Barely able to stifle a smile that could have burst from her face, Emily reached out for the heavy iron door knocker on Alucard's front door and tapped firmly four times. After several long moments, the sounds of locks turning and sliding could be heard. When the door opened, with the straightest face she could muster, Emily said

"Good evening, sir. Do you have a moment to talk about our lord and savior Jesus Christ?" 

It took all Alucard had to not bust out laughing, and with as straight of a face as he could muster he told the young beautiful woman on his doorstep, "I'm sorry miss, but I and my household are devout followers of the great and mighty Cthulhu.  Why do you think our house is built on a cliff overlooking the sea? Certainly not for beauty, but to make sacrifices to The Great Old One!  Of course."  

Alucard's amber eyes reflected the warmth and friendliness he felt for his friend, whom he only recently had found out survived the destruction of old Detroit.   He gave a slight cough as he grinned, before laughing and embracing his friend.  

"Emily!  You look amazing, but what are you doing here?  I wasn't expecting you, though find you on my doorstep is one hell of a pleasant surprise."

Upon hearing some commotion a large, solid black wolf padded up and stood behind Alucard.  His amber eyes, a canine mirror of his master's, stared intently at the new arrival to the estate.  

Emily hugged Alucard tightly, truly happy to see him face to face again. 

"Ah, you old heathen." 

Grinning, she stepped back a bit and looked him over. 

"Well, what's life without a few surprises? I have several of those, actually."

From the corner of her eye, Emily saw something move in the foyer, then saw the massive wolf take a stance behind Alucard. She very quickly avoided eye contact with the awesome beast, instead looking to Alucard. 

"What a magnificent animal! Is he pure wolf? How in the world did you find him?" 

"OLD?!"  Alucard said in a tone of mocking offense. "See if I invite you into my home after such an insult to my glorious youth!"

His smile never left his face though, as he took a step back calling the wolf to his side.

"Come on in, I can make you some tea or something as you tell me all about your additional surprises.  You can meet Baskerville here, as well.  I call her Basker or Basky.  I believe he's pure wolf, judging by his massive size.   I found him when I first bought the property here, I was walking the trails and grounds, and found him with his paw caught in a hunters trap. I released him from it, and waited for the hunters to come around.  The told me there were there to finish the job, but I wasn't about to let them hurt the wolf cub.   I brought him back here, and fixed him up as best as I could."

He took a look down at the scarring around the wolfs right front leg.  

"I'm sorry Basky, I'm not that talented of a healer.  Not like our friend Emily here."

The massive canine walked around Alucard to Emily sniffing her feet and her hand.  He nudged his head under her hand and sat, looking at Alucard as he gave his tail a slight wag.

Thrilled that the wolf had accepted her presence, Emily happily stroked the top of his head and gave a scratch behind his ears. Now that she knew he was not threatened by her, she looked at the face of the magnificent creature and bent down beside him.

"It is wonderful to meet you, Basky. What a handsome boy."

Truly, Emily was quite mesmerized. She'd never been so close to a real wolf before. He radiated intensity and wisdom that Emily could feel in the air. 

Standing again, she picked up her purse again and stepped inside. 

"This place is amazing, Alucard. Just like you described it, only far more beautiful to see in person."

Alucard just stared down at the wolf, and grinned. 

"You know he's free to go whenever he wishes, he just sticks around.  I guess we're his pack now.  Funny story, he came with me when I was still in the works for revamping the club I'm opening, and I left and Basker here walked in where I just left.  One of the more superstitious workers thought I'd turned into him. Had to tell the guy there's no way I'd be this handsome in wolf form."

He laughed, and smiled at her comment about his estate. 

"Thank you, hopefully, the kiddo feels the same way about it when she's old enough to appreciate it.  Follow me into the kitchen, I do fancy myself a cuppa.  Do you have any other bags?  I'd be happy to take them for you."

"Nope, just my purse. Everything else is already stowed at the hotel. I'm staying at the Browning for a few days."

She let that last comment hang in the air while she followed him through to the kitchen, chuckling lightly to herself that there was no staff milling around. That was just like him;  Lord of the castle, but does the work himself.

When she was settled at a table while Alucard clanked around the kitchen, she continued her previous thought. 

"This view is unbelievable. I sure hope I'll be able to find a similar vista when I meet with the real estate agent tomorrow."

Emily peeked up to see how he reacted, grinning slyly.

Alucard walked over, and put water in the kettle before placing the kettle on the stove. When he heard where she was staying, he turned to Emily and gave her a stern look.  

"The Browning, like hell you're staying there.  You're staying here, we have the space and you are more than welcome." 

He stood at the counter mixing the leaves, creating a citrus mint blend of tea and placing the mixture into two infusers.  As the kettle went off, he poured the water into two cups, and put one infuser into each cup.

"I have ice if you would like your drink cooled, it's actually very nice cold as well."

His head turned sharply back towards her when he heard her mention real estate agent.  

"You're moving to Seattle?"  He said with a clearly surprised tone, but a broad smile forming across his face.

"Moved. Already left Detroit. It...wasn't a good fit. Let's just leave it there. The girls needed to get away from the big city. After Las Vegas went down, all but Chloe and Jen sought other work. I can't blame them. Working around the mob isn't for everyone. But, Jen and Chloe stuck with me, so I feel responsible for them, and their safety. I thought we'd build a health spa at the hot springs- secluded, comfortable, and out of the hustle."

She inhaled deeply, catching a whiff of the tea brewing. It was the most relaxed she'd felt in weeks. 

"The only thing I'll really miss about Detroit will probably be visiting fairly often, though."

At the thought of Gavin, her skin blushed slightly, and her lips turned up in a girlish smile. 

"Well..."

Up to this point, Emily hadn't shared with anyone the nature of her relationship with Gavin - such as it was. Being in Detroit and constantly reminded of the loved ones he lost made it feel  wrong to speak of it at all. But, this was Alucard, and Emily knew that if anyone would understand, it would be him.

"I've been seeing Gavin Byrne. We're...not necessarily 'together,' per se, but we have been spending a good amount of time emitting each other's company."

In an attempt to hurry over what might become a strange silence, she continued as she lifted the warm mug. 

"We've been there for each other through a few hardships, and frankly, both of us were lonely, for different reasons."

She smiled again, glancing at Alucard. 

"He asked me to tell you hello, Wild Card."

Alucard gave Emily a warm smile, as he could see the warmth and happiness written across her face when she spoke of Gavin.   He took a sip of his tea, then walked to the icebox and broke off a small chunk of ice to cool his tea down.  Sliding a small chunk across the breakfast bar, letting it lightly click on the side of Emily's mug.

"Gavin's a good man.   I understand his pain, and loneliness all too well."

He closed his eyes for a moment.  His memories had been coming back to him in waves lately.  The pain of his loss, the guilt in how he felt like he'd failed both Bella and Aurora, the guilt in loving Integra and holding feelings for Aurora.  All the memories and emotions flooded back into his brain at the mention of Gavin's name. 

"And I understand, very well, how hardships and loneliness can bring two people together.  I'm happy the two of you are able to bring a little light and warmth into each other's lives.  It was some life trials and loneliness that lead to Aurora and I being close... though maybe not in the same manner as you and Gavin."

He added at the end with a playful tease.  Baskerville looked at Alucard and give a huff with a small shake of his massive head.  Alucard would swear the wolf sometimes held sentience that was close to his own.  He took another sip of his tea.

"Are Chloe and Jen staying with you at the Browning?  You are all welcome here." He put a slight emphasis on the word 'all.'  "I promise you, Tegs won't mind.  I promise you, Tegs won't mind, she is not the jealous type and we trust each other completely.   We are incredibly confident in the bond we share with one another. I'm not sure I'm making much sense but please trust me when I say she won't mind."

His face warmed, and his smile mirrored the love and admiration he felt for Integra. 

"Oh! I finally get to meet this lucky lady, don't I? And the little one! I've been looking forward to that. And, since I know you well enough to know that you're going to insist, I will gratefully accept your hospitality. I'm sure the girls will be glad to be out of hotels for a while."

Emily picked up the ice and plopped it into her tea. She swirled it slowly then took a long sip. It was comforting to be with a friend, and that meant a lot with so much on her mind.

"Tell me how things have been with your memory. Any problems at all?"

She smiled sheepishly. 

"I can't help it. I'm your friend first and always, but you know I can't turn off nurse mode."

"You think she's the lucky one? Oh, sweet Emily.  I am the lucky one between her and I.  She could have literally anyone on this earth, British freaking royalty, and she chooses some uncultured kid off the streets.  Yeah, I'm the lucky one."

He beamed a smile as he talked about Integra, he loved her with everything he had, and he couldn't hide it even if he wanted to. 

"You know..."

He scratched the back of his head.

"My memory is coming back fairly well actually.  Though, I should probably get a check-up.  I need to keep an eye on my blood pressure, heart rate, and all the fun stuff now.  Another bad hit to the head could be the death of me docs say."

He sighed as he gave her an uneasy smile. 

Emily nodded and took another sip of her tea as she listened. 

"Well then, we'll see to that as soon as possible."

She returned his nervous smile with a warm one, reaching over and squeezing his hand reassuringly before putting down her cup.

"This move was the right one. I can feel it. Besides being near friends, having a lot of work to do will keep me occupied and keep me from worrying myself to death until Gavin returns." 

She let her eyes wander longingly over the beautiful, serene vista of Alucard's home with a soft sigh. The concern crept into her eyes . 

"Gavin had urgent business in Germany."

"Oh, you'll know from the moment you meet Integra that I am the one who got lucky.  She's my very heart, and my daughter Emily.  I had no idea I could love anything as much as I love that little girl.  I pray she's more like Tegs, and not like me."

Alucard could hear the concern in Emily's voice for Gavin, all he knew to do was just squeeze her hand in return. 

"I know telling you not to worry about Gavin, and assuring you he can take care of himself isn't really going to ease your worry at all for him. I know it wouldn't ease mine if it was Integra who was away on urgent business.  We'll keep you busy and get through the waiting though, and when Gavin comes back he's welcome here too we're still looking for a proper place for you and the girls."

He sipped the last of the tea, half frowning seeing the bottom of his mug.  He loved this type of tea on warmer days, it was refreshing and energizing to him.

"I, don't suppose you..."  he was going to ask her if, by chance, she knew a doctor in the Seattle area until he realized that would seem like he would be attempting to impose on her.  "...you would like more tea, would you? I don't mind making more.  Also, did you want to go back to the hotel personally?  Or I can call up one of my guys to go get your things as well as bring Chloe and Jen here as well."

"I would prefer to go back and get them, but I could use a ride. Ever since the night Las Vegas fell, and they got dragged away in the night, I have tried to make sure they know what's happening when a decision is made that affects them. They stuck with me, and I think they deserve that."

Alucard nodded, standing to make more tea and Emily handed him her cup. She watched him move about the kitchen, her mind wandering back to an earlier part of their conversation.

​​​​​​​​​​​​"You know, if you'd rather not see a doctor for a simple follow up exam, I'd be happy to do that for you. I still plan on practicing nursing while I'm here. Probably going to have another private infirmary in the resort."

"I understand your sentiment.  I would be happy to give you and the girls a ride."  The laughed at the thought of his car carrying 4 people, "Though the ride back may be a ilttle, intimate, for someone.  Three of us should be a little tight, but still okay, the fourth though, that could be fun.  I don't mind though, always happy to help.  If you think it might make the girls a little uncomfortable, I will be more than happy to pay for your cab there and back."

He put two newly mixed diffusers into the water, handing one back to Emily.

"Of course, if you drive, I can let you borrow the car as well.  That is no issue for me, as long as you remember your way of course. I don't want you getting lost, I'm responsible for your safety and happiness after all."

He looked toward Baskerville who was laying down in the middle of the kitchen floor looking up at the two of them, with a forlorn expression across his face.  Giving Alucard a huff when he said that this time he'd have to be left behind.  Going back to the freezer he nabbed a bit more ice, sliding a chunk over to Emily, and dropping the other one into his mug. 

"I don't mind seeing a doctor really, I just don't know any here in Seattle.  I've been so busy since I've gotten here, I haven't looked into finding one for myself." He smiled at Emily, "Well I guess I do know a doctor now, don't I?  If you're willing to help, that would be lovely.  Though, I hate to ask such a thing when you're so busy yourself in finding a home a place for your business."

The image of the five of them squashed into a clown car together made Emily laugh out loud. She shook her head and swirled the chunk of ice into her mug as she replied.

"I'm sure we'll be fine. Anyway, I don't drive, so I wouldn't be of any use myself. I've...never learned how, actually."

She chuckled and waved her hand at her friend at the implication that he might be imposing on her for the exam.

"Please, Alucard, you know I'm happy to. If everything I've done, nursing is the one thing I have always truly enjoyed. Never a bother at all. You just tell me when. It's the least I can Di to thank you for your generous hospitality."

Emily smiled, genuine in her sentiment but knowing that he would never ask anything in return himself. But that was the nature of their friendship; there for each other, no questions asked. It had been that way since Detroit, and always would be. 

"I'd be happy to teach you to drive, if that's something that interests you.  I'll tell you what, it took me quite some time to get used to your backward way of driving here int he states."

He laughed as he remembered his first few times attempting to drive after he landed here. 

"Well I think since the car is a convertible it won't be too  cramped if one of your girls is feeling adventurous to sit on the backs of the car seats" 

He smiled warmly at Emily.  Her friendship meant the world to him, she meant the world to him.  Genuine friends were more rare and precious to him than any gemstone, for they cannot be bought with money.

"Thank you Emily.   We can do the checkup, whenever you feel comfortable doing it, and have the time to do so.  I don't think my blood pressure or brain swelling is actually putting me in any immediate danger at the moment."