DISGRACED AGAIN

It was a beautiful day. The sky was blue and there was not a single cloud in sight. There would be no rain today, but true to English tradition, people would carry umbrellas anyway. Integra smiled as she took a breath of fresh air. Such days were rare in England. Today was a day to enjoy to the fullest, but not so for Integra Hellsing. Instead, Integra had some very disturbing news for the queen. She had turned back inside and had started to dress when Alucard suddenly appeared out of nowhere and stood in front of her.

"Good Morning, Alucard." she said, buttoning up her shirt. "What are you doing up?"

"I'm going with you." he announced.

Alucard had read her thoughts as he watched her dress. He knew that she was going to inform the Queen of the current state of affairs.

"If you want." said Integra. "Mouse is waiting downstairs with the car."

Alucard followed Integra out of her room.

An hour later, a very pregnant Integra stood before the Queen, her knights, and half the royal court. Integra was hoping that she would never have to reveal the identity of the father of her children. She had hoped to have them and no one ever know that she was pregnant. She had hoped to escape this nine month torment with her dignity intact. However, after learning what she now knew, there was no way to avoid it. The safety of the kingdom and all of her citizens were more important to her than her own pride. Integra and Alucard stood together, before them all. Mouse stood, ever watchful, in the background, as bodyguard for both. Whispering could be heard all throughout the hall. Alucard's mind was assailed by the thoughts of the humans that filled this great hall. He blocked out all, but the ones he wanted to hear; he blocked out all but the knights.

"I see they failed." thought Sir Morse.

"So it was you bastards that sent Maxwell to kill us." he grinned wickedly. "Very smart, you didn't attack us yourselves. So I can't kill you, yet."

His attention returned as the Queen spoke.

"Sir Hellsing, may we ask why you asked to be seen today?"

"Your majesty, we are all in great danger." spoke Integra, with urgency.

"How?" inquired the Queen, full aware that for Integra to ask to be seen it was very grave news indeed.

"For generations, my family has been on a mission from God as guardians of light. These are words I have lived by all my life. But I did not understand their true meaning, until today."

"And what have you come to understand?" asked the Queen, now very curious.

"That I am the guardian of the Gates of Hell and because of what I have done, the gates are now open." confessed Integra. "This rise in violent crimes is the work of demon possessed humans.

"What?" gasped Sir Kent.

"What are you talking about Sir Integra Hellsing?" asked Sir Island. "You mean all these reports of arson, riots, murders, robberies, rapes and domestic violence are all the work of demon possessed humans?"

"Well, not all of them. These things did happen even before the gates were open. But now that they are open, people who could once control their actions, think of evil but never do them, are acting upon their impulses. The mere thought of evil intent is enough to draw them. The desire for evil intent more than enough invite for them to possess you." explained Integra.

The room broke out in an uproar of whispering. Integra knew that the court would scoff. After all, they knew nothing about what was really going on. However, she now had the attention of every knight in the room.

"What exactly have you done, Sir Hellsing?" asked Sir Wellington.

"I am carrying Alucard's children, not your son's." said Integra, matter of factly.

Once again the room broke out in an uproar. A woman carrying another man's children and not her husband's was always a great scandal. Judgments were being made of her, conclusions were jumped to. The royal court enjoyed nothing better than a great scandal, and the son of the great Sir Wellington being made a fool was a juicy bit of news. Mumbling, whispering and laughing continued as Sir Wellington's faced betrayed him. His shame and anger were great. She had done this to him and he would pay her back ten, no, one hundred fold.

Alucard and Mouse stood listening to all around them. Some didn't even know she was pregnant. Some knew, but assumed that James was the father. Some had no idea what was going on; first vampires, then demons, now a woman's infidelity.

"This is disgraceful!" scolded Sir Jeffery.

"This is outrageous!" chided Sir Hipwood.
"How could you forsake your God given duty!" accused Sir Island.

Suddenly, the doors to the great hall opened. All heads turned to see the newcomer. Eyes and whispers followed him all the way, as he walked to stand beside Integra.

"Good Morning, Integra." he smiled.

"Good Morning, James." replied Integra.

James looked warily around the room. He could see them whispering and pointing at him.

"You told them, didn't you?" he said.

"Yes."

"Any reason why?" he asked, taking his place beside her, on the left. "We were safe and everybody was happy."

"The gates of hell are open and …"

"And the demons are loose, destroying the world. You mean the rise in violent crimes is the work of demons?" reasoned James.

"Yes." confirmed Integra.

"You know nine months ago, I wouldn't have believed any of this." he said, shaking his head. "So what do you need from me?"

"Nothing. You are free of me now." said Integra.

"What if I don't wish to be?" he said, taking her hand and giving it a gentle kiss.

Once again the hall erupted in whispers. Mouse was trying very hard to stifle her laughter, but the thoughts of the court were too entertaining. Integra with two men; she was carrying the children of this mystery man dressed in a black suit, and yet still held the heart of her fiancé, uh husband.

"You can still come and visit Mouse." said Integra, whispering in James' ear.

"Thanks, but let me fight with you." insisted James.

"No. Demons are not like vampires. Demons can possess humans. If I let you stay, if you and your men become possess…"

"We won't be any help at all and we could end up dead." said James, sadly. "Now I see why you chose Alucard over me. How could I possibly protect you like he can?"

Alucard smiled greatly. The human admits defeat. I was always the better man. And always will be.

"It's not that. I assure you. It's just we've been together for so long, since I was a child. He's knows me and I know him."

"He's a lucky man."

"And Mouse is a lucky girl. I know you want to help, but please…"

"Stay out of your way?" sighed James.

"Yes." said Integra.

The Queen sat and listened. Her court was in an uproar over the scandal of Integra Hellsing's infidelity. That was petty and only proved to show how ignorant they really were. Then the Queen looked at her knights. They too were whispering, but they were most likely plotting. In their younger days, they were true knights; men of justice and virtue. Some where along the way, they had lost that. Now they were only men of greed and power. She looked at Integra, Alucard, and James. They stood talking amongst themselves. She wondered what they were saying. James had surely known that the children were not his and yet he kept her secret. It was clear where his loyalties lied. The Queen drummed her scepter three times and the entire assembly fell quiet.

"Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, because of your failure in your duties to the crown and its citizens; we hereby strip you of your title." announced the Queen.

"But your majesty…" began James.

"Be silent Sir Wellington." ordered the Queen.

"It's alright James." said Integra. "I knew this would happen."

"Your place among my knights, we also take from you." Continued the Queen.

Alucard growled as he heard the thoughts of the knights fill his head.

"Well, it's about time. That woman never should have been allowed to inherit her father's chair."

"What a disgrace. Good thing her father never lived to see this."

"Sir Richard should have been the one to replace Lionel. If he hadn't died…"

Integra heard Alucard growling. He sounded so angry. He sounded like he was ready to kill. Looking over at him, she saw that he was looking at the knights. What ever they were thinking about her, it was pissing him off. Integra placed a hand on his arm. Alucard looked down at her. Her mind was calm and her resolve sure. What ever was said about her or done to her, she would never bend and she would never break. She knew her duty and would do it regardless. She had been disgraced before and yet the Hellsing Organization still continued. He stopped growling and stayed quiet.

"It's alright Alucard. As long as our little "family" remains, we will continue in our duties; with or without them. Right?" stated Integra, to him mentally.

"Right." he told her, mentally.

"Miss Integra Hellsing, as that you are pregnant, we will allow you to keep your lands and home. In this day and age, it is unseemly that your children should be born in prison…" said the Queen.

"Perfect place for hell spawned children, if you ask me." thought Sir Kent.

Alucard raised an eyebrow at him. Suddenly, Sir Kent began to choke as two invisible hands wrapped themselves around his neck. Integra noticed.

"Alucard, stop that." she ordered.

Soon Sir Kent began to breath normally again. He stared at Alucard with loathing and contempt as he gasped for air.

"However, you will remain under house arrest. Guards will be placed around your manor to make sure you comply." finished the Queen.

"Yes, your majesty. But I must insist that they be withdrawn before sundown, for their own safety. Like all nocturnal animals, they are present during the day, but are most active at night. A holy barrier has been erected around the gate, and it keeps the lesser demons in. However, the more powerful ones are able to break free. I would strongly suggest that her majesty declare that all citizens of England be off the streets by sundown everyday." warned Integra.

"You have barracks on your grounds, do you not?" asked the Queen.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Then they will stay there. The guards are to be on your grounds at all times." ordered The Queen.

"Since you opened the "gates of hell"..." accused Sir Wellington. "Do you even know how to close them?"

"Yes, Sir Wellington. I do." replied Integra.

"Well." he demanded.

"To close the doors, the blood of an innocent Hellsing must be shed." revealed Integra.

The Queen's eyes widened in realization.

"You don't mean?"

"Yes, your majesty. I must kill my first born child."

"Oh, my god!" exclaimed Sir Island.

"That's insane." declared James. "You can't do that."

"For the sake of us all James, I must." said Integra.

Again the room erupted in rumor, whisper, and hearsay. To murder a baby, this was incredulous. Such a thing had never been done before. Good civilized English people don't make "virgin" sacrifices. Even in the darkest time of English history, such things were never done. And those that did practice such things were quickly executed for their pagan beliefs. She must be speaking metaphorically. Integra's insides were jelly. She felt sick. She could hear their gossiping voices. She knew what they were thinking. She would have thought the same things if this were happening to someone else and not to her. But in the biblical sense, such blood sacrifices were common. For most times, it was the blood of bulls and goats that were sacrificed. Only twice could Integra remember of the blood sacrifices ever being human. But both times that the human sacrifices were offered, it had been a test of faith. This too was a test of faith. It just had to be. Please God, it just has to be.

"Integra Hellsing, we are truly sorry for you. As a woman, we can sympathize with you. But as a Queen, responsible for the lives of my people, we can only hope that you will do the right thing."

"I understand, your majesty."

"Colour Sergeant James Wellington."

"Yes, your majesty." he answered.

"We hereby discharge the Delta Dragons 5th Company from my British Army. You and your men are forthwith reassigned to guard Miss Integra Hellsing's household. We have placed her under house arrest and you are to make sure that she stays put." ordered the Queen.

"Yes, your majesty." acknowledged James.

"We are very displeased with you Miss Hellsing. We do not wish to see you here again." said The Queen. "You are all dismissed."

Integra, Alucard, Mouse, and James bowed before her majesty and then left the room. The murmurings, whispering, accusations, and ill mood of the assembly followed them as they left.

"Well, that could have gone better." complained James.

"Actually," said Integra. "She's doing me a favor."

"What? How is stripping you of your title, duty, and seat among her knights a favor?" asked James.

"She is free of them." said Alucard, walking dutifully behind Integra.

"Free?"

"I now answer to no one." said Integra. "I have been thrown out into the cold to fend for myself. Thus, I do not have to report…"

"Oh, I see. She knows you will do your duty regardless of her help or the knights' interference. She got more brains than I gave her credit for." stated James.

"James!" scolded Integra.

"Sorry, you know what I mean. So what do you plan to do now?" he asked.

"Same as always, protect the crown and the citizens of England." Answered Integra, with great pride.

Integra and Alucard walked out the door. James hung back and walked with Mouse.

"So what are you doing tonight?" he asked.

"Maybe the colour sergeant of the guard." smiled Mouse.