It was 01:00 when Rick slowly approached Myers' cell. He was going to unchain the killer. It was clear none of his colleagues had dared to do so and Rick could understand why. Myers had made an attempt on Ryan's life just hours before. But Rick didn't think it was right or fair to leave him chained while locked in his cell. All the same, he felt a slight chill run down his spine. But no. He was fine, he was sure of it. Safe. Michael had saved his life after all. He could see The Shape standing at his cell bars, looking straight at him. The first time Rick had seen him, he'd been looking up towards Danielle Hayward's cell. Damn. How the hell had Myers known he was there? Rick took a deep breath, stopping a few steps away, out of reach.

"Hi Michael," he said softly. The Shape didn't move a muscle, but his eyes remained on Rick's face. "I want to say it to your face. Thanks for… For saving my life."

Of course, silence. Rick felt himself swallow. God Michael Myers made him nervous, along with everyone else. It was no wonder he was one of the most highly feared men in… Hell the world. But Rick knew he had to do this. He had to show the killer he could trust him. He owed him that much at least.

"Michael, I want to remove your chains for you. If I come in and approach you, am I safe?"

Nothing. Not a twitch. Rick wanted to use his judgement, given what Myers had done for him but… But still… His hands went to his neck automatically. That'd been close. Very close. The fact he'd saved his life aside, if Myers still needed to kill, he would be as good as committing suicide. Should he do this? Yes, but alone?

Rick was just reaching for his radio, deciding that he wanted backup just in case, when he could've sworn Myers nodded to him. Just once, an ever so slight movement of his head. But Rick saw it. Do you want to die? He thought, as he stepped towards Myers' cell. He was trusting the masked killer's word. Suicide! Shouted his mind. Yet, he slowly reached up, pressing the button to open the killer's door.

"Hey Ricky!" Chancer yelled from next door. "You obviously want to die after all! Come here, I'll do it for you, with pleasure! Myers has had his fair share of kills!"

Rick ignored the slimy little worm and stepped into Myers' cell. He had to be professional, but his hatred towards Derek Chancer was coursing through him. Fucker had tried to kill him, and he almost succeeded. Myers had saved his life? Another killer? One who had much more of a right to be feared than Chancer? This was… Was…

Rick slowly stepped through the door, pressing the button on his belt to close it again. If Myers chose to attack him now… Stepping towards the killer, he produced the small key and began to unchain him. Before he could stop, Rick found himself speaking softly.

"What happened Michael? Adam's phone call? Is that why you attacked Ryan? He's a good guy, one of my best friends. Shame you couldn't attack Derek over there instead. Fucker." Nothing. But Rick continued speaking softly as he removed the killer's chains. "Please don't go for him a second time?" He pleaded with the killer. "He's a great guy! Believe me, I'm seriously tempted to… Well let's just say make a mistake so you and Chancer end up in the same goddam cell. I don't think anyone would be sorry to see him go. He wouldn't stand… Well, a chance against you and us all know it."

At the mention of Danielle's name, Rick was sure he saw something in Michael's eyes. But what? A hint of softness? Sadness? Longing? Rick's heart clenched for the other man. A killer he may be, but it was obvious to Rick that he truly cared about Hayward, just not to what extent. Before he'd realised it, he'd touched Myers's arm. Myers didn't pull back. "Caring about someone is not a crime," he murmured, now kneeling to remove the leg chains. "I'm all for it and will help you in any way I can."

As he stood again, he saw Myers's eyes fixed on his face. This time though, Rick didn't shiver. Instead, he looked up and back at the killer. "I hope you enjoyed the chocolates," Rick said softly. Again he was sure he saw that very slight nod. "You're welcome," Rick gave the killer a small smile. "I can't thank you enough for what you did that day. They told me it was you who carried me out to the ambulance. Seriously man, I thank you with all my heart. If it wasn't for you I'd be dead now, and I have… Reasons to live."

Myers glanced briefly out of the cell, towards where Joanne was standing talking to Danielle. Somehow, he knew. Rick smiled at him again and nodded. "Yep," he said softly. "I love her, Michael. Just as you love Danielle. Don't resist it, but try to calm your killing crave? It's only for her safety that she's not with you and she misses you, it's obvious. We'll reunite you as soon as we can. I promise you. I can see she needs you just by looking at her. I know you have the urge to kill, but try and attack the bad guys, ok?"

Now Rick did make to move towards the door, but this time Myers put a hand on his arm, stopping him. It wasn't a hard grip, so Rick wasn't afraid. It seemed that somehow, he and Michael Myers had a mutual bond of trust. Well duh! Shouted his mind. He only saved your fucking life Evans! That kind of thing will do that whether you want it to or not! He turned and this time their eyes locked. Their gaze was intense, unwavering. Myers didn't remove his hand from Rick's arm. "What is it?" Rick said softly to the killer.

Myers extended his free hand. For just a second, Rick did feel a flash of fear. Was Myers about to grab his throat after all? But Myers's hand made no move towards his neck. Rick looked at him unsure, then very slowly he extended his own until it took the killers.

It was then Rick Evans believed he was probably the second after Danielle to understand what Michael Myers was saying to him, albeit without words. The killer's hand was warm, strong but gentle, and Rick inexplicably felt tears build in his eyes. He blinked fast and felt Myers' hand tighten in his.

Michael Myers was telling him, that he Rick Evans, was and would forever be safe from his killing rage. Without releasing his hand or taking the other off the guard's arm, Myers looked out towards Joanne and Rick nodded, now feeling a single tear slip from his eye. Joanne too, was safe.

"Thank you," Rick breathed, his voice shaking a little as he wiped a sleeve across his face. "Thank you so much Michael. Can I tell her?" That single nod again. "I…" Rick looked at the killer, with tears still in his eyes. "I owe you my life Mr. Myers. Ironic, huh?" He laughed shakily. Rick's legs suddenly felt weak. Myers turned him effortlessly, as Rick's legs gave way and landed on Myers' bed.

"I'm… I'm sorry," Rick tried to stand, but he felt as if all his strength was gone. Myers moved silently to his side and again rested a hand on his arm. The other handed Rick a glass of water. Rick could hardly believe what was happening between them, right at this moment. "Thanks," he said gratefully, hearing that his voice was shaking, he took a long sip. The water was ice cold and felt amazing as it slid down his throat.

He knew without a doubt, he was trusting Michael Myers and did. He'd trust him for life now, Rick knew it. While the name Michael Myers may bring fear to the hearts of others when spoken, it wouldn't for him. Him, Joanne, or Danielle. He may be the guard here, but right then he felt as weak as a kitten. But Myers made no move whatsoever to attack him, or grab any of his equipment. He simply stood there, his hand on Rick's arm, while the guard regained his composure.

"I was fucking terrified," Rick said softly. As soon as he spoke, Myers knelt beside him. "That day. I honestly thought Chancer was going to kill me. I was sure my time was up; I was going to die. I'd never be able to tell Joanne that I love her, or do anything else I wanted in my life. I want to move up the ladder here. Marry Joanne, have kids, run a marathon, you know all that stuff. I was thinking about what it'd be like to show my son how to play football, or my daughter to do… Well you know, what girls love," he smiled shakily. "I was sure all that was gone, that I was a dead man. To this day I don't know exactly how it happened, they said you knocked him out? He's worse than you Mr. Myers, trust me…"

Myers squeezed his arm and Rick looked at him. "Michael?" He said quietly. The killer squeezed it again. "Ok, Michael," Rick smiled at him genuinely this time. "He's worse than you, Michael. Trust me. He only targets women, or at least he did and he's an evil antagonistic bastard! They say you don't have a conscience, a heart? Whatever! Could've fooled me! You do, one just has to reach it by respecting you, not treating you with contempt. I… I understand why they might not want to respect a killer, but if you risk it then you'll find Michael Myers is actually a pretty decent guy…" Had Myers just smiled back at him? Rick felt his breath catch. He was sure no one had ever seen that before, hell he wasn't even sure he had.

Eventually, Rick stood up. He felt fine now. He smiled at the killer when Myers didn't remove his hand, then turned him around towards the door.

"Thanks," Rick murmured. "Can I get you anything," he hesitated for just a second. "Michael? Coffee?" Again, a slight nod.

"Coming up," Rick said. "Just remember," he knew he really was trusting the masked killer, when he lent forward to whisper in Myers' ear. "I'm in your debt. I owe you my life. If I can do anything for you, anything, just ask me. Catch my drift?" Buzzing open the door, Rick Evans left Michael Myers' cell, knowing things between them had just changed forever. He trusted and even liked the killer. A coffee was the very least he could give him in thanks for his life.

…

3 days later

"Needs to kill."

Derek Chancer jolted awake. Damn. He'd done it again. Left the iPod on with the headphones in and had fallen asleep. If he was honest, he was sure the listening device worked all the time and the "I'm listening" so-called button just pinged Leach's inbox so he knew he was working. Son of a bitch. Quickly, he forced himself to concentrate. Raising the iPod towards Danielle's cell, he hit the button and focused in on her voice. She was whispering, but with the technology now in his possession, she might as well have been shouting.

"I can feel it I think," Hayward was saying. "When he needs to kill. It scares me like you wouldn't believe. Yet… I miss him."

"Which is no crime," Joanne Turner said. Chancer snickered behind his hand. Ah, women. How he'd love to fuck and kill them both… He forced himself to listen.

"Is there any chance I could speak to him at least?"

"Stand by," Turner said before walking away.

Chancer lowered the iPod and let out a long breath. Shit. This was getting more and more dangerous. If Michael Myers cared for Danielle, Derek Chancer would be a dead man if he wasn't very, very careful. Once again, he considered stopping right there. Not for Hayward, he didn't give a damn about her, but for himself. Look out for number 1, his mother had always said. By God she was right.

A few minutes later, Joanne returned. "Sorry Danielle," she said. "We need 2 guards right now and no one else is available, but we'll do it for you as soon as we can ok?"

Chancer shivered. He'd want a hell of a lot more than 2 guards with him if he had to go near Michael Myers. 10, perhaps? Lying back on his bed, Derek Chancer again reconsidered his position. This was fucking suicide! Yet…

The money. Chancer couldn't deny he could use it, perhaps to buy even more tools for his operating table. He smirked at that thought. He could think of a lot of things he could do to the women he captured, if he just had the money to do it. Well if he pulled this off, he would have it and more. But first…

"Yeah," said a sneering voice in his conscience. "Easy Derek, easy as hell! First you just have to survive Michael Myers if he finds out what you're up to. Oh yeah, piece of cake."

Derek Chancer was just about to lower the iPod for the night when a message flashed up on the screen. Derek. Hayward has changed her number via DV code. Our client wants it. See if you can get it for us.

"Shit," Chancer cursed. This was getting more and more dangerous alright. DV codes were almost impossible to get through, hence their very existence. That was the whole point. Now he wished the iPod's killing device was indeed real, however he knew it wasn't. If things got too hot, he might very well have used whatever it was to finish him off before Michael Myers got the chance to do it. Then a thought came to him. He knew how risky it was but he'd try it. He knew of 1 person in Smith's Grove he may be able to bribe. All he had to do was wait. Maybe he'd even speak to the guy who wanted the number and do it for Chancer so he didn't have to? Why had Michael Myers chosen Danielle Hayward of all people to take a liking to? He cursed under his breath. There went his sleep for the night.

…

"Hey!" Chancer hissed. "Hey, John!"

The guard Danielle knew only as "Mr. Jackass" turned to face Chancer. "What?"

"I need to talk to you," Chancer kept his voice very low. "Would you be willing to help me with something?"

John looked up and down the corridor and Chancer grinned to himself. He knew the guard understood his use of the word "help" had nothing to do with his stay in Smith's Grove. He was a smart man just as Chancer had suspected. After a moment, John looked back at him. "What?" He asked again, stepping to Chancer's bars.

"It's to do with Danielle," Chancer murmured. "Danielle Hayward. I know you don't like her; I can tell and I've heard things. What? Don't like blind people?" He smirked. "Don't say anything," he added as John opened his mouth. "Just listen, then tell me yes or no." Without a word, the guard opened the cell door and entered. Chancer smirked. It looked as if this was going to work just as he'd hoped.

"You've got to be fucking kidding!" John said when Chancer finished telling him his plan, looking at him like he was insane. "I'd lose my job, probably go to prison, no way man!"

"It's easy," Chancer said. "Just get to her file. They'll have it written down won't they?"

John looked at him incredulously. "That's easy for you to say, you're not the one doing it!" Then he paused, Chancer knew he was thinking about it. Finally he spoke. "Yes, but they're in the doctor's secure filing cabinet. We have no reason to access them."

"Can't you make one up? Say… I don't know… Danielle's asked you for something?"

John snorted. "She doesn't like me, she'd never ask me, she'd ask what her name is? Joanne. She's her designated guard Derek."

Chancer frowned. There had to be a way… Then it hit him.

"Can't you tell Dr Stark you've lost something and it's in her cabinet? Tell her you've looked absolutely everywhere and you can't find it! All you need is a few seconds to look at her file. I know for a fact our phone numbers are at the very front! You'll get paid a shit load if you pull this off John."

Somehow, Derek was sure John also agreed with controlling and being in charge of women, but he didn't ask. The guard seemed to be considering his words and Chancer felt a flicker of hope. Would he do it? After a few moments, the guard spoke. It was no surprise he was in Chancer's cell, part of the guard's job was talking to the patients if needed, so no one would question what he was doing. But they were speaking very quietly in order to avoid the microphones in the corridor. They were probably just as powerful as the ones on the iPod, Chancer had no doubt of this.

"Perhaps, but I'll have to come up with something better than a lost item in her cabinet. Dr Stark's not stupid, she'll see right through that. But, I'll see what I can do. You damn well better be telling me the truth about that pay-out, or… Well I won't be happy."

"Thanks," Chancer said and shook the guard's hand. This was working out better than he could've believed. He'd done it by God! He just bribed a damn guard! Too bad for Smith's Grove they'd employed a corrupt guard. Grinning, Chancer stood up so John could lead him to breakfast. They walked casually, as if nothing had happened. Chancer even let John chain him without resisting, which was what he normally did.