This story is part of a series I've written elsewhere, but I think it's good enough to post it here.
SUMMARY:
Michael Knight had died, and Kitt was determined to help people himself without a replacement partner.
The story takes place twenty years after the death of Michael Knight.
Be prepared for the feels.
There's a silent black Trans AM by a grave with all its lights off as though it's waiting for someone. Unfortunately for the car, that someone will never come since the headstone and the grave itself is where that person's remains are. The person, the sentient computer inside the Trans AM, loved years ago and still does to this day.
The Knight Industries Two Thousand no longer goes by that designation. He hasn't since his upgrades years ago and barely when working for the Foundation for Law and Government.
Kitt is at the grave spending Thanksgiving with the deceased Michael Knight. The computer felt it was out of loyalty and love but also thankful for the time spent together.
Thanks for working as a team, becoming friends, and eventually becoming soulmates.
The good and bad times.
The many years working for FLAG, retiring together, and a carefree life afterward until Michael's death.
Twenty years later, Kitt has made a difference to many people alone and is ready to rest at the small cottage he calls home, the same one Michael and himself lived in when the man was alive.
Kitt's Anamorphic Equalizer flashes solid red before he begins to speak;
"Michael, I'm home. I'll be staying home for the immediate future. I feel it's time to stay here. Don't worry - I have already driven to FLAG for regular maintenance. It's been twenty years since you passed, and I still miss you. How human is that? Me, a computer, missing a human. You would laugh at how absurd that sounds."
"Thanksgiving day is tomorrow, Michael. It's a day for one to give thanks for all they have. I suppose I should be thankful. I have my granddaughter and friends, but it's not the same as the love you've given me since we became partners. I loved and still love you."
"Enough of feeling sorry for myself. I'm thankful for all the conversations we had. I'm thankful for the arguments, especially when we were new partners. We didn't get along at first. You thought of me as a mere machine, all data and unfeeling. I thought of you as incompetent and pig-headed. Things changed quickly after the first week or two."
"I'm thankful for the lessons you taught me about humanity. I had the greatest teacher. You represented the best of humanity, especially with the belief that one man can make a difference with a little help from my father. I'm glad you listened to him. You weren't perfect, Michael. You were stubborn and had the most atrocious taste in music. Believe it or not, I listen to some of your favorite tunes on digital format now."
"I'm thankful for the times we turbo-boosted. I thought the random ones we did for what you said was the hell of it was taxing on my systems, but now I miss them. Turbo boosting without you in the driver's seat will never be the same."
"I'm thankful we played football, although turbo-boosting over the goalposts was overdoing it."
"I'm thankful for all the times you refused to give up on me. Those were the worst times of my life. The multiple destruction to my chassis. The reprogramming against my will, the acid pit, and more. I didn't tell you this before, but you deserve to know. The times you thought I was offline- I wasn't. I heard every word you said when arguing with Bonnie or April about how to repair me. For a while, I thought I would never recover. You refused to believe it. You gave me a figurative kick on the behind when you told me to do what I had to do to help myself go on. I was and am forever grateful."
"I'm thankful for the ways you showed affection toward me. The pats on my roof, hood, dashboard, and steering wheel. I miss the contact, Michael."
"I'm thankful for allowing me to comfort you after the death of your beloved Stevie. It was a time of great sorrow for both of us. I had the guilt of not being in surveillance mode, in which you never blamed me. You had the rage. I never saw such rage in you before, Michael. I was frightened of what you may have become if you didn't listen to me. I'm thankful you heard my words. I couldn't hug you, Michael, yet you came to me every time you cried. I'm thankful I was capable of feeling empathy."
"I'm thankful for all the years we lived together after retirement. We could have gone our separate ways, but you argued and pleaded to FLAG to allow me to choose. To choose what to do with my life. You gave me a special gift that day when you told me I have full autonomy. I never regretted retiring with you."
"I'm thankful for all the times we told each other "I love you." Love is a concept a machine normally wouldn't understand, but I do. You taught me about love. The love for each other was beyond friendship, familial or romantic. Soulmates. We were soulmates. We ARE soulmates. There never will be another for me."
"I think that pretty well covers it, Michael. I shall remain here with you and celebrate Thanksgiving together. Afterward, please say hello to my father, Devon, and Stevie for me. In a few years, I'll be able to do so myself. You and I will drive throughout the heavens and see what awaits us."
"I love you, Michael Knight. Happy Thanksgiving."