Freedom Chapter 13

By J.L. Pitard

Standard disclaimer: All characters belong to Kohta Hirano and his publishers. I have no stake in them...

-------------------------------------

Seras rose, ignoring the bag of donated blood Walter had left for her. In her strange new life, she felt like she had few allies, but he was one of them. Her mercenaries seemed to like her, when she wasn't yelling at them, but that was about it. Walter and she fought side by side when the Valentine Brothers attacked the mansion. Despite his age, she felt he lived up to his nickname, Angel of Death. He was also the only Hellsing servant to enter the dungeon when the vampires might be awake. Seras had met several of the staff, but they shied away once they understood what she was. That left Master, but he was hardly a friend. Integra had stressed that she thought Seras a monster, but she and Alucard had formed some sort of friendship. He was truly a monster, and now he might be about to betray her. Seras was trying not to become like him, so why didn't she have any friends?

She finished brushing her teeth and showered. As she was closing her door, she heard Alucard and Walter talking in low tones inside the weapons room. They stopped once Master sensed her at the door.

"Please don't skulk about, Police Girl."

She moved to the doorway. "I was just going to the range," she said defensively.

Walter walked towards her with his crisp, all business manners on. She stood aside, but wished she could ask him to stay. She really didn't want to face Alucard alone so soon. She watched Walter's back as he disappeard up the hallway towards the stairs.

Alucard was suddenly right in front of her. She backed up against the dark wooden door. He blocked her in with his arms. She was annoyed with him, but his proximity disturbed her bad mood. A sense of confusion crept up to her cheeks, registering as a blush. He stroked her hair with his face. Breathing her scent in as he passed her neck. She had tasted so sweet, he thought. Now she is mine. One hand moved to caress her side. His own jugular vein moved tantalizingly close to her teeth. Seras felt all hot and unsure of her feelings. His mouth passed over her ear, exhaling softly. Wasn't she angry with him? With his body pressed so tightly against hers, she was on the border of not thinking at all. She licked his neck and a tingle ran through both of them. Seras closed her eyes. Her arms circled him. Her hands on his back as she pulled him closer.

Alucard gave her a gentle kiss, full of promise, but frustratingly chaste. He pulled away from her with an amused, low chuckle.

"Am I so easily forgiven?"

Seras opened her eyes, feeling so ashamed of herself and confused that she lashed out with a slap at his face. He made no effort to stop her.

"Good," he purred, putting a hand up to his stinging cheek. "Let's go to the range."

------------------

Waltham handed off his post to the replacement at the gate. He needed to head off to town. The pass had been arranged for without any questions, but he was prepared to come up with a local girlfriend if needed. They had been placed on a new level of alert since the morning, so he was worried about getting off the mansion grounds.

Heading back to the barracks, he looked up at the 'big house' as he thought of the Hellsing family manor. He sought out the balcony outside of Integra's office. Empty. Probably not much time to notice the lovely night. His eye was caught by the fluttering of a coat on the roof up above her room. He shuddered and walked quicker as he realized it was one of the pet vampires. He touched the crosses he wore and hoped he wasn't noticed.

In the safety of his room, he pulled out his civilian clothes and the cell phone he had been handed the day before. He knew the rules forbade unmonitored communications on the grounds. A workman, unremarkable except to Waltham, had handed it off as he waited for Waltham to check his credentials with the plumbing company. The man had no reaction as Waltham put the cell phone in his own pocket. He wondered if MI-5 used the man to install any devices along with the pipe work, but that wasn't his worry.

He checked with his Hellsing supervisor before grabbing a civilian car. "Back before midnight," he called out to the guards at the back gate. Waltham waited to use the phone. He parked, went into the small pub that most of the soldiers went to and bought a pint. He watched the crowd move and flow through the pub. After a bit, Waltham went to the alley just behind the pub.

Flipping the phone on, he hit redial and hoped he'd been right about this. He was just doing his job, but which job? He liked the Hellsing folks; he'd even got to know some of his fellow soldiers. That monster, though, he'd never get over that sight.

"Waltham, so good of you to call." The dry delivery told him whom he was talking to.

"Sir."

"So, how are things at home?" Interesting phrasing, Waltham thought.

"Pretty good, sir. The pets have been fighting a bit. Last night the dogs had a bit of tustle after roaming the night away."

"Hm? That's nice. How is your mother?"

"Seems a bit on edge, to tell you the truth." Mother? Get off it already, Waltham thought, why didn't they use an encrypted service or a real code?

"We miss you at the office, any chance you're feeling well enough to come back to work soon?"

Waltham wasn't sure what he was really being asked. Why did they send him out so unprepared? Too many questions to his way of thinking. MI-5 was not the Royal Marines by a long shot.

"Well, sir, you let me know when and where. I'm just about there."

"Good, we'll be in touch soon. Why don't you go back home and give our best to your mum. Cheers then."

"Cheers." Waltham flipped the phone off. He'd have thrown it in the rubbish bin, but his training kicked in. He calmly powered it off and slid it back in his pocket. Waltham went back in to finish his beer.

------------------------

Integra was reading the scrolls that her family had used many times before to strengthen the wards around the mansion. Walter suggested they go through all of the defensive magics to prevent her from being taken from the grounds. She would at least have some warning if a covert assault by the undead were mounted. Fat lot of good it had done before, but then they hadn't been very covert about their attack. She had started up the heightened conventional defenses they discussed, now on to the unconventional. Alucard seemed to think this plan would flush out her enemies, she certainly hoped he was right.

She swayed slightly as she realized her eyes had glossed over the scroll without taking in a word. Integra took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. It was late. She was almost as good as the vampires at knowing how close it was to dawn.

There was a light tapping on the door. Lighting up the cigarillo she had laid in the ashtray some time ago, she called out "Enter."

Seras stood in the doorway, looking a little unsettled. They hadn't seen much of each other recently. Integra let Seras feel uncomfortable for a few minutes while she smoked and looked over the spell again.

"Sir?" Seras wasn't even sure what to call her. Master?

"Yes, Draculina?" Integra smiled to take the sting out of the nickname.

"Um, I have to tell you something."

"Yes?"

"I think you might be in danger." She rushed it out. Seras swore she wouldn't mention Alucard at all, just warn Integra about Katerina.

"Really? I'm in danger every day, Seras. You may go."

Integra went back to reading, very curious about what Seras would do.

Seras started to leave, but then turned around. "Sir? There is a dangerous vampire who intends to kill you in order to get Master to be with her." Well, she didn't exactly say that Alucard was trying to get free, so she wasn't really betraying him. A small headache started. Guilt?

Integra looked at her very seriously. "Thank you, Seras. I'll try to be careful. You may go." She was secretly relieved that Seras would take such a risk to warn her. A toothy grin lit up Seras Victoria's face. She did a little salute and hurried out.

Seras stood out by the doorway and almost panted her relief. It was strange that Integra hadn't asked for details, yet she was pleased to have warned her at all

Walter came towards her with a vase in hand, a few roses looking very elegant in the small arrangement.

"Those are pretty, Walter. For her?" She nodded towards the double doors.

"For you, Miss Victoria." He handed them to her with a flourish.

"Why?"

Walter acted surprised. "Why not?"

She took the blood red roses, unsure what to do with them. Seras thought roses were pretty, but she'd never really paid much attention to them. She looked at the thorns.

"Please read the note, Miss."

To Seras,

We are sending these for you.

Captain Pip Bernadette and the Wild Geese

She blushed as she read it. No one has ever sent me flowers, she thought. I haven't been as good recently about training with the unit; maybe they wanted to remind me. Maybe the annoying, but cute captain had another message? A shy smile spread over her face. She made a mental note to thank them the next night.

"Thank you, Walter."

He was pleased to note that it put a spring in her step as she went down to the dungeon. He wasn't happy about the way Alucard was treating her, so if Walter could do a little something to make her smile, he would. The captain hadn't wanted to part with any of the flowers. By the time Walter left, he smiled to recall, they all were convinced it was their idea. Imagine asking for roses instead of extra pay!