This chapter is a little short so I thought I'd go ahead and throw it up.

Disclaimer: Maybe I should just put a general disclaimer on my front page. I don't own Hellsing. I think we all know this by now. *smile*

Ch. 3: Paying the Piper

Integra tapped a finger against the mahogany of her desk and resisted the urge to scream at the man sitting across from her.

"And how many have died?"

"We…we're not exactly sure. We can't find the bodies."

"Then how do you know they're dead?"

"We have a witness."

"To all of the deaths?"

"Well, no. But the MO matches."

Integra sighed and lifted her glasses to rub the bridge of her nose where the edge of her eye patch pressed into the skin. Working with the police on a suspected supernatural case was a bit like herding cats. Retarded ones.

"So, what makes you think this string of…supposed…deaths is supernatural in nature?"

"The witness saw the perpetrator…eat the victim…and then dissolve into a colony of bats."

Integra sat up, scowling. No doubt, the witness had gotten hell for that story. The fact that anyone had taken them seriously enough to bring this to the Hellsing organization was a miracle in and of itself. She could only assume that whoever thought to bring it to her agency had worked with them before.

"Has the man been evaluated for mental stability?"

"Ah…woman, actually, and yes. She came out clean. Almost didn't come forward at all. She thinks at least part of what she saw was a delusion, but she has information that was not released to the public."

"Did she have a good description of the culprit?"

"Ah…yes…well." The sergeant's eyes suddenly wouldn't meet hers. He glanced around the office as if there would be a test later on the furnishings. Integra's stomach twisted with suspicion.

"Well?"

"Male, dark hair. Unnaturally tall. Red coat and hat."

Integra collapsed back in her chair, fists clenched. Of course, there was a possibility it wasn't Alucard, but to cling to such a hope spoke of deep rooted denial. She did not indulge in comfortable lies.

"I see. It does sound like something Hellsing would look into. Have your office fax the reports to me and I will have our supernatural expert review the case."

"Thank-you, mum."

The sergeant stood, clutching his hat in his hands. Integra waved him off and he scurried out the door. Taking deep breaths, she glared at her desk, trying to sort through the roil of emotions in her gut, none of them very warm or fuzzy.

"Alucard, I know you're listening."

The vampire in question phased through her office wall. He studied her clenched fists and the angry…betrayed look on her face. Sliding the orange spectacles off his face, he doffed the fedora and knelt before her, head bowed.

"My master."

"No!" Integra hit the top of her desk with a clenched fist. "If these are your kills, I am not your master! I know that you are no longer bound to me the way you were but…I thought…I thought you had changed. I thought I could trust you!"

Alucard closed his eyes, head still bowed. He could hear the tears in her voice. Angrily, Integra dashed the wetness from her eye. She did not cry…for anything.

"I suppose, once a monster, always a monster. Do you deny that it was you who killed these people?"

"I do not."

Integra's throat closed up, choking her with the strength of his betrayal. She blinked quickly, fighting back the tears that threatened. She would not give him that power over her.

"Why, Alucard? I demand an explanation."

"My mas…Integra. I value your life above that of every other human. If every low life and fleck of scum in England must die for me to ensure your safety, then die they will, whether I may call you master or not. I will safeguard you until your life comes to a natural close."

"Low life? Scum?"

Alucard lifted his head and stared into her blue eye, his face completely devoid of emotion.

"I have killed no one who has not already killed another. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. I have consumed them, taking their knowledge and memories into me. I have sought their accomplices and compatriots. It matters not if my familiars consist of murderers and rogues. The power is the same, regardless."

"Murderers…rogues…" Integra closed her eye and sat back in her chair. "Vigilante justice. You have declared yourself judge, jury and executioner over these people."

"Yes, Integra. I have."

The blond woman fell silent, lost in thought. Alucard remained in his kneeling position, watching her face as she stood in judgment over him…her opinion the only argument that could sway him. Normally not a patient man, he would wait on her forever if she asked it of him.

"You understand I cannot condone your actions. The judgment and punishment of human criminals is outside of Hellsing's jurisdiction."

"Of course, Integra."

"That's 'master' to you…servant."

A wide, manic grin split Alucard's face. He bowed his head again, trembling ever so slightly in his excitement. A small smile curled the corner of Integra's mouth. She should have known he wouldn't stray from the Hellsing tenants to protect King and country.

"Now, go."

Rising, Alucard replaced his hat and glasses, still flashing that Cheshire grin. He turned to head for the door.

"Oh, and Alucard?"

He paused and looked over his shoulder.

"Next time, don't get caught."

"Yes, my master."