Knight Rider
Remember The Knight
Part VI
By Ldydeb
The black eye Michael received on their first day together became just one of many wounds he suffered as the first week progressed. KITT drove them into the heart of Los Angeles to a large health club. Michael created a regime for Selena on the different weight machines to build up her body and her confidence. He took her to a martial arts studio and while he practiced his skills, she began learning hers. They would practice her new skills together, sparring in the fields around the lake. They now ran every morning with KITT not far behind, guarding them. Michael now attacked Selena on a regular basis. So much so that she didn't know whether to laugh or be mad at him. By the end of the week, he had bruises to his abdomen, shoulders, and his chin. He wondered if Selena actually enjoyed beating him. She was apologizing to him less and less.
He was becoming increasingly frustrated with their nights together. After a long day of cycling, jogging, sparring with a punching bag and then each other, trying to flip each other (Selena getting very close to being able to toss him on his ass) they would retire to a quiet simple dinner. They took turns cooking and cleaning. Michael was getting used to Selena's unusual ideas for dinner. What frustrated him was how she dressed for dinner.
They would come in sweaty and dirty. She'd claim the bathroom and emerge breathtakingly sexy. She was always wrapped in her white cotton robe, but he knew that underneath she was barely wearing anything – and what she was wearing was some sexy, silky or satin thin-strapped nightgown or pajama set. She would make sure at one point during the night to give him a complete eye full of her body in whatever she was wearing.
Sometimes she'd come down the stairs to eat, supposedly having forgotten to tie her robe closed. She wouldn't let him comment instead taking her plate outside to eat on the screen-in-porch by herself. Once he thought he saw teasing, amused grin lighting up her eyes before she disappeared.
Later in the evening, he'd be watching television, reading, or playing a game of black jack with KITT on a hand-held computer. His attention would be diverted the moment Selena sashayed to the other lazy boy and settled down to read a romance novel or work a crossword puzzle. He hated the crosswords the most because she would get stuck and pull KITT's attention away from him and to her and her puzzle. His eyes would focus anywhere but on her. His other senses, however, could not be as easily sidetracked. She would pass by and he could almost taste her skin when she lightly caressed his shoulder so she didn't fall. The wild jasmine scent from her shower jell surrounded him every day but only made him crazy at night and a lone with her. He would be forced to escape her presence, seeking his room, a cold shower, or even a quick swim in the lake before going to sleep. The night he ran out of the house to jump in the lake he could have sworn he heard her laughing in triumph.
Their first week ended with a visit from Selena's therapist. It was mid-morning when Dr. Lindel drove onto the bungalow's property and was welcomed into the great room by Michael. The two men shook hands in greeting, Michael informing, "She's waiting for you in her room upstairs. I want to be there. We discovered some evidence in her house and need to find out how it got there, what happened."
Dr. Lindel protested, "You can't, Mr. Knight. She won't trust me enough if she knows you're there. It took me this long to get her to recall she even knew Patrick Judson under hypnosis. Yet when she comes out, even though I have tried over and over to convince her it was safe, good to remember, she retains nothing."
Michael argued, "But she knows who kidnapped her sisters, what happened that afternoon. Lennox is on trial and she may have a key piece of information to convict him."
Dr. Lindel reminded, "But you know information obtained under hypnosis is not submissable evidence."
Michael replied, "Yes it is if there is outside evidence to support it."
KITT suggested, "Michael, you could wait on the balcony outside her room. I could turn her earring into a microphone so you can hear her from the com-link."
Michael asked, "You can do that? How fast?"
KITT replied, "I will need ten minutes to change the program."
Michael agreed, "Do it, KITT." He turned to the doctor and said, "Will that do?"
Dr. Lindel replied, "You'll be outside listening through her earring?"
Michael could hit himself. No one was supposed to know Selena was being monitored. He explained, "I mean it would be like being her earring – as harmless and quiet. We'll leave the door up there open. She won't ever know I'm there."
Michael talked with Dr. Lindel answering questions about Selena's injuries, what had happened the day Michael and Selena were held captive by Judson. Dr. Lindel was learning more from Michael's recollections than he had in the two months he'd been treating Selena. Dr. Lindel asked, "Is Selena keeping up with her medications?"
Michael responded, "I believe so."
"Good. It is very important that she doesn't get pushed over the edge. Nothing must remind her of what happened before she feels safe enough to do so." Dr. Lindel warned, "There is a lot of rage in her, a lot of fear especially of this Judson person returning to kill her."
"Do you think that is why she can't remember? She's afraid Judson will come after if she does? He's been doing that anyway!" Michael said.
"She's in a lot of pain, Mr. Knight. I still don't know why. Every time we get to that part of her memories she shuts down, begins to panic – wait you'll see what happens. She is running away from herself, her shame, her guilt; everything that means she failed. I've gotten her to admit that she is terrified that Patrick Judson reduced her to become his slave in body and mind. She believes if she remembers she will be forced to be his again."
Michael asked, "And if he does get to her, if she does remember? Too soon?"
Dr. Lindel warned, "I don't know, Mr. Knight. The damage could be permanent this time."
Michael had heard these warnings before from Devon. But Selena was getting stronger. He knew there were small things she remembered – things about her sisters, even about him and she was fine. Michael asked the doctor about this and the doctor replied, "Those are good memories, safe memories. But you and Mr. Miles have told me that she gets headaches and gets sick from any memories rising up; almost like a defense mechanism. Good memories bring the bad ones so her mind doesn't even want those."
KITT interrupted, "Michael, it is done. I'm ready."
Dr. Lindel and Michael climbed the stairs, Michael leading to Selena's room. Michael knocked on the door. He announced, "Selena, Dr. Lindel is here."
Selena opened her door. She was blank faced as she greeted, "Dr. Lindel, Welcome. Let's get this over with." She turned away from the gentleman and allowed them to enter her room.
Dr. Lindel greeted, "How are you?"
"Fine. You?" She was nervous. "Michael? Are you staying?"
Dr. Lindel and Michael looked at each other. Michael watched Selena bite her lip, her calm veneer cracking with each passing anxious minute. Dr. Lindel held the door, "Mr. Knight is leaving, Selena, unless you want him to stay."
Selena looked shocked. She was certain Michael would use her sessions to force her to remember. "I'm sorry, Michael," her eyes averting his.
Michael responded, "You're safe here, Selena. I'll be near by if you need me." He exited the room, Dr. Lindel closing the door behind him. Quietly, Michael cracked a window in the hall. The balcony outside Selena's room began only a foot away. Michael climbed through the window and onto the balcony. He situated himself on the wood floor under one of the windows of Selena's sitting area. He whispered, "OK, KITT, put her through."
The first thing Michael heard was Dr. Lindel helping Selena get comfortable. He was talking to her about her sisters, how she felt being away from them. He asked her about her training with Michael, if she was in pain. Selena laughed at that saying her body felt like a punching bag; but she enjoyed the feeling. She was feeling healthy and strong.
Dr. Lindel challenged that. He said, "Any memories surface? What happened when they did?"
Selena answered, "No, Dr, No memories at all. It has been so nice, no nightmares."
Michael thought, "That's a lie." He'd heard her scream and thrashing around in her bed more than once.
Dr. Lindel saw Selena's eyes look away from him. He knew the truth but chose to ignore the lie. Instead he replied, "Good! Then maybe we'll have more success with our next exercise."
"You mean hypnosis?" She sighed, "I'm ready." And she was ready, scared, but ready or so she thought.
Dr. Lindel instructed, "All right, Selena, get comfortable. I want you to remember you can trust me. What you see cannot hurt you again. Like watching a dream."
"I understand, Dr."
"We will begin with a word you know very well…"
Michael listened to Dr. Lindel talking softly, methodically. Then he heard Selena whimper. Dr. Lindel explained, "This will help you relax, my child. Remember you can trust me!"
Selena repeated, "I can trust you? But I trust no one!"
Dr. Lindel responded, "We've changed that remember? I can be trusted! I will never hurt you! Now count backwards from 100, Selena, with each number you will trust me more, you will relax and let me inside that place you're protecting. Ready?"
Michael did not hear an answer, just the soft sound of Selena's voice counting off, "100…99…98…"
Dr. Lindel waited, watching, listening. Michael was frustrated, he wanted to see her, make sure she was safe. Instead he listened to Dr. Lindel talking to Selena while she counted slowly, her voice getting softer the numbers getting further apart. Dr. Lindel instructed, "Look at the pattern the sunlight is casting on the window. Do you see the colors? Focus on one color…do you have it…"
Selena replied, "Yes, I see purple."
Dr. Lindel replied, "Good girl. Focus and keep counting…." He waited a few more seconds, then, he continued, "Selena, remember cranberries and sleep!" He snapped his fingers and watched Selena's eyes close, her mouth still counting. Dr. Lindel instructed, "Stop counting, Selena. Tell me where you are."
Selena replied, "I'm with you, Dr. Lindel in the bedroom of the house I've been sharing with Michael Knight."
"Yes, Michael Knight. He told me you are still having headaches."
"Yes. But only when the memories come back. It is painful."
"That is why you lied about the nightmares?"
"Yes, I lied. I don't like them!"
"I know. Do you want to be free of them?"
"Yes! I want to be free of HIM."
"Then let's talk about what happened the afternoon Mr. Knight took you to visit your home?"
Selena stirred, "I…NO! I don't want to talk about that!"
"The memories can't hurt you anymore, Selena. Do you trust me?"
"The memories can't, but HE can!"
"Please don't be afraid of HIM, Selena. I promise he won't hurt you again. If you remember then he will go to jail."
"I want to, Dr. but…"
Dr. Lindel saw her face become distressed. He instructed, "Please trust me to guide you through your mind so we can recover what you've lost, so you can heal." He instructed her to count again, to concentrate on the color purple again.
Michael was ready to give up. Selena was able to fight her doctor even under hypnosis. Dr. Lindel was determined this time too, especially since he had an audience. He offered, "Selena, do you feel safe with Michael Knight? Do you trust him?"
"I want to trust him. I want to feel safe."
"OK, we'll let's just talk about him. Tell me why you had to go to your home."
"We needed to get some things for my girls. I needed to pack more of my clothes to take to the gatehouse."
"Sounds pretty ordinary."
"Yes, but my head hurt the moment I entered the door. I had to lean on the wall so I wouldn't fall."
"Why?"
"Images, feelings. I was afraid."
"What images? Can you describe them?"
The images that plagued her then began to flash through her consciousness. First picturing Michael laying nude on her living room floor, feeling safe in his arms as they made love.
Dr. Lindel watched Selena's eyes moving even though they were closed. He knew she was remembering something. He gently pushed, "You are smiling, why?"
Selena replied, "Michael is there."
"Yes, I know. You told me."
"No, Doctor, he was with me before…ummm…intimately."
"You are blushing. Why?"
"I felt safe with him then."
"Why not now?"
"Because he wasn't there later!" Her voice was harsh and distressed. New images came; she was walking to her kitchen. "Oh God! Help me!" Her hands gripped the sofa.
"Selena, it is ok. What you are seeing can't hurt you anymore! They are just memories. Say it."
"They are just memories," Selena repeated.
"OK, child, now let's go very slowly. Why don't you trust Michael Knight anymore?"
Selena ground through her teeth, "He's left me alone to fight the KING! I can't move! Someone is behind me!"
Outside Michael asked, "Who, Selena who?" He heard the desperation and a little anger in her voice. Michael couldn't sit on the side anymore. He quietly opened the balcony door and entered. He found Selena reclining on the small sofa, Dr. Lindel sitting on the floor nearby. On the table was a syringe, the needle still dripping. Dr. Lindel looked up and motioned for Michael to leave. Michael refused taking a chair out of Selena's eyesight. Her eyes were closed anyway so he believed there was no danger.
Selena shot up, her eyes opened. Dr. Lindel rose too, asking, "What is wrong, Selena?"
"He won't let me go!"
"Who, Selena?"
"Lennox. He's behind me. He wants me to go down to HIM. No! Please!" She looked at Dr. Lindel in anguish and begged, "Don't make me go any further! Please! He is there waiting!"
"Who, Selena!"
"The King! He's invaded my home! He wants to hurt me again! He's going to punish me for betraying the King to the Knight! I don't want to feel him inside me again!"
Michael spoke, "Lennox. Is he the King?"
"Michael, where are you! I need you! Oh God Help!" She was hitting Dr. Lindel. "Jasmine! Tina! Run! I've got to get them out before…NO! YOU BASTARD!"
Michael replied, "Wait. What about Jazz and Tina?"
Dr. Lindel tried to get Selena to look at him, "That's enough, Selena, it is in the past!" Selena's breath returned to normal, her hand releasing its grip of Dr. Lindel's shirt. Dr. Lindel gently suggested, "OK, let's start again, slowly and calmly. Tell me what happened."
She held on to Dr. Lindel's arm and said, "He's in my home! Doctor. He…Jasmine and Tina are being dragged away! He won't let me go! My hands...oh no! It hurts; the cord is cutting my wrists! My head!" Selena slipped to the floor on her knees, her hands behind her.
Dr. Lindel asked, "Where are you, Selena?" Selena remained silent, seeming to resist responding. Dr. Lindel pushed, "Why can't you speak, Selena. Tell me what's going on."
Selena's eyes stared fearfully at something slightly above her. Her voice is dead as she says, "He's bound my hands with my telephone cord! He wants me to…I don't want to! But he's determined to make me his toy again. Let me stop!"
Dr. Lindel persisted, "What is he doing, Selena? It is OK to remember."
Selena spat; her tears flowing, her breathing coming out in gasps, "It is not OK to remember being raped in the mouth! Are you satisfied yet!"
Michael didn't want to hear anymore. He interrupted, "You can stop when you tell me who is with you. Where are Jasmine and Tina? Who has them?"
Selena answered, "They are prisoners on HIS cell phone. He's holding it to keep me in line! I have to cooperate! He's had them drugged in the van! Oh Please no more!" She whimpered and fell to the floor only to rise up again. She described, "I can't…I can't move." She became quiet again, her face drenched in sweat.
Dr. Lindel asked, "Why can't you move, Selena? You are just remembering! Like a movie, describe the movie."
Selena continued, "He's pinned me to the counter…the cell phone next to me so I can see it but not touch it. My babies are on the other end! He wants me to kidnap Michael. If I don't agree he'll kill my babies! I want to fight him! But he's too powerful! He's going to beat me again. I hate him! He owns me and I Hate ME!"
Dr. Lindel was surprised. She had not been willing to remember this much in their previous sessions. But she was becoming hysterical and he needed to calm her down.
Michael knelt down and tried to get Selena to look at him. He said, "I'm sorry I wasn't there, Selena!"
Dr. Lindel responded, "She doesn't hear you, Michael. She's still unconscious!"
Michael replied, "Then talk her through telling us who has her and then get her out of this hell." Michael refused to let go of Selena trying to help her feel safe again.
Selena was crying, unable to move. She was again in her kitchen, her hands tied with the phone cord, her body forced to bend face first into her counter, and hands, a man's body pressing against, then inside her.
Dr. Lindel asked, "Mr. Knight, do you really want to know all the gory details?"
Before the two men could argue, Selena cried out helplessly, "I can't breathe! He's…no…inside me! He wants to torture me! He wants to know what I told Devon, what the police are planning! I don't want to tell! I lied to him and he…he…from behind – forcing…"
Michael asked in Selena's ear, penetrating her nightmare, "Who, Selena? Lennox? Please, Darlin, it will be over if you just tell me who is doing this to you. Did Lennox rape you?"
Selena's mind filtered in other images, blurring her current nightmare. She screamed, "Don't ask me to go there. I don't want to remember him too!"
It was too much for Michael to hear she had been through more nightmares with Lennox and Patrick. He kissed her head, smoothing away her pain, "No, you don't have to go there. Just the kitchen. Is Lennox with you?"
"NO! Damn it! Lennox is on the cell phone waiting to kill my girls! He drugged them!"
Michael pushed, "Then who is in the kitchen?"
"PATRICK!" Selena screamed. His cruel face clouded her vision. Her hands were shaking; she was fighting to get away from Michael. He had become Patrick to her. She pleaded, "I'm yours. I'll do as you ask." Her voice died and she slipped to the floor curled up into the fetal position her hands covering her head, "Help Me! Stop it! No More!"
Dr. Lindel called to her, "Selena! Remember cranberries and sleep!"
Selena quieted, her face still fearful and panicky. She was panting, trying to catch her breath, her eyes closed. Dr. Lindel spoke, "Are you listening, Selena?"
"No, I don't want to remember anymore!"
"You don't have to, Selena! It is your choice. But you need to find peace. You can't escape them."
Selena didn't respond.
Dr. Lindel replied, "OK, dear. Relax, Selena. It is over. That's a good girl. Are you ready to listen to me, to trust me?"
She nodded, "Yes?"
"You are safe. Do you understand?"
"No, I am not safe! He's still out there! The King is coming for me!" She held her head, her stomach feeling queasy, "I think I'm going to be sick!"
Dr. Lindel countered, "No, Selena, you are going to be healthy! I'm going to count to ten. You are going to relax; the nightmare is over. Do you understand?"
Selena repeated his instructions as Dr. Lindel motioned for Michael to leave. "OK, Dear, remember cranberries will put you immediately back into my care. Understand?"
Michael went back to the balcony, KITT re-engaging Selena's earring so Michael could hear. Dr. Lindel asked, "How do you feel, Selena?"
"Tired. Drained. What happened?"
"You don't remember?" Dr. Lindel sounded frustrated.
"Remember what? You injected me with the stuff and I was counting. Did you learn anything? Did I remember anything useful?"
Dr. Lindel watched her fidgeting. He challenged, "You're agitated, why?"
Selena shrugged, "I need to eat."
"I don't think so, Selena. I think you do remember what we talked about, what you saw."
Selena looked away. The truth was she was agitated because she truly could not remember. She had been under hypnosis for almost an hour and all she could remember were the feelings of being violated, of feeling so angry she wanted to kill, of feeling so depressed and sad for the loss of herself, of the need to run, to escape. She could not pretend anymore and she broke down to Dr. Lindel explaining all she had been thinking in that moment, the frustration.
Dr. Lindel asked, "Do you want to try to remember something without help?"
Michael could hear the fatigue in her voice. He decided she'd had enough. He quickly climbed into the hallway window and then knocked on her door, opening it as he did so. He said, "Times up, doctor. Selena and I have a date to run and then lunch."
Selena was grateful. Though she did feel a breakthrough coming and wanted Dr. Lindel to continue; she was also panicking at the idea too, her body fighting for her to stop.
Dr. Lindel decided not to fight them, "You did well today, Selena. I'll be back next week."
Michael escorted the doctor down the stairs and outside. Michael returned to find Selena chopping vegetables for a salad, the first victim to her knife an onion. She was humming like she felt relaxed, but her movements were forceful, hard; the knife missed her finger by a hair. He strode over to the counter and said, "You tear the lettuce apart, I'll use the knife."
Selena was about to argue, but decided it was best to cooperate from the look on Michael's face. To demonstrate her displeasure, she dropped the knife roughly to the counter and without a word walked into the great room.
Michael commented, his voice maintaining a slight amusement, "Guess that means I get to finish this by myself." A few minutes later, he heard the front door creek open and then slam. He wondered if he should go after her or let her work it out herself. She had failed to keep the memories Dr. Lindel brought out but not the emotions. Michael was convinced that was not a bad thing. He believed it was better for her to learn to deal with her emotions over what happened first then the memories would come back on their own.
Michael continued preparing lunch. Selena had planned a seafood chef salad, warm bread, and cantaloupe for dessert. Michael set the table and placed the finished salad in the center, adding a glass of strawberry and banana juice – something he noticed Selena drinking a lot of lately, near each place setting. He was pleased with his work. He went to the sink to wash his hands.
The Sounds of gunshots echoed throughout the peaceful landscape and house. Birds could be heard shaking the trees to escape the noise. KITT announced, "That came from the filed by the trees, Michael."
Michael ordered, "Meet me there, KITT."
KITT responded, "Already on my way."
Michael and KITT raced to the field to find a mini-make-shift target area had been set up. Tin cans hung from the trees by fishing line; pieces of flat cardboard painted with red targets were also hung among the trees by more fishing line. In the center of the field stood a tall thick wooden pole. Michael recognized it as the pieces that were stored behind the house. Hung from this pole was what looked like a white ghost. Michael tried to inspect it, but another gunshot turned him to find Selena holding a large 45 magnum in her hands preparing to fire again. On the ground at her feet lay a rifle. Her eyes were full of determination and hate; she didn't even notice he was there.
KITT warned, "Please get out of there, Michael."
Michael called, "Selena, stop."
Her eyes were still focused on her target just beyond Michael. He followed her aim to another large flat wooden board that had been nailed to a second tall fence pole. The board was painted with a white outline of a man's body from the knees up. Michael was astonished and puzzled that she had been able to set this up without his knowledge. Then he remembered her late night "walks" and knew when she did it. He also realized where she'd gotten her guns and ammunition. He would have to do something about that before someone got hurt. KITT came whizzing past him as another explosion was heard from Selena's gun. The bullets ricocheted off the black glistening body. Michael fell backwards feeling the ground shake a bit and a rush of air from the speeding KITT. He yelled, "Hey!"
Selena's voice was then heard shouting, "KITT, get the hell out of here! I need to practice!" She grunted in frustration over the interruption. She failed to notice Michael still trying to pick himself up off the ground behind the over protection of KITT. Her next target was a tin can in a tree away from Michael. She loaded the rifle, took aim and hit the can, blowing it to bits, the remains smoldering on the ground.
She reloaded turned to face the ghost. She called out, "KITT, watch this! I'm gonna hit The King right between his eyes!" Her voice was filled with both venom and pride.
Michael decided it was better to watch and let her finish getting rid of all that pent up anger. He stood behind KITT, resting his arm atop the glass T-Top. KITT asked, "Shouldn't you stop her?"
Michael laughed, "Nope! I wouldn't dream of approaching Selena while she's holding a gun. I can wait."
Michael watched Selena unload two bullets into the stuffed man hanging from the post. They were without feeling, like she was just practicing. But she landed each shot exactly where she intended. The first would be between his eyes, the second at his heart. The she dropped the rifle at her feet. She pulled a clip full of bullets from the bag next to the rifle and loaded the magnum. When she rose up, she sent the first shot between his legs. Her mood changed as the next several were also sent in the same place.
Michael though he heard Selena shout something, though he saw her wipe her eyes. Yet even angry and distraught her shots were dead-on. That concerned Michael. She was dangerous with a gun in practice and deadly with it when her emotions were involved.
The magnum emptied into the ghost, little bits of white cotton and linen sheet flying in the air. When the last bullets were discharged, Selena threw the weapon to the ground. Her body dropped, her hands covering her face. Her voice could be heard weeping in anguish and immense frustration. Her fingers laced within the hair in her eyes and brushed it back away from her face. She grabbed the last clip from the bag and rose with the clip and gun in her hands. Her hands shook, her fingers jerky as she loaded the clip into the chamber.
Michael knew she had gone from simple target shooting. Her breathing was heavy and fast. He could hear her cursing, calling the words, "You bastard" and "son of a bitch." Worriedly, Michael advised, "KITT, Now I need to stop her."
KITT asked, "How?"
Michael shrugged, "I don't know. I wish Dr. Lindel was…" Dr Lindel, he thought of an idea. Michael asked, "How far away is Dr. Lindel?"
KITT quickly tracked the doctor's car, locating it as a red dot on his radar. KITT informed, "He's parked outside Dave's pub."
Michael observed, "That is only ten minutes from here. Thank God! Put me through to his cell phone."
KITT accessed the cell phone and the doctor's voice was heard through Michael's wrist communicator. Michael explained what was happening to Selena, requesting his help. The doctor promised to be there as soon as he could.
Michael prodded, "Let's go get her, buddy."
KITT replied, "I'm ready, Michael."
Michael walked along side the slow moving Trans Am. He called out, "Selena, lunch is ready."
Selena heard a voice calling her name. But her mind was occupied elsewhere. Her eyes stared at "The King" but images of Patrick's cruel, dominating face contorted in climax on top of her haunting her, bringing out buried rage. She ignored the burning need to vomit and her twisted nerves ringing in her ears.
Michael called out again, "Come on! Selena. Time to go. I want to eat!"
Selena turned, the magnum raised to fire. Michael was coming toward her. In a split second she saw another field framed by a window – Michael was bound and blindfolded. It was like a movie and she couldn't shut it off. Michael watched Selena close her eyes and shake her head as if she were shaking off a bug. She was caught up in remembering and fighting it. From his memory came images of her aiming a rifle at him in the darkness of her living room. Patrick had tormented her with phone calls, making eerie, vicious death threats. In the midst of that she had heard the gunshots from the goons fighting Michael outside her house. It was the first time she believed he was dead. In fear and grief she mistakenly thought Michael was her attacker. She had almost shot him then. They made love for the very first time.
Selena was caught between both memories, mixing the two. She could feel "The King" standing behind her, his arms becoming a vice around her body. Her conscious mind kept telling her it was a dream – a living nightmare. She thought she heard Michael's voice, heard KITT trying to get her to drop her gun. But it was her only defense against the King! She wanted desperately to kill him but she was terrified.
Michael continued getting closer but it was going to be hard trying to disarm her with KITT in the way. He decided to try to help her remember. He called out, "What are you seeing, Selena?"
Selena screamed, "No! Please don't ask me that! The King! I…He's going to kill…" she ran carrying the magnum with her.
Michael ordered, "KITT, go after Dr. Lindel and bring him here as fast as you can."
KITT refused, "But she might shoot you!"
Michael replied, "Then you better get back here quickly! Go! I'll be careful!"
Michael chased after Selena, KITT after the doctor. Selena approached the board painted with the outline of a man and stopped. She stood only a few inches away and began pounding the piece of wood; "You Fucking Bastard! I Hate you! I hate you!" The words were repeated over and over. She heard footsteps coming up on her fast. She turned raising the gun in self-protection. But Michael closed the gap, pushing her hands and gun down as her fingers pulled the trigger sending two bullets into the ground.
Hysterical, Selena fought Michael's vice grip over her hands to dislodge the gun. She kicked him, pushed him with her body, yelled over his voice trying to calm her down. Michael ignored her ranting, "Get away from me! You Bastard! I hate YOU!"
Instead Michael spoke tenderly into her ear, trying to reach past her nightmare, "I'm here, Selena. You're safe! I won't hurt you!" He managed to get one hand to let go of the gun only to be hit in the stomach and the side with it formed into a fist. He was pulling her to the ground to subdue her until the doctor arrived.
Selena on the other hand thought he was going to rape her. She wiggled and struggled to get away, her free hand digging her nails into his face, scratching down. Michael winced but refused to let go. He concentrated on keeping the gun pointed at the ground, still trying to penetrate her consciousness, to calm her hysterics.
KITT spoke through the watch, "We're coming, Michael."
Michael shouted, "Hurry!"
The words had not been ten seconds from his lips when KITT's black T-Top came rushing towards him, the doctors car following. The doctor ground his tires to a loud screeching halt. He ran to Michael and Selena still locked in battle, Selena trying to bite Michael's arm, her hair flying wildly and sweaty around her head and face. Dr. Lindel held a syringe in his hand. He directed Michael to hold her while he forced her free hand into his own iron grip. He plunged the needle in a vein in her elbow, the drug into her system just as she managed to pull away from him. She continued to fight Michael, still refusing to let go of the gun.
Dr. Lindel stepped back out of danger, letting Michael keep her from harming herself. He was amazed at Michael's care through her brutal assaults to his body. Finally the tranquilizer began its spread into her system. Michael felt her grip loosen on the magnum. He easily pulled it from her grasp and tossed it away.
Suddenly the air became deathly quiet. Selena had stopped screaming and shouting. Her eyes fluttering to a close, her body going limp against Michael as he heard her beg in a whisper, "Help me, Michael." She was unconscious. Michael cradled her against him, his own emotions coming to the surface. He kissed her head and soothed her sleeping body. He answered her plea, "I'm here, darlin, I'm here."
Dr. Lindel rejoined them as Michael worked to rise with Selena safely in his arms. He asked, "What happened?"
Michael explained how Selena's attempt at target practice turned into her becoming immersed in memories trying to come to the surface. He said, "She was looking straight at me, but not seeing me – Ya' know?"
Dr. Lindel replied, "I was afraid of that. We helped her to unlock the door that guards her nightmares. I knew I should have pushed her to release the anger she was feeling before ending our session. I warned you she is becoming unstable."
Michael nodded, "I'll be more careful, Doc."
Dr. Lindel suggested, "Let's get her back to her room. She should sleep for most of the afternoon now."
Michael asked, "Do you think she'll be able to remember now?" KITT stood ready with the passenger door open. Michael laid the motionless Selena with the safety of his best friend.
Dr. Lindel replied, "I don't know, Mr. Knight. I don't know if she's ready to remember or if she really is remembering exactly what happened. Only she can answer that. It might just be best to stop trying to make her remember. What happened here is just a small example of what might happen. She could hurt herself or someone else and not even know it until it is over, especially if she feels personally threatened, she's protecting someone she loves."
Michael responded, "I've already been there with her and back."
Dr. Lindel admonished, "Well, Mr. Knight, if she has anymore of these dangerous outbursts, I will have to recommend that she be placed in a hospital. She is just too unpredictable."
Michael protested, "Wait, Doc. Please."
Taking a deep breath, Dr. Lindel agreed, "All right, Mr. Knight. I'll give her one more chance. I want to see her in my office after the weekend is over. If she's had no more episodes, if I don't get an emergency call from you or Mr. Miles, then we'll see. Until then I suggest no more training and definitely keep her away from these." He produced the magnum Michael had tossed away. Michael took it back while watching the doctor get in his car. The car disappeared out of the clearing.
A few minutes later, Michael spread a blanket over Selena's unconscious form. He sat by her on the bed caressing her face, his heart hurting for her. He wanted to kiss her, make love to her, make everything safer, better. He watched her sleep for the next several hours.
The sun had already begun to set, the shadows growing throughout Selena's room. The aroma of cumin, cilantro, and chicken filled every corner. Selena sat up like she was jolted. Her mouth was dry like tumbleweed in the desert. She sought the last thing she could remember doing. She knew she was target shooting and feeling good that she had not lost her skills. She had been bragging to KITT then her memory became fuzzy, jumping from nightmare to present. She threw herself out of bed and ran to the bathroom.
In the kitchen below, Michael heard the toilet flush and water running. KITT announced, "Selena is sick again, Michael. You might want to check on her."
Michael continued setting the table, "IF she needs me, she'll call."
"Are you sure?"
"Just keep an eye on her, KITT."
Seconds later, Selena appeared at the bottom of the steps. She was about to speak but Michael raised his head a bit from his task of dishing out some fresh guacamole. Selena's eyes enlarged and her voice died at the sight of the deep scratch marks to Michael's cheek. The shame she felt for her behavior was overwhelming. She couldn't find the words to express what she was feeling, how sorry she was. All she wanted to do in that moment was disappear. She turned away from the kitchen and Michael and entered the living room. The first thing she noticed was a new padlock on the gun cabinet. That set the atmosphere for dinner.
Night fell on the bungalow. Michael finished loading the dishwasher. He was restless. Dinner did not go well. Selena had escaped up to her room after only poking around at her food. He decided to take a fishing pole and do a little night fishing.
It took several minutes to gather what he needed. Michael stepped out of the cabin and began the trek to the dock. A noise above drew his attention back to the bungalow. The door to Selena's balcony opened. Michael couldn't take his eyes off of her.
The moonlight silhouetted her like a halo, the satin and lace of her robe and nightgown glimmering as she walked. She was holding something in her hand. Michael squinted finding it was a radio. Her eyes scanned the area cautiously. When she turned his way, Michael slipped behind a tree in the darkest shadow. Soft music drifted down to him. She leaned against the railing, her robe opening, and her eyes watching the water. He thought he heard her sniffle and wondered if she'd been crying.
She was, but she was also singing. She was caught up in the sadness of the song, letting it express what she was feeling. She ran her fingers through her long hair pushing it down her back, the tresses gently glimmering between the light coming from her room and the moon. The song changed to slow rock song, Selena let it's beat relax her. Her eyes closed as her body moved to the rhythm.
Michael's body reacted instantly, his thoughts reminding him of her body moving against him. He wanted to climb to her and kiss her, mold her, feel her dancing against him.
It had been warm and stuffy inside the cabin. Outside he thought he found relief only to find warmth, a heat of a different kind. Michael continued to watch her, deciding to fish another time.
He entered the bungalow and climbed the stairs to Selena's room. He took a deep breath then opened her door without even knocking. Entering, he was unsure of what he was doing or what to do next. He knew he needed her, needed her touch, to hear her say she wanted him too, because she loved him, not because she was feeling guilty about betraying him or because someone had forced her to. He also knew he couldn't just burst in and take her to bed.
Selena heard the door to her bedroom open. She turned to find Michael standing at the entrance to the balcony. He didn't say a word, just stepped toward the radio and turned the volume up. Then he closed the gap between them. His hands were on hers, pulling her against him, guiding her to dance with him. She saw in him a fear of hurting her, of rushing her, of her pushing him away from her, of being rejected. She didn't know what to do, what she wanted. She had been toying with him all week; her plan of torturing him for supposedly trying to make her fail was backfiring.
She knew his intentions to train her were genuine; to help, not hinder her. She had begun to wonder who was being tortured now. Her dreams – the ones she sought to block the nightmares out were of him, of being kissed, touched, and Loved! She pushed her desires away knowing how dangerous they were; how vulnerable to attack they both would become should they go beyond being friends.
Her eyes caressed his face, finding the wound she'd given him. Then she knew she hesitated because deep down she knew she had done something to him that she could not forgive herself for and could never deserve his forgiveness until she stopped going crazy with hysterics.
The silence between them was drowning out the music. Michael's hips moved hers to the rhythms, one hand resting against the soft satin material that covered her back, the other gently, but firmly holding her hand. Michael broke the silence when Selena reached out to pass her fingertips over the damage she did to his cheek. Michael knew she was about to apologize. He took her hand in his and kissed her palm. His words penetrated her heart, her mind, her secret safe of recollections, "I don't want you to be sorry for this! I love you, Selena!"
Tenderly, tentatively he tasted her lips, still feeling her body move with his now on her own. Urgency replaced tenderness when he felt her respond; her lips kissing back, her arms reaching around his neck. Her fingers laced into his dark curls. His hands caressed her face, her neck, her shoulders; his lips exploring her mouth.
Selena felt her robe being glided away from her shoulders and down her body. Her skin was tingling with fire, and then was cooled by the rush of air. Something familiar stirred inside her belly like a bucket of ice water chocking her back to reality. Her mind was suddenly filled with dueling images. Michael was making love to her, then the King was there touching her body, using her for his own gratification. Then Michael was kissing her, but it was the King pushing her to the ground to beat her, rape her. She tried to stop the images from coming, tried to focus on Michael.
The King's voice blasted inside her head, "You Are a slut, Toy!" She jumped away from the strap her mind saw in the king's hands, in reality jumping away from Michael.
Michael had been caught up in their dance, desperately trying to break down her defenses, her fear. He wanted to show her the beauty, the grace in being loved by a man who had no intentions of hurting her. Then he felt her stiffen, her kisses had become frantic, both wanting to continue and wanting to stop. Her body became hard within his arms, her hands disengaging from his neck and now pressing against his chest, pushing him away. Her cheeks were dampening and then she jumped within his embrace, her fingers digging into his skin, her back arching as if she'd been struck. Her eyes were again glazed and glassy. He knew she remembered something bad. His heart was crushed, he had wanted to bring her pleasure, healing; not pain and fear. Now he feared she'd go into hysterics again.
Though his heart ached, Michael knew what he had to do. He lifted her chin and said, "You ARE safe with me, Selena."
She was about to speak, but he kissed her lips to silence. He continued, "I want to love you. But I will not force you. I'll be down the hall whenever you're ready, when you can trust me not to hurt you." He gently held her away from him, kissed the top of her head. He grinned, "Thank you, My moon-lit Angel, for the dance." Then he was gone.
Selena tried to follow. She was very angry with herself for letting the past – remember and unremembered – keep her from loving Michael. She was awed by the strength and generosity he displayed. She was going to give herself to him anyway, fight to keep the monster – the King away. But when she approached his bedroom, she heard the shower turn on in the bathroom. Sadly she retreated to her bedroom, aching in both body and mind for the love of her very precious knight. She reached for a bottle of pills on her nightstand. She threw two of the little pills down her throat with a glass of water. She then dropped down onto her bed, covering her head to cry herself to sleep.