Chapter 6: The Best is Left to Come

Author: MissAnnaValerious (or Melissa if you prefer)

Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the characters from the movie Van Helsing. This work is purely fictional.

Summary: After every battle, there comes the question of what happens now. Everyone has a different reaction but they all must be dealt with. Some must live with guilt, others must re-build their lives. But it doesn't matter what you do because you must go on, in some shape or form.

Rating: PG

Author's Notes: I took a bit to get this part of the story up. I guess my muse is failing me. As well, my brother is being a pain and hogging the computer. He's on for about 8 hours a day, which usually doesn't affect me except when he has to use my computer (it's not technically mine but everyone refers to it being mine).

Van Helsing nervously paced the foray of the Valerious manor, his head down except for when he checked the clock hanging on the wall. At first, it had just been a glance. An innocent enough glance, like one checking the time randomly, just to see what it actually is. But as the minutes had passed by, slowly and surely, even if it seemed to him that each minute took too long to complete, the small hand of the clock seemed go slower and slower with each passing minute. In reality, it wasn't the minutes that were getting slower, it was the space between the times when Van Helsing looked up and checked the clock.

He was a nervous wreck, a fact that he could try to deny inside but from outward appearances, it was clear that he was barely keeping his calm. It was a façade, meant to hide his true feelings, his feelings of anxiousness that had been coursing through him all night. He looked at the clock once again, and seeing that it read 5:52 a.m., he paced the length of the foray once more before letting his gaze travel up the staircase and into the direction that Anna would come from if she had indeed decided to travel with him.

That was the whole cause of his anxiety: whether or not Anna would be travelling with him back to Rome. After his visit with her last night, he was unsure as to what she would want to do. From his point of view, he could tell that they were more benefits to leaving with him than staying in this manor but it was up to Anna to decide what she wanted to do. He could not force her, and indeed, he did not want to. He loved her independence-it belonged in her personality for it made her who she was. It made her the person he had fallen for. He did not want some meek girl, the kind that seemed to be all the rage these days. Those girls might be pretty but they were dull and stupid. They held no opinions of their own, content to let their fathers and husbands rule their lives; their fathers picking out the "right" husband and then the husband having absolute control over his wife.

There were many aspects to Anna that Van Helsing adored. He loved her fierce independence but also her strength. She was resolute and not afraid to fight for what she believed in. She was ready to face Dracula, without any sort of help, without any chance of actually winning, but she was ready to do because she had to. She was the only one left and if she didn't try, who would?

And he had to admit, it was not like she was ugly. No, she definitely did not fall into the category of women who do not marry because their looks repelled men. She was pretty with her long, dark brown curls that framed a perfect face. Her hazel green eyes reflected her emotions, letting one see into her soul if they looked closely. Her full, red lips begged to be kiss, something he had no problem in doing.

There was physical attraction between them that much was undeniable, but Gabriel hoped that it was more, not just a relationship created out of the danger of the last few days. He hoped for something more, something he had never experienced, at least something that he did not remember experiencing. He wanted to move forward in his life, not always be constantly wondering what his life was before and if it was good. He wanted this life, his future, to be good. He wanted to matter to someone, not just be the most wanted person in Europe or the Order's resident monster killer. His heart craved for more, for true affection and love. He was sick of just going through the motions. He wanted to live life of him, not for some dream that he may never achieve.

In his moment of thinking, Van Helsing stopped pacing the room but stood leaning against the wall, directly in front of the staircase. He was so immersed in his thoughts that he failed to notice when Carl walked in through the doorway that lead into the foray. Carl noticed Van Helsing's lack of consciousness. Well, he was awake but completely oblivious to his surroundings. Carl would bet his life that the only thing Van Helsing would have noticed was Anna and her arrival.

Or maybe not, as Anna chose that moment to softly descend the staircase, carrying with her luggage, as well as a cloak. From Carl's advantage, he could only one weapon that she carried: her trusty sword that she never went with out. When he had asked her about it a few days ago, she told him it had been a present from her father when she came of age. Carl really did not know how someone "came of age" but he supposed it was important to Anna. He briefly wondered how one came to the conclusion that you had "come of age" but then he realized it really did not matter and let the subject fade from his mind.

Anna, as she descended the staircase, noticed Van Helsing's preoccupation, and, realizing his thoughts were undoubtedly on her, decided to play have a little fun with the renown monster slayer. She caught Carl's eye and indicating with a finger across her lips for him to keep quiet, she crept down the stairs. She almost stepped on the stair that creaked when she remembered that it did. She carefully stepped around that step, to avoid possibly alerting Van Helsing of her presence before she had a little fun.

As she came to the bottom of the stairs, she carefully placed her belongings down, mindful of the need to be quiet and not disturb Gabriel. She glanced at him quickly, to make sure that he hadn't noticed her, before continuing on her journey to startle Van Helsing. Startling the great monster slayer! Won't Gabriel be surprised? It will definitely be a sore spot for him but it will be worth it to see the expression on his face, Anna thought.

Unbeknownst to her, Van Helsing was no longer in a dream-like state of conscious. He was trained as a monster slayer and, as such, had learned the art of appearing to be in another galaxy while in reality being completely aware of his surroundings. Why? Well, if Carl and Anna really thought they could sneak up on him without him noticing, then they should really be wondering how on earth he made it so far. If he allowed himself to become distracted on a mission, he could very easily be killed not for lack of skill but for lack of awareness. That would not look good on a monster slayer's resume.

Gabriel had come to the conclusion that Anna meant to play a trick on him and she had conned Carl into not informing him. That didn't matter. No, Van Helsing was going to play the trick on Anna and surprise her. Anna was used to being in charge so he was going to show her that he was in charge and you could not fool him.

Anna stealthy crept up to Gabriel, mindful of the need to be silent and not disturb him in any way. That would make the joke worthless. She would never let him forget that she had managed to sneak up on the infamous monster slayer. She continued moving even after she had reached the landing, moving until she stood next to Van Helsing, his face shielded by the rim of his black, battered hat. His eyes were hidden to Anna but she guessed that they would be glazed over pools of brown. Eyes were the windows to the soul, but Van Helsing's were particularly hard to read. He had spent a long time in learning the trick of deceiving one using his eyes and used it often.

Just as she was about to tap him on the shoulder and startle him to alertness, Van Helsing turned towards her and kissed her, all while lifting the rim of his hat so that it didn't hit Anna in the eyes. He pulled back after a few seconds, leaving a speechless princess and a confused friar. He himself was softly laughing at the expressions of his two companions, and feeling quite satisfied with himself at that moment.

"That will teach you to try to sneak up on me," he said, laughing more merrily. Anna's speechless did not last long and before he knew it, she was berating him to leading her on. But that didn't last long.

"Well, as much fun as this has been, I think we need to be on our way. I'm guessing that you will be accompanying us Anna?" Carl asked in his soft voice, his stutter not overly present but still there, waiting to come out at the most annoying time.

His comment jolted the two hunters back to the business at hand. Van Helsing was very pleased that Anna had decided to join them and couldn't keep the joyful smile off his face. Carl noticed that Anna's decision seemed to leave Van Helsing weightless and joyful, two emotions not usually seen in the somber man. Anna, for her part, seemed to be glad that she had made the decision to leave Transylvania.

The three of them left the manor and loaded up their horses, Transylvanian steeds, with their bags and set off on their trip to Rome. They didn't know what lay before them but all, except for maybe Carl, were ready for any challenge. They felt unbeatable; good guys that would forever triumph over whatever evil threw at them. Their journey had only started and they could only learn from past mistakes while moving forward to a better future.