Fresh Blood

By SSG Michael B. Jackson

Disclaimer: I don't own Hellsing or anything connected with it, though it sure as hell would be fun if I did. I'm writing this purely for my own twisted amusement, and will not make a dime in the process.

For a moment, both Seras and Brad were dead silent, staring dumbly at Alucard, who just continued to look at Seras expectantly. Finally, she found her voice, saying a bit awkwardly, "Uh, oh, of course, Master." Then, glancing and motioning toward Brad, who was still just studying Alucard intently, she said, "Master Alucard, this is Brad Porter. He-"

"Just lost his entire family tonight," Alucard said in a low tone that was more mocking than sympathetic, the slightly maniacal grin that had never left his face reinforcing the impression.

"Master!" Seras said in a mortified tone, paling even more than normal if that were possible. "Please! What he's already been through tonight-!"

"Will either shatter him entirely, or end up making him stronger," Alucard interjected, a certain dark relish in his voice. And then, turning toward Brad, he said, "Which will it be, Army Man? Will you simply cave in on yourself now that your wife and children are gone? Or will you use what happened to them to temper and forge yourself into a weapon strong enough to be used against the kind of creatures who killed them?"

Brad's eyes narrowed as the thinly controlled rage inside him built, and then, in a voice that was little more than a growl, he said, "What the hell do you think I'm going to do? For the last thirteen years, I've been in a profession where 'quit' is a four-letter-word. And even if I hadn't been, I'll be goddamned if I'll soil their memories by letting myself just fall apart. Especially when, if I understand right, there are more of the stinking, fucking things out there that killed them." He paused for a moment, collecting himself, and then continued. "In fact, if Sir Integra up there ends up deciding that I'm not good enough for your high and mighty Hellsing Organization, I'll goddamned well hunt those things myself. That woman and those children were the culmination of everything I've ever wanted out of this life, and now I won't fucking rest until I've hunted down every last one of the damn monsters who took them from me." Then, breathing hard, he added in a low, flat tone, "That answer your question, Master Alucard?"

His grin even wider now, Alucard said in a quiet, satisfied tone, "Perfect." And then, turning to Seras, he said, "You see, Police Girl? THAT is what not giving up is all about. But then you already know that, don't you?"

Perplexed, Seras opened her mouth to say something, but was immediately interrupted as Alucard continued. "No need to answer, Police Girl. I already know. But you should keep your eye on this one. I think Sir Integra will be keeping him, and I'm pretty sure he'll make an... interesting addition." Then, chuckling once more, Alucard began to slowly fade from view, becoming dimmer and dimmer until finally he just wasn't there anymore. But before he was entirely gone, he said in a hollow, echoing voice, "Oh, and by the way, Police Girl; nice shooting tonight. Seems you've finally learned that in order to hit a target, sometimes you have to fire through an obstacle. Even if that means a little collateral damage..." And then there was only the sound of his renewed laughter, which faded soon after he did.

An awkward silence followed Alucard's departure. Seras just stared at where he'd been, eyes wide, and tears starting to form as the full import and all the implications of his parting shot sunk into her. For his part, Brad stood, fists clenched at his sides, not willing to give Alucard the satisfaction that he was sure flying off the handle would give him. Instead, he just concentrated on his breathing and racing heartbeat, trying to find his center in the Zen way and wishing that he'd done more than dabble in Buddhism.

Finally, in a hoarse whisper around her tears, Seras finally managed to say, "I'm sorry. For what he said, and... for what I did. He- I-" And then she could go no further, her voice breaking as emotion overcame her.

But Brad just shook his head, and, walking slowly, came over to put a hand on Seras' shoulder. As she looked up at him miserably, he said quietly and with some effort, "Don't. Don't do this to yourself, Seras. There's no reason for it."

Her expression turned to one of incredulity, and she said in a husky voice, "How can you say that to me? How can you-"

"Give a pep talk to the person who... killed my daughter?" He said, stumbling slightly over the last part.

Staring at him wide-eyed, Seras just nodded wordlessly.

With a shuddering sigh, tears only just held in check himself, Brad said, "It's... not easy. But... it's like I said before. I know you thought you were doing the right thing. That you were literally sparing Janin a fate worse than death. And, now that I've seen Alucard, the guy who made you, I assume, and what he can do... it doesn't really make sense to doubt the rest of your story. And with what I've seen of you tonight... well, here's the picture it paints for me. You had to make a decision out there that nobody ever wants to make. And then you were able to look Janin in the eye and carry out that decision, no matter how much it hurt to do it." He paused, swallowing audibly, and then continued, "In thirteen years as a military policeman, I've been lucky enough to have never had to fire a round at a live target. But I've been in a few situations where I thought I might have to, and I know how that made me feel. I can only imagine how it must be for you right now, and, as much as I hurt inside, it would just be flat wrong for me to take that out on you."

Seras continued to look at him disbelievingly, feeling the same knife from earlier twisting in her guts at his words. It just wasn't right, she thought, for her to be taking comfort from a person whose life she'd just helped destroy. The fact that he seemed sincere in what he was saying, that he really didn't blame her for his daughter's death, only made it hurt more. And, she thought blackly, this was probably exactly the sort of situation her Master had hoped to catalyze with his appearance and the few choice words he'd said.

Finally, Seras found her voice, and said, "I- don't know what to say, really. I'm... not sure I deserve your forgiveness. After all, when you get right down to it... I'm a monster too."

Brad shook his head slowly, and, voice still raw, said, "I don't believe that, Seras. A monster wouldn't have told Janin she was sorry before she did what she had to. A monster wouldn't have cried afterwards. And a monster wouldn't be standing here now feeling miserable about the whole damn thing. Would she?"

"But-!" Seras began, only to be interrupted by Brad as he said, "You may not be human anymore, Seras. After seeing Alucard, I don't doubt that. But you're obviously not like the... thing that killed Anja and the kids. I can see that much."

Seras just shook her head, and said, "I just don't understand. How you can be talking to me like this now! My God, it's only been a few hours since..."

Brad nodded slowly, and said, "That's exactly it right there. I guess... it hasn't all really hit me yet. I'm still in denial, or something. Intellectually, I know that... they're gone. And it hurts! But it all just doesn't seem quite real somehow. I feel... disconnected. Like my brain was floating six inches over my head, or something." Then, in a bare whisper, he said, "God. I don't even want to think about how this will feel once it makes it from my head to my gut."

Seras looked down, biting her lip at Brad's words, and then said, "I- I should go. You don't need me here, reminding you of... everything."

But as she quickly stood and headed for the door, Brad turned and said, "Wait a minute, Seras. Please."

She stopped, and, turning her head, looked at him questioningly.

"There's no way I'm going to get any sleep any time soon," he said quietly. "And I- don't really want to be alone right now. All that'll do is give me too damn much time to think about things." Then, after a moment's awkward pause, he said, "Would you mind staying for a little while? Just to... talk?"

Seras looked down again briefly, considering, and then, looking up said a bit uncertainly, "I... suppose so." And then frowning slightly, she said, "But what do you want to talk about?"

Brad shook his head slowly, and said, "Anything except tonight. Anything to keep my mind from chasing it's tail around in circles the way it was before you came in here." And then, cocking his head slightly, he said, "In fact, why don't you tell me a little bit about Hellsing? Other than the fact that you guys are apparently some kind of paramilitary organization that hunts down vampires, I know jack and shit. It'd be kind of nice to know a little more before I sign on the line. Assuming I get Sir Integra's stamp of approval, that is."

Seras smiled just slightly at his flippant tone, and said, "I can do that. What do you want to know?"

Brad snorted, and said, "Huh! If I knew that, I wouldn't have to ask. Why don't you just tell me about your time here, and what you've found out. That's probably the best way to do this."

Seras nodded slowly and, smiling still, said, "Alright, then. Like I said before, it all started that night in Cheddar..."

Well, this is a little short, I guess, but this seemed like a natural break point. And, lest you worry, NO! This isn't the beginning of some silly romance between Brad and Seras. I absolutely DO NOT plan on taking things in that direction. On the other hand, I do see a bond forming between them, just not THAT kind of bond. Anyhow, PLEASE review, and, like I said before, stay tuned; there'll be more. I still have a lot of disturbing ideas chasing themselves around my brain...