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"The things I do for you, Hannibal Lecter."

The man in question chuckled as Clarice began cutting the ropes that held him."The next time this happens, I will be sure to return the favor. I will probably arrive quicker than you did as well."

"Do you want to end up like him,"she asked, gesturing to the dead man on the barn floor."or should I just leave you here with the two on the ground?"

Hannibal actually took a moment to contemplate her question."Neither of those options sound particularly pleasant, so I propose that you give me the knife and let me finish the job instead."

Still glaring, she placed the knife in his free hand and stepped back. Hannibal quickly began working on freeing his legs only to freeze."Two men? Be careful. There was a third in here."

Soon after the words left his lips, a tranquilizer dart from Tammaso's rifle hit Clarice's shoulder. The woman turned around and quickly fired in the direction it had come from. Clarice managed to empty her gun before her vision blurred and her legs gave out. Hannibal finished cutting the ropes in time to see her hit the ground and heard the pigs' squealing get louder.

Without a thought, he quickly lifted her into his arms just as the pigs broke the gate. Hannibal remained calm and still as the pigs sniffed his feet. Smelling neither blood nor fear, the pigs turned their attention towards the handcuffed men. At the sight of the pigs, they began to scream, sealing their fate. In the loft, Tammaso saw his partners get devoured and hastily retreated from the barn. Down below, Hannibal pulled Clarice's shoes onto his bare feet before doing the same.

Hours later, Clarice Starling awoke in an unfamiliar bed. Startled, she tried to sit up quickly, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her. She looked up and saw Hannibal standing beside the bed. At the sight of him, she relaxed and sat up slowly this time.

"What hit me?"

"A tranquilizer. You were very lucky,"he replied, pouring her a glass of water."That particular type of tranquilizer was designed to be able to knock out a small elephant."

Clarice took the glass, but she knew luck had nothing to do with it. He'd done something to save her life, and she knew it. With a small smile, she passed Hannibal the glass before closing her eyes. She was tired but at least she was alive. The doctor saw this and quickly switched off the lamp before going to the other side of the bed.

He'd been watching over here for almost a day without rest. Now sure that she would be fine, he could sleep, but he didn't want to leave her. Careful not to wake her, Hannibal propped himself up against the pillows and stretched out atop the covers. He closed his eyes only to open them again. He looked down to see Clarice's head on his chest but did not say a word. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her and inhaled the scent of her hair.

They'd almost lost each other today. First, he'd gotten himself captured while leaving her a birthday gift. When he'd awoken hours later in the barn, Hannibal had silently berated himself for being careless before coming up with a plan to free himself. He'd just finished when Clarice's voice echoed throughout the barn.

She'd come to save him most likely against the orders of her superiors. By doing so, the last tie she had to the FBI had been severed. She'd chosen him over the FBI and gotten injured in the process. The sight of her hitting the ground had filled him with fear, something he hadn't felt in years. Clarice Starling was the first to get his heart rate over eighty-five in years. Now, she sleeping peacefully on his chest. One woman had turned his life upside down, but when he looked down at her, he realized that he wouldn't change a thing.

All good things to those who wait.

Hannibal buried his nose in her hair and closed his eyes. In the morning, he'd make breakfast while she bathed and catch her up on what was on the news. They were far from the city, so they could stay hidden easily until it was safe to move. The doctor also made a mental note to pick up the 'guest of honor' for the New Years dinner he had planned along with Clarice's dress. Smiling at the thought of both the dinner and the sight of Clarice in the dress, Hannibal pulled her to him before falling into a peaceful sleep.

TBC