Welcome back! You've been here before so you know the drill but let's get it out of the way shall we:

I own only the machinations of my own twisted imagination. The characters belong to Thomas Harris. I merely take them out to play on occasion!

THE DRIVER'S SEAT

Nightfall came quickly to Virginia this time of year. Autumn leaves blow across the darkened paths swirling on the early November winds. The campus, usually busy with activity, is quiet. It is mid-term and diligent students are holed up in their dorms or congregated in large groups at the library. One young lady is braving the dark, cold night through no fault of her own. The library study rooms were all filled to capacity. She was forced to return to her residence, alone.

The university provided students with security escorts but there would be a fifty minute wait. Too much precious study time to lose. The petite girl decided to chance it on her own. She should not have.

"Hi Steph, sorry I missed you but they wouldn't let anyone else in the library, fire hazard. Okay, I'm going back to my apartment…so just give me a call when you get this message. Catch you later."

The girl pocketed her cell phone, unaware she was being watched from the tree line.

She took the shortcut down a path the students called The Rape Trail, because of its ominous Blair Witch appearance and dubious usage in the past. She was only ten minutes from her apartment.

It was only one minute to his van.

CUTTING IT CLOSE

Clarice raced the BMW down the road leading to their compound. She missed her Mustang and as much as she loved to, and though Hannibal clearly didn't mind, it wasn't often Clarice asked if she could drive.

"Clarice, be mindful there is a wide variety of wild and domestic animal life in the area. I wouldn't want you to wrap us around a tree trying to avoid one of your lambs."

"Shut up, H. I'm having fun!"

Clarice punched the remote that activated their security gate, but made no move to reduce the speed of the car. The heavy metal gate swung open slowly, leaving barely room enough for the car to clear the entrance. As soon as the car passed through the opening, she hit the button again and the gate closed as if it were pushing the car down the driveway.

Hannibal's eyes never shifted, his calm demeanor remained static. "Cutting it a little close are we, My Love?"

"H…" she teased a warning.

"I know…shut up."

"Exactly."

Judging a spot on the driveway where she planned to position the car, and wanting, just a little, to jolt her husband, Clarice slammed on the brakes and pulled quickly at the wheel. The car entered a controlled spin, skidded across the gravel driveway and drifted perfectly into Hannibal's parking spot.

"That was quite an impressive bit of driving Ex-Special Agent Starling. If we are ever forced to run…you may take the wheel."

Clarice turned off the car, twisted the keys from the ignition and tossed them to Hannibal. He snatched them from the air with the quick snap of his wrist.

As she moved to open her door Hannibal raised a hand to stop her.

"While I am happy to have you race about whenever the mood strikes you Clarice, I'll not have you exit the vehicle like a NASCAR driver."

Hannibal quickly moved from his side of the car, opened his lady's door and led her from the vehicle.

"You are forever a gentleman H."

"Yes Clarice, for you...Forever."

Clarice walked ahead of Hannibal and turned the lights in each of the rooms they entered.

She then marched to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and stared blankly into the appliance, more out of boredom than hunger. As she searched its contents, a thought was triggered.

"It'll be Thanksgiving soon, H. Can we get everything we need for a proper turkey dinner?"

"Actually, I hadn't given that a thought. It would depend on what you would have me prepare."

"Of course we'll need the turkey, stuffing, cornbread, we can't forget cranberry sauce, and gravy…biscuits…mashed potatoes, maybe some squash, yams, chestnuts…pumpkin pie, apple pie…you know…the works! Do you need to make a list?" She peeked inside and pushed the items around.

"No, if you tell me what you want me to purchase… I will remember."

"Yeah, I forget about that photographic memory of yours…comes in handy." The door remained open.

"Not photographic…eidetic, which is slightly different but sufficient to remember your grocery list."

"Okay, I stand corrected. Don't forget to add what you want. What do you have on Thanksgiving?"

Hannibal walked over, closed the refrigerator and beginning at his wife's shoulders continued to run his hands up and down, tracing his fingertips along her arms. "Thanksgiving is a family holiday, Clarice. This will be the first time I have had cause to celebrate."

"Oh, God that was really stupid of me…I'm so sorry, H."

Hannibal lowered his head, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered to her gently. "Please…no apologies, Clarice. You are the only reason I have ever had to give thanks."

Clarice's heart ached. "The things I say…I shouldn't assume…"

With a finger, Hannibal lifted her chin and touched a light kiss briefly to her lips.

"Please know that nothing you have ever said or will ever say is hurtful to me."

"Why?"

"Because Clarice, when I am with you…I know that I am loved."

Clarice draped her arms behind her husband's head and placed kisses against the warm skin on his neck.

"I do love you, H. More than you will ever know."

Hannibal lifted Clarice with a smile and carried her to their bedroom.

"It is time for me to fulfill my promise to you."

"Now… Hannibal?"

"Yes, my Love… now until dawn."

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Until the next chapter my friends!

L.H.