For the next hour, Joanne Turner and Michael Myers talked in a way she never would've believed when first meeting him. He really would've strangled her then, never mind faked it to tickle her! She told him a bit about her life and asked him the question she really wanted to know the answer to. How did he maintain feeling blank, emotionless until Danielle had come along? The killer just shook his head and she understood. She wouldn't know the answer to that question in his shoes either.
"Do you remember the first time she crossed your warning line?" Joanne asked Michael after a few minutes of silence the two drinking their second coffees. The killer nodded and a slight smile touched his lips. "God," she put a hand to her face. "Dr Loomis went ballistic. I mean totally lost his temper. I have never, ever heard him shout like that. I was certain he was going to discipline me. I was fully expecting it too."
It would appear you were wrong then.
She grinned a little. "Ha. But you know what? To this day I don't know why he didn't. I mean ok, Danielle seemed to trust me and maybe even like me, or maybe because I admitted I'd made a mistake."
Why? What did you do?
She flushed a little. "I was talking to Jamie about something on TV the night before and I took my eyes off her for a second too long."
He chuckled. Smart move.
"Shut it," she mock glared at him. "Of course, your line isn't tactile so her cane wouldn't detect it when she was crossing it! I was expecting the staff to put something tactile on it for the future. Why… why did you just touch her arm and not… not try to… you know?"
I do not know. She has asked me the very same question. I will say to you what I said to her. Perhaps because even then I noticed she was vulnerable in not being able to see me.
"Why did you care?" Joanne said before she could think it through. "Shit, you're Michael Myers, a killer! Or at least you were. Why in God's name would that stop you? Yeah, there were guards everywhere, but shit man we both know if you'd really wanted to…" The killer smiled at her; she couldn't help smiling back. "Well?" Their gazes remained locked, and she could tell he was seriously considering the question.
I think that is the answer. She could not see me, or perhaps it was because I in fact knew she'd crossed my line by accident and was totally unaware of this fact, so I wanted to warn her that if she came over it again, I would attack.
"But you didn't," her voice was just above a whisper she realised. "The second time you held her hand for fuck's sake!" He sighed softly. This time she was the one to stand and approach his chair, it was her to kneel beside him and put her arm around him. "You're a good man Michael Myers," she murmured. "Somewhere deep down inside of you is a good man beyond whatever sparked your rage, need and desire to kill. Can't you see that? She's blind and you know what? She saw it. She saw the good man in you as buried deep down as he was. She saw him and brought him back!" She hugged him tightly as again they were silent but did not break their eye contact. Reaching forward, she took his warm and strong hand in hers and they squeezed.
You may be right.
"Maybe? I'd say the odds are good I'm bang on the money."
Perhaps you are.
"Do you remember when I first met you?" She shivered a little now. "That first day? Oh my God! A rookie guard, sure I had experience elsewhere like I told you at dinner two days ago, but this was a whole new ball game for me. Smith's Grove a psychiatric hospital with the most dangerous patients in the country, that was new. All the experience in the world could not completely prepare me for that."
Well, you were clearly qualified enough.
"Ha," she chuckled. "Michael they're pieces of paper, training, tests. They don't fully prepare you for the real thing, nothing really can however hard they might try, it's impossible. Only when you enter the actual hospital can you fully grasp the job that's been intrusted to you. You know they even have actors to help with the training and act as patients? Violent, insane, aggressive, physical, vocal, you name it! But at the end of the day, I think something in you deep down knows they're actors, it's not real. But when you walk through those doors for the first time, it's real alright! I remember when I first saw you. I was like holy fuck that's Michael Myers! Shit, what have I done? But by then it was too late. I'd got the job, passed all the tests and so on, so I had to do it to prove to myself I could even if to no one else. But right at that moment when I saw you, I wanted to run as fast as I could the other way!"
He squeezed her to him again. She smiled at him. "Then you saw me, remember? I just remember you appearing in front of your bars, I didn't even hear or see you move! You can move so quietly it's terrifying! Suddenly bang! You were there, your eyes on me. That cold, emotionless gaze. The only thing I could think was this guy could kill me so easily! I must guard this killer?"
And now?
That's so a rhetorical question and you damn well know it Myers!" She smirked at him. "Now, I deeply care about you. I like all of us have seen the real Michael Myers come out and we both know who to thank for that!"
You're going to ask me how or why she did it, aren't you?
"No," she squeezed his hand. "Because that I think would be an unfair question. I'm guessing you don't know or even fully understand it yourself, right?" He shook his head. "Exactly. So why would I ask you something you can't answer?"
Because I'm expecting it, have done since she… found her way into my heart.
"Oh Michael," now Joanne couldn't help herself. She pulled him into her arms this time and a tight hug. The killer stood again and reciprocated. "No one is judging you," she said softly. "In fact, we hugely respect you. Why do you think we 'allowed' you to kill Jefferson? Baker? Not to mention that fucker Dawson? Because we could see you were protecting a woman who… ok with Jefferson, it just angered you, Baker you were close friends and Dawson need I say more? He'd badly hurt, abused and raped on many occasions the woman you'd fallen in love with, almost causing her to take her life which is how we met her in the first place. The woman who'd done so much for you without even realising it! Look how protective you were of her when Andrews wanted her chained! There was no way you were going to let that happen just as we weren't! But don't keep 'expecting' that question because it won't come. Not from my lips, Rick's, Jack's or the doctors."
If you say so.
"You're not convinced?" It was her turn to kiss his cheek. "Let's call it… a woman's instinct!" She heard his soft sound of amusement and hugged him again. "Ah now, don't you go underestimating us Mr. Myers. We women know what we're talking about! No seriously, no one in our little group is going to ask you that. Plus, if anyone does, you'd be totally within your rights to ignore it. It's none of their business as Danielle said that night."
Now you are speaking of Laurie, aren't you?
She knew that too was not a question, but Michael didn't tense or release her if anything he held her tighter. "Strode can mind her own fucking business," she'd said before she could stop herself. "Jesus! She just sees a killer; she's got no idea what's happened over the last few months and neither does she need to know. So, for her to harass Danielle will be bang out of order! That cow giving her Danielle's number? Fuck me! That's just… wow!"
She heard him chuckle again as she finished her passionate rant, and he squeezed her close.
Well said.
She smiled. "I try. But damn that pissed me off! I mean fucking hell! What? Like 'oh, she's Michael Myers' prime target, so she knows more about him than you? She's his enemy, so listen?' Seriously!"
That really angers you doesn't it.
"Damn fucking right, it does! I hope Laurie doesn't try and accost Danielle when she's back in Haddonfield."
So do I, for her sake.
Joanne shivered. "Yeah, but like Danielle said, 'you want to kill her anyway, have done since 1978.'"
Maybe that will change, but only if she is very, very careful. She makes any move to approach and interrogate her, she will die.
"Then I think you or one of us should tell Danielle this, so she can pass the message on to Laurie. She deserves a warning."
Fine. I would ask you to do that, please?
"Of course," she hugged him again. "Leave it with me."
I thank you. Incidentally, I am sincerely thankful I didn't meet the man who broke your jaw in that prison. Or perhaps I should rephrase, he should be.
She hugged him again as these words bought her close to tears. "Thank you," she said sincerely. Michael stood and hugged her back. "That means a hell of a lot to me."
You're welcome. I in turn thank you for taking care of her the way you have.
"Nothing to thank me for." She glanced at her watch. "It's fifteen minutes to 9, shall we make a move?"
Fine by me.
"Thank you for the chat, Michael. I have really enjoyed this chance to get to know you better."
As have I you.
She couldn't help it and hugged him again before they left the office. Michael walked at her side, and she didn't even consider chains as they headed down the corridors. When they reached the conference room, doctors Loomis and Stark plus Jack were already there.
"Good morning, Joanne, Michael," Dr Stark greeted with a smile. They entered and sat down, Michael writing on his notepad.
I think we should close the doors so Danielle must open them, also maybe a couple at the back talking so the only way she can get your attention is to use the microphones.
Dr Loomis laughed. "That's a great idea Michael, I was already thinking along the same lines. Joanne, Jack, care to do the honours?"
"Sure thing," they said together and headed to the very back of the huge conference room. "She'll have to ring the call bell to get our breakfast," Dr Loomis said to Michael who smiled at him.
…
Despite initially sleeping heavily, Danielle was awake very early the next morning. She lay in bed listening to the silence, apart from Nigel's slow deep breathing. She knew why she was awake, and it had nothing to do with Chancer's execution the night before fucking Adam. He was still there, still taunting her even after death, just as she'd feared he would. It was the nightmare which had awoken her. That house, Adam chaining her to the bed to rape her, his vicious many assaults, his shouts. His demanding she call him "Sir," in almost every sentence she addressed to him. Doing so seemed to be the only way to keep him happy. That was if not assaulting her in any way constituted happy in Adam's world. He's dead! She told herself firmly. He's dead and he can't hurt you again! Your now other half made sure of that! But while she knew this was true, it didn't stop the dreams. Sometimes they seemed worse than the reality had been. She tried to tell herself this was because dreams were all she had left and would never have to face the reality again, but those words didn't help her much. She thought of Nigel's words to her two nights ago. 'Something like that will take a while to recover from, that's if you ever can' and hoped people wouldn't see this as a setback on her part. After all she was already seeing it that way so why shouldn't they? Slipping quietly out of bed, she used the bathroom before creeping into the kitchen. Shutting the door as quietly as she could, she checked her phone. 03:05AM. "Fuck!" She said out loud. This was not the time she wanted to wake up at. Heading over to the kettle, she turned it onto boil having made sure both doors were shut so as not to wake Nigel and being as quiet as she could. Fortunately, the kettle wasn't a particularly loud one. When it was boiled, she poured out her drink, Nigel having shown her where the sugar and tea bags were, and she grabbed the milk from the fridge. She could tell how full the cup was by the increasing pitch as water entered it and knew just how much to put in to add the amount of milk she liked. Once this was done, she sat down at the table with her drink and tried to calm herself. She'd woken up with her heart hammering. She took several deep breaths and reminded herself again that Adam could not hurt her from beyond the grave. Not in the same ways as in life anyway.
She knew she'd need to speak to Dr Stark about this, but also didn't want it to affect her treatment. As she'd said regarding her old number 'I can't run to you in tears every time.' The same held true here, but she was also no longer ashamed as she had been when she'd first arrived at Smith's Grove to seek the doctor's help. That was why she was here after all and why her family had urged her to go. The second time upon entering this hospital she had a lot more confidence, independence and after all she was also there voluntarily, Michael aside. Ah, Michael. She sighed softly, part out of happiness, but also, she couldn't deny it to herself, longing. She didn't regret staying with Nigel whatsoever and was glad she had. She knew only too well she'd see him in just under six hours, but the temptation to text him now was unbelievably strong. She could hear Dr Stark's voice as clearly as if she were in the room. 'Then do it, that's what partners are there for, when the other needs them. Michael won't mind, I already know this.' She just wished she could be as convinced as her imaginary doctor was. The problem also was that she was desperately longing for something from Michael, such a small thing to someone not in an abusive relationship before. Hell, they wouldn't even ask; they'd just do it. But even though he'd gently told her many times to just do it regarding touching his ears, this was a whole new ball game. It was something he'd only done for her twice in all the time she'd known him and all she wanted with all her heart right then was for him to do so again. The thing was she would love to instigate it but was too afraid. Maybe it's just because I've just had nightmares about Adam? She thought as she sipped her tea. Maybe that's all it is, and I'll feel more confident come morning? But she still wasn't convinced. She knew within herself even if no one else was willing to accept it, that it would take her a long time before she'd feel or be strong enough to just do things with Michael as normal. That was if she ever was. She sighed, feeling the threatening sting of tears. NO! She shouted at herself. DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE CRY AVERY! YOU CAN DO THIS; YOU JUST HAVE TO TELL HIM! Ah but that was the problem, wasn't it? Telling Michael. She wasn't even sure she was able to do that tiny thing. She also feared, irrational as it was, that if she told anyone what she was struggling with they'd laugh. Hell, if she was on the outside and this wasn't in fact her situation she probably would've done! Not at the woman herself, but the absurdity of not being able to ask her partner for such a tiny thing. No, you wouldn't, she thought. Because you know how cruel that would be. So, by that same token, nor will they! You must trust them and stop being so paranoid. Adam's fault yes, but why are you letting him have even that small victory when he's dead and gone? That's what he'd want after all.
She cradled the hot mug in her hands, feeling the steam hitting her face and suddenly it hit her. Self-hatred. Why the fuck could she not even ask Michael for something so small without fears? Of course, she knew the answer, which was why she was back in at Smith's Grove in the first place, the main reason at least. Adam. It all came back to fucking Adam fucking Dawson. He was the reason she was in this mess; he couldn't even let her recover in peace, could he? Oh no, because even that would be making her think she'd 'got away from him!' No, he had to remind her 'who was boss' even inside Smith's Grove. It wasn't enough to let her heal and then try something, no he took the first chance he got and it fucking succeeded! Why? How had it been allowed to succeed? How had Charlotte got so badly hurt because of him? Even if the sneaky bastard had covered his tracks on that occasion, she knew it had been him! Who the fuck else would have a random reason to hit and run Charlotte Avery in the street? Jesus Christ! Ok Adam had now been served the ultimate justice, but it still made her so angry and upset. But most of all as selfish as it sounded, was the fact he'd been able to target her. Charlotte in a terribly sad way kind of made sense. She was out in society, easy to target. But she'd been in a damn hospital, supposedly safe and even then, Adam hadn't stopped. The texts, Emails, calls had continued all throughout her first stint in Smith's Grove. She'd only gone back to Haddonfield because he'd, yes, he'd hurt Charlotte! Should she have perhaps realised the whole thing had been sick, cruel trap she'd fallen straight into? She'd been so desperate to go to Haddonfield to be with her friend while she fought for her life that she hadn't even considered Adam's possible ulterior motive! Had he done it purposely to get to her because he knew she'd come running if Charlotte got hurt? STOP! JUST FUCKING STOP! YOU CAN'T THINK ABOUT IT NOW, IT'S OVER! Charlotte WILL BE OK; SHE HAS TO BE! SHE IS FUCKING HAS TO BE! Adam's DEAD, DON'T THINK ABOUT IT, STOP ALREADY AVERY! GO BACK TO BED DAMN IT! But it was too late. The tears were falling before she even realised it and soon, she was crying in earnest. Adam had scarred hers and Charlotte's lives so badly she wasn't sure either of them would ever recover completely. Charlotte's bullshit about how she hadn't been in as much danger as she had been just that, bullshit. Abuse was abuse just as Dr Stark had told Charlotte herself. But it wasn't just all that, it was Michael. She was missing him so bad it felt like the worst kind of ache, except this one was deep within her heart. She knew she was being stupid she'd see him very soon, but it didn't take the pain away. Perhaps it wasn't just the pain though. It was probably also because she wanted to ask him for something, something so small yet huge to her but because of the late Adam Dawson's influence she still wasn't sure if she could. What were the doctors expecting? That she'd leave Smith's Grove perfectly recovered? If so, she'd be there for a long time yet, voluntarily or not.
She didn't hear the kitchen door open and only knew Nigel was there when his arms came around her, pulling her tightly to him. He didn't speak just let her cry, handed her some tissues and rattled the open white chocolate cookie packet on the table. At this sound she gave a faint smile unable to help it and it turned into a small chuckle when he put her hands on his ears. Still, he didn't speak though, and she was grateful for this, as it gave her time to get her thoughts, feelings and emotions under control or even straight in her own head. She gently pulled his ears and he chuckled, leaning in and kissing her cheek. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him as tightly as she could. If it hadn't been for this man right here, she would very probably if not certainly be dead now. While that was what she'd wanted at the time, now? Still without speaking, he kissed her cheek again and stood, heading to the kettle. She heard it boiling and then him pouring out his own drink, before he slipped into the chair beside hers at the table. She knew only too well what this silent signal meant. 'We're talking, tell me what's wrong.' Or maybe she was mistaken, maybe he was just being there for her while she cried. Either way, she fucking adored him. Eventually she was able to look up at him, throwing her tissues in the bin. Unable to resist, she took a white chocolate cookie before silently holding out the packet to him. Fuck the time, this was one of her comforts and of course he knew it. It was one of the many things she'd told him while they'd talked when Adam was at work. He took one and they sat there in silence for a few moments, drinking their hot drinks and nibbling their cookies. She was the first to break it.
"I didn't wake you, did I?"
"Irrelevant as that is, no babe you didn't. I woke up and saw you weren't in bed. I was heading back from the bathroom when I heard you in the kitchen."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't sleep.
"So, you're apologising for… what exactly?"
She smiled a little. "Fuck! Nothing, I fuck!" She ran her hands across her face. God she was tired. Not necessarily physically, but mentally. Tired of Adam's constant influence even now, tired of her own what she viewed as a weakness not to ask Michael such simple things. All she wanted to do now was the very opposite of what she'd wanted when she'd first entered this hospital and that was to live.
""I want to ask Michael to do something for me. He's done it twice and I fucking loved it! But I… I'm struggling tonight. God! What I wouldn't give to ask him today, but… but I don't know if I'm strong enough yet."
"That's not a crime, you know that right? No one will hold it against you least of all Michael."
She sighed. "Wish I could tell myself that and believe it."
"What that Michael won't hold it against you?"
"No, the fact it's not stupid. Because I feel like it is, and I don't know what to do about it. I can't stop thinking and it's driving me insane! Are Dr Stark, Dr Loomis and our family yes Nige I said 'our,' expecting me to leave here fully recovered? If so, I'll see them in about… fifty years!"
He chuckled. "No honey of course we're not. You leave when you're ready to leave. That's what Dr Stark said was it not? So, listen to her. As for what this 'tiny' thing is you need to ask Michael," she knew he was quoting her use of the word 'tiny,' reminding her that to her it wasn't. "Then if it takes time that's ok. You've told me how kind he's been to you about things like that! So, it's not a 'tiny' thing if it's worrying you or it's something you desperately want him to do for you! Tell him in whatever way you can, and I guarantee he'll do it, no questions asked. Is it to touch his ears?"
At this she finally did laugh properly at last. "No, although God knows I want to do that too! His ears are so fucking sexy!"
He laughed with her. "Well… I don't have a… thing for ears, so I'll have to take your word for that!"
She took a deep breath and finally told him what she'd been thinking about the late Adam's real motive for having Charlotte injured, getting to her when she of course went down to Haddonfield to be with her. "Did I fall straight into his trap?" She asked softly.
"Darling," Nigel pulled her tightly back into his arms. "That too is irrelevant now. Because you and I both know Charlotte will wake up, will come back to us! You can't keep thinking and wondering about that it'll do you no good at all! Plus, if you dare to say you feel like it was your fault Danielle Avery that Charlotte got hurt because Adam wanted to get to you, I will never whistle or let you touch my ears again!"
"I think I'd better take that threat seriously," she managed to laugh again. "But please, I have to say this once, I kind of… do! I mean shit. The DASC should've protected her yes, but Adam of course knew I'd run down to Haddonfield when it happened, he was probably planning all this even before Charlotte got hurt!"
"Ok, so I've let you say it once, fine. But I'm warning you if you say you feel that way to me again, no whistling or ears for you!"
She smiled a little. "You're on. Thanks Nige, I love you."
"I love you too, more than anything in the world. I'd do anything for you, you know that right?"
"Ditto," she kissed his cheek this time as they sat holding each other.
"As for feeling 'guilty,' this time she knew he was quoting her. "Answer me this, once! Why? You didn't make Adam do it! What? Were you just supposed to not come down to Haddonfield and say 'oh sorry I can't? I know Charlotte's critically ill, but I can't be with my best friend because that's what Adam wants?" Fuck that dead peace of fucking shit! You would never have not gone to be with Charlotte. Tell me something. If you'd known what you very unfortunately do now, that Adam was planning to grab you because of you being in Haddonfield, would you have remained in Smith's Grove? Even knowing Charlotte was fighting to survive?"
She considered his question, but not for long. "No fucking chance!" She almost growled.
"Then I rest my case," he hugged her fiercely to him. "That's why we all are fucking love you so much Danielle Avery, even Michael fucking Myers does! Because you're selfless, you always put others first and you didn't even consider that it might put you in danger at the time, did you? Can you honestly tell me that entered your head during your journey back down to Haddonfield?"
"Not for a second," she admitted instantly.
"Then let me ask you again and for the final, and I mean final time. Why do you feel guilty? How was it your fault? You did what any real friend would've done, not even considered the danger you might be in over your best friends and now sisters remember? Health. You did nothing wrong; Dawson orchestrated the whole fucking thing! He's the evil fucker here or maybe I should say was, thank you Michael," he whistled a happy little tune and she at last giggled. "So, don't you dare blame yourself, got me? If that was Adam's plan to injure Charlotte to get you down to Haddonfield and attack, how is that your fault? I mean it, argue with me and you're whistling and ears access from me are over for life!"
She felt tears sliding down her face again, but this time of love. "Fuck I love you," she said through her constricted throat as she hugged him again. "I know you're right… I just… I know I can't and refuse to call it 'survivor's guilt' because Charlotte's not fucking dead yet and she is fucking isn't going to be! I just hate to think of the fact he used my sister as a chip to get to me!"
"Which was not your fault. How do you know for certain he wouldn't have tried to hurt Charlotte without you in the picture?"
This was something she had to admit she hadn't even considered. "Well, I don't," she said quietly.
"Exactly! So, no guilt, hear me?"
"Thank you, Nigel Manning," she hugged him so tightly she heard him pretend he couldn't breathe. But she couldn't release him. He hugged her back just as fiercely and she kissed his cheek once, twice. "I fucking adore you," she said, her tears of love hitting his face. He picked up a tissue and lovingly wiped her eyes.
"I 'fucking' adore you too," he said, his own voice cracking. "Don't you ever forget that! I could never, ever have let you fuck hang in that garage because of that fucker!"
"I owe you my life," she said simply. "Nothing more or less. Though," she smiled through her tears now. "If Michael had had his way when I first arrived it would've all been for nothing anyway!"
He chuckled and now took her hand, pulling her to her feet. "Come on you, let's get some more sleep. You'll see a certain Michael, yes Michael," he whistled again, and she laughed genuinely this time. "In just a few hours. What is it they say? Absence makes the heart grow… bigger? Or something like that!"
"It's fonder your daft bugger," now her laughter was real.
"Oh!" He slapped his forehead. "Of course it is! I forgot!"
Still grinning, she finally slid back into bed. She felt a million times better although she still just hoped she could ask Michael for her tiny little request.
"Just ask him," Nigel said from the other bed. She gaped at him. "How…"
He laughed. "Dr Loomis taught me the gift," he said in a mysterious voice. She giggled again. "Fuck off!"
"Because I know you Missy, that's how! I know what you're thinking about! Listen babes I know it's hard given everything, of course I do! But that's what Dr Stark said. Work with Michael, let him soothe you when you slip up and I'm sure you help him when he… struggles too."
She thought of the day Michael had said those dangerous five words to her in their cell. 'I need to kill someone.' Nigel was right. She'd hugged him then, asked if there was anything she could do to help him and even moved them both, so they were lying down in a cuddle. If she could do that, could she do this too? She thought of his text to her straight after she'd done so. 'You, see? This is the control you always should've had. With me, you always will.' So, could she act on it and ask him for it? She still didn't know. But one thing was certain. She WOULD get rid of Adam Dawson from her memories, nightmares and existence. It might take time, but she'd realised recently she was nothing if not a fighter. When Adam had grabbed her, she hadn't gone to pieces, 'go to hell Adam' was a damn good indication of that. No, her family and the doctors, not to mention Michael and the guards were all right. Fuck Adam, he was dead and had no power over her! She was no longer the woman who'd walked through these doors the first time and she would make damn sure the world knew as much.
…
When her alarm went off for the second time in two days, Danielle was less inclined to get out of her bed so quickly. "What's time?" She asked groggily, as Nigel rolled over in the other bed. "Clearly time to get up," he quipped before coming over and pulling her covers off. "Nigel Manning!" She squealed in surprise but was unable to stop herself laughing. "You cheeky thing!" She couldn't believe it was 08:15 already where the hell had the night gone? But then she reasoned she had spent a good hour and a bit of it talking with Nigel, which she didn't regret in the slightest. Heading out of bed and into the ensuite bathroom, she closed the door and started getting ready for the day.
"You look gorgeous as always," Nigel said when she came out wearing her suit pants and Chris Leach's shirt.
"Bugger off," she pulled a face. "I look just as I did yesterday except, I've just had a shower and washed my hair!"
"Which is why you look gorgeous," Nigel said affectionately, pulling her into a hug. Nigel went into the bathroom and when he came out, she smelt his aftershave. When she hugged him, she gasped, he was wearing a suit and tie. "What the?"
"Like it?" He kissed her cheek. "Little surprise for you I know what you're like about men in suits and by the way you can touch me as much as you want!" Tears filled her eyes at this, because she knew they were both remembering Adam refusing to let her touch him in his, his cruel jokes that he was wearing it when he in fact wasn't before moving so she couldn't find him. "Don't," Nigel warned, immediately detecting where her mind was going. "Let it go, don't go there, That's over. Does Michael know you like men in suits?"
"Um," she blushed. "I don't think so."
"Hmm. I may have to change that then. Come on you, it's 25 minutes past 8."
She nodded, packed up her few belongings and they exited their sweet to the sound of whistling. She couldn't stop touching Nigel's arm and his tie. The whistling made her smile grow broader if that was possible. Rick, of course. "Morning Rick," she and Nigel said together.
"Morning, thought I'd act as the birds for you to come out!"
She laughed and moved forward to hug him. "Notice Nigel's in a suit and tie?" She whispered in his ear. "I um… love men in suits and ties and of course he knows it."
"Yes, as do I after yesterday," he raised his voice. "She couldn't keep her hands off me!"
"Oh, shut up," she went bright red, and the two men roared with laughter. Now, Rick was wearing his Smith's Grove uniform of black dress pants and a white shirt. No tie, as they were of course considered a safety risk for strangulation. "Right," Nigel said. "We ready?"
"You know Dr Loomis would let you park in the staff bay outside the block, right?" Rick asked as they started walking. "He'd have a right go at me if I didn't at least remind you of this!"
Nigel chuckled. "He's a good man Dr Loomis," he said. "But honestly, it's fine. I need to come back here to collect my stuff before I leave for the airport later anyway." The thought of this made her sad. Nigel ruffled her short hair. "Don't you worry kid, I ain't going yet!"
They reached the shuttle station, and she jabbed the button to call one. Within a minute, it rolled up almost silently and the doors hissed open electronically. They climbed aboard. "Welcome to the Smith's Grove shuttle system, please select your desired destination."
"What do you think happens if you don't get aboard quick enough?" She asked. "Do you think it just drives off? Or do you think it stays there like this talking to itself?"
Rick laughed. "You have a minute to board then the doors close but it just remains there until it's needed somewhere else. If you need it, you just press the call button, and the doors reopen. It knows if there's already a vehicle at your station and sends a signal to it."
"That's pretty cool technology," Nigel said, and she nodded. They sat down in the comfortable leather seats. "How many seats are in here?"
"Let's see…" there was a pause as Nigel counted. "Twenty."
"What if it's full and everyone wants to go somewhere different?"
"It's kind of like an elevator," Rick said. "But instead of floors it's alphabetical order. That's why it talks, not just for people like yourself but people at the back can't see the screen very well.
"Who controls the screen then?"
"Whoever's at the front." Nigel took her hand, and they stood up, he showed her the vehicle from front to back, then the one touch screen at the front. "It's surprisingly comfortable for such short journey's," she remarked.
"Yeah, I've always wondered why that was. Maybe because our former CEO Andrews used them so wanted only the best?"
She chuckled. "Rick Evans!"
"Well?" He raised his hands up in defence. "You met him, that should tell you everything!"
This time she snorted. "Yeah, he loves his patients chained and wants everything on a schedule and in a report for his morning or evening coffee!"
"That about sums it up," Rick said.
"Wow he sounds lovely," Nigel muttered. "Can't believe he tried to have you chained, when you told me that I was fucking furious! Didn't Michael grab him round the neck?"
"Yup," Rick confirmed.
"Good!" Now Nigel took her finger and directed it onto the touchscreen as they tapped in the instructions for HCU. Once they were done and had been told they'd be there in approximately four minutes, she took a seat and fastened her seatbelt. The doors had already hissed closed as the one minute had passed.
"That's weird," she said as they waited the fifteen seconds to pull away. "How come four minutes? Last time it was three?"
"Sometimes when there's a lot of traffic it takes longer, the shuttle tracks must be busy this morning, that's all."
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense. What about the fifteen second wait?"
"So, people have time to get seated and in case someone picks the wrong station, they have time to change it." There was a soft 'ding' as the shuttle pulled smoothly away. She'd not noticed it before. "What was that?"
"It's just an audible signal we're leaving, you can turn it off in the menu that might be why you haven't heard it before, in the vehicle you were in it may have been turned off."
"Don't suppose there's tea in that magic menu is there?"
"Oh dear, someone did not have their caffeine this morning?"
"I was… up a bit late," she admitted sheepishly. Nigel grinned. "Although we did have tea and white chocolate cookies at 3 this morning did, we are not?"
She blushed but nodded. "Yeah, only because I couldn't sleep! If I go back to sleep and wake up, I need my tea before I feel human!" Both men chuckled. A minute or so later, the shuttle came to a gentle stop. "See?" Rick said. "We're stuck in shuttle traffic, we're not there yet."
"We are sorry for the temporary delay in your journey," said the automated voice. "We are currently experiencing a high amount of vehicle traffic. Please remain seated and we will resume as quickly as possible."
"There you go," Rick and Nigel smiled. "She said it better than I did!"
"What is in the menu?"
"Just to turn the bell on and off, the voice on and off and a light if traveling when it's dark. I use it a lot after nights so it's helpful when leaving at 7 or coming in for 11. Sometimes I don't want the damn thing talking in my 'normal-sized ears!'
She gave him the finger and laughed. "Makes sense. Is there a horn in the menu so we can tell the shuttles to hurry the fuck up and move out of our way? We have a place to be this morning!"
Rick and Nigel burst out laughing. "So, the others don't? Oh of course!" Nigel poked her in the shoulder. "We have royalty on this shuttle thank you very much! Move your asses for the queen of Smith's Grove!"
"Fuck off!" All three of them started laughing then and it felt so good to her. After the years of hell she'd gone through, even laughing was something she would never take for granted again!" The bell rang and they started moving. "Thank you for your patience, you will reach your destination in approximately two minutes."
Finally, they reached HCU. The doors opened and Nigel guided her towards the block doors, Rick behind them. He pulled out his pass and allowed them access, so they didn't have to press the buzzer. They walked in and Dr Loomis was walking towards them. "Good morning," he greeted warmly. "How are we doing this morning? Very dapper suit Nigel."
"I think a certain Madam needs her tea," Nigel poked her in the side. "Asked if there was tea service on the shuttles!"
Dr Loomis laughed. "Sadly, they're not that advanced I'm afraid. But your wish is our command, Madam. Follow me and your tea will be waiting for you. Um providing you press the button for it of course!" She couldn't help the swell of happiness and love in her chest at that moment for every one of them, plus the others who would be waiting in that room. As if reading her thoughts, this time both Nigel and Rick whistled in unison making her beam with delight, which only made them do it again. Dr Loomis chuckled. "Sorry I can't whistle," he said apologetically.
"I did wonder," she admitted as they started walking.
"Would have of course done it for you by now if I could," Dr Loomis said. "What about this instead?" He moved forward and lowered his head, so she felt his ears. "A certain someone said I have 'nice ears!'"
Nigel and Rick burst out laughing. "Uh oh," Nigel gasped. "That means your ears will never be left alone Doc! Watch out!" As if to prove it, she gently pulled them, and he laughed. "Um, ow?" All four of them were snickering as they reached the conference room. "Oh dear," Dr Loomis said good naturedly. "It would appear the doors are closed, it looks like a certain someone will have to let us in, please?"
"I love you Dr Loomis," she said and meant it. "Thank you so much for this, they're such simple things but you know they cheer me up so you're letting me do them!"
The psychiatrist squeezed her hand. "You're more than welcome, but please can you hurry up so you can get in and press the second button? We're hungry!" At this they all laughed. "Damn right!" Rick agreed. Danielle pressed the door open button on the outside and they hissed open immediately. Her heart flipped in her chest at the thought she would see the love of her life any second now. Clearly, it'd shown on her face too because Rick and Nigel whistled for a third time, just before she felt herself being lovingly pulled close, into the embrace she knew so well.
"Morning Michael," she leant into his shoulder. "Christ, I missed you so bad! I mean like bad!" She expected him to chuckle, to make fun of her even in an affectionate way, but he didn't. He simply leant down and took her lips in a long, lingering kiss.
Nigel took advantage of her being wonderfully distracted and spoke very softly to Dr Loomis. "Danielle told me last night she desperately wants something from Michael but is afraid to ask him for obvious reasons. I think she wants to instigate it too which she said would be a huge step for her and of course we all know and understand why! It certainly would. I don't know what it is though I honestly don't, nor did I push her for details, that's between her and Michael. I just wondered if there was some way you could make it so she… I don't know, asks him?"
The doctor smiled at him. "Leave it with me," he said simply. "We've already made a slight… tweak for them in here this morning!" Nigel raised his eyebrows and the doctor pointed to a double leather seat at the head of the table, which would enable them to sit side by side on the same seat. "Aww," he blinked back tears. "Thank you, Dr Loomis."
"Nothing to thank me for, I'm as pleased and happy as you are to be able to help them." Nigel looked towards the back of the huge conference room and saw Jack and Joanne sitting at the very back talking adamantly. "Is that so she has to use the microphones to call them over?" He whispered. Dr Loomis nodded. "Yup, of course! If she wants her breakfast and beloved tea, she'll need to ring the call bell too!"
"I'm not sorry but I have to say it again! Thank you so much Dr Loomis, it means the world to me, and you are really helping with her treatment, even by these simple gestures."
"You're more than welcome Nigel, now shall we take our seats?" Michael led her to the double seat a few seconds later, confirming to Nigel he'd been told it was there. Was he imagining it, or had Michael just smiled at his doctor? "Oh wow," she said as they sat down close together, and Michael slid his arm around her pulling her to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, and they all saw Michael stroking her hair. Nigel felt himself blink back tears which did fall a second later, when they heard Michael Myers, himself whistling softly and saw Danielle hugging him as tightly as she could. "I love you Michael Myers," she just managed to say.
"Good morning," came Dr Stark's soft voice beside them. Sorry but do you mind?" There was the snap of a camera. "That's so sweet!" Michael held her tighter. Leaning in for another kiss, he moved his head, so her hands were on his ears. Dr Stark laughed, and she sounded very close to if not in tears herself.
"Dr Stark, can I ask you a very small favour? Would it be possible for you to bring my file in here? I trust everyone in this room with my life, including Joanne and Jack when they get here, and I need to talk to you all about something. Would you be willing to do that?"
"Of course," Dr Stark said instantly. "Give me two minutes, please open the doors?" At her touch of the button she was gone, walking fast out of the room.
"Dr Loomis," she called. "Where are Jack and Joanne? Are they not here yet?" Michael kissed her and she heard his soft chuckle. "What?" Dr Loomis looked at Michael and they smiled at each other, before it was Michael who answered her question in a text.
Oh, they're here alright, they're right at the back. You'll just have to use the microphones to get their attention, won't you? M.
She kissed him, hugging him as tightly as she could. Dr Loomis squeezed her shoulder. She knew he'd done this on purpose. Michael had probably been in on it too. God, she loved these people to the death! She made to reach forward for the button panel then stopped, taking Michael's hand. Together they pressed the call bell, then the microphone button. The chime sounded. "Attention please Ms. Turner, Mr. Grant." Her voice echoed through the massive room. "Please can you come to the front now and stop talking during school time you naughty children? The lesson is about to start! Thank you!"
Everyone laughed as Jack and Joanne appeared. "Sorry Ms. Avery," they said together in the tones of naughty children. She couldn't help laughing too. "I should think so!" She heard Dr Stark laughing as the consultant returned and retook her seat.
They sat down just as they heard the whistling she knew immediately. Dr Loomis or Dr Stark must've arranged it to be Jerry and he of course knew to whistle for her. Damn she liked him a lot. The doorbell rang even though the doors had been left open. It still made her smile.
"Good morning, ladies and gents," Jerry said cheerfully and warmly as they immediately smelt the delicious smell of cooked breakfast. Anne, Tony and I here with breakfast, tea and coffee! Sausage, scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, hash browns and fried bread. Accompanied by strawberry and vanilla yogurts and…" he paused dramatically. "A plate of my white chocolate muffins!"
"Sounds delicious," Nigel said. "Thanks, loads you guys." The others nodded.
The three-kitchen staff entered, two of them wheeling carts. Anne and Tony past around the plates, cutlery and cups, while Jerry parked the breakfast trolley against the wall just inside the door. "Enjoy guys," he said and started to whistle making everyone including his two colleagues smile, as the three of them left.
"Can I ask a quick question I thought of last night? How do you… sort of alert others there's a meeting going on, so they don't just open the doors from the outside like I did?"
"Ah, yes!" Joanne said. "That little gem! Well, if you press the door close button, you know how the button is divided into two parts open and close? If you press the close button once the doors are closed a sign comes up on the outside, which says 'meeting in progress, please ring doorbell.' It also means the outside door open button won't work."
"That's cool," Danielle pressed it. Did it work?"
"Yup," Dr Stark said. "There's a little red light on now on the control panel which notifies us the sign is active. Right, we ready to eat?"
"Hell yes!" Nigel, Danielle, Rick, Jack and Joanne all said together. Dr Stark chuckled. "Ok then, tuck in! Not that you need my permission!"
"Danielle, shall I grab yours?" Nigel asked. "Or would you like Joanne or someone else too? Any of us will you know that of course!"
"Go for its Nige, thank you. I'll have everything please?"
"Of course you will," Nigel chuckled and was the first to approach the food cart. To her happy shock, it was Michael who poured out and past her her tea. "Thank you, babe," she kissed him. She then smelt it as he got his coffee. "Here you are babe," Nigel said as he passed her a full plate. "Enjoy!"
"Nice suit Nigel," Jack and Joanne said together. "Bet she's all over you," Joanne finished. They heard Michael chuckle quietly. Nigel whispered conspiratorially to the killer. "She loves men in suits, make a mental note my man! She won't be able to stop touching you and that's not just your ears!" The others now moved to get their breakfast.
For a while there was silence as everyone ate and drank. After a few moments Rick spoke. "So, Nigel, tell us a bit about you?"
"Um," Nigel blushed. "Not really a lot to say. I was born just outside of Haddonfield, went to school nearby and then took a job as a taxi driver for a while, until Sophie became ill at which point I quit to care for her. Shame on me I've never gone back to work since! I made a lot of money while doing that and there's also pension and so on."
"Hey, no shame in that," Jack said as he sliced his sausage. "Why work if you don't have to?"
"Why are you working then?" Nigel quipped, cutting his hash brown. "You guys are probably rolling in it doing this job!"
All three guards laughed. "You are so wrong," Jack grinned. "Sure, the pay's better than most jobs because of the risk allowance, we get a bit extra because we put ourselves at risk every day as we unfortunately saw with this good man here," Danielle heard him thump Rick's shoulder or back. "But that aside, we still must pay bills you know! Sadly, they don't pay themselves!"
She laughed a little sadly. "Yeah, I used all my benefits money to pay bills, my disability payments. I couldn't go to work so I was skint very quickly!"
"Well," Dr Loomis said. "In which case you'll be pleased to know that I have pulled some strings, so all the late Mr. Dawson's finances have now gone entirely to you. You are now significantly better off than you would've ever been before, and you also own his house."
Danielle gaped at him. "Wo. Seriously? Well, I'll tell you all now the first thing I want to do after giving Charlotte half of it is sell that house! I never want to set foot in it again and I can tell you right now and for a fact that Charlotte won't either! I'll tell her she's now rich when she wakes up!"
"Perfectly understandable. Would you like me to arrange and sort that for you?"
"Would you, Dr Loomis? Thank you I really appreciate that and so does Charlotte!"
"No problem, you're more than welcome. Ok leave that with me!"
"Your bank card is back in the safe where you asked me to put it when you came back," Dr Stark said. "Do you want it back?"
"Nah it's ok thanks Dr Stark," she smiled affectionately at her doctor. "We might as well leave it there until I leave or need it." She whistled softly. "Holy fuck! Adam is probably turning in his grave. Women have all his money and possessions. That's just not allowed!" Everyone laughed. "Stupid evil prick," Jack muttered.
"Well said," she grinned then turned to Nigel. "I never knew you used to be a taxi driver?"
"Oh, did I never mention it? Sorry kid! Wasn't much, but I did get some rich customers sometimes and they were rather generous with their tips! I know, I had royalty in my hire car last night, but I don't dare charge you your Majesty!"
"Will you shut up?" She couldn't help laughing and heard everyone else doing the same even Michael was laughing out loud now.
"Hmm, I might have seen you," Dr Loomis said thoughtfully. "Did you used to drive a black station waggon with NMT on the side?"
"Wow," Nigel looked surprised. Yes, I did. Did I ever take you anywhere?"
"I think you might have done," Dr Loomis said slowly. "I think to a work party or something like that."
"Dr Loomis!" She exclaimed. "Are you telling me you were out drinking?"
"Most certainly not!" Dr Loomis leaned forward and poked her arm. "How could you think such a thing?" Everyone snickered. "Do you like a drink?" Nigel asked.
"Um, not really. Sometimes I might have a beer, but not often. I've never been one for being out of control however slightly, which of course in a job like this you can't be."
How true is that, she thought. Drunk with Michael Myers just a few feet away? Prepare to die! "Your guards like a drink though," she said and smirked at Joanne.
"Oh stop! It was a small wine! Ug you Danielle Avery are unbelievable. I'll never hear the end of that now, will I?" Dr Loomis laughed. "You reap what you sow, Joanne."
"What about you Rick, Jack?" She and Nigel asked together and grinned.
"I don't mind a beer when I'm not working," Jack said. "I used to go out and get absolutely pissed out of my head when I was younger, but then I met Gill and it all stopped."
"Why?" She couldn't help asking.
"I just felt I had to be more responsible. I was a husband now, part of a family if you like. Don't get me wrong Gill was always up for a drink with me, but I never repeated going out to get totally smashed! Apart from anything else when she was with me, I wanted to look out for her."
"Not even on your stag do?" Nigel smirked. "I was hammered to all hell on mine!"
Jack laughed. "We went to another state for a couple of days so ok, maybe I did get a little um… inebriated then!"
"As for looking out for her of course you did," she said affectionately. "Just like you want to protect me." The guard stood, approached her and Michael's chair and hugged her. "No that's purely because you're a sweetheart too," he said. "Oh, and by the way I've got a promise I need to keep! I haven't forgotten." She raised her eyebrows, confused until a few seconds later she felt him sliding his equipment vest onto her.