*7:32 Attempted capture of two suspected felons in Dodge Hatchback in middle of cornfield. Note: restock ice packs in first aid kit; and request low level pain medications for driver use. *

Kitt powered up to the right. Judging the distance, he swung his front end over, tapping the rear quarter panel of the Dodge; a precise shove point started it spinning. The soft dirt prevented traction, keeping the car spinning like a top as the driver panicked and hit the gas instead of the brake. Corn husks went flying everywhere, most being pushed under the car and compacted. The men swayed as the car slowed then stopped. Dark hat gagged, head down, trying not to lose his dinner as the gun slid to a stop against his foot.

Kitt circled out and around, corn stalks crunching under his wheels. Pieces wrapped up under his wheels as he maneuvered to face the other car head on.

"Nice chase Kitt!"

"Remember what Devon always says, 'It's the catching that is the important part.'"

Rolling his eyes, he began pushing the door open with his left hand, holding his right hand against his chest.

"Michael, stay inside!" The door accelerated backward, slamming into his hand. Bullets ricocheted off the side window.

Black cap emptied the entire clip. He blinked, tilting the gun to look down its barrel then back at the car. 'Did I get him?" he thought, watching the man inside holding both hands to his chest. 'Naw, no blood.' "You use real bullets?" he shouted to his grubby cohort.

"I think so."

"You think?!" He threw the gun down, "Think about running!"

"All clear." Kitt called, unlocking the door. "Sorry Michael, there wasn't time. Readings indicate no bones broken."

Michael gritted his teeth, uncurling his hand to ease the throbbing. "Stay here. I'll handle this. "

"There are two of them. I suggest you use extreme caution. "

Ahead, a scream rang out. He homed in on the sound, passing beyond the light of Kitt's headlights. The faint moon showed shaped all around him without detail. He crept forward slowly, trying to perceive the dark mass in front of him. "Think you can stay still and I won't find you," he thought. 'Not too smart.' He grabbed then yelped as pain shot through his hand. Recoiling, he pulled out small fine needle like spines from his hand.

"Kitt, I need you!"

Kitt immediately spun, flashing his high beams on. Cacti! Ranks of cactus with large thorns surrounded the edge of the corn field.

Michael sighed in frustration. The sharp thorns on the deadly plants poked out from among the dark shadows. A piece of cloth fluttered on one particularly long thorn, and he reached out gingerly and pulled it free. It looked like a piece of denim, the exact color that one of the two idiots he had been chasing had had on. He grinned. There was a spot of blood on the corner. This was where they had gone, alright, and good luck to them. He wasn't chasing them.

"We can pursue." Kitt said.

"Only thing I want to pursue is a shower and aspirin. Lots and lots of aspirin."

"What about the hatchback?"

"Leave it. We don't want anyone knowing we were here. Check the hospital tomorrow for men with their description, looking like pin cushions. "

7:42 pm Return to Shady Acres Hotel, Room 132. Discussion concerning safety procedures and working relationships*

The drive back to the hotel was uneventful. Kitt examined and reexamined his safety protocols. Had there been another way to guard his main purpose, his reason for protection and existence without slamming that door so fast? Every scenario ended with death or injury. Should he have disobeyed a direct order and kept his driver inside longer or followed him closely, perhaps preventing the encounter with the cactus and the escape of those men? Too many variables were processing for a complete answer.

"Michael, was I in error?"

"As in?"

"Slamming that door and injuring you. " His voice was soft and as close to regret as he could modulate.

"And keeping me alive. No, you did exactly right. You saved my life again and I probably never even thanked you the last ten times."

"You have a few times."

"I've also been a complete jerk lately." He admitted, looking out the side window then back at the dash.

"Lately?" Kitt echoed.

"Don't push it." There was silence as the statement registered, was computed and processed.

"If it is something that affects you then it affects me. "

Michael grinned; remembering how Kitt would not have pursued the matter their first year together or would have stated 'it affects our team capabilities'. Now it was 'affects me'.

"I asked Bonnie out for a date. She turned me down flat." He finally admitted.

"Same reasons as before?"

"No. Worse, much worse. And I don't want to talk about it."

'Ouch.' Kitt winced internally. He knew that tone of voice. Few women have resisted his partner's brown curly hair, blue eyes and muscular physique. When they did, Michael always took it personal. And pouted for an hour or two. But for days? He had to find out what Bonnie had said.

A blinking neon sign showed the entrance to their hotel. Kitt slowed, turning onto the gravel lot, careful to not ricochet the stones below his wheels. "It appears the desk clerk is flagging us down." He lowered the window, ready to snap it up instantly should the man display any aggression or threat.

"Water is out! Stopped about twenty minutes ago. Got a call into the plumber. " He waved his clipboard around for emphasis. "Let you know when I find anything out."

"No shower, great." Michael mumbled, nodding at the young clerk. Another car pulled in behind them and the man jogged past, heading to the other vehicle, repeating his message.

"Do you want to choose another hotel?"

"No, I'll shower tomorrow. Surveillance mode. And Kitt, good night."

"Good night Michael."