*A/N Okieday, here it is! The conclusion! I would like to thank all you wonderful people that encouraged me throughout this whole project, namely Chameleon302, Nanci, Samantha Bridges, Steel, 143, Shattered Mug, Jan, Allegretto Emily, Troesnaja, Luna, Cloudburst2000, Nikita, Jane, Lalita, and last but not least, Kijm *big breath* You guys rock!



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Without turning on the lights on the stairwell, Doctor Lecter led Clarice down into the dark basement. Faint rustling sounds were heard, almost like a rat. She immediately had a flashback to Jame Gumb's little dungeon with all the butterflies…she suppressed a shudder and gripped onto his hand harder. He smiled slightly and helped her down the last step. With all the years he had spent in the dungeon asylum, his eyes were used to the darkness.

"Here we are, Clarice. Wait here a moment while I get the lights…" his warm presence immediately left her side followed shortly by a light turning on. She closed her eyes from the brightness, and then opened them. The sight she saw dumbfounded, maybe even frightened her. Tied up in a chair with a blanket over his lap was a gagged man. He wasn't cleanly shaven, but that can be expected; she didn't know how long he had been down here. But he was also in a state of panic…especially when he saw both Doctor Lecter and herself appear from upstairs.

"Clarice, I'd like for you to meet Mister Robert Holland. He, apparently, has met you." He said gesturing at the gagged man.

"No, I don't believe we've met. I would have remembered him. Why did you say he met me?" she asked eyeing both Robert and the Doctor warily.

"Because he was looking through your house, of course. Though I'm quite sure that is a story best heard from him, not me. Now Mister Holland, I am going to remove your gag now. If you scream, no one will hear you. We are quite secluded, I assure you. Will you cooperate?" Doctor Lecter asked as the Harpy slid effortlessly out of his sleeve and into his waiting hand.

With a muffled grunt and a nod, Robert agreed. Doctor Lecter smiled, and ripped the duct tape off of his mouth very quickly, causing Robert's head to turn with the force. He let out a muffled scream, but didn't let it come all the way out.

Clarice left the comfort of Doctor Lecter's side, and walked over to Robert.

"Who the hell are you, and what where you doing in my house?" she glared at him as she stood with her arms crossed looking down at him. Doctor Lecter was quite certain that if he had not already emptied the contents of his bladder, he would do so now.

"R-r-r-Robert H-Holland." His mouth moved to form words, but no sound came out.

"Come now, Mister Holland. It is very rude to leave a lady- especially this Lady- waiting." Doctor Lecter said drawing a few steps closer.

"Ahh! Krendler hired me! I swear! I didn't want to hurt you! Don't hurt me!" by this time, Mr. Holland was thrashing around so much that his chair tilted over to the side and fell. He, on the other hand, was promptly knocked unconscious by the fall. Meanwhile, Clarice was seething with barely controlled rage.

"Krendler…KRENDLER! That stupid..." she let out a stream of extremely unladylike curses that almost caused Doctor Lecter to curse. That is why they aren't repeated here.

"I thought we were finished with his stupid ass when he ate his own brains! But no! The bastard has to haunt me from the grave!" Clarice growled and kicked the chair's leg.

"What would you like to do with him, Clarice?"

"Beat him with a chair leg until he calls me mommy" she said with another kick. Doctor Lecter chuckled a bit, and smiled.

"While normally I wouldn't hesitate to let you do just that, you are in no condition to be expending your energy in such unproductive ways. I suppose we shall have to go with my plan, after all. Well, if you'll permit me, and yourself, time to change, we'll get started." He gestured to the stairs and held out his arm. With a smile that matched his own, she ascended the staircase and disappeared into her room to change.

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About 10 minutes later, Hannibal and Clarice sat on their comfortable couch thinking. Hannibal had already explained his plan to Clarice, and was waiting her response on it. Though he knew she would like it, the actual application itself worried him. It would require them to give up their hiding spot. Which was just as well, actually. They, note the term, would be leaving the States shortly and would soon move out of the watchful eye of the FBI. So that was no problem. The problem was the actual 'punishment' itself. Clarice thought Hannibal's punishment was too lax, and said something to that effect. But the alternative…was not altogether humane. With a sigh, she looked again towards Doctor Lecter.

"I say we go with the extreme. No holds barred." She nodded to herself as she looked at him. With grin, Doctor Lecter stood and took hold of her hand.

"This is turning out to be a pleasant evening." He gave her hand a squeeze and then dropped it.

"Well, " he continued. "I'll get the Prisoner you ready things up here. We'll get him secured and taken care of, then we'll make our escape." Doctor Lecter turned and headed back down to the basement. Clarice meanwhile moved a chair to face the TV and went to find some rope and duct tape.

Just as Clarice had finished checking the chair for anything dangerous, Doctor Lecter emerged from the basement, Robert slung over his shoulder. He came and put him in the chair none too lightly. It was then that Clarice noticed his earlier…accident. She raised an eyebrow and grinned, but said nothing. Without waste of time, Doctor Lecter had cuffed his hands together behind his back, and was starting to tie him to the chair. He soon finished and glanced around to find Clarice flipping channels on the TV.

"I think we'll definitely have to go with the DVD. There isn't anything suitable on for this line of punishment," she said frowning.

"As I said there would. You should be lucky I keep these things around. It never hurts to be prepared. That, and I was planning a visit for an old acquaintance of mine. Ah well, it'll be for a good cause." He disappeared momentarily and came back with a brightly colored DVD case and handed it to Clarice.

"Would you do the honors, My Dear?" he asked.

"With pleasure" Clarice opened the case and popped the DVD into the player. The sounds of awful music and off-pitch singing soon filled the room. Grimacing, Doctor Lecter tore off two thin pieces of duct tape, which he soon used to tape Robert's eyes open. Then, he stood back to survey his work.

"I don't think he'll be going anywhere soon, do you?" Clarice asked.

"If he does, he'll be going to a nice padded cell. Who ever produced this type of entertainment surely had that as their goal. Okie Dokie. Time for us to head out. I do hope the authorities don't decide to bust his fun for a good few hours; it would be a waste of money. After all, Barney the Dinosaur is not as cheap as it used to be…" he winked at her and motioned to the Purple Dinosaur on the television. Clarice shook her head and half dragged, half led him to the door of the house. With a smile, he followed.

Thus we see the painful end of Robert Holland's life as a sane person. This also marks the date the Lovely Couple celebrate, excluding their meeting and the whole Muskrat Farm incident, as one of their anniversaries. It is certain, however, that the Bride of Frankenstein, and the Monster himself were never to be toyed with. Not even in the FBI was their name taken lightly. Anyone who would do that to a person just for rifling through some stuff most certainly was to be avoided in small numbers.

But, for now, they lived happily ever after.

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*A/N I suck at endings, 'specially ones where it's not mysterious. Ah well. It's over! I hope you enjoyed yourself. Y'all be safe, and have fun in your lives! ^_^ ~Lady Trek, Kendal ~