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She could feel the strong grip on her arms, shaking her. She could hear her name being repeated like a manta. As her eyes flew open, it took her a few moments to remember where she was, and she even struggled with the grip on her, her breathing heavy and shallow, her face dotted with perspiration.

" Emily!" she stopped thrashing, her body going limp as she realised it was only a dream. Looking into the intense gaze, she felt her body tremble with the after effects.

As soon as she stopped moving the iron grip at her arms left. She slowly sat up, wiping the back of her hand over her mouth. Her voice was shaky when she spoke.

" I I I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you Dr Lector."

The memory of her dream still haunted her, and she looked to her shaking hands to avoid the soul-searching gaze from the man who sat at the end of bed.

" Is this a regular occurrence?" he asked softly, keeping his intense gaze fixed on her pale face.

She stood and went to the long window, leaning her forehead against it, glad of the cool glass. She didn't want to talk about this yet.

" Its no big deal, honestly, I'm fine, just a nightmare, everybody has them." Her voice was back to its normal tone and thankfully only her hands were shaking now which she stuffed into her trouser pockets. Turning from the window she looked over to where he sat, forcing a smile to her features. She could tell he wasn't easily fooled.

" I would disagree Emily. In fact I would say that this is indeed a regular occurrence, you probably have at least one nightmare a night, a recurring dream. What is it that haunts you so? My guess would be your mother. How exactly did she die Emily? Was it her fault? You mentioned a car accident, was she intoxicated? Or was she simply at the receiving end of someone who was?" he took a moment to let his words sink in. As expected he didn't have to wait long.

" She swerved to avoid hitting a child who had run out on the road. She lost control of the car and it hit a parked one. She died immediately. That's what the doctors say. That is was fast, she didn't feel anything." She was nodding her head as she spoke. Not meeting his gaze. She had begun to pace the small room. She really didn't want to talk about this just now. It was simply too hard.

" You feel angry, confused. Why did she have to go down that road? Why didn't you spend a little more time talking with her that morning, or a little less? Why why why…." He had stood himself, and was now taking tiny steps towards her. He noticed the balled up fists at her side, the silent tears slipping down her face un-noticed.

" Dr Lector, I appreciate what your doing, but its not needed. I don't need analysing."

She was becoming mad. Why didn't he listen, she had said she was fine. She didn't want to talk about this, why wasn't he listening?

" Your are mad at her for leaving you aren't you Emily? Now your alone in the world, and…."

" Stop!" she shouted, tears streaming down her face, noticing he was at arms reach now.

" What's wrong Emily? Are you ashamed that you feel anger towards your dead mother?" he drawled, his voice low and steady.

He saw the slight turn in her body as she finally brought her hand around to hit him. Grabbing her wrist before it made contact he used it to pull her body towards his and used his other hand to hold her tight against him. She struggled profusely, slapping his chest repeatedly, sobs beginning to take the strength from her.

" That's right Emily" he soothed, his voice turning hypnotic again as he cradled her now shaking form.

" Let it out"

The only thing she was aware of was the warmth surrounding her as the sobs came hard and fast, shaking her to the core. She screamed into his shirt and her legs came away from under her. She felt herself lifted momentarily, and moments later cradled again in warmth.

He held her close, feeling the jolts go through him as well as she sobbed and screamed her grief. She occasionally struck him weakly, her tired body wearing itself out from the crying. He looked down at her head buried in his now damp shirt. He had done this a million times when he was still practising, had comforted a million people when he had eventually broken them down. It usually came with a smug sense of satisfaction, but not this time he thought. Sitting for what seemed like an eternity he eventually heard her breathing becoming deeper and more regular, her small body sinking into his large one. Standing effortlessly he placed her gently onto the bed, bringing the heavy comforter up and around her. She would sleep now he thought, without the endless nightmares.



Blinking her eyes open, the first thing she noticed was that is was dark in the room. How long have I been sleeping? She thought to herself. Slowly sitting up she pulled the comforter that was draped across her to her feet and swung her legs around to meet the cold floor. She could hear music drifting through the slightly open door, and could smell fresh coffee. Bare footed she made her way down the large hall, following the sounds of the music which were becoming louder now. Peeking around the doorway she saw Dr Lector's back as he was sitting at the piano, his fingers moving quickly over the long keys. Only a small lantern and a few candles provided light, and it caused shadows to fill the room. Slowly approaching his seated form, she was careful not to make any noise, not wanting to disturb his brilliant playing. She was just about to tap him on the shoulder when the music suddenly stopped and his hands left the ivory keys, coming to rest in his lap.

" I trust you slept well?" he asked, keeping his gaze fixed on one of the long windows at the end of the room.

She felt slightly embarrassed for her outburst earlier, but she had to admit that it was the best sleep she had had in over three months.

" Yes" she answered simply, knowing no further explanation was necessary. She left his side and walked towards the kitchen, her movement silent, only the whispering of fabric. She stopped in the doorway, taking a long steady look around, before venturing in and seeking out the coffee pot. She was looking through the neat cupboards when she felt rather than saw the presence behind her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the arm coming over her shoulder and opening a high cupboard door, where several mugs sat. She reached up and took one out, sitting it on the worktop, and slowly going through the comfortably familiar motions of making a cup of strong coffee. He stood off to the side, leaning against the worktop, watching her. The silence was starting to get uncomfortable when he eventually spoke.

" Would you like something to eat?" his voice was a little rough from hours of not speaking.

This was a delicate subject for her, and she couldn't quite stop the shudder that ran through her when his gravely voice sounded in the quite kitchen. This was something she would have to get used to.

" What've you got?" she asked quietly, finally turning around and meeting his gaze, leaning against the worktop.

He smiled a genuine smile and walked swiftly towards the large refrigerator in the corner. Opening it he quickly perused the contents, before pausing and motioning with his head to come over. He noticed the slight hesitation and sigh of resignation. He watched as she slowly, almost hesitantly made her way over, peeking around him to glance inside. He noticed the sigh of relief when she saw that nothing untoward was present. She looked over the contents hungrily, there was just about everything stacked neatly inside.

"Can I make a sandwich?" she asked hesitantly, looking up to his face.

He smiled shortly at her,

" Of course. The bread is in the dispenser over there. Help yourself."

He left her then and walked back into the living room, sitting on the sofa he listened to the sounds emanating from the kitchen. He knew that she was feeling awkward about their confrontation earlier, but he also knew that it was a big step for her to take. He heard the light switch being flicked and the soft sounds of her coming into the room. She sat opposite from him, in his armchair. Tucking her legs under her, she placed the cushion on her lap and sat the small plate with her sandwich on it, on top. Sipping her coffee she glanced over the rim at his silent figure. She felt she should say something about earlier.

" Dr Lector"

He looked up at her, giving her permission to continue.

He watched as she struggled to find the words.

" Thanks" she said simply

Nodding his head he smiled at her. Simplicity was always the best way.

" I'm glad you feel better Emily. Two goals in one day, We're doing quite well so far," he said lightly, referring to his earlier statement at the café.

She smiled a shy smile at him, knowing to what he was referring. Looking around as she took a bite of her cheese sandwich, she noticed the hundreds of books that filled the walls, the busts of people she didn't know, and the antique furniture that littered the room. Her eyes fell on the large ornate clock that sat on one wall and her eyes flew back to his.

" The opera!" she said, nearly choking on a crumb of cheese.

He smiled as she swallowed hard, watching as she grimaced.

" Probably on the third act by now. Don't fret Emily, there's always another night."

She nodded her head in acceptance. Putting her now empty plate on the arm of the chair, she regarded him fully, her head tilting to the one side in a comical gesture that was so like his own. He could feel her insistent gaze and turned to meet it, glad that she didn't shrink back.

" Dr Lector."

" I do have a first name Emily," he said softly.

" Hannibal" she tried the name quietly, frowning at the newness of it on her tongue.

" What was it like? In prison?" she asked timidly, looking down at her hands.

He took a deep breath. He knew she would have questions. He had some of his own.

" I suppose you have read everything that you could get your hands on. So you probably have a good idea what it was like. Why don't you ask the question that you really want to ask Emily."

At least he doesn't sound angry she though with a sense of relief.

" Why?" she stated simply, but he held her gaze solidly, wanting more.

She took a deep breath of her own and started again.

" Why do u kill?" There, she had said it, it was out. She shrank back into the seat a little, preparing for a refusal.

" Mmmmm, a question that has been asked by some of the finest minds in the world Emily. The answer is a simple one, as most answers are. I choose to. It is true that there are reasons behind most of my kills, but those reasons are my own. It is simply a matter of choice."

She nodded her head slowly in understanding. He could see she was not finished.

" But don't you feel anything? I mean after you've, you know" she gestured with her hand, making a plunging motion. She stopped sheepishly when she saw his raised eyebrow.

" You mean do I feel Guilt? Regret? Then the answer is no. " He didn't want to explain too fully his actions and feelings with her.

She nodded her head again and looked back to her hands. Reviewing the information he had shared with her. She looked up when he asked her a question.

" What where your feelings Emily, when you found out that I was your father?" he had a rough idea but he wanted to hear it from her.

She looked a little uncomfortable with the question, and squirmed a little on the seat.

" Well, I wasn't exactly…. Thrilled. I mean I knew you. Well I didn't know you, but I knew of you." She stopped, feeling heat come to her face. She didn't know how to word this, with out upsetting him. He must have sensed this.

" Emily, don't spare my feelings. Simply say what comes to mind." He offered gently.

Nodding her head she continued.

" I was angry mostly. I had waited fourteen years to find out who my father was and then to find out it was you. I was angry with everyone. My mom, even you. My mom tried to help me understand my feelings. She was great you know? When she eventually told me, I couldn't get her to shut up about you after that" she said with a small chuckle.

" I wanted to know everything about you. The good and the bad. Mom was great with the good stuff, she told me all about your time together. She said it was one of the happiest times in her life. The bad stuff though; she didn't like to talk about. I was on my own with that one. There was no shortage of reading material, I can tell ya!"

He smiled at her to continue.

" I must have spent hours and hours in the campus library, reading about you. My few friends must of thought I was mad. The more I read, the more I wanted to meet you. And here I am."

" What did you feel Emily? When you were reading about me?"

" I felt." she looked up to the high ceiling, formulating her thoughts.

" I was shocked at first. I mean I was only fourteen when I first started researching. And some of the pictures…well its safe to say I had some nightmares. Then I was curious. I wanted to know more about you. You the person. All the books seemed interested in was the murders. But here was nothing about you as a person. Sure there was your history, your profile. But I wanted more. That when I started thinking about tracking you down. I was scared. About meeting you I mean. But my curiosity was the stronger feeling. It won."

He nodded his head in understanding. It was basically what he had surmised himself, but he was glad she had spoken it aloud.

" And here you are" he whispered, granting her a half smile.

She smiled awkwardly back and sunk a little deeper into the comfy armchair. Her fingers idly played with the stitching on the pillow on her lap. She felt more relaxed than she should be she thought, after all she was sitting conversing with Hannibal the cannibal. The thought made her smile and he picked up on it almost immediately.

" Something funny Emily?" he asked amused

" I can't believe I'm actually here," she said in a little wonderment.

He studied her face, thinking for a moment he could see some of himself in her serious eyes. Standing he lifted the empty plate and mug from the arm of the chair and made his way into the kitchen, needing a little space. As he leaned his hands on the counter in front, his thoughts giving him a headache, he felt the tentative touch at his back, and heard the step away from him. Taking a deep breath he turned around to see the concerned face of his daughter.

" Are you ok?"

He smiled shortly

" Of course Emily, I'm fine. Why don't you go watch some TV? There's one in the main room and one in your bedroom." He said a little tightly.

Emily looked at him for a second, but thought better of asking him what was on his mind. She wasn't even sure she wanted to know. Turning she headed back to her room, closing the door as she went in. Throwing herself onto the bed again, she couldn't believe so much had happened in the one day. She could hear the light notes of the piano floating through the silence again. Quickly changing into her pyjamas, she settled under the covers and let her eyes close. Listening to the enchanting music, she was soon fast asleep.

Dr Lector opened her door without making a sound and made his way to the side of the bed. Looking down he brushed his thumb over her cheek. Standing back he surveyed the room. She had really left her mark he thought inwardly. The chair in the corner had a neat pile of worn clothes on them, shoes sitting underneath. A small notebook and pen sat on the bedside cabinet, and the room carried her fragrance. Walking over to the chair he lifted the short stack of clothes and headed back to the door. Pausing he whispered,

" Goodnight Emily. Sleep well."





1.1.1.1.1



Stretching the kinks in her shoulders and legs, Emily rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and made her way to the window. She could see people milling around outside, taking photos and enjoying the warm sun. Walking out to the wall she made her way to the bathroom and shut the door over. After attending to her imminent needs she made her to the kitchen, smiling at how she had already established a routine and this was only her second morning here. After pouring her normal strong cup of coffee she made her way to the living area to say good morning.

There was nobody there.



Will have more up soon if u like. Let me know what you think so far please. Thanks.