Danielle couldn't deny she was relieved when the buzzing finally stopped and the radiologist's voice came through the headphones, telling her they were done. Before he could even enter the room though, Michael had lifted her out of the high machine and back onto firm ground, then onto her hospital bed. The nurses appeared again within seconds and wheeled her back towards her room, Michael and the guards behind them.
"Was it as bad as you feared?" Joanne asked Danielle quietly as they walked. "Or did a certain man named Michael Myers stop that from happening?"
Danielle couldn't stop the weak smile. "Perhaps," she said simply.
When they reached her room, the nurses made sure all the monitors were back in place before leaving. Joanne, Rick, Michael and Jack remained with her.
"Where's Dr Stark?" Danielle asked suddenly, aware she hadn't seen the consultant since she was rescued.
"She had to go back to Smith's Grove," Joanne said. "Something came up. But she was fine to do so as you're perfectly safe now that the late Mr. Dawson is no longer a threat."
"Yeah," Danielle agreed with a faint smile. "Not much you can do without your head!"
She heard Joanne stifle a gasp and guessed that although her guard knew Adam was dead, no one had actually told her how it'd happened. "Sorry," Danielle said somewhat sheepishly. "Should've spared you the gory details."
"Hell no!" Joanne said fervently. "I wish we had pictures!"
At this, Danielle laughed, she couldn't stop herself. Rick and Jack both murmured in disagreement and Danielle understood why. All joking aside, it must've been horrific to actually see it happen right in front of you.
A few minutes later, another nurse came in. "Hi Danielle," she said. "How's the pain now?"
"Moderate," Danielle said after a moment's pause. "God. I didn't know so many small cuts could sting so badly! I almost wish they'd cut me less and with bigger ones,"
Joanne shook her head angrily. "Shouldn't have fucking done it at all," she muttered.
"You still getting that tingling?" The nurse asked.
"Yes. That's why I asked if you guys were sure they hadn't nicked an artery or something."
"Dr Merrick is looking at your scans now, that'll tell us if anything like that has happened."
"One of your colleagues told me they were positive that it hadn't."
"Yes, I know. That was unwise. We can never be sure until we check the scans. I brought you some more tea, and some cookies to make up the blood you lost. Will you eat and drink it for me?"
"Yes," Danielle said reluctantly. How many damn cookies would she have to eat? She felt like she'd eaten a life time's worth in just the last few hours!
The nurse seemed to guess what she was thinking because she chuckled. "Sick of cookies already are you? Don't worry, I promise these will help. They are, after all, white chocolate chip! Your favourite I believe?"
At this, Danielle couldn't help laughing. "Ok got me. Yum! You're the experts," Danielle said and took the cookies and tea with a smile of thanks.
"Ok, so Dr Merrick will be in shortly to talk to you about the results of your scan. In the meantime I'll leave you to it. There are 2 painkillers on your bedside table, take them." With that the nurse left.
Danielle turned to Rick, Jack and Joanne. But she didn't have to say anything. Either the guards knew her well enough by now or something had shown on her face. Because they moved as 1 towards the door, it softly closing behind them. Danielle and Michael were alone.
"Damn," Danielle slumped back against her pillows. She'd already decided she wasn't going to say anything to Michael about what'd almost happened with Laurie Strode, knowing that could potentially be a very dangerous idea.
Instead, she started nibbling on a chocolate cookie and took a sip of her scalding tea. Putting the cup down on the nightstand, Danielle rubbed a tired hand across her face. "Shit," she said softly. "I hope these pills help me sleep. Not a chance with the pain and this constant beeping. I know these machines are for my own good but…" she sighed. "Fuck they're so loud."
Michael stepped to her side and once again took her hand in his. She was grateful the guards hadn't put his chains back on. She smiled wearily at him. "Thanks for being there during my scans," she said after a while. "It meant a lot to me."
Of course Michael didn't say anything, but he did tighten his grip. Danielle swallowed the painkillers with some water and lay back against her pillows. Before she closed her eyes though, she couldn't help but think back to what'd almost happened.
Michael would've killed Laurie if she hadn't stepped in, that much was certain. Danielle couldn't help wondering why Michael hated Laurie so much. What had made him go after her in the first place in 1978? There was no reason for it that she could see, yet they clearly hated each other.
She inwardly shivered. She wouldn't want to be Michael Myers' enemy as Adam had found out tonight, because she'd lose. She didn't much like the thought of having her head chopped off! If she was honest, she didn't think the terrible noise of Adam's head hitting the floor would leave her anytime soon. Just as the sight of it wouldn't leave Rick or Jack. The sickening, gory thud of decapitation.
God! She thought. I really need to think about something else… or just go to sleep!
Despite this, she found herself thinking over everything Laurie had said, or perhaps more accurately hadn't said. Danielle had no doubt she hadn't heard the last of this and Laurie Strode would make a valiant effort to speak to her again. Probably to lecture her on her stupidity or something.
Danielle sighed. She didn't think she could face that conversation, apart from anything as Joanne had said, it wasn't even Strode's business. But then, she reasoned, you don't have to if you don't want to. But still, something told her Laurie was be a very forceful person, you don't survive Michael Myers without becoming tough as a result.
In spite of this though, Danielle found herself speaking quietly. "Michael, are you ok?"
Of course there was no answer, nor did Michael release her hand. Danielle moved a little in her bed and winced in pain. Michael's hand tightened on hers and he gently but firmly stopped her moving any further. Danielle took a deep breath.
"Sorry, those fucking bastards cut me to shreds." As she said it, she reflected that was yet another thing Michael Myers was very good at. Cutting people to shreds.
With her free hand, she tentatively felt her bandages, looking for any sign of blood. It didn't seem that she'd bled through them, thank God. That was when Michael pulled her hand back, effectively telling her not to touch them and make them worse.
Her emotions were all over the place. Danielle didn't know if she wanted to cry, scream or burst into hysterical laughter. Everything was spinning around and around in her head. Adam, Laurie, the events of that night… The last thing she wanted to do was to anger Michael by talking to his #1 victim. She would make every effort to avoid it, but knew she couldn't say the same about Laurie Strode. The woman was nothing if not determined.
She should tell her to mind her own business, just as Joanne had said. It was her life, her story, Laurie didn't need to know any of it. Although, Danielle thought. Maybe if I tell her she'll see that Michael Myers really can change…
Well, if you discount the fact that he just tried to kill Laurie tonight… not to mention cutting Adam's head clean off! Danielle was almost thankful when the painkillers finally kicked in and carried her off to sleep.
…
Chris Leach sat in his living room, staring out of the window. His mind was all over the place. He knew in his heart he'd done the right thing tonight, even criminals had feelings. But as he stared out, he couldn't stop thinking about Sharon. He loved her, he couldn't deny that and now she was in police custody because of that fucker Adam Dawson.
Leach was glad the misogynistic prick was now dead. He'd meant what he'd said to Michael. He wanted to turn his life around, at least to some extent, and he definitely was going to disband the misogynist gang. What good did they even achieve? They didn't make him much money and all they did was bully women. Both from a business and personal standpoint, they were useless.
Leach sighed. Targeting a blind person had been a mistake. He'd known that almost ever since Adam had hired them to spy on her through Derek Chancer. Leach smiled grimly. That'd worked hadn't it? Now the 28 year old woman killer was on death-row facing the chair. As far as Leach was concerned that was just fine.
But Adam Dawson had struck him as an idiot who acted impulsively, didn't think and moved too fast without considering the consequences. Well, that'd certainly proved true in his case because now he was dead. He'd been warned Michael Myers was protecting Danielle, but he hadn't believed it and boy had he paid the price. The ultimate price too.
Chris knew he'd been lucky Myers hadn't killed him. He could've done so easily and part of Chris knew he'd deserve it. The irony didn't escape him that it'd been Danielle Hayward, the very woman he'd been paid to work against, who'd interceded for him, begged the masked killer to spare his life.
He couldn't deny Danielle had a good heart and now he'd met her for himself, agreed she hadn't deserved any of what Adam had done to her. As for him, it'd all been about money. Nothing more, nothing less. He was almost ashamed of this now. Almost.
Chris had always kept his hands clean. Never did his own dirty work. Dr Loomis had suspected he was involved in some way, but had still stopped the police from arresting him.
Before now, he'd always been happy that someone else would take the fall when it came to the consequences of his orders. This time though, was different. Danielle would and was undoubtedly suffering a lot of mental and physical distress as a result of Adam's instructions, which Leach's organisation had followed albeit for a price.
Leach told himself he shouldn't feel guilty, he hadn't actually done anything. On the contrary, he'd stepped in to save Danielle after it was clear how far Adam was… had been prepared to go to get his hands on her.
Then there was Charlotte. Another near fatal accident. Leach recalled how he'd almost not authorised it to take place. Thinking back on it now, he knew he shouldn't have. That'd been a big mistake.
Apart from anything else, it'd been ridiculously dangerous. But again, he'd let money make his decision. Now he had no way of knowing if Sharon would be back tonight, or tomorrow, or when he'd see her next. Hopefully not in court.
Chris remembered when he'd really started to dislike Dawson. He'd almost killed him that night in the café, and part of him wished he had.
Ok maybe not, because it meant the professional, Michael Myers, had given the little prick what he really deserved.
A murder on Leach's name wouldn't do him any favours, but still… The little prick might've hated women, but he also spoke to men like they were his minions, to do as he instructed. He'd thought he was invincible, the king of men and every woman's nightmare.
Even if the 2nd of those was true. Chris knew women had been terrified of Adam Dawson, not just Danielle and Charlotte. There would sure as fuck be no tears at his funeral.
Adam had told him once that his old man was in prison, so someone would have to tell him that his son was dead, a task Leach wouldn't have wanted.
He remembered Adam telling him how his father had warned him to leave well enough alone if Michael Myers was involved. He smiled grimly again. Hadn't he said the same thing? To Chris, that just confirmed his initial impression.
Adam had been hot-headed, thought too fast and then acted. He would never have made a good gang leader, way too much risk. I hope you rot in hell Dawson, he thought savagely. May you never, ever rest in peace?
…
"Danielle, darling, are you awake?"
Danielle stirred, at first unsure if she'd even heard the voice. Had it just been a dream?
"Danielle? Sweetheart? It's me, Emma."
At this, Danielle woke completely. Emma Avery was at her bedside? "Mom," she said, and heard Emma fight back a sob. "You should be at Charlotte's bedside! Not here. I…"
"Now you listen here Danielle Hayward!" Emma Avery began, sounding almost angry. "You just called me mom, and that's because you are just as much our daughter as Charlotte is.
You've been through hell tonight courtesy of that bastard Dawson! You both were hurt because of him, I'm not sorry to hear that he's no longer with us! Nor do I have to guess as to who killed him! Dr Loomis didn't say as much, but he didn't have to! It was the man who really, truly cares about you Danielle, loves you, as do we.
Colin and Dave are with Charlotte as we speak, I came here to talk to you. How are you feeling sweetheart? Your other half is outside with the guards. He left when I came in. He's been by your side the whole time."
"How long have I been asleep?" Danielle asked.
"3 hours," Emma said. Danielle's mouth fell open.
"Shit! How strong are these painkillers?"
Emma lent forward and gave her a gentle hug. "Please tell me Danielle, how are you feeling? Are you in pain?"
"A little," Danielle admitted. "I'll ask the nurses for some more painkillers after 4 hours have passed."
"Good," Emma said firmly. "If you don't, I will."
Danielle knew she wasn't kidding. "I will," she said. "I promise."
"Ok," Emma relented, sitting in the chair beside Danielle's bed and taking her hand. "As I said, I came into talk to you. I just ask you to listen, ok? Are you up for that?"
"Of course mom," Danielle said. "I'm all ears."
Emma smiled with a soft chuckle. "Of course you are, you and ears!"
Danielle laughed. "Whoops, pun not intended."
"Yeah whatever," Emma said sceptically. "Of course it wasn't. So Danielle, I talked with Dr Stark and Joanne earlier, both of whom agreed with what I'm about to say. I told them that I wanted to be the one to talk to you about it for obvious reasons. You're my other daughter and I love you."
Danielle blinked back tears and despite the pain, reached over and hugged Emma as tightly as she could. "I love you too, mom."
Emma put her arms around her and they continued holding each other as she started speaking again. "Dr Stark went back to Smith's Grove today, as soon as she knew you'd been rescued. Now Colin, Dave and I, as well as your friends and doctors. By friends I mean the guards, all agree with this, but you need to do so as well. We all want to help you Danielle, you understand that right?"
"Of course," Danielle said, touched beyond words that the guards had called her a friend. Of course she'd always known this, but for them to actually say it to someone else Danielle loved meant more than she could ever tell them.
"We want to ask you to go back to Smith's Grove," Emma said. "To get more treatment I mean. Undoubtedly what you went through tonight will have an effect on you if it hasn't already. Dr Stark genuinely wants to help you. Listen, Dave and I even offered to pay for your treatment, but Dr Stark wouldn't hear of it."
This did make Danielle blink back tears. Emma hugged her tighter, while being mindful of her many cuts. "She said no?" Danielle asked, almost in disbelief.
"She did indeed," Emma said and Danielle could hear her smile. "I think she really wants to help you get better, plus," Danielle was almost certain she winked. "It also means you won't have to leave a certain man's side, doesn't it?"
Now Danielle did smile back, she couldn't help it. "You know, the old me would've said, get lost, don't patronise me, the one before and during Adam. But not anymore mom. I was actually considering asking Dr Loomis or Dr Stark if I could do just that and I would've paid them for it too. I want to move on and I know I will in time, now that Adam is dead, but…" she ran a shaking hand across her forehead. "I know it won't happen overnight."
Emma took her hand. "Danielle Hayward," she said, totally serious now. "Believe me, all of us including Charlotte know full well you're not the same person who walked through Smith's Grove's doors months ago after trying to kill yourself. You're stronger, much more independent and determined to fight for what's yours. The guards have told us some of the ways in which you've grown and we are all so proud of you for it! You were one tough cookie before Adam and now you're getting this back! We love you and we've all seen it! I wouldn't be surprised if Michael is also proud of you."
Now Danielle did start to cry, hugging Emma as tightly as she could, uncaring of the pain. "Thanks mom," she said when she could speak again. "I love you all so much!"
"So does that mean you're willing to go back for further treatment?" Emma asked eventually, after a few minutes of just holding each other in silence. They didn't need to speak; they were as close as mother and daughter.
"Yes," Danielle said. "I really think it would help me and I really like Doctor's Stark and Loomis, plus the others of course. Not to mention the guards, who've been nothing short of amazing since I got there? But I do have one request."
"What's that?" Emma asked, and Danielle wondered from the playful tone of her voice whether she already knew what it might be.
"I'd like Joanne to stay as my guard," Danielle said. Emma hugged her again.
"That's already a done deal kiddo," she said. "That was the first thing Dr Stark said when we spoke. That isn't changing whatsoever."
"Good," Danielle gave a genuine if tired smile.
"But I bet that's not all," now Danielle could hear that her, as good as mother, was teasing her. "I'm betting anything you also have an ulterior motive, named Mr. Michael Myers? Right? Dr Stark also said you wouldn't be separated at all this time unless you asked for it and would share the same room you were in before, the one with the sound proofing."
Danielle smiled again. "Dr Stark told you about that?"
Emma hugged her again. "Yes. While the others were…" she hesitated. "On their rescue mission, Dr Stark came to see us and told us everything that'd happened. How Adam had used someone on the inside to spy on you with a listening device. And how your room had been soundproofed as a result. But she didn't tell us who it was, did you ever find out?"
Danielle felt another rush of affection for Dr Stark. She was leaving that part for Danielle to tell and her alone. "Yes," she said after a moment, her tone bitter. "It was Derek Chancer."
"Derek Chancer?" Emma sounded horrified. "The woman killer? The one who's now on death-row?"
"The very same," Danielle said heavily. "Adam managed to get through to him somehow and he was paid to spy on me with some kind of app on an iPod. But we found him out in the end. I ended up holding Jack's, one of the guard's guns to his head and asking him how he did it."
Danielle felt a tear hit her cheek then. "That's my girl," Emma said and the pride in her voice made Danielle shed her own tears. "See? You've grown so much, back into the Danielle we all knew and loved before that bastard got his claws into you!"
"I didn't do it alone," Danielle said quietly. "Michael Myers had a lot to do with it too."
"I'm sure he did," Emma hugged her a final time before releasing her and gently pushing her back against her pillows. "But it shows one thing, you don't need a man to be your own woman Danielle. Yes Michael helped you, but from what I understand you didn't get together for a long time after meeting him."
"That's true," Danielle agreed.
"Just remember darling," Emma said as she stood up to leave, saying she'd let Danielle get further rest and would call a nurse for her for a drink and more painkillers. "In your relationship, Michael Myers is not in control, or in charge, you're a team. Got that?"
"Yes mom," Danielle said, closing her eyes. "Loud and clear."
Emma looked back as she headed out of the door, just long enough to speak one last time. "I love you, Danielle."
"Love you too, mom," Danielle said, just before the door clicked softly closed.