chapter six

Michael woke up to a rather unexpected sight. Bonnie was at the computers, running checks on Karr's programming. Connor was up underneath the hood (no surprise there) humming along with the music as she worked on the engine. Apparently enough of the engine had been repaired that Karr was half attached to the car and half to the computers. Michael wondered briefly if Karr felt like he had split personalities like that. Then again, he wondered if Kitt felt the same on the rare occasions he found himself in a similar predicament.

He focused in on the music and frowned. "What is that?"

"Something that makes your music sound appealing." Kitt muttered, and Michael couldn't help but laugh. "Honestly, Michael, what would make someone want to listen to that? The lyrics don't even make sense!"

Michael shrugged. "Beats me. But it does sound like something Connor would like."

"I didn't think Karr would like that kind of music."

"Hey, you tolerate mine, don't you?" He patted the dash as he got out. Kitt was silent, but he got the impression Kitt was smiling at him. He walked over to Bonnie and placed a kiss on her cheek. "So how's it coming?" he asked, quickly stepping out of the way of her slap. She shot him a dirty look, but he could see the blush rising on her cheeks. He grinned.

"We were going just fine before you interrupted." she snipped, trying to cover her blunder.

Connor peeked from her position under Karr. She flashed them a grin. "Aw – look Karr, they make such a cute couple!"

A sound like static exploded from Kitt, and it took Bonnie and Michael a moment to realize he was laughing. "I've been trying to tell them that for years." he said. "Glad to know someone else sees it."

"Enough teasing." Michael snipped, but the sharp tone was lost with his grin. "So how much work needs to be done?"

"Well, Bonnie and Karr keep finding stray codes in his programming, so that's going to take at least a few more days." Connor said, grunting a little. "And the engine looks like someone detonated a bomb under here." She cursed as something slipped, and Michael almost flinched at the familiar sound of metal cutting flesh.

"Connor, are you all right?" Karr demanded. There was a hint of concern in his voice, like he was trying to hide it but just couldn't keep it all away.

Connor muttered affirmative. "I'm going to need more parts than I have." she murmured. "Some of the stuff down here – spark plugs and the oil filter, just to name a few – are completely trashed." She fiddled with the oil plug as she thought. "I'm going to need to raid an Auto Zone before I go much further with this."

"You are in no condition to be raiding anything." Karr said sharply. "You wouldn't get very far."

"Whoever said anything about doing this in broad daylight?" Connor shot back. "I'm not that stupid."

"Wait – you're planning on robbing a garage?" Bonnie demanded.

"Well, we don't exactly have a bank account anymore." Connor pointed out dryly. "What other choice do we have? Besides, even if we did, I can't go out and buy the stuff. These kinds of places keep normal hours, and if I go out during the day, the Institute will track me down. So what would you want me to do?"

"Give me a list and let me go get it." Michael said. "Stealing is a good way to get the cops called on you."

"Not with the person I had in mind." Connor said with a grin. She slid out from under the hood and glanced at the Ferrari. "You think Joyce is still in the area?"

"Possibly." Karr said, just a touch too dryly. "You got a mob boss to use as bait?"

"I'll think of something." Connor said with a laugh. She glanced over at Michael and Bonnie, both of whom had looks of shock on their faces. "What? Did you think I was a good girl or something? I have contacts with people a lot worse than pick-pockets and street racers."

"I'd wait until ten tonight to head out." Karr advised. "The night comes alive then."

Connor nodded. Michael shook his head. "A word, please." He drew her aside, to the doorway of the chamber. He could see the vicious cut on her hand that even now was oozing blood. "Connor – you can't do this."

She looked at him, her eyes completely blank. "Why not? Because it's against the law?"

"Exactly."

She sighed. "Let me tell you something, Michael, because I don't think you understand this. As long as Karr doesn't get fixed, he's in pain. He won't tell me, but I know he is. He can feel what's wrong with him the same way this cut stings like crazy. Now, if stealing from some random person is the least I can do to take his pain away, don't think I won't do it. If I had to kill to take his pain away, I would." Her eyes were empty, but somehow they seemed full of shadows at the same time. Michael believed her.

"I have a hard time understanding that." he said quietly.

Connor smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "No you don't. The problem is you understand it too well. That's why you hate and like me at the same time. You see yourself and Kitt in me and Karr. You see what you could have been, what you have the capacity to become, and it scares the crap out of you. So don't judge me, and don't tell me you don't understand. You're just lying to yourself." With that she turned and resumed her place under Karr's hood.

Michael just stood there, stunned. While Kitt could never bee Karr – never be as cold as Karr – and Michael could never become the hardened criminal that he knew Connor was, she had a point. Their bond was the same.

Which explained a lot. It explained more than Michael was willing to accept.

So he shook it off. For now.