A Second ChanceChapter Eight

Integra and Alucard sit across from each other in her office. Integra is settled back in her comfortable office chair and has her arms cross at her bosom. She holds a cigar between her lips and lets her smoke fill the room. She has her legs cross at her knees and she is still. Alucard seems to mimic her position in his chair but his hands are lace together. He has them resting on his lap. Integra's aged eye looks at Alucard as his story still rings in her ears. She now blinks as she believes that she has come to an understanding.

"I was to be captured today in that building by what was left of the Millennium group. Then I helped a woman from Brooklyn whom had already undergone their experiments out of the lab but she left me behind believing I was killed. She came back with an American group to destroy the Nazi lab where she found me. I was altered by the Millennium labs anyway and for fifty years the American basely took over where the Millennium group with my experiments. Do I have this right for far?"

"Yes, Countess. You do."

"Then Jade came to you. She took your DNA under orders from the Americans. She also explains what's been happening for the last fifty years. All of you saved me but, at the end Jade and I were dying from the cure the American made from your DNA. Jade tells you that you can travel through time with Schrödinger's abilities and here we are."

"That sums everything up quite nicely, Countess."

Integra nods as she comes forward in her chair. She interlaces her hands together and brings them to her chin as she places her elbows on the desk.

"That is an amazing story."

"I know it is hard to believe but I did live it. I lived fifty years believing you died in that building today."

"There is no question in my mind that you did live that. What I'm thinking is why did you come to back here? Why not travel as far back as your encounter with Van Helsing and free yourself of my family?"

Alucard is taken aback by Integra's question.

"I can't believe that you would ask that question."

"It's a valid question."

"No, I believe that it is your valid worry about this ability. The truth of the matter is that it never crossed my mind. I believe you know why. I believe that you knew the answer to your own question while you were asking it. I now do not regret my life and what I have done because it has made me into what I am. And you are mostly responsible for this. I wouldn't change anything now."

Alucard leans forwards and reaches for her. Integra grabs Alucard's hand and holds it tight. She smiles softly with her wrinkles are drawn out more with the action and the sunset's fading light. Alucard returns the smile and sees Integra's passion for him in the lights of her eye. She realizes she is revealing more of herself to him and blushes. The red color of her cheeks sends laughter out of Alucard. Integra rolls her eye and shakes her head.

"You are beautiful," Alucard says as he reaches with his free hand and moves her hair from off her face. He lets his fingertips run against her skin and she closes her eye to enjoy his touch. As if they are connected through the moment, Integra and Alucard stand. Alucard walks around the desk still holding her hand. Integra meets him half way and they walk into each other's open arms. He wraps his around her and she did the same. Integra looks to Alucard and he returns her stare.

"So what happens now, Count?"

"I don't know, Countess."

"I guess we'll take it once day at a time," says Integra with a smile.

"I couldn't have said it better," says Alucard and then kisses her forehead as the moon shines down from the night's sky.