I don't own Hellsing or any of its associated characters, I only own my OC Victoria Stein.

first fic, constructive criticism is welcome.

Thanks for reading, please review

Victoria watched as the heavy rain pelted her window, the droplets of water dripping through the unsealed cracks her landlord refused to fix. Victoria stood up from the table sitting adjacent to the window groaning and stretching her aching back, she peered at the clock, "Fuck, three thirty already" She whispered tiredly at no one in particular. The artist looked down at the unfinished painting laying on the easel, her client was going to go kill her if this wasn't ready by tomorrow. She could feel her eyes burn every time she blinked, however she knew she desperately needed the money to make this months rent. Victoria groaned and proceeded to make another pot of coffee.

XxX

Victoria awoke to the ringing of her obnoxiously loud doorbell, she slowly lifted her head off the table as well as a variety of papers which stuck to her face. After her eyes adjusted to the blinding morning light, she nervously looked at the painting, sighing in relief when she saw that she had managed to finish the portrait. This particular client was a nasty one, Victoria didn't usually accept rude clients, but of late the portrait business was going downhill, and she was barely scraping by, she couldn't afford to lose any clients. Pushing the chair back from the table she padded over to the door and pulled it open, the rusted hinges screeching at every movement. A woman with short blue locks falling around a lightly tanned face stood in front of her, Alex, her very best friend, well only one.

"Alex? What the hell are you doing here? I thought you said twelve?" Victoria mumbled, rubbing her tired eyes.

"Betta' check ya clock mate, I'm right on time" Alex's loud voice echoed through the apartment buildings halls, her unique mix of Australian and Irish heritage produced a one of a kind accent.

'its too early for this' the artist thought grimly. "dammit, are you serious, I have another client in a couple of hours" she groaned,

nodding understandingly she apologized and looked past Victoria into the apartment. "ya got any coffee? got a job inta'view in a hour, and I 'ave ta look perky" the bluenette put heavy emphasis on the word perky, she was recently 'let go' from her last job after she broke a customers nose, no charges were pressed but she was fired immediately.

"Yeah sure come in" Victoria yawned mid sentence "you know where all the shit is, I have to go clean up". She dragged her feet towards her bedroom and changed out of her paint stained clothes into something more smart looking, a pencil skirt and purple button up shirt. She tied her long dark hair into braid, and drenched herself in perfume and deodorant, before applying light makeup and lipstick. Looking in the cracked floor length mirror, Victoria placed a variety of sketchbooks and folios into a black shoulder bag.

"Ay Vicky ya' might wanta' see this" Alex called from the kitchen

"You know I hate that name" Victoria drawled walking out into the kitchen she took the letter from Alex's outstretched hand. She ripped it open and examined the contents, a large four digit number stuck out largely one the page. Her eyes widened and she stumbled to a chair before resting her head on her arms in defeat,

Alex peered at the notice, a large written sum of overdue money took up the page. "Oh, damn, I'm so sorry Vicky" the tone in her voice was somewhat sympathetic, Alex reached out and put her hand on Victoria's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her. Victoria had her face in her hands causing Alex to suspect she was crying. "Vicky? Are ya ai'ght? Say somthin" she gave her slender frame a gentle shake. A muffled sound came from Victoria, "what is it?" Alex tried to peer behind her hands.

"I said... don't call me Vicky" she stood up and threw the notice onto the counter. Victoria sighed and pushed the hair from her face, "look, I'll deal with it later, but I have to focus on what I'm doing right now, I still have a week". Alex looked at Victoria with doubt, "look it'll be fine, my next jobs a big one, some sort of military leader or something, a large pay sum is what he promised", she reassured.

Alex paused "ai'ght... But if you get kicked out of 'ere, you can stay with us" she stood up and walked over to the fridge and began taking various condiments out,

Victoria gathered some more paint samples from the kitchen counter and stuffed them into her bag. "Ketchups' in the cupboard" Alex moved to the cupboard and continued shuffling things around. "And I appreciate the offer, but I really don't like the idea of third-wheeling you and mark. I have to run now",she pulled boots over her stockings hopping on one leg at a time.

"offers always there" she murmured,

Victoria inclined her head, "You can stay as long as you want, lock-up after alright?"

Alex poked her head out from the cupboard, "yeah a'course, have fun" she waved enthusiastically as Victoria walked out the door.

XxX

Victoria slung her heavy bag over her shoulder and padded quietly down the wooden hallway towards the elevator, careful not make any unnecessary noise, the floor would occasionally creak and she would flinch, checking around for any movement. The space between her apartment at the end of the hallway and the elevator was quickly closing, she was walking faster hoping with all her being that she wouldn't run into... him.

Suddenly a very loud, very unbelievable sounding gasp was audible behind her, Victoria cussed under her breath. "What a coincidence, seems we are always running into each other!" the voice beamed, the artist turned around to see Scott, a short, overweight, red headed man grinning at her. He was considered a somewhat normal man by social standards, nothing special or unique, he lived in an apartment above Victoria and spent his free time on the computer playing games all day. When Victoria first moved into the building, he began a conversation with her in the lobby as her things were being taken upstairs, he mentioned how she reminded him of a video game character he loved and he continued to tell her about this character for quite awhile. The conversation went on for a quarter of and hour and took an uncomfortable turn when he began comparing Victorias' and the game characters' physical qualities, this was enough to make Victoria uncomfortable and excuse herself abruptly, ending the conversation. But he never seemed to get the message that she found him annoying, no matter how much she ignored him.

"hi Scott, I can't talk right now I'm going to a commission" Victoria begun to walk away when he quickly stepped in front of her blocking her path. Victoria let out a low growl and was about to lose her patience, she absolutely could not be late to this appointment.

Scott lost his smile briefly, but picked it up again when he spoke "Victoria" he purred disgustingly, "I'm having a get-together tomorrow night, a group of friends, you should come" he reached out to touch her arm but Victoria moved back coolly and glared at him coldly. "I won't take no for an answer" he quipped raising his eyebrows

"If I say yes, will you move?" She growled

"It's a date" he grinned wider and moved to the side, "my apartment, eight-o'clock, Friday night". Victoria pushed past him and made a disgusted face, walking to the elevator she continued to glare at him as the doors closed.

XxX

She walked out of the apartment building to see a regal looking black car and a graceful looking thin older man standing out the front. As soon as he saw her he slowly approached, "Excuse me Ma'am, are you miss stein?

"Uh yes, yes I am" Victoria said nervously, this man's stiff demeanor made her uncomfortable,

"I have been waiting for quite while, I'm afraid we will be late" he said solemnly, maintaining eye contact the entirety of the time he spoke.

"I'm very sorry about that, it was out of my control unfortunately" Victoria said sincerely, cursing Scott.

The car-driver gave a single slow nod, and opened the side door of the car, she ungracefully clambered in, clutching her bag to her chest. The woman had met many wealthy clients, but none of them had ever arranged a car to be sent, for some unknown reason the unnatural nature of driver unsettled her greatly, causing the long car to be spent in complete silence.