A/N: I only own the idea

"Mischa!"

High and shrill the sound of Hannibal's cry woke Clarice in the early morning hours. When he had told her to get some sleep she had hoped he would have done the same. Another sharp cry confirmed he was doing quite the opposite. In that moment she felt she knew him deeply. No stranger to bad dreams herself, she sympathized with him in a way she guessed not many could. The last time she had went to him while he was caught in one of these nightmares had been jarring, to say the least. Unable to listen to his anguish any more she put her feet to the ground. This time she would wake him from a distance.

As she approached his closed door the sounds of tossing and turning grew more audible. In her chest, her heart picked up its pace. Was it mirroring the anxiety the unsettling thoughts were causing him? As she called out his name from behind the door she realized she felt tears forming in her eyes. Longing to end his suffering she knocked on the door in frustration, tears now spilling down her cheeks. Loving someone who hurt so badly was excruciating when you could not ease their pain. Wiping her eyes she let out the breath she had been holding noticing the movement from him had stopped. Perhaps if he let her close enough they could both sleep soundly for a few hours before they left.

Realization hit her then and she drew in a shuddering breath. Had she caused these dreams? Had all her pushing and pulling to know him more dragged it all back? Guilt flooded her as new tears fell. Occupied with her thoughts she had not heard him get out of bed. When the door opened she didn't have time to put herself together. Mentally she scolded herself for not listening better.

"Clarice, what happened? Did I wake you?" Words came slow to him then as he looked at the crying woman in front of him. Tousled from sleep her hair was an untamed creature surrounding her face. Cheeks wet with tears below eyes filled with anguish. Here she was a haunting vision, much like the one that had invaded his dreams.

"You, you were having another nightmare," her words were thick with tears. "I tried to wake you, and I, this is my fault. I'm so sorry!" Remorse made her anguish palpable. Hannibal longed to pluck it from her much like popping a bubble. His mind flashed to Mischa as soap slipped through her chubby fingers, laughing. Holding on to the sound for courage, he shook his head.

"Your fault? Tell me my dear, what is it you think you have done? While seeing you in distress like this pains me, i highly doubt that is the cause of your apology." Unable to watch her struggle so he pulled her against him, she could answer later. In this one situation what she had to say was irrelevant as she was wrong. Lack of knowledge about his past made her vulnerable to self doubt.

Stroking her hair he continued, not allowing room for her reply. "Asking me questions is not the cause for my dreams Clarice. As eager as you are to control some things, those you can not. That mind of yours is both a blessing and a curse I see. How best can i silence it for you to prevent any more incorrect notions? Your tears are like acid, they leave me burning."

In his arms she regained her composure. He was right, as he often was. It was silly for her to blame herself, but in his pain she lost her common sense. What had she been thinking before she allowed the blame game to distract her? As she remembered her original idea her cheeks grew hot. Wiping her eyes again she stepped back, wishing she could see his face without having to leave the comfort of his arms. Every time she attempted to comfort him he ended up doing it for her. In that moment she made a silent vow to change that.

The air seemed to change around her, Hannibal noted. When she wiped the tears from her skin it looked as if she removed her hesitancy as well. Would he never completely know her? With her he would constantly be left guessing. Thrilling, a life beside her would be nothing less.

"We don't have to go," her words removed him from his thoughts. "I know I've pushed and I don't think I can see you like..."

"Come now Clarice, don't shy away from me now when your so close to getting what you want. You have started this and will follow it through with me."

Well at least he wasn't comforting her, she thought. "You can tell me, it will be enough." In that moment she realized she was afraid to see him exposed.

"Perhaps for you it would be, for me it will not. you will not accept any less than all of me. In order to give you what you want I need to show you."

Frustration made her jaw clench. "I can't watch you suffer and be kept at a arms distance. I know i can't fix it but it is agony to watch." Again her voice wavered with emotion. Annoyed with herself she choked it down. "I want to help, not look in from the side!"

When he started to pace she knew she had frustrated him. Just once she would like to get her point across properly without making things worse.

"What side? I am taking you where I grew up, you know about my unconventional lifestyle, what more can I give?"

Throwing her hands up she responded louder then she had meant to. "You! It's like you're telling a story. No detail will be missed but it's all still the same. It's all distractions to keep me at a distance. I will not go with you if you will not allow me to get closer!"

Why were his eyes going dark? Had she said something unintentionally enticing? Frantically she replayed her words in her mind.

"Are you really so unaware as to how you effect me still?" While her words had came out loud and angry, his came out barely a whisper. "If I bring you closer I think I will get lost in you. Have you even thought how you look to me now, all warm from your bed and delightfully flushed with that temper of yours. I have limits Clarice, you're so eager to see my past but forget that I stand before you here a man."

The constant motion made her uneasy. Stepping in front of him she blocked his path. With dark eyes he went to move around her. Reaching out she caught his arm. "Hannibal, stop." He stilled. Why wouldn't he just listen?

Suddenly he was moving again, breaking her hold. Why was he moving closer? Hands on her arms now, a shaky inhale of breath. Had it came from him or her? A wall met her back, she hadn't noticed they had been moving. Still he moved closer. Was he angry?

"Close enough my dear?" His words came out a hiss. From against the wall her body screamed for more. Unable to find her words she shook her head. Why did he appear to be surprised? Did he think he could frighten her?

Again he had frozen, appearing to balance on the edge of a precipice . As she leaned up to capture his lips, he had not the strength or will power to hold on any more. When her tongue, gentle and warm, pressed in to his mouth, Hannibal let himself fall.

Breathing was not nearly as enjoyable as his mouth, she thought as she broke the kiss. Hannibal's eyes bore in to her as she attempted to regain her composure.

"You will be my undoing," his voice shook slightly. "I can't say no to you. If closer is what you need, do as you will. Your persistence is greater then the amount of resistance I have."

Why did he look defeated? Was it such a loss for him to let her near? Remembering the conversation from the day before she thought she understood. Paying close attention to him she walked over to his bed. How many nights had she laid awake in her own wishing she were here?

Did he look at her with fear in his eyes as she settled under the covers. Laying still she waited for him to move. He did not. Blowing out a frustrated breath she sat up. "Hannibal, come back to bed."

When she saw him tremble she knew her hunch had been right. It appeared she wanted way more in his eyes then she really did. When his eyes found hers, they were hesitant.

"Clarice..." he had said her name like a plea. In his mind bubbles floated and popped.

"Come to bed Hannibal. I don't want to wake up in another room any more. I don't want to come to you down the hall when you have a nightmare. Let me try to help. I know I'm being childish, I'm probably being selfish too. But for so long I've wanted to know how this would feel. Please, come to bed. I promise I won't ask for more. If you want to keep me held at a distance all day long I'll let you. Just please let us find each other in this bed every night." Her words hung in the air and she blushed. "In this bed to sleep, I just mean sleep."

With tentative steps he approached her. Watching her stammer over her words allowed him time to calm his mind. Trust did not come easily to him. If he were going to satisfy Clarice however, he would have to try. Lowering himself to the bed he lay down beside her. When she moved closer he fought the urge to roll her on to her back.

"Why does it bother you?" Her words were a murmur against his pillow. "This is the part you know isn't it? With all the other..."

When his arm pulled her against him she let her words trail off. Pressing his face to her hair he inhaled deeply before responding, letting her scent calm him.

"They never stayed," his words were a whisper. Against her arm his fingers painted gentle lines. "This is new for us both. I will remember when we are in Lithuania to make sure our accommodations ensure that you do."

Nuzzling her cheek against his shoulder she smiled. "Thank you," her words were fuzzy as sleep started to take her.

As his fingers moved to her hair, Hannibal thought that he should be the one thanking her.