Room 303, late Tuesday afternoon

[walter_n_wires]

Walter had two packages waiting for him today. He'd picked them up from wherever one does that and carried them back to his room in the aftermoon after work. As much as he wanted to tear into the package from home, he set that one aside and opened the one from the ophthalmologist's office first

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[union_jane]

Seras heard the string of profanities as she was walking along the hallway and called out, "You know, if you ever tire of your vampire hunting butler gig, I'm sure you'd fit right in down on the docks."

[union_jane]

What in the world was Pup fussing about?

Seras looked over from her own package and tried to figure it out, but she couldn't see why Pup was so frantic over a red piece of cloth.

Though...the longer she looked at it, the more...alluring it seemed. She felt the sudden urge to reach out an caress it. And, why would that be a problem?

There was no problem...none at all...

Seras blinked and shook herself. Turning red, she returned her concentration to opening up her own package.

[walter_n_wires]

Walter looked down at Alucard's token for Pup and found himself turning red. What an interesting, and telling, choice.

He drew the length of cloth between his fingers as he'd done in the past when it had been knotted around Alucard's neck. Its weave was so fine as to be invisible, making it softer than silk, but somehow much weightier.

He was so caught up in his own thoughts and memories, that Pup was able to snatch the tie away from him and jump off the bed to scuttle underneath with it.

[union_jane]

Seras, meanwhile, had torn open her own parcel and pulled out a folded not and a pouch.

She read the note once then again, right away.

"He says that he knows about everything," she said, holding the note out to Walter, "And, so, he's going to let me comission a gun, and once it's done, you'll send him the specifics about the ammo, and he'll 'have the boys out in Lancaster fit me up'."

Her voice seemed to be coming from a long ways away. Was this really happenng? A letter written last week, sixty years ago?

[walter_n_wires]

Walter looked up from where he was peering over the side of the bed at Pup and raised an eyebrow at Seras. "He's setting you up with the special ammunition."

[union_jane]

"Special?"

Seras set the note down and opened up the pouch. She tipped it over her hand and something small and weighty and cool fell into her palm.

It was a bullet, smooth and compact and about the size of a pen's cap. Seras held it up between her thumb and her index finger. A cross had been engraved, in two clean strokes, on the bullet's side.

[walter_n_wires]

"Silver, melted from a cross from Lancaster cathedral and blessed." Walter looked at the bullet and tried not to frown; he knew what, or more accurately whom, Arthur was thinking of when he sent these to Seras.

"He wants you to be safe from what could happen, I suppose."

[ooc: For those keeping track at home, this is canon ammunition for Hellsing.]

[union_jane]

Seras looked up from the bullet and over at Walter.

"This kills vampires?"

[walter_n_wires]

"Oh yes." Walter nodded and wondered what would have happened if Pip had shot him with one of those instead of just a silver bullet.

[union_jane]

It killed vampires. Walter's boss wanted to give her something that killed vampires. Meaning Walter's boss wanted her to kill Alucard if it came right down to it. Or, at least to try to. Kill Alucard, who was Walter's friend.

No, more than his friend Seras reminded herself. Walter had admitted as much in the park when he'd shown her those pictures.

Could she do it? The idea of killing someone was frightening enough, but killing someone who was dear to her friend...

And, what would happen if she refused the gun? Would Arthur do something else to ensure that Alucard didn't create another vampire?

All of this flashed through Seras' mind in a moment or so, and then she made a choice.

"I don't know anything about guns," she said, "Will you help me?"

[walter_n_wires]

Walter held out his hand for the bullet.

Help her? With a gun that might someday kill Alucard? How in hell was he supposed to do that?

"Arthur would want me to."

But could he? What was he going to do?

"But I don't think you understand what you're asking me to do."

[union_jane]

"You love him."

It had been in the back of her mind since Walter had shown her those pictures.

And, no she hadn't understood. But, Walter was the only person she knew who could, well, help her with this.

Seras didn't know who, if anyone, was responsible for that supremely unfair fact, but if she ever found out, there were going to be words exchanged.

[walter_n_wires]

Walter didn't look down, even if he wanted to look anywhere but at her in that moment. "Yes. You're asking me to help you possibly kill him."

He thought quickly and made a decision he didn't like, but which would be a tolerable, hopefully livable compromise.

"If I help you, I want to tell him about you. Warn him. Maybe if he knows you'll be armed to kill him, he won't do... it."

[union_jane]

"Maybe you should do that, anyhow," said Seras, "Tell him about what happened and about me. Let him know that I don't want to be a vampire. Do you think that would work? Would he...leave me be, then?"

Seras' face took on an expression that so hopeful it neared desperation.

"That way I wouldn't have to...kill your friend...have a gun made."

[walter_n_wires]

Walter nodded slowly. "There are other vampires, and Fandom is a dangerous place. I'll help you, and I'll tell Alucard about you and that you never want to be a vampire. If he doesn't listen..."

He loved a vampire. He loved someone who was, in many respects the vampire. Was he really expecting Alucard to listen if she asked?

His expression grew stern. If Alucard didn't listen, he might earn what Seras would do.

[union_jane]

Seras nodded, staring at the bullet in her hand. It wasn't very heavy, but it had a definite presence. She considered dropping it to the floor, but it might roll.

And, well, Pup...

"You're brilliant," she said, her voice low, "You're being pulled five ways at once, and...Thank you. You've done more to help me then anyone has in a long time. And I don't think any of it's come...easily for you."