Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.

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Well Ardelia was right, it was a long ride in the car with Will as a passenger. The calm silence that prevailed on the trip to Will's apartment had completely eroded.

In order to keep stop Will from looking over at her suspiciously she lent him Dr. Doemling's book.

Hoping that it would shut him up for a while and get him off that high horse by showing him that he wasn't the only one who knew everything about Dr. Lecter.

Unfortunately, it didn't have the effect she had hoped for. After about half an hour Will had read Ch. 6 and other relevant parts of the book.

And then he started laughing. Ardelia looked behind her to see if Will was actually laughing or maybe had just chocked on something. But no...there he was sitting in the back seat actually laughing.

"What is it Will?" Jack asked before Ardelia could.

"This, this book is what I find so amusing. Don't tell me you actually believe it Jack?" Will asked incredulously.

"Well Will, it is the most renowned book that takes on the subject of the reason behind Dr. Lecter's psychosis. And although I admit most of the book could have come from a freshman psychology book, the historical aspect of Dr. Lecter's youth is enlightening."

"Enlightening? Oh my Jack, you've spent so many years trying to find this man and still have no understanding of him."

"That's why I've got you, Will." Jack replied, non pulsed by the condescending tone.

Ardelia however was starting to really get pissed at the nerve of Will.

"Hey! Jack has apprehended more criminals than you ever could. Where were you when Dr. Lecter escaped, huh? If you're so great why are we even having this problem?"

"Ardelia, please-." Jack said before Will cut him off.

"No, let her ask her questions. You want to know where I was, fine I'll tell you, might even give you a laugh. I was in a mental institution. After my little rendezvous with Dr. Lecter's protégé, I was scarred and left alone with only my thoughts. And in the back of my mind I understood why Dr. Lecter and Dolarhyde did what they did. You see Ardelia...I understand too much. And the sole reason that Jack has apprehended so many criminals is only because he knows how to pick out those that have an understanding of criminals themselves. Clarice had it too, didn't she Jack?"

It took a moment for him to answer.

"Yes, yes she did."

Ardelia rolled her eyes and resumed her seat and stared angrily at the road ahead.

"I don't understand why you two are making such a big deal out of this, he's just another criminal. One who has Clarice now I might add, so her so called "understanding" didn't do a damn bit of good if you ask me."

"Remind me why she's here again, Jack?" Will asked snidely.

Jack took a deep breath.

"Bottom line, Clarice is missing. I doubt the official people they have on the case will ever get to her in time. If she is going to have any chance of coming back we need all the help we can get. So if either of you really wants to help her you can start by ending your little arguments."

Thankfully, they arrived at Ardelia's house soon afterwards.

Ardelia got out of the car first and opened her door. After putting her stuff down she turned to Jack and Will.

"I'm making dinner if you want some, you're welcome to it. Clarice's side of the house is over there, you're welcome to look at everything just don't take anything."

Jack nodded and followed Ardelia to the kitchen while Will went over to Clarice's side of the house.

He walked around slowly, getting the feel of the space. He smirked at the open bottle of Jack Daniels on the coffee table. Funny, the things they had in common Will mused. The empty walls and stale aroma was very reminiscent of his own living area.

Will took a second look around the front room. It was the only room that had even a hint of evidence that Clarice spent any time here.

The indentation in the couch vouched that Clarice probably spent more time sleeping there than on her own bed.

He narrowed his eyes as they came to rest on the tape player sitting inconspicuously on the coffee table.

Will picked it up and turned it on. Expecting to hear some sort of Country music, or even Jazz. Hell even heavy metal wouldn't have fazed him too much. But what he did hear sent chills down his spine.

"What was your worst memory of childhood?"

"The death of my father."

"Tell me about it, and don't lie...or I'll know."

Will grabbed the tape player and started it from the beginning.

He listened to the tape and a couple of other ones he found lying on the table as well.

They struck him as odd and in a way, disturbing. No, he had long since gotten over his fear of Dr. Lecter's voice, although it still rankled him on occasion. No that wasn't it. The thing that was bothering him was the conversations themselves.

The give and take of the discussions was similar to that of an intricate dance. It was a game he realized. After all, most things to Dr. Lecter were a game, Clarice just happened to play back...and that was what scared him.

Will sat back on the couch, reviewing everything that he had heard. Jack and Ardelia were so certain that Clarice was being led against her will. But it seemed all the evidence was pointing to the direct opposite.

"Well," Jack thought, "I'm doing this to get to Lecter, he destroyed my life. I had given up ever seeing him again. But then Jack shows up, presenting the perfect opportunity. If I tell them that Clarice may actually want to be with Lecter...will they still be as eager to try to find him? No, I don't think so. Let them believe that their Clarice is only being led astray unaware, worrying about her will only keep them more dedicated to their cause."

Will replaced the tapes back on the table.

"Will, dinner is ready. Find anything?" Jack asked, coming into the room.

Will shrugged.

"We'll see."

Jack nodded.

"Come on then, after this we can go back to my house and get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day."

"That's the first thing we've agreed on all day, Jack." Will said as he walked out of Clarice's living room.

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Thanks for reading, reviews are appreciated. Hannibal and Clarice finally make it to the cabin next chapter.