Sorry for the late update

I've been swamped by requests and college work.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and please review!

Gothgirl3000

Clarice opened the door to her house allowing it to open with a bang. Her body felt limp and heavy from the day's work. She could not wait to allow herself to relax and forget the troubles she had faced.

Jack Crawford had piled more paperwork than necessary upon her desk and when she tried to explain how unfair it was he simply told her to quit complaining and follow orders. He had been more short tempered than usual after Lecter had escaped.

Fellow male co-workers had been eyeing her up and down with lust in their eyes. Snide comments and wolf whistles had followed as per normal. After one bold agent had attempted to grope her ass; she had kicked him in the balls earning her a warning.

"Why me?" She grumbled crossly. It seemed that despite her desire to prove her worth she was constantly being downgraded by others.

Deciding to forget the bullshit at work and lose the stress she felt inside; Clarice made her way upstairs. The one thing she needed right now was a bath with LOTS of bubbles to soothe her rage.

Upstairs

Clarice dumped her bag beside her wardrobe and began to strip out of her work gear. She was eager to lose her suit and enjoy the comfort of her own clothes. Sometimes comfort was better than efficiency. She grabbed some towels from the wardrobe in her room now set for an evening of leisure.

Her mind was filled with the joy of soaking in the hot water and bubbles that would allow her stress to melt away. It was a rarity that she did such things as she was always busy with work or dealing with her social life.

She padded down the carpet slowly. The fluffy carpet felt soft and comforting under her sore feet and she was enjoying every minute. She may have not been able to afford the finer things in life but she had a nice home.

When she finally reached the bathroom she opened the door slowly allowing a smile to spread across her face. In this room she would be able to release her mind of the problems she had been forced to face that day.

Clarice placed her towel stop the toilet and closed the door behind her. She turned on the hot tap quietly and put the plug in and added bubble bath gel. It wasn't easy to de-stress with the things she faced in life and bubble baths helped.

"The cleansing begins now" Clarice sighed heavily. She liked to think of baths as a way of removing the thoughts that annoyed her most.

Suddenly she heard a creaking sound in the hallway and jumped to her feet. She had clearly locked the door behind her so WHO was in her home. Realizing she had left her gun in the bedroom she felt a rush of panic fill her.

She forgot about the running tap and removed the towel rack from the wall. It was extractable so it was easy to remove. Whoever had intruded was about to meet a world of pain.

Slowly she began to tiptoe out of the bathroom and down the hall. She may not have been a master of stealth but she was definitely a woman not to be taken lightly. Many men knew not to mess with her but tried their luck anyway.

She caught sight of a figure departing from her room and raised the steel bar above her head. She would make them sorry for intruding on her property and thinking they could get away with it.

"Good evening Clarice" a familiar voice said deviously.

Clarice's eyes widened in shock and she froze on the spot. She had not expected it to be Lecter at this time since he usually went to exotic places to hide from the FBI.

"I hope I did not scare you. That was not my intention simply a kind visit" Lecter apologized defensively.

Eventually she snapped out of her shock and remembered where she was. She lowered her arms and held the bar awkwardly in front of her "I apologize Doctor I thought..." she said nervously trailing off.

Lecter stepped forward to which she was able to make out his figure a little better. He was as handsome as she remembered but couldn't think of a thing to say.

He raised a hand to stroke her soft auburn hair affectionately a cunning smile spreading across his face "You look well Clarice but pray tell me how has life been?" he asked curiously.

Clarice sighed heavily "It's complicated Doctor but I manage somehow" she said smiling awkwardly.

Lecter allowed his eyes to roam her body. She was still as stunning as he remembered but felt guilty as it seemed she was preparing to settle down for the night.

"I was about to take a bath" Clarice explained awkwardly feeling her face flush as she said those words.

Lecter smiled "That is good. It would prove most beneficial to you in relieving yourself of stress" he said prominently.

Clarice clenched her fists tightly. She couldn't believe what she was about to say but she wanted to become closer to him "Would you like to join me?" she said bravely.

There was an awkward silence for a long time. The night air blew outside like a whistle and an owl hooted in the distance loudly.

"I would be most honoured Clarice. That is if you do not mind my company during such a private time" Lecter teased coyly. Of course he wanted to see her beautiful figure and enjoy the softness of her skin but he was too much of a gentleman to force himself upon her.

Clarice smiled coyly "I don't mind". She wanted him to see her that way. She wanted to be close to him and allow him to feel her affections and desire for him.

A mischievous smile spread across Lecter's face. She had become bolder and he was impressed by her dominance. Since their first meeting she had become much bolder than before "As you wish...but I can't promise that I won't be tempted" he teased.

Clarice felt a wave of adrenaline fill her and a tingle vibrated in her crotch. It excited her to be near him and wanted to show him how much he meant to her. Of course their small games did prove arousing and she was beginning to enjoy them "That's fine" she said bravely.

a couple of minutes later

Clarice sighed pleasantly as she enjoyed the warmth of the bathwater. Never had it felt so good before and she decided she must do it more often.

"Are you enjoying yourself Clarice?" Lecter asked politely.

Clarice smiled pleasantly. She had been so busy relaxing she had forgotten she was in the company of the wanted criminal Hannibal Lecter "Very much so" she sighed happily.

Lecter smiled darkly. It was a rare moment he felt such adrenaline and desire for her and the situation caused tension and lust. She was a stunning woman and she was one to be cherished by many.

"What will you do after this?" Clarice asked solemnly. She was aware he would have to leave soon but the thought of it hurt her deeply as he meant a lot to him.

Lecter sensed the sadness in her voice and knew she wanted him to stay with her. He did want to remain beside her but his desire to be free kept them apart; that and his conviction as a wanted criminal.

"I cannot say Clarice; I go wherever the my heart tells me. I am a free spirit not an animal who should be locked away in a cage" Lecter said solemnly.

"I understand" Clarice said quietly. She loved him SO much but she hated to be apart from him. He was the ONLY person who she could have an intellectual conversation with that ACTUALLY respected her.

Lecter got up from his seat atop her toilet. He approached the bathtub and knelt beside it so he was on the same level as her "Clarice..." he said firmly.

She didn't look at him and simply bowed her head. She could feel her eyes stinging as the tears threatened to fall but she fought to prevent them with every ounce of her strength.

He reached out his hand and gently turned her face to look at him but said not a word. He could see the pain and anguish in her eyes filling his heart with pain.

"PLEASE stay" she pleaded anxiously. She wanted to be with him always and the separation was becoming too hard for her to bare anymore.

"I want to Clarice but you know that I am a wandering soul. I promise to return to you again soon but I must depart once more" Lecter said solemnly.

Clarice forgot her embarrassment and stood up suddenly. The bubbles ran down her slowly and she glared at him angrily.

Lecter was rather shocked by her sudden bold show behaviour. Being the gentleman that he was he kept his gaze firmly placed on her face.

Clarice grabbed him tightly wrapping her arms around his neck. She breathed in his familiar scent and enjoyed the warmth of his body "Don't leave me again. I love you...Hannibal" She said stiffly.

Lecter sat where he was for a couple of minutes. He then allowed his arms to roam her soft skin and placed his hands upon her back "As do I Clarice. I've never cared about anyone as much as I do you" he said gently.

She pulled away gently and gazed into his maroon eyes "Then STAY. I'd keep you safe and well cared for and we could run away together" she said desperately.

Lecter smiled "I would like that very much Clarice. But the time is not right as of yet but in time it will happen" he said gently.

Clarice couldn't understand why it couldn't be NOW. She was treated like a nobody at the FBI and lacked ANY appreciation from her peers. Her heart was into this choice but he was saying NO?!

"You are still learning to develop your strengths. Your wings have not yet grown Clarice and when they do I shall come for you" Lecter explained solemnly.

Clarice sighed heavily. Part of her understood what he was trying to say while the other part felt compelled to fight back arguably and demand he remain with her. She was making a tough decision but the right one "Ok.." she said quietly.

Lecter smiled fondly "Good girl" he said proudly. It made him happy to know she was maturing so well about their relationships but loved her stubborn feistiness.

Clarice smirked mischievously "But I want a goodbye present".

Lecter raised an eyebrow suspiciously and his usual smirk spread across his face "And what would that be dear Clarice?" he asked fondly.

Clarice swallowed nervously and felt her cheeks burning "A kiss...and a seal of promise" she said bravely.

Lecter's smirk grew bigger "As you wish" he said deviously. He leaned towards her slowly and planted a kiss on her collarbone above her heart. Her skin tasted even better than he remembered from their last intimate encounter.

A pleasant sigh escaped her lips as he sucked on her skin. She had missed his touch SO badly and she would miss him more when he parted from her side. He treated her with such tenderness that it hurt more when he left her.

Eventually Lecter pulled away gently and admired the glowing kiss mark upon her pale skin. It was a seal that she was bound to him and was always going to be no matter what.

"That felt nice" Clarice sighed gently. She had missed his tenderness SO much and enjoyed feeling these sensations.

"I am glad you are enjoying it Clarice. It may be a while before I am able to treat you this well again" Lecter said fondly.

"I want...a proper goodbye kiss this time" She said sternly. Last time he left it was only a light kiss and had less passion behind it. This time she wanted a stronger pull and a more passionate feeling of intensity to it.

Lecter chuckled "I see. Was my last kiss not able to please you?" He teased deviously.

Clarice pouted crossly "I only want a fond memory. I won't be able to see you again till what is most likely going to be months or even a year" she said crossly.

"Very well Clarice I shall do my best" Lecter said in an obligated tone. He wanted to make her feel good and would do his best to allow her to feel loved.

He leaned towards the young auburn haired agent and kissed her softly. Slowly he cupped one hand behind the back of her head to enjoy the feeling of her soft hair.

Clarice returned his kiss lovingly. She placed her hands around his neck to hold onto him a bit longer before he disappeared again. His passion hadn't faltered and he still made her feel wonderful.

Eventually he pulled away and gazed into her blue eyes fondly "I must go now Clarice. But I give you my word I shall return" Lecter promised tenderly.

"You'd better. You're the only intellectual person I know" Clarice teased gently.

The pair sat there in the candlelight of the bathroom gazing into each other's eyes. It wasn't easy being lovers but they made it work somehow and deeply loved one another.