A/N: Went and stole some more dialogue from the OVAs. Oops. This time I can't promise that it won't happen again, because I kinda like bringing in canon moments into this story. We'll see how things ago!

Chapter 4

Monsters and Men

A full week passed without incident. It seemed their "friends" in Phoenix had gone quiet, and Integra was deeply suspicious of their sudden silence. Unfortunately, she did not get the chance to enjoy the reprieve. Nearly 90% of her staff had been wiped out in the attack. That left Hellsing with only ten agents, including herself and Walter. If they wanted to be ready for Phoenix's next move she would have to rebuild her forces. In a few short hours, they were meeting with a group of mercenaries for an interview, of sorts. The Wild Geese. She balked at the idea of hiring unholy thugs playing soldier, but she trusted Walter's judgement. He had done extensive research on this particular group and he seemed to think they were more than capable.

The sun had finally set and Integra descended into the lower levels of the mansion to rouse Seras Victoria. She would need the Police Girl to prove a point to these schoolboys. They needed to know what they were up against, but Alucard would be a bit much for someone's first exposure to the world of vampires. On her way, she surveyed the aftermath of the Valentines' attack. Even after a week, the wreckage was still extensive. Most of the walls were a patchwork of bullet holes and bloodstains. The carpets had been soaked through with the entrails of the dead. No amount of bleach would ever get them clean again. They would have to be torn up and replaced. Precious works of art had been destroyed in the melee. Family relics passed down for generations, hallmarks of Integra's childhood. It pained her to find bits and scraps of them in the rubble. She'd found pieces of marble belonging to a statue sculpted by some famous Italian artist Integra could not even remember the name of. What she did remember was that it had been exorbitantly expensive for her father to buy. It was funny how valuable things lost their worth when reduced to their individual parts. She could collect every single shard of marble and painstakingly glue them back together, but each part- when viewed separately –was nothing but rubbish. She remembered passing that statue every day her whole life. She hadn't even liked it all that much. Now that it was gone, however, she realized how much she had relied on those little pieces of stability to keep her sane in this crazy, fucked-up world of the paranormal and bloody. Indulging the part of her that was sentimental and nostalgic, she saved a tiny shard to keep in her desk. For those moments when she longed for the comfort that came with normalcy.

During the day, the mansion crawled with contractors: electricians, carpenters, and other manner of repairmen. They were none the wiser to the true work of Hellsing, but they were paid much too well to go snooping around asking questions. Nevertheless, Integra was antsy having so many civilians on the grounds, so she took the proper precautions. Alucard and Seras were to remain in the dungeons until the work was complete. She hadn't seen either of her vampires since the day Abigail had been sent home. Vampires. Plural. As if one hadn't been bad enough. Integra was still getting used to having Seras around. She had been furious with Alucard the day he brought the Police Girl to Hellsing. To her, it had been an act of gross insubordination. That he would do something so impetuous as turn a human into a vampire without asking permission made Integra exceptionally uneasy. She remembered the conversation vividly.

Seras had been nothing but a pathetic heap in Alucard's arms. At first, Integra naively assumed she was a casualty, but Alucard had no such interest in the dead. Though she supposed she'd been right in a way. After all, by that time Seras was dead. Undead, at any rate. As realization dawned, Integra remembered the blind rage she felt. She'd caught Alucard's eye as he approached out of the fog, the Cheddar graveyard at his back. There had been a spark of rebelliousness as he regarded her over the rims of his shaded lenses. But he must have sensed her temper, because he came to heel quickly enough. Depositing the girl in Walter's arms, he walked straight to Integra, unabashed amusement dancing across his face. He swept her a magnanimous bow.

"The vampire scum has been eradicated, my master," he purred, almost seductively. It seemed the taste of virgin blood had put him in a downright delightful mood.

"What have you done, Alucard?" Integra gritted through clenched teeth.

Alucard chose to play dumb. "Why, exactly as you instructed. The vampire priest is but ashes on the wind."

"Don't you dare patronize me." She thrust a finger in the police girl's direction. "What the bloody hell is that?!"

"Ah, you're talking about the Police Girl," Alucard said, fondly gazing at his new fledgling. His voice became softer. "Isn't she beautiful?"

Beautiful, indeed. Integra scoffed. "I don't care if she is the most alluring creature to ever grace planet Earth. I never gave you permission to turn a human."

"Are you jealous?" He taunted with dangerous amusement. Before Integra could vehemently repudiate, he went on. "It was either turn her, or let her die—and I was feeling generous. To be fair, you never strictly told me that I couldn't. Eternityjust gets so boring, I thought I would…mix things up a bit."

"I am just overjoyed you have found an end to your boredom," Integra said scathingly. "Now, to make things even more interesting, you will get rid of her."

Alucard's face fell almost imperceptibly, like a man who recognized his own gamble and had lost unexpectedly. But he recovered quickly, face stretching into a mask of perfect madness. "If those are your orders, my master, I will kill her for you. Of course. But before I do, you should know that she is really quite special. She has a strength of character that was wasted on humanity. She would be a valuable asset to Hellsing…in my professional opinion."

Integra crossed her arms. "So I am to understand that your interest in her is purely professional?" She regretted the words the moment they left her mouth.

"You are jealous." There was a trace of surprise in his voice. He was grinning, though, like that same gambler who'd just drawn the card that would turn the game around. "I am touched, Integra, I truly am. But I am still awaiting your orders. Just say the word, and I will rip her head from her shoulders right here in front of you."

He was challenging her, but why? What was he trying to prove? Integra felt like she had been backed into a corner. She did not regret telling him to kill the police girl. After all, she was in the business of killing vampires. Furthermore, she couldn't think of a more fitting punishment for his misbehavior than to make him destroy this creature he had— God only knew why—suddenly taken an interest in. But she could not abide by his belief that she was in any way, shape, or form jealous. Of all the petty emotions! What use did she have for jealousy? She was not a simpering schoolgirl, for god sake. The idea was just absurd. She was doing her job, exerting authority over her servant. How could she be faulted for that? And yet….

Without another word, Integra none too gently brushed passed Alucard and stormed over to where Walter was tending to the girl in the back of one of their vehicles. The young woman was blonde and, indeed, very pretty in a kittenish sort of way. The effects of her turning were already settling in as her skin seemed to get whiter with each passing moment. Despite the tiny fangs poking from her gums when Walter lifted her upper lip for inspection, she seemed hopelessly innocent. Integra stared at the unconscious girl for a long time, debating what she should do. She felt rather than heard Alucard approach her from behind.

"There are stark differences, but her spirit reminds me a lot of you," his voice was no more than a throaty whisper at her ear. "You are both fighters. Survivors. She will serve us well, Integra."

Us. She inwardly groaned. Then, after another beat, she conceded dismissively. "Have your fun with her, Alucard." Integra spun on her heels and made towards the car. "But she is your responsibility. If she becomes unruly, she is out. If she poses a threat to Hellsing, she is out. If she so much as causes me the slightest inconvenience, you better believe she is out."

"I would expect nothing less. But you should know that what I gave to the police girl," his voice was then an echo inside her head. "Could just as readily be yours."

She had ignored the taunt and all its implications. She had no interest in being part of his filthy harem of vampire brides. And she had let him know that in no uncertain terms many times over the years. So his response was to dangle immortality in front of her face in the form of Seras Victoria? She had been determined to despise the police girl, but quickly found that to be impossible. The girl was…sweet. Despite everything that had happened to her, Seras had retained the kernel of humanity. It was admirable, really. And Integra admitted the girl had certainly made herself useful in the few months she had been here. And Alucard had been in a better mood than she'd seen him in many years. The police girl seemed to have than uncanny effect on him. She wondered what the pair got up to when there were no freaks to kill…

She shook herself out of her reverie. There was no time for idle musings. She would retrieve the police girl and return to the main foyer to receive their guests.

"Captain Bernadotte, what the hell is this?"

"So what—are we going to be fighting in London?"

"Since when do we work security jobs? I didn't sign up to shadow some rich asshole!"

Ah, ye of little faith. Pip Bernadotte's men had been complaining nonstop since their arrival at the exquisite Hellsing mansion, which indeed appeared to belong to some rich asshole. But their whining was grinding on his last nerve.

"My God you people," Pip drawled, arm slung over the back of his chair. "I really can't think of any other way to put this, so here it is: these rich assholes are going to be paying us to kill monsters." Not that he really believed that, mind you. When he received the phone call from one Walter C. Dornez requesting their services to defend a mansion against the legions of the undead, Pip imagined some millionaire eccentric gone a little loopy in his twilight years. He would have laughed right into the phone were it not for the pretty penny being offered. It was more than he had ever made off one gig in his career. And hey, a job's a job—he was willing to feed into the delusions if it meant an early retirement. His men were a little more difficult to convince, but they would thank him later when their pockets were fat.

"They're going to be paying us to do what?!"

"Monsters? You gotta be kidding me!"

Pip braced himself for another exhausting onslaught of grumbles, but then a harsh, authoritative female voice interrupted from the doorway.

"It's true." The woman standing in the threshold was a far cry from what Pip had expected. He sat up a little straighter. She was tall and lean. A good body by the looks of it, though it was hard to tell with the suit she wore. Too severe and angular to be classically beautiful, though he supposed she had her own exquisiteness. "The enemies are immortal creatures who sustain themselves by drinking human blood. Your job, gentlemen, to is fight these monsters with bullets, garlic, and holy water. Put a stake through their hearts, cut off their heads, burn the corpses, scatter the ashes at a crossroads. For further instructions, consult Bram Stoker."

Okay, so he was wrong about the "old" part, but Pip had hit "delusional, eccentric millionaire" right on the head. Remember the money. Remember the money. Remember the money.

"That's ridiculous," one of his men interjected. "Everyone knows there's no such thing as vampires."

"Then everyone is sorely mistaken," the woman retorted. "Or, more accurately, we've helped them maintain a state of blissful ignorance. My name is Integra Hellsing. For over a century my family's organization has served the British empire, fighting a secret war against the forces of darkness. The vampire, in particular." Her mouth twitched into a smirk. "For those of you who still need convincing, I present to you a genuine vampire."

Pip's eyes followed where the woman pointed, his curiosity admittedly piqued in spite of himself. Standing against the far wall was a woman—or girl, rather, since she looked no older than perhaps eighteen or nineteen. She was maybe the second least intimidating creature he'd ever deigned to look upon. Also, he noted with interest, one of the most attractive. Her buxom build curved irresistibly against the form-fitting fabric of her uniform. He found it difficult to tear his eyes away from the bulge of her shapely chest. He also found it difficult not to laugh.

"Oh no," he said incredulously, rising from his chair to approach the little lady. "Just hold on. You are really a vampire?" His voice dripped with indulgent humor. Now, he was just teasing her.

"Yes, I am." Her voice was sweet like honey and she had the kindest blue eyes. Pip thought this Integra Hellsing chick really should have cast a more convincing actress to play her vampire pet. Now he couldn't stop his laughter. Then, following suit, the room was filled with the raucous guffaws of his men.

The little cherie's face fell. "I get the feeling they're laughing at me, Sir."

"Then show them something to make them stop, Police Girl," Integra intoned.

Another fit of laughter racked Pip's frame. "If this is supposed to be a vampire, then I'm Frankenstein's monster!" He leered towards the blonde girl, like a monster getting ready to attack. It was supposed to be endearing, really. Flirtatious, even. So he was not at all prepared for what came next.

Faster than his eyes could detect, the girl came at him. With one of those delicate fingers she flicked him in the nose with enough force to snap his head back, nearly breaking his neck. Blood spilled from his nose. When he recovered himself, all he could do was stare in dumb disbelief. Then she hit him again, and again. The fourth time sent him reeling backwards.

"She's some kind of monster!" He exclaimed in utter incredulity. "I don't believe it, you're really telling me that girl is a vampire?" It made no sense, but how else could she possibly have that kind of strength?

"Damn right she is," a voice deep as thunder shook Pip's very bones. His head swiveled, trying to detect its origins. Then, against all laws of physics, a man in red materialized out from the stone wall. Pip froze. It was all he could do not to cry out in fright like a little girl. Of all things, he heard Integra give an exasperated sigh. "The Police Girl might be the lowest of the low, but a vampire is still a vampire."

There was a collective gasp from Pip's men.

"What a bunch of pathetic, sniveling cowards. Do you really think they'll be of any use to us?" The question seemed to be directed at Integra. "I cannot believe you would throw a party and not invite me." The creature seemed almost insulted.

"I thought perhaps this was a job better suited for the Police Girl," Integra looked like she could use an aspirin. "Between the two of you, she is by far more diplomatic."

Alucard turned his attention back to the mercenaries. Pip did not like the look on his face. He had a much easier time believing in the existence of vampires in the presence of this…thing. He looked back at the blonde mignonette. She was looking up at the red-clad man with a look of near worshipful admiration. How could these two possibly be the same creature?

"I think I have the right to weigh in on who I want guarding me while I sleep. Hellsing should only deal with the very best, don't you think, Master? Are these fools honestly worthy to bear your family's crest?"

"I think you'll find you're quite without rights in any case, servant," Integra growled. "And I would appreciate you not dropping in unannounced during business dealings."

They banter like an old married couple. Pip noted, despite his confusion.

"Sir, Integra." A worried voice Pip recognized as belonging to Walter Dornez, his main point of contact through this whole bloody affair, came from down the hall. Moments later the man came through the threshold. "I apologize for the interruption, but I'm afraid a matter of grave importance has come up."

"What is it, Walter?"

"Intelligence from a fire department dispatch on the southwest side of London just came through. It was flagged for the keywords in the radio chatter."

Impatiently, Integra replied, "and what key words would those be?"

"1800 W. Hillside, Chelsea." Walter's face darkened. "Sir, Abigail Wilson's house is up in flames."

Abigail couldn't decide what was worse, running from vampires or trying to carry on like they didn't exist. A week ago, when she first came home, Abigail had melted into her mother's embrace who sobbed when she saw her daughter. Apparently, the attack on Tamarack Valley had made national news and her disappearance, along with the rest of the campers', had become very public knowledge. Her mother had thought she was dead. Abigail struggled to piece together a convincing story for what happened. A mad man had taken them all hostage. She managed to escape and forage in the woods, until she found her way back home. As far as she knew she was the only survivor. It was a splotchy cover-up, at best. Her mother had been too hysterical to look at it too closely, however, and scatterbrained Rebecca Wilson was never one to over analyze. Abigail's reappearance hailed in countless newscasters, dying to get a statement from her. Rebecca forced them all away. The only people Rebecca allowed in were the police out of a deep-seated obligation to submit to the law. So, Abigail lied to the officers. She thought for sure they would sense her dishonesty, but if they did they said nothing. So many children had gone missing that week, they were just thankful for a lead.

Just as Integra had been.

Abigail had nightmares every night. Sometimes it was the auburn-haired vampire. Sometimes it was Seras ripping those zombies limb from limb. And every night, Abigail had to muffle her screams with her pillow and cry soundlessly, lest she wake her sleeping mother. She was relieved to be at home, safe, but having no one to confide in made things unbearable. Purplish rings appeared under her eyes and she lost weight. Rebecca insisted on taking her to the doctor, but Abigail did not want to leave the house.

After a week, however, things began settling into a new normal. Rebecca had allowed her daughter to stay home from school to recover and avoid the paparazzi, but Abigail decided that she would resume her classes on Monday. Abigail was dreading it, but she knew she couldn't stay holed up in her house forever. She had to find the strength to move on from what happened. Life wasn't going to wait for her. She told her mother as much that night at dinner over a plate of pasta. The red sauce made her stomach heave.

"Are you sure, Abby?" Rebecca frowned deeply. She reached out a hand and brushed the hair from Abigail's eyes. "You don't look quite well enough. I would rather you see a doctor first. Maybe a therapist?"

Abigail leaned into her mother's comforting touch. "I don't need a therapist, mom." Lying to a shrink wouldn't do me much good anyway. "I need to go back to school. Be around my friends. I think…it'll keep my mind off things." At least that's what she hoped.

Rebecca's frown gave way to a soft smile. "Alright, dear. You know yourself best. Monday it is, then. But if you get too overwhelmed, we'll take you right back out. I'm sure your teachers will understand. And you know I'm always here if you need to talk things through…"

Abigail nodded, but offered her nothing. Not for the first time, she wondered how much her mother knew. About Hellsing. Vampires. Her father. She desperately wanted to know, but how could she ask without revealing herself? Summoning all the courage she could muster, she ventured, "Mom…can I ask you a question?"

Rebecca helped herself to another helping of pasta. "Ask away, little dove."

"Would you say that dad was a good man?"

The serving tongs crashed against the porcelain plates, startling Abigail, as Rebecca lost her grip on them. "W-why did that question come to mind?"

Abigail chose her next words carefully. "Well…we never really talked much about him after he, uh, died. And my only memories of him are from when I was seven." And even then, there weren't many. Just a handful of family holidays and flashes here and there. After her confrontation with Integra she still couldn't believe that he had been anything but decent. But the conviction in Integra's voice echoed in her dreams, haunting her. She had to know. "I just wanted to know if you could tell me more about him."

Rebecca paled. "Abby—Abigail—there are things about your father that I never told you."

Abigail's held her breath. So she does know!

"But I think you're old enough now—oh!" There was a sudden knock at the door to save her from further response. Rebecca looked thankful to have a moment to gather her thoughts. "Abigail, be a dear and get that, would you?" Her throat bobbed up and down. "I promise I'll tell you all about your father when you come back."

Abigail cursed whoever was at the door. Doubtlessly, another blasted journalist vying for an interview. She'd waited so long for the truth, she supposed she could wait another minute while she shooed away the reporter. She bolted for the front door, unlatching the chain lock fastened there. When she opened it, she had the routine dismissal all prepared: sorry, no comment. But when she saw who was standing on her front porch, the words turned to ash in her mouth.

The hypnotic amber eyes which stalked her nightmares tore right through her.

"Hello again, little Hellsing," the vampire crooned. "I'm afraid you and I have some unfinished business."