Knight Rider
Remember The Knight
Part V
By Ldydeb
The humans had settled themselves down into a quiet truce. KITT wanted to speak but knew from their vital signs that their stress levels were very high, the situation very tense. KITT was still trying to adjust to monitoring more than one human at a time, being responsible for more than just Michael. Bonnie had created a program that would allow him to keep track of anyone FLAG needed to protect. Bonnie had presented Devon with a set of cuff links and tie clips. Even she now wore a special pair of earrings. Strangely KITT liked being so close to his growing family.
KITT focused on Selena. He wanted to be able to know if she was going to be sick again. Though how she could have anything left in her stomach to get rid of he could not figure out. KITT re-adjusted his sensors on Selena. Something was wrong, malfunctioning. He would have to do a self-diagnostic before continuing his scan of her health systems.
While KITT wrestled with his systems, Selena watched the road. The only sound the hum of KITT's monitors and the slight rhythm of his engine. She had purposely kept silent since leaving FLAG headquarters. It was only suppose to take half an hour to drive to the lake Devon had told her about. She was intrigued, excited, afraid – like a teenager leaving home for the first time.
She remembered when Devon came into her office the day before. He told her he was giving her to Michael to get her in shape and train her to be a FLAG investigator. Now as she sat beside her new "boss", she was looking forward to knocking him around. She was beyond irritated with how hard he had begun to treat her the moment her sisters and aunts were gone. Michael ordered her around like he was some kind of drill sergeant. Then he took her cane from her, which only pushed her temper higher.
She would have the last laugh. She had already come up with a very wicked plan to get even with Michael for talking Devon out of letting her train at the LA Police Academy. She believed he was going to be extra rough on her, push her to give up the idea of becoming an investigator. As she packed that afternoon, she made sure to include several sets of her sexiest pajamas and her favorite pink satin and ivory lace robe to wear under her thick cotton-hooded bathrobe with Winnie the Pooh on the lapel. Should would always be outwardly modest but dressed to kill underneath, being very careful to "accidentally" give Michael an eye full.
Selena's hand covered a giggle, her eyes purposely looking away from Michael. She could imagine vividly beating the hell out of him during the day and teasing him with no mercy at night. Her hand settled back on the consol between her and Michael. She adjusted her legs stretching. Her eyes flew to Michael, her skin tingling as Michael's hand grazed her skin a bit before he moved it back to the steering wheel. She suddenly wondered who would be teasing whom. Dismissing that thought she relaxed again and closed her eyes.
Michael wondered at Selena's thoughts during the trip. He knew she was irritated with him, then he thought he heard her giggle. He could see she was planning something. Then she finally relaxed to sleep. Michael was content to let her rest. He was concerned for her, knowing that she still had a long way to go before becoming completely well – her fall down the stairs that afternoon proof of that. He requested KITT find an alternative rock radio station and CREED's "Wash Away Those Tears" filled the automobile with music.
As promised the drive did not last long, though Michael was still awed that he was still on FLAG property. KITT drove down the thickly tree guarded road that dead-ended in front of a dark brown wood-framed, two-story bungalow. Michael brushed Selena's cheek, gently prodding her awake with his voice. When she was fully roused, he suggested, "Hungry?"
Food? Thought Selena. Yes. She could use to eat. After all her stomach had rejected everything she'd put in it that morning. Michael read her thoughts and joked, "Stupid question – huh?"
Sharing the joke, Selena nodded rising onto the gravel covered ground. She surveyed her surroundings. A screened in porch surrounded the bungalow. She could see thick padded, blue plaid lawn chairs surrounding a blue-trimmed glass-topped table. A cherry-wood park bench rested against the wall. The house was half surrounded by dozens and dozens of trees. A large lake flowed from a sandy beach to the side yard of the house. A motorized boat was tied to a sturdy wood-planked dock. There were several more lawn chairs and a picnic table with matching wood benches waiting to be used on the beach near the water's edge.
A large clearing opened to the other side of the property heading out to a huge field of tall, wild grasses and then more trees. Autumn was approaching, evident in the rich colors of rusty brown, mustard yellow, burnt orange, and cranberry red in the leaves, flowers, bushes, and grasses. The evening air was cool on Selena's face, her hair loosening from its braid. She felt the need to explore, to walk.
Michael watched her shoulders lose their stiffness. Her back wasn't so rigid, her face softening in the waning sunlight. He had never seen her like this before. No fear, no anger, no hiding, no hidden agendas or plans she had to wrestle her conscience about. To quell his urge to hold her, taste that part of her, he went to open KITT's luggage compartment. Selena heard him moving around. She joined him and pulled her suitcases from the compartment and proceeded ahead of him to the house.
Inside Selena walked into the open great room of the bungalow. The large kitchen was separated from the rest of the living area by a large center cooking island/wet bar. Over head was stored cooking utensils and cookware. The wall behind was lined with a very large side-by-side refrigerator/freezer. Cabinets with glass doors allowed what was inside to be seen from the outside.
The centerpiece of the great room was a huge fireplace. Large, dark brown chenille covered Lazy-boy recliners faced each other and the fireplace. A long, deep dark forest green chenille-covered sleeper-sofa separated the chairs, a long with end tables and a plain wood coffee table.
A staircase ascended from the kitchen to the second floor. The bedroom doors could be seen from the chairs by the fireplace and the bathroom by the kitchen. The open walkway was protected by a railing that rectangled around the stairs.
Selena dropped her bag for a second, her eyes pleased with the comfort FLAG had provided. Again she would have to thank Devon. "Damn" she thought at that prospect. Her eyes took in every detail including a large rack of fishing poles mounted on the wall with shelves of tackle boxes above and below. By the fireplace there was a glass case that spanned the length of the wall from floor to ceiling. It contained a collection of rifles, handguns, and swords.
Michael entered behind her and was also surprised and pleased with their accommodations. He only hoped the provisions he and Devon arranged the place to be stocked with had arrived. Selena didn't want to wait to be told to take her things upstairs. She took Michael's large garment bag and then got hold of her own bags. She ordered, "Since you offered, I could use a plate of two eggs, sliced tomatoes, ham and raisin toast. You CAN manage that right?"
Michael asked, "Are you sure you want to eat all that? For dinner?"
Selena nodded vigorously and then dragged her bundle up the stairs leaving Michael laughing at her. On the second floor, she set the luggage down. She wanted to explore each room before taking first pick. She was amused as she toured each room finding they had been decorated for a man by a man. All the colors were plain and dark. Both the bedrooms she toured so far had matching queen sized sleigh beds in oak with a dresser and night table to match. The bed linens were simple down comforters both a forest green with crisp white sheets underneath. Each bed was covered in an abundance of pillows.
Finally the third bedroom was a dream. A simple king-sized canopied bed divided the large room. Beyond it was a sitting area with a small stuffed sofa covered in small pillows, a padded rocking chair, and two small tables set in an alcove surrounded by floor to ceiling windows. Upon inspection, Selena discovered one of the windows slid open with a screen door behind it. That door led to a small balcony looking out over the lake and back trees. The colors were deep reds and browns. It was going to be very comfortable for her. She would have a nice refuge when she needed to be alone. Quickly, she retrieved Michael's bags and tossed them into one of the smaller rooms near the only bathroom. She pulled her bags into the master suite and made the room hers.
An hour later, Michael had the dinner Selena requested prepared and set on the bar side of the center island. He wondered why Selena had not joined him yet. Mounting the stairs, he lifted his wrist and asked, "Is she OK, KITT?"
KITT accessed Selena's jewelry and though he was still having the same problem, he answered, "I believe she's sleeping, Michael. Check the bedroom closest to the top of the stairs."
Michael opened the door and found Selena collapsed fully clothed on top of the blankets amid the large bed. The door to the closet was still open. Michael investigated to find she had already unpacked her things and put them in the right places. Pictures of Jasmine and Tina, her aunts adorned the tops of one of the dressers. He was unsure of whether to wake her. After a few seconds watching her exhausted breathing, he decided to let her sleep.
"Well. I guess I'll go eat alone – again." There was disappointment in that statement, more than he cared to recognize. He gently laid a soft Indian blanket over Selena's sleeping form. On his way downstairs he discovered the room Selena had chosen for him. He also found that she had unpacked and stored his things. She was efficient and wonderful, he thought.
The next morning Michael awoke to the sound of water running. He rolled over to discover he still had more than 15 minutes before his alarm went off. Damn he thought. He also discovered that the wall next to his bed separated the bedroom from the bathroom. He could hear the jets of the shower, letting him know what was on the other side.
In minutes, he heard Selena's voice humming. He could imagine her getting under the water, her hair slowly saturating then running down her back. Her washcloth and soapy covered hands gliding down her arms, her breasts, rubbing away the night's bed-dust. He listened carefully wondering if she was in a good mood.
His ears perked to the soft sounds of her purring, silent whimpering, then smiling, relaxing satisfaction. He suddenly felt guilty and attracted to the sounds, images of what she was doing underneath the sprays of the hot water running like a movie in his head. He knew he should stop, he knew she'd be angry if she found out – then again – did she even know he could hear her through the walls; was she aware that his room was right next to the bathroom? "Get up, Michael! Before you do something stupid." He laughed at himself. They had not even been a lone together a full 24 hours and he wanted to make love to her. Then again he had been fighting that desire since finding her kneeling in the FLAG reception area.
The alarm on the nightstand jolted to life jarring Michael from his thoughts like a cold shower. He knocked the lamp from the table trying to reach the clock. When all was silent again, he heard the faint sound of giggling from the shower. Then he wondered if she planned for that to happen.
A second later she passed by his slightly opened door. She peeked in, toweling her long hair. Her smile twinkled mischievously, while her eyes spoke an innocence he knew was not here. She greeted, "Good morning, Boss! Sleeping late today?"
Michael rose to a sitting position, not hiding his appreciation of her cotton-robed body. Her towel dropped from her hands, she dropped to retrieve it leaning slightly forward, her robe opening a bit to reveal the inner curves of her full breasts. His eyes were glued to her movements. Without looking at him, Selena replied, "I'll be ready to go in 10 minutes. Sorry for intruding." Then she was gone.
Michael refrained from getting out of bed; afraid he'd follow her and make love to her to begin her training. Instead he dove under his blankets and in complete frustration realized it was going to be a very long month.
The rest of the morning brought a new list of activities for both trainer and trainee. Michael began their first session with a long jog that lasted about an hour. KITT had plotted a course to a small field several miles from the bungalow. When the couple reached it, Michael stopped and faced Selena who had relaxed, trying to catch her breath next to him.
Michael again admired Selena's firm, slightly muscled body. Their jog was slow, he feared causing cramps in her injured leg if pushed too hard. He approached her and knelt. He asked, "Howse it feeling?"
Selena allowed him to examine her leg, watching his hand, then feeling his fingers press the muscles in her calf and thigh, feeling her knee to make sure there was no swelling. She was thankful she had worn the body-molding spandex exercise shorts that began at her knees and then rose up her torso into a body suit. It kept her body in place; showing off her rounded ass, slim hips. She was not pleased with the slight bulge of her abdomen and knew it was from the inactivity she'd had – the inability to get to a gym for her workouts – since leaving the hospital. Michael's touch sent her skin to a dark pink. She watched his hands hoping he would continue upwards and hoping he would stop soon.
Selena moved away, claiming, "I'm fine, Michael."
Michael suddenly had an idea. He rose up and challenged, "Where do you think you are going?"
Selena replied, "To head back. I'm hungry."
Michael continued, invading her space, pushing her to a tree, "I don't think so. I want to do something else."
Unsure if Michael was kidding, Selena laughed, "Come on. We're here to train me remember?" His behavior was scaring her.
Michael shrugged, "True. But you need to learn it is not nice to show up in a man's room half dressed and expect him to ignore the invitation." He boldly caressed the underside of her breasts, then kissed her.
Selena was appalled and aroused. She had not expected that kind of behavior from Michael. She pushed him away, her hand connecting with his face. Michael grabbed the hand that hurt him, he held her from escaping and said, "Not bad, Selena, but what would you do now to stop me?"
He was teasing her! Scaring her to get her to defend herself and attack him! She realized he assumed she wouldn't be able to just hit him, though she had planned to and wanted to do it the day before. She stamped her foot into his ankle with all of her weight going into her foot.
Michael was now in serious pain. He had not expected her to be willing or able to hit him back let alone try to purposely hurt him. For someone who looked helpless and at one time was, she was learning quickly to be just the opposite – surprising him with each passing moment. He refused to back down instead attempting to pull her against him.
Selena ducked, using her head as a battering ram and slamming into his stomach. She didn't knock him down, but she did wind him enough to get away. She did not wait to see if he was hurt even though she heard him grunt in pain. Her legs carried her back down the road. She grabbed for her earring wondering who KITT would choose to protect.
Her answer came with the sound of squealing tires on gravel and the sight of the shiny black frame of the Trans Am coming towards her.
Michael approached, ordering, "Don't you dare, KITT!" He circled Selena, speaking, "OK! Kirk! Protect yourself! You never have to let anyone hurt you again!"
Selena replied, "Exactly!" And instead of running away, she again lunged after Michael headfirst. He reached for her and she danced away from him. He stopped her, picking her up off the ground and pinning her arms against her sides. He said into her ear, "Do you give up?"
She nodded, but as soon as he let up on her arms, she shot her fists into his hips, then whirled around with her fist curled and landed straight into Michael's eye. Michael watched her from the other eye running away from him. He knew he was lucky she did not know what she was doing, just reacting out of instinct and bits of remembered experience.
"KITT, where is she?"
KITT supplied, locating her signal easily, "Running back to the cabin."
Michael raced after her. KITT offered to catch her, then offered to drive Michael to get to her. Michael declined knowing Selena needed to cool down before he got to her. He wanted to test her abilities, find out if she would panic or give into him without a fight. She needed to learn to punch and he wanted to initiate her into the martial arts. But now he knew there was a toughness, a desire to fight back emerging from the ashes of what she lost.
Selena entered the bungalow planning to launch every glass, dish, and whatever else she could find at Michael's head. Her body had other plans. She found herself taking the stairs two at a time and rushing toward the bathroom. When her stomach calmed down, Selena sat back against the bathroom door, her hand resting against her stomach. "This can not be happening," she thought. But her body reminded her that it could. She was afraid and content, peaceful. It was her secret now and she would keep it that way for as long as she could.
Outside, KITT followed her every step. He made sure she had not hurt herself and was not going to be hurting Michael. He knew what she had been doing in the bathroom. He did a quick scan of her vital signs and was again faced with a problem reading them. He decided it was time to talk to Bonnie and Devon.
Unaware of Selena's distress, Michael carefully entered the bungalow. He called her name and held out a flag of peace. He was rewarded with the sight of her feet appearing and coming down the steps. When she saw the bruise swelling Michael's temple, her heart hurt. She did not believe herself capable of such violence or damage. She rushed to his side apologizing, caressing his face. Michael held her away and scolded, "Don't! I wanted you to do this. By the time we're finished here you'll be able to do this and more to someone who comes after you! Do you understand me?"
Selena nodded and then took Michael's hand. She ordered, "Come with me, Mr. Knight!" She pushed him to the counter and sat him on one of the bar stools. She searched through the drawer until she found a plastic toolbox. Opening it, she discovered it was filled with basic first aid supplies. She took a towel, wrapped ice in it and directed Michael to place it on his eyes. Michael docilely and happily complied, enjoying her tenderness.
She asked, "So what is next on the agenda?"
Michael replied, "I thought we'd take a hike. I want to show you how to be able to get yourself home…you know…incase…"
Selena supplied, "In case some big bad wolf tries to steal me away and keep me locked up somewhere?"
"Exactly!"
"Sounds good…after lunch?"
"Are you sure you want to eat?"
Selena nodded heartily as she brought over a small package of antibiotic ointment and a bandage. She removed the towel and found her knuckles had scraped the skin on the outside of his eye. It was speckled with bits of blood. She frowned, lightly spreading the ointment with a cotton swab, and then covered it.