A/N: Ok so for all of those who have read my Hannibal fanfics I would like to say thank you. I hope you like this story, and it is definitely a little test run. The setting of this is two months after the ending of the movie Hannibal and he still has both of his hands because I am using the alternate ending (it just helps me with the storyline). I own nothing and please enjoy and review so I know how to better my writing.

Kanan

For Clarice Starling, time seemed to stop for the next couple of months after the events at Paul Krendler's place. The interrogations were getting dry and many questions were repeated again. It was always the same:

"What exactly happened at Mason Verger's farm?"

"Why did you go after Hannibal Lecter?"

"What happened at Paul Krendler's house?"

To these questions she always replied:

"I went to save Dr. Hannibal Lecter from the revenge driven Mason Verger."

"I don't know...I couldn't see him die like that."

"He got away."

She never wanted to reveal the kiss or that she let him go that night. But what could she do? She slept better at night knowing that he was still somewhere out there safe rather than in the stomach of a hog. Was that honestly wrong? The FBI decided that they would let her back on, but she was reduced to all the grunt work and paperwork herself. She was kept under constant watch for the first two months. She did not like being followed like that but they said it was for her protection. Clarice thought to herself, Bullshit you are just after Dr. Lecter. I am nothing more than bait you dangle so helplessly. But he didn't hurt me, he never tried. Why did I let him go? Do I really like him? She was in her car on the way home. She was actually relieved that today was the first day that she wasn't being watched. No bugs, no cameras, and no one tailing her as she drove home. Her car pulled up gray paved road and cut the engine. She grabbed her purse and the other effects from the event two months ago that they finally let her have. The bags were heavy but she managed to get them inside. The house was dark on the inside. She didn't do much but flip on one lamp light and lay down in her chair. She placed her face in her hands and gave a sigh. She was tired, tired of waiting, and the case she was on was difficult. Although what was on her mind was most certainly not the new case. She wasn't being watched, and she could review the nights at Krendler's place in peace. Seeing Paul Krendler like that made her feel free. All her troubles had been personified in that awful man and he was gone, but she was frightened by his death. She would never kill him herself, but this feeling of relief scared her a little. She lifted her face from her hands and pulled out her gun. She stood up from the chair and placed it down on the table in front of her. She then pulled out her cell phone and badge. They were all on the table side by side. She looked around the dimly lit room for a minute.

"You can finally speak to me now. They ended their surveillance today, and I am guessing you all ready knew that."

"Clever girl, how did you know I would be here? And don't say guess when you know something to be true."

She turned behind her where she heard the voice and stepping out from behind the doorway was Hannibal Lecter.

"I have left that lamplight on every night even when I go out. Kind of a signal so I would know if you ever came back."

"Good. I believe you and I have some discussing left unfinished. And I can tell you want to do the same since you have disarmed yourself."

"There is no need for any of these things Dr. Lecter. You would never hurt me. I learned that at Krendler's place."

He approached her slowly pulling out his blade and bringing it to her cheek then slowly down to her neck. "There you go jumping to conclusions again my dear," he smiled, "And again you are right." He put the blade down next to Clarice's gun. This was symbolic for the both of them. They have given up their only protection and Clarice has discarded her FBI self.

"Clarice, I would like to start off this conversation by saying thank you."

They were standing just a few inches from one another and she took another step closer.

"I would like to say thank you, too. As much as I dislike killing I cannot say I am mourning the death of Paul Krendler."

This surprised him a little, "He was a despicable man, and he deserved it."

"When I read your case file it seemed that you didn't mind dispatching of those kinds of people. The 'free ranged rude'."

"I see you have spoken with Barney. And it seems you aren't too different in thinking. After all, you did kill to save a monster, didn't you?"

"No."

At this he arched an eyebrow, "No?"

"No, I saved Hannibal Lecter."

He smiled at this, "I appreciate that Clarice not many people dare make that comparison. But I think we have just been stating facts this whole entire time without getting any answers. And there is an answer I have waited to hear these past two months."

"Which is?"

"Why did you save me knowing the consequences?"

She looked into his eyes and started to take a step back. She was hesitating just a little and he could tell she was just trying to make up an answer to please him.

"Do not lie Clarice or I'll know."

Her face was like stone after that, "I don't know."

At this he was a little irritated, "Clarice I want the truth. I am tired of waiting."

"What does it matter? I don't know alright."

"It matters to me, Clarice. And it does matter a great deal to you, too. I think you are scared of what you might say. Are you afraid?"

"Of what?"

"Of your answer."

He stepped forward and she stepped back.

"Or maybe I am mistaken, and it is me you are frightened of."

Clarice smirked, "I already told you I am not afraid of you. On the contrary I think you are a little uneasy of me. Because you don't know what I'll do, or if I will call the police or not."

The irritation was apparent in his voice, "Now you are just avoiding the original question, Clarice. And don't think I would hesitate to-"

She snapped back with sarcasm, "Hesitate to what kill me?"

He started to step toward her again and she stepped right back into the wall.

She was angry, "I am the one who saved you, and I know you would not hurt me so don't you dare think threatening me is an option because you wouldn't dare-"

"Then tell me why Clarice!"

"Because I didn't want to see you die alright! I care about you too much to let that happen ok!"

Her voice was almost at a yell. She couldn't believe she had said that. But it felt good to finally let it all out. She looked up at his face and even he was a little surprised. He stared at her with contemplating eyes and said, "You are right. I don't think I will ever be able to predict you." He brushed the few strands of her dangling in front of her face off to the side. He started to bring his lips down to hers but then stopped and looked at her face again. Her breathing was a little heavier. He stepped back away from her and said, "Goodbye."

She wasn't sure what to do, but she knew that wasn't the way to end this night. She grabbed his hand and turned his face to hers. "Funny, you can bring yourself to eat people but not to give me another kiss, huh?" She was challenging him now, and this surprised him even more. He simply brought his lips closer to hers and she closed the rest of the distance. The kiss was long and passionate. Something both had been waiting the two months for.