The Eyes of a Lamb

Huntress

Clarice stood outside the hospital room, her arms tucked in tightly around her as she saw all the wires coming out of Will, his breathing ragged as sweat poured from his head. Nobody had told her anything yet, and she was beginning to worry in the absence of Jack Crawford. Clarice knew Will had been under a lot of stress lately, and she knew what he did wasn't easy, herself having the same sort of gift yet not as developed as Will's. She knew he was suffering, and he had put her first through these last couple of weeks.

A hand suddenly touched the small of her back as Clarice quickly turned to see Hannibal staring down at her with concerned eyes. Clarice let out a sigh of relief and gave him a small smile.

"Sorry" she said "I was caught up in my thoughts."

"It's understandable" Hannibal said quietly as he looked over at Will "How is he?"

"I don't know" Clarice said shaking her head "The doctors won't tell me anything yet."

"Perhaps I will go in and at least see how his vital signs are" Hannibal said "Maybe that will give you some comfort."

"Thank you" Clarice said "They told me I couldn't go in there for some reason."

"I'll be sure to let them know who I am" Hannibal said walking towards the door. He moved steadily in, his hand closing the door quietly as he walked over to Will and inhaled his scent that basked in the air. It was definitely encephalitis.

At least it was treatable, that made Hannibal feel somewhat better, but seeing his friend laying in the hospital bed did not amuse him as much as he would have thought. It was probably the fact that Clarice was on the other side of that glass, her innocent eyes staring straight at Will, her hope wanting to flail against the windows that he would be alright. Hannibal would feel some satisfaction in letting her know he would be okay with treatment, but he wondered if he should be so open with Clarice as he would want.

Hannibal checked the monitors and saw what they were feeding Will through the tube and then slowly made his way out into the hallway with Clarice.

"What did you think?" Clarice said staring up at him with those blue eyes.

"Will is in stable condition" Hannibal said "But I cannot determine what is wrong with him."

"I didn't expect you to" Clarice said smiling "I just wanted to know he was okay."

"He is as good as can be expected" Hannibal said reassuring her.

"Thank you" Clarice said looking away.

"Are you alright?" Hannibal said looking down the hallway to make sure nobody was around that would truly notice their interactions.

"I'm a little shaken" Clarice said letting herself lean into him "But that's normal right?"

"Perfectly" Hannibal said.

Suddenly Jack Crawford whipped around the corner and the two stepped away from each other quickly. No need for Jack to know about them just yet.

"So?" Jack said looking at both of them.

"Will is stabilized" Hannibal said "But he won't recover anytime soon."

"Great" Jack said shaking his head "And I have another body on my hands."

"Let me take the case" Clarice said.

"What?" Jack and Hannibal said together looking at her.

"Let me take on the case" Clarice said looking at them like they had grown two heads "You already had me come in today, why not just let me take over?"

"Starling you were asked to come to keep Will Graham grounded" Jack said shaking his head "And I cannot allow you to put yourself through another case, especially so soon after your ordeal."

"My ordeal?" Clarice said offended "Mr. Crawford we stopped a serial killer and kidnapper of children."

"And you were thrown in the mix" Jack said "You got too close and I don't need you turning into Will after you are finished."

"Pardon my french but this is bullshit" Clarice hissed "I can take it just as much as Will can!"

"Perhaps Jack is right..." Hannibal begun but Clarice shot him a look that even he knew wouldn't be wise to fight.

"Clarice" Jack said sighing "I don't want you to get hurt."

"With all due respect Mr. Crawford, I'll be fine" Clarice said "I'm a big girl after all. I tie my shoes and everything."

"Alright" Jack said knowing he was going to regret this "But as soon as Will is well again I want him working with you."

"Only if he gets well" Clarice said "I won't work with him if he isn't fully recovered."

"Understood" Jack said nodding to both of them as he started to walk away.

"You are very tenacious" Hannibal said slightly smiling "When you want to be."

"Jack Crawford needs to stop treating me like a delicate flower" Clarice said huffing "I can probably shoot more accurately than most of the men at the bureau."

"I do not doubt that" Hannibal said "But you must see from his point of view."

"I don't want to" Clarice said "Because that's not who I am."

"You misunderstand me" Hannibal said looking into her eyes "I know you are not a delicate flower, something that is to be looked at and never touched. You are the lioness, the graceful hunter that will go only when provoked. But Jack sees you as the employment of his guilt. He does not want you to be killed like his trainee, nor does he want you damaged like Will. He wants you just as you are, always."

"I will be fine" Clarice said "I'm not scared of anything anymore. You helped me with that."

"Although I must say" Hannibal said getting close "You will always be the lion with the lamb eyes to me."

Clarice looked up at him and felt that tight flutter in her chest she got every time her eyes matched up with his. She felt her pulse quicken and the air from her lungs go in short breaths as he drew closer to her.

"You have to stop doing this to me" Clarice said giving a nervous smile "I can't concentrate with you doing that."

"I enjoy the way your body reacts when I get close" Hannibal said as his hand reached out "And I enjoy it even more when you body reacts to this" he said brushing a finger against her arm. Clarice involuntarily shuddered and felt her legs want to weaken. Her warmth began heating up, thinking about the night they had shared together and even this morning.

"Do you still want me to stay tonight?" Clarice said, her voice filled with want as Hannibal walked behind her.

Hannibal watched her for a moment as he stood looking at her back, loving the way her face turned just slightly, knowing he was there but not looking right at him.

"Yes" Hannibal said quietly.

"I'll come by after I check out the victim's apartment with agent Katz" Clarice said now looking at him.

"Good" he said "There is also someone I want you to meet tonight. I thought perhaps we could all have dinner."

"That sounds great" Clarice said "But what about Will?"

"I'll have the hospital phone tonight to give us his status" Hannibal said drawing closer to her, just enough so that he could inhale that intoxicating scent of hers.

"I'll see you then" Clarice said leaning up to him. Hannibal felt her lips brush against his cheek and he only longed to return the affection. But Clarice simply smiled and walked away, satisfied enough with his attention. It marveled him that she could give so much, and expect nothing in return. If only he could allow himself to show what he really felt, but then again that might frighten her rather than attract her.

Hannibal gave his orders at the hospital before taking one last look at Will laying in the bed. When it came down to it, everyone would be frightened of Hannibal if he ever showed his true colors.

Even himself.