Sorry this chapter is not as long as the last few. Stress is getting to me and I've been trying to prepare for a camping trip this weekend, so I figured I'd post something now instead of keeping people waiting another week.

No warning for this chapter.

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One-sided

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"I don't care what you think as long as it's about me. The best of us can find happiness in misery"- Fallout Boy

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"He did not! THAT JERK! I bet you he's trying to make you jealous."

"Well if he is its not working. I don't care if he brings back five hundred other fledglings. They can have him. It's no skin off my back. Good riddance"

Sophie was lounging in on her bed as Catrina sat on the other end. It was the day after Seras Victoria had been introduced to the organization, and as punishment for his actions, Alucard had been banned from feeding for a few days. In retaliation he'd been hold up in his chamber since. Sir Integra would have made his sentence longer, but she needed him for the slowly increasing amount of ghouls that were starting to appear.

Catrina had been released from the fourth floor on Sir Integra's orders. Apparently no one was willing to come and get her. Sir Integra had grumbled "I wonder why" at the time. Sophie wasn't going to complain though. Her friend had been moved into the room above hers making her feel much better than she had in days.

"I think you're secretly jealous" Catrina said as she prodded Sophie's foot with a finger.

"And I think you couldn't be more wrong. The day I decide I like him is the day all hell breaks loose." Sophie shot back as she kicked her friend's hand away. She was not in the mood to talk about that vampire.

"I didn't say you liked him" Catrina grinned like a Cheshire cat.

Sophie took hold of her pillow and swung, the downy fabric whacking Catrina across the face. "YOU INSINUATED IT!"

"And you got the message loud and clear. You know what they call it when a person who is kidnapped starts to like their kidnapper?" Catrina grabbed the pillow from Sophie and returned the hit. Sophie fell back and lay still as she stared up at the ceiling.

"I do not have Stockholm syndrome. I hate his stupid vampiric ass" she replied. She squinted at the marks on the ceiling, signifying she was done with their conversation.

"So what do you think of Seras?" Catrina asked.

Sophie shrugged and sat up, sliding her feet over the edge of the bed. "I don't know what to think of her. I only saw her that night. They put her down in the basement so I haven't seen her since. I could care less. She's just another vampire. "

"See now that sounds li-"

"Don't you say it" Sophie cut her friend off with a snarl and another smack of a pillow.

She wasn't jealous. She hated Alucard's undead guts immensely. His grin always made her feel smaller than she was (and his tall height didn't help that either). He always seemed to be judging her, testing her, repeatedly pushing buttons she didn't want touched. He insulted her daily and didn't bat an eye when she would make a retort. In fact he only would make it worse by saying something else demeaning. She hated him for making her feel so pathetic, for being able to shut her down so quickly. For simply being around her she loathed him.

Her thoughts took a turn as she recalled the she had recently experienced with him…

There were those few very brief moments when he wasn't berating her. Those moments when he would gently touch her hand, or rest his hand on her shoulder. The few times he had complimented her even if he wasn't saying the compliments directly to her. Even the way he would brush the hair out of her face. It wasn't something she ever thought would happen. Especially from him. She wasn't used to affection of any form except from Ben, but he was her brother. He was at least family, and was the only person she had ever needed comfort from.

After he'd tried to kill her in his past, she hadn't wanted him around. She had enough insanity to deal with at home. Yet when she returned, there he was! Oh the nerve! As if his return hadn't been enough, the jerk was now hell bent on turning her. At this point Sophie would rather take death.

'Well not really, but I wouldn't want to be turned either…' her mind floated back to his face before shoving him away to the dark recesses of her mind.

He was just… confusing.

'Ugh! This is the reason why I don't date. I'll never understand males'

"Earth to Sophie! Walter's here!" Catrina's voice and knuckles rapping against her skull brought Sophie back from her thoughts.

"OK!" she snapped and smacked away Catrina's hand. She turned to Walter who was standing in the door way. "Sorry about that. Is everything ok?" Sophie said taking a breath.

Walter smiled. "Everything is fine ma'am. We just need you both to come to the medical ward for your checkup. It shouldn't take long." he gestured out into the hall behind him.

"Right. I forgot about that." Sophie stood up and grabbed her crutches. Her sock covered foot almost slipped on the floor, but she caught herself on the edge of the bed. "So is this just a blood drawing or a physical?"

Walter waited until both girls were behind him before walking down the hallway. " A bit of both. Just a few tests for your reflexes and vitals, along with a blood sample." His shoes echoed in the corridor as he walked.

"Ugh. I hate needles." Catrina groaned as she moped besides Sophie.

"And yet you're the one with all the stitches" Sophie joked.

"I can give you a reason for stitches. Wanna see?" Catrina threatened halfheartedly.

They followed Walter down the hall and into the main entrance, passing two new guards as they entered the hallway straight ahead. The portraits stared after them as the girls were led into a large room.

"It looks like a larger version of the nurse's office back at school" Catrina whispered to Sophie. Beige walls had anatomy charts hanging on the walls, brown counters on two sides of the room held jars of medical supplies; cotton swabs, syringes, sanitizing napkins and a bunch of tools. Between the two counters fake palm plants were the only source of green in the room. A large red chair was in the back right corner, a paper sheet over it.

Next to the chair sat a man in a doctor's coat. He looked up as Walter led them in.

"So this must be the troublesome duo" he joked as he smiled revealing partly crooked teeth.

Sophie gave him a once over. Dr. Avery looked pretty big. His head was partially bald, gray patches on the side indicating he was over 50 at least. He had mossy green eyes and pale oatmeal colored skin. The wrinkles made him look even older and more like the breakfast Walter sometimes served. He looked a little like her great grandfather. Just not dead…

"Girls this is Dr. Avery. Dr. Avery, this is Ms. Sophie Turner and Ms. Catrina Milloti." Walter introduced everyone with nod in each person's direction. He left after he gave the introductions saying that he needed to make Sir Integra's tea.

"A pleasure to meet you both. Well let's get this started then. Who wants to go first?" Dr. Avery clapped his hands together and looked back and forth between Sophie and Catrina.

Catrina pushed Sophie forward. "I volunteer her as tribute" she muttered.

"Hey!" Sophie turned and glared at Catrina.

"This way please. Have a seat in the chair and roll up the sleeve on your right arm. I just want to have that done for after I check your foot." Dr. Avery asked with a smile. He turned to a counter and grabbed a white piece of cloth, placing in his front pocket.

Sophie hobbled over to the chair and rested her crutches on the side. She rolled up her sleeve and waited, feet dangling over the end of the chair.

"Let's see your foot first. I have your records from the hospital so let's see the damage…"

Dr. Avery gently lifted her foot and began asking her questions. Sophie answered as best as she could, keeping out the details of how her accident happened. After a few minutes of him prodding her foot Dr. Avery looked at her. "I'd say in about four to five weeks this cast can come off." He smiled and set the

"Thank god. I'm sick of this thing!" Sophie breathed in relief.

The doctor chuckled and took the cloth from his pocket tying it around her arm. He wiped at a spot on the inside of her arm with a disinfecting wipe.

"I'm just going to draw a few small tubes of blood and then we'll let you go." He smiled kindly at her as he reached behind him for a syringe. A tube at the end of it connected to a smaller bottle.

Sophie sat back and averted her eyes as she felt the needle prick her skin. It didn't hurt, but it felt a little uncomfortable. She watched as the first tube filled with red liquid, the pull of the blood out of her arms familiar.

Briefly her mind flashed to Alucard before kicking the image out.

'Stop thinking of him! I swear he's doing this to me on purpose. Freaking self-righteous asshole'

Dr. Avery pinched the tube between the syringes and took off the now full tube. He replaced it with another empty one. "Almost done. Just one more after this."

Sophie nodded in understanding and closed her eyes, bored.

A few minutes later it was done.

"You are all set. Thanks for being so co-operative."

Sophie gave a weak smile and edged away from the doctor. "You're welcome"

Dr. Avery turned to Catrina who was doodling over one of the anatomy charts with a sharpie marker. His brows furrowed slightly. "Miss? It's your turn. Please have a seat and roll up your sleeve."

Catrina grimaced and walked over, boots shuffling against the floor. She sat down in the chair and closed her eyes.

Sophie sat down on the floor beside her. "Do you want to go to the range outside and see if we can practice after this? I want to be able to shoot Alucard's grin off when I see him next."

Catrina grinned. "And you say you're not-"

"I'M NOT JEALOUS! WHY DO YOU INSIST I AM!? JUST DROP IT!" Sophie cried out in frustration. Angrily she got up and grabbed her crutches, leaving Catrina alone in the room as she walked out.

She listened to Catrina's laugh and smirked as it turned into an over dramatic howl. The doctor must have started to draw her blood.

"Serves her right" she mumbled.

Sophie made her way to the foyer and looked outside through the windows. She groaned.

"Not more rain. Why? Why can't it be sunny?" she grumbled.

' I want to be able to practice gosh darn it!'

She turned to the guards standing at the bottom of the staircase. "Excuse me. Who would I ask if I wanted some instructions on how to handle a gun? Sir Integra told me someone would help me learn if Alucard couldn't help."

The guards paled at the mention of the vampire. The one on the right looked at her and gave a small smile. "We can't leave our post to help you, but there is an indoor shooting range down stairs."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "I thought that was where Alucard was?"

Once again the guards looked uneasy. "It is. But there is another section that is branched off. Go down the hallway there. (He pointed to the hallway which she had just come from) There is a door at the very end on the left. Go down the stairs on the other side and take the first right. That's the indoor range. Someone might be down there and can help you." He smiled at her as he finished.

"Thanks Mr. …" Sophie trailed off.

"You can call me Brian." Brian gave her a nod and stood up straight once again.

"Thanks Brian!" Sophie waved and turned back the way she came. As she passed the medical room Sophie heard a crash.

"I SAID NO YOU FREAK!" Catrina's voice carried out the door.

"Ma'am I am just drawing one more tube. I have orders from Sir Integra! You can go as soon as this is done!" Dr. Avery's annoyed voice floated through next.

"NO WAY AM I LETTIN YOU NEAR ME AGAIN WITH THAT NEEDLE! YOU ALMOST KILLED ME!"

"I MISSED BECAUSE YOU WOULDN'T HOLD STILL!"

"BITE ME CUNT!" Catrina snarled.

Sophie giggled as she passed the door, another crash and breaking glass sounding from behind it. She continued down the hall until she came to the last door on the left.

She opened it and flipped the light switch on the side. Sophie looked down and breathed a sigh of relief at the short flight of stairs. "Not too bad"

Carefully she climbed down the narrow steps and walked on until she came to another hallway. Both ends were dimly lit and she couldn't see the end.

"Did he say left or right?" she mumbled as she racked her brain. She shrugged and took the left.

The hallway grew colder and after five minutes she still had not seen anything resembling a shooting range. In fact the stone walls around her seemed to look older the further she got. Along the path, separate corridors and other halls led further away. Cracks ran along the wall until she came to a section that wall paper had taken over. The paper peeled and ripped at angles, making it seem as if something had clawed and slashed away at the walls. The lights overhead flickered and then further down went out.

"Well that's ominous. I think I went the wrong way." Sophie muttered and began to turn around.

"Hello?"

Sophie froze at the sound of a girl's voice. "Hello?" she called back. Somewhere further down the hall she heard a door open.

Sophie froze and reached for the gun Sir Integra had given her. 'Oh great. Looks like I don't get lessons first'

From down the hallway she heard footsteps. As they drew closer Sophie's heart rate increased and she held the gun tighter.

"Um… who is there?" the girl's voice asked.

Sophie gave a sigh of relief and then scowled as the Seras Victoria emerged. She wore a mustard yellow button up shirt that did nothing to hide the girl's overly large rack. Short matching skirt only came down to mid-thigh. The thigh high stockings and combat boots she wore hid her long legs.

"Oh. It's you." Sophie glanced at her.

Seras tilted her head to the side and gave a small kind smile, rubbing the back of her blonde hair. "Ah-heh. I didn't know anyone else was down here. Master has been asleep all day and I'm still not used to this place. It's scary down here."

Sophie gawked at her and folded her arms across her chest. "Well yeah, you're in the basement."

Seras hung her head and then looked up at Sophie with a smile. "Then what are you doing down here? Could you show me around?"

"I can't show you around because I don't even know where I am anymore in this maze of a basement. I'm down here trying to find the shooting range and avoid Alucard" Sophie muttered as she began to turn and walk the other way.

She listened as Seras followed her. "You know Master? … Well of course you do- I mean I think everyone here does. Maybe I could help you? I used to be a cop and could give you some pointers" Seras sounded eager and thrilled.

"I don't need a vampire's help." Sophie growled and continued walking. The two girls reached a large room. Dividers at the end had cardboard human cutouts between them. Safety goggles hung on the wall next to a rack of rifles and other assorted weapons.

Seras gave a whistle. "This is neat!"

Sophie ignored her and pulled out her pistol and walked over to one of the stalls. She set her crutches against the wall, grabbed one of the goggles and spread her legs shoulder length apart holding the gun in front of her.

She held the gun out like she'd seen people do on the television and aimed.

CRACK!

"Well it wasn't a bad shot for a first timer" Seras offered as she walked over to the wall and grabbed a pistol from the top shelf.

Sophie growled under her breath. "I hit nothing but wall"

"It happens. You see those two little bumps on top? Hold out the gun in front of you and line up your view between them, aiming at the spot you want to hit. Take a breath in and as you exhale fire." Seras explained.

Sophie noticed her pause as she drew near. Seras went rigid for a second before shaking her head and stood in the other box. To demonstrate she lined up her pistol and fired. Her shot went straight through the cardboard man's chest.

"I said I don't want your help" Sophie muttered as she ignored the odd behavior, but did as Seras instructed anyways. She lined up the gun in front of her and counted to three.

'1…2…3…Breathe in…' she inhaled.

BAM!

Her bullet had gone through the cardboard man's hip.

Sophie let out a small cry of joy and pumped her fist in the air before realizing how silly she looked. Quickly she put her arm down.

Seras was giggling and gave Sophie a smile, her fangs once again visible as her blue eyes twinkled. "See. That's better. Now aim a little higher."

Sophie took up her stance again and took a breath in.

BAM!

Seras winced. "Good shot."

Sophie smirked and held the barrel of the pistol to her lips, pretending to blow away smoke that wasn't there.

She'd shot the cardboard man in the crotch.

"Alucard better watch out" she grinned, taking up stance once more. She could just imagine her bullets ripping into his flesh and him crumpling to the floor.

Besides her Seras aimed and fired multiple rounds, bullet holes now riddling the target. She looked to Sophie and cocked her head slightly to the side, setting her gun down. "Why do you hate master so much?"

Sophie fired again and missed the target completely. "He's an ass. He's a low down, no-good, lying, dirty stinking son of a bitch that derives pleasure from making me uncomfortable. He tricked me, hunted me down, kidnapped me and continues to irritate me to no end with that god damn face of his!" All of her anger exploded out as she ranted, her teeth gnashing against each other as her grip tightened on her gun.

Just thinking about him infuriated her and he wasn't even here! Why should she suffer with just the thought of him?

'I bet it's him. This is all his god damn fault. He's messing with me'

Seras's look of bewilderment turned into an uncomfortable glance behind her. "Master? Wha-What are you doing awake?"

Without even considering the consequences of what she was about to do, Sophie spun on her good foot and fired her remaining three shots blindly in front of her at the master vampire. "STAY AWAY FROM ME YOU BLOODY GIT!"

Blood splattered onto part of the floor and wall behind where Alucard stood. Her first two shots had missed but her last had managed to clip him in the shoulder.

Sophie was shaking with anger and continued to hold the gun out in front of her. Suddenly her knee's felt weak and she let them give in, finding herself shaking uncontrollably on the floor with her back against the divider.

"I was sleeping until you idiots woke me with your obnoxious antics. There was no one down here for a reason police girl. Get back to your bed and sleep. We have a mission later tonight. As for you…" Alucard said as he took a step forward stalking over to Sophie. "Looks like we need to have a talk."

Sophie's eyes flickered from his stern face to his shoulder as his crimson jacket melded together, mending the hole she'd created. " I don't want to talk to you. Go away" Sophie crossed her arms over her knees and buried her face in them.

She listened as Seras bolted out of the room leaving her alone with Alucard. She peeked between the space of her arms and watched his boots come close until he was standing in front of her. He remained silent for a few minutes and Sophie took the time to close her eyes and count down from twenty.

"And what warrants this behavior?" He asked sarcastically.

Sophie finally lifted her head from her arms and glared at her gun that she'd dropped besides her as she felt his shadow over her.

"You know what. " was her muttered reply.

She heard the rustling of his clothes before she felt his hand on the top of her head.

"For once, I don't. I have managed to rest for most of the day without interruptions until now. But would you care to share? Or shall I just find out myself?" Alucard lifted her up until she was on her feet, her back and head resting against the wall.

He leaned towards her, his bangs falling between their faces and mixing with hers.

Sophie froze.

"No answer?" he mocked, hand sliding down to rest on her hip.

"…" She matched his gaze and pursed her lips.

Alucard gave a sigh of disapproval. "Looks like we're back to square one. Did you not learn anything from our ride here on the plane? Not that I mind. If I had been in a better mood then I might have enjoyed it more. I'll make sure to enjoy it this time"

"ACK! DON'T! It's you! You're messing with my head; making me think funny things!" the words were out as soon as he reached for the button of her jeans.

Alucard retracted his hand. "Messing with your head?" The grin was back at full force. "Do explain."

The amused honesty in his voice worried her.

"You haven't?"

She must have sounded as stunned as she looked. Alucard's head tilted back and he laughed, his howl ringing out into the hall.

Sophie grimaced. "Well never mind then"

Alucard brought his face back up to hers, tip of his nose against her own as his red iris's stared into hazel. "Oh no. I want to hear this." He pressed. His eyes eagerly searched hers as he crossed his arms.

"I don't want to tell you." Sophie argued.

Alucard withdrew his face from hers. "Alright. Then here's what's going to happen. Now starts your mental training. I am going to pierce into your mind and watch everything from your point of view from the past week starting with today. You… are going to stop me"

Sophie blinked… "This sounds awfully familiar… and just how am I going to stop you?"

"I'm glad you asked. It's simple enough really. Picture a wall. A solid wall. No cracks, no dents; a solid, impenetrable figure."

"That's it? That's all I have to do? That can't be right. I mean if it's so easy everyone could do it." Sophie blabbered.

Alucard gave a small nod. "You would be right but not everyone can do this. Only a select few have this ability."

"Then how do you know I can do it?" Sophie asked back, leery of his answer.

"Let's call it a hunch. Now… show me what you can do" Alucard stepped back and his eyes fixated on hers to a greater extent, glowing a soft red.

"Wait I'm not ready!" her cry was ignored and this time she could feel her head buzz as he pushed past her mind.

"I think you're secretly jealous"

"And I think you couldn't be more wrong. The day I decide I like him is the day all hell breaks loose."

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" Sophie shouted. She tried to picture a wall, but the conversation he was using was still too fresh in her mind. It was distracting watching him play it over as if he controlled her memories.

"Concentrate. I don't expect you to get it right away." she heard him say.

A memory from the day before appeared; Sophie staring at Alucard as he introduced Seras. She felt the sting again and grit her teeth as she tried to ignore it.

"Do I detect envy?" His voice carried an amused smug tone.

Sophie blushed heavily and tried harder to block out his voice. 'A wall. I need to make a wall.'

Her hands grew clammy as she tried to focus. It was difficult.

"That's it. Remember no cracks or I'll slip right through" Alucard murmured

Sophie's head continued to buzz and started to hurt. She tried to picture a wall, using the stone work she'd seen around her old school. Every time she managed to somewhat picture the solid gray stones, they would crack.

"Focus harder. You're not concentrating. For someone who was so eager to learn earlier you're not acting so enthused." Alucard insisted.

"…"

The buzzing was louder and her temples were throbbing now. She opened her eyes as her head began to spin. She felt nauseous from the effort and the pressure in her skull. She passed out, but not before heaving her breakfast all over Alucard's boots.

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Upstairs…

"Walter… what exactly is that?"

"According to the tests, it is an anomaly that has occurred amongst her blood cells." Walter answered Sir Integra's question as he pointed to the black spikes on the blood prints that had come back from the lab. "It has only occurred once before."

Sir Integra took a breath before reaching into her desk drawer and taking out a wooden case. She flipped it open and took out a dark cigar.

Walter took the case from her and put it back, lighting her cigar as he did.

"Bring me file 607 Walter" Sir Integra let out a large cloud of smoke, not bothering to aim for the open window. The wind blew droplets of rain through the opening as low thunder sounded far from their location.

"Right away Sir." Walter replied and left the room. A few seconds later he returned, a faded manila folder in his hand. He handed it to sir Integra who broke the Hellsing seal and opened the folder withdrawing a few sheets of paper and photographs.

"Is that?" Walter began.

"Yes. Mina Harker's records." Another intake and then puff of smoke as Sir Integra picked up the set of prints.

"The photo's match." Walter commented as he examined them from over her shoulder.

Sir Integra's eyes narrowed. "Get Alucard up here now. He's got some explaining to do…"

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