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Sidney Nolan
1947
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"YOU seem nervous." A voice made him turn around, facing a familiar person.

"I thought you were watching the trial."

"Couldn't stay there just watching." Alice Mallory ran her hands through her hair, her energy was completely drawn by seeing Will being attacked by those people, treated as a criminal.

"I know what you mean." Jack Crawford agreed, just as stressed as she was. "Still doesn't feel right."

"I don't think it ever will." She pondered, playing with the button of the dark blue blazer she wore.

He glanced at the girl who seemed completely broken to watch her friend's destruction. Alice Mallory could be one of the victims' sister, but that didn't mean she instantly blamed Will, yet, she still wanted to believe in him. And that was something that made him reflect a lot on his testimony at that trial.

"Where's Hannibal?" He asked, noticing she was not accompanied for once. Since she started dating him, they wouldn't be seen separated much.

"Still in there." She pointed to the door with her head. "He's much stronger than I am." She commented, realizing how scared she ws to hear the veredictum of that day.

The agent wasn't one to show his soft side, specially towards Alice Mallory, but at that moment, she was in a situation just as bad as him, and that made him feel a bit of empathy towards her. "Miss Mallory." He suddenly said. "If there's someone strong in this court, it's you. So don't say that." He said serious, without letting his though posture disappear. "Don't let it get to your head."

▫️

Jack Crawford had just gave his testimony, and, for the FBI's surprise, he took partially the blame for Will Graham's failures and crimes. The game wasn't over yet, but that certainly changed the trial's direction.

Alice Mallory sat on one of the chair's of Hannibal's office, staring at the portrait she gave him on the wall. The colors hipnotized her for a second as her mind wandered to a place far away from where she was.

"A penny for your thoughts." Her boyfriend ried to make her laugh, but Alice remained serious. "Is something bothering you, darling?"

Alice sighed, as he squated on the ground next to her, holding delicately her cold hand.

"I was thinking about Will." She confessed.

"You must be worried about him." Hannibal declared.

"What Jack did...at the trial...it made me think a lot about what I should say in my turn." Alice blinked twice, her mind working nonstop. "His words were poweful enough to change the sentence's direction, what if mine are too?"

"They will surely be. After all, you're his close friend and one of the victims' relative." Hannibal explained carefully, afraid she might breakdown at any of his words.

"I know I have to be impartial, that I have to just say the truth in order to make Bree justice or help Will." She reflected, lowering her eyes to the ground. "But what if that's not what the jury understands?"

"As much as you try to help both sides, we both know that is impossible, love." He said, caressing delicately her hands. "The trial will take a side, no matter what is our wish."

"Seems unfair."

"But it's the only way to be fair." He leaned to kiss softly her forehead and make her look into his hazel eyes. "Be honest, darling. That is the best you can do for him."

▫️

"Miss Mallory." The sassy sarcastic redheaded woman stepped foward without any warning.

"Miss Lounds." Alice did not retribute her enthusiasm. "You put on quite a show in there, didn't you?"

Freddie Lounds had just taken a stand to speak on the trial about Will Graham's sanity concerning Abigail Hobbs. Of course, the journalist set the accused one on fire, by telling the court he was completely out of his mind, just as her tabloid news said.

"I was only being honest. Also paying my tribute to the poor Abigail." She said bitterly. "I wonder when is your turn. They are saving the best for the last, it seems."

"Well, if by that you mean your testimony was trash, than yes, saving the best for last." Alice replied sharply, Freddie faked a laugh and gave one step closer, crossing her arms.

"Which side are in, Miss Mallory? Months ago you were willing to catch your sister's killer, now you're here, protecting the main suspect on her death." She tilted her head, searching for any sign or flaw in Alice's blue eyes. "Quite a confusing change of events... I'll make sure to write this in my book."

"Also write down the part where I don't care about what you'll do." Alice retorted fearless. "I'm not taking sides, Freddie. Whatever happens in this trial, it won't be my fault."

"Oh, but it will, Miss Mallory." She chortled. "We both know that. Which is why the suspense is increasing more and more until you take your seat and swear to tell the truth, in order to either absolve or condemn Will Graham" Freddie Lounds declared, pulling aside a curly red strand of her bair behind her ear. "It'll be interesting to watch his downfall."

"Not as interesting as the money you plan to make with this story, isn't it?"

"You know me better than I expected." Freddie smirked finding her funny. "See you soon, Miss Mallory. Can't wait to watch your testimony, it'll be a historical event, I'm sure."

▫️

Will Graham received a human ear. That trial was indeed getting out of control, specially when Hannibal Lecter was authorized to talk with Will about the subject.

"It seems you have an admirer." Hannibal commented, sitting across him at the interrogation table.

"You think someone sent me an ear
because they admire me?" Will asked, disgusted by the idea.

"The boundaries of what's considered
normal are getting narrower. Outside those boundaries, this may be intended as a helpful gesture." The doctor explained.

"How far would you go to help me?" Will dared to make him speak.

"It hadn't occurred to me to send
you an ear. But I'm grateful and
intrigued that someone has."

"Gratitude has a short half-life." He replied sharply.

"So can doubt. Our ideas are not set in stone. When exposed to new thoughts, they adapt into their most potent form. I have new thoughts about who you are. There may very well be another killer."

"I want there to be." Will stared intensely at him into a blazing and feral glance.

"Some part of you still suspects me." Hannibal pretended to sound like an innocent man once again.

"I don't know what anyone is capable of anymore. Even myself. I know there's no evidence against you."

"There never was." He replied with great satisfaction.

"Accusing you makes me look insane. I'm not insane. Not anymore."

"You may not be guilty." Hannibal pondered. "Tell me about your admirer, Will."

"He's experienced. A sophisticated killer. He has a wit and a whimsy. Parodied the crimes I investigated so well I didn't know he was there. He's connected to me somehow. He knows me. Or thinks he does. He certainly knew about the cases." He made an analysis.

"You could be describing me."

"I once thought I was."

"This ear you were sent presents an opportunity, Will. If someone else is responsible for your crimes, perhaps he now wants to be seen."

"Why would he want to be seen now?"

"He cares what happens to you."

▫️

Alana Bloom and Dr.Chilton had already standed in the trial and gave their versions on Will Graham's mental state, both opposite sides that completed each other, but also worsened Will's situation.

But what is even worse than that, is the new body discovered at a burned house, which was murdered and then injured in Will's particular accused cases. The gift wrapped crime scene leads to serious implications on the trail, leading to the most awaited testimony of them all: Alice Mallory's.

She standed alone at the hallway. Her heart palpitating as if it was about to explode. Her head spinned and the whole room pressured her into a single and small shape of who she was.

Standing at that trial was one of the hardest tasks she has ever done. Entering that court room was one of the hardest walks in her life. And looking into Will's eyes while she swore to tell the truth and only the truth was one of the hardest sights of her life.

Tried to take his eyes from his puppy, lost ones, took a deep breath before sitting on her chair, facing the crowded court room, as the lawyers would start with their questions.

''Miss Mallory." The promotor, Marion Vega walked around, starting the show. "You are an old friend of Will Graham, since..." She looked on her notes. "...college at George Washington University, right?"

"Correct." Alice almost couldn't speak. Will's eyes seemed to burn her skin.

"You had a long friend relationship until he graduated. Two years later, after he joined the FBI, you separated ways, until now." Vega standed next to her. "Why?"

"Will..."Alice's anxiety seemed to kill her. She could barely breath. Her eyes searched for any sign of hope "...he..." She almost hyprventilated, the crowd didn't help with their curiousity, neither the Judge who waited serious, or Will's lawyer, also eager to make his own questions. That's when she saw it: a soft smile across the court room, encouraging eyes that sunk into the depths of her soul.

Hannibal.

"Should I repeat the question, Miss Mallory?" Vega asked, noticing her confusion.

Just by looking at him the whole room seemed to disappear, her heartbeat paced, the breath slowed. There was this instant cure he provided her that she couldn't describe. "No." Alice shaked her head. "I can answer it."

"Please, do it."

"Will and I...were friends, that's correct." Alice nodded. "But after he joined the FBI his health started to get worse."

"Could you care to elaborate how it got worse?"

Alice found the question slightly annoying. "He seemed more distracted, lonelier, tried to push others away. The cases seemed to overwhelm him."

"But you do agree that since this 'gift' of his already made his health worse before, so he should have retired by now, not lecturing in universities or going to crime scenes."

"It did seem risky, but at the same time Will was saving lives." Once she said those words, her friend and her met glances, nostalgic, soft, and sad ones that made her whole body tremble into a feeling she didn't have since before the Minnesota episode. "I know Will Graham, and I know he did not want to put anyone in danger. Which is why he pushed me away."

"But he still insisted on seeing you a decade later."

"No, I was the one who went after him." Alice corrected. "I asked for his help with my sister's case."

"Who was murdered 4 months before."

"Yes."

"By someone with similar style to Garret Jacob Hobbs or the Chesapeake Ripper. Also cases Will Graham was involved." Vega tried to frame him.

"...That's true." Alice couldn't deny it. "But he still helped me anyway."

Realizing she still didn't win the game, Vega changed her strategy, adjusted her posture, cleared her throat. "Miss Mallory, what was your relationship with Will Graham besides your friendship?"

The question suddenly caught her off guard. Alice tried to avoid Will's curious stare, as he waited quite anxious for her answer, almost as a way to comprove what in fact they were.

She took in a deep breath.

"We were friends. Nothing else." Alice declared as she watched her friend lose color with her statement. "I cared for Will as someone from my family."

"Do you think there is the slightest possibility that he might have developed deeper feelings towards you? Romantic ones?"

"Objection!" Will's lawyer got up from his seat with a loud sentence. "The question is irrelevant to the case and embarrassing the witness speech."

"Objection denied. Miss Vega you may continue." The judge refused, allowing the promotor to continue. Will's allies were clearly frustrated with the decision.

"Did Will Graham ever show any romantic interest towards you, Miss Mallory?" She questioned again.

Alice felt pressured. Denying the truth would allow Will a chance to win the trial, being honest would allow her to probably find him responsible for her sister's murder and arrestment.

She needed to make a decision, and fast.

"...No." Alice denied, for both Hannibal and Will's surprise. "He never mentioned it to me, so I'm not aware of it."

"But there is the possibility that he did in fact feel attracted to you, and, your sister, by her protective instincts, aparted you both." Vega mamaged to twist her words, Alice closed her fists angry. "Leaded by resentment, Will Graham kills Bree Mallory and finds a way back to Alice Mallory. But at that point, his health aggravates due to the Hobbs case and his doubt of self identity." Vega made a whole point that let the whole trial thinking for a while. "Thank you for your words, Miss Mallory. That is all."

Once Vega sat back on her place, Will's lawyer, Lenoard Brauer, got up, directing himself to the center of the courtroom.

"Miss Mallory, as agent Graham's friend, do you really believe he'd be able to kill your sister, who he was also a friend for many years, only so he could get back into your life?" He opened the interrogations.

Alice didn't hesitate. "No. That isn't like him."

"So you do believe Will Graham is innocent."

"I..."

"Objection! The lawyer is inducing the witness into suppositions." Vega shouted.

"That is not the case-"

"Objection granted. Mr.Braur, rephrase your questions and do not induce the witness." The Judge spoke serious.

It was noticeable the frustration shown at the lawyer's face, but he wouldn't back off still.

"In all those years, as Will Graham's friend, have you ever seen him become violent in some aspect?"

Alice recalled Will attacking her father. The same attitude that made her expelled from college and protect his secret forever. She met Hannibal's eyes across the room, almost as he asked her to tell the truth.

But she still couldn't obey to him.

"No." Alice lied once again. "No, Will was never violent." Both the man on love with her stared surprised at the scene.

"While investigating your sister's case, did he change his stance? Became more unstable?"

"He was...stressed due to the amount of pressure and work the FBI was giving to him." As she said those words, Jack Crawford almost buried his face into the ground, but that was also a positive point to her friend's exoneration.

"So, just as Agent Crawford and Dr.Bloom affirmed, Will Graham was affected due to his working conditions, not his willing conscience." The lawyer exposed the facts. "Miss Mallory, please take a look at the man across the room." He pointed to Will. She suspended her breath as they locked glances. The soft hair strands, the thin lips and the fragile eyes she knew too well. A billion of emotions ran through her chest as the lawyer continued to speak. "Do you really think he killed your sister?"

All the evidences showed he did it. His mind showed he did it. But whenever she looked at him, whenever she rembered the past nd all the buried emotions they had..."No. I don't think he did it."

Hannibal clenched his jaw, Will almost audibly sighed. Multiple different points of view shifted after her confession, and Alice Mallory begged to her sister for forgiveness. She couldn't do that to Will. She knew that deep inside she didn't believe he did it, and she would hold onto that feeling even if the whole world standed against her.

"Thank you for your help, Miss Mallory. That is all."

And just as hard it was to enter, Alice Mallory left the room, feeling the weight of her words on her back and the future of her sister's case as well.

▫️

"You lied to them."

She rather not look at him. She felt embarrassed, ashamed to have done what she did. His disappointed expression was the last thing she wanted to see.

"I...did." Alice confessed, with her sight still glued to the floor. "I'm sorry...I...I couldn't do it."

Hannibal Lecter analyzed Alice's loyalty. It was indeed admirable, and even though she had shot Will Graham before in order to protect him, he knew that she was still taking risks for her friend. Even if that concerned her sister's honor.

"You do know that might change the final decision." He commented.

"I know." She answered, slightly worried.

"And yet you still chose to help him."

"Saying that and having the truth twisted as weapon against him felt as cheating." She told him, finally turning to face his hazel eyes. For a moment, she felt vulnerable by looking at them. Felt attacked by his words and his opinion of what she had done. "I couldn't do that to him, Hanni."

"What about your sister?"

A pause in silence was made. The sentence almost killed her inside. She wished for him to don't say that, to just stay quiet and support her decision. But he insisted, almost attempting to change her mind. And she hated that.

"Bree knows why I did that. And if I was wrong by doing so, I'm sure she'll forgive me." Alice pointed delicately. "Why?" She looked at Hannibal, slightly hostile. "Are you going to judge me as well?"

He realized his stance wasn't what she needed now. Alice was conflicted, attacked, and now all she wanted was for tyat trial to be over. He admired her strong will to keep her objectives, to protect the ones she loved, even if that meant by betrayling herself. The last thing he wanted was for her to think otherwise and stand against him.

"No, of course not, darling." He pet her hair and just by that touch, her posture relaxed, she exhaled heavily.

"What happens now?"

"They will bring one last witness. Will's lawyer decided to change his strategy due to the current murders. So this last card will be specially important to the decision."

Alice's eyes sparkled by the unclear destiny. "And who will they call?"

▫️

"Defense Calls Dr.Hannibal Lecter." Lenoard announced as the doctor stepped in, his head held high, the posture immaculate.

He swore to tell the truth as an honorable citizen and took his seat, as the defense attorney started his questions. Alice was at the back of the room, watching shy to his statement, fidgeting her fingers anxiously.

"Describe your relationship with Will Graham. " The defense attorney asked.

"I was asked by Jack Crawford to monitor Will's emotional well-being while he consulted on cases... I was never officially his psychiatrist."

"If you weren't his psychiatrist, what were you? "

Hannibal Lecter looked at the accused one. "I was meant to be Will's stability. I failed him in that."

"How did you fail?"

"I was unable to determine if Will's condition was due to mental illness or stress from his work at the FBI." He held his gaze on the agent. "My mistake was never considering his innocence. Until the murder of a bailiff from this courthouse." He looked at Jack up in the gallery, who was being watched by officers of the FBI, such as his stubborn superior, Prunell.

"How do you know this, Dr. Lecter?"

"I have been asked to consult on the case by Jack Crawford. He wanted a profile of the bailiff's killer." Hannibal informed the lawyer.

"You believe the bailiff's murder was committed by the same person guilty of Will Graham's alleged crimes?"

At this point, Marion Vega standed promptly. "Profiles aren't evidence, they're opinion. This is hearsay. "

"I'll allow it. "Judge Davis answered instead.

"Thank you, your honor." Leonard answered, bothered by Vega's interference.

"I believe there are alarming similarities in the crimes." Hannibal glanced at the judge.

"Will Graham accused you of the crimes for which he stands trial. And yet, here you are, testifying on his behalf for the defense. Just as one of the victims' sister stands as well." The attorney mentioned, Alice's met eyes with Hannibal across the room. "That must mean something to the court to consider about."

Hannibal nodded in silence. "Will rightfully couldn't accept these actions as his own. A mind faced with the possibility of committing such deeds finds an alternative reality to believe in."

"So, just as Alice Mallory established before, you don't blame him for that?"

"No." Hanninal denied. "Will Graham is and will always be my friend." He met eyes with the agent.

"Your witness." Leonard said to Vega, feeling victorious, as he took his seat.

The female lawyer got up, as she directed herself to the witness. "Dr. Lecter, what was the cause of death in the bailiff's murder?"

"A bullet to the heart." He replied right away.

"And Will Graham's victims, alleged
victims? Their cause of death?"

"Mutilation."

"That's different than a bullet." She made a point.

"No two crimes of any killer are going to be exactly the same. " He tried to change the court's mind.

"Is it common for a killer's mode of operation to be wildly divergent?"

"Not common. Not unheard of either."

Marion took a daring decision in order to prove her point of view. "Your honor, the witness's personal beliefs and biases are driving his conclusions.These are clearly two different killers, two different cases. The prejudicial impact outweighs the probative value."

Leonard Brauer fastly standed up, feeling desperate. "There is sufficient similarity to consider this defense on the issue."

But the judge wasn't on their favor. "I'm ruling this defense inadmissable, Mr. Brauer. " The judge declared. "All previous testimony on the matter will be stricken from the record."

Visible disappointment was shown in Will's side. Alice almost wanted to throw a fit for Vega's attitude on denying Hannibal's opinions.

"Thank you, your honor." Leonard said, feeling defeated.

At last, Hannibal glanced at Will, as an apology, but he denied his kindness. The only one who showed true empathy and proudness of his act, was Alice Mallory, who kindly received him with a hug once he got out of that room.

▫️

The judge was killed! Appearently by the hands of Will's admiror, delaying the process of the trial and the accusations. However, even as an act of help, it also brought more suspicions towards the agent. Notes left by the killer showing his admiration towards the agent left the team in a difficult puzzle to solve and a rush against time.

Horrified by the sudden episodes, Alice Mallory took a bold decision in secret: walked through cold and long gone aisles, guarded by security until a restrict area, a private and transparent room, where a person standed, waiting for her arrival.

Her jeans jumpers in constrast with the morbid atmosphere instantly caught his glance, as she sat across him.

"Took you long to come here." His voice invaded her ears. "I thought you'd never visit me, actually."

Alice took a deep breath, finally looking into his chestnut eyes. "I didn't think I was ready for it."

"You didn't think, or did Hannibal tell you that?" Will Graham tried to warn her, he tried to remain serious, even though he has never felt so glad to see her.

"Why do you keep assuming things about him?" She felt offended.

"Why do you keep protecting him?"

"Because he is an innocent man, Will." She retorted fiercely. "And so are you."

"That's why you did that? Lied to the courtroom? To the judge?" A pause followed his sentence. The suspense killed her inside. "Your speech could've just arrested me for Bree's murder. You know that, right?"

"I know. Which is why I didn't say the truth." She revealed, she felt an instinct to touch his hand on the cold glass that separated them...but didn't do it. "Because I believe in you."

"But still refuses to hear what I say."

"Hannibal is not a killer." She cleared it up, speaking through her teeth. "Instead of telling me what to listen, you should pay attention to what you are saying, this is...-"

"Madness?"

Alice didn't know how to reply, Will sighed, relying his back at the seat. It was weird how he missed her yet felt annoyed by how she insisted not to listen. How stubborn she was, a trace he loved and hated at the same time.

"Hannibal tried to help you in court today. He is just as stressed as all of us trying to find a solution. Why can't you see that?"

"That's what he wants you to see." He shaked his head. "You should be careful, Alice."

"I don't have anything to fear." She replied.

"You do." He nodded. "I just need to remember it." Will assured lost in his thoughts.

She glanced at the table, finding hard to continue in that room with him. Will was impossible to deal with, and no matter what she would say, he wouldn't accept it.

"Do you have any idea of who this killer might be?" She asked about the admiror.

"Whoever this is, he will reach out for me." He concluded in a somber tone "He wants to know me." Will's eyes lifted towards Alice's fragile ones, instantly breaking both their hearts. "What do you want?"

"...To protect you."