OK, here it is. There wasn't going to be anymore. So I'm not to sure where I'm going with this. Bear with me.

The usual applies; I own no one or nothing pertaining to this story.

Chapter 2 Nights in White Satin

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Clarice awoke the next morning to find the power off once again. She stumbled out of bed in search of her watch only to find that she was going to be late for work. "Damn construction guys. If they were as efficient at their job as they were at killing the power, they'd be done by now." She decided to take a shower before calling in to let them know she was running late.

Just as she started into bathroom, her cell phone rang. Already agitated, she picked up the phone and said "Starling." There was a brief pause at the other end before she heard,

"Hey girl, what's wrong you sound pissed?"

Clarice recognized the voice immediately. "Hey Delia, everything's okay, just having one of those mornings."

Ardelia laughed. "I know whatcha mean. I just called to see if you might want to go get something to eat tonight?"

Clarice thought for a moment, realizing she had nothing in the house to eat and the power would probably be out anyway. So she told her friend, "Why the hell not."

Ardelia said "Great. How's eight o'clock sound?"

Clarice chuckled to herself, wondering how anyone could be so cheery this early in the morning.

"Eight's cool with me" she said.

"Good. I'll pick you up at eight."

Little did either of them know that Clarice wouldn't be making it for dinner that evening.

Clarice decided to wait until she got home from work to take a shower. She got dressed and shot out the door, arriving at work only about thirty minutes late and wasn't surprised to find that no one had even noticed. She wondered to herself how much longer she could actually continue with this charade. She had just sat down at her desk with a cup of coffee and the newspaper when Agent Pearsall knocked on her door.

"Yes Mr. Pearsall, can I help you?"

He came in and closed the door. "Starling, I was hoping I might speak with you concerning your files on Hannibal Lecter."

She stared at him hard for a moment, then asked, "What about them Sir?"

Pearsall hesitated, and then said, "We have an Agent here from our Los Angeles Office. His name is Robert Black. Apparently he's worked up quite a profile on Lecter and was hoping he could speak with you and look over some of the files."

Before she could even answer Pearsall said, "I understand if you don't want to speak with him, but I would like him to at least get a look at the files before he has to leave."

Knowing it would be pointless to argue, Clarice got up and went over to the filing cabinet and pulled Dr. Lecter's files. She tossed them on the desk and said, "I expect those to come back intact."

Pearsall took the files from the desk. Looking at Clarice he said, "I don't suppose…"

She cut him off abruptly and just said "NO. I don't want to talk to him."

Pearsall turned to leave. As he got to the door, he pulled it open and Starling said, "Sir, I have a lot of things to do today. I really could use the rest of the day off."

As he walked out the door, not even turning to look at her, he said, "That's fine Starling. There's not much going on here anyway."

When he was gone she said to herself, "Ain't that the truth."

Driving home, Clarice decided to stop at the mall and do a little shopping. Maybe even pick up a new outfit for her 'date' with Ardelia. She was looking forward to spending some time with her friend. They didn't see much of each other anymore ever since Special Agent Mapp became Attorney Mapp.

When Clarice got home, she went in and changed into her sweats thinking a run might do her some good. She headed out the door and down the street.

Returning home after jogging for about an hour, she went straight into the bathroom to take a shower, choosing instead to soak in the tub. 'Good choice,' she thought to herself. As she relaxed in the tub, her mind drifted to her earlier conversation with Pearsall.

'Apparently he's worked up quite a profile on Lecter.'

She laughed at that thinking, 'I bet you have Special Agent Black, I bet you have.'

Knowing that most of the information the Bureau had on Dr. Lecter was useless, she wondered what Agent Black actually hoped to accomplish, other than getting his throat cut, but then she remembered her own ambition at the beginning of her career.

'You're so ambitious aren't you.'

His voice echoed in her head.

"Not anymore Doctor, not anymore," she said.

Getting out of the bathtub, Clarice dried herself off and started into the bedroom. Just as she crossed the threshold she stopped dead in her tracks. Staring intently at her bed. Her bed that was left unmade this morning due to her hasty departure. Her bed, that was now perfectly made. And adorning her mattress, besides a single red rose on her pillow,

White satin sheets.

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Thanks to all of you who were kind enough to review my story. It was quite more than I expected and I am truly grateful.