They drove fast down the road and managed to bypass the police as they arrived at Samuel's house. Hannibal remained silent and Clarice placed her hand on his hand. He sighed, "We can't go to any airport anytime soon. Since Samuel knows we were leaving tonight."

"I know. What should we do?"

"We should probably just rest for tonight. Maybe security will have died down by then."

Ardelia sat quietly in the back listening to them speak. She realized how happy they had been together, and she was sad to think she might have ruined it. Even she realized how hopeless this all sounded. If they rested in one place too long there was a chance they could easily be spotted, or if they made a run for it now the guards would surely recognize one of them. To Ardelia's knowledge Clarice was not labeled as wanted just missing. Meaning if they were caught she could not be sent to jail for any reason. Sure they had the postcards, but they mentioned nothing about killing. As for herself, she would probably be fired and put under probation unless Dr. Lecter made it look like kidnapping. Dr. Lecter would definitely get the needle. Why could they not catch a break? Why did it seem as if one bad thing after another was going to happen?

"Please do not think so hopelessly Ms. Mapp."

"What?" Ardelia looked to Hannibal from the backseat.

"You look saddened. Do not worry I will make sure nothing happens to either of you."

"And you?"

Hannibal remained silent after Ardelia's last question. Hannibal could not predict how his future was going to end up. He sometimes worried about the future, but he knew there were just some things you couldn't control in life. It frustrated him knowing that everything may not turn out ok. How couldn't it? Not knowing what is going to happen next? Why do things have to be unpredictable? One thing he knew for sure, he would protect what he could. He would give it his all and protect those precious to him. The future may be unpredictable, but it can always change if you are willing to put forth that effort. And he was willing to give his life to make it change for the better. The rest he would leave up to faith.

"Hannibal when are we stopping again?"

"Why? Do you need something?"

"No, I was just wondering if you had plans of driving all night."

"Probably. If you think you can sleep in the car, if not we could…"

"No, I can sleep in the car don't worry."

Clarice dosed off within an hour. In the later stages of pregnancy her energy drained rather quickly. She needed more time to sleep. Ardelia remained quiet until Hannibal started to ask questions.

"Are you feeling ok?"

"Yeah, thanks. I'm sorry it has gotten this far."

"No, things needed to be taken care of before we can disappear for good. I want to see to it my child gets a better life than Clarice and I ever had."

"I think you will do fine as a father."

"Ms. Mapp Clarice is not wanted for anything correct?"

"Yes. Why?"

"Just making sure."

"Are you expecting the worst?"

"It is always better to expect the worst, so when something good does happen it is a pleasant surprise."

Ardelia smiled. That is something her mom used to tell her. She realized something then. Clarice and the baby must be his surprise. He lived this lonely life in a cell for his killings. Then he met Clarice who changed him for the better, and now his child. This was his chance to give life and start a new. To settle down and give a wonderful life to his wife and child.

"You can do it," she murmured.

"Pardon?"

"Nothing. Just thinking to myself I guess."

"Ms. Mapp there is something else I wanted to ask of you."

"What?"

"Would you like to live close to us. I mean it would be nice for the child to have the godparent around don't you think?"

"What?" Ardelia asked quite shocked.

"I would like that if you would accept. Clarice and I have discussed it a time or two."

Ardelia smiled again, "I would love to."

Hannibal drove on into the night and the morning rays of sun were just starting to shine through the clouded day. Clarice finally awoke.

"Where are we?"

"Tennessee."

"Wow, you got pretty far."

Clarice glanced back and noticed Ardelia was asleep.

"I told her by the way, about her involvement with our child."

"How did she take it."

"She seemed happy."

"That is good."

"I picked up some breakfast while you were sleeping it is in the bag at your feet."

Clarice opened it up and began eating. Hannibal wanted to make sure she had plenty to eat. They were headed to the airport right now. Security would have died down by now. Those plane tickets laying on the desk in Samuel's house have long since expired. So the FBI will not know what airport to go to or where they are going. Hannibal even took the liberty of packing more identities just in case something happened. They had all the necessary equipment for a quick change of appearances in a suitcase in the trunk. Hannibal pulled into the parking lot only to find police cars everywhere. The FBI were even there waiting inside.

"What?" Clarice said astonished.

"Something is not right here."

"There is no way they could have predicted the correct airport."

"No, but they couldn't be tracking us either could they?"

Hannibal then glanced in the back seat at Ardelia.

"Clarice is there anyway that they could have bugged Ms. Mapp?"

"They wouldn't do that with two guards on her. She would have to have done something really suspicious in order to have been bugged."

"But we don't know how soon Samuel contacted the FBI."

"Of course, Samuel could have easily tipped the FBI on our whereabouts. He wouldn't want to alarm us into leaving so soon. So he just tells them we are on the move, and they bug her to lure us into a rat hole when we have no where else to go."

"It is probably in her purse. Listen Clarice, I have things that need attending to out in the parking lot you and Mapp need to change immediately. Make sure she leaves everything."

"Hannibal they will definitely spot us if we try to go through there."

"Don't worry I will make sure nothing happens to you, the baby, or Ms. Mapp."

He parked the car and placed a hand on Clarice's cheek.

"I will not mess up again. I will give you the life you always wanted."

"The life I have always wanted is to be with you."

Hannibal smiled and then kissed Clarice passionately. "Will you wait for me then?"

"Yes."

"Go and I will see you soon. If anything happens do as they say the things are in the suitcase you know what to do. I will be here for you always, and I will protect you no matter what. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have to hide."

"Don't think like that, because of you I no longer have to hide who I am. Only live."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

Hannibal opened the car door and went to a police car parked to the side of the building. Clarice woke up Ardelia and they quickly got dressed. Clarice checked Ardelia's purse but found nothing then Ardelia checked her pockets, nothing. What could they have bugged. Then Clarice noticed the necklace she once gave Ardelia. It was emerald to match her ring.

"Ardelia how often do you wear that?"

"All the time. I hardly ever take it off."

"Of course that stone in the necklace is way too big. It could have been easy to slip something into it."

Ardelia took them off and left them in the car. They walked inside now with their new identities, but Hannibal was still no where to be seen. The police were just up a head. What can they do now they really are cornered? It is hopeless at this point. They will be recognized easily won't they?

Police all of a sudden started rushing outside. They ran with hand on their gun holsters. What could be going on? Clarice glanced out a window and what she saw there scared her to no end.

-Sorry it took me so long to update honestly I have had writer's block, and I have been on vacation for my karate for two weeks. I mean I know what I want to happen but I couldn't figure out how to get them in this situation. I thought I would leave you with a nice cliffhanger for now, but don't worry I will update soon. Thank you for all your reviews and criticisms. Please continue to review.

Thanks again,

Kanan