Clarice and Hannibal finally had each other. It took time, but they weren't in a rush now that they were together. Their kiss lasted for quite some time and when they finally broke it they were a little out of breath. They stood there staring at each other for a while.

"Thank you, Hannibal."

He smiled, but it was different, it was very sincere and happy. "Clarice as much as I would love to continue further there is one more question I would like to ask."

"To run with you?"

"You are very quick, and yes."

"Yes, I will."

His smile started to fade a little, "Although I am sure the FBI will suspect something, and I will warn you this life is not easy. We will always be on the run."

"I know, but I am willing to take the risk. You are right though the FBI will suspect something is up if I just leave after they ended their watch on me. I can quit, but I will have to do it without attracting any attention. The only one who even knows me well enough is Ardelia and she-"

Hannibal placed a finger to her lips. "I understand the process of you cutting your ties to the Bureau is difficult. And I wouldn't rush the process now that I have you. Enough of the FBI though I would rather just forget them for now," he reached over and kissed her cheek, "and focus on the here and now."

"Sounds good to me." She pulled in the back of his head and they started to kiss again. She was surprised by her reactions the past few minutes, but they felt natural. Unfortunately, in the middle of the night as the couple kissed the doorbell rang. Their lips broke again and Clarice looked at him.

"Hide in my closet, go. Take your knife. First door in the hall on the right."

He nodded and was off to hide away. Clarice grabbed her gun, badge, and cell phone and put them where they belonged. She checked the mirror to make sure nothing was out of place. The doorbell rang for about the fourth time, and she ran off to the door yelling, "I'm coming. Hold on."

She opened the door and was a little more than shocked at who stood before her. Ardelia had a bottle of wine. She had a big smile on her face and leaped into the house to hug Clarice.

"Hey girl, its been so long since I have seen you. As soon as I heard you were off the hook I came right over."

"Not to sound rude or anything, but what are you doing here? You have been on a special case outside of the US for the past year haven't you?"

"See that's the good news I am finished with all that mess. I moved back today, and I brought wine to celebrate."

"Wine? What are you done with Jack Daniels?"

"What can I say, all this fancy traveling has gotten me drinking the more expensive stuff. So do you have time?"

Clarice thought long and hard for a minute but not enough to draw attention to the hesitation, If I reject, she will probably think something is wrong and poke around more than necessary. But I would hate for Hannibal to be stuck in my closet for the whole night...

"Yeah, sure it has been forever since I have seen you. But I may have to cut this party short because they have me on an assignment in the morning. They have been running me like crazy."

"Of course, I understand being busy." Ardelia stepped the rest of the way in the house, and Clarice shut the door behind her. They made their way over to the comfy couch where they sat next to one another. Ardelia poured two glasses and handed one to Clarice. She took it and sipped just a little, and she decided she liked Ardelia's new taste in drink.

"Listen Clarice, there is something serious I need to say then we can get to relaxing a little."

"Ok, lets hear it."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed someone. I felt awful and I should have talked to you more. There aren't any excuses but hear me out. I was out of the country for a while trying to solve what that damned bureau sent me out to do. I wish I would have just rejected and-"

"Stop right there, you were just doing your job. I'm a big girl, and I can take care of myself. And besides I was never really alone...So enough of this serious crap. You are back and lets just relax for a while."

"Actually there was still one more thing, Lecter."

Clarice started to look down at her glass, "Oh."

"I am extremely sorry to bring him up, but I was just wondering if...well...You know what you have been interrogated by this crap enough already I'm sure. Let's just have a good time."

"Thanks Ardelia." She felt a little better now. She wanted to avoid discussing Hannibal with Ardelia. Mostly because she would probably be upset by what Ardelia had to say about him. She wasn't sure how she would react to it just yet.

Hannibal sat in Clarice's closet listening in a little on the conversation, but he decided to rest his eyes for a while. He leaned his head against something soft yet familiar to the touch. He opened his eyes and turned his head. And although it was dark in the closet he knew what it was. The dress from that night at Paul Krendler's house. He was a little surprised by this. Now why would you keep this Little Starling? Maybe to have something to remember that last night by? To remember how you felt that night possibly. Little Clarice, how you still astound me by your actions. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the wall again. He was still alert to make sure Ardelia didn't find it necessary to check the closet.

Clarice smiled at Ardelia listening to her talk about some of her crazy adventures. She was in and out of the conversation. She was excited her friend was back, but she was entertaining the thought of Lecter being in her house. Hiding none the less, but then a thought hit Clarice's head. She wasn't sure it would work, but it just might. She tucked the thought away deep in her mind and waited until Ardelia was done talking. Ardelia hugged her friend goodnight then left. Clarice waved goodbye then closed the door. She then turned, walked to the closet door, and opened it to find Hannibal sitting on a box waiting for her.

"I'm sorry about that."
"It is no trouble, Clarice."

"Listen, I thought of something interesting. And it might be risky but it would be safe for you, and it would make me happy."

"Sounds like you really have things thought through, and what is it?" He stepped out of the closet and turned to face her.

"Stay with me."

"With you? Although I do like how that sounds, why would you think me safe here?"

"Because the FBI has checked this place dozens of times. They think it is completely safe for me now. I don't really have any real friends aside from Ardelia. There would be no visitors and you could be updated on the FBI on a day by day basis until I can quit. And it wouldn't have to be for too long, just long enough."

"Agreed, I can stay here for a while. Long enough hopefully until we can leave."

"Of course, there is another reason for my decision."

"Oh really?"

She approached him again and kissed him. "I would get to stay and see you everyday. Getting to know you even more should be fun."

A/N: Please review all comments are deeply appreciated. Thank you readers.

Kanan