Disclaimer: Glen A. Larson and Universal own the Knight Rider characters in this story. Bonnie's family and her family background were created by me.

Chapter 3

KITT speeded down the highways through the night. He monitored the vitals of his passengers while they were soundly asleep. They stopped briefly at coffee shop along the road in the morning to use the bathroom and to get coffee, a bagel and a donut. Bonnie was surprised how well she had slept in KITT's cabin. She assumed Michael spent many nights in there but never complained about it. KITT had to slow down once they approached Boston and soon afterwards, they arrived in a nice neighborhood in a suburb of Boston.

"This is where you grew up?" They had parked the Trans Am at the Barstow family's house a few minutes ago and Michael was still staring at the house. It was a colonial style mansion and it was bigger than the house where his family lived. He had known that Bonnie's family was well off, but he hadn't expected that they were that affluent.

"You should see the other houses here. Ours is actually one of the smallest. My mother's father built it. My grandparents used to live here too. It looks bigger than it is, trust me." Bonnie could tell that Michael was nervous and she realized that she was nervous too. She wanted her family to like Michael and she knew that it might not be easy. But then why was it so important to her that her parents liked him? She and Michael were just friends, nothing more although Bonnie secretly knew that she liked him more than just as friend. But she wouldn't tell him. She was convinced a relationship between them wouldn't work. They were too different, and she was sure Devon would never approve. He had told her many times that while he didn't mind Michael having flings, he believed he shouldn't be in a serious relationship because any woman who would be with Michael could become a target of their enemies. Besides, Michael was still mourning Stevie. Ever since Stevie had died, Michael hadn't even flirted with women at all. But the last 15 hours had made wonder whether he also liked her more than he admitted. Why else would he give up his vacation and suffer through a family Thanksgiving dinner with a family he didn't really know?

"Are you ready?" Bonnie asked Michael who was still staring at the house. He nodded and grabbed the flowers he had bought for Bonnie's mother a few minutes ago.

"Michael, I'll be parked in the driveway if you need me." KITT tried to encourage his driver. "And Bonnie, you look beautiful. Your family will be very happy to see you."

"Thanks, KITT." Both replied before they walked to the door. KITT was right. It was just dinner and usually the ladies like Bonnie's mother liked his charm. Michael had been to so many boring Foundation parties that a family dinner would actually be a nice change. Looking at Bonnie, he knew that he had done the right thing. She was so happy and the sparkle in her eyes was back.

"The flowers are so beautiful. She's going to like you." Bonnie encouragingly took Michael's hand.

"If flowers are the key to the Barstow women's hearts, then maybe…." Michael mumbled and winked at her.

"Why isn't he here yet? It can't take that long to bring a turkey?" Emily Barstow's voice sounded impatient. She kept looking at the clock while she was standing in the kitchen with her daughter Lauren.

"Mom, relax. We have enough time. And Luke will be here any minute. Besides, you should be thankful that he offered to bring and cook the turkey." Lauren tried to reason with her mother, but she knew it was useless. Nothing her husband Luke could do would make her mother accept Luke. Emily had hoped Lauren would marry a doctor or a lawyer, but Lauren had fallen for Luke Peterson who wasn't a lawyer or a doctor but owned a small restaurant. In order to please his mother-in-law, Luke had offered to bring a turkey for the Barstow Thanksgiving dinner. He had been right, his offer had pleased Emily, but she would never admit it.

"I tried to call Bonnie, but she didn't answer the phone. Where is she? It's Thanksgiving. She should be home." Emily continued venting her anger.

"She's probably working. You know that she is bored if she can't work." Lauren laughed. She and Bonnie were totally different. Bonnie had been a straight A-student, had graduated from high school a year earlier, had gone to a renowned university and received a doctorate, and had pursued a successful career. Lauren on the other hand enjoyed life. She liked to party and to go out. She hadn't gone to an Ivy League school like her sister but had taken classes at a state university and then worked in a small coffee shop close to Harvard University. She had known her husband for years, but they hadn't gotten married until last year.

"Devon gave her the week off. She should be here for the holidays. We hardly see her." Emily was upset that Bonnie decided not to fly home.

"She hates flying, Mom. She tried to face her fears when Luke and I got married. Remember what happened? Her plane was hijacked, and Bonnie was almost shot. She wouldn't be alive if Michael hadn't saved her." Lauren still felt guilty that Bonnie had to go through this traumatic event. She knew it wasn't her fault, but Bonnie would have never been in that plane if she hadn't gotten married that weekend.

"That's no excuse. This fear is nothing a good psychiatrist can fix. But she won't see one. Bonnie can be so stubborn sometimes, just like her father." Emily put the pumpkin pie in the fridge. She didn't mean to sound harsh. She had never been in such a dangerous situation and was relieved that nothing had happened to Bonnie. However, she had hoped she would see her daughter for the holidays and couldn't hide her frustration. "I also invited Scott for dinner. He will be disappointed that Bonnie won't be here."

"You did what?" Lauren could hardly believe what her mother had just said. Scott Saunders was an old friend of Bonnie's. They had been friends in high school and had taken a few classes together in college. They had gone out a few times, but Bonnie hadn't been interested in more than friendship. Emily, however, still thought that Scott was the right man for her daughter. "Honestly, Mom, it's good that Bonnie is not coming. She would be so mad at you."

"Nonsense. I'm sure she would have been glad to see him. Scott and Bonnie have so much in common. Your father also thinks so." Emily didn't listen to Lauren's comments. "Speaking of your father, where is he anyway?"

"I don't know…. he might be watching the Thanksgiving parade on TV." Lauren replied as Luke walked into the kitchen. "Hey honey, did you miss me?" He kissed Lauren, then put the turkey on the table. "Hello Emily, say hi to your turkey. It should be big enough, don't you think so?"

"It was about time, you should have been here an hour ago." Emily said sharply. She took in the delicious smell of the turkey. Luke had outdone himself but of course, she wouldn't admit it.

"Traffic." Luke looked out of the window and noticed the black Trans Am in the driveway. "Hey, there's that cool car again. I'm telling you this car must be a race car. It was literally racing through the streets when I closed the restaurant. And now it's here. Did you invite anybody else, Emily?"

Lauren and Emily walked over to the window and saw the car in the front of the house. "Whoever this is must be at the wrong place. Look what they did to the driveway." Emily noticed the black wheel traces KITT had left when using the Emergency Braking System. She left the kitchen and headed to the door, hoping to catch whoever was responsible for the traces.

"That car looks a lot like KITT…. but it can't be him…." Lauren mumbled as she followed her mother.

"Who or what is KITT?" Luke didn't understand what was going on between his wife and her

mother, but he was used to that.

Emily opened the door before Bonnie could ring the bell. "What did you do to my driveway...…." Emily started to yell, then realized that it was her daughter that was standing in front of her.

"Surprise!" Bonnie interrupted her and hugged her. "Happy Thanksgiving, Mom."