Chapter Six:

As Clarice led him by the hand downstairs Hannibal could smell mushrooms frying, Ardelia could apparently cook unlike Clarice; who lived off of microwavable food when Ardelia wasn't around.

"You stay here, I am hoping she will be ok. She's looking to leave the FBI anyway they have been giving her a lot of trouble, she's just paper pushing now and she hates it." Hannibal nodded and kissed her before he motioned for her to carry on downstairs with a large sweep of his arm.

"Mornin'" Clarice mumbled as she sat down on a chair and leaned her elbows on the table.

"Good Morning, and where's your man then?"

"He's upstairs, actually Delia that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

Delia laughed "Oh yeah, what is it this time? Look I know you thought you had feelings for Lecter, Claire. But this new bloke could be good for you."

"I do Ardelia." Ardelia looked confused before she continued. "Have feelings for him, I have feelings for Dr Lecter."

Ardelia stood dumbstruck, Clarice had never admitted it out loud, the only reason Delia knew was because she knew Clarice so well.

"But – Clarice! What about the bloke upstairs? I'm not getting rid of him for you!"

Clarice smiled.

"No you don't need to Delia, how's work goin have you handed in your resignation yet?"

Delia's eyes narrowed as she thought about the FBI "Yeah I was fed up with em' to be honest and- Don't change the subject!"

Clarice sighed and tried to think of a way to tell her. "Ok Delia, say for example if I was really happy with someone but you didn't agree with it, you'd still be ok though right?"

Ardelia's brow furrowed."I guess so as long as you were happy, I don't think it would matter. Clarice what is this about and whose shirt are you wearing?"

"Ok, please don't freak… Just stay calm ok? You can come in now." Clarice turned slightly to the doorway

"Ah so he is here what's his name then Clari-"

Ardelia didn't finish her sentence as she stood in looking shock at the now shirtless Hannibal Lecter as he walked in and stood behind Clarice who leant against him with a wary look in her eyes as she regarded Ardelia.

"Good morning, Agent Mapp." Hannibal nodded politely

"Morning Dr Lecter." Ardelia was still stunned but wouldn't let the manners her momma had taught her slip. Then Delia seemed to come out of her shock induced silence and looked at Clarice.

"Dr Lecter Clarice? Dr Hannibal Lecter! Are you crazy? Sorry Doc, no disrespect intended."

Hannibal nodded again and smirked whilst looking down at Clarice awaiting her answer.

"I guess so." Ardelia watched as Clarice gazed up at him adoringly and he stroked her cheek gently.

Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter was gazing at her best friend as though she was the most beautiful and important thing in the world, despite her instincts Ardelia smiled at seeing her friend happy.

"Ok then who's up for a fry up for breakfast?" Ardelia asked turning back to the oven.

Hannibal raised his eyebrows at Clarice as he chuckled and slid gracefully into the seat next to her. Clarice looked at him sat at her table shirtless and smiled as she stood and walked out the room to change.

When she returned she found Hannibal sat eating sausage, eggs, mushrooms and bacon whilst conversing with Delia who was enthusiastically talking back.

"Well well, what do we have here?" Clarice laughed

Ardelia looked up not bothering to conceal the awe in her eyes.

"Clarice this man is a genius!" Clarice smiled

"Don't inflate his ego Delia, I know he is how do you think he managed to outsmart the FBI for so long?"

"But still…I mean"

"I know Dee, I know."

Clarice sat back down next to him and looked at his plate hungrily

"Sorry Clarice I'm all out, he has a big appetite." Delia said.

She laughed then and looked again at his plate before meeting his eyes and stuck out her bottom lip pouting at him.

"Please sir, may I have some food?" She asked him in a sweet innocent voice, He laughed his rich warm laugh at her and pushed the plate over whilst she handed him his shirt to put on.

"So what happened to the man you were dancing with last night then Clarice?" Ardelia asked whilst biting off a bit of toast.

Clarice smiled and looked at Hannibal."It was Hannibal, he followed me there and then came back here."

Ardelia smiled at the pair before freezing in the middle of biting her toast, looking at Hannibal in horror. "Oh god, it was you at the table? The one she danced with?" At Hannibal's nod she groaned and leant back in her chair.

"What?" Clarice asked confused.

Hannibal smiled at Clarice as he buttoned up his shirt.

"I flirted with Dr Lecter; I tried to pull Hannibal Lecter." Ardelia said in despair then at the look on Dr Lecter's face started laughing.

"Well at least I know why you turned me down." She smiled and looked at Clarice, who stood up when Delia did and hugged her.

"So you won't say anything? To the FBI I mean?" Clarice murmured in her ear.

"Nah Clarice he seems like a good guy, sides' I'm just a regular citizen now and he makes you happy. I am off out though but you don't need to worry I'll see you tonight." Delia winked before putting her plate in the washing up bowl and walking out.

Clarice stood looking confused for a moment.

"Well that was easier than I thought it would be." Hannibal stood and walked over to embrace her.

"Hmm for you maybe, I got the 'Talk' usually given by fathers to fumbling testosterone fuelled teenage boys, I must say it was enlightening."

Clarice laughed and huddled closer to his warmth but squealed when he pulled her into his arms and carried her back upstairs.