In her next moment of lucidity, the first thing Clarice became aware of was the hard surface to which her right cheek was pressed.

As she hauled herself up, a familiar feeling hit her – a wooziness. The room spun as she attempted to focus, and although it was perhaps lacking in the same intensity, she recognised it almost immediately as something akin to the effects of the cocktail of drugs Lecter had pumped into her system at the Lakehouse.

Trying to steady herself, Clarice rested her elbows on what she realised was the dinner table, pushing herself into a sitting position.

Opposite her, the Doctor smiled, raising his glass in a toast.

"Welcome back, Clarice."

She focused on her hands, desperately trying to regain some clarity.

"I must say," he began, standing up and moving round the table towards her. "You were out a little longer than I expected, but no matter."

As he took the seat beside her, Clarice tried to pivot herself around to face him, swaying forward uneasily.

Strong, yet gentle hands caught her, holding her upright.

"Easy, Agent Starling."

"Whatdidyoudotome?" she mumbled, vaguely surprised at the slurring of her own words.

"As circumstances would have it, you were somewhat hysterical," he told her, picking up an empty syringe from the table and stowing it in his inside pocket for safekeeping. "For your own safety I administered a mild sedative. I can assure you it will wear off in time."

Catching the aroma of the food still set on the table she heaved for breath, suddenly feeling nauseated.

Hannibal Lecter took her head in his hands and with surprising care, pushed her hair back away from her face.

In the moments that followed, she felt a glass pressed to her lips.

"Take a sip," he urged, his tones almost soothing.

She did, grateful of the feeling of the cool water as it touched her lips.

"That's my girl. Deep breaths."

His hands moved to her shoulders, steadying her again and somehow, she found herself gripping at his forearms.

"Better?" he asked.

Clarice nodded, starting to feel a little more human.

"Okay, good. And as long as you're on your best behaviour and remember your manners, we won't have a repeat," Hannibal assured her.

"What'd'you expect, Doctor?" she mumbled, her accent thicker than ever. "You were about to feed her–"

"–Venison," he cut her off, gesturing to the plate on the opposite of the table. "Renowned for its earthy taste, on account of the animal's diet. It never fails to disappoint – especially not at this time of year."

For a moment Clarice said nothing, and had the Doctor's reputation not preceded him, she might have felt a little stupid.

And then it hit her.

"Where is she?"

"Well–"

She didn't wait to listen to his response. Instead, summoning up any strength she had left in her body, Clarice pushed against him, managing to stagger to her feet.

"What did you do?!" she cried, fighting against him.

Her sudden bout of energy did not last long, and within seconds she found herself pinned against the wall, those maroon orbs just inches from hers.

"Look at the time Clarice," he purred.

Following his gaze in the direction of the large clock, it registered somewhere in her head that it was 2 o'clock in the morning.

"Naturally, the child was tired," Hannibal told her. "I put her in the back bedroom, nice and cosey. No bedtime stories, mind – I think we've had enough drama for one day, don't you?"

Clarice eyed him for a moment before she spoke again, her voice cracking somewhat.

"You wouldn't hurt her…"

"Is that a question or a statement?" he asked, unblinking.

She choked back a sob, trying again to free herself from his grasp but failing miserably.

"No, Clarice," he warned, pressing her back against the wall. "I'd no more hurt that child than I'd hurt you."

"You're hurting me now," she pointed out, through gritted teeth.

"Not by choice, I can assure you. Now, if I agree to remove my hands from your arms, you must promise not to do anything foolish. Do we have a deal?" the Doctor asked.

After a moment's hesitation, Clarice gave a small nod of her head.

"There's a good girl. Come," he released his hold on her, guiding her through to the parlour and encouraging her to take a seat on the worn leather sofa.

Moving to the drinks cabinet in the far corner of the room he picked up the whiskey decanter and poured a measure into a glass.

"May I have some?" she asked, groggily.

"Given your current predicament, I'm not sure that's wise," he told her, casting a glance her way.

Clarice shot him a dark look of her own and he conceded.

"Well, I'm sure one won't hurt."

Pouring a second measure, he handed it to her, sitting down in the chair opposite.

"Now then, I'd like to make a proposal," he began, placing his glass down on the coffee table between them.

"You don't get to call the shots, Dr Lecter," she told him.

"You assume there are shots to call, Agent Starling. No, this is more of a request if you will. Only that you stay here with me tonight," he said.

"Why?"

"Over the years since we last met, Clarice, I have travelled to a great many places. Some exotic, others less so. But even I am not incapable of feeling lonely," the Doctor told her.

"You?" she asked with scepticism.

A ghost of a smile crossed his lips, but even in her fuzzy state, Clarice didn't miss the strange look behind his eyes. Sadness?

"I ask only for your company, Clarice. And perhaps some engaging conversation. Nothing more. When dawn comes, you are free to leave and if it is your wish, I shall never darken your doorstep again," he said. "Either of you."

Clarice didn't respond, instead setting her glass down, holding on to the edge of table to steady herself a little as she did so.

"Momma?"

At first, she didn't register the voice behind her – perhaps on account of the fact it was a term she was not familiar with.

Hannibal's gaze went to the doorway and back to her, and he arched a brow.

Managing to turn her body just enough to gain a clear view of the hallway behind her, Clarice felt another sob threaten to wrack her body at the sight of her daughter, looking every bit her eight years as she rubbed sleep from her eyes.

"Hey," she managed, though her voice barely went above a whisper.

At first Everleigh didn't move, as if sensing something wasn't quite right.

Finally, Hannibal gestured the child closer and she moved to stand in front of her mother.

"Are you alright?" Clarice asked, brushing the girl's hair from her face.

Everleigh nodded, frowning. "What's wrong?"

"Nothin'," Clarice assured her. "Arentchu tired?"

Another nod.

"I'm sorry," her daughter said, softly.

Clarice shook her head now, bringing her daughter closer. "No, baby, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

For a moment, Everleigh stood stiffly, watching her mother with some trepidation – neither of them accustomed to displays of physical affection.

Clarice did not miss the tiny glance thrown in the direction of Hannibal Lecter, nor the nod of encouragement given to the child in her periphery.

But at this nod, Everleigh moved closer to her, allowing Clarice to wrap her arms around her and stroke the back of her head. The little girl screwed her eyes shut, burying her face in the crook of her mother's neck.

They remained like that for several minutes then, before Clarice finally stood her up straight, tidying up her hair again.

"Why'd'you come here?" she asked, though there was no anger in her voice.

Everleigh hesitated before she responded, but when she did, she looked Clarice dead in the eye.

"I know," she whispered. "I know he's my father."

Clarice's eyes shot in the Doctor's direction.

"How?" she asked, her tone more dangerous now.

"I heard you talking," Everleigh said quickly. "At the house. I'm sorry. Don't be angry."

Clarice swallowed hard. "I'm not… I… It's just been a long night."

"Are we going home?" her daughter asked.

Clarice paused for a moment.

"I ask only for your company, Clarice. And perhaps some engaging conversation. Nothing more. When dawn comes, you are free to leave and if it is your wish, I shall never darken your doorstep again."

Slowly, she shook her head.

"No. We're gonna stay here tonight."