TRUST

Hannibal rolled over, and realized with the growling of his stomach, that in all the turmoil of the previous day, he had not eaten. He roused Clarice, sleeping soundly with her head resting on his chest.

"Clarice? Did you eat at all yesterday?"

She sat up and thought for a moment. "You know…I'm not really sure. I am starving though."

"What would you like me to prepare?"

Clarice rolled over onto her stomach and closed her eyes. "I'm exhausted…I'll eat anything."

Hannibal began to massage her back. "Anything Clarice?"

"Don't be a wise ass, H. I said anything…not anyone, got it?"

Hannibal patted her backside affectionately and laughed. "Nothing so exotic my Love no need for you to worry. There is nothing of the sort in our pantry, although if we were in the States, I might be tempted to pay an acquaintance a visit."

"Are you talking about the Ripper? Do you know who he is?"

"One has an idea, Clarice." Hannibal sat up and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. He was relaxed and stretched his body, emitting a long, satisfying yawn.

"H?"

"Yes?" He questioned, scrubbing his fingers vigorously through his hair.

"Do you know his name?"

"Yes Clarice, of course. I knew his father's name as well."

Clarice sat up in bed, now wide awake and forgetting her hunger. She flipped the bed covers and moved behind him. On her knees, she draped her body over his back and folded her arms gently around his neck. Kissing his cheek, she wrapped her forearms loosely across his collar bone. The silk of her negligee brushed across his back. He concentrated on the feel of her breasts on his bare back through the fabric.

"You spent one hour with that case file and you not only broke that anagram code but you were able to infer from what was in that file exactly who this person is?"

"Is this your idea of pillow talk, Clarice?" He closed her arms tighter around his body and turned his head reaching back for a quick kiss. "I told you he was not very clever, and actually if I'm being honest, I had been at the piano for more than twenty minutes when you arrived home from your run."

Wanting to face him she seductively slipped her body around his so that she was in his arms, across his lap. He was distracted by the contact and began to move his hands under the silky fabric, reaching for her breasts and giving little thought to the questions she posed.

Clarice stopped him, much to his dismay. "Hannibal, exactly how much time did you spend reviewing the file?"

"Another kiss Clarice or I must refuse to answer."

She reached for and pulled him to her, placing an extended kiss on his mouth. She traced the tip of her tongue across his lips just before she released him. Hannibal smiled, took a deep breath, and answered without opening his eyes. "Thirty-five, possibly forty minutes, but that is an approximation."

"Jesus, H how in the hell do you do that? It's like your brain is a goddamned supercomputer or something. It's a little intimidating at times."

"Another kiss, Clarice…I think I deserve it."

Clarice reached up and kissed him again. Hannibal lingered, drawing out the moment. Clarice pressed a hand to his chest and pushed him back slightly. She had information and though she was no longer an active agent there was a girl in danger and it was not in her nature to be patient.

"I don't mean to put you off but I've got to call Ardelia. I need to find out what Pearsall is up to. They were going to offer you something if you were able to identify the killer. If you know who he is…they might be able to save the girl. Can I take a rain check, H?"

"Yes of course, do what you must Clarice. I believe I'll need a cold shower before preparing our breakfast. Would you like to join me?"

Clarice pulled Hannibal backward, jumped over, straddled him, and pinned his shoulders on the bed. "You are incorrigible, H. Your libido will have to wait a while. I swear I don't know how a man your age has the energy or the stamina you have. I can barely keep up."

"I spent quite a few years out of commission, Clarice." He settled under her weight and smiled.

Clarice flirtatiously leaned over Hannibal's body. "It isn't as if you couldn't take matters into your own hands, H."

"With Doctor Chilton's cameras trained on me twenty–four hours a day? No, I only allowed myself that form of relief when I was fortunate enough to be given time in the shower on Barney's shift. Being a gentleman, regardless of Chilton's directives, he allowed me the necessary privacy. I do not know if I would have survived that incarceration were it not for his friendship."

She kissed his forehead. "What about the other times?"

Hannibal's hands moved up and down her thighs, though his eyes glazed over momentarily as he briefly relived the distress. "It was not unusual to have someone standing watch. Doctor Chilton did enjoy his petty torments."

She sat up with her palms resting on his chest, waiting for her husband to resume eye contact. "I'm sorry, H."

"There is no need. I have you with me. The past has passed and as you know, I have no problem having you watch me shower."

Clarice smiled, and this caused Hannibal to smile. Her expression reminded him of the first day she appeared outside his cell, so young and unafraid.

She had no idea what he was thinking but was glad to see his expression lighten. "Well, as much as I would enjoy the view, I've got to speak to Ardelia. That animal isn't going to keep the girl alive forever."

Hannibal grabbed her hips and smiled. "Yes, he will."

"What?"

"How long has she been in his company, Clarice? Do you remember from the case file?"

"No, but I'm sure you do."

"She has been with him a full two weeks. Rest assured, he will not kill this young woman any more than I would have killed you when first we met."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean, H?"

"All of the information is within the case file, Clarice. As I told you…he covets. He envied me my life and he envied my love for you. He is ashamed of his own father, though who could blame him. That man was not much of a role model. He developed somewhat of an unhealthy obsession with obtaining what I obtained. Unfortunately, he did not possess my intellectual capacity or epicurean adventurism though he has made every effort…he has failed at each turn. This last girl, however…she is unlike the others. She will keep him entertained until your friends are able to retrieve her."

"They won't catch him without your help."

"Of that fact I am fully aware."

Hannibal pulled Clarice to him and began to kiss her again. Suddenly he lifted his face from her.

Something is different.

He pressed his face against her neck and breathed deeply. Raising a questioning eyebrow Hannibal repeated the process, this time clamping his mouth over her neck and sucking on the skin very gently as if tasting it. Again he nuzzled her just behind her ear breathing very deeply. Finally, he pulled from her with a quizzical expression on his face.

Clarice noticed his confusion. "What's wrong H?"

"Your scent has changed, Clarice."

"I'm not wearing any perfume."

"I'm not discussing perfume…I'm talking about your personal scent. I'm referring to that wonderful aroma that is exclusive to you."

"Is that something I should worry about? Does it mean I'm sick or something?"

"Clarice? When was your last period?"

"The pill I take limits how often I get it but it's been a few months. Why?"

"Did you miss any of your pills?"

"Only the night you broke the mirror, but I doubled up the next day. Why?"

"Did we make love that night?" He was certain they had but wanting confirmation.

"Yes, H you know we did. We make love every night… Why?"

"Because, Clarice…I believe you to be carrying our child."

She was shocked at the suggestion never having pictured herself a mother, much less imagining Hannibal Lecter a father. Her heart pounded so rapidly she could feel the pulse of it in her ears.

"H?"

"Yes?"

"What do we do?"

"Obviously we will be going to town to purchase a pregnancy test."

"I'm sorry H."

Hannibal seemed genuinely unaffected at the prospect of potential fatherhood. "Why are you sorry? If you are pregnant, I was very active and very willing participant in the process. I will not apologize for wanting you. Why should you apologize for wanting me in return? It is human nature, Clarice. Occasionally, unplanned pregnancies occur. It is not the end of the world…it is the beginning of a life."

She swung her leg over Hannibal and sat up in bed, shaking her head. Children were not on her radar. It wasn't even something she had remotely considered. "I'm sorry because I messed up the birth control. It was my responsibility and I screwed it up."

"If my memory of Biology 101 serves me, Clarice, among mammals…it takes two to tango. If I were overly worried about the prospect of fatherhood I could easily have insisted on condoms as a safety measure."

If I am pregnant…that complicates our situation. A baby, H…"

"I am a Doctor, Clarice. I do understand the eventual outcome of a pregnancy is a baby. Rest assured we will handle this together."

Agitated and unsure of what he expected of her, Clarice, ever the warrior and now the potentially protective mother made no effort to hide her frustration.

"What do you mean we will handle it? If I'm carrying our baby I need you to know, H…that I won't abort it. I won't kill a part of us."

"No need to get hormonal so soon, Clarice. I don't recall asking that of you."

"When can we take the test?"

"After you have eaten we will purchase what we need."

"Can't we just go and get the test now?"

"You need to eat, Clarice."

He could see the look of frustration in her eyes.

"Very well, my Love I offer you a compromise. You may contact Miss Mapp and eat something suitable, may I suggest the homemade granola and some fresh fruit perhaps. I will drive into town and quickly return with the aforementioned test. Is that suitable?"

"But you haven't eaten either."

"I've waited this long. I don't think another half hour will have much of an impact on me. You on the other hand cannot afford to take any chances. Are we in agreement?"

"Yes, H. Thanks for being so understanding."

"Of course, as I have told you before… there is nothing I will ever deny you."

Hannibal was showered and dressed before Clarice finished preparing her breakfast. He kissed her, reached to access the fruit bowl and grabbed an apple.

"For the road..."

Clarice walked with him to the foyer where he grabbed his wallet and keys from their customary placement in the crystal dish on the entryway table. Clarice deactivated the security code and hugged him.

"I love you, H."

"I love you as well, Clarice. Now go eat your breakfast and call your friend. I will return as quickly as possible and we will find out whether or not I must take you shopping for maternity clothing."

"Be careful."

"Always."

Clarice hurried to the kitchen, grabbed her breakfast and her lap top and sat at the table. She emailed Ardelia asking her to call when she could, careful to explain that Hannibal was certain he knew who the killer was and she wanted to know what Bowman came up with. Ardelia called immediately.

"Hey Dee…what's up. What do you have for me?"

"Do you trust me, Clarice?"

"Of course I do…you know that. Why?"

"If Hannibal agrees to this you are both going to have to trust me implicitly."

"Agrees to what, Dee?"

"You have to come back to Washington."

"He'll never agree to that. It would be suicide."

"I'll have guarantees in place…I would never jeopardize your safety. You know that."

"You don't understand. I think I'm pregnant. H went to get the test. I'll know in an hour or so."

"Clarice, you don't understand. If you can get him to agree to this he might never have to run again."

"Or I might be delivering him into their hands. I would put a bullet between the Bashandi girl's eyes before I take that kind of a chance with his life. I won't ask that of him. I can't ask that of him."

"Why because you are afraid he won't do it?"

"No, Dee, I won't because I know… if I ask him…he will."

Until the next chapter, my friends!

LH