Chapter 12

Hannibal had to take a moment to gather himself. He felt his heart pounding in his chest and he placed his hand over it and began to take a few deep breaths in and out. He walked downstairs and sat in front of the piano in the big, open living room. His heart began to steady.

"How long has it been since I felt such a rush of adrenaline?"

His hands were hovering gently over the keys, caressing them. The ivory under his fingertips felt soft, but cold. Clarice's skin felt much softer, and warm…No, these were not thoughts he was allowed to think at the moment. Clarice needed him and for whatever reason he felt compelled to do so. Perhaps it was because he saw a bit of him in Clarice, maybe he felt like he owed it to her, or maybe he just cared enough to do so.

He began playing a soft melody, nothing in particular, he just played from feeling.

Not too long after he heard soft footsteps approach from behind, he turned a fraction, "Clarice, are you alright?"

Clarice was dressed in a silk night gown. It was a deep shade of crimson red, "May I sit with you Doctor or is my company unwanted?"

"Your company is never unwanted, Clarice. You may do what you like. You are not a prisoner here."

She sat in the large chair closest to the piano and watched him. "I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable Doctor. I came to apologize."

"Why apologize? Do you regret your actions?"

"…No."

"Then why?" The Doctor began playing faster.

"Because you left so suddenly I thought perhaps I had offended you."

"No Clarice, I was not offended. But I am currently acting as your Doctor in charge of your care, and until the cycle is complete I cannot get too close."

Clarice leaned forward in the chair, "Why is that?"

His playing paused and he spun around to observe her, "Do you truly understand what I am capable of? The drugs I give you are going to open your mind Clarice. You will feel like yourself and not yourself. I need you to truly see."

"Truly see what Doctor? You don't think I can handle it?"

"No my dear, you are very strong, I know you could handle it. I am worried I would not be able to."

"What do you mean by that?"

A beat passed. "A lot has happened in my life Clarice. I am but a small step in your journey and I hope to help you. I had to learn a lot of things in a very hard way. While I do not wish to reject your feelings towards me Clarice, I also want you to fully understand the situation before making your final decision. Whatever choice you make Clarice is yours."

"I wish I could have been there to help you Doctor. But I wasn't….but I can be now, if you'll let me. I know you don't trust anyone, I don't blame you for that. I am not asking you to trust me, I am asking you to accept me. You say I don't see the whole picture, that may be true. But I see you for what you are."

"Oh? And what is that? Monster, cannibal, Doctor, psychiatrist, lunatic…you can stop me when I am getting warm."

She stood up and approached him. She kneeled in front of him and put her hand on his cheek.

"No. You are none of those things."

He tilted his head slightly in anticipation, "then what Clarice."

"Given the chance Doctor, would you kill me?"

"No. If I wanted you dead, you would be so already."

"Then what do you want from me Doctor?"

"…just what you seek Clarice. Acceptance. You never answered Clarice. You said you knew what I was. So I am curious now. What am I little Starling?"

"You…are Hannibal."

It was the first time she had called him by his given name. It felt good to say and he enjoyed hearing his name roll off her tongue.

"Thank you Clarice."

"I am well aware of how dangerous you are. I an also aware of how brilliant you are too."

"Clarice your growth has been a wonder to watch. I hope you feel the same at the end of the therapy sessions. But only time will tell."

She moved her hand from his cheek to the back of his neck.

"Hannibal, the night of Paul Krendler's death, you stole something, it think it is only fair if I get to steal one myself in return."

"I told you Clarice, all good things to those who wait.'

She smiled, "Well now, you should know, patience has never been a virtue of mine."

She brought his lips to her own and kissed him. At first, he was resistant and her tongue probed his lips until he opened up to her. He then took over, placing his hand on her back to support her as he leaned forward and he gently guided her onto the floor. His mouth was consuming hers and she welcomed it. He only pulled back for air and to look upon her form. Her breasts were rising with each breath. Her breathing became irregular and her face was flush.

"Even Dante had to travel through all the layers of hell to finally meet his Beatrice in Paradisio. He depicted hell as being cold and freezing because it was the furthest away from God's warmth and love. There is also a constant wind blowing from Lucifer's giant beating wings."

He placed his hand over her breast and one stroked her cheek.

"Is that how hell was for you Hannibal? Cold and frigid?"

"Yes, cold and blanketed with snow."

He then laid down beside her on the floor. She rolled over onto her side to observe him.

"That same night I became the last Lecter of the family…"

She got closer to him and laid her head on his chest as he told the story of the little boy caught in a war who lost his family. Clarice could feel the tears welling up but choked them back. He did not seek pity or sympathy. He only wanted acceptance. He told her of how he hunted them down one by one and slaughtered them all. She knew he was no innocent. He was a frightening force, and she acknowledged that. He killed and she understood more. She didn't always agree, but she didn't have to. She simply understood.

Once he finished his story he just laid there for a while. Clarice was laying on her back glancing at him. He rolled over and was on top of her.

"Are you frightened of me little Starling?"

"I would be a fool to say I wasn't."

"Then why don't you run?"

"Because I believe you are the only one who can help me. I also believe I can help you."

He seemed satisfied with her answer. He then stood and helped her onto her feet.

"Its time to get to bed Clarice. You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. There will be another therapy session. Also, I found an article you may find interesting in our favorite news rag."

He walked over to the piano and picked up a copy of the National Tattler. A picture of Will Graham was on the front, with the headline "Cannibal Catcher Back on the Case!"

Clarice nodded, "He will be dangerous for us, we must be careful."

"We will save this conversation for tomorrow."

He leaned in once more for a fearsome kiss, "Goodnight Clarice."

"Goodnight Hannibal."