See previous chapters for disclaimer.

A/n: Will have more up soon, hopefully over the weekend. Thanks for all the kind reviews, they are very much appreciated.









3.00pm



Clarice watched as he slowly approached and felt the tingle of tired muscles as they tensed in preparation to flee once more. When she eventually found his eyes with her own, all thoughts of running where banished. He slowed his advance to a crawl and eventually stopped a foot in front of her, his face schooled to appear calm and controlled as always. Pressing her back further into the wall, she could feel her body beginning to cool, and cursed the tremble that ran through her thin frame, causing him to tilt his head slightly. Not a word was spoken as he suddenly began to move, slipping his overcoat from his shoulders and tentatively closing the distance between them. When the warm hand grasped her shoulder to coax her away from the now wet wall, another tremble ran through her and she dropped her eyes from his to the ground.

As she leaned forward away from the wall, he gently draped the coat over her shoulders and watched as she trembled, her body reacting to both the heat still stored in the overcoat, and his proximity to her. Taking a small step back so he was closer than before he allowed a small sigh to be released.

" You'll catch your death out here Clarice, perhaps we should…."

" Why don't you get this? It isn't exactly quantum physics Doctor. I want you to leave me alone. I want you to go, and never return to this place again."

Her eyes where blazing and her body trembled violently as she shouted her feelings to him. Rage had been her friend for thirty years, helping her repress emotions and scare people away. Unfortunately it seemed to work the reverse with him.

" Lying is despicably ugly on you Clarice, please save it for your pals at the bureau. Your angry…why?"

Pushing herself away from the wall she snorted, beginning to walk once more down the ally towards the street.

" I asked you a question Clarice, please be kind enough to answer."

His voice carried his displeasure at her, but she continued, shrugging the overcoat from her shoulders as she walked, hearing the splash as it landed on the puddle-strewn tarmac. As the distance grew between them, she felt the tell tale stab in her chest and closed her eyes to it, changing her pace.

Clarice half screamed half sobbed as two strong hands grasped her upper arms. She hadn't even heard him approaching, and now found herself being thrown none to gently against the ally wall once more. Looking up she could see his eyes had turned a shade darker than they had been only moments before, and the shiver that ran through her this time had nothing to do with the cold.

" I asked you a question Clarice, I expect an answer please."

His voice was quiet, but seemed to carry over the suddenly heavier rain. Blinking water from her eyes she stood from the wall, and took a small step towards him. Her voice was strained as she spoke.

" Dr Lecter I cannot give you what you want. I cannot be who you want me to be. I'm going to walk away now, and I would appreciate you leaving me to do so in peace."

She got no more than a few steps before a slow clapping stopped her.

" Bravo Clarice. I can't say I have seen such a performance since I left Florence."

She had to work really hard to not respond, and standing with her back to him she took a deep breath and continued her solemn journey towards the street.

This time when he approached she had heard his footsteps and was ready. Her body tensed at the knowledge of what she was about to do, and her mind screamed at her to re-think her decision. It was all too late. When she felt the slightest touch on her arm, she swung around and connected squarely with his jaw. She had expected him to fall to the ground, or at least to stagger to the wall. What she didn't expect was for him to stay rooted to the spot, his head whipping to the side momentarily before slowly coming back to stare at her with dangerous eyes.

Her hand throbbed and she held it with the other, sub-conscience taking a step back from him.

" That rage that you hold so dearly will get you in big trouble one day Clarice." He said chillingly.

She was surprised when he momentarily closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. When he spoke again his voice was calmer, more personnel.

" I seek nothing from you but the truth Clarice. Your continued denial is both tiring and tedious."

Shaking her head from side to side she responded.

" I can't give you the truth."

Taking a step closer he asked the question that she knew was coming.

" Why?"

Looking to the ground she hesitated, her tongue forming the syllables but her mouth remaining closed.

She could see his feet moving closer, and eventually felt the heat from his body as he stood directly in front of her, his voice rolling over her causing Goosebumps to form on her arms.

" Why?"

The tears that slipped down her cheeks went unnoticed by her as she eventually began to speak. Her voice soft and strained, the beating of the rain on the surrounding alley making it difficult to hear.

"Because it is against all that I believe in. You are against all that I hold dear."

Nodding his head in understanding he once again spoke.

" Is it really Clarice? Are your morals and values your own or simply daddy's parting gift to you? You already live in a world of corruption and death. Would it be that much different?"

Shaking her head once more she continued.

" You are a killer. You feel no remorse or guilt from doing unspeakable acts. You…"

" I have killed no more than you dear Clarice. Yes our reasons may be different but the hard truth is still there. You can argue that having a shiny piece of metal and a piece of paper allows you to do such things. You may also argue that the people who's lives you have taken left you no option but to do so. All valid points I grant you, but the hard truth is still there. You have as much blood on your hands as I do Clarice."

She stood in stunned silence for a moment, and he watched the play of emotions play across her face as she processed his words.

" Would you deny the sleepless nights you have are no longer caused by the screaming of the lambs? Would you deny your body's reaction whenever I am this close Clarice?"

Looking up to his eyes, she could see the desire in them, and her own reflected in the maroon pools.



4.00pm









More soon…