A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you for the support. Please continue to comment! It always motivates me to do more. So in this chapter, we still stay with our favorite couple with a slight break in between to discuss what Will and his gang are up to. It's important that you know what Will is planning because it is key to how this whole story will come back together. Enjoy! The next chapter I have already started on and it will be quite lengthy. This chapter is a good setup for what is to come next.

Chapter 15

Clarice woke up when the rays of sunlight snuck in through the window and onto her face. She sat up in bed feeling calm and relaxed. She stretched and changed her clothes and hurried down stairs. She saw Hannibal sitting in his overstuffed chair reading the National Tattler and drinking tea. He glanced up over the tabloid and gazed at Clarice.

"Good morning."

"Mornin' Hannibal." She smiled, "How did you dinner date go last night?"

He raised his eyebrows in mock innocence, "Whatever are you talking about my dear?"

Her grin turned into more of a smirk. She walked closer to him and leaned over top of him placing her arms on the arm rests of the chair. Their faces were just a couple of inches apart. Clarice was closing the distance. Hannibal thought she was going for a kiss so he leaned in to meet her. She moved just enough and whispered in his ear, "You can't fool me with the blood on your sleeve. It is obvious what was for dinner."

He immediately pulled back and looked at his sleeves, when he found nothing, he inquired, "What blood?"

She started laughing, "Got ya! Now I know for sure there was a dinner party."

His face turned dark and he grabbed her behind the neck and pulled her in to a deep kiss. She was caught off guard. His tongue dueled her own and she felt flush.

When he pulled back her smile was gone and was instead replaced with a frown, "No fair. Playing with me like that."

"Its what you deserve for your mischievous games Clarice."

She stood upright, "What are you reading that piece of trash for?"

"While I don't believe half the things said in here, upon occasion, some interesting news does turn up."

"Oh?"

Hannibal nodded, "Will….back on the case with a whole team to track us down…this could get real fun."

He tossed the paper aside and looked to Starling, "How do you feel after that session?"

"More relaxed, I was too anxious the last time around. I found when I was much calmer, I was able to concentrate more easily."

"Excellent, you are a quick study my dear, quicker than I was."

Clarice blushed, "How many more sessions do you have planned exactly?"

"Potentially just one more, but I plan on giving you a long break between now and then."

"So, do I get to find out why you put yourself through that torment yet?"

Hannibal stood and took Clarice's hand in his own. He guided her to the couch and they sat side by side.

"I suppose you have waited long enough. I will indulge you Clarice."

He told her of many things, of his sister, his aunt, the criminals he hunted down and slaughtered like animals. He told her of all things. The bond they hold is growing stronger, but dark forces do not stay in the dark for long….

Will Graham was back at Quantico reading over the files. Pearsall came into the room and threw another file on the counter for Will.

"Here is what you requested."

"Thanks."

"So what's next Will?"

"What's next is Special Agent Ardelia Mapp."

"What? What the hell does she have to do with anything?"

"The cookbook that was missing from the box was the same one Starling used to contact Lecter. It is my theory that after Starling escaped, she went back to her duplex to retrieve some items and Mapp aided her."

"How do you know Mapp was even there? She could have been gone."

"No. She was home at the time of the incident. I know because I pulled phone records from the house." Will pulled out a file and handed it to Pearsall, "One was made to her grandmother, and the last one was made to a James Bennet. I guy that she has been seeing."

"Jesus Will…how did you get all of this? Are you investigating her as well?"

"In this game, no one is innocent Clint. If it's alright with you, I would like to set up a meeting with Ardelia here at Quantico."

Pearsall glanced at the paper then back up to Graham. He shook his head and handed the file back to Will, "Do what you have to do."

Clarice sat and listened to Lecter, she did not cry, she did not pity him, he respected none of those emotions nor did he seek them. Starling considered this a privilege to hear this side of him. Once he finished, she shut her eyes and whispered, "Thank you Hannibal."

Hannibal leaned in closer, "No, I should be the one thanking you Clarice."

She leaned in and kissed him, only this time he did not resist and try to slow her down. She slid over on the couch where their bodies pressed together. Hannibal slid his hands under the blouse she wore and she moaned. She began unbuttoning his shirt. Their actions became more frantic and less calm. Hannibal was finding it hard to control his emotions and Clarice welcomed it. She reached for his belt buckle and began to unfasten it. Hannibal's hands were at her breasts. The kissing became deeper and deeper.

Then the doorbell rang.

Clarice and Hannibal froze then turned their attention towards the door. Hannibal stood to buckle his pants and button his shirt. Clarice adjusted her hair and her blouse. Her face was still flush. Hannibal walked towards the door and opened it.

A man who looked to be in his late 50s stood dressed in a grey suit with a paisley tie. He had brown hair that was starting to grow silver at the roots. His facial features looked stern and worn with the years.

He smiled, "Charles! How good it is to see you!"

Hannibal smiled back, "Frank, what brings you here this fine day? Would you like to come in for a drink?"

"No, no. That's alright, I wouldn't want to disturb you. I just wanted to let you know I secured what it is you asked for."

Hannibal looked surprised, "How so? I thought the tickets were sold out?"

"Well….I may have pulled a few strings, but I got you two tickets." Frank pulled out two white slips of paper and handed them to Hannibal.

"Frank, I must say, I do owe you one after this."

"Nonsense. Now where is your lovely wife at? I haven't even gotten the chance to talk to her yet."

Clarice came up behind Hannibal and smiled, "Hello, it's nice to meet you." She glanced to Hannibal, "my dear you didn't tell me you were expecting company. I could have made some coffee and…."

Frank smiled and brought his hands up waving them in front, "No, no, madam it's ok. You see, Charles and I are members of a board. Charles just recently joined, but he has been very generous with his donations. He inquired about tickets for tonight's show, but they are all sold out. I managed to talk to the rest of the board and we secured the tickets. That is all I came for. My apologies, I didn't mean to interrupt."

He stepped back and bowed his head, "I look forward to seeing the two of you tonight."

He walked down the pathway back to his car. Hannibal closed the door and turned to face Clarice.

"I thought about surprising you with a lovely dinner and a show. What do you say Clarice? The choice is yours."

She smiled and kissed him again, "Dinner and a show at is, but after it's just me and you with a little fun of our own agreed?"

"Agreed."