Chapter 6

Integra waited in her office for Seras. The young vampire appeared before her and waited anxiously to hear what the Hellsing leader had to say. Integra looked up with a serious but not stern look. She took in a deep breath and exhaled before speaking.

"I needed to speak with you Seras. First off, you can rest assured I did not summon you here to scream at you. I understand that this is an uneasy time for you. It's going to be an uneasy time for the both of us. Given your present condition I feel it is best that you step down from your duties as captain for the time being. It's also advisable that you not see active combat until after you have given birth. It is in the best interest of both you and the child that you take it easy until after the birth." Integra explained.

Seras looked down with a dissapointed expression. "I understand Sir." She sighed.

"Seras, you must understand that this is not punishment for what happened. Like myself, you now have a child growing inside you. It is paramount that you focus all your energy and effort upon making sure your pregnancy and birth go as smoothly as possible. That above all else must be first and foremost of your priorities." Integra replied.

"I do understand Sir. It's just that I'm still trying to accept the fact that this happened at all. Vampires aren't supposed to get pregnant. Alucard tells me not to worry, but I can't help it. I don't know what to expect." Seras said.

"Then you are in good company then. Even though I'm human, this is my first child. I too am going into this not knowing fully what is going on. No matter how many lectures one attends, or how much medical foreknowledge one attains it doesn't change the fact that when a woman has never gone through pregnancy before it is a very uneasy time. And more than not knowing what to expect with a first pregnancy, there is the prospect of motherhood. I admit that I find myself wondering will I be a fit mother to this child."

"You worry about being a good mother Sir Integra?" Seras asked with suprise.

"Yes, I do. I find myself wondering if I'm really cut out for this job. Although there are times when Alucard acts like a child, and I've handled him well thus far. Perhaps raising a child won't be all that different after all." Integra answered.

"Well, it is said motherhood is one of the hardest jobs in all the world." Seras replied.

"Yes. I guess I can't disagree with that." Integra said. She looked away and then back at Seras. "Look, I know I always come across as someone who's cold and stern. I admit I don't allow myself to grow close to most people. Part of the reason for that is necessity. If any of the people who work under me saw me as emotionally vunerable, then they would most likely not rely on me to be the tough as nails Hellsing leader that they expect. But I admit that there are times when I need to let the other side of myself come out."

"Sir?"

"When I was thirteen years old I my uncle's gun pointed at my head. He was determined to put a bullet through it. I watched Alucard tear my uncle's men limb from limb before he turned toward me. Staring into Alucard's eyes after he awoke was more frightening than staring down the barrel of my uncle's gun. But I was determined not to let my fear get the better of me. If I did, I knew I would end up dead or worse. It took all my strength to stand up to Alucard, but I did just that. But just because I could do it doesn't mean it was easy for me. A lesser person would have become Alucard's evening meal. I did not give into my fear. That is what Alucard respected about me. I stared death in the face and stood my ground." Integra explained.

Seras sighed. "I guess then we share something in common. When I was a little girl my father and I were kidnapped by some thugs who held a grudge against him. They were going to kill us both. I don't know the whole story as to why the bastards wanted revenge against my father, but they were bound and determined to get it. They forced me into the back of my father's car and forced him to drive into an isolated area where they felt they could do the deed without being noticed." She began.

"They were going to kill me first and make my father watch. I was terrified beyond all belief when they pointed the gun at my head. But it wasn't so much myself I was worried about. I was afraid of what they'd do to my father after they killed me. When the gunmen pointed his gun away from me for a second I started to kick and punch and anything else I could think of to get them to leave us alone. My father started scrapping with the other man who also had a gun. He tried so hard to wrestle the gun away, but it went off in his chest. He died instantly. I knew I was next. My life was nothing to them. I fought for all my life was worth to survive. If nothing else, to make sure the men who killed my father saw justice." She continued.

"Did they recieve that justice?" Integra asked.

"No. They ran off into the night when they heard sirens and knew police were on their way. I don't know who alerted the authorities, but it is part of what saved my life. The thugs were never caught. That...is part of why I was so determined to be in law enforcement like my father. He died trying to save his daughter's life. He died as a cop. That is also part of why I wouldn't back down from Alucard's antics when he tried to drive me away. My father fought to the last. I was not about to dishonor his memory by quitting in the face of what seemed impossible odds." Seras answered.

"He told me he saw great strength in you. I can understand fully now why he chose you as his mate. It must have took a great deal of courage to face what you faced." Integra replied.

"I was doing whatever I had to do to survive and to honor my father's memory." Seras said.

"And I feel that you are indeed honoring your father's memory to the fullest. I admit I don't exactly see Alucard being father of the year to a baby, but I don't doubt that it will have a good mother in you Seras." Integra added.

"Then you must feel assured that you will be a good mother to Hellsing's next generation." Seras interjected.

"I will do my best." Integra said.

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The next morning Integra awoke and got dressed for the day. She headed toward her office and opened the door. There on her desk was a silver platter with a domed lid. She walked over to her desk and removed the lid. There were various fruits and cheeses plus a decanter or juice. She took the glass provided and poured a measure of juice into it. Then she sat down and began eating. This was one aspect of pregnancy she could deal with. She was a picky eater but fortunately Walter knew exactly what she liked. Of course for now the trick was keeping the food down once she had ingested it.

Five minutes passed as Integra was still eating her breakfast. Walter hurried into her office. "Sir, we have a small situation outside the mansion."

Integra huffed and put down the grape she was about to pop in her mouth. "What do you mean small situation? What is going on?" She demanded.

"There is a man and woman waiting outside the mansion insisting they get in to see you. I don't know who they are or how they managed to find us but they seem bound and determined to meet with you. They say it has something to do with the tainted cattle blood Seras and Alucard had." Walter answered.

"They know something about this? Make sure they were not followed and then bring them to the front entrance but do not let the guards take their guns off them. I want to make sure this isn't some sort of sneak attack on the mansion. I'm on my way." Integra said as she walked hurriedly from her desk.

"They better have information after interrupting my breakfast." She growled.

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"Please I assure you we mean your employer no harm. Could you please put those guns down? I'm a scientist for pitie's sake!" Simon pled.

"Those guns will stay right where they are until I establish you are not a threat to this house." Integra called as she approached Simon and Megan.

"Miss, I can ssure you..."

"You will adress me as Sir Hellsing. How in the world did you find this mansion?" Integra demanded.

"Please, Sir Hellsing, if you will just have your men lower their guns I can explain everything. I assure you my associate and I are no threat to you. But I have a grave concern I must share with you." Simon replied gulping nervously at the gun barrels still pointed at his head.

"Men, lower your weapons, but do not take your eyes off them. You will accompany me to my office." Integra ordered.

Simon and Megan were escorted to Integra's office. Once again she sat at her desk and waited for the two unexpected visitors to be seated. Once they were settled she trained her cold as ice stare upon them both. Her look was deadly serious.

"Now how did you two find this mansion? This is private property and not open to the public." She demanded.

"Sir Hellsing was it? My name is Simon Chesterson. I'm a scientist. Um, this is going to be rather hard to explain..."

"You had better make it good. I still have to decide what is to be done with the both of you for infiltrating this house. I am charged by the queen to protect this country and your being here draws unwanted attention to my organization." Integra warned.

"Sir Hellsing, if you will, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Megan Le Fay. I met Mr. Chesterson and his partner Eric close to a year ago. They were trying to develope a treatment that would allow infertile couples to have children. I agreed to help them in their venture with the understanding that what I gave to them would be used only for the benifit of sterile couples who have never been able to have children. I gave them the needed materials and funds to carry on their experiments." Megan began.

"Go on." Integra said.

"I gave them what they needed under the strictest of confidence. They could not share the formula given them witn anyone else as I could not be sure that what I gave would fall into devious hands."

"What Miss Le Fay says is true. Eric and I, at least in the beginning I thought, would perform experiments upon live stock, cattle mainly to see if this formula would work. We had two control groups. All the female cows had been given the treatement, while only a select number of bulls had been treated while others were given placebos. To our astonishment the heifers mated with the treated bulls concieved. I knew we were on the verge of a break through for infertile couples wanting to have children." Simon said.

He took a deep breath before continuing. "Unfortunately I didn't realize just how greedy and unethical Eric really was. He wanted to test the formula on humans right away. I told him that further testing and experimentation was needed. But he wasn't to listen. I found that out when he knocked me unconcious and handed me over to a bunch of thugs who were going to kill me."

Simon took another pause. "I had no idea he was like this. I didn't know he would go on and have the experimental cows sent off to a slaughter house. I am worried about what affect the tainted meat might have on the public." He finished.

"I can elaborate on how Simon and I found your mansion. I can also assure you that we have no intention of revealing your organization to the world. If you will allow me to explain, I will answer your most pressing questions." Megan said.

"Very well." Integra replied dryly.

"First off, I must ask you to keep an open mind for what I am about to tell you. I must also ask that it not leave this house. As I had an agreement of confidentiality with Simon and Eric, I must also ask it of you. If people found out about me, shall we say my life will be gravely inconvienenced." Megan began.

"I am a very open minded person Miss Le Fay. I have to be for the kind of situations my organization deals with." Integra replied.

"Very well. I pratice what most people would refer to as alternative medicine and non traditional techniques recognized by science and modern medicine. I am what most people would refer to as a witch." Megan explained.

"Wait, you said your last name was...Le Fay." Integra interrupted.

"Yes. I am a distant relative of the woman known as Morgan Le Fay. I believe you know of whom I speak?" Megan asked.

"Yes. She was the half sister of the legendary King Author." Integra answered.

"I heal using herbs, medicinal plants, foods and the like. I also have certain gifts. One of those gifts is seeing into the minds of others. It is not a gift I like to use often unless it is needed. The thoughts of others are their own private matters, and I don't like poking into their affairs. I also have the ability of astral projection. My spirit can leave my body and travel to other places and dimensions. I also have the gift of foresite. Literally translated, I tend to have premonitions of the future. I used my powers to find the slaughter house where the tainted cattle had been taken. That is what led me here to you. I also had a premonition of a child." Megan elaborated.

"A child?" Integra asked.

"A child that will never grow old and never die. A child of pale skin and fierce eyes." Megan answered.

Integra's eyes widened in shock at the answer she recieved. She knew exactly which child Megan spoke of, the child of Alucard and Seras. She looked toward Walter. Simon was equally as speechless. He believed Megan to be eccentric, but at the moment he thought she was out of her bloody mind.

"Walter...I...want you to prepare a room for Miss Le Fay and Mr. Chesterson. There is much more I need to know from them." Integra said still not quite believing what she was hearing.

"Are you sure that is wise Sir?" Walter asked.

"Now Walter!" Integra snapped.

"Yes Sir. Come with me please."

"Oh and one more thing Sir Integra." Megan said. "The child in my vision was female."

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That evening Integra summoned Alucard and Seras to her office. She still couldn't fully believe what she had heard that morning. Megan Le Fay wasn't kidding when she told Integra she needed to have an open mind. And Integra considered herself to be very open minded about unbelievable things. She had to be considering she employed two vampires and used them to hunt down their own kind plus other supernatural threats. Alucard and Seras appeared in her office. They saw the look on her face and knew something was up.

"What did you need of us master?" Alucard asked.

"This morning two individuals came to the Hellsing mansion seeking me out. I have been given information by a man and a women that will shed a great deal of light on the situation at present. It also answers why Doctor Travalion could not identify the mysterious anomoly in the tainted cattle blood you both drank." Integra answered.

"Do tell." Alucard said raising one eyebrow slightly above the other.

"Bring in Miss Le Fay and Mr. Chesterson, Walter." Integra instructed.

"Yes Sir." Walter said with a bow.

A few minutes passed when Megan Le Fay and Simon Chesterson entered Integra's office. The two guests seated themselves. Integra folded her hands neatly upon her desk.

"Miss Le Fay and Mr. Chesterson, I've had you brought here to explain a few things to you that I did not divulge this morning. I remember you telling me Miss Le Fay that I needed to have an open mind for what you told me. I now ask the both of you to keep an open mind for what I am about to tell you. Understand first that I do not entertain members of the public, and I most certainly do not tell them private buisness. But seeing as you had valuable information upon a situation I now find myself in, I am making an exception." Integra began.

She looked over at Simon who seemed still a little visibly unnevered by what he'd heard from Megan that morning. "Still find what you heard from your associate here hard to believe Mr. Chesterson?" She asked.

"Well, yes Sir Integra. I knew the treatment I was working with was controversial, but I certainly never expected to learn all that I have. I can't help but have trouble believing everything that has happened today." Simon answered.

Integra smirked slightly at his responce. "Then you're belief in what is real and what isn't is about to tested further Mr. Chesterson."

"I beg your pardon..."

Her expression grew serious for a moment. "You both are to understand now that if you divulge any information about my organization it will be regarded as interfering with the mission the queen has set before me. And to stop that mission will be regarded as the very least as treason against the crown, church and England itself. And the penalty for such acts are shall I say...very dire. Do I make myself clear?"

Simon gulped nervously. "Yes Sir Integra. You're very clear."

Megan remained calm as she answered. "I understand Sir Hellsing."

"Good. A hundred years ago my great, great grandfather Abraham Van Helsing hunted down and captured a creature of great and terrible power. Tell me, what do you know of vampires?"

"They were said to be undead beings who fed off the blood of humans and animals. But that's a complete myth. Vampires are nothing more than ancient people's misunderstanding of the physical and biological process of death. They are rooted in hysteria and misinformation." Simon answered sounding like a college professor.

"Really?" Integra interjected looking over to Alucard and Seras. Before Megan and Simon's entrance they had conviently hid themselves in the shadows. They emerged from the cloak of darkness and made themselves known to all in the office.

"Allow me to introduce to you my two finest field agents, Alucard and his mate Seras Victoria." She said with a wide grin.

Simon looked over to see the two vampires grinning at him clearly showing their crimson eyes and gleaming white fangs. His eyes widened in both shock and fear. The man thought he would either have a heart attack or soil himself there in the office.

"Blood hell! What in the world are they?" He exclaimed.

"Oh, just two myths rooted in hysteria and misinformation." Integra answered sarcastically.

"You mean they're..."

"Yes Simon, Alucard and Seras Victoria are vampires." Megan interjected calmly.

"You do not seem disturbed by this Miss Le Fay." Integra observed.

"My ancestors come from a time where magic and myth were real and very common place. Such beings existing today is nothing new to me." Megan replied.

"Good. Now to the purpose of my family's organization. Generations of the Hellsing line starting with Abraham Van Helsing were knighted into the queen's service. We are charged by her majesty with the duty of protecting the crown, church and citizens of England from all the creatures of the night who threaten them. However, my ancestors decided to use a vampire to hunt down other vampires. The vampire they decided to use is Alucard." Integra explained. She took a pause before continuing her story.

"Alucard is no ordinary vampire. He is one of the most powerful and also most dangerous of his kind. Using their knowledge of the occult, my ancestors bound Alucard to the Hellsing family. He serves us as our chief vampire slayer. While the human troops are adept at fighting off numbers of lesser vampiric beings, unfortunately their being human is a distinct disadvantage. Humans are frail and mortal creatures and once taken by a vampire become vampiric beings themselves. They either are drained completely and become ghouls, or they share the blood of the attacking vampire and become vampires themselves."

"Therefore the greatest weapon against a vampire is another and equally powerful vampire. Alucard also has another distinct advantage over others of his kind. My forefathers, again using their occult knowledge performed experiments upon him that have made him even more powerful now than he was before. The well known methods of slaying a vampire being a stake through the heart, beheading, silver and sunlight will not destroy him. They might slow him down momentarily, but they will not put him down for good." Integra finished.

Simon sat in his chair with wide eyes. He was tempted to ask where was the nearest sanitarium as he would soon be in need of their services. He simply could not believe what he was hearing.

"Simon, rest assured that everything Sir Hellsing has told you is the truth. There are many things that are beyond your scientific realm." Megan said.

"I'm going mad." He replied.

Megan took what appeared to be a small perfume bottle from her purse. She produced a small hankerchief and sprayed a small amount of a fragrent fluid upon it. "Here." She said handing the cloth to Simon.

"It is a mix of lavender and chamomille. Just inhale lightly. They will help calm your nerves. Rest assured they're completely safe. It is a healthier alternative to alcohol." She added.

"Inhaling this will make him feel calm again?" Integra asked.

"Yes. It can be used as incense, in tea, bath oils and any other number of ways. Used responcibly they should not present any health hazard unless perhaps if the user is allergic." Megan answered.

"Feeling better Mr. Chesterson?" Integra inquired.

"Suprisingly, yes I am. But I still can't believe all that I've heard." Simon answered.

"Believe it Mr. Chesterson. Everything that I have told you is true. Looking at Alucard and Seras should convince you of that." Integra replied.

"So, that is why only the blood was taken. Your vampires needed substanance." Megan interjected.

"Yes. And the tainted blood had a rather shocking affect upon them, especially Seras. She is pregnant." Integra said.

Megan stood up and walked over to Seras. Alucard placed a rather possesive arm around her shoulder. He gave the human a rather stern look. But his expression did not unnerve her.

"I mean no harm to your mate. I had a vision of life where no life exists. She will be a most extrodinary child." Megan said.

"She? You know what the child will be?" Seras asked with amazement.

"The vision I was given was that of a female child." Was Megan's answer. "Even though her body is tiny, her spirit is already growing strong. The vision given to me was her way of speaking to me."

Megan turned to Integra. "You must also take very good care of yourself Sir Hellsing so that you will give birth to a healthy boy."

Integra's mouth dropped open. She had not even told Megan of her own pregnancy. "A...boy?"

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