Dancing In The Dark

After all you're flesh and blood
And when you fall hold on to love
All of your life, you've been strong, you,ve been proud.
A lonely island apart from the crowd
Have faith, I'll be your eyes
When you can't see the light
When your tears blind your sight
Like a candle, I will show the way
I'll be your eyes
When truth's hard to find
When your heart cheats your mind
When the dream dies.
- Paul Janz

Waking a few hours into the night Dany looked down at the extraordinary man lying beside her. Leaning over him, she pressed her lips to his. Watching as a slight smile lit his face, but he didn't stir otherwise. Turning, she reached into her night side table, pulling out a syringe. Gently pressing it into his exposed arm, she depressed the plunger halfway, then stopped. Staring at him, she couldn't do it. Not after.... Crying softly, she lay over him. Allowing her naked body to cover his. Memorizing the feel. Her head against his shoulder she felt his pulse begin to slow, remembering how it had thundered against her earlier.
"I'm sorry Michael, so sorry. If there was any other way." Getting dressed, she looked outside, towards the black car. Kitt was silent, the scanner track dark as he 'slept'. She was overwhelmed with unbelievable guilt. She wasn't supposed to fall in love with them. She was supposed to be a professional, but she couldn't complete her mission. Michael couldn't die. Not tonight. Not by her hand. Taking one more look at the man in her bed, she walked out the back to finish what she had begun.
"Get up!"
Groggy, Bonnie looked up. The room was dark, except for a small amount of light filtering in from the living area. "Dany what...?" Her eyes cleared enough to let her see the gun pointed at her. "What's going on?"
"No need for questions, get dressed. We have a small excursion ahead of us."
"Why? Where's Michael?" Bonnie froze when no answer came. "No..." She couldn't imagine that possibility. He couldn't be dead.
Dany's smile bordered on evil. "I do have to say, he was one hell of a lover. What a nice way to shove off though."
Swallowing hard, feeling her knees give way, Bonnie dropped back onto the bed. "Where's Kitt?"
"Probably calling for his precious driver. Thinking he overslept after a wild night."
Bonnie blinked a few times before continuing to follow orders. Out in the car, she finally gained enough courage to ask, "why me?"
"Because you created such a stunning AI. There are those out there willing to pay unreal amounts for your knowledge. Now hold still." Before Bonnie could react, Dany pricked her arm. Then the world began to fade.
*
Waking up was strange. It wasn't his usual alertness right off the bat. This dragged. He tried to move, but he felt like his brain wasn't connected to his body. Opening his eyes slowly, he remembered where he was and a beautiful smile touched his lips. The sun was at mid sky, this wasn't normal. Okay, he wasn't a morning person, but Kitt would have had him up by now. Dany had probably gone into work, leaving him to sleep.
"Michael. Michael please answer me." Kitt's desperate voice came over the comlink. He had been trying to rouse his partner every five minutes for hours, his concern growing in leaps when his partner's answer didn't come.
"Kitt?" His voice wasn't right. He tried to move, and his body would have nothing to do with it. Fear hit him.
"Michael, can you hear me?" Kitt had thought Michael not answering him was bad, now he was truly frightened.
"I can hear you, I just can't move yet. Did you see Dany leave?"
"No, I didn't. I powered down for a few hours. By the time I came back online, she was gone. I tried to reach you earlier."
"How long have you been trying?"
"Over four hours."
Whoa, this was really wrong. He'd never been able to sleep though Kitt calling him. Standing, he fell forearms against the wall. Taking deep, gulping breaths, he tried to quell the nausea.
"Michael?!" It took a few minutes before he could answer his panicked partner.
"Oh, God Kitt... She must have slipped me something." Each word was difficult to form. With each breath, his body rebelled. Slowly, he regained his bearings and picked up his clothes.
"I'm coming out, Kitt. I think I'm going to need some help."
For Michael to admit that said more than Kitt wanted to contemplate. Then he saw him. Using walls to support himself, Michael made his way through the house.
Kitt brought the car across the grass to the entranceway. Stepping away from the house, he pitched, hands first onto the hood. Pausing, he struggled with his own body, willing himself to stand. Leaning on the car, he managed to get inside. Kitt left the door open for a few minutes, watching him, unable to do much else. Having an idea, he closed the door and activated the oxygen. Michael turned his head into the stream, breathing deeply. Feeling his head clear marginally.
"Michael, Devon's calling."
Nodding, then deciding better of it, "Patch him through."
"Michael," Then a pause and more concerned. "Michael, what happened?"
"I haven't figured that out yet." Kitt cringed, his voice was so weak.
"I have some news." Realizing the fragile state the young man was in, he tried to break this gently.
"I'm listening." His voice was a little stronger, dreading what was about to come.
"Bonnie is missing." Devon stated in monotone.
Michael's reaction terrified Kitt. The struggle, both mentally and physically was taking a terrible toll on him.
"Devon, I need to take care of Michael." Devon's anger flared briefly, then looking at Michael, he realized something was terribly wrong on that front as well.
"Understood, Kitt. Bring him in as soon as possible." With that Kitt cut the communications link and scanned his partner.
Michael heard the concern in his boss, but all he could do was concentrate on not throwing up.
"There's a small puncture mark on the inside of your left elbow."
"I know, I can feel it." Swallowing hard, he kept his voice. "Can you tell what she gave me?"
"Cardiac inhibitor." Appalled, he double checked, disbelieving his own findings. "She must have misjudged the amount."
"Misjudged, or couldn't do it? Kitt, I have to believe she's not that type of......" But she obviously was. "Jesus, she's been using me."
Avoiding the subject for the moment, Kitt focused on getting his driver to help. "Do you think you can handle us heading back? You need to see the doctor."
"Slowly Kitt. I'm not sure what my body is gonna do."
Carefully, Kitt began what felt like the longest drive back to the Foundation. Numerous times Kitt had to pull over, just in time for Michael to lose control. Michael's body was fighting against the drug and Kitt began to fear that the strain might cause his heart to stop.
Kitt alerted their arrival the moment he turned onto the driveway. When he pulled up, Devon and the doctor stood waiting. It took both of them to help Michael out of the car. He was pale, shivering and quickly losing the fight.
Standing, if you'd call it that. His back supported against the car, Kitt broke canon. "I love you, Michael." Closing his eyes he let his friends words surround him. Kitt would never know just how much hearing him say them helped.
After Michael was lead inside, Devon placed a hand on the car. "He'll pull through." A shiver through the powerful frame was the only acknowledgment.
Kitt waited and waited. His concern for Michael was growing unbearable. Sure he could feel his irregular heart beat through the comlink, but it wasn't enough. Having seen Michael's devastated reaction to learning of Bonnie's disappearance, created a fear and rage Kitt had never known before. That woman had gone out of her way to seduce his best friend then try to kill him. No matter what Michael said, Kitt believed she had meant to kill him. That did not sit well with the AI. Tapping into the police frequencies, he found no sign of a car fitting the description of Danielle's. It was all too premeditated. Had she set up Michael to make sure he was out of the way while she captured Bonnie. If she hurt his mother.....
"Kitt?" Michael's call came across the link.
Kitt startled, then a surge of relief flowed through him. "I'm here, Michael. How are you?"
"Weak, but we need to get moving."
"But Michael, you are in no condition..."
"Kitt please. She set me up. You tried to tell me and I ignored you. Please Pal, meet me at the door."
With a sigh, Kitt conceded. This was not the time to argue. "Will do, Michael."
It took only two minutes for Kitt to travel the distance from his garage to the Foundation's front doors. He found Michael hanging onto the wall. Seeing this, he hurried to open the driver's door as close to his friend as possible. Stumbling over, Michael had to sit for a few minutes while his heart calmed. Kitt watched him closely, vowing to reap revenge on those responsible for this.
"Did you pick up anything?"
"Last night? No. I'm sorry, Michael, I trusted her."
"You and me both, Pal."
"This is the ultimate betrayal, Michael. She didn't have to..."
"No, she didn't. But she did. I need to pick up the pieces now. Those include the ones with you."
"There are none. She fooled us all."
"And that's exactly what I feel like. You trust my instincts, why didn't I trust yours?"
"I believe you are paying a high enough price. What did the doctor say?"
"He gave me a shot to counteract the one she gave me."
"I hear a 'but' in there."
"But..." he closed his eyes, still unwilling to believe the consequences. "This may damage my heart."
"Meaning?" Kitt felt panic rise inside his CPU.
"Meaning this may be the last job we do."
"Is there a possibility...?" This could not be happening.
"That my heart may quit? Yes Kitt. I won't lie to you. Nor can I walk away from this, for any reason. We have to find Bonnie." Finally feeling his heart slow, he sat up. Looking at the familiar dash, hearing Kitt's voice, being with him, it had always been a type of medicine to him, the best kind. "I need to know something, Kitt."
"What's that?"
"You know my heart beat, better than anyone, how far off is it?"
He waited, knowing Kitt was scanning him. "Right now, it's extremely far off." The tinge of fear could easily be heard. "But I'm not picking up any abnormalities in the muscle. It seems to be in rhythm only."
"Then it might just be a matter of waiting for the drugs to work themselves out?"
"Possibly, but Michael, *that* may cause damage." Nodding he came to a decision.
"Let's head over to Dany's."
"What?"
"You heard me. Can you just sit here and wait for the police to find Bonnie?"
"No."
"I didn't think so. Lets go take a look. It's unlikely anyone will be there. It's just you and me Pal, as it should be."
"I'll drive."
Smiling he moved hands away from the wheel. "I had no intentions."
Kitt pulled up over the grass, dropping Michael off in the doorway.
Even though Michael had been preparing himself for this since they left the Foundation, stepping into the bedroom was like being hit by a tidal wave. What he had experienced the night before, he didn't think would happen again.
"Michael?" Kitt picked up on Michael's heart beginning to race.
"I'm okay." Understanding and not wanting to put his partner through any more, the AI went back to scanning.
Slowly, Michael made his way around the room. In the garbage, he found the half full syringe and a note. Sitting on the bed, he opened the piece of paper.

Michael,
By now you must know what I have done and I'm sorry. They wanted you out of the way. As long as you leave us be, she'll be safe. If you come after her, they will hurt her. All they want is information on how to create an AI. I'm not stupid, I know what can happen to her once they have what they want, but it's not a risk I'm willing to take.
Know Michael, that I was instructed to seduce you, then to kill you. I wasn't expectto fto fall in love with you. Last night meant as much to me as it did to you. I didn't lie to you last night. I couldn't complete my mission this morning. I will tell my superiors that I have followed instructions to the letter. Bonnie will believe you are gone.
Please Michael, don't risk yourself.

His head swarmed in turmoil. She hadn't killed him, though she had the means. That in some form eased the burden. She had delivered Bonnie, and the people had no intentions of harming her. Or so they said. Standing, he took the note and syringe back to Kitt. Breathing heavily, he deposited the syringe into the analysis tray. "Is this what she used on me?"
"Yes Michael, it is." A brief pause, "why only half? She could easily have been sure."
"My instincts aren't completely off kilter. She couldn't, or so she says."
"You mean maybe...?"
"Maybe, but don't count on it. Can you trace the suppliers of this stuff?"
"Of course." Michael allowed himself to doze while Kitt researched for the information. Approximately half an hour later, Kitt gently woke his sleeping partner to pass along his findings.
"I have three addresses in the region. One appears to be a legitimate clinic for cardiac research, the other two don't seem to have a suitable reason for ordering this type of medication."
"One's real, one's a decoy. Sounds typical. Any preference?"
"Let's hit the nearest one and I'll scan the hell out of the place?"
Laughing to himself, Michael relinquished control over to Kitt. "Sounds good to me."
*
Well beyond the city limits, Kitt paused, searching for the best location to scan. "Michael, I pick up fourteen people inside the warehouse. Two of which appear to be female."
"Can you pick up Bonnie as well as you can pick up me?"
"It's not a fair request. I use the comlink in regards to you."
"Can you do it from....her biorhythm?"
"I'm impressed, Michael. That's brilliant. Yes I believe I can. I'll need a minute."
"Whatever it takes. I'll only have one shot at this."
"It is Bonnie in there." Kitt exclaimed excitedly.
"Good, now lets find me a way in there. Is she alone?"
"Not at the moment, they seem to be leading her somewhere."
"Can we hope for a nice private cell, near a door maybe?"
"Not quite that lucky. She is alone in a room, but it's near the center of the building."
"Can I get in without being noticed?"
"I believe so. I'll get you in as close as I can."
"Don't push our luck, Kitt. I can walk in."
"Yes, but can you walk back out?"
"If I have Bonnie, you can come to our rescue."
"I'm liking this less and less. If they capture you... "
"I have you as backup. Get Bonnie out."
"I can't leave you."
"Yes you can." He looked pointedly at the voice box. "If I asked you to."
"No," came the firm answer. "Not like this."
"Then I better have an ironclad plan."

Kitt dropped him off near a hole in the chain link fence. Keeping low to the ground, he made his way around the back. It took time, too much time. Time he didn't have. Letting Kitt open the lock for him, he followed his partner's previous instructions to the room Bonnie was being kept in.
"Okay Kitt, can you get this lock?" Aiming his watch at the dead bolt on the metal door, he heard it click softly.
Bonnie stood at the far end of the windowless room, shivering, hearing the bolt flip again. They weren't going to leave her alone. Looking up, her breath caught, seeing the man who stood in the doorway.
"Michael?" She didn't dare to believe it.
"Yeah Bon." His smile wasn't right, but it was him. Before she could stop herself, she flung herself into his arms, hugging him desperately.
He'd found her and she looked alright. Her stronghold on him brought a smile to his face. "We've got to go." He gently extracted himself from her comforting hug.
"How? She said..." Standing with her hands on his shoulders, afraid if she let go he'd disappear.
"Later Bon, when you're safe." Comprehending the dangers they still faced, she let him begin the journey out.
Closing the final door, Michael spun to come face to face with a gun. "I don't think so." The proprietor of said gun sneered.
"I do." Michael lashed out, throwing the man against the wall. "GO!" He shouted to Bonnie.
The stir alerted the others, soon men from inside were on their heels.
"Kitt...I can't..." Michael began to stumble. Bonnie reached to help, unsure of what was wrong, why Michael was slowing.
"I'm on my way!" Before the engine had caught, Kitt slammed the car into drive, firing off towards his friends. Pushing the car to it's limits as Michael tumbled into the grass.
Bonnie knelt beside Michael's heaving body. Fear etched all over her. Kitt was closing in fast, she hoped fast enough. The bullets were getting closer, yet she refused to leave Michael.
Swinging around them, Kitt offered protection as Bonnie climbed across first, then helped Michael use the last of his strength to struggle in. The moment the two were safely inside the cabin, he hit the passive laser restraint. Sending grass and mud flying over the assailants, Kitt fled.
Michael sat balled up, with his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his breathing turning into panting.
"Michael, you must relax."
"I can't slow it down." There was a distinct pause between each word as he fought the pain and terror.
Keeping his voice calm, he continued to talk his driver out of the vicious circle his body was leading him into. "Panicking won't help either. Relax your arms, you're hindering your own breathing."
Kitt's voice had always had a way of reaching him. Through the haze of panic, he concentrated on Kitt's words. Consciously pulling his arms away from his sides, forcing himself to sit up, to breathe deeper. Feeling the breeze on his face, he turned into the oxygen. "Keep talking Kitt, please." His voice was still strained, but the anxiety was gone.
"You're doing fine, Michael. ETA to the Foundation is 6.13 minutes."
Bonnie listened, astounded. She had never witnessed this side of the partnership before. Kitt was talking softy, almost lovingly to Michael. In response to Kitt's soothing Michael began to relax, breathing slowing, adrenaline leaving his system allowing him to drop into unconsciousness.

*
He came to in the Foundation infirmary. Opening his eyes, he saw Bonnie sitting alongside his cot.
"Bonnie?" His voice was still scratchy.
Waking immediately, she moved to sit on the side of the bed. "How are you feeling?" Brushing a lock of hair off his forehead.
"Better. How about you?" Confident enough to sit up, he still knew to do so slowly.
"A little dehydrated, other than that I've been given the okay."
"Did they hurt you?"
"No, just...harassed more than anything else." He was still pale, not as bad as before, but worrisome just the same. "What happened to you?"
"I'd rather not talk about it."
Disappointed in his unwillingness to confide in her, yet understanding that whatever occurred the other night was extremely perso " "Kitt's been climbing walls waiting for you to regain consciousness."
A slight snort accompanied the smile. "I bet he has. Where is he?"
"Standing guard outside. He wouldn't budge once they carried you in."
"How long have I been here?"
"A few hours, why?"
"Shit!" Michael stood, too suddenly, reaching for the wall to steady himself.
"You are in no condition to go gallivanting about." Helping him, Bonnie aimed to help him back into bed.
"I have to, they'll kill her."
"May I remind you that she tried to kill you!"
"No, she didn't. cou could have easily. I found the needle, there was more than enough to do the job. She didn't, Bon." He turned imploring blue eyes her way. "She left evidence and a note for me to find you. I can't ignore that."
"What happened between you two?"
Closing his eyes as a pained expression creased his face. "Don't ask me that."
"Alright, come on. I'm sure Kitt's waiting for you." Steadying him, she guided him outside.
Kitt was a welcome sight. Once more dropping into the seat he felt the comforting familiarity. He hadn't noticed it before. Bonnie had left them to themselves. Kitt buttoned up and darkened the windows, waiting for the extent of the situation to hit his friend.
"Can we find her Kitt?" It wasn't a question he was expecting.
"It's a long shot. Shall we head back?"
"Yes."
"On one condition."
Throwing an angry glare at the modulator, "what might that be?"
"You stay in the car."
"I can't promise that."
"Then we stay."
"Kitt....!"
"Michael, I've almost lost you twice today. How much more do you think your heart is going to take? I cannot permit you to risk your life again."
Gently, Michael posed the real question. "Can you let her die? After she gave me mine. Whatever I thought she and I shared, there must have been a small portion of reality to it. I can't just leave her in the hands of those people. Don't ask me to."
"This time we make absolutely sure you are safe before you go in. ed?\ed?" Frustrated at the situation, he had no choice.
"Agreed."
*
Arriving in front of the warehouse, Kitt began a full scan. What he found, he felt guilty for.
"She's already dead isn't she?" Holding himself in check, he waited for Kitt's answer.
"I'm picking up human remains in the dumpster behind the building. I can't confirm an identity."
"Are you picking up anything else?"
"We are alone here, Michael."
"Okay, lets go."
"Are you sure you're ready for this, Michael?"
"No. But I have to know."
"I understand. I'm here if you need."
Touched by his affectionate honesty, Michael stared at his friend. Feeling undeserving of his loyalty.
Parking beside the dumpster, Michael took a few deep breaths, mentally readying himself for the possibility of what he might find.
Standing was still difficult. One step at a time he approached his target. Leaniver ver the edge, his worst fears were confirmed. He stared for a moment at the carelessly discarded body of the woman he had fallen so deeply in love with. The woman who had given him the most unforgettable night of his life.
Kitt waited helplessly as his friend grieved. Michael stood, head hanging over the side, shivering uncontrollably. Kitt kept a constant eye on his vitals, fearing the strain may be too much for his weakened heart.
"How?" Michael's choked voice finally asked.
"It was quick, execution style bullet through the back of her head."
Pulling in a shaky breath, he stumbled back into the car.
"I'm sorry it ended like this."
"So am I, Pal. Is there any possibility of tracing the ownership of this warehouse?"
"I'm sorry, Michael, but according to records this particular lot is in between ownership."
"It figures." Leaning his head back, a single tear escaped.
"Michael, I truly am sorry. I know you cared for her."
"You.. .knew something was amiss didn't you?"
"I thought it was jealousy."
"Jealousy? Why would you think that?"
"Because... you were spending a great deal of time with her."
Remembering earlier conversations, "Did you try to talk to me about this and I.."
"No, I tried, but I couldn't find the right way to broach the subject. Bonnie and I discussed it in some detail."
"God, Kitt. I didn't realize you felt this way."
"Why should you have?"
"You know my thoughts, inside and out, I should know yours just as well. You know what I need. Like this morning. You didn't care who heard, you said it anyway. I needed to hear you say it and you did. I don't know if I have that kind of courage."
"I was afraid I may never get the chance to say it to you again. I had no choice."
"I know I don't say it enough. It's a character flaw I can't explain. I do love you Kitt, and I need you to help me through this. 'Cause right now, I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel."
"I'm not sure how to help, other than I'm here to listen."
"I don't think I could go through this again. Hell, I'm having a rough time handling this."
"You need to heal, emotionally as well as physically. You promised me a while ago that we would take a vacation. This looks like an appropriate time."
"What about...?" He looked towards the dumpster.
"For once, the the members of FLAG handle the formalities. If we are to remain a team, you *must* take care of yourself."
"Why do you care, Kitt?"
"For the same reason you do." There was a shy smile in his voice. "We are soul mates. If your health requires you to leave the Foundation, I will go with you, with or without the car."
"This, it's... too much too fast."
"Understood. But remember what I've said."
"Where do you want to go?"
"How does that old fishing cabin you used to frequent sound?"
"Sounds ideal."
"Itakitaking you home now." Nodding, full faith in his partner, Michael let sleep take him as Kitt drove.