I do not own anything related to Hannibal, either through television, or written books. Everything belongs to Thomas Harris and Bryan Fuller. I do own all the created characters. I do not own any songs, or literature mentioned. They are included to enhance the written words. Please read, review, and enjoy!

Hannibal is a gritty, provocative, seductive, murderous bloody show. My chapters contain scenes of violence, sex, drugs, language, triggers, traumas and sometimes hard to stomach scenes. I will give warnings at the beginnings of chapters.

This story is rated M.

Chapter Two

Song(s): It Could Be Sweet (Portishead), Hallelujah (Thao & Mirah)

Baltimore, Maryland, Johns Hopkins University…

"Hello, my name is Oliveah Adler and I have an appointment with a Doctor Bloom at 9:30."

Raising her head, the middle aged secretary seated behind the desk nodded before turning towards a desktop computer with two monitors.

"Student number?"

"845623."

"Her meeting with the Department Head is running late; have a seat in the one of the chairs outside office 413," the woman smiled as she pointed down the hallway.

Taking a seat on the hard chair, Oliveah breathed deeply.

Just don't get your hopes up.

You'll probably see this Doctor Bloom the required amount of office times to get your thesis defended and then that will be it.

Lightly shuffling her feet beneath the chair, she perked up as a commotion of laughter and voices broke out from around the hallway corner. Spying a thin woman with long brown hair among the group of older men, Oliveah shifted her eyes back down to her Tom shoes just as a voice broke out from her side.

"Oliveah?"

Hearing her name, Oliveah raised her eyes and stood up from her chair.

"Yes."

"Sorry to keep you waiting, my meeting ran late. Come on in."

Following the young looking woman into the small office that had once belonged to Doctor Reynolds, Oliveah's eyes fell onto half unpacked cardboard boxes and framed degrees that leaned against a sideboard framed by empty white walls.

"Please, have a seat."

Sitting down in the chair opposite the wooden desk, Oliveah folded her hands in her lap.

"I'll start by introducing myself, I'm Doctor Alana Bloom" she smiled, holding out her hand. Giving a tight squeeze, Oliveah smiled as Bloom leaned against the desk.

She looks so young and pretty.

"You probably heard in the news about the disappearance of Doctor Reynolds," Bloom began as Oliveah licked her lips.

Disappearance?

Are the police involved?

"Um, I found out from the Department Head's letter last week that he was being replaced. I don't watch the news, so I didn't know he was actually… missing," she added, still ticking off in her head her earlier theories about adultery and a midnight move.

Frowning, Doctor Bloom stood up and walked behind her desk, pulling out her expensive looking leather chair before taking a seat.

"I apologize but it was a shock for all of us, especially with the school year just beginning."

Watching Bloom take a seat, Oliveah crossed her legs and tried to get comfortable.

Get your shit together Oliveah. Her questions are coming.

"I will be replacing Doctor Reynolds and I must say that I am very impressed with your thesis so far. I am only taking over a few thesis students as my plate is already overflowing. The other students will be divided up among other Professors, but after reading your notes, I personally made the request to take you on."

Seriously?

"I'm flattered Doctor Bloom, really I am, but I'm not sure if I will be able to continue here at Hopkins" Oliveah spoke as Bloom cocked her head in question.

"Why would you not finish here Oliveah?"

"Truth be told, I can't afford to. I pay International Fees as I am from Canada and even with my scholarship, grant money, student loans, and whatever was left from my mother's insurance, I am still shy quite a lot of money. No doubt there is another notice in my mailbox at home from the school demanding payment" Oliveah rambled as Bloom stared at her.

"I see."

Of course you do. I'm flat broke and bitching.

"This might be a good thing Oliveah."

Blinking quickly, Oliveah broke out into a chuckle.

You've got to be kidding me.

"This shows me that you really want to be here. Your thesis and research notes are exceptional. I teach at Georgetown in the Psychology Department and I'm going to tell you, you stand out on paper. Your perspective on the Nature versus Nurture debate will take you far in your future studies."

Nodding her head, Oliveah unfolded her hands and laid them flat on her thighs.

"Thank you, Doctor Bloom."

"Like I said, I have a lot on my plate. In addition now to Hopkins, I am also an Associate Professor at Georgetown, and I've been giving assistance to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Behavioral Science Unit and the Academy."

The FBI? Christ…

"What I'm looking for Oliveah is to hire an Assistant. I want someone who thinks like you do who draws the same conclusions, and can assist me with my workload. Like all student jobs on campus the pay is not great, but I'd be willing to offer five hundred a week."

Staring at Bloom, Oliveah took in a deep breath and held it for nearly a minute.

"You would have to sign a confidentiality agreement obviously as you'd come into contact with patients of mine."

"Ok."

"I don't expect you to commute all over the eastern part of the country, but if you choose to, I think it would be very valuable firsthand experience for your career."

Nodding her head, Oliveah held up her hand.

"You have a question?"

"I don't have the best luck in this world Doctor Bloom, and I'm just waiting for the roof to collapse or something else to make this more unbelievable" Oliveah spoke as Bloom smiled.

"Well maybe your luck is about to change."

…

Slipping over two seats, Oliveah stared out the window of the city bus just as a heavier body took a seat beside her.

"Sorry, do you mind if I put my bag of groceries between us?"

Ignoring the women's voice beside her, Oliveah continued to watch the people rushing by on the sidewalk as raindrops began to steadily fall. For the first time in God knew how long, things were starting to look up. Accepting Doctor's Bloom's Assistant job offer felt right and a positive direction for her career Oliveah thought as she tucked her ear buds in and turned up her music. Closing her eyes, the high pitched elegant notes of Portishead's It Could Be Sweet danced through her ears as she thought about the good fortune that was finally coming through after all these years…

I don't want to hurt you
No reason have I but fear
And I ain't guilty
Of the crimes you accuse me of
But I'm guilty of fear

I'm sorry to remind you
But I'm scared of what we're creating
This life ain't fair
You don't get something for nothing, turn now
Mmm, gotta try a little harder
It could be sweet
Like a long forgotten dream

…

4 Days Later…

Shoving the last bobby pin into her hair, Oliveah had just finished pulling her hair into a loose ponytail when the beeps of her mobile went off in a ring. Looking at the caller id, Oliveah nearly fumbled her phone to the floor.

Alana Bloom

"Hello?"

"Hi Oliveah, it's Alana Bloom."

"Hello Doctor Bloom."

"I know it's early, but I've been called to the Port Haven Psychiatric Hospital as Abigail Hobbs has just woken up, and I would like you to come with me. I can pick you up in half an hour as I'm already on the road."

"Sure, I'll be ready. Is there anything I should bring?" Oliveah asked as she went to her closet for her grey sweater.

"No, I've got everything here. See you in about thirty minutes."

Ending the call, Oliveah smiled as she pulled on her sweater.

"Right. This is what you want to do Oliveah. You're going to be helping someone in the moment. You've got this" she spoke confidently as she stood back from her cracked mirror before giving the glass a small palm strike for confidence.

"Hmm, perhaps a little more professional looking" she spoke out loud as she pulled off her sweater and began hunting for dress pants.

…

Port Haven Psychiatric Hospital, Baltimore MD…

"Right now I'm commuting from D.C. and I stopped off in Wolf Trap, Virginia to see Will Graham."

William Graham.

The FBI Agent that discovered Garret Jacob Hobbs as the Minnesota Shriek. The Agent that shot him to death, just barely saving his teenage daughter. One, Abigail Hobbs.

"Will is, well, he thinks differently than everyone else. He is able to piece together elements that might not make sense to another person, or elements that a person just might not think to include. If Will Graham had not been assigned to stopping Garret Jacob Hobbs, then I think Jack Crawford would be still pinning up pictures on the corkboard in his office of young women with long brown hair."

"I've never met Will Graham" Oliveah spoke as Alana slowed the car down to take a left turn.

"Working with me on Abigail's case you will meet him and Doctor Hannibal Lecter as well."

"First year Psychology at McGill in Montreal required us to read Doctor Lecter's paper on Evolutionary Origins of Social Exclusions" Oliveah offered as a Victorian style building stared to appear among an attractive setting of trees at the end of a the long gravel driveway.

"I'm sure he'd be pleased to know that. His work is among the best ever published in the field. Perhaps he'd make a valuable resource for you" Bloom replied as she made a final turn towards the rear side of the hospital. Driving up the gravel road Oliveah took note that all the patients on the grounds seemed to be female and in various states of dress.

"Abigail was brought here mostly for the privacy and seclusion" Bloom's voice broke out as Oliveah nodded her head.

"Does she remember what happened to her?" Oliveah questioned as Bloom threw the Hybrid into park.

"The nurses say no, but does a patient ever really tell the nurse everything that is wrong or the truth? For that matter?"

True point Oliveah noted as she pushed open her door and took in a breath of cool morning air.

"I have a few bags in the trunk if you want to help me take them inside. They're for Abigail."

Scribbling her name in the guest book after Bloom's, Oliveah took up a single shopping bag and proceeded to follow Doctor Bloom up a set of wooden stairs to the second floor of the Victorian styled building. Walking down the hardwood floor hallway, Oliveah kept her distance as Bloom strode confidently towards the end of the corridor and stopped at the final door on the right.

Watching Bloom give a quick knock on the wooden door, Oliveah followed her inside the room and set her eyes on a small body sitting up in bed flipping through a book.

"Hi, I'm Alana Bloom."

"Are you a Doctor?"

"Not medicine, I'm a Psychiatrist. Oliveah you can just set that bag down here."

Moving towards Abigail, Oliveah gave a small smile as the young brown haired girl caught her eye.

"I'm guessing you're not a Doctor either?"

Setting the department store bag down with the other's Oliveah took a step back from the side table and shook her head.

"No, I'm a Masters student at Johns Hopkins, I'm assisting Doctor Bloom with…"

Cocking her head, Abigail swallowed hard as she interrupted. "Great, so I'm already becoming textbook material for study."

Shit.

Come on Oliveah you knew this was a possible reaction.

Just…act like a human.

"I'm not here to study you Abigail, I'm here to look at the big picture and we are here to help you get through all this." Getting no reaction from Abigail, Oliveah took a step to stand just behind Bloom as she settled down in a bedside chair.

"I asked the nurses if my parents were dead, and they didn't tell me, they said that I had to wait for you. Even though you…both of you, are not Doctors."

Hearing the unevenness in Abigail's voice, Oliveah bit the inside of her cheek as she had a brief flashback of her own teenage years…

(Flashback)

"You're fourteen years old. You have no living relatives in the province of Ontario, so we will be looking elsewhere for a relative that can take you. If we can't find one, you will become a ward of the Children's Aid…

"I'm sorry you had to wait."

The room fell silent as Abigail fidgeted with the dog eared pages of the book in her hands before tossing it aside.

"I know their dead."

My parents are dead too Abigail. We appear to be very similar in nature.

"The nurses said you didn't remember" Bloom's voice broke out as Oliveah studied Abigail's face.

"I remember, I just didn't want to talk to them about it."

Her behavior may come across as odd and conflicting, but damn is she ever trying to be brave Oliveah noted to herself as Bloom sat still in front of her.

"I want to sell the house. It's mine now I guess so I can use the money for college; maybe get an apartment in town."

Hearing a slumping sound coming from beside the bed, Abigail glanced down to see one of the larger bags turn over on its side.

"What are all those?"

Gesturing towards the bags slumped together against the bedside table; Abigail twisted to peer into the first, moving a finger through the tissue wrappings for a peak.

"I brought you some clothes. I guessed your size…"

"You picked out the clothes?

Hearing the slight skepticism in her voice, Oliveah cleared her throat.

"I'm sure there are no Hello Kitty t-shirts or reindeer sweaters in the bags."

Catching Abigail's eyes, Oliveah caught the slight late teenage humor that washed over before going back into hiding.

"I brought you some music as well."

"Your music?"

Well Doctor Bloom doesn't look the sort who listens to Gordon Lightfoot or Paul Anka so I think you're safe.

Catching the jab, Doctor Bloom smiled as she tried to justify the abnormal number of gift cards that were crammed into two white office envelopes. Slipping them back into the department store bag, she straightened her back against the hard chair.

"Probably says something about you if you don't redeem a gift card" Abigail offered as she began flipping through her book once more before looking to Oliveah.

"You said you weren't a Doctor, but you can come back with her while I am here."

Nodding her head in thanks, Oliveah stepped back to allow Bloom some room to maneuver the chair back to the far side of the east wall.

"I'm Abigail Hobbs by the way."

Hearing the young girl's own introduction, Oliveah realized that she had neglected to give her own name in conversation.

Jesus Adler, a great professional start

"My name is Oliveah Adler" she offered, watching as Abigail sat aside her book and held out her hand for a shake.

Interesting

"How old are you?"

Shaking Abigail's cold hand, Oliveah smiled as Bloom watched with curiosity.

"I'm twenty three" she replied as Abigail softened her voice.

"Next time, you pick out the clothes and music."

…

"Interesting to see that Abigail Hobbs took to you so quickly" Bloom spoke as Oliveah pulled closed her door.

"Hmmm, I had a feeling she might. I'm near her age and not a medical professional. I'm just a normal, young woman in college. I'm the person she was supposed to be" Oliveah offered as Bloom's mobile phone began to ring.

"Hello? Yes, I just finished with Abigail at the hospital. Okay. Yes, this afternoon is fine." Ending the call, Oliveah stared out the windshield as Alana tucked her phone back in her coat pocket.

"That was Jack Crawford, head of the Behavioral Science Unit at the FBI Academy. He is requesting a meeting this afternoon concerning first reactions in speaking with Abigail."

"He wants to know if she remembers what happened to her?" Oliveah asked as Alana put the car into gear.

"More like, he wants to know if I think she was an accomplice in her father's killing."

That is a very real possibility Oliveah thought as Bloom started speaking once more.

"Can I offer you one piece of advice that should come as a reminder to you from your early placements Oliveah?"

Turning her head to look at Bloom, Oliveah pursed her lips.

"I believe Abigail sees you as a sort of friend on the outside, don't be her friend."

…

5:31pm, Jack Crawford's Office, FBI Academy, Quantico VA…

An accomplice in her father's killing

The words had stuck with her the entire drive ever since Bloom had spoken them in the parking lot of Port Haven that morning.

If Abigail Hobbs had been an accomplice, it would have been to ensure her own survival. She would have been scared to report her father and must have believed that going off to College would have been her paid ticket to freedom. Something that she would have possibly earned Oliveah thought as she walked down the corridor with Doctor Bloom.

Walking down the corridor, Oliveah tried to straighten her black blazer and narrowly avoided colliding with a group of FBI trainees dressed in their navy top khaki bottomed uniforms. Future federal law enforcement men and women scattered about the wide corridor with bodies beginning to thin out as they approached a suite of offices.

"This is it."

Stepping into the cool office, Oliveah's eyes were immediately drawn to the numerous glass framed diplomas and degrees that littered the back wall. Lowering her eyes, she focused on an older black man dressed in a suit who appeared to be greatly agitated, taping his fingertips against the wooden desk.

"Jack, I didn't know everyone else would be here" Alana's voice broke out as Oliveah's eyes fell upon the backs of two men that were seated in cushioned chairs in front of the desk.

"I called them both in after Freddie Lounds decided to directly quote Will Graham's afternoon advice," Crawford spat as his eyes fell onto Oliveah with question.

"Doctor Bloom, who is this?"

Feeling all eyes in the room turning onto her, Oliveah folded her hands across her front and felt her face flush slightly.

"Jack, I mentioned to you that I was going to hire an Assistant from the Psychology Department at Hopkins to help me, and this is Oliveah Adler. She is a second year Masters student and she is helping me with Abigail Hobbs. She was with me this morning for our first meeting at Port Haven."

Tuning out Doctor Bloom, Oliveah moved her eyes onto the man seated to the far right of the room. He was youngish with floppy brown hair and scruff wearing glasses that had slid down to the end of his nose.

He looks worn out she thought as she moved her eyes to the man seated beside him.

Dressed in an impeccable checkered style suit, he was the complete opposite in every way to the man of whom she was sure was Will Graham.

He looks no older than Will Graham, she noted, catching the man's slight pursing lips.

Killing a fellow human being really takes a toll on some people she noted as the suited man proceeded to flick his fingers against his cheek in an almost annoyed tell.

Doctor Hannibal Lecter I would presume.

"Well good. Nice to meet you and have a seat then" Crawford spoke in a bored tone as Oliveah moved to Bloom's side and took up an empty chair. Taking in a deep breath, Oliveah wondered if she should take out her notepad and pen but immediately trashed that idea as the head of the Behavioral Science Unit began to growl.

"It isn't very smart to piss off a guy who thinks about killing for a living. You know what else isn't very smart? You were there with him!"

Swallowing hard, Oliveah remained still as Agent Crawford focused his eyes hard on Doctor Lecter.

Shifting her eyes onto Will Graham, she watched as he shifted his weight in the chair and tucked his chin into his chest like a scolded child.

"I trust Will to speak for himself" Lecter spoke in an elegant accent as he continued to flick his fingers against his cheek.

He's not angry, but…annoyed? Annoyed with Agent Crawford's tone of voice?

"I'm just happy the story wasn't about Abigail Hobbs" Bloom chimed in as Crawford steered his cold glare in her direction.

"Well then it's a God damn victory."

The room fell cold as no one said a word for nearly a full minute.

"Freddie Lounds now knows that she can rile up the investigation and gain hits on her Tattle Crime garbage site. If any of you ever comes into contact with her again, I'm going to tell you all right now to watch your damn mouths. Doctor Bloom and Miss. Adler, you two met with Abigail Hobbs this morning, tell me, how did she react with the news about her father?"

Crossing her legs, Alana looked to Oliveah and silently acknowledged that she would take lead.

"She was calm."

"Calm? If I had just woken up out of a coma and someone told me that my parents were dead, and that my father was a serial killer, calm would be the furthest emotion from my mind" Crawford spoke, looking to Oliveah.

"What did you take away from your meeting Miss. Adler?"

Feeling all eyes on her once more, Oliveah cleared her throat of nerves.

"Bravery and a weak determination to move on. She had mentioned wanting to sell her parent's home and already had thoughts as to how to move on, an apartment, the possibility of college" she spoke, moving her eyes around the group before fleetingly holding eyes with Doctor Lecter.

"She knows what happened to her, and I think she knows more about her father's crimes than she wants to admit" Oliveah finished as Doctor Lecter broke their eye contact.

He looks so unamused, almost bored with my observations.

"Doctor Bloom, in your professional opinion, do you think Abigail Hobbs knew exactly what her father was doing?"

"It's way too early to tell Jack."

"Abigail Hobbs spoke of the possibility of returning to her home in Minnesota. She has no family and spoke about nightmares. I suggest that by returning home, she may be able to face and confront some of her fears." Lecter broke out as Alana interrupted.

"What Abigail wants and what she needs are two different things Hannibal!"

Hearing Alana's voice rise, Oliveah felt her own personal experience starting to surface.

"Anyone who has ever lost a close family member in horrific circumstances should have to face their fears as early as possible."

The room went completely silent as Oliveah felt all eyes on her face once more.

"I am going to choose the opinion, that best serves my agenda" Crawford decided as one curious pair of dark brown eyes continued to linger on her face.

Closing the lid to his laptop, Jack Crawford rose to his feet just as Bloom leaned close to Oliveah.

"Congratulations, you made it through your first "talk" with Agent Crawford."

"Lucky me" Oliveah muttered just as Will Graham rose to his feet and fixed his eyes on her.

"Mr. Graham, it's nice to meet you" Oliveah spoke, holding out her hand as he simply stared at it. Taking it lightly in his own, he narrowed his eyes and spoke.

"Perhaps the student would do well to skip on back to school. The real world is ugly and very different from the classroom setting of prestigious Johns Hopkins."

Feeling him drop her hand, Oliveah simply stared as he straightened the collars of his grey suit jacket and exited out of the office without another word.

"Oliveah?"

Hearing her name, she turned as Alana held a clipboard against her chest.

"I apologize, but I am going to be about an hour here finishing up some paperwork unrelated to Abigail Hobbs before I can drop you back in Baltimore. There is a cafeteria on the first floor…"

"If you'd like Alana, Miss. Adler can accompany me back to Baltimore and save you the extra hour drive. That is, if she is comfortable with the arrangement?"

Turning around, Oliveah stepped slightly right as she noticed Doctor Lecter standing silently behind her.

Two hours in the company of one of the most revered Psychiatrists in America who appeared to be bored with my observations Oliveah thought sullenly as she nodded her head in approval.

"Um, I don't have any objections."

I'm so tired; I don't care how I get home and if we are going to Minnesota in the morning then I need all the sleep I can get.

"I'd appreciate that Hannibal thank you. Oliveah I will see you at the university and we will go from there to Port Haven in the morning" Bloom ended as she turned her attentions back to Jack Crawford.

Turning around, Oliveah found Doctor Lecter waiting at the office door holding it open.

"Ladies first."

Following Doctor Lecter out of the FBI Academy, Oliveah kept her distance as the tall black peacoated man walking in front of her held open the final door leading to the parking lot. "The Bentley Miss. Adler" Lecter's accented voice broke out at her side as she felt his arm slightly brush her shoulder in direction.

The Bentley? I know nothing about cars, but the good Doctor drives a Bentley?

Approaching the expensive looking car, Oliveah shifted as Lecter reached past her and pulled open the door. Sinking into the plush cream leather seat, Oliveah kept her hands in her lap and thanked God it hadn't been raining to track in mud. She would have never forgiven herself.

Settling in the driver's seat, Doctor Lecter started the engine and shifted the expensive vehicle into gear.

The car was as smooth as silk.

Driving in silence, Lecter turned onto the I-95 N and started to speed up into the heavy evening traffic. Clearing his throat, he glanced at Oliveah's profile and took note of a slight scar against her chin.

"We have a nearly two hour drive ahead of us Miss. Adler, what shall we discuss?"

…

Thank you for reading and reviewing!

I wrote this story years back and then took it down.

I am re-posting with some edits.