Author's note: A huge thanks to the reviewers! And also Kelevra79 – who's an unbelievable help.
IIII
"Was that Vlad again?"
Seras nodded as she turned away from the phone and plopped down beside Pip. They were currently watching one of her favourite movies, Gone with the Wind – her boyfriend's way of trying to distract her from the more pressing problem.
That is, Integra's sudden disappearance. It was 28 hours since she'd last seen her and would probably be just as frantic as Vlad if she hadn't found Integra's hastily scribbled note. It had said that she would be gone for a few days, that not to worry and expressly asked Seras to not tell Vlad.
"You think it's a lovers' quarrel or something?" Pip asked, putting his arm around her shoulders.
Seras sighed, "I seriously have no idea, and it's unlike Integra to just-"
"Disappear?" Pip finished for her and she nodded.
It was disturbing to say the least. Even Walter didn't know where Integra was and Walter knew just about everything going on in their family. Worse, between the two of them, they'd had to create two stories about Integra's disappearance. As far as Arthur and Cecilia were concerned Integra had been called away on an important investigation. Vlad was under the impression that she was down with a terribly contagious disease.
What was the name of this disease? Well Seras had no idea, you try coming up with a lie on the spot. It was safe to say the detective didn't buy their story.
And she was now of the opinion that Pip's impersonation of an ailing Integra had only confirmed his suspicions.
"This is a bummer," Seras moaned, throwing her hand over her eyes.
"I agree, this movie makes absolutely no sense!"
Seras glowered at her boyfriend. "I meant the situation, not the movie," she said. "The movie is brilliant."
"Of course, a classic," Pip said quickly.
He looked so adorably just then, trying to appease her; Seras had to give him a peck.
"What was that for?" he asked a bit surprised.
"Do I need a reason to kiss my boyfriend?"
"Of course not! Kiss away, mon chére."
/
It could have been days, weeks... months even. But Integra knew it had only been hours. She clenched her teeth, fingers digging into the cold cement floor as she sought some relief from the burning that had engulfed her body. At first she'd refused to take off her clothes, but as the hours rolled into the other and flames licked insistently at her skin she'd had no choice.
Now sprawled on the floor in a camisole and her underwear, she forced her heavy eyes open. The room was dark, with the only light source being a torch against the opposite wall.
"Alucard?" she called, voice hoarse and painful.
He was there in an instant, his cold presence a welcome comfort. "At this rate, you'll be free from it in another day," he assured her.
She could barely make out his features then and in her delirious haze could have sworn that he was Vlad. Why had she never noticed the resemblance? But before she could prod deeper into her mind another heat wave seemed to wash over her and she gritted her teeth.
Alucard's voice was floating soundlessly over her as she fell back into oblivion.
/
Food. He needed food. Not for him of course, but he was certain Integra needed to eat. When he'd left her, she'd been feverish and slightly delirious. The infection was slowly working itself through her system, but at a price. Food would give her strength.
He'd been lurking in the passages undetected for what felt like hours, but it was really only minutes. Finally he spotted the plum, petite maid strolling towards him carrying folded shirts. He waited until she was within reach, before pulling her through the wall and into the empty Tea room.
He clammed a hand over her mouth, silencing her scream. "Relax, it's me Alucard," he whispered. "Now if I release you, you better not scream." He removed his hand from over her mouth, stepping back.
She turned to him with big fearful eyes. "But I thought you weren't real," she stammered, the shirts now clutched in a death grip against her chest. They would definitely need to be ironed and refolded.
He smirked at her words. It was no surprise she'd thought that, after all she'd been somewhat inebriated when they first crossed paths. "Obviously I'm real," he said.
"But you walk through walls," she pointed out.
Her attempts to make sense of his existence were amusing, but this was not a social visit. Even now he felt the tug of the bond, pulling at him. "Look I'm not an imaginary friend, I'm a vampire," he told her firmly.
Her eyes bulked then, "Like Edward?' she asked hopefully.
"Who?"
"Edward, he is this-"
"Enough, I don't really care about him," he said cutting her off from her gushing. "I need you to prepare me a bowl of chicken soup."
"What?" she asked puzzled and a bit miffed at having her rant interrupted.
"Chicken soup," Alucard repeated, slowly and deliberately.
Her eyes narrowed. "What sort of vampire eats chicken soup?' she asked."Wouldn't that cause indigestion or something?"
Alucard missed the old days when young ladies weren't so bloody opinionated. "Let me worry about my digestion, okay?" he said.
She harrumphed. Oh she wasn't scared of him now. "I'm not a kitchen maid, I can't make soup for you," she told him. "You'll have to find Mary."
"Who the hell is Mary?"
"She's the kitchen maid of course, tall, with this obviously fake accent and-"
"Enough!" he snapped then. Betty abruptly stopped speaking, her eyes fearful again. He hadn't wanted to use this, but she really left him no choice...
"Just get me the chicken soup or I'll be forced to disclose you're not so secret discretions to Walter," he said, slowly and deliberately.
Her heart skipped a beat. "What indiscretions?" she asked, feigning innocence.
Alucard gave her a pointed look. "I know about your trips to the wine cellar," he stated.
"I was cleaning!"
"Yes, you did cleanout those bottles," he agreed.
"Comeback in twenty minutes."
Alucard flashed her a grin, before heading for the basement. It was astonishing how even years later blackmail was still such an effective method for getting things accomplished. His good cheer though, dissipated when he entered his chambers. He'd known his blood had healing capabilities but had never actually given it to a human without turning them. Thus he'd only had an educated theory of the effects it could induce. Had he known - he might have hesitated.
Integra was sprawled on the floor, her under clothing damp from sweat. She was panting, eyes searching the room. He crouched besides her, pushing back the matted blond strands sticking to her face.
"Alucard?" she croaked out hoarsely.
"I'm here," he soothed, knowing his cool aura was a welcome reprieve for her heated skin.
"I feel like I'm dying," she said, somehow managing to sound sarcastic and contrite at the same time.
Her skin was hot to the touch. It would seem the soup would have to wait. He had to regulate her temperature and he knew how. Carefully he slipped his arms underneath her legs and neck, lifting her up. She was limp in his arms, having slipped temporarily back to unconsciousness. This was worrying indeed.
He carried her into his private bath, shifting her slightly in his arms to turn on the cold water into the clawed bath tub.
"What?" Integra asked, staring up at him through heavy lidded eyes. Her lips slightly parted as she took in deep breaths, her warm breath fanning his neck.
He forced himself to drag his eyes away from her appealing sight. "Ice bath," he replied curtly. It would provide a temporary relief and she'd be awake long enough to consume the soup. Carefully he placed her inside the filling tub. She didn't even flinch at the contact with the icy water, her head resting against the edge.
Alucard watched Integra almost as if in a trance. There was a slight sheen of perspiration coating her skin from the fever. More than anything he wanted to run his tongue over every inch of her, but he refrained. Holding himself in check as he kept one eye on the rising water and another on his master.
It wouldn't do if she slipped and drowned while under his care.
"Alucard?" she murmured and he turned his full attention back to her. "Join me."
Two words and he almost came undone. He knew it was the effects of his blood, but his body still reacted at the invitation.
Her eyes were glazed with lust, her under shirt clinging to her chest and awakening something primal inside of him. He knew this could happen and had thought he was mentally prepared to handle the situation when it arose. Only his conscious wasn't the thing her words had arisen. Apparently he hadn't factored his growing attraction to her when he'd made his gallant offer...
Integra hands slid up his arms making away with any resistant he might have had. He didn't move away, couldn't really, not even when she dragged his face to hers.
The kiss was wanton, drugging his senses. He allowed himself to be lured into the tub with her, water instantly soaking his slacks and shirt. Desperately they clung onto each other, lips capturing moans of pleasure. He sunk between her legs, grasping each thigh to the extent his fingers were almost digging into the flesh.
And anywhere her fingers touched his skin, they left a searing trail. And in that moment he knew, that should he allow it, Integra could be his.
But she'd hate me afterwards. It was that thought that made him pull away from her and slump to the opposite end. He could hear her heavy breathing, their legs somewhat tangled in the tub.
Water sloshed over the side, splashing onto the floor. He'd forgotten to turn off the taps.
"Did I do something wrong?" Integra asked, her eyes roving over him.
He chuckled humourlessly. "Oh believe me, you've done nothing wrong." He assured her. "If anything you're doing everything right."
She cocked her head to the side in confusion. "Then why did you stop?" she asked him, lust having revived her strength somewhat.
Through hooded eyes he watched as she sat up, her hands on either side of him as she leant over him. And what an enthralling image she made.
"Because you don't want me," he answered truthfully.
She straddled his thighs, her eyes narrowed. "I want you," she stated.
He smiled sadly, "Now, but not afterwards," he said.
"You're a vampire; shouldn't you ravish me without care of the consequences?"
He arched an eyebrow. "Interesting choice of words, but- what are you doing?!" he demanded suddenly.
Integra paused, fingers curled around the hem of her vest. "Seducing you, of course." Her reply was delivered in Integra's assured voice and almost had him fooled.
"Stop that!" he grabbed her hands, wrestling them to her side. Did she not realize what he was doing for her?
"On one condition."
"Fine... anything, just keep your clothes on!" he snapped.
"When this is all over, I want the truth," Integra said.
He started at her words and swallowed thickly, "Truth about what?"
But Integra had slumped forward, her eyes closed.
"Where good men perish," he mused aloud mirthlessly. He truly was damned. He thought as he relaxed the grip on her arms, moving her into a comfortable position in his arms. She fit as if she'd always been meant for him. For a split second he even imagined that his undead heart lurched at the thought. But he never could lie to himself. "I like to think I was good once..."