I am back once again, folks. Work had me completely tied up for many months. Unfortunately, I seem to have become that one guy that I always hated; the bastard who only updates a couple times a year. Regardless, here is chapter four.

Hellsing isn't mine, but you already knew that.

As she closed the door behind her, the thought of returning to her room left Seras Victoria feeling claustrophobic.

The night's events had her confused as to what exactly was transpiring; she was more optimistic about her situation than she had been, but uncertainty still clutched her mind.

Nothing seemed better to her in this moment than the thought of the crisp night air to clear her mind.

Outside the hall window lie the moon-drenched gardens of the Hellsing estate, and upon seeing them, she knew exactly what to do.

Regardless of the fact that she had been ordered back to her quarters, she began to make her way to the gardens.

In the Gardens…

Upon stepping out into the forest of beauty, she slowly drew a breath of the air, savoring it.

The feelings of stress and anxiety were swiftly banished as she observed the beauty of her surroundings.

She beheld flowers of every shape and color imaginable, set like jewels in exquisitely lush verdure.

As she drew another breath, she was pleasantly surprised by the magnificent floral perfume carried by the night breeze.

With a sigh of supreme relief, she smiled contentedly, beginning to walk slowly along the outer edge of the vast garden.

Gazing up at the moon, silver and full, she remembered a dream that she had about Integra in a very similar scenario to the one she was in now.

She hung her head and her smile faded.

Her cheeks ablaze, she found herself longing for her dream to come true.

Realizing that it was highly unlikely, she decided to keep walking and enjoy what happiness she had.

A short while later, her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a heated discussion.

Puzzled, she listened hard to locate the source of the sound.

The source was, coincidentally enough, from the window of Integra's office.

As soon as she looked up at the window, it burst open, and a cursing Integra leaned out from it.

Frightened, Seras rushed to the outer wall of the building, and clung to it.

"Damned pieces of degenerate filth... and you are absolutely certain?" she inquired of her guest.

Seras felt as though her heart might fracture her ribcage with its savage beating; deciding that it would be the best course of action, she decided to stay safely out of sight where she was.

Regardless of her attempt to listen in on the matter, she could not make out exactly what the guest was saying, but it certainly did not make the woman any happier.

After a furious sigh, the harsh woman cleared her throat.

"Very well. I shall relish the act of spilling their blood." Integra said in an icy manner, closing the window shortly after.

Seras fell to her knees, which now failed to support her.

Her fear subsided quickly, but in its place came a great pity for her leader.

Leaning back against the wall, she inhaled deeply.

Gazing back up at the moon, she longed once more for things to be as they were in her dream.

Not wanting to dwell on it, she clumsily stood to her feet, dusting herself off.

Deciding it would be best to get back to her room rather quickly, she began the walk back.

The night seemed to become less welcoming on the way back.

No longer did the flowers elicit warmth from her, nor did their fragrance enrapture her.

The night air could no longer lift her soul; her heart was heavy for her beloved.

She wanted so very dearly to embrace the woman, to comfort her.

She felt that to do so, however, would surely deal out her death sentence.

"There must be something I can do…" she said under her breath.

She thought about the statement she had just made, surprised by the lack of her characteristic spinelessness.

A smile blooming on her lips, she decided that it felt good to be rid of the powerless mindset she had adopted upon her arrival at the Hellsing organization, even if it were only for the time being.

She thought diligently until she reached the door.

She turned the knob slowly, trying to enter as stealthily as possible.

Opening the door without so much as a creek, she stepped into the mansion and closed the door behind her silently.

She felt a sense of pride on having infiltrated flawlessly.

"Not too bad after all, are we, Seras?" she asked herself internally, beginning to walk back to her room.

As soon as she had started, however, she had stopped dead in her tracks.

She heard something from behind her.

Fear gripped her once more as the terrifying possibilities flashed through her mind.

She heard it again, a soft cough.

Turning quickly to see who it was, she found Walter standing not ten feet from her, holding a serving tray with both a tea kettle and an elegant china cup on it.

He wore an expression that demanded an explanation.

"Oh… Walter! I… Lovely evening we are having isn't it?" She stammered.

He continued to stare at her in silence, determined to get his answer.

With a sigh, she lowered her head, "I am terribly sorry, Walter. I needed some fresh air, tonight has been quite a frustrating one."

When she looked back up at him, she saw that his expression had softened.

"It is quite alright, Officer Victoria, it has been quite a night for us all." He said calmly.

"Thank you, Walter." She said sincerely, feeling more at ease.

"I would assume that you too heard the fuss in Sir Integra's office?" he inquired of her.

"Yes, I did." She replied, "I could not make out any of the conversation, save Sir Integra's cursing, though."

"The situation is grave indeed." He lamented, "Anyhow, I must be off now, Officer Victoria. This tea will not deliver itself, after all."

"Sir Integra's?" she asked him.

He nodded, "Yes, it is indeed."

He started on his way to Integra's office, leaving Seras to thought.

She was thankful that it had been Walter that had caught her and not one of the many who would have been more prone to anger.

Attempting a return to her previous train of thought, she began to wonder what exactly she could do, if anything at all, to comfort her leader.

She found herself wishing that she was the one delivering her leader's tea.

Impulse far outweighing reason, she found herself walking briskly to catch up to the older man.

Thinking it over as she walked, she came to the realization of how perfect the idea was; a noticeable and kind gesture, but not strong enough to be considered obnoxious or forceful.

"There is indeed something after all." She thought, grinning as she caught up just enough.

"Excuse me, Walter?" she called to the butler.

He stopped, turning to face her, a puzzled look on his face.

She walked the rest of the distance to him, finding that some of the nerve that she had possessed just prior had left her.

"I am terribly sorry to bother you again, Walter, but I must ask you for a favor." She asked somewhat sheepishly.

Intrigued, the butler listened intently.

"If it would be alright," she said carefully, "I would like to take Sir Integra's tea to her."

Walter cocked an eyebrow, obviously surprised by the request.

"It would mean a lot to me…" she explained.

He began to protest, but after a few seconds of thought, he simply sighed in defeat.

"Miss Victoria, your master has been keeping me informed of your situation, and I understand your desire to help," he said politely, "however, Sir Integra is now in an incredibly foul mood; are you absolutely sure that you want to do such a thing?"

"Yes," she replied bravely, "I do apologize if my feelings for Sir Integra offend you, Walter, I truly do. However, I am fed up with being basically non-existent to her; even if she doesn't share my feelings, I want to be closer to her, to know that she cares, even if only just a little…"

She sighed, expecting swift, furious rejection.

"Miss Victoria, enlighten me, if you would." He requested.

She looked him in the eyes, slightly afraid of the protective look in the older man's eyes.

"Are your intentions toward Sir Integra pure?" he asked, his voice more serious than she had ever heard it.

Seras nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

"The purest, sir," she replied in a shaky voice, "I have nothing of my previous life, my feelings for her are all that I have left… I have no joy except for her."

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she cleared her throat and looked him in the eyes once more.

He now stared back at her with soft eyes, a look, almost that of pride in his eyes.

"You are a good woman, Miss Victoria." he said to her, happiness lacing his voice, "If you say that your intentions are pure, I believe you; you have my blessing."

Seras could not help but smile, she had not been sure if Walter would understand.

He held the serving tray out to her.

"You have a duty to perform, Miss Victoria." He informed her dutifully.

She took it, smile broadening on her face.

Walter wiped the remainder of the tears off of her face.

"If she gets curious, I am having pains in my back, and I asked you to deliver the tea." he inquired of her.

She smiled gratefully at him, nodding.

"Off you go then," he ordered, "and best of luck, Miss Victoria."

Beaming, she began the trip to her leader's office, going over everything she would say when she got there.

The walk seemed eternal, and as it progressed, she grew more and more nervous.

Along the way, she passed Integra's guest, that same old man.

He was obviously of importance, as he was accompanied by two men, armed to the teeth.

He wore an intensely grim look on his face, and Seras was inclined to wonder just what the meeting had been about.

She did not have much time to think about the matter, however, as her objective was in sight.

As she approached the door, she took a deep breath, stood up straight, and knocked gingerly on the door.

"Come in." she was ordered.

Steeling herself, she opened the door and stepped through, careful not to spill the contents of the serving tray.

Her leader sat backward at her desk, gazing out the window.

"Set it on the desk, please." She commanded.

Seras walked over to the desk and set the tray down carefully.

She began to panic, wondering if she would even be noticed.

"Thank you, that will be all," dismissed the older woman.

Seras paused for a moment, taking her time to ensure that she respond well; she would not have this attempt be in vain.

"Very well, Sir Integra," She replied calmly.

Almost instantaneously, the woman spun around.

Seras found herself facing down the barrel of Integra's handgun.

Integra's face showed murderous rage, and then supreme confusion.

Seras felt as though ice was forcing itself through her veins, she froze in place.

"Officer Victoria?"The woman asked, re-holstering her weapon.

"Y-yes sir," Acknowledged the trembling girl.

Integra stared at her, still perplexed beyond measure.

"I ordered you to your quarters, where is Walter?" she demanded, voice showing a growing frustration.

"H-his back…" she stammered, trying to regain control over her speech, "his back was troubling him more than usual tonight, Sir, he asked me to deliver your tea this evening"

Sitting back in her chair, Integra sighed heavily.

"Very well, Officer Victoria, now go back to your quarters," she commanded, "and stay there…"

"Yes, Sir Integra," replied Seras.

She turned and began to walk back to her room, fighting back the tears that were once more threatening to emerge.

A/N:

Sorry about the updates… hope this long chapter makes up for it. Let me know what you think. My muse appears to be back, so give me reason to write while I still have it.

Oh yea, and that dream Seras had, it kinda sounds like my other story, 'Moonlight' doesn't it? Suspicious..