Remember Me

Chapter Six

Mr. Harker couldn't stop the bouncing leg, nor could he stop glancing at each and every inch of the old office he hasn't been in since God knows when. The old books that were stacked into the bookshelves were the ones he remembered, dusted off by no doubt the family butler who had more wrinkles now than he remembered, the wooden desk he would usually see Mr. Hellsing at instead of her daughter with a cold stare. Funny, she seemed to have the same look in her eyes now that he thought on it. Even the floors were the exact same to his memories when he took a glance down at his feet. Same color walls surrounding them, feeling like they were closing in on him as he waited for her to make some kind of sound or do something to indicate she was ready to talk this morning. If he could say one thing was different about the place may have to be the chairs they sat in currently in the morning, but he couldn't bet on it for that part of his memory of scarce as he never paid enough attention where his butt would fall into. That bouncing leg went faster as Integra took another careful sip, not having said much of anything aside from greeting him when he step foot inside the large room after eating a large breakfast with Lillianna and then checking on his wounds. It healed considerably which he was relieved for. The expression on Walter did not escape him when the old man looked, eyeing him with the intent of knowing his secrets without making a sound. Intimidating as he remembered from when he was a child whenever he got in trouble with him.

Derrick had sat stiff as the woman before him was quiet enjoying the silence of the room. The only commotion he might have heard in this damn place were whispers among the workers. soldiers that she required not so long ago speaking in french to each other, guns firing in the shooting range that made him feel safe and wearily, and was that laughter in the distance that he could hear? And was it laughing at him? He didn't think long on this when another tick of the clock went by showing how many minutes has passed since walking in here.

Oh, how he hated being in the silence with company. He had to bit his tongue down hard to keep bursting out blubbering words towards the blonde English woman who was still in the process of finishing her tea that was freshly brewed by the trusted butler, Walter. She was dressed in her green suit, hair brushes out neatly and flowed nicely with the burning afternoon sun that shined through the window behind her. She did grew into her beauty, came a thought now that he had the time to get a good look at her when they were both not sleep deprived. Dark skin that looked soft, her blue eyes matching that of her father, those blonde locks went paler over time yet it was the most gorgeous thing he might have ever seen in his life. That was where he thoughts came to a stop while finding a new place to look at. His green eyes took a gander out to find open white fields of snow covering the ground, leafless trees planted in rows from each other. Then there was the famous maze he and Integra would hide away from the rest of the world. At least it was for him at the time. There were many games they would play with in the lost world. If only they were at that time again.

Derrick huffed out, trying to think of something else to occupy his time with as she was taking her sweet time over there at her own desk. Both eyes were closed at the time, and he knew well that she was trying to keep a smile at bay. It looked she was both waking up still from the event night last night while finding his immature actions amusing. "Are you enjoying yourself, Sir Integra?" He questioned her. Integra's only response was by opening her eyes at him, mouth not being able to speak by a steaming cup of tea. There wouldn't have been any words anyways. Much to his displeasure.

Sir Integra had watched him with enjoyment in her eyes as he squirmed in the chair. Shifting positions for the twentieth time in the pass ten minutes of walking in the office. Derrick certainly did change a lot. Those green puppy eyes grew fierce, and demanding. The baby face he once had was now mature with the age he is in now, not much older than she is now that she thought about it. He grew his hair out, waving at the ends that managed to shape his face well, and stubbles of hair littering his face as he had not had the chance to shave that morning. Not that he cared about it as he was more focused on the problem they will have to face. And who could forget how much taller he got compared to her. Though, she guess it isn't surprising for someone to change with time. They hadn't seen each other ever since her father died, so it was to be expected. Integra knew that she changed as well, no longer that young girl he once knew.

"Come on, Integra." Derrick heaved a small whine to her, anxious to start the conversation already. Fortunately, not everything about him has changed, much to her delight. She did her best hiding the grin behind the cup as she took another sip when he started to lean forward in his seat having to scoot the chair closer to the desk in the process. Both hands callous and scared from many hunts she imagined. That was interesting to learn. "You haven't changed much. Giving the silent treatment before interrogating me relentlessly." His head leaned on his hands looking at her carefully with a tiny pout. There was a fondness in those forest green irises, maybe remembering something in that moment. The tea cup landed on the small plate she held in the other hand.

"It does leave me entertained watching you squirm like a worm." She told him now not hiding her grin at him. Derrick huffed out, suppressing his own laugh before leaning back in his chair. His brown hair sliding down out of place when it was pushed back by his hand. Wearing clothes Walter was courteous to lend to him as he had brought nothing other with him. Understandable, seeing the direr need of the situation he found himself in. Button down shirt that matching the color of his eyes suitably. Black slacks that felt a little tight on him, but there was nothing for him at the moment. Derrick had calmed from his fidgeting from before at the small talk they were having at the moment. Shoulders losing the tension that was there. Integra had put her tea away, placing it within reach of her hand while shifting to lean forward.

"Cruel as usual." He whispered out dramatically. "Are you going to leave me in the silence all day then?"

"Certainly not all day." Integra had stifle her laugh, leaning both her arms onto the desk folding her gloved hands together in a laxed state.

"Well, that does put me at ease than." He retorted.

Integra hummed out then, catching sight of the files laying to the side to read for preparation of this conversation. Needing to know all she can to send to her majesty. The matter at hand needed to be discussed she knew, however, she did miss the light conversations they sometimes have just about nothing really. Sometimes they would talk about their fathers. Hiding away in the maze together to have those words so they wouldn't get in trouble by them. Or the times she would tease him about something that was silly. The folders were brought out, his green eyes now going serious at this, the time for their small talk was now at an end. He straighten his back out, everything in his demeanor no longer like a child, but of a man.

A weight came into the room as well. One that was far from being pleasant for either of them, but they were use to having on their shoulders. Integra had took a silent breath while opening the folder while having a note pad ready to jot down the notes he will give to compare with all the evidence laying there before her. "When did you realize you were being under attack?" She asked her eyes narrowing like normal with seriousness. Her voice dropping to a solemn tone. Derrick grew stiff from how well she change into a woman taking charge.

"I didn't know I was at first." This came as a surprised. Her brow went up, but tried to keep quiet to let him continue on his explanation. "Lillianna, the woman who came with me, was being held at knife point behind the door. I wouldn't know she was there if it wasn't for Lillianna's unusual behavior." Integra felt like questioning his relationship with her, but felt it wasn't something she should know. Or necessary information to send to the Queen.

"They didn't just attack like the other times." Integra had mused on, finding that a little odd. "There wasn't any other casualties?"

"I had Lillianna try to get whoever out of the mansion while I handled the situation. It was only her that I was dealing with. Thankfully, no one was harmed or killed." He explained to the English woman. There was a thought as to why it was just one person attacking his home. Why was there just one? What kind of grudge did she held towards them? If she had any at all, that is. It seemed to her just senseless killing that might of filled enjoyment in them. But then she recalled the sketch Derrick did of frightful eyes that begged of something. So familiar, too. The lone eye made her heart ache in a way she couldn't explain or even understand at all. Was it pity that she felt of the creature?

Derrick's voice rang once more in the room not long after the explanation. "I even told her to leave the place herself when she was finished that." There was a tang of annoyance that let her know he certainly didn't enjoy her coming back into potential danger like she did. She could relate in some ways, having someone disobey an order, but of course for different reasons than his own. Derrick rubbed the back of his neck, now thinking about something else it seems. Blue eyes glanced to his stomach then. It was wrapped up, but it is questionable how he was able to move like he didn't feel the pain. The master of the Hellsing manor shifted back as her eyes went a bit colder than before. Derrick felt chills down his spine when catching the glance of it. That glare was still as scary as back in the day. Maybe more frightening than that of her father.

"We are aware that whoever is attacking may not be human." She began, tentative fingers holding her cheek up. The hole on his stomach made it painfully obvious that their enemy was in fact not human at all. He even confirmed that last night when he came, whether he was injured or not. "You may be a skill fighter and survivor. However, it is surprising how you even managed to stay alive with a wound like that." Derrick couldn't hold her stare then, head bowing down as he knew he would have to explain what happened. God, he was hoping this would not come up like this. There was only one person who knew about this. He doesn't think he can afford someone else knowing.

"Guess I'm very lucky." That was bullshit, luck had nothing to do with anything. Luck couldn't be on their side when facing against creatures that spite on the fact of it. Integra felt her brow twitch as she see Derrick gliding his gaze over to a painting of her father to the side. Avoiding the topic like it were a plague.

"I don't like being lied to, Mr. Harker." She spoke coldly that had shivers run through his skin. The feeling almost matched to feeling arctic winds running by him whenever he had to travel up to Alaska for a special mission. Hairs standing up with running nerves that he knew wasn't from fear anymore. But from annoyance at her persistence of wanting to know what exactly happened to him. Derrick counted the stripes that was painted on the tie in the painting. Muscles stiffening while he tried calming down with deep heavy breath to himself. All his senses were on high alert than, doing anything to avoid the topic all together. More laughter, ones he thought he heard when coming across the basement of the mansion, only to be escorted out by Walter. It later explained by his own father why he might have heard someone laughing at all.

"Neither do I, Sir Integra." He responded solemnly. He didn't face her at all. The tension only seem to grow then. Building on top of them with heavy rocks ready to topple over if pushed wrong.

"What are you implying?" She questioned him. Integra leaned back in her chair, daring him to call her a lair in anyway possible. Green flickered to a golden yellow in his eyes once he turned his head to face her. A few veins popping out on his forehead with more heavy breathing. There was no hiding it now, Interga would have found out eventually knowing how she is. Derrick didn't dare try to anymore.

"Why is he awake?" She didn't need him to clarify who he was talking about. Static, was that the right word to how it felt in the room. Bouncing of from each other in a stare battle with one another. One aspect that did change with him. He knew when to use his fierceness, the burning thirst of battle and rage in the situation. It certainly made her grow stiff in her skin when learning that glare in his glowing yellow eyes made her slightly nervous. It did cause her to take out a cigar from her pocket to light it up with quick ease. All the more reason to be more fearsome than ever, she thought to herself. She will not go down without a fight.

"Much for the same reason as to why you are taking on that curse of yours." The answer did bring him to lax some, but he was far from being happy about learning this. They didn't say a word then, allowing themselves to asses the situation to diffuse before they could move on in this interview. Though interviews were suppose to be less stressful than this.

Derrick took in a deep breath, turning his head away from her. "Fighting fire with fire." He whispered his father's words on his lips. His green eyes staring off somewhere in deep thought. This will certainly be a long day for all of them.