A/N: Sorry for the long wait and short chapter, but I'll do better. Thank you all very much for your support!
Shenanigans
Chapter 5: Rising from the Ashes
Alucard stepped forward, inches away from the baby Nosferatu. The woman glared up at him as if she were ready to spring into action, causing his heart to lurch affectionately. Though some small part of him cringed at what he was about to do, he had no wish to stop himself. Reaching out, he wrapped Nerthus in a warm embrace.
The woman's eyes widened as she leaned her head on her Master's chest. His heart beat was strong and true, giving no indication of the absence of life. Closing her eyes, she let the ebb and flow steal her anguish away, clearing her mind and dropping into a light meditation on reflex. She was startled when his energy brushed against her, his spiritual presence strong and comforting. She felt his blood come alive in her veins, seeming to dance with anticipation. As she explored the connection out of curiosity, a realization seeped deep into her bones.
She wanted the bond that Alucard offered, longed for it even. Yet, she knew that it took time-and came at a price. She watched as he laced his fingers through her own, quickening her heartbeat. Slowly, he raised their entwined hands until he could survey the golden band that had recently come into her possession.
"Centuries ago I came to believe this lost," he remarked.
Nerthus' heart quickened even more, "It belongs to you?" She was confused. Why had it been in her hand when she awoke? Had he placed it there, was this all an elaborate fabrication? The iron curtain of suspicion descended upon the stage as she waited for Alucard to begin the next scene.
"It appears that it has gained a mind of it's own, and chosen a more preferable keeper," he breathed, fingering the tiny etching.
"It doesn't look like it would fit," Nerthus pointed out, looking for holes in his story.
"It was forged for a powerful woman. She was to become the first bride inducted into the Order of the Dragon," Alucard stated shortly.
Nerthus pulled away, taking the ring off immediately. With that knowledge, it felt wrong to continue wearing it.
"Take it then, I don't want to evoke images of the past," Nerthus spoke awkwardly.
"No, that was long ago," Alucard started as if he would say more, but left it there.
Nerthus did not need him to finish his sentence. After centuries, he was no doubt a very different man.
Alucard lifted her hand and slid the ring back onto her finger, "You wear it well."
Nerthus was once again awash with emotions she did not understand. After everything that had happened, she did not know where she stood with the elder Nosferatu.
"Will Integra still make me into a monster yet?" the woman asked in an effort to change the subject.
Alucard turned and continued towards Nerthus' new chambers. "You will be part of a special unit. It is comprised of Seras, myself, and a few humans. We will be called upon to fight the freak vampires you have been learning about."
A wide grin on the petite woman's face caught Alucard's attention. "I've been meaning to speak with Integra about that. I think I've found a new way to fight them!" she almost squealed before growing somber once more, "At least, I think I do. I still need a few things and some clearance to complete the experiment."
Alucard looked down at his pupil with amusement and speculation, "And when were you planning to indulge your master with this news?"
"When I felt like it. Anyhow, the concept is quite simple. Putting it into action is quite different. You see, there are two stages to it," the woman explained, auburn curls bouncing as her steps became distinctly lighter.
This gave Alucard pause. Halting in front of her door, he looked into her crimson eyes that seemed to burn with excitement. "Two stages?" he asked cautiously, an ominous feeling sinking into his gut. After battling Millenium for decades, he felt that there should only be one stage; simple yet effective destruction of the abominations walking the earth under his name.
"Yes. The first stage is to jam the incoming frequency to their chips. This will stop communication with the organization and keep them from turning to dust before we can learn anything useful. Is this my room, by the way?" Nerthus rambled, forgetting to pause for breath. Without waiting for a response, she grabbed the doorknob and pushed her way inside.
A grand four poster bed sat against one wall, and a few portraits hung where the windows should be. All landscapes, she thought, how cleverly deceptive. She traced her hands along the few belongings she had chosen to retain, all carefully placed as they had been in her old room. It was as if she had been living here the whole time.
"And here I thought that I'd be sleeping in a coffin," she laughed.
"What is the second stage of your grand scheme?" Alucard asked teasingly, though he was a bit intrigued.
Nerthus sighed deeply, "Now that is the tricky part. As I do not have access to a freak chip, I cannot find the correct frequency. Once that has been established, I guess it's kind of a computer virus from there on out. I will transmit my own program, though I will still have to find the back door to let it through. Then a virus will cause the chip to induce paralysis from the neck down. Of course, this is all riding on the theories produced by your own technicians. If they are wrong, then we have some serious restraining to do."
"And what purpose is this supposed to serve?" Alucard wanted to hear the answer for himself, yet at the same time he didn't. A jolt of adrenaline pumped into his system as he realized that this woman had not only taken his respect, but was quickly earning his admiration.
"You know the purpose as well as I. In addition, I must convey my condolences," Nerthus quipped, giving Alucard a mockingly sincere look. She placed a hand over her heart, batting her eyelashes for emphasis.
"Are you mocking me?" the Nosferatu growled.
"Why, my dear Count, I wouldn't think of such a thing. I just know you prefer to sleep where you can here the screaming," Nerthus responded, a devilish grin snaking it's way across her now pale features.
"So you've studied my history," Alucard said coolly, quickly growing restless of being put on trial.
"Quite extensively."
"Listen up, Hellsing bitches!" a voice called over the loudspeaker system. Alucard frowned and started to punch numbers into the small plastic phone decorating one end table. Nerthus merely stared at the speaker as if it were the voice its self. "We've pretty much taken over here...*belch* yep...thanks for the free meal! It's so hard to get fast food these days-" There was a rustling sound and a man's scream rent the still air in the small room.
"What is going on?" Nerthus asked Alucard as he slammed the phone back into the receiver.
"Some fools had the audacity to attack," he growled, replacing his sunglasses and stylish red fedora.
"So what should we do?" Nerthus questioned.
Alucard watched as the she slowly started to chew on her lip, hands instinctively fidgeting with her new ring. She traced the outline of the dragon, three times, before moving onto the cross. "We wait," he responded at last, a wicked grin crossing his face. He had to ignore the pang of irritation that it would not be in solitude.
o*o*o*o*o*o*o*
Nerthus wore a confused look, her hand searching her face for glasses that weren't there. A saudering iron sat by her right arm, still hot, as a newly completed circuit cooled center table.
"I think that should be it," she declared almost idly, a dreamy smile crossing her face.
"You believe this will work?" Walter questioned as he strolled in the room, an air of ease seeming to float in behind him. Despite his demeanor, the man was bloody from head to toe. Nerthus cringed as the smell hit her nose. It was unmistakably death, in all it's naked horror.
"Nobody asked you old man," She remarked, casting the gentleman a disproving look, "To answer your question, yes. Given that it hasn't been tested and based primarily off theory, I'm mostly curious to see what will happen. The chance of success is hard to gauge."
"The Hellsing mansion is under attack, Alucard, I do not understand why you insist on bringing chance into the equation," Walter snapped, turning to face his old friend.
"Are you questioning my mind, Angel of Death?" the vampire mused, fingering a long stemmed glass filled with crimson liquid.
Walter cast Alucard a disdainful glance before excusing himself from the room. His footsteps died quickly, though it wasn't long before they were replaced by a lighter rhythm.
Nerthus did not waste time. Trying to conceal a smug smile, she neatly inserted her creation into the back of a garage remote and proceeded to secure it with duck tape. Next, she double checked her frequency jammer and tossed Alucard a coy smile. "Everything is in order. Now, go do what you do best."
"And what would that be?" Alucard asked, taking the bait.
"Open your mouth and be nothing less than a tough son of a bitch."