Author's Note: I am soooooooo sorry it took me so long to update this...2 months without a computer and then a wicked case of writer's block hit me one after the other. Anyway, here's the last chapter. Enjoy!
"Wait, wait…you're saying my master helped you with this? My master? Unbelievable. What did you put in his blood today, Walter?" Seras giggled. "Unbelievable," she said again.
Walter smiled and pulled her closer. "And all for a single rose." After Seras finished her bath they had moved to the nearest bedroom, where they were snuggled deep beneath the covers.
"Walter?"
"Yes, Miss Victoria?"
"Um…" Seras hesitated. "Why did you do all of this?"
The butler sighed. "For you, my dear. Because you make me feel alive in a way I haven't felt in years. What on earth is so funny?" he asked, since Seras had burst out laughing.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's that I'm dead…and I make you feel alive…I'm so sorry Walter," she said, trying to catch her breath. "It's not funny, but…" Seras was unable to finish, having dissolved into giggles again.
Walter gazed at her incredulously for a moment, and then he began to laugh along with her. "You know, I never thought about it that way…" Somehow amid the laughter their lips found each other. Walter's knowing hands slipped beneath the folds of her bathrobe, trailing over her pale skin. She was not warm to the touch, but a pleasing sort of cool, like a wine bottle. He paused, marveling at her form.
"What is it?" Seras asked, a quizzical look on her face.
Walter smiled. "Just you," he whispered, and kissed her again.
Upstairs on the other side of the manor, Integra was busy pacing the length of her bedroom. The Hellsing leader was feeling quite perplexed, an emotion she despised. The source of her discontent was highly unlikely, a single crimson rose left on her pillow with a note reading simply, "For Integra." Although there was no signature, there was no doubt who had left the flower. This tender gesture seemed to cement a suspicion that had been growing in Integra for a very long time: that Alucard's feelings for her went beyond those a servant carries for a master and that hers went beyond those a master carries for a servant. The thought terrified her; she had long been a firm believer in the uselessness of such emotions in her life. He had taught her that, to shut off any feelings that could lead to weakness. True she cared deeply for Walter in a strictly paternal sense, she cared about the lives of the Hellsing soldiers, and she cared about the Police Girl…but care for Alucard, love him as a woman is meant to love? Was she even capable of such a thing?
Integra smiled, remembering all the nights he had stood guard by her bed when she was a child. Unbeknownst to her, this was a ritual the vampire still continued, although much less frequently. Her smile turned to a scowl as she remembered all the nights Alucard had spent teasing her, goading her, provoking her. He was always there, even when I didn't want him to be. Always. Suddenly Integra's trademark decisiveness swung into action. Grabbing a wine glass, she headed for the dungeons. It seemed to take no time at all to reach her destination, even with the detour to Walter's room. Standing in front of the No Life King's door, Integra took a deep breath. Then, without another moment's hesitation, she knocked.
Alucard was seated on his dark throne when he felt the presence approach. Although he could have easily determined the person's identity, the vampire decided against it. His keen hearing detected a sharp intake of breath followed by a brisk knock.
"Enter."
Integra caught the fleeting look of nervousness on his face as she stepped into the room, almost immediately replaced by his usual sardonic half-smirk. "Good evening, Alucard," she said. "I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
"Not at all, my Master. Although I must say I'm surprised to see you here, why make the trip when you could have simply issued a summons?"
Integra hesitated. "I…I just wanted to say thank you for the rose. It's lovely," she said, noting the joy that had crept into the vampire's smile.
"I'm glad you were pleased. Walter gave it to me, as a thank-you for distracting the Police Girl while he drew a bath for her," said Alucard.
"He drew Seras a bath? How did she respond?"
The vampire chuckled. "Well, considering they're lying comfortably in one of the guest beds upstairs, I'd say her reaction was very favorable indeed."
"Excellent." Integra smiled. "Now, I must confess there is another reason for my visit. Please take this," she said quietly, handing him the wine glass. Their eyes locked as she rolled up the sleeve on her pajama top and withdrew a razor blade from her pocket, ignoring Alucard's sharp intake of breath. He didn't actually need to breathe; she smiled slightly, knowing she had given him a great shock.
Integra guided the blade across the crook of her inner arm, allowing the blood to pool and flow from her golden skin into the waiting glass. It took all of Alucard's self-control to not down all of the precious liquid in one hurried gulp before going straight for the source; instead he waited for her approval. When the glass was half-full Integra nodded.
"Please….drink," she whispered.
Alucard needed no second bidding; he drank the blood slowly, savoring the taste of power that resided in the blood of all Hellsings. Hers was slightly different though: he tasted passion, the fire and ice that merged to form her incomparable spirit.
"Thank you, Integra. I am most grateful," he said, bowing.
The Hellsing leader smirked. "Don't thank me until you're finished," she replied, holding out her injured arm. "Oh, and keep those blasted fangs to yourself, or you will never use them again."
It was Alucard's turn to smirk as he lowered his head to the still-bleeding wound. Although his hair fell around his face, the midnight-black strands were not enough to obscure his gaze from his master's. Integra moaned when his mouth met her flesh; cool lips and tongue connected with warm skin and blood to create the strangest, most delicious sensation she had ever experienced. She felt the wound close and attempted to withdraw her arm, but Alucard held her fast.
"You told me to thank you when I have finished, Integra. I am not yet finished." He continued to lick, bathing her skin in gentle caresses.
"Are you finished yet?"
Alucard laughed. "Not yet, Master. My, we are impatient this evening, aren't we?"
"I know this might sound strange, vampire, but some of us actually use the night to sleep," retorted Integra. Alucard's only response was to continue his ministrations. Kissing the place she had made the cut, he sank to his knees and took her hand and turned it over to stare at her wrist. He marveled at her veins, and then placed a gentle kiss just below the palm of her hand.
"Alucard…" began Integra, although she had no idea what she planned to say. Slowly she lowered herself down until her face was level with his. All the teasing was gone from his eyes now. Before she had time to think, Integra leaned forward and kissed him. Neither moved for a couple of seconds, they simply sat with their lips touching until Integra pulled back and stood up.
"Goodnight, Alucard." And with that she left the dungeon. The vampire remained on his knees, unsure of exactly what had just transpired. Then, he smiled. Not a smirk, but a genuinely happy smile.
He was jerked out of his reverie as the door opened again.
"You call that a kiss! You're a No-Life King! You know better than that!" Integra said incredulously, unable to keep a hint of laughter from her voice.
Alucard was up and next to her in an instant. "Forgive me, Master. Allow me to correct my grievous error."
"I'll forgive you this time, but I expect more common sense from you in the future. Do I make myself clear?"
Alucard's answer, which came in the form of an exquisite kiss, showed Integra that she had made herself very, very clear indeed.
