With Wesley

At his house

Wesley was curled up in bed, clutching his pillow when the sound of the door creaking open caught his attention. He opened his eyes, only to be greeted by a dog's face barking before him.

Startled, Wesley flinched and backed up. "Hey! Hey! Hey! Easy, boy! Easy."

At Wesley's calm voice, the dog relaxed, tail wagging. Wesley cautiously reached out and petted him. "How did you get in here?"

Before he could get an answer, Lucy rushed into the room. "Kojo! Oh my God, Kojo, what are you doing? Look at this!"

She held out her hand, and Kojo started licking her fingers, his tail wagging even harder.

"Oh, what a good boy!" Lucy cooed. "Are you so excited to meet Daddy? Ah, you're such a good boy!"

Wesley, still processing, blinked in confusion. "What... is happening?"

Lucy turned to him with a big grin. "Okay, so... remember how I talked about getting a dog?"

Wesley frowned, clearly drawing a blank. "No. Should I have?"

Lucy shook her head, still grinning. "No, but hear me out—dogs are super helpful for trauma recovery. So I filled out the application to foster Kojo, and they just dropped him off."

Kojo whimpered softly before leaning in to lick Wesley's face. Wesley, a bit taken aback, wiped his cheek with a half-smile. "So, we have a dog now."

Lucy beamed. "Yeah. Isn't it great?"

Wesley couldn't help but smile back, seeing the pure joy on Lucy's face. "If the dog makes you happy, I'm all for it. But... I kinda wish you'd told me he was coming."

Lucy's smile faltered, and her eyes widened apologetically. "Oh, right. I totally forgot to tell you. I'm sorry, baby."

Wesley chuckled softly, pulling her into a gentle hug. "You're fine. I'm not mad."

Lucy grinned again, resting her head on his chest. "Good, because I really like Kojo. Want to join us for a walk?"

Wesley rubbed his eyes, still half-asleep. "Sure..."

Lucy tilted her head, her voice softening. "Oh, are you still tired? I'm sorry, honey. You can go back to sleep, and I'll walk him. Maybe we can all go together before work?"

Wesley smiled lazily, his arms still wrapped around her. "Honestly, I'd rather just cuddle with you."

Wesley pulled Lucy in closer, wrapping his arms snugly around her. She chuckled softly, her breath warm against his chest as she settled into his embrace.

"You're not letting go, are you?" Lucy teased her voice light with amusement.

"Not a chance," Wesley murmured, kissing the top of her head. "Cuddling's the priority now."

Lucy chuckled again, her fingers gently tracing circles on his arm as she nestled deeper into his hold. Kojo, not wanting to be left out, padded over to the side of the bed and flopped down next to them, his warm body pressed against Wesley's leg.

"Looks like Kojo's on board with the cuddle session," Wesley said with a smirk, glancing down at the dog, who wagged his tail contentedly.

Lucy giggled. "He's a quick learner."

Wesley sighed softly, feeling a rare moment of peace wash over him. "This is nice. You, me, and Kojo. All we need is Nora and Mason, and we'd have the full family."

Lucy smiled, her heart warming at the thought. "Yeah. We're getting there."

Kojo let out a soft, happy huff as he nuzzled into Wesley's leg, fully embracing the cozy moment with them. Wesley tightened his arms around Lucy, feeling the comfort of the moment sink in.

"I could stay like this forever," he whispered.

Lucy chuckled again. "Well, you've got about ten minutes before Kojo's going to demand that walk."

Wesley groaned playfully. "Traitor," he said, ruffling Kojo's fur with one hand.

Lucy leaned up and kissed Wesley's cheek. "Don't worry, we'll keep the cuddles going afterward."

"Deal," Wesley said, his smile widening as he pulled her closer, fully savoring the quiet moment with the two he loved most nearby.

As Wesley held Lucy close, KITT's voice came through his earwig again, this time more familiar: "Michael, I'm detecting an unfamiliar heat signature. It appears to resemble a dog. Should I be concerned?"

Wesley grinned, amused. "KITT, everything's fine. That's Kojo, Lucy's new foster dog."

"A dog?" KITT replied, perplexed. "I wasn't briefed on the addition of a canine companion. Does this pose any kind of threat to your safety, Michael?"

Lucy, noticing Wesley's quiet conversation with KITT, leaned in and whispered, "KITT being suspicious?"

Wesley chuckled. "Yeah, he thinks Kojo might be a security risk."

Lucy giggled, patting Kojo's back. "Tell him Kojo's just here to help me recover."

Wesley repeated it to KITT, "He's harmless, buddy. Emotional support dog for Lucy."

KITT paused for a moment before replying, "Understood, Michael. I will continue to monitor the situation, but I trust your judgment."

Wesley smirked, feeling Lucy's shoulders shake with laughter next to him. "Thanks, KITT. I'll keep you updated."

"Of course, Michael," KITT responded, his tone somehow softer now. "Stay safe."

Lucy, still snuggled into Wesley, chuckled softly. "KITT always has your back, huh?"

"Always," Wesley said, squeezing her a little tighter. "Even with Kojo around."

Kojo stretched out comfortably beside them, blissfully unaware of the high-tech security team watching over him. Wesley closed his eyes, enjoying the warmth of the moment with Lucy and their growing family.

Wesley stretched as he rolled out of bed, glancing over at Lucy, who was still cozily snuggled in the sheets. Kojo, already up and wagging his tail, seemed eager for his walk.

Wesley ruffled the dog's head. "All right, buddy. Let's get this day started."

Lucy peeked up from under the blankets, rubbing her eyes. "What time is it?"

"Time for Kojo's first official walk with both his parents," Wesley teased as he pulled on a shirt and jeans.

Lucy groaned playfully but rolled out of bed, brushing her hair back. "Fine, fine. I can't resist that face—yours or Kojo's."

She quickly threw on her jacket, tying up her sneakers as Wesley grabbed Kojo's leash. As Lucy stood, she caught Wesley's gaze. "You ready to be dog parents?" she asked with a grin.

Wesley gave her a playful smile. "Hey, if I can deal with KITT's paranoia, I can handle a dog."

Kojo bounded toward the door, clearly ready to go, his energy infectious. Lucy chuckled as she clipped the leash on him. "He's going to love this. Probably more than us."

Wesley opened the door, and they stepped out into the cool morning air. Kojo immediately began sniffing everything, tugging at the leash with excitement.

As they started walking down the street, Lucy looped her arm through Wesley's. "This feels nice, doesn't it? Just... normal."

Wesley nodded, glancing at her with a smile. "Yeah, it does. A good change of pace."

Kojo barked happily, pulling them forward with renewed enthusiasm, making both Wesley and Lucy laugh as they followed him. Their world felt peaceful for once—just them, the dog, and a moment of quiet togetherness.

As they continued walking, Kojo pulled ahead again, his excitement almost too much to contain. The leash stretched taut as he tugged harder, clearly eager to explore every inch of the sidewalk.

"Hey, easy there, Kojo," Wesley said, gently but firmly. He gave the leash a slight tug back. "No pulling, buddy. Walk beside us."

To Lucy's surprise, Kojo immediately slowed down and fell in line, trotting calmly next to Wesley. She blinked in shock, looking between Kojo and Wesley. "Wait... did he just listen to you on the first try?"

Wesley smirked, glancing over at Lucy. "Looks like it. Guess he knows who's in charge."

Lucy laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "I've been trying to get him to do that since I just got him. He didn't even listen to me once. You do it once, and he's a perfect angel?"

"Maybe he just respects authority," Wesley teased, giving her a wink.

Lucy nudged him playfully. "Or maybe he knows you're the one who'll be slipping him extra treats."

Kojo gave a happy bark as if in agreement while staying obediently by Wesley's side. Lucy smiled, watching them together. "Looks like you're a natural with him. I'm starting to think Kojo chose the right foster dad."

Wesley shrugged with a playful grin. "What can I say? Dogs know good company when they see it."

Kojo wagged his tail as they continued walking, and Lucy gave Wesley an affectionate look. "Well, I'm glad he listens to you. Maybe you can teach me your secret."

Wesley laughed, pulling her closer as they walked down the quiet street, enjoying the peacefulness of the moment. "Maybe."

As Wesley, Lucy, and Kojo made their way back to the house, the morning sunlight bathed the street in a soft golden glow. Kojo, now more relaxed after his walk, trotted happily beside them, his leash loose in Wesley's hand.

When they reached the front door, Wesley unlocked it, and Kojo darted inside, circling a few times before flopping down in his new favorite spot by the couch.

"Looks like he's already making himself at home," Lucy remarked with a smile, stepping inside and kicking off her shoes.

Wesley chuckled. "He's got good taste." He closed the door behind them and bent down to scratch Kojo's ears. "Alright, buddy. We've got to get ready for work now, but don't worry, someone's going to keep you company today."

Lucy nodded, already pulling out her phone to text Melissa, their nanny. "I'll let her know we've got an extra little one for her to watch today."

Wesley grinned. "Think she's ready to handle Kojo on top of Mason and Nora?"

Lucy smiled as she typed. "If she can handle twins, she can handle a dog." She hit send and looked up. "All set. She'll be here in fifteen."

"Perfect timing." Wesley headed upstairs, calling out over his shoulder. "Let's get ready before we're late."

Lucy followed him up the stairs, giving Kojo one last pat on the head. "Be good while we're gone," she cooed before heading to their room.

Once upstairs, they quickly slipped into their uniforms. Wesley adjusted his belt and looked over at Lucy, who was tying her hair back. "I think this is the first time we've been late to get ready because of a dog," Wesley joked.

Lucy laughed, straightening her badge. "I'll take it. Better than some of the other reasons we've been late."

Wesley smirked at that, walking over to help her fix a few stray strands of hair. "True. And I think Kojo's gonna be good for us."

Lucy leaned into him, her eyes warm. "Yeah, he will be." She glanced at the time and smiled. "Come on, Mr. Knight, let's go."

Just as they headed downstairs, the doorbell rang. Wesley opened it to see Melissa standing there, already cooing at Kojo, who was excited to see her.

"Hey, Melissa," Lucy greeted. "We've got a new addition for you today."

Melissa smiled, bending down to pet Kojo. "No problem. He's adorable! I can handle him and the twins, don't worry."

Wesley handed her Kojo's leash and said, "Thanks, Melissa. We appreciate it. He's been good so far, but let us know if he gives you any trouble."

"Will do," she assured them, leading Kojo toward the play area where Mason and Nora were already settled.

With everything in place, Wesley and Lucy gave the twins a quick kiss goodbye and headed out the door, ready to tackle their day at the station.

As they walked to the car, Lucy glanced at Wesley and said with a grin, "Well, looks like we're officially a family with a dog now."

Wesley smiled, unlocking the car. "Yeah. And I think we're going to do just fine."

At the station

In the briefing room

Wesley and Lucy settled into their seats in the briefing room, catching up on the latest case files.

After a few moments, Grey and Nick entered. Grey cleared his throat and addressed the room. "Alright, let's get started. First off, let's give a warm welcome back to Detective Armstrong from his vacation!"

The room erupted in applause, and Nick gave a grateful nod. "Thanks, everyone. Before we dive into today's briefing, I want to take a moment to acknowledge your hard work on the Rosalind Dyer case. It was a tough one, and your efforts didn't go unnoticed." He glanced at Lucy as he said this, who responded with a modest smile.

Nick continued, "Now, you all have a printout of the latest developments from the detective tables. But there's one important update I want to highlight. A federal operation is about to start in Filipino Town, so until further notice, all marked units are to steer clear of Alvarado between Montrose and the 101."

Wesley raised his hand. "Is there anything specific we need to be aware of?"

Nick replied, "Not from the FBI's end, but they're not exactly forthcoming with details. If you need to reach anyone in that area, run it through LA CLEAR and let your supervisor know immediately."

Grey turned to Nolan. "Officer Nolan, can you explain what LA CLEAR is for us?"

Nolan's watch began to beep, and he glanced at it briefly. "Yes, sir—" he started, but Grey interrupted.

"Do you need to take that?" Grey asked.

Nolan turned off the beep and shook his head. "No, sir. It's just a fitness tracker. I've set it to alert me when my heart rate spikes. It's part of my stress management routine."

Grey raised an eyebrow. "Do I cause you stress, Officer Nolan?"

Nolan quickly replied, "No, sir," but the watch beeped again. He turned it off and continued, "LA CLEAR is the largest deconfliction database for law enforcement in the West."

Grey glanced at Jackson. "Officer West, what does that mean?"

Jackson explained, "It means that every federal, state, and local covert operation is tracked there to avoid duplications or accidental conflicts."

Grey then asked Lucy, "And can you access LA CLEAR, Officer Chen?"

Lucy responded, "No, sir. Access is restricted to higher-level officers for security reasons."

"Exactly," Grey said. "This tool is critical, and we use it only when necessary. For everything else, handle it through standard channels. That's all for today."

As Grey and Nick were about to leave, Grey added, "Oh, and if anyone has tips for Officer Nolan on managing stress, I'm sure he'd appreciate the advice."

The room filled with laughter as Grey and Nick exited, leaving the officers in high spirits as they prepared for their day.

Later

Nolan approached Wesley, who was conversing with KITT in the motor pool. "Hey, Wesley, how do you manage your stress?" he asked.

Wesley leaned casually against KITT and replied, "I find that spending time with someone I love helps a lot. Lucy's also big on meditation—she always says, 'Meditation will change your life.' But more than that, you've got to find a way to switch off your mind."

Nolan nodded. "Yeah, Tim suggested something similar. He said I should lift weights, play ball, or even paint—anything that helps me focus completely."

Wesley smiled and said, "That sounds about right, big brother. Finding what works for you is key."

Nolan looked up in surprise as KITT's speakers crackled to life. "Michael's heart rate is elevated. Possible stress detected."

Wesley, chuckling, said, "Yeah, KITT, that's because I'm thinking about the dog at home."

Nolan raised an eyebrow. "The dog?"

Wesley nodded. "Yeah, Lucy and I just got a new dog, Kojo. It's a bit of a change, and I guess it's stressing me out a bit, even if it's a good stress."

Nolan smiled and said, "Well, at least you're in good company. I'll take your advice and give those relaxation techniques a shot. Thanks, Michael."

Wesley grinned. "Anytime, big brother. And remember, finding what works for you is key. Just keep it balanced."

As Nolan walked away, KITT's voice resonated again. "Michael, I recommend focusing on deep breathing exercises. They have been shown to lower heart rate and reduce stress."

Wesley gave a small laugh. "Thanks, KITT. I'll give that a try."

Later

Tim was chatting with Lucy as she stowed shotguns and warbags in KITT.

Tim said, "Getting a dog is a huge mistake."

Lucy, not looking up from her task, replied, "I don't remember asking for your opinion."

Tim countered, "Well, tough. It's my job to train you to succeed, and adding a dependent is just going to distract you."

Lucy raised an eyebrow and said, "Last I checked, you're not my TO. Unless Officer Knight isn't around. And... what's your problem with a cute, snuggly dependent?" She showed Tim a picture of Kojo.

Wesley strolled over, and Tim added, "Not the point."

Lucy chuckled and Tim asked, "Who's taking care of the dog while you're working?"

Lucy said, "The babysitter for Nora and Mason is watching Kojo."

Tim then asked, "And Mike's okay with that?"

Lucy finished putting the last warbag in place and said, "At first, he didn't know. But once I told him, he said it was fine. He just wished I'd let him know beforehand. When I asked if he was upset, he said no."

Tim looked at Wesley and asked, "Is that true?"

Wesley nodded. "Yeah."

Lucy turned to Wesley with a grin. "Oh, hey. I didn't see you there."

Wesley chuckled, "I'm sure you would have noticed eventually."

Later

On patrol

Wesley and Lucy parked KITT and got out, heading towards their destination.

Lucy asked, "Do you not like dogs?"

Wesley replied, "What? I love dogs. I just think they come with a lot of responsibility."

Lucy laughed and said, "Okay, but do you think it's unwise for me to have one?"

Wesley responded, "I never said that, honey."

Lucy pressed, "I know you didn't say it outright, but do you agree?"

Wesley said, "No. If you want Kojo, then keep him. He's a good boy. Just remember, I've been in situations where I had to be ruthless and show leadership skills with multiple assassins. It's a different kind of responsibility, but I understand."

Lucy scoffed playfully. "Show-off."

Wesley chuckled, and Lucy knocked on the door, announcing, "Police."

The door opened to reveal a man who said, "You're too late. It's gone."

Lucy asked, "It's?"

Wesley added, "We got a call about a Peeping Tom?"

The man, who introduced himself as Barry, motioned for them to come in.

Wesley let Lucy enter first, then followed her inside.

Barry explained, "Wendy loves to tan in the morning," pointing to Wendy in a bikini. "The last few days, a drone has been hovering overhead, spying on her."

Wesley said, "We can put out an alert, but drones can be tricky to track down."

Barry continued, "It's bad enough guys hit on her whenever we go out. Now she's not even safe in her own home?"

Barry looked at Lucy and Wesley and added, "You don't believe me? There's some kind of gravitational pull Wendy has no control over."

Wendy's voice called out, "Honey?"

The trio looked over, and Barry said, "They say they can't do anything about the drone."

Wendy chuckled and said to Wesley, "I'm sure that's not true. The next time I tan, you're welcome to come watch."

Wesley smiled and said, "Ma'am, I don't think that would be a good idea. I have a fiancée, and this is her." He gestured to Lucy.

Wendy smiled and said, "Wow, she's pretty."

Barry asked, "Are you hitting on my wife?"

Wesley quickly replied, "What? No! I was just mentioning I have a fiancée. You were right here when I said it, sir. And she made the inappropriate comment."

Wendy said, "That's true. Don't take it out on him."

Barry sighed, "All right. But if you can do anything about the drone, we'd appreciate it. If not, I'm sure things will resolve themselves eventually."

Wesley said, "Call 911 if the drone shows up again. And for now, we'll head out."

Barry nodded, and Wesley said, "We're going now."

As Wesley and Lucy walked away, Lucy whispered, "Did that girl hit on you in front of her husband?"

Wesley whispered back, "I think so. But I'm not sure anymore. Girls are complicated."

The two got into KITT, and Lucy said, "Girls are not complicated."

Wesley said, "Really? I remember when I first told you I loved you before we got together. You said you didn't want to complicate things."

Lucy replied, "But you were also with Zoe at the time."

Wesley said, "Lucy, I would have left her to be with you. I realize now that you're the one I want."

Lucy said, "Well, at least you know your truth."

Wesley and Lucy settled into KITT, and as they drove off, Wesley said, "Let's enjoy today."

Later

At the station

Wesley and Lucy were walking through the bullpen at the station when Lucy's phone rang.

She answered, "Yeah. No. Yeah, I'll be right there."

Wesley looked at her and asked, "Right where?"

Lucy replied, "Our house."

Wesley raised an eyebrow and said, "Not unless it's a crime scene."

Lucy said, "We need to go, Wes."

Wesley nodded and said, "All right, let's go."

At the house

Wesley and Lucy approached their front door, Lucy pulling out her keys and unlocking it.

As they stepped inside, the sight before them was shocking— the house was in disarray, and Kojo was whining in distress.

Lucy gasped, "Oh no. Oh my God."

Wesley surveyed the mess and muttered, "Looks like a crime scene in here."

Melissa hurried over, looking distressed. "I'm so sorry to drag you guys here from work. I didn't know who else to call. I was reading to the twins in their room, and when I came out to get some water, the place was a disaster."

Kojo trotted over to Lucy, standing on his hind legs and putting his front paws on her.

Lucy said, "Kojo, what did you do? Get down! Just—"

Wesley commanded firmly, "Sit!"

Kojo obeyed, settling down on his haunches and whining.

Lucy asked, "You still need to teach me how to do that?"

Wesley nodded, saying, "Come on."

They walked into their bedroom, where the mess was even worse. Lucy approached the bed and groaned, "Oh man!"

Wesley spotted his black leather jacket, which was now ruined. "Oh, come on!"

Lucy picked up the jacket, apologizing, "I'm sorry, honey. I didn't think he'd destroy our stuff."

Wesley went to the closet, relieved to find that his green leather jacket was still in good condition. "At least I put the green leather jacket up."

Lucy observed, "At least the stuff in the closet is intact."

Wesley gave her a look, and Lucy nodded in understanding, saying, "I know."

Later

When the radio crackled to life, Wesley and Lucy were cruising down the road in KITT. Nolan's voice came through clearly: "7-Adam-15 in foot pursuit of a suspect. 29100 Spring. White male, approximately 160 pounds, 5'8", wearing a green jacket. Requesting backup."

Wesley turned to KITT and said, "KITT, switch to Attack Mode."

KITT responded, "Initiating transformation."

The sleek vehicle began its transformation, sprouting double spoilers and taking on an even more aggressive appearance.

As the process finished, KITT announced, "Transformation complete."

Wesley swiftly drifted the car to the right, his focus sharp. "KITT, plot an intercept."

KITT responded promptly, "Intercept plotted."

The radio crackled with Nolan's voice: "Suspect in sight. Heading south down San Pedro."

KITT's voice came through the speakers, "That's just up ahead, Michael."

Wesley maneuvered KITT to the side, executing a precise drift that brought them to a halt. Ahead, a man in a green jacket was running.

Lucy leaped out of KITT as Nolan shouted, "Easy!"

She sprinted after Nolan and the suspect, while Nolan forcefully pushed the man into a nearby dumpster.

Nolan barked, "Easy!"

Lucy activated her radio, "Suspect in custody. Code 4."

Wesley exited KITT and took a few steps forward as another patrol car pulled up. Tim emerged from the vehicle, looking around.

"Do you know who the suspect is?" Tim asked.

Wesley replied, "No, I was about to check it out. Want to join?"

Tim nodded, "Sure."

Wesley and Tim approached the scene. They saw Nolan pulling a knife from the suspect's holster and handing it to Lucy.

"Got a knife," Nolan said.

Lucy examined it, "Yep."

Nolan continued patting the suspect down, noticing something on his right leg. "Prosthetic leg?"

The suspect responded, "Yes, sir."

Nolan inquired, "That's a military knife. Did you lose your leg in combat?"

The man replied, "Yes, sir. Got into an argument with an IED." as he turned around to face the other officers.

Tim's eyes widened, "Mitch?"

The suspect looked surprised, "Sarge?"

Lucy turned to Tim, "Sarge?"

Nolan looked at Tim, "You know this guy?"

Tim explained, "I was his squad leader in Afghanistan."

Wesley addressed the suspect, "Mitch, right?"

Mitch nodded, "Yeah."

Wesley introduced himself, "I'm Michael Knight. This is our team: John Nolan, Lucy Chen, Tim Bradford, and others. Nice to meet you."

Mitch replied, "You too, sir."

Wesley sighed, "KITT, switch to Police Mode."

KITT responded, "Switching to Police Mode." The car transformed seamlessly into a Crown Victoria patrol vehicle.

Mitch marveled, "Whoa. Nice ride, sir."

Wesley smiled, "Thanks."

Later

At the station

Wesley watched from a distance as Lucy and Tim processed Mitch, letting out a quiet sigh. Turning away, he made his way through the bullpen, spotting Sergeant Grey speaking with Jackson and Lopez near the entrance to Grey's office.

As Wesley approached, he overheard Grey saying, "I just solved two crimes sitting in my office—Knight and Chen's Peeping Tom and your gunshot victim. I'm just saying."

Wesley walked up, smiling slightly. "Yeah?"

Grey turned to him. "Knight."

Without thinking, Wesley responded, "Hey, Dad."

Grey blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

Wesley paused, realizing what he'd said. "What?"

Grey looked at him, eyebrows raised. "Did you just call me 'Dad'?"

Wesley shrugged casually. "Yeah. Last I checked, you said I was like a son to you."

Grey seemed surprised but softened. "I do think of you like that... but I didn't expect you to call me that."

Lopez chimed in with a grin, "Well, you are like a father to all of us."

Grey shook his head, muttering, "Then I've got too many damn kids."

Wesley, Jackson, and Lopez laughed, and even Grey couldn't hold back a smirk.

Later

Wesley and Harper were walking toward the interrogation room when Harper casually asked, "So, what's been going on with you lately?"

Wesley sighed. "Not much, just dealing with the dog at home. He tore up my leather jacket."

Harper raised an eyebrow. "The dog ate your jacket?"

"Yeah," Wesley nodded. "Thankfully, not the green leather one. That would've been harder to swallow—no pun intended."

Harper smirked. "Why's the green one so special?"

"It's the only piece I have left from my old life as an assassin. That, and my gun," Wesley replied, his tone quieter, more reflective.

"Got it," Harper nodded, understanding the weight of his words.

They arrived at the interrogation room, and Harper opened the door, gesturing for Nolan and Nick to step out. As they exited, Tim also emerged from the surveillance room, and the five of them gathered.

Nick closed the door, and Harper began. "So, the cash we found in Joe's hotel room? Turns out it was counterfeit."

Nick frowned. "Are you sure?"

"It's the best fake I've seen, but yeah, it's definitely fake," Harper confirmed.

Wesley chimed in, "I thought it was real too, but I've seen this kind of counterfeit before. The Fraternity used it when we didn't have access to real cash—just to get supplies. Did Joe say where it came from?"

Tim nodded. "He mentioned a building downtown. Said there's millions more."

Nick, thinking fast, opened the door to the interrogation room and asked, "The machines Joe saw—could they have been printers?"

Inside, Mitch nodded. "Yeah."

At the warehouse

Nolan, Harper, Tim, Nick, Wesley, and Lucy pulled up in front of the warehouse Mitch had directed them to. They exited their vehicles, including KITT, which stood out with its sleek design.

Nolan glanced around. "Looks abandoned."

Harper nodded, adding, "Probably on purpose."

Standing near KITT, Wesley remarked, "If I were printing millions of dollars, I'd definitely want to keep a low profile."

"Alright, stay sharp, everyone," Nick warned. "If these guys are ex-military, we're in for a fight."

Tim approached the door, turned the handle, and nodded to the group, signaling that it was unlocked.

The team drew their weapons, with Harper leading the way, followed by Nolan, Nick, and Lucy, who stood behind Wesley as he positioned himself behind Tim.

As Tim pushed the door open, Harper stepped inside first, with Nolan right behind her. The group entered the warehouse, only to find it eerily empty.

Confusion washed over them as they lowered their guns, scanning the surroundings for any signs of activity. After a moment, they holstered their weapons and fanned out, flashlights illuminating the dim space.

Nick frowned. "Not exactly the counterfeit money-making operation we were expecting."

Harper shot him a look. "Still believe your Army buddy's story?"

Tim replied confidently, "Yeah, I do. They must have cleared out after Joe's murder."

Wesley broke in, "KITT? Can you hear me?"

KITT responded through Wesley's earpiece, "Yes, Michael?"

"Can you do a scan of the warehouse? See if you can find anything—be it fake cash or something we might have overlooked."

"Commencing scan, Michael," KITT replied.

Nick raised an eyebrow. "Do you always ask KITT for help?"

Wesley shrugged, aiming his flashlight at a shadowy corner. "Nothing wrong with that, Nick."

As the scan continued, KITT's voice came through Wesley's earpiece. "Michael, I've detected a shelf against the far wall. It appears to have documents related to a security company. Would you like me to pinpoint its location?"

"Yeah, KITT, where is it?" Wesley replied, turning his flashlight toward the wall.

"Proceed straight ahead and to your left. The shelf is approximately fifteen feet from your current position," KITT directed.

Wesley gestured to Nolan. "Come on, let's check it out."

The two men made their way to the shelf, and as they approached, they noticed a few papers scattered across it. One paper caught their attention; it was partially torn. Nolan picked it up and examined it closely.

"This looks familiar," Nolan muttered, squinting at the logo on the paper. "I've definitely seen this logo before, but I can't quite place it."

Wesley leaned in, inspecting the document as well. "What does it say?"

Nolan replied, "It's a security company—looks like they were contracted for some high-profile jobs." He frowned, running a hand through his hair. "But I can't remember where I saw their name..."

KITT chimed in, "The logo may be associated with recent security contracts for government buildings. If we cross-reference it with existing records, we might find the connection you're looking for."

Wesley nodded, feeling the adrenaline surge. "Let's do that. If we can figure out who they were working with, it could lead us straight to Joe's killers."

Nolan said, "No. This morning, when I was canvassing, I saw it on the side of a van. The worker was fixing the camera across the street from where Joe was killed. He mentioned that the camera had been down for a week."

Nick asked, "Did you get a name?"

Nolan shook his head. "No. I thought it was a dead end. But I do have him on body cam." He quickly pulled out his phone, his fingers moving swiftly.

The team gathered closer as Nolan opened the footage. "Okay, let's see..." He tilted the phone to the side and sped up the playback until the logo came into view.

"That's him," Nolan said, pointing at the black man in the footage.

Lucy frowned. "He must have taken down the camera to cover his tracks. We should run his face through the database."

Suddenly, Grey's voice crackled over the radio. "Detective Harper, switch to channel nine."

Harper pulled out her radio and switched frequencies. "Hey, sir. We're on-site. The building's empty, and we're about to call in T.I.D."

Grey's voice was firm. "Negative. Exit the building immediately and return to the station."

Harper's brows furrowed. "Sir?"

"Shut it down and get back here—now!" Grey ordered.

Nolan looked at Wesley, bewildered. "What the hell's going on?"

Wesley grabbed his radio, switched to channel nine, and replied, "Sir, this is Officer Knight. Why do we have to come back to the station?"

"Knight, I said shut the operation down and get back to the station! That's an order, son!" Grey barked.

Wesley sighed, frustration bubbling up. "10-4. Should we all ride in KITT so we can get there faster? Maybe switch to Van Mode so we can all fit?" He couldn't resist adding a touch of sarcasm.

"Knight, don't give me attitude, boy! Just get back here!" Grey shot back.

"Yes, sir." Wesley clipped the radio back onto his duty belt, concern creeping in. "This can't be good."

The team nodded in agreement and swiftly exited the warehouse, heading back to their respective vehicles.

Wesley and Lucy were the first to climb into KITT, and as they pulled away from the warehouse, KITT's voice resonated in the cabin. "Michael? Why would Sergeant Grey pull us from the warehouse?"

Wesley glanced at Lucy, then back at the road ahead. "I don't know, KITT. But it can't be anything good."

At the station

In the briefing room

Wesley, Lucy, Nick, Tim, Harper, Nolan, John, and Grey gathered in the station's briefing room, the air thick with tension.

Grey broke the silence. "I received a call from the Chief. Your search warrant triggered alarms way up the chain."

Nolan frowned. "So we're just supposed to walk away from a murder investigation?"

Grey shook his head. "No, but you can't follow this lead any further."

"What are we supposed to do, Grey?" Wesley challenged, his frustration rising. "This path is all we have to find our killer."

Grey sighed heavily, and Harper interjected, "So, what's our next move, Sarge?"

"I don't know," Grey admitted. "I pushed hard to get more information, but this directive comes from higher up and is non-negotiable. Let's take the night to regroup and reassess in the morning. That's all I can say."

With that, Grey exited the room, leaving the team in silence.

Wesley slammed his hand on the table, inhaling deeply to steady himself.

The intensity in the room was palpable; everyone could see the turmoil on Wesley's face.

Tim spoke up. "Hey, this isn't right."

"True, but it's a direct order," Nick replied.

Nick walked out of the briefing room, leaving the team by themselves.

Nolan's watch beeped, pulling him from the moment. He quickly turned it off. "So that's it? We just walk away?"

"If we're smart, we do," Harper replied, crossing her arms.

Lucy frowned. "That's... not a definitive yes."

Harper turned to John. "What do you think, babe?"

John considered the situation. "Clearly, this is a federal operation, and we don't have enough intel to know how to proceed."

Harper's eyes lit up. "So we get more."

Wesley looked at Lucy. "How do we gain insight on a federal operation, Boot?"

Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Uh... we call LA CLEAR."

"Exactly." Wesley's determination resurfaced.

He pulled out his phone, and Harper glanced at him. "You sure about this?"

"Yeah. Tim would say he owes Mitch that much."

Wesley dialed the number, and Harper warned, "You remember the personal questions they ask for clearance, right?"

"Yeah," he replied, glancing around at his teammates. "Maybe you should all... step outside."

"Not a chance, babe," Lucy shot back, firm in her stance.

Wesley started to protest but realized someone was on the line. "Yeah, hi. Hello? Uh, this is Officer Michael Knight, LAPD, badge 34587. Yes, go ahead."

The team watched Wesley intently as he whispered, "Bethesda. Mm. Left clavicle. Uh, 'Lady Marmalade.'"

Lucy and Harper exchanged amused glances.

Wesley continued, "Uh, tarantulas. Yeah, it's, uh, 'Xanadu.'"

Nolan perked up. "Xanadu?"

Lucy chuckled as Wesley sighed, casting an annoyed glance at Nolan.

Nolan shrugged, looking down.

"Yes, uh, ma'am, I'd like to run an address: 214 Mill Street, Los Angeles. Okay, thank you."

Wesley hung up and slipped his phone into his pocket. Lucy leaned in eagerly. "Well?"

"They'll get back to us within the hour," Wesley said, a hint of hope breaking through his frustration.

Later

Wesley stood in the processing room, his eyes fixed on Tim as he escorted Mitch from the cell, preparing to release him.

Just then, Wesley's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and answered, "Michael Knight speaking."

A voice on the other end responded, "LA CLEAR, code 9273."

In the break room

Wesley walked into the break room, finding Nolan, Lucy, Harper, Tim, and John already waiting for him.

Shutting the door behind him, Wesley said, "It's a D.I.A. operation."

Harper raised an eyebrow. "Defense Intelligence Agency? We're talking national security."

Nolan leaned forward. "Did LA CLEAR give you anything else?"

Wesley nodded. "Just one name—Colonel Norman Jangus."

John frowned. "What's a national security agency doing counterfeiting money?"

Harper shook her head. "This is way bigger than we thought. We should listen to Grey and take the night, regroup in the morning."

Wesley agreed. "Harper's right. Running an off-the-books op is risky even on a good day, and today's far from good."

Later

Later that night, Wesley and Lucy arrived home, exhausted from the day's chaos. They stepped through the door, greeted by the quiet hum of the house and the faint sound of Kojo whining from the corner.

"Poor guy," Lucy said, dropping her bag on the couch. "He's been in there all day."

Wesley sighed, walking over to the cage where their dog, Kojo, was sitting, his big eyes looking up with a mix of guilt and innocence. "I didn't forget about that leather jacket you chewed up this morning, bud," Wesley said, kneeling and unlocking the cage.

Kojo sprang out immediately, wagging his tail like nothing had happened. Wesley gave him a gentle pat on the head. "Don't think I'm letting you off the hook just because you're cute."

Lucy chuckled, leaning against the counter. "He's lucky you have a soft spot for him. You love that jacket."

Wesley smiled, standing up and walking over to Lucy. "I know. But how can you stay mad at this face?" He gestured toward Kojo, who was now sniffing around the kitchen, oblivious to his earlier misdeeds.

"You're both lucky I'm too tired to care right now," Lucy teased, pushing herself off the counter to join Wesley. "Let's just order in. I don't think I have the energy to cook tonight."

Wesley nodded. "Sounds good to me. Besides, we need to decompress after all that DIA drama." He wrapped an arm around Lucy's waist, pulling her close. "And I could use a quiet night with you."

She smiled up at him, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Same here."

As Kojo settled down by their feet, Wesley pulled out his phone to order some food. It was a small, peaceful moment—a much-needed break from the intense day. "What do you want?" he asked, scrolling through takeout options.

"Anything but counterfeit money," Lucy joked.

Wesley chuckled, giving her a playful nudge. "I'll see what I can do."

Wesley glanced down at his phone and saw the text instructing him to meet at Nolan's house and to hide on the balcony.

Lucy noticed him looking at his phone and asked, "Did you get the same text?"

Wesley nodded, already moving toward the closet to grab his jacket. "Yeah. Looks like something's going down. Let's head out."

They both quickly slipped on their jackets and hurried to the door. Wesley paused for a moment, looking back at Melissa, who was sitting on the couch with Kojo sprawled out at her feet, and the twins resting peacefully.

"Melissa, we're heading out for a bit. You've got everything you need?" Wesley asked, his voice calm but focused.

Melissa smiled reassuringly. "I've got it covered. Don't worry, we'll be fine."

Lucy gave her a grateful nod before following Wesley out the door. They hopped into KITT, the familiar purr of the engine coming to life as they drove off into the night.

As they sped toward Nolan's house, the tension between them was palpable—both knowing that whatever awaited them wasn't part of any normal night.

At Nolan's house

Wesley and Lucy crouched low on the balcony, the cold night air brushing against their faces as they strained to hear the conversation inside. Wesley slid the balcony door open just enough for them to listen without being noticed. The quiet hum of tension hung between them as they pressed against the wall, hearts racing.

They saw a tall, imposing black man standing at the door, his voice calm but menacing. "Are you gonna let me in?" the man asked, his tone leaving little room for negotiation.

Inside, Nolan kept his cool, but his voice was cautious. "How about you tell me who you are first?"

The man smiled a hint of condescension in his voice. "Right now, I'm your friend, John. And that's a good thing. 'Cause you don't want me as an enemy. I wouldn't want you to experience what happened to your brother, Wesley Wick."

Wesley felt a flash of anger flare up in his chest at the mention of his dead name. His jaw clenched, but he stayed quiet, his fists tightening as he fought the urge to storm in.

Nolan's voice, however, took on a sharp edge. "You leave my dead brother's name out of your mouth."

The man didn't seem phased. "I don't care. Now invite me in."

With a reluctant sigh, Nolan stepped aside, allowing the man to enter. He casually strolled in, surveying the room like he owned it. "Nice place," he remarked, his eyes scanning every corner. "You've done good work fixing it up. I'd expect no less, based on your history."

Nolan crossed his arms, eyes narrowing. "I see your play—come in, walk around, assert dominance. Very nice. So, tell me... who is Colonel Norman Jangus?"

The man barely glanced back, his answer dismissive. "Oh, just a name on a form. Nothing more."

Nolan wasn't buying it. "But you are DIA."

The man chuckled, his gaze settling on Nolan. "Yeah, but my team operates in the shadows. We do things no one wants to admit. Kinda like your buddy, Michael Knight, and his employers at Knight Industries when they formed FLAG, the Foundation for Law and Government."

He paused, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "You know, it's funny how your brother, Wesley, dies... and he's replaced by someone who looks exactly like him. Must be hard to look at Officer Knight every day. I hear they even share the same badge number."

Wesley's grip tightened on the doorframe, fury bubbling up inside him as he listened to the man casually toy with Nolan. Beside him, Lucy's hand subtly touched his arm, a silent reminder to stay calm, even though both of them knew this confrontation was far from over.

The man leaned in slightly, smirking. "It's almost like Michael Knight and Wesley Wick are the same person."

Nolan didn't flinch. "They're not. Different years, different months. Michael's a year younger."

The man raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Nolan shot back, cutting to the chase. "Why come for me?"

The man's smile widened. "Straight to business, huh? Because you're the weak link. Bradford? Two tours overseas. Harper's tangled with cartels. Waters? Gangs, cartels—you name it. Michael Knight has a talking car and a resume full of special training. And Chen? She survived a serial killer. You?" He paused, eyeing Nolan with disdain. "You built houses. And you always press on the weak link. So... I'm pressing on you."

Wesley's blood boiled as the man belittled Nolan, the sheer arrogance grating on him.

Nolan held his ground, though his frustration was clear. "What do you want?"

The man's demeanor shifted, more sinister. "To warn you and your little cop buddies. Leave this alone. Calling LA CLEAR? Big mistake. Make sure it's your last."

Nolan's voice hardened. "All we want is the guy who killed Joe Delacruz."

The man's expression twisted with mock confusion. "The homeless guy? Why?"

Nolan's voice was firm. "He was a human being. A soldier. He sacrificed—"

"Time out," the man interrupted with a dismissive wave. "Let's get one thing straight. We're on the same team here. You, me, Joe? We make sacrifices every day to save lives. I just do it on a much larger scale. Global, in fact. Meanwhile, your pal Michael Knight stays local, riding around in his chatty car."

Nolan's eyes narrowed. "And that justifies murder?"

The man's face darkened. "In war, there are always casualties. You really don't want the next one to be you."

Wesley's jaw tightened as the man nonchalantly tapped Nolan on the shoulder, a subtle threat, before walking out.

As soon as the front door clicked shut, Wesley and Lucy pushed open the sliding balcony door and stepped inside. Harper and John entered from the hallway, followed by Tim emerging from the bedroom.

Nolan let out a sigh. "Did you get the tracking device on his car?"

Tim nodded. "Yeah. We can follow him wherever he goes."

Lucy immediately turned to the group. "Great. Let's hit the road."

Tim held up a hand. "No. This is a two-person job. Only high-ranking officers can go—Harper, John, Mike, and me. We'll take it from here."

Lucy crossed her arms. "Uh, screw that. If you go, we go."

John exchanged a glance with Harper. "That's admirable, but if this goes sideways, we're looking at demotion, suspension, maybe even jail."

Harper jumped in. "Listen. I've got leverage. Bradford has a spotless record, the same as John. And Knight's part of a special project with Knight Industries—he's insulated. We'll weather the storm. But rookies? You're at-will employees. They can fire you without a reason."

Lucy's eyes flashed with determination. "With all due respect, I've been buried alive by a serial killer. This doesn't scare me."

Wesley's heart clenched—he knew the real fear that haunted Lucy. The baby they'd lost after she was kidnapped still cast a shadow over her.

Nolan nodded slowly. "I love this job more than I thought I would. But the day I stop giving it my all is the day I walk away."

Tim took a deep breath, relenting. "Alright. Let's roll—and hope he leads us to the money."

As the group moved toward the door, Wesley quipped, "Shall we take KITT?"

Tim glanced at him. "Yeah, but he can't be a Mustang."

Wesley smirked. "What would be inconspicuous?"

Tim rubbed his chin thoughtfully, glancing out toward the street where KITT was parked. "Something low-profile," he muttered. "Definitely not a Mustang. We need something that blends in."

Wesley chuckled. "KITT and blending in don't really go hand in hand."

Tim nodded, smirking. "True, but we don't have a choice. We can't afford to draw attention. How about... a black SUV? Maybe a Range Rover or a Tahoe?"

Wesley raised an eyebrow, glancing at Lucy. "KITT as a Range Rover?"

Lucy shrugged, smiling playfully. "I mean, if we want to look like undercover feds, sure."

Tim gave a half-grin. "That's exactly the point. If this guy's DIA, they're used to seeing those kinds of vehicles. It won't raise any red flags."

Wesley tilted his head, thinking. "KITT, you hear that? Can you give us something a little less flashy? Maybe a Range Rover, Tahoe, or something equally... federal?"

KITT's voice crackled over Wesley's smartwatch. "While I personally find such a transformation beneath my usual standards, I can accommodate the request. Stand by."

A moment later, the sleek Mustang parked outside shimmered for a second, its form shifting smoothly until it reformed into a glossy black Range Rover. The headlights blinked once as if KITT were adjusting to his new, more subtle look.

Wesley grinned. "That'll do. Thanks, KITT."

KITT's voice chimed in again, slightly indignant. "For the record, I find this downgrade quite unappealing."

Tim clapped Wesley on the back. "That's as good as we're gonna get. Let's move."

The team hustled toward the newly transformed KITT, piling inside. Wesley took the driver's seat, Lucy, in the passenger's, with Tim and Harper sliding into the back.

As Wesley started the engine, the familiar smooth purr of KITT hummed beneath the surface, despite the more grounded exterior. He turned to Lucy. "Ready to follow the trail?"

Lucy nodded, her expression serious. "Always."

With a determined look, Wesley hit the gas, and KITT—now fully incognito—rolled down the street, the team ready to follow their mysterious target wherever he led them.

As Wesley fired up KITT's engine, John and Nolan jogged up from Nolan's house and quickly jumped into the back seat, squeezing in with Tim and Harper.

Nolan, wide-eyed as he settled into the seat, whispered, "I don't think I'll ever get used to this. KITT as a Range Rover? Weird."

John, more relaxed, chuckled. "It's still the same KITT, Nolan. Just in a new skin. Better buckle up."

Tim nodded at John, smirking. "Yeah, you might want to hold on to this one. Wesley doesn't exactly drive slow, even when we're trying to be inconspicuous."

Harper leaned forward, resting her arms on the front seat. "So, where's our guy heading? You got the tracker up, KITT?"

KITT's voice responded smoothly through the speakers. "The tracking device is active, and I am monitoring the target's location. He is currently moving west on Sunset Boulevard."

Wesley glanced in the rearview mirror at his team. "Alright, we've got a tail. Time to see where this DIA guy is leading us. Everyone ready?"

Lucy adjusted her seatbelt, eyes sharp. "Let's do this."

Nolan, trying to keep his nerves under control, added, "I hope this goes better than last time we tried tailing someone."

John nudged him. "Relax, Nolan. We've got KITT. What could go wrong?"

Tim snorted. "Don't say that, man. That's just asking for trouble."

Wesley smirked. "Yeah, let's not jinx it. KITT, keep a reasonable distance, but don't lose him."

"As always, Michael," KITT replied, his tone almost teasing. "Stealth mode activated. I will ensure we remain undetected."

Wesley took a deep breath and pressed the gas, smoothly merging into traffic, following the trail of their mysterious DIA contact. Everyone in the car fell into focused silence as they rolled through the nighttime streets of Los Angeles, the stakes higher than ever.

Later

At the docks

As Wesley maneuvered KITT in stealth mode, he parked the Ford F-150 version just behind a stack of containers. The team had a clear view of several men gathered around a shipping container.

Tim glanced around, incredulous. "I can't believe they still haven't noticed us in this truck."

Wesley shrugged. "Sorry, but I couldn't handle the Range Rover, okay? Too much luxury, not enough grit."

Grabbing his radio, Wesley calmly said, "In position."

Harper's voice came through. "Copy that. Hold tight."

From the back seat, Lucy asked, "Everyone else alright in their cars?"

Wesley glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Hope so."

Lucy turned to Tim, narrowing her eyes. "Bradford, why does Mitch blame you for losing his leg?"

Tim scoffed, eyes fixed ahead. "I let him slide on something, and because I did, he went back on patrol and got blown up. End of story."

Lucy chuckled softly. "That is the most Tim Bradford thing I've ever heard. You showed humanity. Don't beat yourself up about it."

Tim's jaw clenched. "Rules matter, Boot."

Lucy cocked her head. "Then what the hell are you doing here?"

Tim's eyes flicked to hers. "Some things matter more."

Before Lucy could respond, Harper's voice broke in over the radio. "Knight, Bradford, Chen, let's go."

Wesley glanced at Lucy as she reached for the door. "Hold up. First lesson in black ops: make sure the lights don't come on when you open the door."

Wesley tapped KITT's dashboard. "KITT, no lights when we exit."

KITT's voice responded smoothly. "Done, Michael."

"Thanks, buddy," Wesley muttered as he, Lucy, and Tim stepped out silently.

The team moved in unison, sticking to the shadows as they maneuvered around trucks and containers. Wesley signaled for the others to advance as they approached another shipping container. He caught sight of John, Harper, and Nolan, nodding for them to join.

As they gathered, Nolan pointed to the nearby container. "That's gotta be it—pallets of money, ready to ship."

Lucy frowned. "Should we call Long Beach PD?"

Wesley shook his head. "Not yet."

Lucy, confused, asked, "Why not?"

Tim explained, "We don't know for sure if it's the counterfeit cash. Pallets are covered."

Harper added, "We only get one shot at this."

John nodded. "We can't afford to be wrong."

Nolan chimed in, "So we confirm it's counterfeit, then we call in the cavalry. Use the arrest to track down who killed Joe Delacruz."

Tim grunted in agreement. "Exactly."

John asked, "How do we confirm?"

Wesley shook his head. "No idea."

Suddenly, the sputter of an engine broke the silence. Wesley and Harper peeked around the corner, spotting a forklift struggling to start.

Harper whispered, "Something's not right."

Wesley nodded. "Yeah, I see it."

He peeked further, noticing the man from before—the DIA contact—ordering his men into an SUV.

Lucy leaned close and whispered, "They're getting a new forklift."

The SUV peeled away, leaving the men distracted and the container unguarded. Wesley signaled. "This is our shot. Move in."

With quiet precision, Wesley led the team along the side of the container. Guns drawn, they took cover at the corner, waiting for the right moment. When the men turned their backs, Wesley whispered, "I'll handle this. Watch my six."

He darted forward, crouching low as he slid under the truck's trailer, then edged along the container's side. Reaching the door, Wesley holstered his gun and slipped inside.

Inside the container, stacks of counterfeit bills loomed in front of him. Wesley pulled out his knife, preparing to confirm the stash, when the unmistakable sound of guns cocking echoed behind him. A man cleared his throat.

Wesley froze, looking up to see the DIA man standing there, flanked by armed guards.

"You'll be dead before you break leather," the man sneered.

Wesley glanced outside, where the rest of his team had been caught, hands raised in surrender. With no choice, Wesley raised his hands and slowly exited the container.

The man locked eyes with Nolan. "John, what the hell? I warned you."

Nolan, unfazed, replied, "Yeah, you did."

"And yet, here you are," the man said, shaking his head. "I'm disappointed. Thought you were smart."

Nolan said evenly, "I'm not the smart one. That's my TO. She plans for everything."

Harper raised three fingers, then subtly pointed toward the man. A red laser dot appeared on his jacket.

"That's a .50 cal aimed at you," Harper said calmly. "I don't need to explain what that bullet would do."

The man didn't flinch. "Pettigrew, didn't we face this exact situation in Colombia?"

Pettigrew nodded. "Yeah, and we walked away."

The man smirked. "Exactly. It's a no-win situation. You shoot me, my guys turn you into Swiss cheese."

Wesley interjected, "Yeah, but my car is bulletproof."

At that moment, KITT roared into view, his voice booming. "Step away from the officers. No one needs to get hurt."

Wesley chuckled. "Looks like we need to negotiate."

The man turned to Wesley. "Michael Knight, I presume. I'm listening."

Wesley's tone grew serious. "One of you killed Joe Delacruz. Hand him over, and we walk away."

The man paused. "And the money?"

Wesley didn't hesitate. "Not our problem."

Lucy's eyes widened. "Wes—"

"Not our problem," Wesley cut her off.

The man raised his hand. "Fine. Pettigrew, surrender yourself."

Pettigrew looked stunned. "What? After everything, you're just giving me up?"

"You jeopardized the mission. Take the fall, keep quiet, and you'll be out in no time," the man said coldly.

Wesley stepped forward. "Don't fall for that. He's using you, just like I was used. You're smarter than this."

Pettigrew's face twisted in anger. "Shut up!" He lunged at Wesley.

But Wesley was ready. He dodged, grabbed Pettigrew's arm, and flipped him over his shoulder. Pettigrew hit the ground with a groan.

"That's an assault on a police officer," Wesley said dryly.

The man shook his head. "You're an idiot."

Wesley grinned. "It's my Knight charm. I can get anyone to do anything."

The man sighed. "Alright, we're done here, Knight?"

Wesley glanced at Harper, who signaled for the sniper to stand down.

The man spoke again, glancing at Tim. "You've seen this before, haven't you? In Afghanistan. Ghost money, backpacks full of it."

Tim nodded. "Yeah. But that was authorized."

The man smiled. "Counterfeit money is better. No authorization, no tracking."

Nolan frowned. "So it funds black ops?"

The man shrugged. "We didn't print money. We printed freedom. Now, let's wrap this up."

Wesley gave a final nod. "Team, stand down. Pettigrew goes in KITT's backseat."

As Pettigrew was hauled to KITT, Wesley looked at the man. "We're not done. This isn't over."

The man smiled. "I'm counting on it."

At the station

Grey and the team gathered in the briefing room at the station.

"Let me get this straight," Grey said, folding his arms. "You all just happened to be strolling along the docks, and Joe Delacruz's killer shows up and turns himself in?"

Lucy, Wesley, Harper, John, Tim, Nolan, and Lopez replied in unison, "Yes, sir."

Grey raised an eyebrow. "And when the Chief calls me tomorrow, screaming—"

Tim interjected, "He won't."

Grey looked confused, then sighed, running a hand on his bald head. "I'm going back to bed. The paperwork on this better be spotless."

"Yes, sir," Harper replied.

As Grey walked away, John chuckled. "This is perfect. I think this could actually work."

"Thank God KITT was there," Wesley said, relief evident in his voice.

Tim added, "Right? It was so cool when you said, 'Yeah, but my car's bulletproof.'"

The group laughed, and John nodded. "That was seriously cool."

Wesley smirked. "Guess it was a good thing I had an earwig for KITT to hear me."

Harper leaned back in her chair, grinning. "You know, it's moments like that that remind me why I love this job. It's unpredictable and thrilling."

Nolan chuckled, "And let's not forget the adrenaline rush. Nothing quite like facing down a bunch of criminals with your friends by your side."

Tim nodded in agreement. "Plus, we pulled it off without a hitch. Can you imagine if we'd messed up? We'd be facing the Chief's wrath for sure."

Wesley smirked. "Let's not think about that. We should celebrate instead. How about a round at The Bar next door?"

Lucy perked up, "I'm in! I could use a drink after today. Plus, I want to hear KITT's side of the story."

Everyone laughed, and John added, "I bet KITT has some interesting insights. Maybe he can even rate our performance."

Tim shook his head, feigning seriousness. "I can hear him now: 'Well, team, that was an acceptable level of recklessness, but next time, let's aim for a higher degree of professionalism.'"

Laughter erupted again, and Wesley clapped Tim on the back. "You're not far off. KITT might actually say that."

Harper stood up and stretched. "Alright, let's wrap this up. We'll meet at The Bar at thirty. Everyone's invited."

"Sounds like a plan," Nolan said, gathering his things. "I'll race you there!"

"Not if I get to KITT first!" Wesley shot back, grinning as he bolted from the room.

Lucy laughed and chased after him. "Hey! No cheating!"

As they left the briefing room, Grey reappeared in the doorway, arms crossed and a bemused expression on his face. "What's this about a celebration? I hope you're not planning on letting your guard down."

"We're just going to unwind a little, sir," Harper replied, trying to keep her tone light.

"Just remember, tomorrow is another day. Stay sharp," Grey warned before retreating down the hall.

With a collective sigh of relief, the team made their way out of the station, anticipation buzzing in the air. The camaraderie they shared felt stronger than ever, and as they headed toward the bar, they knew they had each other's backs, no matter what lay ahead.

The next day

At the house

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the living room. Wesley sat on the floor, surrounded by colorful toys scattered around him, while Nora and Mason giggled and crawled around, exploring their little world. Lucy was nearby in the kitchen, preparing breakfast, the delicious aroma of pancakes wafting through the air.

"Look at them go!" Wesley exclaimed, grinning as Nora reached for a plush dinosaur, her tiny fingers grasping it with determination.

Lucy peeked into the living room, a smile spreading across her face. "They're getting so big! I can hardly believe it. Just yesterday, it felt like they were barely moving."

"Next thing we know, they'll be running circles around us," Wesley said, chuckling. He reached out to Mason, who was attempting to roll over. "Come on, buddy! You can do it!"

Mason let out a small squeal of excitement as he finally managed to flip onto his stomach. Wesley cheered, "That's it! That's my boy!"

Just then, Kojo, their lively Olde English Bulldog, bounded into the room, tail wagging with enthusiasm. He dropped a slobbery toy at Wesley's feet, looking for a playmate.

"Hey, Kojo! You want to join the fun?" Wesley laughed, picking up the toy and tossing it across the room. Kojo took off in a flash, his paws pattering against the hardwood floor.

Lucy shook her head with a playful smile as she flipped a pancake. "I swear, it's like having three kids in this house sometimes. Kojo's just as much a part of the chaos."

"Exactly! He's the best distraction," Wesley replied, watching as Kojo returned with the toy, dropping it near Mason. "Maybe we should get them matching shirts. 'Chaos Coordinator' and 'Assistant to the Chaos Coordinator.'"

Lucy laughed, shaking her head. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I don't think we need more matching outfits in this house—at least not yet!"

As breakfast finished cooking, Lucy set the table, her heart full as she watched Wesley play with the twins. "You know, I think we should make this a routine," she said. "Spending mornings like this, just us, no distractions."

Wesley looked up, his eyes sparkling with affection. "I'd love that. Family time is everything." He glanced at Nora, who was now trying to crawl toward Kojo, her chubby legs moving with determination. "And look at them—they're the best part of my day."

"I think they've got us wrapped around their little fingers," Lucy said, grinning as she joined Wesley on the floor. She scooped up Mason, planting a soft kiss on his forehead. "How did we get so lucky?"

"I ask myself that every day," Wesley replied, wrapping an arm around Lucy and pulling her close. "This is what I always wanted—this family."

Kojo nudged Mason's leg with his nose, and Mason giggled, reaching out to grab at the dog's floppy ears. Lucy chuckled, "Careful, Kojo! He might try to take you home."

As they enjoyed the playful morning together, laughter filled the house, and in that moment, everything felt perfect.

The sun streamed through the kitchen window as Wesley and Lucy finished their breakfast, sharing smiles and soft laughs over their steaming mugs of coffee. 

Nora and Mason, nestled in their high chairs, babbled happily while munching on bits of toast. Kojo, their energetic puppy, wagged his tail, glancing eagerly between his owners and the little ones.

As they cleared the table, Melissa walked into the kitchen, her usual bright smile lighting up the room. "Good morning, everyone!" she chimed, glancing at the two little ones. "I hope they've been good for you!"

"Just a little chaos, but nothing we can't handle," Wesley replied, giving Lucy a playful nudge. "Right, Luce?"

Lucy chuckled, rolling her eyes. "You mean just one big mess! But they're adorable chaos."

Melissa laughed, shaking her head. "Well, that's part of the charm! Do you need help with anything?"

"No, we're all set," Wesley said, finishing up with the dishes. "Just need to take Kojo out for a walk now."

After they wiped their hands and put the last of the dishes away, Lucy scooped up Mason, while Wesley picked up Nora. They both cooed at the babies, who giggled and reached for their parents.

"Okay, little ones, time to get some fresh air!" Lucy said, gently setting Mason down as Wesley placed Nora in her stroller.

As they made their way to the front door, Kojo bounced excitedly around them, his leash in Wesley's hand. "Alright, buddy, you ready for your walk?" Wesley asked, attaching the leash and opening the door.

With the sun shining bright, they stepped outside, the gentle breeze brushing against their faces. The neighborhood was alive with the sounds of birds chirping and the faint rustle of leaves.

"Let's see what adventures await us today," Lucy said, grinning as they began their stroll, Kojo eagerly leading the way.

To be continued...