Chapter 2

"Are we there yet?" Michael woke up trying to figure out where they were passing through now. What he saw were wide ranges of natures and an area which wasn't very populated. They had left Los Angeles in the early afternoon. Michael and Bonnie had both fallen asleep after a while and KITT had taken over. Both had been working long hours before their vacation began and were still exhausted. Michael had just returned from a case and Bonnie had spent extra hours in the garage to check KITT's systems and make sure he was in perfect shape before they would go on break.

Traffic outside the big cities wasn't as bad as KITT had expected it to be and they were able to use SPM most of the time. Boston was about 3000 miles away from Los Angeles. If they could go 300 mph most of the time during the night, they could make it within 10 hours and still have enough time to stop for food.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Michael, but we are not there yet. We are in Nebraska right now. You only slept an hour and 30 minutes." KITT told his driver.

"Nebraska, huh? Maybe we should stop for one of their famous steaks." Michael laughed He A growl from his stomach made him realize that he was indeed hungry. He stretched his arms, then looked over to Bonnie and saw that she was still asleep. "KITT, I think we did the right thing, didn't we? Did you see the look on Bonnie's face when I told her that we were going to Boston? It made her very happy, buddy."

"That's true, Michael. I think it was the best idea you ever had. But may I ask you a question? Why did Bonnie kiss you?" KITT hadn't yet figured out the reason behind her reaction to Michael's surprise. There were still a few things about humans that KITT didn't understand.

"Well, pal, I think that was Bonnie's way of saying thank you. To be honest, I was surprised too. Bonnie usually isn't that emotional. But it was nice. Really nice" Michael grinned and touched his lips with his fingers. He could still feel the warmth of her lips on his even though the kiss had only lasted a few seconds.

"I see, Michael." KITT was still a little confused but he decided not to ask any more questions. "We have to slow down. We are approaching the city of Lincoln. And judging from her vital signs, I think Bonnie is about to wake up."

A few minutes later, Bonnie slowly opened her eyes and for a moment she didn't know where she was. Then it came back to her. She was sitting in KITT's passenger seat, heading to Boston for Thanksgiving. It was Michael and KITT's birthday present for her. She looked over to the driver and noticed that Michael was smiling at her. "What? Why are you staring at me?" She asked quickly.

"Hey sleepyhead! Has anyone ever told you that you snore?" Michael joked. He loved teasing her and he knew she enjoyed it too.

"I don't snore, Michael." Bonnie glanced at him. She wondered how long he had been watching her and that thought made her a bit nervous. "KITT, do I snore?"

"No, Bonnie, you don't snore. Michael was just teasing you. Actually, Michael sometimes snores." KITT told Bonnie.

"Thanks, buddy. Do you also want to tell her that I can't sleep without my teddy bear?" Michael tried to sound offended. Bonnie opened her mouth to say something, but Michael interrupted her. "Of course, I don't have a teddy bear. Did you really believe that?" He laughed and she joined in. "Are you hungry, Bon? We will be in the Lincoln area in a few minutes. We have enough time to stop for dinner."

"Sounds good. Actually, I'm starving." Bonnie hadn't eaten anything since breakfast, but she hadn't noticed how hungry she really was until Michael had mentioned dinner.

They stopped at a small diner a few minutes later and sat down in a booth. There were only few people in the restaurant and Michael took in the delicious smell of the food. "I know that you usually don't eat in restaurants like this one but trust me the food in these places is really good. Although Devon would definitely not agree with me." Michael laughed. Devon would never eat in a diner if he had a choice. Devon liked upscale restaurants and Michael knew that Bonnie often went out for dinner with Devon. He realized that he didn't know what she liked to eat and to which restaurants she liked to go.

"Oh, it's fine, Michael. I may enjoy the restaurants Devon recommends and chooses but I also like hamburgers and fries. Are you surprised?" Bonnie smiled and looked around in the diner. "I even enjoyed the food at The Buckaroo."

"Yes, a little." Michael admitted then smiled as he thought of that night. She'd worn a cowboy hat and had looked absolutely stunning. "I remember The Buckaroo. You looked so pretty with that hat and Devon ruined my chili."

He noticed that she quickly grabbed the menu and studied it intensely in order to hide that she had blushed. He wondered why she always seemed to become somewhat insecure when he made a compliment or a hint. He recommended a few meals on the menu and their food arrived shortly after they had ordered.

"So, what made you rethink your plans for this week, Michael? You've told me so many times that you couldn't wait to go to the beach. And now you trade a fun week at the beach for Thanksgiving with my family. Are you still sure you want to do this?" Bonnie asked him again.

"Well, first, it's too late to drive back. We are already in Nebraska." Michael grinned He took a bite from his burger and chewed slowly before he answered again. "I don't know why I changed my plans. Well, when KITT told me that you were still in town, I realized that I didn't like the thought of you sitting in your apartment all alone on your birthday and on Thanksgiving. And I know how much you miss your family. You haven't seen them in a long time, right?"

"Only occasionally. You know how much I hate flying." Flying wasn't the only reason why Bonnie didn't visit her family as often as she wanted to. Her work kept her busy and she didn't want to leave when KITT might need her. "But Michael, you know that this means spending Thanksgiving with my family. My family is not like your family, Michael."

"Oh, come on, Bon. I'm a nice guy. And because of me their daughter can spend the holidays at home. They have to like me." Michael could tell that she was worried.

"I'm just…. I'm a bit worried. They might not like you, even though you gave up your vacation just to drive me to Boston. My parents are…. I don't know how to describe them. They are a bit like Devon…. they are conservative, affluent, and maybe a bit narrow-minded. My mother is bossy and demanding…"

"Just like you." Michael interrupted her, remembering that he used to call Bonnie bossy and demanding when they had first met. He hadn't known her well and she had been very protective of KITT.

"No, not at all like me. She's ten times worse. You'll see. She doesn't like California. That's why she has never visited me in Los Angeles. She still can't understand why I chose to work in California. And of course, she cannot understand why I'm not married yet." Bonnie continued. "And my father…."

"Bonnie, I know your father. He still worked for the Foundation when Wilton found me." Michael remembered Jack Barstow. He had been Wilton Knight's private pilot. He was with Wilton the night Tanya Walker had shot Michael in the desert.

"You saw him a few times, but you never really met him. He retired after Wilton's death. He knows how much Wilton liked you. But he's also very protective of me. When Devon and Wilton decided that I should work with you and KITT, Dad was a little worried. He was afraid I would fall for you and neglect my work and put myself in danger." Bonnie remembered. "And then, there's my sister, Lauren, and her husband…"

"I've met Lauren. And she's pretty cool. We had a good time when she visited you in Los Angeles. She likes me." Michael grinned. Bonnie's sister was not at all like Bonnie. Lauren was outgoing and not interested in computers. She was two years younger than Bonnie. They were close but entirely different.

"I've tried to forget that night." Bonnie sighed. "You two got drunk and I had to make sure you didn't do anything stupid. But you are right, Lauren likes you. And you'll like her husband. He's a bit like you. My mother still thinks Lauren should have married one of the rich bachelors in Mom's country club." Bonnie told Michael. "I love my family, Michael but I don't want you to regret your offer."

"Bonnie, it will be ok. And I promise I'll behave. I even brought a tie." Michael tried to make her laugh. He knew holidays with the family weren't always fun, but he would survive. Besides, he was looking forward to being a part of a family Thanksgiving dinner again.

He could tell that he was successful as Bonnie started to smile. "Well, I hope you are right." She finished her burger. "I can't tell you how happy I am. This is the best birthday present ever. Thank you, Michael. How come you didn't forget my birthday this year?"

"You almost killed me last year because I forgot your birthday. I didn't want to run that risk again, so I marked the day in my calendar. KITT didn't even have to remind me." Michael said proudly as they paid and left the restaurant.

"Really?" Bonnie asked and slid into the passenger seat when Michael opened KITT's door for her. "You have a calendar?"

"Yes. Ask KITT if you don't believe me. Now try to get some more sleep. KITT's seats are quite comfortable. I don't want you to look tired and exhausted once we arrive at your parents' house."

"I believe you." Bonnie grabbed one of the blankets from the back seat. "Good night, KITT. Good Night, Michael."

"Good night, Bonnie." KITT replied.

"Night, Bon. Sweet dreams." Michael kissed her head. It didn't take long, and she was asleep again.

"Are you trying to get some sleep too, Michael?" KITT asked his driver.

"Maybe later, KITT. I'm not really tired yet." Michael looked at Bonnie and made sure she rested comfortable. "How about we play Pac Man? Maybe I'll let you win."

"Good idea, Michael. But may I remind you that I'm usually the one who lets you win."

Michael laughed. He knew KITT was right, but he enjoyed teasing him. They started playing until Michael was finally tired and fell asleep as well.