Disclaimer: The characters of Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling belong to Thomas Harris. For now, I am only using them to try to entertain you.

Chapter Four

All those years without anyone by her side..apart from herself. Clarice never felt lonely. She would always see herself as the best company she could have. Drinking herself stupid was one activity she loved, but a part of her knew she needed someone. Her father was the world to her, after his death Clarice relied on herself. How could she rely on someone else? She didn't dare have a long relationship with someone she liked. There was no meaning to that relationship, no basis of want or love. Therefore, she distanced herself from men. Altogether, then Paul Krendler entered the scene. With his groping and his sly comments, he put Clarice off men totally. However, out there she knew there was someone for her, although she couldn't make herself say it, she was in love. Meeting Dr Lecter for the first time had changed her life. Why she didn't try to contact Dr Lecter was a mystery, of course she wanted to be with him. She wanted to fall asleep in his arms and awaken with him lying next to her. She wanted to look into his eyes and whisper that sacrificial three words. 'I love you'. However, she sat and waited, waited for a letter, maybe a phone call. Who knew, he might contact her, but he never did. Everything she had shouted to him in anger was true. She just wanted him to feel her feelings. Ache for her as she ached for him. Why he came back, she didn't have a clue. Why would he endanger himself once again, just to watch her, speak to her?

So with that revelation, Clarice looked deep into the doctors eyes. She felt fear; she could see the coldness that plummeted from the doctors eyes. The tensed shoulders, the stiff walk.

Her body froze, against the cold wall she just stared at him. She knew this would be the end, but it was when the Doctor walked up to her and smothered her lips with his that surprised her.

She felt the warmth of his lips, her mouth opening for him. Their tongues dancing in a ferocious battle. Her hands automatically reached for his neck, pulling him towards her more, wanting so much more of him. The good Doctor, resting his hands on her hips. The kiss was hypnotic; both parties were lost in this battle. Confused at these feeling towards each other, but they were enjoying the closeness between each other. It was Clarice who pulled back from the kiss first, opening her eyes wide. Panting for lost breath, she whispered one name. One name that would always put a smile on Dr Lecter's lips.

"Hannibal"

He couldn't get enough of her. He knew this was the beginning to something special, but some things were still yet to be identified as to WHY she had blamed him for those things. He hadn't intended on hurting her. The opposite, he wanted to make her happy. This was the only person in his life that was close to him, Mischa would always be in his heart, but it was time for Clarice to take her place. She was rightfully his, and he would never let her go. No matter what. He would protect her always.

For the both of them, this was something new. It was intimacy, but it was something stronger than love. For ten years they had both put their feelings on hold, and for it to come to this almost made them both laugh. They had fought with each other, trusted each other, and helped each other. It was now time for them to enjoy each other. To look at each other and feel that something rise deep within their hearts. The feeling of wanting someone more than you could have him or her. For the both of them, this was the second time in their lives that they had loved someone so much, beyond the boundaries of love. They didn't want it to end in tragedy like the last love. They both knew that if the worst came to the worst they would stick by each other.

Words weren't needed as they stared into each others eyes. Smiling they embraced for what seemed like forever. The contact between them made their bodies stiffen. Electricity running through their veins.

Closing her eyes, Clarice drifted off into the new world that they would now share together.

A/n : Well that's all for now, please review and tell me what you think. You reviews are gratefully appreciated.