I realize my updating speed is getting slower but I don't have as much free time anymore. That being said this story is about 80-85% done I think, so I defiantly won't be abandoning it.

xxyangxx2006- thank you! And very sorry to hear about your grandfather, i've lost many family members the same way and yeah it sucks. Also not to spoil anything, but I can almost guarantee everyone is going to regret their decisions in dealing with Katja ;)

thanks for reading, please Review and enjoy!

Integra exhaled the smoke from her cigar before crushing it violently into the silver pan nearby, letting out a long deep sigh she glared at the vampires before her. "I understand she's upset, but it's been three days" she muttered, "she's neglecting her duties and hasn't left her room".

"Yes, we are aware" Alucard replied shortly, "there's not much we can do",

Seras quickly glanced over to him to already find him staring, obviously wanting her to side with him, "yeah, she uh, is really upset".

Ignoring their comments Integra flicked through the file in front of her, "According to her file her birth parents were not present after the age of seventeen" Integra recalled flicking through the papers, "was her mother alive all this time?"

"Its most likely the accumulated stress of recent events" Alucard interjected, "her mother's death seemed to trigger it".

The Hellsing leader sighed and glanced back at the folder, 'it seems we don't know as much about her as we thought' she noted. "Well, I'm sure a mission will snap her out of it" Integra remarked with confidence. "Seras, bring her here after dinner" she commanded.

"Yes sir" the fledgling paled before walking off to check on the woman. As soon as the door shut Integra glanced over to see a look of irritation on Alucard's face,

"Why did you send her" he growled.

Integra clenched her teeth and gave him a stern look, "when you two argue the whole house hears it" she remarked bluntly. "You aren't exactly sensitive".

The vampire opened his mouth to argue but snapped it shut when he realized that she had a point, even he could admit that he isn't good with emotions and helping others through them, but he wasn't going to admit it. "I see" he huffed, "I'll have Seras inform me of her condition later" the vampire sighed.

XxX

Seras was approaching the artists room when the sound of yelling stopped her in her tracks, pressing her ear against the door she could easily make out the distressed arguing.

"...no...yeah I just...no!...please just...listen to me Alex!" Victoria begged into the phone,

Seras could just barely make out the voice of Alex who was shouting angrily in reply, and constantly cutting off Victoria. After several minutes of the arguing Seras heard the line disconnect and the phone was slammed back down onto the table, accompanied by several bouts of swearing. The fledgling paled and hesitantly knocked on the door softy, after several seconds Victoria replied, "Who is it?" She growled.

"Seras" she chirped, "Can I come in?"

After a heavy silence Victoria replied, "as long as it's only you",

Seras thought her conditions strange but didn't question them, slowly she opened the door and was immediately hit with the smell of alcohol. Looking around the dark room there were several empty bottles and plates of half eaten food, scrunching her nose in disgust she approached the table where the artist sat.

"Whattya want" she huffed taking a large sip from the bottle beside her, and closing a sketchbook hurriedly, "got more?"

Seras eyed the drink and felt guilty for buying it for her, seeing that she could have prevented the situation. "Uh no...no" she confessed, "I came to check on you, and I've got to bring you to Sir Integra later".

"She's getting sick of my moping then" Victoria sighed running a hand through her unbrushed hair. "It's stupid, this whole thing. I have to pull myself together" she remarked in disgust.

"Well, a lot has happened, it's not really stupid" Seras consoled, "you shouldn't feel ashamed".

"Well I do" the artist sighed, "I mean, I still feel like shit, but there's work to be done and Integra's been generous enough to give me this time off, I can't take any more, I feel so guilty. It's just every time I try, I can't get the motivation", she confessed.

Seras frowned and placed a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder, "you've helped me, now it's my turn to help you" she smiled softly. "First things first, we have to clean your room, it filthy and this food everywhere will attract mice. Plus you'll feel better when it's clean!" She chirped.

Victoria looked around the dark room and for the first time in days truly saw the state it was in, shame washed over her in a depressing wave and she sighed.

'I can't believe you let it get this bad, it's pathetic' the voice in her head remarked snidely,

Ignoring the strange voice once again she shook the thought out of her head. "Yeah that'd be great Seras, thank you" she gushed.

"Alright well, let's get started!" The fledgling remarked enthusiastically.

XxX

An hour later and the once dark and dirty room was filled with spring sunlight and every surface had been polished clean. The once strong smell of alcohol was replaced by the scent of a warm spring breeze, while the sheets were replaced with a clean crisp linen. The shower had washed away some of her horrible mood and she looked at her clean room with pride.

Seras looked around the room and beamed, "looks great huh" she smiled,

"Yeah it does" Victoria replied softly. "Seriously though, thank you, I would have left it in that state for way longer if you didn't help me".

"Well I couldn't let you stay like that, I felt bad I couldn't help before" she admitted, "I'm just glad your feeling a little better".

Victoria thought it strange the blonde hadn't brought up the phone-call between her and Alex, the artist knew that she overheard, dismissing the thought she tried to find a less gloomy topic. "I am, but enough about me" Victoria dismissed, "what have I missed?"

"Not much, it's been pretty slow around here" Seras recalled, "Sir Integra's been planning about millennium..." She trailed off. "Oh! And Pip finally asked me out on a date!"

"Oh that's great!" Victoria smiled feigning the excitement she couldn't produce. "Where and when?"

"Well we can't go far, so it's just an Italian restaurant downtown" she gushed, "and it's actually tonight!" She squeaked, "I'm so excited it's been ages since I've been out!"

"Well I'm just glad he didn't wuss out" the artist replied gruffly, "do you want any help getting ready or something?" She offered.

"if you're up to it yes please!" She replied eagerly, "I don't really know what to wear" the fledgling confessed.

"Hold on" Victoria replied before rushing to her closet and grabbing an armful of clothes, "I've got some stuff".

XxX

Victoria hesitantly knocked on the oak door leading to Integra's office, Seras anxiously waited behind her and could hear the arguing exchange between Integra and Alucard inside. After several minutes a voice with called her inside and she slowly opened the door, "good evening sir" the artist formally greeted.

"I'm pleased to see your up and well" Integra replied before glancing over to Seras, "going somewhere?"

"Pip said he would ask permission for a short leave tonight?" She asked anxiously,

Integra shook her head softly "He did no such thing".

Seras cursed internally, "well, may we leave tonight?" She asked, "it's been slow lately and we won't be long" she begged.

After several seconds of tense silence, a small smile pulled at the Hellsing leaders lips, "yes, you may. You've earned a break".

"Thank you sir!" Seras gushed, before making the mistake of glancing over to her master who until that point been quiet,

"Whats that powder on your face, and gunk on your lips" he sneered eyeing the woman with contempt.

A faint blush appeared on the fledglings cheeks and she suddenly felt very foolish for wearing what she was. Adjusting the blue cocktail dress she avoided his stare anxiously, "make up" she mumbled.

"Did Victoria put that on you?" He asked gruffly,

"Yeah I did" Victoria cut in. "She wanted help getting ready and asked for makeup, so I put some on her" she retorted. "She's looks nice leave her alone" the woman barked.

Alucard scowled and turned his glare to her, "Avoid doing it in the future",

"Make me" she challenged.

Before the elder vampire could open his mouth Integra silenced them, "stop it you two! Can't you be in a room together for more than a minute without arguing!" She barked. Victoria lowered her head in shame while a smile pulled at the vampires lips,

"I'm sure" he sneered.

Ignoring his comment Integra sighed and rubbed her temples, "Seras you may go, enjoy your night".

"Thank you sir!" She chirped before rushing out the door eagerly,

"You can leave Alucard" Integra commanded rather than suggested. The vampire scowled but let out no protest before disappearing a mass of shadows through the wall.

As soon as the vampire disappeared the blonde turned her attention to Victoria, "I'm sorry to hear about your mother" Integra remarked suddenly.

The comment surprised the artist but she thanked her none of the less, "thank you Sir...I apologize for my sudden leave".

"No need" she dismissed, "I'm glad to see your finally feeling better",

"Yes, thank you sir" Victoria replied looking at the woman with a skeptical look. 'This is the nicest she's been for ages' she noted. "May I ask why I'm here?"

Integra's brow creased and the relaxed atmosphere changed, "your aware of Millennium and their goals yes? Well it seems that their vampires have been popping up all over London" she scowled looking at the files in front of her. "We have been short staffed lately, therefore I've decided to send you into the field".

Conflicted thoughts ran around Victoria's mind wildly, as much as she craved the excitement she knew from experience that she wasn't suited to fieldwork. "But I uh, didn't pass my weapons test, in fact I failed...seven times" she paled.

Integra nodded her head understandingly, "Your duties will be strictly medical, but you are being sent with some of the less experienced Geese" Integra explained reluctantly, "Seras and Alucard have another larger mission, and Pip is taking several of the other Geese along".

"I don't know..." Victoria trailed off, "it sounds dangerous",

"It's a simple mission, a couple of vampires are planning on attacking a nightclub downtown, your squad will infiltrate and stop before they can attack the humans inside", Integra explained calmly. "If I didn't think you weren't ready I wouldn't send you" she assured.

After several minutes of careful thinking and the increasingly louder voice in the artists head persisting to convince her, she reached her decision. "...alright...I'll do it".

"Good to hear" she praised, "tomorrow evening your squad will meet outside the manor entrance where you will transported by military truck" she explained carefully before retrieving a file from her desk drawer and sliding it over the desk towards the artist. "Everything you need to know and bring will be in there" she elaborated before examining the woman's clothing, "wear appropriate clothing".

Victoria exhaled and briefly flicked through the folder, "yes Sir, anything else?"

"Not as of now, but in case we don't see each other tomorrow...good luck" Integra replied sincerely.

The fact that she wished her luck unnerved the artist, 'as if I wasn't nervous enough' she thought. Victoria forced a polite smile, "Thank you sir, I'll do my best".

XxX

Seras's heeled shoes tapped against the wooden floor anxiously, glancing at the clock she glared down at her empty plate, "ugh where is he!" She huffed. "I can't believe this, he said he-"

"Excuse me miss?" A waiter cut it, "But I must ask you to order soon or we will have to give the table to other waiting customers" he informed holding out the menu.

Seras turned her glare to the waiter before snatching the menu from his outstretched hand, "Long Island iced tea" she snapped thrusting the menu back into the man's hands.

He looked down at her nervously before writing down the order, "anything else?"

"No" she snapped, "I'm waiting for my date. He'll order when he gets here" she clarified.

The waiters look changed to something of pity, after all this woman had been here for almost and hour now. "Very well miss" he sighed before walking off to retrieve her order.

Seras watched the man scamper away with disdain, taking the paper napkin she took great pleasure in tearing it into shreds. Several minutes later and she could hear the whispers of the surrounding tables, they had begun to notice her situation. The fledgling blushed and rested her head on the table, a mixture of both humiliation and anger washed through her. After what seemed like an eternity later she could hear several staff arguing with a customer who had just burst through the door in a hurry,

"Sir you cannot come in here in that state!" A waiter protested.

"I have a reservation! I'm late let me through dammit!" He growled pushing past the staff. Seras didn't bother to lift her head until she head the creaking of the chair adjacent to her, lifting her head slowly she was surprised to say the least. "Oh my god Pip! What happened!?" She panicked looking at his slightly burnt and bloody uniform.

"I am very sorry for being late, we were held up at za mission when one of zhe vampires had a flamethrower" he explained still panting slightly. "You look lovely tonight" he complimented before taking the bottle of water on the table and drinking the entire thing in seconds.

The fledgling was still in shock, not sure if she should feel bad for him or angry for him being late. "You came straight from the mission?" She paled,

"Yes, I was dropped off on the way back to zhe manor" he panted, "I'm really sorry Seras, I tried to call, but you didn't answer" he explained.

Seras smiled softly, "I'm just glad you didn't stand me up",

"A beautiful woman like you? Wouldn't dream of it" he laughed before calling the waiter over, "now what shall we eat?"

XxX

"So.. Yeah it was much better after he showed up" Seras Beamed, "although he did forget I was a vampire, so he ordered me a lasagna" she giggled recalling last nights events.

Victoria looked at the woman anxiously, "did anything else happen?"

"Hmmm, no" Seras replied thoughtfully, "after dinner Walter came and picked us up, then we said goodnight and went to bed" she finished.

"Together!?" Victoria squeaked,

"No!" Seras retaliated, "nothing like that happened!" She huffed feeling her cheeks redden.

"Not even a kiss?" The artist asked slyly,

Seras cheeks further darken and she looked to the ground in embarrassment, "a little one" she mumbled.

"Aw Seras! Your first kiss!" She barked, "congratulations!"

"Oh uh...thanks" the blonde chirped, "he was actually a gentleman, there's a different side to him".

"Pfft I doubt it" Victoria scoffed, "Pervy frog" she snorted,

Seras was about to retaliate when she noticed Alucard enter the room, "are you done gossiping?" He barked.

"What the hell?" Victoria hissed turning around to glare at him, "don't eavesdrop!"

"The whole house can hear you" he drawled, "technically it's not eves dropping".

Ignoring his comment Victoria continued to glare at the man, "what do you want?"

A eerie grin split the mans face, "what do I want? Many things, I'm sure your-"

"Okay okay, shut up that's not what I meant!" She barked, "why are you here?"

Despite being cut off Alucard grin didn't falter, "we have been tasked with hanging the portrait" he explained with excitement lacing his tone.

"Why do I have to go?" The artist huffed,

"You created it, surely I thought you'd want a part in hanging it" he replied , "let's go".

Victoria watched him disappear through the door and after several seconds of internally debating she groaned and gave in, "I'm only going to make sure he doesn't wreck it" she growled climbing off the bed.

Seras snickered and followed close behind, "I'm sure".

XxX

Alucard effortlessly lifted the heavy canvas above his head and held it against the wall impatiently, "here?" He asked.

"I said to the left" Victoria sighed watching him maneuver the image, "my left!"

"It's crooked" Seras sighed, "are you sure the nails Walter put in can hold it?" She called to Alucard.

"It's not that heavy" he grunted readjusting the painting,

"You wouldn't know!" Victoria barked, "and now it's got this massive fucking frame!" She cursed.

"Please calm down Victoria" Seras begged,

"How can I? Look he's holding it with one hand! What if he drops it!" She growled pulling at her hair in frustration.

"I won't drop it" Alucard chimed in, "is it finally the way you want it?"

"It's crooked!" The artist barked before turning to Seras, "can you handle this? I can feel my chest hurt from the stress" she wheezed.

"Oh yeah sure no problem" the blonde chirped before walking over and taking the painting from Alucard and begun maneuvering the painting herself. "Better?"

Looking up from her tea relief washed over the artist's face, "so much better, thanks" she sighed. "Well, what do you guys think?"

"It's amazing!" Seras complimented, "your so talented!"

"detailed and elegant" Alucard replied simply, "a beautifully done portrait".

Victoria smiled and looked up at the image of Integra, her platinum blonde hair framed her olive skinned face while her piercing blue eyes and pink lips were highlighted. Her long legs were crossed while she sat regally on a dark oaken chair, the fire behind her burning lowly but enough to add the golden shadows to her figure. "Thanks, I like it" she muttered, "shame it's the last I'll ever do".

"Last?" Seras asked, "why last?"

"Well I don't really need to do it for money anymore, and I doubt Integra will allow me to paint here..." Victoria trailed off thoughtfully,

"I'll talk to her" Alucard offered, "such a talent shouldn't be hidden" he remarked bluntly.

"Oh, uh thanks" Victoria replied awkwardly before pulling out her phone and looking at the time, "shit, I've got to go get ready for my mission" she cursed. "I'll see you guys later I guess" she shrugged.

"Good luck" Seras chirped, "you'll do great!"

Victoria let out a low laugh, "thanks Seras, good luck on yours" she replied before turning to the elder vampire, "You too". Alucard nodded softly acknowledging her comment, Victoria then eagerly and anxiously made her way back to her room to prepare.

XxX

"...let's see...compression bandages...Adrenalin...stitching kit...defibrillator...yep that's everything" Victoria sighed stuffing the final items into the shoulder bag. Looking around her room she begun to feel the doubt setting into her stomach and anxiety returning. 'Is been ages since I felt that way, not since the military' she noted. Lifting the heavy bag off the bed she painfully slung it over her shoulder and immanently felt the strap run against the ghoul bite scarring, cursing she swung around only to come face to chest with Alucard. "Your not scary anymore" she laughed softly, "I knew you'd come here".

"Did you now?" He replied amused, "how so?"

"Your becoming...predictable" Victoria teased,

Alucard's lips pulled into a smile, "Are you asking for spontaneity?"

"Not at all" she sighed, "with someone like you predictable is safer".

"How boring" he sighed,

"Well I don't have much time" Victoria reminded looking at her phone, "what did you want?"

"Since it's your first mission I thought I'd give you a gift" he proclaimed,

Victoria was taken aback but remained suspicious, "oh no it's fine you really don't have to".

"I insist" he replied smoothly before pulling an item out of his pocket, "you frequently complain of nightmares, I believe these bring comfort to humans" he explained gruffly holding out the item. Victoria held out her hand and the vampire placed the object softly into her palm, pulling back her hand she looked at the item and begun laughing.

"Where did you get this?" She snickered holding up the dreamcatcher In front of her face, examining the intricate web and colorful stone beads and feathers.

"Don't like it?" He accused,

"No, no I love these" she mumbled feeling the item in the palm of her hand, "It's really cute, but it doesn't scream... you".

"Awhile back, a vampire attacked a herbalist shop...I saw it there and thought you would like it" he replied gruffly,

"You stole it" Victoria snickered.

"It was compensation" he retorted, "a fair trade",

"Of course" she snorted "...but seriously... Thanks... It's uh, really nice of you" she replied sincerely before tying the dreamcatcher to the strap of her bag. "It'll bring me luck" she joked.

"Stay safe" Alucard muttered suddenly, "don't underestimate the enemy, and don't always rely on your team, they can and will let you down" he informed seriously.

Victoria looked into his crimson eyes and to her surprise saw something resembling concern, "I'll be fine, I'm not fighting" she reminded, "I'll be okay".

Doubt crossed the vampires face and he vowed to skin the Geese alive if she got harmed, though he found it strange he was this protective. "I'm aware, good luck" he replied, "those are just things you need to know".

"Well thanks, for everything tonight" Victoria replied genuinely, "I'll see you in a few hours then" she noted before heading out the door, anxiously fiddling with the charm on her bag.

XxX

The truck was silent and the atmosphere tense as the geese spent most of the car ride loading their weapons or whispering amongst each other. Victoria was shoved between two of the Geese who made little effort to make room for her, and she found herself constantly shoving their legs away from her own.

"Let's get something straight" one of the Geese finally spoke, "we don't need you",

Victoria looked up from her phone to see that he was addressing her, "you don't need me?" She asked unsurely.

"Yeah" he barked, "we've gone this long without a medic, we don't need one now" he snorted.

The artist scowled and looked around the truck to see a majority of the group agreeing with him, "a woman too, are you sure you can keep up?" One agreed.

"Seriously?" She snorted, "I could be the person who saves your life and you pull this shit?"

"We. Don't. Need. You" he repeated, "the fact Sir Integra thinks we do is insulting".

"I'm not dealing with this stupidity now" she replied shortly, "I have to focus",

"Pfft focus on what?" He teased, "your job doesn't require a lot of thinking power".

Victoria tried her best to tune out their comments, and after several long minutes of the ridicule they had finally stopped when they had realized that she wasn't going to react. When the truck finally pulled up to the location they fell silent, Victoria once again looked up from her phone and saw that they had begun climbing out of the vehicle without informing her they had reached the location. Sighing she hoisted the heavy bag onto her shoulder and stepped out onto the sidewalk, looking around the street she found it very familiar, causing a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach appeared. "Please not here" she begged before looking up at the building above her, the neon letters of Crimson Fairy burning into her eyes.