Dear Hellsing Fic Readers,

I hope you like this.

:year nine - age twenty-two:

Sacred
Holy
To put it in words
To write it down
That is walking on hollowed ground
But it´s my duty
I´m a missionary
- Sacred; Depeche Mode

Nothing. There was nothing. In the nothingness suddenly came something... a voice... smooth... silky... promising... cruel... familiar. A growl rolled from a dry throat, the sound scratching the surface like sandpaper over gravel. She sunk back into the security her nothingness had to offer, letting it envelope her.

"I can't say that it's a pleasure to see you, Sir Hellsing. But I can say that I'm more pleased now than during our last encounter."

There were short steps then the sound of a collapsing as the stranger settled into a chair. He shifted his weight, the sound of an elastic hair piece ruining the comforting silence. Integral sputtered, forming words with a relaxed mouth and numb tongue, "What do you want, Maxwell?"

"Just here to visit an old friend." Enrico mocked, running fingers through his hair as he pulled back the loose ends into a tight knot.

"I thought the Queen disposed the Vatican's occupa-"

"tsktsktsk." Enrico tutted his tongue. Integral could just envision the man flicking one finger to the left and right so that he could exaggerate his point. It was all ready insulting enough breathing the same air as he was, she didn't need to taint her sight. So, she turned her head away from the man and preferred to keep her eyes closed as he deliberately spoke with a silky voice. "As you are well aware, London is in complete ruin. As also you are well aware, the public is confused and upset now that the world is very aware that evil exists among us, in the flesh. The people demanded order, the Queen could do little but request the Vatican's assistance to clean up this little mess since... well... the Hellsing Organization proved quite incapable of their normal 'garbage clean up' routine."

Integral curled a lip. Were she not hooked up to UVs, IVs, and whatever-Vs, the woman would demand a cigar, a cigarette, a shot of scotch, and a .45 caliber loaded with one bullet to put Enrico out of her presence. Instead, she vied to maintain what little pride and honor she still possessed despite the present fallbacks. "Is that why you came here, to mock me, Swine?"

"Now now. I wouldn't go so far as to insult your dear benefactor, Integral," Enrico's tone was just saturated with smiles and grins.

"Benefactor..?"

"Why, yes. You don't honestly think Hellsing's expenses could cover the costs you wrought on London? You should have seen the people of England. They were begging the Queen to crucify you for your misdeeds."

"MY misdeeds?"

"Well, yes. The Queen had to blame someone for the mess. Do you honestly think she was prepared to tell the Public your little pet Alucard fought against an evil menace that was probably the servant of an even greater enemy? Here, allow me to enlighten your ignorance."

There was a snap of a paper as Enrico flattened out the headlines. Integral could hear him smooth out the edges and flick out a wrist as he put on his spectacles. "Ahem... 'This evening her Majesty and the Prime Minister agreed to protect the people's security given time. At the moment, Integral Hellsing, the director of a confidential institution responsible for accidentally releasing various experiments related to bringing the dead back to life as well as other related anatomical weaponry, is held in detention at the royal hospital. The Queen publicly apologized to loved ones lost during a mission to contain Sir Hellsing's weaponry gone awry and promised justice would be served.' Blah blah blah blah. To paraphrase simply, your country and everything you hold sacred turned around and blamed you for what had happened. The public believes that you are responsible for the ghouls, the freak chips, the entire mess."

Integral felt... betrayed. Words couldn't describe the pull at her stomach. Slowly, her head turned back to Enrico and her eyes opened. Pupils attempted to adjust to the light, but without her glasses, the world was unfocused and strange. She could detect Maxwell's shape and even see the square of the paper he was reading, but the details were left to the imagination.

Maxwell stood up, fingers gingerly sweeping a bag he had brought with him. In the palm of his left hand, he drew out a black case and unclasped it. Delicately, his hands picked out the frames and he placed them on Integral's scowling face, carefully slipping them behind her ears and adjusting the bridge on her nose.

"Wrong prescription," Integral grunted.

"Can you see better?"

"Somewhat."

Maxwell shrugged, "Then it works." Another hand slipped into the bag and drew out a bouquet of lilies. "Since I understand you aren't fond of roses, I assumed the flowers of Our Holy Mother might be more appealing."

Integral was silent as she glared at the man. There were no pet vampires to scare him away. There was no way she could leave her bed and turn her back on him. She was handicapped. She was disabled. He had her completely to his advantage.

"Do you sometimes reflect back on your younger years?" Enrico asked, a brow raised with lifted curiosity.

"...No."

"I do," Taking the conversation into his direction, Maxwell placed the flowers at the foot of the hospital bed and sat down at the edge, causing Integral to grimace as her weight shifted and fresh bruises rubbed into aching muscles. "I think back constantly. I remember when I was a young altar boy at the feet of the arch bishop, speaking perfect Latin and reciting challenging prayers before particular saints. I remember when I met Anderson, oh what a lovely man he was! He used to not be so passionate about Christ, oh heaven knows. He was in a mental institution for who knows how long due to his schizophrenia and psychological problems, but God sees the best in all his children, no matter how flawed they maybe. Why, if I recall correctly, he ripped off the jaw of one of his docto-"

"Is there a point to this visit, or do I have to lay here listening to you gloat about your life story which is - if I maybe blunt - terrifically uninteresting," Integral groaned.

Maxwell's lower jaw twitched, arms crossing over his chest with the heel of one foot tapping against the floor. "Did I make myself clear when I said that the Catholics are responsible for your well being now?"

"I fail to understand."

"While you maybe filthy rich, even your finances can't cover the costs of London's damage, let alone your own health's recovery."

"And the fact the Pope stole money from the people in order to grant me an everlasting supply of blood transfusions gives you the right to ramble on about your pathetic life history? I apologize for being forward, Maxwell, but I doubt the pope sent you to mock me and have you recite your boring memoir," Integral spat. "Get on with business or leave me alone."

Maxwell's lips tightened as his jaw twitched shut. He took a few moments to collect himself after Integral's insult, gathering portions of his patience and ignoring a growing temptation to shake the woman stupid. "Maiale..." He muttered under his breath.

"Asino," Integral retorted.

"Oh, how childish!" Maxwell threw down the newspaper. "I didn't come here to be insulted by a Pagan who can't even pronounce Asino correctly in proper Italiano."

"Then why are you here?" Integral stressed, rolling her eyes at Maxwell's hypocrisy.

Enrico dipped his hand back into the bag and returned it with a stack of papers and a pen between his fingers. He snapped the pile neatly into a board, extending it towards Integral. "There is a proposition."

"A proposition?"

"Yes," Maxwell's features seemed disgusted as he spoke. "I am under orders to give you these papers. Such things cannot be discussed presently, there are spies in the shadows."

Integral removed her glasses, peering at the papers and their fuzzy text. "...This is in Latin."

"I trust you understand the language."

"Indeed." Integral flipped through the pages as she skimmed the documents. Suddenly, an aura of shock arrested her face.

"Interesting. That's just about what my expression was when I read the contract as well," Enrico hummed as he lifted himself off the bed and straightened out his clothes.

"I don't understand..."

"I don't see why not. The writing is perfectly legible."

"But doesn't this go against everythi-"

"Sshhh." Maxwell crossed his lips with one finger, hissing the sound with his tongue. "This is to be kept confidential and only mentioned to the parties involved. Accept your fate and sign those papers."

"What if I refuse?" Integral growled.

"It is the Queen's orders that you sign. I apologize for sealing your fate, Ms. Hellsing, but I don't believe you have a choice in the matter."

She became quiet, and then a sigh escaped dry lips. "Where do I sign, Enrico?"

"I could have ripped out his tongue. Swallowed his entrails.. And I would have, if you only said the word."
"I couldn't. The Queen specifically sent him to carry out the message"
"I'll never understand your commitment for your country. Your sense of loyalty sickens me. Even when everything you value turns its back on you, you still stand by it."
"Wouldn't you?"
"I committed the highest treason, Master."
"Which is?"
"I turned my back on God."

Author's Notes: Short and Sweet. I like the song "Sacred" by Depeche Mode. Fabulous song. A friend of mine wants to illustrate this story. We are thinking of collaborating and putting it into a site. I'd love to see a picture of Integral and Enrico from chapter 6. Their relationship intrigues me, even if it is hardly romantic.

I am more of a serious story lover. That's why my stories are primarily based on Anime events as oppose to Manga events. The Manga is very whimsical and sheds light on quite a bit of humor, while the Anime is definitely darker. As such, the Anime naturally appealed to me more. It's a matter of taste, but I do give reference to the Manga whenever I can.

I've decided that any chapter that mentions Enrico Maxwell is going to be AWESOME. It seems to be that way. Now, while I find it highly unlikely that Integral and Enrico would ever hop on eachother like horny bunnies, their interactions are so much fun to write. Far more fun than Alucard and Integral's conversations which... are always kind of dry.

Anyways, more revealed later.