WhooHOO! Numero Dos!
Chapter 2 Hopeless
It wasn't like she really wanted children or even gave serious thought to having them one day. She always assumed it was an available possibility for some future date when she did want to have a kid. And now that some time had passed since the revelation she knew it would never happen and it left her a bit empty to be honest. It put her in a down right sour mood.
The water boiled for the noodles and she poured in the dry macaroni. She stared hard the eggs. 'They won't grow into chickies either…Well I suppose I could adopted if I felt inclined.' She removed the hard boiled eggs off the stove then picked up each one and burned off the shell with robotic precision. 'Who am I kidding? I'd outlive the kid.' She growled lowly as she mashed at the eggs with more vigor than necessary.
"Did zee eggs piss you off, Dame de Rouse?" Pip entered the kitchen and quirked his one visible eyebrow.
She gave him a sideways glance. "Naaa, just girl problems. Nothing that you need to insert your nose into." She replied more forcibly than she meant to.
"Uh, 'ave you seen Seras?" He asked cautiously.
Annabel cocked her head using her six sense to locate the little draculina. "She's still down in the basement." She supplied in a more friendly tone.
"I see." He muttered a little nervously though the redhead didn't notice. He quickly made an exit.
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Pip Bernadotte made his way slowly down to the basement with a small bundle in his hands. His palms gave off moisture while the back of his neck prickled in goose bumps. 'Come on man, you been down 'ere before. Just be calm. You're just bringing Seras a gift, a token of appreciation… and asking for a date. Bloody 'ell, why am I so nervous? I've been with dozens of women. Eet's no different… except she's one of zee undead and has a sadistic master and has a cute nose and a lovely laugh and a top notch rack and…Back to center Pip. Eet's no time to get into zee gutter.' Pip took a deep breath before knocking on Seras's door.
When it opened Pip took off his hat and presented the little draculina with a bouquet of Yellow tulips.
"Oh, hello Captain." Seras greeted. She just finished putting on her boots when he knocked.
"Seras Victoria… I'd like you to 'ave these. When I saw zhem I thought of you." The Frenchman stuttered a little.
"Oh, thank you," taking the flowers, "I think." She took a small whiff and detected a light fresh scent then wondered what she could put them in.
"I was wondering if you'd like to go with me… to a movie or to a carnival, maybe Hyde Park tomorrow evening?"
Seras's cheeks reddened slightly. "You want to… go… out… with me?"
Pip scratched the back of his head and grinned sheepishly. "Well, I zhought a regular dinner date be out of the question, and um… ah Seras I'm no good at this. Yes I'd like to take you out for a good time, for both of us, I mean." He thought he was completely blowing this for her face looked very unsure. "You can flick me in zee nose if whenever I get out of line." He added quickly.
A tiny smile appeared on her face. "I think I'd like to go to the carnival, Captain, er Pip."
Pip brightened. "Is zat a yes?"
A dark being appeared beside Pip. "Yes Frenchman, that is a yes." Alucard answered as if annoyed with the human's presence. Pip quickly told her the time the two would be going tomorrow and vacated the basement in a pace very short of running. Alucard stared at the yellow flowers. "The Frenchman is truly hopeless." He stated to no one in general.
"What do you mean, Master?"
His lip cocked into a half smirk. "Do you not know the meaning of the flowers, Police Girl? No matter, My master wants us in her office in five minutes. Don't be late."
"Yes master!" She replied but Alucard had already disappeared from sight. She dashed to find something to put the yellow tulips in and then happily clambered upstairs. She had a date with Captain Bernadotte, her secret crush, and could not wait for tomorrow.
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After Annabel sat down and had a bowl of her macaroni salad her mood brightened. She told herself she'd have to roll with the punches that life dealt her and not let being barren beat her down. She remembered a line from a famous movie and it helped her spirit a bit. 'Life finds a way. Well, I'll just see what the future holds and the doc did say he was only mostly positive.' She got up and washed her bowl. 'Wonder what Pip wanted to see Seras for. Ah, well, I guess I'll find out the next time I see her.'
000000000000 Jan 24 2009
"Annabel, What do I wear?" Seras popped out of nowhere into Annabel's bedroom.
"Eh?"
"I have a date…with um, Captain Bernadotte at Hyde Park. What do I wear? I mean I know should dress warm but I wanna look cute too, but I don't really have much in cute clothes nor much in winter clothes seeing as I don't really get cold anymore and…" Seras rattled off worriedly.
"Hold it a second, Pip asked you on a date to Hyde Park, Yes?" Annabel cut her off. The little draculina nodded. "And when is this happening?"
"Um, in a couple hours."
"Oh boy! Okay I'll help you but you don't give me much to work with." Annabel got up towards her closet. "Is this a first date?"
"Ah huh."
Annabel scanned Seras up and down. "I think light winter wear will do. Wouldn't want to look too stifling, and it'll allow for some friendly 'lets warm you up' snuggling later." She said, letting out a light giggle. Seras turned beet red. "Here, you can borrow my blue jacket with the white puffy ends and I think the white turtleneck sweater that you wore at Christmas would be good if its clean, a comfortable pair of blue jeans, and the boots you're wearing right now." She tossed Seras the jacket and followed her back over to Seras's room where she changed into what Annabel suggested. The red head perused the strawberry blond. She looked very cute. "You know I think you should take your gloves off and put them in your pocket before you go out."
"Why?"
"Showing a bare hand in this season may encourage Pip to take hold of it, as a romantic gesture." Seras reddened once again. Annabel noticed the yellow flowers in a glass vase. "Are those from Pip?" She nodded and went over and fingered a few of its petals. Annabel grinned mischievously. 'Seras has it bad.' "They're pretty."
"Master says there's a meaning to the flowers. What does he mean by that?"
"Well, back in the old days, most flowers and their colors symbolized something, like sunflowers mean adoration and red roses mean passionate love. I don't know what tulips mean though or if Pip consciously knows the meaning, but they are beautiful and he gave them to you. That's what counts." Seras nodded in understanding.
Half an hour later of pimping and adding minute details Seras was ready and so was Pip at the door. He wore one of his nicer green shirts and a long brown coat that did not have any bullet wholes or other battle related wear and tear. Both women could tell he tried to comb his hair in some sort of neat fashion but failed miserably at it. Seras didn't mind one bit for she liked his untamed hair and ropy pony tail.
Pip ogled her perfect petite-ness in the doorway for an unknown amount of seconds. Actually, both Seras and Pip ogled each other until Annabel shoved Seras out the door and practically into the arms of the captain. "All right Pip, she all yours. I warmed her up a bit for you and now you can take her the rest of the way! Peace out!" She said cheerfully then sauntered back to her room.
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"I'll just get to the best part!" Annabel lay sprawled on her bed stomach side down while Seras sat at the other end and gushed about her fantastic evening with the Captain of the Wild Geese. "We went up in the big ferris wheel and stood near the glass watching London's city lights shine below us. We were holding hands by then. After a bit he took his arms and hugged me around my waist from behind. He didn't once try to feel me up! When we got to top he laid his head on my shoulder and squeezed me a bit. I thought maybe he was looking down at my chest but I saw his eye was closed and he had the sweetest and most content smile on his face." Seras gave a great contented sigh then blushed redder then Annabel had ever seen her. "I…I kissed that smile then. I think I surprised him a little and then he whispered my name like a forbidden caress and hugged me so tight I'd thought I'd crack a rib." Annabel felt genuinely happy for her. Annabel was certainly surprised at Seras's boldness. She told her all about her date but that one scene was the highlight for sure.
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When Seras returned to her room she received a rude awakening from her master. "Police Girl, do not encourage that human. Nothing good can come of it."
"But Master…" She frowned at him from across the room for spoiling her great mood.
"He is a soldier who will likely be killed in battle in the near future especially in our line of work. Should he beat the odds you, Police Girl will still out live him or any human for that matter."
"But what about you and Annabel? She was human." She argued.
"Was, being the operative word. She is a creature of legend who is in essence immortal."
Seras pouted in resignation. "Master, you're mean." He gave her a blank frown and phased out of her room.
0000000 Jan 31 2009
Nearing the end of another productive week, Annabel believed she was really getting the hang of flying. Another week or two she'd be confident enough to inform Integra and use it as part of her battle strategies on her missions. As of now she could jump into air and fly on a dime. She believed she could easy fly circles around Alucard. The following week she planned on flying while bearing varying loads.
'Oh what a surprise he'll get. Just try and catch me bat boy!' Not that she would ever be faster than Alucard but it was fun to imagine. "I really shouldn't spend so much time alone. I'm starting to talk to myself." She said aloud as she headed toward Integra's office.
"And what are you doing during that time alone Spaz?" Alucard materialized beside her.
"I told you before. I'm refining my talents!" She huffed. He was increasingly suspicious of what she was doing. The guy couldn't let her have one little secret to herself. Its not like it'd kill him to keep his nose out of her business.
"I sense something more."
She groaned. "Bugger off, Blood sucker! I'm busy."
He stayed silent as he followed her. 'Too busy to lay beside me, Annabel?' He did not want to voice that aloud for it would admit that he missed the simple feeling of her warmth and soft curves against his form. He did not want to admit he was feeling a bit lonely the last couple weeks. It was not like him to show weakness. A tiny, tiny part of him felt insecure that she was loosing interest with him, but brushed the absurd thought away. She was his and only his.
Alucard followed Annabel into Integra's office. Annabel ignored the median as if he was a fly on the wall.
"Evening Sir Integra! I have my report."
The regal blond spied the pair behind her glasses. "Go on."
Annabel began. "I finally acquired a better thermometer and measured my highest temperature at 2305 degrees Fahrenheit or 1262 Celsius. I've improved my range of fireballs by 20 feet…"
"Your aim is still something to be desired." Alucard added blandly.
Annabel continued to ignore him. "With the rope of fire I was unable to utilize it as a whip. The movements are just too slow and it breaks up too easily. However I can create a barrier of fire around a target as long as I don't move. Unfortunately I have to be rather close to said target. Here let me demonstrate." She whipped a foot out toward Alucard. Blue flames sprang out of her foot and circled around the vampire. Its burning walls rose up to mid chest on Alucard.
"This will not hold me Spaz." He said flatly gaining an abrupt rise in the heated barrier around him. Annabel did not address him.
"Its still a work in progress, but it'll do nicely with ghouls." She dissipated the ring of fire and continued. "I have attempted to disperse a 360 degree blast wave from my body." She hesitated for a few moments. "That failed miserably."
"Please elaborate Annabel." Integra ordered.
She groaned. It was embarrassing and Alucard was there listening to her every word. "I… passed out from the effort and woke up with half my clothes burned off." She didn't dare look at Alucard who bore his trademark grin.
"Half naked in a field; that's a new one Spaz." He chided, grinning bigger.
Finally she snapped at him. "Seriously, its not like you never had a mishap when you were still learning how to use your powers! Nobody is that fucking perfect!"
His smile shrunk a little. "True, but you display your mishaps so delightfully."
Flames licked at her blood red hair in her anger. "You know, I think I'll go paint your smug ass face on every dummy the men here use as target practice!"
"Annabel!" Integra near yelled. "Is there anything else to report?"
The fire girl took a moment to recompose herself. "Um, only a note that I have not damaged any of the surrounding properties and that there is very little foliage left growing in my training field, despite the fact that the ground is quite damp." She finished. Her boss nodded satisfactorily and Annabel left the room.
Before she got halfway down the hallway Alucard scooped her up and disappeared off the Hellsing estate.
The next thing she saw was the stone outer wall of the Victoria Tower fourteen stories up and upside-down. A cold breeze fluttered into and under her shirt. Her jacket did nothing to keep the cold out as it was open and draped similarly to her hair; towards gravity. Alucard held her by one ankle as he stood just inside a windowless archway in one of the building's turrets. Initially she freaked at the precarious height she found herself dangling at then remembered she could save herself by sprouting wings and flying off should he decide to let go. It would blow her secret but at least he couldn't threaten her like this again.
She calmed enough to glare at him and cross her arms. "It's a bit cold."
"Tell me what you are hiding Spaz or you'll experience falling to it's completion. I know you can survive it."
"This is no way to treat your mate, Alucard." She told him. "Shouldn't coercion be reserved for enemies?"
"You're leaving something out in your reports to Integra."
"I'm not telling you! Not yet!" She crossed herself. She just admitted there was something.
It gained a triumphant smirk on the bastard's face. "So, I am right. Tell me Now!"
"Ya know, as old as you are you'd think that the No Life King would develop some patience over the years!" Words hissed out.
"You Spaz, wear it thin!"
She thought over the statement for a few seconds. "Yeah, probably." She agreed suddenly no longer irked at him. In fact he watched her smile to herself. The blood must be getting to her head.
"Will you tell?"
She shook her head. "Nope."
"I will let go." He threatened again.
Again, she shook her head. He groaned internally. She's never lasted this long before without spilling the beans. He began to loosen his grip on her slender ankle while he looked straight into her eyes. She showed no signs of wavering. He didn't want to follow through with his threat, not with her. His fingers stopped opening short of her foot slipping through them.
He sighed, audibly this time and pulled her inside the round room. Alucard could not do it. He could not let his delicious, beautiful mate fall to a painful splatter to the ground. Once he laid her gently on the floor and waited until she got back on her feet again he muttered "Woman, you have corrupted me."
Annabel stared at him in slight awe and glowed brightly with happiness. 'He couldn't let me fall. He does care!'
"I love you, Alucard" She said with such love and mounting desire. She grabbed at his coat's collar and smacked lips on his. Relishing in the scent of her desire he responded fervently with his tongue and grinded against her pelvis with his instant hard-on. He pushed her flat against a wall with hands roving up and down her sides pushing up at her shirt and pulling down at her pants. His gloves dissolved away wanting so badly to feel her skin. She moaned heavily in rhythm with his manhood grinding against her belly. It got lower toward her core with every thrust. It drove her mad with delight. She burned away his coat and moved her hands lower to do the same to his pants. He trembled in pleasure at the small spike in her powers. He nipped her lip repeatedly tasting sweet red rivulets of her life essence. His pants were dust and she pulled away only a second to shuck off her jacket and step out of her panties and jeans that already pooled at her feet. The instant she felt his cock on her bare skin she cried to be plundered then and there. He obliged her, feeling too insistent with his own growing need. Her legs hugged his hips as Alucard impaled her again and again until she felt she died with bliss. He released so fast and hard inside her it prolonged her ecstasy.
Minutes afterward still in each others arms, Annabel spoke. "Mmm, lets do that again sometime," and giggled.
In a sultry tone he replied "It would be my pleasure."
000000000000 Feb 2 2009
"You and Seras are going where?" Annabel asked Alucard in his chambers.
"Northern Spain. There is a small up rise in vampire activity there and there has been very little Freak activity on this island lately."
"And Integra wants to keep you busy abroad rather than you idle here to preserve her sanity." The girl in his arms added lightheartedly.
"Yes. It's likely to take a week to eradicate those maggot impostors and the possible factory of the chips that reports indicate to be there."
Her lips pouted a little. "That long? I don't think I've been out of range of your median presence for more than a day, aside from when you were human for a short time, but even then you were always nearby."
He shared the same sentiment, not that he was ever going to tell her that. "I always return Spaz, and when I do I expect my Master to be in the same state as I left here, Alive and well."
Annabel puffed up her chest confidently proclaiming "Of course, Red! She's my boss too and have sworn an oath to protect her!"
He chuckled. "I'm referring more to her state of mind with only the spaz around."
Scoffing, "You're one to talk," and slapped him halfheartedly in the chest. "Go, get out of here. Your plane is leaving soon."
"Stay out of trouble, Spaz," he said, kissing her with a sharp nip to her bottom lip then phased out of her arms.
She licked at the twin holes he created and smirked deviously. 'I do try.'
0000000 Feb 3 2009
The next evening after a successful few hours of lugging a fifty pound bag in the air and cooking up enough ratatouille to feed a small nation, Annabel sauntered eagerly towards Integra's usual whereabouts, her office. Seriously, that woman needs to get out sometimes. The little phoenix was itching for some action and since she was getting the hang of flying as well as some of her fire burning experiments it no longer tired her out as it did. Part of her felt stronger inside, as even her normal pyrotechnic tricks were summoned without half as much effort then before. 'Practice does pay off' she thought wryly.
She saw Walter arrange a tray of tea and tasty tidbits on Integra's desk a foot away from a pile of un-filed reports and the boss's personal laptop. Annabel's fearless leader was nowhere in sight.
Annabel greeted cheerfully. "Hi Walter! Where's our fine boss at?"
He looked up and smiled. "Ah, good evening Annabel. Sir Integra is just in the bathroom. Is there something you need?"
"I was just wondering if there were any restless undead I can silence for her. I know its been kind of quiet lately I wouldn't mind a small job even if it turns out to be a pack of rabid dogs instead of a suspected ghoulie." The girl shrugged while she leaned on the hard oak desk waiting for Integra.
Walter dropped a square of sugar into a cup of tea then spoke. "There is nothing immediate that I am aware of but funny you should mention rabid dogs." Annabel turned her head toward him her eyebrows raised in interest. "There has been a few peculiar reports from a chicken farm near Dartford. The owner there complains of an almost daily discovery of two or three chickens dead by unknown means. This normally wouldn't mean anything as this is a rather large farm and birds being pecked to death or having a weak immune system is not uncommon. What is unusual is the farmer always finds them together without a speck of blood on them and are of the hardier looking hens."
"Hmm, you think its some wild animal?" The redhead asked clearly interested. Walter flipped through the pile of papers and handed her the report.
"I believe Sir Integra was going to send out a man to check if its anything more than that." The old retainer said.
Integra walked in to spot her two employees loitering around her desk. She walked up and spied into the folder Annabel held reading in her hands. "Lucky's Chicken Farm." She voiced out loud pushing her spectacles back up her nose, then studied the girl's eyes for a second. "It's a miscellaneous case and a low danger to human life but if you want to investigate it Annabel its all yours." She moved to grasp her nightly hot cup of tea from the tray.
"Thank you, Sir!" She saluted tucking the report under her arm.
"And take Captain Bernadotte with you. I want to avoid him instigating another 'tough man' challenge in the barracks."
A noncommittal look crossed her face before saying okay and leaving off with her assignment.
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Pip and Annabel stood in the middle of a flock of tan and brown chickens clucking away oblivious to the reason why two new humanoids occupied their massive coop. It was immensely long with an aluminum curved roof sheltering the entire flock. Every ten feet hung a lamp with a hundred watt bulb easy seen screwed into them. The sides were enclosed with crisscross fencing all around. A third humanoid by the name of Lucky Belleview faced the other two. He was Annabel's height with dusty brown hair and grey eyes, and looked as if a popcorn fart could blow him away he was so scrawny.
It was much larger than Annabel had ever anticipated but at least the chickens had room enough to run around. She had seen video footage of places where they kept animals like these in tiny cages and in filthy conditions and was glad this was not one of those places.
"You're a sight for sore mincers. I can't adam and eve you guys actually came to investigate this. I was bobby this would be swept under the rug." The owner spoke in Cockney English and it was a bit hard to follow for Annabel. Fortunately Pip had several soldiers under his command who spoke cockney so he was familiar with it, and helped her out whenever a phrase left her clueless.
"Ah, yeah. So can we see the dead birds in question?" She asked.
"Oh sorry garden gate, they got mulched into fertilizer as do all the brown richards." Lucky smiled at Annabel but she could tell he was trying to keep his focus on her face but failing miserably every ten seconds. Well she was wearing her sword at her hip which would look unusual to most people but his eyes weren't looking at her weapon.
"Ookay, well can you show us where you usually find them, then?" She asked next.
He shrugged. "Ol'right." He said then sauntered a path through the clucking mass towards the far end with the two Hellsing members following behind. "Towards the hammer and tack here."
Her face grimaced in confusion again but decided not to poke Pip again about what that meant as the guy was showing them where. Halfway there her spine stiffened. Her eyes narrowed and scoped the sea of poultry and walls. She squeezed Pip's shoulder briefly to let him know to keep his guard up. The closer they got to the end of the enclosure the stronger the tingle in the back of her neck got. By the time the chicken farmer stopped and pointed at the ground where he found the dead birds Annabel could pinpoint the source. It wasn't in the coop but a few yards beyond the back wall where a wooden shed resided. It also did not feel overly sinister. No, it felt almost familiar. Instead of looking down at the ground where the farmer pointed she gazed at the back fencing. There was a part of it at the top that was bent inward. 'Just big enough for someone to squeeze through. I bet it comes to snack a few birds each night then hides in the shed during the day. It must not find the farmer very tempting.' She thought wryly.
"Hey, Is she fore an' aft?" The man Lucky asked suddenly.
"Hey, Annabel," Pip touched her arm. She had completely tuned out what Pip and the farmer had been talking about. "You got somezhing?"
She nodded minutely then pointed at the bent fencing then the shed.
"Oh, door to door harries, I checked that shed. There's no critters in there."
"Mind if I look anyway?" She asked. Mr. Belleview pulled out a set of keys to unlock the wire meshed back door to her right.
"Sure knock yourself out, L-rig" He opened the door for her.
She grinned wide, saying "Its what I do best," and winked at him before turning her full attention on the sure to be inhabited shed.
"Is she not isle of wight in the loaf?" The farmer asked back at Pip tapping the side of his head.
"Eets hard to say zometimes…" Pip started.
"You lot, you sure you're from 'Pest Control?'" The farmer asked suspiciously.
"Why yes, We take care of all kinds of pests." Pip assured him confidently. Mr. Belleview immediately dropped the suspicious look and took on a lighter air, watching the well shaped redhead disappear behind the side of the small shed. Pip watched her too but to make sure to give her back up if she needed. She didn't seem overly on alert for dangerous targets so he wasn't worried over much.
At Annabel's end she examined the door to the shed. It had a combination lock that was conveniently open at the moment. She could still feel the presence inside and being this close she knew it was benign; so unlike most freaks and vampires she'd confronted with. She knocked softly on the door. "Hello my name's Annabel, Annabel Phoenix." It may not be threatening but whatever or whoever it was might be scared of her and try to defend itself. She wanted to allay any fears. "I'm a friend. I'm here to help you." She said through the door. "Please knock back if you understand me." She listened for several long moments and did finally hear a few soft knocks inside.
She smiled and continued. "I know that you have been feeding on the chickens, and while its against the law to steal from another I understand that it is far better to drain blood from birds than stealing life from another sentient being. I don't fault you for trying to survive. It's only natural. I'd like to come in and meet you face to face." Annabel quietly unhooked her sword belt and laid it on the ground just outside the door. "I can tell you mean no harm to anyone so, I'm going to open the door and walk in without anything on me to harm you because I know you won't harm me." She heard a bit of scuffling inside that moved toward the roof. Annabel hoped she didn't just freak out the being inside. She took a deep breath and slowly opened the door and walked inside and as she did so spider webbing caught in her face.
"Eeh! Webbies Eeewww," She groaned loudly and swatted at her face to get them off.
A small giggle escaped from the overhead rafters. Annabel found a light switch and with it on spied green eyes, a mess of brown hair, and eight small fingers peering back at her from atop a stationary sheet of ply wood a few feet above Annabel's head.
'It's a little girl.' Annabel raised her hand palm up. "Will you come down?"
She hissed and flashed her pearly white fangs at Annabel.
"Well, that's not very nice. Although, considering, its probably the best greeting I've gotten from a vampire since Big Red."
"Big Red?" The little girl spoke for the first time. Annabel considered it a good sign.
"Yeah, that's what I call him. He likes red, and he likes to shoot and not ask questions later. I'm not like that though."
"I know you." Her face moved into the light. It was covered in dirt smudges but Annabel managed to recognize her. "You stopped the angry eyed man from shooting me."
"That's right. In a back yard near here." The redhead confirmed. "That's big Red. He's not all bad, just thick in the head sometimes. Do you want to come down now?" The girl nibbled at her lip with a little fang showing, wondering what to do. She then scuffled out of sight and dropped down from the other open end of her hide out. The girl barely came to her hip and still wore the same ragged clothes as before. Annabel knelt to one knee and smiled softly to the much too thin girl. "That's so much better. What's your name honey?"
"Deatrice." She answered uncertainly.
"Ah, what an intriguing name. Are there others with you?" Deatrice shook her head.
"Are you lost, Deatrice? Is there someone I can take you to?"
The little girl hesitated before speaking in tiny voice. "I'm the only one left. Mum and Da… they not here anymore. Smelly bad people hurt them. Da told me to run and escape… but," Deatrice's voice cracked with the onset of tears. "I saw Mum crack into pieces and then Da. The bad people laughed at what they did…" She sniffled as tears ran down her face and she wiped at them smearing the dirt caked on it even more. Annabel's heart went out to her. With a sort of maternal instinct her arms opened up in a gesture to comfort the poor girl.
"Oh, honey." Annabel breathed. It seemed that at that moment Deatrice lost all fear of Annabel and closed the six steps separating them and into her arms. Deatrice grabbed at Annabel's shirt and rubbed her wet face against it while the older woman gently rubbed up and down the girl's back. After a few minutes Deatrice calmed her crying. It was about that time when Pip injected his voice from outside into the otherwise companionable silence.
"Hey, Annabel, what's taking so long? Having tea in there?"
The redhead rolled her eyes and replied sarcastically. "Yes, as a matter of fact! I'm with the Mad Hatter and the white rabbit, and there's a little mouse tap dancing on a tea kettle!" The little girl giggled against her chest.
Mr. Belleview poked his head in the doorway. "Oi, what's a dustbin doing in here?" Deatrice quickly tightened a hold around Annabel's neck at the sight of the farmer. Annabel tightened her own hold and picked up the kid.
"Obviously not sweeping out the cobwebs!" She brushed pass the farmer towards Pip who looked equally surprised at the small being in her arms. "Oh, Pip can you go pick up my sword and tell the farmer he won't have anymore problems." She said as she made her way past the captain towards the van they drove here with.
After a few minutes Pip caught up with her at the van. Pip had the key so the captain saw her leaning against the van's back end waiting for him. He assumed she wanted him to open that part first. She moved aside with Deatrice still in her arms and watched him open up the double doors. "Are you hungry Sweetheart?" The girl nodded. "I think I can find something in the van." Once Pip Placed her weapon inside something secure, Annabel placed Deatrice abruptly in Pip's arms. "This is Pip Bernodotte, Deatrice. He's a good friend of mine." She cupped her face for a second before hopping into the vehicle's back.
The tiny draculina and the one eyed Frenchman stared at each other blankly for several seconds.
"Why you have girl's hair?" Deatrice asked Pip suddenly.
A light chuckle sounded in the background. "I like this girl already." Annabel said as she rummaged through the van.
"Eet's a personal preference." He answered.
Annabel came back out with a bag of medical blood in her hand. "Okay you can set her on the end here." She said pointing to the floor of the van near the bumper. Once Pip placed Deatrice there Annabel ripped off the tip of the blood pack and gave it to her then sat beside her. Deatrice took a sniff before sticking the straw looking part in and drinking it like a juice box. Pip noticed she looked down at the vampire child with a soft fondness not often seen in the girl, and brushed at a few stray locks of the girl's dirty hair.
"Um, Annabel what are you planning to do with 'er? She's not exactly a normal child." Pip asked seriously.
"Well um, get her cleaned up first, then… find someone to take her in?" Her response was uncertain.
"With zee type of business were in, zhat might be difficult. I understand zhat not every night stalker is bad, but your options are severally limited."
"Sir Integra might know a few." Annabel offered. She wasn't going to give up on the kid nor was she going to abandon or silence her as a word Alucard liked to use. If worse came to worse she herself would take Deatrice in.
Actually that particular idea was sounding better by the second and she smiled softly. "No worries, Captain!" She blurted brightly. "Lets get this show on the road."
Pip rubbed his face giving a great sigh before muttering something about missing Seras and headed for the driver side door. The three properly packed into the vehicle and headed off to the Hellsing grounds.
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BN: Horray Deatrice is here at last! And such a cute first date for Pip/Seras! Now I have to ask this because it's been bugging me forever. Kim, what the hell do yellow tulips symbolize?
AN: What do they mean? hehe
... Review please.