Adam whistled loudly as he left his local shop with his groceries. Not having a woman around had changed a lot of things in his life, and that royally pissed him off. Maybe his father was right and he should find another bitch, even if she was only temporary until either Danielle Hayward or Charlotte Avery were permanently back in his clutches. Or maybe both.

He hated having to get his own shopping, wash his clothes and cook. It wasn't his fucking job! It was a woman's! He knew it would be only too easy to find one. He was a good looking guy if he said so himself and women were often throwing themselves at him. Stupid whores. He just fucked and chucked them. But maybe for now he should find another one to fuck and make her cook, wash and shop for him. Even if he had to pretend to love her and be kind to her for a while first, he'd make that part as quick as he could then the good stuff could start.

What was it Edward had once said? Wife? Work, iron, Fuck, Everything? Or something to that effect? Adam smirked. If he ever did take a woman as his wife, it wouldn't be for love that was for sure, but for exactly those things his father had taught him. Edward Dawson was a wise man. He showed women their place and Adam would follow in his footsteps. Law be damned. They should just make it legal and stop being such pussies about it. Then his father could come out of prison and all would be well again. They'd have as many bitches as they wanted.

Now he headed back to his car, unloaded his cart in to the trunk and climbed in, not even bothering to take the cart back. Let one of the bitches in there do it. He'd had to take the car as he had a big shopping list and this too infuriated him. The bitch should be getting this and not by car as she couldn't drive. Blind idiot. So she'd have to get a taxi and he sure as shit wouldn't pay the fair. But most unfortunately, he couldn't currently reach Danielle, so he'd have to make do with another one. Edward's words came back to him. "There are millions of women out there who Michael Myers will never meet. Take one of them as your property, toy, whatever. But Danielle? Nope, too hot, leave well alone."

Adam sighed as he pulled out of the supermarket car park. Maybe his father was right on some angles. He'd find another woman to do his bidding and obey him, but Danielle was still his prime target. Maybe he'd keep them both, or all 3 of them once he had Avery back where she belonged. He smirked at that thought.

Suddenly, his phone started to ring. He answered the call on his hand's free. He didn't normally use it, hating it but was doing everything he could to keep the pigs away from him. If that meant sticking to the speed limit, using hands free and the rest, then so be it. He couldn't afford to be arrested now. Not when his plans were getting closer to completion. Ok so Michael Myers hadn't fallen for his letter trick, but he now had other plans up his sleeve. "Hello?"

"The iPod's working," said a man's voice, without any preamble, even as much as a preliminary hello. "So it must be her cell. Our man checked it; the inside guy is telling the truth." Then he was gone.

Adam considered his caller's words. Ok, so at least he could rule out that option. The iPod wasn't broken and Chancer wasn't bullshitting him. Just as well for him, Adam thought. So they must've modified her cell indeed. So it was now time for the next part of his plan, the one Leach was currently working on. The crime boss had said one of his goons would meet with Adam the next day, in a text last night. Now Adam thought about it that was later on this evening. He'd almost forgotten.

He felt his excitement rising. When he got home, he picked up his phone. He still had Danielle's Apple ID, which she obviously didn't want to change. More fool her. Or perhaps it'd give her one tiny point when they met again. Although it wouldn't equate too much. He'd still punish her harshly for daring to change her number without his permission not once, but twice. So on second thoughts, maybe it would mean nothing.

He knew what he was about to do was dangerous, bordering on stupid. But he couldn't help himself. He was angry, but also gleeful. She'd have no idea what was about to hit her next. So just a little reminder of who was boss wouldn't hurt. The bitch needed reminding, that much was clear. So, opening up his phone, he sent her a 7 word message which said everything it needed to and could not have been clearer if he'd tried.

I won't give up, you're still mine.

…

Danielle sat in her cell a few hours later, feeling exactly like she'd said to Charlotte, a school girl on her first date. Dr Stark had told her they would proceed when she was ready. Danielle had smiled at her and said "I don't know when I'll ever be ready." At which Dr Stark had chuckled.

"Alright then," she'd said. "When you ask us to."

Danielle hadn't stopped there though, instead had told her doctor everything on her mind.

…

"What if he thinks it's just because he's the first man who's been kind to me since I arrived at Smith's Grove? That I haven't met anyone else because we were both stuck here?"

"Is it?" Dr Stark asked softly.

"No!" Danielle said immediately. "I won't lie to you Dr Stark, I asked myself that very question last night and have done for weeks before now. No, it's not. What I feel for Michael is just as real as what I felt for Adam once, but hopefully with a very different outcome."

"Indeed," Dr Stark said. "So, are you hoping for a relationship?"

"Well that's another thing I thought about. Yes, I would love to be and it would be stupid of me to pretend otherwise, but would it work? The only future we'd have would be behind these walls. Michael Myers isn't leaving Smith's Grove and I know that. But… but damn it I don't care! I'll come back here every day if I have to, stay in a hotel or something!"

"Or one of our suites," Dr Stark said. "Sometimes our patient's wives and girlfriends use them."

"Really?"

"Yes Danielle, really. So don't worry about where you'd sleep. Cross that problem off your list."

"Thanks Dr Stark," Danielle said. "That means a hell of a lot to me. But how do I convince Michael it's not just a Smith's grove fling if you like? That I'll find someone else as soon as I leave?"

"Just tell him so. He has no reason not to believe and trust you, does he?"

"True," Danielle conceded. "I just hope he does. But I'll do whatever it takes to make this work if he wants this too. Like I've just said, I'll stay here without a thought as often as necessary."

"I know," Dr Stark touched her arm. "But perhaps… things will change."

Danielle recalled yet again Charlotte's words about them being reunited. Were the doctors in fact on her side? Would they do their best to make that happen? As if reading her mind yet again, Dr Stark spoke.

"I'll do whatever I can to help you Danielle. You have a promise from me on that."

"You're using your gift again," Danielle said with a smirk. "You read my mind."

"That wasn't the gift this time that was just a guess." Danielle laughed.

"Are you worried?" Dr Stark asked. "That you might meet someone else when you leave?"

"No!" Danielle said fervently. "No, no, no! Not a chance in hell! I want to be with Michael! There's just… something about him. Yes I know the irony in what I've just said, he's a masked, silent serial killer! Yet… yet…" she couldn't continue.

This time Dr Stark laid her hand on Danielle's shoulder. "I know," she said quietly.

"Do you remember the letter Michael sent me in my very early days here?" Danielle asked. "When he thought I was giving him mixed signals?"

Dr Stark nodded. "Yes, I remember that. In fact I've still got it here in your file."

"What do you think he meant by that?" Danielle asked. "I mean back then? I don't think he considered me a friend; I think at that point he was just looking out for me because I'm vulnerable."

"I think he didn't like the fact you were close one minute and gone the next, distant," Dr Stark said. "He was saying you had to trust him or don't, it was your choice. That he wasn't going to be played with."

Danielle winced. "God! That must've looked exactly like what I was doing back then! Makes me feel like a right bitch!"

"Don't be silly," Dr Stark said sternly. "You were scared, that's no crime. You were um, just perhaps… using the wrong man to experiment with re your feelings."

At this, Danielle laughed out loud. "That's one way to put it," she chuckled. "He's only a serial killer! I guess I was lucky I didn't push him too far."

"We wouldn't have let that happen; Dr Stark assured her."

"No?" Danielle asked, but was trying not to smile. "Like you didn't with Jefferson? Baker?"

"Oh be quiet!" Dr Stark said and Danielle began to giggle. Dr Stark chuckled with her. "That was… different. They had deeply angered Michael by hurting you. Anyway, our guards tried to stop him! You know that!"

"Oh yes," Danielle said, forcing herself not to smile. "Of course they did!"

After a brief silence, Danielle spoke again. "Dr Stark, what exactly does the letter say? I'll be honest, I can't remember it was so long ago."

Dr Stark pulled the piece of paper out of Danielle's file and began to read. "Danielle, stop playing games with me. You are seriously testing my patience. While I totally understand why you are afraid, has it not occurred to you that I, to, have never felt anything close to this before? Like I've heard you say numerous times, but he's a killer! You close to me one moment then avoiding me the next is not exactly pleasing me. What are you afraid of, Danielle? Are you afraid I'll do what he did to you? Or is it yourself you're afraid of? Afraid to trust because of him? I understand both of these angles, on this you need to believe and trust me. I do. But I will not take any more mixed signals from you. I know it scares you and I get it, but how can I show you what you want from me if you don't let me? I won't lie to you Danielle; you've hurt me by doing as you have. Just think over what I have written and I will come to you in a couple of days. Do not try to talk to me. Make up your mind, Danielle. Trust, or don't? But this is your last chance. Once you've decided there's no turning back. M."

"Wow," Danielle whistled softly. "He wasn't kidding was he?"

"Joanne showed it to me straight away," Dr Stark said. "We kept a very careful eye on both of you for any dangerous warning signs. But it didn't last long."

"That was when Jefferson tripped me up with his foot," Danielle said bitterly, remembering it as if it was yesterday. "Michael carried me in to his cell while Joanne treated the cut to my head. He thought it was fucking hilarious, Jefferson. Asshole. I googled him recently, Dr Stark. I know some of the horrific sexual acts he made women do and did on them. I think I'd rather he finished me off after something like that. He almost makes Derek Chancer look kind! At least he kills them when he's done! Some of those poor women…" she stopped herself. Dr Stark had doubtlessly treated some of them, Danielle wouldn't be at all surprised to hear it.

"I know," the consultant said quietly and Danielle was sure she was correct in her previous assumption. "Anyway," Dr Stark continued before Danielle could think about it further or answer. Had she done that on purpose? Danielle wouldn't put it past her. "Let's get back to the positives, eh? You and Michael. I will help you in any way I can Danielle, if things go further between you. Like I believe Dr Loomis has said to you. He may be a killer, but he's still a man. You have shown us all this fact."

Danielle nodded, blushing slightly. "I didn't do anything," she muttered.

Dr Stark touched her arm again. "Well whether you did or not, meant to or not, you've certainly done something for Michael. Exactly what he feels about that you'll find out tonight."

At the mention of what was to come, Danielle felt nerves shoot up in her stomach, but also something that'd been a total stranger to her for over 2 years. Butterflies.

Something of this must've shown on her face because Dr Stark squeezed her arm this time. "You're blushing Miss Hayward," she teased. "Enjoy this feeling, Danielle. You deserve it after all you've been through. Just remember, even if it doesn't go the way you hope, you will find love again. I promise you."

"I'm trying not to think about that," Danielle admitted. "No one wants to be rejected, do they?"

"Indeed not," Dr Stark agreed. "But I'm just warning you. If you play with fire, you might get burnt. So if for his own reasons Michael does reject you, don't lose heart. That's all I'm saying. Ok? But if things do go the way we both hope they do, I and Joanne both will help you any way we can."

"Thanks Dr Stark, Danielle smiled at her doctor. "That means more to me than I could ever tell you." She meant it.

…

Now, having just pressed her call button to tell the guards she was ready, her nerves increased tenfold. Michael would have no idea what she had planned. The doctors and guards hadn't told him anything.

Danielle assumed they'd have their private meal she'd requested in her cell, but she was wrong. When Joanne arrived, Rick behind her to escort Michael, the 2 of them were taken out of the cell block and in to one of the private therapy rooms. The glass was completely down and Joanne told her a table had been set in the middle of the huge room where the glass divide would normally be, set for 2 with apple juice for her, her favourite and sparkling water for Michael. Danielle didn't think she would be able to eat if she was honest, her nerves and those damn butterflies were going crazy by this point. But she sat down and Michael took his place opposite her.

Moments later, Joanne and Rick entered with the food. Danielle's favourite meal of pasta, but she wasn't sure what Michael's was. Danielle felt a great rush of affection for the guards, when the door closed softly behind them. She guessed they were just outside, but were still giving them privacy. A minute later her affection only grew when tears for fears started playing softly through the concealed speakers.

"Hi Michael," Danielle said, and wasn't surprised to hear her voice shaking a little. "I had a great night with Charlotte last night, she said to give you her best."

Michael reached across the table and touched her hand lightly. This told Danielle he'd heard and understood. Her heart flipped in her chest. Could, should she really do this?

YES! Screamed her heart. DON'T YOU DARE TURN BACK NOW HAYWARD! YOU DO YOU'RE A COWARD!

She knew this was true, she just hoped she could say those magical 3 words to him tonight.

After they'd eaten, Joanne and Rick led them out in to the exercise yard and to the waterfall. As they walked, Danielle heard no clinking which told her Michael was not in chains as he usually would be, and Joanne whispered in her ear that there was a slight smile on the killer's lips. Danielle felt her heart rate increase. Had he guessed?

The 2 of them sat down on the bench, as Joanne set the waterfall to Danielle's favourite setting. Then, just like in the office, the 2 guards stepped back to give them privacy. Danielle had rehearsed what she was going to say for what felt like weeks, but now it was here, could she say it? Would her mouth let the words out? The words she never thought she'd say again in her life? At least not this fast?

"Michael," she said quietly. "Can I talk to you?"

Immediately, she felt his arms come around her, pulling her close to him. Her head hit his shoulder and then, for only the second time since she'd known him, she felt the skin of his right ear touch her lips. She understood his silent message as well as she would've done had he said it. Of course, I'm listening. Or, I'm all ears. She smiled a little at that thought. But now there was no more time to think, practice or procrastinate. This was it.

"Michael, I'm not sure exactly how to say this, so I'll just say it straight. I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me since I arrived. From touching my arm that very first time, when we both know you could've just as easily killed me. I know I angered you a little when you wrote me that letter saying I was giving you "mixed signals," and you were right to do that." The killer's arms tightened. "No, you were. I was doing just that. I was so insecure, scared, but you're right. What I did was unfair. Even if you didn't see me as a friend at that point, just someone you'd help while I was here, that was a really harsh thing to do. I should've either trusted you completely or completely pulled away. That gave me a reality check, so I also thank you for that. Then there was the time you looked after me when Jefferson tripped me up in the yard, the time you pressed your call button for me when I had my panic attack. Not only that, but you then took me in to your own cell afterwards and showed me where the damn call button was! The very reason my panic had got worse in the first place! I couldn't find it!

Then as time went on, things changed. Jefferson threw his sperm in my face, having sneered at me previously and taunted me, you killed him. Adam got his inside man to bribe John Baker for my first protected number, you killed him. That was when I began to realise things were changing in a way I couldn't and didn't want to stop. You were killing anyone who hurt or endangered me. I knew how angry you were when you got that letter from Adam, believing, and totally understandably I might add, that I'd said it and Charlotte had written it. I completely get why you did! The many small things you've done, which are huge to me. Letting me touch your ears so often," she blushed at this. "Holding me, comforting me after I had that nightmare night before last. Not to mention hugging me in the corridor yesterday!

You may wonder where I'm going with this. Well I've thought of many different ways to explain, but in the end there's only one way I can say it. I obviously have no idea how you'll react to what I'm about to say, but…" Michael pushed her head back to his shoulder, his ear still against her mouth. "I know," Danielle said softly. "I don't mean you'll hurt me, not at all. Sorry, I didn't explain that properly." Michael cuddled her close and Danielle took a deep breath. This was it, there was no going back. "Michael Myers," she whispered in to his waiting ear, hugging him as tightly as she could. "The simple truth is, I've fallen in love with you."