Deep Sky

A/N: I know! I know! I know! You can mince me, bake me, flatten me, do whatever you want with me! I am so sorry for the very late update! But do remember that I LOST this chapter forever because of my STUPID computer, which erased all my files!!! Grawr! Also, I'd like to thank all those reviewers who have reviewed since my... absence. Thank you so much with big chocolate dipping on top! XD You guys rock! I hope you enjoy this chapter and pleeeeease review:)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the marvelous movie, Van Helsing!

Summary: A dark past had torn Dracula and Van Helsing apart, but not for long. He has captured the Hunter, but he did not intend for the Hunter to fall for the Prince instead. In the background, Carl is in search of Van Helsing, and has hidden his true feelings until now... SLASH

WARNING! SLASH included! If you are uncomfortable with these things, you should go elsewhere!

I'll try not to make it very graphical, but it would probably still be PG-13. If not, beware!

NO FLAMES! Or I will cut you to smithereens.

Chapter Seven - Some Things Cannot Be Saved

Van Helsing looked at Velkan with a confusion that continued to dwell in all sorts of places in his mind. If Velkan had his eyes open, he would have easily known the answer to his question just by looking at it. But unfortunately that didn't happen.

Why are you smiling, Velkan? Van Helsing thought as he saw the Prince's lips curve back to normal. He gazed at his face, and then found that the man before him was actually... beautiful. Despite the fact that he was bruised and dirt had covered much of his face and body, nothing could have cut through true beauty. He had a brilliant smile that made anyone smile along with him, a personality that no one could break. It was a wonder to think that this very man was Dracula's prisoner, a servant under his will.

"You are very foolish, you know that, Mr. Van Helsing? Not all things can be saved..." Velkan whispered, and Van Helsing could see a slight frown taint those lips.

"But there are things that could be saved. And that is what counts."

This seemed to make Velkan laugh. "I guess so. But if you have seen the things I've seen, you might have disagreed otherwise."

"What? What have you seen that I haven't?" Van Helsing countered, looking annoyed.

Velkan fell silent for a few seconds, before he answered, "Loss."

There was no smile on the young Prince's face. Van Helsing could almost feel the pain on his face. He wished he could take that pain away from him, make it vanish. The hunter couldn't answer back this time, and he became the silent one.

But the silence was unwoven just the same when there was a click and Van Helsing felt himself fall to floor with a painful thump. He gave a groan of surprise, feeling pain burn on his wrist. He got up with a bewildered expression. "What-" he began but it was Velkan who broke through his sentence in warning.

"Dracula is clever, Mr. Van Helsing. Whatever you do, don't be fooled by what he does to you."

Rubbing his wrists, Van Helsing answered, "Why..."

"Remember, all things happen for a reason. Just don't let him manipulate you."

Van Helsing bit his lips as he looked at the open door of the prison. Then he looked back at Velkan's direction. A sudden burst of emotions clutched at his heart, and a determination burned inside like wild fire that couldn't be stopped. He wasn't going to let anyone stop him from saving the Valerious. Even if it meant his life.

"I won't, Velkan."

x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x X x

Van Helsing walked out of the prison with a cautious look on his face. He looked at his surroundings. The area was dark, and he couldn't see his surroundings as clearly as he liked to. As best as his eyes could interpret, he found that he was in a massive foyer with high walls, pillars and ceilings. Large torches designed crudely to hold a huge fire. The artist must have had a crude sense of artistic vision for the designs below the torch were shaped like damned human souls, pushing and clawing at the other humans below them. Van Helsing looked distastefully at it. He couldn't understand why someone would like to put that as furniture, but then again, this was the Son of the Devil.

There was no sign of Dracula anywhere, and yet he could feel a presence nearby. He frowned and then shouted, making his words echo through the huge foyer. "Dracula, I know you're here! Come out of hiding!"

"You noticed," a voice spoke with a chuckle as Dracula shimmered in front of him. Van Helsing stood his ground, glaring at the vampire. Dracula smiled back.

"You freed me. You're after something. What do you want from me?" Van Helsing snarled angrily.

"I've already told you, Gabriel." Dracula grinned widely. Van Helsing scowled.

"Stop with your riddles. If you want something from me, come and get it. If you wish for my death, the least you can do is kill me quickly."

"I have no intention of killing you. Why would I want to do that?"

"Because-" Van Helsing began, but stopped because no answer came to mind. Why would Dracula want him to die? It would be almost foolish for him to die. The Count could do much more harm if he was alive.

Dracula smiled, a glimmer in his eye. "I thought so... You are very entertaining to look at Gabriel."

Van Helsing flinched. His hands curled into fists as his nails dug into his flesh deeply. His thoughts jumped to Velkan and then before he could stop himself he said it. "I want to make a bargain with you."

Dracula's eyebrows rose at hearing this. "And what would that be?"

"Free the Valerious and I submit willingly to your little games. If not, well, I will do everything in my power to save the Prince from your grasp. And I won't hesitate to kill you if I get the chance."

The vampire laughed out loud at hearing this, but there was a thoughtful expression on his face. "Are you willing to throw away your life so easily to a... man... you hardly know?"

Van Helsing shook his head. "You said you had no intention of killing me... yet."

"And if I had lied?" Van Helsing looked slightly dumbfounded by this remark.

"Then I will die doing something good for once in my lifetime."

Dracula looked a little disturbed at hearing this. He frowned silently as he watched Van Helsing's expression.

"No…"

"No?"

"That is my answer. It would have been amusing to see you helpless, Gabriel. But I refuse your offer."

Van Helsing bit his lips, but this time a tinge of uncertainty in his voice that made softened as he said, "Then why are you keeping me prisoner?"

"Because you are mine." Dracula growled. Suddenly Van Helsing felt a hand grab his wrist and before he could stop it from happening, felt him being tugged towards Dracula. Their noses were almost touching from the proximity. Dracula smiled widely.

"I would like to show you something. Something you alone would have known... An object from ou- your past..."

A/N: I hope you guys liked it:D It was really hard, after not updating for months, but I hope you will forgive me! And stop scheming about my death, lol :D And besides, you need me to update after this chapter! -grins evilly-

REVIEW AND MORE CHAPTER WILL COMEEEEE!!!! Pretty please with cherry on top? (: