Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.
Now, on with the story!
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"I've always watched you, Clarice..." Hannibal whispered in a haggard voice as he reached past Clarice and unlocked their room.
"Now, no peeking!" He continued as he gently pushed her in through the doorway, keeping one hand over her eyes. Clarice stepped into the room and felt the plush carpet under her feet. Suddenly Dr. Lecter's hand left her face. She made a small murmur in delight. The room was spacious, clean, and smelled of jasmine. But what really impressed Clarice was the very large fluffy bed. She ran over to it and flopped on the puffy covers and pillows.
This is wonderful Clarice thought as she hugged the large pillows to her, smelling their crisp clean scent. She never went on vacations, making the hotel room seem even more grand since she had nothing to really compare it to. After the last day all she wanted to do was sleep in a comfortable bed, the long nap in the car doing little to ease her weary mind. Dr. Lecter chuckled from the doorway.
"Well I'm glad you're enjoying the room, Clarice. However, don't get too attached, we won't be able to stay here for very long." Dr. Lecter continued as he closed the blinds.
"So what's the plan?" Clarice asked as she sat up.
"The plan?" Dr. Lecter asked in a bemused voice.
"yes, the plan."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Clarice." He continued as he walked around the room.
"Oh come off it Hannibal, you know you Always have a plan. And now that you have a partner, you'll have to let go of this little "all-knowing" fetish of yours." Clarice lectured with feigned seriousness .
"Me? I have no such fetish...although you do have a point, I suppose." He said as he gently sat down on the bed besides Clarice.
"Oh, Hannibal! You Really are tooooo kind!" Clarice exclaimed in mocked sincerity.
Dr. Lecter looked at her pointedly and looked as if he was going to go into one of his long tirades about not using sarcasm while trying to persuade. But thought better of it and continued as if she hadn't said anything.
"Well Jack they will have realized Jack's car is missing by tomorrow. And since he unfortunately isn't dead he will no doubt report it, if they don't notice on their own. Then his car will no longer be useful. So we'll have to find another way to get to our destination. Which is why we should get some rest, tomorrow will be a very busy day...
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It seemed to take an eternity for the ambulance to get there. Ardelia had to keep shaking Jack, so that he would stay awake. But finally distant horns sounded the ambulance's arrival.
"Here they are Mr. Crawford."
"Finally. The second I get out of the hospital, I Will find Dr. Lecter."
Ardelia down at looked at Mr. Crawford. A new respect for him shown in her eyes. After all, Dr. Lecter could easily have killed him, and yet he was willing to go back out there and apprehend him.
"For Clarice's sake, I hope you do that, Mr. Crawford."
Suddenly, the front door burst open and several FBI officers surrounded the opening, their guns drawn. They quickly surveyed the scene and started darting off in other directions of the house.
"Jeez, that's what took them so long, they had to get the officers here too, Mr. Crawford. They think Dr. Lecter's still here."
"Hmm" Jack muttered, about to nod off again.
"Mr. Crawford, Wake up! The paramedics are here." Ardelia said as three EMT's walked in carrying a stretcher. Ardelia got up, her hand still connected to Mr. Crawford's. The paramedics lifted up his body on the stretcher and Ardelia followed awkwardly behind them.
The drive to the hospital was very hectic. Ardelia only stood in the corner of the ambulance, trying to stay out of the way. Which was quite difficult since she was still connected to they guy they were working on. It sort of surprised Ardelia as she was standing there, watching them work on Crawford, that she was actually worried about him. She had never told Clarice this but she had a crush on him during their final year at the Academy. At first it ticked her off that he had spent so much more time with her friend, but after a while she turned her attentions elsewhere. Her numerous boyfriends helped to ease her jealously and eventually she had forgotten about her stupid crush...until now.
"Stupid stupid stupid!" Ardelia thought, reprimanding herself for having such foolish ideas at a time like this. "He's in a damn coma, for chrissakes, and Clarice is still out there being a dumb ass."
"Arghh" Ardelia accidentally said aloud.
"sorry miss, we'll have you out of those cuffs as soon as possible. There's a tool at the hospital that can separate you two."
"Oh. ok" Ardelia muttered, letting the paramedic think whatever he wanted.
The ambulance finally reached the hospital and Ardelia tagged along beside the stretcher through the entrance doors and into a hospital room. A doctor and a couple of nurses came inside to examine Mr. Crawford. A couple seconds later they were joined by another doctor. In her hand was a tiny rotating saw. She grabbed a small rolling table and positioned it between Ardelia and Crawford.
"If you would put your hand down on this side of the table, I'll cut the chain."
Ardelia eyed the blade wearily but placed her hand on the table. A nurse stepped up as well and held Crawford's hand in position. The doctor placed a visor over her head and Ardelia and the nurse turned their faces away. Then after a quick metal sawing noise, it was over. The doctor calmly left the room as if she did that everyday and the nurse moved the table back towards the corner of the room while placing Crawford's hand by his side. "Come with me please." The nurse motioned to Ardelia to follow. Ardelia left the room, looking back to only see Crawford's head being wrapped up by one of the doctors.
"Will he be o.k." Ardelia asked timidly
"Most likely." The nurse replied curtly.
"Here you are." She continued as she opened the door for Ardelia. Ardelia walked in to a office. There was a large desk with several chairs surrounding it. She looked back at the nurse,
"Can't I just wait for him in one of those waiting rooms I passed?" Ardelia asked, not liking the intimidating feeling she got from this room.
"Well, Yes, usually but we were contacted and asked to supply you with a room, the FBI would like a word with you."
oh crap, Ardelia thought as she collapsed into the closet chair.
"They'll be with you shortly." The nurse turned and shut the door firmly behind her.
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Sorry there wasn't a lot of our good friend, Dr. Lecter in that chapter, but all sides of the story are important. I promise more Lecter and Clarice action next chapter...if you review muhahaha, go on just click the little button down there and tell me how much you loved or hated the story, any review is welcome. And special thanks to my previous reviewers!