HELLO FELLOW LECTERPHILES! Read, Enjoy, Review! You know the drill! I don't own them. I just like taking them out to play! Thanks to Thomas Harris for creating Hannibal Lecter-GENIUS!

RESCUE OR REVENGE

Hannibal struggled to hold onto his dinner, the battle for control over his digestive system as Herculian an effort as his violent attempts to expel the fluid flooding his respiratory system. He could feel the bile rise up the back of his throat and the gorge swelling as his stomach began to lurch.

I'm not going to make it …No more time…

Though his face remained covered Hannibal could see by the tilt of Nico's body and the angle of the vessel that he would have to switch to another water container soon. His captor would use that time to gloat. Hannibal held on, his stomach in spasm, his chest quaked as his body, desperate to purge, attempted to overrule his hold over it.

Finally, mercifully the water container ran dry.

Nico leaned over Hannibal his breath hot against his captive's cheek and dragged the wet material from Hannibal's face. In turn Hannibal closed his eyes and used the brief respite to breathe deeply and assert some control over his own physiology.

"There are four more containers. We will be here for quite some time yet and though it goes without saying, I am certain that I am enjoying this far more than you are. No matter as long as one of us is entertained."

Hannibal did not respond as his effort to suppress the ejection of his earlier meal was almost too much to bear.

Nico leaned over and very gently swept the hair from Hannibal's forehead. He rested the back of his hand against the skin.

"You have a fever…no doubt you are experiencing severe biological distress. I must commend you and thank you for rejecting Emilia's advances as this is a most pleasurable experience. You are far more than I understood…far more than even Emilia understands. I may kill her and keep you for myself. I only hope your heart does not fail before I am able to extract more enjoyment. Your agony is exquisite."

Nico leaned over and dragged his thick flat tongue across Hannibal's flesh licking the beads of perspiration the fever had formed along his forehead.

"Your suffering is delicious to me."

Nico turned to the table and moved to retrieve two additional containers. Placing one on the floor for quick access, he placed the second on the table in the space between Hannibal's legs.

Nico again leaned over Hannibal, this time placing a palm on his chest to feel the beat of Hannibal's heart thumping firmly against his ribs.

"Another example of your superiority is that your heart rate is unchanged. Most men and women I have had in this way have had severe cardiac issues. Yes…you are truly exceptional…absolutely singular in the amount of torment you are able to bear. I now understand Emilia's obsession. I may be unable to part with you as well."

Nico stretched over the table. Hannibal could feel the pressure of Nico's body coming into contact with his. Hannibal swallowed continuously as warm saliva flooded his mouth, he gagged on the emetic fluid.

Closer…cloooser…

Nico pressed his ear against Hannibal's rib cage to listen to his heartbeat. Just as Nico lifted his head, when his face was level and aligned, Hannibal wretched violently and disgorging the contents of his stomach all over Nico's face and chest. Hannibal coughed aggressively in an attempt to expel the partially digested contents before aspirating on it.

Nico initially startled but gathered himself and his composure. He scraped the vomit from his face he flicked his wrists and whipped handfuls of it onto the floor.

"Dearest Hannibal I do not blame you for that. Rather, I should thank you. We will suspend our activities long enough for you to be cleaned by Emilia and for me to shower quickly as well. I will then refill all eight of the containers and we will begin anew."

He called me Hannibal…not Doctor Lecter…not Emilia's wolf…he will not kill me he will keep me. If this does not work I will rely on you Clarice…

Nico rushed to the door yelling down the hall for Emilia.

"Woman, come in here I require your assistance."

Emilia appeared in the doorway very quickly. "Does my Hannibal need me?"

"He is no longer your Hannibal. If you clean when asked and prepare the meals I may be willing to share this magnificent beast with you as his sexual needs are not my concern but he will remain with us. I will not find a match to his tolerances and in his ability to displace pain I have yet to meet an equal. Yes he is quite a perfect specimen in that regard and is well suited to my needs. Unchain the cuffs. The meal you fed him has revisited and it is important that his dignity be preserved."

Emilia unchained the handcuffs and helped Hannibal lower his arms. She then moved to unbuckle the head and throat restraints. When finally she unlashed the belt around his waist, she placed a hand on his back for support and assisted as Hannibal sat up.

Hannibal was exhausted, his head hanging low between his shoulders, his breathing labored as fluid had entered his lungs.

Nico retrieved the pole and looped the noose around Hannibal's throat tightening it until the cord cinched the skin beneath it. Hannibal did not flinch remaining impassive though in reality he was preparing himself. He was waiting…his muscles, though pain filled were taut and coiled much like a king cobra preparing to strike.

He spoke excitedly, "Do you see? His flesh strains and still not a word of complaint, he begs not and that is unusual in the extreme. I am impressed with the dignity of the man under such duress. Yes…I will be unable to part with you my dear Hannibal. I am far too in love with the silence of your anguish. That is a rare gift for me to find in a participant. Most cry out and beg and that is not only disruptive, it is disrespectful. It defiles the dignity of the experience and dramatically lessens my enjoyment of it."

Nico shoved Hannibal from the chamber of his misery across the hall and through the bedroom he had been sharing with Emilia. He then forced Hannibal into the shower stall.

"Chain him to the rail in the shower and leave him to his privacy. I have enjoyed the water flowing over his body. I will allow him the same pleasure. I want him back with me in five minutes. You may soap him up and rinse him off but mind that you are expeditious. Do not linger over his form or I will lose my patience."

Emilia chained Hannibal to the rail. While she was helping to loosen the noose from his neck, Hannibal slipped his hand surreptitiously into the drawstring opening and pushed the small wire key into his palm wedging it along his fingers.

Nico moved quickly out of the room, anxious for his sadistic games to continue. He called to Emilia, "Five minutes…that is all."

Emilia stepped into the shower stall and reached around Hannibal's waistband to the drawstring. She loosened the knot and let the bottoms fall in a pool to the shower floor. She bent over to retrieve the soiled clothing and moved her body at an angle to better ogle Hannibal.

Noticing her interest he shifted his thigh forward, denying her the view she was seeking. As she moved to get a better view Hannibal pushed the makeshift key into the lock and wiggling and turning, opened the handcuffs efficiently and silently.

"Are you suddenly shy, Hannibal? You were always a man very comfortable in your own skin as I recall."

"My skin is no longer my own. I am a married man and as such, my body is for my wife exclusively. I would ask that you respect my privacy in this. I will not ask you twice."

Emilia turned the spigot releasing the water and removed the hand held shower head to rinse his body. "I think it's charming that you are saving yourself for your wife. If it makes you feel better to say it I have no problem, honestly… I find it stimulating in the extreme. It makes me feel like I'm doing something naughty and I need to be punished and you know how much I love it when you punish me."

"I assure you Emilia if you choose to test my resolve you will suffer consequences that will be irreversible. I warn you that if you attempt to touch me once more, rest assured, I will kill you."

"Your threats are merely foreplay."

Emilia reached around Hannibal's body and rubbed her hands across his abdomen. She pressed her body into his causing Hannibal to shift uncomfortably.

"Emilia I will not ask again."

Emilia began to kiss Hannibal's back, her hands moved first across his pectoral muscles then down the center of his torso, across his abdomen, spreading toward his hips. Hannibal stepped away from Emilia drawing her into the shower stall itself.

"I am not afraid of a little water…"

"It is not the water you should fear."

Hannibal spun within the stall and surged toward Emilia. He snapped one cuff on her hand and the other cuff on the shower rail. Her eyes flashed terror when she realized he was free. Before she could speak Hannibal drove his forearm against her throat and pressed very, very slowly. He whispered in her ear,

"Had you respected my wife and kept your hands to yourself I may have cuffed you to the rail and left you. You chose to ignore my warning…I will not leave you."

Hannibal pressed harder growling deep and low. His eyes sparked like flames. Emilia shook her head in a desperate attempt to stay his wrath. Hannibal would not be swayed. He forced his arm further continuing the attack excruciatingly slow. Emilia almost cost him the love of his wife. She cost him some of Clarice's respect. She almost cost him his life. Emilia was defenseless and Hannibal was Rage.

"You wanted to feel my body against yours…you wanted my attention…now you have it!

Hannibal crushed the full weight of his naked body against hers, his musculature weighed heavy on her much smaller frame as he pressed forward and slowly caved her windpipe. He then forced his weight behind his shoulder and threw the forearm again, this time sending a devastating blow across her jawline. The force of the strike drove her head toward the tile at an unnatural angle. Hannibal grabbed her face in both hands. Looking into her eyes as the light began to leave them Hannibal gently kissed her forehead. He then quickly spun her head until he felt the snap of her vertebrae. Her body twitched for a moment as if she were in the throes of an orgasm. Hannibal held her and savored the feeling of her life fading from her. When the aftershocks stopped he slowly lowered her body to the floor of the shower her hand still cuffed to the rail.

Hannibal stepped over Emilia and slipped into the bedroom. Cautiously he opened the trunk and dressed himself quickly in a set of scrubs. He checked the closet and found a pair of sneakers. He stuffed his foot inside. They were a little tight but they would do. Hannibal laced them and left the bedroom.

Hannibal stood outside the door ready to face his tormentor. He could hear Nico moving around making preparations to add to that torment. Hannibal had other plans.

Hannibal was injured and exhausted. His body had reached its limit but he would ask more of it.

Nico you are too dangerous to leave alive. You will die tonight. Because of our past, I owed Emilia a quick death. Not you… I will take my time with you as you took your time with me. Clarice will not be here to stop me…This time there will be blood…lots and lots of blood.

CLARICE

Clarice sped through the streets of Baltimore and onto the interstate. Barney was in contact with Ardelia. "Yeah the way Clarice drives this car of hers…we'll beat you to the house. What do you want us to do?"

Ardelia asked to be put on speaker phone. Barney complied and Ardelia's voice could be clearly heard.

"Clarice, if you get there first you have to wait until we arrive with the warrant. This has to be done by the book or it'll get tossed out of court and those two travelling freaks will walk. Tell me you understand what I mean. We will enter together, we will watch each other's backs and we will get your husband out of there but we will do it the right way so they can't come back at you in the future. Understood?"

Clarice was steely eyed. "Understood, but once you present the warrant and we are through the door my only focus will be on H…I don't care what else happens I need my husband safe."

"I've got Logan and Lloyd with me. We'll enter and we will set Logan up outside in case one of them gets loose and he has to take a shot."

"I'm only two minutes from that address Dee so you'd better move the cavalry along! I'm not waiting more than five minutes outside that house. After that all bets are off and I'm going in to get my husband with or without backup."

Clarice nodded and Barney disconnected the line.

Clarice punched her foot against the accelerator of the mustang forcing it fully to the floor.

"Fuck five minutes…when we get there…I'm going in!"

Hope you're enjoying the ride! Don't forget to review and let me know what you think!

Until the next chapter my friends!

LH