Krissy's knee bobbed up at down restlessly as she kept her hands clasped together on her lap, glancing at the clock on the other side of the room. She watched as the seconds ticked by slowly, doing anything to avoid the woman to her left, who's gaze never seemed to leave her. The sessions were becoming more and more like torture for her. She hated silence. She liked to always be doing something, talking about something or otherwise her mind would go into overdrive. And that never led to anything good...
"Is that a new lamp?" Krissy murmured, gesturing to an orange lamp propped up on the desk opposite.
"Krissy. You've been coming to me for three months now, and we say little more than five sentences to each other every session. Is it really my new lamp you want to talk about?" The older woman exclaimed, as Krissy slumped back on the couch.
"I don't really have anything to say" Krissy shrugged.
"Yes. If I recall, during your joint therapy session, your father did say you have a tendency to bottle things up" Her therapist pointed out.
"My dad likes to exaggerate. He worries. Always has" Krissy huffed, tapping her fingers against her knee.
"And you don't need anyone to worry about you? Why is that?" Her therapist pushed.
Krissy resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the comment. Sloppy work, a voice muttered in her head, one that she was continuously trying to keep quiet. She still had three more months of therapy to get through, and the silent treatment didn't seem to be working.
"I'm twenty-six, I have a full-time job, a boyfriend, a dog, hell even friends...my life couldn't be any more stable, Doctor Thomas" Krissy insisted.
"You seem defensive" Her therapist suggested, as Krissy couldn't stop her groan this time.
"Because you still won't clear me. You want a bit of honesty? I'm sick of these appointments" Krissy muttered.
"Are you ready to talk about the incident earlier in the year?" Her therapist questioned, as Krissy shrugged.
"I stopped a man from beating on his daughter. I'd do it again" Krissy told her, as Dr Thomas nodded slowly.
"You had raised a safeguarding concern about the father of your nineteen-year-old patient. That was what was required of you—" Doctor Thomas began, but Krissy was quick to cut her off.
"You know what happens to those safeguarding concerns? Nothing. I've been on both sides, alright? They do fuck all about it" Krissy explained.
"So, you felt it was your responsibility to help this girl?" Doctor Thomas asked.
"It's not like anyone else would. He hit her right in front of me. What do you think he was planning to do behind closed doors? So, yeah. I punched him" Krissy scoffed, harshly.
"You threw him out of a window" Her therapist pointed out, as Krissy waved a hand dismissively.
"We were on the ground floor. I barely touched him" Krissy mumbled.
"Do you want me to reel of the list of injuries he sustained during the altercation? The ones that led you to doing this court-appointed therapy to keep your nursing registration?" Doctor Thomas pushed, watching as Krissy pursed her lips.
"...I get security to remove him, he'll only beat her harder when she's discharged. I give him a slap, he'll only beat her harder when she's discharged. I beat his face to a pulp and chuck him through a window for good measure? He ends up as an inpatient for three weeks and his arm won't be healed enough to even pick up a spoon for months. Like I said...I'd do it again" Krissy admitted.
She grit her teeth when she saw the look her therapist was giving her. Pity. Disgust, sympathy, even sadness she could deal with...but pity? That was the last thing she needed.
"Let me guess, you think I should have used breathing exercises instead?" Krissy murmured, with a shake of her head.
"I think...that you have dealt with a great deal of violence throughout your life. First at the hands of your parents, then your brother and then Doctor..." Her therapist trailed off, when she noticed the glare Krissy gave her.
"Right. I forgot your 'unmentionable' rule" Doctor Thomas sighed, resting her elbows on her knees.
At the beginning of the sessions, Krissy had made it clear that there were certain individuals she wouldn't be willing to discuss. She had pointed out she would simply find another therapist if that rule was broken, much to Doctor Thomas' ire.
"...I've moved in with my boyfriend. He has a big apartment. It's...nice. He cooks too" Krissy announced, watching as her therapist's lips pursed.
"What?" Krissy frowned.
"I bring up one of your...'unmentionables'...and your mind instantly goes to your love life? It's a good thing I'm not a very good therapist or that might get me thinking" Doctor Thomas murmured, in amusement.
"Ha. That was almost funny" Krissy huffed, her tone full of sarcasm.
"Did your boyfriend ask you to move in with him?" Doctor Thomas inquired, as Krissy nodded.
"Yeah, about...four months ago. I figured it was about time I agreed" Krissy shrugged.
"Right around the anniversary of the time you almost died. A little strange" Doctor Thomas theorised, as Krissy gave her a look of disbelief.
"You know, not everything has to have a big psychological meaning. I ate a bagel this morning instead of toast, does that mean I'm about to jump off the roof of this building?" Krissy mocked, as her therapist gave her a slight smile.
"Are you happy with your life, Krissy?" Doctor Thomas questioned, leaving Krissy taken aback momentarily.
"Sure. Everything is fine" Krissy stated, her gaze averting to the floor.
"What is one negative word you can think of in regard to your life as it is?" Doctor Thomas pushed.
Krissy mulled over her therapists' words for a few moments, thinking about how true what she said was. Krissy was free. There was nothing looming over her. She had a clean slate. What else could she ask for?
"...Boring" She blurted the word out before she even realised it was on her tongue.
"And that is why we will be continuing with your therapy" Doctor Thomas told her, as Krissy raised her arms up in exasperation.
"That is bullshit. Half the people in this city think their life is boring. That doesn't mean there's something wrong with me!" Krissy exclaimed, raising her voice.
"You're right. And I'm sure they long for when their life wasn't so boring, however short that time was. However, they won't be referring to a time when they were sought after by a serial killer" Doctor Thomas explained.
Krissy opened her mouth to argue, but the words died on her lips as some part of her knew her therapist was right. She had never felt as alive as she had three years ago. And there was something very wrong about that.
"How does next Tuesday work for you?" Doctor Thomas asked.
Krissy ran a hand down her face as she tried to rein in her frustration, turning back to the new grad nurse standing beside her. She was sure she hadn't been so argumentative when she qualified. Then again, her career hadn't exactly been plain sailing...
"But look, it says eye drops on the bottle!" The nurse insisted, as Krissy pointed to the drug chart in front of them.
"And the prescription says sublingual" Krissy stated, as the nurse gave her a blank look.
"Sub-what?" She frowned, as Krissy pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Who passed your drug administration?" Krissy inquired.
"Bridget. Why?" The new grad replied, noticing the way Krissy huffed out a laugh.
"Because Bridget probably qualified before the word was invented. Look, if you put that in a patient's eyes you're gonna' blind them..." Krissy trailed off, as her eyes flickered to an elderly lady in the bed opposite them.
"Shit. Mrs Bishop don't...don't eat that" Krissy sighed, as she grabbed the ice cream from the confused woman's hands.
She looked down at the Styrofoam tub the ice cream had come in, and the large bite mark that was now there. She turned back to the patient, who continued looking at her blankly as she chewed on the Styrofoam.
"Mrs Bishop, spit that out, okay? It's not food, yeah?" Krissy pleaded, grabbing a nearby sick bowl and placing it under the woman's chin.
The woman blinked a few times before doing as she was told and spitting the Styrofoam out...all over Krissy's blue scrubs. Krissy took a deep breath, as she looked down at the white stains covering her chest, wondering if the day could get much worse.
"Hey, if you're going out, will you take this to the sluice for me?" The new grad nurse exclaimed, handing Krissy a bowl brimming with urine.
"Sure" Krissy muttered, through gritted teeth, making her way out of the patient's bay.
She had almost reached the sluice when alarm bells began ringing, announcing a Code Blue on her floor. A doctor suddenly rushed past her, in a hurry to find the patient that was crashing, and knocked her arm, causing the bowl to drop to the floor. Krissy looked down at her urine-soaked shoes with a grimace, noticing how her white socks had been stained a delightful yellow colour. Cursing under her breath, she grabbed a wet floor sign and racing off after the doctor, urine-soaked shoes be dammed.
"You've got to be kidding me" Krissy groaned, as she pulled her new scrubs top over her head.
She had to go looking in the spare uniform cupboard, the only thing she could find being an XXL top and bright orange crocs. It was going to be a great four more hours, she thought to herself. She heard the door to the staff room open, not bothering to turn around. Her dignity had been lost a long time ago. Still, she almost jumped out of her skin when she felt hands on her waist, her elbow flying back to knock back who she assumed was an attacker without a second thought.
"Woah, woah. It's just me!" A familiar voice announced, as Krissy whipped around to find her boyfriend clutching at his stomach.
"Jesus Christ, Dan. Don't sneak up on me like that" Krissy scolded.
"...Are you okay?" She cringed, as he gave her a thumb's up.
"Only my ego is bruised. Nice crocs, by the way. Very sexy" Daniel murmured, as she slapped him on the arm.
"Dick. What're you doing here anyway?" She questioned.
"Stroke consult. And, of course, I wanted to see my gorgeous girlfriend" Daniel grinned, placing his hands back on her hips and pulling her closer.
With a small smile, Krissy leant forward to press a kiss to his lips, reaching up to hook her hands together behind his neck. Daniel was sweet. Smart. And he looked good in scrubs. What more could a girl ask for?
"Hey, I was thinking we could go out for dinner tonight. I know I've been busy this week but that's gonna' change, okay?" Daniel insisted, as Krissy's smile faltered somewhat.
She'd never had a problem with her boyfriend working eighty hours a week. He would work night shifts, and she would work day shifts and sometimes they would meet in the middle. It meant neither of them had time to overthink things, something which Krissy certainly appreciated.
"Alright. But only if I get to choose where we go" Krissy exclaimed.
"Turkish restaurant?" He guessed, as she nodded, happily.
"You know me so well" She teased.
"How'd therapy go yesterday? I didn't have time to ask this morning" Daniel inquired, as she gave a slight shrug.
"Fine" She mumbled, dismissively.
"You know, I could come with you to one of your sessions...I mean, if you wanted..." Daniel suggested.
"I'm good. Really. And you...are getting paged again. Go on" Krissy stated, gesturing to his pager beeping.
"Damn. Must be a bad one. I'll pick you up at seven, yeah?" Daniel suggested, as Krissy gave a nod, as he leaned down to press a quick kiss to her cheek before running off.
It had been months since they had a proper date...maybe it would be just what she needed.
Krissy glanced at her phone, noting that Daniel was supposed to arrive home from work an hour ago. It wasn't surprising, really. Most of their planned dates ended the same way. But it did leave her alone in the apartment, with nothing but her own thoughts. She glanced at her bedroom door, and then her legs were moving before her mind caught up, making a beeline for the dresser beside her pillow. Crouching down on the floor, she pulled out the bottom drawer, throwing the contents out on the ground before flipping it over. Stuck to the bottom was the letter she had been avoiding for weeks. She had recognised the elegant handwriting instantly, hating how her chest tightened at the mere sight. Her fingers played with the edge of the envelope, her resolve teetering not for the first time. All of a sudden, a nose was poking her shoulder, followed by a subdued bark, as Krissy twisted around to face Winston.
"Hey, boy. Don't worry about me" Krissy smiled, patting Winston's head.
Will's former dog barked once again before lying down to place his head on her lap, clearly expecting more pats. Krissy's smile grew as she stroked down the back of Winston's neck, enjoying the feel of his soft fur under her fingers. Winston had run away from the home he had been placed in, all the way back to Will's house not long after the events of the Muskrat farm Massacre. He had refused to leave Krissy's side ever since.
"At least I've still got you, eh?" Krissy mumbled, leaning down to press a kiss to the dog's head.
She was almost thankful when the doorbell rang not long after, giving her an excuse to stuff the letter into her pocket. Her surprise was evident when she opened the front door to find her father on the doorstep, a large grin on his face when their eyes met.
"Unbelievable" Krissy muttered, ushering him inside quickly.
"It's good to see you too, Krissy" Jack replied, as Winston came bumbling into the room, jumping up at Jack, excitedly.
"I didn't give you my new address, Dad, because I didn't want you turning up unannounced. Like you have right this second" Krissy told him, as Jack gave Winston a few pets on the head.
"The FBI have me consulting on a case, and your new address was a little too easy to find through the database. So, where is he?" Jack asked, looking around as if Daniel was about to jump out of the shadows.
"He's at work" Krissy stated.
"Hmm. He's a surgeon, right? Not a lot of time for a relationship" Jack pointed out.
"Well, I'm happy" Krissy told him, as he raised an eyebrow.
"Are you?" Jack pushed.
"Are we really gonna' do this right now?" Krissy sighed, rubbing at her aching temples.
Jack had always been protective of her, even before the events of the last few years, but sometimes it could be suffocating. Especially when it came to relationships. Every man or woman who had even looked her way during college had quickly been removed from her life, and not always in a legal way.
"...How old is he?" Jack questioned, noticing a few photos up on a nearby shelf.
"Seriously, dad?" Krissy complained.
"I'm just taking an interest in my daughter's life" Jack exclaimed, holding his hands up in mock defence.
"Wait, what case are you consulting on?" Krissy frowned, as Jack turned away from her, his shoulders slumping.
"I'm going to be out of town for a few days. I just wanted to stop by and check on you before I went" Jack explained, as Krissy's eyes narrowed.
"Going where?" Krissy insisted.
"I'm sure you've heard of the Tooth Fairy killings. They want some input from someone with experience with these psychopaths and...two heads are always better than one..." Jack trailed off, as Krissy shook her head.
"...Leave him alone. He has a wife, a kid...he doesn't need anyone getting in his head again" Krissy argued.
She hadn't seen or spoken to Will since the trial, and it seemed like he was content with that. He had clearly moved on with his life. He didn't need her anymore. And he certainly didn't need her father pulling him back into the shadowy place that had almost destroyed his mind.
"I don't have a choice, Krissy" Jack retorted.
"Yes, you do. Will isn't the only with...that kind of experience. There's Alana, Chilton...hell, even me..." Krissy murmured, as the realisation suddenly hit her.
"They wanted you to recruit me. So, you offered the next best thing" Krissy scoffed, turning away from her father with an angry expression.
"He might be more agreeable if you come with me" Jack suggested.
"We discovered there is little we both truly agree on. Besides, I doubt his wife would like that" Krissy muttered, with a snarl.
"You can't blame him for not inviting you to the wedding" Jack stated.
"And not even telling me he was engaged? Finding out through an article by Freddie Lounds? I think I deserved a heads up, don't you?" Krissy huffed, leaning back against the dining room table.
"He hasn't spoken to you since your testimony, has he?" Jack guessed, as Krissy shook her head.
"He blames me for how the trial went. Beverley does too" Krissy sighed.
"They wanted him dead. You didn't. No one has the right to blame you for that" Jack murmured, placing his hand on her shoulder, in a comforting gesture.
"No matter what I say, you're still going to see Will, aren't you?" Krissy suggested,
"If it's between my daughter and Will Graham, I think my choice is clear" Jack explained.
"Tell him Winston's doing good, yeah? I'm sure he still worries about him" Krissy exclaimed, as Jack gave her a small smile, leaning forward to press a kiss to her forehead.
"I'll tell him he has one less stray to worry about" Jack grinned, the double meaning between his words clear.
Krissy downed the handful of tablets on her palm, drinking the medications down with a few sips of water. She grimaced at the gritty taste in her mouth, before placing the medication packets back into her work locker. Anticoagulants, blood pressure meds, and antidepressants had become a staple in her life a long time ago. It turned out going into cardiac arrest, and haemorrhaging at the ripe old age of twenty-three would leave her with a lifetime of consequences. Still, it was better than the alternative, wasn't it?
A beeping noise broke her thoughts as she looked down at her pager to see a stroke call had been put out in the ER. She was quick to grab her thrombolysis trolley and rushed toward the department to find a group of doctors looming over a redhead. A familiar redhead.
"Ah, Nurse Crawford. Suddenly, I find myself feeling much better" Freddie Lounds smirked at her.
"Unbelievable" Krissy muttered, shaking her head at the older woman.
"You two know each other?" The Stroke consultant inquired.
"Unfortunately. This woman is faking her symptoms" Krissy stated, as the Consultant's jaw dropped open.
"Is this true? Ma'am, that is completely unacceptable—" The Consultant began, as Freddie hopped off the bed, grabbing her coat to wear over her hospital gown.
"No need to call security. I'll be getting out of your hair now. After we talk" Freddie exclaimed, before taking Krissy's arm in her own and all but dragging her away.
"You realise this little trip is still gonna' be coming out of your insurance?" Krissy pointed out, as Freddie shrugged.
"You and the Good Doctor made me quite rich, Krissy. Everyone reads the Tattler now" Freddie explained, as they exited the ER, now standing beside the ambulances outside.
"And I'll be getting you arrested if you don't leave hospital property in the next five minutes" Krissy spat out, ripping her arm away from Freddie's hand.
Freddie Lounds' words had haunted her for the past three years, only adding to the hate already directed her. Freddie would often hound the victims of the Chesapeake Ripper, twisting their words until it seemed like Krissy had been a willing accomplice the whole time. Will, too. She hadn't seen Freddie in the flesh in years, and it was becoming harder and harder to push down the urge to shove her in front of one of the oncoming ambulances.
"I thought you might want to set the record straight" Freddie announced, before fishing something out of her coat pocket.
Krissy's brow furrowed as Freddie handed her two photographs, both of happy families, grinning from ear to ear. She already didn't like where this was going.
"Your latest victims?" Krissy huffed.
"Not mine. The Tooth Fairy's...ah, so you have heard of him then?" Freddie exclaimed, with a malicious smile.
"He's on every news channel twenty-four seven. How could I not?" Krissy responded.
"And how exactly are you planning to aid the investigation into finding this killer?" Freddie pushed, as Krissy quirked an eyebrow.
"I'm not a cop. As I'm sure you know, my father is on the case, it couldn't be in better hands" Krissy murmured.
"Then why is he avoiding his most promising lead?" Freddie questioned.
"I'm not talking about this case with you, Ms Lounds. And our time is up" Krissy scoffed, shoving past the woman, none too gently.
"It seems you're not willing to talk to a lot of people, Krissy" Freddie called out, stopping Krissy in her tracks.
"I've had enough of riddles for a lifetime. If you have something to say to me then spit it out" Krissy muttered, as a flash of realisation bloomed on Freddie's face.
"...You don't know, do you?" Freddie gaped, almost gleefully.
Krissy's legs were begging for her to move, to leave before Freddie could finish her next sentence. From the malicious look in her eyes, Krissy already knew who it would be about. The one person she was trying so desperately to avoid.
"Hannibal Lecter knows who the Tooth Fairy is" Freddie announced, as Krissy couldn't stop the way she flinched at the mention of his name.
"He really did a number on you, didn't he, Krissy? No wonder he wants you back so badly" Freddie murmured, as Krissy marched forward to stand toe to toe with the redhead.
"I don't know what you think—" Krissy began, but Freddie soon spoke over her.
"He says he'll only talk to you" Freddie stated, watching as Krissy went painfully still.
"He has information regarding the Tooth Fairy, but the only person he would be willing to divulge these tales to...is you. Didn't your father tell you?" Freddie smirked, her words jabbing at Krissy's skin like needles.
"Bullshit. I'm not gonna' believe a goddamn word that comes out of your mouth" Krissy snapped.
Freddie's whole career was based on lies and exaggerations. She only acted for her own personal gain. And what could be better than bringing her and the famous Doctor Lecter together again? Her readers would lap it up and they both knew it.
"Then I would avoid the news over the next few weeks. I wouldn't want you having to look at the next family the Tooth Fairy massacres" Freddie replied, before sending Krissy a self-satisfied smile and walking away.
She didn't seem to care that she had caused Krissy's well-constructed world to come crashing down around her.
Frederick Chilton seemed almost unable to hide his excitement as he entered his office to find Krissy waiting for him, legs crossed over one another, an impassive expression on her face. He had a skip in his steps as he went to sit by his desk, the smug smile he wore never fading from his lips.
"My, my. You've grown quite pretty, haven't you?" Frederick murmured, allowing his eyes to rake over Krissy.
"And you seem as lecherous as ever, Doctor Chilton" Krissy responded, in a dull tone.
"Am I right in thinking our lovely Chief Administrator doesn't know you're here?" Frederick guessed.
"You know Alana doesn't allow me access to this building" Krissy scoffed, leaning back against the leather chair she sat in.
"It is almost comical that she thought that would stop you. It certainly never concerned Hannibal" Frederick exclaimed.
"I had an interesting conversation with Freddie Lounds the other day. She seems to know a little too much about this institution. I don't suppose you'd know anything about that, would you?" Krissy accused, as Frederick's lips pulled back into a smirk.
"She told you about Hannibal's latest offer. How it must have made your heart sing" Frederick goaded, as Krissy rolled her eyes.
"I thought you would have jumped at the chance to put us in the same room again" Krissy muttered.
"Oh, I would. Your father, however...is a different story entirely. He was even against us mailing Hannibal's letters to you" Chilton explained, as Krissy's eyes narrowed.
"Letters?" She questioned.
She had only ever received one letter and that was within the last month. She wasn't sure what to do with the information that there had been others. She had never dared to open the one which was currently stuffed into her trouser pocket.
"Oh, yes. Hannibal Lecter's infatuation with you has not dwindled over the years. He rarely speaks to me, but on occasion his resolve will lessen. He will indulge me with his thoughts on blood and discourtesy, and I will indulge him with information regarding yourself" Frederick informed her.
"Quid pro quo" Krissy muttered.
"Precisely. I imagine you must be thrilled with this latest development" Frederick suggested, as Krissy bit down a groan.
"Meaning?" She responded, in a bored tone.
"Hannibal has gifted you a 'get out of jail free' card. He wishes to see you, of course, but he knows you would not easily succumb to your true desires. But now...what choice do you have? You must visit him to save a poor unknown family before the next moon. You are resolved of all guilt. Is that why you came here so quickly?" Frederick explained.
"I came here to kill you, Frederick" Krissy announced, as the man in question became paralysed with fear.
He all but jumped out of his skin when Krissy suddenly began laughing, appearing thoroughly amused at his reaction. She was then up on her feet in a split second, the action causing Frederick to cower against his chair once more.
"I really don't give a shit about you and your sad little life, Doctor Chilton. Either let me see him or —" Krissy started, when Chilton held his hand up to stop her.
"I propose a deal. You get to see your precious Hannibal, and I get to listen" Frederick suggested.
"...Fine. How do you plan to get me in there?" Krissy asked.
"You're lucky. I was supposed to have a session with Doctor Lecter this afternoon. It's yours" Frederick mumbled, still on edge.
"Wonderful" She huffed, before stepping backwards to perch back on the leather chair.
"You will still need to conform to the same rules as everyone else, Miss Crawford. Hannibal may be trapped in his glass cage, but I'm sure I do not need to tell you that he remains as dangerous as ever. You must stay at least a metre away from the glass. Do not provoke him to anger. And they will be no...touching" Chilton sneered, as Krissy pursed her lips.
"I'll keep it short and sweet" Krissy retorted.
"Somehow I doubt that" Chilton muttered, spitefully.
The Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane had been renovated since Hannibal's incarceration, expanding in a way to assure the Doctor's extreme isolation, far away from the other inmates. Frederick left her outside the grand black and gold doors that separated her from Hannibal's cell. Two armed guards stood on either side of the doors, weapons gripped tightly in their hands, sweat shining on their faces. She supposed she would panic as well being responsible for keeping Doctor Lecter trapped in his cell. She nodded to one of the guards, who swiped their card against the electronic lock and then the doors opened, and the darkness crept out. Krissy sucked in a deep breath before forcing one foot in front of the other, gripping the Tooth Fairy file tightly in one hand. She kept her gaze on the walls surrounding her, painted almost black, the only lighting a few dim lamps spotted around the room. There was a desk and expensive-looking leather chair in the corner of the room, where she expected Alana would sometimes sit. She flinched as the large doors slammed shut behind her, leaving her with no escape. Steeling herself up, she allowed her gaze to drift past the glass barrier in the middle of the room, small holes cut into the glass to aid ventilation, a little bigger than Krissy would have preferred. And then...there he was. Facing away from her, dressed in a cream-coloured prisoner jumpsuit, pouring over drawings that were lined up on the metal table in front of him. She watched as he stilled his movements, shoulders loosening, his head drifting up.
Hannibal breathed in deeply, a familiar scent overwhelming him, causing him to swallow thickly. He placed his latest drawing back on the pile before him, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
"You wear a new perfume" Hannibal spoke up, before turning to face his old friend.
It struck Krissy all at once how little Hannibal had changed. Despite the drab clothes he wore, the cheap shoes, and the way his greying hair had been cut short, she still saw him as she had that first day. He wore his scars proudly on his face, cat-like eyes sweeping over for a moment before he appeared to catch himself. He stood with the same assured, confidence he always had. Something which had once comforted her.
"Still, the sharp scent of roses clings to your skin. Some things cannot be scrubbed clean" Hannibal murmured, as Krissy straightened her back, holding her head high.
"You should know that better than most, Doctor Lecter" Krissy replied, as Hannibal's eyes fluttered close for a moment, committing the sound of her voice to his memory.
"You are losing your accent, Krissy. I was always fond of it" Hannibal stated.
"I believe you've been asking for me" Krissy announced, dismissing his comment.
"And here you are" Hannibal exclaimed, sounding far too pleased.
"I came about Chicago and Buffalo" Krissy retorted, as Hannibal shuffled forward, watching her intently, noticing how her hand twitched, but she remained rooted to the spot.
"Did you get my letters?" Hannibal asked.
"One" Krissy replied, pulling the offending note out of her pocket, Hannibal's handwriting as clear as day on the envelope.
"You did not open it" Hannibal stated, in an almost disappointed tone.
"I didn't need to" She murmured, before crushing the letter in her hands and marching forward.
She threw the crumpled note through one of the gaps in the glass before Hannibal could say a word. He didn't blink for some time, his lips clamped tightly together before he tilted his head in her direction. She watched as his nose flared for a moment, sucking in a deep breath.
"I smell dog. Did you perhaps keep one of Will's strays?" Hannibal guessed, as Krissy pursed her lips.
"Winston" She muttered, watching as Hannibal's face morphed into amusement.
"A thoughtful reminder of our time together" Hannibal suggested.
"I have enough scars to remember what you put me through, Doctor Lecter" Krissy huffed.
"You won't call me by my name?" Hannibal questioned, tensely.
"Three years is a long time. I've changed. You've changed. We're no longer on a first-name basis" Krissy explained, placing her free hand into her trouser pocket to hide how it was shaking.
Hannibal maintained his impassive expression as best he could, but from the way the corner of his mouth twitched, she could tell the jab had cut through his person suit. At least she could still do that.
"That perfume is quite strong, is it not? A pleasant distraction. An earthy, musk clings to you. Is there a man in your life?" Hannibal inquired, though he clearly already knew the answer.
There was a dark look in Hannibal's eye, the skin covering his face suddenly appearing tight, as she realised she had unwittingly broken Frederick's rule of staying a metre away from the glass. Her eyes flickered to the gap in the glass for a moment, debating whether she was close enough for Hannibal to reach her.
"You said you knew who the Tooth Fairy is. Was that a lie too?" Krissy replied, through gritted teeth.
"Is that why you came? To save lives?" Hannibal asked.
"One of us needs to" Krissy responded, as Hannibal huffed out a laugh before his expression turned serious once more.
"You just came here to look at me. And to be looked upon. Our hearts still beat together even at a distance" Hannibal told her, as she swallowed hard.
"You don't have a heart" Krissy said, turning away with a scowl on her face.
"Let me have the file" Hannibal spoke up, a little more urgently than he meant to, as he strode forward as if he could stop her from leaving the room.
"You'll help me then?" Krissy inquired, reluctantly twisting back around.
"I will always be willing to help my family" Hannibal responded, as Krissy looked away from him, an uncomfortable emotion washing over her.
Hannibal watched closely as her face contorted for a moment before she began to walk toward the tray connected to the glass barrier in the corner of the room. She could sense Hannibal walking beside her, matching her every stride, once again seeming to commit it with memory. Walking side by side. Krissy's hand shook a little as she opened the tray on her side, sliding the file inside, keeping her eyes trained on the ground. It meant she didn't notice how Hannibal had suddenly opened the tray on his end, leaning down to reach inside before she could retract her hand. He purposely placed his palm over her hand as he took the file, his touch lingering over her fingers, causing Krissy's stomach to flutter before she snatched her hand back. They were both breathing heavily for the next few moments, staring back at each other, tension thick in the air.
"Thank you" Hannibal said, in a voice only slighter higher than a whisper.
Krissy's jaw clenched, turning away to rush out of the room before he could utter another word or she could break yet another rule.