DICSLAIMER: I'm not stealing anyone's characters! I'm only trying to entertain myself by writing a mushy fic! Lol! Please don't sue… I don't have much money!
SUMMARY: Dr Lecter visits Starling after Silence of the Lambs and it's something she can't let go off…
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Ok, this is another attempt at a Hannibal fic, which I think is a bit of an improvement from the last ones! Lol! I'd like to dedicate this one to Anouk (a.k.a. Troesnaja) for giving me a LOT of the ideas for this story! And of course Little-Starling for her continuous encouragement! I wouldn't have come as far as I did without you! Thanks!
Visitor By JaneThe rain consumed the air outside, smashing against all opposing surfaces. A storm was like a way to release all the pent-up energy and this night was no different. It was such a hot and tiring week. Everything seemed to be going wrong. She knew it would get better but the wait was just too long.
Now it was suddenly much cooler and Clarice had a thin blanket over herself. She was huddled up in a big soft chair facing a small electric fireplace she and Ardelia bought not so long ago. This was the only place where she found any comfort. She regretted that nowadays, she only went to work in hope that she'd get a promotion, or some kind of license that would let her own a desk in a basement office down at the Behavioural Sciences.
She knew that it was a dream which has ended long ago, but her mind refused to wake up and let it go. May be she would be able to get it back somehow, or just accept the truth. Whichever it was, it was better than where she was now.
A warm hand touched her shoulder. Clarice turned to see Ardelia behind her. "How are you doing?" she asked.
Ardelia knew something was bothering her, that something had changed, but she couldn't be the one to understand. "I'm fine"
"Let me make you some tea," she suggested, "you look tired; may be you should try and get some sleep…"
"No," Clarice protested softly, "I'd rather stay here"
Bringing in two cups with steaming hot tea, Ardelia placed them on the little table and sat in a chair almost opposite Clarice.
"Thanks," she told Ardelia as she started to sip the hot liquid. Her eyes wandered to the soft glow and like so many times before she escaped back into thought – the only part of her she could trust nowadays. And only on certain times…
"Clarice…" Ardelia said softly. When she didn't respond she tried again, "Clarice"
"What is it?"
"Something's wrong…" just as she was about to protest, Ardelia continued, "and don't tell me it's nothing. I can see something's up with you…" she paused, "Clarice, you can tell me anything… please… I'm worried about you… You don't seem yourself…"
Clarice decided against trying to convince her friend otherwise and instead let out a deep sign trying to relax a bit. A bright flash lit the room momentarily and a soft roar of thunder followed, reminding them of the weather outside.
"I don't think you'll understand or like what you'll hear, Ardelia, but I guess you won't leave me alone until I tell you," she paused for a moment and when she continued her voice had a distant ring to it.
"You see I'm not sure if I'm on the right path anymore. I feel like something important is missing…" Normally Clarice wasn't one to talk about her troubles, but it was consuming her inside. May be she could let it out now… "You were away… with your family a few summers back. I was home alone. It was a night very much like this one… I waited to fall asleep with a hot drink in my hands as usual…"
* * *
The sound of a soft knock on her door woke her out of deep thought and she looked at the watch across the room. Who would pay her a visit at this hour? It must be Ardelia coming home. "A little early," she wondered out loud.
Putting on her large soft slippers, which she just bought the day before, Clarice made her way to the door. "Who is it?" she shouted while she was making her way down the corridor.
"An old friend," a calm, metallic voice answered so quietly that she could barely hear it, but there was that unmistakable hint of amusement in his voice.
The gun. In the bag. Bedroom. On instinct she ran for her weapon as fast as the slippers would allow her. Suddenly the lights went out and she was sure it was no accident. There was a sharp pain at her leg as she tripped over the coffee table in the darkness and made the loudest racket possible. Cursing she forced herself to get back up and then up the stairs to her bedroom. A flash of lightning allowed her to see through the darkness for a second before she had to rely on her other senses once more.
Her whole form froze in the doorway and she couldn't make another step either way. He was sitting casually on her bed, holding her gun in his hand. "Why good evening, Clarice," the last syllables of her name still rang in the air, "I hope you don't mind - I let myself in, since you so kindly left the door unlocked". A smile formed on his lips and she made a strong mental note that if she would ever make it out alive - LOCK the DOOR! There was a long uncomfortable silence as he waited for her to speak. She was glad it was partially filled with the rhythmatic fall of rain against her windowsill.
"Why did you come doctor?" was the only reasonable sentence she could form.
"I was in your neighbourhood and I thought I'd see how you were doing..." he paused, and suddenly looked like he was talking to a child, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk... Poor Clarice, did your beloved F B I got to you over the years, didn't it?"
"I'm fine," she answered shortly, hoping he wouldn't say much more. Sometimes his words really cut deep.
"No, you're not doing so well, Clarice. Don't try to hide it from me," he paused and took a breath looking her over, "Now tell me you're not tired and don't feel that you're gifts are going to waste on those pathetic shootouts the trainees should be doing"
She bit her lip without intending to and looked down briefly before letting her eyes sink back into his strong gaze. "I'll be fine, doctor" she tried to hide all emotion from her words but knew it was a useless trick with him.
"Ah, you don't sound very convincing, my dear. Perhaps you're not sure yourself…" he offered, "why don't you tell me how you like to get up every morning knowing that after you're giving them all you've got you're getting nothing in return? Hmm?"
"You already know that doctor," she said. Her eyes wandered back to the stairwell. The phone was just at the bottom. Perhaps she could outrun him… but he probably thought of that…
"I assure you, Clarice, you're welcome to try and challenge me but I can't guarantee the prize…" he said as if reading her mind. She gave up on the idea and wondered if there was any other way for a safe exit. She forced her mind to work harder, after all her possible plans seemed either too vague or risky.
"Please don't let your mind wonder from the conversation at hand, Clarice… it's not very polite to me, now is it?" They held the gaze, neither wanting to give way. He revelled in her strength even in the current position she was in. She knew she should be doing something, but there were really limited options when Hannibal Lecter was concerned.
"I see your taste in shoes hasn't changed," an amused smile played on his lips as he regarded her soft, furry slippers.
"Please tell me why you came, doctor…" she asked, "It's not just to ask me if I'm fine, you could've done that over the phone…"
"Ah, I thought you could use a little more… action right now… I certainly would…"
"What are you saying?" his riddles were starting to tire her patience.
He brought out a box from behind him in the bed and opened it. Inside were two elegant looking shoes. "Change your shoes and if you're a good girl I might take you for a ride…"
A funny sensation went through her stomach. And it wasn't completely fear, but her mind told her to do anything to avoid going somewhere with him. "I'd hate to ruin the shoes in that weather…" she offered a pathetic excuse and she knew it.
"I'll buy you a new pair…" he grinned again, "and Clarice… do I sense hesitation on your part?"
On the other hand, he could have killed her a thousand times before this. He could even kill her here – he wouldn't need to take her anywhere, her mind reasoned. Trying to move smoothly against her stiff muscles she slowly made her way towards him. She stopped before the bed and looked into his eyes. He stood slowly.
"How ungentlemanly of me," he said, "please take your time, Clarice, but I wouldn't advice jumping out the window or I might have to carry you," there was a spark in his maroon eyes for a moment before he winked at her and walked out and partially closed the door behind him.
She looked around, knowing this might be her only chance to escape, but couldn't find any escape that she was sure he didn't think through. She decided she won't make it in slippers very far and put on the brand new shoes he gave her. They were exactly her fit and she could feel they were comfortable and durable at the same time. She was thankful they had no high heels. Trying to make no noise against the thin carped of her bedroom, she looked out the window. It was really a long jump, and she might sprain an ankle or hit her head on the way down. Besides, she didn't want Lecter's patience to tire.
Entering the bathroom she quickly looked around for a possible weapon. The shinning gleam of scissors in the cupboard, caught her attention and she slid the small weapon in her jeans pocket. Coming out she saw Lecter standing in the doorway.
"Are you ready, my dear?" he inquired after a moment.
"um… had to go to the bathroom…" she explained. It was partially true… she just hoped he wouldn't find out why.
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Ok, first part done! I think I almost finished part 2 now so it should be up soon. I think this is going to be long, so lets hope I'll finish it. I will try my best I promise! Please tell me what you think of it as always – Thanks! – Jane:)
