Disclaimer: It all belongs to Thomas Harris, except the plot… That part is mine.

Chapter One

She couldn't believe she was going back, she didn't understand why but she felt compelled to after his attempted escape. After which he had been returned to Baltimore and by default back to Dr Chilton. She was sure that Chilton never missed an opportunity to gloat at Dr Lecter's failing, she couldn't help but feel a small amount of guilt, though she wasn't sure why.

She knew that one officer had been seriously injured during the escape attempt, though the other had managed to un-cuff himself in time to prevent things from going any further. She was sure Dr Lecter had been left with a nasty bump from the officer as he knocked him out, a part of her felt slightly disappointed that he hadn't quite managed it. She didn't allow herself the time to analyze this, for she was sure it would only lead her back around in an emotional circle until she was again consumed by her own guilt. All she knew was that she had become fond of Dr Lecter, somewhere along the line and that she couldn't continue sitting and thinking of him alone, being tormented by Chilton without taking some action to relieve that torment for him, even for the shortest amount of time.

So, she had produced the ingenious idea of visiting him as an average citizen; knowing that he had no visitors besides scholars and college students hoping to wheedle information from him. Nor could the FBI stop her visiting him, so long as she had nothing to do with his case she could leave her work at the door, as long as she wasn't doing anything illegal the Bureau had no say in the matter. She hoped Dr Lecter would be pleased to discover he had a visitor who wasn't out for any type of information.

She had phoned ahead previously, only to discover that the abhorrent Dr Chilton was away on holiday and that Barney had been left in charge. He of course was only too happy to discover that she wanted to visit Dr Lecter in a personal capacity, rather than professional and agreed immediately. Which was how she had been led to stand outside the doors to reception, preparing herself to see him again, Clarice squared her shoulders and took a deep breath. She held it within her lungs for a moment before releasing it and striding through the doors purposefully. Once she had undergone the inanity of the standard safety procedure and finally reached Barney, he had explained to her that there would be a change of location; his features forming the perfect picture of an apology.

"It's Dr Lecter's exercise time; he doesn't usually get much so I thought that seeing as Dr Chilton isn't here... You're welcome to speak with him in there Agent Starling, or if you'd prefer we could put him back into his cell." Barneys dark eyes held hers, already knowing her answer as he smiled politely.

"No Barney, its fine. It's Clarice by the way; I'm here as just another civilian. I guess that with the change in location there is a change of rules?"

Barney inclined his head in a nod before gesturing for her to follow him down the corridor as he explained.

"Yeah, just don't cross the line and you'll be fine."

Clarice looked up at Barney, expecting more instructions, but none were forthcoming and she frowned in confusion. She knew that she had disobeyed every single rule Chilton had laid out before her on her previous visits; surely Barney knew that? It was rather disconcerting at how relaxed the man before her was being, in comparison Chilton was irritating at best and made her feel unclean with each exchange, and here she was with Barney who was merely telling her not to cross the line.

She leant against the wall as he unlocked the large steel door, her gun digging into her hip as she raised her eyes to Barney.

"Erm, I still have my firearm Barney, do you want to take it?"

He merely gazed down at her before turning back to heave open the door. "Keep it with you Ms Starling; just don't step over the line."

Clarice merely nodded and pushed her confusion away once it was evident he wasn't going to be enlightening her on all the changes, she then preceded Barney through the door. She raised her eyebrows incredulously as she looked around the 'exercise room', she had to admit she'd been expecting a little more. A rectangle of red and yellow tape stood out brightly against the concrete floor, the words 'DO NOT CROSS' were written boldly all around in black lettering. Walking around leisurely with his hands tethered to the ceiling via a track, was Dr Lecter. She took note of how he walked, as if he were enjoying a fine stroll around a park or lake without a care in the world, she wouldn't have been surprised should he have started whistling.

She glanced up at Barney for a moment and he nodded at her in reassurance before raising his voice to echo out over the room.

"Dr Lecter, you have a visitor; it's Ms Starling."

Dr Lecter's step did not falter as he continued around the rectangle as though he hadn't heard them, her eyes became fixed on his plimsoll type shoes, a smirk coming to her face as she thought about his comment directed at her own footwear.

She was snapped from her reverie when Dr Lecter's voice cold and metallic as ever, rang out over the room.

"Thank you Barney."

When she looked up again it was to meet his sharp gaze, his head was tilted just slightly to the side, Clarice felt as if he were looking right through her and a shiver ran down her spine.

"We'll be just outside Ms Starling. Gray, come on."

The guard who had been sat, watching Dr Lecter walk in a rectangle for the past hour frowned, it wasn't as though he wasn't jumping at the chance to get out of the room with the cannibal... But leaving the young pretty woman inside with him, alone?

"Barney I don't think th-"

"She'll be fine. Out, now Gray."

Clarice watched over her shoulder as the guard reluctantly followed Barney out of the large door, the sound echoed around the room as it was pulled shut; she turned back and smiled in greeting to Dr Lecter.

"Walk with me Clarice?"

She nodded, and making sure she wasn't over the large florescent line; she walked alongside him. It felt odd, seeing him without bars or other barriers; she could have reached out and touched him. With a mental shake of her head she resolved not to think about that, her throat worked as she swallowed. She imagined she could feel the heat from him as they walked, her eyes were on their feet as their steps echoed around the room; she could feel him watching her.

"I confess I didn't expect to see you again Clarice... At least, not so soon; has Jack lost control of another case so quickly? I imagine he realises what a treasure he has in you, to those dullards it must seem as though I can hardly resist giving you help Clarice, they don't understand why, do you?"

Clarice swallowed and shook her head, answering only the first question he had asked. "No Dr Lecter, there is no case. I wasn't told to come here by Mr Crawford; in fact I imagine he'll be pretty mad at me for it."

He glanced sideways at her, his eyebrow quirked in apparent bemusement.

"Hmm, so a social visit then Clarice?" His voice mocked what she thought had been an acceptable idea.

"Yes Dr Lecter, if you'll permit me, I'd like to visit you on a regular basis."

He slowed his walk to a stop as he turned to look at her, she did the same and found the breath knocked from her as she was stood face to face with him, his eyes seemed to drink her appearance in as he tilted his head in question.

"Why?"

Clarice's own gaze reflected her slight surprise; she lowered her eyes for a moment before clearing her throat, shuffling slightly as she answered. "You fascinate me Dr Lecter. You once said that you would like to know me in private life; well this is as good as it'll get."

His eyes flashed, though not with anger. The sight sent a thrill through her as she took a calming breath.

"Mm... And if I refuse your gracious offer, Agent Starling?"

She rolled her shoulders in a shrug as she raised her eyes to his again. "It's Clarice, and not to be rude Dr Lecter, but you hardly have visitors queuing round the block, if you refused; I'd still come."

She refused to look away from his intense gaze as his eyes searched hers, his mouth quirking upward in a smirk as he repeated her last words; his voice low and suggestive.

"You'd come..."

Clarice flushed and cleared her throat. "To visit you, I mean; and if you ignore me I'll bring a book or something and read."

His dark chuckle sent chills over her and she swallowed the lump in her throat, trying to maintain her composure. She couldn't quite meet his eyes as they roamed over her, he seemed to be contemplating her suggestion, but just when she thought he might answer her he turned on his heel and continued his walk around the square.

"I do not receive pity very well Agent Starling." Any warmth that was in his voice previously had completely disappeared, she felt as though she had been drenched in icy water. She quickened her pace to catch up with him, careful not to step over the line.

"I don't imagine you do Dr Lecter, which is why I would never make the mistake of feeling pity for you." She had just matched his stride when he halted again, this time rather suddenly.

"Do not lie to me Clarice; I can see it in your eyes. You pity me for my attempted escape and that is why you are here." His steely maroon eyes held hers firmly, daring her to deny it. She too held his gaze with confidence as she replied, knowing only honesty would convince him.

"You are wrong Dr Lecter, I don't pity you. I'm…" She paused, unsure as to whether she should voice her feelings aloud, her eyes darted around the room.

"I assure you Clarice we are quite alone, please continue." He had his head tilted to one side, his usual pose for analysing a patient.

"I'm disappointed you didn't succeed Doctor, I don't pity you for it." She held her breath as her heart pounded; she couldn't believe she had just said that aloud. She was disappointed a cannibalistic serial killer hadn't succeeded in escaping out into the world. What sort of FBI agent was she?

"Hmm..." A smirk curved his mouth and his eyes glinted. "Disappointed? Were you perhaps hoping I'd pay you a clandestine night-time visit Agent Starling?" He had lowered his voice to a sultry whisper, so much so that she had to lean forward to be able to hear him.

"No Dr Lecter." She shook her head and smiled almost sadly, her voice was as quiet as his when she spoke. "I was hoping you would get your view."

"Ahh but Clarice, I have the most splendid view I could have dreamed of." His eyes burnt into hers and she swallowed reflexively, then very slowly his gaze moved down over her shoulders and arms, past her stomach and waist to her legs and landed on her feet. She watched him smile and though she expected it, he did not raise his gaze. Her eyes darted downward to see what he was looking at and her breath froze in her throat.

There she stood, right in front of Hannibal Lecter within his exercise perimeter, the red and yellow lines she was not supposed to cross stood out accusingly behind her.

And I have returned to writing Hannibal, I've missed him so. Please let me know what you think by sending me a review.