Final Chapter.  Sorry it took so long, computer problems.

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

Chapter 3    So Little Time

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Clarice had been lying on her bunk, her last few hours spent thinking about everything.

She had thoughts of her Father, her Mother, her horse and of HIM.

She wondered if Dr. Lecter knew or cared about her plight.  Realizing of course he

knew, but did he care?  She believed he did.  All that didn't seem to matter much now.

It was gone.  Everything was gone.  HE was gone.  And soon, she would be gone.

She had found out through one of the guards that they never found Dr. Lecter.  That he had eluded the Officers that night and made a clean getaway.  She was glad that all of this chaos had not been for nothing.

He was free.  As it should be.  Clarice never really understood how she came to feel this way.  She just knew that she did.

When she heard the guard unlock the door, Clarice did not even open her eyes.  She was content to remain on her bunk, still reliving old memories.

"Clarice," the guard said.

"Yeah Mack, what is it?  I should have at least a half hour left." She grumbled.

"No, I mean yes.  You still have time, I'm not here to get you.  The Priest is here."

Still disinterested in what was going on outside of her head, she said calmly, "I don't care to talk with any religious nut at this time.  Thanks anyhow."

"Is that anyway to speak to a man of the cloth, Clarice?"

At the sound of his voice, Clarice jumped off the bunk like it was on fire.

Only to find herself face to face with

Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

She just stood there, with her mouth hanging open, just staring at him, before finally saying, "It's okay Mack, I'll talk to him."  Once Mack had left the cell, she said, "How?"

"That's not important," he said, "This was the only way I could see you, one last time, Clarice.  I find myself in unfamiliar territory.  I am unable to do anything to release you from your bondage."

She saw the sadness that had crept into his face.  "A Priest?"  She said with a dry smile.

"Talk about a wolf in sheep's clothing.  No pun intended."  They both smiled at that.

"Clarice, I'm…."  She stopped his speech with one finger to his lips.

"It's alright.  I'm all right.  I have had many regrets, but this is not one of them.

Jack Crawford once told me, never forget what you are.  I have never forgotten.

The eloquence, the style, the intelligence, the wit, and the affection.

I have never forgotten and will not.  Not in a thousand years."

Then slowly she leaned into him, removing her finger and replacing it with her lips.

After several moments, she broke the kiss.  Whispering in his ear she said,

"I love you Hannibal Lecter, never forget."

Clarice heard them coming for her.

She placed her hands on either side of his face.  Stroking his cheeks gently with her thumbs.  There was a tear in one of his eyes that she knew he would never shed.

It moved her more deeply than he would ever know.

She kissed him once more.  Releasing his face just as the guard opened her door.

She reached for his left hand, lifting it to her lips.  Kissing the scar there, she said,

"No regrets."

"Lets go Starling.  It's time."

Then she was gone.

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I am strapped to the table now.  They are inserting the I.V.

I feel calm as I start to drift off.  Almost peaceful, as I allow my eyes to close.

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~Timing is everything~

All of the sudden my eyes pop open.  I feel really groggy.  I try and sit up, but can't seem to get any leverage.  When my vision clears, I find myself lying on a bed, in a room I don't recognize.  I faintly hear voices coming from somewhere.

I look down at my attire and am struck with fear.  The dress, I'm wearing the dress.

But how could that be?  Then everything came flooding back to her.

Union Station, the Muskrat Farm, The Dream.

With a clear grasp of her memory, Clarice then laid back, closing her eyes, and the last words that rolled off her tongue, as sleep overtook her was,

"Good-bye Paul."

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I couldn't help myself.  Please forgive me.

You have all been so wonderful with your reviews.  It has given me the courage to continue, for better or worse.

Special thanks to Chameleon, for the continuing encouragement.

And to DianaLecter for inspiring me with your stories.