Sorry for any odd mistakes but my finger is broken and its hard to type.

XXXX

I can't see where you comin' from,
But I know just what you're runnin' from.
And what matters ain't the "who's baddest," but the
Ones who stop you fallin' from your ladder, 'cause

This ain't no place for no hero.
This ain't no place for no better man.
This ain't no place for no hero
To call "home."

The Heavy, Short Change Hero

It was around midnight when Hannibal and Will got back to their large town house, all was quiet just like they expected. Hannibal was sure if he looked upstairs he would find the twins fast asleep clutching their beloved toys and Abigail snuggled down in the expensive bed of his spare bedroom. It was nice to know Abigail's was sleeping soundly in his home, he was her adoptive father after all. Will guided a sleepy Beverly into the house followed by Hannibal with Olivia Mendel over his shoulder just as before. The female Omega hadn't been fed in days and was clearly dehydrated and so Hannibal was reasonably sure she wouldn't remember him carrying Mendel around the house.

"What do you want me to do?" Asked Will softly after Hannibal had shut the door to their home.

"Take Beverley up to one of the spare rooms, get her some water and make sure she sleeps, she needed it. I'll take Miss Mendel here to the basement."

"What about Abigail and the twins?"

"Don't wake her up, I don't want Abigail to worry and Beverley needs to sleep." Hannibal spoke softly, he didn't want to wake the teenage Omega accidentally. "Go on, I'll deal with this."

"Alright. I love you."

"I love you, too."

After a few seconds of watching Will ascend the stairs while helping a dead on her feet Beverley Hannibal trotted over to the kitchen and into his basement. He liked it down there, it was cold but that was for the meat, the basement was his quiet place to work, yes the kitchen was his sanctuary but the basement was his escape just as the nursery was for William. The Alpha set Olivia unceremoniously down on a silver work table, the same one Margot Verger had been on, and zip tied her wrists to either side of the cold metal. He didn't care if it was too tight, she was still unconscious and wouldn't be needing her hands...ever. Satisfied she was unable to escape Hannibal made his way through the house, up the stairs and into his and William's bedroom to change. He shed the tuxedo, setting it down in the hamper and threw on a thin blood red sweater and a pair of dark wash jeans, yes, contrary to what Will made out Hannibal did indeed own more than suits. Will normally said he was mated to a suit, the thought made the Alpha smile. Happy with his clothing Hannibal went to join Will in the nursery, he knew that was where his Omega would be.

"Shhh."

Will demanded as Hannibal entered the room, Lecter just smiled and moved so he could wrap his arms around Will's waist as he looked down on Valentina. The youngest Omega had her soft brown curls draped over her Zebra and her thumb in her mouth.

"She's so cute when she sleeps." Remarked Will in a whisper.

"That she is, Valentina gets it from you."

Will smiled and turned in Hannibal's arms to bury his face in the Alpha's neck. Hannibal gripped him tighter.

"Thank you, for bringing Beverly home, Brian too."

"I promised you they would all be found. I keep my word William, especially to you."

With that Will leaned his head up and pressed a passion filled kiss to Hannibal's lips. The Alpha's hand instantly rose to Will's dark hair and pulling him deeper into the kiss. How he longed to throw Will down on the bed and make him scream his name; there are guests in the house, it would be rude.

"Did you check on Abigail?" Asked Hannibal once he managed to release his grip on the Omega.

"No, not yet. You kind of sidetracked me." Will blushed a little.

"Come on, lets check on her and then I will deal with Miss Mendel."

"No, Hannibal please not tonight. I'm tired, I want you to hold me and its Sunday tomorrow, you can deal with her then. I'm not sure why you didn't kill her to be honest."

"I brought her here to see if she knows where Marcus Delaware is, Bronys Grentz was a low life with a trust fund, he wouldn't have known anything. Miss Mendel however, she is wealthy and likely to know more than people would think. But yes, I suppose I can deal with her in the morning and if my Omega wants me to hold him then what sort of Alpha would I be to say no?"

"A stupid one."

"The question was rhetorical, but yes a stupid one." Hannibal smiled and led Will to their bedroom

XXXX

The next morning saw Hannibal awaking to Abigail's scream of Oh my God, Beverly? He had hoped to keep the knowledge that Beverley was there from her for a little longer but it seemed the cat was out of the bag so to speak. It took seconds for Will and Hannibal to appear in the spare room Beverley had slept in, she had been sleeping soundly until Abigail's outburst. The teenage Omega was perched on the side of the bed hugging Beverley full force.

"Abigail, be gentle with her. Beverley is very weak at the moment."

She pulled back instantly at Hannibal's words, there were tears in her eyes. Will knelt on the bed beside Bev and took the glass of water from the night table and held it for her to drink slowly. Hannibal was so engrossed watching Will care for the other Omega that he didn't notice that Abigail had moved until he felt her arms snake around his middle and her press her face into his chest.

"Thank you, Hannibal. For finding her." She mumbled in between small tears.

Hannibal couldn't help it, he cuddled her back, she was so small and set his protective instinct off more than anyone else before, even Will. Soon she released him and excused herself to check on the twins. After a quick medical check, Hannibal changed into the red sweater and jeans he had worn the day night before, since he had only been dressed in them for a few minuets before Will draged him off to bed, then went downstairs and into the basements to check on Olivia Mendel. Will insisted on staying With Bev and to be honest Hannibal was pleased, he knew Will needed to be with her, even if she was asleep.

"Good morning, Miss Mendel. How are you today?"

Hannibal greeted cheerfully as he entered the basement and made his way to the steal table.

"Fuck you, that's how I'm doing."

Her hair was wild and her mascara had run from crying. It was clear she had woken at some point of the early morning to find herself zip ties to a metal table, Hannibal was suddenly very thankful that he had sound proofed the basement.

"Now that is just plain rude, Olivia. May I call you Olivia?" He didn't wait for a response. "Let me explain why you are here, shall I? You purchased a young Omega by the name of Beverly Katz via an Alpha known as Marcus Delaware. She was not his to sell. Beverly is under my protection as are three other Omegas he sold at that particular auction. I have one of them back, two now I have her and you are going to tell me four things: Who brought the others I'm looking for? How much you paid for Beverley? How did you find out about the auction? And where is Marcus Delaware? Understand?"

"Fuck you!"

With that Olivia spat on Hannibal, hitting him on the cheek, he wiped it away with a sigh then flicked on a bright light above the table almost blinding the female Alpha.

"Let me tell you a secret. I'm not overly fond of physical torture, I do it when necessary but its not part of my psychology. I much prefer mental torture, its more elegant. Yet, like I said I will do it when necessary. The last woman who lay on this table tried to hurt my Omega and my unborn children, she was an Omega and passed out quickly. I wonder, how much pain can you take before you pass out? I bet it'll be more." Hannibal reached for his trusty scalpel and sliced through the skin between her little and ring finger, it reminded him so much of Margot Verger. "Let it not be said I'm not a kind man. I will give you two options. One; you tell me everything you know. Two; you remain silent for as long as you can. I warn you option one if far less painful."

Much to Hannibal's surprise Olivia began to laugh. The doctor raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Do you know what happened to the last one of us that talked about his auctions? He sent that fucking mental Dolarhyde after him. That guy is crazy, he had razor sharp false teeth for fucks sake. I think you're bluffing, perfect Doctor Lecter that everyone talks about so highly like butter wouldn't melt. Its a bluff, you won't kill me. Dolarhyde? He will."

"You fear him more than me?"

"Yeah, so how about you let me go and I'll even let you keep the girl? You are just playing hero."

"Oh, I'm no hero. Its true people speak highly of me, but that is the way I want it. They see my person suit as it seems you still do. The Italians called me Il Mostro but I think you would know me via a different moniker." Hannibal leaned down so as he could whisper in her ear. "The Chesapeake Ripper."

Olivia's apple eyes widened in fear as she processed what that name meant. She was a weak Alpha and it showed as she began to shiver with fear. Hannibal never raised his voice, never shouted because he knew people were more terrified of that. They expected killers to shout and yell, it knocked them sideways when there was only a calm voice.

"I'll leave you to think about what I've said. In the mean time I'll make breakfast for my family, maybe a protein scramble, lots of bacon and sausage."

Olivia's eyes widened further at the idea of becoming breakfast for Hannibal and his family. Dolarhyde would bit and kill her yes, but The Chesapeake Ripper would cut out her organs while she watched. Mendel changed her mind, she was more afraid of Hannibal.

Hannibal soon found himself cooking away in his kitchen, crisping bacon form an annoying little man by the name of Geoffrey Hook-Richardson, even the name annoyed Hannibal. The man had decided it was perfectly normal and acceptable to wait for young Omegas to leave school and follow them home, due to that little perversion he had become bacon; his liver was also somewhere in his fridge for the meal Hannibal had planned later on that evening.

"That smells so good, Hannibal." Came Abigail's voice as she entered the kitchen.

"I'm glad you think so." He said with a smile.

"Is there anything I can do to help? The twins are with Will and Beverly so I'm kind of at loose end."

He could see she really wanted to help, Abigail had been expected to be taken back to The House at the crack of dawn, Hannibal could tell, not treated to breakfast with her adoptive family.

"If you would like you could set the table, everything you need is in the cupboard beside the drinks cabinet in the dining room."

Hannibal pointed with the knife he held to the doorway behind her next to the in the corner of the kitchen.

"Okay, no problem."

Abigail set about her task while Hannibal finished up breakfast and made coffee, Will hated Hannibal's coffee method of making it and insisted he shouldn't need a degree in engendering to get some caffeine. The thought of William's words made Hannibal smile, most things about Will caused that reaction. Just as Hannibal finished plating their food Abigail walked back into the room and shut the cabinet doors.

"Abigail, would you mind telling Will and Beverly that breakfast is ready please?"

"Of course."

With that she vanished off to the spare bedroom. Hannibal took the plates through and set them down softly then did the same with three coffee cups. He poured orange juice into a glass for Beverley, filling a dehydrated Omega full of caffeine was not a good idea. Winston padded in and settled down by the chair Will always occupied, Winston was never very far from Will and Hannibal was thankful for that. He liked knowing the red-brown animal was always there to protect his Omega. Only moments after sending Abigail to fetch the others they returned filing in led by Will. Beverley looked drained, her skin pale and dry but she looked to be in much higher spirits. Well, that's a step in the right direction Hannibal told himself as he watched everyone take their seats. Hannibal took his own at the head of the table giving the garden doors his back, Will was on his right with Beverley next to him while Abigail took the space on Hannibal's left.

"Wonderful as always." Complemented Will as he took a bite of eggs.

"I'm glad to hear it. Beverley, please take your time eating, we don't want to upset your system."

Hannibal could tell she was uneasy around him and that was to be expected after all she had suffered through that was to be expected. Frankly he would have been concerned if she wasn't uneasy around him. Abigail let out a moan as she bit into her eggs and mumbled something like best cook ever, Hannibal just smiled softly and returned to his own food. When the plates were about half empty Beverley's voice filled the blue striped dining room.

"Will tells me you're his mate."

Hannibal was pleased, it was clear that Beverly was brave and Hannibal admired that. She was trying to be polite too which he admired more.

"Indeed, I am. I believe I have you to thank for us meeting. If you hadn't have helped him to escape we never would have met, so thank you."

It was true, everything that had happened; bonding with Will, having the twins, killing Jack Crawford and putting a stop to the abuse. All of it was possible because Beverly had stolen a key and let Will escape. For that Hannibal owed her everything.

"I'm just glad you found him and not Master."

"Jack Crawford will never find anyone again. He's dead. Its a long story that I think Will would much rather tell, but I am in charge of The House now. It is no longer a place of forced prostitution, it is...more of a...half way house for Omegas. If you would like I will take you back when you're healed? I'm sure the others would be happy to see you."

Beverley looked hesitant at that and no one was in any way surprised. Just as panicked memories began to take over, widening Beverley's eyes Abigail spoke giving her thoughts a new path.

"Hannibal had the basement turned into a media room, there's a massive television and a stereo, everything." Hannibal and Will's adopted daughter had a huge smile from ear to ear, she was over enthusiastic but Hannibal could tell that was to help Beverley's mood. "And he let us paint out bedrooms, mine looks like a forest."

"Abigail." Said Will with a little grin. "Don't bombard her with information."

"Sorry."

"No, its alright. I like the sound of the media room." Announced Beverley and then took a bite of eggs.

The meal went on in peace and soon the for of them say in front of empty plates, Hannibal was always pleased to see that it showed that his guests had enjoyed their food. Doctor Lecter cleared the plates and then returned to the dining room just as Valentina began to cry, her brother joining in seconds later.

"I'll go." Said Abigail as she stood from her chair.

"I'll come too, I'd like to meet them?"

Beverley glanced at the Alpha, they were his children and she was not their mother, but Will trusted Beverley which meant that Hannibal did too, besides Abigail would be with her and so the doctor gave a little nod that only Beverley saw. The black haired Omega went to stand but about half way up her legs gave way and she was forced to cling to the back of her chair to heel herself upright. Will was by her side in seconds holding her arm to help her.

"It seems you have over exerted yourself Miss Katz. Please allow me."

With that Hannibal rounded his dining table and gestured that he wanted to carry her.

"You don't have to, I'll be alright."

"I insist. If you were to get hurt in this house I would feel I had allowed it and I would prefer not to let harm come to my mate's best friend."

Reluctantly Beverley let the strong thoroughbred Alpha carry her back to the spare room while Will followed; Abigail had gone ahead to check on the twins. Once Hannibal had set Beverley down he suggested that Will keep and eye on her and he went back down to the basement.

As soon as he opened the door her was hit by the stench of fear from Olivia Mendel, I've given her enough time to stew in her own juices. Hannibal chuckled at his own joke as he descended the stairs. The second Olivia saw him she opened her mouth to scream but Hannibal clamped a hand down on her red smudged lips.

"There are people trying to sleep upstairs, don't be rude and wake them." He moved his hand slowly once he was certain she wouldn't scream. "Now, have you had long enough to think about what I said?"

She nodded quickly, never taking her eyes from Hannibal's own. He couldn't help the pleased micro-smile that pulled itself onto his lips

"Good, lets begin. I will give you the option of answering my questions before I cut straight to the torture, shall I?" It was a rhetorical question but Olivia nodded again anyway. "So..." Hannibal began as he reached for his scalpel. "...first question. How much did you pay for, Beverley Katz?"

"$145,000." She responded quickly, her eyes locked on the silver scalpel Hannibal was toying with.

"Hmm. Brian went for almost triple that, but I thank you for answering quickly and satisfying my own curiosity."

Hannibal had already decided he wanted her liver and kidneys, but he wasn't quiet sure on what else, maybe her heart. If she has one, Hannibal told himself. The doctor took a breath and then raised Mendel's left hand in his own examining her perfectly purple polished fingernails of the Alpha.

"You've spent a lot of money on these, shame."

With that Hannibal dug the scalpel blade under the female Alpha's left thumbnail causing the red head to scream in agony.

"Please!"

"Only a cowardly Alpha begs. And what did I say about screaming?"

For that Hannibal tore the nail off causing blood to ooze form the source. It was alright, it only hurt when the air touched it.

"You know, I could cut into you in some elaborate torture, but I have always taken pleasure in the simple things. The fingernails and the flesh surrounding them are one of the most sensitive places on the body when it comes to pain, along with the forehead. So all the pain you would feel from me say, taking out your intestine could be caused ever so quickly by me just...pressing."

Hannibal closed his thumb over Olivia's own pushing down full force, she screamed once again. Just as he was about to speak he heard a voice.

"Hannibal?"

It was Abigail. With a sigh Hannibal made his apologies to Miss Mendel and quickly shot back up the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Yes Abigail?"

"What are you doing down...is that blood in your hand?" Her eyes widened with surprise but not fear. "You brought the Alpha that had Bev here, didn't you?"

Oh she was sharp Hannibal had to giver her that.

"Yes, Abigail. I did."

"So have you decided what's for dinner or do you do that after you take the organs?"

Hannibal smiled, Abigail truly was a unique woman. It took a few seconds but he eventually realised she actually wanted an answer.

"I do both. Although with Miss Mendel I haven't decided yet. Please do not inform Miss Katz of her presence."

"Of course. We don't want to upset her and Beverley will never accept what you do." Silence rained for a moment and then she spoke again. "Can I help?"

"You could fill a glass with some water? She needs to eat and stay hydrated."

"Sure, but why? If you're just going to kill her why bother?" Abigail was genuinely confused.

Hannibal made his way to the refrigerator and pulled out a variate of ingredients to make a simple sandwich, he wouldn't waste his cooking talent on her. When he turned back the Alpha answered the Omegas question.

"Its not for her, Abigail. Its for the meet. If her body goes hungry or begins to dehydrate the meat and organs will not taste as good."

Abigail looked at him with an expression that said nothing more than oh. Without another word Abigail went to one the cupboard and pulled out a crystal glass and then filled it with chilled water only to set it down on the silver tray Hannibal had retrieved when she wasn't looking. Hannibal worked quickly and Abigail couldn't help but watch in amazement, he was so skilled and made every movement look elegant. Soon a plate was set down on the tray but just as Hannibal went to lift said tray Will called down the stairs to him.

"Hannibal, we need you. Beverley doesn't feel well."

Hannibal let out a little sigh, he didn't like people shouting throughout the house but he would always forgive William, he did love him after all.

"I could take the tray down for you if you like?"

Hannibal thought about it for a moment, he could see Abigail really did want to be evolved with his after hours hobby.

"Very well. But you don't let her out, she is still an Alpha."

The Omega nodded in acknowledgement and picked up the tray as Hannibal wandered off to see what had concerned his William. Abigail was pleased that Hannibal had let her help, he had taken her into his family and she wanted to keep reminding him why. It took only seconds to descend the stairs and she was shocked at what she saw, but not for the normal reasons. On the contrary, Abigail had expected their to be blood covered torture instruments and plastic sheeting on the floors like in a horror movie, she chuckled realising how silly that was, Hannibal was particular about everything else so why would The Chesapeake Ripper side of him be any different?

When Abigail approached the table that Mendel was zip tied to the Alpha let out an angry growl, it was clear that despite her fear Olivia still wanted to dominate every Omega she came into contact with. Silence rand out, Abigail simply set the tray down and made to leave but just as she reached the first step Olivia broke the quietude.

"Give me some of that water, I'm thirsty." Even while awaiting torture from Hannibal Lecter she was demanding.

The Omega sighed and turned back to the tray so she could pick up the glass. She wanted to just leave but her Omegan instincts kept telling her to obey the Alpha and then she remembered what Hannibal had said about dehydration. She would give Olivia the demanded water, but because of Hannibal not her. The glass was cool in her hands, condensation wetting her skin, Abigail turned to the Alpha and slid her hand behind Olivia's head and pulled her up to help her take a few sips; completely unaware of the damage Olivia's sharp nails had done to the plastic zip tie.

Just as Abigail pulled back from the red-headed Alpha Olivia chose her moment to strike, launching up and breaking through the worn zip ties and crashing down on top of the young Omega full force. Abigail screamed in fear as the older woman held her down and tried to cover her face. Abigail screamed again at the very top of her lungs but the scream soon fell silent as Olivia pushed down on her oesophagus; it was the worst pain the Omega had ever experienced, worse than the rapes but to feel the life being force out of her and the darkness closing in, now that was the most fear she had ever felt. Just as Abigail felt the end approaching the weight of Olivia was lifted and thrown across the basement. It took a few seconds but Abigail soon say Hannibal and ran to him on shaky legs, her body pulling in much needed air. The Omega wrapped her arms around the male Alpha and clung to him like her life depended on it. Olivia looked up from where she had been thrown to see Hannibal return the hug, as she wiped blood from her lip the doctor spoke.

"Don't ever touch my daughter again."

Hannibal's voice was angry and bitter, yet he still didn't shout. Only hurting his family could make Hannibal's mask crack and fall. And then Abigail realised something.

"Daughter?" She asked so quietly only Hannibal could hear it.

"Yes, daughter." He looked back up to Olivia. "What you just did, was a huge mistake."