Goodbye Michael

KITT and Michael were on their way to a local diner. They two were conversing when Devon called.

"Michael," KITT said with a slightly annoyed tone. "Devon's calling."

"Oh boy," He said exasperated. "What could he want now!"

KITT chuckled. "He's becoming impatient Michael. You should answer it, just to be on the safe side."

Michael sighed. "Ok, but don't scratch the course for that diner just yet."

"I won't." KITT answered the call.

"Michael," Devon's voice rang throughout the cabin. "we have a situation down town."

"Oh what could it be this time?" He said sarcastically.

"The bank was robbed, Michael. Police are already on the scene. But I told them you would be coming to help investigate and secure the crime scene for investigators. If they give you any trouble, tell them Devon Miles sent you. The man who robbed it is named, David Wells."

"Oh my," KITT spoke up after Devon said the man's name. "he has quite a record."

"What of?" Michael said to KITT.

"David Wells." His information showed up on KITT's monitor. "Height: 6'2, Weight: 200 pounds. Has a history for robbing banks, selling and shipping drugs across the border, numerous DUI's and was arrested at a party for sexually assaulting one of the other guests. He was also imprisoned for 5 years, than was got parole a year ago. His record, as far as I know, shows he still is on parole." KITT said with his calm tone.

"Jeesh," Michael said while cringing. "this guy means business. What was he imprisoned for?"

"For threatening to blow up his family's home down in Atlanta, Georgia." KITT said with disgust in his voice.

"Ok, well is that all?" He asked Devon.

"Just please be careful Michael. This man is very dangerous, as you can see." Devon said with a hint of worry and fear in his voice.

"We will. Michael out." And with that the connections were cut.

"I'm worried about this mission Michael. I know you heard the fear in his voice as well as I." KITT's voice shook slightly with fear. Michael was the only person that he allowed to see his true colors. Emotion wise that is.

"Don't worry pal," He caressed the dash lovingly. "we have each other's backs. As long as we maintain that, we'll be ok, alright?"

"Alright Michael. I trust you." KITT said with a more relaxed tone.

"Ok buddy," He said while cracking his knuckles and putting his hands on the steering wheel. "let's go kick some ass!"

/*/

Michael and KITT arrived at the bank a little passed 1:00 PM. The entire street was shut down and police were stationed all over the place directing traffic and such. KITT pulled up right in front of the bank. It was an old style building with Greek architecture. It had 6 large pillars all across the front of the entry way. The entrance itself was a huge old style wooden door.

Both Michael and KITT took a minute to admire the beautiful layout of the building. However, the moment was short lived when an old officer about average height with a balding head came up to KITT's driver side window and tapped it. KITT rolled it down.

"Excuse me sir," The man said with a husky voice. "this area is shut down for investigation. I'm gonna need ya to move." His tone was firm.

"Oh no need," Michael said with a friendly smile. "I work for the Foundation for Law and Government. Devon Miles sent me."

The officer looked confused at first, but then gave back a friendly smile to Michael.

"Oh yeah!" The officer said while nodding his head slightly in understanding. "You're Michael Knight, right? Yeah I remember now." He extended his hand to Michael. "Name's James Cooper, but you can just call me Officer Cooper."

Michael took his offered hand. "Nice to meet you." He looked around through KITT's windshield. "So…is it ok to park here, or do I really have to move?"

"Oh no. You're perfectly fine Mr. Knight." He said as he backed up so Michael could get out of KITT.

"Please," Michael shut KITT's door gently. "just call me Michael. No need for that formal stuff. We're all on the same side here."

Officer Cooper chuckled. "Yes we are. Come, I'll show you around." He said as he gestured towards the entry way of the bank. Michael followed. When he got to the first step, his watch beeped softly.

"Be careful Michael. I have a feeling this battle isn't over just yet." Michael opened his mouth to reply, but stopped. Something in his partners' voice sent a cold shiver up his spine. He was definitely going to keep a vigilant eye out.

"You coming Michael?" Officer Cooper said at the top of the steps. Michael had completely forgotten about the old man.

"Yeah." He began to trot up the steps two at a time. Once he reached the top, Officer Cooper walked up to the huge doors and opened them to reveal a beautiful, ball room sized dome. First thing you saw when you walked in was the glass wall that divided the behind the scenes machines and safes, to the deserted line of people waiting to withdraw money from their accounts. To the left and to the right were empty cubicles for the employees to discuss things with their clients. In the middle of the room was a waiting area with 8 chairs that had bullet holes in the back side of them, and a coffee table that was tipped over and also shot up.

Officer Cooper took Michael to the very back of the building towards the back entrance.

"This is where the man broke in." Officer Cooper said while pointing to the wide open, shot up back door.

"He just shot up the place? No back up?" Michael asked as he inspected the door closer, but really was just allowing KITT to analyze the scene through his watch to find out exactly what type of gun was used.

"No. Just came blazing in here and started shoot'n up the place." Officer Cooper replied while throwing his hands in the air. "I just don't know what gets into these people. Who would want to do this? Who would want to cause so much harm to innocent people?" Michael shook his head.

"I don't know. But I promise that we won't give up on this case until we find that man." Michael said firmly.

Officer Cooper nodded. "I know you will." He sighed. "Alright, well, I'm going to leave you to your duty. I'll be outside if you need me." He said as he walked away.

"Ok, thanks." Michael said with a kind smile.

He made sure that Officer Cooper was out of ear shot before talking with KITT.

"Ok, buddy. What exactly do we have here?"

"Judging from the size of the bullet holes and the mass amount of them, I'd say there was not one person, but two." Michael's face twisted in confusion.

"But…that can't be possible. He said that there was only one guy, not two."

"Michael," KITT said exasperated. "my scanners do not lie. There is no possible way for one person to get off that many rounds just by using one gun, even if it was an AR15. It isn't possible."

"Then just what type of gun was used?" He said a little frustrated. Why did these missions have to be so complicated all the time? It wouldn't have been like this over at the diner. That's for sure.

"An AR15 and an AK47." KITT said calmly.

"Why do these things have to be so complicated?" He mumbled to himself, but KITT heard it.

"Don't worry Michael," He said encouragingly. "we'll be back on the road to the diner before you now it."

Michael smirked at his partner's comment. "Whatever you say Buddy. Whatever you say."

Michael was just about ready to tell Officer Cooper about his findings, when gun shots rang out.

"KITT! What's going on?" He demanded.

"Michael," He spoke calmly, but you could hear the anxiety in his voice. "It's David and he brought company. They just killed three officers." Michael cursed under his breath.

"Ok, meet me around back. Quick!" he ordered.

He made a dash for the door, when he heard his partner's voice yell shrillfully.

"MICHAEL! DON'T-!" But he was never able to finish because at that same moment, men dressed in black clothing from head to toe came bursting in through the door. They grabbed Michael's arms and pinned him up against the wall. Once he was secured, the most muscular man came stepping forward. He was also dressed in black clothing from head to toe, and was also the tallest man out of the gang.

Michael knew who was immediately. David Wells.

"Close that door!" He yelled. His men did as they were told.

"So," He spoke with a clipped tone. "you're the legendary Michael Knight, huh?" He smirked. "Wow, I never thought you would be so easy to catch. Guess you're not that powerful, are you?"

Michael just glared.

"Not in the mood for talkin, eh?" He nodded to one of his men holding Michael. He punched him hard in the gut. There was an audible "oof" from Michael as he collapsed to the ground. The men pulled him back up again.

"That was just a warning, Knight. You don't answer me again, its gonna get worse for you real quick."

/*/

Meanwhile back outside, KITT could see and hear everything. He was panicking. Michael was alone and completely defenseless. He just got the bejesus kicked out of him and they were threatening to do more if he didn't comply too their wants.

'Why, why didn't I guard that door? Oh hell! Why wasn't I there to begin with?!' KITT thought to himself. 'Oh, enough of that. I can't beat myself up now, he needs me. Now what to do…what to do…..Ah! I've got it!'

KITT quickly pulled out of his parking spot and zoomed around to the back entrance of the bank. He turned up his speakers to full blast.

He was not about to sit on the side lines yet….

/*/

"So Knight," David stood over the cowering figure of Michael. "you're not much of a knight right now, are you?"

Michael looked up at the man towering over him. He had blood coming from his nose.

"You wont get away with this David." He growled. "I can promise you that."

"Oh, and what will you do to stop me!" He said with an intimidating tone. "You have no back up, all of those officers are DEAD!"

Michael winced. Rest in Peace Officer Cooper.

Suddenly, there was the sound of a loud police siren outside. David shot up from where he was sitting in front of Michael. All of his men began to slowly back away from the door and cock their guns.

"I thought you said you took care of them!" He hissed at one of his men.

"Sir, I-I can explain." His voice shook.

"Drop your weapons and come quietly!" KITT ordered. However, David didn't budge.

"As soon as they come bursting in through that door, plow'em down." He ordered his men.

"You are completely surrounded. Drop your weapons and come quietly!" KITT's voice rose a little more. Michael could hear the anxiousness in his partners' voice. He began to pull away from the men.

"KITT!" His captors were about to punch him again, but David stopped them.

"No," He ordered. "we'll make an exchange. Him for our freedom."

"But, sir, that..that would be suicide and we don't even know if it will work. They could just plow us all down as soon as that door opens up." One of Michael's captors said.

"Then I'll make sure that won't happen." He spoke calmly.

David walked to the door, but didn't open it.

"Let's make a deal." He yelled so the said 'officers' could hear him. "We'll give you the hostage for our freedom. If you try anything funny during our escape, we'll kill you and him on site. Deal?"

KITT thought over the deal. It was his best chance at getting Michael back, but it would also be doing wrong because he was allowing the criminals to get away.

But he had to make a choice. It was either their reputation, or Michael.

"Deal." KITT spoke with authority.

The door slowly opened. The first one to come out was Michael closely followed by his captors. Then David and his other two men.

David paused and looked around. Where were all the cops?

"What is this?! A joke?!" he yelled. "I SAID NO TRICKS!" David quickly came up to Michael and held him at gun point.

"COME OUT NOW, OR I BLOW HIS BRAINS OUT!"

"NO!" Michael shot his head over to the sleek black Trans Am. He never heard such a scream leave the AI before.

"Please," his voice shook with terror. "don't hurt him. I'll let you go, but please don't hurt Michael." He whispered the last part.

David remained stone cold. "Oh I get it. The cops are too afraid of us so they let a talking car do their dirty work." He cocked the gun being held to Michael's head. "Well, two can play at that game bitch."

"NO!" KITT leaped forward just as David fired the gun.

Blood spurted everywhere, as Michael limply fell to the ground. David and his men made a run for it as the Trans Am drove forward to Michael's limp body.

"Michael?" he whispered softly. "Michael, you have to get up. You have to get up." His voice cracked as he began to sob.

Even though there were no tears involved, KITT still cried in a way that only computers would understand.

"Michael!" He sobbed as he rolled forward so he was right up alongside Michael's body.

"Please! Don't do this to me!" His frame shook.

KITT's circuits were overloading with all the emotion he was supposed to be incapable of having. They screamed warning after warning for him to stop or else.

But he didn't care. His best friend, one that he looked upon as a brother, is dead.

He didn't want to face the fact that Michael was gone forever. He didn't want to face the fact that he would have to get a new driver. He didn't want to face the fact that he would have nobody to really open up to. He didn't want to face the fact that he would have to deal with Devon's wrath about his balking towards the possible candidates.

He didn't want to face it. He wasn't ready to face it. He couldn't face it.

The sound of a semi rolling up caught KITT's attention only for a second. It stopped in the parking lot just on the opposite side of where he was parked.

KITT turned his attention to Michael again. He took a shaky breath.

"Good bye Michael." He whispered with a very shaky voice.