Third chapter is here! DUN DUN DUN!

The story unfolds, and it gets a little spicier. Please, rate, review, and ENJOY!


"Drive Faster, Walter, I don't want to be late."

"You do know, Sir Integra, that it can be fashionable to be late."

Integra rolled her icy eyes from behind her round, gold rimmed glasses that glimmered in the moonlight that seeped through the tinted windows of the black limousine. She was tempted to reach into the little purse she had brought along with her, and take out a cigar to start puffing. That would certainly calm her already high strung nerves. Better not waste her last resort this early in the evening. She still had a whole night ahead of her. She had to deal with the Queen, knights, nobles, parliament, and of course, Alucard. He would be meeting her there. Being a vampire, he could travel as fog or bats, and didn't need to be driven around.

She sighed softly, and looked out the window. Here they were. Buckingham palace. Where a royal ballroom would be decorated and filled with guests and expensive food… all for her. Integra didn't feel like keeping her oath to protect queen and country was exactly worthy of a social event of this magnitude… but she knew there were alternative reasons that this gathering was being held. Damn all of them. As if their feeble attempts to set her up with some rich and snobby noble would prove in the least way fruitful. If anything, she would scare them all permanently away, and then she would have some peace of mind.

Walter stopped in front of the palace, who's gates were open to accommodate all the arriving guests. Integra's ever faithful butler parked the long black limo, and walked around the side of the car to open the door for his lady. Integra put one stiletto clad foot out of the door, and stepped up out of the expensive car, much more fashionable than was per usual for her. Of course, she wore the beautiful blood red silk gown she had tried on yesterday, but a few embellishments had been added to her outfit. Black stilettos wove an intricate array of straps around her small, elegant feet, which were rather pale, seeing as she just about never wore shoes that exposed her toes. A little silver cross, a delicate and effeminate piece of jewelry hung from around her slender neck, and a little silver bracelet from around her thin wrist. Her hand clutched a small black purse, which was ornately decorated with little black glass beads. Her hair, beautiful and pale, was swept from her neck, and done in a delicate up-do, her hair pinned to her head in an intricate and lovely way, though deviant strands of hair that had managed to escape curled about her long, thin neck… a neck most admired by the man who took her hand as she stepped out of her ride.

"You look lovely, master."

Alucard smiled as he planted a gentlemanly kiss on her small, exposed hand. Even when the kiss had ended, the cool feeling his lips had instilled lingered on the top of her ungloved hand. She glanced at her escort for this evening. Alucard. He cleaned up well, for an undead heathen mongrel.

Instead of wearing his usual red ensemble, Alucard had opted for a more conventional and respectable form of dress. His tall, lanky frame was garbed in a fashionable suit of the blackest black conceivable, with burnt ivory buttons and silver cufflinks. His trousers were long and black to match his suit jacket, and a red tie, the color of her dress was fastened to his neck, resting beneath the collar of a white cotton dress shirt he wore beneath the suit. Integra wasn't fooled though, by his gentlemanly appearance. Though he may seem a dove, his feathers are but borrowed.

"Don't waste your flattery."

She said flatly in that commanding, cold tone of hers. She didn't want to be bothered with him and his antics at this moment.

"Remember, you are to be on your best behavior. No untoward remarks or profane innuendoes, no scaring the guests, no harassing woman, be polite to the Queen, and no death threats."

"I will keep that in mind, Master."

"You will do well to."

Integra took her escort's arm and Alucard led her into the palace. They handed in their invitation at the door to a pageboy, before they were lead to the grand ballroom. Their silence was marked only by Integra's steady footsteps, her heels making a clicking sound against the polished marble floor. Doors were opened by servants, so the pair could enter the great room. The majority of the guests were already in attendance, the halls lined with tables of food. A small string quartet played in the corner, the soft, tasteful music permeating the room. The swank and snobbish air of the place disgusted Integra. The crowd parted to let Sir Hellsing and her escort through, so they could make a proper greeting to the Queen, who sat regally in an ornate chair at the head of the room. They walked down the long hall, all people stopping to stare. People who knew Integra stared because of her manner of attire. She was positively lady like, which came as a shock to people who were familiar with her masculine ways. All the others stared at Alucard, for though he looked the part of an aristocrat, his red eyes, and paper white skin were still the unsettling marks of one of the undead.

Before the throne, both master and servant fell to their knees in reverence of the queen. It was an odd sight, to see Integra take a knee rather than curtsy as any woman should. Not all her manly ways had been disposed of.

"Rise, Lady Integral Fairbrooks Wingates Hellsing, Knight and leader of The Hellsing organization."

Integra got to her feet, as she had been directed.

"You have my many thanks for your service to me and my country. You are a great asset, and I am grateful to you for your unfailing allegiance to the crown."

Integra dipped her head in a reverent bow.

"It is my duty and my honor as a Hellsing to serve God, my Queen and my country."

The queen smiled at Integra, and then turned to Alucard who still knelt as was respectful for him to do until addressed.

"Rise, nosferatu Alucard. You have been instrumental in the protection of this country."

Alucard stood to his full, impressive height, now dwarfing Integra.

"I am obliged to protect My Master and her country."

The queen was sufficiently pleased with both of their very formal introductions. She raised her crystal chalice full of wine up into the air, and said in a loud voice directed to all the congregation of people,

" I propose a toast, To Lady Integra and the Hellsing organization. May you and your organization prosper."

A crowd of voices sounded in the long hall, resonating against the walls of the grandiose room. The noise was overpowering in the great unison as the hundreds of people raised their glasses and said,

"To Lady Integra, and to Hellsing!"

Almost all drank to this toast. Integra frowned. Sir Integra. She was SIR Integra. But she would not be so impertinent as to correct the Queen. After all, her official title as a night was Lady. She just didn't like to be addressed in that manner. Alucard's face looked strangely blank and unreadable. She eyed him curiously for a moment, her blue eyes flashing from behind her glasses. He was being strangely placid thus far. But you could never trust a vampire, especially Alucard. She wasn't about to let her guard down yet.

"And Now, Lady Integra, would you and your escort do me the honor of starting off the first waltz of this evening's celebrations? It is only fitting that the guest of honor dances first."

Integra's usually healthy complexion paled half a shade, only noticeable to Alucard. She was good at hiding her emotion, but he could detect the discomfort that emanated from her. Integra knew this 'request' given to her by the queen was more a command than an optional favor. She had hoped to avoid dancing this night at all costs… but that seemed inevitable now. And with all eyes on her and Alucard, she knew that kind words and a fancy decline would not let her wiggle out of this one. The quartet struck up a chord that resounded in the hall.

Alucard grinned. It wasn't every day he got to see his master in such a compromising position, with her back up against the corner and no chance to escape. It made his insides writhe in twisted pleasure. Integra was obviously most adverse to the idea of dancing with her servant, but as he offered her his arm, she had no way to refuse. They walked out as a pair into the center of the ballroom, every patron of the ball standing with their eyes glued to him.

Oh how Integra silently seethed. Alucard had that smug little grin upon his face as he wrapped his arm around her slender, dress clad waist, and she, in turn put a delicate hand upon his shoulder. Their bodies were so close. Alucard reveled in their proximity… his heightened senses caught everything… the steady rise and fall of her chest as she took deeply inhaled breaths, the smell of stale cigars upon her lips, and the sweet, lingering scent of some spicy perfume, coupled with the trace salty fragrance of sweat. It only made him grin more.

Integra, however was not so amused. But she had not the time to hurl insults and sulk about having to dance. The waltz had begun.

The waltz was a slow, lilting dance, with a steady three beat rhythm, that Integra found herself unconsciously counting along to in her head. One two three, one two three… The beat went on and on. She was glad to have taken those formal dance lessons, even if they were so long ago. She didn't feel very graceful, and it was hard for her to step in those blasted heels of hers. She longed to kick the painful things off and break them to bits.

Alucard, however, would have begged to differ upon her opinion of her grace. True, she may not be the best dancer, but she was more graceful than any other woman he had been in the acquaintance of was. Her grace was of an unconventional sort… the type of elegance that is coupled with power and poise. As the two twirled across the dance floor, all eyes upon them, it was easy to tell who carried the power between the two. Despite the fact that Alucard could have crushed her like a twig, with minimal effort on his part, Integra held the leveling block. Her blood protected her, and her sheer force of will kept her servant in line. However deviant he may seem at times, Alucard was still obliged to serve her.

A frown laced Integra's lips. This was not at all a pleasant experience for her. She would infinitely prefer being at home, doing paper work. She felt stupid in her little gown, being lead spinning about the room by some half-mad vampire. But it had to be admitted, however reluctant she was to acknowledge this fact, that Alucard was a supremely gifted dancer. It was almost surprising really, that one who lived to kill and hack apart bodies could possess such a graceful and tender natural talent. He swept across the floor with a liquid grace unmatched by any mortal. A pretty good dancer, for some undead guy.

The couple twirled across the dance floor, a magnificent blur of ebony and scarlet. Their feet moved so deftly with the music, their bodies in such unison… it was almost ethereal how well attuned to one another they were. They danced in utter silence, eyes locked in a silent battle. Alucard stared deep into Integra's eyes of fierce, impossible blue. It was so easy to get lost in their icy depths. Integra's gaze was as unwavering as his own, but possibly for different reasons. She stared him down defiantly, making it clear that she was in no way to be solicited after this incident. Having danced with him would change nothing between the two. She was still master, and he, servant.

After the first many bars of music had been played, more couples were lead out onto the floor, and began to follow in the suit of Alucard. Once many couples had filed on to the marble floor, Integra made her breakaway move. Letting go of Alucard, she tore away from his gentle grip, striding away from the floor in a most purposeful way. The floor was too crowded for anyone to really notice her stopping her dance, as she fled for a private balcony. She needed peace. She needed to be alone. She needed a cigar, god damn it.

Alucard stood alone on the floor for a minute, watching her scarlet clad figure dart away. He chuckled. He wasn't done with her yet.

Standing outside, the cool night air drifted about her body, as did the spicy, smoky scent of some expensive imported cigar that hung from her lips. She hadn't brought that damn cumbersome purse for nothing. The tobacco had an immensely calming affect on her already tense nerves, and she was more than happy to stand in the evening air, overlooking the royal garden with a cigar in hand. Thank god she had escaped in time… otherwise, she may have blown a gasket or two.

Alucard strode out into the moonlight to where his Integra stood in silent revelry. Sliding the glass door shut behind him, the two stood in silence for a moment, staring at each other. The moon was cool and pale against her skin, making her look icy and cold, an accurate reflection of the demeanor withheld by her woman's frame. Alucard, in a brazen way, took a few steps forward, mere inches separating the two of them. She puffed a lung-ful of cigar into his face.

She frowned deeply at him. Came to gloat had he? Nothing less could be expected but for him to crow over his victory. She said nothing, but stared at him coldly. Maybe if she ignored him, he would give up on his attempts to vex her and go drive someone else up the wall.

Alucard had a very small smile on his face, a mere ghost of what his usual grin was. His eyes did not glitter, however, with the malevolent mirth that usually accompanied his malignant smile. His red optics were all seriousness. It was strange to see him so stern and pensive… that was usually Integra's job… to keep him in line through her single-mindedness.

"Don't you know smoking is bad for your heath?"

Alucard said in a cheeky, audacious way as he plucked the cigar from her lips, and dropped it to the ground, where he crushed the smoldering thing with the heel of his expensive wingtips. Integra's eyes gleamed with fury, and his, in turn, with delight.

"Since when have you cared about my health? I demand to know what you wa-"

She was stopped short, Alucard having closed the gap between them, and stopped her mouth with a kiss. It was shocking really, and had been wholly unexpected on Integra's part. His lips moved gently against hers in a tender, but demanding embrace. His body was pressed against hers, as his tongue searched for further entry past her lips, seeking to deepen the kiss. She felt his fangs nibble her lips so deliberately, and was almost taken aback by how human her monster seemed when he wanted to.

Being human, she wasn't wholly immune to the charm the kiss posed, but she remained stiff and unyielding to him. Her lips did not part, her body did not melt, she remained stiff, straight and cold. Any normal woman would have squealed, squirmed, or shrieked at such unwanted advances, but then again, Integra was not a normal woman. She let him have his ephemeral bit of fun. He would pay dearly later.

Alucard stopped when he realized he was getting no where fast. She couldn't have loathed it that much though… she had made no attempts to run, or dole out bodily harm. He stepped back, trying to read her stern, emotionless face. He grinned widely, his fangs flashing in the moonlight.

"See? That wasn't so ba-"

It was Integra's turn to interrupt. She, however, did not suspend his sentence with any gesture nearly as kind as a kiss. She had removed a small revolver from her purse and pointed it at his head, pulling the trigger without a moment's hesitation.

She fired.

BANG.

The first shot she let fly hit Alucard square in the forehead, driving itself deep into his face.

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG!

She pulled the trigger again and again, blowing copious amounts of lead into his skull. The grotesque of crunching bone was heard as each shot penetrated his face, splattering blood in every direction, droplets of the red liquid flying onto the glass door, the balcony floor, and onto Integra and her beautiful crimson gown. She felt so fulfilled as she felt the kick of the gun behind each shot, as she watched each round pierce his head. Was this how Alucard felt when he tore apart the undead? Because it felt, so damn good. She grinned like a madwoman as each shot was fired. Her revenge was sweet and swiftly dealt. She knew the meager lead bullets would not kill… but it was still satisfying to see him standing there, his face mangled beyond recognition.

"Know your place, servant, and know that I am not your toy to be used and discarded. A mockery will not be made of Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing. I shall deal you your true punishment later. I do not want to see you again tonight."

Though a satisfied smile lingered on her lips, her voice positively seethed with an unrequited anger. Alucard made no motion to reply with some pert, saucy remark. He just stood there, almost dumbfounded, with blood dripping down his face and onto his expensive suit. Soon his undershirt was as red as his tie, the brilliant and gory hue of ingested blood.

And with that she turned on her heel and left, walking out into the hall, where all stared in horror and wonderment. They had seen most of what had happened, at least, the part where she blasted his face near off his head. The many gunshots had been hard to miss. What a sight she was, in full formal regalia, her hair wild from the furious exertion she had just exhibited. Her face and arms were splattered with her servant's blood. A perfectally serious, stoic look was upon her maw.

"I am sorry my Queen."

She addressed her majesty.

"I had to dispose of some trash. I regret to inform you that I cannot stay any longer, due to some urgent and pressing matters that have just been revealed to me. I must therefore, leave. I thank you for the wonderful party you have thrown in your servant's honor, and I am humbled by your good graces. Again, I thank you, and must depart."

She bowed curtly, before parting the crowd to leave, unaccompanied. It was true… she was no more a women in a dress than she was in a suit. If anything, the formality of the occasion had made her claws really come out. She would go home, bathe, and do her paper work, and think of a fitting punishment for her servant.

What to do to him?

Alucard stalked the night streets of London. His bullet wounds had long since healed, and his face was no longer marred and bloody, though his shirt was still stained a bright red. His attentions hadn't at all been received the way he had expected. He had been thinking he would be dealt a smack, or a punch to the chin… not a whole round of bullets to the head. But that was Integra for you. When she was angry, her fury was complete and marvelous. It had been a wonder to behold. And she hadn't seen it, but as each shot was fired, he had been grinning in masochistic pleasure at it. He loved it when she demonstrated her power.

He only hoped his next punishment would be as quasi-erotic as her shooting him.

'Leather, whips and chains ought to do it.'

He thought to himself, chuckling at his little jest as he stalked into the inky black abyss of night.


Finito!

I'm going to need a little help with the next chapter... I want suggestions on a good punishment! Help me think of something good, and not too out of character...

I still don't own Hellsing.

Damn.

Hope you like my story thus far!

Cheers;

Kimi-Taco