Rachel didn't particularly want to return to Will Graham's house. She had debated whether or not to stay away the entire journey there. But then she had finally pulled up. It was just before three and she had, thankfully, been able to leave early due to a department meeting she wasn't involved in. She knew that Will might not even be at home, but she thought that she would try her luck. Besides, she still had the key to his house. She intended to get her coat from where it would be in the downstairs cupboard by the stairs and then leave. That was it.
She finally pulled to a stop and saw that Will's car was parked. She muttered an expletive under her breath before inhaling a sharp breath and nodding. Pulling herself out of the car, she stuffed her hands into her red coat pocket as she came to the porch way. Before she even had a chance to knock on the door, Will was there, an anxious look on his face.
"What is it?" he asked, voice high and full of worry. "Did he hurt you?"
Rachel almost wanted to let herself cry. She wanted to sob as she heard the concern in his voice, but she remained strong. Shaking her head, she sniffed due to the cold and then glanced to Will as he looked at her, the fear still etched on his face.
"No," she said. "Will, I'm not here about Hannibal. I'm here because I…I need my blue coat which I left in the cupboard. Hannibal has nothing to do with me being here."
Will felt his pulse slow down there as he tried to get his breathing back to normal. He held the door open and allowed her in. She tucked her hair behind her ear as she entered the home and she smelled the familiar scent of Will. She could smell his aftershaves. She could smell the dogs. She could smell the fire roaring. It smelt like home. Rachel closed her eyes and shook her head. She couldn't think like this.
"Feel free to get it," Will told her.
"Thanks," she said and moved off, opening the cupboard door and pulling her coat from it. She placed it over her arms and wandered back to the sitting room where Will still stood.
It was only then when she felt something poke at her nose and she looked down to see Winston staring up at her. Smiling at the sight of him, Rachel tossed her coat onto the sofa and knelt on the floor. She moved her hands to stroke his fur, nuzzling her palm against his face as he buried his nose into it and she continued to beam.
"Hey, buddy," she said.
"He misses you," Will told her and went to sit down on the sofa. "So do I."
"Will," Rachel complained.
"What?"
"I'm not doing this," she said. "We made our decisions. There is nothing more that we can do."
"No," Will said. "You made your decision. I never wanted you to leave, Rachel. I never wanted us to split up."
"And you'd take me back, would you?" she asked from him. "You'd take me back despite everything that has happened?"
"In a heartbeat," Will said, his voice full of honesty as Rachel looked over to him. She shook her head with haste as she stood up again, still lowering her hand to pet Winston as she picked her coat back up.
"We can't go back," she said to him. "After everything I've done…everything that's happened…we can't go back to how we were. It cannot be the way it was."
"One day it might," Will said. "The truth will come out, Rachel."
"But not the truth you are thinking of," Rachel said and grabbed her coat. "I've got to go."
Moving to the door, Rachel pulled it open before feeling Will's hand on her wrist. His fingers were cold as she felt his breath by her neck. But he didn't get a chance to say anything further. Instead both of them let their eyes wander to the man who was walking up to Will's house. Will remained stoic while Rachel felt her eyes widen. She moved backwards as he advanced towards them, covered in blood. Will caught hold of her by the waist to make certain she didn't fall over as they both looked at Doctor Chilton.
"May I use your shower, please?" he asked as Will nodded his head.
"What the hell has happened?" Rachel demanded as Chilton entered the house and dropped his duffle bag on the floor. "Why are you covered in blood?"
"I take it you're not in on it, then?" Chilton asked, his voice shaking as Will watched him continue to try and control himself.
"She doesn't know anything," Will responded.
"Well," Chilton said, "your little boyfriend did this to me…not Will…but your new fancy Doctor. He was in my house. He…Abel Gideon was in my basement, his limbs torn and leaving a torso. He killed the FBI guards who had been sent to check up on me and left them displayed in my kitchen."
Rachel shook her head as she felt bile rise up in her throat. She struggled to keep it down as Will ran a hand down her back, trying to be as soothing as possible as Chilton looked around.
"Where is the shower?"
"Upstairs on the right," Will answered and he grabbed his bag before heading towards the staircase.
"You're wrong," Rachel said to him before she saw him turn his head back over his shoulder to look to her.
"I saw him plain as day dressed in a plastic suit," Chilton snapped at her. "He is trying to frame me for his crimes. The sooner you get away from him the better."
Chilton disappeared up the steps then as Rachel shook her head, unable to believe what she was hearing. Chilton had to be wrong. There had to be some other explanation. But Rachel was struggling to think of what. She felt her stomach churn as she struggled to control her breathing, wondering what the hell she should do. Who did she believe?
"Both of us are not crazy," Will whispered to her as he took hold of her by the shoulders and forced her to look him in the eye as tears streamed down her face and she let her breaths come out in short and sharp gasps. "Listen to me, Rachel, Doctor Chilton is telling the truth. Please, he just told you what he saw. He is of sound mind. He isn't crazy. Two of us are telling you the same thing. When are you going to realise it is the truth?"
"It can't be," Rachel said, firmly shaking her head as Will let out a sigh. "It's not true…it's not true…"
"But it is," Will responded to her. "Look at me."
He moved a hand to her cheek, dragging her gaze back to his as he saw her eyes begin to wander. He let his other hand rest on her other cheek as he ran his thumbs over her cheekbones, wiping away the tears that were falling.
"You need to stay away from him. Do you believe me now?"
"He's…he will know something is wrong…I can't…if it's true…"
"Listen to me," Will demanded, his grip on her increasing. "I am going to do everything that I can to keep him away from you."
Before Will had a chance to say anything else he felt her break down. Moving with haste, he wrapped her shaking body into his arms, feeling her cling onto him as he tried to soothe her, wondering if this was it. Had he finally managed to make her see sense with thanks to Doctor Chilton? It felt somewhat ironic that he would be the one to help. It was another few minutes before Will reached into his cell and called Jack, still holding Rachel to him.
Jack said that he was on his way twenty minutes before Chilton moved down the steps. He had changed into a fleece and dark pants. The blood had now gone from his body as he looked at the two of them in the sitting room. He placed his bag onto the sofa and began to peer inside of it, roaming the contents of it for what he needed.
"She believes you?" Chilton asked.
"Why would he do it?" Rachel asked and Chilton chuckled.
"Because I fit the profile," Chilton said. "I am exactly like Hannibal Lecter. Same medical and psychological background…we are both Doctors of note…and Hannibal is never going to kill me. I'm his scapegoat!"
Chilton's voice grew erratic as he looked to the couple.
"I have to leave the country."
"If you run then you look guilty," Will informed him as he continued to hold Rachel by her waist, refusing to even entertain the notion of letting her go.
"You didn't run and you looked guilty," Frederick responded. "Abel Gideon is half eaten in my basement. I have corpses in my house. All that you did was throw up an ear. What do you think they will do to me?"
"Do you think you'll be able to escape the country? They will have cancelled your credit cards and they will have traced your phone."
"I have cash and I tossed my phone," Chilton said, reaching for his coat and shrugging into it. "Jack Crawford thinks that I killed three agents. I imagine he would like to do nothing more than shoot on sight."
Will said nothing to that comment. "I am going to prove Hannibal Lecter is the Chesapeake Ripper," Will promised him.
"I know," Chilton said. "And when you do I will read about it at some secure location where I can reintroduce myself to society."
It was just then when the dogs began barking and Chilton looked to Will, his eyes wide and accusatory as he moved towards the window and looked outside. The sight of one black SUV pulling up behind the row of cars was enough to make him shake his head as he looked back to Will.
"Tell me you did not call Jack Crawford."
"I did what needed to be done," Will said. "You're not a killer, Frederick, and this is the safest place for you to be."
Chilton shook his head and tugged his hair as Will looked to Rachel. "Wait here," he urged from her.
Moving onto the porch, Rachel could only stand still. She didn't know if she could move. She didn't bother to stop Frederick as he rushed to the back of the house and climbed from the window. She didn't even bother to stop Jack from chasing after him. Rachel didn't think she could move if she wanted to. Her head was a mess and she knew she was getting a headache.
Will came back into the house a few moments later, urging her not to do anything brash as he took off after Jack and Chilton. Rachel sat down on the sofa, her hands moving to pet Winston as he once again came close to her and began nudging her with his nose. Looking into his eyes, she examined how innocent he was and longed for some of her innocence back.
…
Miriam Lass had identified Frederick Chilton as the Ripper and Hannibal felt some kind of elation at hearing that news. His light therapy had worked on her and she had shot him through the glass. Hannibal had not expected her to do that, but he suspected trauma made people do brash things. He had looked for Rachel once he had returned home following that news, but he had not found her.
He picked up his cell from his pocket and tried to call her, but he got no answer. Frowning, he left her a message, asking her whereabouts and when he could expect to see her for dinner. He sat down in the armchair by the fire with a glass of wine, waiting for hours, but her call never came.
…
"He called me and left a message," Rachel said as the clock struck seven and she still remained at Will's house. She was sat on the floor, stroking Winston as Will sat on the sofa, looking as the other dogs slept. "How…I…"
"I know this is a lot for you to take in, Rachel," Will told her. "You have so vehemently defended him-"
"-I didn't trust you," Rachel interrupted him, her hand moving to her forehead. "I have never believed anything that you have said about him, but Doctor Frederick Chilton comes here…tells me it is him…and suddenly I begin questioning him."
"I…I understand why you might not have trusted me," Will said to her and she shook her head.
"Don't sound so understanding," Rachel demanded from him, pushing herself to her feet as she walked from the sitting room and to the dining room. Will followed her, not wanting to let her get away as he saw her rake a hand through her hair.
"I understand," Will promised her. "But it doesn't mean that it didn't hurt me."
"But none of the evidence points to him!"
"Because he is good," Will said. "You saw what he did to Frederick."
"I can't…I just can't…" Rachel said.
"Come here," Will urged from her, but she held a hand up as Will ushered for her to come closer. She shook her head as she looked at him.
"I can't," she said. "Will, I don't want your sympathy. I don't want your comfort. I ignored you…I pushed you away…and you…Christ…you were telling the truth. You weren't deluded or crazy. You were telling the truth and I ignored you. I look at Frederick and I see a man who is scared for his life, not a killer...I see someone who is not a serial killer...someone who has no reason to lie...no reason to be scared...I don't know how he could do it. I don't know how... "
"Because he is good, Rachel," Will said to her. "If I were in your position then I think that I would have thought the same."
"I ruined everything, Will," she whispered. "If this is true then I ruined everything…everything that meant something to me…everything that I wanted."
"No, you haven't."
"How can you say that?" she asked from him.
"Because he manipulated you," Will remained adamant. "He turned you against me, but you see now. You know the truth. I want you, Rachel. I want you back. I want to keep you safe from him."
"I've slept in his bed, Will," Rachel told him. "I've kissed him…I've done things…"
"I know," Will told her.
"Then you should be repulsed by me," was all Rachel could say. "I'm repulsed by myself. I'm ashamed that I doubted you. I'm so sorry, Will. I'm so sorry."
Moving towards her, Will wanted to hold her, but she pulled back, her hands in front of her to stop him from advancing any closer.
"Don't," she demanded from him. "We can't do this. You deserve better…you deserve someone so much better…someone who won't hurt you like I have."
"I don't want someone else," Will said quickly. "Don't you get it, Rachel? I only want you. I've only ever wanted you. Just come back to me. Come back home."
"And Hannibal?" Rachel wondered. "Will, if everything is true…if he did those things…framed Chilton…framed you…then what will he do to me if he suspects I have left him? What will he do if he thinks that I have taken your side?"
"Nothing," Will promised her. "Go back to Alana's for the night and pack a bag. I will go and speak to Hannibal. I will get the truth and then I will bring you home. But you need to stay away from him. Do you understand me?"
"He'll be suspicious," Rachel whispered. "He's clever."
"I'm counting on it," Will said. "Just say that you're ill and stay away from him. I'll…I'll think of something to bring you back here…back to me…back where I can keep you safe from him."
"Don't go to him," Rachel urged from Will. "Please."
"I need to," Will told her, his hand running down her cheek. "This is how the game ends."
…
Rachel had crept back into Alana's house, struggling to hold back her tears as she moved up the steps and towards her bedroom. Thankfully, Alana was away for the night at a conference so Rachel could claim that she had been there all-night and sleeping. She quickly showered and washed her hair before changing into her pyjamas and climbing into bed, staring at the ceiling. It must have been past eleven when she heard a knock on the door. Her heartbeat quickened as she moved to her feet, dressed in her pyjamas as she put the hall light back on.
Treading down the stairs, she wondered if Alana was back early and had left her keys at home. But, this was Alana. She never forgot her keys. Rachel should have know who it was as soon as she pulled the door open and saw him stood there.
"Rachel," he spoke her name and she struggled to think coherently as she felt him move his hands to her waist, taking hold of her as he moved to embrace her. "I have been worried."
"Sorry," Rachel said to him. "Was I supposed to be at yours tonight?"
"We hadn't made plans, but I called and asked if you wanted to come," Hannibal nodded and Rachel moved back from him, closing the door behind him as a hand went to her forehead.
"Sorry," she said again. "I got home from work early and fell asleep. I haven't been feeling well all day. I've had a headache and I felt tired. I've only just woken up."
"I see," Hannibal said to her.
"Sorry," she said again to him.
"It's quite alright. How are you feeling now?"
"Exhausted," she admitted. "I feel like it must be the flu or something. Did you want a drink? I might take a cup of tea back up to bed with me."
"I am fine," Hannibal assured her, his hand going to her cheek as he ran his thumb over her cheekbone like Will had just done hours ago. "However, I was going to invite you to dinner tomorrow night. Jack and Will intend to dine with me. If you are ill, then I would suggest you stay here and rest."
"Will is going to dinner?" she asked.
"You are as shocked as I am," Hannibal told her. "He came to me this evening and told me that he wished to resume therapy. He apologised for everything. He realises that he was wrong."
"And do you trust that?"
Hannibal smirked. "I am keeping my distance," he informed her. "Regardless, I shall call you tomorrow to check how you are. You should get some sleep."
"Thank you," Rachel said.
She froze as Hannibal bent down to kiss her. She let his lips rest over hers and she struggled to respond. Eventually she did. She moved her lips over his as she felt his hand move to cradle her cheek. He pulled back after a moment and smirked down to her, nodding his head.
"Goodnight, Rachel."
"Goodnight," Rachel responded and watched him move back to his car.
Locking the door behind him, Rachel moved upstairs to her bedroom. She sat up in the dead of night, but she couldn't sleep. Did he know that something was wrong? Could he sense it? Alana was out and she was all alone. Had he even gone? Rachel was too scared to look. She remained silent, nausea taking over her as she picked the phone up and placed it to her ear. She heard it ring before she heard him answer the cell.
"Will," Rachel said in a timid voice. "I need you."
…
Will knew that it was late when he pulled up outside of Alana's house. Rachel had told him how Hannibal had visited her earlier that night and Alana was away. He knocked on the door and she opened it, letting him in as he wiped his shoes on the doormat. Locking the door, Rachel slipped her arms over her chest, folding them tightly as Will shrugged out of his coat.
"I'm sorry," Rachel said. "I had no right to call you."
"How many times do I need to tell you that I understand?" Will demanded from her.
"You might, but I don't," Rachel said as she moved to the staircase and Will followed her up the steps. He stood in the doorway of her guest room as she sat on the bed, folding her legs as she ran her hand through her hair that was still slightly damp from an earlier shower. "You were telling the truth and I abandoned you. I should have stood by you…believed you…been loyal."
"People see evidence and all the evidence pointed to me and away from Hannibal. You never doubted my innocence, Rachel."
"Just your accusations," Rachel said. "If you want to go then go, Will. I shouldn't have called you. I shouldn't have done this. I don't deserve you being here after everything."
Will kicked his shoes off from his feet before moving further into the room, closing the door behind him. He came to her bed and shrugged out of his tweed jacket, throwing it over the chair in the corner. Rachel watched him as he slipped into the bed. He tugged the duvet up to his chin as he laid down and Rachel remained sat up.
"Rachel, I'm not holding a grudge against you. I'm not going to punish you. You've been punished enough the way I see it. You know the truth and that is all there is to it. Now come here and try to get some sleep."
"You're sure?"
"I wouldn't have said if I wasn't," Will told her and he felt her cautiously lay down, resting on her side as she faced him. Will moved a hand to her cheek, stroking it slowly as his fingers lost themselves in his hair. "I've missed this."
"Me too," Rachel admitted in a small whisper.
"Get some sleep," Will urged from her. "I'm going nowhere…I'm never going anywhere again."
Rachel let out a shaky breath and moved closer to him then, burrowing her face against his neck as Will's breathing hitched and he brought his arm up around her shoulders as her hand wrapped around his waist. Kissing the top of her head, he heard her whisper to him in a soft voice;
"I'm so sorry."
"I know," Will whispered back as he reached behind him to turn the bedside light out. "I know, Rachel."
Slowly he heard her breathing turn shallow and he kept his grip tight around her, swearing that he would never let Hannibal Lecter near her ever again.
…
A/N: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and is reading. I do hope you're enjoying the story – the pace is going to pick up. Any comments or suggestions, let me know!