Knight Rider 2000

The Knight Before Christmas

Written by

Scott Kirkessner

Based upon KNIGHT RIDER

Created by

Glen A. Larson

Original KNIGHT RIDER 2000 Concept by

Rob Hedden

New concept by

Scott Kirkessner

December 24, 2000
0455 Hrs PST

The stores all opened early, to serve those who failed to get Christmas gifts ahead of time, or for those who liked the challenge of fighting the crowds on Christmas Eve.

Shawn McCormick exhaled and watched her breath leave her mouth and then disappear into the air. She shivered and thrust her hands further into the pockets of her leather jacket. She looked around at the other people standing outside of the big department store in downtown Seattle.

A large woman, with a little too much makeup on, bumped into her. “Oh, I’m sorry!” the woman said.

“Ah, no problem.” Shawn replied.

“Well, you know how it is,” the woman said, “nothing like last minute shopping, right?”

“Oh yeah, you betcha.” Shawn said, looking around. “I guess the whole world has to shop at this Neiman Marcus, huh?”

The woman laughed, loudly. “Yep! You know it!” The woman took out a pack of cigarettes from her purse and popped one in her mouth, and lit it up.

“You know, they could arrest you for that.” Shawn said.

The woman took a puff. “Yeah, I know. Screw them. I don’t care if smoking in public is illegal or not.”

Shawn laughed, deciding to let the woman go with her ‘warning.’

The doors opened and everyone quickly filed in, spreading apart like a pack of wolves on the hunt.

Shawn walked forward, looking for some gifts to bring to her family in Portland, and for one to send to her father in Billings.

Something to the side caught her eye... but it wasn’t a gift, or anything for sale. Shawn inconspicuously turned and watched a man wearing a trenchcoat and sunglasses casually glance around at some items. The man looked very suspicious, and Shawn decided to keep a close eye.

The man was looking at some small items, like men’s ties, tie clips, and cufflinks. The man was quick in his next move. He reached over, and then leaned on the counter, as if he was looking at something through the glass above, and then casually reached over and took four boxes of cufflinks into his coat.

Shawn smiled. “Never fails.” she said to herself.

The man continued his thievery, and did it right in front of a clerk, who was oblivious to his fast moves.

Shawn followed the man through the store, who managed to swipe a box of gloves, five boxes of tie clips, and two watches on display.

The last draw came when the man walked up to a female clerk at the jewelry counter.

Shawn walked around to the other side and looked at him. The man was reaching into his coat for something. She raised her watch up to her mouth. “KITT, take the video feed from my comm-link and find out what that man is reaching for in his jacket.” Shawn said, pointing her watch to the man.

“Shawn, that man is clutching a handgun. It’s a .32 caliber.” KITT replied.

Shawn reached into her coat and grabbed her ultrasound handgun. She began to slowly walk over towards him, ready to draw and shoot. The man was looking at some jewels, and the clerk opened the case.

The man pulled out his gun and aimed it at the clerk, who proceeded to scream, which led everyone else in the store to scream and run.

Like a silent snake after her prey, Shawn was right behind the man, flush against his back with her ultrasound gun planted in his back. “One false move and I’ll ease all your pains.” she said, in a stern voice.

The man put his gun down on the counter, and the clerk ran away. But before Shawn could make another move, the man swung his arm around and hit her in the side, knocking her off balance.

He picked up his gun and began firing right at her. Shawn kept low and ran through the now vacant department, dodging bullets as glass exploded all around her.

The bullets from the gun ripped through mannequins and clothing displays, all blocking Shawn. She spun on her heels and ended up behind a checkout counter. The bullets embedded themselves in wood of the counter, and destroyed the computer, sending glass and pieces everywhere.

Shawn quickly checked herself for any wounds, and checked her ultrasound, which she held in an iron clad grip. She listened closely and heard the clip drop on the ground, and another one take its place. And then there was silence.

“KITT,” Shawn whispered, “you there?”

“Yes Shawn.” said KITT, also whispering.

“Tap into the store’s security grid and pipe the visual through the watch monitor.” she ordered. She stuck her gun above her head and aimed it 45 degrees forward. She began firing at the ceiling.

Her shots were soon followed by more gun shots, slowly tearing up the guard separating the human from the high speed killers.

She looked at her watch and saw where the man was standing.

Like a fox, she got up on her feet and quickly fired shots at the man and kicked herself in the air, spinning to the side, still firing. The bullets sailed by her at close range as the man fired back.

She landed gently on her stomach, anxiety now running her limbs, behind a glass display case. The man fired at the case, shattering the glass, and destroying the mannequin’s head.

Shawn looked up and saw the support beams which were holding the retro display case. She aimed and fired.

The case fell to the ground and crumbled. Shawn fired again at the man, who fired back. She ran up an escalator, backwards, firing at the man who was running past towards the escalator’s twin. He ran up the steps, which were moving down.

Shawn got her head start when the man stopped firing to concentrate on moving up the escalator. She got to the top and pressed the emergency stop button on the escalator, knocking the man off balance and causing him to fall down the stairs.

Shawn slid down the escalator’s rail and kicked the man in the chest as he was standing up. The violent kick knocked the gun out of his hand and him back onto the ground.

Shawn jumped up and kicked him in the stomach. He brought his leg backwards and knocked her feet out from under her. She fell to the ground, the ultrasound bouncing out of her hand and onto the escalator base.

Taking advantage of his challenger’s disorientation, the man grabbed his handgun and ran up the stopped escalator.

Shawn got up, grabbing her gun, and ran up the escalator, after the man.

When she got to the top, the man was nowhere in sight.

“KITT, where the hell is he?” she asked.

Before he could answer, from nowhere the man whizzed by on a Razor scooter.

“There.” KITT replied.

Shawn shook her head in distaste and grabbed another Razor on display and hopped on, her foot hitting the ground hard to propel herself forward.

The man, who gained sunglasses with the tag still on, grabbed the middle of the scooter, still following the normal movements of a person on a scooter, turned his free arm around and blindly fired at Shawn.

Shawn ducked down as the point-blank bullets whizzed by her. She made use of her advantage and aimed her ultrasound gun at the man’s feet, however, before she could fire, a bullet found its way into the barrel of her gun, and it blew it out of her hands. Shawn stumbled on the scooter, but quickly regained her balance.

They were approaching the giant glass window which was in the front of the store, facing the street.

“KITT, meet me at the front of the store!” Shawn yelled into her comm-link.

“Shawn, are you nuts?!” KITT replied. “Neither the man nor you would survive the jump from two stories.”

“KITT, just get your ass to the front and open the canopy and get ready to catch me, God dammit!”

The man loaded his gun with one hand and aimed at the window, madly firing at the glass, which just took the bullets. Finally, when the last bullet in the clip was fired, the glass shattered, sending it down to the street below.

The man launched out of the void, sending the scooter out from under his feet. He reached up and grabbed onto a light pole, turning himself parallel to the poll and swinging down to the street. He grabbed onto an awning and tumbled to the street.

“One, two, three, go!!!” Shawn yelled as she launched out of the store. She let go of the scooter and tumbled towards the street, eyeing a red blur appearing under her. She landed in a familiar leather seat and smiled.

“Welcome to your air-mattress on wheels, Shawn.” said KITT.

“Let’s get him!” Shawn said, pressing her foot against the accelerator.

She looked at the central monitor which was a satellite image of the Seattle area. It zoomed in and was viewing the top of KITT. The image moved around until it found a man running.

“That’s him!” Shawn said, turning the wheel to the right, causing KITT to fishtail in an intersection.

Shawn looked ahead and saw the man madly running down the sidewalk. He ran down some stairs which led underground.

“Shit, he’s going to the subway.” Shawn said, unbuckling her seatbelt.

KITT screeched to a halt in front of the stairs. “Where the hell are you going?”

Shawn grabbed another ultrasound gun. “Just track us!” she said, sliding over the hood and running down the stairs.

She pushed through the panicking people, who were running from the man who was waving the gun around.

The man ran towards the automated subway car, which was sitting with its doors open on a timer, to permit people from moving in and out. The cars were all vacant.

Shawn ran up to the train, whose doors were closing. She quickly dashed into an empty car, and watched the doors close, and the station become a blur as the Mag-Lev subway sped up.

She was in the last car of the train. She looked through the crystal clear windows and saw the man sitting down, two cars ahead.

She double checked her ultrasound gun and walked towards the door, staying low so she couldn’t be seen. The hydraulics of the door hissed as it sensed her approaching, and it opened. She took note of the very loud hiss, and walked through.

She was in the car right behind his. She took it very slow, readying her ultrasound gun to fire. She was ready to fire at the glass when the man stood up and spun around and madly fired again.

Shawn’s eyes flashed with the reflection of the bullets shattering the glass, and she hit the ground, quick. Glass flew all around her, and bullets flew above. The sound of the bullets were deafening yet again, as they hit glass, and metal.

She brought herself flush against the door, just under the shattered window. She aimed her ultrasound through the window and started firing. She opened the door, and quickly dashed through and stood in the cold space between the two cars. Again, she stayed out of his sight.

She started firing through a hole again. This time, bullets answered. Shawn listened and figured that the bullets were getting closer. She looked to her left, and saw a small handle on the side of the car. She set her ultrasound in the hitch where the cars connected.

The door’s hiss began to sound. Shawn grabbed the handle and swung herself to the side, facing bricks which were just inches away, and blasting by at over 70 miles per hour.

The man looked outside, and saw no one in the space. He saw her ultrasound gun sitting in the hitch, and smiled. His smile faded however when a clenched fist made contact with it.

The man fell backwards into the car, seeing red and stars.

Shawn swung herself into the car, and kicked the man in the jaw. He fell backwards again, losing his grip on his gun.

Shawn grabbed one of the overhead poles and swung her body over the man, and ran towards the door which led to the cars in front of them.

More gunshots were heard as the man picked up his gun and began firing at Shawn.

Shawn ran towards the front of the train, which was just only a few paces in front of her. She looked up and saw a support bar. She grabbed it and swung herself up. Suspended over the floor, Shawn looked around and saw an access panel. She hit the lever and it opened. She scrambled onto the top of the train, her legs just clearing the bullets.

Shawn looked through the hole and heard the man’s footsteps. She got ready to leap down...

The man slowly walked towards the hole where he saw his challenger go through. Two legs suddenly appeared, kicking him in the shoulders. The two people fell to the floor of the car, with the gun bouncing to the side.

The man kicked Shawn in the stomach, who recoiled with a punch to his nose.

Unfortunately, the punch threw the man into the direction of his gun. As he fell back, he put his hand to the floor and used his free hand to pick the gun up. He flipped upside down back onto his feet, and in what would seem as a climax, held his gun right to the middle of Shawn’s face.

“Don’t bother.” Shawn sharply said.

“The hell you talking about?” the man replied.

“You’re out of bullets.”

The man kept his eyes on Shawn, but curiosity prevailed and he set his eyes on his gun.

Shawn used this moment to her advantage and hit the man in the head with his own gun. He was knocked back, but still on his feet. She kicked him in the leg, knocking him over.

The man popped his foot up, hitting Shawn in her knee. As she fell, he got up. Shawn was on the ground for a mere second when she was up again. The man delivered a punch, which Shawn quickly blocked with her hand.

She looked over his shoulder, and saw they were nearing the front of the train, where the controls were. Shawn punched him in the bottom of the jaw, and swung herself into the control room. She hit the emergency stop button and held on.

The force of the train stopping on a dime, plus her holding on, swung Shawn into the wall. She stopped herself with the palm of her hand, and watched the man fly towards the front. He hit the control panel, sending sparks flying, and finally collapsed to the ground.

Out of breath, Shawn managed a smile. “KITT, alert the police and meet me at the 3rd Street stop.”

“I’ll be there faster than you can imagine, Shawn.”

Shawn looked down at the man, who stirred and groaned. “Relax Roger Ramjet, you’re off duty now.”


The police were in full force and waiting for Shawn to deliver the criminal to them. She wearily walked up the stairs, passed the policemen and the million reporters, and walked over to KITT. The door automatically opened and she got in and sat down.

“You look like crap.” KITT simply said.

“Yeah, thanks.” Shawn smiled, giving KITT the middle finger and rubbing her stomach.

“Are you okay, Shawn?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, I think.” Shawn looked at her watch. The time read 5:30am. “I guess we should go to another department store, KITT.”

“You got that right, Shawn, but this time, buy something from the store instead of destroying it.”

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
0800 Hrs MST

Michael Roarke walked into his home after getting off of his graveyard shift job at the local grocery store. He walked past his small terrier dog, Mac, who’s eyes it up at the sight of his master.

He took off his hat, and threw it onto the table, and then kicked a chair over.

Within seconds, his wife, Megan, came running out of their bedroom. “Mike, what is it?!”

Mike sat down at the table, and opened up a beer and drank it down. When he stopped, he looked up at his wife. “They didn’t pay us tonight.”

Megan brought her hands up to her mouth and gasped.

“Some shit about processing a check on Christmas Eve.”

Megan sat down next to him. “Mike, without that check...”

“I know,” Mike said, “I know....”

“Hi Daddy!” screamed his twin five year old daughters, Julianna, and Morgan, running out of their room with arms wide open.

Mike could hardly bring himself to speak to them. “Hey girls!” he yelled, pushing back the urge to cry.

Megan walked over to the sink, a million thoughts running through her mind as to how she can explain to her children that Santa Claus would not be coming to their house this year.

0700 Hrs PDT

Shawn opened up KITT’s trunk, and placed a large bag of wrapped gifts inside. She was going to Billings, to visit with her biological father, who invited her biological mother and step-father over for Christmas. In addition to that, Shawn’s two nieces and three nephews were coming as well, along with her brother and sister and their respective spouses. It is going to be a big family event, one which she can’t wait for.

She looked down at her pocket as her cell-phone started ringing. She got into KITT and plugged the cell-phone into a socket. “Hello?” she answered.

The voice following was piped through KITT’s speakers.

“Shawnie? It’s your dad.” Harold Johnson said on the other end.

“Dad,” Shawn said, “how are you?”

“Not too bad. So you’re coming home this year?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”

“That’s good. When do you expect to get into Billings?”

Shawn looked at her watch. “Well, it’s 7am Pacific Time, 8am your time, so I figure I’ll be able get in before dinner time. Just in time to open up our one Christmas Eve gift.”

“You remembered.”

“Yeah,” Shawn said, starting KITT and pulling out onto the road, “Mom kept the tradition up.”

“How are you and Kevin doing?”

Shawn looked at the empty seat next to her. “Well, we broke up about a month ago.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“No, no, Dad, it’s okay. He and I both agreed to it. And we’re still good friends.”

“Well then I am glad.”

“Yeah me too. I mean, what can a person do without their friends?”

KITT ahemed.

“Oh yes, I am bringing KITT with me.” Shawn said.

“Oh yeah?” Harold asked. “How are you, KITT?”

“I am very good, Mr. Johnson, and yourself?”

“I couldn’t be better.” Harold said. “Shawnie, we can’t wait until you arrive.”

“Me neither.” Shawn said.

“We’ll be on the porch waiting.”

Shawn laughed. “Bye, Dad.”

“Bye, Shawnie.” Harold said.

Shawn turned the phone off. “I can’t wait to get there.” she said to KITT.

“Save some Christmas ham for me?” KITT asked.

Shawn laughed uncontrollably and pulled onto Interstate 90, which would take her right into Billings. But little did she know that the same interstate would take her into much more than what she bargained for.


Mike Roarke decided to leave the house to clear his head. He got into his car, a grey 1987 Oldsmobile, which was a few bumps short from falling apart, and backed out of the driveway. He looked long at his house, the place where his wife and children called home, and backed out, telling himself it would be one of the last times he would look at the house.

0945 Hrs PDT

“So George Bailey and his family live happily ever after?” KITT asked, over the ringing of the bell in the background on his speakers.

“Yeah.’ Shawn said, turning off the TV monitor and removing the DVD. “I guess you can call it a happy ending.”

“And George Bailey pretty much just trashed his own life to help everyone else out when the savings and loan went dry.”

“Yes he did.” Shawn replied.

“I like him. I like George Bailey.” KITT said.

Shawn chuckled. “Yep, if there were only more people in the world like that.”

“It was a very good movie, Shawn, thank you for showing it.”

“My pleasure, KITT, it was always a favorite of mine.”

“My scanners are reading an accident, blocking the highway, two miles from our present location.” KITT said.

Shawn looked at her watch. “Well, I think we got some time to wait in traffic.” she said. KITT slowed down, and stopped.

“I wonder how long this will take.” Shawn said.

“I can’t tell, Shawn. It looks like a tractor-trailer jackknifed.”

A chicken ran by them. Shawn looked at it and laughed. “Yeah, full of chickens.” she said, watching a police officer run after.

Shawn leaned back and inserted another DVD into the drive.

“Which one is this?” KITT asked.

“One of my favorite movies.” Shawn replied, letting the credits tell the rest. The movie was 2001: A Space Odyssey.

“What is this about?” KITT asked.

Shawn laughed to herself, knowing that if she tried to explain it, they would be sitting there for a real long time. She looked out the window as something caught her eye. It was starting to snow. She smiled.

1219 Hrs MDT

Mike was on his fourth beer when the bartender came over and told him that he should call it quits.

“Mike, this is your fourth beer man, why don’t you call it quits. It’s Christmas Eve for God sakes, why don’t you go home and spend time with those twin angels of yours?”

Mike covered up the note he was writing to his wife. “I just can’t go home, Robbie, not now.”

“Why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?” Robbie asked.

Mike stared at his empty glass and put the note to his wife in his pocket. “No Robbie, not this time.” he said, taking a gun out of his pocket.

Robbie put his hands up. “What the hell are you doing, Mike?”

“You got your Christmas shopping done already, right?”

“Months ago. I camped out at Best Buy in Boise, remember?”

“Right, well for weeks my life was riding on the paycheck they were supposed to give us last night.”

“Mike, you don’t have to do this.” Robbie said.

“I have no choice!” Mike screamed.

“You may give your family a nice Christmas, but do you want to see your daughters grow up from behind grey bars?”

“I won’t be seeing them at all after today.”

“What the hell are you saying Mike?”

“Just gimmie the money! Gimmie the money, Robbie!” Mike said, shaking the gun.

Robbie opened up the cash register and handed Mike the money. “Mike, don’t do what I think you’re gonna do.”

“You’re a good friend Robbie, and I’ll make sure this comes back to you. I guess I’ll see you around, sometime.” Mike said, putting his gun away, and backing out the door.

Robbie closed the cash register drawer and shut down the bar, since no one else was in it. He grabbed his jacket and ran out the door, looking for where Mike went, but he couldn’t find him at all.

He walked down the street, wildly looking around for Mike. He didn’t know how he got there, but ahead of him was the church. He shivered from the snow, and zipped up his jacket more. He ran up the stairs and into the doors. The church was empty, but warm.

He walked over to the confessional, opened the door and sat down. The screen opened. “Bless me father for I have sinned.”

“What is it, young one?” the priest asked.

“A friend of mine’s Christmas was ruined by his job, and he took the money from my bar. And I am afraid that he will give the money to his family, and then kill himself. And I didn’t do anything to try and stop him.”

Mike was sitting in a diner, right across the street from the church that Robbie ran into. He was reading over the letter he wrote to his wife. He added a few things, and sealed it in an envelope. He put the envelope in a blue bag he bought from the store, and put the money inside too. He paid for his cup of coffee and walked out.

He drove back towards his house, and saw that the front yard had more snow in it. He parked the car across the street and left it running. He walked over to his house and walked over the snow that was blocking the walkway. He set the bag at the door under the awning. He took his wedding ring off and was going to put it inside, but then put it back on. He walked back, towards his car and got in. “I love you all. God be with you.” he said, driving away.

1528 Hrs PDT

The mess on the highway was finally cleaned up and KITT and Shawn were traveling down the highway, crossing the Idaho state border. Shawn looked at her watch. Now she was getting antsy. Their pitstop on the highway in front of the accident took a long time, and she was still hoping she could make it home in time.

KITT was unusually quiet after 2001 completed. Shawn figured his microprocessors were in overdrive trying to contemplate the movie. “I get it!” he yelled.

“Get what?” Shawn asked.

“I understand 2001: A Space Odyssey!”

“Okay, KITT, explain it to me then.” Shawn said, wondering how KITT actually ‘got’ such a cerebral movie.

“Well, from what I saw, it starts off-”

Without notice a car swerved in their lane, and quickly swerved back and sped past them.

“What the hell was that?” Shawn said, cutting the wheel to the left to spin around and chase the car.

“It’s a 1987 Oldsmobile, in bad shape I might add, obviously running from something.”

“Running from what, I wonder.” Shawn said, accelerating.

The car left the freeway and drove on a small road, passing a sign reading ‘Coeur d’Alene Lake.’

“Oh hell, he’s gonna kill himself.” Shawn said.

“How do you know?” KITT asked.

“Why else do you think he’s speeding down a road which leads to a lake?”

Mike kept the accelerator pressed to the floor and didn’t bother to look in the rear view mirror. He pulled onto the small covered bridge which spanned a part of the lake. He pulled over to the side and stopped. He got out and walked over to one of the ventilation windows. He leaned on the window sill and looked out at the lake, which was freezing over in some parts. He watched the snow fall, and reached out to catch some on his hand.

He looked across the lake, and watched it magically transform into a spring day. He looked at the image of his wife and daughters, playing in the grass, feeding ducks.

The women looked over and waved, and went back to what they were doing.

The image changed back into the icy river, with snow falling on the dead trees. He stood up onto the ledge and closed his eyes. He grabbed the sides of the wall and took a deep breath.

“Don’t do it.” a woman’s voice said, from behind him.

Mike turned his head over his shoulder. “Go away.” he said, politely.

“You have any idea how cold that water is?”

“The point is to kill myself.”

“I know that, but do you wanna do it with pain or without pain?”

“As long as I am dead, it wouldn’t matter.”’

“So you wanna cause yourself to suffer?” the woman said.

“It just doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Come on man, when you hit water like that, it hits you like a million knifes stabbing you. I mean you would end up drowning, or maybe not. Maybe you would just freeze to death, which is slow, and painful.”

Mike looked over his shoulder again, but didn’t say anything.

“Are you sure you wanna put yourself through that much hell?”

“Plain and simple lady, I wanna die. Now leave me alone so I can get this over with.”

“Why?”

“Why leave me alone, or why do I wanna die?”

“The latter.” said the woman.

Mike stood there, thoughts running through his mind at light speed.

“Come down from there. Let me know your problems.” the woman said, quickly glancing at her watch.

Mike turned around, and sat down on the ledge. “Who are you?”

“Shawn McCormick.” the woman said, keeping her distance.

“Pleased to meet you, Shawn. I’m Mike Roarke.”

“Tell me Mike, why were you on that ledge ready to take a swim?” Shawn asked.

“So many things.” Mike said.

“I’m listening.” Shawn replied with a smile.

Julianna ran into the house holding a blue bag. She presented it to her mother.

“What’s this, darling?” Megan asked.

“It was outside on the door.” Julianna replied, proudly, and then running to play.

Megan opened it up and looked inside. She gasped when she saw the billfold of money. She found an envelope and opened it. She read it to herself outloud. “Dearest Megan. By the time you read this letter, it will all be over. I just can’t bear the thought of my children not experiencing a Christmas they can enjoy. Enclosed is 400 dollars. Don’t ask me how I got it, or where I got it. All I can tell you is that after you receive this letter, you will not see me alive ever again. I can’t live in a house where my children would look at me and see a failure. This money should leave you enough for a Christmas and next month’s rent. Just let the girls know, and yourself know that I love you, always have, always will, and I did this all for you. Goodbye, Michael.” Megan screamed when she finished reading it.


The police were at the house within a few minutes, talking to Megan, who was hysteric.

“Mrs. Roarke, why would your husband leave you 400 dollars and then go kill himself?” asked a police officer.

“He was upset about not being able to buy any presents for the children this year. He must have got the money illegally and then just end it so he wouldn’t go to jail.”

“We have units searching the area as we speak for any places that were robbed, and any... uhh...”

“Any bodies.” Megan finished, wiping the tears from her eyes.

The police officer nodded. “Mrs. Roarke, we will do everything in our power to find your husband.”

1758 Hrs MDT

Shawn and Mike were talking on the bridge for hours. Shawn listened as Mike laid it out for her, and told her everything. His story got more and more saddening as he went on.

“I guess I was so distraught over failing to bring home a paycheck for Christmas, I snapped. I robbed one of my good friends, who probably would have given me some money anyway, and I was gonna kill myself, for what reason, I really don’t know.”

“I bet you’re glad you didn’t go through with it.” Shawn said.

“Yeah, so am I,” Mike said, “because I would just be taking an easy way out, and letting my whole family just hang.”

“Now you’re getting the big picture. You only hurt the one’s you love.” Shawn said, as her watch started beeping. “Excuse me.” she said, walking back to KITT.

KITT opened the door and Shawn got into the warm car. “What is it?”

“You have a phone call.” he said.

“Put it through.” Shawn said. “Hello?”

“Hey Shawnie.” Harold said.

“Hey dad, what’s new?”

“Oh nothing, just seeing how you are doing since we talked this morning. You should be in Montana by now, right?”

“Well, no. I kinda ran into something here in Idaho, so I am gonna be late.”

“How late?”

“I dunno. It depends on how long this thing lasts.”

“What’s going on? Is it something to do with the Foundation?”

“No, not at all,” Shawn said, “just ran into some people who need a good deed.”

Harold laughed. “With that crime-fighting life you lead, you gotta get that good deed in soon.”

Shawn laughed too. “I’ll need a hell of a lot of good deeds to erase the shit I’ve done working for the Foundation.”

“Well, one is good as none.” Harold said.

“Hey Dad, remember, the Foundation is an organization of do-gooders. We just gotta get rough sometimes.”

“Yeah, sometimes.”

“I’ll be home for Christmas, you can count on that.”

“Good,” Harold said, “we’ll save your present.”

“All right, Dad. Bye.” Shawn said, hanging up the phone. She got out of the car, and walked over to Mike. “Come on Mike, get inside the car and let’s take you back to town.”

“All right.” Mike said, getting into KITT. “Ohhh, nice and warm. You sure got this car tricked out.”

“Tricked out hardly does it justice.” a voice said.

Mike jumped. “What the hell?”

Shawn laughed. “Mike, meet KITT.”

“KITT? The car talks?”

“Yeah, sometimes too much. But it does just more than talk.” Shawn said.

“Like what?”

“Mike, think of me as a police station on wheels, which is indestructible, contains heavy but for the most part, unused firepower, and speed which is off the charts.”

“Are you a car or a spaceship?”

“A little bit of both.” Shawn said, starting up the car and driving onto the road.

“God,” Mike said, holding his head, “Megan must be out of her mind.”

“Don’t worry, Mike,” Shawn said, looking in the rear view mirror at all the presents, “we’ll get you home, and will give you a Christmas you wont forget.”

Mike laughed. “Shawn that’s impossible unless you make a miracle or something.”

“Mike, the Knight Foundation specializes in miracles. Go ahead and use that phone over there to call your wife.”

Mike picked up the phone and dialed the number. “Hello?” a somewhat frantic voice replied.

“Megan, it’s me!” Mike said.

Megan screamed and started to cry. “Mike, I was so scared! I thought you actually did it!”

“I was going to, I was. But I met.... I met an angel.” Mike said.

“Tell her you’ll be home in a few hours.” Shawn whispered.

“I’ll be home in a few hours.” Mike said.

“A few hours? Why?”

“There’s just some things I have to do, before I come home.” Mike explained. “Kiss our daughters for me, and don’t tell them anything about the letter and money.”

“I will, Mike, I will. Be careful.”

“I will. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Bye.” Mike said, hanging up. He turned to Shawn. “Why did I tell my wife I will be home in a few hours?”

“Because, we’re going to get that paycheck of yours, and then buy a few more presents for your family.”

“A few more?” Mike asked. “We don’t have any to begin with.”

“Take a look behind you, Mike. You do.”

“Shawn, I can’t take those. Those are yours!”

“Oh, I’ll just get more, don’t worry, Mike. They’re yours now.”

Mike’s face lit up. “Shawn, this is the most generous thing anyone has ever done for me and my family. How can I repay you?”

“You can’t,” Shawn said, “you can go home with the presents, the rest of your paycheck, and have a Merry Christmas.”

“Thank you, Shawn, thank you.”

“Where do you work?” Shawn asked.

“Harrison,” Mike said, “it’s about 15 miles south of us.”

Shawn turned on a road, heading south.

“Tell me, how do you plan to get them to give me my paycheck?”

“Just follow my lead, and everything will work out just fine.”

1935 Hrs

Shawn and Mike walked into the grocery store. “What is your boss’ name?”

“Bill Davies.” Mike replied.

“Where is he usually at?” Shawn asked.

“Upstairs, in his office.” Mike said, leading the way.

Shawn nodded and the two walked through the doors and up some stairs. They reached the top and stopped.

“All right,” Shawn said, “is there anything I need to know before we go and do this? Do you slack off in your job? Do you neglect to show up? Have you been reprimanded for anything?”

“No, no, and no,” Mike replied, “I haven’t done anything of the sort.”

“Good,” Shawn said, “which door?”

“That one.” Mike said, pointing.

Shawn walked towards the door, with Mike following. She knocked on it.

“Come in!” a voice replied.

Shawn walked in the door, and Mike followed.

“Mike, shouldn’t you be home spending time with your family?”

“That’s what we’re here to talk about.” Shawn said. She took out her wallet and flashed her ID and badge. “I’m Shawn McCormick, an agent with the Knight Foundation.”

“What can I do for you, Agent McCormick?”

“Mr. Roarke sought our help this morning when he told us that he and his co-workers were refused their paychecks, until after the holidays.”

“Yes,” Davies said, “it is a clerical situation which prevents us from processing them.”

“He’s lying.” KITT said in Shawn’s earpiece.

“You’re lying, Mr. Davies.” Shawn said.

“How dare you come in and accuse me of that.” Davies said, getting concerned.

“You’re giving us the bullshit about it being a clerical problem when in reality, the checks are ready to go, but you are just too lazy to process them into your records. These people have families, lives, who were all depending on that paycheck, and you just don’t want to do the paperwork until after the holidays.”

“Lady, you’re insane and full of shit. Now leave before I have you escorted out, and before Mike loses his job.”

“Actually no. The Knight Foundation is well prepared to bring litigation against this grocery store, yourself, and its parent company for failure to process a legal monetary document as well as wrongful termination.” Shawn said. She leaned on the desk, closer to Davies. “Now, you don’t want to get into a long and drawn out lawsuit with a corporation which has billions of dollars and millions of hours. Do you?”

Davies sat there, looking at Shawn. He opened a filing cabinet and handed Shawn an envelope. She took it and handed it to Mike.

“Now,” she said, “you will process the paper work, and after that, you will go to around to every employee here in the store, and to the homes of those not working and hand deliver every one of those paychecks. Is that understood? I mean it’s either that or a lawsuit. How do you wanna play it?”

Davies nodded. “You got yourself a deal.”

“Good.” Shawn said, approaching the door. “Oh yeah, Merry Christmas.”

Her and Mike walked out, and closed the door.

Davies leaned back in his chair and looked at the paper work he could have easily done earlier. He knew it was going to be a really long night.


Shawn and Mike got into KITT. “Shawn, it’s 8pm, how are we gonna get into stores this late?”

“We’ll drive to Spokane. I know there will be stores still open there. Don’t worry Mike, we’ll get you back in time for Christmas.”

2139 Hrs

“Mommy, where is Daddy to read the story?” Morgan asked.

“Your daddy had to go out today.” Megan said to her daughter.

“Will you read it to us Mommy?” Julianna asked, giving her mother the book.

Megan nodded. “Sure darling.” She opened up the book, and began to read. “Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house... not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...”


Harold Johnson sat down on the floor with the rest of the family. Each person there had a present in their hands.

“I wonder where she is.” Shawn’s mother, Elaine said.

“She said she’d be late, but I didn’t know she would be this late.” Harold said.

“She’s safe,” Elaine said, “I know it. Don’t worry.”

Harold smiled, and looked around to see the people opening their gifts. Elaine presented him with one, and he untied the bow, and opened it.


“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

“And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter’s nap....”


Mike looked at the clock in the dashboard and shook his head. “I hope we make it back in time, I have to read my girls The Night Before Christmas.”

“Mike, I bet your wife is reading it to them right now, and those girls of yours are anxiously awaiting your return.” Shawn said.

“I hope so,” Mike said, placing a doll inside a highly decorated Christmas bag.

“I know so.” Shawn said, turning down Mike’s street. She hit the gas, and sped towards the house.


“When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter. I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters and threw up the-” Megan stopped when she was interrupted by screeching tires.

She got up and walked to the door, only to have it burst open with her husband standing there. “Mike!” she yelled, hugging him tightly.

“I’m home!” Mike said, letting Megan go, and kissing her. He took his finger and wiped her tears off from under her eyes. “I love you.” he said.

“Daddy, Daddy!” Julianna and Morgan yelled.

Mike’s face lit up as his two precious girls ran towards him. He bent down and stuck out his arms, each girl tightly hugging their father. “Oh, I like this!” he said, trying to keep happy tears from coming.

The whole family got together for a big hug.

Outside, Shawn was standing on the porch, snow falling on her leather jacket, watching the scene.

“I’ve noticed that there is sometimes a closer bond of love between family than there is with two lovers.” KITT said, quietly, over the comm-link.

“You’re right, KITT,” Shawn said, “a family’s love is a bond which can never be broken.” Shawn smiled at the scene inside the house.

“Shawn,” Mike said, walking out, “come in and meet the family before you leave.”

Shawn smiled and walked in.

“Everyone, this is Shawn McCormick,” Mike introduced, “she helped me a lot today.”

Megan smiled. “Nice to meet you, Ms. McCormick. Thank you for helping Mike today.”

“Daddy, what did you need help with?” Julianna asked.

“Yeah, tell us Dad!” Morgan followed.

Mike hesitated. “She helped me learn the true meaning of a family.” he said, looking at his wife.

“Hey girls, you know what,” Shawn said, getting down to their height, “I checked satellite images tonight and I saw that Santa is approaching the area.”

The look on the girls faces told of their excitement.

Megan smiled. “We better go upstairs and get you ready for bed, shouldn’t we?”

Julianna and Morgan both nodded, with big smiles on their faces. They grabbed their mother’s hands and walked up the stairs.

Shawn smiled, and looked over at Mike. “Let’s get the Christmas spirit inside.”

Mike and her walked outside towards KITT who opened up the trunk. They grabbed boxes, big and small, and bags, and walked them into the house. They repeated this routine one more time. It was about 30 minutes before they were all done.

Megan walked down the stairs and gasped. Mike looked over and smiled. “Shawn doubled as Santa Claus as well as my guardian angel tonight.”

Shawn took a sip of her glass of egg nog. “I was glad to help.”

“I’m glad you helped too, Shawn,” Mike said, “without you, I wouldn’t be here, and Megan would be a widow.”

“It’s a true Christmas miracle.” Megan said.

“If tonight wasn’t a true blue miracle, then I don’t know what one is.” Mike said.

“Well, remember this. The Knight Foundation specializes in miracles.” Shawn said.

“Shawn, you have done so much for us already, I have no idea how to repay you at all.”

“Don’t worry, Mike, you don’t have to.” Shawn said. “Well, I think I better be going now.”

“You sure?” Mike asked.

“Yeah.” Shawn said.

“We’ll walk you out.”

The three of them walked outside, into the snow, still falling. “I think this will be a Christmas that you and your family will never forget.” Shawn said.

“Me too.” Megan said.

“Thanks for being my sleigh, KITT.” Mike said.

“No problem, Mr. Roarke, and have a very Merry Christmas.”

“Thanks to you, we will.”

“He came, he came!” two voices yelled from inside the house. The two girls ran outside.

“What are you two doing up?” Megan asked.

“We wanted to see Santa Claus!” Morgan said.

“Yeah, but we missed him. But look what he left us!”

Mike smiled at his daughters. “Yeah, he came early this year.” he turned to Shawn and winked.

“Thank you again Shawn,” Megan said, fighting back tears, “for everything.”

“No problem at all,” Shawn said, “you two have a Merry Christmas.”

“You too, Shawn,” Mike said, “and God bless you.”

Shawn smiled and shook his hand.

“Where are you off to?” Megan asked.

“Nowhere,” Shawn said, getting into KITT, “I’m just another runner in the knight.” She closed the door and looked behind her where the presents for her family used to be. “Come on KITT, let’s give them a show.” she said.

“Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen!” On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen!” KITT said.

“To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!” Shawn added.

“Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!” KITT finished, seconds before he activated the turbo boost.


The red car sailed through the air, the bright moon casting an iridescent shine upon it.

Julianna and Morgan looked up to see the car sailing. “Daddy, Daddy lookit!” Julianna yelled.

“It’s Santa Claus!” Morgan shouted.

Mike put his arm around his wife and held her close. “Yes girls, it is Santa Claus.”


KITT slammed to the ground, with the usual thud and sped down the snowy road.

“It’s a wonderful life.” KITT said.

“What?” Shawn asked.

“Everything that happened today, was like a mirror out of It’s A Wonderful Life. A man, down on his luck, about to kill himself, meets an angel, who helps him experience a wonderful Christmas.”

“You’re right, KITT.” Shawn said, smiling.

“You were that man’s angel.”

“Yes I was KITT. And you know what?”

“What?”

“You are mine.” Shawn said.

“Thank you, Shawn. Do we continue to Billings?” KITT asked.

“Yeah, why not. Christmas is all about spending time with family, and I am glad to be spending it with you, right now.”

“I’m glad you consider me family, Shawn.”

Shawn looked at her watch. It read midnight. She leaned back and sighed. “Merry Christmas, KITT.”

KITT’s reply came shortly. “Merry Christmas, Shawn, and goodwill to all men.”

The End

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