Within his sight

by Whistle-78

After a totally blind teenager is committed to Smith's Grove having attempted suicide following horrific domestic abuse, the only cell available is the one right next door to the masked and silent killer Michael Myers. But as time passes, something slowly begins to form between the two. Meanwhile, her abuser has absolutely no intention of letting her go.

65. Words worth fighting

Chapter 65, Words worth fighting

…

Four days later.

Danielle snuggled up against Michael, unable to close her eyes because of all the thoughts swirling around in her head. If she was honest, she was glad Joanne was back from her rest days today along with Rick and Jack, because she really needed to talk to her friends about what she was thinking.

While her slight anger with Dr Stark had worn off and she could now appreciate what her doctor was trying to do for her by bringing Adam Hughes into her life, she still wasn't sure she'd be able to do what they wanted and call him by his name. Not to his face anyway. She couldn't deny to herself though, that it would be nice to be able to say the name 'Adam' to a man's face who owned that name, without the risk of a serious raping, beating, or both. More often than not it had been both. But could she, do it? That was the question.

She also couldn't deny she was starting to like, maybe even trust Hughes. He did seem like a genuinely nice guy, and she was also starting to believe he actually might indeed be a DV worker just as she'd been told. A fact she'd sincerely doubted when Dr Stark first voiced it. He had a certain way about him which put her at ease, even when her defences and/or guard were up.

She was also thinking about Ryan. While she didn't know him as well as she knew Joanne, Rick and Jack, she was still worried about him. That'd been one hell of a nasty cut he'd received from that evil fucker Gregory, and she wanted to know he was or would be ok. She'd asked Dr Loomis the day after it first happened, and he'd told her Ryan was still in the hospital. She hadn't asked since but was seriously considering doing so again this morning.

Unable to stop herself, she gently pulled Michael's left ear and he chuckled quietly and kissed her. She had no idea if he'd been awake or asleep, but clearly, he'd detected she was in her own thoughts and wanted time to think. As if on cue he messaged her, and it made her smile.

If/when you want to talk, I'll be here with my 'sexy as all hell' ears.

"Thanks," she laughed but hugged him tightly. "I appreciate it." The breakfast bell rang. As they got up and began to get ready, she couldn't help remembering when Jefferson had taunted her the first time she'd heard the bell and had asked what it was. 'Jesus what the fuck was that?' Or something along those lines.

'Breakfast bell,' the now late Jefferson had said. 'Means be ready in ten minutes. I wish I could help you get ready darling. Although we'd be a lot longer than ten minutes while I fucked you.'

"Dick," she muttered and then told Michael what she'd been remembering. He kissed the top of her head. Jefferson too had been killed by Michael, seemingly for angering him when he'd tried to see Danielle's breasts, before he'd ejaculated in her face which had ultimately ended his life.

"What did Jefferson do to piss you off?" She asked now. "I mean you would've still killed me back then; you told me that yourself just a few nights ago. So why did you give a damn what he did to me? So, he ejaculated in my face. So what? Why did you care?" He hugged her, and she felt him shake his head. He didn't know. "Fair enough," she kissed his mouth softly. "Good riddance though, he deserved it. Sexist asshole!" She felt him nod.

A few minutes later, the corridor door opened, and she heard the voice that sent a flood of happiness and affection through her. "Hi Danielle, how are you?"

"Joanne!" She cried, running to hug her friend. "How are you?"

"I'm fine thanks sweetheart, it's my first shift back."

"I know I was counting the days," Danielle said seriously. "I missed you, Joanne."

"Aww that's kind of you to say," Joanne hugged her back.

"I mean it," Danielle insisted. Joanne squeezed her again. "Do you know how Ryan is? Dr Loomis told me he got out of hospital yesterday afternoon and he's staying at home for the rest of the week. I was there when that happened, Michael stepped in to help him for the second time apparently."

"Yes, Dr Loomis told us that in our briefing this morning, Ryan's staying there until next week."

"Did they cut that fucker Gregory's nails? Don't want that to happen again."

"Oh yeah," Joanne confirmed. "He was sedated for it to stop him struggling."

"Good!" She said fervently. "Dr Loomis said he might be when it happened. If I'm honest, what I want to know is why it was allowed to happen in the first place?"

"I don't think you're alone there," Joanne said. "Dr Loomis has opened an enquiry."

"Good!" She said again.

"Hey, you," said Rick's voice. Again, she felt that rush of affection as she moved to hug him too.

"Hey Rick, how are you?"

"I'm good thanks, how are you?"

"Not too bad thanks." As she hugged him, she took hold of both his ears and gently pulled them.

"Ow, my ears!" Rick exclaimed, as though he was in agony. Michael came up behind him and they heard his soft chuckle.

"Oh, sorry," she smirked. "I was just trying to extend the aerials for you so you can pick up Haddonfield radio for yourself if I don't happen to be in the car!"

Joanne burst out laughing. "Nice one Danielle, fucking hell that was hilarious!"

Rick tried to stay serious as if he was annoyed, but eventually cracked up himself. "Yeah, it was. I guess I was asking for that too." She tweaked them again and then released him. "Sorry Joanne," she said apologetically. "Your ears are too 'small and cute' to work as aerials."

"Cheeky thing," Joanne and Rick both laughed.

"Hey Michael, Dr Loomis," Rick said and for the third time that day Danielle felt the happiness in her chest. But this time she also felt her heart flip at the sound of Michael's name. Rick stepped forward and shook the killer's hand. She hadn't heard the Psychiatrist approach.

"Good morning," Dr Loomis' voice said. "How are we all?"

"Good thanks, you?" The three said in unison.

"Ah, can't complain," Dr Loomis said with a smile. Michael pulled Danielle to him, and she smiled, leaning in for a kiss.

"Aww," the other three said together. Danielle smiled at them. He lowered his head, so she was touching his ears.

"How are you, Michael?" Rick asked. Dr Loomis handed Michael a piece of paper and pen. Joanne read out his reply.

I'm fine thank you Rick. Your good self?

Rick smiled at him. "Ah, can't complain. My rest days went way too fast, but eh that's how it goes."

"Oh, you missed us admit it," Danielle teased.

"Oh, of course! Missed you so much I couldn't sleep, or eat, or…"

"Shut up!" Joanne, Danielle and Dr Loomis said together. Michael chuckled.

"Joanne, Dr Loomis, Rick, Michael, can I talk to you for a minute please? In private?"

"Of course," the three said together and Michael took her hand. Dr Loomis led them into an office and closed the door. Danielle hesitated for a moment, before taking a deep breath. "Dr Loomis, I meant to talk to you about this before… but if I'm going to be completely honest with you, I couldn't pluck up the courage. It's… It's about Mr. Hughes."

"Ah, yes," Dr Loomis said, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Dr Stark talked to me about it before she went ahead of course, and if I'm going to be completely honest with you in turn, I thought it was a good idea."

"Yeah, I think I can understand that now," she nodded. "But back then, oh my God I was so damn angry. I thought Dr Stark was sneaky in the extreme and I think I even told her so. But I do appreciate you waited until Dawson was dead before you even thought about it."

"Actually, that's not true, we did consider it before that happened."

"Really?" She found she was surprised, not angry.

"Yes, but we both agreed it wasn't the best plan since Dawson was still out there. We decided to wait until he was out of the picture, in whatever way that may be."

Danielle turned to Joanne, and Rick. "Did you know about it?" She asked, but there was no accusation in her voice.

"Yes," Joanne admitted. "Dr Stark talked to me about it last week before I went off, as I'm your assigned guard."

"Oh of course that figures," Danielle nodded again. "What did you say?"

"Well of course she and this good man here are the doctors, so we'll go along with their decisions. But for what it's worth, I also think it's a good idea. You need to know you can say the name Adam to a man's face who owns that name, without the risk of violence."

Danielle laughed. "Wow, were you reading my mind this morning? Those were my exact thoughts! That's scary!"

Joanne laughed. "Telepathy, you shouldn't let me so close then!"

"God, am I that easy to read?" She knew Joanne was kidding, but she did wonder.

Joanne stepped forward and hugged her. "You forget I've been working with you for months now, through highs and lows. Sometimes if we're working closely with someone, we do get to understand how they think and act."

"Makes sense," she grinned. "Damn, are all my secrets out to you Miss mind reader?" They laughed together.

"No," Joanne said in mock horror. "Some you have to keep to yourself, please!" Now Danielle burst out laughing.

A second later they heard the clinking of shackles and two guards shouting commands. Danielle felt her blood temperature drop. It was Gregory, she was almost certain of it. As if to prove her correct, Rick and Joanne stepped forward. Rick gently squeezed behind Michael, Joanne on the other side.

"I'm hungry," that evil unmistakably gruff voice said. Danielle felt herself shiver. Joanne and Rick both squeezed her arms, Michael took her hand. "Fucker," she muttered.

"Keep moving!" She heard William snap. "Let's go!"

"Looks like our friend in the M.S cell is going to cause us a problem!" A guard panted over Rick's radio. "Can we get some backup?"

"Be careful!" Danielle, Joanne and Dr Loomis said together as Rick automatically headed for the door.

Michael stepped to Rick's side and Dr Loomis opened his mouth to speak, then stopped himself. Rick opened the door to find Gregory and the two guards only metres from the office door. Immediately, Joanne pulled Danielle close to her, and Danielle knew that for one of only a few times, she was under Joanne's command. "I'd obey you to the death," she murmured to her guard." Joanne squeezed her arm again.

"MOVE!" Rick shouted and unable to help it Danielle flinched. She still struggled sometimes when men shouted. Joanne held her tighter to her side.

"That's your friend, Rick, she murmured. "He would never shout at you like that unless to protect you, don't you dare go calling him Sir ok?"

"Fuck your tall ass!" Gregory said. His voice always sounded as if he had something stuck in his throat. Human flesh? Danielle shivered at that thought. Very probably.

There was a loud bang and she heard Joanne and Dr Loomis both draw breath in unison. "Wo," Dr Loomis breathed. "Michael's just slammed Gregory into the wall before any of the guards dared to get close so fast."

"Jesus Christ," Gregory said. "My eyes ain't fucking deceiving me! You're Michael God damn Myers ain't you? You going to kill me then Psycho?"

"Please do," Joanne and Danielle muttered together. Danielle heard chains being reapplied, she guessed they were using the shackle system with the bar Jack had once shown her.

"Thanks Mr. Myers, the guard who'd radioed said. "That was fast man. Jesus!"

Once they were gone, Rick and Michael entered the office and Rick closed the door again. He turned to look at Michael and opened his mouth once, twice. "I should reprimand you for that," he said finally. "That was… was fucking stupid! Not to mention dangerous…"

Myers looked straight back at him, and Danielle knew he was thinking really Rick. Go on then, do your worst. She shivered a little again.

Rick sighed. "Damn it Michael, you did that to protect me, didn't you? Not those other guys. Don't BS me! We… we had it under control, there were three of us."

Michael's face changed to an almost mocking sneer. Joanne held Danielle more firmly to her. For the second time that morning, Danielle felt the temperature drop. Michael was dangerous right now. Without a word, Dr Loomis simply handed Michael a piece of paper and pencil.

Really Rick? Really did you have it under control? Yes, it certainly looked like it, even given that those two big men with actual guns were not even daring to move. Face it, you were all afraid of him, I am not. If I hadn't acted, you would have had a standoff and we both know it. Yes, that man is dangerous, but you have deemed me so for longer than he's been alive. Consider these facts before you start thinking of reprimands. I did it to protect you? That's as maybe, you know as well as I do you could have gotten badly hurt for a second time. Did you consider that just perhaps I was trying to avoid that? It doesn't appear that you did.

There was silence after Dr Loomis read out the message. Even if it was private, if Danielle was in a room there was an unspoken agreement all messages would be read out loud. Now Danielle did shiver, and she was certain Joanne had done the same. Rick said nothing, just glared back at Michael. "Stupid," he muttered.

Ok so you're the trained one, tell me where was your training then? You were all just standing there, can't get close to him too quickly, follow the procedure book, while in the meantime he's thinking how to attack? Save it, Rick.

"Come on boys," Dr Loomis said gently. "This isn't helping. Thank you, Michael."

Michael briefly kissed the top of Danielle's head, opened the office door and walked out. Dr Loomis must've pressed an alarm button because immediately a guard was with him but didn't chain the killer as he walked away.

"Shit," Joanne and Danielle exhaled as Joanne finally released her.

"He was an idiot!" Rick said adamantly. "Yes, he's right, we are not supposed to get close to him too fast, we need to make sure he can't bite us or something! Yes, his M.O was women, but as there are hardly any around here now," he glanced at Danielle and Joanne. "Who's to say he won't try and attack men instead? Michael should not have done that. That could've been him!"

"Rick," Dr Loomis murmured, touching his guard's shoulder. "Michael Myers survived my gunshots six times in 1978, I don't think Gregory will be able to harm him."

"That's on your fucking head Doc," Rick snarled. "Yes, Michael Myers is dangerous, every fucking one knows that! Yes, he's a killer, every fucking one knows that too! But… but we're the trained ones, we're not supposed to be protected by other God damn patients!"

"Rick, if this is your pride talking, drop it. If this is you thinking you're the guard, you should be protecting Michael, don't. Remember, Michael saved your life last time, he obviously cares about you. Are you going to compromise that by reacting this way?"

Rick simply turned away. Danielle hesitated, then spoke again. Mr. Evans? Rick?"

Rick turned in shock, and immediately pulled Danielle into a hug. "Hey, what's with Mr. Evans? You've never called me that seriously, I'm Rick to you, your friend with the aerial ears!" As he spoke, he moved his head, so she was touching his ears. "We attended that execution together, we're friends, Danielle. Please don't call me Mr. Evans?"

"S… sorry," she stammered. "You just…" she swallowed. "You scared me a bit when you shouted and now, you're clearly angry."

"Yes, but not at you sweetheart," he hugged her tighter. "And I would never shout at you that way unless it was to protect you."

"That's exactly what Joanne said," Danielle muttered, feeling inexplicably close to tears.

"Hey, don't cry," Rick put her hands on his ears again and began to whistle. She managed a faint smile, even as she sniffled. "Sorry, I don't know why. That was just… I don't like seeing people I love angry at each other."

"Neither do I," Joanne agreed.

Rick took a deep breath, then sighed. "I'm sorry D," he kissed her cheek. "It's just…"

"I know," she nodded. "It's your job to protect us, not the other way around. But let's be honest here, Michael did help you guys out and fast."

Rick sighed again but nodded. "I know," he sighed. There was a short silence before he spoke again. "Anyway, I'm sorry Danielle, you were saying? Let me get this straight, you guys have brought up this guard named Adam Hughes, so you can use the name Adam to his face? For what it's worth, I too think it's a good idea."

Danielle nodded. "Did you know too?"

"No, this is the first I've heard of it. But if you want my opinion, I think it's a good decision. That way you can use the name without worrying you'll face violence when you do. Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me."

"Well duh," she laughed, still a little shakily. Rick pulled her into a hug again. "Oh, sweetheart I'm sorry," he murmured. "I was shouting at Gregory to move not you, never you unless for your protection. I promise."

"I know," she hugged him back. "Just please… talk to Michael when you can?"

"Do you guys think I owe him an apology and thanks?" Rick asked.

"Yes," Danielle, Joanne and Dr Loomis all said together, much to Danielle's surprise, particularly Dr Loomis. The doctor again touched his guard's arm. "You're one of the most experienced guards here Rick, but even the most experienced can accept help from a friend at times."

"So, you're ok with what Michael did?" Rick asked, but with no anger in his voice this time, he just sounded tired.

"Yes," Dr Loomis said. "I might not have been, but it worked, and Michael wasn't at all afraid, which understandably you men were. As Michael also said, Gregory is deemed dangerous, but so is he. He is not afraid of fellow dangerous men."

"I don't think Michael Myers is afraid of anything," Rick let out a small chuckle.

"You may well be right," Dr Loomis said. "But please, talk to him when you're able, ok? You owe him that."

Rick nodded and just as Michael had done, headed for the door. "I need air," he muttered. Danielle automatically made to follow him, and he took her hand and squeezed it. "No sweetheart I'm ok, you and Joanne go get some breakfast?" He was gone.

"Where is Michael?" Danielle asked as she and Joanne walked towards the canteen.

"He's in the yard," Joanne placed Danielle's hand on her earpiece to indicate how she knew.

"Probably chained to his concrete block again," Danielle said sadly. "He's angry, so they won't take any risks. When he's angry, he's better off alone to cool down."

"Yes," Joanne agreed. "Come on, let's get some food."

"I don't know if I can eat," Danielle said. "My stomach's really upset, fuck I hate confrontation, especially between friends and when I care about and even love both parties. I love you, Rick and Jack, Joanne."

"Aww Danielle," Joanne stopped and hugged her again. "We all care deeply about you two. You're our friend, not just our patient. Even that is voluntary now, you could and can leave at any time. Come up to the canteen sweetheart, try and eat something for me?"

"Only because it's you," she muttered with a watery grin. "Dr Loomis," she called. "Is Ryan, ok?"

"I haven't spoken to him yet today," he answered. "I spoke with him last evening and he was in good spirits albeit in a lot of pain. He will unfortunately have a scar as a result of the incident."

"Son of a bitch," she muttered, automatically resting her finger on the huge scar across her cheek. "If Ryan wants to talk about having a facial scar, I'm more than happy to do so."

"Thanks," he squeezed her shoulder. "I'll tell him, I'm sure he'll appreciate that."

As she started eating, Danielle found herself once again thinking about Adam Hughes. In truth she'd been thinking about him a lot over the last few days. She couldn't lie even to herself anymore; she was starting to like him. Like Dr Stark and even Hughes himself had said, a name is just a name. He was the total opposite of Dawson and even she could see that. She wondered if she would ever be able to actually use his name to his face, the very thing the doctors were hoping she would do. Could she, eventually? Maybe, just maybe she would. She also respected him for his gentle patience and kindness towards her too. He clearly did genuinely understand how hard this was for her and was waiting and not pushing her to do it.

As if on cue, she heard Hughes' voice. "Morning all." He did this every morning as he came in and she was starting to seriously believe he did it for her benefit. Yet another thing she respected him for. I wonder if he can whistle, she thought suddenly and unexpectedly. Also, what his ears feel like! "Morning Mr. Hughes," she called back.

"Good morning both," Hughes called back, his voice its warm and cheerful self as ever. "How are we this morning?" He came over to them and she smelt his aftershave, mixed with the cup of coffee he was obviously carrying. "Mind if I join you both?"

She was surprised to realise she actually didn't mind, not at all and not only because his very job right now was her treatment. "Sure," she and Joanne said together.

"Thanks." There were a few seconds of silence, before Hughes spoke again. "How are you today, Danielle?"

She shrugged. "Ok, just…" she hesitated. "Just thinking about what you're trying to do for me. I really appreciate it Mr. Hughes, I do, and I…" she took a breath, Hughes didn't push her. "I think I'll try to use your name someday soon."

"That would be awesome!" Hughes exclaimed and he sounded so genuinely happy, she couldn't stop herself smiling faintly at him.

"Thanks, I know you're not… him, and I also know it's unfair to judge you because of your name, purely because of what I went through at the hands of your namesake."

Hughes growled. "I don't want to be his damn namesake! If I needed to, I'd change my name!"

She smiled again. "Don't do that, at least he's not a namesake who's alive anymore, right?"

"That's the only thing stopping me," Hughes said. "He's dead, so he's not my namesake anymore."

"The thing is I genuinely believe you would've done," this time she reached over and actually touched his arm. "But that's not fair on you. Your parents gave you that name, why should you lose it because of him? Anyway, I'd feel guilty for the rest of my life if you'd done that."

Hughes put his hand on hers and squeezed it. "Well at least that's not an issue we need to worry about anymore then eh?"

She grinned this time. "True." She tried to do as Joanne had asked and eat, but her stomach was still turning like a fairground ride. What'd happened that morning was still so fresh in her mind.

"You alright?" Hughes asked and she could hear genuine concern in his voice. She turned to Joanne.

"There was a bit of an incident this morning, that's why Michael isn't with us."

"Oh no, nothing too bad I hope?"

"Don't worry, Michael's not in solitary or anything, he chose to have some space. He didn't do anything wrong."

A few minutes later, Danielle felt another soft tap on her shoulder. "Good morning," said Dr Stark's voice. "How are you this morning?"

Danielle figured her doctor already knew what'd happened. "Still a bit upset," she admitted quietly. "That… didn't have to happen that way."

"I know," Dr Stark murmured. "Michael's ok, he's still in the yard on his own, he requested it. If I'm honest with you Danielle, I think for the first time in his life he's hurt by how someone he considers a friend reacted to his help."

Danielle nodded. "Yeah, I thought the same thing. The problem is," she sighed. "I can see both sides. Rick's the trained guard, but he did get hurt once before and Michael protected him. He cares abouthim, and I know it's mutual, but… I don't think Rick should've said what he did to Michael."

"I think they both just need time," Dr Stark said. "It'll work itself out, I promise you."

Danielle nodded again; it was all she could say. "Anyway," Dr Stark continued. "I'm here to tell you that you have a visitor when you've finished your breakfast."

At this Danielle looked up. "Who?"

"I don't know sweetheart. As you're now voluntary, I don't have to monitor your visitors."

She smiled a little. "Thanks."

"You'll now be in an office, and you will have a call button under your desk if you need us."

She nodded again. For some reason she was feeling a little unsettled. God knew why, perhaps it was just that morning's events? "Joanne, she said after a moment. "Would you mind coming in with me? I don't know, something just feels… off. I trusted my gut last time even though the powers that be didn't and look what happened then!"

"Of course," Joanne said immediately. "But I won't speak or do anything unless you ask me too or I detect trouble." Dr Stark squeezed Danielle's shoulder again before leaving. "Your visitor is in room two," she called as she left.

A few minutes later Joanne and Danielle headed for visiting room two. As Dr Stark had said it was just an ordinary office with a desk and four chairs. They were bolted down, but that was the only security sign she could see. Joanne showed her where the alarm button was under her side of the desk and also explained this visit was being recorded.

"Where are they?" Danielle asked.

"They don't come in until the patient does," Joanne said, just as there was a soft knock on the door on the other side of the room. "Come in," Danielle called.

The door opened and a tall woman was shown in by the guards. She wore glasses and a crisp shirt and pant suit. Joanne looked at her suspiciously, unable to help herself.

"Good morning, you are Danielle Hayward?" The woman asked.

"No," Danielle said. "I'm Danielle Avery. I was adopted a few weeks ago." She couldn't resist it. Just in those few words from the woman she sounded cold, all business, officious even.

"My apologies," the woman held out her hand to Danielle and slightly touched hers, so she knew she was doing so. Danielle shook the offered hand but felt uneasy. The woman sat down opposite her and Joanne, making no remark that Danielle had a guard with her. Perhaps she thought Danielle had to have one to protect her if Danielle got violent or something.

"Danielle, my name is Claire Wordsworth, I am the chief CEO of the DASC."

Immediately, Danielle felt her blood run hot and cold at the same time. Cold because this clearly wasn't good and hot with anger. But she desperately tried to bite it down. She had no proof why the woman was here yet, she might be wrong. But her gut was screaming she was right at the top of its lungs. As if reading her thoughts, Wordsworth opened a briefcase, and she heard the rustle of papers. Great! She thought. I know exactly where this is going. How fucking dare she?

"Danielle, I am here to speak with you about the claim you have made to us about apparent inadequate protection from us from domestic abuse. I have reviewed the reports, and from what I can see we did our job just fine."

Now Danielle's anger did rise in earnest, and she desperately clamped down on it. Clearly detecting it, Joanne took her hand and squeezed it, not releasing it afterwards.

"Miss Wordsworth," Danielle began, keeping her voice as even as she could. "First I would like to ask you what reports you actually viewed, and second, why you are here to just dismiss my report out of hand, when you haven't even spoken to anyone who was there when it happened."

"That is incorrect," Wordsworth said. "I have spoken to staff at the hospital. Our monitoring app was able to monitor you just fine, we saw and heard everything that happened when you were kidnapped from the hospital by Mr. Dawson."

"Ok now that is total bullshit," now Danielle did rise from her seat, unable to help herself. She expected Joanne to albeit gently push her back down, but she didn't. "Because if that were true, why the fuck were the police not called to my aid? I was only rescued when people from Smith's Grove got there!"

"We work with remote monitoring companies," Wordsworth said, not sounding the least ruffled by Danielle's anger, or even sorry about everything she'd gone through. "If their systems are not working so the police are not called, that is not our problem or responsibility."

"YOU WORK WITH THEM!" Danielle shouted now, slamming her hand on the desk. "THEY ARE PROTECTING YOUR GOD DAMN PATIENTS, CLIENTS, WHATEVER THE FUCK YOU WANT TO CALL THEM! IF IT'S NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT US, THEN WHO THE FUCK IS IT Wordsworth?"

"It's Miss Wordsworth if you please," the woman said, her tone self-important, bordering on arrogance.

"Then it's Miss Avery if you please," Danielle shot back, glaring at Wordsworth.

"Fine. As I was saying Miss Avery, we are not at fault here for what happened to you, we do not monitor the app, the remote company does. Therefore, I am here to tell you that the DASC will not be pursuing your claim for compensation. We did no wrong."

Danielle hammered the call button, now shaking with anger. "I need Dr Stark," she snapped at the guard who answered, not caring who it was. "Now."

Joanne saw Wordsworth give Danielle a patronising smile, clearly thinking Danielle had asked for her doctor because she was panicking, about to have a breakdown or something. She glared at Wordsworth now, her own anger rising. As if to prove her right, Wordsworth spoke, now sounding a little nervous as though she feared Danielle would indeed become violent.

"That's fine, I understand you need your doctor, but please sit down dear?" She glanced at Joanne's name tag. "Joanne, you are the guard, so please tell me if you feel she's had enough and can't take anymore? I don't want to upset her further."

"You patronising bitch!" Danielle burst out. "I'm fucking angry, not having a breakdown. Not just that I guarantee you Dr Stark is not going to like this whatsoever! Joanne is here as my friend, at my request, not my guard to protect your self-important and selfish ass!"

There was a knock on the door. "You asked for me Danielle?" Dr Stark asked. Danielle sighed with relief.

"Yes, Dr Stark I did, please come in? You're not going to like this."

The consultant came in and sat down on Danielle's other side. With Dr Stark and Joanne either side of her, Danielle didn't care what Wordsworth did or tried to do now. "What's the problem Danielle?" Dr Stark asked.

"This," Danielle pointed dismissively at Wordsworth. "Is Miss Wordsworth if you Please, from the DASC. She's the chief CEO. She's here to tell us that our claim against the DASC for failing to protect I or Charlotte will not be taken any further, because it's not their 'responsibility'," she sketched air quotes. "For what happened. That it's the responsibility of the monitoring company, who are remote from the DASC, so of course, it's not the DASC's problem."

Dr Stark was silent for a moment. "Is this correct?" She asked Wordsworth.

"Indeed, it is," Wordsworth said. "The monitoring company are the ones responsible for contacting the police in a domestic violence emergency, not us. Therefore, if something within the equipment failed, it is not our fault."

"Actually," Dr Stark said evenly. "I think you'll find Miss Wordsworth that it is. You work with these companies, so it is indeed your responsibility to do so and work with them. Not just in protecting abused people, but also with aiding them in testing their monitoring equipment on a daily basis. You might want to get your facts right before you start opening your mouth." Danielle grinned to herself.

"On the contrary Dr Stark," Wordsworth sounded as self-important and assured as ever. Danielle hated her. "We did so. So if the equipment malfunctioned the days both Miss Avery and Miss Avery got hurt, it's not our responsibility. We protect abused people, but when they're out on the streets, they are under the care and protection of the monitors."

"That's not true," Danielle said. "I was expressly told by one of your staff named Sue and another named Jessica, that my protection was the responsibility of the DASC, no matter when or where I was around the clock."

"That is incorrect," Wordsworth said.

"Actually it isn't," said Stacey's voice. Danielle felt her affection rising even further. Good old Dr Stark!

"Who might you be?" Wordsworth asked, her tone cold now.

"I," Stacey showed her badge. "Am Stacey Allard, lead Domestic Violence Advisor at Smith's Grove and the surrounding regions. I'd say I am at your level Miss Wordsworth, I know as much as you do."

Wordsworth glanced at the badge and Joanne and Dr Stark both saw her go pale. It was clear she hadn't bargained for Danielle to have such experts on her side. "I requested to visit Miss Avery alone," she said icily. "Not for a small court room."

"Yes," Dr Stark said, her voice as friendly as ever, but Danielle could hear her fury. "That, Miss Wordsworth is because you thought Danielle was stupid, unable to defend herself, a blind little patient who knows nothing. You were proved so wrong. Weren't you watching in court? As for us, we will fight you to the very end on this. Not only that, but I was the one who opened the initial complaint, not Danielle. So you have no right to speak to Danielle and not I, when Danielle is the victim of all this abuse, no right to drag her through it all again, even metaphorically. How dare you." Wordsworth blanched. Danielle stood up and hugged Dr Stark as tightly as she could. "I fucking love you," she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I love you, Dr Stark!"

For the first time ever Dr Stark stroked Danielle's hair, before pushing her affectionately back into her seat. "I think we should continue this conversation elsewhere, Miss Wordsworth," Stacey said, her tone professional, but Danielle knew she was just as angry as they were.

"You know Dr Stark," Danielle said as she took Joanne's hand and they stood up. "Miss Wordsworth if you please, here was terrified I was going to get violent. She thought Joanne was here to protect her from me! Fat chance. Well I'll tell you this Miss Wordsworth if you please, I'm leaving now before I actually do lose my temper and do something I'll regret. This visit is over. I'll leave you in the capable hands of my experts. Good luck winning this one." She walked out, Joanne at her side.