Disclaimer: This is a fan fiction based on the TV series Dracula: The Series. It doesn't belong to me, I'm only writing this for entertainment and no money is involved. The plot does belong to me as well as any characters you don't recognise. The interpretation of the original characters might not be that of the creators, but I'll do my best to keep them IC. The timeline has been changed to fit the plot. Thanks.

"speak"

//thoughts//

This is still only the beginning, all the kinks are still being worked out. Thanks for your patience.

Family

She sat on the bench, waiting for them to notice her. They were having a picnic next to the small lake, enjoying themselves. She had been sitting there for almost three hours and she was starting to wonder if they were ever going to notice her. She was tired after her flight but this new idea of Alexander's to meet the Helsings is a good one.

Sophie sat on the grass, enjoying the sunlight and the company of her friends. Every now and then she looked over to the edge of the park to the girl sitting on a bench with a whole bunch of bags next to her. She's been there since they started their picnic. She nudged Uncle Gustav and pointed her out to him.

"She looks like she's waiting for someone."

"But she's been there for hours, maybe they forgot about her. Let's go and invite her over", said Chris, "she can wait for her friends with us, she looks so lonely there."

So they all went to her.

//At last//, she thought, //it took them long enough.//

"Hello", said Uncle Gustav, "are you waiting for someone?"

Max looked at her bags, they all had airline tags on them with Los Angeles as the departure point.

"Hello, yes I am. My father said that he would pick me up here, but he's late, I hope he's ok."

"You're American, aren't you?" asked Chris.

"I went to school in LA, but I'm not American, my home is here, although the last time I saw it was over 12 years ago. It hasn't changed much, though. Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Alea Knight."

"This is Sophie, Chris, Max and I'm Gustav Helsing."

"Pleased to meet you."

"Who is your father? Maybe we could give you a lift, if you like."

"My father is Alexander Lucard."

Big chokes and wide eyes all around. Inside, she was smiling.

"Who did you say?" whispered Sophie.

"Alexander Lucard. Why, do you know him?"

"He is really your father?"

//Boy, this was fun. They are terrified of his name.//

"Well, actually he adopted me 15 years ago when my real parents died in a car crash. I was only three years old." She sighed. "I only stayed with him here a few years and then I went to school in LA. And now I'm back. Anything the matter?" she asked innocently.

"Well", said Max, "he's not here right now, I saw him get on a plane two days ago and he's not back yet."

"Oh, dear."

"I'm sorry, but he forgot about you."

"Maybe he didn't get my message. I got a flight a few days earlier than I had hoped and I left an important message for him to meet me here at the park. It was his favourite place to play with me. I've missed him so."

She looked at them, "I haven't seen him for so many years, and I hoped to meet him again here where we had so much fun."

"That secretary is going to get it, that's for sure", smirked Chris.

She smiled, and Gustav thought, //I know her, who is she really?//

"Well, I don't think they will let you into the castle, they won't know who you are", said Chris.

"You could stay with us for a while", said Gustav.

They had to find out more about her. He had no idea that Lucard had adopted a child. Had she been tainted or was she young enough when she left here to be saved?

"Oh, no, I couldn't impose on you."

"No, I insist. We can't just leave you here and it might be days before Lucard comes back."

He knew it was a flimsy excuse, she could just call the office again, but to his surprise and suspicion, she excepted.

"Thank you so much, I don't know how I can repay you."

"That's alright, your company will be payment enough."

She smiled.

"Thank you."

They took her bags and went to their picnic spot.

"Have something to eat."

"Thanks" and she picked a sandwich.

"So", said Chris, "have you seen much of your father when you were at school?"

All of them knew that if she had contact with him, he might have done something to her, even if she didn't know about it.

"Not really, I only got letters and talked to him on the phone and stuff, but I haven't seen him since I left here."

"Why didn't you come and visit?"

"Too busy", she mumbled through the sandwich, "this is good, anyway, Alexander said that I should learn to take care of myself and that included working to pay for school and stuff, but I know he helped a lot too, and I'm very thankful to him."

"Who looked after you when you were little?"

"I went to a boarding school, very boring, but they took care of me. Anyway, you guys sound American too, where are you from?"

"Philly," said Max, "we're saying with Uncle Gustav for a while."

"Cool", she said.

"Guys, I think we should go, I see clouds coming", said Sophie and they started to pack up everything and carry it to the car. They drove home and started to unpack. Gustav watched her closely as she walked to the front door and through without a problem. //Well//, he thought, //that's one of tests she's passed.//

As she went into the house, she felt like her insides were being twisted and squeezed, but she dared not show it. This was a most dangerous time for her. She looked at the cross as she walked in and quelled it's lightning by a force of will that nearly dropped her in a faint. At least none of them saw her face, and that thing on the wall would leave her alone until one of them officially made her welcome. Just as they carried the last things into the house, it started to rain.

"Come, I'll show you your room."

"Thank you so much, Mr Helsing."

"You can call me Uncle Gustav if you like."

She gave him a big smile, "Thank you Uncle Gustav."

He made her welcome and now she was safe, but so tired, so very tired.

"Supper is at 7 if you want to have a little rest after your flight."

"Oh, thank you, I'm very tired." She lay down on the bed as Uncle Gustav closed the door.

She fell asleep, knowing that she was safe and that she had, in their eyes, passed the most important test. Helsing came down the stairs and looked at the cross. It did let her in, but he was still uneasy. He joined his family in the sitting room.

"Well", he said, "did any of you invite her in?"

"Didn't our inviting her to stay with us allow her to come into the house?" asked Max.

"No, Max, it has to be very specific, otherwise it would be nearly impossible to keep them out."

"Well, I think she's very nice", said Chris.

"You think all girls are nice," said his brother with a grin.