Having failed his intended mission Anderson finds himself back in the Vatican, near the small chapel which is Enrico Maxwell's home. The debriefing he is about to have may just challenge his faith, and confirm the warning by a certain angel.

Chapter: 10 Toll of the masked priest's chapel
Pairing: Alucard/Seras hints Anderson/OC friendship
POV Characters: Anderson, Integra
Genres: Hurt/comfort, Friendship, Drama
Rating: T

Order 10: Toll of the masked priest's chapel

I blink my eyes, what kind of wicked trickery is this? I think as I am finally able to see again.. I'm.. Home? For a moment I thought the girl had destroyed me. Something of which I am now assured was easily within her power, so why did she spare me? Mort important though was the question what insanity caused me to attack an angel, If she would not have teleported me away.. would I have really killed her? No. Despite being with a monster, despite having lost her last barrier to him. she was still as innocent, friendly, and even pure as a maiden from heaven could be. Just because of her misjudging Maxwell I would not have slain her... Either way Enrico has to hear of this. I whip out my phone but then laugh at my stupidity, Before me lies the Maxwell family chapel. I think bringing the good archbishop a visit may be a better idea.

The doorbell rings and within mere seconds one of the maids opens the door, Only maxwell would consider a church that has it's doors closed. "God bless ye child." I say while smiling at the young maid who tries hard to hide a blush "Father Anderson! Archbishop Maxwell told me to send you to his study on your return." She tells me trying not to look at me. She is always this shy.. Whether by the influence of the angel girl or some other thing I just discovered I don't care, I decide to comfort her. "Calm down, Elanor.. thar is no reason ta be so tense." She looks at me with wide eyes and nods, I grin and pat her hair once before walking on. "An' ye can call me Alex, Child" I can practically feel her gasp and clasp her heart as I walk up the long stairs pretending to ignore her. Elanor is a good girl, She deserves better than being a mere maid.

I knock on the door to Maxwell's study. After hearing his cool and collected "come in" I enter and close the door behind me. Maxwell stares at me with his ever-present smirk. "You returned sooner than I thought... So.. the mission is complete? She is dead?" I bite my lip in annoyance. I had wanted to make her work for us, despite the direct orders being to kill her. "Alas, Tha Angel girl Joined Hellsing." I reply. Maxwell glares at me and his face begins to twitch.. Okay he is only cool and collected when things go his way. He stands up and slams his fist into the wall. "Anderson! You had plenty of opportunities to kill her! You know how much of a help she is to the protestant scum!" Murder is in his eyes. "You never wanted to kill her did you? You still think of her as 'that sweet little kid you found ten years ago' Is that it?!" I should never have told him that part. "Maxwell, I told ye, she is innocent. Ye can't tell me ta murder one of tha lord's own creations.." His eyes become dangerous slits when I tell him this. "I knew it, you let her live on purpose. You aren't fit to be a Paladin, you never were. You are still as meek-hearted and pathetic as when you were still that little altar boy."

Why is he saying all this... This goes against everything the church has taught us. "Compassion ain't tha same as weakness, Enrico." There's knocking on the door and a rough huff from Maxwell, taking the huff as her permission to enter Elanor opens the door "Master Enrico, I brought you your Cinzano." Her timing could not have been worse, Maxwell has reached the point where any sort interference would anger him, without a single warning he takes a Bernardelli handgun from under his desk and fires three rounds at the unsuspecting maid, I twirl around and look in shock as the girl sinks to her knees with an agonized cry. The silver platter with the glass containing the orange liquor clattering on the floor. Her eyes on me as if she thinks I would be her salvation. "Does that make you feel sad? How do you think you can do the lord's bidding if the death of those worthless peasants is all it takes to get to you?" He just violated Exodus 20:13: 'Thou dost not murder' by attempting to kill one of our own, and he does not show any remorse in doing so. This child did nothing to deserve such a fate. Footsteps are heard on the stairs and the next moment Yumiko and Heinekel burst in. "Vhat happened? Ve heard a gunsho..." Heinekel's eyes rest on the slowly dying girl on the floor. "What happened to her?!" Yumiko chirps in before the nun's eyes turn to Maxwell who is clearly hyperventilating. A maniacal laugh on his face reminding me of that Daemon Alucard.

"Stand Back the both o' ye, Maxwell has lost his mind." Both priestesses look at me wide-eyed and even Maxwell's face contorts into an expression of slight shock. "You wouldn't! I am the archbishop for God sake!" I throw one of my blades knocking the hand gun he had aimed at me out of his hands. "Don't ye use tha lord's name in-vain. Yer sin is Beyond tha grace o' God." The second bayonet hits Maxwell square between his eyes. For the first time since long, I made a kill on a human without regretting it afterwards. I walk to the young girl's side and clamp a hand over the three holes in her side and am glad to see she still has the strength to meet my gaze and smile. Heinekel grabs the the Ex-Archbishop's wrist and sighs. "I Sure hope du know vhat your doing. Du Just killed ze Archbizhop." I pick Elanor up, I look over her wound. The bleeding has stopped but I can tell her kidneys and probably some other organs are torn. Finding donor organs for her will probably take weeks and I doubt she has that time. I look at my companions and motion for the two priestesses to leave, upon which both shake their head in the negative. "Ye don't 'ave ta follow me, I will probably be tae next target for tha Vatican for wha I did here today. Best I be tha only one hunted by my ol' comrades here." I tell Yumie looks at the girl in my arms. And frowns "Did I not tell you? It does not matter to me what side I am on, Even though I fight for the Catholics, Deep inside we're Buddhists." Heinekel just grins and nods her head.

That being said the four of us move out, I pray to the lord my feelings about this are right. After today there's no going back. That is what I think as the three of us do the last thing we ever expected to do. Travel to the Hellsing agency with peaceful intentions. Those damn protestants better appreciate all the trouble I'm going through.

The journey to the British capital of London goes as flawlessly as could be hoped for, within less than six hours the three Ex-priests and the now unconscious Ex-maid are standing at the gate to the Hellsing manor. Integra is about to see hell freeze over and Pigs fly on saint Never's day in the week with three Thursday.

Sighing I take a sip of the tea my kind butler Walter brought me, without a doubt he makes the best tea in England. My peaceful moment is disturbed though, by the voice box on my desk going off. "What is it Walter?" I ask as I press the small button, I hope that it is good news this time. "Lady Integra, It seems we have company.. I hardly dare say this." I quirk an eyebrow at the little speaker. "Just tell me Walter." A few seconds of silence indicate he is thinking what to say, I knew it was bad news. "It is Paladin Anderson, Milady. He and three other Iscariots demand to speak to you." I guess I should call Alucard and his bride. "From what I overheard, they want to join Hellsing.. Sir Integra.." I chuckle at the mere thought. "Very funny Walter. Now if you would please bring me my sword and two guards I can come and tell him to leave my lawn. This is a violation of our treaty." I hear Walter clear his throat before saying "I am not joking milady, I already informed Lord Alucard and miss Seras.. And despite Anderson and lord Alucard's unease neither has tried to decapitate the other as of yet." So that's why those moans and screams coming from the basement have stopped so suddenly. I already thought Alucard stopping so soon was unlike him. "Tell them I'll be there in three minutes." I tell Walter before leaving my office, taking along my rapier along the way just in case.

I don't know what this is about but I plan to find out.

Been a while I know.. Been rather busy as of late.
You know the drill, you read and review, lift my spirits and I write more. Thank you in advance!
Capu-Chuuu!

Final notes:
Bernardelli: a short-barrelled handgun used in Italy
Cinzano: A typical Italian drink, An Italian Brand of Vermouth.
Yumiko's statement about her being a Buddhist: In one of the Hellsing Manga bonus comics (The serious ones) Heinekel says "We are probably the only Buddhists in Iscariot" Followed by her saying how Buddhism is the best religion. Apparently they joined Iscariot because it pays well and they like action.
Capu-Chu: Bite-Kiss, as seen in the Anime "Rosario+Vampire" and also my new "end of Author note" word.