Chapter 5: U

Clarice and Hannibal left Barney's house the next day. Barney informed Clarice that despite the fact Doctor Lecter wanted to leave and keep moving that he had not still recovered from his injuries. While Hannibal was busy packing the car, Barney pulled her aside and spoke to her quietly.

"Clarice, I understand the two of you are being chased and are in trouble, and I understand the need to keep moving. But he hasn't fully recovered yet. So please keep an eye on him for me ok? Make sure his wounds stay clean and dressed so as not to get infected. And please take care of that leg too ok? You both went through so much to be up and moving this quickly."

Clarice nodded, "Thank you Barney, truly. But we can handle this from here."

Barney gave a sly grin, "Aaahhh, 'we?' Did he finally get to you Agent Starling?"

Clarice gave a small smile, "Whether I like it or not, he is the only one I can trust right now. So yes, we are in this together."

Barney nodded, "You know Agent Starling…for what it's worth. Mason underestimated you and that was his downfall. He never counted on you coming to save Dr. Lecter from Verger's Estate. I don't know who the hell is after you two now….but this one doesn't seem to underestimate you. Please be careful."

"We will. I don't know if the person chasing us will seek you out or not, but don't-"

Barney held up his hand, "Please don't worry. I am a friend of Doctor Lecter's, but I am not a fool Agent Starling. He would kill me in a heartbeat if he perceived me as a threat. His relationship with me is built on respect and trust. If I ever broke that...well you know what he is capable of."

Clarice nodded and Hannibal came back in the house, "The car is ready. Are you, Clarice?"

"Yes, let's go Doctor."

Hannibal offered his hand and she took it. She was limping on her bad leg and it would take some time to fully heal. He opened the door and helped Clarice in and made his way to the other side. "Barney, thank you for your help."

Barney stood back a distance and waved goodbye, "Of course Doctor. Please take care of each other."

Their drive began in silence. Barney's timing from the night before was, to say the least, awful. Luckily, they were in the bedroom so Barney didn't see the exchange made between them. But Clarice surmised he must have had some idea because she came out of the bedroom looking flush. Hannibal had resigned to stay in bed and rest. The tension was palpable.

Last night was very heated for the both of them. Clarice felt unsure of where this led to next and she glanced at Hannibal who looked deep in thought.

"Where are we going?"

Hannibal looked over and met Clarice's eyes, "Do you trust me?"

Clarice looked at him for a long moment, "Yes."

"We are going to pay a visit to Margot."

"Why?"

"To get some answers of my own. But first, we will make a slight detour for the night. We will see Margot tomorrow."

The rest of the drive was in silence until they arrived in Baltimore. He checked them into a hotel room for the evening.

When they reached the room, Hannibal handed Clarice a small suitcase.

"What's this?"

"A little something to slip on before dinner. I am going to get us some food and bring it here. There is a wonderful restaurant just down the street. I think it is best to dine here this evening so you don't have to be up on your leg very much. Is that suitable for you?"

"Yes."

"Excellent, the bathroom is just through there. Take your time. I shall return in about an hour."

She went into the bathroom to prepare for the evening. Her leg was still hurting, but it was bearable. She glanced in the suitcase and found a gorgeous emerald green dress. She smiled, "Well Barney did say he dropped off some supplies at his house. He must have had at least something planned then." She took her time getting ready. She washed up and fixed her hair and then put the dress on. She came out to find their food laid out on the small kitchen table with a bottle of wine and some candles. Hannibal stood next to the table staring out the window, and he turned around when he heard her approach. He was wearing a black suit with a matching emerald green tie. When he saw her, he walked over to her, gently grabbed her hand and brought it up to his lips to place a delicate kiss there.

"Clarice, you look beautiful. If I saw you everyday, forever, I would remember this time."

Clarice blushed deeply, "Thank you. Hannibal I wanted….no, I needed to ask you something."

He held both her hands in his, "You need only ask."

"Last night, you told me you loved me. Did you really mean that?"

Hannibal sighed and gripped her hands slightly, "Clarice, with all that has transpired these past few days, I knew you weren't ready to hear it, but I wanted you to hear it. I almost died in your house. I wasn't sure if you were going to make it in time or not. When I was sitting there, bleeding, I thought of how the only thing I regret was not telling you that on the night at the Chesapeake. I couldn't say it, and I had waited all these years without saying it. I didn't want there to be any regret. 11 years ago, I met a young FBI agent who was coming to question me about a difficult case. Somewhere along all those countless visits, I found you to be rather charming and good company. When the opportunity came for me to see you again, I went through with it. I knew I was being chased and I knew I was being followed, but I still took that chance. Once I was captured, I thought of every way possible to escape. And not once did I imagine, you, the stoic Clarice Starling, would come bursting through the barn doors to rescue me. And now, exactly a year later, the opportunity presented itself again. Only those time, I knew I had to protect you. So here we are now Clarice. I don't know how, or what caused these sequence of events that led us here today, but here we are."

Clarice could feel the tears coming down, "Hannibal I don't know what to say I –"

"You don't have to say anything, Clarice. As I already stated, I wanted you to hear it, but I don't expect –"

Clarice rushed in and kissed him. There was nothing delicate or gentle about it. It was a hungry and rough kiss.

When their lips finally parted they were both panting, "I love you Hannibal Lecter. I was scared to say it, I was worried you would hate me after the night on the Chesapeake. And last night I was terrified I was going to lose you. I don't want to lose you now."

They came close again lips just barely brushing against each other and Hannibal spoke, "When all this is over with, will you run with me Clarice Starling?"

"Yes, I will run with you."

"Even though it means leaving the FBI and this life behind?"

"Yes. My career has been falling apart, my reputation has been drug through the mud, Krendler placed a stain on it, and just yesterday I was shot by an FBI agent who was being paid off. You have never hurt me, you protected me, and here we are now. So yes, Hannibal, I will run with you."

The next kiss was slower now and with more passion. Clarice placed her hands on his shoulders to pull him in closer, but she paused when she felt something wet beneath the palm of her hand. She saw blood seeping from his shoulder where he had been shot. She quickly pulled away and went to grab a towel.

"Shit! Hannibal, I'm sorry."

She unbuttoned the top few buttons and pulled the shirt back and placed the towel over the wound.

He placed his hand on top of hers, "Don't be sorry, Clarice. I will be fine."

"Are you sure it is such a good idea to rush over to meet Margot when we are still in this condition?"

"Yes of course. I just need to speak with her before we press on."

"'I just need to speak with her'? What does that mean? I am coming with you."

Hannibal smiled, "Clarice, I am not entirely sure of Margot's involvement in this scenario. While I doubt she is supporting her son's actions, I can't deny that she may try and stop me. This could be dangerous, and with your leg, your mobility is limited currently."

"Bullshit! And what about your condition? You just took on three armed men in my house and you were covered in blood. If there is altercation, how can you be so sure you can handle it?"

Hannibal reached up and placed a hand on her shoulder caressing her skin, "You will still be there my dear, they just won't know it."

Clarice gave an inquisitive look, "How so?"

"I heard you were quite the firearms expert at the academy. Are you still sharp with a gun?"

"Yes, I am."

"Very good. I need you at a distance to handle the situation if one does indeed arise. I am trusting you to cover my back Clarice."

Clarice lifted the towel to check his injured shoulder and the bleeding had finally stopped. Hannibal took time placing a new bandage over his shoulder while she took the towel in the bathroom. When she came back she stated, " Are you ready to eat?"

Hannibal smiled, "Yes, come my dear, dinner awaits."

Hannibal extended his hand and she took it. He helped her to her chair and readied her meal before taking his own seat.

Dinner, for the most part, had been quiet since neither of them had eaten much. Hannibal caught Clarice staring at him a few times and smiled. Clarice glanced to his wine cup and noticed it was empty.

"Hannibal…."

He glanced up from his meal, "Yes?"

"Are you thirsty?"

Hannibal gave her a curious look, "Pardon?"

"Your cup is empty." She glanced at the cup then back up to meet his gaze, "I thought that if you are thirsty….you might want a drink."

She maintained eye contact as she pulled the neck of her dress down freeing her breasts in the open air. She dipped a finger in her wine cup and brought it up to her nipple. The golden wine hung there, trembling as she breathed in and out, "Come…take a drink."

Without any hesitation, he stood, and walked over kneeling before her. He brought his head in and tasted her.