Summary:

KITT has never seen a Christmas Tree before, and Michael shows him one that awakens his emotions for the first time.

Michael Knight loves Christmas.

Michael loves the lights, carols, food, and being with family. It's the time of year he wants to sit in a comfy chair, drink a mug of hot chocolate, and watch the fire in the fireplace. He visualizes the freshly cut Christmas tree in his father's cabin and smells the scent of pine in the air.

Ahh, the memories.

Too bad that's all he has.

Or so Michael thought.

Little did the man know he would have new (and fantastic) memories of his partner's first Christmas.

Michaels's new partner?

The partner is The Knight Industries Two Thousand, a sentient computer inside a black-modified Eighties Trans AM.

The two had a rocky start that changed to mutual respect and friendship.

At the moment, Michael is feeling down. The first Christmas as an operative for the Foundation for Law and Government wasn't what he had in mind, especially being away from his new home even more so.

The duo arrived in New York City to meet with their client about the theft of a priceless artifact from a museum. They have less than two hours before the meeting, and Michael thought a drive near Rockefeller Center would cheer him up.

All around the car, there are multicolored lights on the lamp posts and storefronts with even more lights. Several of the stores had nativity scenes as decorations.

"Michael. We have exactly one hour, fifty-six minutes, and thirty seconds remaining before we meet with our client. What are we doing here?" KITT asked as his solid red square-shaped voice modulator lit up with each word.

Michael looked straight ahead at first, then smiling slightly, glanced at the voice modulator. "I wanted to see the lights, KITT. It's Christmas Eve."

"We don't have time, Michael. Mister Miles won't approve of this diversion," the computer pointed out. "We are to return to the Foundation once our business here is complete."

"Scrooge."

"I beg your pardon, Michael." KITT huffed.

"KITT, it's Christmas! Access your data banks. Look for 'A Christmas Carol,' " Michael suggested as the pair drove nearer to Rockefeller Center.

KITT's twin monitors turn on after accessing the data banks. "I have several references to A Christmas Carol and the character of Scrooge. What does the character Scrooge have anything to do with the birth of a religious leader?"

"It's a story, KITT. As for Scrooge, I guess you don't understand. Never mind. I want to show you something." Michael steers the Trans AM toward a side street, stops, and turns off the engine. Nearby is the giant Christmas Tree in front of the Rockefeller Center building. The tree has thousands of multicolored lights, bulbs, and ribbons. The tree lights are on, and the area covered in snow sparkles in the light. "Feast your eyes on this, KITT." Michael grins as he watches skaters skating in a circle near the tree.

KITT was about to correct his partner that he didn't have 'eyes.' The computer's Anamorphic Equalizer scans the area and locks onto the tree. Suddenly, KITT's circuits warm as he experiences an emotion for the first time. WONDER. "Michael! The tree is- the tree is beautiful! I've never seen such beauty before. Is this what you think of Christmas?" He softly said as the computer took several photographs of the tree.

Michael's mood lightened as he heard KITT's voice full of emotion. "The Christmas Tree, family, presents, and the food. Yeah, KITT. It's what I think of Christmas." He thinks about his former life as Michael Long and quickly dismisses it. Michael Knight is who he is now and has a partner willing to learn about the complexities of humans. "KITT, I have a gift for you." He pops in a brand new cassette of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker.

"Thank you, Michael! The music is wonderful. I'm sorry, I don't have a present for you."

"That's ok, KITT. Having you as a partner is the best present I could ever receive. We better get going. Our client is waiting for us." Michael starts the engine.

"Wait, Michael. I want to look at the tree for a little bit longer."

"You got it, Pal."