Author's Note: I am so sorry this took forever to update! I thank you for your patients and continuous good reviews!
I really hope you like this chapter!
Summary: The day starts out as normal as any other for our duo, but will a major turn for the worst send Gabrielle running or will it bring them a bit closer together?
Chapter Eighteen: Safety First
Wednesday May 9th '07, 9:30 a.m.
Dr. Lecter Stood out on the dining room balcony with his hands on the railing. He looked calm on the outside, but on the inside he was pacing in his memory palace. He was in the room he had created for Gabrielle. There were many pictures on the walls of her. Different expressions, different outfits, and shelves with items he was thinking of buying for her. There were two new pictures on the wall now. One was the image of Gabrielle and the look of complete worry on her face as she came into the barn. The other was of a man's silouhette. This represented her father, the man who frightened her more than anything, but this man wasn't the reason he was pacing.
He had drugged her, put her to sleep and moved her. Sure it was for her safety as well as his, but he didn't know how she would take it. He didn't want to do it, but he had to. After Gabrielle had gone up to her room he had taken a walk around the house and the yard. He found fresh tracks in the back yard. He recognized them as ATV tracks and knew that they were from the authorities. His home was no longer safe, he had to move them. He packed up the trunk of his car with Gabrielle's luggage and put his in the back seat. He then picked Gabrielle up off her bed and carried her to the car.
Once he had everything loaded up in the car he pulled out of the driveway and down the road. After about five miles he pulled over and opened the glove compartment. He pulled out a set of licence plates and a screwdriver. Dr. Lecter got out of the car and switched his plates, then got back in the car and resumed his course. Only after he had put everything in its place did he go to bed for the night.
Dr. Lecter became aware that he was being watched and left his memory palace. He turned around to see Gabrielle in a deep purple halter top, semi tight black dress pants, and her three inch heeled boots with her pant legs tucked into them. She wore a long sleeve, ankle length, button up sweater that hung open over her outfit. Her hair was pulled into a half ponytail and she wore light make-up with silver hoop earings and her silver pentagram on a matching chain.
Gabrielle didnt say a word as she walked toward him. She stopped next to him against the balcony and looked out into the countryside. There was no anger or fright in her expression. She was calm on the outside but he could see the confusion and curiosity in her eyes. She sighed and turned to him, looking Dr. Lecter stright in the eye.
"Why?" She asked in a tone that was bairley a whisper.
"The house wasn't safe." Dr. Lecter said as she turned to him, "There was evidence that the police had searched around the place."
"But why did you drug me?"
Dr. Lecter winced internaly at the sound of hurt in Gabrielle's voice. She wasn't upset that he had moved them. It was the fact that he had knocked her out that had upset her.
"It was easier that way."
"Easier? Easier...How in the world was it easier?"
"There were things I had to organize."
"I could have at least packed my own things!" She said as she slammed her hand on the railing, "That would have saved you time!"
"Gabrielle you were exhausted and there was no reason to scare you further by telling you that the police had found the house. And the sleep seems to have done you some good. You look much better than you did yesturday."
Gabrielle sighed and turned back to the country side because she knew she wasn't going to win this conversation. She shook her head and chuckled.
"What is it Gabrielle?"
"How far away from Paris are we now?"
"About two hours." Gabrielle saw that dark sparkle in his eyes as he asked, "Is that a problem?"
"No, I like being farther away from Paris."
"Oh?...Why would that be?"
"Well I can bet u anything that my father will being staying in Paris." Gabrielle said as she turned once again to Dr. Lecter, "And though I refuse to hide completely, I would rather not take my chances."
"We wont be able to go into the city for a while now that the detective has decided to go with his hunch." Dr. Lecter said as he put his hands on the rail.
"He's gonna be too busy trying to find us in the city anyway. In his mind he doesn't have time to search all the way out here."
Dr. Lecter chuckled and turned to look at Gabrielle, but she wasn't there, she was already stepping back into the house. He followed her through the house, down to the first floor and to the back door. Dr. Lecter caught her arm and turned her around gently.
"Where are you going?"
Gabrielle pulled her arm out of his grip with a look of amusement on her face as she said, "To the barn, I saw it when I explored after I got up. Your stable boy said you had two horses. He said one was your favorite and the other you usually let guests ride. My last ride was cut short."
She then turned on her heels and walked out the door. Dr. Lecter chuckled, Gabrielle's childish moments amused him. He left the back door open and went to the kitchen. He walked out onto the back patio with a tray that had a pitcher of water, two glasses, and a bucket of ice. By the time Dr. Lecter sat down, put ice in his glass, and filled it with water, Gabrielle was leading his velvet black mare out of the stable.
Nodileame (pronounced No-da-lee-may) pranced around Gabrielle as the doctor's stable boy brought out the horse's saddle. Gabrielle didn't wait for him to come out of the barn. She grabbed the Nodileame's bridal as she came near her and pulled down gently. Nodileame bent her knees a little and Gabrielle pulled herself onto the horse's back. Gabrielle tested Nodileame's reaction to her control's before she tapped her into a 's strength was amazing. Without the saddle Gabrielle could feel every muscle ripple when she moved. They raced around the open area for about ten minutes then in a spot far away from the house she slowed Nodileame down to a stop. She slid off the mare and unclipped the reigns from the bridal.
"Don't roam too far ok?" Gabrielle said softly as she pet the mare a little bit.
Nodeleame trodded off a little ways and Gabrielle sat in a patch of sun and began to meditate.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dr. Lecter chuckled as the stable boy came out with the saddle. When he noticed the horse and the girl were gone, the mans face went from confusion to worry in seconds. He looked up at the doctor and the doctor just laughed and waved him off. The man rushed back into the barn and Dr. Lecter went into the house to make something to eat.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gabrielle both felt and heard Nodileame mozying around the area they were in. She loved how much her senses were heightened when she meditated. She could hear and sense so much more when she was in this state of mind. Gabrielle lost all track of time as she listened and relaxed. She scrunched her face when she heeard footsteps coming towards her. Nodileame was right next to her and they were too light to be a large animal. Someone was walking towards her. She tensed slightly, not yet wanting to open her eyes. She felt the person walk behind her and knew at once it was Dr. Lecter. She could smell his calonge and she relaxed a bit.
"Gabrielle are you okay?" He asked curiosly.
"I'm perfectly fine Doctor. Why do you ask?"
Dr. Lecter chuckled, "Because you have been gone for two hours. You've scared my stable-hand into thinking he's going to get fired because things slipped out of his control so easily."
"Whoopsy," Gabrielle said with an appologetic and slightly amuzed face, "Is everyone you know so jumpy around you Doctor?"
Gabrielle stood up and took a step towards Dr. Lecter as she asked her question with her head tilted to the side. She saw something dark flash in his eyes ans she wondered if she may have crossed a line, but she was surprised to find she wasn't nervous like she used to be when she thought she had offended him. With that dark look in his eyes, Dr. Lecter took two steps forward and closed the gap between them. If Gabrielle swayed even a little she would touch him.
"Are you 'jumpy' around me Gabrielle?"
"No Doctor, I must say even when I first met you I trusted you."
Dr. Lecter put his hands on Gabrielle's waist and put his mouth to her ear and in a tone that turned Gabrielle into mush whispered, "That's my girl."
Then he lifted her and placed her on Nodileame. Gabrielle fought to keep herself under control when he had grabbed her hips, but she couldn't help but giggle a little bit when he lifted her. She was now sitting side saddle and watched with amuzement as Dr. Lecter used a tree stump to get up onto the horse. When he was situated he held Gabrielle tightly and kicked Nodileame into motion. Gabrielle curled into the Doctor without a second thought.
The stable-hand look relieved when they rode up to the barn and gave Gabrielle a look that said 'holy shit you scared the crap out of me!'. He came up to the horse as Dr. Lecter got off but backed away quickly when the doctor gave him a look. Gabrielle swore she heard him growl at the man.
"Are you hungry?" Dr. Lecter asked as he helped her down.
"Yes, very much so."
"Good, there is food waiting inside."
Gabrielle nodded then started walking toward the house. She stopped when she didn't feel him following and turned around to see that he hadn't moved.
"Aren't you coming Doctor?" She asked curiously.
"Yes, I will be there momentarily. Go on in."
Gabrielle noticed something had caught his attention. She wasn't about to ask what it was though. She wasn't quite ready to see that side of him yet. She went inside without hesitation and felt for her Harpy. She didn't think she would need it but it made her feel a little safer. She found fresh fruit, salad, orange juice, chocolate milk, grilled chese, and tomato soup ready on the table.
"Sheesh! What a feast! Is he throwing a party or something?" she thought out loud.
She shrugged and sat down, grabbing a little bit of everything. She was halfway through her lunch when she heard him come in. She turned around to see him wiping blood off his Harpy.
"What the hell?" Gabrielle asked as she got up and went to him with one of the extra cloth napkins he had set out. He looked at her with a wild look in his eyes as she got to him. He was covered head to toe in blood splatter and she wondered if it was animal or human. He looked at her in surprise when she wiped the blood off his face and neck.
"Are you not affraid of me?" He asked as he took the cloth from her hands and wiped the blood of his.
"Just tell me if it was or wasn't the stable-hand. Be honest and I'll be fine." she answered as she looked him straight in the eyes.
Dr. Lecter shook his head, "It was a cayote. I was informed that it had been stalking the horses for a couple of weeks now. It was one of the reasons my stable-hand was so worried. He was affraid it would go after you."
Gabrielle nodded, "Okay. I'm about half-way done eating, have you eaten already?"
"I was waiting for you. I will be down in a minute."
"Oky doky." Gabrielle said as she walked back to the table.
Dr. Lected watched her walk away and sit at the table seemingly unfazed by what he had done. He went upstairs and changed his shirt and pants then put the bloody clothes and napkin in the tub with some cold water and left his room. He got downstairs to see Gabrielle eating an apple mindlessly.
"What are you thinking about?" He asked as he sat down.
Gabrielle jump a little, being pulled out of her thought, "I was thinking about Grandma's'
"I see," Dr. Lecter nodded, "Something like this happen when you spent summers with her?"
"Sort of, I used to take the horses by a cliff that connected with the sea. I would let them roam while I layed in the sun. I would only stay for an hour or so though, because the horses weren't a fan of the grass there."
"I'm gonna take a wild guess that salt spray from the ocean covered the grass and upset their stomachs."
Gabrielle laughed, "I don't know if you have ever seen it, but a sick and throwing up horse is not a pretty sight."
They laughed and talked through the rest of the meal. Dr. Lecter took her to a small nearby town and taught her some more history. Then, inspite of her protests, payed for some more books he saw she was interested in from a small book shop. They got back just as the sun was starting to set.
"Wow, it cooled down fast." Gabrielle said as she got out of the car.
"Yes it has. Why don't you bring your books up to your room and put something warmer on. I'm going to get dinner going."
"Okay, sounds good." Gabrielle nodded, "What's for dinner?"
"Cayote." Dr. Lecter said with a playful look in his eye.
Gabrielle shook her head and laughed. Whether or not Dr. Lecter realized it, he had a childish and playful streak in him. She put her books away and looked for something warmer to wear. She decided on a long, fitted sweater. It was deep blue, the sleeves belled out at the wrists, and it came down to her mid thigh. She redid her hair and make-up then went back downstairs to the kitchen.
"Would you like any help?" Gabrielle asked as she walked into the kitchen.
"Dinner is practicaly done. It's just a matter of everything cooking now."
"Okay, may I ask how long?"
"About twenty minutes or so."
"Okay I'll jus.."
"I'm sorry Doctor." The stable-hand interupted suddenly.
"It's alright, what is it?"
"It's the mare Sir. She got spooked by the cayote earlier and she hasn't calmed down yet. I was wondering if I could use a light tranquillizer just to calm her."
"I'll go to her." Gabrielle said lightly, "let me try to calm her first. Tranquilizers make horses paranoid if it doesn't completely knock them out."
The stable-hand looked at Dr. Lecter, who nodded with approval. Gabrielle didn't wait for the approval, she just walked out to the barn. Nodileame could be heard from the back porch. Gabriele ran to see the mare practically sprinting around the barn.
"Shit." Gabrielle swore when Nodileame came running at her and she immediatley put her hands up and yelled, "Whoah!......Whoah girl!"
The mare showed no signs of stopping even when she was half way across the barn. Gabrielle pushed the stable-hand out of the way when he tried to go for the mare. She threw her arms again and prepared for the wost.
"For heavens sake Nodileame, STOP!" She yelled with a small amount of desperation.
The mare skidded to a hault just in time. Gabrielle let out a sigh as the stable-hand let out the breath he had been holding. Gabrielle's face was maybe three inches away from the mare's chest. Gabrielle patted and stroked the mare, trying to get breathing back to normal. She noticed the Doctor's stallion was in the stall right next to the mare's and there was only a four foot wall between them. This would not do at all.
"Prepare the stall next to the stallion. I want full bedding, food, water, and hay in there immediately." she barked at the stable-hand.
"You're moving the mare?"
"No we're moving the stallion."
"What for? They're fine..."
"They are not fine!' she interupted, "Nodileame is in heat. It's making the stallion rowdy. That coupled with the cayote earlier is stressing her out to no end. We move him so he can't tease or nip at her."
"But the Doctor..."
"The Doctor will understand. Do what I ask now. I'm going to walk Nodileame outside so she can relax. DON'T move the stallion when the stall is ready. Come get me, I'll move him. He is going to be hard to handle with the mare in heat like this. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes miss."
"Good, get to it then."
Gabrielle took Nodileame outstide and let her roam while the stable-hand did what she asked. She had a sneaking suspicion that the stable-hand had done something to the mare as well. She decided to check her over really quick while there were no eyes on her.
"I knew it." she whispered when she found a needle size hole/mark on the mare's shoulder, "Did that man stick you?"
In surprizing response Nodileame snorted and bobbed her head. Gabrielle put her head to the mare's side and listened. Her heart was pounding twice as fast as it should have been. Gabrielle put her hand between the horses front legs and found her heart with ease. Gabrielle nearly teared up when she felt the mares heart. It felt like it was about to jump out of her chest.
"You should be passed out or worse my sweet. You need to relax otherwise you will harm yourself even more."
Gabrielle stroked Nodileame to try to help her slow her heart ans calm down.
"The stall is ready." the stable-hand called.
Gabrielle walked the mare slowly back to the barn and tied her to the post outside the door.
"Relax I'll be right back." she said to the mare then turned to the stable-hand and said, "You, come with me.
"Shouldn't I stay wi...."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because she'll calm down easier by herself. One sec."
Gabrielle pulled out her phone, turned it on, sent a quick text message, and then shut it off again.
"Alright." She said, "Let's do this."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Dr. Lecter had just finished taking the last of the foos out of the pan when his phone went off. The fact that it was a text message didn't surprise him. The fact that it was from Gabrielle caught his attention.
The text read:
Mare has been poisoned. She'll live.
Stable-hand prob at fault, don't think
he's stable tho. Need ur help.
Dr. Lecter put the food in the oven to keep it warm then went outside. He inspected the mare and found the puncture wound. The mare's heart was pumping wildly, but was slowing down. Then he walked silently into the barn and listened.
"Why did you do it?" Gabrielle asked
"Do what?"
"You gave Nodileame a low dose tranq, then asked the Doctor to give her one. If you give her the proper dose now you will kill her."
"I'm not sure what you mean miss."
"Don't fuck with me!" Gabrielle snapped as she spun around to look at him while holding the stallion's bridel, "The only way the Doctor would have hired you would be if you had the right degrees and training. You know damn well what I'm talking about."
The stable-hand stayed quiet as Gabrielle finished moving the stallion. Once the door was securely shut Gabrielle turned back around.
"Are you going to answer me or not?"
"I have been taking care of these horses for years. Others have come and gone, but these are his favorites."
"So why try to kill one of them?"
"My sister is a professional rider and has gotten many medals with the mare and has never gotten any praise let alone a smile from the Doctor. Yet here you are, breaking everyone of his rules for riding the horses, but he smiles ans has no problem with you ridding off with her without a saddle."
"So why take your anger out on the horse?"
"I didn't....she was a lure."
Before Gabrielle could react the man jumped her. Her reflexes took over and she rolled out of the way. Then man hit the stable wall which gave her time to collect herself and find her fighting stance.
"You little bitch!" He said as he got up, "My sister has been trying to get his attention for years. You just ruined EVERYTHING!"
The man dove at her again and this time she counter attacked. She clothes-lined him and flipped him onto his back. She held him by the throat and looked at him curiously.
"I'm not trying for his attention you fool! As for us I can see he has no romantic interest in me. He's trying to help me sort out my life!"
"Any attention you have of his is too much!" he forced out.
The man kicked her in the back of the head and knocked her over. She rolled onto her back, clutching the back of her head, then quickly rolled back as the man tried to step on her. She got to her feet and grabbed his foot as he tried to kick her. She tossed him away as she tried to clear her head. He pulled something out of his pocket as he fell and Gabrielle just barely saw it shimmer in the light, but it was all she needed to orient herself. The man ran at her growling and lunged at her with the knife. Gabrielle leaned to the side and grabbed his wrist. She then proceeded to back hand him with her fist with her free hand several times then pushed him away.
"You don't want to fuck with me mister!" She yelled in furry, "It won't be pretty for you!"
The stable-hand only growled again and lunged for a second time. Gabrielle hissed as she went into a half crouch and cried out when she kicked at him as hard as she could. Her foot connected squarely with his ribs and sent him flying. The power the kick had surprised even her as he skidded to a stop near the first stall. She started to run at him to attack again when Dr. Lecter stepped out of the shadows and put his hand up to stop her. She stopped running but walked up to the man as the Doctor knelt down and looked at his stable-hand with a darkness that she had only seen hints of.
The energy that she felt sent shivers up her spine, but to her surprise they weren't shivers of fear. She stopped when she got to the stable-hands knees and just watched everything unfold.
"You made a very big mistake my friend." Dr. Lecter said in a very dark and husky tone.
"Oh really?" The stable-hand said sarcastically, "What would that fucking be?"
The man gasped as the Doctor pressed and the man's broken ribs and the Doctor could feel the bones start to pierce the lungs. Gabrielle caught a glimps of his Harpy in his unused hand. Dr. Lecter wasn't sure what he should do. This man would already be dead if Gabrielle weren't in the room or in the room but unconscience so she wouldn't see, but she was here and she could see. He looked to Gabrielle to guage her reaction to his actions. She looked back at him and he could see no fear or anger towards him. Just curiosity and what he could have sworn was amuzement.
"Gonna answer my fucking question jack-ass?" the stable-hand asked, "Or are you just gonna ignore me like you ignore my sister?"
Dr. Lecter turned back to the man and growled, "Your first mistake was thinking about hurting Gabrielle. You second was trying to hurt her. Your third and final mistake was thinking that I would not retaliate and kill you."
The man laughed but was stopped suddenly by Gabrielle's foot on his chest. The man cried out slightly as a lung was punctured.
"Your wrong Doctor." Gabrielle said through gritted teath, "His first mistake was hurting Nodileame."
The stable-hand spat blood at Gabrielle and forced out, "Your nothing and will never be anything but a stupid bitch." then he looked at Dr. Lecter and said, "You don't have the guts to do it."
"Die ass-hole." Gabrielle snapped and much to her hope Dr. Lecter slit his throat right after she spoke.
Dr. Lecter stood up and turned to Gabrielle. She was coved in blood that the stable-hand had spat her and artierial spray from when he cut the man's throat. She was shaking and hand quite an animalistic look on her face. Dr. Lecter put his hands on her shoulders to bring her back down to earth, but when he did so she lashed out blindly not actually seeing who was touching her, just trying to defend herself.
"Gabrielle....Gabrielle!........GABRIELLE!!!" Dr. Lecter yelled snapping her out of it.
Gabrielle gasped for air nearly hyperventalating. Dr. Lecter pulled her close and held her tightly to him. She fought his grasp for a while then her gasps turned into sobs and she collapsed.
"He tried to kill me! The fucking bastard tried to kill me!" She said over and over again as she cried.
"You held your ground beautifully Gabrielle. I am very proud of you." Dr. Lecter said as he lifted her head to look her in the eye, "And now he is dead. *Gabrielle nodded in triumph* I swear to you, Gabrielle, that I will never let anyone come so close to hurting you again."
Gabrielle look at him bewildered and she saw that look in his eye. The one that she had yet to figure out.
~*~ There's that look again~*~ Gabrielle thought to herself ~*~What is that look?!? If I ask him though I might never see it again, and something tells me this a very good thing to see in his eyes.~*~
Then without even thinking Gabrielle wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek and whipered (she had yet to find her voice), "Thank you Dr. Lecter. Thank you."
Shock registered and the Doctor's face, but he shook it off and picked her up bridal style and carried her into the house and up to her room and into her bathroom and checked her over. Luckily there was no blood in her hair. He got her a warm face cloth and had her wipe off her face as he went and got pajamas. Her face was clean when he came back with her pjs. She let him take off her pants and top and help her into her pjs. He left her bra on figuring that she would eventually take it off if she realy wanted to. He then picked her up and put her in her bed, having pulled down her covers when he got her pjs.
After he had covered her up he went back into her bathroom and grabbed her bloddy cloth and clothes. He brought them to his room where he put them with his and put fresh water in the tub. After he had put on yet another set of clothes he then went down stairs and made up a tray of food for Gabrielle and brought it back up to her room. He didn't even have to call to get her attention. The smell of food had already reached her and she was sitting at the edge of her bed. He handed her the tray which, much to his happiness, she started eating right away. He went to her vanity and grabbed her brush then seated himself on her bed behind her.
He had never held a reationship with a woman long enough to understand it, but he had heard that it can be relaxing for a girl/woman to have their hair brushed by someone else, so thats what he did. As she ate he brushed her hair gently. It must have woked because after she was done eating her put her brush back in its place, and went to the door. When he looked back to her she was already soundly asleep. He smiled a little and went downstairs. He ate a little as well, cleaned up, then went back upstairs and crawled into bed and passed out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I hope you liked it! plz reveiw and as always NO flames!
~theshepardslamb~