Remembering The Knight

by ldydeb

ASequel to Trapping the Knight. Her memory gone, Michael must train Selena to join FLAG for her own protection. Will their feelings get in the way? There will be Secrets, Betrayal, but most of all Love and the Monster of her Nightmares.

7. Remember the Knight Ch7

Knight Rider

Remember The Knight

Part VII
Ldydeb

On the other side of FLAG property, Devon was reading over the lab report of the evidence taken at Selena's home and reviewing the tape of Selena's session with Dr. Lindel that KITT had sent him.  He tried to listen dispassionately, but failed.  He had grown to close, to fond of the woman; like he was with Bonnie, both women not only his co-workers, but friends.  Though he was the boss, the lines were blurred in the hierarchy of FLAG headquarters.  His strained eyes scanned the mountain of paperwork on his desk – his teacup empty.  No late night shack would appear out of thin air.  He knew how much he missed having Selena around.  Then he heard her scream for Michael on the tape and his own temper, his rage at what he knew was his responsibility, kindled.

Bonnie came into the office, carrying a large box believing it to be empty.  She heard the tape already and realized Devon had just begun.  She asked, "Did you find the report that backs up the tape?"

Devon replied, "Yes."

Opening the box, Bonnie tossed another report to him and said, "Well, here is another.  Let Lennox explain his fingerprints on a syringe that was found on Judson's yacht.  We weren't sure they were his until we matched them with a set found at Selena's house and the ones on file with the cops.  Bet his attorney won't be able to explain that one either."

Devon replied, "What about the sperm – does the DNA match his?"

Bonnie frowned, "No, Devon, and since we can't get a sample from Judson; we can't match it to what we have from Selena's kitchen.  I did have our team redo Judson's estate.  Luckily it was still sealed by the FBI.  No one has been there to clean it."

Devon asked, "And?"

Bonnie took a deep exasperated breath, trying to remain calm, "They found…well…more of Selena's blood in the master bedroom."

Devon replied, "I am not surprised.  Remember when she abducted me to get onto the air force base?  She was sporting a black eye then.  From the tape I now know what caused the bruises and cuts to her wrists that day."

Bonnie replied, "Devon, there is evidence she was tortured in that room that day.  The team found thick rope still hanging from the posts of the bed – leather cuffs attached to each leg of the bed."  She didn't want to go into anymore.  From the look on Devon's face she knew she didn't need to.  She surmised, "Anyway, her blood and the same semen were found on this."  Bonnie withdrew a plastic bag from the large box.  It contained a piece of thick black leather straps attached to a rough, rubbed leather incased handle.

Devon shook away the images of his own memory at watching the nurses and ER doctors remove what was left of Selena's clothing that fateful day only three months ago.  Special police-trained medical personnel had been brought in to catalog every one of her injuries as she was being assessed and treated.  A rape kit had been done upon Michael's firm insistence.  Now Devon knew why.  Devon saw the concerned questions in Bonnie.  He offered, "This explains the odd wounds the doctors found.  No one could fathom what could do that kind of damage, leave such marks."  His voice was harsh and ragged, his face one of irritated resignation.

Bonnie informed, "Well, Devon, it will also be this that puts Lennox behind bars for the rest of his life.  This thing was used on Caitlin too."  Now her voice faltered, "Selena must never know her blood covered Caitlin's.  But it did and Lennox's fingerprints, his DNA, his sperm are all on here.  Let him get out of that!"

Before Devon could comment, KITT interrupted, his voice heard from speakers on the computer.  He requested, "Bonnie, do you have a minute.  I need you to do a diagnostic on my systems."

Bonnie went to the computer and replied, "What's wrong, KITT?"  She input her code into Devon's system and then accessed KITT's programming.

KITT explained, "I'm having a problem reading Selena's heart rate and blood pressure.  At first I thought it was just an echo, but the beats weren't at the same rate – neither were the blood pressures.  The second on both were much faster than the other.  So now I think there is something wrong with the program."

Bonnie swallowed hard.  She asked, "Are you sure, KITT?"

KITT replied, "Yes, Selena has two distinct heart beats.  How can that be?"

Devon slammed his hand against his desk, "Because she is going to have a child, KITT."

Bonnie had suspected for some time, Selena's aunts did also the day they left to return home.  Bonnie knew Devon had been avoiding the issue the whole week.  She wondered, "It could be Michael's child, Devon."

"I don't know which would cause more problems, Bonnie.  Michael might just want to leave The Foundation for Selena and a child they shared."

Bonnie replied, feeling happy and sad at the prospect, "He'd want to leave and take care of her whether her child was his or someone else's."

KITT replied, "Then Michael doesn't need to know."

Devon realized KITT could not possible understand the complexities of human love and the need to bond; the responsibility it brings.

Bonnie asked, "Do you think Selena knows?"

Devon recalled the look Selena gave her Aunts.  He replied, "I think she suspects.  But I think she is afraid of how she got that way – who the father is."

Bonnie remarked, "More pointedly, Devon, she doesn't remember how she got pregnant not just who."

Devon joked, "At least I found a way to keep her as my assistant instead of becoming an investigator."

Bonnie instructed, "KITT, we'll have to reprogram that part of your monitoring system.  You need to be able to know which heart beat is Selena's and which is the baby's."

Devon remarked, "We need to find out what Selena wants to do about this.  We need to tell her."

Bonnie suggested, "We should stop her training before she gets hurt."

Devon informed, "Not necessary.  From the reports I've seen, she's doing very well and her injuries so far are light, none of them to her abdomen.  Another reason I believe she suspects, knows.  I think we'll wait until after Michael finishes her training before confronting her.  This will give her a chance to talk to us."

Bonnie replied in agreement, "Then it is settled. This conversation goes no further than this room."

KITT was not satisfied with that.  He had a different plan.  If Selena was going to take Michael away from him by having Michael's offspring then KITT wanted to know immediately.  He wanted Selena to be his ally – maybe he could convince her to make Michael stay with FLAG, the team, him.  Another reason KITT wanted to talk to Selena was to make sure Michael's child was completely healthy and protected.  It was in his programming to protect and serve the person of Michael Knight – it was logical to assume that would include his child.  KITT just needed a way to talk to Selena by herself, without Michael.  He searched his data banks and internal programs, then accessed the main computer at FLAG Headquarters until he found the means.

Michael awoke with a start.  Selena's voice was heard screaming through the house.  Michael turned over, relaxing to go back to sleep.  Hearing her nightmares had become commonplace.  The first few nights he rushed to her room, yelling at KITT to see if she was all right.  He had found her safe and sleeping again.  This night was different.  He waited for KITT to tell him she was asleep again.

Instead he heard the sound of footsteps pass his room.  Something inside told him he needed to get up.  Like a firefighter shooting out of bed to answer a call, Michael found his t-shirt while scrambling for the door.  Now dressed only in a pair of loose fitting shorts and t-shirt Michael entered the hallway to find Selena fearfully checking out the hallway carrying her blanket at the top of the stairs.  She covered her ears and screamed, "Stop!" before hurrying down the stairs.

Michael followed calling her name.  He found her desperately trying to break open the gun cabinet.  He crossed the room to her in a flash, but she didn't notice.  Michael had that sinking feeling of Deja vue – Selena was caught up in another walking nightmare.  He worried about finding a way to help her out of it, to wake her up without causing her to become hysterical.

He called her name while enveloping her into his arms.  His heart ached as he heard her repeating the same plea for help the night Judson had tortured her with prank phone calls.  Her glazed unseeing eyes were filled with tears of terror.  She buried her head against his chest and pleaded, "Make it stop, Michael.  Make the ringing stop."

Thinking it would help, Michael tried to push her memory to what happened next, to help her remember them making love.  He kissed her long and deeply, longingly.

Caught in her nightmare, Selena's mind allowed her to feel, relive the beginning of being in Michael's arms.  But that only brought a new memory to the surface – she was lying next to Michael only to be dragged out of bed by The King.  H was whispering in her ear and calling her a slut.  She pushed away from him and begged, "Please don't hurt him!  I'll go with you!"

Michael tried to understand her, knowing she was in a new memory.  He asked, "What's wrong, Selena?"

"The King is here!  He wants to punish me!  He wants to kill the Knight!"  She pushed away from Michael and ran towards the door.  She was outside with Michael racing after her.  Michael called, "Wake up, KITT!  Don't let her get away!"

KITT's radar turned on, headlights becoming a glow – casting white beacons on the property surrounding the bungalow.  He found Selena running blindly toward the lake.  His turbo engine was ignited and thrown into gear before her body hit the grass.

In Selena's mind she was back at the Judson Estate.  Michael was dead when she saw KITT come toward her.  She hugged KITT's roof, her tears washing the glass.  She sobbed, "I'm sorry, KITT!  Go find Devon!  Michael is dead!"

KITT argued trying to keep her busy until Michael could catch her.  "Wake up, Selena.  Michael is fine!  Get inside!"  He was going to lure her inside and tranquilize her.

Michael came up and took hold of her arms.  He wanted to calm her, get her to wake up!  But Selena pushed him away, believing she was fighting Patrick trying to handcuff her, beat her.  She ran off again circling around KITT to the dark field, the midnight blue water beyond.  KITT tried to block her path, steering her away from the lake.  Michael called her name, begging her to stop. 

In her nightmare, she was with Patrick, being pushed to the ridge of the cliff.  In reality, she stood at the edge of the lake, looking blindly into the water – seeing the valley and jagged rocks that stretched beyond the cliff.  Her hands crossed in front of her, held by an invisible handkerchief.

Michael slowly approached, calling out to her as he had done that day.  Selena's face became puzzled and she said, "But You're dead!  I killed you!  Patrick made me kill you!"

Michael stroked her face, trying to get her to see him.  He tried to pull her into his embrace, but she hit him, "No! Patrick, Please don't push me over!  Please, I don't want to die!"  She said each phrase; she pushed and hit at the image forcing her to stay in his arms.

Michael shook her and shouted into her sub consciousness, "No!  Selena! See Me!  I am here!"  Selena managed to disengage again from Michael only to feel herself falling toward the water.  She was going over the cliff in her head watching Michael's horrified face follow her until her vision went black and her mind shut down.  Her intense, terrorized scream was heard in the distance and then the air became deathly quiet.

Michael caught her limp body, as she collapsed helplessly into his arms.  The nightmare had released her.  Michael knelt to the ground with her and begged, "Is she hurt, KITT, does she need to go to the hospital?"

KITT accessed his medical programs and the bio-frequency.  He did a silent check of the tiny life inside her while monitoring Selena's systems.  Her heart rate was up, but her brain activity was slowing down.  KITT informed Michael that the worst was over.

Michael wasn't so sure.  He was concerned that Selena's hypnosis had opened up too much of her memory too quickly.  She was not ready for it.  Though the storm was over he was concerned there might be another.  He instructed, "KITT, can you tell me when Selena is going to dream again?"

KITT replied, "Accessing, Michael.  I can tell you when she is entering REM sleep when dreams are suppose to occur in humans."

Michael tenderly lifted Selena into his arms and rose up to carry her back into the bungalow.  As he carried her up the stairs, he requested, "Good.  Wake me the moment she enters REM."

"No a problem, Michael." KITT agreed.

In her room, Michael deposited his soft burden onto her mattress.  He sat by her, stroking her hair, promising to keep her safe.  KITT announced, "She's entering REM again, Michael."

But Michael knew that.  Her breathing changed, her eyes moving, her body becoming restless.  He kissed her eyes trying to wake her.  Her arms slipped around his neck, pulling him down, her body arching up into his.  Her lips found him.  He heard her whisper, "I love you, Michael Knight!" while her hands moved down his body.  There was no fear only quiet desperation – sadness as if she were trying to redeem herself.  From his own broken memory, came pictures of her making love to him in his attic prison the night she drugged and kidnapped him.

He knew he could not go on like this.  He could not make love to her while she was locked inside her memory.  He wanted to, his body, his hands, his lips acting against his mind and judgment.  To stop the ride, Michael gently pushed Selena's hands to her sides while rolling to lay behind her.  He closed his eyes as he heard her begging him stay, her voice quiet and far away.  He held her wrapped – imprisoned against his body until he felt her body relax and her breathing return to normal.  She seemed to reach out for him, her hand grasping his tightly her head resting inside the security of his shoulder and chest.  What he could not see was the smile of peace beautifully illuminating her face.

The morning sun flooded the master suite with multi-colored rays of light.  Selena felt herself drifting to consciousness.  She attempted to move but found herself trapped between a pair of finely muscled, naked, and very male legs; the arm that matched those legs was pressed securely over her waist; and the hand to that arm clasped over her fingers pinning her hand against her stomach.  It was then she felt his familiar fragrant breath on her neck.  "How did. . .?" She wondered.  Then she tried to see herself, trying to look down her body finding the ribbon that tied her cami-top closed loosened and one of her breasts spilling out between the lacing.  The she wondered, "Did we…?  Oh God."  She relaxed trying to remember how Michael got into her bed.  No matter how hard she tried she just didn't know what happened.

She tried to loosen his hold on her causing him to awake in a panic.  He began nuzzling her neck, squeezing her fingers, and speaking words of comfort to her ears.  His voice was soothing, but there was a hint of fearful desperation, a plea for her to feel safe again.  He kissed her ear, his cheeks moist against her neck.

Michael's heart hurt, as did every other part of his weary bruised body.  He tightened his muscles to hold Selena down through yet another nightmare – or so he thought.  Then he heard her voice; it was calm and softly requesting, "Let me go, Michael, please.  You're hurting me."  He allowed her to lie on her back hovering over her, checking to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Selena tried to cover herself, tried to use her hands to keep Michael from crushing her.  She looked into his face and realized he had been crying.  His cheek was scratched and bruised yet he looked back at her with worry and love.  She was puzzled at his treatment of her, his intense study of her well-being.  She reached up to caress his face and asked, "What happened to you?"

Michael asked, "Are you awake?  Where are you?"

Selena's forehead wrinkled.  She answered, "I'm lying in my room waiting to find out how you got here."

"You don't remember?"

Her eyes searched her thoughts, then she replied, "I remember talking to Dr. Lindel and then he gave me something to help me relax…"  Her voice died as she again searched her head for what happened after that.

Michael hugged her and decided that after what he'd heard and witnessed throughout the night, he didn't want her to remember.  He insisted, "Never mind.  How do you feel?"

There were butterflies in Selena's stomach – a feeling she had become used to.  She wondered whether Michael felt it too.  She needed to eat a few crackers before getting up.  But how could she explain her hidden stash in the nightstand by the bed without having to tell him the secret she's been hiding.  She shrugged, "Groggy.  My mouth feels like I'm chewing on a sock.  Did…Did I…"  She fingered the scratch marks on his cheek, "Did I do this?"

Michael kissed her hand, "Don't worry.  I heal quickly."

"But, Michael…"

"Selena, the only thing I care about is that you are OK, safe and sound.  I'd take all the bruises in the world to make sure you are!"  He expressed the truth of his words with a very passionate kiss.

Overwhelmed by the emotions coming from him, Selena became completely pliant in his arms.  She tentatively returned his kiss, a foggy image of them locked together on her balcony dancing and kissing filling her head pleasantly.  Michael moved to taste her cheeks and Selena used the opportunity to ask, "Ummm…Michael,"  She purred, "mmmm…did we…have we…?"

Michael grinned, "MoonLight, have no fear…after using every ounce of strength to keep you in this bed, all I wanted to do was sleep."

"OH."  Selena blushed, a twinge of disappointment in her voice.

Selena's stomach grumbled against Michael's and he giggled, moving to lay by her side.  He asked, "Are you OK?"

Selena swallowed, "Just really hungry.  I could use a huge bowl of strawberries."

Michael laughed, "Then lets get you some strawberries.  Come on!"  He rose from the bed taking her with him.

"Michael!"  She laughed too, but in protest.  Then she noticed how her clothes hung halfway off her body.  She disengaged her hand and said; "I think I should put something better on before breakfast."  Then she noticed Michael's attire and added, "You should too."

Michael nodded, "Meet me downstairs."

Selena smiled watching Michael leave closing her door behind him.  As soon as he was gone, Selena climbed across her bed to get to the nightstand on the other side.  She pulled out a container, opened it and pulled out several saltines.  She sat back against her pillows nibbling slowly, closing her eyes in the hope of keeping them down.  Her ear tingled for a second and then she heard, "Selena, may we talk?"

She closed her eyes thinking she was hallucinating.  "Wake up, Selena.  Don't lose another day!"

Her ear tingled again and the voice repeated, "Selena, I would like to talk to you."

She recognized the voice this time and looked around for Michael's com-link.  She said, "KITT?"

"Yes, Selena." KITT spoke.

Selena's ear tingled again and she felt for the cause – her earrings.  The same earrings that Bonnie had given to her to keep her safe, the same earrings she hated because it meant KITT could invade her privacy, and the same earrings she had forgotten she was wearing until that moment.  She thought, she was sure that KITT was only suppose to keep track of her whereabouts, her health.  She questioned, "Selena, get a hold of yourself!  You're hearing voices."  She rose out of bed and padded over to the dresser.  She looked in the mirror and sighed, "What did the good doctor give you yesterday.  I'm going crazy!"

KITT replied, "You are not crazy, Selena.  I modified the program to the earrings to let us talk to each other – you can even talk to Michael if you want."

Selena was astonished, "You what?  I can talk to…Is he listening now?"

"No.  I wanted to talk to you without Michael knowing."

Selena replied in resignation, "What do you want to talk about?"

KITT reported, "Did you know you have two heartbeats?"

Selena replied evasively, "What do you mean?"

KITT answered, "You are going to have a child, Selena, did you know that?"

Selena wanted to deny it, but KITT had been able to read her vital signs for almost two weeks.  Of course he'd be able to detect the baby's heartbeat along with hers.  She replied, "Have you told Michael?"  She knew the answer.  Michael would have confronted her long ago.

KITT answered, "Do you want him to know?"

"Not yet, KITT.  I'm…"  She bowed her head in shame, "I'm not…not sure…" She needed to get the hated words out quickly, "I'm not sure who the father is and I'm afraid Michael would want to leave FLAG to protect me."  There she said it.  Another thought came to mind and she added, as an amusing frustration, "He sure as hell wouldn't let me continue training if he knew.  God, KITT, I can't even remember how I got this way!"  The words spilled out as if in confession.  She'd been hiding her secret and so unsure of what to do – carrying this burden by herself.

KITT asked, "Then you don't want to take Michael from me?"

Selena could have sworn she detected a note of worry, jealousy in KITT's formal tone.  "KITT, NO!  I could never, would never ask, would never WANT Michael to quit FLAG…leave you for me!  More than anyone I know how important Michael is, what he does…he rescues people!  He makes sure the bad guys, the monsters of this world get caught, and justice gets served!  I want to DO what he does for God's sake!"

KITT was pleased.  He had feared Selena and her hold, possible affect on Michael.  But she was not a threat.  He asked, "When do you plan to tell him?"

Selena replied, "Maybe after the trial is over when Devon can arrange DNA tests to see if Michael is the father.  But I may not even then.  I don't want Michael to pity me, feel he needs to take care of me just because I'm carrying a baby, even his baby."

KITT argued, "But he deserves to know, Selena."

Selena warned, "No, KITT.  You and I both know a child of his, ours could be dangerous.  To Michael, to be used as a weapon, to get revenge, and to the child.  Michael might leave FLAG to take care of me!  I told you I don't want that."

KITT replied, "Neither do I, Selena."

"Have you told anyone else, KITT?" Selena guessed the answer.

KITT informed, "Devon and Bonnie suspect but don't know for sure.   They plan to talk to you when Michael brings you home in a few weeks."

Selena looked at her slightly rounding belly and laughed, "They won't have to ask KITT – by then my condition may be quite obvious.  The trick will be hiding it from Michael."

KITT asked, "What will you tell him, Selena?"

"I won't lie.  I promised him that I would never do that again.  But if I can make sure he never asks me point blank, then I won't have to tell him!"

KITT replied, "Let us hope he doesn't ask and then Devon sends us on a long and far away assignment."

Selena griped, "You can be certain of that.  It certainly won't be me.  I'm sure Devon is going to use this baby to chain me to his office 'For your own good, Selena'."  She had imitated Devon's voice and proper British accent.

KITT informed, "I hope you don't mind, Selena, but Bonnie and I have added the baby's life signs to my monitoring systems."

Selena remembered the panel inside KITT that let Michael know where Selena and her sisters were at all times.  Tiny little blinking lights with a read out monitoring their vital signs.  "What about Michael…won't he…?"

KITT explained, "Bonnie is working on that.  For now he just thinks it is a malfunction."

Selena didn't know whether to be grateful or sad.  Part of her wanted to scream her condition to Michael, wanted him to see the changes in her and WANT to know why.  But she wanted him to love her and want to commit to her because of that love, not out of some noble desire to be responsible, to SAVE her.  Then again what if her child was not conceived in love, what if…  The word "Rape" invaded her brain carrying with it frightening images from her nightmares.  A little too tensely, she asked, "KITT, are we finished.  I'd like to be a lone."

KITT suddenly wanted to protect the woman he once knew as a threat.  He asked, "Are you all right?  Should I get Michael?"

"No."  Selena said too quickly, "I just need to change and get down stairs before Michael comes looking for me."

KITT added, "If you need anything, Selena, you don't have to press your earring or necklace.  You can just call out for me."

Selena thanked KITT and waited for the tingling to stop.  When she knew KITT was gone from her head she continued to get dressed.

Down the hall, Michael stepped into the shower.  His mind filled with images created by what he'd heard during Selena's nightmare.  They were frightening and terrible.  He understood why Selena's mind was shielding her from them.  The King, Patrick Judson had been the first man to teach her what love, sex, relationship were – well his perverted and abusive definition of those things.  Michael was now determined to teach Selena the truth.  He would use their time together to convince her to let him love her the way she deserved, the way he wanted to.  She had implanted herself in his soul; he wondered if he was in hers.  Though he knew what he wanted was dangerous for both of them, he was becoming convinced that they could be a force to be reckoned with.   The speed in which Selena learned all he had taught her in how to defend herself, her ability to solve problems, her penchant for finding trouble and sniffing out important clues made her his perfect mate.  Her only weakness lay in the trauma suffered at the hands of Patrick Judson.  She was like a bomb – the right flame could ignite and set her off.  Michael knew that he could not let her work as a FLAG agent until the past was dealt with and healed.

Michael wanted to help her heal for more reasons than the Foundation for Law and Government, for more than his own guilt.  Now he wanted, hoped he'd found the perfect woman to ease his lonely existence, to make up for all he'd lost becoming Michael Knight.  Selena was going through the same sort of thing.  They were soul mates.  Michael finished his shower knowing exactly what he wanted to do.

Michael came downstairs to find Selena making French toast and eggs.  She was dressed unusually conservative.  Linen Capri pants that banded just below her knees and a loose fitting big shirt that hung to her thighs.  The sleeves rolled to her elbows.  She smiled, "So what is on today's list of activities?  We missed jogging but that can be made up tomorrow."

Michael answered, "I want to go fishing.  Would you join me?"

Selena smiled, "Sounds fun.  Do you want jelly or syrup?"

Morning mists gave way to the heat of the afternoon.  Michael and Selena sat on opposite sides of the boat, baiting hooks, casting the line, and then reeling it back in trying to catch fish.  Michael caught the first "Keeper" a large bass.  It didn't take long for the couple to fill the basket with fish.  With each fish, each passing quiet, and peaceful moment; Selena relaxed more and more.  Michael joked with her for singing too loud, scaring the fish.  For a long time Selena failed to re-bait her hook, her attention drawn to the beauty of the trees and mountains surrounding them.  The motion of the boat swaying made her to want to sleep.  Michael pulled his line up to show her his catch only to find her fast asleep, curled up between the benches, her head resting on her rolled up jacket on the bench.  He continued to fish, giving her the chance to sleep in the peace and quiet.

That evening was spent cleaning the fish; Michael attempting to teach Selena how only to end up with several badly butchered to bits fish carcasses and the couple laughing.  Finally Michael ordered Selena away from the dock.  He sent her to peel potatoes and to get the kitchen ready to fry the fish.

Michael entered the kitchen to find the aroma of hot butter sautéing onions, garlic, and potatoes.  There was an assembly line of bowls along the counter going to the stove.  The first bowl contained a simple milk and egg wash, followed by a bowl of flour and premixed fish coating.  On the stove an extra-large iron skillet was heating olive oil.  He watched Selena separate the fish fillets he'd brought her.  She began dunking them into the milk, then the coating mixture.  Soon she had the pan lined with breaded fish surrounded by bubbling, popping hot oil.  He snapped his fingers and went to a closet.  Very pleased with himself, he presented Selena with a bottle of white zinfandel.

Selena tried to sound excited, grateful as she watched Michael search for and pull out two crystal wine glasses.  She hid her dilemma behind a piece of fish in her mouth.  She sashayed away from the stove to a shelf in the corner.  She pulled out the shelf slightly to flip on the radio.  She played with the dial until she found a station she liked.  Turning back, she nearly crashed into Michael's outstretched hand with a filled wine glass in it.  He raised her hand, fitting the goblet into it.  His now empty hand brushed her hair away from her face.  He stood over her, invading her senses, yet remaining unthreatening.  Now it was her turn to be overwhelmed with scent – cinnamon, orange, spices, poppies:  Opium.  His lips were inches away, teasing her to taste them.  Then he was gone, going to retrieve his own glass.

Selena almost took a swallow of the lightly pink liquid.  She managed to shrink the portion to a small sip before placing the glass out of her way.  She grabbed two place settings of dishes, flatware, and napkins to set the table.  When she was out of Michael's hearing, she grabbed her earring.  Without waiting for KITT to respond, she requested, "I need your help.  I need to get rid of my wine.  Can you distract Michael a couple of times during dinner?"

Her ear tingled, "Just give me a signal."  She looked up in time to find Michael approaching with a covered ceramic platter of fish and corn-on-the-cob.  Selena returned to the stove to ladle melted garlic and lemon butter into single serving dishes and returned to the table.

Now it was Michael's turn to tease, to slowly seduce his roommate.  He refused to let Selena be away from his presence for more than a few seconds.  All evening he had found reasons to touch her, whether it was a simple light brushing of her hair away from her face or to caress her shoulders or back.  He returned from the kitchen to the table carrying the bowl of potatoes.  He found it necessary to slide past Selena as if there wasn't enough room pressing himself completely against her back, apologizing.  He reached around her to place the bowl on the table.  His cologne again pleasantly drowned her in warm spices.  His breath tickled her neck as he asked, "More wine."

Selena turned to answer, finding his smiling lips within kissable reach.  She could almost taste the flavor of the wine he had been drinking.  She replied weakly, "Still working on the first glass."

Michael leaned in like he was going to kiss her neck but instead pulled her chair away from the table, helping her into it.  As dinner progressed Michael pampered Selena; making sure her napkin was within easy reach, making sure to hold her fingers a few seconds too long as he passed her the pepper.  Selena absorbed it all feeling both tenderly cared for and slowly, sensually seduced.  As they finished the main courses, they laughed about Selena's attempt to clean the fish, they made plans to run again.  Michael then opened himself up to her, talking about the woman he'd lost after joining FLAG.  He talked of the loneliness and initial anger when he lost his identity as Michael Long.

Selena listened quietly, intently, learning about this man who was becoming so entwined in her life.  Three times she had reached down to connect with that part of Michael he did not yet know he'd given her.  Three times she almost told him.  But then he launched into the "dangers" of his life and why he'd been hesitant to settle down, marry, have children.  Though she was awed by him, she lost the nerve to tell him, afraid of what he would think, say.  She was afraid he'd reject her and the child or worse, feel he needed to quit FLAG to be with her.  Realizing the sacrifice she was making for both of them, Selena wanted him to know love again.  She wanted to give herself to him in that moment!  She wondered if he was confiding in her because he wanted to be with her too.  Then as she was trying to understand his intentions, Michael changed subjects.  He offered, "Another glass?"

Selena put her hand over the glass and replied, "Maybe later."

Michael coaxed, "Please."  He took a strawberry from a large bowl of them on the table.  He dipped it into the wine and held it up to her mouth.  He waited for her to respond.

Selena didn't know what to do.  Taking a deep breath, she agreed with her eyes as she leaned toward him with her lips parted to taste the fruit.  Instead of receiving the fruit, She felt Michael lean forward, his lips tasting hers, licking them, and caressing them until she responded.

Selena's thoughts screamed at her to stop, that they were getting carried away.  But her eyes fluttered closed, her senses becoming intoxicated.  For a brief second the King tried to pull her away, the nightmare breaking into her head.  But the softness of Michael's touch on her cheek, the feel of his eyes looking at her with both desire and fear, worry of hurting her was a weapon against the King's image.  Her head swam; she was becoming dizzy inside the spell Michael was weaving.  She whispered, "What are you doing to me Michael Knight?"

In response Michael pulled back, offering her the strawberry again.  He let her take the berry from his hand with her lips, then he reached for her hand and squeezed.

Selena felt her stomach move.  She thought, "Get a hold of yourself girl!"  She was enjoying herself too much; afraid of where Michael was going, also anticipating it.  She looked at the bottle of wine sitting on the other side of Michael's glass by his plate.  Michael's attention was drawn away from her as he reached for several more strawberries.  She knew his intention was to dip them each into the wine and feed them her.

Taking a breath, she played with her ear and said, "Now!"  Her body rose slightly from her chair, her hand reaching for the wine bottle.  As she did, KITT's voice boomed from Michael's wrist, "Michael, it is almost time to check in with Devon."

KITT's voice was drowned out by the sound of glass crashing against glass, chairs being scraped against hard wood floor as it was quickly pushed back from the table.  Selena's voice squeaked in surprise.

The area in and around Michael's plate was drowning in white zinfandel.  It dripped to the floor and down the front of Michael's clothes.  Michael looked at the horrified expression on Selena's face and realized KITT must have caught her off guard.  Their eyes met, surveyed the damage, and then met again.  Laughter filled the dining area.  Biting her lip Selena commented, "Guess I should have let you pour me a glass after all."  There was a sarcastic look of agreement in Michael's grin as she escaped to the kitchen for several towels.

Upon her return she found Michael trying to dry his jeans with his napkin.  She admonished, "You should change, Michael.  I can clean up."

Grumbling about intrusive computer chips, Michael nodded as he pushed his chair back and disappeared to the second floor.  Selena giggled at his retreating form.  When he was out of sight, she spoke, "Thank you, KITT."  She had not only saved herself from having to drink the wine, but also ruined Michael's attempt to seduce her…or so she thought.

The kitchen was now cleaned, the night drawing to a close.  Selena hid in her room the moment she finished the dishes.  She had completed the clean up in record speed, before Michael had finished showering and changing.  When Michael descended the stairs he found the main floor deserted.  Upon retracing his steps, he found Selena had changed into a very plain, very un-sexy par of cotton shorts with a matching thin-strapped chemise.  Yet from the way her breasts curved to the outer edge of the sleeves, the tops descending into a deep firm cleavage Michael found her desirable anyway.  Her hair was loose about her shoulders, evidence of the braid it had been bound in rippling softly around her face.  She was searching her nightstand, scolding herself.  Rapping on he door, Michael asked, "What's the matter, MoonLight?"

Selena grimaced, "My meds.  Dr. Lindel will have a fit if I miss a dose and he counts them every time we meet. And why do you keep calling me 'Moonlight'?"

Michael turned to the dresser by the door, opened the top drawer, pulled out a pill bottle and said, "Is this what you need?"  Closing the distance between them, Selena withdrew the bottle from Michael's hands. He held on to her fingers, nuzzling the tips.  He answered, "Last night when I was walking outside, there was this incredible Moonlit Angel swaying to music and singing on your balcony.  When I came in here to meet her, I found you."

Selena blushed at his compliment, but chose to leave it without further comment.  Instead she thanked him taking the bottle.  She asked, "Did you need something, Michael?"

Michael shrugged, "Not really.  Just, well, wanna play cards or something?"

Selena smiled.  He didn't want to be a lone.  He was seeking her company.  "How about some 'Gin Rummy'?  We could play outside on the balcony?"  She dropped the medicine bottle on to the top of the dresser…she had been looking for an excuse to postpone taking it.

Michael's eager and grateful smile pleased Selena as he ran out of her room.  She heard his footfalls bounding down the stairs, then drawers and cabinets being opened and closed.  Her eyes grinned mischievously.  She crossed the room to the alcove and opened a drawer to one of the end tables near the love seat.

Michael's heart hurt.  His excuse, his way to stay with Selena had just been foiled.  There wasn't a deck of cards to be found in the whole house.  Or so he thought.  He returned to Selena's room believing he'd be leaving her a lone. 

Entering the room he found her dragging a table outside to the deck.  He was irritated.  He admonished, "Do you ever wait and let someone help you!"

Selena left the table standing still for a second.  She was still grinning.  She asked, "Did you get the cards?"

Michael crossed to her, hugging her; "No.  I guess we'll just have to call it a night.  I'll put the table back."

Selena returned, "You're giving up that easy?  No suggestions for an alternative?  No offers to run to that little grocery shop?"

Michael brightened, "I could do that…we could go, if you want?"

Shaking her head and laughing, she teased, "That won't be necessary.  Just move the table outside and I'll get the chairs."  Her fingers brushed his cheek before she turned away to get the chairs.

Michael was confused.  He asked, "So what are we going to do?"

Selena strode past, dragging a chair with one hand.  She said, "Play cards, remember?"  She produced her deck, holding them up for him to see, then walked out to the balcony taking both the cards and chair with he.  Her laughter filled the night air.

Michael had a hard time believing his eyes.  He watched her cross back into the room to get the other chair.  He asked, "Where did you…"

"Get these?" She held up the deck again while taking hold of the back of a second chair, leaning it backwards and the dragging it pass him.  "I always carry cards with me.  I adore playing solitaire.  I know all kinds of ways, games to play.  Now, would you?" She pointed to the table.

Michael had to remember what she was referring to, until she scolded, "The table, Mr. Knight!" then she grinned again.

At that moment, Michael decided he wanted to throttle her!  She watched him hustle to find cards, heard him beating himself up looking for them, when she had a deck and didn't tell him.  Now she was scolding HIM for not moving a table!  He stalked her, took her chin in his hands, kissed her; "I will get you for this, Luv!"

Michael did not get revenge that night.  Amid the cool autumn night, by the light of the yellow moon, the bright stars, and the glow of several large citronella candles set by the table; Selena proceeded to shout "Gin" a dozen or more times.  Her enjoyment of the game increased with each win.  Michael was forced to laugh at the child in her rising to the surface.  They played for several hours teasing each other, calling each other names when they were losing or winning, getting a card the other needed.

 Several times Michael found it hard to concentrate, instead observing and absorbing every detail of her face, her skin.  For the first time, he noticed her ivory skin was dotted with freckles around her shoulders.  They seemed to glow in the light of the candles.  There was a small mole on the inside curve of her left breast, perfectly hidden unless you looked for it.  Michael's thoughts took him to wanting to kiss that mole, to taste the salt of her skin.  He watched with intensity the way she breathed, the rise and fall of her breasts as she became more and more relaxed or trembled when she laughed.  His inattention was interrupted with the sound of her excited voice, "GIN!"  She reached for the cards in his hands and counted out his points.  Michael laughed at her announcement that he now owed her $20.

Selena glanced at her watch and excused herself.  Michael stood.  Selena stepped into her room heading towards her dresser.  He watched her down her medication, her face wrinkling in distaste.  She returned; "I think we should call it a night soon.  The meds usually make me a little sleepy."

Michael suggested, "We could quit and watch an old movie or read?"

Selena smiled softly, she liked that idea.  Within minutes, the couple cleaned up the cards deciding to leave the table and chairs on her balcony for future use.  Michael hurried to his room and returned carrying a portable 13" color television, the plug and cable connections hung from the back like they'd been ripped from the wall.

This surprised Selena.  She assumed they would be going to the main floor to watch in the great room by the fireplace.  She found herself watching Michael set up the television in the alcove and then ushered to the love seat.  Michael guided her down to lie within the safety of the crook of his arm while he got comfortable.  He used the TV's remote to search through the channels until he found "RUNNING SCARED" with Billy Crystal playing on cable.

Michael was enveloped in contentment.  His Selena lay safely by his side, her head resting against his chest, his arm resting a long her side and around her waist.  It took her a few seconds to get comfortable, having to find a way to fit her arm between them.  But she quieted and her restlessness ended.  The medicine she'd taken quickened its possession of her systems.  She was a sleep before the third commercial break; her free hand tightly tangled in Michael's.

Michael's attention was drawn away from the movie.  He watched Selena's face relax, her lips slightly curved into a smile.  Michael reached for one of the couch's small pillows.  He placed the pillow against his knee and coaxed Selena into using his lap as her pillow. 

Her eyes opened for several brief seconds; she looked up at Michael and then turned back toward the television.  She curled up into a tight ball feeling Michael's hand clasp hers into his tender grip.  She felt him squeeze her fingers, reminding her that she was safe.  Again the medicine claimed her consciousness as she adored Michael's touch, stroke to her head, tangling into her wavy tresses, caressing her cheek. 

The movie was nearing the end; Michael tried to stretch a bit.  Selena's face contorted angrily, then fearfully, then in pain.  "Oh God, not again!" Michael thought.  He asked into his com-link, "Is she dreaming, KITT?"

It took a few seconds for KITT to respond, but then his voice replied, "Her heart rate has increased, Michael.  I believe she must be."

Selena's face was becoming wet with tears, her hand turning cold and clammy inside Michael's.  Inside her mind, Selena ran into her bedroom to hide.  Something bad was coming at her.  The face she hated loomed cruelly above her.  He was calm, but spoke in a dangerous tone.  His words were drowned out by a television playing too loudly in her bedroom.  She was being pushed to the edge of her bed, then to her knees; her arms drawn apart and attached to each of the posts.  The images on the screen terrified her as much as what was being done to her while on her bed. 

She wanted to fight.  There was a case of needles and ink bottles set up on a table, she could see them but not touch them.  The needles rose into the air by themselves, dancing before her eyes.  They spoke to her, laughed at her.  They were coming to get her, to mark her for the King.  Her back was on fire, being stung over and over!

Outside Selena's head, Michael felt her body trembling, she became restless, tried to rise up, but couldn't.  Michael forced her to remain against him; afraid she'd hurt herself, run away again.  She whimpered, "Don't…I beg you…I'll be good…I won't quit!"

Michael tried to understand her ramblings.  He bent to sooth her, kissing her forehead; worry wrinkling his own.  He spoke, "Wake up, Selena!  Please wake up!"

Inside her head, Selena heard Michael's voice calling to her.   She spoke, "I can't!  Oh Please help!  I can't move!  He wants to put his mark on me!  The needles!  I can't…can't…No…the needles!"   She screamed and threw herself off Michael's lap, landing face down on the rug.

Michael was on the ground next to her instantly.  He tried to lift her up, wanted to prevent her from running.  To Michael's initial relief, the fall caused Selena to become half awake.  She looked up at him, her eyes glassy with tears; evidence bits of the dream were still present.  She was so groggy and listless, barely able to lift herself to sit against the couch.  Michael's heart cried when she looked at him and begged, "Don't mark me!  Make this stop, Michael!"  Her tears fell.

She mourned, the sound a deep, pitiful tone.  The drug tried to reclaim her into its nightmare filled realm.  She fought it, talking out what was going on in her head; "The tattoo, Michael!  I dreamt…Oh No…I was getting it!  It was so..so horrible!  But what I saw couldn't be real!  The needles…they were alive!  Dancing for the King!  Taunting me!  I couldn't move!  I think I'm gonna be sick!"  Her stomach rumbled but the nausea faded as more words tumbled out becoming disjointed and incoherent, "There was a television yelling at me…I watched the King…this woman…or was it me?  He was…was torturing us…her…ME!"

Michael thought another panic attack was beginning.  He held on for the worse, grateful when only Selena's tears came pouring out, drenching his chest.  He gathered her against him and began to rock her gently and soon she was calm enough for the medicine to pull her into its sleep filled arms.  Michael felt the need to throw up knowing exactly how she got her tattoo, the torture Judson used to enslave her to him.  Michael was gratified that Selena trusted him.  Even as she lay unconscious, her hand reached out for him.  He knew she had truly remembered nothing.  She was not connecting to the images in her brain.  She distorted her memories to keep from having to say it actually happened.  Now his own face moist with tears and sweat, he stroked her face, "I'm here, My Moonlight Angel, Your monsters are gone."

He pulled her to set on the love seat and then carried her to her bed.  Selena's eyes fluttered, her arm going about his neck, "Don't leave me.  Please, Michael," she begged.

Michael enveloped her inside the light blanket covering the bed.  Then he lay next to her, a blanket of his own for warmth.  His eyes caught sight of the medicine bottle on Selena's dresser.  He thought over the previous days realizing Selena's panic attacks coincided with her taking it.  That was when her memories surfaced but not in a good way, a way that was safe.  They were scary, distorted causing her to distrust them, become out of control.  He wondered as he felt her reach out for him, if the drug was causing more harm than good.  He decided to have Bonnie check it out for him.  He also decided it was time to check out Dr. Lindel.  Selena deserved the best medical care possible and so far, Dr. Lindel was failing, in Michael's opinion.

Michael lay with Selena pressed against him for the remainder of the long night.  A part of him wanted to wrap her in his arms and make tender love to her, to awaken her with his kisses.  Her state of dress, the way her hand rested in peace over his chest; her lips resting in a kissable form; all called to him.  But he knew it would be bad to entice her while the drug in her system played with her mind.  In unnerved him to think he could be making love to her while her nightmares convinced her he was raping her.  He spoke into his com-link, "KITT."

"Did you need something, Michael?"  KITT's voice was concerned.

"Yes, buddy.  Remember that book on computer programming Bonnie wanted me to read?"

"Yes, Michael.  It is so you can take care of me in case she can't be there."

Perfect.  Michael smiled.  That would definitely keep his body in line, his mind occupied.  He requested, "Read it to me now, KITT."

"Are you sure, Michael?  The last time you fell asleep." KITT reminded.

Michael replied, "Exactly, My Friend, Exactly."