Finally, this took so much longer than planned. This summer was a wild, dramatic ride, and I can't believe we're already in September. Seriously, where did it all go?

Anyways, please enjoy.

"I'm sorry to pressure you," Mim said one day as she approached Not-Kitt and Matt and few days later, "but I need a name to complete registering you in the system. Even if you still don't know what it is, is there something you'd like to go by?"

Not-Kitt frowned, placing a bookmark before closing the book he had been reading in his curled up position in the window. It hadn't even been that long, and yet it made sense he wouldn't be able to go around namelessness forever. "I…"

"What about Kat?" Matt said from where he was hanging upside down next to Not-Kitt on the window. It was a place where Not-Kitt felt forever drawn to, a place where Matt inevitably always joined him. They didn't always talk, at times just simply existing in the same space; yet regardless Not-Kitt was grateful for the company all the same.

"I have a feeling I'm going to regret this, but what why?" Not-Kitt asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay, you know how I mentioned you're kinda like a cat?" Matt asked, pulling himself so he could sit on the window ledge more normally.

"Yes, and I believe we determined that I wasn't one."

"Did we though?" Matt gave him a look. "You're always in the places where it's either really warm or really sunny, and you even sit like one in the window."

"That is simply a coincidence." Not-Kitt said, subtly sitting up from where he had been curled against the window.

Matt grinned. "Are you sure about that? Hear me out," He added at Not-Kitt's look, "It fits because you kinda act like one, but spell it with a 'K' instead."

"You know Michael, I've been thinking about changing my name."

"To what?"

"KITT the Cat."

A small sigh escaped him as Not-Kitt shook his head. He really had used that name before, hadn't he? It wasn't really like he could deny the similarities, either; and it would be far better than the nothing he had been going by... "Alright, I suppose I don't see why not."

"It's settled then. It's nice to formally meet you, Kat." Mim said with a smile before leaving.

"Brilliant!" Matt smiled widely, a bright expression Not-Kitt – Kat – was learning was characteristic of him. The more time Kat spent there, the more Matt became the one truly helping Kat adjust the most, albeit unknowingly. Matt was always so full of energy, his happy go lucky attitude infectious, breaking through whenever depression threatened to take ahold of Kat. "Why don't we go somewhere to celebrate?"

"And how would you propose we do that? We lack a car."

"Well, there's a shopping center about a ten-minute walk from here," Matt said with a thoughtful look, "and if we want to go further there's always the bus."

Kat thought for a moment, before an idea struck him. "Where would Annette's shop be? I would like to thank her for the other day."

"Oh, you mean The Haven? That's in the shopping center. Wait, you know Annette?"

"She was the one who found me, and called Marley to bring me here."

"Oh, that makes a lot more sense. But yeah! We could totally go there." Matt smiled once more, jumping down from the window seat with more energy than was required. "C'mon, let's go then! Staying inside for too long isn't good for anyone."

/

Compared to his last trip to Annette's, this time could be considered much less uneventful. Not that it was a bad thing; on the contrary, Kat found it far more enjoyable despite the biting cold. The town breathed around them, the familiar cacophony of sound echoing in the air as children excitedly pulled their parents forwards, couples old and young walked hand in hand, multiple voices blending into one yet each still managing to maintain its own individuality. Matt chatted happily alongside him, making sure to point out any location he considered to be of interest. A coffee shop, next to an antique store; a place for all things board games following a bookstore. Kat would certainly have to pay a visit there at some point – all he had was the small collection at the orphanage, one the would run out sooner than later.

"Oh, and there's Charlie's! They have amazing ice cream. We should really go there sometime."

Kat raised an eyebrow. "Why on earth would anyone want something like that in this weather?"

"...Because it tastes good?"

"But it's cold." Kat crossed his arms, eying the strangely popular parlor. "I don't see the appeal of consuming something that's only purpose is to make one colder."

"I'm not really sure it works that way." Matt laughed, taking Kat's hand and pulling him forwards. "We'll have plenty of time to figure that out later, though, we're just about to Annette's."

Painted a brilliant white, The Haven was as welcoming as its owner; a large, interwoven vine arch of multicolored roses framing the entrance that was more window than door, allowing passersby a glimpse into the wonderland beyond. Placed in front of the shop were plants and flowers stung along in various shape and sizes of planters, enough so Kat absently wondered if they would get in trouble for wandering through someone's garden.

"You're back!" The scolding never came, however, and they were instead greeted by Annette's warm smile as she stood up from where she had been repotting roses.

"Yes, I wanted to thank you properly for the other day." Kat said with a small bow.

"Oh! No need to be so formal, I didn't mind at all. I was happy to help – I'm just glad you seem to be doing better. And you've meet Matt! I'm glad you were able to find a friend."

"It gets even better! Kat's actually my roommate." Matt said with a broad smile.

"That's wonderful! You remembered your name then?"

"Not exactly, but Matt helped me to find a new one."

"That's still a good step forward though! It suits you."

"So I've heard." Kat said with a small laugh. "And I know you said you didn't mind, yet still I would like to return the favor somehow."

Annette thought for a moment, holding a finger to her cheek. "Well, Matt used to help a lot when I first started, so what about that? I did just get some help with a shipment that just came in."

"Yeah! That's usually pretty fun."

"Alright then, I'll show you where to start."

Annette led them to the back room she had taken Kat to before, but kept going to a door situated against the back wall he had missed before. Leading outside to the back of the building, where pallets sat, filled with flowers waiting to be taken inside. She explained to them about each of the different kinds, their meanings, and how they were to be displayed in the shop. She did it all without ever losing an ounce of her original enthusiasm; perfectly happy to answer any questions they had.

By the end, Kat was sure of three things: the first being Annette was someone who truly enjoyed what she did, with a love for flowers that would not fade; second, what "a good sort of tired" meant, and lastly, it was the act of doing something, actually helping someone in need was the cure for the restless, dare he say useless feeling he had been suffering from.

"There's still some rearranging and repotting to be done, but you two have to be back before the sun goes down, right?" Annette said, eyeing the sun outside that was just starting to make it's descent.

"I'm afraid so. Although if you wouldn't mind, I would like to come back tomorrow and help you finish."

"Don't forget about me! I'd love to help too."

"Of course it's fine! You two saved me hours of work already. Before you leave though, let me go grab something."

She ran off before either of them could protest, leaving the two of them alone in the back room.

"She really hasn't changed since I met her." Matt said once Annette was out of sight.

"You think so?"

"Definitely. I mean, the whole reason I even came in here the first time was because she saw me and thought I looked lost."

"Mm, she seems good at that."

"She really is. Oh! Did she give you some of her hot chocolate? If you haven't we really should see if we can have some because it's the best thing ever."

"She did. And while I don't have much of a frame of reference, it was rather good."

"Oh man, we've definitely got to fix that."

"Alright here we are!" Annette announced once she returned, carrying to disposable cups. "Since I can't pay you, I thought some hot chocolate would be good instead." Annette said, holding two disposable cups in one hand, and a small bouquet of flowers in the other.

"Really, you didn't have to –" Kat began, but was cut off by Annette.

"Nonsense! It's the perfect way end a hard day's work."

/

The way back started out as uneventful as the way there; Matt chatted alongside him about anything that came to mind, while people continued to move about their lives as they passed. Everything was calm, a quiet sort of mundane that perhaps he could grow used to –

"Hey, don't worry about it, Bon. I've got plenty of time to get to the shop and make it to the party."

Wait, Bon?

-that is, until he heard the voice. Kat stopped in his tracks, looking behind him for the source. It was gruffer with age, and yet still he would know it anywhere; the voice of lost family. He scanned the crowd frantically as they passed, yet no one even came close to matching who it belonged to.

"Hey Kat, are you alright? Kat?"

"Huh?" Someone was tugging on his arm and he blinked, forcing himself out of whatever trance he had been pulled into. Matt was staring at him with a frown, his eyebrows furrowed. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Matt's frown deepened. "I asked if you were alright. You just stopped suddenly and just stared into nothing."

Kat shook his head. "It's nothing, I'm just hearing things." It was the only explanation after all; there was no way anyone from his previous life could have survived. There was more than one person in the world named Bonnie, and it certainly wouldn't be uncommon for their to be a nickname. No, it was all just a product of wishful thinking. "Let's go before it gets any colder."

"Okay, if you say so." Matt said, although he didn't look entirely convinced. "Maybe you're just tired."

"Yes, it has been a rather tiring day. Shall we then?"

/

White lab coats.

Blurred, laughing faces.

"No, stay away from me!"

They ignored him, sneering with every menacing step they took.

"No, please, please leave me alone!"

Their hands twisted and turned, morphing into black, sharp tools perfect for tearing into him.

"Stay away from me I said!"

Wheels spinning and spluttering, an engine dying –

"Please!"

"Kat!"

They were right on top of him, he could already feel them digging, clawing out his insides –

"Kat you gotta wake up! It's just a nightmare!"

Kitt shot awake into a sitting position, his chest heaving as he looked around, eyes wide. When they landed on the other figure in the room with him, he jumped, backing up until he hit a wall. "Stay away from me!"

"Hey, it's just me." The figure said calmly, holding up his, thankfully normal, hands. "It was just a nightmare, and everything is okay now." The figure kept his voice carefully level as he approached slowly, keeping his hands up the entire time. "I don't know where you were just now, but you're not there. I'm here, and you're safe, Kat."

That was right; he wasn't Kitt, but Kat. He blinked a few times, his vision coming back into focus enough to see that the figure was not threatening at all – instead the welcome sight of his roommate sitting cautiously on the edge of Kat's bed. "Matt?" He asked, his voice coming out weaker than he had intended.

"Yeah! Are you coming out of it now?"

"…Yes, thank you." Kat said as he adjusted into a more comfortable sitting position on the bed and trying to convince his racing heart to calm down. "I'm sorry for waking you."

"Don't be! I wouldn't want to leave you like that." Matt paused, watching as Kat pulled the blankets up and around himself, burrowing inside as if to try and hide. "…Do you want to talk about it?"

"…Not really." Kat muttered. A shiver ran down his spine as the twisted image of wicked tools tore into him with merciless laughter, and he huddled deeper into the blanket. When it came between replaying a scene perfectly or the warped, corrupt version, he'd much rather have the former; at least then he would still have a sense of reality.

"Hey, I have an idea that always hos me when I can't sleep." Kat peaked out at Matt from the safety of his blanket, who in turn took it as a sign to keep going. "Let's go stargazing."

"Stargazing? In the middle of the night?"

"Yeah! It's the perfect time for it. Everything's all still and quiet because everyone else is asleep and you get to just enjoy the night."

"It has to be freezing out there."

"Eh, it's not too bad out there yet so long as you remember to put on something warm. That's a mistake I only made once."

"Why am not surprised?"

"Because I only have common sense when I want to."

Kat laughed, finally sitting up completely from where he had sunk down. "Alright, let's go for it. Although I do have an important question: how are we to get up there?"

Matt grinned, a mischievous expression that almost made Kat sorry he asked. "We climb of course! I've gone out the window plenty of times."

Correction: he was sorry he asked.

"And you somehow manage this without injuring yourself?"

"It's pretty easy, actually. We're on the top floor, and the buildings not that tall. It's actually a pretty short distance, all things considered."

"Alright," Kat sighed, shaking his head, "I don't see why not."

While the climb to the roof was as simple as Matt had claimed, with a few helpful handholds along the way, Kat was still doubtful of just how smart the whole thing was. He wasn't sure when they had returned from Annette's, either; everything after the painfully familiar voice a blur. One moment they had been on their way, and the next he was wherever…that was, and while he doubted the safety of it all, their late night activity was a distraction he gladly welcomed.

The night air was as refreshing as it was cool; the stars glinting above them glinting as peaceful pillars of light dotting the night sky. It was nice to have something constant, something that would remain the same even as everything else in his life had been turned upside down. Which remained the must frustrating part; he didn't know where it was or who the horrible figures had been, just how it left him unfortunately human and without anything he could even remotely call familiar. Yet another flaw in being human – the lack of being able to recall events clearly.

But then…maybe I don't want to know.

"Hey, Kat are you sure you're doing alright?"

"I've lost everything I ever had, but sure, of course I'm fine." Kat said, gripping his arms tightly.

"Kat," Matt began carefully, regarding him closely, "I know it must be hard not being able to remember anything but…" he trailed off, rubbing the back of his head as his eyes darted around while he searched for what he wanted to say. "...Can't you let anyone in a bit? I swear I'm always here, even if you don't believe me. You just seem so lonely all the time, even when we're together. You really can trust me."

Kat gave Matt a sideways glance, before looking down at the roof. It was true that while he did value Matt's presence for the comfort it brought, he held the other boy at an arms length. But how could not when couldn't trust he wouldn't be left alone again?

"How do you know who to trust?"

"You don't pal, you just have to take a risk and hope your right."

He still wasn't entirely convinced this wasn't all some sort of dream - why should he take the risk only to get hurt again? No, this way was clearly safer; don't get close to anyone, and they can't hurt you.

"KITT, before we met, when I was still Michael Long…what am I telling you this for huh? You already know what happened. But maybe you don't know all of it. When I regained consciousness a couple of days later, I could still see that muzzle flash in my face. I couldn't get it out of my mind. For months after that, every time somebody lit a match or car headlights went by in my face, I'd flinch."

"How did you overcome it, Michael?"

"I didn't. It overcame itself. All I did was refuse to give into it and do what I knew had to be done."

It had all worked well and good when Michael was around, but he wasn't here anymore...never again to help him admit the sheer terror he had been going through, and to work past. And now he was just fooling himself by remembering things he'd heard before as if they were for the first time.

"Kat, can't you trust me?"

Michael had said the same thing after his recovery from the horrors that had been the acid pit.

"Trust me, will you?"

"I do trust you, but-"

He didn't want to get hurt again. Couldn't get hurt again.

"Hey, I'm sure that can't be good for you." Matt reached over, gently prying Kat's hands from where he had unconsciously tightened his grip further, to the point where he was sure if it weren't for his coat sleeve he would have broken the skin. Matt took Kat's hands in his, just as warm as they had been earlier when they had gone into Annette's.

"I really do meant it when I say you're not alone." Matt said, giving Kat's hands a gentle squeeze. "Pretty much everyone here has lost something, and some never ever got to know it before they came here. I mean, I've been there, where you are at the start of this and it hurts so much you think you're gonna die – but then I just have to tell myself that they'd want me to be happy. They'd want me to carry on for their sake, right. I mean, I don't even want to think about what my mom would say if she saw me all depressed and stuff."

What would they say? He knew what Michael would do for sure, stubbornly push him forward, not letting him give up.

"Maybe they should tow me back to-"

"No they are not. We are going back to bay 3 and we are going to get you in shape and then we are going to come back out here and we are going to do this until you get this right."

They would be more then unhappy to see him in such a sorry state – and wouldn't rest until he was in a better place. Which, come to think of it, was exactly what Matt was doing for him right now...Kat looked up at Matt slowly, an unsure hopefulness written plainly on his friend's face.

Alright Michael, I'll do what you say and take the risk.

Kat leaned forward and pulled Matt into a hug, who returned it a moment later after recovering from the surprise. "Thank you, Matt." Kat said quietly.

"Anytime." Matt said, giving him a soft squeeze.

Kat wouldn't make any promises to try again if this didn't work out, or ended up being a dream after all, regardless of what anyone said. This would truly be his last try; losing what one cares for once was enough.

And there we have it. Ch5 is already partly written, to where we at last find Karr.

See you next time!

-Xire