Integra had refused to fly into Detroit, hell she was so sure she would never drive again for as long as she could get around it. So a long drive later from Philadelphia to Detroit was what it took in order for Integra to get to the city that had been home for so long, to check on old businesses and apartments. The drive felt like an eternity and once the streets of Detroit came into view, she shifted how she sat in the seat, her tired Sapphire eyes glancing around to notice how empty these streets were. Just how long had this place been abandoned? 

It felt strange to be in this city again, and part of her felt bad for having been so quiet on the drive, not having said much to Addie, though the young woman had filled the entire car with her one-sided conversations. It brought a slight twitch to her lips as the corner cocked up into a half-smirk, watching Addie get excited about seeing America reminded Integra of the first time she stepped foot on these shores. It was nice seeing someone so young and full of hope in this life of theirs.

“I figured we’d head to Billy’s Apartment first, see what’s there...If the building is still there. From there we can bounce around the city to see what’s still around. I won’t lie, Addie… It looks pretty shitty on these edges of town, so I don’t know what we should expect.”

Her voice was steady, her eyes racing to take in her surroundings while driving carefully. It took a good bit of time, but she finally pulled up outside of a place that was so familiar, that held so many memories within them, both good and bad ones. Getting out, she took the keys and headed towards the building before freezing at the sight of something parked that looked strangely out of place.

She knew this vehicle… it was what she called the death mobile and she’d ridden on it a few times, though she was almost always on the back of it. As if in a trance, Integra walked towards the said motorcycle, her fingers grazing over the structure of It as she felt tears well up behind her eyes before she stomped them back down. Damn hormones. “Where are you, Alu…”

 Turning from the bike, she headed into the building, taking the steps. Once at the penthouse, she sighed softly, almost as if Collecting herself before she opened the door and glanced inside. What surprised her was that it looked like someone had been here recently. Instinct had her pull out her gun, albeit she couldn’t hear anything that in the apartment. Taking caution, especially with Addie in the picture, she wasn’t going to take any chances as she pulled back the hammer of the gun, ready to fire at anyone she found in here. 

Instead, nothing was found, and Integra finally seemed to relax, her eyes truly taking in everything that was around the building. “It’s clear but keep your eyes out for any clues as to who was here… maybe we can find something…anything.” She was hoping to find Alucard or at least something that directed her to him, it was like she was racing for the very thing had allowed her to breathe.

After searching the entire place, there wasn’t much to notate. Someone had slept on the couch and based off the faint smell of petrichor and gunpowder, she all but knew who was there. Alucard. Still keeping the mask of strength up, she continued, have noticed there were no Chesterfields here… so either someone took them with them and then went to Hollowood, or it was someone specific to Philadelphia that met them at Hollowood that smoked the cigarettes.

Thinking about the smoking, she perked up slightly as she headed into the spare room that used to be hers, opening the closet before kneeling down and feeling along the floorboards, talking to herself.

“I know they’re here… they have to be…” She kept muttering the words to herself, increasingly growing more frustrated the longer it was taking. “Come on… they have to be here somewhere.” Finally catching the false board, she pulled it up, lighting up as she saw the box sitting there, untouched. “Oh Thank god!” She pulled it out, opening the wooden case before sighing with relief, all of the cigars she’d once hidden here were still there and not too badly dried out.
 

Taking the box of cigars with her, she went to glance into Billy's room, having heard movement around in there as she glanced in to spot Addie looking through something. She waited sometime before noticing the note, furrowing her eyebrows slightly she worked on things they knew for certain before daring to tamper with the unknown. Reading the note that had been left for her brother, taking care to read it multiple times before glancing at Addie and nodding, tucking the note into a pocket. "We'll have to show this to Billy when he gets here... but at least we know where they are going..."

She sighed in relief, feeling a bit of weight come off of her shoulders now that they wouldn't have to guess or really dig into where their other halves could be located in this world.

An Hour Later

Integra had gone and checked up on all of the other businesses that her brother used to run, only to be told that they were under new ownership. Having all of that information, there was one last stop that she wanted, needed to make in order to feel somewhat at peace with herself. The rundown apartment that she and Alucard had shared before buying the house that they had built. Everything felt just as she remembered it, if not a bit emptier. Moving up to the room that they had shared together quite a few times, she seemed to hesitate, taking everything in as she moved over to the closet, running her hands over one of his shirts before pulling it to herself and breathing in deep.

What she hadn't been prepared for was how this one smelled so much more like Alucard, that the scent on the shirt was much stronger, making her curious as to just how close they were to find them. She waited patiently, hoping to find another clue as to how close they were to finding the pair, or if this was going to turn into what would feel like a wild goose chase. 

Pulling the shirt from the closet, Integra went to sit on the bed, laying down for a moment even as she had the pulled the shirt closer, just taking in Alucard's scent and how much she missed it...

"Where am I?" he said to himself as he blinked several times trying to clear his blurry vision. 

He attempted to stand up right away, but crumbled back to the ground as the pain seared through his body.  As his mind cleared a bit the full sensation of pain ripped through him, from his head, to his stomach, back and legs.  He closed his eyes as he rested for a little bit longer.  When he woke back up again, he found his vision a bit clearer, and he was able to note that he was in a parking garage.   

Once again he attempted to stand, and with the help of the car to his left he was able to get up to his feet.  He walked through the garage noting that the vast majority of the plates were from Vegas.

"Las Vegas, what the hell am I doing in Vegas?"  Alucard leaned against a cement pillar, and rubbed at his head.  "Last thing I remember is... Detroit, and Tegs."  He squeezed his temples as if that was going to help his thoughts clear up. 

He stumbled his way into the attached building, and up to the service counter, where a brown-haired, brown-eyed, middle-aged woman gave Alucard a look of absolute horror.  "Sir, can we help you?" 

He looked around at the woman, at the flight schedule over behind her. "I'm at an airport? Why am I at an airport?"

The woman looked at the glossy-eyed Alucard and once again asked him if there was some way she could help. 

"The next flight to Detroit, I need to be on it."

"Um Sir..." The woman spoke carefully, "I'm not sure you are in any shape to be going anywhere.  You look like you should be in a hospital not an airplane." 

Alucard gave her a look of utter annoyance, "Considering I just woke up beaten to hell in your damn parking garage, I think the least you can do is give me a damn flight back home."

The look in his amber eyes scared the woman enough for her to book his flight, "Here you are sir, Gate 15.  Flight leaves in 30 minutes." 

He yanked the tickets from her hand, and made his way to the boarding gate.  He looked over the ticket, mumbling about why the hell he was in first class, then giving in to the fact that at least he was going to be able to get back 'home' to Detroit.  When he boarded the plane, he looked around to notice that he was the only on in first class.

"Well, I guess it can have its perks..." He mumbled before dozing off.

Part way through the flight, the stewardess softly woke him. "Sir, is there anything you need?"

"Some asprin, and water would be good if you have any on the flight."  Alucard said, trying to massage out the pain radiating crown of skull. His hair gave a familiar crunch of dried blood beneath his fingers.

The stewardess came back, and Alucard thanked her.  He was grateful to have something at least take the slightest edge off the pain that was just pulsing through his entire body.   He couldn't for the life of him remember how he got to Las Vegas, why he was there. He had no idea what possible business he had there, or why Billy's woman kept flashing into the corners of his thoughts.   

Sweet Jesus what the hell happened to me? I just need to get back to Detroit, back to Integra.  I can't let her see me like this though, she'll stress out too much. Which wouldn't be good for the baby... baby... fuck, I'm going to be a father.  Who thought that was a good idea?  Oh right... that happened because you're not responsible Alucard. Still, it's best to just go to the apartment before the house... get yourself cleaned up and looking less like someone's personal punching bag. 

He took a cab back to his apartment and took a long hot shower.   The hot water felt like a miracle on his tired and bruised flesh, he braced his arms against the shower wall and looked down as the blood from his reopened bruises mixed with the water and swirled down the drain. 

Come on Alucard, you can do this.  Just give yourself a few days here and everything will be good, and you won't look so bad when you get back to Tegs. 

After about two days at the apartment, Alucard was tired of eating out and wanted to cook for himself.  No place he found was ever willing to prepare him chicken for breakfast, worse for him was that he had no idea why he wanted lunch food during breakfast.   Nothing made sense to him, and his whole world as of late was a total void.  

As he walked back into his apartment with his groceries, he felt an odd sensation like someone had been there or was still there. HE put the bag on the counter and looked around the apartment.  Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, so he climbed the stairs to his bedroom, where he found a short, brown-haired woman sleeping in his bed.  Slowly and quietly he pulled out the Jackal and pressed it's cold steel against the back of the woman's head.

"I don't know who you are or why you are here, but you would be damn smart to not make any sudden movements."

He rips the shirt from her hands.

"And give me back my damn shirt, you freak.

She hadn’t been in too deep of sleep that she hadn’t heard someone entire the house, her eyes opening as she laid as still as possible, keeping her breathing even as she simply tried to listen to any clues that might give away the person who just entered this house. What she didn’t expect was for the pressing of a cold metal gun to the back of her head and Alucard’s shirt to be ripped from her hands. For a split second, she had wanted to whip around to face whoever it was until it clicked in her brain the voice that had spoken. Alucard’s. Shit… my hair is different… goddammit, why did I ever think to change my hair…

She was mentally cursing herself for having done such a change. Most of the brown was gone from her hair, leaving it a lighter brown than it had initially been dyed, but the length was still only to the middle of her back. It’d been about a month since she’d changed it, and now she was regretting having done this at all.

“Bloody Hell, Alucard… Put the gun down…”

She didn’t dare move, not wanting to get her head blown off by the gun against her head. Her heart was beating rapidly as she felt the adrenaline start to pump into her veins. Was this what fear was like? She had never been on this side of Alucard, but it wasn’t like she could blame him, she highly doubt he would even believe it was her, she was supposed to be dead…

“Alu… can I just turn around… I can explain… everything I promise.”

She paused again, a thought hit her to let him know it was her. “Do you remember that day with Jonathan Harrison… that my father tried to marry me off to… you joked about that guy who could stop you, Michael McDoesntExist…” She dared to ever so slowly turn her head; her hands held up in a show that she wasn’t armed. Well, except for the small revolver that was tucked into her shirt.
 

"Do NOT tell me what to do bitch. You are the one who broke into my apartment, sleeping in my bed holding my fucking shirt.   You are in no position to tell me what to do." 

He heard the tremble in her voice as the woman asked if she could turn around. He let out a long and slow sigh.

"Slowly"

As he heard her mention, Michael McDoesntExist, he breath quickened and his heart raced.

"Tegs... What are you, here?  Not the house? Why the fuck is your hair that color, and that short?  I could have fucking shot you!"

He set the gun down on the nightstand, the holes in his very consciousness eating away at him.  His head started pounding once again as his mind started racing as quickly as his heart, he stumbled backward collapsing against the banister.

With her own hear racing at hearing and watching his reaction to realizing it was her. Her bright sapphire eyes softened and then filled with worry as she watched him stumble backward against the banister. Moving over to him, she crouched by him as her worried filled eyes took him in, cupping his cheeks with her hands.

"Long story... but I cut and dyed it... Alucard.. are you okay?"

She couldn't hide the worried tone in her voice as she watched him, looking him over with her eyes as she crouched in front of him.

"Do I need to take you to the hospital.."

He winced as her hands cupped her cheeks, he wasn't expecting the pain to shoot through them. The bruising to his face was a lot more sensitive to touch than he was expecting.

"I'm fine. I'm fine." 

He slowly made it back to his feet using the banister for support, but as soon as he was far enough away to not have the support he found himself falling back to the ground.   The pain surging through his body, and dizziness in his head took away any strength he had. 

"Shit" 

He turned away from Integra, cupping his palms over his temples and bringing his knees to his chest. 

"Tegs, there's a void in my mind, my consciousness. There are so many things I don't understand.  All I know is I came back to you."

She caught him wincing as she cupped his cheeks, furrowing her brows as she frowned at him. Seeing very clearly that he was not fine. It wasn't until he fell the second time though that she was scowling in his face and offering him her hand.

"The bloody hell you are Alucard. We are going to the hospital...Now." Her voice was stern, with worry laced in it as she watched him. She could see the bruises on his body and wondered just what or who the hell had done this to him. She felt the anger boil in her blood as she simply tried to squash it so she could focus on him at the moment. He needed medical attention... and she needed to get him there.

"If I help you... Can you walk... We are going to the Hospital now. No arguments Alucard... Maybe they'll be able to tell you why there's a void in your mind as well... Judging by the bruises, someone beat the hell out of you and I'm going to find out who..."

Alucard coughed, then looked at his hands, grateful there wasn't blood there this time. His eyes then scanned Integra, seeing the worry and concern on her face, he gave in to her request.

"Fine. Yeah, we'll go to the hospital."

He stood up and started walking with Integra's help. It was slow, and he relied heavily on the railing to get down the stairs as to not put too much pressure on Integra.   He stopped at the bottom of the steps, this time cupping her cheek into his hand.

"Tegs. Whoever did this to me, you cannot go after them. Not in your condition, don't risk our child. Please."

He looked into her eyes, silently pleading with her before he leaned down and softly placed his lips to hers.

He gave her a weak smile before saying, "Come on, let's go..."

She watched the man she loved with worry as she couldn't help but wonder just what all he could remember, did he remember his trip to England? or that her death had been faked? What could he remember and what could he not. She did her best to help him down the steps before glancing up at him when she felt him cup her cheek into his hand.

It was his words that shocked her slightly, he knew she was pregnant? But, if he didn't think she was dead... how was it that he remembered she was pregnant. She still had the book tucked inside the coat that had his letters to her... the letters from him to her when he thought she was dead. But he didn't seem to remember that she had technically been dead to the world... how was she supposed to explain to him without causing him more pain.

She kissed him back softly, offering him a small smile back as she nodded. "I promise." She would keep her promise, not even knowing where to start anyway with tracking down who had hurt him so badly. 

Once he was settled into the car, she got into the driver's seat and got them to the hospital, trying not to speed, but trying not to drive too slow either. Once at the hospital, she parked before helping him out and taking him towards the front desk, talking to the woman quietly as she tried to negotiate to get him into a room sooner rather than later. 

Even with the negotiation, they still had to wait sometime so she found him a place where he could lay down if he wished to rest. If he did lay down she would ever so gently run her hands through his short locks, missing his longer locks ever so slightly, pausing as she felt the scabs on the back of his head. She looked down at him with more worry and truly feeling her temper rise as she felt the need to find out and destroy whoever had harmed him like this. So many times Alucard had protected her... and now she wanted to protect him.

He lay down with his head across Integra's lap.  He noticed her expression clearly change as her fingers ran through his hair.

"Tegs, what's wrong?  Are you angry I cut my pretty lady hair?  I don't remember having it done, or why I would have done it.  Its hard to explain Tegs, it feels like a whole chunk of my life got turned into a void. The more I try to think and remember the things that don't make sense, the darker and more empty it becomes."

After what felt like a long excruciating time waiting, a nurse finally came by out. "Hellsing!"

With some help from Integra, Alucard made his way to the nurse.  She didn't move when she saw him, she looked at him and just said, "You..."

Alucard smiled at the blonde nurse, "...and you never called, Alice."

The nurse blushed, "Right this way, Mr. Hellsing."

"I'm not the Hellsing, she is."  Alucard laughed as he followed Alice.

"Oh well, I apologize Mister.... sorry, I don't know your last name."

Alucard sighed, "Just Alucard, I don't have a last name."  He noticed the look the nurse turned to give him. "Don't ask.  And Tegs, this was before us. You know there is no one else but you."

Alucard and Integra followed the nurse into a room where she had Alucard sit on a bed as she took his blood pressure.  Alucard attempted to smile at Integra to ease the concern he could clearly see written across her face, which he thought was working until the nurse's first test gave them some very concerning news.

"His blood pressure is 168 over 106. I see when you brought him in, you mentioned extreme pain, memory loss, and confusion. Is there anything else I need to know."

Alucard looked to Integra, then back to the nurse.  

"Yeah, I have a pretty nasty scab on the back of my head... in fact I'm fairly cut and bruised all over my body.  I took one hell of a beating in Las Vegas."

The nurse gave Alucard a shocked and concerned expression, "VEGAS?!  Why didn't you get to a doctor there? Why are you here?  That was dangerous to travel like this." She sighed, "It doesn't matter much on those things, but you really need to be admitted though.  We need to keep you under observation, make sure your blood pressure goes back to normal. Run a few more tests, find out the extent of the damage you've suffered.   I'll bring you the paperwork, and bring a doctor in as soon as possible."

As she ran her fingers through Alucard's hair, she could feel the scab, which made her temper rise at the thought of someone hurting him, snapping out of it when she heard his voice before allowing her gaze to soften down at him as she carefully and gently brushed her fingers through his hair. "I'm not upset about the hair, it's just hair Alucard... it'll grow back."

She had been about to continue saying something when she heard a nurse call out her last name, she was quiet as she helped Alucard get back to the room, paying the nurse no mind. She was used to how Charming Alucard was, so the fact that this nurse knew him, didn't bother her at all. Besides, she had his child growing... that was proof enough of where his love laid.

She was quiet again as the nurse took his blood pressure, though upon hearing the number and the nurse's reaction, worry struck her face again. How was it a good idea to have faked her death again... maybe if she hadn't... if she'd found another way to keep her and Billy safe from the attack on Detroit... maybe Alucard wouldn't be in this position...

Once the nurse left to take the paperwork and grab the doctor, she moved the chair closer to his side, placing her hand on his as she squeezed it gently. "We'll figure this out Alucard, just try to relax... I'm here... I'm safe, now we just need to get you healthy... okay?" Her voice was soft and inside she was debating, depending on what the doctor said, on if she should just lay everything out for him... at least what she knew of what happened in the void of his memory. She couldn't cover everything... but the letters he wrote to dead her told quite a bit of information. She just didn't want to cause him more pain, and revealing so much at once would certainly do that. 

There was a knock on the door before the doctor walked in, smiling softly at the two as he introduced him as Dr. Michael Woods. He moved to the other side of the bed that Tegs wasn't on and started checking Alucard over for all the different injuries, asking different questions to seem to take notes on what he suspected to be wrong.

He listened to Integra as she held his hand. "I'm fine Tegs.  But I know you're more convincing and calm yourself than you are trying to calm me.  But there's more there, I can see it in your eyes and face, hear it in your voice.  What's bothering you?"

He swallowed hard as the Doctor came in, and Alucard was forced to remove his shirt.  He knew the fresh cuts and bruises would upset Integra, but he also knew it must be done.  He also wondered what Integra would think of him having the name of what he thought was their dead child tattooed above the brand on his chest.

Alucard went over the headaches, back, stomach, and leg pains.  Talked at length with the doctor about the confusion and void he was feeling in consciousness. 

"So tell me Doc, am I gonna survive?"  Alucard laughed as he joked with the doctor. 

"Mr. Hellsing, your condition is no laughing matter.  You're blood-pressure, headaches, dizziness, and memory loss have me quite concerned about cranial swelling.  If we don't get that taken care of, it could lead to permanent damage or even death.  Judging by the scarring on your body, you've already avoided death a number of times over, I am going to assume you don't want to press your luck any further.   I'm going to start you on some medications, get your blood pressured lowered. If this doesn't help, we have a couple of other options like oxygen therapy or lowering your body temperature, before we have to go into anything more severe. For now just rest I will have Alice bring your medicine to you.  And after you're rested, we'll get some staples into that head wound of yours." 

The somber realization that he was once again looking death in eyes, removed the jovial expression from Alucard's face.  He took in a deep breath and steadily exhaled.  He was once again being pulled from the icy hands of death, he wondered how many more times was death going to allow him to slip through his fingers. He knew it was only a matter of time before Charon came to carry him away.  

He placed his hands up to his lips, and slowly exhaled through his palms.  He didn't even bother to correct the doctor about him not being a Hellsing, instead, he just nodded and said, "Thank you Doc."

He looked to Integra, he could see the pained expression stretched across her face.  He could tell she was worried about him, but he could also tell there was more there, he has known her for almost 17 years now.  What he didn't know, what was she was holding back however now was not the time to press her for the information. So he gave a gentle squeeze of her hand, and in a soft voice, "See Tegs, I'm gonna be fine. Everything's gonna be fine.  I'll get some meds, some staples in my head, and I'll be making you lunch at the house in no time."

This time he was the one convincing himself as much as he was her.

She watched Alucard as she heard him speak, glancing up at him as he asked what was bothering her. Which she was about to start telling him until the Doctor came in, so instead she grew quiet again before listening to the Doctor and Alucard. It wasn't until the Doctor gave his diagnosis that she felt her stomach turn slightly as she dropped her gaze again, closing her eyes so as to ignore the stress and worry that once again weighed heavily on her shoulders. She didn't glance up until she felt calmer, feeling Alucard squeezing her hand gently.

Hearing him talk she had a feeling now wouldn't be a good time to drop so much on him, but she would let him know that she knew things... but that he needed to be in better health to hear them. After the doctor having said he needed to get his blood pressure down, and that he had cranial swelling, she didn't dare risk his well-being.

When he mentioned he would be making her lunch at the house in no time, she offered a small smile. "There are things bothering me, Alucard... I know you can tell... but let's get you out of this danger first and into better health... and then I'll tell you everything, I promise." She smiled at him as she brought his hand up so she could kiss it gently, holding it in both of her hands. She honestly didn't know how he was going to react to anything she was going to tell him, but if his blood pressure needed to drop so they could get the swelling of his brain down, she wasn't going to force it to sky rocket, not until he was safer.

"Maybe you can teach me how to cook..."

"You want to learn how to cook?  Since when?  Just how bad is this stuff you need to tell me?"

Alucard verbally said what was running through his mind. Him teaching her to cook was something they always joked about, but she seemed to enjoy him cooking for her and bringing her breakfast in bed.  Something seemed really off to him about Tegs wanting him to teach her cooking. He worried a bit about what it was that was wrong. 

His thoughts didn't get a long time to process his thoughts before Alice walked back in with a cup of pills and a glass of water.  She walked in with a smile that quickly faded when she saw Alucard sitting shirtless on the hospital bed.  The scars that covered his chest, back and arms left the nurse speechless, she felt sorry for him.  "Alucard... I..."  She looked away from him for a moment, before regaining her professionalism. "You need to take these, then get some rest.  Rest will be vital for your recovery."

He gave Alice an understanding smile. "It's okay Alice, I'm used to the reactions I get. Thank you for the medications and taking care of me.  Will we see you in the morning?"

"I do have a morning shift tomorrow, so yes you will be seeing me again. Take care of yourself Alucard."  She smiled at him.

He couldn't help but laugh, "I'm in the right place if I don't though."

She shook her head, "Just take your damn medicine."  She turned to Integra, "Is he ALWAYS like this?"

Hearing his questions she smiled softly as she watched him for a moment before answering him. "You've taken care of me for how long Alucard? I just want to be able to return the favor... even if it's just once..." She offered a small smile before glancing back down at their hands as she thought for a moment before answering his last question to her. "It's... it's not good Alucard... honestly, it'll raise your blood pressure too high and probably freak you out a little... That's why I want to wait until you are healthier. I know you probably don't want to wait..." She paused as the door started to open before finishing. "But just this once... would it be alright to wait?"

She was quiet as the nurse walked in, watching the two interact, an actual smile coming to her face as Alucard seemed to joke with the woman. When she was asked if he was always like this, she smiled warmly as she looked at him with love in her eyes, the worry temporarily forgotten as she nodded. "Most of the time, but it's that charming way of his." She chuckled lightly as she shifted in the chair to get a bit more comfortable. Alice seemed to shake her head, before saying something along the lines of how he is indeed charming before heading out. Integra hadn't been paying much attention to the woman as she moved a bit to lean an elbow on the armrest of her chair, resting her head on her palm as she watched Alucard with a gentle smile on her face. Her right hand still resting on the hospital bed.

He downed the pills and drank the glass of water that was given to him, grateful that something in them was able to dull the pain his body was feeling.  He looked towards Integra, being honest with her.  

"I asked her out, when we first came here.  Before, you know, you and me.  She was Joey's nurse then, I thought she was pretty. She blew me off at first, and it only made me attracted to her more.  She never did call to take me up on my offer though."  He turned and looked at Integra, a smile spreading across his face, "I'd say it turned out for the best, in the end."

He looked at her, and a sad smile crept across his lips. His Tegs.  He's been calling her his Tegs since she was eight, she hated it at first. He wondered if she still did. He worried a bit about how bad this information was she needed to tell him, was there something bad enough that could change their dynamic? And did it have anything to do with the vacancy in his memories?

"And Tegs, we can wait until I'm on the mend. I do need you to tell me though, especially if it has anything that can fill in this void in my consciousness.  I understand it is really bad, and could change everything. There is no other reason for you to be this concerned about what you have to tell me, I know you Tegs.  I've known you for more than two thirds your life, you can't hide things from me.  But for now..."

He laid down on the bed, laying on his side towards a far side of the bed.

"...come lay with me."

She glanced towards Alucard when he spoke about the nurse, nodding slightly. Not seeming bothered by him stating that he had been attracted to the nurse and then she had turned him down. Hearing him mention that he thought it turned out for the best, in the end, she smiled softly at him. Her eyes watching him, filled with love for him as she watched him, watching her. She noticed the sad smile on his face and cocked her head slightly. "What's wrong Alu?"

Her voice was soft as she watched him, before listening to him speak. A quick look flashed across her eyes as she watched him quietly. Hearing his words followed by him asking her to come lay with him, she smiled again. Carefully getting into the bed with him to curl up at his side, she leaned on her elbow as she looked up at him, gently cupping his cheek in her hand as she locked gazes with him. 

"Alucard, I won't hide anything from you... not this important. The moment the doctor tells you that your blood pressure is looking better and the swelling has gone done, I will tell you everything. As much as I know, but we stay in the hospital just to be on the safe side... Okay?"

She leaned up to kiss him softly, pulling back after a few moments to watch his face for any reaction. She wished she could tell him now, but she refused to put his life in danger with high blood pressure and swelling in his brain. For now, she would just curl up with him and enjoy being with him again. Something she hadn't thought she would get back after being without him for the past few months... Even if it was going to be the last time, she wanted to savor this moment.

"I love you... you know that, right?"

"Thank you Tegs."  he said in almost a whisper.

He stared into Integra's eyes, he could get lost in her eyes... as lost as he was feeling right now, with no memories of any of his recent past. What he did know was that in this moment he was finding comfort in the familiarity of the love he bore for Integra. He ran his hand along her side, cupping over her hips. He smiled at her, as his eyes studied her face.

"You're so beautiful."

His words soft, and he leaned into her, kissing her lips as he drew her into him.  He broke the kiss just long enough to tell her, 

"I love you too."

She heard his words, her eyes locked with his as she allowed herself to get lost in his eyes as well, her fingers brushing gently over the stubble on his chin, not moving her eyes from him. Only when he kissed her did her eyes close, she wanted it to never end... but between his injuries and the need to breathe, they had to break eventually. Her eyes immediately finding his as she heard him say that he loved her too.

The feeling of guilt started to creep up on her as she dropped her gaze to his chest, her fingers barely brushing over his skin as she wondered out loud. "Seras? What is this tattoo for, Alu?" She glanced back up at him, curious as to what she had seen on his chest. She'd never been bothered by his scars, nor the branding mark that was in the middle of his chest. That one solely reminded her of everything he'd ever done for her, like walking straight into hell... how trusting he was of her, and something she worried about getting damaged from what she had to help him remember.

As she laid, curled up at his side, her hand brushing against his stubble, as she savored this moment. She could feel herself starting to drift to sleep, but she forced herself to stay awake so that she could hear his answer, curious as to what it was. Eventually, she did drift off to sleep, curled up close to his side, seeming like she'd been missing him for some time. 

Alice returned to the room only a few hours later, praying she didn't wake anyone as she went to check Alucard's Blood Pressure, knowing the doctor wanted this to be checked every couple of hours to make sure it was going down.

He didn't answer the question about the tattoo, the truth was that was one of the many things he had no memories of.  He couldn't answer her even if he wanted to, and he did.  Just why did he have another girls name tattooed on his chest?  Was it in memory of a friend from the past? Did he meet another Seras? He could only guess, he hoped perhaps she had answers for that question as well.  Instead, he held her close to him, taking in the comfort of the lavender and vanilla smell of Integra and fell asleep with her in his arms. 

Alucard yawned and blinked to focus his eyes as he felt the nurse begin to take his blood pressure again. "So how am I looking?" He said as quietly as he could.

"I'm sorry I woke you, I was trying not to.  But your blood pressure has gone down a little bit.  Doctor Mike said we can continue the treatment if you showed some progress. So here's your next dose."  

Alice gave a weak smile as she handed Alucard the pills and a cup of water, looking at Integra she asked, "So, who is she?"

"Integra?" He asked before taking the pills, and handing the two small cups back to his nurse. "She's my best friend, my savior..."

Alice took the cups and looked down into them, "And the child..."

"It's mine. Yes."  Alucard looked at the blonde nurse, taking note of the sad expression on her face. "How did you know?"

"I'm a nurse, I notice these kinds of things.  Congratulations though, Alucard."

Alucard smiled and a gave a soft laugh, "Thank you Alice, but I think a sympathy card for the child might be more appropriate."  He noticed the confused look that passed upon his nurses face, "I mean having me for a father, the child is going to need all the sympathy it can garner." 

The nurse tucked some of her blonde locks behind her ear and laughed, "I'm sure you'll be a great father Alucard.  Anyway, I won't be your nurse for the next check.  I will be off shift, Tammy will be taking your blood pressure and such until morning.  Do yourself a favor, don't be... well, yourself around her, she'll make your life hell.  While some of us..." She looked down at the sleeping Integra, "Find your antics cute, she will not. So just be polite, for your own sake."

Alucard nodded, "I will.  Thank you.  I will see you in the morning then, have a good night Alice."

When Alice left Alucard went back to holding his blonde angel close to him, letting his lips gently kiss the top of her head. He could feel her start to stir in his arms. His voice, calm and peaceful.  "It's okay Tegs. Alice came, meds seem to be working. Go back to sleep."