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HANNIBAL'S DOMINANCE

Clarice walked alone next door to get the dog while Hannibal escorted his neighbor to his home to be certain he was safely inside. Hannibal checked the rooms and turned on the lights to make sure the house was indeed secure. When he had satisfied himself that the home was as it should be he returned to his exhausted and overwhelmed neighbor.

Now that all of the news crews and satellite vehicles were gone no doubt rushing the story to beat their respective deadlines, Clarice was glad for the quiet. She retrieved the small dog and walked him around the yard enjoying the crisp winter air. There was a slight heaviness to her belly, the baby resting at an awkward angle causing some discomfort.

You'd better get here soon Junior…I'm not cut out for this bloated business. Your Daddy wants lots of babies…yeah well…he has all the fun making them and I lug a moving medicine ball under my blouse for nine months…Still…a girl would be nice.

After entering his empty home the older gentleman sat quietly in a well-worn recliner. His weary eyes looked over to the matching chair where is wife normally sat. The old man was obviously lonely, the sadness in his eyes deeply set.

Hannibal entered the room and immediately saw the melancholy in the old man's eyes. In other circumstances involving other people Hannibal might have found the anxiety amusing though not in one as innocent as this. Hannibal found this man's pain troubling.

"She will be home soon, my friend," Hannibal comforted. "She is quite strong and I have no doubt she misses you tremendously."

Tears welled in the older man's eyes, his voice shaking with age and emotion, "They treated us at different hospitals. I haven't seen her since they took her away in the ambulance. I'm so very worried. She is all alone."

Hannibal sat in the chair beside the emotionally distraught man hoping his proximity might provide emotional support. His concern for his neighbor was evident in his voice, "You have not visited?"

Mr. Wagner wiped at his tears with the back of his gnarled hand, the wavering quiver in his chin hobbled his speech, "I…I…can't drive anymore."

Hannibal saw the heartbreak and continued to question the man seeking some clarity in the situation. Realizing that the politicians had used the man and offered him nothing in return the good doctor was now becoming quite indignant on the old gentleman's behalf, "The mayor did not offer to escort you to see her prior to the press conference?"

"No he didn't offer and I thought it was too much to ask."

Hannibal's eyes narrowed. He was angry, his voice metallic and as sharply edged as his knife, "Though, they had no problem picking you up and bringing you to that press conference with a dozen cameras flashing in your face. Not even the offer? Not a mention of your wife?"

The aged man lowered his head, vulnerable and shamed by need.

Hannibal was offended by the discourtesy shown his neighbor. "May I use your phone?"

"Of course," the elderly man gestured with his palsy addled hand to a small table.

Hannibal rose and crossed the room seeking the phone.

The couple had no surviving children therefore the telephone was very rarely needed, its disuse obvious by its location. Hannibal located it and was forced to reach awkwardly as it was wedged between an overgrown potted plant and a plastic tower filled with peppermint swirled candy. He brushed the dust from the receiver and dialed the number the mayor had given him in the event something occurred before the press conference.

The mayor's aid picked up and Hannibal spoke to him, his voice raised and direct. After a moment more the mayor was on the line. The first several exchanges were pleasantries and an initial explanation. When it was obvious the mayor had little interest in the old man's plight Hannibal soon became heated in his neighbor's defense. The old man listened with rapt attention as Hannibal quickly asserted his dominance with the strength of his voice alone.

"You were perfectly willing to use him for your political propaganda offering him not so much as a ride to his home. I would ask that you ask his pardon for your neglect and by way of apology take it one step further. You will send a car and an escort from your office to his home, pick him up and bring him to the hospital to visit his wife tomorrow and every day thereafter. You will also follow her progress and when she is ready to return home, you will have her picked up and delivered to her husband. If you do not wish to, I will be more than happy to accommodate his needs though any goodwill you may have garnered for your effort whether publicly or privately between the two of us will be foolishly squandered. And there is one more reason to consider assisting my neighbors, Sir."

The mayor was quiet on his end as he considered the ramifications. Finally he spoke with just the slightest hint of fear, "What would be the reason Doctor Lecter?"

"If you refuse, I will most assuredly not be pleased therefore friend or foe…you must choose. You have seen that I can be a tremendous ally and a very loyal friend. Let me warn you that I can just as easily be quite merciless should you decide to ignore the plight of my friend."

"Yes of course Doctor Lecter any friend of yours is a absolutely a friend of mine. I'll see to the arrangements. You can rest easy knowing that your neighbor will be well escorted and attended. Thanks for bringing this to my attention."

"Not at all, I thank you for your benevolence." Hannibal returned the phone to the cradle and turned to Mr. Wagner who was by now eagerly awaiting the results of the conversation.

"The mayor will be sending a car for you tomorrow morning at ten. He will have you escorted to see your wife daily until she is discharged. In addition he will provide transportation when she is medically cleared for release. I hope that puts your mind somewhat at ease."

Mr. Wagner covered his mouth, his hands shaking in disbelief. There were tears in his eyes. "Thank you my friend…my very dear friend."

The door to the Wagner home opened and the small French bulldog came scampering in slipping and sliding across the hardwood floor. Seeing his wife's dog Mr. Wagner's eyes twinkled behind his tears. Hannibal noted the shift in the man's emotions at the mere sight of his pet.

Something as simple as this tiny dog brings him joy.

"Sorry it took so long. I wanted to make sure the little guy had taken a long walk and gotten everything out of his system if you know what I mean." Clarice carried with her several containers filled with food.

"Mr. Wagner I'm going to put this food in the fridge so you'll have something to eat when you get hungry."

"I don't know how to thank you both. We had been so alone here in all the years since you were gone Hannibal. You were the only neighbor who ever helped us. I'm so grateful to have you back."

Hannibal was pleased, "You have been a tremendous help to me as well. Thank you for your kind words. It meant so much that you were willing to speak up for me. If there is anything we can do for you, please do not hesitate to call on us."

"I will my friend…I will."

Clarice and Hannibal returned to their home content in the knowledge that their neighbor, comforted by his little dog, would finally have a peaceful night's sleep.

INTAGLIO OF THE SOUL

Hannibal and Clarice entered their home with Hannibal relieved to have helped his neighbor and Clarice even more relieved to be rid of his dog.

Hannibal arched his back and stretched his broad shoulders as he breathed a protracted inhalation. As he opened the span of his arms the deep breath evolved slowly into a satisfying roar of a yawn. Newly invigorated he quickly ran his fingers back and forth through his hair massaging his scalp as if the motion awakened his mind. His voice brightened, "I thought all in all it was a successful evening, wouldn't you say?"

Clarice was absolutely incredulous at the comment, "How do you figure? Bloom was a pain in the ass and then you drop that utter bomb in front of everyone that I'm the reason the crazy bastards that held you hurt you so badly? How did you think that would make me feel, H? It's killing me to think about it. That I could have done something to stop that pain and you didn't give me the chance."

"There was nothing you could have done and that is why I did not tell you, Clarice. I had hoped that with some distance from the event you might be more able to process the situation. It seems not enough time has passed. I regret that you know the information and I regret how you came to know it."

"I don't like that you kept it from me H…I know there are things you don't tell me about your life before and I'm okay with that but this is our life now. You can't just shut me out."

"I'm sorry my Love. I was taken somewhat off-guard by Bloom and I find that to be troubling. The thought of it made me react in a way that I might not have otherwise. Had I been aware he possessed that information I would have handled it much differently. I would have attempted to make it easier for you to assimilate the information. The words were far too bluntly spoken."

"Words? You think if you had been less blunt it would have been easier to hear. Nothing will ever make that easier, H. You could have stopped Nico's assault?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"With a word."

"With just a word…what word?"

"Your name…Clarice."

Clarice stood perfectly still in the kitchen. Suddenly, as the ramifications of what he said began to circle in her mind the room began to spin. She leaned on the center island and reached a hand on the granite counter to steady her body. Her husband rushed to her side, turned her to him wrapped his arms around her for both physical and emotional support. He held her tightly against his body as if the contact would give her needed strength.

"Hannibal…"

Clarice spoke his name…just his name but Hannibal understood the meaning.

"You could not have stopped it. There was nothing you could have done to help me… I am not your lamb...Clarice."

Clarice reached her arms around his neck and pressed her cheek against his. She did not want him to see her cry though she was certain he would be aware of it.

Hannibal could smell the salty scent of her tears and understood her anguish. She was a protector and he had not allowed her to protect. He would not be able to excise her feelings of helplessness. She would need time and she would need his sensitivity.

"Your pain has always been my pain H…I don't know why…even in Baltimore…I've always felt it."

Would she see through the bars of his plight and ache for him.

Hannibal carried her to their bedroom. Overcome, she buried her face against his chest. Hannibal rested her gently on the bed and very tenderly removed her clothing. He retrieved a warm, soft nightshirt from her armoire and helped her to dress. The addition of the garment, considering they usually slept unclothed, was his way of telling her sleep was all that would be sought this night. He readied himself and took his place in their bed.

Clarice cried. Hannibal made no effort to stop her tears as it was her way to purge the pain from her body and soul. He held his wife and whispered softly in her ear the sound of his voice bringing her comfort. It was like the hum of a bumblebee on a summer breeze though his words were more wasp-like, elegant, efficient and with the ever present threat of the sting.

"Do not deny your pain Clarice. Our scars define us. We are no longer singular. We are no longer alone…we are One. The scars I carry will form on you Clarice. They are being engraved on your soul…the intaglio will be rich and intricate its brutal elegance etched as surely and as deeply as if Nico forged your flesh himself. Know my Love that your scars have formed on me as well. We must treasure each other's anguish as surely as we treasure each other's love. It isn't pain or pleasure…it is feeling…all valid, all valuable. It is all a part of who we are… now joined Clarice."

Together they filled each other's needs. Together they brought each other peace. Together they slept; Hannibal's embrace strengthening Clarice…her embrace softening him.

In three days, Hannibal's meeting with the F.B.I. – it had been scheduled with the team to provide answers. Hannibal would attend but instead of the answers they were seeking, he would have questions of his own. Hannibal eagerly anticipated the possibility that he might add one or two additional marks to the totality of Pearsall's scars.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! More to come…

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Until the next chapter my friends!

LH