A/N: This is technically the sequel to "Bruised, But Not Broken," but you don't have to have read that one-shot for this to make any sense. The first chapter doesn't have any smut (sorry) - I felt it was important to build up what's been happening in the past year, as well as what they mean to each other before any physical boundaries are broken. There's a bit of sensuality and an "almost kiss," but the sexual tension doesn't get resolved until the next chapter. I'd also like to thank ginevra_alessa, because her lovely story "Your Smile's A Drug That I Can't Afford" inspired me to continue this drivel.

CH 1: Closure

It was a full year before Will saw Abigail again. She came up his walkway loaded down with suitcases, breathless and bright-eyed as she chattered aimlessly about the flight. Though Will hated small-talk, his heart swelled at the sight of her. He'd honestly lost all hope of ever seeing her again.

"California was amazing," Abigail continued. "It was kind of hard making a living out there at first, but I managed. Maybe you could see my apartment someday."

Will faltered, silenced by emotion. It was good to see her so happy. Careful to hide his moist eyes, he took her suitcases and carried them into the house. "Your room's at the end of the hall," he softly said. "I've made us dinner, but…I'm afraid it's nothing fancy."

He noticed Abigail stiffen. It was amazing how something as mundane as food had become a trigger. During their last encounter, she hadn't been ready to talk about what happened. He highly doubted that now would be any different.

Finally, Abigail choked out, "Whatever you have is fine… I'm not all that hungry, to be honest. I ate on the flight."

"Oh."

Watching Abigail shrug out of her jacket, Will grew relieved when his "welcoming committee" came in to greet them. Abigail's eyes immediately lit up.

"Wow, so it's true!" she said. "Everyone always joked about how you have your own arsenal of dogs, but I assumed they were exaggerating. You're kind of…a hoarder."

Will bristled defensively. "No one else will take them in. I don't think I could just leave one behind, or-"

"It's ok," Abigail cut in, smiling. "I was making a joke. Y'know…ha ha? Or have you forgotten how to laugh, too?"

Though she'd meant it to be funny, Will felt his heart sink as he watched her get down on bended knee. He could remember when Abigail had been a stray… An aloof, snarling creature who'd rather take off his hand than accept any help. But in time, she'd come to realize that he would never hurt her, and now she happily basked in his company. It pleased Will to see how comfortable she'd grown in his presence.

Abigail shrieked in delight, startling Will back to awareness. Winston was peppering her face with kisses, vaulting up onto his hind legs as his tail wagged furiously.

"That's Winston," Will softly said. "I found him around the same time I found you."

Abigail smiled, rubbing the dog's tawny fur. "I've never had a pet before," she confessed. "My dad never wanted to share my affection, so I wasn't allowed. Now that I'm on my own, I'm thinking of getting a goldfish."

Will wrinkled his nose. "A goldfish?"

Abigail laughed, dusting off her legs as she rose from the floor. "Well yeah, I've gotta take baby steps. I don't think I could handle a dog just yet."

Her eyes met his and Will smiled warmly, unable to help it. The move to California had clearly done her some good (though perhaps a little too much good, given how freely she dropped her teasing commentary).

"So what were you saying about dinner?" she asked. "I'd hate to keep you from eating just 'cause I already did."

Will faltered. "Oh, uh…it's in the fridge, but I can pull it out if…if you want." His expression was sheepish.

"Sure, what is it?"

"Um…leftover pizza from Vino's."

"Vino's? I thought you said you made us dinner!"

"Well, I made it appear thanks to my 'hardworking ordering skills,' so close enough."

Scoffing, Abigail surprised him by hooking her arm through his. "I might as well share in the spoils. After all, you did just say you worked really hard on ordering it."

Will grinned. Briefly touching her hand on his arm, he averted his eyes and allowed her to lead him into the kitchen.

To Will's delight, they spent the day talking about normal, ordinary things like Abigail's apartment, her obnoxiously nosy neighbor, and her job as a waitress. On a good night, she easily made over one-hundred dollars.

Will smiled warmly during these stories, proud of her and all that she'd accomplished. Abigail had done exactly what she'd set out to do, and had even kept her word on coming back to see him. Apparently that old saying was wrong…in this case, the apple had fallen very far from the tree.

"Will?"

He looked up from his empty plate, suddenly shy as he smiled. "Yeah?"

"Can I…? I mean…I know this is going to sound really weird, but…can I see your scar?" Abigail gazed up at him imploringly, her eyes swimming with a multitude of emotions he couldn't quite place.

Feeling the color drain from his cheeks, Will swallowed once and shook his head. "Abby, I…I don't think that's appropriate."

"Not appropriate?" She was angry now. "How the fuck is it not appropriate? I was there when it happened!" Now rising from the table, Abigail stalked over to him and lifted the hair from her neck. "He marked me too, in case you've forgotten!"

Will was surprised by the calm in which he responded, "Of course not – I almost lost you."

"And I almost lost you!" Abigail agreed.

A silence overcame the room then, thick and heady as her eyes burned piercingly into his. Finally, she said, "Please, Will… Don't ask me to explain why or how, but I just…I need this. I finally feel free and alive, and to me this is the last step. I need the closure. I don't think I can move on without facing what happened that night."

"But I…"

"Please," Abigail begged.

Rolling his lips together, Will closed his eyes and nodded. In all the time he'd known Abigail, he'd made an unspoken vow to help her – to protect her and provide her with anything and everything she needed. Despite his discomfort, the exposure was a small price to pay for Abigail's peace of mind.

Hesitantly rising from his perch, Will glanced down and placed a hand over his stomach, practically feeling his scar tissue burning through the fabric. He sensed Abigail stepping closer.

She looked as if she might remove the garment, but Will drew back, exhaling before grasping the hem of his shirt. "No, no, I can do it," he assured her.

Abigail appeared uncertain, but she gave him his space.

Counting to three, Will took a deep breath, then peeled his shirt over his head in a brisk, fluid motion that burned his skin. He swallowed sharply, uncomfortable with the way Abigail was looking at him. Her eyes were on his face, soft and soulful as her hand came over his chest. Touch gentle and feather-light, she trailed her fingers down until they brushed along the jagged network of scar tissue. Will saw an imperceptible change in Abigail's face – her lips quivered and her eyes grew moist, but the expression was gone just as soon as it had come. Again, Abigail resumed her shy exploration, but this time her gaze had shifted down to Will's stomach. Her fingers traced along his skin as if she were reading Braille.

Will swallowed, hating how she was making him feel. It was wrong to love Abigail as much as he did – it was wrong – but he found that desiring her didn't make him feel ugly anymore. Overwrought, perhaps, but not ugly. In the end, Will just wanted to feel…to have someone to feel with.

"I'm sorry," Abigail whispered, startling him back to attention. "I'm sososo sorry…" A sharp sob lodged in her throat and she trembled, clapping a hand over her eyes as she dropped her forehead against his chest.

Compulsively, Will grabbed her face in his hands, cupping her cheeks as she wept the ugliness out of her heart.

"You have nothing to be sorry for," he whispered. "You were a victim."

"I could've stopped it," she choked out, now grasping at his shoulders. "I could've helped…"

"No, you couldn't have. I know what it's like to be under Hannibal Lecter's control…he's in your mind before you can even stop it." Much like how Abigail was in his heart. Now pressing his forehead to hers, Will stroked Abigail's wet cheeks as she heaved several short, shuddery sobs. Her breath scorched his mouth and he looked deep into her eyes, drowning in the despaired ocean that gazed back at him. "You're going to be ok."

Abigail sniffled. "You can't promise me that…"

"For you I'd promise anything." Rubbing her shoulders, Will leaned more closely into her touch and closed his eyes, running his fingers along her neck and up into her hair. The clichéd "I love you" was on the tip of his tongue, but he somehow couldn't manage it. Not when she deserved to be far, far away from him and his poisoned soul.

Abigail seemed to think differently. Allowing Will to stroke her hair, she angled her face and brushed her lips against his, feeling his mouth part in what she hoped was acceptance. She tasted him on her tongue, cupping his cheek as she breathlessly moved to complete the kiss.

Will jerked back in shock. "N-no," he whispered. "We can't…"

"But Will, I...I love you…" There was a heartbreaking need in her eyes for him to feel the same – for him to hold her and make everything right again. Abigail didn't know why she'd said it… She assumed it was only natural to fall for the man who'd tried to save her life (twice). It was why she'd come back. She needed him.

"I love you," she tried again, pleading.

Will wanted to tell her that he loved her more – that he admired her strength and resilience and beauty – but that same love was what was making him tell her no, for he knew that as long as Hannibal Lecter was on the loose, it wasn't safe for her to be anywhere near him. Hannibal would come for him again…he'd come for them both.

"I…I feel nothing for you," Will lied, nearly choking on the words.

Abigail's eyes puddled as if she'd been slapped. "Well if you feel 'nothing' for me, why the hell am I even here? Why did you want me here?" Fighting back tears, she threw her arms up and snapped, "Don't worry, I'll be gone by tomorrow. I'll just go book myself a flight."

"Abby, wait. I didn't mean-"

But she ignored him, stalking off until he heard the slam of her bedroom door.

Quivering, Will sank down into his chair and placed his head in his hands. The bone-chilling loneliness had suddenly returned.