Diane stumbled into the kitchen, clutching her left arm. Arucard had torn the stitches out. She was bleeding again. Bernard saw her and hurried over.
"Miss Diane! What happened?"
"It's clear. It all makes sense now," Diane whispered. She looked up at Bernard, her green eyes gleaming with a mad light.
"Don't you see? He set me up. All this time, he was just trying to get his prize back and I'm the poor bitch who's got it."
"Miss Diane. You're bleeding. Please, sit down," Bernard guided her to a chair. Diane stared at the red staining her gloves.
"The blood is the life. Did you ever wonder why that is, Bernard? What about their physiology is so different from ours, when they need us to breed? Is it a plague or something else? Why blood? It's just plasma and cells, a biological suspension that is so absolutely necessary, it's symbolic all over the world. Blood. Such a simple thing."
"So it is, Miss Diane. Please hold still," Bernard knelt, tying a fresh bandage around her arm.
"What makes a monster, Bernard?" The butler jerked and stared at Diane. The mad light was almost gone, being slowly replaced with a gleam that made him cold.
"They are not human," He answered brusquely.
"But how can you be sure? They take human forms. When you shoot a monster, what comes out? What happens when you shoot someone, knowing it's a monster and it doesn't dust? Doesn't bleed white or blue or green or some abnormal demon color. It bleeds red. Human red. Do you cheer because you know you've destroyed a monster, or do you feel guilt because of the human form?"
"I…"
"How long have you served Hellsing?"
"Since I was in my twenties. Why do you ask?" Bernard radioed a medic.
"Are you happy? Being a butler?"
"A butler is a noble profession, Miss Diane," Bernard shot back, getting to his feet.
"Whereas being a street rat isn't," Diane slowly rose from the chair, the cold gleam bright in her eyes.
"If you had a choice, would you still be a butler? Or would you choose something else?"
"My family has served the Hellsing family for three generations now. It is an honor."
"Honor. What did honor get your uncle?" Bernard flinched.
"What did honor get Seras or Arucard? Monsters tamed to the Hellsing hand, by Hellsing blood. The one thing they need to survive. How is keeping them like this honorable?"
"It was necessary," Elizabeth broke in. Bernard stepped back and bowed. Diane turned slowly to face the knight.
"As was sending me to the dungeons like a bad little girl?"
"You have no reason to complain."
"No, I've only been psychically raped for the past week!" Diane screamed, fisting her hands. She stepped toward Elizabeth.
"You won't punish him for what he's done. You can't. So that leaves me. What do I do, Sir Elizabeth? Deny him the pleasure for a third time? Give him what he wants? Say 'Fuck you both' and leave?"
"You will be going nowhere, Agent Richter," Elizabeth snapped, her blue eyes flashing fire.
"Your behavior tonight has been inexcusable. You are confined to quarters until further notice."
"Brave touch, Sir. Leave me down there to his attentions, with no escape. Do you have any idea what kind of HELL I'VE BEEN THROUGH?" Diane sprang across the floor, getting right in Elizabeth's face.
"I know EVERYTHING! All his hopes, dreams, desires, pains, humiliations. I know what he wants, what he's been denied by Hellsing. Your precious mother was offered eternity and she threw it back in his face. Your family doesn't deserve him," CRACK! Diane's head snapped sideways from the force of Elizabeth's blow, blood trickling out of her mouth. The German snickered and glanced at the Britain.
"Adding to my sick leave, sir."
"You are dismissed," Elizabeth ground out. Diane wiped her cut lip, held up a bloody finger.
"The blood is the life," She licked her finger clean, turned and left the room.
"Bernard. There is a repair needed in the crypt."
"Yes sir," Elizabeth stormed out of the kitchen. Bernard glanced after them, radioed the medic.
"She has been confined to quarters. Move gently with her, I believe she is under a great deal of mental strain."
"Understood." Bernard toggled off the radio and headed for the dungeon. Someone was going to give him answers!
He found Seras with Diane in Diane's quarters. Diane was tossing back a shot of Scotch while Seras watched nervously. Bernard glanced at the bottle on the desk and raised his eyebrows. It was already half gone.
"Miss Diane, may I come in?"
"Do you have more Scotch?" Diane asked, turning the shot glass slowly.
"I'm afraid not."
"I should deny you entrance."
"I'll get some more later if you really need it," Seras offered kindly. Diane rolled her head towards the vampire.
"Oh, I'll need it."
"Miss Diane," Bernard walked in and shut the door firmly behind him. "I find myself in need of some information."
"Information? Just say it, Bernard. 'What the bloody hell did you do to Rowan's memorial and what is wrong with you?'" Diane drawled, pouring herself another shot.
"Very well, then. What the bloody hell did you do to Rowan's…Rowan's?" Bernard stared. Diane chuckled and drank her shot.
"Funny story, that. Seems our resident elder vampire thinks I'm the reincarnation of one Rowan Ascot, who apparently was the reincarnation of Wilhelmina Parker."