The Bye Bye Bonnie Challenge
This was a challenge of mine, based on rumors around the net that if there had been a season 5, Bonnie wasn't going to survive it. The challenge was simply to write a death scene for her.
Rating: PG Disclaimers: Universal owns Knight Rider and all the characters. I just play with them.
By the time Michael and Kitt made it back to the Foundation, the lab building was already engulfed in flames. There was a dense layer of charcoal gray smoke ballooning up from the top of the building and hanging in the air over the grounds. Michael stepped on the accelerator and threw Kitt into a turn, causing the car to skid to a stop in front of the burning building. There was a gaping hole in the brick wall where the lab had been. Flames were licking through the opening, making it impassable.
"That doesn't look good, buddy. Where is everyone?"
"Devon and several of the technicians are on the other side of the building, Michael."
Kitt put the car back in gear and took them around the lab. Several people were lying in the grass near the burning structure, and others were trying to treat their wounds.
"Kitt, is there anyone still inside?"
"Yes, Michael, four people that I can detect. All trapped in the main lab."
Michael jumped out of the car and spotted Devon standing next to the entryway.
"What happened?" Michael asked as he trotted up to Devon.
The older man turned to him with a pained expression on his soot-covered face. "They started taking apart the weapon you found in Kinsey's warehouse. It was rigged with a small explosive device that triggered when it was tampered with. Unfortunately, they were working close to the storage area where Kitt's fuel is kept. It ignited."
Michael's throat clenched. "Bonnie?" He asked.
"She's alive, with two others in the back room. The initial smaller explosion knocked her off her feet, so she missed the brunt of the second blast, but she might be unconscious. There's at least one other technician with her."
"How do I get to them?" Michael's heart had skipped a beat, but he set his jaw, determined to get them out.
"Jim, one of the technicians, went back in after them. But another beam fell across the doorway, trapping him as well. There's only one way out of the lab."
"Show me!"
Devon entered the doorway that had been propped open and Michael followed him in. They crept along the wall, keeping their heads bent low to get the fresher air close to the ground. The corridor continued to fill with smoke. They approached what had been a set of double doors. The glass had been blown out and what was left of the wood frame was vigorously burning, the charred edges glowing brightly. Michael tried to see into the room but the smoke was too thick. It was rolling out of the double doors along the ceiling and dispersing into the air above them. The heat was unbearable. Michael made a move to jump through the doorway. Devon grabbed his arm and pulled him closer so he could talk above the loud rumble of the fire. "No. There's no way out."
"I have to, Devon." Michael yanked his arm away and took a step back before hurling himself through the opening. He was hit with a wave of heat and dropped to the floor as he tried to get his bearings. Overhead, the fire was crawling along the ceiling, crackling and sparking as it ate up the acoustic tiles. In front of him, several beams lay across his path, burning. Michael ducked as a large piece of ceiling tile fell near him. He looked down and saw two men lying near the doorway. One was badly burned and it looked like he had broken bones. Michael checked his pulse and found that he was dead. The other man looked unharmed, aside from being singed. He was probably overcome by the smoke. Michael looked around for a way to get him out. He couldn't drag him through the flame near the door; they'd both be burned. Michael looked toward the entrance and saw that Devon was still there, anxiously looking in. Michael picked up the man. He was heavy, dead weight, but Michael managed to hoist him up and take a step toward the door. Michael couldn't jump through again with the man in his arms. His only choice was to try to throw him through. He got as close as he dared and then using all his strength hoisted the man back and forth once before heaving him through the burning doorway. Devon jumped back startled.
"Get him outside," Michael yelled.
Devon nodded and started dragging the unconscious man toward the exit. Michael turned back toward the rest of the lab. "Help me here, buddy. Where are they?" He yelled into his comlink.
"Michael, they're in the back half of the lab. You'd have to cross the entire length of the room to get to them."
"Kitt, what about the hole blasted through the wall? Can I get to them through there?"
"It might be possible."
Michael leaped back through the double doors and landed out in the hallway again, this time he had to stop and bat out a small flame that caught on his jeans. He ran through the corridor and stopped briefly as he passed Devon and the man.
"Can you make it?"
"Yes, go!"
Michael ran back to the entrance and burst through the door at a dead run for Kitt. The driver's side door was already open and Kitt had the car moving before Michael managed to get it closed. They swung around the parking lot and up over the curb to the section of building with the gaping hole. It had erupted in flames. Michael looked at it, determined but stifled. They wouldn't get in that way.
"Kitt, can you turbo boost through a section of wall that will get me close to her?"
"No, Michael. The explosion severely damaged this side of the building. It would likely collapse if we were to turbo boost."
Michael slammed his fist down against the steering yoke. "Kitt, I have to get in there!" He jumped out of the car and ran toward the ragged opening.
"Michael, my scans indicate that my CO2 spray could suppress the fire enough for you to get into the building. Bonnie and the other technician are along the wall, close to this position. It might be enough to allow you to get to them."
"Do it!"
Kitt put the car in gear and drove right up to the fire. Michael followed, holding his jacket in front of his face to shield himself from the heat. Kitt let a cloud of CO2 mist fly into the blazing hole. A section turned white, hissed, and then went out. The soot covered remains of the building were still glowing in places but Michael didn't wait. He threw himself into the building. There was more smoke and heat in this section than the other side of the building. The fire was everywhere. "Where are they, Kitt?!"
"Off to your left, Michael. They're huddled against the outside wall."
Michael looked in the direction Kitt indicated. He couldn't see anything through the smoke and he was starting to cough. He ducked his chin into his jacket and tried to keep his head low. He carefully studied the building to his left. There was a row of lab benches, and an aisle along the wall with cabinets and equipment. Michael couldn't see farther than a few feet in front of him. The fire was crackling and popping.
"Bonnie? Can you hear me?" Michael took a few stumbling steps along the wall.
"Michael, in front of you, about 10 feet," Kitt said.
Michael squinted and lifted his head. The smoke was hanging in the air, but he could make out two figures leaning against the wall. There was a large wooden beam between Michael and the two technicians. It had fallen and one end was propped up against a nearby lab bench and the other end was lying on the floor by the wall. Red and yellow flames had swallowed it. He couldn't get to them.
Michael got as close to the beam as he could and then screamed over it. "BONNIE!!"
He saw one of the figures straighten and turn in his direction. "Michael?"
"Yeah. Come on."
Bonnie looked down at the technician next to her. Kai was barely conscious and he wasn't breathing well. "Come, on Kai. We're going to get out of here."
Kai's head lolled around to look up at her. Then his eyes shut and he slumped against the wall, overcome. Bonnie shook him and slapped his cheek. "Come on, not now."
"Bonnie!" Michael yelled, frustrated that the two figures weren't moving.
"I can't Michael, he's unconscious."
Michael looked around at the space between them. It was going to be hard to get an unconscious man past the burning beam. He moved over to the lab bench, realizing that it was Formica and metal and it wasn't burning. There was space underneath it to slide past the beam.
"Bonnie, drag him under the lab benches."
Bonnie looked up, saw where Michael was pointing, and grabbed Kai under the arms. It was hard to drag him. She was lightheaded from the smoke and couldn't stop coughing. She was tired, scared, and her shoulder hurt from being thrown to the ground by the first explosion.
Bonnie got Kai to the lab bench and laid him down. She looked under the bench and saw that Michael was most of the way past the beam and was reaching out to take Kai from her. Michael's face was soot and sweat covered, but his blue eyes were piercing and determined, as always.
Bonnie pushed Kai under the lab bench and Michael started to pull him around to the other side.
"Michael! Look out! A section of the building is about to fall," Kitt yelled over the comlink. Michael grabbed Kai's shoulder and pulled as hard as he could. Kai came sliding out from under the lab bench and Michael dragged him across the floor as a storm of bricks and blazing wooden boards came raining down around them. Michael's side of the lab bench was buried under a pile of burning rubble. Michael dropped Kai close to the entrance and looked back at the bench, wide-eyed. "Kitt!?"
"She's okay, Michael, but she's trapped on the other side."
Bonnie watched as her escape route was buried in debris. She inched out the only direction she could go -- backwards. She stood up and looked to where the beam was still burning away, blocking her only exit. She looked up at the billowy flames above her head and at the glimpse of blue sky that was peeking through the damaged roof. Around her were walls of vivid yellow and red in every direction. She gazed back across the beam and saw Michael staring back at her. He wasn't moving. He was standing still, silhouetted against the fire behind him. Bonnie was struggling to get enough air, and she started to shake. If there were a way out, Michael would be telling her what to do. She stared at him though the smoke.
Michael felt his throat tightening. It was already burning painfully and his eyes were tearing up under the assault from the acrid smoke. "Kitt, there's some other way," he said, softly, eerily calm.
"I'm sorry, Michael."
"Kitt, there's got to be a way!" His voice rose in pitch as he yelled the words.
Kitt didn't respond.
"Fine! Then we're going to turbo boost through the wall behind her."
"No, Michael, it will bring down the rest of the ceiling. The fire department is on their way. It would be best to wait for them. They have the proper equipment," Kitt said the words to try to reassure Michael. He didn't want Michael to do anything rash, but Kitt knew the truth. A section of the brick wall above Bonnie was about to come down and the fire department wouldn't get there in time. He wanted so badly to be able to tell Michael there was a way out of this situation, but his analysis had come back empty. He shared Michael's desire to storm into the building and rescue Bonnie, but he knew it wasn't possible.
Michael looked across the pile of bricks and other debris into the inferno on the other side. "Hang in there, Bon. Help is coming." He watched Bonnie turn in a full circle, looking around her at the crumbling building. She turned back and her eyes locked on his. Her hair had been tied back in a ponytail, but most of it had come loose and was hanging next to her face. Her cheeks were red, and covered in dirt. Michael could only see her face and part of her shoulders; the smoke and flames obscured the rest of his view.
"Michael?"
"It's going to be okay. I'll get you out of here," he shouted over the fire.
She held her ground, staring at him. The smoke was thickening and he could barely see her.
"Michael, be careful -- always. And take care of Kitt."
"Bonnie, we're going to get you out."
She just stared back. The smoke curled around her. She didn't even look up as the wall above her let loose into several chunks of brick. Michael watched in horror, as the bricks seemed to fall in slow motion. The smoke cut off his view as Bonnie disappeared under the pieces. When the debris hit the floor, showers of red embers launched outward in several directions.
"NOOOOO!!!" he screamed as he dove forward before the intense heat forced him to retreat. He desperately scanned the wreckage, looking for a way to get to where she had been.
"Michael, stop. There's nothing more you can do. She's gone. I'm sorry."
Tears started to fall down Michael's face, washing clean rivers through the grime. "No!" He fell to his knees, unable to tear his eyes away from the spot where she had been standing.
"Michael, you need to get out there. There's nothing more you can do."
Michael didn't move.
"Michael! Please!"
The desperation in Kitt's voice cut through his grief. In a trance, he slowly stood and left the building. He pulled Kai a safe distance away, and then sat on Kitt's hood, mesmerized by the flames leaping out of the lab. For the first time, he noticed the sounds of sirens, just as the emergency vehicles pulled into the parking lot. Firefighters jumped down and swarmed in several directions at once. It seemed like part of a hazy dream, everything moving slowly, far away. Michael sat oblivious to it all, a steady stream of tears making their way down his cheeks.
---------------- -knightshade June 30, 2001
This was a challenge of mine, based on rumors around the net that if there had been a season 5, Bonnie wasn't going to survive it. The challenge was simply to write a death scene for her.
Rating: PG Disclaimers: Universal owns Knight Rider and all the characters. I just play with them.
By the time Michael and Kitt made it back to the Foundation, the lab building was already engulfed in flames. There was a dense layer of charcoal gray smoke ballooning up from the top of the building and hanging in the air over the grounds. Michael stepped on the accelerator and threw Kitt into a turn, causing the car to skid to a stop in front of the burning building. There was a gaping hole in the brick wall where the lab had been. Flames were licking through the opening, making it impassable.
"That doesn't look good, buddy. Where is everyone?"
"Devon and several of the technicians are on the other side of the building, Michael."
Kitt put the car back in gear and took them around the lab. Several people were lying in the grass near the burning structure, and others were trying to treat their wounds.
"Kitt, is there anyone still inside?"
"Yes, Michael, four people that I can detect. All trapped in the main lab."
Michael jumped out of the car and spotted Devon standing next to the entryway.
"What happened?" Michael asked as he trotted up to Devon.
The older man turned to him with a pained expression on his soot-covered face. "They started taking apart the weapon you found in Kinsey's warehouse. It was rigged with a small explosive device that triggered when it was tampered with. Unfortunately, they were working close to the storage area where Kitt's fuel is kept. It ignited."
Michael's throat clenched. "Bonnie?" He asked.
"She's alive, with two others in the back room. The initial smaller explosion knocked her off her feet, so she missed the brunt of the second blast, but she might be unconscious. There's at least one other technician with her."
"How do I get to them?" Michael's heart had skipped a beat, but he set his jaw, determined to get them out.
"Jim, one of the technicians, went back in after them. But another beam fell across the doorway, trapping him as well. There's only one way out of the lab."
"Show me!"
Devon entered the doorway that had been propped open and Michael followed him in. They crept along the wall, keeping their heads bent low to get the fresher air close to the ground. The corridor continued to fill with smoke. They approached what had been a set of double doors. The glass had been blown out and what was left of the wood frame was vigorously burning, the charred edges glowing brightly. Michael tried to see into the room but the smoke was too thick. It was rolling out of the double doors along the ceiling and dispersing into the air above them. The heat was unbearable. Michael made a move to jump through the doorway. Devon grabbed his arm and pulled him closer so he could talk above the loud rumble of the fire. "No. There's no way out."
"I have to, Devon." Michael yanked his arm away and took a step back before hurling himself through the opening. He was hit with a wave of heat and dropped to the floor as he tried to get his bearings. Overhead, the fire was crawling along the ceiling, crackling and sparking as it ate up the acoustic tiles. In front of him, several beams lay across his path, burning. Michael ducked as a large piece of ceiling tile fell near him. He looked down and saw two men lying near the doorway. One was badly burned and it looked like he had broken bones. Michael checked his pulse and found that he was dead. The other man looked unharmed, aside from being singed. He was probably overcome by the smoke. Michael looked around for a way to get him out. He couldn't drag him through the flame near the door; they'd both be burned. Michael looked toward the entrance and saw that Devon was still there, anxiously looking in. Michael picked up the man. He was heavy, dead weight, but Michael managed to hoist him up and take a step toward the door. Michael couldn't jump through again with the man in his arms. His only choice was to try to throw him through. He got as close as he dared and then using all his strength hoisted the man back and forth once before heaving him through the burning doorway. Devon jumped back startled.
"Get him outside," Michael yelled.
Devon nodded and started dragging the unconscious man toward the exit. Michael turned back toward the rest of the lab. "Help me here, buddy. Where are they?" He yelled into his comlink.
"Michael, they're in the back half of the lab. You'd have to cross the entire length of the room to get to them."
"Kitt, what about the hole blasted through the wall? Can I get to them through there?"
"It might be possible."
Michael leaped back through the double doors and landed out in the hallway again, this time he had to stop and bat out a small flame that caught on his jeans. He ran through the corridor and stopped briefly as he passed Devon and the man.
"Can you make it?"
"Yes, go!"
Michael ran back to the entrance and burst through the door at a dead run for Kitt. The driver's side door was already open and Kitt had the car moving before Michael managed to get it closed. They swung around the parking lot and up over the curb to the section of building with the gaping hole. It had erupted in flames. Michael looked at it, determined but stifled. They wouldn't get in that way.
"Kitt, can you turbo boost through a section of wall that will get me close to her?"
"No, Michael. The explosion severely damaged this side of the building. It would likely collapse if we were to turbo boost."
Michael slammed his fist down against the steering yoke. "Kitt, I have to get in there!" He jumped out of the car and ran toward the ragged opening.
"Michael, my scans indicate that my CO2 spray could suppress the fire enough for you to get into the building. Bonnie and the other technician are along the wall, close to this position. It might be enough to allow you to get to them."
"Do it!"
Kitt put the car in gear and drove right up to the fire. Michael followed, holding his jacket in front of his face to shield himself from the heat. Kitt let a cloud of CO2 mist fly into the blazing hole. A section turned white, hissed, and then went out. The soot covered remains of the building were still glowing in places but Michael didn't wait. He threw himself into the building. There was more smoke and heat in this section than the other side of the building. The fire was everywhere. "Where are they, Kitt?!"
"Off to your left, Michael. They're huddled against the outside wall."
Michael looked in the direction Kitt indicated. He couldn't see anything through the smoke and he was starting to cough. He ducked his chin into his jacket and tried to keep his head low. He carefully studied the building to his left. There was a row of lab benches, and an aisle along the wall with cabinets and equipment. Michael couldn't see farther than a few feet in front of him. The fire was crackling and popping.
"Bonnie? Can you hear me?" Michael took a few stumbling steps along the wall.
"Michael, in front of you, about 10 feet," Kitt said.
Michael squinted and lifted his head. The smoke was hanging in the air, but he could make out two figures leaning against the wall. There was a large wooden beam between Michael and the two technicians. It had fallen and one end was propped up against a nearby lab bench and the other end was lying on the floor by the wall. Red and yellow flames had swallowed it. He couldn't get to them.
Michael got as close to the beam as he could and then screamed over it. "BONNIE!!"
He saw one of the figures straighten and turn in his direction. "Michael?"
"Yeah. Come on."
Bonnie looked down at the technician next to her. Kai was barely conscious and he wasn't breathing well. "Come, on Kai. We're going to get out of here."
Kai's head lolled around to look up at her. Then his eyes shut and he slumped against the wall, overcome. Bonnie shook him and slapped his cheek. "Come on, not now."
"Bonnie!" Michael yelled, frustrated that the two figures weren't moving.
"I can't Michael, he's unconscious."
Michael looked around at the space between them. It was going to be hard to get an unconscious man past the burning beam. He moved over to the lab bench, realizing that it was Formica and metal and it wasn't burning. There was space underneath it to slide past the beam.
"Bonnie, drag him under the lab benches."
Bonnie looked up, saw where Michael was pointing, and grabbed Kai under the arms. It was hard to drag him. She was lightheaded from the smoke and couldn't stop coughing. She was tired, scared, and her shoulder hurt from being thrown to the ground by the first explosion.
Bonnie got Kai to the lab bench and laid him down. She looked under the bench and saw that Michael was most of the way past the beam and was reaching out to take Kai from her. Michael's face was soot and sweat covered, but his blue eyes were piercing and determined, as always.
Bonnie pushed Kai under the lab bench and Michael started to pull him around to the other side.
"Michael! Look out! A section of the building is about to fall," Kitt yelled over the comlink. Michael grabbed Kai's shoulder and pulled as hard as he could. Kai came sliding out from under the lab bench and Michael dragged him across the floor as a storm of bricks and blazing wooden boards came raining down around them. Michael's side of the lab bench was buried under a pile of burning rubble. Michael dropped Kai close to the entrance and looked back at the bench, wide-eyed. "Kitt!?"
"She's okay, Michael, but she's trapped on the other side."
Bonnie watched as her escape route was buried in debris. She inched out the only direction she could go -- backwards. She stood up and looked to where the beam was still burning away, blocking her only exit. She looked up at the billowy flames above her head and at the glimpse of blue sky that was peeking through the damaged roof. Around her were walls of vivid yellow and red in every direction. She gazed back across the beam and saw Michael staring back at her. He wasn't moving. He was standing still, silhouetted against the fire behind him. Bonnie was struggling to get enough air, and she started to shake. If there were a way out, Michael would be telling her what to do. She stared at him though the smoke.
Michael felt his throat tightening. It was already burning painfully and his eyes were tearing up under the assault from the acrid smoke. "Kitt, there's some other way," he said, softly, eerily calm.
"I'm sorry, Michael."
"Kitt, there's got to be a way!" His voice rose in pitch as he yelled the words.
Kitt didn't respond.
"Fine! Then we're going to turbo boost through the wall behind her."
"No, Michael, it will bring down the rest of the ceiling. The fire department is on their way. It would be best to wait for them. They have the proper equipment," Kitt said the words to try to reassure Michael. He didn't want Michael to do anything rash, but Kitt knew the truth. A section of the brick wall above Bonnie was about to come down and the fire department wouldn't get there in time. He wanted so badly to be able to tell Michael there was a way out of this situation, but his analysis had come back empty. He shared Michael's desire to storm into the building and rescue Bonnie, but he knew it wasn't possible.
Michael looked across the pile of bricks and other debris into the inferno on the other side. "Hang in there, Bon. Help is coming." He watched Bonnie turn in a full circle, looking around her at the crumbling building. She turned back and her eyes locked on his. Her hair had been tied back in a ponytail, but most of it had come loose and was hanging next to her face. Her cheeks were red, and covered in dirt. Michael could only see her face and part of her shoulders; the smoke and flames obscured the rest of his view.
"Michael?"
"It's going to be okay. I'll get you out of here," he shouted over the fire.
She held her ground, staring at him. The smoke was thickening and he could barely see her.
"Michael, be careful -- always. And take care of Kitt."
"Bonnie, we're going to get you out."
She just stared back. The smoke curled around her. She didn't even look up as the wall above her let loose into several chunks of brick. Michael watched in horror, as the bricks seemed to fall in slow motion. The smoke cut off his view as Bonnie disappeared under the pieces. When the debris hit the floor, showers of red embers launched outward in several directions.
"NOOOOO!!!" he screamed as he dove forward before the intense heat forced him to retreat. He desperately scanned the wreckage, looking for a way to get to where she had been.
"Michael, stop. There's nothing more you can do. She's gone. I'm sorry."
Tears started to fall down Michael's face, washing clean rivers through the grime. "No!" He fell to his knees, unable to tear his eyes away from the spot where she had been standing.
"Michael, you need to get out there. There's nothing more you can do."
Michael didn't move.
"Michael! Please!"
The desperation in Kitt's voice cut through his grief. In a trance, he slowly stood and left the building. He pulled Kai a safe distance away, and then sat on Kitt's hood, mesmerized by the flames leaping out of the lab. For the first time, he noticed the sounds of sirens, just as the emergency vehicles pulled into the parking lot. Firefighters jumped down and swarmed in several directions at once. It seemed like part of a hazy dream, everything moving slowly, far away. Michael sat oblivious to it all, a steady stream of tears making their way down his cheeks.
---------------- -knightshade June 30, 2001