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thecrazyalaskanKitt settled into the driver's seat. "The lead was a dead end, Michael," she announced, shaking her head. "He's moved on."
So what's our plan? the AI asked, the light blue vocal modulator lighting up with each word as she pulled out of the parking lot.
"I want to see how many of the cards he holds before I try to make a plan," Kitt replied vaguely, keeping her focus on the road in front of them.
Michael's words though, were far more direct: You don't have a plan do you?
"…No," Kitt admitted.
So, what—you're just going to go in there without a plan? Michael asked.
"I'd hardly say that," Kitt replied.
Were you expecting me to come up with a plan? the AI went on.
"Really, Michael—" Kitt began.
Because if you were, forget it, Michael cut off. I do all the planning, and it's complete crap.
"Michael…" Kitt warned.
You're the driver! Michael went on. You're supposed to be doing the planning, and I'm supposed to execute them!
"Michael, I'm not Wonder Woman," Kitt snapped, feeling her patience wearing thinner by the second. "I can't do everything!"
Neither can I, damnit! Michael snapped, just as shortly. God, you were really were a housewife, weren't you?
"Knight Industry Alpha Delta Two Two Seven Five Two Nine, just work with me okay?!" she yelled, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
There was a heavy, angry silence. Kitt glared at the vocal modulator, her lips pressed into a thin line. How… How could he just cut that deeply? He knew damn good and well that she missed her former life, and that she resented the implication that getting married would end her career. She had been honest with him about that! How could he just—
Of course Katherine, came the AI's stony reply.
After that, Michael seemed unwilling to speak unless spoken to, and even then, his answers were short and clipped. Given that the argument had come to a head, it was understandable… at least for that afternoon. After a few days, even the radio couldn't help combat the silence that filled the Trans AM, and eventually started to suffocate the driver.
Kitt turned this over in her mind as she ordered her lunch. As much as her life had changed, she was pleased that at least her love of Vietnamese food (and its vegetarian friendly nature) had come through in tact. She needed to get back on the road, but truthfully, she couldn't bring herself to eat as quickly as she could and get back in the driver's seat, not when her travel companion was giving her a non-corporeal cold shoulder. What on earth would it take to—
"Vegetarian bánh bao," the clerk called, which pulled Kitt into the present. "This it?"
Kitt paused. She preferred to think she knew Michael, and his quirks. One of them was that he absolutely hated her eating while she was driving him, or even sitting in the driver's seat. He got defensive at her approaching with food in hand. She addressed the clerk: "If I could get it packed to go, please?"
It was cruel, pushing Michael's emotional buttons like that, but if it got him talking, she would rather ask his forgiveness for that.
Some five minutes later, she paid for her lunch and stepped out of the shop, her lunch in a paper bag. Michael was parked across the street, no doubt waiting for her to return and start to pick up the trail again. Well, he was nothing if not resilient. With that thought, she took a deep breath and crossed the street.
That was fast, Michael noted as she opened the door, his vocal modulator still holding its icy tinge.
"I realized," Kitt began as she climbed in and closed the door, "that we should probably keep moving—you won't mind if I have lunch on the road, will you, Michael?"
This was when she was expected Michael to deny her request with a swift "Hell no" and suggest that she get her lunch out of his driver's seat and onto a table at best, his hood on a napkin on her lap at worst.
Of course not was the reply she got instead.
Kitt blinked at him briefly before wilting against the seat. "Michael, what's the matter?" she asked finally.
Nothing's the matter.
"Something's been bothering you," she went on. "What is it?"
Nothing, he replied again.
"You haven't been talking very much," she elaborated.
What does it matter? Michael asked, a sarcastic edge working its way into its voice. I'm just a car, remember? A serial number.
The sudden mention of serial numbers brought up a memory from a few days prior. "…Is this because I called you—"
"Knight Industries Alpha Delta Twenty-Two Seventy-Five Twenty-Nine," Michael quoted. The scorn in his voice was boundless.
"I'm sorry, Michael," Kitt replied, lifting her hands in a show of deference. "I'm still getting used to traveling for so long—"
That's not good enough, Katherine, Michael replied shortly.
"Michael, I really am sorry," Kitt began.
That much, I doubt, Michael cut off. His next words were softer, almost… hurt. I thought you were different. I thought you thought I was different.
"What do you mean, different?" Kitt questioned softly, running her thumb over the edge of the steering wheel.
She was met with stony silence. "Michael, please—be reasonable," Kitt coaxed. "I promise, whatever's troubling you, I'll listen."
Why should I? the Trans AM snapped.
She offered the vocal modulator the most winning smile she could manage. "Because I trust you."
I could have said the same before yesterday.
Kitt frowned slightly. "What do you mean?" she asked. "I thought you did trust me."
She could almost hear him scowling in irritation before he explained, Do you have any idea what it's like to not be called by your name?
Kitt's brow furrowed slightly. "But Kn… That is your name, I thought," she asked. She didn't dare repeat the Trans AM's full serial number. They were making progress at present; no sense in throwing that all away.
Let me put it this way, Michael noted. How would you like it if I called you by your Social Security Number?
"Point taken," Kitt replied, nodding slightly. "I wouldn't like that at all."
It's degrading. Michael went on as though she hadn't spoken. It's demeaning, it's belittling—they treat me like I'm no different than he was when they call me that!
"Like who?" she asked.
KARR! Michael cried. They act like I'm going to blow a circuit and go on a killing spree!
"No one thinks that, Michael," Kitt soothed.
That's absolute garbage, Michael replied coldly. I know I'm not flesh and blood like you and Bonnie and Devon, but a little human dignity would be nice!
Kitt paused, then reached over and brushed her thumb over his voice modulator. "I'm sorry, Michael."
Whatever response the Trans AM was expecting, that apparently wasn't it. …What?
"I'm sorry," Kitt repeated. "I wasn't thinking when I said that, and didn't realize I would offend you. Please know that from the bottom of my heart, I apologize."
Michael was quiet, as though he was processing this information. Kitt didn't speak again, almost worried that her relationship with Michael was damaged beyond repair. Michael was stubborn and prideful, and didn't forgive major transgressions easily.
No one's apologized to me for that.
"I wish the circumstances were different," Kitt replied truthfully, "but I suppose it's an honor to be the first?"
…Apology accepted, Michael said after a few moments. And… sorry I was an ass about it before.
Kitt smiled. "Apology accepted—I know being stubborn is part of your basic nature."
I resent that. He could claim resentment all he wanted, but it was obvious he was, in his own way, smiling.
Kitt laughed as she got comfortable in the driver's seat and started to eat her lunch. "Say what you will, Michael—you know you enjoy it."
-.-.-.-
Title: A Matter of Trust
Author: TheCrazyAlaskan
Fandom / Setting: Classic Knight Rider, Alpha Delta AU
Characters / Pairings: Michael, Katherine “Kitt” Knight (pre-pairing)
Genre: General, friendship
Warnings / Notes: AU
Relevant Quote: So, from the bottom of my heart, for whatever I did to you, I apologize. – Barney Miller, How I Met Your Mother
Commissioned by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
locoexclaimer
The AU (which desperately needs a better name, I’m willing to take suggestions) was spawned as part of the Write-a-Day Challenge we’re tackling, wherein one of the prompts was to design an AU. Humanization with Knight Rider was too easy, so I ended up developing something different—a role reversal. In this, KITT is a human female (male!KITT = does not compute) with the same basic backstory, and Michael is a sentient Trans AM.
Michael was a challenge to make into an AI. He’s still very spirited and headstrong—much like his “older brother” KARR. Part of that spirit is him not wanting to go by his “assigned name”—that is, his serial number—because it implies ownership.
I think I’m starting to lose my ability to come up with snappy titles and such. I can’t say I care for this title. :/
Michael, Kitt, Knight Rider © Glen A Larson
Alpha Delta AU ©thecrazyalaskan
So what's our plan? the AI asked, the light blue vocal modulator lighting up with each word as she pulled out of the parking lot.
"I want to see how many of the cards he holds before I try to make a plan," Kitt replied vaguely, keeping her focus on the road in front of them.
Michael's words though, were far more direct: You don't have a plan do you?
"…No," Kitt admitted.
So, what—you're just going to go in there without a plan? Michael asked.
"I'd hardly say that," Kitt replied.
Were you expecting me to come up with a plan? the AI went on.
"Really, Michael—" Kitt began.
Because if you were, forget it, Michael cut off. I do all the planning, and it's complete crap.
"Michael…" Kitt warned.
You're the driver! Michael went on. You're supposed to be doing the planning, and I'm supposed to execute them!
"Michael, I'm not Wonder Woman," Kitt snapped, feeling her patience wearing thinner by the second. "I can't do everything!"
Neither can I, damnit! Michael snapped, just as shortly. God, you were really were a housewife, weren't you?
"Knight Industry Alpha Delta Two Two Seven Five Two Nine, just work with me okay?!" she yelled, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
There was a heavy, angry silence. Kitt glared at the vocal modulator, her lips pressed into a thin line. How… How could he just cut that deeply? He knew damn good and well that she missed her former life, and that she resented the implication that getting married would end her career. She had been honest with him about that! How could he just—
Of course Katherine, came the AI's stony reply.
After that, Michael seemed unwilling to speak unless spoken to, and even then, his answers were short and clipped. Given that the argument had come to a head, it was understandable… at least for that afternoon. After a few days, even the radio couldn't help combat the silence that filled the Trans AM, and eventually started to suffocate the driver.
Kitt turned this over in her mind as she ordered her lunch. As much as her life had changed, she was pleased that at least her love of Vietnamese food (and its vegetarian friendly nature) had come through in tact. She needed to get back on the road, but truthfully, she couldn't bring herself to eat as quickly as she could and get back in the driver's seat, not when her travel companion was giving her a non-corporeal cold shoulder. What on earth would it take to—
"Vegetarian bánh bao," the clerk called, which pulled Kitt into the present. "This it?"
Kitt paused. She preferred to think she knew Michael, and his quirks. One of them was that he absolutely hated her eating while she was driving him, or even sitting in the driver's seat. He got defensive at her approaching with food in hand. She addressed the clerk: "If I could get it packed to go, please?"
It was cruel, pushing Michael's emotional buttons like that, but if it got him talking, she would rather ask his forgiveness for that.
Some five minutes later, she paid for her lunch and stepped out of the shop, her lunch in a paper bag. Michael was parked across the street, no doubt waiting for her to return and start to pick up the trail again. Well, he was nothing if not resilient. With that thought, she took a deep breath and crossed the street.
That was fast, Michael noted as she opened the door, his vocal modulator still holding its icy tinge.
"I realized," Kitt began as she climbed in and closed the door, "that we should probably keep moving—you won't mind if I have lunch on the road, will you, Michael?"
This was when she was expected Michael to deny her request with a swift "Hell no" and suggest that she get her lunch out of his driver's seat and onto a table at best, his hood on a napkin on her lap at worst.
Of course not was the reply she got instead.
Kitt blinked at him briefly before wilting against the seat. "Michael, what's the matter?" she asked finally.
Nothing's the matter.
"Something's been bothering you," she went on. "What is it?"
Nothing, he replied again.
"You haven't been talking very much," she elaborated.
What does it matter? Michael asked, a sarcastic edge working its way into its voice. I'm just a car, remember? A serial number.
The sudden mention of serial numbers brought up a memory from a few days prior. "…Is this because I called you—"
"Knight Industries Alpha Delta Twenty-Two Seventy-Five Twenty-Nine," Michael quoted. The scorn in his voice was boundless.
"I'm sorry, Michael," Kitt replied, lifting her hands in a show of deference. "I'm still getting used to traveling for so long—"
That's not good enough, Katherine, Michael replied shortly.
"Michael, I really am sorry," Kitt began.
That much, I doubt, Michael cut off. His next words were softer, almost… hurt. I thought you were different. I thought you thought I was different.
"What do you mean, different?" Kitt questioned softly, running her thumb over the edge of the steering wheel.
She was met with stony silence. "Michael, please—be reasonable," Kitt coaxed. "I promise, whatever's troubling you, I'll listen."
Why should I? the Trans AM snapped.
She offered the vocal modulator the most winning smile she could manage. "Because I trust you."
I could have said the same before yesterday.
Kitt frowned slightly. "What do you mean?" she asked. "I thought you did trust me."
She could almost hear him scowling in irritation before he explained, Do you have any idea what it's like to not be called by your name?
Kitt's brow furrowed slightly. "But Kn… That is your name, I thought," she asked. She didn't dare repeat the Trans AM's full serial number. They were making progress at present; no sense in throwing that all away.
Let me put it this way, Michael noted. How would you like it if I called you by your Social Security Number?
"Point taken," Kitt replied, nodding slightly. "I wouldn't like that at all."
It's degrading. Michael went on as though she hadn't spoken. It's demeaning, it's belittling—they treat me like I'm no different than he was when they call me that!
"Like who?" she asked.
KARR! Michael cried. They act like I'm going to blow a circuit and go on a killing spree!
"No one thinks that, Michael," Kitt soothed.
That's absolute garbage, Michael replied coldly. I know I'm not flesh and blood like you and Bonnie and Devon, but a little human dignity would be nice!
Kitt paused, then reached over and brushed her thumb over his voice modulator. "I'm sorry, Michael."
Whatever response the Trans AM was expecting, that apparently wasn't it. …What?
"I'm sorry," Kitt repeated. "I wasn't thinking when I said that, and didn't realize I would offend you. Please know that from the bottom of my heart, I apologize."
Michael was quiet, as though he was processing this information. Kitt didn't speak again, almost worried that her relationship with Michael was damaged beyond repair. Michael was stubborn and prideful, and didn't forgive major transgressions easily.
No one's apologized to me for that.
"I wish the circumstances were different," Kitt replied truthfully, "but I suppose it's an honor to be the first?"
…Apology accepted, Michael said after a few moments. And… sorry I was an ass about it before.
Kitt smiled. "Apology accepted—I know being stubborn is part of your basic nature."
I resent that. He could claim resentment all he wanted, but it was obvious he was, in his own way, smiling.
Kitt laughed as she got comfortable in the driver's seat and started to eat her lunch. "Say what you will, Michael—you know you enjoy it."
-.-.-.-
Title: A Matter of Trust
Author: TheCrazyAlaskan
Fandom / Setting: Classic Knight Rider, Alpha Delta AU
Characters / Pairings: Michael, Katherine “Kitt” Knight (pre-pairing)
Genre: General, friendship
Warnings / Notes: AU
Relevant Quote: So, from the bottom of my heart, for whatever I did to you, I apologize. – Barney Miller, How I Met Your Mother
Commissioned by
locoexclaimer The AU (which desperately needs a better name, I’m willing to take suggestions) was spawned as part of the Write-a-Day Challenge we’re tackling, wherein one of the prompts was to design an AU. Humanization with Knight Rider was too easy, so I ended up developing something different—a role reversal. In this, KITT is a human female (male!KITT = does not compute) with the same basic backstory, and Michael is a sentient Trans AM.
Michael was a challenge to make into an AI. He’s still very spirited and headstrong—much like his “older brother” KARR. Part of that spirit is him not wanting to go by his “assigned name”—that is, his serial number—because it implies ownership.
I think I’m starting to lose my ability to come up with snappy titles and such. I can’t say I care for this title. :/
Michael, Kitt, Knight Rider © Glen A Larson
Alpha Delta AU ©
thecrazyalaskan 