"Uh oh," Joanne said. "Guard Avery's on duty best behaviour everyone, she takes no bullshit as she told us over the public address system!"
"Noted," everyone said together.
"Thanks Jack, I… I can't tell you how much this means to me, I'd honestly forgotten, but now I remember you saying you'd do it again soon."
"Indeed, I did," Jack squeezed Danielle's shoulder and returned to his seat. "I'm just sorry it was this long."
"I detect a story?" Nigel asked. "Don't tell me if it's private between you two of course!" He saw them smiling fondly at each other.
"Derek Chancer was being interrogated in one of the interrogation suites which are underground, and the doctors didn't want me worrying about it. So, they asked Jack to… entertain me while they did it. We watched a movie in the cinema and were in one of the offices where he let me wear this and feel all the equipment, that was when I got my first go at firing his gun! Talk about third time's the charm! The second time I threatened Chancer with it and the third. Ah, Adam Dawson's right leg! Almost orgasmic!" Everyone smiled.
"She also sounded the panic alarm before pulling my 'small ears,'" Jack said making everyone including Michael laugh out loud. "Rick was told he had 'normal-sized ears,' Joanne's were 'cute,' Dr Loomis had 'nice ears!" Everyone was still laughing. "Oh, and Michael had 'sexy as all hell,'" Joanne finished to renewed laughter.
"Hey!" Danielle raised her hands in mock self-defence. "They are sexy! What? Am I supposed to lie?"
"Yeah, and I think she just called mine, "Normal,"" Dr Stark added. "I had the least popular ears in this room I think!"
Danielle hit the microphone button. "Oh, be quiet, shut up you lot! You all have amazing ears!" As Danielle hoped it would, the laughter only intensified at this, and she could only join in. Hearing Michael Myers himself laughing out loud was music to her huge ears. Self-professed huge of course! She grinned to herself.
"She even felt Chris Leach's ears last night," Rick said to more laughter. "I mean shit! A top crime Lord and she's touching his damn ears?"
"Piss off! He let me do it! If you remember Mr. Evans he also whistled as well then lent me his shirt when you nearly gassed me!"
Rick could hardly speak for laughing. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that! This is true, she said he had 'nice ears' too! Sorry Dr Loomis you would appear to have ear competition!"
"Oh!" Dr Loomis sounded wounded. "Oh, my poor ears! It's ok, I can take it!" This time Danielle almost choked on her tea for laughing.
"NMT?" She asked Nigel when she could speak. "What? Nigel Manning Taxis?"
"Bang on kiddo," Nigel chuckled. "Yes, I know, very original… or not." She turned to Dr Loomis. "So, when you said 'your taxi is here last night…'"
Dr Loomis smiled. "Yes, that was not an accidental choice of words."
"That's what you said?" Nigel blushed but grinned. "Wow did I make that much of an impression when I picked you up? Probably best not to answer that!" Everyone laughed. "You were very nice to me of course," Dr Loomis confirmed.
"So, what about you Rick? On the drink front?" Nigel asked.
"No," the guard shook his head. "Not for me, I've never really enjoyed it. I'd much rather just have a coke. Why drink something if you don't like it just to be sociable?"
"I love you even more Rick Evans," Danielle grinned. "Another who doesn't like alcohol, oh at last! Even a certain Mr. Myers tried beer two nights ago!"
"Indeed?" Dr Loomis' tone was amused. "And?" Nigel handed Michael a piece of paper from the huge box in the corner and a pen. Michael wrote and Dr Stark read it aloud.
I believe my reaction was 'not bad.' Especially if you consider that was my first ever taste of alcohol.
"Fair enough," Dr Loomis smiled at his patient then before he could hold it back said what he'd been thinking out loud. "Who are you and what have you done with Michael Myers?" Everyone smiled affectionately at both Michael and Dr Loomis. "There was a time I'd never have let you near alcohol with a barge pole! You were dangerous enough sober but drunk? No thank you!" Michael chuckled before holding up another message.
I am still Michael Myers; I just fell in love.
"Aww," everyone said together as Michael kissed Danielle and put her hands on his ears.
There were a few further moments of casual conversation as everyone cleared the breakfast plates easily. Danielle felt relaxed now and full of delicious food. They moved onto the yogurts and muffins, and Danielle groaned out loud when she tried a muffin for the first time. "These are better than the cookies!" She proclaimed. After they'd finished, Danielle pressed the call bell. Anne and Tony entered, beginning to clear the table. "Thank you so much," Danielle said sincerely. "That was absolutely gorgeous!" Everyone murmured in agreement.
"You're welcome," Anne said warmly.
"What did you think of the muffins?" Tony asked. He was a member of staff Danielle hadn't spoken to much, but he was always friendly to her when serving her food when they had met.
"They're absolutely fucking amazing," she admitted, and he laughed. "I'll be sure to tell him word for word, expletives included! You guys need anything else?"
"Can we have some more tea and coffee please?" She asked.
"Yep, give us five minutes." The two staff wheeled the carts back out of the room.
"Wow," Danielle leant back in her chair. "That was the best breakfast I've ever had!"
"It was indeed lovely," Nigel agreed.
Once Tony had delivered their hot drinks and left, Danielle reactivated the 'meeting in progress' sign. "You can go first if you want Rick," she offered.
"Madam is so kind," he teased. "Nah go on, ladies first and all that."
Danielle took a moment gathering her thoughts before she spoke. "Well, it was intense, I'll say that. Not to the point I regret seeing it," she took Michael's hand and they squeezed. She didn't however release it afterwards. "But damn. I knew a man was about to die and I was sitting there watching it! Did Rick tell you all he'd arranged for me to touch the electric chair? I was even allowed to sit in it! This was before the execution of course! There was a lovely guard named Joel and you know what? One of the first things I said to him was 'now I'll have people saying what and you let her out alive afterwards? Thanks Rick!' To clarify 'thanks Rick' was included in my sentence to Joel too!"
"Hey, don't you go blaming me," Rick snickered. "But didn't I ask you that very question myself last night? 'I take it the reason they didn't pull the switch was because they hadn't charged the battery?'"
"Yeah, and I told him to fuck off," she retaliated. "He also said we picked up Haddonfield radio in the car because of the size of my ears!" At this Joanne nearly fell off her chair laughing, Jack had tears rolling down his cheeks. Michael was laughing aloud and Dr Stark and Dr Loomis were also laughing the hardest she'd ever heard them do so. She and Rick were too. "So, she called me a cheeky bastard and slapped me," Rick gasped. "Guilty is charged!"
"As for letting you out well…" Joanne said before Danielle reached over and playfully slapped her where she was sitting opposite. "Oh shit," Joanne said in mock fear. "She's the only one in here wearing an equipment vest she's the boss I'd better be careful!" Everyone snickered.
"Joel sent me the pictures I meant to tell you," Rick said and produced his phone.
"Wow," Dr Stark said. "There's you strapped into 'old sparky.' She passed the phone to Michael.
"What was it like?" Jack asked. "Knowing you knew where you were sitting so to speak and what it meant?"
"It was… surreal I guess, like wo. Someone's about to die where I'm sitting right now in just a few minutes. I'm not a believer in the supernatural or anything like that, but you know inside that room was the first time I fully understood the meaning of 'haunted.' It just felt… strange. Like the ghosts of all the people who had died before were still in there."
"I think I can understand that," Jack said. "Did you hear anything while sitting there?"
"Yeah," Danielle shivered a little remembering it. Michael's arm came around her and pulled her against him. "There was a hum, the hum of the electricity you guys mentioned to me yesterday before we left. As Joel guided me out, it suddenly got louder and higher and he told me that was because they'd just turned the generators on to charge the chair for Chancer's death it's done twenty minutes before execution."
"There's you holding the skull cap," Dr Stark said, browsing through the pictures. "Wow Joel went the whole hog and even put the chest strap on you."
"Yeah, he was nice. I asked him if he was 'going to pull the switch on me now' and he just sighed and said 'nah, I'll let you out I suppose, you won't both fit!'" Everyone chuckled. "So, once I was back in the witness room, did I tell you we met Sarah Goodall and Samantha Lever?"
"No?" Everyone except Rick said together.
"Yeah, we met them while we were waiting for the transport vans up there. Really nice ladies, insisted on sitting next to me in the witness room, told me what was happening and even squeezed my hands when the execution started."
"Oh, so you were out of a job Rick?" Jack laughed. "I thought that was your job!"
They both chuckled. "Oh, he still squeezed my shoulder," she assured them. "So, he still did his part. Have you guys heard Chancer's last words yet?"
"Nope," everyone said. Danielle shivered a little and Michael's arm tightened. Pulling out her phone, she reached to the other buttons she'd been shown before. One was to turn on a light, the other two the screen and ceiling speakers. Turning on the speakers, she connected her phone to them via Bluetooth and brought up Derek Chancer's last words. Checking the volume was up she hit play and within seconds, the man's last terrified words from the very chair she'd sat in were broadcasting through the huge meeting room.
"I hope someone else can continue what I started. Women deserve to die and be raped; I do not regret a single thing I did my only regret was being captured, and that you bastards now have what you doubtlessly see as a victory in executing me. I may have murdered bitches, but you are now murdering me. You think that by killing me you've won but I can assure you you haven't. There will be more men who think like me, more men who want to kill women so executing me solves nothing! All I can hope for now is that the next man to follow in my footsteps doesn't end up where I'm sitting now! Fuck you bastards, die every single one of you!"
There was a short silence. "Wow," Joanne said eventually, contempt in her tone. "Mind you are we really surprised?"
"I'm not," Dr Stark agreed. "He hated women, that's why he raped and killed forty-two of us!"
"Yeah, he almost and I mean almost makes Adam's misogyny look kind and tame. I hated being too close to him, he was one scary motherfucker! Um, perhaps I should rephrase, he probably did fuck as in rape mothers! Well either way he was an evil fucking son of a bitch, and I was glad to hear him fry!"
"Well said!" Rick whistled a little tune and she smiled at him. "He got what he deserved that's for sure."
"I wish we could've executed him forty-two times though, one for each of his poor victims!"
"I don't think you're alone in that wish D," Nigel put his arm around her as he was sitting on her other side, so he and Michael were both holding her. "I think a lot of people would love that to be an option."
"I mean…" Danielle hesitated. "I'm a firm believer in the death penalty and it's hopefully a big enough deterrent to serious crimes, but then you need a jury to agree it and they very often don't, then it takes fucking ages for the switch to be thrown or needle inserted! Then at the end of the day what does it really do? I mean does it really work. The evil bad person's gone sure, but it doesn't bring the victim's back, does it?"
"But sadly, nothing can," it was Dr Stark who spoke now, her voice gentle. "But it gives the victim's families some form of closure I really believe that. Have you heard the number of people who've said how relieved they are when their son's, father's, mother's and so on murderer is dead? It gives them at least hope of moving forward and they often describe it as the 'closure of a nightmare chapter.' They're glad it's done. So, I think in that way yes, it does do good to those left behind."
"Yeah, I know, it just… doesn't seem like enough you know? But then, what else can the police, courts and judges do? It's not like they can bring the victim's back very sadly." As she spoke, it occurred to her that the man currently sitting on her left with his arm around her whom she loved was a serial killer. He had plenty of victim's blood on his hands. Would people be glad to see him executed? She felt as though her heart was being ripped out of her chest just at the thought, so had to take a minute to think of a killer's family and what they must also go through. Even if they had committed terrible crimes, they were still someone's loved one. However, she chose not to share this line of thought with the rest of the room. Although judging by Nigel's and Michael's squeezes in unison, they at least had probably worked it out anyway. If she was honest, it wouldn't surprise her if they all had without her needing to say a word.
As she disconnected her phone from the speakers, Michael poured and passed her another tea. "Thanks darling," she kissed him.
"He's got your tea number already," Joanne said with a grin as Michael got himself another coffee.
"Grab us one while you're there Myers?" Jack smirked at the killer who rolled his eyes but did so, then held up another message read by Dr Stark.
What did your last slave die of? At least my partner here has an excuse lazy!
Everyone started laughing. "Well while you're there Michael…" Nigel began and to his credit, Michael poured out drinks for everyone. "Yay!" Nigel threw his hands up. "You've tamed him Danielle to the point he pours out our drinks!"
Don't push your luck you lot!
"Seriously thanks man," Jack said and everyone else echoed him. Now Michael did smile and held up the paper. You're all more than welcome.
"I want a toast," Danielle said as he sat down and slid his arm back around her. Everyone smiled before they clinked teacups with each other. Danielle raised hers. "You guys have all been amazing thank you so much, I love you all to pieces!"
There were affectionate murmurs as everyone joined the toast.
Carefully Danielle pulled out Jack's gas canister from its holster on his vest and felt it. "Rick," she said slowly as she did so. "How did I get gassed? Seriously I don't blame you, you were protecting us after all! But I was facing the other way and nowhere near those idiots so how?" Rick came to her side and Nigel stood up, giving the guard his seat as he moved to sit next to Jack. Rick sat down and turned the gas canister in her hand, so she felt the lid. "When we want to spray it… pull that." She did so and there was a click, and it came off in her hand. "There's the nozzle, just like your average aerosol can. So unfortunately, when you spray any can like this, no matter what direction you spray it in… well as you know it's gas, so it'll travel through the air. I didn't intend to hit you at all I was spraying at them. But trust me they got it a lot worse than you did!"
"Was that just a don't file a lawsuit against me disclaimer so I don't try and get compensation off you?" She smirked and he chuckled. "Wow, if theirs was worse I shudder to think how bad it was!"
Rick put his arm around and hugged her. "I am sorry I had to do that."
"Don't be silly," she hugged him back before tweaking his ears. "Yeah, get off," he tweaked hers back. "I meant what I said last night. 'I did wonder how we picked up Haddonfield radio! With aerials that size it would've been easy from Australia!'" Everyone started laughing.
"I meant what I said last night," Danielle retorted but was grinning. "'Oh my God you cheeky bastard!" She sealed the lid back onto the canister and slipped it back into its pouch. "The panic alarm's an aerosol too though, how do you not get the two confused?"
"If you feel the canister…" she took it back out. "Now find the alarm?" She did so and immediately realise what Rick meant. The alarm was a lot smaller than the gas canister. "Is that precisely for that reason?"
"I think it's because the gas has substance if you like," Joanne said. "The alarm is just compressed air, so the canister doesn't need to be that big. Although yes it does sometimes help us when it's dark!"
"Rick," she said after a minute. "I heard that protesters normally wear something… specific to mark what they're protesting. Last night were those guys?"
"They certainly were," Rick almost growled. "You really want to know?"
"Yes! Please tell me?"
"They were wearing t-shirts with… graphic pictures of women on them, the vaginas and breasts clearly visible!"
"Grosse," Danielle pulled a face. "Who agrees to design shirts like that anyway and I thought explicitly worded or sexual clothing was illegal in public?"
"Not during a protest if it's part of it unfortunately," Jack said. "I looked them up online last night and they're just as Rick here described. As for who would design them, some people will do anything for money and considering who we're talking about they probably have lots of that!"
Danielle wrinkled her nose. "Yeah, from crime!"
"Exactly," Jack said.
"So did I I looked them up too," Nigel said. "Made me feel sick. There they were with their apparently muscular chests and 'big cocks' wearing a woman's vagina splashed across the front of their chests! Probably gave them erections! Sorry ladies," he finished apologetically.
"No need to apologise to us," Danielle, Joanne and Dr Stark said in unison, and everyone laughed.
"OK then I won't," Nigel grinned.
"Rick," Danielle put her arm around him, and the guard reciprocated. "How was it for you? Last night? I'm serious. This is a debrief for you too; you know."
He squeezed her back. "You're a sweetheart." He took a sip of his tea just as she had done at the start, considering the question. "I mean… well it was an execution. I like you knew exactly what I was attending and after what that twat almost did to me…" he automatically touched his neck. Danielle didn't see it of course when Rick and Michael smiled at each other. "I owe my life to this man," Rick said. "Michael Myers here saved my life that day as you all know. So, considering the son of a bitch had tried to kill me with his chains, I wasn't exactly sorry to see him go. I totally understood where you were coming from, I wanted to wear a bright party bow tie or something too! But… I don't know a man was still dying, whoever he was so… just didn't seem right. To be honest my feelings about the whole thing are good riddance! He endangered both of our lives! I say yours more than mine but…"
"Don't!" Danielle turned and spoke firmly, hugging him tightly with both arms this time. "Don't you dare Evans! He nearly killed you! Ok his attack on me was prolonged and paid for by Adam, but you almost died. So don't you ever let me hear you comparing them again!"
"Well said!" Everyone said together. Rick blushed. "Um, that's me told, sorry boss! But do I regret seeing it?" His tone was thoughtful now and Danielle hugged him. "No! I'm glad he's gone, and I hope the victim's families can get closure now! I must be honest Dr Loomis, when you told us all he was going to Death Row my first thought was oh Christ, so he'll live for at least another decade and a half! But it turned out I was wrong. They didn't exactly waste much time, did they?"
Dr Loomis smiled sadly. "My pull as a doctor has power if you like, I'd told them he was better off dead so… I don't like doing it at all of course I don't, but for men like him…" Everyone nodded.
"Is everyone ok to stay for a bit longer?" Danielle asked and everyone said yes immediately, apart from Dr Loomis who stood up. "Sorry I must help another patient. But you all feel free to use this room as long as needed. It's booked in your name Danielle all day. Anything needed at all be it more refreshments or whatever, just press that call bell! Rick, Joanne and Jack have all changed their shifts especially for this meeting. Darren, William and Ryan are currently working the block along with the others guarding the secure cell. I apologise I can't stay."
"Don't be silly Dr Loomis," Danielle stood and hugged him, unable to resist feeling his suit jacket, shirt collar and finally his tie. Everyone chuckled. "That's a nice tie, what are those things on the front?"
"They're just little squares, look." The doctor took it off and handed it to her. The pure silk was soft under her fingers. Still holding it she felt Nigel's again, and they weren't that much different.
"Dr Loomis' is better than mine," Nigel said. "The silk in his is the real deal, mine's just imitation. Silk ties were always something I meant to buy but haven't done yet. Where did you get that from Dr Loomis? It's smart."
Dr Loomis smiled and told Nigel the name of the shop. Danielle handed him back his tie and he put it back on. "Thanks Dr Loomis," Danielle said sincerely and couldn't stop herself hugging him and pulling his ears. "Ow," he said, and everyone laughed again. "Thanks so much for being here," she said as the Psychiatrist finally headed for the door. It means a lot to me. It really, really does."
"You're more than welcome, it was my pleasure and I'll make a point of coming to see you and Michael later, ok? Take care."
"You are too, and I have to say this one more time," Danielle couldn't resist walking over to him and hugging him again. Dr Loomis reciprocated. "I cannot and I mean can NOT, thank you enough for helping with my rescue. Dr Loomis, I mean it! I thank you, Michael, Scott, Rick and Jack from the very bottom of my heart! This man here," she squeezed the doctor close. "Helped me get dressed when even that tiny task was too much for me due to how injured I was, helped Chris Leach administer immediate first aid, then he carried me down the stairs when I couldn't do that either! I will be so grateful to you for the rest of my life." Her voice cracked with tears.
"Oh Danielle," the doctor hugged her back. "You have absolutely nothing to thank us for! I was as angry as Michael, Scott, Rick and Jack were when we knew what Dawson had done so was Joanne! Helping you get dressed, treating your cuts which shouldn't have been there in the first place I might add, helping you down the stairs, they were something any decent person would've done! The only reason they're so big to you was because that… evil man made you think they were!"
"Well said," everyone said together. Dr Loomis smiled. "You, see? Everyone agrees with me! We're glad we were there to help you."
"I love you Dr Loomis," she said and now tears did fall. "Hey, no need for that," the doctor soothed and wiped her eyes with a soft tissue. "I'd do it all again in a second." Dr Loomis squeezed her, then took her hand and guided her back to her seat. She heard the doctor writing on a piece of paper nearby, he then squeezed her shoulder and asked her to open the doors. "What if I don't?" She joked.
"I'd be trapped," Dr Loomis chuckled. "My poor patients!"
"What if we want you all to ourselves?" Everyone chuckled.
"You have to share, sorry!" She joined in laughing and opened the doors. "Bye," Dr Loomis called cheerfully then was gone. Rick stood up and returned to his previous seat as did Nigel.
"Dr Stark," Danielle said once the doors were closed, and the meeting sign was back on outside. "Would it be ok if Nigel has a look at my file, please?"
"Of course," Dr Stark said. "It's your file." She handed it to Nigel.
Nigel put his arm around her along with Michael. "You really didn't want to talk when you first got here did you?"
She smiled sadly. "I don't know if it was not wanting to talk, I think it was more not being able. I was so bitter and all I'd wanted was to die, but thanks to you, nosy bastard I didn't!" He squeezed her tightly. "Which I'm not sorry for I might add!"
"Nor am I now," she turned and kissed his cheek. "But back then fuck! I could only see that one way out and I wanted to take it! I was under high suicide risk at the hospital," she said to everyone. "I didn't understand why they couldn't just leave me alone to die. Nigel here kept coming in to see me as well. Was that your way of keeping an eye on me?"
"I suppose so, but the truth is I just wanted to see you. I knew how close you'd come and how much that prick had stripped away from you in every sense of the word! I wasn't going to let you think you were alone! Emma and Dave came in a lot too didn't they."
"Yeah," she smiled sadly. "Charlotte didn't know because at that point she genuinely believed I was the lying bitch from hell and Adam was this amazing angel any woman would be lucky to have!" She shuddered in revulsion. "I'm so glad we've patched things up now, but I'm not glad she found out the way she did, the reason she's now in hospital!" She turned to Dr Stark and grinned. "I honestly thought Dr Loomis had given up on me when you took over, I thought he'd finally lost his patience!"
Dr Stark chuckled. "No way! He thought it might help to speak to a female for obvious reasons and what I said to you that day is true. My field is more Domestic abuse than his is. I mean we've both been trained in it, but I've done a few more courses than him at this stage. But mostly it was the fact I'm a woman."
"Makes sense, thank you, Dr Stark. I mean it."
"Don't be silly sweetheart you're welcome it's what I'm here for."
Nigel continued scanning the file. He whistled softly. "Jesus! Michael you weren't kidding, were you? You told me about this two nights ago D when we had our tea in the suite. Damn. You really picked the wrong guy to… experiment feelings with, didn't you? Well obviously, it now turns out you didn't, but shit! Making Michael Myers angry? Didn't anyone tell you that's not a good idea?"
Michael reached forward and gently took the letter from Nigel once he'd finished reading it. A second later there were two loud tearing sounds. Everyone applauded. "Um well, goodbye letter," Nigel said with a grin.
Michael had just ripped up the letter he'd written her all that time ago. Danielle leant in for another kiss.
"Nice one Michael," Dr Stark said approvingly. "Best place for it I'd say!" Michael stood up and they heard him throw the pieces in the bin by the door. When he sat back down, she hugged him as tightly as she could and then for the very first time playfully pulled his ears, different from the time when they first kissed. Michael held up a message and Dr Stark could hardly read it through laughing, as was everyone else.
"It… oh my God! It says… ow!"
Danielle was overcome with the giggles herself at this and leant into Michael's shoulder. She could feel him chuckling as he kissed the top of her head.
"I don't want to be serious for long, but I woke up this morning with a bad nightmare. I mean, bad! That's why Nigel and I had cookies and tea at 3 this morning! Sleeping was impossible for a while after that! Nigel," she added. "I swear to you I'm just explaining, I promise!"
Nigel poked her side. "You'd better be," he warned.
"I was back in that house, Adam chaining me up to rape me! It just got me thinking of all his many assaults, rapes, shouts, his constant need for control, insisting I called him "Sir," with every word I spoke to him, which incidentally was the only way I was kept safe from assault and sometimes even that didn't work! Anyway, Nige and I got talking and I told him I'm still struggling a little bit with guilt. He told me if I told him I felt guilty and blamed myself he'd never whistle or let me touch his ears again!"
"Uh oh," Joanne said as everyone else chuckled, including Michael. "That's a good idea, maybe we should implement it too!"
"That's why I said I was only explaining, Danielle snickered. "But I told him I still struggle with guilt to some degree, because I found myself wondering if Adam did what he did to Charlotte deliberately to get me down to Haddonfield so he could get to me. As horrible as it sounds Charlotte was an easy target, she was out in society. But he knew to get to me he'd have to be careful! Even while I was here it didn't stop did it. The Emails, texts, calls didn't stop! I had to change my number not once, but twice to stop him and that didn't stop the Emails and attempted Facetime calls did it. So, I wondered if he knew he had to do something extra terrible to get me down there! I was so desperate to be with Charlotte I didn't even consider Adam's possible real motive!"
"Which was when I pointed out that how do you know Adam wouldn't have tried to hurt Charlotte if you hadn't been in the picture? He may have done it if you hadn't existed! If it wasn't you two it would've been some poor other women! Of course we're sorry it was you two, but it could've been anyone!"
"But do you understand where I'm coming from? Why I feel as I do Dr Stark?"
"Yes," her doctor said immediately. "I do, but can you honestly tell us that you would not have gone straight back down to Haddonfield when I told you Charlotte had been seriously injured? Are you telling us you even hesitated? Can you honestly tell us you thought of Adam even for a second then?"
"That's exactly what I said," Nigel muttered.
"Yeah, it is," Danielle agreed. "Ah fuck! No of course I didn't, no chance! All I cared about was Charlotte's welfare and that she survived! Adam didn't even enter my head! It's just… looking back on it know I wonder! Did he do it to get to me?"
"If you think that it'll do you no good at all," Jack said. "I think Nigel's right. It would've been two other women if not you and Charlotte, I'm certain of that too. Rick just nodded, he's with me, so did Joanne. I honestly don't think Adam even considered you at that point, he just wanted Charlotte hurt. That's just my opinion and of course I could be wrong, but that's honestly what I think. He might have even accepted that you'd escaped him. Fuck you were being protected by Michael Myers for heaven's sake! I'd have left you alone in his shoes that's for sure! So, he'd probably turned his attention entirely to Charlotte and you coming down to Haddonfield was a bonus! He only knew you were there because one of his fucking spies told him!"
"I will only say this once so as not to put you at risk of losing so much whistling and access to ears," Dr Stark said, and everyone smiled. "But can you honestly tell me that if you knew what you do now that you'd change it? If you'd known that day that if you went back down to Haddonfield Adam would kidnap you, can you honestly tell me you'd change what you did and not go straight to Charlotte?"
"Not a chance," Danielle said immediately. "No way in hell! I'd endure it all again for her if I had to!"
"So why the guilt?" Dr Stark asked softly. "Don't misunderstand me, guilt is normal and of course I can understand why you feel it to some extent, but I think Nigel and Jack are correct. If it wasn't you or Charlotte, it would've been two other women. If it helps I truthfully, honestly don't think Dawson even connected you and Charlotte together at that time, he just wanted her dead. I don't think you were the motive behind it. In the nicest possible way, to keep assuming you were… may sound to others who don't know you a little selfish. I don't think you even came into it. Like Nigel also said, how do you know he wouldn't have done it if he hadn't even known you?"
There was a short silence as Danielle digested these words. She took another long sip of tea as she did so, which always helped her think things through. "Um, well I don't," she admitted finally. "Ok, I promise I'll do my best not to feel guilty. Everything you guys are saying makes perfect logical sense but damn it's hard!"
"Of course it is," Joanne murmured. "She's your sister and closest friend and Dawson's abuse towards both of you was horrific! Considering everything he did to you it's no surprise you blame yourself! But don't, ok? It was not your fault. Were you driving the car? Did you pay for the hit and run? Did you plan it?"
"No," Danielle said quietly. "No and no."
"There you go then, subject closed."
Michael drew her in for another kiss and she didn't realise tears were falling until he wiped them away. "Thank you, guys," she said through her constricted throat. "This is why I love you all so much."
"Your loyal to your friends literally to the death," Dr Stark said. "That's a good quality to have. You endanger yourself without thinking of your own safety purely that of your friends, as you've just proved." Everyone applauded, Michael as he hugged her.
"Dr Stark I can't believe how overdue this is, but I must ask. I… um can you whistle?"
Dr Stark laughed. "I did wonder when that question would come up, I was waiting until you asked me. To Danielle's delight, the consultant started to whistle tunefully, and she couldn't help but smile. "Yay!" Rick, Jack, Nigel and Michael joined in so within seconds the room was full of the sound of whistling. The grin which lit up Danielle's face nearly brought Joanne to tears. It was pure, unadulterated happiness.
"I don't want to push my luck or ask something that's not possible," Danielle said when the whistling finally stopped, still cuddling into Michael her head on his shoulder. "But um… is there any way our room door could be… unlocked? I never liked being locked in from day one and while I understand it was necessary back then of course I do, is there any way at all that can be changed?"
To her enormous gratitude, Dr Stark was silent, and she knew that was because her doctor was seriously considering her request.
"The problem is the doors lock automatically when we electronically close them," Joanne said. "It's only when we close them manually, we have to use a key."
"What you're asking is… possible," Dr Stark said slowly. "But we'll have to take some precautions and no Michael, they're nothing to do with you!" She pulled out a radio handset and spoke into it, they all are hearing her words both live and through the set on Danielle's chest.
"Sam, Danielle's asked if hers and Michael's cell door can be left unlocked from now on. I'm happy to authorise this but I think we need to move Winters to a different cell, just in case."
"That's fine," Dr Loomis' voice came back over both radio sets. "I'll get William on it now."
Danielle couldn't resist. Pulling out Jack's radio she squeezed the 'talk' button and spoke. "Thanks Dr Loomis."
"You're welcome, Danielle," Dr Loomis' voice came back.
"Oh hello," came Ryan's cheerful voice. "We got a new guard. Always wondering when you'd join us! How are you, Danielle?"
"Hi Ryan, I feel like I haven't seen you for ages apart from when you guided me to breakfast a few days ago! I'm good, thanks. You?"
"Same, thank you. Good, glad to hear it! I know I said it that day too, but I'm sorry about all you went through. Are you healing alright?"
"Physically or mentally?" She chuckled. "Yeah, both thanks, I'm doing ok."
"We both know who to thank for that, yes?" Danielle couldn't help laughing as it was now Ryan's turn to whistle over the radio.
"Is this only to our block then?"
"Yup," Ryan answered. "We only tune to the block we're working in most of the time, unless there's a problem in another block, we need to keep our ears… oh yes ears… on!"
"Oh God," she groaned. "I'm never going to live that down now, am I?"
"Alright Danielle?" It was William's voice.
"Hello, a little bird told me I'm supposed to call you 'Bill?'"
"Damn you Evans! Don't believe a word that man says!" Rick snickered. "It's Will! W.I.L.L! He's just being a douche!" Everyone in the room burst out laughing. "Your trouble, Rick," Danielle said when she could speak.
"Oh," William's voice resumed over the speaker. "The laundry has just arrived, and I believe you've got a white shirt which was washed? I heard what happened. Tear gas is nasty. Are you ok after that?"
Danielle felt a rush of affection for the guard at these words. "Yeah, I'm fine thanks Will," she said sincerely. "Thank you though. Eyes just stung like hell, but it wore off after a while."
"That's good to hear. Would you like me to put it in your room for you?"
"Would you? I mean don't put yourself out if you're busy."
"Don't be silly, I'll do it right now. Shall I put it on one of the chairs? It's all folded and ironed too."
"That's really kind of them, please pass on my thanks and yes please, one of the chairs is fine thank you so much."
"You're welcome, it's there now with your other clothes they've also washed."
Danielle's mouth dropped open. "Mr. Evans, how much of my stuff did you give them? Did you go back into the block and collect my other laundry as well?"
"Now Danielle! How could you think that of me? It wasn't me it was Joanne!"
"Thank you so much," Danielle blinked back tears. Such a small gesture, but she really appreciated it. The laundry had of course washed her clothes before, but she wasn't expecting Joanne to grab her other clothes at that time.
"Well why not?" Joanne must've read her mind. "If they're washing the shirt, might as well take the rest, right? They don't mind sweetie it's their job!"
"Well, I'm very grateful, thank you."
It was a whole three hours later after having a lunch of soup and sandwiches together in the meeting room when Jack, Rick, Joanne, Nigel and Michael walked with Danielle back to hers and Michael's cell.
"Right kiddo," Nigel hugged her tightly. "I'm going to make a move back to the airport, James is going to fly me back to Haddonfield."
Knowing it was stupid but unable to help it, Danielle blinked back tears. "No," Nigel said firmly. "None of that you hear. You'll see me very soon I promise, and you know day or night I'm only a phone call away! Got it? I promise I will call you even if someone else does when there's the slightest change in Charlotte's condition and if you need anything at all from me call! Time be damned. Understood?"
Yes grandad," Danielle said sheepishly, knowing she'd just been lovingly put in her place. He hugged her and kissed her cheek, before turning to Michael and shaking his hand.
"Danielle told me last night she really wants/needs something from you," he breathed in the killer's ear. "I don't know what it is, but…" Michael nodded to him and showed Nigel a piece of paper Dr Loomis had written on. Nigel grinned. "I thought he might, he's a good man!"
"Right," he turned back to Danielle. "Got to get a picture of guard Avery to show everyone and that includes Charlotte!" He pulled out his phone and snapped several shots. "Michael," he said quietly, and Danielle was shocked to hear he sounded a little nervous. "Um… can I have a picture with you?" Her heart soared with affection for him, she understood why that might be difficult to ask Michael Myers himself for a picture.
Jack took Nigel's phone as to the older man's shock the killer slung an arm around his shoulders. Nigel returned the gesture and Jack snapped several pictures. "Thanks man," Nigel smiled at Michael and shook his hand again. "Finally, I have to get some of you two or Emma will kill me!"
Danielle grinned and Michael drew her into his arms and kissed her as the camera went off. She wasn't complaining they wanted several pictures if he kissed her each time! Clearly knowing this, Michael did so as Nigel snapped a lot of pictures.
"Perfect," Nigel said. "Right, I'll see you both very soon. Need to get this car back to the airport. Please pass on my thanks to Dr Loomis for arranging for James to fly me back. I really appreciate both him and Dr Stark for laying on the plane for me to be here."
"It was our pleasure," came Dr Loomis' voice beside them. "You're more than welcome, have a safe flight home."
"Please text me when you get back?" Danielle asked.
"No worries there I'll let you all know," Nigel smiled, and Danielle couldn't resist hugging him. "I love you so, so much!"
"I love you too darling, don't you ever forget it! Michael, please look after her for me, will you?" This time it was Michael who reached out his hand to Nigel, who took and shook it for a third and final time. "Bye all," he said as William appeared to let him out of the block. "Thank you for all the lovely food and hospitality Dr Loomis, I hope to see you all again soon too."
"No problem, you're more than welcome as I say and I'm sure we will. Take care."
"Bye," Nigel called and started to whistle as he walked away.
Danielle tried not to cry, and Michael immediately pulled her into a comforting hug and put her hands on his ears. She knew it was silly to cry, after all she would see him very soon and of course she knew that but having him here had been so nice she already missed him so much. She pulled Michael's ears and heard him chuckle, before he leant in and kissed her.
"Thank you so much Jack," she said as she finally took off his equipment vest. "I really, really appreciate that."
"You're welcome," Jack said as she handed it back. "I'll come back and see you both later."
"What are yours and Rick's shifts then?" She asked. "I know Joanne's now on an early, are you guys too?"
"Yup, we're doing an early shift then we've got our days off." Even this made her a little sad, she loved these guards and almost felt safer when they were on duty. Jack pulled her into a hug.
"Hey we'll be back," he said. "You can't get rid of us that easy, me or my 'small ears!'" He lowered his head, so she touched them, and she pulled them. "Ow!" He said as if she'd mortally wounded him and all five of them laughed.
"We'll come and see you before we go," Joanne and Rick said together.
"Yup damn right," Jack agreed.
"By the way in case you're wondering," Danielle walked into the cell, opened a drawer and picked up something. "The first time I shot Jack's gun was in the office at one of those targets. Look." She held up the piece of paper.
"Damn," Rick said. "Straight on the bullseye! I can see Danielle and I can never hit that!"
"He means it," Joanne laughed. "I've watched him practice!"
"Shut up you!" Rick elbowed her. "But she's right, I can never hit it and you get it first time!"
Danielle told them about the acoustic shooting she'd done.
"That sounds like fun," Joanne said with genuine interest. "So, the tone in your headphones moves as you move the gun? I wonder how that works."
"I think there's a transmitter or something in the weapon," Danielle said. "They fire pellets. Thanks again for that Jack," she said, and the guard hugged her again. She pulled his ears for the second time.
"Get off!" He pulled hers back. "Wow I see what Rick meant! Haddonfield radio? We could pick up radio from Europe and Australia with those things!"
"Oh, get lost," she burst out laughing. "Your ears wouldn't pick up radio from the next metre away they're so small!"
"You so asked for that," Joanne gasped through laughing. "Touché!"
"Yeah, I did, you can have that one and it was funny," Jack chuckled as he released her. Michael took her hand and led her into the cell and when Jack manually closed the door and she knew it wasn't locked, affection rose in her all over again for her doctor. Damn they were good people, guards and doctors alike. Michael raised another message then and Jack read it aloud.
Joanne, you shouldn't have done that. Thank you.
Danielle didn't have to guess too hard as she smiled at her guard and friend. "Did you grab Michael's laundry too?"
"Of course, my pleasure Michael. I'll come back in a bit," she added before they walked away. She was true to her word. Within ten minutes the three of them were back, bearing tea, coffee, milk and sugar.
"Wow," Danielle said. It was one of only few times this had been done, it was previously only given to them by the cup for security reasons. "Thanks, you guys."
"I'll make sure I serve your dinner before I go to say goodbye," Joanne promised as they left.
Once the corridor doors had closed behind them, Michael text her.
So, I believe you have something you need from me?
Damn Nigel. He must've said something. She felt a swell of love and gratitude for him. But while she appreciated his kindness, she still wasn't sure if she could do it. Adam's influence was still a lot stronger than she wanted to admit. "I… don't think I can s…" she managed not to say the last word, but only just. Immediately his arms were around her as he kissed her once, twice.
I will tell you this for decades if necessary. You will always have the control with me, the control you should have never lost in the first place. I know it will take time as I have said to you before, but please try to let him go. He can't hurt you anymore, I promise.
While she knew he was right, doing so was a lot easier said than done. He seemed to realise this because he kissed her and put her hands on his ears.
I believe you also wish to instigate it. I will do whatever it is if you do so. Anything. But I will also not put any pressure on you, however how can I do what you're longing for if I don't know what it is? Although if it is to wear a suit, I cannot do that yet. But believe me when I am able I shall.
"Oh God," she groaned but was also grinning. "Nigel told you about that too?"
Ah, I must protect my sources.
She laughed a little as Michael took her hand.
The tea aside, it looks as though you have been spoilt. Dr Loomis has also put a surprise in here for us.
"Oh? What?" Michael led her forward to a double leather seat beside the desk, identical to the one they'd sat on in the conference room. One of the bolted down chairs was gone. "How the hell did he do that so fast?"
Michael chuckled. I stayed in a different cell last evening and the techs got it done then.
So that's why you told me I should go with Nigel was it?" She couldn't stop herself hugging him as they slipped into the double seat and he pulled her to him, her head on his shoulder. She found herself thinking how perfect it would be to do her most desperate wish right then, if she could pluck up the damn courage… that was when another text came through and this one steeled her resolve.
Sweetheart, please?
She read it once, twice, three times before it truly began to sink in. Michael had called her 'sweetheart' for the very first time. She blinked back tears, but then felt a rush of determination she hadn't felt in years. Fuck Adam, she thought. Fuck that dead piece of shit! This is my new life now and damn it I want to start living it without his fucking ghost holding me back!
She took two deep breaths before finally standing, her legs shaking. Slowly she turned to face him and finally slid into his lap and against his chest. Instantly his arms were around her in a tight, loving cuddle. She wrapped hers around him in turn.
Well done, I know that was not easy. Anytime you want/need this from me, just do what you just have.
He leant down and kissed her, their tongues making contact this time. She snuggled into him; her head pillowed under his chin. He started stroking her back. "I could fall asleep here," she yawned. "But I don't think you'd be too pleased about it!" He chuckled and kissed her.
I can take it. If you do it's not an issue.
"You're too kind," she found herself yawning for a second time. If she was honest, she never wanted to move in her life. For the next two hours she didn't as they talked about anything and everything. She told him all about her childhood, things she'd never mentioned before.
…
They only moved when there was a soft knock against the cell bars, they hadn't sounded the doorbell because the screen was down, and the door was now unlocked. "Come in?" She called.
"Aww that's so cute," said Joanne's voice as they immediately smelt food. "Your dinner's here, don't know if you'll be able to eat it like that though!"
"Sadly," Danielle reluctantly slid off his lap and took the other chair as Joanne and Jack entered and served them dinner. She could hardly believe it when she realised, they'd been brought a three-course meal of their favourites. In her case chicken soup, chicken pie and mashed potatoes then chocolate sponge and custard. "Wow," she said. "Thank you so much!"
Take the leather seat I can take that one, this one's more comfortable.
"You're such a gentleman Mr. Myers, but I'm good. Thanks though."
Fine, but you're taking it tomorrow.
"Done," she smiled at him. After they'd eaten which, they took another full hour over, Joanne and Jack appeared to take the plates, they'd both eaten from real China. "Thanks," she said. "That was amazing."
"You're welcome," the two guards said together. "We're off soon," Joanne said. "But I promised you I'd come and say goodbye before we left!"
Danielle stood up and pulled her friend into a hug before she picked up her plate and for the first time couldn't stop herself kissing her cheek. "You're a sweetheart," Joanne said and to her happy shock kissed hers back. "I'll see you in a few days, although you do have my number now so… oh my God!" She mocks shuddered. "You can contact me on days off if you need me! Uh oh…"
"Oh, be quiet!" She lightly punched her friend's arm. "Enjoy your days off guys, say bye to Rick for me, will you?"
"No need," said Rick's voice. "I'm here too." He reached over and picked up Danielle's plate. "You take care sweetheart, ok? Michael," he shook the killer's hand with his free one. "Take care my friend." He saw Michael smile at and nod to him.
"Bye," Joanne, Rick and Jack called together as they left, the latter two starting to whistle. She couldn't help smiling at this. "Michael, what did you mean I've been spoilt?" She asked him when they were alone with a new flask of tea and coffee and a freshly filled water jug.
Ah, yes. Well…
He took her hand and directed her to one of the drawers in the desk, which itself had been cleared for dinner. Michael opened the biggest one and laid her hand inside it. As she felt around it, she gasped. There were boxes upon boxes of what were clearly chocolates and other junk food, cans of drinks which she knew by the shape of the can were her favourite. Also, the two packets of white chocolate cookies Nigel had mentioned and the open one from the suite. "Oh my God," she said in shock. "They really are trying to fatten me up, aren't they? We've still got loads of the chocolate treasure chest left too!" He chuckled, sitting back down on the leather seat. Taking the unspoken hint, she slipped back into his lap, and he immediately pulled her back into a cuddle, releasing her only long enough to pass her a glass of water she requested. "Thank you, babe," she made to put the glass back down on the desk, but he took it from her before she could. "Wow you're spoiling me never mind all that food, I can do some stuff for myself you know," she chuckled.
Oh, believe me I know this. However, you have been shown nothing but cruelty by a man before, it is time for you to be shown what a real caring man does for a woman he loves.
"Does that include even taking my water glass?" She was smiling but had happy and loving tears rolling down her cheeks.
Indeed, it does, hey don't cry.
He wiped them away with a tissue. "I'm sorry, I'm just so happy and I love you, Michael Myers! Hell, I adore you!" They started to kiss once more and as they did so Michael opened the chocolate tin. As they drew back a little, he popped a white chocolate caramel into her mouth, just as she had done to him with the coffee cream. "Now who's being romantic," she cuddled against him. "You know I still feel like I'm dreaming sometimes. Talking of dreams…" She began to tell him at long last of her dream of Jefferson, the secure bus, his taunts of how it was their 'last ride and he wanted to fuck her.' How the bus had crashed, Michael had got out of his chains. Her and Joanne's terror. Michael slitting Jefferson's throat then… "this was way back, like one of my early nights here. I think you'd held my hand that day. We're talking way back then. You took me off the bus, carried me and then made love to me in a car," she finished in a whisper into his ear before softly nibbling it.
Oh, did I indeed?
"Yes, I remember thinking wo Hayward! As I was then. You're thinking about what it would be like if Michael Myers made love to you? After what Adam did? Jesus' girl! I was disgusted with myself for even thinking it. Now…" They smiled at each other as they started kissing and she softly nibbled the top of his other ear.
Do my ears taste nice?
She smirked at him. "Lovely darling" and kissed him. Michael moved his knees at that point in the way an adult would do for a young child. She blushed. "Oh my God am I that light?"
Indeed, you are, which is why we want to change that. You need feeding after what he did to you, he's the only reason you're so thin!
She smiled. "Ok, understood."
They didn't retire to bed until after midnight, talking, cuddling and as evening drew in snacking on junk food and drinking water as it got later as opposed to tea or coffee. Dr Loomis had been true to his word and came to see them shortly after dinner. This time they hadn't moved from their cuddle. He'd told them that tomorrow they were once more going to be left alone for the day, which made them both smile. Dr Loomis explained all meals would be given to them just as dinner had been that night and they could call if they wanted more tea or coffee, otherwise they would be left completely undisturbed.
"Thank you, Dr Loomis," she said in gratitude. She was certain Michael nodded.
"So that was it, was it?" Dr Loomis murmured with a smile, looking at her in Michael's lap and their tight cuddle. "Well done, you told him. I know that can't have been easy, but that's a big step for you and we both know it. We're proud of you."
"Thank you, Dr Loomis," she smiled at him, and he squeezed her hand before leaving.
Indeed, it is. Dr Loomis was including me in 'we're proud of you.' Because I am.
"Thanks darling," she kissed him. Now as they slid into bed and straight back into each other's arms, Danielle Avery closed her eyes with one thought circling around her head. I'm happy, in love, Charlotte will wake up and I'll tell her so! I'm happy, in love… It took less than 10 minutes for her to fall asleep that night.
…
Magical.
If Danielle was asked for one word to describe the next couple of days, this was the one she would've used. Granted she knew she didn't have much to compare it with given her past in and with relationships, but it still felt to her more amazing than anything she'd experienced before. She'd had a couple of casual boyfriends before Adam, but they never got serious or went very far. Adam had made her feel good at the start of course, before his true colours were shown. But it was becoming clearer and clearer to her that in his own unique way, Michael really did care for her. She kept reminding herself that he, too had no experience with love, even less than she did in fact.
Doctor's Stark and Loomis were as good as their word. They were given unlimited time to talk and really get to know each other. They were only taken out into the yard for exercise when they requested it and were only brought food and drink when requested. To Danielle, she was starting to no longer feel as though she was in a high security ward of a Psychiatric hospital, more like a luxury hotel. The unlocked room door only added to that feeling. Sure, the sounds of clinking keys and radios would tell her otherwise, but she and Michael were treated like hotel guests.
…
A few days later, Danielle was reading a book when there was a soft tap against the door. Dr Loomis had asked Michael to come with him a few minutes before, so she was currently alone. Standing, she approached the door. "Hello?"
"Hi there," said a completely unfamiliar voice. "I'm one of the guards, my name's Adam."