Author's Note: Credit goes to Jen for being a great inspiration and beta-reader.

Never had I felt this way. My senses were heightened, my mind recording every touch, every breath, every shiver. His eyes staring into mine, liquid ice melting into blue seas. This was it, the moment we had both been anticipating ever since our hands touched in Memphis. I had come to see him after his his negotianions with Senator Martin had brought the poor woman close to tears, ordering the guards to 'get that thing back to Baltimore.'

I came to give it one last try, against regulations and specific orders from Dr. Chilton. I had brought his paintings, partly because I wanted some bargaining material if he was to be persuaded to give us the information we needed, and partly because I felt guilty about presenting him with a fake deal the day before.

He had told me what I needed to hear, but it came with a price. I had never told anyone about the lambs before that night. As I was dragged away by Dr. Chilton, who was too concerned with protocol to listen to me, I tried to give the doctor his paintings. I ran back to his cage, and as he took them from me, our hands touched. It can't have lasted more than a few seconds, but I will forever remember the sensation of touching him for the first time.

When Chilton finally calmed down, I gave him Jame Gumbs name. But not before both he and the Senator signed Dr. Lecter's 'new deal'. It involved replacement to an Institute far away from Dr. Chilton, a room with a view, and a visit from me. If they found that last wish curious at all, they didn't let it show. They were all too eager to sign, anything to save poor Catherine.

Of course, they were stupid enough to screw it up even in this final stage. They got the wrong address, and I had to get up against Jame Gumb on my own. I was a hero after that, but it was an experience I would rather forget. In a cellar full of moths, skins and death, I chased a psychotic serial killer. And killed him, in the end. It took me weeks to get over the fact that I had killed a person, and I'm not sure I am completely over it even now. Death repulses me. Yet, here I am, in a prison cell, with a serial killer who not only fascinates me, but who sets my entire body aflame with desire. It's wrong, I know it's wrong. But the damned thing is, that nothing in my life has ever felt this right.

A shimmer in his eyes, a sparkle, and then it's gone. In a shock, I realize exactly what's going through his mind. Blood. He's wondering how I would taste... in other ways than this. But he doesn't bite. He could have ripped my face off by now, devouring me with blinking teeth instead of burning passion, but he does no such thing. He has no intention of killing me, even though he is already killing me inside. He is the man I love and can never be with.

Suddenly, I hear screams. The door flies open, and guns are pointed. As in a dream, voices seem to come from all around me as the spell is broken.

'Let go of her, Lecter. Let her go, now.'

I look up, shocked and slightly annoyed at the interruption. 'I'm okay.'

'Agent Starling, I must ask you to leave this cell immediately.'

'With all due respect, sir, but I was questioning the suspect...'

'Either you leave now, or I'll have you arrested. It's your choice.'

I left. I leaned heavily against the wall, the cold brick bringing me back to reality. My cheeks flushed in shame as I came to fully realize the impact of what had just happened. I had been caught kissing a cannibal.


'Sir, I can explain...'

Jack Crawford gave me a shocked but reproachful look, shaking his head in disbelief.

'If you can explain to me exactly why you were found not only breaking the safety rules regarding Lecter, but making physical contact and managed to survive without so much as a scratch, I will award you with a medal, agent Starling.'

I sat fiddling with my skirt, feeling like a student being called to see the headmaster.

'I was, ah, questioning Dr. Lecter, sir. He told me about Madelyn Dumas...'

'I don't give a shit about what he told you! You were found kissing him, Starling. And just in case you hadn't noticed before, Federal Agents do not fraternize with serial killers!'

Anger flared up from somewhere deep inside me.

'Excuse me, sir? You were the one who sent me to him in the first place, and with all due respect, sir, you were all too happy to have me swap secrets with him when Catherine Martin and your career were on the line!'

'I'm going to pretend you never said that, Starling.

He sighed in resignation, and leaned back in his chair.

'I'm going to have to forbid you to visit Dr. Lecter again, or make contact with him in any way. If you keep to this, I will not make this an official note, Starling. No one will ever know.'

I had been defeated. I knew Crawford had been more than kind in protecting my future career, but as I walked out of his office I really didn't give a damn. Al I wanted was to look into those icy blue eyes, taste those dangerous lips, shed my professional facade, and silence the lambs once and for all.