AN: I'm so sorry it took me FOREVER to get this chapter up! I just want to warn you, this chapter is LONG!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dr. Hannibal Lecter sniffles But all the original characters are mine.
Chapter Ten: Man of LaMancha
Saturday March 24th '07 5:30 p.m.
Gabrielle sat silently, wishing she had her Ipod. She was nervous, not because of where she was going or who she was going with, but because she knew what kind of looks she was about to get from her classmates. With the staff forming an isle through them she knew that her classmate were going to think that some one special was going to walk passed them. She knew they were going to want to know why she was getting special treatment. She wished she had her music to calm down.
"Oh, here Gabrielle, I meant to give this to you earlier. Your phone, wallet, and harpy are in it." Claire said snapping her out of her thought.
Claire was holding out a red clutch purse. Gabrielle took it with a small smile. Claire saw through Gabrielle in an instant and knelt down next to her.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I'm okay."
"That's bullshit and you know it. You look scared."
"I'm just not looking forward to the looks I'm gonna get from my classmates."
"Who gives a flying monkey what they think." Claire said as she cracked a playful smile, "Just think of how the doctor's eyes are gonna pop out of their sockets when he sees you."
Gabrielle smiled and looked at her nails, knowing that Claire had a very good point. The only opinion that really mattered tonight was the Doctor's. She wanted to make sure her appearance complimented his.
"Anyway, where did you get that blade of yours? I haven't seen one like that in a long time."
"Some one dropped it last night at the club I was at."
Just then Claire's phone went off. She answered it, talked for all of thirty seconds then hung up. She nodded to the guys who left through the door to make a path for Gabrielle to leave. Then she turned to Gabrielle and held out her hand.
"He's here hun."
Gabrielle took Claire's hand and stood up. One of the men opened the door saying something in French.
"The sea of kids has been parted. You now have room for safe passage." Claire said dramatically, making Gabrielle laugh.
"Well thank you Moses, I don't know what I would do without you." Gabrielle said carrying on the joke.
"You would drown!" Claire said and they both cracked up laughing, "Now let's go before they send a search party.
Gabrielle calmed down and nodded. She followed Claire through the door and into the main lobby.
When Gabrielle stepped into the lobby she felt everyone nearby turn their heads in her direction. She paid no attention as she walked passed them. Just as she predicted, they started to whisper. When she was just about to walk out the front door someone caught her arm. She looked over to see Mrs. Mathews smiling at her.
"Pay no attention to them hun. You look beautiful, have fun."
"Thanks."
Gabrielle walked out the door and saw Dr. Williamson leaning against a limo. All her fears disappeared when she saw the look on his face. She wasn't sure whether it was shock or awe but she did know that it was a good look. As she walked up to him, Dr. Williamson took a step towards her and took her hand kissing it lightly.
"You look wonderful."
"Thank you Doctor, so do you."
As Dr. Williamson opened the limo door Gabrielle looked back to Claire and Charlette. They both had huge smiles on their faces and Claire gave her two thumbs up. Gabrielle giggled silently and got in the limo. Gabrielle noticed they were not alone; there were two other couples with them.
The look on Charlette's face had told Doctor Lecter that he was in for a surprise, but he never expected the sight before him. Gabrielle looked elegant in her blood red dress, and he forgot for a moment that she was only seventeen. The way she carried herself made her seem twenty-one or so. When she got close to him, Doctor Lecter could smell lavender coming from every part of her and made a mental note to get her some hand lotion in the same scent.
It took him a minute to realize his eyes were wide and managed to compose himself while he opened the limo door for her. When she passed him to get in the limo he noticed the sparkles in her hair and the rose clip. She slid into the limo with the same fluidity she'd had when she was walking around the field yesterday.
Dr. Lecter wanted to watch and study her just as he had wanted to do yesterday, but this time not only did he not want to make her uncomfortable he also had company in the limo as well. He had already gotten a round of raised eyebrows when he had told them how old she was. He didn't feel like being patronized again. It hit him again just how attached to Gabrielle he had become, but this time for some reason it didn't bother him.
"Gabrielle." Dr. Williamson said after telling the driver he could go.
"Yes."
"This is Doctor Alan Sharp and his wife Amy." Dr. Williamson said motioning to the couple closest to them.
"Hello." Gabrielle said as she nodded politely.
"And this is Doctor Henry Tanner and his wife Hannah." Dr. Williamson said motioning to the couple farthest from them.
"Hello." Gabrielle said nodding again.
Dr. Sharp and his wife looked to be in their early fifties. Dr. Tanner and his wife looked to be in their late thirties. Amy and Hannah smiled at her. Dr. Sharp looked at Dr. Williamson a little concerned, and Gabrielle could have sworn she saw lust in Dr. Tanner's eyes as he looked her over.
"So, do you like the theater?" Hannah asked.
"Yes, I love it." Gabrielle said as she smiled, "I grew up watching all the old movies and musicals."
"What's your favorite?" Amy asked.
"Umm...It's a toss up between My Fair Lady and Man of LaMancha."
The two women nodded thoughtfully and Dr. Sharp looked at her in surprise.
"I didn't think the younger generations were interested in the old movies."
"Most of my classmates aren't. If you were to mention Peter O'toole to them they would think you were talking about a drink." Gabrielle said with a chuckle.
Everyone laughed and Gabrielle looked at Dr. Williamson.
"May I ask why you picked me up two hours early? You threw the girls into a tizzy with this change of plan."
"You can ask." Dr. Williamson said and he cracked a mischievous smile.
The expression on his face actually reached his eyes, and Gabrielle noticed that he wasn't wearing his contacts.
"This is going to be like yesterday isn't it?" Gabrielle said and she rolled her eyes, "Are you going to give me anything to go on?"
"Alright, I'll tell you this. Dr. Sharp has invited us to dinner, but I'm not going to tell you the name of the play until we get to the opera house."
"Am I allowed to play twenty questions?"
"No, you don't."
"Why not?"
"Because that will ruin my fun at seeing the look on your face when you see our seats and what play it is."
Gabrielle rolled her eyes again and heard Amy and Hannah stifle a laugh.
"Fine, if I don't get to play twenty questions with you can I play with anyone else?"
"No you can't."
"That's not fair."
"Yes it is. Again, it would spoil the surprise and ruin my fun."
Gabrielle just shook her head and looked out her window. Amy and Hannah continued to ask her questions about the movies she liked, how her schooling was going, and what type of job she wanted after school. Every so often Dr. Sharp would ask something but other than that he stayed quiet. Gabrielle enjoyed the conversation, but she didn't like the way Dr. Tanner seemed to be watching her. What she didn't know was that Dr. Lecter had noticed as well, and he was very unhappy with it.
When the limo pulled up to the restaurant Gabrielle let Dr. Williamson help her out. She took the arm he offered her with a smile and was happy to note that Dr. Tanner was the farthest from her as they all walked to the door together. They were seated at their table quickly and Gabrielle noticed it was next to a dance floor.
Dr. Williamson helped Gabrielle sit then sat himself between her and Dr. Tanner, who he had noticed had been trying to get as close to her as possible. He looked over the menu quickly then looked over to Gabrielle to see she had a slightly horrified look on her face.
"What's wrong?" He whispered with a small chuckle.
"It's all in French!" She whispered back.
Dr. Williamson chuckled and helped her find something to eat. After they had found something for her Dr. Williamson turned back the menu to find something for himself. Gabrielle closed her menu and set it down in front of her. When the waiter came Dr. Williamson ordered for the two of them. After the waiter left Gabrielle sat and listened as Dr Sharp, Dr. Tanner, and Dr. Williamson talked. Some times Amy and Hannah commented but they otherwise stayed quite as well.
When their food arrived their conversation was interrupted slightly. Dr. Williamson watched Gabrielle out of the corner of his eye as the drinks were brought to the table. When Gabrielle realized it was a Shirley Temple she smiled to herself and took a sip. She put her drink down and caught Dr. Williamson's eye.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"You're welcome." he whispered back.
By the time they were finished it was quarter to seven. Dr. Williamson paid for Gabrielle's portion despite Gabrielle's quiet protests. As they stood to leave Dr. Sharp's cell phone rang.
"I'm so sorry." Dr. Sharp said and he answered it.
Dr. Sharp fell behind slightly as he talked. Gabrielle was the third to get into the limo, and as a result she ended up next to Dr. Tanner. She made sure to keep a persons width between them. This put her within a half inch of Dr. Williamson. Gabrielle flushed slightly when she noticed their proximity and hoped no one noticed the color in her cheeks. When Dr. Sharp got in they headed for the opera house.
Dr. Lecter noticed Gabrielle's hesitance as she got into the limo. When he got in and sat down he realized why, she had gotten stuck next to Dr. Tanner. The next thing he noticed was how close she was to himself. He knew she was trying to stay as far away from Dr. Tanner as possible.
It took them a half and hour for them to get to the opera house, giving them fifteen minutes before the play started. Dr. Williamson and Gabrielle said good bye to Dr. Sharp, Dr. Tanner and their wives and headed inside on their own. Dr. Williamson introduced Gabrielle to a few other people. Then, when there was five minutes until the show they went to their seats.
When they got to the door to the balcony, Dr. Williamson took their programs.
"Close your eyes." He said before they walked any further.
"What?!"
"Close your eyes."
"Doctor it's not safe for a girl to walk with her eyes closed when she's in heels."
"Don't worry I won't let you fall. Now close your eyes."
"Ugh, fine." Gabrielle said as she rolled her eye then closed them.
Dr. Lecter chuckled then led her down the front of the balcony. Their seats were in the center of the front row. Gabrielle opened her eyes when he told her to and gasped slightly when she saw where she was. They took their seat and Gabrielle looked at the doctor with a smile.
"Do I get to know the name of the play now?"
"Yes, you do."
Dr. Williamson handed her, her program just as the lights went down.
"You did that on purpose!" Gabrielle whispered, now unable to read the program.
"You are correct."
"Oy." Gabrielle said as she rolled her eyes.
The curtain came up and Gabrielle's eyes went wide. She recognized the set immediately because she had the movie and had watched it over and over as a young girl.
"Man of LaMancha!" she whispered to herself.
Dr. Lecter smiled slightly. He figured she would recognize it.
Gabrielle sat, eyes glued to the stage until the intermission. Dr. Lecter would glance over every once and a while to see her mouthing the words to the songs. When the intermission came and the lights came up Gabrielle blinked a few times so her eyes could adjust.
As some of the other people around them were getting up Gabrielle looked over to Dr. Williamson and said, "I'll be right back, I need to use the ladies room."
"Alright"
Gabrielle got up and left the balcony. As she reached the stairs Gabrielle felt someone brush up against her. She looked to see Dr. Tanner going up the stairs, thankful they were going in opposite directions. As she entered the ladies room and found a stall she caught a conversation that a couple of other women were having.
"Have you seen Dr. Williamson's date?"
"Yes, she can't be more than twenty-three!"
Gabrielle smiled at the compliment.
"I heard from Mrs. Tanner that she's only seventeen!"
"You're kidding? What's he doing with such a young girl?"
By this time Gabrielle could tell they were at the sink.
"I'm not sure, Mrs. Tanner doesn't know either. She says Dr. Williamson just said she saved a couple of vases he was bringing into the museum and he wanted to thank her."
"Taking her to a play is a rather large thank you, don't you think?"
"Yes but its good to seem him at these public functions again, it's been so long."
Gabrielle exited the stall and went to the sink and washed her hands. The conversation stopped immediately. She kept her face indifferent but with a hint of happiness the whole time. She noticed the women were watching her and looking her up and down the whole time. Gabrielle watched them through the mirror as she fixed a stray hair and then left.
Just as she reached the door Mrs. Sharp walked in. They almost walked right into each other.
"Oh, hello dear." Mrs. Sharp said with a smile.
"Hello Mrs. Sharp." Gabrielle said returning the smile.
"Are you having a good time?"
"Yes, thank you."
"I wish I could have been there to see the look on your face when he told you what the play was."
"We'll he didn't actually tell me."
"Really?"
"He handed me my program just as the lights went down. He did it on purpose too!"
Mrs. Sharp chuckled.
"I knew the play as soon as the curtain came up though. I heard him chuckle after I did so he must have been watching me. I think my face resembled something like this..."
Gabrielle recreated the face she had made when she had realized what play it was.
Mrs. Sharp chuckled again, "I still whish I could have seen it. Well I hope you like the second half just as much dear."
"Thank you. Have a nice night Mrs. Sharp."
"You too dear."
Then Mrs. Sharp surprised Gabrielle by giving her a hug. Gabrielle smiled and left the bathroom. As she made her way back to the balcony she could feel eyes on her, but she ignored them. As she made her way back to her seat she could see Dr. Williamson and Dr. Tanner leaning against the railing of the balcony as they talked. As she got closer she noticed the seemed to be arguing and she got a little nervous.
Dr. Tanner had looked frustrated, and when he caught sight of Gabrielle his look changed back to that lustful stare he had, had in the limo. When Dr. Williamson caught sight of her he said something to Dr. Tanner which seemed to piss him off because he became angry and stormed away.
"What was that all about?" Gabrielle asked as she walked up to Dr. Williamson.
She noticed he was extremely tense. When they made eye contact he seemed to relax somewhat.
"Nothing really." Dr. Williamson said trying to fake a smile.
"That's bull and you know it."
Dr. Williamson looked at her in surprise but she continued.
"I know a fake smile when I see one; I use them all the time in school."
Nothing gets passed her, does it? Dr. Lecter thought to himself, Oh, what the hell. It's not like she hasn't noticed either.
Dr. Williamson motioned for them to sit while he explained.
"Dr. Tanner came up here shortly after you left."
"I know, he brushed up against me when I was going down the stairs."
"Well, long story short I confronted him about the way he had been looking at you tonight and he didn't like that very much. I saw the look he gave you a moment ago and I told him that if he came near you again I would have him arrested."
Gabrielle looked at him in surprise, "I wasn't sure if anyone else had noticed tonight."
"I noticed right away. I wasn't totally surprised; I've seen him check out other women at past events as well."
"That doesn't make it less creepy or unwanted." Gabrielle said as she shivered involuntarily.
Dr. Williamson agreed with her and then changed gears and started talking about the play. He was glad to see Gabrielle was having a good time. He didn't really have to say anything though, because when he had asked her how she like the play she started comparing it to the movie and had been talking almost nonstop. He saw her blush slightly as the lights went back down, realizing how much she had been talking.
"I'm sorry for talking so much." Gabrielle whispered as the curtain came up.
"It's ok," Dr. Williamson whispered back, "I'm just glad you're having a good time."
Gabrielle smiled and she was once again pulled into the drama of the play. This half she couldn't help herself and sang quietly with each song. She didn't notice Dr. Lecter watching her more than he watched the play. He couldn't help it this time. The way she just let go of problems she couldn't control, like Dr. Tanner's unwanted gaze, amazed him. Most of the teenagers he had encountered became nervous or angry when they didn't have control of certain situations. Gabrielle just let it roll of like rain on plastic.
Dr. Lecter tried to focus on the play, but he was no longer interested in it. He had seen it before so it wasn't like he was missing anything. Instead he focused on finding Dr. Tanner. He wanted to be able to leave without worrying about running into him. It took him about fifteen minutes but Dr. Lecter eventually found him.
Fifth row from the stage in the center section. Dr. Lecter thought to himself, This is good. It will take him longer than us to get out and into the lobby.
During Don Quixote's death scene Dr. Lecter heard Gabrielle hold her breath and exhale slowly. When the play was over and the lights came up, he noticed a tear making its way down her cheek. As he watched her wipe it away, he found himself wishing he had been the one to do it.
"Are you ok Gabrielle?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Gabrielle replied with a smile, "The last two scenes always get me, but I'm ok."
"Alright."
Gabrielle accepted the arm he offered her, and they made their way to the lobby. Gabrielle felt eyes on her again and she did her best to ignore them. However they became harder to ignore when she heard the whispering. Her heart rate picked up speed when she heard someone call her a tramp and say that she didn't deserve to be on his arm.
"Doctor?" Gabrielle pleaded quietly.
"I hear them. We're leaving, don't worry."
They were almost to the door when Dr. Lecter caught the scent of Dr. Tanner. Dr. Lecter was very pleased to see their limo waiting for them when they got outside. He saw Dr. Tanner come out of the building as her opened the limo door for Gabrielle. Gabrielle had seen him too which didn't help her nerves any.
"Doctor, we've got company."
"Yes, I see that. Go on and get in, I'll deal with him."
Dr. Lecter turned around just as Dr. Tanner came up behind him. He noticed that Dr. Tanner's wife was waiting by the Opera House doors. He thought she almost looked frightened.
"Can I help you Henry?" Dr. Lecter asked in a light tone as he shut the limo door, keeping Gabrielle from view.
"Richard..." Dr. Tanner started as he tried to look around Dr. Lecter and into the limo.
When Dr. Lecter shifted to block his view further he asked, "Why are you trying to hide her?"
"Because I told you that if you tried to come near her again I would have you arrested. Do you really want to embarrass yourself and your wife in front of almost all of the most important people in France?"
"I have no intension of being arrested."
"Then I suggest you leave. My patience's is growing short with you Henry."
"What are you afraid that someone will steal her from you?" Dr. Tanner asked with a sly grin.
The two hadn't notice, but Gabrielle had gotten out of the limo and was right behind Dr. Lecter.
Dr. Tanner took a step back as Dr. Lecter took a step forward and continued, "Are you afraid she'll find someone more interesting and leave you?"
"I'm not his girlfriend if that's what you're implying." Gabrielle said as she stepped around Dr. Lecter, the venom evident in her voice.
Dr. Lecter was surprised. Not by what she had said, but by the fact that he hadn't heard her get out of the limo. He took a couple of steps back, creating more space between him and Dr. Tanner. The smell of the man's cheap cologne was starting to make his stomach turn.
"Oh really?"
Dr. Tanner took a step toward her, but Gabrielle didn't move a muscle. She would let this sorry excuse for a man think she was afraid of him. Out of the corner of her left eye she saw his wife take a few steps forward then stop.
"Then what are you?" Dr. Tanner asked as he ran his finger down her left arm.
Dr. Lecter took a step forward to intervene but Gabrielle took this opportunity to strike. She pushed his hand away with her left hand and back-handed him with her right hand. She smiled a wicked grin as he almost fell over. She was glad she was wearing her class ring, because it had made a nice cut across his cheek.
"Touch me again and you'll loose you're ability to have children." She hissed.
"You little bitch."
She grabbed him by the hair and forced him to look at her.
"You are a wretched and perverted man who should learn to hold his toung on matters he knows nothing about and keep his dick in his pants."
And with that she shoved him away from her. She then spun around and got back into the limo. Dr. Lecter gave him a warning look and got in as well. As the limo left the Opera House Dr. Tanner's wife ran up to him.
"I told you not to start anything Henry."
"Oh shut up!" Dr. Tanner yelled as he felt his cheek.
"That girl's got a nice back-hand, I'll give her that much." Dr. Sharp said as he and his wife came up to them then added darkly, "You should have known better Henry."
"I'm sorry."
"For what doctor?"
"For you having to here those things that were said about you. For subjecting you to the unwanted gaze of Dr. Tanner, when I new he would most likely start lusting after you the second he saw you."
"It's alright; I got my shot at him and was able to make him bleed. The other people don't matter; I enjoyed the play too much to let it really sink in."
"I'm still sorry, and I want to make it up to you."
"You're forgiven and you don't have to."
"Still, I want to. Besides, it's only...nine-fifteen."
Gabrielle rolled her eyes and gave in. It was obvious that as long as she remained in his limo she didn't have much of a choice.
"Alright...What did you have in mind?"
Dr. Williamson's worried look turned into a smile and Gabrielle wasn't sure what to expect.
"You said in one of your first sessions that you had learned how to ballroom dance. Do you remember that?"
"Yeah, I remember. Why?"
Dr. Williamson's smile got a little bigger.
"Hold on a second." He said and he got up and went to the partition separating them from the driver.
He lowered the partition and talked to the driver for a few minutes. When he was done he raised the partition and sat back down next to Gabrielle. He chuckled at her puzzled look.
"Dr. Williamson how many times do you plan on surprising me tonight?"
"Um,...I was thinking every chance I get"
Dr. Williamson chuckled as Gabrielle rolled her eyes and looked out the window. They sat in comfortable silence as they headed to a destination only know to Dr. Williamson. Gabrielle shivered slightly as a chill ran down her back, and Dr. Williamson turned the heat on without a word. After about twenty minutes they stopped in front of Versailles. It looked like there was a party of some sort.
"Doctor why are we..." Gabrielle started.
"It's the Winter Ball. They have one every year."
"Can we just walk in like this?" Gabrielle asked as they got out of the limo.
"Heh, don't be silly." He said as he pulled out and invitation, "You need to be invited."
"You had already planned this, didn't you?"
"Of course. As you've said, this is your first time out of the country. I think that deserves the grand tour of France, which happens to include its night life."
"You're a real piece of work, you know that?"
Dr. Williamson smiled and bowed dramatically as he shut the door, "Thank you."
Gabrielle laughed hysterically and took the arm he offered her. When the got to the door, the doctor gave the doorman his invitation and they were let in. The people nearest the door turned to look at them. A man in the crowd recognized the doctor and came right over.
"Richard, it's so nice to see you."
"Hello Drake, it's nice to see you as well."
The two shook hands and then Drake noticed Gabrielle.
"And who is this?"
"This is Gabrielle Helfire; she's a friend of mine." Dr. Williamson said as he turned toward Gabrielle, "This is Mr. Drake Alexander. He's one of the American Ambassadors here in France.
"Hello Mr. Alexander, it's a pleasure to meet you." Gabrielle said as she held out her hand for a hand shake.
"The pleasure is all mine, miss Helfire." Drake said taking her hand, but instead of shaking it he kissed the back of it lightly.
The Doctor and Gabrielle talked to Drake for another minute or two then they headed off deeper into the palace. Dr. Williamson introduced her to many other people. Gabrielle wasn't exactly sure how they had gotten there, but eventually they ended up in the ballroom.
"May I have this dance?" Dr. Williamson asked and he held out his hand.
Gabrielle flushed slightly as she put her hand in his and said, "It would be and honor, but what am I to do with my clutch?"
"Give it to me. I'll put it in my inside pocket."
Gabrielle handed him here almost wallet size purse. Dr. Williamson then led the way through the crowd to the dance floor. As they started to dance Gabrielle became nervous. She hadn't ballroom danced in years and there were so many people watching. Then she remembered a line from her favorite movie, the 10th Kingdom.
Do not think, become. she thought to herself.
Gabrielle relaxed and instead of thinking about the steps she let herself get lost in the music. Soon she completely relaxed and forgot about those who might be watching her.
"I'm glad to see you have relaxed." Dr. Williamson said startling her.
Gabrielle had been unsure where to look when they had first started dancing so she had focused on the doctor's tie. Her head snapped up when he had spoken and ended up eye to eye with him. Her body didn't have time to tense up again because his maroon eyes had made every fear and every nervous feeling disappear. For the first time tonight she didn't see anger or concern in his eyes. She saw happiness and something else, but she couldn't figure out what it was.
As they danced the orchestra shifted into another song and they changed their style of waltz to fit the song effortlessly. They did this song after song ignoring the whispers that were starting to go around. When the conductor called out "last dance" Dr. Williamson checked his watch without breaking their momentum.
"Would you believe me if I told you it was already twelve in the morning?"
"You're kidding right?" Gabrielle asked in surprise.
Gabrielle was amazed. She had lost all sense of time as they had been dancing, but she didn't think they had been dancing for two and a half hours. Nothing more was said as they glided around the room. At one point Gabrielle was sure Dr. Williamson was planning something new because she could see a hint a mischief in his eyes.
Uh oh, what now?!? Gabrielle thought to herself.
Gabrielle was right, he had been planning something. At the end of the song, and without warning, Dr. Williamson dipped her. The shock was obvious on her face. Dr. Lecter chuckled to himself as he brought her back up.
How did she not see that coming? Dr. Lecter thought to himself.
I should have known! Gabrielle thought.
Gabrielle heard people clapping as they walked off the dance floor and she saw a few of the women smiling at her. There were also some women glaring at her, jealousy was written all over their faces. Dr. Williamson gave her purse back to her and as he did her phone vibrated.
"Talk about perfect timing." Gabrielle said with a chuckle.
As Gabrielle took out her phone Dr. Lecter caught a sight of the harpy he had dropped last night. He was very pleased she had kept it. At least now he knew she was armed, and it also indicated that there was a chance she could handle his secret. He wasn't about to test this theory just yet though.
"Hello?..." Gabrielle said as she answered the phone, "Hello Mrs. Mathews...no I haven't gotten back yet...umm about a half an hour...alright see you then...buh bye."
Gabrielle hung up and put her phone back in her purse. She took the arm Dr. Williamson gave her as they left the building and made their way to the limo.
"Is she back yet?" Dr. Williamson asked.
"No, she's about five minutes away. She's gonna wait for me at the front door."
"I see."
There was a comfortable silence between the as the limo pulled away. Two minutes later Dr. Lecter felt something on his shoulder. He looked over to find that it was Gabrielle's head, she had fallen asleep. Dr. Lecter smiled, happy that she felt so comfortable around him. He wondered if she'd be asleep if she knew who he really was. He let her sleep and went inside his mind to his memory palace to add more to the room he had created for Gabrielle...
When they got to the hotel Dr. Lecter saw Gabrielle's teacher walk out. He got out of the limo without waking Gabrielle, then gathered her into his arms bridal style and walked toward her teacher. The woman rushed over almost looking frantic. Out of the corner of his eye Dr. Lecter saw Claire walk out of the hotel.
"What happened?" Mrs. Mathews asked.
"Nothing, she's fine. She just fell asleep that's all."
"Oh thank goodness."
"I didn't want to wake her, so if it's alright with you I'll carry her to her room."
"That's fine."
"I'll show you where it is." Claire said as she opened the door for him.
"Thanks, I do believe her key card is in her purse."
Claire took Gabrielle's purse and pulled out the key card. They walked silently to the elevator, then from the elevator to Gabrielle's room. Every so often, out of the corner of her eye, Claire would catch Dr. Lecter looking at Gabrielle. Claire opened the door to Gabrielle's room and followed Dr. Lecter inside. She watched as he layed Gabrielle on the bed and took off her shoes. He then took off her bracelets, necklace and earrings. After he had put those items on her night stand he lifted her head and took the rose clip out of her hair. Once he was satisfied she would be comfortable he pulled up the extra quilt and covered her with it.
"You still have her purse right?" Dr. Lecter asked Claire.
"Yup." Claire said as she held it up.
"Could you take out her cell phone and hand it to me? I want to plug it into the charger."
"Sure."
Claire handed him the cell phone and put the purse and key card on Gabrielle's dresser. Dr. Lecter shut off the phone and plugged it into its charger.
"Alright, that should do it." Dr. Lecter said as he headed for the door.
Claire followed, shutting the lights off as she went. When they got to the lobby the two said goodnight and Dr. Lecter headed back to the limo. Claire watched the limo leave then went to bed herself, she would have to ask Gabrielle about her night when she brought up the girl's breakfast...
I hope you all liked this chapter. It took me forever to get it right. Please review!
theshepardslamb