Disclaimer: I don't own Van Helsing nor anything associated with it, it is the property of Universal and the brain child of Steven Summers

Chapter 32

Van Helsing fled the warmth of the fire sweeping through the dark corridors of the manor and descended a stairway to entire Anna's basement training room.

The basement, buried deep within the foundations of the manor, spanned the entire lover floor. The family needing to learn and practice the skills that would keep them alive and make them strong enough to have a chance at Dracula had used the large space for centuries as a training area. A large array of training weapons covered much of the far wall.

Van Helsing walked purposefully passed sparring mats and climbing ropes, to where a glittering set of silver Japanese throwing stars rested besides a graphic illustration of a fully transformed vampire.

Anna entered the room silently spotting the hunter at the far wall venting his frustration on the unfortunate target. She approached and lent against a cabinet containing various swords, watching with silent respect as each one of the throwing stars found their mark in the vampire's neck or heart. Out of weapons Van Helsing sighed and gestured to the target.

"Not bad for a guy over four hundred." He muttered turning to shot an ironic smile at the princess.

She shrugged "You were wide on the last one." She stated critically eyeing the last star, which was embedded above the vampire's left ear.

Van Helsing raised an eyebrow "You could do better?"

Anna grinned at him crossing to acquire her own set of stars. "Watch and learn."

Van Helsing grinned in amusement as she settled into a stance and eyed her target.

The princess threw all of the stars in quick succession before Van Helsing could blink and then stepped back to admire her handy work. All of the stars had landed deep into the vampire's neck well and truly decapitating it. Smirking triumphantly she turned towards Van Helsing.

"Not bad for a mere 25 year old." She mocked easily.

"I can see why you thought you didn't need my help." He muttered deeply impressed.

Anna settled herself against the wall opposite him a serious expression on her face as she handled a spare throwing star.

"Maybe I don't need your protection…but I do need your help." She admitted running a finger over one of the sharp blades.

Van Helsing regarded her almost sadly. "Do you still want me here?" he asked silently.

Anna cocked an eyebrow "I wasn't exactly thrilled when you turned up and now you're giving me a choice? I'm your mission; you would never abandon a mission."

Van Helsing smirked. "I've been here less than two months and you already know me too well."

"That's because we're the same, at least in spirit."

Van Helsing had to agree with her there, it was one of the reasons for their frequent disagreements. They sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes Van Helsing regarded the Vampire target with contempt, seeing a similarity between his own dark life and the creature's lust for the kill.

"When you asked me…if I was a Holy man or a murderer." He said turning to the princess.

"The truth is I've never really known myself. Now I do. I'm nothing but a murderer."

The princess watched the grimace of pain that crossed his features at his own words and frowned.

"You're not a murderer." She stated. "All those years ago…you were doing what you must; you were doing your job." He didn't look up.

"Then I'm a common assassin." He spat bitterly.

Anna hesitated before crossing over to him and taking his hands gently between her own. He looked at her in surprise at this tender action but to her relief didn't pull away.

"For centuries my family has fought Dracula, too many of us died at his hands. In all those years we begged for help, no one came. But when I needed help, when I should have died in that market…you came."

Her eyes glittered with gratitude and emotion as she held his gaze. "You're not a murderer Gabriel and you're not an assassin…you're a hero."

Van Helsing looked into her eyes the sensation to kiss her almost overwhelming. Silence reined in the cavernous room as the tension between them grew, there breath mingling in the small space between their faces.

Anna was startled by the intensity of the hunter's gaze, a sudden rush of lust for the tortured soul before her caught her by surprise. She swallowed hard hoping he would close the distance and kiss her, her body trembling slightly at the thought.

He brought his hand up as if to pull her towards him but stopped short breaking the spell and sighing turned away from her. Anna shakily stood more than a little bewildered by the intensity of her sudden feelings for this man.

"I used to believe I was a good man, princess." He said regarding her seriously "I want to be a good man…but I don't believe such a thing exists in a world such as this."

Anna frowned catching his eye, once again the commanding confident Gypsy Princess he had met not two months ago.

"The world is full of good men, Mr Van Helsing…even if there are monsters in it." She looked him over once more "Good night. Gabriel."

He watched in silent awe as she turned gracefully and left him alone in the candle lit training room to contemplate her words.