Chapter Text
"Devon, do you have any missions for me today?" Michael asked, leaning casually against KITT. "I heard some rumors about a spate of bank robberies in nearby counties."
"That`s what I wanted to talk about." Devon`s face was unusually serious. "I strongly suspect, that it`s Garthe and KARR behind this trouble. I want you to confirm it?"
"Me and KITT will do our best. When it happens again, I`ll go and see what we can discover."
"Be careful, Michael. Be very careful! Last time you ruined his deal with the biker gang. So my guess is, he is furious!"
"And that`s my fault how?" asked Michael, putting his hands on his hips. "If he just had handed the guns and drugs over, nothing would`ve happened. But no, he had to escape!"
"I understand your anger, Michael." Devon said trying to placate him.
"I know you do. Any news of KARR or Goliath?"
"As much as I know KARR is black again and some people mistook him for KITT. Looks like Garthe wants to ruin our reputation by framing you for his crimes."
"How long has this been going on?" Michael`s voice held an amount of frustration. "Why didn`t anybody tell me before?"
"It`s the third time since it happened though I just got the info. How could I tell you, if I didn`t know, either?" Devon sounded apologetic.
"Fair enough. Just keep us updated!"
As Devon turned to leave, Michael stopped him. "Where was the nearest place the crimes happened?"
"Dallas. But Michael, I `d like you to stay put, some Rangers or feds are dealing with it." Devon walked back inside the Knight`s estate mansion, while Michael decided to remain outside. After the front door closed behind Devon, Michael grinned.
"KITT, did you hear, what Devon said?"
"Yes Michael, I did. He mentioned Dallas."
"So what are we waiting for?" He replied taking his place on the driver`s seat. "Let`s go!"
"Are you completely sure, Michael, that you want to go and hunt Garthe?" KITT asked, as they were driving towards Dallas, across the Texan countryside.
"Hunt? No. Garthe is smart and ruthless, I just want to investigate and see, what`s going on..." Michael grew really quiet, a clear sign he was thinking, and plotting.
"KITT, darling, how do we find them? Should we listen to police channels nearby?"
"I would very much advise it, yes."
"Okay KITT, can you find something?" Michael was curious now. "I want to hear, if we catch something or not."
Michael needed to be strong. His own image was as a strong and smart man. He had even gained the acceptance of a pretty notorious biker gang and helped to finish the war with the rivaling one. But Michael also hated killing. Killing was wrong, only as a matter of last choice, he had that ingrained in him as a police officer. He could beat enemies, if he needed to, but never kill.
As they drove towards Dallas a biker passed by. He seems familiar Michael thought, so he asked KITT, if he could get an enhanced view of the biker`s patch.
"Just as I thought..." Michael commented, when he saw the reaper and SAMCRO written there. "The Reaper Clan is there also. I wonder what they`re up to now..."
Four months. It had been four whole long months since Michael had left the Charming town behind. And now he saw one of the SAMCRO members again.
Another biker rode past and Michael recognised Jax Teller.
"What are they doing here?" he muttered. He was still wearing the black leather jacket with SUPPORT patch on in.
Then just as he was about turn KITT around, a police car behind him, flashed it sirens and signaled him to pull over.
"I wonder what`s wrong?" Michael stopped KITT. "We didn`t even go over the speed limit, did we?"
"No, Michael, we did not. I suspect that this has something to do with our investigation in Dallas."
"I`m almost sure about that, KITT, darling." Michael opened the window and there was immediately a gun in his face.
A dark-skinned man with huge white hat and ranger`s star of his shirt pulled the door open. "Hands in the air, and step out of the car."
"KITT, contact Devon immediately!"
"Trivette, did you read the licence plate and check the front light color?" Asked the man with red hair, whiskers and a well-trimmed beard. "This black car here has written KNI 667 on it, but the criminal`s car had KARR. Also this one has red light on the hood, the other had amber one. Pay attention to details next time you`re going to arrest an innocent bystander."
"But Walker..." Jimmy Trivette protested, "the two men look almost identical! How was I supposed to know?!"
"Next time ask him, who he is before you drag the man to the jail." Walker couldn`t hold back a laugh." This man- Michael Knight came voluntarily here to investigate the crimes and what you do- put him behind the bars"
"I am sorry..." Trivette felt ashamed. "But they really do look like twins."
Michael was standing behind Cordell Walker, hands crossed on his chest, looking very annoyed by the inconvience. Flanking him either side stood Juice and Jax Teller.
"Why were you, guys arrested?" Michael asked, turning to Jax.
"For speeding." Jax grinned. "I was just bored and then I saw a car that looked like your KITT...also black."
"How did you know it isn`t KITT?"
"Well, I can read KARR out, while this ranger here obviously can`t." Jax tried to hold back a laugh, covering his mouth.
"Not funny," Juice disagreed. "I was going to have some food and Jax just told me to chase that damn car. I haven`t had a meal like what...7 hours. I`m starving!"
"Where are your motorbikes?" Michael asked, as they walked out from Texas Department of Safety's station.
"Wrecked."
"What?" Michael was surprised. "How?"
"This KARR did a huge jump over a ravine. We couldn't stop in time, and plunged right into the water. Then cops were all over us." Jax shook his head. "Man, I loved that Harley!"
Devon was already waiting for Michael outside.
"Thanks for bailing us out, Devon." Michael shook the older man`s hand. "I already got some information, but not nearly enough. I hope you don`t mind, but I`ll bring Jax and Juice back with us, else they`d have to catch public transport..."
"If you vouch for them Michael, and they don't cause trouble then it's okay. You know that."
"Thanks, Devon!"
"Do you really trust your biker friends enough to leave them at the Knight`s Estate?" asked Devon, whilst driving with Michael into CD`s Bar and Grill to meet with the Texas Rangers once again.
"My biker friends?" Michael looked offended. "I know the guys only about 2 weeks, Devon... and to answer your question, no I don`t."
"Well, they are your friends, sort of. At least you seem to get along with them."
"They helped me, and I helped them in return. I didn`t know they were arrested until I was put behind bars with them." He sighed and stopped KITT infront of the bar that was chosen for the meeting. "Why do they want to see me again?"
"I don`t know, Michael." Devon shook his head. "I guess you can ask Walker or Trivette inside."
"Do I have to?" Michael wasn`t very happy about seeing the Ranger-duo again.
"We have to, if we want to find and stop Garthe."
The city was still bustling with activity, even though it was almost midnight, as Devon Miles and Michael stopped at the meeting place, "CD`s bar and Grill".
Devon stepped out from KITT, pulling his suit jacket tighter around his body, as the cool night air hit them. "I didn`t know, Texas got this chilly." He made a few steps towards the door. "You coming, Michael?"
Michael sighed, as he looked around. "Do I have a choice? KITT keep your scanners peeled, and inform me if you see Garthe or KARR. Or even Goliath."
"Of course, Michael."
Devon paused for a moment, giving Michael one final look of impatience, and then pushed the door open.
Before he could enter, a woman`s screamed out somewhere nearby, from a park across the street.
Michael without hestitation ran towards the park as a group of young men run out and disperse in the night street. He quickly made a grab to least catch one of them, when he some fighting erupted nearby. Michael managed to tackle one of the men to the ground, and hissed him not to move. Then he looked around to see if anybody was needing his help. He saw two men trying to get near to the third, who was quite well protecting himself. Michael recognised the man as the red-headed Ranger and rushed to help him. With a swift kick he hit one of the assailant`s knee, making the man fall to the ground. Then, Michael grabbed the other man's wrist, who was caught off guard by Michael intercession. The man screamed in pain, as his arm was yanked up dislocating it.
"I am sorry, I was paid to do it!" Cried the man as he struggled against Michael`s vice like grip. "I had to do it!"
"Who told you to attack this Ranger?" snarled Michael.
"I....don`t now his name...but he sure looks just like you, but with mustache and small beard..."
Meanwhile the redheaded Ranger had disabled the other assailant and stood behind Michael, panting slightly. "You fight like a cop, Michael."
"I was a detective...once." Michael Knight didn`t even turn around. " My step-brother was behind this attack. But why?"
"We`ll find out." said Walker, putting a hand on Michael's shoulder. "And thanks."
The abandoned house reeked of urine as Garthe Knight made his way through the dark corridor. There he saw Angel Reyes beating a young man, the source of the smell, with an already bloody baseball bat.
Garthe went up to Angel, gave him a nudge on the shoulder and grinned, "Room for one more..." which made the younger man shake palpably in fear.
"Please, stop..." the young man begged as he crawled away from both Garthe and Angel. "We tried, we really did!" he begun to sob uncontrollably. "But another man came in, interrupting us..."
Garthe shook his head and knelt infront of the young punk. "You and the rest of the gang were hired to kill the Ranger! Another man, you say? What did he look like? Did you see his face?"
"Yes!" the young man said, slowly got to his knees, cradling his broken arm. "He looks just like you, sir... just clean face... but he wass just like you!" His face shook as tears streamed down his cheeks "He was so strong and fast, I had no chance!"
"Fucking Michael Knight..." Garthe turned towards Angel. "Get rid of the evidence....."
"No! Please!" the young man sobbed on the floor. "I really tried!"
"So, what`s going on exactly here?" asked Michael, sitting between Cordell Walker and Devon Miles. "Your partner told me that you wanted to see us both. lets just get it over with, I want to go home and rest."
"That`s it?" Walked frowned. "Not even asking about the suspects?"
Michael grinned. "I know, who the suspect is. Your partner mentioned that he looks just like me. That means it can only be my step-brother, Garthe."
"You`re not surprised, Mr. Knight?" Shock was evident in the Ranger`s face and at his next words, Michael cringed inwardly. "So why hasn't anybody caught this man? Is he untouchable or something?"
"Well his car, KARR is bulletproof for one." Michael and Devon exchanged a look. "He also has a truck- Goliath, that`s also bulletproof. Just like my own KITT."
"So what does KITT stand for?"
"Knight Industries Two Thousand." Devon seemed disappointed. "Michael knows Garthe, they have clashed several times. The man is simply a criminal."
"Mr. Miles...you said Mr. Knight knows him? They clashed?"
Michael nodded. This conversation wasn't seeming to go anywhere and he was getting bored already, and started looking around the establishment whilst the two men talked. After a little time he zoned back into the conversation, where Walker was still quizzing Devon.
"So is there someone who can stop this crime spree, anyone at all?"
"Michael and KITT here." Devon took a huge sip of wine, looking Walker straight in the eye.
Walker balked, "You`re kidding, right?" Standing up he started pacing back and forth. "How can one man do it? I think I`ve already seen the truck you call Goliath." He paused and turned to face Devon, "What`s your plan?"
"I don't have one yet." Michael`s eyes narrowed. "I need to know what`s Garthes plan, his location and accomplices, if he has any."
Walker shook his head, forcing himself to sit down again. "I will get you all the information we have in three days."
Michael looked pensive. "We need everything - when the crimes started, how many banks have been robbed, human casualities- everything, if we are going to work on this together." He paused. "This is going to be very dangerous. Do you have any information at all? About Garthe Knight`s activities? "
"Gun running is what we know based on our intel."
Michael frowned, looking at the Ranger. "He also was dealing with drug smuggling until I blew up his warehouse."
"What?" Walker blinked.
"I thought we were naming off Garthe`s major crimes." Michael muttered sarcastically, narrowing his eyes. "I don`t know if he has some Mala Noche guns left or not..." He trailed off, again.
"Attempted murder." Devon added.
Walker looked at Devon like he`d just grown another head. "What? That, too?"
Michael shook his head in disapprovement. "He failed. Multiple times..."
"How`d you know?" Walker asked.
Frowning, Michael retorted, "It was me he tried to kill."
"Why does he want to kill you so badly?"
Michael pointed at his face, "See that? We share the same face, as your partner, who still hasn`t arrived, so nicely reminded me by putting my hands into handcuffs."
"I am terribly sorry for that," Trivette said as he just entered the room, standing behind Walker. "I didn`t know you weren't him, he could have shaved..."
"It`s okay, honestly." Michael smiled up at the other Ranger. "Your partner already enlightened us a bit."
Walker nodded in agreement. "I`ve have heard of an underground Casino around here, and that our mutual friend might be the owner of it. I was wondering if..."
Michael turned all his attention to the Ranger now. "You want me to go undercover, pretending to be Garthe Knight? Is that it?"
Walker laughed. "Trivette, this guy's sharp!"
"Nah," Michael shook his head, "the point is, I have done it already once. And later been mistaken for Garthe. It`s all too obvious."
Walker gazed at Devon. "What do you say? Will Foundation of Law and Government do a co-operation with Texas Rangers?"
"What do you think, Michael?"
Michael made his voice sound a bit lower than usual. "Sure, if you think they will fall for it. So what`s the name of Garthe`s casino and the location?"
"It`s FoxFortune and it located in Black street somewhere." Walker replied grinning broadly.
Yawning and tired, Michael opened the huge front door to Knight`s estate. He sniffed the air, it stank of cigar smoke.
Smoke, in Knight`s estate? Who? Not April or Bonnie, obviously. Then he spotted something on the expencive carpet and picked it up. A cigar butt, complete with a burn mark on the carpet! And a Cuban cigar no less! The distinctive aroma could mean only one thing, that it came from a box he'd been given as a wedding present. He`d only had one single cigar on Stevie`s funeral...
Michael knew immediately that there could only be two obvious culprits, Jax and Juice. Michael was furious now, really-really furious.
He stormed upstairs and pushed the door to Bonnie`s room open- nothing. Swearing, Michael then decided to quietly check April`s room. Still nothing. The door to Devon`s was locked, as usual.
That meant only one thing- the culprits were in his bedroom, and that`s where Michael went. As he opened the door what greeted him, was literal chaos. The air was thick with cigar smoke, so Michael started coughing. Several half-smoken cigar butts lay on the floor, strewn with bottles of Scotch, and Merlot, everything Michael had saved for some special occasions.
On his bed Jax and Juice were snoring loudly. Both were fully dressed wearing latex maid dresses. Michael shook his head, went to the bathroom and came back with a two glasses of water, the contents of which he threw into Jax`s and Juice`s face.
Jax`s eyes fluttered open, and he groggily sat up.
"What`s up...Mike...?"
"Get up." Michael snarled. "You had a party here, huh? Cigars and alcohol?"
Juice stirred waking up.
"Which one of you wants to clean and repair the blocked and owerflowing toilet?" Michael asked nodding towards the bathroom.
"Huh?" asked Juice, looking around. He wasn`t sober enough to even understand, why Michael Knight was being angry at them.
Jax touched his beard, it was wet. He sniffed his fingers, they smelled of Merlot.
"What did you do here?" asked Michael, hands on his hips. Somehow Jax thought, that the man looked incredibly sexy like that. Angry and all in leather."I see you have gone through Bonnie`s and April`s clothes already..." he continued. Michael already had a good idea how to punish the misbehaving bikers, so they would remember it until their last days on the Earth. He picked up a whip, he kept hidden under the bed, along with a stash of other paraphenalia the the two bikers hadn't thankfully raided.
"Sorry," Jax muttered, trying to get rid of the mini dress he has squeesed himself into.
"Stop!" Michael hissed, giving Jax a sharp crack with the whip. "You'll both wear those dresses until you have cleaned up every single drop of the destruction you have made here. Every...single...drop!"
Juice tried to roll to the other side of the bed, but Michael grabbed his wrist. "Get the mop and bucket with water, Juice. You`ll start with the toilet and tiles first. Now!"
Juice staggered to the bathroom and soon Michael could hear scrubbing and the sounds of flowing water issuing from there.
"And you... Jax," he turned towards the Vice President of SAMCRO, "You`ll get the empty bottles to the trash and pick up all the cigar butts. All of them."
He let the tip of the whip move along the blonde man`s jaw, grinning. Jax looked on the floor, being embarrassed, trying to conceal his growing erection
"Look at me." Michael commanded
Jax Teller moved his gaze from Michael's feet upwards, his eyes taking in his hairy muscular chest, the gold medallion the man was always wearing, his leather jacket with Support patch on it. The Jax glanced away, uncomfortable.
Michael snorted and tugged Jax by the white collar to the corridor and showed him the cigar butt, kicking it with his black shiny shoe. "Pick it up."
Jax bit his bottom lip, but did as he was told. His head was aching like hell, but he understood, that if he didn't they'd be trouble. He`d abused Micahel`s hospitality and had to regain the man`s trust.
Michael pressed his lips together and arched an eyebrow, trying to suppress a quivering grin. He was hesitating and thinking, if he should do something more about Jax`s behaviour.
Jax cleared his throat. "Look...I`m sorry, Michael..."
When Michael hesitated further, Jax sighed, disappointed, and made to get up, several cigar butts between his fingers.
Michael`s hands clamped down on his thighs. "Now collect them all and throw them into the trash. Then the bottles."
Jax continued with collecting the bottles and cigars into a trash bag, while Michael went to see, how Juice was doing. To his relief, the bathroom`s floor was almost clean and the toilet wasn`t having flushing problems anymore. Juice himself was sitting in the middle of it all, holding his head between his hands.
"Good job," Michael praised the man. "See, it wasn`t that hard."
Juice looked up at him bleary eyed. "I`m sorry...Mr. Knight. It won`t happen again." He managed.
"Damn right it won`t!" Michael frowned. "Follow me!"
Michael turned and walked away. After a confused moment Juice followed. Michael led them to the kitchen, where he poured him a huge glass of cold water. "That should help."
Jax stumbled back from the garden, he`d thrown the trash away. Just when he was about to join Micahel and Juice in the kitchen, he heard two female voices from behind.
"What`s going on here? Michael, who`s this guy?"
Jax turned around, feeling ashamed, he was hungover and still wearing that maid dress. What he saw, was two beautiful ladies, one brunette and the other blonde, eyeing him up.
"I`m Jax Teller..." he begun, "Me and Juice are Michael`s friends.... from Charming."
"Aha, the bikers!" The brunette smiled, she couldn`t hold back a laugh- Jax looked really funny and slightly cute wearing that dress. "Why are you wearing my dress?" she asked.
At that moment, Michael arrived and gazed at Jax. "The guys has an unfortunate party here, whilst I was away with Devon and they`re cleaning up their own mess." He looked at his hand, he was still carrying the whip.
Bonnie and April changed a look. Then they looked at Michael and Jax.
"You should have that whip more often with you, Michael." April commented, slightly blushing.
"What?" asked Michael. "Why?"
"Never thought you as a Dominus, but here you are, all in shiny leather." Bonnie added, putting a finger on Michael`s lower lip.
Michael shook his head. Had everybody lost their minds or something?