Nigel leant towards Michael and spoke softly. "Please trust me Michael?" He then gently reached into the killer's pants pocket and laid his phone in front of him on the table. He was certain Michael smiled at him and he touched the killer's cuffed arm. "You're welcome anytime," he whispered. He retook his seat beside Danielle opposite Michael and passed her some more food. "Wow," she said. "Do you seriously expect me to eat all that?"

"Yes I do," he said sternly. "It's like I told you last night, you need fattening up! Your mother gave me very specific instructions before I left."

"I bet she did," Danielle said affectionately, blinking back tears. Even while Charlotte was in a desperate battle for her life, their mother was bossing Danielle around to make sure she ate.

"Yeah, so if you want my advice you'll eat all that food, she'll be asking me I guarantee you.

"The scary thing is I know you're right," she said starting to eat. "I'll do my best that's all I can say."

"Can't say fairer than that," he squeezed her arm.

"What time is it?" She felt for her phone in her pocket.

"It's 07:30AM," Nigel said. "Are you getting… nervous?"

"I don't even know if nervous is the word. I think more… like wo, what the hell am I about to witness?" Now her phone did ping with a text. She pulled it out. It was Michael. Someone must've got his phone out of his pocket for him, as he could not have reached it wearing his chains. Her heart swelled with affection for Nigel she was sure it'd been him.

Your…

That was all the message said, which told her he was thinking. Neither she nor Nigel pushed him, just waited giving him the time he needed.

Your destination this evening concerns me.

"Really?" She asked, surprised. "Why?"

"I'll be back in a sec," Nigel stood up. She could see through it though; she knew he was really giving her and Michael privacy. "Morning Dr Loomis," she heard him say and wondered if that was just a tactic to fool her or if the doctor really was there. Michael tried to reach to touch her but his chains didn't allow it. She heard them clink loudly and the last thing she wanted was Michael angry, so she immediately stood up and crossed to sit beside him feeling her way around the table. As soon as she sat, his hand was on her arm.

You should have allowed me to move to you.

"It's ok," she smiled at him. "I knew there was nothing on the floor it's fine. What were you saying darling?" He sighed softly and the hand on her arm turned into a gentle squeeze. She placed hers on top of his. "You're worried about where I'm going tonight?"

I am.

"Why? Would you rather I…" immediately his warm hand was gently resting against her mouth. Not enough to cover it, but she understood his meaning instantly.

Don't ask me that question. Please? I am and would never stop you from doing whatever you want to do or feel is right. I know you have very good reasons indeed for witnessing this execution, I just please… ask you to take care?" M.

At this, she couldn't help herself. Standing she wrapped her arms around him holding him as tightly as she could. She felt him tense a little but by now understood why. He was frustrated he couldn't return the affectionate contact due to his chains. "Hey shh, it's ok," she murmured in his ear, hugging him even tighter. "I know you would if you could, just let me love you ok?" She softly kissed his lips. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder then before she heard the clinking of keys. "It's me," said Dr Loomis' voice in her ear. "Let me take care of this problem for you." She stepped back and next moment Michael's arms were tight around her, as he stood up to hold her properly. Releasing her with one arm, she was certain he'd just shaken the doctor's hand. Awe struck her all over again. This was all really because of her influence? Sometimes even now she still couldn't believe it. "You're welcome Michael," Dr Loomis said softly. Maybe he'd shown him a message too? "Are you both done?"

"Yes," Danielle said and Michael must've nodded. Affection hit her all over again for the psychiatrist when as Michael took her left arm Dr Loomis took her right. Together, they guided her down the corridors. "How are you?" the doctor asked her.

"Um, I'm not sure," she said truthfully. "Apprehensive? A little nervous I think? Or maybe just like wo what the heck am I about to be a witness to? Don't get me wrong I don't want to miss it and he deserves every God damn second of it for what he's done, but… you know?"

"Of course. Of course I understand where you're coming from and what you're saying."

"Of course you do," she said, affectionately squeezing his arm, his suit jacket soft under her fingers. "Because you're an amazing and damn good psychiatrist. It feels like you can read me like a book sometimes."

He chuckled and returned the squeeze. "Well thank you. But it's only my job."

"Bullshit!" She squeezed again. "I said this to Joanne, Rick and Jack and I'll say it to you too! Don't tell me it's just a job, you've done a lot more for me than you were ever expected to by the psychiatry rule books and you damn well know it. Being kind to me, helping to rescue me when I was kidnapped, giving Michael and I a chance, need I go on?"

Now Dr Loomis stopped, turned to face her and to her shock but happiness actually pulled her into a hug. She didn't have to see it to be pretty sure Michael was smiling. She hugged him back tightly. "Wow," he said as he released her. "Who are you and what have you done with Danielle Hayward? Well, apart from being an Avery now?"

"I've said those very same words myself," said Joanne's voice as she walked towards her. Danielle smiled just hearing it. "Hello you," Joanne said, pulling her into a hug too. "How are you?"

"Everyone keeps asking me that," she grinned. "You know I'm not the one going to the chair, right?"

Everyone chuckled, including Michael. "That's as maybe but you're still witnessing it happen, how was your little unexpected overnight stay last night?"

"How did you…" she began.

"Ah, Danielle. Now I couldn't possibly reveal that to you could I?" Joanne took her arm along with Michael this time Dr Loomis walking beside them. "Secrecy and all that."

"Oh yeah," she laughed. "If you tell me you'll have to kill me kind of stuff!"

"Absolutely!" Chuckling, the four of them reached the conference room. "Hey," she said. "I just thought. How do you open the doors from the outside if you're the first to arrive?"

Dr Loomis sighed dramatically. "Ah, Joanne. We have to tell her even more of our secrets. This is becoming a fast security risk!"

"Sorry," Danielle said perfectly seriously. "I left my spy ID at home, and I forgot my suit and sunglasses. Do you need me to sign a confidentiality contract?"

"What are you like," Joanne said affectionately, now putting her hand on a square shaped button on the wall identical to the one inside. "Give that a push." She did so and the doors silently hissed open. They entered and she was once more directed to the head of the table, Michael again on her left. "Hey kiddo," it was Nigel who took his previous seat on her right.

"Do you mind if I stay?" Dr Loomis asked. "I can help if needed when discussing how today will work."

"Why are you even asking me?" She smiled at the doctor. "It's your conference room!"

"It's your meeting," he countered.

"Of course you can," she said, flattered he was seriously asking her permission not even as a joke.

"Thank you," he sat down across from her.

"Is Joanne still here?"

"Oh yes, you can't get rid of me that easily! Why, do you want me to leave?"

"Shut up," she sighed in exasperation. "Of course not, duh!"

"Hey everyone," it was Rick, the final member of the meeting. He entered and she again hit the familiar button to close the doors.

Unable to resist she then pressed the microphone button, checking it only worked in room one where they were. The chime sounded. "Ok guys shut it, sit down this meeting's about to start. Oh sorry, was I meant to say your attention please? I apologise for my lack of professionalism and experience in public address announcing!" She turned them off and everyone was laughing. She couldn't help it and joined in. "You are such a tinker," Nigel teased, hugging her. "Just knew you wouldn't be able to resist doing that!"

Again Dr Loomis seemed to know what she was thinking before she'd even spoken. "Go on," he said good naturedly. "I could kill a coffee! Jerry's on duty this morning too!"

She felt happiness shoot up in her chest and didn't want to stop it. She could not believe how much they were allowing her to do for the simple reason it cheered her up. She of course didn't see Nigel's affectionate smile at the doctor. Reaching forward, she pressed the call bell. Within a minute she heard the sound of happy whistling. Now she realise what must've happened. Dr Loomis had told Jerry this would happen. She felt a rush of affection hit her for Jerry this time. He was a good man and his white chocolate cookies were to die for! The doorbell rang and she opened the doors. Jerry entered, still whistling away.

"Good morning everyone," he said in his cheerful Irish accent she loved so much. "What can I do for you all this lovely morning?"

"Can we have a pot of tea please?" She asked.

"Of course darling. Anything else?"

"Flask of coffee as well please," Dr Loomis said with a grin. "Not all of us are tea drinkers!"

"Sure! Oh and you won't believe this…" Jerry paused dramatically, then lowered his voice to a whisper. "I've made some more white chocolate cookies!"

"No," She groaned, feeling her mouth water immediately. "Oh my God Jerry, you knew I wouldn't be able to resist those! I swear you put a secret ingredient in them to make them irresistible."

"Nope, because that would mean putting myself in them!" Everyone laughed at this. "Just good old coco powder! I'll be right back!" Within five minutes he returned bearing a huge pot of tea, milk and sugar, plus another of coffee and a massive plate of white chocolate cookies. When she felt the size of the plate she gasped. "Wow! You seriously expecting us to eat all those?"

"Maybe not in this meeting," Jerry smiled. "But I hear you're venturing out today? Thought you could take some with you, you might need them." She couldn't help turning towards Dr Loomis in mock suspicion. The Psychiatrist raised his hands. "I'm innocent," he said. Jerry had just turned to leave again when she lightly touched his arm. "Jerry?"

"Yes darling?" She smiled at him. "Can I ask you something? She closed the doors.

"Uh oh," Jerry said in mock fear. "She's shut me in! Should I be scared?"

"Terrified," Joanne, Rick, Nigel and Dr Loomis said together.

"Hey!" She said trying to sound indignant but it failed as she too started to laugh. "No, I just wondered Jerry…"

"Oh this might take a while," Jerry fake sighed, sat down and began pouring them all a drink. Everyone smiled at him. He poured himself a coffee then handed round the cookies, taking one himself.

"You're not busy are you?" She asked suddenly seriously.

"Nope," Jerry confirmed. "All's good in the kitchen's right now. There's your tea, milk two sugars right?" He passed it to her and she nodded, smiling. "Thanks Jez."

"Jez, eh?" he chuckled. "I get called that a lot. So Madam head of this meeting, how may I be of assistance to you this morning Mam?"

"Oh shut up," she lightly punched his arm. "No it's just… you're Irish. How did you come to be here in Illinois?"

He chuckled again. "My parents were Irish and the accent must have come down to me. I was born in Dublin but my parents decided to move here when I was 12."

"Why?"

"To be honest with you sweetheart I don't actually know. Maybe they just didn't like Dublin? My father wanted to work on cars and obviously the US love their engines, and mum… sorry mom wanted to work in a huge retail store. So she now works in the huge shopping mall in the centre of IL.

"But why here? You could've gone anywhere? The US is huge after all!"

"I don't know. I think they like IL because of the views. Has anyone told you? There are stunning views if you know where to look, also it's quiet most of the time where we lived."

"But in winter it's freezing!" She shuddered a little. "Why not go to Australia or somewhere?"

He laughed. "Ask my dad honey he made the decision."

Do your parents still live here?"

"Yep. Dad's retired now but mom's adamant she wants to work a little bit longer. I'm 28, mom's 50 and dad is 62."

"Isn't that a bit early to retire?"

"He made a fortune from his car business so decided he'd had enough. He set up his own business from scratch over here."

"Do you think you'll ever go back to Dublin? I don't mean to stay but to visit?"

"Um, to be honest I doubt it. I don't have much left from the place. Well accept the accent," he nudged her shoulder. She laughed.

"So now I've been interrogated Madam, I think fair's fair. Tell me a bit about you?"

"Fair enough," she grinned. "Um let's see. I'll be 20 on Christmas day this year and I've been totally blind since birth. I'm adopted as of last week, my best friends parents adopted me. You remember Charlotte who came up to visit me a few times?"

"Ah yes," Jerry said after a moment's thought. "Nice girl."

"She certainly is," she smiled a little sadly.

"I heard about what happened," Jerry's voice was gentle. "I'm sorry. But she'll come back I promise you! When she does I'll give her a whole batch of my white chocolate cookies, that's a promise!" She couldn't help it now and stood, pulling the young Irishman into a hug. He hugged her back. "Thank you Jerry," she said sincerely. "Then she'd better wake up because they are out of this world!"

"Yeah," Joanne agreed. "If that isn't a motive for her to come back to us then I don't know what is! Jerry's white chocolate cookies? They'll wake anyone out of a coma!" Everyone smiled. Danielle continued with her story.

"To be honest I can't remember what I told you, but I was admitted here following a suicide attempt after horrific domestic abuse. This man here," she poked Nigel's shoulder. "Nigel was my neighbour and he saved my life that day. Cut me down from the garage when I was hanging by the neck to end it all!"

Jerry clapped Nigel on the back. "Good man! Well done, would've been a terrible loss to us all!"

"You're telling me," Nigel said.

"So yeah as time went on, I got close to a certain man named Michael Myers," she lightly nudged Michael's arm.

"I know," Jerry wolf whistled. "I wish you both nothing but the best."

"Thanks," Danielle smiled at him.

"Can I ask, why were you adopted? What happened to your parents?"

She laughed humourlessly. "They fucked off and abandoned me when I was 15 because I'm blind. Sent me a text saying they didn't want anything further to do with me because of it as 'I'm not perfect,'" She put air quotes around the last three words. "So they were disowning me."

"Fucking hell," Jerry sounded horrified. "What the fuck?" She smiled a little more genuinely this time. "Hey their loss, my gain. The Avery's are the best family in the whole world and they truly love me. I'm thrilled to be Charlotte's sister. So when she wakes up while we devour white chocolate cookies by the load of course, I will tell her the good news! Well she might say bad, but…"

This time it was Jerry to hug her. "Now that's a real motive to wake up," he murmured. She couldn't help it and softly kissed his cheek. He squeezed her tightly. "She'll come back," he said softly. "I promise."

"Course she will with your cookies on the table," she blinked back tears. "Thanks Jez."

"You're the only one who's allowed to call me that," Jerry warned as she sat down and he poured and passed her another tea. "Right, better get back to work. Thanks for the chat, was lovely to get to know you better. Mr. Myers, look after her for us will you?" Dr Loomis could hardly believe what he was seeing as Michael now stood up and shook hands with the young chef. With a cheerful 'bye,', Jerry left the room starting to whistle again.

"Sorry," she apologised. "I know that wasn't planned, but…"

"Now what are you saying sorry for?" Joanne and Dr Loomis said together.

"Uh, well nothing I guess," she mumbled, knowing she'd just been put in her place.

"He's a lovely guy is Jerry," Rick smiled. "I've met him a few times, always have a little chat when I go down to the kitchens or see him in the corridors. Got a lot of time for him."

"I can see why," she nodded. "He's lovely."

"Him, or just his white chocolate cookies?" Joanne teased. She pretended to be thinking. "Um, both. Although his cookies are amazing!"

There were a few minutes of companionable silence while everyone sipped their hot drinks and ate another cookie, then Rick spoke. "Ok before we start planning," she checked her phone. It was almost 9. "Please," Rick laid his warm hand on her arm. "Please, please just humour me for a minute. Are you absolutely sure you want to come with me for this? I will more than understand believe me if you've changed your mind."

She stood up and pulled him into a hug. "No Rick," she murmured into his shoulder. "I am absolutely 100% certain. After what he did to both of us hell yes I'm sure!"

"Ok," he hugged her back then released her. She retook her seat. "I just had to ask that once."

"I genuinely appreciate your concern," she said sincerely. "I really do Rick. Thanks for your text last night by the way."

"You're welcome."

"You gave her your personal number?" Joanne sounded mock terrified. "Rick, how could you! We've got ourselves a stalker!" Everyone laughed. Joanne reached forward and took the phone from her hand. She didn't question it, she trusted Joanne turner implicitly. When her guard and now friend handed it back she pretended to sound devastated. "What have I done? Oh no! She's got my personal cell number too now! Shit! I made a mistake!"

Danielle stood up and hugged her as tightly as she could. "I love you Joanne," she murmured into her ear. Joanne hugged her back just as tightly. She sat down and sent Joanne a text so she would have her number in return. "Got it," Joanne confirmed a second later.