Anna retorted. Carl watched from his desk as Anna and Gabriel exchanged blows. They were growing more forceful by the minute.
"You will never understand me Anna." Gabriel stated as he turned to leave.
"Oh I understand you perfectly Gabriel." Anna muttered back.
"And just what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Gabriel asked.
"You only do what is good for you and screw everyone and everything else!" Anna yelled into his face. Gabriel's anger boiled over top. How dare Anna speak to him like that! The nerve of that woman! He looked directly into her eyes seeing only anger spewing from them.
"I'm glad the Cardinal is not here to see what an ass you've become!" Anna said. That was Gabriel's breaking point. With a swift motion of his hand, he slapped Anna across the face. Looking at Anna, he saw her looking back at him in shock. Her hand covered the place where he had slapped her. Gabriel saw the tears forming in her eyes and realized that he had gone too far. He let his anger reach a point where he couldn't control it and the end result of his actions was that he hurt Anna.
"Anna, I'm...I'm..." Gabriel began. Anna shoved him aside violently as she ran from the room, the tears flowing uncontrollably from her eyes.

A/N: Well this wasn't the length I desired for this chapter. I figured if I continued writing any more in this chapter, I would take away from the drama. Anyway, the next chapter is the conclusion. Will Gabriel make amends with Anna and will he come to honor the Cardinal's final request? Stay tuned...