The Heir

Author's Note: Hey, I got my first negative comment! It raises a couple of good points. Firstly, this IS more fluff than story - that is one thing I will readily admit. I don't have the concentration and attention span at the moment to write much else.
Is Integra badly out of character? Perhaps she is a little, during the bedroom scene. I'm not 100% happy with the way I had her considering that she might be in love with Walter so soon, don't even know why I wrote that. But I believe she would have enjoyed the sex - after all who wouldn't?
The final part of the comment, however? "Integra and Walter might actually make an excellent pair, but not in this fic." I'm not sure there's any other feasible way they'd get together. Integra would hardly come out and say 'Oh Walter, I've loved you forever...' now, would she?
No matter, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions.

A/N part 2: I started writing this chapter ages ago, indeed, the first part of it was the end of the last chapter, but I didn't like it, so I shortened the last chapter and fixed the bits I didn't like up, and added some extra. I think this is where I might stop writing every night and every day - else this story will go forever!

Disclaimer: Hellsing does not belong to me.

***

Integra regarded the head of MI-5 calmly. "You're saying that you want the Hellsing Organisation to provide specialised training to your agents, so that they can more easily gather intelligence on the FREAK chips?"

"That is correct."

"Do I detect an attempt to undermine the usefulness of the Hellsing Organisation? Vampire hunting is OUR business, as you know."

The man shook his head, offering a conciliatory smile. It was met by Integra's stony gaze, and faded. "Not at all," he replied. "There are plenty of vampires for all. Too many, in fact. Which is why I make this suggestion. If my agents can discover who is responsible for the FREAK chips, your men will be able to devote their full attention to disposing of the vampires already in existence."

"The idea has merit," conceded Integra. "I shall consider it."

They both stood, shaking hands formally as a conclusion to the meeting. MI-5 turned and left the meeting room, to be escorted from the manor by Walter.

Integra sat back in her chair. She reached for the drawer that contained her cigars, before remembering that they were in her desk drawer in her office. Folding her hands in front of her, she pondered the request of MI-5. Certainly she could provide his agents with the training, the weapons with which to destroy the undead and the information they had gathered to date on the FREAK chips. But she did wonder, privately, if one day work would run out for the Hellsing Organisation. Certainly not in her time, probably not even in her child's time. But one day...? What would become of Alucard if there were no more vampires for him to destroy? Would he turn on the family that kept him captive for so long?

Integra would one day face the problem not only of keeping her family line going, but also of keeping it employed.

***

Walter brought Integra's lunch tray in to her office. Feeling that she shouldn't ignore his presence as she often did, Integra put down her pen and stood, coming around to the table where he had set the tray down. "Thankyou, Walter," she said, seating herself in an armchair beside the table. "Would you care to join me?"

Walter poured a cup of tea for her, and one for himself, but declined her offer of a cucumber sandwich. He took his seat across the table from her. Integra told him of her meeting with MI-5 that morning, and he offered her his opinion.

"I think you should agree to his request. It will take care of our funding for several months, at least. Also we will be able to employ more soldiers, and dispense with our costly intelligence operatives."

Integra nodded. Walter always had a good point. That was why she asked his opinion on so many matters affecting the Hellsing Organisation. This time, she had a different question for him.

"How long do you think it will take me to conceive?"

Walter shrugged and set down his empty teacup. "The good Dr Symons said it could take some time. We just need to be persistent."

Integra nodded again. "That we shall be. Will I be seeing you tonight?" Her eyes showed just the smallest spark of desire.
Walter smiled. He had certainly made an impression on Integra, he could see. Silently, he thanked God for bringing this woman to him in an unlikely marriage. "Of course, if you wish it." He stood up, preparing to leave the room. Integra stood too, stepping over to give him a kiss on the cheek.

He surprised her by catching her arms in his hands and pulling her close for a proper kiss. She hadn't expected him to be so enthusiastic outside of the bedroom, but she did surrender herself to the kiss, closing her eyes and savouring the moment.

All too soon, he pulled away, releasing his hold on her arms. As she stared at him, the spark of lust having flared into life in her eyes, he leaned forward and brushed his lips over the tip of her ear. Very gently, he murmured, "Something to remember me by, until tonight." Then, without a further word, he left her to her lunch, closing the door behind him.

After a moment of staring after him, Integra came to herself, and returned to her seat, picking up her half-eaten sandwich. Evidently, marriage agreed with Walter!

***

When Walter came to collect the tea service after lunch, Integra wasn't in her office. He collected her teacup and saucer from where it had migrated over to her desk and shook his head at the uneaten sandwich crusts. As he was replacing the items on their tray, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, he found himself face-to-face with Seras Victoria.

"Good afternoon, Miss Seras," he said, smoothly covering any evidence of surprise. "You're up early."

Seras also looked surprised. "I'm up late... well, I suppose you could say early," she replied, surprise turning to amusement as she recalled seeing him dash down the stairs early that morning, clad only in a towel. "I was looking for Sir Integra. I was going to give her my report before I go to bed. Have you seen her?"

"Not since I brought her lunch, no." Walter idly rearranged the cups on the tray.

Curiosity getting the better of her, finally she asked - "So anyway, why were you running about in a towel this morning?"

Walter gulped and blushed somewhat. "I'd have thought you'd be asleep at that hour."

Laughing, Seras jostled him playfully. "Do you mean to say that you always prowl the house naked at seven o'clock in the morning?"

"Of course not! I just..."

"Looks like you got caught with your pants down." Seras chuckled. "Is there a special lady, then?"

Walter shook his head. "I'm not going to let you goad me into telling you what happened. You can invent your own stories." He picked up the tea service and headed back to the kitchen. Seras shrugged and went to bed, to catch up on sleep for the last few hours of daylight.

***

The day finally over, the last forms signed, the last reports written, Integra retired to her rooms. The champagne and glasses from the previous night were gone, she noticed, and the rose Walter had given her was in a slender silver vase, alone in the middle of the table. She smiled ironically to herself, wondering what the maid would have thought, upon finding male clothes in Integra's bedroom. It would have been obvious that they belonged to Walter, wouldn't it? The items in question were now clean and neatly folded on the end of Integra's bed.

There was a knock at the door, and Walter slipped in quietly. He had a small bundle under one arm. "Good evening, Integra," he said, with a smile, as he set the bundle down on the nearest chair.

"I see you came prepared this time," Integra murmured, looking at the small pile of clothes in amusement. Her grin broadened as she noticed her bathrobe among the clean clothing. "What's this?"

Walter looked abashed. "THAT," he explained, "Was the only way I could get back to my own room this morning. And there's bad news," he continued hurriedly, noting Integra's expression of mirth. "I was seen by Miss Seras Victoria."

Integra let out a sigh. "I don't know if I should be amused or angry. The maid knows to keep her mouth shut, but should Seras Victoria tell Alucard about this, we shall never hear the end of it!"

"I'm not sure if she's put two and two together yet, or if she thinks I'm having an affair with one of the house staff. But she's intelligent, and..." Walter decided not to continue, for fear of putting Integra in a truly bad mood.

"I know..." said Integra, idly examining her gloves. "I suppose this can't be a secret forever."

Walter took her hands in his, gently removing her gloves. She watched with interest as he slowly drew each finger free, one at a time, then slid the glove from her hand. The glance he gave her before starting on her other hand caused a shiver. She'd never thought the removal of her gloves to be so sensual, and yet the manner in which he was doing this brought a soft blush to her cheeks. Walter set them on the chair, atop his pile of clean clothing. Gently, he kissed the backs of each of her hands, then the tip of each finger. Integra closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them, Walter's face was near her own.

They kissed, gently, lips just barely pressing each other, a soft flick of tongues, a firmer kiss, then they parted a moment, both dizzy with lust.

Integra took Walter's gloved hands in hers, endeavouring to remove his gloves as he had done hers. To a large degree, she succeeded. As she peeled back the cloth of the second glove, she bent over his hands, and ran her tongue between two of his fingers, smiling at his gasp of surprise. She traced the outline of his fingers with her tongue tip, then took one finger into her mouth, followed by a second. Walter groaned and closed his eyes, and she took advantage of the situation to begin slipping out of her clothing.

By the time Integra finished tormenting his hand and let his fingers slip from her mouth, she had removed her coat and cravat, and unfastened the buttons of her shirt, which now hung open. It was quite the rewarding sight for Walter, as he opened his eyes again. "Come to bed," she purred, taking his hand again, and drawing him towards the bedroom. He was only too happy to comply.

*** End Chapter Eight ***