My friends, thank you for your kind comments. I'm really enjoying writing this and I'm more than happy to see you are enjoying it too.
Special thanks to Cristina, Marcus Aurelius, Ducki, RivanKnight, Shattered Mug, LoT, Steel, Drandmrslecter, Nanci, Elbereth, Shanna Lee, and Mizuko.
As I keep saying, they are not mine. The are Thomas Harris, and I'm not he. I'm not half as smart either …
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Exchanges XIV
The Needle Lady
When they got to the apartment, Hannibal poured them both a glass of Chateau d'Yquen and lit up the fire in the living room and bedroom fireplaces both.
They sat quietly in front of the fire and he patiently waited for her to start talking. She sat close to him and removing her shoes placed her folded legs on the couch and leaned her head on his chest. He drew his arm around her shoulders and held her close to him.
After a while, he decided to approach the subject.
"Tell me Clarice, now that we know where is he staying, what do you feel will be the wise thing to do?"
She smiled to herself.
"When I first saw him," she responded, as someone who is about to tell a story, "I thought I wanted to push him under the Metro." She paused. " I actually pictured myself doing it." …Then, added reflectively. "I'd probably could make it look like an accident, if I planned it right."
"Very creative" commented Hannibal, noncommittal.
"Why do you feel you want him dead, Clarice"
"Don't you?" She seemed honestly surprised, as if in her estimation he'd want everyone dead.
"Not particularly," he answered frankly, " not unless he represents an immediate treat to us or if you felt you want revenge for the way he treated you"
She buried her head on his chest, he held her there, allowing her to gather her thoughts.
"I don't hate Jack Crawford, Hannibal…not enough to wish him dead, anyway".
She took a deep breath, and continued .
"Jack Crawford is the only old timer alive who would have any over-enthusiastic interest in capturing you, even now, after retirement. For him is a personal issue. The others were either forced to retire and are not interested in any further Bureau activities. OR those who stayed behind would rather avoid the embarrassing fiascos associated with every attempt to capture you."
She paused for air and went on.
"Crawford's very existence represents a threat to what is the most dear to me. You, that is" she patted his stomach once, with her open hand.
"The new men would love to capture because of the glory they'd derive, but would they recognize you in the street?, NO!….even if they became Lecter Experts they'd never compare to the treat of meeting Crawford face to face at the turn of every corner and him recognizing you by your voice or your ears…who knows?"
He chuckled at her logic and she went on
"I suppose I want to do away with anything or anybody that I consider an impending treat to us….to your life" Her last word just a whisper. She lifted her head and looked at him, her eyes welled again, "I can't bear the thought. I just wont allow it to happen."
He was only too aware of her fear to lose him as she had lost her father.
"It is a wonder", he thought, "that without professional help, she still managed to chose to come with me in spite of all the odds against it."
Hannibal felt it was his obligation to attempt to dissuade her from killing Crawford. He didn't believe killing Crawford would help her healing, "At least" he thought , consoling himself, "is good she doesn't plan to make this eliminating threats project a full time occupations"
"I have managed to keep my freedom for almost eight years now, Clarice, with Jack Crawford intent on capturing me. For the most part, is easier to avoid them than to attract attention by going about eliminating every single threat…" he let his thoughts trail
He lifted her chin and looked at her face. She had that clenched teeth look she adapted when she was at her most stubborn, ….. "Not in a thousand years"...came to mind.
"I don't want to lose you" she declared in the unforgettable tone of voice.
He sighed, trying to make light of it. "Then, I guess I'm going to have to live forever."
Holding her chin firmly he kissed her. A long , engaging kiss that started tender and turned hungry and demanding. She responded ravenously.
"Lets forget Crawford for now, humm?." he said his eyes glazed, voice deep with lust.
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"Did you say you actually own other properties such as this one?" asked Clarice casually during breakfast. Clearly as a distraction to gain some time to ponder about the Crawford issue.
" Yes, We have other properties in Grand Cayman, another smaller apartment in Paris, one in Venice, a small villa in Costa del Sol. And of course, lately, I thought it wiser to use other identities for real state purchases as well, so as not to run the chance of being caught short , so to speak".
"A whole financial web" she chuckled, "it seems as if you developed an entire worldwide financial safety net. Wherever you fall: there it is to catch you!"
"Something like that" he said vaguely. "As soon as we are more settled, maybe while we wait to hear from Barney, you and I have to go over the financial provisions I had made for you and modify them accordingly, now that the "persona" of Clarice Starling, is bound to be compromised, changes will have to be made and I'll need your input."
"I don't understand" said Clarice with an odd look .
"Clarice Starling", said Hannibal, "has been the for several years, the only heir of all I have –under any name. But now, we will have to make other, more sophisticated plan"
"What are you saying?" She was growing visibly angry "There is no need for ANY such plans" her face growing red. "Because YOU are not going to die on me!!!!!"
"I don't intent to, Clarice, but we might want to travel separately at times, in an attempt to safely avoid capture. If we did, unless I knew you had the funds to move around I'd be too distracted worrying about your safety to be concerned with mine. I too would be safer, if I was sure you have easy access to funds." He paused , but not long enough for her to interject.
"We might be in the run soon, now that you seem decided on a crusade to eliminate Crawford"
He knew he had her .
She was thoughtful for a while, concentrating on her food.
"OK, you think is safe to let him live?" She asked, reluctantly.
"The world is a big place, Clarice, there is room in it for us and Crawford." Then, added with a crocked smile, "isn't it rewarding to think how devastated he would be, should he ever find out we are together, or worse yet…if he thought that the monster killed you?"
"I'll make you a deal," said Clarice, "you give me another little box with a syringe like the one I used to kill Erik, and I'll carry it in my purse. IF we bump into him face to face in the streets of Paris, he gets the needle."
"Fair enough" said Hannibal, and thought "Jack old boy, …you better not cross the needle lady..."
But instead, asked, "What would you like to do today?. How about some museums and then a little shopping, with food in between?"
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"Here are some Euros," said Hannibal handling her a wad of funny money, "you can't go around without cash"
She took the money, a little uncomfortable, whispering " Thank you".
"Oh, Clarice," he said easily, "what's mine is yours, I know you probably have some money from the trip somewhere but here is more convenient to have Euros, tell you what, you can treat me to lunch" he winked and grinned genially.
"You gave me enough to feed lunch to a whole town for a month" she chuckled, reverting intentionally to her southern accent.
"Or a few pair of shoes and a bag at Hermes…" he laughed.
Clarice loved to hear him laugh. "I'm lucky to have him," she thought "nobody could ask for a nicer monster…" and then out loud …. "Eat shit, Crawford"
"Pardon me?" said Hannibal, now laughing uncharacteristically loud.
"Did I say something?" Asked Clarice blushing
"You said eat…manure, Crawford"
She looked at him and started to laugh
"I would never say manure, you probably misheard the whole thing." Her laugh loud and free now, matching his.
Suddenly he stop laughing, pulled her to him and grabbing her hair roughly draw her head back and started kissing her urgently, voraciously. "We'll go out later" he said huskily
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Clarice wanted to see the Musee D'Orsay, Hannibal would have preferred the Louvre, but its proximity of the Hotel Meurice –and Crawford was a good deterrent
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A curious change takes place in individuals when they function as a couple. Some change for the worse like George and Martha in Who's afraid of Virginia Wolf. Whereas some, like Hannibal and Clarice, are transformed by the joy they derive from each other so that even when their essential natures remain, the balance of their qualities shifts and the best in them far outshines the darker side of their personalities.
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"I'm getting thirsty," declared Clarice, by the time they got to the Naturalism and Symbolism level. "How about you?"
"Oh yes, " chuckled Hannibal, "you are treating me to lunch?" he treated her with his most charming smile –the one that would have scared most other folks.
They had a bite at the excellent coffee chop of the Museum.
"I ordered some items from an auction at Chirstie's and they are ready for me to pick up," explained Hannibal." If you don't mind, we could go there, pick up the parcel and then shop on the stores on Rue du Faubourg St Honore.
"Oh Sure, how far is it?" asked Clarice
"About a mile, or 2 stops in the Metro with a change in between"
"Lets walk it. This is Paris…I want to see everything"
At Christie's they were ushered to a private room where a representative introduced himself . Once Hannibal's identity as Dr Hansen Miller was dully verified the representative asked the Dr. to follow him. While Clarice browsed some of the jewelry in exhibit, Hannibal followed the man, and came back less than 5 minutes later, empty handed and grinning.
"All done" he declared.
"Where is the parcel?" she asked
"In my pocket. Lets go and buy you a formal dress for a wonderful dinner. Tonight we celebrate!"
"What are we celebrating , exactly?" asked Clarice, flirty
"Us" he declared. And hoped everything would turn out as planned .
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I have to leave it here, because otherwise I could go on and on.
I'll have to upload a short chapter sort of an Interlude, before chapter XV.
Please review this one and tell me how you like the way is going.
Clariz
