Chapter 6

Integra tapped her fingers against the desk impatiently, knowing that Walter would be coming up soon to collect her tray. She had to talk to him about what had just happened, it was just so completely unlike Walter.

In vain she tried to focus on her paperwork, but her mind kept turning over what Walter had said. Luckily, her internal torment was broken when the door opened and Walter returned for the tray.

"Walter—" Integra started to say in a purposeful tone.

"No, Sir Integra, allow me to apologize," Walter cut in smoothly.

Integra blinked at him, stunned. "Apol…?" She began faintly.

Walter bravely met her eye and nodded once. "Try to understand that my earlier actions were based on my attempt to fill the role of your father. I only wished to react as your father would have in a similar situation."

Integra froze in her chair as she contemplated the meaning of his words. "So what do you really want for me, Walter?" she asked softly.

Walter bowed his head. "What makes my lady happy," he replied, before picking up her tray and turning to go.

"Thank you, Walter," Integra murmured, and she saw the set of his shoulders relax as he went opened the door and went out of the room.

"Now where were we, then?" She heard Alucard say as he dropped down from the ceiling and stood behind her chair.

Integra's lips twitched and she rose from her chair. "I believe you were stroking my hair," she answered, hearing him come closer to her.

"Did we only get that far?" he asked, sliding one arm around her torso and lifting up her hand with his other.

"So it would seem," Integra replied, feeling his fingers caress hers.

"Well then," Alucard began, but froze at the sound of someone knocking on the door.

Integra immediately sat down in her chair again and shoved Alucard under her desk. "I'm lifting two of the seals," she hissed, as she heard Captain Bernadette say her name in a muffled tone from the other side of the door.

Alucard understood immediately. "Come in," Integra said in a relieved tone.

Captain Bernadette entered, curious about the reason for the pause before he had been let in. "'Evening," he said cheerfully, standing to attention, but his eyes strayed to the large, black furry lump by his commander's feet. "A dog!" he exclaimed with obvious enthusiasm, getting down on his knees and inspecting the canine with interest. "What breed?" he asked Sir Integra, who was trying to hide her amusement at his loss of poise.

"Some sort of hound," she answered vaguely. "But what was it you came here for, Captain?" she reminded him.

"Oh, yes," he said, getting up hurriedly. "Well, it was just the report on the mission we completed yesterday…"

"Thank you, Captain," Integra said, quickly taking the folder he held out to her.

"And goodnight," she added in a tone that indicated dismissal.

"Ah, yes, good night," the Captain said, slightly put off by the hound's red eyes, which had opened at some point between his exchange with Integra. With a shrug that turned into a shudder, he left the room and closed the door behind him as quickly as possible.

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hmm.

What can I say? Filler chapters build character.

At least Walter isn't a meanie after all.