Nina frowned as she inspected the arm in front of her. It was Hannibal's, and there was a scar marring his wrist and forearm. Will had gotten up a few minutes ago, disappearing into the bathroom, and it'd woken her up. Hannibal merely moved around, and hugged her closer with one arm while the other moved in front of her face blocking it from some light seeping in through the window between the curtains.

The sink ran, and Nina reached up delicately tracing the slightly raised flesh of his inner arm. She'd noticed it's twin on his other arm, and she supposed she noticed a fleck of a scar here and there on both of them, but she refused to ask about any of them. His fingers twitched, and when the door opened she felt movement behind her. Nina knew he was awake, and chanced asking as Will came back towards the bed, "How did this happen?" She was hesitant, and quiet, there was a chance Will hadn't been able to hear her, because he stopped just short of getting in bed tilting his head at them.

"How do you think it happened?" Hannibal asked as he motioned for Will to get back in bed.

Nina thought about it, not very long before she insisted, "Someone hurt you." When Will wouldn't get back in bed she could guess he had something to do with it. She didn't picture Will cutting open Hannibal himself though. Will didn't seem the kind to use a weapon like a knife, at least not like that. He'd been FBI so maybe he'd use a gun, but that didn't seem exactly right either.

"Why do you think that?" Hannibal asked as he pushed up onto an elbow to look down at her. Nina slid down onto her back to see him, catching him looking at Will. Not meanly, but maybe meaningfully.

"First because you don't seem like the kind to hurt yourself like that, but now because Will won't get back in bed…" Nina said trailing off as Hannibal pinned her there with his gaze. After a moment she insisted, "And, the way you're looking at us…" Like Will was being juvenile, and like she was surprising him. She got the feeling people in general didn't surprise Hannibal often.

"You're right," Will sighed as he sat on the side of the bed. "I sent someone to hurt him in my stead after he framed me."

Nina looked towards him before looking back up at Hannibal insisting, "You framed him." It sounded slightly like she'd really said that was mean. She meant to ask, but she didn't. She didn't even know why she asked about the scar. The more she knew the less she'd be able to leave. They wouldn't be able to trust her.

"He knew too much and I didn't have the luxury of kidnapping him," Hannibal insisted as his phone went off on the bedside table alarming them about breakfast starting downstairs. Hannibal silenced it even as Nina gave him a look he suspected she learned from her mother. "It all worked out in the end."

"Framing me is really the least horrible thing he did to me…" Will offered, hoping to make it better, only it didn't.

Nina sat up looking between them asking, "You two are terrible to each other aren't you?!" If that was how they treated each other, how were they going to treat her?

"Not anymore," Hannibal assured her, pushing her hair back out of her face, as Will stood back up.

"It was so much worse apart." Will said brushing his hand through his hair as he looked at Nina fidgeting with the blankets under her.

Nina frowned before she crawled to the side of the bed and got up. She paused in her trek over to the other room when Hannibal insisted, "We won't try to break you like we tried to break each other."

She looked back at them for a long time before she mumbled, "Then I'll get dressed for breakfast…" She didn't know what else to do, what else to say. They hadn't hurt each other while she was around, they'd disagreed, but no one had even raised their voice. They'd been very kind to her all things considered… ignoring how she didn't belong here.

oOo

This time while they ate, it was quiet. Not overly so. When they spoke, she responded, she participated in their conversations, but it was all very light. None of it overly personal. Nothing that might cause her to slip up and call Hannibal anything but dad, or elude to the fact that he wasn't her father and Will wasn't her uncle. She didn't feel like they were watching her, but Nina knew they were. Anyone watching would think they were merely listening attentively when she gave her order to the waiter, but she knew they were looking to see what she'd do.

Nina didn't like it when the waiter wandered back over to ask if they were alright. She kept it together, but she worried he'd know something was wrong. Thankfully the man saw nothing more perplexing than their glasses being empty.

They didn't linger like they use to at tea. When they finished Hannibal got the check, and they left after paying. It was sort of disappointing, but at the same time Nina felt relieved after they left. She never realized how much she wanted to say their names. How hard it was to call them something else after only one day. The trip back upstairs made her feel better as she stood between them in the elevator.

"So you two are going to go shopping?" Will asked as he leaned back in the corner of the elevator.

"Would you like to?" Hannibal asked looking down at her.

She knew that either way Will would be going out, but other than running errands she hadn't been told what he was really going to do. While she enjoyed talking to Hannibal and watching him draw, she figured he'd appreciate being able to have his things back. Will seemed content to live out of a duffel bag, but he'd talked about some things he'd wanted from the car as well. With all this knowledge Nina nodded, "It'd be nice to have a few more things to choose from."

Will let out an amused breath at that and Nina looked at him in slight surprise. When she didn't seem willing to admit it to herself Will insisted, "You're just agreeing to go so Hannibal and I can have our luggage back."

Nina pouted when she realized she'd been caught. "It's just… I know I can't spend my own money… but you both deserve to have your things back…It's just some shopping, I did okay at breakfast…"

"We want to get you these things," Hannibal smiled at her, suspecting that she also didn't know about accepting more things from them, "Don't worry about the cost." She'd looked very intently at the bill when it came during breakfast.

Will felt the need to warn Nina, and tried to gently break it to her, "I want you to know Hannibal isn't in this for some shopping. One suitcase probably won't be enough."

Nina felt vaguely horrified as she looked up to find Hannibal nodding in agreement. She'd probably never bought that much clothing in one trip in her life!

oOo

Hannibal captured Nina's hand as they walked together near the crowd watching a man on a unicycle juggling bowling pins. She glanced down at their hands, her eyes coming away from the street performer, before looking up at him her curiosity causing her lower lip to poke out in a small pout. They'd been in a few stores, and had gone back to the car to stow their things before heading for one of the larger stores on the street. Nina had been tense at first and Hannibal had held her hand then while they walked in an effort to keep her grounded. After the first clerk gushed about how cute it was that they were having a daddy-daughter day even though she was all grown up Nina had relaxed though. He'd let her walk on her own after that. She didn't have to ask; her question was evident. What's wrong?

They paused just on the outskirts of the crowd and Hannibal ducked down to kiss her cheek and whisper, "Crowds like these are where little girls like you get lost. Where monsters can pick out prey without being spotted. Like wolves in the underbrush, or just beyond the trees around a clearing." In short he knew, because he was one of those monsters.

Nina looked up at him, then inspected the crowd. Nothing really seemed out of the ordinary, but she was holding the hand of a kidnapper and a murderer. Hannibal led them away and Nina watched his cane tap against the concrete a few times. He wasn't leaning heavily on it, but he put pressure down on it while he walked. Looking ahead of them Nina asked, "Did he do that to you?"

"Yes," Hannibal nodded, having caught her eyes on his cane. "Let's just say we'll never go cliff diving together."

"I'm okay with that," Nina said with a quickness the belied an actual fear.

"Afraid of heights?" Hannibal asked his curiosity getting the best of him as well.

"Not heights, I stood at the top of the Stratosphere, really tall space needle type building, and I was just fine. I'm afraid of falling from said height," Nina told him, seeing no reason in hiding it. "There are very few railings at the Grand Canyon, and while beautiful, from the safety of the path, it's just land and then nothing for a very long time until suddenly there'd be something. I don't even like ladders."

Hannibal couldn't help the swell he felt in his chest at being trusted with a fear like that. He and Will had learned each other's fear, but they didn't just offhandedly share that sort of thing. Nightmares, fights, and the like is what prompted sharing like that between them. Their fears were not something they gave away like the title of their favorite book. He gave her hand a small squeeze at that saying, "We don't intend on sending you up any ladders any time soon." At least not physical ones.

oOo

"I still think I'm spending too much," Nina insisted as Hannibal picked up yet another thing she wanted, but had set back down because of the price tag.

"Nonsense," Hannibal chuckled, "These are all things you're going to need."

"I just… I don't need all of this," Nina said waving between her arm, and his.

"I want you to have new things, and if Hector were with me he'd agree," Hannibal insisted as he reached out and gathered the things she'd collected willingly before looking towards the lingerie section of the store saying, "Now I think you can handle that bit by yourself."

Nina looked in the section before feeling heat flush her face. She knew she needed more than the few pieces that had been bought for her, but she wished somehow to avoid Hannibal being with her at all. Not possible, she knew, but still it was a hope… Maybe he wouldn't think her too childish if she hid anything she picked behind her back from him… "I-I can," she stammered, fighting to not make it a question.

"I'll be right over there," Hannibal said nodding in the direction of the men's section of the store. "I'll stay where you can see me." By the nod she gave him he knew that she understood that she was to stay where he could see her.

He didn't say it, but she could imagine him telling her to remember their deal.

Only she knew why he didn't. That would have been a threat. A challenge to go against him and see if he'd do it. She didn't want to see if he'd do it, and he knew that.

Walking over Nina looked back to see Hannibal paused at the first rack of clothing in the men's section. She couldn't help the smile that took her lips, or the small shake of her head. While this store was more expensive then she'd normally shop in, it was definitely not to Hannibal's standards for himself. He'd told her walking in that this store would be good for her. His milling about now was definitely not for himself like it'd been in one of the stores where she'd managed to slip out of with only three dresses. Hannibal's excuse for buying them had simply been dinner. Hannibal also bought a new suit for himself, and one for Will.

Sighing Nina moved over to the underwear, which was easy enough. Find her size, the style she liked, picked out enough for the rest of the week in various colors plus a few more for unforeseen circumstances. Easy peasy. Her eyes darted back towards the mens section as she moved over to the bras, Hannibal was at a different rack further in, his expression seemed less dismal. She'd woken up in a sweater, so he didn't always where a suit. Maybe he found something for himself. Even now he was just in dress pants and a white button down. Not far off though… Maybe it was for Will.

"Are you alright?"

Nina's eyes flew from Hannibal to the woman next to her. She was tall, thin, Asian, smartly dressed and looking at her a bit concerned. Nina's eyes darted back towards where Hannibal had been, but then he was gone. It felt like her heart stopped. "I'm fine," Nina insisted quickly. Probably more to herself than the woman next to her.

"Are you sure?" the woman asked touching her shoulder lightly.

She could say no.

She could say she needed help.

Tell the woman to call the police.

"Y-yeah, I just hate shopping for this sort of thing…" Nina said looking towards the selection of bras in front of her meaningfully before looking back at the woman.

Why aren't you asking for help? Her inner voice wailed. What's wrong with you?!

"It is sometimes hard to pick things out when we're thinking of someone else. Perhaps the gentleman you were with?" she smiled a bit conspiratorially at Nina, only to frown when Nina's eyes grew wide.

How'd she know?

Nina quickly stumbled out, "N-no that's my dad!" Only it was so rushed that Nina hoped it didn't sound like a lie, and more like "ew that's my father!" It felt more like a lie though.

A small laugh bubbled up and Nina thought she'd blew it, only the woman insisted, "Definitely not for him then." Nina shook her head wondering if maybe having Hannibal eat her heart would be a less horrifying experience than this. She would give almost anything for Hannibal to walk over and shoo the woman away. She still couldn't see him though!

"Actually the plane lost our luggage, and we're not confident we're getting it back," Nina worked with the lie they told the hotel. She had to say something. This was so embarrassing, but she didn't want to be rude and not continue the conversation. She had a habit of making some noncommittal noise and people would just slink off the way she really wanted to.

"Ah, that's a shame," the woman said with a nod, looking her over a bit.

"Y-yeah," Nina nodded looking at the things before them.

"You're sure you're okay?" she asked reaching over and touching her arm lightly.

Nina looked back at her for what felt like forever before she nodded saying, "Yes… I'm okay." She'd just wait until Saturday… She'd just wait.

"That's good," she said softly before she let Nina go. "Maybe we'll see each other again."

Nina nodded a little, at a loss for words. She watched the woman go before she tried to concentrate on picking things out. Nina picked this and that, a few different colors and styles, things that wouldn't show under thin tops. A strapless one for one of the dresses Hannibal had practically picked for her…

She tried not to think about what just happened. How she'd told herself she wouldn't tell people they had the wrong person. That wasn't what happened but it felt uncomfortably similar. She could have said something. She could have gotten help. Nina looked up, finding Hannibal this time, and she felt relief and like her chest was trying to cave in on itself at the same time. Quickly deciding she was done Nina walked over to him she wanted to reach back out for his hand, but he was holding her choices in one hand and his cane in the other…

"C-can we go?" Nina stammered quickly.

"Yeah Little One, we can go," Hannibal told her softly as he looked at her to find her looking up at him pleadingly.

oOo

Hannibal frowned as they walked through a superstore she insisted on coming to. He understood immediately why they were there when she led him to the personal care section, and understood that this was a practical addition to their outing. She got things like a brush, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. Then she asked him to stand at the end of the aisle when she reached the feminine care aisle. She had turned said question miraculously into one word, and after a gasp added about eventually needing things. He'd indulged her, just like he didn't say anything about holding the lingerie she picked behind her back at the last store, though he would have walked down the aisle for her. He even turned around to wait for her. Still he frowned, not because of their surroundings, but because of Nina.

It wasn't that she was doing anything wrong, in fact she'd done exactly what she was supposed to, but he could tell this was starting to take a toll on her. This outing was too much stress considering the already stressful ordeal she'd found herself in. Selecting a whole new wardrobe, interacting with person after person, and she didn't ask for help. Chiyoh said she did what she was supposed to and if she didn't know the truth Nina would have been decently convincing. It must have been too much for her. Now she held a little hand basket full of the things she'd selected here, and it was quite possibly the only reason she wasn't tucked completely against his side…

"Watch it!"

Nina froze once she regained her balance, Hannibal glowered after the young teen boy who'd run into her. When he looked down at her to ask if she was okay, his hand finding her shoulder, he stopped immediately. She looked like she was on the verge of tears. He could tell she was holding her breath trying to salvage her composure. Instead he told her, "You're okay Little One." It was almost time to meet Will, but he didn't know if she'd make it through eating out. He could see it. She was desperately holding onto the last few threads of control she had, and they were slipping through her fingers one by one.

"Do you want anything else?" He asked carefully as he started leading them back towards the checkout. She shook her head and he felt her force her breathing to remain shallow as he touched the small of her back. "Once we get to the car I'll call Hector while you put some of your shopping bags into your new luggage, and I'll tell him to meet us back at the hotel. How about room service?"

"Please," Nina gasped telling herself to make it to the car.


This is the part where it all really starts to get good. Hopefully you all like it, and hopefully you all think it just gets better and better from here. We'll see. Let me know what you think.

Also Nameless Fable asked about my AO3 account and I answered them when I got the review but for the rest of you it's SilverSerenity the only thing over there is the old version of this story, if you'd like to read it and compare the two.

REVIEW REPLIES:

QueenOfEpic: I'm glad you're enjoying it so much! Thank you for reading!

city bookworm: Yeah Nina's having a tough time of it, and of course breakfast and shopping are just Hannibal's way to see if he can trust her. Nina's just trying to jump from square to square hoping they don't fall out from under her. Thank you for leaving reviews so often, and for reading!

Nameless Fable: YES murder snuggles! There may be more snuggles soon we'll see! Nina doesn't feel terribly lucky at the moment, but there's probably a very warped sense of safety in snuggling them, at least no one else is going to get her. Also! What did you think of the changes?

Guest: I do try to update as often as I can so keep checking back!

americanlatinajapanesegirl: I'm glad that you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading!