In the Shadows of Hellsing

Alvise collapsed onto his bunk, now gratefull for even the cheap cotton blankets. He lay panting deeply, sweat-drenched hair falling over his face. Even now, the panic and fear at being nearly alone with that monster Alucard was still pulsing in his head. He looked across the room at the only other person to be there with him. Kat was huddled up on top of her bed, knees drawn to her face, choking back sobs. As harrowing as it had been for him, the mercenary knew it had been far worse for her. He drew himself up on his bed and gazed at her shattered spirit. Some deep inner feeling took hold of him, and he walked quietly, almost tentatively to where she sat. She let her legs fall down slightly, showing her moist brown eyes. Her hair was flung down her back, across her shoulders, over her face. Neither of them cared about such superficial things now. Alvise leaned in close to her.

"Are you alr-" He was cut off as she grabbed him around the back of his head and pulled him in, kissing him deeply. He tensed, surprised, then closed his eyes and pressed his lips against hers. He stroked her long black hair over and over, arms wrapped around her body. She moaned, drawing her lips so slightly away from his, taking his breath for her own. He pulled her back to him, laying her down on the rough bedspread. Alvise moved down from her lips, kissing her hot skin. He felt her smooth neck under the caress of his lips, gently licking her as he moved down her body.

He paused at the top of her heavy jacket, bringing his hands down to remove it. She stopped him, grabbing his wrist wordlessly. He moved back up to her mouth, kissing her hard, passionately, until she let go. He weaved his hands down between their entwined bodies to quickly open her jacket. He slid his thin fingers beneath her black linen undershirt, working his way up her slender frame. Kat gave a low moan as Alvise's fingers touched the silky skin of her breasts. He began to lift up her shirt slowly, bending down over her heaving chest.

"Alvise Catiliano!" The intercom buzzed out the mercenary's name in Captain Bernadette's heavy French diction. "Ze director Integral Wingates Hellsing requests your presence in her office. Zis is not optional." The message ended with click.

Alvise and Kat stared at each other, stock-still. Alvise's hand was frozen midway up her torso, his face inches from her chest. They were both still panting, their breathing slowing down with each passing second. Kat's shirt began slipping back down, burying the Venetian mercenary's arm against her warm body. He slowly slipped his arm back to his side as Kat sat up. She looked down at her own lap.

"You better go," she whispered. Her eyes were dull, staring straight ahead and seeing nothing. Alvise hesitated then leaned in and kissed her lightly on the cheek before leaving. She didn't move a muscle.

Alvise slowly opened the heavy door to Miss Hellsing's private office. In addition to the director and her personal servant Walter, he found Captain Bernadette and the vampire Alucard waiting for him. His skin turned cold at the sight of the midian.

"Is this the one, Alucard?" Integra pointed out Alvise as he entered the room. Alucard smirked.

"Yes. He was with that tart at the firing range." Alvise forgot his fear and bristled with anger.

"She is NOT a-"

"Shut up you fool! Do not talk zat way to ze vampire!" the Captain interrupted. Integra help up a hand.

"Peace, Pip," she said. "We are here to discuss young Alvise's assaignment." Assaignment? he wondered.

"You, mercenary, will be guarding my room. Starting tomorrow night." Alvise paled at Alucard's words.

"I...but...surely there is some one more qualified?" he stammered. "I've only been with the Wild Geese for 3 months, I..." He couldn't find words to argue.

"You have what I'm looking for, mercenary," the vampire stated. "You will guard my coffin while I sleep. That isn't an offer. It's an order." Integra stood up.

"Congratualtions, Alvise," she said. "This is a very prestigious post. You are dismissed."