I want to apologize for the lengthy delay to submit this chapter. Time flies. My deepest thanks to those of you who have been following this story for the duration. I hope you like this chapter and the ones to come.

As we all know all the characters except the Maugeris belong to TH. I own close to nothing.

If I made any errors I apologize, just e-mail me and tell me all about them. I didn't want to delay this chapter any longer.

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Exchanges XXIII

A Change of Plans

Soon after they settled with their drinks, Sal Maugeri returned quietly to the room, checked on his wife and son, entirely ignored his son in law, and after a short conference with Dr. Lecter, they both agreed to proceed with their plans.

Hannibal Lecter pulled Clarice and Rachel aside, while Sal and Lucy Maugeri, escorting their son, began to make their way towards one of the helicopters.

"Your husband is very weak, Rachel." The doctor said, gently guiding her towards the door. "At my recommendation, Sal has arranged for one of his cars to take you both to the nearest hospital where Franz can be properly treated. He is presently waiting for you in the car. If I may suggest, it might be a good idea that Franz remains ignorant of the true identity of his rescuers, namely the Maugeris, Clarice and myself…For your protection, and ours, you should not reveal to anyone any of the events that took place here today. Specially, remember that you don't know anything about Delponte's fall from grace or his disappearance until is announced by the media or Rosemary tells you herself."

Rachel Rosencraz, nodded in agreement. "What do I say when they question us at the hospital?" she was catching up fast .

Hannibal Lecter smiled the all knowing smile she knew so well, "Sal has taken care of that, you will be driven to a private hospital which he covertly owns, and there will be no questions. What you tell Franz, is your business, after what he went through here, he might chose not to dwell in details."

Rachel nodded.

"One more thing," said the doctor, "if you should need to get in touch with us you can do it through Lucy and Sal."

They hugged; she thanked them both, and left the room after quick good byes and expressions of gratitude.

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"OK," Hannibal said pivoting to gaze in the direction of Delponte, semiconscious now and still bleeding on the sofa. "Your father in law will be back in a few minutes, he has made arrangement for you," he informed tonelessly.

Turning to Clarice he announced. "We are going back to the Villa, where I can take care of Luke privately in a proper manner. Sal will stay behind to clear up the spoils and join us later."

Clarice nodded while Dr Lecter pulled her towards him as they both made their way to the helicopters.

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Sal Maugeri had his hands full, under no circumstances would he allow his son in law to survive the incident. It was regrettable that his daughter would be widowed, but not entirely a loss. In his way of thinking, it just paved her way for a better future. She was still young, he reasoned, her children were grown and she had a whole life ahead of her to enjoy without the burden of a deceiving, cheating husband.

He rubbed his hands with satisfaction and reentered the mansion. Things were definitely going his way.

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Back in the mansion, Lucy and Clarice waited outside the room where Dr Lecter performed a brief surgery to remove the bullet from Luke's arm. When the patient finally rested comfortably he excused himself and went up to their rooms to take a well needed, long, soothing shower.

Only then did he allow himself to think of what could have happened. He was determined that no harm would come to Clarice, and had not expected this sudden increase of attempts on their lives or safety. From the time of his escape from Memphis, up until Inspector Pazzi had taken it upon himself to attempt to make himself rich at his expenses, he had enjoyed a quiet life with no significant incidents. After today's events he was determined to leave Sicily as soon as possible and make their way to a safer place where they could start anew.

He finished showering, and while still in his robe, he decided to lay down hoping that Clarice would join him shortly.

With his ultra sensitive perception, Hannibal Lecter was aware that the events of the day had not brought him a rush of exhilaration as that of the old days, but left him instead with a curious ennui. An emptiness that was far from enjoyable.

He closed his eyes.

That is how Clarice found him when she entered their room, in his robe, laying on his back with his eyes closed, fast asleep; which was odd, because Hannibal was a very light sleeper.

She was in desperate need of a shower, and thus proceeded to the bathroom, where she found the hot water relaxed her and provided her tired muscles with the much needed relieve. As she languidly soaped herself, she reviewed the events of the day and found them disturbing. Clarice finished showering, wrapped herself in her robe and toweled her hair dry as she returned, barefoot, to the bedroom. Hannibal was still in the same position but she knew he was no longer asleep.

Clarice feel a strong need of his solid understanding of the most complex yearnings in her soul. She closed her eyes briefly, then silently laid beside him, and placed her head and one of her hands on his chest. Hannibal Lecter silently wrapped one arm around her and pulled her closer. With his other hand, he took the hand she laid on his chest, and brought it to his lips. Clarice pressed her cheek against his chest while Hannibal silently waited for her to talk. Eventually, she did, in a barely audible whisper she started, " it never seems to end, when is not one thing is another… "

The doctor pulled her closer still, placed her hand back on his chest and began to stroke her head as he would a child's, but remained silent. He estimated that since the loss of his family everything in his life had been either ephemeral or easily replaceable, Clarice was the only permanent presence in his life and the only one he ever wanted. The acknowledgement that he needed her was intoxicating and a little frightening, rather an unsettling feeling for a man who knew no fear.

He kissed her head lightly and uncharacteristically didn't hold back the question that was burning inside him. "Are you sorry that you chose to follow me?"

Clarice started to cry and shook her head, "never," she answered fiercely.

"I have been a fugitive for many years now, Clarice." He paused briefly. "During my seven years in Florence, there were no incidents until Pazzi identified me."

"Do you think is fun, all this ac…" Clarice started

"No, I don't!" he interrupted, surprising both of them with his intensity.

After a pause, he continued, reflectively, "not any more, I lost the taste for it. I'd like to practice psychiatry again, or even medicine, but the need for violence, is gone, the thrill of it has vanished."

For one split second she experienced the curious fear that he might have lost his ability to read her mind. Hannibal Lecter sensed it and held her with both arms, bringing her body atop his and holding her there, close to him, as he kissed the tears off her face.

"Would you rather forgo the formal wedding , have a short ceremony, and leave here as soon as I can make arrangements for a safer place? Say five days and we are out of here?" her head was buried on his neck now.

She sighed and whispered against his neck, "yes, oh yes Hannibal, lets leave, please!" and finally began to relax. "He can still read me," she thought.

Her mouth began to crawl over his neck, down to his shoulder, back to his mouth, and Hannibal Lecter picked up on it and followed suit.

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They both decided they still wanted Barney to join them. He was due to arrive in two days and they didn't want to disappoint him. They agreed, that they could leave Sicily with Barney, immediately after the ceremony, spend a few days in Greece or maybe South American, then say their good byes to Barney and go under, hopefully never to be found again.

Two days later, a huge box addressed to Lucy Maugeri was delivered to the Villa, it contained a strapless 'A' line silk organza tiered wedding gown by a well known designer with lace detail and a short sweep train that could be bustled. The gown was crispy and fresh looking. It was accompanied by a note that read. "Good luck to you both. Love and best wishes". Signed simply RR.

Later that afternoon, the Maugeries decided it was a good time to go and spend the day with their daughter Rosemarie who had come to Catania immediately after her husband's disappearance. The helicopter that brought them there would pick up Barney who was due to arrive in Catania about the same time.

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When the sound of the returning helicopter was near, both Hannibal and Clarice went outside to meet it. Clarice held back a bit, so as to allow the two men to meet in relative privacy. She expected the meeting would be emotional, even for Dr. Lecter, "he of the controlled emotions," she thought, and chuckled affectionately.

As the helicopter touched down, Hannibal Lecter walked towards it, when the door opened and the stairs were deployed, he was right at the bottom of the stairs. Barneys saw him the moment he stepped out the door and hurried down the stairs, his expression increasingly emotional. The two men joined in a long hug, then, separated briefly to look at each other at arm length and hugged again.

From the distance of about fifty feet Clarice could only see Barney's face and she knew he was crying.

She approached them slowly, determined to lighten up the mood, when she reached them she placed a hand on each of their arms, and asked "How about ME? You forgot all about me, you two?

Hannibal turned towards her and she noticed his eyes were red and placed the palm of her hand on his cheek. He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, then let go as he gently pushed her towards Barney who gave her a teary bear hug. She was pretty emotional herself and briefly wondered if they were all behaving rather uncharacteristically; then accepted the fact that their characters were evolving, changing under the different circumstances, and she liked it.

Barney, looked intently at both of them, and whispered " you look great, booth of you there seems visible changed and it becomes you."

Hannibal shrugged, "Happiness changes people, Barney; it certainly changed us. Neither of us are happy individuals by nature, so the change seems more dramatic, more visible in both of us."

"So, what happens next?" Barney asked with a smile.

The helicopter had left and the silence was welcomed by all thee.

"You get to call the shots," announced Clarice, "either you go to you room and get settled first, or we go to the terrace and have a bite to eat a nice drink, and chat at our heats content."

"Lets chat and eat, then." murmured Barney, "I've waited years for this."

"I did too, Barney," declared Hannibal with a wink, as they made their way to the terrace.

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This story is nearing the end. A few more chapters and it will be finished. I'll try to deliver the next chapter in a week or two.

Thanks for reading. As you all know, feedback is always appreciated.

Clariz