Grim faces looked out over the fog covered fields of the isolated countryside farm and the lone young woman. Six of the Hellsing Organization's finest were chosen for this hunt, hand picked by Walter. They were veterans of both human wars and the monstrous battles waged in the shadows of society. It was the best the retired assassin could do given the situation. Six men, even heavily armed, was too few for a hunt. The oldest among the soldiers, Lieutenant Kelly looked from the young director to the old knights. Of course it would be Irons overseeing this, but he was surprised Penwood had come along. Brave and Penwood didn't belong in the same sentence, but at the moment he looked far more worried than afraid. Penwood's gaze was fixed on Integra and it made the aging Lieutenant smile a little. So that's why he came.

Integra's sure voice broke the silence, "We're not hunting a vampire."

Irons looked like he was going to argue as Kelly walked over to kneel beside Integra and look at what had gotten the girl's attention. He let out a low whistle as he placed a spread hand over the print in the mud, "Werewolf, and a big son of a bitch too. How do you want to handle this, ma'am?"

Integra looked back over the property then pointed toward the barn, "Clear it out then set up whatever you can to provide some cover between the men at the barn. Dawson will use the dirtbike to lure the creature in and we'll lock it inside and torch it. Any time it tries to escape, shoot it."

"That seems like a very irresponsible way to handle one werewolf." Irons scoffed.

It took all of Integra's will to not roll her eyes, "The bigger the beast the more silver rounds it can soak up. Fire is a far more effective tool when you don't have a super powered vampire to rip it apart."

"So, we're just going to drop a burning barn on its head, huh?"

Integra tilted her head slightly as she regarded Kelly, "Something like that." There was more to her plan, but she was keeping that to herself. If she survived it her butler and vampire were going to kill her.

It didn't take the soldiers long to carry out her orders. Irons still looked like he doubted her and Penwood looked like he was ready to yank her up and run for the hills. Dawson was unloading the dirtbike when a deep howl came from the nearby forest, rattling their bones. Penwood let out a frightful whimper. Even Irons' stern face cracked a little.

Integra chuckled, "It's quite a bit different when you're in the middle of it, isn't it?"

"How are you going to keep that monster in the barn long enough for the fire to build up?" Irons asks.

Integra picked up one of the assault rifles and checked the clip, then grabbed a couple more to stash in her belt, "With bait."

"B-bait?" Penwood stammered.

"This is outrageous! You can't face off against that beast!"

Integra smirked at Irons then made her way toward the barn, "The fire is just to keep it contained. Men, get ready to barricade that door!"

The barn had been cleared to give Dawson room to ride straight through and unknowingly to give her room to outmaneuver the beast. As the sound of the bike and monster drew closer, doubt began to creep in. She pushed it aside and climbed up to the loft, readying her rifle. She had to shut them up once and for all. Walter and Alucard were all she had and she couldn't lose them. She took a steadying breath as the roar of the bike drew closer.

Integra opened fire as soon as the beast cleared the door. The shriek of pain was deafening and almost had her clamping her hands over her ears before the glare of flares being shoved through the gaps in the barn ignited the stacks of hay lining the walls, drawing her focus back to the task at hand. Within a moment the old barn was engulfed in flames, sending the werewolf into a panicked frenzy. Integra kept her shots limited to the monster's arms in an attempt to disable it, but it wasn't slowing as it thrashed at the flames. Doubt reared its head again then massive clawed hands tore the boards out from under her, dropping her into the inferno below.

She could hear the shouts of the soldiers and Penwood desperately calling her name as she dodged those deadly claws until the handle of a pitchfork caused her to stumble. She grit her teeth as cloth and skin were split open and the force of the blow sends her crashing into a burning support beam. Her rifle clattered into the fire and she scrambles to her feet as the monster closed in. The door burst open and Integra spared a quick glance at Kelly leveling his rifle at the werewolf before she drew her saber in a deadly arch.

The soldiers cheered as they gathered around the young woman with her gruesome prize in her hand. Integra tossed the werewolf's head at Islands feet then turned to Kelly.

"Let's go home."

Kelly looked at the bleeding claw marks stretching from her hip halfway to her ribs, "No ma'am, you're going to the hospital. I bring you back looking like that Walter will put me in my grave!"

Integra sighed but let her Lieutenant lead her to the hummer since she knew the adrenaline was the only thing keeping her on her feet and he wasn't wrong about Walter.

Walter glanced at the clock for what was probably the thousandth time that night then continued his pacing while the resident vampire sat calmly drumming his fingertips against the chair arm.

"Are you sure you can't reach her?" Walter finally asked.

Alucard sighed and slumped back in the chair, "I've been trying all night, but she has me locked out."

The fact she was keeping Alucard out of her mind should have been some reassurance that the young Hellsing was well, but it did nothing to soothe his nerves, "This is ridiculous! Arthur wasn't put through this still he was nearly twenty-two!"

Alucard grinned, "Did I not say the same thing the other day?"

"Oh shut up, you git!"

The phone ringing silenced both men as Walter rushed to pick it up, "Hellsing Residence….she what?! Is she alright, where is she? Alright….yes, we'll be there soon." He hung up the phone and sighed, "She took on a werewolf alone. She's alright, a few minor burns and needed some stitches. Let's go."

Walter wasn't surprised to find Sir Islands outside the hospital room and caught Alucard's arm when the vampire growled, "For Integra's sake stay civil. She's gone through too much for either of us to ruin this."

The vampire fell silent and marched past the elderly man into Integra's room, leaving Walter to deal with Islands. Islands turns his sharp gaze on the butler.

"She's far too lenient with that monster."

Walter chuckled, "I worried about the same thing at first, but with Integra he's…different. She really brings out the best in him." Walter watched through the half open door as Alucard settled on the side of the bed, "She's not blind to what he is and to be completely honest she's crazier than he is!"

Islands smirked a little, "So I'm beginning to see."

Integra lay still as her vampire lifted up the flimsy hospital gown to look at the stitched up claw marks. He looked like he couldn't decide if he was angry or worried, "I'm alright, no bites."

"It was a foolish risk." He snarled.

"I know, but it was one I had to take."

Before Alucard could argue with her, Islands stepped into the room.

"Walter has gone to sign your release papers. Care for her well, vampire."

Alucard nodded then removed his coat as Integra carefully slid out of the bed. He helped her pull the coat on then gently picked her up and walked out of the room. There was so much he wanted to say to the elderly knight, but for his master's sake he'd hold his tongue. For now.