The Eyes of a Lamb

Grace

The weeks that followed seemed to blur by in a haze as Clarice sat in her bedroom fixing her hair for the benefit tonight for Jessica and Sage. Clarice hadn't been charged with the murder of Jame, her actions defined as self defense along with the testimony of Dr. Lecter of what happened down in the basement. Jessica and Sage had been given good homes, with foster parents Clarice herself wished she had after the ordeal. But they still needed help, which was why this benefit tonight was for their college tuition and for everything they would ever need to get by. Clarice had for filled her promise, and she got regular phone calls from the girls, letting her know how they were and things they were doing lately.

Clarice had graduated into the FBI as well, her help on Jame Gumb's case leading her up to become a real FBI agent. Will had been there for her graduation, along with Jack Crawford who offered her a job that she gladly took. All was going well, and Clarice found herself content with everything that had happened.

Except Clarice still wasn't sleeping.

It wasn't nightmares that kept her up, but dreams of things she knew could never happen. She dreamnt of Hannibal, of things she thought she felt but knew she couldn't. She had not heard from him in three weeks, the last time they spoke being only a simply check up to make sure she was alright, and then...nothing.

In some way, Clarice felt abandoned, having the good doctor at her side in the past and now simply being alone and on her own. It felt strange to be close to someone you barely knew, but still Clarice could not let her mind wander on something else rather than the case in front of her.

Clarice pulled her hair up in a beautiful up-do, something she was proud for learning at a young age, and slipped into a long red dress that hugged her curves just right. A string of pearls laced around her neck, the only thing her mother had left behind for her, which made Clarice look elegant in her own way.

She looked into the mirror and thought that maybe she shouldn't attend tonight, rather just donate the savings she had and leave it at that.

"What do you think boy?" Clarice said looking over at Barney who looked her up and down. He gave an approving bark as Clarice twirled back around, her loose skirt trailing behind her as the sweetheart bust made her feel exposed, like she was showing off too much skin.

"Well here goes nothing" Clarice said hearing the car pull up to her house.

Will got out of the car as Alana Bloom checked her purse one more time and straightened out her elegant black dress before looking out of the window towards Will.

"How has she been?" she asked Will quietly.

"Happy to say the least" Will said "But I think sometimes she's just putting on a show, like something is bothering her but she can't talk to anyone about it."

"What about her going to see Hannibal?" Alana asked.

"They haven't spoken" Will said shaking his head as his hand fidgetly straighten his bow tie "And every time I mention Clarice he goes silent."

"Do you think they had something going on?" Alana asked not wanting to sound gossipy.

"I don't know" Will said "I don't think so. Maybe they got close."

Clarice walked out of the house, her long red dress flowing behind her as curled strands of brown bounced around her face. She looked lovely in the night, her cream white skin blushing pink as she looked over at Will.

"I'm not over dressed am I?" Clarice said looking over and smiling at Alana.

"Not at all" Alana said "That's a beautiful dress."