Chapter 54: Admissions
…
The doors opened and a voice she knew immediately spoke. "How can I help you?"
That singsong lilting Irish accent was unmistakable, reminding her of Ed at the hospital though of course it wasn't him.
"Jerry!" she said with genuine delight, standing.
"Hello, you," Jerry took her hand and squeezed it. "How are we today?"
"Can't complain," she smiled at him. "You?"
"Ah, you know. Just enjoying the lovely weather this morning. I took a walk earlier to get out of the kitchens. It's a gorgeous day."
Danielle smiled at him. "It certainly is. Jerry, please could you do me a really small favour?"
"Of course."
"Thanks. Could you go and find Rick for me? I believe he'll be with a man named Nigel who I really want to come back in here. He's my friend who came down for this meeting." She pulled out her phone and showed Jerry a picture of Nigel.
"Sure thing, I'll go and look for that hansom gentleman right now. Anyone want any more refreshments while I'm out? I can ask Anne to bring them in?"
Danielle hesitated, unsure. "Go on," Dr Stark encouraged. She smiled at her doctor. "Can we have some of those gorgeous sandwiches you made once before? The ones on granary bread with ham and cheese in them? Also, the egg ones and some more tea?"
"Sure thing. As it happens, we made a batch just in case you asked for them. Would Madam like some more white chocolate cookies too?"
"Thanks Jerry, you're amazing. Those cookies are divine. You make them yourself, don't you? Joanne here told me once."
Jerry chuckled. "Joanne, that's supposed to be my secret! I do, I'm so glad you like them. You're more than welcome anytime. Hang fire Nigel and your food will be with you before you know it." He squeezed her hand again and walked out starting to whistle.
"Have you told everyone I like the sound of someone whistling?" Danielle mock accused the others. Everyone chuckled.
"How could you!" Dr Stark said in mock hurt. "How could you think that of any of us? Why would we do that? I mean, it makes you happy. So why on earth would we tell everyone?"
Danielle couldn't help herself at this, standing she moved towards where Dr Stark was sitting. The consultant stood and she hugged her tightly. "Thank you, Dr Stark," she said, her voice shaking with emotion and affection. "Thank you so much. When Dr Loomis asked you to treat me it was the best decision he ever made."
"You're a sweetheart," Dr Stark gently guided her back to her seat then squeezed her shoulder before moving to retake hers. "Thank you."
"Please can I apologise again to all three of you for being rude to you in the past? Mel maybe not so much but Joanne, Dr Stark I know I spoke to you really badly when I first came here, and I am sincerely sorry for this."
"Don't be silly," the three said together.
"Of course, you were bitter," Joanne said. "Christ I'd have been bitter too if I'd just been put in a psychiatric hospital after trying to take my life. Angry, scared, in unfamiliar surroundings and on top of all that I can't see? jeez I'd be shitting myself!"
"Me too!" Mel said adamantly. "Shit, I don't know how you didn't. How you were so brave. Ok you said before some of it was false bravado, but still…"
"That was until a certain man named Mr. Michael Myers did his thing," Dr Stark teased. "Thanks to him and these amazing guards here, you're not the woman who was 'rude,' "she stressed the last word. "I say it that way because you most certainly were not rude to me. Not that I remember anyway. The one time you were angry is also fully understandable too."
The doorbell rang again. Danielle pressed the door button.
"Hey guys," said a cheerful female voice. Sandwiches, tea and white chocolate cookies here."
"Thank you, you're Anne, right?"
"Yep, I certainly am. You're Danielle, aren't you?"
"Yes, nice to meet you." She waited while Anne put the refreshments down on the huge table then held out her hand which Anne shook.
"Delighted to meet you too. Enjoy your lunch." She walked out and Danielle again closed the doors.
"I love how they close so silently; you can't really even hear them. They remind me of the doors on a coach or something."
"That's what they're designed off of," Dr Stark said. "They keep sound from going outside if we're discussing confidential matters or something."
A couple of minutes later, the doorbell rang again. She opened the doors and there was Nigel, Jerry behind him.
"Alright D?" Nigel greeted. "I believe you summoned me?"
She couldn't help laughing. "Would everyone please stop talking to me like I'm some kind of royalty or something?" She joked.
"Well, I don't know," Nigel retook his previous seat on her right, Mel and Dr Stark across from them and Joanne. "I mean, this is your show after all. Plus, you're one hell of a fierce, determined and brave woman, I think you deserve it after all that shit." There were affectionate chuckles and murmurs of agreement. Jerry once again whistled his way out of the room.
"Did anyone turn the recording equipment off?" She asked. "I don't want my family to hear… you know, the later parts."
"I'll do it now," Dr Stark said, and she heard the same three beeps as before. "Dr Loomis didn't for obvious reasons in case you wanted it on after he'd left. Done. I'll edit it and you can listen to it before we pass it on to anyone."
"Thanks."
"Where's Michael?" She asked after a few minutes of companionable silence, the five of them tucking into the sandwiches.
"He's in the yard," Nigel said swallowing his mouthful of egg. "I was with Rick when Jerry found us, he was just showing me my suite for tonight. Those things are huge!"
"I know, I went in one with Charlotte once, we stayed the night there." She was relieved she didn't break down again saying her sister's name. She, like everyone else had to believe Charlotte would come back to them or they were doomed from the start.
"Missing him already, are we?" Nigel teased. "He only left because you asked us too!"
"Shut it Nige," she hugged him. He chuckled and hugged her tightly. She took a deep breath, bracing herself for what she was about to say. She had to tell someone, and these people were among the ones bar Michael and her family she trusted beyond all others. Plus, she wasn't sure she would like how Michael would react if he heard this.
Penny for your thoughts kid?" Nigel asked, obviously detecting her mood change. Taking a deep breath, she finished off her most recent sandwich then began to speak again.
"I got this text last night." She pulled out her phone and enabled the screen so they could all see it.
I know Laurie Strode very well, and the way you are treating her is not right and to be honest damn out of order. I think she knows a lot more about Michael Myers than you do, and I think you should at least hear her out. You might have been right about Adam though I still say you're wrong, but not this time miss knows it all. I have given Laurie your phone number and she will call you. Listen to her, that's unless you want to die too? Michael will kill you just as he wants to kill Laurie. Sophie.
"What the fuck?" Nigel sounded furious. "How can she know more about Michael Myers than you? The one who's spent months very close to him and he's fallen in love with? Bullshit! She only sees him as a killer! As for Sophie, wasn't that cow the one who turned her back on you after you got here?"
"Ha, the very same," Danielle laughed bitterly. "But what the fuck? 'I've given Laurie your phone number?' Who gave her that permission?"
"That's not on," Dr Stark sounded just as angry. Nigel let out a long, low whistle. "Shit! No wonder you didn't want Michael to hear this!"
Danielle nodded. "I don't know how he'll react, and I don't think I want to find out either. He hates Laurie, as…" she paused. "As we found out in the hospital. He wants her dead, has done since Halloween 1978."
Danielle retold the story for Nigel's benefit. Nigel whistled again. "How in God's name did we or none of the staff hear anything?"
"I wondered the exact same thing. Michael had taken time to drag Laurie away from my ward I think, but I heard them shouting and found my way out there."
"Jesus Christ!" Nigel exhaled. "You probably saved Strode's life!"
"What do I do?" She asked the room at large. "What if she calls me and I'm with Michael?"
"Don't answer it," Nigel and Dr Stark said together.
"Yeah," Joanne said. "If it's a number you don't recognise don't pick it up."
"I can't fucking believe this what's with people giving out my number without my consent? Does my permission not matter anymore? Mind you I'm used to t…"
"Stop that!" Everyone said firmly in unison.
"That's over," Nigel said, pulling her into a tight hug again. "Your permission does matter and the fact she's dared to breach it is unforgivable in my opinion. She doesn't even want to be your friend anymore so how dare she even keep your number! Why not just delete it? What a bitch! I apologise," he smiled at them all. "But for this woman it's accurate."
"Don't apologise to us," Joanne nodded. "That's not cool. What the hell?"
"I'll contact Stacey today and get it changed for you again," Dr Stark said her tone telling everyone there would be no room for argument.
"For fuck's sake," Danielle rested her head wearily on the table. "Jesus, just leave me the fuck alone, can't you? Can you imagine how that would go if she called me in front of Michael? Hell, even I might be in danger then despite him telling me when he's holding me, he doesn't feel the need to kill. Hearing Laurie Strode's voice, hmm I somehow think that would be the one exception to that rule."
Nigel continued to hold her, as Dr Stark tidied her paperwork. "Excuse me all," the consultant said brusquely and decisively. I have a telephone call to Stacey to make. You are all welcome to stay in here as long as you wish."
"Dr Stark," Danielle said quietly as her doctor walked past her. "I don't know if I can go through all this again. Changing my number and so on. Poor Nige here has had to deal with it twice and he's just one of my contacts! How the hell do I explain it to Michael?"
"Don't you worry about me," Nigel said sternly. "All I care about is your safety. I'll save one million different numbers in my phone if it means you're safe. I can tell you for a fact your family and true friends will say the exact same thing. I'm including Michael in that by the way of course."
Slowly, Dr Stark sat down again. "You'd better give me a damn good reason why not," she said just as sternly as Nigel, to more murmurs of agreement. Danielle floundered for a second.
"Because… because she's just one person! I can't admit defeat and have my number changed every time someone calls me, I don't want to speak to. Yes, Sophie should never ever have given my number out like that, but I expect it'll happen more than these times in my life. What then? Do I run to you in tears saying, 'please Dr Stark oh no, please give me a new number again because I got one unknown call?'"
"Wo." Joanne sounded shocked.
"That sounds more like the old Danielle," Nigel said affectionately, he must've read Joanne's mind. "That's more like it!"
"Well," Dr Stark said after a second's pause. "I can't deny you have impressed me with that answer. I also agree with Joanne and Nigel. You would never have said that when I first met you would you?" There was silence but Danielle didn't break it knowing her doctor was thinking.
"At the end of the day it's your, yes, your decision. However, I won't lie I do not like the fact someone has given your number out to the one person who sparks Michael's rage like that." She clicked her fingers.
"I agree," Nigel said. "For what it's worth honey my advice is do it, just this one more time. Is it really worth her trying when you're with Michael? I call that a dangerous gamble to play with."
"I agree," Mel and Joanne said together.
"Wait, how the fuck did she even get my second number? It's been changed twice already!"
"Even more reason why," Dr Stark said standing again. "Sorry but that very fact there has made up my mind. On this one please don't argue further with me?"
Danielle grasped her doctor's arm, stopping her and stood. Holding out her hand, she formally shook her doctor's. "No chance Dr Stark," she said sincerely. "You're in charge on this one and I'm with you every step of the way."
"Good choice kiddo," Nigel hugged her again as she sat down, and opening the doors so Dr Stark could leave.
"Thank you, I'll be back when this is done." She was gone.
"She must've got my new number from someone I thought was a friend," she said quietly almost to herself. "Wow, can I trust anyone outside this place?" This time both Joanne and Nigel hugged her tightly.
"That's so bad," Joanne said again. "They should always ask you first."
"What the hell do I tell Michael? He's going to want to know why I've had to change it a third time, of course he is. I can't tell him this, but nor can I lie to him! I don't want to start going down that road."
"It's simple hon," Mel said. "Just tell him one of your former friends got your number somehow so you had to change it. After all that's not a lie, is it?" She tapped the phone. "Sophie disowned you; she got your number somehow. That's the truth. Laurie's name doesn't even have to be mentioned."
"Also, Nigel continued. "It's not like you have to worry about setting it up with the DASC anymore, is it?"
"Fuck them," she muttered before she could stop herself and he hugged her again. "Nige, I just told these guys how I'm feeling. Dr Stark said she's going to conduct a full investigation into how Charlotte was able to get hurt, and I kidnapped, when we both had the DASC app which was supposed to protect us from things like that."
"Good!" Nigel's voice was firm. "I trust her, she'll do what she says she will."
"I agree," she snuggled her head into his shoulder as he stroked her back. "Just… fuck. I've had enough drama; can't I just live my life now?" She paused before speaking again. "Fuck! There's a part of me which thinks I should tell Michael the truth though. What if he finds out somehow and it's not through me? I don't think he'll like that either. Like I just said I don't want to start our relationship with lies."
"How could he though?" Joanne asked.
"He's Michael Myers," she said simply with a grim smile. "I don't put anything past that man."
"This is true," Nigel said. "In truth, nor would I."
"It's probably my fault too though, no listen," she said quickly before anyone could interrupt. "I told Laurie in the hospital 'I may, I said may consider talking to you' at some point. I knew I should not have said that, but I just wanted her out of my room. I was hurt, tired and really not in a talking mood."
"Nothing wrong with that," Nigel said. "Plus, just because you said it doesn't mean you have to stick to it."
The doorbell rang. She opened the doors. Was it Dr Stark already?
"That was quick," Joanne said, confirming her suspicions.
"It's done," Dr Stark said briskly. "Your current number won't work anymore it'll be done within an hour."
"Wo that was fast," Nigel said, sounding impressed.
"I asked Stacey for urgent and because I gave the OK to her myself, the Domestic Violence Hub can't question it and it automatically goes to the top of their list."
"Thank you, Dr Stark," she said gratefully. "I really appreciate it."
"No problem." The doctor retook her seat as if she'd just been out for a walk.
"Um," she hesitated. "I want to tell Michael the truth of why my number is changing, the whole truth. I don't want to start on lies. I also don't want him to find out through someone who isn't me."
"Are you sure that's wise?" Dr Stark asked.
"Yes," she said emphatically. "I can't hide from him like that! It's not right or fair on him or me, not if we're going to stand a chance!"
"I don't know," Joanne sounded hesitant. "Hon, you can just tell him someone you didn't want got your number, you don't have to tell him who. Not… not with Laurie Strode."
"So, what if he asks? What then? Lie?"
"Sophie getting it is not a lie," Nigel said gently. "Darling, Joanne's right. That would be so dangerous."
"What if he says why didn't I just block her or worse yet, guys you know how blunt Michael's messages can be. What if he writes 'you're not telling me the truth?' Not with a question mark, but a full stop. What then? I'll have to."
"I'd cross that bridge when and if you come to it," Nigel said.
"No!" she took his hand. "Nige, Joanne, Mel, Dr Stark I can't! That'll make him even angrier I kept it from him then. Nor could I blame him either!"
Dr Stark sighed. "I… I can understand where you're coming from and what you're saying entirely. But I also agree with the others. It might never happen."
"Well, I don't want to risk it," she said for the very first time feeling a flare of frustration, even anger. "I thought you said it was my decision?"
Her doctor laid her hand on her arm. "Which it is, and if you really feel that strongly about it of course you can do so, and I would never stop you completely. But I think you should do so with guards in the room, just… just in case."
"Fine," she said shortly.
"We only care babes," Nigel pulled her close again and at first, she stiffened, then let him.
"I know, but please guys I have to. If Michael does somehow find out later, it won't be good for our relationship."
Before she could lose her resolve, she told them about Colin. How he'd told Michael how he felt for her and had never told her in all these years, even post Adam. How Michael had told her by texting 'he loves you, and not as a brother should.' How he'd said he was leaving her for the night and may return the next day. How it was then she'd realised it was Greggory in the MS cell at that moment. She'd said that last without thinking."
"Greggory?" Nigel looked pale. "Charlie Greggory? Jesus fucking Christ!"
"Sorry Dr Stark," she muttered, embarrassed and ashamed she'd let that slip. "I didn't mean…"
"I think we can trust Nigel here, Greggory's surrounded by guards, and you can't get to him, there's secure doors between her cell and his. Don't worry please Mr. Manning, we've got this all under control. He has armed guards outside his door at all times too."
"Please call me Nigel, Dr Stark. Fuck me, you guys mean serious business. I'd just strap him in 'old sparky' and let him ride the lightning personally! After Mr. Chancer's had his ride of course!"
"That's what I said," she muttered.
Dr Stark of course didn't rise to the remarks, she was too professional. Quickly she continued with her story. She told them how Mel had comforted her, and they'd eventually gone back to the cell to find Michael waiting for her. How he'd held her against the wall and kissed her, clearly regretting his words. "If you're asking if you should text Colin," Joanne said after a while. "Woman to woman? I'd say don't. This is clearly something between him and Michael, let Michael deal with it. Or…" she backtracked quickly. "Maybe not."
"I know, it just made me so fucking angry. How dare he tell Michael of all people. I was thinking did he think I was too fucking delicate to take it or something? Tiny little woman? Typical fucking man! Um, present company excluded," she added quickly, turning to Nigel who was chuckling. "No offence taken; I think you've earned the right to be a little sinical after all. As for texting Colin, I agree with Joanne. This is between them and also of course your and Colin's emotions are both running high right now for obvious reasons, don't text him something you might regret later."
"That's why I haven't done it yet," she admitted.
"Don't," Nigel advised. "Let the two of them sort it out. I think you texting will just make it worse."
"I know you're right, but it made me so angry. How could he do that? Why did he tell Michael of all people? Surely, he would know or at least guess Michael would never have felt love before and that might make him insecure. I mean duh! It's not rocket science to work that much out, is it? Why couldn't he have told me or dad? Hell, anyone but Michael?"
"Dr Loomis did tell me about this," Dr Stark said after a moment. "I too admit that was unwise and a little stupid. Dr Loomis did however tell Mr. Avery this much and if you want my advice I stand with the others. Leave it between them, this one is not your fight."
"I know you're right, ok I won't say anything to him. But this, I need to tell Michael. Please don't stop me."
"Ok," Dr Stark stood up again. "Leave it with me, we'll be back in a moment. Please open the doors?"
She did so and once again her doctor was gone.
"I won't ask you if you're sure," Joanne said. "Just… just be careful, ok? Tell him once then drop it is my strong advice."
"Same here," Mel and Nigel agreed.
"Trust me I only intend to tell him once," she shivered a little. "I don't wish to die now thanks and need Nigel to save my life again. I'm not so sure you'd manage it this time!"
Just minutes later Dr Stark was back, Michael, Rick and Jack behind her. It was only then she realised just how completely Dr Stark had not been kidding. While she still stuck by her conviction, she had to tell him, she could see her doctor was taking absolutely no chances. She closed the doors again as Michael sat across from them a little distance away in the huge room, the two guards either side of him.
"Hi darling," she said trying to stop her voice from shaking. "I need to tell you something." She took a deep breath. "I've had to change my number again."
It was only now she realised Michael wouldn't be able to text her his response. Seconds later however, she heard Rick speak. "Michael says, 'why?'"
Someone got my number who…" she hesitated. Shit. Had she made the correct choice after all? YES! Shouted her heart. YOU'LL GET NOWHERE IN THIS RELATIONSHIP OTHERWISE AVERY! TELL HIM!
While she knew the voice within her was right, it was a lot easier said than done now Michael was actually here. She felt herself swallow.
"I can't block them because I don't have their number and they may also call on an unknown one. So, I wanted to change it again before that could happen."
Rick spoke again, this time purely acting as Michael's voice. "Adam is dead, I saw to that. So, who else are you so worried about?"
"Well first it's my ex-friend Sophie who turned her back on me when I was admitted here. She sent me a damn rude text last night; I don't want her having my number."
"That is not all though, is it. Tell me the truth."
"You, see?" she breathed to Joanne and Nigel. "I fucking told you so."
"I… I'm scared to tell you the truth," she admitted. "Actually, I'm terrified."
"Why? I will never hurt you. So, if that is what you are afraid of, don't be."
"Thanks darling," she smiled weakly at him. "You… you might not mean to, but…"
"Just tell me?"
She could tell from that message Michael's already little patience was wearing thin. "Told you so," she breathed to Nigel and Joanne a second time.
"I… I'm sorry darling," she stammered a little. "It… it's not easy for me."
She heard him sigh softly and Rick nor Jack tried to stop him as he approached her, and as Joanne stood so he could retake his seat. Though she couldn't see it, she could almost feel all four guards' watchful eyes on her and Michael. Affection hit her all over again for them. She knew they would protect her to the death if they ever had to.
"I got this text last night," she said finally, picking up her phone and reading the message allowed trying to stop her voice from shaking all the while. "I know Laurie Strode very well, and the way you are treating her is not right and to be honest damn out of order. I think she knows a lot more about Michael Myers than you do, and I think you should at least hear her out. You might have been right about Adam though I still say you're wrong, but not this time miss knows it all. I have given Laurie your phone number and she will call you. Listen to her, that's unless you want to die too? Michael will kill you just as he wants to kill Laurie. Sophie."
There was a long, long silence. "That's why I'm changing my number," she said in just above a whisper. "These guys suggested I tell you I didn't want Sophie to have it which incidentally is the truth, but it's not the whole truth. I said I couldn't start our relationship with lying to you. You had to know the whole truth or nothing at all. Hell Michael, we all know how… blunt your messages can sound, of course they can you've never written before now! But I said to them he's Michael Myers, I wouldn't put anything past that man. I wouldn't. Plus, you knew very quickly I wasn't telling you the whole truth, just as I told them you would. I'm changing my number so Laurie Strode can't call me. I don't want to talk to her anyway. Not after she ambushed me at the hospital after…" she trailed off.
Michael stood up and headed back to his seat. She wasn't sure how to react, but she felt sad he'd walked away from her. That was until Rick spoke again.
"If she even tries, I…" she heard Rick audibly swallow. "I will kill her this time and no one not even you, will stop me."
"You want to kill her anyway," she said before she could stop herself. "Have done since 1978."
"This is true, but if she tries to speak with you or I even hear her voice, she will die."
Was it her imagination, or had the temperature within the conference room just dropped several degrees? She felt herself shiver and Nigel squeezed her hand tightly, telling her she wasn't the only one. Rick spoke again.
"I thank you for not lying to me, whatever reasons you may have had for doing so."
"I couldn't," she whispered. "I love you way too much to do that Michael."
"You, ok?" She heard Jack murmur to the killer.
"I was scared to tell you for obvious reasons, but I knew I had to! Even telling you it was just Sophie wasn't the whole truth. It's true yes, but it isn't the whole story."
She heard him sigh again before at last his arms closed around her as he sat beside her, pulling her close and her head to his shoulder.
"Good man," Nigel murmured. The older man felt close to tears when this time it was him who Michael handed his notepad too, he who acted as the killer's voice.
"How dare this Sophie give your number out to anyone without your permission anyway. That too angers me."
"I know," she squeezed him close. "Me too Michael. The fact I don't know how she got my number in the first place as it's been changed twice already, that made up Dr Stark's mind."
"Thank you, Dr Stark."
"You're welcome, Michael," Dr Stark said quietly. "I want to protect her just as much as you do."
"I'm sorry Michael," she murmured to him, her head snuggled into the crook of his neck. "Sophie getting my number is true I'd still like to know how the fuck she got it, but the… the other part was what I struggled with most for obvious reasons.
Lowering his head, Michael moved so his ears were in her hands before wiggling them. Everyone chuckled affectionately, before he leant in and kissed her lips softly to another round of applause. He again wrote on his pad and handed it to Nigel.
"Thank you, I appreciate that would have been hard for you to tell me, but it means a lot to me you didn't lie to me in any way."
"Never," she breathed, her throat clogging up with tears of love. "Never."
For only the third time, he whispered 3 soft words into her ear, only heard by her and Nigel, she knew because he took a shaking breath as if trying to hold back tears of his own.
"Shh, I know."
A couple of minutes later, everyone murmured "aww" as she handed Michael a couple of sandwiches, which the killer took without hesitation. It was clear to everyone in the room they completely trusted each other. Meanwhile Joanne handed him a black coffee.
"These sandwiches are amazing," Jack said, biting into a ham one.
"I know right?" The weight which had come off her shoulders was immense. She knew she had made the right decision and she had been proved correct. That said though, she would never, could never begrudge Dr Stark and the others for their caution and hesitation, because she completely understood where they were coming from. "The egg's fresh," she said to him in a confidential whisper. Immediately Jack took one.
"It's the cheese I like," Rick said as he took a second sandwich. "I'll say this, the kitchen staff are so generous with their food."
The others chuckled. She slid a white chocolate cookie across to Jack, then Rick. "Oh my God!" Jack groaned. "These cookies are… just epic!"
This made her burst out laughing. "Epic? Seriously Jack? I never imagined you saying 'epic!'"
"Well, there you are!" Jack laughed. Takes one to know one Miss Avery."
Hearing her adopted name made her smile all over again. Rick bit into his cookie. "Shit," he said with relish. "These are indeed, 'epic!'"
"Jerry makes them himself," she confided.
"No way!" Rick and Jack said in unison.
"Yep, he told me that a little while ago today. Fucking amazing, aren't they?" She held one out to Michael then who took it.
"Nigel, Joanne," Dr Stark said a couple of minutes later. "Please can I borrow you both for a sec? I need to show you something."
"Yes sure," the two said together, standing.
"We're good Jack if you want to head back," Rick offered.
"With these cookies on the table? No chance!"
Everyone laughed. "That's if I don't eat them all first," she teased, before handing him two of them.
"Thanks. Yeah," Jack stood up. "Cheers Rick, I'll head back onto the block then now I've got my cookies supply! See you in a minute peep!" Again, he started to whistle as she opened the doors and he walked away, Dr Stark, Joanne and Nigel behind him. she closed the doors again.
…
"You aren't showing us anything are you?" Nigel asked Dr Stark as soon as the doors were closed. The doctor sighed.
"No Mr. Manning I'm not. But I think you already know that from what you've just said. Listen you two, please. I'm more than happy for you to go out for dinner with her tonight, of course I am. But…" she paused.
"You think she secretly really wants to ask Michael to come to?" Nigel asked.
"Right," Dr Stark confirmed. "Which I also completely understand. The thing is…" she thought again. The other two remained silent, waiting. "There… there might be a way," the doctor said slowly. "But it'll take some arranging. Mr. Manning, would you be happy to work with me?"
"Name its doc," he smiled at her. "On one condition. Call me Nigel and I'm at your service."
"Oh, shush Nigel," Dr Stark smiled back. "No, it's just… there is a place this would be possible…" she thought again. "Hang on, Danielle will love this." She rang the doorbell and the doors hissed open a second later. "Could you do me a favour? If you feel the microphone button, you'll see there's a little number pad underneath it?"
"Yeah," she nodded, finding it.
"Can you press the number two on it for me please?" There was a beep. "Thank you. Now can you please ask Dr Loomis to come into this room? What you've just done pipes your voice into meeting room 2 as well as this one."
"Wow, you're trusting and letting me do that?" The smile which lit up her face made both Joanne and Mel blink back tears. Such a small thing, but it meant the world to her.
"I sure am," Dr Stark confirmed. "Thank you very much."
She pressed the microphone button and the chime sounded. "This is an announcement for Dr Loomis," she said. "Dr Stark is asking if you could please come back into conference room one if you're able? Thank you." She turned them off again.
"Thank you," Dr Stark squeezed her shoulder. "You should be a Public Address announcer!"
"No way!" She wrinkled her nose, made sure it was only working in their room and turned them on again. The chime sounded.
"Could all non-swimmers go to the shallow end of the pool please? The wave machine is about to be activated," she said in the mock voice of an announcer as everyone started laughing. She was certain she heard Michael's soft sound of amusement. She turned them off again. "God no thanks! trying to tell little kids what to do and ignorant adults who'd just ignore me? Who listens to those announcements anyway? Like the ones on trains? Gah! They're always so damn quiet you can never hear them as it is!" No thank you!"
A second later the doorbell rang again and Dr Loomis was outside. "You summoned me?" He chuckled.
"I didn't, Dr Stark did."
"Hmm, in your voice? That was clever."
"Oh, be quiet," she was laughing as well now.
The two doctors, Joanne and Nigel stepped out again. She suddenly yawned.
"Tired?" Mel asked.
"Hmm," she said sleepily. "Just hit me all of a sudden." Michael tightened his arms around her, and she snuggled further into him. "Hardly surprising though, my head's on my favourite pillow."
"Also, you had to tell your story," Rick said. "That can take a lot out of someone too you know."
"Yeah," she yawned again. "Shit, I'm exhausted all of a sudden."
"Do you want to go back for a little sleep?" Mel asked.
"You know, I think I might." Still holding her, Michael helped her to her feet. "Rick, you don't have to chain Michael again do you to take us back?"
"Technically yes," Rick said, and her heart sank. "But nah, I won't. Come on then you two."
"Thank you," she said in gratitude. Mel stood up.
"I'm tired," she said to Dr Stark and the others as they walked past them. "I think I need a little sleep."
"No problem," Dr Stark said.
"I'll give you a call and wake you up in a couple of hours, ok?" Nigel said.
"Cheers, thanks again Dr Stark for arranging him to be here so quickly and thanks for coming Nige."
"Wouldn't miss seeing you for the world babe," for a second Danielle Avery was being hugged by the two men she loved most in the world, along with Dave and yes Colin and she had never felt safer in her life. Dr Loomis and Dr Stark smiled at each other, as did Joanne, Mel and Rick.
"Happy snoring kiddo," Nigel said as he released her, and Michael again took her arm to guide her back.
"Wait, I so do not snore!" She said in mock indignation.
"Oh, she does," Nigel said in a mock whisper to Michael. "Oh yes, she does, you wait! Sounds like an express train!"
"Hang on just a minute! How the hell would you know? You lived next door!"
"Exactly! Nigel poked her side. "That's how I know! I lived next door; the walls weren't that thick! They shook every night with your snoring!"
"That wasn't me it was Adam," she said, unable to believe she was able to use his name as a joke so quickly. "He's the one who snored, not me!"
"Uh huh," Nigel tickled her, making her squirm and giggle. "Sure, whatever. It was her," he mock whispered to Michael again. Snore, snore!"
"Oh, get lost!" she reached up and pulled both his ears.
"Yep, still attached," Nigel teased. "Although they might not be if you have your way and keep pulling them like that! Michael, keep an eye on your ears man when she's around!"
Laughing, she waved as Michael guided her back through the doors escorted by Mel and Rick and heard the others call 'bye' as she did so.
"Holy shit," she said again as they reached the cell. "I'm fucking exhausted! Did someone drug my tea?"
Mel chuckled. "That's illegal without your consent or unless it's authorised by a doctor, so no. Not guilty!"
She laughed as she lay down on the bed, Michael at her side.
"You don't have to stay if you don't want to darling," she said tiredly. "I can meet up with you later. Shit," she cursed as she realised there was no way for Michael to answer her. This was the first time they'd had this problem and she didn't like it at all. That was when to her total shock Michael once again actually spoke into her ear, his voice a soft murmur. "I'm staying with you."
Again, she was struck by how sexy his voice was and the fact he'd spoken as he'd known there was no other way, he could answer her.
"I love you Michael Myers," she squeezed him as tightly as she could. "Thank you so much! I know there was no other way for you to answer, but that was so special!"
He kissed her mouth as the door slid closed and she heard Mel and Rick walking down the corridor. Seconds later, they were alone once more.