A/N-- Heh, I was being sarcastic when I said 'I dunno.' last chapter.... as great as all your suggestions were, I actually DO have a plot for the next part. And since no one really said anything against me continuing this further, yall are getting the extended version!!! be happy, be sad, whatever!!

Dare()- I'm glad you're back from the hills and like the complexities in the Anna/Gabriel. I didn't want to have everything be happy and good between them... I love nothing more than a great angsty romance, because that makes them getting together all the more sweet. Of course, I do also like ones with sad endings.... heh... Again, I was kidding when I said I dunno. You'll see how everything plays out.
Lovely()- Oh c'mon! that was one of my milder cliffies! And ya, I thought it was a bit long.
You're meant to hate the new Cardinal! And don't you remember? Dracula killed Jinette's ancestors and he died mysteriously in chapter one!!! That's how they found out they had to go back!
I promise: no more character death!! I swear!! I couldn't handle another death scene, anyway. I won't kill Cardinal Kokolios... I have sentimental attachments to his name.
Okay, you get the extended version!
Allora()- Hey, respect your elders! Don't beat up Cardinal Kokolios! LOL. Does no one remember Jinette dying in Chapter One?! And torturing people is so much fun..... Reviewers, faithful or no, aren't excused! ((Don't worry, I still luv ya all!))
Anthem82()- I'm glad you liked that chapter! This one will reveal what Van Helsing will do with the notes on time travel.
HealerAriel- LOL, I know everyone hates the new Cardinal, but your way of dealing with him is the most creative!!!
holamaca()- Hmm, that would be interesting... but I do know how they'll turn out...
Doris()- FOR THE LAST TIME!!! I ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!!! LOL. Remind me to cut back on the sarcasm....
I'm glad you like my internal monologues... I always write them without thinking about it. It's an instinct that comes from RPing, since you're in the characters minds. Usually I'm afraid of doing it too much. And in this, Van Helsing loves Anna since he fell in love with her not remembering Analiese.
I'm glad you liked that line... I always try to add humor, no matter how dark the hour.
I actually do remember some smiles on their parts..... in the rain scene, in the windmill. I know Anna smiles, and I'm fairly certain Van Helsing does too. I'm on the fence with a movie sequel... but if they were to pick one of the ones on here, I'd be happy!!! Thank you for your review!!

I've noticed a lot of you want me to go to hell... so many people say 'damn you!' in their reviews!!

Chapter 17:
Hope and Shadow

Van Helsing didn't sleep at all that night. He couldn't afford to; if he lost the realizations blossoming in his head nonstop, he might lose his chance to save Carl. At first he felt like he was doing well, finding the notes corresponding to the books he had, reading through the mentioned passages, comprehending Carl's theories But after all that was done and it came to understanding first the formula in the magick book and then Carl's more scientific adaptations, he figured out that he was in way over his head. All he understood was this was stuff for going far, far back, as far back as they had needed to do for the mission. He didn't need that, he needed something more concentrated. Just enough to go back a week or so.

He considered asking some of his lab helpers for their assistance, but they might find it suspicious. And he didn't want to attract attention to this, for some confusing reason. At some point, if this succeeded, they just might realize Carl was alive again. But then he could explain it, free from their scrutiny. How could they be upset with one of their own back? Anyway, this was his undertaking. His mistake. He was going to fix it on his own.

His eyes were blurring and his body growing numb after unrecorded time spent in vain to glean some small idea as to how he could undo his mistake, Van Helsing stumbled across a sheet that appeared to be used for brainstorming ways they could go back. Most were scribbled out to the point of not being readable, but two were left: one option was 'potion/formula/spell,' which he assumed was the way they had gone back, but there was one more below it:

'The Wavewriter?'

A frown creased his forehead. Wavewriter? It sounded like a person.... Something began to creep over him. Throwing the page to the side, he proceeded to search each book he had brought back with him and all relevant notes for the name 'Wavewriter.' He discovered it at last in a book of ancient history on the same page Dracula was mentioned as the Son of the Devil. From what he could glean, this person, place, or item, was in Transylvania.

Part of him was raring to jump up and, without a word, disappear back to Transylvania and save Carl. But then he realized that this wasn't some monster he could approach, guns blazing, and pray he could kill. All he had was a name and a place; he didn't even know what this... thing did. He needed more information. So, completely unaware of anything but his mission, he left his room and headed to the library.

Reasoning that he had found it in a book of ancient history, he resolved to search the cavernous section of the headquarters for a book of Romanian history. He could not say how long it took, because he was now swept up in the pulsing, never-ending rush that was the Holy Order. In searching for way to change its flow, he was becoming unaware of time. All that mattered was eventually he found a book on Romania and sat down at a table to read it.

Once more he hit a dead end; there was absolutely nothing in the book about the Wavewriter. As Van Helsing slammed the book back down on the shelf he got it from, he noticed another volume: Romanian Myths. There was hesitation in him as he removed the book from the shelf. Obviously this Wavewriter had had no impact on Romanian history. Did that mean it was a myth? Carl wouldn't stake our livelihood on a myth. He thought fiercely. He had to have some proof... But he was working on a tight schedule, people were dying everywhere.... maybe he was forced to?

It doesn't matter. I'm willing to take a chance on a myth for him.

Filled with new resolve, he sat down at the table between the two bookcases and began to read.

Anna had been awake for a few hours when she finally sidled into the library. It was just after lunch, and having found no companions among the monks and priests, she decided to seek out Van Helsing. To her dismay, he seemed to have pulled a disappearing act. No one had seen him. He was not in his room, had not been to the site of Carl's old lab (already they referred to it as 'old.') and had not been seen at the stables. So he couldn't have left for somewhere very far or dangerous if he had gone away. But Anna doubted that; something had been fundamentally wrong with him since Transylvania.

Why do I worry so about him? She had scowled as she paced the hall outside his room. I hardly know him. I just found out what his first name is yesterday! And I still don't know his favorite color.... Why do I even care about that?

Because his mystery drew her in, she realized. He made her want to know about him, discover his problems and make them go away. He kept himself distant, and it made her curious. And every time she found out some knew little piece about him, it made her like him more and wish to get just another little tidbit. And then another...

Good God, She wondered as she froze. Am I falling in love with him?

Ruffled, she shook the thought off. But she could not shake off the urge to go and see him. On an impulse, she had decided to look for him in the library. It was quiet and cool there, its unique scent, soothing atmosphere and the formidable presence of age and knowledge's power would calm her and allow her to think straight if nothing else. Van Helsing, even the thought of him, could rile to irrationality her so easily.

She casually paced the rows of bookcases, peeking in each one for some sight of Van Helsing. Surely enough, there he was, in one of the farthest rows, seated at a table. His back was to her, and he seemed to be intent on something in front of him. Her customary courage suddenly failed her. What if he was in another mood? What if she was interrupting something important?

Well I'll just make myself more important. She thought airily to herself. But she possessed the class not to just go barging over and taking all of his attention. She sidled over to one bookcase, pretending to browse the shelf and moving ever closer to Van Helsing. He'd notice her presence when he was ready.

In truth, Van Helsing had known she was there the moment she entered the room. She had been in his head and his heart for hundreds of years, he was familiar with her unique aura. But at that moment, she was simply a comfort; a warm light in the darkness of his mind. He might really be on to something...

Anna grew impatient. She had moseyed around him long enough with no response. With strong, direct steps, she came to stand directly behind him.

"What are you researching?" She asked, leaning over his shoulder.

"Oh, nothing." He muttered unconvincingly. He was still engrossed in his reading. She reached over and half closed the book to be able to see the title.

"Romanian myths? Why didn't you ask me?" She asked with shock. He immediately slammed the book closed.

"Because I... didn't think you'd know what I needed to know." Van Helsing finished lamely, standing.

"What would make you think that? I was born in Romania. And what's more, you were looking at something in Transylvania. That's only where I lived my whole life!" She said as she came to her feet too.

"It's really obscure." He countered, backing away slightly.

"Well I was gypsy royalty and my family had a centuries-old vendetta against Dracula. I've fought or at least learned about every single mythical creature or being in Romania." Anna replied, following him. "Now what do you need to know?"

"It's nothing." He insisted.

"You're being stubborn!" She cried crossly, arms akimbo.

"And you're not by pushing the matter?" He fired back, adopting a similar pose.

"Fine, I'm being stubborn too. But I'm trying to help." She sighed.

"Well maybe I don't need help." Was his enigmatic reply. "Maybe I just need to be left alone!"

"Maybe I think you need help! And maybe I think both of us have been alone for far too long!" She practically shouted. Van Helsing relaxed, looking at her sadly. What she said was too true.

"You're right." He conceded, sitting back down and opening the book to where he had been. Anna perched herself on the table beside him and looked down at the book. "Have you heard of the Wavewriter?"

"Well, most of what we learned involved Dracula..." She trailed off. "But I vaguely recognize the name. All I really remember is either it's evil or it is in an evil place. Yes, that's it. We were taught that there was only one evil greater than Dracula... and it involved the Wavewriter."

"Yes, that's essentially what the text says. Do you know why it's evil?" He asked, gesturing to the book. "It doesn't say much specific about it. Just that it's high in the Carpathians."

"I think I remember... something about time..." Anna's eyes went glassy for a moment, as though she was lost in memory. Van Helsing watched her in her frozen state. All his walls melted when around her, leaving him feeling vulnerable... but exhilarated. Like standing at the edge of a high cliff looking down at an oasis. He reached over and took her hand, jerking her back to reality.

"Thought I was losing you." He smiled faintly at her questioning look. She returned the gesture before speaking.

"It's right that the text is vague about its powers and its location. That information inthe wrong hands could be terrible. The Wavewriter was called evil because it- we never knew if it was a person or an item -could rewrite time. Changing fate is considered a violation of some of the most basic principles of the world, since it could have devastating consequences. Also, there is supposed to be some sort of evil that flocks to it and protects it." She paused, suspicion glinting in her eyes. "Why are you researching this anyways?"

"It's.... mission stuff, nothing more." He said dismissively, closing the book and returning it to its shelf.

"You've been given a mission involving the Wavewriter?" She asked incredulously as he returned.

"...As a background prospect. We suspect that a cult may be using some of its power to alter time and take out its rivals that way. Sort of how Dracula was killing of ancestors of the Order on a smaller scale." He said, quickly coming up with a story. If Anna believed in the whole 'changing fate is a violation of the world' concept, she would NOT be happy with this whole 'let's save Carl by rewriting time' plan.

"Oh... will you have to leave soon?" She asked sadly, looking up at him.

"No. I'm not going anywhere." He whispered in return, bending down to kiss her softly. Her hands had barely touched his neck when he withdrew, still hovering close. In both of them, there was the desire to continue, to not be afraid anymore, but there were barriers around their hearts that would not tumble instantly, no matter how great their need. Both broke contact entirely.

"Oh, I almost forgot. The Cardinal is looking for you." Anna informed him with a trace of awkwardness. It was an odd thing to be talking about after sharing a kiss, however brief. Would their work always be in the way? He lamented internally.

"Well, I suppose I should go find him for another round of sherry and giggles." (A/N-- LXG rocks!) He said gloomily. "I'll see you later."

"I look forward to it." She returned a little shyly. With a wave and a half-smile, he left.
Van Helsing opened the door to the Cardinal's office without knocking. He couldn't stand the man, and didn't give a damn about respecting him. The ruffled official looked up irritably as the Monster Hunter entered.

"Please, come in." He said dryly.

"You sent for me, Father?" asked Van Helsing mockingly.

"Firstly, let us have this straight between us." said Cardinal Kokolios in a dangerous tone as he stood directly in front of Van Helsing. "Cardinal Jinette is not here. Given the length of his absence, it is likely that he has been taken in the bosom of our Lord. I do not run things as he did. I do not expect you to like me, and don't expect me to like you. You have already committed some great sin to have arrived to where you are now.

"I demand respect. Before entering my chambers, you will knock and wait for my reply. I expect you to come to me before anyone else after your missions, and I expect you to follow every detail of my instructions. I say I want a monster back alive, I expect it alive. I want it dead, I expect to never hear of it again after you tell me how you killed it. You will not speak until spoken to."

"Do I get no respect? I'm the one who comes home washing the blood off my hands. I'm the one who goes out and murders monsters so that your sorry asses are safe. I'm the one who can't show his face in a single decent place in all bloody Europe for fear of being killed because of your orders!" Van Helsing shouted with sudden vehemence.

"You get respect and you get fear. You shouldn't care about what you get, you are nothing but a sinner whose memories have already been struck from your mind by God so that you can concentrate on redemption. You shouldn't care about anything else." The Cardinal seethed. "Are we clear now?"

"Yes sir." Van Helsing spat back.

"Good. Now, how was it that Friar Carl died?" Cardinal Kokolios asked smugly, sitting down again.

"I killed him." Van Helsing replied quietly. It was the first time he would be admitting it out loud. "By some stupid mischance I lost control and killed him." The Cardinal closed his eyes and crossed himself, murmuring in Latin. Then he lumbered to his feet once more and went to stand beside the crackling fire. It cast leering black shadows all over his red form and cast a red-orange light over Van Helsing. It was as though it was embracing the Cardinal and pointing out Van Helsing. Murderer! It cackled.

"People have been eliminated for killing members of the Holy Order." Cardinal Kokolios said in a low voice. "I do not see why the rule shouldn't apply to one of our members. In fact, it should apply doubly so to one of our members, since the act brands them traitor."

"It was an-"

"I don't care what words spew out of your mouth in your defense." He loudly interrupted, turning around. Now the fire was "The crime and the punishment stand unmoving between us now, Gabriel. But I am a merciful man..." He trailed off. "I give you twenty-four hours to leave this place and run from here. If any of our members find you ever again, they will be given permission to kill you. If you wish to be brave and face the consequences of killing your friend.... stay in your room for twenty-four hours and make peace with God. At the end of this period of time you will not be afraid to be executed in penitence."

"I will-"

"I did not ask for an answer. Leave now. Once one day has passed, I will go to your room. If you are not there I will assume you have fled in fear of judgment before our Lord. If you are..." He crossed himself. "Then may God have mercy upon your soul. Now leave and make your choice."

Van Helsing was all too eager to leave, slamming shut the door so hard he might've broken it. The Cardinal didn't know about the third option: get to Romania, find the Wavewriter whatever the hell it was and bring Carl back with him. And so be redeemed. Or maybe he would just find a way to bring back Carl and he, the Friar and Anna could roam the world, fighting evil...

Anna. He had to find her. But he would not tell her about his casting out... He would say he had been sent on a mission. Her independence and worry for him should cause her to want to come along. Later, when they were with Carl again and laughing at all this, he would tell her what might've happened otherwise. Acting on a hunch, he headed off to her room.
His knock at her door and his prayers were answered by Anna herself. She looked as though she had just awakened.

"How did the meeting with Cardinal Kokolios go?" She yawned. "Forgive me, I was napping."

"I've been sent on a mission to Transylvania." He said after taking a deep breath.

"The one you were telling me about earlier?" She queried.

"Yes." Was his response.

"I am coming with you." She declared immediately. His heart leapt with joy, but he didn't want her to think he had been expecting her to come. She would question him if he didn't resist as he had been lately.

"Anna-"

"Don't you start with me Gabriel. Not only do I know the country and its people extensively, I want to go. I wouldn't let you have all the fun." She said decisively. She's just like Carl was when we were preparing to go back in time. He thought to himself.

"Very well." Van Helsing sighed. "We won't need extensive weaponry for this, its just a capturing mission. We are to track down the members of the cult and bring them back here alive. Shouldn't be to difficult, they're probably just magic wielding humans. We are not to interfere with the Wavewriter unless absolutely necessary."

"Alright, should we just leave right away then?" She briskly asked, girding her sword and pausing to run a hand through her thick hair before joining him on the way out.

"Yes. There is no time to lose." Van Helsing replied, sticking to the shadows as they left the headquarters for Transylvania.

And for Carl.
A/N-- Okay, the first part of that chapter was crap... But I'm pretty happy with the rest. And be assured: I have a plot for the rest of the story!!! And it no longer involves Cardinal Kokolios!! So rejoice and review!