DICSLAIMER: I'm not stealing anyone's characters! I'm only trying to entertain myself by writing a mushy fic! Lol! Please don't sue… I don't have much money!

SUMMARY: Dr Lecter visits Starling after Silence of the Lambs and it's something she can't let go off…

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Ok, this is another attempt at a Hannibal fic, which I think is a bit of an improvement from the last ones! Lol! I'd like to dedicate this one to Anouk (a.k.a. Troesnaja) for giving me a LOT of the ideas for this story! And of course Little-Starling for her continuous encouragement! I wouldn't have come as far as I did without you! Thanks!

Visitor By Jane

PART 2:

"So you actually went with him?" Ardelia interrupted her story with a bewildered look on her face. "Didn't you try to call the cops or anything? You went just like that?"

"The phone lines were down as well, I checked," Clarice answered, not pleased with the interruption, "what else could I have done? I don't think he would've let me go even if I tried to ran out in the rain"

Ardelia was a pathetic listener, but sometimes it was quite… convenient that way… Soon Starling resumed her story.

* * *

Reluctantly she got into his car and Dr.Lecter closed the door behind her, before getting in himself. The soft hum of the engine was quite soothing on her nerves and soon Clarice couldn't feel much fear or discomfort even though she kept reminding herself of who he really was and tried hard to remember all his victims, or what was left of them. Looking over at him, she couldn't put the two together… he always seemed somehow different around her. Was it something about her? She scolded herself for that. Here she was in a serial killer's car driving to an unknown location and she was trying to figure out if he had feelings for her? 'This is crazy', her mind told her and suddenly she felt the hardness of the scissors in her jeans pocket and her mind was alert once more. How could she use the weapon more productively? Clarice was sure he could unarm her easier than she imagined.

Dr. Lecter was quiet for the first part of the journey, giving her some time to adjust to her surroundings. And perhaps get a plan together. He held the corners of his lips from curving into a smile. She was so much fun to be around! Yes, certainly more action than he had in a while, which was partly due to the fact that he had to keep a low profile lately. It wasn't most convenient to always watch your step but it was a nice distraction from boredom.

Finally Dr. Lecter drew his thoughts together and began to speak. "So tell me, Special Agent Starling," he said emphasizing the word 'special', "how's life treating you, hmm?"

She took a few long moments to think about the right way to answer that and then just went to the first thing she could think of. "I'm fine, if that's what you're asking"

A slight smile crept upon his lips, but left just as fast. "Ah, still under the illusion that if you work hard enough all good things will come to you, I see" It was more of a statement than a question, so she decided not to answer it. "And did you get anything you desire Clarice?" He looked over to her. His eyes were dancing as he waited for an answer.

She took a few minutes before answering, "Pretty much"

Clarice heard a chuckle escape from him throat and suddenly knew how untrue that was. Her life was a mess and she was starting to question if the FBI was the right move for her. She felt he wanted to ask her more, but a gas station came into view and he stopped the car.

"Please excuse me, Clarice," he said getting out. Her eyes immediately wondered to the woods at the other side of the road. Perhaps if he wasn't watching… As if catching her thoughts her leaned down and in a lower voice told her, "I would not advise you to try an escape, my dear, the weather is hardly suitable" With that he winked at her and went into the shop at the gas station.

She noticed it still rained pretty hard outside. But where was he taking her? Panic washed over her as she could not decide on what to do. Clarice knew it would be fruitless to try and run from him. If she was in his car, he obviously wanted her there and if he wanted her, he'd do everything in his power to keep her right where she was. She felt so out of control just sitting and doing nothing. Looking over at him in the shop window, she saw he had a distasteful look on his face. Perhaps the shop-keeper in front of him was being rude? Her eyes wondered back to what seemed like the only escape. Should she run for it? There's no telling what he could do to her. If he in fact 'called' on her again, he could also… Turning back to where he was she noticed the person at the desk was missing and Dr Lecter was nowhere in sight. She had to escape while she had the chance. Opening the car door Clarice soon got used to the cold rain beating against her skin and quickly made her way across the road, hoping he didn't see her yet.

* * *

"I ran and I ran through the dark until I found another gas station and asked for a taxi home…" Clarice sighed and looked away from her friend's wide-eyed gaze.

"So…" Ardelia was at a loss of words, "you got away? Why didn't you ever tell me this before now? And you didn't tell Crawford either? What if Lecter came back? What would have happened then?" She spoke very fast and Clarice took a moment to get the answers to all the questioning.

"There wasn't anything useful to Mr. Crawford in that encounter anyway – he already knew everything he needed to know about Lecter and I didn't think bringing up the subject would please him any. And no, I had a feeling he wasn't coming back…" her voice became quieter until it faded away altogether and her eyes took on a faraway look.

"Hey," Ardelia said warmly holding her hand, "it's ok – if you're sure he's not coming back for you, there's nothing to worry about. It's all behind you now…"

Clarice gave her a half smile that wasn't too enthusiastic, but showed some sign of agreement. "I guess you're right," she said. If only Ardelia knew.

"Why don't you try and get some sleep, it's getting pretty late now…" Ardelia suggested and led her to bed. Clarice thanked her and after closing the door leaned back onto it and slowly slid down. It was emptiness she felt inside… she knew the feeling well. Involuntarily Clarice let a deep sigh escape her lips as her mind recalled what happened after she ran.

* * *

Her lungs screamed for more air as her muscles exhausted themselves in the wild run through the woods. She wasn't exactly sure how she ended up here but now she couldn't stop. She had to keep going. Somewhere at the back of her mind Clarice knew it was pointless to run when all things were turned against her, and most of all because he would catch up sooner or later. What was she running from? The rain started harder again and hit against her skin mercilessly.

Unconsciously she leaned against a big tree trunk and he legs gave out from under her. She tried to get up, but her body wouldn't take her any further and her lungs worked at full speed to regain all needed oxygen. She swore to run half a mile longer every morning from now on. Her mind boiled with unanswered questions and suddenly she wished more than ever she were in the safety of her own home. She hated not knowing where she was and what she wanted, in more ways than one. His presence always made her question the world around her and she was afraid that the more she looked the more twisted it seemed in her eyes.

Suddenly she knew. He was here. Her breath caught in her throat. His gaze was on her. She slowly looked toward the way she assumed she came from and saw only darkness and tree brunches moving violently in the wind. He was here… somewhere. Was he angry with her? She wondered if he would finish her off right here and now. Then why the wait?

After what seemed like forever his form slowly emerged from the darkness in front of her and he made his way towards her slowly as if to agitate her a little more before he stood right above her. After a moment of waiting in hesitation she forced herself to look up at him. She felt unsatisfied. His face didn't give her any emotion at all to what he could have in mind. It was unsurprising really, but a part of her wanted to expect he would show her something.

The silence was broken by the soft rasp of his voice, "why did you ran, Clarice?" He said it so evenly it was almost cold.

Suddenly she felt her eyes grow hot and fought to keep the tears from escaping. Why did she want to cry at a time like this? Stupid emotions. "I… I don't know… I just ran… I thought that…" anger seeped through her voice and then slowly melted into silence once more.

He regarded her for a moment before he crouched in front of her and slowly took her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. "Clarice… do you think I will hurt you?" his voice was even once again and she couldn't tell what was behind the question.

"I don't know… How was I supposed to know – you break into my house and take me to somewhere you don't know… I…" her voice gave out on her again.

His eyes showed some amount of disappointment. "You really think that you know where you're supposed to be? In the FBI? Where you're wary of others because they're hateful of you? Is that the perfect world you want to live in? Or do you just block it out and tell yourself you'll get through it, if you just hold on a day longer, you'll conquer the struggle and make your life-long dream into reality. What is the dream, Clarice? Or don't you remember it any longer? If you just worked that much harder they would give you an office in the Behavioural Sciences and recognize your true beauty and strength, do you think?" he paused for a moment letting her absorb what he just told her. For a split moment it was as if he might kiss her but then he pulled himself back and hid emotion behind a neutral face.

His words stung her deep inside but a part of her knew they were the hard truth she refused to look at and turned away from every time the thought occurred. She wanted to say something… to tell him everything but somehow there was really nothing to say, so she closed her lips and continued to look into his eyes. The same eyes she felt herself getting lost in many times before.

Suddenly as if all of this never happened, he took her by the shoulders and lifted her up. "You'll catch your death out here," he said taking off his long coat and putting it on her shoulders. Clarice felt herself shivering hard and all her clothes were soaked and plastered to her skin, which made her feel colder and even more exposed to the violent weather.

The storm still raged against the earth and brief flashes of lightning lit the sky long enough to reveal thick, dark blankets of clouds above. All of this seemed to slow down as Dr Lecter picked her up in his arms and smoothly carried her through the darkness. Later she couldn't recall if it was just a dream or reality. For a moment in time she let her mind escape as her body felt the safety she hadn't felt since she was a child. The safety she forgot existed.

The next thing she knew her feet touched the ground again and she was near the car they had come there in. She looked around as if just waking up and noticed the rain has died down to smaller drops, but the night was still dark. Automatically she walked closer to the car and then stood in front of it, not knowing if this was right to do. She had a career and a life. It was true they were in a bad shape, but that was only temporary. Things would get better… won't they?

She looked at Hannibal who was across from her, ready to get into the car, but waiting for her decision. His amazing senses led his eyes to the shop window he was in a while ago. The shopkeeper looked in a rush as he desperately dialed the phone and stumped his foot impatiently several times before someone picked up at the other end. Dr Lecter had a look of distaste on his features, and she knew it must have been something bad if he let anything reach his face.

When she caught his gaze questioningly, he explained, "it seems our little 'friend' has recognized me after all," he said, his voice cold, "I assume he's dialing for the nearest police department… No matter how much I hate to bring this down on you, Clarice, you will have to choose where you want to go. If you don't go with me, then don't expect me to ever return for you. This will be the final call…"

He paused giving her time to take it all in. It didn't take her long but the endless chains of thoughts rushed through her mind like they were going at the speed of light. It was as if she relived her entire life in a few minutes. The quiet sirens of police cars slowly brought her back to reality and she knew she didn't have much more time. Should she go with him and give up everything she was trying to achieve? How could she give up on something before she even started? She couldn't ran away from anything no matter how bad it seemed. To go with him…? She didn't want a serial killer to take her where her screams couldn't be heard…. But he couldn't… didn't do anything to her. The two sides of her mind battled each other resulting in nothing but a stalemate. The sirens were growing louder now and she could make out faint lights in the distance.

"So what will it be, Clarice?" his voice, as calm as ever questioned. The last syllables of her name remained in the air much longer than he actually said them. What was it she wanted? There were so many doubts… Wouldn't it be good if he never came back and left residence at the back of her mind? May be she could finally move on with her life? Isn't that what she wanted? It was crazy for an FBI agent to go with a serial killer without trying an escape. She suddenly felt the scissors in her trouser pocket once again. Blocking them out of her mind, she looked into his eyes once more. A single hot tear ran down.

"I… can't…." she managed to say in a barely audible whisper. His eyes grew dark and he swiftly got into the car.

"Goodbye, Clariccce…" her name rolled off his tongue for the last time. His car drove further and further away from her and she felt something inside her leave with it. She knew then she had made a mistake. The sirens were loud now, but not even the blinking lights of the police cars could catch her attention. Officers got out with their weapons drawn to search the area but she stood alone not giving them a second glance and not moving off the spot where he left her. The soaked hair clung to her face and droplets of rain ran down her skin like tears.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

No! This isn't the end! You know me better than that! Lol! Please keep the reviews coming and thank you for all the ones you gave me in the past! It might take me a while tow rite the next part, but after a horrible week of exams is over I will probably be an active writer again! Lol! Saavik - you guessed the being carried part right! Lol! Am I so predictable?!? He he! And I will try my best to finish all my stories, Anouk, I know it's not nice when people drop stories… But as I said, it just might take me a while – Jane:)