Several days later, after Seras' first treatment and initial episode, Alexander along with Yumiko and Heinkel observed her movements and actions very carefully. The trio scrutnized every thing she said and did, still uncertain if it was safe to let her walk about the premises minus armed escorts.

By now, everyone on location had heard about Seras' post treatment freak-out. The poor blond, disheartened by the stares and glares, couldn't figure out exactly what had happened. The scientist man had attempted to explain it to her, saying that before they'd injected her there'd been a previously programmed type of virus lying dormant within her. It had stayed that way until Section XIII intervened with their treatment causing it to violently awaken; leaving Seras to cope with the aftereffects.

Sleeping for days, she'd woken to remember only that in her strongest moment of pain and need...he'd been there.

His dark, sultry whisper a calming breeze amidst the acutely, severe pain. His words...simple. 'I am here'. That's all he spoke, but the meaning carried directly to her heart.

Seras was afraid of him. But as frightened as she was, she found herself magnetically drawn to the mysterious, drop-dead gorgeous vampire. The dark power he yielded was greater than ever seen or heard. And when it came down to it, he allowed himself no second thoughts concerning her welfare. It seemed she was his obsession. Good or bad. That had yet to be revealed.

Now, here she stood in her standard issue uniform facing off against her uncle with a blade gripped loosely in her hand. It brought back memories of childhood when he'd taken her aside at his place during summer visits and taught her to fence and fight.

Even as a child, Seras in her trusting nature, wasn't aware he'd already begun the steps necessary for her to eventally take her place beside him.

Alex swore that he wouldn't fail, and that Seras would not be taken from him. It was his duty, as her uncle, and now her partner, to watch over her and force that damned creature to stay his distance. Far, far away.

Alex lunged and Seras quickly parried; spinning quickly she swung her sword attempting to slice his side, only he blocked; her move failed.

Seras, not paying attention to the maddening glint in his eyes, as they fought, she kept moving, spinning, faking, blocking, refusing to slow down; allowing him to defeat her. She intended for him to work hard for a victory. Good thing she'd easily fallen back into the familiar footsteps and movements learned as a young child.

"Very good, Seras. You've not forgotten." He praised her for remembering, for acting according to earlier teachings; reacting on pure instinct. She'd do very well indeed.

"Glad to know I can still keep you on your toes, Uncle Alex."

The fire in the older paladin's green eyes reflected the blaze burning in the female paladin-in-training, showing the beginnings of a fierce soul ready to do as ordered.

Without warning, the two kin lunged at each other, light shining over the deadly, pointed weapons. Blocking her uncle's sword tip, Seras, caught up in the fierce battle raised her sword; slamming it down she sent his sword flying; it skipped across the floor, a metallic noise sounding every time it bounced on the stone.

"I win, Alex."

"No, Seras. I win."

Confused, she relaxed her stance and her blade didn't follow her arm's command to fall to her side. First perplexed, Seras narrowed her eyes, then they widened in absolute horror.

The reason her arm hadn't complied is that her sword had pierced her uncle's chest, running through all the way out his back.

For such a greivous injury there was little blood flowing around, or out, the wound. Gently pulling her blade from his weapon, she stood still in shock. Ashamed, Seras' grip on her weapon slacked, a ping echoing through the room as it hit the floor with a heavy thud.

Her heart, heavy as her blade, fell as she dropped to her knees to attend his injury. She was positive he was going to die. Tears dripped silently down her face, mingling with what little blood had escaped from the stab wound. She apologized profusely for her carelessness.

"I'm sorry, uncle. You've always warned me about this sort of thing, and I apologize for not being more careful!"

"There's no need to apologize, lass. It only served to prove a point", he ended seriously. "You have the abilities, you just need more training", heaving for his breath, momentarily, he muttered, "And I have to keep you from that monstronsity who wishes to claim you."

His soul, his heart burned at the thought of that vampire succeeding in spiriting Seras away. Whatever it took he wouldn't allow it to happen. She was too important to him, to Section XIII. She had powers, great powers, and abilities, that were in their latent phase, but would soon erupt. And Hellsing's dog wouldn't be allowed close enough to sniff them, and her, out.

They also didn't need her older memories resurfacing. As a young teenager, Seras had confided in him; telling him of dreams, memories it seemed, of another time, another life. The people in these dreams dressed elegantly. All were attired in the clothing of typical wealthy class; belonging to the Victorian era.

Speaking, at first, in shushed tones, her voice grew very animated as she talked of one man in particular. An extremely tall man with long, black hair, captivating manners, and a smile to melt her heart.

This man had wooed her, loved her. He'd spoken of taking her away, but in the end she was tragically taking from him by man's own hands. The fury he'd felt at her death, unmatched by the clawing, desperate pain in his heart and soul, which none, save her, thought he possessed. The man in her dreams swore by his own blood he'd find her again no matter how long it took. They'd be together forever.

Pressing down with both hands on his wound, Seras pleaded with him to stop talking. "Uncle, if you don't be quiet you'll aggravate your wound."

"Seras, poor Seras, you don't understand." Placing his hand over her smaller one, he chuckled. "I won't die. I cannot die."

"B-but everyone dies. It's just a matter of time and whether it's their time or not", she stated flustered by his statement.

Pushing her hands away he said, "Watch and learn, Seras."

Shrugging her grip from his body, Alexander stood up slowly to his full height. Pushing up his shirt, he allowed her to watch as the pierced skin miracuously closed leaving behind flawless, pale skin.

"What the hell?!" Seras stared in disbelief. "How'd you do that? I ran you through! How is that possible?" Liquid gathered in her eyes appearing suspiciously like tears. "What have they done to you, uncle Alex?"

Hugging her he stated matter of factly, "You mean what have they done to us."

Taken aback by his words, she asked, "To us? What do you mean what have they done to us?" A chill creeped across her skin, adding to her palor. Knowledge suddenly dawned on her. "Alex, what have you done?"

Shoving her petite body from his arms, she screamed, "Answer me, damn you! What have you done to me?"

A new voice rang out, one she'd never heard before. "He's made you better, faster, stronger; better equipped to fight the creatures that roam the night."

Angry at the stranger's interruption, she swung around to see a tall man with blond hair, perfectly sculpted body, from what she could tell of the Vatican's uniform, and green eyes just like her uncle's.

"Who the hell are you", she snarled. Taking in his appearance she managed a scornful laugh, "What are they mass producing this look or something?"

Chuckling at the fire in her voice, "Not quite. Although they're very interested in you, Seras Victoria."

"Well, all of you can just sod off! I don't care what your people want! I'm no one's lab rat", she yelled. "Get away!" She projected her voice in anger and hurt; wanting nothing more to escape from here and figure out just what the hell they'd done and find out what was going on.

The stranger moved closer flashing a mouthful of straight, white teeth. "You're not a lab rat, Seras, but a weapon", he said soothingly. "You'll be our greatest hope for defeating Alucard, once and for all."

Her uncle stepped forward to touch her shoulder, only she recoiled from his hand not wanting him to touch her. Once again, he'd betrayed her trust. Now she felt she had no one in such a hostile, unfamiliar territory. She wished briefly that Alucard was here. Granted, she was somewhat afraid of him; she knew he'd treat her far better than the swine and the way they treated her here.

The handsome newcomer stretched out his hand which Seras eyed as a threat. "My name is Daren Anderson. Most people call me Dare, and by the way, I'm your cousin. That's why I look so much like Alex, here. He's my father."

Gasping, Seras, shocked, she looked from her uncle to Daren measuring the similarities. Shaking her head, she said, "I don't believe you. Why have I never heard of you, or seen you, then?"

"He thought it best to hide me away so he sent me here to receive the best training and education the world has to offer." With both hands, he took hold of her shoulders. "It's time for you to learn what's expected of you, Seras. It's time you took your place at our side destroying those creatures, demons, who prey on the weak; killing them without a second thought. This, Seras, is your destiny; who you were meant to be. You can't fight it. It's a central part of your being. And you learn in time about everything in the past."

The second he touched her, her blood turned to ice. A loud, growl protested his touch inside her head, and she knew in that very moment he was here with her. Pushing him away, her hands suddenly emitted an invisible energy surge which slammed Daren into the nearest wall, cracks in the masonry forming from the sheer force of the blow.

Pulling himself from the crater in the wall, Daren clapped, laughing he said, "Well, done, Seras." Walking back to her her, he asked, "But just what are your capabilities and how long and how much can your endurance withstand?"

"Long enough to kick your annoying ass", she shot back.

Smoothing his hair back into place, Daren ran full speed at Seras; his hands erupting into a rapid barrage of blows which were mostly blocked by her.

She hadn't noticed, as of yet, that her adversary had effectively cornered her until her back hit the wall. Seras attempted to kick, punch, scratch, bite and anything else she could do to escape. Her vision began to darken as Daren used his forearm, applying pressure, to cut off her air thereby making her calm down or black out.

Feeling her awareness dwindling, Seras continued to struggle. Not about to surrender to anyone, her mind automatically searched for the one to help her, save her. Lids slowly closing over blue eyes shuttering them from her assailant, supposedly her cousin.

Fury had pooled in her stomach, building into molten hate and spite. Power spreading throughout struggling limbs, warmth heated her skin and her struggles ceased.

Daren turned away for a moment to face his father. "You believed that she was the one?" Shaking her body like a rag doll, he scoffed, "Somebody's intel was off as usual. This ending was rather disappointing."

Alexander stood there smirking. The lad had no idea what he was in for, and who was he to tell him otherwise.

In the blackest recesses of her mind, Seras still called out for him. "Alucard...where are you?"

"I'm here."

Hearing the growling menace in his voice, mentally, Seras shrank away from him. When he spoke to her, cajoling her back into safety with the lure of his silky, sinful voice.

"Don't be afraid, Seras...never be afraid. They'll pay for their insolence and the pain they've submerged you into. They'll pay one hundred fold, that I promise you!"

"Alucard, don't leave me. Give me strength to endure, to fight."

His whispering voice sounded as if the distance between them was increasing. His voice not as strong as before, and not only weakened, but the pauses between answers increased also.

"Seras, I give to you what you need to survive, whether it be to endure, to fight, or kill them all. It's your choice, and I won't take it from you...unless they harm you. Should that happen their lives are over."

Her lungs burning from lack of oxygen, tears of frustration burning her eyes, Seras felt a strenth so powerful well up inside; bouying her spirit with tremendous energy.

Daren was still in the midst of ridiculing her and he looked right at her when her eyes snapped open. "What the -"

He never finished his sentence. Her eyes, a crimson, fiery red; her once smiling mouth now parted while snarling. Reaching up, she quickly grabbed hold of his forearm, and with the new strenth she'd discovered snapped it into like a twig.

The sound of the bone breaking, along with Daren's scream echoed loudly in the room. As if the sound of his pain hadn't been enough, for those that choose to look upon the injury...most turned away loosing the contents of their stomachs.

The radius and ulna bones, snapped jaggedly in half portruded in strange, unrealistic angles with skin torn and large amounts of blood spilling freely onto the floor.

"You bitch!" Dare was furious that she dared do this to him! Chosen one or not...she'd pay for this injury, not only to his body, but his pride.

Yumiko and Heinkel had observed the situation the entire time and Heinkel rushed forwards to escort him to the infirmary to ensure the bones healed right. Though regenerators can heal and fast, their bodies could heal in the wrong manner if not properly cared for.

Seras wanted to tear everyone in the room apart. Her soul could feel Alucard's glee in her desires and he laughed, reveled in them with her.

"That's my girl" he spoke approvingly.

Ignoring it, she glanced at Alex next. Moving to him, she readied herself to attack him next for his betrayal. He never moved.

The moment she touched him several stings broke her skin in the vicinity of her neck, arms and stomach. Unflinching, she pulled out all the ones within reach. Throwing them to the ground in disgust, she paused for a moment, fire coursing in her veins. Pain. Unimaginable pain. What had they used this time? The effects seemed to release quicker on top of being more potent.

Laying encased in his black coffin, Alucard slammed a fist against the side; causing it to splinter slightly. Her pain interrupted his rest, her mental cries tearing him to shreds as he listened to her screams, and cries; pleading for his help. He'd give her the only thing he could at this time...

Sending his voice swiftly to her via their link, he whispered to her once again.

"Sleep, Seras. Feel no pain. Sleep...allow your world to fall away. Only I exist. Hold on to me, Seras and sleep..."

Sleepily, his voice trailed off. Satisfied he'd reached her, he probed one last time to find her conscious falling into blessed, numbing blackness. Succumbing to the heavy pull of sleep, the ancient vampire closed his eyes falling into the blackness with her.

Giving into the dark, Seras fell forward, her uncle caught her. Hoisting her into his arms bridal style, he headed to the infirmary while pondering the catalyst behind her monster-like actions.

Glancing down at her sleeping, restful face, he muttered, "Seems you're closer to Alucard than we first believed."

Striding through the doors of the medical wing, he laid her gently on one of the empty beds. The doctor from her previous 'treatment' appeared as if summoned.

"How was she, Anderson?"

"Magnificent when her anger's aroused. She fought beautifully." Green eyes narrowing at the petite figure passed out, he revealed to the doctor, "She went beserk again. Daren caused the stirrings of it, but it's like she tapped into a deeper, stronger part of herself; using it to serve her will."

The doctor moved off to retrieve a tray full of various syringes...a few full, but most of them were full. "Anderson, hold her still in case she awakens."

Alex did as ordered, holding his niece tightly against the mattress rendering her unable to move should she try.

Tearing open a package for a butterfly needle, he immediately cleaned off the crook of her arm with alcohol, and inserted the needle swiftly, and effeciently. Sticking a tube into the other end of the needle tubing, it quickly filled with red blood. Switching out tubes three times, he said, "I believe that's enough for now. I need to examine more samples of her blood...see what's going on."

"What do you mean", he asked puzzled.

"Seras' system is fighting our treatment for whatever reason. I still suspect it's a result of the pre-programming she received from someone or something else. I wonder if it was the vampire you've been chasing all these years."

"Why would you suspect that?" Alex had released his grip on Seras to cross his arms over his muscular chest. He had a sneaking suspicion about what the doctor was about to say, but he'd wait to hear him out.

Pushing his glasses up his nose, he took a breath. "She's been exposed to him, has she not?"

"I'm not entirely certain. She's never said so." His face scrunched up as he searched his memory. Snapping his fingers, he brought to mind the possibility that could correlate the doctor's theory.

"On the first night of her visit at my cottage by the sea...that very night she'd taken a walk outside, and I discovered the next morning she'd spent the night outside. According to her, she met no one. She'd gotten tired and simply fell asleep. So she said."

Nodding his head, "That could've been the small moment the creature needed to establish a link and a connection to her, to program her mind to resist all efforts of becoming something other than human, or vampire. Although, I'm not sure how he accomplished it as a mortal mind is complicated, it's neural pathways trecherous waters when navigating them. One wrong move...you could kill your subject."

"Is there anyway to reprogram her and eradicate his previous orders?"

"I don't know. As I said it's difficult waters to wade through. It'd be easier if we knew specifically the orders given which act as a type of virus. We might be able to reprogram her then, but it's still not a certainty."

Grimly looking down at his niece, so pale and still, he lowly spoke. "I see."

Gesturing to Seras, he said, "Anderson hold he one more time. She's getting double the treatment this time."

"Do you think that's wise? Look what she accomplished with one treatment? But...look at the demon she becomes that wakes with each emotional event. She became violent when angered, loathing all within her grasp, or line of sight. We can't afford any mistakes, doctor!"

" I'm aware of that, now hold her still!"

Cleaning off her arm, he deftly stuck the needle into her forearm, pressing down the plunger; sending the contents of the syringe rushing into her system, already at odds with itself. One treatment down, he quickly injected the other, the liquid following it's predecesor into her veins.

Seconds later, her body twitched. Pain. Burning, pain, body on fire... Arching her back off the bed, she screamed as her skin, muscles and tissue felt as if scalding water had been dumped on them. Seras wanted to descend on them all. Rend. Tear. Rip flesh from bones. Devour until there's nothing left. All for the agony bestowed on her with their clumsy attempts to wipe out the virus-like entity within. They never knew that this unknown variable was a part of Alucard, himself.

Alex felt of her skin. "My God! She's burning up." Awestruck he watched in horror as her skin briefly became translucent during this transformation. "What have you done to her? I know damn well the treatment's not supposed to cause her skin to become see through!"

"Not technically, no. But sometimes, these treatments, like regular day to day medicines affect people in different ways. Side effects vary from person to person, and it works this way with our treatments, too."

Power surging through the small body on the bed, Seras fought for control. She'd become as a beast, and it was unbearable. Her very life had changed into something she no longer wanted, as she'd become something she never expected.

Gaining command of her mind and body, she lay still after expending another large quantity of energy she could ill afford so soon.

The moment her body relaxed, spent from releasing another wad of pent up strength, her uncle had released her, and he and the doctor were conferring at the other end of the room.

She watched their gestures and honed in as they talked. She didn't realize that for her to be able to listen to every word they spoke...it was the trait of something non-human. Her system and body adjusting to everything thrown at it, Seras was becoming something altogether different than just a regenerator.

She was developing into the thing her uncle feared most...aside from the required blood letting and consumption of tainted blood...Seras was well on her way to being the woman in her dreams, the woman who'd craved Alucard, loved him, and would die for him.

Miserable and lonely, a tear slowly trecked down her cheek. Feeling a burning sensation on the inside of her right wrist, she glanced down to see the sign for infinity etched there in black ink. When had that occurred, she wondered?

Another presence was nearby. A familiar one at that. Writhing, black shadows worked their way from each corner of the room, unseen by the two men conversing her case.

Gathering on the ceiling over her bed, Seras stared in amazement as the shadows joined together forming a red suit, then followed by pale limbs, chest and face. The face of the one she was inexplicably drawn to, the one who always aided her when she needed him.

Gingerly, she reached out with her palm facing upwards. Mirroring her move, Alucard placed his palm against hers. The longing in his eyes, the burning need, excited her beyond reason. If only he were really here and could take her away!

"I could, Seras, if only you asked."

"Wha-, you're really here", she whispered with tears in her eyes.

"I am."

"What have they done to me, Alucard?"

Crimson eyes flared redder for a second then calmed. She wondered if her question angered him. Have I made him angry at me?

"Seras, I'm not angry at you. I'm angry at what they're doing and trying to accomplish with you. They're treating you as their own damned, personal guinea pig! That's what angers me, not you."

"Well, what exactly are they doing?"

"All I can surmise is that they're trying to turn you into a new breed of regenerator. A regenerator stronger, faster, and more capable than even your uncle. No matter the wound, unless his head is completely severed from his body...he'll keep returning for more, and he'll never die unless you kill him in the manner specified."

Interlinking her slim, delicate fingers with his larger ones, she asked, "Why are they wanting to use me against you?"

His head snapped towards the two men still conversing, a low growl sounding deep in his throat. Turning slowly back to Seras, long, black hair swinging with his movement. "They are, are they?" Infuriated by their foolishness and folly involving his beloved Alucard began to plot their individual downfalls.

A prickle at the back of his neck was the only warning he received. Cursing at his master, Alucard couldn't believe she was calling now of all times. Now, he'd have to leave Seras in their hands. She'd be left to the mercy of monsters worse than he, for now.

Reaching out with an inky, shadowy tendril, he caressed her face. "I must go now, Seras, but I swear I'll return. Wait for me. Wait for me."

Drifting closwer to her, he kissed her lips, passing a little bit more of himself to her; enabling her to fight back. Reluctantly he pulled away and faded into his shadows. Little by little all the shadows vanished from the room leaving her bereft and confused.

"And now I'm back where I started", she muttered.

Closing her eyes, she immediately fell into a dream where she was a rich heiress, friend to a beautiful girl named Mina; engaged to a man whose name she couldn't recall. The one other person she could recall was a tall man with long, dark hair and glowing eyes.

She found herself seduced by him in her father's garden, felt the wonder of his love as she gave herself willingly, swearing to stay with him forever.

That same night, in the dream, the man had taken a knife; applying it to her skin, he cut lightly. Wiping away the red liquid with his white, monogrammed handkerchief, both of them looked upon the symbol he'd carved into her wrist. A figure eight carved sideways...the symbol for infinity, or neverending as was their love.

Seras woke; bathed in sweat. Remembering her dream exactly as it had happened, an idea struck her suddenly. Glancing down at her wrist, she spotted it there...a figure eight, or if you looked at it differently it was the symbol from her dream, the symbol for infinity.

Further confused by her vision, and the mark on her wrist, she mused aloud, "What is going on?"

Falling back to her pillow, she rubbed her head and then closed her eyes, hoping her dreams would provide more information as to who she was, and what was going on in the here and now.

Her breathing shallow, quickly relaxed into deep, even sounds. And her dreams began again.