Integra sat across from Maxwell, the table between them coated in layers of files, maps and assorted papers. It had been a welcome relief when Walter relayed the information that a freak attack was underway. Maxwell, with a disgusting little 'Oh look, dead heathens!' smile, made an inquiry as to the frequency of freak attacks of late. After Integra reflexively ordered a mobilization, Walter turned to the Iscariot representatives and informed them that Yumiko was there as well. Heinkel jumped to her feet and requested to accompany the Hellsing soldiers, ignoring Maxwell's rebuke completely. Integra was surprised at the request, but allowed it all the same. As she dashed from the room, Maxwell suddenly appeared very nervous with only Father Renaldo at his side as he glanced around at the guards stationed at the door, and at the infamous 'angel of death' standing across from him. Integra grinned wickedly at his predicament, and continued the negotiations with renewed vigor, with Alucard wondering whether he should drop the temperature in the room another few degrees, as he had done several times in the past few hours, or crank the heat and humidity up. He finally decided on humidity. He wanted to see the skinny little bastard sweat.

With a new treaty in hand that heavily favored Hellsing, Integra happily said goodbye to a very twitchy Maxwell, who seemed unable to leave the room fast enough. She laughed and lit a fresh cigar as Walter came back into the room, a frown creasing his face.

"Walter? Bad news?"

"No…not exactly. Both freaks were terminated and all ghouls laid to rest by Miss Victoria prior to our men's arrival."

"However?"

"However…the men reported Miss Victoria fleeing the scene as soon as they arrived. They claimed she seemed somewhat out of sorts."

"Out of sorts? What's that supposed to imply?"

"She was, by all accounts, crying blood."

Integra's eyes widened slightly. She took a draw from her cigar and leaned back into her chair.

"She also apparently ran the distance back to the manor, and has now locked herself in her room downstairs."

"Does anyone know what set this off?"

"No. Although the nun from Iscariot insisted on returning with the men in order to speak with her."

Walter read the look on Integra's face as one of annoyance, mixed with just a hint of curiosity.

"Yumiko…"

"No! I'm not leaving until I have a chance to speak with her!"

Heinkel groaned and she kept pace with the girl, following her up the path to the Hellsing mansion.

"Yumiko, at least tell me vat happened!"

"No! I…I just need to speak to Seras. Alone."

Heinkel grabbed her arm, and Yumiko grabbed her glasses.

"You vouldn't."

"I would."

Seeing the suddenly severe expression on Yumiko's face, Heinkel slowly released her grasp, but kept pace with her nonetheless as she continued walking. They brushed right past a startled Maxwell, Yumiko flinching as he yelled at her to stop. Heinkel stopped him when he tried to reach out and grab her, tossing Father Renaldo a glare of no uncertain meaning when Maxwell ordered him to stop her.

Inside, Integra watched in interest as a tiny nun walked up to Walter and demanded to know where Seras was. Walter and the nun looked up to her, and Integra gave a slight nod. She watched as Walter pointed to the lower levels, and as the girl disappeared from sight, Integra studied the retreating form for a clue.

"What…in God's name is going on?"

Yumiko stopped in front of a door with Seras' name on a small plate next to it. She raised her hand and knocked. Nothing. She knocked louder. Still nothing.

"Seras? It's me…please…let me in?"

She could hear someone moving around inside and approaching the door. The doorknob shifted by a millimeter at best before the person inside began to move away.

"Seras! Please! …Please, I just want to talk to you…"

The sound stopped, and Yumiko slumped against the door.

"Please…don't blame yourself…it was my fault. I shouldn't have surprised you like that. I'm sorry."

"You're…sorry?"

Yumiko brightened as Seras finally spoke, standing straight, smoothing her clothes out and trying to make herself look unaffected by the night's events.

"For what? How can you be sorry! I nearly killed you!"

"But you didn't!"

"Yumiko…"

"Seras! If I…felt I wouldn't be safe, I wouldn't have come. But I'm here, now, so please…open the door?"

Yumiko waited. Slowly, the door opened to reveal a nervous wreck of a vampire. Yumiko stepped forward, and Seras took a step back. Rushing forward, Yumiko wrapped her arms around a very surprised Seras and held her tight.

"Yu…mi…what are-"

"Shhhhh…"

Seras stood, arms out, staring wide-eyed at the girl whom she had been ready to kill not an hour earlier, and who was now giving her a friendly hug.

"You didn't think…I'd leave things like that? Just run off?"

"Yumiko…thank you. But…it's not safe to be around me. Sooner or later, I…"

Yumiko reached out, grabbing one of Seras' arms and pulling it around her. The other quickly went around her of it's own accord, and Yumiko finally felt Seras relax fully into the embrace.

"It's alright. I trust you."

"…Thank you, Yumiko."

An hour later, a much-relaxed Seras and a smiling nun climbed out of the lower levels side by side. Heinkel stood up from the chair she was sprawled in, taking in the unusual sight. Seras and Yumiko smiled nervously under the scrutiny as she approached.

"Yumiko, I vas waiting for an hour. Vhat were you two doing down there?"

"Just talking."

"Over tea."

"About stuff."

Heinkel lowered her glasses to look the two straight in their eyes. They were certainly more relaxed than when they had disappeared, almost cheerful.

"I didn't think vampires and nuns ever talked over tea."

The three looked up to see Integra staring down at them. Seras shifted under the attention, but it was Yumiko who spoke.

"Well, we're friends."

Heinkel and Integra shared a look of shock so ridiculous that Seras and Yumiko couldn't help but giggle at, stopping as the two turned back towards them. After a moment, Heinkel yawned and rubbed her eyes under her glasses.

"C'mon. Maxwell left without us, we haf to get our own ride home."

"Oh, right."

Integra looked on as Yumiko and Seras said their goodbyes, and Heinkel offered a slight bow and pleasantries to her before they turned and left the mansion. Seras nervously said goodnight to her as well, as she turned and began walking back to her own room for some well-deserved sleep, pushing the young vampire's odd behavior from her mind.

"At least she wasn't skipping this time…"