In Your Head

Chapter 4

Will awoke to one of his dogs nipping at his nose. He rolled over, dragging a pillow up over his face.

A few more minutes. He hadn't slept this good in years.

When his alarm went off he begrudgingly pulled himself up and out of bed.

Peering at his calendar he let out a groan.

He had almost forgotten that he had agreed to start teaching class at the agency again.

Alana had recommended it, said it would bring a sense of structure to his life. The money wouldn't hurt either.

He stood before his closet searching for something appropriate for the occasion.

First day of class.

He chose a button down and some dress pants. Staring at himself in his full-length mirror, he felt quite odd.

He ended up changing into a plaid shirt with plain grey pants.

—

His first class went by uneventfully. The students were eager to be there and sat attentively. After class, he leaned back against his desk and stared down the short walkway to the entrance to the room. He half expected Jack to show up with another case, but both he and Alana had agreed that it would be best if Will focused on teaching for now.

Grace and Blaise had been the first case he worked on since Hannibal's disappearance and his tumble off the cliff.

Will turned to his desk to gather up his papers when he heard the familiar clicking of heels on the carpet.

He turned to see Alana Bloom, wearing a smart dress, blazer and a silk scarf.

"Alana." Will said simply, in greeting.

"Will, how was your first day back?"

Alana had been careful with Will since he had been released from the hospital following his injuries from the cliff incident. Will knew that she was dancing around him as if he was made of glass and if she didn't dread lightly, he would fall back into the madness.

She originally insisted on taking him on as her patient, but Will refused therapy.

Alana understood, given his previous psychiatrist.

"It was fine," Will said shortly.

He knew that Alana didn't come here to talk about his new class. Alana was head of Maryland State Hospital and had, of course, been informed of Will's visit to Grace.

"Alana, I know you aren't here to ask about my day."

Alana sighed, "Yes, well, I guess we'll skip the pleasantries then."

Will lifted himself up and found a comfortable position sitting on his desk.

Alana stepped closer and lowered her voice a touch.

"Jack was very hesitant to let you onto the Blaise Alabaster murders case, Will, and for good reason. I don't think that it's...healthy, for you to be visiting Grace. I am working on her therapy..."

"Grace needs..." Will interrupted.

"No." Alana said sharply.

"You don't get to decide what Grace needs, Will." Alana snapped.

"Alana, I don't think that Grace was entirely herself. Don't you think it could be Stockholm Syndrome?"

Alana frowned, "We did think of that, yes. But Grace had committed five crimes of her own volition, Will. I know she is mentally fragile, but there is no excuse for what she did. And I think that you are just empathizing with her just like with..."

"Don't." Will said forcefully.

He couldn't talk about Abigail, he just could not.

Alana walked over to the desk and hoisted herself atop it.

They sat side by side in silence for a few minutes.

Alana slowly slipped her hand into Will's.

"I'm sorry Will, it's just...I can't bear to have you lose yourself again. It was too painful to see you shatter, knowing that the person I loved was the person who pulled you down."

Will squeezed Alana's hand.

"I know."