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Extended Vacation copyright 2001, by DianaLecter Disclaimer:
The characters Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling were
created by Thomas
Harris. They are used herein without permission, but in the spirit of
admiration and respect. No infringement of copyright is intended, and no
profit, of any kind, is made by the creator, maintainer or contributors to this
site. 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 PART 5 It was a lovely evening. Two full hours of dancing and a nice romantic dinner illuminated with candlelight. Starling didn’t want it to end, but soon found herself trailing down the hall of their hotel, toward their room. Dr. Lecter’s arm was around her waist. They didn’t make it far down the hall. For some reason, hungers and desires were bouncing off the walls tonight, and Starling found herself pressed against the wall, locked in a tight embrace with Dr. Lecter. His mouth was everywhere, and she encouraged it, gasping slightly. There was no doubt in her mind; this was where she belonged. Finally, they managed to make it to their door, closed, and he shoved her hard against it. One hand had to leave her to find the keys, which she snatched quickly, forcing it into the lock before turning around. Dr. Lecter broke away and allowed her to turn. With an anxious squeal, she shoved the door open. Her ecstasy dropped at the fastest rate she had ever experienced in her life. “Mr. Crawford,” she said shortly, batting her right hand to warn Dr. Lecter out of eyesight. There was no answer at first, Crawford’s eyes filled with emotion and compassion. “Clarice,” he choked finally, struggling to find his voice. All right, girl. Gain some ground. It’s not as bad as all that. “What are you doing here?” she demanded. “Looking for you…” He looked dazed and disconcerted. “I didn’t need to be looked for, Mr. Crawford,” she snapped. Anger, the same that caused her to make her palms bleed earlier, streaked through her. “Starling…what happened with Mapp?” Her heart stopped but she maintained a controlled air. “What about her?” “She said you attacked her.” Starling smiled grimly. “And if I did?” Dr. Lecter had taken her hand and was beginning to kiss it. Starling shifted uncomfortably in the doorway, eying the bed restlessly. Crawford must have sensed her thoughts for he fidgeted in his seat. Starling smiled wryly, her prior fears leaving her for reasons she could not explain. Now that she was here, facing him, the ordeal seemed minor and plain. You’re not so big, she thought, and smiled at the sound of her voice within her head. Crawford knew he was losing her, she saw it in his eyes. He swallowed hard and said in a voice, so low it was almost a whisper. “Christ, Starling. Please, tell me it’s not that bad. Where is he?” Before she could bring herself to reply, Dr. Lecter released his hold on her hand and stepped into view with a smile. “Good evening, Jack.” Crawford’s jaw flew open, but it wasn’t Dr. Lecter he was looking at in awe. It was Starling. “How could you?” he demanded, his voice still absent from his body. “It was really easy, Mr. Crawford. You sent me to him. I’m happy now, happier than I ever was in the Bureau. Please…you’re-” “You’re not Starling,” he said, his voice back now. “I’m not?” Starling replied with a chuckle. Dr. Lecter, likewise, laughed. “Poor Jack. Continuously denying what is so obviously true. Now, don’t go blaming me for this. I made an attempt to talk some sense into her, but this is where she wants to be. Shame.” Crawford couldn’t bring himself to reply. Starling stepped forward. “Please, Mr. Crawford…leave. Leave and don’t bother us anymore.” That was the last straw, and she knew it. Anticipating the actions to follow like scenes in an old western film, she watched as Crawford, in a fit of rage, reached for the gun on the dresser. It was in vain for he was on the floor with a bullet hole through his head before the aim at Dr. Lecter was complete. Starling was wobbly for a minute, the .45 in her hands smoking at the nozzle. Oh my God, did I just do that? Dr. Lecter - needless to say - was pleased. He stepped in front of her and examined the lifeless form on the floor, blood pouring openly from the wound. A smile was on his lips. “Mmm, I must say, Clarice, I didn’t think you capable of that.” She was still shaky, not able to think herself capable of it, either. As she lowered the gun, though, she said with newfound strength behind her voice. “Neither did I.” It was undisputed; what she would go through to protect Dr. Lecter was never again questioned. They packed quickly after that, Starling making a note to wipe the gun of her prints and leave it beside his body while taking the other gun, the one he was ready to use against Dr. Lecter. With any luck, it would pass as a suicide. By the time the authorities arrived, they were far from the hotel. It wasn’t until they were on the plane, some three hours later, that he spoke. “Are you all right, Clarice?” “Perfectly,” she replied, looking off distantly. “That took courage, you know.” “It was worth it. He was going to kill you. It was self defense.” Dr. Lecter took her face in his hands and planted a small kiss on her lips. “Thank you, Clarice. Thank you.” She was smiling, a soft, sad smile as she turned back. It wasn’t a decision that had been easy to make, but she would make it again if it were necessary. She knew that in a heartbeat. She would risk anything and everything for the man sitting beside her, and she was glad. Slowly, Clarice Starling dozed off. She wouldn’t awake until the plane landed an hour and a half later. From there, freedom; utter and unblocked freedom. That thought caused her to smile some, and the smile remained, long after she fell asleep. Fin Part 5 of 5 |