HANNIBAL CONTENT

Hannibal could see the conflicting feelings just beginning to emerge within his wife. She was sub-consciously processing the emotions that had built during his recent incarceration. Walls of protection erected were eroding around her.

Clarice had suppressed her fears while her husband was in the company of the late Doctor Bloom. Though she trusted Hannibal and believed him well prepared, she didn't trust Bloom. She had to prepare herself for any, every eventuality, including her husband's death. Though she was confident of his strength, his age concerned her thus she was aware of the outside chance he might succumb. She had girded herself to either fight by his side or to raise their child alone.

I can see the stress leaching from your eyes, my Love. You have endured far too much over these last weeks. It is time for you to set down the burden you have carried in my stead.

Hannibal meticulously folded the square of refined linen used to gather his wife's precious tears while considering how best to continue her healing. The direct approach being far too emotional in public, flanking seemed to be the most expeditious way to achieve the results he desired. Seeking to distract from the emotion of the moment, Hannibal flashed a mischievous smile.

"So, what do I win, Clariiiice?" he jokingly hissed as his hand nimbly replaced the handkerchief for future use within his pocket.

Was there a flash of a smile?

So brave, so strong was his Clarice that she shook off her fears and gathered herself. A moment. She swallowed hard and composed quickly.

"Like I said, it's up to you to decide what you want and when you'll collect. Any ideas?"

Now that the tumult was at an end and her vast well of defenses was no longer needed Hannibal sought to encourage her to shed these emotional barriers much like a growing snake emerges from ill-fitting skin. For this he needed proximity. He needed touch and suspected she did as well.

Hannibal stood and lifted his chair. This was not the time to sit across from his wife. He moved his seat to just beside hers that their chairs and bodies might touch.

Hannibal leaned in close, whispering hungrily in her ear scandalously, "Trust that I have a wealth of ideas, Clarice."

Sensing unexpected approach from behind the concerned husband stop speaking very abruptly and shifted quickly in his seat to face the movement.

"If you will pardon and please allow me, Doctor."

The waiter assigned to their table, seeing Hannibal move his seat hurried to shift the place setting and appetizer to the spot directly beside Clarice.

"Please excuse my interruption, Doctor Lecter, you should be more comfortable now."

Hannibal nodded in appreciation as the waiter, after achieving his objective, very quickly disappeared into the background.

Resuming his thought, Hannibal very softly spoke against his wife's ear. Though the waiter was unobtrusive, he was near and these words were for Clarice alone.

As her concerned husband spoke, his voice was rich and sultry. Putting all meaning aside the mere timbre of his voice, soothed and the deep resonance of the sound warmed her throughout.

I could listen to you every moment of my life and not tire of it. I love you, H.

Her vulnerability clear, Hannibal directed her emotion to strength, to fire, as that was her foundation and her core.

When one is weakened, cast off the clay of self-doubt and re-build on the armature. Yours is passion, Clarice: for life and for me.

"My dearest wife, I was away from you for several weeks. Believe me when I say that all I had to comfort me at night were ideas… scenarios…exchanges…"

As the past context of Hannibal's words rang in her ears, the tears were quickly forgotten and an impish glint flashed in her eyes. The temptation too great for her to ignore she leaned in teased, "Fucking me?"

He laughed both at her memory and her boldness. He then leaned over and nibbling at her neck lovingly rewarded her daring with a devilish audacity all his own.

"In absolutely unholy ways, Clarice."

Blushing less from embarrassment than anticipation, Clarice playfully slapped Hannibal's shoulder. She could barely contain her delight and brazenly pursued her husband, kissing his neck in return.

Though Hannibal noted the cell phone cameras occasionally lift to capture their privacy he was no longer in hiding and not at all ashamed of his Love. In point of fact, he was actually quite proud and as such did not censor his behavior nor did he draw attention to the voyeurism, as he didn't want Clarice to feel self-conscious.

Clueless to their audience, or perhaps sub-consciously dismissing it as unimportant she flirted, "Hmmm, well my sexy man, maybe we should we compare notes. I'll bet we have a lot of the same ideas."

Not to be out done he winked and insinuated, "Though, as I stated earlier, great minds do indeed think alike, I'll not disrespect you by revealing the darkest corners of my libido. Keep in mind, my Love, it is not in my nature to be tame."

Hannibal clutched a halved mollusk, balanced it delicately on his fingertips and turned it to his pursed his lips. Maintaining salacious eye contact he shamelessly slipped his tongue under the meat of the oyster and sensually sucked the bivalve from its shell.

The quick uptake in Clarice's breath told him all he needed to know.

We should have stayed home my Love. I would have had you naked in my arms by now.

Clarice, her heart pounding from her body's reaction to the flirtation, leaned forward, reached for his cheek and brushed her lips along his jaw.

Hannibal closed his eyes and tilted his head toward the contact, though he was careful to monitor his breathing as his wife admitted blatantly, "I'm totally turned on right now and I'm pretty sure you are, too."

She nibbled at his ear as she whispered, her voice rich with lust, "Don't forget, H…I know your darkest corners and I'd never tame you. I want you wild."

Her confession caused a brief loss of her husband's self-control, Hannibal's breathing hitched as his hold over his body escaped him momentarily. His cheek now pressed firmly against hers, his hand reached for her neck slipping just past the curtain of her hair to hold her firm.

"Speaking for my state of arousal, let us just say it wouldn't be prudent for me to stand from the table, Clarice." He leaned in closer and began to search the softness of her skin, drawing his nose gently along the tender flesh of her throat. Hannibal content, he surrendered control to reveal the full measure of his desire by placing her hand on his sternum that she could feel as his heart pounding his want.

Clarice's eyes widened as she felt his heart racing with passion. Knowing his self-control regulated his heartbeat in even the most extreme situations, she was surprised at the speed of the beating, Clarice moved to pull her hand away and question, "Your heart, H? Why? Is something wrong?"

He held her hand firmly in place, "Nothing wrong, Clarice. I thought you might like to experience my unbridled lust for you. No control, just me, my Love, wanting you…that is all."

She lowered her head for a moment in relief, "Thank God. It scared me."

"Speaking of scary, you found my aspects of my libido, if recollection serves, to be shocking. The acts, disturbing, even."

Clarice kissed his cheek and whispered, "I wasn't distressed by the acts themselves, I was distraught they were shared with someone distinctly not me."

Surprised by the admission Hannibal released his wife and sat back in his chair, considering her comment carefully.

"My, my aren't we full of surprises, Clarice. Well then, perhaps later this evening we shall compare notes whereas I'll decide just how I will collect my winnings."

The pair separated slightly as the waiter returned to oversee the removal of the dishes and cutlery used during the appetizer course. The entrées were soon delivered to the table.

"You concentrate on your winnings, H…I've got some serious eating to do. You'd better try to keep up. You'll need your strength, that's for sure!"

"Not to worry, my Love. I assure you I will be up to the task."

Clarice, thrilled at the parade of delicacies, wasted no time in arranging the plates and bowls in a way that would make it easier for her to access each side dish. She moved her fork over the assembled items, pretending to stab at the food to measure the distance and range of motion needed to attain each. She then waved her fork over the selections, considering each as she readied to conduct her first bite.

Hannibal watched her mesmerized not only by her beauty, but the eccentricity, the sheer whimsy of her activities. Enthralled, he drew attention to the behavior with a playful admonishment, "Clarice didn't your parents teach you not to play with your food?"

Unaffected by his loving disapproval she responded with assurance, "Though not at all similar to your circumstances, H…there were times in my childhood as well when there wasn't enough food. If I play around a bit, you ought to understand more than anyone that there are times food isn't just food."

Hannibal flashed his small white teeth in a smile so wicked the waiter stepped back from the table.

"Yes, sometimes food is an incompetent flautist or an ill-mannered census taker."

Remembering their interaction that night on the Chesapeake Clarice rapped his wrist with a butter knife as she reproved, "Watch it, H. Pardon or not, you 're in a public place you know. One of your meals might have a pissed off relative!"

"Your point is well taken, Clarice. Please, by all means, play away."

Filling her plate with an assemblage of items Clarice began to dive her fork in and enjoy sumptuous bites with glee.

Hannibal watched the display with rapt attention while simultaneously considering his periphery. He could see several patrons of the restaurant were very keenly interested in the activities at his and Clarice's table.

Again, he noted the occasional cell phone to capture their interaction but as no one approached the table, it didn't raise his ire. Ever mindful, he watched carefully and surreptitiously searched the air but his senses could detect no hint of threat or malice. That didn't mean he stopped watching them. It just meant that, for the time being, the Harpy would remain within his sleeve.

"You haven't touched a bite of your food," Clarice noted.

Hannibal looked down at his plate as if surprised he hadn't disturbed the contents.

"Yes, you're right. My apologies, I am a bit distracted."

"Eat up. I doubt you got much red meat at your last accommodations. I'll bet your iron levels are low. That cut should appeal to your refined palate so get after it."

"They served what approached meat though it was grey in pallor and most definitively not palatable."

Dutifully attending to her concerns, Hannibal began to slice the meat placing one bite in his mouth and another section on Clarice's plate. He repeated the process with each bite he took.

Clarice accepted the first two morsels without complaint. When it became obvious Hannibal would continue she parried his fork with her own.

"I don't want to take your dinner, H."

"Nonsense, Clarice, your iron levels are a concern as well. Perhaps you would care to sample the lamb?"

"No, the beef goes well with the crab cakes but the Lamb just doesn't sit well with me. To be honest, I never really developed a taste for it and don't give me any of your psychobabble bullshit either."

"Psychobabble bullshit, on you, Clarice? God forbid."

The pair enjoyed the rest of their meal in relative privacy. Clarice ordered cheesecake for dessert. Hannibal ended his meal with strawberries topped with fresh whipped cream and the Cappuccino L'Amore, an Italian coffee blended with a combination of 6 liqueurs.

Hannibal sampled the drink and nodded his approval.

"Your driving skills will be needed, Clarice. I fear if I was to be stopped by the police, the alcohol content of my breath would melt the meter."

"No problem, H."

Clarice pulled the bowl of strawberries away from Hannibal and was not at all surprised when he didn't complain.

There isn't a thing he would deny me…

With a curled finger, she beckoned him to lean forward and open his mouth. His eyebrow arched suspiciously for a moment, though he followed her request. He would follow her from a cliff if she asked.

Clarice smiled and fed him one of the strawberries with a dollop of whipped cream.

As Hannibal closed his mouth around the fruit and chewed, Clarice reached for the bowl, scooped a healthy amount of the cream on her index finger and deposited it on the tip of Hannibal's nose.

Ever dignified, he sat waiting for her next move.

"Really, Clarice. Is this how you treat the father of your child? In public no less?"

"No, this is how I treat the father of my child in public." Clarice leaned in close and kissed the cream from the tip of his nose.

"H…thanks for taking me out."

"Not at all, Clarice. Indulge me by allowing me to thank you for staying so firmly by my side. I know I haven't made the last few months easy on you and yet you have comported yourself with strength and grace. I am humbled by your love and your dedication. Know that I will protect and love you and our child with the same tenacity you yourself have shown. No harm will ever come to you or to our son so long as I draw breath."

Clarice reached up and brushed the back of her hand along his cheek.

"I know H…I know."

Hannibal reached for her hand and held it in place for a moment. He then lifted it to his lips and kissed the inside of her hand tenderly.

As he could see from the corner of his eye that the waiter was returning to their table with the bill, Hannibal released her hand with a sigh and reached for his wallet. He handed his Black Card to the waiter, careful to keep the total from Clarice, as the expense of their privacy was indeed high.

Within minutes, the waiter returned. Hannibal was signing the receipt and soon became quite busy dealing with the waiter who thanked him effusively for the excessively generous tip.

Clarice busied herself collecting the leftover food, packed neatly by the kitchen staff.

She spoke only when the waiter had taken his leave.

"I can't believe you were going to let this food go to waste."

Hannibal helped her with her wrap and guided her from the table.

"I have an aversion to the term, 'doggie bag' Clarice, but for you, of course, anything."

Clarice turned to face the room for the first time since their arrival.

"I'd like to return again before the baby's born. The dark walls, waiters in tuxedos and crisp linens give this place has an old world elegance that reminds me of you. Well, all but the leopard skin rugs that is."

Clarice was still surveying the room when she turned her head just in time to see a patron capturing a photograph.

"H, were you aware of the cameras?"

"Yes. As you know, I am ever aware, Clarice."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"What is there to say? There will always be cameras and there will always be people curious of our relationship. As I have nothing to hide, least of all my love for you, I pay them no mind."

Clarice looped her arm through Hannibal's. She was obviously agitated by the attention and pulled him tightly to her.

"Nosy bastards. If I weren't pregnant, I'd give them one hell of a show that's for sure."

"Of that I have no doubt." Hannibal continued as he pulled her protectively against his chest. He kissed the top of her head and responded playfully, "My cell phone has a camera as well, Clarice. Perhaps you might offer me a private viewing when we get home?"

Clarice slapped him playfully, "Don't be such a wise ass, H!"

Hannibal content, he held her close to his heart.

Until the next chapter my friends,

LH