Author's Note: I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the following people:
Susie (Kaw) for your tireless assistance in locating withdrawl information,
MC for your assistance in proof-reading my chapters and offering
encouragement and advice, and to James for the courageous story you shared
with me.
Chapter 8: But Not Tonight
As Clarice pulled her black 2000 Ford Mustang 5.0 into the garage and shut off the engine, the little voice inside her head began its tirade again. 'What am I doing? I am not a doctor. I have no idea how to care for a withdrawl patient. Besides that, if Kendra finds out what I'm doing, she'll chew my ass up and spit it out. At the very least, I'll probably lose my job and at the worst, I could do jail time. I am insane, why did I agree to this?'
She shook her head to clear away the thoughts. "Oh shut up," she grumbled to herself.
Clarice knew exactly why she had agreed to this; it was the only choice that made sense. 'God help us,' that voice chimed in again.
Clarice sighed. There was no turning back now. She climbed out of the car and began to carry bags of groceries from the trunk into the kitchen. She set the bags down on the counter and looked around at the bleak white walls. She had brought Will here this morning after their conversation in the diner. This is what his idea had been. He had asked Clarice to bring him to this FBI safehouse in the rural areas outside Quantico. She recalled their conversation in the diner.
"I need you to take me to the Quantico safehouse," Will had said. "I should be able to get the keys, I just need a ride out there. I don't trust myself to drive right now. I cannot do this at home. The safehouse is a neutral location." Suddenly he had closed his eyes and put a hand over his stomach. He groaned slightly.
"Will?" Clarice had leaned forward and put her hand on his arm.
He had waved a hand in her direction. "I'll live. I've got to make this quick," he had said. He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Here's my plan: you drive me to the safehouse and leave me there for a few days. I go 'cold turkey' to get this shit out of my body. Then when I'm functional again, you come pick me up and we get to work."
"That's insane," Clarice had protested. "You want me to leave you there alone? Do you have any idea what you're going to go through during the next few days?"
"I already have some idea," Will had answered and clutched his stomach again. "I know its going to be extremely unpleasant but it'll be over in a few days."
"Extremely unpleasant?" Clarice had echoed. "Will you're gonna go through hell and back."
"It's gotta be done, Clarice," he had said softly. "I'm to the point where I've got to get clean or kill myself. I have to do this. And this way is a hell of a lot quicker than a month in rehab slowly lowering my dosage to come off it."
"True, it will be quicker," Clarice had sighed and shook her head. "Okay, suppose I agree to this. Once you're there how are you going to take care of yourself? You're gonna need someone there to make sure you're alright."
Will had shaken his head. "Absolutely not. I don't want anyone else there. I don't want to be seen that way."
Clarice had leaned across the table and looked directly into Will's eyes. "I cannot let you go through this alone. I know you're independent, believe me, I'm the same. I know how difficult it is to let someone help you, especially someone you barely know. But you said you need my help, and you're gonna get it all the way. You need someone there to help you through this."
Will had wanted to argue further, but his throbbing head and the beginnings of nausea and stomach cramps wouldn't let him. Already his body was rebelling. It had been about 24 hours since his last pill and he knew this was only the beginning. He had agreed reluctantly. They had left the diner and plans had been laid. Clarice had called her office and told them she had a family emergency and would be out at least a week. Will had contacted an old friend in the Bureau whom he had worked with in the past and had eventually procured the keys to the house. The agent had told them he'd do his best to keep their usage of the house under wraps for all their sakes. But he had been very worried about them being found out and him losing his job and future pension. Then Will had quietly reminded him of the time when he had taken a bullet for the man, possibly saving his life.
"Save my life now. Please." Will had pleaded and the keys had been handed over.
Now Clarice began to separate the groceries, putting the perishables away and getting out all of the pills her doctor had recommended for Will. Before she had gone to the store, she had called her personal physician to get advice on helping someone go through Percocet withdrawl on their own. After she had assured him that it was not for herself, he had recommended vitamin B complex, lots of liquids, Tylenol PM, as well as an herbal medication to help ease jitters and anxiety. Clarice had also picked up some Pepto Bismol, hoping it would help with the nausea.
She gathered up the medicines and a bottle of water and headed up the stairs toward the master bedroom. Clarice had given Will this room because of its adjoined bathroom although, ever chivalrous, he had at first insisted she take this room. Again, she had won that argument because of his physical discomforts. She knocked on the door.
"Come in," Will called faintly.
Clarice entered the room and saw him curled up on top of the bed in the fetal position. On the way here, they had stopped at his home and she had helped him pack a bag of clothes. She noticed he had managed to change into sweats and a white undershirt. As Clarice walked in, he clutched his stomach and groaned faintly. He was shivering. She walked over and sat down gently on the bed.
"Will," she said, "you need to take these." She held out the pills.
He did not open his clenched eyes. "What is it?"
"Its vitamins, Tylenol, and an herbal pill called Hops. They're doctor recommended." She smiled.
"Yeah, so were my pain meds," Will groaned. "Tylenol? Yeah, like that'll do anything to help. That shit is so weak even pregnant women are allowed to take it." But he opened his eyes and she helped him sit up so he could swallow the pills.
"You should get under the covers," Clarice said and stood up. She began to pull the bed spread and blankets down.
"Clarice," he muttered. "Go away. Let me die in peace."
She ignored his last comment. "I'm not leaving until you get under the covers," she insisted. "I want to be sure you're warm enough."
"Stop mothering me, Clarice."
"Then stop acting like a spoiled brat and let me help you." She spat out, irritated at his insistent independence. She wondered if this is what she was like to deal with during her stubborn moments.
Will looked up at her face and saw her determination. 'God she's as stubborn as I am,' he thought. He sighed and slid off the bed, groaning every inch of the way hoping to make her feel bad for making him move. She pulled the covers down, helped him get back into bed, and covered him up. She felt his forehead to make sure he did not have a fever. He clenched his eyes as another wave of stomach cramps hit.
Clarice looked at him, concerned. "I picked you up some Pepto Bismol, do you want some?"
"It won't help," Will grumbled. "You didn't happen to pick me up some Percocet did you?" He chuckled faintly.
Clarice shook her head and grinned. 'He's still got his sense of humor,' she thought and wondered how much longer it would hold on. She set the bottle of water on the bedside table. "You need to drink as much water as possible," she stated. "It'll help flush the narcotics out of your body."
Will nodded slightly. "Sure, Doc."
Clarice put her hand on his shoulder. "Can I get you anything?"
"How 'bout a gun?" Will chuckled again then groaned as the movement pained his stomach.
"Nope, sorry," Clarice smiled slightly. "If you need anything besides a gun, just holler, okay?"
He nodded again and slumped his head back down on the bed.
That evening, Hannibal Lecter parked his Jaguar in the usual spot a few blocks down from the FBI building. He waited until the parking lot was nearly deserted before exiting his car and making his way toward the building. He reached the corner and looked up to the window of Clarice's office. To his utter surprise, the light was not on. He glanced at his watch, it was only seven pm. 'Surely she hasn't gone home this early?' he mused. Lecter scanned the parking lot quickly for her Mustang and did not see it. His instincts flared and told him that something was not right. Clarice's behaviors over the last 24 hours had been uncharacteristic for her and this was the icing on the cake.
The drizzle that had been falling in the morning had turned into a downright pouring tonight. Under his black umbrella, Lecter frowned. Perhaps she was on to him? Maybe he was being watched and tracked right now. He shook his head. 'Impossible,' he snorted. 'She would have given some indication that she suspected my presence.' Still, Lecter had to know what was going on, he could not shake the idea that she knew he followed her. He walked to the pay phone down the street and dialed the Behavior Science division number.
After four rings, the night answering service picked up. "FBI, Behavioral Science Division."
"Clarice Starling, please," Lecter said in a west coast accent.
"I'm sorry, she is not in," the female voice said. "Can I connect you to her voicemail?"
"This is officer Henry Locke with the Los Angeles Police Department and it is vital that I speak with her immediately my dear."
"One moment, please," came the reply and there was a long pause at the other end.
Lecter waited patiently and watched the rain drops collecting in the puddles. He glanced around once or twice to see if he could detect anyone observing him but he saw nothing. The answering service came back on the line.
"Officer Locke? I'm sorry but Agent Starling is actually out of the office for the remainder of the week. Can I transfer you to another agent?"
Lecter was silent. His instincts had been correct, something was wrong. Instantly, his internal radar kicked in to sense any surrounding danger but he sensed nothing out of the ordinary.
"Officer Locke?" asked the female voice again.
"I'm sorry, I'm here," Lecter replied. "Listen love, I would hate to disturb another agent after work hours. Agent Starling left a message for me to call her, that it was urgent, something about the case she's working on. I really need to speak with her. Please be a dear and give me a number where she can be reached at."
"I'm sorry sir but I cannot disclose that information. If you would like, I can transfer you to another agent who can help you."
"Listen, dear," Lecter's voice rose ever so slightly. "I've been overly patient thus far but a little bit of professional courtesy from you would be appreciated. Agent Starling left a message for me this morning to call her ASAP. Perhaps you could explain to me why she would do that if she was going on vacation for the remainder of the week?"
"I apologize, Officer Locke," the answering service operator replied slowly. "But I'm afraid I don't know. Please hold for a moment sir."
Lecter rubbed his eyes slowly while he waited for the operator to come back on the line. He had almost lost his cool with that contemptible woman. He was just not himself lately.
"Officer Locke? This is special agent Seth Williams, Agent Starling's colleague. How may I assist you?"
'Excellent,' Lecter thought. 'Williams is Clarice's friend. He'll know where she is.'
"I'm so sorry to disturb you, Agent Williams. That daft operator is absolutely incompetent." Lecter chuckled amicably. "It sounds to me like you guys are feeling the budget cuts about as painfully as we are. I apologize if I was short with her but I am in need of help."
Seth smiled into the phone. "It's not a problem, Officer Locke, I know how frustrating these after hours answering services are. Now, what I do to help you?"
"Agent Starling left a message for me this morning saying it was urgent that I call her. I've been in briefings all afternoon and have been unable to return her call until now. Then the operator told me that she is out the rest of the week. I'm just a little confused, Agent Williams. Why would she leave this urgent message for me if she was going to leave for vacation?"
"Officer Locke, I'm afraid she had a family emergency this morning, that is the reason for her absence. But I imagine that if it is indeed vital that she speak with you, she will contact you again soon," Seth replied.
"Oh my," Lecter said coolly. "I do hope her loved ones are alright."
"I do too."
"Still," Lecter sighed heavily. "I would feel more comfortable if I could talk to her tonight. Did she leave a number where she can be reached?"
"No, Officer Locke, I'm sorry, she did not," Seth said.
Lecter shook his head, this was getting him no where. He needed to get off the phone.
"Alright then, I'll leave it up to her to get in touch with me. Thank you so much for you assistance, Agent Williams. Have a pleasant evening," Lecter said.
"Thanks and you have a good evening as well, Officer Locke."
Lecter hung up the phone and his eyes darted around his surroundings. He wondered again if he was being watched. There were a few cars parked on the street but none of them appeared to be occupied. He scanned the building rooftops as best he could but saw nothing. Lecter took a deep breath, told himself to relax, and cursed his weakness. It was unlike him to be caught by surprise and to be this rattled. Perhaps he was too close to the situation and his judgment had become clouded. In his desire to be close to Clarice, he had forgotten rule number one: do not get caught.
Lecter shook his head. Despite his desire to live a relatively "normal" life, he needed to remember that he was a wanted criminal first and foremost. He scanned the street and rooftops again then exited the phone booth. Instead of walking to his car, he walked five blocks in the opposite direction until he came to the Hyatt hotel. While he did not feel as if he were being watched or followed, he decided to take no chances. He would stay here tonight instead of possibly leading the FBI to his home. He needed a good night's sleep to clear his head so he could get a better view of things tomorrow.
As he walked into the hotel lobby, Lecter thought about Clarice and wondered where she really was and what she was really doing.
To be continued!! Please review!!
LadyOfTruths: LMAO!! The "zombie Crawford"!!! I love it!! Since you're in to Will torture, stay tuned, more to come (but I won't say anymore!). Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.
Schrander: Well, that's not exactly what Will had in mind, but close. Thanks for your review and kind words.
LittleMy (Jenny): Thanks for reading and reviewing. Thank you so much for your compliment, it means a lot when people tell me I put them in the story. Yes, the good parts are coming between Hannibal, Clarice, and Will! Thanks for your support.
ShadowPanther: Thank you so very much for reading and reviewing. I'm so glad you are enjoying the story. I'm having a lot of fun writing it. Thanks again.
Kurt: Almighty Grand Poobah, thanks so much for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your compliments. Thanks so much.
florence: Thank you for your kudos, you're very kind. I'm so glad you're enjoying this. Yes, I think the part everyone's anticipating is coming up soon!!
Steel: LOL! "Pretty boy"! Thanks for reading and reviewing. I love your reviews!
Shattered Mug: LMAO!! I laughed so hard when I read your review! I kick ass? Cool. LOL. Thanks again!
Chapter 8: But Not Tonight
As Clarice pulled her black 2000 Ford Mustang 5.0 into the garage and shut off the engine, the little voice inside her head began its tirade again. 'What am I doing? I am not a doctor. I have no idea how to care for a withdrawl patient. Besides that, if Kendra finds out what I'm doing, she'll chew my ass up and spit it out. At the very least, I'll probably lose my job and at the worst, I could do jail time. I am insane, why did I agree to this?'
She shook her head to clear away the thoughts. "Oh shut up," she grumbled to herself.
Clarice knew exactly why she had agreed to this; it was the only choice that made sense. 'God help us,' that voice chimed in again.
Clarice sighed. There was no turning back now. She climbed out of the car and began to carry bags of groceries from the trunk into the kitchen. She set the bags down on the counter and looked around at the bleak white walls. She had brought Will here this morning after their conversation in the diner. This is what his idea had been. He had asked Clarice to bring him to this FBI safehouse in the rural areas outside Quantico. She recalled their conversation in the diner.
"I need you to take me to the Quantico safehouse," Will had said. "I should be able to get the keys, I just need a ride out there. I don't trust myself to drive right now. I cannot do this at home. The safehouse is a neutral location." Suddenly he had closed his eyes and put a hand over his stomach. He groaned slightly.
"Will?" Clarice had leaned forward and put her hand on his arm.
He had waved a hand in her direction. "I'll live. I've got to make this quick," he had said. He opened his eyes and looked at her. "Here's my plan: you drive me to the safehouse and leave me there for a few days. I go 'cold turkey' to get this shit out of my body. Then when I'm functional again, you come pick me up and we get to work."
"That's insane," Clarice had protested. "You want me to leave you there alone? Do you have any idea what you're going to go through during the next few days?"
"I already have some idea," Will had answered and clutched his stomach again. "I know its going to be extremely unpleasant but it'll be over in a few days."
"Extremely unpleasant?" Clarice had echoed. "Will you're gonna go through hell and back."
"It's gotta be done, Clarice," he had said softly. "I'm to the point where I've got to get clean or kill myself. I have to do this. And this way is a hell of a lot quicker than a month in rehab slowly lowering my dosage to come off it."
"True, it will be quicker," Clarice had sighed and shook her head. "Okay, suppose I agree to this. Once you're there how are you going to take care of yourself? You're gonna need someone there to make sure you're alright."
Will had shaken his head. "Absolutely not. I don't want anyone else there. I don't want to be seen that way."
Clarice had leaned across the table and looked directly into Will's eyes. "I cannot let you go through this alone. I know you're independent, believe me, I'm the same. I know how difficult it is to let someone help you, especially someone you barely know. But you said you need my help, and you're gonna get it all the way. You need someone there to help you through this."
Will had wanted to argue further, but his throbbing head and the beginnings of nausea and stomach cramps wouldn't let him. Already his body was rebelling. It had been about 24 hours since his last pill and he knew this was only the beginning. He had agreed reluctantly. They had left the diner and plans had been laid. Clarice had called her office and told them she had a family emergency and would be out at least a week. Will had contacted an old friend in the Bureau whom he had worked with in the past and had eventually procured the keys to the house. The agent had told them he'd do his best to keep their usage of the house under wraps for all their sakes. But he had been very worried about them being found out and him losing his job and future pension. Then Will had quietly reminded him of the time when he had taken a bullet for the man, possibly saving his life.
"Save my life now. Please." Will had pleaded and the keys had been handed over.
Now Clarice began to separate the groceries, putting the perishables away and getting out all of the pills her doctor had recommended for Will. Before she had gone to the store, she had called her personal physician to get advice on helping someone go through Percocet withdrawl on their own. After she had assured him that it was not for herself, he had recommended vitamin B complex, lots of liquids, Tylenol PM, as well as an herbal medication to help ease jitters and anxiety. Clarice had also picked up some Pepto Bismol, hoping it would help with the nausea.
She gathered up the medicines and a bottle of water and headed up the stairs toward the master bedroom. Clarice had given Will this room because of its adjoined bathroom although, ever chivalrous, he had at first insisted she take this room. Again, she had won that argument because of his physical discomforts. She knocked on the door.
"Come in," Will called faintly.
Clarice entered the room and saw him curled up on top of the bed in the fetal position. On the way here, they had stopped at his home and she had helped him pack a bag of clothes. She noticed he had managed to change into sweats and a white undershirt. As Clarice walked in, he clutched his stomach and groaned faintly. He was shivering. She walked over and sat down gently on the bed.
"Will," she said, "you need to take these." She held out the pills.
He did not open his clenched eyes. "What is it?"
"Its vitamins, Tylenol, and an herbal pill called Hops. They're doctor recommended." She smiled.
"Yeah, so were my pain meds," Will groaned. "Tylenol? Yeah, like that'll do anything to help. That shit is so weak even pregnant women are allowed to take it." But he opened his eyes and she helped him sit up so he could swallow the pills.
"You should get under the covers," Clarice said and stood up. She began to pull the bed spread and blankets down.
"Clarice," he muttered. "Go away. Let me die in peace."
She ignored his last comment. "I'm not leaving until you get under the covers," she insisted. "I want to be sure you're warm enough."
"Stop mothering me, Clarice."
"Then stop acting like a spoiled brat and let me help you." She spat out, irritated at his insistent independence. She wondered if this is what she was like to deal with during her stubborn moments.
Will looked up at her face and saw her determination. 'God she's as stubborn as I am,' he thought. He sighed and slid off the bed, groaning every inch of the way hoping to make her feel bad for making him move. She pulled the covers down, helped him get back into bed, and covered him up. She felt his forehead to make sure he did not have a fever. He clenched his eyes as another wave of stomach cramps hit.
Clarice looked at him, concerned. "I picked you up some Pepto Bismol, do you want some?"
"It won't help," Will grumbled. "You didn't happen to pick me up some Percocet did you?" He chuckled faintly.
Clarice shook her head and grinned. 'He's still got his sense of humor,' she thought and wondered how much longer it would hold on. She set the bottle of water on the bedside table. "You need to drink as much water as possible," she stated. "It'll help flush the narcotics out of your body."
Will nodded slightly. "Sure, Doc."
Clarice put her hand on his shoulder. "Can I get you anything?"
"How 'bout a gun?" Will chuckled again then groaned as the movement pained his stomach.
"Nope, sorry," Clarice smiled slightly. "If you need anything besides a gun, just holler, okay?"
He nodded again and slumped his head back down on the bed.
That evening, Hannibal Lecter parked his Jaguar in the usual spot a few blocks down from the FBI building. He waited until the parking lot was nearly deserted before exiting his car and making his way toward the building. He reached the corner and looked up to the window of Clarice's office. To his utter surprise, the light was not on. He glanced at his watch, it was only seven pm. 'Surely she hasn't gone home this early?' he mused. Lecter scanned the parking lot quickly for her Mustang and did not see it. His instincts flared and told him that something was not right. Clarice's behaviors over the last 24 hours had been uncharacteristic for her and this was the icing on the cake.
The drizzle that had been falling in the morning had turned into a downright pouring tonight. Under his black umbrella, Lecter frowned. Perhaps she was on to him? Maybe he was being watched and tracked right now. He shook his head. 'Impossible,' he snorted. 'She would have given some indication that she suspected my presence.' Still, Lecter had to know what was going on, he could not shake the idea that she knew he followed her. He walked to the pay phone down the street and dialed the Behavior Science division number.
After four rings, the night answering service picked up. "FBI, Behavioral Science Division."
"Clarice Starling, please," Lecter said in a west coast accent.
"I'm sorry, she is not in," the female voice said. "Can I connect you to her voicemail?"
"This is officer Henry Locke with the Los Angeles Police Department and it is vital that I speak with her immediately my dear."
"One moment, please," came the reply and there was a long pause at the other end.
Lecter waited patiently and watched the rain drops collecting in the puddles. He glanced around once or twice to see if he could detect anyone observing him but he saw nothing. The answering service came back on the line.
"Officer Locke? I'm sorry but Agent Starling is actually out of the office for the remainder of the week. Can I transfer you to another agent?"
Lecter was silent. His instincts had been correct, something was wrong. Instantly, his internal radar kicked in to sense any surrounding danger but he sensed nothing out of the ordinary.
"Officer Locke?" asked the female voice again.
"I'm sorry, I'm here," Lecter replied. "Listen love, I would hate to disturb another agent after work hours. Agent Starling left a message for me to call her, that it was urgent, something about the case she's working on. I really need to speak with her. Please be a dear and give me a number where she can be reached at."
"I'm sorry sir but I cannot disclose that information. If you would like, I can transfer you to another agent who can help you."
"Listen, dear," Lecter's voice rose ever so slightly. "I've been overly patient thus far but a little bit of professional courtesy from you would be appreciated. Agent Starling left a message for me this morning to call her ASAP. Perhaps you could explain to me why she would do that if she was going on vacation for the remainder of the week?"
"I apologize, Officer Locke," the answering service operator replied slowly. "But I'm afraid I don't know. Please hold for a moment sir."
Lecter rubbed his eyes slowly while he waited for the operator to come back on the line. He had almost lost his cool with that contemptible woman. He was just not himself lately.
"Officer Locke? This is special agent Seth Williams, Agent Starling's colleague. How may I assist you?"
'Excellent,' Lecter thought. 'Williams is Clarice's friend. He'll know where she is.'
"I'm so sorry to disturb you, Agent Williams. That daft operator is absolutely incompetent." Lecter chuckled amicably. "It sounds to me like you guys are feeling the budget cuts about as painfully as we are. I apologize if I was short with her but I am in need of help."
Seth smiled into the phone. "It's not a problem, Officer Locke, I know how frustrating these after hours answering services are. Now, what I do to help you?"
"Agent Starling left a message for me this morning saying it was urgent that I call her. I've been in briefings all afternoon and have been unable to return her call until now. Then the operator told me that she is out the rest of the week. I'm just a little confused, Agent Williams. Why would she leave this urgent message for me if she was going to leave for vacation?"
"Officer Locke, I'm afraid she had a family emergency this morning, that is the reason for her absence. But I imagine that if it is indeed vital that she speak with you, she will contact you again soon," Seth replied.
"Oh my," Lecter said coolly. "I do hope her loved ones are alright."
"I do too."
"Still," Lecter sighed heavily. "I would feel more comfortable if I could talk to her tonight. Did she leave a number where she can be reached?"
"No, Officer Locke, I'm sorry, she did not," Seth said.
Lecter shook his head, this was getting him no where. He needed to get off the phone.
"Alright then, I'll leave it up to her to get in touch with me. Thank you so much for you assistance, Agent Williams. Have a pleasant evening," Lecter said.
"Thanks and you have a good evening as well, Officer Locke."
Lecter hung up the phone and his eyes darted around his surroundings. He wondered again if he was being watched. There were a few cars parked on the street but none of them appeared to be occupied. He scanned the building rooftops as best he could but saw nothing. Lecter took a deep breath, told himself to relax, and cursed his weakness. It was unlike him to be caught by surprise and to be this rattled. Perhaps he was too close to the situation and his judgment had become clouded. In his desire to be close to Clarice, he had forgotten rule number one: do not get caught.
Lecter shook his head. Despite his desire to live a relatively "normal" life, he needed to remember that he was a wanted criminal first and foremost. He scanned the street and rooftops again then exited the phone booth. Instead of walking to his car, he walked five blocks in the opposite direction until he came to the Hyatt hotel. While he did not feel as if he were being watched or followed, he decided to take no chances. He would stay here tonight instead of possibly leading the FBI to his home. He needed a good night's sleep to clear his head so he could get a better view of things tomorrow.
As he walked into the hotel lobby, Lecter thought about Clarice and wondered where she really was and what she was really doing.
To be continued!! Please review!!
LadyOfTruths: LMAO!! The "zombie Crawford"!!! I love it!! Since you're in to Will torture, stay tuned, more to come (but I won't say anymore!). Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.
Schrander: Well, that's not exactly what Will had in mind, but close. Thanks for your review and kind words.
LittleMy (Jenny): Thanks for reading and reviewing. Thank you so much for your compliment, it means a lot when people tell me I put them in the story. Yes, the good parts are coming between Hannibal, Clarice, and Will! Thanks for your support.
ShadowPanther: Thank you so very much for reading and reviewing. I'm so glad you are enjoying the story. I'm having a lot of fun writing it. Thanks again.
Kurt: Almighty Grand Poobah, thanks so much for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your compliments. Thanks so much.
florence: Thank you for your kudos, you're very kind. I'm so glad you're enjoying this. Yes, I think the part everyone's anticipating is coming up soon!!
Steel: LOL! "Pretty boy"! Thanks for reading and reviewing. I love your reviews!
Shattered Mug: LMAO!! I laughed so hard when I read your review! I kick ass? Cool. LOL. Thanks again!
