AN: Notes at end

Supplanter

N: one who wrongfully or illegally seizes and holds the place of another

The Vampire of the Hellsing organization was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen; darker then midnight, colder then arctic wind, yet beautiful.

Originally Victoria had intended to speak directly into the other vampire's mind, but when she had brushed against his mind an overwhelming sense of self-preservation came over her. Strangely it was not the power of the old vampire that triggered her defenses but the simply fact that the touch of his mind was far to comfortable, and familiar, almost.

For safety's sake, she elected to use those around him. At least she'd intended to only use the soldiers around him, until she lost her temper. When she did, she used the woman, the head of Hellsing. That was a mistake, not only did she experience the same feeling of familiarity but it was also a fight for control, Sir Integra Hellsing's mind and will were very strong. Although Victoria prevailed, she feared she left the woman with a mighty headache. She didn't like harming humans, which she knew was contrary to her nature as a Vampire, but it was as simple as that, she felt she should protect not harm.

She shook of that stray thought and went back to musing over the woman, the master of Hellsing. She was beautiful, beautiful and cold, just like the Vampire. However, there as a strength and light that fairly radiated from the woman. Strength that would make the woman a truly stunning child of the night. Briefly, Victoria wondered why the old Vampire hadn't already turned her.

Trying to move her thoughts off the leaders of Hellsing, Victoria questioned her own motives for staying at the bar after finishing off the FREAKS. 'Was it a morbid sense of pride?' she asked herself. She didn't think so but she had to admit, when she felt the old one coming she stayed to see what he thought of her handiwork. She wasn't disappointed; the old one had been impressed with her work. She felt warm inside from his praise, almost like she'd been craving it for a long time. That feeling was something she should never have felt from him, the one who would be her enemy.

Realizing she couldn't keep her thoughts away from the pair, Victoria gave up and remembered she knew she was lost when she looked down from her perch above the destruction she'd wrought at the club and saw the Master of Hellsing and it's greatest weapon. She was entranced by the beauty of both of them, and the fact that although he was the servant, there was obviously respect between them in addition to their Master to Servant bond, something Victoria didn't have with her Lord.

Her lord, Lord James Darcy Ashcroft, treated her nothing like Sir Hellsing did the old vampire. 'Suplanter' Victoria thought, 'How appropriate that was what his name meant. I really believe he intends to supplant something or someone.' She suspected from the venom he usually spewed about the Hellsing organization, that they were his target. For some reason, the idea of Hellsing being destroyed caused a strange and definitely unpleasant sensation in her chest, where her beating heart should be.

She couldn't bear to see that stunning woman and her intriguing Vampire fall at the hands of such a small man as her lord. Although she didn't know how, she knew she wanted try to prevent such a fate befalling them.

She'd been standing for some time in her lords office, a former clergyman's study. As previously instructed she kept her eyes down serving to make him believe she was being obedient even as it allowed her time to think, without giving away any of her rebellious thoughts.

"Seven Artificials, how is it that you managed such a feat?" Lord Ashcroft asked.

"I saw one walk into an alleyway. I've never seen just one; they're like any kind of vermin, they move in numbers. So I followed it." Seras answered never once raising her eyes. Although he might be momentarily impressed, he was also fickle and quick to anger; she would not tempt his ire again tonight. "It went to a bar called Dracula's Daughter which is apparently a Vampire haunt."

"You have done well."

"My lord, within the bar there was two men in service of Hellsing, I am sorry my lord, but I did not kill them"

"Did I not give you an order!" her Lord yelled enraged.

"I did not leave them unharmed. They are blinded my lord."

"Blinded." He mused aloud, "Yes I rather like that. That shows Hellsing that while I am to be feared, I am also capable of mercy." He paused, gloating at 'his' success. "Vampire, you have done well, so well in fact that I am going to teach you something new. I am going to teach you the next… evolution in your power."

"You are too kind, my Lord." Victoria spoke softly, when all she wanted to do was flee the room at top speed. Her Lords lessons more often the not involved having several of his men beat her until her until her survival instincts took over. She'd then use her powers to protect herself; a truly brutal training method for everyone involved she had nearly killed one of the men last time.

"Go to the courtyard." Lord Ashcroft ordered.

Victoria immediately turned and left the room, knowing full well that there would be not escape from this or any other lesson. Although a small foolish part of her dared to hope as, unbidden, the image of the old one appeared in her head...