Night Angels: Aftermath and Beyond – Pt. 3, "The Response"
Hellsing/Gunsmith Cats/Black Lagoon fanfiction
By Elwin 'Blaine' Coldiron
"Hellsing" and characters are created by Kohta Hirano, and is the property of Shounen Gahousha/Dark Horse Comics, Geneon Universal/Wild Geese/Satelight/Madhouse Studios, Geneon Entertainment and FUNimation Entertainment, a Navarre company. "Gunsmith Cats" and characters are created by Kenichi Sonoda, and is the property of Kodansha/Dark Horse Comics, Vap/Tokyo Broadcasting, and Sentai Filmworks, and "Black Lagoon", created by Rei Hiroe and is the property of Shogakukan/Viz Media, Geneon Universal, Madhouse Studios, Geneon Entertainment and FUNimation Entertainment, a Navarre company. I do not own neither series, nor the characters. I just write the fiction.
XXX
For the better part of five minutes, Revy laid on the bed, trying to make sense of Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing's offer to her – her services for a minimum of a year to the Hellsing Organization. She hated the thought of having to stay in England, but the offer Sir Integra proposed – at least $75,000 a month for her trouble, with at least $250,000 a month to the Lagoon Company as compensation for missing her services – seemed too good to resist!
For another minute, the pirate tossed around in bed as she weighed her options. "Fuck," she grumbled in a low voice, "this is getting me nowhere." Sitting-up, she vacantly looked out the window. "I wonder if that Hellsing bitch will let me call the gang up. I'm certain Rock might have some suggestions for me."
During this pondering, Revy was disturbed by the urgent sound of footsteps racing in the corridor. "Hmm… wonder what's up?" she asked herself as she made her way to the door… and nearly runs into Sir Integra, the young woman's face a mask of concern as she nearly collided with the pirate while running. "HEY! WHAT THE FUCK'S GOING ON HERE!" she yelled, almost angry from the whole thing.
"Revy," Sir Integra managed to say, "I know you haven't accepted my offer yet, but I have need of your help! It seems that Rally has learned that Miss Healy is about to make a grave mistake and we have to stop her!"
"You're kidding?" replied Revy, accompanying the Hellsing leader. "What's the kid doing that's got you all fired-up?"
"Miss Healy, as we are speaking, is attacking Moria!" Sir Integra answered. Revy didn't say more, instead grimly joining her down the stairs.
DOWNSTAIRS, A FEW MINUTES PRIOR…
"Miss Healy… Bridgett, for God's sake please stop what you are doing!" Moria Hedgley pleaded as she unsteadily retreated from Bridgett Healy, the younger girl advancing towards the crippled butler. Through her eyes, still leaking tears, Moria tried to read Bridgett's face, but could not. Bridgett, it seems, was in some sort of trance, her mauvine eyes still glowing brightly.
"Please…" Bridgett said in a low, emotionless voice, her hands reaching out for Moria, "I must… have your pain. Give it to me." Still struggling with her crutch and brace, Moria tries to increase her distance from the girl, but ends up stumbling to the floor. Recovering, Moria found herself firmly in Bridgett's grasp, the girl reaching for the butler's collar.
"BRIDGETT! I BEG OF YOU, STOP!" Moria screamed as Bridgett loosened her tie and opened the collar. She so much wanted to change, assume her human/wolf form to try to fight the maid off, but she was too terrified as she watched Bridgett, still in a trance, bending towards her neck, fangs ready to plunge into it…
…When all of a sudden, Bridgett was roughly pulled off Moria, Seras Victoria placing the girl in a full nelson. "Bridgett, what has gotten into you?" the No-Life Queen pleaded as she found herself struggling with the young dhampir. "Moria's your friend!"
"Yeah! What's up, Bridgett?" Irene 'Rally' Vincent added, teleporting besides her master.
Quite quickly, though, the glow in Bridgett's eyes faded, leaving the girl very disoriented and very confused by what was happening to her at the moment. "W-w-what's happened?" she managed to stammer. "Seras, why have you gotten me in this hold?"
"Don't you remember?" Seras explained. "You tried to attack Moria and drink her blood!"
Bridgett was horrified. "I did what?" she gasped. "Seras, Rally… you have to believe me that I would never do such a dreadful thing!"
Around that time, Sir Integra and Revy had gotten themselves downstairs. But before the Hellsing leader could open her mouth, the sounds of crying distracted them. Five women turned to witness Moria, still on the floor, weeping openly.
Curious, Rally bent down towards her friend/lover and looked her in the eye. "Hey, this… this wasn't about the attack, is it Moria?" she asked.
Moria just looked at Rally sadly, tears still streaming down her cheeks and shook her head. "I… I can't stop it!" she finally managed to say, trying to dry her still-streaming eyes. "No matter how much I try to will it… I cannot stop the tears from flowing! It's as though…" she choked briefly, "the grief and sorrow I feel over Father's death… is taking over!" Overcome, the butler buried her face in her hands and resumed crying loudly.
For a moment, Revy was a little disgusted that Moria hadn't shown any emotional restraint, but as she listened to what was happening, she began to understand what was happening. "Is this at all possible?" she whispered to Sir Integra.
"Unknown…" the Hellsing leader began, a tone of concern in her voice, "but I fear that, if nothing is done to correct the situation, Moria may go mad from her grief as a result!"
Bridgett listened as well… and came to a sort of epiphany. "Seras, could you please release me?" she asked the No-Life Queen, who was still restraining her.
Seras looked doubtful. "You won't attack her, will you?" she asked as well.
"Not at all," the maid replied. "In fact, this could explain the previous misunderstanding!" Seeing Sir Integra nod in the affirmative, Seras released Bridgett, who then kneeled down to Moria.
Startled, the butler tried to scoot away, but felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. "Miss Hedgley," Bridgett began, "I believe I may understand what had transpired previously. I think my body had sensed what was wrong with you, and in need of correcting my problem, it acted without my consent."
"Your… problem?" Moria sniffled, mystified.
"Yes." Composing herself, Bridgett said, "Ever since the attack Millennium made upon the city, I have been unable to shed any tears of grief for the deaths of my parents. No matter how I try to force it, the release won't come!" Putting her arms on Moria's shoulders, she added, "If you'll allow me, I may have a solution for both of us. Allow me to drink you blood, and maybe, just maybe… I can be able to draw-off the excess grief that is crippling you at this moment! Possibly, that grief might trigger the release that I so desperately need!"
Moria read the girl's face – and saw there was clear anguish in it. But still unsure, she looked to Rally, who was observing the whole thing. "I'll allow it, Bridgett, Moria," the dusky vampire said in a low voice. "If there's a sliver of a chance this might help you both, then it may be worth the risk."
"Thank you… my lovely," Moria said, smiling as she took Bridgett into her arms.
To be certain, Bridgett was taken a bit aback at this tenderness her supervisor and recently-appointed guardian was exhibiting. "Are you… okay with this, Miss Hedgley?" she asked, sounding startled.
"Of course," Moria gently replied, tears still streaming as she smiled. "After all, this isn't the only time I've given my blood – although I am a little apprehensive about what is to happen. So go ahead." She then tilted her head back, offering her neck to Bridgett.
It took a few seconds for Bridgett to center herself. Feeling her fangs lengthening, she bent over slowly, still apprehensive about harming Moria. Then gently, she reached down and sank her fangs into Moria's neck.
Moria gasped briefly, used to the slight pain of being bitten. From Bridgett's perspective, the sensation of warm blood entering her mouth both pleased – and disturbed her. But regardless, the maid allowed herself to slowly drink that crimsom essence.
The onlookers had different reactions. Rally, Seras and Sir Integra all watched, intrigued. Revy, however, turned away, feeling uncomfortable about the whole thing and tried to think pleasant thoughts.
And as Bridgett continued to drink, Moria could feel a heavy weight being lifted from her heart. Gently, she embraced her charge as Bridgett continued to drink, smiling as she did. However, she was surprised when Bridgett suddenly pulled back. "Is… is there anything wrong, Bridgett dear?" she asked.
Bridgett didn't answer, but Moria did note that the girl's eyes were wide, pink-tinged tears starting to flow as she began to whimper. For ten seconds, everyone watched as whimpers turned to sobs – and then were shocked as Bridgett threw back her head as she let-out a loud howl of anguish!
Sir Integra finally understood what was happening as Bridgett's hysterics began to grow. "RALLY," she called out, "RESTRAIN BRIDGETT AND GET HER TO ONE OF THE DAMAGED ROOMS! MAKE SURE SHE DOES NOT HARM HERSELF OR OTHERS!"
"GOTCHA, INTEGRA!" Acting quickly, Rally grabbed the wildly-thrashing maid and dragged her off as she teleported upstairs. Almost as soon as the two disappeared, the sounds of smashing wood and plaster were heard, as well as, "BRIDGETT, CALM DOWN! WATCH OUT FOR THAT WALL!", followed by the sounds of more destruction, as well as screaming.
"Fuck!" Revy gasped, slightly unnerved by the whole experience. Then turning to Moria, she added, "Hey, are you alright?"
To everyone's surprise, Moria had rousted herself up without any aid. "Quite alright, thank you. In fact… I feel better than normal, almost as if waking up from a really bad nightmare."
"Moria," Seras added, "do you realize you had gotten yourself up without the aid of your crutch?"
The Hellsing leader also took note. "Yes indeed," Sir Integra added. "And if I am not mistaken, you seem to be moving quite well as of now."
For the first time, Moria noticed that she was indeed moving more at ease. "So I am," she said, mystified. "Hold on, just a minute." She then maneuvered herself to a nearby couch, whereas after she settled herself down, she proceeded to remove the brace from her left leg, then setting it aside. "Seras, could you be a dear and stand next to me? Just want to take precautions in case I fall on my face."
"Of course, Moria dear," the No-Life Queen replied as she moved to Moria's right side as the young butler braced herself to stand.
"Wish me well." With that, Moria slowly stood up from the couch. It seemed as if everyone present held their breath as one foot, then two planted themselves firmly on the floor… and soon Moria found herself standing unassisted, without any sign of collapse! As a further test, she spun around once on her left leg, which had been paralyzed in the stabbing attack she suffered.
"Remarkable," Sir Integra commented, seeing her butler standing on two good legs.
"You can say that again," Revy added, smiling. "Any idea how this happened?"
The Hellsing leader thought for a bit, then said, "Not offhand… but if I were a psychologist, I would venture that the grief Moria suffered as a result of her father's death, coupled with the possible embarrassment of being attacked herself, caused a psychosomatic impairment on her left leg, inhibiting her recovering. And Bridgett, in removing that excess grief, helped Moria to recover fully. Then again, I am not a psychologist, so I cannot offer a reasonable diagnosis."
"Well whatever, Sir Integra," Moria offered, "I am relieved that I've not only recovered from my grief, but also my impairment. I believe I should tell Rally and Bridgett the good news!" She then proceeded to the stairs… only to be stopped by the sounds of anguished screaming and more destruction.
"Perhaps," Seras offered, walking behind Moria, "you should wait until Bridgett has a chance to calm down from her tantrum."
Moria's face told it all – namely the apprehension about facing the maid in her current condition. "Er… quite," she said.
XXX
It took two hours, but soon the sounds of destruction had ceased from upstairs, which allowed Moria to make the trip upstairs. At once, the brunette butler had to restrain herself from laughing at the scene that beheld her. Rally had managed to get out of the room and was now leaning against the wall, her yellow uniform, covered with plaster dust, looking like she had been in a pitched battle. The epaulets on her shoulders were nearly torn from their mountings, there were holes in her thigh-high white stockings, and even her skirt's hem was hanging on the left side. "I must say, Rally," she commented in a cheerful voice, "that uniform looks as if it had seen better days."
"Thanks," the dusky vampire muttered wearily. "If I wasn't the way I am, I believe I'd be in the same shape." Then Rally turned to face Moria, her eyes bugging out upon seeing her unimpaired. "Wow! You're off your crutch and brace!"
"Thank you, Rally." Moria then looked at the door and added, "So, how is Bridgett?"
"Okay… I guess," Rally shrugged, glancing at the door. "At least she's stopped throwing a fit and is down to crying." Then she saw Moria go for the door." Are you sure it's safe to go in there?" she asked.
"Thanks to her, I'm well capable of taking care of myself," Moria countered. "I just want to see how she is."
"All the same," Rally added, "I better stay outside, just in case she acts up again." Moria didn't say anything, just giving her lover a small smile as she entered.
To be sure, the room had been already extensively damaged as a result of Zorin Blitz's attack on the mansion, but Bridgett's fit had caused more of the same. It looked as if holes had been punched in the walls, studs and wooden lath broken and splinted, and carpet violently taken-up. And huddled in a secluded corner, Bridgett sat, weeping. With a look of sympathy on her face, Moria made her way to the crying maid, bent down and placed a comforting hand upon her shoulder. "Feeling any better?" she asked.
It took a few seconds of sniffling before Bridgett to answer. "A little," she said in a low voice. "I just don't understand it. I've had friends at school who were killed in the attack, and I've cried for them. I've known neighbours whose homes and lives had been destroyed because of all Millennium had done to them, and I've cried with them. And I've seen poor Mr. McGregor get killed by a group of punks, and I've wept for him. But when it came to the passing of my parents, all it took for me to finally shed tears for them was to drink your blood!" Then she jumped when Moria taken her into a fierce hug. "What the…?"
After five seconds. "Thank you… oh thank you, Bridgett!" Moria whispered, still hugging Bridgett. "I thought I was going mad! If you hadn't taken my blood… I fear that I would've become an emotional cripple!"
"Well… if the truth were to be told," replied Bridgett as Moria was helping the maid up, "I should be the one thanking you. I knew it was an imposition, but without the grief you had for your father's death, I might not have been able to express the same for my family." Then quite unexpentantly, she drew Moria over and planted her lips on her guardian's.
Surprised at first, Moira allowed herself to relax. 'Oh well,' she thought to herself, 'the girl DID kiss Rally in the same manner, so I think there's no harm done.' Thus inbolded, she continued to kiss Bridgett, the two's tongues occasionally playing within their mouths. It might have continued this way, if Moria hadn't drew back in shock as Bridgett placed her right hand upon the butler's ample left breast. "What the…? Bridgett, I don't mind kissing you, but this is way too forward of you!" she objected.
Surprisingly, Bridgett didn't seem as flustered as the elder girl. "I guess you're right," she said. "You know… as a sign of amends, I want you to do the same to me!" Before Moria could say anything else, the young dhampir grabbed Moria's right hand and drew it closer.
"N-now wait a minute…" the butler began – only to have her hand planted firmly against Bridgett's left breast.
"I don't mind," Bridgett tenderly said, looking Moria straight in the eye. "After all, I prefer girls to boys, so I don't think this'll hurt." Inadvertently, Moria's fingers gently squeezed at Bridgett's full breast, eliciting a small, sensual moan from her.
For the next ten seconds, Moria stood transfixed as her hand seemed to be on autopilot, tenderly caressing Bridgett's breast, the girl's face a look of complete bliss. Then Moria finally took control, violently wrenching her hand away. "Look, I don't know what is on your mind, young lady," she sputtered, "but I better get myself away before I do something we both might later regret!" With that, she quickly sprinted out of the room, leaving a very confused Bridgett to ponder what had happened.
XXX
As soon as she was able to slam the door behind her, Moria leaned against the wall, only glancing to her right and seeing Rally doing the same. "Not… a word, do you hear me?" she ominously warned, knowing that Rally had witnessed the whole thing mentally.
"Don't worry, you'll get none," the dusky vampire added, knowing how embarrassed Moria was feeling at the moment.
A beat of silence. "That girl!" Moria finally sighed. "I'm starting to wonder if she had done a few young ladies her age before we had taken her in!"
"Yup!" Rally added. Seeing Moria's surprised sidelong glance, she added, "I found out about it through her blood. Seems she had a close circle of girlfriends from her school before Millennium started this whole fiasco. They would be almost inseparable, often going to movies, shopping, gossiping… and about a couple of times a week would be engaged in some pretty intense foursomes together. Bridgett had a few girls outside of that, but she didn't 'play the field', sort to speak."
"All the same," Moria sighed, slumping her head, "if I hadn't tore myself away like I did, I might have found myself shagging Bridgett until she passed out!"
Rally was about to add something when the two of them heard a small chuckle to the right of them. Turning to the source, they saw Revy standing on the landing, a lecherous grin on her face. "Man," the pirate finally said, "that scene I would've loved to see."
"And just what are you insinuating about, Revy?" countered Moria, an edge in her voice.
The grin still on her face, Revy walked up the two. "I knew you were into girls, but I didn't think you liked fucking them as young as the kid," she said, still leering at Moria.
Rally didn't liked this situation: Revy was baiting Moria just to get a reaction, and the dusky vampire was concerned about what was going to happen. And just to confirm her fears, Moria stormed in front of the pirate, growling, "For your information," she snarled, "I had to restrain myself because I was appointed Bridgett's guardian by Sir Integra, and I didn't want to compromise that trust she had in me!"
"Oh, so now we're talking about incest here!" Revy smirked, continuing to add fuel to the fire. "It looks like we got a real pervert here!"
"Uh… girls…" Rally tried to say, eyeing not only the two… but also the room were Bridgett was in.
"THAT SETTLES IT!" Moria yelled, offended. "FOR YOUR INFORMATION, I MADE THE SUGGESTION TO SIR INTEGRA TO HAVE YOU BROUGHT IN! NOW I SEE THAT I'VE MADE AN ERROR IN BRINGING A PERVERTED LOW-LIFE LIKE YOU TO ENGLAND!"
"JUST FINE BY ME!" Revy shot back, drawing her guns and aiming them at Moria. "I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE BORED COMING HERE, BUT NOW IT LOOKS LIKE I'VE GOT SOMEBODY TO KILL NOW!"
"GO AHEAD AND TRY!" Moria countered, preparing to change. "I'LL MAKE YOU REGRET SAYING THOSE WORDS!"
"Moria… Revy, remember where we are!" Rally frantically said, but now saw the two of them were preparing for battle. Quickly, she made a telepathic appeal to Seras, hoping to defuse the situation before it got out of hand.
"STOP IT! YOU'RE HURTING ME!"
Surprised and alarmed, all three women turned in the direction of that shout – and saw Bridgett standing at the entrance to her room, clutching her head as if she was in pain. "Please… no more… the pain…", and soon collapsed.
"Oh dear God…" Moria whispered, finally realizing what happened.
Rally's reaction, however, was more dramatic. "BRIDGETT!" she yelled, racing over to the girl, who apparently was still in pain.
At that moment, Sir Integra and Seras showed-up – and saw what happened. "Oh no," the Hellsing leader whispered as both she and the No-Life Queen bolted to the stricken girl's side. Revy, however, was too shocked even to ask what happened.
XXX
"She seems to be resting," Rally said, placing a comforting hand on Bridgett's face as the girl laid on the bed. The rest of the women also watched with concerned, surprised of how the dhampir could be stricken so badly.
"So what happened?" Revy finally asked. "Nobody touched her, and she said she was in pain."
"Remember, Bridgett is an empath," Sir Integra explained. "She is sensitive to any emotion she encounters. Strong, negative emotions are extremely uncomfortable to her… and violent emotions cause physical pain to her."
"I'm terribly sorry, Sir Integra," Moria finally said, contrite. "I should've realized that Bridgett was still in close proximity and vulnerable when I gotten into that row with Revy."
"Understandable, but the damage is already done," the dusky blonde said, moving to the door along with Seras. "All we have to do is give her time to recover."
However, as soon as Sir Integra had left, Moria glared angrily at Revy and growled, "This unpleasentness could've been avoided if you hadn't made those sleazy insinuations!"
"Look," Revy snapped, "I was just telling you what I heard you said, you don't need to bite my fucking head off!"
"Well who gave you the right…" Moria retorted, only to stop dead in her tracks when she heard Bridgett painfully whimpering.
Finally, Rally lost it! "Alright you two," she angrily snarled, shoving both Revy and Moria out of the room as she mentally opened the door, "as far as I'm concerned, you can both beat each other silly if you like, just don't do it with Bridgett in the same room!" Before the door slammed shut, Moria had turned to look at Rally – and her insides twisted seeing the angry look on her face!
But as soon as the door was closed, another look was on Rally's face – one of regret. She had lost her temper with Moria, which made her ashamed of herself.
"Rally?" Bridgett wearily said, the girl sitting up. "Is something wrong? You seem upset."
"I guess I can't fool you," the dusky vampire admitted, walking over to the bed and sitting down. "I… I got mad at Moria, because of that argument she had with Revy… and I let it show! I hope she forgives me for it." Rally then jumped as she felt Bridgett's hand caress her face.
"Don't worry about her," the dhampir maid said, smiling. "I'm certain she regrets what happened with me just as much." Bridgett's smile, however, faded. "It's my conduct with her that I'm concerned about. I acted inappropriately towards her, making her fondle me. I should've realized that she had principles on such things."
"I'm glad to hear," Rally said, finally smiling. "I just hope she and Revy get whatever's bothering them settled."
XXX
The aforementioned two, in the meantime, had made their way outside the mansion, their backs to the wall as they leaned against it, silently studying the graves in front of them. "Rally was… genuinely angry with me," Moria finally said, a sad tone in her voice. "I acted childish back there… and the very person that was my responsibility was hurt because of it."
"If you as me," Revy added, not turning around, "the both of us fucked up back there, me as well as you."
Moria nodded. "So," she further said, "have you made any decision on if you're going to stay?"
"Not offhand," replied the pirate, stretching, "but the way I see it, this is none of my business. I'm thinking of asking Sir Integra to take me home."
"WHAT!" Moria gasped, incredulous. "How… how can you refuse Sir Integra's offer at a time like this?"
Finally, Revy faced the young butler, taking care not to get angry. "Look, I appreciate it that you guys have gone out of your way getting me here, but this is not my battle! I don't know the first thing about hunting vampires, zombies and stuff!"
"You mean ghouls," Moria countered. "So what you're saying is that you prefer shaking down ships and nicking their cargos than making a difference?"
Revy shrugged. "It's what I do best. Look, this is a cruel world, and the only way to survive in it is to get what you want before some other fuck takes it from you! It's how I've lived my life! The only things I appreciate is money and power! You can save the world if you like, but when it comes down to it, the one who dies with the most fucking toys wins."
"How wrong you are!" Moria growled in a low voice, looking Revy straight in the eye. "We're not asking you to save the world, just this little corner of it! You've got skills Sir Integra desperately need, but you rather use them for senseless killing and material gain! Haven't you, for once, had the desire to use your guns to help people rather than harming them?"
Revy was about to let of another retort – but she froze, as if remembering something. Moira, puzzled by this reaction. "Revy?" she asked. "Are you alright?" The pirate didn't answer, instead finding her mind racing back to another time…
FLASHBACK, ROANAPUR…
It had been a week since the Lagoon Company settled a score with the Aryan Socialist Union, both Revy and Dutch wiping-out the neo-Nazi group. However, it was before that in which a small incident occurred. It was onboard the wrecked U-1324 that Revy, along with Rokuro Okajima – Rock – had engaged in a small debate on morality when the pirate decided to loot the skeletons of the crew for mementos to sell – which included the Iron Cross of it's murdered captain, Wentzel H. Ahbe.
However, a week after the incident was through, Revy was still in a sour mood, so while he was with Benny, Dutch assigned her and Rock to run various errands in and around Roanapur. After visiting such 'illustrious' luminaries of the island for business, such as Rowan 'Jackpot' Pigeon, strip club owner and purveyor of illicit child pornography and the nuns Sister Yolanda and Sister Eda of the Rip-Off Church, the two settled for a late lunch at an outdoor food court.
It was then that the subject of the U-Boat came back – with Rock decidedly telling Revy that he wasn't wrong about telling her that robbing from the dead crew was wrong! The pirate then decided to kill the former salaryman once and for all. It was only Rock's quick reflexes that saved him from a bullet in the head. They then got into a heated argument, with Rock showing his disgust about how he thought Revy was someone who lived on the edge, and yet sunk to robbing corpuses and portraying herself as a victim of society.
It was then that Revy went into an angry tirade, belittling Rock for looking at life like the movies he loved, finishing it off by saying that there was no one like Robin Hood in this world. It might have been forgotten if Rock hadn't yelled, "IF THERE IS NO ROBIN HOOD LIKE YOU SAY, WHY DON'T YOU BECOME ONE! IT HAS TO BE BETTER THAN FEELING SORRY FOR YOURSELF!"
END FLASHBACK
"Revy, what's wrong with you?" Moria asked, seeing the sudden vacant look in the mercenary's face. She was relived when Revy's glassy eyes cleared up.
"Uh… yeah, I'm alright," was Revy's absent reply. "Fuck, what just happened back there?"
"You suddenly went blank for a few seconds," explained Moria, noticing that the pirate was standing a bit unsteadily. "Are you sure you're alright? I can guide you to a seat inside if you want."
Revy just waived her off, heading back inside. "No, just… just leave me the fuck alone, willya?" she mumbled, walking slowly back to the mansion.
As she stood watching Revy stumble inside, Moria couldn't help but to wonder. 'So strange,' she thought of herself. 'Revy was about to let-off at me… and then she zoned-out! I wonder what just happened?'
"Maybe she remembered a little something her friend told her a long time ago," Seras smirked, the No-Life Queen materializing out of thin air behind Moria. "I wonder how long it will take before she changes her mind and joins us."
Moria looked aghast, turning around and shooting an alarmed glance as her lover. "Seras… you…you didn't…?" she gasped.
"No Moria, I didn't alter her thinking," Seras reassured with a chuckle, turning her werewolf lover around and embracing her. "All I ever did was look inside her memory and found this little instance in her life. I just fleshed it to the top and strengthened it until she makes up her mind, that's all." Still seeing Moria's shocked look, she added, "Revy's still free to turn us down and return to Roanapur, but I wanted to let her know about what a little someone in her life suggested, that's all."
"But still," Moria mumbled, "that was a bit underhanded of you." She then chuckled, "But somehow, I believe your master Alucard would be smiling in that odd prison the Major placed him in about your ingenuity about the situation."
"I believe you and Master would be correct about that, Moria dear," Seras purred as she drew Moria closer to her lips.
XXX
Revy, on the other hand, had sat herself down at a table in the parlor, Rock's statement still echoing in her head. Everytime she tried to mentally put that moment away, it just reasserted itself even stronger. "Grrrr… dammit, shut the fuck up!" she snarled, the voice inside growing louder.
However, the more Rock's retort presented itself, the more Revy began to think. Finally deciding to settle down, she began to ponder the deeper meaning of it. "Hmmm… become Robin Hood. Funny thing, I was thinking about talking to Rock about this whole thing, but it looks like he already told me of it. Still… it's at least a year here, I wonder if Dutch will be happy about it." She chuckled, "Well… for about 250 grand a month, he better. The Lagoon could use a new dock building after the old one got burned down. Dutch is sick about paying rent on those temps there… and I think 75 grand a month would keep me happy in this loony bin!"
Finally making up her mind, Revy got herself up and headed for the stairs, where she met Sir Integra, who was going there as well. "Revy, I see you're still here," she began. "So, have you made up your mind yet?"
"Uh-huh," was Revy's reply. "Before I give you my decision, I was wondering if I could borrow your phone for a bit."
"Whatever for?" Sir Integra asked.
"I've got to give Dutch and the gang the bad news… that I'm accepting your offer." Sir Integra didn't say anything as the two women started up the stairs, but the smile on her face was telling.
THE NEXT NIGHT…
In the sub-basement level, Moria, Rally and Seras exited their room, ready for the coming night. "So it looks like Revy's going to be staying with us after all," the dusky vampire said.
Moria nodded in the affirmative, saying, "No doubt due to Seras' involvement. I guess she reminded her about something someone she knew said."
"All the same," Seras added, "it's best we don't tell Revy about the whole thing. I doubt anyone would survive the conflict that's going to cause!" That caused all three women to laugh.
"Hey, look who's waiting for us?" Rally pointed to the landing that led upstairs. Bridgett was standing there in her maid's uniform, gloved hands clasped in front of her as she stood, head bowed down.
Moria could tell by the look on Bridgett's face that something was bothering her. Venturing forward, she asked, "Bridgett dear, what seems to be the problem?"
Bridgett took her time as she finally looked up and said uneasily, "Miss Hedgley… I'm sorry about… about my conduct towards you last night."
Moria looked confused. "Is this about attacking me?" she said.
The blush on Bridgett's face could've lit-up the dim corridor. "N-no… it was about…"
"Ah, I see," the beautiful butler said, catching on. "Rally, Seras, could you two leave us for a minute? Seems this is going to be a very delicate matter here."
Rally's face clouded over, then she remember. "Oh. Sure, no problem about it, Moria." She then waived the No-Life Queen forward. "C'mon Master, I can't wait to show Revy the place." Seras nodded, the two vampires leaving the two alone.
Satisfied that no one was listening, Moria gently placed her arms on Bridgett's shoulders. "Bridgett dear," she began, "you were correct in saying that allowing me to fondle you was inappropriate, however I can understand where you're going here." A sigh, "And to tell you the truth, my feelings towards you are probably similar to what you feel towards me and Rally. The only problem is that… well, technically you're still underaged, and myself being not only your supervisor but your guardian as well…" Another sigh, "… the whole matter can be quite awkward, should someone find out."
Bridgett's mood brightened slightly. "I see. But what do you suggest we…" And was surprised when Moria bend down and kissed her deeply.
After a few seconds, Moria parted, smiling, "Wait until your eighteenth birthday. By then you should be legally an adult… and when you are… our passion will light the night skies," she said breathlessly.
"Really?" Then a confused look came over Bridgett's face, "But what about the supervisor part?"
"Oh, I'm certain we could work something out," Moria said smartly. "I'm certain we can separate our roles adequately by then." She then straightened out her outfit and said, "So, Miss Healy, shall we get ourselves upstairs? I'm certain Sir Integra is waiting for us."
A pause, then a smile from Bridgett. "Indeed we shall, Miss Hedgley!" The two then climbed side-by-side upstairs.
As soon as the two were in the oaken entry parlor, they were greeted by Revy, with Sir Integra, Rally and Seras with her. "About time you two joined us," the pirate smirked, who was now wearing a denim jacket with the Hellsing coat of arms sewn on the left pocket. "I was wondering if we're going to have get a fucking search party to find you."
"For your information, Revy," Moria countered, looking Revy in the eye, "Miss Healy had a rather sensitive problem she needed discussed, one which is none of your business, thank you!"
"Whatever," Revy snorted. "Anyway, the boss lady's got something to say to you," she said, thumbing in the direction of Sir Integra.
"Sir Integra," the butler said, her attention shifting to her employer, "what is it that you desire?"
"Actually, it is these gentlemen that have business with you, Moria." Sir Integra stepped aside, behind her were the Queen's representatives.
Moria was caught off-guard, the two black-dressed men walking towards her. "G-Gentlemen?" she sputtered. "What… what business does Her Majesty want with me?"
"Just this," the taller of the two began. "Moria Hedgley, as the last living relative of Kenneth Hedgley, it is Her Majesty's wish that you accept this token of her appreciation on behalf of your late father." Urging the shorter man forward, he presented a small, velvet-covered case to her. Apprehensive, Moria took the case with trembling hands. Ever so gingerly, she opened the lid – and was she saw caused her eyes to widen sharply. Dropping to her knees, as well as dropping the case, she had to stifle her sobs, but the tears streaming down her face couldn't be stopped.
"Moria!" Rally called out, she and Seras coming to her sides. "What's wrong? Is it a relapse?"
Moria shook her head. "N-no… I just… I just got caught in the moment, that's all." Mustering every iota of her willpower, she looked at the men and said, "Gentlemen… please tell Her Majesty… tell her thank you… w-with all my heart!" She then bowed her head, the sobs returning.
Confused, Bridgett looked at the case Moria had dropped – and gasped! "My word! Rally, Seras, Revy, Sir Integra… look!" Four pairs of eyes then trained themselves upon the object in the case that Bridgett had pointed to.
"No way!" Rally breathed.
"Amazing!" Seras added.
"Fuck!" Revy gasped.
Sir Integra's response was more sedate. "It's just as well," she said.
In the case that Moria dropped was the Victoria Cross!
END
AUTHOR'S NOTES – Sorry it took so long to write this. A lot of things got in the way, but I hope it was worth it.
Until the next part of the series… LATER!
9/11/01
FDNY-NYPD-THE REAL HEROES