Chapter 25

"Oh, God! Pip!" Seras tightened her hug on the shape of the Frenchman, feeling tears come to her eyes. "Pip...!" She felt him wrap shadowed arms around her, holding her tight. She didnt let go for the longest, longest time.

"...Pip..." she murmured softly. "...Where have you been...?" She felt the him pull back slightly and tip her chin up, and she saw the dense outline sharpen more until she was looking at his face--the face she remembered. Only...he had two eyes now; both green and sparkling with that glint behind them. He grinned down at her and ran a hand through her hair.

"Heh...I 'ave been here, Seras," he said softly. He brought his other hand to her stomach area. "...'ere...with you..."

Seras gaped up at him, blinking. "...But..." she stuttered softly, "...then...why couldnt I...why couldnt I feel you before?" Pip's grin faltered slightly and his eyes lost some of the shine.

"I was always 'ere, Seras," he said. "...But...heh...I was put 'ere...in 'iding...by zat Major..."

Seras furrowed her brow. "...Major put you here?" she asked. Pip nodded.

"Oui," he responded. "I was actually ze first to notice 'e was here, before anyone...I was going to tell you, but...he threw me in 'ere...to keep me silent..."

Seras suddenly found herself quite miffed at the Major now. "...Did he now...? she queried, an agitated tone to her voice. Pip noticed this and laughed.

"Heheh...you have him whipped, dont you, girly?" he joked, shaking his head. Seras felt her cheeks flush slightly.

"No," she said slowly. "He's just going to get an earful as soon as I wake up..." She cut off when Pip laughed again.

"Oh, you dont need to worry about 'im, Seras," he said in a light tone. "We have been civil to each other so far...so...almost...no 'arm done..."

Seras blinked. "...The two of you have been talking...?" she asked, incredulous. Pip shrugged.

"Eh. 'E was kind of lying when 'e said zere was nothing to do when ze two of you dont talk," he said. "'E wanted to spare your feelings...and probably save 'is own ass...but, oui...we talk."

Seras just stared up at him, blinking stupidly. "...I'm lost..." she muttered, shaking her head. Pip grinned at her again.

"Well," he began, "it kind of began awhile after 'e cast me down 'ere. After you two became...acquainted...'e began talking to me. Sure, I gave 'im my own earful, but 'e was civilized, and told me of what 'e 'ad planned. Not zat I was thrilled with 'im kinda using you, but you seemed alright with it...so I said nothing.

"I havent been completely cut out of ze picture," he continued. "I 'ave mostly been keeping your essence in check...keeping it calm, most of ze time...but I tell you...zat time you first found out ze fat man was living in your head, wow..." He grinned, shaking his head. "Zat was one 'ell of a doozy..."

Seras shifted slightly. "Sorry," she muttered. Pip stroked her hair with one hand.

"Aw, dont be, Seras," he said comfortingly, kissing the top of her head. "I'm fine. It just gets very intense 'ere when you get mad. Like just last night..." He shook his head. "Ze Major told me what Alucard told you...rubbish...I'm connected to your very essence, so I already knew zat ze Major was telling ze truth..." He snickered. "'E also told me zat you 'it 'im. Zat's my girl!"

Seras flushed slightly. "...I didnt really mean to..." she muttered.

"I know. And so does 'e."

Seras remained silent for a moment. "...So, you dont think that the Major being here is a bad thing...?" she finally asked. Pip's green eyes went sober.

"...Not entirely..." he said softly. "Not zat I'm thrilled to have a Nazi in your 'ead...But...ze pros do outweigh ze cons...in ze long run..."

Seras nodded. "It does," she said. She looked back up at him, then threw her arms around him again. "...I've missed you so much..." she murmured. "Even though you've been here...I never knew..." She paused when Pip took her shoulders and gently pushed her back slightly.

"Non, Seras," he said shaking his head. "None of zat. I know zat you missed me, but you 'ave been thriving all zis time when you zought I was gone..." He looked her in the eye. "...And you will continue to thrive...even without me..."

Seras stepped back slightly. "...What are you talking about?" she demanded. Pip sighed and looked down.

"...Seras..." he said softly. "...Being in your essence...making sure you were okay...it's all been wonderful...but..." He looked back up at her. "You dont need me anymore, mon cher. Zere's nothing more I can do for you."

Seras shook her head, tearing up again. "No!" she said firmly. "No, you cant leave!" Pip took her shoulders again.

"Seras! Dont be like zat! You thrived when you zought I was not here...you will thrive when I am really not here. Besides..." He broke off, smiling slyly. "...You have zat Major now."

Seras's emotion flopped from resentment to...hell, was that embarrassment...? "...I...I..." She flushed when Pip snickered slightly.

"I'm playing you, Seras," he said, smiling. "But...I am serious. Since I do 'ave no more use 'ere...I would very much appreciate it...if you would set my soul free."

He locked eyes with Seras, letting her know that it was what he really wanted. Seras stared back, knowing that he was serious.

"Seras, I want to rest in peace now. I 'ave fulfilled my duties on zis Earth...I 'ave taken job after job...and in doing so, I 'ave met a lovely girl who actually made me care about life...someone who I sacrificed my own life for...just to let 'er live on.." He wiped the tear from her eye. "And now zat I 'ave fulfilled my life, I want to rest now. Be it in 'Eaven, or in 'Ell with ze rest of my men--I will take what 'E gives me. All I want you to do is give me zat chance."

Seras stifled a sob, nodding at his words. Somehow, she knew it was the right thing, and knew what to do. She put a hand to his chest, and felt the bonds that tied them slowly be cut. Pip put a hand over hers.

"Dont cry now, Seras," he said softly. "You're one tough woman. Besides, you already 'ave someone to take my place in your heart."

Seras looked at him as his form faded slightly. "...What do you mean?" she asked, looking at him quizzically. Pip's fading face broke out into a huge grin.

"Why, zat Major of course! You like 'im!"

Seras knew her face was red by this point. "I do not!" she screeched back. Pip laughed.

"Ah, you're right...you're too good for ze fat man anyway..."

"Oh, would you stop calling him 'fat man'? It's not nice!"

"HA! You're defending 'im! You like 'im!"

Seras flushed deeper. "PIP!" She heard nothing more. "...Pip...?" Still no response. Seras suddenly felt empty inside. She slowly drew into herself, putting a hand to her heart. "...Pip...Godspeed..." she murmured before falling out of herself once more.

Seras woke up gently this time, finding that she was still resting softly on her side. She slowly lifted her hand to the coffin lid and gently raised it, her body following. She remained sitting up for a few moments, taking in the emptiness in her center. He was gone. Really gone now. She stared ahead for a few more moments before getting up and stroking the wrinkles out of her tunic. She turned to see that on her desk was blood pack and a note. She decided to tend to that later. But she grabbed the pack and sipped it, trying to rid herself of the empty feeling...eating seemed to be working...

"...Are you alright, Fraulein...?"

Oh. She smiled lightly and sat down at the desk.

"...I think I will be," she said. She felt the Major's mental caress and felt him feed her a comforting emotion. She smiled a little stronger.

"...I think I will be..."

Aw...so sad. That would have made an interesting threesome...

Chapter 26 Preview

Seras copes with Pip's loss, with some help from the Major. Plus, yet another trip to the airship.