I've had a small change in plans. Due to everything that's happened with Hurricane Katrina RL, the story I was going to write that takes place in New Orleans during Mardi Gras won't be done for some time. It's...inappropriate.

Instead, my next story in the "Marissa" Universe will be "Race Against Time". Here's the summary for it:

Devon has begun his search for the truth behind his heritage. When meeting with someone from his past, he is poisoned. Now, Michael, Laura and Rodrigo must find the antidote to save his life, which can be found in only one place: South of the border, through enemy territory!

Also, to whet your appetite for a story that will be huge (at least 20-30 chapters), here's a summary for "Time's Crossing":

In the middle of the night, Marissa runs away from home mysteriously. In order to find her, Michael and Kitt will have to cross state lines and national borders. Their only clues behind why she left and where she is are the electronic letters that she sends to the AI. At the same time, Devon must learn the truth behind his heritage, or everything that they have ever known will cease to exist!

On to the reviewers (And please, don't be shy, you guys might find something that needs fixing or have an idea to improve the story!):

Knightsky (via e-mail): I'm glad you like the story so far. There will be only a couple of chapters or so before this story is completed. I'm looking forward to your "Return of the Knight".

KITT40146: chuckle Cliffhanger, eh? Well, thanks. After this, there is only one loose end in this story (and a heck of a lot of questions that will be answered later): and it involves Devon's birthday.

On with the fic!

Chapter 16: From Knight to Morning

It was right after Devon said, "And if I have to, I'll sneak her outside!" when the nurse came in for her regular check on the patient. This time, though, her eyes went wide and she ran out of the room in a hurry, saying something about getting the doctor.

Michael said quietly, "As much as regular sense would say to tell them what happened to her, we can't afford to."

The Englishman nodded grimly, "No, we can't. I know what Dr. Alpert would do. We'll have to make her look like she's sleeping. Rodrigo—"

"Say no more, senores," the Mexican nodded, picked up the little girl, placed her on the extra bed and closed her eyes and covered her up as normal.

A few seconds later, Dr, Alpert and the same nurse came into the room. The first thing he did was go over to Devon and check his vitals.

"From the looks of you, I'd say you just came out of the coma. You've been under for almost 2 days."

He nodded and said, "I'm all right now, I believe?"

Alpert replied, "How about I become the Executive Director and you become the doctor?"

That remark silenced Devon as the man completed his examination.

"Well, you'll be all right…I think you should stay in the hospital for a couple more days, though, in case there's a relapse."

"I think…that's a good idea, doctor," he replied, causing the other man to be taken aback.

"Nice to see you didn't pick up any of Michael's stubbornness. How's the little lady?" he asked as he turned to Marissa.

Michael said quickly, "She's sleeping…finally."

He nodded, "Thank God. That little girl hasn't slept for days…maybe since you and the others were abducted. I heard she and the other kids headed up a rescue operation and got everyone out, with two biker gangs as backup. The things that kids make up in play these days."

Devon looked angry at that as Michael replied coldly, "Well, I got a news flash for ya…all of that you heard was real, right down to the biker gangs. RC, Rodrigo and I were in that operation."

This openly surprised him. "Looks like I owe those kids an apology then…including the little one here. Can you wake her please?"

Devon replied quickly, "If she's been pushing her body for as long as you say, I'm not about to wake her now. Whatever you have to say to Rissie, it can either wait until she's rested…or I can tell her myself for you."

The other adults and Laura nodded in agreement.

"All right, then…I'll apologize later. Now, you need to get some rest. Michael and Marissa can stay here, but Rodrigo, you and Laura need to go now. You can talk to Devon later."

After the trio left, Michael looked at Devon for a moment and then accessed the comlink.

"Hey buddy, you there?"

"As always, Michael."

"Got some good news and bad news," he started, then explained everything that happened, including Marissa's condition and what had brought it about. That last part upset the AI greatly, both could tell it in his voice.

"I should have checked up on her, helped her to go to sleep…"

"We're going to try something just before dawn, but we're gonna need help doing it."

"What can I do?"

"We need to get into the garden…remember the one that Marissa, Laura, Rodrigo and I went into last night?"

"Yes."

"We're going there…and we'll need passage to do it. It's the only chance we have of healing Marissa. Can I count on ya, buddy?"

"If it'll help her, I'm in. Normally, I wouldn't even consider doing something like this in a Foundation hospital, but…I'll do it."

"Thanks, pal," he said, then turned to Devon.

"Now…I want to hear from you just what my daughter and the others were up to all this time…"

Michael sighed and sat in the other chair, then said, "She told me all about it after we got to the hospital. They had us fooled, but good. They made it look like friends were visiting, checking on them, and playing when actually they were putting a plan together. Marissa somehow talked Kitt into obeying her commands for the duration, then rerouted one of the terrorists phone calls and altered her voice to sound like she would if she was an adult…"

As Devon listened quietly, he found himself quietly admiring the intellect and skills the children collectively had, as well as his daughter's leadership abilities and Laura's skills as a strategist.

"Rissie talked one of the biker gangs into helping them?" he asked, "And he brought in a second gang?"

"Exactly. Impressive guy, I have to admit. If you thought that was shocking, you'll be alarmed to hear that after that rescue operation, he left the Black Dragons…Rodrigo and Laura have decided to take in him as their own…so Jack is part of the Foundation's Youth."

Devon peered through Michael as he said quietly, "Foundation's…Youth…"

The operative blinked for a moment, then asked, "Back…there, you and Verona mentioned someone…Cass…?"

He nodded, "Cassa…or rather, Cassandra. Verona was the youngest, while Cassa was older than I am, by a couple of years."

"Did…she act like she knew something you didn't?"

He groaned, "Oh, all the time…but not in the way that Verona did. No, Cassa more acted like I was an arrogant know-it-all idiot. Hence, the derogatory nickname."

"Regal?"

He nodded, a bit irritated.

"Well, I know what to never call you. 'Sides, Cassa sure didn't bother to get to know her own brother."

Devon looked at him, very surprised and more than a hint of affection in face and eyes. "Thank you, Michael," he said quietly.

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When the sky changed from the blackness of night to the gray that signaled sunrise about to come, Michael found a wheelchair and brought it into the hospital room. He carefully picked up Marissa and put her in it.

"I can't come down with you," Devon said, "But I'll be there…in spirit, at least."

The younger man could see that the Englishman was very worried…as well as sad. After all, what they were about to do would have one of two results: restoring her from the state she was in…or killing her.

"She'll make it," he said to Devon, "But I better go now."

He nodded and whispered, "Godspeed, you two."

Michael found it only a little harder than normal to maneuver around corridors and reach the elevator. After all, while he considered himself a master at sneaking out of a hospital, there was more than himself to move this time.

Thank goodness I remembered the fastest path from the room to the garden, he thought.

Within a couple of minutes, (with Kitt unlocking doors on the way) Michael and Marissa were at the last door to the garden where the Initiation ceremony had been held just two nights before. It too, was locked.

"Kitt," he whispered, "Last lock," and moved his arm so that the AI could get a good look.

Within a few seconds, he heard a small click, signifying that it was unlocked.

"Gracias, Senor Knight," he heard behind him…Rodrigo's voice.

"How long have you been following us?" he asked as he started to open the door.

The Mexican got in front and opened it for him as he answered, "Since you got off the elevator."

He nodded, both in acknowledgement and thanks, then pushed Marissa through the door.

"I know the perfect spot to put the wheelchair," Rodrigo said quietly, taking the handles of the chair as Michael stepped back.

The operative watched as the Mexican placed her on the side of the garden that pointed to the east.

"Now we leave the rest to fate," he said quietly.

Michael replied, "I think…she'll be okay. We'll see." He then asked, "Rodrigo…will I…be able to hear anything? Since I'm of Line Knight now…?"

"No se. Let's find out."

Both men nodded and sat nearby on a bench, waiting.

After what felt like a very long time, the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon, dancing on the ground…and at the little girl's feet.

Michael whispered quietly, "Can…you hear anything? I don't know if this…sunrise music is something only Mystic children can hear or not."

"Si, I can…you see, Devon doesn't because…that, like all of his other abilities, became dormant. He believes, though, it's because he grew up. Laura won't be able to hear it for much longer either, for the same reason." He took a sharp breath as he said, "It's starting."

Michael nodded and strained his ears, trying to hear music, of any kind.

I…can't hear anything.

A couple of minutes passed, with absolutely no movement from the little girl.

"How long before any sign happens?" he asked.

"Another minute or two," was the reply before Rodrigo peered at the sight. A moment later, he said, "Look…see there? Her feet."

Michael looked closely and saw that Marissa's feet were moving a little…as though tapping in time to something.

"There're moving a bit…does that mean…?"

"It's too soon to tell, Michael."

He nodded and both men watched closely. First her feet was clearly tapping in time, then there was a squeaky sound coming from her that gradually changed into humming.

"Sounds like she's improving some," the operative said.

"Si. Gracias a los Dios, I wouldn't have wanted anything more to happen to Devon."

Michael nodded in agreement. He didn't want the Englishman to lose the little girl either.

Both watched quietly as the humming grew louder, then saw that the sun had fully risen into the sky.

The little form in the wheelchair tried to slowly stand, her body trembling with the effort.

Both men got up and caught her before she could fall to the ground.

"Whoa…! You okay? How do ya feel?" Michael asked.

"I'm so…tired…Michael…how'd I…get here…?"

He breathed a sigh of relief and grinned, "Welcome back, munchkin. You had us really worried."

"Let's get you back into the hospital room…then you're going to get some sleep," Rodrigo ordered, "You scared your papa a lot!"

"Oh…sorry…"

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Devon looked up as he heard the sound of someone being wheeled in. When he looked to his right, he saw that Michael had returned with the little girl.

"R…Rissie…?"

She looked up, although she was almost asleep and smiled saying quietly, "Father…you're…awake."

"And you're out of that horrid state," he replied as Michael picked her up and carried her to the second bed, "Thank God you're all right." He paused and added to the operative, "She will be all right…correct?"

"Yeah," was the reply, "She needs a lot of sleep, but yeah."

The Englishman nodded and walked over to her, against even Michael's objections and tucked her in, using one of the hospital blankets.

"Night…father…Michael…"

As she closed her eyes, Devon ruffled her hair and said, "Michael…I think I truly know now why Kitt is so adamant about protecting her…even when he first found her. I love her dearly, and so does he."

Marissa smiled softly and murmured something before little, low snores filled the room.

"I think she heard you," Michael said in a low tone.

"I think so, too," the older man replied, then went back to his own bed. "I need some rest as well."

Michael nodded, then said, "I'll watch over both of you," knowing that Devon didn't even have the vaguest idea what all that statement meant other than at face value.