HANNIBAL

Hannibal was lead from the sensory deprivation room to a bright holding cell. The earphones were removed, this action allowed such a torrent of ambient sounds and conversations it overwhelmed Hannibal.

This overload of input caused him consider what the flood of light might do to his eyes. He immediately squeezed his eyelids as tightly closed as he could manage. The moment the blackout goggles were removed Hannibal, now fully aware of his sensitive irises, did not open his eyes. He could see the bright red membranes glowing golden through his closed eyelids a warning to him that the room was quite bright.

Concerned for his eyesight, the cameras were rolling as Hannibal made his request.

"Would someone mind either dimming, or in some other way diminishing the brightness of this room, the unusual color and variances in the structure of my eyes makes them much more sensitive to drastic changes in light. I have been in absolute darkness for what I perceive to be more than twenty-four hours. Reintroducing bright light so quickly will no doubt be exceedingly painful."

One of the guards was apologetic, "I'm sorry Doctor Lecter, this room doesn't have a dimmer and there are no windows. If the lights are turned off, we will be in total darkness."

"Surely the camera crew has some sort of lighting that can provide adequate illumination. Just for a few moments until my eyes adjust."

Bloom entered the room just as the officer reached for the light switch. "What are you doing?" he insisted, "Do you have any idea how dangerous he will be with the lights off?"

Hannibal countered, "Doctor Bloom how long have I been detained in this fashion?"

Bloom was indignant, "Thirty-seven hours now. Why?"

"I have been fully restrained in chains, hog-tied to a steel bunk without benefit of food or water, not to mention being denied the use of a bathroom. I am therefore of severely diminished physically capability. I would hardly refer to myself as dangerous. I am exhausted and suffering from dangerously low blood sugar and dehydration. I am making a simple request for a modification as I don't wish to damage my eyes."

One of the officers stepped forward and spoke quietly, "Excuse me Doctor Lecter, I may have a solution. I'm going to touch you- don't be alarmed I'm merely attempting to help you."

The police officer was wearing a very dark pair of sunglasses. He took them off and placed them on Hannibal's face.

He explained, "Doctor Lecter, I've taken the liberty of placing my sunglasses over your eyes. They're really dark and should offer you enough protection to give your eyes the chance to adjust. Open them very slowly and see if that helps you some."

Hannibal squinted for a few moments and blinking hard, nodded as he spoke, "Yes…thank you Officer that was kind of you."

Bloom ripped the glasses from Hannibal's face. The floodlights for the camera combined with the sudden revelation of the room's lighting caused Hannibal to wince in agony as the light flooded his unprotected eyes.

Bloom turned and tossed the sunglasses disrespectfully at the officer. "Don't ever give him something that hasn't been cleared. That's a severe breach in security protocol. Had he wished to, he could have killed you with that. Anything is a weapon to him."

The police officer pointed the earpiece of his glasses at Bloom in a threatening manner. He warned, "Don't insinuate he's dangerous because I gave him sunglasses. If he wanted to hurt someone he wouldn't need a weapon. Have you read his file…He is the weapon." The officer put his glasses back on and mumbled quietly to his colleague, "If Hannibal doesn't kill him…I might."

Hannibal's eyes were tearing uncontrollably as his lachrymal ducts reacted to protect the organs by flooding them with fluid. Hannibal violently twisted and turned his head away from the lights blinking back the pain. He struggled, unable to wipe his eyes as his hands were still chained behind him.

The cameraman felt so bad he lowered the camera and turned to the producer, "Really…are you fucking kidding me? I can barely watch this much less film it."

The producer directed him to continue. She whispered, "We will discuss this at the production meeting. For now, if you want to help Doctor Lecter, roll that damned camera and don't miss a second of this."

Bloom couldn't hear the producer but Hannibal, with his exceptional hearing could and the knowledge gathered in that brief interaction made the blinding light of the camera worth it.

The producer leaned over and spoke to the journalist. The journalist listened carefully, nodded and reached into her purse. She took out several tissues and stood in front of Hannibal, the camera rolling as she turned his back to the lights.

She spoke very quietly, "Doctor Lecter, I'm going to wipe the tears from your eyes. I've positioned you so that your back is to the lights for the camera. I'm going to turn off the lights in the room so you can open your eyes. Is that okay? Will you let me do that for you?"

Hannibal nodded, "Yes, thank you."

The journalist wiped the tracks of tears and cleaned up Hannibal's face. She then flipped the light switch so the only illumination came from the camera. "May I speak to you as your eyes adjust and ask you what you experienced? We had a night vision camera in the room with you and it appeared as if you didn't move the entire time."

Hannibal was obviously exhausted and shifted uncomfortably for a moment seeking to redistribute his body weight and adjust the pressure of the chains. His voice was warm but weak, reflecting the strain of his ordeal, "I sought to conserve my energy. I had no idea how long I would be forced to endure that treatment."

Seeing his discomfort the reporter turned to Bloom, "Can we have a chair for Doctor Lecter?"

With a wave of his hand, Bloom dismissed the request, "He's fine. He can sit when he is with his attorney."

The reporter paused with her mouth hanging open, slack jawed at the lack of empathy.

The sympathetic cameraman angrily set his camera down, "Fuck this." He pushed past Bloom, retrieved a chair and placed it behind Hannibal. "Please Doctor Lecter…sit."

Bloom moved to pull the chair out from beneath Hannibal. The cameraman shoved him back and pointed a threatening finger at Bloom, "If you touch that chair, I swear I'll lay you out with one punch!"

He picked up his camera as Bloom paced in the background.

The journalist held a microphone to Hannibal. He sat very still on the edge of the seat.

"So Doctor Lecter, we were discussing how you were able to remain so still for thirty-six hours?"

Hannibal continued, "I had no way of knowing how much time had elapsed and remaining still was not difficult as I was shackled."

"Your body must have been in pain being that restricted."

"Pain can be ignored and my movement had already been extremely restricted. I simply chose not to fight that restriction. It would have sapped my energy and further depleted my body."

"So you were consciously conserving your energy?"

"If indeed you had a camera in the room you no doubt saw that during the isolation, I received neither food nor drink. Had I struggled I may have created a medical situation for myself. I have a wife and a child on the way and I am not as young as once I was, therefore I cannot afford to take risks with my health. I must put the needs of my family above my own needs. Remaining still seemed my only recourse."

Hannibal again shifted uncomfortably. His eyes now adjusted, he turned in his seat to face Bloom.

"Doctor Bloom, I am in need of a bathroom and a shower. I am certain there are guidelines in this facility as to the treatment of prisoners. Though I am here without conviction, I would appreciate the same courtesy afforded the other inmates."

"Your lawyer is waiting for you in the next room. You can shower after you meet with him."

"Certainly, must I wait for the bathroom as well?"

"Unless you intend on soiling yourself you'll wait. Follow me."

Bloom opened a door on the other side of the room revealing a small inner office where Hannibal was to wait for his lawyer. Hannibal entered the room and sat forward on the edge of the chair, hands still cuffed behind him. Within moments a tall man with a briefcase hurried into the room. He opened his briefcase and began pulling out files.

The lawyer spread several documents out in front of Hannibal. "Hello, Doctor Lecter, it's good to see you though not under these circumstances. I had hoped you would be left in peace after the commutation of your sentences but it seems Doctor Bloom may have other plans. These documents are for your review. I have been given several release forms from the production company following Doctor Bloom's progress. I suggest you refrain from signing so that this travesty will not continue."

"To what travesty are you referring, Mr. Marion?"

The lawyer waved his pen at the assemblage, "I am referring to the fact that this absolute charade is being filmed. I cannot see the benefit to you. It is obviously self-serving on Doctor Bloom's part and therefore, impractical, possibly dangerous, on your part.

"Whether it is a charade or not is irrelevant as I have been court-ordered to participate. Why in your opinion would the filming be an impractical consideration?"

"Because I cannot control the content being filmed or it's editing."

"One would assume you can request an unedited copy can you not?"

"Yes, but…"

"Are these the release forms in front of me?"

"Yes, but…"

"I do not fear the presence of the camera as I am not the one with something to hide," Hannibal pronounced, "I wish an accurate record of my treatment."

The attorney protested vehemently, "This is a mistake Doctor Lecter. Your evaluation is part of your private medical records and you are making them very, very public."

"Let us not mince words. Though I have been pardoned, the accounts of my so called crimes have been very graphic and were made very public. If I am going to be an accepted member of this, or any society I must live my life publicly in order to remove the stigma of fear attached to me. I have done nothing wrong. I will do nothing wrong, therefore I have nothing to fear by signing the release forms."

The lawyer threatened, "I'll tell you what you should be afraid of…if you sign those forms…I quit."

"Other than losing my wife or my child, there is nothing on this earth I fear, therefore there is no need for posturing as your behavior will have no bearing on my decision…" Hannibal stood, contorted his body to reach for the pen on the desk and scrawled his name as best he could with his hands still cuffed. "…and you needn't worry yourself with quitting, Mr. Marion. You're fired."

CLARICE

Clarice was absolutely inconsolable during the ambulance ride. When her blood pressure started to spike causing the baby to experience bradycardia, they were forced to sedate her.

Clarice woke with Ardelia and Logan at her bedside. Barney was sitting in the corner at his computer looking up the State of Baltimore's involuntary commitment rules.

Before speaking, Clarice reached for her stomach to check the baby.

Ardelia comforted, "Don't worry, Clarice. The baby is fine. You've just got to stay put. You can't take any chances. They don't want that baby being born yet. They've had you mildly sedated. You must have been really overwhelmed because you've been out like a light for five days."

"Five days? Where's H? He couldn't get himself out yet? What's going on?" Clarice asked, disappointed not to see Hannibal at her side. "What's happening with the baby?"

Barney stood and walked across the room, "Hey Clarice. I hope you don't mind but Hannibal submitted papers with his attorney that in the event you and he were incapacitated and unable to make medical decisions that I be called."

"Yeah, I know Barney. I signed them too. What's happening? Is the baby okay?"

"The baby is perfect. They took an ultrasound. You're bleeding was caused by a marginal case of placenta previa but not to worry, the doctor thinks with eight weeks left, it may still migrate. It's borderline now so there's plenty of room for improvement. You're on bed rest for now, though."

"Okay what does that mean? Am I stuck with a c-section?" she asked as calmly as she could manage.

Barney was confident and assured, "If the placenta doesn't migrate, yes but there's still a chance for a vaginal delivery if it does. You really just need to rest."

Clarice's eyes shifted to Ardelia, "Please tell me you know what happened to him? Tell me there's some kind of news."

"Bloom's got him over at the prison," Ardelia mumbled knowing Clarice wouldn't react well.

"What? Why the prison? He wasn't arrested. He hasn't done anything wrong! What about the dart? What about his head?"

Barney answered calmly, "The muscle blockers stopped his heart so they had to paddle him twice on the ambulance ride to the hospital. He was on the ventilator the first twenty- four hours. After that, they took their time weaning him until he could breathe on his own. He was transferred to the prison two days ago."

Clarice was devastated, "Prison…prison…that'll kill him. What's wrong with those people? What the fuck is Pearsall doing? What about Will Graham?"

Ardelia waved her hands signaling for Clarice to calm down. "They're gonna toss us out on our collective asses if your heart rate spikes so listen and don't react. Graham and Pearsall are trying to get some attention from the White House. The problem is the White House is avowing knowledge of the situation and saying they can't get involved if the courts acted because of the separation of powers between the Executive and the Judicial branches of government."

Clarice sat up, her voice determined, "Get me the phone I need to get Hannibal's attorney now!"

Ardelia cringed, "Okay…don't shoot the messenger, but Hannibal fired his attorney."

"What?" Clarice was devastated, "How could he sabotage himself like that?"

Ardelia explained quietly hoping her calm would help Clarice, "Bloom was filming everything for a documentary he's calling 'Inside the Mind of a Madman.' The lawyer told Hannibal if he signed the release forms to give permission for the taping, that he would quit. Hannibal signed the papers right in front of his attorney then he fired the guy."

Logan laughed, "Hannibal is such a pimp! He won't even take shit from his own attorney…what a pimp!"

Clarice shot Logan an evil stare causing him to raise his hands in apology, "Sorry Clarice, but you have to give Hannibal credit. He's got a plan and he's sticking to it."

"What do you know about Hannibal's plan, Babe?" Ardelia asked.

Logan was pacing around the room highly animated, "Nothing…I just trust Hannibal. That pimp's always got a plan and you can bet the farm no one will figure it out. He's too smart for them. Bloom is screwed he just doesn't know it yet."

Clarice didn't want to let on that she knew anything about Hannibal's plan. She was frustrated and expressed her anger by grousing, "Well whatever his plan is, he'd better get it together because if he isn't here for the birth of our baby I'll never forgive him."

Clarice turned over in bed. She wouldn't have minded if Ardelia saw her cry but not the men. She wouldn't show weak eyes to any man except Hannibal.

She closed her eyes and allowed her unseen tears to flow. She knew Hannibal couldn't see them, but she was sure he would feel them. Somewhere, though neither could see the stars, she knew they shared them and that was enough for now.

HANNIBAL'S TREATMENT

Hannibal was lead to the shower under full guard with the camera crew in tow documenting the procedure.

Hannibal peaked into the shower room. It was small with several shower heads aligned. He was grateful the room had only one entrance, therefore the guards would not need to accompany him in the actual shower. The shackles were removed. Hannibal used the opportunity to stretch his muscles. It took several attempts before he could roll his shoulders and bring his arms to the front of his body.

A woman dressed in medical scrubs entered the room and approached Hannibal. She reached for his hand and shook it warmly, "Hello, Doctor Lecter my name is Lora. I'll be the nurse in charge of your care during your evaluation. Would you mind if I examined you?"

"May I shower first?" Hannibal requested, "I would be more comfortable with the examination if that is acceptable."

"Absolutely, I'd like to put a waterproof dressing over the stitches in your forehead to keep the area dry, but first we will have to undress you. I can assist or I can ask one of the men if you would be more comfortable."

Hannibal smiled, "No, I am perfectly comfortable with your assistance. Somehow being manhandled by a prison guard is not my idea of enjoyment, pleasant though they have been. I'll rely on your bedside manner and professionalism in that regard."

The nurse placed a square of protective plastic over the stitches and sealed the area. She then waited for Hannibal to begin to undress himself.

"I don't wish to be intrusive so let me know when you need assistance, Doctor Lecter."

Hannibal stepped out of his prison issued sneakers and unfastened the pants. He was able to lower them, but was having difficulty lifting his leg and reaching down. A protracted sigh expressed his frustration.

Lora stepped in, "Place your hand on my shoulder for support. I'll bend in front of you and help you lift each leg and step out of the pants. We'll begin with the left."

Hannibal was surprised at how sore his muscles were and was forced to lean heavily on the nurse. She helped him with one leg, then the other. "This is much more difficult than I imagined," he commented.

"The shirt will be more difficult, your arms have been in restraints for far longer than I would have approved. You'll have to take your time. You're going to be very sore."

Hannibal reached for the tee shirt and attempted to remove it. He struggled for a moment but couldn't manage on his own, "It seems I'm yet not capable of this."

"I'd be happy to help."

Again, the nurse explained the process she would use to assist. "I'm going to grasp the back of your shirt up and lift it. We will then bend your arm at the elbow and lower it through the opening."

Though the nurse moved his limbs gently Hannibal winced as his sore arms were manipulated to remove the shirt. He then leaned against the doorway of the shower as she helped him remove his socks and slip on a pair of prison issue shower sandals. She moved into the shower and turned the faucets testing the water.

"The water is warm now, as your body tolerates, we will raise the temperature to sooth your muscles."

The nurse, empathizing with Hannibal's plight smoothed a comforting, but gloved hand across his shoulders rubbing his aching muscles. She spoke very quietly, "I'm so sorry Doctor Lecter, but I'll have to remain near you in the shower. There's a danger with your recent immobility that your blood pressure may suddenly drop. I'll make sure to offer you all the privacy I can but I'll need to remain within your arm's length. Should you feel weak, reach for me and I'll steady you."

"Thank you, nurse. How long will I have to shower?" Hannibal asked as he slipped off his boxers and slowly stepped in to the tiled room.

"As long as you are able to stand comfortably you can stay. I've known Doctor Bloom for quite some time so don't you worry about him, he knows better than to argue with me about my patients. Your muscles will benefit from the hot water so if you can stand, I'll keep him out. After this you'll be placed in your cell so don't rush. You'll be alone again for the rest of the night. I'd like you to enjoy as much physical contact as possible. Though you tolerated the deprivation well, there are lasting effects to that kind of isolation if you aren't properly stimulated. Tonight, in your cell, I will make sure you're not restrained in any way."

Hannibal was relieved he would be again returned to the cell and very pleased this particular nurse had been assigned to his case. She was thoughtful and professional. He believed himself to be in very competent hands.

Hannibal ducked his head under the stream of water and reached for the soap. He slowly lathered his chest and arms and was thankful he was fully able to reach his groin, but struggled to move past or around his thighs. Bending at the waist he groaned.

Lora noticed his pain, reached for a washcloth and lathered it thick with soap. Hannibal exhaled deeply as she began to wash his back and shoulders. She rubbed the muscles in deep circles, helping the blood flow to each area. She cleaned his legs and the backs of his thighs. Staying behind him so as to preserve his modesty she reached around his body and washed his thighs and calves. Bending low she helped him to lift his legs to wash his feet thoroughly. She finished by again addressing his back and shoulders. She spoke quietly, "Can you reach back and clean your bottom?"

"Yes, I can manage…thank you."

She handed him the washcloth and Hannibal, straining his arms slightly, finished washing himself.

Lora stood beside him, just outside the direct spray of the shower, though she was indeed getting wet indirectly, making sure Hannibal could enjoy the tactile sensations of the water pulsing against his body.

Bloom poked his head into the stall and complained, "Nurse what is taking so long?"

Lora shifted her attention from Hannibal to Bloom, "I am attending to the needs of my patient, Doctor Bloom therefore I would ask you to remove yourself from the situation, please," she warned.

As they argued, Hannibal turned his body and leaned his back against the tile. He was obviously exhausted but didn't want to leave the warm comfort of the shower. Lora, not realizing he had turned his body in her direction, faced with the unexpected frontal nudity had a momentary lapse and looked down seeing Hannibal in a semi-erect state. Embarrassed by what she considered was a breach in his privacy and thankful Hannibal's eyes were closed, she quickly looked away.

The information gathered from her accidental inspection made her inquire, "Doctor Lecter, excuse me asking but how long have you been away from your wife?"

"Five days I think."

"Has there been a camera on you that entire time? Is there a camera in your cell as well?"

"Yes."

"There is no time that you have not been under surveillance? You have no private time?"

"Not thus far."

"Doctor Lecter, if you are feeling secure leaning against the tile, I'm going to step away from you and stand just outside this doorway. I will be certain to fully block the view from the outside to allow you to attend to your physical needs in privacy. No one will enter this area until you call for me. Do you understand what I'm telling you?"

A slow smile crossed Hannibal's face. "Yes…I understand…thank you."

Hannibal closed his eyes and focused his thoughts on Clarice.

Minutes later, when he called for the nurse, she returned and helped him to towel off, careful that his dignity remained intact as she helped him to dress.

"I will oversee your care while you're here Doctor. I'll do my best to see you don't continue to suffer unduly. When you get back to your cell, be sure to sleep. You need to build your strength."

"Yes…thank you. I'm appreciative of your professionalism and your care."

The nurse moved to hug Hannibal. He allowed the gesture not knowing why. She quickly whispered in his ear, "She hasn't had the baby yet…they're both safe."

Hannibal grasped her shoulders, his body trembling in relief and whispered, "Thank you, Lora…thank you."

Hannibal was trussed in his chains and escorted to his cell. The door closed with him sitting quietly on the bunk. He waited until he was certain his keepers were no longer near. He then turned onto his side and faced away from the door. He was sleeping soundly within minutes without anyone considering the fact that he had still not been fed.

The next morning the normal sounds of prison life woke Hannibal. A large metal cart was rolling down the row delivering meals. An elderly inmate was in charge of delivering the meals. Hannibal, unsure of whether or not he would be fed, remained very still. Suddenly the cart and the inmate appeared in front of his door. The taller man, an older African-American, opened the food port and whispered inside.

"Hey…Doctor, Come here…quick."

Hannibal moved swiftly to the opening.

The old man whispered, "We're not supposed to feed you. Only that doctor is supposed to feed you."

Hannibal nodded, "I assumed as much."

The man stuffed an egg and bacon sandwich wrapped in towel paper through the opening.

"That's got three eggs scrambled up with some greens and bacon. I even put a slice of cheese on it. It ain't pretty but it should keep up your strength for a time. He pushed a banana and a carton of milk through the opening. I've got to come back for the carton and the peel. You can flush the paper towel. If they come before I get back, put the peel inside and toss the carton out of your food tray so they don't know who had it."

"Thank you my friend. I am in your debt."

"Eat the sandwich quick so you don't have to flush it. Won't do you know good if it's down the crapper."

"Indeed."

The man moved to the next cell to deliver the meal. Hannibal took the food to the back of his cell and sat on the bunk facing the wall. He ate the sandwich as quickly as he could manage and still keep it down. The milk and banana he alternated until all of the food had been consumed. Hannibal heard rolling wheels and hoped it was not the hand truck. He moved to the food port to see his new friend.

"Did you finish it all?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Okay, pass me the carton and the banana peel so I can get rid of it."

Hannibal did as he was told.

"I'll be by every day at least once. I'll get as many calories as I can into each sandwich and get you some fruit and milk too. The tubby little white man calls the shots I guess. You'll get a good hot meal when they let me serve you. You make sure to drink water to fill your belly in case you miss a meal or two. I can't leave you nothing if you're not in your cell 'cuz they'll catch me and that'll be the end of the food. Hope you understand."

"Perfectly."

The old man moved to the next cell. Hannibal called after him. "Sir, why are you helping me?"

"Because it's something I can do for my nephew. He's always taking care of the family helping out with money…he don't ask nobody for nothing. Every month faithful he sends me money to spend at the canteen so when he asked me this…well… I told him I'd find you and I'd make it my business to do it. "

"What is your nephew's name? What's your name?"

"His old man named him for me so we got the same name but not the same shame. I'm Barney Matthews… I expect now you know who my nephew is."

Hannibal should have been shocked but he saw an immediate resemblance. Both men had a spark of curiosity behind their wide-set eyes. He answered quickly, "Yes…yes…he is my dearest…my only friend."

The elderly man nodded, "He's a good man…in spite of him being surrounded by the likes of me around him coming up. His daddy was a good man though."

"Barney is a good man," Hannibal confirmed.

"That's kind of you to say…I'll see you later Doctor." The old man with his back bent from the weight of his life's decisions, pushed the cart down the aisle. Hannibal could not see him, though he could hear him quite clearly as he hummed Amazing Grace on his way back to the kitchen.

Barney...

Hannibal was ready when they came for him. Seeing no point to it, the guards were refusing to use the hand truck. They refused the use of the straight jacket and the mask as well. They simply cuffed Hannibal behind his back and shackled his legs.

The guards escorted him to the same room he had been left in for the sensory deprivation experiment. There was a large machine. Hannibal recognized it immediately.

"Electroconvulsive Therapy?" he asked, "Sine-wave or pulse?"

Bloom busied himself at the machine, "I'm old-fashioned so I stick with the sine-wave."

"No one has administered a sedative. Muscle relaxers are also indicated."

"Your tolerance for pain is legendary. Shall we put it to the test today?" Bloom taunted.

"Do I not have the right to refuse, after all, Voluntas aegroti suprema lex."

"Normally the will of the patient would indeed be supreme but not in this case. I am the authority."

"Have you received a court order allowing you to perform this procedure without my permission?"

"Of course I have."

Hannibal sighed as he stepped into the room. As Bloom attached the electrodes, Hannibal focused on the one thought that would get him through.

As the electricity coursed through his system, clenching his jaw and inducing seizures, Hannibal repeated it over and over again.

She hasn't had the baby yet…they're both safe.

And that was enough for him.

Hope you liked the chapter!

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

Until the next chapter my friends!

LH