AN: This might turn out to be a joyous parody, or a semi-serious attempt at explaining the oddly enigmatic relationship between Integra and Alucard. Somewhere between AxI and insanity. Manga and anime blend with a little bit of Dracula. The actual idea was done by someone first on , but they never got past the first chapter and so I decided to explore a bit. .MOOHAHAH thanks to Thess for pointing out grammar errors and places I might have gone astray. .

“You have nothing -Count- your lands are gone, your servants destroyed. You have -nothing- you are -nothing. .” Hellsing’s voice rang out clear and biting in the first lights of twilight. They had raced the sun and won, yet lost. Quincy lay dead. John Quincy Morris. The Texan. The other. In the end he had put down the great dragon. The red count. A great knight with his Bowie knife-lance. The stake through the heart had been overkill. Or would have been had the count died.

A bitter laugh, “Everything but my life, Hellsing.” And it was true, by some twist of fate or odd exemption of age, the vampire hadn’t died through any of this. The stake should have been a killer, how the vampire had survived that, well…

“Even death rejects you, vampire. . .but death is too good for you. Death is too easy for you. Atonement. That will be the order of the day. . .” Hellsing’s amused, echoing voice called out. Joy in sorrow, sorrow in joy. They had won, but at a cost. A cost the vampire would repay.

She often asked herself why he did it. Certainly, there were reasons why he shouldn’t have. A multitude. A plethora of them. Freedom for one, something she knew he had fought for before. Fought for, imprisoned for. Ironic that freedom was what he desired and got deeper and deeper into imprisonment instead.

Though the question irked her. Why? He seemed to, at times, hold some strange regard for her. But that was to be expected. From what she gathered, what Walter had let slip she was a kinder master than he had ever had. And he respected her more than to rebel. She was strong. He appreciated strength. She was determined. He appreciated those ready to die for their cause. But she was his master. And above all else, it seemed he enjoyed killing, the ability to, the means of. Which were restricted.

Then why the devil did he save her after every time her life had come into peril? Freedom just a knife stab away, the touch of fangs, the ghouling of the master and he would have no longer been a servant but the no life king once more.

He knew her thoughts and had to admit a certain disappointment, but also an endlessly deviant glee at being the revealer. The bringer of darkness and also light upon her lonely little world. Oh, she would never guess, could never in a thousand years determine what he knew. What was kept from her in that misbegotten youth that held no explanation or even mention of him. Really, it was stupid on Lionel’s part. But mores the pity. And mores the fun for him at her reaction. There would likely be a struggle at first, a hint of resistance, but in the end, he would win. Why? That word of hers he so loathed and accepted. Duty.

A dark chuckle to himself, a sinister sound like a silk wrapped blade, smooth to the touch but press to hard and it drew blood. Not now. Not now. But soon. Phantom fingers, his from the inner reaches of the abyss brushed over the spill of platinum hair running down the back of her neck, resting between her shoulders.

Integra’s spine shuddered, feeling as though some ghost had entered the room and run ephemeral fingers through her hair. A glance over her shoulder. A sneer to herself and another cigar. Hellsing was not haunted, after all. A blessed place. A blessed ground. Sanctified. But not haunted.

After a moment of pause, she collected herself and stood, turning towards the door and stopping as the darkness moved towards her, flowing and shifting to his shape. God she hated that hat. What was the purpose of that Victorian garb? To set him apart further? As if one with marble skin and coal red eyes, fangs like a hunting cat and a half maddening smile could ever be mistaken for human.

“Integra.” That wicked tone, sinfully tempting, knowing and enjoying his own damnation. He’d wanted her to go to him, seek him out and beg. Foolish thoughts. He knew, but wanted, and what crime was wanting when in the end everything would finish the same? So now was the time, the place and he would tell her with sinister glee. Watch the horror spark anger in the depths of frigid eyes. Dry ice burned, you know. Then the eventual acceptance. Duty. He couldn’t help but smirk, a half curling of his upper lip, laying bare a single shining fang, carving knife sharp.

“Is there something you needed?” A low tone, neither weak nor weary but private and authoritative in the hollow darkness of her office. Funny that her servant and steward were the only company she didn’t mind. Looked forward to at times. A lonely existence. Did vampires ever feel alone, she wondered. But they were alone together, and perhaps it wasn’t so bad. Though dark rooms, the shiver of muscles in her spine at the deviance in his voice brought on strange thoughts.

“In all these years you never wondered how your grandfather managed to seal me,” A tease of a statement. He would wait for her to ask for more and she would wonder if he would actually give some of the precious information he hoarded. Of course she could order him, but that wasn’t part of the game. Did he think of it as a game? Likely. A hunt for modicums of power, knowledge was power in this Organization, after all.

And she did wonder now. Never before. God was with Abraham Van Hellsing. That was how he had succeeded. God and Her majesty, the Queen of the time. A God and a Queen, what more power did one need? “Would you really give up some of your secrets, Alucard?” A question, that would throw him off. She inclined her head towards the door and stared towards it. A silent invitation if he would take it. Half expecting him to laugh and disappear, heavy footsteps echoed beside her and the solid door swung open. “Chivalry?” A platinum eyebrow arched.

A fuller smirk, bella morte in the hunger of his smile. “A gesture.” A gesture and a secret, Alucard was in a mood tonight. Though perhaps it would be in her favor. Integra hesitated in that line of thought, was it ever in her advantage when the vampire was in a mood?

“Of servitude?” A taunt on her part, she couldn’t help it. There was something he would get out of this, some reaction he wanted from her. There were moments of peaceful understanding but those were rare, he was a vampire after all and peaceful wasn’t a word associated with his kind. From her experience, of course.

That deep chuckle, a rich low growl of a sound that moved things low in her stomach. “Never one of respect?” His return of her taunt. She saw his game. If not of respect, then in her opinion she was not worthy of it. Clever devil. Her father had warned her, human cunning. Though even when he shed blood there was something not foreign of him. Her monster. Her hound. Familiarity.

“Respect, a gesture and information. You are in an odd mood tonight.” A comment as she moved through the door, vampire following. No fear in giving him her back, no tingle as if expecting a knife. Funny that a vampire would be one of the two she trusted most. A vampire and a geriatric. Nearly a comedy in the making.

They were a matched set, master and servant. Her height surpassed only by his freakish stature, pale and tan. Shadow and sun. Fire and Ice. Companionable silence met with startled and wondering looks from staff and soldier alike as the two moved through the darkened halls of Hellsing. The first floor, through that and behind a small garden still kept by Walter, started by her mother years ago.

The moon was full, swollen and bright. Stars out in full force, shockingly visible without the lights of the city to dim them. Jupiter looked nearer than usual to the moon. Silent steps now on his part, the soft thudding of soles of her shoes against a roughly paved path. Fresh air, in the office that day she had forgotten that smell.

“You were saying?” She prompted, voice blasé. No curiosity on her part, but there was. If she showed it he would play with a buildup, wait and taunt until she demanded. Not tonight, she was sly tonight, crafty and cunning as any monster she held in servitude.

Ah the game, he wouldn’t hold out for long. The end would be too delicious though the sweet pain of knowing his words were there, her reaction was there, almost within reach was pleasant torture. Though he waited a moment until her pulse raised ever so slightly in anger, in rash want with a demand nearly on her lips.

“The documents of your family are incomplete, are they not?” His eyes on the constellations, never changing, old companions. He knew them from a time when they shone dimmer and he looked upon them with mortal eyes, dark brown, nearly black. When on a cold night his frozen princess lay broken beneath them and victory had eventually been his.

“I would expect so. My uncle had ample opportunity to destroy them, after all. What does that have to do with your-” She paused, it had everything to do with that of course. And Richard would have had nothing to do with documents about the seals. He didn’t know of Alucard in the basement. The hellhound of Hellsing hidden away, sealed away with much of Lionel’s life force and blood. “And you have them?” A scarlet strike of lightening quick anger, “Is this some entertainment for you? What do you get out of this. Answer me.”

The demand roused his blood, the heat of her warmth flushing to her face fueling a sinister smile. How the devil must look to the unwitting. “Your father and grandfather knew I held it. Have always known. Lionel never told you of me. . . There was a reason why.” Lionel, of course, had meant to seal away Alucard forever. You can’t destroy a true immortal and thus there was nothing left but imprisonment. But there was something to be said for the former Hellsing’s priorities if he would rather his daughter live through the monster than die in any invasion of Hellsing. How she knew to find him in the first place.

“Because you were a danger,” She retorted too quickly. Though she didn’t know why he had been locked away, sealed up. He knew. He was taunting her with the knowledge, knowing she wanted it. Would he make her beg? She wouldn’t. She would order him.

“Am I a danger?” A dark taunt. Oh but he hadn’t been a danger to her. Had served Integra Hellsing with all the loyalty a creature of his nature could be expected. Saved her life, served her organization, followed her orders. Even if he took his time to play with the prey of his hunts. All for good reason. All in good time. Now was the time.

She thought on his question and knew the answer. The answer went against what she had been taught, but she was honest. God appreciated honesty. Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor. “If you were not bound.”

“But I am. And do you think my servitude was completely involuntary?” It did scream against everything a vampire stood for. But there was an explanation. There always was. This night was surreal to her, icy irises turning up to meet ember ones. A question. Unspoken of course, she would not ask. From her peripheral vision she saw one of his gloved hands slip into that hideous frock coat. His guns were sheathed there, but she had no fear. He would never betray her. A queer sense of peace. Moments later he offered something to her and Integra had to take a moment to realize it.

“Read it. . .” A quite obvious near order on his part, of course she would read it. A thick envelope, sealed with her father’s crest and yellowed with age. A single gloved finger slid into the flap and broke the very old wax of the seal. He still hadn’t left. That’s how she knew it was bad. The bastard wanted to taste her reaction. A single sheaf of newer looking paper bound ancient documents in thick black calligraphy. A sinking feel of dread at his smile, glittering in the moonlight.

“Such a nice night. . .” His voice echoed as the walls of triumph closed in.

“It’s no use. His resistance is overpowering our efforts,” Jonathan Harker, ever a defeatist stated, leaning against one crumbling wall of Hunedora, overlooking the Borgo Pass. His gaze fell in hostility to the vampire bound and staked in the center of the blood-inked seal.

“God is with us, Mr. Harker,” Abraham replied in a grimly determined voice, standing at the head of the pentagram. Though even he had to admit this was becoming less and less a good idea. The sun had almost set and the vampire did nothing but grow stronger, even with the stake through his chest. Perhaps it would have worked if Quincy were still alive to complete the fifth side of the seal.

“Well, well, Hellsing. It would seem your little tea party is failing in their plan. My power is too great to be sealed by the likes of you. Even with all the strength of your God. . .you can’t kill me, and there will be no atonement,” A maddeningly derisive laugh, full of deviant glee.

Ask and ye shall receive, Abraham repeated to himself. Then paused. “Vampire. Were I to seal you into servitude, it would not be without merit to yourself. There are other nosferatu, more powerful than your pittance of ability. You were caught by humans.”

“Is that an offer, Hellsing? Are you trying to tempt me?” For some reason he found that ridiculously amusing. Ah but he had a point. The defeat at the hands of mere mortals. But how much power could these pathetic creatures give him?

“Science, demon. Through the power of science you would become not just a vampire, but a no life king. . .” A hushed silence fell in the Pass. Harker -strongly- objected, but wouldn’t voice his opinion. Abraham knew what he was doing. It was his science that defeated the creature. He only prayed the old man hadn’t gone completely around the bend.

A moment of consideration. But it wasn’t enough. Trading freedom for the promise of a power that this Hellsing hadn’t even shown him yet? In truth, it had been shown. He was at Hellsing’s mercy now, in some ways, at least. Hn. But power wasn’t all he would connive out of this deal, he wanted something to make up for. . .

“The power and you will recompense me for the brides you destroyed, Hellsing,” His servants, his brides. Hellsing had destroyed them and Dracula wanted them replaced, though not just anyone would do.

“God detests a polygamist,” Abraham sneered, he would not contribute to the decadent deviance of the vampire. Though it seemed he was weakening to the idea of servitude. “One. I will allow you to replace one of the brides and she too will serve Hellsing.”

Servitude. He was accepting servitude. Was there no other choice? He lay disabled, half-starved and weak from the holy power of Hellsing. But he would have his vengeance for this. “And she will be the first born daughter of Hellsing.” A cruel smile curved his lips, red irises glowing with maddening laughter.

Hellsing’s expression dropped. No. No. He would not allow that. Never- and then an idea. Through God’s grace he would bind this foul creature. Through God’s grace he would subdue the beast. And through God’s grace the Hellsing line would be all male. All devoted to God and the cause. “You are a monster, count.” Then a hint of a triumphant smile, “But you have a deal.”

And so he accepted the seal, his psyche, his power, his freedom chained to that man. Searing lines of pain binding him to the noble house. Sealing away his power and his will to every word.

Dearest Integra-

If you are reading this, then I have failed you. The pages of your great grandfather’s journal should explain your unfortunate fate, but read my words now, Integra and please do not despair for God is with you and always will be. Your great grandfather and his second wife prayed for God’s grace in the gender of their child. Their faithful service and dedication to our Lord granted them a male child. As it did your grandfather, my father. Arthur’s wife was a devout Christian and aided hi in following the tenets set down by the Lord our God.

I am sorry for it is I that failed you. Your mother, God rest her soul, never truly converted to Christianity. Never accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior. I knew this, it was my sin. On the day we were to marry, I sealed away the beast. It was then I started to fall ill. Through my denial of the sacred promise your great grandfather made with the demon, my life began to weaken as I poured it into the seals in effort to save you. But I couldn’t.

Please do not despair in this, your greatest hour of need, my daughter. The vampire must still obey your commands that deal with the running of Hellsing. It is a petty comfort I try to offer, I know. This is why your mother took her own life. She could not go on living knowing what your fate was to be. I held on as long as I could, kept you from the knowledge of him.

Hubris to think we could outwit the devil and never pay. My only hope is that the shreds of sanity he has gained remain and that God will grace him with a conscious and morality. Though I fear it is not so. Remember, Integra, that we must all make personal sacrifices for our duty, our God, our country. Mine is to burn in the fires of hell for this sin, committing you to the monster. I only hope you have been made strong enough through God and the love of your mother and myself to handle your fate.

Love,

Lionel A. Hellsing HMKR

The letter, the old journal pages frail and yellow with age were shaking in her hand. No doubt moved by some unknown breeze because a Hellsing hands would never tremble. And that bastard’s gaze was heavy as a hand against her, eyes burning past her flesh and into what lay inside. Fingers clenched around the papers but she couldn’t bring herself to rip them, tear them, rend them from existence by her mortal hands. They were the words of her ancestors, echoes of the past, and they sealed her future.

What was his game? Why now? Why tell her now? In his eyes she would have been of age years ago, and that would be a waste of time in his view, would it not? So lost in her thoughts Integra was that when she flicked a cautious glance at the vampire, he was no longer there. But his presence lingered.

Cold hands closed around her upper arms, the brush of his coat against the backs of her calves. Ice eyes narrowed, action and anger contained within, waiting to explode if he tried anything. “Do you want the answer to that, Integra?”

Her jaw clenched, forced to swallow back anger, she had to stay calm, there was a way out of this, there always was. She froze when something cold hovered near her ear, a cool brush of words and flesh against her warm skin, stirring platinum silk, “Do you really want to know why?”

It was like punching a marble statue, she marveled, glad of the pain in her knuckles that meant they weren’t broken. His grip wasn’t tight and had been easy to break, the taunt in those eyes as they watched her over the rims of tinted sunglasses far too much enticement for the blow of her fist to his jaw. Just to wipe that smirk off his face was worth it, she told herself.

Past anger, long into rage, that and exertion pushed air from her lungs until she was gasping it back, fists still clenched at her sides, one stinging and warm as blood soaked into white gloves. The other held the journals. Blood and history, blood and duty. Duty in her blood. How was that just?

The smirk remained, stronger, deeper, showing fangs. One smeared crimson. His triangular tongue flicked across it. Licking. Her blood. Licking her blood. She knew from the way his eyes burned at her. Hell’s fires were never as hot. “You’ve had your fun, but I am still the master here. And I will never serve a vampire.” As long as she held his seals he couldn’t touch her. Couldn’t. . .well she almost gagged at that thought, she knew who he was, what he was and what she was to replace. And she refused. The seals weakened a bit, not much, but even that slight tremor was a staggering blow to her.

“When you break the ancient bargain your great grandfather made with me, the seals are released and you no longer control my power,” He explained with a knowing tone to his voice. A dark knowledge and a rush of freedom. Almost intoxicating. “Think very carefully on your answer, Integra. What do you value more, yourself or the honor of Hellsing? Your uncle nearly killed you for his own personal gain, what a role to follow in. . .” A low dark laugh. He thoroughly enjoyed her reaction, the anger tinged with fear and hatred and just a touch of despair. But something else. Something so human she couldn’t squelch it all, no matter how powerful her will. Curiosity. That same curiosity of late sleepless nights when the mysteries of the world seem closer to solving. Him. Herself. It was all to his benefit in the end.

“I’ll kill myself first,” a quick answer, though not lacking in conviction. The sticky blood of her knuckles was squishing in her glove, the gashes that no doubt lay beneath the cloth throbbed with pain and ached more with every brush of glove to flesh.

“You would be just as damned and I would be just as free. Imagine it, London as my playground, everything you have ever sacrificed for brought down in a day,” a sinister tone to that low rolling timbre, he would do it, that voice said. And enjoy the destruction.

He was right, of course. But she wouldn’t resign herself to his servitude. She had been in panic inducing situations before but never concerning something so personal. Her thoughts were fleeing her mind like mice from a cage. She tried to grasp then, tried to order them but it was impossible. Father, how could you? Was all she could manage to think.

Alucard wasn’t a completely cruel beast, but he saw his advantage and pressed it, “Think, Integra. Humans made FREAK vampires and there is no purpose for them. But it was your God who made rise true nosferatu. There is a purpose to them, and though I and those of my ilk are damned, could you say the same for the police girl?”

She opened her mouth to answer. Yes? No? Maybe? Once she would have said yes outright. But now. Watching the struggle for humanity, the victory against Alucard’s pressures in Victoria had given Integra a kind of relief. Though to what end she didn’t know. “I need time to think on this. To -” She paused, “I need to speak to Walter.”

The precipice, he could nearly taste her line of thinking. With her there would never be resignation, never be servitude, but even he would admit that while human companionship was fleeting, a handful of years, then gone, a worthy human was also hard to find. So the pressure desisted for now.

“Yes, Integra,” his body fell to shadows, the glow of red eyes unshaded by tinted sunglasses the last thing in her vision, then that too blinked out and she was left alone. Walter. She had to find Walter. The whole business had a Kafka-esque feeling, like at any moment Integra would wake up and realize she had fallen asleep watching Masterpiece Theater or the like.

He was in the kitchen preparing Sir Integra’s evening tea, as he was sure she had no intention of sleeping that night, at least not for a while. The elder steward did worry after his Mistress’ health, Integra tended to burn herself at both ends, working late into the night, and waking even earlier in the morning. She didn’t eat well and had far too much stress for someone of her age. Though he knew she took everything on with an odd joyous masochism, it was her duty and she would not give up her power for anything.

Something, however, was amiss tonight. He could tell. Lord Alucard hadn’t been in his usual spot, lounging in his chair, when Walter delivered blood to both him and Miss Victoria. And some of the staff was whispering among themselves about Integra and the vampire walking in the small garden out back together. Most suspicious indeed.

Footsteps were hurrying around outside the door in the wake of one authoritative step, Integra, it seemed, was coming to him. And clearing the staff out of the way. The walk there had cleared her of her other emotions, the feel of desperation, of resigned helplessness in the face of past agreements between her ancestors. With each reassuring step towards Walter, Integra had worked herself into a false sort of calm. She was in control of the situation, was she not? Master. If she didn’t want this to happen it wouldn’t. A thin veil over the pit of chaos that was forming with each tenuous hold she lost as the seal weakened.

With a steady hand, she opened the door and stepped into the kitchen. Walter was there, alone. And looking at her in concern. Shutting the door soundly behind her, Integra threw the lock and turned to face him.

“Integra,” his voice warm to her, but filled with tenuous concern, “I was just about to bring you your tea.” He gestured to the tray and added the final pot of hot water to it. Removing the tray from the counter, he set it on a small island in the center of the kitchen for her. “You will be taking it here, I assume?”

For a moment she didn’t answer, collecting her voice, making sure it would not crack or waver. This had to be a situation in which there was complete calm, complete control. That tenuous veil covered the abyss once more and she replied, “Yes, and I needed to- to talk to you Walter.”

That brief hesitation in her voice spoke volumes. “Is there something wrong, Integra?” Concern, and a bit of worry for her in his tone. Walter had no idea what she would want to speak to him of, though knew Integra saw him as a father figure. And he was more than willing to listen to her, to try and ease whatever he could though he knew most of the troubles in her single duty were hers and hers alone to shoulder.

Her answer wasn’t in words, but in a fist full of ancient looking papers wrapped in a letter from her father. Accepting them, his brow furrowed, light catching on his monocle as the steward’s head lowered to look over the papers in his hand. “Read them.” Her voice sounded, filled with authority, yet some bit of hesitation that pulled at his heart. But this might explain her situation, so he set to it. Line by line of text he could feel his heart rate increase, mind set to turning. No wonder Lionel sought to seal away Alucard. A bit of a rage welled in those old bones, how could Abraham have been so stupid. Faith in God was one thing, but gender had nothing to do with God’s grace but the workings of genetics. It was only logical a girl would have come about at some point.

Integra. He looked up to her, though knew he could give no comfort. But it seemed to explain a multitude of things, as many as there were new questions raised by this, development. “Did you know about this?” Her voice was cold, demanding, but in the fire of ice blue eyes also burned an uncertainty. She was readying herself for the worst. If he had known and not told her it would be a betrayal of the highest kind.

Folding the papers back up carefully he offered them to her, eyes directly on Integra‘s, “I did not.” There wasn’t anything else he could think to say. She wasn’t one to accept pity and Walter wasn’t about to insult her with his. A binding agreement between her ancestors and the vampire. Integra wasn’t even thought of as a person by Abraham, he had been so sure she would never exist. The fool. How could he?

“Walter I have to admit I’m at an impasse, I just don’t know any way out of this. . .” The veil was lifted again and she could see the yawning pit of her future. Belonging to that creature she controlled. Whom had plotted this behind her back, waiting and lurking. Though that nagging question, “Why do you think he took so long to spring his trap on me?” She asked him, because no one else had as much insight into the vampire. Though Walter’s wasn’t exactly expansive, it was more and more clear than any other person’s.

He paused, considering it. “Perhaps he was waiting for something. Your age or the like. I’m afraid that his reasons will always remain his own. Unless of course you ask and he answers.” A wry look exchanged between the two of them, neither thought Alucard would give intelligible answers, that is if he even bothered to answer.

“I don’t want to be his key to vengeance against my family. I won’t. But I just can’t find a solution to this- this problem.” A problem, that’s all it was. But she knew better. And with a frown gave up the illusion. “More than a problem. He owns me. My great grandfather’s deal with him has taken away any of my choice. And we both know that Alucard won’t give it back.”

With a steady hand he poured her tea, offering her the cup, which Integra took as she sat down at a barstool on one side of the small island. As she sipped, Walter sat down on the other side and sifted through her words. “I don’t think vengeance is what he seeks, Integra. The thirst for that was quenched when part of his end of the deal was fulfilled. His powers. Though it’s true from the letters and journal that your fate had been decided long before you were thought of being born. And if the seals are tied to this, I don’t see any recourse that won’t end unfavorably. Were you to. . .fulfill your end of the deal, the seals would remain in tact and you would still be his master. However, to maintain your personal freedom you would have to give up his power backing Hellsing.”

The unspoken threat of that was, every supernatural creature and it’s allies would be after Hellsing then. Knowing that Alucard was gone from it. Not to mention the Vatican’s gloating. She held no illusions of grandeur, Alucard was Hellsing’s most powerful weapon and without control over him her troops would be slaughtered. The tea warmed her, though gripping the cup strained the drying blood and wounds on her knuckles.

“Integra, your hand,” Walter began to rise but Integra waved him to sit back down. He did so, but wondered how she had injured herself, figuring her fist had met her desk and the desk had finally fought back.

“Yes, it hurts but it’s not my concern right now. Damnable vampire, I doubt I even bruised him.” He was no doubt off smirking somewhere at her momentary burst of physical violence. Gloating. It set her teeth on edge.

Walter gave a chuckle to accompany the sly smile of his, “Yes, it is difficult to injure him, though he no doubt deserved it.” Though he undoubtedly deserved it. Integra half smirked at his laugh, but still considered his words. She wouldn’t give up the power of her control over his power. Refused. Which didn’t leave her with many options. Seeing her sober, Walter’s tone softened, “Integra, you know what he will want of you.”

As she inclined his head in silent answer to his question, Walter saw the expression melting her face that very few ever did. He could only describe it as wistful. As though there were something she knew of that she were not getting but wanted in an innate way.

“It wouldn’t be any more than what would be expected of me were I to marry. Though at least I would maintain my control over him and he could not try to subvert my authority,” She replied, feeling a headache form between her eyes. Not that Alucard had tried to subvert her authority. Ever. She frowned. Only a few instances of rebellion had he shown her, though rather harmless in the grand scheme of things.

She seemed to be handling a very desperate situation, at least in Walter’s opinion very well. “Remember he is no human.”

Anger flashed through her eyes, “I know that. Better than anyone. But I am trying to sort this out as best I can.” His low chuckle caught her off guard, was he laughing at her? Integra sneered, about to respond scathingly at his laughing in such a dire situation for her, but he spoke first.

“Integra, I don’t mean any disrespect, but you should consider him different than human in other regards.” He hesitated, this was like speaking to a daughter and some issues, while she might want his opinion on, were better left unshared. “During the war, he took a different form. A female looking form.” A platinum eyebrow arched and dread filled the pit of her stomach. This was her father figure, she didn’t want to know. But luckily Walter was scant with details, “Vampires appreciate violence more than humans, in nearly all matters. And it is the bite to them that is their means of er-” he coughed, “Penetration.”

At the last word both eyebrows shot up and the two remained in suitably embarrassed silence for a moment. Integra took a last sip of her tea and set the cup down lightly back into the saucer. “God won’t abandon me in this. The greater honor, the greater good is worth a small sacrifice of my own personal dignity. Though I will have to explain this to the Queen. And this will put an odd situation on my eventual need for an heir.”

Walter merely inclined his head to her and watched Integra stand, no need to tell her that a human and a vampire were capable of reproducing. He was sure the vampire would enjoy revealing that to her. And Walter wondered if that was a good thing. Though his Mistress was already unlocking the door, though paused before exiting.

“I. . .do appreciate this Walter, thank you,” a softer tone, a small smile. It warmed him to see her like that, not so weighed down. But that wistful look still stole her eyes from being calmer or ever at peace.

“You are welcome, Integra,” Was his kindly reply, and with that she exited. Shutting the door behind her. Walter noticed Integra had left the tea sandwiches and biscuits alone, drinking only a cup of tea. Well, he supposed under the circumstances he couldn’t expect her to eat. Integra meanwhile, started towards her office. Must inform the Queen, she wondered what Her Majesty would have to say about this.

This call filled her with cold dread. To have Her Royal Majesty think that Integra’s family had failed, had lost honor. That would be the shame possible. Gloved fingers tightened around the receiver of the phone and she lifted it. Her other finger fell to press the direct line to Buckingham Palace. After a moment of buzzing, her Majesty picked up the phone of the other end. She was a night owl, much like Integra, though actually tended to sleep.

“Sir Hellsing, has something happened?” The Queen’s voice, a bit surprised at the late call. It wasn’t as if they were social and the city seemed very quiet this evening. Integra frowned, trying to decide how to word what she had to say.

“Your Majesty, recent documents have just come to my attention about. . .the future of Hellsing.” She paused, how to put the particulars, “It seems that in exchange for Alucard’s servitude to Hellsing, my great grandfather increased his power, but also gave me to him.” Best to be blunt.

There was a great pause on the other end, and a sound. Had she not known better, Integra would have thought the Queen was sniggering. “Sir Hellsing, that does sound like a situation indeed. . .” her voice sobered quickly however, “Will this interfere with your ability to control his power and command him?” There was a resounding authority to her voice, and a two-way question. Were Integra not able to control him, then the vampire would basically be in charge of the Hellsing Organization.

“No, Your Majesty. As long as I . . .agree to uphold this bargain my great grandfather made, the seals will remain in tact and I will continue to be his Master,” her voice held her same low tone, her own authority, though a bit of humbleness towards the Queen.

“I see,” that amused and pleasant tone had returned to Her Majesty’s voice, “Did I ever tell you I knew your Alucard? During World War II, he came a few times with your grandfather Sir Arthur to Buckingham Palace. And visited me a few times on his own. The last time I saw him was the day I married Phillip. . .” A fond tone moved through her voice, one that gave Integra pause.

“There are some things, Sir Hellsing, that one must sacrifice of themselves for the betterment of all. Do know that I sympathize with your lack of choice in the matter, but really, it could be far worse. Did you want to marry one of the Neanderthal sons of Round Table knights? I mean no disrespect on their part, but women are capable of holding positions of authority,” a conspiratorial tone to her voice, almost a wink and nudge between girls. She knew of things such as sacrifice and duty, Alucard had made an offer to her once that she nearly excepted save for her duty to England and her parents to marry Phillip. But that was long in the past, another story.

Integra was more than a bit shocked. The Queen was speaking to her almost informally, something that never occurred between the two of them. “Yes, Your Majesty.” An automatic reply, though she didn’t know what she was answering for. Had been lost to the Queen’s words. Her majesty held an almost fondness for the vampire. Was there something she was missing? “And no, I didn’t realize you knew him, though I shouldn’t be surprised. And- thank you.”

“This should, however, be something kept between very few people. Contractual obligations between your family and others don’t need to be given to the Knights of the Round for approval after all. Now, it is getting late and I suggest you seek rest, Sir Hellsing.” Her voice was still amused, though weary, she was getting on in her years. A faint smile curved the Queen’s lips, it had been a while since she had thought of the vampire.

“I understand, Your Highness,” Integra replied, the Knights of the Round would most definitely have a problem with her being willed to an undead. But yes, what they didn’t know wouldn’t kill them. Most likely it would keep them safe for if they called in any way to take Hellsing away from the Hellsing, she doubted they would meet a happy end with Alucard’s tendency towards over protectiveness.

“Sir Hellsing,” Queen Elisabeth’s voice was stern, “I would tell you just to close your eyes and think of England, but I’m afraid you would take that advice to heart. Good evening.” A final chuckle at her own wit and then the phone hung up on her end and the Queen allowed herself a faint smile as she remembered a time long ago in her youth.

She let the buzz of the other end of the phone ring through her skull for a moment. I hope that was a joke on her part, Integra thought of the Queen’s last comment. Then finally, hung up the phone. It was time to face Alucard again.

The old Angel of Death moved silently through the halls of Hellsing to the set of stairs leading to the basement. A sly smile turned up the corners of his mouth, but just then it wasn’t too pleasant. His young Mistress, the girl he thought of as a daughter, protected, served and helped all those years, he had found out was to be given to the vampire who served her.

At first Walter had been surprised at the way the vampire served Integra, with almost nothing in the way of rebellions or plotting. And how Walter had watched him at first, not knowing why Alucard had been locked up in the first place and wary of any attempts at freedom he might pull. But time after time Lord Alucard saved Integra, served her. Now, he supposed, it all made sense.

The vampire had been biding his time until this. Vampires were cruel and calculating beasts, though he knew enough of Alucard to know it wasn’t just that. Something else existed between the two that gave him a bit of confidence that Integra would have him bowed through more than just the seals.

Footsteps echoed off the stairs, all the way down to the bottom. A hint of light at the end of the long stone hall and he could see Alucard lounging in his usual chair. Walter approached with no pretense of stealth. Nothing went on in the mansion that the vampire didn’t know about and the Angel of Death was sure that Alucard had been expecting him. The footsteps stopped as he barely entered the circle of light surrounding the vampire.

“Alucard. I believe you know why I’m here,” Walter’s sly old tone was more serious then usual, and he addressed him like he had back in Walter’s fighting days with no formality. And aside from a widening smirk Alucard gave no hint of hearing him. The smirk was enough, however, he had the vampire’s attention.

Walter moved around the throne of the No Life King, standing proverbially toe to toe with the vampire and looking not the least bit intimidated. “Sir Hellsing is like a daughter to me. And her newfound situation has recently come to my attention. While I find this decision tragic for her, as she was unable to make such a decision on her own, I also know your loyalty to her.”

The sound of cloth against cloth echoed in the silent space between words as the last ring of Walter’s voice died down. Alucard, it would seem, had straightened a bit. “Though your taunts to her, illusions and testing of the seals would speak of rebellion, I have seen your true rebellions. This is not one of them. She has won your respect, in my opinion, a predator’s mind in a mortal’s body. I suppose you did this on purpose, helped to mold what was already there into your perfect companion.”

An arrogant grin turned up the corners of undead lips now, so it had taken the loyal steward this long to figure out the game? Or perhaps he had always known and was expecting a seduction of his lady knight by her pet dragon.

A deep breath and his voice lowered, sly smile twitching up one corner of his mouth as leather gloves groaned in protest of hands folded behind his back, “It goes without saying, but if you harm her, betray her or bring one dark moment to Sir Hellsing’s life, I will personally test the bounds of your true immortality.” He had read Dracula, knew the history, knew the unspeakably dark acts that served to amuse Alucard. Things that he had never taunted Integra with. And never would if the butler had his way.

Not expecting a reply, neither wanting nor waiting for one, Walter turned in an about face and headed for the stairs. As he passed through the circle of light illuminating the long dead King on his throne of Hades, the vampire’s voice rose up and Walter’s shoes ceased their assault of the age-old stones on the basement floor. “And I would not want to test the . . .matured ability of the Angel of Death. .” Then a low chuckle.

Walter’s pace picked up and he chuckled to himself as he mounted the stairs. Neither a threat nor a compliment, but an amused utterance from the vampire. And in Walter’s opinion, a binding contract to their mutual Sir’s well being.

Her steps were slow as she left her own office, Integra’s hands relaxed at her sides as she moved through the hallowed halls of Hellsing. Apprehensive? Her? Since when had she ever met a challenge with anything but head of fortitude and endurance. Fists clenched, fingers curling in on each other, moving with her pace at her side.

Hn, she was still his Master. He would still follow her orders and sinking into self-doubt would do nothing but increase what little hold he held on her. Which, to be honest, he even held before this. Through the seals she was tied to him, after all, and had ever been the one she depended on when her own and human strength failed to destroy Hellsing’s threats.

Those footsteps increased in pace, moving brusquely, soles thudding authoritatively off the marble floors. She was Sir Integral Wingates Fairbrooks Hellsing. That would never change. That was something no one could take away from her and by God and all that was holy She Was The Master.

Her pace had taken her down towards the back exit that led out into the gardens and eventually the cemetery. Alucard was there. She knew unquestionably. Integra had been looking for him and the seal led her there. She moved like a dream through the gardens, her sight seeming to go into an extreme focus, like watching a movie of herself, as though nothing had been real until now. It was an odd sensation, like charging into battle against the enemy. Finding him after your hunt.

Moonlight was heavy out here, bright, stars now drowned out by the floodlights around the property, though not so noticeable in the garden and cemetery. Night blooming Jasmine flowered and she wondered when Walter planted that, odd compulsions he had sometimes. Though morbidly amusing in her opinion. Lifting her head, heavy soled boots carried her down the old path, past well-kept shrubs and some of those brightly colored flowers her mother had brought from India. Hn, Walter’s sentiments again, and this time well appreciated.

At the end of the path she saw him. Saw him watching her. Saw him watching her from the deep green grass on either side of the solitary walk leading to the cemetery. The irony was not lost upon her. Between the living garden and the peaceful rest of the dead, oh how dreadfully unfunny he was at times, though she saw his point. The pause in her steps ceased, a tiny half smirk pressing up one corner of her mouth. Integra couldn’t help it, wanted to drive that small twitch away but the expression was unrelenting.

His own face was one of hungry triumph, wolfish grin, quite appealing and yet disturbing both at once laying bare delicately curved canines that fairly glowed in the moonlight. Red eyes, like fresh heart blood glowed at her, unhidden now by those Victorian sunglasses. She stopped a good five feet before him. The vampire could bloody well move the rest of the way to her.

“Master. . .” From the tone of his voice, she knew he knew her decision. It was predatory and victorious all at once, though deep and dark, sandpaper edges. Every inch the predator he was, a rather appealing physical manifestation of darkness itself.

“Servant.” She addressed him coolly, authority in her voice, crisp and clear against the night. “You know my decision, I won’t play your games in that. But there are some ground rules.” Her feet were shoulder width apart, one hand on her hip, the other at her side, every inch the knight, pulled up to her full height, blonde hair tossed straight down her back, chin tilted, smirk arrogant.

Ah but he was enjoying this. Ever the dominant. Ever the alpha female. A hunting partner and yet one whom he himself could hunt and never catch. He hadn’t expected reluctant submission or refusal. He had known what she would do, and watching Integra play out his plans was ever the more exciting. Though there were some games she recognized and refused to play, it only served to liven up the main amusement.

“You have no authority over me in any way,” She continued, eyes never wavering from his, lecturing and setting down the rules. “Neither do you have the right to make demands of me. My great grandfather gave me to you but didn’t specify in what manner. Only that you would have me in replacement for his killing the brides, though never was it said that I was a replacement for your brides. So you will continue to do as I say and follow all of these rules or I will simply consider myself yours as one would consider a child owned of a parent. Is that perfectly and utterly understood?”

She was no victim. Which was grand, he disliked victims as anything other than meals. And the rules she set down, the forcefulness with which she spoke, he reveled in it. That wolf hungry grin widened, showing a mouthful of predatory teeth. Shadows played across his marbled skin, want kindling in his eyes, the color of hell’s flames and just as chaotic.

“Yes, Master,” his reply, ever obedient. Though he wanted nothing more to pin her to one of those graves, feel her struggle beneath him, fighting him. Thinking of any desperate way to get out. But he also wanted it to be willing. Quite an enigma, that.

“In private, between the two of us you may address me as Integra,” her voice as brusque as ever. As though this was another command and not an allowance of intimacy between two people.

“Yes, Integra. . .” the low roll to his voice on her name caught Integra’s breath for a split second. The heat in his voice, the way his natural growl sounded so primal. He was doing it on purpose. Wasn’t he?

“And for obvious reasons, knowledge of this will be confined to the two of us, Walter and Her Majesty. Officer Seras Victoria may know when I decide she is capable of not informing anyone else. Is that understood?” She asked, not expecting him to deny it. He wanted this too much, and that brought a larger smirk to her lips. Yet another measure of control she held over him. Perhaps this would be to her advantage after all.

“As you like, then. . .” Hn, what could he say against her, ah and now she was enjoying in the added power she held. Typical. And this was yet another thing she held over him, could be used against him. Though it wouldn’t always be to his disadvantage, obviously. A low chuckle.

“Good. I expect you to keep behaving. Now. You may approach.” Perhaps a little show to him, like tossing a dog a bone after he had behaved particularly well. Not that she would expect him to have been demanding, he would be enjoying the benefits, after all.

Alucard moved towards her, steps silent save for the swish of his coat. That heavy material brushed against her shins as he stopped in front of her, presence cool and completely not human. Deliberately she kept her eyes on his, ice to fire, as Integra’s hand moved up to that red ascot he wore. Dexterous, gloved fingers twisted into it, then exerted a bit of force pulling him down to her eyelevel. That frigid gaze dropped to his mouth, examining the smirk, the tips of fangs where they indented a full lower lip, a defined upper lip, arrogantly curved just now, pulled up into his smirk.

Were he to breathe, she would breathing in his breath. But he didn’t. She knew no heart beat, no chest rose and fell with the air of life. “I imagine you will taste of old blood and wine.” Her own voice was a whisper, husky with a feeling of curiosity, of want. Her words were not an insult, but a musing.

“And I imagine yours will taste of tobacco and tea,” He returned, voice still as low, though quieter now, and with a hint of laughter to his own private joke. She swallowed once before deliberately leaning in. Slow. She moved slow, though not from hesitation, her movements were self-assured, but out of careful inexperience.

Finally her vision blurred, and eyelids lowered, lashes brushing the glass held in place by wire frames. Though her eyes didn’t close all the way. Warm, living lips met the firm press of cold, dead ones. It was repulsive at first, a touch that made her skin crawl. But she didn’t pull away, knew it was simply a first reaction. The tip of her tongue traced over the join of his lips, upper and lower, finding his taste as she imagined, but not altogether unpleasant. Then her lips touched once more, more firmly, taking in his full lower lip between hers for a moment. She was unsure of how to continue and thus stopped in her effort.

Alucard was more than willing to step in, sliding one arm around her waist, pulling her closer as he straightened slightly and brought her firmly against him in effort to keep contact. The taste of her was as he expected, but the warmth an undeniably good advantage. Like a reptile to a heated rock, he sought her higher temperature. That gloved hand of his settled at the small of her back, a firm press and her tensing at his original pull of Integra against him subsided a bit and she no longer met his contact hesitatingly, but leaned against him.

His lips held her upper between them for a moment, tasting it, tongue running just the pointed tip over the outline of her upper lip. Then he shifted the kiss, moving his tongue to part her lips, and she allowed it, moving slowly, readjusting, upper to upper, lower to lower. His dexterous tongue slid to taste hers, and she almost pulled back at his cool touch, taste of old blood, but didn’t. Instead forced herself to remain in his arms.

A bit encouraged by that, Alucard tasted of her tongue, flicked the tip over the roof of her mouth, finding a few sensitive spots that increased the firmness with which she pressed against him. Integra, not one to lay idle, reciprocated the gesture, her own tongue shifting slowly forward to the entrance of his mouth against hers. Though she sought something else. Out of curiosity, she wrapped a tongue around one fang, stroking it, though careful not to cut herself.

Something of a low growl reverberated through his chest with that simple gesture and Integra did start to pull back, worried she had overstepped things. But his hand at her back wouldn’t allow her the movement, and her hand threaded through her tie became leverage. Alarm raised in her, would he bite now? Harm her? But she stopped as that growl continued, rusty sounding and not as threatening, almost like a purr. But rougher. More dangerous.

Once more she relaxed against him, sliding that hand at his ascot over a shoulder, to the back of his neck where her gloved fingers threaded through those inky black strands of his hair. His taste, the feel of dead lips was familiarizing themselves with her and she no longer attributed them to repulsion, but to a facet of her monster.

After a moment more, a couple of tastes and nips, she pulled away, leaving him to draw his lower lip out from between her teeth. Her own pupils were dilated, she could tell and found it oddly amusing that Alucard’s were as well, red mere circles of color around the drowning blackness of those pupils. Her hand slid reluctantly away from him, but his lingered for a moment on her hip.

Already she wondered at her body’s reluctance to leave his touch, her small disappointment when his hand finally fell from her waist. The tight throb of things lower in her stomach than she dared comment on.

He could smell her awakening arousal, feel his own and found himself unwanting to leave her heat as she was to leave his cold. But they were in public after all and just anyone could walk out and see them rutting if anything more were to happen.

After another moment, she had her voice to speak and he was satisfied that it was huskier than normal and hints of reluctance ran through it. “That was. . .satisfactory.” And she turned, leaving both him and herself wanting for now. Though there would be plenty of time to bring things further and she didn’t want to grow bored of him too soon. A mental chuckle to those thoughts, and of course, the state of her mortality would come into question. But that too was explanation best left for another tale.