An Unexpected Visitor

Chapter 9

Doctor Lecter had decided to explore the Xavier-institute. He didn’t know what professor Xavier felt about him sneaking around amongst his students (probably he wouldn’t be very fond of the idea). But no one had forbidden Hannibal to move freely, and after many years in a small, subterranean prison cell, the freedom to move was something very important to the doctor.
He had not seen so many kids; besides Rogue he only saw a couple of others, and they ignored him as effectively as the professor had told them to do in the auditorium in the morning.
Hannibal wasn’t aware of this, of course, but he suspected that they had been given some kind of warning, since they practically fought not to notice him.
Exploring the institute was doctor Lecter’s goal, but when he took the elevator down to the lower level, he had never been able to imagine what he would find.
He realized immediately that the Xavier-institute only was a school on the outside. Whatever was conducted down here, it was not a part of the school, anyway. It rather seemed like a high-technological military compound.
Hannibal was stunned, but since he had seen so many strange things in his life, the immediate surprise faded off in a few seconds. Curiosity took over instead and he thought it would not hurt if he looked around a little.
Almost all doors were automatic, and the door-halves formed the shape of an ”X”. Most doors did not open for Hannibal Lecter - they required an identification of some kind before they opened, and he was not authorized access.
But one door was different. It actually opened when he walked toward it, and the door-halves slid apart, granting him access to the room.
Without knowing it yet, Hannibal had arrived at the Xavier-institute’s med-lab. He did not know the true purpose of the lab, but as soon as he came in, he knew he had come to a laboratory.
He recognized many of the instruments in there, since he had often worked in a laboratory himself when he was younger.
What surprised him was that there actually was someone in there. It appeared to be a woman - the person’s long, auburn hair revealed that - sitting at a table, slumped, with her head buried in her arms. A photomicroscope stood on the table in front of her.
Oops, Hannibal thought. A person. Perhaps she might tell me where I am?
He started advancing toward the woman.
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Jean snapped awake when she suddenly felt a gentle hand being placed on her shoulder. Her eyes fluttered open and she sat up with a twitch to see who had woken her up.
When she realized she was still in the med-lab, she started moaning.
- Oh, God... she sighed. What time is it...?
Then she remembered someone actually was there, who had awakened her, and she turned around to see who it was.
- The time is five past four, P.M., a calm, melodic, unfamiliar voice responded. You look tired, dear. Perhaps you should consider going up to have some rest? the voice suggested.
Jean looked at doctor Lecter. She had not met him before, but she had heard briefly about his arrival yesterday. But all Jean knew was that a ”guest” had arrived to stay for a couple of days. Not who the ”guest” really was.
- Oh Jesus... you scared me... she muttered.
- I am sorry. But I figured you might help me by telling me where I am, because I happen to be lost, the doctor replied.
- You... came here yesterday, didn’t you? Jean asked when she had cleared up a bit. With Magneto?
- Yes, that is right. With Erik.
- You... I do not believe you’re supposed to be down here. How did you get here? she asked carefully.
- I only took the elevator down, said Hannibal with a shrug. What is this place? Are you conducting secret, medical experiments down here? Like a subterranean ”Island of Doctor Moreau”?
He said it as a joke, but Jean was either too tired or too shocked to understand the joke.
- No, she replied shortly. We are not conducting medical experiments here. This is just the Xavier-institute’s medical laboratory.
Hannibal smiled. - No offence. Then it was just as I thought. Tell me, do you work here? For professor Xavier?
- Yes and no. I was one of Charles’ first students, and now I primary work here to teach the younger students. I am not an employee, but I live here, Jean explained. My name is Jean Grey. And yours?
- Me? Don’t you know who I am?
Jfrowfrowned confusedly. - What? No. I’ve never seen you before. How would I know? she said.
- Have you not spoken with the professor?
- I have been down here since yesterday. I haven’t had any time to speak with him. Scott just came down here yesterday to tell me that Erik had arrived, and that he had someone with him. He didn’t tell me your name. Are you one of Erik’s friends?
- Not really, doctor Lecter replied. I met him yesterday. The circumstances were not the nicest. But I do like Erik. He was civil to me. I hurt him, and still he wanted to help me.
Jean’s eyes widened in surprise. - You hurt him? What? Why? What happened? How did you meet?
- That is a long story, said Hannibal, smiling. We can have that later.
- You didn’t tell me who you are, Jean reminded him.
- If I tell you, you might believe something terrible about me.
- Come on, try me. If the professor let you stay, you can’t be that bad. I trust him. He doesn’t let just anyone in.
- He doesn’t like having me here, in spite that I gave him my word not to harm anybody. I am surprised he let me stay in the first place. He gave me three days.
- Why? Are you a criminal? Jean asked hesitantly.
- Yes.
- Have you escaped?
- Yes.
- What were you convicted of? Murder?
- Yes.
Jean did nothing drastic, but her attitude instantly became watchful and suspicious. But if Charles had allowed this man to stay, it must mean that he trusted him, at least to a certain extent.
- What is your name? she asked. If you won’t tell me, I can find it out by reading your thoughts. I am a telepath.
- Was that a threat, miss Grey? asked Hannibal amusedly.
- No... a mere fact. I want to know who you are. So tell me now.
- My name is Hannibal Lecter. Probably you have heard about me. Most people have.
Jean’s face went dark and her mouth became a straight line.
- Yes, she said in a hollow voice. I have heard about you.
- Are you afraid of me? doctor Lecter asked.
- Should I be?
- I don’t know. Should you be?
- If you promised professor Xavier, he would have known if you lied, Jean said. He must have scanned you.
Hannibal shrugged his shoulders. - I know nothing about that. But I assure you that you have no need to be frightened. I get violent only when I need to.
- Doctor Lecter, Jean said slowly, I know you’re not supposed to be down here. Can you please go back up? I have to work.
- Work? the doctor said. I would not advise you to work right now. You don’t look very well. You should come up and rest.
- Thank you for your concern, but I’m fine. I have to... uh... continue my research...
- What are you researching? Hannibal asked, interested. It seems to be something important, if you don’t have time to rest.
- It *is* important. I am trying to find a cure for Rogue’s mutation. Rogue is---
Doctor Lecter silenced her by holding his hand up. - I know who Rogue is, and what her problem is. I met her this morning. A very sweet girl. I feel sorry for her.
Jean sighed, and massaged her weary temples with her fingertips. This peculiar man distracted her, and she could not start thinking properly - or working - before he left.
- Yes, she is, she answered him. That is why I work so hard on her cure. I can see how that curse poisons her life. I care a lot about Rogue, and I wish her to be happy. This is her only chance ever to become that.
- What is your education, Jean? Have you produced drugs before?
- I am an M.D, Jean replied. I have studied biochemistry, and yes, I have manufactured a similar drug before. Why?
- For how long have you been working on this? Hannibal asked.
- Five months, soon.
- Any progress?
- Not lately. Something is wrong, but I just don’t seem able to figure out what it is.
- What is the problem?
- The drug makes her sick. She can’t take it.
Doctor Lecter was quiet for a while. Then he surprised Jean a lot by suddenly saying,
- I am also an M.D, and I have a long experience of this types of problems. Perhaps I might be of assistance? Could I see your research findings?
Jean only stared. She couldn’t find any words.
- You have taken down notes about your progresses, haven’t you? he asked.
- Yes, but...
- Could I see them? Please? I might be able to see what you have missed.
- Doctor Lecter, I...
- For Marie’s sake. I am only going to look.
Jean still had trouble realizing what he was asking for. Why was this man, a feared serial killer and psychopath, so anxious to help her? And to help Rogue?
Could this be the Hannibal Lecter, who everyone described as a cold and calculating monster?
- Yes, I’ll get them at once, Jean said at last. Wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.
She returned with a large pile of papers, both computer prints and handwritten notes. She placed the whole heap on the table before him.
- That is all, she said. Five months of work. It might take some time to go through it all.
- Thank you very much, Jean, said doctor Lecter. I will glance through your research findings. It might take a while, as you said. You might want to rest during the time? I will let you know if I find anything.
- Thanks, but I think I’ll remain here.
She still didn’t feel safe enough to leave him alone in the med-lab.
- Take your time. I’ll be over here.
Jean walked over to her desk, which stood in the other end of the room. She sat down and poured some coffee for herself from a thermos she had brought down with her. It was still lukewarm.
- Would you like some? she asked the doctor, showing him the thermos.
- No, thank you, the doctor smiled. I’m okay. Now, let’s see...
Doctor Lecter placed the pile of notes on his lap and started studying Jean’s research findings with great accuracy and patience.
For long he sat there, quiet and lost in thought, with his thumb under his chin and index finger against his nose. Sometimes he nodded to himself, and sometimes he shook his head.
Several hours later, when he had somewhat glanced through the pile of notes, he spoke again.
- Jean, he said imploringly. I believe I know what the problem is.