Moonlit Midnight

Chapter 3: Sour

Integra had already smoked down half of another cigar by the time there was a knock on her door. She let the thick, dark curtains fall over her window with a subtle flourish. She had been both anticipating and dreading this encounter, as it always was. It was almost embarrassing that a man like Jacob Zimmerman was able to unnerve her so effectively. She could blame inexperience, certainly, but that was not much comfort.

"It's open." Integra turned away from the window, tugging her suit straight as the door swung open. She greeted him with a terse nod. "Jacob."

"Integra." Jacob closed the door behind him and stepped further inside. There was a tiny grin at the edge of his lips, resembling the same male confidence she was more than used to. But there was something about Jacob in particular that kept her from being annoyed with the expression. She had to admit, it might have been because she trusted him; as much as she could trust anyone. After all, she already knew all his secrets.

"I trust you're here to answer the rest of my questions?" Integra waited for him in the middle of the room, trusting he would cross the rest of the distance to meet her.

Jacob did so, his eyes never leaving hers. It made her a bit uncomfortable. "Of course," he replied easily, stepping a bit closer than she would have normally allowed. "And maybe…a few other things."

And so it begins. She wasn't, however, above teasing him. She lifted an eyebrow. "You know better, Jacob."

"I know you're not quite as untouchable as you think you are," he retorted lightly, and with a bold move took her by the elbows, tugging her closer. She resisted a little, hoping he wouldn't do anything to make her push him away completely. "Is it really so bad to be human?"

"Whatever you're thinking," Integra told him evenly, "you know I can't."

"You just like saying that," he accused, pulling her closer still. Before she could protest his arm was around her waist. "One might almost think you were saving yourself."

Integra pushed against him at last, muttering, "Don't patronize me." She didn't need to take anything, even from this man. But she had forgotten how strong he really was, and he didn't release her right away. A touch of warm breath skated along her throat.

"Saving yourself…for a vampire…?"

She twisted away, violently, and this time Jacob didn't try to stop her. "You don't know what you're talking about," she snarled, taking a few steps away and straightening her suit again. She snubbed her cigar out vengefully.

Jacob held his hands up innocently. He was grinning, much to her annoyance. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. You know I'm kidding." He took a seat on the edge of her bed to relax. "You can't blame a guy for trying."

"You try it again, and you'll lose part of your anatomy," Integra warned. But she changed the subject quickly, not wanting to dwell on this. She didn't need Jacob distracted; or herself. "Besides, that's not why you're here. I want to know what you're hiding from me."

Jacob sighed, sobering when he realized she meant business now. "I don't think you'll like it," he confessed. "But I've brought you a present, and I don't want Alucard anywhere near it."

Integra snorted. She seated herself at her desk chair and turned it to face him. "You've never worried about Alucard before. I suppose it's a weapon, then, though I can't imagine how you think we can use it."

"Things are a little different back home than over here," he began to explain, serious as usual. She envied how he could switch moods so easily. "We never got the Freak vampires you've been dealing with. Only pure bloods who don't have enough pride to keep their powers to themselves. Becoming a vampire now is almost fashionable, and as easy as finding the right web page." His voice darkened. "They're getting stronger, Integra. And I've lost a lot of good agents. I think they're trying to rebuild some kind of elite—some kind of structure. They're a lot more organized than they used to be."

She pursed her lips and nodded vaguely. "I suppose you could say European vampires are more particular about those they change."

"We haven't been able to determine much—only that their leader they've named Mephistos. No one's seen him or knows anything about him, and he's surrounded by powerful vampires he's changed."

Mephistos? Sounds like a joke. "And this is where you tell me you've found a new way to fight them," Integra interrupted with amusement.

Jacob's serious expression was tainted by a wry smile. "You know me too well; you're right, of course. Parked in a van out in open sunlight."

Integra's humor slowly began to fade as she watched the man's face. "You really are trying to hide it, aren't you," she mused aloud. "That's not like you. You've never mistrusted Alucard before."

"You'll have to see it to understand."

"Fine." Integra stood. "Let's see this new weapon you're so proud of."

"Right now?" He slouched a little. "You're…not tired?"

She snorted indignantly. "You're not getting out of this. If you're going to such lengths to conceal it, it must be worth my attention. Besides," she added darkly, "I don't trust your boss."

"We didn't come here to use it on Alucard."

Integra frowned abruptly and turned to face him once more. Suddenly she was regretting having ever invited him and his institute. "Mephistos is here. Isn't he."

Jacob sighed, his eyes escaping hers. "We managed to catch word of several vampires leaving the country," he started slowly. "Everyone knows about Hellsing now, how a pair of Freak vampires nearly destroyed the institute—how its leader was incarcerated. The whole world sees London as easy pickings." He sat a bit straighter. "And if Mephistos is as old as the rumors say, it's likely that he knows Alucard."

Integra turned toward her desk, shuffling through the papers she'd abandoned earlier—the reports she should have paid better attention to. "Damn Americans. You think you can come in here and do things your own way. Hellsing doesn't want your help."

Jacob rolled his eyes. "Integra—"

"Shut up. You're leaving."

"Integra." He climbed to his feet and started toward her. "Now hold on a second."

"I will not. I told you I wouldn't be played I my own institute. We appreciate your aid, and now it's time for you all to leave."

"Huh—and there she goes with the royal 'we,'" he muttered dryly.

Integra turned on him, ready to retort viciously. But his hands snapped on her shoulders, tightly, reminding her again that he was much stronger than her. "Listen to me," he said firmly. "Mephistos is my enemy. If he is here, it's because he's after Alucard—for whatever reason. I'm here to kill an American vampire, and that's what I intend to do."

"If these recent events are any indication of our Institute," Integra returned in kind, "it has proven that Hellsing is more than capable of taking care of itself."

"Because of Alucard." His words twisted her expression disconnectedly, but he continued before she could protest. "If not for the spell that binds him, your institute would have been destroyed by him decades ago. And just recently—what would have happened, if not for his help?"

She glared at him, not bothering to struggle this time. "Exactly what point are you trying to make?"

Jacob's voice softened now that she was willing to pay attention. "I won't claim to know Alucard as well as you do," he said slowly. "But I know—almost certainly—that Mephistos is here for him. Now what will you do if you can't count on him?"

A bitter smile twisted Integra's features. "You're assuming a lot about Alucard. He wouldn't disobey me."

He let his hands slip deliberately from her shoulders. His eyes were strange, then—deeper than they had seemed a moment ago. "You think you know him that well?"

"Don't presume to know anything about me, or him." She stepped back, putting some space between them. "Or Hellsing, for that matter. Whatever you Americans brought along with you, we'll be sure to clean it up for you. On our terms."

"We didn't—" Jacob stopped himself, nearly biting on the words. Integral had no sympathy as he took a moment to calm himself. She wished that it wouldn't always come to things like this between them; even as children, their arguments had been the same. She had never needed him to protect her.

Jacob took a breath and started again. "All I'm asking," he stated carefully, "is that you take a look at what I'm offering. If you don't think you can use it, we'll take it back with us. I'll leave Alucard to you. Agreed?"

Integra's eyes narrowed; she hated to allow him even this much. Had it been anyone else, they would have been on their way home by now. It was her knowledge of how much this meant to her old comrade that she stayed her objections. "I'll look," she said at last. "And then I'll laugh, and send you home. And Alucard was never an issue." She turned her back on him to fetch a fresh cigar. "I'll probably tell him about it myself, once I've seen it."

She felt, rather than saw, Jacob wince. "If you think that's necessary for a weapon you don't intend on using," he replied gaugingly.

"We'll see." She glanced at him over her shoulder. "Now let's get this over with."

---------

Half an hour later Walter had stopped their car on the top level of a downtown parking garage; in full sunlight, as promised, with several soldiers in civilian clothing milling about. They snapped to attention when they saw their superior. Integra frowned severely as they approached the wide vehicle; if her own superiors found out about the decision to hide a weapon in a civilian area like this, there was sure to be all kinds of political trouble.

"He's always been rather bold, hasn't he?" Walter remarked.

"Yes, but not usually this stupid." Integra followed him around to the truck's back end, arms crossed and waiting. "All right, Jacob," she said impatiently. "Let's see what this is."

Jacob nodded gravely, and without his usual flourish unlatched the heavy plated doors and swung them open. Integra stepped hesitantly forward with Walter beside her. At first she wasn't sure what to make of it; the interior walls looked like they were made of glass, with thick bulbs underneath. Otherwise, the truck was empty. When she realized what it was that Jacob was showing her, all she could do was laugh. As promised.

Jacob sighed, running a hand self-consciously through his hair. "I guess I don't have to explain."

"Jacob," Integra stated firmly, not bothering to smother and incredulous grin. "Please tell me you haven't lost your mind completely."

"It works," he insisted. "We found a way to reproduce real UV radiation, in such a way that—"

"The sun can sometimes kill vampires," Integra conceded. "When they're out long enough and provided they don't wear protection. But this is ridiculous." She gestured toward the vehicle with a trace of disgust. "Has it even been tested?"

Jacob returned her harsh gaze in turn. "There are three more like it back home. In ten months, they've killed twenty-seven vampires—several of which our department has been after for years."

Walter cleared his throat. "If I may," he gently interceded. "Exactly how have you been able to get the vampires close enough to use it?"

Jacob straightened visibly, his eyes never leaving Integra. "Simple anticipation. We lay traps for them, or weaken them and drive them inside. No on knows vampires better than I do—it's easy when you know how they think. Especially the arrogant ones."

Something in Integra's stomach churned; a feeling of almost dread that she couldn't place. "And you intend to use this on Mephistos."

"Yes. I will."

She snorted. "And you wanted to hide it from Alucard." It was almost enough to make her laugh again. "Do you honestly believe Alucard would care? Something like this couldn't kill him even if you were able to somehow get him inside."

He didn't speak at first, which was more than enough for her to know his thoughts; he actually believed her Alucard could be affected by such a thing. In light of his seriousness—and because he as her friend—she managed to bite back any indication of amusement. "You already know what I'm going to say."

Jacob's shoulders sagged just barely. "Yes. As long as you have Alucard, you won't need something like this. I didn't expect you'd want to keep it." He closed the doors back up, latching them shut. "But you know…for a high level vampire, it's the only way to kill them properly." His voice lowered. "The only way you can be sure they'll never come back."

"Jacob…." Integra sighed and shook her head. "The answer is no. If Mephistos really is in London, Hellsing with deal with him on our own terms. And as soon as he's dead or left he country, you'll leave with all your toys. Understood?"

He pursed his lips. "Perfectly."

"Good. Now, I'm going back." She turned briskly on her heel and started back to her car, Walter behind her. "Knowing we have another vampire in the city will mean more preparations before I'm able to sleep."

"Integra," Jacob called after her. When she didn't stop, he gave a few last minute instructions to the soldiers and jogged to catch up. "Integra, wait."

"I was tempted to send you all home, simply for keeping things from me," she interrupted dryly. "But I suppose if this is all, I won't bother."

Walter cast her a questioning look--she ignored it. She wasn't accustomed to going easy on anyone, let alone those closest to her. And Jacob was being a damn fool. She wasn't surprised when he fell moodily silent for the entirety of their return to the institute, nor when he murmured a quick apology and left them. She had no sympathy.

"Pardon me, Lady Integra," Walter said carefully as they, too, entered the grounds once more. "But would you mind sharing your real thoughts on this matter?"

She could have anticipated that, as well. "You don't approve of my decision?" she challenged.

"I agree with all your decisions. It is my duty." He paused. "But Mr. Zimmerman was serious, and given his complicated history…."

"Yes, I know." Integra sighed faintly. She knew all too well. "I know Jacob better than he realizes, and I do believe that he thinks his machine works. But that's not how Hellsing operates, and that's something he needs to learn."

Walter nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Then…you won't be mentioning it to Sir Alucard, will you?"

"There's no need to. He'll find out himself sooner or later--I'd think the matter below his relevance."

"Yes, of course."

Integra's expression tightened, however, the further they moved inside. Despite all her strong words, Jacob's warning had not left her completely; and it would be interesting to see how Hellsing's strongest ally would fair against an American peer.

----

Alucard watched, amused, as Jacob found some empty quarters on the third floor to get his rest, and Integra went about her business. All this secrecy was making him very curious; especially with Jacob going to such lengths. The last time he had visited, Jacob was more than willing to divulge every detail of his investigation. For him to think that he could hide anything from Alucard was laughable.

Whatever it was, Integra did not call for him--and if it wasn't enough to concern her, Alucard would not waste his time. He would know eventually; he always did. For now he would be satisfied with spying on the remainder of Mithril 6.

As expected, the American soldiers were more than enough to keep him occupied. He absorbed their accented muttering through the vague, semi-conscious state that always came over him during the daylight. There was no sleep for a vampire as old and powerful as him; only conservation, and brief periods of restoration. He had occupied the Hellsing Institute for so long, bound within its walls, that it had become as genuine and homelike to him as any vampire's castle. Every stone and stair were part of his limited domain, and he found that he could traverse the veins of the spell holding him as easily as if he had constructed them himself. Indeed he could not have spied on Integra's brood more effectively were he free of all her ancestor's spells.

It was not until late in the afternoon, however, that Alucard's drifting vigil produced anything of considerable interest: Miss Varjak, poking about where she didn't belong as usual. She had a way of blending in despite her appearance, remarkably enough, and those few soldiers that did notice her scarcely dared to question. With the odds in her favor, she had managed to slip into the basement all but undetected, completely undisturbed. And she was heading for a familiar room.

Alucard diverted all his attention to her, senses sharpening. He would not surprise her with a visit, however, until the best opportunity arose.

---

Celas drifted anxiously through a fitful sleep. She had been able to find little rest that day--the times did manage to find slumber were brief, but deeply intense, as if she were being thrown abruptly into a coma, then wrenched back a moment later. Her dreams were spastic, bizarre, and quickly forgotten form one fit to the next. Leaving the lid to her coffin open was a mild relief, as the fresh air seemed to appease her aching skull.

Her mind was restless. Whether it was from Garret's mild advances, the unaccustomed exercise, or simply her sharpening hunger she could not tell, but it was fraying her nerves. In the dark and stillness of her room, she could have sworn she heard a heartbeat. A shuffle of footsteps. The smell of a human coming closer. She bit her lip and kept still, fighting away those foolish dream senses in search of real rest.

Celas's ears throbbed with a pulse; it made her mouth water despite her attempts to stay calm. No one ever entered her room save Walter, and even he only came just before dusk. Was it that late already? With her senses confused--pounding--she couldn't be sure. But the heartbeat was joined then with a smell, and then…a presence. A thick, familiar aura, that sent a quiver down her spine and into her already twisting gut.

A voice--her Master's voice. The words were too far outside of her to be made out, but she could almost feel the rich, deep tones vibrating through her. With a jolt her eyes snapped open, revealing the cause of her recent anxiety--human flesh, rising with the faint blue ridges of full veins. Celas couldn't help herself; still drunk on the mages from her dreams she lunged, sinking her teeth into pale skin. Blood flowed over her lips, thick and warm, and she shivered with morbid delight as the fluid slid down her parched throat.

Though Alucard would be the last to admit his own amusement and arrogance had made him careless, by the time he realized what was happening Varjak was freeing her weapon. He surged forward in a blur of rippling red fabric, tearing the woman's handgun away before setting upon Celas. He dug his fingers harshly into the base of her jaw, forcing her to release Varjak's shredded wrist. Both females retreated; bloodied, and stunned.

"Celas," Alucard snapped, giving her one good shake. Behind him, Varjak cradled her arm against her stomach, spitting curses as she hastily retrieved and aimed her weapon.

"Ma…." Celas blinked, raising a hand tentatively to her lips. Her fingers were tainted by warm, sticky fluid, and her own twisted smile. She had…taken the blood of a human; she could feel it, swirling into her stomach. "Master, I…."

"Damn bitch," Varjak snarled, backing away slowly from the pair. "Even as a human's dog, you still--"

"I hope you're not on your way to report this," Alucard warned. He kept a hand protectively on Celas' shoulder as she trembled. "You're not allowed down here, after all."

"Shut the hell up," she snapped. But she looked unsteady, most likely already feeling the effects of her blood loss. Alucard wasn't worried--she had suffered greater injuries before, in his experience, and a wound like that wouldn't hurt her. "You just watch that little hell-bitch of yours." Already frustrated and wincing, she turned suddenly and fled from the room.

Celas gulped, then paled, as it brought more of the coppery taste to her stomach. "Master, I…." She scrubbed at her face to try and remove the stain. There was no helping the taste, however, and it was making her nauseous. "Oh god, I…." She pressed her eyes shut. "What happened?"

"I caught her snooping around your room," Alucard explained slowly. She couldn't quite place the emotion in his voice. "When I surprised her, she back into your coffin."

"And I…." Celas shuddered, drawing in on herself. "I wasn't even thinking. I just saw her hand there, and the veins, and…." And she had, for a moment, enjoyed it. The memory of that excitement was still fresh inside her, making her pulse throb in her temples and fingertips. "Master." She began to push shakily to her feet. "I think I'm going to be sick--"

"Hold on." Alucard eased her down once more, removing his glasses with his free hand. Celas couldn't help but meet his deep gaze. "Just calm down--you're all right." A thin, crooked smile twisted his lips. "It's too late to regret it now."

Celas shrank away from him. "Master…." Of course Alucard wouldn't have understood. HE care nothing for Varjak--he was pleased, even, to see that she had at last tasted fresh blood. It only made her ill ease worse. Not only had she failed her vow as a human to repress her unwanted instincts, she couldn't even honestly enjoy the sensation as a vampire.

"Master. I'm…all right." Carefully Celas ease his hand off her shoulder. "I'm sorry. Will…." She lowered her head. "I'm going to be in trouble, aren't I?"

"You would be," Alucard replied carelessly, "if Integra found out about it. But Varjak won't tell; she knows better." He chuckled. "She'd be thrown back across the ocean for being anywhere near this place, and the last thing she wants is to lose her chance at me."

"Oh." She looked away. There would be no punishment for her, even though she had attacked a human officer…enjoyed it. "Um, it's still pretty early, isn't it?" Celas stammered uncomfortably. She still felt sick, and she didn't want her master around should it become too much for her. "I think I'll try to get some more sleep, before I'm on duty." She gulped. "I guess I...feel a little better, now that I'm not so…." She trailed off.

"Hungry?" Alucard suggested playfully.

Celas cringed. "Um, yeah."

"All right." He touched the underside of her chin briefly, so that she would have to look at him again. "Celas. You've done nothing wrong. You've been drinking blood all along--this is what you chose."

"Yes, I did." Celas shook herself. "Yes, so don't worry about me. You should keep an eye on that woman before she gets into more trouble."

Alucard raised an eyebrow; he could see easily through her excuses, she knew. She only prayed that he would let well enough alone--she couldn't' face him anymore. He hesitated a moment more, perhaps thinking she would change her mind, before nodding. "All right. I'll come back for you later." With that he stepped back and into thin air, leaving her to her privacy.

Celas shuddered, fresh chills running over her now that she was alone. She bound her knees tightly to her chest. "Is this still…part of what's wrong with me?" she questioned aloud. She knew that Alucard might still be about, watching her, but out of his presence she couldn't bring herself to think about it. She was too frightened. "If it wasn't for Master, I…wouldn't have let go. What's happening to me?"

But her body was content now, filled and warm, and she found it difficult to hold onto her shame and disgust when her discomfort all that night had already been alleviated. "Maybe I'm already accepting it," she whispered, flopping onto her side with her legs still drawn close. "But…please, don't let it happen again." She pressed her eyes shut. "Please, don't let it happen again."

----

Alucard watched only a moment more before diverting his attention from the vampire completely. He could not help a certain feeling of disappointment, however broken down by resign acceptance. It had been too long since he had changed a human, even longer since one showed him regret. He knew it was only passing--soon enough, Celas would come to accept her new fate. She was adaptable and spirit; he would not have offered her immortality otherwise. But her persisted reluctance was beginning to baffle him; he, after all, had never questioned his own instincts.

Too restless now to return to his listless drifting, Alucard instead found himself at Integra's office. A diversion was in order, and teasing his master certainly never lost its charm. Without reservation he dropped out of the ceiling.

Integra glanced up from her paperwork, unconcerned--she was used to these visits. "You're up early," she remarked.

"So are you." Alucard strolled easily up to her desk. "But then, I'll bet you haven't slept."

"I got about three hours worth," she contradicted. "It will be enough."

"Unfortunate human limitations." Alucard glanced idly about the office, then down at her desk--the list of phone numbers she had laid out. He smiled curiously. "You've been busy."

Integra snorted, and he could almost see her brain churning about a proper explanation. "Jacob offered a few more headaches to me," she said after a short pause. "They were playing us after all. There's a vampire in town."

"Oh?" Alucard paused to stretch his senses. But Hellsing's spell--combined with the ever-present distracting aura given off by his female officer--were enough to confuse and disrupt any proper conclusion. Only a faint, familiar smell at the edge of his brain that he couldn't place.

Integra watched him patiently. "You mean, you haven't felt anything," she surmised evenly. She seemed unnaturally tense give the situation.

"No, I haven't," he admitted. "But there may be something out there. Certainly nothing worse than the usual."

If his master was relieved by the report, she didn't show it. She merely continued to watch him intently. "It's not like you to miss something like that," she accused, her tone again flat.

"It's not like you to be so concerned," he feinted. "Could it be that our good friend Zimmerman is beginning to affect you at last?"

But Integra knew better than to be so easily deterred. "Jacob has nothing to do with it." Dull amusement forced within cold concern burned in her eyes. "I'm asking you if you've been hiding something from me."

"No more than you." Alucard leaned over the desk, grinning easily as always. He would never lose in games like this. "Were you not going to mention Mr. Zimmerman's amazing new weapon?"

Integra held his gaze for a long time before at last pushing to her feet and turning toward the window. A slight tug on the curtain showed the sun had just set, leaving only a glow left of twilight. "You want me to tell you what it is."

'"I'm curious. Americans have interesting ideas."

"Yes, they do." She glanced at him over her should. "Do you know the name Mephistos?"

"Mephistos?" Alucard echoed. He couldn't help but laugh. Though her avoidance of his inquiries was by now painfully obvious, he was willing to let the matter fall. "I hope that's a human name. No vampire would be so trite." The very idea was almost insulting.

"That was my first impression," Integra agreed. "But these are Americans, after all--vampires there are considered a fashion." She crossed her arms. "I doubt he's any match for even our half-manned Hellsing. You vampires always show your weakness in arrogance." She smirked.

Again Alucard chuckled. "Perhaps. So?" His brow lifted. "What makes this 'Mephistos' special?"

"I'm not sure yet. But if Jacob is concerned, I'll at least proceed with caution."

"Fair enough." Alucard withdrew somewhat. "In that case, I suppose I'm going out tonight."

"Take Celas with you," she added. "The two of you always end up working together on cases like this anyway. Might as well save you the trouble of spying on her."

Alucard made no defense. "She is my vampire, after all."

"And your responsibility."

"Of course, of course." He stepped back further, preparing to depart. "I look forward to impressing your lover for you." And he was gone before she could even scowl.

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