The Lost Priest

Chapter 18

Listen To Your Heart

(A/N ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! Forget I ever said I was going to quit. I won't, okay? I'm drowning here in reviews. I'll continue. Jeez… Well, here's the next chapter so please enjoy it.)

SOUNDS/sounds

Thoughts

Telepathy

(Last Time)

"Vell, Doc, vhat have you found out? Anyzing ve can use to our advantage," The Major grinned walking up the blond man. "You seemed most excited over ze phone."

"You most certainly can use it, Herr Major. Zis device you handed me is a time-traveling device from ze year 3061. It seemed Sir Hellsing, Maxvell, und ze ozers are now in ze future," Doc explained as the Major eyes widened and a large grin split his face. "I believe I can duplicate zis on a larger scale if you give me one day. Zat'll be all I'll need. I vas zinking we could take ze weapons from zat era und use zem here, while also simultaneously taking over ze future as vell. I doubt Sir Integra und Maxvell vill have a leg to stand on in zat era und vithout zem here, zeir forces are vithout a guiding hand."

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! I like ze vay you zink, Doctor. Zis larger wersion vill it also be operational ze day you finish constructing it," the Major asked, happily. "I vant it vorking ASAP. Perhaps ve'll even catch Hellsing und ze Vatican off guard und kill zem before zey get home und stop us here."

"I vill have it vorking by tomorrow evening at ze latest, Herr Major," Doc said with a smirk. "You vill rule ze vorld in zis time und in ze future."

(Present Time. The New Human Empire)

Abel sat out on the railing of his balcony that overlooked the city lights. It was so pretty up here. The moon was almost full now with the second Vampire Moon right beside it giving of its own eerie glow. He let out a sigh as he continued to stare out into the large city that lay before him. In two days, Seras and the others would be leaving for good. It was sad really. He had gotten to know them quite well, but they could not stay. They needed to protect their era like he protects this one.

Abel could hear someone open his patio doors and he turned around to see scarlet clad Caterina walk toward him. He quickly stood up as she stopped before him. He could only wonder what Caterina wanted at this late hour.

"Good evening, Your Eminence," Abel spoke softly.

"Don't you mean good morning, Abel," she said with a small smile. "It's almost three after all."

"Is it really that late," Abel mused.

"Abel, I was wondering if you'd take a walk with me," Caterina said as Abel looked at her strangely. "I figure we can head out towards the gardens. There are several night blooming flowers and they're very beautiful."

"If you so wish for company then I shall join you," Abel said with a grin.

The two of them walked side by side down the walkways that weaved through the gardens. They would speak everyone once and a while but stayed silent for the most part just taking in the silence and peace the gardens brought to them.

Although it was only about 2 weeks for Abel it had been 2 months for Caterina. Two long months she could never get back. One doesn't really miss something until it is gone. She never knew she could miss Abel that much. How could she not. He was her childhood hero. The brave knight that saved the princess.

She just wanted to be alone with him. It had been so long since she allowed herself that pleasure after all. He left with Ion months ago to go after Cain and then he vanished altogether for another 2 months. The world was a lonely place.

"Lady Caterina," Abel spoke softly, removing her from her thoughts. "I, uh, have something to tell you. Let's find a place sit down."

"Alright, there's a bench over there," Caterina said, pointing out a bench surrounded with red roses.

Abel nodded and walked beside her to the bench. She sat down first followed quickly by Abel. She could only wonder what Abel wanted to tell her. He wouldn't look at her. He just stared at the ground, toying with something in his pocket. A light wind picked up making the smell of the roses stronger. She knew he was searched for the right words to say.

Not far away Seras sat in some tall shrubs watching them. She had seen them walk out into the garden together and got curious. She started to move closer to be able to hear what was going on only to collide into something. She looked up to see Asta rubbing her head. Asta was coming from the other direction also spying on Abel and Caterina.

"What are you doing here," Seras bit out quietly.

"The same reason you're here," Asta snorted back. "I wanted to see what was going on."

"The great Astharoshe will actually resort to snooping after all," Seras chuckled as Asta glared at her with daggers. "I didn't think your pride would allow you to stoop so low."

"What about you, Seras? Isn't this sort of thing below you as well," Asta retorted back. "I thought a true vampire, a nosferatu, would never do such a thing. I thought nosferatu had honor."

"Shut up and move over I want to know what's going on," Seras snapped pushing Asta out of the way and crawled over to a close area out of sight.

Asta soon sat down beside her as they stared through the leaves and twigs at Abel and Caterina. Abel and Caterina didn't say anything for a good long while. They just sat there in the rose bushes, looking around the garden.

Abel looked over at Caterina and let out a long sigh. He knew what he wanted to tell her but he didn't know how. He fingered the jewelry box in his pocket. He wanted to give her the box and its contents but he felt nervous about it.

"Abel, what did you want to tell me," Caterina asked, her voice was quiet.

"I have…" Abel muttered, gripping the box and pulled it out. "I got this when I was in the past."

He held the white jewelry box out Caterina who looked at it in surprise. This was a shocker. Abel just handed her a jewelry box? She carefully took the box and opened it to reveal large jeweled pendent engraved with a large "C". It was an oval shaped jewel that changed colors incased in rose gold. The chain it hung from was also rose gold. She turned her ocean blue eyes back at Abel.

"How did you…" she began as he pulled the necklace out of the box and unhooked it. "How did you get this?"

"Someone gave it me. He told me it would be better than bringing you jawbreakers all the time," Abel answered, reaching around Caterina's neck and hooked the clasp closed. "I really couldn't argue with him about it. He just sort of threw it at me."

"Your friend Alucard I take it," Caterina said, holding the pendent between her thumb and index finger.

"Yeah," Abel nodded. "I showed him some jewelry for Integra but I didn't think he would ever hand me the necklace though."

"So, in some odd way you still picked it out," Caterina mused, setting the pendent back down, "even if you didn't actually buy it?"

"I guess so," Abel said, rubbing the back of his head. "I kinda got hung up with something else when he did that behind my back."

"It's still the thought that counts," the Cardinal said. "So, thank you, Abel."

Abel's face turned a shade of pink and the air grew quiet again. Well, that part was finished with but… There was still a lot more to go before he was finished. He still didn't know how to tell her properly.

"Lady Caterina, I've wanted to tell you something for a long time now but…" Abel said, looking at the ground. "I just don't know how to tell you…"

"I already know, Abel." She said taking his hand into hers. "I've known for a long time and I also feel the same way."

Abel turned towards her. His eyes were soft as he stared into hers. So, she already knew. Of course she would. Women can pick up on these sorts of things very easily. His heart was beating so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of his chest. She slowly reached for him and wrapped her arms around his middle. He gently pulled in her closer and stroked her golden locks.

Caterina could hear how hard Abel's heart was beating in his chest and hers was beating just has hard. She slowly looked up at Abel and their eyes met yet again. She hadn't been held in his strong arms like this since she was a young girl. She had missed the safe feeling it brought her. In his arms she knew no harm could come to her.

He slowly brought his lips down on her forehead. They both knew this was wrong but as long as no one knew, what harm could it do? He slowly kissed her closed eyes and then her cheeks. He then put a delicate finger under her chin and left her head up a little higher. He slowly came in close to her lips but he felt gentle fingertips stop him.

"Abel, no," she said sternly as her eyes told another story of wanting. "We can't."

"No one has to…" Abel began but Caterina shook her head. "Why not?"

"This is as far as we can go," she whispered as her eyes started to form small droplets. "We made a vow when we entered the Church. Maybe if things were different somehow."

"If things were different we may not have met," Abel whispered into her ear.

"I know but it's wrong to continue this," she whispered back. "Abel, I'm so sorry. We just can't and you know it to be true."

"I know all too well, Caterina. A top of that your dear elder brother would see this as an act of heresy," he said, casting his eyes away from her. "We all know what he thinks of me; a vicious monster. I'm no better than a Methuselah, if not worse, in his eyes. It's forbidden for a human and Methuselah to be together. So the same must be for a human and Crusnik, am I right?"

"This has nothing to do with you being a Crusnik I don't care about that," Caterina choked out, making him turn his head back to face her. "You know how my brother is. He'll try anything to throw me and AX department out the door. I'll be damned if I let him work Alec like a finger puppet for his own war hungry campaigns."

"Family and honor comes first," Abel said coldly, standing up from his seat and turned around to leave. "I understand completely."

"Abel, please wait," Caterina exclaimed from her seat on the bench as he looked over his shoulder. "You really don't understand what I'm trying to say."

"Then what are you trying to say," Abel almost snapped at her.

Caterina got up from her spot and ran headlong to Abel, holding him tight from behind. She didn't want to let him go like this. She had brought him out here so she could be with him and instead if felt she was driving him away.

"Dear God, Abel, I don't want you leave me! I don't ever want to lose you again! I've already lost you twice, please, don't make it three," she cried out, burying her water soaked eyes into his backside. "I don't know what I do you ever left me! If I could leave the Church I would just to be with you and only for you, but I can't I just can't! This is the only way I can be close to you! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME ALONE AGAIN, ABEL, MY GUARDIAN ANGEL! I LOVE YOU!"

Abel felt like his heart was being crushed at that very moment. It was sharp, tight, and painful. He fell to his hands and knees onto the soft green grass as Caterina landed beside him still holding him tight. Hot tears burned his cheeks as they poured from his half closed eyes. He was her guardian angel. Her protector and she didn't want him leave her unprotected, all alone. She wanted to be near him always and he could never deny her that love and protection he had always given to her.

He slowly reached out and pulled her into his chest. He rested his chin on her the top of her head, rubbing her back gently, and rocking back and forth. Perhaps this was enough after all. Just to be together, to cry together, to laugh together, share their pain together, and to live together just as they are. They would never truly let go of each other or this moment. Even if they were miles or time periods apart they would be by each other's side and nothing on Earth was going to change that.

Seras and Asta sat in the dark shrubs with their heads hung low. They had been so stupid. They felt ashamed for seeing this private moment and for acting like total fools trying to gain Abel's love and attention only to have it belonging to someone else already. Why couldn't they see it before? It was obvious Abel didn't feel that way about either of them. They had been fighting each other only for it to end vain.

They slowly got up and left the crying couple alone. They walked out bushes and flowers completely out of sight of Abel and Caterina. They just walked on a pathway leading away from them. The moon was getting in the sky and the sun was starting to lighten up the sky ever so faintly.

How stupid could they actually be? Abel had given them hints they he feel for them in that way but were too blinded by each other's jealousy they couldn't see it. It was so stupid it would almost funny if it didn't hurt so much.

"Astharoshe, I'd like to apologize to you," Seras said, staring at sidewalk as they walked down it quietly.

"As do I, Seras, I acted foolishly and cruelly against you the last few days," Asta replied.

"Well, I wasn't exactly a saint either to you. I acted like a total git," Seras sighed. "Trying to make you jealous and all that."

"I did the same so we're pretty much even," Asta said, putting her arms behind her head.

"Guess so," Seras said with a small yawn. "So what do you say we put this whole mess behind and let bygones be bygones?"

"I believe that's a great idea. Friends," Asta asked, putting her hand out to Seras.

"Friends," Seras answered, taking her hand and shook it.

"DO YOU REALLY MEAN IT?!"

Asta and Seras both jumped looking for the sound of the shrill voice. They quickly stopped to shadowed figures under a large tree. One was standing and on the ground on one knee. They moved closer to see what was going only to make out Queen Esther in a pink nightgown and robe with Ion kneeling down holding her hand.

"What's all this about," Asta asked as Seras shrugged.

"Yes, I'm very serious," Ion said, pulling out something from his pants' pocket. "This is the ring to prove my point, Esther."

He opened his hand to show her a gold ring with a star shaped gem and an "E" engraved in it. It just changed colors just like Integra's ring and Caterina's necklace. Abel had given it to him. Ion had another ring he was going to use and showed it to Abel only to the butter fingered priest lose it down an air duct. Abel was lucky he had the spare ring or Ion would have taken his head off. Of course he wasn't about to tell Esther.

"Oh, Ion," Esther blushed as he slipped the ring on her finger.

"So, will you, please… Marry me, Esther," Ion said, looking up into Esther deep blue eyes that were starting to tear up. "It would make me so happy to be with you by your side."

"Yes, Ion, I will," Esther said, practically pouncing on him and held him close. "I so totally will!"

"Esther, I can't breathe," Ion chocked out as Esther loosened her grip.

"Sorry," she said, kissing him hard on the lips knocking them both over to ground.

Asta and Seras turned to look at each, both a bright pink. How many of these love scenes were they going to witness before the night drew to a close? They slowly backed away and back down the path yet again. They felt like the only two without someone for them. Everyone seemed to have someone but them and it was getting a bit lonely around the palace.
Integra stood on her balcony watching the sun climb into the sky. It felt so warm but her heart felt so cold. She was that close to her first kiss and turned it down for honor, duty, and pride. She let out a long sigh and walked back inside. She spotted Alucard sitting on the bed with arms crossed and a stern look on his. She closed the door and walked over the vanity and picked a brush and started to do her hair.

She heard Alucard get up and stand behind her. She had a pretty good idea about what her servant vampire was going to say to her. She continued to brush the knots out of her hair until Alucard jerked the brush from her hand.

"I want a word with you, my Master," Alucard said in artic voice.

"And what would that be about," Integra asked, turning around in her chair already knowing full and well what he wanted to talk about.

"Father Hugue, what else? Just what happened between you two during our little joyride through time," Alucard barked at her.

"Why don't you just read my thoughts then," Integra snapped back, getting to her feet.

"I already have and I can see quite clearly what think about that lowly priest," Alucard said, glaring at Integra. "If it wasn't for your own obligations and pride you would have let him touch your lips last night."

"You were watching me? Somehow I knew you were. I really shouldn't be surprise by that," Integra huffed, crossing her arms. "Does what I do with other men bother you that much?"

"That's not just some other man," Alucard growled, grabbing her shoulders. "He's a priest, a Catholic priest! Our rivals, the opposing team! Someone just few weeks ago you would have rather killed then have any sort of relationship with!"

"'RELATIONSHIP?' I'm in no relationship with anyone," Integra growled, pushing him from her. "Do you understand me, Alucard? There isn't as much between Hugue and I as you may think!"

"I really wish I could believe that, Master," Alucard almost yelled at her. "But you're lying through your teeth! I don't want you see him anymore while we're here!"

"Are you telling me what to do? My own servant dare has the gall to order me around," Integra yelled, slapping the Vampire King in the face. "I'll do whatever I damn well please and with whomever I please!"

"The hell you won't, Integra," Alucard grabbing her and threw her on the bed and held her there. "I will not allow you to go off with some Vatican Dog! You are mine and I won't let anyone else have you!"

"So, you're jealous! It isn't just because he's a priest it's because you see him as a rival for my attention," Integra spoke with sarcasm. "You can't stand the fact that maybe there's someone else out there who actually wants me!"

"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP!"

"Oh, don't give me that! That's the bottom line, isn't? You're jealous of him!"

"I forbid you from ever seeing him again! If you do so help me I'LL SLAUGHTER HIM!"

Integra's eyes widened in surprise. Alucard wasn't one to make empty threats. He really meant what he said. He would tear Hugue apart the moment he saw him anywhere near her. A new kind of fear struck her heart at that very moment. She couldn't explain it but it was like every bone in her body turned to solid ice, freezing her from the inside out.

He let go of her before fading into nothingness, leaving his master alone. Integra sat up rubbing the place on her chest were Alucard had pressed down. It was beginning to bruise she could feel it. She never recalled a time when Alucard was so angry at her. No, this was more than anger is full blown rage.

She was shaking as a small stream tears slid from her eyes. The last time she cried like this was when her uncle had tried to kill her right after her father had passed away. She hung her head low and brought her knees to her chest, resting her chin upon them. But as she thought in a way maybe Alucard was saving her from more grief. There shouldn't really be anything between them just to begin with. They were totally different time eras. She would be leaving tomorrow after all and that would mean never seeing Hugue and quicker she got him out her system the better.

However even with that bit of logic it still pained her but with Alucard's threat still hanging in the air she wasn't about to make the mistake. She had to get Hugue out of her system before she left and the best way so avoid him.

(2006 Millennium HQ)

The Mayor looked over the three large machines before him. Everything was going splendidly in the hour or so all of them will be full operational. The Doctor could indeed work wonders. He had one programmed to attack Rome, one for London, and the area were Hellsing and Maxwell had landed.

"Dok, you a true genius," The fat little Major sneered. "Vith us being able to control time like zis it feels like ve are gods. Gods of var zat vill stop at nozing to make zis vorld ours, no?"

"Of course, Herr Major," the Doctor bowed. "Ze machines only need to be primed before zey are ready. It should no more zan thirty or so minutes."

"Wery good. Ze men are all ready for zese game of chess to start," the Major grinned, rocking back and forth. "And soon it vill be Check Mate. Hahahaha…"

(A/N That was it. I hope I was good enough. I had like two other I was working on From Priest to Prince and Paper Cut. Both Trinity Blood stories and both very good reads, if you haven't read them yet.)

Millie M. Banshee