Chapter 1: The New Doctor

I ran out of my house in a hurry, and jumped into my car. I was going to be late for my first day of work! I drove to the FBI building and when I parked I jumped out and ran into the building. Agent Crawford then greeted me when I went in, and I stopped in front of him. He had a poker face, which made me nervous, and I smiled at him. "Agent C, did I do something to get on you poker face side?" I asked him.

"Your late, Dr. Chernikova. You're new team mates are waiting for you." He said plainly.

He turned and walked into his office. I followed him, and went through the door. I looked in to a dark-haired man with blue eyes, and another man with brown hair with dark brown eyes. I looked at them and smiled. "The man in the chair is Special Agent Will Graham, and the man in the suit is Dr. Hannibal Lector." Agent Crawford said to me pointing out the men.

"Hello, its nice to meet you. My name is Orpha Chernikova." I said smiling a bit.

Dr. Lector walked up to me and held out his hand. I grabbed it and shook his hand.

"Its nice to meet you to Ms. Chernikova." He said with a smile on his face.

"Same…Uh, has Agent C told you what I do exactly?" I asked them.

Dr. Lector nodded, and William seemed uncomfortable with talking to me. I looked at him and analyzed him.

"Mr. Graham how is that new dog that you found adapting to your home?" I asked him and he looked at me shocked.

"Uh, he's okay…How did you know that?" He asked me.

"The way your back is arched forward suggests that your bending over for something, like petting an animal, or feeding them. And you have dog hair on you black pants, but there isn't enough for people to see," I said and then shrugged. "I don't know how I know."

He looked at me confused.

"But you just said-."

"I know, and was I right? Does your back hurt? If you want I have Ibuprofen."

Agent C stepped in.

"Orpha, stop. You're making him uncomfortable." He said and I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Me or you? You forced him back in the field, and you are making his mind go darker than it should by working for you," I raised my hands in defense, "but hey, it's not any of my concern because it's not me, correct?"

"Why do you always question me?" Agent Crawford asked me.

"Because why should I not when I can a lot, Agent C." I said grinning.

He shook his head. After a few moments of silence, there was a knock on the door and another agent walked through the door. We all looked at him.

"There's been another body found near the woods." He said and Agent C walked out with the man following him.

William got up and followed Crawford, leaving me with Hannibal.

"Should we go with them or…I haven't even been told what I'll be doing." I said mostly to myself.

"Chernikova, that's Russian." Hannibal said and I turned towards him.

"Yeah, my father is from St. Petersburg." I said smiling.

"Well since its seems you are not needed at the moment, would you like to get something to eat?"

"Yeah, I haven't had anything to eat yet. I was almost late getting here."

We walked out of the building and walked over to my car. I unlocked it for Mr. Lector and myself. Once in the car, I turned to him.

"I kind of just moved here…do you know any places to eat at?" I asked him.

"Yes, there is a café down the street." He said and pointed in the direction I need to go.

I nodded, backed out of the parking space, and drove to the café. It only took a minute to get to the café. I pulled into the parking lot by the café and put my car in park. I pulled my keys out of the ignition and got out. I looked up to the café's sign. The name was Sonja's Café. I smiled and started to walk in with Hannibal behind me.

"Welcome to Sonja's café, what can I get for you?" The woman asked us with a noticeable Indian accent.

"Can I get almond fudge and, um, a mango lassi…please." I said smiling.

She turned to Hannibal.

"What would you like, sir?"

"Just some Earl Gray tea, please." Hannibal said politely and the girl nodded and left.

He turned his head back towards me and seemed to look me over. He then smiled and spoke.

"You are very different, Dr. Chernikova."

"Please, call me Orpha. Dr. Chernikova is too…stuffy for someone like me." I said smiling.

"Orpha, I suppose you're not from around. Where are you from?"

"I was born in Russia, I lived in Chicago, and I just recently come back from Germany."

"Why were you in Germany?"

"Vacation, I was there for vacation. It's honestly my first trip to Europe that wasn't business related." I said laughing a bit.

"That's nice." He said softly.

I nodded in agreement and the waitress came back with our orders. I thanked her and took a bite of the large piece of fudge. We continued our conversation and we talk for at least two hours. I had to keep ordering different desserts to stop my hunger. I was on my sixth dessert and Hannibal is just looking at me in amusement.

"You love desserts, don't you?" He asked smiling.

"Yes, I do. I like their desserts here. This is now my favorite place to get sweets." I said smiling.

"Well, maybe some other day I could make you some homemade desserts I know from growing up in Paris and Europe."

"Really? I would absolutely love to, Hannibal," I smiled at him. "You are the easiest person to talk about things with…I like that."

"Same to you. I have a feeling we will get along well." He said chuckling.

It was still early in the day and Hannibal decided to show me his office, were he counseled people. It was very nice and there were drawings of buildings. I looked at them and he noticed. "Do you draw?" He asked and I nodded.

"Yeah, I do. I draw and I do a lot of other things." I said smiling.

"And would that be?" He asked grinning back at me.

"I draw, play many instruments, sing opera, make wonderful cuisine, and more that I can't seem to list."

"Opera? I would love to hear you sing, if you even do sing well." He teased.

"Excuse me? I have been in sixteen different operas. I know how to sing." I said defensively, but jokingly.

We sat down and started to talk again. Hannibal was artist, smart, and very attractive. I took in his appearance more. He had high cheekbone, light brown hair, and dark brown eyes. He was young, though a few years older than me. I looked at my phone and it was already nine at night. "Its late, I should go home." I said getting up, hiding my want of not wanting to leave.

"I suppose so, Orpha. Good night." Hannibal said a bit disappointed that I have to leave.

"Good night, Hannibal." I said smiling.

He walked me out to my car, and I went home. I think I might be in love with Hannibal Lector…though it's to soon to tell. I drove home with a smile on my face, and thought about what was to become of the future of working with Hannibal and Will. "This is going to be fun."