History Always Repeats Itself
Chapter IV: Secrets and Disillusioned Dreams
Seras' eyes widened in child-like fascination watching the vibrant, colorful scenery as they flew through the air. Her opinion of the ride increased as the infamous Vatican loomed a short distance ahead. Her awed gasp caused her uncle to chuckle at her still innocent nature.
She was overtaken by the massive architecture which screamed it's religious preference to any who looked upon it. In other words...the huge structure, incredibly breathtaking, powerful in its significance, enough to impress even a jaded cynic. Not that she was one. The young, blond had been raised in a religious home that wasn't quite Catholic, resembling Protestant in nature. Seras couldn't imagine too many structures that could rival the craftsmanship and tedious labor that went into its design, much less what it took to build it.
He remarked, "Seras, you're the proverbial kid in a candy store."
Alex couldn't help but smile at the picture she presented. Pale, delicate face and hands pressed tightly against the window at her side; letting nothing escape her notice. That was one of the things he'd always loved about her. Even as a young police officer she'd remained untainted by the many events and people that caused even the most dedicated, the most seasoned veteran, to become rather apathetic. But not Seras. Never Seras.
"Are we close, uncle Alex? Where exactly are we going?"
"We're closer than the last time you asked that, Seras." Alex smirked as he teased his niece.
In her inquisitiveness, Seras had asked him repeatedly about their destination. "And as for where are we going...if I told you I'd have to kill you." Smirking, a teasing light fired up his green eyes as his words garnered the desired effect.
Witnessing her dubious expression he laughed at her naïve mind. Holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender, "I'm kidding, I'm only kidding. Lighten up will you?"
Sighing, she shrugged and said, "Whatever." Then her attention returned to the view outside.
Looking straight ahead her eyes saw the outline of a pair of eyes within a cloud. Shaking her head trying to clear her vision she hoped illusion was gone. Narrowing her gaze in unanswered questions, a sense of unease creeped across her skin. The eyes began to glow a steady crimson in color and one of them suddenly winked at her.
With a gasp, she jumped back from the window in alarm. She wondered what could that have been. Seeing her uncle's concerned gaze she smiled. "I'm alright. A bird flew in front of the window and it startled me."
Suspicion, not relief, clouded his face He muttered under his breath, "That bastard can't be here. He didn't know we were leaving much less coming to the Vatican."
"Uncle, who are you talking about?" Shifting in her seat; leaning forward she studied his older, handsome face. Intently watching him, "Who and what is this really about, Alex?"
Seras only called him by his given name while she was in cop mode or just plain angry or upset with him. Apparently she was working under cop mode; preparing to question him as she would a suspect. But he wasn't a suspect and she wasn't a cop. At least not anymore. And the sooner she accepted that the easier her life would be.
The petite blond, perplexed with his statements, wondered 'whom' uncle Alex was referring to. "Come on, " she said while sticking out her lips in a cute pout, "you can tell me. It's not like a huge secret, right?" No response from him. She paused before asking again, "Right?"
"No one. It's nothing." The words rushed from his lips and then his mouth tightened refusing to say another word.
Instincts told her otherwise. She was certain that it wasn't nothing or no one who'd upset her uncle. There was more to this story than it appeared.
Seeing the grim expression on her uncle's face, Seras knew not to question further. It'd only alienate him, which would serve no purpose at all. Everything she desired to know would come her way, of that she was certain. All in good time.
Leaning back against the cushioned seat, Seras closed her eyes; letting drowsiness wash over her she succumbed to its reaching grasp.
The moment she'd drifted off her mind took over; implanted images not so easily burned from her senses, her head.
Standing at the heavy, metal door she reached forward using all her weight to pull it open. Entering a stone hallway she cautiously glanced around. Along the walls were lighted candles held by metallic sconces.
A gentle breezle blew through the hall ruffling her hair and the brown coat that she wore. Moving forward she halted upon hearing a voice call her name.
"Seras..."
This voice so dark, tantalizing ,painting an alluring picture, called to her, beckoned her to keep going.
"Come...Seras. Find me."
Her eyes large from the fear she felt, her heart pounding a mile a minute. It'd be a miracle she didn't keel over from heart failure. Swallowing hard; licking her lips she decided to try out her voice.
"Hel-lo?" Her questioning tone trembled in the air before her, reverberating down the long passage. No sound returned to her. The space before her, behind her, empty and devoid of another human soul. Anticipation and fear ruled her every movement. A breeze caressed her small, shivering form.
The wind blew, making it sound as if there was someone present breathing heavily. Seras reached up to touch her cross given to her by uncle Alex. Just a slight touch to its beautiful, silver surface restored some calmness to her mind.
"Hello? Who's there?"
More breathing sounds.
Turning to look behind her, Seras saw nothing but air. But the moment she turned to face front again, she was astonished to see she was now at the end of the cool, eery hall.
"Bloody hell! How'd did I do that?"
Staring at the surface before her, there existed a set of double doors with brass handles. Should I go in, she wondered. Would this room hold a monster in waiting, or would it lead to her freedom?
"Seras...come...I'm waiting..."
The alluring voice called to her again. Its tones wrapping her in silken enthrallment, leaving her to care for nothing else. "Come, Seras, I'm waiting for you. I am what you seek."
Putting her hands lightly on the handles and staring at the ornately carved drawings on the blackened door, she noticed the etchings were of some kind of red. A most vibrant red. The words couldn't be read due to it being written in another language, Latin or something else perhaps.
Opening the doors, a blast of wind sent her flying backwards, coat entangled within her floundering limbs, and her back slamming none too gently against the stones behind her. The blow forced her to close her eyes, sinking into the blackness and soon her body violently shook.
"Seras?"
"Hmm?"
An impatient voice sounded in her ear again. "Seras. Wake up. We're here."
Releasing her seat belt, she slowly stood up to avoid disorientation, but she was already there. Her painful head swum in rapid circles. Walking carefully to the door, she laid her small hand in her uncle's as he helped her down.
Leaping from the helicopter, Alex pulled Seras closely against him. Worried green eyes stared into her blue, confused ones. "Are you alright?"
Giving him a small smile she nodded. "I'm fine, uncle. Just a very strange dream."
"Dream, you say? What kind of dream? What occured?"
Experiencing a small tinge of regret she lied. "I don't really remember. It was dark and it hadn't gone on long when you woke me." Seeing the troubled expression on his face she whispered, "Sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Obviously it was nothing or you'd have remembered it. Right?" Alex smiled, but the smile never reached his eyes sparking them in merriment. They were somber and unrelenting as he watched her carefully.
"Right. We're here and I'm ready to get started, how about you?"
Her uncle gestured for her to follow him. The two of them walked into the side of a cave, entering deep, underground tunnels that led to their final destination. The inner sanctum of The Vatican's Section XIII.
Seras eyed the expensive, up-to-date equipment with awe and envy. If only she'd had access to the top of the line computer/gps/satellite system along with their weapons to boot...she'd have been even better at her job.
"Seras?"
Alex's voice distracted her, pulling her attention away from all the high tech toys before her. "Seras, it's time to go." Gesturing towards an elevator, "It's time for our evening meal."
Walking towards the elevator, she felt her uncle's hand pressing lightly into her back; guiding her through the thick metal doors. With a woosh they quickly closed cutting off the two of them from all the warriors below, who were carrying out their day to day jobs, efficiently working through their assigned tasks.
The meal had been wonderful. Lemon herb broiled chicken, pasta salad and more items than she could remember. Touching her head she felt so dizzy as she walked down the hall. To aid her center of balance, she gingerly reached out touching the wall in the hopes she wouldn't fall. What was wrong with me, she wondered.
"Seras, did you enjoy the meal?"
Turning slowly as not to upset the fragile hold on her balance, Seras muttered, "Yes. It was delectable, very delicious."
Concerned, Alex asked her, "Are you alright?"
Her vision swam, darkening. Giving into her body's whims, she said, "Right as rain."
As her petite body fell forward, her uncle rushed to catch her. Lifting her bridal style, he quickly made haste to the chapel. Bursting through the huge wooden doors, he strode to the altar with a priest in attendance.
His low toned voice questioned Alex. "Has she been prepared then?"
Answering in the affirmative, "She has."
The priest spoke solemnly, "Let us begin." Raising his arms creating the typical movements of Catholics making the sign of the cross, the priest intoned a series of phrases in Latin. The ceremony was now underway.
Strolling out onto her balcony after supper, Seras sighed in contentment. Would things always be this peaceful? Doubtful. But she'd rather bask in it while the getting was good.
Laying her hands on the railing she stared at the night sky admiring it's dark hues with specks of burning stars to break the shadowed monotony. Without warning, an invisible caress gently coursed down each arm to rest atop her hands.
"What the-?", she whispered. Hair stood up on the back of her neck, fear taking over as she heard the voice in her dreams call out to her.
"Seras..."
The voice reminded her of hot, melted chocolate or rose petals on top of silk sheets. Tempting beyond words. Seduction beckoning. Slowly losing the battle of wills, Seras spoke lowly, addressing the voice, "Who are you? Where are you?"
"I'm waiting, Seras. Don't keep me waiting...Seras." Floating on the breeze, the dark tones wrapped her up in warmth, asking for permission to make her his own.
Warm breath blew over the back of her neck, hands tenderly held her waist while the unseen seductor used his mouth and hands teasing her to perfection. Chuckles lighted over her skin, hands gliding everywhere at once, chilly tendrils touching everything, leaving virtually little of her body untouched.
"Seras!"
"Seras, we've got to go. I've an mission tonight and you're coming along."
Snapping to from her hormonal reverie, she walked hurriedly towards her uncle while he handed her weapons gilded with silver, and made with silver. Looking at her him in confusion she asked what the silver was for.
"Vampires, my dear." Smirking in a pychotic manner, Alex itched to get on the field. He was ready for a kill.
The two ran for armored vehicle located not far from the helicopter pad. Jumping in, Seras asked her uncle, "Who are you going after tonight?"
The moonlight caused his green eyes to fill with an unearthly glow, an almost maddening expression crossed his face. "The mother of them all. Big Red."
"Who the hell is Big Red?" She wondered if he was extremely powerful. He must be for The Vatican to send her uncle after him.
Personally, she was anxious to meet the one who'd been tormenting her, tormenting her dreams. Because of him she hadn't had a decent night's sleep since that night on the beach. And because of him, his voice echoed incessantly in her head. Constantly teasing, calling to her; declaring his need for her.
Navigating the streets at a high rate of speed Alex, Seras and several others chased their target away from the Vatican and towards the seedier part of town. They were positive he'd come here as his need for disobedience and blood pulled at him. They'd only traveled about five miles from their headquarters when their commander, Alex threw up his hand and shouted for them to halt.
Moments later, several members of Section XIII hastily parked their vehicles, grabbed their weapons prepared to fight the waiting enemy. Poised in various crouches and fighting stances, each were ready on a moment's notice, to fight to the death, if necessary.
Unfortunately, for Seras, uncle Alex had stopped before their arrival, letting her out and directing her to hide, watching the action from a slight distance. She just wasn't ready to go up against the most powerful vampire that ever existed.
Hiding around a corner, Seras impatiently awaited the appearance of this "Big Red". Surveying the area she noticed wisps of fog drifting in and around them. She knew that wasn't normal in the least. For one thing, fog wasn't in the forecast and the weatherman was usually pretty accurate.
Tension filled the air. It was so thick you could almost choke on it. Shadows flew all around dividing everyone's attention. She could hear a few men talking quietly amongst themselves, one phrase in particular louder than the others, "What the hell is going on?"
Precisely what she wanted to know. Heart pounding hard, adrenaline rushing, it was reminscent of her police days right before a huge bust. Tension continued to mount the longer they waited.
Without warning, a form exploded from within the circle of men. The force threw them backwards; slamming them against stone and brick walls. Some of them even landed flat on their backs, laying stunned in the middle of the concrete street.
Alex smirked as the figure revealed it's true form. " About time you showed yourself, demon! I grew tired of waiting."
Bowing mockingly to his adversary, the red clad figure apologized. "My apologies for my rudeness. You won't be disappointed. I hope you won't disappoint me."
Alex and "Big Red", also known as Alucard, flew at each other in a flurry of motion. One of the paladin's swords, silver and blessed, usually for lesser vampires a deadly combination, pierced the creature through his chest. The polished blade portruded from his back. Smirking, Alex was almost certain of it being a maiming blow. His look turned to shock as his enemy calmly reached up and removed it without hesitation or even a hiss of pain.
Mocking the priest Alucard laughed. "Surely you didn't think that would work, did you? Such arrogance. Such foolishness. I've been around much too long for a paltry toy such as this to have any effect."
Throwing the weapon to the ground, the vampire drew his weapon. Pointing it's muzzle at Alex, he heart Seras' gasp regardless that she was about two hundred or so feet away from the skirmish.
Seras' heart thudded wildly in her chest. It's rhythm threatening to pound itself into an early death. Frightened as she saw the tall creature aim the huge pistol at her uncle, she gasped, "No." Hands shaking, she prayed for interference.
Triumphantly, Alucard quickly glanced from Seras to Alex. "Here's where your lie ends, priest!" He growled at the blond man before his towering figure. Cocking the hammer, Alucard pulled back on the trigger, the bullet quickly pierced skin, skull and tissues. He laughed as a scream ripped from Seras' lips.
"NO! Uncle Alex!"
Stricken by grief at her uncle's death, she ran from her hiding place, breaking a promise to her uncle, the promise where she'd stay put no matter the situation , and ran to him. Legs pumping hard and fast, her petite frame shaking as she ran, she threw herself on top of Alex, her tears falling on his black shirt covered chest.
Still chuckling, Alucard remarked, "Such a pity. That fight was a waste of time, and my opponent was such a disgrace."
Angrily, she stood to face him and stopped short. He was the one. He was the man in her dreams. The one in red who teased her, comforted her and seduced her. Blue eyes met red in a clash of wills, and on her part, a little fear. "You. What are you doing here?" Eyes widened in disbelief. "You're the one they call "Big Red", aren't you?"
Bowing low before her, hands spread wide as he moved, "I see my reputation precedes me."
"You murderer!"
Seras grabbed her uncle's sword from the street and ran at Alucard with all possible speed. Instead of striking flesh, her sword pierced air. Where'd he go?, she wondered. Where'd the bastard go?
Intuition struck her, fear ran down her spine as she felt someone watching her, tracking her. Without warning, black, shadowed tendrils wound silently around her tiny frame, quickly capturing her without a struggle.
"Obviously, you're still new to this." He purred silkily into her ear.
"What of it?" Seras hissed as she desperately clawed at the arms that held her prisoner, taking the place of the black tendrils.
Alucard pulled her tighter against him. Her back pressed directly up against his chest, no hope of escape or rescue. "You're about to see the truth revealed, little kitten." Black silk slipping into his dark, teasing voice Alucard attempted to break the hold that his adversary, Alex, held over her.
Seras carefully observed the wherabouts of the remaining members of Section XIII. Most had recovered, now they stood watching the largely powerful vampire who'd attacked their leader.
Another man stepped up taking the place of Alex. "Ready the firearms!" His loud voice commanded without hesitation. He wasn't about to allow Alex's niece to be taken hostage or used for this vile creature's imposing will. He'd kill her himself before allowing that to happen.
Several of the members prepared, raised their weapons, blessed by their own leaders, awaited the order to open fire. Anxiously, they kept their fingers lightly on the trigger, prepared to shoot. Their patience was quickly awarded.
"Ready, men?" Glancing around to take in all of their gestures or words of assent, he received everyone's answer. Inhaling quickly, he yelled, "Fire!"
Loud sounds split the air, smells of gunpowder hanging in the air. The smoke finally cleared. Every man there wore a shock of expression. All of their bullets were halted in mid-air! He was that powerful? How could they surmount such a foe as this?
"So, you managed to erect a barrier, have you?" A familiar voice sliced through the stillness.
"About time you drag yourself back...regenerator!" Alucard's eyes shone with a crimson, unholy light. "I grew bored waiting for your return." Wrapping his taut arms even tighter around his blond, trembling hostage, he whispered in her ear, "This is what your precious uncle really is...a regenerator. What is a regenerator, you ask?"
Chuckling, the vampire flashed Alex an evil, spiteful look. Your house of cards is about to fall, Judas Priest. For Seras' sake he moved forward with his explanation.
"Your...uncle", he spat, "is no longer a normal mortal, my sweet Seras. He's allowed those idiot scientist at the Vatican to experiment on him. Eventually, they achieved their goal making him, for the most part, invincible. He can recover from being shot, cut up, or mostly anything that would kill a regular human. Those things no longer affect him. He has few boundaries now."
Getting closer to her ear, his soft breath blowing across the external rim of her ear towards the inner canal, he spilled more of the truth. "Because of his foolishness...he has moments of psychosis, and a few moments of lucidity. It all breaks down to he's just an insane, vampire killing machine. That's what your dear, uncle Alex has become. That's all he'll ever be."
"Stop spouting your poisonous lies, hound of Hellsing." Retrieving another sword from his coat, he smirked, returning the smile that Alucard had originally given. "Yes, you demon from hell, I know who your master is and after I've eliminated you...she's next!"
The tension kicked up a notch. His words struck home with the vampire. "No one, threatens my master! No one!"
Vengefully plotting his next move, Alucard licked his cool lips. Whispering to his hostage, "You are protestant, or close to the like, are you not, Seras?"
"Yes, I am. What does it matter now?" Her voice alternated between quiet tones and trembling ones. She was in the enemy's hands and cou ld only pray her uncle would quickly retrieve her.
"I'll share a little secret with you, my dear. One that you uncle doesn't wish you to know." Spinning her in his arms, he brought them face to face. "A few hours ago you were secretly baptized into the Catholic faith, and into Section XIII."
"That's a lie! Uncle Alex wouldn't ever do something like that without asking me!" She protested the very thougth of Alucard's insinutations. They made her sick. Sick that her uncle could do something of such a large importance without her knowledge or permission. She felt the stirrings of nausea brewing in her leaden stomach.
Lifting his hand to gently brush across her brow, he softly crooned, "I know, Seras. Hurts, doesn't it? The betrayal of such a close, trusted relative. But every word I say is true. I've read it from his own mind as he lay there healing from my inflicted wounds."
Provoked beyond reason, Alex snapped. "You disgusting, filthy, evil bastard! How dare you!" Outaged, he moved forward, prepared to take Seras back, by force if necessary. "Give her back to me...now!"
"Let her make the choice for herself, paladin." He threw emphasis on paladin to make it sound like such a dirty abberation. Alucard succeded in making it sound thus. Alucard turned her so she now faced his bitter enemy.
Biting and sucking on her lower lip, Seras didn't know what to make of her situation. She sensed that Alucard was telling the truth; uncle Alex wasn't denying anything either. So she decided to pose a question to her beloved relative.
"Uncle Alex, I'm going to ask a question and don't even think for one second you can lie to me. I want the truth and nothing else. Agreed?" Her blue eyes sternly dared him to argue her on this.
"Agreed", he sighed. Suddenly, the paladin appeared much older than his stated age of thirty-eight. The weight of the world seemed to bear down, too much of a load for him to carry in his present condition.
"Ask your question, Seras."
Staring hard at the exceedingly tall, blond man before her, she asked her question. "Did you have me baptized into the Catholic faith without my knowledge?" To avoid causing problems with the others under his leadership regarding the religious factor, Seras said, "Not that I have a problem with the Catholic faith...it's just having it done against my will is another thing entirely. So did you do it or not?"
Smiling at her, he replied, "I did it." His face unrepenetant as he gazed at her.
"How could you?" Incensed, she struggled to escape her captor's grip enabling her to punch the hell ouf of him for his thoughtless actions. He'd taken away her choice. Her free will on the matter...dismissed. Didn't mean a thing.
"It was all for you, Seras. I thought i was protecting you! I wanted to protect you from the monstrosity that holds you." Looking down at the polished, silver weapon, "And a requirement to be in my group is that you must be Catholic in order to do this."
Seras and Alex continued to have words when suddenly Alucard felt the infamous tingling at the back of his neck. A female voice yelled at him through their link.
"Alucard, get you undead ass back here to Hellsing pronto! You'll be lucky if I don't throw you back in the dungeons where you belong, you ungrateful git! Now, get back here asap!"
The link broke off, the thread between them resonating with silence. Damn! He'd have a lot to explain and deal with back at Hellsing, but his actions were well worth the expended effort.
Turning Seras back towards him, Alucard bend down; taking possession of her lips, his mouth and mind told her of his plans. He planned to seduce her and make her his own. She reminded him so much of his fiery Lucy.
Lucy had been so passionate, giving him everything he'd asked and more. Lucy had been gone for more years than he could bear to count, and his patience had payed off. Lucy had returned. She'd come back through a reincarnation, beautiful as always. His hurtle, however, would be to make her remember him and what they'd shared. But for now, he had to go, return to his master and smooth things over. Not fun. It still had to be done.
Breaking the contact between them, Alucard whispered, "Remember, Seras...remember us the way we were." His hand reached up, carressed her cheek tenderly, "Remember, my sweet Lucy. Farewell."
Releasing his hold on the young girl, Alucard faded from sight leaving the group in astounded silence. All wondered the same thing. What the hell had just happened? Their target was never one to leave a scene so intact and abruptly.
Their leader assumed correctly stating, "The master calls the dog to heel." Green eyes narrowing at the sky, he fervently vowed, "Another time, pet of Hellsing."
A dark voice answered, returning the challenge, "Be assured of that, Alexander. Our time will come."
The voice faded away.
Seras, coupled with the unreleased adrenaline, and knowing her uncle's betrayal, collapsed to her knees, eyes wide open in shock. Anger, hurt and many other emotions coursed through her. Where did she turn? Where could she turn?
Strolling her to his distraught niece, he pulled her to her feet, and she immediately yanked the appendage from his grasp. "Don't touch me", she hissed.
Wearily, he rubbed his forehead. "Just get in the vehicle, Seras. We've had a long night and I suspect it's going to get much longer."
The remaining members of Alex's crew had already climbed into their suv's and had begun the trek back home. That only left the two of them on the street as they silently made their way home.
On the way back, Alex tried to engage Seras in conversation, but she was entirely refusing all attempts at communication. Hoping to see a smile, he threw out the last line he had. Maybe this last statement could tempt her, could make her smile.
"Seras, tomorrow we begin your paladin training; soon you'll be able to deal with monsters such as Hellsing's vampire hunter, Alucard. He's the first vampire ever made. No one knows the whole story. Not to my knowledge anyway. So I feel it's best to begin your training in the morning. I want you to be able to protect yourself at all times. Does this agree with you?"
Her face turned from the window to look at him. "It does." Staring out the window, her voice adapted a deadly tone, "Alex, you ever betray me in such a manner again...I'll kick your ass back to childhood! Or depending on my benevolence, if I contain any that day, I might kill you."
Smiling at the viciousness rarely heard in her voice, he patted her on the shoulder and she didn't flinch. "That's my girl, Seras."
Hearing the pride in his voice, her eyes met his and she smiled.
The duo drove the rest of the way in silence. Finally, after reaching HQ and debriefing the others on the night's activities, they were free from their duties.
Alex stayed behind to speak with several men from his unit.
Seras, however, opted for a nice hot shower. She wanted to wash away the night's deeds and feelings. Her uncle's betrayal cut deep. And the moment Alucard had touched her, he'd set her soul on fire. Then and there she'd known it would only burn for him, no one else.
Simultaneously fighting her emotions and feelings, Seras didn't want to give in to the caresses, whispers and kisses of the vampire who'd held her earlier. His dark seduction would be more than she could take. Obviously, if she gave in she'd become his dark lover, his queen, losing her humanity, her mortal status forever.
Stepping into the hot water, its drops cascaded from her hair, down her chest and stomach to her legs; landing on the floor. She inhaled peacefully as the shower calmed her. Moments later, she stepped from the stall, toweled off and dressed. Walking from her bathroom to her bed, she climbed in pulling the covers to her neck, and turned the lamp off throwing the room into darkness.
Dreaming of a lover, hot and delicious, Seras bolted upright as a voice invaded her dreams.
"Seras..."
"I'm here, Seras."
Apparently, her unconcious had called him and he'd come. What was she to do?
A pair of cool, practiced lips descended on her own. Her thoughts flew to the wind as her will relaxed, letting him in. Her dark lover broke off; staring down at her blue eyes leaned down to give her pulse point on her throat a tentative lick.
Gasping, she whispered, "Why are you here."
"Because you called me", came the answer.
A knock sounded at the door, her uncle's voice called out, "Seras, are you alright? I needed to speak with you."
Suddenly, Alucard's weight vanished from her chest, and body. Hurriedly glancing around, she whispered to him, but no answer came. So had she been alone, or had he truly been here? These dreams were really screwing with her mind.
Seras didn't want to see her uncle right now, much less speak to him, so she feigned sleep. A short time later the knocking, along with his voice, ceased.
Allowing herself to be lulled to sleep by the gently blowing wind, she once again met her lover on the planes of dreams. Once again she asked him, "Why are you here?"
And again came his answer, "Because you called me."