Summary:

Michael had a choice for his next assignment. 1. Go skating with the Foundation Board's children, or 2. Attend another Christmas Fundraiser. Which one did he choose, and will he live to regret it?

"Next time Devon gives me a choice about what assignment to take, remind me NEVER, EVER take these kids skating again," complained Michael Knight, speaking into his comlink while on a bench. He recently got up from the ice after two of the children he was in charge of knocked him off his feet, chasing each other on skates.

It's the 22nd of December, and the day started innocently enough. Michael was inside Devon's office when the Director ordered him to attend the annual Christmas Fundraiser.

"Uh, Devon, these black-tie affairs are more of your thing. Can I be excused this year?" Michael asked as he leaned back in his chair across from Devon.

"No, you may not!" Devon said sharply but softened his voice a moment later. "Wait, there is the annual FLAG Christmas Skate. The board members' children go to the arena and skate for two hours. Afterward, they return here for Christmas treats. Unfortunately, the employee in charge of the skating had to leave suddenly to care for her sick mother. Alright, Michael. Keep the children entertained for the two hours, and you don't need to attend the Fundraiser."

"Deal," said Michael, grinning.

Devon looks at Michael with interest. "You may regret this, Michael. Good luck." He didn't add you're going to need it.

An hour later, Michael and KITT arrived at the arena. KITT detects a luxury bus turning into the driveway leading to the arena entrance. "That's the Foundation's Bus, Michael. There are twenty children and the bus driver inside. Are you sure you want to go through with this?" KITT asked uncertainly.

"I'll do anything to avoid another Fundraiser, Buddy. How hard can it be to skate with twenty kids?" Michael shrugged. He already has a pair of skates in his right hand.

KITT refrains from answering the question.

The children leave the bus one by one carrying skates.

Michael met with the twenty children ranging from six to twelve years old. Five girls and fifteen boys. Already Michael had a sense of dread when three of the boys started arguing about who was the best skater. He whistles for attention. "My name is Michael Knight. How about we start by identifying ourselves."

The children did simultaneously, and one commented. "Hey, you're the guy with the car! Let's see the car!"

"One at a time, please. How we try again from the oldest to youngest," Michael suggested. "We can visit KITT later." In the meantime, he discreetly speaks into the comlink, "You might want to disappear, Buddy. At least so the kids don't see you."

"From the sounds of the children's voices, you'll have your hands full, Michael. Be careful," KITT said, holding back a laugh. "I'll remain within range of the comlink."

Michael sighed when he saw KITT moving away on SILENT MODE.

The children did what Michael asked until the youngest started to cry. "I want my mommy!"

"She's just a big ol' crybaby," her older brother said, shrugging. "Her name is Stephanie. Stephanie Green."

Michael hesitates for a moment, remembering his beloved Stevie. "I knew someone named Stephanie. I called her Stevie, sweetheart. Would you like me to call you Stevie?" Michael softly asked Stephanie.

The girl stops crying, smiles, and nods.

"Ok, let's go! Everyone inside." Michael extends his left hand to Stephanie, and she grasps it. "C'Mon, Stevie. I'll help you with your skates."

The group headed toward rink number one, rented by the Foundation for the private skate.

The children sat on benches and put on their skates while the three boys from earlier were the first to be ready. "Hurry up!" One of them said to the others.

Michael glances at the boys and tells them to go on the ice.

"YAY!" The boys shouted in unison before leaving the change area.

Michael is helping little Stevie tie her skates. Upon finishing, Stevie stood and almost fell, but Michael grabbed her arms as gently as possible, preventing the fall. Several other children needed his help tying their skates. Eventually, minutes later, everyone was on the ice.

Michael carefully skates around the rink since he hasn't skated since he was much younger. It didn't help that he held Stevie's right hand to keep her from falling. Michael had let go of her hand to see how well she could skate and unfortunately fell onto the ice. Michael lifted Stevie from the ice and asked her to try skating again. The poor child fell right away again but didn't cry. "That's ok, Stevie. I'll hold your hand, and we'll skate together." As he was picking her up, two of the three older boys slid too close to Michael and accidentally knocked him down.

"OW!" Michael said out loud and mumbled a couple of unmentionables. Fortunately, none of the children heard them.

"Sorry," said the boys, who were racing with each other as they skated away to catch up with the third boy.

Michael rose from the ice and painfully skated to the nearest bench, leaving Stevie behind for a short time. "I'll be back, Stevie. I need to fix my skate." It was a white lie and an opportunity to activate the comlink. It was also when he commented to KITT about never taking kids skating again.

"You still have more than an hour, Michael. Hang in there," KITT answered, amused. He had scanned his loved one and found no injuries. The computer got the distinct feeling that Michael's pride was taking a beating.

"Easy for you to say, KITT. You're not on the ice with kids yelling, chasing each other, and knocking me off my feet along with Stevie," Michael replied, bemused.

"Stevie. Michael?" KITT questioned, both curious and slightly alarmed.

"I'm helping a little girl skate, Pal. Her name is Stephanie Green. She's six and cute. I called her Stevie when she was crying for her mom. I think she likes the nickname. Speaking of Stevie, I better head back on the ice. She's waiting for me nearby." Michael said his goodbyes and went back on the ice.

The next hour turned out to be more fun. The older children skated happily with Christmas music playing over the loudspeakers. The three boys still chased each other but were more careful when nearing Michael and Stevie. Stevie managed to skate by herself before her older brother teased her about her skating.

'So much for smooth sailing for the rest of the hour,' Michael thought as he picked up a crying Stevie who had fallen again.

During the last fifteen minutes of rink time, Michael held little Stevie in his arms while skating simultaneously. He thought about how his beloved Stevie loved to skate many years ago when he was still Michael Long. The days leading to Christmas were filled with snowball fights, skating, and hot chocolate afterward by a fireplace.

The two hours were up, and Michael got all the kids off the ice. Despite the earlier mishaps, Michael smiled and wished there was more time. The kids took off their skates and put on their shoes. All twenty were ready to return to the waiting bus outside the arena. Everyone left the arena happy and talking.

The kids go on board the bus except for little Stevie, who kisses Michael on his left cheek before she joins her brother inside the bus. The kids waved goodbye by the windows as the bus drove away while KITT passed by unnoticed by the children.

The driver's door automatically opens. "Are you feeling alright, Michael? You don't seem upset anymore," KITT observed his soulmate, still smiling.

"I'm going to miss them, Pal, especially little Stevie," Michael responded as he closed the driver's door. "Let's go home, KITT. I'm in the mood for a hot chocolate."