Clarice has spent a week with Dr. Lecter and she feels she has learned a great deal about him. Although today would prove to be special. She walked down the steps into the down stairs living room to find him.

"Hannibal?"

She has gotten used to calling him this now after their fast night past the formalities. He had insisted upon it. She looked around but couldn't find him. She then went outside and found him staring off into the distance. The house was surrounded by woods and was quite something to look at.

"What are you doing?"

He turned to face her. "Admiring the view." He said with a smile.

Clarice blushed knowing he wasn't just talking about the woods.

"I think a nice walk today is in order."

"Walk to where, Hannibal?"

"Oh, just out."

He extended her an arm and they began their walk into the woods. They decided to run together after a time until they reached a river. The river was glistening in the sunlight. They stopped to sit and relax. Clarice and Hannibal sat side by side on a tall rock.

"So are you going to finish your story on Dante. It was quite fascinating and I would very much like to hear more of it."

"I am not surprised he is quite an interesting man. He even described Beatrice taking his heart and eating it. This symbolizes she stole his heart."

"Do you really believe something like that could happen to a man. Even though they only met twice."

Hannibal looked over to Clarice taking her in. He had also learned a great deal about her over the days. He has treated her with the up most respect and always encourages her. He has his criticizing moments with her ,but he is always honest.

"Actually Clarice, I think I may have experienced this."

"Be careful, Hannibal, people would say we're in love."

Hannibal smiled at her little mockery of what he said to her so many years ago. He placed his hand over hers and she leaned in. He met her and they kissed this time with no interruptions. This kiss was deep and there was no telling how long they were caught up in one another. Hannibal broke it after a while and looked deep in her eyes.

"Clarice will you run with me?"

"Yes."

"I want you to know what danger there is for us."

"I know, but you did give me your heart, and I intend on eating it all."

Hannibal smiled, and again they went in for another kiss. Afterwards, they got up and walked back to the house. He took her upstairs and closed the door. They embraced and kissed again. And in this house they made love for the first time.

A few hours later at the Duplex

Ardelia Mapp sits in her room thinking. She has many photographs of a crime scene on her bed. The photos were from Mason Verger's farm. Something wasn't adding up in her head. Starling had gone missing a couple of days before this went down. Starling's fingerprints were on it. Along with Dr. Lecter's. Ardelia could only add up that maybe Dr. Lecter done something to her. But what could she do? There has to be a lead. Where are you girl, where? Her thoughts were interrupted by the telephone. She noticed someone was calling from a phone booth and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Delia."

"Clarice? Is that you? Where are you?""Don't worry about that listen I need to meet with you. It is important."

"Yeah sure, where?"

"The café down the road in one hour."

The phone line went dead. Ardelia grabbed her gun and handcuffs and ran out the door. She started her car and went to the café. It takes only about 20 minutes to get to it from the duplex, but Mapp did not care. She went into the café and waited. A black Jaguar pulled up in front of the café. Starling got out of the driver's seat and walked in. She went to Ardelia and sat down.

"Clarice are you ok? Did Dr. Lecter do anything to you?"

"No Delia, Hannibal has done nothing to me."

"What? Did you just call-never mind, what happened. You were gone a week. I got a call the other day from Justice when Krendler hadn't shown up. With some locating we figured out he was at Verger's farm, and you can imagine what we found there."

"Mason kidnapped me and Hannibal saved me."

"Saved you? But he…wait is that where you have been, with-"

"Hannibal, yes. Now listen to me Ardelia, I came to say goodbye and I need you to try and keep the FBI off our trail."

"Our?"

Clarice extended out her hand that had a ring on it. It was a lovely cut with a diamond in the center and silver going around it. Ardelia sat without speaking but her mouth open.

"Is that what I think it is?"

"Yes."

"But why would you do this?"

"Listen to me. I need to have the FBI off our trail long enough to get out of the country. Please Ardelia."

"Why he is a murderer, and nothing more."

"He won't kill anyone. The only reason he killed the people at Mason's farm was to save me. Look I promise you will never here from us again. Please, you are the only one who has a say in the FBI right now that I can trust."

Ardelia considered this for a long moment. Her friend needed her help. Why did she put me in this damned situation. What am I supposed to do? What can I do? The right thing to do would be to give her this chance. She has the chance at a life now.

"Fine. What can I do?"

"I need you to tip the FBI away from the airports and to something else."

"What?"

"Hannibal and I have been staying at a house. Here are the directions to it. Hannibal left a package in a near by hotel that he "accidentally left behind." It will be the evidence that you need. That is why he is not here with us."

"Planting evidence. What will have given me the knowledge to search this hotel?"

"My phone call for help. My fingerprints are already on the phone and Hannibal should be calling your house right about, now. You won't get in trouble for this Ardelia. There is plenty of proof that we have been staying at that house."

"Fine. But you better be long gone."