Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters that you recognize. All rights belong to Thomas Harris and I'd like to thank him for writing such wonderful novels. I am making no money off this what so ever (unless you'd like to send me some as a "donation," I really don't mind!) and am deathly afraid of lawyers.

Chapter Two: Threats and Misery

Dr. Lecter was able to mask his surprise well. His eyes were the only sign she saw that he had recognized her. He sat down across from her as he was told.

"To what or who do I owe the pleasure of your company, Special Agent Starling?"

"You have no one to thank but myself," she said.

Her voice was different he noticed. There was no youthfulness nor veracity in her tone. The hand that was not resting on the gun, rose up to her face and took off the skull mask. There was no color in it. She only wore black eyeliner and shadow that made her eyes intense. Her lips looked an unhealthy shade of pink. They were almost blue. The look she gave him chilled his heart. He was looking at a shade of a former woman he knew. She spoke to him again.

"Do you like my perfume? It was made by the same shop that you used to frequent in Florence. I've been around the world looking for you, Dr. Lecter."

"So the F.B.I. have assigned you to my case again, have they?"

"Not exactly. Let's just say that I'm on your case 'unofficially.' "

"Unofficially? Hmm... That is rather sly of them. I would have noticed your name in the V-CAP files if they did. So are you here to clap irons on me?"

He raised his wrists and smirked at her. She still remained emotionless. He dropped them and narrowed his eyes at her.

"What are you really here for, Clarice?"

She motioned with her eyes to his desk. He looked in that direction and saw a large folder on it.

"Your case file, Dr. Lecter. Your incomplete case file. I want to be the one who finishes it and puts it away for good."

"Your still ambitious and looking for advancement."

"Don't tell me things that I've already heard and known for a long time."

Her eyes blazed with determination. To him, there was a great fire behind the ice of her eyes.

"Do I have any say in this matter?"

"No."

"Any choices?" he sneered.

The only person to catch him off guard was Will Graham. He hated but respected him. Now this slip of a woman had him bested, too. Pleasantries were quickly put away.

"Yes. Tell me the missing pieces or don't."

Her grip seemed to tighten slightly on the gun. He stared at her, tilting his head a little to the side as if getting a good view of her. She was apathetic. 'What has happened to you, little Starling?'

"Fine. But I have one proviso of my own. I get to ask you one question when I am done. Agreed?"

She nodded her head.

"Agreed."

Author's Note: This chapter was just a filler one to start off the story. That's why its not very interesting nor long. Sorry guys. Clarice in this story is going to be a very different one then we're used to seeing. Very dark, cold, and malicious, though only through time, dear readers, we'll see how much. I hope I can keep Dr. Lecter in character. I don't really know how he would really react in this situation.