Days are beginning to melt together, the ripper ten steps ahead of them at each and every turn. Bodies popping up, seemingly unconnected aside from the brutality. That's always consistent. Some kills seem to dehumanize and humiliate, while others seem far more calm and rational, then there are the ones that seem random and unplanned, and even more that seem to be methodical and thought out months prior. Frustration runs deep through Jack Crawford and his team, especially as Will continues to insist that only some of these killings are done by the Ripper, but when asked why Will can hardly come up with a logical explanation as to how he's deciding which kills are done by the Ripper and which he believes are done by yet another monster. That seems to even frustrate Will himself.
It's rather late in the evening; Jack, Alana, Will, and Hannibal are gathered in Jack's office. The map on the wall next to him has way too many thumb tacks in it, and the board next to it has far too little amount of numbers indicating leads and known facts, to his liking. Will is babbling out explanations, trying to make sense of his own thoughts while Alana calmly tries to assist him in organizing his own thoughts, which Jack rubs the bridge of his nose in frustration, and Hannibal calmly looks from one person to the other, mildly amused by their overwhelming emotions.
"I think it's time we bring in fresh eyes on this," Hannibal doesn't bat an eyelash, but Will and Alana's heads turn as if they'd be struck.
"We don't need anyone else getting in on this, Jack," Will begins, but Jack shakes his head.
"This isn't about pride, Will. This about figuring out what exactly is going on here, who's killing who and how many there are of them, and how the hell we can't catch them. It's obvious we're missing something, and I've made a few calls and there's a team that is stationed here as well. They travel the country and help local enforcement catch killers in their area by gathering evidence and formulating a profile. Their B.A.U. as well, profilers," Jack relayed calmly.
Hannibal was surprised, and pleased, by Jack's decision. Intrigued to meet and analyze more minds, more people to manipulate. Alana seemed to be considering the information, while Will was outraged, "We've put a lot of time into this, Jack. Some team of random glorified street detectives aren't going to be able to do anything that we can't."
Jack's face went dark, and Hannibal fought to keep his face neutral, "They are far from glorified street detectives, Will. They've been able to solve more cases successfully than any other team. They specialize in serial killers, they've dealt with more than their fair share of psychopaths. They don't just join forces with anyone, and their chief in command seemed very interested in our case. I expect you to drop that attitude when they get here tomorrow, they have a million other cases they could be focusing on, and they made ours a priority." Jack spoke highly of this team, and Hannibal could tell he'd done his research.
"Why didn't you tell us you were even considering this?" Will seemed betrayed, and Hannibal was interested as to why he was taking this so personally.
"Because I am in command here and what we are doing is running in circles after a killer, or killers, that seem to be way ahead of us and I'm sick and tired of waking up wondering what bloody massacre is going to pop up next." Jack's tone left no room for arguing, and Hannibal was nearly giddy at the turn of events. Will was quiet, looking like a deflated balloon. "They are away on a case, but they are expected home tonight and will be here tomorrow in the morning. I expect you all to fully cooperate with them, and respect them, understood?" Alana and Hannibal nodded calmly, but Will didn't answer. "Will?" Finally, Will looked up and their eyes met.
"Yes."
Hannibal hardly slept the night before, arriving at Jack's office earlier than necessary in hopes that he could spy the team of profilers before they entered. He was disappointed though, finding that a black SUV with government issued plates that he'd never seen before was parked outside their building. Pity, he would have loved to have a chance to profile them before they profiled him. He wasn't surprised to see Will and Alana arrive in the same car, also fashionably early. Will still looked angry when he got out of Alana's car, but she looked refreshed and as professional as ever. Hannibal checked his hair in the mirror briefly and got out to walk in with them. "Good morning," he greeted politely, and Alana smiled and Will grumbled unhappily in his direction.
The office seemed more lively than usual, apparently these profilers were a much bigger deal than he'd thought. It only made him more excited. Jack met them in the hallway outside his office, "Good morning," Jack greeted, looking more professional than ever, "They're waiting in the conference room." Hannibal looked up through the glass window to their right then. Four men and three women, all rather attractive in their own way, and also very noticeably different than one another. They were talking amongst one another, and Hannibal already sensed a strong feeling of teamwork between the agents in the other room.
Jack wasted no more time, opening the door the door to the conference room and ushering them inside. One man stood first, tall, dark, and serious looking; the glint of leadership in his eye. The other's followed, the last man to stand the youngest looking one. "This is Agent Will Graham, Dr. Alana Bloom, and Dr. Hannibal Lecter. They've been working the case with me for some time now. The dark haired man spoke, "I'm Special Agent Aaron Hoctchner, this is S.S.A. David Rossi and Derek Morgan. Those are Agents Alex Blake and Jennifer Jareau. That's Dr. Spencer Reid, and our computer analyst and liaison, Penelope Garcia."
Only the first five shook hands with the others, their doctor nodded at each of them with an awkward wave, and the computer analyst smiled a cheery smile; her eyes lingering on Hannibal's for a moment extra, he noted. She was interesting, dressed informally yet classy. "Pleasure to meet you," Hannibal said to her. She blushed a wonderful red, and he smiled widely at her, "I appreciate your vibrant colors." Her face flushed further and she smiled warmly.
"The pleasure is all mine, Dr. Lecter," Garcia said kindly.
"Please, call me Hannibal," he replied smoothly. He noted how the dark skinned agent, Morgan, glared in his direction; taking note of his every movement. He wondered if they were romantically involved. He glanced at Will, who had found the youngest agent, Reid, to be an interesting one to look at. Hannibal eyed the young agent. Certainly awkward, obviously the youngest person in the room, lanky, yet not unattractive. His lean form seemed weightless, yet Hannibal could see in the man's expressive eyes a flare that proved he was anything but defenseless. Dr. Reid had seemed to take an interest in Will as well, and the curiosity the two seemed to instantly have for one another was intriguing. He took in Derek Morgan, the muscle of the team. His demeanor didn't seem to leave much room for nonsense, yet he took showed a softness in his expressive eyes, contradicting his tough body language. David Rossi, the older of the group, seemed to be wise with his years. Good at what he did due to his experience, his tired eyes told the story of one too many sleepless nights. He saved the other two women for last, Alex Blake was the older of the two, yet still beautiful in a humble sort of way, her expression similar to Rossi's, yet compassion rolled off of her in waves that only a woman could posses. The final was Jareau, beautiful in all senses of the word. Young, blonde, with shocking eyes that were fierce in a way that let everyone know not to be deceived by her looks. Beauty did not mean weakness. Perhaps these were a very special group of people after all, he licked his lips in anticipation.