Abigail took a deep breath as her fingers drummed against her drawing. The truth was she wasn't so much invested in her regular art anymore. Not when she had found a new form of art. One which she found to be the highest form. Her eyes drifted closed as she remembered the way the arrows had flown into her canvas which had rested against that great oak tree. She smiled contently as she took a deep breath. Just when she was about to get lost in her fantasy. She heard a strange noise. She slowly looked to the door of Hannibal's office where he and Will now resided for their weekly talk.
She swore she could hear a ticking noise. One which was going at such a rapid pace it could be the sound of a machine gun in the distance. She slowly got up and walked to the door. Her eyes weren't glued to the old fashioned wood, or the elegantly curved classic handle. Her eyes were instead fastened to the little space between the door and floor. She was seeing something strange pulsating in that tiny space. She slowly crouched down and tilted her head. It was a light. A strobe light. She slowly stood up straight and wondered why Hannibal was feeling the need to use light convulsive therapy on Will. It bothered her.
Hannibal using such a type of therapy on Will. Especially with all the Headaches Will had been suffering from. From her reading such therapy with a chronic migraine sufferer could lead to neurological problems. It could even insight seizures. She wondered why Hannibal was taking such measures with Will, knowing all the problems it could solve. She slowly stood up and walked back to the desk and tried to wait patiently for the session to come to an end. After a half hour the door cracked open and she slowly walked to it and peeked in.
"Will's gone?" she asked.
"Left through the private exit. There was a sudden call he had to go to…" Hannibal said. "I have news about your art… The one you left for him and the FBI."
"Yeah?" She asked with a smile.
"Will sees a student of..." He slowly walked towards her. "The ripper…"
"Really?" Hannibal picked her up in his arms and gave a spin making her laugh. "Are you serious? He said that?"
"He did indeed. I couldn't be more proud Abigail." He set her down on the ground and kissed her cheek. "Wonderfully done, so beautifully executed… And looked what just hit Tattle Crime." He showed her his I Pad. She took it in hand her eyes scanning the screen with a smile.
"A student in Darkness…" She read the title aloud before laughing.
"Front page on the website, and they're advertising it on others as well…" He said setting the Ipad down.
"What's the profile?"
"Will can't see anything but an apprentice. Not gender, not sexual preference, not the reasoning for the action. All he sees is a student."
"That's good… That's safe."
"Indeed." He said with a smile as he grabbed his coat.
"Hey Hannibal?" She asked as she watched him.
"Yes my student of darkness?" He asked with a smirk.
"Why are you using Light convulsive therapy with Will?" He slowly turned and looked to her. "I saw the strobe of it under the door. With his migraines that could cause neurological damage."
"You will make a fantastic psycho analyst someday." He said with a smile as he slipped on his coat. "We should get home, that pot roast is waiting…" Hannibal headed towards the door.
"Why are you trying to hurt Will?" He came to a stop.
"You think I'm trying to hurt him?" he asked turning to gaze at her.
"With his chronic migraines using such therapy can result in-."
"Are you a doctor Abigail?"
"No… And I'm starting to think you aren't either."
"Tread carefully."
"Using such therapy with Will, can result in seizures, hallucinations, loss of time, and countless other things… Will saved my life, he's my friend, hell I consider him family. So I'll ask you again. Why are you trying to hurt him?"
"I don't like that tone."
"I don't like what you're doing to Will." He walked up to her in a predatory way. When Abigail didn't so much as flinch or make a move to step away he came to a stop right before her. "The way I see it you're probably trying to hurt will physically, emotionally, and mentally… Trying to break him, level him completely probably so you can build him back up into whatever twisted image you think Will Graham should be."
"Do you feel as though that's what I did to you?" She smiled.
"You had nothing to do with me being levelled… But you had everything to do with building me back up… You created me in your image, and I'm grateful… You saved my life, and I will never forget that. But Will also saved my life. He is a good wonderful man and he doesn't deserve our kind of life."
"What is our kind of life?"
"Dark… Isolating."
"You feel isolated with me?"
"No because I'm with you… But you won't be around forever will you? There is a substantial age gap here one that will leave me alone someday…" He could see the heart break in her eyes at admitting such a thing.
"That is your gift and your curse Abigail."
"How do you mean?"
"You provide lifelong companionship to myself, and Will, if he follows the path I wish that is… But in the end that companionship will end with our death leaving you alone… You'll have to create someone in your own image, to keep you company…" He watched her jaw give tell-tale clench.
"Is that why you took me on like you did… For company?" She asked. He went to speak but she instead walked past him back into the waiting room.
"I see you're upset."
"Not with what you think."
"You seem to think you can read my mind."
"I can't read your mind Hannibal." She said putting on her coat. "I just understand how twisted it is."
"Then tell me why you think I think you're upset."
"You think I'm upset because I think you only took me under your wing because you needed companionship."
"You're not upset about that?"
"No because it's not the only reason you took the twisted interest you did in me?"
"Why do you think I took an interest in you-."
"Because you wanted to see if you could teach me to walk on the darker side of things."
"So why are you angry then?"
"Because you only did that because hell if you can make a teenage girl into a serial killer, you can probably do the same to Will Graham." With that she walked out and Hannibal took a deep breath as his jaw clenched and his hands slipped into his pockets. He cared deeply for Abigail, but she could really irk him sometimes. He slowly looked back to the door his expression softening. Abigail could make him feel crazy sometimes, but for some reason he didn't want to kill her for it.
"Interesting…" he said realizing he wanted to go after her.
-o-
Abigail took a deep breath, allowing the cold air of the winter night to fill her lungs. The first snow of had fallen, and she loved the sound of it crunching beneath her feet. She was a little upset with Hannibal, but she was more upset with herself. She had allowed herself to believe, once again, that she was something special. Turned out she was just a stepping stone to a more special target of Hannibals.
"Abigail?" Abigail slowly looked over her shoulder and smiled.
"Freddie hey…" She said with a smile.
"I was just going to try and catch you at the office, the I saw you walking… What are you doing out here in the cold?"
"Just…" she shifted on her feet. "Needed some air."
"It's some cold air you needed." Abigail nodded.
"Indeed." Freddie tilted her head.
"Are you okay Abigail?" She asked and Abigail smiled softly.
"Yeah… Just…" She sighed. "Evaluating my life."
"And?" Freddie asked as she walked to her.
"And… I don't know… And that's scary. Everything is so up in the air… Truthfully I can't wait till college at least I'll have a schedule to keep to… but if I'm being completely truthful-." Her voice cut off as she looked to Freddie. "Sorry."
"No go one, we're friends after all." Freddie said and Abigail slowly nodded.
"I am both excited for college and scared for it as well. People will recognize, me, the will know what my father and I did…"
"You must make yourself unrecognizable…" Freddie said as she walked to a bench and sat down, Abigail slowly joining her. "When the book is published which should be before you school time… You should change your look, the most you can, maybe even change your name."
"That won't hurt book sales?"
"Your mystery will make them soar." Freddie said with a smile.
"Change my look…" she said looking up in thought. "I could be one of those cute pin up looking girls… dye my hair jet black, where cute fifties glasses… or I could be chic geek with big round glasses… whatever look I go for I know glasses will be in the equation." Freddie laughed before shifting and Abigail smiled. "You want me to talk more about what happened don't you?"
"Would you mind, I have my recorder…"
"It's sort of cold out…"
"I have heated seats in my car…"
"Heated seats?" Abigail asked before looking to her. "Be still my heart…" Freddie smiled. "Lead the way." When they got to the car Abigail slipped in and rested into the seat. She smiled feeling it warm instantly. "One thing though Freddie."
"Sure." She said setting up the recorder.
"After this would you mind driving me-."
"Home of course."
"Actually not home…"
"To Will Grahams then." Freddie said with a smile.
"Thanks. So. Where did we leave things off?"
"Your childhood."
"Oh yes, that hell hole…" She said as she turned off her cell phone, not realizing that just as she was doing so Hannibal was giving her a ring.
-o-
Freddie was silent as she drove the car. Abigail childhood really was a hell hole. She also knew such a back drop to the subject of her book would lead to many things. A best sellers list ranking. A movie deal. Even some TV interviews, hopefully with CNN. The truth was though. That as great as this all sounded, Freddie was starting to wonder if that was what was best for Abigail.
Before she had had no problem using Abigail to get where she wanted in life. But now, after hearing her story. After knowing what she had gone through. She had developed a sort of kinship to the girl. She wasn't sure she could use her so easily now.
"You missed the turn." Abigail said.
"Oh I'm aware."
"Where are we going?" She asked.
"I'm going to take you somewhere normal to talk."
"I'm not really in the mood for more talking about what happened between my dad and I."
"There will be no mention of your dad. You and I. We'll just talk."
"Just talk?" Abigail asked.
"Abut girl stuff. All off the record of course. I know this great 24 hour coffee place. They have food too. My treat."
"Well I'm never one to turn down hospitality." Freddie smiled.
"Good." They pulled off the highway and drove down a well lit street into a district of a city which looked whimsical and eclectic. It was nearing three in the morning and yet this part of town was anything but a sleep but something more alive.
"You know I've come down here during the day and it always looks empty…"
"But it's kicking at night." Freddie said with a smile as they pulled up next to a coffee shop and paralleled park before both slipped out.
"Hey ladies!" A group of drag queens yelled as they swayed by. Abigail laughed as she looked them over.
"They are fantastic looking…" She said and Freddie laughed. "I'm not kidding they're more woman then I could ever hope to be." Freddie smiled.
"There's a couple clubs down here, the artsy digital house music type." Freddie looked over Abigail for a long moment. She had the brightest smile she had ever seen as she looked around the decorated street filled with artists, queens, and every other person in between.
"You know, why don't we skip the coffee?" Freddie said and Abigail looked to her. "You have your ID right?"
"I do."
"Let's hit a club." Freddie said wrapping an arm around hers and leading her off.
"Are you serious?" Abigail asked with a smile.
"You need a night out on the town. I can tell. No drinking though." She said with a stern point. "Guys will buy you drink after drink you have to promise you won't engage, I don't want Hannibal coming after me."
"You really don't." Abigail said and for a moment Freddie though there was a hidden meaning her words. "Freddie thanks for this." Abigail said and she nodded.
"Hey I'm not doing this so much for you as for myself. I could let off a bit of steam. Let's go here."
"Oh there's a really long line."
"Just follow my lead." Freddie said as she watched two very young looking girls get in past the door man. "Well well." She said approaching him.
"Get in line red." He said to her.
"Oh I'm not here for the fun." Freddie said. "Neither of us are." She flashed her reporter's badge. "I'm here to inquire as to why you're letting very young looking girl into your club without so much checking their ID as required by local jurisdiction." Abigail smiled.
"How does this headline sound?" Abigail asked making him look to her. "Local Club Owner gets sacked, door man gets jailed, for contributing to the delinquency of local youth." The man slowly opened the door for them.
"We don't need to go that far do we?" He asked.
"Not at all." Freddie said.
"Well played ladies." He said as they walked past him.
"That was awesome." Abigail said to Freddie who smiled.
"I love that trick!" she said over the loud music.
"So what do we do here!?" Abigail asked.
"What else we dance!? Look Abigail if we get separated we need to meet somewhere! My car two hours okay!?"
"Sounds good!" they entered the dance floor, and after ten minutes Abigail was happy they had put their plan into place because it only took that long for Abigail to lose sight of Freddie. The truth was without her dance partner she wasn't feeling the club scene all that much.
"You alright Doll?" She turned seeing a young woman with long straight dirty blonde hair.
"Oh uhm yeah." She said into her ear so she wouldn't have to yell.
"You look lost."
"I just lost my dance partner."
"Girlfriend or boyfriend?" she asked.
"I don't have either." The woman smiled.
"Which are you interested in?" she asked and Abigail couldn't help but laugh softly.
"Uhm… Truthfully?" the woman nodded. "I don't know." She said.
"Perfect." She said before taking Abigail's hand in hers and twirling her in a tight circle.
-o-
Hannibal paced the kitchen his jaw clenching as he did. She had been gone all night. She had left the office at eight, and now it was nearing 1 in the morning. He had called, which had gone straight to voicemail. He had texted, which he hated to do, but he had done it. Still he had heard nothing back. He wasn't sure what do now, he was truthfully getting very annoyed, and a little worried. He checked his pocket watched and sighed heavily.
"This is border lining on rude."
-o-
Abigail laughed as the set her hands on her hips and they moved together to the beat. She had never danced like this before. She had of coursed danced. But not as carefree as she was now. At school functions she had barely moved, keeping head down, while giving awkward smiles to her friends who were having way more fun than her. Now though she felt free. There was no bare minimum of movements. She swayed her hips and pumped her chest as much as she wanted. She let the music fill her and drive her, for the first time a long time there was no thinking there was just doing and it was exhilarating.
"Come on I need some water!" the girl said taking her hand in hers and leading her off the dance floor. They walked to the bar and Abigail looked over the young woman as she waved the bar tender down. "Two Grey goose straight up."
"I thought you said water?" Abigail asked.
"Well it looks the same." She said with a smile.
"I didn't catch your name…"
"Margot…" She said. "Margot Verger. You are?"
"Abigail…" she shifted.
"Have a last name Abigail?" she asked.
"Uhm… Hobbs." Margot tilted her head and Abigail could see a flash of recognition. "Should I be going now?" she asked.
"Not at all, you just became even more interesting then I already thought you were."
"You thought I was interesting?"
"With that shade of red and those doe eyes? I did…" Abigail smiled as her eyes flickered over her. "You're not used to female attention are you?"
"Not this kind."
"What is this kind?"
"The flirtatious kind."
"I don't mind it."
"You weren't kidding when you said you didn't know what you were into…" She said with some allure.
"I know I'm into affection. I… I like affection." Margot smiled.
"You're adorable." She said. Abigail smiled to herself as a long strand of her red hair fell before her eyes. "Oh can't have that can we?" Margot asked as she tucked the strand back behind her ear. Abigail looked to her with a soft expression. "How old are you?"
"18."
"Newly."
"How did you know?"
"You seem freshly eighteen. The whole wide world is still glittering before you."
"Just for tonight it seems… Before now it's been less like glitter and more like ash." Margot looked at her for a long moment.
"I sympathize completely."
"How old are you?"
"Guess."
"Mmm… 23."
"You're not drinking." She said pointing to her glass. "And good guess."
"Thanks and, I shouldn't I'm not-."
"Come on live a little." She said handing her the glass.
"I promised the person I came with I wouldn't drink."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure I don't see why not."
"Have you ever done something because you wanted to?"
"A.. Few things." She said after a long moment of thinking things over.
"Do you want the drink?" Margot asked and Abigail looked down at it.
"Yes."
"Then go for it kid." Abigail smiled as she clinked her glass against hers.
"We clinked, we should have a toast." Abigail said.
"A good point." Margot held up her glass while looking very deep in thought. "I know." She said. "To what we don't know we want." Abigail smiled as they toasted. "Bottoms up." They took long swigs from their drinks.
"That." Abigail said looking down into her now empty glass. "Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."
"Want another?"
"Yeah but on me this time." She said sliding a ten onto the bar.
"I can get it." Margot said.
"Please let me." Abigail said and Margot slowly nodded.
"Two more." Margot ordered.
"They really don't care about age here do they?"
"Life lesson, most places don't." Margot said with a smile as two more were handed to them.
"So Margot what's your pleasure?"
"Right now?" she asked. "It's the pleasure of your company."
"I'll toast to that smooth line." Abigail said and Margot laughed. "No I mean what do you like to do besides ride horses?"
"How do you know I like horses..."
"I was guessing by the pin." She said touching it right on her lapel.
"Well I do in fact ride. I like it very much. What about you?"
"Music." Abigail said with a smile.
"What instrument do you play?"
"Piano."
"I love the sound of piano. You must promise to play for me sometime…"
"Anytime you like." Margot smiled as she looked her over.
"I don't want to leave." She suddenly said.
"You don't have to." Abigail said and Margot gave a somewhat sad smile.
"Actually… I do…" She took out a pen and pulled Abigail's hand into her own and scribbled a number down. "Please… Call or text me… I'd like to hear from you."
"The same goes for you." Abigail said.
"What's your number?"
"I already wrote it down." Abigail took Margots hand in hers and held it up for her.
"When did you do that?" She asked seeing the number in her palm.
"Out on the dance floor…"
"How did you know I wanted it?" Margot asked looking to her.
"I didn't… I just… Hoped." Margot smiled.
"I'll see you soon."
"I hope so." Abigail said with a smile as she watched Margot turn and head off. Abigail smiled more to herself. Her heart was beating so fast, she never thought it could ever beat so fast for anyone but Hannibal. But there it was. What was more is unlike with Hannibal, she felt like there was genuine reciprocation."
-o-
Hannibals jaw clenched as he heard the front door slowly open. His eyes flickered down at his pocket watch. It was nearly five in the morning. He slowly stood from his study chair and silently made his way into the foray of the house. Abigail had already taken her jacket and shoes off. He looked to the secret door that led to the stair class seeing it was swinging close. He reached out and grabbed it before it could.
Trying to keep his anger concealed he headed up the stairs. He didn't make one sound as he slowly made his way down the long hallway. When he reached Abigail's room he twisted the handle and slowly let it open. He stopped seeing Abigail sitting at her windowsill the windows wide open as a cold breeze moved in and tossed her hair. That's when it hit him. The scent. It wafted with the wind like a web caught in a summers breeze.
"You drink Vodka now?" she didn't even so much jump at his voice. She slowly turned and looked to him.
"You waited up."
"You drink Vodka now?" he asked again.
"I thought Vodka was odorless."
"Nothing is odorless… not to me. So… You've been drinking you don't deny it."
"I only had two fingers."
"You're eighteen."
"You let me drink wine."
"Under my supervision." He walked to her and grabbed her hand pulling her to her feet. He took a deep breath his eyes closing for a moment as he did.
"Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, small spikes of Cocaine, and simulated fog. You've been at a club."
"I'm eighteen I'm allowed in clubs, as for the tobacco, marijuana, and cocaine I had no part of it."
"No but it was around you." His eyes caught something on her palm and turned it. "What's that?" he asked and she pulled her hand away quickly before walking to her bathroom. Before Hannibal could memorize the number she had washed it from her hands. His jaw clenched seeing this. "So you've met someone."
"Relax." She said.
"Relax? It's nearing five in the morning…"
"Well time flies when you're having fun." She muttered to herself. "Please… Don't be angry at me for having fun…" She slowly turned to him. "Hannibal for the first time ever I had a normal fun night. I did something reckless, and awesome, I danced!"
"You dance with me."
"Not this kind of dancing." She said with a smile. "It wasn't staunch and perfect, it was wild and crazy, I even stepped on a few toes and it was fun."
"I'm… Very disappointed in you."
"No you're not." She said. "If you were, those words would have hurt me."
"Whose number was that?" he asked.
"A girl I met."
"Name."
"Margot." She said.
"Just a friend then?" Abigail nodded. "Something more?"
"No." she said.
"You crave affection." She looked to him to see he had a soft expression. "Whether it be from a man or woman."
"Hannibal… Don't… Assess me I hate that."
"You must understand why I am. You've never felt the need to separate yourself so strongly before. Not from me."
"Truth be told that's not why I went out tonight. I went out for air and just when I was about call for a cab to take me back home I ran into Freddie. We were just going to go to a twenty four hour coffee joint when I noticed the clubs, and I don't know I was attracted to the lights and the music, and she went with me. I got separated met a few people and time really just flew by. I promise this won't happen again. I didn't know how late it was until I found Freddie back at the car. She had lost track of time too."
"And the drinking?" he asked.
"The girl I met offered to buy me one and refused because I knew you wouldn't like it but then… I really wanted it."
"You drank it because you wanted to drink it…"
"Yes…" He nodded and walked over to her bed before sitting down.
"You did something because you wanted to do it…"
"Yes."
"Very good Abigail. I'm not a fan of underage drinking but I'm proud that you did something because you wanted to do it. I'm still not happy you stayed out all night… Do me a favor?" She nodded. "If you want to stay out all night, that's fine, but don't drink, and call, not text, but call. To let me know."
"I promise… I'm sorry."
"It's fine…" with that he stood up and headed to the door. He was about to walk out when he turned and looked to her.
"What is it?"
"You know, that my feelings for you are very genuine."
"As genuine as they can be…" He walked to her and set his hand on her cheek.
"You're special to me."
"No I'm not."
"What would make you feel such a way?" he asked his thumb brushing across her cheekbone.
"I don't think I can be special to anyone."
"Well you're very wrong about that…" he tilted her chin up his lips slowly brushing against hers in a tender way. He pulled back and let his eyes roam over her. "Are you interested in this young woman?"
"As a friend?"
"Nothing else?" She shifted on her feet.
"Hannibal."
"I'm not angry…"
"But we-."
"Have affections towards one another… But you are young, and before you commit to me I think it only fitting, and beneficial to your mental and physical growth to explore all your sexual desires to any sex you wish. I don't want you to commit to me and then a long way down the road for you to figure out that you're a lesbian."
"I'm not a lesbian."
"But you are attracted to this girl."
"Well…" She shifted. "Yeah… Truth be told I'm…" She cleared her throat and Hannibal smiled.
"You don't have to be shy with me…" He said pushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I don't want to talk about this right now…"
"I respect that… I have to start getting ready for the new day. I think you should stay home today, rest up…"
"I don't think I could sleep." Abigail said. "Would you mind if I used your study, I received an email from your friend at Johns Hopkins telling me all the things I should start studying, what text books I need and I saw last time I was in there you might have a few."
"Of course." He said with a nod.
"Thank you."
"Of course." He repeated before walking off.
-o-
Margot took a deep breath as she looked herself over in the mirror. She held her chin up high as she moved her head from side to side. She pushed up on her neck as she sighed to herself. She knew there was nothing to see. No wrinkles, no sinking neck, still she looked. She supposed she had her mother to blame for that. Always telling her to apply lotion to her face and to hold up her neck, unless she wanted wrinkles in the corners of her eyes, or a saggy chicken gobbler for a neck. She heard a buzz and looked down at her phone. It was ringing she smiled when she read the name. Instantly she answered and put it to her ear.
"Hello Abigail." She greeted.
"Hi Margot."
"You called."
"I did."
"I would have thought a text message."
"Text messages are for people I don't want to talk to. I want to talk to you. There for I'm using my voice for communication instead of my thumbs." Margot smiled as she turned and leaned against her vanity. "Is it too early to call? Did I wake you?"
"Still up from earlier, you too?"
"Yes… I just wanted to call to say thank you for the dance, the drink, and the wonderful conversation."
"Will thank you for the dance, the drink and the conversation." Margot said with a smile. "I hope we might get together and do it again."
"Same here…" Margot smiled. "Are you free this week?"
"Saturday…" She said before hearing a noise. She turned and looked over her shoulder. She could hear his footsteps, quickly shuffling down the hall to her floor. "Meet me at the Geppis Entertainment Museum Saturday at twelve… See you then."
"See you then." Margot instantly hung up before deleting the call log just as you brother opened the door.
"Hello sister…"
"Brother mine…" she muttered.
"You were on the phone."
"I was." She said tucking it into her back pocket.
"With?"
"None of your business."
"I pay the phone bill so it is my business." He said.
"Actually this phone I pay for myself, with the few investments I made with the trust put into place by papa."
"Loopholes loopholes…" he said in a sing song voice. "Going riding?" he asked.
"Not today no…"
"Just as well… Seems there is something wrong with your horse." She kept any emotion from slipping into your features.
"Animals are animals… Father taught us this above all…" He smiled.
"You can't fool me." he said touching her nose with his finger.
"What do you want?"
"Watch that tone…" She kept herself from taking a deep breath. "Where were you last night?"
"Art district."
"Looking for more things to invest in."
"I have to do something with my time."
"Indeed… Well I'm going to the stables… To check on your horse."
"Fine…" As her brother walked out Margot took a deep breath. She wanted to run, to do something to protect her horse, but she couldn't allow her brother to know how much she loved her animal. If he did, she knew he would hurt it for sure. After years of suffering at the hands of her brother she knew when he was testing her or not. From time to time she did fail, but when it came to her horse she never did.
-o-
Abigail heard the doorbell and stood up from Hannibals desk. She walked out down the hallway and to the front door. She checked in through the peep hole before smiling to herself and slowly opened the door. She looked over Alana for a long moment.
"So… Dr. Lecter called you…"
"No… Actually I saw you… Last night, coming out of a club…"
"Were you also at the club?"
"No I was across the street at my favorite coffee house. Can I come in?"
"Why not." She moved aside. "I was just looking up some stuff to prepare for school… Reading some of Dr. Lecters old text books. Would you like some tea?"
"I'd love some." They walked together into the kitchen as Alana shrugged out of her coat.
"So do you want to discuss your clubbing last night?"
"I went to one club. Clubbing suggests more than one."
"Did you drink?"
"Dr. Lecter already talked to me about this."
"Well now I am."
"I had two drinks." Abigail said.
"Why?"
"Because I was thirsty."
"They didn't have water at this club?"
"I didn't get drunk, I made sure I got home safely, why are you so upset?"
"You have a bright future ahead of you Abigail. For god sakes you're going to John Hopkins in the fall… You are proving everyone wrong about the exception of your future or you were until last night when you stayed out until four in the morning at a club engaging in underage drinking."
"I had fun last night. I'm not going to let you ruin that with a misplaced guilt trip."
"What if someone had photographed you hmm? You think Johns Hopkins would uphold your full ride?" Abigail looked off. "I don't want you to throw away your one chance at a good future Abigail…"
"I'm sorry."
"Go out to clubs that's fine, but don't drink. Don't do anything that can risk your future…" Abigail slowly nodded.
"Would it risk my future to… Maybe… Go out with someone." Alana sat back on the stool as a smile came over her face.
"You've met someone."
"Well I don't think it's a date, I mean… kind of… feels like a date."
"Who is the young gentleman caller?"
"Her name is Margot."
"Margot." Alana said with a smile sitting back on her seat. "Pretty name."
"It matches her then…" Abigail said as she bowed her head for a long moment while taking a deep breath.
"Where did you meet Margot?"
"At the club… We danced." Abigail slowly looked to her and Alana could tell she was struggling with herself.
"Why don't you tell me about her?" She asked as Abigail handed her a tea cup.
"She's… Smart. You can just tell right away by looking at her that she's smart. She's funny, and quick. Her voice is sweet but there's a raspy sound to it…"
"What does she look like?"
"She has kind, thoughtful eyes… Blue eyes… Like light blue, with this darker ring around them… I noticed them right away. They were the first thing I noticed about her." Alana saw a small smile slip across her features. "Uhm." She cleared her throat. "Fair skin, high cheekbones, with a natural blush, one that goes straight to her ears if you say the right thing." Alana smiled hearing her laugh softly. "She has long dirty blonde hair, it's natural. You can tell."
"You seem to like her. Seem to have feelings for her…" Abigail looked to her quickly. "There's nothing wrong with that Abigail."
"Han-Dr. Lecter… He… He says I crave affection and I'll accept it from anyone."
"I think that was unfair of him to say…" Alana said.
"I did too."
"Did you tell him so?" She shook her head.
"Have you always had feelings for girls?" Alana asked.
"I've always had feelings for both boys and girls… Once there was this trans boy in my high school, freshman year… I thought he was so handsome and, I had this huge crush…"
"Did anything come of it?"
"He was bullied right out of school… I never got the chance to do anything with my feelings."
"Have you ever had a relationship with a girl?" Abigail felt a sinking feeling. Alana watched as Abigail's jaw clenched and she looked off. "Abigail?" she asked seeing a flash of emotion come across her features.
"Marissa." Abigail said softly. Alana sat back. "I kept my dad from getting to her, but I couldn't keep Nicholas Boyle from getting to her… She was on my mind constantly when I first woke up in the hospital…" she said her eye glued to a nearby window. "I thought that maybe she and I could actually be together… in the open… Because dad was dead and I knew he couldn't hurt her anymore…" her jaw clenched. "I didn't take into account Nicholas Boyle…"
"You loved her?"
"I had a chance to…" Abigail said pain rising into her chest. Alana reached out and took her hand in hers. "I should have taken the chance." Her voice broke and Alana moved around the table and did something she never did. She wrapped her arms around Abigail and held her close. After a moment she pulled back and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"I'm glad you told me about Marissa…"
"Please don't tell Hannibal… He doesn't know."
"Hannibal wouldn't think less of you for having an attracting to women. There's no shame in attraction when it's between two consenting adults."
"Please don't tell him." Alana nodded.
"I don't discuss what we discuss with Hannibal." She said rubbing her back. "Can I ask why you waited so long to tell me about Marissa?"
"She's hard to talk about… Also it wouldn't have been smart. With Nicholas Boyle tucking tail and running, Jack thinking he's dead, and me as his prime suspect… Telling you that I had dated one of the suspected copy cats victims would have made you not trust me… You would also most likely want me to tell Jack, and I couldn't have him thinking I had actual motive to kill Nicholas Boyle."
"Smart." She said.
"You're now thinking did I kill Nicholas Boyle or did he really turn tale and run?'
"No I wasn't thinking that…"
"Can I be honest?"
"Please do."
"I wish I had killed him…" Abigail said. "I wish I had…" Her voice broke. "I wish I had hung him up like he had hung up Marissa… That may sound heartless of me but… I… I know the fear she felt being hung up on those antlers… I know the fear, the pain…"
"How do you know?" Alana asked and Abigail took a deep breath.
"Uhm… Because…" she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Didn't you see the tapes? Didn't… Didn't Jack show you?"
"Just the one that proved your innocents."
"Oh… Well I know what she went through because I saw dad do it to the girls…"
"Your fathers victims were dead when they were hung up and put up on display…" Abigail looked down into her teacup. "Abigail how do you know what Marissa went through?" Abigail looked off her jaw clenching as she did. "Abigail how do you know?"
"Ca we not talk about it?"
"Sure." Alana said with a soft expression and Abigail smiled.
"I like that you don't pressure me about things."
"Does Hannibal pressure you?"
"No."
"So why don't you want to tell him about Marissa?"
"I don't know…" Abigail couldn't tell her why. After all the reason why Abigail hadn't spoken to Hannibal about Marissa was because there was a part of her that truly believed Hannibal may have been the copycat all along.
"He won't judge you for it."
"I know… I think he knows I like this girl Margot, though I know he doesn't know about Marissa."
"So when you told him about Margot what did he say?"
"He said that he thinks I should explore this side of myself."
"You should."
"We're going to the entertainment museum Saturday…"
"I can tell you're excited."
"She knows who I am and she doesn't care… She didn't give me the look everyone does when they hear my name… But she knew who I was and she talked to me like I was…" She took a deep breath.
"Normal." Alana said.
"Yeah."
"How about you and I do something normal today?"
"Do you want to go grocery shopping with me? I wanted to make Dr. Lecter dinner to say sorry for making him wait up all night."
"I'd love too."
"Here help me choose a recipe because I hope you'll join tonight."
"I would love to, as long as I can help cook, and by help cook I mean cut vegetables because that's all I'm good at." Abigail laughed as they walked to the recipe box.
-O-
AN: So we're exploring her sexuality now which is a theme of the Hannibal TV show so no one get upset. Or bash her. This needs to happen for her character development, and it is needed for down the road.