AN: Sorry i took my own heateus hiatus lol but i'm back i hope you guys are still reading... Please review. Oh and as always check me out on Tumblr i'm karategirl666 there as well.
-o-
Abigail smiled as she looked over the stag statue Hannibal had used to hit Tobias over the head with. She had cleaned all the blood off and polished it. It was once more ready for display. She turned and smiled as she looked over the office. After taking two days for themselves, they had returned to the scene of the crime and had begun to make things right once more. It had taken a couple of days but you could hardly tell anything had gone wrong within the office. It was like nothing had ever happened. A buzzer sounded and Hannibal perked up from his desk which he was polishing.
"That will be the security guy, I'll let him in." She said with a smile.
"Thank you Abigail."
"No problem." She said heading out of the office. Hannibal smiled as he looked over the shine on his new desk. He missed his old one, but he was starting to warm up to his new one. It wasn't actually new of course it was an antique. He hadn't been sure about it but then Abigail had seen him eyeing it in the store and had said she thought it looked sophisticated. So a thousand dollars later it was his, and three hundred dollars later, it was sitting in his office. All in all he called it a win.
"Dr. Lector Mr. Jackson from the security company is here to install the locks." Abigail said.
"Thank you Abigail." Hannibal said walking over.
"I'll keep polishing." She said as he past so only he could hear. He smiled as he watched her pick up the cloth and begin to clean the desk further. Hannibal looked to the security guard who was looking over the door.
"So you want remote locks on both the entrance and the exit?" he asked.
"Yes, we had some trouble a few weeks ago with a patient barging in."
"Yeah I think I heard about it on the news." He said. "You know I could also install a panic button somewhere that would dial the police right away I could put one in your secretaries desk and one in yours."
"A panic button…" He thought it over.
"It's pricey."
"Money is no issue when it comes to safety, yes both panic buttons would be good, how long will it take you?"
"I can have it done in two hours."
"I'd appreciate that, my secretary and I have reservations at seven."
"Oh…" he looked to the security man who was smiling. "Hitting the secretary, nice. Respect man." Hannibal tilted his head as he watched the mans eyes travel to Abigail who was bending over to pick up the cloth she had dropped. "Real nice."
"Do you mind if I get a card…" Hannibal said and the man looked to him. "So I can refer you to other therapists I know who could benefit from some security."
"Sure here's a few you can pass out."
"Thank you." Hannibal said taking them in hand.
"I'll be coming in and out so may I leave the door open?"
"Of course." Hannibal said walking away as the man walked out to get some tools. Abigail smiled as she looked over the desk.
"So shiny I can near see my reflection." She said with an approving nod before looking to Hannibal. "Is everything alright?" she asked and he looked from the cards he had been handed to her.
"Yes why do you ask?"
"I don't know… You seem… Agitated or something."
"The security man made some rude comments about you…" She looked at him surprised that he had been truthful. "I'm thinking of what kind of dishes his lungs might make for such comments." He muttered as he looked down at the cards he held in hand.
"That's kind of sweet." She said and he looked up at her to see she was walking away. He never thought he'd hear someone say such a thing. In all honest he never thought he'd hear Abigail say such a thing after all she had been so horrified with herself for helping her father bait those girls, killing Nicholas Boil, and Tobias. He stopped, she hadn't actually been horrified with herself for killing Tobias. He looked to see she was starting to dust off the books in his office. He walked over to her and as he did he spotted the Security guy coming back in, his eyes glued to Abigail. Hannibal's jaw clenched before he walked to Abigail.
"Can you do me a favor?" he asked.
"Anything…" She said.
"Take a cab home." He said pulling out his wallet, he couldn't stand the way the man was watching Abigail. "We have reservations for the violin demonstration, you need to get home and get ready…"
"It's in six hours though…" She said a little confused before she eyed the security man who was smiling at her. She smiled back politely before stepping closer to Hannibal. "You're not going to uhm…" She searched for a word. "Visit the butcher for some fresh meat are you?" She asked softly and he couldn't help but smile.
"No." he said with a smile. "Not yet at least…" She smiled softly. "I just don't want to watch his eyes accost you anymore."
"Alright I'll head home and take six long hours to get ready." She said.
"Thank you." He said handing her the money.
"Oh no I have my own but thank you for the offer… Even though really the money I'm using is your money because you pay me. Still I have my own." He smiled. "See you soon."
"See you soon." As she walked out Hannibal didn't miss the way the man's eyes shot right to her lower region.
I'm going to rip those rude eyes right out of his skull… What can I make with eyes that Abigail would like…
-o-
"Abigail I'm home." Hannibal called as he walked inside. "I was a bit later then I thought I would be." He hung up his jacket and waited. "Abigail?" he walked up the stairs and headed to her door. "Abi-." He stopped hearing the shower inside and nodding understanding why she hadn't responded to him. He walked down the hallway to his bedroom and stopped seeing a suit laid out for him. It seemed Abigail had gotten it ready for him. She had even taken a lint roller to it.
After taking a shower of his own he pulled on the suit and looked himself over in the mirror satisfied with his appearance. He headed down the stairs and met Abigail down at the bottom who was wearing a fitted tailor pea coat that rested all the way down over her knees with a flared out skirt. Her hair was up in an elegant bun with wisps framing her face, her eyes smoldered at him under smokey makeup.
"Thank you for laying out my suit."
"Of course." She said with a smile. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." He said pulling on his own coat.
"Oh wait…" she moved forward and straightened out his tie. "It was crooked."
"Thank you."
"What are secretary's for?" she asked with a smile before heading out moving easily in the six inch heels. He only wished he could see what dress she had chosen to wear.
"So how did the rest of the security session go?" She asked.
"Fine, he was much more focused after you left." He said. "We'll be very safe now."
"Good." She said with a warm smile.
-o-
Hannibal and Abigail walked into the Musical instrument museum to see a crowd had gathered before the box office.
"May I take your coats?" A man asked moving forward from the coat room.
"Yes thank you." Hannibal said handing over his before helping Abigail shrug out of hers. He was instantly aware that nearly every males head turned to look at her in that moment. She was wearing white tulle and chiffon cocktail dress with a flared out skirt that came out of the waist of a fitted bodice. It had a black sash around the waist which tied in the back and black lace details around the edge of the skirt and at the top of the sweet heart bodice, she topped it off with six inch black sued heels.
"Did I not dress appropriately?" she asked him quietly as they moved through the crowd.
"Why do you inquire?"
"Everyone is staring…" He smiled.
"They're staring because you're lovely Abigail."
"Well tell them to stop." He smiled as he lent his arm and linked her arm with in his. Abigail watched as all the men stopped staring and quickly averted their eyes.
"Thanks." She said.
"I wasn't doing it for you, I assure you." He said and she smiled softly.
"Should we get in line at the box office?" she asked seeing the line stretching down the massive hall.
"I already picked up our tickets on the way home." He said picking them out of his tux jacket to show her.
"So what will we be partaking in tonight?" She inquired looking to him.
"It's a demonstration of violins through the years." He said.
"It doesn't remind you a little too much of Tobias?"
"No… He was a cellist." She couldn't help but laugh and it made him smile. "Here we are." She smiled as she took a seat and folded one foot under the other her hands resting her lap as she sat up straight. Hannibal smiled as he looked her over. She was becoming more and more like a lady of society every day, and he couldn't be more pleased.
"Soon the music began to play and when it did Abigail didn't miss the way Hannibal was instantly taken far away from where they were. She couldn't help but steal glances at him. Every now and again his eyes would drift close completely consumed by the music. In those moments she saw something in his expression she hardly ever saw, peace. He was peaceful, completely at ease.
Is this the only time he puts his guard down when in the presence of art and culture?
-o-
When the concert ended Hannibal was one of the first people to stand up along with Abigail to give a standing ovation to the musicians. Abigail could honestly say she had never heard such beautiful music before. It was too bad she had killed Tobias when she did, he probably would have enjoyed the show.
Oh well… His fault not mine… She blinked. When did I start thinking that way?
"So what did you think?" Hannibal asked as they moved with the crowd to leave the auditorium.
"I loved every moment of it, but my favorite part was learning the history of the development of the violin. Even though cosmetically it hasn't changed near all ways of making it and sound development have come extremely far."
"What was your favorite composition?" he asked and she looked up in thought.
"Well keep in mind I used to play piano so I liked the violin rendition of Bach Piano Concerto number 1."
"I thought you might. It was very powerful sounding on violin. Do you prefer it done in piano?"
"I thought I would but now I'm unsure." He smiled. "What was your favorite composition?"
"The same as you." He said with a smile that she returned.
"Looks like we're being ushered right out…" She said seeing tons of people grabbing their coats.
"You wait here I'll fight through the crowd to get our coats." She nodded as she watched him calmly move forward. Not so much fighting as moving with the crowd perfectly. She smiled as she looked around the museum.
"Miss Hobbs." She turned to see an older man with greying hair
"I'm sorry have we met?" she asked with a soft expression.
"No…" He said looking her over. "Not at all…" She shifted on her feet she didn't know why but she got the feeling that he was scrutinizing her. "The Abigail Hobbs."
"You know my name but I don't know yours…" She said and he smiled in a way that didn't reach his eyes.
"My name is Thomas Till, I'm a reporter."
"Oh…" She looked to see Hannibal checking their coats out. "Nice… Nice to meet you." She said looking back to Till.
"I was wondering if I could ask you some questions…" she shifted on her feet feeling uneasy.
"Uhm… I don't know…." She looked back to Hannibal who looked to her with a quirked eyebrow before moving forward. He didn't like how uneasy Abigail looked in that moment talking to the stranger at her side.
"It would just be a few." She looked back to Till.
"Uhm-."
"I was wondering if you'd tell me how you are feeling after your gang rape, and the repeated rapes done by your Doctor at the asylum." She looked up at the older man with wide eyed.
"Excuse me?" She asked softly.
"Do you think it's Karma?"
"Abigail is everything alright here?" Hannibal asked reaching them.
"I was just asking your charge here if she feels her rapes were in a way karma for what her, and her dad did to all those innocent girls."
"I didn't do-."
"You don't need to say anything to this man Abigail…" Hannibal set a comforting hand on her back. "I know the truth you know the truth and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks…" Hannibal said as he looked over the man.
"Actually it does matter what the public thinks… If you ever want your charge to have any chance at a normal life then I suggest you have her give me a quote or I'm going to run a story that isn't all that fair even I have to admit." He said with a smile.
"My charge as you put her is completely innocent if she wasn't she would have been brought up on charges already-."
"She may have not been brought up on charges but that won't stop me from running a story that says she helped her father knife those poor girls-."
"That is quite enough." Hannibal said cutting him off. "If you run any such story you will be hearing from my Attorney."
"I'm just asking for one quote."
"Well I'm afraid you aren't getting one. Abigail let's go." He said steering her away from the man.
"When those men raped you did you feel helpless!?" Abigail instantly froze as Hannibal's jaw clenched. "Helpless like the victims of your father!?"
"Go to the car." Hannibal said handing her, her coat and the keys.
"Okay." She said softly starting to walk off.
"Abigail I'm just asking for a quote!" the man came after her and before he could get two steps forward. Hannibal turned and set his hand on his chest halting his movements.
"This is not the time or the place…" Hannibal said and the man looked to him. "You want an interview with her you call and set up a time, in fact I'll call you and set up a time, I know Abigail wishes to write a book and we're still looking for a writer to help."
"Really?" he asked perking up.
"Give me a card and I'll look into your work see if you're up to par." Instantly the man handed one over. "Oh and Mr. Till." He said reading the name off the card. "If you want any chance at the book deal I wouldn't run that story." He nodded as Hannibal walked off.
"Dr. Lecter?"
"Yes Mr. Till?" he asked turning.
"One week for her to decide if I'm worthy of her true story or whatever version of the truth she wants to tell or I run my version and she won't like what's said." Hannibal only nodded with a smile before turning. The second he did his jaw clenched. When he got to the car he slipped in and looked over Abigail whose head was bowed forward slightly.
"Are you alright?"
"I'd like to go home…" he nodded as he started the car and began to drive. When they got to the house both walked in Hannibal taking Abigails coat as he hung up his own. Abigail went to head to the false wall but stopped and turned to look at him. "Hannibal… I'm sorry." He looked to her. "Once again my past has ruined a lovely evening out." Hannibal shook his head as he walked to her his hand cupping her cheek delicately.
"You ruined nothing, it was the rudeness of that man that put a damper on the evening, not you."
"What do you think he's going to say?" She asked softly and he smiled as his thumb brushed over her cheek.
"He isn't going to say anything… I'm going to take care of it."
"T-take care of it?" She asked. "Like you did my Doctor?" He nodded as he continued to look her over. "You don't have to do that."
"He brought it on himself, besides I have a new recipe I want to try that involves spleen, I'm sure his would do nicely. Normally I would wait a few months but we're on a tight schedule… He's given us a week before he releases whatever slander he has written on you to the public."
"You shouldn't change your methods… Mistakes could get made." She said.
"I do not make mistakes Abigail." He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You do look beautiful tonight…" He said before turning and walking away. Abigail blinked before following him with a smile. Both suddenly stopped just inside the kitchen when they heard a thud coming from upstairs. Hannibal slowly turned towards Abigail to see she was staring up at the ceiling as she slowly stepped out of her heels. She was getting ready. Ready to handle whatever it was upstairs. Another thud sounded and her eyes narrowed as she reached for the knife block. Hannibal smiled as he moved forward and took her wrist in hand stopping her movements.
"Someone is up stairs…" She said softly not looking to him but still looking up.
"I know." He said making her look to him. "But we don't kill… Not in the main part of the house at least." A crash sounded and he sighed.
"They're breaking things." She said her jaw clenching.
"Yes… It seems they are…" he moved forward and she took his hand halting his movements.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"I'm going to check it out…"
"Are you sure? I mean it could be dangerous."
"Abigail I fought off Tobias alright didn't I?"
"Yeah but I had to kill him in the end." He looked up in thought with a sigh.
"You make a point there, but I assure you I'm quite capable."
"Just… Be careful…"
"You could come up with me if you like." She went to take a knife. "Without a weapon, because normal teenage girls don't reach for weapons, but phones." He said handing her his cell phone.
"Right…" She said with a sheepish smile as another crash sounded. "I'm a normal teenager who has never killed before…" She said to herself and Hannibal smiled as he turned away from her. They moved to the false wall which Hannibal slowly and silently opened up before they both headed up the stairs. The whole time he moved Abigail had a hand on his upper arm as she moved close behind him. He felt quite protective in that moment of her. If there was a home invader which as another crash sounded it seemed more likely there was he was going to do everything to make sure he protected the young woman behind him. "It's coming from my room…" She said softly. They both stopped as the light from inside her room went out suddenly with the sound of a crash. "Oh… I think that was my favorite lamp." Hannibal smiled.
"I'll buy you another one…" He said as he moved towards the room. He peered inside the darkness and tilted his head he could hear a strange noise coming from inside one he hadn't heard before. He flipped on the lights and tilted his head seeing a large owl seated on one of her bedposts. "It's just a bird…" Abigail moved around him so she could see.
"Poor thing crashed in through the window…" She said with a tone of sympathy. The bird went to take off and slammed into a wall thanks to one of its wings not being able to extend thanks to a piece of glass in it. "Hannibal it's hurt…" She said softly as she moved forward. The bird went to fly away but slammed into another wall. "Shhh…" She said and the Owl hooted in what seemed like fear as it stared up at her. "Shh now I'm not going to hurt you…" She slowly moved forward.
"Abigail they're dirty."
"It's hurt though we should help him…" She said stopping.
"There are no vet clinics which are twenty four hour around here… We should just put it out of its misery."
"But he's fine other than his wing." She said with an imploring look. "There must be someone we can call…" He looked at her for a long moment. "Please, he shouldn't have to die just because he can't fly…" He looked at her pleading expression for a moment before sighing. He found in that moment, that he couldn't deny her.
"Phone." He said and she nodded handing his cell over. He walked away as he dialed for Will as Abigail took a towel from her bathroom. "Will it's Hannibal, I need your help at my house, a bird flew into Abigail's window, it's quite hurt, I couldn't think of anyone else to call…"
"I'm actually pulling into your house now."
"Oh perfect I'll meet you down stairs." Hannibal said heading out of the room. "I'll be right back Abigail."
"Okay." He heard her say. "It's okay honey we'll get you some help…" Hannibal headed down the stairs and pushed through the false wall before walking to his front door and opening it up.
"Will." He greeted.
"Hannibal, so you have a bird problem?"
"I do, we thought it was an intruder but it was just an owl flying around Abigail's room, it has some glass in its wing."
"Easy fix. If I take it home it should be fly ready in a few weeks." Will said following him to the false wall which he pushed open. They headed up the stairs and both walked to Abigail's room which they stopped at the doorway. There inside Abigail held a towel in hand as she kneeled down before the owl. She wrapped the towel around it as it hooted before slowly standing up cradling the large wild Owl in arms.
"See…" She said with a soft expression. "I'm not that scary."
"Well." She looked up to see Will. "You did the hard work for me." He said.
"Got the glass out too." She said holding up the piece in a smaller towel.
"It let you get the glass out?" Will asked walking in as the Owl hooted.
"Mhm." She said with a bright smile. "I think once it knew I wasn't going to hurt it, it accepted me handling it. We just need to wrap the wing."
"We may not have too…" Will said looking over the glass piece. "It wasn't that deep… it can probably fly now…" He said opening the towel to look over the wing of the animal. Hannibal tilted his head as he watched Abigail smile as she looked over the bird in her arms. She was an enigma one he had yet to figure out. One minute she was ready to take a knife in hand and gut anyone who had dared to break into their home, the next she was cradling a wounded animal in her arms. He didn't know how to label her, but he wished he could.
"So what should we do?" She asked.
"I think we should try and let it fly."
"What if it can't?" She asked walking over to the window careful to not step on any glass with her bare feet.
"Then we'll go outside where it's fallen and I'll take it home." Will said with a smile.
"Here you do it…" She said slowly handing the owl over who seemed unsure of the transfer it hooted loudly before flying out the open window. Abigail leaned on her bench in front of the window and watched it fly off into the darkness. She smiled sadly. "It's gone…" She said and neither men missed the sad tone her voice took on.
"Maybe it'll come back." She looked to Will.
"You think so?" She asked with a hopeful smile.
"You never know, I helped a wounded fox once and after it ran off when healed it came back for months afterwards..."
"Maybe' it'll come back then." She said with a smile before closing her window. "I'm going to start cleaning up the mess in here."
"I'll help, but first I need to talk to Will." Hannibal said and she nodded with a smile as she went to her bathroom to get some cleaning supplies and to wash her hands. Hannibal and Will walked down the staircase together. "So you said you were already on your way here…"
"I did."
"Why exactly not that I don't love your visits."
"It's…" He looked over his shoulder to make sure Abigail was out of ear shot. "About Abigail." He said. "Alana just told me."
"What's going on?" Hannibal asked as they walked to the kitchen.
"Well… A few days ago Jack got a call pertaining to Abigail from this man named Mark Hilt. Jack when realizing it had nothing to do with the murders sent the call onto Alana… This Mark Hilt claims to be Abigail's true father."
"A man wanting to seek a name through her name." Hannibal said with a shrug. "Wine?"
"Uhm sure thanks." Will said. "That's what Alana said but said he was welcome to submit his DNA which he did." Hannibal looked to him.
"The results?"
"Just got the call from Jack who ran it through the lab because we had her DNA on file… Mark Hilt is in fact Abigail's father." Hannibal stared at him for a long moment. "We ran Abigail's DNA against Garret Jacob Hobbs, no match." Hannibal quickly walked from the kitchen and looked out the doorway to make sure Abigail wasn't around. "I came right when I heard, Alana should be calling any minute."
"What does this Mark Hilt want from Abigail?"
"He… wants to give her a home it seems."
"Her home is here." Hannibal said and Will nodded.
"That's what I said… I mean she doesn't know this guy, but he's claiming parental rights."
"Abigail turns eighteen in a week it doesn't matter." Hannibal said.
"What doesn't matter?" They looked to the doorway to see Abigail who had a soft expression. Will looked to Hannibal unsure what to do. "Guys? Everything okay?"
"We were just discussing what wine to drink, would you mind going to the wine closet and picking a chardonnay for us?" Hannibal asked.
"Of course not." She said with a smile before picking her heels up and walking out.
"We'll speak of this later, I'll meet you and Alana at my office tomorrow at three…"
"I'll tell Alana." Will said with a nod.
"Is this one good?" Abigail asked walking back in and showing Hannibal who took the bottle before sighing.
"I will be teaching you about wine next after we go over the proper cooking techniques of potatoes." He said walking off.
"Guess it wasn't good." Abigail said with a smile before looking to Will. "So you got here quick."
"I did yes I was… Driving around." He said and she tilted her head.
"You're lying." She said with a smile. "I always know when you're lying because you grind your teeth on your left side." She said touching his cheek. "So what was really up?" She asked as Hannibal walked in. "What were you two really talking about?" Hannibal looked to Will.
"Okay…" Will said. "You caught us, I was talking to Hannibal about your birthday. What I should get you."
"You don't have to get me anything." She said with a smile.
"Sure I do, 18 is nothing to sneeze at." He said. "So what do you want?"
"A puppy."
"No." Hannibal said making Will laugh while Abigail just smiled.
"A pony?" She asked.
"Maybe, equestrian sports are great for young ladies." Hannibal said as he uncorked the wine while Abigail just smiled as she shook her head.
"I was kidding…" She said with a smile.
"What would you like honestly?" Will asked.
"Mmm… I know…" she said looking to him. "It might sound messed up though, but I know you won't judge me… I want to go fishing." Hannibal looked to her.
"Why would that sound messed up?" Will inquired.
"Well… Some people might make the connection between fishing, hunting, and my dad." She said and Will nodded.
"Some would, not me… You really want to go fishing?"
"Yeah I mean I always wanted to learn how to fish and Alana says you do it all the time." She said with a smile.
"Alright then I'll teach you to fish, I'll share all my secrets with you." He said and she smiled.
"Awesome, I kind of miss the outdoors…" She said with a smile. "When can we go?"
"How about the weekend after your birthday?" He asked.
"Sounds like fun." She said with a smile. "Do you have a fishing rod I can use?"
"Sure I do." He said with a smile Abigail nodded as she stretched.
"Well I'm tired I think I'll head to bed."
"What about your window it's broken." Hannibal asked.
"It's okay it'll be a little breezy tonight but fine."
"No you could catch a cold, you can use my bedroom." Hannibal said before taking a sip of wine.
"What about you?" She asked.
"I have a couch in my study."
"No I'll take the couch-."
"No you'll take my bed and I won't have it any other way." He said with a tone that told her not to argue.
"Okay…" She said.
"Good night Abigail." Will said moving forward and hugging her, a move he had never done before. He was surprised when Abigail embraced him back warmly. Hannibal tilted his head as he watched the exchange. Abigail never hugged him, then again he never hugged her.
"Night Will." She said with a smile.
"Good Night Abigail." Hannibal said unsure if he should hug her.
"Night." She said heading out of the room with a smile.
"Abigail?" She turned with a smile towards Will. "You look lovely tonight." She smiled brightly.
"Thank you." She said with a smile before heading out.
"So tomorrow at three?" Will asked turning to Hannibal who was sipping on wine.
-o-
Hannibal headed up the stairs. After an hour Will had headed home. Alana hadn't called, but he figured it was because she thought it too late. She herself had a seven to seven rule. Hannibal didn't see the point in that. Not when he had acquaintances like Will. He walked to his door and opened it up and stopped seeing Abigail laying in his bed. He tilted his head as he walked over to the side she was facing on her side and stopped seeing her eyes move to his.
"Hannibal hey, change your mind?" she asked sitting up and turning the light on.
"No… Can't sleep?" he asked.
"Not really." She said with a shrug as she looked to him.
"What's wrong?" he asked sitting on the bed next to her.
"Not sure, just… Can't sleep."
"Do you want something? I have some sleeping pill samples I could give you."
"No… I'll eventually sleep on my own." She said with a soft expression. Hannibal looked her over and picked up her hand seeing a bandage wrapped around her palm. "Oh I cut my hand on some of the glass."
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Mhm, it was just a scratch." She said with a smile.
"Did you disinfect it?"
"Of course." She said with a smile and he nodded as he looked it over before his eyes raised to hers.
"Are you sure you're alright?" she nodded with a smile.
"Mhm…"
"Alright, I'm going to grab a change of clothes." She nodded with a smile as she watched him walk into his closet and grab a bundle of clothes.
"I can really take the couch."
"You are a lady you'll take my bed." He said. "I will take the couch." She smiled as she watched him go to walk away. He turned and looked her over. She tilted her head as he walked to her and set a hand on her cheek. He moved forward and kissed the top of her head inhaling her naturally sweet scent as he did. "Good night Abigail."
"Good night…" She said as he moved and walked away. When the door closed to the room she looked around the vast space filled with minimal furniture. It felt so empty now that he was gone. She had just started to feel at ease with him around but now that he was gone she was back on edge. She felt as though she shouldn't be in the bed, she felt as though she shouldn't even be in the room.
She had lied to him before, and it felt awful, when he had asked her what was wrong and she had said nothing. She wasn't alright. She hadn't been since leaving the museum. Her mind kept going to the reporter.
"When those men raped you did you feel helpless!?" Abigail instantly froze as Hannibal's jaw clenched. "Helpless like the victims of your father!?"
Her jaw clenched. She had worked hard to suppress the memories of her gang rape by the men in the hospital. She had also worked hard to not think about her Doctor who had raped her repeatedly while she was drugged. In some ways she was thankful she had been drugged, because in all honesty she didn't remember much. Her jaw clenched. What she did remember though haunted her most nights, this night more than it had before. She could feel him reaching for her, whispering awful things in her ear.
"I'm the only one who will want you Abigail… You deserve this…"
"I did…" she whispered her head bowing forward and she pulled her knees to her chest. Her jaw clenched as her eyes drifted closed and her mind went to the gang rape.
"Just take it like the other girls do!"
"No get the fuck off of me!"
Hannibal stared up at the ceiling. He was right below his bedroom, right below Abigail. She had looked unsure when he had crossed the space between them, and he had kissed the top of her head. He smiled remembering her scent. He was glad she wore no perfume. Her scent was perfect on its own. There were so many notes to it, yet it was still wonderful to inhale. He heard the door open and turned to see Abigail peeking into the room.
"Abigail?" he asked sitting up on the couch the cashmere shrug slipping off his body.
"I can't sleep…" she said and he tilted his head.
"I know... We talked about it upstairs."
"I lied to you, and I promised I wouldn't do that. But I don't want to talk about what's keeping me up." He nodded slowly.
"That's fair."
"Can I stay with you in here?" she asked seeing another couch. He sighed unsure if he should let her. It wasn't very lady like to sleep on a couch. But he would be doing her no favors to her honor if he slept with her in the bed upstairs. "Please Hannibal?" She asked softly.
"Sure." He said and she smiled as she walked over to the other couch.
"No take this one that one is uncomfortable."
"I prefer to be uncomfortable when I sleep it makes my dreams more interesting." She said as she laid down and he smiled as he watched her. "That was a lie too but I'm not moving."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep, and I find it very comfortable…" He smiled as he laid back on the couch. "Good night Hannibal."
"Night Abigail." He said as he went back to staring up at the ceiling as Abigail turned on her side and faced him as her eyes drifted closed. After a while Hannibal looked over to see she had fallen fast asleep.