THE FINAL RELEASE

Hannibal and Clarice were seen immediately by the medical staff of the prison. Hannibal's eyes were additionally flushed and the cut on Clarice was covered and cleaned but did not need further attention.

"Why don't you catch a ride with us, Clarice?" Ardelia offered.

"Don't you think I'd prefer that? The president was so goddamned mortified by the situation with Bloom that it was really awkward. He kept talking about wanting to insure Hannibal's safety. I had no idea what the hell to say."

Ardelia laughed, "Wait a minute…he wanted to insure Hannibal's safety?"

Clarice laughed along with her friend. "Yeah, pretty ridiculous huh? I guess he never read H's case file."

"That's an understatement. You okay here?"

"Yeah, H is in the back of the room. I'm fine."

"Okay, I'm gonna check in with Logan. I'll be back in a minute."

As Ardelia left to find Logan, Clarice sat on one of the chairs, too tired to stand any longer.

Hannibal had been standing very still against a wall in the back of the room watching the correctional officers as they watched him. Theirs were simply curious stares. Hannibal's perusal more an assessment of their skills, their body language, even which hand they favored. He watched the movement of their legs to see how their pants fell near their ankles checking for holsters. Not because he intended to do harm but after all his years of incarceration it was more force of habit than anything else. Seeing Clarice alone in the center of the room much the same as first time he saw her through the glass all he wanted to do was touch her.

Clarice tipped her head to look up at him. Understanding the signal, Hannibal bent over and kissed her.

Clarice smiled, "Hey, H."

"Hello, Clarice."

He relished the warmth and the feel of her body and contented himself by running his hands through her hair.

Two very curious off-duty guards stood nearby obviously intently focused on the couple's interaction. Occasionally they would notice something or think of an amusing comment and mumble to one another. Hannibal listened intently and watched them peripherally but did not let on that he could hear their conversation until the tone shifted to one he could not ignore.

Of the pair, the thinner shorter man turned the conversation to the profane, "I can't believe she sleeps with him. What a lucky son of a bitch."

Whispering, the heavier of the two men leered, "Do you think she'll breast feed? It sure looks like she's got plenty of milk coming in."

The smaller man snickered, "I'd sure as hell shove the old guy aside for a taste. You wouldn't be able to pull me off her."

Having had enough of the discourtesy to Clarice, Hannibal's eyes flashed blood red as he spun to face the men. The guards clearly panicked as Hannibal hissed, "I invite either of you to try, though I must warn I am not as tame I appear. If you attempted to touch my wife…my face would be the last you would see."

Terrified Hannibal had clearly heard their conversation the men began to shove each other toward the door clearly desperate to get out of the room.

"Try not to frighten the children, H," Clarice joked, clearly unconcerned with her husband's behavior. She correctly assumed the guards were offensive and Hannibal was simply entertaining himself. She sat awkwardly on one of the plastic chairs. The long day was wearing on her physically, obvious from her posture. She placed her hands under her belly for support. Now heavy with child and more than a little uncomfortable she leaned into her husband and tapped her foot anxiously.

"Jesus Christ why does getting out of prison take so much longer than getting in?" she complained as she arched her back in discomfort.

Hannibal mused, "It is preferable to not getting out at all, Clarice." He was still unnerved by Bloom's assault on his wife and stood protectively behind with his hands resting on her shoulders. Sensing her heightened level of anxiety and assuming the pregnancy was causing additional strain he quietly began rubbing her back and shoulders.

Though he wanted to touch her far more intimately than this casual caress it was hardly the place for such things. No, he would be forced to wait until they were alone. Instead his imagination would have to suffice. He closed his eyes and brought to mind holding her after their first coupling with the scent of their lovemaking filling his nostrils. He could feel her flesh pressed against him as he pulled her close. Her back rested against his chest and his arms wrapped tightly holding her, never wanting to let go.

Clarice was oblivious to Hannibal's mood and continued to grouse about their situation.

"Seriously, I can't believe this doesn't irritate you. I just want to get you the hell out of here in case someone changes their mind."

"It does not irritate me because there is nothing I can do to expedite the process. I learned many years ago that my emotions do not affect a situation therefore I do not invest them."

"Well, I don't care if it affects things or not if I'm pissed off then I'm just pissed off. I can't help it."

Clarice stretched her back and arched into the contact.

Hannibal continued to press his fingertips into the tissue, working the knots from her strained muscles.

"What have the arrangements been for the Bashandi's?" Hannibal inquired realizing their guests would be returning to the home.

"They had the house to themselves last night. The prime minister had several meetings lined up and wanted to watch the documentary with his advisors. I was really just in the way so I stayed at the duplex like you suggested. I spoke to his chief of staff and he told me Mariyah and her father would attend an official state dinner with the president and wouldn't be returning until much later tonight. Why? What do you have on your mind?"

"I had hoped there might be a window of opportunity for some much needed privacy. I would like to hold you in my arms without having to ask permission. Not to mention it has been far too long, my Love."

Starved for his wife's touch he was now preoccupied with the clock on the wall hoping if they made good enough time now, the opportunity to make love to his wife might very soon present itself. He would not be comfortable once their houseguests arrived and as such, he was desperate to get home.

Hannibal's mind tumbled with scenarios as his fingertips gently probed her flesh, pinching and kneading her tightly bundled muscles. The heat from his hands and the friction from his touch released a sweet bouquet from her body that sparked Hannibal's desire. He inhaled deeply, his nostrils flared as he lowered his body aligning his nose with her cheek to gather in the aroma.

He whispered, "You have haunted my dreams, my Love. When we arrive home…"

He let his voice trail off as he centered his attention to the gentle curve of her neck where it joined her shoulder. As he continued to massage her flesh he placed light kisses and the occasional teasing bite along the winter-pale skin of her neck and shoulders.

Again Clarice dropped her head back reaching for a kiss. Hannibal lowered his head and obliged.

"Umm, H…that's wonderful."

"If you think a simple massage is wonderful…"

He kissed her again, this time lingering, deepening, "…wait until I get you home my Love. I assure you it will be much more than merely wonderful," he kissed her again, "it will be transcendent."

Hannibal released her lips and continued to attend to her tired back and shoulder muscles. He sought to stimulate blood flow by leaning into his arms and intensifying the massage. He soon found the contact was encouraging the blood flow to his body as well and shifted from the tension. Clarice was so wrapped up in the massage she was oblivious to his response.

"H, I can't even tell you how much I've missed this; how much I missed you."

"I have missed you as well Clarice. I have come to realize how much I rely on your presence. My utter need for you is very compelling and gives you a power over me that I find quite intriguing."

Clarice reached back, grabbed his leg gripped his thigh muscle and squeezed it tightly just beneath his bottom. This modest contact paired with a surging flood of warmth within caused a flutter in the deepest part of him. Though it was new to him he loved that strange, queasy, jumpy, feeling he got whenever she touched him.

"Don't be ridiculous," she laughed, "You were locked up for more than eight years and you still had everyone there dangling like puppets on a string. No one has any power over you, least of all me. You're so far above everyone else that most people are more like pets to you."

"I certainly would enjoy petting you, Clarice," Hannibal flirted.

He found himself quite surprised at how intense his drive was to join with her flesh. Though he had always had an active libido this was different. This was not a longing for sex, though that was some part of it. This was more a need to meld his body with hers, to join, to become one. It was the first instinctual drive that he was unfamiliar with but he found he welcomed the need as it reflected his intense desire to protect his wife and their child.

"Yeah, well I don't have any illusions. The only power I have over you is the power you allow me to have, H."

At this moment he had the intense desire to bite her flesh and to draw it into his mouth long enough to raise a livid mark. It was a primal feeling of ownership, a public display he used at various times in his life with any number of a variety of women with whom he had a sexual relationship.

Clarice was the first woman he had allowed to bite or to break his skin Body and soul he offered himself willingly. He was surprised she accepted. She alone was allowed to leave her mark upon him.

"No Clarice. I haven't the ability to disallow this desire and have absolutely no control over it. I am at your mercy and am fully content to be so. That is what I find so intriguing."

Clarice arched in response to his touch, sighing at the contact and leaning into his hand. The sensations generated from her pleasure kindled Hannibal's passion. That combined with the fact that he had not had relief in several days elicited such a rapid and pronounced response that he was relieved to be standing behind Clarice. If not, his arousal would have been difficult to hide and he most definitely would have been extremely compromised in the presence of Ardelia who had just entered the room with the wheelchair.

The sight of Ardelia pushing the wheelchair caused Clarice to bristle with irritation.

"I am so done with that chair it isn't even funny, Dee." She waved an agitated hand swatting backward at the air, vehemently dismissing the mode of transport.

Ardelia looked at Hannibal. "You're the doctor, big guy. What are we doing- wheelchair or no?"

Hannibal could immediately feel her muscles tense at the sight of the conveyance. He paused a moment to process her physiological feedback and wasn't certain he fully understood what her body was communicating. He believed the wheelchair would be prudent but his young wife's defiance caused him pause.

"Clarice?" he questioned seeking further information.

Clarice reached to her shoulders and gripped Hannibal's hands, squeezing them tightly.

"H…

Hannibal bent to his knee beside the chair. He wanted to see her eyes.

"Clarice…"

Clarice reached for him and cradled his face very gently in her hands. She pulled him close and touched her forehead to his as she spoke just above a whisper, "Everyone knows your past and they all have ideas about who and what you are. To them, you're Doctor Hannibal Lecter, genius, a thrilling enigma, a terrifying and exhilarating presence. But that isn't who I need right now. That isn't who I want to be with. Now, I need H…I need my husband. I want the world to know that I love you for who you are and that I am by your side, no matter what. I want to walk out the front door of this hell-hole, side by side, arm in arm with our heads held high. I can't do that from that goddamned chair."

"It would be prudent…"

Clarice interrupted, "Fuck prudent, H…this is really important to me."

Hannibal stood with his head down staring off into space as he processed the situation.

"My wife would prefer to be by my side therefore I believe we will do without the chair Ardelia, thank you. Enough time has passed without incident and I am certain the exercise will only benefit. I'll tend to my wife if she has a problem"

He bent over Clarice and kissed her neck, whispering in her ear, "Was that the correct response, my Love?"

"You're a smart man, Hannibal Lecter."

"One tries, Clarice."

THE RIDE HOME

Hannibal rested his hand on Clarice's knee and occasionally drifted upward reaching for the silky smoothness of her inner thigh. He didn't dare to press further, not because he believed Clarice would deny him the pleasure, but more because he thought she might allow it and he would have had serious self-control issues had she graced him with that much contact.

He would soon have his assumptions proven correct.

Hannibal's hand traveled just slightly up the inside of her left thigh. He was looking out the window watching the lights pass and didn't dare make eye contact as the stimulation would have exceeded his hold upon it. Hannibal was content to smooth his fingertips back and forth over her silky, warm skin. He continued to gently touch her in this way and secretly commended himself for the grasp he maintained over his instincts. Hannibal's thoughts began to slowly shift as his nostrils flared, picking up his wife's desire. The inhalation stalled his movement but did not remove his hand, resting it gently.

Clarice wondered why he stopped touching her. She wanted more contact, not less.

"Hannibal…"There was heat in her voice, not anger.

"Yes Clarice?"

"H…It's been forever. Don't you want me to touch me?"

If words were a gun she had just drawn the hammer back.

He might have played it off with feigned ambivalence but his wife had a highly tuned bullshit meter and would have never believed him, "Clarice, I have been denied you for too long and I'm struggling to maintain restraint."

He made the mistake of looking into her eyes, so salacious they burned.

"Why?" Clarice asked.

"Clarice and we are not in the position…"

"It wouldn't take long to get into the position."

"If you are teasing me it would not be a good idea to rely on me for self-control. If it were up to me I would have taken you without apology in the waiting room."

Clarice pulled him close and whispered in his ear, "H…now."

Clarice was seated against the driver's back. Hannibal considered the logistics of the situation. He immediately dropped to his knees on the floor of the limo and moved quickly in front of Clarice. He placed his palms flat on her thighs her legs still firmly together he very gently moved to separate them. Clarice allowed her legs to slowly open. His heart raced as he moved quickly to her.

"This will not be the most elegant of exchanges."

"I don't want elegant. Right now I'll settle for hard and fast. We're pretty close to home."

Hannibal grasped her hips and pulled her to him that she might feel his body straining against his trousers. The moment his engorged body, still straining within his clothing pressed against the thin silky fabric of her panties she gasped, "Oh my god, H…Really?"

"I told you I have need of you, Clarice. This last separation has most assuredly tested the limits of my endurance."

"Not to mention the limits of your pants. That's not a load-bearing zipper you know."

Hannibal bit her neck and growled playfully as he pressed more fully against her, teasing in her ear, "I am heartened to see that my discomfort is the source of amusement for you."

Clarice reached or his zipper and very slowly lowered it, "Let me get that for you, H."

She unbuckled his belt and opened the front of his trousers. Hannibal could see her very clearly in the darkness but he was certain she, along with the driver who was behind a tinted glass partition, couldn't see a thing. Clarice was relying strictly through touch; a prospect Hannibal found most erotic.

As she lowered his pants and his boxers, sliding them down below his hips, taking him firmly in hand she loosened her grip slightly as she moved down, tightening again and she moved up. She smoothed her thumb, rolling it across the velvet flesh before slipping down his length again.

Hannibal gasped and doubled over slightly, leaning into Clarice and resting his head on her shoulder, "My Love, please…don't. Trust me when I say I am in no need of encouragement; quite the opposite in fact."

Clarice grabbed Hannibal's face and began to kiss him roughly, more a clutching and biting than their normally tender, graceful contact. Hannibal answered in kind, grasping at her body with reckless abandon. He reached his hands under her dress, slipped his fingers beneath her undergarments and dragged them down. For several minutes he was lost in the contact. Suddenly, Hannibal sat bolt upright.

"Clarice, when did you last speak to the obstetrician?"

"H…Jesus Christ not now."

"Clarice, I wasn't given the ultrasound taken after your diagnosis. I'm not certain I should proceed."

"It was border line to begin with. It's been three weeks, H. It's practically normal now."

"Clarice? You must be certain."

"I'm certain goddamn it I'm certain! What do I have to beg you?"

"That won't be necessary, Clarice. I am more than willing."

Hannibal slowed his pace, now unconcerned with his own satisfaction and more with his wife's health. Had he been ignorant of the risks involved he might not have worried, but having worked in hospitals and having dealt with this condition under emergency circumstances he was now more than a little preoccupied.

He continued, "Clarice if the placenta detaches…"

Still on his knees he considered which position might lessen the chances of complications in the event Clarice misunderstood her doctor's instructions. Not understanding Hannibal's reluctance Clarice lost her patience and shoved him back from her. She awkwardly swung her legs over, pulled on her underwear and fixed her dress. She was quiet so as not to raise the attention of the driver but the edge to her voice sliced through Hannibal's heart.

"Never mind, just never you goddamned mind!" she mumbled as she turned to face the window.

That's it…now she's hurt.

Hannibal very carefully sorted his clothing before sitting to adjust himself. He didn't bother apologizing knowing she was far too disturbed to attend to it. He forced himself into his trousers, very cautiously pulled up his zipper and buckled his belt. When he was certain his clothing was had been properly tended and his wife had a chance to calm he reached across the seat and offered his hand, palm up, admitting his discourtesy and seeking her absolution.

Clarice did not acknowledge his penitence.

"Clarice?"

She turned to face to him. Hannibal could see her quite clearly. She no longer appeared upset.

"Yeah H?"

Realizing she couldn't see what he was doing he brushed his fingertips beneath her hand, attempting to tease her fingers within his. Slowly she took his hand and laced her fingers within his. Hannibal held her hand very loosely.

"I am so sorry, my Love. We will figure this out at home. Know that I would die before causing you pain."

Clarice squeezed his hand.

Forgiven.

The limo turned the corner on to their street to find the roadway reduced to one lane. There were cars and satellite trucks parked on both sides of the street.

Clarice tapped on the glass partition. The driver lowered the divider.

"What the hell is going on here? Did somebody die?" Clarice exclaimed.

The limo driver spoke up. Haven't you been home the last twenty-four hours? It's been like this since just before the documentary aired."

Hannibal craned his neck to see, "It would seem the walk to the front door will be much like running a gauntlet. Please, stay close, Clarice. I don't want to see you injured because a reckless photographer becomes overzealous in pursuit of a photo opportunity."

The car pulled up directly in front of the home, blowing his horn and nudging the car forward to push back news crews. He then moved to exit the vehicle but Hannibal raised an arm to halt his movement.

"That won't be necessary. I would prefer to hold the door for my wife. Thank you."

Hannibal and Clarice exited the car and faced the cameras together.

The baby will be born soon- not too many more chapters to go!

Until the next chapter my friends!

LH