"Hannibal, I trust Ardelia, but I-"
"Then why worry? I am sure things are fine."
He noticed she lowered her eyes a little. He understood her stress because this was her first time trying to get out of the country as a fugitive. Clarice, sometimes I wonder, could you stand to live this life with me?
"Maybe we should stop at a hotel for the night and we will continue later."
"What, but we need to leave as soon as possible."
"No, it will take the FBI another two days to run their searches where your friend told them to."
Hannibal drove them to a hotel and checked underneath the names of a Mr. and Mrs. Davidson. They didn't unpack anything really, just what they needed for a few hours. Hannibal and Clarice stood looking at each other in the living room.
"Clarice, are you certain you can stand living with me? We must at all times be alert, and I would hate for something to happen to you."
Her stare was ice cold now. She walked up to him and swept his leg and shoved him on the ground. She straddled him and held him in place, always looking in his eyes.
"What the hell does that mean? Do you think just because I am worried that I am going to run? I thought you would be a lot tougher than this. Where is the Hannibal I know?"
Hannibal sighed, "Clarice I know the feeling quite well, of feeling helpless and alone. I don't want that feeling to ever come to you or I. I would never let anything happen to you."
Clarice suddenly had a passing memory or being tied to the pole at Verger's place. She put a hand up to his cheek.
"Hannibal it is not so much the escaping, but I am just scared of what Delia might do."
Hannibal twisted his hips and rolled so now he was on top and she on bottom.
"You are not a good listener, I will not let anything happen to you. You are strong Clarice and I believe in you…don't ever doubt that. I will protect you, always."
He leaned down to kiss her. The kiss was deep as they tasted each other. She opened his shirt and they made their way to the bed. They made love again that night.
After Awaking in the Hotel
Clarice and Hannibal decided to flip on the news. Ardelia was giving her speech about the two of them. She had done everything she was asked. Hannibal flipped off the tv and looked over to her. She smiled at him, and they got up to get ready. They drove the extra 50 miles to the airport. They stepped out of the car to find Ardelia standing in the parking lot.
"Delia, what are you doing here?"