Pretty Pretty Dreams

Genophobia

We ended up spending the night at Hannibal's home. The threat of my ex-fiancé hung over us like thunderclouds, tainting our every action. Hannibal made us food, and as delicious as it was, I had no appetite. Victor's words lay heavy on my mind, even in the company of the boys. Eventually, the topic of where I would be sleeping came about.

"She can sleep with me in a guest room," William suggested at first. Hannibal shot that idea down rather quickly.

"No. For one, the master bedroom is more secure, and two, you had her last night. She stays with me."

Will let the topic drop.

As I showered and got ready for bed, I thought about Victor. How did he find me? Why hasn't he struck before now? Why wait until I'm in the company of two able bodied men? I just couldn't understand it.

I stepped out of the glass shower and into the steam filled room, shivering slightly at the colder temperature. I quickly put on the nightdress that Hannibal had set out for me:

Vaguely wondering where it had come from. It still had tags, and seemed brand new. Where ever it came from, it was soft and comfortable (if a little short) so I really couldn't complain. I pulled the robe around me rather tightly, before walking out of the still steamy room. Hannibal waited in the bedroom, shirtless and laid out under the covers languidly, but still appearing able to spring into action at the slightest hint of danger. It made me feel safe.

He looked over as I stepped into the room, his eyes tracing over my now-merlot curves. I shifted self consciously, pulling my robe tighter over my chest. His eyes caught the action, darting up to look at my face, which was as merlot as my clothes.

"You shouldn't be ashamed, my dear. You are exquisite," he purred, patting the covers next to him. I slide into bed and he puts his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close. I feel his breath in my ear as he sings me what sounds like a lullaby in a strange, lilting language. I remember learning from him a while back that he was Lithuanian. Maybe that's what it was.

I quickly drifted to sleep with Hannibal's singing in my head.

I woke up alone, struggling to remember the dream I had. Something about the case, I knew that much. I'd have to ask Will and Hannibal if they'd seen anything in their dreams.

I walked downstairs, looking for the kitchen. I caught the sound of voices and decided following them would be the best bet. As I turned the corner into a beautiful dining room, I was surprised to see Will and Hannibal with two other people; red headed woman with an interested expression, and a black haired woman that looked simply shocked to see me. Will and Hannibal immediately stood up, and I pulled my robe around me tight, uncomfortable with the audience.

"Will? Hannibal? Who is this?" I asked, nervous. Will came quickly to my side and guided me to a chair.

"This is Dr. Alana Bloom, our colleague, and Miss Freddie Lounds, our....associate. She's a reporter," Hannibal explained once I sat. "Ladies, this is our guest, Alyssa."

"Aw, Hannibal. Surely you can spare more detail than that. Guest as in family member, guest as in friend, guest as in in a relationship, or guest as in just fucking?" Freddie asked, boldly staring him down. I gasped, shocked at her vulgar suggestion.

"She is NOT a whore!" Will growled, arm tightening around my shoulders. Freddie's eyes gleamed.

"Ooh, the plot thickens. Will is all wrapped around your finger as well, isn't he, Miss Alyssa?"

"Enough."

Hannibal's voice cut the air, leaving tension to drip out of the reams. He walked over to Will and I, appearing calm, but I could see the fury in his tight, controlled movements and clenched fist. "Miss Lounds, if you cannot behave and be civilized, you will be asked to leave. May I remind you that you are a guest in my house, and can be removed quite easily." He wrapped a gentle arm around my waist, staring down the red-headed...witch. "Am I clear?"

"Crystal, dear. Crystal. Oh, by the way, this wouldn't happen to be the Alyssa Lane who is engaged to Victor D'Arcy, would it? Dirty, gang-affiliated, known-for-past-violence De Arcy?"

"That's none of your business," I said, still between the increasingly tense Will and Hannibal.

"Everything is my business darling, especially when a dirty rich boy is involved. But I'll leave it for now. Hannibal, you were explaining your purpose for calling us here on such short notice?"

"Yes, I was. As you apparently are aware, Alyssa is being stalked by Victor D'Arcy. We'd like your help in apprehending him, and keeping our Alyssa safe. Ms. Lounds, do you have a location on him? And Ms. Bloom, can you find a crime that we can exploit in his past? Something to get him in jail for a while."

After about an hour of plotting, the women left, and I was alone with Will and Hannibal again. Will guided me to the plush sofa while Hannibal made us some lunch. I cuddled up against Will's side, suddenly cold. He wrapped a blanket around me, leaving his arm around my waist as we sat there.

His hand gently stroked my side through the blanket, leaving me startlingly aware of him. Every inch of him that was pressed against me tingled. I looked up at him to see if he felt it to and was met with his lips. He kissed me passionately, fervently, with a hunger that startled me. He softly pushed me down onto the sofa, capturing me in a cage of his arms, looming above me as he explored my mouth. His five o'clock shadow scraped my cheeks, sensory overload. One of his hands trailed down my torso, before landing on my upper thigh and pulling me closer. I gasped into his mouth, one arm around his waist and the other hand resting in his hair. He pressed his hips down against my leg, a breathy moan escaping him.

A loud cough drew up abruptly from our passionate embrace, and our heads snapped up to see Hannibal with the food, and murder on his face.