As soon as Danielle was in the visiting room with Charlotte and her family, Dr Stark turned away, the smile falling from her face. It'd been genuine while it was there but now it was slipping. She had a meeting with Dr Loomis this morning, one reason for having Danielle distracted. She had actually called Charlotte the day before, asking her if she wanted to bring her family to see Danielle and was genuinely happy when they'd all immediately said yes. But she hated the fact that she also had an ulterior motive for doing so and didn't want Danielle anywhere near there. She'd asked Charlotte not to tell Danielle that she'd called and say it was their idea. Charlotte had agreed instantly, trusting the therapist and saying they'd been planning to come anyway.

Heading down the corridors and back through the doors, she finally reached Dr Loomis' office and knocked. "Enter," Dr Loomis called.

"Thanks for working with me on this Sam," Dr Stark said as soon as the heavy door was securely closed. "So fast I mean."

"Of course," Dr Loomis gave her a small smile, then a serious look. "I totally understand why we're here and I agree this is what we have to do. Someone passed Danielle's number on to Dawson once and that is once too many for my liking." He gestured at a machine on the table. "I've downloaded the audio footage from visiting room 6 those 2 days," he said. "Let's see what Mr. Chancer and his friend had to say to each other."

"You think it might be related?" Dr Stark asked in horror. Dr Loomis touched his junior consultant's arm.

"Yes, I do. But I couldn't listen unless we had a reason. Well you can't get much better reason than a possible security risk. I almost listened to them that day, but I didn't have enough grounds to do so. Damn laws and I hate the fact that Danielle has suffered as a possible result. But let's see what we hear first, shall we?"

"I just…" Dr Stark looked at him. "Was hoping you'd say it probably wasn't related. That's what horrifies me so much. If we both agree, even you, then…"

"Gemma." Dr Loomis touched her arm again. It was one of very few times he'd ever used her first name and Gemma Stark now understood why he was so good at calming his patients, some of the most dangerous men on the planet. Like Michael Myers… "Whatever happens, we'll deal with it together. Ok? You're not alone in this. You are a very good therapist and Danielle trusts you. I'll always have your back, you know that."

"No wonder your patients trust you," Dr Stark gave him a faint smile, tears pricking at her eyes. "You know how to get through to the most dangerous men around."

Dr Loomis smiled back at her. "Just doing my job, Gemma. But you know I'm always here for you, should you need to talk about anything."

"I've wanted to," Dr Stark admitted. "But you're a busy man and I didn't want to be a bother."

"Well forget that," Dr Loomis said sternly. "If you need me at any point, I'm here. That's what I'm here for, Gemma. If you need to, come and find me. You do the same job as I and I know how stressful it can be. I know you have Luke, but you're obviously limited to what you can tell him. You're not with me. If you need me, I'm here."

"But then who do you talk to?" Dr Stark argued. Dr Loomis smiled at her.

"I can ask you," he said.

…

"Danielle!" Emma Avery cried, running to pull Danielle tightly into her arms.

"Hi mom," Danielle said, also close to tears and Emma hugged her as tightly as she could, then kissed her cheek.

"You're so thin, are you eating enough? Aren't they looking after you? Have you been truthful and answered all their questions honestly? Are…"

"Let her breathe Mom!" Charlotte said but was also smiling. "Although we do want those questions answered Danielle," she added sternly. "That said, you've got more than just the doctors to answer to." Danielle could hear that she was grinning.

"Yes," Danielle said, pretending as if she was rolling her eyes but in truth more grateful than she could ever tell Emma Avery. She hadn't released her from the hug. "The food is ok and I eat what I can. When I first came here I obviously had no appetite, but I'm getting better now, thanks. I didn't trust the doctors at first either, but they've been amazing Mom and I'm not being sarcastic or bitter either. Dr Stark and Dr Loomis have been absolutely fabulous, as have most of the guards. The female guard I came in with is Joanne Turner, my assigned guard and she's almost become a friend."

"Yeah she's awesome," Charlotte agreed. "She's the one who shot Adam in the shoulder when he wouldn't move out of our way at the courthouse."

"She sounds great, just for doing that," Dan Avery stepped forward and hugged Danielle tightly. "Hey my girl, how are you?"

"Hey dad," Danielle hugged him back and Charlotte saw her father blinking back tears. "I'm getting there. How are you? It's so nice of you all to come here today. Thank you so much."

"Hey! What about me sis?" Colin stepped forward and pulled Danielle to him. She rested her head against his shoulder and kissed his cheek as she had with Dan and Emma. "Hey bro." Damn it's so good to see you all again! When it first happened, I wasn't sure if…"

"Hey darling don't," Emma said softly, as they all sat down in comfortable chairs facing the glass window. They then placed loads of chocolates and drinks in front of Danielle, along with a CD player and lots of Danielle's favourite books on CD. Danielle blinked back tears again. They were spoiling her rotten. "Thank you," she just managed to say. "I love you all so much."

"As do we!" Colin barked. "We weren't losing you for that prick Dawson! No way!"

"How's Nigel?" Danielle asked. "Is he ok?"

"He's moved into a new house, he wanted to be away from Adam too. But I have his new number," Colin pulled out his phone. "He changed it to be safe, just in case. He says he'll come in and see you sometime soon. Those chocolates are from him." He showed her the box in question. "He misses you. He said to text him." Danielle copied Nigel's new number into her phone. The man who'd saved her life and seen through Adam's lies.

"I will. I can't thank him enough for what he did," Danielle admitted. "I would've been dead now. But I would like to know, was it him who whistled in court?"

"Yep," Colin smiled. "He was telling you he was there."

"Were you guys there too? I'm sorry I didn't see you afterwards,"

"Only me," Colin said. Mom and Dad had to work. That's why I texted you afterwards. You did so well in there sis, I can't even begin to tell you."

"Agreed," Charlotte said quietly. Colin looked at her. "So did you, my other sis." They all smiled.

…

It was the best few hours of Danielle's life recently. When she finally went back to her cell, she was exhausted, but so happy. She had to ask for a couple of bags to carry all the gifts back. Joanne helped her put them on her desk. Danielle was sure that in normal circumstances the guards would take them and give them to her in moderation, but not this time. She lay down on her surprisingly comfortable bed and started listening to one of her new books. She was still reading it at midnight. Michael hadn't joined her that night, but Danielle didn't mind. Just the knowledge he was only down the corridor was enough for her. Just as her eyes were closing, she heard the ping of a new message, but she was too tired to check it. This was probably a good thing. If she had, she wouldn't have slept at all.

Did you enjoy having visitors today? I'm watching you. Happy Halloween.

…

It was pitch black by the time Adam reached the narrow streets situated exactly halfway between his house and the psychiatric hospital. He knew Charlotte would have to come this way and she'd drive right past him. He had a plan, based on the information Derek Chancer had given him and he was damn well going to use it.

It felt like he'd been waiting for hours when suddenly, there! There was Colin Avery's car and his cunt was right there in the backseat. He had to make sure she at least saw him; he couldn't give a fuck about the rest of them. Picking up the long sharp nail he'd brought with him from his toolbox, Adam stepped out of the car and deliberately punctured his back left tire. There was a bang then the hiss of escaping air. This made Adam even angrier. His cunt would pay for this. She'd just made him lose a tire and it was all her fault. If she hadn't moved out, without his express permission, this wouldn't have happened. This was money he could've used on a whore. She'd pay for it with her pussy if he had anything to say about it.

He felt himself harden just at the thought, as he slowly and methodically began to change his tire. Now he was angry. Charlotte Avery would pay for this alright.

…

"No fucking way!" Colin Avery shouted, stomping on the brakes. Charlotte, who'd been half asleep, jolted awake. "What?"

"Nothing sis," Colin said, turning to his father. "Dad," he breathed, "look out the window!"

Dave Avery did and saw Adam Dawson standing beside his car, changing what looked like a punctured tire. He was almost willing to bet the son of a bitch had done it on purpose, giving him an excuse for stopping there. He had no reason to be here. None at all. Before they could stop her, Charlotte too had looked out.

"Shit," she paled. "It's Adam…"

"Don't you worry sis," Colin pulled out his phone and pressed 3 buttons fast. 911. "He isn't getting anywhere near you!" Charlotte listened as he asked for the police, then told them who he was and what was happening. That his sister was now in considerable distress and Dawson had no excuse to be there.

…

Adam risked a glance up and saw that Charlotte had seen him. She was ghostly white. He smirked. At that moment, Dave Avery jumped out of the car and Colin had to physically restrain him, pulling him back.

"No dad," Colin hissed. "You're going to get yourself in trouble! That misogynistic prick is not worth you going to prison! We and mom need you!"

"He's right!" Charlotte agreed, still very pale.

Adam's hands were shaking a little now. He had no doubt whatsoever that those bastards had called the pigs. He had to change his tire fast before the heat really came down on him. 2 minutes later, he was back in his car, driving away as fast as he could.

…

"No Cole," Charlotte begged as Colin was about to go after him. "Don't! Like you just said, he's not worth it!"

"Fucking bastard," Dave growled. He called the police back and told them the direction Adam had gone.

"Are you ok?" He asked his shaken daughter; even though she was trying to hide it.

"Yeah," Charlotte said quietly. "But fuck. He's a determined guy. He probably blames… Scratch that. He'll blame Danielle and me for the punctured tire. It'll be all our fault and he…"

"Over my dead body!" Dave and Colin said together. "He won't punish you for something he did," Dave finished.

"I'm willing to bet he punctured that fucking tire himself when he saw us coming," Colin said. Charlotte nodded with tears in her eyes.

Colin stopped the car immediately and Dave slipped into the back beside her and Emma, pulling Charlotte into his arms along with her mother. In any other circumstances, Charlotte would've rolled her eyes and said "dad I'm an adult now," but not in this case. She simply rested her head on her father's shoulder as she finally let her tears fall. Would Adam Dawson ever give up? The answer was clearly no.

…

By the time the police came looking for him an hour later, Adam was already back in his apartment. There was absolutely no evidence he'd been anywhere that night. When the police saw his punctured tire in his trunk, Adam told them it'd been there for ages and the cops couldn't disprove that. A job well done, Adam thought with a satisfied smirk as tonight's whore finally arrived at his door.

…

"Jesus Christ!" Dr Stark burst out, frustrated and exasperated. "Fucking hell! I was there when the company installed these so-called top of the line microphones. "You won't miss a thing," the manager guy said. Total bullshit! They're a pile of crap! No wonder he was wearing such a cheap suit if this is the kind of shit he sells! Trust Andrews to go for the cheapest option and make them look expensive! I mean shit! You couldn't hear Michael speak with these things!"

Dr Loomis raised his eyebrows and Dr Stark could tell he was amused by her uncharacteristic outburst and dark, sarcastic humour. "Very eloquently put," he said and she could see he was trying not to smile. Dr Stark couldn't help it and smiled a little herself.

"Shut up! I asked Andrews if we could integrate the recording microphones into the ones built into the glass so people can hear each other. He said no. Said they needed to be separate so it was obvious it was being recorded! Total crap! He just didn't want to pay the extra money! Look where we are as a result!"

For the last hour, they had tried to listen to the recordings of Chancer and Sarcozi, but they could barely hear anything. The 2 men were whispering, keeping their voices low. This time, the "this is being recorded signs" had become a security risk in and of themselves, rather than an aid.

"We could ask one of the guards to listen," Dr Loomis suggested. "Maybe if they have well-tuned ears."

"Danielle would love that," Dr Stark smiled, unable to stop herself. "The ear reference."

Dr Loomis grinned. "To be honest, if this wasn't about her, I may have considered asking her to listen in. Her hearing is undoubtedly very good seeing as she obviously depends on it so much."

Dr Stark nodded. She mimicked Andrews's voice. "The microphones need to be visible Dr Stark, as do the signs. We are not putting them into the glass. Those mics need to be separate. They have the best range and will pick up anything said. End of discussion. Although the truth is I'm a tight, selfish bastard who has no desire to spend more money than I have to!"

For one of very few times since she'd known him, Samuel Loomis started to laugh. Dr Stark tried to keep up her annoyed glare at him, but it didn't work and within seconds she was doing the same.

…

By the time he woke up the next morning, Adam was cursing himself. He shouldn't have sent that message to Danielle last night. Even using a new Apple ID he shouldn't have. He knew it. He'd just been so angry that she'd dared change her number a second time and he wanted her to know it. She had no right to do so without his express permission once, never mind twice. But to put that about her having visitors? That'd been a mistake. Now she would know for certain someone was working for him on the inside. I'm watching you? Stupid. But, he reminded himself. What was done was done. He couldn't change it or take it back now and there was no way Danielle or the quacks would find out who his man in SG was. So far, it seemed Derek Chancer had been very careful in covering his tracks and Adam commended him for it. He was taking this seriously. That said, given the amount of money on the table for him if he succeeded, that wasn't surprising. More tools to kill women with no doubt, Adam thought with a grin. Good.

Adam himself had had a long night. Rolling over, he went back to sleep.

…

"You can see on the video cameras Mark Sarcozi hands Chancer something," Dr Stark said, peering intently at the screen. "I just can't make out what it is. All I can see is a small rectangular package from this camera angle. But a guard definitely opens the glass so the exchange can take place. We need to find out who the guard was and what was in that package."

"Yeah," Dr Loomis said quietly. "That's the key word here Gemma. Was. Don't you recognise him? He ended up zipped into a body bag after Michael was finished with him. It's… Correction, it was, John Baker."

"Ah." Dr Stark said, deflating. "Well, um, bollocks!"

"Bollocks?" Dr Loomis said, sounding amused. "Well who'd have thought you'd know and use such British expletives Gemma?"

Dr Stark threw her pen at him. Dr Loomis deftly caught it. "I learnt them from you!"

"Hmm." Dr Loomis mused. "But yes, I would agree that bollocks is a pretty good word to sum up our current position. After all, talking to a dead guard is impossible. Wouldn't you say?"

Dr Stark couldn't help laughing. It was good to know they could have at least a little banter in a situation like this. Stepping forward, Dr Loomis handed Dr Stark back her pen. It was a heavy silver one with her initials GS engraved into it. Luke had given it to her as a gift. "Just because I love you," he'd said. "I know you'll get a lot of use out of it."

She had almost cried. It'd been at the end of a particularly stressful day. Luke had told her he'd been saving it, but when she'd come home in tears he had decided to give it to her then and there.

"Nice pen," Dr Loomis remarked. "Luke really loves you; you know."

Dr Stark smiled back at him. "I know. I love him so much too! Best decision I ever made was marrying him. I just wish sometimes I could tell him some of this shit. He's out there trying to save people's lives and keep their hearts beating and I'm…" She took a breath. "Jesus I don't know! Trying to save a woman from an abusive ex and she's now very possibly falling in love with a serial killer?" She sank into one of the chairs, running her hands through her hair. "Andrews' wish to transfer said killer aside, someone out there is out to get her, working for Dawson and I damn well want to know who it is!"

"We need to search Chancer's cell." Dr Loomis said. "That's the only way we're going to find out what was in that package from Sarcozi. Before you ask, we don't need a reason, Gemma. This is a high security ward full of very dangerous men. I think that's good enough. How do we know it wasn't something to kill someone with?"

Dr Stark shivered a little. Dr Loomis actually put his arm around her. "Sorry," he said quietly.

"No," Dr Stark shook her head and hugged him back. She deeply loved Samuel Loomis in the way only close friends understood. "You could be right on the money. He's just… One scary guy and an evil asshole to boot."

"We'll wait until morning when we have the specially trained guards. I could call them in tonight, but I think Danielle will be safe for the next few hours. We'll just keep a careful eye on the situation. I also want more guards here because, it goes without saying, however well trained you are, that you, Danielle and Joanne will be nowhere near the block when the search is conducted," Dr Loomis said, so firmly that Dr Stark decided against arguing. She just gave him a small smile of gratitude and simply said, "I love you Sam. Thanks."

Dr Loomis squeezed her again and said quietly, "ditto."