Welcome back to No More a Savage Life: Chapter Two! My thanks to those who have either favorited or reviewed this fic. You are appreciated more than I can say. LH

GUARANTEES

Hannibal slowly lowered himself on the chair to the immediate left of Pearsall. The good doctor could feel the aura of anxiety as he took the seat. Though he would have loved nothing more than to slip the Harpy from his sleeve and slice the jugular of the offensive man he took a different tack. He eyed Pearsall with the specific desire to manipulate the ground rules for the inevitable meeting with Bloom.

Hannibal angled the chair and leaned in, intensifying the Deputy Director's discomfort with his proximity. "Mr. Pearsall, we have met on several occasions and during each interaction, you have been rude to my wife. I would like to understand the dynamic. Is there some explanation to this behavior, perhaps a situation of which I am unaware?" His voice reflected intellectual curiosity, belying the sensitivity of the subject.

Pearsall rolled his eyes not wanting to continue this conversation. He didn't believe it would be in his best interest to further antagonize this monster of a man, if even he was man at all.

"Doctor Lecter, I apologized for my behavior and you have my assurance that I won't repeat it but I really don't want to get into the motivations."

Hannibal nodded, pushed the chair back along the tiled floor and moved very slowly and stood over Pearsall, "Well then, it seems nothing more need be said. I thank you for your time."

Pearsall held up his hands in desperate protestation, "Wait…please."

"Wait for what, Mr. Pearsall? If we are not going to be honest with one another, why would I waste my time? You have offered your friendship. I am willing to accept that generous offer and extend my friendship to you as well. What I am not willing to do is waste my time. I can be a very dedicated friend. I can also be quite a ruthless enemy. While I am not suggesting that you should fear me, I will suggest that you should take me seriously. I do not make this offer to you lightly. You may rest assured I will not offer it a second time."

Hannibal paused for a moment and again took his seat. Seeking to intimidate just slightly, strictly for his own entertainment, he stretched his back comfortably, and spanned his muscular arms. As he breathed deeply, his chest fully expanded. He shook his muscles like a bear shakes off water.

Pearsall was surprised at the breadth of the older man's chest. Not a large man Hannibal was said to be deceptively strong and based on his wiry musculature Pearsall saw no reason to question that assessment. Hannibal's hands were also unusually large in comparison to his body.

Pearsall surveyed the doctor's body and noticed the scar where the extra middle finger had been removed. Hannibal, in Pearsall's estimation was a sleek, compact, killing machine. He did not want to test Lecter's strength or his resolve. His mind searched for an acceptable course of action.

Unless panic can be considered a viable plan, I've got nothing.

Pearsall looked into Hannibal's deep maroon eyes surveying the monster's intention. He was surprised that he did not see the glowing wild orbs of a madman but eyes that were clear, shining with intelligence and decidedly neutral. The sharp edge to Hannibal's voice seemed honed with honesty, not anger. Hannibal declared his desire for friendship. Incredible as the offer seemed, at that moment and with no better information than that of his own senses, Pearsall decided to take Hannibal at his word.

"Believe me I really do value your offer of friendship Doctor Lecter. I'd like to think I can be honest with you but to tell you the truth…I'm a little terrified. If you can assure me that your reaction to my honesty won't be anger I'll tell you anything you want to know but you'll have to give me your guarantee because you're not gonna like my answers to some of your questions."

Hannibal pressed his palms together as if in prayer and tapped them to his lips. He was both silent and observant while considering Pearsall's request.

The Deputy Director squirmed and sweated under Hannibal's intense scrutiny. Pearsall realized that he was about to play an emotional chess match with a grand master knowing he himself held only pawns. "Clarice told me you never lie so I'll need your guarantee, Doctor…Your word of honor as a gentleman."

Hannibal opened his hands and clapped them together loudly. When his palms slapped, Pearsall jumped causing the doctor to smile inwardly at the reaction he was producing. Hannibal was charged with anticipation, the process going far better than planned. There was excitement in his voice, "Yes. You have my word that I will absolutely accept your honesty without anger or threat of reproach."

Pearsall leaned back in his chair as if trying to separate himself more fully from Hannibal. He spoke slowly, cautiously, "The reason I have been less than polite to Clarice is because when I see her…I feel…inadequate…as if I've failed."

Hannibal's eyebrow arched. His nostrils flared widely. No deception.

"Please continue. How would the sight of my wife elicit that response?"

Pearsall stalled, "Because…that night…the fourth of July… I should have kept her with me…she wanted me to deputize her and I refused. I told her to go home. I should have known she wouldn't."

Hannibal realized that he had never asked Clarice the facts of that afternoon. He was now overwhelmingly curious about the events that led her to him. "Why would she ask to be deputized?"

Pearsall twisted in the chair. He couldn't see any good coming from this conversation other than earning Hannibal's respect, potentially his friendship.

Hannibal Lecter would be a good friend to have.

Pearsall took a deep breath, deciding that was as good a reason as any to risk his life. He proceeded cautiously as if maneuvering his way through a mine field.

"Your wife had been relieved of duty pending an investigation because she never turned in the postcard you sent her."

Hannibal cocked his head at an unnatural angle rotating it like an owl as he searched his flawless memory.

Could I have forgotten? No…no there was no post card. Not recently anyway.

Hannibal shook his head adamant as he gave voice to his memory, "I did not send Clarice a post card. Letters, drawings, yes…A post card, no. Not during the time of that investigation."

It was obvious to Pearsall that Hannibal indeed had no idea what he was talking about. The thought of it disturbed the Deputy Director.

Who found that evidence? Someone brought it in to Noonan? Paul Krendler…Holy shit Clarice was right!

It was now dawning on Pearsall that the F.B.I. had been duped by Krendler. The realization did not come quickly like a lightning bolt from the sky. Instead, it evolved slowly, like a florescent tube beginning to hum to light. It was becoming more and more obvious how dirty Krendler had been and how much that had affected Clarice's career. Her anger and resentment now had a face…Paul Krendler's face.

"Never… Not once?" Pearsall investigated, incredulous to now realize that the evidence must have been planted by Krendler.

"No, most definitely not at that time," Hannibal confirmed with conviction.

Pearsall looked deep within his coffee mug as if he had been reading tea leaves and uncovered a revelation within them. The realization of Krendler's corruption and the intrinsic immorality of the entire situation angered him.

"Well then no wonder she was so pissed…she was relieved of duty for no reason."

"There was a palpable reason, Mr. Pearsall. To line the pockets of Paul Krendler and to aid Mason Verger in his twisted revenge scenario. It may not have been a noble reason but was a reason nonetheless. Pity your agency was complicit, without your knowledge of course."

Pearsall shook his head as he sipped his now cooled beverage. He winced at the bitterness of both the coffee and his regret.

"If I had kept her with me…she would have never gone to that farm. I should have known as headstrong as she is that she would go after you. I should have kept her with me. I should have insisted."

Hannibal was heartened by Pearsall's concern for Clarice. He wondered how honest Pearsall was prepared to be. Quietly he tested the waters, "If she had never gone to that farm I may or may not have survived."

Pearsall responded immediately, a signal to Hannibal that he was being honest. He hadn't the time to construct an adequate fabrication to appease.

"No you would most likely be dead but she would still be an agent. She had talent. She was in her element here. Nothing personal because I know you are a brilliant man but your death at that point would have been not great loss to society. The F.B.I. losing Clarice was a fucking tragedy."

Hannibal rubbed the cuff containing the hidden Harpy up and down his thigh growing more irritated with each passing minute, "Knowing nothing of our relationship you have judged our union and concluded not only that the world would be a much better place without me in it but that Clarice has thrown her life away on me?"

Hannibal found himself wondering if presented with his obvious distaste for the subject, Pearsall would relent. To his credit, Pearsall stuck to his proverbial guns.

"She'd put a lot of people behind bars. She'd saved a lot of lives. That's worthwhile. Now she does what? Cooks and cleans for you?"

Hannibal was irritated at the insinuation that Clarice was no more than his servant, "For your information, I cook all of our meals and we clean the home together. Clarice is my wife, my lover, and my friend, not my servant. Her focus now is bringing a child into the world. What is more worthwhile than that?"

Pearsall was concerned at the reaction his next comment would garner but he spoke it anyway, "She's bringing your child into the world. I don't know whether that would qualify as being worthwhile."

Hannibal's Harpy warmed under his cuff heated by the palpable rise in his anger. He spoke directly, careful to remove any upset from the timbre of his voice, "She is bringing our child into the world. What is your actual concern? Are you suggesting that because my DNA is involved the child will be in some way deficient?"

"I guess it's possible. I don't know why you kill, Doctor. I don't know if you have an organic aberration or if your deviance is based on some kind of trauma or both. Maybe you're just entertained by it…who knows. I'm just concerned that there's the possibility your son could inherit your predisposition to violence."

"Nature verses nurture, Deputy Director?"

Nothing happened to me, Agent Starling. I happened.

"Yeah, I guess. Let's be honest…you've helped the Agency on several occasions and you've been responsible for saving countless lives. As far as I'm concerned, you should have gotten a medal for that freak show you dispatched. It's possible you'll never kill again. I think Clarice is a strong enough motivation to quell that urge. If it even is an urge. To tell you the truth, if the only people you kill are wastes of society like Nico and Emilia, I don't much care. Unfortunately, with elections on the horizon, the White House does."

Hannibal's voice took on a modified hiss, "And how does it feel to be the personal Piss-Boy of the current administration? I wonder how much spray back you are forced to tolerate slogging the bucket of their waste around. Doing the underhanded bidding of the political machine is not a goal of most law enforcement professionals. I would think the ammonia filled stench rising in your nostrils and rolling over the back of your tongue would leave quite a bad taste in your mouth."

Pearsall flinched at the directness and accuracy of Hannibal's comments as the lunging observations found their mark piercing his integrity. Honesty being a double edged sword he was now on the receiving end of the injury.

"I don't blame you for being bitter, Doctor Lecter. I'm not happy about this either. I mean I don't appreciate being placed in the position of threatening your freedom to achieve their end. Not exactly the Justice system I took an oath to defend. Not to mention the fact that the abuse of power by the Executive Branch tosses the idea of Checks and Balances right out the goddamned window."

Hannibal floated a palm over the table, considering Pearsall's statement. Pearsall was separating from the bureaucracy of the agency. He was obviously not corrupt.

You are not as institutionalized as I anticipated and may be capable of independent thought, Mr. Pearsall. That is quality that could prove quite useful. Your friendship may be more valuable than I initially suspected.

"I appreciate your honesty, Deputy Director. It is unusual to have a man possess the strength of character to face me directly and speak his mind. It is a trait I both value and admire."

At that statement, Pearsall's heartbeat slowed just a bit, the panic waning. "I'm sorry to have been so blunt; I told you that you wouldn't like all of my answers."

Hannibal's voice reflected an understanding of Pearsall's situation as he sought to clarify his own.

"Your answers are your reality. They do not have to become mine therefore it isn't my place to either like or dislike them. I appreciate that you are concerned for Clarice. I assure you she is more than happy and that together we have a wonderful life. She has brought me love and a peace that I didn't think possible. It is my hope that I have enriched her life as well. I invite you to visit our home. It may set your mind at ease. Your wife is of course welcome as well."

Pearsall shook his head, "I don't know how she would feel about that."

Hannibal continued, "We are having a dinner next Saturday with a few of our close friends. I will have an invitation delivered to you therefore you may discuss it with your wife and R.S.V.P. with either your acceptance or your regrets. As to your request, and putting my own safety aside, I am going to trust that as my friend you would not ask me to do something that would in some way harm my wife, or my child. Am I correct in that assumption?"

Pearsall was certain. He could trust this man at least for now. There was no danger.

"Yeah, you're correct. I wouldn't ask you to do something that might hurt Clarice or your baby and contrary to perception, I don't want to see you injured either Doctor Lecter."

"You have decided that you are my indeed my friend, then?" Hannibal asked, watching carefully for Pearsall's reaction.

Pearsall affirmed, "Yes, Doctor Lecter. I promise you that I am your friend."

Hannibal drove hard to the heart of the matter.

"And if Doctor Bloom's actions are contrary to best psychological practices or if he has an agenda other than this particular evaluation, as my friend you would…?"

"I'd toss him out on his intellectual ass!" Pearsall stated with the conviction of a man who would not be duped twice.

"Yes, I do in fact believe that is the portion of his anatomy wherein his ego-addled brain in fact resides." Hannibal laughed.

Hannibal extended a hand to Pearsall. Pearsall took his hand and grasped it firmly in an attempt to match Hannibal's impressive grip. It was a valiant if less than successful effort.

"Thank you, Doctor Lecter."

"Please…my friends call me Hannibal."

"Mine call me Clint," he continued to shake hands, "So…you'll meet with Doctor Bloom…Hannibal?"

"Yes, my friend. If you believe it is in the best interest of my family to do so. I trust that you would not mislead me therefore, as a personal favor to you I will make myself available to meet with Doctor Bloom."

Relief beamed from Pearsall's face.

"Thanks Hannibal. My career really was on the line with this bullshit assignment."

Again to the crux of the matter, "Not at all my friend, I have but one simple request."

"And what would that request be?" Pearsall asked nervous to hear the response.

Hannibal leaned back and crossed his legs casually. "The meetings must take place in my home. If Doctor Bloom is uncomfortable he may bring an escort. Might I suggest Will Graham? I trust his professionalism and would be comfortable with him. I think Bloom will be as well."

"Why at your home? Why not here or at Bloom's office?"

Hannibal brushed something imaginary from his trousers and spoke in a distracted manner though he was intensely focused on Pearsall's reaction.

"After their failed attempt to record me I would not feel comfortable participating in an interview of such a sensitive nature in an uncontrolled environment. If those conditions are agreeable to you, I will be more than happy to oblige your request."

Pearsall understood the reasoning and nodded affirmation, "That's no problem. Bloom can just suck it up and make a house call. Again, Hannibal…Thank you. I couldn't imagine how the hell I was going to convince you."

"The threat of handcuffs would have gone a long way to convince me though you would have squandered all of the good will you have earned had you pursued that option."

"Clarice hates me enough as it is. If I had you dragged off in handcuffs, she would have lost her mind."

Hannibal smiled at the thought, "It is true, my wife is no longer the endearing cub she was years ago. She has become quite the lioness. Trust that had you moved to take me into custody her response would have been swift and it would not have been pretty."

"Thank god that wasn't necessary. I'll call Bloom and set up the meeting, how tomorrow afternoon at two o'clock?"

"That would be fine. Call Clarice to confirm. We would be happy to accommodate Doctor Bloom's schedule."

Hannibal stood and extended a hand, "Thank you my friend. It has been an unexpected pleasure."

Pearsall stood and took Hannibal's hand, "The pleasure's been mine. Could you offer my goodbyes to the others, your wife included. I'd like to get Bloom on the phone now if I can."

"Certainly."

Hannibal left the conference room to join the others in the outer office.

Pearsall sat at the table and reached across to the phone centered a foot in front of him. He lifted the receiver and punched in a series of numbers. Finally, the other end was answered.

"Bloom? Pearsall here. Lecter agreed to meet with you. His house, no arguments and you'd better play nice. My reputation is on the line and possibly my life so you'd better not fuck this up. Tomorrow two o'clock."

"I wouldn't prefer meeting at his home." Bloom spoke quietly into the phone.

"Yeah, well I don't give a shit. I'm not your goddamned social secretary. You don't like the arrangements call Lecter and see how far you get on your own. He's expecting you to bring Will Graham as a body guard so you can calm your bowels."

"Fine I will meet with Hannibal tomorrow at two at the Lecter home."

Pearsall ran to the outer office just as the Hannibal and Clarice were exiting the office.

"It's arranged," Pearsall spoke excitedly, "Tomorrow at two."

Hannibal smiled as he helped Clarice on with her coat. "I look forward to it, Clint. Thank you."

BLOOM

Doctor Alan Bloom set the receiver on the cradle, his hand still trembling from the unexpected news. The day he never believed would arrive had. He would be quantifying Hannibal Lecter. Not through the intermediary of Frederick Chilton either. Face to face.

He believed himself equal to the task and hoped it would go well for him.

It hadn't gone well for Chilton.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Review and tell me what you think then PM and say hi!

Until the next chapter my friends!

LH