Thank you all for the kind reviews. 5 hugs and a Rickman, no less. Wow! Captain Lecter? It does have a nice ring to it, but do you really want me to go there Sam? Come to think about it….

Here's to all you moosh starved Lecterphiles! BuddyX, Skye007lex, Lexa, MK, Hanniballover1181, Saavik, Sam, Luna, LoT and C. You're the best!

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

Chapter 2 The Return

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It took a little coaxing from Crawford, but Director Noonan finally agreed to let Crawford and I make the trip alone. We would have to stay in close contact with the Las Vegas field office, but no Pearsall or Krendler to deal with on this trip, thank God.

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It was early morning before we arrived in Vegas. We went straight to the hotel, the Las Vegas Hilton of course, and checked in. I deposited my bag just inside the door and proceeded to fall face first on the bed.

I finally woke up about 6:00pm. As my senses returned to me, I needed no further conformation that I was not alone. His scent was thick in the room.

"Good evening, Doctor."

He remained silent as I rolled over to face him. As our eyes locked he said,

"Please forgive the intrusion Clarice, but I have never be able to resist watching you sleep. You're quite lovely when you're exhausted."

"Thanks, I missed you too."

"Did you now. Do you have any idea how much that pleases me Clarice? Rising from the chair he had been occupying, he took a step toward the bed.

I was sitting now, one foot dangling off the bed as he slowly moved closer.

"Does that surprise you Doctor? That I could miss you? It shouldn't you know." My playful tone was not lost on the good Doctor.

"On the contrary Clarice, the feeling does not surprise me, however the ease of delivery is another matter. It's one thing to chat with an old friend when such a great distance separates us, but quite another when we are alone in a hotel room."

By the end of his speech, he was standing next to the bed. He extended his hand, which I promptly took into mine. He pulled lightly and I responded, getting to my feet. We stared at each other for some time before he bent his head, gently kissing my forehead, then my cheek. He pulled back, as if to ask for permission for his final decent, but by this time I had had enough.

"To hell with this!" Grabbing his face with both hands, I just laid one on him. It didn't take long for him to respond. Just when I thought this might finally go somewhere, I heard four sharp knocks to the door. Breaking the kiss, the Doctor asked, "Are you expecting company Agent Starling?"

"Crawford?"

"More than likely."

"Well, it's definitely a given that if he finds you here, the shit's gonna hit the fan."

"I would assume."

The knocks came again, this time accompanied by an inquiry.

"Starling, are you in there?"

"Shit, I gotta get this. Go hide somewhere."

"I will not."

"Whatta ya got a death wish?"

"Hardly." He said with a chuckle. "Go answer the door, before Jacky boy calls the swat team."

I gave him the dirtiest look I could before saying, "Just a minute sir. I'll be right there."

The Doctor followed me to the door, standing behind it. As I reached for the knob, he grabbed my hand, kissing it lightly before releasing it. The knocking came again as I pulled the door open. "Sorry sir, I was asleep, what's up?"

"I was just wondering if you were up to some dinner Starling?"

I was holding the door open about a couple of feet, with my right arm resting on the doorknob inside, when I felt my arm being pulled from the door. As I tried to answer Crawford's question, the Doctor began kissing his way up my arm. Was this man ever in a situation he didn't find amusing?

"Yes sir, I am hungry. Just let me change my clothes and I'll meet you downstairs."

"Okay Starling, I'll be in the lobby."

As soon as the door closed, I let out a big sigh. "That wasn't very funny."

"Ahh, but I beg to differ with you Clarice. You don't find it amusing, even in the slightest, that the object of poor ole Jack's search was within his reach and he didn't have the courage to take advantage of it?"

"He didn't know you were here Doctor."

"And what makes you think I was referring to me?"

Before I could say another word, the Doctor finished the kiss that I had started. Finally pulling away he whispered, "I'll see you soon." Then out the door he went.

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Eventually I made it downstairs and found Crawford sitting at a video poker machine.

"So how much are you in to it for?"

"Just about twenty dollars, but it's gonna hit, I can feel it."

"Yeah right, I've heard that one before. So are we gonna eat or are you gonna put the rest of your paycheck in that thing?"

"Just a couple more Starling."

"Whatever. I'll be in the coffee shop."

"That's fine." He said while pumping quarters into the machine.

I laughed to myself as I walked away from Crawford. The thought that one of the more intelligent men I knew, sat feeding a machine that would never get full, made me think what other obsessions he might have. I did know of at least one other and Dr. Lecter knew it too.

Twenty minutes passed before Crawford found his way to the table. "Well?"

"Don't ask."

I tried to muffle my laughter with a cough, but Crawford caught it and soon we were both laughing.

As the laughter died down, the waitress came over and took our order. Crawford then began reciting our agenda for the following day. Glancing over his left shoulder, something caught my eye. It was a man, back in the corner, reading the newspaper. I was unable to see his face until, as though he new someone was watching him, he let a corner of the paper bend down allowing me to see his face.

For some reason it didn't surprise me to see him on the other side of the paper. I think I'm developing a sixth sense where he's concerned. He winked, before bringing the paper back up to cover his face and it occurred to me that I should be a lot more concerned about this whole situation than I actually am.