Welcome back my friends! As this chapter evolved it ran well over 6,000 words- a bit much for one chapter. I've divided it into two parts. The second section will be posted tomorrow- I'm almost finished with it Enjoy!

Hannibal verses Bloom: Part One

"They are approaching," Hannibal stated calmly to Will Graham.

Graham appeared confused, "I don't hear them."

"Neither do I. Not yet anyway," Hannibal commented, enjoying the fear and ever present anxiety simmering from Graham.

You stink of fear and that cheap lotion...

"So, you really can smell them?" he asked, incredulous. "I swear I'll never get over the fact that you can actually do that."

Hands folded loosely on the surface of his desk he explained, "We all have the same predatory instincts, Will. I have merely made an effort to cultivate mine. It has given me distinct advantages over those who might seek to harm me or my family." Hannibal's eyes shifted quickly to the door, "Clarice will enter first."

Moments later, Clarice appeared in the doorway. His reaction more from an excess of nerves than excitement Graham slapped a palm on the arm of his chair. "Son of a bitch, you were right! How the hell did you know she would be first?"

Hannibal stood from behind his desk; rising regally his posture and bearing a natural reflection of his aristocratic lineage. He remained quite still answering Graham though his eyes were locked on the small round man in the doorway. "It is quite simple…her scent led his."

Seeing a flicker of discomfort in her husband's eyes though no one else could possibly have perceived it, Clarice walked around the desk and stood in front of Hannibal intentionally blocking his view of Bloom. She spoke very low, below a whisper even, knowing only Hannibal with his keen hearing, would be able to understand her.

She reached for his hand and held it gently within her, "So…you got this, H?"

Hannibal lowered his head and spoke softly, "Yes, my Love."

Clarice grabbed the lapels of her husband's impeccable Armani suit and pulled him close, "I just told him off six ways to Sunday. He's a dick. He wants to separate us."

With a note of melancholy, Hannibal answered, "Yes. I know."

Clarice's voice, still unheard to the others in the room shed the worry and took on a playful, impish tone, "H…Do you trust me? Will you do something for me even if it seems silly? I want to shock the shit out of this pompous little prick but I need your help to pull it off."

"Yes, without question or reservation, Clarice."

"I want you to do what I do but…I want you to…well…growl. You know the sound you made this morning when we…"

Hannibal's face flushed hot with the memory of their recent lovemaking not from embarrassment or modesty, but remembering that Logan had helped him to place listening and recording devices around the room. He interrupted his wife not wishing their private encounter to become part of the public record, "Yes, Clarice, I understand."

Clarice unbuttoned her husband's suit jacket, slipped her arms within and around her husband. She kissed him passionately, opening her mouth to him and angling her body such that Bloom had a front row seat to their passion.

Realizing what Clarice was up to Will Graham turned his head and smiled not wanting Bloom to see his obvious amusement.

His want for his wife taking over Hannibal pulled Clarice close using one hand to support her back and the other hand smoothing gently over her belly. As they kissed without him realizing it, Hannibal's hand began to drift over the crest of her stomach settling just beneath the rise of her breast.

When it became obvious he was lost in the moment and unaware, Clarice steadied his hand and pulled back.

"Later H…later."

Clarice clamped her mouth on Hannibal's neck and sucked hard, raising a livid mark in the center just over his Adam's apple. She pulled back and winked at her husband as she admired her work.

Hannibal did as Clarice asked taking her throat as well, growling low and deep, the sound rumbled against her flesh as he bit down on her neck and matched the mark she left on him. When he released her, Clarice left her husband's arms and ran a finger down his chest the digit trailing down, stopping just at his belt line. She grabbed the elegant silver buckle of his belt and pulled his hips to her.

"Clarice…"

"I know everyone thinks you're a beast, H…but I want everyone to know…you're my beast."

Hannibal flashed a wicked, wicked grin, "I am yours…always, Clarice."

Bloom was still standing in the doorway, his mouth hanging open. Clarice walked in front of Bloom and gestured to an empty seat intentionally placed beside Graham's.

"You may sit next to Will, Doctor Bloom. Allow me to present my husband, Doctor Hannibal Lecter. Though you two have already interacted you don't know him at all. Not who he really is anyway so I hope you'll keep an open mind."

"Of course," Bloom responded as he extended his hand to Hannibal. "It is a pleasure to speak with you again, Doctor. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. It will go a long way to setting minds at ease."

"Not at all Doctor Bloom, I am happy to be of service. I am obviously at the disposal of the Executive Branch. If not for the commutation of my sentence, it would have been very difficult to provide the quality of life for my wife and child that they so richly deserve. I will do all to insure their well-being. To that end, I would ask your assistance in helping me to clear up this matter."

Bloom reached for his pad and pen, "I will do whatever I can to insure your child has the best start in life possible."

"Pardon me?" Hannibal's eyes narrowed, his voice deepened as he overtly read between the lines, "I will do all to insure my child has the best start in life possible. As a concerned parent, I am forced to inquire precisely why my son or his beginnings in this world would be of any concern to you."

Bloom cleared his throat, dry and tightened from his own lies, "I merely meant as part of your assessment that I would be considering your child's welfare."

Hannibal verbally pursued Bloom attacking the opening left by the man's misstatement.

"It was my understanding that your only focus will be the current status of my mental health. I was told by Deputy Director Pearsall when first I agreed to this assessment, that the current administration was seeking assurances that I am not a threat to society and that the chances of recidivism are minimal. What would that have to do with my child and why would that statement represent the basis of your introduction?"

Bloom stammered his panic though the expression on his face would have been equally telling, "It…it isn't…I…I…misspoke."

His intense eyes burned into Bloom sending the confused man's blood pressure soaring. Hannibal leaned over his desk supporting himself with his hands, his fingertips spread like spiders, holding his full weight upon them.

Hannibal spoke very slowly and without blinking or drawing an additional breath voiced his displeasure, "That comment concerns me, Doctor Bloom. A word misspoken by you and taken out of context by another could have very serious ramifications for my family. I trust that the statements in your final report will be well considered and will contain no errors or misspeaks. I am entering into this arrangement trusting that all involved have my best interest in mind or will at the very least, keep an open mind. Based on your behavior thus far, I am beginning to think that assumption was a bit…shall we say…naïve?"

Doctor Bloom took a protracted breath. He was dizzy with fear, his vision narrowing as he imagined himself looking up from within a deep, dark well. In his mind's eye, Hannibal stood above, looming threateningly over him. It seemed with each misspoken word, each poorly assembled sentence, he sank deeper and deeper into this dreaded abyss. Soon the distance to the surface would become too far to bridge and he would be lost.

Fear motivating caution, Bloom measured his words carefully and spoke them slowly. He was confident in the conviction of his principles and truly believed his next statement would be well received and highly regarded. The room was still with terrifying anticipation.

"I…I will of course consider every aspect of my final report and the negative ramifications such information will have on your family." With relief that would prove far too temporary Bloom smiled the smile of a man who firmly believed that his statement was well considered, not the incendiary device it turned out to be.

Will Graham winced as Hannibal leaned forward, the statement obviously incensing the man.

Clarice held a hand up to stall her husband's course, "I got this, H."

Clarice turned to face Bloom. She snapped her fingers in quick succession directly in front of the man's face quickly garnering his full attention, "Hey! Brain trust! Why would you already know that your report might have negative ramifications for our family unless your mind was already made up? Hannibal is being extremely generous even speaking to you. He shouldn't have even considered this. Your opinion doesn't matter to us. He's already been cleared by a psychiatrist."

Bloom spoke flippantly, his arrogance very thinly veiled, "That man was no better than a check mark on a paper, a mere rubber stamp with no more therapeutic insight than a toddler. Everyone knows that particular therapist was specifically chosen because he would not reject Hannibal based on his prior diagnosis."

Clarice grew wary of the man's disrespect, "Hannibal? He's Hannibal to you now? When did you become his friend? Before or after you sexually assaulted him with a goddamned blood pressure cuff? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Hannibal interjected, "Clarice, please…"

She turned to her husband and held a finger up in warning, "Don't H…Don't…"

Clarice sat on the edge of Hannibal's desk and faced off with Bloom. The anger in her voice clearly reflected her upset and now reinforced distrust, "If the previous psychiatrist was chosen because he would not reject Hannibal, then by extension, you were chosen why…because you have plans to reject him…because you will find him a danger?"

Not wanting or meaning to leak out that much of his intent, Bloom was both embarrassed and contrite as he sought to regroup, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that."

Hannibal spoke softly, "That statement leads one to project that you did not mean to imply it because you did not wish your intentions to be known to us."

Clarice stood defiantly across from Bloom. Now merely leaning on the edge of the desk her arms were folded aggressively across her chest resting them on her belly.

Clarice sneered. "Hannibal's right. What the hell did you mean to imply?"

Seeing her upset and concerned about her health, Hannibal moved around the desk and stood beside Clarice putting his arm supportively around her waist. He pulled her close to him.

Hannibal became the voice of reason in the room.

"It would seem as if this process has taken an unfortunate turn. Perhaps your intentions are honorable and perhaps we are making unwarranted accusations. I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, Doctor. It would be advantageous for all concerned if we were to begin again, a clean slate, such as it were."

Hannibal turned from Bloom and spoke softly to his wife, "Clarice would you like to fully participate in this session? You are of course welcome. As your devoted husband, I have no secrets from you."

Clarice turned her face and leaned her cheek against Hannibal's chest for a moment and listened to his heart beat slow and strong. His wife was much calmer when she lifted her face to her husband. He captured her chin between his thumb and forefinger and lowered his head to hers, kissing her briefly.

When the loving couple parted, Clarice shook her head and responded frankly with just the slightest edge of aggression still present, "I honestly don't think I can handle it, H. I get way too emotional where you're concerned. I'll just get all pissed off and in the way. You should be allowed to handle this without having to worry yourself about me."

Bloom looked over at Graham and quickly raised his chin, directing Graham silently to leave the room.

Graham took the hint and cheerfully made his apologies thrilled to be leaving the tension and his own insecurities behind, "Well, if you gentlemen think you can spare me, Clarice and I will go hide out in the other room for a while. That is if you don't mind, Hannibal."

Hannibal nodded a quick acknowledgment, "I would appreciate that, Will. Thank you."

"Sure, no worries…" Graham replied, "…maybe we'll go in the kitchen and bake or something."

Hannibal laughed at the comment so much so that Clarice slapped him playfully, "Don't be such a shit, H."

Holding his sides, Hannibal explained, "Clarice, unlike most Southern women, cannot, how can I put this delicately?"

Clarice poked him playfully in a mock attempt to stop him from continuing as if he were about to release a national security secret.

Hannibal twisted and flinched at her poking and prodding, doubled over in laughter as she wrapped her arms around him. He put on his best, mock West Virginian accent and blurted out, "She can't cook worth a lick!"

Bloom was shocked not only at the endearing informality with which the pair interacted but at the joviality of Hannibal Lecter in regards to Clarice. He thought to himself that if anyone had described this scene to him, this loving exchange between contented mates, Bloom would have thought it exaggeration at best.

The overmatched forensic psychiatrist could see that the pair seemed to share affection. Though he dare not yet call it love in the context of Hannibal, Clarice was clearly a woman deeply in love. It was now painfully obvious that not only was Clarice extremely possessive and protective of her husband, Bloom was surprised, no, he was shocked to see that Hannibal was equally possessive and protective of her. Together they took the term power couple to a whole new level.

Kissing his wife's hand Hannibal regrouped, "If you have no desire to participate it is time for you to take your leave, Clarice. Doctor Bloom and I have much to discuss."

Clarice turned into her husband's arms. The pair, lost for a moment in thought understood fully the importance of what would soon transpire. They briefly touched their foreheads together and closed their eyes spontaneously sharing this moment without words though their thoughts to each other were clear.

Hannibal reached for and held Clarice's face, kissed her briefly and released her. "Go now. All will be well here."

She whispered back to him, "Promise?"

"On my life."

"That's what I'm afraid of…" she whispered under her breath. "…although knowing you and this idiot, it's more likely going to be on his."

She reached for her husband's left wrist and felt along the cuff. Finding the Harpy, Clarice surreptitiously slipped it from its home within his sleeve keeping it from view. "I'll just hang on to this for safe keeping okay, H?"

Hannibal simply nodded.

"Come on Will, let's see what kind of trouble we can get into in Hannibal's kitchen. It'll make him crazy hearing us bang on all of those insanely expensive pots and pans."

Graham stood and moved behind his chair. "Hey, don't get me into trouble. He already tried to kill me once. I don't want to give him a reason to come back and finish the job."

Graham kidded about the near mortal attack but if truth be told, the thought of that night still terrified him. In his mind he formed a separation between this Hannibal Lecter and Hannibal the Cannibal. It was as if Graham had decided they were genetically the same, though the personalities were distinct and separate, much like identical twins. This technique was the only way Graham was able to face Hannibal.

Clarice led and Graham followed.

Bloom was alone with Hannibal. As the door to the study closed, the good doctor swore he could hear the man's heart skip a beat.

Bloom held his breath and clicked his pen open. With a tremble in his voice he stared down at his pad, "Very well…Doctor Lecter…shall we begin?"

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Until the next chapter my friends,

LH