The only ones left on the walkway were Dr. Doemling and Mason. They both were tense. Clarice came closer with the knife in hand. The men started backing off and Clarice looked to Dr. Lecter. He stared back at her with a smile. She looked over to his shoulder, and it was still bleeding. Starling looked back to Mason and Dr. Doemling.

"I mean it Mason."

"You really think you are going anywhere right now?" Mason said.

Clarice stepped closer again. She stopped when she heard the cocking of a gun come from her right.

Mason said, "Well, well, well Mr. Krendler right on time."

Out from the shadow came Krendler with a gun in hand raised to her. "Drop it."

"Why Paul you aren't going to let me go anyway?"

"Not you Starling," Paul turned his gaze to Dr. Lecter, "So what about it Dr. Lecter? Or I will put a bullet in her skull right now."

Clarice looked back to Dr. Lecter his gun was raised but Krendler was hidden behind Clarice. I have to get Clarice out of this but how? She doesn't deserve this prison. I will not let this happen.

"Take me Mason and let her go. I will go without a struggle."

Clarice looked at him in utter shock. Mason was surprised as well even though his face could not show it.

Mason started in disbelief, "What did you say?"

"You heard me, let her go."

"Such sacrifice. Forfeiting your freedom and your life for her?""Dr. Lecter you can't do this. You can't just-"

"It is all right Clarice." Dr. Lecter dropped his gun and harpy on the ground. He raised his hands, palms out.

"You really are serious. Krendler keep your gun on him. And you men down there tie him up. As for you Clarice, sorry."

Krendler turned to point his gun at Clarice, but he did too slowly and she lunged at him. She gripped the gun and turned it away from the Doctor and herself. Mason began screaming to stop her. Dr. Doemling approached trying to pull Clarice off, but the gun fired. It went spiraling into Doemling's chest killing him instantly. Starling then kicked Krendler, causing him to loosen his grip. She jerked it away and fired. Krendler was hit in the head. He fell to the ground, lifeless. Clarice wasted no more time and got down. The men down bellow were reaching for their guns in a stall. She ran and extended a hand out to Dr. Lecter. He took it and they were off.

"How is your shoulder?"

"It will be fine, just keep going."

They ran along the trail until Dr. Lecter stopped. Clarice stopped as well to look at him.

"What's wrong?"

"Go Clarice. Krendler and the men will be here soon. I will try to distract them for a little while longer. That will keep Mason busy."

He turned his back to her and she reached out and grabbed his arm.

"No, I am not leaving without you."

Dr. Lecter turned back around to face her. They stared at each other a moment, and she looked deeply into his eyes as did he. Dr. Lecter closed the distance and they kissed briefly but passionately. He broke it to look at her again.

"Go. I promise I will be right behind you."

"You better." She took off running again.

Dr. Lecter waited until he was sure Mason's men could see him, and then the Doctor took off in another direction.

Clarice ran for quite some time before she turned around. She hid next to a tree waiting to see if Dr. Lecter would come her way. What was that back then. He kissed me? The bureau betrayed me. They would have left me to die just like Krendler, but Dr. Lecter never gave up on me. He even risked his own life. Please tell me your ok. Come on. Clarice heard a footsteps far off beside the trail. The pace quickened and Clarice turned around and saw Dr. Lecter running toward her. The wound in his shoulder was bleeding pretty heavily now.

"Dr. Lecter."

"Clarice we have to go. Come on the truck is just up ahead."

They ran the rest of the distance to the truck. Dr. Lecter pulled out his keys and took off. Clarice sat in the passenger seat looking at his wound.

"Where are we going?"

"I have a place not far from here. Close to this hotel I checked in at." Dr. Lecter's breathing got a little heavier. He drove on just a little ways but then pulled into a hospital.

"Is something wrong Doctor?"

"No Clarice, but it is time for you to make a decision."

-So tell me what you think and please review.