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Hannibal Lecter did not consider himself straight or gay, not even bisexual. He was attracted to people, and thus had never had reason to consider his sexuality. Sometimes he found a person interesting or enjoyed their company and at times it was simply a physical attraction. Very rarely there was someone who he was attracted to for reasons he could not understand, feeling a strong pull to that individual. It was such a pull he felt towards Willamina Graham.
She was introduced to him as Mina and his first reaction was that she was beautiful. Wide eyes that were a mix of blue and green, framed by thick rimmed glasses and glossy dark curls pulled back into a neat braid. Her cupid's bow lips were painted in a muted pink shade, neat and understated as was the rest of her flawless make-up. A neatly pressed cream shirt sat under a fitted blazer above a dark pencil skirt that ended just under the top of her shiny lace up boots. She was very well put together and spoke with the same assurance but there was something else appealing about her.
Everything about her was neat, controlled, the only flaw was a few dog hairs clinging to her neatly pressed skirt. But there was something else underneath, it was something in her eyes. She avoided eye contact but they were constantly moving, taking in everything and constantly dilated, regardless of the lighting. Pretty Mina was in a constant state of fight or flight and her outward appearance of control hid a mess of confusion and vulnerability inside. Hannibal wanted nothing more than to poke around her mind, pick at the frayed edges and watch her desperate control unravel completely.
The case was interesting, that was why he agreed to consult on it but what was most interesting was why Mina had been invited in. Could it be that Jack Craword had seen her potential as bait? Every woman on the board was like her, pretty but not flashy, neatly put together and their expressions demure. All had beautiful eyes before they died. Every woman was found raped and killed, their pretty eyes taken from them. No fingerprints or DNA.
Each body was found in public, fully dressed in the same clothes they had worn when they went missing, it was not until they were examined that it was clear what kind of horror they had been through. Another young woman had gone missing but after five days there was no sign of a body yet, all the others had been displayed after less than a day. Mina’s shy eyes and conservative clothing suggested she was exactly the kind of woman this murderer was searching for.
Hannibal had been asked to observe her and clearly her mind was as attractive as her face. She saw what the man was searching for, some golden ticket woman, he took the same type over and over again then discarded them quickly. So the question became what was so special about Miss Kathleen Esmeray? She was the youngest one yet and hopefully whatever was special was keeping her alive.
“Jack, someone just called in evidence, it’s on its way,” Jack rose from his seat to follow the short gentleman to the lab Mina and Hannibal followed.
Kathleen’s clothes had been found, wrapped up in plastic and discarded in a park frequented by drug users, nothing like the places the others were found, still no DNA and no body. Was it not for her appearance and the fact she went missing from the same train as the other victims they might think this was an unconnected disappearance but Mina insisted it was not and Hannibal was inclined to agree. The two lab workers, Price and Zeller, were less sure but Jack’s gut told her that she was the key to solving the case.
He was right, less than twenty four hours later they were headed to a secluded cabin owned by an elderly gentleman half lost to dementia in a home. Kathleen clothes had at least been in these woods, it was proven by the rare sap of trees that grew there. Either she was nearby or her captor had taken her four states away and then returned to discard her clothes. As they approached the cabin cautiously with guns drawn they heard a shriek. Jack and several others broke into a run, racing towards the rundown building. Hannibal was stuck by the car with no weapon but his eyes followed Mina as she and a few others spread out to check the perimeter.
The cabin was raided and after a couple of minutes a young lady in a white ballgown emerged, clinging to one of her saviours and weeping inconsolably, barely able to walk as she was led to a waiting ambulance. As she was taken care of Jack organised the officers to fan out. The man they were searching for was not inside but according to Kathleen he was close by and had fled when he heard the approaching vehicles and correctly guessed that the authorities had arrived to interrupt their “wedding night.”
Hannibal keen eyes searched the trees, hoping for a glimpse of their prey or of Mina. She was not dressed practically and it made Hannibal worry. When he picked her up he had been expecting a different creature than the teacher but the only difference was that her skirt was thick wool and ankle length, a discreet slit to her knee allowed her to move, today's shirt a stark white. He crept closer to the edge when he saw a hulking shadow move, he moved silently, coming closer when the figure darted further into the dense trees and there was a flash of white as a slight quick person followed him, Mina.
Hannibal followed at a slow pace, curious as to whether she had it in her to pull the trigger when looking at his face. He believed she did but wanted to see it happen. He was stalking the pair when he heard a cut off scream. It had lasted less than a breath and he saw no-one drawing closer, part of him told him to call for Jack or one of the other officers but instead he followed the sound with intrigue.
The towering evergreens were closely packed, not a clearing to be found so it was easy for him to hide when he found where they had met. The gun was laid at the base of the thick tree that concealed him and a couple of feet away was Mina, pinned to the ground by the killer, his thick hand covering her lovely mouth and the other bunching up her skirt. One arm was tugging at his wrist as she fought to breath and the other was angled away from her body, its grotesque position showing it to be broken, possibly more than once. Hannibal bent and took the gun in hand.
Her wild fighting was fascinating but he was not prepared to let this vile specimen violate her. A harsh ripping sound preceded his hand withdrawing from her skirt, torn indigo panties were tossed on the ground as Mina managed to struggle free of his hand. Instead of screaming she bit down hard on his hand, drawing blood. He roared in pain. “Stuck up fucking whore. Bitch!” He roared, punching her in the mouth, her blood mixing with his. The blow had clearly shaken her up and she was unable to defend herself as he rained more blows down on her, spitting and hissing misogynist comments the whole time.
Hannibal stepped forward and shot him in the temple, his body stilling for a minute before falling forward, already dead. Hannibal bent to retrieve her ruined panties, slipping them into his pocket before kicking the dead body off her. “Can you stand?” He asked, offering her his hand.
“Y-yes, I think so,” she struggled to her feet, broken arm cradled against her chest, blood coating her delicate features. She swooned a little when she tried to take a step and flinched when Hannibal tried to steady her. She recoiled from him and vomited onto the ground, cringing with embarrassment.
“Go slow,” Hannibal instructed. “You may be concussed,” he stayed close, leading her back towards the car.
Beverley was first to spot them when they emerged. “Mina!” She rushed towards them. “What happened?”
“He is dead,” Hannibal informed her, pointing in the direction they had come from. “Assuming he worked alone.”
“Good job doc,” Beverley answered softly.
Hannibal escorted Will to the ambulance where Kathleen was passed out, her face blotchy with tears. “How is she?” Mina asked. Hannibal hovered close by as a paramedic checked her injuries and the strength in her limbs.
“They got her out in time but she was hysterical so we had to give her a sedative,” the paramedic answered. “But there’s no obvious physical injuries. Your boss isn’t happy.”
“She is safe and the criminal dead, that seems to be a positive outcome overall,” Hannibal observed.
“Jack likes answers,” Mina explained. “He’ll get them when she’s ready to talk.”
“Mina,” Jack shouted, striding towards the ambulance. She flinched at his tone, head throbbing and her body weak.
Hannibal hopped down from the ambulance and blocked Jack when he was a few feet away. “Mina has a concussion. You may speak to her once her injuries have been properly treated.”
“I need to speak with her now!” Jack demanded, once his mouth stopped gaping in shock. Hannibal had turned away as soon as he had said his piece and returned to the ambulance, shutting the door in Jack’s shocked face.
“Thank you,” Mina said softly, his pale cheeks flushing pink.
“Masterfully done,” the paramedic said with a lopsided grin.
“My years as an ER doctor were not wasted.”
**********
Mina’s arm had been broken in two places and her back was badly scratched up, her pretty face littered with bruises but luckily the concussion was mild. “You should consider staying the night here,” Hannibal urged as Mina awkwardly signed the release papers with her non-dominant hand. “The painkillers they gave you are very strong and once they kick in they may make you a little loopy. You should not be alone.”
“I’m going to take a taxi home and get straight into bed, I don’t think I’m in danger of anything happening.” Mina answered, her face pinched and pale.
“You have had a very traumatic experience today Mina, I am concerned,” Hannibal said softly.
“Don’t be,” Mina said with a little smile. “Just check Jack’s not out there waiting for me,” she requested, looking towards the hall. “I am way too tired to deal with him.”
Hannibal nodded indulgently and headed into the corridor where Jack was pacing in annoyance. Hannibal would have to invite him and his wife for dinner, figure out why Jack refused to go home or allow his employees to do so. “It appears you have had a wasted trip, Agent Crawford,” he said coldly. “Mina’s concussion is worse than we believed and she will be staying here for the next few days,” he lied easily.
Jack lips pursed in annoyance but not sympathy. “Hopefully I can get a few answers first.”
“The medication already has her quite out of it and you are not allowed through those doors,” Hannibal warned, gesturing to some hospital staff to back him up.
“What?”
“Their rules, not mine,” Hannibal said, holding up his hands in a mockery of surrender. “Medical professionals and family only I am afraid,” he turned away to hide his shit-eating grin as he strode past the forbidden doors, he was a doctor after all.
He returned to Mina’s side, placing a hand on the small on her back and turning to the older woman organising her release. “Is there a staff exit we could use?” He asked politely. Jack could be heard ranting at someone just past the doors and the nurse’s expression softened.
“Go down that hall, third right then left and you’ll come out at the far end of the car park,” she explained in a quiet voice. “But you didn’t hear it from me.”
“As you did not allow me to accompany my companion to triage,” Hannibal confirmed with a wink.
He guided Mina to the back door, smiling to himself when she tripped on the steps outside. He caught her arm and allowed her to right herself before speaking again. “Please, come home with me where I can take care of you,” she looked doubtful, unwilling to let herself be vulnerable. “Jack will not come looking for you there at the crack of dawn,” he was very concerned by Jack’s treatment of the lovely young woman.
“Okay,” she agreed after a moment. “Just for one night.”
“As you wish,” Hannibal said with a bow of his head. In hopes of avoiding an awkward run in with Jack, Mina waited in the doorway as Hannibal drove the car around to collect her. The drugs were beginning to kick in by the time they got halfway home and she alternated between giggling at the radio and drifting on the edge of sleep.
After parking the garage Hannibal helped out of the car. “Come on sweetheart,” he said softly as she leaned against him with sleepy eyes. “Time for bed I think,” he said fondly.
She nodded with a pleased hum and let Hannibal lead her upstairs. “My arm is itchy,” she complained, pouting.
“There is nothing to be done about that now, as long as you are not in pain you need to rest that pretty head,” she giggled at that too.
“I’m pretty?” She asked with a dazed smile.
“Yes,” Hannibal answered with a soft smile.
“Are you gonna get me into bed?” She asked with a cheeky wink. Hannibal grinned at that, with her control shredded she was even more delightful.
“Happily,” he answered with a wolfish grin, baring sharp teeth.
“Flirt,” she drawled with a light laugh. Hannibal shook his head and guided her to the spare room. “Hungry!” She announced as he sat her down and found a loose shirt and boxers for her to sleep in.
“You need sleep, darling, I will make you a large breakfast first thing in the morning,” he said, pressing a kiss to her nose.
“Not your darling,” she argued.
“Can you change yourself?” He asked.
“Nope!” she announced cheerfully, lifting one arm above her head. Hannibal smiled indulgently and unbuttoned her shirt, averting his eyes, he was always a gentleman, on the first night at least. He managed to remove her uncooperative limbs from the shirt without jostling her damaged arm too badly and wrapped the shirt around her thin body
He tugged the boxers up her legs before removing her torn skirt and putting it to the side. His sewing skills had been earring in hospital but he could repair a torn seam without too much trouble. Mina yawned sweetly. “Can I have candy floss?” She asked.
“You can have honey, after sleep,” he offered.
“Pancakes!”
“Whatever you like,” Hannibal said, guiding her to lay flat and tugging the thick comforter over her.
“I want you to stay,” she asked, sinking into the mattress.
Hannibal lay down next to her, tucking a stand of hair before her hair. “For a while,” he agreed.
“Thank you,” she said with a doped up smile. “Can I tell you a secret?” she asked, her voice soft.
“Yes please.”
“I don’t wanna work for Jack,” she confided. “I don’t feel safe. Shush!” She clumsily reached forward to put her finger on his lips, even at close quarters she missed and Hannibal grabbed her hand, gently caressing the back of her hand with his thumb.
“If you don’t want to work from Jack then you won’t,” Hannibal assured her, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
“I won’t?” She repeated, eyes falling shut.
“I won’t allow it,” Hannibal promised her.
“Do you like dogs?”
“I do not dislike them,” Hannibal answered.
“I have seven,” she said with a happy sigh.
“Very impressive,” Hannibal said, watching her fight sleep.
“Can we come live here?” She asked. Hannibal bit back a laugh. “I like feeling safe.
YES
She was interesting but the want he felt for her was more powerful than he realised. Hannibal did not know it was but he wanted to protect and care for the vulnerable girl, break down the hard exterior that the drugs had disarmed and enjoy the flirty sweet woman in his bed. He remembered how fiercely she fought, there was a core of steel underneath everything and he wanted to encourage that, pour himself into her cracks and see what she would become. Seven dogs were worth it if they came with her.
“Ask me again in the morning,” he said. She gave a sleepy murmur in response and tightened her grip on his hand before drifting into sleep.
“I will make Jack release you and keep you for myself, my beloved Mina.”