"Why do angels always visit this earthly plane, Alucard? I have a message for you."
Alucard nodded. "Go ahead; I'm listening."
"The Lord has sent me here to tell you that he is very pleased with your actions of late. He remembers the 'old you', the Dracula who murdered countless numbers of innocent men, women, and children for no reason other than the thrill it gave you. Your behavior as Alucard, especially over the past five years, is a welcome improvement. (grins) He says he hasn't seen such a positive change since he said 'Hello' to Saul a few miles outside of Damascus."
Alucard smiled slightly at the last statement, but inwardly he wondered if it might be a joke. "You can inform your master that his pleasure is very misplaced. If it were up to me, I would still be stalking the night, drinking my fill and killing as I see fit. Do you see this crest on my glove?"
He held it up for Richard to see. "He can thank this mixture of pagan symbols and Christian holy words. They are what bind me to the House of Hellsing. That family is solely responsible for my actions. If your master particulary enjoyed my boy-scout routine over the past half-decade, tell him to thank that dying woman on the operating table over there; she should be coming to join him shortly."
"You can blame your good behavior on whomever you wish, son," Richard replied, "but we both know that you have changed. Integra Wingates Hellsing did not order you give Seras Victoria a new lease on life. Nor can anyone be ordered to strike up a friendship, as you have done with Walter Dollneaz. You can say whatever you want, but you wouldn't leave the Hellsing Organization even if you could. You love her far too much."
Alucard looked startled, then amused. "Heh. I'm afraid you're mistaken. I do respect Integra; perhaps you mistook it for love because there are so few people I give that honor to."
Richard gave a knowing smile. "I won't argue the point, Alucard; as I said, that's not why I'm here. Even if you don't (cough), there are many people who do love Miss Hellsing, and with good reason. Her troops love her because she is strong, for that 'iron will' Walter spoke of."
The angel gave a sad chuckle. "Right now, he's explaining to Seras why he's making tea for a woman on the brink of death. He loves her because, in a very real sense, she's his adopted daughter. Walter never had any children of his own, and with Integra's father's death, he became the man she turned to in times of trouble; it's only natural that he's developed 'a father's love' for her. Your charge, Seras, will also miss Integra terribly if she passes. That girl senses that what little stability her life has left depends on Miss Hellsing, and loves her all the more for it. And my master... my master loves her too. She has rescued so many of his children so many times; he never forgets such things."
"Then tell me why he let this happen to her!" Alucard exploded, surprising even himself with the violence of his outburst. "If he really cared about Integra, then why did he allow a filthy demoness to make her into its last meal?!!! Either your master, God, is impotent, or he is something far, far worse!"
Richard whirled to face the enraged vampire; for the first time, the angel seemed truly angry!
"Shut your blasphemous mouth before I nail it shut with my sword!" he roared. The unexpected reaction caught Alucard off-guard, providing the silence the angel had requested. After taking a second to calm himself, Richard spoke to Alucard in a quiet-but-firm tone.
"'All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.' That was in a letter St. Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, Mr. Alucard, but it holds very true for Integra as well. Very, very little happens by chance in this world; my master has a purpose for the misfortune that has befallen yours. Perhaps he is injuring her now to save her from death later on, or perhaps he will take her to Heaven in order to save her soul from some future act that would damn her. I don't know what Miss Hellsing's fate will be, but just learn the lesson Job did, and trust me on this one. Whatever happens, it was done with Integra's best interests in mind."
Alucard was unsure about how to reply to that. On the one hand, he still couldn't understand why such a cruel thing had to happen to such a good person. On the other, he wanted very badly to believe what Richard was saying: that, despite appearances, this tragedy was for Integra's own good...
"All right, Richard. I'll take your word for it," Alucard finally answered, a tired smile passing over his face. "Maybe... even after 500 years... there are still some things beyond my understanding."
Richard's reserve melted away as a warm smile spread across his face. "How does the old saying go? 'With age, at last comes wisdom.' There just might be hope for you yet, Alucard."
He walked over to the vampire-in-red and put a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for understanding, son. I've almost accomplished my mission; there's still one thing that I need to show you. Would you follow me, please?"
------------------------
"Here we are," Richard informed the nosferatu as they came to a stop.
Alucard looked at the sign on the door, and then turned toward the angel in disgust. "The Hellsing chapel? I said that I accepted what you told me, and I trust your master to do what is best for mine; that's far from an invitation to 'evangelize' me! I do hope you'll excuse me if I'm not quite ready to drop down on my knees and beg for forgiveness just yet."
"I didn't expect you to," Richard replied. "Getting you to do that would take more work than parting the Red Sea! Actually, we're here in regards to the last part of my message, concerning the person sitting on the front row, to the far left. Take a look."
Curious, Alucard peered into the room through the slightly-cracked door. The room was pitch-black, but his eyes, used to nocturnal sightseeing, adjusted almost immediately. On left end of the front row, a blonde head poked slightly above the pew; Alucard knew that noggin anywhere!
"The police girl? Really... Heh. Heheh. Hahahaha! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Richard looked at Alucard disapprovingly. "May I ask what has tickled you so?"
"Hahahaha! Just the thought of it!" he chortled. "Imagine: a vampire, an animated, undead corpse containing a damned soul, praying! How in the world is she doing it with a straight face?! Hahahaha!"
Just then, a mischievious gleam appeared in Alucard's eye. "I simply must hear this little conversation!" Focusing on his unsuspecting servant, Alucard began to work his way into her thoughts. His smug grin quickly faded, however.
"Wha--? I can't read her mind! Someone is blocking me..." he muttered. He looked suspiciously toward Richard.
"Don't look at me, Alucard," he replied with a smirk. "A higher power than mine is impeding your path. Her prayers are words not meant for you. What? Surprised that her prayer is getting through? Seras Victoria didn't become a vampire because she wanted to, you know. Something you have always failed to understand is that vampirism is a physical condition, one that has no bearing on one's salvation. Christ didn't spurn lepers while he walked the earth, so why should a vampire be any different?"
Before Alucard could respond, a sudden movement caught his eye. It was Seras; apparently she had finished, because she got up and quietly exited through a side door. Alucard narrowed his eyes at Richard, still annoyed that he had been denied his fun.
The angel took one look at the peeved vampire and burst out laughing. Alucard almost always got what he wanted, and his reaction to this not happening was quite priceless!
"I can't stand to see a grown monster cry," Richard teased. Turning serious, he said, "Alucard, if you really want to know what she prayed about, I'll tell you; perhaps it will do you some good. Seras started out by apologizing for not 'talking' in a very long time... Her requests were very reasonable, asking only for forgiveness and for the life of someone dear to her. She acknowledged that she was a fallen and condemned creature (something she has in common with all mankind), saying that she didn't deserve anything but punishment. Still, she prayed that God would answer her prayer this one time, because Integra means so much to so many people, especially her master..."
"How many times do I have to tell you?!" Alucard snapped. "I don't--"
"--love her. I know, I know!" the angel said, scratching his head. ("How do we keep getting sidetracked by this, anyway?")
Despite himself, Alucard had to smile. He'd always said that Seras Victoria was one of the most selfless people he'd ever known; this was only further proof of that.
"Her willingness to put others above herself could very well be her strongest quality... If it doesn't get her killed, first," he thought whimsically.
Richard's voice suddenly rang out, snapping the vampire out of his musings. "Anyway, Alucard, I want you to listen carefully. This last part of the message is a command, not a request. Before she became a vampire, Seras Victoria was a very religious girl, a member of the Anglican Church that missed Sunday services only rarely. I suppose it was only natural, since being a police officer put her in the line of fire so often; 'no athiests in foxholes', and all that. Becoming one of the undead has been quite a crisis of faith for her, and this is the first time that she's worked up the courage to pray to her 'other master' since that night. God is overjoyed that she's returned to him at last, and hopes this will be the start of a renewed correspondance, so to speak."
"However..." Richard glared at Alucard, "someone has been putting crazy ideas in her head that the Lord doesn't want her anymore. The order is for that someone, namely you, to cease all such nonsense immediately."
"Hmm... Tough choice," Alucard smirked. "Technically, I'm only bound to serve one master, and pestering Seras is such fun. Tell me, what do you intend to do if I refuse?"
Richard got what could only be called "an evil twinkle" in his eye. "Let's just say that I told Adolph Hitler to repent, but blew me off and sent his troops to a small city called 'Stalingrad'..."
"Urk! All right, all right!" Alucard replied, raising his arms in playful defense. "If Seras feels like praying, I won't bother her about it. Just tell your master to cancel the smiting!"
"Hahaha! Agreed. I'll phone that right in," Richard chuckled. "Well, my mission is over. One last word: if you choose to disregard everything I've said, that's your business, but I do want you to remember one thing. Not long ago you said that, because of the suffering mankind is subjected to, God must not care about his creations. If my mission accomplished nothing else, I hope that I have shown you that that couldn't be further from the truth."
"This isn't a world without Logos; just because Jesus Christ has departed this world doesn't mean that he has abandoned it. The Hellsing Organization protects Great Britain from the forces of darkness without them being any the wiser; so it is with my master. Goodbye, Mr. Alucard, and peace be with you."
Alucard tipped his hat toward Richard. "Fare thee well, angel. Tell your master that he has my gratitude for watching after Integra. I don't forget such things, either."
The angel smiled, nodded, and began walking away, but just as he was about to round the corner, a look of surprise flashed over Richard's face, as if he had forgotten something. Turning to Alucard with a huge smile, he added, "I've just received good news from HQ; say hello to Miss Hellsing for me, will you, Alucard?"
Alucard's jaw dropped; did he mean what he thought he meant?! Before the shocked vampire could respond, Richard had turned the corner and disappeared from view. Alucard considered running after him, when a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Alucard! Finally, I've found you!"
Alucard turned to see Walter beaming from ear to ear. "I have wonderful news! Dr. Seward says that Integra's going to be alright! She woke up for a few seconds, and seemed to be in full possession of her faculties! Do you hear me, you old bloodsucker, you? SHE'S ALRIGHT!!!"
Walter let out a whoop of joy and embraced Alucard in a bear hug that lifted the surprised vampire right off the ground, putting considerable pressure on his ribs!
"If he's a feeble old man, then I'm the Queen's auntie!" Alucard thought as he gasped for breath.
When Walter finally let him go, Alucard gave the old butler a toothy grin. "I'm glad, too, Walter. I was beginning to lose hope... before I received some inside information..."
Walter raised one eyebrow quizzically. "Now what in the world is that supposed to mean?"
Alucard took off his shades, folded them, and put them into his pocket. "Remind me to tell you someday, Walter. It's quite a story, really. But right now, our master could use some tea and aggravation to get her strength back. (grins) Do you think we're up to the task?"
Walter chuckled as the two walked down the hallway and toward Integra's bedside. "Old friend," he replied, "I'm sure of it."
THE END
Well, there you have it: this author's worldview in a nutshell. The next time disaster strikes your life, or if you're still trying to get over some calamity, remember the moral of this story: everything happens for a reason. "Logos" has your back, folks. I firmly believe this with all of my heart 'n soul.
This story was definitely uncharacteristic of both me and my writing style, but I hope you liked it anyway. Whether you did or didn't, please drop me a review; I'd appreciate it!