Chapter 9

Dr. Lecter stepped off the plane that had landed in Memphis, Tennessee. He felt it funny that Clarice had chosen this location, but also very fitting. He glanced down one more time at the note he had deciphered. It took him no time at all to pick up on the cattle ranch clue and to find the next. He stroked his fingers over the note:

Remember the place you first dared to touch me? Don't think I didn't notice.

Dr. Lecter knew this clue would probably take the members of the FBI more time to figure out considering the only people who saw them touch hands in that Memphis cell all those years ago were two police officers and Dr. Chilton, all of which, were now dead.

Lecter smiled, "Oh, if only the dead could talk Clarice, what tales they could spin."

He walked along the street elegant and poised. He walked along the perimeter of the building where he made his great escape all those years ago by wearing the face of a fallen police officer. He could remember the taste of his flesh. That was his first act of cannibalism since all those years of incarceration. And now? He yearned for the taste of Clarice's flesh. But did she feel the same?

Hannibal Lecter is unsure of what Clarice Starling's intentions are, but he gathers she, herself, is probably unsure. As he pondered all the possible outcomes, he saw a woman sitting on a bench. She had an athletic build and dark brown hair. She wore a tank top with jeans, and she had her hair pulled back in a ponytail. The tank top showed her arms off beautifully. He glanced down and noticed she had on a pair of Gucci sandals that had a heel in the back. He approved of the new shoe selection. She had changed several things from her outward appearance, but those eyes that held him whole, remained the same. He took a seat next to her on the bench. Her coral lips moved to shape the words, "Hello, Doctor."

"Clarice, the fugitive life appears to be treating you rather well." He could watch her eyes move all over him. Most likely looking for his hand, both of which he kept tucked away in his white jacket. "I'm all here Clarice, no need to worry."

Clarice blinked twice. Hannibal pulled his hands out of his jacket and placed them on his lap. "Doctor… why would you do that?"

The Doctor sighed, "Clarice, I will not waste time with such trivial questions. I think you know the answer, but I think you are afraid of it."

Clarice's facial expressions tensed, "I am not afraid of you."

Lecter smiled, "I never said you were afraid of me Clarice. It is your lack of fear in my presence that frightens you. When all others run, you remain standing. However, here we are now sitting on a bench in the middle of the scene of my great escape. How did you feel when they announced it Clarice? Announced that I had gotten away."

"…I felt… happy for you, but sad for those who crossed your path."

"And what of your own escape, Clarice? How did it feel to have your friends in arms coming to arrest you?"

Clarice looked the Doctor in the eyes and then straight ahead, "it felt a little ironic. The same men I called to come to the rescue, ended up trying to lock me away."

"They have always tried to lock you away Clarice. Maybe not always behind bars, but to a desk, to a dead end job, they have always tried clipping your wings."

Clarice glanced at him again, "And yet, when the opportunity rose to clip my wings, you instead took one of your own."

Dr. Lecter smiled, "Muddies the water a bit, doesn't it Clarice? Things aren't so black and white. Even since before the fish market, they have tried to get rid of you haven't they? But you stayed, why?"

"I thought I could fix it, make things right. I thought if just one person could make a change, then others could change to."

Dr. Lecter turned slightly to face her, "What made you believe that Clarice? Did you think back to when Daddy had been shot? Did you think if just one person had intervened, maybe he would still be alive? Did you think that by running way with that lamb in the middle of the night, you could save all of them? Clarice, if you want to save others you can do so, not by changing others, but by making that change yourself. You killed a police officer the night you escaped, for your freedom. He was doing what he was told. But you took matters into your own hands Clarice."

Clarice had tears forming in her eyes, but she refused to cry in front of him. She refused to let them fall down her cheek. "I did what I did so that I may survive. I did not do anything wrong, but I don't even know what is right anymore."

Dr. Lecter turned to completely face her now, "Why did you call on me Clarice? Why are you here?"

She turned to face him, mirroring his image, "Because right now, I believe you are the only one who isn't frightened by me, and who understands me. And you are the only one who feels right, at this moment. That is why I wanted to make a deal."

Hannibal raised an eyebrow at that, "Oh, and what do you have to offer in this deal?"

"I only have myself to offer Doctor. But there are certain rules I want to be made clear."

"Choose your words carefully Clarice, you don't want to say anything you might regret later. But I am a man of my word. Name your terms."

"First, I will go with you, but I need your help. I don't know who or what I am supposed to be anymore. I dedicated my whole life to the FBI ever since my father died, and now, I don't know who I am. All I know is that I am Clarice Starling. But I want to know what that really means. But I don't want you to touch me without my permission."

"Fair enough Clarice. I will help you."

A beat, "Doctor, in the case files….it said that Chilton tried a number of methods to get you to talk."

Dr. Lecter turned his head a fraction, "A petty and futile attempt to say the least."

"Why didn't those drugs work on you Doctor?"

"Because I had already experimented on my own mind some time ago Clarice. And much stronger concoctions than Dr. Chilton could conjure up."

"Why?"

Dr. Lecter stared off into the distance, "That story will have to wait for another time my dear. I had some memories that I was unable to see clearly. With the help of those medicines, I was able to remember things again in clear order that my mind had locked away."

"I want you to do the same for me."

Dr. Lecter's head snapped around to face Starling again, "No, that is too dangerous of a road Clarice."

"But not for you. I can bear it Doctor. With your help. I need this, please."

Hannibal Lecter considered her for a moment. His brave Clarice was getting much bolder than he could have ever imagined possible, "I will agree to it but on a condition of my own."

"Go Doctor."

"You are to listen to my instruction while going through the treatments. I do not want any barriers or lies from you Clarice. You will give me your honesty or it will be your life."

"Agreed. May I ask one last favor before we depart?"

"Careful Clarice. You have already asked for very much."

"I want to touch you just this once. I want to see what I feel."

Dr. Lecter's breath caught in his throat. But she did not wait for his permission. She reached up and slowly brought up her hand to caress his cheek. She held her hand there. His skin was warm and soft. Clarice felt like electricity was running through her hand. Dr. Lecter just sat there and watched her eyes. He brought his hand up to hers and stroked her fingers.

"A very dangerous game indeed Clarice."