Hannibal had agreed to stay with Clarice in her house for a time. She had showed him the guest bedroom where he could sleep, but she had encouraged him to stay with her rather than sleep in his own room. Hannibal was as close as he could be to the FBI without actually being caught. He didn't stay confined in the house all day though, and he would wander around always under disguise of course. But it has only been three days since he had moved in with his lover. He was rather enjoying her company. Most nights were spent with his cooking and her asking him questions about his own life. She was careful not to go too in depth just yet though. She was eager to know, but it was only day three.

"I wish we could just go ahead and leave."

"I know, but don't worry I will take care of everything until its time. This will require me to leave in about two weeks. Just to get things set up."

"But you just got here. What already trying to leave me?" She teased. They were sitting on her bed looking at one another.

"I will definitely miss your sarcasm, my dear. I will only be gone for about four days. Besides, this case you have been on has kept you quite busy for sometime now. Speaking of which why don't you bring it in tomorrow, and I can help."

"You are offering help to the bureau?""No, I am offering help to my little Starling."

"I see. Well thank you Hannibal. I would appreciate that." He leaned in across the bed and kissed her gently.

"May I ask you something, Hannibal?"

"Of course, my dear.""What are your motives for actually doing what you do? What are your views between right and wrong?"

Hannibal was a little intrigued by these questions. Usually she was just curious about his past. He always answers her questions because he feels it helps her get a little closer to him. Hannibal Lecter has not had anyone so close to him in a very long time. Everyone is so distant, and no one understands.

"My motives, are quite simple. This world is filled with scum, and I see it fit to take care of them. The reason I eat them I told you yesterday."

"Yes, I remember. And may I point out something with your choice of wording."

"You are paying very close attention to every detail aren't you?"

"I am a special agent, force of habit. You said 'this world'? Were you implying that you believe there is a world after this one?"

"What switching to a speech of religion now, Clarice?"

"Well I did say I wanted to know you."

Hannibal looked off out her window. Sometimes their conversations drifted off but not too often. She was really trying to find out everything about him she possibly could. Hannibal knew Clarice probably did believe in God and a world after this for the same reason as him. It is funny how the more they talk, the more he starts to realize how much alike to people can be if you really look.

"Clarice, I do believe God as shocking as that is for some people to believe themselves. I believe it all had to start somewhere, and I believe in a world after this because I have to."

"You have to? And what did you mean for the same reason?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. I have to believe, because I refuse to believe my sister had just suffered and died for nothing. That she moved on to nothing."

Clarice's eyes widened at this bit of information. It was the same as hers. Except in her case it was for her father. Hannibal glanced at her clock by her bed. It was 12:30, and she had to be at work by 5:00.

"My dear, I believe you should get some rest you only have a few more hours of rest."

She looked at the clock as well, "You're right. I need to speak with you tomorrow after work for sure though. I have something I need to show you."

"Alright. I'll be here."

She smiled as she kissed him again.

Ardelia was busy sitting over a desk full of papers. She had been helping Clarice with her case. This guy seemed impossible to catch just about it. He left no evidence that she could see or they had picked up. All the victims were women for the most part. Age didn't matter and neither did location. Which is what made things that much more confusing. One day there was a hit in California, and the next, there was a hit in Virginia. It took a lot of trouble to realize there was even a connection between to places so far away. The killer did have his own little pattern though. There was a stab wound in the shoulder and a bullet in the head. Always the left shoulder and always right between the eyes of the women. This may not seem like enough evidence to link a killer, but the blood from the victim was smeared on the walls to say spell out REVENGE. What was strange though is that these women weren't connected in any way as far as they could tell. Was revenge wanted from a man? What was his motive? Jealous, anger, and why was this person so good at covering his/her tracks. Ardelia rubbed her forehead hard trying to ignore her splitting headache. Pictures were hung everywhere just how Clarice left them. Ardelia shift ended at 5:00 when Clarice was supposed to come in. She was hoping to find some other piece of evidence to link the five killings of the women. All were lying naked on the ground as well. There was no sign of rape or any sexual assault, but that doesn't mean there wasn't anything done to their bodies. Where was the link though? The missing piece of evidence between the five? Two of them had been interviewed by the FBI before on a different case. Clarice Starling had interviewed those two women on a different case. But what did that matter? What about the other three? There wasn't enough evidence between the two to support the other three women. Was this on purpose then? Mapp struggled through the night repeating things already said on the case. She accidentally dosed off in her chair, and she was woken up by Starling handing her a coffee cup.

"Nothing yet?"

"Nothing that hasn't been figured out before. Is it true what I have heard?"

"What?"

"You are quitting the force after this case?"

Clarice looked at her coffee and sighed, "I gotta get out of this Ardelia I can't stand it anymore you know?"

"Yeah, I do actually. I just hope whatever you plan on doing afterwards with your life is something you are going to be happy about."

"It is, definitely." Clarice smiled and sipped her coffee.

Ardelia was about to question her on exactly what she had in mind when they were interrupted by a man running down the halls.

"Starling!"

"Yeah, we are in here."

Special Agent Brown rushed to the door, "There has been another killing...this time a man."

A/N: Well please review all reviews appreciated. Thank you for reading.

Kanan