"Was he?"

The voice did not belong to the usual group inside the room. Leon had just concluded his last piece of the tale, and turned to find the speaker in the doorway, staring inside. Jack Wilson, heavily bandaged and looking worn, but entirely alive and mobile. He winced as he stepped inside the room and towards the bar, most eyes on him. His nose, to Leon's surprise, seemed perfectly fine, despite being broken ealier.

"Mr. Wilson will have a full recovery," Walter said, following the young man in," all within a few days."

"What?!" Lars coughed, staring at Walter.

"Is that your handiwork, Walter?" Leon asked, with a grin.

"I do fondly believe in modesty, and will say that it was just my job," Walter nodded gently.

"Thanks, Walter," Jack Wilson said quickly and quietly, catching the group's attention. He, probably for the first time since coming to Hellsing, said something sincere. "The fuck are you all staring at!?" he demanded.

"Calm down, Wilson," Leon stated," we're just glad to see there's something other than crap that can come out of your mouth, or blood," Leon reminded him, a sharp glance towards him. Wilson stared back momentarily, and took a sip of his drink.

"And don't worry about going easy on him, Mr. Kennedy," Walter said before departing. Jack Wilson immediately started coughing up his drink.

"What!? Wait- but I'm still recovering!"

"No breaks around here," Leon said firmly," you're responsible for everything that happens to you. We all are. Hell, last mission, Walter took an explosion right in front of him, but he was back on his feet within a day, and kick just as much ass."

"Wait... what do you mean 'kick ass'?" Amber asked curiously.

"Ahhh... a story for another time. If shit gets bad enough, you'll see for yourselves," Leon announced. "Hey... anyone seen Seras?"


Integra sat in her office chair, reading several suspicious reports of happenings in London. Perhaps it was her heightened sense of worry, with Albert Wesker and his 'Underground Umbrella' organization having made enemies with her own, she was weary to pass anything odd. A brutal murder of a family caught her eye, but the bloodied weapon was easily discovered, and there was nothing otherwise suspicious, including the families connections.

"Give me something here," she turned another page, looking to see the incidentals and further reports on London. The city still underwent repairs, re-shaping it into something more of a modern city, than its more traditional and humble roots. At least several landmarks had already been re-built. Big Ben stood proudly near several growing office buildings.

"With this damn population influx there aught to be something," she snarled, turning yet another page. With the massive death list that, to the date is still being added to, many Britons and other Europeans flocked to London. Initially to repair and assist in rebuilding, including a huge German program, who sought to repair any nation relations damage the attacks caused, many people now stayed inside London, living there. Over the past two years, it finally became a metropolis it once was. Yet, there were few events that called to the attention of Integra.

Turning once more, she found the end of the lists, were she spotted several buildings that would be opening within a month or so, including the London Museum of History. Integra sighed, and fell back against her chair. Her eyes drifted against the desk, lit by a single green lamp to the left. Looking to the other end, she found the same cigar from earlier she had ignored. Why she had suddenly cut smoking from her life, she didn't know, but the irritation from it was starting to pester her. Were it not for Leon and Seras's work with the Elites and the progress they had made, she might have gone on a mad tirade.

Shoving over some paper on the desk, there she found a small notice, addressed to her in person. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted the name on the notice. Sir Lindar Henry Weldon, son of the late Henry Weldon. Not two years ago, had Integra been in a conference with Henry Weldon, an attendee of the Round Table Conference, and eventual traitor to England. Integra knew he had a son before, but not one of age to hold any form of power. She began to open the letter, and heard something outside the door.

There was a bump against the dark doors across the room, and someone swore sharply, trying to be quiet. Integra only needed one guess to assume who might be outside her door clumsy enough to slip and hit it.

"Seras?" She called. The person outside froze. "Seras, come inside, please." The door opened slowly, and Seras hardly poked her head inside.

"Hi," she waved.

"Come closer, Seras, I don't want to shout an entire conversation with you," Integra announced, looking back to the envelope, and tossing it to the table. Seras crept inside and approached Integra cautiously. Like usual, Integra knew from the first moment that Seras wanted to talk about something.

"You know," Integra started, as Seras slowly came closer," I don't believe I've had the chance for you to catch me up from Leon's story. At this rate, I may never hear the whole of it."

"Yes... erhm, Sir, uh..." Seras began fiddling with her fingers," have you ever... said... things that you didn't want to say, but, uh, wanted to be felt?"

"Sit."

"What?" Seras asked, and noticed the chair she was next to," oh, yes."

"Why on earth are you asking this?" Integra chuckled, pouring herself a glass of whiskey. Seras looked at her like she might burst, and Integra continued," well... yes. Of course I have. Rather recently, actually, with Leon and Zohall, back in Japan. I took them away from the campfire, you remember? I... was not as good as presenting my argument to them as I could have been."

"I told him," Seras rushed suddenly.

"Pardon?"

"I told Leon that I liked him!" Seras said, full of fear and doubt," I was so mad at him that I exploded on him and told him that he needed to pull himself back together, and that I... I... liked him because of the way he was, and I wasn't happy with the way he was becoming!" she spewed out in a dash of words. Integra stared at her for several moments, mouth slightly open, and she sighed.

"Fourth shelf to the right, behind the left hand books," Integra reached into her drawers and pulled out another glass.

"Sir?" Seras asked.

"Go on, as I said," Integra motioned her to the side of the room. Seras went over to the books, and behind it were a collection of alcohol containers. "Do you like wine? Those are all blood infused wine. Made for Alucard, but," Seras pulled the closest from the shelf, and looked to Integra, in awe," I think you might need some."

"You keep Alucard's wine here?" she asked astounded, smirking at Integra.

"Not the whole bloody stock, no," Integra insisted, uncomfortable with Seras's insinuations. "However, before you came around, Alucard and I played a lot of chess. It was something I was fond of, so I allowed him a storage of wine here. Now, here, and pour," Integra helped pour the particularly interesting smelling wine into the glass, and placed it onto the desk.

"Thanks, boss."

"Drink," Integra said. "So... what the bother with telling him?"

"Well... wait, don't you care?" Seras asked, worried.

"I already informed you that any sort of relationship will be tolerated so long as it does not interfere with our operations," Integra said firmly.

"I... well, there isn't any 'relationship' yet," Seras sadly admitted.

"So, again, what is there to worry about?"

"That- that he knows!" Seras exclaimed. "I can have as many feelings about people as I want! I don't mind sharing my feelings with most people, but not ALL my feelings! Some are supposed to be private! I... I didn't want him to know."

"But... you expected a relationship at some point?" Integra asked. "How on earth did you account that to happen if you let him in the dark?" Seras stared at her, mortified. "What?"

"I didn't want it soon! I wanted it... I don't know!" She said, and took a longer drink of her wine. "I just thought- woah..." she stared at the wine.

"Oh... did you choose one of Alucard's stronger ones?" Integra asked worriedly.

"I have no idea," Seras admitted, but drank again. "It's just that," She continued," I can't look at him the same now. I didn't let him look at me when he was telling the story tonight."

"Good lord, Seras." Integra shook her heard," you're hopeless."

"What? Why? Did I mess up!? Oh no... Leon's going to hate me, isn't he?" She asked, looking on the verge of sadness.

"No! No, Seras, not at all! Calm yourself," Integra ordered herself, and the draculina nodded. "Look, I mean that by... well, you're getting all wrapped up in your own emotions. Take into account his own. And consolidate yourself with the fact that I think Leon would be lucky to date you."

"Oh... you're just saying that, I bet," Seras said dimly.

"You can't read minds, suddenly?" Integra hissed at her," Seras, you're hopeless because of all the people here, in my institution to come to for 'dating advice'... you came to me?"

"I... well... you can make things happen, like order me to not date him, or something..."

"Why on earth would I do that?" Integra asked. Seras shook her head and shrugged. "If you want some advice, I'll say this. Let him know what you'd like. If you want to wait for a time to date him, so be it. Let him know that. That is, if he wants to date, at all."

"I... that'll do, I suppose," Seras sighed, drinking her glass again. "Thanks."

"You're the last one of the two of you, I think," Integra joked," to realize your feelings for the other."

"You think so?" Seras asked, worriedly.

"Oh, what does it matter," Integra sighed. There was a knock at the door. "Come in."

"Sir Integra," Walter walked in easily, closing the door behind him," Ah, Miss Victoria, perhaps I could include myself into this meeting?"

"It's okay Walter," Seras stated, standing back up," I think I got what I needed," Seras nodded to Integra," thank you, again."

"Put the wine back, please," Integra reminded her firmly, and Seras spun about, placed the wine back, and hurried out. "Good evening, Walter."

"Sir," Walter curtly bowed, and approached. "I see you've looked into the letter."

"Hm? Oh this," Integra pulled up the slightly opened letter she looked to earlier. "Not entirely. I was about to see what the newly appointed Sir Weldon wanted to speak about, but it seemed that Seras had some things to report on."

"Leon's stories are quite interesting. Quite wondrous to see how it was that he and Mr. Mercer came to be such amazing fighters for their age," Walter admitted.

"Yes," Integra pulled the letter open and the contents. Her eyes widened in surprise; she was looking at something she had sent to the Round Table Knights two years previous. "A Round Table Conference within London?"

"So it would seem."

"At... A lounge?!" Integra spat, quickly reading through the letter to her. "Is this man daft?!"

"I have looked at the letter," Walter admitted," and checked the location of this site, and it is an exclusive club." Integra snarled, dropping the letter before her and drinking some more of her whiskey.

"This is ridiculous. It's one thing for a son of knight to be appointed when he is barely seventeen, but now he's actually practicing his power. But this!?" she slapped the paper," a round table conference?"

"Traditionally," Walter started," they can be placed where they need to be."

"Lucky him," the angered Knight said," otherwise I would drag that damn meeting back here."

"Yes..." Walter said, furrowing his brow.

"Walter... what is it?" Integra asked slowly.

"This letter was not received through our private services directly, but I found it outside the gates on the grounds," Walter admitted, looking upset," where postal used to attempt to deliver-"

"WHAT?!" Integra stood up from her seat," this fool tried sending an important summoning by post!?"

"I... so it seems," Walter said.

"Good god," Integra dropped herself back into her chair and began another drink. "Not to drill policy at the moment, but this boy may have just compromised whatever safety he imagined to be present at this establishment."

"Shall I send a return statement that we should re-schedule the meeting?" Walter asked.

"We could, couldn't we?" Integra asked. She paused, staring at the letter. "No... not this time. As it is, he may have broken serious procedures in arranging these meetings, to the point where it puts any who attend at risk. Should we go, however," Integra thought out loud," we might be able to finally encounter our enemy."

Walter stared, thinking along with Integra. Integra was positive she was right. At this point, unless they placed a demand to the crown of England to have this meeting date and place changed, she was positive the enemy knew about this meeting of important officials. She was right. There was a very high chance now, should they attend the meeting on schedule, Albert Wesker and Agent One's forces would reveal themselves and strike.

She needed that. Should they get a single, a single hint of the enemy, she knew she could be victorious. Fighting shadows as she was now was getting no where, and fighting an enemy with an unknown objective or power wasn't going to win her this war.

"We will attend," She decided," inform the others tomorrow. The meeting is this Thursday. Have them ready in a few days."

"Of course, sir," Walter bowed, took the paper, and turned away. Integra stood from her desk, and walked off to her personal chamber, closing the door behind her. Finally, there was a date of action. Something was set, and she would discover more behind the dark veil of her enemy.


Lars fell to his knees and hands, panting heavily as sweat dripped down his face and neck. He coughed momentarily, and started pushing himself back up, as Seras walked around him. She fanned herself in the morning air, as it was a particularly hot day so far.

"You're getting much better," She said kindly. Lars stood back up, gasping, and approached her.

"Hands up!" Amber shouted, motioning with her own arms," keep them ready for the swings!"

Lars nodded and followed suit. As he closed the distance, he struck out again and again, sloppier than he had been doing at the beginning of the match, however still with intent. Leon watched from the sides, keeping an eye on the kid's speeds.

"He's not going to be able to stand up directly to a vampire," he said quietly, catching only Daisukes' ears, who stood next to him," but a ghoul or zombie should be no problem for him at this rate."

"Isn't he going to be support, anyway?" Daisuke asked.

"Oh yeah. He's a crack shot, so don't intend to put him in the front of an operation," Leon assured him, standing up and letting Seras do as she must to test Lars.

"What about us?" the Japanese American asked. "Do we stand a chance?" Leon smirked.

"Vampires are some of the strongest opponents I've had a chance to encounter. They're fast and strong and can have many more years of experience on us. But, with all the pros they get, we still have two big advantages."

"Numbers, right?" Daisuke asked.

"Yup."

"And the second?" The Samurai asked further.

"They're all cocky son's of bitches."

"Not all of us!" Seras turned and retorted.

"Really?" Leon asked, as Seras ducked a huge haymaker of a swung from Lars, not bothering to look back at him," this is coming from the person not trying to look her opponent in the eyes."

"Shut it, you," Seras said, and turned back to Lars.

"He's been quiet, hasn't he?" Daisuke said to Leon, looking to Jack. Leon turned his head to the knife-wielder. He was sitting on the ground across the platform, staring at the sky. "Sort of sad, isn't he?"

"Beats him being an ass," Amber stated as she walked by, stretching her neck. "Lars! When're you goin' be done, sweetheart?" Lars held up a hand and lifted his finger. "Alright."

Lars took a few more swings at Seras, who ducked and weaved in and out of the attacks, and finally the frail looking man held his hand up, keeled over, and in a coughing fit, stumbled towards Leon. Amber took it to be her queue, and leapt up, and darted right to Seras.

"D-d-damn," Lars gasped as he collapsed next to the nearby others, and laid on his back.

"You going to be okay?" Leon asked casually, and Lars nodded. "Good. I carried one of you bastards back, I don't need to do it again."

"G-gee, thanks," Lars coughed quickly, and turned his eyes above him, looking towards the back doors to the Manor," incoming," he breathed heavily. Leon turned, and walking towards him was the butler.

"Walter," Leon stood, and approached the butler.

"Mr. Kennedy, I need to speak with you." Leon stood, and followed the butler away from the stage.

"I wonder what it's about," Lars asked, finally sitting upright.

"Don't know. It could be about-" Daisuke started, but cut himself short. About to talk about Jack again, he found the man in topic closer, having walked over and staring at Walter and Leon intently.

"It's not about me, don't get your panties in a bunch," Jack said, not bothering to look at Lars of Daisuke, who stared at the still bandaged man.

"You're sure you didn't go tattle on the Butler about how Leon was being mean to you?" Daisuke asked firmly, as Lars stewed at being in close proximity to Jack.

"I didn't bitch. In fact, I told Alfr- I mean, Walter that it wasn't anything," Jack admitted, shifting his shoulders slightly in a very self-conscious way.

"Really?" Daisuke said.

"Yes!" Jack spat," I don't go off and bitch to anyone just 'cus I got my ass handed to me." Jack snorted absentmindedly, and spat, not minding his aim. Lars gasped, as he was the unlucky recipient of the act. "Well, if it's important, boss will tell us," Jack tried to turn and leave, but Lars stormed up, and before Daisuke could stop him, punched Jack on his shoulder.

"Ow!" Lars shouted in unison with Jack, who stumbled and fell into the ground. He spun to find a infuriated Lars, who clutched his knuckles. "What's up, robot!?"

"Fucking think you can spit on me and walk away!?" Lars growled, his words cracking in fury.

"What?! I didn't spit on you!" Jack stated, trying to stand back up. Lars reached behind his head, and revealed a goopy mess of saliva, and Jack stared. Slowly, he cracked a smile, and began to laugh," didn't mean to fry your circuits, cyborg. My bad."

"Fuck you!" Lars dove at Jack, but was stopped one handed by Leon, who had approached, and tossed Lars behind him.

"You're starting fights, already?" Leon said cooly to Jack.

"I already apologized, man," Jack admitted. "Didn't mean to get robot-badass over there a new hair-gel."

"You god-damn swine," Amber quietly said, stepping between Leon and Jack, and delivering a very quick blow to Jack's face. He groaned, and fell back, clutching his forehead.

"I DIDN'T MEAN IT!" He shouted from the ground," FUCK! You hit hard, woman!" Amber stormed back to the platform, and continued sparring with Seras. Jack slowly stood up, staring at those around him. Lars glared at him hatefully.

"You've had a lot of excitement these two days, haven't you?" Leon admitted, holding out his hand for Jack who glanced at it, and snorted. He pushed himself up and away, holding his forehead, and walking towards the Manor. Jack briefly greeted Walter, and continued on.

"It certainly seems he is cooling down," Walter stated, approaching Leon.

"I hope it stays that way. He's trouble. Hot headed attitudes don't last long unless they can back it up," Leon said worriedly. "He could get himself killed, or the others."

"I hate to say so," Walter said, with a gleam in his eye and a small smile," but I don't believe you are crediting him enough. From what Seras informed me, a vampire would have had his hands full in a fight like the one you offered last night."

Leon paused, and looked to Walter. "It won't happen again-"

"Oh, don't fret, Mr. Kennedy," Walter waved his hand," discipline is more than accepted here at Hellsing. Should subordinates provide difficult, your solution was more than accepted."

"Well... good, I suppose," Leon sighed, unsure if he liked Walter's answer.

"Now... as for what I can to speak of," Walter began again," we have a particularly interesting situation coming this week."

"We do?"

"Yes. When you are done, please accompany myself, and with Miss Victoria, to Sir Integra's office? We have a mission to discuss."

Integra sat on the chair by her desk, staring at Leon and Seras, having just looked up from her writing. She handed a piece of paper to Walter, who bowed and turned to the door.

"Earlier last night, Walter brought to me an announcement that there would be a round table conference being held later this week," Integra started. "Leon, these are conferences held by the knights of her majesty revolving around the aristocratic powers that are to guide this country and others safely from the shadows. Organization similar to our own, but involving national or political interest."

"We hold them sparingly, as each member of the round table knights hold power within England enough that were all twelve of us to die at once, there would be a serious upset in power. In accordance, we only hold these meetings in serious situations. Seras had only joined Hellsing a week or two prior to the last meeting."

"Really?" Leon asked, eyebrows raised," that long ago?" Seras nodded, a stiff smile on her lips, and Leon looked back to Integra," so what does this have to do with a 'mission'?"

"Well... as the head of the Hellsing Organization, it is usually my responsibility to assign the date and location of these meetings. But," Integra sighed, a sound Leon noted as one similar to annoyance from Integra," Sir Lindar Weldon, son of the late Henry Weldon, has decided to use his aristocratic authority and officially call to a Round Table Conference."

"Isn't he only eighteen?" Seras asked quizzically.

"Yes. As if this wasn't enough, for a teenage in power to begin flaunting it about, he decided to use the bloody postal services to deliver this message about," Integra sighed, clearly trying to keep herself calm. Leon made a sound of confusion, and Integra looked at him," we don't use the post for a good reason. It's unreliable, leaky, and slow. I can only imagine how many chances our enemies had to intercept the message before it arrived."

"You think this meeting is going to be attacked?" Leon asked.

"This Thursday, yes," Integra stated. "Not only that, I am certain of it. While I trust our foe is not incapable, I can see how normally they would attempt to avoid revealing themselves so early. But this is a chance for them to not only attack and kill myself, but every member of the Round Table Knights, most of which now do not have children. If Albert Wesker has his eyes on more than just us, it could benefit him to have them all killed."

"I agree," Leon firmly stated," Wesker wouldn't just pass up an opportunity. He's always grabbed what he can, when he can."

"So, are we going to guard you during this conference?" Seras asked to Integra.

"Leon and his men will. From the actions done by Edward Towers, we can see that Wesker doesn't view my human soldiers as much more than pawns in this complicated chess game. If I have Seras and Alucard close by, he may not make his move. So... I need to keep you and Alucard distant enough from myself that he attempts the attack."

"But... that's dangerous," Seras pleaded. Integra scoffed, and looked at Seras. "Right. We need this risk?"

"Sadly, yes. Besides, you forget Seras, I'll have Leon or Walter by my side. Not to mention any number of the others nearby- and I'm certain they're ready at this point," Integra said directly to Leon," especially after what you put them through."

"You told me to do what I needed to do," he shrugged.

"Indeed I did. Now... from what Walter has quickly dug up from the meeting spot, it is a refurbished vintage excusive club privately owned by friends of the Weldons. A direct attack from the members of the club seems unlikely, but we should prepare for the possibility that the entire compound may turn on us."

"Understood. We'll armor up as best we can," Leon responded, and thought," and dress up?"

"Well..." Integra stumbled," as far as I am concerned, we might as well assume this will be formal attire and higher. That Jack Wilson will be pleased, I am sure."

"Sweet," Leon nodded," I have something for the occasion. Maybe a little too costume-y, but it looks pretty awesome still." Integra and Seras both looked at Leon, who glanced between them, and then looked back to Integra. "Should I get the others ready?"

"Two days Leon," Integra said, and nodded," two days, and we can finally start hitting these bastards back like they hit us."


The Monday update! OHO horrible Monday, what terribly awful things do you send my way? Work n stuff by the looks of it.

So what're we thinking of this one, eh? That pesty fire in Jack's eyes might have finally calmed down. Could this mean there is more to the character than pompous prick with pointies? I dunno. :|

So, for those that are regularly reading this still, I'll be back Friday, so peace till then!

-EZB