Andy was almost asleep, falling into a light doze on his living room couch when his phone rang. Groggily, he pulled himself up to answer it, just as Lynda came into the living room. She had just returned from college and was now living with him. To her surprise, her parents had approved of Andy Markaz. She too couldn't deny she had met a true gentleman. He treated her with nothing but respect, kindness and love. It was now Friday afternoon and she was looking forward to nothing more complicated than spending the weekend with him and Laurie. She couldn't help wondering how her best friend was doing now. Had Michael returned to her? Lynda hoped so, all she wanted was Laurie's happiness.

Picking up the receiver, Andy answered the call. "Hello?"

Despite being a little older than Lynda, Laurie and Katie, they were now all exceptionally close. He knew Katie worked in a convenience store and Andy himself was a cab driver. This had a lot of advantages for those he considered friends, now including Lynda, Katie and Laurie, as if he wasn't on a job already, he would pick them up from college, work and so on without charge. He'd even picked up Townsend once, and the tour owner had given him a 500 dollar tip just for dropping him home! Andy had tried to argue, but Townsend had simply got out of the car and left. He did wonder when or if the day would come where Michael Myers was his passenger.

Speaking of Michael Myers, what the hell was going on between him and Laurie? This was a question Andy had been asking himself since the six of them had emerged from 'Doom Tunnel' three nights ago. Minus Ben of course, but Andy couldn't say he was very sorry to see that piece of shit killed. He'd been asking for it. But Michael Myers had carried Laurie to safety. Not only that, but he'd made sure she was safe in hospital before leaving. What the hell was that all about? Michael Myers didn't care about anyone, he just killed them. Ben didn't die because of what he did to Laurie, he just died because Michael Myers came across him. He'd been trying to tell himself this for the last three days, but with less and less conviction. Something was clearly between Myers and Laurie. He'd asked LYNDA, but she'd just smiled and said nothing. He had to respect her for keeping her best friends confidences, if that was indeed what she was doing. Or maybe she was as clueless as he was.

"Hi Andy, it's Laurie."

Andy was jolted back to the present and out of his thoughts by the voice in his ear. "Hi Laurie, how are you?" There was a slight pause before she spoke again.

"I'm… ok, but I'd like to ask if you, LYNDA, Katie and Tom can come round tonight, if you're free? I'm going to call Tom in a minute."

"Well we didn't have any plans yet," he said slowly, just as LYNDA laid a loving hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. Let me just speak to LYNDA. It's Laurie, he said away from the mouth piece. "She wants to know if we, Katie and Tom can go round to hers tonight." He handed LYNDA the phone.

"Hey babe," LYNDA said, sounding genuinely delighted. Andy couldn't help but smile. Damn he loved this girl, he was fast coming to believe that she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, even after only knowing her for just over a year. "So you want us to come round?"

A couple of minutes later, LYNDA put down the phone. "She wants us to come round to hers tonight," she turned and kissed Andy's lips. "She said she has something to talk to us about."

"Really?" Andy's curiosity peaked. "Any idea what?"

"Well, yes," LYNDA said truthfully. "But it isn't mine to tell."

"Which is exactly why I love you," Andy kissed her this time. "I am sure Laurie has told you something in confidence and you would never break it." She smiled and kissed him back.

"I love you too."

…

When Laurie called Townsend's personal number, she half expected it to be picked up by some staff member or other. But to her surprise, it was the billionaire himself who answered her call. "Hello?"

"Hey Tom," she said, trying to keep her voice cheerful. Would these guys still be her friends by the end of the night? "It's Laurie."

"Hey!" He sounded genuinely happy to hear from her and Laurie's affection for him grew even more. "How are you?"

"I'm…" she hesitated. "I'm ok thanks, can I ask if you could do something for me?"

"Fire away," he said immediately.

"Can you come round to my house tonight if you're not busy? I need to talk to you, Andy, LYNDA and Katie."

"Of course," he said. "I'll ring them and let them know I'll pick them up. Don't thank me," he said firmly, somehow knowing she'd opened her mouth to do just that. "It's fine, least I can do. Shall we say seven? If you don't hear back from me, assume you'll see us then."

"Thanks," Laurie said gratefully. "I really appreciate this."

"You're welcome, see you at seven all being well." He hung up.

Laurie turned as Michael entered the room and pulled her into his arms. She smiled up at him as he bent down for a kiss. Damn he was tall. "Hi darling," she murmured. "After what we talked about earlier, I'm going to tell the others tonight. I've just got off the phone with them, they'll be round at seven." That slight nod. "Please…" she paused for just a second, then whispered her request. "Please will you stay?"

He sighed quietly and started writing in his notebook. He had been against the idea of being present while Laurie told her friends the truth, purely because he was Michael Myers. He'd assured her twice that none of them were in any danger from him, when she'd asked if that was why he was reluctant to do it.

I really don't think that's a good idea, Laurie.

"Why not?" She tried to keep the annoyance out of her tone, but it had clearly come through judging by the way Michael looked at her. But she couldn't lie, she was frustrated. What did he think would happen? They'd jump him with a crowbar?

Answer me this. Why is this so important to you?

"Because," she tried to remind herself that this was Michael Myers after all, who would never have felt these emotions, or have anyone care about him before. So when she next spoke, her voice was gentle. "Because you're my husband, Michael, and it would mean a lot to me. They are my friends; I know they'll support us. I really want you to be by my side tonight when I tell them the truth about us."

I killed Katie's boyfriend, and you think she'll be pleased to see me?

This was a fair point. Laurie sighed. "I'm not saying you'll become best buddies," she admitted. "But if she is a true friend, she'll at least allow me to tell her the truth, even if she never wants to see you again afterwards, and I'll respect that as I know you will too."

I'm really not happy about this.

"What? Me telling them, or asking you to be here for it?"

The latter.

"Michael," Laurie said before she could stop herself. "You're like… what, three times Katie's size? It's not like she'll overpower you or anything."

This time, she could see the anger in his eyes as he started writing. She shivered a little.

That is extremely unfair, totally ridiculous and I'm almost certain the truth. That is your real fear, isn't it? I can see it in your face that you are now walking on eggshells around me, despite me assuring you that you and your friends will always be safe. Believe it or not, I actually do want to turn my life around, and that was all because of you. I say was, because after today I'm not so sure. It feels to me like you are trying to exhibition me to 'your friends.' They're your friends, not mine! So why do I have to stand there and listen while you as good as say 'I'm married to a serial killer?'

She stared at this message, aghast and made to move towards him. Immediately his hand was against her upper chest, pushing her back. Not violently by any means, but she certainly got the message.

Oh, so now you immediately want to say sorry to make up for the truth? This is because you still fear me, isn't it?

"No," she spoke quietly now, tears in her eyes. "That has nothing to do with it. It's purely because I love you, I'm not 'afraid' of your anger, I just want to apologise as you have taken what I'm trying to say completely the wrong way."

Oh, I don't think so. You are not respecting what I am trying to say. I don't want to be there when you as good as say… what, my husband's a serial killer?

"Your past wouldn't even come up…" she began and he scoffed quietly.

Now we both know that's not true. Of course it would! Even if you didn't say as much, everyone would still see me as Michael Myers the serial killer and if you think otherwise you really are naive! Be real, Laurie. I explained to you why I was not happy about this and what did you do? You pushed and pushed it, unwilling to just respect my decision! I am not staying here to listen to you tell 'your friends' whatever you want to about me. You know I will not speak aloud, so even if I wanted to there is no point to it. It seems to me as if you just want to enjoy the attention of having an infamous serial killer husband, who slaughtered three men in 'Doom Tunnel' last Halloween and one this year! Maybe I was actually correct and you did want that guy! Maybe I should've just let him carry on! I refuse to stand there and watch while you do… whatever it is you want to do.

Desperately she stepped towards him, wanting to plead with him to listen, that this was not what she meant at all. "They want to be your friends too, Michael, that's why I wanted to do this."

Well thank you, but I think that's a choice for me to make, not you. I don't have to be friends with someone just because you are. You know, I was going to suggest you use Lampkin as I have more room but now, you can forget it!

Before she could say or do anything else, the front door slammed. She fell back onto the sofa and let her tears come in earnest. Her actual intention had been to show them she loved Michael, that they could either accept that or move on. She hadn't for a second dreamed that Michael would take it the way he had. As much as it upset her however, she could also kind of see his point, though she still wished he would've let her explain. She also knew his comments about Ben were out of anger, and that there was no way he'd have actually let Ben continue his sexual assaults.

Trying to keep the tears out of her voice, she picked up the phone and called Townsend back, asking if he knew anywhere else they could meet as she didn't have a lot of room. "Leave it with me," he said simply.

When seven arrived, Laurie heard the honk of a car horn and glanced out to see one of Townsend's cars outside. Grate, she thought bitterly. He's sent one of his drivers, just what I need. Trying to be polite to a professional.

But she was wrong. When she reached the car, she saw Andy, Katie and LYNDA within, Townsend behind the wheel. "Hey Laurie," he called cheerfully. "Hop in!"

She did so and he pulled away. About twenty minutes later they arrived at a beautiful looking small cottage. "Wow," Katie's eyes widened. "Do you own this, Tom?"

"I expected you to have a mansion or something," Andy said with a grin.

Townsend laughed. "You know, I'm not your typical rich guy. I didn't want servants, staff, a big house or a private jet. I still like caring for and looking after myself thank you very much!"

Laurie forced a smile as the others laughed and they all got out of the car and Townsend unlocked the front door. The inside was just as spectacular and Laurie suspected that despite what he'd just said, the billionaire was lying, at least about living there. The place had the appearance more of a holiday cottage, with board games, DVD's and books stacked high in the living room on neat shelves. Townsend entered the kitchen and immediately, Katie and Andy ran to help.

"You ok babe?" LYNDA asked as soon as the two of them were alone in the living room and they could hear Townsend and the others preparing tea.

"Michael and I argued tonight," Laurie admitted in a low voice. "Or perhaps more to the point I angered him."

"Why?" LYNDA asked. Still keeping her voice low Laurie gave her a quick version of what Michael had said. LYNDA whistled.

"Ouch! Although… I can kind of see where he's coming from."

Laurie sighed. "Yeah, me too, but he's got it so wrong! That never even entered my head! I wanted him to be with us because I love him, nothing more or less. I wasn't going to 'exhibition him' what so ever."

"What you have to remember though," LYNDA murmured. "Is that Michael's never felt love before. All he knows people have seen of him is indeed the serial killer, so in his mind, why should things change? I can see why he thought you wanted to bask in the awe and danger of a marriage to a serial killer, I'm not trying to block out your point of view, but I… I can see why he thought that."

"As I said me too," Laurie said. "But when I went to apologise to him, he pushed me away, physically and said that I now wanted to say sorry to him for telling the truth. He just didn't seem to understand that in actual fact I wanted to tell him I love him and to apologise for not explaining very well. In truth? I… I don't care he's a fucking serial killer! I… I can't, I love him! Of course I feel sorry for his… his victims, but… ah God damn it! I'm not explaining this very well at all am I?

"I understand," LYNDA put an arm around her. "No babe," she added when Laurie looked at her sceptically. "I do, I really do."

"Tea and biscuits here," Townsend said cheerfully as he, Andy and Katie walked back in bearing two huge trays. "These two insisted on helping."

"Damn right," Andy said. "No way would we expect you to do all that on your own Tom, thanks for your hospitality."

"Here here, the others echoed.

"You're all more than welcome," Townsend said as he started pouring out the tea and handing out little sandwiches, cakes and cookies. It appeared he had indeed gone all out for them after Laurie's call.

"So where's Michael, Laurie?" Townsend asked. "I was hoping he'd come tonight."

Katie looked away, unwittingly providing even more strength to Michael's point of view. Laurie sighed softly. "He… couldn't make it."

"Shame," Townsend said amiably. Clearly not detecting Laurie's sadness, or pretending not to for her sake. Either way she was grateful for it. "I especially wanted him to be here because it's Michael I called to talk to you all about. May…" she glanced at Katie. "May I?"

Katie shrugged. "I'm not going to stop you," but it was clear from her tone that this was not a conversation topic she was happy about. Laurie knew she couldn't blame her and would be a real bitch if she did so.

"What about him?" Andy asked. There was no sign of his emotions in his voice though.

"I…" Laurie took a deep breath. Now the time had finally arrived she wasn't actually sure she could do it. Now she kind of understood what Michael had been saying and her heart tugged with guilt. Damn I'm sorry babe, she thought. LYNDA of course seemed to realise what she was thinking because she put her arm around Laurie again.

"I… I know you guys noticed something between us down in 'Doom Tunnel' the second time," Laurie began.

"Well yeah," Katie said immediately. "Kind of hard not to notice it when Michael Myers carries you out of the caves and makes sure you're safe in hospital, wouldn't you say? That doesn't sound like he was going to kill you, does it?" Andy nodded in agreement.

"Well no," Laurie admitted, her heart was pounding. Shit, had this been a mistake just as Michael had warned? "But we… we have a past. That's what I want to tell you about."

"Well yeah I suspected that too," Katie looked away. Laurie had no idea if she'd just lost her friendship forever, but was sincerely hoping not. However judging by Katie's manner, she wasn't holding her breath. Give her time, she thought. What do you expect? Your husband killed her boyfriend. Don't be so harsh!

Taking a long sip of her drink, Laurie began to tell them about her visiting Michael in Smith's Grove since the age of sixteen, how John had taken her up there so many times and how her parents hadn't cared where she was. About their heavy gambling habits and total disregard for their daughter. How she had been relentlessly bullied at school, and how her parents had literally thrown the house money at her to get her out of their way so they could continue to gamble without her in their way.

"So I guess what I'm trying to say is I understood what it was like to be hated, unpopular. I was certain Michael had a reason for what he did to Judith, I couldn't just accept that he did so in cold blood. I thought she must have seriously pissed him off or something."

"Yeah like Jason did?" Katie snapped suddenly, and now she was glaring at Laurie. "So tell me then. What did my boyfriend do to deserve to die? That was in cold blood, and not even you can deny that! But that opinion of Myers clearly hasn't changed, as you appear to be in… some kind of relationship. You fuck buddies or something?" She shuddered. "Fucking gross!"

Laurie hated how even without knowing it, close Katie was to the mark. If she reacted like this to the possibility of her and Michael having sex, how on earth would she react when… if Laurie told them they were actually husband and wife? She took a second, purely to gather her thoughts. How was she supposed to answer that question? Even though there was a small voice inside of her right now telling her she had to tell them the truth. They deserved it, and it would be wrong of her not to do so. Not only that, but she'd gone too far now to turn back.

"Not… not exactly," she said quietly. "But you're… you're not far off."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me!" Katie was looking at Laurie as if she'd never met her before and was looking at a stranger. "You're fucking that killer?"

"Not… not in the way it sounds."

Katie let out a cackle, it was a bitter, hate filled laugh. "You either are or you aren't! You can't have it both ways!"

As much as she hated it, Laurie couldn't deny that Katie was right. She knew her only option now was to tell the truth, all of it. "Yes," she said in a voice just above a whisper. "I am. We… we're… we're married."

The silence which followed these words was deafening. Laurie had never before believed silence could be heard until this moment. Andy was the one who finally broke it. "What, the, fuck?"

"I… I fell in love with him during my visits to Smith's Grove," Laurie continued. "Dr Loomis contacted me about six months ago and told me there was a way for Michael to be released, and that was through marriage. He had to take a wife and not commit any violence or kill anyone, or he would face the death penalty. This was after our first visit to 'Doom Tunnel'."

"So," Katie's voice was quiet, too quiet. "You married that bastard after he killed Jason, Duncan and Patrick? You knew he'd done it; they were dead because of him and him only, but you still agreed to marry him for his release? Why in God's name didn't you just say leave him there? You know Laurie, I don't know, nor do I want to know you anymore."

"I asked them why Michael had to be released," Laurie said, though she knew in her heart that her friendship with Katie was well and truly over. She could only hope it wasn't the case with the others. "The CEO said it was something to do with money."

"So why not wait for someone else to do it?" Andy's voice was also quiet. "You only did it because you love him, there's no other reason to marry someone. You told us yourself you weren't forced or threatened, Dr Loomis told you the choice was yours."

Katie was remembering her thoughts just the night before. Sure she'd been willing to try and accept there was something between Laurie and Jason's killer, but they were married? That was just too much. She had never in a million years suspected this! She could not remain friends with Laurie, that was out of the question. Her husband was a fucking serial killer, and Laurie, the woman she'd considered a friend, had married Jason, Duncan and Patrick's killer. There was no forgiveness for that in her life!

After a moment, Townsend spoke. "I gave him that cash purely because I care about you, Laurie. Yes it is true, I too am surprised you're actually married, although in a relationship that is normally what happens in the end. Yes, he killed two of my best instructors, but you are telling us this was before he was released if he agreed to take a wife?"

Laurie nodded, tears once more on her cheeks. Damn she should've listened to Michael! "You can check with Dr Loomis if you want."

There was silence, before Townsend spoke again. "No, I trust you. I think he has gone out of his way to apologise to me, helping me get the tractor out of 'Doom Tunnel'. I… I just hope it doesn't prove to be a fatal mistake for you, death penalty or not. They'd have to catch him first and as we all know, that's not easy."

"Thank you Tom," Laurie said sincerely, wanting nothing more than to hug him. At least one of them understood to some degree, even if she could completely see Katie's point and feelings.

"I, too, don't understand your… actions," Andy said softly. "But I know LYNDA sees you as her sister, and I love LYNDA. I am not prepared to lose her by abandoning you, which I am sure would be the result. I don't like it much, but it's your life, your… your heart. Who am I to judge? Maybe one day Michael will prove us all wrong and show he really is a changed man."

FUCK THAT SHIT," Katie yelled. "I AM NOT FORGIVING YOU FOR THIS! YOU ARE NO FRIEND OF MINE, LAURIE STRODE! NO FUCKING WAY WILL I CALL YOU MYERS! OUR FRIENDSHIP IS OVER!"

"Nor can I expect anything else," Laurie said softly, blinking back tears. "I'm…"

"Don't you fucking dare say you're sorry," Katie's voice was once again very quiet. "I don't want to hear another word from you, but don't you fucking dare try to say you're sorry! I'm sorry LYNDA, I like you, I do, but doubtlessly you won't want to be my friend now your sister is not!" She almost spat the word 'sister.' LYNDA glanced at Laurie, who just shrugged.

"That's not how I work," LYNDA said. "You are my friend Katie and I don't change it just because I have friends you don't."

Laurie cast a pleading look at Andy who sighed, but gave her a small smile. He too was not ending their friendship and she was exceptionally grateful for this.