Once they were back in their room, Michael was as good as his word and picked up his phone from the desk where he'd left it, texting Goodwin immediately. Danielle slumped down onto the leather seat and Michael joined her, pulling her to his side. "I'm so tired," she yawned. "That was exhausting! I'm thinking I might get a little sleep before dinner, then before Joanne comes in later."
"That sounds like a plan," Oliver's voice said. "I just wanted to say well done again to both of you, and if you need anything, my office door is always open."
"Thank you, Oliver," Danielle smiled at him. "I do actually have something I want to talk to you about at some point soon. I want to do something to thank Mr. Goodwin for everything he's done for my family and I, but I don't know what. All I know is, I want it to be something big, and I wanted to pull some strings of my own by talking to you."
Oliver chuckled. "Leave it with me, I'll do some thinking for you and help you with it any way I can."
"I'm going to talk to Mel, Rick, Jack and Joanne about it too along with Michael of course, so hopefully together we can figure something out."
"Good idea, teamwork helps the dream work," Oliver said, and she laughed. "I'm off home now, good night to you both."
"Good night and thank you so much for all your help today." She stood up and walked towards him, and next second found herself hugging the CEO. She was touched when he hugged her back.
"You're more than welcome both of you, you look after yourselves now, you hear?"
She again felt his suit and tie, unable to help it. Oliver stood still so she could. Both men chuckled.
"You after my ears now?" Oliver laughed, lowering his head so she felt them. She turned bright red, and both men chuckled again. "Ow, my ears," the CEO said, "tickles!" Standing, the killer held out his hand, and Oliver took and shook it.
Once Oliver walked away, and with a rush of affection she heard him whistling, she lay down on the bed and yawned again. "Shit I'm tired," she said. Michael lay down beside her and pulled her into a cuddle. Within five minutes of her head hitting the pillow and snuggling into Michael's arms, she was fast asleep.
…
Danielle slept a little more after dinner. When she woke up again, she picked up her phone to check the time, seeing it was 01:10AM. Happiness flooded her. Joanne was in, the one person she really wanted to see. Reaching over, she pressed the call button, quickly pulling on some clothes so as not to be in her pyjamas. She had just pulled on a shirt, when the voice she longed to hear whispered through the door.
"Hey, you! Are you ok?"
Her face split into a huge smile. Judging by the fact Joanne was whispering, Michael was still asleep. She stood as quietly as she could, but still couldn't resist gently fiddling with his left ear before leaving. Michael stirred ever so slightly and kissed the palm of her hand. "I'll be back in a bit babe," she whispered, unable to resist kissing him. He stroked her cheek, and within seconds his eyes closed again. She almost ran to the door and threw herself into her friend's arms. They stepped out of the door and closed it, moving away a little so as not to wake Michael.
"You just wanted him to wiggle his, "Sexy as all hell," ears, didn't you? Hello," Joanne hugged her back. "You alright? I hear you had an eventful day yesterday?"
"That's one word for it," she smiled at the guard who'd been with her from the very beginning, seen her through both very good and very bad times, comforted, laughed, cried with her. Thinking this, she couldn't help hugging her again, feeling suddenly like she was going to cry herself.
"Hey, hey." Joanne soothed, hugging her tightly. "What's the matter?"
"No nothing," Danielle sniffled. "Sorry! I was just thinking about how you've been with me from the very beginning, and everything we've been through together. The trial, me being a rude, stubborn idiot, refusing to eat or talk, Adam's kidnap, Your getting knocked out with a lethal drug for me, staying in the DASC, you were there every step of the way, Joanne and I love you for it. That's all. I wouldn't be where I am now without you. Yes, I know Michael had a lot to do with it too, but it all started with you. The one who was afraid of and unsure how to guard a blind person, not to mention enjoyed gossiping so much you let me cross a certain yellow line by accident!" She reached up and gently pulled Joanne's ears.
"Ow, my ears! Oh don't," Joanne winced. "I feel bad enough about that already! Maybe not the second so much given how things turned out, but the first… As for you being rude, like I've said to you before, I'd be terrified too in your shoes, you weren't rude at all."
"Well don't feel bad about anything," Danielle squeezed her friend close. "I totally get it, I do. But I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me, Joanne Turner."
"You're more than welcome, Danielle Avery, soon to be Myers, Joanne finally released her. "I'm so glad I met you."
"Me too, believe me, me too! You have a friend for life now. Has Dr Loomis told you about what happened yesterday then?"
"Nope, he just told me you'd had a busy day, but would leave you to tell me about it."
"Go away," Danielle said in disbelief. "He must've said something. He's one of my doctors after all."
"Sweetie, you're voluntary now, remember? That changes a hell of a lot. You have a lot more control as a result. He honestly told me nothing, said it was yours and Michael's story to tell."
"Seriously, he didn't?" Danielle was deeply touched by this. She knew she was now voluntary and by that same token trusted, but she was sure he would've said something to Joanne at the very least.
"Yep, seriously," Joanne chuckled.
"In that case, I think coffee is calling you," Danielle grimaced. "Yuck!"
"Yours will be a tea then," Joanne laughed. "Come on you!" Taking Danielle's hand, Joanne started leading her towards the patient's canteen.
When they entered, it was empty except for them. Joanne guided her to a table, and Danielle took a seat. "Do you want anything to eat?"
"Oh hell, go on then! Can I have one of those microwave ham and cheese toasties, please?"
"Sure. You know what? I think I'll join you. Be right back then."
Patients were allowed free food from the canteen, as long as they didn't go over a limit each day. But Danielle didn't want to do that anymore, spend the hospital's money when they'd done so much for her. Plus, she was immeasurably richer now. She'd asked Dr Loomis earlier in the day if she could have her card back precisely for this reason, and he'd given it to her immediately. "Joanne?" She called and her guard turned back. "Here." She handed over her card. "This is on me, please. Drink, sandwich, whatever you want. Please don't argue?"
"That's very kind of you," Joanne said. "Thank you. Ok, I'll have three sandwiches, two cakes…" They both laughed. "No arguing."
"Fuck it! Now you've mentioned the cakes, Can I have piece of that chocolate cake please? I mean it Joanne, whatever you want!"
"Thanks. I'll be back." She walked away and a few seconds later, Danielle heard the microwave being activated.
"I asked Mel about guards being allowed to eat in here with us," Danielle said when Joanne returned with a tray, handing her back her card. "She told me Dr Loomis had authorised it when you're with me."
"Damn, she gave away my secret," Joanne sniffled. "Yep, that's correct. It made my life easier, so I didn't have to leave you to eat in the staff one. Thanks for my drink and sandwich. As you insisted, I also got myself a piece of carrot cake."
"You're welcome. Yeah, I get that," Danielle nodded. "Thanks, Joanne, thanks to Dr Loomis too. When he said you were/are my guard, he wasn't kidding. You even ate with me, as did others, obviously."
"It was our pleasure," Joanne squeezed her hand, as she passed her the sandwich.
"Yum! You know, these aren't bad for microwave sandwiches, are they?"
"No, they're actually not." Both women opened their sandwiches and started eating, sipping their hot drinks. "So?" Joanne said finally. "Tell me? I'm dying to know!" The excitement in her voice nearly brought Danielle to tears again. It was genuine.
"Is there any chance Rick and Jack can hear this too?"
"I'll go ask them," Joanne stood up and left, and a few minutes later Danielle heard two men whistling and couldn't help smiling, standing up.
"Rick, Jack!" She exclaimed happily, moving to hug them.
"Hello missy," Rick said, as he hugged her back before she moved to hug Jack who did the same. "How are you?" Jack asked, moving so her hands were on his ears. "Sorry they're small, their all I got though!"
Danielle snickered. "I'm fine thanks, are you both ok?"
"Fine thanks," the two men said together, Jack guiding Danielle back to her chair. "Those sandwiches are actually rather nice, I think I'll have one too. Rick?"
"Thanks pal."
Before Jack could move though, Danielle gently grabbed his arm. "Here," she said, handing him her card. "This is on me. Please don't argue, just accept it? Drink, sandwich, whatever you want, I'm buying."
"That's very sweet of you," Rick and Jack said together.
"Ok, thanks," Jack squeezed her hand. "But I won't overdo it. Though that chocolate cake is gorgeous!"
"Hey, we both had cake, so if you want cake, have cake! I'm serious!"
"Thanks," they said in unison again, before Jack walked away to the counter, whistling. They were contactless payments, so they didn't need her pin number. Jack returned a few minutes later with another two toasted sandwiches, drinks and cakes.
"We joined you, we both got a piece of chocolate cake. Thanks so much," he handed her back her card.
"That's very kind of you," Rick said. "Thanks sweetie. Yeah, that chocolate cake's nice too and we need something to get us through a nightshift! Good old sugar! Just to let you know, Jack and I have both got our earpiece in our small and normal ears, just in case we're needed. Joanne doesn't, as she's your guard and isn't going anywhere."
"You took yours out? Thanks Joanne."
"Well yeah, you are my priority. The only way I'd be needed is in an absolute emergency and even then, I'd make sure you were safe first."
Danielle reached over and gently felt Jack's ears again, finding his earpiece. It just felt like a wireless earbud. "Isn't that uncomfortable?"
"Nope," he took it out and handed it to her. Danielle felt the rubber tip on it and understood. Wearing it for as long as they did, it needed to be comfortable. She handed it back.
"Thanks," Jack took it.
"Which ear do you use?"
"My left, it's better than my right."
"I'm the opposite," Rick laughed. "My right ear feels more comfortable to have it in."
"Same here," Joanne said.
"To be fair I'd use my right ear if I wore an earpiece too, just feels more comfortable. Sorry Jack, you're outvoted!"
"Damn," Jack grinned. "My poor… "Small ears!""
"Is there anything coming through it now?"
"Nope, plus, don't forget, Joanne doesn't have hers in, so you'll hear it on her radio if it does."
Danielle was touched beyond words by this. She was trusted enough for that?
"Yes, you are," Jack squeezed her hand again. "It's only stuff from this block, so it's highly unlikely anything will come through either. Unless Michael needs one of us, or Winters does. The two guards on the Maximum security cell are keeping an eye on him too."
"That reminds me, when we press the call button, what happens?"
"Our radios beep and the cell number flashes up," Joanne said. "It also does on the console in the guard's office where all the cameras are, mind, you already know that, as someone is… supposed to be there all the time, and they weren't!" Danielle smiled affectionately at her.
"So," Rick said. "I hear you have something to tell us. You and Michael had an eventful day yesterday? That's all we know, however."
"See?" Joanne laughed. "I told you Dr Loomis said nothing. She didn't believe me!"
"Eventful is one word for it," Danielle took another bite of her sandwich as the two men opened theirs. Swallowing her mouthful, she opened her mouth and finally began to speak.
…
"Alan Goodwin? He did it for free? Damn, he's a good man."
"He is indeed, he told me to give you his best Joanne and said he hoped you are well."
"That's kind of him, say the same back."
"Wow he gave you his work and personal cells?" Rick asked. "Damn, he's a good man indeed. Most Lawyers are hard enough to get their work cells from! Respect!"
"I agree," Jack said.
"He's so nice, he helped Michael and I out hugely." Danielle went on to tell them why Alan had been there, about Peters and Rickets and their interviewing them.
"That was three weeks ago at least!" Joanne exclaimed. "What the fuck?"
Danielle smiled grimly. "That's exactly what I said. Peters just said they had 'investigations to conduct.'"
Jack snorted. "Legal bullshit which really means we couldn't be bothered, or we were too busy, or it wasn't very important to us, on the back shelf!"
Danielle snickered. "Probably all three. Peters was one dirty bastard! He treated me like a suspect from minute one, he was going in for the damn kill as soon as he walked through the door!" A sudden thought struck her. "Joanne, please may I borrow your radio?" Without a word, Joanne handed it to her. Dr Loomis had told her earlier he was on duty tonight.
"Dr Loomis," she said. "Are you still awake?"
"Yep, right here," Dr Loomis' replied immediately. "Good morning. You being a guard again? How can I help you?"
"I'm in the canteen with Joanne, Rick and Jack, updating them on our… little legal adventure yesterday."
"Ah yes, I purposely didn't tell anyone, so you and Michael could."
"I know, thanks. I really appreciate that. At first, I didn't believe Joanne when she told me that."
"Really?" he chuckled. "I promise you it's the truth. So how can I help you, guard Avery?"
"That recording of the interview, can we gain access to it soon? At some point, I'd really like these guys to actually hear it. I know they'll be on rest days after tonight, so when they come back?"
"Give me five minutes, ok?" The radio went silent.
Danielle handed it back to Joanne and raised an eyebrow but didn't have to wait long to find out the answer. Dr Loomis entered the canteen moments later, holding an iPad.
"Evening, or I guess I should say morning all," he smiled, sitting down beside Jack, opposite Danielle and Joanne. "Ok, got your ears ready all of you? Small, normal, nice and… cute, wasn't it?"
"Shut up!" Danielle was laughing, but also blushing. Everyone laughed with her.
"Let's give this a watch and listen," Dr Loomis said, pressing a button on his iPad.
After the recording finished, there was silence for a moment. Jack was the first to break it. "What the hell? He was so playing dirty! Goodwin was amazing! But then what should we expect? He's the best in the damn state!"
"That's exactly what I said to his face. He's awesome. Gives good hugs, too. He pretended to deny all knowledge, but I know. He helped Charlotte and I get all Adam's possessions, including money and house, he's working with my DVA's on my fight against the DASC and also seeing if Jason can face consequences for his lack of action that day."
"He's doing all that?" Joanne sounded as touched as she'd felt. "Damn, that's nice of him!"
"It certainly is," Danielle nodded.
"Good for him, I respect him even more now," Jack said.
"Bet you felt his ears, right?" Rick asked, grinning.
"Of course," Dr Loomis said before Danielle could speak. "She even felt Oliver Cutter's ears!"
"Get out!" the three guards said together. "Of course, you did," Joanne said affectionately.
"She felt their suits too," Dr Loomis grinned.
"Will you stop giving away all my secrets?" Danielle reached over and slapped his arm. Everyone laughed.
"Oh, but where's the fun in that?" Dr Loomis chuckled.
"Ha bloody ha! Dr Loomis, thanks for allowing guards to eat in here when they're with me, it made my life so much easier and stress free."
"Mel told her our little secret," Joanne sniffled again. Dr Loomis laughed.
"You're welcome. That's what I thought, I didn't want to leave you alone with… dangerous men. Well, at least I never meant to…"
Danielle grinned. "I'm so glad you did now," she said completely seriously, reaching for his hand. Dr Loomis took and squeezed it.
"Me too, actually."
"Do you want a drink or something to eat? On me?"
"That's very kind of you, but I get unlimited free food and drink."
"I know, but I want to buy you something. Please let me?"
"You're a sweetheart. Ok if you insist." She handed him her card and he returned a few moments later with a coffee. "Thank you," he handed it back to her.
"You're welcome, you didn't want anything to eat?"
"No thank you, I'm ok, but you all enjoy that lovely looking cake!" He retook his seat.
For a while there was a companionable silence, as the four started on their cakes. Finally, Danielle broke it.
"Where's Dr Stark? I haven't seen her for a while?"
"She's on a training course," Dr Loomis said. "Left yesterday, it's at a huge hospital in another state. Will be back in about a week. She told me to apologise she couldn't say goodbye, as she left when the officers were here."
"What the hell was Peters problem?" Rick asked furiously, sounding so angry Danielle felt a rush of love for him all over again. "He was treating you like a suspect the second he walked thro the God damn door!"
"Yes, I know," Dr Loomis said grimly. "Oliver and I had the video and audio hooked up to a feed in Oliver's office, live. So, we heard everything you all just have."
"Alan's not happy," Danielle said grimly, but affectionately. "He's also going to see if he can bust Peters for breaches of conduct."
"Breaches? More like chasms," Jack said. "There were so many of them just in that recording he'll have a field day with him! Thank fuck my names not Peters!"
"Yes, I expect he will, Good!"
"Rickets seemed nice enough though, good cop bad cop, maybe?"
"That's exactly what I thought Rick. But I don't think so. I think he genuinely cared about victims, you heard the way he spoke to Michael, who answered, but I can't remember what he said."
"Oh, sorry, the iPad also showed the video, Michael's messages were on the screen. I should've told you that," Dr Loomis said.
"He basically called Peters an idiot and that he was looking at the wrong person," Joanne said. "Something like that."
There was a soft beep over Joanne's radio speaker. "See? That was the call button," Jack said. "It's Michael."
Danielle felt a flutter of happiness, she couldn't help it. Everyone smiled at her. "I'll go," Dr Loomis stood up. "Be right back."
A few moments later he returned, Michael at his side. "Here to join the nighttime meeting?" Jack laughed. The killer slapped him on the shoulder.
"Hi darling," Danielle stood up and he pulled her close. They kissed, before he sat down beside her, on her other side from Joanne. "I was just updating these guys on our… little legal adventure, they've just heard the recording and watched the video." Michael nodded, raising his notepad.
Hello all. Sorry, I don't have my phone right now.
"Don't worry nor do I." He leant his head to the side so her hand was on his left ear. Gently, she pulled it.
Ow, my ears!
Joanne read the message aloud and everyone chuckled. "Do you want something to eat or drink? I've already bought everyone else something, I'd like to do the same for you."
That's very kind of you, sweetheart. I'll have a coffee and sandwich, thank you.
"Wow," Dr Loomis said quietly as Danielle handed Michael her card, and he went to the counters alone. "Who would've thought? Michael Myers being able, never mind allowed to get his own food and drink. There was a time not so long ago that would never have happened. He could've easily used hot coffee for one as a weapon."
"I get that. Darling, please could you grab me another tea while you're there? I'm paying for that."
"You know you get free food and drink up to a certain limit, right?" Dr Loomis asked. "You've never even come near to going over it."
"Yes, but after everything you've done for me and the position I'm in now financially, I don't want to spend the hospital's money, when I have plenty of my own. Call it a little thank you, if you will."
"That's very sweet and considerate of you, but you really don't need to do that."
"Well just for tonight, I'm going to, is that ok with you?" She smirked affectionately at him.
"Fine!" He sighed dramatically, walked to her side and lowered his head so her hands were on his ears. She blushed and everyone else laughed.
"Yes, you really do have nice ears Dr Loomis," Danielle muttered.
"Oh, good! At least they're not horrible. Ow, my ears!" They heard Michael chuckling as he returned with his coffee and sandwich, plus Danielle's tea.
"Thanks babe," she said as he placed it in front of her.
"Right," Dr Loomis yawned. "I think I'm finally going to get some sleep."
"Rub it in why don't you?" the three guards said together and Danielle smirked.
"You can sleep if you want, Michael and I won't tell anyone. Oh, wait, hi Dr Loomis! Didn't see you there!" Everyone laughed hard at this.
"Sorry," Dr Loomis chuckled. "Just think of it this way. You'll be fast asleep while I'm working later on."
"True," Rick grinned. Dr Loomis spoke quietly to Joanne before he left, and the guard nodded and smiled. "Night all," he called, and everyone bar Michael called back, "night!" Michael waved to his doctor, who waved back to him.
"Ok, got a little treat for you," Joanne said a few minutes later.
"What? Oo, I love surprises!" Danielle's excitement was so genuine everyone smiled affectionately.
"Come on then you," Danielle took Michael's arm as Joanne led them out, Rick and Jack behind them.
To Danielle's surprise, they entered the exercise yard. She was even more surprised to discover it wasn't that cold, even at this time of night. She grinned as Joanne led her to a wall, placing her finger on an indented button. "Push that." She did so and there was an electronic whirring sound. She let go and it stopped. Realising she needed to hold the button in, she resumed. Eventually the sound stopped and there was a gentle thud on the ground nearby. Michael guided her forward, and she found herself climbing up a ramp. Michael released her arm and stood at the bottom with Rick and Jack.
"What the?"
Joanne chuckled. "Welcome to the doctor's observation platform. That's where you're standing right now. Dr Loomis said he would show you it, remember? So here you are! It's really small, only big enough for three people at most." She led Danielle forward until her hand touched a small table, with a chair bolted to it. "Take a seat, go on," Joanne encouraged.
She sat down. The seat was comfortable, with thick leather pads. The overhead roof protecting it from rain. On the table, she discovered another control panel, comprising another six buttons. She recognised the big panic button immediately.
"Yep," Joanne said, clearly knowing she'd recognised it. "That's the huge red button!"
Danielle laughed, remembering Mel saying the exact same words earlier in the day. "Is that what you guys call it? The, "Huge red button?""
Rick chuckled. "Not on purpose," he said from the bottom of the ramp. "It just kind of stuck after someone said it once."
"So, how high up am I?"
"Not very," Jack said. "It's just so you're raised off the ground. If you were able…" she was touched when even after knowing her for all this time and all they'd been through together, he hesitated. "Go on Jack," Danielle encouraged him. "You're my friend!"
"If you were able to you'd see a panoramic view of the whole exercise yard from your position. But…" Joanne took her hand again and placed it on a screen also built into the table, as Jack continued acting as tour guide. "So, you can either look at the screen or just around with your eyes. The buttons are the panic one you've already found, one raises and lowers the ramp, it's to stop anyone else getting up there, the doctor's want safety, of course!" He sounded a little bitter.
Danielle was starting to understand why the doctors, well, with the exception of Dr Hazard, didn't use this area. It put them above the guards both literally and mentally, implying it was ok for them to be in danger, but not the doctors. This made affection rise for doctors Stark and Loomis all over again. They'd never used this as far as she knew. She pressed it, unable to stop herself, and the ramp whirred back up into place.
Rick took over. "The second button is to raise and lower a safety window, to stop anyone trying to throw anything at you." Danielle pressed it and the Perspex snapped into place. Raising the ramp, she felt like her and Joanne were inside a tiny box. Which, they were. "Wo," she said softly. "Claustrophobic much?"
Her guard grinned. "Indeed. But I guess for one doctor it's ok. The glass is see-through of course, and this third button…" she took Danielle's finger and rested it on the button, which she pressed. Instantly, she heard a whistling sound and knew it was one of the three men below them.
"It's a bit like the glass in the visitor's room," Joanne said. "You can't hear through it." She lowered the screen and immediately heard the whistling properly.
She grinned. "Who's whistling?"
"Me," Jack said cheerfully, resuming his happy whistling.
"This will be your favourite though," Rick said, as Joanne guided her hand to a microphone resting in a cradle on the table. She picked it up, this was her idea of heaven, and of course, they all knew that by now.
At the same time, Joanne asked her to lower the ramp. She did so and her guard walked down it. A few seconds later, Michael and Jack joined her. She squeezed the 'talk' button, and immediately without even speaking, knew her voice would be heard throughout the entire yard, from concealed speakers.
"Go on," it was Jack's turn to encourage. "The block doors are soundproof. Say something!"
"Hello," Danielle said, hearing her voice echo through the huge exercise yard. Putting the microphone back in its cradle, she looked thoughtful. "Joanne, if Dr Hazard had this at her disposal, why didn't she just use it? Bark at us to step back from Michael's line through the public address system? Why take the risk of running towards us? As Jack said, she would've been safe up here, it doesn't make sense."
"Hmm," Rick said slowly. "That's a good point."
"It is," Joanne nodded. "I can only guess she wanted to be hands on and didn't think about that. Maybe she forgot the system was even there. She hadn't been here for a year after all."
"But it's right in front of her on the damn table! How could she not see it? I'm blind and I found it!" Everyone chuckled.
Feeling the buttons again, Danielle realised they were all different shapes. The ones to raise and lower the ramp were an up and down arrow respectively, the panic button was a large bell, the safety glass one was square, the audio system was shaped like a speaker. She felt another one which was shaped like a smaller bell. "What's this one?"
Jack glanced over. "Ah, press it." There was a doorbell type sound.
"It's so the doctors can indicate they are about to make an announcement if they want to," Rick said. "More to us than the patients, I mean, they never listen!" Michael chuckled at this. "Well?" Rick mock turned on him. "Are you going to tell me you've ever listened to that PA?" Michael chuckled again and shook his head. "Exactly!" Rick slapped his shoulder. "I rest my case!"
"What are these?" Danielle touched a rubber ball attached to the wall, held in place by a thick rubber spike.
"Ah, those." Jack grinned. "The red rubber balls. Don't squeeze that or smash your palm against it."
"Or what? Squeeze them and they squeak?"
"Well I guess that's one adjective you could use for the really loud alarm which goes off. Their built in all over this wall. there's…" he quickly counted. "Eight of them. It's kind of like an on the move panic button, just in case a patient and doctor get into a struggle up here or something. Highly unlikely I know, but three guesses who designed this?"
"Andrews?" Danielle and Rick said together.
"Exactly," Jack nodded grimly. Ultimate safety and of course, his signature touch of luxury."
"I did think this chair is rather comfortable but still that makes no sense! Above ground away from the patients when the guards are hands on, in the line of danger, yet the doctor has two panic buttons? One here then those ones on the wall? That really makes it look like a 'I'm more important than you little guards' type of thing."
"Why do you think most don't use it?" Rick said affectionately. "They want to be right there, hands on with us. I joked Michael never listened to the PA, truth is though it was hardly ever used. Even when it was, a doctor just went up there to make the announcement before coming straight back down again."
"I wondered why I'd never heard it since being here." Danielle stood up and gave Michael a soft push. Chuckling, the killer sat down at the table. Danielle walked down the ramp to join Rick and Joanne, and Michael raised both the ramp and safety screen.
"He's looking through at us," Joanne said. "Taking in the view. I have to say if there was actually something worth seeing, it would be pretty stunning. You can't hide anything. "Look." Joanne and Rick guided her over to Michael's yellow warning line. She stepped over it and leant against the concrete block.
The announcement chime sounded. "We can see you," Jack sang through the PA. "Chain her to that block already! You can't hide, Danielle!"
"Hello if you can hear me," Joanne chirped.
"We can, loud and clear. So don't talk about us!"
"Oh, damn! We were just getting started! Are your ears burning?"
"They're apparently too small for that," everyone laughed as the system went silent. A few seconds later, Michael lowered the ramp again and Danielle rejoined them.
"Be careful of those squeaky red rubber balls," Jack said.
"Grant!" Danielle turned to him and tried to sound admonishing, but in truth she was struggling to keep a straight face. "Are you actually implying you think I have experience with red rubber balls?"
Everyone burst out laughing, Joanne was howling with mirth. Jack was laughing so hard he almost stumbled onto the ramp. Michael grabbed his arm tightly just in time. "Thanks pal," the guard gasped, tears streaming down his face.
"If you don't want the facts, don't ask about the acts," Danielle pulled him into a hug. "Do you know something about red rubber balls you wish to share with us?"
"Oh God stop!" Joanne squealed, almost crying with laughter. "Please, stop! I can't…" she dissolved into laughter all over again, along with everyone else. Even Michael was laughing out loud.
"Those red rubber balls are something aren't they?" said Dr Loomis' voice, his tone amused, eyes twinkling with humour. "How many rubber balls jokes thus far?" Michael stood up and guided Danielle back to the seat. Jack walked down the ramp and Dr Loomis walked up it, joining her and Michael.
"They should call them panic pompoms, or panic punchers."
"Hmm, I like those, panic pompoms. Then maybe we just might."
"I'd better get the credit," she warned.
"Oh of course, free food for life!" She slapped his arm.
"You know Dr Loomis, I really appreciate you or Dr Stark not using this, it kind of makes the doctors look… I don't know, entitled? Above the guards both physically and mentally, like I'm a doctor so I'm too important to be in danger. Two sets of panic buttons, raised above ground with a safety ramp and screen, a public address system…"
"Yes, that is certainly one reason I or Dr Stark don't use it. Why do you think Dr Hazard went straight there?"
Unable to stop herself, Danielle raised both the ramp and screen again, enclosing them and turning on the audio system. "I bet they're talking about us," Rick stage whispered right on cue and she snorted with laughter. She told them her thoughts about Dr Hazard not using the public address system to order her away from Michael's line, as opposed to running towards them and Dr Loomis considered.
"Yes, I must admit that confused me too. She put herself in the direct line of danger, when she would've been safe up here. Mind, she did that anyway when she locked you in solitary and had you chained up… That caused a… terrible accident." The three nodded to each other. Danielle lowered the ramp and screen again, turning off the audio system.
"At least if you talk through the PA Michael will hear you with his sexy as all hell ears," Rick said, then blushed. "Um, that's a quote, I'm not saying I think they're sexy, I wouldn't say that!"
Everyone burst out laughing again, including Dr Loomis. Michael stood on the ramp directly above Rick and slowly moved his head from side to side, showing first his left ear, then his right.
"Go on admire those sexy as all hell ears you just confessed you secretly like so much!" Joanne was almost screaming with laughter now. "Oh, my fucking God… my stomach… Oh shit…" She fell to her knees, she was laughing so hard. Chuckling, Michael helped her to her feet and she leant on his shoulder for support. "Thanks man. Jesus Christ! That was fucking hilarious! Awesome, Michael! Fucking awesome!"
"I wish I'd seen it," Danielle grinned. Michael stepped to her and slowly moved his head from one side to the other, so she felt both his ears. Understanding, she laughed. "Nice!"
"You're red as a tomato Rick," Dr Loomis laughed.
Rick slapped Michael's arm. "You clown!" Michael chuckled and slapped the guard on the back.
"Who would've thought?" Dr Loomis said softly to Danielle. "Michael Myers acting like, not to mention being called, well, "A 'clown?""
She nodded and grinned at him, blinking back tears. "I know. Beautiful, isn't it?"
…
A little while later, they were back in their room. She slipped back into bed happy, but exhausted. "That was fun."
He kissed her and she felt his nod, as he pulled her into his arms. "They are seriously good people," her voice was sleepy now. "Funny and exceptionally kind. God, I was so rude and stupid when I first met them, I really regret that now. Joanne, Rick and Jack are amazing! As are the other guards of course, but those three have really gone out of their way to get to know and help us." He nodded again.
"Night darling," she yawned. Checking her phone, she saw it was now almost 4AM. She'd said good night to Joanne when they'd gone back, as she doubted she'd be awake again by the time the three left at 7. "Enjoy your rest days," she'd hugged her tightly. "Tell Rick and Jack the same please?"
"Will do." Joanne was about to walk away when Michael also pulled her into a hug. She hugged him back, as they smiled at each other. "No tickling!" Joanne warned in a dramatic whisper and they both laughed. Danielle didn't ask, she sensed this was between them and she was fine with that.
Now, full of food and drink, happy and very contented, it didn't take long at all for her eyes to close in sleep once more.