This chapter was beta read & edited by the wonderful Dreadnot. Thanks, Dreadnot!
Integra drank her tea in her office. It was such a dreary, cold winter day. The cold rain seemed to chill her even though she was inside where it was warm. She watched Alucard through the window. I know he is a vampire, but how he can sit outside in this cold rain is beyond me. Integra moved her thoughts away from Alucard's bizarre behavior to all that had happened in the last few months.
Hellsing had won. But, with all of the losses they had suffered, Integral did not feel very victorious. London was but a remnant of the city that she loved. The Queen had escaped unharmed. She and other English leaders had fled the city when the Vatican troops arrived. Then there were the more personal losses. Walter. Pip. The Wild Geese. Sir Pennington. Of all the losses, it was Walter that hurt the most. He had been like a father to her. Raising her from the time she was thirteen. Walter had given her the same respect that he shown her father. When she was orphaned, Walter did not treat her like a child – much. Integra smiled as she remembered the rare occasions when he had. But then, she had deserved it. It was those few times in her life when she acted like a child. That was then, this was now. Walter rarely spoke. Millennium had turned him into a vampire. And they had done something to his mind. Integral was determined to break whatever seals they had placed on his mind. He may be a vampire, she thought, but I will have him back, loyal to Hellsing. Integral would visit him, as would Seras and Alucard. One day soon, she knew in her heart, there would be a breakthrough. For now, Walter was being "kept" in the basement. A cell in the dungeon. Integral cringed at the thought of having to imprison a man that was so dear to her. But, she reminded herself that it was only temporary. Walter would resume his rightful place in the Hellsing organization. He had to. Integra just wasn't sure if she could endure years imprisoning him.
The other losses hurt as well. Integral felt somewhat responsible for them all. It was that feeling that pained her the most. She had to admit though, that she missed having Pip around. His smile, charm, and antics with Seras, had lightened the atmosphere of the mansion. Most of the Geese had been lost too. They were a good natured bunch of men. Without their jokes and noise, things had gotten downright boring, and incredibly depressing.
But, she still had her monsters: Alucard and Seras. Alucard was rather interesting to have around. Although she did not trust him, Integral needed him. And he knew it. She hated that fact. If it weren't for the fact that Integral held the reigns on his power so tightly, she might even feel a little vulnerable. But, the seals gave her security. Alucard would always answer to her. And having the most powerful monster in the world did have its advantages.
Then there was Seras. She was not quite a monster, but no longer human. Seras had changed so much since the war with Millennium had begun. She was no longer that pathetic scared vampire. No, Seras was brave, strong, and had become quite powerful. With Pip's soul and blood inside of her, she had defeated Zorin on her own. And now the former police girl was drinking blood now – it even seemed like she was enjoying it. Integral felt a strange sense of pride in her. Seras had accepted what she was and was growing stronger because of it. Yet, the vampire still hadn't lost of all who she was as a human. Integral knew that the most important thing to the police girl was protecting the innocent – like she did as a cop. Unlike Alucard, Integral knew that she could trust Seras completely. Seras would not try to manipulate her. Alucard might think she didn't know what he was up to at times. But, she knew all too well what the monster was capable of..