Twisted Love Stories

Dream of Me

Chapter Seven

Starling didn't know what to expect when she stepped into first class. There could have been chandeliers hanging from the ceiling for all she knew. Whatever it was that had played out in her mind was certainly put to shame as she took in her surroundings. It was larger than she was used to, double the size of her seat in the flight back from Memphis. Even the colour scheme was more luxurious. She made her way to seat C6 and fought to contain a sigh as she slid into her chair.

I could get used to this…

She made herself comfortable and prepared her mind for the turmoil ahead. She couldn't help but wonder if the Doctor was here on this plane with her, watching her. She found herself hoping he was.

She took a deep breath. The things you do to me Dr. Lecter…

She buckled her seat belt and prepared for take-off. She thoroughly enjoyed the thought of rocketing forward into the sky, away from the aches and pains of responsibility and into the unknown with a serial killer acting as a tour guide, introducing her to parts of herself she had yet to face. To pass the time, she busied herself with a crudely drawn sketch of a duck in a suit and tie.

Just as she was about to add the lasers shooting out of her duck's eyes, an attractive male flight attendant approached her holding a glass of wine. "Excuse me ma'am." He interrupted politely, flashing a charming grin.

"Yes?" she paid hardly any attention to the heart-achingly stunning man before her.

"The older gentleman in seat D7 bought you a drink. Batard Montrachet, the best wine we have although if you would allow me to comment, I'm quite surprised that a beautiful woman such as yourself is attracting the attention of such men."

She looked at him, struggling to hide her suspicion and noticed his purposely flexed muscles through the thin white shirt. "Thank you. Would you give him a message from me?"

He winked. "Of course ma'am."

Starling folded over her sketch of the laser shooting duck, scribbled down her note and swapped it for the wine. She thanked him again and waved him off. He returned to seat D7 looking slightly dejected.

Starling could only just hear their muffled exchanges.

"Sir?"

"Mmm?" Oh my god… it was him, he is here on the plane only two rows behind me!

"The young woman you sent the wine to asked me to give you her thanks as well as this note."

"Thank you. Is that all?"

"Yes sir. Enjoy your flight."


Dr. Lecter dismissed the attendant and breathed in the smell of the rather dishevelled note. He unfolded it and chuckled inwardly at her sketch. Turning the paper over, he imprinted her style of handwriting into his mind.

Doctor,

I would very much like to continue our phone conversation and seeing as this will be a bit of a long flight, I think it would do us both some good to enjoy some pleasant conversation. I'm inviting you to join me Doctor. The seat next to mine is free. It would please me immensely to be in your company for a while. What do you say?

- Clarice.

The Doctor smiled. Brave Clarice… why let such an opportunity pass? Life is too short.

Ensuring his escape route was planned and ready should something go wrong, the Doctor stood and made his way to Clarice's seat. She had the window seat and was staring but not seeing.

"Good morning Doctor." she greeted before he had a chance. She focused hard on appearing nonchalant but the doctor could hear her breaths and the jack hammer beating of her heart.

"Clarice. So good to see you."

She turned to him and nodded pleasantly. "Sit, please." she motioned to the empty chair next to her. He bowed slightly and sat, crossing his legs. He sighed and smiled to himself at Clarice's sudden intake of breath.

"How do you feel about flying?" he asked.

"It's… relaxing. Being so far in the sky, way up in the clouds in a machine that, according to physics, shouldn't even be able to lift off the ground I think is sort of magical." she smiled shyly. "How do you feel about flying Doctor?"

Settling into his seat, he replied, "As you said Clarice… magical."

She shivered. This did not go unnoticed by the Doctor. Clarice had foolishly packed her coat away in the compartments above them.

"Are you cold?" he asked.

"A little but I'll be fine.'"

"Here," he sat forward and shrugged out of his coat. He placed it tentatively around her shoulders and she blushed hot. An observation she made; he never touched her with his bare skin and Starling felt somewhat disappointed.

"Thank you."

"You mentioned wanting to continue our phone conversation. Might I suggest quid pro quo?"

She turned sideways in her seat so she was facing him front on. "Yes please."

"Very well. I believe it was your turn."

"You asked me before if I wanted this to be… more."

"Yes."

"Do you, Doctor?"

He gave a crooked smile at her frankness. This would be fun. "Do I what Clarice?"

she huffed, struggling for words. "Do you want, um…" she trailed off.

"Please finish your thought."

"Do I have to say it?" He nodded. "But you already know what I mean!"

"Say it Clarice."

She shifted her gaze to her hands as she twiddled her thumbs.

"Do you… um, want… me…?" she rasped quietly.

"In what way?"

She snapped her head up to look at him, disbelief written plainly on her face.

'Say it Clarice. You'll thank me later."

'I doubt it."

She sighed and put her head in her hands.

"Do you… want me… sexually?"

"Look at me Clarice." Hesitantly, she complied. "Again."

"You're fucking joking, right?"

Dr. Lecter wrinkled his nose. "Language, please."

"English, Doctor."

He smiled. "Again."

"Do you want me sexually?" she cringed as the words rolled off her tongue.

"There, was that so hard?"

"Answer the damn question please." she grumbled.

"More than you could imagine, Clarice."

A beat.

She had fallen silent, stopped breathing. He held her gaze and she saw amusement in his eyes despite the blue contacts.

"My turn?"

She nodded dumbly.

"What made you decide to follow me?" he asked curiously as he inclined his head.

"I figured I have nothing to lose."

"You aren't concerned for your safety?" he enquired, lacing his fingers together on his knee.

His pulse never rose above 85. Even when he at her tongue.

"Are you a liar?" she quipped.

"No."

'Then I am in no danger.' she stated confidently. "I hope you understand how much I trust you, Doctor."

Lecter hesitated. Never had anyone talked to him like this. She was so frank with him.

"I do, Clarice."

"Good." Hesitantly, Starling reached across the void between them and placed her hand lightly over his hands, still rested on his knee. She felt him shiver but not from the cold and she couldn't help but do the same. Carefully, slowly she caressed his knuckles with her thumb. After a moment he responded. Turning his hand and lacing his fingers with hers, always looking into her eyes. She gazed at their joined hands.

"What do you have to gain?" he whispered.

She hadn't voiced the words yet and she feared he would coax her to do that now. "What do you mean Doctor?"

"You said you followed me because you have nothing to lose. What do you have to gain?" he asked again.

Sighing, she started to speak, having no real idea what would come out of her mouth. "Work is so stressful at with that bastard Krendler making me push papers, and Crawford practically declaring his love for me as I go to board the plane.'

Lecter laughed at that. Not a mocking laugh, but sincerely amused.

"Yes I overheard. Jackie boy did always know how to tickle my funny bone."

"You have a funny bone?" she quipped.

"Believe it or not Clarice, even I have my ticklish spots."

"And I shall make it my mission in life to find them."

He winked. "There will be time for that later." Oh really? "We're digressing. I apologize, please continue." She nodded and picked up exactly where she left off.

"So with work how it is, it offers little to no comfort and is not exactly a welcome distraction. Ardelia is always out with her new boyfriend. Sometimes I even question if she still lives with me… anyway, work, social life and…"

"Yes Clarice?"

"And it's been so long…" she whispered almost inaudibly. The doctor was surprised at his own intake of breath.

"Since what, my dear?" he whispered back, stroking her fingers with his own. She frowned, not fully believing what she was about to say and in whose company she was going to say it in.

"Since I met someone that, um…" It was this point in their discussion that the Good Doctor decided to pitch in and assist in her personal realisation.

"Since you met someone whom you connected with on an intimate level?"

She turned her head from him, hiding her flushed cheeks.

"Yes but that's not all Doctor." He freed a hand to hold her chin with his thumb and index finger, turning her face toward him. A single tear ran down her face and she reached quickly with her other hand to wipe it away. He stopped her, holding her wrist firmly but softly. His face was so close to hers, he could smell the saltines of her tears. He closed the distance between them, placing a soft kiss at the corner of her mouth, catching her tear and savouring the bitter sweet taste of her.

Clarice reached for him and touched her hand to the side of his face, tracing his jaw line. She shifted her head and met his lips in a kiss; their first. Her lips parted slightly but he did not follow. The Doctor squeezed his eyes shut and lifted his head, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Her breath was heavy and it tickled his neck.

He whispered softly into her hair. "I've been in a glass box for eight years." He sighed and felt her smile. "You were saying that there was more to it than meeting someone you connected with intimately. What else is there?"

"I was going to say that it's been a long time since I have been challenged intellectually, and I find the stimulation very enticing."

Hannibal Lecter smirked. "Outstanding."