Hey, sorry this is so late. I got writer's block. Thanks to the person who reviewed this story it helped me find inspiration. I don't own Silence of the Lambs I only own the plot and any OCs. Please read and review and tell what you think. I love feedback! Thanks~Serria Spell23.
A/N: Why do you think Clarice and Moira bonded so quickly and what does Lecter have up his sleeve? Let me know your thoughts.
Ch.3-Flood Gates
"Rise and shine, Moira, I found out some new information on that politician," said Clarice in my ear. It only took me a second to realize that she hovered over my bed. I groaned, attempting to swat her away. I glanced at my clock, 6:30; it was too damn early for this.
My mentor smirked, pulling the warm blankets off my body. "Clarice!" I shrieked, "Give those back!" She sat on the edge of the bed, suppressing a laugh. The agent grabbed my shoulder gently, hauling me upright. Glaring in her direction, I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
"If you don't want to come with me that's fine, I just thought you'd find it interesting." I sighed and began to get dressed. Clarice crossed her arms, waiting patiently. After a few minutes, I exited the bathroom fully clothed in my academy uniform.
As we walked to my teacher's car, a question burned in my mind. I smiled as I stood at her side. She fumbled for her keys and unlocked the door. Once we were inside, I voiced my thoughts. "Are you ever going to tell me about the lead you found?" Clarice chuckled, a smile playing on her lips.
"Of course, Moira, I found out that Senator Stan Duncan has been acting peculiar lately. For example he's missed important meetings pertaining to the new bill eliciting narcotics in this region. I think you're right, Moira he could quite possibility be or feel trapped in a drug deal."
"Where are we going," I asked, gazing at my mentor.
"His office to interrogate him, you do have a bulletproof vest on, don't you?"
I rolled my hazel orbs. "No," I snapped, "why do you expect us end up in a shootout!" Clarice stepped on the gas petal, causing the car to come to a startling halt in front a traffic light. She eyed the neon red signal above her head momentarily before rounding on me.
"I only meant it as a precaution, Moira. However, if you do not wish to take my advice fine! But don't blame me if something happens to you." The rest of the drive ticked by in a tense and uncomfortable silence, I stared blankly out the window, avoiding my teacher's eyes as much possible. Once we pulled up to the senator's office, she opened her door rather harshly and exited the car. I remained in my seat, the action stabbing me cruelly in the heart.
I climbed quietly from the vehicle, fury, shame and regret fighting for control of my emotions. I strode into the building, my head held high attempting to block the pain from reaching the surface. Clarice stood at Senator Duncan's secretary's desk absorbed in conversation.
"Clarice?" I whispered, averting my eyes once again. A tension had formed between us since our argument. I felt like I couldn't even look at my mentor without her piercing gaze making guilt rise within my chest.
"Moira, can you just stay out of trouble long enough for me to ask about the senator?"
I crossed my arms over my chest, still not meeting her blue orbs. "Yes, of course." The tone of my voice was strained, boarding close to hurt.
I turned on my heel walking away from my teacher. I went to the senator's office door and peeked inside. Tiptoeing further into the room, I crept over to his desk and began to rifle through the drawers. After a few minutes of digging, I managed to find a plastic bag containing a white substance at the bottom of it.
"Who are you?" I jumped, nearly dropping what I held. Holding my breath, my heart hammered against my rib cage. I tensed as someone covered my mouth.
"Clar―" I tried to scream my mentor's name but was cut off.
"Whoever you're trying to call, give up they won't be able to hear you. Let alone get here in time." Lifting my head, I realized with a sickening pang of fear that the person who held me had a gun. I put my hands up, hoping to shield myself from the incoming bullet. However it was too late. The sound of gunfire rang in my ears as I felt consciousness slipping away from me. The person who'd shot me loosened my grip on the bag, laid me on the floor then left.
Clarice knelt down at my side. "Moira, can you hear me?"
I blinked weakly as I attempted to stay awake. "Clarice, I'm sorry," I croaked, "I should have listened to you."
"It's alright, Moira, you'll be okay. I promise." She stroked my hair soothingly, her emotions slowly taking over, coming undone; although she'd never show it. Clarice glanced down at my face. I'd closed my eyes in an effort to fend off the pain and light-headedness. "You okay?" my mentor asked.
I shook my head as best I could. "No, Clarice, I'm scared!"
"You'll be fine." I felt sleep's hands hold me tightly in their grip. Everything went black and I couldn't hear my teacher's voice anymore, leaving me with just the cold darkness for company.
Several hours later, I woke up in a comfortable bed. Blinking, I gazed around the room. My hazel orbs drifted down to my arm. Wires and tubes were painted on the side of it, I grimaced. As I propped myself up and tried to move they caught on something, pulling uncomfortably.
"Ow!" I cried.
Clarice paced the waiting room, trying to ease her nerves. Mr. Crawford rolled his eyes, resting his palm to his forehead. "Starling, calm down I'm sure she's going to be fine."
"Why did you even insist that I mentor a trainee?" the agent questioned, her hands on her hips.
"Clarice, let's face it. You need to learn to be less guarded."
"I am not guarded, Mr. Crawford!"
"Yes, you are. I understand how painful your past was but you have to trust people. You have to be able to let them in." My teacher sighed, halting her steps. The phone on the wall started ringing, Clarice's blue eyes locked on it instantly. She knew who'd be on the other line. Dr. Lecter. Mr. Crawford smiled, "I'll leave you alone, Starling."
The agent picked up the phone, fingers slightly trembling. "Hello?"
"Hello, Clarice, answer me one question. How did you feel when Moira got shot?"
She sucked in a breath grasping for an answer that would suffice. "Isn't it my turn to ask you something, Doctor Lecter?"
He chuckled, sensing her hesitation. "Very well, Clarice, what is it?"
"Why are you calling," my mentor said, shifting from foot to foot.
"To check up on you and you can't avoid my question forever; remember quid pro quo, Clarice."
"Fine, I felt worried when I saw Moira lying on floor I couldn't breathe." The agent mentally cursed herself for giving Lecter a way in. She sighed, bracing for his reply.
"And why is that, Clarice. What provoked that specific emotional reaction," the doctor said into the receiver.
My mentor was about to respond when one of the doctors came into the waiting room. She looked up as he approached, internally holding her breath.
"Agent Starling, Miss Jensen's awake and asking for you." Nodding, Clarice turned, blowing a strand of red hair away from her face. My teacher returned her attention to her phone conversation.
"I'm sorry, Doctor Lecter as much as I'd like to continue this talk; Moira's awake and I need to see how she's doing."
"Certainly, Clarice, however keep your answer to my question in mind. I'll call later to collect it. Open your eyes, Agent Starling, it's right in front of you." The dial tone sounded loudly in her ear after a minute. My mentor sighed and replaced the phone on its base.
What does Lecter mean? He's becoming more cryptic with each passing day, she thought. Shrugging, she walked in the direction of my room. Leaning against the door frame, my mentor absorbed every detail. Her blue orbs found the IV tubes that branched out from my arm in a twisted web. They flicked to the monitors, softy emitting steady beeps. My heart rate was normal Clarice didn't know why that comforted her.
I moved however my eyes were shut and my expression was contorted in pain. As I tried to open them, my mouth fell into a grimace. My teacher sighed, "Moira, are you alright?" she asked, without leaving her place.
My throat felt like sandpaper causing my reply to be slightly hoarse. "Clarice?" The agent left her position leaning on the door and sat down on the side of my bed. "Yes, I'm fine just shaken up. I can't believe I was so stupid!"
"Moira, it's okay." I'm just glad you're safe." She hugged me tightly, her heart swelling with an unknown emotion that she wasn't accustomed to. As Clarice sat by my side she pushed a stray hair behind my ear. Blinking, my mentor suddenly felt tears in her eyes. She pressed a hand to her cheek, catching two small water droplets as they left their mark on her skin.
"Are you okay, Clarice?" I questioned. My teacher met my hazel orbs attempting to appear unfazed. Nodding, the agent sighed, resting her hand on my shoulder.
"Yes, but just promise me that you'll never scare me like that again." She shook my head, threading her fingers into her auburn hair. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. Clarice rose to her feet and walked to the window, an almost sad expression on her face. "Please, Moira be careful if something were to happen to you I couldn't live with myself." I joined my teacher at the window, dragging the IV behind me.
"Nothing will happen, Clarice. I promise," I said, my voice near a whisper. The agent hugged me again and then a smile touched her lips temporarily.
What if I can't protect Moira? What if she gets killed and it's my fault? And what is Dr. Lecter trying to make me realize? Starling massaged her forehead with her palm to calm her pulsing head. I leaned on the window still, watching her and wondered what was wrong.
"What's wrong, Clarice?"
"Oh, nothing, Moira mind's just restless that's all. Doctor Lecter's trying to tell me something and I'm not sure what he means."
I nodded, "I'm you'll figure it out." My mentor grinned, her heart and mind still in shock from the last couple days. Clarice strode toward the door, glancing over her shoulder.
"I'll be back later, Moira. I have to review some of the case materials and possibly have a chat with Lecter."
"Bye, Clarice and good luck cracking his latest puzzle." The agent gave me a warm smile and left for her office.