Hellsing's Heir

by qrowsnest

Barely scraping by with a mercenary's salary, Elizabeth Ryder stumbles across the Hellsing Organization and is hired by Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing to hunt vampires. She soon ends up with more than she bargained for when an old enemy makes an appearance, and Hellsing's ace-in-the-sleeve returns.

21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Pain and Desire

Disclaimer: I do not own Hellsing, but any OCs are mine.

Grief sucked all the air out of my lungs as I gazed down at the woman I used to call my sister. It felt like I couldn't catch my breath as my lungs heaved desperately for air. Hot tears spilled unbidden down my cheeks, cutting through the flecks of blood clinging to my skin.

Our scuffle had only lasted a few moments. But Alex had not fallen by my hand. It was Elis's bullet that finished her. Against my wishes, the pilot had followed me out upon hearing our shouting match. I'd been knocked down during the fight, and I still saw the flash of Alex's scimitar when I closed my eyes. A perfectly shaped bullet hole decorated the middle of her forehead. The curtains of her hair shielded her eyes from view, but I knew they were frozen in that dull, resigned look…the violent desire for relevancy hiding beneath. Now tangled in her hair…she looked like she was merely sleeping. It reminded me of Sunday mornings when Glinda made breakfast for everyone. I was always tasked with waking everyone, no matter how hungover they were.

A fresh round of tears took hold, and a pair of arms caught me, guiding my face into a ballistic-weave jacket. My tears stained the olive material as my emotions started to catch up with me. "I've got you." Elis reassured me, his voice dragging me back to cruel reality. I'd clearly rattled him with my behavior.

My breath hitched as I shoved my face into his chest, fighting off tears. There was nothing more to say. Even as the sting of betrayal twisted like a knife in my gut, I still cared about her…and that idea made me furious. A scream of pure frustration tore out of me, and Elis's arms wound tighter around my shoulders.

Elis held me for an immeasurable amount of time. The sun disappeared under the horizon after casting an eerie crimson light over the landscape. Already, the guilt for giving in to my selfish fit had begun to catch up with me. I pulled away from the pilot only when I was sure I could stand on my own. "I…can't leave her like this." I croaked. "And her family deserves to be notified."

His eyes swept over me, soft with understanding. "I'll get Damien to pick her up." Shrugging off his overcoat, he laid it over her body with a reverence that I did not expect.

I tore my eyes from the body, effectively grinding my emotions into the dust. The coil tightened in my chest, and I took a took breath to steel myself before stepping into the copter. Elis fiddled with the dials and started the aircraft. Within minutes, we were lifting off the ground, turning away from the heavier roadblocks. Still, bullets whizzed by us, some pinging against the metal loudly. I could genuinely see the benefit of learning how to shoot back now as Elis skillfully maneuvered the helicopter out of firing range. As we neared Rapid City, I strapped the parachute on and hoped I could remember how Glinda did this. She and Alex had taken a trip several years ago and ended up skydiving on a dare from Desiree. My sister had explained the mechanics to me in case I ever felt the need to do so myself, but this was much different.

"Have you done this before?" Elis's voice rose over the rotors.

"Uhhh." I fiddled with a loose string on my uniform.

"You've never jumped out of an aircraft?!"

"You got a better idea?" I challenged him with a raised eyebrow.

Elis didn't readily respond, so I took that as a 'no'. "We got SWAT teams up the entire block."

"Set me over the next one." I instructed, edging towards the side of the helicopter.

"Ryder…how are you going to get in?" Elis eyed the mass exodus of officers furtively.

A curse slid through my lips. "If I'd thought that far ahead, we wouldn't need to drop in at all." I sighed harshly. "I'll think of something. You better stay out of the way. It's going to get ugly, no way around that."

"Godspeed, Hellsing." He gave me a tilted salute. "Jump, now!"

Pushing back my instinct to shy away from the edge, my leg muscles tensed before pushing my body out the aircraft. The sensation of my stomach lodging itself into my throat as I fell tore a scream from my lips before I ripped open the cord. My body jerked violently as the parachute opened, slowing my rapid descent.

When my feet met solid ground, I winced at the impact and ran forward to shake off the quick shock of discomfort. I unclipped the parachute swiftly and tore into a run. Gunshots ripped through the air in quick succession, and the whine of the sirens was near deafening.

The Conclave's communications building towered above the others…a white pedestal among the darker colored businesses surrounding it. The ornate gate cutting off the building from the public sidewalks had been torn down, and one of the stone gargoyles perched outside was missing a head. A group of officers crouched near an armored vehicle, weapons at the ready. I strained my ears to listen to their conversation.

"Wait, you saw one of them?"

"Yea, blonde bitch damn near took my head off. Might be drugs."

"Wouldn't surprise me."

Suddenly, another officer entered the group, his expression betraying his concern. "No one's heard back from the first squad. Coms are too quiet."

"How could we lose a whole damn squad?" Another officer cursed loudly.

Then, a scratchy voice sounded from one officer's radio. "Oh, God! It's a madhouse in here!"

"Corporal? Where is your position?" The man barked into the mic frantically.

"Fifth floor. Heavy casualties. We…" There was a quiet pause, where the only sound was static. "Stay away! No…please! Monster!" An earsplitting screech rang through the radio before cutting off with a sickening gurgle. My stomach lurched uncomfortably as the officer desperately called out to his comrade over the com.

Turning away from the scene, I raced across the street and ran to the lesser-occupied back of the building. There were at least 15 officers back here, all well-armed. At best, I could take out five before they noticed me, but that left ten highly trained men to gun me down in seconds. I didn't want to kill them if possible. Looking left and right across the street, I let my thoughts take shape, watching the guard keeping watch near the armored Hummer. Creeping along the sidewalk, I dashed behind it, unclipping Assurance as I did so. Once the guard turned his back, I made my move. Dashing around his blind side, I slid my blade gently across his legs, tripping him. Swiftly, I covered his mouth with my hand and jabbed my elbow harshly into his throat. He wheezed before passing out.

Hurriedly, I pulled him into an alley and began stripping down. His uniform would be a little large on me, but at least I'd blend in. I pulled the facemask on and tucked my braid into my uniform. Then, I remembered Assurance. Hefting that thing would give me away for sure. I glanced at the officer's discarded gun with a wince. If I survived this, gun training would be my first priority. With a resigned sigh, I folded Assurance up into a bundle with my clothes and hid it behind the trashcan.

Straightening, I marched out of the alley, rifle in hand. It felt awkward in my grip, and I hoped I looked the part as I slipped back in front of the vehicle. The back door to the building hung ajar, but a bloodied smear streaking across the wall indicated that the breach went about as well as I expected.

"Private!"

I nearly jumped out of my skin as a burly officer approached me. Quickly, I snapped to attention. "Sir!"

"You want to explain to me why you left your post?" He barked.

I grappled for an answer, feeling the sweat build underneath the dark mask. "Had to…relieve myself, sir." Intentionally, I lowered my voice, hoping I could sell it. The bulkiness of the ballistic vest thankfully hid my ample chest.

"Relieve yourself on your own time! Nobody goes in or out of this building. Are we clear, Private?" The officer lowered me with a steely look.

Swallowing a lump, I answered. "Crystal, sir."

The elder officer eyed me for a few more moments before leaving me alone. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and began inching slowly towards the door while the others were distracted.

Thankfully, I reached the door without incident, quickly dashing inside and slamming it shut. Reaching up, I slid the lock back into place, hearing the shouts of protest outside. The heavy footfalls of my combat boots echoed loudly on the marble floor as I ran to find the stairs.

The building shook suddenly, making me freeze as feathers tickled my skin. Another round of gunshots sounded, and I could hear agonized shouts above.

Stepping into the lobby, I wasn't surprised at the sight in front of me. Countless bodies littered the pristine marble floors, staining them with dark blood and gore. It was like my dream all over again…lycanthrope bodies mingled with those of humans. A few appeared to have been armed, not that it did them any good in the end. I swallowed back bile at the gruesome image. The upper floors were bound to be worse.

On cue, the building shook once more. Aggravated, I stomped up the stairs. If the building came down on my head, I'd find some way to come back and haunt the Count.

Rounding the corner, I turned just in time to see the butt of a gun swung at my head. Pain exploded in my temple, and I crumpled to the marble floor. I had enough mind to swing my legs out to trip my aggressor before I felt the unique sensation of snowflakes landing on my skin. I stopped my assault immediately. "Seras?"

"Ryder?"

She lifted me slowly, her eyes wide with recognition and face caked in blood. "What are you wearing?"

With a breathy chuckle, I pulled the mask up and winked at her. "Had to get in somehow." I winced and rubbed the throbbing goose egg she gave me.

"Sorry! I heard footsteps and thought they were sending in another squad. I…wanted to get to them first." Her cherubic face fell slightly.

I sighed and tugged the mask all the way off, tossing it to the side. You and me both. "Where's Alucard?"

"Upstairs. But, we have a problem."

A disgusted sound left my lips. "Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like where this is going?"

Seras gave me a serious look. "Az isn't here. He hasn't been here in weeks by the looks of it."

Oh, fuck. "How could he not be here? That can't be right!" I chewed my lip nervously. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sorry, Liz…but the scent is cold." Seras put a hand on my shoulder, a frustrated light shining in her eyes.

Running a hand through my hair, I mashed my teeth together. "So, this entire op was a fucking waste?" I laughed humorlessly. "Perfect."

Sera's lips set in a determined line, and she began pulling me forcefully upstairs. "We'll search the bastard's office. There has to be something there."

I let her pull me along, feeling the fight leaving me already. The gunshots still ringing upstairs reminded me of all the lives that were wasted. Az had played me. He'd been counting on retaliation and put as many bodies as he could between us. The executives, SWAT teams, and Alex were all merely collateral damage to him.

Finally, everything went eerily silent. Only the clomping of our boots could be heard in the entire building. I kept my eyes on my boots as we walked, cringing every time I stepped into a puddle of blood, or tripped over a body. Glass crunched under our feet as we entered a more lavish area of the building. I knew without a doubt this was Az's office.

A large glass wall overlooked the city behind the imposing desk, and file cabinets lined the walls. Most of the drawers had been yanked out, and their contents scattered all over the floor. Kneeling down, I began shifting through them frantically. I needed to find something…anything that could be helpful.

Another loud crash jolted me briefly, and I watched Seras stiffen at the noise. "Another squad. I'll head them off, but we need to get going."

"Give me as much time as you can!" I begged her as she streaked down the stairs, her shadow trailing close behind. Diving into the papers, I began scanning through, looking for anything useful. I pulled open drawers and dumped out the contents roughly.

I was almost through the last file cabinet when I spied my name written on one of the folders. With shaking hands, I pulled it free and laid it open. My fifteen-year-old face stared blankly back at me, face covered in bruises and a spark of fury in her deep blue eyes. Cringing at the image, I quickly flipped it up, finding several health forms underneath along with Az's personal notes written in the margins.

Another round of gunfire lurched me out of my reading, and I swiftly tucked the file underneath the vest. I'd run out of time. The walls shivered, and the distinct sound of rotor blades sounded on the rooftop. Elis had come back. With a brief once over of the room, I stepped back and enveloped my hands in flames. I tossed the fire onto every surface, only turning away when the room was entirely engulfed.

Ascending the stairs, I found myself in the uppermost room. It appeared to have been a conference room at one point, likely because of the proximity to the helipad on the roof. An oblong table had been smashed to bits, the table legs yanked off and shoved deeply into the marble. Each one had been sharpened to a deadly point…and upon them, were four impaled executives…eyes stuck wide in terror.

Stumbling backwards, I slid down against the wall slowly. I'd been slowly reaching my breaking point…and now the walls were closing in on me.

Heavy but slow footsteps clicked dully against the marble, coming to stand in front of me. "Your reaction leaves much to be desired, my Master. Are you not pleased?"

I glared at the familiar pair of riding boots, refusing to meet his cocky gaze. "Az isn't here. He's not lying dead at my feet. So, no. I'm not pleased." I closed my eyes, reigning in tears with a humorless laugh. "Let's just get out of here."

Would it all have been worth it if he was here? I thought to myself as I ascended to the roof and found Elis hovering close, waving his hands frantically for us to hurry.

Don't be ridiculous. You better get used to that blood on your hands, Ryder…because its never going away. Bitterness swept through like a tidal wave, and I turned away in my seat as we ascended.

Sleep did not take me for days after returning to Hellsing manor. The minute I stepped off the helicopter, I threw myself into writing up the reports, distracting myself in any way I could. I even took work designated for Integra. Meals had become touch and go. Sometimes I would eat, and other times I wouldn't. I flitted about like a ghost in the manor, speaking to few people unless it was absolutely necessary. Seras hovered over me like a worried mother hen, but I didn't have the energy to lie to her…to plaster on an optimistic smile and reassure her that everything would work out.

As of this point, no one had the first clue of where Az might have vanished to. The files that Az had kept of my time in training were…too enlightening. It seemed that the universe liked to pull the rug out from under my feet and laugh every time it took me off guard. While at training, apparently the crazed doctor had done more to me than I realized. Much like the regenerators of Vatican's Section 13, my lifespan was now, in a sense, indefinite. Unless killed in battle, my years stretched out in front of me like a massive ocean.

When Integra read the report to me, I had little energy left to register surprise anymore. But the minute I left the room, the news had been life-shattering. My once idealistic fantasy of becoming the old grizzled mentor of young slayers dissolved in an instant. The healing Az bestowed on me would prevent aging to an extent. Dr. Howard tried explaining that it would slow down and eventually stop, but I barely listened to him as he gave me a thorough checkup. My world was crumbling to tiny pieces, and all I wanted was peace from the riotous emotions warring within me.

Even my aspect fought me, flaring up at the most inconvenient times. I was lucky I laid down the report before my hands burst into flames. The drapes, however, weren't so lucky. I destroyed my personal laptop and another cellphone in a similar fashion. Walking by outlets almost certainly spelled disaster, as my body seemed to draw electrical energy like a lightning rod. I'd killed the power on more than one occasion.

Arthur attempted to entice me to eat with some of my favorite dishes, but the food had gone sour for me. What was the point? I was doomed to repeat the same dance over and over until something had the decency to kill me. How cruel fate could be.

On day five, Dr. Howard stormed into my room without knocking, yanking my hand forward and tilting two little pills into my hand. Thrusting a glass of water into my grip, he leveled me with a stern gaze. "You need to rest. You're running on fumes as it is."

I fingered the pills with a frown. "There's still a lot to do…"

"Take. Them." His tone was clipped.

Truth be told, I didn't want to close my eyes…because I knew I'd see the faces of the people I'd condemned to death there. But, with my body starting to weaken, I knew I had little choice. I tipped back the pills and washed them down.

It didn't take long before my head hit the pillow and I was out like a light, slipping effortlessly into formless dreams.

When I finally awoke, it was past tea-time the next morning. The sound of Arthur returning his cart to the kitchens was my first clue. I sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, feeling marginally better after resting. After a good stretch, I got dressed in some workout clothes, intending to take my mind off everything by losing myself in a brisk run.

It was a hazy Saturday morning. Low-lying clouds bulged with moisture, threatening to burst at any moment. The sun tried valiantly to peek through, but ultimately succumbed to the cloud cover. Moisture covered the ground, making my shoes squeak as I started in a slow jog to warm up. I passed Damien near the garages chopping wood. He nodded at me as I passed…a relatively positive interaction between the two of us.

Once I found the dirt trails winding around the estate, I took off into a sprint, relishing the burn in my lungs and the stretch of my muscles. I'm still alive…I'm still me. I repeated it like a mantra, pushing myself as hard as I could. Nothing's changed.

But that was the problem wasn't it? Everything had changed. Radu's presence in my life was gone, Alex had been corrupted for who knows how long, and I'd been experimented on against my will…like a lab rat. In addition, the Conclave was now in shambles, leaving the West without proper occult control. The slayers were scattered and disorganized. Without a recognized authority, it would be impossible to bring them together. And, there was always the possibility of corruption occurring once again.

All of this would be a moot point, however, if we couldn't track down Az. Desiree assured me they were doing everything they could. Slayers had been sent to turn over every old training facility utilized by the Conclave. I suspected that there would be a safehouse somewhere. The crazy doctor had to have a fallback point somewhere in case he lost the communications center.

Slowing to a jog once more, I sucked air back into my starving lungs. I deserved to feel the burn after the tremendous error I made. Too many people died that day. I wouldn't let Az use anyone else as a human shield anymore.

I leaned against the fence, pressing my forehead into the cool metal. I felt the feathery caress long before I heard grass crunching underneath a pair of boots. A sigh left my lips. "I'm not in the mood." I snipped in irritation.

Alucard seemed to completely ignore me, stepping closer until a familiar shimmer caught my attention. I raised my head in surprise, seeing Assurance's haft in his gloved grip. I'd been worrying about the weapon since leaving it behind to assault the Conclave. "You should be more careful with your possessions, Slayer."

He was right, of course. But, I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of that. I pulled it from his grip and reluctantly made eye contact. Thankfully, his orange-tinted goggles were in place, shielding his crimson eyes from view. "That all?" I questioned, hoping he'd go away if I was rude enough.

However, this only served to spur him on as his stupid characteristic smirk graced his lips. "My, my…what a foul mood I have found my Master in."

"I already told you once. Stop calling me that. It's weird." I grumbled. "If I must be reduced to weird titles, then Slayer will do just fine. Now, is there a reason you're bothering me besides pointing out my obvious disregard for my personal belongings?"

"Very well, Slayer." He obliged, his honeyed voice dripping with sarcasm. "I thought perhaps we could discuss the contents of your file."

"How did…" I shook my head. "It doesn't matter. Of course you'd latch onto that topic." Frustrated, I kicked a rock and sent it sailing over the fence.

"What vexes you? Your little slayer friend killed plenty to achieve what you have." He prodded, his bored tone giving away to a note of curiosity.

It was true. The promise of immortality- or at least the closest equivalent- had driven Alex nearly mad. "So, I'm supposed to be pleased?" I walked ahead, running my hand along the fence.

"Aren't you?"

"Don't be ridiculous." I gave him a withering look, then scrubbed at my forehead wearily. "There went my plans of a normal relationship. Though, I think the whole slayer-thing would have been a deal breaker eventually." Then, I snorted and did my best housewife impression. "Sorry, Darling! Couldn't make dinner tonight! Had to chase the beasties out of the garden."

A hand came down on my shoulder, spinning me around abruptly to face him. For once, Alucard did not look cocky or amused. No, his expression was rather startling. His subdued crimson eyes flared softly, and his lips curved down in a slight frown as he studied me. My words got caught up in my throat as I tried to figure out the cause of his sudden change in attitude. Ever so slowly, his hand traced up to cup my throat. I held my breath as he loomed over me, trying to fight the urge to lean closer and study his fascinating eyes. While the vampire could remain stoic, his eyes tended to betray him. His nearness set my nerves on fire. It was both parts exhilarating and terrifying. The feelings he tended to evoke made me nervous.

His fingers inched up to trace the patch of skin where Radu's teeth had punctured my skin. The white scar was much fainter than the rest, but still visible if one looked close enough. A spark jumped between my fingertips when he leaned in close, breathing a concentrated dose of his unique scent into my face.

"You dispatched him so easily…it is a shame you allowed him to best you once." Alucard's voice slipped easily into my consciousness.

There wasn't a head to bring back. I wish I'd drawn it out, but my aspect had other ideas. I'm not sorry. I thought back to him, shamefully fascinated by his strange ability to burrow in my head. In truth, I wished I didn't have to look at the nasty scar. It reminded me too much of what occurred that night.

Alucard clearly read the direction of my thoughts, humming deep in his throat as his lips replaced his fingertips on my neck. I jolted at first at the sensation. His chilly breath had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. "I didn't realize how much you ruminated on this. Perhaps we can remedy that."

What did you have in mind? My heart picked up the pace when his opposite hand reached up to cradle the back of my head, tugging playfully at my braid. I wasn't sure if he was playing me or not, but I found myself wanting to know the reasons behind his sudden intensity.

He inclined his head, and I felt the tickle of his soft ebony hair against my cheek. Ever so slowly, he laved his tongue over my skin, pulling a shiver from my body. I don't know if…

"Be still." Alucard instructed, his soft tone strangely putting me at ease. As I began to relax, the sudden prick of pain startled me. I would have jumped if not for the vice grip he had on my braid as he sunk his teeth in ever so gently. The pain was intense at first but began to dwindle slowly as he drew out my blood. Some sensible part of me raised her voice in protest…but the bigger, more impulsive side of me almost wanted him to continue. Invisible fingers seemed to grasp my inner fire, soothing it before it could flare up.

When I swayed slightly on my feet, he pulled away to run his tongue over the bite. My healing seemed to work double-time with his saliva, and the cut was sealed before his eyes met mine once more. I reached up self-consciously to touch the mark, finally realizing his intentions in the process. Now, when I looked at the scar, I would remember this rather than the horrific night I wished to forget. An unexpected wave of gratitude washed over me, and I felt my cheeks heat up. "That was…different." I admitted, out loud this time. Strange. The action had felt much more intimate than a kiss. Of all the adjectives I'd used to describe Alucard, 'gentle' had yet to pass my thoughts.

This constant back and forth between us was beginning to make my head spin. I found myself hating him for making me feel such confusing emotions. It wasn't fair, especially considering what he still expected from me. "What do you really want from me, Count?" Reaching out, I grasped his free hand, surprised when he wove his long fingers between mine almost possessively.

"It is inconsequential what I want, dearest. However, your desires are very clear." He purred in my ear, raising goosebumps along my skin. "Now, will you act on them? I await your decision."

Heat pooled in my cheeks at his apparent snooping in my thoughts. I'd never intended for him to know that I'd secretly wondering what it would be like to kiss him. Such thoughts were wrong, weren't they? "It's…it's not right." I tried to pull away, but he held me fast. Swallowing a lump, I shivered under his intense gaze. "You can't honestly tell me you'd want that." He held both parts disdain and respect for humans. I wasn't sure which side of him to believe at times. Alucard had slaughtered that SWAT team without mercy, yet those same hands cradled my head like it was a sacred object. Ridiculous! He's obviously playing with you!

"Look for yourself." Alucard encouraged, his presence nudging my aspect demandingly.

Closing my eyes, I concentrated on breaking through his consciousness. It was more difficult now that I wasn't as relaxed. After a few moments, a vision took hold of me. It was almost as if I was floating above the scene…looking on as a phantom.

I saw my own form draped across the bed, clearly asleep. Her lips were slightly parted, and her chest rose and fell gently. My cheeks burned as I recognized the wolfie pajamas Seras teased me about.

Then, I felt the tell-tale feathers skirting over my skin. Alucard's tall form stepped into the room from the wall, phasing through it so simply. Ever so slowly, he strode to the end of the bed and observed the vision of me sleeping. A shadowy tendril reached out to caress her cheek, and I gasped as I felt the tendril as if it were on my own skin. With the grace of a predator, Alucard crawled onto the bed towards me. My breath hitched as the vision of me stirred in her sleep at the sensation of the bed dipping under the vampire's weight.

Her cerulean eyes flashed open when his hands pinned hers to the mattress, and a gasp escaped her parted lips. "Alucard!" She squeaked in surprise.

"Good evening, dearest." He cooed, and I felt his chilly breath in my own ear as he leaned in close. His thumbs drew circles on the insides of her wrists, sending shockwaves of sensation down my body. I bit the inside of my cheek to prevent myself from groaning at the feeling. I could even feel his soft hair brushing my collarbone.

"I…" The vision of me tried to speak but was cut off abruptly when his lips sealed over hers. My own aspect flared at the tingling sensation on my own lips in response.

Trailing a hand down, Alucard gripped her waist roughly, and the resounding sensation in my own body had me roaring back to reality. I yanked free from his grasp, finding myself back on the lawn of the estate, breathing in the cool air heavily. Struggling to find my voice, I put significant distance between the two of us and averted my gaze from his glowing crimson eyes. "How long have you been thinking about that, exactly?"

"Too long, my dear." He murmured, his eyes flashing momentarily before he closed the gap between us in one fluid movement.

As his hands enclosed around my own, I shook my head in disbelief. "Help me understand this. I thought you wanted…"

"That has not changed." His grip tightened dangerously on my hands.

My brows drew together in confusion. "So, let me get this straight. There's this…whatever this thing is between us. And you still want me to attempt to destroy you?" The operative word here being 'attempt'.

"Correct." He grinned, showing off his razor-sharp teeth.

I shook my head incredulously. "You're insane." Glancing down, I observed our joined hands and felt a surge of warmth in my chest. "But I already knew that." This creature…cared for me. Wrapping my head around that concept proved daunting. The last trip to the states had opened my eyes to that monstrous side of him once more. But, there was something else there…a shred of humanity left. I would see it rare moments of interaction between him and his Master...how he deliberately disobeyed orders and followed me back to the manor. Even his interaction with Seras took on a parental feel. Not to mention the nightmare I found him locked in.

Of course, all of this could be chalked up to simple lust…but, that didn't seem likely. For one, I didn't consider myself the type to be lusted after. And two, Alucard didn't seem like the fickle type. By all accounts, it didn't make sense that I had become an interest to him.

"I do hope you remember our deal." He hummed, keeping a vice grip on my hands. "You'll find I hardly speak without certainty. Should you fail to kill me…I'll just have to make you mine. You shall have only one chance. I suggest you get it right."

The implications of his words finally made sense, and I stiffened as his cool lips skimmed my jawline with dangerous promise. I wasn't even sure if he could accomplish it, but I didn't particularly want to find out. "I expect a fair fight, Count." I whispered before pulling a hand free from his grasp to jab it into his chest. "And don't you dare hold back! I at least deserve you at your best."

Alucard threw back his head and laughed. Chaotic spirals of his hair reached out for me as his voice took on a crazed edge. "Very well! You shall have what you desire."

"Good." I swallowed a lump in my throat at his very obvious attempt to rile me and stepped back out of his grasp. "I…need some time to think about this…thing." I gestured between us, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "So…I'd appreciate some space."

He merely grinned in response, and I suppressed a groan at his exuberance. There'd be no mercy from him…whether it be in fighting or in seduction. And, I was fully prepared for him to use that to his advantage. No, he wouldn't make this easy on me…but I never thought it would be easy.

Alucard left me alone for the rest of my workout, and I returned to change and shower before meeting with Integra. I'd put it off long enough, and I needed to discuss our plan of action once Desiree and the others located Az. The Alpha would prove to be our toughest opponent. Its regeneration was much faster than Alucard's, and he moved much quicker than me. Seras would be a smart choice, but I feared what would happen if the beastie managed to get in close. She had experience fighting a pureblooded wolf in the past, but this creature was far beyond what she fought. This was the cumulation of all of Az's research…a force of nature meant to counter every single one of Alucard's powers. Az was no slouch when it came to covering his ass, and he'd definitely done his research on Hellsing's trump cards.

Az himself would be a worthy adversary. He knew my movements like the back of his hand and would likely use that against me. I would need to learn some new tricks if I planned to confront him.

Pushing open the office doors, I found Integra lying in bed once again. The dread threatened to choke me before I schooled my expression. Despairing about it wouldn't do anyone any good at this point. "Need anything?" I inquired.

"No, Elizabeth. Sit." She commanded, her voice raspier today. I grimaced, but obeyed, pulling up a chair and sitting down next to her bed.

In her hands, was the entirety of my file. Her bright, icy blue eye swept over it once before settling back on me. "How are you?"

I blew out a heavy breath, laden with anger. "He left the file on purpose…to rattle me. I don't know what he hoped to accomplish, but I think we can both assume that it wasn't good. Mission accomplished: I'm terrified."

"You don't remember the experiments?" She questioned me.

I shook my head. "No, he must have drugged me pretty heavily. It's a challenge to keep a slayer out for that long. I used to get flashes in the past, but I didn't really pay them much mind." Pausing, I clasped my hands together and squeezed harshly. "Death was never a concern for me. My father taught me that it wasn't something to be feared…that my faith was stronger. It would simply be another adventure for me…a reprieve from the responsibility on my shoulders. I never wanted to linger here…watching my friends fade from my grasp. It…isn't fair."

Feeling ashamed, I hung my head, only to feel my mother's hand resting softly on my shoulder. "It was never my intention for you to rule Hellsing on your own."

I raised my head to look her in the eye. "But…"

"The responsibility shall fall on the capable shoulders of Sir Penwood Jr. and the rest of the Round Table. I have trained them well in preparation for such a thing." She explained.

"And what about Alucard?" I questioned her, noticing how she conveniently left that detail out of the equation.

"That will be for you to decide."

Considering her words, I chewed on the inside of my cheek. "I'm not even sure of that anymore. And what makes you think the Round Table will even listen to me? I'm inexperienced, and an American to boot…"

Integra merely raised an eyebrow, lips twitching in mild amusement. "When I first approached Sir Penwood Sr, I was barely 13."

I sighed in exasperation. "Yes, but you're…you." I gestured towards her as if to emphasize my point.

"And you're certain I didn't have my own doubts? I did not have the option of wavering. And contrary to popular belief, I had assistance." My mother sighed, and it seemed like she was lost in her own thoughts.

I wondered if she was thinking of the man in the portrait I spied in the library once. It appeared to be of a younger Integra, Arthur Hellsing, and a tall man with a monocle…his hand laid gently on Integra's shoulder. My mother never once mentioned him. In fact, she very noticeably seemed to avoid the topic entirely. I had the irrational fear that it would inspire her famous fury, but I would hate it if she took his identity to her grave. "Integra, about the portrait in the library…"

Integra's sigh cut me off abruptly. "Is it prudent for you to know?"

The hurt in her expression was plain to see. This person obvious brought up difficult memories for her. "No, but he must have been important to you at some point. Seras won't talk about it either." It was true. The vampiress simply suggested that 'there's no point thinking about him' and uncharacteristically walked away. I'd yet to see her truly angry up till that point.

"Walter." She began, folding her hands together and fixing her stare up at the ceiling. "He was the retainer for the family before Arthur…"

And thus, Integra explained Walter's fixture in the Hellsing family's colorful history…right to the bitter end. It rather surprised me to know that he'd had a bigger hand in raising Integra than even my grandfather did. And, he was an accomplished warrior to boot.

What really struck me as odd, however, was his use of monofilament wires. Five-star slayers often made use of such rare weapons. "Is there a possibility Walter was a slayer?"

Integra looked surprised at the comment. "Why do you ask?"

I shrugged. "Not all slayers receive training. The mutation can be pretty random too. His skills fit the bill." I considered the ramifications of such a thing. "That might explain why his body rejected the change like it did."

The Iron Maiden sat back, clearly stunned. It was clear such a thing had never even crossed her mind. "It matters little now. A traitor's word holds little weight."

"Is that what you have to tell yourself?" I asked, unsure where my boldness came from "Look, Alex's betrayal hurt like hell…I'm not going to sugarcoat it. But, in the long run, I knew it was never about me. Yes, she knew full well that it would hurt me, but her goals just didn't align with mine anymore. I know you don't want to hear this, but it sounds like Walter loved you right up to the end."

Integra sighed and shook her head. "Damn fool."

I smiled at the resigned look on her face. It was likely as close as she could ever come to forgiveness. I understood it to an extent. It would difficult for me to forgive Alex in the years to come, but I hoped I could find some measure of peace with it.

Of course, I sobered immediately as she pulled up the copy of my report. Again, my shoulders dropped in shame. "What's the official death toll?"

Integra's lips pressed into a thin line. "104 dead. All 80 of the Conclave associates inside were killed. The rest were SWAT officers."

"Jesus…" I sat back in my chair and pinched the bridge of my nose. Hellsing destroyed a centuries-old organization in a night.

"Are you certain that was all of them?" She questioned, her voice taking on the familiar business-like tone.

"No, I can't be sure. Alucard got the four executives in the building, but there were far more observing the experiments Az conducted on me during training. The viewing room was full of higher-ups. If they're smart, they'll go into hiding." I responded grimly. "They'll have covered their tracks well."

"And what of Dr. Azazel?" She curved an eyebrow upwards.

"Desiree is looking into it as we speak, and Varris is following old scent trails to try and track him. Sloan is heading our way with Wess." With Az still on the loose, they didn't want to take any chances on another attack on the manor. "We need to find him fast before he bolsters his army of beasties again. As you know, it only takes one full moon for one werewolf to make dozens. And, with these special werewolves, they could be spreading the disease faster. It could take years to clean up Az's mess." I ran a hand through my hair in exasperation. "That's not even mentioning the coverups we'll need to do."

"Let the Convention of Twelve deal with coverups. I need you to focus on locating the root of the problem."

"Understood." Until Az is caught, none of us could sleep easily. "How soon should I return to the states?"

"Elis will arrange for a private jet in two days. In the meantime, I suggest you keep your eye on security." Integra frowned at the thought.

"Do you really think he'd attempt to hit the manor again? We have him on the run." I pointed out.

"A cornered dog is at its most dangerous." She mumbled cryptically. "Stay alert."

Rising from my seat, I gave her my best salute. "Yes, Sir."

When her office doors shut behind me, I slumped against them, fighting back tears at her slow deterioration. Knowing it was coming and experiencing it first hand were two entirely different things. I wondered if I would have the strength to hold up the organization when she left us.

Sniffing, I hurriedly tried to dry my tears as Arthur's quick steps rounded the corner and stopped at the sight of me. His kind, earthy eyes softened upon settling on my tear-stained cheeks. A weathered hand settled on my shoulder and rubbed it comfortingly. "I'm sorry." I whispered in embarrassment at my current state.

"Apologies are not necessary, Elizabeth." The retainer quickly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to me. I smiled through my tears at the gesture, quickly wiped them away, and handed it back to the kindly butler. No more words needed to be said. Arthur was as much a part of the family as Seras and Alucard. I felt their support, even if we didn't always see eye-to-eye. The revelation was almost overwhelming.

I had intended to retrieve Seras and cajole her into teaching me to shoot, but the vampiress had retreated to her coffin to sleep for the day. With little options left, I finally spied Damien working out in the lawn with a few new recruits. Beggars can't be choosers.

"Hey, Damien!" I called out to him, capturing the giant man's attention.

Hefting his Warhammer over his shoulder, he eyed me with a cocky grin. "Come back for a little pummeling, little girl?" He challenged me with a lazy smirk.

I rolled my eyes at his obvious attempt at riling me up. "No sparring today. I need some…tactical firearms assistance."

"You're joking. Little miss slayer needs help with guns?" He threw back his head and laughed, throwing his Warhammer down to lean on the haft.

I cursed under my breath. "Yes, I need help. I admit it. There! Does that please you?"

"It does, yes." He grinned.

After a bit of convincing, the hulking man agreed to help me out. I hoped his advice was worth my secret bottle of whiskey.

We worked well into the evening, trying out different firearms and testing my aim. It turned out to be much simpler than I imagined. At least Damien had to give my aim the credit it deserved.

When we finally agreed to call it quits, Damien pressed a pistol into my hand and curled my fingers around it. ".45 mm silver core rounds. Put em in the head or the heart, I could care less as long as you kill something with it."

I curled my fingers over the grip, already comforted by its weight. The gift, however, was unexpected. "Thanks."

Damien shrugged. "It's nothin' to shout at, but it'll get the job done." Hoisting his bag over his shoulder, he rolled his beefy shoulders and left me alone. I eyed my new weapon fondly as I climbed the stairs to my room.

After a quick shower to wash the strong smell of gunpowder off my skin, I climbed into bed and allowed my thoughts to drift.

It wasn't long, however, before I began to feel a faint tickling sensation crawling up my spine. I cracked an eye open to check the doorway but found nothing there. Shrugging, I rolled over to my other side, figuring I was just feeling things.

Then, it came again, this time slightly stronger. I squirmed at the feeling of being watched, resisting the urge to grab Assurance's haft…which leaned against the wall next to my bed.

A shadow passed by in the hallway, causing me to jump before I realized it was just Pip making his hourly rounds. Get a grip. I silently cursed my paranoia and laid back down.

Another bout of goosebumps broke out over my skin right on the cusp of sleep, and I finally got out of bed, grabbing Assurance and marching into the hallway in my pajamas. I felt rather ridiculous as I scanned the empty hallway. Once satisfied that no one was there, I returned to my bed.

For the third time, I got comfortable, ignoring the demanding nudge at the edge of my psyche. I was tired, and not in the mood to indulge the curiosities of lecherous vampires.

I must have drifted off at some point, because the feathery sensations were so strong that my senses found it prudent to wake me. Startled from sleep, I sat up and rubbed at the chills running down my arms. Too wired to rest, I got up and donned a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. I padded down the stairs and out into the courtyard.

A near full moon illuminated the estate brightly, highlighting each individual blade of grass on the lawn. The chill hardly registered with me as I sat down and crossed my legs. Closing my eyes, I tried to slow my racing heart. It still felt like I was being watched, and the sensation was rather unpleasant when I couldn't find the source.

Feathers kissed the back of my neck briefly before a pair of hands materialized and began rubbing circles into my taut muscles. I bit back a groan of relief and folded my arms over my chest. "What happened to personal space?"

"Technically, I have not disobeyed your orders, my Master." Alucard's honey-soaked voice purred in my ear.

I snorted. "How so?"

He didn't provide a response at first, clearly content to traverse the exposed skin on my shoulders. His touch was electric, and my aspect responded in kind, giving his questing fingers a harmless little shock. Chuckling, he moved to gently untangle the knots in my long hair, puzzling me with his behavior.

"And I recall asking you politely not to call me that." I snorted at his insistence. "Maybe you're beginning to forget things. Can vampires go senile?"

When again he didn't answer me, I scooted on my butt to face him. He crouched before me, looking eerily like a big cat stalking its prey. Impossibly red eyes stood out in stark contrast to his luminescent, pale skin and ebony curtains of hair. "It isn't fair." I grumbled, secretly drinking in his handsome features.

"Pardon?" He arched an eyebrow incredulously at my outburst.

"You!" I gestured to him. "No one should look that devastatingly handsome!"

He flashed his fangs at me devilishly. That bastard knows it too! "Forgotten your ire, have you? A pity. I was beginning to hope for a bit of retribution."

"I'm too tired for violence tonight." I rolled my eyes. "Tomorrow, maybe." My eyes wandered to his parted lips, partially concealing his razor-sharp fangs. I shuddered briefly at the sight…not in fear, but in desire. My hands ached to touch his face again like I had back in the dungeons. His skin had been smooth and cool…but ignited such strange feelings within me.

"And now?" He goaded, eyes watching my movements in an almost predatory way.

Something must have snapped inside me, because I finally hit what Glinda had frequently referred to as 'fuck it'. In her words: the point where you just don't care about the consequences anymore.

At least, I tried to convince myself of that as I surged forward, taking us both by surprise, and grasped hold of his crimson cravat. Summoning my strength, I yanked his head down and his lips finally caressed mine. A small jolt of electricity arched between us when Alucard pulled slightly back in an unnecessary gasp. It only took a second before his lips planted more firmly against mine. My heart galloped ahead of my body as he cupped my face in his gloved hand, caressing the soft patch of skin behind my ear and holding my head firmly in place. Tentatively, I trailed a hand up to grasp a handful of his hair, nearly groaning at how soft it was. It seemed to come alive as he slanted into the kiss, nudging his tongue against my lips. I obliged, quickly finding myself in a war between his tongue and mine. Not to be outdone, I held my own for a time until my questing tongue met the sharp edge of his teeth.

I pulled back at the sharp prick of pain, but the vampire wasn't having it. Digging his fingers into the back of my neck, he captured me once more, plunging his tongue past my lips to lap up the small amount of blood that had spilled.

When we finally broke apart, I fell back on my hands, gasping for breath. Every nerve ending hummed with unspent energy, and my hands ignited in an instant. The flames licked hungrily up my bare arms. I couldn't even begin to fathom what came over me, and it scared me how much I'd enjoyed it.

For once, it appeared as if I'd rendered the No Life King speechless. His long tongue snaked over his lips, and the hungry light in his sunset eyes made me shiver. He looked on the brink of devouring me without a second thought. I could practically feel the lust rolling off him in waves.

Adrenaline shot through my veins as my slayer senses caught up to me. In one motion I was standing, and in the next, I took a defensive stance.

I could have been fighting against a moving semi-truck for all the good it did me as Alucard knocked me to the ground, pinning my arms at my side. It was beginning to feel eerily like Alucard's fantasy he'd graciously showed me earlier. Now braced above me, he looked like a king observing a prized possession. I balked under his stare momentarily before he leaned down to speak into my ear. His chilly breath raised the hairs on the back of my neck. "Where, pray tell, were you running off to?"

"Not…running." I gasped as his tongue traced the shell of my ear.

"Ryder!"

Alucard let loose a growl from deep within his chest at the distant sound of Seras's voice. "Always so noisy."

Abruptly, the vampire's grip loosened until suddenly I found the ground softening underneath me. Fresh sheets materialized underneath my now bare arms, and suddenly, I found myself sitting up in bed. Shock took hold when I realized that the entire thing had been a dream.

"Good! You're up!" Seras burst in the door without knocking with a noticeable spring in her step. "You look a little flustered. Is something the matter?"

A dream? Just a dream…or was he messing with me? I felt a surge of unexpected anger at the idea and wondered briefly just how long he'd been disrupting my sleep. "I'm…fine. Er, did I leave the manor last night?"

She cocked her head to the side. "No, I didn't see you leave. Why do you ask?"

I rubbed the sudden chill off my arms and shook my head. "Don't worry about it. Do you need something?"

"Your slayer friends showed up this morning. They're awfully jumpy." Seras noted with a shy smile. "I only wanted to say 'hello'."

Pip's snort reached my ears before his head and shoulders emerged from Seras's tendril-like arm. Stuffing a cigarette in his mouth, he lit it casually. "You phased out of the damn wall. What did you expect?"

I groaned and covered my face with my hands. Not even out of bed, and already the day was proving stressful. "Wonderful. Does Alucard know?"

"Most likely." Seras shrugged. "Master likes to scare the new recruits."

The acrid scent of Pip's cigarette wafted to my nostrils, fueling my grumpy attitude. Grasping my pillow, I raised it over my head. "Pip?" I asked, forcing a calm tone.

"Yes, dove?" He asked casually, his gaze fixed on Seras while he twiddled with the end of his long braid.

"Don't smoke in my room!" I bellowed at the top of my lungs and flung the pillow as hard as I could.

Seras yelped in shock as the pillow collided with her face and began scolding the Frenchman. This, of course, worked about as well as baptizing a cat as they began to bicker. When the bickering turned more amorous, I kicked them both out into the hallway, slumping against the door once it closed.

You are so dead when I find you, Alucard. I snarled in my head, hoping for once he was snooping in my thoughts.

As I turned to change into my uniform, something nudged my consciousness. "I look forward to it, my dear."

AN:

So, lots of things coming together here. And they kissed...so ya know...that's cool (even if it wasn't technically real). *ahem* all jokes aside, please let me know if I just completely botched that scene. Writing romance and the like doesn't come naturally to me. I'm definitely more comfortable writing about two people beating the tar out of each other.

I feel like a broken record at this point, but I can't stress enough how thoughtful and encouraging the reviews have been so far. It really brightens my day when someone is enjoying my writing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. That being said, I really hope I don't disappoint you all!

Let me know whatcha think! Thanks!