Chapter 2 - Promise

Alucard's eyes flashed with anger at the interruption. "What do you want, old man?" he snarled.

Integra was looking as dignified as possible while trying to tuck her blouse back into her pants. To have kissed Alucard was bad enough, but to have Walter witness it humiliated her. The butler had never spoken to her so sternly, not even when she was a child.

Walter stepped into the room. "As I said, Miss Seras Victoria is missing, and I want to know if she has been reassigned."

Integra shook her head. "No, she hasn't but she is after all a vampire. She needs more freedom than the ordinary troops."

"Alucard, do you know where she is?" continued Walter.

Alucard shrugged. "I don't track her every move. Ask her captain."

"I already have," replied Walter. "I have reason to believe she has undertaken a hazardous mission on her own."

"She can take care of herself, I taught her well," the vampire replied. "Now go away."

"She's in the Cremor Club, Alucard."

"I don't believe she would go there by herself, Walter, I've already told her it's much too dangerous," he said.

"I would expect you to have more concern for her... but it appears you have been too busy molesting your master to care."

Red eyes glared. "You overstep your bounds, servant."

Integra interrupted. "Why are you so concerned with our young apprentice?"

"She could be killed... destroyed, and she is a valuable Hellsing employee," replied Walter.

"She carries my blood; if she were destroyed I would know," said Alucard.

"By then it would be too late. Clearly you'd rather continue your little tryst than deal with this, so I'll be going." Walter left.

Integra sat down slowly. "He's never spoken to me so rudely in his life. What got into him? He must have lost all respect to me when he saw... what he saw."

Alucard was staring at the door. "Perhaps... I suspect the truth is he has a soft spot for little Seras."

"Walter caring for a vampire? Please..."

"You don't know anything of affection, Sir Integra."

Integra glared at him. Then her eyes softened briefly.

"If you're worried about Seras you may go look for her instead of going on your other mission tonight," she said.

"I think Walter has allowed his heart to overrule his mind... Seras will be back by the time I return."

But by the time he returned he found Integra pacing her office.

"Seras isn't back, and now Walter's gone too," his master reported.

Alucard looked surprised. "He's out looking for her; they'll both be back."

"Alucard, will you go to the Cremor Club?"

"He's your personal attendant, not my responsibilty," the vampire answered.

"That's why I am asking you, instead of ordering you," said Integra.

Alucard decided to press full advantage.

"On one condition, Master."

"What?"

"You allow me to continue what we started." Alucard was grinning now.

"Don't be disgusting," Integra snapped.

"Promise me one night with you, and I'll go look for Walter." He was leaning into her face now.

"I suppose wishing you had any loyalty would be pointless," she muttered.

"Entirely."

"Walter has been with my family his whole life... you remember him when he was young..."

"And I believe the angel of death can still protect himself... but I will go, if you make me that promise."

Integra shuddered. "I'll go to the Cremor Club myself."

Alucard shook his head. "You would never return alive, master. This is a job for me alone."

He stared into her eyes and she stared back defiantly. Even through her worry for Walter, she still felt a desire for the man before her. His lips were close to hers now, she could have felt his breath had he had any.

Integra turned her back. "Go," she choked out.

"Very well, master... I will return to claim my prize," said Alucard as he left.

Integra brought her fist down on the desk. "Just return Walter safely," she said in a steely voice.