AN: Hey guys! Just another take on what happened at Mason Verger's Estate with a little twist here and there. Enjoy!
CHAPTER 1
Leaves fell gracefully from the trees that loomed over her, caused by the heavy breeze. It was fairly cool, considering it was the end of June. Clarice Starling continued her walk through the small park situated opposite her suburban home. She needed time to think, time to contemplate on the things that had happened in previous months.
Being relieved of her duties had caused her to fall into a spiral of turmoil. The thing that bothered her most of all, was the thought of her father being disappointed in her. All she had ever wanted was him to be proud of her.
As she continued her walk, she didn't notice the faint rustling of leaves in the trees behind her. Even if she had noticed, she would have presumed it was some kind of animal. A predatory one at that.
She paused for a moment, taking a seat on a bench. It was at this time, she was thankful that it was late and no one was around. She needed the peace and quiet. It had been a long time since she had relaxed, and finally, it seemed as if she was doing so.
She glanced at her watch, seeing it was just past midnight. She then sighed to herself, shaking her head gently.
"Happy birthday to me." She muttered under her breath.
"Happy birthday indeed." A smooth voice came from behind her.
She shot forward, turning around swiftly, her hand immediately reaching for her gun, which of course, wasn't there.
"Searching for your gun, Clarice?"
"Doctor Lecter?" She paused for a moment, blinking rapidly before speaking again. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to bring you this." He said, holding out a small package.
She noticed the gloves he was wearing and knew, even if she did take this to the bureau, there would be no prints on it.
He took a few steps closer to her, still holding the package out. She took it, taking a safe step backwards. She wasn't scared of him. If anything, she was scared of what she might do.
She stared down at the small rectangular package that was wrapped in white paper with a red velvet bow sitting atop it.
She sat down on the bench again before unwrapping the package. Inside, she found a red velvet box with a small gold clasp. She opened the box, inhaling sharply at what she saw. A beautiful gold necklace sat in the box with a thin chain and a little gold heart hanging from it.
Clarice stared at the necklace for a few moments, before removing it carefully from its box. She examined the heart closely before looking up at Doctor Lecter.
"I don't know what to say. It's beautiful." She murmured.
"I had it specially made for you." He said, taking a seat beside her.
"Thank you, Doctor Lecter."
"Allow me." He said, taking the necklace from her hands.
He stood from the bench, moving behind her as she pulled her hair that flowed down her back, to over her shoulder. He then put the necklace on her, his fingertips gently grazing the back of her neck. She stopped breathing for a few moments, her heart racing at the electrifying touch.
"There. Perfect." He murmured.
As he sat back down beside her, she exhaled. She brought her hand up to her chest, it resting on the necklace. It truly was beautiful, and she knew she shouldn't have accepted it, but thought he would think it rude if she didn't.
"Why are you out here alone in the dark, Clarice?" He said, breaking the silence after a minute or two.
"Thinking." She stated.
"May I inquire as to what you are thinking about?"
"Quid pro quo, Doctor." She said flatly. "What are you doing here?"
"Like I said, Clarice, I brought you a present."
"You risked your freedom to bring me a present?"
"It would appear so. Now then, Clarice, what is it you're thinking about? What is troubling you so much as to keep you up so late at night?"
"Life."
"Not good enough an answer, Clarice."
"The bureau have put me on suspension for withholding evidence."
"To what evidence are you referring to?"
"Quid pro quo, Doctor. Where have you been?"
He turned his body slightly so he could see her face. She sat there, arms crossed across her chest, staring into the trees in front of her.
"You know I cannot tell you that, Clarice." He paused for a moment before repeating his previous question.
"They found a letter on my desk. They think it was you, but it wasn't your handwriting. I never knew anything about it." She sighed to herself.
"I presume Mr Krendler had something to do with this?"
"That's what I tried to argue. He has the upperhand for several reasons. Until they find there has been a mistake, I'm out of a job."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Clarice."
She sighed again before turning her own body to face him.
"Mason Verger wants to kill you, Doctor."
"No, I don't think he wants to kill me. I just think he wants me to suffer in some unimaginable way. He is kind of twisted, you know." He said, a gleam in his eye.
"I can help you."
"Help me? Help me how, Clarice? Will you sit in my prison cell and hold my hand?"
She sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair. She was at a loss. On one hand, she could try to take Doctor Lecter in. 'Try' being the operative word. Or, she could let things run its course, but in that, she was risking the lives of everyone involved, including Doctor Lecter.
"I promise, no one will hurt you." She finally said.
"I cannot and will not willingly give up the freedom I have longed for, Clarice. Mason Verger wants his revenge. Let's see if he's man enough to go through with it."
"He's a very powerful man, Doctor Lecter."
"So am I." He winked at her.
"Doctor Lecter, like you said, he is twisted. Lord knows what he will do to you."
"Are you concerned for my welfare, Special Agent Starling?"
"In a way, yes, I suppose I am. On a professional capacity." She said, feeling the need to say those last four words.
"If you think Mason Verger is twisted, I'm very keen to hear your thoughts on myself."
"You had your reasons for doing what you did."
"So, you think my killings were justifiable?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.
"I think your killings were the repercussions of childhood trauma." She said, averting the question.
He took a moment to think. She was right about the childhood trauma, but she didn't know if that was the only cause of such drastic action.
"Brave Clarice." He murmured before standing from the bench. "I'll leave you now, Clarice. You should get some rest."
She stood also, giving him a small nod.
"Thank you for the necklace, Doctor Lecter."
He smiled slightly before making his leave. She watched him walk away into the darkness before heading home herself.
Her mind was in a whirl. She didn't think things could get any more complicated, but they just had.