Hellsing Fan Fiction ❯ Raising the Stakes ❯ Chapter 1

Raising the Stakes

Disclaimer: Hellsing and all characters (aside from the few minor original characters) are owned by Kohta Hirano, Pioneer, and Dark Horse. While in the middle of writing this, I discovered another Hellsing story with everyone off to Las Vegas. Ironic; great minds…. So a nod to the other author, although the tone and happenings are thankfully quite different. And thanks to Truly for a great title!

Note: this story includes sexually explicit material between characters. I have striven to keep all characters in character as much as possible. I hope I have. Let's begin…

Integra opened the door and stepped out of the cab into the Las Vegas heat. She squinted in the bright glare of the desert sunlight. "Lord, it's like a blast furnace here. Walter, remind me again why we are here," Integra snapped.

Walter had exited out of the driver's side passenger seat and was now paying the driver. "We are here, Sir Integra, for the International Council on Civil Defense convention. I was also hoping to pick up a few contacts for additional sources of depleted uranium." He thanked the driver and picked up their bags. "Shall we?" He smiled and motioned Integra toward the entrance to their hotel.

Integra walked into the hotel lobby and surveyed the view. It was as cool, calming, and serene inside the entrance as it had been harsh, hot, and garish outside. To Integra's left was an understated reception desk where the staff spoke quietly as they checked in guests. To her right was the hall leading to the elevators and the casino. In front of Integra were cages full of exotic birds. The décor tried to suggest a China long since past. Integra stood at the cages watching the birds sing and hop about, their feathers bright as jewels, while Walter checked them in. He walked back to her. "We're all set. The bags will be sent up. Our seminar on strategic networking with foreign government agencies begins in 1 hour. Would you like to go up to the room and freshen up or have a look around first," Walter asked.

Integra glanced around again. "Let's get the lay of this place now, I think, before Alucard and Officer Victoria arrive. Best to have the upper hand from the outset. Don't you agree, Walter?"

She smiled at Walter and started off toward the casino. The interior was cool and dimly lit. Halls led off to banks of elevators as they entered the casino. The sound of bells assaulted their ears and strobe lights attacked their eyes. Everywhere were tourists gambling at tables and slot machines, drinking too much alcohol, staring at the spectacle of the Chinese décor surrounding them. Integra could see that several were so enthralled in their surroundings that they failed to notice their wallets being lifted from their pockets.

"Good God, Walter. Alucard will never want to leave this place. We haven't passed a window in 15 minutes. Amidst all this noise and confusion, who would be aware of a guest wandering off and not coming back?" Integra shook her head incredulously, her long platinum hair glinting in the light.

Walter laughed but then pointed up. "They would notice, Sir. The eye in the sky. They see everything. That's why this convention is held here. And why Alucard was given permission to attend. They won't keep their eyes off him."

Integra laughed as well. "Not that he'll attend any of the seminars. What do we humans offer such a superior being, after all? Well," she said, taking one last surveying glance, "I've seen

enough for now. Let's get ready for those workshops we paid so much money for." She set off toward the convention sign she'd seen earlier, Walter following behind.

At the end of their day of workshops on government relations and strike forces, Integra and Walter headed up to their rooms. Their bags had been sent up earlier in the day. Integra glanced at her watch. It was about 6:00 PM. "What time was our freight being delivered?" she asked, with a small smile.

Walter checked the time. "Any time now, I should think," he said as they entered the elevator. Sure enough, when Walter opened the door to one of the adjoining suites, two large crates had been placed in the living room. In a rare, playful moment, Integra had suggested that a dragon be stenciled on one and a kitten on the other as identifying labels. Now she knocked on the dragon-labeled box. "Comfortable in there, are you?" she called out.

A muffled voice answered, "Why don't you come in and see for yourself?" When he got no reply, Alucard thumped once on the lid with his fist. "OK, Master must have her little joke. Open up now. Please."

Integra smiled at Walter and motioned to the other crate as she heard Alucard begin to drum his fingers on his crate lid. "Get her out now, Walter, if you will. The seals seem to be working very well. Excellent work."

"Thank you, Sir. I'm glad you're pleased." Walter took out his keys and unlocked Officer Victoria's box.

Seras opened her red eyes and blinked at the light now flooding in at her. Her strawberry blonde hair was mussed and disheveled from her travels. "Cor, that was a rough trip! Remind me never to fly coach again," she giggled. Seras stood and smoothed her short, grey uniform, which looked a bit wrinkled from the trip.

Victoria's amusement at her own joke was cut short when a succession of loud cracks came from the crate to her left. As the crate disintegrated into a pile of splintered wood, Alucard stood and brushed off his red coat. He took the keys from Walter's hand and put them in Walter's breast pocket. "You won't be needing those, after all."

The vampire shook out his raven hair and picked out a few stray slivers. "Amusing as always, my Master," he said, giving Integra a venomous look before picking his hat out of the wreckage. He placed the hat on an end table and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window to watch the quickly darkening sky.

Integra shrugged. "I was sure after such a long day of travel, you needed some exercise. The seals only prevented you from moving non-corporeally. Oh, Walter, make a note to have this crate replaced before we leave on Thursday."

"Of course, Sir. I've taken the opportunity to make reservations for dinner this evening. It's at 7:30 PM. I thought we could all share the meal this evening. Make this a real chance to relax for a change." He looked thoughtfully at Integra, thinking that she was always too driven and focused on their work.

Integra walked to stand beside Alucard at the window. "Ever been here before, Alucard?" she asked quietly, studying the myriad lights on the strip in the distance, the pyramid and castle

closer. Integra admitted to herself she was a bit amazed at the imagination and expense that must go in to create and maintain this adult amusement park of a city.

Alucard glanced sidelong at her and inhaled deeply, catching and holding as much of Integra's scent as he could. "Never. As you know, I was otherwise detained the 20 years before you released me. Much better than a first morning cup of coffee, by the way," he quipped. When she did not respond, he continued. "Prior to that, I was working too closely with your father and Walter to come here for a pleasure trip. And, of course, this was desert before World War II. Vampires and sunny deserts don't mix well." He grinned at Integra.

Walter cleared his throat behind them. "May I suggest that we all change into our dinner things and meet back here in, say, one hour? I'm sure that Alucard and Seras would enjoy seeing a bit of the casino before dinner." He stood waiting to escort Integra and Seras to their suite next door.

Seras looked a bit bemused. "Excuse me, Walter, but you keep talking about my Master and I joining you and Sir Integra for dinner. But, uhm, well, I mean, we can't eat. Can we?" She gave Alucard a confused, questioning look to which he just smiled and turned back to the view.

"I have found, Officer Victoria, that this is a very accommodating hotel. Alucard and you will be dining on your usual fare while Sir Integra and I sample the local cuisine. I thought we should share the mealtime together for a change. Does that answer your question?" He smiled warmly at the beautiful young vampire, who blushed and nodded her head.

Integra followed Walter to the door leading to the suite she and Seras would share. As he unlocked the door for her, she turned back. "Until later then, gentlemen," she murmured.

Alucard had already removed his overcoat and jacket and was unbuttoning his white silk shirt, revealing a flash of smooth, white skin. He saw Integra's eyes trained on his chest. "Master, is there something you would like?" he asked, smiling that infuriating smile that implied he knew everything in Integra's mind.

"No," she snapped. "Be ready by 7 o'clock. Oh, and Alucard? Get over yourself." Integra slammed the door behind her, leaving Walter and Alucard standing in the living room staring at each other in surprise before bursting into laughter.

A few minutes before 7, Alucard stepped out of his room, ready to go. As usual, he was dressed in a black suit with white shirt and red tie. He reviewed his reflection in the mirror above the sideboard and straightened his cross tie tack. Alucard had combed his ebony hair free of any stray splinters and it flowed to his shoulders like smooth black silk. Hearing steps behind him, Alucard turned to see Walter coming from his room. Walter was dressed in a stylish charcoal grey suit with a dark blue tie. His hair was pulled back in his usual ponytail with a matching blue band. "Well, well, Angel of Death. Looks like you may kill a lady or two tonight." Alucard bowed before Walter.

Walter grinned back. "I see this trip as an opportunity for some fun for a change. And you know what they say about Las Vegas…." he added with a twinkle in his eye.

"No," Alucard quipped back, I don't. What do they say about Las Vegas, Walter?"

Walter checked his appearance in the mirror and turned back to the vampire. "What happens here stays here."

With that, the door to the adjoining suite opened and Sir Integra and Officer Victoria walked into the room. At the sight of them, both Alucard and Walter stood agape for a second before recovering their worldly gentlemen facades as quickly as possible. Seras was wearing a strapless black silk gown that lifted and accentuated her already ample bosom. The dress fell to the floor in a soft pool, her feet just poking out in black slippers. Seras stood, self-consciously fiddling with her matching bag for a moment before saying hello and dropping into a chair.

Integra smirked at the expressions on Walter and Alucard's faces. Gentlemen," she greeted them. She walked to the bar and poured herself a small glass of ice water. "You both look dashing, I must say." She drank the water, waiting for their replies. Surely, Alucard would have some clever retort for her. Instead, the vampire said nothing and just continued to watch her with an expression Integra could not label.

Walter spoke first. "My lady, you look quite exquisite. Of course, you both do, Officer Victoria," he added, glancing at Seras before returning to Integra.

Behind the glass, Integra allowed herself a the trace of a smile. She had taken great care to dress this evening. Walter had spoken several times with her before their trip about his wish that they all enjoy themselves. Integra had taken his advice to heart and did some special shopping. With the help of a personal shopper at Harrod's, she'd picked the dress she was wearing, a long dark green backless gown made of some soft knit material Integra did not know. It showed off her graceful neck and shoulders to great advantage. A rhinestone necklace and drop earrings had been added, as had a matching bag and shoes. The woman had even taken Integra to the cosmetics counter for a lesson in application. A few purchase later, Integra was set for a few nights on the town. And, with Seras' help, she had managed to pull her hair up into a reasonable facsimile of a French twist.

Integra glanced again at Alucard. He still said nothing, instead continuing to stare at her with what Integra could only describe as a wolfish grin. Walter cleared his throat. "Well, if we're all ready, shall we go?" He opened the door and ushered them all into the hall.

Alucard walked closely beside Integra as they made their way to the elevator. She could hear him inhale her new perfume deeply. "So," she thought to herself, "you are not going to say a word, are you, you miserable blood addict?" The doors opened and they all stepped inside. Integra could feel the vampire's red eyes boring into the back of her head. Walter and Seras began to make small talk about their rooms as Integra pretended not to be irritated at Alucard's lack of compliments. "Why should I be annoyed?" she wondered to herself. "What do I care what the miserable old git thinks? What would a vampire know about a human woman's appearance, anyway?"

Finally, the elevator doors opened and the four made their way to the restaurant through the casino. Seras commented numerous times about the décor and the gamblers as they walked through the loud and raucous space. When they reached the restaurant, Seras gasped. "Oh, Walter! This place is gorgeous." Integra glanced around at the quietly elegant interior. Seras was right; the restaurant was indeed a beautiful place. No one would guess from its ambiance that they were only a hundred yards from a loud and crass casino.

The maitre d greeted them and Integra felt a strong hand press into the small of her back as the foursome followed him to their table. Alucard seated Integra, his fingers brushing her arms as he slid her chair in smoothly. Walter assisted Seras and then the men took their seats. Seras glanced enviously at the plates of the diners around them. "Oh, if only I could try some of this. Naturally, I don't get to come to one of these expensive places until I can't eat." She shrugged and grinned at Walter. "Thanks for bringing me, Walter. This is really super. I feel a bit like Cinderella." She turned to look around again.

Integra agreed. "She's right, Walter. You've outdone yourself to start our visit here very pleasurably." She glanced at Alucard, who assented but continued to gaze at Integra. "Oh, what are you staring at, Alucard?" she finally snapped at him. He was really starting to make her skin crawl.

"My Master, if I'd known what a change in a vacation would affect, I'd have talked Walter into one years ago." The vampire gave Integra a large maniacal grin and turned to look at the other diners around them. Walter and Integra shook their heads and began to peruse the menu.

When the waiter arrived to take their orders, Walter and Integra gave theirs immediately. "And for the other gentleman and lady?" the waiter enquired. Alucard barked a laugh loud enough to attract the attention of the table next to them while Seras stammered nervously and looked to Walter for assistance.

"I believe you will find a special bottle of wine in the kitchen under the name of Walter Dolneazz, young man. Please check. If there are any questions, the hotel manager can be called," Walter answered quite sternly. The waiter apologized, thanked them, and quickly walked away. "I am sorry about that, Officer Victoria. He should have been informed of our special requirements. Don't give it another thought." Walter gently patted Seras' hand.

Within minutes, the waiter returned with a large bottle and poured what appeared to be deep red wine into large goblets for Alucard and Seras. His hand shook a bit as Alucard took his glass and drained it quickly before smiling at the waiter. "Alucard," Integra warned, "please don't intimidate the nice waiter. I don't want him dropping my dinner." She thanked him as he poured glasses from another bottle for her and Walter. He smiled weakly and hurried off.

Alucard refilled his glass and raised it to offer a toast. "Alas 'tis true, I have gone here and there, and made my self a motley to the view, gored mine own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear, made old offences of affections new. Most true it is, that I have looked on truth askance and strangely: but by all above, these blenches gave my heart another youth, and worse essays proved thee my best of love. Now all is done, have what shall have no end, mine appetite I never more will grind on newer proof, to try an older friend, a god in love, to whom I am confined. Then give me welcome, next my heaven the best, even to thy pure and most most loving breast."

Alucard drained his glass again and poured more of the blood Walter had arranged for himself and Seras. He lifted the bottle of wine Walter and Integra were drinking and offered them more. "Come, Master, finish that and let me pour you another. We're having fun tonight. Or are you afraid to loosen up that laced-up brain of yours?" He raised an eyebrow in a challenging look at Integra.

Integra returned the gaze. "Why not?" she shrugged and downed the glass. It had been a long time since Integra had had any alcohol and she felt the warmth suffuse through her entire body. She smiled at the vampire and took another sip after he refilled her glass.

By the time Walter and Integra's dinner was eaten, both bottles and several others were empty and the cheeks on all four faces were aglow from the blood and wine flowing through their veins.

The vampires had also begun to indulge in the wine themselves. Walter was keeping them regaled with stories from his time as a Hellsing operative. Alucard threw in the odd detail or two, sometimes very odd in fact. "Really," Integra thought to herself as she laughed at another anecdote, "I had no idea this would be so much fun. How did I not know that Walter could be so funny? And Alucard hasn't been moody or spiteful once tonight." As she thought this, she glanced over at the vampire. His eyes slid from Walter's face to hers and he gave her a small cryptic smile. Integra smiled back for an instant and then began to laugh again at Walter's impression of the Prince Regent.

Finally, dessert was over and the party began to make their way back to their suites. As they walked through the bar/casino area, Integra noticed Walter catch the eye of an attractive brunette woman. Integra guessed her to be in her late 40's. Walter coyly excused himself from escorting Integra back to the room, claiming the desire for one more nightcap. Integra smiled. "Good night, Walter. Don't stay up too late." Walter blushed and joined the woman at the bar. Integra quipped, "She'd be shocked to know he's more than twice her age." She pushed the elevator button.

Behind her, Alucard asked, "How about you, Police Girl? Would you sleep with a man more than twice your age?" He gave both women that same wide, fang-exposing grin.

Seras' imagination and tongue were both loosened by the large dinner of blood and wine. "Gee, I don't know. I guess it depends on what he looks like and how he treats me. I mean, how much older is he? Is he healthy? I wouldn't want to kill him, after all. Is he…" She trailed off when she noticed the expressions of her Master and Integra's faces. They both burst into very uncharacteristic giggles as they stepped into the elevator.

Alucard stepped close to Integra and whispered in her ear, "And you, my Master? Would you sleep with a man much older than you?" He slid his arm around her waist.

Integra shivered. The vampire's breath had tickled her ear not unpleasantly. She smiled mischeviously and removed Alucard's arm. "Is he healthy?" she responded pointedly. "I wouldn't want to kill him, after all." Integra leveled a small silenced revolver at the vampire's chest. She knew the gun would not harm Alucard but she carried it to dissuade him from causing trouble, nonetheless.

The elevator door slid open and Seras, unaware of their exchange due to her current state of tipsiness, stepped out. Alucard held the door open with one hand and pressed closer to Integra. He wrapped his fingers around Integra's on the gun and pulled the trigger. The bullet ripped a hole through Alucard's shirt and chest. Within a few seconds, only the shirt remained damaged. Alucard smiled down at Integra and ran his thumb along her jaw line. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, Master. I'm sure he's been through more unpleasant experiences than bedding you."

Alucard released Integra and followed Seras to the door of the women's suite. Integra took the card key out of her bag and opened the door. As Officer Victoria stumbled into the room, throwing her shoes into the corners and dropping onto the sofa, Alucard took Integra's hands in his and leaned in to take one last deep breath of her scent for the night. "Master," he said, his voice a low throaty growl in her ear, "dressing like a woman becomes you." He bowed low and closed the door, leaving Integra feeling a bit off-balance and more than a little drunk.

The next day went by in a fast blur for Integra. Walter had knocked at her door at 9:00AM for a hasty and somewhat queasy breakfast before their 10:00 AM seminar on the practical application of C-4 explosives in small-space hostage situations. Neither paid as much attention as they should have, given their hangovers and lack of sleep. "So, what time did you make it in, Walter?" Integra asked coyly. "Did you have a good time?"

"Sir Integra, I am surprised at you. A gentleman never tells," Walter answered, an expression of shocked disgust on his face. It broke into a shy smile. "I was back in my room in time to shower and change before collecting you for breakfast." He paused. "And you, Sir? How was your evening?" he asked with what Integra could only interpret as an expectant expression on his face.

"What do you mean, Walter? How should my night have gone? I went back upstairs with Seras and Alucard." Integra had a vague recollection of her exchange with Alucard and now the headache she'd held at bay with generous amounts of ibuprofen was threatening to resume its attack. She remembered how her pulse had raced at the intimacy with which the vampire had addressed her. What was Walter implying?

At that point, a very pertinent discussion on acceptable hostage losses and both Walter and Integra refocused on the seminar. Soon the meeting was over and it was time to return to their rooms to get ready for the end of conference party being held that night. When Integra rejoined Walter in his suite, she was again looking uncharacteristically feminine and stunning. This time, she'd opted for a black, off the shoulder dress that was form-fitting to her hips and then flared out and fell to her calves. She had decided that this would be an appropriate dress in case there was any dancing at the party. "Although," she thought to herself as she reviewed her reflection in the mirror, "woe to any man who tries to dance with me. I haven't danced since Father tried to teach me. Unsuccessfully." She'd left her hair down but had again taken care to apply makeup and perfume.

Walter made a great show of walking around Integra in a critical manner before remarking, "Really, Sir. I know you wish to maintain a strict level of decorum during working hours. But you do look lovely. There's no reason not to dress like this on your own time."

"Walter, please. Don't make too much of this. I agreed to be a bit more festive while we're here for the conference. Don't expect me to change just because of this trip." Integra blushed as she spoke but was a bit irritated at the implication that she needed to change her manner.

Walter bowed. "Of course, Sir Integra. I apologize for any inappropriate suggestion. But I trust you are enjoying yourself?" He gave her a small smile.

Integra smiled back. "Well, I did enjoy the looks on your and Alucard's faces when Seras and I came in last night. I thought you might faint dead away." She laughed with Walter for a moment.

Then Walter became serious. "Your father would be very proud of what an intelligent, strong, and beautiful woman you have become." He looked at her warmly.

"Thank you. Much to your credit," Integra answered, taking the older man's hand in her own.

Walter squeezed Integra's hand. "And Alucard's a bit, I think," he suggested.

"Well, he does make for excellent target practice. He's improved my aim tremendously, hasn't he?" Both Integra and Walter laughed at that thought.

Walter checked his watch. "Shall we go? The party started a few minutes ago and we have a bit of a cab ride over."

Integra grabbed her bag and walked to the door. "Alucard and Officer Victoria will be joining us at sunset?" she asked as they made their way to the elevator.

"Yes, I gave them all the information and asked them to join us as soon as they arise.," Walter answered.

The cab ride over to the other hotel was longer than expected. Integra and Walter spent the time going over the topics discussed during the past two days' seminars. Soon they were at the party, drinks in hand and meeting other conference participants. Integra had never been at such a festive work function. All the dinners or "cocktail parties" held at Round Table knights' homes had been stuffy affairs, full of politics and innuendo, never relaxing. Walter stayed close to Integra initially, gauging her comfort level. Once he saw that she settled into a friendly conversation about the best way to debrief witnesses, Walter excused himself and found an old friend from the Cold War days to talk over old times.

After Integra and Stephen, the man she'd been talking with, had come to an amicable impasse on the topic, he asked her to dance. It was a slow song. Integra was grateful for that, since she'd never danced to a fast song in her life. Grateful at first, that is. Integra had never danced with any man other than her father. This felt decidedly different. The drinks she'd had had loosened Integra up and she'd been a bit flirtatious in her banter with Stephen. And he was attractive - tall (not as tall as Alucard of course), black hair cut into an attractive short style, dark brown eyes, the kind of eyes Alucard must have had before he turned. But now Integra was feeling this definitely male body against hers and it was evident to her that he found her attractive as well. Integra wasn't quite sure what to do so for the moment, so she danced and decided she'd handle things when the time came.

When the song ended and another began, Stephen held her and continued to dance closely. The made small talk as Stephen gazed into Integra's eyes. Integra found the attention even more intoxicating than the drinks she'd had and realized that she was responding to this man in a way she never had before. She'd never dated, never read romance novels. The few times she'd found herself feeling physically aroused, she'd clumsily taken care of herself and tried to work out any frustrations in the gym or on the gun range. Now here she was, wondering if she should take the opportunity to explore this new sphere with Stephen.

Just as Integra was thinking these thoughts, footsteps approached and a voice spoke in a silky baritone. "May I cut in?" Alucard stood before Integra, smiling his impossibly wide grin, his fangs catching the light clearly. "I would so love to dance with you, my Master." He looked meaningfully at Stephen. "You don't mind, do you?"

Stephen, not having been aware of Hellsing's special agents, blanched noticeably and let go of Integra's hand. "N-n-no," he stammered. "Be my guest." With decidedly shaky knees, he rushed back to his table and slammed the drink waiting for him.

"Alucard…" Integra sighed. "Did you have to scare the poor man half to death?"

"Really, Master. So many men here. You could do better. I have to protect you, even from the common riffraff." He took Integra into his arms and began to dance with her. "You look lovely again this evening, Master. If you are husband shopping, you are certainly dressed for it. Any of these desk jockeys would be happy to oblige, at least for an interview," he purred in her ear.

Integra pulled away sharply. "Of course I am not husband shopping, you infuriating demon," she snapped. As he grinned at her, she realized he had been baiting her, as usual. She quipped back, "What about you? Wearing the same old thing again, Alucard?" She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "What a shame."

Alucard pulled her back into his arms. "I did consider something new, a white sparkly jumpsuit perhaps, but then I figured it's been done before. Besides, black and red are my colors, don't you think?" The vampire turned Integra around the dance floor in time to the music. She found herself thinking what a surprisingly good dancer he was. Alucard gave her a small smile and remarked, "I've had hundred of years of practice." Integra flushed, realizing that he had read her thoughts and resolved not to think anything else while they danced.

When the next song began, they stayed on the floor. "Where is Seras, by the way?" Integra asked. She looked around the large, dimly lit ballroom.

"I gave her to Walter to baby-sit. He had his fun last night," Alucard joked. He dipped Integra and pulled her back up, taking the opportunity to bring her face close to his. Their eyes locked for an instant before he dipped her again in time to the music. When he brought her up the next time, he positioned himself so that her head would rest against his chest.

Integra breathed in a scent she could not quite identify, a mix of things - a slight scent of the blood Alucard had drunk before the party, some cologne he'd apparently purchased for the trip just as she had, and something else, some musky fragrance all his own. Any reactions Integra had had toward Stephen paled in comparison to what she was feeling now. "I must have had more to drink that I thought," Integra mused to herself. This felt too right to her. "I am dancing in the arms of a vampire and enjoying it," she thought. "No, more than enjoying it. I feel downright tempted. What is wrong with me?"

Integra was glad she couldn't see Alucard's eyes at that moment. She didn't want to know if he had caught that thought. His smugness would be unbearable. Instead, she looked around to find Walter and Seras. They were at the bar. Integra could see that some poor human man who had no idea that Seras' hickies were probably fatal was courting her. But Seras seemed to be enjoying the attention. And Walter was doing his best to play chaperon.

The song ended and Alucard reluctantly released Integra. They walked over to join Walter and Seras at the bar. Walter ordered another martini for Integra. She drank it quickly to cover the uneasiness she was feeling after that rather arousing dance with Alucard. Integra was having a lot of difficulty meeting his eyes. For his part, it appeared to her that Alucard was content to grill Walter on the previous evening's adventures. "So, my friend, did you offer to floss her teeth this morning before you left?" he asked with a mocking smile.

Walter rolled his eyes and scoffed. "After this many centuries, you still haven't improved your jokes, Alucard? I think the first time you used that on me was back in, what, Bucharest in March of '45? I'd give up if I were you." He chuckled and turned to Integra. "And how are you enjoying yourself this evening, Sir? Is Alucard behaving as a proper escort should?"

Integra had downed that last martini pretty quickly and she was feeling drunker than she'd ever been in her life. "To my amazement, yes," she answered. "I found Alucard to be a surprisingly competent dancer. But he reminded me how many years he's had to practice. He did scare away a gentleman who was interested in me, however." With that, Integra gave Alucard a disapproving look and poked him in the chest with her finger.

Alucard took hold of her hand and pressed it palm flat to his chest as she swayed drunkenly. "A milksop with no blood in his veins. You are well rid of him. And now, I think this escort escorted you back to the hotel and your room. Walter, Seras, enjoy the rest of the party. I will see my Master home."

As Alucard wrapped his arm around Integra's waist and began to guide her to the lobby, Integra said goodnight to the others. "Really, Alucard, unhand me. I can walk on my own," she protested. She tried not to think about how good he felt pressed against her and how his hand was lightly brushing the underside of her breast as he led her.

Before Integra knew it, she was deposited in a cab and being driven back to their hotel. Alucard sat close beside her on the seat. She felt a little dizzy and closed her eyes, resting her head on the seatback. Softly, the vampire asked, "How are you feeling, my Master?" Integra felt him shift in the seat to turn toward her.

"I am drunk, Alucard. I have never been drunk before. This is a very disorienting feeling. I am not sure I like it. But it felt fun getting there." Integra laughed a little. Alucard lightly brushed a few stray strands of hair off her face and Integra was reminded again of how attracted she was feeling toward him right now. "It must be the alcohol. How could I be attracted to a vampire, even this one?" she thought to herself.

Alucard answered her unspoken words. "Because, my Master, I am the only male you have had any intimate relationship with beside Walter. And I am hardly a father figure." With that, he leaned into the curve of Integra's throat and inhaled deeply, brushing his lips along her neck and ear. "I have loved your scent since the first I tasted your blood," he purred.

A shiver of arousal whispered down Integra's spine. "Alucard," she protested, "I am your Master. Stop this familiarity immediately." She tried to push him away but now his thumbs were caressing her jaw line as he held her face in his hands and began to kiss her lips. The alcohol she'd drunk encouraged her to just relax and let it happen but she protested weakly one last time. "I order you to desist now, you miserable old demon," she murmured but found her hands sliding up into his long ebony locks even as she spoke.

"Master, you never take care of yourself," the vampire murmured. "You never experience life. Wouldn't you like to know once what it is to spend the night with a man?" Alucard's lips were as persuasive as his words. As he spoke, he continued to kiss Integra passionately, allowing his tongue to slip tentatively into her mouth to caress her tongue from time to time.

Between kisses, Integra responded, "That's funny coming from you, Alucard. Experience life? With a dead man?" She knew she should stop this but it felt too good to stop. Vaguely, she thought to herself that the cab ride was taking a long time.

Alucard smiled and slid his hands down to her breasts to circle her nipples with his fingertips. "But a fully animated one, I can assure you." He lightly nipped at Integra's throat with his teeth, causing her to start. "I'm not here for business, Master, just pleasure," he reassured her.

"Would that be here in this car or in Vegas itself?" Integra asked, feeling breathless and dizzy. She'd never known the sensations Alucard was creating with his fingers. The circles he was tracing around her nipples were sending waves of desire down to the center of her being. She bit back a moan, not wanting to let him know how much the servant was now controlling the master.

Alucard began to move his kisses down her throat to her breasts as he spoke. "Both, my Master. By the way, Walter told me something very interesting about Las Vegas. Have you heard? What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." With that, Alucard extricated one of Integra's hands, which had entangled themselves in his hair, and slid it down to press between his thighs. As Integra gasped, he smiled. "I did say fully animated."

Another first for Integra that night. She had never even allowed herself to entertain the notion of touching a man between the legs. Now here she was, with her hand pressed against Alucard's trousers, feeling his hard manhood within the soft fabric. Instinctively, curious to experience how it would feel, she began to run her fingers up and down his penis. This caused Alucard to moan deeply into her breasts. She could feel his nails rake her arms as he gripped them tightly.

Alucard fumbled with the skirt of Integra's dress and reached up under it to find her panties. He began to slide the palm of his hand gently over her mound in rhythm with her hand caressing his length, allowing a finger to kiss her clitoris through the silky material as it traveled. Integra gasped, shocked at this new intense pleasure. She began to feel a delicious tension build in her body as her hips rocked forward and back of their own volition to take as much of Alucard's attentions as she could.

With his other hand, Alucard opened his trousers and guided Integra's hand to grasp his penis. "How can something so hard feel so silky?" she wondered to herself before giving in to the sensations the vampire was now creating. His hand was now also within her panties, his finger circling her clitoris and creating such exquisite pleasure that Integra gasped again. As her moans escalated, she was also growing very aware that she was having the same effect on Alucard. His hips ground up into her hand and his breath was coming in rapid, gasping grunts. His kisses on her lips and throat were punctuated by rough nips that he barely managed to control.

As Integra began to feel that something big was coming soon, that she might shatter under Alucard's caresses, he roughly pulled her up onto his lap. The cab seat was wide enough but not very deep and the roof of the cab was too low for Integra to sit upright. Integra pressed close to Alucard, her arms wrapped behind his head. She had sobered up just enough to feel some embarrassment about sex in a cab and turned to look at the cab driver. Surprisingly, he was sitting bolt upright, staring straight ahead as he drove up one street and down another. Integra turned back to Alucard and gave him a questioning look. The vampire just grinned wildly and then began to grind his penis up into her clit, causing any misgivings to fly from Integra's head.

Alucard carefully positioned his cock at the entrance to Integra's vagina and gave her a quizzical smile. Integra paused for a moment, temporarily scared to take that step, but then nodded and eased herself onto him as he rose up to meet her. They moaned in unison and began to rock together. She felt some pain at first but that subsided quickly as Alucard's cock slid in and out of her, making her writhe in pleasure.

Integra hungrily kissed Alucard and ran her tongue roughly over his fangs. "Careful, Master. Now is not a good time to draw blood. I might…. overreact," Alucard warned Integra, giving her a restrained nip on the neck.

"Have I ever told you how much I like hearing you call me Master?" Integra asked. She held Alucard tightly as he thrust deeply into her again and again. Soon her breath was coming in ragged cries as she thrust her hips faster and faster to meet his. The sound of Alucard's moans in her ear mingled with the feeling of his cock filling her completely. Integra couldn't get enough of him and she felt that sensation of something building within her again. She rocked back and forth, harder and harder, against Alucard as he gripped her ass and held her tightly.

When Integra came, she scarcely knew what hit her. It was as if she had shattered into a million pieces, all of them inscribed with pleasure. She bit her lip and held on to Alucard as the orgasm rocked her. The vampire drove into her relentlessly as he reached his climax, his cock feeling so thick and hard inside Integra. Alucard called out her name and Integra felt his body tense in her arms as he came. He buried his face in her platinum hair and they rested for a few moments as the waves subsided.

As Integra sat straddling Alucard in the back seat of the cab, her fingers lightly playing with the ebony strands of his hair, Alucard whispered in her ear, "We're here."

"What?" she said. With a start, Integra looked around and saw that they were pulling up to their hotel. She quickly pulled herself off Alucard and his lap and attempted to straighten her dress before the cab stopped. When she looked up at the vampire, he was fully clothed and smugly grinning at her. "Oh, stop looking at me like that! You just love that you can get dressed without even moving a muscle, don't you?" she snapped at him.

The driver parked the cab at the hotel entrance and got out to open Integra's door. He had a dazed expression on his face and only barely acknowledged her. She stepped out blushing, hoping that it wasn't readily apparent to anyone else that she had just been resoundingly fucked on the ride back to the hotel. Behind her, Alucard also got out and stretched his legs. "Mmm, I haven't had a cab ride like that in, centuries, I'd say." He wrapped his arm around Integra's waist and whispered, "Thank you. Master."

By now, Integra had sobered up considerably. She stepped out of Alucard's grasp easily and reminded him, "We're here on business. Let's not give any of our competitors fodder for gossip, shall we?" Integra entered the lobby and walked quickly to the elevator doors. She was eager to get to the room without being pulled into any conversations with acquaintances. Alucard followed behind and stepped into the elevator just as the doors began to close. "Back to business as usual, Master?" the vampire asked.

Integra glanced at Alucard before looking away again. "We'll see," she responded. Integra could see out of the corner of her eye that Alucard was watching her with the same slightly hungry stare he'd been giving her during this whole trip. Integra wasn't quite sure how to behave; she didn't know if she wanted to repeat the encounter in the cab. As they exited the elevator and walked to her room, she battled with herself on what to say.

But, as Alucard unlocked Integra's door and handed the key to her, the question was resolved for her. "Have a very pleasant sleep, Master," the vampire purred. He gave her one of his wide, wild smiles and Integra was reminded of the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood. Then Alucard turned and entered his own room. Integra, a little dumbstruck and trying not to admit to herself that she was a little disappointed, went inside and went to bed alone.

The next morning saw Integra up rather more sluggishly than usual. The police girl and Walter had come into the suite around 3AM, making more noise than Integra would have expected. It sounded as if both were quite drunk and Walter was helping Seras with some difficulty into the packing crate she'd be flying home in the next day. Seras was complaining loudly about how uncomfortable it was and apparently Walter was attempting to wedge every pillow in the room into the box with her. At one point, he must have slipped and fallen in because Seras cried out loudly, "Blimey, Walter, maybe you should ask a girl before you land between her legs." They both laughed.

Integra rolled her eyes and crammed the pillow over her head but soon the room had fallen silent and she heard the soft click of the door as Walter went next door to the suite he shared with Alucard. Unable to sleep after that interruption, Integra had spent the next hour mulling over the evening and had decided to take Alucard's Las Vegas comment to heart. It happened; she enjoyed; but now they were heading home.

Now, as the sunlight streamed in the windows, Integra was feeling much older than her 24 years. She took a large drink from the orange juice in front of her. She hoped that, plus the coffee she would be chasing it with, would bring her back to herself.

Walter sat down opposite her at the table and took a sip of his coffee. He'd finished packing their bags and placed them by the door for the bellman to take down to the lobby. "Did you enjoy yourself last night, Sir?" He smiled harmlessly at her over the newspaper he held, his monocle winking at her in the sunlight. "Alucard delivered you safely to your room, I see."

"Yes, thank you. Last night was certainly unlike any other I've had and shan't soon forget it." Integra had hoped to answer Walter's question honestly yet too cryptically for him to understand her full meaning. She could tell by the look of understanding in his eyes that Walter knew full well what had transpired. Or could guess pretty accurately.

Ever the gentleman, Walter only smiled and remarked, "It is beneficial to have Alucard in the service of the Hellsing Organization, isn't it? He has acquired experience in so many areas over the centuries. I personally have grown very accustomed to his presence." Walter patiently waited for Integra's response.

Integra glanced over at the new packing crate in which the vampire was sleeping. "You're right, Walter. I hate to admit it within the old demon's earshot but I have, as well. For a very old dog, he certainly shows some new tricks now and again." A little thrill ran down Integra's spine as a quiet voice insinuated itself into her mind. "I heard that, you know." Pointedly, she continued. "But now, back to London and our routine lives. Vegas was fun but the trip is over." She checked her watch. "Time to go, don't you think?"

Walter glanced at his watch. "Oh, yes, the car should be here any time." As they stood to gather their things, the bellman arrived to take their luggage and the crates containing the police girl and Alucard.

Integra watched as the bellman loaded Seras' box, dropping it in his haste to load things quickly. "Oh, do be careful with that one. It's very fragile. If you must drop one, drop this one over here."

She gave Alucard's box a hard rap with her heel and received a quiet "Don't quit your day job" in her head. "No fear of that, I'm afraid," she muttered.

Integra and Walter followed the bellman down to the lobby and out to the waiting car. As she slid into the cool interior of the hired car, Integra was reminded one more time of the cab ride the night before. "Thank you, Walter, for recommending this convention. I certainly learned more in 48 hours than I ever thought possible." She watched the Las Vegas landscape slide past her as the car sped to the airport. This had been a good trip.