Here is the last chapter of my story. It was my first attempt to write something and I hope that you've liked it.

Disclaimer : Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling are the intellectual property of Thomas Harris. I'm just borrowing them.

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Chapter 7 : Epilogue

When Hannibal Lecter entered the bedroom, he didn't believe what he saw. Clarice Starling, FBI special agent, was in his bed and, as her clothes were on the armchair close to the window, he deduced that she was naked under the covers. With this thought, he felt his heart beat more quickly in his chest.

After having regained his composure, he said : ''You are a woman full of surprises, agent Starling.''

''I wouldn't want to disappoint you, Doctor Lecter'' she answered by insisting on his name to tease him.

The small scene she had prepared seemed to have surprised the doctor. Clarice had read surprise but also desire on his face. He stood upright close to the bed with a towel around his waist. Some water drops fell from his still wet hair and slipped along his chest. At this moment, Clarice would have liked to be in Hannibal's arms, to feel his skin against hers… ''All good things to those who wait…'' she thought.

''You could perhaps stop calling me Doctor Lecter ?'' he said when he sat down on the bed. ''I also have a first name.''

''And you could stop calling me agent Starling'' she answered quickly.

''I was only referring to your professional situation, Clarice.''

She felt that he was testing her. ''I've thought about what you told me and I don't see myself as an FBI agent any more.''

The doctor didn't seem surprised by this news. ''Very interesting… May I ask you what are the reasons of this change ?''

Clarice sighed. He was irritating sometimes with his questions. ''Hannibal ?''

When she had said his first name, the doctor's eyes sparkled. ''Yes Clarice ?''

''Why don't you lie down to talk about that ?'' The young woman was as surprised as the doctor by this proposal.

He leaned on her and hissed : ''Are you sure it's what you want, Clarice ?''

The only answer she gave was to move on the opposite side of the bed to leave him space to lie down. He rose without hesitation and removed the towel he wore. She had only a few seconds to see again the doctor's body before he crept into bed.

They stayed a long time side by side without saying a word, their eyes turned towards the ceiling. With a long sigh, Clarice said : ''It's very pleasant to be in a bed again.''

''Much more comfortable than the seats of your car, isn't it ?''

Astonished by this answer, she turned her head towards the doctor : ''How do you know that…''

Hannibal moved on his side facing her, his head propped up on his elbow. ''You did much effort not to be located after the sale at Christie's, Clarice.'' He smiled and his eyes reflected all the mischievousness he was capable of. ''Did you really think that I was not going to notice you ? As soon as I was in the street, I felt your presence.''

Clarice couldn't believe what she was hearing. She placed her hand on her forehead. ''You are saying that all the time, you knew that I was there and that I was going to come and arrest you.''

''Exactly, Clarice. The only thing I didn't know was the moment when you would come and I acknowledge that I didn't expect to see you so early this morning.''

Clarice turned herself to face him. ''If you knew that I was after you, why have you led me here ? Why did you show me the way ?''

''Because I knew that you were alone and that you would not call your friends of the bureau. I wanted to speak with you and to make sure that things occurred calmly and…'' He passed his tongue on his lips. ''I would never have thought we could arrive at this point.''

Clarice suddenly felt the heat invaded her, she would have done everything to feel the doctor's lips on hers. Hannibal was completely conscious of the effect he had on her and reciprocally, however, he wanted to continue this small discussion a little bit.

''Quid pro quo, Clarice. You owe me an answer.''

''You want to know the reasons why I don't see myself as an FBI agent any more, that's right ?'' He nodded in agreement. Her eyes on the doctor's chest, she continued : ''I have thought very much when you were under the shower and I understood two very important things… The first one is that I don't belong to the FBI. I gave my life for the bureau but it gave me anything in exchange. I was never listened or respected and the only people on whom I could count are all dead.''

She stopped one second while remembering John Brigham and Jack Crawford who had always supported her then she talked again :

''During my life, only one person was always there in the difficult times to listen to me and help me.'' Clarice raised her eyes and held the doctor's eyes. ''And this person… It's you, Hannibal… Despite everything I have done to you, you always forgave me and you always said the truth to me. You are the only human being in this world who takes care of me and who have faith in me. And I'm very grateful to you for that.'' Clarice took the doctor's hand. ''Hannibal… Please tell me, why have you done all that for me ?''

He kissed her hand softly and spoke with a voice filled with passion : ''What do you want to hear, Clarice ? That I love you ? That's what you want ?… I love you Clarice Starling. I could say that hundred times or more, but these three little words, so hard to pronounce, will never represent the extent of my feelings for you… I would like to live each second of the remainder of my life at your sides. I would like to hear you sigh my name when we make love. I would like to awake every morning and to be able to hold you in my arms. I would like to give you the happiness you deserve and never to see you sad again…''

Clarice had tears in her eyes. A simple 'I love you' would have been enough for her. She was not so sensitive usually but this declaration had immensely touched her. Her heart said to her : ''This man loves you more than everything in the world, don't leave him again.'' While trying to contain her tears, she murmured :

''I need you, Hannibal. Please never leave me again.''

He gently took her by the shoulders and brought her closer to him. She didn't oppose any resistance and Hannibal took her in his arms. When Clarice finally felt the body of the doctor against hers, she let the tears run out freely. He hugged her tightly against him during long minutes until she calmed down. With her head against Hannibal's chest, she could hear the beats of his heart. She was so happy, she could have stayed like that for hours.

Doctor Lecter couldn't believe he held Clarice in his arms. How many times had he dreamed of this moment ? His eyes were closed and he gently stroked her hair. He felt her move and, when he opened his eyes, she looked at him smiling.

''Clarice…'' Hannibal began. She placed a finger on his lips to stop him.

''Before saying something, let me speak.'' She caressed the grey hairs of Hannibal's chest, which send a shiver through the doctor. ''A few minutes ago, I said that I had understood two important things. The first one was that you were the only person on whom I could count, but I didn't tell you about the second one… I decided that I have to give more importance to the woman in me. I should not let the special agent decide any more. I must listen to my heart…''

''And what did your heart say to you, Clarice ?'' the doctor asked.

''It says that I would be happy now because I finally found my place in this world.''

''Where did you find this happiness, Clarice ?''

She caressed the doctor's cheek : ''Here, in your arms. In the arms of the man I love. It took me many years to understand but now I am sure… I love you Hannibal Lecter.''

The doctor lowered his head towards Clarice to kiss her. At first, their lips only brushed but their kisses became more intense and more sensual. Clarice moaned when Hannibal's tongue explored her mouth. He then pushed her backwards while kissing her passionately, until she was on her back. He positioned himself above her and answered to her moans by a growl of approval.

When Hannibal finally detached his lips from Clarice's, she could read a great desire in the doctor's eyes. He started to caress her body and he kissed her neck and her breasts. She clung to Hannibal's shoulders and arched under his caresses. When he felt that she was ready to receive him, he leaned above her. Her face was coloured in a light pink.

''Are you ready, Clarice ?'' he asked.

''Yes, Hannibal.''

Unable to wait more, he penetrated her. After a few minutes, he thrust stronger and faster and the room was filled with cries and moans of pleasure. Clarice put her legs and her arms around him. When they reached orgasm, they screamed simultaneously the first name of the other.

After their heart rates were normal again, Hannibal lay down on his back and Clarice curled up against his side with her head on his shoulder. They didn't speak, words were useless. Only the presence of the other was important. They had declared their feelings to each other and they had united their souls by making love. They had finally found peace and nothing could separate them henceforth.

The sun was already high in the sky and Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling fell asleep in each other arms like many times to come.

The end

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I'd like to thank again those who took the time to post a review. Thank you very much.

Lecter-in-love.