I do not own Thomas Harris, or any of his characters. Please note that I am changing the character ages. Also, note that I will not continue without reviews. Thank you. DarkFoxPriestess
This adaptation takes place in the movie setting of Hannibal, right after Clarice arrives at Muskrat Farms with the intention of rescuing the good doctor after the bureau has oh so casually thrown her to the wayside…
Chapter One
Timing is Everything
Thirty-five year-old Clarice raced into the barn brandishing her gun and yelling "F.B.I."
"Ah, Clarice, such a pleasant surprise." Mason Verger's voice echoed through the rafters.
Clarice glanced around her and noticed Lecter tied to a wooden cross like frame, and elevated by the forklift. She made one step towards him, and the sound of a riffle was heard.
"You're surrounded, Agent Starling. There's one of you and eight of us. Throw down your weapon now, or I'll order my men to shoot you dead where you stand." Mason informed coldly.
Thirty-year-old Hannibal Lecter watched in muted intensity as Clarice threw down her gun and allowed herself to be tied up beside him.
"Glad you could make it this evening, what with your busy schedule." Hannibal greeted.
"Just before death your sense of humor emerges, how ironic." Clarice sighed.
A few moments later Mason had signaled that the pigs be released. However, before doing so, Cordell asked both Lecter and Starling one very interesting question.
"Knowing you are about to die, what do you wish you would have done?" Cordell asked from the rim of the pit.
"I wish I could have received forgiveness." Clarice said softly tears pricking her eyes.
"I wish that I would have had a family." Dr. Lecter stated ruefully.
Two stable hands walked to the front of the forklift to help guide it down when the barn doors flew open.
"Hiya boys." A dark haired female smiled as she took out twin Springfield Armory Mil-Spec 1911-A1s, the nickel finish glinted in the light and the mother of pearl grips sparkled dangerously.
Almost instantly, the four other guards lining the outside of the upper floors inside the barn began shooting at her. The lithe five-foot frame of the woman was barely visible as she ducked, dove, and returned fire. Moments later the shooting stopped and she stepped out of the shadows unscathed. She walked across the arena to the forklift with a slight smile on her face.
"I forgive you, Clarice." She sighed hoisting herself up to stand between the F.B.I. agent and cannibal.
"I'm so grateful, would you like me to grovel?" Clarice asked with a sneer.
"I don't think you mean that." The girl pouted as she undid Clarice's restraints.
"You aren't going to introduce us?" Dr. Lecter questioned as Clarice was fully freed.
"She's quite rude and she doesn't like me very much." The young woman informed as she balanced precariously in front of him.
"Doctor Hannibal Lecter, meet my cousin Ingrid Eva." Clarice introduced glaring at her cousin.
"Hello." Ingrid smiled as she unhooked his facemask.
"Are you sure that was a wise idea?" Lecter drawled as she unlaced the arm restraints next.
"I would like to think you'd be honorable enough not to attack me after I just saved you." Ingrid smirked as she unbuttoned the last leg strap freeing the doctor.
"Thank you, Ingrid." Hannibal sighed rubbing his wrists.
"You're welcome, not everyone in the family is as caustic as Clarice." Ingrid said flashing him a stunning smile.
Ingrid had mid-back black hair and shocking green eyes. Her skin was slightly tan from relaxing in the warm sand of the beach. She was wearing blue jeans, a black shirt, and black buckle boots. She hopped down from the forklift ignoring the sounds of the ravenous pigs outside.
"Ingrid?" Clarice called causing her to pause and turn around.
The sound of two gunshots rang through the small enclosure. Ingrid twisted behind her and fired off one shot. Cordell fell to the ground dead.
"Nice shot." Clarice remarked offhandedly.
Hannibal quickly jumped off the forklift and walked over to Ingrid sensing something was wrong. She glanced up at him and blinked slowly.
"Could have been worse." She stated hoarsely.
"What's going on?" Clarice asked a touch of panic in her voice.
"I'm sorry." Was all Ingrid murmured as she fell forward into unconsciousness and the waiting arms of the good doctor.
"She was shot twice. We'll need to go to my house in Chesapeake." Dr. Lecter stated as he effortlessly began carrying Ingrid out of the barn.
Two hours later Lecter was sterilizing his operation equipment.
"I assure you everything will be fine." Hannibal stated for the tenth time in the last half hour.
"She was shot and when she wakes up she's not going to be happy seeing a fillet knife buried six inches into her stomach!" Clarice exclaimed.
"I could tell one of the bullets landed just above her right collarbone. The other one is just below her left hipbone I believe." Lecter murmured more to himself than Clarice.
"We always looked out for each other, always! Then my father died and her family moved. We've got so much to catch up on! She can't just die!" Clarice cried.
"She won't die, I promise. Now calm down and make a pot of tea while I work." Dr. Lecter commanded as he walked into the kitchen.
Lying on a pile of towels atop the table was Ingrid. Her eyes were open and the blood loss was beginning to take its toll. Dr. Lecter walked into the room and set down his instruments.
"I'm going to get the bullets out, the only promise I can make is that this will hurt." Hannibal stated regretfully.
"I suppose that's better than nothing." Ingrid commented hoarsely.
Hannibal tried not to let his eyes wander as she peeled off her shirt and threw it to the side. Just above her collarbone on the right side was a wonderfully bloody hole. Ingrid turned her head to the side to allow him more room to work. Hannibal hovered over her, his fingers testing the skin for signs of infection. He took one of the thin bladed filet knives and watched as Ingrid's breathing became more erratic. The once steady rise and fall of her black bra clad chest became shallow breaths.
"Ready?" Hannibal questioned the tip of the knife poised above her flesh.
Ingrid nodded her hands paper white as they fisted in her jeans. Hannibal watched the emotion flicker over her face and began his work.
The knife bit into her flesh and Ingrid felt every nerve in her body scream. She kept her mouth shut the entire time and barely kept the tears from spilling over. For all the pain the Doctor worked exceptionally fast. Only moments later, the bullet clanged into the trash.
Ingrid shot up off the table and tried to walk out of the room. Hannibal grabbed her arm and she glared at him.
"I'm not done yet. There's still another one in your hip." He stated as she tried to pull away.
"It's not that I don't appreciate what you're doing for me but,-" Ingrid tried to pull away only to find herself suddenly pinned to the wall.
"It won't hurt as bad." He murmured as his right hand traced down her side, his index finger tugging at the waist of her jeans.
"That's easy for you to say." Ingrid hissed as his fingers found the torn flesh just below her hipbone.
"Maybe it's just that easy." Hannibal murmured as he captured her lips suddenly.
Ingrid groaned in a mixture of pain and pleasure as Lecter's quick fingers slipped fully into her jeans. As she let out a mew of pain, he slipped his tongue inside her mouth as he fingered the bullet out of place. Hannibal pulled away slowly the bullet in his hand and her taste in his mouth.
"Just that easy." He murmured breathlessly his maroon eyes never leaving her.
Ingrid merely gave him an incredulous look heated with what could easily be called desire, as she quickly exited the room.
Well, that's all for now. What do you think? Should I continue it do you think? I'm not sure really. I've got ideas for it but without reviews, I think I'll let this one go. That's all for now, dearlings! Until another time…
DarkFoxPriestess
