Hannibal

It wasn't long before Clarice joined the baby in sleep. He lay her gently on the bed, still holding Leonardo, and watched over them. He wanted more than anything to take them back to his house, but he wouldn't do it without her permission, not this time.

Clarice woke after only a few hours rest. The exhaustion had taken over, but Hannibal knew it wouldn't for long. There were too many questions, too much to deal with. He had taken the chair from the desk and moved it to the side of the bed, and was sitting there watching them. He saw her first grasp at Leonardo, making sure that he was really there, really with her, before raising her eyes to him.

Silence, spanning their time apart, spread between them. Finally, Hannibal spoke.

"Hello Clarice."

"Hello, Dr. Lecter." He chuckled.

"Please... I think it high time we did away with such formalities, don't you, ex-special agent Starling?" She gulped.

"Hannibal." It came out as a whisper. It excited him to hear his name on her tongue, on her lips, the way she had spoken it once before, but only that once.

"Would you come with me, Clarice? I have a place not far from here that I think you might find more suited to your needs." She simply nodded in response.

He watched as she rose to feet, picking up Leonardo at the same time, and he watched her smile away her shock to find all of her things neatly packed away and ready to go.

"If it pleases you," he said, softly, "I can bring the car closer so you won't have far to walk. Wait here." He took her key with him; it would be easier than picking the lock to get back in. He took the bassinette on this trip. Once outside, he retrieved the car so nicely hidden away and placed the bassinette in the trunk. Luckily, the bassinette fit nicely, and he thought of an arrangement to fit her suitcase in there as well. He knew she'd be amused by the presence of the small black Smart Car, but it was the most feasible thing to venture around the city in, able to provide cover if need be, so he had been using it for the past month while watching her. He pulled it up directly to the front of the building and left it idling.

He returned to her room finding her ready. He took her suitcase in his right arm and offered out his left hand to her.

"Shall we?" She took it, and immediately felt the wrist brace that was wrapped around her hand. It was almost as though she'd forgotten. She gasped. Her hand was now trembling. Hannibal squeezed her hand lightly, as if to tell her that all was forgiven, and she relaxed.

They departed. Clarice left the key on the front desk, along with a note that she had penned for the owners while he went for the car. Hannibal managed to glance at the note, saw her written gratitude for the owners who had taken such good care of her, and her apologies for leaving so soon and without saying goodbye. Always courteous, his Clarice. Had he needed the confirmation that she planned to stay with him, it was right there before his eyes.

He led her down the dark staircase deftly, and went to open the passenger door for her before placing the suitcase in the trunk. He watched for the amusement that he knew would be on her face when she saw his vehicle, and sure enough, there it was. He chuckled lightly under his breath. He shut the trunk and joined Clarice in the car, and without a moment's hesitation, he drove off into the night.