"Can you explain yourself Mapp?"

"Sir…I don't know what that is."

"Really let us read from it shall we. I think you will all be genuinely shocked, it says, 'Dear Ardelia, I hope all is going well and I am proud to say that I am pregnant.' Now then, care to say that again?"

Ardelia paused. Pregnant? Clarice is pregnant with his child? How can this be happening? How did they know to look after all this time?

"Miss Mapp you will be suspended and placed under our care until this is straightened out. And you will go on trial with your sick twisted friends."

Ardelia didn't know whether she wanted to slap him or knee him in the groin first. There was nothing she could do except turn in her badge and be escorted home. She would most likely be watched and her boyfriend would be kept at a distance. She was screwed no matter what the outcome.

Back in Paris

Clarice had the day off and she considered visiting Hannibal again, but she didn't want to get him into too much trouble since she went to visit him yesterday. She waited on the comfortable couch on him. Hannibal was actually just a few blocks away. He enjoyed walking home since it wasn't too far, but today he decided to take a longer route. It all started after the meeting. He noticed a young man in the back that kept his hat on low. After the meeting, the man followed him down the hall way and outside. From there, he pretended to be heading off in a different direction but just circled back. Hannibal was quite concerned about it being the FBI on their trial. There was no way he would ever lead them back to Clarice. He would deal with these men himself. He approached a pay phone and called the house from it.

"Hello?"

"Alice, I am going to keep this brief. There is someone following me. Don't be concerned. I will be careful, but don't follow me."

"What but-"

She was cut off by the sound of the dial tone again. She looked outside her window and noticed Hannibal walking by. She saw what looked like the man following him. She went to the desk and grabbed her gun.

"Screw not following you. I am not going to let them have you."

Hannibal rounded a corner, and the man picked up his pace to try not to lose complete sight of him. He was greeted by Hannibal's harpy at his throat.

"It is quite rude to be following someone. So then, who are you?"

"Put it down you are surrounded."

Hannibal looked around to notice there were more than just him in the alleyway.

"Put the knife down."

"Now here is how I see this. I have a knife to your partner's throat and I could easily cut it. So unless you want your friend to die you will do what I say. Put down any weapons you may have."

"You are playing a dangerous game."

Hannibal was listening to the voices and footsteps. So far he counted three other men in the alleyway. He could take this one out and the next one that approaches, but the last one kept his distance.

"Pardon, but it was you who followed me. So you should back away."

"Don't make us go after her, Lecter."

"What did you say?"

"You heard us. Don't think we won't be able to find her. She wouldn't be too far."

"You ever touch her, and I will personally make your life a living hell."

The men were pretty much at a stand still until another voice was heard.

"How about you men let my husband go. You don't want to get on his bad side, or you will have me to deal with too."

Clarice emerged from the corner with her gun fixed on the man furthest from Hannibal.

"I thought I told you to stay away, dear."

"I am not leaving you alone. So now boys what's it going to be?"

The men all shuffled to face Clarice. Her expression was very serious. The men didn't know who would pose a more potential threat.

"Line up against the wall, and drop all your weapons. Hands up."

The men done as they were ordered. All of them knew what their targets were capable of, and they weren't about to test that. Hannibal was the first to start interrogations.

"Who sent you men?"

"The FBI placed a call saying the two of you were in the city. We are the police here in Paris. We were instructed to keep a close eye on you two."

"How did you find us?"

"Something about a postcard…"

Hannibal constantly tapping his harpy against his lip put the men on edge. Although they weren't supposed to give up information. Staring in his eyes changes things. None of them were about to test his patience. Clarice's eyes went wide. Hannibal knew about the postcards she sent Ardelia, but how they got a hold of one confused her. It was Clarice's turn to ask questions.

"How did they get the card?"

"Look we didn't get the whole back story. All we know is that you two are here in Paris. The postcard was found on an Agent's desk."

"Something still doesn't add up. How did they know it was from Paris?""It took some tracing, but that is all they said. They didn't give us any more information."

Hannibal spoke again, "Well I am sorry, but we cannot have you walking around revealing information about us."

Hannibal sliced their throats, because he thought Clarice's gun would be much to noisy. He slid them down the wall until they all were crouched over. They left quickly gathering their things.

"Hannibal, I know Ardelia wouldn't do this."

"Clarice, I doubt your friend is the one behind this. But she is probably in trouble. We need to leave now and fix this problem."

They were grabbing last minute things from the apartment until Hannibal grabbed Clarice's arm and turned her around. She looked into his eyes and he placed a hand on her stomach.

"Clarice you are my family and my life. Would you consider letting me handle this alone?"

Clarice gave it some thought because she knew what it was like to lose a family. She never wanted that to happen between them, but there was no way in hell Hannibal would do this alone.

"No. I am coming with you."

Hannibal smiled. "This time we are going to dispose of all trails leading to us, and help Ardelia along the way."

-So Hannibal and Clarice are going to have to help Ardelia while simultaneously trying to dispose of anything that might connect to them. More chapters soon to come.