QUESTIONS

Basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking, Clarice swirled her fingers through Hannibal's chest hairs. It grew thicker between his pectoral muscles and she often preoccupied herself playing with it. Slowly, some of his comments moments earlier came to her, raising some concern.

"H?"

Hannibal, eyes closed, had nothing but sleep on his mind. He blinked several times as if shaking any thought of rest from them.

"Yes, Clarice?"

She lifted her head from his chest so that she could see him as she questioned, "Why did you ask me if the bedroom door was locked?"

Hannibal opened his arms outward and stretched lazily as he spoke, "I told you why."

Clarice rose to an elbow, her eyebrows knitted together in thought. Could I have missed it?

"No…no, you didn't."

Hannibal reached for her shoulders to pull her down to his body but Clarice held a hand up and repeated, "No, you didn't tell me a thing."

Seeing that Clarice was preoccupied with something of which he had little or no interest, Hannibal rolled onto his left side. He spoke very plainly, clearly not worried about the outcome in the least.

"Yes, I very clearly stated that I wished to avoid having to entertain guests in our particular position. As we have only two guests in the home, the clear postulation would be that one or more could be found just outside the door. Do you really not remember my saying it was necessary as a precautionary measure?"

"Yes…but…I thought you were speaking hypothetically."

Hannibal, realizing that Clarice hadn't a clue, turned over and sat up to face her.

"Why would you think that? I was very clear."

Clearly horrified the realization of what must have happened dawned on her. Oh my God, Mariyah?…Mariyah!

Clarice was almost too upset to ask, "What are you telling me, H? Was there someone outside our door? Christ…was it Mariyah?"

"Yes, Mariyah was outside the door. In fact, I believe she was pressed against the door as the air pressure shifted in the room for a moment and her scent was very near."

Clarice stood from the bed and grabbed her robe, knotting it apprehensively as she began to pace beside the bed. It was more than obvious she was disturbed.

"Oh my God, H! How long?"

Hannibal scooted to the edge of the bed, not bothering to cover his nudity. He did note that Clarice had modestly pulled her robe up around her face.

He was clearly perplexed by his wife's reaction as he thought he had been quite direct.

"Not long before I asked about the lock," he considered, "perhaps five minutes prior to that time. I fail to see why you are so concerned? The door is extremely heavy and well insulated therefore, while I am certain she understood the nature of our activities, she wasn't privy to the acts themselves."

Clarice turned the rich terrycloth bundled in fists around her face covering her body self-consciously as if she had just discovered that her nakedness had been broadcast on the six o'clock news.

"Oh my God this is so mortifying… you should have told me."

Hannibal was unconcerned by the incident as modesty was not an issue for him, though he could see his wife was deeply affected.

"My apologies, my Love. I was under the impression I had."

Oh, no…No! Suddenly a chill ran up her spine as she recalled his later comment. Certain she already knew the answer, she forced herself to ask the question.

"And what did you mean when you said our company had company?"

Hannibal stood and walked to Clarice. He was running his fingertips along the sides of her arms up and down in an effort to soothe.

"You will not be pleased with my answer."

"No shit, Sherlock. I want to hear it anyway."

Hannibal gathered Clarice in his arms and pulled her against him.

"Anwar discovered Mariyah outside our door."

Clarice let her hands slip around his neck. She looked into his eyes, hers softening as he began to play with her hair.

"May I offer, my Love, Clarice, that it is no one's affair what we do in our own bedroom and that we need not apologize for loving one another."

"I don't mean to take it out on you, H. In your own way, I guess you did try to tell me, but I was, well, we were both a bit preoccupied."

He began bringing gentle handfuls of her hair to his face and burying his nose among the soft curls, inhaled deeply.

"To say the very least."

Clarice rested her head on his chest, her muffled angst vibrating against his bare skin.

"So she heard what she heard. You're right! We don't have to apologize for getting laid in our own bedroom! Christ! What the hell am I embarrassed about? I could give a damn less if they were sitting on the bed rail taking pictures."

Hannibal released the hair he had been so preoccupied with and took her face very gently in his hands. "Though expressed more directly than I might have chosen, those are my sentiments exactly, Clarice."

He kissed the top of her head and rocked her gently back and forth, his body hardening against hers.

Clarice, feeling his response slapped him playfully on the backside, "Hey, Romeo! One voyeuristic performance is enough for the evening. Your little buddy is on hiatus until our guests are over the Atlantic."

"Little buddy, Clarice?"

"Okay, your not so little buddy, but he's still on hold, got it?"

"Not while we still have guests, apparently," Hannibal spoke in a petulant tone.

Clarice reached over, grabbed Hannibal's robe, draped it over his shoulders, and, using the fabric to pull him closer, kissed him on the tip of his nose.

"Not while we still have guests definitely, so you just put that thing away where it can't cause any more trouble tonight."

Hannibal surged forward and began nibbling playfully at her neck, "Oh, Clarice…with you, it's no trouble at all."

Clarice shrugged her shoulder and giggled as she gossiped, "So, Bashandi found her with her nosey little ear pressed up against the door?"

"Yes, that would be my guess based on the evidence of my senses," Hannibal continued to nuzzle and nibble at her neck and throat, "might I say that your enjoyment of her predicament is a tad mercenary my Love, and I must tell you, I find that very, very, erotic."

"H, if I'm in the room you find a stiff wind erotic."

"If you are in the room, my Love, it isn't the wind you need worry about."

As he hadn't secured his robe, Hannibal's was falling open, so he reached over, loosened the plush belt of his wife's and opened hers as well. He pulled himself against her body and slipped his hands within, grasping her hips. Clarice allowed him the interlude for a moment until she realized the ramifications of Bashandi, an incredibly strict and protective father, finding his daughter in that compromising a position.

She spoke against his neck, "He really found her with her ear to our door? She must have had a freaking heart attack! Could you tell if he was pissed off?"

Hannibal continued to attend to his wife's body and his own desire, speaking as his hands searched her form, "Though his voice was very soft, his tone was direct. I fear our young friend has a bit of explaining to do. I hope her father does not undo all of the care I took to build her self-esteem. It would be disastrous if he were to berate her."

Clarice leaned away briefly, "Aw, now I feel bad. Maybe you should go out there. You could smooth things over a bit. Make sure she knows we're not upset."

Disappointed his enjoyment was interrupted, he took stalled his hands on her hips and sought her eyes, "I was under the impression you were upset."

Clarice grabbed the hanging belt of his robe and pulled him in, "How could I stay upset? She's a sweet girl, even if she is crushing hard on you. You need to go bail her out just in case."

Hannibal nodded, "Yes, perhaps that would be best."

Hannibal released Clarice reluctantly, kissing her as he passed and walked to the bathroom. He took a quick shower, put on linen trousers, a loose fitting cashmere sweater and stuffed his feet quickly into a pair of Italian leather loafers. He offered his plans as he moved around the room.

"Clarice, I will be preparing a large breakfast. Our guests have a very long flight ahead of them and it is doubtful either will sleep now. Hopefully a meal will provide an adequate distraction and needed sustenance. If you would like to join us after a shower, I will make you a lovely omelet with fresh asparagus."

Clarice began pushing through her armoire for clothing, "I'd rather have scrambled eggs, home fries and bacon."

Hannibal opened the closet, removed a lovely casual maternity dress and held it up. Clarice nodded and waved him over. He spoke as he carried the hanger to her.

"I can scramble the eggs and provide the home fries, but I fear bacon would be an affront to our guests. No pork products. Would pain perdu suffice?"

"Pain per who?"

"French toast, my Love."

"Why didn't you just say that? Yeah, that's fine. I can't believe you expect me to sit across from a girl who just spent the better part of an hour listening to us making love and I don't even get bacon! Oh, boy do you owe me, H!"

"In more ways than I can recount or repay, Clarice."

MARIAH

Anwar Bashandi sat at the desk in the corner of the room. His daughter chose a chair by the window. It was the furthest point from his chosen seat. He wondered whether or not the distance was a conscious choice.

"Why were you listening at the Lecter's bedroom door, Mariyah?"

"I saw their light was on and I wanted to apologize to Clarice. They were talking so I was waiting for them to finish their conversation."

"Their conversation? Surely they were doing more than talking to one another. They are married and have been one without the other for weeks."

"I...I don't think so…I just heard voices. How would I know what they were doing on the other side of the door? It 's a big door and it was closed all the way."

"Did you not think it might be an invasion of their privacy? Perhaps they were making love?"

"I don't think so. They were talking. I could hear voices."

"People often talk when they are intimate, especially married people."

"I wasn't thinking about that…I just wanted to talk to Clarice. I thought Hannibal might have…"

"Hannibal? Not Doctor Lecter?"

"No…I would never call him Hannibal to his face. It would be rude and I wasn't listening to see if they were…whatever. I was just waiting for them to stop talking so I wouldn't be interrupting anything."

"Still, it is intrusive at the very least and quite unseemly. What is your preoccupation with this man? I understand he has been very kind to you and I owe him a debt that I will never be able to repay but he is…"

Mariyah was turning the fabric of her sweater, twisting the edges of the sleeves as she questioned, "What? He is what?"

"He is a very unusual man…a very unusual and very married man."

Mariyah was skipping a foot back and forth along the floor, avoiding eye contact with her father.

"What do you mean he's unusual?"

Bashandi leaned forward attempting to get her attention, "Mariyah, he has killed many, many people."

Mariyah's eyes watered as she stared at the floor, "Not anymore."

Bashandi stood very quietly, lifted his chair and moved closer, not wanting to be overheard. He slid his chair so closely they were sitting knee to knee. Bashandi reached across to his daughter and took her hands in his. He spoke softly, mirroring the tone Hannibal used earlier in the day striving not to undo the progress his daughter was making.

"You are an intelligent young woman. Surely you recognize that he is still the same man. He has modified his behavior to suit his wife but that doesn't mean he has changed. He is as capable now, of any of the things he has ever done, as the day he committed each and every crime. He is combustible, Mariyah, he simply needs an appropriate accelerant. Are you in some way attracted to him? Romantically? Physically?"

"What? Dad!" Mariyah was mortified, and buried her face in her hands. "How can you ask me that?"

Again, the concerned father attempt to voice his displeasure with a measure of diplomacy, "I found you in the hallway, very late at night eavesdropping at his bedroom door. I am concerned that this behavior is…unhealthy. I am concerned that this relationship is no longer in your best interest."

Mariyah was crying very softly, "He's my friend. He helps me…that's all."

"Still, you hoped it could be more."

Tears fell unabated, "No…not anymore. I'm sorry…I'm sorry I disappointed you.

Bashandi reached into his pocket and retrieved a crisp handkerchief, handing it to his daughter. "Please, wipe your eyes Mariyah. You misunderstand. It is not so much that I am disappointed. It is more that I am concerned for you."

Mariyah dabbed at her eyes with the fabric. "I really meant no disrespect."

"If you meant no disrespect you will apologize to the Lecter's, yes?"

"Yes, Father, I'll apologize."

There was a knock on the door. Mariyah looked to her father for permission to answer the door. He nodded.

A large smile emerged when she opened the door to find Hannibal. Bashandi stood immediately. Hannibal remained in the doorway.

"Hello, Mariyah. I saw the light on and hoped that you and your father might like to join Clarice and I in the kitchen for a late night breakfast?"

Mariyah turned to her father, eyes filled with expectation and hope.

"May we join Doctor and Mrs. Lecter?"

"Yes, we would be honored."

"Mr. Prime Minister, with your permission, Mariyah is an excellent cook, I would be more than happy to have her assist in the preparations."

Mariyah turned to her father, again, eyes pleading and hopeful.

"Doctor Lecter, it is kind of you to offer. I am certain you have much better things to do with your time than to bother yourself with my daughter in your kitchen."

"It is no bother, Sir, I assure you. I am not the type of man who would extend such an offer out of obligation or courtesy. She is quite accomplished and would be no trouble to me at all. Quite the opposite in fact and I would enjoy spending time with her before your departure. You may of course supervise if you wish."

"That is not necessary, Doctor Lecter. You have proven yourself to be trustworthy. I wouldn't insult you by requiring a chaperone for meal preparation."

"Thank you for your confidence." Hannibal turned to Mariyah, "Why don't you head down to the kitchen and begin assembling ingredients for our breakfast."

"What will we be having?"

"The standard breakfast fare. Why don't you inventory the contents of the refrigerator, find some fresh fruit and begin a compote?"

"Yes…yes of course. This is so exciting!"

Mariyah slipped past Hannibal and quickly left the men alone in the room. Hannibal still framing the door, fully faced the prime minister.

"She is a lovely young lady."

"Thank you for saying so. Doctor Lecter, this may seem off topic, but believe me I do have reason, may I ask you a very personal question?"

Hannibal stood with his hands clasped directly in front of him. His tone was very formal, "You may ask anything of me, Sir."

Bashandi proceeded with the trepidation of a man approaching a cornered animal. You seem tame, but I can see the fire in your eyes.

"Even if the question is offensive?"

Hannibal could smell the fear leeching from Bashandi's pores and understood immediately the nature of the question.

There is only one question that would cause a man of this stature to fear me. He wants to know what we were doing behind the closed door. He needs to know what his daughter heard. Let me see how far you are willing to take this…are you brave enough to ask?

"If you have need of the answer, my friend, I assure you I will not be offended by the question."

Anwar Bashandi took a deep breath and stammered the query, "Were…were you and your…wife…intimate tonight?"

Hannibal looked directly at the man without any sign of emotion.

Bashandi's heart began to pound as he waited for either a response, or a blade between the ribs for the insult. Hannibal's deadpan and unblinking stare, with the eerily darkened center, reminded Bashandi of a shark.

Hannibal paused just long enough to allow beads of sweat to form on the brow of the prime minister. He countered in a deadly calm voice, "Are you asking me whether or not my wife and I had sexual relations tonight?"

"Yes, forgive me, that is exactly what I am asking, though with good reason."

"Why may I ask do you require that information? You are not still concerned that I might have sexual intentions toward your daughter in my wife's stead? If so, I assure you my physical relationship with Clarice, even with her current medical challenges, leaves me more than satisfied. I have absolutely no desire for any other woman, much less your adolescent daughter."

"Ah, it would seem your wife shared with you my earlier comment."

"Would it surprise you to find that she and I share everything?"

"On some level, yes, it does. Allow me to apologize for any offense both for that comment and my impertinent question. I only ask because my daughter was listening outside your door and I fear she may have heard your interaction with your wife. I believe she is quite smitten with you."

"To answer your question, yes. My wife and I were indeed quite intimate, though you have nothing to fear. If she was in fact listening she heard very little. My wife and I are not particularly vocal therefore your daughter may have surmised the activity, but would not be privy to anything specific. As for her interest in me, I assure you, it will pass."

Bashandi pursued, "She may have been there for quite some time. She could have heard everything."

"You should not be concerned by what she might have heard as any conversation would have been romantic in nature."

Bashandi took two steps back before asking the next question.

"I only ask because your reputation in that area precedes you and causes me concern."

Hannibal very slowly closed the distance between them, stepping into the room and closing the door. Bashandi's heart beat against his sternum as if wanting to escape from his chest. Hannibal could almost hear the blood rushing in and out of the chambers, the man's heart was so stressed.

Drinking of the man's discomfort for a moment, Hannibal paused, then responded, "You may have knowledge of my sexual history as it has been very publicly documented by several unscrupulous females, but that was long before Clarice. My wife is quite reserved and I would not disrespect her, nor do I have any desire to use her in that way. Rest assured, our sex life is very natural and very loving. Know that I am only sharing this with you out of respect and to address your concern for your daughter. Please know that I would not have shared this information with any other man, for any other reason, as my wife is entitled to the privacy of our marital bed."

"Yes. I fear I insulted her earlier. My remark when I found you were alone with my daughter was beyond the pale. I ask your forgiveness."

Hannibal reached for the door and opened it. He smiled inwardly as he heard the very long exhalation of relief from Bashandi as the lid of his coffin had been opened.

"There is no need. Still, you may want to set my wife's mind at ease. She loves me very much and though she does not complain, I am painfully aware that she very often pays the price for my past. I love her more than is my ability to express and would spare her if it were in my power but I cannot turn back the years nor can I give back the lives I have taken. I can only strive now to be a man that is, in some way, worthy of her love."

"I should like to ask her forgiveness if you allow me to escort her to the kitchen in your stead?"

"I am certain that would please my wife very much, Mr. Prime Minister."

"We have, over these last several months, been through quite a lot together. I should consider it an honor for you to truly accept my friendship by addressing me, not by my title, but by my given name, Anwar."

Hannibal extended his hand, "Thank you, Anwar. Please do me the same honor and call me Hannibal."

"Hannibal…Thank you."

Hannibal nodded, "If you'll excuse me, I will inform Clarice. She was about to shower when I left the room. I'm certain she will not be long."

Hannibal walked quickly down the hall and opened the door to the master suite. Clarice was reaching back awkwardly over her shoulder for her zipper. Hannibal quickly rushed to her, moved behind her and slowly, placing kisses the length of her spine, followed his mouth with the interlocking teeth of the zipper.

"Thanks, H. What's going on out there?"

"The prime minister is waiting to escort you. He would like to apologize for his earlier remarks."

"Oh, come on…really?" she whispered, "I really don't feel like dealing with this."

"You have only to accept his apology gracefully."

"After what he said, I'd rather grace him with my foot up his ass!"

"Kinky, my Love…very kinky."

Hannibal took his wife in his arms and whispered in her ear, "Tomorrow night will begin our lives anew, my Love. I promise you, Clarice, that we no longer have a worry in the world. We need only prepare for the arrival of our son."

Clarice kissed her husband, her heart soaring with joy as she held him close, not realizing that only half of his promise to her would come true.

Until the next chapter my friends!

LH