A/N: Mmm, another chapter…I feel real good today, as I went for a walk in the woods for the first time in a long time.

Warnings: graphic language, confusion en masse. Actually, there's not much to warn about. Typical stuff. Ignore the latest manga chapters, Walter will not be puking up guts any time soon.

Disclaimer: Hahaha.


'Why can't anything work out right?' Seras mentally griped, stalking angrily down the hall of the manor and making her way to the basement. Sure, she could've just slid through the shadows and performed that 'drop-on-you-from-the-ceiling' bit her Master was quite fond of, but she just didn't want to see that face. She wanted to make the moments before seeing him last, perhaps to build up an anger or aggravation strong enough to keep herself from getting all mushy from memories. Those thoughts still stung, and she had been hoping that maybe she wouldn't have to see him until the stinging was just a dull tingle of disappointment and acceptance.

Regretfully, that was not how it was to work out. Sir Integra had given her the order, and Seras had to perform. There would be no avoiding it, just prolonging, and when she got there she would be strong, she would be stoic, and she would be angry on the inside. She would never let this…this…imposter see her sad. She had quite the set of footwear to fill in her Master's absence, so there would be no room for sobbing over a lost friend.

Stomping down the stairs, continuing her train of thought about how Walter was just a filthy traitor, and that he had probably helped Millennium out the whole time, she felt that anger and hurt growing ever more. She had to get the anger to outweigh the hurt; it wouldn't do for him to know she was hurting. He'd probably find some way to wheedle his way in and make it worse.

It seemed all too soon to arrive at the heavy iron door containing the FREAK, and she paused just a moment while reaching out to the door. She could do this, she knew she could…she had to, after all. If she just looked at this as a mere job, nothing more; if she didn't make it personal, she could do this without problem. Telling herself this over and over she gripped the handle, forced it to the right with a loud 'squeak' and pulled it open.

He was secured to the wall directly across from her, the silver studded, leather restraints bolted into the wall. His arms were pulled to either side with the same leather bindings, and when she shifted her gaze just slightly she could tell that the silver wasn't the only thing burning his flesh; holy inscriptions had been branded into the leather, and kept him from merely ripping the restraints away and attempting to escape.

His eyes opened a second later, his head lifted shortly after, and the fang filled grin he flashed her made her stomach churn lightly. "Hello again, Mistress," he purred, cracking his neck slightly and watching every step she took into the room. She swallowed the nervous bubble that had begun to form, keeping her unhappy face plastered on for all the world to see. Or at least, all of the dungeons.

"Cut the bull," she hissed quietly, taking note of the slightly shocked expression that was very, very quickly hidden. "What were you thinking, Walter? What on earth possessed you to do something so stupid?" She began, voice dipping low as she looked down at him. "Even more so, what made you think that you could just skip on right back here?"

"So, I take it Miss Integra sent you here to interrogate me?"

"More like find a way to deal with you," Seras corrected, "There're a lot of people suggesting we merely kill you, just like all the others."

"Yet, should you do that, you'd be missing out on an awful lot of answers," Walter replied, his boyish smirk cracking his face. There was something so disturbing about seeing such a smile on a body that looked no more than 16. Disconnecting her normal thoughts for fantasies she could see herself leaning down and running a hand over that short black hair. Going even further into the realm of illusion she could see herself growing old, watching her own children growing up…

But, as hinted, it was merely fantasy.

She'd never be able to have her own child, not the way she had dreamed of when she thought of her future years ago. To settle down in a nice rural area with a fine husband, someone she loved dearly, in a small cottage with a kid or two…

"You'll spill the beans eventually," she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest and scowling down at him. "There is, however, one issue that needs to be cleared up now."

"Ask away then, Mistress, and I will answer." He was mocking her, she knew, and she truly wanted nothing more than to lash out with her boot clad foot and slam his head into a bloody mess on the wall. But when she thought this, for a moment and a moment only, she felt guilty.

"That one drop of blood was no where near enough to change owners, now was it?" She growled.

"Maybe, maybe not," Walter said with a shrug, "I'm not quite sure how it actually works out, but does it matter? I'll do whatever you tell me," he said quietly. "I'll follow your orders, whatever they may be; would it be so bad to accept that?"

"Shut up." Her anger was leaving a hot and bubbling feeling in her gut, her body was tensed and ready to throw a fist if she so chose to. The creature that sat before her, legs sprawled out and secured to the floor, was nothing to her; that's all she could ever allow. She wouldn't let him get the better of her; he had years of experience over her in all points, including a vast experience dealing with vampires. She would have to be careful about this, as the male probably knew how to read and twist vampires with little effort.

He probably managed to do that to her master a few times; using word play and any little desire to get what he wanted, whether it be a comment or an action. If she took the time to rethink every moment she had spent with him, she would probably find he had manipulated her in the same fashion; she just didn't have the time to do that, seeing as she had to hurry and deal with this before she broke.

"There's no reason to be so angry," he said calmly, the smile slipping a few notches. "Look at me, Seras," he continued, "I'm nothing more than a fool strapped to the wall. I have nowhere to go, no one to be with; would it be so hard to permit me servitude?"

"It depends on who you ask, traitor," Seras growled, glaring at him as her eyes flashed bloody scarlet. "If you ask me, there's nothing you could do to redeem yourself; just look at you, turning into the disgusting monsters we've fought so hard against…"

"I didn't have the luxury of choice."

Seras blinked at the male, just slightly, the slits for pupils narrowing in confusion and distrust. "Please," Seras snorted, "Don't try to pass that bullshit on my plate."

Walter's face contorted a moment, whether in anger or confusion she was uncertain, before a cheeky grin split his cheeks and bared his fangs. She was about to ask the reason for his attitude when she caught a familiar scent on the air and her eyes shifted to the towering form in the doorway.

Captain did not look too thrilled.

'Damnit…this was running smoothly…for the most part…shit…' Seras was careful to guard her thoughts, though there really was no need to; Captain's focus was the man-boy on the floor.

"Will you kill me for trying to touch what's yours?" Walter prodded with a grin. "I had her long before you ever did."

"Stop prodding him, damnit," Seras growled, glaring at both males, "This is not the time to be having a testosterone filled battle." Her words were vaguely noted, and she could tell Captain had paid attention to her words for she saw a faint tick in his left eye, the twitch of his middle finger on his right hand, and heard the near inaudible snort through his nostrils. She didn't dare breathe a sigh of relief just yet, however, for whenever his right hand twitched it meant he was getting ready to pull out his modified Mausers, and that was never good. "C'mon, Captain," she said quietly, tossing a look to Walter to let him know he should keep his mouth shut, "Let me just finish this on my own."

His body tensed just slightly when she touched his shoulder, for he was not accustomed to people touching him when he was close to Conflict Mode or even just touching him period, before he relaxed under her hand, a small grin pulling the corner of his lips when Walter scowled bitterly at the exchange.

"I'll be out shortly," Seras continued, letting her hand slide down the length of his arm before turning her attention back to Walter. Captain nodded faintly, the ghost brush of his hand against her lower back let her know he'd be waiting just outside the door, and left them in the silence. "I don't understand you, Walter," she began calmly, though her anger was showing through by her clenched fists and hissed words through clenched jaws. "You dare presume to have some kind of claim on me? After everything? Did Master not make it clear that we were out of your reach?"

"The keyword, my dear, was 'had'," Walter reminded her, and she scowled, took one step forward, before she could stop herself, and planted her booted foot squarely in his gut. His body lurched, his mouth dropped open, and he did his best to double over in the agony her attack had caused while she looked on with a grim set expression.

"I'll come back later; perhaps you'll be more willing to behave," she muttered, turning on her heel and stalking to the door. "I'll tell Sir Integra that you shall remain here until I've decided what would be the best policy. Until then, consider yourself hanging by a thread." And then she was stalking from the door she had come through moments prior, the heavy metal barring her from her prisoner.

The Captain made no move towards her, and she had to offer a small smile to him before he stalked closer to let him know it was alright to approach. When he did he enveloped her in his arms, something he didn't do often, and held her to his chest firmly. He rarely hugged her like this, and she found it much better that he kept it rare; his hugs were special in that sense and like special treats, they're best enjoyed every once in a while.

A heavy sighed heaved her body, the breath was forced through the thick canvas of his coat, and he permitted her to step away, just enough that he could bend slightly to nuzzle her head. Eyes closed and a smile on her face she let out a content sigh as he nudged one side and then the other, his hands working up and down her arms gently as he did so. He really knew how to comfort a girl, she observed as he joined her by her side and walked with her down the hall.

"Thank you," she began, "For coming in there." She knew the reason he had shown up, and it had nothing to do with Walter, really…he merely sensed her wavering guard, appeared to provide her with a solid standing again, and served as distraction, conversation starter, and excuse to get the hell out of there.

Amazing what a horny werewolf could do.

"We don't have time to play, by the way; I have to report to Sir Integra," she added and noted, with a mild humor that quirked her lips that he seemed to have deflated slightly at the news. "There's always tonight," she finished, and hurriedly stalked down the hall, barely catching sight of the faint grin tilting the wolf's lips upward.


A/N: Sorry it's late. There's been far too much trouble going on; I'm already late AGAIN with the Esca story for smcandy. Damnit.