Disclaimer: Glen A. Larson and Universal own the Knight Rider characters in this story.
Chapter 8
"Come with me." Bonnie's hand reached out for his, inviting him to take it. "It won't be long, I promise. You'll be back before Steve has finished her performance."
He hesitated, caught between his loyalty and his promise to Stevie and the temptation to follow Bonnie. He knew exactly where they would be going to head if he chose to come with her. The place he had been longing to go to the minute they'd arrived here. The place Stevie dreaded he'd go to. The place which could make him rethink his decision to enjoy retirement.
"Michael, please come with me." The desperation in Bonnie's voice wasn't hard to miss. Their eyes met, and he was able to read in hers that this was absolutely necessary. "Please, Michael. I'm begging you."
KITT's life was at stake. This was Bonnie's chance to save him, and she had sworn to do anything to protect KITT from being shut down. Devon had made her promise not to talk Michael into returning to their team. She wouldn't do this. He had chosen his path, and she would respect this. She wouldn't interfere with his happiness and his life with Stevie. Michael deserved to live the life he would have had if he was still Michael Long. On the other hand however, she couldn't sit still and watch the work of her lifetime, KITT, lose his spirit and purpose.
"Michael, I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't absolutely necessary." She added with even more intensity.
His hand linked with hers and he nodded. He knew Bonnie well enough and he trusted her.
She pressed his hand. Michael noticed the relief in her face as she lead him out of the ballroom. Quickly, he glanced around to see if Stevie noticed him leaving. If she did, would she stop him? He pushed the thought away and he'd face her later. She'd be disappointed and upset but maybe she'd be understanding.
He would remember the way through the corridors to the garage in his sleep. One could blindfold him and it wouldn't make a difference. They passed Devon's office and Michael thought of the numerous times he'd sit in there. It felt like coming home and he was excided to approach the labs and the garage. However, Bonnie stopped in front of the door which separated him from his former partner.
"Michael, I promised Devon not to interfere with the life you've chosen. And you have to believe me, I would never do anything to endager your happiness." Her eyes focused him. "You've told us several times that this it what you have always wanted. The life you have been dreaming of. And I know it's true. The house at the lake. Being with Stevie. A quiet, peaceful life."
He nodded, waiting for her to go on.
"But you've always pictured part of your retirement differently, didn't you?" She added knowingly.
Their eyes met. She could read him like a book. She always had been able to know what was going on in his mind. How many times had they talked about life after retirement? Their plans, their hopes and dreams, the people they'd want to be with. He was familiar with her plans, and she knew what he'd been dreaming of.
"When you left, you had to leave someone here. I noticed it in your eyes when I visited you and again when you arrived here. A part of you is missing and therefore you can't fully enjoy your new life. And you won't feel truly alive without this part. Without him." She pointed to the garage. "And it's not only him, right? You don't feel entirely happy without us either. Without your family."
She was right and he wasn't going to argue with her. He had ignored these thoughts way too long. Devon, Bonnie, and RC had become his family and though he was happy with Stevie, he missed them in his life. In his dreams, they had always been around in his new life after retiremenr. And the car which would wait for him in the driveway wouldn't be a truck but a black T-Top. KITT. His partner, his friend, his family. They all were his life, and he needed them to be truly happy.
"I hope I didn't break my promise to Devon." Bonnie mumbled as she opened the door to the garage. "Believe me, I don't want you to rethink your decision. This wasn't my intention. I ... I just need your help...with KITT."
"Is it that bad?" Michael whispered before they walked through the door.
Bonnie nodded sadly. "I don't want you to feel guilty, Michael. You had to do what you did. And you deserve to be with Stevie. But I had to be honest with you because you might be the only one who could get through to KITT. He'll talk to me but he's become withdrawn. He won't talk about you or about his future. He's becoming less of him every day. I know he's hurt but he won't let me help him. And I don't know how long he'll last or how long the board will be patient with him."
"I'll try, Bonnie, but I can't guarantee that it'll work." Michael looked down. He would have taken KITT with him if he had been allowed. He had asked, but he should have fought harder. He hated the fact that KITT was suffering because of him.
"It's worth trying." She put her hand on his shoulder. "By the way, I'm glad you came. It means a lot to Devon. You are like a son to him. He misses you. And I miss you too." She sighed. "Are you ready to go inside?