"I do apologize, then," Van Helsing replied, just as seriously. "Not the right circumstance for something like that, was it?"
"The feeling is mutual," Van Helsing laughed, clicking Lexie's and Sorin's reigns to start them forward. "Are you really angry with me, though?" he asked now, a little more quietly.
Van Helsing jumped up onto his carriage, glad to see Lexie down in front of him. He patted the seat next to him, winking at Jinx. "Where are you sitting?" he asked with a smile as Hannah and Edward climbed into his carriage.
"Issues," Van Helsing muttered, chuckling, and then shut his mouth.
"So... now would not be a good time to...?" Van Helsing began, and then cut himself off when he saw the look on her face. "I'm kidding," he smiled now. "I... you're welcome. Let's go find the others."
"You liked it," Van Helsing smiled. "And so did I, so stop being so difficult. If I ever need to do that again, I don't think you could stop me."
Van Helsing chuckled. "I figured it was worth the risk," he replied smoothly. "And I did 'hit' you , dear. Just not as you expected."
Van Helsing sighed. "I'll go, then," he muttered, catching Jinx's eye. "Stay with him. That's fine." He gave Will a small bow, and then turned. When he saw the man's eyes go down out of the corner of his gaze, and then turned swiftly, driving his fist straight into the side of Will's jaw. It was like punching concrete, though he at least made the man loosen his grip on Jinx. He snatched her arm and pulled her close to him, grabbing the hair at the back of her head to force her to look at him. "Wake up, Jinx," he muttered quickly. "Snap out of it!" But her eyes remained glazed over, her arms limp at her side. Hoping he was doing the right thing, he pulled her face close to his, kissing her roughly, his other arm tight around her waist. He broke away from her a moment later, and grinned when he saw her lips forming a tiny smile. "Better now?" he laughed softly. "I thought so."
"That's not the point," Van Helsing hissed. "I need her. If you weren't such an emotional freak, she wouldn't be anywhere near you right now. This is your last warning."
Van Helsing tensed his hands into fists, frowning further. "I can't leave without her," he said through clenched teeth.
"I'd like you to stop hindering our departure, sir," Van Helsing snapped, crossing his arms over his chest. "You don't know how much I'd like to just kill you instead of ask."
Van Helsing cocked his head in the direction of where the carriages were kept, behind the stables. "Do you hear that?" he whispered at Edward. When Edward shook his head, Van Helsing frowned. "Stay here," he muttered, and began to make his way around the back of the stables, resisting the urge to pull out his guns.
Van Helsing nodded. "Of course," he replied. "Jinx said she was getting the carriages and the horses ready, so maybe you can give her a hand?"
"Of course," Van Helsing sighed. "Well, get yourself in better shape if you want to be of use to any of us. We should leave now while it's dark."
"What the hell happened to you?" Van Helsing exclaimed when he saw Edward.
"Good," Van Helsing sighed. "At least we'll all meet in the right place, I hope."
"I see," Van Helsing replied. "Do you know where Beatrice went?"
Carl and Van Helsing started walking toward the stables. "Do you know exactly what direction to head in to look for Dracula?"
Van Helsing only winked at him. "Everything," he chuckled. "Shall we make our way to the stables and get going again?"
Van Helsing saw Carl at a table and walked over to him. "Almost ready to go, my friend?" he asked, patting the friar on the back, giving him a wide grin.
