Author's Notes: Once again, I thank Asenath for editing this chapter. This fic is now a tad A/U for the recents events in the manga chapter 'Wizardry' regarding Walter.
Return to the Waste Land
'Do you know nothing? Do you see nothing? Do you remember nothing?'
- A Game of Chess
On Sunday, it rained.
Water poured down on the almost deserted streets. A small trail of steam was born of the contact of the cold liquid with the heated brick beneath. No soul was walking around, and the normal spectacle of a sea of umbrellas opening like blooming flowers was gone from the English capitol.
The rain blossoms had been crushed months ago by the ungentle fire.
The Westminster Church had miraculously survived the unholy fire and stood majestically amidst the zone of destroyed buildings. A proof that God had been with the Anglican faith? It couldn't be a mere stroke of luck that the Abbey had remained untouched, could it?
As any proper Protestant fanatic, Integral Hellsing was attending the dominical mass inside the famous Church—or at least the shell of it. It was not a place of devotion anymore. It had become a location for hiding, for bringing out one's sorrow and showing it open wide.
More like a celebration of being alive, the mass struck Integral as a lingering mourning courtship. She wondered when everyone would stop grieving and realize that the dead would want them to live.
Would God's response be faster if they were so bloody obvious? The congregation seemed to think so. Fools all them. To suffer in silence was more Christian than whining.
When it would be over? The self-pity disgusted her so much.
Integral had no time for it. Neither did her men.
"And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth," the vicar preached, quoting the books of Revelation, which in Integral's opinion, only fed the increasing paranoia even more.
Several of the people gathered on the last pews stood and exited the temple. Sighing, the knight re-settled in her seat, beside Lord Islands and Irons. She missed Penwood. He had died bravely to allow her and Walter to escape. She regretted having doubted his allegiance with the Crown when, in fact, it was quite the opposite.
"Prince William isn't among the Royal family," Islands casually pointed out as they were rising to get out. The ceremony was over; the clergyman had given the farewell blessing.
Integral's gaze fell on the Windsors, Islands was right. Everyone, even the divorced spouses--Sarah Ferguson and Mark Phillips-- were present, except the heir to the throne. "Perhaps he's indisposed."
"I've heard the rumours, too, Sir Hellsing."
Integral did not reply to that. She would have to request a private audience with Her Majesty. If the gossip were correct, the consequences for the already-demoralized nation could be terrible.
Just as Integral was about to step outside, a hand closed on her forearm, pulling her away from the gateway. She was about to turn to smash the daring idiot but regained her control. The 'attacker' in question was a middle-aged gentleman, dressed in a grey business suit.
"State your business and your name, Sir. I have a busy schedule to carry on," Integral demanded, fairly fuming.
"Pardon me for my rudeness, Sir Hellsing." The man bowed politely, gesturing towards the threshold. "But I thought you'd appreciate being saved from them."
Integral noticed then the fervent questions harassing the prestigious crowd leaving the church, followed by flashes of cameras. The Press no longer had any respect for their privacy.
Damn paparazzis. Integral frowned; remembering how they had stalked her to take a picture of 'One of London's new greatest heroes' after the war was over. She liked her low profile; it was easier to go unrecognised. Thankfully, Alucard had ruined the film with his tricks. Sometimes, even he had good ideas.
"Well, thank you very much." Integral cleared her throat, looking her 'saviour' up and down. "I take it you didn't just bring me here because you were a good Samaritan."
"Elementary, milady. I'm Albert Holmes, head detective of Scotland Yard," Albert introduced himself, bowing again out of courtesy.
"Holmes?"
"Let's say that yours wasn't the only family immortalized in literature." The detective offered her a conspiratorial wink before opening a side door for her. "The Cardinal showed me a secret to avoid the vultures."
"Wait, I'm not going anywhere with you without seeing your credentials first." Integral folded her arms. She was not going to trust some stranger with chivalric urges who claimed to be a descendant of such legendary figure.
"Of course," Albert searched inside his pocket and pulled out his wallet, showing her the ID and Scotland Yard identification. Integral took them and scrutinized the credentials carefully. Satisfied, she returned them to Holmes. "Speak," she said, following him outside. There was a black car waiting for them, a cab. "I have my Rolls Royce parked-"
"-in front of the Church, where all the journalists are waiting for an exclusive."
"Point taken," Integral admitted, much to her chagrin. Looking to the black cab, she pointed out, "There's no driver." In fact, the taxi was empty.
"It has a driver," Albert pulled a black cap from his coat and put it on, sliding into the vehicle. "Well, madam, let's begin our stroll through London, shall we?"
Integral smirked, amused by the detective's attics. "Very clever. Excellent disguise," she complimented and entered the vehicle, taking her place on the backseat. Once seated, she sent a message to the chauffeur of her Rolls Royce. There was no point in waiting for her anymore.
"Seat belt," Albert giddily reminded her as he spun around the corner, passing by the front of the Abbey fast, lest they were spotted.
Annoyed, Integral complied, buckling the belt. "Now we are alone, Holmes. Cut to the chase."
"Look at them, Madam Hellsing," Albert gestured to the streets. There, families that used to be well-off were sleeping among the crumbles of their former homes. The looks on their faces... Integral almost could not tolerate them. They were looks of pure despair. They were the faces of people who had been to hell and back. Had she failed so badly? No, they were still alive; that was a consolation. "And it gets worse in the less privileged neighbourhoods. These ones here will have a chance to reconstruct once the banks hand them the money from their accounts."
Integral's hands closed into fists, her grip tightening on her lap, as the tour continued before her eyes. Big Ben no longer sounded across the sky. The Tower of London had burned to the ground. And there was no longer a Tower Bridge that elegantly connected the extremes of the city above the Thames.
"What's your point, Holmes? I thought I was quite clear about having my hands too full to enjoy such a masochistic display fully," Integral inquired, defensive. Was he trying to make her feel guilty? Some sadistic hobby of his? She hoped that he found another one, like the traditional cocaine addiction of his line.
Integral fell silent, struggling with her priorities. She could not harm innocents, that was against her oath, but if they fell in crossfire, their demises would be taken as martyrs for the cause. Which cause? Hers or the heathens? It was not going to be as simple as she originally planed.
"I'm going to give your steward, Mr. Dornez, all the information I manage to dig up," Albert assured her with a kind smile. "MI-5 is occupied with the threats of the IRA. But, you, in exchange, promise to think on your answer carefully."
"I will."
"Don't brood on it, fine lady," Albert stopped the car, gleefully watching Integral's sour expression. "Think of it as a game of chess with a worthy adversary. Just use wisely your pawns and look after your King," he winked. He indicated the road before him. "Carfax Asylum. The Abbey is out of my reach. I gather supernatural spooks are involved."
"You suppose correctly," Integral smirked smugly, enjoying the fact that at least that was on her side. "I'm grateful for this, Mr. Holmes. Good luck in your research," she wished him well as she slid out of the cab. Integral walked in the direction of the hidden base, cloaked in shadows, the illusion fading just enough to allow her to pass. It was measure of caution against fans and detractors. It meant that Alucard's seal would need to remain raised, but she was willing to take that risk.
Once again, the gates opened by themselves. Integral did not question it this time and quickly slid inside, half-soaked by the rain. I shouldn't have left the umbrella in the car, she chastised herself, and pulled off her coat, placing it inside the closet.
"Sir Integra!"
Integral spun around at the sound of Seras' call. The Police Girl had also been caught by the rain, as her moistened uniform showed. Her knees were dirty with what apparently was soil mixed with grass. There was a towel on her head, and politely the Captain offered one to her leader.
"Here, Sir, so you won't catch a cold."
"Thank you, Seras," Integral smiled in return and dried her hair with the cloth. "You were outside as well?"
"Yes," Seras nodded, walking alongside Integral towards the kitchen. "I was visiting my old place to see if I could save something."
"Any luck?" Integral asked, wanting to make casual conversation. She had almost never possessed an opportunity like this. Seras' eyes were downcast as she shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry" Integral replied.
"It's not your fault, Sir. The guilty ones have already paid for it," Seras pointed out darkly, red orbs glowing briefly before her anger subsided.
"I should have predicted the attack, Seras," Integral murmured, "It was my duty."
Both entered the kitchen, one of the sections of the Abbey area that had not been remodelled yet. Walter was there, pushing himself around with the wheelchair and heating something on the stove.
"Welcome, Sir Integra, Miss Victoria," he greeted them with a polite smile. "Wait a minute, please. Your drinks will be ready in any moment."
"Very kind of you, Walter," Integral took a seat at the round table, Seras did the same. Soon, the butler brought two cups, steam rising from them.
"Blood with chocolate for Miss Police Girl," Walter settled the goblets down, "Earl Grey Tea for Sir Integra. I thought it would warm you after being caught by the storm."
"Thanks!" Seras beamed and sipped at her cup. Integral watched her curiously. Was she fully recovered from Pip's demise already? Something was not right.
"Seras… why are your legs covered with grass?" Integral interrogated, almost suspiciously.
Seras paused, lowering her drink. "Well… it's because…"
"She went to the cemetery," a disembodied voice commented, tone proper of a basso quality. Alucard soon made himself present, half of him phased through the ceiling. After spinning upside down, he landed on the floor softly. His glasses and hat were missing. "Her mortal attachment still lingers."
"Yes, it's true," Seras admitted proudly. "Some of us have the decency to attend a fellow member's burial, there's no shame in that."
"Police girl is showing her fangs?" Alucard laughed, mockingly. "Are you accusing me?"
"You should have come with us. Even Iscariot was there! Where's your respect, Master?"
"I respect only those who deserve it, Police girl," Alucard pointed out, his lips curled up with malicious intent.
"What do you mean?"
Integral could see Seras was losing her cool, it was understandable. She knew that the Captain held in high esteem the mercenaries, particularly Bernadette.
"You heard me. Those pathetic humans had only one mission: defend the Hellsing Manor. Did they accomplish it? No, the Mansion was in ruins when I came back." Alucard sounded rational for once in his life. The knight knew he measured things merely as "useful" or "useless," with a minimum of emotional attachment... except with that which he claimed to 'own.' The house had been part of his domain.
Seras stood suddenly; ready to leap at her Master any minute. Walter chose wisely to position himself between the two. "Miss Seras, come along… I need help descending the stairs to the basement…" he requested.
"That was tasteless, Alucard," Integral chided, finishing her tea. "The wound is still fresh for Seras. And to be fair, Captain Bernadette aided her more in bringing out her power than yourself."
Alucard's smirk faltered. Integral understood then. It was a matter of territory? The idea of a human being a better teacher than himself? He was frustrated.
"The Police Girl is fooling around with that little man in death," Alucard explained. "Therefore I don't think she's too pained by my bringing up the issue. If she were that pathetic I wouldn't have bothered to offer her a choice that night."
"What do you mean? Praying at the graveside could be healthy."
"Humans standards don't apply to vampires, Integra," Alucard walked towards her seat. "Let's just say, she has discovered a basic gift of necromancy. Speaking with lost souls."
Integral's eyes widened. Pip Bernadette a ghost? The way he died was violent, and it could have left his spirit restless. "I don't think Seras is fond of necrophilia. You shouldn't fear competition, Alucard," Integral taunted, assuming her vampire was envious of the former Captain.
Alucard grinned, stopping his path near her. Bending down, he murmured close to her ear. "Necrophilia could be more entertaining than you think, Integra."
Integral followed his motions, guessing Alucard's intentions: unnerving her, winning control over her. She would not fall into such childish trap. "I'd rather have a man with a pulse."
"Pulse is overrated. You shouldn't dismiss something before you try it."
"What about… body… warmth…?" Integral sensed it now. There was a faint heat coming off Alucard, and a blush on his pale skin. "You drank living blood!" She jumped off her seat, distancing herself. Her sudden motion made her chair fall down.
"It was offered." Alucard let loose a throaty chuckle. "During my visit to your vampire groupie friends. Most polite hosts. Eager to indulge my every whim."
"No one gave you permission!"
"You told me I would be back to action soon. You never said when." Alucard shrugged as if it were not important.
"What did you find out?" Integral inquired, taking advantage of her mistake. She would mind her words in the future, but for now, no harm was done.
"Not much," was his response before vanishing. "They don't have high quality in blood, you know. The one I sipped wasn't chaste at all." He wrinkled his nose in distaste.
"Not virgins?" That caught Integral's attention. "Then how can they pretend to offer their followers vampirism?"
But no one answered, Alucard was gone.
Very well, Alucard. I'll find it out myself. Integral thought, as she bent down to pick up her fallen chair. She would win this game.