Hey all! Sorry it took me so long to update, my big brother got married this weekend so all the chaos is now over! Thanks so much for all the reviews, please keep them coming! Anyway, here it is. Enjoy!
Late into the next night Walter found himself deep in the Hellsing mansion's library. Both the shelves and books in front of him wore a thick coat of dust; many years had passed since anyone had been in this particular section. Integra's grandfather had kept meticulous records of the vampire attacks that occurred during his tenure as Hellsing chief and so it was very easy for the butler to find what he sought.
The volume was relatively nondescript, bound in black leather with the Hellsing family crest on the front cover and "1954" in gold lettering on the spine. Walter took a deep breath before opening the book. Shuddering as the memories came flooding back in a torrent of blood and heartache he exhaled slowly and turned to page 187:
19 November, 1954: Single vampire executed following attack
on unarmed civilian woman, who died shortly after Hellsing
operatives arrived on scene. Vampire was apprehended and dealt
with in less than an hour's time. Hellsing sustained no injuries or
loss of life during mission.
"Oh Lissy…" the butler whispered. He closed the book and hurried from the library, nearly running into Seras Victoria as he emerged in the hallway. Unbeknownst to Walter, the Police Girl shared both his romantic interest and his shyness at making a first move. Feeling emboldened by his compliment (and the look she had caught on his face), Seras had decided to take a chance and ask him to accompany her…somewhere. She hadn't quite worked the details out yet.
"Walter! I was just coming to look for you, I wanted to, maybe…ask…if you would…like…to…" her voice trailed off.
Walter stared at her blankly. "Forgive me…" he muttered, then turned and walked away.
Seras was shocked, and worried. She had seen Walter in many different situations, and not once had he looked so distraught. Alucard had known him longer than anyone else in the mansion, but she knew he would likely mock her if she asked for his advice. The only other person to consult was Sir Integra.
Although it was quite late a light could still be seen issuing from underneath the study door. The Police Girl knocked tentatively.
"Come in," said the voice inside. Just as Seras had feared, Integra did not sound happy to be disturbed.
"Sir Hellsing? I'm awfully sorry to bother you, but I just had a question about Walt-"
The Hellsing leader cut her off, her demeanor changing from irritated to cheerful in an instant. "Oh it's no bother Seras, what can I help you with?"
"Uh…well, he seemed terribly upset, and I…just wondered if you knew what would make him happy, that is I want to cheer him up a bit if I could."
A sweet smile played across Integra's features. "That's very kind of you. Let me think…he rather enjoys books, you could try the library."
The Police Girl shook her head. "He was just coming out of the library when I saw him."
Integra nodded. "I see." She paused. "I know! Make him tea."
Seras looked at her quizzically. "Tea, ma'am?"
"Yes, tea. Whenever I would get upset as a child, he would always make me a cup and say, "there is nothing that cannot be helped by a hot cup of tea and some friendly company.' I'm sure he will be very touched by the gesture."
Integra sighed happily after Seras left her office. "Things are looking well, wouldn't you say?"
Descending from the ceiling, Alucard smiled. "I would indeed, Master. I would indeed."
Seras was in good spirits after leaving Integra's office. She had expected a thorough scolding from the Hellsing leader, but instead Integra seemed delighted to hear her concern for Walter. Sir Integra really does care for him, she thought to herself.
"Of course she does. He has looked after her since childhood," said Alucard, laughing as his startled fledgling nearly dropped the tea kettle she was holding. "Sir Integra sent me to make sure you know where his rooms are."
Seras nodded. "I do."
"Well then, good luck, Police Girl."
She blushed. "Thank you, Master."
Just as the color faded from her cheeks, Seras felt another blush rising as she knocked on Walter's door. Nothing from inside, no movement or response. She waited a ten-count, and then knocked again.
"Who is it?" a weary-sounding voice said.
"It's just Seras. I-I…I brought you some tea," she stammered, feeling her nerves become taut as piano-wire.
The door opened almost immediately. "Miss Victoria!" exclaimed the butler. "Please, come in."
Walter's bedroom was relatively modest, containing only a four-poster bed, a desk, and an overflowing book case. Softly lit, the room had an atmosphere of intelligent calm, much like the butler himself. Who, as Seras quickly noticed, was clad not in his normal attire but in a pair of loose black trousers and a short-sleeved gray t-shirt. His black hair was untied and fell gracefully at his shoulders, leaving Seras with a powerful urge to run her hands through it.
"There's no place to sit but the floor, I'm afraid," said Walter. "It's very rare indeed that another person is in here."
"Oh, that's no problem. I prefer the floor anyway," responded Seras, setting down the laden tea tray. "Would you like a cup of tea? You seemed so upset earlier, and Sir Integra said this would lighten your spirits."
Walter felt his heart sink a bit. "Ah, I see. Sir Integra sent you."
Seras shook her head. "No, she didn't. I just asked for her advice on what would cheer you up."
For the first time that night, the butler smiled. "In that case Miss Victoria, I would love a cup of tea."
The two of them sat in silence for awhile, Walter drinking his tea and Seras sipping a blood pack. Finally she could contain her curiosity no longer.
"So…what's troubling you? I probably can't offer much in the way of profound advice, but I'm more than willing to listen."
Walter sighed. He cared deeply for the woman in front of him and it seemed there was a chance his affections were returned. He looked up and met her gaze. There was incredible warmth in her claret eyes, tenderness mixed with concern and empathy into an irresistible combination. He took a deep breath, and decided to take the plunge: he decided to trust her.
"Did you know, Victoria, that I was engaged to be married once?"
She shook her head. "I had no idea. What was her name?"
"Felicity. Felicity Day. We met in 1952, I believe…yes, that was it. I was taken the instant I saw her, as ridiculous as that sounds. Beautiful, beautiful woman. I was just…captivated. The way her eyes lit up when she laughed and the way her body felt each time we embraced, it was rapture. I asked her to marry me in June of 1954."
"What happened?" Seras asked quietly.
Walter sighed again. "She accepted, and we began preparations for our wedding. In September of that year, she became pregnant. We were overjoyed, just bursting with happiness."
He stopped, taking a deep breath. "She was killed on November 19th, 1954. Murdered by a vampire."
"I'm sorry," whispered the Police Girl.
"You must think I'm a pathetic old man, sitting here mourning over a love lost over fifty years ago," he said, a note of disgust creeping into his voice.
"No…not at all," said Seras, reaching out and clasping his hand. "I understand perfectly. There is no shame in continuing to love the ones we have lost, there is only shame in letting the sadness hold you back from the rest of the world and the rest of your life."
Walter was amazed at the wisdom in her voice. Smiling, he lifted her hand to his face and held it gently to his cheek. Neither one would later recall just how long they sat there, eyes locked and reveling in each other's touch.
It was Seras who broke the silence. "GODDAMNIT!" she screamed. Alucard had just summoned her.
Walter immediately leapt up. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"There's been an attack near Greenwich. I gotta go," said the Police Girl. "You'll see me again soon."
They stood looking at each other for a second then Seras made up her mind. She dove on Walter and kissed him, nearly knocking him down in the process. Almost as suddenly as she had tackled him, Seras was gone. Walter put one finger to his lips and smiled. Clearly, this was going to get interesting.
