Chapter Text
"Alright, we got a lead on this guy?"
"Affirmative. He was last seen running down Main, and he's just turned into Fifth."
"Any chance we can head him off?"
"Hold on." KITT's systems buzz as he plots the most likely route the pickpocket is going to take. "I have it. He's most likely going to find an alley and make an escape."
Michael chews his lip. "Alright, we'll split up. I'll pursue him on foot - you shadow me as best you can. If we can get him in a pincer move, he'll have nowhere to run."
KITT pulls over, popping the driver's door open before he's even fully braked. The moment Michael jumps out, the Trans AM shuts the door, engages AUTO, and disappears like a shadow, turning on silent mode on the way. Michael hurries across the road, dodging last minute Christmas shoppers. He can just make out the slender form of the pickpocket, weaving in and out of the crowd as he seeks a way to escape. Michael swears.
It's his first Christmas at FLAG, and, naturally, a situation has come up. A pickpocket's been on the loose for a week, and only now have they been able to get a positive identification on the kid. Fifteen years old, Rodney Smith isn't the type of big note criminal Michael expected to be chasing down on Christmas Eve, but here he was, running down Fifth Street, trying to keep up with the teenager. It was, though, preferable to getting ready for the annual FLAG charity dinner, an event Michael's been dreading for weeks. The mere thought of not being able to even call friends or family on Christmas Day has left him in a foul mood, and everyone, including KITT, has gotten the rough end of his temper.
So it was almost a relief when news came through that the pickpocket had struck again. Michael had practically leapt at the chance to run this kid down, and even though he and KITT were still technically "not speaking" due to their last argument, the Trans AM was more than willing to ferry his driver into town. Michael makes a mental note to apologise to the AI first chance he gets.
'I've got him pinned,' KITT says through the commlink. 'The map is on your watch.'
Sure enough, a miniature map appears, a bright red dot flashing to indicate where KITT has the kid pinned. Michael changes course, and soon finds himself in a alley barely wide enough to fit the Trans Am. Michael just manages to squeeze past, and there's Rodney, cowering against a brick wall, eyes wide and terrified as he stares at KITT's admittedly menacing form. Despite himself, Michael is impressed.
"Alright, stand down," he says, and KITT backs up slightly. Michael approaches the teenager. "I'm not going to hurt you," he says, "but I do have to bring you in. I'm sorry."
Rodney's face goes even whiter, and then, to the shock of car and driver, he bursts into tears, sinking to the ground in a huddle of misery. "I had to do it," he sobs.
Michael directs a quizzical glance over his shoulder at KITT. The scanner flares, as if the car is sharing his driver's confusion. "Had to?"
"I... I'm homeless," Rodney confesses, managing to get himself under control, barely. He sniffles. "Mom and I were behind on rent, and our landlord kicked us out. I couldn't get a job, so I... I started stealing. I didn't know any other way to help." He shrugs helplessly. "It didn't matter; Mom had a heart attack two days after we got kicked out, and I've been trying get money so I could get myself a room somewhere."
"I get it," Michael says gently. He kneels and puts a hand on the boy's shoulder. "But stealing isn't the way to get ahead. You know that, right?"
Rodney nods reluctantly. "I know," he says. "But what else was I supposed to do?"
Michael makes a decision. "I'm not going to turn you in," he says, standing up. "But you've got to promise me something. You're going to return what you stole."
"I can't!" Rodney protests, looking ready to bolt. Only KITT's stealthy presence keeps him from making a run for it. "I'll get arrested for sure!"
"You didn't let me finish," Michael says. "KITT and I will drive you to each house to return the stolen items, but you've got to be the one to put them back."
"And you ... won't let me get caught?" Rodney asks hopefully.
"You have my word," Michael assures him. He holds out a hand.
Rodney hesitates, then takes the proffered hand and gets to his feet. "When do we start?" he asks.
"How about tonight?" Michael suggests. "We'll be like a reverse Santa Claus, how does that sound?"
Rodney actually laughs. "Alright," he says.