Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, I am only borrowing them for entertainment purposes.

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Both Clarice and Hannibal turned towards the sound.

"Clarice! it's ok just walk towards me. Hannibal, back away slowly, Now!"

The dark figure was approaching quickly. As the figure came closer, his face became illuminated by the faint moonlight from above. Yet neither Dr. Lecter nor Clarice moved. Dr. Lecter never did enjoy obeying this man's orders, and Clarice was rooted to the spot by sheer shock. Again the man shouted,

"Hannibal! Get down on the ground now!"

He waved his pointed gun emphatically towards the ground, but it still had no effect. Dr. Lecter only sneered and said,

"Well that isn't any way to treat an old friend, now is it, little Jacky boy?

At this Jack Crawford looked towards Clarice questioningly. Why wasn't she moving or doing anything. Jack looked down quickly at her feet, but no, they were not bound by anything. He quickly looked back up towards Dr. Lecter. But it was not Dr. Lecter that broke the silence this time, it was Clarice.

"Jack? What are you doing here?"

"What am I doing here? What are you doing here? You better just thank your lucky ass that I figured out where you would be! Now get over here now so we can arrest this son of a bitch and perhaps get you reinstated!"

Clarice took a tentative step forward and with a last look at Jack, she moved directly between him and Dr. Lecter. It was an odd feeling to have her back to Dr. Lecter. During all previous encounters she had faced him as an adversary and now she was the only thing standing between him and the barrel of a gun.

"No, Jack. Just walk away, please..."

"I can't do that Clarice. Just stop this nonsense...before it's too late."

"What do you m-"

Just then all three of them turned to see the approaching lights of several police cars. While Crawford's back was turned, Dr. Lecter pulled Clarice with him deeper in to the woods. The ran into the deepening night for several minutes but it was slow work. Dr. Lecter was still barefoot, and his limp was becoming more apparent.

"Wait" Clarice said in a harsh whisper.

"We can't both outrun them, we'll have to separate so hopefully at least one of us will make it. Here" she said shoving her car keys into Dr. Lecter's hand.

"If you double back and make it around them through the forest, you'll see my car hidden in the brush near the entrance gate. Here's the key to my house, take anything you need. Oh and if you meet anyone." Clarice knelt down and retrieved a sharp knife that she had strapped to her ankle. She handed it to Dr. Lecter.

"I know it's not your harpy, but for now it will have to do." she said with a knowing smirk.

"Thank you, Clarice. You never cease to surprise me. And yet, I am not without my own surprises as well." He began to speak faster. "Now listen carefully. As you know I was once Verger's psychiatrist. During our time together he showed me one of his hideouts, one of the places he took his child victims. This is where I was heading to before, but now only you will be able to make it there alone. Keep heading in this direction until a break in the trees appear. Continue until you see a clearing, in the middle of the clearing there is a single tree. Go to the tree and pull the lowest branch towards you. You will see a narrow staircase leading downwards. Pull the door closed behind you and go in to the room below, you should be safe there until morning. I'll come back for you then-"

The sounds of footsteps drawing nearer alerted them to the oncoming danger.

"Go now!"

"But, Hann-"

"Now!"

Clarice turned and headed in the direction Dr. Lecter had pointed out. Instinct told her to steal one last glance and what she saw made her breath catch in her throat. There was Dr. Lecter leaning against the tree she had just left and not twenty yards from him the officers began their fast, frantic approach. They would see him any moment and not even the knife would help against several armed men. Every second brought Dr. Lecter closer to detection...

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hmm...what could happen next?? and Special thanks to my reviewers for their support!