Sorry if everyone's a bit OOC, (I tried to keep them in character as much as possible)
Oh and a tremendous thank you to everyone who viewed, (10,000 views woo!)
thanks for reading, please review :P
enjoy!
Victoria groaned as she sat up from her bed, the events of last night rushing back into her head as a combination of embarrassing and frustrating nightmares. Climbing out of the comfort of her bed she hurriedly took the growing pile of pills on her nightstand, still finding her pounding headache and aching shoulder held her previously irritable mood. Ignoring the mediocre breakfast Walter had left on her desk she quickly showered and got dressed for the day, stuffing her phone in her jacket pocket and putting her arm back into the sling she opened the door only to come face to face with Seras,
"I was just about to come in" she laughed nervously but quickly stopped at seeing Victoria's un-amused expression. "oh uh.. today's a big day! First we are going to collect your things..then when you get back you'll be going straight to the medical ward"
Victoria nodded slowly and shut the door behind her, staring at Seras blankly before the pair begun awkwardly walking to the main entrance. Once there Seras gestured to two large suitcases leaning against the door, "Sir Integra said you can only keep what fits in those" she explained genuine sympathy in her voice.
The artist tisked, 'typical of her' she cursed, "l thought Alucard was coming with us?"
"Erm so did I, but I'm not sure where he is.." She said dismissively, obviously not the least bit upset he wasn't coming, "anyway let's get going!" She exclaimed cheerfully nudging the artist out the door. Waiting out the front of the manor Victoria watched Walter load the empty bags into the trunk, looking down at her slinged arm she sighed, feeling more useless than ever. She glanced to the fledgling standing beside her and didn't miss the sad look she gave her, 'she's pitying me' Victoria thought bitterly, Seras opened her mouth to say something but Victoria quickly cut in,
"Aren't you cold?" The artist asked in an attempt to change the nonverbal topic,
"Ah no, not really! Vampires don't..feel cold..." she trailed off awkwardly.
"your a vampire, you don't need to be awkward about it, I don't care what you are" Victoria stated bluntly,
The blonde scratched her head awkwardly "Oh uh, thanks I guess?"
Suddenly Walter called to the girls that the car was ready, the pair climbed into the backseat of the vehicle and settled down for the ride.
XxX
Rounding the corner to Victoria's apartment complex the woman narrowed her eyes at seeing the door slightly ajar, "someone's in my apartment" she whispered to Seras shakily. The fledgling nodded before motioning for her to stay behind while she slowly crept forward, slipping inside the door and out of sight. Several seconds later Victoria could hear an annoyed shriek and rushed into the apartment, "Seras! Seras what is it!?" She called rushing around the apartment before finally finding the fledgling in her bedroom. The blonde sat on the edge of her bed and held her chest ,
"He's here" she huffed.
"Wh-" Victoria shrieked when something wrapped around her waist up expectantly, whipping around she came face to face with Alucard who was grinning mischievously. "Jesus chest red you scared the shit outta me!" She growled angrily ripping his arms off her,
He laughed lowly before placing a gloved hand on her head and ruffling her hair tremendously which he knew she hated, huffing she blew the stray strands out of her face and scowled. "Why are you here!?"
He walked over to her dresser and examined the various trinkets and items atop it, "to help you move of course".
"I don't buy it" Victoria deadpanned, "go back to your coffin or something",
Alucard's smirk faded from his face, "do you truly wish for me to leave?" He asked feigning hurt.
she turned away from his stare feeling guilt, "Ugh I don't know... I guess you could be helpful" Victoria sighed, too tired to argue.
"Fantastic" he smirked,
The artist narrowed her eyes suspiciously "Well anyway.. Seras you and I can clean out my room" she gestured vaguely to the closet. "Red, there are paints and brushes on the dining table, just make sure they are all closed and chuck them in this bag" she instructed throwing him a large bag, nodding the vampire walked off to complete the task. "Shall we start then?" Victoria asked,
"alright" the blonde replied tiredly digging into the mountain of clothes.
XxX
Victoria begun to grow restless and could see Seras becoming bored, "I'm going to make some coffee, want any?" She offered eager for a break.
Seras smiled kindly, "thank you... But last time I drank something other than.. Erm" she stopped herself awkwardly
"Blood?" Victoria supplied absently.
"yeah, I threw up everywhere" Seras finished,
The woman nodded solemnly understanding her original reluctance to drink alcohol "Ah well that was my fault, sorry about that",
the fledgling shook her head softly "Oh no, I had a lot of fun!" She beamed,
Victoria stood up sorely and yawned, "that's good to hear, we should go again sometime" she remarked before walking out to the kitchen. However to her confusion, Alucard was standing infront of the sink and pouring the contents of a bottle into it, "red? What are you doing" she asked slowly walking upto the man. He grunted and continued pouring, Victoria huffed and slowly squeezed into the small space between him and the counter. Finally able to see his actions her eyes widened at seeing the quickly emptying vodka bottle, "what the fuck Alucard!" She screeched snatching the bottle from his hands. Growling lowly he attempted to snatch it back only for Victoria to pull it out of reach, "what is your damage! Do you know how much this costs!" She hissed angrily observing the remaining liquid.
"I'm helping" he replied gruffly,
"Oh my god, no, no your not!" Victoria slammed the bottle back down on the counter, "is this another order?! Did you nark on me to Integra? Did she make you do this?!"
"No!" He snapped, "it controls you too much",
Victoria's scowl faded to a frown, "yeah well, it's not gonna affect my work".
"I don't care about that" Alucard growled,
"Then why do you care!" The artist barked.
"I don't know" he spat avoiding the woman's hateful glare,
She looked away from his irrratated expression and sighed, "go sit down and don't touch anything else" she ordered. Obediently he brushed past her and took a seat on the couch, Victoria put the drink back in the fridge and when she turned around Alucard was laying on his back atop the small couch. His feet hung over the edge and he'd pulled his hat over his face, 'must be really tired to sleep there' she noted.
XxX
Walking back into the bedroom she saw Seras flipping through a sketchbook thoughtfully,
"Whatcha got there?" Victoria asked playfully,
Seras jumped and quickly attempted to hide the book, "Sorry, I just saw it in the drawer and it looked interesting and-" she frantically explained.
The artist shook her head softly "Seras it's fine, I don't really care",
Nodding embarrassingly Seras replaced the book back into it's spot, "...what were you and master fighting about?"
"Asshole poured my vodka down the sink, reckons he was helping" she huffed,
The blonde fidgeted awkwardly "He really cares about you, I'm sure he had good intentions".
"Pfft I doubt it, probably did it to mess with me or something" she remarked bitterly,
"you really don't like him do you?" The fledgling paled.
"It's not that I don't like him, he's nice sometimes. He's just so distant, and always with the following orders.. Jesus it's like everything he does for me is an order... And the other night.." Victoria felt her face flush, "...Nevermind".
Seras raised an eyebrow, "hmm...that's weird, Sir Integra hasn't given him any orders relating to you in awhile.." She trailed off thoughtfully,
Victoria's eyes widened "Wait what?"
"Yeah, the last one was to go with you to your lecture, but he was going anyway" Seras recalled.
'So he's been lying to me? Is he willingly being nice?' She thought uncertainly. Wanting to change the subject she recalled a burning question she'd had for awhile, "Ok another question real quick, feel free not to answer if you don't want to" Victoria emphasized, " but..why don't you drink blood?"
The fledglings attitude changed, and a look of shame crossed her face, "it's hard to explain but, I'll just feel less human I guess, more like..." She trailed off,
"A monster?" Victoria supplied.
Seras nodded softly, "I'm just not ready yet.."
"How long has it been?" The artist asked concerned,
"A few weeks...master said that if I wasn't from his blood I would have died" she said softly.
Victoria frowned "Well obviously you want to live yeah?"
Seras nodded frantically, "of course"
"Well your body, just like a human one, needs food. The form that food is in doesn't matter, starving yourself won't change you back." Victoria explained sternly,
"I know, it's just.." Seras struggled to find more excuses, but found none, 'she had a good point'.
"It's all psychological, you've out up a mental barrier preventing you from doing something.. If you want.. I can help you tear it down?" she offered.
The blonde smiled softly, "I'd like that.. Thank you",
"Don't worry about it, now let's get back to work" Victoria sighed turning back to the mess.
XxX
Several hours later and the pair had finally packed up everything Victoria needed, the apartment looked completely bare except for the furniture to be donated. Looking around the apartment the woman sniffed,
"Are you alright?" Seras asked concerned,
"Yeah, it's just as shitty as it was I had a lot of good memories here I guess..." Victoria trailed off wiping her eyes on her sleeve.
The fledgling nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, "I'll take the bags downstairs and call Walter, you wait up here where it's warm and I'll come get you when he's here".
"Thanks Seras.. For everything today" Victoria smiled softly, The blonde nodded and returned the smile before walking out the open door with the bags. The woman placed several more things in her handbag before remembering the man asleep on her couch, walking over she contemplated the best way to wake him up.
Wondering if his reaction would be violent, gently she lifted the hat off his face and poked his cheek gently with no reaction. 'He's rather peaceful looking when he sleeps' she thought fondly, she shook his shoulder gently and whispered his name horsely. This time there was a soft groan and he shifted uncomfortably, 'this is getting awkward' she thought. "Alucard" she addressed in a normal voice, "wake up".
He rolled from his back onto his side and mumbled, "...Katja...",
Victoria felt a pang of jealously and frowned, she knelt beside him and gently pulled the glasses off, "Alucard" she again called. To her surprise his eyes cracked open slightly and he smiled softly, slowly he reached out and gently caressed her cheek with his gloved hand, "Sotia mea" whispered affectionately. Victoria felt her cheeks heat up instantly and she placed her own hand over his, 'he's dreaming' she observed, gently she moved his hand back to his side and he frowned before closing his eyes again. Victoria felt her chest hurt and her head swim,
'as if I wasn't confused enough. Even after hundreds of years he's still not over her' she thought bitterly. Standing up she shook his shoulder roughly enticing a snarl from the man, "get up" she barked coldly. His eyes slowly opened and he looked at her with hatred, "yeah get pissy at me later, we're leaving".
Slowly the vampire sat up and looked around the room confused, "we're done?"
"Yes, I'm waiting for Seras to tell me when Walter gets here" Victoria replied shortly.
"Your still angry" he commented, there was an awkward silence and the woman wished she could tell him what he did but he'd never believe her. Glancing at the vampire she saw him hang his head and stare at the floor blankly, walking over to the man she stood infront of him awkwardly.
"Everything ok?" She asked gruffly,
He mumbled something but she could only make out words "...dreamed again...Katja... "
"When we get back just go back to sleep, your obviously tired" she huffed. He looked up at her for the first time in hours and they made eye contact, she could see the sadness in his crimson eyes, and he could see the tiredness in hers.
"I could say the same for you, the circles under your eyes aren't bruises" he replied absently,
"Seems we've both been avoiding it then.." She trailed off before offering a hand to help him up. He gently wrapped it around hers and she pulled his weight to his feet, he stood staring down at her fondly while she avoided his stare. "Erm you can let go now" she laughed awkwardly gesturing to their still joined hands, slowly they pulled apart while his stare lingered. "Why are you staring at me?" Victoria asked awkwardly taking a few steps back from their close contact,
"Habit" he replied.
"I don't know how to feel about that" she laughed awkwardly not knowing how to respond, "come on, let's go".
He nodded slowly and placed the hat and glasses back on his head, Victoria slung the bag over her shoulder before turning off the lights for the last time.
XxX
The pair walked down the corridor heading for the elevator when from around the corner Scott appeared, his face still sported a sizable bruise but it was the bruise on his ego that was the largest. "Oh Victoria, who's your friend?" He asked anxiously eyeing the man suspiciously,
Before Victoria could answer the vampire cut in, "Alucard" he introduced holding out a hand, Scott's eyes flickered nervously between Victoria's and Alucard's stoic expression. He shook the mans hand weakly but the vampire held on, slowly increasing the pressure causing Scott to flinch and attempt to pull away.
"You don't talk to her anymore" Alucard growled before letting go, the redhead nodded before cradling his hand to his chest and scampering away.
"I could have handled that.." Victoria scowled,
He glanced at her tiredly "I didn't want you to". The artist nodded in defeat, both too tired to argue. Arriving at the lobby of the building Victoria saw Seras loading the heavy bags into the trunk of the car like they weighed nothing. Turning around she saw Victoria and waved at her enthusiastically, waving back with her good arm she pulled on Alucard's jacket to follow, who was occupied glaring at the other residents. Suddenly something occurred to her "wait...what about my rent and deposit, and do they know I've-" Victoria asked frantically,
"it's taken care of" the vampire replied, the woman uncertainly nodded not fully understanding what, 'taken care of' meant. The pair stepped outside into the cold were the warmth and comfort of the car awaited, the trio quickly clambered into the car and were squashed into the backseats with Victoria, to her discomfort, in the middle.
XxX
After half an hour in the car her Victoria's eyes grew heavy and the enticing aspect of sleep was eventually too much for her to fight off, causing her to fall into a heavy sleep. Alucard watched her writhe in the uncomfortable position before gently pulling her to his shoulder, her head leaned against his arm and her body turned to it's side. He glanced at his fledgling to see her staring awkwardly,
"Uh won't she be upset?" She whispered,
The vampire shook his head gently, "no, she needs rest". Seras still held doubt and wondered what caused the vampires change of attitude towards Victoria, but he had a point so she left the issue alone.
XxX
An hour later and the car pulled upto the manor, Seras climbed out to help Walter with the bags leaving Victoria and Alucard alone in the car. He gently shook her shoulder such as she'd done for him, however she was a much lighter sleeper and awoke immediately. Her eyes opened and she lifted her head from the mans shoulder, "sorry" she apologized awkwardly rubbing her eyes.
Alucard shook his head dismissing her apology, "You still have to go to the medical ward" he reminded brushing the hair from her face.
Too tired to object to his actions she merely nodded before climbing out of the vehicle, "where is it?" She asked walking into the main entrance.
"I will take you" Alucard stated before suddenly placing an arm under her knees and between her shoulders and lifting her off the ground bridal style,
"What that hell red, I can walk!" Victoria protested.
Alucard shook his head "You need to conserve energy",
Letting out a frustrated sigh she readjusted to a more comfortable position, "whatever just don't let anyone see me", 'ugh why's he being so...touchy today' she mused. The vampire effortlessly navigated the halls and found the medical ward easily, kicking open the door he gently placed her onto empty bed. Huffing she begun to sit up only to be gently but firmly pushed down,
"Lay down until master arrives" he instructed.
Yawning the woman submitted "Fine, when is she coming?"
"She has almost finished debriefing the mercenaries now" Alucard informed,
Victoria sat up slightly, "Your replacing soldiers with mercenaries? Who?"
"The Wild Geese, you do not know them" he answered, "I will go tell her your here",
Victoria nodded and settled back down into the bed, "alright, I'll be here". The vampire nodded and walked off to retrieve the Hellsing leader.
XxX
Victoria struggled to keep her eyes open as the enticing offer of sleep once again tempted her, however the threat of nightmares kept her firmly awake. 'It seems like hours since he left' she thought, wondering when Integra would arrive, however moments later there was a loud knocking on the doors and they burst open. Victoria quickly clambered out of bed and attempted to correct her disheveled appeared, "good evening Sir Integra" she greeted tiredly.
"And to you" she replied before gesturing to a man in a green military uniform beside her, "Pip Bernadette our mercenary leader needs medical attention" she stated simply. upon closer inspection the man was holding his nose tightly while a thin trail of blood seeped out, Victoria nodded obediently and sprung into action, her training finally having use. She guided him to a bed, into which he flopped into graciously, Victoria then quickly searched the various cupboards before finding the desired items, dumpingg an assortment of cotton balls and containers on the bed she removed her arm from the sling before tying up her long hair and putting on gloves.
She placed a bucket underneath his head and slowly she pried the mans hand away from his nose, shortly after the previously restrained blood begun dripping into the bucket like a faucet. "What happened?" She said in awe examining the damage,
"Zhe vampire girl 'appened!" He exclaimed.
Victoria tisked and begun feeling the damage enticing painful wails from the man, "Well she doesn't go around hurting people for fun, what did you do?"
"She was trying to prove zhat she was a vampire" he huffed wriggling in discomfort,
"Stop moving" she commanded, "You didn't believe her then?"
"No! Who would! she was so innozent looking, how was I suppose to know zhat she was a mon-" Victoria quickly snapped his nose back into place with a single swift movement, enticing horrible howls of pain.
"What were you saying?" Victoria asked intimidatingly,
"Nothing" Pip paled. From behind her Victoria could hear deep low laughing, 'Alucard' she groaned internally. However turning around she saw Integra's intimidating stare directed at her,
"Uh broken nose...sir, only way to fix it is to rebreak it" she explained quickly.
"I'm aware. It seems your competent with your job, and looking at your old military profile it seems you've had enough field experience" Integra said in a matter-of-factly tone. "I will inform you when your first field test will be",
Victoria nodded "Thank you sir".
Walter who had unbeknownst to the artist had been present the whole time, walked upto her and placed a small black box in her hand. "A pager" he clarified, "for when your required here or at Sir Integra's office".
"Uh thanks" she said uncertainly not knowing if the item was a gift or burden,
Integra nodded before taking her leave "I still expect that portrait to be finished by the way" she remarked before her and Walter headed out the door.
"Ah shit I forgot about that, the reason I'm in this mess" she muttered,
"Uh excuze me, but when can I go?" Pip asked irritably.
Victoria pulled out various chemicals and bandages, "I have to clean the blood off and bandage it" she remarked boredly before pouring antiseptic onto a cotton pad. Pip sunk back in his bed and eyed the liquid suspiciously, "what iz zhat?"
"Antiseptic, your not afraid of it are you?" Victoria snickered,
"No itz just zhat... Erm" he trailed off.
Looking over her shoulder she saw Alucard still there staring at her, "hold on a minute" she murmured enticing a sigh of relief from pip. "What are you doing here" she asked the vampire,
"Observing" he stated simply.
"Can't you observe from further away, your practically on top of me" she complained eyeing the mere centimeters of distance between them.
The vampire grinned eerily, "but here is the best view" he purred,
"Stop being weird" Victoria frowned before lightly pushing him backwards. She turned back to pip cheerfully, "I'm going to clean the blood off now" she stated. The mans eyes widened as the antiseptic brushed his skin but he felt no pain, "see it's all finnnee~" Victoria reassured much like how you would a child. After several minutes she had finally removed all the blood both dry and wet,
"Painkillers?" pip asked hopefully as he lightly touched his sore nose.
"Hmm alright, but you can only take them when your off duty okay?" Victoria instructed before going to the medicine cabinet. However as she turned around she bumped into the vampires chest, "dammit Alucard you moved closer didn't you!" She growled trying to move away from him awkwardly. The vampire grinned but offered no response, "listen whatever little trick or whatever your trying to pull, don't do it while I'm working!" She hissed before shoving him to the side and grabbing the pills out of the cabinet. Turning around she placed the pill container in his hand and helped him off the bed,
"What was your name again?" Pip asked looking at her curiously.
"Victoria stein I'm the new field and resident medic" she said shaking his hand in a businesslike matter, "your Pip Bernadette?"
"Yes, I'm am the leader of the Wild Geese" he stated proudly, "you should come by our barracks for a poker game one night" he offered,
"Yeah sure I'd love too, it gets boring around here" Victoria laughed awkwardly, "well I'll see you around then",
"'opefully on better terms next time" he laughed, "thanks for ze 'elp" he called walking out the door. Victoria smiled and sighed exhaustively, pulling the gloves off she begun to clean the bloody mess, noticing Alucard had taken her order to move back, as he now sat at the opposite end of the room.
"You sulking now?" She asked condescendingly,
"No" he growled crossing his arms. Victoria gave him a doubtful look before slipping her sore arm back into the sling, "pain?" He asked gruffly.
"Like you wouldn't believe, the healing has pretty slowed down to a stop" she complained, washing her hands in the small sink. When she turned around she was face to face with the man, "we need to have a talk about person space" she glared nervously as he slowly backed her against the counter.
"I can give you more blood" he offered slyly,
Victoria paled "uh thanks but no thanks, it's too weird for me... I was unconscious last time".
He gazed in her eyes longingly "or you could Join us" he murmured,
Victoria frowned "What do you mean? I work here, do I need an ID or something?..."
He shook his head gently and brushed the hair out of her face "I offer you undeath, become a Nosferatu",
Victoria's eyes widened and she waved his hand away, "why? My wounds will eventually heal, there's no immediate threat of death. Plus what about Katja? I'm guessing her taking over my body is bad" She stated . There were several seconds of silence and the vampire looked away guiltily, "right?..." she asked waiting for his reassurance. After several more seconds of silence, it came to her 'he wants it to happen!' she concluded. "Alucard... You, tremeNDOUS ASSHOLE!" She hissed pushing away angrily. "Your trying to get her back aren't you!" Victoria growled angrily glaring at him,
Alucard huffed, "no.." he lied.
"Yes you do! That explains your weirdness today and you calling me Katja!" Victoria barked angrily scrunching the paper towel in her hand, "oh my god... And here I was thinking you actually cared about me!" The woman felt nothing but dry anger and refused to show any other emotion, "your protecting me because I'm her vessel" she spat.
The vampires eyes widened, 'she's right' he thought, 'she saw right through me',
"Say something you piece of shit!" Victoria barked throwing the paper towel ball at him,
"I can't" he muttered softly.
Victoria strode upto him and stared at him with hatred, "Well tell me that it's not true! Tell me that it's ME you care about and not Katja!"
Alucard looked at her sadly, "...I can't". Victoria felt her throat burn and her eyes sting, looking at his face for a final time she saw nothing but a blank stare. She wanted to scream at him, tell him to get over it, make him tell her how he felt, instead she did none of those things and took out her feelings in the only way she knew how. The sound of skin connecting with skin resounded around the room, Victoria had slapped him as hard as she could and glared at him with as much hatred as she could manage. Immediately the vampire raised a hand to his sore cheek in shock, but it was the hateful glare and her cold words that hurt him the most,
"You don't deserve us" she growled bitterly before striding out of the room and slamming the door as hard as she could, leaving the vampire to brood.
Bit of Romanian
sotia mea = my wife