Michael adjusted his collar for probably the fifth time. He grinned widely at the mirror image of himself, hoping somehow this one could sweep him away. He sighed, sagging his posture as he reached for a comb and brushed it through his hair. There was no way of getting around it, a clever excuse wouldn't be sufficient.

Placing the comb down, he decided to readjust his tie. Surly something about it was bothering him and he couldn't quite place the cause…He didn't feel ready to go just yet. He undid and redid his tie, wondering if maybe the dark blue color was bothering him. Whatever it was, Kitt was quick to let him know it wasn't his imagination.

"It's too short, Michael," Kitt remarked through the comlink, sounding somewhat anxious.

Michael sighed. As usual, his computerized partner was right. He nodded, undoing the tie and tossing it aside, leaving the mirror and retrieving a different tie. This one was a nice velvet color with a pristine sheen to it. Turning it over in his hands he wondered wherever he'd gotten such a striking tie in the first place. He quickly fixed it around his collar and ran a hand through its silk texture giving himself another satisfying look in the mirror [despite he didn't feel too eager to get going].

"It's getting late, Michael," Kitt called out again, sounding a little concerned that his driver was taking an unusual amount of time preparing his attire.

"Kitt, I'm not ready!" Michael scoffed, adjusting the cuff of the sleeve in an exaggerated manner. Was it him or did the black suit look a little big on him? Michael grimaced as he moved his shoulders in circular motions trying to play off his discontent.

"...Are you ready yet?" Kitt sounded more or less annoyed.

Michael sighed.

"On my way…" He was basically whining.

He adjusted his hair one last time, smiled in the mirror, and left out the door. Walked down the steps, nearly tripping out of anxiety on the last step. He looked around in quiet horror at the realization that Kitt wasn't waiting for him outside the mansion's door. Just before he could shout and call his pal's name, Kitt entered from the far entrance in glorious splendor. The Trans-Am glimmered under the afternoon rays as he came to a steady stop by the curb.

Michael took in Kitt's special appearance with dismay. The car was impeccable gold. Wispy jet-black brush strokes ran up Kitt's bonnet. Two extra streaks across the bottom half of each door in elegant swipes. Kitt's hub caps to match, in immaculate gold.

"Well?" Kitt asked, noting Michael's astonishment with glee as his scanner traced quickly from side to side.

"It's –"

" – Different, I know." Kitt began. " – but it's FLAG's anniversary, so why not dress for the occasion?"

"Can't argue with that." Michael mused, walking around Kitt as if he were another car.

"Michael," Kitt remarked, slightly hushed. "I usually would oppose a change of design but I must admit this fits me rather well," Kitt continued, sounding very pleased.

Michael was about to slip into the driver's side when he heard the faint sound of the t-top descending to the back of the car as Kitt slipped into convertible mode.

"Tada!" Kitt rejoiced.

Michael grinned, laughing.

"Oh Kitt, wish I were as happy as you. Not too sure what to expect of this "tea party" if I do say so myself." The man explained as he slipped into the driver's seat, running his hand through his hair one last time before they took off.

"Well I must admit you look equally as embellished as I," Kitt teased. "The board will be very happy to see you."

Michael rolled his eyes, chuckling as he made the golden Trans-Am dart out the FLAG gate.

"Did Bonnie talk you into this?" Michael asked, dawning on him that since it was a special occasion, maybe everyone else was equally dressed.

"Perhaps." Kitt dared, " – What makes you think I didn't request such a design?" Kitt pressed on.

Michael let out a deep breath as they caught speed up the road, trying to keep the excited Pontiac from taking full gallop. His thoughts on the tea party remained.

"Well," Michael mused glancing down at the voice modulator. "For one, you're usually very fussy about changes Kitt." Michael raised a brow. "What happened to being the living figure of discretion?"

The car jerked beneath him, making him look down at the modulator in quiet suspicion.

"There are, as you say, exceptions," Kitt remarked, hiding the slightest annoyance.

Michael laughed as he let go of the yoke. Kitt smoothly switched to auto.

"Alright, buddy since you're in such a hurry to have the board SEE you. Your magnificence can drive us to this…party…which will hardly be one…" Michael murmured the last part under his breath, leaning his seat back taking in the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze, and closing his eyes. Wondering how long the tea party was going to last anyways.

"I discerned you weren't too happy." Kitt cut in just as Michael was adrift between sleep and consciousness. The sound of Kitt's hurt voice made Michael draw all his attention to his friend.

"What!?" He looked over the voice modulator in concern just as the firebird was entering the property occupied for the special occasion. Several guards at the gate.

"Name?" One of them politely asked, just as Kitt settled quietly in front of the entrance.

Michael glanced from the dash to the man, deciding this wasn't the place to argue.

"Michael Knight." He beckoned, taking on a western mannerism. " – And Kitt." He added gesturing to the vehicle about him. "My pristine steed."

The guard shrugged, looking over the list and about to let Michael go when the man looked over the car in worry.

"Oh! Wait!" He called just as Kitt had pressed onward gunning the engine in satisfaction.

Michael turned feeling somewhat relieved that they were making time.

"The Knight 2000 is actually supposed to have a special arrival." The guard shouted as he came up to Michael. The man's face contorted in confusion.

"You mean us right?" Michael asked, intrigued.

"No sir, sorry, just the car." The guard nervously replied.

Michael turned to face the voice modulator in anxious consternation.

"You knew about this?"

Kitt just opened the driver's door for the bewildered man.

"No, but I apologize for the inconvenience Michael."

Michael gaped down at the voice modulator.

"Kitt you're not being seri–"

"Of course not!" Kitt replied hastily, slamming the door shut as he reversed leaving the entrance guard stumped on how a car could really speak! Darting towards the assigned entrance, Kitt obeyed the guards signaling them towards a private trail. " – Michael you deserve as equal credit as I, you know?" Kitt added.

Michael who was deeply touched by the sentiment and slightly startled remarked amusedly.

"Well, I almost believed it for a second…"

"What?" Kitt mused as he quietly ran up the trail leading towards the rented building, a tree grove running along the neatly paved trail.

"That you were going to leave me!" Michael chuckled clutching the yoke tightly out of habit even though Kitt was in control of the chassis.

"Surely you know I wouldn't…thought you knew me by now?" Kitt teased.

"Sure I do but…" Michael sunk into his seat…or maybe he'd done a mistake staying along for the ride…

The trail went down several rows of trees, at the end, there was a bridge, and just across the stream that said bridge crossed was a huge balcony with several guests awaiting the arrival of the Knight 2000. They all clapped as Kitt's turbine whirred excitedly. Michael on the other hand felt a little nervous being the center of attention as hired photographers snapped quick photos. Michael even scolded Kitt in his head, blushing as the car 'winked' his pop-up headlights when a very well-dressed Bonnie smiled down at the duo from the decorated balcony. He just didn't feel too comfortable with all eyes…especially his higher-ups on him…what was worse… his accompanying Kitt hadn't been planned. He expected he'd get a not so…nice…per se…lecture on following directions rather soon.

Kitt made it to the base of the building and the guests all descended after instructions about the tea party were given.

Michael exited Kitt, allowing room for the board members to have a moment and chat with the very car they often funded. Devon had thought it would be helpful if the people that worked behind the scenes came to understand that Kitt was more than just an asset and more a person.

"Hello Kitt," Miss Jennifer Knight gleefully greeted first, holding on tight to her handbag. "You're looking quite dashing…" She grinned nervously, it was obvious that Bonnie had given her the suggestion to complement the supercar…considering the two women were exchanging excited glances.

Kitt flashed his scanner quite content.

"You as well Miss Knight. I'm very pleased to see you were able to make it after all." Kitt politely replied, aware that he was the center of attention and he wished not to spoil it.

The entire crowd of people walked by Kitt's side as he pulled towards the small clearing with picnic tables across all decorated in very fashionable ways. Michael had joined Bonnie's side and was trying his hardest to resist the temptation to mix in with the crowd and slowly retire back to headquarters. Today he just didn't feel like socializing and knowing Kitt…the car was probably going to spend hours conversing with the guest…and Michael wasn't up for the challenge.

"You alright?" Bonnie asked as she slowly strolled taking a seat at one of the tables and adjusting her rather long cherry pink dress. Michael offered her his hand as she sat nimbly down while several other guests also accommodated themselves awaiting Devon to begin his talk…at the moment they were testing the audio equipment and passing the appetizers.

"Not sure," Michael replied unenthusiastically, taking a seat next to her and running a hand over his hair, his hours of sleep deprivation dawning on him.

Bonnie frowned.

"I thought you liked being around people?" She chaffed, nudging his elbow.

Michael nodded.

"Usually…but being in a suit for several hours straight while having to raise my pinkie while drinking teas…isn't exactly…my ballpark." Michael explained, glancing towards where Kitt was standing in the grass with several guests smiling and chuckling while the Trans-Am rattled some very well-timed jokes…that they "definitely" had "not" practiced beforehand.

Michael smiled faintly, fiddling around with the utensils before him. He couldn't believe so much time had gone by and that Wilton Knight had really bestowed him the greatest gift of a loyal friend.

"At least Kitt's enjoying himself." He mumbled tiredly, trying his hardest not to let the Trans-Am pick up on his slight discomfort. He delicately rolled his comlink off and slid it into his pant pocket.

Bonnie rolled her eyes playfully.

"You should enjoy it too!" Bonnie grinned, waving kindly to the passing guests. "If you manage to survive the first few hours…we can go off somewhere and take Kitt for a joy ride? How's that sound…Mr. Knight?" Bonnie playfully joked, it had been a long while since she'd used his last name.

Michael slumped back in his seat. He wasn't too sure he could survive the first hours really, but even the simplest and shortest drive in Kitt was enough of a reward to motivate him…

"I'd appreciate it, Bonnie." He beamed, noting that Kitt really did look dazzling in gold color in contrast with the green hues of green around him. "Bonnie, Where's the men's room?"

Bonnie eyed him suspiciously.

"You're not planning on leaving are you?" She asked cautiously.

Michael raised an eyebrow.

" – Bonnie, can't a man get a break without being questioned? You're starting to sound like my mother…"

Bonnie crossed her arms as she tightly pulled her jacket towards herself. A quiet breeze scattered nearby flower petals from the flowering spring trees.

"Oh, and I thought that was Kitt's and my job," Bonnie smirked. " — I'd suggest you make good use of the comfortable seating inside. I'll be sure to cover you while you're gone, I'll even save you some cake." She smiled faintly.

"Very funny," Michael replied as he stood up, dismissed himself, and walked slowly toward the elaborate building that Devon had insisted on renting for the evening. He was sure to wipe his feet, aware that the attendants would not approve of him messing with the tidy floors.

He located the restrooms but rather than entering them he found himself walking into the building's small library and taking a seat in a very plush and old-fashioned grandfather chair. It'd been a while since he'd taken a long-deserved break from his ever-persistent calls and assignments. Though he appreciated the event in honor of FLAG's anniversary he found that he felt drained…He adjusted himself in the chair before he laid back and closed his eyes. Perhaps a small nap would suffice and help him return refreshed to the tea party.

He heard the gentle chirp of his comlink and slowly fished it out from his pocket bringing the speaker piece to his ear.

"Yeah, what's up Kitt?" He answered tiredly.

"Michael, I'll be sure to record and debrief you with Bonnie on Devon's speech a bit later, if you don't mind."

Michael grinned to himself as he closed his eyes and quickly latched the comlink to his wrist. Leave it to Kitt to be so forgiving. It was a special occasion but perhaps the T-top…as per usual…had picked up on the man's dying need to rest. Though he felt quite guilty about not assisting in person Michael could feel his energy fleeing his body.

"Sure, pal. Whatever floats your boat."

"Very well…rest Michael."

"Yeah, enjoy yourself out there…"

"I plan to."

Michael could hear Kitt's smile in his voice. With a final deep breath, he slumbered to sleep aware the Trans-Am would forgive him for taking a brief rest.