A/N: Thanks for the reviews so far! Against my better judgment, I post this chapter. It might be still unfinished, but I like it so far...a good deal of luck is in order if I am to do this correctly :)

Disclaimer: I do NOT, in any way, own Hellsing or the characters in it. It is owned by Kohta Hirano, Dark Horse Manga, and any other business or people who assisted in creating these fascinating characters!

Imminent Trouble

Walter and Integra let their mouths drop in unison at the sight of a second trespasser on Hellsing manor. A horrible knot twisted in the young director's stomach at the horrid sight of her servant being attacked from behind. Integra wasted no time, and like instinct had kicked in, she bolted for her father's desk to pull out a revolver that was loaded with silver bullets. Walter turned swiftly around and, within two strides, was at her side delicately, but firmly, attempting to take the gun away from her.

"My lady," he stated in an apologetic tone, "Please, allow me to handle this little skirmish. You should stay within the safety of these walls."

Integra shook her head vehemently and yanked the weapon free of his reach, "No. I cannot stand and watch as they taunt me on my own property! I will end them."

Walter blocked the door as she sheathed a sword into her belt. After years of fencing, it seemed almost a comforting act, though under the circumstances, she knew better than to spare a moment for nostalgia. Such times were made of innocence and fun, but now the growing young woman had no time for extracurricular activities as that. She turned to a very upset Walter and walked up to him, attempting to keep the calmest face upon her expression.

"Move, or I will be forced to move you," She threatened, but he did not heed her warning. She feinted left and lunged right in an attempt to juke him.

Walter mirrored her movements and almost fell for the trick; right as she was about to pass him and make a run for it, he caught Integra's waist and halted her advancement completely. She whirled around and grabbed his wrist, trying to pry his strong fingers off of her clothes. Beyond livid, she glared up into his eyes, prepared to burn them with all of her fury. But instead of looking into defiant and condescending eyes that wished to control her, like so many other times and people she had to deal with on a day to day basis, she saw his eyes begging her, imploring her, to remain.

"Integra, please," He all but whispered as his white gloves tightened their grip, "For the sake of my mental health and for your safety, please stay within the mansion. I can handle this," He began to kneel in front of her.

"Walter, it is not a question of whether or not you can handle this, it is a question of my purpose here as–"

"Integra, if anything were to happen to you on my watch…" Walter cautiously released her wrinkled blouse and placed both hands on her shoulders…just like her dad would do when he needed her to execute an important task of great weight.

"If anything were to happen to me on your watch that occurred because of something I had done, the fault would be mine," Integra finished.

"Not if I had the chance to stop you from harming yourself in the first place," Her butler stated with more force, and his fingers reflexively increased pressure.

Shots from outside of the mansion made both flinch suddenly. Integra felt compelled to help her servant, and what better way than to go down and present herself now? Not only would she finally prove her worth to the Convention and to the monarchy, but she would also prove herself to Alucard, who, despite his indenture, would never miss an opportunity to berate her on different topics, including the fact that she was young, a little girl, and completely inexperienced in the dealings with vampires. It never ceased to irritate her when he would do that, and despite all efforts to burn him with the seals, to stab him on occasion, or to shoot him not completely by accident once, he continued with his venomous words that cut deeper than he realized. Half of the time, Integra understood it in taunt and joke, but she could not ignore the fact that his comments could be refrained from being stated in the first place, and that his personal mission was to irritate her. To no end.

However, her wellbeing was attached to his own, and since Walter grew older everyday to her eyes, even though he hadn't lost his touch as her servant, the thought of her now only fatherly figure injured was too much to bear. She had to do this for herself and for Hellsing; for personal matters, and for professional matters.

Integra cleared her throat, trying to ignore her retainer's pleading face filled with the emotions she saw on her father's death bed, "Walter…I'm sorry."

Walter bowed his head despairingly, "My lady, if you just–"

"I order you to step aside, butler," She commanded and placed her hands atop his. To her surprise, he dropped them instantly and slid them out underneath hers. Feeling just the cloth from her own blouse now, the absence of his warm hands, she began to feel completely alone and unsupported in her decision, as if it wasn't already highlighted by the raw anguish in his eyes.

"I suppose we shall have to fight side by side on this one," He muttered, "But under no circumstances are you to step in front of me. I will lead."

Integra nodded, relieved that he was at least coming with her, protecting her at every step of the way, just like he promised her the day of her father's funeral.

.~.***.~.

Alucard sensed three bullets enter his chest. Their abrupt contact was enough to knock any man off of his feet, but a vampire Alucard was, and in the face of such childish pain he laughed openly, only angering his two opponents even more. This would prove to be a nice fight.

"Here I have two Section XIII agents. I thought I killed all of you back there," Alucard muttered.

"Do not mistake "injured" for "dead"," The younger one stated.

"Indeed, I won't next time," the vampire closed in for the kill.

"Oh, Ah wouldn't encircle us jist yit," The older one remarked, "Ya think us fools far messin wi' vampires, but there's a reason why we're still living: years o' experience."

Alucard paused, slightly agitated that the agent had been reading his moves, but continued forward. Instead of a moment to think of a quick and stinging remark back, he had a second to realize that the elder agent had pulled out something long and sharp.

Alucard chuckled at the weapon, "A bayonet? Surely, you jest."

"Why would Ah joke wi' a heathen, one o' the damned? The likes of ye deserve nowhere else tae be but in Hell!" The second agent shouted and lunged for Alucard, swinging his weapon in tow.

The vampire blinked at the agent's speed and quickly dodged the first blade with some ease, not noticing the second. Searing white hot agony lanced up his side as he felt the bayonet pierce his stomach. He reflexively gasped, though the necessity of needing air had rendered itself useless to him 558 years ago, and roared in anger, bringing his arms instinctively down upon the agent. Alucard's hands immediately found the agents' and he ripped the blades from the enemy so swiftly that Alucard heard fingers snap under his strength. With another moment to spare, Alucard hit the agent in an uppercut to the jaw so powerful that it sent the man up in the air to land on his back. The agent swore as he lifted himself up quickly and retreated backward a few steps, out of reach again. The vampire took this time to gently pull out the blade that was comfortably wedged in his side.

Alucard took a moment to analyze the agent. More credit had to be given to this human than he originally thought. Clearly the man was experienced, and clearly there were many a vampire slain by his hand. But what to do with him? The vampire wished that the paladin was a finer fight than a duel for one night. Gone were the times of fire and brimstone, where a man could openly duel with another of fine quality and combat. There were too few left who knew how to battle someone of The NoLife King's status, and Alucard could only hope that this no greater enemy would be worth his while.

"What is your name?" He asked with vengeance at the tip of his words.

"Father Alexander Anderson tae ye, heathen," He answered proudly, but his facial expression changed from one of pride to one of colorful outrage.

Alucard sensed it behind him and whirled around to punch the sneaking younger agent square in the chest, sending the boy clear across the courtyard and crashing through the glass table. Instantly, Alucard smelled blood covered and dripping in shards of glass and grinned at the delicious scent. Father Anderson's vein in his neck popped out and his fists clenched. He opened them up and four bayonets per hand appeared, making him look like he had sprouted claws.

"Stupid kid," The agent murmured to the side, "Ya dare lay a hand on a holy and divine agent?" Father Anderson asked rhetorically, already knowing the answer.

"It's too much fun to resist, really," Alucard verbally lashed.

Anderson advanced forward once more when a voice halted the duel.

"STOP!"

Both men paused and looked in the direction of their caller only to find a girl and an older man in stance and ready to continue the fight with his presence. Alucard's eyebrows furrowed at the sight of his master. Why hadn't Walter been able to stop this childish action of hers? This was hardly a setting in which Alucard could see her.

"And which lass is this?" Father Anderson asked.

"This "lass" will be called Sir Integral Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, heir and director to the Hellsing Order of Royal Protestant Knights," the young blonde stated with fervor, slightly excited that she could now use the entire title to anyone she so desired.

"My tha's a mouthful of useless words tae my ear, youn lass," Father Anderson smiled mockingly at her.

"My servant Walter accompanies me," Integra continued, ignoring his interruption as she continued with her own mocking formality of introducing everyone on stage, "We are on a mission from God as well, Father."

"And wha's that?" He turned himself toward her, already beginning to smile.

"To end you," Integra bluntly stated and pulled out her revolver.

Alucard grinned madly at the sight of her raw aggression. The fire had been stoked, the band aids of negotiation ripped, and now master and servant readily draw their weapons at the sight of the enemy with no hesitation. Reverence was his for the taking.