Chapter 81, Danielle and Michael

…

"Jack, Michael?" The two men had just re-entered the cell block when the voice spoke. They both turned to see Adam Hughes waiting for them.

"Shouldn't you have gone home by now?" Jack asked. "Aren't Michelle and Amber waiting for you? Are you ok?"

Adam smiled at him. "Thanks man, I'm fine. Yes, they will be. I will be going home shortly, but I wanted to wait to speak to you first, Michael." The killer raised his eyebrows, then his notepad.

Let me guess. Danielle has spoken to you, she's very upset and you are wanting to condemn my actions?

"Damn Michael, no need to be so… blunt, even aggressive sounding. Of course not! I just wanted to say that yes, she is very upset, Joanne is with her now. She actually asked me not to talk to you about it, saying she'd in effect signed up for it when she got together with you. She knows you're not… well, normal partner material," Jack smiled. "But she loves you regardless. She asked me if you should be angry at her for hugging Josh, after all she didn't even know what justified anger was anymore, considering Adam yelled at her for stupid things like not fucking taking his plate away fast enough! Like that's her job! Misogynistic, controlling, abusive Prick! Sorry, but he makes me so angry, and I never even met him. Thank fucking God!" Michael sighed, and they saw his eyes soften.

You have both said it now, yes, I'm struggling with certain aspects of a relationship. I still have a lot of questions and there are a lot of things I don't know. Yet, Danielle wants to marry me? I still do not completely understand this.

"It's because she loves you," the two men said together, then smiled at each other. "Are you struggling to understand that too?" Adam finished. Michael scoffed quietly.

Well yes, of course I am! I'm Michael Myers, a serial killer. I'm not… I wasn't a lover! So how is it that she's got into my heart so thoroughly and completely? How is it that she is all I can think about now? I worry about her if she's upset or scared…Why?

"It's love," Adam murmured, stepping towards Michael. "Don't be afraid of it, enjoy it. Let her teach you as only she can. You have to work together, or you don't stand a chance!" Jack chuckled. "I just said exactly the same words, Adam."

Yes, you did. In that case maybe you're both right.

"I also actually used your words earlier. Forgiveness has a price. I said that Michael was in effect making Danielle pay for her forgiveness towards Josh, by being angry with her for how she showed it."

"Good way of looking at it," Adam smiled. "No Michael, I'm not going to 'condemn' your actions, it's up to you after all what you decide to do. You are the only one who knows how you feel, no one else can tell you that. If it hurt and angered you, then that's the case. Only you know your feelings. But I will tell you this. If you ever want to talk to me, I'm always around. If you need ears to listen to you, I mean." Michael sighed again.

Damn it! I know you saying it that way was not by accident. That was another thing I regret. You obviously know that I told her not to touch me, or my ears. I… I should not have said that.

"Yeah, so I told you to go and put it right," Jack said. "Even if she pulls your ears clean off your head!" Adam mock winced. "Ouch! That's true love right there to endure that!" They were certain a slight smile touched Michael's lips.

Jack, I've thought about it, and I think I have an answer to your question. Why wasn't I angered she forgave Leach? I think it's because he… whether I like him or not, he did save her that night, helped us to do so. Then he helped her and Rick at the airport. So not once, but twice. I can't be angry at her for accepting that. But Josh? What in God's name has he ever done to deserve any kind of forgiveness or even kindness from her, he spoke to her just like Adam would like a sex toy, and she…

"I know," Adam and Jack murmured in unison. "I am off home in just a moment," Adam said, holding out his hand to Michael. "But I meant what I said. If you need to talk, I'm here. You have a phone, do you not?" Michael shook his hand, nodded and pulled it out of his pocket. Adam smiled and gave him his number. Michael saved it, then texted the DVA his. "Thanks man," Adam smiled at him. "That means a lot. Use it if you need me, ok? No question is a stupid question, I will answer anything you ask. I promise you that."

I thank you. I will do so. If there is anything I can do for you, likewise.

"Thanks." Adam shook Michael's hand again, then Jack's. "I'm out of here guys, I'll see you in the morning. Night."

"Night," Jack said, just as Michael wrote the same. Adam walked away, and Jack saw further sadness in Michael's eyes, as the DVA started to whistle.

"Go man," he said. "Whistle at her, let her pull your ears, don't wait any longer, come on!" Slowly, Michael nodded and followed the guard into the corridor.

…

"Maybe Adam was right," Danielle said sadly, as Joanne handed her a second hot chocolate, complete with cream, marshmallows and chocolate buttons. "Thanks! Yeah, maybe Adam was right, forgiveness does have a price. I'm paying it now! I forgave Josh, Michael is punishing me for it."

"Don't look at it like that sweetheart," Joanne consoled. "I bet you he'll be back tonight; I'd put almost anything on it."

"Yeah, almost, that's the point. I have no guarantee of it! I know we'll talk tomorrow, but that doesn't mean shit!"

"Well," Joanne said, standing. "Read a book or something, I have some paperwork to clear up before I finish in just over two hours, but press that call button if you need me, ok?" Danielle nodded. Glancing at her phone, she saw it was indeed almost midnight. Here was a cruel reminder that she was at the end of the day Joanne's patient. Joanne still had work to do. Friends they might be, but she was still attached to Joanne's job. At this exact moment, she hated that fact. "Hey," Joanne said firmly. Somehow, the guard must have realised what she was thinking. How the fuck did these guys do that? Was it simply because they were now so close? "Stop it! If you want the truth," she leant close and whispered. "Michael and Jack have actually just entered the corridor, so you never know what might happen. So, in reality, I wanted to leave to give Michael a chance to come back if he wishes. I didn't want to tell you, I wanted him to do so. That's the real reason. I do have reports to write, but they're not about you. But if he doesn't come back, press the button and I'll come right back. Ok?" Danielle blinked back tears, as Joanne actually kissed her cheek.

"Thanks Joanne, I love you."

"You too, Danielle. I'll see you later sweetie, ok? If you're still awake, I'll come and say goodbye before I leave." She walked away. Danielle lay back down on the bed, picking up her phone again to read. Michael might be back in the corridor, but that didn't mean anything.

She had just started it though, when the tears once again took hold. Damn, she missed Michael, she'd deserved him to leave. They were sliding down her face before she could stop them. Seconds later, she felt the warm hand on her naked shoulder. She obviously hadn't heard anyone enter. Pulling out her earphones, she turned towards the hand. Before she could speak though, someone sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her close, tightly. Just from this, she knew it was Michael. But she still didn't dare hope, he'd already told her he needed a kill, and she was the only one who could calm his rage. So, for all she knew, he was just holding her for that reason once again. But before she could think about this further, Michael leant down, took her hands and placed them on both his ears, before his lips were against hers once, twice, as he held her tightly. Seconds later, her phone buzzed.

Shh, shh. Please, don't cry? I'm so sorry Danielle, I… I overreacted and I know this. I just… there's so much about relationships I don't understand, I have so many things I want to learn, questions to ask. But you do not deserve me to get angry at you for minor things or acts of kindness. Haven't you had enough of that? I know he was angry at you for ridiculous things like not taking his damn plate away or burning his food, that will never, ever happen from me. Please, please don't cry?

She sniffled and tried to wipe her eyes. "I'm sorry, I…"

No, don't you dare say 'sorry,' I'm the one who should say that. You have nothing whatsoever to apologise for, nothing. I was angry because you showed an act of kindness to someone who didn't deserve it. That makes no sense to me, not now I've had time to think about it. Here, here are my ears. Touch and pull them as much as you want, please. I will never, ever say to you that you can't touch my ears due to anger again. Never.

She was brought to tears all over again by his kind words, and hugged him as tightly as she could, gently pulling his ears. He hugged her close and whispered, "ow, my ears." She laughed through her tears. Then for only one of very few times, he suddenly started softly whistling. The smile that lit up her face made Michael Myers himself draw in a breath, as though fighting emotion.

Danielle, I love you. I love you so, so much.

He leant towards her and spoke softly, this time he wasn't whispering, he was talking, his voice a soft murmur. "I love you so much, Danielle Avery, soon to be Myers. You are everything to me, don't you ever forget that, everything. Now I know and love you, I don't know what I would do without you." This was the longest thing Michael Myers had ever actually said to her, and now she did start crying again, but this time out of love. She hugged him close and laid her cheek against his, certain she felt one of his tears hit her face. "I love you too," she just managed to say over the lump in her throat. "I love you so fucking much Michael Myers, so much it almost hurts!" "Shh," he whispered, then kissed her again. She'd released his ears, so he put her hands back on them and then wiggled them in her hands. She laughed; she couldn't help it.

You want me to wiggle my ears? Just ask me! Want me to whistle? Just ask me! I will do so whenever you want, sweetheart. I know you love those, I can do both, so I will do so, whenever you want or need me to. All you have to do, is ask. "Oh, Michael," she squeezed him as tightly as she could. "Thank you, darling!"

Oof, major squeeze going on here.

She burst out laughing, unable to help it. She had never, ever imagined Michael Myers would say something silly or goofy like that, and it was all because of her? She still couldn't quite believe it. But as much as she hated it, she knew she did have to ask the question. "I hope I'm calming your need to kill a little?"

Completely, actually.

"Thanks, I really appreciate that. I do. But… can we still talk tomorrow, even though you're not staying here tonight? Thank you for coming back for a minute though I…" He stopped her, by covering her mouth with his, putting her hands back onto his ears and wiggling them again.

Shh, Stop, stop right there. I'm not going anywhere; I should not have said that to you. That was as cruel as telling you not to touch me or my ears. You know you can touch any part of me whenever you want. If you want me, I'm staying right here. I won't blame you if you are however angry or hurt by the way I acted in my turn. I was a cruel bastard. Again.

"Shut up," she warned. "Just come here, gorgeous, sexy man! Get in this bed."

Yes Mam.

He chuckled, stood up and undressed, before sliding in next to her. She pulled him back close immediately, burying her nose against his skin. "Hmm, you smell lovely," she murmured. He chuckled again. "Can I answer any of your questions? I will do any time, all you have to do, is ask." He squeezed her to him.

Not at this exact moment, nothing comes to mind. But I will ask you before I ask anyone else, I promise. Hey, you stopped, don't.

Taking her hands again, he put them back on his ears, wiggling them yet again, before he once again started to whistle. Tears of love rushed to her eyes as they simply lay together, cuddling as he whistled and wiggled his ears. She never wanted him to stop. Michael Myers whistling? Who would've thought? He whistled for at least ten minutes, she felt like she was in heaven. "God, I love you Myers," she said, emotion clogging her throat. "I love you so fucking much!" He kissed her again, and now she knew what she was going to do. She needed him right now, in every way. Reaching over, she pressed the button to put up the sound proofing screen once again. Then, she nibbled his left ear, and licked the inside. He drew in a sharp breath, before for the very first time, taking her left ear completely into his mouth in turn. She gasped, pressing her head into his shoulder. Fuck! Nothing had ever felt so good to her. One of his hands rested on her right breast, squeezing and pinching her nipple, before massaging the rest of it. She couldn't stop the soft moan, as she pushed against him. They did not break their kiss, even as she moved atop him once again. "Fuck, Michael," she moaned. "Please…" Their lips crashed back into contact, as she again fiddled with his ears. Their tongues met and their kisses deepened. Eventually she rolled off him and to his side. "Please Michael, she whispered. "Will you make love to me?"

He was gasping for breath, and again she was touched beyond words when he didn't pick up his phone, instead he whispered into her ear. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," she breathed back. "Please…"

He took his time, his mouth softly kissing all the way down her body, not missing an inch including all of her scarred flesh. It felt to her like he was almost worshipping her, and she had never felt so beautiful in her life. As if detecting this, he raised his head and spoke softly once again. "You are so beautiful, Danielle Myers." The fact he'd both spoken and twice used his Surname acknowledging their upcoming wedding, only made her cry with love and happiness all over again. That soon turned to ecstasy once more though, when his tongue slipped onto her clit and started stroking and suckling it. "Fuck yes," she moaned. "Keep going, please!" When her orgasm hit it was so intense, she had to put a hand to her mouth to stop herself screaming.

She had never imagined allowing a man to climb on top of her again in her life, never mind it being Michael Myers himself! But as he did so and took her mouth back with his, Danielle Avery knew her heart was completely his, as was her body. It'd taken them months to get to this point, and now she never wanted to turn back. She stroked his face feeling his slight stubble, as he spoke. Again. "I will ask you one last time," he murmured. She could hardly believe she and she alone was hearing his voice. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," she gasped. "Yes! Especially if you keep using that damn sexy voice of yours!" He chuckled again, before slowly easing his cock into her. As Michael Myers made love to her, Danielle felt like his queen. His every touch was gentle, his movements slow, thought out and romantic. She could hardly believe she was letting a man take control again after everything she'd been through. But she was, and she loved it! She moved her hips with his, as at the same time they both gathered speed. Now she passionately actually grabbed his ears, pulling them in ecstasy once again, as her second orgasm approached. "Danielle," he gasped her name, and this pushed her over the edge. "Michael," she gasped back. "I love you too!" He collapsed atop her, still trying to regain his breath. She smiled, hugging him close. "Stay like this?" She whispered, cuddling against him. She felt his smile through their kiss. He made no move to roll off her, as they both lay in each other's arms. She felt his heart slowing down against her skin and knew hers was doing exactly the same. Eventually she kissed him again, a long, loving kiss. After a while still lying atop her, he finally picked up his phone again. Hearing this, she grabbed hers.

I do have one question. Why did it take me so long to fall in love with you? Was I as blind as you are? You are beautiful, Danielle.

"Oh God," she groaned. "Bad, Michael, bad!" But he didn't chuckle back.

I am serious.

She kissed him again. "I can't answer that, but I am so glad you did."

As am I. I will be honoured the day you become my wife.

"Which I hope is sooner rather than later," she murmured. She thought back to her conversation with Dr Stark a long time ago. About how she and Michael would make their relationship work behind Smith's Grove's walls, and Dr Stark had told her they would cross that bridge when they came to it. Well now it seemed here they were. Smiling to herself, she remembered it had in fact been the night they'd first got together, hours before she told him how she felt. She was going to be his wife; it was actually going to happen. He kissed her again.

What are you thinking about? You're smiling. It's a beautiful sight.

She hugged him tightly and told him what she'd been thinking about, and he stroked her cheek.

I cannot wait until you are my wife either, I too hope it is soon. I am so glad the doctors are willing to and will aid us.

"Me too," she smiled, sleepily this time. Finally, Michael rolled off her, pulling her into his arms. She snuggled against him, her nose against his neck. Unable to stop herself, she reached up and kissed his left ear.

Damn it! I told you those tickle, I should not have done so!

"I know you did," she smirked. "So…" She kissed it again, then again. He started chuckling, holding her close.

You're unbelievable. Stop it!

She giggled, but finally relented. "Ok, ok. At least I know what to do if I want something and you're reluctant!"

I don't think so.

"Oh, I do," she grinned. "If I keep doing that, you'll give in to me eventually."

Damn it! You're probably right.

"I know I am," she laughed, kissing him again.

We'll see.

"Oh, I sense this is one fight you're not willing to surrender to?"

Never.

"We'll see," she echoed, before kissing his right ear this time. Once, twice.

Ok, ok! You win, I'll do anything you want!

"Ha!" She exclaimed triumphantly, and he sighed. She was certain he also rolled his eyes. She laughed again, hearing him chuckling. Eventually he silenced her laughter by covering her mouth with his again.

That is such a beautiful sound, it's music to my ears, ears, ears! I love hearing you laugh, Danielle. My 'sexy as all hell ears' will never get tired of hearing that sound.

She grinned. "I love hearing you laugh too, especially if I've caused it. I never thought I would hear Michael Myers laugh, never. My huge sticky out ears loves it too!"

You do not have 'huge sticky out ears.'

"Yes, I do," she laughed. "They're huge! Remember the first time I touched your ears? You touched mine and I said, 'they're huge, aren't they?'

Ah, but that was your opinion, I never said it was mine.

"They're massive!" She blushed. "People used to ask me if I'd left a door open, asked if I could pick up radio stations…" at this, Michael laughed out loud. She mock slapped his arm, but within seconds was laughing too. "Shut up," she pouted. "Don't be mean!" Now, he touched her ears again, for one of very few times.

Yeah, ok. They're… bigger than mine.

"What you really want to say is they're huge, right?" She giggled, nuzzling against him. He chuckled.

Perhaps.

"See? Told you! Rick was right, you could pick up radio from Australia with my damn ears that's how big they are!" He laughed again, squeezing her close to him. "I love you," she murmured, sleep now fully beginning to take hold.

I love you too, Danielle.

"I feel so safe when you're holding me," she said softly. "Like no harm can come to me."

That's because it will not. Not when I'm here. If anyone were to even try, I think you know what would happen.

In spite of knowing his words were not an empty threat, she smiled and nodded. "I do."

Good night, Danielle. I love you.

"Night darling, I love you too." They kissed again, and within minutes, Danielle felt her eyes closing. She was safe in the arms of her soon to be husband, and right then she'd never felt so happy, loved and needed in her life. Just before she fell asleep, she heard the soft tap against the screen. Reaching over, she lowered it.

"Bye," Joanne whispered. "See you tomorrow guys, I'm starting at 11 and doing a nightshift. I'm so glad you've reconciled. Night."

"Night Joanne," she said sleepily, as Michael smiled at the guard. Within seconds of hearing the corridor close behind her, Danielle was fast asleep.

…

Jack and Joanne stepped aboard a shuttle, to take them back to the staff parking lot. She noticed he looked exhausted. "Are you ok?" She asked as they took their seats.

"Yeah," Jack smiled at her tiredly. "Whew, what a night. I'm glad I was able to help Michael though. I talked to him as did Adam, I think that changed his mind. Adam talking to him, I mean. I asked him what he wanted to do, and you know his original answer was sleep in the other cell. He simply did not want to go back to Danielle. Then Adam stepped in, and… it didn't take long."

She smiled. "He's a good man Adam, such a sad story he has though."

He nodded, as the shuttle pulled away and they were informed it would be three minutes to reach the parking lot. "Yeah," he leant back in his seat and rubbed at his eyes. "Damn, he was angry. I don't want to sound like I'm discussing them behind their backs, but shit! When I first asked him if he wanted to talk to me, he said 'I want to kill Dawson, that's what I want to do.' How the hell are you supposed to answer that?"

"So, you said?" She grinned at him.

"I said that's not possible," he shivered. "Christ! He's one dangerous man. I'm so glad we're his friends!"

"I know," she agreed.

"I felt a bit… I don't know, like I'd failed when Michael first refused to go back to her, said he'd stay in the other room. I felt like I hadn't helped either of them at all."

"Don't," she said firmly. "Michael Myers can be very stubborn, as we both know. Look what happened when he albeit briefly broke up with her." He nodded again. "You did what you could," her voice was soft now. "I think you had him almost persuaded, Adam just pushed him the rest of the way."

"You're too kind," he sighed. "But he would not have gone back to her if Adam hadn't said his piece. Not according to his message anyway."

"You don't know that; how do you know he wouldn't have gone back a little later? Their door wasn't locked after all, were you going to lock his if he'd stayed there?"

"Probably not," he yawned. "Ok, fair point."

"I went to say goodbye to them before I left, I promised Danielle I would. They were snuggled up together, she was fiddling with his ears and… aww they looked so sweet!" This time when Jack smiled as the shuttle came to a gentle stop and the voice told them they'd reached their destination, his smile was for real.