Four.
When Clarice gave her boarding pass to the flight attendant she was shocked to find herself directed towards the first class seating, she tried to look natural but all she could think was 'heck how big are these seats and comfy too'.
A sudden thought made her smile; it was quite obvious that the Bureau meant to squeeze her for everything she had, so they were kissing her arse- that or they didn't expect her to survive this case. Cheery.
Clarice settled down, fastening her belt securely but not paying attention to the air stewardess who was indicating exits, she was preoccupied with trying to figure out what that little switch did there…
"Oh!" as her seat slides smoothly back then forward again as the delayed commands of her continuous pushing of the button sped through, back again then oh and then forward and does she feel like an idiot.
Her face flushes red, everyone is staring, suddenly she has an urge to laugh but decides that as she has a 7hour flight with these guys it's probably best not to make them think that she's totally nuts. Not mentioning the damage there is already to her less than perfect image.
Damn Dr. Lecter, what is he up to? It's obvious that he let them find him, he knew she would be put on the case too, so what's the purpose? Perhaps he wants to mess with my head some more, play a few more games, gotten bored being a rich aristocratic, decided to have some more fun playing with an FBI agent.
Clarice leant her head back against the seat headrest (her seat had stopped jumping) and tried to figure out things from the Doctor's point of view but it gave her a headache so instead she asked the Stewardess for a white wine, hell it was free- why not?
Before she continued her absentminded staring out the window, as she didn't want to be subject to watching a cheesy movie, the view was spectacular, white fluffy clouds in puffs like cotton wool, and the sky a vivid fresh blue. Far below now, as they continued to rise, the roads like strips of cooked spaghetti and the cars like tiny ants, houses mere smudges against the ground.
Clarice sighed in some sort of realisation that it all really was very insignificant, she was a drop of water in a vast ocean her worries, her fears, her insecurities worth nothing to anyone but herself. No one cares about me, she thought gloomily, hell girl what's wrong with you? You're not normally this pensive, buck up!
Beside her, her fellow passenger rustled his newspaper as he turned a sheet, to her horror Clarice saw her own face plastered next to a mug shot of Hannibal Lecter. The bold headline; 'FBI Agent Clarice Starling to Pursue Hannibal 'the Cannibal' in Paris' and then subtitled 'Beauty and the Beast to reunite?' with a continuation that included the Chesapeake incident and some other details which most definitely were not true!
The stewardess came back with the wine and the guy with the paper had to lower it, Clarice tried to hide her face, but to no avail.
"Hey you're that woman, you know, the one that loves the Cannibal!" like the entire cabin heard, Clarice felt cold fury rise up inside of her at the man's total lack of manners and respect.
"No I am not" she replied so cooly that he hoped he might get the hint.
"Sure, Clarice Starling right? Nice to meet you!" he was short, middle-aged and had combed his few remaining hairs across his shiny head in an effort to hide his baldness. She did not take his hand.
"Special Agent Starling, yes. If you don't mind I have some work to do" and she took out her files hoping he'd leave her alone, ha! She wished!
"No way! Files on Hannibal Lecter! Can I have a look?" he leaned over her, he had really bad breath, she tried not to smack him one in the you-know-where.
"These are private FBI files sir, I'd appreciate it if you would" keep your digusting slimy nose outta it "give me some space to work".
"No problem, but can I have a look?"
"Not unless you wish to be arrested…?" she had reached the end of her tether, Dr Lecter you missed one she thought wryly before realising what she had said - shit.
"No. Urr okay then, can I get your autograph?"
"No you bloo-" Clarice takes a quick breath "no sir you may not, I am not a celebrity. Now if you please could give me some peace!" there was no question that she meant business, her tone of voice was icy and the bloke backed off immediately to hide behind his newspaper.
Thank Gawd!
A few seats forward Mr Dawkins smiles and leans back in his seat, closing his eyes and using his other senses, which he has honed to almost perfection to concentrate on Clarice. She was angry, he has seen the papers too, they are rather vulgar, and that man was very rude, however it was interesting to see how his Clarice dealt with him. Mr Dawkins thoughts wander, he has come to the conclusion that it pleases him when Clarice is happy, and is unpleasant for him when she is not, but her distress draws him to her -if only because he wants to see her, and she needs him then. A pity he cannot join her now, to be able to perhaps touch her hand or hair briefly -ahh. But no, it is far too risky, the newspapers have not been stingy with the photos, he cannot risk detection, he will never give up his freedom. Not even for his Clarice…
Clarice wakes when the man next to her snorts in his sleep, he has a thin trickle of saliva hanging from his mouth, and it stretches to perilously near her shoulder. She shifts position, and then notices that they are circling the airport, on cue a stewardess' voice comes over the speakers, the man awakens but is too dozy to speak -thankfully. Clarice packs up her tray, the FBI file was put away just before she slept, and folds her blanket before fastening her belt as they start the landing procedure.
Out in the airport, stretching her stiffened limbs and trying to remember the name of her hotel, it's late at night and the city lights twinkle merrily away from the windows, she pauses to look at them.
She doesn't know why she smiles.
A/N: Okeydokey, personalised replies to reviews for chapter three -aren't I nice? S. Bridges; I know nothing much happened on the flight but I'm building up on the anticipation (work with me here...lol). Lexa I don't know why they aren't showing up your end could just be Fan.Net playing up -try again later? LadyOfTruths; goodie goodie! (hee hee). Chameleon302;I know it was wrong, but it was meant to be like that, basically so you don't suspect next time! Steel; square 2 will be coming up, how'd you guess?! Luna, Tara, here's more, hope you enjoy it! Shattered Mug; I hope it isn't detrimental to your health!
Thank you All!! I'm having so much fun with this - grin
