Knight Rider 2008 Alternate Storyline – Episode 6 – Mission de Sauvetage
Chapter 4
“I'm lost again.” Aimée said worriedly. She looked all around, down several corridors. She could feel panic rising in her chest again.
“You're not lost. I am picking up your tracker signal and heat signature perfectly.” K.I.T.T told her. “Continue straight down the hall. You will come to a staircase leading down two floors.”
“Thank you so much Kit.” Aimée said in relief. “I couldn't do this without you.”
“Humans are highly tenacious and adaptable. You would have found a way.”
Aimée smiled weakly. “I know I am still learning English. But, you talk very strangely.”
“My apologies.”
“Do not apologize, it's funny. I like it.”
“Well then, thank you.”
She looked all around, at the old creaking floors and bland walls with peeling paint. Aged equipment littered the floor. “It's so dull here, at least I have you to talk to. I would go mad otherwise. What can you tell me about yourself?” Aimée asked. “What are things that you like?”
“I listen to music.” K.I.T.T offered. “I have a very large collection.”
“Really? I'm a singer myself, back at home.” Aimée told him. “I'm not popular here in the States. I'm hoping to be one day though, that's why I came here.”
“I know.” K.I.T.T replied. “I was listening to your songs on the way here.”
Aimée paused in surprise. “Y-you've heard my music?” She asked.
“Yes, you have a very beautiful voice. I particularly enjoyed 'Seul Papillon'. It had several elements that remind me of myself.”
Aimée felt her heart speed up. A light blush tinged her cheeks. “You understood it? You speak French?”
“Bien sûr que oui.” K.I.T.T replied.
“Merci mille fois.” She said softly.
“Your thanks are unneeded.” K.I.T.T replied, switching back to English.
“You should accept thanks when they are given.” Aimée told him as she continued down the hallway. “Especially when they are given sincerely. Unless you are trying to insult me?” Her voice turned coy.
“It is not my intention to insult you. Your thanks are appreciated.”
Aimée laughed. It was a small laugh, with a nervous edge. She spotted a large D56 painted on the wall. Each hallway she had gone through was marked, probably left over from when the studio was in use. “I have reached D56. How much further until I am out of here?”
“Only three more floors. I am waiting for you right outside.”
“I am looking forward to meeting you, Kit.” Aimée said earnestly.
“Likewise.” K.I.T.T replied.
********
“Okay, how do I get out of here?” Kat asked.
“Down two flights and you will meet up with Aimée.” K.I.T.T replied.
Kat hit the staircase and headed down. Her leg had seized up pretty badly, so her going was slow. Dustin hadn't been kidding when he told her two months. Three weeks had not been enough for her to heal properly. “KITT, once we find David, I am going to take a vacation, wanna come with? Find someplace sunny...”
“Kat, there is danger above you.” K.I.T.T informed her.
Kat looked up. The huge man from before was looking down at her from two stories up. As she watched he swung himself over the stair rail onto the stairs above her. Then he swung over another rail and landed in front of her.
“You've got to be kidding me.” Kat said, her eyes wide.
The huge man just smirked and cracked his knuckles. “Ready to dance, little miss?” He said in a deep voice.
Kat's eyes narrowed dangerously. “You asked for it.” She said.
********
Aimée turned the corner, to the last staircase. She stopped when she spotted Kat and the huge man facing off on the stairs.
Kat looked weary, but determined. The huge man just chuckled.
Aimée hunted around in the debris. She picked up half of a wooden chair and ran up the steps. Before the huge man had time to turn, she brought the chair down on the back of his head.
The blow barely fazed him. He turned, angry and menacing, on Aimée. Aimée's eyes widened in fright, and she backed away.
Kat took the moment of distraction to lunge at the man. Aimée watched as the huge man shook, then passed out. She moved out of the way as he crashed down the stairs and lay still at the bottom.
Kat limped down the stairs, pocketing her tazer, and checked on him. “He's still alive, but he will have one hell of a bruise.” She remarked as she bound the huge man's hands. She used two ties, just in case.
She looked up at Aimée and held out her hand. “Let's get out of here. KITT, contact the authorities so they can clean up this mess.”
“Calling 911 now.” K.I.T.T replied in her ear.
Aimée took Kat's hand and they made their way outside together, over the rammed in door. Kat surveyed the wreckage. “Remind me never to get on your bad side, KITT.” She muttered.
The warm sunlight was like heaven on Aimée's face. “Grâce à Dieu!” She exclaimed with a smile that was just as radiant.
They made their way over to the car slowly, because of Kat's limp. Kat spotted movement out of the corer of her eye. One of the kidnappers, the one who had stayed behind on the top floor, was sneaking down the fire escape. “Going to try again?” Kat called to him challengingly.
“No thank you!” The man called back. “I've had enough, seeya!”
“Tranq him.” Kat said quietly.
K.I.T.T, who was visible again, shot a tranquilizer dart at the fleeing man, who collapsed immediately.
Aimée ran to the car, leaving Kat behind. “Kit?” She called. The passenger's door opened. She smiled dazzlingly and rushed to it. She peered inside.
An expression of confusion crossed her face. She stepped into the car, looking into the backseat. She stepped out of the car again, one hand on the window. She turned to Kat. “Where is Kit?” She called. Kat gestured to the car, too tired to shout.
Aimée peered back into the car. “Kit?”
“Yes, Aimée?” K.I.T.T replied.
Aimée's confusion intensified. “Where are you? Are you controlling the car from somewhere?” She looked around.
“No, I'm right here. I am the Knight Industries Three Thousand, KITT for short. Charles Graiman created me.”
It took Aimée a second to understand. When she did, she bowed her head. Her long hair hid her face. “I am an idiot.” She mumbled quietly.
Kat had reached the car by then. She took in Aimée's dejected posture. “KITT, what did you do to her?” She asked accusingly.
“Nothing that I am aware of.” K.I.T.T sounded somewhat baffled.
“It's nothing, never mind.” Aimée said dully, getting into the passenger's seat.
Kat waited until the police arrived. She flashed them her badge and explained the situation. She told them that she would return Aimée to her father. They asked her a few questions, then let them go.
********
Kat eyed the girl in the other seat. She had been quiet for nearly the entire drive. “How are you holding up?” She asked.
“I'm hungry.” The girl admitted.
Kat reached into her pocket. “All I have is gum.” She offered it to her.
Aimée's expression brightened a little. “My favorite.” She said. “It will do till I get back to the hotel.” She took the gum. “Merci.”
“You're welcome. I'm Katherine by the way.” Kat introduced herself.
“I am Aimée.” The girl said as she opened the pack of gum.
“It's a pleasure to meet you.” Kat said politely.
“Thank you for saving me.” The girl responded, somewhat dejectedly. Kat left her alone, not knowing what else to say. "So, you really are just a car, KITT?" She asked, pouting. “It's not a trick?”
"My apologies, Aimée," K.I.T.T answered. "It wasn't my intention to mislead you."
Aimée folded her arms across her chest and frowned cutely. She muttered to herself in French.
K.I.T.T replied to her in French as well, leaving Kat completely out of the conversation. She frowned, but turned back to the road. They talked like this for several minutes.
Aimée's expression cleared. She smiled dazzlingly. "Do you mean that?" She asked. Kat had no idea why she had switched back to English. Unless it was just to be annoying.
"Of course." K.I.T.T answered.
"Oh, thank you KITT!" Aimée leaned forward and kissed his dash, leaving a smudge of lipstick. Kat's eyebrows shot up. What had they said to each other?
They reached Aimée's hotel. Kat parked and opened her door. "We're here." She said shortly.
"Un seconde." Kat watched as the girl rummaged in her pockets. She pulled out a sharpie and a scrap of paper. She scribbled a number and a few words on it, then placed it on the dash. "Let me know if you ever visit Paris." Aimée smiled.
K.I.T.T opened her door. She stepped out after giving K.I.T.T's Voice Modulator a fond look. Kat stepped out of the car and walked around to K.I.T.T's hood. Aimée ran her nails lightly over the glossy black finish, then followed Kat into the hotel.
Kat had to make sure that Aimée and her father were reunited, so she sat in the lobby with her. Aimée was humming cheerfully to herself. She turned to Kat suddenly, smiling that radiant smile again.
Kat gave her a questioning look. “What is your relationship to KITT?” She asked brightly.
Kat arched a brow. Relationship? “We're partners, I guess you could say.” Kat shrugged.
Somehow, Aimée's smile turned nearly blinding. Her emerald eyes sparkled. Kat didn't think that this girl would have any trouble getting a contract in the states. Anyone that looked at her would be utterly dazzled. “Then you are not his petite amie?”
Kat wasn't quite sure what she had said, but she could guess. "KITT's a car." She said, in a tone that was pointing out the very obvious.
Aimée tilted her head to one side, giving Kat a sympathetic look. “I know.” She said.
Kat was horribly confused. She didn't have to dwell on it long though, because Aimée suddenly jumped up. “Papa!” She cried, running headlong across the lobby.
She collided with a short man in a blue business suit. He had black hair that was balding on top and the skin on his face was sagging slightly. "Mon ange!” He cried, wrapping his arms around the girl and hugging her tightly.
Kat stood up slowly, her leg muscles were stiff from sitting. She walked over to the pair and held her hand out to Aimée's father. “It's a pleasure to meet an old friend of Dr. Graiman's.” She said, smiling.
The man looked up, then glared suspiciously at her hand. “That man is no friend of mine.” He said coldly. “I am grateful to have my daughter back. But you tell him that under no circumstances must he believe that I owe him anything.”
He turned, one arm around Aimée's shoulders and stalked away. Kat dropped her hand. She hadn't thought she could be any more confused before, but then, here she was now...
Aimée pulled away from him. He looked at her. It was his turn to be confused. She whispered something to him, then turned back to Kat. She walked over.
“Don't mind Papa.” She said apologetically. “He's been like this since the divorce. Thank you again so much for saving me. Tell KITT again too, and Oncle Charles.”
“I'm glad that you're safe.” Kat told her.
Aimée smiled cheerfully. “Till we meet again.” She spun around lightly and returned to her father.
********
F.L.A.G Underground Facility
“And, that's it.” Kat finished her report to Charles. They sat in his office, on opposite sides of his desk.
Charles sighed in relief. “Thank goodness you brought her back safely.” He said.
Kat nodded. “Her father was very suspicious, as you said. But I didn't think he would act that way about an old friend.” She remarked.
“Actually, it's Aimée's mother that I was old friends with. She was the one that called me.” Charles admitted.
Kat arched one dark brow as sudden understanding struck her. “Dr. Graiman...” She said teasingly,
Charles coughed lightly. “I believe that Pierce has uncovered some new information about David's capture while you were gone.” He said, standing up.
Kat stood as well. She wandered over to a shelf by the desk. It held old photos and awards. “Is Aimée's mother one of these?” She asked curiously.
Charles nodded. He walked over to the shelf and picked up a picture. “This is her. Amélie.” There was a soft fondness in his voice that Kat picked up immediately.
Kat looked at the picture. “She's very beautiful. Her daughter takes after her.” Charles nodded again. Kat spotted something on the shelf that had been hidden behind the picture. She moved another picture out of the way. “I didn't know you made models.” She said.
Sitting side by side on the shelf were two model cars. “They're excellent detail.” Kat said. She looked back over at Charles. “You have a thing for Trans Ams?”
Charles chuckled. “You might say that.”
“Wow, they're so alike.” Kat peered closer. “Wait, there is a difference. This one is all black, and this one is painted silver on the bottom. Huh.” She gave Charles a quizzical look.
Charles placed the pictures back, covering the model cars. “We should see what Pierce has for us.” He said gently. He walked over to the door and held it open for her.
Kat frowned lightly, but allowed herself to be deflected. She walked out of the office with Charles. “By the way.” She said slowly. “Apparently Aimée's parent's are divorced.” Kat shrugged. “You probably knew that already though.” She walked down the walkway.
Charles had a thoughtful expression on his face as he followed her.
