Chapter 4: Bridge over trouble water

When you're weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I'm on your side. when times get rough
And friends just cant be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

Alucard reached down to his fledgling and gathered her into his arms, pulling her into his lap. A position he knew she wouldn't have every presumed to occupy on her own, but would accept if he put her there. Sometimes, he wondered why she accepted everything he did so easily, while rejecting so much of what he said.

Now though, he seemed to have the answer. She was conditioned, all her life, in obedience, in being what other people determined her to be. Yet through it all she struggled to find her own sence of self, without the influence of others, striving to not be defined by the labels they – he – had given her.

Well, Alucard knew now that she would grow stronger with encouragement through adversity, rather than simply more words to be endured. He had been cruel and crazed for so long, he had to wonder if he was capable of being even vaguely nurturing. That he cared enough to try would prove to be evidence enough.

When you're down and out,
When you're on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
I'll take your part.
When darkness comes
And pains is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.

For a while he just held her, absently rubbing small, soothing circles into her arm with his thumb. When he spoke, it was without the scorn, the harshness, the deep-seated bitterness, the madness, or even the black humour that Seras was used to colouring her master's voice.

"I will stop calling you Police Girl," he said at last, pulling back just slightly so that he could look her in the eyes as he spoke. "But you are still mine, Seras Victoria." If he could not use his pet name any more, then he had to make that point perfectly clear.

"Of course I am Master," Seras answered, surprised that he felt the need to point it out. She knew she was his, more than she liked sometimes, and more, it seemed, than he realised. "That is why I didn't drink your blood when you offered it," she explained softly, hiding her face against his chest again, knowing she was unlikely to hear a heartbeat.

Sail on silver girl,
Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine.
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine.
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.

Alucard looked down at his draculina in shock. He had never suspected that of her, never expected it when he claimed her that night. The ancient vampire felt his own expression soften slightly when he took in her tentatively hopeful gaze.

"You're going to have to convince the Frenchman to stop with his silly pet name quickly, or I may rip his tongue out," Alucard said. "It would be terribly unfair to allow him a pet name for you, but not me."

"He calls me a pet name?" Seras asked, confused. "I nearly never listen to anything he says. I'll deal with him later, I promise Master."

Alucard nodded his approval. "Then, since you have had most of your blood tonight, and obeyed my orders so fully, what shall I teach you as your reward? Perhaps to transform yourself, would you like that Seras?"

A large grin took over her face and she seemed younger for a moment in her delight.

"Yes Master, I would like that very much. Thank you Master."

Her innocent smile was contagious, and Alucard felt a soft smile settle on his face as he looked at her, and began his instruction.

The End.