Chapter Fourteen: Dinner at Knight

Apparently I had gotten myself into the lap of luxury; we pulled up the ramp at the back of the plane into what looked like a mechanic's garage, but beyond a certain point the floor appeared to be carpeted, and I could see what looked almost like an apartment, with chairs and tables, along with several computers. "Wooooowwww…" I breathed.

"Glad you like it!" Michael exclaimed; he seemed like he was the high-energy type. "The Army was going to scrap it, so we bought it and remodeled it into the Bishop." We came to a stop and got out of the car. "Sit tight, KITT," Michael said, gently tapping on the hood.

"As though I had any other pressing engagements."

He smiled, and I guess I did too, because he gave me a wink. "You like coffee? We have coffee, tea, and just plain water – purified, of course."

"Uh, yeah…"

Michael's face took on a look of concern and he came and put a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, you okay, kid? You don't look so good."

I clenched my teeth, determined to not break down in front of the older man. "Yukine…used to make coffee for Sunohara and I at school."

"Ah, I see. I'm sorry," he replied, and his expression showed genuine compassion.

"It's okay," I said. "I need to stop crying and start acting, anyway."

"That's the spirit, kid!" he exclaimed, clapping me on my shoulder – the good one, thankfully. "What say we eat something, talk about your situation, then we'll get you home?"

I heard a very female-sounding voice say something in an excited tone, and we turned to see an attractive older woman standing in front of a doorway at the opposite end of the room. She had long brown hair that flowed just past her shoulders and wore a white suit of some kind.

"Sweetheart, our guest here doesn't understand much English," Michael pointedly said in Japanese while giving me a knowing wink. "Okazaki, this is 'Bawnee'." He took a moment to spell out her name for me. "Bonnie. She's my wife…and KITT's mother."

"Mother?"

"My husband thinks he's being funny," Bonnie said; her Japanese wasn't as good as Michael's, but I could still understand her well enough. "I'm KITT's mechanic." She gave me a dazzling smile. "Well, you didn't tell me you were bringing such a handsome young man!"

I looked to the floor to try to hide my blush.

"We got anything to feed him?" Michael asked. "He probably hasn't eaten since lunch, right?"

Since it felt like the question was directed toward me, I looked back up. "Yes, sir."

"Manners, too!" she exclaimed while fanning herself, but quickly grew serious. "Would you be okay with a beef-and-rice dish? We haven't practiced much with Japanese dishes, so…"

"No, that's fine. Thank you very much," I said, bowing.

"While we're eating you can tell us what you remember," Michael said as he and Bonnie moved to a small cooking area on one side of the apartment. "Whatever you told the cops, you can tell us."

"Understood," I replied, relieved that I could finally do something.

"While we're working on this," Bonnie said, "why don't you go talk to KITT? He's probably feeling left out about now."

"I am perfectly content, Bonnie, but I would welcome conversation with our guest."

I blinked; I had been so caught up in my conversation with the Knights that I had forgotten about KITT. "I'm sorry KITT," I said as I turned toward the car, "I didn't mean to…wooooowwww."

The vehicle that stood before me was…beautiful. I was right that he was wedge-shaped, but I had missed how sleek and streamlined he was. I couldn't tell what make or model he was, probably due to him being an American car, but… "KITT…you look amazing."

"Thank you Okazaki-san," he replied. "Had I a human circulatory system, I believe that I would be blushing right now."

"What's this?" I kneeled down to examine a slot in the front of the hood, where a single red light swept back and forth. "Do you see with this?"

"Very perceptive, young man. That is my Anamorphic Equalizer, an array of fiber-optics which allows me to see in all visual wavelengths."

"That's pretty cool," I said, then suddenly felt self-conscious. "So I'm basically staring you in the eyes right now. Sorry about that," I said, quickly moving to what I hoped was a respectful distance.

"It's quite all right; I am not offended, though your consideration is commendable."

"Is...Is it all right if I…walk around you and look at you?"

"Be my guest…as it were."

I chuckled; KITT was so proper, unlike me. I found myself wanting to be more like him; calm, collected, and…understanding? Yeah, understanding. Great, now I wanted to be a computer. I filed those thoughts away for later as I walked around him. "What kind of car are you? I mean, if you don't mind me asking."

"Not at all. My current body is a modified 1982 Pontiac Trans Am."

"Modified?"

"This body has been heavily modified in many ways, the specifics of which I am not at liberty to discuss – other than the Anamorphic Equalizer, I suppose. I can say, however, that these modifications allow me to help Michael perform his duties as a crime fighter."

"Amazing…" I said, shaking my head as I passed the back of the car, examining the rear spoiler. "I wish you could tell me more about yourself, but I think I understand."

"I appreciate that, Okazaki-san."

"So are you going to help bring Yukine back?"

"I will do everything in my power to rescue your friend and apprehend those responsible for abducting her."

I swallowed a lump in my throat as I made my way back to the front of the car, turned, and bowed deeply. "Thank you very much, KITT."

"How about that?" I heard Michael say, and I straightened to see him walking toward us. "Never thought you'd be bowed to, eh buddy?"

"It is quite an honor, I must say. Had I the ability, I would return the gesture."

The older man chuckled softly before addressing me. "Well, you ready to eat? It's not burned, so it should be okay."

"Michael!" I heard Bonnie protest in the background.

He just laughed and put his hand on my shoulder. "C'mon kiddo; let's eat."

Were it anyone else calling me 'kiddo' I would have a problem with it. But this American…there was something about him that made it all right.

After a delicious meal and a 'debriefing' (as the Knights called it), I was ready to go home.

"Thank you for the meal," I said as I bowed, and I realized that I had been doing that a lot lately.

"You're welcome, Okazaki-san," Bonnie said, giving me a hug. "Don't worry; we'll find her and bring her back."

"Thank you, ma'am," I replied, returning the hug; I felt a little awkward hugging a stranger, but it also felt good for some reason.

"KITT, could you take him home for me?" Michael asked while rubbing his shoulder. "No offense Okazaki, but I'm pretty tired."

"You're not as young as you used to be," Bonnie said, and I thought she was making a jab at him until I saw the concern in her expression.

"Indeed, Michael. I was hesitant to bring it up earlier, but I have detected inflammation in your-"

"Yes! Yes, KITT, thank you," Michael said, lifting a hand. I figured he was trying to save his dignity, so I suppressed a smile that was threatening to break out at the exchange. "Can you handle this for me?"

"Certainly, Michael." KITT's passenger-side door opened on its own. "Shall we, then?"

After shaking hands with Michael and exchanging another hug with Bonnie, I hurried around and slid into KITT's front passenger seat. "Ready."

"Not until you've buckled up, young man," his voice gently scolded.

"Oh, right. Sorry," I said as I quickly located and buckled the seatbelt. "I'm used to riding buses and trains," I offered as an explanation.

I could have sworn that KITT 'humphed' as he backed out of the plane, but it must have been my imagination.