NUANCES

Hannibal and Clarice sat together in front of the fireplace in the family room. It had been a long while since either of them spoke, the weight of the afternoon still heavy in the air.

Hannibal reached for Clarice's hand and bringing it to his face, kissed it gently.

"I would say that the afternoon was successful," he spoke confidently.

Clarice was relieved that Hannibal had finally broken the silence, "I was wondering what you thought of it. Do you think he'll clear you?"

"If he is honest in his scoring he will clear me as I was careful to stay well within the normal range. It is highly doubtful that he will be accurate. Not that it matters." Hannibal let his head drop back to the back of the couch and squeezed his wife's hand. He closed his eyes and searched his memory. A smile crossed his face as Hannibal imagined an afternoon spent making love to his wife. Fully contented he remembered the feeling of falling asleep with his cheek resting against the warm curve of Clarice's hip.

Clarice looked at him intensely. When it was obvious he was not going to open his eyes, she poked him in the chest. Slowly, he left the image in his mind and opened his eyes. By the expression on her face Hannibal could see her confusion.

Though she wasn't angry she sounded as such, her concern coloring her emotions, "What are you talking about, H. Of course it matters…why wouldn't it matter?"

Hannibal ignored her concern and rubbed his hands over his wife's belly, "I took precautions. A bit of insurance so to speak, therefore you needn't worry. I have the situation under control."

Clarice settled against Hannibal and smoothed her hands over his, still resting on her belly.

"Just because Logan puts a few bugs around the room doesn't mean we are in the clear, H."

Hannibal busied himself with the child within her, massaging her swollen abdomen and speaking quietly though more to tease Clarice than anything else, "Your mother is worried again my Little One. You would think she might have grown to trust me by now. Let us hope that after your birth she is less…emotional."

Clarice pushed Hannibal's hands away, "You'd better rethink playing that hormonal pregnant wife card…" she threatened playfully, "...don't forget…I still have your Harpy."

Laughing, Hannibal held up a conciliatory hand, "Fair enough, Clarice though I wasn't speaking about Logan or the listening devices implanted. I was speaking of my conversation with Doctor Bloom. Whatever he is given to do rest assured I will have a response."

Clarice put her arms around Hannibal, the worry ebbing from her voice, "There are times when your confidence is comforting and times when it's downright irritating."

He placed his hands on her belly once more his voice amused by her irritation, "Your tone lends itself to the latter, I think."

Her tone grew sarcastic, "You think? I mean this is serious stuff…you act likes it's a game."

Hannibal was confident in his plan and again busied himself with her belly, kissing it and smoothing his hands over it, "Rest assured I understand the serious nature of the situation. You must trust that I have put into place several safety measures not the least of which are the listening devices. I have told you that I will do all to protect our family. I will most certainly not allow this man to stand between me and that which we have worked so hard to attain."

Clarice inhaled and very slowly exhaled, her confidence in her husband now installed she spoke softly as she ran her fingers through his hair, "That's all I wanted to hear, H…I just needed to know that you were taking this seriously. I know you have…issues with Bloom. I don't blame you for that. I just want to be sure you're not gonna let those issues cloud our situation."

Hannibal again kissed her belly and spoke confidently, "My situation with Bloom is no concern of yours, Clarice. I am focused on his threat to our family that is all though if indirectly I am able to glean a bit of revenge, would you begrudge me that."

"H as long as that son of a bitch backs off and you are clear of any blame, I don't care if you pick your teeth with his ribs, figuratively that is…not literally."

Hannibal laughed out loud at the comment, "My, Clarice… you don't think I'd be foolish enough to dispatch Doctor Bloom when our situation is so publicly known? No my plan is much more, Machiavellian." He pulled her close and palmed her belly with both hands. The baby shifted toward his touch.

"Did you feel that H? The baby just moved."

"Yes, I felt him. He is growing rather large. You may begin to feel a bit uncomfortable."

"I'm fine, H…really. You don't have to worry."

"I do not have to worry, yet I do. You are my life Clarice. I will worry about you and this child until I take my last breath." Hannibal raised Clarice's chin and kissed her tenderly. "Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Would you like me to make reservations? It has been quite some time since last we indulged."

"Would you mind if we played it a little low key? I'd really just love to spend a quiet night here with you." Clarice continued to play with his hair, swiping it back from his forehead the way he wore it in the asylum.

Hannibal rested his head on her belly and offered, "I can prepare a meal. Anything you would like, you merely have to ask and I will be more than happy to oblige."

There was a twinkle in Clarice's eyes, "Anything…would you make me anything?"

He kissed her belly again, "Yes, Clarice…anything at all."

She leaned over him and whispered in his ear, "I'd kill for spaghetti and meatballs."

There was surprise in Hannibal's voice, "Spaghetti and meatballs…just that?"

Clarice was unapologetic, "Yeah, no carbonara or fra diavolo, no freaking alfredo, bolognese or pesto crap… just spaghetti with a classic tomato sauce and a couple of meatballs. You're half Italian. You should be able to handle that."

"I can absolutely handle that, Clarice. What would you like for dessert?"

"I get to choose that too?" Clarice's eyes lit up as she made her decision.

Hannibal was pleased at the anticipation in his wife's voice, "Yes, you get to choose that too. What would you have me make?"

Clarice seemed modest about her choice, a little embarrassed even, "If you're serious about that it isn't something you can make…you just get it. You'll think it's stupid…it's kind of a childhood thing."

"Please, Clarice…I won't pass judgment on your choice. What would you have me get?"

"SNO-BALLS," she expressed excitedly.

Hannibal was confused, not realizing what Clarice was referring to, "Why would anyone sell snowballs?"

"Not real snowballs silly. They're kind of like a rounded chocolate cupcake with creme in the middle but they're covered in pink marshmallow and coconut."

Hannibal winced at the description, "And where would I procure this delicacy?"

"At the grocery store…they come in little cellophane packages," Clarice explained.

Hannibal raised an eyebrow, "One cannot purchase them at a private bakery?"

Clarice was becoming irritated, "No…one cannot. Look if it's beneath you… nevermind."

Hannibal's tone was apologetic, "Nonsense, I will be more than happy to purchase your dessert, Clarice."

The baby shifted again and Clarice's hips rose slightly in discomfort. She breathed deeply as she spoke,
"He's a lot like you, H…restless," Clarice commented as she rested her hands again on her husband's hands still holding her belly.

"You are petite and the child is growing quite large. I am concerned that either the child will be early or you will face a caesarian section. The baby will gain the majority of his weight the last few weeks of the pregnancy."

"We'll be fine, H…we'll be fine."

Hannibal leaned over, hugged his wife low on her body and rested his head on her blossoming abdomen listening to the sounds of Clarice and his child. He liked the sound of that.

We'll be fine, H…we'll be fine.

PEARSALL AND BLOOM

Bloom entered Pearsall's office and quickly took a seat. Pearsall closed the door and moved across the room taking his seat behind his desk.

"So Doctor Bloom, how did he do? Is the crazy son of a bitch still crazy or can we tell the White House he won't be eating up the electorate?"

"That depends on what you mean when you ask whether or not he passed the test," Bloom commented with a good deal of arrogance.

Pearsall raised an eyebrow, "What the hell is that double talk? Either he answered your questions correctly or not. Either he scored within the normal range or he didn't so stop screwing around and answer the question. Did he pass the test?"

Bloom conceded, "He answered the questions correctly."

Pearsall was filling out a report on his desk. He spoke without lifting his eyes from the paperwork, "So in your report you'll state that he's not a danger to society."

Bloom cleared his throat and deepened his voice hoping his somber tone would add weight to his conviction, "That is not what I'm saying in my report, no. You must remember, my name will be attached to this study."

Pearsall rubbed an irritated hand across the back of his neck, "Cut the bullshit Alan this isn't a goddamned psychological study it's just a simple evaluation. You gave the man the test. He answered the questions and fell within the normal range. If you aren't intending to clear him, what the hell are you going to say in that report?"

"I am going to say that I believe Hannibal Lecter to be every bit the man he was. I believe him to be an extreme danger to society and I believe that either he should be removed from his family or his baby should be removed from the home. He is not a man who should be influencing a child."

Pearsall's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open in shock. "Wait a minute Bloom, no one asked you to evaluate his status as a father. Your only purpose was to give that test and submit a report of the results so I don't want you getting creative in your goddamned evaluation. I want a strict reporting of the results. As a matter of fact I want every question you asked and I want Lecter's response verbatim."

"I didn't record the sessions so I'll have to go by my notes."

"Why the hell didn't you?"

"I didn't think he would allow it."

"So, I have to take your word on what he said? You expect me to stand behind a report where it's your word against his? It's the goddamned office of the President for fuck's sake!"

"I understand precisely who will be reviewing my report and you can be certain it will be meticulous and beyond reproach."

"It had better be…remember this is Hannibal Fucking Lecter we're talking about not some mentally deficient killer out there sniffing panties and wearing his mother's heels."

There was a knock at the door.

Pearsall called out, "Come on in, Will." He turned to Bloom, "I hope you don't mind I asked Will Graham to join us.

Bloom nodded, "No…I'm sure he will agree with me."

Graham entered and sat in the chair beside, Bloom.

"So, what's up? This soiree' couldn't wait a day or two. I mean, we just left the guy's house a couple of hours ago."

Pearsall was obviously fairly disturbed by Bloom's assessment. His voice was edged with bitterness and a fair amount of cynicism, "Bloom here thinks our resident psychopath is still a psychopath. Furthermore this genius thinks it would be a good idea to separate Lecter from his family. I think that would be suicide but that's just me. What's your opinion, Graham?"

Graham looked over at Bloom with a surprised look on his face, "What? When we left their house you told me he scored in the normal range."

"That's not the point," Bloom defended. "He's an expert on testing. He understands how to answer so that he might appear…normal."

"You chose the goddamned test! You don't toss the results because they don't fit your preconceived judgments. Hell, you shouldn't have a preconceived judgment!" The disturbance in Graham's voice was apparent, "He appears pretty goddamned normal to me Alan. He and Clarice are happy. They have a very stable relationship and he seems to be an extremely faithful and devoted husband. For Christ sake you saw it! She gave him a freaking hickey right in front of you."

Pearsall was shocked, "What? A hickey? Clarice?"

Graham nodded, "He gave her one too. He was teasing her about not be able to cook, then she starts to slap him, just screwing around, and you saw it Alan…"

"Saw what?" Pearsall was beyond curious at this point and leaned on his forearm to listen more intently.

Bloom responded, "Saw what? A man laughing? I fail to see the psychological impact of that!"

"Laughing? You and I both saw it. Their interaction is nothing short of love. Clarice was playing with him, tickling and smacking the shit out of him and Hannibal Lecter was doubled over laughing his ass off. He loves her. He's happy. No, if he's psychotic I'm a purple dinosaur and don't be a wise ass and call me Barney."

Pearsall was losing his patience, "Is that what happened?"

Bloom mumbled under his breath, "That's what happened when Graham was there. He left me alone with him."

Graham immediately took umbrage to the statement, "You directed me to leave so I left. Don't use that as an excuse to fail that man. He let us into his home and he trusted us even though it was pretty clear you already had your mind made up. He told you as much and still he answered your questions."

Seeing the schism between the two men, Pearsall needed to find out who was telling the truth. He probed further, "Were there any questions he refused to answer?"

Bloom was direct and unyielding, "No, he answered them all."

Graham joined in the questioning, "Did he get angry or lose control at any point…did he threaten you in any way?"

Bloom stood his verbal ground, "No, but even while he was committing his crimes he functioned perfectly on a day to day basis. He was never threatening in any way. That's why he's so dangerous, because he is both charming and cunning."

Graham shook his head vehemently, his voice expressive, "If your report includes any mention of psychotic or anti-social behavior I want to go on record as saying I whole-heartedly disagree with that assessment. Let's not forget they never came up with an actual treatment plan or named him as having any specific disorder. They locked him up and tossed the key. Chilton proposed Ganser Syndrome but that was never listed on Lecter's medical records. I don't think there ever was an official diagnosis. Not one that everyone agreed on anyway."

They don't have a name for what he is…

Pearsall threw his hands up in disgust.

"I'll tell you what Bloom, if you insist on traveling down this path you're gonna go it alone. How do we convince anyone that he's still a threat to society when Lecter voluntarily came out of hiding to help with the Bashandi case and he was nothing but cooperative. He almost died saving that girl for Christ's sake. You go to war on this one and you'll be picking one hell of a battle. There's been a lot of good press where Lecter's involved. People are pretty convinced he's changed, even if you're not."

Bloom was not easily dissuaded. He leaned forward in his chair as if the closer proximity to Pearsall would convince him. "Are we forgetting he killed that Dolente woman and possibly her accomplice?"

Graham shifted the angle of his body as if attempting to bridge the two men, passionate in his defense, "Are you forgetting they tortured him for days and he held out as long as he could before he attacked them? He's not a young man and his body had just healed from that freak show Miggs. Another couple of hours strapped to that table and his heart would have succumbed."

"That's not definite," Bloom complained as he rolled his eyes.

"Okay we aren't getting anywhere arguing like this. You write your report, Bloom. You put in only the facts. I don't want you to pass any judgment one way or the other. Just report what his answers to the questions were and score the test."

"But there are nuances…" Bloom urged, unwilling to fully concede.

"Oh fuck you and your nuances, Bloom. You're just trying to get back at Lecter for Chilton," Graham insisted, "You're not kidding anyone."

Pearsall waved his hands signaling both men to calm down. "Alright people let's get it together. Bloom you can add all the nuances you want but you mention Clarice or that baby in less than a favorable light were Lecter is concerned and I'm tossing your report in the trash and I'll go with Graham on this. The two of you just get the hell out of here before I really lose my patience."

Bloom and Graham left Quantico with their positions still fully entrenched. Will Graham sat in his car and took out his cell phone. He punched several numbers into the phone.

Clarice picked up the line and answered quietly. Hannibal had fallen asleep with his head resting on her belly, and she didn't want to wake him.

"Hello, Will? Is something wrong?"

"Everything's wrong, Clarice…can I talk to Hannibal?"

Thanks for reading! Review and let me know what you think, then pm and say hi!

Until the next chapter my friends,

LH