The Paramedics arrived first with a few cops that would quickly tape everything and declare Hannibal's office as a crime scene.

The doctors worked in treating Hannibal's wounds, including bandaging his arm. Next to her stood Rana, who had her nose checked and taped and her elbow wrapped. The glass pieces on her back needed to be removed in the Hospital but she refused to leave until she informed Jack.

Not long after, Will entered the room with a bandaged arm and Jack was close behind him. Their eyes went on the scene, noticing the bloody stag statue and Rana's gun being placed in an evidence bag.

Everyone was relieved to see one another intact, especially the three Wolfskins. Will made his way quickly at them but it was Hannibal that spoke first.

"Mr. Budge said he was questioned by the FBI and he murdered two men. I was worried you were dead." He said and Will demonstrated his wounded arm.

"You had reason to worry"

"And your hunch came right after all, didn't it?" Rana asked next, having already connected the dots that it was more than just a hunch.

"Tobias Budge kills two Baltimore Police Officers, nearly kills an FBI Special Agent, and after all that his first stop is your office; where surprisingly Rana is present" Jack suddenly said as he joined them, voicing his thoughts due to the odd story.

Hannibal, though, remained fully calm. "He came to kill my patient."

Will, also, decided to help the situation. "Hannibal's patient told him he suspected a friend was involved with the murder at the symphony. Hannibal told me and I investigated. I got him involved" he explained, proving to Rana that she was right in her latest theory. He then turned to Hannibal. "Your patient. Is that who Tobias Budge was serenading?"

"I don't know. Franklyn knew more than he was telling me. He told Mr Budge he didn't have to kill anymore. Then he broke Franklyn's neck. Then he attacked me. Thankfully, Agent Stones was present and helped me fend him off" Hannibal explained, making Jack lift an eyebrow.

"And who was it that killed him? And what were you doing in Dr Lecter's office?" Jack asked, his second question directed at Rana.

The female agent quickly spoke up. "I killed him in self-defence. He was about to stab me in the neck when Hannibal hit him with the statue. Grabbing the chance he was disoriented and before he could recover, I put three bullets in him"

Jack looked at her, seeing her new injuries and for a moment; his gaze was not as hard as one would expect. "The committee will have a field day with this one" he confessed and let out a sigh, thinking about the higher-ups that would ask for evaluations and proper reasoning behind her actions. Sometimes, the FBI itself was more complicated than it should it at its standards. "What were you doing here?" he asked next, his tone less firm.

Rana glanced down at her bloody badge still around her neck before looking up at him. "I was doing a test session with Dr. Lecter" she explained but it was clear that Jack wanted more information. "They are back, Jack," she said, confusing the two men that didn't know. "Dr Lecter offered to help me try a session and see if he could help"

Will and Hannibal exchanged a look, both curious as to what Rana was referring to. Whatever it was, gave no true clues and yet Jack seemed to quickly understand it. He was frustrated but for different reasons this time.

"We will discuss this in private, Rana" he then glanced at Hannibal. "I do expect to repeat this test session, Dr. Lecter" he added and Hannibal nodded with his head.

Then, a paramedic approached them. "Agent Stones, we need to get you to the hospital to have the rest of the glasses removed," he said, making Will and Jack glance at one another.

"Of course," Rana said as she stood up and turned her body halfway, showing the other two men the few pieces of sharp glass embedded into her skin. "I will keep you updated, Jack," she said and followed the paramedic, the man saying nothing else.

However, he did turn his body and let his eyes follow her form as she was guided out of the room. For a moment, one could see guilt clearly on his face upon seeing her condition and her latest injuries, something that was quickly picked up by Hannibal.


After the Incident with Tobias, our three heroes took a much-needed break. A few days of rest and recovery, allowed them to be away from all the action and find some peace of mind as their bodies healed from their latest injuries.

Rana visited Will often, checking up on him and even talked faintly with Alana. Of course, due to the mixed signals she got from the female psychiatrist, she chose not to rush to conclusions and remained very vague.

That, however, did not stop her from trying and arranging some little dates or sending Alana to check on Will; in hopes of helping mend their relationship and understand better their feelings for one another.

At the same time, Rana did not stay in her house for a couple of days. Due to her back injuries requesting often changes of gauze, Hannibal offered her his house. Not only would they keep each other company but his past experience as a doctor, would allow him to help her address her wounds as she healed.

Due to their injuries, the first days they kept everything pretty low and with only basic intimate contact. Eventually, they both could not hold it back any longer and proceeded to something far wilder, which continued for nights in a row.

Something about this fight and the covered secret of Hannibal's murder had not only stirred something awakened within them but also seemed to bring them closer to one another. Their carnal instincts were stronger than ever, each other presence being the Taboo that triggered the other and behind closed doors; no one knew a thing.

Rana did not bring up the incident again, nor did she mention anything that she had to; in their little 'test session'. Hannibal did not truly pressure her and instead worked very passively to extract small pieces of information that he would eventually connect to form and complete the puzzle.

It was tiresome but at the same time, Hannibal did like a good challenge and she had it all.

One morning after his prolonged rest, Hannibal had chosen to visit his psychologist. Dr Bedelia had been someone he confined most of the things he did and he was her only patient since she had 'retired' from the job.

"I'm going to start seeing patients again. It's strange thinking about going back to daily practice" he said as they sat on armchairs opposed one another.

"It's good you stepped away. Even if it was only for a few days" Bedelia said, watching him.

"Patients will sit where Franklyn died. I will sit where I almost died. And I will offer therapy. It's easy to understand why you retired after you were attacked" he continued, bringing up the fact as to why she had retired so early despite being so successful. "Will you ever feel comfortable returning to psychiatric work?"

"This is psychiatric work"

"One patient isn't a practice. " he corrected her.

Not liking how the topic had turned out and was about her, Bedelia decided to change the topic to one that Hannibal loved to talk about, no matter how much it annoyed her.

"What about Rana? You always talk about her in our sessions and she was involved in the attack" she said, changing one crossed-legged for the other.

Hannibal smirked at the mention of the female Wolfskin. "Rana and I have finally reached a mutual ground at certain things I would say" he started, leaning more back on the armchair but still remaining as poised as ever. "I believe the relationship we too share has become quite important to me and she can finally acknowledge it. Her instincts alone had started to betray her when she is around me" he explained, Bedelia actually being aware that Hannibal was not just a simple human.

Somehow, she had started to suspect that something was odd and Hannibal played her all the way, going as far as to gift her with a book about local myths; having theirs as well inside. Perhaps it was that revelation that kept her interested in Hannibal, along with his unique psyche or even his supernatural charm that often influenced her.

Bedelia was not sure but she remained his psychiatrist, hearing him talk. When he had first brought up Rana and Will, both being like him; she was intrigued. Although, the clear fascination he had started to show due to Rana's status was equal to his and sometimes something about it simply ticked her off.

"And what about Will? Don't you also consider his relationship with you important?" she asked, deciding to try and change the topic again.

Hannibal kept smirking in amusement, seeing ehr clear reactions to change the topic. "

Bedelia decides to change the subject and asks about Rana, whom Hannibal talked often about in their previous sessions. "If you are referring to a pack, I do. His friendship with me is beneficial and crucial, for both sides. However, it is Rana I plan to focus more on for now. I have made progress and she reacts to me better now, being more willing to continue things. It is pleasing to see her so intimate with me and her mind not so often on Will or anyone else" he explained, having chosen his words carefully.

Like a fish, Bedelia fell for the trap and could not hide how uncomfortable she felt. She was not in love with Hannibal, heavens no. But, like many women, he had a certain charm that she found attractive and even tempting at times.

She cleared her throat, knowing that Hannibal had played her and fixed her skirt. "Careful Hannibal. The way I hear it, it looks like you are becoming attached to her, perhaps even sharing feelings"

The man was not affected by such open accusations. "Is this your attempt to hide your jealousy, doctor?" he asked, his lips forming a smug smirk before his expression turned serious again. "Feelings have nothing to do with this and there shouldn't be any thoughts of jealousy. Rana is an Alpha and it is our primal instincts that attract us to one another. It is simply in our nature to pair, and it is rare to find one such as her so easily"

Bedelia did not say anything else and simply wrote a few things in her notebook. Hannibal did not add anything else, although a part of him did wonder if he was indeed harbouring feelings for the female agent.