Chapter 38

Clarice had been surprised to hear a woman voice; she had expected Dr. Lecter's metallic voice to come through the com.

It didn't her long to be in the waiting room where a young women sat behind a desk keeping tracks on all the paper. The young gestured for her to take a seat. "It'll be just a minute, feel free to read some magazines." Clarice gave a short nod and sat down.

Clarice's heart beated fast, and she wonder briefly if it would beat out of her chest. There was a buzz, and the next Clarice hear was the voice of the woman. "You can go in now." Clarice cut her breath and put weight on her feet hoping they would bear her.

"Thank you."

Clarice walked towards the door, and for the first time she fear what was behind it, she knew what he was capable off, that wasn't what feared her, it was what he might think of her, oh he had always mocked her loyalty to the FBI, those undeserving masters who hated her, because she wasn't like them. She put her hand on the door holding her breath and pushed in open.

Dr. Lecter sat behind a large wooden desk, to her right was two chairs and to her left a bookshelf, filled with books. The walls had paintings on it, she recognized one, it was her, holding a lamb in her arms. Clarice closed the door behind her, and met the eyes of FBI centerpiece.

She could see the surprise in his eyes, those maroon eyes that held so much depth that Clarice feared she might drown in them. There was a short silence as both Clarice and Dr. Lecter tried to find some ground beneath their feet.

"Well hello Clarice." Clarice move towards the desk. "Mind if I sit Doctor?" Clarice looked him in the eyes, anything else he would consider rude. "No not at all, please forgive me, but I'm rather surprised to see you here." Clarice smiled thinking that was the point. "Forgive me for not using my own name, though I would have thought you had seen the obvious in my cloak." Clarice saw the ghost of a smile on his lips. "Why are you here Clarice hmm? Business or is it a social call?" Clarice could feel the cold, his words stung for no reason. "I think you already know that Dr. Lecter." And so he did.

"Did you come alone? Hmm no I don't think so, so where's the rest Clarice?" he hissed her name. If he was worried, he didn't show, Clarice looked at him. Dr. Lecter could see there was something; a trace of something he had seen in Chesapeake, was it love? He didn't dare hope, yet she had given an obvious warning, the Trojan War, and the Trojan horse.

"They are waiting for you outside Doctor." "My brave Clarice, no fear hmmm." Clarice knew fear, but this wasn't it. "Yes, fear but not for you though." "Really Clarice and why is that?" Clarice smiled again. "Quid pro quo Dr. Lecter? Should I be frightened of what you might do to me? That I would end up as one of you victims? I have dance with the devil and it's only fair that I should pay the price." There was silence between them again. "You know I would never be captured alive, so are you here to convince me of that Clarice?"

Clarice stood up and walked to the window, the FBI on the street were like little black ants. She turned her head to Dr. Lecter; there was sadness in her eyes. "I know Dr. Lecter, and I would never try to convince you to come so easy to your doom, and to answer you questions as to why I'm here, alone." she stopped, looking in those eyes again. "I wanted to be here, to talk with you, no drugs, not pressed for time, and be able to say good bye."

Dr. Lecter was taken with her sincerity, had she seen through his bars, did she love him? Dr. Lecter knew there could be no happy ending for them, the where Romeo and Juliet, only in death could they be joined by their love.

"How are this to proceed then Agent Starling?" "That Dr. Lecter is entirely up to you, I have take precaution for all the outcomes that I could think off." She didn't move when Lecter moved closer, she stood frozen to her ground. "Tell me Clarice does that include what I might do to you?"

There were, no fear in her eyes, Dr. Lecter was please. Clarice smiles sarkastly. "Oh that was what I missed, nope sorry Doctor I have that on my list. All possible deaths outcome is checked off."

Dr. Lecter smile, it would have scare most except from Clarice, she had nothing to loose. "pray tell me Clarice, do you get what you crave most by taking me in hmm?" "Most no that I can never have." "So why did you come hmm in hoping of silence the lambs?"

"No Dr. Lecter, I'm never going to silence those lambs, for my only salvation is you." Dr. Lecter looked sincerely puzzled at her. "Really Clarice? And still you plan to serve me for your masters?" "That's the way is has to be Dr. Lecter." "So it is Clarice." There was sadness in his voice. "It would seem that faith has it's own plans for us, could I ask you something Dr. Lecter?"

A/N Yeah I know weird place to stop. look out for next chapter, it'll be up soon.

Ta, ta