Chapter 14

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Michael rubbed his temple, trying to get a hold of himself. It was as if his entire world stopped then and there. He cleared his throat. "What did your aunt tell you about her mother?"

"Why do you care?" asked Jonathan.

"Because it's important!" Michael snapped.

"Okay, okay." He took a moment to think. "Diane's parents didn't approve of her boyfriend. Her father found out she was pregnant and sent her out of state. When she returned to find the baby's father, she learned he was engaged to someone else and had died in the line of duty. I don't think Long even knew he had a kid."

'Got that right.' thought Michael.

"What of Diane?" asked Devon.

"She was so heart broken, she didn't want to raise Carrie alone. So she arranged for my aunt to adopt her when she traveled back East. Her parents didn't even care that she gave away her baby to a stranger."

"What happened to her?" Cara asked. "Star said 'both' of my parents died."

"She was killed in a car crash, Carrie." Jonathan said. "When you were about two. It was icy out and she misjudged the turn."

Michael closed his eyes. 'Diane.' he thought. 'Diane, no. Why didn't you just tell me?'

Devon noticed Michael's expression. "Jonathan, it looks as though you've been through quite an ordeal yourself. I'm guessing Alex Harrison's the fellow who put those bruises on you?" Jonathan nodded. "Very well. Bonnie, why don't you take him to the infirmary?"

Jonathan got up and walked over to Cara. "I'm sorry about all this, Carrie. Really I am."

"It's okay. I'll be fine." She gave him a small smile as Bonnie led him out. All she wanted to do was go back to bed and act like this had all been some weird dream.

Michael reached over and took her hand. "Cara…"

"Uh, maybe I should give you two some privacy." Devon said.

"No, Devon. I want you to hear this too." Michael led Cara over by the fireplace and sat across from her. For a while he just sat there, unsure of how to explain all this. He looked up at Cara. 'God,' he thought, 'how could I have missed it? She looks just like Diane.' He could even see some qualities of Michael Long in her.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine, Cara. It's just…"

"Just what, Michael?"

He sighed. "I knew your mother once. A long time ago."

Cara sat up. "You did? Really? Tell me everything. What was she like?" There was excitement in her voice. What were the chances that someone here knew her mother?

"Well, she was a lot like you. She was kind, sweet to everyone. Really…beautiful. I don't think I've ever met anyone like Diane before, or since. And you look so much alike."

"How did you meet?" Cara asked, wanting to know every detail.

"After I joined the police department. I didn't have any family left, so I was pretty much alone. We met in a bar one night." He stopped and smiled. "I fell in love with Diane the moment I saw her. I told myself one day we'd get married. We were together for a while, but her parents never really did get used to me."

Cara hung on his every word. Kitt and Devon listened intently.

"Then, for no reason, she just stopped taking my calls. I thought she finally listened to her father and moved on. I had no one to turn to except her friend, Stevie. We fell in love and a few months later, I proposed to her."

'Wait.' she thought. This was sounding an awful lot like what Kitt had told her about Michael's past. "But…"

"I think you had better tell her the rest of it, Michael." said Devon.

"You're right, Devon." he said. "One night on the force, my partner was killed and I was left for dead. Wilton Knight found me and brought me here to the Foundation. I was given a new face and a new identity. The life I knew as Michael Long was over."

"Michael…Long?" She now understood what it was he was trying to tell her.

"Yes, Cara. I used to be Michael Long. And there's no doubt in my mind now that Diane was your mother." He watched for her reaction.

It finally hit her. This man, this Michael Knight that she had heard so much about, Kitt former partner. He was…her father! "Michael…I…don't what to say. I…" She felt her hands begin to shake.

Michael hurried over and knelt by her side. "Cara, you're my daughter." He tilted her head towards him. "You're my daughter. Jonathan was right, I didn't know your mother was pregnant. She never gave me a chance. Cara, I'm sorry about all this, all they put you through. Forgive me for not being there. I swear, I didn't know." He reached up and hugged her. They had missed out on a lot together, and he was going to make sure that no one was going to hurt his daughter again.

She hugged him, then pulled back a ways. "Michael, of course I forgive you." she said.

"You do?" he asked, astonished. "After all this? After all they put you through?"

"Yes." said Cara. "None of this was your fault. Like you said, you didn't know. It was out of your hands. I don't blame you, and there is nothing to forgive."

Michael swallowed. He reached up and ran his hand through a strand of her hair. "Just like your mother." He held her, apologizing over and over again. "They hurt you, Cara. I'm so sorry." How was he ever going to make it up to her?

Devon patted his shoulder. He retired to his own room so Michael could have a chance to get to know his daughter.

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The next day, Bonnie and Kitt watched as Cara wandered around the grounds. She seemed to be lost in some kind of trance. Star was watching as well.

"Look at her, Kitt." said Bonnie. "She looks so lost. She barely touched her breakfast this morning."

"Bonnie, I feel so helpless. Would it help if I talk to her?" asked Kitt. He hated watching his new friend go through this. Not to mention what Michael must have been feeling as well.

"I think you should. You have a way with her the others don't."

"Very well, Bonnie." He slowly rolled out of the garage. Star wanted to follow, but decided it was best to stay back, for now.

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Cara walked to the western most point of the Foundation's stone fence. Devon was right. She could see the ocean in the distance. She closed her eyes and was reminded of the river she grew up next to. She saw green covered mountains. For a moment, she swore she saw…her mama. Then all of it was gone. 'Damn.' she thought. 'I still can't remember anything.' She kicked a rock at her feet. She turned around when she heard Kitt pull up.

"Bonnie says you haven't eaten today." he said. "May I ask why?"

"Guess I'm too frustrated to eat." Cara turned back towards the scenery. She didn't feel like talking.

"I see." Kitt had to get her to open up to him somehow. He took notice of the small boulder in front of him. He nudged it hard, until it fell over with a huge thud.

Cara saw what he was doing. "Why'd you do that?"

"Because I'm frustrated myself." he told her. "My data processor is over taxed with all this new information about my new partner. I can only imagine what it's doing to her."

She walked over to him and rested her arm on his roof. "You know, I've been out here trying to remember something, anything, and I can't. The moment I think I have something…it's gone." She clenched her fists. "Why can't I remember?"

"I wish I could answer your questions for you. Perhaps it's best if you don't try to remember your old life."

"I just feel so alone right now." Cara said, resting her arms and chin on his roof.

"You're not alone, Cara. Jonathan seems to worry about you a great deal. And you have Devon, and Bonnie…Michael…and myself. So you are certainly not alone."

"Thanks, Kitt." She got in. "But what about Star?"

"I 'suppose' I can make an exception." Kitt said. Cara laughed. "There." he said. "That's better."

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Devon watched them from nearby. It had taken all his strength to walk out there. He was touched by their conversation. Yes, as long as Cara had her new family with her, she was going to be just fine.

He turned and made his way back to the main house for a nap. He needed to be rested when he could talk to Cara alone that night. He had one final thing to give her.

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Dedra stood and tapped her foot in Alex's office. "Great! Now we've lost the car, the pilot, and now, my best mechanic." Alex continued to work on a small white box with some tools at his desk. "Are you listening to me, Alex?" Dedra yelled.

"Shut up." he said, calmly. "I can hear you just fine."

"We're losing! Why aren't you more upset over this? And what's that you're working on?" She leaned over with her hands on his desk.

"We're not losing. Carrie's going to play right into my hands." he said, never looking up. "See this?" He showed her the box.

"What is it?"

"Let's just say it's a suprise." Alex continued to work. "It will be ready in a few days, and then, it's bye-bye to the Knight Two Thousand."

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