This is a short follow-up to Road Trip. If you haven't read it, this will probably make no sense to you. If you have read it, this will probably make no sense to you. LOL

*Author's warning* If you're not in the mood for moosh, DO NOT READ THIS!

The usual applies; I own no one or nothing pertaining to this story.

On The Road Again

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Days had turned into weeks. Before I knew it, it had been three months since the wedding incident in Las Vegas. My plans for an Italian vacation and been squashed by a serial killer who was given the name, 'The Band-Aid Killer,' because he had placed a Band-Aid somewhere on each of his four victims. I figured he just had a Les Nesman fetish and was upset by the fact WKRP in Cincinnati was off the air.

Nevertheless, it had taken these three months to track him down and he was eventually caught and killed by a neighborhood watch group in Pittsburgh. A statement made by one of the heroes; "I bet they won't be able to find a Band-Aid big enough to cover up that mess," was wisely omitted from the official report. You should never mess around with a bunch of steelworkers, if you know what's good for you.

I had been keeping in touch with Doctor Lecter during this time. He did seem a little disappointed when I was unable to keep our date, as it were, but he remained a perfect gentleman. We would speak for hours, late at night, always changing chat rooms and screen names, for security reasons of course.

I would wear the ring sometimes, when we talked, still amazed by it's beauty. The way the light would catch the stones and shine like fire reminded me of his eyes. Replacing the ring in it's temporary home; I would allow my finger to brush over the inscription; When you are ready….

It never failed to make me smile.

Then I got the call. The one I knew would come sooner or later, as long as I stayed with the Bureau. I knew I had to respond, but for my own reasons.

"Starling"

"Starling it's Crawford."

"Yes sir, what's up?"

"We just received a tape from London. I think you should get down here and take a look at it."

"What's the hurry sir, can't this wait until morning?"

"It's Lecter, Starling."

"I'll be right there."

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I couldn't imagine what might be on the tape, but what ever it was, was no doubt on purpose.

Dr. Lecter had not been staying in London, I knew, so whatever there was to see on the tape would be meant for me.

I waited patiently for Crawford to start the tape, careful to control my expressions. When the tape came to life, it looked to be a home movie. It was a steady picture of London Bridge. After a few moments, he stepped into view of the camera. He was dressed in a simple royal blue dress shirt and black slacks. Other than the sunglasses, he wore nothing to conceal his face.

So there he stood, in all his glory. Flaunting his freedom to the whole world and irritating the shit out of Jack Crawford. That in itself was worth it. Then he began to speak:

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Good day Jack. And if I may be so bold, I assume you are accompanied by Agent Starling, my regards to you as well, Clarice. I would like to offer my apology to you Jack, for the deception in Las Vegas. To toy with your emotions in such a way was rather mean spirited of me I will admit, but it was a great deal of fun Jack, and you know how I like my fun.

There is no real purpose for this video tape Jack, other than I have just purchased this new recorder and needed to test it out. So that being said, I must be leaving now. I have a little vacation in mind, ahh but where to go. Space maybe, I hear it's the final frontier.

Are you ready?

See ya round.

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Crawford stopped the tape and looked at me with a confused expression.

"Do you have any idea what the hell he's talking about Starling?"

It took no time for me to figure out what he was referring to. I couldn't tell Crawford of course, well not all of it anyway. I guess Dr. Lecter thought since I was so busy with work, if that work concerned him, that would mean problem solved.

"Vegas sir."

"Excuse me?"

"He's going to Vegas."

"How do you figure that Starling?"

"Space, the final frontier sir."

"I don't follow you Starling."

"You mean to tell me you never watched Star Trek?"

"No"

Well, I guess there had to be one.

"He's referring to Star Trek sir and we were staying in the Las Vegas Hilton, remember?"

"So you think this means he's going back to Vegas? Why would he tell us Starling?"

"It's a challenge sir. My guess is that he's bored."

"Well, you know him better than anyone else Starling. I'll get on the horn to Director Noonan and let him know what's going on. We can be on a plane in a couple hours. Are you up to it Starling? I'd understand if you don't want to go."

"Thank you for your concern sir, but I'm ready."

Whether I chose those words intentionally or not the fact remained, I was indeed ready.

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Thanks go to my little Sis Chameleon for naming the dearly departed serial killer.