This takes place after the movie version of Hannibal, 1 year later. Clarice still works for the FBI and continues to rid the world of monsters.

But what has her correspondence been with Hannibal after the night on the Chesapeake? Have they really gone their separate ways, or do they remain in touch?

Chapter 1 : An Unusual Encounter

Special Agent Clarice Starling sat in her Mustang, exhausted. She was waiting outside of her home in her car, waiting for that dreary rain to stop pouring down.

It was rather difficult for Starling after her encounter on the Chesapeake. They brought her in for questioning, or so they called it. It ended up as more of an interrogation. She quickly fell down what few ranks she had

ascended. But it didn't really matter anymore. Clarice had spent the last year working case after case and she was done. She needed to get out of this. She was ready to move on. She had just returned from her Superior's office to let him know she was resigning. She had finally given up the badge and the gun. Oddly enough, she felt much lighter and better. She felt….free.

The rain had finally stopped for a moment and she ran to the door and unlocked it. Once inside, she took off her coat and threw it on the back of the couch.

"I need a celebration drink."

She began smiling. She poured herself a glass of wine. She then proceeded to bring out a skillet and a pot in preparation for dinner. She pulled out steaks from her fridge, some asparagus, and she fetched some

potatoes from the pantry. She was very excited for the evening, that is until she heard the doorbell. She glanced at the clock, 6:58 pm.

"Seems a little early."

She walked to the front door and opened it. Her smile quickly disappeared at the sight before her. Will Graham stood tall in the door way. He smirked.

"Good evening Agent Starling."

"Good evening Mr. Graham. What can I do for you?"

"Mind if I come in?"

"Actually I am a little busy tonight, perhaps…" her voice fell short when she heard the familiar click of a gun. She glanced down

and saw the gun barely protruding out from Graham's coat.

"Sorry Agent Starling. I was telling you. Not asking you."

Starling moved aside and Graham came in. He looked into the kitchen and noticed a large meal Starling was preparing.

"Expecting company?"

"No, a celebration for my retirement from the FBI."

Graham chuckled, "Oh that's right! Today was your last day wasn't it? But that's not really what I asked was it? That's an awful lot of food for one person. Were you expecting company?"

Clarice's eyes shifted back to the kitchen,

"No. Just me."

"You're a terrible liar Starling."

Will plopped onto the couch, gun still pointing at Clarice and he gestured with the gun for her to take a seat on the chair across from him. Clarice slowly made her way over and sat down.

"I'm not lying to you Mr. Graham."

"Don't think you have me fooled even for a second Starling. I know better than that. So, what time does he get here?"

"Who?"

Graham showed the first genuine signs of annoyance, "Who the fuck do you think? Santa Clause?"

Clarice didn't falter even once, "You are in my house, demanding nonsensical information. You are holding me at gun point…what are you? Drunk?"

Will scooted forward to the edge of the seat, "No, no, no, no…I am not drunk. I am entirely in my right mind now Starling. You are just scared because you got caught. After the night of the Chesapeake one year ago, I started following your career closely. I mean come on…how does a so-so agent get off so clean dealing with him? After all, I got these scars to prove what he can do. Then I noticed that you were quick to get back to work. You did everything they asked just like a good girl and followed the rules. I guess you both agreed a year's time was long enough right? No one would notice? After all, you had surveillance on you for what? 3 months after the Chesapeake. You couldn't do it too fast. You couldn't retire too fast.

You would draw too much attention to yourself. But a year, now that is enough time to make certain people forget or to make certain people feel like it is enough time. That he is done with you? But he never was done with you was he Starling? That is why I am here tonight. I knew today was your last day. Today is the day you make your great escape am I right?"

Clarice sat quietly for a moment staring down Will. She practically bore a hole through him. The conversation was interrupted when a loud beeping sound could be heard from the kitchen.

Will smiled, "Timer going off huh? Well let's go. We wouldn't want to spoil his dinner tonight."

He stood and motioned for Clarice to walk ahead of him, "Any funny business and you are dead, reach for anything other than what

is inside that oven and you are dead."

Clarice nodded and turned the oven off. She grabbed an oven mit and opened the door to retrieve the pan full of baked potatoes she had just made.

"Looks good Starling. I never imagined you as much of a cook."

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Mr. Graham." She shot him a sideways glance and he smiled.

"I can see why he likes you. You have a fire in you. But I know more than you think I know Starling. But seriously, how long did you hold out on him before you gave it up?"

Clarice slammed her hands on the counter top and replied, "Don't think you know a damn thing about me Will. This whole time you

have been here interrogating me. You don't think the FBI did the same thing? Hell, you are so terrified of him, I haven't even heard you speak his name one time."

"Dr. Hannibal Lecter...are you still seeing him Starling? Because from where I am sitting, you are."

"What possible evidence could you have to prove anything? I have spent a year on this job. No interactions, no pictures, nothing...you don't have anything except a hunch. And it is a bullshit hunch at that."

Will charged Clarice but she stepped to the side and used his momentum to slam him into the cabinets. She tried to make a break for it, but Will shot her in the leg and she fell.

She reached for her leg to stop the bleeding, and Will approached her with a busted nose,

"You stupid bitch. I already know he will be here any minute. I should just kill you now and wait for that door to open. While he is crying over your lifeless body, I could shoot him then."

Clarice looked at Will then back at his gun barrel, "You are making a mistake Will. This is my retirement party. I am done with the FBI bullshit, I am done with it all. Leave it alone and go home Will."

"No. I am not done with you. Your retirement ends here Starling. I have decided you are no longer necessary. I will wait here til he arrives and then it will be all over for him too. You both can rot in hell together for all eternity."

Will raised his gun back up to her eye level, but Starling's gaze never faded, never showed surprise. As a matter of fact, aside from the twinge of pain she had from the gunshot to

her leg, she displayed an air of calmness about her that he found very unsettling. Why wasn't she afraid of him?

It was at this moment that Graham heard a voice just behind him, "You are acting rather rude Will. And the lovely Clarice can tell you there is nothing I despise more than rude people."

Will jerked around fast, but he felt something strike his head hard. Then all faded to darkness.

A/N: To be continued...