ON THE TOWN

Clarice tapped her foot in anticipation causing Hannibal to reach over the gear shift of the BMW and place his hand on her knee to steady it. He did not remove it.

"Driving your foot against the floorboard repeatedly will not cause us to arrive any sooner, Clarice."

Clarice smiled widely. "Sorry H. It's just been so long since we did anything…normal."

"What we did this morning would be considered quite normal." Hannibal added with a devilish grin, rolling his palm over her knee in small circles. Sensing no resistance, he arched his fingertips and trailed them along the inside of her thigh, reaching for the joining beneath her skirt.

Clarice could feel her cheeks flush as she hesitantly stopped his hand. "Normal…yes, but not at fifty miles per hour, and not something done on a crowded roadway in the company of others"

Hannibal laughed out loud. "Well, not in the finest of social circles anyway."

"That's why I love you, H. When you laugh like that, it makes my life worth living."

"You have made my life worth living as well. You are my joy and I am humbled beyond measure that you have chosen me."

Clarice reached up and lovingly swept the hair back from Hannibal's forehead. Words would have cheapened the moment. Several minutes passed as the pair enjoyed the ride and each other's company in silence. Nothing need be said that could not be expressed much more articulately through an endearing glance between them or the whisper of flesh touching flesh.

Clarice noticed that Hannibal's attention was half on his driving and half on her, his eyes shifting between her and the road ahead. When he was forced to swerve the car slightly to avoid an animal in the road, she gently reprimanded him. "You really should keep your eyes on the road, H. Baby on board, remember?"

"My apologies my Love, I cannot keep my attention from you. I am positively smitten."

Her innate goodness was one of her most endearing and attractive qualities but it was also the aspect of her personality that troubled Hannibal the most. She was at times far too optimistic and trusting.

Hannibal could see his wife's eyes sparkling with anticipation at a simple afternoon spent shopping with him.

So pleased with the simplest of things, Clarice…how I envy you. So full of life and so thrilled to be a part of it.

The remainder of the drive into town was filled with anticipation for Clarice and rising trepidation for Hannibal. Clarice, with all of her childhood tragedies and all of her experience as an FBI agent, a true warrior in every sense of the word, remained an innocent in many ways. She believed in the intrinsic goodness of people. Hannibal had very different life experiences and as such, a diametrically opposed opinion of humanity. Trust was not in his nature.

For your sake, my Love…I hope this goes well.

Clarice believed that people had the very best motivations in most circumstances.

Hannibal believed that large portions of the population were intellectually deficient, morally bankrupt and bereft of any redeeming qualities whatsoever. In other words, Hannibal believed most human beings were an absolute waste of the skin that covered them, tasty though that skin may be.

"Where shall we go first?" Hannibal asked, attempting to appear as excited as she. "The day is yours to plan, Clarice."

"Food would be my first thought if I have the choice." She offered enthusiastically as she tracked a finger over his hand. She tenderly traced the ridges of his knuckles as he shifted the car to a lower gear to accommodate a pedestrian. "But you probably already guessed that."

"One doesn't need a degree in forensic psychology to decipher that a pregnant woman might be hungry by this time of day. Not that you need pregnancy to justify hunger. Your appetite would rival most men."

"Are you calling me fat, H?" She laughed, feigning indignation.

"Not at all, my Love…I am referring to your enviously efficient metabolism not your girth which is expanding, but not because you have indulged in too much food. Rather because your husband has indulged in too much you. I accept full responsibility as the lack of self-control in that area rests fully on my shoulders. I simply cannot resist you."

Hannibal reached a loving hand to her, smoothly passed it under her hair, brushing the locks aside and rested it on the nape of her neck. Once there he gently massaged the muscles of her upper back, his thumb firmly kneading the taut striations framing her spine.

A gentle sigh escaped her lips as she leaned into the contact. "Hmmmmm, oh, H…you're incredible."

"Another sound such as that and I will be forced to pull this car over and indulge for a second time today."

"H, food now…sex later." She teased, slapping him playfully.

"I will wait, if I must…though only for the sake of your health, Clarice."

Hannibal pulled into a parking lot just outside a small bistro.

"How does this suit you?"

"If they've got food it suits me fine."

Hannibal parked the car and the pair walked, hands joined, to the restaurant. He was wearing sunglasses, perfect cover as they walked the streets together. He was concerned however, that while indoors his unmasked irises would make for an uncomfortable afternoon.

"This was a wonderful choice, H." Clarice commented as she admired the post and beam ceiling.

The bistro had wide black tables and chairs with bright white linens in contrast. The interior was dim and Hannibal was glad for it. The darker the interior, the more non-descript the pair became. The host greeted them warmly and Clarice smiled. The gentleman did a very quick, almost indiscernible double take when his eyes caught Hannibal's but he was quick to redirect and regroup. It was obvious the recognition was instantaneous, but the host remained professional and affable.

Hannibal was pleased by the understated reaction.

A diplomatic man, he showed obvious recognition yet only a brief flash of concern .This is promising.

The pair were now seated comfortably and Clarice was more than a little excited to see something familiar on the menu.

"Pizza H! They've got pizza!"

"Yes, my Love…I see. You wouldn't rather have the trout or the salmon?"

"You're kidding me, right?" She looked at him absolutely deadpan and unwavering in her choice.

"Pizza it is. Anything at all that pleases you, Clarice."

Ever watchful, Hannibal noticed the host called the waiter over and gestured discreetly to their table. He gave the young man instructions one could assume directly related to their presence.

Perhaps you have provided a warning to the young man? Afraid of the boogey man, I suppose?

The waiter approached the table and introduced himself, careful to either keep his eyes politely lowered or directed to Clarice as he accepted the order graciously. The young man was cautious and gave Hannibal's eyes only a cursory inspection. He was very friendly and attentive to Clarice and that please Hannibal greatly.

A very experienced waiter...if you are kind to a man's wife and he will be far more generous.

The food was delivered quickly and with exceeding efficiency. Clarice was more than thrilled with the pizza. Hannibal ordered steak, rare. He was satisfied that she was enjoying her meal and even more pleased that she seemed quite oblivious to the surrounding activity. Not only to the discomfort her husband's presence seemed to be generating, but to the discomfort he was feeling.

People watching my every move as if I'm on display again...the only thing missing is the glass for them to hide me behind…tedious, very tedious.

Hannibal's facial expression remained unaltered. He appeared content and thrilled to be in her company. He would not have her uncomfortable, therefore Hannibal was careful to keep his wife's attention focused on him each time the waiter entered the kitchen. It was at this time that he spotted members of the kitchen staff peeking through the door clamoring over each other to see him as the waiter delivered their dinner.

I do not sense fear…I sense from them…a collective curiosity, perhaps?

The very same thing occurred when Clarice ordered dessert. The staff practically spilled out of the kitchen and onto the floor, everyone huddled, climbing over one another other much like hamsters. The desperate attempt to see into the dining room before the kitchen's large swinging door closed and the flurry of activity it created was disconcerting. Each person had to jockey quickly for position as the doors were only open long enough to allow the waiter to leave the kitchen and deliver the final course of the meal.

As Clarice enjoyed a large wedge of homemade cake, Hannibal sipped his coffee. He was more than aware of the curious eyes on him, and he was more than grateful that his wife was not equally aware. She would not have let such unwanted attention go unchallenged.

The waiter delivered the check. Hannibal paid, being sure to leave an exceedingly generous tip. Forced to wait as Clarice finished her dessert, Hannibal wondered what the reaction would be. Instead of figuring percentages, he decided, by way of thanking the waiter for his attentiveness to Clarice and his discretion, Hannibal doubled the amount of the bill.

The waiter returned quietly with change, assuming by the excessive amount that a mistake had been made. Hannibal waved him away and smiled. "That is not necessary. I appreciate your kind and attentive service."

"Thank you so much, Doctor Lecter."

As soon as that infamous appellation left his mouth the waiter was utterly crestfallen. At the use of Hannibal's name the young man immediately panicked, realizing they had not been introduced formally. He stood in front of Hannibal, frozen in his steps, staring into Lecter's intense maroon eyes totally dumbstruck, mute with absolute terror.

Hannibal recognized the flash of fear in the young man's eyes and was initially quite pleased by it. Thinking it would be preferable to leave the restaurant and be welcomed in future upon return Hannibal sought to reassure the frazzled waiter by extending his hand.

The waiter, his body practically collapsing in on itself with relief, accepted Hannibal's gesture and shook his hand.

"You are quite welcome, young man. Please allow me to introduce to you my lovely wife, Clarice."

Clarice looked up and after a brief pause to swallow the bite of cake she placed in her mouth, nodded to the young man, put down her fork and extended her hand.

"Hi…pleased to meet you."

"I'm pleased to meet you as well, Mrs. Lecter. If there is anything else either of you wish please do not hesitate."

"There is one more thing, if you don't mind. I noticed your staff seemed to be curious. If you would please ask anyone who wishes to stop by our table, I would be happy to meet them and thank them for preparing such a wonderful meal."

Clarice looked at Hannibal, totally confused by this suggestion.

The very excited waiter disappeared from the table as quickly as good manners would allow.

She leaned over and whispered across the table. "H? What the hell is going on?"

"Our neighbors have been staring out from the kitchen and it is painfully obvious they are curious. I would rather they meet us and realize there is no threat, than have them concerned when I am in their midst. I told you the locals would not be a problem. They merely want to have a closer look."

Suddenly the kitchen door swung open and members of the staff poured out and surrounded Hannibal's table. One by one he greeted each of them, the women were gushing, the men in awe. Hannibal was uncomfortable with the attention but tolerated the interaction with dignity and grace.

This is exceedingly uncomfortable. I've had body cavity searches that were less intrusive.

Clarice looked at the mini fan club surrounding her husband and was quite amused. When the last of the kitchen staff returned, Hannibal thanked the waiter and host and the pair left the restaurant arm in arm, Hannibal intentionally stealing kisses from Clarice as the staff watched.

Clarice held her husband close to her as they walked in tandem, arms around each other's waists. "I'm amazed you tolerated that. You have the patience of a saint, H."

Hannibal laughed at the parallel. "And therein is where the comparison ends, my Love."

"So what do we do now, H?"

"Again, I defer to you, Mrs. Lecter…what is next on the agenda?"

"Shopping, H …lots and lots of shopping."

Excited, Clarice focused her attention on the next part of their adventure. Wary, Hannibal focused his attention on everything else.

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Until the next chapter my friends,

LH