Well, this is starting to get slightly fun… prolly two more chpts after this one.

Add the usual: I wonder if I can take out a patent instead of a copyright?

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Clarice cursed softly under her breath. Of all the people who could show up now, it would have to be Jack Crawford who was in her hallway. How the hell had he gotten in anyway?

"Clarice? Have you been for your run yet?" She could tell he was moving away from them towards the kitchen. Her one thought was that she had to get Dr. Lecter out of the house as soon as possible.

She rolled over just as the doctor was leaning over to speak to her and the two of them came together chest to chest. Dr. Lecter grinned as his right arm snaked around her waist holding her in place. Clarice squirmed against his hold and inwardly the doctor struggled to maintain his outward calm. She was so warm and alive. He stroked curve of her back through the material of her t-shirt and decided that he needed to buy her some silk nighties. She could see the mischief twinkling in his bright blue eyes, now that the sun was up, and the expression reminded her of a little boy.

"Clarice?" Jack could now be heard in the kitchen, which gave Dr. Lecter a wonderful idea.

"What do you think old Jackie boy will do when he finds us…" he whispered in Clarice's ear. "…like this?" he finished as he started to roll her over onto her back under him. Clarice's eyes went wide in shock and her hands came up to his chest, trying to push him off her. Her hands fisted the soft material of his white dress shirt, causing another button to pop open, revealing more of the salt and pepper that covered his chest. He rolled back with her push, but brought her with him, so that she was once again resting partially on top of him. She braced her palms on his chest and scowled down at him.

"On top, my dear?" he questioned with sparkling eyes. Her cheeks blushed rosy at his off-colour comment and she decided that he was enjoying himself far too much.

"You have to get out of here now!" she hissed under her breath.

"Worried about me?" he asked with a small smile.

"No, I'm worried about Jack!" she answered in all honesty, as she scrambled over him to get out of bed. She grabbed her housecoat and whispered,

"Go! Quickly!" before she pulled the bedroom door to.

Dr. Lecter was out of bed instantly, straightening his clothes but he paused at the doorjamb to listen to their conversation. Between the two of them, they might have a decent chance of apprehending him, simply because he wouldn't hurt her. Jack on the other hand was another matter entirely. Lecter smiled as he recalled the dream she had just confessed to him. He was almost sure she wouldn't say anything to Jack about her visitor. Then again, he never could predict her.

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"Jack?" Clarice mumbled sleepily as she made her way down the hall to the kitchen. Crawford turned to face her when she entered.

"Oh, Clarice. I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" Crawford looked like a puppy that knew it was in for a scolding.

"It's all right Jack," Clarice lied. "What did you want? And how did you get in?" she asked as she leaned against the counter opposite the door, forcing Crawford to put his back to the entrance if he wanted to face her.

"I just came to check on you," he replied. "Ardelia told me about the key you keep under the flower pot on the porch. I heard what happened and…" he trailed off not sure what else to say. He'd retired eight months before, but still had contacts in the bureau that kept him up to date. Clarice made a mental note to bring the spare key indoors.

"And what Jack? Do you want to hear about all the gory details?" Clarice was getting annoyed with the man. He had once been her mentor, until she realized how ineffectual he chose to be in matters involving her career.

"No Clarice, I guess I wanted to apologize for ever getting you involved in this in the first place," he confessed. Clarice didn't tell him it was probably one of the only good things he had ever done for her. She wondered if Dr. Lecter was out of the house yet.

"We both know that if you had to do it all over again, you would do the same thing," she told him. He just shrugged, not wanting to acknowledge the truth of her statement. Clarice heard a voice in her head,

"Sometimes, Clarice, silence is more telling than words." She had to hold back the laughter this thought provoked. Why was life so much more fun when he was around?

Into the silence came a thud, as if a book had been dropped on the floor. Jack spun to the doorway, intent on finding out what had made the noise. Clarice knew, and she also knew it had been no accident. Nothing was ever an accident around that man!

"Jack, please," she entreated, holding out her hand to him. He turned back to face her, and she could see a shadow moving in the hall over his shoulder. Why didn't he just go out the front door?

"I don't blame you for any of this," she told him, which was true for the most part. "Please," she said again, as he made to turn towards the door. Damn him for forcing her to do this! "I've been so alone for so long, please," she said once more holding her arms up. Crawford moved swiftly to her side, taking her in his arms.

"Shhhh…" he whispered as he smoothed her hair, "it's going to be ok. I'm here now." Clarice tried to hold back a snort. To Crawford it sounded like a sob, and he held her tighter. Something else crashed in the hall, and it was all Clarice could do not to swear.

"What was that?" Crawford asked, turning toward the door.

"The cat," Clarice said in a rush.

"When did you get a cat?" Crawford asked. Clarice made the conscious decision to take drastic action. She put her hand up to Crawford's cheek and guided his head down to hers. She kissed him lightly, which was all the incentive he needed to take control. She found the cloying scent of his aftershave nauseous. There was a rough spot on his cheek where he'd missed while shaving.

"Oh, Clarice…" he murmured as he took a breath, before he lowered his head to hers once more. He had completely forgotten about the cat, and the strange noises, to his detriment.

From behind him, a cold voice spoke,

"Savor the moment Jack. That was a once in a life time experience."

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Hehe… you think Jack's in trouble? luna.