Welcome back my very faithful friends! Please enjoy the chapter and don't forget to let me know what you think! Thanks to all who continue to review. It is inspirational and keeps me writing! It's nice to know what you think of the fic. I love writing it! I'm thrilled that there are people who love reading it as well! My most humble thanks.

LH

HANNIBAL'S PLAN

Hannibal's sleep was not at all peaceful. His dreams were filled with disruptive and intrusive memories. He heard Clarice crying, calling to him as he slept. The cuts on his side pulsed with his heartbeat. He needed to use the bathroom. He would have to disturb Emilia.

This is as good a time as any to test your resolve.

Emilia had been clinging to him throughout the night and though she was careful for the most part to avoid his injury, on occasion she had brushed against it sending lightening pulses through his nervous system. Emilia held him loosely around his waist, her hands at times massaging his sore muscles. She explored his body at her leisure.

Hannibal was in no position to argue as his arms were still stretched above his head. He was unconcerned with her inspection. They had been intimate many times before. He considered it no more than a cursory inspection as he did not desire her on any level. He was fully nude, as was she. He twisted his body in an attempt to rouse her.

"Emilia… I am becoming quite uncomfortable and need to use the restroom. Would you escort me?"

Emilia rolled over and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. Her voice was unsure, "I'm sure you realize why I can't do that Hannibal. You are far too strong and would overpower me very easily. I'll ask Nico to assist me."

"Emilia I would prefer not to wake him. I am not so enamored of his company that I would volunteer to join him earlier than he has planned. Please, I offer you my word. I will use the bathroom and make no move to escape. It isn't as if a word of warning will not bring your friend. You need not approach me. Hand me the key and I will open the lock and reattach the chain upon my return."

Hannibal watched her eyes.

She wants to trust me.

"I'm not sure I should believe what you say," she said as she stood and wrapped herself in a robe. She offered no such comfort to Hannibal though knowing what awaited him when Nico came for him, being naked was the least of his worries.

Hannibal asserted his need, "If you do not make a decision soon it will be a moot point. You will be forced to launder the sheets and I will need a shower."

She reached into the pocket of her robe to the silver key dangling from a chain. Just as she moved to swing the chain and toss the key to Hannibal the door swung open. Nico stood in the entry holding the long restraint pole. He was angry at her ignorance.

"Must I remind you Emilia that the wolf is a cunning and intelligent animal? I will not warn you again. You must never remove his restraints. You may wish to die at his hands. I have no such desire."

Nico swung the large pole and slipped the noose quickly over Hannibal's head. He gripped the airplane cable and whipped his arm back quickly tightening the loop, choking off precious air. He then shoved at the pole to force Hannibal flat on his back.

"I realize you must attempt an escape and I do not fault you as such, however there will be consequences to that behavior. If you make an attempt to flee you must be certain you are successful. If I recapture you and you do not take my life, I will pay your wife a visit and I assure you she will not enjoy it. I am sure that her tolerance for pain is not anywhere near as impressive as yours."

Hannibal's arms remained raised above his head, the cuffs still attached to the chain on the headboard. He rested prone so as not to appear a threat. The blood built up and pulsed at his temples and Hannibal could feel the pressure building behind his eyes. It would not be long before he would black out. His torso lurched forward, diaphragm in spasm as he desperately gasped for air.

Hannibal thrashed in desperation like a fish tossed up on a dock, his mouth opening and closing but drawing no benefit from the action. On the verge of passing out and starting to develop tunnel vision, Hannibal closed his eyes to curb the dizziness. He could feel every vein and artery expanding as if about to burst.

"Emilia, have you no sense of modesty? If you would please reach into the trunk retrieve the bottom half of a surgical scrub set and give them to Doctor Lecter so that he may at least partially dress himself."

Nico held the pole, keeping Hannibal's back firmly against the mattress and his face now turning a deep blue from the lack of oxygen.

Emilia, upon seeing the extreme level of distress Hannibal was suffering hurried to fetch the desired clothing from the trunk and placed a pair of the pants on his stomach.

There was no readable expression on Nico's face. "Now woman you may loosen the chain and release the hand cuffs from the bed."

Emilia quickly did as she was directed hoping that her haste would bring quicker relief to Hannibal. When the cuffs released from the bed, Nico pulled at the pole bringing Hannibal, now gasping for air to a seated position. He loosened the cable just enough to allow Hannibal three quick intakes of oxygen. He then again tightened the noose though there was just enough slack to allow for breath. He directed his words at first to Hannibal.

"You will stand and dress yourself. Emilia may require you in this state but I have no desire to see you degraded in this fashion."

Hannibal quickly stepped into and lifted the scrub bottoms. He pulled at the drawstring and tightened the pants.

Nico continued, "I will move you to the bathroom now. Please comply or I will close off your throat until you lose consciousness. Nod if you understand."

Hannibal nodded.

"Begin to walk."

Hannibal moved to the bathroom, his arms still aching from being lashed above his head the entire night. He could not fully lower them and held them elbows out and level with his chin. He did not address Nico and did not make eye contact with him. There was little light in this room and his eyes would have appeared threatening to someone not accustomed to the light play reflecting within his pupils. Though they did not actually glow, they would appear to Nico as if they did and he might see that as aggression.

He sees me as old and that is to my advantage. Let him perceive me weak as well.

Hannibal stood slowly and moved to the bathroom. Once inside the bathroom, he moved very quickly but careful not to move the pole more than needed. He splashed cold water on his face, poured handfuls of water over his hair scrubbing his fingers through it vigorously, finally slicking it straight back from his forehead. He would not be Prey…he was Predator. He had plans to attend to. Hannibal then lowered his sleek head to the faucet drinking very quickly.

I have lost blood. I need to increase my intake of fluids. I must keep my body ready. There will be but one chance and I must be swift and decisive. I cannot chance that this animal might move on Clarice.

He had used the bathroom only once yesterday and had not had the urge since that time, though this was his fourth trip. There were preparations needed. His visits could not be long in duration. He must be efficient in his preparations.

Hannibal's stream was weak and the urine dark signaling dehydration. His ribs were bruising a deep shade of purple as he had been punched in the kidneys several times. Hannibal was now concerned he might be passing blood.

He flushed the toilet and did his best to secure the scrubs. After washing his hands and turning off the faucet he paused knowing Nico would soon pull on the pole and drag him back into the bedroom. It didn't take long, with one sharp tug Hannibal was in Nico's company once again.

Nico's voice was emotionless, robotic as he spoke, "You will spend some time with me sating my hunger for your pain, I will then allow your hunger to be satisfied and allow Emilia to feed you."

He next turned his attentions to Emilia. "The next time I arrive to collect him be certain that he be clothed. Your wolf may be here at your behest but I will not see him in that state again. It is unnecessary. Whatever business you have with him you must conclude it before my arrival. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, I understand…I had hoped for more time with him."

"If you cannot conclude your affairs by sunrise you will have to wait until sunset. I will not limit my activities to satisfy your cravings. I have cravings of my own to attend to."

Emilia bowed her head in supplication.

For his part Hannibal would reflect a similar stance. He kept his eyes fixed on the ground. Nico believed himself to be the alpha male and Hannibal thought it advantageous to encourage that belief.

Never forget what he is…

CLARICE'S GUARDIAN

Clarice had risen with the sun. Barney made her breakfast and was hovering over her like a mother hen, encouraging her to eat. His voice cheerful, "Clarice you know how pissed Dr. Lecter will be if he finds out that I didn't take care of you? He's like a brother to me. It's my job to make sure you're healthy and that you've eaten well until he comes back."

"Barney, if my H is a brother to you why do you still call him Doctor Lecter?"

"I don't know…I was really worried that it would be disrespectful to address him by his Christian name. I've got to work on that. He asked me to call him Hannibal and I really want to… I've just got to wrap my mind around it."

Clarice pushed the eggs around her plate placing small bites in her mouth. "It just seems that you have had nearly as intimate a relationship with Hannibal as I have. If anyone has earned the right to use his first name, it's you my friend."

Barney considered the statement, "It is because of that intimacy that I used his title and not his name."

Clarice was surprised by that comment and it reflected in her tone, "I don't get what you mean?"

"It was a forced intimacy and not at all welcomed by a man as dignified and private as Doctor Lecter. By using his title and recognizing that his station in life had far exceeded my own, it was my gesture of respect. It was my way of preserving his dignity in an extremely undignified setting."

Clarice smiled. "You're a good man Barney. H is lucky to have had you with him in that hellish place. He's told me many times he doesn't think he would have survived his incarceration if it weren't for you. Remember…he's Hannibal. Especially for you my friend so you promise me when we have him with us…Hannibal. No more Doctor Lecter."

Barney smiled. "Hannibal…I'll remember…I promise."

NICO'S HUNGER

Hannibal made no effort to block out the smell of his own burning flesh. His memories were linked in large part to his senses and the smell of human flesh roasting was pleasurable to him. It made little difference to him that the flesh was his.

Hannibal had moved the pain from his mind. He could feel pressure and he could smell the burning but he was reliving the night he roasted the cheeks of one of the men who cannibalized his sister with wild mushrooms. He took great pleasure in that death and was more than certain that Nico's death would bring an equal amount of pleasure. He was busy within his mind planning…he wasn't certain that he wanted to consume Nico. His sexual exploits so extreme that Hannibal considered the flesh contaminated, the meat too tainted to ingest.

Emilia was no better. Hannibal considered whether or not to take a trophy from either.

Like Van Gogh perhaps an ear for my Love.

Nico finished with Hannibal and prepared to deliver him to Emilia. Hannibal very specifically broke his rule and addressed Nico directly.

"If you would please allow me the opportunity of visiting the bathroom before you leave me with Emilia. If memory serves me she is not allowed to transport me and it is fairly imperative that I visit it soon."

Nico retrieved the pole. He opened the door and called to Emilia. "Woman…your wolf needs you."

Emilia entered quickly. "What will you have me do for him?"

Nico slipped the noose over Hannibal's head and tightened the cable. Hannibal's eyes flashed in anger as his air supply was once again interrupted. Hannibal turned away so as not to alert Nico to his growing rage.

"He must use the facilities. Unchain his hands."

Emilia moved to Hannibal and began to unchain his cuffs. When she released him she glanced down at the blisters rising along his ribs. Emilia flinched at the sight.

"Nico…Oh my god what are you doing to him? What is that smell?"

Hannibal thought her concern for his health was more than a bit ridiculous. She had, after all arranged this soiree' and was footing the bill for the affair.

His eyes sparking, his voice tinged with anger Hannibal responded through clenched teeth, "That is the smell my burning flesh which your hired man has so meticulously seared from my body. Do not feign concern. It offends my intelligence and demeans his efforts on your behalf."

Nico yanked at the pole, pulling Hannibal to an upright position. The speed with which his body was lurched opened the blisters forming over his ribs forcing clear liquid to weep from the torn pillows of flesh. Hannibal closed his eyes and suppressed his screams.

Nico was less than patient. "I have no time for your domestic spat. We will move to the bathroom and when you have finished you will be in Emilia's care. You may argue with each other at that time."

The pole was twisted and yanked as Nico shoved and dragged Hannibal from one room to the next with blatant disrespect and little if any fear. Hannibal did his best to protect the second and third degree burns running along his ribs and obliques. The herringbone pattern the heated Harpy created would form large keloids. It was painful to turn at the waist or lift his arms. When Nico shoved him into the bathroom Hannibal was thrown off balance and crashed his side against the door jamb, scraping the blistered flesh from his side.

Determined not to call out, Hannibal collapsed on the tile floor, dropping to his knees in agony. Not wanting to give Nico the satisfaction, slowly, he used the sink to pull himself up. Hannibal sat on the toilet seat, hands cuffed in front of him. He turned to the toilet paper dispenser and pushed on one side of the holder. When it sprang open, he smiled. Removing the roll he slipped the plastic cylinder from within the roll of tissue. Hannibal twisted the holder and carefully withdrew the curled metal coil spring he had been working on since his arrival. Finally he found success as the length of metal he had been bending and twisting released. He straightened the coil and tucked it along his gum line. He then stretched the remaining coil section apart wide enough to serve the same purpose and hold the tissue on the roller. Hannibal then stood, flushed the toilet to appear as though he had used the facilities and washed his hands. This would be the last night he would feel pain. He could not say the same for Nico and Emilia. Their pain would soon begin and Hannibal would find great pleasure in it.

Predator was loose. He could smell his prey. Clarice was not near to quell his rage or still his hand. Hannibal would have his revenge.

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Until the next chapter my friends!

LH