They finally entered the patient's canteen and Danielle was sitting at the closest table. But Charlotte couldn't help but look passed her friend. Michael Myers was sitting opposite Danielle, chained by ankles and wrists. 2 guards stood either side of him.

"Morning," Charlotte said, trying not to sound nervous being this close to Myers without glass between them.

"Hey C," Danielle smiled and stood, walking over and hugging her. "How did you sleep?"

"Great thanks, you?"

"Yeah not bad."

"Hi Michael," Charlotte smiled at the chained killer. He looked over at her, but Charlotte was almost certain his eyes had been on her from the moment she'd entered the room. "How are you?" The killer gave her a very slight nod.

"Dan, I spoke to Dr Stark last night and she's authorised this. There's a little café about half an hour from the hospital, I'm allowed to take you for some breakfast. You up for it?"

"God yes!" Danielle said without hesitation. "I'd love to get out of here for a bit!" The 2 of them had moved away from Michael and the other patients and were speaking quietly so they couldn't hear. "I'm sure. Well come on then, let's go."

…

It took the 2 women a little while to get out of SG, security was obviously high, Danielle coming from the maximum security ward. But Dr Stark had contacted the gatehouse, given them Charlotte's car registration and confirmed she had authorised this. Still, the guards checked the car to make sure no one was in the trunk and Charlotte's ID. Charlotte smiled at them and was only too happy to co-operate. Finally they were through and heading on to the main highway. "Let's put some music on!" Charlotte said cheerfully and pressed a button on the radio. Tears for fears were soon playing over the car speakers. Danielle smiled happily. She pressed the button to open her electric window and felt the cool air on her face. She sighed in pleasure.

They reached the small restaurant Charlotte had eaten at before when coming to visit Danielle. The food was gorgeous. Soon the 2 of them were sitting in a booth, waiting for their full English breakfasts and steaming cups of tea.

"So," Charlotte said as their drinks arrived. "Spill! How did it go last night?"

Danielle smiled and spoke in a low voice so only Charlotte could hear. "It was… Amazing. He held me beside the waterfall in the exercise yard."

"There's a waterfall out there? Nice! You love waterfalls don't you?"

"Yeah, and I finally told Joanne that yesterday. We were sitting by it and it just came out. You know I've always associated them with romance, I confided to her I'd have loved Michael to hold me beside it. But I was sure that couldn't happen, too many security risks and all that. But I was wrong. Eventually, Michael came out and did just that. I'd fallen asleep and my head touching his shoulder woke me up."

"Did he let you touch his ears?" Charlotte smirked.

Danielle blushed. "Yes."

Charlotte whistled. "Then get in there girl! How many times do I have to tell you? Get in there, do it, tell him!"

"But…" Danielle began.

"Listen!" Charlotte spoke over her. "Think about it Dan. For one it'll be good for your therapy, showing you're recovering from that bastard, and second because it'll help Michael too."

"How?"

"Because he's never been loved before of course. He's a killer. Who would love a killer? That would be his frame of mind. But you could show him he's wrong. Yes he's a killer, but that doesn't mean he can't be loved. If you really love him, then tell him. It could help him more than you or I could ever realise."

Danielle considered her best friend's words. "Hmm. You might be right there C. I… well I didn't really think about it like that if I'm honest. Or at least, I didn't think about it that way."

"From your perspective? Or Michael's?"

"Either, if I'm totally honest with you. But mostly Michael's. This is going to sound… well maybe unbelievable, but when we got close I… almost didn't see Michael Myers the masked killer, I saw a caring man. I of course didn't forget he's a killer, I can't of course. I know what he did 20 years ago, not to mention his sister, but that wasn't the man I got to know."

"There you are then. That just proves my point! Tell him, Dan."

"But… I don't know if I can. What if I'm released and I never see Michael again? How can I tell him I love him, as in I'd love to be in a relationship with him but then I never see him again?"

"Do you really think that'll happen?" Charlotte lowered her voice further. "I don't think Dr Loomis or Dr Stark will let it, if you get what I'm saying. They'll reunite you somehow, I'm certain of this. I mean, think about it. You told me yourself. Jefferson was killed and what did the guards do to stop Michael? John Baker was killed and what did the guards do to stop Michael? They let it happen. All the while putting on a show for the cameras. I'm telling you; they won't let you not see him again."

"You think?" Danielle sounded utterly amazed by her friend's words.

"You don't?" Charlotte asked her.

"I… I don't know," Danielle admitted. "I guess I never even considered that!"

"Well," Charlotte said, still in a very low voice. "In that case I suggest you trust me on this one. Plus, let's just say hypothetically you didn't get to see Michael again. Would you want to part with him knowing you hadn't told him? It might be painful for you for a while, but you might end up regretting it if you don't. Not just for you, but for Michael too. He'll know someone loves him. Whether he believes it or not is a choice only he can make. But at least he'll know."

Danielle was silent for a few moments, thinking over everything her best friend and good as sister had just said. Was she right? She didn't speak again until the waitress had brought them their breakfasts. "Hmm. I can't argue with anything you've just said C. I just hope I've got the guts to tell him."

"Ok, I understand that, but is that because you're just nervous? Like normal? Or is it because part of you is afraid to as he's a killer? But surely you know he'd never hurt you, right?"

"I'm almost certain yeah," Danielle said.

"Almost?" Charlotte queried. "After you've spent nights in a locked room with him alone? After he's held you and let you touch his ears? Even after all that, you're afraid?"

"I know," Danielle sounded embarrassed. "It makes no sense and I don't like it, but yes, a little."

"Alright," Charlotte conceded. "I guess I understand that. He is still a serial killer. But why would he hurt you for telling him you love him? If you said you hated him then alright I could see that. But for telling him you love him?"

"Thinks I'm lying?" Danielle said, but it sounded more like a question than a fact. "Or that I have an ulterior motive? Or I'm tricking him? It seems like he believes we weren't responsible for… you know, yesterday, but is it too soon? Should I wait a while? Just in case?"

"Only you can make that decision Dan. No one else can for you. But if I'm honest, I wouldn't be surprised if your release is getting close. Would you?"

"I don't know. I thought about that myself a couple of days ago. But the fact we're here now is the biggest sign of that I've seen since I got there. Surely Dr Stark wouldn't have let this happen if it wasn't?"

"There you go then." "You might not have much time. Or at least, not as much time as you think. Plus, why keep putting yourself through this? It's clear you want to tell him, so tell him! Don't keep your silence! You want him to know, he deserves to know. Look at everything he's done for you."

Danielle nodded. With that last statement at least, she couldn't argue.

…

Derek Chancer turned the iPod off then on again for about the 4th time. What the hell was wrong with it? Every time he put the earphones in, all he could hear was a high pitched buzzing sound. The kind of sound one hears when suffering from tinnitus. It was definitely the iPod and not his ears as he only heard it with the headphones in. Apart from which it was so fucking loud. The screen was also really fuzzy and he couldn't see anything on it clearly. What the hell was going on? It'd been fine the night before. How was he supposed to earn his money if he couldn't even try and listen to the bitch? He might not be able to hear her inside her cell which seemed to have turned in to a sound repelling fort Knox, but he could still hear her when she wasn't in it and maybe then he'd get at least something useful. Well he would if the fucking iPod would stop buzzing and the picture would clear! How was he supposed to read texts from his client or his client's employees if the screen was trashed? So yet again he had to contact the goons who'd given him this piece of shit and tell them it wasn't working. Scowling with annoyance, he entered the fake workout app and hit the review button, then the pretend "rate" one which made the call. Sighing and trying to keep a lid on his anger and pure frustration, he waited for the call to connect.

…

After they'd finished their breakfast, Charlotte went up to the counter to pay, returning with a breakfast roll and a freshly made chocolate brownie.

"Who are they for?" Danielle asked.

"Michael," Charlotte said with a smile. "Just a little something."

"That's really nice of you, I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

Charlotte nodded. "I'm sure they'll warm it up for him, they're bloody lovely."

"I thought you'd bought it for Adam," Danielle said, her tone making it quite clear she was joking.

"Can't," Charlotte said totally seriously. "Because I can't poison it." They both laughed, but both also knew she was serious.

"So," Charlotte said as they finally left the café, heading for the shops nearby. "How did you really sleep? You said "not bad." Why?"

Danielle sighed. Her friend was way too sharp for her own good. "Ok," she admitted. "I had a nightmare last night. It was horrible. I must've been thinking about Chancer or something because I was on his… operating table," she shivered. "I woke up just before he plunged a tool in to my guts."

Charlotte winced. "Ouch. Yeah I won't lie, he's one disturbed motherfucker. I'll be glad when he goes to the chair."

Danielle nodded fervently. "I wish his damn Lawyers would just stop appealing, the guy deserves to fry! How can they even defend someone like him?"

Charlotte squeezed her hand. "I know," she agreed. "But I don't think they'll win. He'll go to old sparky I have no doubt of this."

"I hope you're right," Danielle said. "Anyway, so I think I almost screamed, but managed to stop myself. Next thing I know Michael's stroking my back and putting my hands on his ears. I think he was trying to calm me down."

Charlotte smiled. "Good old Michael! Did you tell him what it was about?"

"No," Danielle confessed. "But to be honest with you that was more for my benefit than his. I didn't want to relive it again to tell you the truth. You know that stage when you first wake up after a bad dream and you're really, legitimately scared for a few minutes? That was me at that point."

Charlotte stopped, put an arm around Danielle's shoulders and lovingly squeezed. Danielle lent her head on her friend's shoulder briefly. "So you eventually got back to sleep?"

Danielle gave a humourless chuckle. "No. That was the problem. I couldn't sleep for the rest of the night. Michael tried to help me, but it didn't work. I could've called for a sleeping pill from Dr Stark, but…" she sighed. "I didn't want her to think I'd taken a step back or something. Everyone has nightmares, but most of us don't depend on sleeping pills to get back to sleep afterwards."

Charlotte considered reprimanding her friend and pointing out Danielle was in hospital undergoing help and treatment, but stopped herself. "Ok," she said instead.

They entered the nearby shopping centre and looked around the shops for another hour. Dr Stark hadn't given Charlotte a time they needed to be back by, further proof Danielle was close to her release and Dr Stark trusted both of them. Danielle purchased a couple of CD's she wanted. It felt really good to have her bank card back in her hand. Dr Stark had given it to her just before they'd left. Danielle could keep it when they got back, but decided she'd give it back to her doctor to put in the safe in the main office just in case.

"Come on then," Charlotte said eventually. "One more cup of tea then we'll head back?"

Danielle nodded, looking sad for a moment. "Sorry," she said when Charlotte again put an arm around her, clearly noticing this. "But I do want to get out of there, I can't lie. Michael aside."

"I'm sure," Charlotte said soothingly. "But it can't be long now like you said, or we wouldn't be here."

"Yeah I know," Danielle agreed, forcing a smile to her face. "I just hope it's soon. Being out here today has reminded me of what true freedom is like. Yes I have no restrictions on me in the hospital now pretty much so I know I'm trusted, but…" She sighed. "It's not the same, you know?"

"I get it," Charlotte said. After another cup of tea in the café in which they'd eaten breakfast, they headed back to the car and put their shopping in the trunk. Reaching the hospital about half an hour later, Charlotte slowed down for the security checks.

"Hi Danielle, its William," one of the guards on the gate said. Danielle smiled at him. "Hi."

"See?" Charlotte grinned. "They all know you now Dan. Once seen, not forgotten."

"That's for sure," William said with a laugh. Danielle felt a little more at ease. The guard opened the trunk and examined the shopping bags closely.

"You haven't let anyone else near these bags have you?" William asked them.

"No," Charlotte and Danielle said in unison.

William examined the 2 boxes of chocolates Charlotte had purchased for Dr Stark and Joanne. "There's one problem with these Charlotte," he said and Charlotte felt her heart sink. Would she not be allowed to take them in? "What?" She asked apprehensively.

"Where's mine?" William chuckled. Charlotte relaxed and smirked at him. "You had me there, thought you were going to forbid them or something." The guard laughed.

"Ok you're clear," William said eventually and Charlotte thanked him and drove through the gates, which closed silently behind them. Charlotte drove to the visitor's car park. Dr Stark had given her permission to get her car and briefly park it outside MSU to make it easier for Danielle. But Charlotte wanted to show her friend how she had got to the ward from the car park when she'd first arrived. She had a feeling Danielle would love it. As if reading her mind, Danielle spoke as Charlotte drew the car to a stop. "Where are we?"

"We're in the visitor's car park. Dr Stark allowed me to park briefly outside your ward when we left, but now I need to put it back. Don't worry though, I have a feeling you'll love how we get back to the ward. Come on." This was a lie. Dr Stark had allowed her to park there again on their return, but Charlotte wanted to make her friend smile.

Danielle raised an eyebrow at her friend's obvious excitement, but pressed the button to close her window before getting out. They grabbed the shopping, then Charlotte locked the car and took her arm. "You're like a kid on Christmas day," Danielle joked as her friend practically skipped along. "What are you planning?"

"That's because I know you'll enjoy this," Charlotte said happily. It was a bright and sunny Saturday morning and Danielle was sure something in the weather had effected both of their moods. But she simply followed her friend, loving Charlotte's obvious excitement. So she'd play along, she deserved it just as much as Danielle did.

They entered a place which echoed as they walked in to it, then Charlotte stopped. She placed Danielle's hand on a button which caused her to press it. There was a soft whirring sound and then an electric vehicle drew up in front of them and the doors slid open.

"What the…" Danielle began. Charlotte didn't answer, just guided her up the small step in to the vehicle. Danielle felt carpet under foot and leather seats. Charlotte led her to one and sat in one opposite. Danielle still didn't get it. Charlotte took her finger again and pressed it to a touch screen.

"Welcome to the Smith's Grove shuttle system," said a soft female voice. "Please select your desired destination."

"A menu has come up now," Charlotte said. "Reception, outpatients, security, block a, block B, accommodation, MSU. So we want MSU." She took Danielle's finger again and pressed on the screen. There was a beep. "Now we have to confirm it," Charlotte said and guided her to another part of the screen.

"Thank you," said the voice. "Your journey to your desired destination will commence in 15 seconds. Please fasten your seatbelts, relax and enjoy your trip. You will reach your destination in approximately 3 minutes."

"It's like something out of a science fiction film," Danielle couldn't help grinning. Charlotte laughed with her. "See? Knew you'd like it."

The 2 women fastened their seatbelts across their laps as the door slid closed.

"Off we go," said the voice and the vehicle started to move with hardly a sound, and totally smoothly.

"Wow," Danielle said. "How much did this cost them to build and install?"

"I dread to think," Charlotte said. "Several hundred thousand I should think at least."

"You're the banker," Danielle teased. "If anyone would know it's you."

"I thought you'd like these because it talks."

"It's really cool," Danielle said seriously. "You were lying about not being able to park by my ward again weren't you? Just so you could show me these?"

"Now Danielle!" Charlotte sounded wounded. "How could you?"

"Because I know you," Danielle poked her friend to the arm. Charlotte began to laugh.

Shortly after, the vehicle came to a Holt. "Thank you for using Smith's Grove shuttle system," said the voice. "Please insure you have all belongings with you and watch your step as you exit the vehicle. Have a great day!"

"Seriously cool," Danielle grinned. Charlotte guided her out and they walked towards the doors to the ward.

"This place must be huge," Danielle noted. "If they need that."

"It is," Charlotte said. "It's massive, as there are a lot of different wards, for different treatments I guess."