Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Van Helsing movie characters....damn.
Summary: [Alt. Ending] What if Princess Anna didn't die at the end? Very short one-shot. Please review!

The Monster Hunter and the Princess

"Carl, wait!" Anna cried, head peering to the side past the gigantic werewolf hovering over her. She could see the frightened Friar on his way toward the beast with the silver stake.

Freezing just when he was about to strike his ill-fated companion as had been his wish, Carl was shocked as the wolfman gripped his arm firmly, making him pause in his actions. "Van Helsing?" he stuttered softly, following the werewolf's softened gaze to his abdomen, where the antidote needle stuck out from his wolfish flesh.

"It's alright," Anna assured the Friar, sitting up from where she had been pinned and almost killed. "I got him in time." she nodded, slightly wearily slipping to the floor, putting her feet down gently and standing upright.

Gripping the needle's handle with a large, clumsy, paw-like hand, Van Helsing pulled it from his flesh and it clattered softly to the floor. He raised his large wolf head, throwing his arms back as his body twisted to return to his human form. He began tearing at the dark brown werewolf flesh, as it slowly slid away from him and Helsing was left panting, barely clothed, bloody, and exhausted.

"You did it Gabriel," Anna told him softly with a kind smile. "You saved my family, you killed Dracula."

Nodding, Van Helsing swiped an arm across his sweaty forehead and sighed, then looking to a half-frightened Carl, smiling gently. "That, we did."

Looking around at the eerie remnants of the Vampire Lord's hidden castle, Carl glanced between Anna and Gabriel, who were still staring fondly at eachother. "If it's alright with you two, I'd like to leave now." he said with a nervous laugh.

"Right." Van Helsing nodded, eyes never leaving Anna's, before she lowered her head with a knowing smile and turned after Carl.

Later, after leaving Dracula's castle....

Riding along on horseback, Van Helsing, Carl, and Anna stopped along a grassy hilltop. Van Helsing glanced back at Anna, head tilting downward as he adjusted his hat, looking to her with softened eyes.

Carl watched the exchange and took the hint to keep on going. "I'll...just be going on ahead." he said, glancing back with a smile.

Anna nodded, her horse trotting up beside Gabriel. "So, what now?" she asked with hopeful eyes. "I'm leaving Transylvania, Van Helsing. I no longer have a reason to stay."

He nodded knowingly, rubbing at the scruff on his face. "Well, I'm sure there are plenty more monsters out there."

"Yes..." Anna looked to him curiously, then raised a delicate eyebrow. "Are you asking for my help?" she teased.

"No," Helsing started gruffly, "I'm asking you to come with me."

Smiling softly, Anna looked out toward where Carl was riding up ahead, then looked back into Van Helsing's dark eyes. "That, I can do."

The End

Note: Please review!!!