Chapter 4 – Starling returns

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Thomas Harris and are being borrowed for smut.

Ok so to clear things up before I begin this fanfiction and all my other Hannibal fanfics will be based off the books and movies not the TV shows (because it sucked) – in my fics Hannibal is Anthony Hopkins and Clarice is Jodie Foster.

As me and Chilton heading down the long corridor in the bowels of the institute, I could see the gate next to the viewing station where Barney sat on his little chair keeping watch over the inmates.

As we approached the desk Barney stood.

"Afternoon, Dr. Chilton, Miss Starling."

"Barney I've told you to call me Clarice."

"That would be disrespectful manner, ma'am, manners are everything, after all."

Barney shifted his gaze to Frederick, obviously wondering what he was doing down here without cause. Barney shifted his gaze to Chilton's hand at my elbow. Frederick caught this and released me before speaking.

"You're relieved for the next hour Barney, take a break."

"Pardon, sir?"

"I'll be taking your watch for a little while."

"May I ask why, sir?"

"Myself and Cl- Miss Starling are performing a little experiment, involving Dr. Lecter. Go take a break, grab a coffee. I'll expect you back at 2."

"Of course, Dr. Chilton."

As Barney moved past us back towards the stairs, his gaze obviously asked me what I was doing. I winked and turned back to Dr. Chilton.

"So… how's this going to work?" I asked Frederick as he scanned the monitors.

"Well, I'll walk you down to Lecter, you can give him a briefing about what we are doing then I'll let you in if he agrees. When you're ready to come out just give me a signal I'll be watching. Of course."

"Sure thing, Frederick."

As he buzzed us through the gate and down the row of cells keeping well to the left, I already knew Hannibal was aware of our presence and was expecting us.

As we approach the last cell, I saw Hannibal at his desk his back to me and Frederick. Frederick cleared his throat politely obviously making our presence known to Hannibal.

He stood and turned to us.

"Ah, Dr. Chilton I wasn't expecting you today. And, Agent Starling, it's been a while, is there another killer than I am not aware of?"

"No, Dr. Lecter, Miss Starling is here with a proposition she has to discuss with you if that's alright?"

"Of course, I always have time for my friends at the F. B. I. But I see no chair for the young Agent."

"I wouldn't be needing a chair Dr. Lecter."

His gaze locked with mine and he could see I was planning something although I don't think he had a clue what it was.

"Well, fire away Clarice."

I didn't reply choosing to look over my shoulder to Frederick who seemed painfully aware that Hannibal didn't like his presence at all.

"Frederick, if you could give me what I need, you can leave me and Dr. Lecter to talk."

I knew both men could tell my voice was laced with mirth.

Frederick came right up to me whispering in my ear and he slid the key into my hand.

"Any problems just shout."

I gave him a little kiss on the cheek.

"I'll be fine, Fred."

As he pulled back obviously stunned at my shortening of his name, his cheeks looked a little flushed.

Oh, this is going to be fun.

As Frederick strides back down to corridor I was aware he was going to the desk to watch me and Hannibal, but Hannibal did not.

Turning back to the good Doctor it was painfully clear he didn't like my closeness with Dr. Chilton.

"Now, Dr. Lecter. I have a few ground rules before we begin our little chat. Is that ok?"

"Of course, Little Starling."

"Ok 3 rules, one, you will do everything I tell you to without delay."

"Seems reasonable."

"Two, if you attempt to attack or harm me in any way, there will be hell to pay."

He quirked his eyebrow at that obviously wondering how he would attack me through the glass.

"And three, I'm in control."

His eyes turned serious then obviously sensing something was going on.

"Ok, Clarice I'll play along for now."

"I'd expect nothing less from you Dr. Lecter."

"So, are we talking now?"

"Not just yet Doctor, first things first close your eyes."

"And deprive myself of your beauty, never. By the way, I love the shoes Clarice and the new look too."

"Dr. Lecter did you forget rule one?"

"No."

"Then close your eyes and don't open them until I tell you too."

"Ok, Clarice."

His maroon eyes, the eyes I loved slowly slid clothes. His hand fisted in the back of his shirt, obviously nervous about not being able to see what I was doing. But I knew as well as he that he could see perfectly even blind due to his other heightened senses.

I slid the key gently into the lock opening the glass barrier, crouching I lifted it about a foot of the ground and shimmied underneath shutting it behind me and locking myself inside. I undid 4 of the clips holding the security netting in place pulling it back far enough for he to enter Hannibal's private space without taking the whole thing down.

Hannibal had stayed quiet and still throughout it all obviously wondering what I was doing. As I entered through the netting I saw his nostrils flare and he took in my scent unobstructed. I swear he held his breath then, the vein his neck throbbing and his heart rate rose.

Standing inches away from him, I took him in. He was shorter than most men but lithe and laced with muscle. His biceps bulging under his shirt, I bet there was enough strength in those arms for him to snap my neck with no issues at all. It made me wet just thinking about it.

Clamping my thighs shut trying to stop Hannibal smelling my arousal too soon.

"You can open your eyes now Dr. Lecter."

His beautiful eyes slid open seeing my own blue eyes just inches from him.

His breath stopped then.

"What are you doing in here Clarice? How is this possible?"

I loved seeing him flustered.

"I'm here because I want to be Hannibal."

His cheeks flushed slightly at my use of his given name something I had never done before except in my mind.

"Chilton would never allow this."

"Oh, Dr Lecter, Frederick gave me the key and he's watching us right now." I pointed to the camera above the cot as I spoke. I withheld his given name. I'm saving that for later.

"Would you like to fill me in Clarice, I'm obviously missing something here."

"Of course, Dr Lecter."

I lowered myself to sit on the edge of his cot, crossing my legs as he took the chair at his desk.

I let the silence hang between us, testing his patience just a little.

"Dr Chilton mentioned an experiment and been as you're here I assume it involves me."

"You assume, correctly Dr Lecter."

"What does this experiment involve?"

"It satisfies a mutual need that both myself and Frederick have, and should you agree, you will be granted freedoms you haven't had in nearly a decade."

"Freedoms?"

"Yes, Dr Lecter, freedoms."

"What sort of freedoms?"

He leant forward drawn in waiting for my response, eager, very eager.

"Firstly, you would be moved from this wing to the minimum-security wing. As you are probably aware that wing is set up differently, there are no cells and each unit is set up like a small apartment minus a kitchen."

His eyes widened as I continued.

"You would be allowed access to the rest of the hospital and ground and possibly outside as well if all goes well. However, that would depend on whether Frederick is happy with the results."

Locking my gaze on Hannibal I watched his mind ticking over.

"And what would I have to do?"

"Absolutely nothing Dr Lecter."

"Nothing?"

"Well, not nothing exactly." I shrugged.

"Go on, Clarice."

"Me and you will spend the night in one of the units and Dr Chilton will observe through the cameras and maybe come around for a little while."

I could almost see his hackles raising then.

"Rest assured Dr Chilton will be respectful and possibly quite different from the man you have known for the past eight years. If he is happy with the results, then this will continue for the foreseeable future."

He leaned back in his chair, letting out a sharp breath obviously debating between freedom and Chilton's presence.

"And what exactly is Chilton's role in this?"

"Well, Frederick wants to study you, but you and your intellect has denied him this for quite a long time and he is hoping that seeing you in a more relaxed way with me with appease him. If you agree obviously."

His gaze turned to me serious and a little hard.

"Ok, Clarice."

I looked up a little shocked then.

"Ok? That's it?"

"Did you expect a different response Clarice?"

"No… well let's go."

"Frederick!" I shouted.

Quick footsteps came down the corridor. Frederick appeared on the other side of the glass.

"Has he agreed?"

"Yes, he has Frederick, shall we move him over to the unit then?"

"Yes."

Frederick's bright smile obviously unnerved Hannibal. I reached over placing my hand on Hannibal's tight squeezing lightly. His gaze snapped to me, eyes wide with questions.

Standing I held my hand out to him.

"Shall we go, Dr Lecter?"

"Oh, let's."

His hand slid into mind, large and warm, sending shivers down my spine, making my thighs wet.