Passion’s Rose

By Sara
Summary: Five years after the Hannibal film, Starling once again finds her man.
Rating: PG

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Thirty-nine-year-old Clarice Starling toured the city streets of London, England with a smile to her face. She stopped and stared at Buckingham Palace, admiring the old structure for all its beauty.

She was alone in London. It had been a full five years she’d been working nonstop, and declared she would be vacationing alone. Ardelia Mapp, who was married now with a young daughter, had wished her well.

The man in Clarice’s life, Ben Walker, hadn’t been so nice upon hearing his girlfriend would be off in Europe for three months without him. He had said he had planed on something else for them. Starling said she didn’t care. Ben then tossed an engagement ring at her feet, and then told her goodbye.

Her last chance for that life, gone.

“Dear lady, a rose?”

Clarice turned to see a young boy selling red roses. No. Wait. It was just one rose in his hands. “Is that for me?” Starling smiled gratefully at the sweet child.

“Yes lady.”

“Why thanks. It’s lovely.”

“Don’t thank me lady.” The boy pointed to a man the was far across the street. He was in a dark navy blue suit wearing a white fedora. Her heart leaped into her stomach.

“You all right, lady?”

The man was coming toward them at a slow steady pace.

“GO NOW!” Clarice hissed to the boy. She tossed him a good coin for his trouble from her pocket.

The boy ran off as Hannibal Lecter M.D. stood before her now.

“Hannibal…”

“Clarice. It’s been far too long.”

Hannibal touched her cheek and the rose fell to her feet.

The Doctor smiled kindly and picked it up for her.

“Lay a rose at a lady’s feet, and know where her passion truly is.” He said before giving it to her.

Clarice smiled despite herself. Her joy at seeing this man was truly undeniable.

“Be my lady, Clarice?” Hannibal breathed in his seductive voice.

“Now and forever.” She said as his lips claimed hers. There was no going back now. As this was where she belonged.
FIN

1/24/2002