Friends in High Places

Meeting new people had never been high on KITT's list of favorite things to do. Michael had always been the social one in their partnership. KITT only spoke when he absolutely had to. No matter how many times it had happened, human suspicion always stung KITT. He supposed he couldn't blame them, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt. So, as a result, he didn't like meeting new people.

The garage on the outskirts of the nearest big city wasn't much to look at at first. The garage where Bonnie worked on him was much nicer and better equipped. Still, KITT found amusement in the two men arguing with each other. One incredibly tall and lanky, blond hair and blue eyes, a cigarette held in one hand, unlit. The other much shorter and stouter, dark brown curls and chocolate eyes. Both men wore dark brown shirts stained with oil and grease. The blond looked up in shock as KITT rolled to a stop and all three girls climbed out.

"Hey Borden!" Heather latched on to the man's waist, and suddenly KITT could see the family resemblance. Siblings. "How's it going?"

"Going good." Borden laughed. "How did you guys get a hold of a Tans-Am? They don't make those anymore."

"We found him in the junkyard." Jess explained, giving Borden and Drake hugs. The dark-haired boy – who KITT assumed was Drake – gave her an odd look.

"Found him?" he asked politely. He hesitated long enough to give Heather a hug. "Odd phrasing."

"But accurate." Raven said with a grin. "Borden, Drake – meet KITT."

"You named the car Kitt?" Borden sounded vaguely amused.

"Actually, I named myself." KITT said smugly. Which was true. When Devon had first brought him online, he had called the car Knight 2000. That had gotten on KITT's nerves quickly enough, and he had started insisting on Devon calling him by the acronym. That was what he introduced himself by, whether Devon approved or not. Eventually the old man had given up.

His thoughts were interrupted by Drake's startled curse. Borden simply lit up. "Explain." he demanded. "Are you AI or something?"

KITT sighed. "Yes. I was designed by Knight Industries, but as you can see, I am no longer with my creators." he explained.

Drake's eyes were wide with shock. "That is so cool!" He started to circle the car. Jess, Raven and Heather exchanged amused glances. Drake cast a look at the girls. "Why didn't you tell us about the car sooner?"

KITT sighed again. "I have a name." he reminded the boy. "Use it."

Borden laughed. "Touche. He's got a good sense of humor." he commented. "Let's see how well he holds up under sarcasm."

"I learned from the best." KITT retorted, thinking of Michael with a pang.

"We will help you refine your skills." Heather said dryly.

Raven nodded in Jess's direction. "She's proof."

"Hey!"

"Do you see what I've been dealing with for the past month?" KITT said dryly, speaking mostly to Borden. The older man didn't seem nearly as affected as his younger companion. If anything, he was simply very protective of his little sister. Borden and Drake laughed.

"Try dealing with it for 20 years." Borden teased.

Jess grinned. "Yeah, and you love us still."

Borden sighed. "That's your only saving grace."

"I thought that was Heather's line." Raven teased.

"There was a legitimate reason for coming here." Heather reminded them. "Considering that KITT's been in a junkyard for ten years, we thought it would be a good idea for you two to make sure he's still in good condition."

"Is that wise, letting them into my circuitry?" KITT protested.

Jess nodded. "Yeah, we think it is. Borden and Drake are great mechanics, despite their ages." KITT watched the two males cautiously.

"If you say so." His voice was filled with doubt. The only person to have ever worked on him was Bonnie. Letting someone else do the job seemed like sacrelige. On the other hand, Bonnie was gone. Maybe dead like Michael and Devon, or simply sent away somewhere where she couldn't find him. Either way, KITT didn't have a choice.

"He's my brother, KITT." Heather assured him. "He's the best, even if he is a buttmunch." She ignored the filthy look Borden shot her. "I wouldn't leave you with him if I didn't think they wouldn't hurt you. Promise."

"I guess that means you want the truck?" Drake sighed.

"Yep." Raven cheered.

Jess held out her hand for the keys, giving Borden her best pout. "Please?" Borden simply rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. KITT felt like laughing as Jess put an extra bit of helplessness into the look. "Pretty please with a cherry on top?"

"That doesn't work on me." Borden said dryly, looking pointedly at Heather.

"Yeah, I think I made him immune." Heather said sheepishly.

Raven smirked. She slinked up to Borden, stretched on tiptoes, and kissed him on the cheek. He was stunned for the brief second needed to get the keys from his pocket. He gaped at her.

"Not fair." he protested weakly.

"You are not leaving me alone!" KITT sounded frantic.

Jess smiled and patted KITT's hood reassuringly. "You'll be all right." She looked at Borden, who was slowly recovering from Raven's kill. "Rae, you're lucky he doesn't have a girlfriend."

Raven smirked. "Yeah, but I like to live dangerously."

"I think I'm glad I don't have a girlfriend." Borden muttered. Drake laughed at him.

KITT made a sound almost like whimpering. "Where are you going while you leave me here?" he demanded. He wasn't scared of the boys (he was an AI, when was the last time he had to remind himself he couldn't feel anything?) but the last thing he wanted was those girls, as trouble-prone as they were, to leave his sight. He was not above emotional blackmail.

"The mall." Raven said dismissively.

"Take this." He popped open the glove box. Inside was a man's watch. "It's a comm. link. You can use it to communicate with me."

Jess took it and strapped it on. "Cool." She hugged Borden, who tensed slightly, and Drake. She gave KITT a fond pat on the hood. "We'll be back soon. We just wanna wander for a bit."

"Be careful." KITT warned. "I haven't had a driver in a long time, much less three."

"We'll be fine." Heather assured him. "You focus on being in top-notch condition."

/--/

Travis waited patiently. It wouldn't take long now, he knew. He had spent five years repairing that car, putting it back together despite the hassles it took. Finding people to bribe or threaten into giving him the parts was hard, but not nearly as hard as the AI's incessant harping. Everything had to be exactly to specifications, and heaven help him if he was off by even one millimeter. He almost rolled his eyes at the thought.

The girls had done a number on him. Nothing severely damaged, but they had proven that they weren't to be taken lightly.

There was the sound of an engine, and the cell wall exploded, revealing a slightly dusty Pontiac Firebird. Travis climbed into the driver's side, ignoring the calls from his cellmates. "About time you showed up, KARR." he spat. "I was getting bored in there."

"Patience." came the car's deep voice. "My half of the deal and yours are about to be fulfilled at the same time."

Travis frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Get the girls, and Knight Industries Two Thousand will follow."