AN: Thanks everyone for the reviews/comments. This story is going much slower then I thought. Things should start to pick up after this chapter. Alexander Anderson enters the scene. Alucard will not like it one little bit.
Integral Hellsing and the vampire known as Seras Victoria arrived at the small café in London a few minutes early. The Hellsing leader wanted time to organize her thoughts before Paladin Anderson arrived. She and Seras both ordered hot beverages. Seras picked out some sort of white chocolate latte and Integral had chosen a strong cup of English tea. Integral chuckled at the choice of the young vampire. Seras must really miss human food still if she ordered such a sickingly sweet drink. Either that or she has a craving for chocolate. Integral looked at her watch as she sipped her tea – Anderson was late. How like the Vatican to be late for our meeting. Hasn't anything changed since the war?
"Sir Integral, do you think we'll be able to get along better with Iscariott since Father Anderson is in charge instead of Father Maxwell?"
Integral thought about it. Father Anderson had saved her life during the war – she doubted Enrique would even had bothered. "I believe it is possible, Seras. We can only hope so. I'm more concerned with you. Have your wounds healed?"
Seras smiled. "Thank you for asking Sir. I'm as good as new! That is one of the benefits of being umm like me."
"I'm still worried. Are you safe now? I'm not sure what's gotten into Alucard. He hasn't been himself since the war ended."
The vampire nodded. "Yes, I've noticed it too. I wonder…could it have anything to do with all of those souls he imprisons. Sometimes Pip drives me crazy – I can't imagine trying to control all those souls I saw that day during the war."
Integral nodded and started to respond but then saw Father Anderson walked through the door. He looked rather different since the last time they had met. He was dressed in civilian clothes but looked rather…nice. The priest wore dress pants and shirt with a black jacket. Integral suspected he did not want to be spotted meeting with her. It's a shame we have to meet in secret like there is something wrong with our organizations getting along
"Sir Integral Hellsing, it is a pleasure to see you. You are looking better then you were the last time we met." Father Anderson grinned at the leader of the Hellsing organization. Seras would have blinked if she could've – Father Anderson's eyes seemed to light up when he greeted Integral. The priest turned to her, "Seras Victoria, I see you are protecting your commander."
"I'm doing my best, Father." Seras replied.
"Father Anderson, please – sit down. The waitress should be back in a few minutes."
The priest sat down in between Integral and Seras Victoria. "Sir Integral, I was hoping for this meeting could just call me Alexander or Anderson. There are some in the church who would literally have my head for meeting with you…but I thought it was important that our two organizations at least try to get along. We have other enemies to fight and shouldn't waste our energy fighting each other."
Integral spoke first. "Certainly, Alex - I do agree even though…I have my problems with the Catholic Church. We should just agree that there are differences and try to move on. Our organizations will never be allies I suppose but we shouldn't have to fight." Integra smiled at the Priest.
The waitress finally came and Alex ordered a cup of Latte. He informed Integral of some of the changes he was hoping to make at the Vatican. The Hellsing leader told him of her approval. The priest informed Integral of the current state of affairs and who had been imprisoned or killed for their role in the Enrique's actions in the war. After some small talk they ate lunch. Integral was quite surprised things were going so well. When the check arrived they fought over who would pay. Alex was trying to be a gentleman but Integral wouldn't have Iscariott paying for her meal. After the check was settled, Alex surprised Integral by taking her hand and whispering into her ear. She nodded and spoke to Seras.
"Seras, Father Anderson has some things he wants to discuss confidentially with me. It doesn't concern you. We're going to go for a short walk. You can go back to Hellsing. I'll catch a cab back to the mansion."
Seras didn't like this one bit. She wondered if the priest was up to something. Seras couldn't' refuse a direct order but wasn't she supposed to protect the boss? "But-Sir, I don't think."
"Seras, I know you want to protect me, but I trust Father Anderson. He saved my life after all. Just keep it between you and me, understand?" Integral took the hand of Seras in her own.
Seras could feel the trust that Integral felt for Anderson. She looked at Alexander. As crazy as it was, she felt like they could trust him too. He wasn't Maxwell. Integral would be all right.
"Okay, Sir. I'll go but you take the car. I can take a cab. I'd feel better if I knew you had a car with a driver and all."
Integral nodded and watched her vampire head outside to catch a cab. Seras really was a good soldier. She felt lucky to have her. Integral and Father Anderson headed out the door after paying the bill. It was beautiful day outside and the Hellsing leader was happy to be out enjoying it. She closed her eyes as she felt the sun beat down on her long blonde hair. It gave her such a feeling of peace. As they continued to walk, however, Integral started to feel a little weak. It was as if her life energy was being drained from her body, bit by bit. The weakness grew and Integral had to stop walking.
"Sir Integral – are you okay? Perhaps we should stop. There's a bench just up ahead." Anderson tried to offer the lady some assistance but she pushed him away, taking each step with caution.
"I'm fine, Father – just a little tired. If I take my time, I'll be just fine." Integral Hellsing cursed under her breath. What the hell is wrong with me? I was just fine a few minutes ago. After a few minutes, it hit her. The sun. That was the only difference from where she was a few minutes ago. The truth was staring Integral Hellsing in the face. Believing it would mean that Alucard, in a sense, was betraying her. He, who was her loyal, servant was trying to turn her into a vampire. Has he gone mad? It didn't make a bit of sense to her. Alucard had always seemed to enjoy serving her. Even if he had grown tired of it, Alucard always gave choices. They may not be the best choices but it was a choice. Integral wondered if something had happened to his mind during the war. Maybe he really had gone completely mad. Integral thought about it all for a few minutes – she let the reality of what she was facing sink into her head. Come to think of it, Alucard had attacked Seras and nearly killed her. And for what? Seras had only been concerned for her welfare. Usually, Alucard would just have ignored his fledgling. This time, however, he had been brutal and punished her. Integral was slowly coming to realize that Alucard had undergone some changes since the end of the war. He is not the same vampire. The seals are no longer working. What in the bloody hell am I going to do?
"Sir Integral, where would you like to sit. There are some benches over here in the sun. We might be warmer here. Or would you like to sit in the -"
"The shade. Could we sit in the shade Father?"
"Certainly – are you sure you'll be warm enough?"
"Yes, I'll be fine." Integral walked briskly over to a bench that was under a huge oak tree. Immediately she felt some of her energy return. Father Anderson seemed to notice it too as he looked at her like he was surprised.
"Okay Father, what did you want to talk about – that you couldn't say in front of Seras?" Integral just wanted to get this meeting over with. She still had to walk back to the café to get in her car.
"Sir Integral, there are a few things I wanted to discuss but…what in the Lord's name is going on with you? You were barely able to walk just moments ago. Now you seem a practically fine. You seem to be avoiding the sun and your skin – it seems to have gotten a shade lighter. If I didn't know any better, Sir Integral, I would have to say-"
"Don't say it, Father!" Integral hissed. This cannot be happening. The priest started to speak but Integral cut him off. The Hellsing leader clenched her fist unable to conceal her anger for a second more. She would make Alucard suffer greatly for his transgression. When she spoke again, her voice was calm, cool, and completely in control. "I understand what it must look like, Father. I assure you I will take care of this."
"Integral, I know our organizations have been enemies in the past but let me help with this. I'll keep it strictly between us. Who is doing this to you?"
Integral looked at the priest – Alexander had the kindest eyes. He had saved her from his own comrades in the middle of the war. Integral supposed she could trust him. She had to – who else was there? "Yes, you did Alex. You don't know how much I appreciate it. You risked your life and reputation for me. I don't think I ever properly thanked you. Thank you. As for who is doing this? You won't believe it."
"It is him, isn't it?"
"If by 'him', you mean Alucard, my servant. Yes, it could only be him."
Alexander Anderson's face contorted in anger as rage overcame him. "I will kill him, Sir Integral. How dare he do this to you? You are his Master."
"Alucard hasn't been quite the same since the end of the war. I think his insanity has reached a new level. He nearly killed Seras because she tried to protect me. The seals apparently are no longer having an effect on him. Something must be done – he cannot be allowed to succeed. I will not be in servitude to him!"
"Your body may be weak Sir Integral, but your mind is as strong as ever. Let me help you come up with a plan of action. He won't be allowed to succeed. It is the least I can do after what has happened to London."
Integral nodded, not believing herself that she was going to accept the help of a Catholic. I guess things had to change sometime.
Alexander and Integral started to walk back and the mood of the Hellsing leader had entirely changed. When the weakness from the sun hit her this time, she accepted Alexander Anderson's help. She still hated every moment of it – but Integral knew that even people in power had times when they needed help. Knowing whether to refuse or accept it was what made the difference in success or failure.. They arrived at the car and there was almost a sense of tension between the two leaders as they said goodbye.
Anderson took her hand in his and squeezed it ever so gently as he looked her directly in the eyes. The two of them seemed almost lost in a special moment for a few seconds. It was Anderson who broke the spell. "I will be in touch. Call me if anything happens or if need anything. Be careful, Integral, but you are the Hellsing leader – I'm sure you will be. Till the next time we meet." Alexander Anderson brought Integral's hands up to his mouth and kissed them softly.
Integral was shocked at her body's response to the Paladin. When he had held her hands for those brief moments, she felt a slight pleasurable tingling sensation. And when he had kissed her hands, she felt her body temperature rise. What in the bloody hell is wrong with me? I'm not a silly school girl. He is a priest – and…" The driver was asking her questions about which way to go home and talking about other Hellsing business. She didn't have time to think about Anderson now. Sometimes life was such a pain in the arse.