A/N: I love all you great people who have reviewed my story, I am honored that this story is so well liked, and thank you so much for your loyal reviews. Special thanks to chameleon for emailing me and being so wonderful and supporting. You're so great, I'm glad that there are people who love the Dr. as much as me!

Disclaimer: I do not own Hannibal, Clarice, Dr. Chilton, Miggs, Barney, Crawford or Krendler, or anyone else created by the great Thomas Harris. I do not make any profits from this story, I am just doing what I can to feed the Lecter need.

Chapter 13: A New Home

Barney sat in his arm chair in front of his fireplace in a maroon smoking jacket and matching slippers. He sipped a brandy lazily while trying to fight sleep. His day had been peaceful, just the way he liked, and he didn't want it to end. Barney loved to sit and listen to the rain, which was primarily of what his day had consisted, considering the storm blowing through. It made him think about all that he had in life, and how happy he had been since he had moved to Portugal. Sure, he didn't have the adventure of the work at the mental institution, but he also didn't have the insanity. Barney could have gone his whole life without meeting any of those sick people. Except, of course, for Doctor Lecter.

Barney sighed and put down his drink. Checking his watch, he noted that it was now almost four in the morning. He rose to go to his bedroom, stopping at his notebook in the hallway. Barney wrote a small message inside it, only a line or two long. This notebook was his show of gratitude to the only patient he was glad to have met at the mental hospital. Barney smiled to himself. He hoped one day to thank the doctor in person, but it was highly doubtful. Hopefully, someone would find this after Barney died, years from now, and it would be posted in The Tattler. At least that way, the doctor would know that Barney appreciated his efforts...

As Barney dated the note, he heard a frantic knock on his front door. He expected no callers, and luckily had nothing to hide, so he went to the door. He called, "Who is it?"

"It's me Barney, open up, I'm freezing my ass off out here!"

Barney thought for a moment. He knew that voice anywhere, it was Agent Clarice Starling, but why was she here in Portugal? 'Well,' he thought, 'I have nothing to hide from the police. I stopped selling Lecter's things years ago...'

Barney undid the locks and held the door open wide. "Come in, Agent Starling."

Starling entered with her hair hanging in wet locks around her head. Her clothes were soaked, leaving little under her shirt to the imagination. She was shivering slightly from the cold, and her jaw clenched methodically. "Thanks Barney, good to see you again."

Barney moved to close the door, but Clarice blocked the way. She grinned slightly. "No, Barney, I have someone with me, he'll be right up."

Someone with her? Another agent? 'Be cool, Barney, be cool. Nothing to hide!' his mind forced him to believe.

Moments later, a man with several suitcases entered the door. Barney moved to help the man, and suddenly felt a stab of anxiety.

Starling's travel partner placed the bags next to the door and closed it, locking it securely. Still facing the door, the man began to remove his long coat. He spoke quietly, almost in a whisper, but each word rang clear to Barney's ears.

"Do you remember what you learned in the dungeon? Do you remember what we discussed about life and survival?" Laying the coat across the cases, the man turned to Barney. "You broke one of my first rules, Barney. Never let anyone in your house without a weapon handy."

Barney felt his muscles tense. "Dr. Lecter? My god, I thought I'd never see you again. They told me you escaped, I didn't think you would come to visit the past, to endanger your freedom."

Hannibal smiled a smile that struck fear into the hearts of many. "I don't think my freedom is in any danger here, do you Barney?"

Barney blinked once, recognizing the veiled threat in his former charge's voice. "No, you aren't in any danger here. I'm actually glad to see you and will do anything you would like to show my gratitude for all you have done for me." With that, Barney held his hand out to the doctor, shaking it firmly.

Hannibal nodded in Clarice's direction. "We are in need of housing, though I'm not sure for how long. Can that be arranged?"

Barney nodded. "I have a fully supplied, updated attic. There is a bedroom, living quarters, kitchen and bath. You may stay as long as you need, you both should be comfortable up there."

Clarice smiled hesitantly at Barney, her voice having more than the usual hint of Virginian twang. "Damn fine, Barney, thank you. Let's get to the room, if you don't mind. I'm awfully tired."

At Clarice's request, Hannibal and Barney took the suitcases and went to the attic. The rooms were more than comfortable, actually bordering lavish. Clarice immediately went to the bed to lay down, while the two men went to the living quarters to discuss business.

Hannibal went to a soft brown leather recliner, while Barney sat on a matching couch. The doctor looked calmly about the room, abruptly turning to look at Barney. "Thank you, Barney. I believe you are trustworthy, and hope you won't prove me wrong."

Barney leaned forward slightly, lacing his fingers together. "No, it's me who should be thanking you. Those years ago, after you escaped, after you were found again in Chesapeake, you gave me a great gift."

"Ahh, yes.." the doctor sighed, a slight smile forming on his lips. "You mean the money, I suppose."

Again, Barney nodded. "The money, yes. When I found your notebook, almost five years ago, I found your note. The money you left me has given me so much happiness. I have given money to charities, to people in need. I have traveled to many countries, and educated myself beyond what I could have ever conceived possible. I am very happy in my life, and I will do what I can to help you be happy, too."

The doctor's eyes flashed appreciation. "This will make me happy for now, Barney. I simply need time to be with Clarice."

Barney rose and walked into the kitchen. "I'll make some tea. Would you like some?"

"Yes, please."

"Good, it'll be ready soon." Barney busied himself opening and closing boxes of teas and spices. "Dr. Lecter, are you and Clarice... together? I mean to say, are you a couple?"

Hannibal closed his eyes in thought. He himself was not sure of the answer. "Don't ask such questions, Barney. Is that chamomile tea?"

Barney felt flustered for asking such a personal question. "Um, yes, it is. Sorry for being so personal, I was curious. I do have something I think I should ask though, about Ms. Starling's welfare."

Hannibal rose from his chair and walked into the kitchen. "What about her welfare?"

Barney put the kettle on the stove and turned to face Lecter. "This seems- well, I feel stupid even mentioning it- but it seems that she's not really herself. I've been questioned by her many times, and I've never heard her use slang, let alone curse. But she's already done that twice, and she was only awake for ten minutes. And her accent... she's from West Virginia, right? It's very noticeable, for some reason."

The doctor's eyes were closed again. He had noticed Clarice's speech pattern throughout the night. Her language had gotten increasingly worse as their trip had worn on. He hadn't known her to use such words in daily conversation, or show such aggression... He pulled the first excuse he could think of from his filing cabinet of diagnoses in his palace. "Clarice has been through a great deal of trauma in her years with the FBI. I believe it has caught up with her."

The kettle began to whistle, and Barney moved it before it became loud enough to wake the now sleeping Clarice. He poured the steaming water into two cups, giving one to the doctor. "Well, then... I suppose I should get to bed, it's rather late. I'm sure you are tired as well."

Sipping his tea, the doctor nodded. "I am. Thank you in advance for your hospitality."

Barney took his cup and walked down the stairs from the attic, leading to the door that separated it from the rest of his house. "Your welcome. And doctor?"

The doctor looked down at Barney from the top of the stairs. "Yes?"

"I had always wondered what it would be like to know you outside of the dungeon. I'm glad that I have the chance."

Hannibal nodded in agreement. "As am I. Good night, Barney."

Barney opened the door and stepped out. "Good night, doctor."




A/N: Whoa, am I mean person or what? I have been so busy with school and family stuff that I have been unable to post on this story! Forgive me, everyone, please! I'll be good now, I promise. In fact, if anyone is interested, I will email people when I post my next chapter, so no one has to check just to find out that I haven't posted yet. I won't let so much time go by again, I'm evil!

About the story: Ok, now Barney is in the picture. There are so many questions to be answered!! Here's some things to think about... Was Clarice's Krendler dream real? Why is she using such vulgar language? And what money is Barney talking about? These, among others, will be answered in upcoming chapters.

A special thanks to chameleon302 again, for including me in her story. I love that I almost got to touch him!!! If you haven't read her stuff, you should check it out. She has a funny one up now using some of the hannibal authors, and a fabulously well written SLASH fic. It's not a hannibal fic, but its really very good. I love the chameleon, Bravo!

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and sent me angry/curious emails wanting the next chapter. You are all very groovy, and the doctor loves you!