Twisted Love Stories

Dream of Me

Chapter Ten

Starling awoke early after a restless sleep. She was used to waking up alone but somehow, after the events that had recently taken place, it just felt wrong. It was as if she expected - dare she hope? - that she would wake up next to Him. She craved the exhilaration, the adrenaline that only He could give her.

If only they could see me now, she mused. She smiled as she imagined telling Crawford. Sorry Jack, you just don't have what I'm looking for; the mind, the body and the blade. I prefer convicts, they have much more character.

Despite the glee she was feeling though, there was a strong underlining feeling of immense guilt. She felt as though she had abandoned her job and her duties for personal pleasure. And in a way, she had.

It wasn't as if the Bureau needed her, however. So why was she feeling these things? She had the perfect opportunity to capture the most dangerous man to date, listed on the FBI's ten most wanted list. She could secure a career in whatever field she wanted. So why wasn't she in there arresting him? Because that would be rude. It wouldn't be fair or just. He was trusting her.

Frustrated that her mind was so busy so early, she groaned, sitting up and swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

Get ready for some company Doctor.

Hannibal had been awake for about an hour, listening to Clarice's movements through the thin walls. She had been awake for a while now but she hadn't gotten out of bed.

What is it you are thinking, sweet Clarice?

Then, as if she were answering him directly, she spoke, her voice rough with sleep. "Hello Sir."

Was she speaking on the phone? He hadn't heard it ring.

"No that's fine, really. This is a business call, therefore, you should be identified as my superior… okay yes… I'm perfectly fine… yes I'm sure… Sir, are you okay? You sound anxious… Alright. Um, I don't know. Could be a week, could be longer… thank you Sir… Pardon?" Lecter was puzzled. The tone of her voice had changed dramatically.

"Why do you need to know?"

He heard the rustle of bed sheets. His curiosity piqued.

"I really don't understand… no of course not… to be honest Sir, I'm not sure what the name of the hotel is."

Ah, Jackie Boy, you found my note…

"What do you mean routine?" her voice grew louder. Despite being scared as all hell, Clarice was furious. "You know, you've always been a shitty liar. What's this really about?"

Temper my dear. Jack is experiencing a lot of confusion at this present time and we would hate for him to snap.

"You can't tell me or you won't? If you won't tell me what this is about then I'm hanging up… I told you, I'm fine! I'm great! I'm freaking ecstatic!" Lecter heard the sharp snap as Clarice closed the phone and the thump of it hitting the carpeted floors.

Her heart raced but whether it was as a result of her anger or her nerves, she wasn't sure. Damn you Crawford! Way to ruin my goddamn morning.

She sighed loudly, almost a moan and then movement. Footsteps down the hallway, growing louder until they stopped outside of his door.

Her anxiety grew to irrational heights as she rethought her plan. She knocked lightly on the door.

He smiled to himself. "Come in Clarice."

The door inched open and Starling poked her head inside.

Oh my god Doctor! Where's your shirt? She drew a deep breath. Let's pray you have pants on… Oh please, have pants on…

Hannibal was sitting up in his bed and admired the way Clarice's cheeks turned dark pink as she was met with his bare chest.

'Oh.' she squeaked.

He forced his eyes to stay on hers, his stare burning her skin. "Good morning."

She turned her gaze to the ground, suddenly one hundred times more nervous.

Don't chicken out. Stick to the plan!

"Good morning Doctor." she spoke as confidently as she could, her voice even. "You probably heard me just now as I was talking to Mr. Crawford."

He nodded, anticipating her next move. "Yes. Thank you for keeping our whereabouts a secret. I rather like this hotel and it would be a shame for us if we had to move."

"Us? You mean if I had of told him where we are, you would still take me with you?"

Tilting his head he replied, "Only if that was what you wanted. This is a holiday, not a kidnapping. You are free to leave at any time you wish."

"Oh." she said again, moving to stand beside the bed. She motioned to the spacebeside him, her eyes locked on his. "May I?"

Lecter made not a sound. He simply nodded, patting the sheets beside him. Slowly, like a curious mouse approaching the lion, she lay down beside him on top of the sheets. Enough space was left between them so neither became distracted or uncomfortable.

"Now," he started. "What's on your mind Clarice?"

Please be wearing pants…

"The way Crawford was talking worried me."

"How so?"

"It was as if he thought I was in real danger. Like…" her eyes narrowed. "Like he knew I was with you." Though she was looking at Hannibal, she was talking more to herself. Lecter watched as she put the pieces together.

"I didn't take the letters with me… What if Ardelia comes to check on me and finds something unnusual? No, the note in the paper was too ambigious. So what was up with Crawford just now? I left the letter you sent me in my car, but he couldn't have found that, right? I mean, why would he be in my car?" she continued throwing questions at him, her eyes darting around the room, her fingers combing nervously through her hair. "Oh god, that was stupid! Why did I leave them behind?"

"So what if Jack knows?"

She stopped, looking at him as if he were mad.

"What?"

He shrugged.

"They could find you! You would go back to that box!"

"Do you care if I do?" he asked, too casually.

Her jaw dropped open. "Of course I care! I wouldn't be lying to save your ass if I didn't!"

"We have no need to shout. I was simply asking where your priorities lie."

She didn't have a clue. "Doctor?"

"Yes Clarice?"

"May I ask you a question?"

"Anything at all."

Taken aback by his openness, she took several deep breaths.

He stared into her bright eyes, so full of ambition. "Have you forgotten the rules of our game already? Quid pro quo Clarice. Are you ready?"

There was no inner debate. "Yes."

He wanted more than anything at that moment to question her further on the events of her dream but he knew that if he did, it would turn into something she was not yet ready for. That would come later. He hoped it would come soon but for her, he would wait as long as it took.

"At around one-thirty am, I heard you become restless. I could hear you tossing and turning in your sleep. This went on for a while, and then at around two am, you cried out for your father."

"Oh… my…" she stared incredulously at his hands resting in his lap, realised he might get the wrong idea and turned her gaze away to the bedside table, her eyes wide, her cheeks burning crimson. He did not move as she processed the information.

"What were you seeing?"

Her chest heaved as the nightmare replayed itself in her mind. Lecter watched. She opened her mouth to speak but shut it again and again. He was patient with her and waited until she felt ready to speak.

"It felt like I was losing him all over again." she whispered. Lecter waited in relative silence as she thought. "I was back in that barn and it was so cold… My Uncle owned a farm."

"Cattle?"

"Sheep and horses."

He nodded, encouraging her to continue.

"I was so scared but I had to see where it was coming from. I had to."

"Where what was coming from, Clarice?' he prodded, softly, carefully.

Starling raised her head and looked him in the eyes. "The screaming." she breathed.

He understood. This was a memory, not a nightmare.

"What did you do Clarice?"

"I did what my daddy told me to do. I ran. I ran and I left him behind. He called my name… I cried for him but I wasn't loud enough. I ran until I couldn't run anymore."

"You said your father died when you were ten?"

She nodded, a single tear sliding down her cheek. He reached for her, holding her tight against his chest. She was hesitant, layng her palm firmly on his pectoral muscle.

"Please just first tell me… are you wearing pants?"

He beamed, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Yes Clarice, I am wearing pants."

She blew out a puff of air, relieved. He chuckled as she locked her arms around his neck. He held her close, enjoying the light proximity of the moment. She didn't seem too keen to let go either.

So much for the plan… over breakfast then.

"Clarice, the next time you have a dream of that nature, will you tell me?"

"You mean the next morning?"

"No."

She nodded into his neck. "Okay. I promise."