Seras Victoria was sprawled out on her coffin-bed with the lid open when there was a knock on her door. It wasn't quite dark outside yet and she had been up all day reading. Seras knew she would be dead on her feet tonight. She chuckled at the thought. Wasn't the vampire technically dead already? Seras finally felt like she had full recovered from her Master's punishment for failing to complete her mission and almost getting herself killed. Alucard had not been by to see her since the night he had quite literally beat her arse and she did not miss him one bit. Seras hoped it was Walter or Sir Integral at the door and not Alucard.

"Come in." Seras yelled. She didn't want to get up from her bed. The book had her mesmerized.

"Good evening, Miss Victoria." Walter looked at the vampire in her rather suggestive position on the bed and grinned.

Seras sat up immediately and couldn't help but blush. "Oh sorry, Walter. It is this book. The story is fascinating!"

Walter approached Seras and sat down next to her on the bed. "Which one are you reading, Miss Victoria?" He asked her.

"Carmella," Seras replied. "Thanks so much for getting them for me. I would have been bored out of my mind if I didn't have anything to read. I am kind of getting cabin fever."

"Now that you mention it…I was wondering if you would like to help me start planting a flower garden tonight." Walter asked her.

"Really?" Seras practically shouted. "I'd love to! I was beginning to think you would never ask me to help you again." Seras was so excited and filled with gratitude that she gave Walter a tight hug, pressing her chest up against his. When she felt his hand on her back, Seras looked into his eyes. The look of lust she saw there scared her just a little even though she wanted him too. Seras backed away just a little. "I'm sorry, Walter. I guess I kind of got carried away with the moment."

Walter stroked the back of her hair. "It is quite all right, Miss Victoria or may I call you Seras?"

She nodded. Walter pulled her to him and kissed her lips in a slow and gentle kiss. Seras kissed him back slowly at first but soon her desire took over. She pressed her body against Walter's and slipped her tongue into his mouth. Seras wanted to be closer to him – now. Seras whispered in his ear, "I want you, Walter." She was surprised when Walter pulled away. "Wha-wha-what?" She asked.

"Believe me, Seras; I want you too – right now. I have for the longest time." Walter explained.

"I know - it's because of what I am right?" Seras asked with a look of disappointment on her face.

Walter chuckled. "No, Seras, of course it isn't. Believe me; it is taking all of my self-control not to rip your clothes off right now."

Seras felt her face grow warm from the growing blush. "But then why, Walter?"

Walter took her hand in his and stroked it. "Seras it will be your first time. You deserve for it to be special. You've lost so much already."

Seras smiled at Walter. He was just too sweet. She hugged him gently. "Thank you, Walter. I really don't deserve you."

"Seras, you deserve so much more. Just be patient with me and we'll have a night you'll remember after I'm long gone---"

Seras put her finger on his lips – she could not bear to hear him talk like that. "Shhh-don't even say that. I don't want to think…"

"I'm sorry, Seras. It will be a night for us both to remember, okay?"

Seras nodded and laid her head against his chest. Walter caressed her back. The two would-be lovers stayed in that position for over an hour. Neither one wanted to interrupt their moment of bliss. Finally, Seras Victoria fell asleep and Walter gently laid her on the bed. He stayed in the room staring at her beautiful body, not quite believing that she desired his old imperfect one. He grinned as he thought of all the things he would do to her and she to him. Plans of their special night started to form inside his mind. Soon, Seras, soon. Walter remembered that he needed to talk to Integral about Alucard. He would also ask her for a few days off.

Walter had arranged for a meeting with Integral when Alucard was scheduled to be on an out of town mission. It was the only way they could ensure their privacy. Walter sat opposite Integral's desk. She had been responding to a particularly nasty email from Enrico Maxwell, the leader of Section XIII. Integral turned, lit her cigar, and gave Walter her full attention.

"Hello, Walter, I'm finished now. Thank you for being so patient. I had to respond to that idiot's email or it would have grated at me until I did. Now, what is it that you wanted to discuss?" Integral asked.

Walter smiled at the woman he had watched grow up. "I understand completely." The butler shifted in his chair nervously. "It is about…Alucard. I know that you had walked in on our rather – heated discussion."

Integral chuckled. "Heated discussion? Do you mean your fist fight, Walter?"

"Well – yes. I would rather not bore you with the details but for it to come to that, a fight; you can imagine that Alucard and myself are not on good terms."

Integral nodded. "I was hoping it was only temporary, Walter. Is it serious?"

"Very. It is not something that we can settle or agree on. I'm afraid things between us will always be rather tense. "Walter answered.

"That might make things difficult, Walter. Sometimes you two must interact to perform your duties for Hellsing."

"Yes, that brings me to why I'm here. With your approval, Sir Integral, I would like to train someone else to handle Lord Alucard's weapons. That should limit our interactions." Walter explained and waited for Integral's response.

Integral did not say anything for a few moments as she considered Walter's request. She had a feeling what this was about but knew that Walter did not want to discuss the situation with her and respected his privacy. "I don't think it should be a problem as long as the person is as good as you."

"I think you will be pleased, I would like Miss Victoria to take over. She already has quite an extensive knowledge of guns and is a quick learner. I would able to assist her, of course." Walter looked at Integral for her reaction.

Integral grinned. It might be quite good for Seras to take on the responsibility of Alucard's guns. Doing so would force Alucard to see a different side to Seras and the task would give the girl some self-confidence. "I think Seras would be well-suited for the job. I have no problem with it Walter as long as you supervise her training and are available as a consultant to Miss Victoria.

Walter beamed. "Thank you, Sir Integral."

"Walter, do you think there is any chance of repairing your friendship with Alucard. You two have known each other for such a long time – I hate to see such problems develop between friends." Integral closed her eyes as she waited for him to answer.

"Well," Walter said, "Unless Alucard admits he is wrong, I can't see anything changing. I wish it wasn't so. I will do my best to be cordial to him so things don't get too---"

"Heated?" Integral asked.

Walter nodded. "I suppose I should be going. Oh, I almost forgot. Can I have this weekend off?"

"Yes, you may. There is nothing planned and things have been so bloody slow. Have a good night, Walter." Integral said as she returned her attention to her computer.

"Good night, Sir Integral." Walter said as he walked out the door.
---------------
Walter had one last stop to make before the matter would be laid to rest. Alucard.
He walked down to the vampire's room in the basement and knocked on the door. Walter was surprised when Alucard came to the door instead of telling him to come in. "Lord Alucard, I hope now isn't a bad time." Walter said.

Alucard smirked. "Not particularly – what brings you down here, Angel?"

"I thought we should clear the air, Alucard." Walter explained. "I don't think we will ever agree on your treatment of Seras Victoria. I can't forgive what you did to her. I understand your reasons but…well let's just leave it at that. I don't wish to fight with you or leave Hellsing, either."

Alucard sat down and motioned for his old comrade to do the same. "Sounds like a dilemma to me, Walter."

Walter nodded. "I would like to call a truce, Alucard. I will not interfere in your relationship with Miss Victoria. It is not my place after all. However, if you hurt her like you did before…I can't say what I'll do. My actions may be more ruthless if there is a next time."

Alucard grinned. "I would expect nothing less from you, Angel of death. Let's hope there won't be a next time."

"Yes, let us. Seras Victoria will be handling your weapon requests and repairs. And our friendship, Alucard – is over. I will be cordial to you but that is all." Walter turned to walk away.

"Angel – can you answer me one question?" Alucard asked.

"Yes?" Walter replied.

"Why is it that even strong humans like yourself have such delicate emotions?" Alucard studied his old friend.

"If I knew the answer to that question, Lord Alucard, I would not be a butler but a psychiatrist." Walter knew as he walked out the door it would be the last time he would be in that room. A sadness filled his heart. Alucard and he had never been emotionally close but they had been comrades in a time of war. Such relationships built a sort of intimacy between soldiers. And no matter what happened Walter would always respect the vampire. Yet he hated him for what he did to Seras. There was no going back now – Walter had chosen his ally. It was Seras and being her friend, her lover would bring the most special rewards.