CLOSER…CLOSER

Though Hannibal insisted it was unnecessary, Clarice woke with her alarm clock.

Still tired from the late night in her husband's arms, she allowed the music to continue to play. Hannibal groaned at the cacophony and pulled a pillow over his face. Clarice smiled as the annoyed rumble rolled within his torso, vibrating against her ear.

Understanding his wife was in no hurry to silence what she considered music, he spoke, muffled from beneath the pillow, "My Love, please…"

Rolling from the sensual comfort of her husband's body, she silenced the blaring rock music booming from the clock.

Hannibal removed the downy comfort from his face, "Thank you, Clarice."

Clarice continually floated a loving hand across her husband's bare chest as she settled back against him for a quick cuddle. Neither contented lover predicted, before beginning their day, that it would be their last as a childless couple.

Hannibal reached for her thigh and began to stroke the strong muscles now lax from his touch. "You are perfection, Clarice."

Rolling her eyes, she tousled his hair and teased, "Flatterer."

"As I've said before, it would only be flattery if I were trying to gain favor. There is no need for such as I enjoyed your favor several times last night. It is the simple truth. In my eyes, you are perfection."

Blushing, she responded quietly, "You're perfect, too, H."

Clarice began to kiss his chest and abdomen, her hand still feeling his body as a soft sigh escaped her. It was not a sexual touch, more a loving exploration of that which would always be hers. He would love her as long as he lived, she knew that, but he would not be there as long as she lived. She wanted to memorize him. To keep him with her, always, knowing no one could ever replace him in her eyes or in her heart.

Hannibal didn't sense the melancholy in her touch.

She is happy…

The sound of his wife's ease with him burned deep in his belly.

The contented husband rested, unmoving, as he concentrated on the sensation of her flesh passing chastely over his. Slowly, he reached for their child and spanned his hand over his wife's swollen abdomen, palming it gently.

For so many years I lived in a cell with no one to touch and no one to touch me. I hadn't thought this possible. I would not indulge myself to want; would not dare to dream…

Clarice covered his hand with her own, pausing for the briefest of moments. Not understanding the significance of his touch, she removed his from hand from her body and sat up cross-legged in bed with her hands supporting the baby's weight, now uncomfortably low.

I feel the loss of your touch already, my Love.

She patted his thigh, encouraging, "Time to get up, H…the people will be here soon with the equipment."

The last thing Hannibal wanted to do was get up.

Moving onto his side raising himself by tucking the pillow under his arm, he breathed the crisp morning air wisped in from the partially opened window. He reached up and took his wife's hand. Spreading her fingers and lacing his within, he slowly began to kiss the pads on each fingertip, occasionally drawing a digit into his mouth and sucking gently.

"Clarice, all I want at this moment is to feel the body of the only woman I could ever love warming mine. Is that too much to ask?"

Clarice shook her husband's leg attempting to jostle his lethargy.

"Yeah, H. Right now, with a truck on the way, it's too much to ask. We've got to hurry up and get ready."

Hannibal didn't even remotely share her concern, attending to placing kisses the length of her arm. His voice remained calm as he offered, "There is no reason to hurry. I'll hear the truck when they pull up in front of the house providing us with plenty of time to get out of bed. I'm quite sure I can reach the door without raising suspicion as to our activities."

"There aren't going to be any activities! God, H…Don't you ever get enough?"

Hannibal licked the webbings between her fingers, looked up, touched his tongue briefly to front teeth and replied scandalously, "Never."

"Well, you've had enough for this morning."

Clarice pulled her hand from his, reached to him and playfully shoved his shoulder hoping to get him to move. Her voice was attempting to approach annoyance, but Hannibal, with no hold on her hands, now clutched at and began to bite her thighs. He leaned over, latched on to the soft muscle of her inner thigh and sucked hard, leaving a livid spot.

Laughing hard, she shoved at his body, but couldn't dislodge him. She faux-reprimanded, "Hannibal Lecter, I have no intention of being caught wearing nothing more than a bathrobe and a smile when the medical supply truck arrives. I wouldn't even have time to put on a bra, for Christ's sake."

Hannibal lifted his head just long enough to wink at his wife, "Well, if that were the case you certainly wouldn't hear me complain about it."

Turning to face him she questioned sarcastically, "Yeah right. And what would you do to the first man you caught ogling me?"

Hannibal reached around his wife's body and pulled her closer to him. As he continued kissing her thighs he stated simply, "Nothing."

His lips tickling, she giggled as she pushed him back and blurted out, "Liar!"

He pulled her in and held her to him tightly, returning, "I never lie."

"You wouldn't stick your Harpy through the ribs of the first man who leered?"

Hannibal spoke softly as he lovingly attended to her flesh, "No. I have absolutely no problem with men looking at you, Clarice. As a matter of fact it is a distinct point of spousal pride for me to know that, although many men will desire you, you only desire me. You are a masterpiece therefore, anyone may enjoy looking, I would, however, stick my Harpy through the ribs of the first man who dared to touch."

Trying to wriggle away to no avail she urged, "Glad to know you still care. C'mon, I swear you'd stay in bed all day and night if it were up to you."

Grabbing her and scooting his body toward her he quickly spooned around Clarice, trapping her. He clutched her to him and asserted, "With you by my side, I could and would."

Clarice wriggled and pushed at her husband but his grip was too firm. She smacked him repeatedly as she laughed, "H, you may not care about the delivery men but Lora is coming over soon to help supervise the equipment set up and move into the spare room. Do you want her to catch you with your pants down?"

Hannibal face buried against her flesh as he commented offhand, "Why not? It wouldn't be the first time."

No longer laughing, Clarice spun quickly, swiftly captured his face with both her hands and tilted his head upward seeking his eyes. She made no effort to hide her displeasure, demanding, "H? Explain. Quickly!"

Attempting to dissuade her anger he grabbed her hands and began to kiss them. She pulled back rapidly and reiterated, "Now, H!"

Seeing he would not be able to deflect the question, he spoke dispassionately, "Clarice, she was responsible for my health and as such was present at the prison when I showered, therefore I doubt there's anything she hasn't seen."

"What do you mean she was there when you showered? What the hell, H!"

"I had injuries. She is a nurse, Clarice."

"Nurse, my Ass! She's still a woman, H, and much as women don't like to let on, if we find a man attractive, we're…curious."

Hannibal tilted his head slightly, not following her insinuation.

"Curious?"

"Penis size, H…you know, for such a brilliant man, you can be dense."

Not a modest man and in no way connecting his own nudity, while in prison, to his sexuality, Hannibal had not considered that possibility. He laughed aloud as he reflected, "My apologies, Clarice. Having one of my own, I don't find myself considering that topic. And, while it is possible she may have stolen a glance without my knowledge, she was extremely professional and I was grateful to have her near."

"Yeah, how near?"

Careful to keep his tone neutral so as not to raise further anger he calmly explained, "Near enough to assess my injuries, Clarice. My good friend Alan wasn't exactly delicate and she was a strong advocate on my behalf. I would not have fared as well if not for her presence."

Remembering how much Hannibal endured under the hands of Alan Bloom, Clarice calmed slightly, "I know she was and I'm really glad she was there to help you. Still, I don't want to think of anyone else seeing you like that. It still bothers me that you had an active sex life before me."

Hannibal sat up in bed. This was not a topic he wished to pursue. "I cannot turn back time, Clarice, much as I may have at times wished it so."

"Would you, H? Would you want to go back…change things?"

"No."

"Just that? That quickly, no?"

"What would it serve?"

"You could change your past. Take away all that suffering."

"Then, by extension, I would also take away all the joy I feel today. Had I not endured what you call suffering, our paths would never have crossed."

"What I call suffering? What the heck would you call it?"

"Life, Clarice."

Hannibal rolled from the bed and walked into the bathroom.

Clarice followed. Walking up behind him she touched a hand to his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, H."

Without turning, he placed a hand over hers and answered simply, "There is no need."

She kissed the hand that covered hers, "Still, we have so much to look forward to. I shouldn't be reminding you of the past."

He squeezed her hand as he spoke, "We have discussed this before. The past makes us who we are, Clarice."

Needing his eyes, Clarice tugged at his shoulder, turning him to her. She placed her palms on his chest and sought the deep maroon of his eyes for comfort.

"I know…still, I hurt you and that's the last thing in the world I wanted to do."

Taking his wife in his arms he pulled her close and pressing his cheek to hers, spoke gently, "Clarice, you know there were two words that, when uttered by you, forever absolved you of causing me pain."

"H?"

"I do, my Love."

Clarice clutched at his shoulders, clearly emotional. Hannibal kissed her cheek and released her, not wanting to further upset.

"I'm about to shower, my Love. Would you like to join me?"

"H, one of us needs to hear the door."

"I assure you. If someone arrives, I'll be aware."

Hannibal turned on the water, tested the temperature and stepped into the stall. He reached his arms around Clarice.

"Join me, my Love."

Still a tad jealous she teased, "I don't know, H. You sure you don't want to wait for Lora?"

Hannibal winked, "Maybe another time."

His arms still around her, he began to back up into the shower, gently pulling his wife in with him.

She resisted, but only slightly, "Are you sure you'll hear the door?"

Hannibal flirted boldly, "Unless your thighs are covering my ears, in which case, they'll wait."

"You're crazy, H."

"Do tell, my Love."

Clarice stepped in the shower and into her husband's arms. He turned her toward the water, allowing the gentle pulsing water to keep her warm while he sought his warmth from her breasts. Grabbing a bar of soap, he slowly began sliding his hands over her body as he reached to taste her breasts. He spoke between gently caresses of each peak with his lips and tongue.

"Very soon… I will be jealous… to wait in line…my Love."

Clarice massaged his shoulders and Hannibal lowered to his knees. "Baby first, H…those are the rules."

"I know, my Love." Hannibal, kneeling before his wife as if at an altar, gently soaped her belly as spoke to the child within, "Very soon we will meet, my Little One."

Hannibal and Clarice continued to make love as they washed each other. Hannibal was concentrating intently as he continually traced his nose along her flesh, breathing deeply.

"H? Is something wrong?"

Hannibal attended to her words but did not shift his focus from her flesh as he continually nuzzled along body, breathing deeply.

He explained as if Clarice should have assumed his intent, "Nothing is wrong. I am simply memorizing your scent."

Clarice ran her fingers through his hair. Touched by his attention, she rested her cheek on the top of his head and cradled his head gently, as she questioned, "Why?"

Finding the gentle curve beneath her breast to be of particular interest, he nestled his cheek, lifted gently and snuggled along the fullness as he breathed deeply, drawing in every gradation of aroma, committing to his memory the distinction between, this scent of Clarice, the previous, and curious as to what different notes would be present in the next. Almost an afterthought, he answered, "Because, you are soon to give birth, my Love."

"And?"

His voice lowered, becoming somewhat pensive as he responded with the slightest hint of melancholy, "And, your scent will change somewhat. The…nuance will be different."

The change in tone was not wasted on Clarice. "H…You sounded so sad when you said that…are you upset?"

Hannibal reached for a bottle and twisted off the top. Upending it, he filled his palm with the liquid and ran it through his wife's hair.

"Not upset, though I find that pregnancy becomes you. I have enjoyed this time with you and I have hopes you have as well."

Hannibal began to shampoo her hair, running his fingers through the tresses, careful to keep the soap from her eyes. He traced his lips against her throat, tasting the water that pooled near her clavicle. Clarice stretched her neck and arched her body back into him, searching for his lips. They kissed briefly.

"Aside from the times we were apart, I loved it too, H."

Realizing that he had not made this pregnancy easy on his wife Hannibal conceded, "Yes, I was away from you for far too long. I promise during your next pregnancy, I'll not leave your side. Not for one single moment. "

Clarice reached back for her husband's hips and pulled him against her body.

"Still planning for your daughter?"

Hannibal cozied against her as he reached up and checked her hair to be certain the lather had all been cleared. Moving the wavy locks from the back to the front of her body he allowed the hair to spill across her chest. Kissing her now bare shoulders, reaching for the soap and began to lather her back, massaging her muscles, the silky lather allowing his hands to slide over her muscles.

Hannibal measured his next sentence, hoping his wife would be open to the idea he ruminated for months. Resting his chin on her shoulder he spoke gently, close against her ear. The hum of his deep tenor suggested hopefully, "Rather, I think, not planning might be better."

Clarice giggled as she leaned into his touch. "Quit it, H…that tickles," she paused as she regained her composure and questioned, "What did you say? I'm not following."

Alternately kissing and nibbling her deltoid muscle, he proceeded, "Would you consider, when you are healed and feeling quite yourself again, foregoing birth control to let Nature take its course?"

Clarice turned toward her husband and grabbed his hips, pulling him against her body as closely as she could manage considering the baby resting within.

Hannibal rested his cheek on her sternum, counting along with the beating of her heart.

"H? I'm not Catholic, at least not yet. I have no aversion to birth control."

Hannibal held her belly with both hands and rocked gently back and forth, swaying with Clarice, "I find that, now, with a child on the way, I do."

Clarice considered his suggestion, "Vatican Roulette, huh?"

Still infatuated with the baby undulating within his wife he nodded as he considered her belly, "As it were."

She had never seen him like this. He was transfixed. She pursued the topic to gauge his intent.

"You have your heart set on this don't you, H?"

Hannibal began to palpate her abdomen, assessing the position of the baby.

"A boy learns to care for a future wife by being a brother and a son first. Our boy must learn how to care for and protect a sibling. To this end, a brother would suffice but a sister would be best."

Clarice, realizing Hannibal asked for little during the course of their married life and, growing attached to thoughts of a large family agreed, "Okay, H…we'll do it your way."

Smiling widely at what he perceived to be a victory, Hannibal was rinsing the soap from his wife's back when he picked up on the rumble of a large truck.

"They have arrived, Clarice. You may relax and finish here. I'll open the door for the delivery. Take your time; I will lock our bedroom door as I exit."

"Thanks, H. I won't be long."

Hannibal dried quickly and dressed. He was down the stairs before the men had the opportunity to ring the bell. Standing on the steps just outside the entrance the eager father waited patiently as the first pieces of equipment were being unloaded.

Lora arrived just as the baby's incubator was being lowered from the truck.

"Hello, Doctor Lecter. I see I've gotten here just in time."

The good doctor nodded amicably, "So it would seem. It is good to see you again Lora. Please, call me Hannibal."

Lora blushed slightly, "If you prefer, Hannibal it is."

As Hannibal welcomed Lora with a hug, Clarice appeared behind him.

"Hey, Lora." Clarice said with an edge to her voice that only Hannibal perceived.

"Hi, Clarice. How are you feeling?"

"Wonderful. Hannibal's been so attentive that I've been absolutely spoiled."

She turned to her husband, and, draping her arms around his neck, began systematically marking her territory, "He just helped me wash my hair." Clarice turned to Hannibal, "Didn't you, H?"

Amused by her territorial display and not to be outdone, Hannibal unabashedly continued the thought, "I helped you wash more than your hair, Clarice."

Clarice slapped him playfully, "I know, H…I was there."

Lora was entertained by the exchange. "It's probably good to get in all the alone time you can before the baby arrives. Intimacy ensures a healthy marriage so make sure you remember that when the baby gets here."

Distracted momentarily, Hannibal searched the air.

You were here recently were you not, my friend? If you were indeed near, it would be best to get Clarice into the home.

As the scent that drew his attention faded, he redirected his thoughts and offered, "Clarice, perhaps you can show Lora where she'll be staying. By the time she gets settled, the equipment should be in place and she can oversee the installation. It might be a good idea to for us to check each piece and make certain everything is functional before the workers leave."

Clarice smiled. "It probably is. Come on, Lora. I'll show you your room first and then you can head to the room we'll use for the birthing suite."

Lora was obviously happy for the pair and followed Clarice cheerfully. The women spoke as Clarice opened the door, welcoming Lora to the home. Lora stepped inside, thrilled to be a part of the birth.

"Clarice?"

"Yes, Lora?"

"Soon there will be a beautiful baby to play with. It's exciting, isn't it? One minute it's just the two of you and then, you're a family."

Clarice nodded, "It's hard to believe. It still seems like it's all just a dream. Like I'm going to wake up and find out that none of it's true and it's just me again."

"No, it's all real. Hannibal loves you and there's a beautiful baby on the way!"

"I just worry too much, that's all. This pregnancy hasn't been easy and H was away for a lot of it."

Lora attempted to assuage Clarice's anxiety, "Not because he wanted to be, that's for sure."

She directed Lora to the stairs. They walked side by side, and, as they were of similar height and build, step for step.

Because Hannibal rarely spoke of his last incarceration, Clarice saw her time alone with Lora as an opportunity to find out more. She probed indirectly, "Yeah…H really needs this. He's been through hell."

Not realizing Clarice was unaware of many of the facts, Lora innocently proceeded, "I know he has. I was there for the worst of it. I also noticed when examining him that he had many newly forming scars. It's obvious that he had a significant event prior to the situation with Bloom. Lord knows Bloom didn't give him easy time, either. I must say, I've never seen a person who could absorb so much damage without crying out in pain."

Yeah, that's not all you noticed when you examined him!

Seeing that Lora was perfectly willing to share, Clarice continued, not knowing the Pandora's box she was about to open.

"He told me you were a comfort to him. I want you to know how much I appreciate that. It kills me that I couldn't be there for him and it makes me feel better that you were there to look after him."

Lora nodded as they reached the top of the stairs. She was obviously touched by the gratitude.

"I did what I could. I wish I could have done more. It honestly took me a while to figure out that Bloom was off his rocker. It was a nightmare; he just kept getting more and more aggressive with Hannibal. I was afraid he was going to kill him. Not to mention the cameras. Your poor husband was being filmed every minute of every day. It was bad enough in his cell but I finally put a stop to it in the shower. That was totally unnecessary."

They reached the room. Clarice stepped aside, allowing Lora to enter first.

Lora set her bag down.

Clarice's training with the FBI taught her that a comfortable person, one who identifies with the interrogator, shares more information. Like the spider to the fly, Clarice sat on the bed and patted a hand on the mattress, inviting Lora to sit.

Uncovering the topic of her interest, Clarice lead, "He said you supervised his showers."

Lora assumed by that comment that Hannibal had shared the details of the situation and not just a cursory explanation. She might have been more guarded with the information had she known what Clarice knew, or more specifically, did not know.

Not realizing the position this would put Hannibal in, Lora shared willingly, "Not officially, but it was becoming a bit of a frat party. With Logan there it wasn't exactly the most dignified situation so I stepped in and made sure your husband was afforded privacy. Men are really weird about that sort of thing. It seems like everything is a pissing contest with them. Not to mention the fact that your husband apparently gave them all inferiority complexes."

The already jealous wife did not like the direction the conversation was going.

"What do you mean inferiority complexes?"

"Logan was drawing attention to the fact that your husband is more well-endowed than most and of course, being men, they took note of it. Logan went on and on about it and that's about the time I kicked them all out. Not to mention that Hannibal had been without you for a quite a while by that point and really needed privacy."

Clarice's body stiffened.

Okay, this is getting ugly…I don't like the turn this is taking.

"What do I have to do with his need for privacy?"

"He needed time…alone."

"What do you mean, alone?"

"Clarice, what does every man do from puberty on up, occasionally in the shower, if he either doesn't have or doesn't have access to his sexual partner?"

"They probably mastur…" Realization dawning, she didn't finish the word. Horrified, she stammered, "You…you don't mean to…to tell me you were there, in the shower while my husband…" her voice trailed off even as her heart sank.

Lora held up her hands and reassured, "Oh, God no! I wasn't with him. I simply afforded him the privacy. What he did or didn't do was up to him. I just stood outside the door keeping the men out."

"What the hell was it, a party in there?"

"Initially, it was. I couldn't control what they were up to before I got there, once I stepped in, he had privacy. No one watched him in the shower. And if it makes you feel better, that included me. I'd never compromise his dignity like that."

Clarice nudged Lora jokingly to temp more information. "Oh, don't act like you didn't see it."

"Let's just say I didn't see it intentionally."

"Yeah, I get it…especially with them all talking about it. Fucking Logan!"

"He's a bit much, but I think he'd kill for Hannibal."

Remembering Logan hanging out of the helicopter with his weapon as he took out Stuart Miggs, Clarice agreed, "He would. In fact, he has."

Lora consoled, "So, I guess we'll have to excuse his locker room immaturity."

"Yeah, I guess so." Clarice thought it best to drop the subject, at least until she got a hold of Hannibal.

"Well, I really appreciate the fact that you looked out for him as well as you did. Even now, with this… you helping us so much with the baby, it really means a lot."

"It meant so much to be asked, really."

"Well, Hannibal trusts you and Hannibal doesn't trust anyone so I was thrilled you agreed. He isn't the type of man who asks for help, so…when he told me he called you I was surprised."

Lora leaned close, sharing a secret with Clarice, "He told me that when I spoke to him. He said, he would never ask, except where you were concerned, he didn't trust your life or the baby's life to just his hands. If there were an emergency, he wanted another person to help. I'm happy he asked me. You both deserve a bit of peace in your lives. When Hannibal said he wanted you to give birth at home, I agreed immediately. Privacy is hard to come by in hospitals."

Clarice rolled her eyes, "Well, it is when your last name is Lecter, that's for sure!"

Lora laughed, "With your husband's past and your relationship being so unusual it sure as heck doesn't help, not to mention that damned photo bounty by the Tattler. I figured Hannibal was right. You're safer here. The world is full of bat-shit insane people and you've had far too many in your life already!"

Bat-shit insane! Too funny!

Clarice decided she liked Lora. She stood, smiling, "That's for sure. Well, why don't I leave you to unpack your belongings, and get settled? You have your own bathroom, so you'll have all the privacy you need. When you're ready, just follow the activity and you'll see where, with your help, we are going to have our baby."

"Thanks, Clarice."

Clarice left Lora in the room and headed out to find Hannibal.

Hannibal was busy supervising the unloading of all the equipment, checking the invoices against his own list to be certain he would have everything he needed. Once Clarice went into labor it would be too late to second-guess what he did and did not have. He would not get this wrong. It was too important.

Clarice found him in the entryway. He had the men stage all of the equipment in the hallway and dining room. Once he approved the entire delivery, he would have them move the material to the room upstairs. He was approving the last of the pieces when Clarice approached and tapped him aggressively on the shoulder.

"Hey, H…we've got to talk."

Hannibal had not finished cross checking his list with the delivery. He would not chance her safety to pacify what he perceived correctly as anger.

"Though I can tell from your bearing that you are upset, I don't have time for that now, Clarice. I will not chance your safety by being ill prepared. I must be certain I have everything I need. If you'll give me a moment, I'll tend to your concerns."

"Tend to my concerns? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Unaffected by her anger, Hannibal went about his business.

"Semantics, Clarice. Please…a moment."

Clarice poked his shoulder to assert her upset as she directed him, more than a little aggressively, "Meet me in the family room when you're ready to tend to my needs."

Hannibal did not adjust his demeanor or shift his focus. Instead, he explained his position dispassionately as he attended his list.

"As much you are not accustomed to my inattention, my Love, I am, as we speak attending to your needs in a much more tangible way. You don't want me to make a mistake with this and while I am certain your concerns are valid, know that this is much more pressing."

His words did not dissuade her.

"Whatever. I'll be in the family room."

Hannibal, still focused intently on his task, remained calm as he responded, "I'll be along presently."

Clarice stood, staring at him for a moment expecting him to look up. When her husband simply attended to the task at hand in a workmanlike fashion she spun on her heels and stormed off to wait in the family room.

Hannibal lifted his head and searched the air.

A series of workers were milling around the room. His eyes sought the source of the scent. Just as sudden as its onset, the aroma was gone.

My imagination? Not likely. Passing by? Perhaps. Vigilance is needed.

After a final run through of his order in comparison to each specific item listed on the delivery manifest, Hannibal approved the items and directed the foreman to begin moving the equipment up the stairs. He then proceeded to the family room.

Understanding the mood, he closed the door behind him upon entering. He spoke softly, "You now have my undivided attention, my Love. What can I do for you?"

"You lied to me, Hannibal. She not only saw you naked, she stood by while you…"

He hadn't a clue as to her upset. He approached Clarice causing her to turn away from him. He clasped his hands in front of his body.

"Hannibal? Not H? That serious, is it?"

She turned away from him and asserted, "Yeah, it's serious!"

Hannibal took a step forward. "All right, I'll bite? While I what, Clarice?"

"While you…you know!" She made a pumping action with her fist, cluing him to her anger.

He took another step toward her as he spoke, "Ah, yes…I understand. That offends you?"

Clarice stood her ground although she refused to turn and face him.

"Of course it offends me. She was near while you…Jesus I can't even say it!"

Hannibal approached within an arm's length but stopped short of touching her. His tone yielding to her anger, he grasped her shoulders and turned her to him. She relented, but could not look him in the eye.

"My Love, self-gratification is perfectly natural. I had been away from you for quite some time and if it makes you feel any better, Lora was not privy to my thoughts nor was she witness to my actions. She simply afforded me the dignity of privacy to tend to my needs. I have tended to those needs before and since. I don't recall you requiring I inform you each time."

Clarice glared at him.

"But she was there! You could have handled that in your cell, H."

She called me H…all is forgiven.

Hannibal gathered his wife to him, holding her to his chest. His voice remained tender as he explained, "If you recall the documentary, there was a camera in my cell. I didn't feel the need to leave a video record of that particular activity for posterity. Would that have pleased you more?"

"Well what the hell did you do in your cell at Baltimore? There was a camera there too."

"I was forced to rely on Barney's discretion. If Barney was not on duty, I abstained."

"And you couldn't abstain then?"

Seeking to calm, Hannibal rubbed her back as he spoke.

"It was far easier at a time when there was no woman I loved in my life. Our sex life has been very frequent, Clarice. Had I not tended to myself in that way I am certain I would have experienced a less planned release and it was not my intention to leave DNA samples for the laundry crew. Do not pretend, my Love that you have not, at least at some point in your life, tended to yourself in a similar manner."

Clarice was indignant, pushing him back though he would not release her.

"What? I can't believe you asked me that."

Hannibal held her close and whispered in her ear, "Is it any more or less offensive than the questions you've asked me?"

Clarice struggled half-heartedly to be free of him but Hannibal would not relent. She muttered, "It's different."

"It is most assuredly not different. Let us not forget, I was your first, Clarice."

Embarrassed, she lowered her head, "Yeah, I know. I was there. What's that got to do with anything?"

Hannibal released Clarice and led her to the sofa. They sat together as they held hands.

"You have no need of embarrassment, Clarice. It isn't as if you were a teenager at the time of our first union, therefore, I would assume you found some way of releasing your sexual tension throughout the years."

"Oh, God! I cannot discuss this with you!"

Holding her hands Hannibal continued, his voice mild as he pursued, "I would hope I was in your thoughts at one time or another. It would please me to know that you may have had thoughts of me, as you pleasured yourself. I would not be offended. I would be complimented. You should be complimented as well."

Clarice was distraught as she recounted what she had heard.

"H…she saw you naked. She heard Logan talking about the size of your…for Christ's sake, H! You touched yourself with her what? Ten feet away?"

"Clarice, I was in prison. Everyone saw me naked. I got over that quite a long time ago. I suggest you do as well. And if it concerns you, she was approximately fifteen feet from me and the shower water was running. Though I am certain she aware, she did not, in any way whatever see any of it, therefore, she was hardly a participant."

"H…"

"I know, by your jealousy, that you are telling me you love me, Clarice. Know that there is no other woman who stirs in me the need that you do. I am sorry if you are hurt. This is an issue that will never come up again, God willing. Can you forgive me for a moment of weakness with thoughts of you on my mind?"

"God, H…When you put it like that…"

"There is no other way of putting it, Clarice. Do you accept my apology?"

"You don't have to apologize, H…I couldn't have tolerated the treatment you did. I'm sorry I got upset. I just…I just so damned…"

"Jealous?"

"Yeah…when I think of any woman anywhere near you when you're…yeah, I'm fucking jealous."

"I love you as well, Clarice."

Hannibal opened his arms to his wife, and, as she came to him, gathered her in and pulled her tightly to him.

Suddenly, Hannibal again caught the scent that had so disturbed him moments before. He gripped Clarice's shoulders and spoke in a carefully hushed tone, "Clarice, we have a visitor."

"I know, H. I showed her to her room."

"Not Lora, our previous visitor. The uninvited one."

"He's back?"

"You go find Lora and stay with her. I will seek out my new friend and escort him out. I fear I may have to handle this."

"Get him out and handle it later, H. We can't have the little son of a bitch showing up whenever the hell he feels like it. Just be careful and be discreet."

"When have I been anything but?"

Hannibal took Clarice by the arm and walked her out of the room. He quickly searched the air and whispered, "He is in the dining room. Ascend the stairs and stay with Lora. I believe she is supervising the installation of the equipment. I will remove the offender quickly."

All upset forgotten, Clarice warned, "Watch that little prick. He might be stupid but he's also bold. Stupid and bold are a dangerous combination."

"Understood."

Clarice ascended the stairs quickly, careful not to look back and draw attention to Hannibal's activities.

Hannibal entered the dining room to find the intruder trying to appear as if he worked with the medical supply company. Though he did not have the same uniform the colors of his clothing were an adequate match for the company's required garments.

You must have been watching the home and believed you saw an opportunity.

Appearing behind the man without making a sound, Hannibal leaned in close and whispered in his ear, "Hello my friend. Join me in the kitchen, now."

The offender turned quickly as Hannibal discreetly manhandled him through the door. The young man was thoroughly entertained by Hannibal's reaction.

"Damn! You are a creepy motherfucker. How the hell do you always know where I am?"

Hannibal hissed, "Your scent is quite…specific."

The intruder backed up, bumping into the marble counter. He seemed more excited than afraid.

"What are you a fucking blood hound?"

Hannibal's only concern was the removal of this irritant from his home.

"Blood? Possibly. I warned you not to return."

The brazen daredevil stood his ground. "What? You're gonna kill me in front of all of these people? I doubt it."

Hannibal lowered his head and covertly growled his intent, "Though your life is already forfeit, if you leave quietly, now, without incident, I promise to expedite your death. Should you tempt fate and stir my vengeance, I will make you spend so many hours begging me for death, that when I finally tire of your agony and deliver it, you will thank me for my mercy."

"You know, when I was eight or nine that might have scared me but I don't check the closet for the Boogie Man any more."

"You are a young pup and have decided to challenge the dominant male. Though I didn't fault your first flirtation with your own mortality, I do fault the second. I accept your challenge. You will soon see my response."

"Dude, you get so freaking worked up, you'd think I fucked your wife or something."

"You are about to die."

"Okay, I'm leaving, but I'm leaving because I want to not because I'm afraid."

"I am not interested in your fear. I am interested in your death."

"Whatever, Old Man."

The young fool pushed through the kitchen door and within seconds was gone from the home with no one the wiser. Hannibal was enraged as the blood poured from beneath the doors of his memory palace. Protector smashed at its door. Hannibal temporarily held it back, though he wanted nothing more than to unleash its fury. Soon he would kill.

I will visit you tonight, my friend, and I will watch you die.

Until the next chapter my friends,

LH