slightlyoffchilt | - IC CONTACT POST FOR MASKORMENACE -

Call it a kidnapping, then. Call it me forcing you against your will.

[ Walt, frustrated by the fact that he's helpless here, can only offer that as an out. ]

People know you treat the mentally ill, so would it really be a shock if one of them has up and taken you somewhere?

[ He didn't like the thought of Chilton continuing his routine. He didn't like the thought of Chilton being so easily found at this point in time. Until Walt could figure out Hannibal, he wanted Chilton under his protection. And maybe...maybe if kidnapping him was the only way... ]

I imagine Will's going to be his primary focus. Especially considering he called out for him by name.

[There's another deep breath, another nod]

I understand, Doctor. If possible, though, I would like to save that discussion for our next session. I...

[He swallows a lump in his throat, and straightens up]

I have much to think about.

[A gift is sent to Chilton's office on Monday morning. A black wooden box with golden hinges containing a Laphroaig 25 Year Old within. There's only a small square of white card attached, handwritten in a lazy scrawl that simply says:]

It could be worse. - Jeff

If I say that you kidnapped me, then our whole Heisenberg operation will be under strict scrutiny. And -- frankly -- I'm not sure my reputation could suffer me getting kidnapped by a patient. Again.

[It had happened a few times before, with two different patients.]

In fact, that's rather humiliating to consider and -- [A beat.] Actually. I don't wish to discuss it. We will simply have to wait for Hannibal to make his first move.

[ What? What!! ]

I don't accept that!!

[ There was something desperate edging his voice. Something frantic. It was the panic that often pushed Walt to do something out of desperation -- something that was often times drastic. ]

What if his first move is murder?

It won't be -- not against me. With Will Graham's household, well. [A light shrug.] That would be unfortunate, and a little clumsy in my opinion. I doubt Lecter would engage so obviously. Eventually, yes --

[It was interesting to consider. Chilton was able to secure his emotions better, when taking a step back, when engaging the analytical circumstance.]

-- but not initially. He would rather have Will surrender them. A sacrifice to his god.

But then what about you? Once all of that is over, what happens to you? Where do you fall on his list? Obviously somewhere that he decides to give you a 'fate worse than death.' And what if he tries to do that here?

You need defenses. You need poisons. You need a gun. And maybe even a bomb. You need me.

[ If he ever were ported in.... ]

He is going to be ported in.

[ Her brows furrowed. ]

I'm not lying about that, Frederick. Wasn't what happened at the August Swear In proof of my ability?

I know, I know, darling.

[He kissed her cheek again, her chin, working his way down her neck.]

You have foresight. Remarkable foresight. You are right. Just -- right now, perhaps, could we not discuss Hannibal Lecter? He is something of a mood killer.

You're going to have to address it. Sooner rather than later. When the porter activates, which it's slated to do any day now, he's going to show up.

[ But in spite of her insistence, Raina did cave to the comforting kisses tracing along her neck. She closed her eyes and leaned in against him. ]

We're revisiting this topic in the morning.

In the morning -- yes, dear, of course.

[At that point, Chilton would have agreed to most anything, given the mood he maintained. Tenderly, he slipped his hand back into hers, and rose to his feet hoping to lead Raina to the bedroom.]

Of course, Miles, of course. Please, take as much time as you need to cognitively process this circumstance.

[Chilton rose to his feet, his palms exposed and spread apart.]

As long as you need only a week. I wouldn't want too long a gap between our preliminary and the next session, after all.

I was thinking the same thing, actually.

[And Edgeworth takes this opportunity to stand up, stretching his back automatically. God, he's stiff. Is that chair made of padded granite or something?]

When is your next opening, Doctor?

How do Wednesdays look to you? Not too hazardous, I hope.

[Chilton observed Edgeworth's stretching, keeping his own smile subtle and subdued. Always paid to have that little trick.]

We could do something in the afternoon.

I'll have to doublecheck my schedule, but it should be fine. On the off chance that I can't make it in the afternoon, though, would it be possible to see you in the evening? Just in case.

I need you?

[The psychiatrist let that sizzle in the air, that willing acknowledgement of Walt's overt manipulation. Fear mongering, in a way; creating a desperation to swirl within Chilton's mind.]

Walt, while I do appreciate your concern, I am going to play my hand with caution. I'm not eager to court his disdain, and I have defenses. I have your poisons, I have a gun.

Do you not trust me to use them correctly?

It's not that. I just. I just want...

...you to rely on me. It's really all I...

[ Ever wanted went the unspoken. Walt couldn't finish the thought. It seemed a bit too honest, a bit too open.

Walt needed something that he felt he was protecting in order to feel worth anything. And he wanted that something to look to him for that protection for his ego as much as it was for his one final link to humanity. If Walter White was a savior of some kind, if he cared and had emotions -- then he couldn't truly be evil, could he? ]

You don't have to be proud right now, Chilton. If you're afraid, let me do something.

Particularly funny, considering I still recall our apocalyptic Horsemen days.

I don't.

It would unwise for someone in my position not to be afraid of Hannibal Lecter.

[But Chilton's focus, hazy from the emotional chaos that Hannibal so easily wrought, started its journey to purify. Clarify. And that phrase cycled back, echoing in Chilton's mind, that phrase that Walt had uttered with such passion.

I will not let anyone touch my things.

His things. Of which Chilton was in collection. It seemed that, quite suddenly, the psychiatrist found himself in either doubled danger or ample opportunity -- depending on how deftly he could spin the situation.]

I do. Rely on you. I am doing so now, as we speak, I'm committing a willing engagement in codependency. But I also depend on you to trust my judgement when it comes to Lecter. He will target Will Graham and those most associated with him.

And I have already discontinued my sessions with Graham.

[ It appeased him to hear those words. More than that, it lifted the tightness away from his chest -- the tightness of anxiety, of imagining Chilton doing this all on his own and failing. The anxiety of watching Gus take Jesse away from him the way Hannibal may be able to take Chilton. The fear of losing Chilton -- to death or worse. ]

I do trust you. He's your enemy. He's from your world. You know him best. But you have more at your disposal than you had back home. And that's what I want you to understand.

[ He might have elaborated except then he heard the most delightful news of all. ]

It's for the best. You don't want to be dragged down alongside him. This will protect you in the long run. It was a great tactic, Chilton.

[ And it freed up Chilton's Saturdays now, Walt wanted to say -- but refrained. It was a little too self-celebratory, but hell. He was thinking it. ]

Jeff? I got your gift. Incredibly thoughtful.

Time to get your head checked, Jeff. I know a good doctor.

That is not particularly reassuring.

Evening -- ah, evening. I am sure I can manage that circumstance, yes. [Raina might not be pleased, but she could understand the quells and demands of work.] After all, accommodation is a priority.

Edited 2015-09-15 04:11 (UTC)

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