Meep! I'm writing a real fanfiction before my exams are over!!!! Someone please check outside for fires and such. I'm pretty sure they Apocolypse is upon us.

Anyhow. I'm a sucker for reviews. They melt me all to peices, especially when they're from people I don't know. And when someone left this review saying, "Write the story! I'm anxious to see the dynamic between Annie, Father Alex, Seras, and Seth" I was just moved to do so. I'm not even waiting to discuss this with Duchess..I got her blessing a week ago and so now I'm going to do something with it. So here's my suggestion to you all: if you like this chapter, and you want more quickly, leave me lots and lots of gushy reviews saying how much you loved it and that you can't wait to see more. Even if I can't think of anything, I'll find something to put on paper.

And I'd also really love it if you'd favorite it or something, if you like it. That would make me happier than you could immagine. Someone once said immitation was the highest form of flattery. I disagree. Favoriting their stories and mentioning them in random places around the internet is.

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An indistinct figure sat in the windowsill, encompassed by the fluttering drapes. Moonlight shone through, illuminating his face and dancing on his marble features. A face that only a few months ago was unsure of itself, awkward and self concious, was now peaceful and confident. The only times it wasn't was around one person, and well, she didn't count. There was too much history between them to be untangled in only a handful of weeks. He sat still, unmoving, allowing the drapes to wrap themselves around him and then flow off in another direction. A light breeze ruffled his brown hair slightly. He closed his eyes and inhaled softly, followed by an exhale just as soft.

"Breakfast?"

He started. He had been so involved in his thoughts he hadn't noticed another presence enter the room. He turned his head to see who it was, though he already knew. Only one voice could suprise him, comfort him, and set him on edge all at the same time.

"Evening, Annesa." He moved over a bit, knowing she was going to sit next to him whether he liked it or not. She didn't disappoint him.

"So," she said, settling herself, " how long have you been up?" She offered the blood packet she held in her hand. When he shook his head, she laid it on the open space between them, as an open invitation to accept at any time.

"Maybe half an hour." He didn't know what to do around her nowadays. In the beginning--their new beginning- it had seemed relatively easy. But as the days, or rather nights, wore on, they realized they didn't know each other anymore. They became more awkward with each passing week. They had to start from scratch, and build their friendship all over again. And maybe after, they could become something more...He looked out the window to the sky, finding something else to think about. That would be a long way in the future; for now, they had to learn each other all over again.

Annie followed his gaze. "The stars are pretty, huh?" She asked softly, trying to be conversational. He knew she wanted things to be as they used to more than anyone. She always looked for ways to make it happen, jumping at every chance to start some sort- any sort- of communication.

Seth nodded. " They're very pretty. But I miss the sun."

Annie snorted; rather unladylike, true, but Seth never heard anyone accuse Annie of being a proper lady. " Not that you'd see it much anyway. Trust me, if you had stayed a human, assuming none of that had ever happened, you would have been trapped inside for most of your time. Besides, the Sun's not so great- it gives you sunburns and cancer and..." she trailed off when she saw the sorrowful look on his face. " ..I'm sorry. That...didn't come out right..."

"No," he replied softly, " I know what you meant. It's alright."

Annie let out a ragged sigh. " Will it ever be alright?"

He looked at her curiously. " What do you mean? Of course it will."

"No it won't," she replied quickly, almost challengingly. "It won't be alright because we can't even be in the same room breathing without worrying what the other will think, without watching our every word. It didn't used to be like this. Why can't it be the way it used to, when we were kids?"

"Because we aren't kids, Annesa. We haven't been for a long time now. And besides," he turned to look her in the face, and almost faltered in his speech when he saw her imploring eyes, " too much happened back then for it to just go back to the way it 'used to be'. You of all people should know that."

She pulled her knees up into her chest. "I don't like it."

"You're sounding like a spoiled little girl instead of the powerful, responsible woman you are."

Annie glanced at him sharply. "Say again?"

"You heard me."

"I just want to make sure. For a second, you didn't sound like quite so much of a pushover."

Seth laughed ruefully. " I suppose not. We all make mistakes sometimes."

Annie shook her head. "I mean it, Seth. I think you're becoming someone, not just the pampered rich boy I used to know."

"Hellsing seems to do that to people."

"Indeed."

They sat in silence for a few moments, each one waiting to see what would come next. Seth knew how hard Annie tried to smooth things over between them, so he thought that for once, he should do the easing along. He picked up the almost-forgotten blood pack and weighed it in his hand.

"You know," he started, considering the object, " this is really weird. Think about this, I mean. I know that it's my food now, but still- it seems kind of gross."

"What were you expecting?" Annie mumbled into her knees, boredom and exhasperation apparent in her voice. " You've only been a vampire for a few months now. Your mind is still trained on 'eating blood equals bad'. You think becoming a vampire automatically makes you obsessed with drinking blood, with no psycological barriers at all?"

"Well..." Seth started, sheepish.

For the second time that night, Annie snorted. " What an ignorant way to view things. It's like saying gravity always makes things fall."

"Doesn't it?"

Annie shook her head. "You're taking too much for granted," she told him. "What happens when you get a balloon? Gravity doesn't just take a lunch break, Seth."

He thought about it. " I suppose you're right."

She nodded. "Of course I'm right. Have I ever been wrong?"

Seth considered. " Maybe sometimes. But nothing of great importance was ever at stake at those times."

Annie unfolded herself and stood. " Exactly. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to finish up my work for the night, so I can take a shower and go to bed."

"Bed?" Seth inquired. That was unusual; normally she was up much later than this.

Annie nodded her affirmative. "I've not been getting good sleep lately. Trying to keep Dad out of Mom's dreams. It can really cut back on the rest you get."

"Ah," he replied. He didn't really quite understand, but maybe one day he'd figure out this strange family. "Sweet dreams, then, Annie."

She gave him a tight smile and a thank you, then walked out of the room. Seth watched her go with relief and remorse; he wanted her company, but for now, it was still too awkward for comfort. The door shut behind her, and he went back to his stargazing

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Outside the door, Annie clutched at her chest. Funny how much his simple use of her nickname could still, even now, set her heart beating wildly and her stomach fluttering. It had been a long time since it had escaped his lips; now that it had, she knew that she wanted to hear it more often.

Review! Please! Let me know what you think. It really does mean a lot to me.