Disclaimer: Everything in here belongs to Thomas Harris

What the Heart Wants

Prologue

Clarice Starling knocked on the door. She'd finally found the house that old miss Lidman had lived in, and she was impatiently waiting for the new owner to show himself. She vaguely wondered why the frontlawn hadn't been moved as she knocked again. Actually, she thought, it seemed that the house wasn't at all that well kept. With hesitating steps, she walked around the house, stopping in front of the kitchen window. Her breath left moist on the window glass and she managed to wipe a small cirkel clean so she could look through it. Paying little mind to her sleeve that she'd never be able to get clean again, she peeked through the glass.

It was a very grey day and little light found its way into the house, but Clarice could still make out the scene in front of her. It was a very messy kitchen with dirty dishes clustering the table and old pots and pans that looked like they hadn't been cleaned since the day they'd been bought, but something was way off. The room was simply too messy; a broken chair could be seen laying by the door with one of its legs missing, the small kitchen table had been thrown across the room and the table surface was broken in two as if someone had landed on it. And someone had. A man was laying motionless between the two pieces of table and a few inches from his outstretched hand, was the missing chair leg. Clarice felt her mouth go dry as she noticed the blood.

With a swift movement, she drew her gun and starter moving. Her heart was racing, making her palms sweaty. She knew she was trembling by the time she reached the door. Take a deep breath Starling, she thought. A moments hesitation and she kicked the door open. Andrenaline was surging through her ears and she hardly noticed the silence that greeted her as she ran forward, gun outstretched in front of her. Her mind picked up the sewing equipment that clustered the room and with a growing feeling of dread, she entered the kitchen. Check your corner Starling... The words ran through her head as she did what she'd been taught without doubting the value of her lessons. She had to stop herself from yelling clear, as she knew no one would hear her. Eventually, her eyes fell on the body.

Clarice Starling knew fear. It followed her every day, but she also knew how to be brave. She knew that far too well, because to be brave, you first had to be afraid. Her eyes didn't waver as she took in the sight before her, but her mind was reeling.

The man laying on the floor was well built and blonde, but his face... His face was no longer human. Blood was seeping into the carpet from a gaping wound in his throat that exposed his tongue and his cheeks has been eaten off.

A fluttering sound could be heard as a butterfly flew into the room and landed on the man's nose which was somehow still intact. Clarice's lips parted in a small 'o', as she saw the little skull on the neck of the butterfly. Was this... Was this Jame Gumb? Or was this just a poor soul who had been unfortunate enough to cross his path? No, a small voice spoke in the back of her head, this is the work of someone else... Or was it something? There seemed to be different opinions on the matter. Clarice swallowed hard as she took another step into the room. This man had been eaten, and from the expression in his misting eyes, he'd been eaten alive.

"Doctor Lecter..."

Her voice carried through the room, but Clarice Starling never realised that she'd spoken them. Her feet carried her to a wooden door that had been left open, as if someone was inviting her to step through. It turned out to be the entrance to the basement. Her whole frame was trembling as she plunged into the darkness.

Doctor Hannibal Lecter could smell her before he could hear her. Well, he had heard her move through the rooms upstairs, but her smell was the first sign of life from her, since she fell silent at the sight of the body. A gush of wind came down the basement as she opened the door further than he'd left it and he had to close his eyes for a moment to savour her scent; musk, fear and a whiff of her perfume. The staircase creaked as she moved down and The Doctor held his breath as she passed him. Clarice was doing what she'd been taught, but he could easily fall in behind her and mask his steps with the sound of hers.

Clarice... He wanted to say her name, turn on the light or just touch her to alert her of his presence, but he knew she wouldn't hesitate to use the gun. Did she appreciate the gift he'd left her upstairs? He doubted it, but it had felt too good to regret it.

He slipped into the next room behind her, before she could close the door. She was completely blinded in the dark and didn't notice a thing. He would have to teach her to rely less on her eyes and more on her other senses. But it would have to wait.

"Doctor Lecter?"

Her voice felt like silk against his skin even though it was trembling so hard that it was a wonder that she didn't stutter. Before he could move forward and grab her gun, a voice answered in the darkness.

"Hello, is anyone there?"

Oh yes... He thought. Catherine Martin was still here...

"Catherine Martin?" Clarice spoke. "It's the FBI, you're safe!"

Really Clarice? Making promises you can't keep? You know I'm here... But no... She is safe, but you don't know that, do you now?

"Did you see anyone here? Was there a man?" It was unclear whether she was asking about Gumb or himself.

"There was someone else, he said... He said that he was dead..."

"Someone killed Jame Gumb?"

"Yes... But then he turned off the lights and stopped talking to me..."

Hannibal could see very well in the dark, and as he saw Clarice freeze on the spot, he couldn't help but smile. She knew now.

"Hello!" Catherine was yelling from the bottom of the well and Clarice turned her head, her eyes wide open.

"Shut up Catherine!" She hissed through her teeth. "He's still here!"

The senators daughter didn't shut up though and for the first time in a long time, Doctor Hannibal Lecter felt his heart jump for other reasons than murder. Silently, he slipped forward and stood right behind Clarice. Oh my, he thought as her scent enveloped him completely... Oh my indeed...

Without further thought, he hugged her close from behind, capturing her left arm against her body and knocked the gun out of her right hand as he spun her around to face him. The gun hit the floor with a loud noise. The girl in the pit kept yelling and so did Clarice as she struggled against him.

"Let go of me Doctor Lecter! Please!"

He didn't let go though. Her body was flush against his and he could feel the heat of her body through his thin t-shirt.

"No..." He whispered into her ear and lowered his nose to her neck. Her pulse was racing and he could feel it tickling his tongue as he licked the side of her throat. She stopped struggling.

"What... What are you doing?"

Clarice had gone completely stiff in his arms and he wasn't sure if it was from fear or curiosity. He leaned away from her and looked at her face. Her eyes were wide open and her lips slightly parted. It wasn't fear, he concluded with satisfaction.

Hannibal felt slightly flushed. He had taken a liberty with her that she hadn't invited him to. There was a slight hint of hesitation in his voice as he spoke.

"I apologize, Clarice..." He bent his head, leaving them nose to nose. "No bars or glass... I couldn't resist. You smell..."

"What?" Her voice was as firm as ever, but Hannibal knew better as he lowered his head to her frantic pulse. "I smell like what?"

"You smell like you, Clarice..." He vaguely noticed that his voice was hoarse. "Clarice Starling of the...F..." He flicked his tongue against her pulse again. "B..." another flick and her body softened against his. "I..."

It had been over eight years since he'd last had a woman and to his embarrassment, he could feel himself harden against her. Her breath caught in her throat and Hannibal immediately leaned away from her.

"I... I apologize miss. Starling..."

"That's quite all right Doctor..." Her accent was thick and her eyes wide open, trying to focus on his face in the darkness. Hannibal could hear the music in the background that he hadn't had time to turn off as he dealt with that annoying, yapping dog.

"No." He said, trying to hold her still without touching her with his body. He knew it wasn't working and that she could fight her way free, but she didn't. She was far too curious. It came to mind that she might be trying to stall him by pleasing him... But he rejected the notion. "It's not all right..."

"What are you going to do Doctor?" The quiver was evident in her voice, but he ignored it.

"Do you think that I'm going to eat you?"

"No! Not at all..."

"Don't lie to me Clarice, or I will know..." He could smell the lie off her. She was quite frightened of him and he wasn't sure if it pleased him. He liked it better when she spoke her mind without hesitating.

"You didn't when we made the offer..."

"Oh, but I did, Clarice, I did."

"But why...?" Her lips parted as her tongue swept over them.

"I wanted you to play a game with me and it works better when you think, you're in control."

"Oh.."

"Oh..." He repeated as he leaned closer again. "I really have to get going Clarice. Say hi to Jackie boy from me, will you?"

Hannibal released her and turned to leave, when he heard her voice behind him.

"But Doctor Lecter... Hannibal..."

He froze as she spoke his name and with a stiff movement, he turned around to watch her. She was fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve, her eyes looking into the darkness without an aim.

"Be quick, what is it Clarice?"

"I..." She took a step forward, lifting her arm to feel for him through the darkness. Catherine Martin had long gone quiet and it felt as if they were the only two in the room. "Come back..."

Her voice was a whisper in the air, but Hannibal heard it very well. His heart made an uncomfortable jump that he wasn't used to as he rushed forward, holding her close, his breath a whisper against her lips.

"Why Clarice, hmm?"

"Because I want you..."

He went still. There was only the faintest trace of a tremor in her voice and her heart was beating so fast that he could hear it. It could be fear, adrenaline or something else. He sniffed the air. Yes... It was there, and he felt it too. Arousal.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Her voice was completely unwavering.

With a swift movement, he lifted her up and walked her into another room. There was no reason for Catherine Martin to know about this. He might have to kill her then, and what a pity wouldn't that be. He'd just saved her after all.

There was a washing machine in the room and he sat her on top of it. The floor was far too filthy and he wouldn't touch it, even less, let her touch it. She spread her legs, allowing him to come closer, and he leaned in with a sigh. His member was hard and it felt uncomfortable against the tight jeans he'd taken off the tourist. Her hands wrapped around his neck, forcing his head down so his nose touched hers.

"Clarice..." He whispered her name as he pressed his lips against hers. They felt soft and wet against his and he had to stop himself from groaning. It had just been so long...

He pulled at the button on her pants and slipped them down to the floor. There wasn't time to undress completely, but he wanted to so badly... Instead he lowered his head to her cleavage as he unbuttoned the first three buttons on her shirt, allowing him access to her breasts without exposing them.

A real woman, he thought as he breathed in the smell of her breasts, not a fantasy... This was real...

He licked and kissed her skin and sucked at her nipples. He didn't dare nible, as he knew she'd associate it with something else. He heard her soft moan as he flicked his tongue over her nipples again and he lifted his head, catching her lips. So warm, so soft...

Her hands went to his pants, freeing him from the restraints. A low rumble of relief escaped his throat as the jeans were pulled down. He grabbed her around the waist and drew her closer. Even through both their underwear, he could feel her wetness as he rubbed himself against her. The smell of arousal was so strong that he groaned as he breathed in.

His head went down again, this time to taste her. He slipped her panties down and let his tongue touch the soft folds between her legs. Small sounds of contentment escaped her as he slipped in tongue in and out and flicked it over her clit. She tasted good, like he remembered women should taste, but every woman was unique and she left traces of salt on his tongue that he'd never experienced before. Before she tired though, he went for her lips again, letting her taste herself. She hesitated and Hannibal smiled into her mouth.

"I assure you that you taste perfectly well.."

She let his tongue slip past her lips and a small moan escaped her at the touch.

His member was throbing and he started feeling more and more uncomfortable. Before he could stop himself, he'd mumbled pleadingly into her ear.

"Please..."

Clarice understood exactly what he wanted, as her fingers found the rubber free underwear that they gave him at the asylum. Gently, she freed him, leaving him exposed to the cold air.

He groaned loudly as her hands went around the tip of his cock, working their way up and down. His eyes flew open and he removed them before she could end what they'd started far too soon.

She stilled as he held her hands away from him. He could feel the doubt entering her mind as her eyes cleared.

"You did nothing wrong, dear..." Hannibal released his grip and placed his hands on her ass, lifting her up and placing himself by her entrance. Her wetness felt cold against the tip of his dick, but he didn't move an inch.

"Ready?"

Clarice nodded. "yes.."

He entered her slowly, letting her adjust around him. She made a small sound in the back of her throat, while Hannibal lost his breath.

Oh my...

A small moan escaped him as he tried to breathe in. She noticed that he hadn't moved and her thumb rubbed against his neck gently as she patiently waited. She understood.

Slowly, he started. In and out in gentle movements, drawing out his entire length before slipping in again. She started moving against him and he went faster and faster till he suddenly halted, being swept over the edge far too soon. He groaned against her moist lips as his dick spasmed, filling her with his seed. He opened his maroon eyes slowly, taking in her flushed face before him.

He bit his lips as guilt started filling his mind. Doctor Hannibal Lecter never felt guilt and it sent him shivering as bile rose in his throat. He took of his t-shirt and started wiping her clean. It wouldn't do to let her colleagues find her with his semen dripping down her legs.

"I... I'm sorry miss Starling..."

"What...what for?"

"It's been a while and I ... I couldn't..."

"Wait... " Amusement seemed to enter her voice. "You're apologising for coming?"

"Well yes Clarice."

She smiled as she drew him closer and gave him a light kiss on the lips. He dropped the t-shirt to the floor as he held her close.

Hannibal spoke again. She didn't seem to understand and it left him slightly perplexed.

"I should have made you come, dear..."

Clarice leaned back in surprise, but whatever she was going to say never left her mouth as Hannibal held a finger to her lips. He strained his ears, searching for the sound that just made him pause. A low rumble... A car... His eyes went wide as he stepped back from her. He grabbed the t-shirt from the floor, ignoring the wetness and slipping on his underwear and pants as fast as he could.

"Get dressed..." He hissed through his teeth. Had she known this? There was more than one car coming towards the house and he needed to leave before they stopped at the front. Dread flooded him as ice cubes filled stomach. The engines were cut off. Why hadn't he heard anything before this? Surely those cars should have alerted him from a greater distance than this. Oh yes, he thought, Clarice had kept him busy.

Clarice was pulling up her pants as he turned to her. Despite the circumstances, he couldn't get himself to yell at her or blame her. She was sweet and she was soft and most importantly, she treated him like a human being. It had been a long time since anyone had done that.

He rushed forward and grabbed her, pressing his lips to hers and speaking as fast as he could.

"Did you know this, hmm? But don't worry, I know it wasn't an act. I won't tell on you dear Clarice, but you can tell them all you want about what happened down here and I'll always know the truth. You wanted me. You can tell them nothing or you can tell them I raped you, or you can tell them the truth. I will know. Now go save yourself and your petty ambitions little Starling. I will manage on my own."

One last kiss and he left her standing by the washing machine that had occupied them so only moments ago. There was as much pain in her eyes as there was in his heart, but most importantly, he saw the guilt. Sheer guilt.

He took the stairs three steps at a time and ran past the body of one Jame Gumb. Not the front door, a small voice whispered as he whirled on his heels and made his way to the door leading to the backyard.

It was overgrown, but he immediately spotted a hole in the bushes where he could slip through. Doctor Hannibal Lecter just never made it that far. Someone yelled behind him and as he ignored it, a shot was fired. A single shot and he went down. Everything went black as he screamed and screamed and screamed.

A/N: I'm considering a sequel to this. Please tell me what you think.

I just got a new phone, and it had Word on it... so why not write something, hmm? ;)

This is something I have been thinking about for a while. I know Hannibal would never be stupid enough to go back, but he really thought he could just say hi and slip out... well, Clarice had other plans.

And why did he take himself time to do what he did with her? Well, biology is biology... men, right? pft!

Clarice on the other hand was really hard to write. She knew what she had to do to keep him there and she did it. Whether she admited to herself that she wanted it, is another thing. She knew Lecter would never tell on her, because he's too much of a gentleman, plus, he'd find it rather embarrassing to admit that the reason he was caught again, was because he felt like having sex... rather natural when you haven't done it for so long. She would never admit how she managed to stall him, but she did it, and that's the important thing to her.

I hope it wasn't too unbelievable...

So, sequel or not? I have it all planned out... just need to be motivated here ;)

Have a nice day!