Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters.
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"Really, quite irresponsible of you to just leave this on your entryway table as you came inside to have that absolutely charming conversation with Clarice...Whatever am I to do with you?" Sighed Dr. Lecter as a sly smile crossed his face.
All the color drained from Ardelia's cheeks as she backed up slowly, her eyes wide with fear. As Dr. Lecter took another step towards Ardelia, the door bell rang. The sound reverberated off the walls as Dr. Lecter and Ardelia regarded each other. Each wondering who would make the first move. A slight movement of her throat muscles alerted the ever observant Dr. Lecter that Ardelia was about to scream. He took two swift steps towards her and his gun pressed firmly against her temple an instant later.
"Make a noise, and it'll be the last thing you do." Dr. Lecter whispered in a conversational tone that nonetheless sent shivers down her spine.
"Clarice" he continued, "please go and see who are visitor is."
Although Clarice didn't really think that Dr. Lecter would shoot Ardelia, one just because it wasn't his style and two because it would only alert people to their presence, she still sent a look to him that clearly said, "don't do anything stupid." as she left the foyer. While she was walking the doorbell rang once again. Clarice stood up to the peep hole and looked to see who it was. Her heart sank, it was Crawford again, and he didn't look like he was going anywhere any time soon. She hurried back to where Dr. Lecter and Ardelia were and spoke in a harsh whisper, "it's Jack!"
Dr. Lecter rolled his eyes, wondering if anything would go right that day. The doorbell rang again and was accompanied by loud knocking. Apparently not he answered himself.
"Alright Ardelia, will you be a dear and go politely tell our old friend Jack that you are not in the mood for entertaining at the moment?"
Ardelia snorted.
"Hell No! What are you going to do, shoot me with Crawford just outside, I don't think so." Ardelia added with a sarcastic smirk. The doorbell rang again as Ardelia opened her mouth, about to scream.
"JA-"
Before hardly a syllable was uttered Hannibal swiftly cut her off by grabbing her throat savagely as he whispered in her ear.
"Believe me, Ardelia, If you don't go out there right now and convince him to leave, you'll be wishing that I had shot you!"
Ardelia's eyes bulged as she looked beseechingly towards Clarice. Clarice walked forward and gently removed Dr. Lecter's hand from Ardelia's throat as she said.
" 'Delia, please just go get him to leave."
"But-" The doorbell rang again and Jack's voice could be faintly heard.
Ardelia took a deep breath and slowly walked to the door, seeing that she wouldn't get anywhere with the both of them. She opened it as Clarice and Hannibal hid together behind the door, listening.
"Mapp! Where have you been, I've been ringing this damn bell for-"
"Yes, I know for forever, Mr. Crawford." Ardelia added lamely.
"Yes, Forever. And I have good reason to too. Clarice is missing!" Jack almost shouted.
Ardelia shook her head quickly while she said,
"Oh yes, I heard this morning from some officers."
Crawford looked confused but continued with his questioning.
"Well do you know where she might be or where she is headed?"
"Of course not, Mr. Crawford." replied Ardelia as she nodded her head and subtly pointed back towards the inside of the house.
Jack's eyes opened wider, understanding Ardelia's hidden message.
"Well I must be going but I'll try to come back later to see if there's anything else that you remember." Jack added with an encouraging nod.
The abrupt ending of Jack's interrogation alerted both Clarice and Hannibal that something was amiss. Clarice stepped out from behind the door and grabbed Ardelia towards her as she wrapped her arm around her throat. Jack whirled around and started back towards to the house, intending to free Ardelia from Clarice's grasp. As he stepped inside the house, the door was savagely thrust towards him. He fell face forward. A loud crack was heard as Crawford's head got caught between the door jam and the door.
"oops" Dr. Lecter muttered as he walked from behind the door to survey the damage.
"I guess I didn't see you there. You know it is really quite rude to get in the way as someone's trying to close the door." Dr. Lecter smiled serenely down at him, as if he were lecturing a child.
A small thump sounded behind him. He turned to see Clarice trying to lower the second half of Ardelia's unconscious body to the floor.
"humph, she's really quite heavy." muttered Clarice as she stood up again, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow.
"What'd you do to her?" Hannibal asked as he pulled Jack's body inside and firmly shut the door behind him.
"I just merely kept her from breathing long enough so she'd pass out. See she's fine"
Clarice added as Ardelia started breathing again.
"Besides, that seemed like the only way to keep you from threatening to kill her every other second." Clarice said with a small laugh. She took a deep breath and started towards Crawford.
"Hannibal, did you kill him?!"
"If I did, would you mind?"
"Yes, I would mind. I understand your other murders, but Crawford was just doing his job." Clarice argued as she knelt down beside him and examined his head wound tenderly .
"Yes, trying to keep us a part by having me incarcerated, and then shooting me is simply a small misunderstanding between us, I'm sure." Dr. Lecter retorted sarcastically.
"He's breathing!"
"Oh goody." replied Dr. Lecter as he walked away back towards the living room.
"Wait, where are you going?" asked Clarice getting up to follow him.
He continued walking
"Hannibal!"
"What?!" He shouted turning around to face her.
"Where are you going?"
"Well, Clarice in case you haven't noticed I'm a Criminal. But don't worry I'm sure you'll be able to get back your beloved FBI. Just blame the last twenty four hours on me, I'm sure you won't have a problem convincing even Ardelia of my guilt!"
Clarice stood aghast, she had never heard Hannibal raise his voice to anyone, let alone herself.
"What are you talking about?! Before I even went to the Verger estate I had decided that I had quit the FBI, or rather they had quit me. Besides, I wouldn't blame this all on you, you! And why are you so angry anyways?"
"I wasn't angry." Dr. Lecter hissed.
"You haven't lied to me before, don't start now."
"I'm not lying. I wasn't angry, I was...jealous." Dr. Lecter finished.
"You? Jealous?" Clarice asked, more surprised and just a little touched.
"Yes, Clarice. I was going to ask you this last night, before he showed up. But now I think you're finally ready. Will you run with me, Clarice?
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Aww how romantic, don't worry though. More action and violence ahead. Didn't think they'd solve this that easily did you? Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews, I really appreciate them! Comments, criticisms, and ideas are always welcome, thank you!