Disclaimer: I do not own Clarice or Hannibal, lets just leave it at that.

doctor katy: I appreciate that, I hope i've captured Clarice well in this chapter as well. I may have to go and recapture Hannibal after this though. Your story is great as well, it was fun to read, please keep it up.

csferosha: Your going to keep me on my toes through out this aren't you? Well most of your questions will be answered, except for who the shooter was. That is not necessary information at this point but you'll find out soon I promise.

Cmdr. Gabe E: Good, I was worried there for a moment.

Count Orlok: :sits back with some popcorn and watches Hannibal chasing Rob.: I think this is more fun then writing the story. : yells at Robert: " Run faster!"

Author's Note: I know, everyone was a bit disappointed with the last chapter. Well I hope this one makes up for it. There will be some funny moments and some awkward ones. Like this moment for example...: coughs: Okay on with the story.


Clarice woke up a few hours later. The pain had ebbed away to a dull ache, the muscle was knotted there so she felt a little stiff. It couldn't be that bad anymore since she was lying on her back.

She watched the ceiling fan for a while, her mind and eyesight clear. Clarice let her body revive itself slowly before moving. No use straining something in haste so the diligent doctor could keep her bed ridden any longer. The activity addicted side of her screamed at the idea of more inactive imprisonment.

Clarice shook out her hands and feet to get the blood flow going to the ends of her limbs again. Sitting up gingerly, she stretched until there was a twinge of resistance in her muscles and stopped.

: Slow and steady wins the race, slow and steady:

She mentally chanted this as she continued testing for anymore physical sore spots. There would be bruises from her body tensing so suddenly when she'd been shot. She cringed at the thought of trying to work them out later.

After Clarice was sure she was loose enough to walk she began surveying her surroundings. The two shadow boxes holding two dead officers badges and flags identified it as her own bedroom. The contents of the boxes belonged to John Brigham and and her own father. They were the only things that graced her wall and it would probably always be that way.

Most of the lights were out except for the small lamp on the vanity. There was a large padded wicker chair at the vanity that Clarice called her cat nap chair. After work she sometimes didn't make it from the chair to the bed. Someone else had occupied it now, the lamp only outlining the dozing figure.

Clarice didn't need to see any details to know who it was. And she'd admit an undying love for Mason Verger before she'd believe that Hannibal Lecter was actually sleeping. She remembered an officer in Memphis asking her if Hannibal was a vampire. She smirked. It would definitely account for the mans ability to function so long without a decent nights sleep. Clarice wondered how long it would take her to get used to such a sleeping schedule. For all she knew this could have been her last good, deep sleep for a long time. At least if things went along as she hoped they would.

An uncomfortable pulling at the back of her neck informed Clarice that she was still wearing the black dress. Groaning, she got up to rummage through her drawers for something more comfortable. At least he had had the foresight to take off her shoes. She closed one drawer particularly too hard and winced.

Hannibal didn't move, chin resting on his chest, fingers steepled over his stomach.

Instead of being relieved Clarice was disappointed. She opened the drawer again and slammed it shut. The few things ontop of the dresser rattled with the force.

Clarice waited, nothing.

" Are you enjoying yourself Clarice?" He asked without lifting his head. Clarice saw the side of his mouth turn up in an amused smile. She immediately realized how childish she'd been acting, this wasn't a game, not hide and seek at least. The game had changed so much after eleven years that Clarice barely knew the rules anymore. She grabbed up her change of clothes quickly and headed for the hallway.

" I'm taking a shower." She snapped irritably.

" Take your time." He said with amusement.

" I hope you get a stiff neck sitting like that." Clarice mumbled under her breathe when she left the bedroom. There was a distinct chuckle from the room after she left.

In the shower Clarice stood rigidly beneath the water until the heat loosened up her shoulders. Then she turned the pressure up until the water felt like needles against her bare skin. To Clarice, that dull sting felt better then the relaxing heat. It reminded the ex-special agent that she was still mortal. Not that she felt invisible after being shot, but the needling effect had become part of her daily routine and old habits die hard.

: That's one of the reasons I need you Hannibal, to remind me that i'm still human. Just like I remind you of the same thing, because immortal men don't love. But you do.:

She didn't take long to do all the necessary washing, she was careful with her back. Even though it only throbbed whenever she touched it she would hiss in pain. She did a quick wash and rinse on her hair and body and got out.

Clarice was busy drying off her hair when she reached blindly for the hairbrush. She nearly knocked over a small glass bottle that wasn't usually on her counter. Clarice yanked the towel off her head and looked down where her hand was.

Next to some clean bandages for her back was an unmarked drug bottle filled with clear liquid and two needles, one already used and the other still in it's surgical packing. Clarice picked up the bottle and held it up to the florescent above her mirror. There was no oily texture or thickness to it, no color when the light hit it. When she pulled off the top there was no scent. Any other time it could be mistaken for plain tap water. But Clarice knew tap water didn't burn when it hit your bloodstream.

" What country did Dr. Lecter pick you up from?" Clarice said out loud, not really expecting the bottle to answer. Thinking out loud would have to be a dying habit around Hannibal that was for sure.

No matter what the drug was, it was no doubt illegal. Knowing from past experience, Hannibal never used a drug for it's prescribed purpose. For example, using neurology drugs for a dinner of pre frontal lobe and capper berries.

Clarice put the bottle down and wiped her prints off it with her towel. She was going to leave it be unless Hannibal used it on her again. Until then she didn't want him to know she'd been playing with it.

She pulled on the jeans and tank top she managed to snatch out of her drawer on short notice and let her damp hair dry the rest of the way on it's own. She didn't care who was in the house she was not going to any lengths to look elegant.

Clarice made it back to her bedroom blindly. She'd forgotten to turn the hall light on and after the bright glare of the bathroom lights it was darker then before. The light switch was near the staircase which she didn't want to risk tumbling down in the dark. She kept one hand on the left wall and followed the lamps glow from her bedroom door. Hannibal hadn't bothered to turn on anymore lights. When she entered he wasn't in the chair either. Her internal alarm kicked in. Where was he?

She listened for movement a breathe, something that would betray his location in the dark. But Clarice knew that he was too clever to let something that helpful reach her ears.

: Whoever said that love and trust can't work without the other has never been in this situation before.: She thought bitterly.

" Lie back down on the bed Clarice."

Clarice was frozen when he spoke, she still couldn't find where he was and she wasn't going to submit to his directions until she knew for sure he wasn't behind her. She decided to fill the empty air so her mind wouldn't have time to divulge some obscene fantasies based on what Hannibal had just said.

" I think i'm well enough to stand Dr. Lecter. Besides, my legs need the work out. "

" Very astute of you Clarice but this isn't open for discussion. Now lie back down." His voice was stern, though it never rose in pitch and Clarice shivered. This really wasn't open for discussion then. She was very tense as she made it to her own bed and laid down ontop of the comforter.

Her mind started to paint erotic pictures the moment she stopped moving and she inwardly cursed herself for it. Clarice had no idea what he wanted her to lie down for but a certain part of her had a very good idea of his purpose.

It was silent for a moment and then he came out of the shadows like a ghost taking physical form. There wasn't a single flicker of emotion in his expression. Clarice didn't know what to do. Then Hannibal leaned over her and while she returned his steady gaze, his hands slipped beneath her shirt. Clarice gasped and instantly caught his wrists to stop him. But his hands were already flat against her stomach, the skin still slightly red from the shower. She inhaled sharply but neither of them moved. Clarice's hold on his wrists stopping him from going any further or pulling away.

: God in heaven, why did you stop him:

Clarice didn't know. Something inside wouldn't sever the last thread and give in to him. Hannibal's face didn't change but Clarice's did when his fingers started to rove over the flesh of her stomach despite her restraint on his reach, melting away her resistance. Clarice's grasp loosened and her head fell to the side on her pillow. It felt too good for her to physically refuse the attention.

: Self control my ass! This is what happens when you go without sex for a few years. It's not healthy.:

Oh shut up! She mentally told the voice as Hannibal's thumb pressed firmly below her navel. After a few times Clarice noticed he was paying all his attention to her abdomen. That's when she realized what he was really doing and then she wanted to sink into the bed.

He was checking for injuries.

Hannibal Lecter smirked at Clarice but he saved her any further embarrassment by not commenting on her actions. He finished checking in silence, but Clarice could tell the difference when his hands changed from being merely clinical to affectionate. His fingers would spread out smoothly from their once rigid form and back for only a second. Enough to let Clarice know that he wasn't showing indifference, just concern.

Hannibal finished and Clarice felt cold when his hands slid away. She pulled her shirt back down and sat up, Clarice still had to look up to meet his eyes. She sat on the bed and he stood in front of her. It was a strange image that neither of them would think to find themselves. As if to remedy the way they were, Hannibal brought Clarice's wicker chair to the bed and he sat even with her. This was more familiar to them and it brought some relaxation to the situation but not much. They still had much to talk about.

" Now Clarice, we've come to the fork in the road." Hannibal said, giving her a meaningful look to make sure she understood the importance of his words. Clarice nodded, it was time to pick a path. Would they go on together or take separate ways as they'd always had in the end?

" And though I know your quiet set in your decision, there is one more thing I need for you to do. Something very important to both of our futures i'm afraid."

Clarice looked at Hannibal Lecter and saw something. It wasn't fear, this time it was uncertainty. With an expression like that do I really want to know? She thought with a bit of hesitation.

" What do you want me to do Dr. Lecter?" She asked and suddenly the self assured doctor was back.

" First of all Clarice i'd like you to stop using formalities when you address me. It's amazing how you can say my name when you wake from your nightmares or when you believe your about to die in my arms. But now it's time to drop the last wall between us." He said and offered his hand. Clarice watched his hand hover between them, there was no going back after this. If she loved him, she'd take his hand.

Clarice took a deep breathe and placed her hand in his. " What do I need to do Hannibal?" She asked. Hannibal smiled, a true smile and his hand enveloped hers. He stood and pulled her up to join him.

" Do you remember what I said about using a mirror to see your true self?" He asked, guiding her as he spoke to the large mirror at Clarice's vanity. She nodded and Hannibal stood behind her so she was looking at the mirror to meet his eyes. " This time I want you to use the mirror as an artist would a canvas. Use it to paint a picture, not of the past or of yourself, but of the future. The future that makes you happy Clarice, the one you dream about when you want the dream to be real." Hannibal watched the effect his words had on Clarice as her eyes slowly glazed over. Her eyes were focused on the mirror but nothing it was truly reflecting. She'd triggered her subconscious, to the place where her dream world lay.

The mirror served two purposes for Hannibal Lecter. He used it as a medium to bring Clarice into that dream world and he also had the advantage of seeing her reactions to those dreams.

The expression that crossed her face could only be named bliss, she was relaxed in his cradling hold and she smiled.

" Clarice, can you tell me where you are?" He asked. She smiled. " On a terrace." She said. " Where is the terrace?" He asked. " It's at our home."


Author's Note: I'm kind of disappointed with the amount of reviews I got last time. Where is everyone? Please review.

I'm about to go into a place i've been avoiding since this story started. Hannibal Lecter's mind. I'm going to be showing both Clarice's dream world and Hannibal's reactions to what dwells there. So there may be some extremely out of character moments for the both of them. And i'll say this one more time, there is a method to my madness. I'll tell you when I figure out what it is.

And can someone please tell me what Clarice's fathers name is. I know it's in one of the books but I can't find it. If you guys enjoy this story please read my other Hannibal and Clarice story. It's finished and a one shot but i'd like to hear what you guys think. It's called 'Last Chance'.

Just as a postscript, has anyone heard about the movie 'Behind the Mask'? It's the fourth Lecter movie and it's all about the good doctor's past. From childhood to right before 'Red Dragon'. A bunch of us are writing to the director to see if we can get some Hannibal and Clarice screen time and maybe a ending like the Hannibal novel. Tell me what you guys think of this as well as my story please. Please review.