Modifications May Void Warranty
Disclaimer – I do not own them, no money is being made
Warnings – angst, experimental medical procedures, hurt/comfort, way AU
Not a warning – POV changes, some OC in supporting
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To say she was surprised to be contacted by Kitt after he'd left to search for his partner was an understatement. Danielle Jackson had done her best to be kind to the anxious AI who had dogged her every move when searching for information in the compound's computer systems, and it had been easier to allow his access than try to keep him out.
And, to be honest, she had felt real compassion for him. Dr Barstow and Mr Miles were kind, but did not seem to consider the AI's feelings when discussing things in front of him. For all her vaunted dispassion when cracking and then analysing the data, Dr Jackson had been very aware that two sentient beings had been kept against their will and subjected to procedures without consent. She could either empathise with them, which would result in her being too emotionally compromised to effectively work, or do everything in her power to help. Mr Miles had been enraged when he had understood the full implications in the work here and more than ruthless when planning and executing the capture of the scientist responsible.
Kitt had requested that she leave her work supervising the shut down and transfer of the compound's equipment and data for a day trip. She suspected he had located the fugitives, but was unable to convince them that they were safe to come in. Given what she had heard of Dr Barstow's latest argument with the AI, it was logical that he would turn to the other computer expert within his reach. Kitt picked her up at the gates and she had settled in for the pleasant drive, being sure to keep her hands and feet tucked well away from the controls.
They drove in silence, and only when they had pulled into a sun dappled warehouse, out of use if the dust was anything to go by, did Kitt speak.
"I am sure that you know why we are here. Michael and Karr will be here shortly," he said and opened the driver's door for her. She hopped out at once, and stretched a little as the door closed again, "We are hoping that you will agree to assess both Michael and Karr's… state of being, and report to Devon and Dr Barstow your findings."
"Both of them?" she asked lightly and the scanner on the front of the Trans Am swished at her with what seemed to be impatience.
"You have multiple degrees in technology, engineering and psychiatry," Kitt informed her, "I was well aware that those degrees were part of the reason that Devon hired you."
"And the rest of the reason?" she couldn't help but ask, noting the very telling naming conventions.
"You are good at what you do," Kitt replied simply and she smiled, bowing for the compliment.
"Why thank you," she laughed, "I will not, of course, make any promises about my findings, prior to speaking to either of them."
There was a rumble of an engine and a second car pulled into the space, driving without haste towards them. The blocky lines and black and chrome finish looked tougher than Kitt's sleek lines, but still beautiful to her eyes. Michael Knight was in the driver's seat, but clearly not controlling the vehicle. Karr's scanner was blue, and sweeping quickly as he pulled up at an angle to Kitt. Dr Jackson held her arms out from her sides and stepped to stand directly in front of the blue sscanner.
"I am not armed," she assured both of the newcomers, "Which I am sure you can see. My name is Danielle Jackson, though I prefer to be called Yell."
"Not Danni?" Karr's voice was deeper than Kitt's, his accent harder to place.
"No thank you," she pulled a face of distaste, "Way too girly for my taste."
"My name is Karr," the AI introduced himself, "Although my proper name is Knight Autonomous Roaming Robot."
"May I call you Karr?" she asked and was granted permission. Michael was watching her closely through the windscreen, and she smiled at him now.
"I am very pleased to see you, Mr Knight," she stuck her hands in her pockets, "A lot of people, including Kitt, have been very worried about you."
Michael grinned and opened the door, getting out and closing it carefully. He was still underweight, clean shaven and well groomed. Obviously, he was once more in charge of his own appearance and wherever he was staying he had access to proper nutrition and hygiene. The jeans only emphasised his height and lean physique, and the layer of knitted sweater and shirt hung just a little too loosely to be right.
"So," Michael said lightly, standing between the two vehicles. It was a protected space, and she noted that as well, "How do you want to do this?"
"I was thinking that I would have a chat with Karr," she shrugged, "I can't do more than that without equipment anyway, which I didn't bring with me. Then you and I will have a chat. There is gear in the Foundation semi that I could use to do a more thorough diagnostic with Karr, but that would only be if he agreed to do so, and in your presence Michael."
"I am not afraid," Karr asserted, and she looked down at the scanner light in surprise.
"It's not you I'm worried about," she told the AI, "You are, of course, more used to such procedures. For Mr Knight, being connected to another system would be … a threat."
"I hadn't considered that," Kitt said suddenly, "Michael, Yell would never hurt us. She made her opinion of the people who did this more than clear to me. Quite loudly and profanely at the time, as I recall."
"Sorry about that," she blushed, and at Michael's curious look she sighed and elaborated, "I was swearing and kicking a wastepaper basket around in the garage where Karr's chassis had been stored. I was very, very angry at the time, and needed to vent. I hadn't realised Kitt had come in, or I'd never have continued. It wasn't very professional of me."
"It was very human though," Kitt replied, "And I was grateful to learn that you cared so much."
She smiled at him as did Michael.
"Michael, you should sit down," Kitt continued, "I assume we can be present while you talk to Karr?"
"Yes," she nodded, knowing there was very little chance that they would leave her alone with the AI if she asked them too. Michael was displaying classic distrust signals, which under the circumstances was perfectly normal. He would be protective of both AI, and his own mental and physical autonomy until he was sure that there were no threats. Michael moved to sit on the hood of the Trans Am, leaning back against the windshield in a move that was automatic. He'd sat there before then.
"Well, Karr, let us begin," she pulled her hands from her pockets, "Perhaps you could start by telling me about your time in captivity. You may choose to keep some things to yourself, as you wish, but I do ask that if you can't tell me all, you make it clear. That way I am not pushing into area's that you don't want to discuss."
She kept her eyes trained on Karr and listened intently to his recount of captivity, asking questions when something was unclear. The news that Michael's consciousness had been wired into the mainframe, though not accessible to the scientists, was startling, but she didn't interrupt to ask the hundred and one questions that raised.
Karr spoke for two hours or so, and at the end she was certain of several things. Firstly, and most importantly for the AI, that Karr was no longer the threat that Mr Miles and Dr Barstow assumed him to be. Secondly, that the AI needed a partner, lest the isolation do further harm to his already battered psyche. He was healing, and it was apparent that Michael Knight was a big part of that, but it was also apparent that Karr did not expect Michael to become his partner.
"Hmm," she mused before the silence could get awkward, "Thank you Karr. I appreciate your honesty."
"You did not ask the questions I expected," Karr mentioned and she grinned. Not being predictable by the patient had its merits, provided you didn't take things to extremes.
"Would you like me to ask the obvious question?" she laughed, "They don't usually help, to be honest."
"Surely, you should at least ask, if only to be able to tell Devon that you had," Kitt protested from the side and she shook her head. Michael was smiling faintly.
"Do you want to kill the humans?" he asked in a mockingly spooky voice.
"Of course not," Karr replied at once, "If I kill the humans, who will make the spare parts?"
"Oh good grief," Kitt sounded exasperated, but she laughed, that little flash of humour from Karr telling her all she needed to know.
"Now, Mr Knight," she turned her attention to the man leaning so comfortably on Kitt, "I do have some questions for you."
"Bring them on," that was bravado, and to be expected. You couldn't do his job without being self-sufficient, which meant that heart to heart talks about traumatic experiences would be really low on his to do list.
"How active is the nano-technology in your head? I am aware that the physical connection you first encountered enabled it, and that you and Karr were able to use it to communicate while in captivity. I can't find any record of a shutdown code being sent," she kept eye contact with him, "If I am to present to Mr Miles and Dr Barstow a fitness report, you will need to be frank with me."
Michael shifted uneasily, folding his arms over his chest. She stood still, making no effort to disguise her concern or determination to get a complete answer.
"I am able to make a connection to Kitt and Karr wirelessly," Michael confessed after long minutes dragged past. She nodded.
"Can you communicate? Share information?" she pushed carefully, knowing that both AI were monitoring her and Michael closely.
"Yes," Michael confirmed after a moment.
"Is there emotional transference?"
"I have been emoting at them," Michael tried a smile and she sighed, shaking her head.
"Mr Knight, I am well aware that you prefer to play the dumb hick with Mr Miles and Dr Barstow," she put her hands on her hips, "But that will not work with me. I am fully aware that you are highly intelligent. Your preference for being underestimated here will only do your cause harm."
Michael shot her a sharp look, then nodded reluctantly.
"Yes, there's emotional transference," he sighed, "We all have a strong sense of each other and how we feel."
"Is there pain? Fatigue? Any physical side effects that occur after prolonged use of the implant?" she probed, and he shook his head.
"You do burn slightly more calories than before, Michael," Kitt said suddenly, "I have been reviewing the information that Karr sent me. You should be a few pounds heavier than you are, based on your regimen. I think that it is possible that you are burning through your caloric intake at a slightly higher rate."
"That would make sense," she told the startled man, "There is no battery powering the implants, they are using your own nervous system impulses as energy."
"I haven't really thought about the … mechanics of it all. Bad enough that it was stuck in my head without anyone even asking…" Michael scowled at the floor, "I wasn't even quick enough to fight them off."
"Do you regret the connection?" Karr's voice was level, as close to impassive as she had heard from the AI.
"No!" Michael stood, and then all three went silent. It was apparent from his micro expressions that he was speaking via the connection, in private even with an audience. She was dying to know what it was like, but also knew that to ask would invade their privacy in a way that wasn't necessary. Kitt's personality hadn't changed, certainly Mr Fletcher and Dr Barstow hadn't mentioned it, so the connection wasn't something that was blurring the lines between each individual personality.
After a few minutes, Michael sighed and slumped back onto his previous seat.
"I mean it," he said, and she smiled at the warning tone he was taking with the two AI's.
"And for those of us who didn't hear that conversation?" she prompted.
"Just… establishing some rules about privacy and the right to peace and quiet," Michael ran a hand through too long hair, "For all three of us, Yell…"
"Good," she nodded, "It is important you all feel you can set your own boundaries. Otherwise, this connection becomes a burden. From the information I have found in the records we've seized, this is not reversible, Mr Knight. The scientists who had you attempted to reverse the implantation process in three of their small rodent subjects with fatal results. I might in time be able to switch it off, if you wish to do so, however for now…"
"That's ok," Michael smiled a little shyly, "I kind of like knowing that we can find each other so easily."
"As do I," Kitt replied firmly and Karr swished his scanner in apparent agreement.
"Alright," she nodded, "We will need to discuss together the next steps. Karr, Kitt mentioned to me that you were thinking of joining FLAG, is that correct?"
"Yes," Karr replied, "I have found someone that I believe I can work with, and she would be an excellent addition to FLAG according to Michael's evaluation."
"Ok, so we need to prove our case to Mr Miles and Dr Barstow regarding the both of you being healthy and fit for field work," she nodded.
"Then you are in our favour? Your conclusions are positive?" Kitt asked eagerly and she smiled at him.
"Yes, to both questions, Kitt," she answered and Michael sighed in relief. She had some reservations about returning him to the field, but there would be an ongoing recovery time for him, and she would ensure that he saw all the right professionals before being sent out into danger once more.
Conversation turned to their upcoming plans. This was not going to be an easy discussion with some of the FLAG team, and to succeed she would need to be paying attention.
0o0o0o0
"Are you sure you don't want me to prop you up and remove all four wheels or something?" Fletcher asked as they pulled into the abandoned warehouse, a small convoy of cars following them. The convoy pulled themselves over against a wall, leaving plenty of space for the Foundation semi to pull in eventually. Harper and Cullen popped out of their old beater, catcalling to Muncie about his four-wheeler. Peters and Gently joined in, the Field Operative Group converging on Kitt in a noisy group, here to support Kitt and Michael in this final push to have the once missing agent returned to FLAG. Fletcher had arranged for them to be here. He'd told Kitt that it was time that FLAG understood where it's operatives stood: firmly behind their lone wolf.
"We could decoy them here saying you're immobile or something," Fletcher continued, unable to resist this last moment of comradery with the AI.
"Quite sure, thank you Fletcher," Kitt said primly. Fletcher grinned and Kitt asked the groups outside to quieten down for the call to the semi that would lure Mr Miles and Dr Barstow to the warehouse. Another car arrived, with Dr Alpert and Dr Jackson popping out and hurrying to join the group. Fletcher had been honoured that Kitt had asked for his help with this last delicate phase of Michael's return. The AI had been very self-sufficient for the entirety of their working time together, though he was always careful to ensure Fletcher had the information he needed to be safe. Dr Alpert hopped into the passenger seat when Kitt opened the door for the man, and everyone fell silent for the coming call.
"Fletcher," Mr Miles sounded surprised, "Kitt said it was urgent."
"Yes sir," Fletcher nodded, "We have located Karr and Michael. They have agreed to a meeting with you and Dr Barstow, and to an examination using the semi's systems. I have a location and time, but it is soon. You'd need to be mobile at once."
"I see," Mr Miles frowned, "What is your assessment of the location, Fletcher. Could we be heading into an ambush?"
"I have already secured it, sir," Fletcher informed him, "Dr Jackson and Dr Alpert are with me, they have agreed to conduct the assessments required."
"You've been working behind my back?" Mr Miles sounded angry now, but Fletcher was ready for this. Mr Miles had never truly understood the way that Michael Knight and Kitt fit into the Field Operatives Group: that their isolation from the group existed only in Mr Miles' mind.
"Mr Miles, with all due respect, Kitt and Michael are one of us. We don't leave our own behind. We've been working to the same goal, sir, just from different viewpoints," Fletcher said firmly. Mr Miles accepted that, but was not happy. Fletcher had a feeling he was in for some less pleasant assignments in the future. He gave the address, and Mr Miles agreed to be there, then signed off. Kitt indicated that the semi was only a few minutes away at most, something that the agents around him noted with nods.
"You made him mad, partner," Muncie grumbled, "We're going to be wading in swamps and crawling through mines for the next few months. Good thing it's for a good cause."
Fletcher laughed and got out of the car, shaking his partner's hand.
"You'd rather wear a suit and infiltrate corporate types?" Fletcher asked lightly, knowing full well that Muncie hated doing that. Gently snorted in laughter, a most unladylike sound.
"Fred, what have you done to your car?" Kitt asked suddenly, "It is leaking coolant and transmission fluid both."
"We may have rammed a fence," Fred Peters sighed, "On our way out of our last assignment. The car needs some work, but we figured it would at least get us here in time, which was more important Kitt. We wanted to be here for you both."
"That's right, honey," Gently reached out and patted Kitt's roof companionably, "There's no way we'd miss Michael's homecoming."
The sound of the semi's engine cut short the lecture that Fletcher felt sure was on Kitt's mind. They all turned to watch the semi roll slowly into the warehouse and park in the space so obviously left for it. The rear ramp lowered and Kitt rolled back slowly so he was off to one side of it. Dr Alpert got out of the passenger seat when Kitt was settled and Fletcher watched realisation sink in for Mr Miles as he walked down the ramp. This wasn't every field operative in FLAG, just the ones on this side of the country, all here for Michael and Kitt.
"Good morning," Mr Miles said after a moment, "Dr Jackson, Dr Alpert. I see we are still waiting for Michael and Karr."
"They're coming now," Kitt replied before Fletcher could try and stall. He wasn't sure how Kitt was communicating with Michael, but he had his suspicions. Moments later the rumble of a well-tuned engine sounded and the Hurst/Olds reproduction rolled slowly into the warehouse, blue scanner sweeping steadily, stopping at the end of the ramp. There were two people inside, a woman Fletcher didn't know in the driver's seat, and Michael Knight in the passenger seat. The man looked better than the last image that Fletcher had seen, but still terrible.
Both people got out and shut their doors, Michael grinning over at Kitt.
"I see you finally got around to a haircut," Kitt broke the silence and the woman leaning on Karr's drivers' door laughed.
"I offered to put it in bunches for him, but he wouldn't let me," she told the gathering, "Karr's graphic showing what it would look like didn't seem to help."
"I'd pay to see that," Peter's laughed and Michael's eyes widened.
"No!" he yelped but Kitt had already flashed the image on his own monitors, as had Karr if the light reflections inside the car were anything to go by. The field agents gathered around Kitt for a look, laughter following quickly.
"I get no respect," Michael grumbled, leaning on Kitt's rear fender grumpily. The jeers that came his way were light, and as if a spell was broken Fletcher and his fellow agents moved to say proper hello's shaking hands and hugging according to their preferences.
"Fletcher, I want to introduce you to Zoe Washburn," Michael waved at the newcomer and Fletcher grinned over at her, appreciating the trim figure and graceful height. Long hair swept back into a loose plait and a neat pants suit completed the picture.
"You wanted me to find Michael Knight, right?" Zoe sassed from her comfortable position against Karr, "Well… tah-dah!" she pointed at Michael, who threw his arms apart and made what could only be described as 'jazz hands' at him. Fletcher laughed and shook his head. Mr Miles threaded his way through the small crowd and Michael dropped his arms, looking uncertain for the first time since he'd arrived. He'd been fine with his fellow agents, and with the physical contact they'd offered. Fletcher hoped that Mr Miles realised how careful he needed to be now.
"Michael, dear boy," the avuncular tone had always rubbed Fletcher and Muncie wrong, but Michael seemed to accept it, "It's so good to see you again."
"And you too, Devon," Michael replied, "I'd like to introduce you to two people that would be a great asset to FLAG, once they go through the assessment process."
"Oh?" Mr Miles smiled, playing along, Fletcher thought.
"You may remember Karr," Michael moved away from Kitt, "And this is Zoe Washburn. She's his Driver."
"I see," there was reserve in Mr Miles voice, but Fletcher could see why, what with Karr's previous record and an unknown woman being presented as a fait accompli. Zoe didn't seem to be too bothered by the reserve though, straightening up from her lean and coming around Karr to shake Mr Miles hand and introduce herself. She deftly led him off to the side, engaging him in conversation as Dr Jackson came down the ramp of the semi with a long cable in her hands.
"Karr, shall we start? Dr Barstow, I'll need your help for this, we want to be thorough to ensure there was no damage caused by his time in captivity," Dr Jackson didn't look away from Karr as she spoke, "No alterations will be made without your explicit agreement, Karr."
"You can proceed, I am ready," Karr confirmed and Michael reached out to put a hand on Karr's roof for a moment.
"You and I have an appointment too, young man," Dr Alpert said from beside Kitt, "Come along, Mr Knight, we have a lot to do."
"I'll be up in the semi, Karr and Kitt is here," Michael said quietly and let himself be led away.
"Hey Karr," Gently drifted over, "Patricia Gently. I'm a colleague, or I will be once they finish with their fussing. I'll sit with you, if you don't mind, while Zoe and Michael are busy. Anything you need, I can help."
Fletcher grinned. Gently was a kind person outside her steely core. Looking around the warehouse, it was good to see so much of FLAG in the one place, all working together for such an important purpose.
"Fletcher, we really should do something about Pat and Fred's car," Kitt spoke up, "At the rate it is losing fluid, they will be unable to restart it soon."
"Right," Fletcher turned to Kitt, "What do you think we need? Muncie and I can go get it while Fred jacks the car up."
0o0o0o0
Epilogue
It hadn't just been a flick of a switch and things had gone back to normal. There had been a lot of hoops to jump through, a lot to prove. There had been times when Karr had wondered if his decision to reprogram had been for the best, and Kitt had locked Michael in the chassis more than once in an effort to protect his partner. They had argued, all of them with each other, and sometimes together against others.
Kitt didn't think the relationship with Bonnie would ever go back to what it was. She'd had to learn that he was not the naïve young AI in need of her protection; that she was not his only or even first line of defence. That had been uncomfortable at first. Things were getting better now. Michael helped, providing support and alternate points of view that gave Kitt better insight into Bonnie's actions.
Devon had been forced to re-evaluate some of his perceptions of the FLAG field operatives' group. He had not realised the depth of their connection to each other, even to the two lone wolves in the group. While he was not as comfortable with Karr as he was with Kitt, he had come to realise that the AI's under his command were considered by the humans who worked with them as people in their own right.
Michael had gone through a gruelling recovery. With the nanotechnology active and using his own energy to power itself, he'd had to learn to better balance his caloric needs. He'd also had to learn to manage the technology with finesse and control. Kitt and Karr had taught him everything they'd known, and Dr Jackson had helped as far as she could – neither human comfortable with the idea of experimenting too far.
None of that mattered now though. It was night, they were alone, and the stars above the desert were like a spray of diamonds across the night sky. Michael had her, allowing Kitt to stargaze to his heart's content, with Michael providing stories connected to the constellations across their mind space, and memories of stargazing with his father. The road was empty and the windows open, letting the cooler air refresh his Driver.
In an hour or so they would catch up with Karr, who was waiting for them on the side of the road, Zoe apparently asleep on the hood, where she had been stargazing with her partner in turn. Karr was kibitzing on their conversation now, and Kitt couldn't recall a more content moment.
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END