Author's note: At long last the end is in sight. Only three more chapters to go and then this is finished. It's been long in the making and I am grateful to all the readers who have stuck with me and encouraged me, even silently. The last few chapters will be quite full of Jane and Alucard – nothing weird but you have been warned.

Chapter31

Josh had waved Seras off sometime in the early hours of the morning and was on the edge of sleep when he heard the door open and someone shuffle through the door. He guessed it was his sister when a muffled curse floated from the hallway as what sounded like a boot was dropped on the floor. Grinning, he rolled over and let sleep carry him off.

Jane swore softly as she staggered while trying to take off her boots. Eventually she just plunked down on the floor and dragged them off, the laces nearly defeating her in her tiredness. Swaying up on her feet once more, she made it to the kitchen where she left a rosewood case on the table as she made herself a cup of tea. She sat at the table to have her drink and that was where she woke up, face resting on the rosewood case and the full mug of tea ice cold.

Sometime during the night or more likely that morning, Josh had draped a small blanket over her and left a note propped up against the cup.

'Eat something and go to bed you idiot. I'll see you late for supper.'

He had drawn a smiley face in the bottom corner of the note to take the sting out the brotherly insult. She smiled and ignored his instructions regarding food, taking herself first to the telephone and then to her bed.

Walter put down the phone and went to inform Sir Integra that Jane was coming up that evening to see her and Alucard. He had heard the tiredness in her voice and guessed that she was operating on remote control so he didn't really feel the need to repeat her comment of: 'that oversized lout' but it did have him amused for the rest of the day.

"What is it Walter?" asked an exasperated Integra, as a grinning Walter poured the afternoon tea. "You've been chuckling about something for the whole day now."

*Busted.* he thought to himself. *Oh well.*

He repeated Jane's commentary to his master:

'Please tell Sir Integra that her commission is ready and I'll be coming up there this evening with it. I imagine that she'd want to see it first, but if we could have that oversized lout there as well, it'll be helpful.'

Integra buried her amusement in her teacup and then said:

"I assume that you've already made the patrol adjustments then?"

"Of course, the 'lout' in question will be available."

She snorted again and then looked up as Walter cleared his throat.

"Yes?"

"If I may, I'd like to be there as well when she comes. I must admit that I am rather curious about what she's created."

"I think we're all a little curious about what she's made. Incidentally, did you ever find out what all the silver was for that she ordered? It wasn't consecrated silver thank goodness, but it was a rather expensive order all the same."

"Now that you mention it, no, I never did get a straight answer. Perhaps now that the custom work is out of the way, we'll find out."

Jane woke to the sound of rain on the roof and the dim light of a setting sun obscured by clouds. She lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Tonight was going to be hard, in a way that no one would understand except her. She knew that she was being a little selfish but figured that she had worked hard enough to have earned a right to her feelings. Gradually she heard noises above the storm, coming from inside the flat and she realised that the smell of food teased her nostrils. She threw the covers off and padded off towards the kitchen, trying to rub her eyes and tie her hair back at the same time. Joshua was busy dishing up the Chinese takeout that he had brought when he hear shuffling behind him. Turning, he grinned as Jane flopped into a chair, still trying restrain her unruly mop with an elastic band.

"Sleep well?" he asked. "You were dead to the world when I looked in earlier."

"Mmmm." She sighed, rubbing her hands over her face, the hair gone for now.

She yawned widely as he put bowls on the table and then blinked owlishly at him. He laughed and ruffled the top of her head as he went past, neatly dodging the swat she half-heartedly aimed at him.

"Mind if I move this?"

He indicated the gun case that was still on the table, and she nodded.

"Cripes, rather weighty." He said as he deposited it on the nearby counter.

"16 kilograms," she said. "Go on, take a look."

He cracked the case and took a long look inside and then closed it without a word. He finished setting out the food and took his seat and looked up at her.

"It's impressive."

"I know." She mumbled around a mouthful of noodle. "I just hope it lives up to their expectations."

Josh was aware that her acknowledgement of his comment was neither bragging nor false modesty. She was aware that she had talent, but she also had very high expectations of herself and was always worried that she would not meet her own standards.

"You mean his expectations." He teased.

He received an obscene gesture in response as she was too busy eating to reply. He smirked around his own mouthful of noodles and then dodged the balled up napkin that was hurled his way.

"Truce." He said, holding up his fork. "Otherwise you'll never get finished in time."

They finished their meal with the minimum of sibling banter and she headed to the shower while he headed to the sofa. He was still off duty for another day or two and intended to catch up with his reading. It wasn't long before she came back into the sitting room and asked:

"Well?"

He looked up and saw that she wanted his input on her clothes.

Jane felt a little out of sorts, since dressing had never come easy to her. In the army she always had a uniform or combat fatigues and in the workshop she had her overalls. But she felt that her delivery warranted a little more than her permanently grubby overalls or her tattered jeans. And a uniform was completely out of the question, so she had scrabbled about and come up with black pants, a black top and black leather jacket.

"You'll do." He shrugged.

"Josh!"

"Relax," he sighed. "You look fine, stop taking it so seriously."

"It is serious."

"I'm just yanking your chain – you look fine. Now go deliver that thing and stop looking so grim, this is actually a good occasion."

She ripped off a salute and forced a smile. She didn't want him knowing just how despondent she was actually feeling, although she knew it was only a matter of time before he picked up on it. Straightening her shoulders, she picked up the case and her keys and headed out the door.

"I'll see you later."

"Be careful in the wet."

She closed the door behind her and made the short dash to the car that she was still using since she had appropriated it on the night of the hospital incident. Heading out towards the manor, she kept casting glances at the case on the seat next to her.

It was full dark by the time she was driving through the manor gates and the rain had not stopped. By the time she had pulled up in front on the main steps, Walter was waiting for her with a large umbrella.

"Good evening Miss Smith."

"Good evening Walter."

He kept pace with the umbrella until they were out of the rain and then led her inside and towards Sir Integra's study. Although it was against his nature, he never offered to carry the obviously heavy case that she was holding because he already knew that she would refuse. They arrived at the door and he knocked.

"Come in."

Walter opened the door and Jane passed through into the same room she had met Sir Integra in and where her life had taken a distinct turn. Her anxiety was heightening her senses and she took in everything that she had missed the last time. The room smelled of expensive cigars and old leather chairs, of paperwork and history. Sir Integra did Jane the courtesy of standing up as she came in and indicated one of the chairs at her desk, as she sat back down.

Jane took at seat and placed the case on her lap. She sat silently while Sir Integra ordered tea and lit one of her cigars, and then met that icy blue gaze head on when it landed on her.

"It's good to see you again Miss Smith."

"Thank you Sir Integra, but please – call me Jane."

Integra inclined her head in assent and then leaned back in her chair. She blew a cloud of smoke upwards and then said:

"I've been told that your brother had a rather upsetting incident during our last operation. I trust that he is starting to feel better?"

Jane's eyes narrowed for a moment, unsure if there was censure in her words but then decided to take them at face value.

"It was an unpleasant incident but he kept his promise and did his duty. He's come to terms with it and he's doing okay."

"Promise?" the question was heavy with implication.

Jane didn't see why it should be kept a secret and told Integra roughly the same story that Joshua had told Seras the night before. After all, only the two of them were left from the group and even Hector had agreed that Joshua's actions had been correct.

"I see."

Integra was intrigued by this revelation but not shocked. They weren't the first group of Hellsing soldiers to make that sort of promise to each other and unfortunately they wouldn't be the last either. She grimaced as she thought about what would happen if Joshua met a ghoulish end, and made a mental note to speak to Alucard.

Jane could almost see the thought process going through the other woman's mind and spoke quietly but firmly.

"You will not."

"Excuse me?"

"You will not arrange to have someone take out my brother if something bad happens. That is my responsibility and I will take great exception to anyone else doing that duty."

A blonde eyebrow quirked upwards at Jane's bald statement and she said with a note of challenge:

"I didn't say anything."

"With all due respect Sir Integra, you didn't need to. I knew what you were thinking just like I know that Seras thought the same thing when Joshua told her and he also told her that I would be the one to take care of him. So I appreciate your concern, but if he has to be put down – it will be by my hand and no other."

"Quite."

Integra stubbed out the remains of her cigar and looked at Jane, suddenly giving her a smile.

"I knew that I was going to like you. This only proves me right."

Jane was momentarily taken aback by the comment and then shook her head ruefully.

She was saved from making further comment by the arrival of Seras who was followed by Walter with a tea trolley.

A round of 'good evenings' was followed by Walter serving tea. He also reported that Integra's fencing uniform would be late back from the laundry and this caused Jane and Integra to have a lively conversation regarding rapiers and the arrangement of a match sometime in the near future.

"Now," said Integra as she set her empty cup down. "I think that the oversized lout can stop eavesdropping and join us."

"Oversized lout? You've called me many things but that is a new one."

Alucard pretended an injured tone as he walked through the wall to stand next to Sir Integra. Jane looked down and began turning the same colour as his coat. He noticed and his deep chuckle bounced around the room.

"Ah, I see the filter is still not working." He spoke in Jane's direction.

"And I see that you're still wearing that hat." She shot back.

His chuckles turned into full laughter as he removed the hat and sent it sailing into his usual window seat. He also took off his glasses and stowed them inside his coat.

Integra sighed and then said:

"You can verbally slice each other up some other time. Right now I think that Jane would like to show us her work."

Jane swallowed heavily, her throat suddenly dry. Standing up, she placed the case on the table in front of her and waited for a moment so that Walter and Seras could come closer for a better look.

"You asked for something bigger – I give you the Jackal."

And with those words she lifted open the case to reveal the gleaming black pistol that she had poured her heart and soul into.

Alucard looked at it for a long moment and then said in a tone saturated with gleeful malice.

"Nice."