Perceptions
                              By Tomy
 
 

 Michael put down the phone, sighing.  He'd known that this day was coming,
but that knowledge did not make it any easier.  Turning, he found Kitt,
standing in the hallway tensely staring at him.
 Touching the link he wasn't surprised to find the light block.  Before he
could speak, Kitt did.
 "You're going to the Foundation, aren't you?" Kitt's voice was uncertain,
knowing what the answer was going to be.
 "Yes." Michael replied simply.  "I have to."
 Kitt's head snapped up, firing the most evil look Michael had been on the
receiving end of. "What the hell do you mean by that? I thought after the
last time..."
 Michael raised his hand, stopping Kitt. "I need to see him.  I feel that I
owe him that."  He made his way across the barn conversion to his angry
partner.  Placing his hands on the stiff shoulders before he shifted them to
his neck, tipping Kitt's head up.  "Trust me please."
 The shoulders relaxed marginally. "I do trust you, you know that."
 "I hear a 'but'?"  Michael kept his tone light, soft.
 "But I know what Devon is capable of.  I watched him, for years, convince
you to do things you wanted no part of."
 "I know.  But there is so much more now.  I never confronted him about us.
I just, I need..."
 "To be sure?" Kitt's eyes were pleading and apologetic at the same time.
 "He's done so much for us.  Hell, he introduced us.  He deserves one last
chance.  But that doesn't mean I'm going to accept a case.  Not without
consulting you first."
 "This means you plan on going alone?"  Michael nodded, not meeting Kitt's
eyes.
 Kitt took a deep breath.  He had already confronted Devon, though not
during the greatest of circumstances, but he knew, from the source how
things stood.  He had to grant Michael that same opportunity.
 Michael felt the slight nod and felt himself relax.  He hadn't realized how
worried he'd been. "Thank you."
 Kitt frowned. "Why?"
 "You know why.  This is not going to be easy for any of us."
 "Is it ever?"
 Michael smirked, shaking his head. Bending for a quick, deep kiss,  then
turning, leaving his worried partner still leaning against the wall.
 
 

 For the first time since they'd returned after Jennifer's attacks, Michael
felt trepidation as he turned the car down the drive leading the estate.
Devon had not let on that anything was different when he'd spoken to him
after the cult disaster.  But, he hadn't been looking.  Kitt had filled him
in later, much later actually.
 This place held so many memories, could he really turn his back on it?
Kitt had been right to question him.  He was no longer sure he could trust
himself.  He lowered his block, searching for his partner's support and
confidence, only to find Kitt's end blocked as well. Closing his eyes, he
gathered his wits.  Devon would not be happy.  But Michael had admitted to
himself, while he was still trapped and freezing as a prisoner of that Cult,
that he had to make some changes.  He wasn't 30 anymore.  God, where had his
life gone? It had flown past him, leaving more memories of fear and anger
than anything else. He wasn't stupid, he knew just how many people he and
Kitt had helped, saved and protected.  He was also no fool, time had caught
him up.  The odds were slowly stacking against him.  No matter how much he
loved this, and God help him, he loved his life, he wasn't going to survive
much longer at this rate.  He was taking longer and longer to heal. Kitt's
hands were magic on his body, but he hated asking for it.  He knew Kitt
worried, and being reminded that Michael was getting older was not a concern
that Kitt needed.  Nor did he for that matter.  Nick had provided them with
more than enough contacts, his email was filled with potential clients.
Some who simply wanted the best security systems installed and had heard
that he and Kitt were the best in the business, and willing to pay
exorbitant amounts for their time.  Time consuming, yet simple work.  Good
for the brain and the body.
 Looking up, he caught sight of Devon in the curtains above him.  Of course
Devon would be waiting for him.  He had told him he would be right over.
Swinging out of the car and carelessly shoving the door closed behind him,
he entered the mansion with more confidence than he felt.
 

 Looking through the file Devon had handed him, he knew the answer.  There
was no way Kitt would agree to this.  Hell, he didn't even like the sounds
of this one.  The Foundation had been expanding, it no longer dealt only in
corporate espionage, they dealt in personal feuds now.
 Sighing, he snapped the folder closed. Looking behind him, the older man
sat, staring at him with an expression he had never seen before.
 Sliding around on the edge of the desk he faced the man he'd considered a
father figure for over half of his life.  To see the disapproval now was
heart wrenching.  Of all the things he had ever done, to think that falling
in love would be the one that would separate them.
 "I take it from the look on your face that you do not wish to proceed with
this case."  It was more of a statement than a question.
 "Look, Devon..."
 The older man held up his hand.  "I spoke with Kitt, I'm sure you are aware
of it." Michael nodded, eyes dopping almost guiltily. "I need to know your
reasons for backing away, Michael?"
 It was a fair question, looking up at the now standing Devon, Michael
began, hoping his former boss would understand.  "I hate to say it, hell, I
don't want to admit it, but I'm simply getting too old for this shit.  There
are days when I can't get out of bed.  Kitt has to carry me." Devon's eyes
darkened at Michael's last statement.  Dropping the file on the desk,
Michael had to ask, "why don't you approve of us?"
 "It's not natural."
 "You didn't approve of Stevie either."
 No, he hadn't, but he had thought he had hid it better. "Fine, if you wish
the truth." Michael stiffened at Devon's fierce tone.  "He was never meant
to leave the car. He was not meant to evolve to this capacity.  You were
meant to eventually take over."
 Michael's eyes widened in shock. "Me?  Take over FLAG?  You're joking
right?"
 Devon shook his head.  "The original concept was for you and Kitt to run
FLAG.  Kitt's CPU would either be moved into FLAG's mainframe to assist you,
or if you two had wished, he would remain in the car, helping you in
whatever capacity you remained working in the field."
 "Devon, that all changed years ago, long before we considered the android
body."
 "I realize that.  But I had always hoped that things would turn around. Not
that you would become...."
 "Lovers?" Michael finished for the old man.
 "It's disgusting, Michael.  For two men to....To even consider a machine."
 Michael worked to hold his temper.  He had always known Devon to be
conservative in his ways. "But you helped link us.  If it hadn't been for
the link I don't think I would have ever considered..."
 "Do you really believe that?" Devon almost spat at him.
 "Yes I do." Michael's defiant streak was rising again. "Maybe if you had
known more about your toys, you might have seen this possibility."
 "I thought you were stronger than this."
 Michael paused in his departure of the office. Turning slowly, he
considered his words before speaking. "You have cheated yourself of
something wonderful.  Kitt's presence is unlike anything you could imagine,
even Nick has admitted to that.  If you knew him, truly knew what he has
become, you might understand what lead us down this road.  To be honest, I
thank you for giving him to me.  What we share is far beyond any
relationship I have ever heard of or seen.  I love him Devon.  And I know he
loves me.  There is nothing else.  Not anymore."  Turning he strode from the
room, leaving Devon to consider his words.

 "Mi?"  Kitt called from the kitchen as he heard the door close.  Standing,
he made it halfway across the kitchen before being scooped up into a
desperate hug. Neither of them had lowered their light blocks since Michael
had left earlier.  Reaching around Michael's neck, he let his partner cling.
"I take it didn't go well?"  Kitt asked, against Michael's shoulder.
 "You could say that."  Michael's voice was thick with emotion.  Holding on
to his lifeline, feeling Kitt's possessive hold in return, Michael felt the
churning emotions ebb slightly. "I had thought that maybe, after having a
chance to think about it, he wouldn't be so bitter."
 "I'm sorry..."
 Michael jerked back from their hold, "what the hell are you sorry for?
Cause I'm not."
 Kitt visibly relaxed. "I could have found a more opportune time to confront
him, then maybe he might have taken it better."
 "No, I don't think so. Devon is far too set in his ways.  He told me that
we were supposed to run FLAG."
 Kitt's eyes widened.  "Us?"
 "Yup.  That the original plan was for you to be in the mainframe, or if we
had wanted, I would have remained doing some light fieldwork and you would
have reminded in the car."
 "I have to be honest, after Jennifer's first attack, I could never have
left the car.  Nor would I have been that comfortable on FLAG property for
lengthy periods."
 Michael had suspected as much.  "I tried to contact you today." Kitt's face
took on a questioning expression.  "As I drove up the lane way, I felt
something I haven't felt in years.  I felt like I was almost scared of
facing Devon.  Pretty much as I did the first time Nick and I returned to
sign the paperwork.  I know it's crazy."
 "No, it's not." Kitt disagreed softly, still enjoying the closeness they
were now sharing.  "Devon has always been a large part of our lives.  He was
one of the first people I spoke to here.  I hated disappointing him, just as
much as you have.  It hurts me too.  I would have liked to have thought that
he cared more about us, than to discard us so quickly."
 "He's done it before.  This has nothing to do with you."
 "But if I'd been female?"
 "No, Beauty, he acted the same when I spoke about being with Stevie.  He
was just as harsh, telling me that I have too many enemies, seen too much to
leave it all behind and countless other reasons.  You accepted, you wished
me well, you cared enough to guard me.  I'll never forget that.  Sometimes
it haunts me, that I almost said goodbye to you."
 "I would not have left you completely.  I would have kept an eye on the two
of you."
 "I know you would." Letting his guilt and pain drift, he leaned towards his
partner, needing his tenderness, his love.  To be sure of what they shared,
needing to feel it's reality once more.

*

Michael had returned from his trip to the Foundation extremely introverted.
No matter how much Kitt prodded, Michael retreated.  It was worrisome.
Michael was sitting at the kitchen table, his elbows on the wooden edge, his
head in his hands.

Kitt leaned back against the counter top, arms crossed in front of his
chest.
"Does it have something to do with the case we passed up?"
Michael nodded in his hands.  It was the most Kitt had received from his
partner all afternoon. He watched Michael's chest rise and fall in a deep
breath.  "It went to hell in a hand basket.  The Foundation lost two agents,
and the little girl and her mother both died."
Kitt stared, shocked.  He had known it was a family dispute, but little
else. "What happened?"
"The father, who thought his wife was about to leave him, decided that if
he couldn't have her and the child, then no one could.  He hired a
professional to do the hit."

Conflicting emotions ran through Kitt's head.  There was a part of him that
felt as Michael did, that they should have been there.  Then the other side
kicked into gear, the side that was happy that Michael was as far away from
that scene as he could get.  That no bullets flew near his lover.
"Do you really think that we could have stopped it?"
"I don't know. But we could have tried."
"Michael, we made a decision.  One that means that we are alive to help
others."
"I'm aware of our decision, Kitt." Michael looked up, anger and regret
warring in his eyes.  For a moment Kitt was glad of the double blocked link,
keeping the emotional battle away from him.

Staring at Kitt, watching as he held his ground, Michael knew they had made
the right choice.  He could easily be one of the deceased agents.  Then
another would have died as well.  Standing, he took the two steps to where
his partner was standing. Leaning close, he nuzzled into Kitt's hair. "I'm
sorry, I know that you're right."

Kitt reached around Michael.  Feeling the tremors through his body. "Devon
tried to blame us didn't he?" He asked against Michael's shirtfront.
"Not in so many words.  He said we could have helped."
"Maybe, maybe not."
"I'm not ready to die, Kitt.  Not yet."
Kitt tipped his head up, wanting to face him straight on. "Mi..." The rest
was lost as Michael pressed a tender kiss to his parted lips.  The kiss
deepened marginally. Grabbing Kitt's hips, Michael lifted him onto the
counter, sliding him to a sitting position, then moving to stand between
Kitt's legs.  Taking Michael's hands, Kitt held them with his own against
the counter top.  The only connection between them being their lips. He felt
Michael try to take his hands back, but he held them down.  He could also
feel him pushing against the link.  Kitt held his block strong.  He had no
idea where this need had arisen from, but all he wanted right now was to
concentrate on the kiss. Feeling as Michael leaned in, his tongue sliding
against the side of his, then to his lips.  His teeth nipping gently.  His
breath on Kitt's cheek, increasing slightly as the kiss lingered.
Michael pulled back slightly, wanting more than Kitt was allowing. "Kitt,
please. Let me..."

Moving back to his lover, Kitt cut off his words. Aching to resume the
intimate caress.  Tipping his head, he concentrated on Michael.  Letting his
lips graze his lover's before closing in for a deeper connection.  He felt
Michael's mouth open, his jaw working as they kissed. Letting Kitt taste
him, then pull back slightly, almost teasing before coming back for more.
They needed this physical contact.  One of them would lose control soon
enough, but for now, this was so wonderfully different.  Their bodies came
into contact as Kitt arched when Michael pushed against the block, reaching
to deepen the link as his tongue boldly slid over top of Kitt's.

Michael moaned, his heart pounding as he tried to close the distance
between them again.  Needing to feel Kitt against him. "Kitt." He didn't
break the kiss as he spoke this time.  Kitt could feel himself losing the
battle with desire.  Michael's hands were gripping his where he held them,
fingers entwined, on the counter beside his thighs. They were constantly
shifting, occasionally rubbing against each other.  Each time their bodies
came into contact, a spark ignited inside Kitt.  One that was becoming too
strong to ignore. Michael's lips were moving over his, warm and demanding.
Kitt moaned as Michael pushed his tongue passed Kitt's lips again. Letting
go of Michael's hands, Kitt buried his hands in his lover's hair, holding on
as the kiss bruised him.

Michael's hands were immediately on his hips, sliding his body forward,
bringing them into full contact.  Still, Kitt refused to drop the block.  It
had been a long time since he had concentrated on the feel of Michael's
body against his.  Letting that rule his emotions.

The phone ringing brought them back to reality.  Both were breathing hard,
forehead to forehead, still holding on to each other as the phone continued
to ring.  A moment later, Kitt hopped off the counter, leaving Michael
feeling empty as he grabbed the phone.

Turning, he found Kitt watching him.  A peaceful smile on his face as he
spoke to whoever was on the other end.  The kiss had not been about sex, it
had been something much deeper.  Even across the large kitchen, Michael
could see the redness in Kitt's lips.  His own still tingled.  He began to
realize how long it had been since they had just held one another, kissing
like that.  It had been far too long.  Understanding what Kitt had wanted,
he waited patiently for Kitt to finish his conversation, then he would
retaliate.

*

Michael sat on the wooden stairs that lead from the back deck to the rear
grassy courtyard.  He had been watching Kitt for sometime.  He and Justin
were around the barbecue, Kitt making what he hoped would be dinner for the
lot of them.  Nick and Karr had to bow out at the last minute.  Business as
usual. Though Kitt did make some of the best shiskebabs anyone had ever had.
 Feeling the stairs creak, he looked up as Bonnie sat beside him.
 "It still amazes me at times, all the things he can do." Michael smiled.
Still watching the other two across the lawn talking.
 "No sign of Devon, huh?"
 Looking at he woman beside him he shook his head sadly.  "I had hoped that
he might be able to accept us."
 "Maybe he's tied up.  It wouldn't be the first time." Michael tipped his
head, acknowledging the possibility.
 "Oh, for the love of God!" Michael and Bonnie looked over to see Justin
running across the lawn howling with laughter while Kitt stood in front of
the wildly flaming barbecue.
 "You'll get yours!  Mark my words, I'll get you back for this."  Kitt
called across the yard at Justin who was still laughing, gasping for breath
against the Trans Am, a safe distance away from the angry AI.
 Looking up, Kitt scowled at the two on the steps. "Don't you laugh.  This
was your dinner."  Bonnie fell against Michael's shoulder, laughing.
 "Shall I go in and get more?" Michael was trying to hold his laughter.
 Frowning at the grill, Kitt looked back, "I think you had better."

 Bonnie and Justin had brought a couple of lawn chairs around to the cars,
where the fading sunlight hadn't yet retreated from.  Michael had sat on
their car to eat, the others had migrated over as the evening wore on.
After turning off the valve to the barbecue, Kitt had placed himself between
Michael's legs, half sitting on the edge of the hood, half supporting
himself on his crossed, outstretched legs. They were among family, those
that knew them.  It was a chance to display the easy affection between them.
After setting his drink down beside them, Michael wrapped his arms around
his partner, his chin on Kitt's shoulder.  Shortly afterwards, as the
conversation wound down to more friendly topics, Kitt had leaned into
Michael's chest, letting his head rest on the shoulder behind him.  Every
now and then, he let go of Michael's forearm to let him take a sip of his
drink.  It was all so relaxed.  Michael's voice in his ear, Bonnie and
Justin sitting in front of them. Good food, good friends finally made sense
to him.
 Devon stood on the deck just out of sight, watching.  He couldn't hear the
conversation, only the quiet murmur of voices and the occasional bits of
laughter.  He began to regret his harsh decision. They all appeared to be so
content.  Something Devon was not at that moment.  To see Michael and
Kitt..snuggling, was the best word that came to Devon's mind, stirred
something within the older man.  And it wasn't the revulsion he had thought
he would experience.  Come to think of it, he hadn't felt that way watching
them kiss.  It had been more the shock of it that had aroused his anger.  A
small smile played on his lips as he watched the four in the yard.  Maybe
this was how it was supposed to have turned out.
 Stepping forward, Justin caught sight of Devon. "Hey, look who decided to
join the party.  Late as always."  The other three swung around to watch
Devon approach.
 Kitt shifted in Michael's embrace.  "Would you like me to..?"
 "No, no, I can see the chairs from here, and I can see the cooler as well.
You stay put.  I'm not that old yet."  It was subtle, but both Michael and
Kitt grasped the underlying meaning.  Kitt relaxed back against Michael.
 //He's here...//
 //And he's changed his mind//
 //Possibly//  Kitt watched as the man he had known most of his life placed
the chair so his eyes would not be directly facing the sun.  Waiting for
Devon to settle, Justin teasingly asked what had kept the old man.  "You
driving like one now?  Do I need to get you one of those hunting caps with
ear flaps?"
 Devon fired a grossly disgusted expression at the mechanic. "Perish the
thought.  Unfortunately, I picked up the phone at the most inopportune
moment and, for lack of a better phrase, was suckered, into a meeting.
There is very little to keep me from Kitt's shiskebabs."
 Michael chuckled behind his partner. The relaxed atmosphere continued for
the next two hours.  Devon's wit and advice adding a whole new level to the
conversation topics.  Kitt had slid onto the hood shortly after Devon's
arrival, feeling more than comfortable in maintaining the physical contact
with his lover, even with the added guest.
 By ten o'clock, Bonnie had left, and Justin was climbing into his car.  The
night air had settled in as Michael and Kitt walked Devon to his car.
 "Thank you two for an enjoyable evening."  Michael just nodded, unsure of
what to say.  Devon took a deep breath before broaching the topic that
needed to be laid out in the open.  "I know I was very closed minded before
with both of you.  Please accept that I now realize that I might have been
wrong."
 Blond and dark head snapped up, both with similar astounded expressions.
 The older man smiled openly.  "I take that as a positive sign." Without
another hesitation, Devon dropped into the seat of his red convertible,
turning the engine. "I'll let you know if anything more arises, otherwise,
please let me know the next time Kitt is cooking again.  I'm very sorry I
missed the entre." Shifting the car into gear, he left the two partners with
their jaws open, watching the retreating vehicle.