The end is in sight! There will be three more dates, the dessert course, and an epilogue (not necessarily in that order) and I know how each of these chapters are going to play out. Probably the most advanced planning I've done for a fic lol. Then I run out of ideas for Hellsing fics…. PM me if you have any suggestions.

One last thing, to those guest reviewers and PM'ers who 'sincerely hope that I don't very all gamers' the same way as I view Mike the Paladin from Date 5… If you had read the author's notes (kinda preaching to the choir, aren't I?), you would know that I play World of Warcraft, and last time I checked, I don't emanate any kind of stench or rant endlessly about my level 90 characters. I am a proud gamer currently working through AC3 and belatedly… Borderlands 2. I think most of us have met someone like Mike before, but I have absolutely nothing against gamers… or conspiracy theorists, or homeless people, or anyone else I've mentioned in a date.

Cheers,

-Kano

Date 8: Chris the Gentleman

Integra's next day stood when he saw her walking his way. He rushed to pull out her chair for her. The Hellsing director blushed. While it was normal for her to receive such treatment, it was usually from Walter, her butler. That didn't quite count.

"Thank you," she said graciously. "I have to admit, you're the first gentleman to do that for me this evening."

"My apologies, miss," he said with a wink. "My kind can be such pigs. I'm Christopher Walker, or Chris to most people."

"Lovely to meet you Chris. I'm Integra."

Chris returned to his seat, straightening his tie. "Can I order you a drink?" he offered.

"Just water, thanks," she replied, certain that she'd already had enough for one night. Integra shuddered to think what she might do if she were to become truly inebriated. She might end up going home with one of the unfortunate pigs she had met tonight - not that Chris was a pig, of course. He seemed to be quite the catch, at least so far. Then again so did James at first. How did that guy know so much? It was rather unnerving.

Integra snapped out it when a waiter placed a glass of ice water before her. She mumbled thanks.

"So Miss Integra, what are some of your interests?" Chris inquired, starting the usual song and dance.

"My interests?" she asked, pausing for time. What on Earth did she do that wouldn't scare the living daylights out of the man.

Tell him you hunt vampires. That will go over well, Alucard suggested snidely.

I do things beside hunting vampires!

Like hunting werewolves and homicidal priests?

Like… like… reading, she finished lamely.

Alucard was skeptical. What was the last thing you read?

As a matter of fact, it had been a dossier from the Vatican on a vampire from their territory that had crossed into southern England, and was therefore now her concern. Apparently she took too long to formulate an answer, for the vampire that was very much her problem began to chuckle.

"Sherlock Holmes," she answered, which seemed rather unrelated now that she remembered the question. "I love to read mysteries, especially Sherlock Holmes."

"Arthur Conan Doyle is a brilliant author," Chris agreed.

"I just finished The Hound of the Baskervilles."

Sure you did, the vampire said, voice dripping with sarcasm. I'm fairly sure Baskerville ate your copy… I seem to remember telling him that he had surpassed his namesake.

You fed my book to a dog?!

What? You told me not to let him eat people. So I settled for feeding him leather. He likes leather.

Since the book was already devoured, Integra decided that it was a moot point.

"I never expected the stolen shoe to be relevant. It seemed so random," Chris continued.

"But it came back at the end! I was so surprised," Integra enthused.

It wasn't that surprising… Alucard muttered. His master ignored him.

"I have to know. Which Sherlock Holmes story is you favorite?"

Integra mused for a moment before finally answering, "I know it's not the most popular, but A Study in Scarlet. It was the start of Holmes' adventures."

I had no idea you read… well anything other than dossiers and research.

"I'm partial to the other end of his life. 'His Last Bow'… when he goes over the cliff… I thought my heart was going to stop for sure."

"It was so dramatic! And then Sir Conan Doyle brought him back, of course. That was a little saddening to me."

Seriously, Alucard wondered, when do you find the time to read?

Normally Integra might have come back with something like 'It's amazing what I can do when I don't have to babysit a vampire' or 'Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.' For the first time tonight, she was having an excellent conversation with an intelligent and rather good looking gentleman, and she was damned if she was going to allow Alucard to ruin it.

"But you liked The Hound of the Baskervilles," Chris insisted. "That's the very novel where he comes back to life."

"Well technically he never died," Integra clarified.

Alucard gave a well practiced maniacal laugh. Of course he never died. You humans are so… breakable. A mere plunge off a cliff is a death sentence.

Integra ignored him, as if she had found Alucard's mythical mute button. The vampire was growing frustrated. He had been alone for many years, hated and abused by his masters. He had thought that this one was different, growing accustomed to her attention. Like a large, blood-drinking, fear-inducing puppy, the No-Life King craved attention, any way he could get it.

"But they needed to think he was dead in order for him to solve the case," she continued.

"I was just excited to see another Sherlock Holmes mystery," Chris admitted truthfully.

"Me too!" Integra agreed as they both dissolved into fits of flirtatious laughter.

You sound like a bunch of drunken hyenas, Alucard muttered. His comments were becoming increasingly louder and more desperate-sounding.

"Okay, okay," Integra wheezed, clutching her sides. "I've told you about me; now it's your turn. What are your interests?"

Don't tell me you actually care about his interests… the vampire groaned.

"I'm a big martial arts buff," he confessed sheepishly.

"Don't be embarrassed!" Integra chided. "The martial arts are exciting and practical!"

You would care about practicality…

"What styles?" she continued, speaking over the vampire's snide comments.

"I learned Krav Maga in Israel."

"I've never been! I'm so jealous!"

"I know Aikido and Judo as well."

"Impressive. I would not want to run into you in a dark alley."

"I… I wouldn't mind, actually," Chris admitted, his cheeks suddenly rosy.

Well if you don't want to talk to me, then maybe I'll just go, Alucard sighed.

Whatever, Integra replied hastily. Now be quiet.

Maybe I will…

The bell rang, signaling the end of their date. Both parties sighed, but then a thoughtful expression crossed Chris's face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen, seizing Integra's hand before she could leave.

"May I?" he asked. Integra wasn't quite she what he was seeking permission for, but for some reason she trusted the man and gave a solemn nod. He uncapped the pen with his teeth and wrote a ten-digit number on her hand.

"Call me sometime," he winked as he re-capped the pen. "I'd love to do this again."

The vampire cursed softly.

Thank you to the reviewer who pointed out that I accidentally used an actor's name. Whoopsies...