DISCLAIMER: Don't make any profit: they're not mine. The end.

TIMELINE: after Hannibal the movie

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The music I was listening to while I wrote this was 'The Burning Heart' from the Hannibal soundtrack. This one may not have a big plot but I think it's quite nice in the descriptions. All reviews are very appreciated.

Burning Hearts

BY JANE MOSS

He would come back to look at things more thoroughly but for now this would have to do. Dr Lecter descended the stairs, his steps very slow, very measured and without a sound. He entered the room to be greeted with the sound of her almost melodic breathing as opposed to the empty silence of the house. This time Dr Lecter did not stop himself from stepping closer to her sleeping form and with slow grace he got down onto his knees in front of her, hearing part of Dante's sonnet in his mind, 'He woke her then and trembling and obedient she ate the burning heart out of his hand.'

He did not wake her, but felt a stab of hunger still. He watched her closely, every curve and every hair on her body which the dress revealed, coveting her beauty. Clarice's face was so very close to his, he could not stop himself from softly inhaling her scent. The rose would wilt in comparison to her. Part of him wished he could stay and watch her skin bathe in the moonlight longer, but all too well he knew he they had to part. Her eyes, though closed, looked like she could wake up at any moment. Reaching out, he stroked her hair with the softest touch savouring in the sensation it provided. He could not hold himself from bringing his hand near her arm until it almost came in contact and with a ghostly touch he hovered it over her bare skin letting his warmth send goose bumps over her and Clarice stirred softly in her sleep and he sat frozen. There was no denying the feelings which surrounded them. Her house revealed as much to him. Even the still sight of her brought his heart more longing than fulfillment. He wanted so much to touch her skin instead of the air around it. Her presence gave tranquility and he could not interrupt her peace. Not now. He smiled sadly to himself: the man she had looked for so long was inches from her and yet she did not wake to see him. Dr Lecter briefly wished her eyes would flutter open and he would not have to leave her warmth so soon.

Softly not to make much sound he gathered the sharp pieces of glass from the bare floor of her room, then almost sadly he took the last sight of her and stored it deep within his memory to keep with him. 'Weeping I saw her then depart from me,' Dante's words echoed in his mind. All stories end the same. One last breath and he stepped out sliding her lock in place without much sound. The cold air bit at his warm skin and the wind swept away the last traces of her. The freezing breeze was an unwelcome touch and echoed the hard pavement under his feet. His mind was elsewhere: back in her warm house. Someday he would come back and wake her. Perhaps that will extinguish the hot flames around his heart and end its burning longing to fulfill their hearts' desire.

THE END

* * *

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for all the encouraging reviews. I hope I didn't disappoint you too badly with this ending. It seemed more fitting. If my muse co-operates I might write another story! – Jane:)