Final Chapter

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

Chapter 5 Game, Set, Match

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Mills watched as Hannibal entered the room, his grip on Clarice stiffened as he said, "I'm here to get back what you took from me, you and your girlfriend here. Now get over there against the wall!"

Hannibal walked slowly to the wall next to the bed, his eyes never leaving Mills.

"So what is it that we have taken from you, if I might ask?"

"Only everything." he responded "Everything I ever wanted or hoped to be."

What was it with the F.B.I. and their hold on these young people? It had taken him years to wash it out of his little Starling and now another casualty of their bizarre philosophy. He knew that the luxury of time was not on his side in this case.

"Mr. Mills I do believe you are under the impression that we have done you an injustice, but I'm sure if you……"

"Shut up! Just shut up, I didn't come here to listen to your bullshit!"

That caused Clarice to arch her brow, looking to Hannibal who was by no means amused by the outburst from Mills.

"Alright then, what is it that you do want, Mr. Mills?"

"I want you to suffer, to feel pain, to know exactly how it feels to lose something you want so much that you wouldn't know what to do if it was gone."

"And how do you plan on accomplishing that, if I might inquire?"

"Well I thought that after I kill you, me and your girlfriend might have a little fun, what do ya think?" he said as he dipped his head over Clarice's right shoulder, licking the side of her face.

Clarice could smell the wine on his breath and it made her cringe. As he started to pull away from her face, she had decided enough was enough. Gathering all her strength, she brought back her left elbow, striking him in the stomach.

Mills rocked backwards. It was enough for her to break free of his hold. The knife had caught her under the chin, opening a small wound. As Clarice fell forward, Mills regained his balance and reaching behind him, he grabbed the gun from his waistband.

Hannibal was already on his way to subdue Mills when he fired the gun, striking Hannibal in the left arm, he was momentarily stunned by the shot. That gave Mills enough time to take aim once more. Seeing Mills was about to fire another round, Clarice grabbed Hannibal by the right hand, pulling him down as hard as she could.

Then another shot was fired.

Clarice looked at Hannibal, who was likewise looking at her. Neither being hit by the shot, they both looked at Mills.

Mills stood for a moment, staring blankly before his eyes rolled into the back of his head as he fell face first onto the floor.

The two watched as the blood and gray matter oozed from the gapping hole in the side of Mills' head onto the cream colored carpet of the bedroom floor.

Hannibal caught the movement from the door as their savior came into the room.

"I must say, you have impeccable timing Miss Mapp."

Clarice spun her head around to see Ardelia standing just inside the doorway, gun still smoking.

"Delia, what the hell are you doing here?" Clarice said as Hannibal helped her off the floor.

"Well I thought I was taking a vacation, but damn, if this is how you show a girl a good time, maybe I should have stayed in Washington!"

Clarice made her way to Ardelia, stepping over Mills' body like you would a sleeping dog.

"I sure am glad to see ya girlfriend." Clarice said as she hugged Ardelia.

Stepping closer to the women, Hannibal cleared his throat to remind them of his presence.

Clarice let go of her friend and looking to Hannibal she remembered her manners.

"That's right, you two haven't been formally introduced. Ardelia Mapp may I present

Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

Ardelia held out her hand, which Hannibal took in his. "It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance Miss Mapp," he said as he kissed the back of her hand, that sent a visible shiver through her that both Hannibal and Clarice witnessed.

As Hannibal released her hand, she looked at Clarice and said, "Does he have that effect on you?"

Laughing and shaking her head Clarice said, "All the time Delia, all the time."

"So tell me Delia, why are you here? I know you said you're on vacation, but here?"

"Well after I talked to you about Mills, Dr. Lecter called me back and asked me if I would like to come and spend some time with you, since we haven't seen each other for awhile. So I said what the hell, it's not like anything is happening around here. Dr. Lecter made all the arrangements for my flight and even sent a driver to the airport to pick me up.

Clarice gave Hannibal a curious look and said, "Driver?"

"Calvin."

"Ahh."

"Why don't you ladies go down to the livingroom and continue your conversation. I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on. I'll join you as soon as I have properly disposed of Mr. Mills."

Clarice looked down at Mills' body, then back to Hannibal asking, "How's your arm?"

"The bullet just grazed the skin, it will be fine." He answered as he took the sleeve of his already stained shirt, wiping the blood from the small cut underneath Clarice's chin.

"Looks as if you will live as well my dear." he said before giving her a quick kiss.

All three now stood looking at Mills' lifeless body.

"That's a hell of a hole Delia, you must still be using hollow points."

"A girl can never be too careful." Ardelia replied.

"You know we're never going to get that stain out of the carpet." Clarice said, still admiring her friend's handy work.

"Well my dear, you wanted to remodel the bedroom anyway."

"You guys are nuts." Ardelia said as she started to laugh.

Clarice put her arm around Ardelia saying, "Come on girl, let's go downstairs and I'll make us some coffee."

As the women left the room, Hannibal began his preparations to remove Mills' corpse.

All the while, trying to make up his mind whether he preferred hunter green or burgundy carpet, when Clarice stuck her head back through the doorway and said,

"H, do me a favor, will you?"

"Anything my dear."

"When you dispose of Mr. Mills," she paused.

"Yes," he said patiently.

"Make sure you dispose of ALL of him."

"Why Clarice, whatever are you referring to?" he said as he grinned and gave her a wink.

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Thank you Chameleon for allowing me to borrow your alter ego.

You're a good friend and partner in crime!

The very minimal gore and I do stress minimal, is dedicated to

the King and Queen of gore, Kurt and Samantha! lol

For all of you that have hung in there and read this and my other

moosh, you are truly insane and I am forever grateful!!