Copyright: The characters of Hannibal Lector, Clarice Starling, Jack Crawford, Ardelia Mapp etc. are owned by Thomas Harris. I only borrowed them to tell a story. No infringement was intended.

Copyright 2000 by Mythe. All rights reserved.

This story is set during 'Hannibal'.

Spent casings, blood, gore and brain matter, splattered the area surrounding Brigham's lifeless body. There's so much blood… I awoke suddenly from my flashback and realized that I had fallen asleep in the comfy recliner of mine. "Damn…" I grumbled, stretching my sore muscles that I overworked earlier that morning. Should've stopped at the fourth mile…

"RING…RING!!"

I leaned over and picked up the cordless phone, "Starling here."

"Hello, Agent Starling…" the polite female greeted back, "My name's Rachel Delvos. I'm a reporter from the Tattler-"

I abruptly hung the phone up on her, "How the hell did they get my number?" I slowly climbed out of my comfy chair, moved into the kitchen and grabbed a bottled water from the frig. Twisted the lid off and took a large gulp from it, quenching my thirst momentarily. My thoughts focused on that bastard Krendler and how he's behind the tarnishing of my career. All THIS crap…just because I turned the weasel down. "Eww!" I voiced, as my skin crawled at the thought of his hands upon me. "NASTY!" I muttered and downed the water. I tossed the empty bottle into the recycle bin, grabbed a Heineken and popped the top. I slid the sliding door open and stepped onto our patio with a beer in one hand and the cordless in the other.

I felt the cool air caressing my body, perking my nipples up through the gray sports bra. I casually glanced down at myself and realized that I was wearing my matching pair of silk kick boxing shorts. Hummm…I bet the photographers are lovin this. "Mrs. Lector reveals all!" I chuckled and plopped myself onto the folding lawn chair. "Who cares…" I sighed, taking a small sip from my beer. Mrs. Lector…humm…has a nice ring to it. I playfully slap myself in the head. "What the hell am I thinking?" I voiced aloud, "I guess I really do need a vacation."

"RING…RING!!"

I answered the phone with a sigh, "Starling here."

"Good evening Clarice," Lector greeted warmly.

My eyes widened and I uttered, "Dr. Lector?"

"And I thought we were past the formalities, my dear."

"All right…Hannibal," I said then, took a large swig from my beer.

"You're too hard on yourself," he expressed, "Think of this time as a much needed vacation."

"What are you my shrink now?" I retorted, harshly. Oops…damn…

"I see there's a bit of hostility within, Clarice."

"Sorry, Hannibal…" I apologized and took a large swig from my beer.

"I'm afraid that you couldn't afford my fee, my dear."

"True…"

"Love your new Mustang…it's much better than that god awful Pinto."

"Thank you," I said, smiling. A thought of tracing this call formed then, abruptly disappeared. Who cares? Everyone seems to be against me anyway, besides Lector seems to be my only so-called friend as to date. Lets not go into the numerous dates that I've been on since…hellish I might add. "So, Hannibal…what's a busy man such as yourself doing talking to a suspended FBI agent?"

"I hope you're not going to try and trace this-"

"Nope…" I shrugged, "Why should I?"

"My…my Clarice," Hannibal grinned, "A realization of the truth…I see."

"Thanks for the heartening letter," I thanked, "You were right…I needed to see it in another prospective." I lifted the half full bottle to my lips and finished it in two gulps, enjoying the sweet taste of it.

"Does that import really quench you're thirst?"

I sat up abruptly and scanned the area around me. Duplex's and apartment complexes surrounded my view, while numerous parked cars sit vacant in their perspective lots. Aww…hell, this is like looking for a needle in a haystack. "Hannibal, I'm surprised that you'd risk your freedom for a glance at me," I spoke up, "I seem to be plastered in the papers and all."

"My dear, it's not the same and you know it."

"Maybe…" I smirked and leaned back in my chair once more.

"Time has been good to you Clarice," Hannibal enlightened, "Keeping your body fit…adds to your inner beauty my dear."

I casually glanced down at myself and finally taking in the sight of my tight washboard abs, my sculpted thighs and biceps, almost for the first time. Yep, I look good…good enough to eat. I might add. "Well, a girl must keep herself up-"

"A lady," he interrupted.

I grin and correct myself, "A lady, then."

"Tell me Clarice…" Hannibal paused a moment and continued, "Do you feel a burning within you that you can't extinguish? Does your body hunger for someone in particular? In your dreams, has a mysterious lover appeared and relieved you of all your fears and hungers? Can this person be none other than our mutual friend Agent Crawford?"

I was silenced at all his questions and responded quickly without thinking, "Yes, yes, yes and hell NO. Crawford doesn't deserve my time in any aspects of it. He's just like everyone else at this moment in time."

"Why is that?"

"He's not himself anymore and is just biding his time for his unfortunate forced retirement," I informed honestly.

"You're still as frank as ever my dear," Hannibal grinned and probed further, "Have you missed our little conversations?"

"Yes."

"Do you miss me?"

I glanced into the clear sky and nodded, "Yes it do, Hannibal. Can I be honest?"

"But of course, Clarice."

"I've never met anyone so interesting and intellectual as you are," I revealed, "Something about it…makes me feel so comfortable around you. I know it sounds strange, coming from a FBI agent to an individual on the FBI's most wanted." I chuckled, realizing that I haven't done so in a long time, let alone twice in one day.

"Your smile warms my heart, Clarice…" he expressed, "You need to do it more often, my dear. It really does soothe the soul."

I felt flushed and a blush grew at his sweet compliment. The inner hunger that I tried unsuccessfully to extinguish grew within me, burning me with its furious presence. Not now…

"A flustered warrior…what would the world think now?" he taunted, smirking mischievously. "You've revealed so many emotions in a short amount of time, Clarice and all with me I might add. I'm honored to be part of your life Clarice and I hope that we might be able to continue with this conversation at a later date."

"Soon I hope," I added, hopefully.

"I promise, my warrior…" Hannibal affirmed and enlightened, "Mrs. Lector suits you, my dear." He then abruptly hung the phone up.

"What?" I uttered, sitting up and silently listened to the damned dial tone. "How did he…"

"SQUEAK..squeak..SQUEAK.squeek..SQUEAK!!" a rhythmic bouncing of an ancient iron bed.

"Give it to DADDY!!!" an unfamiliar male voiced urged on.

"OOOOHHHHH GODDDDDDD!!!!" the loud moans of Ardelia, as she reached her peak.

I removed the pillow that covered my head and threw it against the thin wall we shared. The goose filled pillow bounced off the wall and silently dropped to the ground. So much for sleeping tonight… "Three times," I grumbled and sat up, rubbing the lack of sleep from my eyes. I glanced over at my clock, which read '2:35am'. I grabbed my sports bra and threw it on underneath my jersey nightshirt. My gray shorts were on the floor, climbed into them, quickly put my socks on and finally my canvas tactical Police boots. Maybe if I workout a bit…take a nice bike ride. "I've got nothing to lose…" I grumbled, grabbed my holstered .45 and attached to the waistband of my shorts, behind me. Just in case… I tossed my lucky ball cap over my bed head, reversing it like I always do.

I moved into the kitchen, grabbed a cold bottle of water and made my way towards the door. I turned to face our hanging mountain bikes. Each bike had been suspended from two large hooks, which were drilled into our ceiling. I did it all by my little old self. That tool belt really does come in handy at times. The annoying squeaking of the bed started back up once again, as I closed the door behind me.

A gentle breeze blew over my body, as I climbed onto my bike and peddled off. The moon was full and it had a hazy ring around it. I remembered that the weatherman was talking about it earlier this evening. After a mile into my ride, I realized that I had reached the local hiking trail. I halted at the edge and took a large swig from my water. I glanced down the dirt path that sloped further into the forest. The moon's rays shone through the trees above, lighting the path before me. A mischievous smirk formed upon my face as I entered the shadowy realm.

I finally came upon the second rest point and decided to take break. I climbed off my bike and parked it. I grabbed my water, plopped myself down next to a large oak and casually leaned against it. Lifted the bottle to my lips and took a much need sip. Letting my muscles relax for a bit, before I head back home. I closed my eyes for a moment, releasing all the negative energies that I held in and freed them. A small smile formed upon my face, as I felt a weight left off my shoulders.

"Good morning Clarice," a familiar voice greeted from the shadows.

I turned to his voice, "Hannibal?"

"My-my…YOU should be in bed, my dear."

"I couldn't sleep," I replied, leaning my head back.

Hannibal stepped out from the shadows, wearing a black Armani suit and a matching trench coat folded over one arm. He removed his Fedora, revealing his recently dyed black hair that was slicked back. "Are the lambs keeping you awake, Clarice?"

"Yes…" I nodded and muttered, "and no."

"Can you be anymore cryptic my dear?"

"Do you usually hang out in the woods at 3am in the morning?" I retorted and pointed out, "Especially in an Armani?"

"Tisk…tisk…tisk," Hannibal voiced, spreading his jacket over the wooden bench and casually sat down. "Clarice, one should always take the time to look good. No matter the time of the day it is," he enlightened, "Besides, I could say something about your tomboyish wardrobe…but I won't my dear."

I lifted my head at his comment and grinned back a reply. "Point taken," I agreed, "I left because Ardelia and her new…" made quotations in the air, "boyfriend were making too much noise."

"I see…and are you jealous of them Clarice?" he inquired, as his eyes focused on me.

"Yes…" I sighed, removing my hat and placed it on my knee.

"H. Jackson Browne once said, Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people's bad manners."

I ran my fingers nervously through my hair and sighed.

"Does this mysterious savoir of yours have a face?"

I nodded and offered my water to him, "Wottor?"

"Water," he corrected and pointed out, "Your tiresome West Virginia accent is showing through my dear."

"Forgive me Doctor…" I rebutted harshly and abruptly climbed to my feet. "Si mon héritage de hick vous offense, (If my hick heritage offends you)" I remarked in perfect French and moved over to my bike.

"Fluent in French, I'm impressed Clarice…" Hannibal spoke up, "Parlez-vous de autres langages? (Do you speak any other languages?)"

"Yes," I nodded, "Posso parlare un bit piccolo di italiano e di Spagnoli (I can speak a little bit of Italian and Spanish)."

"Molto buono, (very good)" he whispered into my ear, "You haven't responded to my question, Clarice."

Suddenly, I could feel the warmth of his body near mine. The breath of his soft voice caressed my ear as he spoke. My loins came to life and the fiery heat flustered me once more. His familiar fragrance of 'Vetivera di Amoro' threw my control out the window. I finally spoke up, "It's you."

"Thank you, Clarice."

Hannibal's arm wrapped around my waist and his right hand gently guided my head towards his. He lowered his head and our lips met for the first time. The kiss was so soft and so very gentle. His tongue slowly passed my lips, in search of its partner. Our tongues began the intimate dance and grew in intensity with each passing moment.

"ARF..ARF..ARF..ARF!!!" as the sound of a dog's insistent barking broke the silence.

Turning to the annoying intruder, "What the…" I noticed the mutt heading this way, followed by its jogging owner. "Damn…" I muttered and turned back around, "Hannibal-" I started to say, but he was gone. I quickly scanned the area around me to no avail, as a sly smirk formed upon my face. I'll be damned… I quickly fixed my hat, climbed onto my bike and proceeded back up the path.

FLASH OF LIGHT

"I can't believe this shit…" I grumbled, spun around and fired back at my hidden assailant. A dull pain in the center of my back throbbed as an eerie darkness enveloped me. I dropped unceremoniously to the ground, releasing my prized weapon as I fell into unconsciousness. DAMNIT…damnit…no.

"Don't worry Clarice…" Hannibal whispered, "Your safe now."

FLASH OF LIGHT

I'm lounging in a comfy bed as I slowly opened my eyes. I tried to no avail to move my arms, but they were bound to the posts of the bed. I could feel the silky touch of silk upon my body and confirmed it with a quick glance down. The forest green pajama top that I wore looked great on me as a smile inadvertently grew upon my heated face. Always wanted silk…but never really got around to buying any. "Nice…"

"Clarice," Hannibal's gentle voice called out to me, "I need you to focus your attention on this light."

"Huh?" I muttered, trying to focus on the large black blob in front of me. "Sure, Doctor…" I drawled in my hic accent.

He flashed a pin light into my eyes and moved it from side to side. "Very good, Clarice…" Hannibal assured and, "The antidote is working perfectly." He quickly untied my bindings that held my arms in place and instantly removed the IV from my right arm. "I didn't want you to rip this out by accident."

"Ahhh…okay," I mouthed, feeling an overwhelmingly high at the moment and so very carefree. I chuckled at the moving blob that is Hannibal, "Dark blob…why? What's wrong-"

Hannibal stepped back and sat back down in his chair, "It's just the residual effects of the drugs, Clarice. Other then that you've sustained a few bruises, which by the way are all healing nicely."

My bladder roared to me as I slowly sat up, "Need to use…the bathroom." I quickly climbed to my feet without a second thought. My unexpected weight upon them, gave way. I was about to drop to the ground like a bag of potatoes, when a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around my waist.

"Clarice!" Hannibal called out as he instantly caught me. He protectively brought me into his body and whispered, "My dear, you need to be more careful."

"Sorry," I said, wrapping my arm around his neck and gave it a squeeze. "Hannibal, can you help me?"

"Of course, my dear…" he acknowledged, leading me into the bathroom.

My Doctor helped me to the toilet and quickly released the pent-up dam that I held for far too long. Did I just say my Doctor? What am I thinking… I instinctively pulled up my bikini panties and realized that I wore no pants. "Alrightie then…" I shrugged as I leaned against the sink to wash my hands and once again found myself enveloped by the darkness.

There are two kinds of light--the glow that illuminates, and the glare that obscures. -James Thurber. It's funny what one thinks at times like these. Without warning, a bright light blinded me and a physically pulled me from the darkness that surrounded me. A weight was on top of me, my mind fuzzy and cloudy as I took in my surroundings.

"Clarice, my love…" Hannibal whispered into my ear, between breathes and thrusts.

I could feel his engorged member filling my loins with each thrust. GODS…what the- My thoughts left me as fast as they had came. My body fell into the primal urge that I had secretly longed for some time now. For the first time in my life I felt complete…whole. I focused into the maroon eyes of Hannibal and found the love that I had been questing for so long. With that I guided him to me…I needed to taste his lips upon mine. At that very moment with our lips making contact, we both reached our peaks. He let himself go and released his hot semen, filling me with his seed.

"I love you Clarice," he proclaimed between ragged breaths, as he held me close to him.

"Oh, Hannibal…" I whispered out, as the final waves of our climax faded. I finally felt safe for the first time in a long while. I held him close, not wanting this moment to end, as the fuzziness once again overwhelmed my mind.

"Clarice…" he called out.

I tried to focus on warm body of Hannibal as I slipped into the darkness once again.

"Clarice."

"Huh?" I murmured, slowly waking from the darkness.

"Clarice, are you alright?" Hannibal inquired, feeling my forehead with the back of his hand. "You seem a bit flush, dear."

My eyes focused on the blue-green ocean that was as far as the eye could see. I lowered my sunglasses and glanced over at my inquisitor, "Yeah, I had a weird dream that's all."

I soon realized that we were lounging under a large umbrella on a secluded part of a gorgeous beach. "This is heavenly," I purred, feeling the gentle breeze upon my skin. I glanced down at the sexy emerald bikini that hugged my body perfectly.

"Care for something to cold to drink, love?"

"That would be nice Hannibal," I said, flashing him a reassuring smile and removed my sunglasses. Where am I? He was wearing a pair of gray swim trunks and dark sunglasses. His tanned, buffed chest heated my loins once again as a sly grin formed upon his face.

He pulled out a cold bottle of water from the cooler between us and held it out for me to take, "Care for anything else, my dear?"

Flustered by his velvety voice and abruptly spoke up, "I have a few thoughts in mind, sweetheart…but a quick swim shall do for now." Where did this come from? I shoved the inquisitive questions from my mind and took a large swig from the bottle then, sat it upon the cooler.

"Very well," he nodded, "Love, I have one request."

I sat up to face him, "Sure, Hannibal…what is it?"

"May I have a taste from your sweet lips, my dear?"

"But of course," I responded and quickly straddled his lap and gently laid him back in his chair. I caressed his firm chest, running my fingers through his graying chest hairs and pressing myself against him. I removed his sunglasses and moistened my lips before I placed them upon his. Our tongues greeted each other and began their quest for domination. Our kiss grew passionate, as I felt his member growing against me. "My…my Hannibal, I believe that you have other things on your agenda…" I teased, climbing off him and sauntered towards the awaiting ocean. "If you need me," I taunted over my shoulder, "I'll be having fun…" I was suddenly, picked up from behind and gently carried into cool water.

"Not without me, Clarice…" Hannibal purred, kissing me gently on the forehead. "Love, you own the other half of my soul and I yours."

Any questions that tried to interrupt this intimate moment were abruptly extinguished as my heart ached for this man that lovingly held me in his arms. "I love you Hannibal," I expressed, staring into the loving eyes of my soul mate. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he carried me into the water.

"My dear Clarice, I shall forever love you…" he decreed and lowered his voice, "By the way, Clarice you still owe me a taste of your heavenly nectar." A mischievous smirk formed upon Hannibal's face as his eyes focused on mine.

My brow rose as I finally realized what he was saying. "Oooo…Hannibal!" I chuckled, "What am I going to do with you?"

"Love me forever."

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