Trapping Knight with a Queen

by ldydeb

After rescuing a Woman in the rain, Knight finds he is forced to play a deadly game. The Woman he rescued The Queen used to Trap him. The Prize! KITT.

3. trapping knight ch3

Knight Rider 2010

Trapping Knight With A Queen

Written by
Ldydeb
Chapter Three

The next morning, Selena sat staring at the glass walls that surrounded her office. She could see into the main area watching her co-workers busy at their jobs. She knew she should be working, but her mind was too busy thinking about Michael Knight and their afternoon together with her sisters. She had spent most of the night restless with nightmares. The conversation with Tina about how she had seen Patrick abuse her worried Selena. She was becoming overwhelmed with guilt for the lies she was telling to her sisters and now to Michael all because of Patrick. Closing her eyes, Selena wished she had never let Patrick take her to that restaurant where she first laid eyes on Michael Knight. She wished she had not let Patrick push her out of his car that afternoon. She replayed the events, recalling each detail, each part of Patrick's manipulation that lead to her waiting in the rain.

While they waited for the valet to bring his car around, Patrick commented, "You did an excellent job in there my dear. Now we can go plan our next step to keep Mr. Knight away from me."

Disgusted, Selena replied, "You mean that scene was for his benefit! To get his attention! I wish you had told me that his first impression of me would be that I'm some kind of fool."

Patrick shrugged, "I wanted your reactions to be real. Now let's talk about something else. We'll have to find something to do now that dinner has been ruined."

Selena felt Patrick's eyes rake her skin through the flimsy material of the dress she wore. She closed her eyes, ignoring his obvious suggestion. She had too much at stake to go against him now. Selena remembered taking a deep breath and quietly complaining, "You didn't have to embarrass me."

Uninterested, Patrick dismissed her comment knowing how well he could still control her. He kissed her hand, "Selena, it was the only way I knew to get to his attention. It got the job done. Mr. Knight is known for rescuing young and beautiful damsels in distress. And you are the perfect damsel; very beautiful and soon to be in much distress." He caressed the side of her arm seductively and opened the passenger side of his light blue Mercedes allowing her to get in.

Selena's face became flushed. She retreated from the argument; "All I'm saying Patrick is that you were rude and after all it was you who made me drop my purse and then pushed me into him."

As he drove, Selena remembered how Patrick had watched her. He remarked, "My Toy, you are truly beautiful this afternoon with my favorite blue linen dress showing off your sexy legs. Here," he reached over and pulled her skirt up until the hem rested just above her knees, "let me help you get more comfortable."

They both knew he meant the opposite. Between the feel of his touch and the way the material clung damply to her skin in the places the rain had touched it, Selena was anything but comfortable. In defense, she pulled her sweater around her shoulders better, a slight chill causing her skin to become riddled with goose bumps. Selena saw him smile at her, an idea obviously playing in his head. He had called her the hated nickname he had created for her. She knew he was creating another game for her to play and she knew whichever way it worked he would be the winner. "I don't want to talk about this anymore," said Patrick. He moved his hand to rest on her thigh. "I know we can find something much more pleasant."

Selena froze at his touch. She had replied angrily, "What I'd like, Patrick, is just go home. I need to figure another way to get your plan back on track now that you've made me look like such a fool in front of Mr. Knight."

Patrick then had accused her, "I thought I said I didn't want to talk about him anymore. Why should it matter to you that he might think you are a fool...unless you're planning to double cross me now that you've met him!"

Selena replied defiantly, "That is ridiculous! We both know that he can't 'rescue' me from our deal."

Patrick jumped, "So then you admit it. You were thinking about the possibility of going to him."

Cursing Patrick's photograph hanging on the wall of her office beside his father's, Selena came to realize how easily Patrick had set her up as she recalled how she had plunged recklessly into his game, "You know, Patrick, I had not thought of that. Thank you for the suggestion; at least He'd treat me with tenderness after hearing how you pushed me into this mess!" The moment the words were out of her mouth, Selena recalled she knew she was in trouble. There was anger in Patrick's eyes. Taking a deep breath and vigorously brushing the hair out of her eyes, She had tried to smooth things over, "You know I didn't mean that, Patrick. You asked me to join you for dinner to begin the next phase of your plan. Please just take me back to the restaurant and I will grab a taxi. I promise I'll be good."

As if watching a movie inside her head, Selena recalled Patrick pulling off to the shoulder of the road, reaching across her lap to open the passenger side door, and ordering, "If you want to go back, Selena, walk."

Selena had been stunned. Her attempts to calm her temper had failed. She demanded, "In the rain! I don't know what kind of sick joke you're playing now, Patrick, but...."

"Get out!" He ordered, "I refuse to deliver you to your new boyfriend."

Selena pouted, "But? Patrick, just take me home or to a place I can call a taxi."

Patrick nudged her out of her seat, adding, "Good luck, My Love, I hope you can find a ride home in this awful mess."

Giving him her dirtiest look, Selena had hollered, "Thanks for nothing!" Upon getting out, she had slammed the car door and watched Patrick drive away. Water had splashed up from his tires at her as the car pulled away from the sidewalk. But Selena remembered not noticing any difference; the rain pouring down had already done its damage. The walk back began with Selena spouting every curse she knew at Patrick for all the rotten things he had done to her in the past. Another voice reminded her that she had gotten off easy with just having to walk in the rain. If he had been truly angry with her, the voice said, Patrick would have done a lot worse.

Selena continued staring at Patrick's photograph. She scolded herself for not wearing a jacket that afternoon. The sweater she had thrown over her shoulders was useless in preventing her from becoming chilly in the rain. She scolded herself for getting into Michael's KITT and letting him take her home...letting Patrick's plan work. She continued to scold herself for still being with Patrick and going along with his plan in the first place. She had tried several times to get Patrick out of her personal life for good; but, too late she found out that he was not that easily gotten rid of. He had told her repeatedly that she was his to play with and used whatever means he could to keep her in line. Selena's mind became flooded with fear as she recalled his manipulations, games, and cruel jokes to keep her as his "Toy".  She recalled the incident that now bound her to him. It was after she had finally decided it was time to quit, leave Patrick, Judson International and Los Angeles forever. She had stood up to him in front of his father to make sure he didn't hurt her for trying to "betray him" as Patrick often accused her of...even when she thought she was in love with him. She told him that she hated the power he had over her even when they were intimate with each other. He was draining her very spirit. She could still feel both the shame and the pain of thinking she was in love with him and finding out she was nothing more to him than a "Toy", to be used any way, any time he wanted to. Patrick's father had hugged her, saying he understood even promising to provide her with a good reference and a bonus in her paycheck. She was surprised when Patrick joined his father in wishing her well. He had requested that she stay until they could find a new secretary. Selena could see the same request in her boss's eyes and could not refuse...though she regretted it later.

She remembered how Patrick got her to feel safe with him again. He had been a perfect gentleman with her while she began the process to hire her replacement. He had brought her flowers every day, little gifts of apology. She actually believed he had accepted her decision. Then came the day Patrick had asked her to go into his father's office safe and borrow some of the petty cash for him. Reluctantly Selena agreed; unaware that Patrick had videotaped her taking the money in order to blackmail her. He had showed up at her home and threatened to turn the tape over to the police and have her arrested if she did not cooperate with all of his secret, illegal activities. It was the first time she had been raped. She hated him but that tape kept her resigned to the fact that Patrick now owned her and she must do whatever he wanted. The first thing he made her do was apologize to his father for trying to desert the company. Then he used her investigative talents and the sexual talents he had nurtured in her for his purposes, for the people he wanted. She was to play the seductress whenever he wanted her to, for whomever he wanted. Michael Knight was only the next mark that Patrick wanted set up and out of the way for his new business venture. This time he had involved her in every step and she knew what they were doing was very illegal and very wrong. She hated herself a little more with each job she did for Patrick. She consoled herself, believing that what she was doing for Patrick wouldn't be hurting anyone. This was just going to be another of Patrick's dirty dealings and that the party involved was part of the scam. But after meeting Michael, she didn't feel right about what she had to do, no matter what Patrick had threatened her with.

These thoughts repeatedly played inside Selena's head when Patrick appeared in the doorway of his father's office. His presence pulled her from her imaginings as he requested that she come into his office. She watched him disappear back through the door that led to his office and thought, "I want out. Some how, I've got to get him to let me stop seeing Michael Knight...stop using him." After making sure that the phone would be taken care of, she grabbed her briefcase and followed him through his father's office to the door that lead to his office.  Once inside, Patrick held out a chair for Selena and she sat down. He sat on the edge of his desk in front of her and asked, "So, did allowing Mr. Knight paw at you profit us anything?"

Selena remarked, "He was a perfect gentleman. Why were you following us?"

Patrick ignored her remark and asked again, "Did you find out anything?"

Selena answered, "As you predicted, The Foundation is on to you. Michael was given background information yesterday."

"Did you get a good look at it?"

She pulled several folders out of her briefcase and said, "I brought you copies of the most damaging evidence that they've compiled. Patrick, they are going to a lot of trouble to stop your plans. They seem to know everything."

Patrick took the files from her and smiled confidently, "That is what you are for, my dear."

Recovering her resolve, Selena's began pleading, as Patrick paged through the files, "Obviously not, Patrick. Michael was suppose to begin his investigations now.  But he changed his plans and will instead be spending the entire weekend with the girls and me. I'm scared of what will happen on Monday.  From the things he's told me about his life, He's very good at his job.  I won't be able to keep away from you after that.  You have to cancel this whole thing."

"No." He responded, barely listening to her.

"Don't be unreasonable! Patrick, please. I don't want to go to jail! This whole thing has been a mistake from the beginning! We're betraying our country! What if someone gets hurt?  What if my sisters..."

"I think you need to worry about betraying me, Selena!" Patrick threw the files on his desk. He was angry at finding out that he was being spied on and now his favorite toy was also trying to betray him. He pulled her out of her chair and forced her to look at him. He demanded coolly, "It has only been my affection and my trust that you will be a good toy that has spared you and your precious sisters so far!"

Selena recognized her error and his attitude. She knew that the calmer he sounded, the angrier and crueler he would become before exploding. Her shoulders were beginning to throb with pain under the pressure of his squeezing hands. She sighed, "That's not what I meant, Patrick."

"No, You were just planning to desert me when I need you the most!"

She whimpered out a feeble excuse, "I just don't want to hurt anyone."

Patrick replied, "Now do you see why I followed you! I don't trust you to follow the rules of the game! Whatever he promised you to convince you to betray me, Don't believe him! He can't protect you from me!" With each statement, he squeezed her shoulders tighter to emphasize his point.

Wincing, Selena sobbed, "I haven't told him anything! I swear!"  The more she tried to shake him loose, the harder he squeezed until she swooned against him, unable to stand the pain.

Roughly held her up and accused, in a vicious whisper to her ear, "You're lying to me! The two of you looked pretty cozy under those docks!"  His eyes imprisoned hers.  His voice becoming a malicious promise, "I think you need to be reminded of the rules of our game!  A visit from the Major perhaps?"

Fear out weighed her conscience in that moment and she knew that she had to back down. "Nothing happened! I was doing what you told me!"

He warned, "You'd better continue to do what you're told! You are my toy!" Holding her neck, his fingers tangled and pulling at the roots of the hair under her neck, he violently kissed her, bruising her lips. He turned her loose and ordered, "Now get out of my sight. I need to cool off. We'll talk about this again later. Go finish recording the RSVP's for the auction. My business partners need to know how many to prepare for on the island."

Selena hit her thigh in the arm of the chair where Patrick had thrown her. She gingerly rubbed her arms her eyes filled with unshed tears. She nodded to his instructions and edged out of the chair towards the door. Patrick watched her for a moment, contemplating how keep her in line. He regretted having her take care of Knight, but it was too late to change things. He picked up one of the files she had brought him and thought of a plan to make her follow the rules of the game. He called, "Selena, wait. I need you to come back over here for a moment."

Hesitantly, she complied and sat down in the chair by his desk again. Patrick pointed to a spot in front of the chair.  He ordered, "Stand there, Selena."  Quickly Selena rose to position he indicated, her head high but her eyes down.  She placed her hands behind her back.  Patrick refused to acknowledge her complete obeisance.  He circled her and began, "We obviously have a spy in the company."  He edged up to her back and said into her ear, "Someone stole these files."

Selena thought about Mr. Judson and knew that he might be responsible for giving the information to the Foundation. Swallowing anxiously, she asked, "What are you going to do when you find out who it is?"

Patrick replied ruthlessly, "I'm going to make an example of them, so that no more of my trusted staff betrays me."  He returned to a position in front of her, looked threateningly into her eyes, "But you don't have to worry your pretty head over that, do you, my Toy."  He straightened her hair, brushing it out of her face and requested, "But what you can do is provide me with a list of employees that have been with us for the last six months, especially those hired by my father."

Afraid to give him reason to hurt her again, she asked, "Is that all? Can I go?"

Patrick caught her desperate attempt to get away from him and remained calm. Gently he insisted that she stay next to him, caressing the bruises he had just created on her arms. He invaded her mind with his presence, his hands freely roaming the sides of her breasts before pulling her against him in a tight embrace. He lifted her chin instructing, "Please, My Toy, give me the list before you leave this afternoon. Don't forget to give me a call tonight to report on your day with Knight. Kiss me." Without waiting for her to comply, he captured her lips again, kissing her deeply. He grinned sadistically in her eyes, "See, My Toy, I can forgive you and we can be friends again. Be a Good Girl for me?" His eyes captured hers watching all the different emotions he stirred in her until he saw the one he wanted. Patrick was gratified to see her retreat in fear as she nodded in submission. He guided her to his door, kissing her hand and sent her out of the office.

On the other side of the door, Mr. Judson saw her come out pale and very frightened. He rose from behind his desk and came to her assistance, "What happened in there?" Then he noticed the fingerprints that bruised her upper arms.

Stunned at being caught after one of Patrick's attacks, she immediately hid her feelings and warned, "Please, Sir, just ignore this and get out of here before Patrick finds out what you've done." She glanced at Patrick's door to make sure it was safe and then she informed, "He knows about the Foundation..."

Knowing what she was referring to and how she was involved, he patted her hand as he replied, "I know what he knows and I can take care of myself, Child. But I must do my best to stop him."

"Then I guess we both must follow the paths we've chosen," she replied as she escaped from his sympathetic expression and out of his office. She sat down by her desk and began to work on the two tasks Patrick had assigned her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her friend Caiti come into her office. Caiti had been the only person she had confided to about Patrick and his antics. She was always there when she needed someone to talk to. This time, however, she thought it was too dangerous for Caiti to know what was going on. Smiling, she said, "Can't talk now, Caiti. Patrick wants me to finish this before going home for the day."

Caiti sat down in the chair in front of Selena's desk and said, "I just wanted to hear about your date yesterday with that Michael guy. Did it bother him about the girls?"

Selena was suddenly grateful that Caiti had bothered her after all. She could use some cheering up, something to take her mind off Patrick's attack on her. Wistfully, Selena let Michael's face come to her thoughts. He was so funny and gentle with her. She remembered him throwing her in the water and she smiled softly. Selena recalled, "He was wonderful, Caiti. He even got Jasmine to tag along and we went to the beach."

Caiti remarked, "I bet Patrick's not to thrilled that your having fun with his pigeon. After all he still considers you his favorite doll." When Selena gave her a dirty look, she said, "Anyway, are you gonna go out with him again?"

Selena replied in a hushing tone, "Caiti, you are not suppose to know why I'm dating Michael. If Patrick finds out we'll both be in a lot of trouble."

Caiti detected the frightened warning and knew that something had gone wrong. She asked, "I was only joking, Sal. But something's happened, hasn't it?"

Selena tried to get out of explaining by saying, "No, that's not it. I just don't want to get him angry."

When Selena refused to look Caiti in the eyes, Caiti knew her instincts were correct. She stood up and tried to embrace her friend; but, Selena winced and pulled away when her fingers touched her upper arms. Lifting up Selena's sleeve, Caiti found the marks that Patrick had left behind. She grabbed Selena's hand and said, "Come with me. We need to talk."

Selena remained passive and allowed Caiti to take her into the women's restroom. She remained silent as they walked, while Caiti arranged for someone to cover for them before reaching their destination. Once inside the restroom, Selena broke down and began to softly cry, "Oh, Caiti. I've made such a mess of things. I don't know what to do. Patrick's made me be his prostitute, spy, his thief, and now he wants me to find out who's betrayed him. How can I do that when I know what he's capable of?"

Caiti soothed, "Selena, don't do this to yourself. You have got to get away from him."

Selena rejected, "I tried. That's why I have these!" She showed Caiti her bruises again.

Caiti face reflected her opinion but she offered, "Wait here, I'll be right back." She grabbed some paper towels from the bathroom's dispenser and left the bathroom for a moment. When she returned, she held several ice cubes wrapped in the paper towels in her hands. She ordered, "Hold this against your arm." After Selena complied, Caiti took a deep breath and suggested, "Why don't you confide in this Knight person?" She carefully monitored Selena's reactions.

During the time that Caiti had taken to get the ice, Selena had time to think and calm herself down a bit. She miserably argued, "I can't. I'd lose my sisters for sure. Patrick would show the Foundation that video tape and pin everything on me; after of course, he punished me for playing the game."

Caiti countered with frustration, "I wish you would stop referring to this as a game, Selena. He won't just make you 'not pass go, not collect $200'."

Selena laughed at Caiti's reference, "I know that, Caiti. But Patrick doesn't and I wish that was all he could do."

Caiti reiterated, "Then tell Michael Knight!"

"No, Caiti. I have to find a way to protect everyone involved from getting hurt or worse."

Caiti argued, "You can't protect everyone by yourself."

"I must try and Patrick must never know." Taking the cold, wet paper towel, she washed the tears from her face and said, "I should get back before Patrick misses me." She took Caiti's hand and warned, "Please, Caiti, forget this conversation. Thank you for listening, but just forget what you've heard." Before Caiti could say anymore, Selena slipped out of the restroom and returned to the tasks Patrick had assigned her. Her thoughts, however, betrayed her as she continued to think about Caiti's advice.

On the other side of town, Michael was staking out Edward's Air force Base waiting for Devon to arrive. He watched a blue Mercedes drive through the gate and recognized the driver. He reached over to the dashboard and began to flip through some of the files that Devon had given him the day before. As his intuition had warned him, he found Judson International and Selena's boyfriend splattered throughout the file. He asked "KITT" to contact Devon. A few seconds later, KITT let Michael know that Devon was on his way to meet him and they would talk when he got there. Still puzzled by what he had read and how it might pertain to Selena, he instructed KITT to investigate and monitor the Mercedes. KITT confirmed that the car did belong to Patrick Judson. He further informed him that the car was parked in front of the administration building on the air force base. Then he informed him that The Knight Industries' semi-truck was coming up behind them. Michael gave up his post and drove KITT into the semi. Upon getting out of KITT, he met Devon by the computers and asked, "Why are we going after Judson International?"

Devon responded, "About a year and half ago, my friend Patrick Judson SR. suffered a heart attack and was forced to sign control of his company to his son, Patrick. When he was finally able to return to work, he found that Patrick had instituted some new company objectives and forced Patrick Sr. to share control of the company. At that time, Patrick Sr. came to me and asked me to put one of our operatives in his company in order to keep an eye on Patrick. He suspected that Patrick had involved him, his employees, and his company in something illegal and dangerous."

Michael asked, "So, what is the Foundation's connection to Judson International?"

Devon answered, "Some of KITT's designs and programs came from Judson. They still have, in their files, copies of KITT's blueprints."

Michael asked, "Why are you stepping up the investigation?"

"My spy has uncovered some very disturbing information about Patrick. She warned me that he is very dangerous and violent. His present girl-friend is so afraid of him that he's been able to make her perform certain tasks to help him, including illegal ones."

Instantly Michael knew the person Devon was referring to. He wondered if he should tell Selena about his investigation. Then he remembered her passionate promise of protecting her sisters no matter what the cost. The thought that their introduction was not accidental disturbed him.  He planned to get her to confide in him before telling her that he was after her boyfriend. He said, "Devon, are you going to be at the Foundation later today?"

"I guess, why?"

"Because there is someone I'd like you to meet. She has two younger sisters and I'd like to take them swimming, if you don't mind?"

Devon smiled, "A new tactic, Michael?"

Michael grinned, "You could say that, Devon." He got back into KITT and drove towards Selena's house to pick her up for lunch.

When he arrived, Tina opened the door for him and yelled to Selena. Selena came down the stairs still dressed in the dress she had worn to work. She carried a pair of blue jeans; a pink, short-sleeve T-shirt; and a light blue men's dress shirt with the sleeves in permanent roll-up. Afraid Michael might see her bruised arms, she quickly said, "I'll be with you in a moment, Michael. I've got to change my clothes."

Michael suggested, "Don't worry about that. Just bring a bathing suit and a change of clothes in a bag for later."

Tina asked, "I thought we were going shopping?"

Jasmine added, "Are we going to the beach again?"

Michael explained, "We are still going shopping. But then I am taking you all to a friend's place to swim in his pool. Is that OK, Selena?"

"I guess, Michael, but I still need to change."

Jasmine had been waiting for an opportunity to tell Michael about Selena's arms and see if he bought her flimsy story too. She said, "Oh, she's just afraid you'll find out how clumsy she is."

Selena replied, "Jasmine, please take Tina and go get your things together." She came down the stairs and gently pointed Jasmine back up.

Jasmine hollered down, "Do you want me to get your suit too, or will you be afraid your arms will show?"

Selena gave Jasmine a dirty look that followed the Teen up the stairs. She turned around to face Michael afraid that her sister had left him with some unanswered questions.

Michael, on the other hand, had seen the apprehension in Selena's eyes and knew she would be reluctant to tell him the truth. He decided to ask the question that Jasmine wanted him to ask, but if Selena put up a wall, he would accept whatever she told him for the moment. He waited for her to sit down; which she did, as far away from him as she could get without being rude. She laid her clothes in the spot between them. He watched her with interest as he asked, "What's Jasmine talking about?"

Selena laughed in embarrassment, "Nothing. She's just playing a prank on you."

"Oh good. Then you won't need to change and we can get going. I've got a lot planned for today." The girls came down the stairs carrying a bag of things that they would need and they were on their way.

They drove into the city to shop and visit a couple of art galleries that Michael knew about. Upon stopping at a small gallery, Michael introduced Jasmine to the owner, who was a friend of his. The woman took the girls on a tour while Michael and Selena stood in the background and watched. During their visit, Selena excused herself and went outside to where KITT was parked. She pulled out the duffle bag that she and the girls had put their clothes in; and, after rummaging through it; she pulled out the files that she had stolen the day before. She neatly placed them under the passenger seat and returned to Michael's side believing that she had accomplished her task unnoticed. Michael, however, had wanted to keep an eye on her and watched her replace the files. He knew then that he would have to ask her about her actions as soon as they were alone. He pretended that nothing was wrong for the moment.

Later, when the tour was over, KITT took them to a place to eat. As they left the curb, both Selena and Michael noticed that someone was following them...Selena knew it to be one of Patrick's "special friends". Michael observed her tense and nervous reaction.  Her sisters were engaged in lively, cheerful conversation, yet she seemed to find it difficult to participate. Upon turning the corner, Michael programmed KITT to interfere with the intruder's engine causing him to have to pull over while they continued on to the restaurant.

After they had been seated and lunch was just about over with, Michael leaned back in the booth and attempted to reach around Selena to lay his arm behind her back. As he began the stretch up and out, his elbow connected with Selena's arm causing her to wince.  In reflex she protectively grabbed her upper arm.  A small whimper forced it's way pass her tightly closed lips and clenched teeth. She tried to pull down her sleeve, which had been pushed up in the incident. Michael saw Selena's horrified expression and immediately talked Jasmine into taking Tina to a nearby arcade. When they were gone, Selena got up and moved to sit across from Michael. She felt the need to put some space between them; it felt too good to have him so close and sympathetic. She tried to finish her lunch, but Michael's words stopped her. He had let her get comfortable and then reached across the table, lifted her chin so that her eyes met his, and asked, "What is wrong, Selena?"

Selena evaded, "Nothing. You just hit me too hard."

Michael pushed, as he lifted her sleeve revealing Patrick's fingerprints still dark purple, blue, and red, "I did not do this, Selena. Who did?"

Selena wiggled and sat back against the booth away from him. Her eyes dropped down, as her hand pulled her sleeve down self-conscientiously. She lied, "I know you didn't, Michael. I slipped in my boss's office. He caught me, trying to prevent me from landing on the ground. I guess he held on too tightly. You..."

Michael shook his head in disbelief. He said, "You did not get those from someone trying to help you, Selena. They are a matched set of someone's fingerprints squeezing your arms! Now who did this to you and why?"

Selena could not tell him the truth. She could see in her head images of what Patrick would do to her, to her sisters, or to Michael if she did. She took a deep breath and replied, "Please don't ask questions I can't answer, Michael...or," her voice became very quiet, "or...I might get more of them."

Michael knew she was fighting the need to confide in him, but he would have to push her a little more. He asked, "OK, then explain what you were doing with those files you tried to hide under my seat?"

Selena's eyes flew to meet his searching ones, the shock of being caught evident. She thought a moment, "OK, girlfriend, let's hope a little half-truth will satisfy him." Then she offered, "I...umm...work for the company that you are going to be investigating. I found those files yesterday while you were in the gas station. I wasn't sure what to do with them, so I stole them."

Michael nodded, "So what was so bad that made you not want me to see them?"

Evading his gaze, Selena answered, "Information about me that...that isn't very favorable."

He wanted to hold her hand, but she remained frozen in the booth across from him with her arms crossed over her chest in protection. She had put up a wall and he knew he needed to make it fall if he were to get more out of her. He returned, "You could have just told me, Selena. I can help you. Will you let me?"

Selena noticed Tina come down the walkway toward them and immediately blanked her face of any emotion. She asked, "Tina, what's wrong?"

Tina shrugged, "Nothing. We just need more money."

Selena opened her purse and fished out a twenty-dollar bill. As she gave it to her sister and Tina's hand touched hers to get it, Patrick's voice sounded in her head. She watched Tina walk away from their table and then looked back at Michael. She sighed, suddenly tired, "Look, Mr. Knight. I've answered your questions about the files. Please, Please don't ask me anything else."

Michael heard the formal tone of her voice. She was trying to steel herself breaking down in front of him. Michael insisted, "Selena, please talk to me! I can protect you."

Selena almost cried in cynicism, "No one can protect me from Patrick." Seeing that Michael was not going to give up that easily, she bit her lip, took a deep breath, and then half-warned, half-confided, "Do you know why I got these bruises! It was because I told him I wanted out! I know too much. He will never let me go without it costing me a price I'm not willing to pay! I could lose everything...some things even I am now realizing."

"How deeply involved are you?"

Michael had taken the opportunity she had given him when she reached for a glass of water to take her hand in his. But she did not want his sympathy; she had not wanted to tell him the things she had already told him. But now that she had already begun her confession, she figured she might as well give him a little more...maybe he'd back off when he saw how powerful Patrick was. She already knew Patrick was going to be pissed at her for breaking her cover but now Michael would be free to continue going after him. She knew Michael would never want to see her again. That thought hurt more than she cared to admit, but she refused to think about that as she plunged in, "Ok, you want to know how deeply I'm involved! I'll tell you! I know everything there is to know about Patrick's special games. See, when Patrick took control of the company, I became his private secretary and private meant in the office and out of it. I became his girlfriend. This put me into a position to know things, so Patrick arranged for me to do certain things for him that I am not very proud of. I found out later that he did this to insure my cooperation and silence. So, Mr. Knight, for the sake of my sisters, for the sake of my sanity, and for the sake of my life, I plan to remain silent. Look, I understand if you never want to see me again. My sisters and I thank you for a wonderful time. We'll catch a cab home." She stood up to leave, not wanting to be so vulnerable, knowing all the while that Patrick would not be happy with her.

There was distress and anger at being used in Selena's voice. It disturbed Michael and he pulled her to sit next to him before she could walk away. He got her to look at him and soothed, "Please don't leave, Selena. I promise I won't ask any more questions about your company or Judson. I want to continue our afternoon. We were having a good time." He held her chin and when she looked at him, he expressed, "But remember this, if you ever want to tell me the rest and you decide you want to help put Patrick away where he can't hurt you, I'll be here waiting to listen and to help. And I will be going after him regardless."

Selena was afraid to speak or to move. His gaze was so intense towards her. There was a strength there too that she once had. She didn't understand why he was still willing to help her, nor she did believe that he could yet. Then as her eyes questioned his sincerity, he kissed her very tenderly, to comfort her and reassure her, because he wanted her to feel safe with him.  Michael did not give Selena a chance to react to his kiss. He helped her out of their booth, paid the bill and took her by the hand to find her sisters.

 They resumed their trip with Michael driving to the Foundation's mansion. As they drove up to the main house, he requested that everyone keep the noise down so that they wouldn't disturb anyone. Upon parking in the rear of the mansion away from the property's guest cottages, Michael escorted them to the main office to meet Devon and Bonnie. Selena's sisters made an immediate impression on Devon and Bonnie. Devon informed Michael that he needed to speak with him and offered Selena and her sisters the use of the mansion's pool. Bonnie asked the girls to follow her and Michael led Selena to a room of her own where she could change into her swimsuit. Then he went to change also.

When they met again, they found the office deserted. Michael was slightly disappointed to find Selena dressed in a swimsuit cover-up that prevented him from seeing her in her bathing suit. He teased her about it even though he knew she had dressed so conservatively to hide her arms...at least that is what he thought. Splitting up, they went in search of the people they had left behind. Michael looked in the inner offices, while Selena looked outside. After peering through the terrace door's curtains, she slightly pushed them open. "Michael," she called, "I found them."

Michael followed her out to the patio where Devon and Bonnie were sitting, watching the girls already swimming ahead of them. Tina scrambled for the pool's side as soon a she saw Selena. Selena grabbed a towel, threw it at Tina and asked, "Are you enjoying the swim?"

They went back to the pool together while Tina thanked Selena for the perfect day she was having. Jasmine echoed Tina's enthusiasm, but added an invitation for Selena to join them. Selena agreed. She took a deep breath, hoping that Michael was not watching her as she shed her cover-up revealing a royal blue one-piece suit that flared into a twirling mini-skirt just above her thighs. She became determined to forget about her troubles and jumped into the water where she played together with Jasmine and Tina for a long time. Michael joined them for a little bit tossing Tina and Jasmine into the deep end of the water. They played a little water-volleyball. Selena and Michael laughed at each other as they collided while trying to beat each other to the ball. Selena swam for the shallow end, taking the ball with her. She tried to reach the cement stairs before Michael could catch her.

Michael broke for the shallow end and stood to walk the rest of the way. Her sexy strut mesmerized him as she rose up the stairs. But his interest faded as he again saw her arms with the fingerprints still banded like a ring. Then her back came into his eyesight. Selena was laughing, she turned and held out the ball as if teasing him, daring him to take it from her. Her eyes met his angry ones...the smile she had enjoyed getting from him had faded. Then she realized what he had seen on her back that distressed him. The evidence of Patrick's repeated abuse was across her back.  Her back was his favorite "target" because it was the easiest place to disguise and hide.  The most recent were the marks left by Patrick the day before he forced her to go to the restaurant to meet Michael Knight. They were from the same attack that Tina had witnessed. Then there was the tiny tattoo that Patrick had imprinted on her skin the day after he'd produced the video of her stealing from his father. It was the queen from game of chess, under it was written "PJ's Toy". He had "branded" her his property with that mark.  The memory of getting it was the most horrific of all her nightmares.  To her small relief, Michael had not yet seen her bruised thighs, for they were still under the water. Selena's face became alive with conflicting emotions.  Her tanned skin reddened under Michael's intense scrutiny.  She was embarrassed and ashamed of anyone let a lone Michael Knight finding out her horrible secret. She quickly scanned the deep end of the pool where Tina and Jasmine still played. They had not noticed the sudden change between Michael and her. Michael gently, but firmly approached Selena. He reached out to her, wanting to ask...to convince her to talk to him, but she shied away from him, her eyes squinting as if she expected him to hit her too. That reaction shocked both Selena and Michael. She had never been afraid of anyone but Patrick like that. Then again, she had never seen anger in anyone else's eyes before...like she was now seeing in Michael. She did not realize that his anger was at the man who abused her so easily.

Michael lifted her face to his and looked into her eyes pleading with her to talk to him. The silence between them was deafening. Michael again saw the submissive, timid deer from the restaurant and now knew the reason why. He could see the little girl inside her begging for someone to rescue her, but certain that no one could. He could also see the self-assured, independent woman who had taken the responsibility of raising her teenage sisters and was successful at it. She had been on her own and still trying to prove to that social worker that she could survive. He was both angry and awed by her. He wanted to talk to her, to get her to trust him enough to let him help her. He wanted to lock her up in a room of the Foundation's mansion and keep her there until he could kill Patrick Judson. He tried to break the silence between them but Devon interrupted asking Michael to patio with Bonnie. Michael's face became stern with resignation and frustration. He said, "We need to talk about this soon." He kissed her cheek as gently as he could, tasting the salt from the tears that had finally broken free from her tight control. He walked past her, seeking a towel while striding to the patio.

Selena's legs had become jelly. She had seen in Michael the rage she herself had felt each time she had succumbed to the fear Patrick instilled in her with his abuse, each time she did not do something about it...leave him for good. She hugged the ball closer to her body, trying to fight off the urge to run to Michael and tell him everything she knew...all Patrick was doing both to her and against the law. She put her thoughts on the back burner again watching to see if her sisters had seen the display between herself and Michael. She found Jasmine watching her, studying her, reflecting the same fear and anger she felt.

In that moment, Selena had become very worn out and decided it was time to play referee. As the girls swam to the opposite side of the pool, she put her cover-up back on and sat down along the edge where she dangled her legs into the water. Voices from the patio reached her ears and she heard Devon ask Michael if he had found out anything further on Judson International. She tried to ignore them; but, when she got up to get a glass of lemonade for herself and her sisters, her curiosity about Patrick prevented her from blocking out their voices.

From the table on the patio, Michael watched her and knew that she was eavesdropping. He wanted to influence her to talk to him and Devon, so he got up to get himself some lemonade also as he asked, "So, what is this Judson character after?" Sipping his drink, he grabbed a chair next to Bonnie and sat down.

Devon informed, "As I explained to you before, Michael, Judson is in the business of designing computer systems for companies around the world; including, I might add, defense systems for different countries, The United States, and The Foundation...some of KITT'S system were designed and programmed by them. When Patrick SR. was running the company, it was responsible for many highly classified projects and enjoyed top priority clearance."

Michael shrugged, "So what's the big deal?"

Devon continued, "That is what I need you to find out. When Patrick took over and Patrick SR. asked me to keep an eye on things for him, I sent one of our female representatives to work in the office." Selena heard Devon's comment as she was loading the tray with filled glasses. She was preparing to pick up the tray as she waited to hear who had gotten him the information. Devon continued, "She told me that Patrick has arranged to do some work for the military. It involves several highly dangerous laser and chemical weapons. Caiti also told me..."

Hearing Caiti's name frightened Selena throwing her into shock as she mentally recalled the list of employees that had been hired recently. Nausea overwhelmed her as she reminded herself that she had already given the list to Patrick before leaving that afternoon. A crash of glass sounded around her as panic rose. She realized that Patrick now knew who had betrayed him, and she condemned herself for anything he might do to her friend. Silent tears filled her eyes; and, as she gazed into a pair of sympathetic eyes that pleaded for her trust, she whispered, "Oh My God! What have I done! Caiti's my friend."

Michael had been watching Selena during Devon's narrative. He knew she was becoming distressed, but was unprepared for the sudden shatter of crystal and splatter of lemonade when she dropped the tray in anguish. Both he and Devon jumped up to help her. Michael tried to prevent her from cutting herself by leading her back to the table. When she had finally looked at him, he felt her shaking with terror. After directing someone to clean up the mess, Devon came back with a towel in time to hear Selena's incomplete confession. He looked at Michael and started to ask, "What is she talking about?"

From deep within where she had retreated until she could control her hysteria, Selena heard Devon's question and prepared herself for Michael's explanation. He requested, "Bonnie, please go prevent Selena's sisters from coming up here? Tell them that everything is all right." Bonnie agreed and went off to take care of them as asked. Michael continued, "Devon, Selena is involved with the company we're investigating."

Taking another look at the woman before him, recognition appeared in Devon's eyes. He said, "You are Patrick SR.'s secretary. We've met before. Now I know why you seemed familiar to me."

"Unfortunately, Mr. Miles, I became Patrick Jr's secretary also," replied Selena quietly calming down. She looked to Michael for strength. She then turned back to Devon and pleaded, "But I want out and I don't know how to get out. I've done something so horrible...I need to stop it...you have to stop it from happening."

Devon sat in a chair next to Selena and gently put his hand on her shoulder in encouragement, "Just tell me what you know."

Michael interjected, "Devon, why don't you just continue to tell me what you know and then Selena can fill in the pieces when she can." He knew it would be hard for her to tell everything she knew, but if she was prompted, it might be easier. She looked at him with trust and nodded when he asked, "Will that be OK?"

Devon continued, "The designs for the weapons that Judson was working on have been stolen. We believe Patrick plans to steal the weapons as well and then auction them off to the highest bidder."

Softly looking anywhere but at Devon and Michael, Selena bit her lip and added, "Patrick didn't steel them, Devon. I did. Patrick arranged for me to get them. I have been helping to arrange that auction. You should see the list of people coming. It is very impressive. Every terrorist, mercenary, and corrupt dictator will either be there or represented. But how did you find out about that?" She was hoping that she had heard wrong and that Caiti was not the Foundation's spy.

Devon replied, "It was announced in an advertisement in a foreign newspaper. A friend of mine brought it to my attention."

During this time, Bonnie had come up and heard the tale end of their conversation. When she heard Selena adding information to Devon's story, she inquired, "If you knew what was going on, why didn't you go to the police?"

Again fear crept into her eyes as she thought about her and her sister's safety. She took a deep breath and admitted, "I am very scared. Patrick convinced me that no one would believe me. Even if they did, I would be the one going to jail, he would make sure of that. That was why he directed me to make all the necessary arrangements, steal those designs. Anyone involved outside of his circle that was a risk of turning him in, I was their contact. After a while, I didn't know what to be afraid of more...going to the authorities or Patrick finding out. I had no idea The Foundation had installed someone to investigate him...that Patrick SR..."  Frightening images invaded her mind causing her to rethink what she was about to do.  Her hands moved frantically with her words, her fists clenching and unclenching, "NO, I can't!"  She closed her eyes, roughly running her fingers through her hair in frustration, "I've helped the law before and I almost lost everything for my cooperation. My sisters had to be sent away from me until after the trial was over and those people went away. Even then I feared for our lives for months afterwards. I had to fight social services all over again to keep them from going to foster homes! This time I want you to guarantee their safety before I go any further. If Patrick knows he's lost me they will be the first thing he goes after." She looked from Michael to Devon and swore, "I have to protect them."

The desperation in her voice elicited a desire for Michael to want to protect and reassure her. He squeezed her hand for support, "Selena, how did he force you to work for him and keep silent? Why are you afraid of him?" Michael knew the answer, but he wanted to make her say it...make her confess that she was being abused.

Selena knew what he was suggesting and half-answered, "Nothing..." She avoided looking at him directly, "I mean...It is like I said before. When I tried to leave him, quit; even threatening to turn him in, he made an insurance policy...a video. He threatened to take my sisters away from me. He said he would make sure they were sent to separate foster homes where I would never see them again. He's manufactured evidence that would prove that I'm an unfit guardian and even might send me to jail. Then, after I began doing his little tasks for this project and others, he had more than he needed to send me to prison for a very long time."

"Well, My dear, you will never have to worry about that." Devon promised, "Patrick won't be able to touch you with the Foundation behind you. Now Please, tell me what you know about Patrick's plans."

Selena took a deep breath, knowing that she must continue if she was going to save Caiti and Mr. Judson from Patrick's wrath. She told Devon how Patrick had involved the company in his illegal schemes. She informed him about the new contracts that Patrick had arranged. How he was planning to steal the funds raised from them and then auction the merchandise. Patrick's greedy mind planned to make his customers pay more money by having to compete with other prospective buyers. She told him how the auction was set up and that she could supply Devon with a guest list from Judson's computer files.

Devon asked, "Can you arrange for Michael to get an invitation?"

Selena replied, "Normally I would be able to, but Patrick and his partners know who Michael is from our dealings with the Foundation." She revealed that she had been sent by Patrick to keep Michael busy, that their meeting at the restaurant was not an accident. She lowered her eyes afraid of Michael's reaction, yet hoping he did not hate her. She continued, "Patrick was furious after having watched us together at the beach yesterday. He's been afraid that Michael will try to convince me to talk to you. His worries were confirmed this afternoon when I again tried to quit, tried to get away from him." She gently hugged herself and asked, "Devon, how did you manage to acquire all the information in those files. Some of those reports that you gave Michael were ones that I had done for Mr. Judson when I first began working for him. I need to know who gave them to you."

Devon, not realizing that she had already heard Caiti's name mentioned, stated, "I'm not at liberty to say right now. You did the investigating for those files?" Devon recalled the excellent work he had found in the files. He was impressed with Selena's investigative talents.

Selena, not wanting to get away from the subject, pressured, "You don't understand, Devon. You don't realize how much danger Caiti is in! Please find her." She trembled as she admitted, "This morning I gave Patrick a list of employees who had been hired by his father in the last six months. Patrick will be able to figure out that it was Caiti who betrayed him. You don't have much time."

Bonnie questioned worriedly, for Caiti was a friend of hers also, "Will he kill her, Selena?"

Selena answered with an eerie warning, "Not right away. But death will be a welcome choice after he's through making her play one of his chess or hunting games."

The surety of Selena's description disturbed Michael and Bonnie. But Bonnie beat him to the question, "He's never attacked you, has he?"

Michael thought back to the day when he met both Selena and Patrick. In his head he could still clearly picture the bruises on her arms, the marks on her back that he'd seen by the pool. Now as she sat there, faced with having to answer the question that he had been trying to force her to answer all afternoon, he waited for her to try to lie again. And even though she knew that Michael knew the truth, she folded her hands together as she replied, "No...not like that...I mean...not exactly..."

Michael blew up. He stood up and pulled Selena out of her chair to stand in front of him. He pulled her swimsuit jacket off her body and said, "Stop it! Selena! He's never attacked you? What is this? Just a little tiff." He turned her around to see evidence of someone pummeling her back with some kind of crop. Then he produced the tattoo peeking out from under her shoulder-length hair. He looked down at her thighs, finding the dark lines of bruises that had been left when she hit the side of the chair that morning and yelled, "and I suppose you just bruise easy, right?"

Devon came to Selena's rescue pushing Michael away from her shaking form. Bonnie found Selena's cover up and helped to pull it back over her shoulders. She took Selena away from Michael as Devon held him back. It was obvious that Selena was terrified of Patrick and, up until now, had not known where to turn for help. Devon cautioned, "Michael, calm down. Miss Kirk has been bullied around by men enough, including you."

Bonnie held Selena's chair and then joined her back at the table. Avoiding Michael's eyes, Selena minimized, "Yes, Patrick has pushed me around a few times. But believe me when I tell you that I have been lucky. I learned early on in our relationship not to get him angry. As I've told you, I have tried to leave him several times. But...ummm...when Patrick showed up with the tape of me stealing for him, he also brought another tape of what had happened to his last girlfriend as part of his warning. She wasn't so lucky."

Michael was having a hard time controlling his temper with each detail. He paced back and forth next to Devon. Devon needed to get the information he needed from Selena before she changed her mind. He held her hand, calmly sitting beside her and prompted, "I know this is hard for you, my dear, so take your time." He glared at Michael to settle down.

Grateful for his caring attitude, she continued, "She ended up in a hospital: raped, broken and beaten. It was rumored that he had arranged a hunt on his estate and she was...she was what he and his friends hunted...his...his prey. I can't even describe how they tortured her. She conveniently disappeared from the hospital. No one knows where she is." Selena replayed details of being forced to watch that tape while bound in a kneeling position on the floor of her bedroom between torture sessions of being repeatedly raped her in her head. She could still see the sexual excitement that Patrick had while watching that tape. She kept those details to herself, still feeling like she was some how responsible for it. She also sensed that Michael was so angry that he might go after Patrick and get killed too.

Instead, she looked down at her hands visions of the rope still around them and again felt the pain of getting her tattoo.  His voice sounded in her ears, "I own you now, Toy!"  Closing her eyes to memories, she whispered in despair, "He finally got it into my head that it was too late for me to fight him." Looking at Devon fiercely, she pleaded, "Do you see why you have to send her some help. If Patrick knows about his father's involvement, you can be sure he will not spare him just because he is his father, especially when he finds out I betrayed him too." Unable to continue, she escaped out of her chair and ran toward the pool. She discarded her cover-up and jumped into the water with her sisters. She was very careful not to let them know what was going on.

Michael attempted to follow her, but Bonnie held him back. She sensed that Selena needed time to pull herself together. She figured that spending time with her sisters would help her to do just that. Devon provided a vent for Michael's anger by sending him on an errand. When he felt sure Selena had a chance to heal a bit, he sent her and Bonnie into the office to work on getting the information she knew out of Judson's computer banks.

An hour later, the sun began its descent into the Pacific Ocean. During the time that Michael had been out; Devon, Jasmine and Tina had joined Bonnie and Selena in the office. The Kirk sisters had changed from their bathing suits to comfortable jeans and pullovers. The two girls had challenged Devon to a game of chess. When Michael returned, the game was changed to backgammon and he took over for Devon. Devon checked on Bonnie and Selena's progress in attaining the information they needed. Slumping back into her chair, Selena conceded, "We're not going to get through this way. I've done everything I can. I just don't understand why I can't get into that last program."

Bonnie asked, "Could he have installed a firewall to prevent outside infiltration?"

Selena shook her head negatively and Devon suggested, "Could he have changed the password so you couldn't get back in?"

Selena rubbed her eyes tiredly, "He still thinks I'm too terrified to betray him."

Bonnie snapped her fingers and said, "What if he took the information out of the computer and stored on separate disks. That way he'd be sure that only he could have access to it."

After thinking a minute, Selena banged her head against the computer screen. She sat up and scolded herself, "I am so stupid. I remember now. Patrick put up a three-fold system of passwords before getting access to the program. He always made sure the program was up and running when He needed me to do projects for him with the program. I learned the first password when I found it accidentally in a locked drawer in Patrick's desk. The rest of it has got to be there." Sitting back again, she laid her hand on the keyboard and sighed, "Now we can do nothing until morning." She left the desk and went to settle down into a cushioned, nutmeg colored easy chair by Michael and Jasmine. She watched them rolling the dice fiercely. They were in the middle of a two out of three backgammon match that was tied. Weary in both body and mind from the day's events, she attempted to close her eye for just a second. She noticed Tina curled up in another easy chair fast asleep. Clearing her throat, she announced, "Michael, I think it is time you took us home."

Devon offered, "Selena, I'd like you and your sisters to stay here for the night."

Selena declined, "I wish we could, Devon, but I have to work in the morning, Jasmine has art class and Tina's suppose to go to meet with her friends for a special 'no school' program."

He persisted, "They can still do that, Selena. But I would feel better if you were where I could fully protect you. Isn't that what you asked me to do?"

Selena replied, "Yes, but..."

Devon revealed, "I didn't want to tell you this, but I did as you asked and sent Michael to find Caiti. She's disappeared from her apartment." Before Selena could panic, Devon soothed, "Now we don't know what's happened. She told me last week that she was thinking about visiting her parents in Laguna Beach. We're checking that out now."

Selena hung on to that hope as she remembered, "She told me that too." Underneath, however, she knew the truth and began to feel something besides fear of Patrick. She was tired of being tormented and watching the people she cared about sacrificed for Patrick's games. This aroused a feeling of rage inside that made her want to shake Patrick's control over her.

Unaware of her lust for revenge, Devon regained her attention, "Nevertheless, Selena, I don't want to take any chances. You could also be in serious danger if Judson finds out that you're working for us."

Selena affirmed, "I see your point, Devon. The girls should stay here. But if I am going to continue to fool Patrick into thinking that I'm still on his side, then I have to go home. He has ordered me to call him tonight after Michael drops me off. I'm sure he's having my house watched, especially since his men couldn't keep up with us this afternoon."

Bonnie remarked, "I agree, Devon. He would get suspicious if she never came home."

Michael asked, "Are you sure you'll be all right?"

Selena replied with a new found confidence, "I'd better be, otherwise, I'm no good to you and I want to bring him down."

Michael reassured, "I'll be close by to make sure that there's no trouble."

Selena asked, before anyone had a chance to change their minds, "Now, show me where my girls will be camping out for the night." Michael led her and her sisters to the room that they had used earlier to change in. He left them alone so Selena could explain what was happening to them. Jasmine promised to take care of Tina and not to worry. They hugged and Selena kissed an already unconscious Tina. When she was sure they were settled, she met Michael in the corridor and asked, "Is there a phone I can use in private?"

Michael showed her into another office and left her alone. Drawing up the receiver, she dialed a number; waited for someone to answer; then hung up the line. Quickly she dialed again. After it rang a few times, a woman's voice answered, "Good evening, Judson residence."

"Is Patrick there?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. Judson has gone out for the evening. May I ask who is calling?"

"This is Selena Kirk. Patrick has been expecting my call and I can't seem to find him. Did he say where he was going?"

"No, can I take a message?"

"Please. Just ask him to call me when he gets home." She thanked the woman and hung up. Quietly she placed the receiver back into its cradle and joined Michael in the main corridor. As she walked, she thought of a way to get the information that Devon needed. She knew Michael would never agree to her plan if he had a chance to think it over, so she came up with an idea of how to convince him to do it. She smiled at him, "All done. What's next?"

Michael shrugged, as they got closer to the stairs that lead to the exit, "We could get something to eat before I take you home?"

"Sounds good." She felt energetic and dared, "But first, I'll race ya to KITT." She edged her way toward the stairway, one small step at a time.

Not realizing how much of a head start she had on him, Michael accepted, "You're on!"

Selena turned, "Ready, Set, Go!" and clamored down the steps two at a time, with Michael not far behind. She shouted behind her, "Come on, slow poke! Oh by the way, first to KITT drives!" Upon reaching the final ten steps, she jumped up onto the banister and slid down the rest of the way. She made a face at Michael and triumphantly dashed out the door.

Michael shouted, "Hey! You cheated!" as he jumped the last five steps to catch up to her. Outside Selena flashed a wide grin at KITT and excitedly declared, "I win! KITT, let me in!"

Never missing an opportunity to harass his friend, KITT obliged. The ebony door opened up allowing Selena to slide in comfortably. As Michael reached them, KITT shut the door forcing him to get in on the passenger side. On the road, Selena gloated, "What's wrong, Mr. Knight? Losing your speed?"

Michael countered, "It was only one race, Selena. Besides, you cheated."

KITT teased, "Excuses, Excuses!"

Selena tisked, "Aw! Well, I won't tell anyone that I beat you. I wouldn't want anyone to think you'd lost your hero image." She flashed him one of her best sarcastic grins.

KITT jibed, "Neither will I, Michael. Although..."

Michael pretended to be hurt, "Hey, you stay out of this! Buddy! Some friend you are!" He heard a giggle escape Selena and they both looked at each other. He joined her laughter, "With both of you against me I guess I didn't stand a chance."

Selena laid her hand over his, squeezing it slightly. She comforted, "Poor baby. How 'bout you sit here and sulk while I take care of this errand?"

Looking around, Michael asked, "What? Where?" He soon recognized that they were parked in front of Judson International.

"I'm going to get that information Devon needs on the auction." She explained, "No one's here, so it is the perfect time to search Patrick's office."

Michael protested, "You're not going up there. It is just too dangerous! What if you get caught?"

She produced a set of keys saying, "I have these. They will open any room in the building. What could go wrong?" When she saw Michael's apprehension, she grabbed his hand and said, "Come on. I do work here, remember?"

Michael would not let go of her hand when she tried to pull away. He said, "You've never done anything like this before. Please let me be the detective. You are too involved as it is."

Selena pushed, "Michael, yes I have done things like this before. How do you think I got the information for those files? Plus, I hate to say this, but Patrick has been an excellent teacher in subversive activities."

"Maybe. But what if he shows up?" argued Michael.

Selena opened her door and said, "That is what you are for. If you see him, let me know and I'll get out of there as fast as I can. Please don't worry. KITT, I'll be contacting you in a few minutes so that you can patch me up with the computers at the Foundation." After that, she disappeared out of the car and into the building before Michael could stop her.

On the fourth floor inside Selena's office, she sat down behind her typewriter and set it up as if she were working late. Then, after making sure that the coast was still clear, she let herself into Mr. Judson's office and then Patrick's. She sat down at the computer terminal and began the process of linking it to the Foundation's system with KITT as backup. She contacted Bonnie by telephone and began sending the information. While this was being accomplished, she began searching through the offices. Rummaging through Patrick's desk, she found a couple of lists that she had never seen before. The lists contained names of people, military posts, terrorist groups, and the merchandise each of them were interested in. Prying open the bottom left hand drawer, she found the videotape that Patrick had been using to blackmail her with. Smugly she dropped the tape down the garbage shoot and into the incinerator. She returned to the terminal with a set of files that she had gotten out of Patrick's safe. Getting on the phone, she whispered, "Bonnie, you should see what I've found. I've got to download it into the computer and then I'll send it through. I've got to hang up, so wait for it to come through." Throwing the disk into the drive, she programmed it to copy and to transfer all data into Bonnie's computer where she recorded it on a disk of her own. KITT made sure all the information got through by preventing any interference from other e-mail systems.

Bonnie informed, "Everything is OK on this end. Talk to you later. I wish you had not put yourself in such danger, Selena, but thank you anyway. Be careful."

Feeling a little spooked, Selena asked, "Wait, Bonnie, don't hang up. I'd rather have you on the line. Like you said, this is dangerous." After the disk finished, Selena pulled it out and put it back exactly where she had found it, and began punching in the information from the files. She was so busy with her tasks, that she did not hear someone walking toward the door.

Outside KITT had been busy with helping them and had not noticed that Patrick had driven into the parking lot. Patrick, on the other hand, had seen KITT and figured that Michael was upstairs snooping around. He made sure that he was unnoticed as he stole into the building, expecting to confront his opponent. He was shocked when he threw open the door to his office and found Selena sitting in his chair. His temper rising, He demanded, "What are you doing here, My Toy?"

Startled, Selena dropped the receiver and stood up in front of the computer screen. She took a cleansing, calming breath and answered as coolly as possible. "T...Try...Trying to get some work done." She casually reached behind her, found the combination of keys to do an "alternative, control, delete" and pressed them twice. This erased everything on her side of the terminal and immediately shut down her system. Bonnie's terminal went blank simultaneously.

At the Foundation, Bonnie knew something was wrong and shouted at Selena through the phone. Not waiting for an answer, She warned Michael.

In the office, Patrick closed the door behind him and asked, "Selena, who are you talking to?" He cornered her behind the desk.

Selena sat back down and picked up the receiver. She pretended, "Hello? Sir? Still there? Oh...I am sorry...how much did you say my order was? OK, we will be there soon to pick it up."

When she finished, Patrick inquired, "Who's 'we'?"

She replied, "Michael and I. He's waiting for me downstairs."

Patrick asked, "Are you taking him to your place? It is so late."

She blurted sassily, "Could be. You said to keep him busy."

He replied, "I've noticed how busy he's been keeping you. Where were you this afternoon?"

"We took the girls shopping and then swimming."

Patrick reached over the desk and took hold of her hand. He kissed it suggestively, "So, why are you with him now? I thought I warned you not to get too close." He found her unexpected flippant attitude irritating.

Caught off guard, Selena replied in a caustic tone, "What reason could I have for discontinuing the wonderful evening we've been having?" She saw a vein ticking in Patrick's throat, a sure sign that she had made him angry. She pulled her hand away and covered her mouth, "I am sorry, Patrick. Please don't be angry with me." She swallowed disgust for her own cowardice and his paws touching her. She looked at the files on the desk and realized that she had to do something to keep him from seeing them or else.

Patrick let her pull her hand back as she desperately tried to pacify him. He watched her continue the process of cleaning his desk and thought about how sexy she looked when she was cowering before him. He had been through an exhausting evening before coming back to the office. His new guest was not cooperating and he still had not learned who had hired her or how much she knew. He had left his guest so that he could await Selena's telephone call to report how she was doing with Michael Knight. He had been planning to make her come out to play with him for the evening. And when he had burst in his office and found her working late, he figured his luck was about to change. He now looked forward to playing a special game of chess with her, knowing that he would win in more ways than one. Her timid plea for his forgiveness gave him a feeling of power that refreshed him. He offered, "I'm not angry, my toy. As a matter of fact, I thought I would reward you. I have been missing your great massages and I know you loved mine. How about a game of chess to see who gets to be first?"

She was thoroughly repulsed by his suggestion, knowing what his game of chess would entail. She too quickly answered, barely hiding her revulsion, "Not tonight, Patrick. Remember, Michael is waiting and we have plans that cannot be changed."

Patrick was taken back by the veiled disgust in her eyes and the rejection coming from her lips. He had forgotten about Michael being downstairs and his suspicions were aroused, "Just tell him you have more work to do tonight. That is why you are here, isn't it?"

Selena began shoving papers back into the folder as she answered, "Yes. But...well...We're suppose to go to this new club. I promised." She saw his vein stand out again and she added, "Besides, don't you have a meeting with Lenox later? I remember it being on the calendar I sent you this morning."

Patrick returned, "Why are you choosing him over me, Selena? I hope you're still not having romantic notions about him!" He circled around the desk, pushing her closer to the computer terminal and the window.

She evaded his actions and tried to put the file away. She defended herself, "I'm only doing what you told me to do."

Her constant meddling with his desk was becoming annoying. He grabbed her wrist, causing her to drop the file on the desk. He made her look at him and accused, "You are lying!" He held her wrists behind her back and continued, "I thought I made myself clear this morning. I will never let you go!" Selena looked at him and then back at the desk where the file still lay open under the lit lamp. Again she wrestled out of his grasp and tried to close the file. Patrick, frustrated with her obvious attempts to hide what she had been doing, grabbed the folder and demanded, "Why are you so interested in putting away these files, Selena? What are you trying to hide from me?" He opened the folder and began to read its contents.

Selena tried to take it back, but failed. Panic rose as she tried to explain, "Nothing. I...Its" She knew that things had gotten out of her control a long time ago and wondered where Michael was.

Patrick pushed her again, "Nothing!" He accused, "What are you doing with this file?" He tossed the folder across the room while shoving Selena into the armed swivel chair behind her and pinned her there. He said menacingly, "I hope you weren't planning to double cross me! That would not be very healthy for you!"

"No, I swear! I...Patrick"

He grasped her already injured shoulders roughly, "You haven't become another spy for the Foundation! Have you?"

Trying not to cry out in pain, she defended, "I'm not a spy! What are you talking about?"

"Oh no! Then what about your friend Caiti?" He saw recognition in her eyes and he knew he had to find out why she was in his office. He challenged, "How much did you tell her? How long did you know she was working for the Foundation?"

"Stop it! You're hurting me!"

"Tell me what you were doing with this file! You were going to give it to your new friend! I want the truth, Toy!" He loomed over her and again squeezed her shoulders with each of his demands.

Unable to stand anymore of his bullying and since Patrick knew the truth; she shot back, "I haven't done anything yet, Patrick. But you'd better let Caiti go, or I will blow up your entire operation!"

Patrick hooked his hand to her chin and threatened, "Watch what you say, My Toy, or you'll be joining my new guest. And you'll play the same game she just lost for betraying me!" When she tried to push him away, he knocked her back and warned, "Don't make me angrier, Selena! I'm trying my best to remember that you are still my favorite toy." He got into her face and re-asked, "Now. What did you tell Caiti and Mr. Knight?"

The door to the office opened, startling Patrick into letting go of Selena. She jumped up out of the chair as Michael walked in and inquired, "Selena, oh...are you almost finished?"

She sighed with relief, "Michael! I...Patrick...I was just leaving." Quickly she picked up her purse, edged out of the desk's chair, casually walked past Patrick, and entered into Michael's protective embrace.

Michael received her grateful, but shaky smile and asked, "What took you so long?"

Patrick came over and answered for her, "I was keeping her, Mr..."

"Knight, Michael Knight. And you are?"

Selena introduced them before Patrick could comment rudely, "Michael, this is my boss's son, Patrick. Remember you met him the other day at the restaurant."

Patrick smirked, "Oh yes. It was good fortune that you were there to pick Selena up that day, Mr. Knight. She might not have made it home safely. I hope you don't have to make it a habit of rescuing my favorite To...ummm...secretary."

Michael was about to take up his challenge, but Selena stepped in. She felt a little braver with Michael by her side and announced, "By the way, Patrick. That little matter we were talking about...I won't be able to help anymore. I've cancelled my insurance policy."

Patrick smiled mischievously, "We can discuss it later. You go and have some fun now. Oh and give my love to Jasmine and Tina." His dark eyes conveyed his meaning to her quite clearly.

Michael intervened, "We both will. Let's go, Sal." With that, Michael escorted Selena out of the office and into the elevator. Once inside, Selena let her guard down and Michael asked, "Are you OK?"

She leaned against him, her arm wrapped around his, their hands intertwined, "When my arms stop throbbing, I'll be fine."

Michael remarked, "I suppose it is a waist of breath to suggest that you leave the dangerous stuff to me from now on?" She evaded his eyes and he hugged her, "Let's go get something to eat."

Selena declined, "No, I just want to go home and take a hot bath. Patrick has this way of making me feel very tired and dirty." She rested her head on his shoulder until they reached KITT. She felt relief as she realized that she was finally free and out of Patrick's reach. But undermining her newfound hope was a voice that reminded her of Caiti's fate; and, she knew that Patrick might still try to hurt her or her sisters. She closed her eyes to the fear, seeking to find peace within herself again. She snuggled more into Michael seeking her security from him. As KITT opened the passenger door for her, Selena gently caressed Michael's cheek and kissed him, "Thank you, Michael. I owe you."

Michael helped her to sit down and then entered KITT too. When he was settled next to her he tenderly took her hand and replied laughing, "KITT, Buddy, record that so she remembers it the next time we race."

While on the way to her house, Selena repeated the rest of the information to KITT and supplied the last computer disk containing maps and blueprints of government installations that Patrick planned to steal from. One agency stood out - The Foundation for Law and Government. She finished as they parked in her driveway. She stated, "I'll meet you at the Foundation in the morning. After I take my sisters to their classes, I want to be with you while you find the evidence to hang Patrick!"

Michael laughed at her wanting to get back in the game so quickly only on his side, "I'll think about it."

She smiled, "Good night!" as she opened her door to get out.

Michael heard her sigh and saw the hesitation she felt as she contemplated going inside her house alone. Worriedly he asked, "Are you sure you want to stay here tonight? Alone?"

Breathing in courage she replied, "Yes, I think so. I'm just gonna go to sleep."

He insisted, "Are you sure you'll be all right?"

Michael's over worrying eased her fears and she reassured, "Don't worry, Michael. I'll be safe until morning. You need to go find Caiti before Patrick really hurts her." She had laid her hand gently over his to convince him of her safety.

Michael pressed her hand to his lips before she could pull away. He saw the pain and guilt she felt over her friend's disappearance. He wanted her to know that she had done the right thing in helping them fight Patrick. But Selena knew that if she stayed with Michael any longer that she would be begging him to stay with her. She pulled away from him and hurried into the house.

Michael watched Selena until she was safely locked inside. KITT surveyed the surrounding area until he was convinced there was nothing out of place. When KITT was finished, Michael suggested, "What'd'ya say we go back and do a little investigating of our own, KITT? I think Judson needs to fight someone his own size for a change." He instructed KITT where to drive while he reread the information about Patrick. As they approached The Judson Building again, Michael finished studying the information and thought that he had found what he would need to intimidate Patrick. He saw lights burning in Patrick's office on the fourth floor. He had KITT tune his radar device to listen in on what was going on up there. They found Patrick in the middle of a conversation with two other men. They were discussing a dangerous chemical used to contaminate water supplies. It was being discarded by the military before it could fall into the wrong hands. One of the gentlemen commented jokingly that the government must have known that they were planning to steal it. Patrick added, "Such a waste of valuable time. I guess we'll just have to add it to our inventory at the auction."

Another voice spoke, "Tell me more about the auction site."

Patrick explained, "It is going to be held at an island I own in the Caribbean. There shouldn't be any hassle from the authorities, since it is entirely private property."

"You mean as long as the Feds don't find out about it."

The first person asked, "Are you sure we won't have any problems?"

Patrick thought for a moment about the confrontation he had with Selena earlier that evening. Smiling confidently, he assured, "Everything is under my control, Roger."

Far away from the Judson Building, Patrick's problem was just getting out of the shower. Selena grabbed her purple satin robe from a peg on the wall and after wrapping it around herself; she stepped out of the bathtub. She hummed to herself as she towel dried her wet hair and then began to untangle it with a comb. A few minutes later, she was dressed comfortably in a nightgown of soft cotton and was turning down the covers of her bed. The telephone beside her bed began to ring, startling her before she reached to answer it.

At the same time, Michael heard Patrick pick up the phone, dial, and hang up. Patrick announced, "Well, gentlemen, let us discuss how we will obtain the rest of our merchandise. I want to get this done quickly because I have a date tonight."

Returning to Selena's home, she had just hung up on her caller who had mysteriously listened to her say hello before hanging up on her. "With all my problems," she mused, "I gotta put up with kids fooling around with crank calls."

While she returned to the process of going to bed, Patrick paced on front of his office window. As he gazed at the star lit sky, he noticed KITT parked across the street. Figuring that Michael was probably monitoring his office, he mischievously picked up the phone and dialed. When questioned by his partners, Patrick smiled and informed them that he had to arrange a special game for his favorite toy. The two men smiled in return and said their good-byes. Patrick heard them leave as someone picked up the phone he was calling. He informed, "We have a problem."

"What now?"

"Not now, Lenox. I don't want to take the chance our new partners will hear us. I'm not letting them back out of this deal. Not after what we had to do tonight. Have you won the game yet?"

Lenox replied, "I've almost got all the chips as we speak."

Patrick replied, "Good. Now we need to begin a new game for my spoiled toy. Will you and Brown make sure the board is set up? I want to make sure she learns her penalty for breaking the rules again."

"Would you like us to bring her to you?"

Patrick replied contemplatively as he watched out the window, "I think we'll take the game to her. It will be easier for her to play with us. Call me when you have her declawed." He hung up the receiver while watching for Michael's reaction under his window.

Michael hit the dashboard in frustration. He hated not being able to understand Patrick's double talk about a game. Little did he know the riddle would soon be played out especially for him. For the moment, all he could do was wait for Patrick to make his move.

Michael kept watch at Judson International for several hours into the night, Patrick still "working" in his office. There had been several more telephone calls that Michael had not understood and this caused him to feel restless. Tapping out his uneasiness on the steering wheel, Michael suddenly ordered, "KITT, give me the name and exact location of that island that Judson was talking about earlier. Tell me what government controls it too."

KITT informed, "I've got it, Michael. It is part of a group of islands called Windward. It is located just off St. Vincent, a US property."

"Thanks, Buddy, keep an eye on things for a while. I've got a message to deliver." Quickly and quietly, Michael stole into the building, creeping carefully until he got to the fourth floor and the main offices. He listened outside Patrick's door. Then throwing it open, he stood in the doorway making his intent very clear.

Patrick held the telephone receiver he had been using away from his ear as he evilly acknowledged Michael's presence. Patrick returned to his conversation, "Wait for my call." And then he laid the receiver back in its cradle. Slowly rising to his feet, Patrick faced Michael and greeted, "Mr. Knight? How nice to see you again. Has something happened to Selena?"

"Cut the charm, Judson! I know what you have been up to," challenged Michael.

"And what is that, my friend."

"I know what you did to Selena, here in this office tonight and that it was not the first time." Stalking towards Patrick, he warned, "I'm on to your little game, Sir!"

Patrick made it obvious that Michael's revelations were not affecting him. He continued, "Game! I really don't know what you are talking about." To insure that his temper remained in check, Patrick encircled his hand over the top of his chair and squeezed.

In sharp observation of this action, Michael pushed, "Let's just say I have information about a little island near St. Vincent that you own. I hear there is going to be a very special auction there." He paused as he allowed that piece of information sink into Patrick's ears. Leaning against the chair that sat in front of Patrick's desk, Michael sarcastically asked, "I wonder if the authorities would find this information as interesting as I have. They might even want to participate."

Realizing Michael's knowledge of his activities, Patrick felt his temper begin to build. In response he shoved his chair against his side of the desk and demanded, "Get to the point before I call security."

Michael laughed, "The point is that I'm coming after you. You better leave Selena out of this from now on or you're going to find yourself put 'in a penalty box'."

"Selena?" Patrick asked, "What does she have to do with this?"

Michael answered, "For starters, you may have branded her, but she is no longer 'P's Toy' Not Anymore! And that is the way I want to keep it! This is between you and me now. Play your game with me! I promise I'll make a worthy opponent."

Patrick recalled Selena's tattoo, astonished that Michael knew about it. From the "righteous rage" coming from Michael Knight's stance, Patrick knew that Selena had not voluntarily showed him the mark. He did recognize the extremely protective attitude Michael now had for Selena. That could be used to Patrick's advantage, but it could also undo all Patrick had done to turn Selena into his perfect toy. Patrick regained his composure and took up Michael's threat. He leaned across his desk and sneered into Michael's face, "I know you will make a worthy opponent, Sir. But don't make me your enemy or I might have to take back the queen and destroy her!" He pushed himself off his desk and ordered, "Now get out of my office."

Michael refused to back down and instead warned, "I'm already your enemy. So prepare to fight me instead of picking on women and children." His anger spent, Michael saluted Patrick and said, and "I believe you are in check, Mr. Judson." He retreated from the battleground and left Patrick alone to contemplate his warning. Michael hoped that he had pushed Patrick into coming after him instead of going after Selena again.

After Michael disappeared from his office, Patrick walked over to the window. He stood quietly while waiting for Michael to appear on the street below. As Michael hurried toward KITT, Patrick mused confidently, "So, Mr. Knight. You believe that you have checked me. I suppose you want me to make my next move." Pausing to think about the game he was planning, Patrick smiled, "I guess, Mr. Knight. I'll just have to use a couple of pawns to get my queen back." Wickedly, he picked up the telephone again and with the sure knowledge that Michael was listening, he called his friends, "Are we ready to play yet?"

Lenox reported, "Everything is set, Patrick. We're ready for your first move."

Patrick smiled, "Excellent! Wait for my signal. I need to take care of one more piece." Patrick ended his conversation and got ready to leave. He exited the building and got into his car. He watched Michael and laughed as he drove away to begin his game.

The peacefulness of the Kirk home was broken. Selena felt herself awakening out of a deep sleep. She sat up for a second, the light comforter falling away and surrounding her lap. Again, the ringing of her telephone broke the silence of the night. Fully conscious, she lay back down and grabbed the receiver. She whispered, "Hello?" A slow, raspy voice answered her with strange and eerie utterances that she could barely understand. What she did understand frightened her and she immediately threw the receiver back in its cradle. Before she could get comfortable again, the phone began to ring again. She pulled the receiver to her ear and demanded, "Who is this! What do you want?"

The same slow raspy voice threatened her more clearly, "You know what I want! Selena Kirk!"

Hearing her name threw her into a near panic. She tried to remain calm and retorted sarcastically, "Look, I am not interested in playing with you tonight! Don't call here again, or I'll tell your mothers!" She hung up more loudly this time and hoped that the caller was just a bunch of kids playing a prank. She huddled under her blankets and tried to go back to sleep. But the phone blared again throughout the house. She resolved not to answer it, hoping that the caller might get tired of listening to it ring. After several more rings, her prayers were answered and the phone went dead. Then after only a few eerie quiet seconds, it sprang back to life warning her of imminent danger with each ring.

Finally out of frustration, Selena forced herself to pick up the receiver. Before the caller had a chance to speak, she yelled, "If you don't stop this nonsense! I'm calling the Police!"

Her threats were met with an eerie laugh that reinforced her fears. She tried to hang up, but the voice refused to let her off the line. In between her clicking, she tried to ignore the voice's cruel and jeering remarks. Giving up trying to get rid of him, she let the receiver rest in its cradle again. As if in anger to her actions, the ringing began again. Selena jumped out of bed and flipped on her bedroom light. When the lights went on the telephone went silent and Selena sought the safety of her bed. Breathing away her anxieties, she stared at the telephone hoping that her nightmare was finally over but fearfully knowing that it was not. One tear fell down her cheek as she whispered, "Patrick."

Across town, Michael and KITT had been following Patrick around the city during Selena's ordeal. KITT asked, "How long are we going to be doing this?"

Michael answered, "Until we find out what he's up to."

Patrick looked at Michael through his rearview mirror and then glanced down at his watch. Laughing over his triumph, he drove into a private underground parking lot of a high-rise apartment building. Michael parked across the street and had KITT find out what he could about it. Patrick hid inside the garage's doorway and watched Michael watching his building. Patrick smiled, "Good boy, Mr. Knight. You just stay right there."

Huddled in her bed, Selena tried to warm herself against the chill that had invaded her body. She had been able to calm herself down in the quiet of her room. As suddenly as the phone had stopped, it suddenly intruded on the stillness of her room, causing her to jump out of bed. Grabbing the receiver, she listened as a new voice, one she definitely recognized, sneered, "The lights won't protect you, My Toy! You broke the rules, the king demands a penalty!"

Defiantly Selena countered, "You can't hurt me with a phone call or your stupid games anymore! I won't let you!"

"You can refuse to pay the King! That is very dangerous!" the voice challenged, "I've got you where I want you now, Selena! Let the games begin!" Before she could answer his challenge, he mocked, "The Needles are Coming, Toy! Think! They could be waiting right outside your door. Is it locked? Are your sisters safe?  The King and His needles are on their way!"

Selena did not want to hear anymore and shouted, "Stay away from me!" She threw the phone down, hearing "Good-bye, P's Toy!" before she could hang up again. The lights in her room flickered on and off for a few seconds and then quit. Pulling her comforter from the bed, she wrapped herself in it and hurried down the hall toward the stairs. As she passed, she flipped on the overhead lights. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, her panicky movements caused her to trip on the fourth step. It turned forward causing her to fall. She slammed against the railing before landing on the bottom of the staircase. She was ready to give up but the phone began to ring again. She forced herself to get up and triple locked the front door. Dragging the comforter with her, she used the wall to help herself to walk into the living room towards the phone. Without warning, the electricity in the house was cut off. She collapsed to the rug and began to cry in the enveloping darkness. She crawled over to the end table and grabbed the phone. Taking the receiver, which hummed under her hand, she listened to the voice's taunting for a few seconds; and, then she switched over to the second line. Dialing, she waited for someone to answer. The sound of an answering machine came over the line instead. Throwing the receiver on the couch, she laid her head in her arms and tried to think of something else. She thought of calling the police, but knew Patrick would know that they were coming and he would escape. Another idea came to mind and she groped her way over to the kitchen counter. Grabbing her purse, she took it back over to the couch and knelt by the phone. She emptied the purse on the cushion, retrieved a crumpled piece of paper out of the mess, and dialed the number on the paper. After a few rings, she heard Michael's friendly voice answer. With fear and relief evident in her voice, she pleaded, "Michael! Help...I need...."

"Selena! What?"

"Please help me! I don't have...someone is...kill..."

The line became fuzzy and Michael called out, "Selena! Speak up...What? Hello!" Looking over at the apartment building where Patrick had led him, he knew the answer. He was about to tell Selena that he was coming for her, but the line went dead.

Selena tried to breathe away her hysterics and tried to get Michael back on the line. She gave up when she found that she could not even get a dial tone anymore. She nervously laid down the receiver and curled up on the floor by the couch. The dark room seemed to come alive around her. Every little creek, crack in the house was magnified ten times their normal sound. All of this kept Selena's imagination busy, terrifying her past the point of reality. To make matters worse, the telephone came to life to torture her again. Selena inched away from it, hiding herself near one of the rocking chairs by the fireplace.

Michael put KITT into high pursuit and impatiently drove to Selena's. He talked out his frustrations at KITT, "Now I know what he was talking about! How could I have been so stupid! If he hurts her, KITT, it will be my fault. I pushed her into turning him in. I went upstairs to challenge him. He pushed all the right buttons and got me to follow him! Damn it!"

KITT offered, "Remember, Michael, this is just another attempt to make you leave him alone. This guy is using Selena."

"I know, KITT. I just wish we weren't playing by his rules anymore," Michael responded, "Have you gotten through to her yet?"

KITT answered that he had not as they turned down Selena's subdivision. Michael suggested, "Trace the call, KITT. Maybe we can pin this to Judson after I nail him." He slowed down upon reaching the entrance to Selena's street.

Observing everything, KITT surveyed the area and reported, "The electricity has been cut off. But for only this block." When they passed a brown Mercedes that sat across the street from Selena's driveway, KITT reported, "Michael, there is a man sitting in the car across the street. He's using his cell phone."

Michael ordered KITT to trace the call. KITT did and found that the call was going to Selena's. He responded by causing interference between the cell phone and Selena's home phone. Selena's tormentor became nervous and let out a signal with his horn. His accomplice came running out from Selena's backyard. Michael jumped out and took off after him while KITT captured the man in the car. The thug on foot tried to escape by circling around Michael and heading for the car. But KITT blocked his efforts while making sure the Mercedes didn't move either. The other man decided to try to use KITT to escape. But KITT ordered, "Don't move, Scum! My partner has some business to discuss with you!"

The man turned to see Michael's fist coming at his stomach. Michael grabbed him by the arm and pinned him against KITT's side. He demanded, "What were you doing back there, pal?" Before Michael could get an answer, a round of gunfire came at them from the Mercedes. Michael pulled himself and his prisoner down behind KITT's door, shielding them from the spray of bullets. The bullets exploded in a ray of bright, fire-red sparks when they hit KITT's body and then evaporated into thin air.

Out of the darkness, the man from the Mercedes ordered, "Let my friend go, Mr. Knight! Turn around slowly and back away from your car!" When Michael refused, the gunman pulled out a little black remote control box and threatened, "Let him go, Mr. Knight. You see this box controls a small explosive that has been hidden inside Selena's house. Now I don't think detaining us is worth Selena's life, do you?" Reluctantly, Michael let go of his prisoner and the man joined his friend inside the Mercedes. The gunman laughed at Michael's compliance and said, "I have a message for you, Mr. Knight. Forget what you know about Judson. Your queen is in jeopardy! Now, my friend, you do not have much time! BOOM!" The car sped off leaving Michael to help Selena.

KITT reported before Michael could ask, "I don't know why you didn't call his bluff, Michael? There is no bomb."

Michael shot, "You should've told me sooner, KITT!" Michael slammed the car door, feeling frustrated at being manipulated so easily. He realized that Patrick must have used tactics like this on Selena before. He looked at Selena's door and proceeded up the driveway to let her know that everything was all right.

During the commotion, Selena had heard the gunfire. Not knowing what was going on outside increased her terror of the situation. She did not know whether Michael was outside or if he was the one shot at. He could be dead, she thought. She had been sitting with her comforter wrapped around her for security in the darkness of the once cozy little family room. Now the room was like a murky dark prison cell. She was too frightened to move and too cautious to scream for help. The instinct to survive surfaced, and like a caged animal, she decided she would protect herself to the end. She reached for her father's shotgun and quickly loaded it from a supply of ammunition she kept hidden inside a secret compartment in the fireplace. She held the gun close to her and the memory of her father teaching her how to use the weapon flashed in her mind. A knocking on her front door interrupted her thoughts, jolting her back to reality. With rifle in hand, she knelt down in the middle of the room and waited for whoever was hurting her to walk through her door.

Michael tried to open the door, but found it locked. He called, "Selena! Unlock the door, Babe! Selena...KITT, unlock this door! Selena, I'm coming in."

Selena heard the door unlock and open. She heard someone call her name. She raised the rifle and said in a very threatening, cautious tone, "Get out of here!"

KITT picked up on Selena's rapid heartbeat and the weight of the shotgun in her hands. He warned, "Michael, be careful. She seems to be very excited and overly nervous. I think she is holding a gun."

Hearing a second voice, Selena demanded again, "Don't come any closer! I swear I will kill you! I have a gun!"

"Selena, listen to me. I'm not going to hurt you!" soothed Michael as he carefully stepped out from behind the wall that separated the entrance hall from the living room.

But in her hysterical state of mind, Selena refused to trust the silhouetted figure that towered above her in the dark. Becoming nauseated with growing fear, she sobbed, "GET! OUT!!" She fired into the air and then aimed the rifle at her "attacker's" head. Then without warning, the telephone rang and it shocked Selena into turning away from Michael to face the object that had started her terrorizing ordeal. Michael took the opportunity and embraced her trembling body. As he tried to hold her, the rifle fell harmlessly to the ground. Michael carefully pushed it out of the way to prevent an accident. Instinctively, Selena fought against his efforts to help her. She screamed for him to let go of her and begged him not to hurt her. Michael realized that she didn't know who her tormentor was anymore:  the person holding her or the one calling her. In her mind, they were now one and the same. Pinning her arms to her side, he made her look at him and said, "Selena! It's me! Michael! Baby, Please calm down and see me!"

Recognition came into her eyes and she stopped fighting him and began to cry. She allowed him to cradle her in his arms. She looked up at him again and realized how worried he was for her. She sniffled away her hysterics and began to relax in the comfort of Michael's arms. He quieted her frightened sobs, caressing her hair and holding her tightly to help her feel secure and safe again.

Around them, KITT managed to get the electricity working again. A light from above the stove in the kitchen came on. This helped to restore some of the sanity that hand been lost during Patrick's attack. Feeling stupid and embarrassed, Selena broke away from Michael's embrace. She wiped her damp cheeks and apologized, "I am sorry Michael. I didn't know it was you. I heard the gun shots outside and I thought..." She took a sharp intake of breath, "...you...I thought you were...then I thought you were the man on the phone when you came through my door. I had to protect myself, Michael." New tears began their descent as she began to go over the situation. Her mind raced through the event and her fears renewed intensely as she repeated, "You were...I thought you were DEAD! I heard the shots! Patrick had...he said..." Michael tried to get Selena to stop remembering. He told her that he understood and that she was safe again. But Selena continued to talk out her feelings, "But, Michael, Patrick warned me! And then the phone rang!" She looked over at the silent machine and wept, "It just kept ringing and ringing...like before when he said all those horrible things to me...I didn't think there was anyone left to help me...I was all alone...and..."

Michael tried again to pull her back into his arms while soothing, "It is over, Selena. Let it go. Just forget it!"

Selena threw herself against him and cried, "But I couldn't stop it!" She lightly hit her fist against his chest, "It just rang and rang...I'm so afraid, Michael."

Inside Michael was seething with anger over Patrick's terrorization of Selena. He could feel her frightened sobs down to his soul. Guilt followed because he had not been able to protect her like he had promised to. He wanted to take her pain away, to quell the rage within him. She had looked away from him still looking at the phone and repeating, "It just rang and rang..." Michael gently took her face with in his big palms and lightly kissed her lips. He kept kissing her until she stopped speaking and returned his kisses. He kissed her cheeks so lightly it was if a feather were brushing her skin. Another release of tears trailed to his mouth and he took them into his mouth with his lips. He held her from moving keeping her kneeling on the ground with him. He felt her hands reach up to take his face. She brought his lips back to hers and he felt her return his kiss with an urgency that bespoke what they both needed and wanted from each other. Michael loosened the comforter from around her legs and pulled her satin robe from her shoulders, laying it behind her on the carpet. All the while he indulged in the taste of her mouth on his. Each kiss became more urgent, more prolonged. Tongues fought for control, noses brushing each other, fingers caressing their faces and neck. Michael wanted to be so gentle with Selena. He wanted her to know more than just rape, which though she had never confirmed Patrick had done that to her, Michael knew the truth. His hands pressed the cotton of her nightgown against her breasts, feeling for her nipple. He teased them between his fingers until he felt them stand out for his touch and heard her moan contentedly in his ear. While he pleasured her breasts, she tenderly moved her lips in a line along his chin to the side of his neck. Selena used her nose to make a straight line, hearing him giggle as she tickled him. His breath burned her skin and she tried to meld herself against his mouth. Her hands quickly, frantically moved down his shirt, pushing the buttons out of their holes. He returned to her mouth as she found his nipples with her fingers, pushing his shirt aside freeing his skin to her touch. Michael reached down to release the buckle of his belt, but found Selena's hands had beat him to it and were already at work undoing the buttons on his fly. He let her finish, but then whispered, "I want you, Selena." He put her arms to her sides and then slowly lifted her nightgown from her head, discarding it into the pile above her. He cupped the curve of her breast like he was holding a baby's head from falling. The edge of his thumb kept her nipples achingly hard. He heard her whisper her satisfaction, their eyes never leaving each other's. He used one finger to tease her skin, following an imaginary line down her stomach and then back up to her neck. He drew her face again to his, tasting her cheeks, her neck, her eyes lids, her lips.

Selena had never felt so pampered, so tenderly excited. Her passion was very slowly building, her body becoming tense, yet relaxed with each touch, each kiss. She wanted to return the tenderness, but Michael refused to let her, instead spoiling her. He wrapped a strong arm around her back, lifted her slightly to free her legs from her kneeling position and guided her to lie beneath him. His free hand and lips never ceased their pleasurable ministrations. When he lay against her, careful not to crush her, he felt her hands entangle themselves in his hair; pulling him into her body. He satisfied her silent request returning to their passionate exploration of their kiss. Selena remarked breathlessly, "Am I dreaming! This is not happening."

Michael did not answer with words, but found a spot on her neck to suckle on feeling her head arch back to give him better access. She squeezed her fingers into his hair, pulling until the strands were tight around her fists. Michael's hands left her skin alive with goose bumps everywhere he had been. He inched further down until his mouth was a top one of her nipples. While pinching one between his fingers, he traced the other with tongue, drawing it between his teeth to nibble her tender flesh until he felt her lower body move beneath him. One of her legs tried to wrap around his waist, trying to pull his torso inside her. Though Michael wanted to keep their passionate encounter slow and tender, urgency erupted with Selena's hands reaching down his back to pull off his leather jacket and the opened shirt beneath it. He heard her whimpering that she was sorry, that she was still afraid he had been killed because of her. He knew her mind was trying to bring back the memories of Patrick's attack...the one that night and others she had experienced because of him. To get her mind back to him, Michael helped her to finish undressing him. The heat of their skin keeping each other warm on the floor of Selena's living room. Michael lifted up to become even with her face again. Again he called her to look at him...keep her eyes focused on him. He smoothed her hair and comforted, "Shhhh...I'm here. Everything is going to OK."

Selena nodded, keeping her eyes locked with Michael's as she felt his fingers delve down to her nether lips and warm her body up even more. She caressed his back, lightly raking her nails down his spine as her body went through its first wave of orgasm. She could hear him through the clouds in her mind repeating that she was beautiful, safe, and wanted. He was filling her with nurturing love. Michael felt her body become rigid, his fingers bathed in her orgasm. His lips continued to shower her with tenderness and affection while he removed his fingers and covered her body with his own, laying between her legs. He pulled her under him until he felt himself slip easily inside her. One of her legs wrapped around his hips and her back arched up into him, her hands pressing him against her body. Michael felt her begin to climax again, her green eyes sparkling in the moon light coming in from the room's sliding glass doors. He encouraged her to let go as he let himself go, fiercely, protectively attacking her lips, sending his tongue deep into her mouth drowning out her orgasmic cries. Within minutes their passion was spent, Michael's head resting against her chest, the comforter becoming tangled in their bodies. Michael waited for Selena's breathing to return to normal and felt her hand caressing the back of his neck. He looked up at her and found a small smile touching her lips. Michael lay beside her, his body facing hers. He reached behind her to grab two large pillows from the sofa behind her and made sure Selena was comfortable. Each was afraid to speak about what they had just done, so they just stared at each other. Selena reached out to caress his cheek in gratitude and affection. Her heart was opening up to Michael in ways she had been fighting since meeting him. Michael took her hand and kissed the palm, holding it within his. He pulled her into the safety of his arms and watched her until she fell into a light sleep where the events of the night began to fade into a bad nightmare. Sometime later, he also fell asleep while still holding her.