Burned At The Stake

Part 3

by

Trycee

Time-Line: Halloween Crossover story: X-Files/Hannibal. +Bump In The Night Halloween Crossover Challenge

Location: Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland.

Disclaimer: I do not own the X-Files, this is written for fun not profit.

**Food descriptions come from Janice Poon, a food stylist for NBC Hannibal from her blog, "Feeding Hannibal"**

They were surprised at the table setting laid out by Hannibal. The long exquistie table with ten seatings was filled with exotic flowers and fruits cut into ornate displays. Scully glanced over to the Wall of Herbs, three deep pocketed long planters in a row filled with fragrant herbs that nearly overwhelmed the senses. 'When does he find the time?', she wondered.

Scully was dressed in a black dress that feathered out at the waist showing her curves much to Mulder's surprise and reaching down past her knees giving him a view of her sexy toned legs. He was disappointed though that she had again worn black. She had been wearing black ever since Emily's death but he did note that she looked incredible in it. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. The dress dipped only slightly in the front giving Mulder a glimpse of her skin, and he had to remind his body not to react to what he was seeing from her. She had small diamond earrings in her ears and she wore her black trenchcoat which covered her arms. He knew her dress was one she wore as FBI attire, possibly one she kept in her suitcase for just such an occasion, but yet she looked both beautiful and elegant and he was proud to be her 'date' at this working dinner with Hannibal. Scully slipped off the black jacket and Mulder gasped slightly. Her arms were bare and he could see Scully's delicate shoulders. Her dress was tied in the back exposing part of her back to him. She smiled shyly at him as he continued to stare. Hannibal watched them carefully, fully aware of the sexual tension between them.

Mulder kept glancing in Scully's direction as Hannibal eagerly explained the painting above the fireplace and the animal tusks that framed it. Mulder's heart ached just looking at her. Her red hair was cropped short, laying close to her face and she looked both adorable and sexy at the same time. He wanted her so badly but he had to pretend that her every movement, sigh and gaze didn't affect him physically. Hannibal seated them together at his massive and lavishly decorated table. He added the flower's Mulder had crushed to his body as he stared at Scully, the ones they'd brought as a gift for Hannibal to the table adding to the decor. Being a master host, Hannibal explained his grand decorations which neither Mulder nor Scully listening to the scientific names and whether they were edible or for decoration.

Hannibal immediately began to pour some wine into their glasses. The doorbell rang and Hannibal excused himself. Scully turned towards Mulder. He was practically drooling and she felt proud of herself that she had brought him to that state.

Hannibal returned with Bedelia du Maurier smiing and Mulder's jaw nearly dropped. Scully turned to look at him and he had to turn his head away to stop from staring. She was wearing a dark red Hippie Cowl Wrap Blouse that crisscrossed down to the nape of her breast yet shielding her breast from view and she wore a tight black leather skirt that stopped at the knee. Her equally well toned legs were like eye-candy to Mulder. Bedelia glanced over to Hannibal and he seemed glued to her as well. She smirked as she glanced at Mulder who was trying to avoid her gaze and Scully who seemed irritated by it.

"Glad I could make it," Bedelia spoke, as Hannibal poured her a glass of red wine. "I have to admit this is the first time I've ever been here myself."

"Really?", Scully said skeptically, glancing over at Hannibal who was watching the beautiful blond, a look of pure admiration on his face.

"Yes," she said, in her sugary voice with a hint of a British accent.

Scully turned to look at Mulder but his eyes were on her. His face was reddened slightly but she connected with his eyes before glancing down bashfully. He placed a hand on her back searing her skin. This was the first time Mulder had ever touched her bare skin without her being in danger and she desperately fought to not tremble from the intensity of his touch. She glanced up into his eyes and he nodded to her, a sly smile on his face and then turned back to the two psychiatrist in front of them.

"We appreciate the invitation to this dinner, Dr. Lecter," Scully began.

"It's a passion of mine," Hannibal said, refilling Bedelia's glass. She sat directly across from Mulder but her attention was on Scully. It still amazed her how similar Scully's mannerisms were to hers.

"I love to entertain," Hannibal continued. "I'm passionate about having friends for dinner," Hannibal smirked. "It's what I live for."

Mulder looked at him intensely. There was something in Hannibal's smile and eyes that made him uncomfortable.

Scully content with Mulder's hand still on her back, continued. "We still would like your notes on Katie Williams."

Hannibal smiled. "Yes, of course. But certainly on a full stomach!", he said, dispensing charm.

Scully smiled back but shook her head slightly. She could tell that getting any information out of Hannibal would take awhile. Scully was enjoying seeing Mulder in one of his Armani suits with a turquoise shirt and black tie with what looked like crop circles but his glances at Dr. Du Maurier, only made her feel more insecure and hurt.

Within minutes, Hannibal had in front of them a plate with a salad that looked as if it might attack them, something neither Mulder nor Scully had ever seen. Though it was lovingly created by Hannibal who had an artists eye in creating the masterpieces. Scully could tell from Mulder's glances at her that he was thinking the same thing she was afterall, they were used to roadside diner fare not majestic displays of artistry. It looked like a science experiment with a whole mini cabbage head on each individual plate with peacock feathers sticking out like knives, It had purple baby artichokes, sliced tomato and cucumbers cut into flowerettes. Hannibal drizzled a citrus salad dressing on top and explained each ingredient and invited his guest to enjoy.

Scully glanced at Bedelia's face and saw that she too was surprised at the strange pointy salad that resembled an array of knives jetting out but Bedelia removed the feathers and then picked up her salad fork and began to eat.

"Dig in!", Hannibal began. "This is the first of two courses."

Scully smiled meekly and shot a quick glance to Mulder. They also removed the feathers and then dug into their salads and were both surprised at the complexity of flavors. "Wow, incredible!", Scully said.

"Thank You," Hannibal smiled. "It's a bitter orange dressing with sweet basil and a hint of cranberry."

"Delicious," Bedelia added, smiling at Hannibal who seemed to perk up.

"So," Mulder said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "What could you tell us about Katie Williams", he asked.

Hannibal glanced quickly over to Bedelia who returned his gaze before digging back into her salad.

"She had a diagnosis with Lycanthropy or what's better known as Witches Lycanthropy."

"She thought she could shape shift," Mulder said.

Hannibal looked surprised. "Yes. She thought she possessed the ability to transform into a raven or a werewolf."

Bedelia looked concerned. "I've only read about cases like that. What an interesting case she must've been."

Hannibal seemed pleased with himself. "She'd been a practicing witch for many years. But, when off her medication she was harmful to herself and others. She had developed a tolerance to most medication. Clozapine was our only option to keep her functional."

Mulder nodded, waiting for him to get to the point but Hannibal was an eloquent story-teller and was enjoying the company and the banter.

"What powers did she possess?", Mulder asked.

Hannibal seemed amused. "She had no actual power except what existed in her mind. She believed she had achieved a certain level of power, whatever that was within her cultic beliefs. But, despite what she saw as having achieved a level of power, she wanted more. From what you tell me, Agent Mulder, people are claiming to see her."

"They are," Mulder stated.

"Perhaps she achieved it. A modern urban legend," Hannibal stated. "But when it came to our sessions, she spoke mainly of blood sacrifices."

"Blood sacrifices?", Mulder asked.

"Yes, using chickens and even the piercing of her fingers to perform a spell or a curse. I mainly listened. I don't believe in judging."

Bedelia was staring at him. He grabbed up his wine glass and slowly sipped on it. Bedelia turned from him and eyed the two Agents instead.

"Did you think of committing her?", Scully asked.

"Agent Scully," Hannibal said, with his fork in the air.

"Dr. Scully," Scully corrected him.

Impressed Hannibal nodded. "Dr. Scully, it's interesting that you asked that," Hannibal stated. "I had begun the paperwork but then she stopped attending sessions."

"And you didn't follow up on her whereabouts?", Scully questioned.

Hannibal and Bedelia exchanged glances. Scully shot a look at Mulder and her eyes settled back on the two psychiatrists that she felt were dishing out bits and pieces of information.

"We can't track down all of our patients," Bedelia explained, speaking in her slow, careful way. "We have patients that come once and then we never see them again. That's the industry we're in."

Scully watched the woman closely, noticing the way Bedelia guarded her words. Scully also noticed the distance Bedelia placed between herself and Hannibal, who seemed to want to impress her, leaving an empty chair between them. Scully turned to look at Mulder and he had glanced at Bedelia but turned back to towards her. Scully picked up her glass, sipping on it.

The doorbell rang and Hannibal looked amused. "Excuse me," he said, standing up from the table. Mulder smiled meekly at Bedelia as he played with the feather on the side of his plate.

Bedelia, ignoring the occasional glances from Mulder, turned her attention towards Scully. "Tell me, Agent Scully, what area of medicine do you practice. And how do you use your skills as a doctor in the FBI?"

Scully sighed, choosing her words very carefully. "I am a licensed Forensic Pathologist and I also treat patients, whenever it's needed," she said, as she glanced over to Mulder. He smiled. "My FBI credentials give me a little more freedom than you're average physician."

Bedelia smiled. "Sounds like you have developed numerous skills in the FBI that will be invaluable to you one day if you decide to go into private practice."

Scully looked into the woman's identical blue eyes and she smiled. "Yes, I have. And might I ask, how many patients do you see?"

Bedelia smiled warmly back. "One. I have just the one."

Scully cocked her head to the side. Bedelia noticed the confused look on both Mulder and Scully's faces.

"I retired," Bedelia said, as she dangled the wine glass in the air. "But, Hannibal is the reason I came out of my retirement but only for him, I'm afraid."

"And you had never worked with a patient with Lycanthropy?", Scully asked, a little edge in her voice.

Bedelia's eyebrow raised and Mulder had to mentally check himself. She was NOT Scully.

"I'm curious," Bedelia said, avoiding the question, as she turned towards Mulder. "Why didn't you practice, Agent Mulder?", she asked in her syrupy sweet voice.

"Practice?", he said, surprised.

"You seem familiar with Lycanthropy," she said, sipping on her wine. "No interest in practicing?", she said picking up on Mulder's Psychologist background.

"I decided the FBI was my route," Mulder said, turning towards Scully. She sipped on her wine and her eyes were cast down and Mulder could tell she was uncomfortable with his one on one with Bedelia.

Scully could feel a burning in her chest as Mulder and Bedelia chatted with each other. She felt alone in a room full of people and what she wanted to do was cry. Here was a woman that was a few years older than herself, that looked similar to herself, and could even be mistaken for her older sister except for the blond hair. And Mulder was staring into her eyes much like her own and it was sickening to her. Bedelia Du Maurier wasn't six feet tall like the past women in his life, she was around the same height as herself except they were both wearing heels. Scully felt like a woman who had caught her husband flirting with another woman right in front of her and it made her want to throw up. Now she knew what Mulder must have felt like when he'd seen Eddie Van Blundht, as him, leaning over her just inches from her lips.

"Ummm, Mulder!", Scully said, cutting into their conversation, trying to bring Mulder's attention back to her.

Mulder looked into her eyes. He could see that she was fragile. It was slight, her emotions, and on the outside, Scully looked contained, but he knew her better than anyone and he could see jealously and distress in her eyes. Mulders hand moved up from her back to her bare neck sending shivers down her spine. "Yes, Scully?"

She couldn't speak as his hand seared her flesh, awakening her entire body. Her mouth opened but nothing came out. He smiled at her and she glanced down shyly. She could still feel his eyes on her.

Bedelia was observing the interaction between the agents when Hannibal returned with a guest, Jack Crawford.

"Well, well, well...", Jack smiled. "If it isn't my old friend, Fox Mulder."

"I'm sorry, we have to go!", Mulder said, pushing his chair back and jumping up.

"So suddenly?", Hannibal said, looking offended. "I've served but one course."

"Mulder, did you find Katie's ghost yet?", Jack chuckled.

Mulder glared at Jack Crawford. "Mock me all you want but Scully and I are going to solve this case."

"I had a chat with A.D. Skinner," Jack said, looking from Mulder across the table and Scully who was still seated. "He wants you in his office first thing Monday morning...but he's willing to allow you to work on this case...as long as you don't interfere with my investigation."

"Why didn't he tell us that himself?", Mulder fumed.

"I told him I would," Jack said. "At dinner..."

Hannibal smiled at the tension between the two FBI agents.

"Well, dinner is over!", Mulder said, pushing in his chair.

"Mulder, you're not leaving on my account, are you?", Jack teased as he sat down next to Bedelia. "Surely, we could both be civil and sit at the table and enjoy each others company."

Scully reached up and placed a small hand on his arm, calming him. He looked down at his partner and nodded and then sat back down. Jack noticed the intimate gesture between the partners. He'd heard rumors about them and now he was witnessing it for himself. It reminded him of the way Will Graham looked at Dr. Alana Bloom.

Hannibal set a place for Jack and he was pleased, giving him a new audience to showcase his culinary skills. Jack nodded acknowledging Bedelia as she sipped on her wine watching the chaos. She was fascinated with Scully's full attention to her partner. She noticed Scully's moods would shift with his moods as if they were completely in sync. Bedelia smiled to herself as she sipped on her wine, it was obvious that they were in love with each other but it was also obvious that they hadn't yet consummated their relation.

"Did Mulder mention he's here investigating the after-life appearance of Katie Williams?", Jack asked.

"Yes," Hannibal answered. "It's an interesting concept. A murder victim appearing as she died. For what purpose? A reminder that she is a victim, perhaps?"

"It happens to be our case but Mulder and his partner here, Dr. Scully...Agent Scully," he said, nodding in her direction. "Are here unofficially."

Mulder's fist tightened and Scully laid her hand again on his arm.

Hannibal smirked. "I wasn't aware of that."

Hannibal, with a devious grin, stared into Mulder's eyes. Mulder again felt uncomfortable. He turned his head, his jaw taut and his eyes bulging, glaring at Jack. Scully was sure she could see smoke coming out of his ears."I hadn't had the time to explain that, Jack!"

"Well now that we're all here, we can discuss the details together," Jack said, digging into his salad. "Umm, exquisite."

"Thank You," Hannibal said, as Jack savored every mouthful. "Tell me," Hannibal questioned. "You said, Katie Williams was found in the woods.

"Scorched with one leg and one arm left visible," Jack added.

Bedelia laid her fork down, her appetite taken. She felt uneasy discusing their case during dinner but Hannibal and the other's didn't seem to mind.

Mulder smoothed his palms on his pants. "That's right."

"A fire was built up and she was tied to a tree and after she was burned, the killer wrote WITCH in her ashes," Jack said, staring at Mulder. "This was the killer's first murder. No other crimes like this existed here since the Puritans who had witch trials here in Maryland as well as Massachusetts. But, we'll solve it, thanks to Will Graham," he said, goading Mulder.

Scully quickly turned to her partner. "Mulder," she said, in a soft voice.

Mulder could feel her voice penetrating his brain and his body. He knew that Scully was fully aware of the way he reacted to just the sound of her voice. He sighed. "Did she have any enemies? Where did she practice witchcraft?"

"There's a group of witches here in Baltimore not recognized by the Wiccan's and Pagans who practice a peaceful religion. This group practices black magic," Hannibal continued. "They call themselves Dark Moon. She frequented the group but became dismayed when, as she described it, powers were weak. She thought conjuring up the devil would help her to achieve the amount of powers she wanted."

"We checked them, the Dark Moon group. No one remembered her," Jack answered.

"Where are they located?", Scully asked.

Jack sipped on his wine and smiled. "Near the University of Maryland...the Baltimore campus not College Park. Dark Moon is located in a place called, Pig-Town."

Mulder looked at Scully and they both stood up, excusing themselves. Bedelia nodded towards them both as she brought her wine glass up to her lips. Hannibal stood up and escorted them towards the door. "I'm sorry you couldn't stay."

"The dinner was delicious," Scully smiled. "But we need to get back to work."

Hannibal nodded. "Well, I hope to have you both for dinner again before you leave," he said, kissing Scully's hand.

"It's a promise," she smiled.

Mulder shook Hannibal's hand and he had a strange feeling run through him.

Hannibal returned with the others and then removed their salads and walked into the kitchen and plated up the second course, a meat course. He sat down and Bedelia smiled her appreciation. "You out did yourself, Hannibal."

"Let me guess," Jack said. "Roasted lamb, am I correct?"

Hannibal was amused. "Roasted veal stuffed with spinach and mushrooms served with an apple wedge, and french beans with Gorgonzola."

"Ummm," Jack said, savoring his food. "You are a master cook!"

"I must agree, Hannibal," Bedelia said, slyly.

Hannibal nodded in her direction. "So," Hannibal said, turning to Jack. "In what way do you know, Agent Mulder?"

"He worked in my division," Jack said. "He was a brilliant profiler...he still is. He just decided to blow his career on chasing after little green men."

"And Dr. Scully?", Bedelia said, turning towards Jack.

"She is a brilliant physician. She taught at the Academy, much as Will does. She was assigned to debunk him but instead..."

"Fell in love with him, perhaps?", Bedelia answered.

Jack looked at her hard. "There's rumor's to that effect. But, that isn't my problem. My problem is Mulder getting in the way of our investigation with his ridiculous 'ghost witch theory'. I don't want him trivializing it with some theory fit for Halloween! I want a serious investigation here."

Hannibal carved into his 'veal'."What did Will find?"

"Will thinks the killer was offended by our victim, Katie Williams. He feels the killer sees her as a fraud, a wannabe."

Hannibal looked impressed. "Who do you think will solve the crime, Will or Mulder?"

Jack chuckled. "Mulder was Will a few years back," he said, looking Hannibal in the eye. "But, that's before he chose to believe in extraterrestrials. My bet is on Will."

Bedelia kept her opinion to herself but her bet was on Mulder.

Baltimore Hotel:

Scully glanced at herself in the mirror one last time before she'd take off the dress, shower and change into something more comfortable. She had never before been so self-conscious than she had tonight but there was something about seeing Bedelia and Mulder's together that made her feel small and unattractive. She twisted around in the mirror, trying to see what Mulder had seen when he looked at her.

Mulder walked through the door separating their adjoined rooms with a burger in one hand and whistled. "Did I mention, you looked good enough to eat tonight, Scully, I had to tell you that," he said, with a grin.

"Apparently, not!", she mumbled under her breath.

"What?", Mulder said, tossing down the two paper bags of burgers. He turned to look at her. "What do you mean by, apparently not?"

Her cheeks colored bright red. "Mulder...It's...Nothing...", she said, stepping away from him but Mulder turned her back towards him, holding her tiny shoulders with both hands. "Scully?"

She looked up into his eyes. "Nothing... ", she said, with reddened cheeks.

"You still think I'm attracted to her, don't you?"

She crossed her arms in front of her defensively. "Why are you asking me that? Why should I care who you're attracted too?"

"Because you care!", he said, looking deeply into her oceanic eyes. He could tell that she was trying hard not to show her emotions but he was going to force it out of her.

"I don't care!", she lied.

"Scully, you do!"

"You're acting like I'm some," her words lost. "She seemed attracted to you," she said, turning her face away from him.

Mulder stepped in front of her and lifted her chin so she was looking him directly in his swimming hazel eyes. "You want to know what I saw when I looked at her?"

"NO!", she said. "Not particularly."

"I saw you! I saw you in a few years and let me tell you, Scully, you are still a gorgeous woman."

Scully shook her head, her eyes narrowing and she stepped away from him. "I don't know what to say to that."

Mulder looked confused. "You don't understand. I think you look beautiful now and I think she looks like what you're going to look like in just a few years and I like it."

"Explains why you were ogling her."

"No...I was...no!", he said, placing his hands on his hips. "I'm not explaining myself right. It would be like if you saw an older version of me...and I still looked handsome as I do now," he smirked. "Wouldn't you look?"

"Mulder...what are you saying? Do you want me to say I would be attracted to an older version of you?"

"Well...wouldn't you?"

She shook her head. "Are you making fun of me for having dated older men?"

"NO!", he said, cocking his head to the side. "What older men?"

Scully crossed her arms defensively. "That's my business."

"This is going all wrong. Look...I'm saying that we have an unspoken attraction to one another...tell me I'm wrong?"

She looked at him and then looked down at her feet.

He grabbed her arms to steady her and himself. "Scully, there's no one that I could be with I didn't trust", he said. "No one that I could be with that didn't challenge me."

Scully looked up into his eyes then. "Whatever you say, Mulder," she said, sadly.

"Hannibal seemed to be into her," he said. "Theres something going on between her and Hannibal. It's clear as day."

She nodded her head and then looked back at the floor.

"We're on a case. We're here to solve the deth of Katie Williams, not for dinner parties anyway," he said, letting her arms go. "We'll leave in the morning for Pig Town," he said, grabbing up his burger. "They didn't have much so I got you a burger with lettuce and tomato, no mayo."

Scully watched as he retreated back into his hotel room, closing the door. She sighed and then sat down on the edge of her bed. The tears she had been holding began to fall, a mixture of emotions. She was tired of always feeling the needto compete for his attention. And Dr. Bedelia du Maurier had made her feel worst than anyone else, because she wasn't Mulder's usual type at all.

Please Leave A Review: Thanks!