But he got no further, because that was when Michael moved. Before Andrews even realised what was happening, he was on the ground, Michael's knee on his chest and both hands around his throat. Michael released him with one hand and took his gun from him as easily as if it were made of plastic. Andrews was trying to fight him off, but didn't stand a chance.
"Gemma! Samuel!" Andrews said as best he could through his depleting oxygen supply. "Do your jobs, subdue him, guards, and protect me!"
"I'm very sorry Mr. Andrews," Jack spoke. "But you surely don't need our protection. You're the CEO after all. You're the one who wants Danielle and Michael chained up, can you blame them for fighting back?"
Michael tightened his grip on Andrews's throat, as Danielle sat shaking in her seat. Joanne knelt by her and put an arm around her. Rick approached Andrews, pulled his hands behind his back and handcuffed him.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Andrews demanded, though still unable to shout. "Let me go! How dare you! I'll see you in trouble for this, you'll lose your job!"
Rick laughed bitterly. "Mr. Andrews, I think you'll lose yours long before I lose mine."
Michael once again tightened his grip and now Andrews became both deathly silent and pale. He looked as white as a ghost. "Please," he almost whimpered now. "Please Michael, don't kill me?"
Joanne, Rick and Jack were all looking at Andrews with the utmost contempt. Ian, in his secure and bullet proof cab had seen none of this, as his eyes were on the road. Now, Dr Loomis reached up and pressed the button to turn on the intercom, so he could hear them. "Ian, I'm asking you please to stop."
A second later, the bus came to a Holt, but Ian didn't get out of his cab. Security rules dictated that he would only do so if the guards pressed the panic button, which would activate an alarm within the cab. But otherwise he was to stay there at all times. He had a gun in a shoulder holster, but from within his cab there was no chance of anyone reaching it.
"Please don't kill me?" Andrews pleaded again. Even Danielle could tell Michael was considering the kill. At last, he very slowly stood, Andrews's gun in his hand. Jack, Rick and Joanne exchanged looks. A silent killer, now an armed, silent killer? He could've killed Andrews so easily, as easily as breathing and still might. Should they be worried? Respect them he might, but he now had a loaded gun in his hand.
But Michael simply turned to Dr Loomis who'd just approached the front, having been speaking with Dr Stark at the back while their guards controlled the situation expertly as always. Dr Loomis gave his patient a nod. Michael moved the gun so it was pointing directly at Andrews's head.
For a reason only known to him, Andrews stood and approached the barrier between the guards and patient's seats. He was still handcuffed, so Joanne would never know why. But that was his mistake. Michael grabbed the heavy barrier and smashed it right in to Andrews's face. The CEO's nose broke, spirting blood everywhere. Michael repeated this, once, twice. Because Andrews was cuffed, he couldn't defend himself and slumped to the ground, unable to clutch his bloody and swollen face. Michael retrained the gun back on Andrews's head, as Dr Loomis turned to face him.
"You will order Ian to turn around," Dr Loomis's voice was very soft, the threat obvious. "He will drive us back to the airport and we will fly Michael back to Smith's Grove. But you will tell him to wait there a moment as Dr Stark makes a phone call. We will then use this vehicle for our purposes, as opposed to yours. If you try anything else Mr. Andrews, I will not stop Michael from killing you. Do you understand? If you alert Ian you have a gun pointed at you, Michael will shoot before he can do anything. Got me?"
There was a buzz as Dr Loomis turned the intercom on and Andrews relayed what he'd been told to say to the driver. Ian asked no questions; he'd been trained not to. Besides which, orders could change in a moment's notice. He simply turned around and headed back towards Haddonfield airport.
"Not so cocky now the gun's on you are you?" Rick said contemptuously. "Jesus Christ! Do you even know the patients in your hospital? Of course you don't! All you care about is money."
"Just before we get on the plane," Dr Loomis said. "You will telephone Glass Hill and tell them the plans for Michael's transfer have changed, do you understand? Michael is my patient and I am refusing this transfer. I think you'll find they'll take my authority over yours, Sir. Considering I know Michael a hell of a lot better than you will ever do."
Michael sat down behind Danielle, still wearing wrist and ankle chains, but not chained to his seat. Dr Stark now approached Danielle, knelt beside her and put an arm around her.
"Listen Danielle, I've got a plan. I've texted Dr Clarkson, I just need to speak to her by phone as well first. But she has agreed. How do you feel about staying in Charlotte's flat in the DASC? Its top security and you'll be close to the hospital, able to see Charlotte every day. Colin and/or Dave will pick you up from there and take you with them to the hospital, I've just spoken to them as well. They will also help you with anything, absolutely anything, Dave told me to stress this, that you need. As you just heard, Michael is heading back to SG, but we'll keep you in touch with him, I promise. The DASC will also install the same monitoring app Charlotte has on her phone on yours, and you will have a guard with you whenever you go out and will be protected 24-7."
"I…" Danielle took a breath. That panic attack had felt so close, she felt like she was still fighting it off.
"You can't do this!" She heard Andrews say to Dr Loomis. Even at gun point, it seemed the man was not giving in.
"I think you'll find we can," Dr Loomis said. "You are… excuse me were, the CEO, not a guard. I think you'll find you are not meant to have a gun on you, it's against the rules. What if a patient overpowered you as indeed just happened? You're not a trained guard, are you Sir? I'm afraid you'll be arrested for this serious breach of security, not to mention your treatment of a very vulnerable patient, who you've never even met before. First thing you say is I want her chained, and you refuse to respect Dr Stark's authority when this is refused, even though she knows there's doubtlessly a reason for it. Danielle's safety wasn't your priority, yours was and yours only. Sorry, your job is over, Sir. Not to mention you dared to threaten Myself, Dr Stark and our guards with it. That is a criminal offence. You're just very lucky Jack, Rick and Joanne didn't decide to defend themselves. They could have very easily, you know. They are trained and very confident guards, all 3 of them. You were the one who would've been hurt, not them."
"I'm scared," Danielle said to Dr Stark in a high terrified voice. "That was fucking close! I almost had a panic attack! Chains… fuck! I can't…"
Next second, Michael was kneeling beside her, Dr Stark standing quickly and moving in front of Danielle. Dr Loomis took the gun from Michael and trained it back on Andrews.
"Just a thing, eh?" Rick sneered at the soon to be ex CEO. "Really? Then look at this!" Joanne pulled out her keys and un-cuffed Michael, leaving the cuffs hanging from the chains around his waist.
"What the fuck are you…" Andrews began but stopped when Dr Loomis actually put the gun against his temple. "Shut, up."
Immediately as soon as he was free, Michael's arms were around Danielle, holding her tightly before he kissed her to the lips. Joanne let out a quiet sob. Rick and Jack smiled at each other. Michael placed Danielle's hands on his ears and cuddled her close to him. Danielle's heart was hammering with the effects of her panic, and she felt Michael's arms tighten around her. "Hush," he said and this time, Danielle knew she'd heard it because so had Dr Stark, judging by her own quiet sob. The first time Danielle had ever seen the consultant show anything other than professional sympathy. This was her real emotion. Michael moved his head so Danielle felt his ears move under her hands and this time was able to let out a small laugh.
Eventually they finally stopped at the airport and Michael himself guided Danielle out of the bus, where she gulped in fresh air. Michael didn't let go of her as Dr Stark dialled Dr Clarkson's number.
"Yes that's fine," they heard the other consultant say as Dr Stark had put her phone on speaker. "Dave rang me a short while ago to say he'd contacted Nigel manning, Danielle's former neighbour I believe? He's already on his way and says he'll bring anything Danielle needs to her."
A small but genuinely happy smile touched Danielle's lips. Michael had clearly seen it, as he stroked her cheek once more.
"Ok," Dr Stark said. "Thank you, Dr Clarkson. We just need to wait until Dr Loomis, Mr. Andrews and Michael have left by plane, then we'll bring her straight to you."
"Thank you for sorting that so fast," Danielle said to her doctor.
"It makes sense," Dr Stark said. "You're closer to Charlotte and just as importantly, you're safe. That's all that matters to us." Dr Stark saw Michael nod to her.
…
"What about me?" Andrews asked Dr Loomis, all his arrogance and I'm in control attitude gone now he had a gun pointed at his head, and could've very easily been killed by Michael Myers just moments before.
"What about you?" Dr Loomis asked dispassionately, as if he couldn't care less. Because, he didn't. "You'll do as you're told or die. It's simple, really."
"No," Andrews shook his head, still very white. "I mean, what are you going to do with me?"
"You're going to fly back to Smith's Grove with us, handcuffed of course. Rick and Jack here won't be guarding Michael, they'll be guarding you. I think you forgot this bus has CCTV, and I will be accessing the footage. In fact Rick…" he turned to the guard who nodded, approaching the cab, opening a small hole with a key and starting to talk to Ian through it.
Dr Loomis continued. "Rick is now getting the footage for us. As soon as you pulled out your gun, you overstepped the mark and broke every rule in the book. Not to mention in case you've forgotten, this gun has B. Andrews engraved in to the handle." Dr Loomis saw Andrews turn if possible even paler. "Yes," Dr Loomis nodded. "So there's no chance of you denying it. You're in trouble I'm afraid, Mr. Andrews."
A few minutes later, Michael stepped slowly back in to the vehicle. Andrews cowered against his seat. Dr Loomis smiled at his patient. "We've got him under control Michael," he said. "I think your mere presence will ensure his good behaviour. But if it doesn't, you can do the honours."
…
"How will I keep in touch with you?" Danielle asked Dr Stark a few minutes later as Dr Loomis, Michael, Rick, jack and the still cuffed Andrews headed towards the plane. Dr Stark and Joanne were coming with Danielle to see her settled in safely. As Joanne had said, "I don't fancy trying to explain to Michael why if something goes wrong." She'd smiled, but her voice was serious. Dr Stark had nodded in agreement.
"We'll give you a phone number," Dr Stark said. "It'll put you directly through to me or Dr Loomis anytime day or night and we can take the phone to Michael. We've also made a little… tweak to the monitoring app, so not only are professional security companies able to monitor you 24 hours, so are we?"
"How did you…" Danielle began.
"Ah, Danielle, the beauty of technology," Dr Stark squeezed her hand. "We couldn't possibly tell you all our secrets, now could we? But put it this way. Anything at all happens to you, then not only will we know, but so will Michael, immediately. We promise."
Danielle gave her consultant a small smile as Michael turned back and pulled Danielle close to him, kissing her in front of everyone. Danielle hugged him tightly.
"I'll miss you," she whispered. "Thank you Michael Myers. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me! I'll be forever grateful to you! I'll see you very soon, I promise! I love you."
Danielle felt herself blinking back tears as the plane finally rows in to the sky. Joanne and Dr Stark both hugged her tightly. "You were right," Dr Stark assured her. "You will see Michael very soon, I promise you in turn, Danielle."
"Thanks," Danielle said, having to let the tears fall. "It's just… fuck! I miss him so much already…"
"Of course you do," Dr Stark murmured. "It's called love, Danielle. True love. Enjoy it. Absence…"
"Makes the heart grow fonder," Danielle said and Dr Stark knew if she could she'd have rolled her eyes.
"No? You don't believe it? It's a very true old saying, you know."
"It's bollocks," Danielle said bluntly. "Right now it just hurts like hell!"
"I hear you," Dr Stark said as she helped Danielle back on to the bus to drive her to the DASC, her new temporary home. "I'm married, Danielle and I miss my husband every day."
This was the first time Dr Stark had ever told her something personal about her and Danielle smiled at her for real this time. To her, this little scrap of knowledge Dr Stark had just given, showed the doctor truly cared about her.
"Yeah," Joanne chimed in. "I feel the same about Rick. I miss him too, Danielle."
"I really don't mean this to be rude," Danielle said to her guard. "But you'll be back at Smith's Grove tonight, won't you? You'll see him."
"No?" Joanne sounded genuinely surprised. "When we say we're going to make sure you're settled in and safe, we meant it. We're not going back Dr Stark and I until you tell us you're ok without us. We're staying in rooms attached to your flat."
Danielle opened her mouth, but couldn't speak. "You're… you're serious?" She asked.
"Completely," Dr Stark and Joanne said together. "What?" Dr Stark asked. "You thought we'd just drop you off, say thanks and leave?"
"Well… yes," Danielle said sheepishly.
"Oh Danielle!" Dr Stark pretended hurt. "How could you under estimate us so badly?"
"I love you, Dr Stark," Danielle said before she could stop herself. As soon as she'd said it, she realised she meant it. "You've been nothing but kind to me despite me being so damn rude to Joanne, you and Dr Loomis when I first arrived. I can't thank you enough either for everything you've done to help me. From sleeping pills to listening ears. You're such a good doctor, but an even better woman. As are you, Joanne. A good guard, but a genuine and kind woman!
Danielle's words were so heart felt, Joanne blinked back tears. Dr Stark stepped forward and for the very first time, hugged Danielle. "I'll say what I said to Joanne, rick and Jack," Danielle said. "Don't you dare say it's just a job? You and I both know how much you've done for me! You are so caring Dr Stark and have done way more than even a doctor normally would. I'll miss you just as much as I'll miss Michael and Joanne."
"Well don't miss us yet, eh?" Dr Stark released her. "Because we're not going anywhere until you tell us you're ready. Also, you just had to get ears in there somewhere didn't you missy? Ok Ian," she said in to the intercom. "Drive on, please. It's time for us to take Danielle home."