Disclaimer: I don't own Hellsing, but if I did we'd do things MY way! Just kiddin'. Hiranos way is better!

A/N: Well… Enjoy chapter 4! It took me a while to update on account of four things, basketball, 4-H, school, and just plain old laziness. I didn't feel like writing. But, anywho, here it is. I'll stop babbling now.

Chapter 4

It's strange how stress-relieving beating the dust out of a rug can be I think to myself as I vigorously whack a rug with the broom. It's one of the duties of cleaning I try to leave for when I'm angry, or in this case, upset.

I try to forget what happened after breakfast. He's probably just teasing you. Yeah, that's it. He's just trying to find new ways to get a rise out of me.

I feel slightly better after this thought, and untack the rug. I have to carry it back upstairs to one of the rooms.

Augh! I hate carrying these stupid, heavy rugs up the stairs, but it has to be done. I pick up the heavy mat and start to make my way towards the stairs. As I walk past the many doors on the first floor, I can't help but wonder what these people do with their days.

I make it to the stairs. Now for the fun part. I start up the stairs, struggling to keep my balance. Mein Gott, I'm such a klutz! I stumble backwards into something, and drop the rug. It flops heavily to the stairs and I turn to pick it up, not bothering to see who or what I've fallen into.

"Would you like a hand?" Yep, it's him

"Nein, danke. I'm fine," I say, trying to avoid making eye contact and a conversation.

"Here, let me help." He picks up the rug so effortlessly it seems light. I glower at him.

"I don't need your help."

"No, you don't. But I'm giving it anyways, so where does this rug go?" I sigh.

"Follow me." I scoot up the stairs and walk over quickly down the hall. I want to get this meeting over with as quickly as possible.

"In here." He follows me into the empty room that I'm cleaning today and deposits the rug on the floor, but doesn't leave. I stare determinedly at the floor, refusing to make eye contact.

"Thank you. You can go now." I say it plainly and boldly, but still he doesn't leave. This angers me. I jerk my head up and glare right into his eyes. "VAT!" I'm sick of his games.

To my surprise he doesn't have on his usual smirk, but a strange look that I've seen before, but can't quite place.

"Who was he?" he asks.

"Who's who?" What is he going on about now?

"The one who hurt you?" My heart stops. How does he know about Hans? I don't think I told anyone… So how does he know?

"I… don't…"

"I can see it in your face. Is that why what I said this morning upset you so much?" His eyes are delving into me. If I don't stop this conversation soon, I might end up telling him everything.

"Mr. Nosfer—"

"Alucard, call me Alucard." There! That's his strange name.

"I don't really vant to talk about it."

"Why?" There are a million valid reasons why, but I guess I'll choose the most obvious.

"It's too soon." Why did I say that! I should've said… any thing but that! I've just proved him right.

"Is that why you came here? What are you running from?" That's it! This is where I snap!

"Vat am I running avay from! How the hell are you at liberty to ask these questions! Vat business is it of yours!" I'm seething at this point, pouring out all my frustrations since I left Germany on him.

"Vhy did I come here! For a change that's vhy! I vas sick and tired of pity from everyone so I left! I'm not running avay from anyone or anything, I just vant a change!" I can feel my eyes tearing up. Oh God, please don't let me cry in front of him.

"You say you vant to know who hurt me! Vat do you care! You'd probably do the same thing if I let you! Except you vould be at fault, you… you…" I can feel tears streaming down my face, but am so worked up now that I don't seem to care.

"It vasn't his fault! It vas mine, and now I'm getting vat I deserve!" After screaming the last part at him, a dry sob escapes my throat. I put my head in my hand and cry. I don't care that Alucard is watching, I've been dieing to say that ever since Hans's funeral. I'd said it then, and had only gotten a swift, hard slap across the face from my mother telling me to get a grip.

I feel two warm, strong arms wrap around me. "Whatever happened, I'm sure it wasn't your fault, Ria. Things happen, no-one's at fault. They just happen."

I sob onto his chest. I've heard words like this many times, but they don't help.

After a while I start to regain control, and pull myself out of his hug.

"Please, tell me what happened." He places a gentle pressure on my shoulders and I sit down on the bed. He takes a seat beside me.

I draw a few shaky breaths. Does he really care? Does he really want to know? One look into his eyes answers all questions. They are calm and enquiring, with no smirk in sight.

"His… his name vas Hans. Hans Gunsche. Ve met at church back in Germany. Ven I turned 17 he… he asked me to marry him, und I said yes." Here I stop to look at his face. It stays blank, so I continue. "Ve vere married for about 2 years, ven I fell ill… I… I almost died and vas quarantined, but Hans refused to leave my side. It's because of him I got better… Ven I vas avake und… und talked vith him, he said he'd like to go out vest… as soon as I got better. So… I tried hard to get my health back to make him happy… but he got sick to… und… und… he didn't get better. He…" I feel another sob welling up in my throat, but it feels good to finally get this all off my chest.

"If… if it veren't for me… Hans vould…" The sob makes it up, and I start to cry again. I feel Alucards' arm slip around my shoulder and pull me into a tight hug.

"I wasn't your fault. You have to move on." He pulls me tighter to his chest. "You have to move on; Hans wouldn't want you to blame yourself for something you can't control. He stayed by you because he obviously loved you, and now I know how he felt."

I look up at him. Did he just say what I think he said? Part of me is shocked, but the other part hopes he meant it.

He cups his hand under my chin, and pulls me into a kiss. I lean in, not wanting the moment to end. Somewhere, between the teasing and the bumping, I've fallen in love with this man, and now I know that he feels the same way.

Alucard breaks the kiss, and I lean happily on his chest. I really do love him.

A/N: So… how was it? I don't know what to say. I had a whole speech thinger planned out, and now I can't remember it, so… Until next time! (oh yeah, this chapter is shorter cause I switched notebooks and this one is smaller, but now I pretty much got things worked out!)