Chapter 4-

As he led her away from Esmarla and to the dance floor he had placed his hand on the small of her back, sending heat through her and she tried her level best not to fidget. As he was leading her across the floor, in a rather skilled manner considering Clarice had barely ever danced before; she noted that he had a scar on his left hand, just below the knuckle of his little finger. She was going to strike up conversation about it, until he spoke and successfully distracted her.

"Are you enjoying the evening Ms Starling?"

"Yes, very much. Thank you for inviting me."

"You are very welcome, it was the least I could do to help you with your investigation." Clarice raised her eyebrows at the Doctor, her sharp blue eyes curious as she met his gaze.

"I never told you to call me Ms Starling." She said, directing the conversation away from her work.

"Ah yes but you never asked me to use your given name either, I would never presume to take such a liberty."

Clarice smiled inwardly, he reminded her of… No. She wouldn't think about that, not tonight.

"So Ms Starling, you never did say why the FBI put one of their best agents on a missing person case." She laughed at this, her eyes sparkling.

"Best agent?"

"From what I have read in the papers you certainly seem so, you captured that ghastly Buffalo Bill, didn't you?" The Doctor was trying to restrain himself from caressing her lower back with his thumb even through the material; the heat of her skin was intoxicating.

"Sort of…" Clarice had become uncomfortable and was trying to avoid this particular topic of conversation, yet Dr Fell persisted, wanting to hear her thoughts on the matter.

"From what I have heard it wasn't sort of, you captured him alone did you not?"

"Physically? Yes, but I came upon him by accident and I had help."

"With what?"

"Discovering his identity… Psychoanalyzing him to find out why he did what he did."

"Ah yes, one Dr Lecter I believe."

"…Yeah"

Clarice shifted uncomfortably.

"I apologise Ms Starling I have made you feel discomfited."

"Oh no, no it's fine..."

He smiled at her and she tingled all over, the music grew faster and she took the opportunity to look at his face. He was handsome there was no denying that, he had an air of elegance around him but he was equally mysterious. She got the impression he could be very dangerous if need be. Clarice felt dizzy and guessed that she'd had too much wine; for she had the sudden urge to kiss the man in front of her. He pulled her body closer as another couple whirled past, going too fast for the music and she melted in his embrace, laying her head at his shoulder as she breathed his spicily scented cologne in deeply. She tilted her head from his shoulder, her eyes meeting his green as she smiled coyly, leaning closer to his mouth. She could feel his warm breath upon her lips…

"Ahem!" Someone cleared their throat loudly and Clarice turned quickly, realising that it was Francesco and that he was stood next to Dr Fell. Clarice looked up to Dr Fell in time to catch something flash across his eyes, something that made goose-bumps litter her arms and sent a shiver down her spine. When she blinked, his expression was one of neutrality and she was left wondering if she had perhaps had more wine than she was used to. Francesco however, made no effort to conceal the fury in his gaze as he looked between them.

"Can I help you Master Sogliato?" Dr Fell asked, his tone politely mocking.

"Yes you can! First you steal my job, then my dance partner, do you want my tie too?!" There was a vein pulsating in Sogliato's forehead as he turned a bright shade of red.

Dr Fell did not release Clarice and he showed no emotion as he replied, his tone was one of complete seriousness. "No thank you, it's not my colour."

Clarice let out a snort of laughter into Dr Fells shoulder, coughing slightly to cover it up as Dr Fell patted her back, his green eyes showing amusement as they flicked down to her. He then flashed a smile at the Italian and the vain throbbed even more predominantly in Francesco's head. Sogliato was about to speak when Dr Fell interrupted him.

"You may want to watch your blood pressure Francesco but if you insist on a verbal sparring, do you mind if we step outside? I'd rather Ms Starling didn't see it."

"FINE!"

"Excuse me, I will be right back Agent Starling."

He kissed her hand and walked away, his stride smooth and elegant. Clarice frowned for a moment as she made her way over to a table; her memory was clouded by the wine, but something was nagging at the back of her mind, something she was sure was important though she couldn't quite grasp it.. Clarice raised another glass of wine to her mouth as she sipped, her head tilted in thought.

Not long after he had walked out in fury, Francesco returned to the ball looking very pale; Clarice watched him as he made his way over to his Uncle, bending to talk to him before turning on his heel and leaving.

Her blue gaze then fell on the elegant form of Dr Fell, also making his way through the throng of people and back over to her.

"I am sorry Ms Starling, you shouldn't have been witness to that."

She smiled politely and shook her head. "Oh its fine, really I see and hear worse in my line of work."

He merely inclined his head in agreement, a slight smirk gracing his face as he recalled his Valentine 'gift' to her, yes he imagined seeing a floating severed head in a jar made a battle of male testosterone pale in comparison.

Clarice frowned as he eyes caught movement from over Dr Fell's shoulder, the Uncle of her recently rejected dance partner was making his way over to them.

"Ah Ms Starling is it?" He held out his hand as he reached her, smiling and showing her all his crooked teeth.

"Yes?" She shook his hand with the same firm handshake she had been taught by her Daddy, one that put men off balance as they were used to limp wristed, barely there handshakes from women.

"I am Francesco's Uncle, Dimitri Sogliato." He held her hand a little longer than necessary, and when he released it Clarice wanted to wipe her hands, but thought it may be considered rude should he notice.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr Sogliato."

"And you my dear, pardon the intrusion but my nephew has taken quite a shine to you."

"Has he?" Clarice frowned as she tried to extract the English beneath the thick Italian accent. "It was just a dance, sir."

"Do you not believe in amore a prima vista Ms Starling?" She frowned and looked at Dr Fell in confusion, the only word she had translated from that was 'amore'; which everyone knew to mean love.

"Love at first sight." He whispered in her ear whilst grabbing a glass of wine from the passing waiter.

Clarice swallowed as a picture flashed in her mind, a man stood in the middle of a glass covered cell. Like a snake at the zoo, poised with elegance and yet ready to strike out with venom at any moment… "Good Morning."

Clarice didn't know what she had been expecting him to say, perhaps something uncouth, she had just passed Miggs after all, but she could tell you then and there that bidding her good morning was not what she had anticipated.

"Ms Starling?" Clarice blinked in confusion before leveling her gaze at Mr Sogliato, leaving his question unanswered as he continued.

"Tell me Ms Starling, where are you staying at the moment; do you have a permanent residence?"

Clarice thought this question strange but answered it anyway.

"No I'm in a hotel at the moment."

"I was wondering perhaps seeing as you're investigating this case, why don't you say at the Capponi?"

Dr Lecter nearly choked on his wine.

"Oh no, I couldn't impose on Dr Fell. I'm fine where I am."

"Nonsense my dear! I'm sure Dr Fell wouldn't mind, there is enough room to house the Italian army in there!" he laughed, Clarice realised this was his idea of a joke and laughed along humorlessly. Mr Sogliato looked expectantly at Dr Fell who for once seemed speechless. He thought it very ironic that he would love nothing more than to have Clarice with him, just not under these circumstances. She would most defiantly discover his identity for he wasn't one to deny himself the things he enjoyed and she knew everything he liked and disliked. Dr Lecter was about to speak when Sogliato interrupted.

"I don't know why I am asking Dr Fell, he is but the curator of the library, it is up to the board who lives there and as an important member I insist." Dr Lecter had almost killed Sogliato then and there.

"Well… Erm thank you..." she looked apologetically toward Dr Fell.

"Nonsense it's the least I can do, come my dear let's talk transport arrangements for your move." He led Clarice away. Dr Lecter was certain the only reason Sogliato had suggested the move was so he could permanently get hold of Clarice when Francesco wanted her. The Doctor started making a mental list of precautions to put into action for Clarice's residence.