In the end...

The sun was just rising as Devon walked through the trees towards the grave stone. He had a full day ahead of him, but he didn't want today to go unmarked, and Michael and Kitt were not due back for another eight hours or more. They had closed their latest case only last night, and Devon had advised them both to get some rest. They had not slowed down over the almost six years they'd worked for FLAG, and Devon dreaded the day he was forced to pull them from the field for their own good. Despite the protections now afforded to Kitt by Wilton Knight's bequest, neither being was the sort to rest on their laurels.

Someone was playing guitar, and Devon paused while still in the treeline, squinting in the low light to see who was there.

Michael sat on Kitt's hood, who was parked on the lawn facing Stevie's grave marker. Man and AI were singing to her together, her tribute song that had been released under such difficult circumstances. Michael was playing, his hands steady as he strummed and plucked the delicate tune.

"What died didn't stay dead, what died didn't stay dead, you're alive, so alive in our heads…" the plaintive refrain, clearly altered to give Kitt a voice in his own grief too, drifted over the wet grass.

Devon swallowed and faded back out of sight. He would come back another time. They must have driven nonstop at high speed to reach the grave at this time of day, and it wouldn't do to interrupt them now.

0000

"Marlene West!" the official announced, and Michael helped the lady next to him to her feet, joining her to clap loudly for the young woman walking across the stage to collect her degree. Beside him, Mrs West put her fingers in her mouth and whistled so loudly Kitt would have been able to hear it outside in the parking garage. Marlene looked out at the audience in surprise, then smiled giving a little wave before going back to the ceremony. Michael made sure to take plenty of pictures for her family back home, obeying Mrs West's requests.

"She's done so well," Mrs West murmured as Michael saw her comfortably seated again, "Her mama would have been so proud."

"Rightly so," Michael grinned, "She's graduating with honours, and she worked hard to do that."

"I still don't know why you granted her a scholarship, or why you paid to fly me up here, but bless you young man," Mrs West wiped her eyes.

"About six years ago, she saved my life. Not even out of pre med, and she ran to help me when most people would have run the other way," Michael grinned at the look on Mrs West's face, "She didn't do it for a reward, and I know she'd have managed without the scholarship somehow, but… We need all the helpers we can find, Mrs West, and your young doctor up there is a good one."

"Well now," Mrs West beamed, "She was always a good girl. She's got a place in San Francisco, in the ER, and I'll be only an hour away. The whole family are fit to burst."

Kitt had organised the scholarship, and Michael had been more than happy to sustain it. Marlene had worked hard to attain her grades, and by all accounts was a steady and clever physician. If all Michael could do was ensure she didn't have to work extra jobs to get through school, then he was pleased to do so.

He'd been with Kitt for years now, and watching this young lady graduate felt like a highlight. He was looking forward to the next chapter.

0000

"You're aroused," Kitt murmured and Michael blinked his eyes open, squinting a little in the sun. He was aroused, but he hadn't expected Kitt to notice or comment on it. It had been almost two years since he'd had a partner in his bed, because you didn't basically marry someone and then sleep with other people, even if the person you were married to didn't engage in sex.

They were parked in the sun with all the windows and sunroof open, there was a slight breeze, and they'd been sitting in companionable quiet for a while. The sun felt good on his skin and was warming parts of him quite nicely, just enough to give him a little ache that let him know he was alive. He was enjoying this quiet time with Kitt. They'd parked out of sight of the road to break their cross country journey, and with the sun setting they'd lapsed into a contented silence. He was sitting with his life partner, they were well and safe, and he felt good in his body, so the arousal had crept up slowly. It would wane easily in time.

"Don't let it bother you, pal," Michael grinned, "I'm just feeling good, and really relaxed is all."

He was long past being embarrassed about bodily functions in front of his partner. Kitt was always scanning or watching him, and the same could be said for Michael. Not that Kitt had bodily functions. Privacy was non existent when you spent 24 hours a day with someone, and your down time as well. Sometimes it felt like they were in each others heads, they were so in sync.

"Michael," Kitt said with the air of someone bracing himself, "I was aware of your relationship with the drummer during your time as a country music musician."

"Matt?" Michael hadn't thought of him for a while. They'd been mutually using each other for comfort and pleasure. Matt had a thing for the guitarist Johnny, who Michael was subbing for. He'd heard they'd gotten together after Michael had parted ways with him. Michael had been glad for Matt, he was a decent guy.

"Yes," Kitt confirmed, "While we were apart for that last month, I crossed into comm link range with you five times. Twice you were with the band, either performing or on the bus, but three of those times you were engaged in intercourse with him."

"Did you watch?" Michael shifted a little in his seat. This talk of intercourse was not going to make his arousal any less. Matt had been fun and low drama, and Michael had enjoyed their time together, "Or, I guess, stay connected to the comm link?"

"I did," Kitt confirmed, "I was deeply curious about same sex intercourse. I activated the microphone and kept track of your vitals."

"I see," Michael closed his eyes again, wondering where this was going. His partner didn't seem upset, or traumatised, "Well, Matt wouldn't have known you were with us."

There was a beat of silence, and Michael began to think that was the end of the conversation.

"I experienced a profound sense of satisfaction at your climax," Kitt revealed shyly, "The second and third time I found a keen sense of anticipation until you reached climax."

"You experienced a reaction?" Michael asked, opening his eyes, looking at Kitt curiously. He wasn't disturbed by the idea, after all sex was deeply affected by mental state and Kitt was a being of the mind.

"A strong one," Kitt confirmed, "One that I expressed physically."

"Huh," Michael murmured, stroking the gull wing idly, "And… is that something you want to experience together? Or is this a request to ensure it doesn't happen again?"

"I… don't mind it happening again," Kitt confessed, "If it was with you. But I am unsure how we would… engage in such an act together."

"Well," Michael mused, "Arousal is as much a mental state as it is physical, my dear. I'm sure we could work it out together."

"You would be willing to try?" Kitt murmured shyly. Michael smiled lazily at his partner, his hand drifting across his abdomen. His arousal was definitely not abating any time soon.

"For you, of course," Michael replied, "There's nothing we can't do together."

0000

Michael wrapped the towel around his waist and hurried to the extension in the kitchen, answering the phone that was ringing stridently.

"Oh dear," Kitt's tone was a little lascivious, and Michael shot his partner a 'behave' look.

"Michael," RC was on the other end of the line, "It's a disaster!"

Given that they were supposed to attend RC's wedding today, and that Michael was due to dress and go to the Foundation early, in order to help the groom greet guests on the grounds, this was an alarming statement from their usually calm and collected partner.

"What happened?" Michael asked, firmly repressing the ghost of his own wedding.

"Some little shit set off the fire alarm in the hotel where April and the girls were getting ready by triggering the sprinklers! She's soaked, her hairdresser is gone, and the room is totalled!" RC stressed on the other end of the line and Michael frowned.

"Did they save their dresses?" he asked, knowing that April would be devastated if the dress was damaged.

"Yes, they were in their garment bags in a closet with their shoes, but she's freaking out! The limo is early, she's a mess, and she's threatening to call it off!"

"Kitt do you have the limo's details?" Michael asked, knowing his partner was patched into the line. Kitt rarely answered the phone but always listened in when Michael was using it.

"I do," Kitt confirmed, "Do you want me to direct him to bring them to the Foundation?"

"She won't come, because it's bad luck!" RC spluttered, "Michael, we can't call it off!"

"Ok, let's get the driver to bring the girls and their dresses here. It's clean and dry and they can finish getting ready," Michael suggested, "Then he can take them to the Foundation. I'll stay and help out where I can."

"I'm calling April now," Kitt announced, "RC, you can do without us can't you?"

It was an outside wedding because RC and April both wanted Kitt there, and he was planning to park at the rear of the ceremony with Michael. He'd been touched that the invitation had been addressed to them both, and that April had issued the invitation electronically, a format that Kitt was more comfortable with.

"Yeah, I can manage," RC sounded calmer, "Are you both sure? What about their hair?"

"We'll work something out," Michael promised, "Don't you worry. Kitt will call when the limo leaves here so you know when they're on their way."

"Thanks, partners," RC sighed, "I hit the jackpot when I met you two."

"Given I was in pieces…" Kitt scolded, and the humans laughed, "We are also better off knowing you."

"See you soon pal," Michael promised and hung up.

"April is on her way," Kitt announced, having finished his call to the upset bride very quickly. He'd all but ordered her to come, which she'd taken surprisingly well, "You'd best get dressed Michael, I don't want to share my current view with a gaggle of upset women."

"No?" Michael pulled the towel off provocatively, rubbing at his wet hair while Kitt sputtered at him. The scar from the knife wound that Phaeton had given him was barely visible now, though Kitt would always know where it was. Michael went back into the bathroom and finished drying off. They'd converted part of the bathroom space into a laundry, and the rest into closets. His suit, a navy blue three piece with a crisp white shirt, didn't take long to put on. He rarely wore the thousand dollar one, unless it was for Kitt. He left the jacket folded neatly on the driver's seat, and Kitt rolled the chassis forward, parking in the bed space so that the limo could park inside their garage.

This proved to be a wise decision, as the girls were all bedraggled and wearing terry robes from the hotel, clearly thrown on over not very much. Makeup was running, and their elaborate hairstyles were ruined. The garment bags were all dry though, and while a few of the shoe boxes were damp, the contents weren't spoiled. Michael counted himself lucky that April had stuck to two bridesmaids, and that the mother of the bride had accepted staying at the Foundation instead of with the bride for her hens night.

"Ok," Michael had piled their clean towels on the kitchen bench, "Bathroom is in there, you'll need to wash the product out of your hair and that makeup off. I can probably fix your hair myself, if you do your makeup, and then you can get dressed, ok?"

The limo driver settled back into his limo, clearly intending to read the paper instead of watching the drama. He'd been a bit astonished by the set up, but April hadn't reacted to it at all, and her bridesmaids were taking their cues from her.

"How?" April sniffled a little and Michael smiled, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Stevie had a thing about her hair. The makeup and tights she'd put on in the car, but we did not leave the house until the hair was just right. And if it was windy when we got there, we didn't leave the car until the new hair do was just right too. I learned a lot about elegant but quick hair do's and I think I can remember it all," he chuckled, shaking his head, "I also learned to get out of the car before she deployed the hair spray."

"Oh Michael," April hugged him, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure," Michael promised, "You will be beautiful on your special day."

The makeup cases were dumped on the kitchen counter, and Michael rummaged for supplies.

"Are you alright?" Kitt asked while the ladies were in the bathroom. Michael smiled over at him easily.

"Yeah," he replied, "It's a pleasant memory, partner. Stevie's one girly girl quirk was her hair. Everything else she didn't mind so much, but the hair had to be right. Fortunately my current partner isn't as fussed about his hair."

"Very funny," Kitt replied snootily, but fell silent as April emerged, her wet hair wrapped in a towel, the hotel robe concealing the rest of her adequately. The dresses had been hung, still in their bags, from the linen cupboard doors and the shoes laid beneath them, the damp boxes discarded.

"I have a hair dryer in here somewhere," she told Michael, "And other hair things."

"That's good, cos the pickings I found were slim. I mostly need hair ties and hair pins," he told her, and she pulled enough out to deal with five women's hair before disappearing back into the bathroom with the makeup box.

"What do you plan to do?" Kitt asked once they were alone again, curious about the sort of style Michael thought would best suit April.

"A french roll for April, I think, and french braiding for the maids. I've got enough hair ties and pins," Michael mused, "Elegant but simple. April can put a veil over hers without any issues, which is key."

"I bow to your unexpected expertise," Kitt teased lightly, "And look forward to the results."

Michael snorted at him, but the first bridesmaid came out, her make up expertly applied and Michael perched her on a bar stool. He braided first the left, then right side of her hair, joining the two braids together at her nape and securing the single braid with a hair tie before twisting it into a knot at her nape and pinning it carefully in place. April was the next out, and she cooed over the style, examining it closely.

"It's lovely!" she sent the bridesmaid to dress while settling with a sigh onto the stool, the last tension leaving her, if Kitt's scanners were right. She'd been worried then, but Michael didn't let her down, sectioning her hair carefully and then performing the twist he'd spoken of, securing it with pins again. April had intended to wear a small piece of jewellery in her hair, and Michael tucked it into place carefully, ensuring it was secure.

"April, I'm sure you'll be pleased," Kitt said, "It's very elegant."

She hurried off to look, and there were squeals of delight from the bridesmaids in the bathroom, where they were dressing. Michael did the last woman's hair while April was dressing, replicating the first style, and sending her to the bride when done. By the time all three women emerged, fully dressed and put together, you couldn't tell that they'd been in a deluge. With the veil and the modest white dress, April shone with happiness, and Michael accepted his kiss to the cheek with aplomb.

"We'll see you at the Foundation," he promised as the limo driver helped his passengers into the limo, giving their living space one last look before backing out into the lot behind them. Michael put his jacket on, adjusting his cuffs and smoothing the waistcoat. Kitt had called RC already, and Michael slid into the drivers seat.

"We can beat them there," Kitt suggested and Michael nodded, backing her out of their garage and heading for the road.

0000

"Michael," Kitt murmured, "Dante's in trouble."

Michael looked up from the file he was going over, the desert blurring past him as Kitt drove them over the highway. They'd just finished a mission and they were returning home for the first time in months.

"Where is he?" Michael asked, frowning. Dante was one of the new AI who had recently been partnered with a Driver called Kyle Stewart. They were on their first mission this week, and Michael had been aware that Kitt had been monitoring the young AI closely. He was taking a very paternal interest in the three AI that had been developed so far, though Dante was the only one who'd been deployed to the field so far.

"About thirty minutes away, less at pursuit speed," Kitt replied, anxiety lacing his tone.

"Punch it," Michael put the file aside, "Let Devon and the Foundry know where he is and that we're on our way. Beast was being mounted into a chassis wasn't he?"

"Yes, but his intended Driver isn't ready yet," Kitt fretted as the chassis speed increased.

"RC is at the Foundry with April though," Michael reminded him patiently, "Ask RC if he and Beast will come back us up, provided April signs off on Beast coming out of the garage."

"Alright," Kitt said dubiously, "If you think it's a good idea?"

"RC will take care of Beast, and we don't want him in the action anyway. If Dante needs a tow or something, RC and Beast can get him to safety," Michael reminded him, "We can finish their mission, once we know the situation."

"Oh, yes, that's a much better plan," Kitt agreed, "It will keep them both safe and we can finish their case."

Michael didn't comment on the overprotective stance Kitt was taking, knowing that at some point his partner would realise he'd have to let the younger AI's develop along their own paths. At the moment, Kitt worried about them endlessly. Michael could understand it, he'd felt the same way about the selection process for the Driver's for the AI's. Not just anyone would be able to work in the conditions that he and Kitt had pioneered.

"Do we know what they were working on?" Michael asked, punching his query into the console while Kitt focused on his driving.

"Initial recon for a later mission, there was a suspicion of drug running," Kitt murmured, "You should be able to locate more details in the file."

"Got it," Michael agreed, skimming through the file. Although he knew Kitt could also read it, they had recently established that Kitt enjoyed having Michael read to him. Mostly Michael had read non-fiction, history anthologies, some science papers they were both interested in, but he knew that Kitt found it relaxing when Michael did this, so he started reading aloud, "It seems that there were reports of trucks moving over the desert, using abandoned roads and old dry river beds and washouts. They disappear in the same general area. The initial thought is that someone is moving something illegal, probability high of it being drugs, into a central distribution point. Dante and Kyle were sent to do an initial recon of the situation, to see if they could track the final location. Once they had, we were going to team up and see if we could work out what the deal was together. A training mission, as far as that sort of thing can exist in our line of work."

"Kyle would have pushed Dante into trying to close it earlier," Kitt grumbled, "You know how competitive he is."

"Kyle or Dante?" Michael grinned, "Because there is a reason that they were partnered together."

"True," Kitt sighed, "I am wondering though if it was a mistake to put Dante with someone who would keep pushing him. He's too young to know when to back down."

"Which is Kyle's job, he's the experienced agent," Michael reminded him, "The psychologists felt that they would work best together of all the candidates. I know he wasn't our pick, but he has the right skill set."

"He's not you," Kitt grumbled, "You both have similar backgrounds, but he isn't as good as you. He isn't as patient."

"I know," Michael nodded, bracing himself as the chassis began to slow down sharply, "And that is why they were sent on a long term recon mission that we would join once they'd had a chance to map out the data we need."

"We should have predicted that they would try to get the mission closed before we could join them," Kitt snarled in frustration, "We should have waited to send them out until you and I were with them!"

"If wishes were horses, poor men would ride," Michael reminded him, "Let's focus on Dante now. Has he said anything about where his Driver is?"

"He's unable to locate him," Kitt reported, "Dante is immobilised and has suffered critical system damage. There is no signal from the comm link that Kyle wears."

"Is his chassis damaged?" Michael asked as they slowed further encountering rougher terrain as they left the sealed roads behind.

"He can't autopilot," Kitt reported, "And he has very limited ability to scan. Michael, he's very scared."

"Ok, easy, partner, we're almost there, right?" Michael soothed, shifting to lean forward, "Once we're in visual range you can share scanner data with him, and that will help."

"Yes, I hadn't thought of that," Kitt sounded upset, and Michael put a hand on the vocaliser, trying to offer comfort. Kitt saw the other AI's as kids, and was not always capable of logic when they were in a situation that was unfamiliar. It didn't make it easier for Michael to talk him off the ledge when he was wearing his 'overprotective' hat.

"There!" Kitt exclaimed, and Michael leaned further forward, bracing his hand on the dash as they lurched over increasingly rough terrain. Dante was jammed into a rock formation, which was leaning perilously over the damaged chassis. The terrain was too rough for Kitt's chassis lower suspension and he was forced to stop before he damaged himself.

"Ok, I'm going over there," Michael got out of the chassis even as Kitt objected.

"That rock formation isn't stable," Kitt warned.

"I'll be safe if I get into Dante's chassis," Michael patted the roof and jogged over the terrain, "ETA to Beast and RC's arrival?"

"Twelve more minutes," Kitt called, "I'll scan him for damage and let you know if he can be moved."

"Got it," Michael acknowledged and jumped over the last ditch between him and Dante, "Hey pal, it's Michael, can you hear me?"

"Yes," Dante replied flatly, "Where is Kyle?"

"Lemme have a quick look around," Michael replied, "How are you doing?"

"I am damaged," Dante snapped, "Obviously."

"Ok kid, knock it off," Michael said tiredly, "I'm not your enemy, I'm here to help. Manners are appreciated."

"In fact, they are required," Kitt broadcast from the comm link in frosty tones. Dante had an attitude, and could be a bit snippy when he felt uncomfortable.

"I apologise," Dante replied after a pause. Michael straightened up from where he was crouched behind Dante and walked back towards Kitt slowly.

"I have drag marks and tire tracks here," Michael pointed them out and Kitt took over the tracking, deploying his scanners to trace the direction of the tracks.

"Dante, what, specifically, is your damage?" Michael asked, walking back towards the damaged chassis.

"I have many electronic shorts and associated damage," Dante reported, "I am unable to scan and have limited optical external views. I am unable to autopilot."

"Kitt, are the mechanics of the chassis damaged? Can I move him safely?" Michael asked, and moved cautiously towards Dante, eyeing the rocks the SUV was jammed against.

"You can, but it will likely cause the rest of the rock face to fall," Kitt reported, "If you move him, you'll have to be fast."

"Ok," Michael eased the door open, "We can do that, right, Dante?"

"Do I have a choice?" Dante asked sourly. Michael grinned as he slid inside and shut the door carefully.

"We can leave you here," Michael joked, "If you'd prefer."

"No thank you," Dante's tone was defeated and Michael patted the dashboard gently.

"I would never leave you stranded," Michael told him, "So lets take this nice and careful, ok? By the numbers. Step one, engine on."

The engine sparked and turned over.

"It sounds ok," Michael mused, "What do you think, Dante? Sound normal to you?"

"… yes," Dante decided, "I think it will be ok."

"Alright, step two, we're going to build the revs in neutral, then slide you into reverse and back off as quick as possible," Michael told him, "I'll have to steer us around the obstacles behind you, so this will feel pretty weird. I'll try to give you as much heads up as I can, but the priority has to be getting you out to safety, so don't fret if I can't tell you exactly what you want at the time, ok?"

"You cant trust Michael, Dante," Kitt chimed in, "You're in the safest hands I know."

"You're biased," Dante replied, but Michael could hear the apprehension in his tone.

"Yes I am," Kitt said warmly, "But that doesn't change things."

"Ok, into neutral," Michael slipped the selector through the gates, "And starting the revs. Kitt, warn me if the vibrations make things worse."

"Will do," Kitt confirmed. Michael eased his foot onto the accelerator.

"Ok, here we go Dante," Michael put his hand on the selector, twisted in his seat, and put his other hand on the wheel, "Three, two, one…"

The selector slid into reverse and the wheels lurched them into motion.

"Going left to avoid rocks," Michael said as the hood scraped clear, "Then a hard right to get back towards the road."

"Michael, it's starting to slip!" Kitt warned and Michael pressed the accelerator down harder, spinning the chassis expertly around the last of the debris and back onto the road that Dante had been travelling with Kyle when they were attacked. The sound of falling rocks made Dante's exclamation of fear almost inaudible, but Michael had expected it.

"I got you pal," Michael murmured, "We're almost clear, now, hold on a bit longer."

Several rocks hit the hood and dented it, but then they were clear and the chassis wheels hit the road safely, "We're clear Dante, slowing down now, both axles back on the road, and we're slowing, and stopped," Michael said quietly.

"I don't like moving when I can barely see," Dante groaned unhappily as Michael slipped the selector into park and turned off the engine.

"We're not gonna move any further for now," Michael promised, "We're going to check you over, and the chassis too, and Beast is on his way with RC. They're gonna help us out too."

"I don't want to leave Kyle," Dante protested, "He should be my partner."

"We're going to help him too, Dante," Michael assured him, "But I need to ensure you're ok first."

Kitt moved around the obstacles between him and Dante, sending his data to the stricken AI so Dante was able to track him.

"Do you mind opening your hood for me, Dante?" Michael put his hand on the release but didn't trigger it until Dante gave permission. He got out and propped the hood, leaning over the engine inside. He had enough knowledge to know that he was looking at a pattern of damage that was associated with an EMP.

"This looks like damage caused by an EMP to me," Michael told Kitt, "How about you?"

"Yes," Kitt agreed, "The comm link wouldn't have been hardened against it either, which is why Dante can't see it."

It was an attempt at reassurance, which Michael didn't think Dante would appreciate. He looked up at his partner, and then crawled underneath the chassis to check for leaks. Above him he could sense that Kitt and Dante were communicating over a link he didn't have access to. That was ok though, because Kitt would argue the kid into going back for repairs with him, while Beast, RC and Michael went after Kyle. Even with his modified suspension Kitt wouldn't be able to tolerate this terrain for long, and his partner knew it. With Kyle missing, sending the only vehicle they had capable of mastering the terrain back to base was illogical. Beast had armour that Dante didn't and if an EMP was in play, then RC and Michael were at least better prepared to protect the kid while they rescued the missing Driver.

0000

It took Kitt three hours to coax Dante back to the Foundries, time which he would have preferred to spend with Michael assisting in the retrieval of the missing Driver. By the time they reached safety, a feat achieved by having Dante almost press his front fender to Kitt's rear fender while Kitt shared his full scanner data as they drove, Michael, RC and Beast had retrieved Kyle and shut down what turned out to be a high tech smuggling ring, where the tech being smuggled was part of advance guidance systems for various strictly controlled weapons.

Beast had reported to Dante that Kyle had received some injuries to his ribs and head, but nothing life threatening, and that all three humans were in Beast and headed back to the Foundry. RC was driving while Michael sat in the back and monitored Kyle, who was in the front passenger seat. The human medics had been alerted, and were waiting when Beast rolled into the hanger an hour later. Dante had asked to wait on the repairs until he'd seen his Driver, and the head technician had agreed, stating blandly it would give them time to complete the diagnostics anyway.

Kitt watched as Michael slid carefully out of the backseat, scanning his partner thoroughly. The knee that Michael had twisted two weeks ago was swollen again, with fresh soft tissue damage. Kitt sighed internally and mentally inventoried their stock of ice packs at home. Michael waved to him, but headed into medical with Kyle, requesting privacy mode on the comm link as he did. Kyle had stated in his entrance interviews that he didn't want to be scanned by his partner constantly, and took the comm link off when they weren't in the field, preferring his privacy. It was the opposite of the access that Kitt had to his Driver, but Michael had pointed out that they had years of experience together, and shared a degree of intimacy that was emotionally and physically expressed. Kitt only hoped the man would take the time to get his knee seen to as well.

"Hey there," RC wandered over and leaned against the chassis companionably, "Good to see you again Kitt."

"How are the children and April?" Kitt asked, and RC grinned, pulling out his wallet and the pictures that inevitably resided in there. Kitt settled in to catch up on the family news, enjoying the social moment. They were deep in an anecdote that involved a poorly conceived plan to surprise parents with breakfast in bed, when there was a ruckus at one of the access doors and Kyle Stewart burst into the hanger, heading directly for Dante. Kitt sent a signal to the techs, requesting that they lower Dante's hood, and was pleased when they cooperated.

"Kyle?" Dante sounded hopeful, "How are you feeling partner?"

Michael was only a few steps behind the other man, who was frowning darkly as he stalked across the floor. Michael looked grim, and RC straightened up, moving to stand between Kitt and the approaching Driver.

"How am I?" Kyle seethed, "I'm cracked ribs and a mild concussion, you… bucket of bolts!"

"Hey!" RC and Kitt both barked, which didn't deter the other man at all. Michael sped up, his limp more pronounced than before as he tried to catch the other Driver.

"I'm sorry!" Dante apologised, which made Kitt seethe. It wasn't his Driver, and he always felt guilty when Michael was hurt, but Michael had never blamed Kitt for his injuries, not even the time Kitt had lost traction on a deceptive road surface and clipped his running Driver, sending him tumbling with contusions and bruises. Dante had to forge this relationship himself, but Stewart was bordering on abusive.

"You should be!" Kyle aimed a kick at Dante's tire, and Kitt's engine roared to life, just as Michael reached the other man. Michael had him by the collar and off balance in a second, pulling him away from the young AI, past horrified techs, and spinning him around, pressing him against the wall. Kitt called security, requesting a team to the hanger at once.

"That is your partner," Michael's voice alone was enough to freeze every person in ear shot, and several people's pulse rates increased exponentially, "Don't you ever do that again."

"If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have been hurt! He futzed out on me!" Kyle snarled.

"He was hit by an EMP, you dolt," Michael didn't raise his voice or alter the chilling tone at all, "Which you exposed him to. It was your command decisions, and as senior partner you should have known better."

"Fine! Then let me show you how much better I know! I quit! I wouldn't go out into the field with faulty equipment, and I'm sure not going out with that stupid thing again!" Kyle broke Michael's grip, and Michael stepped back quickly, moving out of the way. Seconds later, Kitt had Kyle pinned to the wall at the knee. He was still sharing his scanning and camera views with Dante, as was Beast, who had manoeuvred over to Dante's other side. Both AI had a good view of Kyle's expression when he realised he was pinned in place.

No one said anything as Michael limped back to Dante's side, throwing his arm over the hood of the chassis, his hand resting protectively above the AI's CPU. RC copied the gesture from the other side, also resting a hand on Beast's grill in reassurance. Dante turned his wheels so he was 'leaning' into Michael, who leaned back companionably.

"Where have I seen this before?" RC mused just as the silence got thick. The amusement in his tone was clear. Michael grinned over at their sometimes partner, clearly anticipating what was coming next.

"Oh yes, Michael had just free climbed up and then down a fifty foot tall building," RC nodded, "Kitt sure does like to go for the knees, doesn't he?"

"You work with what you've got," Kitt replied drily. Michael sniggered, but stayed quiet, keeping Dante under his protective wing.

"Was that your final word, Mr Stewart?" Kitt asked abruptly, "Or do you have more to say?"

"No," Kyle rasped.

"Then as controlling senior executive of Knight Foundries, I accept your resignation," Kitt said evenly as security boiled into the room and hurried over wide eyed, "Security will escort you to your quarters, and then off the premises. I have already revoked all of your accesses."

Kitt rolled the chassis back three inches, and the leader of the team reached over and caught Kyle's arm, pulling him out of the tiny gap. The other three formed up around Kyle and his arm holding escort, and the group of humans left.

"I'm calling Devon," Kitt sighed when they were gone. Michael grunted and turned so he was leaning more fully against Dante.

"You ok?" he asked the AI, knowing full well what the answer was. Kitt had needed encouragement to express his real feelings at the start (though Kitt had no problem showing his annoyance).

"He was supposed to be my driver," Dante sounded stunned.

"He was not worthy of you," Beast growled, "He was not worthy of us!"

"He was a lemon," RC agreed.

"But he was supposed to be you, Michael," Dante protested, "You both have military and law enforcement experience, you're both intelligent…"

"That man is nothing like my Driver," Kitt snapped, "I'll thank you not to compare him that way again."

"Easy partner," Michael soothed, looking over his shoulder at his irate friend, "On paper, Kyle Stewart and I have striking similarities. It's why he made it into the top five candidates for Dante."

"Was he number one?" RC asked curiously. Michael shifted his weight, leaning more fully on the chassis in front of him. Kitt's scanners showed his knee was swelling further and that the elastic brace he was wearing was beginning to place painful pressure on it.

"No he was number 4," Michael frowned, "We had someone else in the number one slot, but we were overruled. You remember Meg Walker? Kitt and I both thought that she'd be a good match for Dante, but Devon wanted someone with military experience to lead the team, and she's not been in the military."

"I'm contacting her now too," Kitt informed them, "She was due to be in LA for a holiday. I'm hoping she'll be free for at least an introduction."

"Good," RC nodded, "Meg has worked with Michael and Kitt a couple of times before, she's smart and she can fight like a hell cat on wheels. You should meet her, Dante."

"But what if I get her hurt too? Maybe I need more time to learn," Dante asked quietly, his usual brash nature completely subdued.

"Dante, Kitt wasn't that smooth when he and I first went into the field either," Michael said gently, "And for that matter, neither was I. Working with a partner that is mounted in a chassis very different to your own requires a level of flexibility and its a steep learning curve at the start. You and Kyle were given a reconnaissance run for just that reason. And what we learned is that Kyle is the wrong fit, and you need someone more able to consider your needs."

"I agree," Beast spoke up, surprising them all. Beast had a tendency towards gruffness and being bluntly outspoken. He'd never spoken in support of his fellow AI before, it was usually Kitt interceding for the kids.

"I think you'll be ok," Kitt coaxed, "And we'll set up some training scenarios for you. Beast too, it can't hurt to have some more experience."

"I don't have a driver yet," Beast reminded them, "I've only been in chassis for a week. And Domino hasn't even been mounted into her chassis."

"Duke DePalma is finishing up his stint with Chicago PD," Michael reminded him, "You've talked with him already, and he'll be here by the end of the month. And Domino's chassis is due to be finished next week. Her driver, Jenny Andrews, is fresh off deployment and she'll be here by the time Domino starts her acclimation tests. Your foray into the field today was a one off Beast, you still have to finish your acclimation tests too."

"Thank you for coming after me," Dante told his fellow AI and Michael swore the truck smiled bashfully. Even without a face, he was able to express himself.

"You'd do the same for me," Beast muttered.

"We should let the techs get back to their diagnostics," RC suggested.

"And you should come here, Michael," Kitt added firmly. He watched as Michael straightened and disguised a wince, moving at a deliberate pace to cover the few feet between himself and Kitt to minimise any limp.

"Sit down please," Kitt directed and Michael sank onto the hood, letting the chassis take his weight, and straightening his swelling leg. Kitt wanted to take him to get medical attention, but knew that was an argument he wouldn't win while Michael thought Dante needed them. In a flash of inspiration, Kitt contacted April, who was working upstairs with Domino.

The techs moved back into place, propping open Dante's hood and talking in low voices while RC moved back to lean on Beast, talking to him quietly. Kitt was glad that RC and April had both been here today. The home office was undergoing a refit, and RC and Truck (the AI identified herself by that name and RC was experienced enough not to argue) were hanging around waiting for that team to get finished. Beast needed to interact with people more, if they were ever going to cure him of his bluntness, and Dante would appreciate his team mate being treated well too.

"Michael, what's this I hear about your knee?" April announced her arrival with a scold, and Michael actually jumped in surprise. That was a good indicator of his pain level: Michael was easier to sneak up on when he was in pain.

"Uh, it's not a big deal," he tried to play down the injury as usual, but no one was fooled, "It was just a bump."

"It was a guy with a base ball bat," RC corrected from where he stood, sensibly staying out of the line of fire as April stomped over to Michael's side.

"It could have been worse," Michael excused, giving her his best 'guilty little boy' smile. She had lamented before her son had learned that smile from his Uncle Michael, and Kitt had to say there was a great similarity.

"Yeah, they could have hit you in the head," Beast agreed sarcastically.

"Not helping," Michael pointed firmly over at the AI.

"Not trying to," was the gruff reply. RC sniggered. April rolled her eyes and then had her shoulder under Michael's arm and hauled him to his feet.

"Ack!" Michael squawked as she started hauling him across the hanger towards the door leading to medical, "Uh Kitt? A little back up, please?"

"Thank you April," Kitt called sweetly, and ignored Michael's grumble of 'traitor' as he was carted through the door, "RC, you married a bad ass."

"You know it," RC confirmed smugly.

00000

End

(This was never supposed to be about Team Knight Rider, so that will do.)