The Eyes of a Lamb

This for That

"I'm boring you again" Mason Verger said sighing, his beautiful face turned away to all the books above Hannibal's office "I can tell because your eyes have become glassy, you've been drifting in and out for the past few days."

Hannibal silently hissed in a breath, trying to keep his composure with Mason, who was a closet pedophile even though he would not admit it to Hannibal just yet. It had been a week since Hannibal had seen or heard from Clarice, and the tension was tightening to say the least.

"It is your hour Mason" Hannibal said quietly "I will listen to whatever you have to say."

"Except you aren't" Mason said with a smile, his handsome features like some made up Ken doll "You are thinking about something else...what is it?"

"My thoughts are solely on you I assure you" Hannibal said lying cooly in front of his patient.

Mason Verger was the son of a wealthy meat packaging tycoon who sought therapy to drag on about how boring people were and the taboo things he did for fun just to spice things up. Hannibal himself found Mason revolting, but his composure was always kept sound and even pleasing when Mason would tell him about the horrible thoughts he had about children and his own sister.

"Be as it may Dr. Lecter" Mason said smiling "I'm used to getting what I want. I'll find out what you are thinking about so hard, but for now I will let it go. Shall I tell you about what I did last weekend?"

"If you want to" Hannibal said nodding.

"Margot had her period last week" Mason said with a evil grin "Should I tell you what I did?"

Mason was about to go on when suddenly came a knock at the door. Hannibal looked up confused for a moment but nodded to Mason "If you'll excuse me for a moment" he said getting up. Hannibal smoothly moved across the office and to the door, opening it only slightly to see a pair of blue eyes looking up at him.

"I'm sorry are you with a patient" Clarice said quietly.

Hannibal felt relief wash over him and automatically gave her a small smile "Yes I am, if you'll do me the honor of waiting upstairs I'll be right with you."

"Alright" Clarice said giving him a smile back and moving quietly up the stairs.

Hannibal shut the door and felt the urgent need to get Mason Verger out of his office.

"Who was that?" Mason said looking over the couch at Hannibal with a lounging gaze.

"Just another appointment" Hannibal said giving Mason a reassuring look "Your hour is almost up Mason, would you like to discuss anything else?"

"Alright you" Mason said giving a coy smile "I'll get out of your hair, but I expect another fifteen extra minutes next week."

"Granted" Hannibal said as Mason stood up in his hand made suit and walked slowly out of the office, giving Hannibal a quick smile before departing down the stairs.

If Hannibal wanted to, he would have sighed with relief, knowing how Clarice's childhood was and how much pleasure Mason would get out of knowing what happened to her. He was sadistic, and because of Hannibal's own moral standards he wanted to kill him slowly by himself without informing the police of his actions.

"Agent Starling" Hannibal called up the steps "You are free to come down now."

Clarice moved down the steps and smiled softly at the doctor "I'm sorry for disturbing you Dr. Lecter, it was rude of me."

"Think nothing of it" Dr. Lecter said as he led her into his office "I always make time for my friends."

"Are we friends then?" Clarice said looking back at him.