"You know that you do not have to leave, Clarice. You have a choice." She shivered as they walked out into the cool night air. Lecter removed his jacket and placed it around her shoulders. She smiled.
"Thank you." He nodded and continued.
"We've been through this numerous times. I want you to take as much time as you deem necessary. I know that you've already made your decision, but I want to wait until YOU know that you are ready."
"I know I'm ready. I'm ready to go home and pack my things and leave. I want to and I'm ready." Lecter opened the car door and helped her in.
"Good." He walked to his side of the car and got in. "Anything in particular you'd like to take?" Why did he have to ask these kinds of questions? He already knew the answer. There was nothing special to her. Nothing she owned actually mattered. Why rub it in her face?
"You know the answer to that. You're just trying to prove a point." Lecter smiled at her wit.
"And what point would that be, my dear?"
"That I have no reason to stay, nothing to stay for." He was pleased.
"Do you find this to be true?" She spoke immediately.
"Very."
"Mm."
"I've know it forever. I just never really had the . . . opportunity to get away. And now I do. I'm taking advantage of it." Lecter pulled into Clarice's driveway as she checked her watch. Several hours had elapsed since their encouter at the mall. For Clarice, it felt more like a lifetime.
"Well, here we are," Lecter said, tapping on the steering wheel. Clarice nodded slowly. She realized that she'd never see Ardelia again. Lecter knew exactly what she was thinking. "You can leave a note, dear." Clarice looked silently at him. She nodded again.
"Yeah." Pat. Pat. Pat. Drops of rain fell on the windshield. Lecter glanced at them.
"Just like last time, huh?" The reference to that fateful night made Clarice sick and joyful at the same time.
"Mhm."
"We'd best hurry and get back to the hotel before the rain gets much heavier."
"Hotel? What hotel?"
"The hotel room I've rented for us tonight."
"Geez, you think of everything, don't you?" A smile was his only reply. He reached into the backseat and retrieved his dark fedora and an umbrella for Clarice. He placed the hat atop his head and handed her the umbrella.
"Wouldn't want you catching a cold, now would we? Especially since we're leaving tomorrow." He set her up for this one and she'd be a fool not to catch it. She sighed. To take advantage of it or not? Would he scold her for asking once more? Or would he commend her 'bravery'? Only one way to find out.
"By the way, Doctor, I don't remember where you said we're going."
"I don't recall saying," he said shortly. With that, he got out of the car and she promptly followed suit. The mist chilled Clarice and she was thankful that he'd given her his coat earlier. Though she could still feel the cold air through the jacket, it definately helped keep her warm as she walked to her front door. She fished her keys out of her purse and thrust one into the door. As they walked into her home, Lecter breathed in heavily. The scent of Clarice. He reveled in it. Clarice turned to him.
"Would you like something to drink?" He shook his head.
"No, I'm quite alright, thank you."
"Just give me about five minutes." Lecter looked at her quizzically.
"Five minutes to pack your whole life into a bag, my dear?" His words pierced her like an arrow to her heart. She turned away from him so he couldn't see the pained look on her face. Now she faced him once more.
"Yes. Five minutes. I guess if that's too long, I could always be done in three," she snapped. Her tone was ice.
"I meant no disrespect." She narrowed her eyes. "You know, Clarice, I can't help but notice how we've been . . . disagreeing since this evening began. Is this because you're afraid of what you could be getting yourself into, Special Agent Starling? Or is there some unknown reason for your hostility towards me?" She let out a breath.
"I don't know." A long pause. "Just let me go get my stuff. Okay?" Silence on Doctor Lecter's part. "Okay?" Clarice asked in a harsh tone.
"Perfectly fine." His voice was smooth, and she could read nothing from it. She turned to climb the stairs.
"Oh, and make yourself at home," she said, noticing that he was still standing.
"Thank you, Agent Starling." She resisted the urge to glare at him.
"Don't call me that, Doctor."
"You use my title, Agent Starling, so I show proper respect by using yours." Anger consumed her.
"But now that I've asked you to stop, it is no longer respectful. Now it is just rude." She couldn't believe how even she'd kept her voice. No tremors or shakes. He smiled. She could only imagine what he was thinking.
"I do apologize for being rude, my dear."
"I'll just be a minute," she said as though nothing had happened. Clarice turned and climbed the stairs. As she reached her room, she quickly grabbed for a bag to pack several things in. She busied herself with making a mental checklist.
Toothbrush, change of clothes, um . . . oh, gosh. Do I really want to do this? Yes. I've waited all my life for it. No second thoughts.
She subconciously reached to her ears to make sure that the ruby earrings were in their proper place. She went to her closet and wildly jerked a few garments off of their hangers, throwing them in the bag. Clarice turned to take one last look at her room. She glanced at her bed, thinking of the sleepless nights she'd spent thinking of him. No more of those. Now she'd be able to walk down a hall or . . . turn over in bed . . . and there he'd be, right beside her. That thought pleased her and she turned off the light.
Clarice took her bag and ran half-way down the stairs. Somehow, she tripped and tumbled down the rest of the way. Lecter jumped from his seat and raced to the foot of the stairs. There sat Clarice, tears in her eyes. She was trembling. With laughter. The tears ran down her face and she giggled uncontrollably. Lecter was puzzled. He offered his hand and helped her up. "Are you alright, Clarice?" She giggled.
"Yes. I'm fine. I can't believe I did that."
"Nor can I. And you're sure that you were not injured?"
"I'm sure."
"Good," he said. He looked her over, noticing a few minor scratches, but other than that determined that she was alright. With his help, she walked to the door. He opened it, letting in the sound of the rain. It had gotten a bit heavier since they'd last been outside.
"Good bye," she whispered. "Good bye."
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