A/N- Yes, I am still alive, no one appeared from my stories to cheesegrater me or eat me. The muse is just now attempting to make a return, and I apologize for the long wait on a new chapter and a continuation. Hopefully, I still have it.

Chapter Four

The water cascaded down Clarice's back, the low water pressure doing little to relieve her tight muscles from spending the day in various sitting positions. She titled her head back, stretching her neck, and closing her eyes. Tomorrow, she told herself, tomorrow I'll talk to Lindsey, tell her the truth. Convince her. Her hands rose to her head, massaging her scalp and the thought of seeing, confronting, Lindsey again into her head. She sighed, tipping her head forward again, letting the water work the back of her neck. There was a twinge of guilt, and Clarice momentarily hoped she was wrong about all of this. She didn't move from the stream of water, reaching down to the faucet handle to shut off the flow. As she stepped into the warm dampness of the bathroom, hugging a just-too-small towel around herself, Clarice hoped Lindsey would forgive her.
.-.-.-.

Lindsey leaned up to brush a light kiss on Gregory's cheek as he removed his coat. He smiled at her, and watched appreciatively as she removed her shoes and headed up the staircase. He watched her ascent, then returned to the task of putting away his jacket in the closet. As he walked down the hall he could hear the water running upstairs as she drew a bath. The greyhound stood and stretched in its kennel as he approached the living room. He released it from its cage and followed it as it bolted for the back door. Gregory went to the kitchen counter where the bottle of wine he had opened earlier sat. He poured himself a glass, then went to sit at the table while waiting on the dog to finish its business.

His thoughts wound their way back to the news Lindsey had brought home with her. So, Clarice had caught the scent again, the ever-earnest coon-hound that followed him doggedly all these years. As he sipped his wine, he wondered if he would be willing to give it up this time; to give up his almost-goddess. Lindsey had willingly become everything he had wanted form Clarice, and without the troubles he'd been forced to undertake with his Starling. And all it had taken was soft spoken words, a few gifts and promises, a name change and some colored contacts. He chuckled, remembering that you do get further with honey than with vinegar. He tilted the glass, watching the wine swirl, wondering when was the last time he'd seen his own eyes. Another thought occurred to him- would it be worth losing Lindsey if he could possibly regain Clarice? Hmmm...

A solid bark from the back porch brought Gregory forth from his ruminations. The wine glass was rinsed out and set beside the sink before he let the massive black dog back inside. After receiving a biscuit, it obediently went back to its kennel and settled down. Gregory reached down and patted its head before closing the kennel door. 'Good boy, Sammie.' he said quietly as he did so. The house was softly silent and comfortable as he headed for the stairs, shutting off lights as he went. He left the study dark as he entered, settling into his leather chair. Eyes closed, he waited, listening as Lindsey eventually drained the tub and emerged, seeking him. Her hands moved over his shoulders from behind as she found him there, waiting for her. His gaze turned from contemplative to appreciative as he turned the chair to face her. Yes, there was much to take into consideration, but, for now, that could wait.
.-.-.-.

Clarice slumped in a chair in her hotel room, exhausted from spending so much time sitting today, but too awake to retreat to bed. The curtains on the window were open, the lights of Boulder winking at her through the wind-whipped trees. She thought of Lindsey, no doubt asleep with the monster. Clarice didn't like the taste that brought to her mouth, and she couldn't pinpoint the odd feeling that was creeping up on her.

She waved a hand, involuntarily, as if brushing away a fly. Sighing, she looked to the sky through the window's reflected glare. The stars were shrouded by incoming clouds, hanging ominously there. The warm water of the shower was finally catching up to her as sleep began to sound like a better idea. The curtains drawn, leaving the room in darkness, Starling slipped under the covers. She couldn't help but wonder if Hannibal Lecter still thought some of their stars were the same.
.-.-.-.

In the late darkness of the bedroom, Lindsey rolled over with a sigh, spooning up against the warm body under the covers. A brief smile fell on her lips before slipping away. Her arm ached, as it often did when the weather changed, but something else was causing the damp ache in her stomach. She pressed closer, hand closed tight around Gregory's arm, forehead against his shoulder as her dreams consumed her.
.-.-.-.

'Lindsey, don't dawdle, your breakfast will get cold.'

Lindsey hurried down the hallway as fast as her stockinged feet would allow her on the hardwood. She'd surely get a reprimand if she came sliding into the kitchen. Gregory was there, setting a plate on the table at her place setting. He smiled softly as she came up to him. She went to the cabinet, getting herself a mug out and pouring a cup of coffee before sitting down. Gregory set his own plate down and settled opposite her.

Lindsey dug into her eggs, and caught herself staring at her companion in the morning sunlight. He didn't seem to notice her sudden interest in him. There was something different, something pinched in his features. Concern welled to the surface of Lindsey's thoughts.

'Gregory, are you feeling alright?' she lowered her fork, waiting for his reply.

He met her eyes for the first time since sitting down and smiled tiredly. 'I didn't sleep well last night, that's all. Nothing to worry about, Lindsey.'

Gregory sipped his orange juice, considering the matter closed, but Lindsey insisted on pursuing it further.

'Maybe you should take the day off. You have been working awfully hard lately, you and I could make a day of it, go to Denver, or...' He lowered the glass and his eyes hardened fractionally before he caught himself.

"I assure you, I am fine, Lindsey. Besides, you have plans with Clarice today, if I recall correctly.' The younger woman sighed, picking her fork back up and pushing her eggs across the plate. 'It'd be rude to ignore her after she flew all this way to see you.' he chided her gently, trying to soften his prior reaction.

Lindsey nodded, 'You're right.' she allowed. "I'm just overreacting, as usual.'

Gregory smiled genuinely as he finished his breakfast and rose from the table. As he cleared his plate, he looked down on Lindsey. She was staring into the depths of her coffee, like she was seeking her reflection in the bottom of a well. 'Lindsey,' she looked up at him, fork halfway between her lips and plate, eyes bright in the morning light, 'Don't always discount yourself, sometimes instinct is better relied upon.'

Lindsey finished her breakfast while Gregory gathered his things to leave for the office. She was clearing her dishes when he came back into the kitchen, wearing a dark wool overcoat and carrying his briefcase.

'Why don't you invite Agent Starling over for dinner this evening. We'll make it casual, maybe do something on the grill for her. It could prove interesting.' He wasn't surprised as Lindsey waited a beat too long before agreeing.

'That sounds nice, I'll ask her at lunch.' He nodded and was about to turn away to leave when she came to him, small hands reaching up to adjust and smooth down the collar of his coat. 'I'll be at the office tomorrow to help out, okay?'

'Perfectly fine, my dear.' and he smiled again as she kissed him, then turning away and heading for the garage, humming as he went.
.-.-.-.

Clarice started as the phone sitting at her elbow trilled at her, she dropped the bagel that was in hand and grabbed for the phone. The display showed a local number, one unfamiliar to her, and she hesitated slightly as she flipped it open.

'Hello?' she asked, swallowing the bite she had just taken form the bagel.

'Clarice? Its Lindsey.' Clarice managed to get in a quick and surprised 'hi' before her caller continued on. 'Sorry I didn't call back yesterday, I was pretty busy. Look, I was wondering if you'd meet me today, if that works for you, of course.' Clarice's eyes lit up and she grabbed for a pen and paper.

'Sure, just give me a when and where.'

There was a pause, then 'About one, we can make lunch down on Pearl Street; I have some errands to get done down there anyway.'

Clarice was nodding, jotting the time and place down on her pad. 'Absolutely, Lin.'

'Great!' came the reply, 'I'll see you then, okay?' And before Clarice could make her farewells, the connection was cut, leaving her with a silent phone pressed against her ear. A frustrated sigh escaped her as she flipped the phone shut. She checked the clock, seeing she had about four hours to formulate her plan of attack, and to find out where Pearl Street was.
.-.-.-.