Beep. Stuart started, almost spilling his coffee. "Shit, sorry man. I was miles away. He glanced up at Michael's notepad.

"Are you ok?"

Stuart felt absurdly touched. "Yeah," he tried to sit up straight in his chair. "Sorry. I'm just so tired and this case…" He ran his hands through his hair, which luckily was short and spikey, so he didn't need to worry about messing it up.

You look it.

"Shit, do I?" Stuart stood up and headed in to the men's room, washing his face with cold water. That was the last thing he needed. His Client would be all over that in 5 seconds. Stuart could hear his voice now. "I paid for you to be sharp, so be fucking sharp! Wake the fuck up, Counsellor! I am not going down because you're half fucking asleep!" When he returned to the table, a steaming plate of fried egg and toast was in front of his chair. He looked at the killer raising an eyebrow, but Michael made no response. Stuart slowly sat down.

"Thank you," he said softly, feeling an unexpected lump in his throat. It looked like Michael cared for him too. "Thank you," he said again once he'd finished. He hadn't realised just how hungry he was. His plate was empty. This time, Michael nodded to him. Stuart reached for his wallet in his jacket pocket, but Michael reached over and grasped his arm, stopping him. He raised his notepad.

It's a gift. Nothing more, nothing less. No tricks, no questions.

At this, Stuart did find himself blinking back tears.

Dr Ranbir Sartain looked at the two text messages on his phone, not quite able to believe his eyes. Having been a Psychiatrist for years, not much surprised or shocked him. But this certainly had, purely because it was so unexpected. He'd had to look twice to make sure he was seeing what he thought he was.

Dr Sartain, this is my number. I got a phone at Jade's request. M. I would like to speak further with you. M.

He was being texted by his longest assigned patient, the one he'd specifically moved to be assigned to, the masked killer Michael Myers. Damn. Jade had managed to get through to him in a way even he hadn't. First he'd married her, now he'd got the most unlikely thing Sartain would ever have thought possible. A phone so he could communicate with his wife when they weren't together. It was almost beyond belief. When Jade had said she loved him, she sure hadn't been lying. After a few moments thought, the Psychiatrist raised his phone and began to reply to the man he thought he never would.

Hello Michael. No problem, we can arrange an appointment. Let me just check my diary.

He sighed to himself. He was due back at Smith's Grove next week, new patient had arrived who needed a lot of help. He hoped he wasn't facing another Michael, because he doubted another woman would come along and save him. He chuckled sadly at this as he looked down his diary. As luck would have it, he had one this afternoon. Raising his phone again, he sent another text to the killer.

Does this afternoon work for you? Two?

"So tell me again how did you meet Stuart?"

Tara rolled her eyes playfully at her sister. "I told you last night, Jade. Too much sugar impairing your memory?"

"Shut it!" Jade punched her to the arm. "I just really like the story. It's so romantic! Tell me!"

The two sisters were sitting in the living room. Jenna had said she'd be back shortly, she had to nip out for something, but wouldn't elaborate. Jade privately wondered if she was purposely leaving the two of them alone for a while. Steve was driving her to her secret destination. Alice was now back at work.

Tara gave a theatrical sigh, but Jade saw through it. Her sister was trying not to smile and Jade felt her heart warm. It was clear she adored her husband. So did Jade.

"I was in Spain; I'd just left our home. I wanted help getting back to England and wasn't sure where I stood given our circumstances. I requested the help of a Lawyer. As you know, Stuart's 3 years older than me. We talked for a few weeks and at first Stuart said he couldn't help me, as he was criminal law. But in the end, he agreed he could and I wasn't sure why. We kept meeting up and he managed to get me a ticket back home and helped me with my passport. Then on the day I was leaving, he suddenly told me we were going to be on the same flight. Said he'd been working over there." Tara smiled now and Jade was sure she could see tears in her eyes. "That was true, but not all of it. Truth was he wanted to be with me. We grew closer and closer and 4 months later he asked me to marry him." She stroked her engagement and wedding rings.

"Told you it was romantic," Jade smiled back at her sister. At that moment, both of them received a text at the same time. It was clearly a group one. It was from Lance.

Hi guys, could we possibly meet up at Craig and Jen's tonight if it's not too short notice? Say six? I have something I want to tell you all. Please don't ask me, can I tell you then if we can do it? Thanks. Lance. XXX.

"OOO!" Tara smirked. "Wonder what that could be?"

"I think I already know," Jade smiled. Tara smirked. "That's my point. Me to."

Thank you for seeing me so quickly.

Sartain laughed a little. "Michael, you're my most important patient. I moved to be assigned to you. I am supposed to see you as soon as I can when asked by you."

Indeed?

"Indeed. What can I do for you?"

They were sitting in Sartain's office at his local surgery, situated half way to Smith's Grove, about an hour and a half drive from where Jade and the others lived. For a few moments there was silence, the killer looking straight at his doctor. Sartain didn't move or break it. He was used to this. Michael's writing was also fairly new. Yes he'd done it before he met Jade, but it was very rare.

Dr Sartain. What has Jade done to me? When I say I love her, I want to protect her, but I don't really feel anything. Or at least…

Sartain noticed the ellipsis and waited. Michael wasn't done.

Dam it! At least I didn't until recently. I'm starting to feel things I don't understand at all. She said she missed me this morning and I replied I missed her to. If looking forward to one's return is missing, then I meant it.

Sartain smiled at his patient. "That is a good thing. Is it not? You married her because you love her, correct?"

I don't even know this. I married her because I was captured and she wanted to see me. Yes I'd said I love her; I've said those three words to her so many times because it was what she wanted to hear from me.

"Are you doubting you meant it back then?"

If meaning it is feeling it, I meant nothing. I felt nothing. Love is not something I felt, or understood. But now I don't know. I need to protect her, not just want. At first I knew I'd never hurt her, but then when I inadvertently did, it made me feel something. I felt… I guess worried. Not deeply you understand, but enough for me to feel it.

"Ok," Sartain nodded. "So what now?"

It started with small things. Comforting Steve when he first told me. Then later down that alley. The first time, I did it because he was now my father in law whether I wanted it or not and I knew killing him would not accomplish anything.

"Were you considering killing the whole family before?"

I was. At first the whole thing was highly amusing to me. The marriage I thought didn't mean a thing. Yes I felt something for Jade, but not enough that it would stop me killing her in the end. Or at least, I thought not. It all changed when she got attacked. That was when I really felt it. I wanted to kill her attackers and protect her. But I still didn't understand my feelings. There was no empathy for what she went through as such, I just knew I had to protect my wife.

Sartain nodded again, waiting. He sensed Michael wasn't finished and he was right.

Then her brother in law had his attack and I got him in to the ambulance. Again, no empathy for him, I just knew he was ill and didn't intend on killing him right then. Maybe in the future. But then today, he said something to me which triggered something in me that even now I do not understand. He said "just face it Mr. Myers, there's people who care about you now."

Sartain inwardly smiled. Stuart Lawson sure as hell knew what he was doing. Those words hadn't been accidental, Sartain was sure of it. It also made him believe even more what he'd always suspected. Lawyers were damn clever people.

He'd set up that phone with all their numbers including yours. I need to be close to Jade; I need to know she's ok. I didn't want this phone, I didn't particularly care one way or the other if she was ok before, but…

"Michael," Sartain said gently. "Do not let these feelings anger you. What you are feeling is perfectly normal. Michael, it's human."

There was another very long silence.

They all appear to genuinely respect me. Genuinely care about me. Why? I could've, would've killed all of them without a care. Yet, they want my presence with them. They ask my opinions. They communicate with me. Hell this pad was from them, as was the phone. Why? I'm a masked killer.

"Perhaps was?" Sartain spoke very softly now. "You've gone by that adjective for so long, but perhaps your love, call it what you will Michael it's love, is changing that? Your need to kill? Your want to be known that way? Do you still crave the kill?"

I do. But it seems to be worse when…

"Someone hurts a member of your family?" Sartain kept his steady eye contact. Myers gave him a curt nod.

All of them have been respectful to me, none have done me wrong. There was the time I came close to killing Craig, when he challenged me because Jade had witnessed me kill up close, but even then I still couldn't. Damn it! Dr Sartain, why?

"Why what, Michael?"

Why do I feel as I do for them? Why do I want to help them? Why did I pick up Lance's pills? Why did I give Stuart a lift to court because he can't drive?

"Because you love them," Sartain murmured now, leaning forward towards his patient. "Michael, there's no science to this, no complicated answer. You love them Michael Myers. You know something? They love you too. You say you don't feel it, oh yes you do. You feel it more strongly than I think even you realise. When you killed the Locks, when Jade got hurt, oh you cared alright. You can deny it to me all you like, but you can't deny it to yourself. It's lies. The fact you want to kill when one of them gets hurt tells me everything I need to know. Face it Michael, there's people who care about you."

The killer's eyes narrowed in a glare, but the doctor stood his ground. He remembered Michael's perhaps, when Steve had asked if he'd kill his doctor. Plus, there was an alarm button under his desk if he really ran in to trouble.

"Hit close to home have I Michael? I'm not sorry for this. These people are bringing out the man in you, the human. That's a very good thing, believe me."

You would say that. You've been trying to stop me killing for many years.

"Yes be that as it may, but it doesn't change the facts, does it? What are you telling me? What was your plan when you first met Jade? To kill her?"

What do you think?

"Ok fair enough, but tell me. Why didn't you? What happened?"

She made me feel things I'd never felt before and then…

The killer slammed his hand on the desk. Still Sartain didn't flinch.

Damn it! I don't know Sartain! What do you want from me? What are you asking me to say?

"I'm not asking you to say anything," Sartain said softly. "I'm just helping you face the truth. You may not have felt it, but it was there. You fell in love with her. Just as men and women do. Love is human, Michael. It's not a crime, a sin. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Indeed, what you're feeling now, the desire to be close to Jade, know she's alright along with the rest of her family, are as normal as anything could be. You love them, Michael. Why is this so hard to face? Are you going to say it again? Because it's not me, I'm a masked killer? I don't do love? I think it's time to accept all that has changed or at least is changing, Michael. But remember, there is nothing wrong in this. Nothing at all. Lance told me how you promised him he'd never see you kill again, Jade of how you said you wouldn't have done it if you'd known how close she was to you at the time. What does that sound like to you, Michael?"

You're the Psychiatrist, not me!

"Which is why I'm asking you this. Michael, of course I understand. These are new feelings to you. But I'm simply trying to reassure you there is nothing wrong in them. Killing is the thing which is wrong, Michael. The no empathy, no remorse, no emotion. The not caring for anyone, or for the consequences of your actions. That's what's wrong Michael, not loving a woman and her family. Let me ask you this. Would you kill Jade now?"

The killer looked straight back at him. Sartain remembered how he'd said "you'd die" when Steve had asked him what would happen if someone asked him to kill Jade and smiled to himself. He knew the answer already before Michael gave it.

No.

"You see? Doesn't that answer your questions for you?"

But I still need to kill. I can't stop it. But I'm starting to learn I can't have both. They hate it when I kill, it upsets Jade, which…

"Breaks your heart?" Sartain said very gently. "Again, normal. No one likes to see those we love upset, Michael."

"I don't…

"Love her? Oh please! Stop pretending! Michael we can all see it accept you! Yes you do, you adore her! You know what? She adores you too! Why do you think she's done all she has? She's come close to death at your hands, remember. She's stood by you through all this. Michael, please! Just do us all and yourself a favour and admit that you love her? To yourself if no one else! That you feel what you've been telling her for months. Nearly a year now isn't it? You've got a phone for her Michael. You've protected her. Cared for her family. Please, just admit it man!"

Myers didn't move. Sartain smiled at him for the first time in their working relationship. "See?" He said softly. "Welcome to love, Michael. It can be a real heart breaker and plan wrecker sometimes, huh? Wanted to kill all your life didn't you? Alice has told me how you've treated her. Oh you're feeling it alright. Don't try and kid me, you, or them any further, please. Why would you give someone flowers, or get a phone when she asks which you never have had before? Why make sure a man is ok after he's seen you kill? Why are you so protective of them? Why carry Stuart in to that ambulance? Why hold Alice close. Why…"

But he got no further, because the killer reached across the desk and grabbed him by his jacket, pulling him forward so they were face to face. Myers was glaring at him and even with his years of experience, Sartain felt a prickle of fear. For the first time, he was doubting Michael's "perhaps," and beginning to think Michael Myers really may still possess the desire to kill. Reaching back, he rested his hand on the alarm button,.

"You do understand," one of the two women sitting across from Jenna said. "This will take a while?"

Jenna nodded. She'd known that since she'd started this ball rolling, but she wanted to do it. For Jade if no one else. She'd talked it out with Craig and he was more than happy. The relevant checks had been conducted and because the police believed and agreed Taylor had been responsible for what Craig had done and he'd done it under duress and fear, his criminal past would not count against him. "We want to do this," Jenna said. "He deserves a home after what happened to him."

One of the women whose badge said Karen nodded, smiling at Jenna. Craig was currently working, but they'd attended these meetings together many times, Jade believing they were both at work. "We understand why Jade can't, but we can do it for her." Jenna knew that with a masked killer as her husband, Jade would never be allowed to do this herself, so this was the next best thing. She'd spoken to Dr Sartain, who'd agreed that Jenna doing this was safer for all concerned.

"Ok," the other woman Katie smiled. "Well as you said you're having tea with the family today, what better way to tell them? He can come with you if you wish."

Jenna smiled, her heart almost bursting. Finally, they were nearly there. The door opened and a small figure ran to Jenna, throwing himself in to her arms.

"Come on Michael," Sartain kept his voice level, neutral. "You know I'm speaking the truth. Why feel anger because you love someone? You can say all you like it's not you, but people can change. That includes you. Your only human, Michael. You're a man, just as I am. Does it scare you? Is that it?"

Myers didn't release his hold on his doctor's jacket as he raised his notepad.

Nothing scares me Sartain.

"Oh really?" Sartain asked, the slight note of challenge in his voice obvious. "Listen to me Michael, whether you believe me or not, I too care for you. I've tried to reach you for years and now it appears a woman has done what I could not. Why does that anger you? It's not a bad thing, you know. She said she may have to leave you if the kills didn't stop, then only hours later confessed she didn't think she could've done so. What does that tell you? Better or worse, remember? Thick or thin? She meant it. Why are you considering killing me because I voiced the truth?"

Because you keep voicing it as you say and haven't told me what I should do about it.

"Do about it?" Sartain was puzzled. "Nothing, Michael. Why? Are you wanting to stop it because you feel out of your depth? You'd break Jade's heart, plus the rest of her family. They love you, Michael. Pure and simple. Unless you mean the need to kill, of course."

Doctor and patient continued to look straight at each other. Slowly, Sartain withdrew his hand from the red button. He wouldn't need it; he could see that now. In a way he almost felt sorry for Michael. The man was clearly out of his depth, feelings so new to him.

"Want to know what I think?" Sartain murmured. "First thing you should do is go home, tell Jade you love her, show her this. Get used to it Michael, because it's not going away for the rest of your life." Slowly, Michael released his hold.

"You're losing the need to kill, aren't you?" Sartain asked gently. "Your love for Jade is, pun not intended, killing it." This time, Myers only looked at him, giving no response. Sartain knew right then and there, he was right. "It was when you stabbed Jade, wasn't it? You knew right then you'd seriously hurt her. That was when it hit you, wasn't it? That you couldn't kill and love at the same time any further?"

Damn you Sartain.

Dr Sartain smiled at his patient now, reading between the lines of that message. He felt a surge of illation rush through him. Ok so it hadn't been him responsible for this huge breakthrough, it'd been Jade Henderson/Myers. A girl he too was fast coming to love, never mind respect. She'd risked her life and those of her family for this. Sartain kept his gaze on Michael's, their eyes never breaking contact, as he once again smiled at Michael for the first time since he'd known him. Were his eyes playing tricks? Or was Michael smiling slightly back at him?