Laurie felt fear and dread hit her at these words and her earlier thoughts came back to her. Could they ever resolve this? She knew she'd done some dangerous and stupid things tonight, but surely this wasn't the end for them, was it?

"Ok," she nodded to her husband. "Of course." She wasn't aware she was still trembling until Michael sat down beside her, raised his notebook again and lightly touched her shoulder.

Calm down woman, I promise I'm not going to hurt you.

Even given his anger, she could hear the kindness he was trying his best to portray in that message. "Then please can you take off your mask?" She asked before she could stop herself. "That doesn't help either!" She heard his soft sigh but he did as she asked, setting it on the coffee table.

"T… thanks," she stammered, willing her heart rate to slow down. He did after all still have a knife on him. As if reading her mind, Michael slipped the knife from his belt and set that too on the coffee table.

Ok now?

"Thanks," she nodded.

I am not going to lie to you, you have greatly angered me tonight. Going down the first time I could've understood, you were helping Townsend out and it appears from what I'm told you were still upset about our earlier conversation. But then to go back a second time immediately after the incident? When you had no idea where those criminals were? Sure enough they caught you! Why did you do that? Why didn't you just come back home?"

"As Andy or Lynda probably also told you, because I really needed to be with you, but I was also still afraid you were angry. Call me a coward, but you're Michael Myers! The one man within Haddonfield and beyond absolutely no one wants to anger."

You did not know that however. For all you knew I was right there waiting for you so we could sort things out.

"Were you?" She was almost afraid to ask the question and it came out as a whisper.

As a matter of fact, I was.

She glanced at him, unsure if he was just saying this to make her feel worse. He glared at her again and she realised he was telling the truth.

"Then answer me this," she kept her gaze on his, not flinching. "Why the fuck did you walk away from the ambulance the first time? You could tell I was hurt, I begged you with my fucking eyes not to walk away but you still did! Have you any idea how much that hurt? I was angry and yes that probably made me reckless. If you wanted to make up so damn badly, that was the last thing you should've done! Not only that, but you then kissed me when I was in the ambulance the second time and comforted me while they reset my shoulder! Now you're saying this? If that isn't playing with my emotions, then I don't know what is!"

His hand twitched, and she was certain for one terrifying moment he was about to pick up his knife once more. She heard him take a deep breath as if fighting off his anger, and waited while he wrote his answer. When she read it she was shocked. It was written in capitals to show had he been speaking he would've been shouting.

DAMN YOU, Laurie! DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND? I CARE, THAT'S WHY I KISSED YOU! YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO ME I STILL DON'T FULLY COMPREHEND! YOU HAVE MADE ME FEEL THINGS I'VE NEVER FELT BEFORE, AND YOU'VE DONE SOMETHING TO MY VERY DAMN HEART! I WANT TO PROTECT YOU, KEEP YOU SAFE, THINGS I'VE NEVER CARED ABOUT BEFORE YOU! ALL I FELT UPON SEEING YOU IN THAT AMBULANCE WAS WORRY AND ANGER TOWARDS WHOMEVER HAD DARED TO HURT YOU, I WANTED TO SEE THEM DEAD FOR IT! I WASN'T SURE WHAT TO SAY TO YOU, WHAT TO DO, I JUST WANTED TO KILL! BUT THEN I FIND OUT YOU'VE GONE DOWN THERE ONCE MORE, POTENTIALLY STRAIGHT BACK INTO DANGER? THAT MADE ME SO ANGRY! HADN'T YOU LEARNT FROM THE FIRST TIME? CLEARLY NOT! NOW YOU'RE TELLING ME IT WAS ALL SOME STUPID STUNT TO PROVE TO ME YOU WEREN'T WEAK? POINTLESS AND STUPID, SEEN AS I HAD NEVER ACCUSED YOU OF THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE!

She stared at his message, temporarily speechless. "It… it had nothing to do with proving anything," she spluttered in disbelief and felt her own anger flare. "Is that really what you think, or what one of them said? So fucking wrong! My friend had just been beaten to within an inch of his life God damn it and I was furious! I thought the least I could do for him was get his fucking stuff! You know as well as I do if I hadn't those fuckers would've stolen it."

SO YOU THINK TOWNSEND CARES MORE ABOUT ONE OF HIS BAGS THAN YOUR WELLFARE? Andy AND Lynda HAD JUST RESCUED YOU FROM THERE AND YOU GO STRAIGHT BACK DOWN? TALK ABOUT A SLAP IN THE FACE!

Laurie blinked back tears at this, finally feeling her eyes stinging with oncoming ones. "That's what Andy said," she just managed to say.

THAT'S BECAUSE HE'S RIGHT!

"I… I know," she lowered her head. "I know it was stupid, but… fuck I was just so angry and upset. I wanted to fix things with you so badly but… alright I was scared! I know we talked recently and I'm supposed to understand you better than anyone or at least that's what Lynda thinks, but she's wrong! I don't think anyone will ever fully understand you, not even me and that's because you won't let me! When you hide behind that mask you could be feeling anything and I wouldn't have a clue. It's the perfect way for you to conceal your emotions. Not that you need it, your face never shows a damn thing!"

She knew as soon as she'd said it that'd been a low blow, but she couldn't take it back now. She just finally let the tears fall she'd been desperately trying to hold back. Michael however made no move to comfort her, just looked at her impassively.

That is unfair. You have seen more of me than anyone ever has or will. I have never hidden from you behind my mask. When you asked me to take it off just now I did just that.

In any other situation she would've been glad he was no longer shouting, but not this one. She knew her words had deeply angered and hurt him and not without good reason. But saying sorry now wouldn't help, even though she was sorrier than the actual word itself could ever show.

"So," she took a breath and forced herself to speak. "Does that mean you are still having second thoughts like you said earlier tonight?"

You know, earlier I said that out of anger and I didn't mean it. Now however, I genuinely think I am. I'm not sure I can continue this; I don't believe we can make this work. I try so hard for you in so many ways and tonight I feel as though you have just ignored it all. That remark about hiding behind my mask hurt me deeply, and you clearly have no regard for my feelings towards you or worries about your safety if you can just stroll back down there without a care in the world.

This message actually made her physically double over in mental pain. Shit, he was right! If she had in some foolish way been trying to prove something to him, it had had completely the opposite effect and pushed him away from her. The movement however made her grab her left shoulder as pain shot through it. But she didn't think even this pain could match the pain in her heart just then. That was pure agony. He grabbed her other arm not exactly gently and pulled her back up, causing her to curse with pain. She desperately massaged her injured shoulder, trying to stop it from hurting so badly. Tracey had given her some strong painkillers just before she left and now Michael handed her two of them with a glass of water. "T… thank you," she said through gritted teeth, swallowing them as quickly as she could.

Go and lie down, rest that shoulder.

"Where…" her voice shook. "Where do we go from here?"

He sighed. That I don't know. But I'm leaving for a while, I… I need time to think. I'm going back to Lampkin, but do not come looking for me, understand? I'm not sure if we can, or I even want to fix this now. You are putting me through so much emotion I am not used to and I don't know if I want this anymore. I am fully aware I cannot end the marriage, but I think it is best if we take some time to separate so we both can think.

"You do know," she just managed to speak through her tears. "That marriage isn't a walk in the park, right? It has its problems, its trials, if you signed up expecting all roses and sunshine, you were wrong. It's not all bliss and paradise you know! Are you really telling me you're going to walk away at our first obstacle?" He was glaring at her again, though in truth she wasn't sure he'd stopped.

I am fully aware of that, thank you very much. However, I do not know if I want to try to get over this with a wife who has played with my emotions, emotions I'm still coming to terms with I might add, in such a cruel way as you have tonight. I'm warning you, do not enter Lampkin Lane. I am also fully aware I can not take my house key from you, but do not use it.

She was not stupid, she understood what he wasn't saying. 'I might accidentally kill you if you do,' so she simply nodded. That was fair, she would respect that. Now she was crying and making no attempt to hide it as without a word she took off her wedding ring and put it on the coffee table, where Michael picked it up and removed his own. This sight tugged at her heart so badly she thought she might either be sick or have a heart attack. "Michael, please…" she pleaded, with no idea what she was trying or about to say. He simply shook his head, pocketing both rings as he stood up. She had taken it off purely to show him it was his decision, but the fact he'd picked it up and pocketed it made her even more afraid she really could've lost him tonight. As Dr Loomis had said, only Michael could give her that ring, so it stood to reason he could also take it from her again. Didn't make it any less painful however.

Get to bed, rest.

Laurie stood up too and once again her legs were shaking, but this time with grief and anguish. She had never felt so scared in her life of losing someone she loved more than any other except Lynda. The thought of it was as painful as it would've been if Michael had indeed plunged his knife straight into her heart, just not physically fatal. Mentally though she felt as if she would die, as dramatic as she knew that sounded. "M… Michael, please… before you go, please could you h… help me up the stairs? I can't do it alone." She wasn't lying. Her shoulder was on fire and her cheek wound had also begun to throb again. Even climbing her stairs seemed like too much just then. Without an answer, he took her other arm and helped her from the lounge, towards and up the staircase. "Thank you," she said with sincere gratitude, but he still made no answer. At their… possibly now only her bedroom door he released her and turned away, raising his notebook a final time.

Do not attempt to come to me or contact me in any way. I will come to you when I have had time to think. However I do want you to know I truly appreciate you doing this to aid my release, but from a relationship sense I don't think we can make it work.

Before she could answer though she had no idea what she'd be able to say anyway, he walked back downstairs and she heard the front door close. Only then did she give into the desperate and heartbroken tears and slumped onto her bed, crying without shame or restraint. The worst part for her was she could not disagree with anything Michael had said. She knew she should've just gone home to talk to him, but she hadn't. Out of some stupid and reckless anger she'd risked her life again and this time she had been hurt. She'd put down her wedding ring to symbolise she understood, but she'd never expected Michael to actually pick it up and pocket it, taking it with him as the contract said he could. Was she really that close to losing him?

She desperately wanted to call Lynda but given it was 5AM and they'd only just got home under an hour ago, she didn't think that was the fairest option to wake her and Andy. But damn she needed her as good as sister so bad right now, she seemed like the only one who cared. The other thing she often did when stressed or upset was go for a walk, but was she safe to do even that? It wasn't Michael she was thinking of either, it was what'd happened tonight. How did she know there weren't more men out there seeking revenge for what'd happened to their two deceased colleagues? But surely they wouldn't see that as her fault, would they?

Of course they fucking would, duh! They're criminals, all they'll see is those guys got hurt while you were there, they know your face, your name, they won't give a fuck whether you actually did it or not!

"Fuck it," she said out loud. "I can't let these fuckers ruin and rule my life! It's not like I'm going back into 'Doom Tunnel' is it? I have to get out of here!" When Michael's just helped you up the stairs? Yeah, good idea!

"Then I'll sleep on the couch," she argued with her internal voice. "Shit happens!" Carefully, she walked back down the stairs, trying not to wince with pain as her shoulder screamed in protest. Her cheek wasn't exactly pleased about the plan either. As she reached the bottom and passed the lounge door, she noticed Michael's mask and knife were still on the coffee table. Was that a good sign? Don't get your hopes up, her internal voice warned. Although hopefully it did show one good thing, Michael wasn't out to kill anyone right then, he wouldn't do so without his mask of that she was certain. Stepping into the living room, she grabbed Michael's knife from the table. She'd take it with her just in case. The fact it was her husband's knife made her feel… safer, even now she couldn't deny that. But she wouldn't touch his mask, that was a step too far and seemed… disrespectful. That mask was his mark, sign, face, name. Grasping the knife handle tightly Laurie entered the kitchen and washed the blood of the two deceased men from the blade, before opening her front door and slowly stepping out into the early morning light.

…

"Do you think Laurie's ok?" Lynda asked Andy as they lay in bed, neither of them able to even think about sleep just yet.

"God I hope so," Andy nodded. "That shoulder looked bad so did her cheek." She could tell by his face however that he knew all too well she wasn't talking about Laurie's physical condition. Andy sighed. "Michael wasn't happy was he?"

Lynda shook her head. "That's what worries me."

"You're thinking he'll hurt her physically?"

She shook her head again. "No, I think Michael cares about her too much for that and wouldn't let his anger reach that point. But mentally?" She looked away, blinking back tears. "He was angry, that much was obvious. I just hope they can fix things. She's like my sister so he's technically my brother in law and I just want them to be ok…"

"Come here babe," he pulled her tightly into his arms. "I know, but unfortunately you can't fix everything for her. Michael has the right to say what he needs to."

"Oh God yeah I know that," Lynda said. "But… he's Michael Myers, we both know it might not be said with the most…" she hesitated.

"Tact?" Andy finished the sentence and nodded. "Wasn't much tact in those messages when he had his damn knife against my neck was there?"

Lynda shivered. "Precisely. You were damn lucky he didn't cut you."

Andy shrugged, but smiled grimly back. "I'm not sure he really would've had push came to shove."

"Are you?" Lynda challenged him. "Well that's good, because I'm not."

"Ah come on, you seriously think he might have hurt me?"

Lynda didn't smile back. "He's Michael Myers," she said.

…

Laurie walked steadily down the street, grateful for the fact she could at least move. Tracey had put her arm in a sling with a supportive bandage so at least she could use the rest of her body. The paramedic had been very stern with her on this, stating she'd have to keep it on for at least a week to give her shoulder time to heal before she even considered trying to use it. "Yes mom," Laurie had promised and meant it. Her cheek wasn't in the best shape either, it stung from under the bandages and as she walked she felt the trickle of blood. She cursed. The damn thing had started bleeding again. How much did a bullet graze bleed? How bad was it even? She hadn't looked in a mirror to see it for herself, and truth be told she wasn't sure she wanted to either. It wasn't hurting anywhere near as much as her heart was, that much she did know for sure.

Picking up speed and turning on a 'Doom Tunnel' flashlight she'd found in her jacket pocket, she continued to walk down the street, ignoring the pain in her shoulder. The painkillers had started to kick in somewhat now and she needed some fresh air. Shame one thing it couldn't fix was a broken heart though. She felt like nothing would fix that.

"Mrs. Myers?"

The voice made her start and turn to see a cop car parked in front of her. She inwardly groaned; this was the last thing she needed. The sound of her married name didn't help either. How long would she have it? "Are you ok?" The cop asked through his open window.

Laurie fought back the sarcastic answer just dying to get out. 'Oh I'm just fabulous except for the fact my heart's broken thank you so much officer' and took a breath before she did speak. "Fine, I just need a walk."

"I just wanted to check you're ok, I know what happened earlier and I just advise you to be careful."

Bit fucking late for that, if I wasn't reckless and saying fuck it all before, I am now! "Thanks," she forced a smile.

"Do you need a lift anywhere?" the officer asked.

"No, thanks, I'm ok," Laurie lied. In truth her shoulder was really beginning to make its presence known now and she suddenly felt absolutely exhausted. But the last thing she wanted now was to be sitting in the back of a damn cop car! "Are you sure?" The officer prodded.

"Perfectly," Laurie said, trying not to grit her teeth in frustration as she started walking away. Can't you take no for an answer, twat? Thank fuck I put Michael's knife in my pocket.

Just the thought of Michael caused pain to shoot through her very heart once again, so she forced herself to concentrate on just walking. That was all she had the power to focus on just then she didn't even have a final destination in mind, she just had to walk. As she continued, she was suddenly aware of a prickling on the back of her neck, she was being watched. Just fucking try it, she clutched the knife handle in her pocket. Anyone comes near me I'll stick this in their fucking neck, take a leaf out of my… possibly soon to be ex-husband's book! I don't give a fuck anymore!

Fortunately no one approached her, and before she'd realised it she was in front of her local 24 hour convenience store. She sighed with relief. A drink sounded good just then, too bad they couldn't sell her alcohol at this time! The thought of eating though made her want to throw up. With her good arm she pushed open the door and heard the bell above it chime musically. Heading inside she glanced at the fridge of cold drinks, finally selecting an apple juice. Maybe it would calm her queasy stomach, though she wasn't stupid enough to kid herself she didn't know why she felt sick, it was the result of heartache and nothing would fix that except one thing that wasn't going to happen tonight at least, Michael's return. Heading to the counter, she pulled out her wallet to pay for the drink.

"What the fuck happened to you?" Said the voice of the assistant behind the counter. Laurie almost snapped back mind your own fucking business, until she looked up and realised who the woman was. It was Katie.