Laughing
By Gumnut

"Put the top down, Kitt."

"Michael what are you doing? Our speed is nearly 200 kph, you'll get yourself a case of windburn, if not blown out of the car."

"Hah! I don't care. Today is the day!" He punched the button that lowered the roof and it was only the Trans Am's indestructible construction that prevented it from being ripped off by the wind. That same wind had no such compunctions regarding Michael's hair, and his dark curls were blown straight as he levered himself to sit on the roof cover now situated above and behind his drivers seat.

"Michael, this is foolhardy."

"I said I don't care. I want to feel the wind in my hair."

"You'll feel it in more than your hair if you don't come down from there." And it was true. Michael could feel Kitt attempting to direct the passive laser restraint system on to him, but it wasn't designed to be used in this manner, the beams flailing at him, trying to secure him.

"Kitt, live a little."

"I intend to live extensively, thankyou very much. However, that involves you doing the same. Get down from there, or I will stop the car."

"Awww, Kitt, I'm having fun." Michael giggled.

"Get down from there now."

"And if I don't, you'll do what?" He couldn't help smirking.

"Shall I provide a list of blackmail options? Shall we consider expense accounts or misused time? I'm sure Devon would be interested in both, in either case."

"You're bluffing."

"I do not bluff."

"You're a spoil sport."

"And you're fool hardy. Now get your butt back into the car before I tell on you."

Michael stared at Kitt's voice box a moment before cracking up laughing. "Since when did you become my mother?"

"Since I decided you needed one. Now get back into the car."

"No." Michael was still grinning.

Kitt didn't answer this time; he simply slowed the car down, pulled it over to the side of the road and parked. Michael's hair stopped blowing in the wind. He put on an appropriate mock pout.

"I repeat myself. You are a spoil sport."

"I am the sane member of this partnership."

"Spoil sport."

"I believe Bonnie's assessment of you has some truth in it, Michael. You are the 'nut behind the wheel'."

"Hey, that's dirty pool. No lobbing somebody else's insults."

"I use the tools I need. Now get in the car or we will be late."

"It will be your fault and I will tell on you." Confident smirk.

"Bonnie will take my side."

"Bonnie always takes your side."

"Yes."

Michael glared at the dash, but after a moment, he slid back into the driver's seat. "Yes, mom."

"Michael, behave."

Grinning. "Yes, mom."

Kitt started the engine. "You're going to keep doing that for the next several miles, aren't you?"

"Yes, mom."

There was an electronic sigh. "I had no idea that your happiness required so much suffering on my part."

"Something wrong, mom?"

There was a squeal of tyres as Kitt accelerated back on to the road, speed climbing rapidly. Michael just grinned and laughed a little more.

-o-o-o-