GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER

Hannibal had already served the antipasto and the pasta course, a home-made tagliatelle with bolognese sauce when Logan slapped his belly and leaned back in his chair.

"I swear to god, Hannibal, you have to be the best cook in the world."

Ardelia stiffened not that Logan noticed, though, Hannibal did and sought to smooth the situation.

"Logan, while I appreciate the vote of confidence, you have a far superior chef in your own home."

Logan ripped apart a crust of homemade bread, sopped it in the sauce on his plate and stuffed it in his mouth. He spoke even as the food rolled around in his mouth.

"Nah, I can't cook."

Clarice rolled her eyes, "Not you, you idiot…he means Ardelia."

Hannibal continued, "I am well aware when it comes to the culinary arts, Ardelia is far superior. While I have mastered several techniques I am not as accomplished a pastry chef as she. Her culinary skills are far more well rounded than my own."

Logan nodded as he scooped a forkful of pasta in his mouth.

"Yeah Ardelia is a hell of a cook. She just doesn't cook…fancy."

Ardelia was steaming as Logan dug himself a bigger hole. She played it off gracefully, "You know, Logan…it's a good thing you are so good looking because honestly there are times I think it's about all you have going for you."

Logan leaned over and kissed Ardelia, "That and my awesome personality, right? Plus, I'm pretty handy with my weapon."

Ardelia laughed, "Well, you're improving, I'll give you that."

Graham chuckled and added, "Why do I get the feeling we're not talking about marksmanship anymore?"

Molly elbowed her husband in the ribs and gave him the, don't–you-dare-say -another-word, look.

Clarice laughed out loud, "Don't worry, Molly. You're among friends; not to mention Will's right. We're not talking about marksmanship anymore, are we Dee?"

Ardelia smiled and nudged Logan who was now beaming, "No…no we're most definitely not!"

Smiling wryly, Hannibal moved around the room quietly and removed the plates and cutlery.

"Can I give you a hand, H?" Clarice asked as she reached a hand to touch his.

"Absolutely not, my Love…I'll have the next course out in a moment. Please enjoy your friends. I'll not be long."

Hannibal carried the last of the dishes into the kitchen and began to carve the pork earlier removed from its pan to rest on the cutting board. He could hear the conversations very clearly though he was certain no one other than Clarice, perhaps Barney, would be aware.

Pearsall joked, "My wife was scared to death to meet your husband, Clarice. Tell her honey…"

Pearsall's wife hedged, "Clint…stop."

Clarice could see she was embarrassed and wanted to set her mind at ease, "It's okay, you don't have to feel bad about it. H knows people are put off at first. It's only natural to be afraid when all you've heard are frightening things and you've never met him. He's not what people think."

Mrs. Pearsall nodded, "No he's not what I expected…not at all."

Mrs. Warden spoke on Hannibal's behalf, "He's the most wonderful man in the world…he worries about us all the time and every night when he cooks, he brings us dinner. We've never had anyone care about us. He saved my life you know."

Barney smiled, finding the dinner conversation in Hannibal's absence amusing. Aside from Clarice, he knew Hannibal best of all and understood that Hannibal hadn't changed. Why should he? Clarice accepted him for what he was. Barney sat back, listened and watched the others fawn. He didn't care to participate knowing that Hannibal would see right through it. Barney trusted Hannibal. To a point.

He's wonderful all right. Right up until the time he puts the Harpy in your heart.

Hannibal returned carrying a tray of pink peppercorn encrusted pork with a vermouth reduction. In the other hand, the large serving platter held white sweet potatoes with rice wine and honey, sorghum glazed baby carrots. Nestled on the bend of his arm, a bowl of garlic and lemon sautéed broccolini.

"The food looks wonderful, Hannibal," Lloyd commented as he sat up straight, proud to be at the table and even more proud to be able to share it with the woman he was hoping would become his girlfriend.

Lena worked in forensics and had only been on the job at the FBI for two months. Having heard all about Hannibal and Clarice from her co-workers she felt left out every time someone shared a story or a personal anecdote. Never having met them she had nothing to add. When Lloyd invited her to be his date she was beside herself with excitement knowing she would finally meet Hannibal and Clarice.

"Thank you, Lloyd, you are very kind. Please, everyone, let us not stand on ceremony." Hannibal spoke softly as he took his seat.

Clarice assisted the Warden's with their portions then sent the serving platters along to her friends. She announced proudly, "Please help yourselves and enjoy."

As the guests passed the food around the table so that each person might portion the choices for themselves, Hannibal sat very pleased at the head of his table, Lord of his domain.

Suddenly, as if the evening had been going too well forcing Fate to intervene, the doorbell rang.

Hannibal stood casually as if he knew exactly who rang. "Please excuse me. I must see about the door."

Aware that no one else was expected to dinner Clarice voiced her concern, "H?"

Hannibal rubbed his hand across her back, smoothing her blouse as he settled her nerves. He bent to her ear and spoke softly, "I am of the idea we are receiving a house call, Clarice."

"No…you don't think…"

"What else am I to think, my Love? Everyone else we know is at table with us."

Clarice worried aloud, "H…what are you going to do if it's her?"

"I will be polite, Clarice. Though the young man is her kin, she is not directly at fault."

Hannibal bowed to his guests and left the room. Quickly moving to the front door he opened it to find not only the doctor, but the offending nephew as well. Hannibal's eyes focused intensely on the woman, not wanting to look upon the young man whose life he wished to end.

The doctor was polite, her tone very formal as she stood beside her nephew, clearly shaking in his boots.

"Doctor Lecter, please excuse us…may we have a moment of your time?"

Hannibal's tone was neutral as he stood deadly still, watching and waiting.

"My apologies, Doctor, we are having a dinner party with several friends at the moment."

"It won't take long. My nephew would like to apologize to you and your wife."

Hannibal's eyes narrowed at the mention of the young man. "There is no apology necessary as none will suffice."

The doctor was shocked at Hannibal's attitude. She had been under the impression both Hannibal and Clarice agreed to the arrangement with the police. She was clearly disappointed being abruptly forced to consider otherwise.

"But…the police officer said you decided to let me handle the situation."

Hannibal spoke quite plainly, "Out of respect to you, my wife decided it would be best if the situation were not made public."

The doctor looked at Hannibal, confused as she pursued the thought, "I am to conclude that it was not a mutual decision?"

Though he could see she was clearly disturbed, Hannibal was unconcerned with the woman's feelings. He shifted his laser-like gaze to the nephew, blinked once as if forcing himself to disconnect his rage for the young man before returning to attend the woman.

Showing no emotion with his tone he replied simply, "It was not."

Curiosity getting the better of her, she asked the question that was so painfully obvious it needn't have been posed.

"If you don't mind me asking, Doctor Lecter…how might you have handled it?"

"If I am being honest, I was quite distraught at the time and not at all myself, therefore, had I handled it in the manner of my choice my Harpy would have left my sleeve and your nephew would not be standing beside you."

A bit angry, she asserted, "If that were the case it is quite likely you would have been dining in prison this evening."

"That is no matter as I have dined in prison before. You on the other hand would have been dining alone this evening, Doctor."

The doctor was so stricken with her own discomfort as she stood quietly on the step beside her nephew that she could not sense the smell of fear seeping from the panic-stricken young man. Hannibal however, was choking from the invasive odor emanating from the pair.

Though it offended him to be in the young man's presence, Hannibal opened the door widely and allowed them entrance.

"Forgive my rudeness, please come in. I will notify Clarice of your wish to speak with her. Please excuse the fact that I will not be joining you. Though I will not presume to speak for Clarice, I have no desire to participate in this discussion. As I stated earlier, I cannot excuse that which is not excusable."

Hannibal led the pair into the family room, directing them to sit.

"Clarice will be with you directly. After your conversation if you would like to join us for dinner, you are more than welcome."

"Before you leave," the contrite woman spoke very softly, "Doctor Lecter I absolutely understand your position and don't blame you at all for your anger. I know there is no way I can apologize enough for this situation…I promise you, when your wife delivers your son, it will be in the utmost privacy."

Up to that point Hannibal was the epitome of self-control but the moment his wife's privacy was mentioned his blood began to boil.

Hannibal's presence filled the doorway formidable in his anger. His eyes flashed crimson as he stalked toward the pair hissing his response through his clenched jaw.

"That is a certainty as I will no longer leave that fact to chance. My wife will deliver our child in the utmost privacy because neither you nor your nephew will have a hand in it. My son will be delivered in this home, by my hand."

Hannibal turned from the pair and exited the room. Not waiting for a response instead he left the woman and her nephew standing slack jawed in the center of the room.

Hannibal returned to the dining room and quickly made his apologies.

"Forgive me, my friends. Clarice and I had a bit of a situation today, the remnants of which are being dealt with as we speak."

Clarice was amazed, "She really is here?"

Hannibal shook his head, "Not she, Clarice…they."

"They?" Clarice quickly processed the situation, her eyes opening wide at the realization, "No fucking way! She did not bring that little bastard here!"

"What little bastard?" Ardelia asked with genuine curiosity.

Clarice answered, still incredulous at the thought, "Her nephew…my doctor brought her nephew here." Clarice's face suddenly flashed fear, "God, H…you didn't hurt him did you?"

"Not physically, Clarice."

Pearsall raised an eyebrow. "Why would your doctor show up and bring her nephew with her? Especially this time of night?"

Clarice was absolutely enraged, "Because H caught the little bastard trying to videotape my examination. I guess she wants him to apologize."

Hannibal very calmly interjected, "Not trying Clarice, he succeeded. I however, would not stand for the disrespect. Though I deferred to my wife to decide the course of action, if it were up to me, I would have gutted him where he stood."

Barney mused, "Then I guess it's a good thing you let Clarice handle it. I'm not used to seeing you in prison scrubs anymore, Doc."

Helpful as always, Logan chimed in, "Hey, why don't we just take the little shit in the back yard and throw him a quick beating. That'll teach him to spy on women!"

"Nobody's beating anyone, at least not again. I'll go talk to them. Give me a hand, H."

"Not again?" Graham questioned.

Clarice proudly reported, "Hannibal kicked the shit out of the nosy little bugger this afternoon. Frankly I'm amazed he had the balls to show up here after the pounding he took."

Graham was amazed, "You hit him? With your fists?"

Hannibal replied, "Yes. Many, many times."

Graham was clearly amazed and continued, "Didn't you have the Harpy with you?"

Molly shot him another elbow, "What the hell is with you?"

Clarice was unfazed by Will's comment and added, "He always has the Harpy with him."

Pearsall's curiosity was piqued, "Always…like right now?"

Clarice moved to stand, "Always…right H?"

"Yes, my Love…always." Hannibal helped Clarice from her seat before continuing, "If you have need of me you have only to call my name. Rest assured, I will hear you."

"Don't hold dessert, H. I'll catch up when I get back."

"As you wish, my Love."

Pearsall waited until Clarice left the room before asking, "Do you really always have that knife on you?"

Hannibal looked up as if the question was rhetorical, "Yes…always."

Lloyd wondered aloud, "Why?"

Hannibal answered before putting a bite of food in his mouth.

"Why not? It is not an illegal weapon. It is merely a tool."

Mrs. Warden was not preoccupied, as the men seemed to be to discuss the knife instead looking at Hannibal with concern as she questioned, "What did you mean the nephew taped the examination? What kind of an examination?"

Certain that Hannibal was understandably disturbed by the sensitive nature of the situation Mr. Warden waved his hand, attempting to silence his wife. "Don't worry about that. Clarice will handle it. It's none of our business."

Hannibal reached for his food as he continued, "The ill-mannered young gentleman placed a camera in such a way as to record my wife's gynecological exam."

The elderly woman sat quietly as she considered what she had just heard.

"Did your wife have an internal exam?"

"Yes. That was the cause of my upset. I was forced to move quickly to assure the young man did not have the opportunity to view the material. Had he seen even one moment of that footage…"

For the first time all evening, Molly Graham actually related to Hannibal as a person and not a thing to be feared. She gasped, "Oh my god that's unbelievable! Did you notify the police?"

Hannibal tilted his head in order to make eye contact with Molly as he spoke, "Clarice believed it would be better not to press charges."

Lloyd's girlfriend, still star struck to be in Hannibal's presence timidly added, "That was really kind of Clarice. I don't think I would have been quite that generous."

"My wife is a rare and noble woman. I am often in awe of her. Her willingness to consider a relationship with me is proof of her capacity to forgive. As I would deny her nothing when she wanted the young man spared I did not argue the point."

The guests assembled all nodded in agreement. The room grew momentarily silent as they waited for Clarice to return.

Wanting desperately to see the harpy Pearsall gathered his nerve and spoke, "Hannibal, is it bad form to ask if I could see that weapon?"

Hannibal's eyes shone as he deftly reached into his sleeve and retracted the knife. He held it up and teased, "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

UNTIL THE NEXT CHAPTER MY FRIENDS!

LH