To the reviewers:
Knightsky: LOL, I know exactly what you mean. I bet he'd be thinking about then "If I can put up and deal with Michael's shenanigans, raising a child isn't as bad." It'll be a lot of fun anyway!
Chapter 11: Trouble in the City
Devon looked at the clock in his office, wanting to keep a track of the time, moreso than usual. Later that day, he and Marissa would go see Dr. Alpert, who had insisted on weekly check-ups until he was satisfied that the little girl was as close to normal, physically, as she could be. After then, he had decided that they would be going into the city for a trip into the park, just the two of them (escort not counted). After all, another thing she needed was plenty of fresh air and sunshine…and a bit of a break from reading.
He shook his head, bemused by the thought. The young girl would get her hands on books, any book, and read in her room for hours on end. While he didn't mind her seemingly insatiable curiosity, even he knew that too much reading and little else wasn't precisely a good thing.
Michael and Kitt would also be in the city for a little while before heading for the beach for some much-deserved time off…and with Marissa wearing a comlink, he knew that the AI would be watching over her.
At the moment, though, if he remembered correctly, the young man was in the courtyard instructing her.
Devon looked at the clock, closed his pen, then stood. He would go ahead and watch a bit of the lesson, then have her get ready for the doctor's.
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Michael said quietly, "All right, I want to see how you've been doing since you've been doing those muscle-strengthening exercises. Remember back to when Laura was trying to teach you the first day you got here?"
"Uh-huh."
"Well, I'm going to come at you, like she did. Act like I'm Parkson and respond accordingly, all right?"
"Okay."
Michael then stepped back a few paces and moved into a menacing position. "Ready? Don't connect on some of your reactions, but make it as real as possible."
"Yep."
Without saying anything, he quickly advanced towards her rather menacingly. Within a few steps, he had grabbed her arm with one hand and was rearing back to hit her with the other.
Unknown to them, Devon was watching from near the door.
The little girl moved almost instinctively, using one foot to stomp on Michael's. She then quickly punched him in the privates.
Michael winced, let go of her, and gave such a glare that she knew wasn't feigned.
"That's some arm you've gotten," he managed to say, "But I told you not to connect!"
"Yes, but I believe you also told Rissie to make it as realistic as possible. In this case, that would take priority over not connecting in simulation." Kitt's voice came across as truly bemused, as well as admonishing.
"Just whose side are you on anyway?" he snapped into his comlink.
A quiet laugh filled the air before the AI could reply, causing the other two humans to turn towards the source: Devon.
Both student and teacher had embarrassed looks on their faces.
"From the looks of things, I'd say that Michael's doing a fine job of teaching, and Marissa of learning."
"Yeah…maybe learning too well if you ask me," Michael grunted.
"Now, now, Michael…I always thought it was a compliment to the teacher when the pupil learns at such a rate," Devon replied, tone reproachful as well as bemused.
"Uncle Devon, is it time already?" Marissa asked.
The older man blinked and checked the watch. "Yes, it is. Hurry and get changed, then we'll go to the doctor's," he replied.
"Okay. Thanks, Michael!" she waved and then hurried off.
After she had taken off, the Englishman asked, "Will you be all right?"
"Y-yeah…it'll pass in a little bit. But seriously, she's getting an arm to her. Devon, have you thought about whether she's going to be in public or private school…?"
The older man shook his head and answered, "Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, Michael. First, Parkson must be arrested, then I must approach the courts about the adoption process. Most likely, though…home study might be the best for a while."
"Yeah. Before the vacation, the only people she had ever seen was Parkson and a few pals of his."
"Agreed. I don't want her to be hit by culture shock by going to public school if we can help it."
"This entire ordeal would count as culture shock…I'd say her bond with Kitt is the only thing that's kept her alive, much less sane until he slipped up by calling her his child."
Devon nodded, eyes a bit distant, yet admiring. "Jason's right…that is one brave little girl."
"If so, she got it from Kitt mostly…though I think at least some of it wasn't beaten out of her. Thank goodness for that."
There was a quiet nod from the older man, and Michael suddenly shuddered, which caught Devon's eye.
"Are you all right?"
"I think so…happens every time I get a bad feeling about something, and I definitely do about you guys going. You sure you don't want Kitt and I to take you guys to the doc's and the park?"
"Yes, I'm quite sure. Besides, you two need the time off, you've done rather well ever since we got back from Montana." He looked about, then said quietly, "We might go by there later. I heard Kitt mentioning something about lunch and Rissie swimming."
"That's right, she taught herself in a way in the river. He mentioned that, once he finally started telling me the truth about what they really did." Michael chuckled, "He didn't lie when he said he had a great time, I know that much."
"Why would Kitty lie…?" they heard a little voice behind them.
Marissa, who looked at the two grown-ups with a slight pout, had changed into a green blouse and brown slacks, and her hair, which had been improving in condition along with the rest of her, was brushed.
"Lookin' good, kid!"
"Thanks, Michael. I'm ready to go."
"Then let's get going to Dr. Alpert's, my dear," Devon replied, lightly placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Yes, uncle. Bye-bye, Kitt and Michael!"
"Be careful!"
"See ya later, little alligator," the younger man replied and tapped her lightly on her nose.
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"You've got the plan down, right?"
"Yep. We wait for a call, then make the switch at the designated spot. Afterwards, you take them outside of the city and carry out your orders from Cortez."
"Right. Good thing for that mole you've got in the building. What's the name, Mariz…?"
"No, wrong guy. It's someone that works with Doc Alpert, Miles' personal doctor and the kid's now too. That's how we got all the info. Now…let's take care of my own mess."
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As the limo pulled up to the doctor's office, Marissa frowned. The moment she saw the place, she felt something…odd. Almost like a…sound inside her?
"Rissie…? Are you all right?"
She looked over to Devon and replied, "Just nervous, uncle."
He smiled and said, "Just don't get Michael's phobia for the medical profession and you'll be fine."
She shrugged and heard the doors open, then got out after Devon did.
Once the two of them went inside, Marissa saw a familiar face at the desk.
A young woman in her thirties with brown hair that was always neatly stacked on her head looked up and saw the two arrivals. She hid a little grin and asked professionally, "May I help you, sir?"
"Yes, Angela. We're here to see Dr. Alpert."
"Your names, please?"
"Devon and Marissa Miles."
She nodded, "If you'll take seats, Mr. And Miss Miles, the doctor will be in shortly."
The older man nodded and gestured towards the seats. She simply nodded and sat down at a chair in the left corner, while Devon sat beside her.
"It's funny…"
"What is?"
"Well, I've been hearing myself called this for four weeks, and it's still weird to be addressed as Marissa Miles…and not l—as some nasty names."
"I won't lie, my dear, it will take getting used to…but eventually, you will."
"Yeah…something tells me that. But…something feels sick inside me."
His brows drew together in concern. "Sick? How?"
"I…I don't know." She huddled in on herself, "I overheard Bonnie and RC talking yesterday after the results came in…talking about me."
"You did?"
"Yeah…they used another word to mention what was done to me the same day that Kitt and I left."
He looked worried at that. There were some things that some children were better off knowing, yet…
And Devon still wanted to kill the man.
"What did they say…?"
"Uncle…remember I said that he hurt me inside and out…? Marked me as his slave…?"
"Rissi—Marissa…you know now he didn't mark you in any such way, right…?"
She nodded and spoke in a trembling voice. "Uncle…then it's true…? That I was raped…? That's why I feel sick inside…?"
He nodded, whispered, "Come here…"
She did, her eyes glittering.
He picked his niece up and hugged her tightly.
"He'll pay for it," he whispered, "For what he did to you and your mother."
"Am I gonna ever stop feeling sick on the inside…?"
He paused before answering, "I hope so, my dear…" and thought, I hope to God you do someday.
"Is she okay, Devon…?"
He looked up and saw Doctor Alpert standing near the corridor leading back into his office, gazing at them with a concerned expression.
"I think so, doctor," he replied, then mouthed, The shock about the rape wore off.
The man nodded, understanding, and said, "I'm ready to see you two now."
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Angela waited until the three of them were well down the corridor before she picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"It's me," she said, "Those two got in and just went to talk to the doctor."
She paused for a long moment, nodding and making affirmative noises. "One other thing…the kid, I think she realizes what happened to her almost five weeks ago."
Another long pause ensured.
"Yes. I'll be ready."
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Some time later, the doors to the doctor's office opened. Devon and Marissa were talking as they slowly walked towards the limo.
"…Alpert thinks that at this rate, you should be at your normal weight in half a year."
She nodded, looking distant.
"…are you all right? Rissie…?"
"Huh? Y-yeah…sorry I broke down like that in the waiting room."
He shook his head, "Don't be. I admit, I wouldn't have picked the place, but often…when someone is in shock, like you have been, I know that you can't choose when it wears off." He paused before he added, "You handled it better than I know some would have."
"Really…?" she asked, and as she did, the feeling from earlier…not the sick one, but the sense of sound inside her was growing…and this time, she could understand it.
As they neared the limo, she moved as though she was rubbing her wrist.
"What's wrong…is your wrist hurting?"
"Huh? No…it was just a little twinge, from an old pun—an old beating. It's gone now."
Devon nodded. He saw that she was trying her hardest to break old habits, such as calling Parkson "master", or terming the beatings as "punishments". In a way, he admired her for it, just as he saw that she was trying to recover from the blow when the shock wore off.
"How about we do a little bit of shopping, then go over and see Michael and Kitt?"
She looked up, surprised. "Go see them…? But aren't they going to the beach, whatever that is…? And what's the ocean?"
"I'll tell you on the way over…"
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En route to the beach, Michael and Kitt were picking up a signal from the only other comlink in existence. From what the AI had determined, it was currently set to transmit only, and not receive.
They heard two little slams, meaning that the doors had been closed, then Devon's voice say, "Marcus, remember the children's store that you mentioned earlier? Oceanic Children? Take us there."
Marissa's voice came through, loud and clear, as she asked, "Um…doesn't he usually reply back to us?"
"Well, even limo drivers can have a lot on their minds. Marcus, for example, has an upcoming wedding coming up."
"Oh okay. Um, Uncle Devon, what's the ocean…?"
"Hmm…it's a lot bigger than the river you're used to…people swim in it often, but stay close to the shore. It's quite a sight to see."
There was the sound of a window rolling down and a slight hiss.
"U-uncle, there's a problem with the door!"
Devon replied, but not addressed to his niece, "Marcus, what is the meaning of this!"
There was the sound of a child coughing, "Uncle….thaaaashhh naaahhh…"
There was another groan, this one from Devon, before there was silence for a long moment.
"Kitt, get a lock on that limo!"
"I'm trying now, Michael."
A moment later, there were new voices, coherent and audible from obvious gas masks…and one definitely was not the chauffeur.
"Hah, it went just like clockwork. How're they sleeping?" a voice with a Texan drawl asked.
"Like babies," was the answer from someone that sounded like…no, it couldn't be. Angela? From Alpert's office!
"Great. Let's get them to the abandoned building before the gas wears off. Parkson's waiting for these two."
"That gas is potent. I should know, I secured it. They'll be asleep for three hours, at least…unless the ride gets rocky. I know the orders said it would be quiet, but does he have any official story…?"
"Yeah, and we'll find out what it is. I'll wager a hundred that it'll be an accident, with the driver asleep at the wheel."
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Michael swore, while Kitt's scanner swished back and forth in a manner that suggested anger.
The Trans-am immediately slammed on the brakes and executed a U-Turn.
"Pal, contact Bonnie at the Foundation," he ordered.
"Right away, Michael."
After a long moment, they heard the brunette's voice, "Michael, I'm in the middle of a conversation with Rodrigo Mariz—"
"Bonnie, I need you, RC and anyone else you can get, on the double. We've got an emergency."
"An emergency? What happened?"
"Douglas Parkson's in town…and he just had Devon and Marissa kidnapped."
