I've been thinking about how to write this chapter for a few days, and have been tweaking it several times. I am happy about how it turned out. I want to send thanks to the people who have reviewed the latest chapter! Thank you Gabrielmizore311 and Snakewithwings. I am going to be having more SerasXPip interactions soon. I just don't want it to feel rushed. While at the end of Hellsing Ultimate it seems that they were having a more familiar relationship I don't want to rush them into a romantic relationship right away. They are getting used to this new relationship as vampire/familiar and I think that after this chapter Seras will be more open to his more arduous feelings.

Master of the Boot: Actually I am a huge fan of the Blade series among other vampire stories. If it had a vampire in it I probably have seen it. I also have an interest in forensic cases as well. I work in the medical field and finding out the cause of someone's illness is very much like trying to find the killer in a mystery novel.

When I was thinking about the story I almost went with Silver Nitrate. However I decided to go a different route because I want it to be obvious that someone is trying to set Hellsing up. Silver sulfadiazine is something I use very often as it is the main component of Silvadene ointment and is used primarily for burns. When on the skin it has a tendency to turn from a white ointment to a silvery/gray powder that flakes off of the skin. I've taken some liberties with it in the story but I also increased the concentration of the silver. I still appreciate the suggestion!

Chapter 4: The Order of the Holy Nails

Sir Integra walked into one of the labs in the lower levels of the mansion, her posture stiff and unyielding. The scientists had the good sense to say nothing and make room for her excursion. "You have the results that I requested?"

"Yes, Sir Integra," the lead lab technician handed her a folder of information and waited for her to open it before continuing. "As you can see it is impossible to detect if the metal has been blessed. However, the main component is listed in the 3rd column. As was surmised by the field team it is a compound of silver. The first column details the silver components and composition of our own ammunition while column two lists the components that are known to be used by the agents of the Vatican."

Sir Integra closed the file as she heard the approach of William. "Sir Integra, the gentleman you requested to meet with have arrived. I have them waiting in your office as instructed."

"Very well, " she handed the closed file to her butler, "Gather all of the information we have regarding the incident with Mr. Brennan's family and have that brought to my office as well."

"Already done Sir." He presented her the file with a small smile. "I took the liberty of informing Miss Victoria of where they were waiting as well, she told me that she wait for you outside of your office."

She handed the file back to him unopened. "Let's go, I have questions that need answered."

She quickly made her way up to her office with William following close behind. She only stopped when she reached the door to her office where Seras leaned against the side of the door. The young vampire had been having what appeared to be a heated discussion with thin air. Sir Integra correctly surmised that the vampire must be having a disagreement with her familiar. It took a moment before Seras noticed her mistress and promptly stood at attention and gave a salute.

"Mistress, reporting as ordered."

"At ease, Seras," She motioned for her to open the door.

"Oh! Right, of course sir!" She opened the door and stood to the side to allow both Integra and William to pass before shutting the door behind herself.

"Gentleman, it's been far too long." The three men stood as they entered the room.

The tallest gentleman spoke first. "It is not often that we are asked to meet with one of our biggest clients."

Sir Integra sat at her desk and motioned for them to take their seats as well. Seras and William took up positions at the side of the room against the wall, ready if needed but not in the way of the meeting. The three gentleman were well groomed and wore suits that were both in style and appropriate fit.

"Matthew, Mark, and John wasn't it?" Integra pulled out a cigar and move to light it.

The man addressed as Mark spoke up. "Actually it's Luke now, our last Luke passed away of natural causes several days ago."

Integra proceeded to light her cigar taking a large puff before continuing. "So you are now promoted and are the new lead medical examiner for the group."

The man addressed as Matthew, and the same one who had spoken first, answered. "As you know our organization's leaders have always been titled after the Apostles. Our duties directly relate to the names given..."

"Yes, I'm well aware... Matthew is given to the man in charge of the financial responsibilities, Luke is the medical examiner..." Integra looked at the one addressed as John, "Although I don't seem to recall what your title referred to. I digress, however, the reason I asked for this meeting to take place is that I have reason to believe that Hellsing is the target of a new organization. My agents have found several items that I would like you to examine." She motioned for William to give the contents of the folder to Matthew. "The symbol is one that I do not recognize but it was on several ammunition boxes in an underground bunker. As a supplier of these types of materials I was hoping that you would have more information as to its origins."

Matthew opened the file and took a brief moment to examine the symbol. "This is the mark of the Order of the Holy Nails. They are the largest suppliers of Holy metals to the Vatican agents."

"The Vatican you say?" Integra took a long draw on her cigar before continuing. "We have already had trouble dealing with some of their agents in the past, I doubt that they would be willing to start another fight so soon."

Matthew flipped through some more pages until he noticed the chemical analysis and passed the contents to Luke. "I see that you have already had your labs assess the contents of the containers and compare them to the ammunition used by the Vatican."

"I said I didn't think they would start another war with us, I did not say that I was stupid. Every angle must be examined in order for us to find the ones responsible for this."

William made a small coughing noise and indicated Integra's cigar whose ashes were about to snuff it out. She knocked it against the waiting tray before continuing. "I would like to know your opinion of the results, Luke."

He took a more studious look as he continued to read the document. "It appears they found a powdered form of silver sulfadiazine in the boxes. It's not something that is usually used in ammunition and I have never seen it in this concentration. In fact I have not seen this compound used in anything but in the medical field."

"That was the findings of my own staff as well, was it not?" Integra's face broke into a small, smug smile.

Luke closed the file and handed it back to Matthew. "Of course, your team as always are top notch. It also explains why you wished to meet with us as well."

"If this compound is not utilized in the manufacture of ammunition then why was it located in the boxes that were clearly marked with the symbol of a supplier to the Vatican? There can be only one answer..." Sir Integra paused and leaned back in her chair.

Matthew handed the file back to William. "It appears that someone is attempting, and poorly at that, to instigate another war between the Vatican and Hellsing."

XxXxX

Soon after the discussion ended leaving Seras to be dismissed to her room in the basement. Once they were alone Pip phased out of her body and again took up his argument from before the meeting. "There is something wrong, and you know it!"

Seras tried to ignore him and absentmindedly scratched an area on her left chest. "I'm fine!"

"If you are fine then let me look! You've been scratching and bothering that area since our last mission!"

She was happy when they finally reached her room. "I told you, Captain, there's nothing there... Just a nervous tic that I've developed..." She sighed. She was too tired to continue her argument with him and just wanted him to drop the subject.

"I'm not giving up on this... And if you don't let me look I will be forced to do something unpleasant."

The smirk on his face did more to help his cause than anything. And knowing him he probably knows how handsome he looks with that face too... "Fine, you can look. But don't let me catch you looking anywhere else!"

He had the good sense to look taken aback. Seras un buttoned the top two buttons of her uniform baring only the spot in question to his gaze. To his credit Pip only made a quick glance at the swell of her bosom after he had examined the spot in question. Luckily for him Seras was too busy trying to hide her blush to notice. Without giving her warning or chance to smack him he bent down and laid a quick kiss to the reddened area.

She turned her head and tried to slap him. "What was that!"

"I thought that would be obvious, ma chere, I was kissing it to make it better!"

She re-buttoned her top and took a step back from him. "It'll be gone tomorrow, you didn't need to do anything."

Realization suddenly dawned on him. "That's from where I brushed off that silver on my vest, isn't it? Why didn't you just say so!"

"I didn't want you to worry. And like I said it'll be gone by tomorrow. You heard what they said in the meeting, it's a higher concentration than usual and it is just taking a little time to work out through my skin."

Pip closed the distance between them in a stride. "Promise me that if it doesn't you'll let me know."

She was about to make a quip about it but saw the actual worry in his eye. "I promise."