~~~~Years later~~~

Hanna Clara got out of her car and paused for a second, looking up at her house. Her cat rubbed against her leg, and she stooped down to pick her up. "Hello, Dear one." She said, rubbing her face in Kitty's fur. She went inside and put the cat down. She turned on the light of the den, and the first thing she saw was the large portrait of her mother. She looked at it for a moment, then turned away. Celcira Lencharint, also known as Clarice Starling, had died six years before in a car crash because of a drunk driver. Hanna and her father had been devastated, and for a long time, couldn't keep control of their lives. A few weeks after the funeral, Hannibal had killed the driver, and Hanna had watched. She remembered the look of fear in his eyes, a small condolence to the loss she felt. But when the monster had died, everything seemed to be much better, and the two had been able to go back to living. Hannibal had taken one of his favorite sketches, the one of Clarice holding a lamb, and had it enlarged and framed. It captured her beauty perfectly. Hanna dropped her book bag down next to the door, put a New Age C.d. in the stereo, and plopped down into her fathers favorite arm chair. She sighed in content when she caught the scent of his cologne. Just at that moment, she heard the front door open, and she got up to greet him. "Hello, Father!" She said, running into his waiting arms. Hannibal Lecter smiled down at his daughter. She looked almost exactly like Clarice, save for her eyes, which were exactly like his.

"Good afternoon, Hanna Clara. How was your day?" Hanna looked up at her father. He had gray hair, and some wrinkles around his eyes, but he had aged gracefully for a man who had recently turned 70.

"It was ok. I couldn't wait to get home and find out about this surprise you had for me! Melinda and I spent all day trying to figure it out!" She spoke of her best friend, Melinda Lyle.

"And what did you two come up with?" He asked, amused.

"Well..." Hanna smiled, and pulled away, walking towards the kitchen. "You told me to get out one of my evening gowns, so we're either going to a play, opera, or a concert."

"Not bad." Hannibal said, rubbing his chin. "But you didn't get it."

"Well, what is it?!?" Hanna asked, exasperated.

"It's a surprise, my Lamb." He laughed. "You really need to learn patience. Now come show me which dress you picked." Hanna lead him upstairs to her room, and showed him the pale blue dress. It was simple, yet elegant, and the skirt went to her knees, and flared. "Ah, perfect. Here," He pulled a small box from his pocket. "I have something that will go perfectly with it." He opened the box, exposing a silver necklace with a single diamond in the center, surrounded by sapphires.

"Father! It's absolutly beautiful!" She gasped, looking up at him in disbelief.

"I figured it was about time for you to have some diamonds. You're a young lady now. You are 18 now." Hannibal stroked her hair, just a few shades away from Clarice's, and she hugged him.

"You shouldn't have, father!" She said, taking the necklace.

"I wanted to." He shrugged. "We'll leave in about two hours. That should give you time to get ready."
Hanna hugged him again. "Thank you!"

He smiled, and left, going to his room. His tux was already laid out, so he walked out to the balcony. He gripped the railing, remembering how he used to watch the cars go by with Clarice. He reached into his pocket and took out the little jewelry box he always carried with him. The day Clarice died, Hannibal had proposed to her... and she'd accepted. He opened the box, and fingered the white gold ring embedded with diamonds.

"Why did you leave me, Clarice?" He whispered. He often came out here, asking. "Was this my punishment? They used to take away my drawings and books. Is that why they took you away?" He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and turned away.

Hannibal and Hanna Clara walked into the ballroom. Hanna laughed when she saw it. "Ballroom dancing! Oh, father, what fun! We haven't gone dancing in such a long time!"

Hannibal smiled. He loved to see her happy. He brought her to the dance floor, and they began to dance with the rest of the crowd.

When the song was over, they sat down at their table. Hanna smiled brightly as she chattered away to her father, when suddenly her face fell into a frown, she stopped talking mid-sentence, and she stared beyond her father.

"What's SHE doing here?" Hanna asked, her voice dripping with hatred.

Hannibal turned, and saw Mimren Wizt behind them. She spotted them, and hurried over.
"Oh, dear." Hannibal shook his head. Mimren had worked with him at the University before he had retired, and had hit on him constantly. She now taught high school, where Hanna Clara had the misfortune of having her as a teacher.

"Able!" Mimren said when she got to the table. "What a surprise! I didn't know you came here!"
Hannibal looked at her. "I came here quite often with Celcira."
Hanna watched with amusement as Mimren's face fell. "Oh... Well, how are you, Hanna?" She said, turning.

"I'm doing quite well, thank you." Hanna said politely.

"I hope you've chosen a topic for your report. And I certainly hope it's better than the last one." Mimren said.

Hannibal broke in. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe that this is time to discuss schoolwork."
"Yes." Hanna said, "Father and I are here to enjoy ourselves." The music started up again, and Hanna stood up. "Come father, I love this dance!"
Hannibal left the table with his daughter. When they were on the dance floor, he said "I'm so sorry, Lamb. If I had known she would be here, I would have gotten tickets for a different night."
Hanna sighed. "It's ok, Father. Maybe if we ignore her, she'll go away."
Hannibal laughed. "I've been trying that for over 18 years now, and it hasn't worked yet."
After a few minutes, Mimren tapped Hanna on the shoulder. "May I cut in?" She asked.

Hanna looked at her father, and he rolled his eyes when Mimren wasn't looking, so Hanna stepped aside. "Go on ahead, Mrs. Wizt."
Hanna stepped away as she heard her teacher exclaim "Able, you do look dashing tonight!" Hanna bit her lip, wishing Mimren Wizt would drop dead.