THE AFTERMATH

"Clarice…Wait!" Hannibal chased her a few steps before she turned around and glared at him.

"What's her name?" She challenged.

Hannibal was absolutely crushed. He stood very still, his eyes lowered to the ground penitent for that which he did not do…for that of which he had no control. The last thing he wanted to do was to say Emilia's name. No good at all would ever come of that.

"What is that bitch's name, H? Don't make me knock on her goddamned door and ask her myself!" She demanded, her voice quivering with anguish and rage.

"Emilia…her name is Emilia Dolente." He whispered in utter defeat. "Please, my Love…let me explain…"

She interrupted him and aggressively shoved his shoulders. He made no move to defend himself.

"Don't say a goddamned word! Her hands were all over you! She touched you…and… you were…aroused… it's obvious … it's obvious you…"

Tears flowing, she choked on the words as she imagined the odious woman's hands touching her husband. Clarice could not finish the sentence and she could not face her husband. She turned and began to cry. Hannibal reached for her, but Clarice rejected his efforts and slapped his hand away.

Inconsolable, she pointed her finger in his face as if stabbing him with it.

"Don't you touch me, H. Don't you dare!"

She stormed away, leaving Hannibal standing, quite alone, quite distraught and unsure of what to do.

Clarice still had the key and now… she had a name. He thought it best to follow at a reasonable distance. Hannibal shadowed her through the streets trying to think of some way he could explain that which was unexplainable.

It isn't the same with you, Clarice. I am not the same with you.

Clarice loved him. When they came together to physically express their love the union was metaphysical, ethereal…transcendent. Clarice was Light. Clarice was Love. Clarice was Life.

His experiences with Emilia were purely physical, and very, very primal. She enjoyed pain and at that point in his life, he enjoyed inflicting it. Emilia was Darkness. Emilia was Torment. Emilia was Fire.

This is a relationship that Clarice will not understand.

He stayed behind to be certain she would not use that hotel key.

Clarice walked as quickly as she could manage without breaking into a run. She held her hand beneath her growing belly both for the extra support and for the comfort holding her baby provided. She was aware that Hannibal was several paces behind her but she didn't care. She wanted to get to their suite before he did. She knew he was worried about her confronting the woman. Clarice had no such intention.

This better not be the bitch Logan was talking about, H! If it is…you'd better hide that Harpy.

Clarice reached the hotel with Hannibal scant steps behind. He didn't move to close the distance between them.

He should have.

She reached the room and very quickly removed a padded pouch from Hannibal's black leather carry-on bag. She went into the bedroom holding it against her chest as she turned to lock the door.

Hannibal heard the interior door to the suite close and listened for the spin of the lock. Upon hearing it, knowing she had locked herself in the bedroom, he opened the outer door and entered the suite.

Overwhelmed and still reeling from what had just transpired, Hannibal sat in one of the wing chairs by the window. She would know he had entered. She would know he was in the outer room. Although she was upset, Hannibal was relieved that Clarice was safe. She would probably cry herself to sleep, or so he thought.

Clarice did a cursory search for the name Emilia Dolente. There were hundreds of hits. Each and every one she clicked on linked that name to Hannibal's name. She quickly reviewed the options searching to see if she was listed on the internet site Logan told her about.

There in full color was a candid photo of Emilia hanging around Hannibal's neck, staring at him as if ready to devour. He was looking off to the side, away from the woman and appearing a bit distant. Her arms were wrapped tightly around Hannibal's neck. Hannibal's arms were not in frame. Clarice could not determine if he was holding the woman or not.

You goddamned animal…you looked like a bitch in heat even then.

Clarice began to read page after page. It was much worse than she could have ever imagined. The woman had recounted dozens of descriptive and intensely graphic accounts of the most explicit, sadistic sexual encounters she could ever have imagined.

After a full hour of reading Clarice began to get pains in her chest. She gripped the fabric of her blouse, crushed it in her fist and twisted. She drove the material into her breastbone as if to fill the growing emptiness in her heart. Her anxiety mounted and she began to have severe trouble breathing, the emotional and physical pain combined to steal her respirations. Soon, she was doubled over and hyperventilating.

This isn't my H…it isn't…and this woman…she's not a woman…she's a fucking succubus.

Clarice began to sob uncontrollably. Her vocalizations, though subdued in volume, were so raw and so anguished they thundered in Hannibal's eardrums like cymbals crashing against his skull.

In agony at his perceived loss, he doubled over and leaned his chest almost fully against his thighs. He wrapped his arms around his head. It was as if closing his ears to the sound would close his heart to her pain. It did not. Unable to remain seated, Hannibal stood, pacing back and forth, his methodical mind quickly searched for the catalyst that could have sent her into such despair.

What she saw was upsetting but this… is more. This sound is death… this is mourning… Why?

He inhaled deeply and caught just the most modest whisper of a leather scent. Suddenly making the connection, in a surge of panic and realization, Hannibal scrambled across the room. He grasped in desperation for his carry-on bag ripping it open to look inside.

Please…no don't let it be…Gone.

Seeing the protective carrying case removed, Hannibal slumped to the ground, leaned against the couch and allowed his body to collapse. Giving in to mounting despair, the tears streamed silently down his face.

She has the computer…she has the name…she knows…it's over...it's all over.

He feared she would never hold him again.

REVELATION

Clarice was forced from the bedroom several times during the night because she needed to use the bathroom. She was certain that Hannibal would have the respect and restraint to leave her to herself. Each time she stirred, Hannibal sat up hoping she would seek him out. She did not.

Out of respect to his wife, Hannibal stayed to himself and slept on the couch. He ordered a very large breakfast for Clarice, and was certain to have the kitchen include bacon. He wrote a very heartfelt note and passed it under the door. Having already showered, as soon as Hannibal slipped the note under the door he left the suite, hung the do not disturb sign, and locked the door behind him.

Clarice heard the door close and rolled over. Seeing the note on the ground she rose quickly to recover it. It was neatly folded. She opened it and read… her heart pounding.

My Very Dearest Love,

You spent last evening reading things about me of an intensely personal nature. While I will not apologize to you for my actions, as they occurred more than ten years prior to our meeting, I do apologize that you have been exposed to them. I would have spared you that if it was in my power to do so.

I have been honest with you, Clarice. Sparing you graphic details of past sexual activities does not mean I have lied to you. I have answered every question you have ever put to me honestly.

Please know that I did not contact Emilia and have no idea how she came to be here. I have no interest in her on any level, either personally or physically and told her as such. I was very direct in my declaration of love for you. You are my Love and my Life. I am lost without you.

I will not intrude upon your privacy. When you hear me exit open the door and be certain to eat. Do this for the sake of the baby if not for yourself.

Emilia will most assuredly attend the program tonight. I will return later this evening in the hopes that you will accompany me. If you decide against it, I will attend alone.

Clarice, please do not give this woman the satisfaction of separating us as that is her obvious intent. She is devious and I would put nothing past her. Whatever your decision, I will respect your wishes. I love you and I love our child more than I can express.

I am ever yours,

H

Clarice folded the note, placed in on the keyboard of the lap top and closed it.

ALONE

Hannibal found a very small café and sat quietly at a table in the back. He ordered coffee and a light breakfast, though he had no stomach for food. He was sick over the situation with Clarice but forced himself to eat. It was quite early therefore Hannibal was confident that Emilia would not be awake. Searching his memory, she had never risen before noon. He did not want to be seen with her again. He did not want to see her again.

Hannibal spent the next several hours walking the streets of Buenos Aires. This was a far cry from the romantic getaway he had been planning. He wondered what Clarice was doing. It was time for him to return to the room as he had been outside roaming aimlessly for the bulk of the day. He was exhausted and overwhelmed. He listened at the door before opening it.

Sitting on the couch in her gown looking spectacular, Clarice was ready for the evening.

Hannibal released the breath he had been holding.

"You had better shower Hannibal. I'm sure you don't want to be late."

Hannibal closed the door quickly. "Yes, thank you Clarice. I will be expeditious."

He rushed into the bathroom, showered and dressed. Within minutes he returned to Clarice ready to leave.

"Thank you for accompanying me, Clarice. I did not want to face this alone."

Clarice picked up her purse and turned to Hannibal speaking in a very business-like manner. "Ground rules... If that bitch is at this event we will not approach her under any circumstances, understood?"

Hannibal nodded in agreement. "I understand perfectly."

Clarice continued to outline her plan. "If she has the audacity to come up to us…I will handle it any way I see fit. Understood?"

"Yes, Clarice. That is very clearly understood."

"You don't get involved and you don't try to handle me, agreed?"

"Agreed, my Love."

"Do you have any questions about this before we head out?"

"Yes, Clarice…may I touch you during the course of the evening?"

"What? Why?"

"I am your escort as well as your husband, Clarice. I would like to feel as if I may reach for your hand or guide you through a door without having my hand slapped away."

"That's fine. Just as long as you understand that if that bitch comes anywhere near us, you'd better not step between us."

"Do whatever you feel you need to do to work through this, Clarice. I will not stand in your way."

"It's a good thing your ex-girlfriend enjoys pain because if she gets within ten feet of me…she's gonna be in for a world of hurt. Now give me the Harpy."

"Why do you want the blade, Clarice?"

"Because, H… you are my husband and the father of my child…she has no claim on you and whatever part of that bitch's body touches you from this point on…I'm going to keep."

Hannibal smiled picking up on the smallest hint of forgiveness. She called me H.

He slipped the knife from his pocket, to her hand.

Hannibal smiled.

That's my girl.

Until the next chapter, my friends!

LH