Monsters and Angels

Thanks for the reviews I will update on my next day off and will put up a new chapter or two of Across the Ages too.

Chapter Five

A few days later found Integra in her office. Reading the latest report with narrowed eyes. Montgomery had led the last operation and it had not, in any form gone smoothly. He had sustained fifty percent casualties. That included dead and out of action men. The vampires had managed to get behind his forces and trapped them in a scissor attack.

The captain blamed the creativity of the monsters. Alucard blamed his incompetence. Ferguson had merely replied that these things did happen in battle but he'd not sounded entirely convinced. Integra wanted to swear a blue streak but settled for brutally crushing out her cigar.

"He is fairly new to this" she commented, the words sounding hollow even to her.

Alucard glared at her, "Do you have unlimited men at your disposal then master, so that he may cut his teeth on them?"

The reprimand in his voice was like a bucket of cold water thrown on her.

"Of course not! I do not recall asking your opinion" she bit out in irritation. He spun from her and stalked to the window. She would never accept this easily.

"I will begin a full investigation at once. Negligence will not be tolerated. I have informed him of my decision." she said at length.

Alucard nodded, then turned a nearly maniacal grin on her, "I don't suppose that you'd let me kill him? Be sporting master, I ask for so little".

She arched her brow at him, "Go away Alucard"

He shrugged carelessly, it had been worth a try.

~~~~

Captain Montgomery was not pleased by the current state of affairs. That bitch and her monster threatened to topple his sterling reputation. Negligence? Ha! Perhaps he had been overeager, a tad careless but he had KNOWN they would triumph. Who cared if they lost a few more men because of his choice? They fought the undead of God' sake, it's not like they expected to have long lives. Besides, better them than him.

His plan of wooing and winning the stubborn Hellsing heir was not going as he'd thought it would. She was beautiful, rich , powerful, all the things he wanted in a woman. Of course there was that obstinate nature, but he was certain he could fix that.

If it wasn't for her damn monsters! That Seras always watching him so carefully, that damn Alucard with his unbreakable hold on her! If he wasn't in the picture, she's not be half so smug and self assured. It was that hell hound servant that lent her courage.

His thoughts made Seras want to vomit… maybe rip his heart out and she knew that in the dark bowels of the castle her master heard them too. Montgomery was walking on very thin ice. Seras wrinkled her delicate nose… she could SMELL the lust and cowardice on that man and it turned her stomach. Sir Integra was more than met the eye, she had learned to care a great deal for the master of her master.

Integra was careful in her work, and never thought twice of putting her men before herself. Yes, Alucard was her servant and the firmest pillar of her strength, but that was what he was supposed to be. Like she was. Integra was one to look up to and admire but deep down Seras felt pity for her too. She was so alone and the only ones who really understood her where the very creatures she hunted. Sad.

"Police girl," came the smooth baritone from beside her, "Do not trust him. Be watchful on your missions. He reeks of betrayal".

She nodded.

"Do not attempt to take him down alone."

Again she nodded. Her master was right. Something wasn't right about this whole situation. This man had led SAS units, he knew better than to take risks like this. It was almost too *something*, it felt contrived.

If it had been staged, that meant that there were larger powers at work and Hellsing was once again under attack. Integra and the unit had to be protected. Alucard would no doubt be spending more time with the flaxen haired woman and she would no doubt not like that. Seras suspected that she was going to be caught in the tug-of-war of wills. She sighed, hung her head and walked to the armory. Some days it just didn't pay to roll out of your coffin.

Integra read witness statements, read the reports and frowned. There was one more thing she could do and she loathed the thought. Still, she saw no alternative.

"Alucard" she whispered and within moments the inky black shadows of the cold office shifted.

"You called for me my master?" he asked with his trademark smirk.

She sighed, "I have to see. I have to know in detail, first hand what occured there" she told him.

He nodded, they had encountered this before. His memories were unaltered visions of the past. Pure facts and invaluable in many cases. He would allow her to see them and she would be able to have a clear understanding. However, it required her to lower her guard and ALLOW him into her mind. That was a dangerous place for a vampire to be. She had to trust that he would not enthrall her. If that should happen, she'd be fighting for her very soul.

Alucard walked behind her chair. She stiffened momentarily but his heavy hand fell to her shoulder and she sat back. His free hand moved to cup her chin, drawing her head back against him. Wide blue eyes locked with garnet fire.

"Behave yourself" she warned.

He smiled softly, waving his hand slowly before her face. Her eyes fell closed and her body relaxed. "Walk with me now master" he murmured.