Laurie entered hers and Michael's house having just come back from what she'd been asked to do by Annie, looking forward to spending time with him. They'd married to secure his release from Smith's Grove, but at first, love between them had been non-existent. It'd taken months before Michael let her in and they'd mutually agreed to stay married, but lately his affection had greatly cooled. She wanted to be close to her husband, but he never let her. One moment he'd be making love to her, next he was distant and cold. She wondered if he was still killing secretly, although she'd never been able to prove it. As she entered, she saw her husband standing in the middle of the living room wearing his white mask. She stepped towards him. Michael stepped back from her. Laurie's eyebrows rows. Was he giving her a silent warning to stay away from him tonight as he'd done so often lately?

"Hi Michael," she kept her voice soft. "Are you ok?" Michael held up a piece of paper, which said only five words.

I saw you with him.

"Eh?" She looked at him, genuinely confused. "Who?"

Do not take me for a fool, Laurie. I saw you enter that hotel with him.

Laurie felt relief shoot through her. Michael thought she was being unfaithful? She was so relieved she actually laughed out loud. "Don't be ridiculous," she stepped towards her husband again. "That was Annie's brother. I told you, remember? She asked me to help him find the way to our local hotel. He's down to see her but can't stay at hers because she hasn't got room. That's all."

You're lying. Why go in with him then?

"Because he's a really shy guy and needed help." This was true. Michael scoffed quietly from behind his mask. Stupidly perhaps, Laurie felt her own anger rising at that.

"What?" She snapped. "You can ask Annie if you don't believe me! What? Hide behind your mask again, just like you did when we first married! You always do that when the heat comes down Michael! Any time you're angry, sad, you hide behind that fucking mask! I'm supposed to be your wife and you won't even let me see your true emotions! Would it really be a surprise if I was cheating after all? I mean Jesus! You love me one minute then you're as cold as ice the next! When you feel any emotion, you hide behind that damn rubber! I married you firstly to help you, but stayed because I love you Michael! Why didn't I sign 'yes' on those damn papers then? Lately I hardly know you. That's how it feels, because you're not giving me a chance too!"

It was then Michael removed his mask and her heart was now what turned to ice, with fear. Michael's face was blank as usual, but she could almost feel his rage. She didn't think she'd ever seen him so angry. That was when it happened. He stepped forward, slammed her against the wall and she felt the cold, lethal metal of a knife against her neck.

"This is your default way out isn't it Michael? When you don't like or understand something, pick up a knife! Of course! Why didn't I think of that? You think I'm cheating; I try to explain to you and you treat me like shit on your knife handle! You know Michael it's getting old! I don't think I want this anymore. I want to be loved, cherished, and not just loved when my husband feels like it. I want a man who lets me see his emotions, all his emotions, not just those he wants me to see! But oh no! Not from Michael Myers! I want my love reciprocated, not from Michael Myers! I want to talk about my worries, life and the rest and hear you do the same, be there for you, not from Michael Myers!"

She was stopped, as the front door slammed shut. She hadn't even heard him leave the room. She slumped to the ground partly with adrenaline, partly with heartache. What the hell was she thinking shouting at Michael like that? It was then she felt the trickle of blood down her neck. She sat up against the wall to look and saw that his knife had nicked her skin. She doubted he'd meant to do that; it'd probably happened when he'd turned to leave.

Getting to her feet, she headed for the first aid box and pulled out gorse and tape, beginning to bandage the cut. It was only small, but it wouldn't stop bleeding and she could only hope it wasn't serious.

After she was done, she grabbed her purse and headed out to the nearby payphone, pulling out several dimes as she dialed a number she knew by heart. The phone number of Dr Loomis. She remembered him giving it to her the very first time they'd spoken, when he'd told her about her changing future.

1 year earlier.

"How can I help you Dr Loomis?" Laurie asked as they sat in her living room.

"I'm… not exactly sure how to explain this, Dr Loomis sounded hesitant. "So I guess I should just say it straight. You've made some kind of impression on Michael, as I told you 3 months ago when I took you to Smith's Grove to visit him. Well here's the thing. Michael is due to be released in a couple of weeks, because last Halloween he didn't kill anyone and we think you were entirely responsible for this fact."

"What?" She stared at him as if he was crazy. "You're joking, right?"

Dr Loomis smiled at her. "No, I'm not. The thing is, Michael will only be able to be released on 1 condition." He paused for a second, as if trying to find the correct words for what he had to say. But Laurie wasn't at all prepared for the 6 words he actually said.

"He needs to take a wife."

She stared at him, speechless. He wasn't saying what it sounded like he was, was he?

"Wo, hang on a second," she began, her voice disbelieving. "This is a joke, right? A prank or something. Michael Myers is being released, but he has to take a wife to do so. You're… you're not talking about me!" She was chuckling now, legitimately sure he was joking, but the psychiatrist wasn't smiling back.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying." #

"You're crazy," Laurie said before she could stop herself. Now the doctor did chuckle.

"I know it sounds as much, but I promise you it's the truth."

Laurie was still laughing, more in disbelief than anything else. "So just because I made some kind of impression on Michael, you're telling me… what? That I have to marry him to enable his release?"

"You don't have to do anything Laurie, it is entirely your decision. But you certainly made an impression on Michael, and I strongly believe it's because of this, no one was killed 6 months ago. How many women do you think would be willing to marry Michael Myers?"

Here, she had to admit he was right. "Um, not many," she reluctantly agreed. "So, this… if I were to consider doing it, is for the rest of my life?"

"No. It would be for 6 months. After which, you would be able to divorce. You would live together and Michael wouldn't be able to touch you with violence in any way. If he did, he would very probably face the death penalty."

Laurie rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you wanted him to face that right from the start. Also, that's if they can catch him!"

"That's as maybe," it was Dr Loomis' turn to agree. "But something happened to him when he escaped last Halloween, and no one died. Before he could kill anyone, he encountered a certain young lady named Laurie Strode."

"I'm still not saying I'm going to do this," she said quickly. "But let's say for a minute I did, what would happen then?"

After 6 months, Smith's Grove would send you divorce papers, with a 'yes' and 'no' box. You and Michael would both sign in the relevant one, depending on how you felt about the divorce."

"But that wouldn't work," she argued. "What if 1 says yes, the other no?"

Dr Loomis smiled. "I was coming to that. If 1 said 'yes' the other 'no,' then you could contact me and I would come and talk to you both. Marriage counselling, if you like. I would try to find out who said no and why, to see if you could work something out. Given the circumstances however, the one who signed 'yes' would probably get their wish ultimately. You because you might not want to stay married to Michael, he for the same reason. As long as you were unhurt at the end of the 6 months."

"This is insane," Laurie muttered, her head spinning. "Insane."

"I know it sounds such," Dr Loomis said. "But it may help Michael more than anything else or any treatment in the world ever could. He obviously feels something for you and if nothing else, this may help him find out what. At the very least, it may extinguish his…" the doctor hesitated. "Want, desire to kill, even if the marriage itself doesn't last."

"I… I need time to think," she said faintly. It was true. This was a huge commitment she was being asked to make and she couldn't just agree to it then and there.

"Of course you do," the psychiatrist said softly. "I totally, totally understand. I can give you… a week?"

"Thanks," Laurie said gratefully. "Can I call you earlier if I make a definite decision?"

"Of course you can, here's my number," he wrote it on a piece of paper. "I'm only a phone call away."

"This may sound like a stupid question…" Dr Loomis interrupted her.

"No question is a stupid one in a situation like this, Laurie. Ask me whatever you need to."

"Thanks," she smiled at him. "What if both of us say 'yes?'"

"Then when we get the papers the divorce will be official, you'll get a letter confirming this. Michael may not see it if he chooses to leave then of course."

She nodded. "Not that it'll happen, but what if we both sign 'no?'"

"Then you will be sent 2 marriage certificates, certified marriage licences. Your marriage will then be official in just the same way."

"I… I don't know what to say," she said eventually. It was true, she didn't. When Dr Loomis had told her he needed to talk, she'd never expected anything like this…

"Of course," Dr Loomis said. "It's… heavy stuff to say the least."

Less than a week later, having lost a lot of sleep, Laurie had called him, saying she would do it. She too had noticed Michael hadn't killed her or any of her friends, indeed upon seeing her, he'd just walked away. But she'd felt his gaze on her beforehand and there'd been… something in it, though to this day she didn't know what. Michael had been released, the first papers were signed, and the 6 months had begun.

Thinking back on all this now as she stood in the phone booth, Laurie blinked back tears. There was no way around it. She loved Michael. If she didn't, she would've signed 'yes' in the box a year ago. As it was, she and Michael had both signed 'no' and Michael had taken them back to Smith's Grove and returned with the marriage licences that very night. They'd then made love in their bath and…

NO! She shouted at herself. I CAN'T THINK ABOUT THAT, IT… IT HURTS TOO MUCH!

She sighed, as she picked up the receiver. She'd meant what she'd said to Michael. She wanted a man who loved her always, and that man was Michael Myers. She couldn't see herself with anyone else now, not after how far they'd come. But could they get past this, or was it too late?

All she knew at this exact moment, was she had to talk to Dr Loomis. If anyone could advise her, he could. He'd been there after all when hers and Michael's marriage had started. With a heavy heart, she began to dial.

"Hello, Dr Loomis, its Laurie. Please may I speak with you?"

"Hello there Laurie, is everything ok?"

She took a deep breath. "Not… not really. Michael and I argued tonight and I really need to talk to you, is that ok?"

"Of course it is. I'm actually in Haddonfield as it happens for a business meeting. I can meet you in the Haddonfield Haven in 10 minutes?"

The Haddonfield Haven to use its full name, was the town's local café, loved by locals and tourists alike. Among Haddonfield residence though, it was simply known as 'the Haven.'

"Would you? That would be great, thank you so much."

"No problem, give me 10." He was gone.

She sat at her favourite table in the almost empty café, with a piece of their famous chocolate cake and a coffee. She usually loved this cake, but right then she could only nibble on it. Her mind was racing and her heart was breaking. She hated arguing with anyone, least of all Michael. The way he'd reacted aside, she shouldn't have said what she had to him.

"Shit girl," she muttered. "You and your big mouth."

Why had she said what she had about him hiding behind his mask? Her reaction to the knife was understandable, but that'd been a mistake. Michael hadn't deserved that. He did indeed seem to be… working on his need to kill for want of a better word and she shouldn't have stepped all over it by saying him using a knife was his defence.

Dr Loomis was there just a few minutes later, and she lost no time in telling him what'd just happened.

"I'm so sorry," Loomis said quietly when she was done and she could see the sympathy in his eyes.

"I'd never cheat on him," Laurie was crying now in earnest. "Never! I fucking love him so much! But how can I show him if he won't let me? He should know I'll never leave him; we both signed the damn papers 'no' for fuck sake! How much more proof does he need? Is that what he's afraid of?" One minute he's loving me, then he's gone! I just want my husband. Why is that too much to ask?"

Loomis sighed, taking her hand. "Because he's Michael Myers Laurie, we both know he's… Unique to say the least. But I'm sure he loves you in his own way. He as good as told me as much before I'd even talked to you about marrying him. But I think deep down he is worried about it. Why else did he sign 'no' on those papers? He doesn't want to lose you Laurie, someone who truly loves him, sees past his… differences."

"Well assaulting me is hardly going to make me stay is it?" Laurie reached for a napkin as further tears spilled down her cheeks.

Loomis squeezed her hand. "I know," he said softly. "But Michael's never been good at containing his rage. That's why he used to want to kill so much. I say used because he doesn't anymore and that's all because of you Laurie. You and I both know this."

"So why won't he let me love him all the time? That's all I want to do, but he doesn't allow me. Why? Sometimes we're so close it's unreal and amazing, then sometimes he just… disappears, literally hides behind his mask as well as metaphorically, then the man I know and love is gone, replaced by a stranger. What do I have to do to keep my husband constantly?"

"I think that's actually what he really wants," Loomis said softly. "But he doesn't know how to tell you, or show you either. I think he seriously was terrified you were with Annie's brother for more tonight, you told me yourself you always used to like Taylor Bracket and Michael probably knows it too."

"That was years ago! But then he assaults me, treats me hot and cold. The fact I love him aside, I wouldn't do that to him or anyone I was with. I don't understand it. The night we both signed 'no' on the papers, he made love to me in our bath, we'd never felt so close, and so what changed? What happened to make tonight take place?"

"As I say, I think it's because he's terrified even now it's not real, and he's scared to give you his heart completely because he thinks someday you'll leave. Either that, or he doesn't know how to show you he loves you. He would've signed 'yes' for the divorce if he didn't. Faking it is not how Michael Myers works."

"So how do I literally, get through the mask?" She asked very quietly. "How do I show him I only want the real man?"

"To be honest with you, I think Michael will come home soon. Just give him time to cool down and he'll be right back to you. As I've said several times, he loves you, Laurie."

"I… wasn't exactly nice about the whole thing," she admitted. "The fact he thought I was cheating on him with Taylor angered me and I said him using a knife was his form of defence. That was unfair, cruel and a lie. He's never drawn a knife on me before, not once."

"Is that why you have a bandaged neck?"

She sighed. "Yes. I don't think Michael meant to do it at all though, I think his knife clipped my skin as he turned to leave. That scared me too. Was he walking out fast so he didn't hurt me?"

"I don't think so," Dr Loomis said. "I think it was because he didn't know how to react and because he was upset. Yes, even Michael Myers can be upset," he smiled a little.

"I'm almost scared to go home," she said. "In case he's still angry. Now, I'm the one who's scared of him."

"Again, he's Michael Myers," Dr Loomis touched her arm. "Being scared of him is no sin."

At this, Laurie did finally chuckle a little. "Good point," she agreed. "But shit! How's he going to react if he sees this?" She gestured at her bandages.

"Guilty I expect," Dr Loomis said. "Let him, there's no shame in that, it's normal. He'll be devastated he's hurt you; I guarantee you that."

"Now I feel bad I made him," she said in just above a whisper. "Shit! I didn't feel guilty when he stormed out on me, now I feel terrible! Yes I did used to like Taylor, a hell of a lot actually, but I knew nothing would ever come of it even before I married Michael. He's got a long term girlfriend."

"I think deep down Michael knows that too, but he also knows he's not…" again, Dr Loomis hesitated. "Normal husband material, so he's afraid to lose you, Laurie. Time has passed since you both signed those papers, remember. Perhaps he's worried you're regretting your decision, or your feelings have changed or something."

"Then why hasn't he…" she began, then trailed off. He's a man, she thought. They don't talk about their feelings!

Dr Loomis seemed to know what she was thinking because he softly chuckled again, placing down his coffee cup.

"I suggest you get home," he murmured to her. "Sort this out with Michael as soon as you can. I need to be off anyway, I'm staying in a hotel just outside Haddonfield for tonight, but back for more meetings tomorrow." He sighed. "It's hard work this psychiatrist job."

She finally managed a smile at him, as she stood to shake his hand. "Thank you so much for talking to me at such short notice Dr Loomis," she said sincerely. "I really, really appreciate it."

"I told you I was always here to talk when all this started," he squeezed her hand. "I meant it. Good night to you, Mrs. Myers."

Hearing her married name caused a twinge of something in her heart. Guilt, but also love and longing. She had to fix this with her husband, she wanted to be with him so badly. Of course, that also depended on whether he came home or not.

"He'll be back tonight," Dr Loomis said, clearly reading her thoughts. How did he do that? "I promise you. Just go home and wait, and he'll be back if he isn't already."

Sure enough when she got home, she faced what she'd feared. There was no sign of Michael. Her neck throbbed, so she took some painkillers to deaden the pain. Gingerly removing the bandages, she saw it was no longer bleeding, and in fact the cut wasn't that big. Never the less, she put another piece of gorse on it, just in case it was to start bleeding again. Sure enough just as she did so, she felt a warm trickle of blood under the bandages. Her pulling the first ones off must've done it. "Shit," she breathed.

Now though, her worry about the bleeding was not for her, but for Michael. She didn't want him to see her with a bleeding neck, as he would immediately know he'd caused it. Sitting on the sofa however, she couldn't stop it when once again, her tears began to fall. This time though, she was crying for Michael. She wanted, needed, and loved him. She longed for him to walk through that front door. Where was he? She prayed he wasn't out killing people, because if he was it was her fault. She'd angered him and stupidly fueled his anger instead of trying to calm it, so their blood, if there was any would be on her hands.

She wasn't sure how long she lay there tears pouring silently down her face, before she heard the front door slam. It was all she could do not to stand up and run to Michael, but now she was the one who was afraid. What if he was still angry with her? She desperately tried to get her tears under control. What if he walked straight past her, not caring? Would that be worse than his anger?

She didn't see him enter the living room as her eyes were still blurry with tears and only knew he was there when she felt him kneel beside the sofa, his warm hand resting on her shoulder. She looked up at him, her eyes red.

"Shh," she heard his soft whisper, as he leant close and softly kissed her lips. "Shh." His arms closed tightly and lovingly around her; he then raised his notepad.

Don't cry Laurie, please don't cry. It hurts me so.

"Michael I'm so sorry," she said immediately. "I was bang out of line. Whatever you might've thought, I should never, ever have said that about you using a knife! It's just I was terrified when you held me against the wall at knife point I…"

Her head rested on his shoulder, just as it'd done a million times before. It was then he saw the bandaging on her neck and now she was certain she could see guilt and fear in his usually expressionless gaze.

"I think you just accidentally caught it with your knife when you turned to leave." She'd considered lying saying she'd caught it on something herself, but knew Michael would never believe her. When she looked up at him again, she almost gasped. For only the second time since she'd known him, there were tears in the eyes of Michael Myers. When he raised his notepad, her heart almost broke. His hand holding the pen was shaking.

Laurie, I am so, so sorry.

"Its o…" she began, but was stopped by his glare. But she knew it wasn't at her, it was at himself. As lovingly and gently as he could, Michael lifted her to her feet, took his seat on the sofa and for only one of a few times in their marriage, lifted her into his lap and against his chest. Laurie didn't resist, on the contrary she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Michael took her hand, raising it to his cheek and holding it there. He wasn't hiding his emotions behind rubber this time. They were right there in front of her eyes. With his free arm, her husband held her to him as tightly as he could. This time his emotions were written clearly across his face. Pain, regret.

"I know you sometimes don't know how to show your feelings," she murmured. "But darling, hiding behind your mask when angry won't help us. I'll be honest, it scares me. I know you've worked really hard on controlling your… needs, but we both know what that mask could mean. When you add holding a knife into the mix, you're… it's terrifying…"

But she couldn't finish because Michael's lips were against hers. They kissed passionately, as he held her tightly in his lap.

"Would I have married you," Laurie murmured eventually against his lips. "If I didn't at least care about you? I would've signed 'yes' on those damn papers, Michael. If it was the case I wanted to leave, why am I still here?"

I've wondered the very same thing. I love you, Laurie but I don't always know how to show you this. You could've married any man you wanted.

"I did," Laurie breathed. "I'm in his arms right now."

Laurie…

"Michael please, believe me. I love; need and want you for the rest of my life. But I can only do so if you let me. So will you? Only you can make that decision. I can't make it for you."

You mean everything to me.

"Then don't fight it," Laurie said softly. For answer, Michael pulled her tightly to him and kissed her again, before lifting her up in his arms. Laurie had never told him, but she loved it when he did this. She felt so safe, he was so strong and so damn sexy…

I bought you these.

He then proceeded to hand her the most beautiful bunch of flowers she had ever seen. Her eyes filled with tears again, but this time for a totally different reason.

"Michael, oh, darling, they're gorgeous! Just like you! You shouldn't have, thank you so much!"

He laid her on her feet, so she could enter the kitchen and put the flowers in water. When she turned back, he was holding out his hand. Smiling, she took it.

Michael led her out to their car and drove her to her favourite restaurant, where he treated her to a delicious dinner. When the bill came, he wouldn't even let her think about paying a dime of it.

"You really didn't have to," she started, but was cut off as Michael reached across the candle lit table and once more took her hand in his.

When they were done, he drove them back home. "Thank you darling," Laurie said. "I can't lie, I've wanted to go on a date with you for a few weeks now, but we were never able too due to our work and stuff. While I didn't… mean it to happen in these circumstances, I'm glad it did."

Her husband kissed her again and this time she didn't stop him, when he gently pulled back her bandages as he again held her on their sofa.

Please let me have a look?

She didn't speak just rolled her eyes, but kissed him as she did so to show she was teasing. Really though, she wouldn't stop him. Of course he was concerned. When the bandages were off, she saw him examining the tiny cut. "You see?" She said softly. "It's nothing, it was purely an accident."

I am going to disagree with you there my love. I shouldn't have been even holding a knife in my hand.

"I know I won't change your opinion," she answered. "So I won't try. But honestly, it's fine. I wasn't exactly nice to you either."

You still never deserve that. Please don't argue with me further on this.

"I won't," she breathed, leaning in for another kiss.

You will never see me holding a knife again unless for… Normal reasons. I promise you, Laurie.

"I believe you," she whispered. They kissed again.

I love you; I truly love you.

"I know hon," she smiled at him. "That was wrong of me to say too. By the same token, I know love is still new to you, so I should be more patient. I am sorry for this too."

"Shh," he said again, taking her lips in a long, deep kiss. She'd never told him, but he knew how to kiss. When he kissed her like this, her legs would turn weak and wobbly in an instant.

"Michael," she almost moaned. "Oh God, Michael."

She felt his mouth move in a smile beneath hers, as he lifted her up into his arms again and this time carried her up the stairs.

In their bedroom, he slowly and deliberately removed her clothing, methodically taking his time. With every piece he removed, his warm, soft hands touched her exposed skin. She could hardly believe that those hands could hold a knife with violent intentions.

You are so beautiful.

"Thanks," Laurie just managed to say, her eyes blurring again with tears upon reading that message, tears of love and longing.

Not to mention kind, loving and all mine.

She smiled at him. Check, check and check to all 3 of those," she agreed. "You're one kind man, I love you too, and you're all mine."

I am sorry I misconstrued things. Bracket is lucky he had your help. It's the type of thing you are kind enough to do without hesitation.

"Oh shush," she took control of their kiss this time, their tongues making contact and hungrily exploring each other's mouths. "Please," she almost pleaded after a while. "Please Michael, make love to me? Don't make me wait any longer?"

She heard him softly chuckle as he finally finished undressing her and laid her in their bed, before climbing in beside her and pulling her into his arms. They once again began to kiss, as they resumed touching each other, Laurie's heart picked up speed with lust and desire.

"I love you Michael," she whimpered against his mouth. "I love you so fucking much…"

Likewise, Laurie.

"How the hell can you write while you're…" her words were cut off into another soft moan, as Michael's hand moved between her legs, one finger sliding into her, another stroking her clit. 'Making love to me', was what she'd been about to say.

He now lay down on top of her and as they still kissed intensely, pushed into her. Laurie Myers knew right there and then she could never leave her husband, not really. When he was making love to her, she felt like the most special person in the world.

… Michael did so to her again and again as the night passed, not pulling her into his arms for sleep until hours later. She snuggled her head against his shoulder and softly kissed his skin.

"Hmm you smell nice," she murmured. He smiled lovingly at her.

As they finally cuddled up to sleep tight in each other's arms, Laurie spoke quietly one more time.

"Taylor's got nothing on you, Michael. You're fucking gorgeous, kind, sexy, a good man, a…"

He silenced her with another long kiss. She smirked at him.

"Not to mention you know how to use your knife."