Disclaimer: All of Hellsing and its characters are copyright to Kouta Hirano. Any original characters belong to the author of this fanfiction.

HELLSING

EREBUS

Here standeth the Bird of Hermes,

Eating my own wings to make me tame...

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Back Home Again

Conley had moved away through the middle of their second year together, the distance naturally putting a strain on their relationship. Even though it began online, it was weird to go back to an online relationship. Still, at least they spoke, and she was giddy whenever he signed on. Sometimes Alex would talk about what was happening at high school and how poorly she was doing in some of her classes because she'd rather talk to him or play games when she should be doing her homework or studying. He talked about how this one girl at his school was stalking him, because he was honest like that. The fact another girl was chasing after her boyfriend bothered her little, because she trusted him.

Sometime after she turned eighteen, she moved out of her parents' place just to get away from her mother. Her talk about how Alex was supposed to go to college beating down on her. A thousand times, Alex had told her that she wasn't ready, and that she had no idea what to do with her life. This always brought out the disappointment in her mom that Alex had grown used to. Annoyed that she trying to control her daughter's future, Alex left, with words from her mother yelling at her back about how she was throwing her future away.

Months later, Conley said he was going to be able to fly out to see her, and she felt overjoyed. That was when she decided to nervously bring up the topic of sex. Both of them agreed that it was time to take that next time, on the condition from him that she was ready for it, knowing full well what a deflowering entailed. Admittedly, she felt anxious about it, having been made aware of the pain that went with breaking her maidenhood. Still, she was ready. She wanted this. And when he got there, they hung out normally as couples would, snuggling together watching movies, sharing meals, occasionally making out.

When Alex was certain that her roommates were asleep, already past midnight, they stared at each other longingly. At first, it felt great, hands running over bodies, mouths on skin, clothes slowly being shed until it was full skin contact. Protection in place, Conley hovered over her, his voice raspy as he whispered that he loved her. He'd said it before, at least a thousand times already, but it didn't lessen the feeling it gave her when he did. After that declaration, he made the plunge, her mouth opening in a silent cry. With another thrust, he'd broken through. She was a woman now.

Strange things happened after that. When he flew back home, Alex would wait anxiously for him to come online whenever she was home. For a couple of months, he just wasn't there. What was going on? Finally, getting over herself about not wanting to nag him, she called him, and he explained that his internet had been faulty lately, and he was coming online again. Another couple months later, he said he would visit again, and he did, the feeling the same as last time, only they were more confident in their love-making this time around. After he left, he was gone for a couple months once more. Frustrated by this, about to call him, he finally signed on, and she called him out on it. This started one of their more serious arguments, only to be their last.

Conley had ended it abruptly, annoyed that she was implying that she didn't trust him. How could you trust someone who disappears after a visit that entailed a couple nights of lust? When he said it was over, Alex just sat there, shaking and numb like before, only the feeling was much different than the first time. By the time she could form a coherent thought, he had already logged off, and she never heard from him again. For an hour, she just stared at his last message in a daze. When she could move again, she took a hard swallow, lips firmed into a straight line, and she clicked the window closed. Instead of crying, she just stared at the screen blankly, closing off her heart.

Wednesday Afternoon, December 24, 2031, Somewhere in Ontario...

It had been an incredibly long night. When Van recovered, he and Alex had returned to the hotel while Alucard stayed out to modify any memories that required it. He returned just as dawn approached, finding Van sleeping on the couch, his body still adapting to Alucard's blood. On the chair, he found his beloved Alexandra curled up in sleep, apparently worried over the young Dracul. Silently, the Count walked over, picking up her balled up form, bringing her to bed. As it had become habit, he brushed hair out of her face, his eyes lingering upon her before he pulled himself away to retreat to his coffin.

Sleep only lasted for a few hours till he heard a gentle knock on his coffin, the vampire opening it to find Alex hovering over the opening, saying that it was time to pack up. Wordlessly, he roused, watching Alexandra every now and then as she gathered her things, the sunstone glinting from the light shining through the windows. Van was just as quiet, but at least he seemed to be much stronger than Alucard had ever seen him.

Van had rented out a van the day before, preparing for the two-hour trip to where Alexandra's parents lived, and everything was packed in the back. Van programed the route into the GPS before taking off, beginning the long journey to some town called Gravenhurst. Alucard sat in the back with Alex, his eyes closed for the trip. If he really wanted to, he would have slept throughout the ride in his coffin, but with the girl napping against him, he was perfectly fine where he was. Last night's events had tired out the poor girl.

Half-way through the ride, Alex began to stir a little, frowning a bit in her sleep. Alucard looked down just as she slowly opened those lovely brown eyes, staring blankly in front of her. "Sleep well?" he asked.

"Meh," she muttered. "I've had better." Of all the things to dream about, it had to be about him. "We there yet?"

"It's only been an hour." He angled his head. "I think you should tell m—us a bit about your parents before we get there."

The girl yawned, rubbing at her eyes afterwards as she replied hoarsely, "My mom's an author and my dad's a mechanic."

"That's all?"

Alex straightened a little, but remained leaning against the vampire. Alucard resisted the urge to smirk. He could get used to this. "Mom is a fiction writer. She writes suspense-thrillers, slash, mysteries. Homicide type stuff. She does a lot of at-home research on murders and stuff. She even watched autopsy videos."

Alucard arched a brow. Never would he have guessed. Was that why Alex wasn't so bothered by the gore she had seen? Most humans would have thrown up at the sight of bloodshed, especially with Alucard's brutal methods. "Sounds like an intriguing woman."

"She'd probably love to talk to someone like you for some killer insight." Van coughed, and the Count just grinned. "Dad owns his own business, which is to say, he runs an auto shop. It's pretty good money. He also has a job on the side where he fixes or puts together computers."

Van peered briefly over his shoulder at the brunette, frowning slightly before turning his eyes back to the road. Talking about the father was fine for Alex, but he detected a sort of tension from her when she spoke of her mother. Did something happen between them? It wasn't any of his business, but Alex ever needed to talk about it, she would, and he would listen, just as she had lend her ear to him. Lately though, ever since last night, both she and Alucard seemed...closer. Looking in the rear-view mirror, he could see Alex leaning on an invisible something. Not being able to cast a reflection always seemed strange to look at, at least for him.

Alucard rested his left cheek on his knuckles, looking down at the girl leaning against him. Alexandra was still so tired, and she had the most endearing look when she was sleepy. It was like a child not wanting to fall asleep but they can't help it. "Go back to sleep," he instructed softly.

"Okay," she sighed, yawning again.

Alucard shifted, lifting his arm and draping it behind her head. The girl woke up a little more, looking at him, but he said nothing, staring out the window. Oddly, it didn't bother her one bit that he did this, so she closed her eyes, still confused about what to think of him. Still, she had grown used to his strange behaviour, and so she fell asleep within moments. The vampire looked at her then, raising his left hand to brush back her hair once more.

Wednesday Afternoon, December 24, 2031, Gravenhurst...

Alex had described the place she grew up as a small town in cottage country. Still, it was still strange to see the place in person, thick snow covering the roads, the roofs, awnings, benches. The buildings were modern enough, but still had that twentieth-century look. It looked very much like a cottage town with a lake nearby that was already frozen over. It was sort of pretty, seeing the small classy looking buildings, streets lined with fancy lamps, small trees between them to add to the aesthetics. Little shops were everywhere. The Dracul could tell that some of the buildings had been renovated to fit a theme that would appeal to tourists that came around.

Alucard also looked around at the town. Cities were always busy, but this place reminded him a bit of the villages back in Romania, making this town more appealing to him than Toronto ever was. This is where Alexandra grew up, he mused. The more he looked at it, the more he realized how it fit her, but didn't. As much as he loved Alex's sleeping face, like Van, he had sensed Alex's unease when talking about her mother, and figured she'd want to mentally and emotionally prepare for when they arrived.

Gently, he shook her shoulder. "Wake up, we're here."

She moaned, burying her face in his side, "Mm, no...comfy."

The vampire grinned. "Oh? Maybe you'd be more comfortable in my lap. I'd be more than happy to oblige."

As if she had been doused in cold water, she sat up straight, blinking blearily. "I'm awake." He laughed as she then leaned forward to look out the windshield. "Wow, it's been awhile since I've been here."

"When was the last time you were here?" Van asked, turning a corner, looking at the GPS every now and then.

The girl frowned, thinking back. "I haven't been back since I moved out. I was eighteen. I still talked to my folks, but I didn't come back. They were usually the ones to come visit me. I prefer the city. More happens."

"It's quiet here," Alucard said softly.

The comment was unexpected, and Alex turned to him. Van drove out of the main town, driving through more open area, a house popping up now and then. The Dracul looked around, blinking when he pulled up to the end of the route indicated by the GPS. In the distance beyond a long dirt driveway was a regular looking two storey made of grey brick, stone foundation, framed it white wood, the roof covered in black shingles. It was very ordinary, but it was of decent, possibly large, size.

"Is this is?" Van asked. "Quite a charming home."

"Yeah," she said, "this is it."

The young vampire pulled into the driveway, turning off the engine and looking at Alex. "Well, what now?"

Alex's eyes narrowed when she saw the front door open, a woman that looked like her, only older, hair shorter, thinner, and greyer, and with hazel eyes. The woman stood there as she waited for her guests to exit the vehicle. The girl hesitated, not really wanting to leave the van, even as he undid her seat belt. Alucard moved out ahead of her, climbing out and reaching back for her, offering his hand. For awhile, she just stared at it, then hesitantly took it before he helped her out. Looking up, brown locked with hazel in an uncomfortable silence. The woman came down the porch steps to approach them just as Van joined their side.

"Hello Alex," she said softly. "Welcome home."

"Hi, mom," Alex returned casually, trying not to make the reunion a big deal. "Mom, this is Van and Bram. Guys, this is my mom, Moira."

Moira arched a brow at Alex's nonchalant behaviour before shaking both hands of the vampires. "It's nice to meet you two. I have to ask though... Which of you is the boyfriend?"

Alex choked and coughed, gaping at her mother. "Mom!"

Moira ignored her, tapping her chin in thought before pointing at Alucard. "You seem a little old for her, so I'm going assume it's...you," she declared, now pointing at Van.

Van blushed. "I'm sorry, but that isn't the case."

"Oh? And British to boot! Way to go, Alex!"

Alex was also blushing, shrilling at the woman, "I'm not dating either of them! I told you on the phone that I was bringing my coworkers, nothing more than that!"

Alucard grinned while Moira tsked her daughter, "Oh shut it, I'm just teasing you, kiddo. Well, let me help you guys bring in your luggage, and then I can show you where you will be sleeping."

Van raised a hand to stop her. "We appreciate it, Mrs. Rows, but we must respectfully decline. You see, the gifts we brought you are still unwrapped, and we don't wish to spoil the surprise."

Smooth, thought Alex, knowing full well that the real reason was because her mom seeing the coffin would undoubtedly be disastrous in the strangest way. Moira blinked, then shrugged. "Alright, let me show you inside first so you know where to put your stuff."

The woman led the trio into the house, and it looked cozy, to put it simply. Alucard and Van looked around, finding the place strangely in order. It looked professional, and like the lady of the house ran it. Alex sniffed the air, detecting the scent of food being slowly cooked. The vampires were led into the basement, which had been fashioned by a man with tastes in metal music and cars. There was a sofa with the bed already pulled out. Obviously it was already silently agreed between both vampires that Van would be taking the bed, while Alucard would sleep in the soon to be hidden away coffin.

"I'm sure you two don't want to share, unless you're into that, I won't judge," Moira rambled on.

"Mom!"

"What? Anyway, I have a spare cot somewhere, so you two can discuss who can take what." Moira looked at her watch before turning to them all. "Alex, why don't you show them around and help them with their stuff while I go check on dinner."

"Sure," she mumbled as the woman walked away. "Bloody hell, she's as blunt as ever."

Van chuckled. "I can determine the resemblance between you two." The vampire flinched away in comical fear when Alex suddenly glared daggers at him. "Er, on second thought..."

Alex sighed, evidently irritated before walking up the stairs. Ten minutes of pretending to be heaving luggage, everything had been moved. Although, the coffin remained in the van for the moment until they could determine a decent and well hidden location for it. Both vampires felt completely out of place in such a location, not sure how to take the normal household environment. For the entire time, Alex had been quiet, sitting in the spare chair in the basement while Van sat on the edge of the bed.

"Well, this is...different, I will say," he commented lamely. "I'll admit that I'm not used to such...normal surroundings."

"Define normal," she retorted, making him laugh.

"Touche." He cleared his throat. "So, we'll be here for a few days till...Saturday, I presume?"

Alex remained silent as a response. After last night's events, she didn't think going back to visit Tyler and Len would be a good idea. Hell, she wasn't even sure if she should stay at her parents' house beyond Christmas Day. Van sensed that she was in turmoil, deciding to drop the subject entirely, and looked around the room. Alucard had also been quiet, leaning against the post near the stairs, arms crossed, expressionless as he watched the brunette. After a moment of this uncomfortable quiet, Alex stood up and walked upstairs.

The Dracul turned his gaze to Alucard. "What are we going to do about your coffin?"

"For the moment, it can stay in the van. As long as her parents don't get too curious, it should be fine there."

"You don't mind sleeping in the back of a vehicle?" Van asked incredulously. Did the Count really have this much apathy for the situation? The vampire just assumed Alucard would have preferred his box in more...appropriate settings for someone of his status.

Alucard didn't even bother with a shrug. "Where I sleep is of no consequence, so long as it stays hidden from unwelcome eyes."

"Yes, that's true. You sleep in worse places, I'm sure."

"Alucard?" Alex called from the top of the stairs, the vampire peering over his shoulder. "I got something to show you."

Intrigued, he stood straight before following after her. Alex led him to the second floor and down the hallway to the left, opening a white door into an average-sized bedroom. It was so empty, but could tell from the imprints that there used to be posters on the walls. All that was left was a twin-sized bed that lacked sheets for the moment, a nightstand, a small desk, and a bookshelf. Judging by the smell, it had been cleaned recently, the air void of dust. This used to be Alexandra's room. Alucard could tell, even under the cleaning solution and the years of misuse. Alex then turned to a door next to the bookshelf, opening to reveal a decently sized walk-in closet, of course, also empty.

"I just remembered having this closet, so if you want to use this space for your box, go ahead. I think it might be big enough."

It astonished him that she was giving him this offer. Alex was basically giving the Count permission to sleep in her room. Pleased, he smiled, walking up to her and leaning in close enough til he was just a breath away from her ear. "Inviting a vampire into your bedroom. How...delightful." The girl flushed from the close proximity, shivering from his cold breath. "You're practically baring your neck to me."

Alex could barely manage out her next words, "Don't get any ideas, Dracula. My bedroom, my rules."

He chuckled darkly, surprising the girl by pushing her gently against the wall, looming over her as he removed his glasses, crimson pools boring into her with her back pressing into the wall. "That's the thing about rules, my dear Alexandra; they're made to be broken."

And as he had hoped she would, Alex made that face again, his grin widening. "You didn't answer me last night," she said abruptly, the vampire's body going taut. "I asked you what I am to you?" The smile had faded as he regarded her. Should he tell her? "Am I just a play thing to you?"

"No." She blinked. "No," he repeated more softly, raising a hand, wanting so badly to remove the glove to just feel her skin under his fingertips. He brushed his index over her chin, then shifted the hand, trailing his fingers down the side of her neck, the very thing his monstrous side wanted to sink its teeth into. "I believe I hear a vehicle approaching. Your father, I'm guessing."

Alex shivered under his touch, not really registering his words at first. Soon enough though, she too heard a vehicle pull up in the driveway, then the sound of a door being slammed. Finally, she came back to the present, swallowing some. "I believe you," she said when she placed her right hand over his, not looking at him. "I just...I don't..."

Frustrated that she couldn't make the words come out, she pushed past him, rushing downstairs as the front door had been opened. The vampire stared after her and the empty doorway. Yes, Alexandra was starting to figure out what he felt for her, but she still had yet to sort out her own thoughts on the matter. Time; he would give her plenty. For now, he took this opportunity to move his coffin, and then join the happy reunion downstairs.

Alucard barely caught the sight Alex practically leaping on a middle-aged man with an enthusiastic hug. He had light blue eyes and short, dark greying hair, also sporting a beard and moustache. He was barely taller than Alex, and he was surprisingly lanky for a mechanic. "Dad!"

The man had caught her, squeezing her hard and laughing. "Careful, brat, my back may give out from you doing that!"

Moira and Van soon joined them at the front door and Alucard just stood on the stairs. The place seemed crowded now. With a grin, Alex got back on her feet and looked to the vampires. "Guys, this is my dad, Liam. Dad, this is my friend and coworker, Van, and the foreboding giant over there is Bram."

"I see, nice to meet you fellas," greeted Liam, shaking Van's hand.

"Likewise," said the vampire.

"Did you close up everything in the shop," asked Moira.

"Yep. Everything's closed and accounted for. Did you tell our little punk about the festival tomorrow in town?" he asked as Moira shook her head.

"Festival?" Alex repeated. "When did they start doing the festival at Christmas? I thought it wasn't till January or February."

"Nah, this is a bit different. They're having ice skating, hockey, polar dips, carolling, Secret Santa..."

Secret Santa? Alucard had heard the term before, but he wasn't really interested. The Count looked at Alex, wondering how exactly such a thing worked. The man went on about the events while his daughter stared at him in small wonder, as if she was intrigued by what he was describing.

"They also have snowball competition," Liam explained. Alex blinked, instantly thinking of Alucard and Van being on her team. Greatest. Cheat. Ever. "Oh, and they'll be having some kind of kissing arch with a small contest on the side. Best kiss wins a prize or something."

Instantly, Alex's face went hot, her hair immediately looking wild and bothered. Like a robot, she practically creaked as she peered over her shoulder to look at the vampire situated on the steps, and sure enough, he was grinning. Obviously, he was doing it to tease her and wasn't being serious about any of this. Yeah, she would keep telling herself that. The vampire chuckled inwardly at her nervousness. Eventually, she would realize that him stealing a kiss from her would likely blow open the whole lie about them not being together.

"Okay! I'm hungry!" Alex announced suddenly, still flushed. "When's the food done?"

"Impatient, as always," Moira commented. "Dinner will be finished in about half an hour. How about we sit down. Anybody care for a drink?"

Everyone sat in the living room, Liam and Alucard sitting in their own respective chairs while the others sat on the couch, Van sitting uncomfortably between both women. They hardly looked at one another, and there was some latent hostility ready to burst. Van cleared his throat, staring at the scotch he had been served. Alucard looked around the room, seeing the large entertainment centre, and the fireplace situated in the corner. On the walls, he noticed that the wall decor was similar to the glass art he had seen in Alex's old apartment. He stared at them, puzzled. They were beautiful, and he felt a strange connection to them.

"Where do you get those?" he asked, surprising Alex and Van that he was even taking part in a human conversation.

Moira and Liam looked up to where the vampire indicated, the woman replying with some pride, "Oh, Alex did those during a summer class she took to try something new."

Of course she did, Alucard mused, smiling. So, that explains his small fascination with them. "I see. They're quite beautiful."

Alex realized he was staring at her when he said it, and she flushed, muttering out a, "Thank you."

"It's too bad though," Moira went on, "She stopped doing it afterwards and had to focus on her final year of high school so she could go into college." This intrigued Alucard. According to Alexandra's file, he didn't spot any sort of education after secondary school. "Instead of going to college though, she decided to—"

Van tensed when Alex snorted beside him, looking at her from the corner of his eye to see the look of intense annoyance on her face. Moira was also looking at her daughter, and that's when Liam cleared his throat. "Well! I imagine the food's done by now, so let's go sit at the table!" Both vampires just stared at the girl's dark expression.

A/N: I'm going to admit that that chapter is pretty tame compared to the others. Still, you guys got another flashback from Alex, which explains her lack of interest in dating. Also, it gave insight as to why Alex and her mom aren't so tight, but really, it's a little beyond what you guys have seen yet, which may be explained next chapter. As for the town of Gravenhurst...it's a real town in Ontario. I've been there, supposedly twice. I don't remember anything beyond boats and creamsicles. And yes, I do see the irony in the name. Oddly enough, it was my own mother who suggested the town.

Anyway, please leave a review, your thoughts, questions, and thank you guys for reading, favouriting and following!