"We should tell Michael away from here," Jack said. "We don't know how he'll react and we'd better play it safe."
"Agreed," Rick nodded to his colleague, so did Dr Stark.
"Yes Jack, you're right. We should also tell him alone. Just in case."
"I disagree with you there," Rick said. "I think Danielle should be here Dr Stark. Because if Michael does get angry, Danielle may be able to calm him better than any of us. He loves her after all."
"There's something in that Rick," Dr Stark said slowly. "Ok, but please, please keep your eyes on Danielle. If… God forbid she needs… protecting…"
"Got it," Jack and Rick said together immediately. Dr Stark knew they understood. They were good men as well as guards, just like Joanne.
"Dr Stark?" It was Colin. He walked slowly back towards them as if each step was hurting him. Dr Stark felt her heart break for him and the rest of the family, as well as Danielle. Her news would only make it all worse. Fucking Andrews would pay for this. This was cruelty of the highest order.
"The hotel is full tonight," Colin said. "Danielle is of course more than welcome to stay with us, if she doesn't mind sharing with us. We, um, also only booked a double room so it… Might be a bit cramped. Tim is going home because the police don't think Adam knows his address, but he's only got a one room flat so no space, I asked him."
"Thank you Colin," Dr Stark gave him a soft smile. "I appreciate it."
"Should we fill Joanne in before we tell Danielle and Michael?" It was Colin who asked.
"That is a very good point Colin," Rick said. "Yes, we most certainly should. Joanne can… um, watch out for Danielle."
"You're not seriously suggesting," Colin looked horrified. "That Michael would try and hurt her, are you?"
None of them answered, there was no need. Colin covered his mouth. "No way! Charlotte's told me how much Michael cares about Danielle. There's just… No way man!"
"I'm sure you're right," Dr Stark said. "But we can't take chances."
"She's his girlfriend!" Colin said. "There's no way!" But Dr Stark and the others could tell by his face there was a tiny shred of doubt in his mind. This was Michael Myers after all.
…
"Everything ok?" Joanne asked when they re-joined her and Michael.
"Joanne," Dr Stark said. "Please may I speak with you for a moment?"
Joanne nodded and followed her boss out of earshot. Jack and Rick looked at each other uneasily, standing either side of Michael. No matter what had gone before and recently with Danielle, there was still a killer standing between them. They were both confident, trained guards, but were they strong enough between them to stop Michael if…"
A couple of minutes later, they heard a nurse tell Dave and Danielle that visiting hours were now at an end. Emma hugged them both, still sobbing in agony. It was the hardest thing to watch, Rick and Jack had to look away, blinking back their own tears. They'd both met Charlotte if only briefly and it was clear even to them how much she loved Danielle and her family, and Adam Dawson had possibly taken her life before it was anywhere near over. A cruel, pointless and remorseless killing. The 2 guards looked at each other and in that moment, were both thinking the same thing. We won't stop Michael if Adam Dawson gets in his way.
"Please call me if…" they heard Dave say to a nurse.
"Of course," the nurse murmured. "Immediately. Your hotel is 5 minutes away, correct?" Dave nodded.
"But you say she might not make it until morning, what if…" Rick couldn't help himself. He stepped forward and took Dave Avery's arm in a gesture of support.
"Thank you man," Dave looked at his name badge. "Rick."
"You have our word," the nurse said. "Anything changes well or bad, we'll call you immediately."
"Fucking better," Colin growled.
"I promise you Sir," the nurse assured.
Before long, Danielle, Colin, Dave, Michael, the 3 guards and 2 doctors were leaving the hospital. Dr Clarkson had stayed in Charlotte's room so had heard none of the conversation re Michael. Now she climbed in to her car with a nod to Dave and Colin before leaving.
"Don't know what we'd have done without her," Dave said. "I admit what you and Danielle say is right son, but she got here so fast. She was here 10 minutes after we first called."
Colin shrugged. "Still could've and should've done more," he muttered.
"Well said" Danielle said.
Dave cleared his throat, sounding as if he dreaded what he was about to say. "Um, Danielle, please just answer what I'm about to ask you?"
"Ok, of course dad?" Danielle looked surprised. Dave blinked back tears and pulled her in to his arms. "Oh Dan," he kissed her forehead. "We love you so much!"
"I love you too. What's up?" She of course didn't see Rick, Jack and Joanne tense, but Colin and Dave did. They exchanged uneasy looks as the guards surrounded Michael. Shit! Was this a live grenade about to be activated and thrown? Not just that, but someone could be killed as a result.
"Danielle," Dave began. "Dr Stark has asked if you want to stay with us tonight, but we only have a double room Colin and I and the hotel's full. So you'd have to share with us. Do you want to do that?"
"Well I'd be near Charlotte so yes, but how would I get back to SG? Are you planning to pick me up tomorrow or something?"
Dr Stark looked pale, even scared. Dave stepped forward and took her arm. "You have to," he breathed. Dr Stark knew he knew; Colin had told his father what was going on. She felt affection swell for this stranger, Charlotte's father. What the pour man, his wife and son were going through, all because of one cruel, misogynous man, she couldn't even begin to imagine. She took a deep breath.
"Michael," she spoke quietly. "I… I don't know how to tell you this. I… shit! I really am sorry… but Dr Loomis has just had a call from Mr. Andrews."
"The CEO?" Danielle asked, surprised. "Why?"
Dr Stark didn't take her eyes away from Michael. "He… he's ordered for you to be transferred," she said. "To Glass Hill. He told Dr Loomis and I about it weeks ago and…"
"So let me get this straight." Colin was speaking before he could stop himself. "He's using what's happened to Charlotte as… what? A footbridge to make his plans easier? He had an ulterior motive for allowing Mr. Myers to go with Danielle? Not because he cares about her at all? My sister's fucking dying here and…"
"That… that's about the size of it," Gemma Dr Stark felt physically sick. "Cuts time out of the journey he says and he refuses to send more guards down here. Joanne, Rick and Jack have to do it. The journey with you, Michael. He won't "waste resources" he says by taking you back first Danielle. So you can either stay with Dave and Colin or… or…"
"Fucking bastard!" Danielle snarled. "My fucking best friend is…" she broke off and began to cry. Colin immediately pulled her in to his arms. "My fucking best friend is fucking dying and I really need Michael right now! But of course, Mr. It's all business won't care about that! He's using this to his advantage! That's why he allowed Michael to go with me! I… it's almost beyond belief!"
Just as they'd feared, Rick, Jack and Joanne felt Michael tense in his chains. The first danger sign. "Michael," Rick murmured softly to him. "Please, please don't. Listen mate, we totally understand your anger, of course we do. We're just as angry as you are. But please, no one innocent should die as a result of this. Please, please try and control it."
"This is what I was afraid of," Danielle sobbed. "I always feared this! I knew it was too good to be true! Glass Hill is no fucking contact! Even if I was Michael's wife I couldn't! Shit! I always prayed, hoped…" Colin held her tighter. "I'm so torn! Fuck! Do I go with them to see Michael for the last time? Or do I stay here? Shit! I'm losing my boyfriend and my best friend is…" she couldn't continue. To the guards, it felt like they were holding a block of iron. Michael Myers had gone very still, very tense. This was bad. He was angry, very angry, just as they knew he would be.
"Michael," Jack spoke this time. "Please pal. We care about, even respect you. Please don't make us have to use force? We don't want to; you don't want us to. Please work with us here? We'll do anything we can to help you. We're on your side Michael, we always will be. Jack, Joanne and I."
Danielle pulled back from Colin and stepped towards Michael. Joanne took her arm and guided her towards him between Rick and Jack.
"Michael," Danielle's voice broke. Joanne felt her heart do likewise. "Darling, please, don't hurt these guys? They're right, they care about and respect you, and Michael so do I! Hell I love you! You know that! Please, please don't try to kill anyone here? I… I can't bear to see someone else die!" There was a long, terrible silence. All they could hear was Michael's calm, measured breathing. Danielle felt her fear growing. Michael was angry and someone or several people, could be about to be massacred right here, right now as a consequence of Dr Stark's words. Rick and Jack tightened their grips on Michael's arms.
"We're here for you Michael," Jack said. "We're not against you."
About 10 minutes later, the secure bus pulled up in front of them. Dr Stark stared in shock. How had they got here so fast? It'd only been 2 hours surely? As she looked inside, she saw Dr Loomis and Andrews sitting within. Her anger swelled again. That little suited bastard wanted to make sure it "all went to plan" or something like that. Just to line his pockets. She felt physically sick. They must've used the lights and siren to get here so quickly.
"So, Danielle?" Joanne asked softly. "I can't stay with you if you're staying."
"I'll go," Danielle said. "I… I can't do anything to help Charlotte," her voice caught. "Colin, Dave, please c…"
"You don't even have to ask," both men hugged Danielle fiercely. "Any word at all, we'll call you without hesitation."
Danielle could only nod as she stepped towards the secure vehicle. As she did, she whispered to Joanne. "Jesus! Remember that dream I told you about that night months ago? That I was aboard one of these with Michael and…" with a shiver, Danielle stopped speaking. She could tell by her guard's sharp intake of breath that she remembered it too, only too well.
They boarded the bus and Andrews's clipped voice was the first thing Danielle heard. Even though she'd never heard it before, she knew it was him immediately. "Ok so I want Miss Hayward in the patient's area, chained to her seat."
"WHAT THE HOLY FUCK?" Joanne shouted. If Danielle hadn't heard it with her own ears, she wasn't sure she'd have believed it. She'd never, ever heard Joanne shout like that. The fact it was on her behalf only made Danielle love her even more. "NO FUCKING WAY! I AM NOT CHAINING HER TO HER SEAT! YOU'RE HAVING A FUCKING LAUGH!"
"She is a patient," Andrews said smoothly. "She will be chained to her seat.
"I don't think so," Dr Stark said. While she wasn't shouting, her anger was clear to hear. "Over my dead body Andrews! That is not happening. No way in hell!"
"I am in charge, Miss Hayward here is a patient and she will be chained to her seat before we go anywhere. Handcuffs, the works.
"Then we won't be moving," Dr Stark said simply. "Because that isn't happening Andrews!"
"How dare you…"
"FUCK YOU!" Now Dr Stark was shouting. "YOU ARE A CRUEL, UNCARING, CALCULATED SON OF A BITCH ANDREWS! HOW CAN YOU EVEN DO THIS NOW? TRANSFER MICHAEL WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON? YOU MAKE ME FUCKING SICK! NOW THIS? I REFUSE TO ALLOW DANIELLE TO BE CHAINED TO HER SEAT! IT'S NOT HAPPENING! I'll SEE YOU ARRESTED FOR THIS! CHAINING MICHAEL IS ONE THING, BUT DANIELLE? AS I SAY, OVER MY DEAD BODY!"
Danielle meanwhile had gone deathly pale. Only the 3 guards and 2 doctors here, plus Michael, knew why. Adam had chained her up numerous times while he raped and sexually assaulted her, or inflicted violence. "No," she said so quietly it was almost a squeak. "Please Sir, no chains, please!"
"Don't you worry Danielle," Dr Stark snarled. "You won't be chained. No way in hell!"
"Get moving," Andrews snapped at Ian. The driver nodded. Dr Loomis was glaring at both Ian and Andrews.
"Um, no one is seated," Dr Loomis's voice was ice cold. Ian however ignored this, closed the doors at the push of a button and pulled away as he'd been ordered.
"Then sit down," Andrews replied. "It's simple. I want chains on both Myers and Miss Hayward."
"Please Sir," Danielle begged, words she thought she'd never have to say again. "No chains, please I'm begging you…"
"Begging will get you nowhere," Andrews snapped. "Sit down!" Danielle could feel the approach of a full blown panic attack. This hadn't happened to her since that night way back when she couldn't find the call button. She didn't realise she was shaking until Joanne put her arms around her.
"Don't make us use force Mr. Andrews," Jack said very quietly, but Danielle could hear the threat in his voice. She felt affection almost choke her heart. "I will if I need to. Dr Stark said no, so no it is. If you continue to argue, you will be the one chained to your seat. So shut your fucking mouth."
Andrews once more glared at them, as Jack gave Michael a gentle push in to his seat and began chaining him to it. That was when Andrews made his next move and this time Danielle did scream.
"We may not have an armed guard on board, but Ian is armed and we'll also make do with this." From his jacket, he produced a gun, a real one. Danielle heard the click as he cocked it. "This is your last warning Miss Hayward. Sit down and guards apply her chains, or I will not hesitate to be the one to use force."
Danielle felt as though she'd stepped in to a nightmare, one there was no awaking from. Jack approached her and guided her to a seat.
"Please Sir," Danielle begged him this time. "Please, don't chain me up? I can't…"
"Hey," Jack said and to Danielle's total shock, pulled her in to his arms. "Hey Danielle, I'm not Sir to you, I'm jack. Remember? The man with the wife named Jill? The small ears?" As he said this, he lowered his head so Danielle's trembling hands were on said ears. Danielle made a small sound half way between a sob and a laugh. "You've come so far. Where's the Danielle who pointed my gun at Derek Chancer's head and interrogated him? Where's the Danielle who said fuck you? Don't let this idiot drag you back! He's not worth it! So don't call me Sir Sweetheart, please? Not ever. I'm Jack, your friend. As for chains, it's not happening, you have our word on this."
"Well?" Andrews snapped. "What are you waiting for? Apply Miss Hayward's chains, or I shoot. It's pretty simple."
As Jack laid Danielle's hand on the back of her seat so she could find it, Dr Stark spoke, her voice very quiet.
"There is a private and confidential reason why Danielle will not be chained to her seat Mr. Andrews. I don't care what you say or do, we are not chaining her. Do you understand? We are the doctors, we've been helping Danielle for months, and where have you been? Snug in your leather office chair, that's where. It's not happening, the end. As for the reason, you'll know it when hell freezes over. You have absolutely no right to know why, nor do you even deserve to. It's Danielle's choice if she tells you or not and if I were her, I sure as fuck wouldn't!"
That was when Danielle heard a loud clinking of chains, as Michael stood up. Rick felt the killer lay a firm hand on his chest, but it didn't feel like a threat. It felt as if Michael was actually saying, I will get past you, so don't try to stop me. We're on the same side.
Next moment, Danielle felt Michael's hand take hers, and the cold steel of his handcuffs against her arm. Almost as if he was saying see? I'm handcuffed and it's not so bad. No one will be sexually assaulting you this time.
Then, he too lowered his head so Danielle was touching his ears. With her hands still on his ears, with utmost care, Michael eased her in to her seat.
"What the…" Andrews demanded. "Do as I say! This is ridiculous! Mr. Myers, sit, down! Guards, this is your final warning! Chain them, or…"