"You can't hurt the ones you love." her voice rang through the hallways of his mind palace. He could not shutter it away as he had with so many others. Dr. Lecter settles back into his chair, closing his eyes for a moment and seeing hers. She had seen herself in his eyes, and she was enthralled by it. Now he understood what she had felt. When she had looked back into his eyes, he saw himself reflected back. He has never encountered anyone like her, not even with his dear Clarice. Another echo resonates in the halls as he sits with his eyes closed. One from a very long time ago, indeed.

"Do you know how you caught me, Will?" asks Lecter, head tilted to one side, studying the man standing outside the cell.

"Goodbye, Dr. Lecter. You can leave messages for me at the number on the file." Graham walked away.

"Do you know how you caught me?" Lecter asks again, Will Graham is now out of his sight, but he can hear the footsteps in the hallway. He smiles to himself as he answers his own question. "The reason you caught me is that we're just alike." Lecter hears the great steel door at the end of the hall clang shut. Graham is gone, leaving Lecter alone in his cell. "We're just alike." he repeats, laying back on the cot and feeling the weave of the pillow against his cheek. Just alike.

Something about Emily struck him in the same way it had with Will that day. He would never dare to intentionally, or unintentionally, hurt Emily as he did Graham. Goodness no. Emily, whether she knew it or not, they were just alike. He opens his eyes and looks across the small hotel room. The lights were dim, and he could clearly see out the window. He stood and looked out into the clear night. She was out there, safe in her home tonight, no doubt wondering when he'd be back. He smiled, showing his small white teeth. He would not disappoint her, he would be back.

*****

A glass of white wine sits atop the piano lid at arm's length, untouched after being set there. Emily sits on the bench, staring into the distance, hands playing across the keys. The tune changes as her thoughts drift aimlessly. What began with 'Rhapsody in Blue' by Gershwin through 'Moonlight Sonata'. As she blinked, her hand trembled. The music stooped momentarily as she touched the small cut on her throat. Lightly, she begins to play 'Homage', a piano solo by Jeff Fallen. It seems appropriate for the moment, she closed her eyes letting the music wash over her. She could see his face clearly in front of her as he pulled the knife from her throat. She had idly wondered if it was a test of some sort, and if she had passed. Three days, and she could still recall the smell of lavender on his hands. She had watched as he placed the knife on the counter behind her and lifted a hand to her cheek. He traced the scabs on the right with his fingers before laying his left hand against her cheek fully, sans thumb. She had pressed against it, felt the warmth and softness. She had not expected what he had done next.

With eyes locked with hers, Lecter had leaned forward and kissed her. She let him, let him deepen the kiss as her body responded. She blinked when he had broken the contact a moment later. Her breath trembled as it came from her lips, he however remained stoic. Not a single emotion tracing across his features. Nothing in those pale maroon eyes, either, except her reflection. He stepped away studying her, then turning away. Plucking his fedora and overcoat from where they sat on her stool. She managed to take a step away from the counter, but not much more. He shrugged on the coat and placed the fedora on his head. He looked back at her as he laid a hand on the door knob.

"Goodnight, Emily. Do give my regards to Clarice when you speak to her again." and without another word, he opened the door and stepped into the night. By the time she had gained control of her motor skills once more, he was gone. She sagged against the door, face resting against the cold pane of the window.

"Goodnight, Dr. Lecter." she whispers, closing her eyes and wondering what would happen next.

*****