I am SO sorry this took so long to get up! I have a little more time on my hands so I should be able to get the last few chapters up quicker than I have been.

Thank you for all the wonderful comments and corrections you have all sent me 3 I hope you all enjoy this chapter

CHAPTER 21: What Is That I See In Your Eyes?

Date: May 29th Time 6:30pm

Gabrielle stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself in a towel. They had just gotten back from their picnic site, after a great game of their "hide and defend". There was no therapy today because they had sessions everyday for the past week. Tonight they were going to Rose Red. They had gone a few nights ago, but two "vamps" started fighting over some "fang banger" chick and Victor was forced to intervene. The girl had managed to slip out of the ruckus and headed straight for Gabrielle. Not expecting Gabrielle to be able to defend herself, the girl swung at her, screaming words of hate and jealousy. Without a second thought Gabrielle had the girl pinned and faced down on the floor before Victor could even think to act. She gained the respect of many people that night. It had also taken a good deal of Dr. Lecter's control to not leap to her aid; though she would never be told of that.

Gabrielle dressed in a light, black, lace, layered shirt that went down to her knees. Then over that she donned a midnight purple corset, and her thigh-high, four inch heels. She curled her hair and left it loose. After her make-up and jewelry had been put on, she donned the collar Victor had given her. She chuckled as she thought about the look she was going to receive from the good doctor. He always made a small face when he saw the collar, then took his time to take in the rest of her outfit... Gabrielle grabbed her leather coat and left her room. The last button of said coat was buttoned by the time she reached the bottom of the stairs, and she found Dr. Lecter seated on the couch reading the paper.

Dr. Lecter followed Gabrielle up the stairs when they got home, and went into his respective room. Showering quickly, he then dressed himself in a black suit with a deep purple shirt and matching fedora. The whole while he was contemplating Rose Red and its owner, Victor. He didn't like Gabrielle in the man's attentions, for she was far to young for a self-believed vampire of his age. The ladies who were jealous of Gabrielle posed a threat as well. While it was true Hannibal would not go back to prison for Gabrielle, he would still do everything in his power to keep her safe... Even if this meant killing in public. He wholeheartedly wished that it would not come to that. As long as nothing went wrong again, this night just might be enjoyable.

He grabbed the book he had been reading and went downstairs to wait. However when he reached the couch, the paper on the coffee table caught his eye.

The front page read:
American High Schooler Rebecca Perry Caught in Gentleman's Club.

Dr. Lecter chuckled as he started reading. He flipped to the rest of the article and tried to decide when he should tell Gabrielle. The girl in the paper did just happen to be her former best friend.

"Something interesting doctor?" Gabrielle asked as she tilted her head, "You almost never read the paper..."

~'Now is as good of a time as any I guess.'~ Dr. Lecter thought.

He closed the paper and held up the front page for her to read, and chuckled, "It's a good thing I 'Stole you away' isn't it?"

Gabrielle cracked up laughing, "I was wondering when she was going to go through with it. She kept saying she wanted to be a dancer... How'd she get caught?"

"Bad timing on her part. The French police decided to do a drug and human trafficking raid that night."

Gabrielle scoffed, "She's probably going to say she was forced to do it or something so she doesn't get in trouble."

Dr. Lecter tossed the paper onto the table and took in Gabrielle's appearance as he stood. As usual he couldn't fully tell what she was wearing, as she had starting putting her coat on before she came downstairs. However she WAS wearing Victor's collar, much to his dismay, and then a thought occurred to him.

"Gabrielle?" He asked.

"Yes, Doctor?"

"Why do you wear that?" He nodded to the choker as he tried to keep a nutral face.

"It keeps me safe." She answered plainly, "You saw what happened last time."

"Yes, you were attacked." Dr. Lecter said flatly.

"That was for the attention I was given. I'm talking about after. Victor's guards took her from the building without a second thought, and I was guarded the rest of the night." She sighed with the last few words.

"There's something else you're not saying Gabrielle." Her reaction to the way he purred her name was not lost on him as he continued, "Spit it out."

"I'm not sure what would happen to me if I didn't wear it."

"There we go." He whispered metalicly.

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow, "What would you have me do Doctor?"

"Not go back." He answered and stepped closer.

The room was filled with that all too familiar atmosphere. It was tense, nervous, challenging, with a little arrogance and that emotion that they both refused to acknowledge. It made the air thick and warm. Gabrielle was grateful for the cool leather against her skin. Dr. Lecter saw sparks fly in her eyes and a predatory shift in her personality as she took a step towards him. It changed her stance, the air about her, and there was a tone difference in her voice.

"That would be rude Doctor, and would go against your teachings."

"It would keep you safe Gabrielle, and I won't have anything less."

She closed the gap, "I'm safe as long as you're with me Doctor. Besides, I refuse to leave without saying goodbye to the friends I've made there."

They were mere inches apart now, and with her four inch heels, Gabrielle was just about eye level with the Doctor. She was becoming quickly overwhelmed by the look in his eyes. He wasn't wearing his contacts tonight, like he usually did when they left the house, but as their destination was Rose Red and everyone wore strange contacts, his natural maroon color wouldn't stand out. However it was harder for Gabrielle to combat the Doctor when he wasn't wearing them. When he wore the blue contacts it was like he became a completely different person... He WAS Dr. Williamson, just a normal doctor then. However without said contacts... Gabrielle would never admit to herself that she was in love with Dr. Lecter, but she would freely admit how much she loved his eyes. She couldn't allow them to sway her this time though. She had made a promise.

"What makes you think you are safe with a monster like me? Dr. Lecter asked, tilting his head; with only two steps he was directly behind her, "Do make an effort to answer me Gabrielle.

Just when she had an answer, an arm snugly wrapped itself around her waist and stole it away. A shiver escaped her control, and she hoped with everything in her that the Doctor took it a sign of fear. It wasn't fair. She wasn't supposed to feel this comfortable, this safe, this ... happy in his arms. She was barely seventeen, and he had to be in his mid-sixties (though he didn't look it). Not only was it inappropriate for her, but he was also a fugitive. Even if something did happen between them, it just couldn't be. He had to keep moving; he had to stay safe, to stay free.

"Not two minutes ago, you stated that you wanted me to stay away from the club to keep me safe." Gabrielle finally answered, twisting in his arms, creating space but not breaking the embrace, "You have stated on more than one occasion that you plan to bring me back to my teachers safe and in one piece."

"That explains nothing. I could be using you as a shield. Try harder this time." Dr. Lecter growled trying to frighten her.

"You could have killed me the night I made it known that I knew your true identity. You could have killed me, cleaned up, and moved on before the cops even noticed. Plus with me being American the investigation would get messy. The French police and the FBI would fight over jurisdiction. My mother and father would fight over who's fault it was, then fight the cops for my body. My mother would want to take me home as soon as possible, and the two governments would try to claim me as evidence. Between all three dramas, there would be enough time for you to get away." Gabrielle answered as she took a small step back, "There's one other thing..."

"And that would be?"

"If you don't car about my safety, you wouldn't have gotten so angry the first time I went to Rose Red."

Gabrielle turned on her heel and walked towards the door. She stopped looking for his reactions a while ago. He was as composed as stone.

"You have no idea of the monsters that are in that club." Dr. Lecter stated matter'o factly.

She was but three feet from the door when she let her response slip without a second thought, and regretted it the moment it left her tongue, "I've been taught the art of combat by, and live with a cannibal who's profession is running from the police. I think I can handle myself."

Gabrielle didn't even have time to brace for impact. Dr. Lecter spun her around and pinned her to the door by her throat. There it was. The monster shining brightly in Dr. Lecter's eyes. The first time she saw this part of him, Gabrielle was more than frightened. This time however, she found herself gasping. Not because breathing had just become rather difficult, but because of the transformation she had just witnessed. His pupils were dialated and his heartbeat seemed elevated, she could feel it in the hand that was against her throat.

He didn't think it would actually happen, but it did. He snapped, he lost control, and it something he wasn't used to. Why was she looking at him like that? That wasn't a look of fear, for he smelt only minute traces of it on her. Was it a look of pity? No, he had seen that before. He'd been in similar situations before, but this was different. He felt no need to kill Gabrielle, only to dominate her, to make her understand. He held her there without a word, and watched as her hand reached out to him.

The wheels were turning in his head, Gabrielle could see them. She reached out to touch his cheek and as expected, it caught his attention. Like she did in the forest; using her body weight, she wrapped her legs around his waist and pushed them to the ground. His attention snapped back and he moved to roll them. Gabrielle knocked the Doctor's hand from her throat and in grabbing his, pushed hard on the pressure points at the corners of his jaw. Dr. Lecter grabbed her by the back of the neck, pulling her close and headbutting her. He then rolled them and straddled her. Gabrielle saw him go for his Harpy and pushed him backwards, locked his neck in the crook of her knee and stretched him backwards. She rolled them again, stood up, and kicked the blade from Dr. Lecter's hand. Something was off to her. He should be dominating this fight, but it felt like he wasn't even trying.

"What's the matter Doctor? Lost your nerve?" She chided as she walked away.

Dr. Lecter grabbed his harpy and went after her. After bending her over the back of the couch, he pinned her there. Grabbing a fistfull of her hair and pulled Gabrielle upright, placing his Harpy at her throat. She regretted not taking it from him.

"I'm offended that you underestimate me Gabrielle." His voice was metallic and cold, "You should know better by now how deadly I can be."

"And yet you fight like a lamb right now." She responded softly, "I see the monster in your eyes, but not in your fighting."

Gabrielle twisted the Doctor's wrist, took the Harpy and turned around. The Doctor still had hold of her hair and used it to bend her backwards. She closed the blade and threw it far from both of them.

"Why are you so angry with me Doctor?" I didn't insult you, I just called you by what you are." she asked, as softly as before.

As she finished speaking, her phone went off. She pulled it out and read the text. They were still locked in their strange embrace, but she paid no mind to it.

Her eyes went wide, "dear sweet baby Jesus..."

"Read it." Dr. Lecter growled.

"Gabbs. As much as I want to see you, you have to stay away from the club. There are strange men here looking for you. They look quite dangerous." She added, "It's from Tanya."

After her phone was off and put away, Dr. Lecter pulled her back more, "Now will you listen?"

Gabrielle let her head fall back to ease the strain on her spine. She let go of Lecter's wrist to balance herself on the couch. Feeling his eyes on her, she wondered what the Doctor was thinking.

"These men are Feds aren't they Doc?" she spoke, making no effort to look at him.

"Yes." He responded as he ripped the choker from her neck.

"Hey!"

He found what he was looking for and pulled her upright. Keeping her pinned he took the choker in both hands.

"Look Gabrielle, the charm is a locket." He stated as he opened it.

Gabrielle's eyes nearly popped out of her head as she saw the tracking chip inside it. She quickly knocked it out of his hands and crushed it to bits with the heel of her boot. After she was certain it was thoroughly destroyed, she looked back at the Doctor. The monster was still there but it was receding.

She slapped him across the face, "THAT is for going easy on me."

Lecter pulled her backwards once again, raising an eyebrow as she growled at him, "I'm a predator Gabrielle, I'm always going easy on you.

He released her and went to collect his Harpy. Meanwhile Gabrielle picked up the remains of the choker, threw it into the fireplace and lit it. She wasn't taking any chances that the tracker was still operational. Once satisfied, she stood and took the glass of water Lecter offered her.

"So, is there anywhere we can go tonight? If I sit here with all this energy I might just go mad, and dancing alone in my room isn't that much fun." She asked with a small laugh.

"There is a festival going on in the next town over." Lecter answered and watched her face light up, "Though, your attire might be a little to intense for the event. You might want to think of changing before we leave."

Gabrielle handed him her glass, "Gime like ten minutes!"

As Gabrielle left his presence, Lecter took this time to think. He couldn't seem to get the image of her bare neck out of his mind. With her hair firmly in his hand, he had her bent backwards just enough to throw he off balance. With her head tilted backwards (and especially when she let her head fall back completely) her neck was extended in such a way that he just could stop staring. The image of her soft flesh is now burnt into his memory. He had originally ripped off the choker so he could see her neck unblemished by an object of ownership; for he couldn't bare the sight of his girl in a cage no matter what the form. Wait...His girl? When did he star... Well it was true, she was his. He was the one to tear her down and then rebuild and heal her again. He taught her new things everyday: history, cooking, and some killer (pun intended) self-defense. He also found her to be rather entertaining to toy with. Give her a topic that confuses her on a moral or emotional level and watch her go.

The one thing that enthralled him the most, was that she wasn't afraid to push his buttons either. Clarice was polite to him, making sure she didn't cross any boundaries. The same could also be said for Barney. Gabrielle was different. She was respectful, yes, but not just because of who he was. No, she was naturally respectful of everyone she came across. However there were times when she would deliberately push buttons, trying to find the limits of his patience. The interest in the monster he could be was another curious thing about her. Like earlier when she slapped him. It was if she saw that he was calming down, but her curiosity had yet to be satisfied.

A flutter of motion caught his eye and he looked up to find Gabrielle with an amused look on her face. She was wearing a long, flowing, tan skirt, as well as a lavender purple top with long, flowing, bell sleeves.

"Something amusing Gabrielle?" Lecter asked, breathing in the scent of the body oil he had given her.

"You haven't budged and inch." She answered, shaking her head, "Look, you're still holding our glasses."

"Can't a man sit still while he thinks?"

"Never said you couldn't. What's got your attention held so steadfast Doctor Lecter?" She asked as she took the glasses and brought them to the kitchen.

"You, my dear." He whispered too quite for her to hear, noticing the slit on her skirt that revealed her brown, sued, thigh high heels.

"My outfit change now makes yours look a bit too intense Doctor." She stated as she looked him over on her way back.

"My attire is..." He started to respond, but he was silenced by a finger on his lips.

Gabrielle took off his suit coat and draped it over the couch. Then snatched his had and tossed it lightly onto the coat rack. After making quick work of his tie, she draped it with his jacket. She undid the top two buttons of his shirt, then unbuttoning the ones on each cuff, rolled his sleeves up, stopping just below the elbows.

"I'm going to need my contacts Gabrielle." Lecter stated.

"But it'll be dark soon." She responded, trying her best to hide the sadness in her voice.

"Yes, but people like to take pictures at festivals, don't they?" He said as he walked passed her, catching her pout out of the corner of his eye.

He was back in a minute or two, finding her leaning against the door. There was a look in her eyes that he couldn't quite place. She almost looked like she wanted to eat him, though in what way he couldn't be sure.

When they got to the festival, Dr. Lecter watched as Gabrielle was enthralled by everything around her. The lights, sounds, food, and especially the dancing. Everyone in unison, in near perfect harmony. He took her by the hand, and lead her to the dance floor. It was like they had been living there for years, they fit in so well. Gabrielle giggled when the Doctor surprised her with a lift, and he found himself savouring the sound and saving it to his memory palace immediately. He watched as all her fears and worries melted away. They danced, they ate, and he chuckled as she pouted when he refused to let he have any wine. He got caught up talking to an older couple, when he heard the familiar sound of Gabrielle's laughter. The Doctor looked up to find her dancing with a handful of small children. The couple he's talking to make a comment about how lucky he is to have a girl like her in his life. Their whole time here has been surreal for him, and as the song ends Gabrielle comes back to the Doctor and drinks some of her sweet tea. She rests her head on his shoulder, and before he realizes, she asleep. Dr. Lecter bids the couple goodnight and carries he sleeping companion to the car, and brings her home. After laying her in her bed, he ventures to remove her shoes (a rather interesting en-devour because her thigh high heels have no laces or zippers), and covers her to keep her from getting cold. The Doctor leaves and heads to his own room, crawling into bed, and for the first time in a great while...he dreams...

Again, thank you so much for your patience! I've already got part of the next chapter written. Please leave a review and let me know what you think of this chapter 3