With Will having kidnapped Hannibal, everyone was desperate to move fast and hopefully prevent another tragedy from happening. Left with almost no clues, there was only one person who could help shed some light on everything and help track down Will.
That person, ironically, was none other than Hannibal's psychologist; Dr. Bedelia.
Jack had brought her up and thought of going but then Rana reminded him that last time, he left a rather bad impression on her. Thus, she suggested she should visit her and talk to her, woman-to-woman while Jack spread their resources as thin as possible in hopes of finding Will or any signs of him.
And so, Rana found herself in the home office of the retired psychologist by the early hours of the morning.
She had heard of Dr Bedelia, Hannibal having mentioned her a few times but never into detail; choosing to keep whatever they had, private. Rana would not lie, she was rather curious to meet this woman; who apparently had a better insight of Hannibal's mind than anyone else.
"I apologise for the early hours, Dr Bedelia," Rana said as she was led into the lounge, remembering her manners.
If she wished to get any information, either about the case or even Hannibal; she had to play her cards right. Plus, she was so tired of the events that had taken place in the last 48 hours that she did not have the energy to truly be intimidating.
"It is quite alright. I did expect we would eventually meet, Agent Stones" Bedelia said as she walked towards a coffee table. "Would you care for some coffee?"
Rana shook her head faintly. "No, thank you" She then focused on what else the woman had just said. "You were expecting us to meet? I presume Hannibal has talked about me?"
She would not truly be surprised if Hannibal had talked about Rana but the true question was... just how much had he spoken about her? How had he referred to her during his private sessions?
Suddenly, the natural curiosity to find more about the man, who was slowly winning her heart; seemed to bypass her worries and fully cloud her mind.
Bedelia seemed amused as she poured herself some strong coffee, the smell quickly reaching Rana's sensitive nose.
"He has, rather extensively I would say..." she started, taking a seat on one of the two chairs and faintly motioning with her free hand for Rana to do the same. "It is not every day someone meets one of your calibres, according to him at least"
Now, the female Wolfskin was intrigued but also puzzled. The woman talked as if she knew something more but Hannibal would not have just blurted their secret out to a normal human, would he?
She sat on the chair across from the female psychologist, her stance far more stiff and careful compared to the more graceful and dominant Doctor.
"Someone of my calibre? I am afraid you will have to be a little more specific, doctor"
Bedelia smirked. "A female Alpha, as you apparently call your type" she confessed, making Rana stare at her with parted lips. "Yes, I am well aware of his... secret nature, so to speak"
The female agent leaned slightly forward but her body indicated that she was on high alert, muscles stiff and ready for her to move into action if needed. It was a natural response when one started to feel concerned and even cornered.
"He told you" she concluded. "And yet you kept him as your patient and apparently attended his house when he prepared meals" she continued, showing that she also knew a few things about the female doctor. "Why?"
Bedelia drank more of her coffee and took her time to answer. She was not intimidated by the sudden questions nor by the fact that Rana could easily end her on the spot. Being around Hannibal for this long can make one quite immune or at least used to such thoughts.
"Personal fascination" she confessed. "Your... situation, is unique and it is very interesting how your psyche has adapted to it. Hannibal is a man of... let's say unique qualities, often rather scarce in normal men. I am rather intrigued by the whole combination and wished to find more about it" She took notice of Rana's narrowed gaze. "I assure you, I wish him no harm nor to truly earn anything from him, you or Will... which I conclude is why you are here"
The mention of the runaway Beta made Rana remember why she had visited the psychologist in the first place. Focusing fully on the task at hand, she chose to deal with how much Bedelia knew; after everything was done.
"We believe Will has taken Hannibal hostage and might be leading him somewhere" she started, deciding to head straight to the point.
Bedelia seemed to read her mind almost as well as Hannibal. "But you do not think that is the case" she pointed out.
"I would not be surprised if Hannibal actually took Will there, to help him. He could have easily stopped him when he had the chance, I am sure of that"
"So, you think Hannibal would put himself in danger to help Will?"
Rana did not look away nor move from her position. "Wouldn't he? You know him better than any of us, so you tell me"
Bedelia took a moment to answer, clearly thinking it through or simply hesitating to answer the hypothetical question. Of course, she knew Hannibal better, at least of what Hannibal had allowed her to know and study.
There were simply so many things she did not know and doubted anyone ever would, Rana included.
However, at that moment, as she studied the female Wolfskin; Bedelia did not detect any hostility. No, she detected worry and care; making the female doctor even more certain that Rana had fallen for Hannibal's charm.
He could say it was an instinct to be around one another but she doubted it. No matter how... different, one side of themselves was; the basis of everything was the same. Hannibal was a charming man, who knew how to use his knowledge of psyche but also his skills to get closer to others.
She would not be surprised if Rana, despite her best efforts, ended up falling into his arms in the very end. Goodness know how many other women would have in half the time, had they been at her place.
She let out a sigh. "Hannibal knows Will is sick. If he had any control of the situation, he would get him to a hospital... " she paused. "...I could imagine Hannibal taking Mr. Graham to Minnesota if he thought Abigail Hobbs was still alive."
That made Rana glance down for a moment, her mind processing new scenarios and hypotheses. "We haven't found her body..." she glanced at Bedelia. "Neither of them can accept Abigail is dead. Will because he can't accept he's killed her and Hannibal because he can't accept Will could."
The female doctor seemed impressed. "You are rather observant, Agent Stones but you are missing one key point"
"Which is?"
"Hannibal might as well trying to prove Will could kill Abigail Hobbs"
This made Rana go silent as she thought just how adamant Hannibal was about the fact that Will was suffering from the Mad Wolf Disease. The more she thought about it, the more she saw how adamant Hannibal was about that.
He cared for Will as a Beta but he knew he was also a danger to himself, losing control more and more often; risking to expose them all.
"You came here for my honest opinion, Agent Stones, so I will give it to you" Bedelia continued, drawing the wolfskin's attention. "If anyone could've helped Will Graham, it would've been Hannibal. In fact, he may still be trying."
This seemed to be more than enough for Rana, who stood up from the chair. She had enough information and something deep inside was telling her that she should leave for Minnesota right away; hoping to reach there in time.
By the time Rana informed Jack, she was already at the base of the private airport the FBI had. Taking the jet would allow her to earn time and hopefully reach there first. She could have waited for Jack but it would take him long to reach her, wasting time they might have.
So, he gave her the clearance to go first while he informed the Minnesota Police Department to gather men and go surround the Hobbs residency; the only place in Minnesota where everyone was certain Will would take Hannibal.
And so, after a few dreadful and slow passing hours; Rana found herself driving a rental and speeding down the familiar road towards the Hobbs House.
Just a few months ago, she was a passenger while Hannibal was driving that road for the first time; during their very first mission together. Just a few months ago, Abigail Hobbs was alive and silently sitting in the back seats; still thinking about how her life changed in an instant.
Now, Rana was all alone; Abigail was most likely dead. She did not wish to think who more could end up like her if things took a bad turn.. she simply couldn't.
The Minnesota Police had yet to arrive by the time she did, and she wasted no time to wait. If anything were to happen, she would prefer to be alone and not have to worry about witnesses.
Like last time, she chose to use the backdoor that was once again; unlocked.
Back then, she had heard the talk between Jared Hobbs and his daughter , coming from the kitchen; a little before Will and she made an entrance.
Now, she was in the same situation only that she could hear Will and Hannibal speak in the kitchen.
For inside the abandoned but still well preserved Kitchen, the two male wolfskins stood across one another. Will had a gun stolen from one of the guards who escorted him to the facility and had carried it with him all this time, choosing not to use it until now.
Currently, he was pointing the cylindrical barrel towards Hannibal; his mind urging him to pull the trigger, telling him Hannibal was behind everything. With each passing minute, with each fake excuse and concern that came from the Alpha's mouth; Will felt more and more certain about those voices in his head.
However, he still hesitated; because he might be mistaken. He might still hallucinate, like he did with Abigail and he did not wish for the past to be repeated. Perhaps Hannibal was truly trying to help him but his sick and tired mind could not truly see the kindness behind his actions and words; rather only the potential betrayal that was held at bay.
Hannibal, remained fully calm all this side; even more so when he caught the cent of Rana outside the house. Will was not in control of his nature, evident by the glowing yellow eyes and the faint shaking of the hand that held the gun.
He could not smell or hear Rana as she made her way towards the Kitchen, and Hannibal knew that this was the perfect time. She was alone, he was the victim and Will was so close in making a very bad decision.
This was the chance to fully turn the tables and come out as the victor of this long game. It still ached him, partially, that he would have to sacrifice all his work and such a valuable pawn; but a pawn was worth nothing in front of the Queen.
And so, the male Alpha got into work. "You said it felt good to kill Garret Jacob Hobbs, Will. Would it feel good to kill me now?" he asked the sick Beta, twisting the words in a way that would make Will sound like the bad guy, no matter what he chose to say.
"Garret Jacob Hobbs was a murderer. Are you a murderer, Dr. Lecter?" Will asked, his breathing laboured and he could feel his shirt sticking to his back from the sudden sweat.
"What reason would I have?"
"You have no traceable motive, which is why you were so hard to see. You were just curious what I would do. Someone like me. Someone who thinks how I think. Wind him up and watch him go. Apparently, Dr. Lecter, this is how I go." Will said and pulled back the hammer of the gun.
Just as he did that, Rana entered the kitchen; her own gun out and pointed at Will. Red eyes glowed dangerously as she had overheard the last pieces of conversation between the two of them.
"Will, drop the gun!" she ordered the Beta, her voice stable and commanding.
Will closed his eyes momentarily, feeling the familiar need for control but a part of him was resisting; even feeling challenged by her tone.
"No... you do not get it..." he argued, opening his yellow eyes that seemed to have the faintest of red hue by the edges. "I did not do it... he made me... he is the one... It was him all along"
"Will, drop the gun" she repeated.
She heard what Will was saying and while a small part of her found it believable, the biggest part was arguing and rather loudly. Hannibal's presence and influence were making her rather biased in thinking if Will was telling the truth or was being delusional.
Having the shaking gun that was still pointed at Hannibal, was not helping. However, the more Will delayed to obey; the more time they were wasting. The police would be there soon and they would not hold back like she did, they would shoot him down dead on the spot.
"I am sorry... but you will have to shoot me..."
Before Will could pull the trigger, Rana did.
Her bullet found Will's shoulder, specifically the very same one he had told her he had been shot before and caused him problems when shooting. The shot was precise, blood splattering from the wound and ending on Hannibal's face and shirt due to the proximity.
At the same time, the force of the bullet and the weakened body of Will worked against him; quickly knocking him against the counter before he managed to slide down on the floor. Ironically, he was at the exact same spot Garret Jacob Hobbs was when he died.
Rana did not seem shocked by the attack against her Beta and while her eyes sent a silent apology, her mind and body worked as they were trained to do. She lowered her gun and walked deeper into the kitchen, kicking Will'sgun out of reach while looking down at the bleeding Will with anguish.
She stood in front of Hannibal just as the sound of police sirens was heard in the distance, a sign that reinforcements had arrived.
She could have killed Will on the spot, a single bullet to the heart was all it would take. She should do it, as every Alpha stood to a member that had contracted the disease but she could not pull it through.
If Will was indeed sick, perhaps he could be cursed and return to normal. While the danger of exposure was greater that way, Rana chose to take the risk; not able to take the life of the Beta she had tried so hard to guide and protect, eventually failing in doing so.
Will stared at her, the yellow in his eyes slowly fading as he felt his powers abandoning him. He was not surprised Rana shot him, not after he left her with no choice but he was still hurt that she found him against him.
A part of him, when he spoke to her, truly thought that she would take his side and see the truth... the truth that everyone was unaware of... the truth of the man that had charmed his way into their cycles.
As his vision began to dim and his focus gradually got lost, Will's gaze changed.
Where Rana stood before, now a crème big wolf with red eyes seemed to have taken her place. The head of the animal was faintly lowered as if mourning and despite the bright orange of the irises, guilt was visible in them.
However, what alarmed Will but also cleared things even more in his mind; was what followed next.
Hannibal also seemed to have been replaced, shifted even. The familiar blacked man-stag had taken its place but instead of just standing there, it had come closer. Close enough to tower right above the wolf, its shadow being cast completely on the gentle creature and dulling its beautiful colours.
At that moment, the wolf truly seemed to be at the mercy of the creature and only then did Will understand just how deep Rana had fallen into this trap... just how much, the darkness of the stag-man had covered and threatened to fully shallow the female that was at his grasp.
[A/N] - We are officially done with the first season and it took us only 36 chapters XD. Next comes 5-6 filler/special chapters that will take place before the beginning of the second season and will focus mostly on Hannibal and Rana.