Thank you everyone who reviewed, I'm sorry if you have all been left hanging for far longer than you would have liked. I'll try and get the next part up within the next couple of weeks.

Disclaimer: The plot is mine but the characters belong to Thomas Harris and thanks again to my brillaint beta JetNoir.

Death Trap

Part Four – Sunset Road

Realisation,

Used to happen only when I dreamed,

My mind would not stop my heart from showing,

Where I was meant to be.

But now my eyes are clearer,

When I'm awake what do I see?

My lover I thought was a fantasy,

Came and rescued me.

Clarice's breath hitched in her throat when she heard that voice. That eerie yet so familiar voice. He sounded so calm but she wasn't surprised by this. After all she had been through nothing would surprise her anymore.

One set of footsteps steadily drew nearer while Clarice heard another shift more frantically.

Carlo cried out, "Who are…" but his words were suddenly cut off and he made a short choking sound before collapsing to the ground.

Clarice sensed a figure move toward her and kneel down.

"Clarice, can you hear me?"

Strong hands reached around her head untying the blindfold and pulling the gag out of her mouth.

Clarice blinked as once again bright lights flooded her vision. She then slowly lifted her eyes to regard her rescuer.

"Doctor Lecter,"

The concern on the Doctor's face ebbed a little when the woman in front of him spoke softly. Carefully he raised his hands to inspect the wound on the side of her head.

"Why are you here Doctor Lecter?"

"I'll spare you the exact details Clarice but after I heard about your recent troubles with the FBI I thought I'd come and give you a birthday gift,"

As the Doctor talked Clarice felt the ropes around her wrists and ankles loosen.

"When visiting your house however, I was dismayed to find it empty,"

"Then how did you know where I was?" Clarice interrupted.

Stepping in front of her again Hannibal continued, "You should really be careful leaving bits of paper around with addresses scribbled on them. I guess I just had to use my detective skills Clarice." He winked before tilting his head to the side.

"Can you walk Clarice?"

"I don't know she mumbled in reply. Staggering to her feet she suddenly realised how weak her legs felt. Dr Lecter caught her in his arms when she lurched sideways.

"Perhaps I should carry you then,"

Clarice regarded him sceptically for a moment.

"I must remind you Clarice time is very likely running down on us so we must leave now,"

Gingerly the young woman wrapped her arms around the Doctor's neck and he hoisted her up. Turning back towards the door Clarice had her first full view of Carlo who was sprawled on the floor. His eyes gaped open as did his neck which the Doctor had obviously sliced clean across with his harpy.

Noticing where her expression lay Hannibal spoke up.

"I think you'd agree with me Clarice that was quite necessary."

"Hmm," Clarice's brow creased as she thought, "That's the second person to die when they were about to kill me. But I'm sure the FBI would not bat an eyelid over this,"

Hannibal had moved swiftly back to the exit.

"The media Clarice is an extremely dangerous weapon, but I'm sure you already knew that,"

When they were out of the room Hannibal turned left and approached the front door. Clarice saw another pair of legs lying on the ground half in the shadows.

"Two deaths this evening Clarice,"

Why did he always know what she was thinking Clarice mused as Hannibal opened the door and stepped out.

"Wait Dr Lecter. Two deaths? I'm sure earlier there were three…"

Piero punched quickly and hard as he ran out. The surprise of the blow more than anything sent the Doctor lurching to the left. His grip on Clarice loosened and she fell down the remainder of the stairs, landing on a heap at the bottom.

Hannibal whirled round with his knife drawn but Piero was no longer behind him. He began to descend the remainder of the steps towards Clarice who was groaning and trying to sit up.

Piero waited until the Doctor was near the young woman before he struck again. Diving out from the other side of the alley Clarice watched in horror as Hannibal received blows to his nose and left eye. However this time Piero was not as quick to flee and Clarice saw a glint of silver cut thinly through air and flesh.

"Are you alright?" Hannibal asked when he was once again crouched beside her.

Clarice nodded. She was not alarmed about the splatters of blood on the Doctor's clothes and cheeks but the trail of deep red from his nose concerned her.

"Are you alright Doctor Lecter?" She motioned to the only blood on his face that was his own.

"Superficial I believe Clarice. No permanent damage,"

She watched as his tongue flicked across his upper lip catching the few drops of crimson that resided there. He then once again lifted her into his arms.

"We shall attempt our escape again then Clarice and thank you for the advanced warning by the way. I'll trust there will be no other surprises."

"Not for you Doctor, but I hesitate to enquire where we you are going to take me,"

"We're going to take a short car trip to a place I'm borrowing for a while. After all I still haven't given you your birthday gift Clarice,"

The sun would be rising in a few hours as a sleek Jaguar drove off into the distance.